The Express.
London, England, 1850-05-09 00:00:00

Nolt \ Mlf

SUICIDE OP CAPTAIN J. BDWARD&

A very painful emetics wee created in the weigh-
besieged of Clareastesqoarte, Brighton, early onenailay
moraine, by • report, which ustorwmately towed to he
too well Somided, that Coped* Jahn Edwards (it is bellowed
of the 19th Regiment of 'meth had committed suicide by
cutting his throat. The dammed was a widower, about
63 years of age, and the father of three childrea, two sass
sad one daughter. For some time past he bad beef n-
eedle, at the horse of Mr. P. 'Menhirs, at Patches's, having
obtained two yean' leave of absence from his regiment, au
amount of ill health. Latterly it was noticed that at times
he was very strange I. his meaner, and he used to talk
incoherently ; and it was thought advisable diet he should
come to drightos, where it was expected the change of air
might improve, his health. About • fortnight ago he cams
to live with his sister, Mrs. Berle, in Clarencoruaare, where
ha remained until Sunday morning, when he put ma end to
his existence by cut. dig his throat with • res.,.
Att inquest was held upon the body on Monday morning
before F 11. Oen, Ewa., coroner, at the Castle Ina, Castle.
street, Western-road, when the following evidence was
;_

Bursts Boon, sworn—l am 'invent to Mr. Charles Comber,
draper, residing at 44, Clarence-square. The deceased came
to lodge at Mr. Combet's house about a fortnight ego. I
had knows him before. I saw d.osaesd several times on
Saturday. It was my duty to wait on him sometime,. I
saw ►im st ll o'clock, when he weat to bed. He had been
very ens ell ever since Ise had been with my muter ; but
when 1 last saw him I thought he appeared rather better.
For the 1-sst week I have noticed a wildness in his conduct.
lie we I to 10. k very strange when he was lying ea the
eels, and he and tio talk in a very inconsistent manner after
he was in b-d. On &today morning about 6 o'clock, w►en
Sankt Mills, my failow-servaat, and myself were in had,
we heard him making a great noise in his room, talking
loud. Hemmed as though he was in pain. We could not
nadentand what be said. We went dawn in the kitchen
strut halt-past 8 o'clock and tame up stairs again directly
afterwards and west to hit bedroom door. I knocked,
bet did not receive any answer. I then trial the door
sad found that it was fastened oa the inside. In conse-
quence of the noise I made, Mrs. Sale, deceased's
luster, rune out of her bedroom to lee what was the matter,
and she asked us to go out and get some one to break the
door open. Before Mrs. Serb came out we heard a kaock
&garnet the door, as it deceased bad knocked his ►ead against
it. We old not hear him speak. I was present when the
door was opened. I went ler a smith, and he did not like to
break the door open, and Mr. Comber then hunt it open.
I did not go into the room after the door mai opened. I
did not consider that deceased was in his right mind.
Charles Comer sworn: The dectued came to my house
about a fortnight ago on s visit to his sister, who was lodg
lag at my house. I have known deceased for nearly two
y ars. Latterly I was satisfied that he was not of mound
mind. particularly within the last fortnight. I used to see
►im frequently. Oa Saturday last I saw him several times.
I bad no eonursetion with him except to caution him how
he went down stain. I did not observe any difference in
him on that d iy:frout his usual m►urer. Yesterelty morning,
at about five minutes to seven, I was called up by one of my
servants. She said she celled me up on account of some-
thing bi hag the matter wit's Capt. Edwards He had been
making a great noise in his room and the doer was locked
sad they could not get ia. I went to his bed-room door, and
as I could not open it I burst it open. I thin saw deceased
lying on the floor with his throat cut ; there was a great deal
of blo sd round him. I spoke to him, but he could not an-
swer me. I then altered his position a little and ran for Mr.
who is a surgeon. He came with me directly,
and I afterwards sent for Mr. &ablo k, another surgeon.
Before Mr. Seabrook came we had put deceased into bed.
The medical gentlemen sowed up the wound in derieued's
throat. I was present with him the whole time from his
being found on the floor till his death. Durieg that time he
muttered s little bat could aot speak. His death took place
►t fire minutes past 9 o'clock. Before his death Ith .oght
he appeared in such a state that it would have been prudent
to have had deceased watched. A private medical friend of
dlre.Berle's told her toadopt that entree. No stops were being
taken to have him .satchel. After dee used was dead I
found &rain iu his but. [The razor was hen produced and
identified by witness as theism' he found in deteued's bed.
It was covered round the handle with a handk, rchief which
was saturated wash blood ] Daceasid did notiusually shave
himself.

Coroner—Cu yea give any idea of what navel deceased
to coltish this act ?

Witnisi—llia sister and daughter bsth attribute it to the
sudden departure of one of his eons, who left England about
three yeassago, and hu not since been !heard of That cir-
cumstance preyed a good deal on his mind. lam not aware
that be used to drink.

A Jarur—lt he we, insane ought not means to have been
provided to watch him /
Coroaer—lt appasn that they were about to provide
means. I hardly like to censure under such painful circum-
stances; but certainly there appears to have been a want col
p►?pe!aaukn.

A Juror—How loan is it sloes his sister was warned of
the state of ►is Rind ?

Willows—Some time during the lest week. I think about
Thursday or Friday,
Wdliam Alfred Page—l am a hairdresser, and reside at
Spring street. The non now produced belongs to me.
It was taken out of my shop. I missed it on Thursday after-
noon. I have frequently dared the deceased. I have no
doubt bat deeeased was the person who took the razor. I
had cot lent it to any one. I have no recollection of his
basing been in my shop on Thursday. I bad a good many
people in my shop on that day ; but I do not remember
haying abased deceased then. I was the only person in my
I shop. and sometimes I lit it for a moment. The razor lay
II on the bench under the window, and any one might have
*some in and taken it.

Peter Berkshire, of Patches, stated that he had known
deceased, who had lodged with him for some time. He left
on Widnesday week. Deceased had alweys appeared to be
of unsound mind, and latterly he get meek wore. His
sister wished to get him into the country. He turd to talk
very inconsistently and used to run up and down the house
at all times ie the eight. I always thought that he ought to
have sere pesos to take care of his. I was not in the least
surprised to ►ear of what has happened. About a fortnight
ego, one told townies at 6 o'clock he was wen by one of my
servants walking abut his room with the window open.
Deceased had attempted to destroy himself once before.
The jury retaesid a verdict that deceased Lad cut his
throat whilst is a state of insanity.