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THE BRIGHTON RAILWAY TRAGEDY.
THE BRIGHTON RAILWAY TRAGEDY. THE INQUEST,—SECOND DAY. On Saturday (2nd inst.) Mr. W. E. Baxter, Coroner for the Eastern division of the County of Sussex, re- sumed the inquest (which had been opened on Wed- nesday previous) at the School-room, Balcombe, on the remains of Mr. Frederick Isaac Gold, whose body was found fearfully mutilated in the Balcoinbe Tunnel on the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway on the previous Monday evening (27th ult.) Mr. T. A. Goodman, of Brighton, represented the Widow and relatives of the deceased; Mr. Brewer (Messrs. Norton, Rose, Norton, and Brewer) appeared on behalf of the Railway Company; Chief Superin- tendent Williamson watched the proceedings on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department; Captain Luxford, Chief Constable of East Essex, represented the county. Mr. James Terry, Chief Constable of Brighton, and Mr. H. Anscombe, Station Superintendent of Brighton, were also present.—We give the following report of the day's proceedings, which we take frpm The Times of Monday • Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Chart, of 9, New-road, Brighton, the proprietress of the Brighton Theatre, said she knew no one named Lefroy, Mapleton, Lee, or Coppin. She had not re- ceived a letter from any person bearing either of the names, and had no appointment on Monday last. The theatre was closed on that day, and she was at a picnic at Bramber. William Frederick Franks, residing at 26, North-road, New-cross, said he was a ticket-collector in the employ of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway:'Company. He was one of the ticket-collectors at London-bridge Station on Monday last at the departure of the two o'clock express to Brighton. He knew Mr. Gold as a season-ticket holder, and previous to Monday had seen him on several occasions. He saw Mr. Gold quite eight minutes before the train started on Monday. He was walking up and down the platform with his hands behind him. He had on a tall hat, with rather a broad brim, and was dressed in black. He had a newspaper in his hand, but witness did not see any stick or umbrella. Witness had been through the train examining the tickets. About five minutes to two he said to -Mr. Gold," Are you going by the two o'clock, Sir? Mr. Gold replied, "Yes, my lad I will get in in a moment." He then turned back from where witness was standing, and got into a first-class smoking compartment in a composite carriage. It was the third from the engine. There were six seats in the compartment, divided by arms, and Mr. Gold sat down in the centre one facing the engine. Witness closed the door, but did not lock it. Witness then walked away, and stood facing the rear of the train by the next compartment to that in which deceased was. About three minutes before starting time a young man walked up the platform hurriedly, and passed the lirst-elass smok- ing compartment. He got as far as the centre of the next carriage, in which there' was a young lady. Two men were standing at the door, which was closed, talking to her. He turned round sharply and was in the act of opening the first-class smoking compartment, in which Mr. Gold was sitting. He could not get the door open, probably on account of the spring. Witness opened it for him, and examined his ticket. It was a first-class single express to Brighton. Witness closed the door and stood opposite to the compartment until the train started. The compart- ment was empty when Mr. Gold entered it. When the train started Mr. Gold was still sitting in the centre seat facing the engine, and the young man was sitting in the far corner with his back to the engine. There was no one else it, that compartment. By the Coroner: The young man was between 6ft. 8in. and 5ft. 9in. He wore a light overcoat with pockets at the side, and had his left hand in one of the pockets. He Wore a hard felt hat called a billycock. 1 did not notice his trousers, nor whether he wore a watch-chain. The over- coat was unbuttoned, and he had a dark coat underneath it. It was a dust coat. The coat produced is the one the man Wore, and he took the ticket frem the upper pocket on the right-hand side. The pockets in the coat produced are all in the same position as those in the coat the man wore. It is of the same colour, texture, and material. It appeared as though it had been worn many times. The coat was not new. I did not see that he had any gloves. fie was a long- featured man, had a long neck, and when he was opening the door of the smoking compartment I noticed rather a drooping forward of the head. He was a thin man. His complexion made me think that lie had been abroad. He Was rather sunburnt and sickly-looking. I should say he Was from 24 to 26 years of age. He had a black moustache, and there was a little tuft of dark whiskers at the side of the face, otherwise he was clean shaved. The Coroner: Was that like him ? (Photograph shown to Witness). I should not say it was like the young man. It looks too broad across the shoulders. The neck in the Photograph is too thick. The moustache is something like his. It gives me some idea of the man. Supposing 1 saw that as a sketch of the ma n, I should say the J ace was like him, but not the neck. There were not more than 14 or 15 passengers, as far as I could see, in the whole train. In the second-class compartment in the composite carriage there were two gentlemen and a lady. In the first-class smoking compartment there were two gentlemen—Mr. Gold and the man I have previously spoken of. There was nobody in the next first-class compartment. The remaining second-class had one gentleman between 40 and 43 years of age. I think the train started about a minute late. The 'i°st of a first-class single express ticket is 12s. 3d. I think I should recognize this young man again if I saw him. There was something peculiar about him 'in having such long features and such