The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1847-09-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DREADFUL MURDER NE AR BOLTON. AN TLL.FATED FAMILY.  One of the most cool-blooded murders ever perpetrated in this neighbourhood took place on the morning of Sunday last, at Langshaw Farm, in Heaton; Betty Pilkington, an aged and respectable female, having been killed by her husband, Robert Pilkington, fifty-six years of age, with • bar of iron or poker. The history of his family is a most melancholy one, and causes amongst such of the Inhabitants as are acquainted with it, horrifying thoughts. Plikington's father, in the middle stage of life, w..s hung for stabbing a fellow-creature; and not long after that melancholy event, which ought to have acted as a warning to the remaining branches of the family, his son—brother to the present monster in human shape--was transported for causing a man's death by kicking; and, to add to toe catalogue, Orrell, who was hung for poisoning his children some years ago, was cousin to him. About three or four months ago we had to rec •rd a lamentable event which occurred at Dacocker public-house, on the boundary of Halliwell and Heaton, in which a man named Kershaw had been struck on the head with a fire poker by John Pilkington, son of the present homicide, and which had well nigh terminated his existence. Kershaw, however (although at times labouring under an aberration of intellect), recovered, but John Pilkington was committs d for trial at the assizes, and, on Thursday last, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for the offence. He had been out upon bril previous to trial, and on his departure left hie mother in charge of the farm, which was the scene of the present'murder. The deceased and her husband had, in consequence of his brutality towards her, lived apart for more than ten years. He was formerly a farmer, but became dissipated and abuse.] his wife, who bad always the reputation of being a clean and industrious woman. The dreadful occurrence took place about nine o'clock on Sunday morning, and from the circumstances, must on his part have been premeditated. He took advantage of the absence of his eldest son John, at Kirkdale, and about seven o'clock went to the door and obtained permisssion to light his pipe. Having gained permission, be seated himself by the fire and refused to go out. The deceased, hie son William, a young man, and Bridget Dean, an Irish girl, the servant, were the only inmates, and it was the duty of William to carry out the milk in one direction, and Bridget to take it out in another. As he re fused to go, Bridget desired the deceased to put on her bonnet and go with her with the milk, to avoid any quarrel, and she did so. On their return he was still seated by the fire, and said to the deeeaged " Art thee lobe master?" She said "Yes ; John left me in care of the place," and upon that be took ups bar of iron, which was used as a poker, and is about 20 inches in length, and dealing her two heavy blows on the bead, she fell to the ground. Bridget Dean, the servant, ran up to him, and seized hold of the poker, and although she is a stout young woman, was unable to wrest it from him, and regaining entire possession of it, be struck her also on the head; but she made an escape and alarmed the neighbourhood, who reside at Barrow Bridge, about two hundred yards distance from the place. A young man of the mune of Howarth, was the first to get to the spot, and found the deceased lying in a dying state upon the floor, with her bead dreadfully fractured. The perpetrator of this horrid Nd was missing; he was not to be seen, but informswas immediately conveyed to the police, and he was apprehended in about an hour afterwards it the higher end of Little Bolton. and near "Lomas Wife's" firm, which lies between timithbill's Hall, the seat of Peter Ainsworth, Esq., Belmont, and about two miles from the Beene of murder. He was accused of the act, but made no confession, and without resistance suffered himself to be taken to the lock-ups, at the Town Hall, Little Bolton, where be remained until Monday last, at four o'clock. up before the Rev. J. S. Birley and rge of cutting and maimto do her grievous bodily  deed wag tion  and  charge  , intent  body of the deceased, a respectoci. After f retired fcr a on their return, against Robert Pll- were unanimous all moved by the decision.