The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-05 00:00:00

rzi MYSTERIOUS APPALS AT COBHAM.

An inquest on the two bodies found on Friday
in • wood near Cobham, as reported in our yesterday's
impression, was held yesterday at the King's AT=
before W. Carter, Fag., coroner for East Burley.
The facts in reference to the discovery of the bodies as
report yesterday having been deposed to with no ma-
terial variation, and medical evidence as to the muse of
depth having been taken,
Susanna 31oreham, a married woman, residing on Walton-
common, said—last Thursday week, between seven and
eight o'clock, I was is my yard when I heard two reports
of firearms in the direction of Paine's- hill, at an inter-
val of a minute or two between each other. It is not as
unusual occurrence to bear reports of firearms near my
house, but not so soon after each other. 1 saw no onoc•
the common that night.
Min Mary Ann Jupp, of Westcott, near Dorking, stated
that she was staying with her sister-in-law at the W bite
Lion Hotel on Thursday week last, when two gentlemen
came to the house and asked for two pints of port wine.
She informed them that they kept nothing lees than quart
bottles, one of which they thou bought, and for which the
younger of the two paid. Witness wrapped the bottle is a
pie* of • Daily Telegraph newspaper. He tried to put it
into a fish-basket, but was unable to do eo, in consequence
of a pouch which he handed to witness, which he desired
her to keep. It contained • pair of 1161101 s, some tweezers,
dies, and lines for fishing. On the fly-wrapper was written
the following:—"C. 8., 5, Laytou-place, Brixton, or 11,
Angel-court, City." They were respectably attired, and
the younger one wore a light suit and cap (corresponding
with that produced). The elder man said they were going
to the Plough, at Stoke, and that he knew two young
women living there 10 or 15 years ago. They left the house
and proceeded towards Walton-common. The older ooe
appeared to be last in his manner, and was going away
without paying for the wine, and the younger one then
paid for it.
A gentleman named Brown, who had entered the room,
stated, in reply to the cceoaer, that he went on Saturday
to 11, Angel-court, City, and from information there re-
ceived he proceeded to 11, Nevill-court, Homey, where he
saw a gentleman named Biddlestone, who told him that
his two sons left home on Thursday, July 24, with the
avowed object of going on a fishing excursion. The elder
one, who held a situation of 20111. per annum in • marine
assurance company, was 38 years of age, and the latter, who
was a clerk in the City, was 23 years of age. The circum-
stances brought to his knowledge left no doubt that they
were his sons. He was deeply affected, and was unable to
account for the melancholy affair in any way. He declared
that they were on friendly terms, and he could not shed
any light upon the affair.
The coroner here suggested an adjournment should take
place to enable the father to attend, but as the jury were '1
about to leave the house the father entered, and iu reply to
the coroner said he bad just been shown the several articles
mimed in the evidence, and he identified them as having
belonged to his two sons Charles and Herbert, whom he
last saw se the Mid alt. Leytouplace, Brixton, was their
former residence, and they still resided with their father.
Mr. Biddlestone also Meted that on their leaving home he
requested them to return in good time, and they said,
" Yea, father, we will return at the usual time," which
was about 10 o'clock, p.m. Witness had received DO '
motion of the muse of their absence in writing, and he
therefore bad caused some of the family to sit up fur them.
He could in DO way account for the act, and be behaved the
writing was in a disguised Mod, or written by cue
of them while in a state which would alter the
customary band. The writing as deciphered was read,
and Mr. Biddlestone thought it was written by Herbert, the
youngest, who he supposed might have been labotiriug at
the time under some mental feeling. Herbert was ex-
ceedingly food of his sister Emily, sod he believed the
writing was written by him because of the terms a:-
expressed therein.
By the Coroner—At what conclusion do you arrive re-
respecting the words " Charles is nearly dead ; I have pro.
mised to me him safely dead before I quite put— r
Witness-11st they individually committed suicide.
They were friendly towards each other, and oil equal terms
with my other sons. I cannot account for the words,
"The writer asks feegivesees from all whom he may pain by
this going away to Me." I have not heard from the office
in which they were employed, that the amounts of either
were is se suratisfacitery condition. 1 had never known
any weakness of mind is either. I believe, from the cir-
cus:salaams, that they both left home with • pre-determine-
tioa to destroy their lives. I directed inquiries to the
Thames polies, thinking they might have been drowsed.
They were not addicted to intemperate habits.
By a juror-1 think the wilting alluded to my dsaghter
Emily, sod I am not aware that there was say MU/Mum
to a young lady by either of them.
The Coroner haring maned up,
The jury, after mese lima two hours' onnetiltatkm, re-
tuned a verdict of hie de se against the Yeller! Penns.
Herbert, sad that the elder died by a piled ghee woad,
but by that mewed wee hinted. theme was net
.us t
evidence to show.