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THE couEr.I

THE ARTS, LITERATURE, &c.…

THE HIGH PRICE OF MEAT.

A BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE…

THE MURDER OF LIEUT. CLUTTERBUCK.

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THE MURDER OF LIEUT. CLUTTER- BUCK. On Friday and Saturday last Laurence King, a rather good-looking young man of about twenty-five, was tried at the Tullamore Assizes, King's County, before the Lord Chief Justice, for the murder of Lieut.' Clutterbuck, late of the 5th Fusiliers. The Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, Mr. George Battersby, Q.O., Mr. W. H. Griffith, and Mr. J. A. Curran for the prosecution; Mr. Leslie, H. Montgomery, and Mr. Constantino Molloy were assigned for the defence. It will be recollected that on Saturday evening, the 8th ult., Mr. Clutterbuck left the barracks at Parsons- town, for the purpose of shooting in the Brosna, and that he did not return. Search was made for him on Sunday and Monday, but without success. On the fol- lowing morning, however, the body of the unfortunate gentleman was found in a deep hole in the river. William Edwards deposed that he was a private in the 5th Fusiliers, and acted as servant to the deceased. On the day in question, about four o'clock, he left the prisoner in the hall communicating with deceased's room; Mr. Clutterbuck was there at the time. They had been talking together in the morning. About nine in the morning saw in his master's room, on the table, two sovereigns, four half-sovereigns, and two or three shillings in sil ver; also saw a gold watch lying on a chair beside his bed. About half-past four Lieut. Clutterbuck and the prisoner went out together; the former had a double-barrelled gun and a pouch with him, and also a dog. He did not leave either money or watch behind him. The dog came back about eleven o'clock that night; saw a man named O'Brien identify it at the inquest. Major Thomas S. Bigge: I am an officer in the 5th Fusiliers. Deceased was also an officer in that regi- ment. He stood about 5ft. llin. Was present when his body was removed. There was a large hole about two inches broad behind the ear. Should say it was caused by a double shot from a double gun fired at the same time. After we got the body into the boat blood flowed from the wound. First heard of deceased's disappearance on the Sunday, at one o'clock. Went in search of him. Saw King at Riverstown. I asked him when he had last seen Mr. Clutterbuck, as he was out with him the previous evening. He said Mr. Clutterbuck had gone up the river with him the previous evening. Dr. Stoney proved the nature of the wound received by deceased. The wound on the head was caused by a gunshot, caused apparently by two barrels being dis- charged at once. Bridget Burke went out on Saturday, the 8th of July, to look for some geese, ana was in the field at a spot nearer to the river than the unoccupied house. Was standing near the corner, looking down towards the river, and observed two men one, Laurence King, and the other a stranger. Had known the prisoner a long time. He had been in the habit of coming to the house of the witness's father. It was at this time about seven o'clock in the evening. Saw the prisoner and the other man get into a boat near to Pat Brien's cotdrain. The prisoner had a gun in his hands. He got in first and then the other man got into the cot and appeared as if he were going to sit down. The stranger's back was towards the prisoner, and his face towards the bank. After that heard a shot or two shots firea off together. Was looking at the men when the shots were fired, and saw the man as if he fell down in the boat-the man who came last into the cot. Did not see him at all on looking again. King was in the boat at that time. Saw the shot come from that part of the boat where he waa. After the shot was fired had a full view of the boat for about five minutes, but did not see it moving. Did not wait to see more, but went home. It did not occur to witness that any accident had happened when she heard the shot. Martin Burke: I remember Saturday, the 8th of July last. I was in the potato-field at the back of the house, along with witness's brothers, Thomas and Joseph. Saw King coming into the field. He was in the habit of coming, as his father had potatoes there. It was about seven o'clock in the evening. He came up and said, There was but one officer in the barracks, and I am after shooting him." He then pulled out of his pocket a shot pouch and a soda water bottle half full of whiskey. He offerred it to witness, who just tasted it. He then said that he had met Pat Brien, and that he had told Brien that he had downed" one of the blue boys. Thomas Burke was then about five or six yards from witness, and was within hearing. King then left the field, and witness and his brother followed after him, and went into an adjoining pasture. There King showed them a gun and a bundle of clothes which were lying in the gripe of a diteh. The clothes consisted of a coat, trowsers, waistcoat, and a pair of boots. He then tied them up in a bundle, and went off towards the river with the gun in his hand. Witness turned into the house, but his brother followed after King. King appeared to be drunk, but was able to walk. Some further evidence having been given, Mr. Montgomery made an eloquent speech in defence of the prisoner, but The jury, after an hour's consideration, found him Guilty," the foreman stating that a majority of the jury wished the prisoner to be recommended to mercy. „ The Lord Chief Justice: From any consideration that I have been able to give to the case, I think it is one as little entitled to mercy as any I have met with or can conceive. To extend mercy to such a case would amount to an encouragement to the commission of murder that would render the life of every one in the community at the peril and hazard of being ex- posed to a similar fate. The prisoner, who was taken by this poor young officer as his guide and conductor, turns out instead to be his murderer, taking the first opportunity, not only of violating the trust reposed in him by a stranger, but of making him the victim of a cruel and cowardly murder. The Chief Justice, assuming the black cap, then passed sentence of death in the usual formal terms- the execution to take place on Wednesday, the 6th of September. The prisoner during the entire trial remained per- fectly calm and collected, without the slightest display of feeling, listening apparently to the evidence and speeches with fixed and earnest attention. The Court-house was densely crowded, and the case in its entire progress excited deep interest.

DEATH OF PROFESSOR AYTOUN.

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