The Sun. — 1856-12-24 (London, England)

AWFUL MURDER AT BIRKENHEAD.  LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY.  It is with much regret that we have to report the commission of another awful murder, perpetrated this morning in the township of Birkenhead. The victim on this occasion met with his death while in discharge of his duty, and in its execution he was acting towards the ruffian who hurried hini into eternity in the most humane and lenient manner. Indeed there ea•..not be any palliation for the atrocious deed. The particulars, as at present ascertained, are as follow :  It appears that at a quarter before one this morning; Thomas Smith and Michael Breen, two young men; dock labourers, residing at 9, Eldon-place, Birkenhead, went t.) the public-house in Chester-street kept.by Mrs. Softly, and knocked at the door in a very boisterous manner. Mrs. Softly asked who was there, when the two men demanded to be served with some drink, which was refuied them, however, and after making considerable disturbance they went to the next door, a beer house, kept by Mrs. Carr, and there Smith kicked in the panels of the door. Mrs. Softly, hearing the disturbance, sent her man servant out by the back door to fetch a policeman ; and the deceased man, Vaughan, No. 8, was brought to the spot, and led the men away down the street. When in Bridgestreet, police-officer Whitehead came up, and Vaughan having told him what the pri-oners had done, asked them their names. Smith at once showed fight, and Whitehead saw him strike his brother officer several times. In a moment poor Vaughan cried out, " He's got a knife. I'm done, I'm done ?" and fell down in the street. Smith then ran away, but he had not got many yards when Policeman Clarke coming up from the opposite direction, took him into custody, Whitehead having the other prisoner Breen in his charge. A- struggle with Smith ensued, and after a severe fight the fellows were taken,to Bridewell, when it was found that Smith had a very severe wound between the forefinger and thumb of his right hand, caused no doubt by the shutting of the knife with which he killed the officer Vaughan. On returning to the place where the murder was committed, close to a pool of blood was discovered a large pocketknife, the blade of which was covered with blood, and this knife is identified as belonging to the prisoner Smith. A shandry, in which some persons had been , brought down from Bilston to Woodside Ferry, approachtd the scone of the murder, and into this vehicle Whitehead put his injured brother offieer and had him  conveyed to the police-station, where Dr. Jeannette, the police surgeon, was very promptly in attendance, and rendered every aid possible to save the life of the sut• ferer ; but medical skill was of no avail, for Vaughan died at a quarter to three, three quarters of an hoar after his arrival at the police station, and without say ing a word. The wound of which he died was just below the heart. Superintendent Birnie, who used every effort to alleviate the poor fellow's distress, informs us that he died without a groan. Vaughan was 25 years of age, stood 6 feet 1 inch, was of a very spare habit of body, and had been in the Birkenhead force since October, 1853, having coma over from the Irish constabulary to join it. He was a very promising young officer, remarkably civil to everybody, and most conscientious in the discharge of his duties. We regret to state that he has left, totally unprovided for, au aged widowed mother, and a sister who has been much afflicted for many years. He was their main support.