The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-23 00:00:00

ADJOURNED INQUEST-(THIS DAY.)

The coroner's inquiry into the circumstances attending
the death of Williamjohn Roberts, lately occupying apart-
ments in Northumberland-street, Strand, was resumed this
morning in the board-room of Charing-cross Hospital be-
fore Mr. St. Clair Bedford, the coroner fbr the city of West-
minster.

Mr. Humphreys attended on the part of Major Murray,
and Mr. Sleigh for the family of the late Mr. Roberts.

Police-constable 155 F said—l was on duty near
Northumberland-street, on the 12th inst., about noon.
Passing through Craven-court I met Major Murray, ac-
companied by Mr. Ramsey. As soon as he saw me he said,
" Go round to 16, Northumberland-street, to a man who
has shot me' in the neck. He's in the first floor." I went
there and proceeded upstairs, and tried to open the doors
of the rooms; as I could not 1 tried to force them open, but
did not succeed. I then went down stairs and called for a
ladder, and one was brought. I placed it against the back
window of the first floor, anti entered the roam by that
means. I found the place in great confusion, and a great
quantity of.blood beneath the window which I had entered.
I then tried to open the back room door. I tried for some
time, and did not succeed. After twisting the large handle
of the lock round and round the door seemed to open of
itself. I observed after that there was a small nut or screw
on the lock, but I cannot say whether that would make the
lock on the door secure. On letting the police in I went
into the room and found Mr. Roberts in a corner in the
front room. I took hold of him, and he raised himself up
and got hold of the handle of the door. I sent for a cab.
While it was gone for Roberts said to " Let me sit
down and die." I did not hear him say anything
else. When I got him to the hospital I searched
his clothes and found some Crystal Palace cards,
one address card, marked " John Frazer Walker,
solicitor, 16, Northumberland-street," half a return ticket,
S.W. Railway, first-class, Richmond to London, four percus-
sion caps, and two penny. pieces. That was all the money
found in his pockets. Three rings were on his fingers and
one in his pocket.
The Coroner—Only twopence in his pockets, Was that
all ?
Witness—Yes, sir, _ _

