Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-03-05 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

MOUSY. for Rent, resumed the inquiry into the cause of death of Lieutenant Percy L. 0. Boner, Royal Engineers, aged 21, who was found murdered on the Mairs leading to his quarter. at Brompton Barracks, on the 11th of Febru try. Mr. Wontner now appeared on behalf of the War Office to watch the case.  Ainong the witnesses examined were the following:—  Margaret Cruth, employed at the officers' mess, said that she left the mess about a quarter to nine on the evening of the 11th ult. Just before getting to No. 9 house, in which the deceased lived, she heszcl a crack as of a stick, and afterwards two or three moans. She heard a scuffling on the stairs as well. Three dogs came running out of the house as though they were frightened. By Mr. Wontner She saw no one come out of the house. Had any one come out she must have seen  James Sharp, a sapper, who was on duty at the back of the quarters, said that about nine o'clopk he heard a sharp crack as of a piseil. The report tame from an open window on a landing in the deoebeed's house. Witness watched the window for several minutes, but did not see any one at the window or pass by. By Mr. Wontner : He did nnt leave his post from the time he went on duty until he went off. He saw no one enter or leave the gateway leading to No. 9 house. It was possible for any one to have entered unobserved by hiding in the shadow of the wall and waiting until witness's back was turned. Sapper Thomas Plumbret and CorpQrsl George Palmer, who were on duty at the main gate, which is right opposite to the passage leading to the back way of the officers' quarters, said they did not see any strangers peas to or from the lane on the evening in question, William James, sergeant of the guard, said he went to the house with a file of the guard just before nine. They made a thorough examination of the lower part of the premises, but found no one, nor any traces of strangers having been there. They did Lot examine the servant's kitchens, nor an empty kitchen. They did not know at the time that there was an empty kitchen in the house.  Lieutenant S. Davidson, R.E., said he was at the mess on the evening in question and sat at the back of the deceased. Witness sent a note to the deceased asking if he would go to the entertainment in the barracks after mess. The deceased sent a note in reply.— "Dear Sir,—l want to finish a letter, but will be glad to go a little later.—P. L. o.R."—:Subsequently, he had a talk with deceased, who said laughingly, "You had better look sharp, or you'il not get a seat; don't wait for me." He was of a decidedly cheerful disposition, and not at all likely to have committed suicide.  Lieutenant Herbert Stodbert, R.E., occupying a room next the deceased's, said on the night in question Lieutenant Mullaby told him of the occurrence. Witness afterwards examined his room, and found it in its usual state, with he exception that the revolver and case were missing. He had jewellery lying about, but missed nothing. A short man could not get the revolver from where it was hanging without disarranging the bed, but he did not notice that it was disarranged. A tail man could reach the revolver without touching the bed. Witness had Wed to get cartridges for it but without success. Mr. E. Palmer, gunsmith, Rochester, did about half-past five on the afternoon of the 11th he sold a box of cartridges similar to those found on the landing. He had only one box. The person who bought them was a military looking man. Witness took him to be an officer. Witness had had the box in stock about a twelvemonth. Witness could not identify the person who purchased them. He had seen photographs of the deceased, but he was not the purchaser. Only one chamber of the revolver had been bred. The person who purchased the cartridges was between 30 and 35 years of age. Lieutenant Belly was called to prove that at the time named by Mr. Palmer the deceased was attending a lecture at the Royal Engineer Institute.  The jury, after being absent about three-quarters of an hour, found that "deceased had been murdered by some person or persons unknown," and recommended that application should be made to the Home Secretary to offer a reward for the discovery of the murderer.  The Coroner said thafsteps had already been taken to that end.