The Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Telegram. — 1877-01-26 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

CAPTURE OF PETER. ASTOUNDING PARTICULARS.  YEOVIL, MONDAY. The capture of the last of the four men who are charged with the Netherton murder. has been accomplished under circumstances which add fresh fuel to the fire of interest which surround this astounding tragedy. Scarcely has the public been bewildered by the statement that the fugitives, for whom every part of England is being searched. have had the audacity to return and sleep in their own homes— hardly has the excitement of the "hunt after murderers" began, than the announcement is made of the canture of two of the fugitives, in an almost increditable manner. A butcher's cart is driven up to the police-station at breakfast-time, and from under a tarpaulin two of the culprits are drawn out by the heels, and the driver, a butcher named Vagg, tells the surprising story that he, single-handed, had taken these two desperadoes who were the terror of their neighbourhood—taken them in a lone place on tbe highway, and brought them a distance of five mile* There was something about the story that raised doubt, and Mr. Vag; did not stop to gratify curiosity. He did not even say anything about the reward of £l3O which is offered to the man who delivers the Hutchins.. to justice. Like a good citizen who has done his duty to his country, and finds ample reward In the approbation of his own conscience. Mr. Yaw made tracks back again to his home at West Coker. What for? We shall see! and here commenced a fresh scene in this most remarkable drama. _  ..... No sooner had father and son been remanded to Taunton gaol than Deputy Chief Constable Bisgood took a conveyance and drove off to Hardington-hill, where he picked up P.C. Fry (who, it will be remembered, entered the house of Peter Hutchins when the bird had flown) and P.C. Pnddy. The party went on to West Coker and made an inspection of the dwelling of one the numerous relatives of the accused, but nothing was found. From thence they went to Citizen Vagg's. He was standing outside his house with the key of the stable in his hand. The Deputy Chief Constable enquired if he knew him, and Vagg said he did. The officer said he wanted to make everything right, and he should like to search his house. This announcement had • visible effect on Vagg, who, however, handed the key of the stable to Puddy. Whilst that officer was looking about, the Deputy (Thief, convinced that something was wrong, pressed Vagg to ascertain if he knew where " Pit " was, and Vagg acknowledged that he did. He took the party up into a loft above the stable, where was A large pile of heavy wood—blocks two feet long—and under these was Peter Hatching.! He asked them not to hurt him; being like all savages of his kind dreadfully afraid of pain. Mr. Biswood said he should not he hurt if he kept quiet and he did so, although he was observed to he moving his hands to a pocket, in which was afterwards found a jack knife. He was without his boots which were being dried with wisps of hay, and his hat he picked up himself, under a bunch of hay that concealed it. He was at once hand-cuffed, and taken to the Yeovil station, in the luck up of which, he awaits examination to-day. His relatives brought him food yesterday, but he could not eat. He said he had had too much.