The Express. — 1863-01-07 (London, England)

THE MURDER AT WIGAN.  The coroner of the district, Charles Duffield, Esq., yesterday opened as inquiry into the circumstances connected with the murder of the fireman Barton, at the Bawkhome Pit, in Haigh, near Wigan, on Sunday night. The inquest was held Milo Packet-house Inn, New Springs. There were present with the coroner the as chief constable, Kr. Hung, of Bootle • Superintendent Mims, of Pemberton ; Superintendent Orton, of Leigh ; Inspector Peters, of Hindley ; and G. Dogfish, Esq., J.P., surgeon. Several witnesses were in attendance, but before say stein were taken to open the inquiry the police-oflions consulted privately with the coroner, and made inquiries of the Laird of the dimmed. The principal portion of the articka in the ash-pit of the furnace were produced before the coroner. The result of the conversation was that the coroner informed the jury that after a oonsultation with the police-officers and the family of the murdered man, he had decided not yet to open the inquiry formally. The inquest would therefore be adjourned sine die, but due notice would be given when it was thought advisable to make the evidence public. The mamas far this step are, we understand, that the police think it might very probably be prejudice' to them in their search of the murderer, if the whole of the information they have obtained and the suspicions they hold were circulated at the present time ; and that if the impart was opened the coroner would have to issue his order for the interment of the remains, a course which is not at present thought advisable by the officers, who wish them to remain in their hands for a short time longer. The jurors caning 's, objection, the opening of the ingest was adjourned nee die. The crowbar, with blvd upon it, and a portion of the fragments found in the furnace, have been forwarded to Mr. J. B. Edwards, analytical chemist, of the Royal Institute, Liverpool, for analysis, and his report is daily expected. None now, have any hope that the result of his investigation will throw any doubt on the fact, we have pal:Caked. It may not be a fact without importance that a lunatic, named Taylor, a Dative of Aspull, the township which adjoins Haigh, on Thursday night seamed from the Wigan Workhouse, through )a window from which the Lunacy Commissioner ordered the bars to be removed, and has not rime been heard of. Nothing is more likely than that be should make to his former residence. Many perm= amid' er it far from improbable that he bits been the murderer. The peat difficulty of the police is to find a motive for the commission of the crime. Though they may have had their suspicions aroused in one or two quarters, yet we believe we are correct in stating that at prevent they have no solid ground to work upon, and their labour is specially difficult, from its being almost impossible to find a reason for the murder. The remains of the ash-pit were examined yesterday, when more halfburnt bones were found, principally welded to the cinders. It was also noticed that the clinkers were in many cams stained with blood. Some of the buttons found have evidently been upon the trawlers of the deceased, whilst others have formed part of his shirt, the latter being of the kind usually covered with linen.  The county magistrates held a meeting on Monday, at Wigan, when the police officers of the district, accompanied by Assistant Chief Constable King, of Bootle, laid a statement of the fade they had obtained before the bench. Mr. Daglish, surgeon, who has had the remains laid before him, informed his, brother magistrates that he had no doubt the fragments were the remnanta of human bones. It was stated that the Earl of Crawford and Balcones had offered a reward of 2001. for the apprehension of the offenders, and it was decided to communicate with the Secretary of State. The following is the placard which has been !need :—" Whereas, in the night time, between nine o'clock of Friday, the 2nd, and three o'clock of Saturday the 3rd inatent, 1863, James Barton, aged 55 years, collier and engineman in the employment of the Right Hon. the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, at the Bawkhouae or Button pit, near the Red Rock-bridge, Haigh, near Wigan, was, whilst on his duty, foully murdered by some person or persons not known, and his body burned in the furnace under the boilers—a reward of 2001. will be paid to any person who may give such information as shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of th4mtirderer or murderers." The bill is signed by Mayhew and Soo, solicitors to the earl.