By Me. Sleigh—l did not put any questions to Roberts.
All I heard him say is what I have stated.
By Mr. Humphreys—l am quite sure the back room door
was fastened inside: It was not locked. The key was in
the door outside ; I tried to turn it, but could not. ,
Police-constable Langley, 100 A—l went to 16, North-
umberland-street, on the 12th. I saw Golding talking to
Mr. Roberts, jun. He said somebody has been shot, and
he is trying to get out of the window. I asked him who
was in the front room, and he replied, " I think it's my
father." I entered the place and saw white smoke about
the room. There was also a strong smell of gunpowder. I
saw on the table in the centre of the room the brace of pis-
tols I produce. Both hammers were down, and the secret
triggers were out. On one was an exploded cap. Both ap-
peared to have been recently discharged. I saw the deceased
in the front room in the position described. He was lifted
up and placed in an armchair. A cab was sent for and he
was taken to the hospital. I saw tvfo other large pistols
lying on the ground by the window in the back room. I
examined them, and they did not appear to have been dis-.
charged for some time. I did not examine them as to
whether they were loaded. I don't know they are not loaded
at the present time. The room was all in confusion.
Inspector Mackenzie, of the F division of police, sail—
On Friday, the 12th inst., I went to Northumberland-street,
about 12 o'clock at noon. I went to the first floor, lately
occupied by Mr. Roberts. On entering the back room I
found it in great confusion. I proceeded to make a minute
search of the place, and under the window there were large
pools of blood. Everything about was saturated with it.
On searching the corner I found "two, portions of a pair of
tongs. I also found another portion of the same article
lying on a table. Near the spot I found two broken bottles,
one quite whole covered with blood. I also found a pistol
case on the floor. Close to it I picked up 23 leaden bullets,
some of which were covered with blood. The bullets fit
both pairs of pistols. I proceeded with my search, and
under the table I found the case belonging to the small
pair of pistols. Blood is on both pistol cases. I also found
a powder canister containing powder, and near the same
spot I found an old-fashioned six-chamber revolver pistol.
It was in the woollen bag I now produce. The large pistols
were on a table near which Mr. Roberts usually sat. One of
the large pistols I found loaded with ball. I drew the charge.
The charge was well home. There was a cap on the other
pistol, but it did not appear as if it had been fired for some.
days. On the mantelpiece I found the percussion cap- case.
The caps fit the nipples of both pairs of pistols. I found
the secretoire drawers had been pulled out, but nothing
appeared
,to have been disturbed. They contained prin.
eipally law forms. I examined the mantelpiece and found
there were bullet marks about it. On the shelf I found
eight flattened bullets, which evidently bad been fired from
the pistols. There were three bullet holes in the wall.
The prints hanging up close to the window were found
sprinkled with blood. One of the squares of glass
in the window was completely covered with small spots
of blood. I saw there were marks of blood on the'cloors.
The outer door of the front room was locked.' It remains so
at present. Near the folding door I found a pillow covered
with blood. There were some beer bottles and small por-
tions of bread tying about the room. All the things in the
place were very dusty. On returning to the back room I saw
a quantity of blood on the carpet and hearth-rug. After I
had further.examined the room I went to the hospital
and saw both Major Murray and Mr. Roberts
there. I then returned to Northumberland•street
and further prosecuted my examination. I found marks of
blood on the water pipe near the back room window, and
some scratches under the outside of the window as from the
the toe of a boot. I have examined the whole of the papers,
and I do not find any correspondence between Mr. Roberts
and !Major Murray. While I was searching the front
room young Mr. Roberts took another pistol, which I pro-
duce, from a cabinet in the front room. On the 19th I
was again searching the front room, when I found the razor
I produce, covered with blood, in a small oak cabinet near
the window. I also found in a basket, with some other
linen, three shirts, a handkerchief, and a to wel spotted with
blood.
Coroner—ls there any mark on the linen ?

Inspector M'Kenziej-None.

Tho witness proceeded—l also found a sheet of white
blotting paper with blood on it. On holding it up to the
light I discovered a direction. It was " Mrs. Murray, Elm
Lodge, Talbotioad, Tottenham." There were also some
marks of a letter.

Mr. Sleigh took the paper, and after a minuta's exami-
nation, said, I can see the words " I cannot rest," " send by
bearer."

Witness—l also found three letters from a lady addressed
to W. J. Roberts, Northumberland-court, Charing-cross.
I found them in a waste-paper basket in the front room.
They do not in the slightest relate to the present transac-
tion.

Mr. Sleigh—l should like to form my own opinion about
that.

The Coroner read the letters, but their contents did not
transpire.
Mr. M`Kenrsie—l also found under the window some
black hair.

lair. Humphreys—That is part of Major Murray's whis-
kers.

Mr. T. Roberts—You have no right to say so. It is just
as likely to be the hair of the unfortunate deceased.
Mr, Humphreys—l was not addressing you, Sir.
Mr. Roberts—Such remarks as you have just made
ought not to be made. I say again, it is just as likely to
be the hair of Mr. Roberts as Major Murray.

