Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1890-05-16 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

CHARGE AGAINST A NELSON MANUFACTURER. PRISONER AT THE ASSIZES.  At the Liverpool Assizes on Monday, before Baron Huddieston, Edward Murgatroyd (50), described as an engineer of Nelson, was charged with having, at Southport, on the '24th January and the 1711 April, feloniously sent to Mary Ann Butterworth certain letters threatening to kill and murder her; and also with having on the let April, sent • threatening oommunicatiou to Harriet Hobson. Mr. Little, who appeared to prosecute, said that prisoner, who pleaded guilty, seemed to be under the impression that these ladies were detaining or knew of the whereabouts of his wife, who had left him. At one time his wife had been employed as nurse by the ladies. This idea, however, was perfectly errooeoua. for the ladies knew nothing about her now. They, however, hoped that his lordship would deal as leniently as possible with the prisoner, their only desire being to have the practice of sending such letters put an end to.—Mr. Slice, who defended, said that prisoner and his wife some years ago had been separated, but afterwards they lived together again. Unfortunately, his wife again left him, and am he could not find her he was almost driven distracted. He at last got it into his head that theme ladies knew something about her, and he fooliihly sent these threatening lettere. He regretted now what he had done, and wished the court to understand that he emit to carry out the threats. There was no doubt he had been • man of ability, and he had held a good position once. He was also known to be an inventor. Lately he had not been very prosperous, and had beoome very ecoentria The Judge: In the letters I notice he says to the ladles, "Prepare to meet your God, for I intend to despatch you before long ; " and "Prepare to meet your God, for there is cold lead waiting for you and also "Make your posse• with your maker, for I shall despatch you the first opportunity."—Mr. Shee : He is very sorry for all that —His Lordship: it is an awful thing.—Mra Butterworth, in reply to the judge, said prisoner's wife was in her service for three years whilst prisoner was away. She did not know where the woman was now.—Mrs, Hobson said she also employed prisoner's wife for two or three years whilst prisoner was in Australia. She did not know the present whereabouts ef the woman.—His Lordship ordered prisoner to be put down as he would have to consider how to deal with him.  kturgatroyd was brought up again on Tuesday morning. Mr. She., for the defenoe, assured his Lordship that the expressions of regret which the prisoner had made were truly sincere. He also understood that the ladles were themselves anxious that the mutt should take the moat merciful view possible. His Lordship said the greatest curse a woman could have was • husband who gave way to temptation and yielded te a desire for drink. He thought that was the cause of the prisoner's present position. He hoped he was justified in coming to the conclusion that the letters he had written cantained idle threate that he never intended to carry out, and probably were uttered because of irritation and disappointment at not being able to get tidings of his wife. He proposed to adopt • course which he hoped would earn for the prisoner his gratitude to those ladies whom he had insulted, and who were the strongest persons pleading in his favour. He should pass on him sentence that he enter into his own recognieancee to came up to receive judgment when called upon. Mr. Shoe was instructed by Messrs. John Sutolffe and Sons, solicitors, Burnley.