The Sun. — 1846-09-11 (London, England)

THE MURDER. AND MUTILATION IN DERBYSHIRE. HASLAND, NEAR CHESTERFIELD, THURSDAY AFTERNOON.—This morning, at ten o'clock, the adjourned inquiry before Mr. J. Hutchinson, Coroner fur the immediate locality of this place, into the alleged murder of George Collis, was resumed at the Shoulder of Mutton, in the village of Hasland, The circumstances connected with the perpetration of the awful deed of slaying and cutting up a human being were briefly narrated in The Sun of Tuesday last. From the peculiar appearance of the remains there can be little question that the poor victim was clove down with an axe, or some such instrument, from the incision through the hat, and in the skull found in the soil, in Falcon-yard, at the back of the Market-place, at Chesterfield, not far from the late residence of the deceased, who, it will be remembered, had not been seen alive from the 7th of December last. The peculiar fact of the legs and thighs being tied together, also proves beyond a doubt that not only had violence been committed, but that the limbs had been tied together after they had been so dismembered, and then thrown into the soil. The jury, of seventeen inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, having been sworn, Mary Manx, mother of deceased, deposed that deceased lived with her some months at Brampton. Witness saw him last in the early part of September. It was on a Sunday. He did not say then that he was going away. Witness never had seen him since, nor had she ever heard of him. He was dressed in a black coat, buff waistcoat, and black trousers, white ribbed stockings, and light-coloured neckerchief. He had also in his pocket a handkerchief, marked with his initials. He had also a yellow canvas purse in his possession. Witness did not know how much money he might have had in his pocket, but he had some. Thinks he had two keys upon him. The constable who had charge of the case showed her some clothes this morning. The clothes were here brought into court, the mother immediately exclaimed, " Oh! they are his," evidently much affected. The CORONER then requested the witness separately to identify each garment, which she did most distinctly. Thomas Harvey, shoemaker, of Chesterfield, was then called and sworn. On the 7th of September last, about half-past 7 o'clock in the evening—it was on a Sunday—he passed the shop at the corner of the shambles occupied by Platt. When witness passed the shop he heard blows of a dull, heavy, deadly character, not such as sound when a block is struck. It appeared to him, as if something stuck to the back of the cleaver. It did not sound like wood. The blow was repeated three or four times, and after the first or second blow, he was not positive which, he, witness, heard a deep moaning, which was repeated. He was so confused at the time he could not swear exactly whether he heard the words, " Oh dear," or not. Witness then went back to his friend's house, and said to the persons there, "Oh my God, there's murder in Platt's shop." Witness's brother, who was smoking in the chimney corner, laughed at what he (witness) said. Witness and his wife, and his brotherin-law, Thomas Bellamy, then came away. After this they again called at Platt's shop, and asked him what he was doing ? •He said "I am sick." Witness said, " Who have you got in the shop ?" He (Platt) said, "Nobody ; I have had some rum." Witness's wife or sister then asked Platt whether they should fetch him some water. He said, "No, I shall be better directly." One of the women then charged him (Platt) with having his girl in the shop, and he said, " I have not anybody here." Witness could not exactly remember any more.  His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall, who generally accompanies her Majesty on all her expeditions, has excited the greatest interest amongst the loyal inhabitants of his Duchy. The royal suite were the only guests at her Majesty's table at dinner.