Mr. /44Kenzie then proceeded to relate a conversation he
had had with Major Murray, in the hospital, as to his con-
nection with Mr. Roberts. The statement was precisely
the same as that given in evidence yesterday by the wit-
ness Ramsey. The witness then proceeded—On seeing
Mr. Roberts, after his arrival at the hospital, I asked him
how it was done, and he replied " Murray did it." I said
" How P" and he replied, "My head is too bad now." On
the following evening, about half-past seven, I was again in
the hospital. He was sensible. I went and sat down by
his bed side. I asked him if he knew me, and he said,
"Oh yes, I know you very well, you are Mr. Mac-
kenzie." I said, "Will you tell me how you received all
the injuries about the head ?" and he replied, " Yes, a
man named Murray did it." I said, " Tell me how,
Mr. Roberts." lie said, "He got the tongs, and attacked
me, and struck me:with. a glass bottle." I said, " Tell me
more particularly, did you know Murray before ?" He
replied, " I have seen him before, but never speke to him."
I asked if he met hint by accident or appointment. He
said, " By accident, in Hungerford-market, and he came. to
my dice with me about a loan. That Major Murray shot
himself in the neck, and attacked me with the tongs
like a demon, and with a glass bottle." I asked him the
amount of the loan, and he said, " £50,000." I asked if
he wished to make a deposition before a magistrate, and he
said, "No, I've nothing more to say." I did not speak to
him after, although I saw him every day until his death,
When Major Murray was telling me about the conversa-
tion, I told him the name of the person he had spoken of
was Roberts, not Grey.
By Mr. Sleigh—Superintendent Durkin, Mr. Roberts's
son, and other persons were present while Mr. Roberta
made his statement. I think Roberts told me he had been
dozing. The spots of blood on the window in the back
room were considerably higher than a man's head. Tho
drawer in which I found the razor was closed, and there
were no marks of blood either on the things inside or out-
side of it. I found that a woman lived at Elm Lodge call-
ing herself Mrs. Murray. Her name is Anne Maria
Murray.
Mr. Humphreys—l beg to say I shall tender that lady's
evidence.

Witness—l found this was the residence of Major Mur-
ray. The name of Roberts is on the door of No. 16, Nor-
thumberland-street. There is no name of Grey or anything
like it painted on the door, I distinctly heard Major.
Murray say repeatedly that he had: never before been in
the house No. 16, Northumberland-street.
By Mr. Humphreys—The last encounter, according to
Major Murray Was near the folding doors—partly 41 one

TOOm'and partly in another. - The legs of Roberts Were in
the back room and the body in the front. Murray said he
took up the legs and turned them into the front room.
Mr. Sleigh objected to the mode of cross-examination.
Mr. Humphrey: thought he was being unnecessarily in-
terrupted.

Ms. Roberts again made some observation, when
Mr. Humphreys said if such interruptions were continued
it would be the duty of the Coioner to order the person so
interrupting out of the room.

Mr. Roberts thought such remarks quite uncalled for. ,
After some further 'conversation, the cross-examination
proceeded—l cannot say whether Roberts walked or crawled
from one spot to the other. There is no indication of his
having been dragged there. In the back room there is a
small chair with blood on the seat, but I cannot say whether,
it would be so if a man had been shot while sitting there. To
get to the secretoire which has been referred to the natural
course would be round the back of tho person sitting on the
left hand of the fire place ; to go in any other way ihe per
son sitting would have to be removed. The hair I found
under the window appears to be that of a person's whisker
rather than hair frem the head. It is the colour of Major
Murray's hair. Altogether I found six pistols—two pairs,
a revolver, and. a pocket pistol: ' The shirt with the
blood upon it was found upon the linen basket. The
towel was found on the drugget or carpet. The name of
"Walker" on the blotting paper appears to be in the hand-
writing of Roberts. I found several documents in Roberts
rooms relative to army agency with the mums of Stoqueler
and Eicke on them. I don't know who Nicholson is, or
who Roberts, Nicholson, and Co. area
Mr. Humphreys—Have you tested by all means in your
power in your official capacity as to the truth of Major
Murray's statement ?
*Mr. Sleigh objected to the question, and it was not put.
Coroner—Have you any evidence to corroborate Major
Murray's statement ?
Inspector Mackenzie—None but what has been given.
We shall continue the report in. our late edition. ,

