Denton Examiner, Audenshaw, Hooley Hill and Dukinfield Advertiser. — 1877-11-10 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT CHAPELEN.LE-FRITH.  At the Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Rutland Assizes, held at Leicester, on ,Saturday, befoie Justice Hawkins, three labourers named John M'Gowen, Jemes M'Gowen, and ;James Foy were indicted for the wilful murder of John Wilson, at Chapel-antic-Frith. on the 6th August, 1877; -Mr Horace Smith prosecuted and Mr Harris defended the prisoners.—Mr Smith, in opening the catte,said that at the New Inn, Chapel-en-le-Frith, there were assembled a number of haymakers, some being Irish and come English. It seemed that one of the Irishmen challenged one of the Englishmen to fight and the challenge was accepted, and the Englishman became the victor. He remained on the top of him, when one of the prisoners pulled him off. After the disturbance another fight ensued outside. I The deceased was knocked down, and then the prisoners rushed at him and kicked him repeatedly, and the younger lil`Cowen went to a wall in the vicinity and obtained a brick with which he crushed the man's head to such an extent that death resulted four days afterwards—The first witness deposed that he was struck to the ground by Thomas M'Gowen, and when begot up again he saw the deceased lying on the ground' and saw pri• senses ran at him and kick him on Ithe head and body. Saw Thomas M'Gowen fetch a stone and throw it with all his might at Wilson,:striking him on the forehead and nose, at the same time the two other prisoners were "punching" Lim. Witness went into the New Inn with deceased to wash, and he (deceased) was all over blood and had heavy bruises on the forehead and nose. :In crossexamination the witness stated that there was about 18 persons in the house, a :number d whom were Irishmen, and that three other men besides the prisoners kicked the deceased and ran away. Stones were thrown about very freely. Another witness said he saw Thomas 51•Gowen throw a stone at deceased, saw an Irishman, who is 051 W custody strike the deceased, and saw three Irishmen, amongst whom was John Foy. Did not see either of the Al•Gowens kick deceased. In cross-examination witness said there was a general row—Miles Jowles was called, and said he saw the whole of the men engaged in a murderous attack, and produced two large stones, one of which evidently weigh. d six pounds, and the other about three pounds. Ho added that he saw both stones thrown at the head of deceased. Several witnesses were called to prove that the ktones had been handed from one to another and had never been in the care of anyone else.— Constable Reed said he sow the prisoner. Thomas M'Gowen, kick the deceased, and the two other prisoners also had hold of him. Witness struck at the prisoners in order to make them lose their hold. When released,f deceased fell to the ground. His face was covered with blood, and he appeared to have been badly used. When in custody Thomas M'Gowen said he only took up a little stone anl offered to hit deceased. John M'Gowen denied hitting deceased, and For said he did not come out of the house till the row had; begun. and deceased was then on the ground.—His Lordship sentenced Thomas M'Gowen to penal servitude for life, James Foy to fifteen years' penal servitude, and John M'Gowen to seven years.  A fiOLL/132