The Sun. — 1841-12-25 (London, England)

MURDER AT STOKE-UFON-TRENT. —On Monday evening and Tuesday last the town of Stoke was thrown into a state of great excitement, by a report that a man named Thomas Morris, a brewer, had laid violent hands upon his wife, and thereby caused her death, whilst he was in a. state of intoxtcatien. The report proved but too true. On Tuesday afternoon an inquest was held on the body of the deceased, Elizabeth Morris, at the Old Swan Inn, Stoke. The first witness called was a niece of the prisoner's and deceased's, named Fanny llilditch, a little girl ten years of age, who stated that Morris and deceased lived at their house. Witness remembered Morris coming home on Monday night, about nine o'clock. Her aunt (the deceased) was nursing a .baby about ten .months old, and sat by the fire, making a cap and putting flowers in it. There was no other person in the house except Morris, the deceased, witness, and the baby. Morris said he would not have the cap which the deceased was making in his house. He endeavoured to get the cap from her, and she resisted. He said he would throw it on the fire, and she replied that he " durst not," and he replied that he " durst ;" mid some further' altercation took place. He then struck his wife a violent blow on her brow, upon which she fell with her head upon his knee. He pushed her off to the floor, which was of brick. After she was down he kicked her twice on the side,' and some time after tried to lift her head from the floor, but it fell down again ; and he then said that he " could not help it." Deceased could not get up. Witness went to call a neighbour, named Mary Sweetnam, and told her that deceased was dying, upon which she went to Morris's directly. Morris was quite drunk. Mary Sweetnam said she went to Morris's house with her ; the deceased lay across the house floor on her back, and Morris was kneeling down by the side of her. He exclaimed when witness entered the house, " Aye dear, aye dear, Mrs. Sweetnam." He had his left arm under her head. Witness asked what was the matter, and he replied " he thought she was dead, as he perceived no breath." Witness then laid hold of deceased's hand and rubbed it, but she was quite dead. Morris said something must be done. Witness then went and called Sally Harrison and Betsy Mitchell, telling them that Betsy Morris was either dead or dying. They, came in soon, and then witness went to her own house, and sent a man who lodged with her to call Mr. Davis. When she went back to Morris's deceased was quite dead, and they lifted her on the sofa. The inquest was then adjourned until Wednesday, when, after further evidence had been adduced, the Jury returned their verdict---" That the deceased came to her death by violence used towards her by her husband Thomas Morris," who was committed to take his trial for the offence at the next Assizes.  We observe that the new , Roman Catholic cathedral now in progress of erection in St. George'sfields, Surrey, is fast approaching a state of completion, and from its magnificent style of architecture, already furnishes a most agreeable and imposing addition to the effect produced .by the other splendid puolic institutions in that rapidly improving neighbourhood. The funds from Which the expenses of the new building are derived, is the receipts at the Old Chapel in the London-road, where those who appreciate sacred music will find an admirable treat this day. On this occasion a solemn High Mass will be sung. The orchestra has been greatly augmented, and now includes some of the most distinguished vocal talent of the day, and is under the leadership of that successful musician Mr. George Stansbury. .