The following additionalevidence appeared in our third
edition of last evening : •
Mr. Henry Ramsey—l reside at 16, Northumberland-
street, and am a managing clerk. I only know what has
been told me about this matter. On Friday week I was in
my office when a man entered it and told me to come down,
for there was a man being murdered in Mr. Roberts' room.
I went down, and there found some people trying to force
the door. I did not much like the operation,: because I
thought that a man who had shot one person might be be-
hind the door ready to shoot another. I went down stairs
in a very agitated manner, and there saw a gentleman
standing, bleeding from a wound in the neck. I asked the
gentleman to come in, and lie said "No; come into the
place where I have been nearly murdered." He then said,
" Give me my umbrella, and let use go ; I want to go to my
office? I did not allow him to leave. The gentleman said
"Am I wounded r' I replied, "Yes, fearfully ;" upon
which he said "There's a damned fellow up stairs who has
shot me; his name is Grey." I said that was impossible,
as there was none in the house of that name. He replied,
" Oh, yes; that is the name he gave me." I told him Thad
just seen him in company with a short gentleman, and that
person''s name was Roberts. He said, " Yes; that's the
man." I went with the wounded man to a surgeon's. On
our way there he told me he had just come by the penny
boat, and, while crossing Hungerford-market, he met Mr.
Roberts, who, raising his hat, said "Have I the honour of
addressing Major Murray P" Major Murray replied " Yes."
Mr. Roberts then asked if he did not wish to raise capital
for a hotel company. Major Murray said he thought there
was something of the kind, but he did not know, much
about it as he was only one out of ten, and asked Roberts to
give him his card. Roberts replied, my office is close by
and my name is Grey. Major Murray said we went to his
office; and after we had been talking the matter over a short
time, Mr. Roberts walked to the bookcase and appeared to
book for some papers. In a short titre a .;er. Murray said
he felt a stinging. sensation in his neck and head and heard
a report of fire-arms. In a few minut3s he fell near the
fender. Roberts walked away to the other room, but re-
turned in a short time. He (Major Murray) lay on the
ground paralyzed, when Roberts came into the room again
just as he was grasping the fender t ) raise his head.
Roberts again deliberately pointed- another pistol at him
and fired. Upon this he determined t-) sham death. He
laid quiet for some time and then Robot ts went into the
front room. He came back to look, and then Major Mur-
ray said he graspcil the tongs and with a heavy blow,
knocked him down. A severe struggle ensued. The
Major thinking he was getting the worst of it, took hold of
a jag or something like it and threw it at him. He turned
round and saw some L or bottles near him, ho seized one of
them and beat Roberts about the head with it. He then
got the tongs and struck Roberts with it. He thought he
had quieted Robe). ts, but he got up again and a struggle
took place and they both got :nto the front room. He
(Major Murray) closed the folding doors and then threw
up the window and cried for assistance, saying, " For
God's sake come up, I'm being murdered." It was about
half an hour before this that he saw Major Murray and
Mr. Roberts walking down Craven-court together towards
Northumberland-street. He had seen Mr. Roberts two or
three times that morning, and had spoken to him. As
witness and Major Murray were going along together, the
Major said he had never seen Mr. Roberts before in his life.
Witness took no notice of the firing, as Mr. Roberts fre•
quently fired.
By Mr. Hunphreys—ln the course of the narrative,
Major Murray did not use the name of Roberts. He called
him " Grey," or " that villain."
The inquiry was then adjou-ned until to-morrow morn-
ing at ten o'clock. _ _

Shortly after the adjournment the jury proceeded to
Northumberland-street, whore they made a careful exami-
nation of the premises.

LA TV 11V;TELLIGRNCE—(21as Day).

SHERIFFS' COURT.
(Before Mr. Kerr.)

CLERKS IN FOREIGN HOUSES-SCHAPTAT V. MESS.

This was an action in which plaintiff sought to recover
£8 for one month's wages alleged to have been actually
earned.

Mr. Buchanan, for the plaintiff, said his client had served
the defendant as clerk for one month, under an agreement
that he was to be paid according to his ability. When
plaintiff was discharged defendant said he was worth
nothing, and so nothing was paid him.

