The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-21 00:00:00

THE StiN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 21, 1859.

of a colonial newspaper nearly two ounces ; that of
a foreign newspaper rather more than an ounce ;
and the average weight of a book packet continues
to be about 51 ounces.

More than 97 per cent. of the inland letters are
now enclosed in envelopes, and nearly 70 per cent.
of letters from abroad.

THE SUPPOSED MURDER AT

RAMSGATE.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.
The adjourned inquest was held at two o'clock
yesterday afternoon at the Town-hall, before Mr.
R. Emmerson, coroner for the district. The inte-
rest excited by the inquiry continues unabated, and
the hall was, if possible, more crowded than a+ the

first sitting.
The evidence taken at the first inquiry having
been read over, the examination of witnesses was
proceeded with.
Thomas Green, cutler, 30, York-street, Dover,
deposed—l have seen the body of the deceased, and
identify it as that of a man who came to my shop
about three o'clock on Friday, the Bth inst. He
was dressed in a brown shooting coat, brown trou-
sers, and a. large hat with a broad brim. (The
clothes of the deceased were produced, and identi-
fied by the witness.) Deceased asked, in good
English, for a chopper, and I sold him the hatchet
produced. He asked to have the handle cut short,
so that he might pack it in his box. I accordingly
cut the piece produced off the handle. He said he
wanted to take the hatchet to his own country. He
smiled as he went away, and appeared quite sane.
William Jordon, waiter at the Elephant and
Castle, Margate—About 20 minutes past 11 on
Sunday, the 10th, the deceased came to the hotel,
and asked for ale. He remained about an hour,
and during that time he had two and a half pints
of ale, and some eggs and ham. On going out he
left the bag produced, which at the time might
have weighed 251 b. The weight proceeded from
something heavy at the bottom. About a quarter
past 2 o'clock the deceased returned to the hotel
and had two lemons with cold water. I charged
him 2s. 6d., and he gave me also 2s. for myself. He
took the silver out of his pocket, and I saw no
other money in his possession. He then took the
bag under his left arm' shook hands with me twice,
and went away in the direction of the railway.
By the Jury—When he squeezed the lemons his
left hand was not bandaged. I did not notice
whether any of the fingers were wanting. The
deceased had a handsome signet ring on the fourth
finger of the right hand.
John Johns, commissioned boatman, belonging to
the Coastguard station, Margate—At a quarter to
three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the 10th inst.,
I saw the deceased at the railway station, Margate,
which is close to the Coastguard station. He had
with him a carpet-bag and an umbrella. He asked
me at what time a train would go to Ramsgate, and
I directed him to the clerk, who told him 35
•minutes past four. He then asked what time it
was, and on being shown the clock, put his hand
into his bosom as though consulting a watch. He
then went away in the direction of the Royal-
crescent, taking the bag and umbrella with him.
About a quarter to four I was standing on the sea
wall opposite to the station and saw the deceased
return from the direction of the Royal-crescent. I
did not observe whether he then had his bag with
him, but Ido not think he had. At five o'clock on
Monday morning I picked up the bagproduced
(the one identified as belonging to the deceased) in
the water, a little above the Royal-crescent, to-
wards Westbrook. It was open, quite empty, and
the key was in the lock. I have been 16 years in the
service, and my experience enables me to say that,
from the direction of the wind, the bag could not
have been washed by the sea to where I found it.
It must have been placed there.. The deceased,
when he went in that direction, walked out of
my sight. Westbrook is usually frequented by
the public, but not on the afternoon in question,
which was very wet. When the deceased was at the
railway Mr. Aldridge, my chief officer, asked him
if he came out of a ship. The deceased answered,
No, no ship," in an excited manner, and seemed
annoyed by the question. His manner was very
strange.
William Riddell—l live opposite to the Six Bells,
Margate. About half-past 11 o'clock on Monday
morning, the 11th inst., I found at a corner of the
Royal-crescent wall, Bishopslodge, two linen shirts,
two collars, a white cotton pocket handkerchief,
and a clothes brush (produced). The shirt resembles
• the shirt now produced (the one found at Rams-
gate). I found one shirt stuffed in between the
stones of the wall, and one covered lightly with
sand. The collars and clothes brush were upon the
sand. The marks on the collars and shirts appeared
to have been picked out, and shreds of red cotton
were hanging from the place. The clothes were
quite dry, and tied up with worsted.
