From the pages of The Gentleman's Magazine, or Monthly Intelligencer, for the year 1731.....
(Spellings have been, for the most part, left as is)
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The following Narrative, given by a gentleman of unexceptionable honour and veracity, has been lately published at Edinburgh.
William Sutor, aged about 37, a farmer in Middle - mause, ( belonging to the Laird of Balgown near Craighal, ) being about the month of December, 1728, in the fields with his servants, near his own house, over heard at some distance, as it were, an uncommon shreeking and noise ; and they following the voice, fancied they saw a dark gray - colour'd dog ; but as it was a dark night, they concluded was a fox , and accordingly were for setting on their dogs ; but it was very observable, that not one of them would so much as point his head that way.
About a month after, the said Sutor being occasionally in the same spot, and much about the same time of night, it appear'd to him again, and in passing, touch'd him so smartly on the thigh, that he felt a pain all that night.
In December 1729, it again cast up to him at about the same place, and past him at some distance. In June 1730, it appeared to him as formerly : And it was now he began to judge it was something extraordinary. On the last Monday of Nov. 1730, about sky setting, as he was coming from Drumloch, this officious visiter passed him as formerly, and in passing, he distinctly heard it speak these words..
"Within eight or ten days do or die" ;
and instantly disappeared, leaving him not a little perplexed.
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| ( pic from Devil Dog - The Hound of Hell, 1978 ) |
Next morning he came to his brother James's house, and gave him a particular account of all that had happened : And that night , about 10 o'Clock these two brothers having been visiting their sister at Glanballow, and returning home, stept aside to see the remarkable spot, where they had no sooner arrived, than it appeared to William, who pointing his finger to it, desired his brother and a servant who was with them, to look to it ; but neither of them could see any such thing.
Next Saturday evening, as William was at his sheep fold, it came up to him, and audibly utter'd these words,
"Come to the spot of ground within half an hour."
Whereupon he went home, and taking a staff in his hand, came to the ground, being at last, determined to see the issue. He had scarce encircled himself with a line of circumvallation, when his troublesome familiar came up to him, he asked it,
"In the name of God , who are you?"
It answered, "I am David Sutor, George Sutor's brother : I kill'd a man more than 35 Years ago, at a bush by east the road as you go into the Isle."
He said to it, "David Sutor was a man, and you appear as a dog."
It answered, "I killed him with a dog, and am made to speak out of the mouth of a dog, and I tell you to go bury these bones."
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| (The Fore Part of the Bones, plate from The Historie of Man published by John Banister, 1578) |
This coming to the ears of the Minister of Blair, the Lairds Glascloon and Rychalzie, and about 40 men went together to the said Isle ; but after opening ground in several places, found no bones.
On the 2nd of December about midnight, when William was in bed, it came to his door, and said,
"Come away : you will find the bones at the side of the withered bush, and there are but 8 left" ; and told him at the same time for a sign, that he would find the print of a cross impreſs'd on the ground.
Next day William and his brother, with about 40 or so people who had conven'd out of curiosity, came to the place, where the discovered the bush, and the cross by it; and and upon digging the ground about a foot down found the eight bones ; all which they immediately wrapt in clean linnen, and being put in a coffin with a mort cloth over it, were interr'd that evening, in the church yard of Blair, attended by about 100 persons .
N. B. Several people in that country remember to have seen this David Sutor ; and that he listed for a soldier, and went abroad about 34 or 35 years ago.
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Surprizing Accusations and Discoveries of Murtherers, & c .
An Account, & c. of a Murther committed in Cripplegate Parish, Dec. 16 . 1695, related by Mr Smithies, curate of that Parish ; and attested by Dr Fowler , then Bishop of Glouceiter. [ From the D. Cour . Sept. 6. ]
Three men came to Mr Stockden's house in the evening, and call'd for drink, and staid late, tho' Mr Stockden desir'd 'em to be gone. As he sat in his chair one of them cry'd "Come," and immediately seiz'd him, and Mary Footman, his kinswoman , and House - keeper, bound her, and thrust a handkerchief into her Mouth ; two of them strangled Mr Stockden with a linen cloth, struck him with the lock of a pistol on the forehead and kill'd him. They then took what money and plate they could find .
Soon after, Mr Stockden appear'd to Mrs. Greenwood, a neighbour ( in a dream ) and shew'd her a house in Thames - street, where Mayuard, one of the murderers, was.
The next Morning she went and enquir'd for him, and was inform'd he was just gone out. Mr Stockden appear'd again, deſcrib'd him, and told her a wire- drawer must take him.
One of that trade, and his intimate, was accordingly found, who, for a reward of 10l was prevail'd upon to undertake it : Upon which he was taken and carried to Nerugate, confess'd the act, and impeach'd three others, Marsh, Bevil, and Mercer. Marsh , tho ' not present at the murder, was the setter on, and had a share of the booty, and hearing of the information against him, ran away .
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| (The Plot Succeeds: Scenes from the Murder of Patrick O'Connor) |
Mr Stockden appear'd again to Mrs Greenwood, and led her to a house in Old - Street, shew'd her a pair of stairs, and told her one of them lodg'd there. Thither the next morning she went, heard of him, and by pursuing from place to place, Marsh was taken.
Bevil was discover'd in like manner by Mrs Greenwood's dreaming that Mr Stockden had her over the Bridge, up the Borough, into a Yard : Thereupon she went the next day to the Marshalsea, where she found him, being brought thither for coining. He was removed to Newgate and confess'd the fact.
Mercer did not consent to the murder, of Mr Stockden , and preserv'd the life of Mrs. Footman, nor did Mrs Greenwood dream any thing concerning him : He became evidence and escaped ; the other three were executed . After this Mr Stockden came to her and said, "Elizabeth, I thank thee, the God of Heaven reward thee, for what thou hast done. After which she repos'd at quiet.
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