The Sun. — 1839-12-18 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF MR. HARVEY COMBE'S GAMEKEEPER, AT COBHAM.  A man, named William Allen, alias Cobler Will, was taken before the Rev. Arthur Onslow, at Guildford, on Monday, charged with being concerned in the murder of Thomas Chipps, a gamekeeper to H. Combe, Esq., at Cobham, in Surrey. Mr. HUMPHREYS appeared on behalf of the prosecuiton ; and Mr. H. Combe was also present during the inquiry. The murder in question was committed nearly two years ago. It will be remembered that the head-keeper of Mr. Combe, upon going his rounds, accompanied by the unfortunate deceased, was met by four men, armed with guns, who attacked them, and beat them in a most brutal manner with the butt-ends of their guns, and the deceased received such injuries that he died a day or two afterwards. The Coroner's Jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against four men, named Thomas Sakers, William Allen, William Bird, and James White, all of whom absconded except the latter who was taken into custody, and he then gave informa tion of all the circumstances of the affray. Thomas Sakers was afterwards taken, and tried at the Surrey Summer Assizes in 1837. White was admitted evidence for the Crown, and Sakers was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to be transported for life. Notwithstanding that a large reward was offered for the apprehension of the other men, and that the officers took every pains to apprehend them, they all contrived to elude pursuit until a few days ago, when Cooke, the Superintendent of the Kingston police, having ascertained that the prisoner was working as a labourer in the lower part of the county, went thither and took him into custody.  When the prisoner was placed at the bar, Mr. HumrllaEYs said he was instructed on behalf of Mr. Harvey Combe to prefer a charge against the prisoner of having been concerned in the murder of Thomas Chipps, one of that gentleman's keepers. He then produced a certificate of the Grand Jury having returned a true bill against William Allen. James White, the accomplice, was sworn, and he proved that the prisoner was the party to whom the finding of the Jury referred. Richard William Cooke, inspector of the Kingston police, proved that he apprehended the prisoner, and told him the offence he was charged with, and he made no reply. The prisoner absconded from Kingston immediately after the occurrence at Cobham. The Rev. Mr. ONSLOW asked the prisoner whether he wished to say anything in answer to the charge preferred against him ?  He replied that he had nothing to say. He was then fully committed to Horsemonger-lane Gaol, to take his trial for the murder, at the nest Assizes.  The prisoner is a fine looking young man, about twenty-five years of age. He is a native of Kingston, and before this fatal transaction he bore a very Indifferent character. It is due to him, however, to state that it appears on inquiry, that since he has absconded he had obtained constant employment, and bore a very good character with his muster.  The Liberals of Youghal, on the whole registration of the present year, count a majority of 20. In the county Cork registry, at the late Macroom Sessions, the Liberals registered of old snd new i 9, the Tories 36.