The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-09 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

COURT OF KING'S BENCH.-(THIS DAT.)

SUSPICIOUS DEATH.
An !ugliest was held on Saturday evening at the Rhck
Horse, Vine Street, Chandos Street, Covent Garden, on the
body of Wiliam Gable, aged 32 years, who was found 'sus-
pended in a common brothel, No. 4, Vine Street. From
the evidence, which was of very great length, it appeared
that the deceased was a watch-finisher, residing in Old
Street Road; latterly his conduct was observed to be much
changed, and his spirits had been much depressed, in
consequence it was supposed of his ill success in business,
and which rendered him incapable to support his family in
the manner he intended ; he, therefore, resolved to leave'
his home and family of eight children ; and on Wednesday
night last sent his wife on an errand, when he dressed him-
self in a somewhat respectable manner, and taking a
watch, which belonged to one of his customers, went
away. His first step, it appeared, was to pledge his watch
in the neighbourhood of Smithfield for 2!.; he then
went through the neighbourhood of (land°, Street,
where he was accosted by one of the fair cyprians who
frequent that part of the town; scarce had they
begged the favour of a treat when his purse was ready,
and consequently a host of ladies flocked around bins; be,
however, singled out the first, and accompanied her home,
viz. to the house N 0.4, before mentioned; there lie depos:ted
a sovereign as a surety for his appearance, and changed
the other to treat the fair nymphs ; gin and beer were sup-
plied to them in great plenty from Wednesday to Satur-
day. and according to the statement of his fair lady, they
retired to rest each night ball tipsy. Friday morning at
length came—his finances were exhausted—the extra shirt,
which this wretched man had on, was then pawned ; his
hat was also sent, by his desire, and it is supposed one of
his coats, which is at present missing. Yet, this wool 1
not pay all his expenses at this house, and towards the
evening he found himself pennyless. He then conceited
a plan, either to endeavour to obtain some money, or get
his lady out of the way, while be committed the act of
self-destruction. Calling for pen, ink, and piper, he
wrote the following:—" Dear loving wife ;" after that was
some attempt at writing, but nothing could be undersemil
until we came to the postscript, when there were these
words, "send me some money immediately by the liearr,
as I intend to give someday:T." Nwhing more could be
understood; the ignorant girls who could nut read wriiiag
in its purest fortn, took the letter as direct: 11, nuon the as-
surance that it was to his sister, who owed iiito
however, of their surprise, when, on arriving at the house
they found it to be his wife; the poor woman painted to
these callous mortals the distress she lahoured under far
her husband, and then besought him to return, as her
doors were again open to receive him. They therefore
returned, intending, there is not the least doubt, to eject
the unfortunate man sans cerenionie, from their miserable
dwelling. Their plans were however frustrated ; on enter-
ing the room theyfound,him suspended by a neck banilk-r-
-thief from the bed post.—The Jury were at a loss to
agree upon their verdict; they considered that if they
returned a verdict that the man hanged himself, it waillil
put an end to all further enqairy, should any thing tran-
spire to criminate the parties ; on the other hand, if they
said "Found Dead," it would not convey their verdict in
terms so strong as they intended ; at length thy agreed
npoo the following—" Found Dead and suspended by the
neck, bit by what means he became so suspended, or in
what state of wind he previously was, is to the Jurors
unknown."