The Sun. — 1856-09-10 (London, England)

DEATII.—John Sheraton, a tall, sunburnt, military looking man, about 40 years of age, was brought up from Poplar workhouse in custody of police•constable Grimes, No. 291 K, charged with attempting to commit suicide.  Grimes stated that on Friday night last the prisoner, whom he had known some time, precipitated himself from the wharf at Blackwall stairs into the river, and soon disappeared. Two lightermen went to the spot where he sank, and got him out of the water. The man appeared to be quite dead, but no time was lost in removing him to the King's Arms public-house, where he was stripped. The body was dried, and friction and mustard plaisters applied. After a surgeon and others had persevered for two hours signs of life began to appear. The efforts to resuscitate the unfortunate man were persevered in for some time longer, stimulants were applied, aid the prisoner was removed to the Poplar workhouse, where he had since remained under medical treatment. The prisoner told the master of the workhouse that he was sorry the water was not deep enough, and that he thought it was deeper, and that next time he would do it more effectually. Mr. Yardley—The master of the workhouse ought to have been here to have stated that.  The prisoner, in defence and in rather a careless manner, said it was a bad job, only he did not reoollect what occurred. He was a British subject. His parents were English, and he was born and bread in the East Indies.  Mr. Yardley asked Grimes if he knew anything of the prisoner, to which the officer replied, that Shenton had been in the army and went about the 4treets selling periwinkles, and he was sorry to say he was a very hard drinker.  The prisoner's wife, a respectable little woman, said sho had been married to him five years, and they lived on good terms. The prisoner never went wrong before, and there was no reason why he should destroy himself. Mr. Yardley—Except the liquor  The prisoner said he was ill of fever three years, and 21 days out of his mind. He was not in his right senses last Friday night. The master of the Poplar workhouse asked him if he intended to destroy himself again, to which he replied no. He was in the army in the East Indies, and had a pension of 6d. per day for three years only. He was in the 3d Dragoons. He was 20 years in the service, and orderly to Lord Hardinge. He only had 6d, per day for two years at first, but Lord Hardinge interfered and obtained 6d. per day for him for 12 months longer.  Mr. Yardley—You might get some regular employ. ment. Is there nothing upon your certificate of discharge !  The prisoner—Nothing at all, sir. I was at the battle of Aliwal, under Sir Harry Smith, the bravest officer that ever lived. Our regiment of cavalry were ordered to charge the Seikh infantry, and we did so ; the enemy formed a square of 5,000 strocg, with 18 guns, and we cut them to pieces, sir. Mr. Yardley—What regiment did you then belong to Shenton The prisoner—The 10th, sir.  Mr. Yardley—l know that the 16th performed that gallant exploit. You are a man that has faced the enemy.  The prisoner—More than once, your honour. Mr. Yardley--No doubt of it, and have been a brave soldier, and you have not the moral courage to refrain from the odious vice of drunkenness ; and you have committed a much worse sin, attempted to destroy your life. You should have greater courage than to go irregularly out of life.  The prisoner—l won't do it again, your honour. Mr. Yardley—Then I will allow you to go home with your wife, who, I hope, will take care of you.  Sporting Intelligence.