The Sun. — 1862-01-03 (London, England)

MARYLEBONE.—MELANCHOLY CASE OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—Jane Higgins, aged 24, who gave the address of 12, Cambridge-mews, Paddington, married woman, was placed at the bar charged with attempting to destroy herself. Henry Kirby, 355 A, stated that about 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening he was sent for, by Dr. Mayne, to Cambridge-mews, where he saw the prisoner sitting on a chair in an exhausted condition. After Dr. Mayne had sufficiently restored her he took her to the hospital, where she has remained up to the present time. Dr. Mayne, of 7, Upper Southwick-street, Hydepark, said he was sent for in a great hurry to a person that had taken poison, and when he got to the mews he found the prisoner lying on the floor apparently asleep. After some considerable exertion he managed to rouse her, when she said she had taken laudanum. He applied the usual remedies and got it from her stomach. Margaret Garratt stated that the prisoner was her sister. She came home and sat down on the chair. She shortly after got up and went and opened the loft door, and returned again, exclaiming, " I have done it, I have done it," and placed a bottle in her hand, labelled " poison." She at once sent for Dr. Mayne, previous to which she gave the prisoner some salt and water.  Mr. Mansfield—Has the prisoner been in any rouble ?  Witness—She has been in a great deal of trouble. Mr. Mansfield—ls she married ? Witness—Yes, Sir, she is. Mr. Mansfield (to prisoner)—What have you to say to this charge ? Prisoner, who was allowed to be seated, and wept greatly, said I have no home to go to, and do not know what to do. I hare been staying at my sister's and brother's place, and they said they would keep me there no longer. I done it, and I don't know no more.  Mr. Mansfield—You are married—where is your husband?  Prisoner—My husband left me, and be has been twice t. London lately, to see his relations, and would not see me. I am in distress, and do not know what I do. My head seems to lose itself. lie ouxht to be a good husband. Mr. Mansfield remanded her for a week, in order that the chaplain at the House of Detention might commune with her.  DREADFUL FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE,  Yesterday morning between 4 and 6 o'clock a mounted police officer arrived at the London fireengine stations with intelligence that a fire was raging in the parish of Putney. Mr. Henderson, the chief officer of the D district, at once ordered his engines to be got ready. Upon reaching the Upper Richmond-road he found the premises belonging to Mr. J. T. Mitchell, a boot and shoe maker, in flames. The parish engine which had previously arrived had prevented the flames from reaching several other buildings. Upon the police discovering the fire they raised an alarm, and, after repeatedly knocking at the door, they managed to arouse the inmates, who upon jumping out of bed found the flooring so hot as to nearly take the skin off their feet. Fortunately, with one exception, they managed by some means to get out of the house, but nearly suffocated with the heated smoke in making their exit down the stairs. It was not until an advanced hour that the conflagration could be extinguished, and not until Mr. Mitchell's premises and the stock in trade, with the furniture and other effects, were destroyed. The two upper floors and roof of the premises belonging to Mr. Wm. Smith, No. 2, are are burnt out; the attics and roof of No. 3, belonging to Mr. W. Cnant, painter and glazier, have also been consumed. The premises of Mr. F. Churley, No. 4, are also greatly damaged. After the ruins were sufficiently cooled to allow of a search being made, the firemen entered and found the body of a boy, aged 15, burnt iu a shocking manner; life being of course extinct. As to the origin of the calamitous event, not the least information could be ob tained. Mr. Mitchell was insured in the General Fire-office ; Mr. Smith was not insured; Mr. Chant, the painter, and also Mr. F. Churley. were uninsured. A strong body of the V division of police, attended and kept the crowd out of the way of the firemen. About half-past 4 o'clock yesterday morning another fire broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. It. Offord, cabinetmaker, No. 1, Grahamstreet, City-road. Tho discovery waa made by a police constable of the N division. The parish engines, the Royal Society's fire escapes, and the engines of the London brigade were shortly in attendance, but the building in which the disaster commenced was burnt down and the contents consumed. Mr. Offord was insured in the Unity Fire-office. Another fire happened in the premises belonging to Mr. H. Middleton, a chymist and druggist, No. 81, Church-lane, Whitechapel. It, was also discovered by an officer of the II division of police. He aroused the inmates, who all managed to escape in safety, with the exception of a Mr. Middleton. He made his appearance at the second floor window, crying loudly for help. The engines of the London brigade promptly attended, when 'Weidman, the engineer, made an attempt to reach himby means of ladders, but they being too short he was unable to do so. He was so much affected with smoke as to loose his voice. At that critical juncture Samuel Wood, the veteran conductor of the Royal Society, arrived with the Whitechapel escape, he ascended and brought down in safety the imperilled man, amid the cheers of the  spectators. The greater portion of the preOisel and their contents were destroyed. The origin °3 the fire is unknown. Fortunately the sufferer was insured in the Royal Exchange Fire-office. Shortly before 8 o'clock yesterday morning a fire that caused great excitement among the passengers on the South-Eastern Railway, happened in one of the railway arches, numbered 218 in Russell-street, Bermondsey, belonging to 51. r. M. Sharp, a japenner. The outbreak was caused from overheating the drying stove. Owing to the inflammable nature of the japan and prep red leather the flames spread with more than usual violence, and ascended so high as to cross the greater portion of the railway. The contents of the drying house belonging to Mr. Sharp wore destroyed. The property was uninsured.