The Sun. — 1859-10-10 (London, England)

FRESH MAN.  MURDER AT MOTIIIIRIV_ELL.  Late on Wednesday niiht, or early on Thursday morning, upon the road leading from Motherwell past the village of Windmill-hill, in the parish of Dalziell, situate at a distance of two miles from  Hamilton, a young lad named John Wylie, aged about 18 years, an underground waggon-driver, residing as Craigneuck, in the said parish, met an untimely death under the following circumstances : —lt appears that on Wednesday night a datring club had met in the house of Alexander Smith, publican, near Motherwell, on the Hamilton-road, and where a number of colliers, miners, and others had been enjoying themselves. Among others in that house, but not connected with the dancing party, were four miners—viz., two brothers, named Jas. Anderson and Joseph Anderson, both belonging to Camp Co:liery, Dalziell, and also two brothers, named Jas. M'Phee and John M'Phee, both residing at Windmill-hill village, all of whom had left Smith's publichouse at 11 o'clock, and went on their way towards home together. Before reaching home, and while opposite M'Phee's lodgings at Windmill-hill, several persons, including Wylie, the deceased, and some women from the dancing club, passed them on the road while they wore there. An altercation commenced in some way or other between one of the four and another of the dancing party, which resulted in blows being struck. The Andersons and M'Phees arc reported to have immediately seized paling stobs, which they found in the hedge close at hand, and by one of which weapons Wylie was struck on the head, knocked to the ground, and never rose again. One of the party bolted off .when he saw the paling stobs made use of, and on his return to where Wylie lay he observed him lying on his back, lift his hand, and place it across his breast. This was the last movement he made. His body was carried into the house of his stepfather, closely adjoining; and Dr. Samuel Thomson, of Motherwell, being sent for, he, on examining the body, found life to be quite extinct. The two county police constables, Peter Stewart and Robertson Speirs, were not far distant from the scene, and immediately proceeded in search of the two Andersons and M'Phees, whom they fortunately succeeded in apprehending within a house situated at Kidston's-row, Camp Colliery, Dalziell, a distance of nearly two miles from Motherwell. On entering the aprtment these two officers found the whole four sitting at supper, and, to all appearance, preparing to make off, as the two M'Pheos were a good distance from their own lodgings. It was fortunate the officers arrived at the moment and secured them. Much praise is due to Stewart and Speirs for their activity in the matter, as well as to those villagers who kindly proffered their services and assistance. One of the latter, a boy named Scoular, pointed out James Anderson as the person " who knocked down Wylie with a stob." The prisoners were conveyed to Hamilton about two o'clock a.m., and shortly afterwards Capt. Mackay and Superintendent Irvine, of the county police force, arriving at the spot, were busily engaged investigating the affair, and took possession of the stubs used by the prisoners. It is stated that about the time Wylie was laid prostrate on the ground, one of the four was overheard making use of threats against another of the dancing party, "that he would take his life before he slept that night." It is unnecessary, however, to enter into more particulars, as these remain to be properly inquiredinto by the authorities. On Thursday forenoon the four prisoners were examined by Mr. Dykes, procurator-fiscal, before Mr. Sheriff Veitch, at Hamilton, on the charge of murder, and committed to prison. They are all young men, between 20 and 30 years of age, and, we understand, unmarried.