Village History
EXTRAORDINARY MURDER AT STEEPLE CLAYDON
Child murder of peculiarly shocking and extraordinary character was perpetrated at the above quiet and secluded village, which situate about five ?iiles south of Buckingham, Thursday morning, the 11th uistant. The event naturally caused the most intense excitement in the neighbourhood, which the revelations at ‘he inquest, at the inquiry before the magistrates, has Materially heightened. The scene of tbe murder was Camp * arm-house, Steeple Claydon, charming residence, boantihuly situated on rising ground near the church, and which occupied by three maiden ladies named Macdonald, daughters late Major Macdonald. These ladies have resided in tin; village for many years, and in September of last year four young children, three boys and a girl, were left in their charge by Mr. and Mrs. Logan, who were going out to India, where the former holds appointment as civil engineer. The parents, the same time, left nurse take care the children, Mrs. Catherine Muir, a widow soldier, who has had two children herself, both whom are , however, dead. this Mrs. Airs. Logan stated J* have placed the rao:-t entire confidence. She bad been service four or five years, and was supposed to be very i°nd of the children. The eldest boy has been school Reading, so that only three remained at Claydon. The nurse uehaved extremely well until very recently, and was quite Motherly in her attention to the children : but owing, is said, disagreements with one of the Miss Macdonalds, she lately taken to drinking, and, in consequence of some Misbehaviour, received notice to leave. She was to have gone away on the Thursday morning, her boxes having been already taken to the station. Between seven and eight on that horning, however, before she dressed herself, she sent another servant to the kitchen for table knife, making some trifling, excuse for wanting it. The girl fetched the knife, and left the room again by the nurse’s directions. to be continued…………..
Northampton Mercury – Saturday 20 May 1871
