The Sun. — 1845-02-25 (London, England)

CORONER'S INQUEST. Mr. Wakley and Mr. G. I. Mills, the Coroner and Deputy Coroner for the county of Middlesex, with a jury of the most respectable householders in the vicinity, held an inquest yesterday at the Yorkshire Grey, Hampstead, on view of the body of James Delarue, a teacher of the pianoforte, living at 55, Whittlebury-street, Euston-square, whose body was discovered on the Friday evening in a footpath leading from Haverstock to Primrose-hill. The jury met at ten o'clock, and having been sworn, The deceased's brother was called in. He had identified the body, and was asked whether he had any idea of any one who meditated injury to the deceased., He answered in the negative. The question was repeated, the Coroner at the same time cautioning Mr. Delarue not to mention the name, and citing an instance where the murderer himself had been in the room, and having every information, had been enabled to escape. Mr.. Delarue said that he was quite unable to fix on any one as likely to commit such a deed. Police-constable 304 S said, that receiving informa tion of cries of " Murder" having been heard whilst on duty on Haverstock-hill, he ran into the Haverstockfield, but did not find any cause for the outcries. He then ran through Bellsize- lane into the road opposite the George public-house, when he met Sergeant Fletcher, who accompanied him again to the Haverstock-field, in the west corner of which they found the body of deceased. He was lying against a wall, which formed an acute angle with a wooden railing. There were marks of bloody fingers on the railing, , and two pools of blood upon the ground. -He found the hat at some distance from the body, which was afterwards brought to this house. His coat was wide open ; no part of his clothes were torn. (The unfortunate gentleman's hat was shown to the Coroner. It was broken in several places as if from severe blows.) He found in his left-hand pocket some keys, snuff-box, and paper, with some writing on it, and a letter.—[The letter was handed to the Coroner. We understand the purport of the letter to be, that the writer (Caroline) requests Mr. Delarue to meet her at the place where they had spent so many half-hours together, as she had something of the first importance to communicate.] He observed a large pool of blood on the ground, his shirt was covered with the same, as was also the railings near him. Went there the following morning and found no weapon of any kind near the place. Sergeant Fletcher, 24 S, knew no more of the transaction than that deposed to by the last witness. John Kitchener, baker, 55, Whittlebury-street, took the house of which deceased was formerly landlord, about three years ago, and deceased lodged in the house since. Saw him on Friday last week. Did not know any one who threatened to injure him. The brother of deceased was asked if he (the deceased) had a watch and chain, and he answered in the affimative. The Coroner asked him if he knew the maker's name, and the question was also answered in the affirmative. The Coroner told him not to mention it, as it might put the guilty parties on their guard. Susan Kitchener—Lives with her brother. Mr. Delarue lodged with them. Saw him on Friday evening at half-past six, in the back parlour. He had on his hat and wrapper coat, and said he was going out. lie did not say where he was going, but lie told her to keep the fire in. He had a watch and gold chain. Saw it on Friday morning. The CORONER here expressed a wish that the room should be cleared, as he wished to consult with the police as to the best mode of tracing the guilty parties. After the public was admitted, it was stated that the inquest had been adjourned, but no definite period was fixed, in order to give time to the police to trace the particulars connected with this equally mysterious and diabolical murder. When the Court was cleared of strangers, we understand that the following (and our information is pretty correct) was the purport of the evidence adduced : Mr. Smith, carpenter, of Hampstead, stated that a few minutes before the unfortunate deceased must have passed, he was walking along Bellsize-lane, when he was met by three men, dressed as labourers, who demanded his watch and money. He proved to them that he had neither, and way permitted to go on. At an after period, Mr. Symonds, of Norfolk Cottage, Devonshire-hill, was stopped by three men, corresponding in