Just like today, murders took place all over the country in the 19th century, and many of them were equally as horrible, some more so, than those of Jack the Ripper.
A report on one such crime appeared in The Birmingham Daily Gazette on Thursday the 20th of October 1864:-
HORRIBLE MURDER AT SUNNINGHILL
A very barbarous murder has just been discovered at Sunning-hill Park, the seat of Mr. P. H. Crutchley, near Ascot.
On Saturday afternoon a carrier named Kentish called about half-past five o’clock at a lodge near the road leading to Sunning-dale, for the purpose of leaving some papers.
This lodge was kept by an old woman named Butler, who was about seventy years of age.
HE FOUND HER BODY
Kentish opening the door and entering the lodge he was horrified to find the old woman sitting on the floor near the entrance, with her head covered with wounds and streaming with blood.
On the carrier asking her what was the matter she was just able to utter a few exclamations of pain, and became insensible.
A DOCTOR ARRIVES
Kentish hastened to the adjacent farm for assistance, and Dr. Hewitt, of Winkfield, was immediately sent for, but the poor old woman had expired from the dreadful nature of the injuries she had received.
There were three frightful cuts on the back, and two on the top of the head. They had evidently been inflicted with some blunt instrument, as the cap which Mrs. Butler wore had not been cut through.
THE POLICE ARRIVE
Sergeant Mansell, on receiving notice of the murder, at once sent for Inspector Reece and Superintendent Iremonger, of the Berks Constabulary, who immediately proceeded to the lodge, the scene of the murder, and minutely searched the premises in the hope of finding some traces which might lead to the arrest of the old woman’s murderer.
By the side of the body of the victim were found a bunch of four keys and a seal, engraved with the letter “G.” The poor old woman, who was in the receipt of parochial relief, had a lodger, a labouring man.
This man gave a satisfactory account of himself during the day, he, in fact, being out at work the time the barbarous deed was perpetrated.
As Mrs. Butler was in very poor circumstances it is thought the murder has been committed from motives of malice and not of plunder.
A TRAMP WAS SUSPECTED
Inspector Reece and Superintendent Iremonger remained upon the premises during the whole of Saturday night, and from their inquiries suspicion has been thrown upon a tramp who was seen in the neighbourhood during the day, and who is said to have insulted several persons who refused to give him alms.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE LODGE
The police are still endeavouring to discover the perpetrator of the cruel murder.
The lodge in which Mrs. Butler lived is one of those small buildings, consisting of two or three rooms, which are usually placed just inside the gates of the roads leading to the country seats in the district. It is a neat little place, with whitewashed front and a central door, on each side of which is a window.
In front of the lodge there is a pretty flower-garden, separated from the private road which leads to the mansion (a mile or so distant) by a low railing.
The site of the lodge is a rather lonely one, as it is about half a mile from Sunninghill, where, with the exception of a farm some two or three hundred yards off, are the nearest houses the scene of the murder.
SHE WAS A HOUSEKEEPER
From further inquiries it appears that Mrs. Butler acted as housekeeper to William Mancey, at the Lodge.
Mancey is in the employ of Mr. Nelson, a race-horse trainer at Winkfield; and on leaving home, about half-past five o’clock on Saturday morning to go to his work, he heard the old woman, who was asleep in her room, and did not disturb her; and from that time it is stated that no one seems to have noticed anything particular till the discovery of the crime in the course of that evening when the woman was found in a dying state by Kentish, the carrier.
A BRUTAL AND VIOLENT MURDER
The murder seems to have been committed with much brutality and violence, for on the red brick floor, just inside the door, where the pavement has become hollowed with wear, there is a large pool of coagulated blood, whilst against the door leading to the kitchen, where the murdered woman seems to have laid her head, there is a large stain and splashes of blood.
The body of the poor old woman now lies in the bedroom of the lodge, which is in charge of Police-constable Hewitt, 15, Bucks Constabulary.
THE GUILTY PARTIES SOUGHT
Who are the guilty parties is at present mystery, but the police are said to be in pursuit of two tramps – a man and a woman – who were seen on the road to Windsor, a short distance from the lodge, by Kentish, the carrier.
There are also other rumours afloat, but, till the inquest takes place, probably little will be brought to light with regard to the perpetrators of this foul deed.
THE MOTIVE A MYSTERY
At present it certainly would seem that the murder was not committed from motives of plunder, as though there was a little money in the house nothing was disturbed or broken open.
What is most singular is that the murderer or murderers were not disturbed while in the act of destroying the life of the poor victim, as the lodge is bounded by two roads, one private and the other public one, along which persons might be expected to pass at any moment.