The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-09-22 00:00:00

DISTEBSSING BrICIDE.

One of the most sad and distressing events which has
ever occurred in this town, and which has plunged a
highly respectable family into the deepest woe, took
place on Wednesday. On the morning of that day Mr.
Edward G. Kent, son of Mr. Kent, builder. he, of
White Cliff, Milletrest, left his bonne about nine
o'clock. As he was generally !mimed assisting in his
father's business, which milled him frequently from
home, his absence was not at first particularly noticed,
but as hour after hour passed by and he did not return
his friends became mostly alarmed, and inquiries were
made which left no doubt that he went from the town
in the morning in the direction of Durweston. Some
faint hopes were entertained that he had gone to Child
Okeford, and with • view of knowing whether such was
the wee, one of his father's workmen, named Charles
Wills, and Mr. F. Parke, proceeded to inquire On
their way, however, the .previous depression of spi•its,
which it was evident Mr. Kent had laboureil
under for some time, led them to the distressing
conclusion that some calamity had befallcn
Accordingly, whilst Wills went forward towards Mr.
Ingram's honest to know if he had been seen by any
of the ino_ates, Mr. Parke made his way down to the
side of the river, which at the foot of the Down lies but
• short distance frost the turopike road. When he
arrived opposite Mr. Ingram's boom, his suspicions
were, unhappily, confirmed, for lying by the side of the
river was the bat the unfortunate young man generally
wore oc weeksdays. Mr. Parte immediately called out
to his companion, who proceeded through the field to
the river's side, and identified the hat as that worn by
his master's son. It was also clear from the appearance
of the bank that some one had Aid down into Ins water,
and of course very little doubt remained on their minds
that it was he whom they sought. As soon as possible
• boat was procured, and in about the space of ten
minutes the body was found. No marks of violence
were observed upon it; but the bands were tied tightly
together by • strong piece of cord, and it was evident
from its appearance that it had been in the water some
time. The body was conveyed in the boat to that part
of the river opposite the bark of deceased's re-
sidence, where Dr. Williamson Daniells was in atten-
dance. On examining deceased's watch it was
found to have stopped at five minutes past ten
o'clock, so that he must have been in the water
upwards of sight hours. As soon as the melancholy
sweet became knows great numbers proceeded to the
spot where it look place, and foram-oml hours the street
In which the young man lived was thronged with
people. The deceased was very mach esteemed in the
town, being ever ready to 11•410 in any good work. He
wee, devoted Sandaysehool teacher, assisted in the
parish choir, and to him most be attributed much of the
memos which has attended the formation of the Working
Men's Club, of which be acted as eseretary. He was
also a torpor.' in the Bth Dorset Rifles, and is all the
several relations of life in which he bore • part, be con-
ducted himself in such an unobtrusive and gentlemanly
manner as so secure the good-will and reaped of all.
On the following day an inquiet was held at the Half'
Moos Ins, before W. H. Atkisson, Esq., and • highly
respectable jury. of which Mr. Isaac George was elected
torearae, wboa tbe following evidence was glees :

Elisabeth Hicks Wheeler, the lest person who saw
Mr. Kant alive, deposed :—That on Wednesday
meanie about half-past nine o'clock she saw the
, whom she knew very well, al the top
of Witney Mill-street, adjoining Little-lane. Washed
bim till he came to the clump of trees our the
Mill Down. He ran very feat. He stopped
and spoke to • men there, but Gould not ray who that
person wee. They both turned sod looked toward the
town, end decreed then ran off again. Ho pared her,
end she aoticed something strange in the appearance of
his ayes. She thee lost sight at him, till she saw him
are to the sheep-wash. He cause ups little path from
behind the bushes between the road Lod the neer. He
lookid about, and rho supposed he wea looking for •
dog. He rood on • little path try the side of the rood.
Tbe hat he had on warns white straw with • block
ribbon round it. Witness want on her way, and did not
sue aaything mon of the decreed.
- -

