The Express. — 1867-08-14 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE IN THE RIVER LEA.  A shocking suicide has been committed in the Lea at Bromley, last night. The particulars of the case, which is • painful one, came out at an inquest held by Mr. Richards, the deputy coroner, at the Old Five Bells Inn, Bromley, respecting the death of Peter. Swanson, aged 48 years. George Swanson, • lad of 16, said that he lived at Eliza Cottage, Kirby-street, Poplar. The deceased, who had been an engine-driver, was his father. Last August his wife died, and he had not been the same man since. He took to drink, and he was last Christmas reduced to the workhouse. After that he met with a woman, and he went to live with her. He then met with an old employer who gave him 224. • week at shoe making which trade be had learned. He " drank very hard" for the last six weeks. On Saturday night he returned home, kissed his two little daughters, and said, " This house shall never see me again, for I ism going to drown myself." Witneescontinued— He then left the house and went across the held, near the lea. I followed him, and said, " What makes you have such wicked thoughts?" He knelt down in the field and prayed. He then called out in • loud voice, " I hope the Almighty will take cue of my children." He afterwards walked over to the river, and sat down on the bank. He took off his hat, scarf, and two coats. I screamed out, and he jumped up and leaped into the water. Two men ran across the Held, and while my father was sinking they tried to save him, but they could not. The woman he lived with was out when he left the cottage. She had taken his children cut of the workhouse. lam • whiteamitb.  Edward Brooch, a labourer, sail that he recovered the dead body of the deceased with the drags. The coroner said this was one of the most remarkable oases shat had come under his notice, awl the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while of unsound mind,"  The foundation stone of a county memorial to the late Earl of Carlisle was laid yesterday on Balmer Hill, nearCestle Howard. The memorial takes the form of a Grecian column, which is to cost about 2,0001. About the same amount has to be spent in erecting a memorial chapel attached to Castle Howard Reformatory.  This morning was issued the aixtreecond Report of the Commissioners of the Caledonian ClaaaL It states that several new works have been executed during tho past year, and that the general traffic of the 'mud exhibits • satisfactory improvement, the total number of passages of sailing and steam vessels h►ving increased from 1,695 in the previous year to 2,004 in the last year, and the tonnage dues from 4,1741. to 4,9201.  Colonel Hogg will on Friday ask the Secretary to the Poor-law Board whether, referring to the probable increase of cost beyond the estimate for the new buildings under the Metropolitan Poor-law Act, he will give an assurance that no contract, shall be sanctioned by the Poorlaw Board during the parliamentary recess which will involve the ratepayers of the metropolis in an expenditure in excess of 400,0001., which was the sum mentioned by the President of the Poor-law Board as the probable extreme cost of all buildings necessary for lunatics, fever, and small pox patients, as well u for new district schools.  Mr. Otway intends on Friday to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to withhold from the sergeant instructors attached to the volunteer corps from the regiments of the line the additional 2d. per diem paid to sergeants of the line and militia.  We learn with regret the death yesterday, at Richmond, Surrey, of the Rev. Joseph Brown, rector of Christ Church, Southwark, who was well known in the metropolis as the founder or active promoter of many charitable institutions, and who performed • most useful part in organising and encouraging rural excursions of the poorer classes to attractive places in the vicinity of London.