The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-02-22 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THZ SHOREDITOH TRAGEDY. A DOCTOR FINED.  At the Shoreditch Tabernacle, on Saturday, Mr. , Alfred Hodgkinson, deputy coroner, resumed his 1 inquiry respecting the death of John Cooper, aged 32 years, a foreman bootmaker, late of 5, Antwerp- I street, Hackney, who committal suicide at 26, Goldsmith's-row. Shoreditch, on February Ist, after having fatally shot a fellow-wortman, named John Winter. The latter died in the London Hospital, and at the inquest on his body the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Cooper, expressing the opinion that Cooper was insane. The inquest on Cooper's body was adjourned, in order that Dr. O'Regan who had taken poasession of the revolver, might produce it —lnspector Ellisdon now produced a revolver' which was handed to him by the Coroner. The weapon was produced there by Dr. O'Regan, who swore that it was the one he found under Cooper's cost. The weapon was five. chambered, and three of the cartridges had been discharged, two still remaining loaded.—The Coroner requested Inspector Ellie:his to return the revolver to Mr. Wynne Baxter.—The Coroner said that in order to obtain possession of the revolver Dr. O'Regan had been served with an ordinary summons to produce the weapon; but as they had now got possession of it they did not require Dr. O'Regan for that. However, if Dr. O'Regan wanted to explain his conduct be might do so.—Dr. O'Regan then said that he knew nothing of Policeconstable Packer, so could not have refused to give it to him. The coroner's officer did present a paper to witness, but it was not an order to give the weapon up; it was merely a letter to the coroner's officer. Witness bad been told by the relatives not to part with the revolver or they would sue him for it. He wanted to r;vt the revolver up before the coroner. The caett.dgee were kept for the purpose of weighing them. Witness was not paid his fee, and was told that he could keep the revolver.—Mrs. Cooper, the widow, recalled, stated that Dr. O'Regan called at lier house and wanted her to pay 1.55. Waimea said she could not pay it, and be then asked whether he could not keep the revolver for his fee. Waal's' made no answer, and the doctor then said that if witness didn't care to give it to him be would give her the small sum of la. 6d. for it O'Regan (laughing): I said it would fetch about Is. to. in a pawn-office.—Witness: You said it was worth about 3s. 6d., and would give me Is. 6d. for it. Witness added that later on Dr. °Megan wanted her to sign • paper, but witness's brother told her not to.--By Dr. O'Regan t Witness and her brothers told him not to part with the revolver until the Saturday. —Dr. O'Regan informed the jury he merely asked the widow for a written anty not to part with the revolver. He denied asking for 15s. or that he bad offered Is. 6d. fee the weapon.— The Coroner remarked that from time immemorial the custom had been for any weapon connected with a crime to be produced at the coroner's inquiry. Dr. O'Regan had not the slightest right to take the revolver.—The Jury, after consulting In private, returned • verdict of suicide, and added that they I considered Dr. O'Regan was not justified in keeping I the revolver, but that be ought to have handed it over to the police when asked—The Coroner concurred, and said that as Dr. O'Resran had obstruicted him in his duties as coroner, and put the county to the expense of 12s. 6d., he (the Coroner) should not be doing his duty properly if he allowed such conduct to pass unnoticed. He should therefore fine the doctor 20s.—The Doctor said that he should appeal against the fine, and was told by the coroner he could do so at the Quarter Sessions. The French police have discovered buried in the garden attached to Madame Henri's house at Brevannes, a box containing documents and photographs of Anarchists, which they regard as of considerable Importance. A bomb was found on Sunday under the staircase of the police-station of the Temple quarter. Paris. I The number of deaths from the explosion on board the German ironclad Brandenburg has been raised to 43, and one of the six others who were burned Is severely wounded. The Emperor William has sent a wreath of flowers for the funerals, and telegraphed an expression of sympathy, with an announcement that he will cause a tablet to be placed in the garrison church at Kol in memory of those who have fillygood customer.--Sinall boy (to grocer): "If you please, Mr. Wellby, my mother wants to know if you will give her an almanac?" Grocer (leanie g over the counter): "But, my little man, your mother does not get her groceries here." Small &:o.: "No, Mr. Wellby, but we borrow your wheelbarrow." The proper size.—Wheelman: "We want badges - for our club. We have adopted as a design a hicycliet surveying the universe." Tradesman: 'About bow large ,wonlal you like the figures?" • wheelmans "I think the cyclist should cover about three-fourths of the badge and tie universe the remainder."