- -
Janie. Paine, jou., attorney's clerk, deposed :—That
on Wednesday morning, about 25 minntes after nine, as
he was returning from • walk on the Mill Down, be saw
a union whom he believed to be the deceased standing
under a clump of tress nese the Down, looking stead-
fastly on the ground. He stood a few minutes and then
sane on to the Down. As be was coming towards hint
'Moms said : "How do you do, Mr. Med r Rented.
some reply, but witness could not understand what he
said. Witness then said : "It it a fine morMeg," to
which deceased deo replied, but he Gould not
understand him. Witness then spoke louder' and said
It is a fine day," when deceased replied it was, and
a faint smile passed over his countenance. Al the
deceased appear, ad una Ming to converse, witness came
on toward the 'own, and deceased walked very fast on to
the Min Down. Did not notice anything particularly
about deceased except when he smiled, and then he had
• strange look On the previous Friday witne-s maw
the deceased on the Mill Down. He appeared in very
low 'pints when he first entered into conversation with
him, but was much more cheerful towards the clue.
Warn often in deceased's company, and had noticed that
at thud he was very dull, but this wore off after he had
been conversing with any one.
Frederick Edwin Parke. painter, stated that in con-
sequence of having heard that Yr. K. Kent was mis-ing,
be accompanied Charles Wills in searching for him.
When they got to the road, at the bottom of the Down,
about 80 to 100 yards from the sheer:nab, he observed
traces of wnere a person had been walking, and close to
the ads of the river be noticed a hat lying with the open
part toward ths water. He felt merino:9d that the hat
belonged to Mr. Kent. He immediately called to his
companion, who was going to inquire st Mr. Ingram's
respecting the deceased, and they both, upon further
examination, could distinctly trace where the deceased
had been. The bank of the river was alippery. and
showed marks as of some person sliding down into the
wider. Wham came back into the town for assistance,
and•mosaa,ge was sent to the lodge for the boat. As noon
ash. returned to tbe place, the boat, containing Wills,
Thomas Norman and his son, tame. They searched the
spot where witness thought the body likely to be found,
and in about 10 minutes or • quarter of an hour sue-
aided in ending it, and plating it in the tout, by which
it was conveyed to the landing-place in the park, and
was from thence taken to deceased's home.
Charles Wills, brieklsyer, deposed ,that he worked
for decessed'• father, and was often in his company.—
In consequence of his young master being missing on
the previous day, himself and Mr. Parke went in search
of him.— (This witness corroborated the evidence
of the former one as to the finding of the
body, adding, when the body wee being
drawn into the boat he observed that both hands were
tied together with a piece of cord round the wrista
The palms were towards each other. Thor* were DO
marks of violence on the body. Deceased Dodd not
have futaied the cord with either of his hands ; he
mud have drown it tight with his teeth.
The cord was here produced; it was • axon,' piece,
and appeared as though • running loop had been made
in it.
The body was conveyed in the boat to the landing,
and when it was taken out there, Charles Norman ex •
mined the deo:mead's watch, and found it bad stopped
at five minutes put ten. Witness saw the deceased
nearly every day, and had business tranesetions with
him. Had notified that be had been in a low deepen-!
ding way for the last six weeks. Had complained to I
waned of suffering front ensue of the liver, which very ;
much depressed his spirits.—By a juror: Had known;
deowed 11 years, but had never known anything the
matter with him till lately. The body was in 16 or 18 '
feet of water.
Charles Caber Norman, bricklayer, of Bryanston,
corroborated the evidence of the lad witness as to the
finding of the iody.
Owns Williamson Danielle, Esq., M.D., deposedi
that he was a senesce residing n Blazlford. Had been
attending the deemed for nearly two months. The
first time he saw him be believed him to be suffering
from disease of the liver and great nervous depression.
About six weeks ago be seemed much worse, and
witness pressed him if he had anything on his mind to
make him his confidant He said he had nothing what-
ever. but he was constantly finding out something to
want himself about Witness never heard him speak
In a d..ponding way about his state here or bawdier,
and so far as he could judge there appeared no
of disuse of the brain. He recommended
retidni changs of air, and be went to Dorchester and
Weymouth. About three weeks ago be came back
quite unexpectedl), and did not seem so well, but about
• week alp witness saw him, and be said he
was much better • only a little nervous sometimes.
All the unfavouible symptoms in his cue were
eradiated by the course of medicine proacribed.
Witness considered him the last person be was
sequinted with who would commit such an act if
in • sound state of miod, and he was fully persuaded he
must have been suffering from some delusion or morbid
1 feeling to cause hint to °mould such a deed. Be often
ezpreseed to him bow comfortable be was; that be had
kind parents and friends, and everything to maks him
' "PO%

This was the whole of the evidence, and the Coroner
having pointed out to the jury the legal hearings of the
ease, they. after a short ceneallation, returned as their
verdict—" That the deceased, while labooriag under
temporary inmeity, drowned himself in the river Wont..
Ws understand the deceased was Tf year. of aim.

On the following Sunday afternoon, Mr. Mann,
scripture reader, delivered an earnest sad striking
address to the boys attending the Choreal Monday
School, on the mslansholy event which had takes pisee,
and by which tbe school has been deprived of the
services of as eseelleet teacher. M-. Mann's remarks
were listened to with greet attention, and we would kW
hope some mastery hapressiaas were made on the minds
uf his youthful aaditory.

CHARMOUTH.— On Sunday, the 13th inst., a
sermon from Psalm sly. 3-5, was preached hy
the Rev. W. P. Clay, 14. A., in aid of the Church
Missionary Society, in Orarmouth parish church.
On the Monday everting following a meeting was
bold at the schoolroom, when the am. rev. patte-
rn= attended as • deputation. The it.,. E.
13retea, Rev. Z. Edwards and others, also =dreamed
the meeting, which terminated by the Bseediotioa
being pronounced by the chairman (the Rev. E. R.
Brats). Collections were made at the doors.
SHAFTESBURY. Borman Pam Sassioni.
Mcmday, September 14th.—8.101, the Mayor, W. C.
Thomas, EN. —Alfred Wright was brought up la
custody of P.C. Hoene, charged with being drunk and in-
capable at 12 o'clock on the precious Saturday night.
—Being as old (Meader, he was abed do. dd. including
oneta—On the sante day before W. C. Gordon Req.
lai Leap and Janus liseez were brought op in
custody cif P.C. Orchard, charged with being drunk and
Molar on tterviciaa Saturday night, at Gillingham.
—Flo= Ss.

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