Maidstone Telegraph, Saturday 13 March 1869.

SHOCKING AND MYSTERIOUS MURDER ON THE ASHFORD ROAD, MAIDSTONE.

(The following appeared in our latest edition of last week).

Before dawn on Sunday a rumour was current that a diabolical murder had been perpetuated on the Ashford Road. As the report spread great excitement and consternation prevailed throughout the town, and before eight o'clock hundreds were on the spot where the deed had been perpetrated.

From what can be gathered amid the excitement at appears that shortly after twelve o'clock two brothers on the name of Knowles, employed at Turkey paper mills left the mills to proceed to their home at Bearstead, and when between the entrance leading to the mills and a heap of stones laying on the right, about 200 yards from the mill, they discovered the body of a man lying in the middle of the road bleeding from the face, with a bundle lying under the body. They immediately retraced their steps to the mill and gave alarm, when Mr. Tovet and a man named Thomas Sunnucks accompanied them back to the spot where they had seen the body lying. Upon their arrival, the bundle, which had been under the body, was missing. Upon examination the man appeared quite dead. One of the lads recognised deceased as John Finn, and expressed himself to that effect; stating that if he was correct the deceased was in the habit of carrying a peculiar purse, which, upon examining the pocket of the murdered man, they found the purse described. All doubt was then at an end. Thomas Sunnucks went direct to the Maidstone police station and gave information to Inspector Hills, who was on duty at the time, and who accompanied Sunnucks back to where the body was found, and ordered its removal to the "Artickoke Inn."

Near the body was found several pieces of paper and other articles on the road, covered with blood. Mr. Furber, surgeon, was summoned, and soon after arrived. Upon examination of the body he found the deceased had been shot under the left jaw, the contents of the weapon taking an upward direction. Superintendent Ovenden of the Kent County Constabulary was appraised of the offence, who, with Superintendent Barnes immediately set the police to work to discover the perpetrator.

The deceased was a very respectable man of the name of John Finn, and apprentice to Mr. Bridgeland, tailor, King Street, residing with his father at Weavering Street, who is foreman to Mr. Bridgland.
It appears that the deceased went to his work as usual on Saturday till nearly eight o'clock when he left. During the evening he left the bundle at Mr. Knight's, tobacconist, Week Street, and afterwards went for a walk with his sweetheart, a young woman residing in Scott Street, Maidstone. At half-past nine or a quarter to ten he called at Mr. Knight's for his bundle and left with the intention of going home to Weavering Street. At five minutes to twelve he bid a man of the name of Smith, bricklayer, good night, at the corner of Queen Anne Road, and went down Albion Place to proceed to his residence at Weavering Street. At ten minutes or a quarter past twelve he was observed by four young men of the names of Alfred Jury, Isaiah Mason, Arthur Webster, and George Procter, at the bottom of Huntsman's Lane, going in the direction of Weavering Street. Being known to three of the four he was addressed by them, one of them catching hold of his arm by way of a joke. Another observed to him that he would not be home at ten o'clock that night, - the remark being prompted from the fact that the unfortunate young man had frequently in there company stated that he must be home at ten. The deceased replied, that if he was not home by ten he should be home sometime, and then feed them good night and passed on. Previous to that they have noticed the figure of a man in Huntsman's Lane, and when he was observed one of the lads jocosely observed "here is a vision." As the man approached them they said "good night," when he muttered something in reply. Finn at the time passed, when the man observed him and darted out of Huntsman's Lane, went after him; one of the lads exclaiming at the time "Why, he's following him," but they thought no more of the matter, and wended their way home. The lads noticed at the time deceased was carrying a bundle in his left hand.

During the day the whole of the bundle was recovered, the principal portion near Gidd's Pond; the remainder scattered along the road.

Upon the deceased was found a silver watch, braid chain, the purse alluded to above, containing a watch key, a half crown, a florin, one shilling, sixpence, a threepenny piece, and two pence, in coppers, two handkerchiefs, some papers, poetry, and letters. If robbery had been the object of the perpetrator he must have been frustrated by the arrival of the brothers Knowles.

From the description given by the lads who saw the man follow the deceased, he appears to be a man of about 5 feet 8 inches, dressed in dark clothes, with a high hat.

It was rumoured at first that the deceased had been cut across the face with a bill-hook, but that appears to be incorrect. It was also surmised that he had been shot from the other side of the wall of Mr. Whatman's park; that also could not have occurred, for from an examination of the wound and an investigation of the spot the pistol must have been fired close to the deceased. The deceased must have been walking towards Weavering Street, when the murderer stepped close up to his left side and fired his weapon under his left jaw, a little from the rear of the murdered man, who appeared to have reeled from the footpath into the road, and then fell with his face towards Maidstone.

