West Port murders, or an authentic account of the atrocious murders committed by Burke and his associates; containing a full account of all the extraordinary circumstances connected with them. Also, a report of the trial of Burke and M'Dougal. With a description of the execution of Burke, his confessions, and memoirs of his accomplices, including the proceedings against Hare, &c.

  • Burke, William, 1792-1829.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: West Port murders, or an authentic account of the atrocious murders committed by Burke and his associates; containing a full account of all the extraordinary circumstances connected with them. Also, a report of the trial of Burke and M'Dougal. With a description of the execution of Burke, his confessions, and memoirs of his accomplices, including the proceedings against Hare, &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    54/392 (page 42)
    Q. At what hour did you return to your own house ? A. It would be the forenoon. Q. Did you go again to Burke’s on Saturday night? , A. Yes, at eight o’clock, Gray’s wife told me of something in Burke’s house and I went with her to sec. Q. What did you see ? A. I saw nothing, I was so frightened that I came out. Q. Did you seo tho prisoner, M'Dougal? A. Before this M'Dpugal came to me, and said the woman Gray had stolen some things out of her house, and asked me to watch her door, as it did not lock. This was about six o’clock. 'Q. What happened after? A. When I was making ray husband’s supper, Hare camo to my door. He was going to Burke’s, but I told him there was nobody thcro ; and he came into my. house, but soon went back into the passage. I afterwards went to Burke’s, door, and found it fastened. Q. After you went to Burke’s door, did you see any one ? A. Yes, Hare came out of Burke’s after that- Q. Did you see M'Dougal? A. Yes, and Burke a good bit on in the night. Q. Did any thing else happen? A. Yes, some one said to Burko- nnd M'Dougal, that they were very much disturbed tho night (hey murdered tho woman. M'Dougal laughed, and Burke said, ho would defy all Scotland, as he never did any wrong. The Polico came just after that and apprehended Burke. Cross Examined by Sir J. W. Moncrirff, Dean of Faculty. Q. Did Burke, before he was apprehended, say any thing of the person> who accused him of tho murder? A, Yes, he said he would go and seek the man, and he met him in the passago along with tho policeman, and they took him into his own house. By a Juryman. Q. What was the cause of your fear, when you went into Burke’s house. A. From having heard of the murder from Mrs Gray. JANET LAWRIE or (Law) Examined. Q. You lived in the same passago with the prisoners in October last? A. Yes. , «, Q. Do you remember being at Connaway s house on the 31st October, about two in the afternoon? A. Yes. . O', Do you recollect seeing tho prisoner Burke in tho passage. A. Yes.