The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-28 00:00:00

THE DOUBLE MURDER IN SOMERS TOWN.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.)

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This morning, Dr. Edwin Lanicester resumed the
inquiry relative to the above shocking event at the Rising
Sun Tavern, 120, Euston-road, the dammed being Emma ,
Butcher, aged 3 years and 6 mouths, and Agnee Butcher,
aged 12 months, who were supposed to have been drowned
in a tub of water by their mother, Meg Butcher, who
afterwards attempted to drown herself in the water-butt at
67 Wilatead-street, Somers-town.
Inspector Fraser of the Y division of police, said he had
seen the mother of the children a short time ago, and she
was very feeble and unable to appear before the court.
He presented the following certificate from Mr. Butt, the
surgeon of St. Pancras Infirmary :
'I hereby certify that Mary Butcher, aged 39, has had
a very bad night and is this morning unable to attend the
cuurt. tSigned) W. F. Burr,
Surgeon, St. Pancras Infirmary."
The following additional evidence was then taken :
John Brown, of 67, Wilstead-street, stated that he had
known the Butchers for about 18 mouths. The last
week Mrs. Butcher appeared to be rtrange in her
manners. Last Saturday morning he heard some moaning
is the yard and went to ascertain the cause. He found
Mrs. Butcher in the water-butt crouched up. The water
was up to her neck, and her head was lying on one side.
He knocked the tap out of the butt to let the water out
quickly, and having obtained assistance she was taken
out. Witnem then called in the assistance of Mr. Jack-
son.
Margaret Brawn, wife of last witness, said she was in-
timate with Mrs. Butcher. On Saturday morning she
saw her lying on a bench in the yard. She appeared to
be insensible. Whensbe recovered she asked for the chil-
dren. She said she wanted to suckle the baby. The hus-
band said they were at the grandmother's. Witness did
not think she knew even at the present time that they
were dead. About a quarter to 8 witness, with Mrs. Brad-
ford, were endeavouring to restore Mrs. Butcher, when
Mn. Bradford remarked bow toadly the children wen
sleeping. The father then went to the bed, and, touching
one of them, exclaimed, " Good God, she's
dead!" He touched the other, and found her also
dead. He took Emma, the youngest, out of the bed, and
walked about the room kissing her, and calling her his
dear angel, and exclaiming, 'Oh my pretty angel—it's
dead, it's dead." There was a tub of water in the room,
in which were some children's clothes. One of the
deceased had on a bedgown, hut she could not say whether
it was wet. There were three other children in the
room, when Mrs. Butcher was carried in, the eldest being
10 years of age.
The Coroner here made inquiry as to whether any of the
surviving children could give any account of the matter.
Inspector Frazer said he had questioned the children
but neither could say anything about it. The eldest child
said they were all asleep.
William Butcher (the unhappy father) &leo stated that
on questioning the children they stated that they were

eski.
Thep Ooroner having referred to the CAM, uked the jury
whether at this stage they were prepared to come to *ver-
dict, or whether they would adjourn for the attendance
of the woman.
The jury preferred an adjournment, u they hesitated to
reborn a verdict without having seen the accused.
An adjournment was then agreed to.