The Sun. — 1864-07-18 (London, England)

ADJOURNED INQUEST-THIS DAY.  This morning Mr John Humphreys, the coroner for the eastern division of the county of Middlesex, resumed at the Prince of Wales Tavern, Hackney, the inquiry into the death of Mr Briggs, who was attacked on the North London rail Way on the night of Saturday the 9th inst., and who died on the following night. It will be remembered that at the inquest which the coroner opened a week ago to-day Mr J, T. Briggs, the son of deceased, identified the body, and spoke of the things contained in the carriage being his property. It was also proved by Mr James Hudson, the landlord of the Milford Castle, Hackney Wick, that about 20 minutes past 10 on Saturday night (the 9th inst.) the body of Briggs was brought to his house. Since that time a post mortem examination of the body has been made by experienced surgeons called in by the coroner for that purpose, and much anxiety has been evinced to ascertain the views of those gentlemen in reference to the conflicting rumours which have prevailed as to the immediate cause of death.  Mr Francis Toulmin, F.R.C.S., said he saw Mr. Briggs at Bow on Saturday night. He was perfectly unconscious. He recommended his removal, and he died at his own house on Sunday night. There was a wound in front of the ear and a wound behind. Both hands were bruised. The fore arm was also bruised and grazed. On raising the scalp a considerable quantity of blood was discovered. There was a bruise and an abrasion of the skin above the left temple. The skull was discovered to be fractured. There was also a fracture and depression of the temporal bone. On removing the calivarum much blood was found between the bone and the dura mater, and the dare mater and the brain. The structure of the brain was perfectly healthy, except where it had been injured lxy pressure. The lunge and heart showed no signs of disease except being a little flabby, which would be the case in a man of his age. The bruise on the left temple might have been caused by a fall. The fracture of the ear he ascribed to a blow from a blunt instrument. Ho attributed death to a fracture of the skull, and depression of the brain. Tho abrasions on the hands and arms might have been caused by a person being put in an attitude of defence.  Mr F. Moojen, of 8, Southampton-street, and Bloomsbury-square, who appeared for the relatives of the deceased, said he had no questions to ask Mr Toulmin. Mrs Carstine Buchan, of 23, Nelson-square, Peckham, said she was niece of the deceased. He came to their house on Saturday the 9th, by appointment, to dine. She reached Nelson-square at five o'clock, and left about a quarter past nine. He was at the time in his usual health and spirits. She understood that he was going direct home. He was quite sober. Her husband saw him to the omnibus. Witness did not notice whether he had more than one shirt stud. She did not notice any particular part of his dress. The Coroner—Have you any knowledge of any one having threatened to do him an injury ? Witness—Nut of nay own knowledge. The Coroner—Did you ever hear of such a thing? Witness—Never. The Coroner—Do you know of a person who applied to him for a loan of money which was refused ?  Witneas—Yes. The Coroner—Did you ever hear that that person had threatened him ? Witnesa—Yes. The Coroner—Did that person say to the effect that he would murder him ?  Witness—l cannot say. The Coroner—You woald not undertake to say it was to that effect ?  Witness—No, I would noi. The Coroner—Did he say he would injure him? Witness•—Yes. The Coroner,--Do you know of any other circumstance you would wish to communicate to the court ?