The Sun. — 1847-01-27 (London, England)

ATTEMPT TO MURDER.  - - - Considerable excitement Was created in this town on Thursday morning, by the report that a young man had cut the throat of a woman on the previous evening, in Weststreet. From the inquiries we have made, we are enabled to give the following particulars of this melancholy and somewhat romantic affair. The name of the young man is Charles Smith, a native of Bridgenorth, but lately holdings situation in the office of Mr. Gibbs, surveyor of taxes in this town ; and that of the unfortunate woman is Jane Morris, who is a native of the same place. At as early age an intimacy commenced between the parties, which, after a time, became a mutual attachment; and, although the friends of Smith, who are very respectable, objected to .a union between the parties, the intimacy continued, the result of which has been the birth of four children, all of whom are, however, deceased. Smith remained at Bridgenorth, with his friends, until, we believe, about 15 months since, when he obtained a Government appointment ; and.previous to his being ordered to this town, had been fulfilliag•the duties of his situation at Bury St. Edmunds, where the unfortunate young woman had cohabitated with him. About three weeks since he left that town, having received-orders to proceed to Reading. His paramour, however, soon discovered his new abode, and in a few days after his arrival in this town, she made her appearance, and took lodgings at; the house of Mr. Cray, grocer, in West-street. Smith also resided in West-street, at Mr. Martin's, tailor, and the young woman, who we understand is not more than 21 years of ;age, had visited Smith more than once at his lodgings previous to Wednesday last, on the evening of which day she came to see him, and was shown into his room up stairs, where they remained together nearly two hours, when the other inmates of the house were alarmed with dreadful screams. Mr. Martin, accompanied by a young man who resides in the house, immediately ran up stairs to the room whence the Sound proceeded, and on opening the door saw the unfortnnete young woman on the floor, and Smith standing over her. smithimmediately ex.claimed to them, " She has Mit hist throat." ' Ari alarm was immediately given, and 151 r. Rusher, chemist, who *lves near, proceeded up stairs, while a messenger was dispatched to Mr. George May, surgeon, who quickly attended, and found a wound on the right side of her neck, but none of the principal arteries were divided. The wound was dresred ard the patient put to bed, after which a policeman was sent for and Smith taken into custody; but he strongly denies having attempted to cut her throat, while the unfortunate woman has made, we believe, several rambling statements with respect to the occurrence. The position in which Smith was seen looks certainly very suspicious, although there is no positive evidence at present to prove that he inflicted the wound. A razor stained with blood was found on the 'floor, and is in the possession of Mr. Houlton. We are happy to state that the unfortunate victim, who remains at M and will be enabled, in ther. Martin course ein s,is of' going on favourably, atewdaye,tagive evidence against Smith, who will be brought up before the borough magistrates this morning, and no doubt remanded till Monday or Wednesday next, when the whole facts of the case will transpire.— Berkshire C. renicle.  Chelmsford whichuao eShaarragheci Cthmesdleiarn tih(ewchoro on is coroner's now in a THE PoISoNINGS IN