The Express. — 1851-12-29 (London, England)

HORRIBLE MURDER AT HELPER, 1)ERD10....._ We have to record the perpetration, on Saturday, of a most cold-blooded and daring murder at Belper, about eight miles from Derby, and near to the extensive cotton mannfactories of Messrs. Strutt. It appears that a man, named Anthony Turner, who resides at Lane-end, about half a mile from Belper, has been for some years in the habit of collecting rents for a widow lady, named Barnes, who lives with • relative named Bannister, a clergyman of the Church of England, at Field House, Delver. Turner having been a defaulter to a considerable amount, Mrs. Barnes sent him a note to say that he would not be allowed to collect any more rents, and that he was to coasider himself discharged from his situation. On Saturday erasing lest he went to a provision shop, kept by a Mr. Hun end borrowed a large carving knife used tor cutting beam. After the knife was given to him, he said he was going to kill Mrs. Barnes with it, for nut letting him collect the tents. This was about eight o'clock in the evening, and it appeared that he went direct from Mr. Husband s shop to Field House, deceased's residence, and asked to see Mrs. Barnes. The servant went to Mrs. Barnes, and returned with on answer to the effect that Mrs. Barnes would not see him. Turner said he would not go away without seeing her, and, entering, pushed the girl aside and rushed up stairs. The servant was very much alarmed, and ran to fetch the Rev. Mr. Bannister who was in the adjoining house. That gentleman immediately ran into the house, and on proceeding up stairs met Turner coming down with a large knife in his hand, covered with blood. Turner made an aim to cut Mr. Bannister with the knife, and, after a struggle between there, Turner was precipitated down stairs. Mr. Bannister that proceeded to the unfortunate lady's room, and found her lying on the ground, with her head literally severed from her body, and one of her thumbs cut off, as if in struggling to defend herself. Medical aid was immediately in attendance, but was of course unavailing. Turner, on leaving the house, met the servant girl coming in, end made an attempt to strike her with the knife, but she turned her head on one aide and evaded the blow. The murderer then ran out, and has not since been heard of. Ile is a married man, with only one child, is a tailor by trade, and formerly a load preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist connezion.• His age is about forty-five yeses, about five feet eight inches high, very small black ivy's, rather forbidding. appearance, and had on, at the time of the murder, a pair of drab trousers and black coat. The most extraordinary part of this awful tragedy is the great ease with which the murderer escaped, as it was only about half-past eight o'clock in the evening, and numbers of people were about. The electric telegraph was immediately set to work at the Belper station, and the news conveyed in a few minutes to Derby, Nottingham, and other midland towns. Mr. W. Wrsgg, superintendent constable of Belper, and formerly one of the detective officers of the Derby police, was unable to render any assistance in finding the murderer, in consequence of having received severe injuries in attempting to stop the prize fight a few days ago. It appears that Turner cohabited with a woman in Derby, and yesterday afternoon Sergeants Hardy and Earn proceeded to the house of the woman, but could find no traces of the murderer having been there. The deceased, Mrs. Bernet, was • widow lady, about 60 years of age, of eccentric habit', sod the owner of considerable proper in Belper and Derby. The inquest was to commence this day (Monday) before Mr. Harry Mozley, coroner of this district. A