The Herald of Wales. — 1888-06-02 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

LATEST NEWS. THE MANCHESTER MURDERER.  The Central News Manchester eorreepondent telegraphs to the effect that the Manchester city police have received information which convinces them of the identity of John Jackson, the escaped murderer, with Charles Wood Frith, of Dirstall, a notoriously bad character, whose photograph lies been circulated by the Bradford Police. Frith had been a cause of much grief and trouble to his relations. It has been ascertained that he formerly lived with an uncle at Leeds. Twice within the last five years he has titan to America, where he found employment on board steamers. He has • distaste for the plumbing trade, to which he was brought up, and only exercises his acquired skill in that way as an aid to burglaries. Without reckoning the crimes he is known or suspected to have committed. Jackson's photograph has been transmitted, along with • careful description of the fugitive, to the police offices throughout the eountry.iiis arrest is regarded as imminent. Though a desperate and irreclaimable character, his demeanour is said to be that of a quiet, reserved man, of decent appearance, and his glance is shifty. Persona who saw the murderer after his daring escape from gaol have placed themselves in communication with the police, amongst them the man who furnished Jackeon with the coat he wore when last seen. The Manchester police naturally deprecate a good deal of the criticism of which they are the objects. Had they known as much as they do now of Jackson's antecedents they would have had • better chance of ascertaining his probable whereabouts. They state hat while on the one hand the newspapers have disclosed information * which the fugitive, doubtless, profited, the county police and he Oldham police have been too reticent in voucher& g intelligence respecting him, which must have been of the most vital importance. They say that they have been following the 'Clue now disclosed, and they regret what they consider to be its premature di.elosnre by the Yorkshire papers. Detective-Inspector dual. nada a clever hand, was said to be actually at Wakefield, on Saturday, tracing the supposed identity of Jackson with Frith, .ind both Superintendent flicks Rod himself fear that the publication of the facts bearing on that point may enable Jackson to take new precautions. The Manchester detectives have succeeded in tracing the gold watch, a mother of pearl opera glass (pawned by the culprit), and • snit of clothe*, pledged for him, before  • . his arrest, and subsequent imprisonment for house-breaking at Eccles. the watch, which bears the makers name of Henry Sidney Smith, Leeds, and the opera glass are supposed to have been stolen by Frith. Going by the names of Jackain and Graham, Thomas Firth has been four times convicted of breaking into houses, once of h .nic stealing, once of fraudulent enlistment, once of breaking out of Wakefield prison, and was wanted for stealing a hag oontaining £l5O from a bank at Gomersal (of which his father is caretaker), anti of about eight or ten other wits of housebreaking. Just before telegraphing, the certain fact hair been eliJited that the photograph of Firth, sent to the Itdichester detective (Moe, has been positively identified as that of the murderer Jackson.