The Sun.
London, England, 1835-04-22 00:00:00

CORONERS' INQUESTS.

Yesterday afternoon an investigation took place 'before
Mr. BAKER, the coroner, at the Adam and Eve public-
house, opposite Hackney workhouse, respecting the death
of a boy aged 13, named Geo. Withers.
The inquiry produced a great sensation in the parish, va-
rious rumours being in circulation as to the cause of the
youth's death.

John Chapman, a lad residing in Union-buildings, New-
ington, at half-past seven on Saturday morning last, while
fishing in the Lea, saw the body of the deceased floating on
the surface of the water with the heels upwards. Deceased
was dressed, and had in his pockets 3s. 6d.
Mr. Thomas Hovell, a surgeon, was of opinion the body
had been in the water at least ten days. There appeared
no marks of violence about it.

Charles Withers, Harford-street, Somers-town, brush-
maker, being sworn, stated that the deceased, who was his
nephew, had, since the death of his parents, which happened
some years ago, lived with his grandfather and grandmother,
by whom he was treated with every indulgence.
A brother of the last witness here started up, and ob-
served, that the deceased had been used well by his late
guardians.

In answer to questions, the witness admitted that the de-
ceased's grandmother is his (witness's) mother, and he had
quarrelled with her about family matters. He considered
she had not done her duty to any of her children.
The grandmother was next examined, and it was very
evident to every one present that she had performed a pa-
rent's duty to the unfortunate lad. While giving her evi-
dence, she was interrupted several times by her son, who
was at length silenced by the cries of the jurymen of
" Shame, shame, ungrateful child !" &c.
The witness, Charles Withers, having requested to be
examined again, said there were some very remarkable cir-
cumstances attending the history of the deceased, who, he
had sometimes considered to be subject to fits of insanity,
which was a family ailing, his mother having recently died
raving mad. The deceased, about six months ago, when
playing in a street where his grandfather resided, was forci-
bly thrust into a hackney coach by two men, who then
blindfolded him, and conveyed him at a rapid pace into
some obscure spot in the .Borough, where he was locked up
in a kind of cell, the bandage on his eyes having previously
been taken off, and threats made to him that he would be
murdered if he made an alarm. The deceased continued
there in the utmost terror until 2 o'clock the next morn-
ing, when he broke through the ceiling and effected his
escape.

A:juryman—Did he return home directly he escaped ?
Mr. Withers—He did. He went with several officers
in search of the place, but the poor lad was so alarmed that
he had not the least idea of the spot.
Juror—What do you suppose was the object of the
men ? Mr. Withers—l have no doubt that he was forced
there for the most revolting purposes, and that he would
have shared a similar fate to the boy Paviour. (It will be
recollected that this unfortunate youth was placed in a
hackney-carriage by some ruff,ans and conveyed away, and
that his body was afterwards found murdered, to most re-
volting acts having been previously perpetrated upon him.)
Juror—How long has deceased been missing Mr.
Withrs—Two weeks last Saturday. He was sent on an
errand to the city saw-mills, and we never heard of him
until his body was, taken out of the water.
Mr. BARER, the coroner, said it was very singular that
if the boy had meditated suicide he should have gone so far
as the river Lea, when he might have accomplished his pur-
pose in many pieces of water about the city saw-mills. I:
was a very mysterious case, but under all the circumstances
the jury would do well to return a verdict of " Found
drowned," and the matter would then still be open to fur-
ther inquiry, in case anything should transpire inducing a
belief that the deceased had met his death by unfair means.
A Juryman asked Mr. W. if he took any means to find
out deceased when he was last missing ? Mr. Withers—
I and my brothers instituted every inquiry, and we thought
he had been decoyed from home again.
The Jury then declared that there was no pretence for
the charge of cruelty which had been made against the
grandfather and grandmother of deceased. The disap-
pearance of the lad, however, seemed involved in mystery,
but they should act under th e advice of the worthy coroner,
and return a verdict of " Yound drowned."

Yesterday an inquiry took place before Mr. Stirling,
the Coroner, and a Jury, at the Elephant and Castle,
King's-road, St. Pancras, relative to the death of a finely-
formed female, name unkn own, about 18 years of age, who
was found in the Regent':;-canal, near the the Zoological-
gardens. She appeared to have been entirely destitute, her
whole apparel being scarcely worth sixpence. No money
was about her, and she had neither pocket, stays, bonnet,
nor shoes. Her upper garment was a half-gown (cotton) ;
and of a chocolate colour, while her under-dress was little
better than rags. There were no marks of violence on her
person. She had been in the water about five days. The
body underwent a post mortem examination at the work-
house, by Dr. Willing and Mr. Eastcotte, but there were
no appearances to indicate why the deceased should com-
mit the act of self-destruction..,—Verdict, " Found drowned."

cc Jim, do you snore when you are asleep?" " No,
never ; for I lay awake one nigh t, on purpose to see.", Am-
erican Paper.