The Sun. — 1861-10-18 (London, England)

MURDER OF A SIUDENT BY A SOLDIER  CHICHESTER, OCT. 17. A fine young man, named Outon, a student of Bishop Otter's Training College, was shot last night at a little before 12 o'clock by a soldier. Police constable Pullen, who was on duty in Somerstown, hearing the report of a rifle, followed by fearful screams, which he thought proceeded from the direction of the barracks, which are situate to the north part of the city, went immediately in that direction, returning by Oaklands, the seat of Mr. IL W. Freeland, M.P., when, shortly after passing Bishop Otter's College, he heard groans proceeding from an adjoining field, in which he found Outon lying on the ground in the greatest agony. The inmates of the college, some of whom had heard the report of the rifle, were shortly on the spot, and several persons who were passing rendered every assistance to convey the sufferer to the college, where he shortly afterwards expired, but not before he had stated that " he had been shot by a soldier, who sat on the gate, as he approached to get over the stile, and that after he had done it he ran off down the lane towards Deer Hole." No provocation was given by the young man, who was on his return from spending the evening with a respectable family in the city. The ball of the rifle passed through the abdomen and out at the back, but little blood escaping from the wounds. As may be imagined, the greatest excitement has existed in the city. Immediately on the discovery of the murder, Superintendent Everett communicated the fact to the commanding-officer of the garrison, Col. Wright, who, with great promptitude, sent out a body of soldiers in search of the murderer, for it was well known that a soldier named Cleary was at large and in the possession of his rifle and ball cartridge. The grounds of Mr. 11. W. Freeland, M.P., were surrounded and scoured by detached parties without avail ; every house of bad repute in the city was searched without effect. '1 he number of military was now increased to some 200 men, with a dozen cavalry, who were sent to scour the woods at Goodwood, Captain Valentine, the steward of the estate, lending the aid of the gamekeepers in the search, which continued without avail until twelve o'clock, when Mr. Henry Sadler, jun., of Hampnett, found Cleary's rifle, loaded, and with a cap on, which he had evidently thrown away on getting clear of the city. This was found in the ditch of a water meadow, through which a pathway runs to join the main road leading to Arundel and Littlehampton. At the time at which this is written the man is at large; still great hopes are entertained of his speedy capture. Outon is the son of a tradesman, at Rowlands Castle, near Havant. Cleary, the soldier who shot him, is 21 years of age, stands five feet and three-quarters high, of sallow complexion, -with dark brown hair and hazel eyes ; he has the mark of a scar in the middle of his right fore arm, with the letter Don the left side. He is a native of Ireland. He had on at the time of breaking out of the barracks a tunic coat or jacket, black cloth or regimental trousers, and took with him his rifle, with ten rounds of ball ammunition and his greatcoat. He bears a bad character in the 50th Regiment, to the depot of which he was attached. In October, 1861, he deserted ; afterwards he was tried and convicted for stealing property belonging to an officer. Very recently he has had six days' extra drill given him for bad conduct, for which it is conjectured he meant to have his revenge, but shot the wrong man. Bishop Otter's College is situate a short distance to the north-east of the city, the approach to it being up a darkish lane, called Love•lane.