Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1880-02-21 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MURDER AND SUICIDE AT ROCHDALE.  On Monday evening a shocking crime was committed loan unfrequented road known as blare Lane, near the Freehold, Rochdale. John Melia. a lamplighter was just completeing his round. in Mere Lane, when he saw a man lying in the road. Thinking that he was intoxicated, he tried to arouse him, but in vain. Seeing a shawl close to his feet he took it up and then discovered the dead body of a child, about six years of age with its throat cut. The man had a terrible gash in the throat. Ile also was found to be dead, It was found that the deceased man was James Collier, of Spotland Road, who a few months ago had been in eze employ of the Equitable Pioneers &minty, Whitworth Road, Rochdale, as showman. Lately he has been noting as agent. The murdered child, was his own. It was only last week that Collier removed the child from its Grandmother, who resides at Milnrow. On the ground where the bodies lay was an open razor covered with blood, and in Collier's pooket was the ease and also lOs. Gd in .money.  On Monday evening an inquest was held on the bodies of James Collier and his daughter Mabel, at the Brown Cow Inn, Milkstone, Rochdale, be'ore Mr J. Moleetworth, coroner. Detective-Inspector Marshall appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the police. Mr B. Elorbury, president of the Equitable Pioneer's Society, aid Mr James Whitworth, a member of the committee, were present to auswer any questions that might be asked from them. The first witness called was Elizabeth Collier, sinter to Jain. Collier, but she was in such a depressed state that during the whole time she had to be supported by a female. She merely gave evidence of identificatioa She stated that her brotner was 27 years of age. Dr. March deposed to examining both bodies on Monday night at .0 o'clock, and that they were then warm The u. throat was cut, the wound was deep, and di, z the veins on both sales, and death hod resulted from hermorrage. There was no evidence to show the wound wee self-inflicted The child's windpipe and gullet were cut through, and all the vessels were .vered on the left side of the neck.—John Melia, the lamplighter, gave ev:dence as to finding the bouies in Further Mere-lane, on Monday night at seven o'clock.—Adam Schofield, of Mere-lane, deposed to Jonn Melia calling at his house about 7 o'clock and informing him of finding the bodies! I that, upon proceeding to the spot, he found the razor underneath James Collier's right shoulder ; and that he assisted in removing them to Cm Brown Cow Ina—Police-officer Bennett deposed to the bodies being given intohis charge shortly after seven, and finding in James Collier's Sight' hand coat pocket a razor care, and in a purc,. which was in his trouser's pocket about lOs.—Thonias Collier, the father of Jam. Collier, tested that hie eon was first a cotton operative. Next be was employed at th, store, Whitworth road, and was die missed about seven months ago. Since t tat time he had beea employed for ten weeks at Messrs Lord's, Fortlqitroet, but at, Christmas was took ill. Ever sine, he had been discharged from the store he had been in low spirits and had complained to him of having been bagged from the vtore. The dismissal had preyed upon his mind.—Mary Ann Taylor, of Milnrow, said she was aunt to the no. fortunate child, and it had been living ether house She brought it over to Rochdale on Saturday so that it might go to Sunday school or Sunday. James Collier had complained to her of being lowspirited, and told her that he did not know what to do with himself sometimes, He often &Buried to having been distrarged from the store.—John Thomas Haley, of No 26, Fitton-street, said Fiat James Collier called at a hon. in Manchester-rend on Sunday night where be was, and complained that he did not feel well, and that if he could get work he thought he would be better. It preyed very much upon his mind that he could not get another situation.—A juryman asked it there was any gentleman present from the co operative store who was wishful to say anything.—Mr B. Herber; the president of the Equitable Pionee^s' Society, replied that he did not desire to say anything that would be iejurious to the ;feelings of the relatives. —Several merebers of the jury thought that there was no explanation necessary.—The Coroner then summed up, .d the jury rate ned a verdict of " Wilful murder against Jame. Collier, and that be committed auicide while ida state of unsound mind."  The Hon. George E. Lascelles,Sion Hill, near Thirsk, has allowed hie tenantry 10 per cent off their rent. at his last audit. The Biehop of Manchester will hold confirmations during the month of March in the Chorltomon Medlock portion of the rural deanery of Hulme and in the rural deanery of Cheetbam. . . . .  It is proposed to erect two new churches, one of which, dedicate' to& Leonard, will be built on a plot of laud on the north-east side of Denmark Road, off Chorlton on Medlock, and the other in Albert Park, Barlow Moor Lane, Didebury.