The circumstances of the case as far as we have been able to learn, are as follows:- Alexander Haldane, foreman to Mr. Thomas Haldane, Pitcorthie, and James Cunningham had been drinking on Sabbath morning in a house on the farm of Pitcorthie, occupied by the brother of the deceased, and had quarrelled more than once over their cups. The first dispute, we believe, was which of them could build the neatest corn-stack. (Haldane, we understand, enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best ploughmen in the Western District of Fife). Out of this dispute no fight had arisen, but shortly afterwards the deceased and Cunningham quarrelled more fiercely. It is said that Haldane struck Cunningham in the house three blows without the latter striking at all. Indeed, Cunningham is said to have endeavoured as soon as possible to get out of the way of deceased, and Haldane, furious at the prospect of Cunningham escaping him, threatened to use violence – and in one instance, we believe, he did use violence - to several of his relatives who interposed between deceased and Cunningham. But Haldane, who was a very powerful man, managed to get at Cunningham. A fight between the two men than took place, and after a tussle both fell to the ground, Cunningham uppermost. It is said that Cunningham then seized Haldane by his necktie and shook him vigorously for a minute or two. Cunningham then rose and proceeded homewards, but Haldane was never seen after this to make a single motion. Deceased’s nephew having come up and seen the condition of his uncle, remarked to Cunningham that he “had done for him now.” Cunningham replied, “There was no fear of him, he’ll be alright to-morrow” and went home evidently under the impression that Haldane was not much hurt.
The police authorities at Dunfermline were speedily acquainted with the occurrence, and having proceeded to Wester Pitcorthie and informed themselves of the circumstances, they went to Masterton, where, in his own house, and in his bed sleeping, they found Cunningham, and apprehended him at about 9 o’clock, nearly three or four hours after the fight had taken place. Cunningham was conveyed to Dunfermline, where he was examined in the course of the afternoon before Sheriff Bell, and committed to prison for further examination. In the forenoon of the same day the Procurator Fiscal, accompanied by Drs. Dewar and Traill, visited the scene of the fight, and on Monday morning the medical gentlemen previously mentioned, made a post-mortem examination of the body. Although the result of the post-mortem examination has not been made public, it is generally understood that the doctors have assigned strangulation as the cause of death.
Cunningham, we understand, has borne a respectable character hitherto, while the deceased is stated to have been much given to fighting when in a state of intoxication, and not infrequently had he brought himself into rather uncomfortable positions by his pugnacious spirit.
Mrs. Haldane, who has borne the deceased no fewer than 13 children, all of whom, with two exceptions, fortunately are able to support themselves at the time of the death, was residing at Braehead, and since becoming acquainted with the circumstances has suffered mentally much pain.
This sad affair has cast a deep gloom over the country-people of the neighbourhood. Cunningham, we believe, is a native of Saline, and was there pretty much respected. On Sabbath the news of the death of Haldane and the apprehension of Cunningham spread rapidly through the village. When apprehended at Masterton, Cunningham seemed very much astonished at hearing that Haldane was dead. He has since maintained a very cool appearance.
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