The Sun. — 1850-05-16 (London, England)

THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 16, 1850.  THE SUICIDE FROM THE YORK COLUMN. CORONER'S INQUEST. Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held by Mr. Bedford, the coroner for Westminster, in the board-room of St: Martin's workhouse, on the body of M. Henri Ste. phan, a French, gentleman, who committed suicide on ruesday morning last, by precipitating himself from the Duke of York's column, in St. James's Park.  The circumstances attending this most spelling act of elf-destruction excited considerable interest, and the inquest-room was crowded. The jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased gentleman, which presented a most frightful appearance, and on their return to the inquest•room the following evidence was taken:—  Mr. William Fish stated that he was the hall-keeper at ber Majesty's Theatre, a::c1 that he knew the deceased, Henri Josephe Stephan, very well. He was 38 years of age, and held the situation of horn-player in the orchestra of her Majesty's Theatre. He saw the leceased on Monday last, as it formed part of his duty to check the attendance of every person engaged in the theatre. The deceased then looked very dull, but witness had no conversation with him. During the whole Jf the present opera season he had appeared duller than he was last year. Had seen the body and identified it as that of M. llenri Stephan. M. Emile Petit, a brother-in-law of the deceased, reaiding in Gerrard-street, Soho, said that he was employed as under ballet-master at her Majesty's Theatre, and lived with the deceased. Deceased had been very dull and unwell for a long period. At times he did not think that he was rational, as he could get no distinct answer from him. He frequently complained of a pain in his chest, and was confused in his mind. He had a good situation, and his circumstances were not bad. He had not been disappointed in his circumstances. To a Juror—Knew of no cause whatever for unhappiness, as he held a good situation. William Smith, of No. 9, Carey-street, Vincentsquare, stated that he was the keeper of the York column, and saw the deceased on Tuesday morning, at about a quarter-past ten. He looked at a board affixed to the column, and asked him what was the charge. Witness answered that it was sixpence, upon which the deceased took out his purse, and handed witness a threepenny-piece and threepence in halfpence. When deceased asked the question witness saw nothing peculiar in his manner. Witness then gave another man the money, and followed the deceased up the column, as it was his usual practice to do so. When deceased got to the 'op of the column he immediately turned round in the opposite direction to the door, and was out of sight or witness in a moment. He was gone over before witness had time to reach the top, and therefore he did not see how he got over. The object of witness going up was the prevention of accidents. Before he was aware of what had occurred, his attention was drawn to something from the alarm given by the persons below. The deceased was not up more than an instant before it occurred. The railings round the column are more than four feet in height. By a Juror—lt would not be possible for any person to overbalance himself, and fall over the railings. Mr. H. Hutton, of No. 56, Mortimer-street, Cavendish-square, bookseller and stationer, deposed that on Tuesday morning, at about halt-past ten, he was walking near the York Column, in Waterloo-place, and on looking up saw a man put his legs over the railings of the column. He rested for a moment on the stone ledge in front, then pushed himself forwards, and precipitated himself from it. In his descent-he turned round two or three times, and then struck against the base of the column, finally falling on the foot pavement with his arm under him. A large pool of blood was immediately formed from the injuries he had sustained. He was quite dead when witness got up to him. Mr. Hutchinson, of New-street, Fetter-lane. also stated that he saw the deceased in his descent. He was then about 24 feet from the top. The first intimation be received was from seeing a man's bat come down. The deceased fell head-foremost on the pavement. Mr. John Bainbridge, surgeon, said that he had made a post mortim examination of the body of the deceased. The forehead was much bruised, the right arm was broken. The bottom of the right foot was also considerably injured, and some of the smaller bones protruded. There were besides several bruises on the abdomen, and both thighs, and the left leg was fractured near to the knee. The spine was broken and protruded, and on opening the chest, he found that every rib *as broken. There were besides several other extensive injuries, any one of which was sufficient to cause death. He bad examined the brain, which was perfectly healthy, and he could find no trace of incipient disease. The jury deemed any further evidence unnecessary as to the cause of death.  4 0 0 10 0 0 4 12 6 4%  In answer to• the question of the CORONER, Smith, the keeper of the column, said that no person was allowed to ascend the column on the day of the fatal occurrence, but a great number had been admitted on Wednesday. The CORONER then sumraed up the evidence with great care.  The Jury returnei a verdict—" That the deceased came by his death from injuries received by throwing himself from the York Column while in a state of temporary insanity." The Foreman said the jury also wished to add that it was their unanimous opinion that with a view to the prevention of similar occurrences in future the column should have the protection of an iron railing on the same principle as had been adopted at the Monument in the City of London.  The CORONER thought, after this event, such a recommendation would hardly be required ; but, at any rate, it should be forwarded to the proper authorities.