The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1858-04-20 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

TAUNTON.  FEARFUL MURDERS. —On Wednesday morning last, as we gather from the second edition of the Bridgwater nyteB of April 14, discovery was made of the barbarous murder of an aged couple at a house called "The Cottage," in Coombe -lane, in the parish of Creech St. Michael, about four miles and a half distant from Taunton. "The Cottage," which is a beerhouse, was occupied by a person named John Bucknall, who was about 72 years of age, and his wife. The former was well known in Bridgwater and other neighbouring market towns as a pig-jobber, an occupation which he had followed for several years. He had arranged it seems, to attend Bridgwater market on Wednesday last, and the night previous he signified to his grandson, John Baker Bucknall (who generally accompanied him to the various markets> his intention of doing so, and stated that he had about £4O in his on for the purpose of paying for some pigs. His grandson had also been employed during the past week in making up the books and straightening the accounts of the deceased, and was consequently well aware of his pecuniary circumstances. About 6 o'clock on the Wednesday morning a neighbour named James Thorne, who lived at a cottage close by, heard the report of a gun, but at the time he paid no particular attention to it. At about this time the son of John Bucknall, who is employed at the Coombe-mills, which are within 200 yards of "The Cottage," came to his work, and shortly afterwards John Baker Bucknall, the grandson, called him from his employment and told him that he could not gain admittance to his grandfather's house. Accompanied by Mr. Morris (the owner of the Coombe-mills), the son and grandson proceeded thither, and found the door locked and the key removed. Mr. Morris, on perceiving smoke issuing from the premises, effected an entrance, and, proceeding to the lower cellar, the door of which was locked, they found the poor old man weltering in his blood, with his coat on fire, it having been ignited by wadding from the gun. They then discovered that a bullet had penetrated the back part of the head, and, passing out near the left eye, had made an indention on the door poet. His brains were scattered on the wall adjoining. It is supposed that he was shot while in the act of stooping to pick up some hay for his horse. On proceeding up-stairs a still more horrible sight presented itself. There lay on the bed, which was saturated with blood, his poor old wife, with a frightful gash in her throat, and one of her fingers nearly severed, as if in her agony of despair she had raiaed her hand to protect herself from the merciless cruelty of her murderer. The prevailing opinion in the neighbourhood is that she was attacked in her sleep, and that some of the bedclothes had been thrown over her head to prevent her struggling or giving an alarm. The old man had evidently been followed to the cellar and shot with his own gun, which had been carefully replaced in its wonted position in a little room adjoining. The murderer, doubtless, made his exit by the front door, which he had locked, and removed the key. In addition to the disappearance of the £4O, there are two or three rings and a brooch missing. Suspicion at once fell upon the grandson, John Baker Bucknall, who was forthwith apprehended.  On Saturday John Baker Bucknall was brought before the magistrates of the Taunton division, charged with the murder of his grandfather and grandmother, John and Betsy Bucknall, at Creech St. Michael, on the 14th inst. . .  The prisoner is a young man, about 22 years of age, six feet in height, with a countenance expressing much determination, and a head of the shape to which phrenologists attribute the possession of unusual firmness. He has apparently seen some military discipline, from the erect manner in which he bears himself. Several witnesses were examined, whose evidence tended strongly to implicate the prisoner. The prisoner was asked in the usual form whether he had anything to say. Acting under the advice of his solicitor, he reserved his defence, and was thereupon committed for trial at the next Assize for the murder of John and Betsy Bucknall. The inquiry before the magistrates lasted nearly eight hours. On the previous day an inquest was held before Mr. W. W. Munckton, coroner, at which several of the same witnesses were examined, and gave similar evidence. The jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against John Baker Bucknall.