The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-03 00:00:00

EVENING, MAY 3, 1866;

Nadu inttlitsence.

THE CANNON-STREET MURDER.

ADJOURNED INQUIET.
Yesterday, at two o'clock, Mr. Berjeant Payne,
the ooroner for the City of London, with a jury of sixteen
of the principal inhabitants of the neighbourhood of Can-
non-street, of whom Mr. John Gale was foreman, resumed
the inquest on the body of Sarah Milltown, in the vestry of
the ancient church of St. Antholin, Watling-street, near
the scene of the murder. The investigation, as on the two
previous occasions, excited much interest, and the room
was crowded.
Mr. Wontner, solicitor, of Bucklersbnry, instructed by
Messrs. Bevington, attended on their behalf. The man
William Smith, now in custody on suspicion of murdering
the deceased,
his was not
behalf. present, but Mr. Scarth, solicitor,
attended on
The Coroner said he had received a letter from an at-
torney in London, stating that he had been instructed to
bring an action against him for putting :Dome one out of
court at the former hearing. These persons, however,
were mistaken if they thought any action could be
brought against a judge for anything done in the discharge
of his judicial duties. Did he not know what his liabilities
were, he might be intimidated by such threats as these,
and he only mentioned the matter to show that every-
thing did not go smooth, even in regard to the coroner's
office. If a coroner acted corruptly he was liable to
a criminal prosecution ; but the law protected him
in the discharge of his public duties, and it had over and
over again been decided that no suit or action could be
brought against him for anything done in the discharge
of his judicial functions. He announced that he had
received a certificate, showing that one of the jurors was
indisposed and unable to attend, but there was a sufficient
number without him to constitute a court.
The following additional evidence was then adduced :
Henry Giles—l live in Brookhurst-lane, Eton, and am
employed by a boat-builder. I know the man William
Smith. On the night of the Ilth or 12th of last month I
saw him at the Jolly Miller in Mill-lane, Eton, about 7
o'clock. He was asked by some one to play at dominoes,
and he declined, saying he wanted to go 40 miles. I said I
" You can't go 40 miles to night ?" and he replied, " If
was to go to London and back, that would make 40 miles."
I said, " You are not going to London to-night," and he
replied " Wasn't I 7" I said, " No," and called him •
liar. l then left, and Aid not see him again till he was in
custody at the Mansion-house.
Henry Blackman, of No. I, Mill-lane, Eton, stoker to a
gas company, deposed to having seen Smith on the evening
of Wednesday, the 11th of April, about half-past 7 o'clock,
in the Slough-road, between Fifteen-arches-bridge as
Beggar's-bridge. Smith was walking towards Slough, and
he said to him, " What, Bill," but be merely looked round
and made no answer. He had his beet clothes on, and wore
a high hat.
By the Jury—He noticed that Smith had a thin walking
stick with him. He did not try to avoid witness. It
would take him about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour
to go from the spot where he met him to the railway sta-
tion. The witness said, in conclusion, "Heis • bit of
relation of mine."
William Clarke, one of the Bucks police, deposed that
he knew Smith, whom he saw on Wednesday sight, th 4
11th of April, in the High-street, Windsor. It was about
a quarter to 12 o'clock, just before he was relieved from
duty. Smith was walking from Windsor-bridge, in the
direction of his own house, in Eton-square. He was
dressed in • nice suit of clothes, wore • high hat, and car-
ried a walking-stick. In coming from Windsor station he
would have to pass over the bridge to get to his house in
the square, which was about five minutes' walk from the
station.
John rearman, an inspector of the Bucks constabuly

