MURDER AT THRANDESTON.
It falls within our province this week to read the particulars of a most atrocious murder; the scene of which is Thrandeston, situate in the north of Suffolk.
For some years past, there has lived in that village a man named John Mickleborough, the father of 3 children. The victim, who has fallen by his hand, is Mary Baker. his servant girl. Mickleborough is now 41, Mary Baker was 21 years of age. Aided by an industrious wife, who is very kindly spoken of by her neighbours, Mickleborough carried on the business of a small farmer. He is represented to have farmed about 50 acres of land, of 27 acres of which he was sole owner; besides being the possessor of several cottages at Thrandeston, and Shelfanger. About two years since, Mary Baker entered his service; but for some cause or other which has not transpired, she left her place; she afterwards returned, however, and continued with Mrs. Mickleborough, as maid-of-all work, up to the period of her tragical end, her relatives residing principally at Shelfanger. It seems that, for some time past, Mickleborough had formed an improper connexion with his servant, which he contrived to carry on unknown to his wife, until the period of the terrible event, which has ended in the untimely death of the one, and threatens an ignominious end to the other.
We now proceed to give a short narrative of the principal facts, premising every circumstance connected with the murder, will be found detailed in the subsequent report of the magisterial investigation.
The fair of Thrandeston was appointed this year to be held on Thursday, the 31st July, and Friday, the 1st August. On the evening of the former day, Mary Baker obtained permission of her mistress to visit the fair, with strict injunctions to be home by half-past nine. She was joined by her sister, and several of her relations, and friends. Between seven and eight o'clock, accompanied by William Bootman, a brickmaker, she entered a booth kept by a person named Easto, upon Thrandeston green. Mickleborough, who was present, treated some of the parties to wine. Observing Mary Baker in company with William Bootman, Mickleborough took umbrage, and upon leaving the booth was heard to use the word “Revenge.” Mary Baker and William Bootman. Upon leaving Easto’s booth proceed to the cottage of Charles Barrett, a labourer on the Eastern Union Railway. This cottage is situated at a considerable distance from Thrandeston green, and its occupier is allowed to sell beer during the fair. In the principal room, about 40 persons were assembled. Mary Baker took a seat near the clock, where she remained in the company of William Bootman, and her friends. In the course of 20 minutes, Mickleborough entered, when, walking up to Mary Baker, a few angry words passed: it does not clearly appear whether Mickleborough was in a state of intoxication or not. He then went into the back-house, from which he returned, almost immediately afterwards, and with a large knife, fashioned like a stiletto, which he had purchased in the fair, he stabbed the woman in the left side. Feeling the wound to be mortal, she immediately said, "Oh, I'm deed I'm dead." In the confusion and terror which prevailed, Mickleborough was seized and disarmed, when he made use of a variety of expressions denoting that he had carried out his plan of “revenge,” so far, and stating that “if he had accomplished it to perfection he would stand a glass of wine,” and using other expressions in bravado. The wounded woman was conveyed in a state of insensibility upstairs. Mr. Miller, surgeon, Eye, was soon in attendance, together with the Rev. T. L. French, by whom the greatest kindness was shown towards the sufferer. On the following morning, Mary Baker’s deposition was taken; in the afternoon, at half-past four, she died. In the course of the day, Mickleborough underwent an examination before the magistrates, and was ordered to be conveyed to Ipswich gaol. On his road thither, Superintendent Jukes stopped at the White Horse, Stoke. Upon conveying Mickleborough into a room, some knives were seen upon the table, when he endeavoured to get possession of one, in order, probably, with a view to commit suicide. The attempt, however, was frustrated by Jukes, who conveyed his prisoner safely to his destination.