Plaintiff was called and stated the facts as above, and
Mr. Murphy, counsel for defendant, said it was a usual
thing with foreign houses to take clerks upon trial.
Mr. Mess said that he never agreed to pay plaintiff any
salary, the understanding being that plaintiff's ability was
to be tested.

His Honour said it was a fit case for a jury. It was a
most bungling and unbusiness-like arrangement, but such
as might be expected between Germans. It Ns as stated here
as a fact that young. Germans were imported into this coun-
try at £1 per head.
Plaintiff was then =suited, but no costs were allowed.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,—(This Day.)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A SHAM DETECTIVE.—ATTEMPTED SUlClDE.—Francis
Adams, a young man of respectable appearance, residing at
Notting Hill, was charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt, with being
drunk, falsely representing himself as a detective, and at-
tempting to commit suicide.

Inspector Holden said—Early this morning the defen-
dant was brought to the Vine-street station with a young
wonian, whom he charged with attempting to pick pockets
in the Strand and Jermyn-street. I asked the defendant
on what authority he acted, and he said he was a detective
52 D, and that his name was William Ball. Seeing
that he had been drinking, I sent to IVE arylebone-lan e
to sea if he belonged to the D division, and while
the messenger was gone prisoner rushed to the end of the
room, took out a knife and cut his arm, and I was obliged
to send for the divisional surgeon to bind up the wound.
The messenger brought back word that defendant was not
a detective, and I then placed him under restraint. De-
fendant said some time after that he was very sorry, but I
kept him under restraint, and notwithstanding defendant
tried to do something to himself again, but was prevented.
Mr. Tyrwhitt—Are any of his friends here?
Mr. Holden said some had promised to attend, tut were
not present.

Defendant said he had been drinking, or he would no
have done so.

Inspector Holden said he had the knife with which the
defendant opened his arm.

A gentleman said the defendant had been a source of
great trouble to his friends.
Remanded.

THAMES.
RETURNING PROM A " BEAN-FEAST."—Sarah Dixon,
a notorious thief, was brought before Mr. Woolrych,
charged with stealing a silver watch and chain, value seven
guineas, 17s. 6d. in money, and two silk handkerchiefs,
from the person of Mr. John Hayes, a rope-maker, of Love-
lane, Shadwell. •
It appeared that the prosecutor had been to the annual
bean-feast of the London Co-operative Rope-maker's So-
ciety at Southend, on Monday, and upon his return at a
late hour on Monday night, as he was on his way home,
the prisoner got in his way and enticed him to a
roadside house in the Commercial-road, where he
treated her with liquor. He was soon overcome with
the heat of the weather, the bean-feast festivities, and
the "goes of gin and water" he had partaken with the
prisoner on a form outside the King's Arms road-side
house, and he soon fell asleep. He was aroused by the
landlord, who saw him with the prisoner, and afterwards
saw him alone. Hayes was asked by the landlord if he b,a,d
lost anything. He felt in his pockets, and missed his watch
and chain, all his money, his tobacco-box,
handker-
chiefs, and various other articles. A policemanh
51. fas
called,
and Walker, 488 K, a clever detective officer,found waslier
soon on the trick of the prisoner. He
in a coffee shop at an early hour this morning.
Walker took her into custody and charged her with the
robbery, which she stoutly denied. Walker saw some-
thing shining about her neck, and took the liberty of lay-
ing bare her bosom, on which he found the prosecutor's
watch and chain. She was conveyed to the station. house,
and upon being searched by a female the ropema,kees
handkerchiefs were found concealed about her.
Walker requested a remand to produce the record of for-
mer convictions against the prisoner.
Mr. Woolrych intimated that he should commit the pri-
soner for trial. At present he would remand her for a few
days.

THE CHINA WAR.—A Parliamentary return
gives the estimate of the sum required to be voted in the
year ending March 31, 1862, to defray expense consequent
on the late naval and military operations in China, beyond
the ordinary grants for navy and army services, at
411000)000.