Northern Times. — 1857-07-06 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

MURDER OR SUICIDE.  About three o'clock, yesterday morning, the body of a man was found near Burlington-bridge, in the canal, not far from Chisenhall-street. When it was taken out, the throat was found to have been pierced with some deep punctured wounds. The body was that of a man nearly sixty years of age, without a coat, and dressed somewhat like a countryman, or farmer, having leather gaiters and stout shoes. The arms were tattooed, the right having the outlines of a crucifix, and the left those of a figure with an anchor imprinted. The most varied and conflicting rumours were afloat during the day as to the cause of the man's death, which was at first generally set down as murder. It became gradually known to the police that the deceased was a man named orge Isherwood, who had been living for some short time back in a court off Upper William-street. It was stated that he kept a public-house some time before in Pendleton, near Manchester ; and it was alleged by some that he was a returned convict. He had made some acquaintance, it appeared, with the wife of a seafaring man while in Liverpool, and rumour alleged that a quarrel a ose in consequence, and that the sailor threatened him v. hemently. One woman was even stated to have seen tne aeceasea attacxea ay tnree men ana tnrown into the canal. In consequence of these allegations, three persons were arrested yesterday, but as when the matter came to be sifted, there appeared no truth in many of the statements current, and no reasonable grounds on which to hold those parties liable to suspicion, they were subsequently discharged from custody. The man was stated to have been wandering about the neighbourhood of the canal for some days past in a state of destitution and apparent despair. On Friday he appears to have pawned his coat. These circumstances, and the absence of any authentic testimony to support the original conjecture, would seem to support the belief which arose after some investigation had taken place, that the man had attempted suicide by cutting his throat, and then flung himself into the canal. A document found in his pocket showed that he had once had some money 'edged in a local bank. some blood-marks were found upon the canal bank, some yards from where the body was found ; but this fact would scarcely point to any inference not equally consistent with either of the conjectures formed as to the manner of his death. The body lies at the dead-house, and an inquest will, probably, be held this day.  A woman dropped dead in the street yesterday morning. Her body was convened to the dead-house, where it awaits recognition. S'ie was about middle age, and plainly dressed.  FIRE ON SATURD k Ir.-A fire broke out about one o'clock on Saturday, in Mr. Morrish's Merchant Dining-rooms, TithebArn-street. The fire was, however, confined to a chimney, and by the aid of Mr. Hewitt, and the engines from Temple-court, was ex i gnished before any very considerable damage had been dene. PuoNtonoNs.—Castoms : Mr. E. Conway has been promoted from second to first class tide surveyor at Liverpool. Mr. James Foley has been promoted from third to second class tide surveyor at Liverpool. Mr. Alexander French has been promoted from fourth to third class tide surveyor at Liverpool.—Civil Service Gazette.