The Sun. — 1840-02-12 (London, England)

THE DREADFUL AFFAIR AT  DUNKERTON.  (LATEST PARTICULARS.)  It appears that Silcox went to the parsonage-house about seven o'clock on the evening of Thursday, and, after entering into conversation with Thomas Jordan and his wile, who were left in charge of the house, Mr. Bampfylde generally residing at Bath, he was invited to take a glass of elder wine and some cake. He stood some time against the fireside, entering into general conversation, and offered to take a wager that Frost would not be executed. Jordan has only one child, a very intelligent lad, about fifteen years of age ; and whilst Silcox, the deceased, was talking to his father, the boy observed that he would go to bed. Immediately upon this observation, Silccx aimed a violent blow at the father, which stunned him, and then commenced an attack en the poor boy. The lad endeavoured to get out of his way, creeping under the table. Silcox next commenced attacking his wife, when the boy said, " If you strike falter and myself, don't hurt my mother." By this time the miscreant had inflicted several severe wounds on Jordan and his wife ; and the boy coming from his hiding-place, he stabbed him in the lower part of the back with a sharp instrument. The lad had a candle in his band, which was knocked out in the acuffle. He then concealed himself in the library. The assassin, supposing he had escaped, went and searched for him all over the house ; he entered the library where the poor terrified lad was concealed ; but not finding him, he took a light and again went up stairs ; in the meantime the boy effected his escape, and ran to farmer Willis and gave the alarm, in consequence of which, about a quarter of an hour after, the constable repaired to the rectory, when they beheld one of the most dreadful sights it has ever been our pa'nful duty to record. Poor Jordan and his %rife are dreadfully mangled, and there are not the slightest hopes of their recovery. There are no less than fifteen different wounds on the head of Jordan ; the wife is also frightfully mutilated. The walls are literally splashed with blood ; the floor of the ball is also flooded with the gore of the victims : detached portions cf the hair and scalp adhere to various parts of the room. Intelligence was immediately conveyed to Mr. Bampfylde, who lost no time in repairing to the spot. The constable instantly went in search of the culprit, who, after having called at his sister's house in a state of extreme agitation, had repaired to his own home near the parsonage. On the entrance of the constable it was perceived he had already commenced the work of self-destruction by inflicting a frightful gash on his throat. The wretched man seized a formidable weapon (known to the trade as a horse shoe), with which he struck the constable a violent blow on the head, who fired a pistol at him without effect, and, starting off in the direction of the canal, a distance of 200 yards, threw himself into the water, from which he was taken out dead within a quarter of an hour, and conveyed to the parish church. An inquest has since been held on the body, when the above facts were put in evidence, and a verdict of felo de se has been returned. Not the slightest hopes were entertained of the life of either Jordan or his wife.