Widnes Examiner. — 1885-10-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SUSPECTED MURDER AT WARRING  TON.  At Warrington Borough Court, on Thursday, an Irish labourer named John Scanlen was brought up before Major Litton and Councilor Platt, ' and charged on suspicion with having, in company with others, murdered Michael Ward, also an Irish labourer, in Arpley-walk, on or about Saturday, the 10th inst.—Mr. Hunt (chief constable) said that he had received a letter from Superintendent Leighton, of the .Altrincham police, in regard to a man named Michael Ward being missing. The letter stated that on the 10th inst. Michael Ward and Jno. Byrne, Irish labourers, in the employ of Mr. James Davies, of Bollington, went to Warnngton to make purchases. Byrne, the letter stated, said that Ward was badly beaten by John Scanlen and five or six others, on Friars-green, Warrington, and that Michael Ward had not been seen or heard of since. It appeared, Mr. Hunt said, that the missing man Ward was a farm labourer, single, aged about 26, was about sft. 7in. in height, had light brown hair, and wore whiskers. He was a native of Galway, and came to England in March. Scanlen was also a native of Galway, the two families living within about two miles of each other when at home in Ireland. Prisoner, his brother, and his father had been working for Mr. Yates, farmer, for the summer end. On the Saturday night in question Ward and Byrne, having made their purchases, were on Friars Green about midnight when a bother took place. Byrne would tell the Bench that he saw the prisoner strike Michael Ward on the head with his fist. Prisoner's father also attacked Ward, striking him right and left. Ward fell to the ground, and was badly used. Byrne saw him get up and run along Arpley-walk, leaving his hat behind, and that was the last that was seen or heard of him. In consequence of his friends being unable to get any news of Ward, the matter was reported to the police. Inspector Spinks on Wednesday went to the Bull's Head public-house, where he saw prisoner, and also ascertained that the father was in the house. The letter received from the Altrincham police did not say anything about the father, and consequently the Inspector only went to prisoner and asked him to walk to the Police Station. They had evidence that no sooner had John Scanlen set out to walk to the Police Station than the father left the house, fetched his clothes from his lodgings, and left the town by train, which was very suspicious. He should mention that Ward's brother, Owen, used to lodge with prisoner, who was sent to prison for a month on a charge of stealing .a half-sovereign belonging to Owen Ward, which might account for a grievance between the two. He should ask for a remand for further inquiries to be made.--John Byrne was then called and spoke as to the struggle on Friars'-green. He said that prisoner's father beat Ward while he was lying on the ground. A woman told him that she had seen Ward go down Arpley walk. Witness went after him, but came back and found Ward's hat on the ground. Examined by the Chief-constable, witness said he had known the prisoner twelve months. The missing man was under the influence of drink when the row took place.— Inspector Spinks said after receiving instructions from the Chief-constable he went on Wednesday morning to Friars-green and made inquiries. Going afterwards to the Bull's Headin Bridge-street with Police-sergeant Rowbottom, he saw the prisoner drinking with several other men, and he apprehended him. He asked prisoner when he saw his father last, to which he replied, "On Sunday." After cautioning the prisoner to be careful what he said, prisoner said, "1 knciw what you are taking me up for ; it is about Michael Ward." Subsequently Prisoner said," It's not me, to tell the truth ; my father kicked and struck him." Witness then charged him with having killed and murderecLMichael Ward on the 10th October, and he replied, "All right witness can tell if I lifted a hand to him. John Byrne was there all the time. Ward was looking for me in Friars-gate that night to kill me. Peter Garrity is witness to that. I never saw Ward till I saw him walking down Mill-lane towards Arpley Station." Witness added that he never said a word to the prisoner about Ward going down there, and those .Were the exact words he made use or.—Prisoner was remanded until Monday.  ' KATI COMPOITHD, for 'ol4,and (loughs Sold thrnaghout tho World, d, Is 44, 2s 93, C. Bay, Brothers, Stockport