The Sun. — 1840-12-17 (London, England)

MURDER IN GLASGOW.  (From the Glasgow Chronicle of Friday.) The Sheriff of the county left town this forenoon, acco:npanied by a party of military, for Bishop-bridge, to investigate into the circumstances attending one of the most barbarous murders which ever occurred in this neighbourhood. The murder was perpetrated yesterday morning, and was marked by circumstances of the most fiendish atrocity. The victim is Mr. John Green, a ganger, or superintendent of labourers on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The deceased had charge of the works at that portion of the line adjoining Bishop-bridge, about three miles from Glasgow, and was proceeding to his duties about seven in the morning, before it was yet light, when he was assaulted by two labourers as he passed the wooden bridge at Crosshill, which is a temporary erection over a part of the railway works, and so severely injured that he died within an hour.  All the labourers on this portion of the line are Irish, with the exception of two Englishmen, one of whom, in ' conjunction with Mr. Grancis Rooney, another superintendent, witnessed the murder. The account they give is, that previous to Green's coming up a large party of Irishmen were assembled on the bridge or its vicinity, but before his arrival the most 61 them departed in the direction of the sn.ithy, as if about to commence work, lea% ing two or three behind. Green crossed the bridge, making a remark upon the weather as he passed, when one of the labourers followed him, and, with a punch or iron bar struck him a cruel blow on the head, which forced off his hat and brought the victim to the ground. Another labourer came up, and jump: :d upon the body, while the first wretch continued to inflict repeated blows on the head and face of the unfortunate man with the heavy iron instrument. The bloody work was soon done, and the two murderers run off in the direction of Auchinearn, and have not yet been taken ; though we hope this will not long be the case, as the speed and eye of the law are after them. Green was only heard to exclaim, " Oh, God ! are you going to murder me ?" He was picked up quite insensible, and, as bas been stated, died within an hour afterwards. . The Englishman who had witnessed the commencement of the assault ran off, being afraid that the onslaught was to be general. Mr. Rooney, however, saw the end of it from below the, bridge, but was restrained from going forward ; and identification of the murderers is difficult or impossible, from the darkness which prevailed at the time, and the similarity of dress worn by the labourers. That the murder Was a combined and premeditated one admits of little doubt. Green had only come to this superintendency two days before, but a report was spread that he was strict and harsh in the former works which he overlooked ; and the determination to rid themselves thus cruelly of one whom they might consider a sharp taskmaster, is the only reason which can be given for this heartless action. Another proof of it is, that the unfortunate deceased was attacked by a shower of stones on the previous evening Green, who was an active young man, thirty years of age, has left a widow and small family in England, and, so far as we have have heard, there is no cause for accusing him of harshness, unless a necessary degree of vigilance and attention to his duty can be called such. Friday forenoon, Mr. Sheriff Bell, accompanied by a company of the 58th Foot, and a party of police officers, were conveyed in a coach and three omnibuses to Cross-hill, for the purpose of apprehending the murderers by taking the labourers by surprise. On nearing the workmen were engaged under the level of the road, and were not app.ised of the force until they were surrounded. No resistance was offered, and on the names being called, each labourer came forward and allowed himself to be secured. About twenty-one were taken in this manner, and three were subsequently discovered and secured in an adjoining wood. They were all safely conveyed to Bridewell, to await the investigation which is to be instituted by the authorities.—Scotch Reformers' Gazette.