The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-09-27 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

ANOTHER MURDER AT ASTON.  POLICE PROCEEDINGS AND INQUEST. Another terrible murder was perpetrated in the Manor on Saturday night last. The victim was a married woman named Mary Ann Nicholson. In the evening the husband, George Nicholson, went home and was visited by James and Mary Ann Esclesion, children of his wife by a former husband. The married couple were apparently on bad terms with each other, but no words passed between them. About nine o'clock the Ecelestons left, and in a few minutes, Mrs. 'ark, the next door neighbour, heard Nicholson quarelling with deceased, and soon after Nicholson left the house by the front door. In a fess- minutes Mrs. Wurk thought she heard some one snoring, and remarked to her husband, who had just returned home, that the woman next door must be tipsy. While they were talking James and Mary Ann Eecleston, children of the deceased, entered their mother's house, and to their horror found her sitting in a rocking chair by the back room fireplace, with blood streaming from her head. She was breathing heavily, and her forehead was resting in her right hand. The children rushed out of the house, and James went for Mr. Vincent ,Tones, surgeon, of Asylum-road ; while his sister, who was almost beside herself with grief, attracted the attention of Police-constable Russell by her cries of " He has killed my mother." The officer at once went into the house, and in his presence the unfortunate woman breathed her last_ Within ,4 few minutes Mr. Vincent Jones arrived, and upon examining the deceased declared life extinct. On examining her head he discovered three distinct wounds of a terrible character, any one of which was sufficient to cause death. Two of them completely laid open the brains. The injuries were immediately on the top of the head. Superintendent Walker_ was communicated with, and Detective-inspector Winkless was placed in charge of the investigation, and on the house being searched a heavy coal hatchet, covered with clots of blood and hair, was found in the kitchen. It is supposed that the crime was committed with this instrument. It has been ascertained that Nicholson, on leaving his house, Called at the shop of Mr. Rubenstein, of Newtown-row, where he pawned a watch and for 235. He took the 10-55 train to Walsall, where he  remained in hiding during the night. Acting on the instructions of Superintendent Walker, Sergeant Parker, of the Aston Police, proceeded to IValsall, and on Sunday evening he saw the accused walking along one of the thoroughfares. The officer, by the display of a rase, satisfied him. self that he was not mistaken, and thereupon took him into custody, and brought him to Aston by the next train. He was formerly charged with the murder of his wife, but beyond giving a general denial, he observed a bearing and demeanour of indifference. From the antecedents of the prisoner, it appears that he is a native of Warwick, and was formerly in a fairly good position as a master baker. It is stated, however, that he became addicted to the habit of betting, and thus lost his money. The deceased, who was in her fifty-second year, was his third wife, and though she was a woman who bore a good character, they appeared to have lived on anything but friendly terms. Prior to Saturday, the accused had been engaged as a helper, by Mr. J. Taylor, baker, Gower-street, Lozells, and during the time he was in the employ of this gentleman, his general conduct was very peculiar and suggestive of mental weakness. He would frequently desist from the work on which he was engaged and indulge in a wild in:mincel dance round the bakehouse. Several times during the week preceding the murder he referred to his family, and said he would " Whitechapel 'ern yet."