Glasgow Courier. — 1847-10-26 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

CHILDREN BY THEIR MOTHER.  On Saturday one of the most dreadful murders which has ever taken place in this country was committed in Cheapaide, Birmingham, under the following circumstances :—lt appears that about a month ago six widow, named Ann Wilkes, opened a small shop in Cheapside, for the sale of cigars and small wares. She was a person of very agreeable manners, about forty years of age, and had evidently, in the early part of her life, moved in a respectable sphere. When her husband died she was left with four children, three boys aud a girl. On Saturday it was aemarked by the neighbours that the' shutters were not taken down, as usual, in the morning. A Mr. Edwards, living close bv, f. Ming very uneasy at this circumstance, determined, about 11 o'clock, to ascertain the cause why the place remained unopened. 11-icing procured a ladder, he placed it against the window of the first floor, which was unfastened, and entered the room. lie found no person there, but being urged by the crowd outside to proceed further into the house, he did so, and advanced a few steps up a dark narrow staircase, at the top of which he .held a horrifying sight. Mrs. Wilkes was lying in a pool of blood, and at her aide lay her eldest child, both of their throats cut from ear to ear. On looking further into the roots be discovered-by a glimmering light (for the room was darkened) the to lies of the three other children, weltering in their blood. Terrified at the sight, he ran to the window,and cried out " My God! they are all murdered!" A police-constable, who was passing at th • time, mooned the ladder, and got into the room to the assists, ee of Mr. Edwards. Both proceeded to the spot where Mrs. Wilkes lay, and discovered that she was breathing. They immediately turned their attention to her, raised her up, and with-the as,blatice of Mr. Archer, surgeon, of Digbetb, bandaged the wound. After recovering a little she made - - ' se-iiSsimsowissass, hut wee pretresamirfrear'-dt time wts removed in a cart to the Queen's - Dr. Sands Cu:, Dean f the Faculty, was immediately sent for, and within ten toitonts time was in attendance upon the unfortunate woman, and ho.m lup the wound with all possible speed. It was found tit it the inj vies which she had susAined were of a very serious chiracier, and although none of the principal arteries had been cut, yet the windpipe was divided in such a manner as to leave it exceedingly doubtful whether the unfortunate woman will recovi r. After she had been in the hospital a few hours, she anpeared to be quite conscious, and evidently in much agony. Dor:ng the time the wound was being dressed she seemed inclined to speak, but all attempts to do so trete unavailing. Unhappi y it was found that the life of the four children was totally extinct. Their names are John Henry Wilkes, aged 12: Mary Jane Wilkes. aged 8; William Charles Wilkes, aged 6; and Frederick George Wilkes, agi d 4. Information was immediately forwarded to the police, and Mr. Superintendent Stevens proceeded to the spot, and placed constables in possession of the housc, at the same those tak hg the precaution to place a padlock upon the door leading to the apartment in which the awful crime was perpe rated. In the room where the murdered family were found two razors were discimered, apparently new. No reason ciii be assigned at present for the commission of the deed. At ,in.pa,t seven o'clock on Saturday night the unfortunate woman stm all, 0.