The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-20 00:00:00

HORRIBLE CASE.

On Saturday, after the disposal of the night cases,
at Queen-square Police-office, Mr. Ryder, chairman to
the Board of Guardians of St. Luke's Chelsea, re-
quested the advice and assistance of the magistrate
under the following very extraordinary circumstances:
—Mr. Charles Morris a person who had lately come
to reside in Chelsea, had his attention called to groans
which proceeded, night after night, from No. 4,
Princes-street. He accordingly brought the matter
before the Rev. R. Burgess, rector of the parish, who
having frequently received intimation that other par-
ties heard the same sounds, had written him (Mr.
Ryder) to take some steps to see whether the groans
and cries did not proceed from some human being
being confined in a room of the house. He instituted
inquiries, and found that the information given to the
Rev. Mr. Burgess in the letter, and confirmed by his
own, was too correct. Some dark and horrifying
scene was being acted in that house ; and the groans
and cries of a human being, chained as it was sup-
posed to a wall or bed, for he was never seen near the
window, appalled the ears of the neighbours almost
nightly.
Mr. Burrell inquired whether the neighbours had
ever heard any articulate sounds ? Mr. Ryder re-
plied they had not. Mr. North and Mr. Hall, two
immediate neighbours, could confirm this account ;
and whoever this poor suffering creature in human
form was, he had been immured in that room for
eleven or twelve years.
Mr. Burrell expressed his astonishment that it
could have existed for so long a period without the
interference of the neighbours.
Mr. Ryder said that the door of the house, as they
could best learn, had not been opened for years, and,
unable as they were to obtain any evidence on the
subject, and fearful of getting into some difficulty, it
had been suffered to go on until the present moment.
Mr. Burrell asked if they had ascertained who
were the inmates ? _ .

Mr. Ryder replied, that as far as they could learn,
it was occupied by a woman named Pelham, who had
been the kept mistress of some noble lord, and who
had had two natural children by him, for which
she received an allowance. It had been rumoured
that one of these children, a son, was of unsound
mind.
It was then agreed that an entrance should he
made into the house without any previous intimation
being given, lest that should frustrate their object in
learning the real state of matters. Mr. Forbes, in-
spector of the B division, was accordingly desired to
take a party of police with him and proceed to the
house in question. Mr. Ryder, and the chief usher
of the court, accompanied the police. On the return
of the latter, at about half-past four, he communi-
cated to Mr. Burrell the result of their visit to the
house. He said, that they had effected an entrance
by getting over a side wall, and in at the back door,
and, after much hesitation, the back room on the first
floor was opened by a female, when the most revolting
scene that had ever come within his view during a
very lengthened experience burst upon them. On a
small straw bed lay a poor human creature of the
male sex, without one morsel of clothing more than
an old and filthy rag, which might be termed a shirt,
and a small piece of flannel or blanket. Beneath him
was a hole rotted through the filthy straw of the
