Sheffield Independent – Saturday 25 September 1847

The Swinton Murder

Apprehension and Attempted Suicide of the Suspected Murderer.

In our last week’s impression, we gave the particulars of a revolting murder committed upon an inoffensive and highly respected old man, named Caleb Barker, whilst on his way home on Saturday night, from a public-house kept by a person named Sampson, where he had been to purchase a pint of ale for his supper.

From the evidence at the coroner’s inquest, it appeared that the object of the murder, which was robbery, was frustrated by some person coming along the lane at the time.

At the adjourned inquest, which was held on Monday last, important additional evidence was obtained, which, however, the Coroner, in the discharge of his public duty, has prohibited from being published. This additional evidence related almost exclusively to the tact that a young man, a stranger in the neighbourhood, was seen by two witnesses, named Mary Taylor and Wm Robinson, at a public-house, at Swinton bridge, kept by George Hampshire. He left this house, which is not more than a hundred yards from the scene of the murder, about ten minutes before the crime was committed. There were other circumstances which fixed suspicion upon this young man as the murderer.

The witnesses, Taylor and Robinson, described most minutely the personal appearance, height, colour of hair, complexion, general figure, manner of walking, dress, ore, of this person. A copy of this description was immediately forwarded by the coroner to the police of the surrounding towns. The circumstances which led to this man’s apprehension are the following. On Monday, Mr. Wm. Brookes, of Great Houghton, between Doncaster and Barnsley, and within four miles of Swinton, farmer, reported to Mr. Raynor, that during the previous night, his house had been burglariously entered, and robbed of six silver tea spoons, marked B , an odd old fashioned silver spoon, marked C, three silver spoons, without mark, a pair of Wellington boots, a brown top coat, and some provisions. Notice of this robbery was conveyed by the police to the various pawn- brokers’ shops, and on Wednesday morning, the party now in custody was stopped offering for pledge at the shop of Messrs. Yeardley and Annitage, of Westbar, the whole of the silver spoons stolen from Mr. Brookes. Inspector Astwood was sent for, and on seeing the man, was immediately struck with his resemblance to the party described as being the supposed murderer.

At the Town Hall, the description of the person and dress of this man, which had been forwarded by the coroner, was read over, and was found to correspond in every particular with the prisoner’s. He at first gave his name as John Shakespeare, but afterwards said that it was Edward Garland. When in Hampshire’s public-house, on the night of the murder, he gave his name as Sellars.

At the time of his apprehension, every article missed from Mr. Barker, except the provisions, was found in his possession. On examining his dress, marks of blood were found in several places upon his trousers, but more particularly about the waist and right leg.

Since his apprehension, information has been received of a cow having been stolen on the night of Sunday, the 5th inst., from a field at Cantley, belonging to Mr. Thomas W. Barker, of Cock Wood farm. The cow has been traced to have been sold by a person answering the prisoner s description, at Rotherham market, on Monday, the 6th inst.

Since the above was written, we have learnt that the prisoner yesterday afternoon attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself. About two o clock, inspector Astwood, with Mr. Hudson, of Rotherham, constable, who had come over about the cow which had been stolen from Mr Barker’s, went down into the cell where the prisoner had been locked up, for the purpose of ascertaining if he answered the description of the man by whom the cow was sold. Finding, on unlocking the door ‘ that the opening was obstructed from the inside, they forced it open, when they made the discovery that they had l just arrived in time to prevent the prisoner from eluding the ends of justice by committing self destruction. He had torn a long piece all woollen cloth from the coarse blanket which covered the bed and after fastening this round one of the bars over the door, and placing the mattress of the bed underneath, prepared to tie the noose at the end round his neck, when his design was fortunately frustrated

Garland we understand, denies all knowledge of the murder, of being in the neighbourhood at the time. The adjourned inquest on the body of Mr. Barker, is expected to be held on Monday.