The Express. — 1864-10-17 (London, England)

THE EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF A GENTLESIAN THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.  INQIIEST.—(THIS DAY.) At noon today, Mr. W. Payne, the coroner for the City of Loodoo, held an inquiry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Charles Vie Skeet, aged 63 years, who committed nicht', on the premium of the West Ham Gotta Perth& Compsny, of which be was the manager. Mr. Walter Hancock appeared to watch the case on the part of the company. William Harvey, night watchman at the Gotta Percha Works, West-street, Smithfield, said that Mr. }lidera was the confideetial manager of the works. Witness last saw him alive at a quarter plat 11 o'clock on Friday night. He had newer been so late in the office before. He asked witness to fetch half a pint of beer, and witness went for it. The dammed had bees writing all the evening from 6 o'clock when he had come to the °Bice. Witness brought back the beer, bat when peesin' the stable doer be heard a noise apparently from a pistol I abet, followed by a groan. Witness ran into the stable sad saw deceased lying on the ground with blood flowing ' from his forehead. Witness thought he was in a 61, and called for help. He tried to lift the deceased up, and asked him what was the matter, but he could sot answer. A policeman came, followed by a surgeon, who said that he bad been shot. The police found a pistol in the straw. Witness found a paper of bullets, powder, and caps, and two letters produced. Witness noticed nothing namel about the deceased latterly, or when he directed witness to go out for the beer.  Mr. Edward Broughton, clerk at the Gaits Perch& Works, said that he knew the deceased for three years. Witness never observed that the deceased's mind was disturbed in any way. The letters produced were in deceased's baud. writing. Witoeas knew that the deceased was involved in pecuniary  By Mr. Hancock—The deceased was is no way wrong in his accounts with respect to tie Outta Paola Company. Berson. 232, City police, produced a pocket pistol, which was found in the stable by the side of the deceased. It bad just been discharged. Mr. Alfred Hancock, joint manager of the works with the deceased, said he had koowo deceased three roan end a ball. He was latterly depressed. He was disappointed at not getting other employment He was about to leave the Gotta Percha Compeny's employment because he was not required any longer. His accounts were all right. He was married, and he had two children. His income from the oompuiy was 21,10 f. a year, but he had other property of his own. On the Friday afternoon witness saw him, and be was then rather melancholy. Mr. F. Rowbotham said that latterly the deceased was dispirited apparently at the prospect of the lose of employment. lie was disappointed at not receiving oertain sums of mosey on which he had calculated. _ _ _  After further evidence a letter *written by the deceased was read. It is addressed to the coroner and jury. After stating his pecuniary difficulties, he writes :—•' I die believing nothing, bat hoping all things. I write all this became there is always so touch said about death being • rash act, a rushiog IMO the presence of one's Maker without God's permiestoo. I feel but an instrument in God's hand for my own just punishment. I Placed all my happhew in a home to which I had oo right, for I had not the means necessary to keep it up. That darling angel! If I could possibly I would still struggle for her sake. And m child's cherub free is before me, @eying, y ' Papa, don't leave us.' What oan I do? But this is gang back again to life. What tricks and subterfuges in order to make this home happy ! lam ashamed to make so much fen about dying, but the thought of them overcomes me. My dying averts ruin from another, who, if I lived, would be rained. Pardos me this trouble, but some of you have children. Until the age of 60 I never was in difficulty, I trust you will take • charitable view of all. and pardon my occupying your time. --CRALLIa Vii