The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-05 00:00:00

TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 5, 1851

came and knocked at our door, and said, " My father has
hung my mother." We immediately went into their
room, and found prisoner's wife hanging by a double
rope, which was fastened round her neck, from the
door of a top-cupboard. Her hands were lifted up and
had hold of the rope, as if she was trying to save herself.
My husband immediately held her up in his arms, while
I cut the rope, and we carried her into our room and laid
her on the bed. She was turning black in the face.
My husband said, What made you hang the poor
woman?" when prisoner threatened to punch his head
for him. We sent for the police, and my husband gave
him in charge.
Mr. Taylor, the chief clerk—What was the prisoner
doing when you and your buband entered the room?
Witness—He was sitting on the foot of the bed, preten-
ding to pull off his boots.
Mr. Taylor—Was he sober? Witness—l don't think
he was; but he ill-treats her when be is. He knocked
her down in the morning before he went out, like a bul-
lock. Although I have not seen him strike her, I have
repeatedly heard the blows. It is the second time he has
tried to take her life. He endeavoured before to throw
her out of window.
The wife denied this, but the witness declared that
she had told her so whoa complaining of her husband's
brutal treatment.
Ellen Mayhew, another lodger in the same house, con-
firmed the first witnea's statement, and saw her cut the
woman down.
William Cousins, 264 B, proved taking the prisoner
who was drunk, into custody. His wife was sitting on
the bed in the next room, and said, " Do'nt take him,
be's a good husband only he's drunk." The witness Rigg
gave him the rope, which he produced, and which is
such as is commonly used for bed-sacking.
After a consultation between the magistrates and chief
clerk, it was determined that the wife's account of the
transaction should be heard.
The wife at first refused to be sworn, but Mr. BURRELL
having declared that he would commit her prison unless
she gave evidence, she consented, and told the following
extraordinary and incredible story :—The prisoner is my
husband. 1 was scolding when he came in. I com-
menced it. He came in late that night. The children's
skipping-rope was on the table, and I put the knots in
it for them to beat a ball about the room, as I did not
like them to go out into the street. It's a worn out
cord. M y husband said, " What would you say,
Mary, if I hung you, like the man who hung
himself? ' Would not that be a serious thing?
He gave way to the devil, and you get abusing me and
driving me to drink many a time when I would not." I
said, " You had better hang me and get rid of me."
" Well," he said, I think I shall;' and then be laid
down on the bed and got up again, end said, "You won't
keep still;" and I said, " I doe's mean it," and I aggra-
vated him to get up again, and he got up again and put
the rope like round my jaw, more to tie up my jaw and
face more than like round my neck, and he twisted it
round the top of the cupboard, saying, " Now we'll have
a swing-swoug." I said to my Lizzy, "He means to
hang me," and she was frightened. My feet were on the
ground. It was all his nonsense. It's always his way
agoing on—spreeing, with a parcel of nonsense, like a
young man, whenever he gets a little drink, and I'm bad
tempered. All ajoke.
Mr. BURRELL—Do you mean to say he was not hang-
ing you? Wife—Oh dear, no; he's as innocent as the
babe in my arms. Poor fellow, he's very deaf, and is
deprived of many things through it.
The witness Rigg was recalled, and stated, in answer
to questions from Mr. Taylor, that the wife's feet were
not touching the ground, nor within a foot of it; and
the prisoner subsequently said that de next time he did
it he would do it effectually; to which witness replied
she thought he nearly had. Witness added that the
wife was a very quiet woman, but the prisoner was a
great blackguard.
Mrs. Sheran having stated that the witness Rigg could
be cotfirmed in every particular respecting the transac-
tion by her husband, who could attend on another day,
Mr. Buenenn, addressing the accused, said—lt's my
intention to remand you. Have you anything to say
why you should not be remanded?
Prisoner—l never touched her or put my hand upon
her. She began abusing me, and threw a jug of water
at me. I'was pulling off my wet things when the child
got up in the bed and said, " Let mother down." I
thought the child was joking. I said, "Let her let her-
self down." She was on her tiptoes, but I did not see
anything the matter. The man came in and let her
down.

