The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1847-06-23 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MURDER BY A MANIAC AT KNOWSLEY-R AIL WAY MANAGEMENT.  The household of Lord Derby, and the residents in the Immediate neighbourhood of Knowsley Hall were thrown Into a state of considerable excitement on Sunday evening last by the following shocking occurrence. About 7 o'clock in the evening, a man, who appeared to be in a very excited state, and without hat or shoes, came to the door of the lodge in Knowsley park, in which resides an old retainer of the fatally, well known as Betty Highcock, and her servant maid, a girl of fifteen, named Ann Leyland. The old woman was alarmed at the man's appearance, and told him to go away, as she had nothing to give him. He immediately rushed at and threw her down. The girl Leyland ran terrified out of the house down the avenue. The maniac, for such he was, pursued her. Old Mrs Highcock, taking advantage of the opportunity, got up and ran in the opposite direction, towards the stables. Some of the grooms having heird her screams came out, and, going in the direction of the carriage road, found the madman about fifty yards from the cottage door, standing over the unfortunate girl whom he had knocked down. He had one foot upon each of her arms, and her long hair twisted in his hands, whilst he was pulling it with all his might. The girl then appeared to be insensible. It would appear that some minutes had elapsed before the persons who first arrived would dare to approach the maniac, who threatened them with instant destruction if they interfered with him. At length, however, a helper in the stables, named James Mills, c tme behind, and threw him right over, when, horrible to relate, the scalp, extending from the front to the back of the head (upwards of six inches in diameter, which must have been partially detached by the previous blows), was rent completely from the skull, leaving the bone exposed for the breadth of a man's hand. The g:rl was immediately taken up and conveyed to the hall. She never recovered from the collapsed state in which she was found, and died at 8 o'clock on Monday morning. The perpetrator of the horrid deed was not secured for some time. He deliberately walked up before the windows of the hall sometimes wiping his hands with the inside of the bloody scalp, and at others holding it high over his bead, singing "hallelujahs." Within about a quarter of an hour after he had first been seen, several persons collected round with pitchforks, staves, and other weapons, and he was secured and handed over to a policeman. The name of the man is James Dwerryhouse. He is a powerful. looking person, about 25 years of age; had been for some years in the army, served in India, and was discharged with a conditional pension about four years since. For the last two years he has been employed as a signal-man on the London and North Western Railway, stationed at Broad green, the duties of which office be performed up to Saturday evening last. An inquest was held on the body of the girl at Knowsley hall, on Wednesday evening. A verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against the prisoner, and he was immediately forwarded to Kirkdale Gaol.