Such is a brief outline of this horrible transaction. No pity is felt either for the victim or the criminal. Mary Baker, who is represented to have been a fine and handsome young woman, had carried on for some time a criminal intercourse with her master; whilst the latter, influenced by a sinful passion, caused by Mary Baker’s being seen in the fair with William Bootman, permitted his jealous feelings to stimulate him to become her murderer. The man appears to have acted altogether under the feelings of jealousy and revenge. That he had a morbid passion for Mary Baker - to call it love would be a libel upon the term - there remains no doubt whatever, as during his incarceration in the Eye station-house, he frequently designated her as “a magnificent woman - in beauty, the Queen of Thrandeston”.
THE INQUEST
Was appointed to be held on Monday morning, at ten o’clock, at the cottage of Charles Barrett. Never, perhaps, in the history of the parish. had a lovelier summer morning dawned upon a population labouring under deeper feelings of melancholy and gloom. All agricultural operations seemed to have been entirely suspended. An ominous silence pervaded all around. Passing Thrandeston Green, the debris of the fair, consisting of straw and ashes, still lay upon the herbage. At the doors of the cottages, the children were moping about in silence, casting furtive glances at the passers by; whilst at given spots along the roads, were assembled groups of men and women conversing in whispers.
The proceedings commenced in the lower room of the cottage, before Mr. Charles Gross, Coroner, Mr. John Kirby being appointed foreman of the jury, which consisted of sixteen. There were also present the Rev. T. L French, Mr. Charles Cream, clerk to the magistrates, and other gentlemen; Mr. Brook, of Diss, appearing as the attorney for Mickleborough, and Mr. Palmer as counsel; both being present to watch the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner.
The jury haying been sworn, at once proceeded to take a view of the body, which lay in a room up-stairs. This was a most unpleasant duty, the body being much swollen, and in an advanced state of decomposition. As the jury returned down stairs, they appeared to be labouring under nausea, from the powerful effluvia, which soon pervaded the whole house, rendering any attempt to remain quite intolerable. Under these circumstances, Mr. Saunders, a farmer, living at the distance of about one hundred yards, very considerately and kindly made the offer of his large room, to which all present instantly adjourned.
It is here necessary to remark, that it was not considered necessary to have Mickleborough present. Early in the morning, he had been removed in the custody of the governor, Mr. Johnson, from the County Gaol, at Ipswich, to Eye, where he was left in the station-house, strongly guarded, in the care of Mr. Watling, superintendent of the Eye police.
The first witness examined was, William Bootman, brickmaker, Thrandeston, who said, I am 21 years of age. On Thursday evening, the 31st July, between 7 and 8 o’clock, I was in company with Mary Baker, the deceased, in Mr. Easto’s booth, at Thrandeston fair. We were three quarters of an hour there, and we drank together. We then came down to John Barrett’s house, which we have just left. Whilst there, the room was crowded. Mary Baker was sitting by my side, when I heard her shriek out, and immediately afterwards I saw John Mickleborough near her with a knife. He lives at Thrandeston, and is a farmer. I was in such a flurried state that I cannot tell what took place. I assisted afterwards in carrying Mary Baker up stairs, and in placing her on the bed. When I first heard her shriek, she said, “Oh, I'm dead - I'm dead!”
John French, labourer, Diss, aged 28, deposed, on the evening of the 31st July, l was at Thrandeston fair. About 7 o’clock, I was in Easto’s booth. I saw Mickleborough there. I left the booth in company with him, and went to Barrett’s. I there saw Bootman, and Mary Baker. They were sitting together at one end of the room. I sat on the end of a small table near to them. In about 20 minutes time, I heard Mary Baker shriek out. I then saw Mickleborough standing up with a knife in his hand. He stood opposite Mary Baker. I got up and took hold of his arms and held them back. Barrett came in and assisted in taking the knife from him as I was holding him. I kept hold of Mickleborough’s collar and sat with him on a seat, Barrett going for a police officer. I said “Mr. Mickleborough, whatever did you mean by doing this?” He replied, “I meant to do it, I went and bought the knife on purpose.” He said this more than once. I kept him in charge until a police-officer arrived.
