The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-05 00:00:00

DIVTRESSINO SUICIDE.

Last evening Mr. John Humphreys, the Middle-
sex coroner, held an inquiry at the Clarence '
Tavern, Church-
street, Stoke Newington touching the death of Mr. James
Needham' a clerk in the Bank of England, who committed
suicide under circumAraces of a very painful character.
Mrs. Emma Needham, r lady who was deeply affected
while giving her evidence, said that she resided at No. 3,
Pere -cottages, Lordship-lane. The deceased was her hus-
band. He was a clerk in the Bank of England. On last
Tuesdsy morning he rose at seven o'clock. It was his usual
habit to bring witness• cup of coffee before he went out in
the morning, and as he did not do so on Tuesday witness
called out to him, " You do not mean to go without
in seeing .." s she received no answer she
got op and went downstairs, and found her
husband lying io the outhouse in a pool of blood, with his
throat cut. Witness then called a policemen, and a doctor
was sent for, but the deoeased was dead. For the last
three months the deceased had been very desponding in
consequence of having lost 500/.' which he bad lest to a
neighbour, and could not get it back, for the party to
whom he had lent the money had become destitute. He
was not in pecuniary difficulties, and on Monday last be
kissed witness, and said to her, " I will put my shoulder
to the wheel, and I will have courage, for I am not without
301." He also said, "I hare an nnlet bones on hand,
end I will get some of the tradesmen in the neighbourhood
to let it." Witness believed that her husband committed
the fatal act when he did not know right from wrong.
Mr. F. Needham, Myrtle Cottage, Brentwood, said that
the deceased was his brother. He was lately in a very low
state of ruled. He was so excitable and nervous latterly
that witness did not like to call upon him. Witness
believed that he was very unhappy at home. Witness did
not know whether his wife gave way to intemperance.
Mr. James Durant, principal of the New Three per
Cents. Office at the Bank of England, said that the de.
ceased was superintending clerk in that office. His
salary was 3201. a year. On last Monday he received over
201. ; a month's pay. About the middle of last October
witness noticed a change in the habits of the deceased.
He was suffering from physical excitement to such a de-
gree that witness felt it his duty to report the fact to the
Bank authorities, and a doctor then saw him, and gave a
certificate that he was not to attend to business for two
months, and the governor granted him two mouths' leave
of absence. After the expiration of that period he re.
turned to his duties, and appeared to be calmer. On Mon-
day last be said that 7004, worth of his own private
stuck was nearly gone, and when he was leaving the
Bank he said, "I am ruined. It is all op with me. You
will not see me much more." The declaration about his
being ruined was a delusion, for his situation at the Beak
was not in danger.
Dr. Edward Thoruley said that he was the medical Atte°.
dant of the deceased, and for some time past he had noticed
his excitement and depression. Lest week he met witness
in the street, and spoke quietly, but ha said, "I fear I
shall do myself an injury some day." On Tuesda last wit-
ness was called in to see his body. Witness found four
large wounds io his throat, one of them a severe gash from
left to right. The isjuriea had been self-inflicted.
The Coroner having summed up. the jary returned a
verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind.

A DANGEROUS MADMAN OR ♦N IMPOSTOR. —A
German, of the name of Wilhelm KirchbutY, hes been
arrested at Reading, for attempting to shoot Mr. Towns•
end, the superintendent of police there, end remanded by
the borough magistrate. to this day's sittings. Since his
apprehension the following letter has been received by Mr.
Eager, superiotendent of the Windsor police, which had
bee. sect to the police-court at Reading :—" Windsor.
Sir.—Tbe prisoner Kirtcboff came to Windsor to shoot
some of the Queen's family, only they was at (Osborn. He
was going there for the viola purpose, if she did not give
him some money. 1 send this to tell you, else if he see me
he would kill me when he cams out.— Yoon,
A GERMAN SUGAN BA►ia.—To the Chief of Police,
Reading." The above letter was aorompsnied by
the following letter from the inspector at Reading:—
•' Borough Police-office, Reading, Jan. 2,
Porchrse, the chief superintendent, being obliged to go to
London today on important business, hasdirected me to en-
close for your perusal copy of an anonymous letter which he
has received, purporting follies been written at Windsor by
a German sugar-baker, and he would feel obliged if you
would cause inquiry to be made at the Whit* Hart Hotel
as to the movement, of the prisoner, Wilhelm Kirchhoff,
alias Johnson Wilhelm Beruberd Kirchuff, and whether he
was ever seen loitering near the Castle, or if ha erodes-
voored to obtain an interview with any of the inmates.
Trier* is no doubt he is the s►me man that
was staying in your town, be having stated that be came
from Windsor. A few lines as to the result of Jour inqui-
ries by Friday morning will be esteemed.—l am, sir, your
most obedient 'errant,— Jobs TOWNSEND, Inspector.—Mr.
Superintendent Eager, Windsor." Upon strict inquiry at
Windsor by Mr. Eager, it bag been ascertained that the
prisoner, who is of respectable appearance. came to the
White Hart Hotel soon after the court left for the Isle of
Wight, whine he bad been staving ; that whilst at Windsor
he had conducted himself respectably, and had shown no
symptoms of madness excepting that when his bill was pre-
sented to him he said the Queen would discharge it, and
soon afterwards left the town without paying the landlord.
Tbe matter, ofl course, will be strictly investigated, wheat
t is expected the feller will turn out to be en impostor.