The Express. — 1867-08-09 (London, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT LIMEHOUSE.  ADJOURNED INQUEST.-EXAMINATION OF JOHN WIGGINS.- (THIS DAY.) - •  This morning at 10 o'clock, Mr. Richards, the deputy-coroner, resumed at the Salisbury Arms Tavern, Eastfield-street, Limehouse, the inquiry touching the alleged murder of Agnes Oakes, aged 22 years. At 9 o'clock this morning the prisoner, John Wiggins, was taken out of his cell in the House of Detention, Clerkenwell, and placed in a prison-van and driven to the coroner's court. The crowd which awaited his arrival at the court numbered several thousand persons, and the greatest excitement prevailed. When the prisoner alighted from the van the rushing and pushing of the crowd was so great that the police bad some difficulty in making a narrow pathway through the dense mass of men women, and even children who were all desirous of getting even one glance at the ran.  Mr. Superintendent Wore !stein, acting under a warrant granted by the Secretary of State, ordered the prisoner to be conducted to a private room, where he had a short consultation with his solicitor, Mr. Young. The Coroner took his seat as 10 o'clock, and Mr. Young, solicitor, said he again appeared for the prisoner. Mr. Inspector Brady conducted the case for the prosecution. The Coroner—Bring the prisoner in. John Wiggins, aged :11 years, was then brought into the court by the police. He is • man of florid complexion, and is 5 feet in height. He stood still when he reached his seat,and placing his hand on his hips smiled and looked round the crowded court, every eye being turned towards him. He then sat down and crossing his legs watched his solicitor as he was examining the witnesses called for the defence.  Christopher Chialet, 77, Copley-street, was called by Mr. Young. He was a grocer and he knew the deceased for two years. She used to borrow money from him and she said, " I must give up the drink or else it will be the ruin of me." Witness wes surprised at her saying so as he a►ways thought she was a respectable well-conducted young woman. By the Coroner—He first made the deceased's acquaintance when she was aservant at the Crown public-house. During the first eighteen months of her acquaintance be had never seen her under the influence of drink. About three months ago she came into his shop, and she " laid on the counter." She was then under the influence of drink. She said she would go into service. She was a "little on" then. She did not lie down on the counter; she only rested on it. She smelt of liquor. She borrowed 2s. from witness ; that was the money borrowed. Coroner—Repeat the statement about the drink. I want to see if you will stick to the rune tale.  Witnel—She said, " II Ido not give up the drink it will be the ruin of me." Witness had not told • juror that the deceased had complained of ill-treatment from Wiggins. She had said so last week. The deceased had shown him • bruise on her ann. She said Wiggins and she bad bad a few words. _ _  Eliza Looker, G, York-place, Stepney, wife of a boiler maker, examined by Mr. Young, said that she assisted in laying out the deceased. She noticed her chemise. She got Fanny Wiggins to tear the chemise down the fronLand she persuaded barmy Wiggins to do it, "as she did not wish to see the poor thing pulled about to get it off." The chemise was not torn before that time. Witness, who was a teetotaller, had, during the last six months, seen the deceased under the influence of drink. She had tried to convince her of the advisability of giving up drink. By the Coroner—During the first three months I have never seen the deceased the worse for drink.  'thine would be