The Sun. — 1854-09-13 (London, England)

THE LATE MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE.  The interest in the results of the inquiry as to who really is the man found as a suicide in the Midland railway carriage rather increases than abates. Amongst others, a letter was received by Mr. Mason, superintendent of police, from a Mrs. Henry Astropp, formerly of Louth, but now of Hull ; in which, after making a detailed inquiry, she stated that her husband had been missing for four months, and that he had been either " wiled away," taken by force, or had been stupified by Catholic priests. The letter was answered, but solely as to the materials disproving the identity, and disabusing her mind of the supposition that the deceased was her husband ; but so confident was she that some of the particulars bore an analogy to the circumstances connected with her husband, that on Tuesday night she arrived at Lincoln, accompanied by her daughter, a sweet little girl abent eight years old. Mr. Mason in vain endeavoured to convince her that it could not be the person she inquired fur, still she would search further, and Mr. Maeon introduced her to Mr. Hitchins, the coroner, to whom she made the following extraordinary statement : Her husband belonged to the Catholic Church, and had been a Catholic priest at Beverley and Sheffield. they had been attached to each other for several years. That the result of that intimacy was the little girl then present. That upon its gaining currency that they were about to be married, he was taken and put into the asylum near Hull, during which time all letters were kept from her, some, of which contained money. After the anticipated visit by the Commissioners of Lunacy he was released, and shortly after they were married, since which persecution had never ceased ; her husband had. property, and had lent a great deal to the Catholics, some to priests, and some to a firm at Newcastle ; that he was persuaded ,to go into the grocery business at Louth ; and while there, on the 21st of April, he went out, and. that she had never seen him or heard from him: since, and his brother had told her that she should never see him again dead or alive. That after ,he had gone, his brother had put the bailiffs in, under, as he stated, an assignment, and the assignment had been prepared by Mr. Walker, solicitor, of Hull. The last time her husband was seen was at Grimsby pier, walking between Mr. Walker and his brother, and a Catholic priest was there. At.ihis reference the poor woman became dreadfully agitated. Mr. Hitching reminded her that she Was using the names of respectable persons in a transaction, as represented by her, of an extraordinary character. Mrs. Astropp said she was speaking the truth, and that Mr. a solicitor of Hull, would see into the matter; but she wanted her husband. Mr. Hitching--Do you mean to say that while your husband was a Catholic priest you were living in concubinage with him ; and that it was known.—Mrs. Astropp—We did live together, and as soon as it was known we were going to be married he was put into an asylum. Mr. Hitching—Have you made anypublic application to aid you ?—Mrs. Astropp—Yes, sir; but as I had no witnesses I could make nothing out. Mr. Hitchins—Have you applied for assistance to Mr. Walk.er, who, you say, got your husband's money ? —Mrs. Astropp -Yes, I have, and' he says he hadn't any, that I must go to Mr. Edward Astropp, my husband's brother. I went, but the door was locked. My husband had above a thousand pounds, and ho is entitled to three thousand more at his mother's death, and she is 80 years of age • but they might have all the money if they would only let rue have my husband. , . Mr. Hitching--I am very desirous of assisting your inquiries, in referened to the person found in the railway carriage being your husband. The photograph which you have brought with Tl, and which you say is a strong likeness of your husband, is not like that of the person