John Sillett, railway-labourer, Mellis, aged 39, deposed, on the evening of the fair between 7 and 8 o’clock, I was at Barrett’s house. I saw Mary Baker sitting in a corner of the room near the clock. l did not notice Bootman. I saw Mickleborough walk across the room with an open knife in his hand. He went in the direction of where Mary Baker was sitting. I immediately afterwards heard Mary Baker, call out, “Oh, I'm dead - I'm dead!” I saw French catch hold of Mickleborough.
Mr. Walter William Miller, Surgeon, Eye, said, on Sunday the 3rd August, I made a post-mortem examination of the body of Mary Baker. I found a punctured wound about half an inch wide, and between four and five inches in depth, at the lower part of the left side of the chest, entering the cavity of the chest, between the eighth and ninth ribs, and extending downwards, and inwards, through the diaphragm and spleen, into the mesentery. A great quantity of blood effused into the cavity of the body, and between the folds of the mesentery. The wound was the cause of death. The heart and lungs were not touched.
Policeman John Sillett, deposed, the death of Mary Baker took place on the 1st August, about half-past four in the afternoon. I had known her before. The Reverend Thomas Lee French was also present.
The Coroner here informed the jury that as far as they were concerned, the case was now complete. He asked them, if they wished him to read over the evidence, or whether they would like to ask any questions.
The jury replied in the negative.
The Coroner then said, it was his duty to tell them that upon the evidence their verdict must be that of wilful murder, of which there could be no doubt whatever.
The room was then cleared, and the Jury after consulting together a, quarter of an hour returned a verdict of “ Wilful Murder against John Mickleborough.”
The Jury then signed the inquisition, and were discharged.
EXAMINATION OF MICKLEBOROUGH BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES AT EYE
The investigation was appointed to commence at one o’clock, at the Town Hall. Long before that hour, the street opposite was crowded by men and women, and the doors were besieged for admittance, the services of several police officers being required to keep order.
The Magistrates in attendance were the Rev. Thos. L. French, and the Rev. H. T. Day, LL.D. There were also present Thomas French, Esq., J. Lawton, Esq., B. Etheredge, Esq., E. Chenery, Esq., and many other of the principal inhabitants. The Court was crowded by the townspeople to an extent that the heat was most oppressive.
The various professional gentlemen being again in attendance, and everything ready for the solemn enquiry, the Magistrates ordered the gaoler to bring in the prisoner.
After the lapse of a few minutes, Mr. Johnson returned into Court, and applied to the Magistrates for a delay of five minutes, on the ground that the prisoner, who was in an adjoining room, had become very weak and faint. This was immediately granted, and some brandy having been fetched and administered, the prisoner said he was ready to undergo his examination.
All eyes were at length directed towards the door, the police making a passage through the crowd for the ingress of the prisoner. Soon the door opened, when Mr. Johnson appeared first, having hold of Mickleborough by the wrist, followed by Superintendent Jukes, who held him by the other arm. The prisoner walked with a slouched gait, and upon being brought within the bar of the Court, sank down upon a seat, casting a languid and furtive glance around. His personal appearance was of the most mean and ordinary description. His visage was long and sallow, with a large full mouth; the colour of his hair, dark brown. His eyes, which were small, were in colour light hazel, inclining to grey, which, under a somewhat prominent brow, had a wild expression. He was dressed in a grey coat of the modern fashion, with black cravat, blue trousers striped with white, and Wellington boots. His person was very thin and spare. whilst his stature appeared to be about 5 feet 6 inches. In the course of a few minutes, he directed his eyes to the floor, and folding his fingers one within the other, rapidly twirled his thumbs.
It is here necessary to state, prior to reporting the evidence, that, early on the morning of Friday, 1st August, the prisoner underwent a preliminary examination before the Magistrates, on the charge of stabbing Mary Baker, with intent to kill and murder. It was, therefore, deemed expedient by the magistrates now assembled that this evidence should be read over to the prisoner.
