Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1879-11-01 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER NEAR HALT WHISTLE.  PRISONER FOCND GUILTY OF MANSLACGHTER.  Robert Coulson (23), pitman, was indicted for the murder of Henry Robinson Wappiner, on the 26th July, at Halton-le-Gate He was further charged with wounding Thomas Wood, with intent to murder, on the same day and at the same place. Mr Ridley, M.P., and Mr H. Coulson, instructed by Mr I. Baty. Jun., Hexham, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Erlge and Mr Milvain, instructed by Mr Mole, Brampton, for the defence.  Mr Ridley, in opening the case, said the offence was committed on a road between certain Spelter Works and Midgeholme Colliery, at Halton-le-Gate. There had been a quoit match in the afternoon, and there had been some fighting in the Morpeth Arms in the course of the day. He thought the facts would show that there was some rivalry between the men of the Spelter Works and these of Midgeholme Colliery ; but on the present occasion there was no evidence of anything of that kind. When closing time arrived, all the men left the public. house, among them being the deceased, Wood, and prisoner. Wappiner proceeded along the road rather towards his own home at the Spelter Works. There had been a fight between Wood who was employed at the Spelter Works, and prisoner, Wood rather getting the better of his antagonist. Coulun went into the crowd, and presently returned to Wood and asked, " Are you the man that wants to fight me? Wood replied," I don't want to fight anybody," or words to that effect. Some one in the crowd said, "Are you going to use that knife?" and he answered." Yes, you b I have no other chance." He rushed in the direction of Wood, and inflicted upon him a series of stabs. Immediately Wood exclaimed, "I am stabbed." The deceased who had not been far off, also exclaimed, "I am stabbed." Wappiner had receivei from the hands of somebody a severe stab in the back and a severe wound upon the neck. He had been removed only ten or twelve yards when he died. Prisoner held up his hand and said, "That will fettle the b—," and some one cried, "Coulson has stabbed Wood." A man followed plisoner, who "clicked" something, as if he were closing a knife. Prisoner got into a farmhouse, and when the farmer came in he told him there had been a fight in the village and a man bad been killed. Prisoner shortly afterwards left and went to his lodgings, which were about half a mile along the road from where the fight occurred. Early next morning he was taken into custody and marks of blood were found upon his apparel. Prisoner said: "I will tell the truth ; I will not deny anything; I had a knife, but it is a queer thing four or five to one, and there were more of them to one of us."  Mr John Slack Hodgson, civil engineer, Hexham, spoke to the accuracy of certain plans of the locality which he had drawn out, and which were now produced. William Metcalfe said : I am a furnaceman, employed at the Spelter Works, which are some distance to the west of Halton-le-Gate. On the day in question I was at Halton-le-Gate. There had been a quoit match there that afternoon. The deceased. Wood, and other men were there from the Spelter Works, and there were a large number of other men belonging Halton-le-Gate and other places. After the match was over, about half-past four o'clock we went to the Morpeth Arms, and stayed there till ten minutes to ten o'clock. I saw deceased come into the public-house, and saw him also come out. He preceded me a little, and turned to the west. I turned to the east, but after I had gone a short distance I turned back. About twelve or fifteen yards to the west of the publichouse I saw deceased standing with his hands on prisoner's breast. Deceased said to prisoner, " Let it drop," or "let it settle." There had been some fighting, and Wood was standing in front of prisoner about three yards off. I told deceased that he had nothing to do with it, and pulled him away to the outside of the crowd, and left him there while I went to where there was some fighting a little to the east of the public-house. As I went I passed the