Charlotte Nind—l am married, but separated
from my husband, and I live with my mother at 3,
Church-street, Margate. About a quarter to 3
o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the 10th instant, the
deceased was brought to my mother's house by a
man named Samuel Gibbs, who told me a gentle-
man wanted me. I went into the street and spoke
to the gentleman, who didnot answer, but beckoned
me to follow him. I went through the churchyard
to Mr. Brasier's house. Gibbs took the deceased
round the church wall to Mr. Brasier's. I went
upstairs with the deceased, and Gibbs remained be-
low with Mr. and Mrs. Brasier. The deceased
stayed with. me about a quarter of an hour, and
took off his coat and hat. He wore a watch, which
appeared to be gold, by a chain round his neck. He
gave me a 2s. piece, ls. and a 6d., which he took
out of his trouser's pocket. I saw no money but
what he gave me. Deceased smelt of liquor,
and I also judged from his manner that he
had been drinking. When he came down stairs
to go out, Gibbs asked him for something
to drink. Deceased at first said he had
no small change, but afterwards pulled out six-
pence, and asked Gibbs if it was enough. Gibbs
said " Yes," and he gave it him and went away. I
was in Gibbs's company for half an hour or more
after deceased left. Gibbs had been drinking. The
deceased's left hand was bandaged.
Charlotte Maxted, servant to the Rev. W. Myers,
of Hereson, deposed that she was walking on the
East Parade in company with a young man named
George Jackson, on Sunday evening the 10th inst.,
about 8 o'clock. It was bright moonlight. She
saw the deceased walking slowly with his arms
folded and his hat over his eyes, in the direction of
Augusta-stairs. Other persons were walking there
(the place is a public promenade), but not near the
deceased.
The Witness Riddell was here recalled, and stated
that, near to the clothes he had previously described,
he found a piece of the upper part of a shirt, which
was marked with blood about the space of a hand's
breadth. There was no hole in the piece, but the
armholes appeared to have been cut away: He
picked up the piece, but left it where he found it.
The Coroner expressed his opinion, from the man-
ner in which this witness gave his evidence, that
little reliance could be placed upon it.
William Danton Sandwell, 81, King-street, Rams-
ate
cr hairdresser--On Saturday, the 9th inst., about
„, ,
a quarter past 12, the deceased caine to n; V shop and
asked me to cut his hair and to ;have off his beard
and moustache. I dick so, and I shaved him and cut
his hair a second time. His beard was of many
months' growth, and the shaving made t consider-
able change in his appearance. He paid me with
either two shillings, or a 2s. piece. He spoke in
broken English.
• Thomas Wilkinson, a boatman, corroborated the
evidence given by the Coastguard man -Callaghan
as to the finding of the body. He went down to
the beach about half-past five o'clock on Monday
morning, the 11th inst., and walked along close to
the cliff looking for shells until he found the body.
At the time lie saw it Callaghan was coming to-
wards him, and they met over the body. Witness
had not seen the body previously to this time.
Superintendent Erick, Ramsgate police, produced
a piece of paper with German words written upon
it, which he found in the Pier-store near the body
of the deceased, about eight o'clock on Monday
morning, the 11th. The paper was wet, folded up,
and appeared to have been worn in the pocket.
Maurice Lebatt—l live at Ramsgate. The writ-
ing on the paper produced is German. The words
are :—" Dear Mother,—Here are five dollars.—
little ; but from a good heart.—HENRY MATTE MG."
The .writing is that of an uneducated man, badly
written and badly spelt. One expression is peculiar,
and might have been written by a Dutchman.
• S tendent•Pritchard,Royal Harbour Police,
produced ;the clothing of the deceased, and also a
solid piece Of chalk cut from a rock situated about
500 feet nearer the sea than the spot where the
body was found, and almost in a direct line. There
were upon it four distinct marks of a hatchet. (The
hatchet of deceased was fitted into the cuts in court
and found to correspond exactly.) The cuts were
all in the same direction. The pieces of hand and
yards from the rock towards the sea. The
fingers wero found about 12 yards and the hatchet-
about `240
rock would have been uncovered by the tide at
about half-ebb.
Eugene Callaghan, the Coastguard-man, examined
on the fornicer oc,2a.sion was recalled, and stated that
he believed the body could not have been washed
from the rock to the place where it was found by
the tide. The bedy was lying straight along the
beach, east and west, the right hand close to the
side, and the left arm turned up. Witness was on
duty, principally at Dumpton-gap, on Monday
morning, and it could not have been brought there
while he was there. There was also a coastguard-

