The Sun. — 1845-11-04 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE. HADI.II3H, Noc. I.—A deliberate and frightful case of suicide was committed in this town on Thursday last under very peculiar circumstances. The unfortunate individual, named John Jaynes, was proprietor of a boarding-school of the first repute, and until within this last week he was highly respected for learning and moral character. However, in the course of the last week, two of the pupils, sons of Mr. J. Growse, surgeon, made some representations to their parent, as induced that gentleman to prefer a charge against Jaynes of a horrible character, in consequence of which a warrant was issued for his apprehension. The officer took him into custody on Wednesday, but he was allowed to remain at his own house until the charge should be investigated before the magistrates, the wretched man declaring that it was a conspiracy got up against him. Though closely watched, and deprived, as it was supposed of every offensive weapon, he by some means possessed himself of a pistol, with which he shot himself through the head, at an early hour on Thursday morning. The ball had lodged in the head, and death was instantaneous. The distress of his bereaved wife, who believed him incapable of the horrible offence he was charged with, admits of no description. She is said to be an amiable and accomplished lady, and is most respectably connected in Gloucestershire, where Jaynes formerly resided. Information of the tragical occurrence was immediately forwarded to Mr. H. Wayman, the Coroner, before whom an inquest was yesterday held at the Swan Inn. William Palmer—l am one of the constables of this town. I know the deceased John Jaynes; he lived in Benton-street, where he kept an academy for young gentlemen. A warrant was delivered to me to execute against the deceased, who was charged with an indecent assault upon a young gentleman, one of the pupils. I apprehended the deceased on Wednesday, the 29th, and at his earnest solicitation 1 agreed that he should remain at his own house, in my custody, until he went before the magistrates to meet the charge. He seemed very grateful for the indulgence. I sat with him in the parlour on Wednesday. night. Between one and two o'clock on Thursday morning he asked me to allow him to go to the privy, to which I agreed, but told him he must not go out of my reach. To that he made no objection. We crossed the yard, and the deceased entered the privy, leaving the door partially open. In returning to the house he said, "Itis a fine clear night, but very cold." I thought he spoke in a tremulous voice. There was some loose wood lying about the yard, to which the deceased called my attention. The next moment I heard the report of a pistol, and the deceased dropped at the threshold of the door, his body striking me in the fall. I immediately gave the alarm. Mr. Raynham, a friend of the deceased, and a man named Brown, my assistant, came out of the house. The deceased was lying on the ground, and we perceived blood flowing from a wound in the right side of the head. I picked up a pistol, which was close to the body. He showed no signs of life.  The ConoxEß—runderstand you to sliy that you took the deceased into custody upon a charge of indecently assaulting one of the pupils. Had you any conversation ivith him in reference to that charge? Witness—l told him with what he was charged, but I did not think it my duty to question him upon such a painful subject. He did not seem disposed to speak about it. I think he said that it was got up by some parties to ruin him. It appeared to distress him very much.  The CoRoNER—Did you search his person to see if he had any means of self-destruction? Witness—Yes, Sir, three times. I found some money, a pencil, and a penknife in his pockets ; the knife I took away. The CoRoNER—Did he appear much alarmed when you told him what he was charged with? Witness—Yes, very much. He went into strong hysterics, and I searched his pockets while in that state. The CoaosEß—Did you suffer him to go out of your presence at all? Witness—Only in one instance. He wished to see some professional gentleman previous to his examination. On the Wednesday Mr. Seeley, managing clerk to Messrs. Offord and Robinson, called. As I considered the interview to be confidential I waited outside the room door. I think Mr. Seeley was with him half an hour. When I was called into the room, Mr. Seeley said, " I am told, Mr.Javnes, that you have a loaded pistol." The deceased replied, Yes, I have—what of that?" Upon which Mr. Seeley said, " Let me persuade you to give it up to Palmer—you ought to give it up at once." The deceased then said he had not got it. Mr. Seeley then went away. The CoRoNER—Did you question him at any time after about the pistol ? Witness—Yes. When he asked to be allowed to go to the water-closet, I then said he should not go unless he gave up the pistol. He said it was in his bed-room, and that he would give it to me. We went up-stairs. Mrs. Jaynes was in bed. Deceased went into the room, and I stood at the open door. Mrs. Jaynes said, " What are vou looking for, dear?" Deceased said, "For that pistol." Mrs. Jaynes said, " What can you want with a pistol ?" He replied, "I do not want it; I am going to give it to Palmer, who says he must hare it." Mrs. Jaynes then told him he would find it in a cupboard in another room. I went with him. He took a pistol off the shelf, and I seized his hand. I now produce that pistol; it was not loaded. We then came down, and proceeded into the yard, as I have already stated. The