The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1894-05-19 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE MURDER ON A COMMON.  A CONFESSION.  On Wednesday Alfred Welsh, giving his address at Quitlonia, Barnes, entered the Hammersmith Police Station, and gave himself up as the murderer of James Robert Wells, who was found on Barnes Common in adyingstate on the night of the let inst. He said that he was impelled to the murder by a dispute over a betting transaction. He was taken to the Barnes Police Station iii a cab by Inspector Ashwell. The man appeared greatly distressed, but was otherwise in a condition to make his statement trustworthy. Welch is a Mater by trade, and also a bookmaker and runner. He was well - known at two public - houses in the 'neighbourhood of Hammersmith as standing outside and booting bets, hut it is not known whether be resided in the locality. He is tall, thin, and muscular. The police are making enquiries as to whether there is any truth in the confession. The story told by Welsh, which he did not, however, repeat the next morning, is that Wells borrowed money from him from time to time for bookmaking debts, the total amounting to el3o. On the night of the murder be stated that he slapped Wells on Barnes Common, and on Wella refusing to pay what he owed he killed him. An idea prevails, however, that Welsh'satory may be without foundation. The self-accused pnsoner, whose real name now proves to be Frederick Albert Davies, was brought before the Hammersmith magistrates on Thursday, and formally charged with the murder, and remanded until next Tuesday. Prisoner's contradictory statements strengthen the impression that he is not telling the truth, and his father says he could not have committed the murder, as he was in bed at the time. Hie sell, who had been married two years, had acted very strange of late. He once had a severe accident aboard a ship, and since then had suffered loss of memory. Nine days ago he left his home, and they received a telegram later stating he was at Ipswich. His brother went there to see him, but was so frightened at his appearance that he ran away from him. The father is afraid that his sou has been drinking heavily.  There are said to be eighty thousand stuttering children in the schools of Germany. The Wesleyan Methodist body now counts 433,351 members, as against 427,706 last year. The income of Guys Hospital from its landed estates has decreased from £41,000 in leJo to £21,000 last year in consequence of agricultural depression. The Marquis of Salisbury will be a guest of the , Grocers' Company, of which he is an Honorary Freeman, at Grocers' Hall, on the 29th inst., when , the Restoration Feast will he celebrated.  It is definitely settled that the accouchoment of the Dui:bees of York shall take place at the White Lodge, Richmond. Thy event is expected at the end of next month, or the first week in July. For the first time the Jananese Government have given a large order away from Elswick. The Thames Ironworks have been successful in obtainingan order from Japan for a first-class man-ofwar of twelve thousand tons.  It is stated that among the new banmete to be created in connection with the queen's birthday is Mr Passmore Edwards. In spite of contradictions, it is again persistently asserted that tbe list will include the name of Mr Irving. Mr Birket Foster's charming residence at Willey, near Haslemere, has been sold by auction for £lO,