Glasgow Courier. — 1860-09-13 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

SHOCKING MURDER OF A YOUNG WOMAN. On Sunday week, a young woman, named Mitchell, was found dead in the coal-house of a farmhouse, at Upton, near Badsworth. The deceased, who was only about fourteen years of age, but who looked older, lived as a servant in the house of Mr Spinks, a farmer; and George Thorpe, a youth of about 17, was also in in same employment. On Sunday Mr Spinks and his wife (they have been but recently married) left home for the day, leaving the deceased and Thorpe in the house. In the afternoon a young woman, named Annis Cookson, was with the deceased, and Thorpe began teazing the deceased first, and afterwards attempted to take the girl Cookson's brooch. The deceased interfered to prevent this, and Thorpe appeared to be incensed at the interference ; but the whole passed off, and Cookson went home to tea. About two hours afterwards she returned to Mr Spinks's, and, not finding the girl Mitchell, she began to look for her, and after some little search found her lying dead in the coal-house, close by the door leading from the kitchen. On procuring assistance, it was found that the deceased had been shot in the back. A gun belonging to Mr Spinks was found to have been discharged recently, and a number of the shot which were extracted from the wound in the back and side of the deceased were found to correspond in all particulars with some found in a drawer belonging to Mr Spinks, to which Thorpe had access. He was taken into custody. Marks of blood were found on his clothes. An inquest was held on the body on Wednesday, when the jury, after hearing the evidence, returned a verdict of "wilful murder" against Thorpe. The circumstantial evidence against the prisoner is very strong. As to any motive which may have actuated Thorpe, it is difficult to form an opinion, unless it is grounded on the fact that his attentions were odious and distasteful to the girl, and that his temper had either been roused by the slight quarrel between them in the afternoon, or by some subsequent quarrel which took place after tea. However that may be, it is evident that the murderer used Mr Spinks's gun and shot-pouch; and that the girl, when the firearm was pointed at her in deadly aim, rushed out of the back door to save herself, but was relentlessly pursued by the criminal, who drew the trigger when the muzzle was nearly touching the poor creature's back, and shot her dead, for when the body was subsequently examined the head was found slightly bent forward on the chest, and her gown, stays, and chemise had a hole burnt in them about the size of a florin. The charge of shot had passed between the ninth and tenth ribs; the seventh rib was also fractured, the heart shattered nearly to pieces, and the left lung wounded. The death of the poor girl must have consequently been instantaneous. On Wednesday afternoon, as the inquest was proceeding in the presence of the prisoner, the funeral procession of the unfortunate girl left the house of her late employer, Mr Spinks. As is customary in the agricultural districts of Yorkshire, the coffin was borne along with six young girls dressed in white, and was preceded by a number of the neighbours, who sang a hymn appropriate to the occasion. From the position of the prisoner, he was able to watch the mournful procession for nearly half a mile of its progress to the church at South Kirkby (where the interment took place;) but although his countenance was narrowly scanned, to see if he exhibited any indication of remorse or suffering, no play of the features was observed which would warrant the inference that the fate of the unhappy young woman troubled his conscience in the slightest degree. Ever and anon the melancholy wail of the singers struck upon the ear, but neither this dismal death chant,nor the affecting lamentations of the distracted mother (who shrieked incessantly as she followed her young daughter to the tomb,) appeared to affect his stolid and unimpressive nature.  was executed, murder of his wife. deported himself in a maw- position in which he was placed. greater portion of his time was spent in devotional exercises, sometimes praying: for hours together, expressing contrition both fru. his ill-spent life the great offenoe for which he was to gaffer. Roman Catholic, and was attended 0 Mr Gibson, a priest of that church, deans in the task of preparing him t which awaited him. It is satisfactory to ... paid the greatest attention he exhortations rev, gentleman, and died penitent. On Monday the Catholic coadjutor-bishop the " "