The Sun. — 1824-02-26 (London, England)

COMBINATION OF THE SAWYERS.  MURDER OF JOHN JONES. (From Gore's Liverpool Advertiser.) In August last, the sawyers employed by the shipbuilders in this town, not satisfied with the rate of wages they have been receiving for the last 7 years, demanded an increase, which their employers not complying with, they (what is technically calledyturned out, and their conduct since has been marked by systematic and sanguinary violations of the laws of their country, and has just terminated in the murder of an unOffending individual. John Jones, the unfortunate victim, was a peaceable and inoffensive man, fifty-six years of age, residing in Clement-street, Vauxhall-road. He occasionally worked as a saw year, but unconnected with the club in this town, and had been out of work for four months previous to the 29th of January, when he was engaged by Messrs. C. and J. Smith, Baffin-street. He appears to have been under apprehensiOri"of. injury from the other men, for he asked and obtained permission to leave his work early enough to enable him to reach his home before dark—but unfortunately for himself he had, on the evening of Monday se'nnight, to attend a meeting of a sick-club in Hood-street, consisting of members of several trades, of which he was one of the stewards, and therefore directed his son, a boy of 15 years old, to meet him there at seven o'clock with some refreshment. Jones left the house, perfectly sober, at half-past ten o'clock, accompanied by his son. When in Vauxhall-road, at the end of Freemasons'-row, they first observed Henry Griffiths and two other men, who followed them until they had passed the Bootle Water Works, when Griffiths aimed a blow with his bludgeon towards Jones, but it missed him and struck his son slightly on the back of his head; he then raised his arm again, and struck Jones a violent blow upon the back of his head. Jones then exclaimed, " 0 Lord, what have I done amiss to deserve this blow !" and reeled to the opposite side of the street, when Griffiths said to his fellow assassins, " Come along, lads, we'll give him his death-blow now !" and following Jones, struck him again, as also did the others ; the unfortunate man fell insensi-. ble, and was never afterwards able to speak. During this time the boy's screems brought the watchmen and other persons to the spot, when the wretches took to their heels. Griffiths, however, • only proceeded a few paces, when he turned back, exclaiming, 44 D —n his soul, I'll give him his death-blow !" and struck Jones again on the head, and then followed his companions; but being closely pursued by the watchman and the boy, he was stopped in Maguire-street, in the act of throwing away his bludgeon, and secured, before he had ran above 100 yards. Two of the bludgeons have been found ; they are about two feet long and two inches square, made of hard and heavy wood, and knotted in the handles, so as to be firmly grasped, and are alogether most deadly weapons. The other two villains escaped, and are not yet taken, but we trust that justice will still be dealt out to them—they are both described as being about live feet six inches in height, and both wore dark-coloured short coats and light trousers. Griffiths is by trade a sawyer, and appears to be about 24 years of age. The Coroner's Inquest was held on Thursday last, before T. Leyland, Esq., when a verdict of " Wilful Murder" was returned against Griffiths and two other men unknown. Griffiths will take his trial at the ensuing Lancaster Assizes.  Jones was immediately carried home and surgical assistance promptly afforded, but all in vain, for hisitull was dreadfully fractured in three places ; he lingera.t:peechless until twelve the next day, and then expired, apparently in great pain. He has left a widow and two children, for whom we are happy to hear a subscription is raising—the smallest donation will be gladly received at ours and the other newspaper offices. We understand the sawyers meet every forenoon, in Morlakefields, for the purpose of planning their operations.