The Sun. — 1847-09-23 (London, England)

TUESDAY. The Coroner's investigation respecting the brutal murder of the poor old man, named Caleb Barker, near this place, on the night' of the 4th instant, was resumed yesterday before Mr. Badger and the jury previously empannelled. The deceased, it may be remembered, was a warehouseman at the Don Pottery, and on the night in question left his borne and went to a neighbouring public house. There he had some ale, and paid fees for a club he belonged to. He left perfectly sober, and about ten o'clock was found in a ditch in a dreadful condition. He was quite insensible, and died a few hours afterwards. There were several fractures on his head, evidently inflicted by some heavy instrument, and Messrs. Blythman and Ilolliday, surgeons, were of opinion that those injuries were the cause of death. Just before the deceased was discovered, a man was met coming from the spot where he was found, and other parties spoke to having seen a young man, a stranger, in a public-house not one hundred yards from the scene of the murder, and who suddenly left about ten minutes before it was committed. At that house he gave the name of Sellars. A variety of circumstances went to fix suspicion on this party as being connected with the murder. As far as possible a description of his person, &c., was circulated throughout the country, and not many days elapsed ere he was discovered in a somewhat singular manner. On Monday, the 12th inst., a burglary was committed at the farm of a Mr. Brooks, between Doncaster and Barnsley, and a quantity of plate and other articles stolen. The police having a description of the property, a party was found pledging a great portion of the stolen plate on Wednesday morning at Westbar. lie was immediately lodged in custody, and Mr. Inspector Ashwood, on seeing the prisoner, was struck with his resemblance to the party supposed to be the murderer. The description, as forwarded by the coroner, was read over at the Town Hall, and was found to correspond with the prisoner in every particular. He first gave as his name John Shakspere, then as Edward in spected, several On his clothes being carefully several marks of blood were found on his trousers, more particularly about the waist and right leg. The finding, however, upon him of nearly every article which the deceased had in his possession at the period of his death, settled all doubts that might be then entertained on the subject. Under the orders of the magistrates he was remanded, and on the following day nearly succeeded in destroying himself. The inspector on duty had occasion to go to his cell with a man who had lost a cow, and who had reason to suspect the prisoner of stealing it, when on attempting to unlock the door he discovered that it had been fastened on the inside. It was instantly forced open just in time to prevent him eluding justice by committing self-destruction. He had torn a long slip from a woollen rug which covered his bed, and, after fastening this round one of the bars over the door, was in the act of securing a noose which he had made round his neck, when he was frustrated. As may be imagined, the gaol authorities adopted greater precautions to ensure his safe custody. At the resumption of the inquiry yesterday considerable surprise was manifested at the non-attendance of the accused in the keeping of the police. An application it appears has been made to the Sheffield magistrates to allow the prisoner to be present to hear the evidence against him. Mr. Rayner, police inspector, detailed some conversation he had with the accused in the gaol last Sunday, when he denied that he had been at Swinton for three or four years. The jury holding that the prisoner ought to be present so as to give the witnesses an opportunity of identifying him, as several stated they could, the Coroner was directed to solicit the aid of the Secretary of State, Sir G. Grey, to allow him to appear before them for a short time. If such cannot be complied with, the jury hope they may be excused giving a verdict.  Accordingly, to communicate with the Home Office, the proceedings were again adjourned.