The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1847-05-19 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DREADFUL MURDER IN YORKSHIRE. One of the most shocking murders ever committed in the West Riding was perpetrated at Mirfield, near Dewsbury, at midday, on Wednesday last. The victims are Mr James Wraith, his wife, and servant. The unfortunate gentleman was formerly book-keeper to Joshua Ingham, Esq., coalowner, of ?airfield, but has for sorra time past been living in independent circumstances appears that about 12 o'clock on Wednesday Mr Wraith was seen near his own house. About 1 o'clock a boy, who was employed to work for the deceased gentleman, went to the house and found all the doors fastened. Blood was issuing from under the doors. The boy gave an alarm, and an entrance was effected. The most horrible scene was presented. In the kitchen the servant, a young woman between 19 and 20 years, was laid with her throat cut, her brains beaten out, and her face in a dreadfully mangled condition. On leaving the kitchen the body of Mrs Wraith was found in the passage leading to the sitting room. Her throat was also cut. On going into the sitting room, the mutilated body of Mr Wraith was discovered. His throat was cut, his jawbone broken, and his head severely fractured. A razor was laid across his breast. On a chair near him were his keys and a pocket-knife. His pockets partly turned oat, but half a sovereign was left in one of them. Search was made in the drawer where it was supposed he kept his money, and which was found to have been opened, but at present it cannot be ascertained whether anything has been stolen. It was first conjectured that Mr Wraith was the murderer, but this v,-Le soon discovered to have been impossible, as his head WRS bruised as if by a heavy bludgeon. Inquiry was then made as to who was likly to have been the perpetrator of the deed, and it was found that a man who had been hawking earthenware had been seen near the house about the time of the murder. It was ascertained in what direction the man had gone, and he was followed and apprehended. On being taken into custody, bestated that he was at Mr Wraith's house between 12 and 1 o'clock —that he knocked at the door twice, and on knocking the second time, some one opened the door, and said they did not want any thing, that he saw some blood on the floor, and heard dreadful screams, but be did not mention these circumstances to any one. There are strong reasons for believing this man to be the murderer. It is supposed that, whoever the villainwas, he had entered the house by the kitchen door, which he had fastened in the inside, and had then proceeded to murder the servant; that Mrs Wraith, who, it would appear, was at dinner at the time, had gone towards the kitchen on hearing the noise, and that she was met in the passage, and there killed; and, that Mr Wraith was the last victim sacrificed. Great eihrprise has been manifested that such an outrage could be committed in the middle of the day without some one hearing it; and it is surprising, although we may state that the house is detached, though only a short distence from the surrounding dwellings. Mr and Nelra Wraith were both upwards of seventy years of age. Mr Wraith has lived at Mirfield a great number of years, and was highly respected. An inquest was commenced on Thursday, but a journed to the 27th Inst. A man named Michael MTabe is in custody; but the charge against him has not yet been established for hie committal.  AMATEUR PERFORMANCE —Pf