man,at the Ramsgate station, and the body might
perhaps have been brought that way.
. Salley, boatman, •was recalled, and said he
knew the effect of the tide flowing on the Rams-
gate sands, and believed that had the body fallen
on the rock alluded to it would have been washed
by the waves under the cliff to the place where
the body was found. The pieces of fingers were
found about 80 or 90 yards from the body.
Mr. Curling, surgeon, recalled, said that the in-
juries of the hand had not the appearance of been
given in self-defence. If the blows had been given
by a third party he must have stood in the same
position towards the hand as the deceased himself.
If the injuries were given on the shore the tide
might have removed all trace of blood. There was
no sign of thq deceased having been engaged in any
struggle. From the retraction of the tendons in
their sheath the witness believed the hand was
taken off during life.
Verdict.—" That the deceased diedfrom a wound
in the left breast, beiween the evening of the 10th
and morning of the 11th, but by whom inflicted
there is not sufficient evidence to show."

TEE FORGERY AND COINING GANG.
-EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE.

William Wagner, alias Curtis, ticket-of-leave
man ; Frederick Humphreys, Red Lion-square,
jeweller ; William Wynne Bramwell, furniture
dealer, of Meard's-court, Soho ; and Andrew
Foster, were again brought before Mr. Beadon, at
Marlborough-street Police-court, yesterday, on the
charge of being equally implicated in the putting
forth and uttering for cash a certain forged cheque
on the Union Branch Bank, Argyle-place, for £265,
and Humphreys with having in his possession a
large quantity of counterfeit coin, of various de-
nominations, and the implements and means for

manufacturing the same.
Mr. Mullens, solicitor for the Society of Bankers,
as before, attended to prosecute ; and Mr. Lewis,
jun., of Ely-place, for the defence of Wagner and
Humphreys.
The evidence of the four previous examinations
has been before the public.
Mrs. Hammond, Constitution-place, Gray's Inn-
road, wife of a beer-shop keeper.—l recollect the
witness Walker, and another with him, at our
house in March last. I was asked for paper and
ink by one of tbim, and supplied them. Something
was written in my presence by the absent person.
This witness was not cross-examined.
This- was the case for the prosecution against
Humphreys and Foster, and a fresh charge was
gone into against :Wagner and Bramwell.
Mr. Mullens then . charged these prisoners with
uttering a forged cheque on Messrs. Drummond,
purporting to be signed by Mr. Edward Kneller
Smart, and, in support of the same, called
James Drummond Sanderson, cashier to Messrs.
Drummond, of Charing-cross, bankers—Mr. Ed-
ward Kneller Smart keeps an account at our house.
On the 21st of January last the cheque for £270
was presented by the prisoner Bramwell. I. saw
it was not Mr. Smart's writing, and told prisoner

