The Warwickshire Herald. — 1896-05-14 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

RUMOURED READ'S BROTRER'S STRANGE DEATR. RESIGNATION. Mr. Wynne E. Ratner bold an inquiry, on Saturday, at the Mile End Feeney Hall, respecting the death of Harry Victor Read, ispd 32y..,., described asi an ISINSISOOO agent, whose body was found in the Regent's Canal, Rile Sad. Considerable interest was manifested in the procee Hags. the deceased being a brother of James Canham Read, who was hanged in Chelmsford Gaol, in December, 1894, for the murder of Inertia Dennis, at Prittlewell, neat Siouthend. The interest was further enhanced by the fa t that the coroner had received a poetcard. surprised to have been written by the landlady of. local public-house, In which that lady was made to sly that she heard a man remark, when he wet In drink, that he had drowned Harry Read. Inquiries, however, led to the landlady stating that the postcard was • forgery.—Mrs. Florence Maud Kelly, the wife of a shipping clerk, said deceased was her brother. He was formerly an artists' colourmsn, but latterly had been an interlines agent. Deceased took out a conductor's licence. but only workid for the London General Omnibus Company for two ilays. Witness lest sew him slive on Piaturday night, May 2nd, at 9.30. He had promised to visit and dine with witness on Sunday, but did not turn up. Witness heard that ho was intoxicated on Sat urdey night, and SO did not give notice to the polite until Monday (bat he we. missing. Latterly he had often given way to drink. He was depressed as lie was linable to obtain any permanent employment, INPCsUSP of the unfortunate affair connected with, his late brother—The coroner, Cou.d he not obtain a berth through that ?—He vary foolishly would not change his name, and then be found that he had no need to call • second time for situations he had applied for. He was very drowsy when lie had taken drink. He was in the habit of crossing Gurneakers' Bridge, and wit.. uses thought it possible that he fell over the low wall. Mr. Newport, landlord If the ("unmake& Arms, Canal-road, stated that he s...ve the deceased about 9.30 on Saturday night, and he stated at witnees's house until closing time. Ho was absolutely the last ore to leave the house, and shook hands with witne.s. Ho was afterwards heard talking outside lb° house with clue companions. Deceased ha 4 had sonic drink, but could walk straight. Jolra Mattbewman, a politic-house broker, der/Cul: ti.:l. ~e knew to dee.,f,d, and 1.1,t hint in the Gunmakers' Arms about 10 o'clock. Deceased had been &raking, but was far (coin being drunk tten. 0.. leaving at dosing time, witness and soire otters were sktlarkrag. Seeing a rishshop open witness en ered it, cud Bead followed him in, and I ought some 9.11 and potato's, %Odell witness psi I for, as at patently the 1 eceaxed had no money. Deceased then wished witness "Good night," and wittiest saw deceased cross the road in the direction if the clunmakers' Bridge. 'fine deceased was then intoxiciteit. He said he would see witness the next day.-1 he coroner: Had lie ever threatened his if, ?—He often said that lie weiliet lie was/dead, tut never actually thieatened to take his life. 'Hie jury returned a verdict of found crowned, the evidence- failing to chew how the deceased came into the water.