The Express. — 1862-08-27 (London, England)

ALLEGED MURDER OP A POLICE-CONSTABLE AT ROTHERHITHE.  INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.) This morning Mr. William Carter, the coroner for Fast Surrey, resumed at the Jolly Caulker' Tavern, Lower Rotherhithe, an inquiry respecting the death of Henry Butler, aged 7.3,trolice-officer, No. 135 of the M division, who was ally to have been murdered and thrown into the Surrey Canal, near the Plongh•read, Botherbithe, on the morning of Thursday last. Mr. Mackenzie, inspector of the M division, had charge of the case on behalf of the Comruissionen of Police. John Ody, 3, Somerset-place, Deptford, said that about seven o'clock last Thursday morning he was taking a barge into the basin of the Surrey Canal Docks, when be saw a hat floating ou the water. In consequence of his suspicions being aroused be made au immediate search, and found the body of • policeman. Some policemen came up and took the body away. &ward, 125 M, said that on last Thursday morning from Information he received he went to the basin of the Surrey Canal, and fond the deceased. He removed him to the dead-house.  Dr. S. Tilley maid he was called to the station on Thursday and saw the deceased. He had a alight injury on the left temple over the eye. Upon making a post-mortem examination he found the cheat and lungs tilled with water. lie was a very healthy man. His death was caused by dmMiniraialtaroline Butler, widow of the deceased, said her husband left his home on Wednesday night, in perfect health and spirits. He had been twelve months in the force, and liked it very much. She could not'anoount for his death. Thomas Johns, Commercial Dock gateman, said that he was on duty at the entrance of the docks, on Wednesday night, and saw the deceased pals from Grove-street to liuscll.street. He spoke to him, and he was perfectly sober. His beat extended all round the docks. lie heard no noise during the night. The deceased was found opposite Mr. Pain's mill, at the swing-bridge, near the dock end of the canal. He might ba"e walked pest the swing-bridge and into the canal. The witness thought that this was probable from the fact that be bad often seen him asleep on his beat, and on the morning in qiiestion he seemed to him to be in a state of somnambulism. Upon his person being searched his lantern, staff, and VA. in money was found upon him. Severe, 132 M, mid he saw the deceased on Wednesday aiMt in London-street, Rotherhithe, about half-past 10 o'clock. He had nodntyto perform on the mouth side of the dock. If the deceased had beard any noise or disturbance on that side he could have only got to it by crossing the bridge. The deceased was of a very sleepy disposition. He last Mir the deceased at half-past 12 on the night in question. Witness believed had there been any disturbance that night he should have heard it. Hughes, 239 M. said that he had made inquiries and found that a female had heard a noise and disturbance outside her window on the night in question. It appears that she heard four menj quarrelling, and open raising the window she was unable to see who they were. The Coroner said that there was no evidence to show how the deceased came by his death. He might have been taulied into the water by some one, or he might have walked into it in hi, sleep. If there had been foul play the police could carry no the inquiry before the magistrate ; and he would therefore advise an open verdict. The jury, after a long deliberation, returned the following verdict :--•• That the deceased was found drowned ; but :here was no evidence to show bow he came into the water."  -- -