The Sun. — 1835-04-22 (London, England)

CORONERS' INQUESTS.  Yesterday afternoon an investigation took place 'before Mr. BAKER, the coroner, at the Adam and Eve publichouse, opposite Hackney workhouse, respecting the death of a boy aged 13, named Geo. Withers. The inquiry produced a great sensation in the parish, various rumours being in circulation as to the cause of the youth's death.  John Chapman, a lad residing in Union-buildings, Newington, at half-past seven on Saturday morning last, while fishing in the Lea, saw the body of the deceased floating on the surface of the water with the heels upwards. Deceased was dressed, and had in his pockets 3s. 6d. Mr. Thomas Hovell, a surgeon, was of opinion the body had been in the water at least ten days. There appeared no marks of violence about it.  Charles Withers, Harford-street, Somers-town, brushmaker, being sworn, stated that the deceased, who was his nephew, had, since the death of his parents, which happened some years ago, lived with his grandfather and grandmother, by whom he was treated with every indulgence. A brother of the last witness here started up, and observed, that the deceased had been used well by his late guardians.  In answer to questions, the witness admitted that the deceased's grandmother is his (witness's) mother, and he had quarrelled with her about family matters. He considered she had not done her duty to any of her children. The grandmother was next examined, and it was very evident to every one present that she had performed a parent's duty to the unfortunate lad. While giving her evidence, she was interrupted several times by her son, who was at length silenced by the cries of the jurymen of " Shame, shame, ungrateful child !" &c. The witness, Charles Withers, having requested to be examined again, said there were some very remarkable circumstances attending the history of the deceased, who, he had sometimes considered to be subject to fits of insanity, which was a family ailing, his mother having recently died raving mad. The deceased, about six months ago, when playing in a street where his grandfather resided, was forcibly thrust into a hackney coach by two men, who then blindfolded him, and conveyed him at a rapid pace into some obscure spot in the .Borough, where he was locked up in a kind of cell, the bandage on his eyes having previously been taken off, and threats made to him that he would be murdered if he made an alarm. The deceased continued there in the utmost terror until 2 o'clock the next morning, when he broke through the ceiling and effected his escape.  A:juryman—Did he return home directly he escaped ? Mr. Withers—He did. He went with several officers in search of the place, but the poor lad was so alarmed that he had not the least idea of the spot. Juror—What do you suppose was the object of the men ? Mr. Withers—l have no doubt that he was forced there for the most revolting purposes, and that he would have shared a similar fate to the boy Paviour. (It will be recollected that this unfortunate youth was placed in a hackney-carriage by some ruff,ans and conveyed away, and that his body was afterwards found murdered, to most revolting acts having been previously perpetrated upon him.) Juror—How long has deceased been missing Mr. Withrs—Two weeks last Saturday. He was sent on an errand to the city saw-mills, and we never heard of him until his body was, taken out of the water. Mr. BARER, the coroner, said it was very singular that if the boy had meditated suicide he should have gone so far as the river Lea, when he might have accomplished his purpose in many pieces of water about the city saw-mills. I: was a very mysterious case, but under all the circumstances the jury would do well to return a verdict of " Found drowned," and the matter would then still be open to further inquiry, in case anything should transpire inducing a belief that the deceased had met his death by unfair means. A Juryman asked Mr. W. if he took any means to find out deceased when he was last missing ? Mr. Withers— I and my brothers instituted every inquiry, and we thought he had been decoyed from home again. The Jury then declared that there was no pretence for the charge of cruelty which had been made against the grandfather and grandmother of deceased. The disappearance of the lad, however, seemed involved in mystery, but they should act under th e advice of the worthy coroner, and return a verdict of " Yound drowned."  Yesterday an inquiry took place before Mr. Stirling, the Coroner, and a Jury, at the Elephant and Castle, King's-road, St. Pancras, relative to the death of a finelyformed female, name unkn own, about 18 years of age, who was found in the Regent':;-canal, near the the Zoologicalgardens. She appeared to have been entirely destitute, her whole apparel being scarcely worth sixpence. No money was about her, and she had neither pocket, stays, bonnet, nor shoes. Her upper garment was a half-gown (cotton) ; and of a chocolate colour, while her under-dress was little better than rags. There were no marks of violence on her person. She had been in the water about five days. The body underwent a post mortem examination at the workhouse, by Dr. Willing and Mr. Eastcotte, but there were no appearances to indicate why the deceased should commit the act of self-destruction..,—Verdict, " Found drowned."  cc Jim, do you snore when you are asleep?" " No, never ; for I lay awake one nigh t, on purpose to see.", American Paper.