The National Register.
London, England, 1819-12-06 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY CIRCUMSTAATE.

Cottowan's InQuesT.—Ftiday evening, about seven
o'clork. an inquisition was taken before, Tlitnnes Stirling.
Esq. Coroner, at the sign of the Sir Hugh Middleton,
near Sadler's Wells Theatre, en the holy of James
Brodrick, aged eighteen, who was- killed in fighting un
Sunday morningdast, in White Conduit-fields.
The following are the particulars as appeared in
evidence :
Mr. Thomas Silencer, surgeon, Pin. et, St. John
Street Road. deposed that he was applied to by the over-
seers of the Parish of St. James, Clerkenwell, mexamine
the body of the deceased; upon that examination he found
from six to eight minces of extravasated blood between
the membranes of the brain ; the cause might have been
from the severe blows received, or from the extreme ex-
ertions of the deceased ; it was most probable the blows
were the occasion of his death. forte were many
bruises on the anus and body; he died 011 being brought
home.
William Mansfield, residing at No. 89, Islington-
road, stated, that he was present during the fight, on
Sunday too r • g last; between the deceased and Wm.
Chapman, residing at the sign of the Crown and Cans
public boost, in St John's Sreet ; his parents kept the
otiose ; he was apprenticed to NI r. °ram, watch-finisher,
Newcastle Street, Clerkenw ell Close; they met by up-
pointinent about eight o'clock in the morning, to settle
.0111 V 11191014 they had about four months since, and
they were to have fought the Sunday previous. The
cause of the Turret will oat ac • (Chapman 's calling
the deceased " a muddy headed fool," to which the
el:ceased replied, '• he cii.pmaii, could not take the
I out in it." William Chapman was ill at the time
he made use of the worth cud kept his room. The con.
vereatioo dud mot take place in the presence of the de-
ceased, but it was said ill the presence of a friend, who
communicated it to the deceased.
Coroner.—Pray who was that kind friend? HtTO a
Mr'h replied, It was I that totok a deter to the deceased,
in which Chapman called the Elect:as:A a muddy-headed
fool.
Coroner.—Then you Wa% very well employed.
%Valid-es ernitinowd.—Chapman came to his house in
order to fix (lie time to fight. William No it and George
Honey were present ; they all went to the door. ('h 'p.
111211 asked. the deceased is hen they sliou'd field ?. Tote
deceased replied, that day fortnight (•'..inday.) Chapman
11/:111111110 fight sooner, but the deccateil roused. Chaise
111J11 then sad!. you had better fight now, winch toe
deceased also refused, saying that he was cleaned.
Chapman said that he was determined to be revenged,
Leo he would wait. Ou Saturday night the deceased called
upon hint, and said he woohl calf him tip to go to the
fight the next morning, which he did ; and he and the
deceased walked to:ether to White (•onduit-fields.
Chapman and several of his acgtsain asters were waiting,
ant! Neil, Elt 11111 l d Hide. Joe p!i Prier, and
two others, whose names he did not I.IIOW. were also
present, and friends of the deceased. w Ito ea.d he thought
11.• should succeed in gaining the battle. Homey,
James Ciutf John Taylor, and Jo-elm Wioldowsois at-
tended Chaptioalls. '1
11e Wai delayed some iambic
account of MC seconds of the deceased not being on the
ground, at length they wheel!: their teames were Chas.
Surrey and Fietlerielel‘ro:ay. Cesaionan had one secoutl,
whose name is Geo. Plentiii7, a watch pendant maker.
The deceased entered the ring Met, and threw tip his hat,
and stripped immediately. Cotaionsan then hollowed,
they shook hands, and the ti:itt commenved ; the
fooeht for one hour and three gainers; during tote figisi
Brodrick asked WlltAler Cllapll44ll Would draw (mean.
ing(n give in), arid tile sent:lds said " Na."

toro—ner.--I)id they fight ft.r 11.ottey
Chapman had lsettcd 4s. to 33.—1)..1 ine second, nu the
part of the deceased refuse to let the ceased give u:)?
Yes.-IVtio nese Vol l—Stuvey and Kreay, and Flew-
itiz, who seciitidetlCiimmate„ also eefus.ll. During 11,.
tight several of the friends of the deceased exclaimed.
.4 We shall soon hate In fetch a coffin fin Cliapniati,"
in order to urge the deceased on. At the latter eMlof
the fight the deceased c.suld not vone to time, and he
threw his head back, was quite insensible and could nos
speak ; he was then taken to the putsltc-liousc, the sign
of the Sal anti ett:topasses..
Joror.—Dirl the deceased walk alone to meet his
man, or did the seconds hold him up P—lle walked up
himself.

IVittiess.—Ulom the land:ord of the Salmon and
Comn.kss.. observing the eintation of the deceised, he
immediately shin the cliff/T. and refused him admission ;
he wan than taken to Mr. Brougham • stitgeno, in
%Visite-lino-street, Pentonsillr. in, was inn in hnun
and front thr hot to Mr. flies, another satrorott, in tut
Sallie west ; he was not then dead; he was theta canc.!
home, and he died on In, way.

The CuroHtr reprchentlcti toe conduct of this *itoess
in endcat 1111 l ed to put .in end to the fi4ht.
Ilicle, resi,loy at Nh. 3, S.
ding', was prrwat it the fi ht, a'ul torrohora;ed

Niellt.lllClll Of the last that at the Loter
e•nd u( the tig,ltt he persuaded tbe deseeased 10 give•
but Ins centots nand " No, he well lie•at him in another
Intottl;" alterw.tols the deceased to•ltt tl C.lmottatt 11 he
would Kies in, aid lie replied " The deceased
in tvi,li to ~ite 1.,. but vv,,s prevented h, the
,•entois lie at length %Vol* knocked t:uevi it,seosible,
ittl wa• 'laced on aine•s•s bark. who carried hint to
•ir

Connie —Did you n'ostr‘e any foul blows given by
.d{.111,111 I.Nl‘).

r. Pone► awed, that on Sottsohy, pro inns to the
light, the tooth -f of she Itedeased aki:ell hint to go with

hrr son, to see that no mischief should beat hint
which he did, and seeing no foul blows, tie did out

Tile coroner reprehended the conduct of this witness,
in mu taking the deceased away, and observed he ought
to be auvere:y punished.
James Cittt, rt..st,hvg at No. 30, White Lion-street,
sited, that he ssas applied to by the deceased, about
tw,, months since, to deliver a message to Chapman,
5% it() was IliCll Colliilled to tits bed, to tell him that the
deceased ttinii•l meet him in While Conduit-fields,
when he was well, to light Imo. Chapman accepted
the challenge. lie went with Chapman to the deceased,
who said he woold see if he could knock the niud out
of his head. Chapman then said he would meet him
as soon as he could gel strength. Chapman betted 4a so
is. on the tight, and the stakes were placed in the hands
of Itlantield, cousin to Cl/moan.
The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.