KICKED TO DEATH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2568, 14 June 1881, Page 2

KICKED TO DEATH.

Saturday night is kicking night in Lancashire. Unless there be some mistake, which further enquiry will clear up, a murderous villiaa in clogs has just done a man to death in Preston. The poor fellow, William Eccleston,, was a “ Steeple Jack ” by trade, and hia profession required courage and strength. He showed the former quality by interfering as people care to do among clog-wearers, to protect a woman from “ two young fellows.” The young fellows, it is said, brought him to the ground and one of them “ hacked him over ” with his sharp-pointed Jogs. When a man is down kicking him to death is only a question of time and application. A boy named Bramwell tried to protect Eccleston. Men, according to the report, stood and looked on, and saw him cruelly murdered. The kicks were directed at his face, neck, and head. One broke in his skull over the left temple. This is English manliness. The case is bad enough even if we allow for some exaggeration or mistake in the narrative. Two men bully a woman, and while her protector is kicked to death men look on and do not stir. It is a most shameful story. Assuming it to be substantiated, the utmost severity of punishment ought to be inflicted on tbe murderer, and it seems a pity the cowards who looked on should escape the consequences of what looks like participation in crime.—" Daily News.”