The Northern Daily Times. — 1856-01-17 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

FRIGHTFUL MURDER.  ASSASSINATION OF A LONDON SOLICITOR.  Appalling as have been the murders which have occurred during the last few months, we have another frightful instance to add to the fearful category. Yesterday morning, at about half-past ten o'clock, the residents -row, Holborn, and its vicinity, were thrown of the most painful alarm, occasioned by the .... Lira Mr. George Waugh, sen., solicitor, of No. 5, Great James-street, Bedford-row, had been murdered by a client of his whilst entering his office for businessUpon inquiry, this turned out to be too true. For some time past Mr. Waugh has been concerned for a man named Westron, in the matter of some "property. Some unpleasantness has lately arisen, and this morning, about half-past ten o'clock, Westron met Mr. Waugh a few : doors from his own house, and presenting a pistol at his breast, shot him dead on the spot, the ball entering the body near the heart, As soon as the report was heard, the deceased was seen to stagger and fall. Mr. Abrahams, of 51, in the same row, saw the occurrence, and rushed out of his office in company with several other persons, when the murderer was immediately secured, He had another pistol in his breast-pocket, which was also capped and loaded, and on full cock. Hutchinson, the street-keeper, was very close to the prisoner when the shot was fired, and immediately seized him. The deceased, Mr. Waugh, was conveyed into his chambers, and medical assistance sent for with all haste. Several surgeons soon arrived, but the poor gentleman had expired. The assassin is a low-sized man, about five feet three or four inches high, humpbacked, and otherwise deformed. He was dressed in a dark brown coat, and appears to be a person in easy circumstances. He did not seem, after firing the shot, to make the least attempt to get away. Upon arriving at the station he was put in the dock, and Acting Inspector Hayes asked him his name. He answered, " Charles Broadfoot Westron," his age 25, and that he resided at 23, Newland-street, Kensington. The charge of murdering Mr. Waugh by shooting with a pistol was then entered against him. After some minutes silence he began to cry bitterly. He stated that Mr. Waugh had married his aunt, and had an estate of Some thirty acres of freehold land belonging to him, which he would neither sel,l nor permit him (prisoner) to sell, and that was what caused him to make up his mind to do what he had done. -Upon searching him the following articles were found .—A large new spring-back knife, like those used in boar-hunting ; the half of a £5 note, and the half of a £lO, besides a silver watch, and purse containing a sovereign, a half sovereign, and some silver, and four keys. On learning that Mr. Waugh was dead he cried a little. but seemed to think that he had received justifiable provocation for the commission of such an enormity. It appears that on account of former differences between him and deceased, he was bound over to keep the peace ; and it was stated to the reporter that the recognisances are still in force. Mr. Waugh was represented as having been a most kind and indulgent relative.  in Bedford  The prisoner was brought up at. two o'clock at the Olerkenwell police-court, and was placed at the bar before Mr. Tyrwhitt, charged with the wilful murder of Mr. George Waugh, a solicitor, residing at No. 5, James_ street, Bedford•row. After the examination of witnesses detailing the circumstan6es above described, the prisoner who, during :the whole proceedings, conducted himself with the most perfect composure, was fully committed for trial.