' Mr. BURRELL—You are remanded till Wednesday
nexa—Remanded accordingly.
It is understood that Mr. Burrell will retire from the
commission of the peace in the course of a few days.
His resignation has been formally accepted. He is a
very kind-hearted charitable man, and his loss will be
severely felt by the poor of the district.
WANDSWORTH.
Charles Witcher, aged 40, described as a greengrocer,
of 14, Cnurch-street, Aldgate, was charged with having,
with other persons not in custody, stolen 4001. worth of
French merinoes, mousselin de laines of different colours,
as also a choice and valuable black merino made spcially
by Paris manufacturers for Messrs. Candy and Co.,
Watling-street. Mr. John Saward, of 8, Hereford-place,
Commercial-road East, linendraper, was also charged
with feloniously receiving the said merinoes and mousse-
lin de laines, the property of the South-Western Rail-
way Company.
Mr. Bottese proved that he was a passing Custom-
house officer in the Southampton Docks; on the 21st of
February he received a box marked "C. C. and C 0.,"
and soon after its arrival opened it. It contained thirty-
eight pieces of mousselin de laine. There might have
been some merinoes. He did not examine every piece,
but noticed a black merino. He did not take so much
notice, as they were free of duty.
Mr. John Scott, foreman of the goods warehopses in
the Southampton Docks, said he recollected the case
alluded to being delivered from the goods warehouse to
a railway waggon, and the witness read a list of articles
that were put into this waggon. The waggons are
drawn by horses into the railway premises.
Cross-examined—There was only one box that I
known of belonging to' Candy arid Co. All the French
boxes are loaded at the warehouse I attend. Other
goods sent from different warehouses would not be
French ones. This is the only depository and place of
departure.
William Chandler, porter in the employ of the South-
Western Railway, and employed at the Nine Elms sta-
tion, remembered, some time in February, his atten-
tion was called to a box that was missing. He was at
work unloading with a fellow porter named Potts, and
a man named Winter was ticking the goods off. The
box that was wanting was marked, " C. C. and C 0.," and
Winter called out that name from his list, but there was
not one in that name. In the waggon was one with
eL. M." on it, and it corresponded in weight, within a
few pounds, of " C. C. and Cu's," and he said he thought
that must be the one they had sent up in mistake.
Cross-examined—lie did not recollect the exact date
the box was missed. They were afterwards examined
by Mr. Taylor, the superintendent of the traffic.
Mary Pancglio, a woman about 30 years of age, was
next sworn and examined. She said she was the wife
of William Pamplin, and lived et 22, Earl-street, Fins.
bury-square. Her husband was tenant of that house in
the month of February last. She had known the prisoner
Witcher for two years and a half; ho was in the habit
of coming to their house frequently. She knew Winter
from his frequently coming with Witcher. They came
on a Saturday. She thought it must have been on the
Ist of February. Her husband was at work at a coat.
They asked him if any thing had been sent from Chaplin
and Horne's, and expressed surprise when told there was
not. They had eggs and bread and butter to eat.
Witcher went out and bought them and afterwards
cooked them, as she was busy. It was about
1 o'clock Witcher and Winter came. They left about
5 o'clock, and her husband or Witcher was to let
Winter know that night whether it had come,
There was to be on the case the name of Noon. A case
came directed in that name. There was no person of
that name living in the house. It was a case covered
with unbleached calico. She saw IVitcher on Sunday
mornng. Too next day ho came to the house and
opened the case. It contained French merinoes. They
were of all colours. Can't distinguish the difference be-
tween merinoes and mousselin do laines. There was
one black merino that was like silk and a yellow, green,
blue, and maroon. She identified the green and some
others, but not some produced. It was not the sort at
all. On Sunday Witcher cut off some patterns and took
them to a Jew—she had forgotten the name. He re-
turned that day and said they could not agree as to price.
Can't recollect whether he left the parts in the house.
He came back again on Monday, and said he would get
"old Skiff," meaning Vincent. to move them away. They
were afterwards removed. Witcher took two pieces of
invisible green and marone, enough to make two dresses.
(Inspector Brannan hero produced the two dresses),
which the witness said were of the same ma-

