The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-07-09 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.-THIRD DAY.

The inquest was again resumed on Monday morn-
ing.—We take the following report of the proceedings
from Tuesday's Times :
Edward Tullett : I live at Kepner, and am a plate-
layer in the employ of the London Brighton, and South
Coast Railway Company. On NI onday, June 27, about five
minutes past three, I found a silk hat half a mile south of
Burgess-hill Station, lying in the up road four-foot. The
two 6clock London-bridge express passed me, and directly
it had gone by I saw the hat. There was no hat on the line
before the train passed. I saw no one looking out of the
windows. I took the hat to the office at Burgess-hill Station.
Mrs. Catherine Cross, the wife of Charles Cross, of 145,
East-street, Walworth : My husband has charge of the
shop belonging to Mr. Gold. He used to call every week
to receive the week's takings. He called on Monday, the
27th of June, in the morning. I gave him £3S in gold, ss.
in silver, and id. He used to put his money in a small
bag, and lie took it away in it. I do not know any one of
the name of Lefroy or Mapleton nor do 1 know any one at
Wallington.
. By Mr. Goodman: I gave him an account of the Week's
takings on a small piece of paper. Mr. Gold was in the habit
of wearing a chain like the piece produced.
By the Coroner : Mr. Gold frequently called in Mark-
lane on his way to London-bridge Station to order flow.. I
have seen him with a purse similar to the one produced.

Richard George Gibson : I live at 23, Blackman-street,
Brighton and am a ticket-collector at Preston-park Station.
platformexprss oonn
3tho en
ds%,r i vlaals
to. f hne o
ttiwe
eodo c Ipoacsk.
had no hat on and was beckoning as the carriage passed
London
-bridge
head out, of a first-class compartment. He
me. Ticket-collector Sparks opened the door of com-
partment in which Lefroy was Lefroy said in my presence,
"1 have been murittrously attacked and fired at; is there a
doctor near?" He also said, "I am faint and want some
water." The stationmaster (Hr. Hall) told me to jump into
the carriage with Lefroy, and go down to Brighton with
him. Lefroy walked up and down the platform at Preston-
park, and while he- was so doing I noticed a piece of gold
chain hanging out of his left shoe. He said, "I have put i 6
there for safety." Watson, the guard, who was standing
close by, stooped down and took the chain out of Lefroy's
shoe. There was a watch on the chain. I thought Lefroy
was a lunatic. We both got into the compartment which
Lefroy had left and the train went on to Brighton.
I noticed blood on the floor of the carriage and alit.
on Lefroy's face, neck, and hands. He took his bat
off and showed me several wounds on his head. He
said, "I have been fired at three times and struck on the
head with a pistol." I asked bins who by, and he said by a
countryman. I asked where he got out, and Lefroy
replied, "On the road." At the Sussex County Hospital Mr.
Hall examined Lefroy's head, where he complained of
being hurt most. Lefroy pointed out the wounds. Mr.
Hall said, " How did these wounds occur?" and Lefroy
said, "1 was struck on the head with a blunt instrument,
which knocked me insensible." Mr. Mall remarked, "We
shall keep him to-night." Lefroy said, "I cannot stop, as
I have very pressing business in London. I must be at my
club by half-past eight." He had no collar ; so on
the way back from the hospital to the Town-hall we
stopped the cab, and Police-constable Martin boue,ht
collar and a scarf for Lefroy. He said it must be 11i size.
About this time Lefroy was counting his money to see
about pas lug the cab fare. Be said, "I have not much
money. I am shortly coming into a lot of property ;if I
have not money enough I will send it down and make it
good I will also make you two a handsome present I have
very little money with me." He also said, "I have been
robbed." Ile pulled some more money out of his trousers
pockets, I should think about Its. or 16s. When we reached
the Town-hail we saw Mr. Thompson and Chief-constable
_ Terry. Detectives Holland and Holmes, of the London,
Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, were also
there. Police-constable Martin said, "Mr, Hall has pressed
the gentleman to stay at the hospital, bat he wants to be
in London at his club at 8.80, and we cannot detain bins
against his wish. The superintendent then questioned
Lefroy.
The Coroner: I want to know whetter you were treat-
ing this man as an injured man or a criminal.-1 was treating
him as a lunatic.

Examination continued : While we were at the hospital
I looked into the pockets of his great-coat, and found the
addresi-card produced. I also found a leather card-case
containing some pawn-tickets, but I cannot recognize the
case produced. In the pocket I saw several Elanoverian
sovereigns. I did not see a pistol or any bullet cases.
When we got back to the Town-hall several questions
were again put to Lefroy, but I did not see whether his
answers were taken down in writing. I afterwards re:mimed
to the station iu the cab with Lefroy, and the two detectives
walked on.

The Coroner: Now, after these statements by Lefroy,
did you believe him at all t—No, I still thought he was a
lunatic.
The Coroner: Did you know it was a criminal offence for
a person to attempt to commit suicide I—l
The Coroner: Was there any general conference as to
what should be done with him at the Town-hall 4—No.
Examination continued : We drove up to the station
and went to Mr. Auscombe's office. Mr. Hooper and the
two detectives Caine in afterwarde. Here further questions
were asked Lefroy, and I left to return to Preston. Lefroy
paid for the cab to the station. The only money I saw him
pay away was is. 6(1 for the collar and tie, 23. for the cab.
By Mr. Brewer: Lefroy said he recovered his senses just
before he got to Preston He did not tell me where lie
received the blows. He did not say the countryman had
fired at him, but that the countryman was the one who
assaulted him.
Mr. Brewer: You thought he was a lunatic, that you did
not pursue the inquiry is a marvellous story; one would
think you would have examined the carriage.—I was looking
at the man, and.did not particularly notice the carriage.
By the Coroner: One of the numbers of the Family Herald
was in the carriage. It was covered with blood. At Preston
I did not call the attention of any of the porters to the car-
riage • I went off with Lefroy directly. I did not notice any
scratches on his face ; I saw only the wound on his forehead.
I did not ask him anything about the watch and chain while
we were in the carriage. I did not ask why be had put it
in his shoe. He said the countryman and old gentleman
got out on the way, but I told him the train did not stop
after it left Croydon. I mentioned this conversation at the
Town-hall.
Mr. Dutton, a solicitor, of Westminister, here appeared,
and said he had been instiucted in a telegram by the sister
of Lefroy, Mrs. Briekwood, to wafith the case in his interests.
Mrs. Briekwood had been a client of his for the last two
years.
The Coroner: She has 110 authority to instrect you on
behalf of her brother. I can take you only as representing
Mrs. Briekwoed and the family.
Mr. Hatton.: Very good.
Examination of the witness continued: When he told me
he had been robbed, I did not ask him :what he had lost.
The Hanoverian sovereigns found in the carriage were
produced at the Town-hall. I did not then mention