The Sun. — 1836-12-20 (London, England)

MURDER AT KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY.—A shocking murder was perpetrated at the above-named place last week. The unfortunate victims were an aged couple, brother and sister, of quiet and industrious habits, residing at Kirton-in-Lindsey, about seventeen miles north of Lincoln, where, for a number of years, they had pursued the occupation of gardeners ; and, by dint of frugality and persevering labour, had saved money enough, with the addition of a mortgage, to purchase the premises which they occupied. William Marshall was the name of the man, and Deborah Elizabeth Hutchinson that of his sister. Two women,named Elizabeth Beech and Rosamond Sampson, worked for Marshall and his sister, and were accustomed to go to the house about eight o'clock in the morning, and leave at five in the evening. On proceeding to Marshall's house on Tuesday morning the former found the shutters as she bad let them the previous night ; and no answer being returned to her knocking, she entered, and discovered the body of Deborah Hutchinson on the floor, the head and face covered with wounds and clotted with blood. Her features were scarcely discernible. The socket of her right eye was empty, and the eye was found adhering to a sweeping brush which was under her. The right jaw was broken. The cheek bone also ; the temple beaten in, and other parts of the skull fractured. Beneath her head and shoulders was a pool of coagulated blood, the upper part of her garment being completely saturated in it. The head was leaning against a door. On proceeding to the staircase the body of Marshall was next discovered, presenting an equally ghastly spectacle, the features, from the injuries received, being undistinguishable. There was a deep wound, extending from the left eye to the temple ; another upon the skull, which had penetrated to the brain, and the others from one to two inches in length. The injuries appeared to have been inflicted by a bricklayer's hammer. The murder, it is supposed, must have been committed between five and halfpast eight in the evening, as the old people usually went to bed at the latter hour, and their dress, when found, was the same as that they wore the day before. The surgeon who examined the bodies is of opinon death must have been instantaneous in both cases. A urse, containing, it is supposed, about eleven sovereigns, Shad been taken ; but some silver spoons, which were in the box, were left behind, as well as a silver measure and sugar tongs ; indeed, the only articles missing besides the money were a great coat, a cavalry pistol, and a piece of cooked bacon. Marshall, who seldom had much money in the house, had to pay 151. interest money the day after the murder, and it is surmised that this must have been known to the party who committed the deed. Some suspicions attached to a man named Disney, who had been at the house the preceding evening, and he was in consequence apprehended at Sheffield, whither he had proceeded. The inquest was held .on Thursday, but there not I:,eing sufficient evidence against this man, the Jury, aftea- a long consultation, returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown." The pay-sergeant of the 38th regiment, then stationed at. Canterbury, has suddenly and unaccountably disappeared. Nothing being heard of him for a month, and the fact of his having 150/. of his own deposited in the hands of one of the officers of the regiment besides his being entitled to his discharge whenever. public, being made be chose to apply for it, have caused some little stir in the town, under the apprehension that to obtain his money some one might have murdered Min. A few days after his disappearance his pocket-book, containing only a few papers, and two pair of shoes, supposed to belong to him, were found in a field. He was a man of steady habits, and was Aerfectly sober at the time be was last seen.