The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-04 00:00:00

THE LATE DUEL ON WIMBLEDON-

COMMON.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.-THIS DAY.

The Coroner and Jury met this morning for the third time
for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances attending
the death of Mr. Charles Flower Mirtin.
In consequence of a report that some of the parties had been'
taken into custody, the affair had assumed more interest, acid
the inquest-room at the Tankard was crowded by gentlemen,
amongst whom we saw Mr. Lawson, the Clerk of the Peace
for the county.
We understood that Mr. Scott; the surgeon, had offered to
come forward and give all the evidence in his power, provided
he was guaranteed from harm. It was also stated that the
relations of the deceased made application to the authorities
at the Home Office for the same grace. being extended to
Mr. Broughton, the deceased's second, when he would return
fromlis exile and do the same, but it was peremptorily refused.

. _
The Court having been formally opened, the first witness
produced was
Robert Matthews, the waiter at the saloon—Was in the
employment of Mr. Goodered, at 222, Piccadilly. He knew
nothing of the affair except a quarrel between some gentlemen,
which was not unfrequent. On the night of this day fort-
night there was a quarrel between some gentlemen, of whom
he only knew one by name ;it was Elliot The quarrel took
place about two o'clock on the morning of Wednesday. He
did not know anything of the origin of the quarrel, nor any
exchange of cards. He did not hear that any parties had ex-
changed cards, and were about to fight a duel in respect of the
quarrel. He knew a gentleman named Broughton, but not
his Christian name. He and Elliot were in company together
that night. He saw them in conversation, and thought it was
them that had quarrelled. He positively denied knowing any
thing of the origin of the quarrel, and had not seen any of the
parties since. Did not know either Mr. Young or Mr.
Gotobed personally or by name. Did not see either them or
Mr. Robert Newman that nigh!, and he did not know the de-
ceased. There were females in the room, but not in their
company. He did not know Mr. Mirfin, and therefore he
could not say that he frequently met any female in the saloon.
By a Juryman—Quarrels were very frequent in the saloon,
and they took little notice of them. He considered the house
a well-conducted one. They kept open till two o'clock, and
admitted any person who was respectably dressed. He had
served gentlemen so late as four or five o'clock.
By the CORONER— He did not know any person named
Flowers. Was perfectly sure that he did not. Did not
know that the deceased sometimes went by that name, nor was
he aware that under that name he was in the habit of meeting
a female in the saloon.

Joseph Holt, the second waiter in Feuillade's Hotel—A
party of gentlemen breakfasted at their house on Wednesday
last ; they were Messrs. Elliot, Young, and Webber. Mr.
Elliot and Mr. Young were lodgers. Webber arrived to
breakfast with the others at eleven o'clock. They were joined
at breakfast by a gentleman whom he did not know. He be-
lieved they all left the hotel together. They breakfasted in
the coffee-room, and he heard no talk of a duel. Mr. Young
returned the same evening ; Mr. Elliot did not. He saw a
barouche standing at the door; he did not see them get into
it, nor did he see any carpet-bag in their possession that day.
Young returned about seven or eight o'clock next evening ;
next day he paid his bill and went away. He did not sleep
in the house that night, but paid his bill and sent for his
things next morning. Mr. Elliot sent for his luggage on
the Wednesday evening, Mr. Young the next morning.
Mr. Elliot had on a Newmarket cut brown coat. He did not
take particular notice of their dress.
Henry Hunt, the billiard-table maker, of Broad-street,
Golden-square—Knew a gentleman named Elliot, and had
seen gentlemen who were pointed out to him as Young and
Webber. Mr. Elliot spelt his name Eliot. He knew it, but
had not seen him write. On Tuesday he did not see Mr.
Eliot, but on Wednesday morning he saw him early, and had
conversation with him, but not in any way connected with a
.duel. It was at the Collonade Hotel. After he and Mr.
Eliot had settled their business, when he went into the coffee-
room he saw the gentlemen who had been pointed out to him
as Mr. Young and Mr. Webber. The name of Eliot was
Francis Lionel Eliot. He did not know the Christian
name of Young nor that of Webber. He did not hear
one word of the duel. When he went into the room he