it was a forgery. He produced an envelope in
which he said he had received the cheque from a
gentleman, who had called about a house he had to
let the day before, directed in the name of Bram-
well. I went to Scotland-yard, and brought back
Sergeant Smith and another, and one of these went
away with Bramwell.
Mc. Edward Kneller Smart, bullion dealer,
Princes-street, Leicester-square—l keep an account
at Drummond's bank. The cheque for £270 pro-
duced, does not bear my signature, and was wholly
unauthorised by me. I purchased a 1,000 franc
note on the 13th of September last, and gave a
cheque for £4O. I received 12s. 6d. in cash to
make up the amount of the cheque, which was asked
particularly for.
William Whitehead Chandler, a prisoner from
Newgate. I was convicted at last sessions of several
charges of forgery, on my own confession. I know
the prisoner Wagner, and became acquainted with
him in about May, 1857—it might have been April.
I know a man named Horton Bateman. They oc-
cupied a house in York-building, Adelphi, for some
time, wYe'i. Wagner rented. " Bateman and Co.,
Law, Parliamentary, and General Stationers," was
painted on the blinds. I was clerk to them from
September, 1858, till the day I was apprehended,
on the Ist February last. There was only a trifling
business in the stationery line. In November I saw
the cheque (produced) on Messrs. Drummond for
£440, purporting to be signed by George Wilton
Chambers. I saw it in York-buildings. I had pre-
viously seen a similar cheque for the like amount:
This was brought by a man named Kirk, and I
knew it to be a forgery. It was given to Wagner.
Several copies were made by myself and Bateman
in Wagner's presence. I made the forged cheque
now in question. I know a man named Jones, who
used to come continually from October last. Bate-
man and Wagner made an application to Jones to
find a man to cash the cheque, and he found one
accordingly—a young man named Glendinning,
and an arrangement was made in the presence of
Wagner that Jones should advertise, and I wrote an
answer to meet me at the Sabloniere, Leicester-
square, and I met him, walked some 200 yards with
him, and gave him a cheque in a pocket book.
Bateman and Wagner were watching my proceed-
ings. I told him to go to Drummond's and present
it, and I returned to York-buildings. Jones brought
the £440 in bank notes within half an hour. I
went out to meet Wagner and Bateman, who had
missed Jones, but did not succeed, and returned
and found them at the office, and we all went
into the City together and the notes were changed ;
one for £4O, by Bateman, at Vaughan's, bullion
dealer, and I took one to Knightsbridge for £lOO
and got Scotch notes for it. When all were
changed Wagner gave Jones 110 sovereigns to be
divided between him and Glendinning. I had 170
and Wagner and Bateman the rest. The cheque
brought by Kirk was returned, with the mark " No
effects" upon it. I had an uncle in Poland-street,
'Mr. George Whitehead!' and he banked at the
Union Branch, Argyle-place, and the prisoners had
from me the information of the balance he had in
his pass-book. Glendinning was sent for it, and
Wagner received and brought it to York-buildings,
and the next day I saw the cheque now produced
for £259, dated Ist December, 1858, on the Union
Bank. Glendinning was to present the same, and
Bateman to be at the bank with a cheque of his
own for £5, he keeping an account of his own there.
Soon after Bateman came to York-buildings with
the news that Glendinning was in custody, and
Wagner came in shortly afterwards. Mr. White-
head's pass-book which up to then had been in the
back-office, was thrown behind the fire, and we all
entered into a subscription for Glendinning's de-
fence. A brief was prepared at York-buildings,
and a woman was to be employed to convey the
money and the brief to the attorney employed, and
I afterwards heard that this had been done. I
recollect a proposition was made - for. a loan by a
person named Croker, and Dr. Jones was to be
security to Bateman and Co. Dr. Jones wrote,
and his signature was copied to the cheque produced
but Ido not recollect by whom. I think by a French-
man. I changed the notes obtained for the- cheque,
which was for £250, in the. City, at Massy's, and
gave the notes to Wagner, receiving £4O for my
share. Humphreys was engaged in this transaction,
and the rest of the monerwa:divided between them.
The cheque for 1'375, produced, on the City branch
of the Union Bank I know to be a forgery. The
42300 note produced is part of the proceeds -of that
forgery. 1 know it by own handwriting on it. 1
saw-Bateman go into the bank for the cash, Wag-
ner and I remaining outside. Bateman, on coming
out, gave me some Bank of England notes, which I
changed at Spielman's, Lombard-street, for French
money, part paper and part gold ; one of these notes
was for 1,000 francs, and Bateman, I believe, changed
it for English money at Smart's, who gave the £4O
cheque produced, and he gave that cheque to Wag-
ner, Bateman having in our presence made ,a copy
of it. ' it was made upon tracing paper. 'Shortly
afterward a blank form of cheque for the -forgery
was brought to York-buildings by Humphreys. It
had no stamp upon it at the time. A die was made
at York-buildings by. us all in plaster of paris and
afterwards in metal, and that was used for stamping
the cheque in question. It then represented a
cheque for £270, purporting to have the signature
" Edward Kneller Smart," and an arrangement was
then made with Jones, who said he knew a person
named Bramwell, who was in charge of an empty
house, and he would present it, and to protect him,
a letter should be written to him from some one in
the name of. Wilson, about taking the house. The
letters produced were those written for the purpose.
(Put in and read). The first, dated Jan. 9th, 1859,
and the second, Jan. 20th, professing to enclose a
cheque for £270, and saying the writer (Wilson)
would call for the balance over £2O, for the fixtures
of the house, which had been asked for. There was,
however, no cheque sent. I posted one of these let-
ters, I believe the last, and Jones the followingmorn •
ing met Wagner near the Nelson Column, where
-13ramwellwasto pass, in order that Wagner might see
him. I afterwards returned to York•buildincrbs, and
Wagner and Bateman came in about 12 o'clock, and
Jones followed, and -sz.id an officer had. been seen
to go to Bramwell's hodse with hint from the bank.
A doubt was raised, and Wagner said Jones and
Bramwell were conspiring to rob him of his regu-
lars, andthe would go and see for himself, and Jones
agreeing", he went with Wagner to reconnoitre
the house, and on his return he said he had seen a
strange man smoking a pipe at the window.
Cross-examined—Many robberies I have perhaps
been concerned In, and with Wagner's suggestion,
hay been robbing the bankers as much as I
could. T have not been yet sentenced, though con-
victed. I make this known because I think it for

