Darlington & Richmond Herald. — 1874-11-14 (Darlington, Durham, England)

FRIGHTFUL MURDER NEAR  CONSETT.  On Saturday, infarmition reached C mset that a horrible trage ly hal beon cotrun'tted at Dipton, an extensive colliery village abent three m"es from Consett. The scene of the tragedy is a place known as High Bush Blades, which stands a short distance frou the village, and consists of three or four houses, in one of which the murderer resided with his wife and family. The victim is an Irishman named Philip 'lardy, and the murderer, tfuzla Daley, is also an Irishman. Both men are miners, and worked at a neighbeuring colliery. Burdy, who appears to bl about 40 years of age, was a single man, and resided at Hill T ip, tw 3 or three hundred yards from Daley's house. On Saturday, Daley seems to h eve been drinking, and between five and six o'clock in the evening he returned home in a state of intoxication. Beyond this, however, nothing unusual was noticed in his appearance and demeanour. After purtaking of some food he was assisted into bed by his wife and Ann Smith, a neighbour who happened to be present. Subsequently the deceased man, whose brother, Simon Burdy, also re-il is at High Bash Blades, entered Daley's house. Immediately afterwards Daley, who had part of his clothes en, jumped out of bed, proceeded to the fire-place, and picked up a heavy iron poker. Burdey, on seeing this, ran outside but was followed by Daley, who dealt him a violent blow on the head with the poker.—A man named John Power. who seems to have been in Daley's house when Burdy entered, rushed off in a state of alarm to where Samoa Burdy resides, and informed him of what had occurred. Bundy, who had received a very severe wound on the bead, proceeded to the Louse of Mrs Smitli, a neishhour, who dressed his head, and some time after returned to Daley's house where he appears to have left his cap behind on being followed outside by Daley. As soon as he entered, Daley, who was attired in his shirt and trousers only, jumped out of bed and again atta ked him with the p tker. Two or three men were then present, hut they affirm that they were afra,i..l to interfere on accaunt of Daley's violent and treacherous character. Notiting seems to have been done for the poor man until the arrival of P.C. Forster, who had ran the distance of a mile after being sought. When a considerable distance off be heard the blows from the poker, and heard the prisoner saying to his victim. "Get up, yt.o b--." On being approached, the prisoner attempted to strike the officer with the poker, which be held in both hands, remarkintz as he did so, "Yes, you lo—; I have killed him and I will kill you.". The blow aimed at Forster's head struck the ground, and Daley falling to the ground at the same time, he was pounced upon by the officer and handcuffed. Burly was carried into Daley's house, anti Dr Hunter, of Stobbhouse, having been apprised of what had occur.ed, that gentleman was speedily in attendance ; but Burdy died half an hour after his arrival. The poor man's head presented a most sickening spectacle. The same evening Daley was removed to the safe keeping of Mr Oliver, the superintendent of the district. The horrible affair has created the greatest excitement in the neighbourhood, and on Sunday the scene of the murder was visited by crowds of people. The motive for the commission of the act is at present shrouded in mystery. It is said that the murderer and his victim had previously been on the most friendly terms.