The Sun. — 1854-09-13 (London, England)

THE LATE MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE.  The interest in the results of the inquiry as to who really is the man found as a suicide in the Midland railway carriage rather increases than abates. Amongst others, a letter was received by Mr. Mason, superintendent of police, from a Mrs. Henry Astropp, formerly of Louth, but now of Hull ; in which, after making a detailed inquiry, she stated that her husband had been missing for four months, and that he had been either " wiled away," taken by force, or had been stupified by Catholic priests. The letter was answered, but solely as to the materials disproving the identity, and disabusing her mind of the supposition that the deceased was her husband ; but so confident was she that some of the particulars bore an analogy to the circumstances connected with her husband, that on Tuesday night she arrived at Lincoln, accompanied by her daughter, a sweet little girl about eight years old. Mr. Mason in vain endeavoured to convince her that it could not be the person she inquired for, still she would search further, and Mr. Mason introduced her to Mr. Hitchins, the coroner, to whom she made the following extraordinary statement :  Her husband belonged to the Catholic Church, and had been a Catholic priest at Beverley and Sheffield. they had been attached to each other for several years. That the result of that intimacy was the little girl then present. That upon its gaining currency that they were about to be married, he was taken and put into the asylum near Hull, during which time all letters were kept from her, some of which contained money. After the anticipated visit by the Commissioners of Lunacy he was released, and shortly after they were married, since which persecution had never ceased ; her husband had property, and had lent a great deal to the Catholics, some to priests, and some to a firm at Newcastle ; that he was persuaded to go into the grocery business at Louth ; and while there, on the 21st of April, he went out, and that she had never seen him or heard from him since, and, his brother had told her that she should never see him again dead or alive. That after he had gone, his brother had put the bailiffs in, under, as he stated, an ra.ssignment, and the assignment had been prepared by Mr. Walker, solicitor, of Hull. The last time her 'nusband was seen was at Grimsby pier, walking between Mr. Walker and his brother, and a Catholic priest was there. At this reference the poor woman became dreadfully agitated. Mr. Hitching reminded her that she was using the names of respectable persons in a transaction, as represented by her, of an extraordinary character. Mrs. Astropp said she was speaking the truth, and that Mr. lyre, a solicitor of Hull, would see into the matter ; but she wanted her husband.  Mr. Hitchins —Do you mean to say that while your husband was a Catholic priest you were living in concu. binage with him ; and that it was known.—Mrs. Astrepp—We did live together, and as soon as it was known we were going to be married he was put into an asylum. Mr. Hitchins—Have you made any public application to aid you ?—Mrs. Astropp—Yes, sir ; but as I had no .witnesses I could make nothing out. Mr. Hitchins—Have you applied for assistance to Mr. Walker, who, you say, got your husband's money ? —Mrs. Astropp -Yes, I have, and he says he hadn't any, that I must go to Mr. Edward Astropp, my husband's brother. I went, but the door was locked. My husband had above a thousand pounds, and he is entitled to three thousand more at his mother's death, and she is 80 years of age ; but they might have all the money if they would only let me have my husband. Mr. Hitchins—l am very desirous of assisting your inquiries, in reference to the person found in the railway carriage being your husband. The photograph which you havebrought with you, and which you say is a strong likeness of your husband, is not like that of the person  found ; the forehead is too high, and much more strongly developed ; the hair is thin and entirely different, the deceased having thick curly hair, and the photograph only showing a thinness of hair. I exceedingly regret your situation, and from the respectability of Mr. Ayre, your solicitor, as well as the situation of Mr. Walker, solicitor, of Hull, and of Mr. Edmund Astropp, and to which, I may add, notwithstanding extraordinary letters you have from Catholic priests, they, as a body and church, will feel it a duty incumbent on them to relieve your distressed mind as soon as the facts are known to them, so that it is more than probable yon will be in hut a short time satisfied that the father of your child, and your husband, still lives.  The poor woman, in convulsive exclamation, " Oh, pray God send it !" Tendering her thanks for the commiseration shown her, she left, and in the evening returned to Hull by train.