The Manchester Examiner. — 1848-01-04 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THE KIRTON MURDER.—A very remarkable circumstance has just come to light connected with the above horrible tragedy, which we should certainly have felt inclined to discredit, were it not proved most indisputably to be true. It appears that a person named Whelpton, well acquainted with the murdered man (Copeman) had, some weeks ago, a most remarkable dream, in which he thought he saw Mr. C. returning from Kirton, late at night, and that between Kirton and Grayingham he was attacked and murdered. The dream made a great impression on his mind, and he therefore mentioned it. to a friend, who strongly urged him to go to Mr. Copeman and tell him of it. After much persuasion be did so, but Mr. C. only laughed at him for his fears. Not long after Mr. Whelpton had the same dream again, and he again consulted the same party as before. It had so taken hold of his mind as to render him very unhappy, and he again, after much pressing, waited upon Mr. Copeman to inform him of it. The repetiton of the dream evidently affected the unfortunate gentleman, and he solemnly promised his kind monitor never to be again so late in returning home from Kirton, as had been his practice. That promise he faithfully kept until the day when the dream was fulfilled, and he met with the awful fate with which the country is familiar.— Lincolnshire. Chronicle.  DESTRUCTIVE FptE.—On Friday evening a most destructive lire broke out in the printing establishment of Messrs. Fullarton and Cumpany, the eminent publishers, at Stead's Place, Leith Walk. The fire was first observed about halfpast four o'clock in the afternoon by Mr. Ilarrier, the occupant of garden ground behind the premises. The fire, as it would appear, commenced in a small apartment off the engine-room, in the lower flat; at least it was first seen there. Mr. harrier, assisted by some lads, endeavoured by pouring buckets of water upon the flames, to stay its further ravages. It, however, extended upwards to the second flat, which was speedily in it blaze. The alarm was now given, when several engines successively arrived. The supply of water, however, was, front some cause, inadequate—a privation which was much felt. The stream from the engines was quite fluctuating, at one time being in force, and shortly afterwards failing altogether. The fire, in extending throughout the range of premises, sent forth volumes of flame, which gave a lurid appearance to the sky. Between six and seven'o'elock it was deemed hopeless to expect the preservation of any part of Stead's place, and the people busied themselves in removing their furniture. Four houses in all have been completely destroyed by this accident. It has been supposed that the fire arose from the ignition of some shavings left by a wright connected with the establishment, in a room where he was working. Much of the business of the Messrs. Fullarton being in stereotype printing, we regret to mention that most of the plates were destroyed, and those saved were utterly damaged. We understand the proprietors of the establishment were but partially insured. By this painful event, about 130 individuals have been thrown out of employment.—Scoltish Press.