bed, evidentlyby his own excrements, and maggots and
loathsome vermin of every description were crawling on
his frame, which was so obscured by filth, that it was al-
most difficult to discern in him a human being. His
beard reached nearly clown to his middle, and his nails
protruded some inches beyond his toes. In a few
minutes afterwards the police returned to the office,
bringing with them a fashionably-dressed female,
from 50 to 60 years of age, and a heavy working
man about thirty. On being placed at the bar, the
female gave her name as Harriet Eleanor Pelham,
and the man was described as her son, Wilson
Pelham. Mr. Ryder, who was deeply affected, said
that such a spectacle as that they had just witnessed
had very rarely been seen. He proceeded to describe
it in substantially the same terms as those already
given. He added, that after their admission, the
poor creature, who was evidently a lunatic, was
dressed, a portmanteau full of clean wearing apparel
being brought from some other part of the house, and
he was then put in a cab and conveyed to the work-
house. The female at the bar said that the unfor-
tunate man was her son, and that he and his brother
(Wilson Pelham) were natural children of General
Spencer. In concluding his statement, Mr. Ryder
expressed his surprise that the filth in the room had
not engendered same fatal disease.
Inspector Forbes stated that the female defendant
had said that her sons were the natural children of
Sir Brent Spencer (some years deceased), and that
she had some allowance for the one deranged.
Mr. Burrell asked the female what she had to
say ? She replied that, with respect to the clothes,
his always had been kept separate, and his brother
never was allowed to wear them. Although he had
been for many years a lunatic, everything was done
for him that could be; but he was very filthy, and if
anybody interfered with him he became very violent,
and beat himself. He was not perhaps quite so clean
as he ought to be, but he was sometimes cleaner a
great deal than at the moment the police entered the
house. She was sure his shirt was not ragged, be-
cause it had only been washed twice, and it could not
be dirty, because it had not been on him three days.
There was a convenience in the room, but he would
not use it, and it was his own fault that the bed was
in such a state. There was a mattress in the
passage, but he would not have it, and his nails were
long, which was in consequence of his not letting her
cut them. He had got fat lately, and was as happy
as any man could be ; and to prove that she used him
well, he would not get into the cab without her.
The policeman denied this, and said that the poor
man seemed quite pleased at going into the cab, and
that he was exceedingly quiet, and waited some
minutes while she was dressing.
Mr. Burrell inquired why she had not put him in
some asylum ? The male defendant said it was no
use ; he was incurable. Dr. Sutherland and another
medical gentleman had said so.
Mr. Burrell said that this was a most horrible and
deplorable case. The treatment o the mother and son
who controlled the unfortunate man, had gone on until
they were callous to all feeling. The poor creature was
now rescued and placed where every attention would
be paid him. Defendants must stand committed in de-
fault of finding heavy bail until Thursday, when they
might produce any evidence they-thought fit.