terial. Vincent came on Tuesday with a cart
and horse. Witcher was there when he came ;
and the goods were packed in a box, and there was
a bundle also in unbleached calico. Her husband and
Witcher repacked them, Don't think she could recol-
lect the wooden box. Cannot say whether it was
Witcher or her husband put them in the cart. Both went
away with the cart.. Saw no more of the goods after
that. [The case was produced. It was about five feet
in length and three feet in width. The witness could
not identify it.] Was not present when Witcher, Vin-
cent, and her husband had a settlement.

Mr. Crombie—r;;;-statad that he should require the
man Pamplin, who, it might be recollected, was sen-
tenced to transportation at the last Winchester assizes,
to be brought up on a habeas corpus. There wero se-
veral things to be inquired into, and as they could not go
to the expense of bringing him up manytimes he thought
it would be necessary to go to Winchester, for, as re-
garded the stealing, they could lay it anywhere through
which the line passed.
Mr. Parry said it would bo far more convenient
for his client Mr. Saward to go to the Central Criminal
Court.

After some conversation relative to a further remand
it was determined on taking all the evidence to bra offered,
and

William Vincent, living at 14, Mark's-row, Stepney-
green, was sworn—He was known as " Old Skipp."
Worked for Mr. Howard, of Mark-lane. Knew Witcher
for several years. Knew William Pamplin. They met
him in Whitechapel, and asked him to bring the hove
and cart to Pamplin's house. He did so. Witcher was
there, and he took a box and a bundle. It was tied
round with cord. I waited in the cart. Can't say which
box and bundle. Pamplin and Witcher got into the
cart. The goods were taken to his house. It was about
the beginning of the week, and they remained two or
three days. He again removed them at the end of the
week. Can's say who asked him. Ho drove to the
Commacial-road East. Witcher got out near the New-
road, and he and Pamplin went to Saward's. It was on
the 28th of February, on Friday night.
By Mr. Parry—Had done my work for my mister.
$llll Witcher afterwards, Had something N drink. Chid

12s. 6J.—part was owing him, and that squared it be-
tween him and Witcher.

Mr. Inspector Field's evidence, taken at the first exa-
mination of Witcher, was then read over, which proved
that, in consequence of information he received, be went
to Mr. Sa Si' house after Witcher was apprehended
by Inspector Brannan, and asked if they had not re-
cently purchased some French merinoes and mousselin
de laines, and Mr. John Saward admitted it, and pro-
duced several pieces. He asked them if they had not
more, and the prisoner said their shopman left them last
week and they did not know what they had. They pro-
duced an invoice for 60/. less 5 per cent., making 57/.
By Mr. Parry—l saw Mr. Saward on Saturday, Sun-
day, Wednesday, and Friday, the day I took him into
custody. The merinoes and de laines uncovered were
given up on Wednesday, and on that same day the black
merino and eight other pieces of different colours.
By Mr. BEADON—He brought several pieces of black
forward. Mr. Wilson identified one piece. I received
the invoice on Monday morning from Inspector Bran-
nan. Witness had ascertained that 571. was paid by
Mr. Saward.

By Mr. Crombie—But only from the prisoner; and
no proof of the fact. Believe 20/. was paid first. Then
there were thne or four payments; and ultimately a
balance of 241.

Mr. Field then went into a full detail of the facts as
regarded Mr. Saward, which only confirmed Mr. Crom-
bic's opening statement; and he was further corrobo-
rated by Mr. Thomas Bent, the detective officer of the
South- Western Railway, who proved that there was
great reluctance on the part of Mr. Saward to produce
the articles.

The next important witness examined was Mr. Charles
Wilson, manag,,r is the house of Charles Candy and Co.,
who identified the principal articles and dresses found
by luspntor Brannan at Witcher's house, and also
proved the cost of the different materiels, which were
manufactured by the firm of Patna and Co., of Paris,
being first produced on the banks of the Loire. He also
proved that two of the articles were alone made for
their have.

