The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1840-09-04 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

TILE RECENT ATTEMPT TO MURDER AT LUDLOW.— To Hawkers, Cutlers, and others.—Any person who has recently sold a razor, marked Ellin, cast steel,' having a black handle, to a person answering the description of the prisoner, is earnestly requested to communicate the particulars to the Ludlow magistrates." This advertisement has as yet been answered in no way whatever; but the superintendent of the Church Stretton division of the rural police, who has been actively engaged during the present inquiry, has traced one important fact, which, on the next examination of the prisoner, may lead to the full conviction that he (Misters) was the man who committed the horrible act. The fact is this, that Mr. Lewis, after diligent inquiry, has learned from a hair-dresser in Shrewsbury, that a person answering the description of the prisoner called at his (the hair-dresser's) shop and was shaved on the Saturday preceding the day of the attempted murder. The following morning the hair-dresser discovered that a razor was missing, but having no suspicion of the prisoner, and not having as yet seen him since in custody, this matter is left for further investigation. It is said, however, that a considerable difficulty lies in the way of identification, inasmuch as the hair-dresser states that the razor missing from his shop was stamped " Ellen, cast steel," whereas the razor found is marked " Ellin, cast steel." This morning the prisoner was brought up for examination before the Mayor, John Smith, Esq., J. Hutchings, and H. Smith, Esqrs. The prisoner still preserved that coolness of manner and possession of mind which he has manifested during this protracted inquiry. The court having been opened, it became generally known from that imprudent act as stated above on the part of Mr. Macreeth, that that gentleman would not be in such a state of convalescence as to admit of his examination. The Mayor accordingly called upon Dr. Lloyd, whose testimony was to the following effect : " I have still been in attendance upon Mr. Macreeth. He is not in a fit state to be examined this day, yet I may say that he is going on favourably. He still remains at the Angel Inn.— Probably in a week (Monday) he would be in a state of health to be examined without danger. Last night he was not quite so well as he had been ; I have given orders that none should see him except his immediate attendants. I cannot say even now that he is fully out of danger. My opinion is, that it would be more conducive to his health to examine Mr. Macreeth at the Angel Inn, rather than in a crowded court."  Superintendent Lewis then produced a coat, known to be the property of the prisoner. It appeared that, contrary to the statement of the prisoner, he (the prisoner) had been in Shrewsbury the preceding week, and left the garment in question at the Unicorn Inn, from which house he had been ejected in consequence of his being unable to pay his bill. On the production of the coat no observations were made ; but it being understood that evidence of considerable weight would be forthcoming on a subsequent day, the Mayor, addressing the prisoner, said—" Josiah Misters, we cannot come to a close in this unfortunate transaction without first taking the evidence of Mr. Macreeth. His state of health will not permit him to be examined this day ; we, therefore, remand you until Wednesday week. On that day you will be taken to the Angel Inn, and examined in his (Mr. Macreeth's) presence. After that you will be brought to the Guildhall here, for the hearing of further evidence against you ; and I do hope that on that day we shall bring this lamentable business to a close. You therefore stand remanded until Wednesday week." The prisoner was then removed in the custody of an officer. The utmost excitement prevails, not only in Ludlow, but in the country.