found three gentlemen at breakfast. While he was waiting
for Mr. Eliot, Mr. Broughton walked into the room, and sat
down at the table with a very cool manner—a peculiarly cool
one for hint, as he was a hearty young man. No conversa-
tion took place between him and the gentlemen who were at
breakfast. Shortly after Mr. Eliot came down and drew wit-
ness into the passage, where they were joined by Young and
Webber. The three gentlemen were Young, Webber, and
a young gentleman with sandy hair, whom he did not know.
He left all the parties in the Collonade. The business he had
with Mr. Eliot was not finished, and was to be resumed at
four o'clock, when, if he was not settled with, he threat-
ened to take proceedings against him. At about a quer-
ter. to four o'clock, Mr.- Webber called upon him, and put
off the business till the next morning, which he was
very glad of as he (Mr. Webber) promised to get him
a settlement. He thought he had seen Mr. Webber since, in
Regent-street, but witness was then in a shop, and could not
be certain of the person. He was certain that not a word was
said about a duel in his presence, nor did he know anything of
it until atter it had taken place.
Thomas Gotobcd was then called and told by the Coroner
that his name had been mentioned in the proceedings, and of
course he would say nothing that might tend to crimi-
nate himself. 'With that caution he was sworn, and deposed—
I am a proctor, living at 82, Bedford-street, G: eat Russell-
street Bloomsbury. I know Mr. Eliot. I was at the Saloon
on the Tuesday night previous to the duel. I did not know
the deceased. No quarrel took place in my presence. I don't
think 1 saw Mr. Eliot at the Saloon, although he left my
house on the Tuesday evening with the intention of going
there. I had dined with him that day at my own house, with
Mr. Webber and Mr. Young. Mr. Eliot and Mr. Young
left my house together about eleven o'clock. I drove Mr.
Webber down to the Saloon in my cab, and understood that
Young and Eliot were going there. We left directly after
them. I saw Mr. Young at the Saloon on arriving there, but
did not see Mr. Eliot. I remained there about ten minutes ;
did not return. Upon my oath no quarrel, while I was
there took place between Mr. Eliot or any other person.
I did not know Mirfin. I have not seen either of the parties
since that night. I know nothing, of my own knowledge,
about the duel. Indeed, I did not know there had been any
quarrel.
By the Jury—l never heard of Mr. Eliot having thrown a
gentleman from his gig, who was returning from Epsom Races.
I went to the Colonnae 'Hotel on Wednesday night, and the
waiter told me Mr. Young and Mr. Eliot had gone out of
town, but I knew nothing whatever of the duel.
By the CORONER—Mr. Eliot lately wore a coat called a
" Taglioni," of brown colour, lined with velvet. I think, the
last day or two that I saw him, he wore plaid trowsers. I did
not notice his waistcoat. He always wore a stock—at least
he has done so for some time. He always wore double pins
and a gold chain.
After waiting for above an hour for the appearance of Mr.
Scott, upon an application by one of the Jury, the Coroner
adjourned the Inquest for a quarter of an hour, to enable the
Jury to take some refreshment.
After an absence of about 20 minutes, the Jury returned,
and in a quarter of an hour afterwards Ins vector Field intro-
duced Mr. Scott.
Mr. Scott was then handed a chair, and he seated himself
near the table.
The CORONER—Have you any objection, Mr. Scott, to
state what you know respecting thi3 unfortunate affair?
Mr. Scott—l am not here for you to put questions to me,
but I have no objection to make a voluntary statement of my
own.

The CORONER—You are not bound to say anything while
you are here. You may let the matter stand as it now does,
or you may give any information you please relating_ to it. It is
entirely at your option to do so, hut it is my duty to tell
you that you are not bound to answer any question that may
tend to criminate yourself.
Mr. Scott—Very good. The night before the occurrence
took place I was with Mr. Mirfin.
The CORONER—Then do you wish to give any information ?
Mr. Scott—Oh, yes ; I have no objection to make a volun-
tary statement.
The CORONER—Your name then, Sir, if you please? Mr.
Scott—My name is Edward Scott. lam a surgeon, residing
at 32, Rockingham row, New Kent-road.
Mr. Scott then went on to say, that on Tuesday fortnight
he dined with the deceased and Mr. Broughton, at his resi-
dence in Pleasant-place. He remained with him till between
11 and 12 o'clock. Deceased and Mr. Broughton left before
that, leaving witness alone. He did not know the Christian name
of Mr. Broughton. On leaving, Mr. Mirfin promised to return
in half an hour ; he did not, and witness left. Went home,
and sat up till between four and five o'clock reading. On
Wednesday, about one o'clock, Mr. Broughton came to see
him in his bed-room, and said Mr. Mirfin was particularly
anxious to see him immediately. He accompanied Mr.
Broughton to Mr. Mirfin's house, where they all breakfasted
together, and deceased said he wished witness to accompany
him to Wimbledon Common, and said—" Take everything you
think may be required; be there at six o'clock in the evening,
without fail." He perfectly well understood what he was to
bring. He then sent his servant for his horse and chaise ;
when it came, he and Mr. Broughton went out, and said he
would return in an hour. This was about half-past two o'clock.
He did not return till a little after five, when he came to
bis cottage, accompanied by Mr. Broughton, when we all
left together. I went with Mr. Broughton in the gig, de-
ceased walking to the Elephant and Castle. Deceased then
got into the gig, and I got into the cab and drove on to Wim-
bledon. We drove on till we came to Wandsworth, when the
gig was a little before me. Mr. Mirfin called at an inn
there, and asked for two glasses of ale. When I got up,
I saw and spoke to Mr. Mirfin. They then left, and I fol-
lowed them on to Wimbledon. On the right hand
side of the Common I saw a carriage, vihich we passed. Im-
mediately Mr. Broughton got out of the gig, and spoke to one
of those from the carriage. Mr. Broughton drove the gig
down. After the conversation with the gentleman, Mr.
Broughton got into tlee gig and drove round about a quarter of
a mile, when they came to the tr. ill. I followed in the cab and met
the carriage, and all drove up to the hill. On arriving there
I saw a gentleman's cab and fonr gentlemen standing together.
I had never seen any of them before. I spoke to Mr. Mirftn,
and I
and said, " You wait here till Mr. Broughton returns." At that
time I had every reason to believe tlniaatl:_l, Aii:lilriofit,
jo when they
Mirfin was about
ui
to fight a duel. They went two and two down the I.'"
followed the four. I ascertained the m
were loading the pistols. 13rougbton and Mr.
EI
tiwiehinos. Eliot
t seconde'sname
walked down togethei, and I followed them
went down with some other gentleman,
nie
his bottom of
I do not know. Whew we got to the
the hill we wet'e toiether when he told name was
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