It has been conjectured that the murdered man had been mistaken for some other person, but if the man who followed him was the perpetrator of the crime this could not have been, as he had ample opportunity of knowing his victim from the long-distance he must have walked with him from the Huntsman's Lane to the place where he dispatched his object. Jealousy has also been suggested as the cause for the commission of the crime, but we are informed upon reliable authority that not the slightest ground exists for such a conjecture. When the deceased left the man Smith, and when seen by the lads alluded to above he was perfectly sober and in good spirits.

The crime at present is involved in mystery. Superintendent Ovenden with the county constabulary, and Superintendent Barnes, of the Maidstone force have been actively engaged in trying to discover the perpetrator of this most heartless and wanton murder.

Not the slightest cause for the commission of the offence can be conceived; the only one offering itself is that of plunder. The deceased is a young man of about 20 years, of age, much respected by all those who knew him, and a member of Court Star, of Foresters, in Maidstone.

Announcement of the murder was made during the day from the pulpits of various places of worship, which only tended to increase the excitement. The spot where the crime was committed was visited by thousands in course of the day, eagerly gazing at a large pool of blood where the body had been lying.

About twelve o'clock a noise was heard at Mr. Carpenter's rabbit hutch; and alarm was raised and two men was seen jump over the wall and running in the direction of Turkey Mill.

During Sunday two men were apprehended on suspicion, but could not be identified, and they were liberated.

Coroner's inquest. Tuesday.

An enquiry was opened this afternoon at three o'clock, at the "Artichoke Inn," Ashford Road, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., touching the death of John Finn, Tailor, who was found shot, on Saturday night last.

The following were the jury, Captain John Hollingworth (foreman), Andrew Crawford, Henry, Thomas, jun., Jesse Killick, John Roberts, Charles Foster, Thomas Betts, jun., John Hayward, John Hickmott, John Treadwell, and Richard Catt.

Captain Ruxton, of the K.C.C. was in attendance.

The jury having been sworn proceeded to view the body which was lying in a stable adjoining the house.

The corps presented a very sickening spectacle, the lower part of the left eye of the mouth being completely shot away. Several teeth were missing and the face completely black.

On the return of the jury, the coroner said there would be no doubt in their minds that a foul murder had been committed. The question was as to who committed it. He was afraid there was not sufficient evidence to warrant the implication of anyone. The inquiry, would, no doubt, not be so satisfactory as they could wish. It would be their duty to discover by what hand the weapon was fired whereby the deceased met his death. After hearing the evidence, they would have to decide whether they would return a verdict or adjourn the case for a future hearing.

Mr. Augustus Finn deposed:- I live at Weavering Street, in the parish of Boxley.

Coroner:- Have you seen the body.

Witness:- I have not.

Coroner:- Then you cannot swear to identification. Have you any objections.

Witness:- I would rather not. But if it is requested I will see him.

Witness then went and viewed the body in company with Mr. Furber.

Captain Ruxton proposed to call evidence to prove a murder had been committed.

Witness deposed:- The deceased was my son. I identify him by Mark on his arm. He was a tailor by trade. He was 19 years last birthday. I last saw him Alive about half-past seven on Saturday night in our workshop. He was then in his usual health and spirits; never better. He left a few moments afterwards.

Edward James Knowles:- I was 15 years last August. I know the nature of an oath. On Sunday morning about half-past twelve (midnight) I was going along the Ashford Road from Maidstone in company with my brother Thomas. I was walking on the footpath about a stones throw from Turkey Mill lodge, when I saw something lying in the road. My brother came up immediately, and we struck a light, when we noticed that it was the body of a man lying with his head towards a path, in a pool of blood. He appeared to be quite dead. A bundle was lying by his side. We then went to the lodge gate for assistance. Upon our return the bundle was gone. The deceased was bleeding from a large wound near the mouth. We heard no one about, nor saw anyone. The deceased was afterward removed to the "Artichoke."

Captain Hollingsworth:- Did you hear any report as you came out of Maidstone.

Witness:- No, sir.

A juror:- You are quite positive there was a bundle.

Witness:- Quite sure.

Thomas W. Knowles:- I am brother of the last witness. I am a labourer, residing at Bearsted. I was with my brother (the last witness) going from Maidstone, between twelve and one o'clock on Sunday morning, when we found the deceased lying dead between the Turkey Lodge and the stone recess. He was lying on his stomach, with his face rather inclined towards Maidstone. He appeared to be quite dead. The body was lying in a pool of blood, which appeared to have issued from a wound in the mouth. He was partially lying on a bundle, which was between his legs. We went for assistance, and upon our return the bundle was gone.

By a juror:- I should not think we were gone more than ten minutes. I'm sure there was a bundle. It was of light appearance.

By Captain Hollingworth:- I heard no report of firearms. No one passed us as we went out of Maidstone. I did not recognise him at the time. The remark was passed that it was John Finn, but I could not believe it was him, as the features was swollen.