The Rev. T. L. French: John Mickleborough, you will now hear read the depositions of. the several witnesses as taken down upon the occasion of your last examination.
The Prisoner immediately rose languidly from his seat, when Mr. Cream commenced reading the documents.
This duty, however, had scarcely commenced, were the prisoner sighed heavily, and reeling to the right, fell upon the floor off the Court. He was lifted up by Mr. Johnson and Superintendent Jukes, and again placed on his seat. The prisoner instantly put his hand to his brow, and bending his head, appeared to be deeply absorbed in meditation.
The first deposition read was that of Mary Baker, which had been taken on the 1st August, by the Rev. T. L. French, at Barratt's cottage. It ran as follows:
I am a single woman, and have been living as servant to Mr. John Mickleborough, at Thrandeston. Yesterday evening, I was in this house in company with my sister, and William Bootman, At about 8 o’clock, Mickleborough came in. Master said, “Ah, Mor, I see you?” Master then passed me and went into the backhouse. He was not gone two minutes, before he came back again. He came up to me, but I did not feel him till he drew back, and said “Ah, Mor, you have had it now.” I saw the knife in his hand, when he drew back. I then went into the backhouse, and fainted there. I was sitting by the side of William Bootman, when I was stabbed. When I came to myself, I was lying on a bed in a room upstairs. I do charge John Mickleborough with having stabbed me with intent to kill and murder me.
The witnesses being present, who were examined at the inquest, their depositions were next read; their various statements differing in no essential particular.
The first deposition was that of William Bootman: the second that of John French. When this witness left the court, the prisoner shook him cordially by the hand. The third deposition was that of John Sillett, labourer.
The last deposition read under this head of enquiry was that of Policeman Sillett, which we have also before given.
These proceedings having thus been gone through pro forma, the Rev. T. L. French gave the prisoner the usual caution, and asked him if he wished to make any statement.
Mr. Palmer: He will reserve his defence for his trial.
Prisoner: I have nothing to say.
His examination was handed him, with the enquiry whether he wished to attach his signature?
Mr. Palmer: He need not sign it. I advise him not. The paper was then returned unsigned to the Magistrates.
THE CHARGE OF MURDER
The Rev. T. L. French: Prisoner, the charge against you, I am grieved to say, now assumes a more heinous form - you are now charged with the wilful murder of Mary Baker, and you will therefore listen to the evidence.
The prisoner remained silent, but looked anxiously around the Court, and again looked down upon the floor.
The charge of murder was then preferred in the accustomed legal form by Edward Wright, constable, Thrandeston, who said he appeared as prosecutor.
Several of the witnesses were re-examined and their depositions re-taken, at length; it is necessary only, however, to give the additional facts to which they deposed.
William Bootman, the first witness recalled, said he was in Easto’s booth shortly before eight. The prisoner was also there, and drank some brandy and water and wine. Witness left with Mary Baker.
Dr. Day: Did Mickleborough drink fast? Witness : I did not take notice.
Did he appear at all intoxicated? He did not.
By Mr. Cream: I left Mickleborough and John French talking together in the booth. Mary Baker and I went down to Barrett’s house. A short time after, John French came in, and sat on the edge of the table near to us. About twenty minutes after this Mickleborough stabbed Mary Baker. I heard her cry out “Oh. I am dead - I am dead!” I saw John Mickleborough standing with a knife in his hand, holding it up in front of him, the point towards us. The room was very much crowded. There were 40 people present. The stools and seats were placed in different directions. A person might have come in without being seen. When I heard Mary Baker scream, I took hold of her, and removed her into the back-house, and thence up stairs to bed.
John French, labourer, Diss, recalled, said, I went into Easto’s booth with my wife. I saw William Bootman and Mary Baker there. Mickleborough was also present. I drank one glass of wine with Mickleborough, to which he treated me.
Dr. Day: Was he drinking from a decanter? Witness Yes, but there appeared to be only three glasses of wine left.
