The Sun. — 1845-07-14 (London, England)

DREADFUL MURDER.  On Tuesday morniag last, the greatest excitement prevailed in Penzance, in consequence of the discovery of one of the most appalling murders that it has ever fallen to our lot to record. The supposed perpetrator of this tragical crime is a man named Benjamin Ellison, aged about 55 ; and, we are informed, belonging to some part of the north of England. His unfortunate victim was Elizabeth Rous Seman, about the same age as himself, and also an entire stranger in Penzance. They had resided together about eighteen months, in one of the cottages in Rosevean-road, nearly opposite the Catholic Chapel.  Previously to the discovery of the murder, about eleven o'clock on Monday night, Ellison called at the Temperance Hotel, in Princes-street, and asked for some refreskment. He inquired if he could sleep there that night; and on being asked why he did not go home, he said it was too late to do so, and requested to see a man named Eddy, who lodged at the hate'. Eddy came, and in the course of conversation asked how Mrs. Seman (the murdered woman) was, to which Ellison replied that she was unwell. He appeared depressed in spirits, and was continually examining and rubbing his hands. He retired to rest, and on the following morning, between five and six o'clock, came down stairs and left the hotel. From thence it appears he went to the house of a Mrs. Hill, in Rosevean.road, and informed her that his house had been broken open, and that Mrs. Seman was murdered. Greatly alarmed she accompanied him to the fatal spot, where, stretched on the doer, lay the mutilated remains of the unfortunate woman. Her face was covered w,th a gauze veil, and there were marks of blood in all directions. Ellison said he woeld inform the police, and requested Mrs. Hill to give the alarm. About nine o'clock he again called at the Temperance Hotel, communicating the dreadful intel. ligence there, and shortly afterwards was himself arrested on suspicion. The scene at the house on Tuesday morning was horrifying in the extreme. A huge hatchet was finvid upon the floor where lay the unfortunate victim, whereoy the head was nearly severed from the body. Upon the handle and blunt part of the axe were spots of blood, and in the hand of the deceased was clasped some hair, which it is said corresponded in,colour with Ellison's. The back part of the head was nearly beaten in, and other parts of the body were dreadfully cut and mangled. From appearances, there is reason to believe that a desperate struggle must have ensued between the deceased and her murderer; and it is reported that the hands of Ellison are much bruised, and one of his fingers apparently bitten. About seven o'clock on Monday evenieg a neighbour of the deceased met Ellison on the North Parade, and soon atter that time he was seen on Rosevean.road proceeding in the direction of the house were the murder was committed. No alas in of any kind was heard by the neighbours, but it appears they were principally in the town witnessing the proceedings connected with the general holiday. A Coroner's inquest was hi.ld upon the body as speedily as practicable, before John Roscorla, Esq., and a respectable jury. The proceedings occupied between eight and nine hours, during the whole of which time the hall was crowded. The evidence ad. duced was of a circumstantial nature, but sufficiently conclusive to lead the jury, after a short consultation, to return a verdict of " Wilful Murder " against Benjamin Ellison. He was committed to take his trial on the charge at the next assizes, and left Penzance in custody at an early hour en Wednesday morning for Bodmin.  Messrs. Millett and Borlase attended the inquest on behalf of Ell ison, who has stated various particulars regarding the deceased. He says that she was in the receipt of an annuity, and was shortly about to be married to a gentleman of title, on which event taking place she had agreed to settle upon him (Ellison) an annual income. He also states that a gold watch, and wearing apparel to a consider. able amount, had been stolen from the dwelling.—Cornwall Advertiser of Friday.