The Sun. — 1847-11-16 (London, England)

THE LATE ATTEMPT AT MURDER AT READING. A jury was empanelled yesterday before Mr. Mandy, coroner for the borough, on the body of James Hearsey, who committed suicide on Friday afternoon, after having attempted . the murder of his wife. The general circumstances connected with this melancholy affair appeared in our paper of yesterday. In addition, it was stated in evidence by Mr. Robert Rymell, veterinary surgeon, in whose employ the deceased had been for upwards of four years, said that Hearsey for the last two years complained of being giddy in the head, and a few weeks ago was unable to continue at work in consequence. He never heard anything about his wife and he not being able to agree, until about two months since, Hearsey told him his wife had secreted some money, and was too fond of a man lodging in the house. Hearsey was jealous of his wife, and, from inquiries he had made, thought no such connexion could have existed between her and the old man as he had !represented. He had spoken to the wife about the suspicions her husband had, and she assured him that nothing of the kind had ever occurred. Friday week Hearsey came to work in the morning, but was obliged to return home from being giddy, and almost unable to stand. Henry Houlton, superintendent of police, stated that on Saturday morning he went and searched the deceased's pockets, and found a memorandum-book, two letters, a small slip of paper with writing upon it, two sovereigns, and 1/. 13s. 6d. in silver. In the mememorandum-book the following was written : "I have lived with my wife fourteen years, and always thought her to be a virtuous woman, but I have proved the contrary. I saw her in the fact with a poor old cripple who is living with us." One of the letters, which was addressed to Mr. Cottrell, grocer, London-street, was as follows : " Reading, Nov. 8. "Farewell all. My dear friends, remember the poor boys, look upon them with pitty. Do not frown on them on my account, for I am drove to an act that makes me shudder, but I cannot help it. I have seen sutch things that the world would believe. My wife deceived me once, and I forgave her. She then did it again with a poor cripple, whitch I am ashamed to say must be her own fault. If the world does not believe it, God knows all things. Remember me to all my sisters and my brothers. Remember me to all my old shopmates—but, above all, to my poor dear mother. Tell her to weep not for me. Farewell, my dear boys—be good—serve God—and love one another; and may God bless you all. Good by—good by.  "Pity this poor miserable wretch, " JAMES HEARSE "Mr. Cottrell, London-street, Reading." Y. The second letter was addressed to his mother, Mrs. Neale, St. Mary's, Botts :  " Reading, Nov. 8. "My dear Mother—Sorry am I to inform you that I cannot abide the life I am now living. My wife have deceived me again. I shall now have no more to doo with her. Sorry am Ito leave my famrnily, but I had better do that than worse. I will rite to you as soon as I get in work. Give my love to my sisters. I don't know which way I shall go, but I shall leave England. Remember my dear boys. Give ' them good advice, and make them go to church, as they have always done. My dear mother, grieve not for me. I will endeavour to do as well as I can. Don't let any one see this on any account. I cannot tell you more now, but will when I rite again. It gives me the horrors to think of it. So no more at present from your ever loving son, "