The Sun. — 1841-11-23 (London, England)

PARKES AND WEBB. % '44Y the ,bodies funfortunate men, killed ies 0 these 411 • 111,St at the late fire in Blackfriars -load, were Gerge's Burial-ground, in the Borough co'h£ tl,eneourse of people ussembled to witness fill-nenrtiland ceremony. Previous to the starting thq. xi, a, Superintendent Murray (M division) 14.4e°listih'itte ofo Mr. Braidwood, informing him that t-ritiones the above division had entered into a tlittc?.di wil.f°r the benefit of tee widow of Webb ; the taah,triars°o4 amouuting to C/- 13s, ld., he also put  DREADFUL NIURDER and SUICIDE (Abridged from the Hull Rockingham of Saturday.) Two inquests were held last night at the Sculcoates Tavern, Wincolmlee, betore John Thorney, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury, on the bodies of Robert Hickson, and Sarah Hickson, his wife. After having been sworn, the Jury proceeded to view the bodies. They were found lying side by side on a slight raised platform, in a small, neatly-furnished room in Owens-square, New George-street. The sight was a most appalling one, the throat of the -man being cut from ear to ear, whilst the woman's skull was literally smashed to pieces. The floor was deluged with blood, but partly covered with saw dust. Immediately over the corpses was a portrait of Hickson, painted in oil by himself, and said to be a correct likeness. In another part of the room was a painting of Christ, in the same style as the portrait, and most likely done by the deceased.  The Jury then returned to the tavern, where an inquest on the body of Robert Hickson commenced.  Selina Hickson, a child seven years old, the daughter of the deceased, having been told the nature of an oath, which she appeared perfectly to comprehend, was sworn and said,—l am going of eight years old, and lived with my father and mother. They quarrelled yesterday about marrying. I got my breakfast with them this morning. My father went out soon after breakfast. He was -deaf and dumb. He came back at twelve o'clock to-day to his dinner. He came in dripping wet, and mother said she was so poorly she could scarcely wash for him, when he took a razor and cut his throat. He was angry because there was not a dry waistcoat for him to put on. Mother talked to him with her fingers. Father seemed in a passion when they were quarrelling, but I have seen hint worse before. We were getting our dinners, and so was mother when he came in. He took up a poker from the fireside and struck mother four or five times. She fell down on the hearth, and I never heard her speak again. Father took a razor from the cupboard top and cut his throat : then f ran out. Mary Lee was sworn, but her evidence- was unimportant.  Francis Lee deposed—l am a mariner, and live in Owen's-court, near the deceased. Between twelve and one o'clock to-day I was getting my dinner, and I heard a screaming in the square. I heard a woman say, " Oh dear, Mr. Hickson has cut his throat." I went in and found him sat  on the floor against the drawers with his head knocking about and his throat cut. His wife was laid on the hearth bleeding. He was bleeding from the throat. I saw a razor lying on the floor partly covered with blood. I have known Ro bert Hickson four or five years. Never saw any thing to induce me to believe he was not of sound mind. John Binning deposed—l live in Lucas-square, No. 9, and am a dealer in coals. Robert Hick son has been in my employ off and on more than seven years. Was in my employ to-day as a coal-porter. He was at work to-day till halfpast twelve. He left Charter-house crane at half-past twelve or twenty-five minutes to one. I observed that he did not look as usual, and he made a sign to me that his depression was caused by his wife having; committed adultery. He said he would shoot the man. I understood his signs, and made him understand he must not do so. This was sometime before dinner. He helped me to deliver four half chaldrons, and was as keen of working as ever. By aJuror—l first saw him depressed on Wednesday last. He never mentioned any thing respecting being jealous of his wife till that day. Have heard a man, named Charles Richardson, say that he had walked with Hickson's wife, and: would do so again. I told him he might be ashamed of himself. Richardson worked for me as well as deceased. He is about 20 or 21 years of age, and not married. Charles Richardson was sworn and said—l live in Aldborough-street, and am a coal-porter in the employ of Mr. Binning, Have known Robert Hickson eight or ten years. Have worked with him about twelve months. He made a great noise in the street either on Tuesday or Wednesday, and seemed angry; but I could not tell what he meant by his signs. - He accused me of having been connected with his wife, but very little. Has never repeated the. accusation. He appeared quite lively this morning when he came to our stable, smoked his pipe, and offered me his tobacco box. I saw him at a quarter to one this afternoon at the corner of Charter-house-lane.  By a Juror—Was never at Hickson's house but twice; last time was a fortnight ago. Never met his wife at Mr. Binning's stables. Have spoken to her in the street, but nothing more. I never met her by appointment, and have only walked the length of a street.with her when we met accidentally. Will swear that I never knew whether she was man or woman.  Several Jurymen expressed,theniselVes as perfectly satisfied that.t.his:•:anitaras was morally guilty of the deaths of the deceased . -•: • ;Sohn Binning was recalled, and questioned by tl~e„Jury. He said—l taxed Richardson' with being too kind with Robert Hickson's wife, the morning after she had been at the stall. He said that was not the first time she had been there.  Charles Richardson—l told Mr. Binning that was of no use her going to the stable, as her usband was in bed.  The