The Sun. — 1844-12-19 (London, England)

DISCOVERY OF A LONG CONCEALED MURDER.  CHESTER, SATURDAY.—A considerable sensation was produced here this morning by the arrival of two police officers, one from Parnell, in Warwickshire, and the other from Alcester, who severally represented to Mr. Hill, the superintendent of the Chester police, that they were in search of a man named James Crowley, of Parnell, charged with the wilful murder of William Titsley, also of that place, as far back as the 25th of December, 1842. In consequence of information supplied by the officers in pursuit, Mr. Hill sent some of his men to the Black Dog public-house, where the party in question had been staying for some time. He had, however, removed to a lodging on the Eaton-road, leading to the seat of the Marquis of Westminster; but it was ascertained that his trunks and other moveables had recently been taken to the Castle and Falcon, a small public-house in Watergate-street, kept by a person named Mary Jones, at which place he occasionally called for refreshments, and, on inquiry, Mr. Hill was given to understand that he (Crowley) was expected there at about noon to-day. Accordingly two officers from Parnell and Alcester, accompanied by two of the Chester police, repaired to the house at the time specified, and there found Crowley seated with a glass of ale before him. It was known that he was always provided with pistols, and therefore due precaution was used in apprehending him. He was seized by each arm before he was at all aware of the presence of the officers, who then informed him of the nature of the heavy charge alleged against him.  " I admit it !" he at once exclaimed ; and, subsequently, as they were placing the handeuffs upon him, he added, " I am a dead man."  He was forthwith taken before the mayor and magistrates; and on being searched, thirty-six sovereigns were found upon him, together with a doublebarrelled pistol. The weapon was not loaded; but a paper, containing a number of balls, and a flask of powder, were found in one of his pockets.  It appeared by the statement made before the magistrates, that the prisoner had formerly resided with his parents at Parnell ; but, in consequence of his violent conduct, his father had forbidden him the house, at the same time providing for him a small cottage in the neighbourhood; and allowing him 1/. per week and a horse to ride on. Notwithstanding this arrangement, however, the father having still reason to dread some fatal act of violence on the part of his son, had one of his farm-servants, named William Tilsley, sworn in as a special constable for his (the Lather's) protection ; and on Christmas-day, 1842, the family and a party of friends having just taken their seats at the dinner table, the prisoner's mother suddenly started up, and said to her husband, "For God's sake, go up stairs; there's James coming across the field with his gun to shoot some of us." The old man accordingly hurried from the apartment, and the prisoner, who had been seen by his mother through the window advancing in the way she described, went round to the back of the house, and thrust the muzzle of his double-barrelled gun through a pane of glass. In the meantime Tilsley went out to expostulate with the prisoner, who, on seeing him, retreated a few paces, exclaiming, "It's you, is it ?" and at the same instant fired at the unfortunate man, and shot him dead upon the spot. He then shouldered the gun, and was heard to say as he walked away, " I've another charge for somebody else." No one ventured to stop him. He went home, saddled his horse, rode to Tring, and there left his horse at an inn, took the train, but stopped at the first station, where he bought a pair of spectacles to disguise his person, and was heard of no more until a few days since. He has, it appears, been in the United States in the interim, but has resided ever since March last in Chester. A Woman with whom he has recently cohabited in a fit of jealousy betrayed him. The prisoner, after having been duly cautioned, signed the following declaration:— " I have to say I am guilty of what I should do  again to-morrow. I did shoot the man in open day I think I did my duty." He was ordered to be taken to Warwick, where ht3.* will undergo further examination.