The Warwickshire Herald. — 1887-05-12 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SUPPOSED SUICIDE  MR. E. HAROLD CARTER.  Early on Wednesday morning Sutton Celdfield was thrown into a state of the utmost consternation by a rumour gaining currency to the effect that Mr. E. Harold Carter, J.P., had been found drowned—a rumour which, later in the day, proved to be only too true. It appears that a labourer named John Storer, of Worcester-lane, Little Sutton, employed at the baths now in course of erection at Keeper's Pool, Sutton Park, was going to his work at about half-past five on Wednesday morning, when he discovered a man's hat and jacket lying on the dam. Storer looked around expecting to find the person to whom the clothes belonged bathing, but seeing no one he told the foreman of the works (Mr. Charles Thompson), of what he had seen, and the latter semit him with the hat and jacket to Sergeant Stnye, who shortly afterwards arrived on the spot, and at once proceeded to examine the clothes. In one of the pockets of the jacket was found a card case containing a number of visiting cards, and having the wools, " Mr. E. Harold Carter, Rose Mount, Sutton Coldfichl," lithographed thereon. Nothing further of any consequence was found, but Serjeant Smye proceeded to the address given—this was about an hour after the clothes were first discovered —and found the door open, and on his calling the servants up and making enquiries, Mr. Carter could not be found, although it was apparent that he had occupied the bed fluring the night. The servants said they knew nothing at all as to where their master had gone, neither coakl they account for his absence. This at once confirmed the serjeant's suspicion, and he returned to the pool, taking with him a set of drags, and on the second throw brought the body to the surface, and conveyed it to his residence where it awaits the inquest, which, it. is understood, will be held today. Mr. Carter, who was thirty seven years of age, was the eldest son of Mr. Edward Carter, and was a justice of the peace for the County of Warwick, and a magistrate of the Borough of Sutton Coldlield. He also occupied the position of one of its auditors, and in the performance of the duty of that office he had an appointment at , nine o'Clock on Wednesday morning with Mr. Bibby, the borough accountant, for the .purpose of examining certain accounts for the past year. The deceased was a member of the firm of Carter and Carter, of 33, NVaterloo-street, Birmingham, the firm consisting of Mr. Carter, Sen., the deceased, and a brother, who for a number of years had carried on one of the most extensive practices in the Midland Counties, and the deceased wasconsidered one of the most rising men in his profession. Some years ago Mr. Carter paid a visit to the United States with a view of making a complete study of the working of the various tramway companies. He remained there for about a year, and on his return became an active promoter of the Birmingham and Aston Tramways Company, and other sundry undertakings in the district. The deceased was one of the chief persons connected with the promotion of the Birmingham Cab Company, and since the formation of that company acted as their auditor. It is well known to those who have been intimate with hint that he felt very deeply the ineceedings that have recently been instituted in connection with the company. On Tuesday, he attended a meeting of the directors of the Birmingham Cab Company, and it was then remarked that his manner was very strange. In fact, he has seemed strange in manner for at least a fortnight past, and when asked the cause he has stated that it was owing to the course of the investigations into the Cab Company's matters. He is stated to have more than once remarked that he could not endure being bated, as he thought he probably would be, owing to his connection with the Birmingham Cab Company as auditor. Ever since the presentation of the last balance skeet Mr. Carter had been somewhat troubled, and had expressed himself to this effect to several gentlemen of his acquaintance. There was nothing, however, which should have given ground for such trouble beyond the fact that he may have relied too much upon others for information with 'ward to the figures which he should have obtained at first hand. The deceased was a member of the Committee of the Allotments and Small Holdings Association, and chairman of its Finance Committee, and in that capacity took a great interest in the work. Mr. Carter was advertised to speak at the Town Hall, on Saturday, at the public -meeting in connection with the Commissioners' Scheme.  ROBBERIES FROM CHILDREN IN ASTON  In the Birmingham Police Court, on Tuesday morning, before .Messrs. A. Chamberlain and O. H. Lloyd, Maud Smith (17), a respectable-looking girl, living at 16, Mount-street, Ladywood, was charged with stealing a Is& of boots. valued at :Is., the property of Caleb Harper, o jeweller living in Heaton-street. The evidence was to the effect that between -tat and 5-30 on the afternoon of the 12th ult. the prisoner met prosecutor's son, Jesse Harper, a little boy aged 6, iii Key Hill, She took him into an entry there alai stole his boots from his feet, afterwards pledging..t hem for a Is. at Mr. Willett's pawnbroker. Great Russell. street. It was e‘i Joined that there was ml large number of similar cases against the prisoner. Two of the worst cases Were those of Eva Barnett and ‘ViMani Barnett. On the tlllth ult.. the prisoner decoyed the little girl from Barbary Park to Parkroad, afterwards removing her I out S. ;Mil leaving her to find her way home. The Ca i Of Will jam Barnett showed great heart prisom.r.s part. Having, deeop4l the child trot» his home in Farm-street to Wheele.r-street, she took hiin ilmttimin outhouse and stole his jersey and shirt, leaving him almost naked. It was stated that prisoner was wanted both at Aston and Hatuisworth on similar charges. Prisoner pleaded guilty to nine cases. The prisoner's father, a respectable working man, said his daughter left home nine weeks ago, and went oil with a married man. He should like to know whether something coal not be done to the man. Detective Cook, who in conjunction with Deteetive. Taylor had charge of the case, stated that enquiries had been made into the matter. but with no result. - -Mr. Chamberlain said the magistrates thought this kind of robbery was about the most heartless form prisoner could have practised, and it showed that she had a very depraved mind. She had stood in the (lock before on a charge of robbery, but she did not seem to have taken warning. She would have to go to goal for three months N%-ith hard labour. Mr. Chamberlain also instructed the pal hi' to further enquire whethur the prisoner had been removed from the guardianship of her lather by the mall who had been mentioned.  Br la ,