The Rev. T. L. French: Had you any conversation with the prisoner? Witness: I cannot now recollect.
When you left how far did you walk in advance of him? Thirty yards.
What did he say when he left you? He said, “I want to say something to your wife.”
What did he say ? He did not tell her anything in my presence.
Did he turn round and speak to your wife? He did, and I walked on a few yards.
What did he say? “I want to speak to you;” she said, “Then tell me now.”
Your wife is a sister of Mary Baker? Yes.
Did you accompany your wife anywhere? I went with my wife to Charles Barrett’s, and I sat at the end of the table near to where Bootman & Mary Baker were sitting.
Did you see John Mickleborough come in? No.
How long had you been sitting there before you saw him? About twenty minutes.
What attracted your attention first? A shriek from Mary Baker.
Did you hear her say anything? No.
What did you next see? I saw Mickleborough standing apart with the knife in his hand, about three yards from her, and moving slowly backwards. Barrett then came in and threw him down, and wrenched the knife from his hand. I took hold of his collar, and held him until a policeman could be fetched. When I was holding him, I said, “Mr. Mickleborough, what do you mean?” He repeated more than once, that “he had done it, and that he had bought the knife on purpose.”
Mr. Cream: Did he seem intoxicated? Witness: I am not able to say.
Had he any drink whilst he was in your charge? No.
Mr. Palmer : Did you see any blood upon Mary Baker's dress? Witness: No.
John Sillett., labourer, recalled, said, I did not see Mary Baker enter the house. After she called out, Mickleborough said, "If he had done it to perfection, he would stand a glass of wine."
Dr. Day: What steps did you take? Witness : I went into the backhouse to the young woman.
The Rev. T. L. French: Had you any reason to suppose that the prisoner was going to stab any person when he crossed the room? Witness: No.
Mr.Palmer : When did he say, if he had done it to perfection, he would stand a glass of wine - was it before French took hold of him? Witness: Yes.
Could French hear that? I cannot say.
Charles Barrett, railway labourer, Thrandeston, said, I sell beer during the fair times. Between 7 and 8 o’clock, on the evening of the 31st July, I was putting a horse to in front of my house, when I heard shrieking in-doors. I ran in as fast as I could. When I got in, l heard people railing out, “Take the knife away from him!” I looked round, and saw John French holding a man. I caught hold of the latter, and we fell together, he below and I on the top. I then saw a knife in his hand. I took it from him, and shut it, and put it in my pocket. He got up, and I left him with John French. I then ran on to the green for the police. I saw policeman Sillett in Mr. French’s yard, and gave him information of what I had seen, together with the knife.
Some questions were put to this witness, but the answers were not material.
Clara, wife of John French, of Diss, said I am sister to the deceased. On the 31st July, I was at Thrandeston fair. I went along with William Bootman, and my sister, the deceased, in the afternoon, about 4 o’clock, to Easto’s booth. We met Mickleborough at the door, and he went into the booth with us. My husband was not present. Mary Baker lived in Mickleborough’s service. We sat down and drank some brandy and water, and wine together. Mickleborough asked Mary Baker at what time she was to go home; she replied, at about half past nine. He told me to tell her to get home by nine, as he wanted to see her in the meadow. I left the booth in company with Bootman and my sister. I went into the booth again about six. I found Mickleborough and my husband there. I told my husband to come out, and I went and waited for him outside. They both came out together, and they walked on preceded by me. When we came to the entrance to the fair, Mickleborough said to me, “Now, I'll be revenged.” He then went into the fair, and I and my husband went to Mr. Barrett’s. We had been there about a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes, when I saw Mr. Mickleborough draw his hand from my sister’s side. (Here the witness became very faint, and was accommodated with a chair.) I saw an open knife in his hand. My sister shrieked out, and said “She was dead.” I went up to her.
The Rev. T. L. French: You spoke of an assignation of Mickleborough’s of his having requested you to mention to your sister that she was to meet him at nine - did not that strike you as something very extraordinary?
