The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-21
Extracts from Foreign Papers.
Honest Tom Steele, tho Head Pacificator>-
His Attempt To Commit Suicide.

| SHORTY before III O'CLOCK, on the ZDtn ult.. the
above-named unfortunate gentleman was placed be-
fore MIR. Jardlne the presiding magistrate at Bow
street for the day. Mr. Steele was accompanied
by MIR. Martin, barrister, by Mr.. Hoare, his legal
ADVISER on the present occasion, and by some other
friends.
MIR. Steele having been charged with an attempt
to commit suicide, by throwing himself from the
top OF Waterloo Bridge, on Wednesday evening
last,
Mr.. HoARE, addressing Mr.. Jardine, said that he
was instructed by Mr. Steele to give his sincere
and solemn assurance to the magistrate that he
would never again attempt the crime with which
he then stood charged He had given the same
assurance to his friends and his friends, knowing
his strict Integrity relative TO any promise that he
might make, fully contided in the pledge he had
given and they, therefore having the same reliance
upon his word hoped that tho magistrate would not
consider 1t to proceed farther with the charge
but immediately restore him to his friends.
Mr.. JARpINE-Before determine upon the course
which ought to pursue, must hear the evidence.
RosERr LARkIS said, live at No. A. Stamford place
"Wednesday evening last about twenty minutes before
seven, was proceeding with my boat Waterloo
Dr'age IN course from the bridge when my attention
direction different to that in which rowing
When turned my face towards the spot whore my
notice was drawn, saw gentleman struggling in the
water proceeded fast my strength and activity
allowed me towards the gentleman, who at that time,
was about 400 500 yards from me. succeeded in
taking hold Of him just he SINKING think for
the last time-with his faco downward brought him
to the surface of the water and hold him for about
minute and half before any appeared to return
to him. With great difficulty got him into my boat
The person ut my side the gentleman took out Of
the water had not seen him before then rowed
him to the stairs at Srsnd-lane where, having landed
him, placed him in u cab. As soon as had done 60
answer to his inquiry that going take the gem
tleman to Peee's Coffee house but the policeman pre-
street station, where went together. From tho
station we took him to Kings College Hospital, whore
Mr. JAnDrSE-was the gentleman sensible when he
was taken out of the water
WIrNEss-No sir; he had been in the water for
minute or two t
Mr.. JAnDrNE-What did he say, when his senses re-
| turned? - I
WIrNrss-Thc gentleman was excited and so was I;
and therefore did not know exactly what the gentle
man said He had been in the water for two three
minutes: and consequently he was almost inscnsible
during the whole time he was in the boat.
| Mr.. JARpINE-When did he first begin to give any
notion of his knowing whore he wn taken from
that he had thrown himself from Waterloo Bridge He
told me so. cannot imagine how no missed the abut-
ment of the piers, he was very close.
Mr.. JARDINE-Do you recollect what the precise
words that he made use of :?
WITSEss-No, sir; cannot positively say
| Mr.. JARDINE-Did he give any reason for his act
| WIrNEss-No, sir none whatever.
Mr. HoARE-I do not wish to ask the witness any
questions
| JAMES COOKE, policeman was the next witness--I
was Waterloo Bridge last Wednesday evening" when
saw agentleman throw himself of the bridge into the
water; him before he touchedt the water had pre-
vously seen him standing in the at the third
arch did not look particularly at him. having turned
him in the water; saw him in the act of falling; i'm
medately looked over the parapet having first missed
him. was was on the other side of the bridge and
| soon Ms missed him | crossed the bridge and
the gentleman falling into the water.
Mr.. JARDINE-Do you mean to say that he was all
| the time falling while you crossed the bridge!
WIrNEss-Yes, sir.
| Mr.. JARprsn-Dd you see him before he was in tho
| water
WIrSEss-Yes, sir; him on the footway looking
over the bridge into the water.
Mr. JARDIsn--Did you observe anything particular
| about him that drew attention towards him
WIrNEss-No, sir was not Immediately opposite to
him was ut twenty to thirty yards distance from
| him
Mr.. JAnpISr-what induced you to cross over to-
wards him
the bridge, which induced me to go then
a cap on the bridge, which caused me to go
Mr.. JARpiSE-Was the last thing you saw n cap on
wIrsrss-Yes sir sure It was there when
first looked and then went across fast as possibly
could
Mr. JAnpSE-Do you mean to say that after the gem
tleman had thrown himself off the bridge. you him
again before he touched the water
WITNEss-Yes sir.
Mr.. JAnpIsE-was there any part of the bridge that
he could fall upon
WIrSEss-Yes sir; where the gas pipes 60 along the
bridge
MIR. HoARE thought it unnecessary to ask any ques-
police SERGEANT, whose we did not CATCH said
i was at Kings College Hospital when Mr. Steele
brought there's but he anxious to be sent to Pcees
Coffee House. He told me that he did not labor under
any injuries but merely complained of his chest The
received some internal injury. and consequently wish
ca him to remain at the hospital said that the gem
S,rs was and must De taken
house where he was put to bed. asked him for his
name and address. He said that his Thomas
Steele, of the county Of Clare, Ireland. asked him
where he stopping at in town. He answered, at
the Bull and Mouth, St Martin s-le- Grand. He did
not wish go there, he said but he wished to go to
Pccles Coffee House told him that could not allow
him to go there. but that would send n message for
him wherever he liked / asked him if should go to
| n.
clothes as those he had wet. lie said that
need not trouble myself as he had no clothes there
he only had carpet bag, and perhaps some books.
Having asked him what impellcd him to do this act
Mr.. HoARg-Did you make any statement requesting
him to disclose any matters
WIrYEss-No. sir.
MIR. HoARE-Then submit that this evidence can
not be received.
Mr. JARpINE having determined that the evidence
was receivable
Witness in continuation, said-The gentleman in
reply to my question told me that he suffering
der mental Affections. lie then shivered very
much from cold and wet, and remarked, How foolish
have acted that did not postpone or put OF :, do
not know which, this, until dusk Then could have
accomplished it without being noticed" then asked
the house surgeon to put him bed possible
and having told Mr. Steele that no in custody,
then left him.
There being no further evidence.
Mr. IIoARE addressing the magistrate, said--In my
opening observation. sir said that would not Mt
all attempt to shrink from the truth. told you sir
that Mr. Steele, In the most serious had given
assurance to his friends that n repetition Of his at
tempt should never again take place Having made
TINS promise TO his ne ready 10
you, sir, the same | therefore think sir
that under these circumstances, you will feel justified
in allowing him at to depart without committing
him for trial; but IL you should ask suretes,
pared to offer such AS am sure will completely satisfy
you.
Mr. JARpISr after a short consultation with Mr..
Burnaby, the chief clerk, said must consider what
is the beat to take Mr. Steele had better sit down
in thu other
Mr. STEELE having retired, the night charges were
proceeded with; after the termination of which MIR
Jardine directed that Mr. Steele should be again intro
du1ed. As as he entered
Mr. JARDISE, addressing Mr.. Steele, said am quito
willing to believe the statement which has been
made your behalf that you made the attempt on
your life under the pressure of distress Of mind
and hope that the Renaissance that has urrcd
will have such effect upon you that you
may be safely left to yourself and to render t not
at all probable that such attempt will again
take place. You aware, doubt. that my strict
Int nj In ifi,nf nc