The National Register. — 1821-12-30 (London, England)

MURDER.—In the month of July last, John Dale, a respectable travelling hawker, from Flash, in Staffordshim, being on his circuit of business, and not returning home at the expected time, his friends became alarmed for his safety. His father sent in search of him, and all trice was lost at a public-house at Winkbourn, about three miles from Southwell, where he was last seen. An active nullity and search was set on foot in the neighbourhood, when the belts of his pack were found near a wood in Winkbourne, and which raised a strong suspicion that he was murdered, yet the body could not be found. A few weeks afterwards, some labourers sheering in a field adjoining the Sigllle WOCKI found a yard-wand and walking-stick, which were also identified to belong to the deceased. This naturally strengthened the suspicion that the poor man was robbed and murdered, amid altlitingli a diligent search was made for the truly, it could unit be found. The father could not set mind at rest, and accordingly, in the early part of last went over again to W mkbourne, and on Tuesday , morning, he, accompanied by some persons of the village, entered upon another search for the body. They •• ranged the wood for a considerable time without being able to find the object of their pursuit, until at length, • on coming to a skirt of the wood (next to the corn-field where the wand and stick were found), they observed the earth in one part of the dirch to he somewhat raised, mum which a minute search was made amongst the thickets, and in a new secoods, to the astonishment of all present, the mangled corps was discovered concealed about a foot and a half within the ground. Here the feelings of the distressed father, may • more readily be imagined than described. No time was lost in conveying the body, which was in a forward state of decay, to a proper place. The deceased hail on all his clothes, except his shoes and hat. His pocket-book, contain lug three one-pouird notes, was found in his side-pocket, which the murderers had missed. It is supposed the deceased had in his possession goods and money to the amount of about 701. He left the public-house in IVinkbounie about eight in the morning of the 14th of July, arid it is thoughs he was murdered half an hour afterwards. Frmn the marks of violence which re- • mained visible upon the head, it is believed the horrid deed was perpetrated with a bludgeon. An inquest was held on the body oil Saturday, by J. Holmes, Esq. Coroner, when a verdict was recorded of " Wilful ;nosier against some person or persons unknown." On Mon. day the remains were conveyed to Flash for interment. The deceased, who was in his !JEtill year, bad on.y been married about six weeks previous to the murder, and whose disconsolate widow, thus barbarously robbed of an affectionate husband, has since resided at Chesteifield. A considerable number of tradesmen of Barnstaple hare been most egregiously duped by a fellow who came to the town, about twelve months since, and took care punctually to pay his bills for some time after his arrival, by which means he obtained sufficient credit to enable him to accomplish an extensive scheme of fraud. Oit Saturday last, being two days previous to the appointed day of payment to every one, he decamped, leaving the discomfited tradesman minus about 10t.11. The fellow bas with him a woman, about 30, whore• he calls his wire; he appears tio years of age, and called himself B but since leaving, has assumed the name of Browne, he is about five feet five inches high, rather thick set, !allow complexion, with an apparent stillness shoot the tit-ek, , and has the appearance of a respectable Portuguese Jaw. t Ur always tlrc4ictl in a blue isce.tt ceat auJ ttOWSCN.  ,t"  !  '1 A  i.l  ■  I