Witness: No.
Were you aware of any improper connexion between Mickleborough and your sister ? No sir: we questioned her, but she never would own anything; she always said there never was anything between them.
When you were present with Mickleborough, Bootman, and your sister, in Easto's booth, did you see that Mickleborough was very much annoyed? I did not see any difference in him from what he seemed at other times.
No difference at all? No.
Mr. Cream: Did there seem to be any degree of intimacy between them in the booth? No, he never spoke but very little to her.
You heard him utter the word "Revenge" - did you know what he meant? I did not understand it.
Did you never near him reproach her for going with Bootman? No, I never heard him mention it.
Bootman was re-called and asked the following question: - Did Mickleborough ever tell Mary Baker, in your presence, that “If she went with you, he would do for her?” No.
You never heard any threat of that kind? No.
Policeman John Sillett, of Wortham, said, on the 31st July, I was at Thrandeston Fair. I received information of what had occurred, about 8 o’clock, from Barrett. He gave me the knife, which I now produce. I accompanied him back to the house, when I found the prisoner in the custody of Policeman Baker. I went up stairs, and found Mary Baker lying on the bed, in a fainting state. I then fetched Mr. Miller, after which I went again to the prisoner. He appeared to me to be intoxicated. I found him much excited. He continued in the custody of Baker Whilst I was there, he said, “I wish my arm had been a little stronger, and I would have given her four inches more of it - I hope she will die.” He said this more than once. I had previously asked and been informed by policeman Baker that he had informed the prisoner the charge upon which he was arrested. I heard the prisoner say also, “I give her **** I can at home, but if she will *** I must give her cold steel, and l will be revenged.” [It is here necessary to state that the above passage was a very indelicate one, and that the witness, much to his credit hesitated in repeating it in the presence of women. The latter were warned by the Court to retire, but not one of them obeyed the summons.] I went round to the stalls in the fair the next morning to make enquiries, and I found there was only one stall there at which knives were sold of this description.
William Sayer said, I am a licensed hawker and travel with a stall to fairs. On the 31st July, I was at Thrandeston fair. I had one knife of the description now produced on my stall at the fair. I bought it at Norwich. I believe this to be the same knife. Between 7 and 8 in the evening, I sold it to a man, who seemed in a hurry, and who asked me for a spring-backed knife. He was not a tall man. I cannot say whether the prisoner was the party. He gave me 2s. for the knife, not scrupling at all at the price. He hardly spoke two words. He threw down 2s. 6d., and I gave him 6d. change. He appeared to be sober, but I did not particularly notice. I believe it to be the same knife, but I cannot swear to the fact.
The Rev. T. L. French: What is such a knife principally used for? Witness: I cannot say.
Dr. Day: To kill sheep with? Witness: I don't know, but I have sold a great many.
The blade was in length about 4½ inches, and was highly polished. It had a spring back, and a black handle. The weapon was in the form of a stiletto - there being a raised rib along the centre of the blade, from the handle to the point. The edge was so sharp, that it would easily cut a quill. It was said to be of French manufacture.
Elizabeth, wife of William French, of Diss, labourer, said, on the evening of the 31st July, I was at Thrandeston fair, assisting Mrs. Barrett, at her house. I had been speaking to Mary Baker, between 7 and 8 o’clock. She told me she must get home by half-past nine, and I left her. I then went into the pantry; whilst there, I heard some one shriek out, “I'm dead - I'm dead.” I went into the room and saw the prisoner with the knife in his hand, in front of Mary Baker, the point of the knife being towards her. I assisted in taking her up stairs, and afterwards at the request of Mr. Miller, assisted in taking off her clothes.
Policeman Sillett produced the apparel of the murdered woman. They consisted of her shawl, gown, and stays; the whole of which had been perforated by an instrument resembling the blade of the knife, taken from the prisoner. The gown consisted of the materiel called “Alpaca,” and was trimmed with blue braid.
