The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-06 00:00:00

TEE DREADFUL MURDERS AZ

TVALWORTH.

CORONER'S INQUEST.—(THIS DAY.)
The adjourned inquiry into the cause of the deaths of
Elizabeth Youngman, aged 46, Mary Wells Streeter, 27,
Thomas Youngman, 10, and Charles Youngman, 8, was
resumed this morning at the Newington Workhouse, before
William Carter, Esq., coroner for East Surrey.
Inspector Dunn, of the P division of police, said—On
Tuesday last I went to 16, Manor-place, Walworth, and
found three persons lying dead on the top landing, and one

little boy on the bed in the front room. I took William
Youngman into custody in consequence of what he said.
He said, "My mother came to the side of the bed where my
brother and I were sleeping; she killed him and
made a stab at me, and I in my own defence wrenched
the knife from her hand and killed her, if she's
dead." I told him I should charge him with the mur-
der of the four persons, and he replied " Very well."
On searching him at the station-house I found a small key•
There was a great deal of blood on his hand. He was un-
dressed when I took him into custody. With the key found
on the accused I opened a box pointed out to me as belong-
ing to the accused in the back room, and there found a
policy of a life assurance.

The Coroner—Before we go into that, has it anything to
do with this case ?
Witness—Yes.
The Coroner—ln what way ?
Witness—lt is an assurance of the life of one of the mur-
dared persons.
The Coroner—Which ?

Witness—Mary Wells Streeter. ller life is insured for
£lOO. On reading through the policy I find that in the
event of her death the money is to be paid to William God-
frey Youngman—that is the name of the accused. I also
produce the receipt for the first quarter's premium, dated
the 25th of July, five days previous to the murder.

The policy, which is in the Argus Assurance office, was
then put in and read.
Witness continued—l went to Wadhurst, and there ob-
tained 15 letters written by the accused to the deceased
(Mary Streeter). I went down to Wadhurst the evening
of the day of the murder. I there saw one of the witnesses,
Samuel Wells Streeter ; he gave me the letters.
The Coroner asked for the letters, upon which the Inspec-
tor produced copies stating that copies of the originals were
being made for another court.

The second stab entered the lower tube of the left lung. I
found a great quantity of blood in the cavity of the chest.
It cane from the lungs. These injuries had produced
death. The heart was uninjured. I should think, looking
at the nature of the wounds, that the deceased must have
aeceived /some of the wounds in the back room, as it ap-
peared that very great resistance had been made. Looking
at:the position I saw the bodies in, I should think
that the little boy was killed first. He appeared to
have awoke and attempted to make his escape. I
should think that Mary Streeter would be the
next person killed. She might have heard some noise in
the front room in which the accused and his brother slept,
and then received the wound in her neck. lam decidedly
of opinion that she could have had no hand in her own
death. My impression is, that the mother then awoke, and
on coming to the landing she received the stab, fell forward,
and then received the death wound on the back of the neck.
The knife found lying between the bodies on the landing
was here shown to the witness, and he was asked if that
instrument would produce the injuries h© had spoken of, he
immediately said, " That's just the sort of instrument that
would do so." lam further of opinion that the point of the
knife was broken off in the attempt to separate the
vetebra3 of the mother's neck. I cannot understand how
the little boy could have received the injuries he had, and
not screamed out. My first impression was, that they had
all either been drugged or subjected to chloroform, but I
have discovered nothing that would justify me in that
that belief.

Mr. Simmonds, surgeon, Albany-road, was next ex-
amined, and said he heard Mr. Boddy's evidence, and en-
tirely concurred with it as to the cause of death. He
differed from Mr. Boddy in some minor particulars, but
the differences were not of an important character. There
must have been considerable muscular force to produce the
injuries.

Inspector Dunn informed the coroner that the
portion of the guard of the knife broken off had
been discovered in the front room. I have disco-
vered where the knife was purchased, and about
the time. The accused had owned to Lock, the officer, that
the knife belonged to him.

This closed the evidence, and the court adjourned for
refreshment previous to the summing up of the coroner.
The Coroner then read the following letter :-
8, Henrietta-street, Covent-garden, July 13, 1860.
My dearest Mary,--This comes with my kindest love to
yoou trustinc you are well and happy myself I am pretty well
in health now come to London my dear girl on Monday week
the 23d and stay till Mrs Walker leaves her situation then
go back homo again and come up again on Fridoy morn-
ing the 10th of August, and I will leave on the 10th of
August to meet you I shall stay at the ledgings I shall
take for you and myself I shall of our Marriage
last Wednesday and it will be asked in Church on Sunday
next and Sunday 29 for the 3 time I gave warning to leave
on 'Wednesday last th 11th can leave on the 10th of next
month Laving a few days wages less now you will have quite
money enough my dear till after we are married when it
shall have plenty but engage a furnish lodging for a week
only when I shall ba able to settle all things and go down
to your Father and step with you a day or two you can
Lodge some where on the Fi i lay you came up and I at your
lodgings so be ready for Saturday morning when we will
be:married at St. Martins Charing Cross on Saturday
Augt 11th next I have published the Banns not till then
but you need only wear your Black Clothes my dear girl
at our Wedding and shall only wear black things and shall
have no white gloves at all dearest our Coachman will stand
has father for you and I shall not require a Bridesmaid
unless you like if so our housemaid will come up if she can
and we will go after we are married to Kew Gardens cr
somewhere by ourselves after we have had some wine
e Ike (and breakfast before we ere married by ourselves
I Stink) I want to INSURE ASSURE your life when you
come up on Monday week will be settled in the time your
here two or three days bring all your things when you
come on the 10th of August say to your mother your
going to stay with my friends a fortnight and then look for
a Situation in the time after we are married you can have
all you wish for so you will have enough money for the pre-
sent time Has you do not want to buy anything all the
clothes you have will do for the present till we are married
and on the Wednesday after we are man and wife I shall take
mooney enough to supply all your wants and wishes so rest
happy till then my dearest girl 1 will expect to see you then
in London on Monday week to assure your life and buy
you the wedding ring to give you to keep till the day I
put it on you finger the 11th of August must be the
day I cannot wait another day longer than that my dearest
girl buy nothing expect you want it very much indeed has
I will buy you all want the Wednesday after we are married
for a certainty but at the same time remember all I am
told you I am now awaiting to hear from again say you
will do Has I say write by return of Post I,7ara dearest
Mary you ever Effectionate lover, W. G. YOUNGMAN.
Kind respects to all friends remember do not forget what
I have said be careful and keep all my letters looked up so
your Mother and no one can see them and bring them when
you come here.'

The Coroner having at considerable length pointed out
the particular features of the case,
The Jury retired, and after an absence of a few minutes
returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against William
Godfrey Youngman," in each case.

The Coroner then issued the usual warrant for the pri-
soner's detention.