The Sun. — 1848-11-16 (London, England)

MURDER AT CARDIFF.  On Sunday morning last the town of Cardiff, in Glamorganshire, South Wales, was thrown into a state of great excitement by the death of a Welshman, named Thomas Lewis, who was murdered in a most brutal manner by an Irishman, bearing the name of John Conners. A feeling of jealousy has existed for a long time past between the Welsh labourers upon the docks and the line of the South Wales Railway against the Irish, who have engaged to work at less rate of wages than the natives, and have consequently deprived many of employment and driven them to the union workhouse. On every occasion that an opportunity is afforded this feeling breaks out with great violence, and demands the interference of the civil authorities to quell it. It ap • pears that on Saturday evening, about twelve o'clock, Lewis, accompanied by two friends and .his wife, was proceeding along Mary Ann-street towards his home, when, hearing a noise at the bottom of the street, he ran to see what was the matter, followed by the the two men who were with him. On reaching Whitmore-lane, which passes the lower end of Mary Ann-street, he met with the man Conners, of whom he inquired what was the matter. Conners angrily answered, " What's that to you ? Go on ; " and Lewis replied, " Don't be so saucy ; you had better make the best of your way home." Upon which the Irishman said he should not go until he liked, as he could stand there as long as he pleased. Lewis then walked on with his party to the corner of Davidstreet, where he lived, and while standing talking to his friends, Conners threw a stone at him, which hit him upon the leg. He then ran up Stanley-street, followed by Lewis, and when about twenty yards from the bottom, Conners, overtaken, made several thrusts at Lewis with a knife. He then ran away, and Lewis staggered, but was caught by a sailor named Stewart, who took hold of him by the arm, and asked him if he was hurt. He made no reply, but fell with his face to the ground. At this time his two friends came up, and conveyed him home. A medical gentleman, named Evans, was called in, but he pronounced life to have been extinct some time. On examining the body, four wounds were discovered upon it, one extending from the ear on the left side down to the chin, another upon the front part of the left shoulder, one upon the left breast, and one upon the right breast, which penetrated to the principal artery of the chest, and by causing the blood to flow into its cavities from the heart produced almost instantaneous death. Oa Monday morning, about twelve o'clock, the district coroner, Mr. R. L. Reece, opened an inquest upon #k. hrwl, et tribe Town-hall, which after sitting for six hours was ajourned until 1 flUrsuay avcaar.ao _ time for the apprehension of the murderer. Five witnesses were examined, but their evidence only went to substantiate the above facts. On Monday evening the excited and exasperated populace attacked the dwellings of the Irish, broke their windows, burst open their doors, and burnt some of their furniture, and had it not been for the interference of the police, a serious riot would have been the consequence. They also attacked the Catholic chapel, demolished the windows, and did considerable damage to the priest's house.