The Northern Daily Times. — 1857-04-08 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

SUSPECTED MURDER AT WOOLWICH..  • Great public excitement is at present prevailing at Woolwich; consequent ohthe lifeless body oriohn Lawler, a gunner and driver in the Royal: Artillery, having been taken from the water at Hog-lane-stairs; with every reasonable appearance for belief that the unfortunate man had been the victim of foul play. Oa the discovery of the body, a piequet of military conveyed it away to await .an inquest, and an assistant surgeonin the garrison in the meantime_ made a post mortem examination, but without. coming to any other conclusionahan that it was a common suicide. Other circumstances, however, revealed themselves, and Dr. Little, one of the surgeons attached to the garrison staff, made a second examination, and discovered lone wounds in the head of the deceased (two on. either side), which apparently had been inflicted by some blunt instrument. Coupled with this circumstance, it was further ascertained that the deceased bad- been in a brothel, at No. 5, Hog-lane, a Tett; hours previous to the discoveryof the body in. the river, that a disturbance had taken place, that the deceased was purseed. by Catherine Ceulson, the keePer of the heuse, and an accomplice in infamy, named John Webster.' The disturbance 'took place between twelve and one o'clock lon the morning of the 25th ult., the body being discovered between seven and eight the same morning, and from -the -great cunnieg displayed by the .principals :in the affair, suspicion was for a time-thwarted; until a split by some Means taking place between them, the truth is now generally breaking forth. An inquest has been held before Mr. C J. Carttar, and twice adjourned, and Catherine Coulson' and, John Walsh taken into, custody.' On Saturday last, Walsh and Catherine Coulson were Placed in the dock, before Mr. Train, the'Woolwich eaueme Lew Lu UtZll'Uy Uy jumping' into tne river. Mr. James Pearce attended for the prisoner Coulson; Walsh was undefended. Margaret Murphy stated that She was an unfortunate girl, and lived `at No. 5, Hog-lane, with Mrs. Coulson. She remembered the soldier, Walsh, and her landlady being together on last Teesday night week. A disturbance was created, and Walsh struck the soldier in the face. Mrs. Coulson took up the poker, and made a blow at the soldier, but she did not hit him: After a good deal of noise the soldier was pet out. A knock Was afterwards heard at the door, when Walsh pursued• the-soldier down Hog-lane, accompanied by her landlady. On getting to the stairs, Walsh s:ruck at the soldier, but did not hit Win ;he only knocked his cap off. The soldier then fel bask into the water. Mrs. Coulson teized the poker to strike him, but Walsh threw it away, and said he would see :him 4-1 first before he'd save him. :Witness :believed it was abqut three quarters of an:hour from the time, the, seldier was pushed at. Margaret. Maelonalcl, 'also an unfortunate: residing at 5, Hog lane, corroborated this evidence. .She saw Walsh and the soldier in company with Mrs. Coulson. ' The Soldier said he knew Walsh, but his real name was 'Smith. —Walsh said that was a lie. The soldier was then asked whether he was not mit without leave, when -he made an ineolent answer. The 1 indlady then asked him what brought hiria there, the eoldier replying la, very bad language. She asked hint if, he keew who he was speaking to, and he said he .dicl'at care. The remainder -of ,her vvidence tended to confirm the main facts above, as to the mode by which the unfortunate rnancarne by his death. Other witnesses having been called, but . who`-did not appear, Mr. Traill said he should -adj.-mew the further exaininatiOn until all the evidence had- been before the coroner, and consequently remanded. the prisoners. Mr.-Pearce requested. to be allowed to put in bail for. Coulson's appearance at the next examination, but his worship at once refused."  • Tale