The Sun. — 1858-03-22 (London, England)

WANDSWORTH.—James Townsend, the hug band of 12 wives, who already stands committed conspiracy, and robbery,was brought before Mr. Dayman, to be examined on the more serious charge of attempting to on several cases of bigamy, murder a young woman, named Martha Rolph, formerly in the service of Mr. W. B. Kitson, a gentleman connected with the Custom-house, residing Warwick-street, Pimlico. tsken on a former occasion went dinTghae t evidence N, 1 to prove that on the 16th of July, 1855, Mr. Kitson and family were out of town, the house left in charge of Rolph who had been in the service many years, and her aged grandfather. The house was securely fastened, and about 12 o'clock at night Rolphwas awoke by hearing an unusual noise. She called to her grandfather, and not hearing any anwer or a repe,iti..n of the noise, she was about to g 0 00tm it to sleepwh again when the prisoner rushed into the the large kitchen pokerin one hand and a light in the other. He commenced a murderous attack upon her, by striking her over the head and arms with the pok• r. She called to him to spare her' and he discontinued using the poker. She then felt a pressure upon her throat, which she took for his hand grasping it. She shortly afterwards be came insensible, and did not remember anything more until about six o'clock in the morning, when her grandfather called her, and she had only sufficient strength to tell him what had occurred. Upon entering the room she was found in a frightful condition with a rope fastened round her throat. It had evidently been fastened very tight, and the knot had slipped, or she would have been strangled. She was removed to the hospital, and was in a dangerous state for some time afterwards. It also appeared that the cellar had been broken open and plate of the value of 1001. stole*. It was customary when Mr. Kitson left town to place his plate in the cellar, the circumstance of which was only known to Rolph and two former cooks.. One of them hap- gened to be Caroline Walters, Who is now suffering eighteen mouths' imprisonment for giving a 'false character to Kezia Ilarradine, one of the prisoners' wives, by which she was able to rob Mr. Pearse of Wandsworth-fields. The house was entered by forcing the fr,mt kitchen window. Mr. Richard Painter, surgeon, of Brydges-street, Covent-garden; now stated that he lived near Mr. . Kitson's-at the time in question, and was called in. He found ti young woman just recovering from collapse consequtlit upon some serious injury. The hod was very much tumbled, and was covered with large spots of blood. She had five or six contused wounds on the head, penetrating to the bone, which was quite exposed. Triewounds averaged from halfan inch to two inches in length. Her arms were frightfully bruised and swollen. He saw the poker lying near the bed as well as the rope. He had her removed to St. George's Hospital, where she remained three weeks, and was for some time in . danger .. .  Caroline Walters was brought from the Wandsworth prison, and proved another charge of bigamy against the prisoner. Mr. DAyman fully committed the prisoner for .rial on the charge of burglary and at. empted murder.