Elizabeth French resumed: I was present when Mary Baker died. I waited upon her, until that took place, on the following day, about half-past four. She said something to me. In the night she lay with her arm around my neck. I said to her, “You look better,” and she said she thought she should get well.
The Rev. T. L. French : We cannot hear what she said, as it does not appear she was sensible she was going to die. (To witness): When did the change take place ? Witness: On Friday afternoon, about half-past three.
By Mr. Palmer: There was very little blood on her shift.
Dr. Day: Had she any idea that she was going to die? Witness: I don't think she had; she said she wished to get well.
Policeman John Baker, of Mendlesham, said, on Thursday, the 31st July, about 8 o’clock, I was sent for to Thrandeston fair, having received information that a young woman had been stabbed. I went to Barratt’s house, where I found the prisoner sitting by the side of John French. I told him the nature of the charge, and I continued in the room with him. He said, “You may take me, and do what you please with me; I've done what I intended to do, and I hope I have done it effectually.” Directly afterwards he said, “I wish my arm had been a little stronger ; I should have given her three or four more inches of it.” I considered that he was alluding to the deceased. I went up the road with him, intending to take him to Mr. French’s, where I was ordered to take him back. When I got back to the house, he said, using some coarse expressions, “I have always done what I liked with her since she has been living at mine.” After I took him into the backhouse, policeman Sillett came in.
Dr. Day : Was he a good deal excited? Witness : Yes.
When you first took him? Yes.
Did he appear very tipsy? I believe he was.
Mr. Palmer: I hope, if you don’t speak louder at the trial, that the Judge will not allow your expences.
Witness: When Sillett came up, the prisoner said, “Ha ! Sillett boy, you may take me.” When he repeated the words, “I wish my arm had been a little stronger, and I would have given her four inches;” he added, “I meant for revenge.”
The Rev. T. L. French: Did you hear him state any reason for doing it? Witness: He stated the reason was, that he had wanted her to be with him. This he told me on the following morning.
Was anything further said? I had charge of him at the station-house at Eye, during the remainder of that night, in the course of which he said he wanted to have her himself, and that he went to a stall in the fair, and purchased the knife for 2s., and that he afterwards went to Charles Barrett's.
The Rev. T. L. French: While he told you this, did you give him any caution? Witness: Yes, many times, but he went on with a good deal of conversation.
Mr. Cream: He said then that he returned to Barrett’s? Witness: Yes, and that when he went into the house, he said Mary Baker said to him, “Ha! master, here I am!” He said he replied, “Ha, Mor! I see you - you shan’t be long before you have this piece of steel;” that he afterwards went across into the backhouse and opened the knife; that when it was opened, he said, it was like a dagger. He further said, if he had not killed her now, he hoped she would die; that if she did not come to his proposals, he had got the best brace of pistols the world could produce - all this conversation took place during the night. He also said, that on the Wednesday night before, his wife went to Diss, and that Mary Baker went and slept with him. On the following morning, about 6 o’clock, his wife came to see him at the station-house. In my presence, she began to talk to him. He said to her, “You never suspected me before; now you know all about it; if you had died a year or two ago, this would not have occurred.” That day he was taken before the Magistrates, and committed for further examination. When I first took him into custody, I searched him, and found the knife which I now produce, on his person. (This was an ordinary pocket knife.) He said, “That’s not the knife I did it with - that was not long enough for her!” I also found upon him a handkerchief, a pair of gloves, and three penny pieces, and afterwards 2s. in silver.
Prisoner: And half a sovereign!
Witness: I never saw anything of the kind.
The Rev. T. L. French: Did you hear him say he lost half a sovereign when he was in the backhouse ? Witness: Yes.
The last witness called was Mr. Miller, surgeon, who repeated the evidence which he gave at the inquest. Such was the termination of the horrible details, when the prisoner was ordered to stand committed to the County Gaol, at Ipswich, to take his trial at the next assizes on the charge of murder.