The parcel was then produce, in a light blue handkerchief, covered with blood.

Frederick Lewis Smith, of Ashley Street, Maidstone:- I knew the deceased well. I left him about five minutes past twelve on Saturday night. I first saw him about half-past seven. He left me about eight o'clock. He came to me about twenty minutes past ten at the "Fountain Inn," Week Street, and remained with me till just before the clock struck twelve. I walked with him at King Street till we got to the corner of Queen Anne Road, where I partied with him. He went up the Ashford Road. He was quite sober.

Captain Hollingworth:- A study fellow?

Witness:- Yes; very steady. He was in his usual health and spirits. I saw nobody about. No one followed him then.

Be Mr. Betts:- Our conversation was of a friendly and personal character.

Alfred Jury:- I live at 81, Union Street, Maidstone. I am a labourer working at Mr. Hollingworth. I know Finn very well. I saw him on Sunday morning between ten minutes and a quarter-past twelve, near the turnpike opposite the "Artichoke." He was coming along the road when I caught hold of his arm. I said you won't be home at ten o'clock tonight. We had been to see one of the boiler makers home, who lodges here. I saw a man in Huntsman's Lane. The deceased went straight along the Ashford Road. The man, a stranger, follow the deceased. We passed the man in Huntsman's Lane. None of my mates knew him. He was dressed in dark clothes; standing about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches. He was a thin respectable looking man about 25 years. He was standing in the hedge opposite Mr. Bolton's house; close up with his back to the hedge, I made a remark to one of my friends, "Lookout; there's a vision in the hedge."

By Mr. Hollingworth:- The man stood in Huntsman Lane, and when Finn passed he followed Finn close up. I heard no report of fire arms. I could not say how far we were from him. My mates were fifteen yards behind us. Finn had a bundle of light blue under his left arm. We did not speak to the man till we got to the bottom.

Captain Ruxton:- We have got evidence of the report of a gun being heard about the time.

Ann Carpenter, wife of George Carpenter, said:- My husband is a labourer, residing at the Lodge Gate. I heard the report of firearms about 20 minutes past 12 o'clock on Saturday night, in the direction of Turkey Mill. It was a very loud report. I heard nothing more after that. All was perfectly still. I know the spot where the deceased was found. I have not seen it. The report appeared to come from that direction. Previous to hearing the report I saw two men on the garden, when they got over the wall. My son immediately ran out and shouted out "Police, murder." They got over the wall at the back of the house. One was a tall thin man dressed in dark clothes. The other was a stouter man. The taller one had a low hat on. My son says they had both low hats. The short of one had a white slop. They ran in the direction of Turkey Mill.

Jury, recalled:- Could not recollect what sort of a hat the man he saw in Huntsman's Lane head on.

George Henry Furber, surgeon of Maidstone:- I was called to see deceased on Sunday morning, at a quarter to two o'clock. I found the body in the stables at the "Artichoke Inn." I examined him externally, but found no marks upon his body. Upon the face was a wound on the left-hand side of the lower lip. It was a large, ragged wood, measuring 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The wound was apparently made by a gun or pistol shot. I afterwards made a post mortem examination. On the right side of the face, near the eye, there was a slight abrasion, evidently caused by falling. On the upper lip, on the right hand side, there was a slight skin wound. On the left a similar but more extensive wound, which appeared to have been done by a sharp instrument. The edges of the wound were everted, ragged, and charred. The lower jaw was laid bare. The charring was evidently caused by the closeness of the firing of a gun or pistol. The lower jaw was also fractured between the first and second double teeth on the left side. The right hand portion was thrust back and overlapped by the left portion. The upper jaw, left side, was fractured near the middle line, and all the double teeth knocked out. From thence the wound took a horizontal direction backwards to the right hand side, and somewhat upwards, lacerating the top of the tongue, embedded in which were found several shots. The shots were number two or three. I gave the shots to Mr. Ovenden. I afterwards took out the brain, and found it uninjured, and the internal parts of the brain intact. The charge appeared to have distributed.

The shots were shown to the jury when one of them said they were number 5 shot.

Witness continued:- I afterwards found the principal part of the charge embedded under the left cheek. The shots were of the same description as those found in the tongue. The wadding used was brown paper. It appeared to be a wound inflicted by pistol; fired off close to the face, when standing and directly at him. I found a trace of the brown paper wadding. Death must have been instantaneous.

By the Forman:- The sharp wound or cut I alluded to was doubtless caused by the great force of the explosion. The tongue and tissues were blackened by powder. If it had been fired from a distance the charge would have been distributed. The edges of the wound were singed by the fire.

This concluded the evidence.

The room was then cleared for the jury to consider their verdict, and on the readmission of the reporters the Coroner said that they had returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder against some person or person's unknown."

Several facts in connection with the case were not brought out in the investigation.