The Sun. — 1835-09-07 (London, England)

TRAGICAL EVENT.  The excitement in the neighbourhood of the Edgewareroad was not in the slightest degree abated oa Saturday, and crowds of persons assembled near the house. Mr Stanynought about twelve years since was cashier to the British Press newspaper-office, and when he left that situa Lion he took up his residence in the Edgeware-road, where, in addition to his business as a librarian and newspaper agent, he carried on the trade of a coal-merchant. During his residence here he became the father of two children, the murdered boy,-and a girl of nearly the same age, for whom he always evinced the most ardent affection. At the commencement of the present summer both children were-attacked with scarlet fever, which proved fatal to the girl, but the boy Vebovered. From this period it would appear he became exceedingly thoughtful, and evidently laboured under • some strange but unaccountable delusion. A sbort time since Mrs. Stanynought repaired to Gravesend for the benefit of her health, taking her son with her ; but she had not been sojourning there more than a few days before her husband went down and brought away the boy with him to town. That he entertained an idea at this time of destroying his offspring is confirmed by circumstances which subsequently came to the knowledge of his friends, and indeed from his own observations after he had committed the deed. On . Mr. Barker being, called in shortly after the murder was perpetrated, lie 'found Mr. Stanynought undressed in bed with the body of- his lifeless child lying by him with its face downwards. Mr. Stanynought, in the most cool and collected manner stated that he had destroyed his child, and described the way he effected it. He said that lie struck him on the forehead with the bootjack, and pressed him down on the bed with a pillow ; he added that he had for some time meditated the destruction of both himself and son, as he was satisfied the poor boy inherited from him the same weak state of head which had caused him (the father) such dreadful sufferingS, and ha considered himself justified in terminating his, existence rather than permit him to live and suffer as he had done. By his own admission it would also appear that 'he had twice endeavoured to put an end to the existence of himself and child by burning charcoal in his bedroom, which had not the desired effect, he not having blocked up all the apertures in the apartment. He had on the night of the murder also burnt charcoal in his room, and had himself taken a. quantity of laudanum ; but both having failed, he resorted to the dreadful expedient of destruction already detailed. It being ascertained that the Coroner's Inquest would not be held until Monday morning (this day), at eleven o'clock, the Magistrates gave orders for Mr. Stanynought to .be conveyed to the office for the usual preliminary examination, that* might be remanded until the Coroner's investigation is concluded. On the prisoner entering the office in the afternoon, leaning on the arm of his brother, he looked extremely dejected, and cast his eyes upon the ground. He is a tall and well-proportioned man, about forty-five years of age, of very 'gentlemanly appearance, and intelligent and expretsive cast of features, and was attired in a blue surtout coat, silk waistcoat, and light trowsers, 'On the latter of which were numerous spots of blood.