DREADFUL MURDER OF A CHILD IN MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1310, 20 September 1870, Page 3

DREADFUL MURDER OF A CHILD IN MELBOURNE.

On the afternoon of the sth instant, A waiter, named Edward Marwood Elton, murdered his step-son, a child between two and three years of age, in a most barbarous manner at Sand ridge, Victoria, tt appears that in the month of February List, the murderer married the mother of the child, which wa« an illegitimate ode. The fact of the child's existence*, and that it was illegitimate, was well known to Elton, who, it is said, never showed any signs of dislike to the boy; who was Jtnovra. under the name of Thomas Henry Darbyshire. A short time ago Elton secured employment at the Black Bull hotel, Geelong, and was residing there lately with his wife. Dulness of trade, however, caused him to lose his employment, and he returned to Melbourne, his I wife going to live with the boy at the house of a Mrs Jackson. ". Elton did not sleep in the house, but waa there to see his wife every day, and on the sth he called as usual. About 2 o'clock, while there, he complained of being unwell, but shortly afterwards went out ( for a walk, taking the child along with him. An hour afterwards he returned alone, and on enquiries being made'about the child, he stated that he had cut its throat. The appalling intelligence turned out to be only too true. On search being made the child was found in the neighborhood . of Sandridge Bend, with his head nearly severed from his body. The accused, who never denied having, perpetrated the crime, was at once taken into custody, and has been committed by coroner's warrant to take his trial ;