The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-15 00:00:00

The Frightful Tragedy in Preston.

PRESTON, Sept. 14.
Tho inquest onn the body of the murdered woman was
opened at the police court at noon to-day (Wednesday), be-
fore Mr M. Myers, coroner.
After the jury had been sworn, the Coroner said he did
not intend to finish the inquest to-day. He would adjourn
it for the purpose of seeing whether Berry recovered or not.
Ho had been taken to the House of Recovery that morning.
[Berry seemed rather better when removed. He walked into
the cab which conveyed him.]
Mr E. Ambler (foreman of the jury)—Will there be a
post-mortem examination of the body
The Coroner-4 do not know.
Mr Spencer—l have not yet made a post-mortem exami-
nation.
After some conversation between the jury and Mr
Spencer,

The Coroner said he thought it would be as well if a post
mortem examination was made.
The inquest was then proceeded with.
Catherine Leach, wife of Edward Leach, 29, Ormskirk-
road, was the first witness examined. She said—l know
the deceased, Mary Berry. She was my sister. She wee
about 33 years of age. Her husband's name is William
Berry, miller. They stayed at our house on Monday night.
I went for him, and he came with me. She followed. I saw
them before we went to bed on Monday night, between 10
and 11 o'clock. Berry and his wife slept together in the
front room, next to our apartment. I never beard anything
until about four o'clock, when 1 got up to quiet the dog,
which was downstairs. Berry said he could not sleep on
account of it going up and down the stairs. He told me he
was frightened of it. I went downstairs, put the dog in the
back kitchen, and returned directly afterwards. I went
to bed, and had to pass through the bedroom in which
they wore sleeping. I fastened our bedroom door, which
opened into the room in which they were sleeping, After
I closed the door Berry got up to Pee it the door on
the landing was fastened. About half-past five the de-
ceased called on me. She said, "Kate, oh Kate 1" I got
up and went into the room. I saw her ; she was shouting
out of the window. Afterwards I saw her at the door. I
saw Berry in the room. Ho had something in his hand.
My husband hold him down. He (Berry) was trying to
cut hie throat. When I saw the deceased at the door she
was calling out for some ono. I west to the window when
my husband had hold of Berry, and called out for help.
When I next saw the deceased she was upon the sofa down
stairs. She was dying. She died between 6 and 7 o'clock.
Berry never spoke to me.

By a Juror—When I first saw the deceased, Berry was
following her towards the window. I did not see him strike
her in any way.

By the Coroner—When I went for Berry, on Monday
night, he said to me, " Will they stone me P" I replied,
"No." Afterwards, when I was taking him to our house,
he said, " I don't see any one laughing at me ;" and I said,
"No, what must they laugh at you for ?"
By a Juror—llo was quite sober.
A Juror—Hid he been in the habit of drinking P
Witness—Sometimes.

Mr Blackhurst (who appeared for the police)—All that
will be gone into when you meet again. Particulars of Lis
conduct for same time past will ba given.

In reply to a juror, witness said—l did not see auy
blood about tho deceased when she was at tAin window.

At thin stage of the proceedings the ing:kest was adjourned
until 10 o'clock on Friday forenoon.

THE GUARDS.—The 19. t. Battalion Scots Fusilier
Guards, which has bees quartered in the Sheet-
street Barracks, Windso:k, for the last half-year, left the
Windsor Station o: the Great 'Western Railway this
(Thursday) morning. Tho battalion, consisting of 17 offi-
cers, 693 non-commissioned officers and men, with 06
women, and 110 ehildron, proceeded in three special trains
via the laletro;,elitan Railway to Parringdou-street, from
where the regiment marched to the Tower of London.
This ntorning the 2d B.ettalion Coldstream Guards, con-
disting of 10 officers and 604 non-commissioned officers and
privates, left the Victoria Station, Pimlico, at 8 10, and
proceeded, via the Great Western Railway, to Windsor.