The Sun. — 1841-08-17 (London, England)

CORONERS' INQUESTS.  On Friday evening, a lengthened investigation was instituted before Mr. Wakley, M.P., and a most respect • able Jury, at the Marylebone Infirmary, New-road, on the body of Mrs. Sarah Spencer, aged 53, a respectable widow, nurse in the family of R. Reid, Esq., a gentleman connected with the Customs, residing at No. 16, Portland-place. Thomas Grace, footman in the service of Mr. Reid, said the last time he saw the deceased alive was at about half-past one o'clock, in the afternoon of Wednesday last, at the dinner table at his master's house. He saw her shortly, after, with her bonnet on, go out at the street door, and turn in the direction of Park-crescent. He had not seen her since. She appeared whilst at dinner in a perfect state of health, and he saw nothing whatever unusual in her manner, which was generally lively. Mrs. Mary Barnes stated, that she was the female attendant at the Royal York Baths, York-terrace, Regent's-park. About three o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday last, the deceased came and said, she required a bath. Witness inquired whether she would like it cold or warm, and she said warm. Witness then asked the deceased if she would stay in the waiting-room until the bath was got ready, or follow her to the bath-room at once, but she preferred the latter. Witness then showed deceased the bath, which is about five feet long and two feet deep ; when she inquired if they had not a larger one, to which witness replied, " No. That was the usual size, and she would find it quite ' large enough." Witness having then arranged the necessary linen for deceased's use left the bath-room, and heard her lock the door after her. The deceased had been in the bath one hour when witness knocked at the door, but receiving no answer, knocked again, and the result was similar. She ascmded to the skylight, and having got it open looked into the room. She then observed the deceased lying in the bath with her head under water. She could only see the lower part of deceased's body out of the water. She raised an alarm, and Mr. Surtees, the brother of the late proprietor of the bath, now lying dead, and the engineer, burst open the door. The deceased was then discovered lying on her face at the bottom of the bath, and her legs hanging over the side of it, having on her chemise, flannel petticoat, and stockings. She was taken out, and medical aid procured, and a vein was opened, but life was quite extinct. The Coroner remarked that there was little doubt but that the case was one of suicide, but as there was no distinct evidence, an open verdict would be proper.—The Jury ultimately returned a verdict " That deceased was found dead in a bath, but whether she destroyed herself intentionally there was no direct evidence to show." On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held before Mr. Wakley, M.P., at the George the Fourth, Hounslow Reath, on the body of a fine-looking girl named Maria Payne, only sixteen years of age, who poisoned herself. It appeared from the evidence that she was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Payne, sergeant gate-keeper of the review ground at Hounslow Heath, under the QuarterMaster-General, and lived at the lodge on the centre of the heath. During the last three weeks the deceased had appeared remarkably dull and strange in her manner, and neglectful of the duties she had to perform. On the morning of Tuesday last Mr. Payne, on coming home about a quarter past seven o'clock, heard the deceased in the garden retching, and saying " Oh.dear ?" On going to her he asked her if she had taken anything that disagreed with her, but she refused to say, on which he fetched in a female neighbour, when she was placed on a sofa and a surgeon sent for. Just previous to her death, which took place the same night, her father asked her what she had swallowd, where she had taken it; and who had given it to her ; upon which she replied, " I got oxalic acid at Mr. Ward's myself and took it," and then added, " Father, kiss me, you have been a good father to me—you gave me good advice, and I am very sorry I did not take it—forgive me," and she soon after expired. She was generally of a very violent spirit. Verdict—" The deceased died from swallowing oxalic acid, being at the time in a state of insanity." On Saturday an inquest was held at the Duke of Wellington, Hackney, on the body of James Stubbings, a respectable master builder, aged 61, who committed suicide by cutting his throat, and otherwise dreadfully mutilating himself. Joseph Hall, of Providence-place, Hackney, said that for the last four months the deceased had been in a very low and desponding state. His demeanour was at intervals very remarkable, and for the last few days his general habits were so eccentric that his friends thought that his mind was affected, but did not consider it necessary to place him under restraint, and he was closely watched by his family and a young man who slept with him. On Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock, a messenger from deceased's son called upon witness, and requested him to follow immediately to his residence. He did so ; and upon entering the deceased's room he saw him bleeding from a large wound in the throat, and suffering from other injuries he had inflicted on his person. Witness bound his throat with a handkerchief to stop the flow of blood, and sent for a surgeon. Mr. Crocombe, a surgeon of Homerton, quickly attended, but from the dreadful nature of the injuries his survival could not be expected, and he died the following day. Witness had no doubt that the deceased had committed the rash deed whilst labouring under one of those paroxysms of pain which arose from disease of the kidneys. The jury immediately returned a verdict of " Temporary :nullity."