The Express. — 1862-10-23 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY DEATH OP A YOUNG WOMAN IN THE THAMES AT BLACKMAILS.  An inquiry Was held by Mr. H. Rallies Waltbew, the deputy coroner, at the George and Dragon Tavern, Highetreet. Shadwell. late yesterday. respecting the death of Hannah Brooks, aged 18 years, who last her life at Paul's Wharf-pier, on Friday week, under the following circumstances  Mrs. Hannah Brooks, Bridge-street. Blackfriam, said that deceased was her daughter, and for the last twelve months had lived with John Archer, a lighterman'a apprentice, as his wife. They lived happily until three mouths ago, when Archer became jealous of her. It appeared that deceased met a young man named Sandford, and a girl named Elizabeth Legge. Sandford invited her to take a glass of ale, and while she was partaking of it she saw Archer looking at her through the window in a manner' which caused her to become dreadfully alarmlid. She ran home to No. 134, Broadwall, Bbickfriar• Archer followed her, and said to her three times, "Is that you r He then knocked her down and beat her cruelly. She got up and ran out, as she afterwards said to make away with herself, but her landlord, Mr. Fallen, followed and prevented her. Archer said that he was determined to have no more to do with her, and that she should either gointo service or to the workhouse. About a fortnight before her death he beat her during the night on board the barge on the river. On last Friday week deceased came to witness and said that she had procured continuous employment, which would enable her to separate from Archer, and so end her misery, and that she saw her way to be happy again. It was then ten o'clock at night ; witness saw her no more. The next morning Archer Galled upon witness, and said that at 12 o'clock on the previous night deceased had drowned herself at Paul's-wharf-pier. He stated that she asked to go on board the barge he was minding, and that he refused as the barge was not his. She then got over the iron gates at the pier, and rid, " You shall see me no more." She looked up and down ' the river, and then ran along the dummy barge, stooped under the 'chain, and plunged into the water. He jumped in after her, and she caught him by the coat. He swam with his right hand, but finding that she was being sucked in under • barge, he was , obliged to let her go. Witness received information' the same afternoon that • boy had seen Archer beat deceased on the wharf in the middle of the ' night in question, and that she reproached him for the black eyes and other injuries he had inflicted on her on previous occasions. Quarre "ng and cries were heard. Witness stated that deceased had been compelled by injuries received through Archer's kicking her to wear • truss ; but that she was so devoted to him that, when witness endeavoured to get her to part from him, she said that the injuries arose only through lifting weights. Wm. Turner said that last Monday morning he found the body of the deceased floating in the river off Bell Wharfpier, Lower Shadwell. He got the body ashore, and gave information of the affair to Mr. Hann, the coroner's officer. James Hurley, a little boy, said that he was a "Jack-in. the-water." (Laughter.) He went of messages, die. On last Friday week he was minding a barge on the river, and he noticed • man and • woman come down the pier quarrelling, but he could not hear what they said. She put up her hand to protect herself from him, and caught his bat. He saw no more that was like a blow, the night being very dark. lie saw deceased jump into the water. By the Jury—Witness had seen but had not spoken to Amber before the assembling of the court. Archer was not standing by the side of deceased when she jumped in. Archer did not throw her into the water or push her in. Archer was rescued by the captain of • neighbouring barge, and said at first that he did know why she bad plunged Into the water, but afterwards he stated that be had caught her with • young man, and that as he (Archer)would not forgive her she committed suicide. Dr. J. Brown Bass said that there were considerable marks of violence on the head of deceased. Death, however, resulted from immersion in the water.  The Coroner said that he should adjourn the court for the production of further evidence, and he considered that in the meanwhile the police ought to interfere and detain the man.  proceedings, which were very protracted, were then accordingly adjourned.