The Sun. — 1840-09-02 (London, England)

THE RECENT ATTEMPT TO MURDER AT LEDLOW.—TO HAWKERS, CUTLERS, AND OTHERS.— Any person who has recently sold a razor, marked Et: tai, cast steel,' having a black handle, to a person answering the description of the individual now in custody, is earnestly requested to communicate the particulars to the Ludlow Magistrates." The advertisement as yet has brought forth nothing, but Superintendent Lewis, of the Church Stretton division of the county constabulary, whose activity has been generally acknowledged, has traced one circumstance, which on the examination may lead to the convictioo of the prisoner. Mr. Lewis, after much inquiry, has learned from a hair-dresser in Shrewsbury, that a person answering the prisoner's description called at his (the hairdresser's) shop, and was aved on the Saturday preceding the attempted murder. The day following the hair-dresser missed a razor from his shop, and, from the description he has given of it, it is expected he will be enabled to identify the one found in Mr. Whatmore's yard. He has not seen the prisoner, but will be confronted with him at the next examination. The prisoner, at a former examination, denied having been at the Unicorn Inn at Shrewsbury. The fact of his having been there was fully proved by Superintendent Lewis producing a plaid jacket, the property of the prisoner, and which he had left at the Unicorn, having been ejected from that house in consequence of not having discharged his bill. On the prisoner being placed is the dock, he appeared quite indifferent. Yesterday's Police Gazelle contains the following particulars of the late attempted murder :—" Whereas on the morning of Thursday last, the 20th of August, between four and five o'clock, an attempt was made to murder Mr. Wm. Miller Mackreth, of Bristol, whilst in bed at the Angel Inn, Ludlow, by some villain who is supposed to have been concealed under the bed, and who inflicted two most extensive and dangerous wounds OD the neck and face of Mr. Mackreth ; and whereas Joseph Mister is in custody charged on suspicion of the above crime. He is about twenty-four years of age, five feet six inches high, dark brown hair and eyes, sallow complexion, thin dark whiskers, and slight made; dressed in a dark-coloured coat, black velvet collar, and raised silk buttons ; black satin vest, brown edged flower ; black satin stock, flower, rose, shamrock, and thistle ; kerseyincre dark trousers, grey-striped ; gossamer hat and light Wellington boots; shirt marked " W. Warden, No. 5, 1839." His stockings arc not to be found. He has a mark from a cut or blow on the bridge of h;3 nose, apparently of long standing ; genteel appearance, and of smart and good address. He has lodgings at No. 59, New Canal-street, Birmingham. He was at the Unicorn Inn, Shrewsbury, on WOnelagy the 12th ultimo. Says he was in Birminer, in on Saturday the Ibth ultimo, an-I that he slept in Worcester on Tuesday night last ; that he walked to Ludlow from Worcester on Wednesday last, and was seen at or near the paper-wills at Ludlow for three hours on the afternoon of that day ; says he got upon the Birmingham Red Rover coach at Wofferton in the evening, and returned to Ludlow ; went into the Angel Inn there with Mr. Ludlow, a Birmingham dealer, who arrived by the coach, hale tea there, and went to bed. When taken into custody he had in his possession a lump of alum and an old silk pocket handkerchief. A razor was found (supposed to belong to him) near his bedroom, stained with b:cold, maker's name Ellin. It appears new, and never ground, and has a black handle. A paper of lucifer matches, with a piece of sandboard, wrapped in part of A conchbill, headed Sea-bathing,' was also found under the bed cf Mr. Mackreth, where it is supposed the villain had concealed himself. The said Joseph Mister is supposed to have been begging in the neighbourhood of Ludlow, since he was at Shrewsbury., Any information respecting him, or likely to identity- the razor or p?sst sion of the matches, is requested to be immediately given to the police of Ludlow, or to Mr. Downes, clerk to the Magistrates of Ludlow aforesaid."  - The Committee for sending tracts monthly to the higher classes, called the " Monthly Tract St;clety." have recently presented to her Majesty, Prince Mbert, and the Queen Dowager, a copy of the several tracts already circulated by the Society, bound in one volume, They were very graciously received, and an immediate acknowledgment sent in writing.