The Express. — 1864-09-23 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OP A MARRIED WOMAN BY PARAFFIN OIL.  A singular case of suicide by means of paraffin oil, the only iestance of the kind known, formed the subject of investigation at an inquest held last night by Mr. William Payee, coroner for the City and Southwark, on the body of Mrs. Maim Elisabeth Brown, aged 44 years. The deceased was the wife of John Brown, a gasfitter„ residing at No. 22, Pordand•place, Deptford Lower rand, and she had one child. A short time since this child was robbed it the street by a woman, whom the deceased proseanted, and was bound over to appear spinet at the Surrey sessions.  John Brown, the huabsod of the deceased, deposed that after she had taken proceedings against the woman that had robbed the child she was so persecuted by the women who were the friends of the thief that she became bed in her mind. She was so affected that she used to say to witness, " I shall be banged and you will have to attend my execution." She used also to say, " The child was not ours at all—l stole her." The girl in question was the deceased's only child. Whams was not ewers that she had taken paraffin oil twits. lie only heard of it after she tried to cut her throat.  lire. Elisabeth Fenton, 22, Portland-plan, Lower-road, Deptford, said that the deor•ed and her family lodged with her. On Tuesday witness beard her scream out "Now I have done it at last." Witness went into the room and found ber standing on the floor with her throat gashed, and • dinner-knife covered with blood, on the table near her band. Witness sent for • doctor. De. ceased had been in • very excited state ever since the robbery of her daughter in the street. She bad always been dalirato in health.  Emma Wakeham said that the deceased believed that she would be destroyed for prosecuting a thief, and her mind gave way. Yr. S. Turner, surgeon, said that when he saw the deceased she was in a nearly insensible state. There was a alight wound in her throat, but it was not dangerous. Her pulse was feeble, and she was very cold. She was obviously labouring tinder the effects of poison. He sp• plied the stomach pump, and she partially revived. She told him that she had taken two large dress of paraffin oil. She said that she had swallowed one half-pint on the evening before and another that morning. She gradually sank and expired. The post-mortem examination showed that death had resulted from the effect, of poisoning by paraffin oil. The cut in the throat bad bad nothing to do with the death of the deceased.  The Coroner having Bummed up and remarked upon the slaine nature of the came. The jury returned a verdict, "That the deceased corn• mitted suicide by taking and swallowing down • quantity of paraffin oil while in a state of unsound mind." The proceedings then terminated.  Stwoulaw Case.—Yesterday Mr. Hardwicke commenced an inquest on the body of Maria Sharrow, aged 31, the wife of a stereotyper, in Broad-street, neer the Sevendeli. She had been found on Tuesday afternoon, lying near the fireplace in her own room, dead, and perfectly naked. After taking some evidence the inquiry was adjourned. ANOTHRR SHOCKING CRINOLINE ArtllENT. An inquiry We. held by Mr. Payne last evening, at St. Bar' tholomew's Harlan', respecting the death of .Tana Kite, lend 46. John Kite, a boy of about 12 yearn of age, said that the deemed was his mother. On Sunday evening witness was very ill in bed, and the deceased carried him down enure in her arms. After placing him before the fire, she removed the guard, in order that she might rout an apple for him. While doieg so her dream caught fire. She was instantly inflames. Witness was frightened, and ran out into the garden screaming. The neighbours rushed into the bone.. Mrs. Jane Clark said that the deceased wore a very large ninnies. On Sunday eveolo; witness andeeveral of the 'nightmare found her standing in the middle of the room in • roam of flame. Witneu covered her with two mate that were lying on the floor, and with great difficulty estioguiahed the fire. Deceased stated that she had thrust her crinoline between the ben of the grate. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death by lire while wining crew.