The Sun. — 1844-08-24 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SERIES OF CALAMITIES.—MT. Higgs, yesterday, held an inquest at the George, Georgecourt, Strand, on the body of Joseph Marshman, tailor, of George-court, Strand, aged 53, who hanged himself on Thursday, while in a state of insanity produced by calamities that rarely fall to the lot of one man. It was stated that he had been affected in his mind ever since the decease of his wife, who was accidentally burnt to death in St. Martin's workhouse about nine months ago. The day after that one of his sons, who was on board the Marine School ship, at Blackwall, fell from the mast head, and was killed on the spot. But a week or two following he sent another son with some work to Regent-street, and while he was on his way there he was run over by a cab, and carried home dead. A third child fell down the steps in George-court, and fractured its skull, from the effects of which it ultimately expired. There are seven children now living, several of whom have lately been suffering from rheumatic fever, caused by the dampness of the house in which they live. The unfortunate deceased, borne down by this accumulation of heavy afflictions, would wander fur miles about the country, he knew not where nor why. On Friday he left home, and walked all that day and Saturday, and at night made a bed of some hay at Barnet. He then got into the town of Hertford, where he slept, and then walked home. He could give no reason for this, but said he knew he was out of his mind. It was said he had not eaten three pounds of meat since his Ale's death. The jury said there could be no doubt in the case, and returned a verdict of " Insanity." MURDER OF A WIFE AT RicamoND.—Yesterday morning information was received at the different metropolitan police-stations that a man, named William New, a shoemaker, residing in the Marsh-gate-road, Richmond, had murdered his wife, by stabbing her in the side with a carving knife. It appeared that, about seven on Thursday night, they quarrelled, when the husband seized a carving knife and plunged it into his wife's side, and immediately made his escape. She was found by tho neighbours insensible from loss of blood, and died about half an hour afterwards. No trace of the wretched husband has as yet been discovered beyond the following fact :—About eight o'clock the same evening, as Mr. G. Morris, blacksmith, of Shepherd's-bush, was proceeding along the Uxbridge-road, at Notting-hill, on his return home, he met a man who asked him what time it was; and on Mr. Morris telling nim it was eight o'clock, he said he had then come from Richmond in an hour; that the police had entered the house by the front door as he had left it by a back window; and that if he was found he should be transported. Mr. Morris thought the man was mad, and permitted him to pursue his course towards Paddington. The following is a copy of the description of William New, which has been circulated by the police:—He is about 27 years of age, sft. sin. or 6in. high, dark brown hair, fair complexion, grey eyes, stout in person, dressed in cord trousers, old shoes, v an old brown cloth waistcoat, brown cloth cap withoutbaypetarakde peak, a.nd 'rho ed npoelcieoeat aorrejameakkeiteog aceete is a exertions shoemaker by t o n h mak er secure him.  BY THE AUTHOR Or PPEATRESRONrSRIAGNGDINsW.,,