The Sun. — 1847-05-27 (London, England)

THE TRIPLE MURDER AT MIR  FIELD.  The examination of the two murderers, Michae, ll.Cabe and Patrick Reid, apprehended a short time since on suspicion of being the perpetrators of this appalling crime, took place on Saturday last, at the Courthouse, Dewsbury, before Mr. Joshua Ingham, chairman, and Messrs. J. B. Greenwood, John Hague, 11. W. Wickham, and E. B. Wheatley. The court was crowded during the investigation, and the excitement which the dreadful occurrence had occasioned appeared in no degree to have subsided, numerous parties remaining outside the building and in the neighbourhood during the whole of the investigation. The accused have been carefully watched since their arrest, and have been kept in separate cells. M'Cabe is stated to have manifested considerable uneasiness and restlessness since hi., removal to the station at Dewsbury, but on his being brought into court he maintained the same calm demeanour which he preserved at his first examination before the deputy-coroner. Ile was placed in the dock in the long brown overcoat which he wore at the time he was taken into custody, and on the left arm were placed several pins, to mark the places from which had been cut pieces of cloth, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the marks on his clothes were or were not really those of human blood, and which were submitted to the inspection of Mr. West, of Leeds. Reid, who is a much younger and more athletic men, was also dressed in the dark green and buff waistcoat which he was sworn to have had on -on the morning of the murder; and on his left arm, immediately on the round of the shoulder, and the inner part of the wrist, were similar marks placed, to denote the spots whence the cloth had been cut for the chemist's inspection. He appeared almost indifferent to the proceedings, and was defended by Mr. llaxby, of Dewsbury, with whom he communicated but once, and that was during the evidence of the principal witnessg against him. The most important witness was Benjamin Horton, a hawker and dealer in rags and pots, who lived in Mah-lane, lifirfield, and who said, that as he was passing down the road leading from DPKinnell's house, by the Baptist Chapel, close to that of Mr. Wraith, he accidentally turned his head, and he then saw Patrick Reid at the lane end, near Mr. Wraith's house, and from which one immediately faces into his dwelling by the back yard. He could not speak as to whether he was going to the house, but he had his head turned that way, as if about to enter by the kitchen door. At the same time he saw 11‘Cabe about ten yards off Mlliinnell's garden corner, walking towards Reid and Wraith's house. Ile could not speak as to what distance was between them; but he passed on, and a shower of rain almost immediately overtook him. In his cross-examination, he said he had known Reid personally for some time, but not his name, before the murder ; and he knew M'Cabe well. He did not see their faces, but ho spoke to their dresses and person, and swore positively that they were the two men ho had seen in the locality described. The magistrates, after a short consultation, remanded the prisoners until next Saturday, for further. examination. M'Cabe said he wished to account for blood being on his basket by stating that he had purchased some hearts and liver at Huddersfield a abort time before, and carried them home in it. He was allowed by the bench to have an interview with his wife, in the presence of the constable. Thus, at present this dreadful crime is involved in mystery. There is other evidence to be adduced, with respect to the key of the unfortunate victim's door, found in the well, a centre-bit, since discovered, and other matters connected with, a long chain of circumstantial evidence to connect the accused with the commission of this fearful crime ; but the rumours are too vague and contradictory to warrant publicity. The adjourned examination takes place before Mr. G. D. Barker, Deputy Coroner, this day, when it is expected the testimony of Mr. West and other witnesses may throw additional light upon the affair.