Mr. G. Senior, the landlord of the Black Horse, Crown-
street, Finsbury, was afterwards called, and swore that
he knew Pamplin and Witcher, but had never seen the
prisoners Saward and Pamplin in his house together,
and never had any goods there.
Mr. BEADON consented to release Mr. Seward on bail
for 4001. till the 26th of August, when the case would
be brought up for committal, there being no necessity in
the interval fur bringing Mr. Seward from his business,
as all the evidence affecting him had been given.
Mr. Games, with respect to Witcher, applied for a
gold watch and chain, two gold keys, and three silver
watches, besides other valuable property taken from him,
to be given up, that he might prepare for his defence,
especially as no claim had been made by any other party.
Mr. BEADON allowed the application, but would not
permit some gold to be given up.
In the case of Sally Winter, who was taken into cus-
tody, and 200 sovereigns found upon her, Mr. Solomon
applied for bail, as no evidence was tendered that day.
Mr. Crombie opposed it, or any of the money being
parted with, and she was remanded till Monday next.

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT BRISTOL.
A melancholy sensation was produced on Saturday in
the neighbourhood of Cumberland•road, Bedminster,
near Bristol, in consequence of its becoming known that
Captain Frank Candy, a gentleman very highly re-
spected, had committed suicide by shooting himself
through the head with a pistol. It appeared from the
evidence adduced o the coroner's inquest, that the la-
mented captain had for some considerable time been en-
gaged as a partner in the business of a cheese merchant,
but as, during the last six months, he had been in indif-
ferent health he having bad a fit, and his nervous system
being evidently diseased, he some short time since re-
signed his connexion with the firm, in which he was
succeeded by his son. A few days since a lady came
from Cornwall to pay a visit to the family, and she was
so much struck—not having seen him for some years—
with the alteration in his manners, that she
came to the conclusion that his mind was affected,
and thought it to bo her duty to mention
her suspicions to Mrs. Candy. The peculiarities
noticed by her were continued; but no further
change was observed during Wednesday, Thurs-
day, or Friday. On Saturday morning he arose soon
after seven o'clock, and his lady went down stairs to
give some directions, preparatory to the breakfast, leav-
ing him engaged, as she supposed, in the business of his
toilet. Soon afterwards a servant girl, who was at work
in a room underneath the captain's bed chamber, heard
a noise as of something falling heavily on the ground.
She was alarmed, and called to her mistress, and they
both ran instantly to the bedroom, which they found full
of the smoke of gunpowder, but at that time could see
nothing of the captain. Their cries soon brought the
lady visitor and a gentleman named Sleeman, a mer-
chant, who resided in an adjoining villa, to their assist-
ance, and upon entering the apartment, they found the
unhappy gentleman underneath the bed, quite dead, and
covered with blood. The pistol with which he committed
the fatal act was found under the body. He had shot
himself through the right side of the head, shattering
the skull in a frightful manner. His death must have
been instantaneous.

The Coroner's jury having listened attentively to the
evidence, returned a verdict, " That the deceased de-
stroyed himself while labouring under temporary in-
sanity."

IRELAND.
ItEPRESENTATION OF DOWNPATRICK.

Dumas, MONDAY.—Mr. Ker having accepted a di-
plomatic appointment, and likewise the stewardship of
the Chiltern Hundreds, an election for a Member for
Downpatrick will take place in a few days. An unex-
ceptionable candidate is before the electors, the Hon. C.
S. Hardinge, eldest son of Viscount Hardinge, the hero
of the Puojaub. lie is a friend to the native agricultu-
rist, and he pledges himself to uphold constitutional
principles. Mr. liardinge, although nut a military man,
was through the desperate battles on the Sutlej with his
father, acting as his secretary. and he displayed talents
for business of a high order. It is not likely that he will
meet with any opposition from the electors of Downpa-
trick. The nomination is expected to take place towards
the end of the present week.—Herald.