The Express. — 1866-11-14 (London, England)

MONEY M,  PAINFUL SUICIDE OF A WOMAN IN THE  THAMES.  An inquiry was held by Mr. W. J. Payne, the deputy coroner, last evening, at the vestry-room, Fairstreet, Horeelydown, respecting the alleged suicide of Elizabeth Bentley, aged 30 years. Mrs. L. Hodges, No. 1. Arbour-street, Stepney, said that the deceased was her sister. She was unmarried, but shehad been living with a gentleman. Lately the deceased and the gentleman were very unhappy together, and she went to live with witness. Wheo she returned home about a fortnight ago she said, " What an unhappy wretched girl I am." On last Thursday night witness and the deceased went out for a walk together, and after they had been out some time the deceased asked witness to return home and set the supper, and she said that she would follow her. Witness did not know that she was keeping company with a captain. The deceased never returned home, and on Friday witness thought that she had met a female friend ; and that she had gone home with her in order that they might go to the Lord Mayor's show. Witness heard of her sister's death on Monday. Mrs. Louisa Bentley, No. 38, Bexley-street, mother of the deceased, said that her daughter was a good-tempered girl. Of course she was not happy with the person she lived with. Mrs. F. Taylor said that after the quarrel the deceased had to sell some of her clothes to get money to live upon. She said to witness " I feel I could go and make a hole in the water." She often mentioned a young man's name, and the; quarrel with him appeared to prey upon her mind. William Gomel' having been sworn, said he was stopping at the White Huree, White Horse-street, Stepney. He had been in business as an ironmonger in that street. Witness continued—A fortnight ago I separated from the deceased. I had been living with her for 11 years. After that she knew where I was and she had the privilege of stopping with me. On Saturday week, when I was parting with tier, I gave her 2s. Gd. She had a bail temper, and on that day she struck me on the head. I was the only person she lived with. A juror—Did she ever ask you to marry her? Witness (laughing)—We talked it over. The juror—Did your not marrying her make an impression on her mind ? Witness—Well, it did. I should have married her only we had been living together. She asked me to marry her. The juror—You have heard the evidence of her sister ; do you know anything against the deceased? I wish this to be investigated for the sake of her family. Witness-1 had suspicions. but I have no proof. I know nothing against her. On Saturday week she was like a mad woman. I wrote to her last Saturday not knowing that she was then dead. A juror—Do you not think that your refusal to marry her made her commit suicide ? Witness—Oh no, I don't think that. I know marriage is all right. I believe her mania for going to the Thames at L'attle-bridgeatairs was that her poor father died eight months ago in Guy's Hospital. He had been five yearn in Coluey-hatch Asylum. When I was in business in White Horse-street, the deceased tried to poison herself. Jones, a private policeman at Ileale's Wharf, said that at 2 o'clock last Friday morning, in the rain, he heard a person struggling and beating about in the water. As he could see nothing is the dark, he gave no alarm. Joseph W. Johnson, a waterman at London-bridge-stairs, said that at 8 o'clock on Friday morning he found the dead body of the deceased in the Thames, near Ileale's Wharf. The woman was dressed, and lying on her face. The Coroner said there could be no moral doubt that the deceased had committed suicide in consequence of Mr. Gosncll's refusal to marry her. The Jury returned a verdict "That the deceased was found drowned in the Thames, but ender what circumstances she became drowned there was not sufficient evidence to prove."  We (Galigrumi) are informed that Mr. Dove-Dove has recently been received into the catholic church at Paris, by the Abbe Rogerson. Mr. Dove-Dove is well known as one of the Puseyite party, and was a very efficient clergyman. COURT or