The Sun. — 1860-02-07 (London, England)

HENRY BURROWS.  CORONER'S INQUESTS.  EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF A YOUNG INDIAN OFFlCER.—Yesterday afternoon Mr. Wakley held an inquiry into the death of Capt. Benjamin Thisleton Ash, aged 28, at his private residence, No. 27, Upper Gloucester-place, Regent's-park, whore he committed self-destruction in the most extraordinary manner, on Friday last. Lieut. Edward Ash said deceased was his brother, and had recently returned from India, where he was attached to the Bth Light Native Infantry, and took an active pert in suppressing the rebellion; He had not been well, complaining of great pains in his head. He went to Brighton on Wednesday, for the benefit of his health, but only remained one night., as he was so ill. On Thursday night was with him very late ; ho was unwell, and witness did not leave him until two o'clock in the morning. During the early part of Friday morning a cup of tea was sent to deceased, but finding his door fastened, and there being no answer, it was thought he had gone to sleep, and it was determined not to awake him. Witness knocked at the door at about one o'clock, and receiving no reply became alarmed, and the room having been forcibly entered deceased was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood ; he was quite dead, and there was a large wound in his left arm, and a razor lying near him. Mr. Henry Guy, M.R.C.S., said he was called in on Friday, about half-past one o'clock, and found deceased lying on the floor on his back, deluged in blood. The wound was right across the left arm, dividing all the arteries and vems,is sa, was rerre.t gash. There was a slight wound across the wrist of the same arm. On the chest of drawers, whore he had evidently been standing, there was his banker's book, a blank cheque signed, and some writen directions as to how his money was to ho got from the Agra bank. There were no signs of a struggle ; the bedclothes were turned down as if he had suddenly got out of bed. The body was cold. He believed that death had taken place from loss of blood from the wound in the left arm. Had known deceased from a boy. lie was considered one of the most fortunate men in the army. He had distinguished himself very much in the Indian campaign. Was just gazetted to the captaincy of his company, and, in addition, bad an appointment waiting for him in India worth £1,200 a year. The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict " That the deceased committed self-destruction whilst in an unsound state of mind." FRIGHTFUL SUICIDE OF A CAPTAIN IN THE LONDoNDocKs.—Last night Mr. John Humphrey's, the coroner, held an inquest at the Wellington Tavern, Cannon•street, St. George's-in-the-East, on view of the body of John Allison Booth, aged 40 years, who committed self-destruction under the following circumstances. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was the captain of the barque Alma, of Sunderland, at present lying in the west qnay of the London Docks. The deceased had been on a voyage to India, which had turned out a failure. This fact seemed to prey upon his mind, and he had complained of severe pains in the head. On Friday morning last one of the shipkeepers went into the cabin, and discovered the deceased lying between two boxes. There was an extensive wound in the front of the deceased's neck, and blood had spirted about the floor. There was a razor-strop and a stone upon which some instrument had been sharpened. Search was made, and after an hour a razor was found lying under his head. Dr. English was called, and promptly attended, but life was quite extinct. Mr. Peter Anderson, an officer of the customs, said that he had known the deceased for several years. Deceased hallwife. Thesuffered great pain in the head, would pace his bedroom atd e night.,deceased s ed and had a speak la ri gn ec incoherently y andto hishe seemed devotedly attached to them and his wife. He had lately said to his wife, " What will become of you if Igoto a lunatic asylum P" Deceased had also been heard to exclaim, "I shall die," Mr. Robert Ord, the broker to the owner of the ship, stated that the vessel had made a voyage which was unprofitable. The deceased was very sensitive easily excited. Ile had recently received a communication from the owners relative to the accounts of the ship ; but as they passed through a course of three years, they had not been rendered. The deceased said to witness a few days before he died, " Come and see me on Saturday, if I am not dead." Witness remonstrated with deceased, when he added, " I think I shall cut my throat." The deceased was of opinion that the owners of the ship had some mistrust of his conduct in the voyage, but witness was certain that when the accounts were fully gone through there would be a large balance due to the deceased. The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity."