The Sun. — 1868-12-31 (London, England)

WIGAN.  The murderer of the girl Annie Houghton, at Thi Ackhurst, near Wigan, on the 15th of December last, i, still at large, for notwithstanding the apprehension o suspected persons in different parts of the country, an( although every trail, however slight, has been activelyfol lowed up by the police, the authorities are unwillingly corn pelled to confess that they have been quite unsuccessful ii the search. Certainly they have very little upon which to work in the search, as the evidence at the inquest, rcportei below, will show. Colonel Bruce, the cliief constable o the county, has made a representation to the Home Secre tary, and the reward offered for the apprehension of th. murderer has been increased from £5O to £lOO. The coroner's inquiry has been resumed at Owell, near Wigan, before Mr. Driflield.  The first witness called was Thomas Parkinson, firemar at a colliery, who was with the Houglitons when they dis covered the body of the deceased lying out on the grass quite dead. Mr. Houghton went up to the hall to corn municate with Mr. Roper. Mrs. Houghton went forward to look after her other children, and witness remained with the body, which was susequently moved to the house. Witness recognised the hammer produced, with which the murder was said to have been committed, as one which he had used that day at the colliery, and had left in the smithy there, and had since missed. Sinking operations had been carried on at the colliery, and many strangers of all kinds had been about.  Mrs. Houghton, the m3ther of the deceased, was next examined, and she having given an account of the finding of the body, went on to say that when she reached the house all was still, the baby lying asleep in the cradle. She subsequently carried the deceased to the house and examined the rooms. She had no suspicions against any. one, and could not imagine that there was anyone in the neighbourhood who could be wishful to do such an injury to herself, her husband, or her family. She was of opinion that the murderer was no stranger to the locality, and to the habits of herself and husband, who generally left the house about the time. She believed the statement ,f the little girl, which had never varied in any important particular.  By Mr. Ellison : She was quite certain that the watch bad been taken away. Parkinson and her husband were on excellent terms.  Catherine Houghton, the little girl who was attacked by the murderer, was next examined. She was not sworn, but tt the conclusion of her evidence the coroner said he should have no hesitation in administering the oath to her if it became necessary. She said the man entered the house %bout half an hour after her father and mother had gone )ut, and asked for her father. He was told Mr. Houghton lived there, but was at the farm. He then commenced the. tttack, striking herself and sister savagely with a hammer similar to the one produced. Deceased ran out of the douse, and he followed her, returning in about five minutes. He struck witness again with the hammer, and kicked her, and afterwards threw her over the hedge into t field. She was quite sure she never before saw the man, whom she described as a tall man, dressed in dark clothe-, tnd wearing a cap from which the peak seemed to La\ e ;nen torn. The man did not appear to be tipsy, but looked very wild.  William Houghton, father of the deceased, was also examined. His evidence was principally in corroboration Df that given by his wife. He believed the little girl's story, and he had never found her to vary while relating it. He had no idea who had been the murderer, and was not aware that he had ever given offence to anyone. After some further evidence the coroner briefly summed ap, and the jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of ' Wilful murder against some person unknown."