The following article, concerning what seems to have been a senseless murder that took place in south London, appeared in The Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser on Wednesday the 1st of November, 1876:-

MURDER IN LONDON

A most deliberate murder was committed on Tuesday evening in the south of London.

Between 7 and 8 o’clock, Frederick Barnard, a tradesman, of Kennington Lane, was proceeding through Renton Place, Newington-butts, when, without any warning, he was shot by a Pole, who passes by the name of Isaac Marks.

THE DEATH OF BARNARD

The murderer, taking advantage of the semi-darkness, fired four shots from a six-chamber revolver, one entering Barnard’s breast, a second his neck, a third his head just above the temple, and a fourth penetrated the shop window of a greengrocer named South.

Marks immediately threw down the revolver and ran to Kennington-lane police-station, where he gave himself up for the crime.

Barnard died in a few minutes, but Marks was not aware of this, and he has since asked whether Barnard is dead.

HE GAVE NO REASON

He declines stating his reason for the murder, but promises to do so after the Russian Ambassador has been communicated with.

It appears that a feud had for some time existed between Marks and the family of Barnard, a sister of the latter having for some months since succeeded in obtaining damages from him in a breach of promise case.

Barnard is said to be the father of thirteen children.

MARKS APPEARS IN COURT

The man Isaac Marks has been placed before Mr. Chance, the magistrate sitting at Lambeth Police-court, London.

The charge against him was for wilfully, and with malice aforethought, murdering Frederick Barnard, jun,, who carried on the business of a trunk and umbrella manufacturer, in Kennington-lane.

A BREACH OF PROMISE

The accused is a Polish Jew, about thirty years of age, and, it appears, was some time ago engaged in a lawsuit arising out of a breach of promise of marriage, and in which the prisoner had been amerced in costs.

This, it appears, has been brooding in his mind for some years.

THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER

On Tuesday night the prisoner went the deceased’s residence and told him that he had made purchase of some property, on which he wished his opinion.

The deceased left his home, met the prisoner for that purpose, when, on arriving the end of Penton-place, in the Kennington-road the prisoner fired three shots at him from a revolver, two of which took effect in the head, and one in the breast.

Death was instantaneous.

HE CONFESSED

The above facts were elicited in evidence, and on the prisoner being asked whether he had anything to say in answer to the charge, he (with a smile) said that he confessed to shooting Barnard; he farther said that he knew his life was forfeited, and he was prepared to pay the penalty, and did not wish to give the friends of the deceased any trouble.

The magistrate remanded him.

The inquest will be held on Friday.

HIS WIFE LEFT A WIDOW

The wife of the unfortunate man, Barnard, by hie untimely death, is left a widow with eight children