the best. Ido expect a mitigation of punishment,
but cannot say what will be done in my case.
William Glendinning---I am under sentence in
Coldbath-fields Prison. Was convicted in January

ast, at the Central Criminal Court for uttering a

forged cheque for £259. I know a man named
Jones, and in November last he introduced me to
another man, named Chandler, who gave me a

cheque on Drnmmond's for £440. Thai was at the
Sabloniere Hotel, Leicester•square, !or rather in
Green-street. After we came out I presented it for
payment and received four £lOO notes and four £lO
notes, which I gave to Jones, and on the Ist Dec.
I went to the Union Bank for Mr. George Whit-
head's pass-book and received it, giving it to Jones.
I went to Poland-street on the morning I was taken
into custody with Jones. and Wagner gave me the
cheque produced. I have identified him.
Cross-examined—Chandler was not present when
the cheque was given me in roland-street. I swear
Wagner is the man. I do not expect any remission
of my sentence for the information I have afforded
to the present prosecution.
Julia Johnson—l am wife of Frederick Johnson,
carpenter, 13, Middlesex-street, Somers-town. I
know William Glendinning, the last witness.
After he was in prison a person called on me, and
in consequence of what then passed T went to the
corner of King William-street, Strand, and there
met the same person and another—the prisoner
Wagner. He said, "If I provide you with money,
will you undertake to provide Glendinning with
food in the House of Detention durin 0. all the time
he is there ?" and I said I would ; ande'l was to meet

•
him at the dancing rooms, St. Martin's-lane, the
ensuing night. I went, and saw Wagner, and he
invited me into the refreshment room, where he
gave me three sovereigns, and he asked me to meet
him at the back of the Post. office on the Monday
night following ; and I went and met him. He gave
me a paper and told me to take it to Mr. Sleigh,
the barrister, Middle Temple, and see if he would
undertake the defence ; but he would not ; and I
was then sent to Mr. Ribton, who did undertake it
for the £3. I afterwards followed Wagner to York-
buildings, Adelphi. I have been to the House of
Detention and pointed out Wagner to the officers.
Cross•examined—l do not know any Jones con-
nected with this case, I know many Jones's, but
never passed as the wife of one. Ido know the man
who first called on me. He asked me to go and see
a person. I have known Glendinning at a friend's,
but decline to give that friend's name. I went to
see Glendinning because he was in trouble, and
might come to see you also, if you were in any little
trouble.
The cross-examination of this witness continued
at some length, but her testimony was in no way
shaken, and her answers to questions caused con-
siderable merriment from the peculiar and facetious
way in which they were given.
Henry Smith, sergeant of the detective depart-
ment, received the letters produced at the bank in
presence of Bramwell, and went with another officer
to that prisoner's house, where he• stayed all day.
While there two or three persons came to look at
the house, which was an empty one. Some part of
the time he smoked a pipe at the window.
This witness corroborated the statement of the
witness Chandler.
The depositions of the witnesses having been read
over by Mr. Leadley, the chief clerk, and the pri-
soners having in form been fully committed for trial
on all the charges,
Mr. Beadon said he would now take the oppor-
tunity of thanking publicly Mr. Mullens for the
excellent way in which he had conducted this long,
important, and complicated case ; also the lfficers,
one and all, who had been concerned in bringing
it to light ; and the press for the wise discretion
which had been shown in keeping back the early
examinations from being made public, by which
judicious course alone the subsequent apprehension
of three prisoners had taken place.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-Axil 20.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

;Sittings in Banco, before Lord Chief Baron Polloa

Barons Martin, Bramwell, and Channel.)
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. BARRY.

This was an action by the Crown, to recover of
the defendant certain penalties under the Paper
Duties Act, but in reality to obtain the judgment
of the court on what constitutes paper, and what
parchment, so as to assess the duty. The defendant,
who is an extensive paper manufacturer, also
manufacturers, under a patent, an article made from
the refuse of skins, &c., resembling and used as
parchment, and also applicable to other purposes.
The Crown contended that it, was liable to the
higher duty charged upon paper, from the material
being reduced to pulp, and the defendant the lesser
duty charged upon parchment, it being made from
animal matter. The case was argued last term,
the court taking time to consider their judgment.
The Lord Chief Baron delivered judgment to-
day. It was in favour of the Crown, that the
article in question was liable to the paper duty.