On Saturday last, about one o'clock in the morning, as James MCNEILL, a seaman, was going over a long stage on board his vessel, in the Prince's Dock, he came in contact with the bowsprit of a vessel, which projected over the stage, and was precipitated into the water: and notwithstanding the prompt exertions of James PRESTON, who immediately stripped and plunged in to try to save him, the poor man was drowned
MURDER
On Monday night, about half past ten o'clock, as John JONES was returning home, accompanied by his son a boy of about fourteen, from attending a friendly society of which he was a member, he was attacked, in Vauxhall road, opposite the end of Maguire street, by three men, they were armed with bludgeons and as soon as JONES came up, they struck the unfortunate man several blows on the head with those deadly weapons, and he fell almost instantly. The savages, having accomplished their diabolical purpose immediately fled: but the shrieks of the boy having attracted the watchman and other persons to the spot, the villains were pursued, and one of them was fortunately secured. He was committed to Bridewell to await the coroners inquest. Meanwhile the unfortunate man was taken up insensible,when it was found that his skull was so dreadfully fractured by the blows it had received, as to leave no chances of his recovery He was conveyed home, and after lingering in great agony expired the next day. The deceased was a sawyer, and had continued at his work, notwithstanding the bulk of the trade have for some time past been standing out for wages; and his conduct had, it is supposed, excited the hostility of the other men. The man who was taken in endeavouring to make his escape is also, we are informed, a sawyer. The bludgeon with which he was armed is a piece of square mahogany, so formed as to be firmly grasped by the hand, and to strike with great force
With reference to the story of the murder of John JONES above I noticed on the back page of the paper a follow up story regarding the case:
"Murder of John JONES
In a previous page we have given an account of an atrocious attack on a
sawyer named JONES, by which he lost his life.
We have now to state that the
verdict of the Coroners Jury on the case is in effect "wilful murder against
Henry GRIFFITH, and others unknown" GRIFFITH was apprehended immediately
after the attack.
He was seen, we learn to return to the spot to renew his
blows when the victim was on the ground. The evidence against him was
positive, and he was fully committed as a principal in the crime.
Two others
were concerned"