The Express.
London, England, 1862-07-22 00:00:00

ALLEGED MURDER AND ROBBERY BY TM

liaiiiiri:

A protracted investigation wax held at the Green
Man Tavern, Holton Old Town, by Mr. John Humphrey.,
one of the Middlesex amours, at a late hour last night, r
specting the death of Mr. Samuel Chapman, aged 70, the
deacon of Ebenezer Chapel, Reeves-place, Hortoo, who
was found robbed and insensible in the adjoining house.
The case appeared to excite considerable interest in the
neighbourhood where the deceased was well known.
Mrs. Elisabeth Gardiner, 20, Union-street., Kingsland•
reed, daughter of the deceased, mid—My father vas a
r retired from business, and resided alone in
2:ll4'housplzajejoining the chapel. of which he was deacon.
I saw hhn in geed health on last Sunday week. On the
following (Nadu) evening I was sent for, and found him
speechless and in a dawdled state, but quite sensible. After
some time be placed his band around my throat as if to
signify that his throat had been grasped. He was in the
habit of keeping a policeman's staff under his pillow, and
I mused it from its plea. When I found it afterwards
there were stains of blood upon it. I asked him if it was
a (nerd that he wanted to make me know about, and he
intimated " no." I asked if the person belonged to
the chapel, and he said " no," but placed his band to his
throat.
The Coroner—You understood that your father Lad been
P
by this
Wienees—No. Weperms did, at fleet. We asked him, and he
said " yea." I irked him the pert day, and he said " leo,"
twice. As deacon of the chapel, he received the quarterly
collections. He might have received some recently before
his death, but Ido not warrant that. Whilst I 11118 there
CO the Monday night, three gentlemen whom I did not
know took away drawer with the money in it just so it
was. Hs died last Friday.
The Oceener--What do you suppose was the cause of his
death ?
. .

Withem—Natural causes.
The Coroner—Have the goodness to explain why.
Witnees—l have no mama to suppose otherwise. He
was regularly attended, and • doctor was called in. My
husband has not been unfortunate in business, he gave up
business only in consequence of a month's illness. He gam
up business recently and went into the employment of Mr.
Stephens se a journeyman. We did not think the de-
eased well off hennas we knew what property be had. He
had had two slight fits, one six years ago and one five
mouths ago.
Samuel Gardiner, a little boy, the sou of the last witness,
said that he used to sleep with deceased and go out in the
day time to get his errands. At half-past 12 he left
demand in good health and went to his mother's. He
returned at 6 o'clock. He wee away longer than usual,
for he was getting • lot of messages for his
mother. He believed she was at home all the
time, but his father was out at work. He saw deceased put
his heed to him mother's throat, and when she said " It
must be • friend," deceased said it was no friend, and put
his hand to her throat again. He seemed indignant. Two
or three days Wore his death he had received some money
from Messrs. Wallas. He kept his money in a purse, and
he hod • vetch.
Mrs. Lamherat said that when she was called is she saw
deceased lying with his bead to the fender, and resting on •
bible. The carpet was pulled up in two pleas& His mama
was apparently very tight indeed. He seemed to clasp one
of his pockets tight, as if to take care of it.
Charles Ellerton, carpenter, said that he found 41. in •
table-drawer in 's room. It belonged to the chapel.
Witness did not see a pares of cisosmod's.
Dr. C. Henley said that he was called to deceased as
Monday, and found him quite sensible, but unable to
articulate. He was not breathing like • person in
apoplexy. There was a braid mark round his throat
as if from compression of his neckkerchief,
which be always wore remarkably lax, so as not to confine
his throat. In consequence of what withers heard after-
wards, he inquired for the staff deceased was in the habit of
keeping under his pillow. There were stains of blood upon
it, and witness showed it to deceased. He grasped=
seemed pleased at the blood stains, as if be was
that he had inflicted some injury on some one that had triad
to injure him. The carpet was much palled from under the
fender, sod near the table there were marks as if a struggle
had taken place. Witness was informed that the deceased's
puree was gone. He appeared to defend his pocket, which
was an action a person recently attacked would perform me.
elmoicslly while partially conscious. The post-mortem exa-
mination showede blow on the side of the head externally.
Internally there was blood effused on the temple, as if from
a violent blow or fall. There was also extmvaastion on
the left ventricle, and slight escape of blood, arising either
from strangulation or a fall. The purse has not been die.
covered.
By the jury—The watch was banging up, and the pew.
opener's calling out might have disturbed auyone before it
could have been taken.
The Coroner said that in so serious • case he should ad-
journ, to obtain further evidence before coming to a
decision.
The inquiry was accordingly adjourned.