The Sun. — 1854-03-20 (London, England)

HORRIBLE MURDER BY A MANIAC.  SPORTING INTELLIGENC,.  horses ; for all horses that have been regularly hunted, &c. To be ridden by gentlemen. About three miles.  On Saturday morning, about half-past nine o'clock, the neighbourhood of Waterloo-street, St. Luke's, immediately at the rear of St. Luke's Church, was thrown into the greatest excitement in consequence of a report that a most horrible murder had been perpetrated by George Hennen, a stone-mason, upon his wife, 57 years of age, at their residence, 39, in the above street. Crowds of persons were soon drawn to the spot, and Inspector Brennan, with Serjeant Harvey, 14 G, speedily made their way to the scene of the awful murder, and in the back parlour of the house they beheld the deceased woman lying on a bed with her head literally beaten flat, and her throat cut and haggled. The person of the deceased and the bedclothes were saturated with blood, and her brains were scattered about the apartment, while a carpenter's hatchet, with which the frightful deed waa committed, was lying near the person of the unfortunate woman. The officers took possession of the weapon, and having proceeded to a further investigation of the awful tragedy, ascertained that her husband, who was seen to leave the house a short time previously, had for some time past exhibited symptoms of a diseased mind, although he had lived on the most amicable terms with his wife. On Friday night they went to bed together in apparent affection, and when he was first seen the next morning, he said, on being asked by his landlady how his wife was, " Oh! very well," and muttering something else, disappeared. The constables forthwith proceeded in search of the wretched prisoner, and found him at the residence of his mother, to whom, however, he had not made any mention of the frightful offence he had been guilty of. His clothes were very wet, and being asked by the officer what he had being doing, he refused to say anything beyond frequently repeating, "Oh ! my dear wife." They also ascertained that he had been in ill health, and utterly unable to work, which had preyed very much on his mind. He was forthwith removed to the police-station in Old-street, and at four o'clock in the afternoon he was brought before Mr. Collie, at Clerkenwell Police Court, and charged with the revolting murder. The unhappy man is about 40 years of age, and has a very careworn and sickly appearance. He stared vacantly about, and, several times, while th• dreadful facts were being deposed to, called out, "Oh ! she was a good wife," and " She was the best of women." Inspector Brennan was first sworn—He said that life was quite gone when he first beheld the murdered woman. There was a large hole in the left temple, and the other portions of the skull were battered in and the brains scattered about. There was also a frightful gash in her throat, and a hatchet (produced) covered with hair, blood, and brains, was lying in the fire-place. Witness discovered the accused in bed at his mother's house. He first asked him, "Do you know me, Hennen ?" when he replied, " No, I am very cold and wet." Witness said, "I am Brennan, the policeman, don't you know me now ?" and he made answer in precisely the same language. Witness removed him to the station, where he asked for bread, butter, and coffee, seemingly all the time totally unconscious of what he had done. He had known the prisoner for many years as a steady and hard-working man, and believed he had always lived on terms of affection with his wife. Mr. Doubleday, surgeon, 13, Windsor-street, Cityroad, said—The frightful injuries enumerated by Mr. Brennan amply accounted for death; and were inflicted, no doubt, while she was asleep. Mr. Corrie (to the prisoner).—Do you wish to ask the witness any question ? Prisoner—What ! what ! Who to ? Mr. Corrie— Would you like to put any question to either of the witnesses ? Prisoner—No, no.