The Sun. — 1845-12-22 (London, England)

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORN ENG, DECEMBER 22, 1845.  APPALLING MURDER. We are to-day calied upon to record one of the moat appalling murders which probably ever took place within the circle of the Channel Islands. The name of the victim is Thomas Hodge, the name of the murderer John Noon, both seamen. It appears that the individual who has thus fallen a victim to brutal violence and passion, was a sailor belonging to a vessel which trades between the port of Jersey and Newfoundland. About three weeks ago he arrived in St. Helier's from the latter place, and took up his lodgings at a respectable house in Mid-caster-street, generally frequented by the better class of seamen who have occasion to be some time in harbour. He was universally respected as a quiet, orderly, individual. On Wednesday last, the 10th instant, being the anniversary of his birthday, he treated his friends to an entertainment in the house in which he resided. In return for the compliment, his fellow-lodgers, being just on the eve of departure for a distant port, invited him on the evening of Saturday last to a farewell entertainment in the house at which they had all mutually taken up their residence. The hour of ten had arrived, and the whole party were quietly seated at supper, when the individual who is at present in custody upon the atrocious charge of wickedly depriving a fellow-creature of his life, intruded upon their innocent hilarity. He had only arrived in port some few hours before from a long voyage, and, as was also his usual custom, had repaired to the boarding-house where the melancholy catastrophe was fated to take place. Seating himself down in the very midst of the company, he forthwith began to Use language which ordinary eh-cency would prevent us from repeating ; oaths and imprecatioss, and the most obscene epithets flowing from his lips in the most admired rapidity. At last, however, his conduct seems to have proceeded beyond all further endurance, and the landlord of the house was obliged to rebuke him for his unmanly behaviour in the company of females. The rebuke, however, did not Seem to have much apparent effect, and noon still continued his oaths and imprecations as before. All efforts proving unavailing, it was at length found necessary to remove him from the apartment, and at this moment it is important to observe the amiable conduct of the deceased. With the view of seeing that no harm should result to the individual who had thus wantonly broken in upon the pleasures of the evenand whom, from the outrageous nature of his conduct, he could scarcely regard as in his sober senses, he volunteered to accompany him on board his vessel, where he was to Like up his quarters for the night. Hodge had only proceeded a.lew steps upon his way, and was descending a flight of steps which led from the doorof the house to the court below, when the murderer was observed to draw from his pocket a largeknife which he always carried about his person, and handle it iii &mantic r as if aiming at some deadly pu pose. Before, however, the murderous instrument reached Ike spot at which it was evidently intended to be struck, it fell upon the assassin's hands ; hut hastily stooping to the ground, it was in a moment plunged into the thigh of the individual, who, regardless of inconvenience, had so willingly volunteered to do an act of kindness. Falling back upon the steps on which he had been standing, the unhappy man uttered a scream which was heard at a considerable• distance, and was in a moment prostrate in a fit of insensibility. The murderer, however, did not wait to see the issue of his atrocious act. Uttering an oath indicative of the pleasure he experienced on having done for the ill. fated Hodge. he hastily decamped. The unfortunate victim only survived for a short space of time, and in three minutes from his receiving the fatal stab of the assassin, he had breathed his last. Medical assis