The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-18 00:00:00

Attempted Murder and Suicide in Soho.

Yesterday morning Mr. Bedford held an inquiry.
in St. Ann's Vestry-room, Dean-street, Soho, rela-
tive to the death of 'William Mold, who committed
suicide after having attempted the life of a young
woman with whom he had. cohabited.
Mrs. Elizabeth Handley Mold said—l live at 26,
King-street. The deceased was my husband, who
was 51 years of age, and a public-house broker.
He had several times threatened to destroy himself,
and generally kept poison by him. He sometimes
threatened to do so owing to pecuniary pressures.
He has been in a lunatic asylum. I have been
married to him three years, and previous to that
time he had twice attempted suicide. On Thurs-
day last he said he should not live throughout the
day. I said, "I don't believe you, for you have
said it so often." He replied, " You will find
it out." After tea he laid down, and a young
woman being in the room he attempted to poison
her. She screamed out. I rushed into the room
and saw my husband lying on the bed. The young
woman was also on the bed, both being dressed.
All my husband could say was " Water ! water !"
I gave him some, which he drank, and he never
spoke afterwards.
Mr. John Hursley, of 66, Wardour-street, said
—I am a surgeon. I was called to deceased about
eight o'clock on Thursday evening. I found him
lying partially on a bed and a box, with his legs
drawn up. He was quite unconscious and collapsed.
On the box there were about six drachms of fluid,
and a bottle containing but a very small quantity
of cyanide of potassium. I dashed water upon
him, and endeavoured to administer antidotes, but
he rapidly sank and died. The cause of death was
cyanide of potassium.

Hannah Howden, a single woman, residing in
the same house as deceased, gave the following evi-
dence :—On Thursday last, about twelve o'clock,
Mr. Mold came home and entered the room where
I was at work, adjoining the one where Mrs. Mold
was. He said, " You need not finish that work, as
it will not be needed, for neither you nor I will live
sinviywyanfwas
beyond the day." I said, " Don't talk in thatway,!
I don't believe you, for you have so often said
toMrs.
I took no heed of him, but I heard him
say to
as
Mold that he wanted to provide for
then at tea
After. dinner he laid downt,
andtea," and snatched
4, you don't
neither he nor I would live throughout the the day.
time he said,
want
anthe contents. He
the cup from me and
drankto die•" After that he
continued, " You're going
me on the bed alongside
laid down again . and
elbilow across my neck and forced
him. He put his elbow
and I felt something run
a bottle into
my I struggled and got up. I did not
mouth.
;One of it got into my stomach. 1
f the stuff, but it touched my tongue
vitriol from the burning sensation.
and throat.
screamed out" I am burned ; lam poisoned. It is
vitriol." I knew nothing more till he was dead. I
believe he died across my knees.
Mrs. Mold was recalled, and the following ques-
tions put to her :
thought

The Coroner—Is it true that the last witness had
a child by your husband?
Witness—Yes, sir ; but that was before I was
married to him. The child is nearly five years old.
She has twice lived with him for a short time.
The Coroner—And she resided in your house ?
Witness—Only occasionally for a short time.

The following verdict was returned :—" That the
deceased died from the effects of cyanide of potas-
sium taken by himself while in a state of insanity."

The verdict was so recorded.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. —This Day.

LONDON, July 18.—Wind this day at noon—North-
Easterly ; moderate breeze and fine weather, but rather
cloudy.

LBY ELECTRIC TELEGRArg• I
GRAVESEND, Wednesday Morning.
Arrived, July 17.—Margaret Edward, from Archangel;
Emma, from Petersburg ; Adria, from Girgenti.
Arrived, July 18—Lovvina, from Emden; Insulana, and
Belle, from Geflo ; Roman Emperor, from Cronstadt ' •
Ramon, from Cardinal ; Margareta, and Emdragt, from
Emden ; Quayside, from Gefle.