The Sun. — 1841-10-16 (London, England)

HORRID MURDER AT DARFIELD, NEAR BARNSLEY. (From the Doncaster Gazette of Friday.) The following are the particulars connected with one of the most diabolical and coolly-premeditated murders that has ever been committed in this part of the country. What renders the event more shocking, is the fact that the unfortunate victim was assassinated by mistake, owing, it is supposed, to his being in age, appearance, and dress, very similar to the person marked out by the murderers. The deceased was a young man named Thomas Depledge, about 21, a farming servant, in the employ of Mr. T. Ileptenstall, of Bileingley, near Darfield. The murder was committed on the turnpike road between the two places, and very near the cross roads leading from Darfield to Doncaster, Pontefract, and Rotherham. It appears that, on Monday night, two boat haulers, named Joseph and William Lodge, residing at Wombwell, were returning from Barnsley Fa;r, and when they had got as far as Measborough Hill, a short distance from Barnsley, they became engaged in a quarrel with two men, named Marsden and Mills. who were walking on the road. Joseph Lodge get off his horse, and attacked the :two men. giving one a severe bite on the cheek, and almost biting the fingers off the hand .of the other. He received himself some very severe scratches and bruises, which seem to have exasperated him, and roused him to a determination of deadly revenge. Marsden and Mills having picked up the hat which Joseph Lodge had lost in the scuffle, proceeded on their road home, and called at the Ring of Bells public-house at Darfield Bridge, where they met with Thomas Depledge and some companions, who were also returning 'from the fair. In the meantime the two Lodges, who are brothers, had gone iback to Barnsley, evidently with the intention of collecting a force for the purpose of assisting in their revengeful purpose. They, called -with their companions, one of whom was a nephew, named John Lodge, at all the beer .houses and public-houses on the road, and at length, their Meads having left them, the three Lodges entered the public-haute at Barfield-bridge, where they found Joseph's hat on the t ible, and saw the two men with whom they had quarrelled. Some suspicious expressions fell from them there, and they were perceived to be watching for Marsden and Mills leaving the house. Some evil purpose was so apparent, that £%lilis was strongly advised not to leave the house that night. At length, however, Marsden and Mills, along with Depledge and several others, left the house, and proceeded homewards towards nillingley. When they had got to the Milnhouses, a short distance from Darfield, the two former went forward before the others. At the cross roads they had gained ground a good deal ; and near this place Depledge, it is supposed, in consequence of hearing footsteps behind, and wishing to apprise the men of some danger, left his friends and .proceeded forward at a quicker pace. Joseph and William Lodge then came up, spoke to the party behind, and walked sharply past. One was in his shirt sleeves, which were doubled up, and carried a large hedge-stake. When they had gone about a hundred yards further, a very severe blow was heard by those who were in the rear. They hastened forward, and found their companion, Depledge, lying bleeding on the road. On raising him up he immediatelyeexpired. His mouth and nose were bleeding profusely, and it was found that he had received a dreadful blow on the face, which had broken the bones of his nose, and completely flattened it. The lifeless body was immediately conveyed by his companions to Milnhouses. Almost directly after the murder, the two Lodge 3, running at full speed, passed Marsden and Mills on the road ; one of them dropped a large hedge stake, which was afterwards found by the constable ; and they then turned down a lane leading to Vi,oenbwell, where they were both taken into custody the seine night. John Lodge, the nephew, had left them at airfield Bridge. An inquest was held upon the body of the ill-fated man on 'Wednesday, at the Rin. of Bells public-house, before Mr. Thomas Badger, th;Corener. The greatest excitement prevailed in the sequestered little village of Darfield. The Jury heard evidence of the facts above stated until fivein the afternoon, when the inquest was adjoureed until .the following day. On Thursday the inquiry was resumed, and after some additional eviaence bad been taken, the Coroner summed up, and the Jury returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder," against Joseph and William Lodge, who were fully committed to take their trial at the ensuing assizes.  PRICES OF CANAL,DOCK,ASSURANCE COMPANY SHARES, &c. &c. &c.