Glasgow Courier. — 1848-01-27 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

HORRID MURDER AT DUNDRY, NEAR BRISTOL. BRISTOL, FRIDAY NIORT.—An inquest has been held this afternoon, at the Carpenters' Arms, Dundry, about four miles from this city, before R. Uphill, Esq., Coroner, touching the murder of a respectable yeoman, named Walsingham Hazel]. The pro mailings lasted for several hours, during which the following facts transpired:— The deceased, an old man of 64 years of age, was a large farmer, living at Dundry; a maiden sister lived with him, as did also two nephews, young men, named James and Benjamin Hazell. On Monday last, between 8 and 4 o'clock, he was seen by several of his labourers, who were at work in a barn, talking with his nephews. After that hour nothing was seen of him, and as he did not reach home In the evening, the greatest alarm was occasioned to his sister, as he was a man of remarkably steady habits. A search was instituted, but without effect; and among other places searched was a stable, the key of which James Hazen at first refused to give up, saying that he could not be there; and in this he was joined by his brother Benjamin, who also said the stable should not be opened. A short time afterwards, however, the stable was opened, but the search there proved of no avail. Things remained in this state until Thursday, when Thomas Capell and another man, at work, thrashing in a barn, were informed by one Joseph Stokes that two men, named Henry Grover and Benjamin Payton, had told him that they had dreamt that the body of Mr. Hazel' was in a certain old well. The men sneered at the information, but were induced at length to go to the well, which was dry, and had not been used for some time, and was then to all appearance in its usual state, a large stone being on the lid, which was fastened on one side by a hinge. The cover was lifted up and the men looked in, but could not see anything. They then got a candle, and were startled to perceive marks of blood upon the sides of the well. A rope and a hook were procured, and at length they brought up the dead body of a man, which proved to be that of their missing master. There were marks over the eye of a tremendous blow, and also upon the back of the head were several marks of heavy blows. In the pockets of the deceased were 10d. in silver, and a few articles of trifling value. The body was than removed to the house. The well, we may state here, was near the stable. A man, named John Hall, assisted to remove the body into the house, and he then went to a dung heap near the stable, turned it over with a fork, and found an ash stick two-and-a-half inches thick, and about two feet long; on this stick were marks of blood, and there were also some grey hairs attached to it. Hall also found an umbrella, which the deceased had with him at the time he was missed, on a wall adjoining the stable. The two nephews were in custody upon suspicion of committing the murder, and were attended by Mr. Harmer, solicitor, Bristol. Hall was severely cross-examined by Mr. Harmer, and he gave most evasive answers. At first he said he was at a public-house from twelve to eight on Monday, and afterwards admitted that he was absent from the house for some time. Be was, after the inquiry, taken into custody, upon a charge of being an accessory. The inquest was adjourned.