The Sun. — 1848-08-03 (London, England)

DREADFUL MURDER.  One of those fearful deeds of blood, which are but too cotnrnon where large bodies of labouring men are congregated, occurred on the morning of Saturday last at the works now in course of formation for the purpose of crossing the Menai Straits near the Britannia Rock. It appears that the extensive platforms on which are constructed the enormous iron tubes, with the massive machinery, materials, workmens' tools, &c., are watched and guarded every night ; and one of the watchmen thus employed has been the victim of a most foul sad brutal murder. His remains were discovered on the shore close by the staging, whence they had been thrown ; the head was disfigured by two fearful gashes, one extending over the left side of the head, cutting through the temple, and the other on the crown of the skull, and both these fractures had evidently been inflicted by some heavy blunt instrument, in all probability a piece of iron. The deceased's brains were scattered about, showing with what fearful effect the fatal blows must have been inflicted. No marks of blood were observed, nor was there anything which could afford a clue as to who were the perpettaters of the awful deed. One of the fellowwatchers of the deceased was at first suspected, but as no evidence could be brought forwent at the inquest to show that he was at all connected with the crime, be was discharged, and we regret to say that the during perpetraters of the revolting outrage are still at large. On Monday last an inquest was held at the offices of the inspector of the works, at the Bridge, before E. G. Powell, Esq., coroner, and a highly respectable jury. The evidence adduced was to the effect that the deceased's name was John Rowlands, a native of Anglesey, and that he and John Pritchard, his fellow-watcher, were on duty on Friday evening; that the latter, about halt• past twelve o'clock en Saturday morning, came to the house of Robert and William Lewis, stating that two men had broken into a shop, or wooden house, at the work:, where paint, hides, &c., were kept; that the deceased had been attacked by them; and that he (Pritchard) had heard them express a determination to kill Rowlands in consequence of deceased having said that he recognised them. Pritchard said that he bad been also attacked as he was proceeding to Rowland's assistance, but that he had escaped by running into a small house up a midden, and bad dropped himself through and waded down to his neck in water, in order to prevent the men detecting him, where he had remained for half an hour; that he had heard the deceased cry out, "but dared not again proceed to his assistance; that when he came out of the water he ran to Lewis's house and gave the alarm, and they, with others, went down to the staging, and discovered the dead body of Rowlands lying on the beach. It had been thrown from off the stage; the head was much fractured, and the deceased's hat was on the platform. Another witness deposed to having been called up about half-past twelve o'clock by Pritchard, who stated that Rowlands had been murdered. He went with the rest, and had the body removed into the joiner's shop. Evidence was brought to show that Pritchard was perfectly wet when he gave the alarm, and that he appeared much terrified. The paint-shop had been broken open and articles disturbed, and placed ready for being carried away. Pritchard, on being questioned, said, that he could-not recognise the men who had attacked him as he was going' to the assistance of Rowlands, who he heard call out " Spare my life!" He jumped into the midden, which opens on to the water, to save his life. His lantern fell  from his band and rolled on the beach. where it was found. He distinctly heard the deceased cry out while. he was in the Hater.  Mr. Florence, surgeon on the works, deposed that the skull of the deceased was fractured in three places, and the scalp was much lacerated. There was a deep wound on the upper lip, and a heavy blow had been inflictod on the cheek bone. There were blood and brains ou the upright post, but none on the platform. The wounds had been cased by some heavy blunt instrument. Evidence was brought to show that no quarrel existed between the two watchmen. The jury brought in a verdict of " Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown."