The Sun. — 1840-08-24 (London, England)

THE LATE ATTEMPTED ASSAS  SINATION AT LUDLOW.  The following is the account Mr. Ludlow gives of the way in which he got acquainted with Misters, and of the horrible scene at the Angel Inn :—He states that he went to Shrewsbury fair on Tuesday week, and there met Mr. Thomas Jobson, a cattle dealer, at the Unicorn Inn, formerly kept by the father of the latter person. While there, he frequently observed the young man, Misters, looking at him attentively, but his suspicions were in no degree aroused. Mr. Ludlow dined with his friend Mr. Jobson, at his private house in Shrewsbury, and did not return to the Unicorn until the following morning. During his absence Alisters, in addressing the chambermaid, claimed an acquaintance with Mr. Ludlow, and wished to know in which room he slept. The girl's answer was, that in all probability he would that night sleep at the house of Mr. Jobson, but still Misters showed an extraordinary anxiety for the return of Mr. Ludlow. Fortunately he remained all night at the house of his friend. The next morning Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Jobson repaired to the Unicorn, and Misters again made himself one of the company, and as Mr. Ludlow now recollects, attentively listened to their conversation. Upon parting Mr. Jobson appointed to meet Mr. Ludlow at Ludlow fair, on Wednesday evening last, the latter gentleman stating that he should travel from Birmingham by the Red Rover coach. Misters was present, and heard this appointment made. Accordingly on Wednesday last Mr. Ludlow proceeded by the conveyance he had mentioned, and arrived at the Angel Inn, Ludlow, a little before nine o'clock in the evening. It is incorrectly stated that Misters got upon the coach about four miles from Ludlow. The fist time Mr. Ludlow saw him was upon his arrival at the Angel Inn, when Misters followed him into the Commercial-room. Mr. Ludlow ordered tea, when Misters immediately offered to join him. Upon this Mr. Ludlow tecognizing him, said, " Are you not the young gentleman I met last week at Shrewsbury ?" Misters replied he was, and stated himself to be the brother of Mr. Misters, maltstcr of Birmingham, with whom Mr. Ludlow was intimately acquainted ; and, no doubt, to still further lull any suspicion as to his character, he inquired most particularly as to the health of Mr. Spiers, an innkeeper of Birmingham, one of Mr. Ludlow's most intimate friends, and at whose house there is no doubt Misters first made himself acquainted with Mr. Ludlow's movements. They afterwards parted company for the evening, and Mr. Ludlow joined a party of friends in another room. During the night, however, he learned that the young man with whom he had drunk tea had in the course of the day been most particular in his inquiries as to the arrival of the Red Rover coach, and had represented himself to the landlady as well as to the servants, as his friend and acquaintance. Mr. Ludlow retired to rest between twelve and one o'clock, but did not sleep in the room he had occupied on former occasions. He was aroused between four and five o'clock in the morning by a cry of " Fire,' and, as a matter of course, his first effort was to collect his clothes and make his escape. Almost immediately afterwards, however, some one called out that it was a false alarm, and he dressed and washed before he left his room. By this time the whole of the inmates of the house were up, lights were obtained, and the first thing that met his sight upon going upon the landing of the stairs was the unfortunate Mr. Macreeth, bleeding from the face and throat, and apparently totally unable to utter a single word. His (Mr. Ludlow's) first impression was, and that of others also, that the gentleman had attempted suicide, and, as it would appear, this impression prevailed for a considerable time. Mr. Ludlow states, that it was not until near eight o'clock that suspicion fell upon Misters. When walking along the yard with Mr. Jobson, he ( Mr. Ludlow) expressed his surprise to Mrs. Cook that the young man, with whom he had drank tea the previous evening, had never been seen during the morning, and that he alone of all the company in the house was apparently undisturbed by the commotion which had been going forward. This observation at once led to inquiry, when Mister's bed-room door was found fastened, and he apparently fast asleep in bed. He was, however, allowed to dress, and go down stairs unmolested and unexamined. More than this, he was seen to go down the yard carrying something under his coat, and there is every reason to suppose that the bundle so concealed consisted of his stockings and the bed-room towel, both of which are missing. Mr. Ludlow adds, that after this Misters coolly entered the commercial room apparently with the intention of breakfasting, but before he had time to partake of it he found himself in the custody of the police. Upon examination the only money he had in his possession was a penny, a halfpenny, and a farthing. When charged with the offence, be coolly denied it, and said, " the landlady was as likely to commit murder as he was." Such are the facts of this most atrocious attempt.  Misters is of a most respectable family, residing in Birmingham, but for some time past he has borne a very indifferent character. He was tried at the last March Hereford Assizes for entering a gentleman's bed-room, and stealing three 5/. notes, but acquitted. Since then, or just before, he acted as a waiter in two gin palaces in Birmingham, and had been constantly seen about the town until the present time. I have seen a letter from the town-clerk of Ludlow this morning, dated Saturday, in which he states that but faint hopes are entertained of Mr. Macreeth's recovery. The authorities have sent for Mr. Superintendent Stephens, of the Birmingham police, to assist in the investigation, and he had gone over to Ludlow for that purpose. Misters stands remanded for examination until Wednesday next. It is said that Mr. Macreetb, if he recovers, can clearly identify him.