The prisoners, who appeared surprised, said there
was nobody to look after their house.
Mr. Burrell said he could not help that.

CORONERS' INQUESTS.
On Saturday forenoon Mr. Baker, the Coroner for
East Middlesex, held a lengthened investigation at
the Lord Nelson, John's-row, St. Luke's, touching
the death of Mrs. Caroline Crump, aged 31, the wife
of the painter and decorator of the Grecian Saloon in
the City-road, who was supposed to have committed
suicide, owing to the extreme suddenness of her disso-
lution, and having once before attempted her life, as
also frequently threatening to do so.
Mary Ann Cooper, of 20, Ratcliffe-grove, St-
Luke's, stated that she resided in the same house as
the deceased, who had left four young children, and
generally lived very comfortable with her husband.
She had latterly, however, been frequently addicted
to acts of intemperance, which caused them to quarrel
at times. On Thursday evening, about 11 o'clock,
witness last saw her alive ; she had been during the
day very lively, and appeared to retire to rest in very
good spirits. On the following morning, about seven
o'clock, she was alarmed by deceased's husband
knocking at her bed room wall, as if for assistance.
She immediately proceeded, and found the unfortu-
nate woman lying on a bed dressed, with her eyes hall
closed, and her face becoming black. To all appear'
ance she was quite dead.
James Crump, the husband of the deceased, sal
that she went to bed on Thursday night in gin
health, and shortly before seven o'clock he got up an
began to dress himself. Whilst so employed she Silu"
denly caught hold of one of his legs and violently
shook it. He instantly looked up and saw her Piet"
ing to her throat, and thinking that she wished him
to introduce one of his fingers into her throat, so 0
to make her vomit, he did so accordingly. Scarcely
a few seconds, however, had elapsed before she T
down stairs to the water-butt, and having proeurea!
cup, she attempted to swallow some water. All th'
time she appoared suffocating, and witness was slap'
ping her back in the hope of restoring her. Stu! .11
last fell into his arms, and he removed her to the non
when he found her to have perished.
CORONER—Had you any idea that she bad de:
stroyed herself by taking poisOn ? Witness—l be"'
from the circumstance of her having attempted ones
to commit suicide, and threatening to do the same se.
veral times since. For some time past, unfortu*
nately for him, she drank very freely, and when IS
used to complain of her conduct and attempt to red
son with her about her folly, she would reply, "IY_e'"
take care of the children, and I will take care of 14.0
self. You shall not have long to complain."
would go on a stroll for a week at a stretch, then CO;
duct herself very properly for the next fortnight of
so, when she would break out again. On the del
previous to her death she was sober, but on IVednes.
day she was in liquor.
Mr. Henry Paul Ree, a surgeon of the City-'
deposed that he was called to the deceased on Fol,e.'
morning, about seven o'clock, whom he found VI
on a bed, black in the face, and life appeared to 110
fled several minutes. On making a post morteiWelibil;
mination of the body, he found a large scar across 0
throat or windpipe, which induced him to makes elp
inquiries about it, and he ascertained that about te
years ago she attempted to destroy herself by cuttinel
her throat, through some ill treatment she reeeiYea,
from her parents. The wound was, however, hes' t
but it materially affected her speech,'
so much so, 10
she could only give vent to a mere whisper.
00
opening the throat he took out the larynx, an,clto..
examining it he discovered a corresponding innev,rt
tion to the scar, and it was so narrowed at this rh
that a small sized probe could not be passed throng j
it. Between the opening there was a quantity
to
v'
mucous, which so choked up the air vessels Oslo
cause death, and an examination of the lung . 0.
showed that death had been occasioned by saffocntleio
Could not discover any trace of poisonous matter
the stomach.
The CORONER having addressed the jury on the or
traordinary nature of the case, a discussion arose.te
to the propriety of returning a verdict that the
ceased had died from an attempt upon her own do
The Coroner thought they could not consistentlYing
so, and after some time they recorded the follosLo
special verdict :—" That the deceased had died Ir" 0,
suffocation, produced by a congregation of mucohe
in her larynx, and which was caused by a vvoun
made in her throat in attempting to destroy he'
ten years ago."
held bf
FATAL CART ACCIDENT.—An inquest was the
Mr. Higgs, at the Black Horse, Bedfordbury, en_ •
body of Dennis Dwyer, aged 47. Deceased
vender of oranges, and on the afternoon of Saturnr
the 27th ult., he was standing in Little Newrfore
street, with a basket full of that fruit slung be; 1..
him, when a cart belonging to Messrs. Parker, rQ„
way carriers, New Inn, Old Bailey, came :170
The driver called to the deceased to get out 01
way, when he moved on to the pavement, but giro
persons at that moment passingliy, pushed against 11.00
and in trying to save his oranges he slipped and j
under the cart, the wheel of which went over 110
broke his left leg. lie was conveyed by the drive.r_ia
his cart to Charing-cross Hospital, where he remaif..,
till Saturday last, when erysipelas induced by low:,
perate habits, came on, and he died on Thursday'
Verdict, " Accidental death.

