The Sun. — 1856-03-13 (London, England)

REVOLTING MURDER.  A case of murder of the most sordid and revolting description has just occurred in the little hamlet of Obsdale, near Alness, parish of Roskeen, Ross.shire. The ♦ictim writ' a humble industrious old woman, named Margaret Munro, unmarried, and 60 years of age. She subsisted by working in the fields and other chance labour, and from her frugal habits 'was commonly believed to be possessed c•f some money—perhaps 101. or 121. She lived in a miserable small bothy; but within about 30 yards on each side were two cottages, one of them being occupied by a married sister. On Saturday last the deceased waa out working at Dalmore, and on her return in the evening she went to the Village of Alness, to make some small purchase of tea and other provisions. Next day it was observed that no smoke had issued from her chimney. ller sister entered the bothy and found the deceased in hod, apparently dead, and the bedclothes saturated with blood. Alarm was given, and the policeconstable and Dr. Ross repaired to the spot. The first impression was that the old woman had committed suicide, but further investigation showed the improbability of this conjecture, and a regular examination into all the circumstances WAR made next day. It would appear that the old won au had gone to bed and apparently fallen asleep, lying on her loft with her face to the wall. The murderer had found no difficulty in oVainin,g entrance, for the only fastening to time door was a block cf wood rolled up against it. This had been pushed aside. In the cottage was a short coarse knife, the only one possessed by the deceased, and with this a wound had been inflicted on the front of the throat completely dividing the windpipe, but without severing the jugular vein, or carotid artery. There had apparently been no struggle, the blood having flowed out immediately in front of the wound. There were marks on both arms of the indentation of nails, and the medical gentlemen were of opinion that it was impossible the deceased could herself have inflicted the injury. The knife lay about two yards distant, and was covered with blood. At the bottom of the bed was found part of the blade of a knife also stained with blood, but it was obvious that this could not have been the instrument, and that it had only been placed there to keep up an idea of suicide. On searching the dark cottage a few shillings and pence were found on a shelf, with the provision■ which the poor woman had purchased the previous night. In a trunk, with some articles of wearing apparel, was a gown, and within the cuff of one of the sleeves was found 31. 158. What other money the deceased possessed, or whether she had any more, is not known, but this deposit in the trunk had escaped the murderer. It is said that some years ago the old woman had been robbed of about 31., on which she went to consult "the spaewife'," and, intelligence of this getting abroad, the superstitious thief contrived to restore the money to its former hiding-place ! The case being clearly established as one of murder, the local authorities have been indefatigable in their efforts to trace out the perpetrators of the foul crime, but up to last night no clue had been discovered.—lnz..crness Courier.  The Admiralty decidedly opposes the project of establishing a ferry and floating bridge between Stokes Bay and the Isle of Wight.  The University of Dublin has conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine, honoria causes, upon Dr. Andrew Smith.