who also knew the aocuied, stated that in the month
April • train left Slough for London at 7.43, arriving
Paddington at 8.40, while another return train arrived
Windsor station from town at 1L43. A railway carriage
was sent to and from Windsor in correspondence wit-
those trains, the up carriage starting from -Windsor *or
13 minutes before the train was due at Slough. The guard'
book showed that the train due in Windsor at IL,
arrived there about that time on the night of Wedneeda)
the 11th of April, but the witness was unable to sa
whether the up-train of 7.43 reached London within, al
or beyond its time.
Mr. Searth, the legal adviser of the accused, produced a
return from the railway.oompany, showing that both trains
kept time on the night in question.
Sergeant Moss, of the City police, proved that in April
a train left Bishop's-road, Paddington, at 8.45, and was
due in Moorgate-street at 9.7, and at Farringdon-street
about five minutes earlier. Trains left Moorgate-street
10.20, and arrived at Bishop's-road at 10.42, Paddington
10.45, and arrived at the Windsor station at 11.43.
Mrs. Agnes Heathcote Bayley, of No. 3, Slaidburn.
street, King's-road, Chelsea, was the only witness ex-
amined who had not given evidence in the case before.
She deposed to the following effect :—I am a widow, ow
reside with my mother at Chelsea. On the 11th of Apri
I was in Cannon-street West about half-past nine o'clock
in the evening. I was returning from the London-bridge
railway station, and was going towards St. Paul's to get a
Chelsea omnibus. I know Bevington's house, and walked
on that aide of the way, but I know nothing of their ser
vents. I am acquainted with the parties next door bi
one, and that is how I came to know Bevington'
When I got close to their door, I SW • man
the steps buttoning the cellar of his coat. lx
appeared to be very much confused and excited,
and as be looked up and down the street I stood
to see what he would do. He got off the steps, and wr
&little distance towards St. Paul's, but not many yar
and then returned again up the steps. I then went or.
towards St. Paul's, and left him there on the steps. I had
oome up from Greenwich, and it struck nine as I came c
of the station. I walked from there to Cannon-street.
did not notice whetheritevington's door was open or shi
nor did I see whether *e man came out or went in. I
not particularly observe his dress beyond this, that be wo,
a hat. I have since seen the man again. When I first
saw him afterwards he was in the dock at tb'
Mansion-house, and I have no doubt about his being *.
man I had seen in Cannon-street. I visited Newgate
Saturday last, and saw him again (the third time) in
prison yard. He was placed amongst two dozen otl
prisoners, and I pointed him out to the governor. I ha)
no doubt whatever that he is the man I saw at Bevingtor
door. I did not know him before.
Cross-examined by Mr. Scarth—lt took me about
an hour, or nearly so, to walk to Cannon-stmt, sni
went half-past nine just before I got to Bevington's. I
not • fast walker, as I have a bad leg. My father, w
I believe knew the firm, is dead. I know it was Wedne
day, the 11th, because I had an appointment at Greenwic)
on that day. I only noticed his countenance, and
thought it was • very bad looking one. I had to go to tb
Mansion-house on some private business, and that is ho
I came to recognise the man. I gave no information
the police ; but last Thursday I called at Bevingtor
house, to ask the cook how the affair had got on. Ikm
nothing of his clothes, and simply identify him from
countenance. There was a light over the door and whe
he returned he looked me full in the face, and the light
assisted me in making out his features.
Mr. Searth said that could not be so because it was
evidence that there was no light.
The Coroner observed that the wit** was speaking
the time before the man entered the house, and then there
was a light over the door.
Cross-examination continued—l noticed his manner
was confused, and I made the remark to myself that
should not like to meet that man in a secluded place or
by lane. I stood facing the door for about ten minut
and I am prepared to state, without hesitation or doul
that he is the man.
Mr. Scarth—This is • aerie= matter, Mrs. Bayley ;
be particular.
The Coroner—She has nothing to do with its being
serious case, and you must oon6ne yourself to questions.
Mr. Searth had no more questions to ask.
A Juror—How do you get your living, Mrs. Bayley-
what means do you obtain • livelihood ?
Witness—l am now looking out for a situation. I I
been ill for some time.
A Juror—What position did your husband hold?
Witness—He was a clerk in the bank. He has 1
dead four years, and I have been living at times with
mother.
A Juror—What was your father?
Witness—A merchant in the City.
A Juror—You never went round then with a beg
letter, stating that your father was a laceman at
tingham
Witness— Never.
A Juror—Did you never go round with part of a
mons and • begging letter in Bow-lane, and try to get
Witness—l do not know anybody in Bow-lane.
A Juror—Are you quite certain you never did?
Witness—l do not know anybody in Bow-lane.
A Juror—What was your business the Mansion-hr
when you went there?
Witness—l went to thank Mr. Ball for a private
munication my mother had received from him.
A Juror—Have you that letter to show?
Witness—No.
A Juror—You state you have been in the habit of
to Greenwich : may I sat for what purpose
Witness—Private business.
A Juror—Do you mind telling us what the private
ness was ?
Witness—lt is nothing to do with this affair, and I
not tell you.
A Juror—Did you see the man make any attempt to
or knock at the door
Witness—No. I saw nothing more than what I
stated.
A Juror—Did you notice any stick in his hand
Witness—No. I did not see any stick, but he carrii
his bend behind him, and it had been raining and -
dark night.
Mr. Sar.rth applied for an adjournment, intimating
he should be prepared with conclusive evidence to
that the man was elsewhere on the night in question.
was anxious that the jury should not be asked to consider
their verdict until the case had been further investigate
at the Mansion-house.
The Coroner said of course it was for the jury to
mine whether they would accede to Mr. Scarth's
but if the jury were satisfied with what was alread)
evidence, the 7 had nothing to do with the r
tier of an alibi ; they were not trying the case, that .
be left for =other tribunal; and what the jury had