The Sun. — 1858-05-07 (London, England)

SHOCKING 11117RDER IN A NEWSPAPER OFFICE AT HALIFAX.  (From the Leeds Mercury.) A dreadful murder occurred at the Talifax Guardian newspaper-office, yesterday, and threw the whole town into the utmost consternation, the deceased being extensively known in the town. From what could be gathered soon after the fearful affair, it appears that the compot-itora at the office of the Halifax Guardian newspaper had but just returned from dinner yesterday af, ernoon, a little after two o'clock. A number of them were in the first composing room upstairs (the room next to George-street), an two others, one of them the unfortunate deceasel, Mr. James Jacobs, and the other his murderer, a youth about twenty years of age, named Dawson (who is an ap prentice), were in a further room, looking into George-street-yard. The two latter were at work, and just before the melancholy affair Dawson had gene to one of the other men for a pinch of snuff for deceased, with which he had returned to the other room. No quarrel in words was heard between the two, but it seems the murderer shut the door and fastened it, and without a moment's warning commenced an attack on Jacobs with iron " dumb-bells." After this, and apparently becoming still more furious, he seized an irou press-stang, about two-and-a-half yards long, and beat the deceased about the head with that. Still further, be seiz-d a hatchet, and with it cut away at the face and head of his victim. Meanwhile the other workmen wore alarmed with the noise going on, and, if we are rightly was a informed,woolall ran into the street. There was however, sorter named Bates passing to whom they communicated'apttet there was something wrong, and he, a strong, courageous man, really the matter. determined to ascertain what was'ie and, ay breakHe and the printers enndtert d tt to their rdutte ism that office, ing open the door, fodu The sight that pr poor Jacobs was deeasented itself was fearful. The dead body. of the who but a few moments bc..fore was vigorous ni with an life and all the strength of manhood, was laid its on back in the room. There was a large pool of blood, the brains being mingled in it. The wounds were of the most dreadful character, and all upon the front part of the licad. The forehead was laid open, and the face gashed, apparently with the hatchet. The ill-fated man had taken off his coat, and had commenced his work, for his composing-stick lay near him, and the \ matter he was setting up was in p melancho 1 "pie.' The murderer was immediately arrested and removed to the Town-hall in the cuetoiy of the  police. He is a youth still serving his time with Mr. Walker, the pr6prietor and publisher of the Halifax Guardian, and is considered, ro far as we can ascertain, a youth of remarkably quiet dieposition. Ho and his victim were believed to be vrry friendly, and we are told frequently worked side by side with each other. Not one word of disagreement that we can hear of had occurred between the two.  Dawson had bee,' engaged up to the time on some "rule work," which he had executed very neatly, and altogether had conducted himself with the utmost propriety up to the very instant of .his commencing the fatal attack on Jacobs. The man's trousers were bespattered with blood and brains when removed to the Town-hall. He did notseem much excited, only had a peculiar wildness about the eyes. He quietly told Sergeant Thompson all that had happened. The only explicable statement is, that Dawson must have suddenly loss his reason, and under the influence of momentary madness' done this dreadful deed. .Jacobs, the deceased, as we have said, was very well known in the town. He resided at Hall-end, where his wife carried on the business of a milker on a large scale. He was in the vigour of his days, a strong active man. He had been at the Guardian office for a dozen years at least. The inquiry Vora the coroner and jury resulted in a verdict of wilful murder against the p•isoner. While the surgeon was giving his evidence the prisener so eamei violently, and attempted to approach t im, but was held backre tyeaxecvimeeraleonft et. parties present. A scene of g su,d, and ultimately _the surgical evidence Wag taken in private.