The National Register.
London, England, 1816-02-25 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT,

Pritay. in a venffle between Mr. Brookes, the ownerof a menagerie,
and Mr. Thompson, in which a p:stol was used, the latter was shot i 3
the head, and little or no hopes are entertained of his recovery. 'fits
affair having taken place in the City, Mr. B. was brought befoat the
Lord Mayor at the Mansion House to explain the traneution.
vend witnesses also attended, who were present on the melancholy re-
ca,ion. The following particulars transpired before his Lordship:-.-
Mr. B. had been acquaint, d with Sarah Tookey for six years, during
which period they had lived t sgefier as man and wily, but were not
married. Ilaving business in Scotland, he left the female under pin-
tection of his friends, residing at Westmorland-place, with a suitable
provision for her maintenance u oil his return. Ilia friends being in
the habit of visiting an aequainance with whom Mr. l'hompsort
lodged, the latter, in consequence, became acquainted with Sarah
Tookey ; and two days prior to Mr. B.'s return from Scotland, pre-
vailed upon her to quit Westmorland-place, and to reside with him at
his Miring.; in the City-mad Mr. B. was much grieved at the loss of
the lady, and consulted with a hair-dresser, the brother of the fugitive,
as to the best means of recovering her. They both pots:ceded together
to Thompson's lodgings, and during his absence induced Sm
Tookey us return with them, but not without considerable relicts lee.
Three days had elapsed, when Mr. T. had endeavoured in vain to taco
the woman; and it was not until yesterday that they met. In the fore.
noon, M. T. called at the bmther's and left word that lie was desirous
of an opportunity of speaking with Mr. B. on business rela:ive to the
possession of Sarah Tookey, and that in the hope of meeting him there
in the evening, he should look in. In leas than an hour and a half
however, he called again, and in the interval Mr. R. anti Sarah Too.
key had seen the brother, and been told of Mr. Thompe.m's intention.
Thompson, finding Mr. B. end the obaret of hi: search together in
Ball-alley, desired to come to an explanation with the former. On the
parties meeting, a quarrel ensued, and Toompesn. totaist, to ...ea
wsth B. in point of strength, had prepared himself with a pistol which
lie dee-v front hie pocket. The sereaming and fears of the women,
however, intim-is! Thump-on to replace it again in his pocket. B. tan
op stairs and armed himself with a praker, and. en corning down, a
fresh scuffle ensued. B. had given Thompson a violent blow or. the
bead with Olt poker, who finding himself again overmatched, had re-
mora: to the pistol. B. on perceiving his danger, got nil of the poker,
and dosed with Thompson, in order to wrest from his liar.ds dudes*
weapon : but B. states that in this he did not succeed, and finding that
Thompson was endeavouring to discharge the pistol, he turned u aside,
when the contents tattered the head of the untortunate man, and he in-
stantly Veil, and bled profusely. Mr. Ambrose, of the Post-odic,
hearing the shrieks of the woman, entered the house, and was endea-
vouring to separate the parties when the pistol went off close to his ear,
and his fare and neck-handerchief were bespattered all over with blood,
but he fortunately escaped without injury. The poor wretch was assist, d
into a chair, and endeavoured, but in on incoherent manner, to artitu
late an answer to some questions. It was thought that he was desirot
to defend hitioself front the charge of suicide, tot he was understood to
repeat, it was taken front nit, it was taken front me." meaning tl e
pistol. lie was ininiediately conveyed to St. Thomas's hospital, but,
as we before stated, with little or no hones of recovery, as it appeared
impossible to extract the ball. or give him relief. The young woman
attended Thompson to the hospital, whilst B. was conveyed to the
Mansion-house
The Lord Mayor, on hearing all the evidence brought forward,
and learning that more could be produced, ordered the prisoner B. to be
remanded until Monday next.