The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-07 00:00:00

THE ALLEGED MURDE]

:R AT CLAPHAM.

The inquiry into the droning/axes connected with
the mysterious death of Sarah Snelling, aged 53, late house-
keeper to Mr. J shit Madole, of 14 Claremont-place, Wands-
worth-road. was re-opened yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clo.k
by Mr. T. Higgs, at the Nag's Head.
Prier to the commencement of the proceedings Mr. Meddle
entered the room, and it was suggested whether that gentle-
man should be present duri• g the inquiry. Mr. Bicknell,
the superintendent of the V division, said, in answer to a
question from the coroner, Mit he law no objection to that
gentleman remaining
Mr. John Parrott, of Clapham C Amnon, was n-swern,
and said: I have, in azcordance with your instructions, pro-
ceeded with the analysts of the stomach. I have as minutely
as I could analysed for those poisons frequently given, such
as ar.ertic, prussic acid, and oxalic acid. t have else, in con-
junction with Mr. Snow, an eminent medical man, endea-
voured to detect the presence of chloroform, but there is not
the slightest trace of any of the above substances having been
used. I feel, theretore, quite unable to uccuunt for the death
of the deceased.

Mr. Meddle here uked if the dereued had died a natural
death ?

Mr. Parrott observed, if he was obliged to give an opinion,
she might have died from fright. Ilid there been chloro-
form in the blood of the deceased, Mr. tlnuw or Memel: would
have detected it.

A ridiculously absurd and disgusting anonymous letter
which has been received by Mr. Parrott was then read.
George Winch, potman at the Nag's Head, deposed that
he saw the deceased about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning
week, she was at the parluur window. lie believed the
ate was was genitally kept lucked. lie saw nu person loiter-
about.
fr. Jane Stevenson, of 2, Claremont-place, stated that
on Sunday, the 28th ult., about 20 minutes to 11 o'clock,
she saw Mr. Medals leave the house, and the deceased in
the garden, who locked the gate after him. Witness knew
deceased perfectly well, she always appeared a feeble per-
son, and that morning had her apron up to her mouth.
James Saunders, a youth about 17 years of age, the son of
• carpenter, living at 1, Chapel-place, Wants rsorth-road,
but employed at a hatter'. in Birchiu-lne, where ke gene-
rally stayed, deposed that on the day in question he
was at his father's house, and looking out of the front
parlour window, he saw a man walk out of Mr. Maddle's
house, open the gate, and go out; he had nothiae in
his baud ; he appeared to have a brown coat on ; he walked
very stately, and went in the direction of Vauxhall. He was
am elderly man. Did not see enough of his face to recog-
nise him again.
James Clarke, ostler at the Nag's Head, proved that at
about a quarter past one o'clock he called at Mr. Maddle's
with the liter, he rang the bell three times, but there was
no answer. Witness tried the front gate, it wee locked, but
the side gate which leads te Abe bock door was open.
Witnesses were also examined, who deposed to the con-
dition in which the deceased was found, and to other cir-
cumstances which have already appeared.
The Coroner asked the eutarintendent of police if any of
the missing property had been traced ?
The superintendent said these was no diacesery made at
present.
Ajar°, asked Mr. Meddle if he had yet discovered what
amount el property he bad lest ?
Mr. Middle said he had lost all his plate at Notting-hill.
He had only two es three table and teaspoons lett, which
were missing. The only things he had not eaumerated pre-
viously were a number of silk handkerchiefs. He could not
give a description of the watch ;it was a French one. He
could not identity the rings.
Sarah Anne Snelling, aged 17, the daughter of the de-
ceased, of No. 1, Cobdea-place, Smith Lambeth,. proved
that she frequently visited her mother, who was in weak
health. The lest time she saw her area was on the Tuesday
before her death. She had been twelve years with Mr.Maddle
at 101. per year. Her mother hail inkamed her that a rob-
bery had bees attempted Nur menthe since. Never save
any plate in the house, only noticed some plated spoons.
Mr. Meddle and my mother lived on good terms.
Jahn Lung, 10. lAvendsr-Tow, labourer, deposed that en
the morning of Sunday week, about half-past 11, he was
Winding about 70 yards beyond Mr. Meddle 's house, when
be heard a whistle, and on looking up he saw a man standing
under the side of Mr. Maddle's garden wall, from which he
appeared to have alighted. The man walked some distance
towards Battersea Feeble. He bad a small bundle is a red
handkerchief under his arm. He was shortly attar joined
by another man carrying a blue bag. The one was a short
man, in a long frock coat, with dark hair ; the ether war
taller, having light hair and a short coat.
The coroner now asked the superintendent of police if he
had any more evidence to produce, or it he anticipated being
enabled to produce any more at a future perioeL
Mr. 1314:knelt said he would much prefer leaving the ease
in the hands of the coroner and jury.
The Coroner then read over the Toles:Ant= evidence, after

which the room was cleared of stringers.
The Jury returned the following veidiet : " That the said
Sarah Snelling was found dead under very mysterious cir-
cumstances, that then were ne marks of violence or &mon.
ration on t►e body, nor say trace of poison; that the body
had been opened and examined by a properly qualified
medical man, together with an analysis of the contents of
the stomach sad bowels, but that them watt no conclusive
elvtdosolt to the jury u to the cause of deceased's death."

METROPOLITAN INTtRIIENT illu..—A sleeting in
favour 01 this bill was advertised to sw held to-day, at the
London Tavern, but, alter a few persons had assembled, it
was announced the', in consequence of the of the
notice of the me.ing, it would be t day,
[ and then bold, in the evening, t clAs
working alaraeri to attend it. • -.2 -
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