Curiosities of Street Literature. Various

at length I was overlooked, oh shame for me to tell;

      By Satan sure I was beguiled, he led me quite astray,

      Unto another I gave way on that sad unlucky day.

      I well deserve my wretched fate, no one can pity me,

      To think that I in cold blood could take the life away;

      I took a stake out of the hedge and hit on the head,

      My cruel blows I did repeat until she were dead.

      I dragged the body from the stile to a ditch running by,

      I quite forgot there’s One above with an all-seeing eye,

      Who always brings such deeds to light, as you so plainly see,

      I questioned was about it and took immediately.

      The body’s found, the inquest held, to prison I was sent,

      With shame I do confess my sin, with grief I do repent;

      And when my trial did come on, I was condemned to die,

      An awful death in public scorn, upon the gallows high.

      While in my lonely cell I lie, the time draws on apace,

      The dreadful deeds that I have done appear before my face;

      While lying on my dreadful couch those horrid visions rise,

      The ghastly form of my dear wife appears before my eyes.

      Oh may my end a warning be now unto all mankind,

      And think of my unhappy fate and bear me in your mind;

      Whether you are rich or poor, your wives and children love,

      So God will fill your fleeting days with blessings from above.

      Rocliff, Printer, Old Gravel Lane, London.

SHOCKING RAPE

       AND

       MURDER OF TWO LOVERS.

       Table of Contents

      Showing how John Hedges, a farmer’s son, committed a rape upon Jane Williams, and afterwards Murdered her and her lover, William Edwards, in a field near Paxton.

      This is a most revolting Murder. It appears Jane Williams was keeping company, and was shortly to be married to William Edwards, who was in the employment of Farmer Hodges. For some time a jealousy existed in John Hodges, who made vile proposals to the young girl, who although of poor parents was strictly virtuous. The girl’s father also worked on farmer Hodges’s estate. On Thursday last she was sent to the farm to obtain some things for her mother, who was ill; it was 9 o’clock in the evening when she set out, a mile from the farm. Going across the fields she was met by the farmer’s son, who made vile proposals to her, which she not consenting to, he threw her down, and accomplished his vile purpose. In the meantime her lover had been to her house, and finding she was gone to the farm, went to meet her. He found her in the field crying, and John Hodges standing over her with a bill-hook, saying he would kill her if she ever told. No one can tell the feelings of the lover, William Edwards. He rushed forward, when Hodges, with the hook, cut the legs clean from his body, and with it killed the poor girl, and then run off. Her father finding she did not return, went to look for her; when the awful deeds were discovered. Edwards was still alive, but died shortly afterwards from loss of blood, after giving his testimony to the magistrates. The farmer’s son was apprehended, and has been examined and committed to take his trial at the next Assizes.

      Thousands of persons followed the unfortunate lovers to the grave, where they were buried together.

      Copy of Verses.

      Jane Williams had a lover true

      And Edwards was his name,

      Whose visits to her father’s house,

      Had welcome now became.

      In marriage soon they would be bound,

      A loving man and wife,

      But John Hodges, a farmer’s son,

      With jealousy was rife.

      One night he met her in the field,

      And vile proposals made;

      How can I do this wicked thing;

      Young Jane then weeping said.

      He quickly threw her on the ground,

      He seized her by surprise,

      And did accomplish his foul act,

      Despite her tears and cries.

      Her lover passing by that way,

      Discovered her in tears,

      And when he found what had been done

      He pulled the monster’s ears.

      Young Hodges with the bill-hook,

      Then cut young Edwards down:

      And by one fatal blow he felled

      Jane Williams on the ground.

      There side by side the lovers lay

      Weltering in their blood:

      Young Jane was dead, her lover lived,

      Though ebb’d away life’s flood.

      Old Williams sought his daughter dear,

      When awful to relate,

      He found her lifeless body there,

      Her lover’s dreadful fate.

      Now in one grave they both do lie,

      These lovers firm and true,

      Who by a cruel man were slain,

      Who’ll soon receive his due.

      In prison now he is confined,

      To answer for the crime.

      Two lovers that he murdered,

      Cut off when in their prime.

      J. Catnach, Printer, Monmouth Court.

FULL PARTICULARS

       OF THIS

       DREADFUL MURDER.

       Table of Contents

      A scene of bloodshed of the deepest dye has been committed in this neighbourhood, which has caused a painful and alarming sensation among all classes in this place, in consequence of its being committed by an individual that is well known to most of the inhabitants who are going in great numbers to the fatal spot where the unfortunate and ill-fated victim has met with this melancholy and dreadful end.

      On the news arriving at our office, we at once dispatched our reporter to the spot, and on his arrival he found the place surrounded by men, women, and children, gathered around where the vital spark had fled, which was never to be regained on the face of this earth. Deep was the conversation among the accumulated persons, as to how a fellow creature could be guilty of committing such a revolting and diabolical act upon one, who, it appears, was much respected in this neighbourhood.

      The