The Sun. — 1851-11-10 (London, England)

MURDER OFA WOMAN BYHER HUSBAND. One of the most deliberate murders that have been committed for many years past was perpetrated in the neighbourhood of Portman-square, at a late hour on Saturday night, by a man named Bear. For some years Bear, by trade a tobacco-pipe maker, has been in the habit of treating his wife (the deceased) in a most cruel manner, and on several occasions the poor woman was driven to seek magisterial protection. His conduct proving worse, at length it was deemed advisable by her friends that she should leave her husband and take lodgings for herself. This she frequently did, but as soon as he found her out he continued his system of persecution. At length, the poor creature having obtained work at the patent feather bonnet depot in the neighbourhood of Wigmore-street, she was persuaded by two other females working in the same establishment to lodge with them at No. 33, North-street, Marylebone-lane. Hera her husband found her out, and on Saturday evening between six and seven o'clock went to the house and requested to be shown her room, but was informed that she had not yet returned from her work. He replied that he would stop till she came home, and having sent out for a pot of half-and-half, he remained in the company of Mr. Lanning, drinking with him, and not appearing in the least degree excited, when, after the lapse of an hour, the poor woman came home, having in her hand a new cap which she had purchased as she came along. The moment she entered the passage of the house, Bear saw her, and said that is the party I want, and having been supplied with a lighted candle, he followed her upstairs into the first floor back. He had had barely sufficient time to enter the room, when a tremendous noise was heard accompanied by fearful screams. Some of the parties lodging in the house went to ascertain the cause, when they found the man carrying a large box down stairs. Not knowing what had taken place they allowed him to ascend the stairs again, and take away another box. Mrs. Lanning, however, and another female having gone as far as the room door, they beheld the poor creature lying in a recumbent position, near the fireplace, with her head resting on a chair and blood flowing from her face and forehead. Meanwhile the man, on gaining the end of the street, entered the Bedford Arms tavern, and having called for a glass of gin, drank the same off at a draught, but on getting again into the street he ran against Police-constable Church, 129 D, to whom he said that he had done something to his wife which he had no doubt would require his attendance at the police station. Church then perceived that the man's hands were covered with blood, and he accordingly removed him to the station in Marylebone-lane. Mr. Inspector Jackson and Sergeant D 20 immediately proceeded to the house in North-street, when they beheld the lifeless body of the man's wife lying on the floor, and blood oozing from numerous stabs in the face and head. A surgeon was instantly sent for, when it was learned that the poor creature was perfectly dead. The instrument used to perpetrate this diabolical crime was a common blacksmith's file, about six inches long, and sharpened for the fatal purpose. Upon taking him to the station-house, and whilst Mr. Inspector Jackson was booking the charge, he inquired whether his wife was dead. A policeman answered in the affirmative, when he replied, " Ah, well, I feel more happy now than I have been for a long time since." The inspector inquired his address, when he said he had no place to live in; but on further questioning him as to where he last slept, he replied that it was at a beer-shop, at the corner of Brighton and Cromerstreet, Brunswick-square. The inspector proceeded thither, and on entering one of the rooms ho found his son, a lad about twelve years old, fast asleep. The officer having given instructions to the landlord of the house, as to looking after the boy, he proceeded to the residence of the female's mother, who tho moment she beheld the officer, said she knew the object of his mission. Before he had tins° to utter a word, she said she was quite sure her daughter had been murdered by her husband, as he had often threatened to do so.