The Express. — 1867-07-09 (London, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT DULWICH.  INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.)  • This forenoon, Mr. Wm. Carter, the Surrey coroner, held an investigation in the board-room of Camberwell workhouse respecting the death of Mary Arnie Payne, aged 37 years, who was alleged to have been murdered by a man named Richard Tow, who is at present in custody on that charge. The first witness called was Mary Wells, who stated that she was a nurse at Camberwell Infirmary. On Thursday evening, at half-past 9 o'clock, the deceased was brought into the ward No. 17. She was sensible, and she died at twenty minutes to 5 o'clock on Friday morning. She made a statement, but the accused was not present. The coroner said that under those circumstances her statement could not be admitted in evidence. _  Jane Barnes, a married woman, said that the deceased resided next door to her for three years. She passed as Mrs. Tow, the wife of Richard Tow. She had four children, the youngest being ten weeks old. On Monday morning week witness was sent for by the deceased. She appeared to be very bad and she uid it was through him, and— Coroner—Was he there. Witness—No, sir. Coroner—We cannot hear what she said.  In consequence of the statement made by the deceased, witness said that Tow was a vagabond. She had frequently fallen when Tow had knocked her down. Shortly before she gave birth to her last child, Tow had given her • blow which knocked her down and sent her through a window in the street.  Annie Harwood, Prospect-place, Dulwich, said that the deceased lived next door to her. On last Saturday night week between 11 and 12 o'clock the accused returned home, and asked the deceased where the little girl had been, and he was told " out for a candle." " It's a lie," said he, and told her, "Get me my supper, or I'll very soon make you ; and if you don't you must give me my money back." She said that she had laid the money out. He replied, " I'll very soon make you give it to me." Then witness heard a scuffle. Mrs. Tow ran out, screaming, " You shan't hit me with the tongs." " Now," said Tow, " I've got you out, and out you stay." The baby then began to cry, and Mrs. Tow said, " go in to the baby." Directly she went into the house witness heard a dreadful scuffle, and the deceased said, "You shan't hit me with the tongs, or knock my teeth out." The deceased then went upstairs, and the accused said," You shan't atop up here." Sarah Ann Payne, an intelligent looking little girl, of 11 years of age, dressed in the workhouse clothing, said that the deceased was her mother. Witness had seen her father illtreat her mother. On one occasion he had thrown a loaf of bread at her head. On last Saturday night week father returned home, and after some words he struck her with the tongs. Mother screamed out " Oh, oh " when she was struck. Witness heard her father strike her mother twice with the tongs. In about half an hour afterwards witness saw her mother, and she had blood on her face. Her mouth was covered with it. On Sunday she had to stay in bed all day, and she complained of pain in the back. The blowsthat her fatbei had given her were very heavy. On Sunday morning the pain was so great that she fainted away. After good deal of other evidence had been heard the court was cleared, and after half an hour's deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter against Richard Tow for feloniously killing Mary Anne Payne." The coroner then issued his warrant for the committal of the prisoner to Horsemonger-lane gaol.