The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-26 00:00:00

During the following day it rained heavily, and it
was not thought prudent to remove him, especially as
he refused to go into the union ; he, however, had
mutton• broth, arrow-root, &c., during the whole time
he remained in the barn. At the end of the week he
was again questioned whether he would go into the
union, but he persisted in refusing.
The CORONER observed that it seemed strange a
man in his state should prefer a barn to a place where
he would have been taken much better care of.

Mr. Chapman said he had advised his removal, for
the place where he was was unfit for a man in his
state of health.

Witness continued—When he appeared so positive
about not going to the workhouse, he was asked who
would take him in in the filthy state he was ? when
he said he thoug►ht Mr. Cooper (a large farmer in the
neighbourhood) would, though lie had refused him a
short time before. It was therefore determined to
take him to Mr. Cooper's barn ; but as it was sup-
posed he had some property, it was suggested by the
constable that he (witness) should take care of him.
After a great deal of persuasion, he said that he had 71.,
which he produced.
The CORONER-But was that all he had ? Wit-
ness—Oh, no ; with great hesitation he " fumbled"
in his breeches-pocket, and at last produced an old
dirty bag, nearly fill of gold ; it was counted in his
presence by the constable, and contained ninety-eight
sovereigns, three half-sovereigns, 45., and 1111
A great deal of surprise was expressed in the court
at this announcement, the state of the miser being
fresh in the memory of the jury.
Witness added, that after this he got from his
waistcoat-pocket a 51. note, and the whole he handed
to the constable. He then said he would go to Mr.
Cooper's, for which purpose a cart was provided, in
which he was placed, and propped up with pillows
and straw. Having said that he felt quite comfort-
able, the horse went on for a few paces, and, upon the
driver turning round to look at the deceased, he found
that he had fallen back and was quite dead.
Mr. Chapman said the deceased, when he first saw
him, was labouring under severe bronchial affection ;
and his death, no doubt, arose from natural causes. It
was absolutely necessary to advise his removal, as the
place he was in was too cold for the state of his health.
The coroner and jury having remarked upon the
extraordinary facts which had been elicited, a verdict
of died from natural causes was returned.

It is said that the deceased has some half-sisters,
who may yet be living, and who will be entitled to
this property, should they hear of his death, but it is
thought this is not the whole he was possessed of, as
he was considered to be too cautious to carry the
whole about with him.

DISASTROUS FIRE IN SURREY.

Throughout the whole of Saturday and Friday
night, the hitherto quiet village of Horsham, Surrey,
presented a scene of the greatest excitement in con-
sequence of a fire of a most destructive character
breaking out in the extensive premises belonging to
Mr. Nightingale, farmer, situated in about the centre
of that village. When first perceived the flames were
raging in the barn, a large building, nearly 70 feat
long, by 25 feet wide, and which was filled with un-
thrashed barley, the produce of 9f acres. Fire once
communicated to an article so inflammable, of course
its progress was unusually rapid, and very speedily
the entire building was one broad sheet of Are, which
shot up into the air a considerable height, completely
illuminating the horizon. Some idea of its extent
may be formed when we state that it could be dis-
tinctly seen from Richmond, nearly ten miles distant.
The barn being surrounded by numerous other build-
ings, it was not long before a range of stabling be-
came ignited, and was quickly razed to the ground.
Fortunately the horses were all extricated, but not
without great difficulty. The flames next comtnuni-
cated to the bullock-sheds, and from thence to the
cart and agricultural implement house on the oppo-
site side of the waggon way. The whole of these
buildings were blazing away most furiously, and for
some time the destruction of the farm-house, granary,
and chaise-house, appeared certain, there being very
little space of ground between them. The Esher
oilln Lay iktilr uleu illlivu and Walton engines LON.vavnr or.; v,,,L;en
otnlify nciopnizygf
nient supply of water, the pump in the yard, failed,
and they were compelled to work from a pond a
long distance off. Nevertheless, they were of great
assistance, and to them may he ascribed the safety of
several other buildings. The heat thrown out by the
conflagration was so intense that the inmates of the
houses on the opposite side of the turnpike-road
were obliged to keep throwing water upon the fronts
of their buildings to prevent them from becoming
ignited. The inhabitants willingly lent their assist-
ance, many of them working at the engines the whole
of the night, for it was not until twelve o'clock on
Saturday that they left the premises, and at five
o'clock, when our reporter left, the ruins were
still emitting bodies of smoke. A deal of barley was
got out after the fire was somewhat abated, but it is
greatly damaged, and it is feared will not be fit for
malting. The origin of the fire is unknown; it is
hardly possible that is is the work of an incendiary,
as Mr. Nightingale is universally respected through-
out the village. his loss will be covered by an in-
surance in the Sun and Royal Exchange Fire-offices.