The Sun. — 1857-12-16 (London, England)

CROYDON.  The case of murder and suicide at Croydon came under the investigation of Mr. Carter, the Surrey coroner, yesterday afternoon, at Croydon. It appeared from the evidence that Mr. Win. Smithers, a clerk in the Bank of England, resided with his mother and a younger brother at Thornton-heath, near Croydon. The younger brother, Mr. Chas. Sini:hers, was a clerk in the factory of Mr. Bunnett, an engineer, at Deptford,---an appointment be was about leaving for the purpose of enterinz upon a situation he bad been promised in the Bank of England. On the morning et Thursday last Mrs. Smithers knocked at the door of Elizabeth Morgan, a servant residing in the house, and desired her to get up, as sbeleard Mr. William moving, and supposed he might be wanting to go oat. It was then a little after 5 o'clock. At that time he was in Charles's bedroom, which was adjacent to that of Mrs. Smithers. As soon as she bad dressed herself William calle i on her, and requested her to bring him a wineglass, as he had got some medicine for his brother. On receiving the glass he went back again into Charles's room. When she prepared breakrast she went upstairs to see whether the gentlemen :were coining down. She knocked at the door, and receivin, no answer, listened, when she heard one of them snoring. She west downstairs again, thinking she would let them sleep on. About 9 o'clock a lad brought a letter, which he said was g to be given to Mr. Wm. Smithers at once, and Elizabeth Mere :an took it up. Not bein able to obtain any reply to ref 'elated knocks, she opened the door, when both the Young' men appeared as though they were lying dead in bid. Charles was foaming at the mouth. She asked a young: woman residing in the next house to accompany her n ,pstairs, and upon entering the room they found that both the young men were dead. Morgan then ex clamfed, "Good God, Anne ! here is a poison bottle and the yineglass I gave Mr. William this morning." They were: lying on the bed between the two brothels. Morgan then went into her mistress's bedroom, and found her in a half se t,ting posture, herheal resting againet the hod post, She was quite dead. Mr. B ,twinley, who was : call ad iii, at once decided that the two brothers bad died fro. fli he effects of prussic acid, and there could be no doubt that William administered a (lose to his brother, pro! sly in his sleep, and that he then took the poison him ;,e If. It appears that ho administered poison to his mo th er between the hour when she called Morgan andthe time Morgan found Ler deal in bed. Some "Pia"' s were given as to the probable cause'for tie, coinion of title dreadful series of crimes. Sinithers ba, I been speculating in the city, and hail been unsuccietsf ul. Ile had borrowed 70/. of a friend, which he was un.e,: hie to pay ; he had appropriated to his own ai,e 207. which his mother bad entrusted to him to pay some ac ;taints, and from letters which have been found it se, in is that he was about assigning some life policies as se nirity for his engagements. The mental depression pr educed by his unsuccessful speculations dove him to th e use of brandy, of which within the last few weeks he own monly drank a pint a-lay. r, is jury deliberated for an hoar, whorl the fella wing ye' ict was retuwii, :—That Mary Smithers and Charles