Ire'
.
SOUTH LANCASHIRE ELECT, 14
:;
Opinion seems much to be divided as to whn floge§
suits of this most important election will be. Theof
have begun to throw out insinuations that the to,
the League are to be profusely lavished. Thanvot
,n
however, nothing more untrue was ever uttered. ''ere
shilling of its funds will be thus expended—indeed, re
is no occasion, not the least, to draw on any fere,iedero•
sources to carry out the intentions of the free "Tots
In less than a couple of hours, upwards of 6,00°"a
subscribed by fewer than a score of individuals, 0 coed
guarantee fund will, from present appearances, °tog
20,0001. In the Manchester district alone it now ar°fully
to upwards of 10,000/. Liverpool is expected to un no
as much ! Talk of want of funds, ind ee d ! whit clt sob'
former occasion was there ever half the amene"
a
scrib ed. rhe
A rather more particular scrutiny into the registriciante•
given additional confidence to the free trade eteh the
It is a matter of perfect notoriety, and admitted It,. in
Tories, that they have grossly neglected their duty ;
non-attendance to the registration of their flist the
whilst it is on the contrary equally notorious, Wortaill
Liberals have paid unceasing attention to that inWro; in
matter. Thanks to the League for this, at any ra have
said to
sod
this respect, the League may certainly be
expended some cash ; but evidently not to bapr„ePatties
for the present election, which has come upon r
by surprise. rb,ll°S
The free trade committee are now fairly at -°,,sbirei
only in Manchester, but throughout South IAII,- aro
and, as there is no doubt that their urrangeinen:sfooni"
the best and most effective description, the ales" -
able results are anticipated. cttht-gl
In consequence of the poll being fixed for --lt wee
clay and Tuesday, the 27th and 28th, and as the ~rent'
is also the race week, the time will be one of tbe boa
est possible bustle and tormoil. No work of Ili,
can reasonably be expected to be proceeded ivitu'
Mercury. „,ea
Since our last publication this contest has its6ti it 110-
appearance of somewhat greater animation thneicritbil
previously exhibited ; and we believe th bentterwlie,
active canvass is carried on by both parties, n_tisfien'
are, as usual, very confident ; but we are quite so_d reir
that neither has yet received returns on which nfi'oss
sonable judgment as to the chance of ultimate ;ped"
can be founded. Both seem laudably cautious (21_1;50:-
ing money ; and there is consequently a tnarkedirode)
(with one exception, to which we shall briefli allude)
those squibbing placards which are generally se,tnetv to uti
in contested elections. Altogether, it seems 11;11;4 Of
one of the quietest and least exciting struggles
re,
been known in the annals of electioneering. isawbet
It will be seen from reports which we give to aie.
that both the candidates have begun their visit:4 Yet,
different towns in the division ; Mr. Brown INr.
En
terday visited Wigan, Bolton, and Bury ; lon l'hu-;
wisle having made his appearance at Liverpoo f3at
day, and at Rochdale and Oldham yesterdtg•
,rior thel`
have not yet heard when either of them will r
respects to the electors residing in this town. eiectorool
It will be seen, that, in addressing thon_
Rochdale yesterday, Mr. Entwisle made sr olio.
to a placard which had appeared on ti"
Manchester Guardian of Saturday.

oxmarame•roz....a.se.mr...._
Dispatches were sent off on Saturday, fr°"3 .
lonial-office, for the Govern

CO
1e

A.
A
On the 13th inst., at Isabel-place, Keelinillgt°—n. lII*
'
Pf/
Cope, of a son.
On the 14th inst., at Harrogate, the lady of George
of
nion, Esq., M.D., of a daughter. g SA
5 Ale'
On the 15th inst., the lady of the 80. - ' .
sesi*
Ingfield, near Settle of a son. Eustott-
On the 17th inst., in Southampton-place, of ,d'
..,d.
the wife of E. J. Weston, Esq., of a daughter. , oire
On he 17th inst., at Camden-road Vitlaslav, U'r, oef a 01P
Speed,tEsq., of Lincoln's Inn, barrister-a

O'er..
MARRIED.
On the 14th inst., at Plymstock, DOVOLI,
Esq., solicitor, Plymouth, to Sophia Harris, secoll,'
NO.
of C. Harris, -
Harris, Esq., of Plymouth, banker. up lap
On the 16th inst., at East Tasted, Hants, Mr, of .-
ber, of Halberton 'Devon, to Martha, only daub
George Dyer, of the former place. Other'
DIED. . her br . cl
On the 16th inst., suddenly, at the residence of beloil
Mr. Henry Baines Faversham, Ken Fanny, the Doild°ljd:
wife of Mr. T. Marsden, jun., of Nelson-squared'esteoMe
Few passed through life more deservedly beloved an to lea•
On the Ist of Februarx, at liong-Xong;.As°
NichAolgahtet
missary-Ganeral John Irvine. - ..
' illi°
On the 13th inst., at St. Helier's, e DulT'
Garnett, aged 85. , AO- ton,
On the 14th inst., at Morden Rectory, Surce.,6lotitigeldest daughter of Robert Hepburne,:Esq., °' Janettet
North Britain, aged 42. .. nubile, ti v. •
On the 15th inst., at Upper Merrion-street, ,-- - at, 1,02_,t-- os,
the wife of Edward Mayne, Esq., of Norfolk-cres.cloa lio"'
On the 16th inst., at Blackheath►
John Will
home, Esep, aged 48. jersey, the Ite/' --

1-7-RDO
London: Printed and Published b
1%1-- nifice,
No. 112, 1
Strand, Printer, at The Susil+ tk
COW)
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy,
Bliddleaex, Monday, May 20, 1544.

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