The Sun. — 1862-09-22 (London, England)

THE GLASGOW MURDER.  The trial of Jessie M'Lachlan, for the murder of Jessie M'Pherson, was commenced at Glasgow on Wednesday, before Lord Dens. It will be remembered that on Monday afternoon, the 7th July, it was discovered that Jessie McPherson aged 38, servant to Mr. John Fleming, accountant, residing at 17, Sandyford-place, Glasgow, had been cruelly murdered. The family were living at Dunoon at the time, and the male portion of the household, with one exception, had gone down on the previous Friday afternoon to join the other part of the family, leaving old Mr. Fleming and the deceased (Jessie M'Pherson) alone in the house. At four o'clock on Saturday morning lgr. F era' ing heard sounds proceeding from the sunk flat ; butt thinking there was nothing wrong, he paid no attention to it. The deceased was not afterwards seen alive; and on Monday afternoon, when Mr. John Fleming came h,,me, search was made, and her body was found, fearfully mangled, with several deep gashes on the head, lying in her own bed-room, the floor of which was covered with gore. Immediately the most energetic and patient investigation was made into the whole circumstances of the case. Little light, however, was cast upon it for several days. There had been some money and silver plate taken from the house on the night of the murder, and this vas found the following Wednesday forenoon in a pawnoffice in East Ciyde-street, where it had been pledged admittedly by the prisoner M'Lachlan, who was apprehended in her lodgings on the Sunday following. Some days after, clothing belonging to the deceased, after several journeys by rail, was given up to the authorities by the prisoner's husband; ar,d subsequently bloody rags were found at Hamilton, which are supposed to have belonged to the prisoner M'Lachlan. After three examinations before the sheriff, the prisoner was committed for trial on a charge of murder and theft. The prisoner, Jessie M'Lachlan, left her home at Inverness about nine years ago, and came to Glasgow, where she got employment as a domestic servant. After having filled several situations she entered the service of Mr. John Fleming, Sandyford-place, with whose family she remained for several years. It was at this period that she made the acquaintance of the deceased, Jessie M'Pherson, with whom she was then a fellowservant. The two servants agreed admirably together; indeed much more so than usual. The prisoner left that place about four or five years ago, being married out of the house to J. M'Lachlan, who is a native of Greenock. She is described by those who have known her best as a woman of unblemished reputation—even of a religious turn of mind, and especially as a person of quiet and reserved disposition. Old Mr. Fleming had remained in the house from Saturday morning till Monday evening without taking any notice of the absence of the deceased, notwithstanding the screams be had heard, and he was consequently the first person suspected of the crime, He was apprehended on the charge, but was afterwards liberated. Sevet al witnesses were examined on Wednesday, among whom was old Mr. Fleming, who was in the witness box for two hours. He steadfastly declared that no thought of foul play ever entered his head. He thought the deceased had gone to visit some of her friends.