The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1824-04-23 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.  Yesterday afternoon an iniuisition was taken before the Deputy Coroner for Westminster, and a respectable jury, at the Coach and Horsee, Greek-street, Soho, on the body of Mr. John Hayden, a gentleman in the 724 year of his age, who put a period to his existence by cutting his throat. Mr. Adam Sutherland, a surgeon, said he was sent for to attei:d the deceased last Tuesday; he found a severe laceration in his throat; he was lying in Church-street, Soho (No. 28,) and witness has no doubt the act was committed by himself. Mrs. E. %Vebstead, of 28, Church-street, landlady of that I house, said the deceased gentleman was her lodger; she had known • him foe two years, during which time his mind had been considerably disordered, and he was at times so far deranged as to commit acts the most inconsistent; he was also extremely religious, and witness believes that religious questions affected his mind ; he had much money, but had lent it, and was greatly annoyed by not being paid the same lent when due. Witness believes that at times he hod not the necessaries of life; she supposed hint in a state of mental derangement, and attributed his inconsistencies to that cause. Witness thinks that on Monday and Tuesday he was deprived of common necessaries.  A Juror here said, that the deceased had advanced 5001. for the building of the chapel in Princess-street, fur which lie was to have received interest at fifteen per cent. Subsequent to this he had lent a person 301. in his business ; this person had the management of the chapel, and was to receive the interest, which, together with the 301., Mr. Whitehead bad not accounted for to the deceased. The witness continued.—She conceives the difficulty in getting his money back, was the principal cause of the act being committed. On Tuesday evening the deceased came home, and went into his room ; soon after • niece of his came and called him ; he did not answer. Witness then went up, and saw the deceased lying by the lire-place, covered with blood. She then fetched Mr %Vat. son, a surgeon. A razor was found near the fire-place. The beadle here pAjduced several impers, found on the deceased, on the subject of eternity; a few halfpence, together with some knives, were also preduced, with a pocket-book, which bore teetnorandums of aunts of money which he had lent to several persons, till he had absolutely reduced himself to poterty. Mrs. Mary Mills, of No. 10, Regent street, Vauxhall road, deposed, that the deceased was with her on Tuesday afternoon. He appeared much irritated, and remained three or four hours. Witness believes he advanced Mi. only to the Princess-street chapel. He wdnt away, and witness followed him home, being fearful that he would lay violent hands on himself. Witness knows the deceased had near Mi. in the Saving Bank, Lekestermquare. Juror—Did you ever borrow trmneyof him ? Witness-_I did, 31. and paid it again. Juror—ln his pocket-book it Slate* 201. Witness-1 received that, but gam it back again, and I believe he might have spent that. Juror—Oh no ! lie has had the name of a " miser" in this part for years. Mrs. Webstead said, that frequently when he had plenty of money he would collect the bits o meat falling front the butchers' stalls, eat bread and drink *catty, which was his chief diet; he was, in fact, a miser. Mr. Philip IVhitehend, of No. P!, Leicettermtrcet, said, the deceased e...11eA upon Min on Tneseay, much &flirted in mind, he said he had lost the key of his pocket ; witness has advanced the interest of the 601. lie lent on the new chapel at 13 per cent, ; the 301. witness is alle4ed to have was the discounting of a bill, but he now owes the deceusftrs effects nothing. Juror—Do you think it has been the love of religion or the love of money that has driven hint to this act ? Witnem--The love of money. Juror—l think he was deranged, for I saw him ,go to chapel with the hind part of his wig before last Sunday. The Beadle here brought in a number of documents which he havderal taken front the deceased's trunk, showing he had money in and silver. se ways granted by annuity, also a gold watch, some guineas, The Conn NE It said, no doubt could remain of the insanity (idle deceased, and the Jury found a verdict accordingly.