The Sun. — 1849-08-18 (London, England)

AUGUST 18, 1849.  MURDER IN 11ERIVIONDSEY.  Yesterday afternoon, shortly after one o'clock, the neighbourhood of New Weston-street, Bermondsey, was thrown into considerable excitement in consequence of the fresh mutilated remains of a man being discovered in one of the houses in Minerva -place, near the new Leather Market. The house in question is at present unoccupied, but belongs to Mr. Coleman, a builder, residing at No. 1. About two months ago he let it to a man named Manning, a discharged railway servant, who was dismissed by the directors of the Great Western Railway Company, some time ago, for being concerned with Nightingale and others in committing a series of robberies on that line. He appeared to reside with his wire on amicable terms in Minerva - place, and the murdered man was frequently seen at their house, and especially in the company of Mrs. Manning. The name of the deceased is Patrick O'Connor, a gauger in the Customs at the London Docks, where he has for some years received a salary of 300/. a year. He was supposed to be in possession of nearly 4,0001. in foreign railway bonds and securities, which was well known to Manning and his wife, who were frequently i❑ the habit of visiting him at his lodgings, No. 21, Greenwood-street, Mile-end-road. O❑ Thursday morning, the 9th instant, he lett the latter place about half-past seven, and at five the same afternoon ha was met by a friend near Manning's house, where he said he was going. He was not afterwards seen by any of his friends; but being in the habit of leaving home tor some hours, no notice was taken of it at the time. Not returning on Saturday, however, band-bills were circulated offering a reward of 101. for his discovery. Nothing being heard of him for some days, Barnes, an active officer of the K division, was employed to look after him; and on that officer going to the deceased's ludgiags he found that his boxes had been opened and emptied of all their valuable contents. Ile then ascertained that Mrs. Manning had been there alone on Sunday evening, the 9th instant, which excited his suspicions. Yesterday Barnes, and Burton, an active officer of the M division, proceeded to No. 3, Minerva-place, which had been lately occupied by Manning. Barnes had heard that Manning had used threats towards Mr. O'Connor, which led him to suspect that some unfair means had been used against him, and he accordingly suggested to Burton the necessity of digging up the garden. They did so, but found nothing to excite their suspicion. Barnes then looked over tho lower part of the house, and on searching the back kitchen he thought one of the flagstones had been removed. On turning up this flagstone the constables found that the earth was rather slack; and on removing it they came to the body of the murdered man. He was lying on his face, with his legs doubled up and tied with a rope to the haunches. Mr. Lockwood, a medical gentleman connected with one of the hospitals, was passing at the time, and instantly rendered assistance. Ile discovered that the deceased had been brutally murdered, that ho had been shot, as two slugs were discovered near the temple. It was also discovered that he had false teeth, which corresponded with the following advertisement issued cn Monday last : ‘t 10/.