Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1870-12-24 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

THE MYSTERIOUS. MURDER AT. HALIFAX.  The inquest over tbe body of Mr. William Crabtree, printer and bookieller, Waterhouse-street, Halifax, who was murdered under circumstances of an atrocious character, on Sunday morning, was opened at the Town Hall, Halifax, on 'Monday. Mr. Crabtree was murdered in bed, and his eldest son was -apprehended on suspicion of being the murderer. What adds to the sensational nature of the crime is that the young man in custody was the first to give information at the police office. In the course of the examination of witnesses several additional particulars were brought to light. It appears that when the police officer first heard the cry for help proceeding from Mr. Crabtree's house, the voice was that of the youngest brother, Samuel, who slept with his • father. The door of the house was opened by the second son, and, on entry, the eldest son, Walter Crabtree-, said to the officer, "My father has out his throat." Hearing this, the constable went upstairs, preceded by the two sons. In Mr. Crabtree's-bedrootn, that gentleman was lying in .bed ;, his head was literally beaten in, his nose broken, .and his features misshapen by heavy blows that had been inflicted by some heavy weapon. Immediately on entering the-room, Walter ran up to the bed and said, "Who has done this ? " The youngest brother replied, "Thou knowest who has done it." During the absence of the constable, who went for medical aid, Walter Crabtree went to the police office and informed the officials that a murder had been cornmuted in Waterhouse-street, in their house, but giving no further particulars. 'He was much agitated when making this report. The police at once went to the house and found all the shutters secure, and to confirm the beleif that no stranger hkl entered the house was the fact that a purse containing £l9, which was under Mr. Crabtree's pillow, and a cash-box in the room, had not been touched. The injured man was never conscious after the outrage. The youngest boy, in the course of. his evidence before the jury, said he was awakened by receiving a bliitV on the back; his father was afterwards struck five time with a bar of iron. The man in the room tore a piece from one of the curtains and covered his face with it. A small candle was placed on the bedroom floor. The second son, who was aroused by the noise in his father's bedroom, found that his brother (Walter) was not in bed, and got up just in time to admit the policeman. In the lower room a bar ,of iron which had been occasionally used as a poker, was found, and had all the appearance of having been recently washed, as it was wet when found, and the water tap in the kitchen, which the servant girl had turned off on going to bed, was running. Notwithstanding this, some blood stains appeared on the iron oar, which clearly pointed to it as being the weapon used to inflict the mortal injuries. Some time, ago deceased. 'and his son Walter tied .a dispute with regard to the business, and since then Mr. Crabtree had made a will, which the son appears to have disapproved of as being against his interests. . The young inan was a scholar at Sion lade-peudent School, and took part in a festive gathering on riday night last, when he was One of the speakers of the evening. The jury retired after sitting five hours, and at half-past eight o'clock, at the end of five minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict "That William Crabtree had been murdered by his son Walter Crabtree." The prisoner, who was quite calm during the inquiry, did not exhibit any signs of emotion upon nearing the verdict. Ha was then formally committed for trial at the next Leeds assizes.