The Sun. — 1868-05-19 (London, England)

YOUNG MAN SHOT.  Dr. Lankester, the coroner for Central Middlesex, lately presided over a jury at the Bank of England Tavern, Cambridge-place, Paddington, for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances relating to the death of Isaac Williams, aged 21. It appeared that the deceased, who was a bricklayer, and a companion named Robert Wellin, went with others to Wormwood Scrubbs, for the purpose of shooting the escaped pigeons from the prize matches in the enclosed grounds, the birds having escaped the first fires being received by the " out scouts." The deceased required a certain gun which was in the possession of Wellin, but he declining to go on the grom,J, as it was guarded by a notice board to trespassers, the deceased said, "Hand it over." As the piece had been just .used Wellin reloaded, having brought down a bird, and put a cap on the nipple of the lock. Then, through the impetuosity of the deceased, lie handed it, not over the thickset hedge, but through it, muzzle forwards. The gun exploded, and the charge went through the right hand of the deceased. Notwithstanding the injury deceased had received, he and Wellin remained till after the matches concluded, and divided the proceeds of their gain. In the evening deceased went to St. Mary's Hospital, and was admitted as an inmate, and died there on Saturday last from the effect of the wound. Josiah Williams, brother to the deceased, living at Brook-green, said he went to the hospital to see his brother, when he told him that Wellin must have pulled the trigger while handing him the gun. The coroner said the witness should, upon such a statement, have communicated with the authorities and had the dying depositions of the deceased taken. Other evidence was given, showing that after the deceased had received the contents of the gun in his hand he ran away and called out, " Keep the dogs off." He afterwards returned. He said nothing about being wilfully shot by his companion, but while in the hospital requested that Wellin should come and see him on the Sunday, as it was quite an accident. Mr. George Field, house surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, deposed to the admission of the deceased. The wound in his hand was rather dangerous, but not necessarily fatal. He told witness that no one was to blame. He afterwards suffered from delirium tremens, and died on Saturday last. While in such condition he watched an opportunity and ran out from the hospital into Cambridge-place, where he broke with his uninjured hand the window-glass of a cab which was standing in front of the hospital. The statement made to the brother as to Wellin having purposely fired the gun must have been while the deceased was in a state of delirium, as he had said otherwise. It having been further shewn that some remains of leaves were attached to the lock of the gun, the conclusion was come to that the gun wa-s discharged by its being pulled through the hedge by deceased. Several inhabitants of the locality were present who had to drive past these shooting grounds, and denounced them as highly dangerous, being so near the roadway. It was further said that the firearms used by the " out scouts " were generally old, almost useless, and liable to cause death or serious injury. The police should interfere. A verdict of accidental death was ultimately recorded.  ADMISSION OF ArronNEys.—The number of original applications for next term, beginning on the 22nd inst., is 75, besides renewed applications. The number on the books exceed 10,000.  Four of the five men arrested in the county of 'Westmeath for the murder of Mr. Featherstonehaugh have been discharged, no evidence having been found against them after the most searching investigation.  From a parliamentary return it appears that the number of voters on the electoral roll of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin on the Ist January, 1868, was as follows :—Oxford, 4,190; Cambridge, 5,440; Dublin, 1,871.  Hay harvest has commenced in the neighbourhood of Blandford, Dorsetshire. It is expected that the wheat will be in ear before the end of this month. The favourableness of the season is already having an effect on the markets.  A