The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1804-11-16 (London, England)

ITE .ICCIDL.VT.  Mr. W. Franklin (son of Mr. Edmund Franklin, of Oxgate.house Farm, which stands between the four and five mile stones, on the Fdgeware-road, and brother to Mr. Richard Franklin, of sliis Majesty's Mint), on Monday last spent the evening with his uncle, Mr. Morris, of Child's-hill, about three miles from his father's house, and had, during the evening, been playing at cards with his cousins. About a quarter before twelve o'clock, he took his perfealy sober, and mounted upon a good horse ; but, before his departure, he took nut his money to pay some trifling losings, which having done, he had still left one guinea, and a 7s. piece in gold, and two dollars. About three o'clock, on Tuesday morning, a waggon was passing along the road, belonging to a Mr. George Weedon, of Hemel Hempsted, and when nearly abreast of the Orgate-lane-end,rthe waggoner informed his master, who was in the waggon, that there was a man lying in the road ; on which he was desired to look at him, which he did, and told Mr. Weedon he was quite dead ; when the latter desired him to drive on. About an hour after, a timber cart passed, belonging to Mr. Tay, of Rickmanswnrth, who was with it himself, affd also had a man driving, who, on finding the deceased, communicated the circumstance to his master. Mr. Tay had the body taken up, and conveyed to a room in a public house, th,Crown, on the F.dgeware-road. On the neighbourhood being alarmed, an old man who came into the house, said, he thought it looked like Mr. Franklin's son, and that he would instantly go and see, his house not being more than one mile distant. On the old m.m reaching Mr. Franklin's house, the first person he met was the unfortunate father, of whom he enquired if Mr William was at home ? Mr. Franklin answered that he was at home, and Was in bed, for he saw his steed in the stable. The poor old fellow, who had formerly been a servant of Mr. Franklin's, exclaimed, God he thanked, for I was afraid that it was he that was fount dead on the road this morning; it is very like him." Mr. Franklin desired the old man to come in with him, that he might he sure he was in bed. A servant was sent to his chamber, who returned with the sad tidings that her youTT master had not been in bed all night. Mr. Franklin then repiired to the stab/es, and enquiring of his men, how the horse came home ? when he was informed that the horse was found standing near the house by himself, and that they had not seen Mr. Vilham Franklin. The old man then returned to the public-house. The body by this time had been washed and cleaned, the pockets examined, and a surgeon sent for. Several bruises were found on various parts of his body ; but Pt his pockets was neither gold nor silver. Mr. Morris recolleCting the sum the deceased had when he left them the preceding night. occasioned suspicion that he had been murdered, and an enquiry was immediately net on foot. A Coroner's Jury was summoned, which met ort Wednesday. The witnesses that were examined were the two Mr. Morris's. Mr. Tay, his man who found him, and the people of the house, who examined his pockets, and whose evidence is fully explained in the preceding account. The only person who threw any fresh light on the snbjeCt was the servant oti.Mr. Franklin. who stated, that the horse which their young master had rode, most certainly must have fallen with him, as he appeared, from the dirt on him, to have rolled over, and that he had slightly hurt one of his shoulders; also both his knees were a little rubbed : that the pummel of the saddle was a little scratched, and that it was not scratched when it was put on the horse. In addition to this evidence, it appeared that one of the deceased's spurs had been tern off, and was laying near to the spot where the deceased was found. The Jury returned their verdiet, that the deceased had died in consequence of a fall from his horse.