The Express. — 1866-04-21 (London, England)

THE MURDER AND SUICIDE IN DRURY-LANE.— Yesterday Mr. Bedford, the coroner for Westminster, held au inquest at King's College Hospital on the bodies of James Whitley and Mary Whitley, his wife, the woman having been found dead in the passage of the house, 8, Feathers-court, Drury-lane, on Tuesday morning last, and the man having died at the hospital about '2 o'clock on the same day. The circumstances of the discovery of the body of the woman and her husband and the other facts already reported having been confirmed, Dr. Welch and Dr. Harvey gave evidence as to the condition of the woman, who was quite dead, and the man, whose removal to the hospital they ordered. The death of the woman had ensued in consequence of a stab in the neck. Mr. Howell, house surgeon at King's Collage Hospital, proved that the man died from severs:ace of the large vessels of the neck about six hours after his admission. After some further evidence the jury returned the following verdict in the case of the woman, " That the deceased Mary Whitley was wilfully murdered by her husband. James Whitley." The brother of the deceased man in his evidence stated certain circumstances with regard to the mental condition of the murderer which led the jury to decide by a majority " That James Whitley committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity." SUSPECTED POISONING OF THREE BROTHER/L A mysterious case of suspected poisoning is now occupying the attention of the Northumberland constabulary, under the orders of Mr. Superintendent Wookey. The investigation has been set on foot in consequence of the singular circumstances attending the illness of a family named Bashby, and the death at brief intervals of three of the members of it. Mr. John Bushby, aged about fifty years, occupied a farm called Donkin's Houses, situate near Ponteland, about eight miles north-west from Newcastle. He was unmarried. Two unmarried brothers, named William, aged about forty-nine, and George, aged about ferty-three, resided with him, and assisted in the management of the farm. They were all strong healthy men. On the 22nd December of last year William was taken suddenly ill, and on the following day George also fell sick. They vomited very much, and were also affected by sore throat. A few days afterwards John was similarly seised, with the exception that be did not feel any pain in his throat. The housekeeper and the servant girl also participated in the attack, but recovered. William died on the 2nd of January, and George on the sth. At one time hopes were entertained that John would recover, but after lingering some time he gradually became worse, and died on the 11th of February. After what was believed to be a thorough investigation into the cause of death on the part of William and George, the medical gentlemen in attendance came to the conclusion that they had fallen victims to an attack of fever generated by the unsanitary condition of the premises. On the death of John Bushby, however, following so closely upon ; the death of his brothers, suspicion was revived, and Dr. Atkinson, of Tbrookley, who on this occasion was called in to assist the family medical man, Dr. Dodd, of Ponteland, ;took away certain articles of food for analysis. After a most unaccountable delay of upwards of two months, it is now stated that his analysis has resulted in the discovery of poison. The police think they have discovered a clue to the perpetrator of the alleged poisonings, but decline to give any more exact information, on the pound that the MOO is incomplete. The body of John Bushby will be exhumed, and an inquest held at Ponteland at the beginning of next week.—Corfesle J 011016651. The postmaster-General has given notice of the termination of the mall contract of the West India and Pacific Steamship Company. This company conveyed Jamaica, Haytian, Mexican, and Honduras mails.