a long neck. I noticed his hair was dark, similar to my own. It was not very long. I did not notice what boots he had. I think Mr. Gold was in the act Of taking his hat off when the train started. He had his hand np just as the train startcd. By Mr. Goodman There were lights in the train. There was nothing unusual in Mr. Gold's appearance that day. By the Coroner The near door of the smoking compart- ment was not locked. I cannot say whether the other was. By Mr. Brewer: A3 the young man came hurriedly up platform he seemed to be looking into all the carriages He did not go beyond where the young lady was, but then retreated, looking into the carriage windows as he did so. By Mr. Goodman He looked into the second-class Windows as well as the first. By the Coroner: Neither Mr. Gold nor the young man took any notice of one another. The man with Mr. Gold Was looking out of the train on the off side when the train started. Mr. Thomas Winter, residing at Blencowe-house, Brighton, but staying with his family near Horley for the summer, produced a plan of the cottage in which Mrs. Ann Brown resides, near the line at Horley. It was on a Scale of 1-16 of an inch to the foot. He had made the Measurements on the plan with the assistance of Mr. ■Nathaniel Voyce, juu., of Horley. The distance of the cottage from the railway where a train coming from Lon- don is first seen is rather longer than that at right angles. The line in view at right angles is 399 feet, and Jhe train view from the cottage 249 feet. Since Wednesday, irom both inside and outside the cottage, he had seen several trains pass. His experience was that everybody in the train could be distinctly seen. If two men had been ?tl'uggling in an express train it would certainly have at- tracted his attention. The line was on a level with the pottage floor, and there was an uninterrupted view of a train Worn the footboards upwards. By Jir Brewer: The part of the line which could be seen was over 750 feet from Horley station. Mr. Thomas Bond, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons assistant surgeon and lecturer on forensic medicine at Westminister Hospital,. said: In accordance with instruc- tions from Chief-Superintendent Williamson, of Scotland-yard, t. have made a post mortem examination of the body of Mr. r °Wj assisted by Dr. Byass, of Cuckfield, and Mr. Hall, of the ^Ussex County Hospital. The body was that of a large-framed, 11-nourished man. Decomposition had commenced, but had. not gone very far. The body had not been opened and had not interfered with, except, that the skull-cap had been re- moved and a piece of skin about the size of a half-crown had taken from underneath the right ear. On the knee, just above the kneecap on the inside, was a jagged, penetrating weund exposing the bone. It was much blackened by some- thing which appeared to be black grease. There was no e«usion of blood around this wound. Just above the wound there was a large brown patch without any effusion Of blood. Those appearances were probably caused either after death or at the time of death. On the right knee there were two superficial abrasions, and on the inside of the right thigh there was a bruise two inches long. Those p bruises were accompanied by ah effusion of blood into the 'issues around. On the left hand there was a deep cut on Jhe inside of the ball of the thumb extending down to the "°ne. On the inside of the last joint of the thumb there Was a jagged cut, also down to the bone. On the inside of each of the four fingers there was a deep cut close to the last joint. When the fingers were flexed the cuts all corresponded, and appeared to have been done with one sweep of a knife. There was a slight abrasion on the wrist and contusions on the inside of the arm. On the r /i there was a very deep cut extending almost round the thumb, very nearly severing it. At the junc- °f the thumb with the wrist bones, opposite the last joint of the thumb, there was also a jagged cut to the thei. ^here were abrasions and contusions on the back of Jne hand, and on the back of the forearm there was a severe contusion. On the face there was a curved, jagged mcision, extending from the lobe of the right ear down to Jne side of the lower jaw, across the body of the jaw to the left side 01 the face. This cut followed the lower body of the jaw, at the upper past dividing the skin, only just glazing the bone at the angle of the jaw, and underneath '%ing bare the muscles which form the floor of the mouth. On the right side of the neck, half an inch below the before-mentioned cut, was a superficial incision an inch long. On the front of the chin there was a superficial cut Jh inch long dividing the chin only. On the left side of Jne face a cut, two inches long, extended from the angle of Jhe month across the cheek to within an inch and a half of Jhe left ear. This cut divided all the tissues down to the mucous membrane of the mouth, including the muscles of he facial artery. A quarter of an inch below, and Parallel to the above cut, was a deep incision about an inch a half long, also dividing the tissues down to the mucous *oembrane of the mouth. Just above these two cuts there ?,a lineal abrasion of the skin extending from the cheek 'he lobe of the ear, and slightly wounding the ear. On the. ridge of the nose there was a slight contusion. On *'e inner side of the left orbit there was a jagged wound a gV^ter of an inch deep, and large enough to allow the in- rtion of the top of the little finger. There was an exten- tho of blood into the eyelid and around it. On v ? right side there was a contusion on the eyebrow, and in inch above t on the inside there was an oblique Jrfa!?loa hsilf an inch loas' emending nearly to the bone. spv ab°ve this cut, towards the left temple, there ,was a hnifre- c°ntusion about 2in. long and about an inch and a han ?IC*e> with a good deal of effusion of blood. Dr. Byass Wn fvided the scalp over the top of the head in the usual rit.lL reinove the skull-cap. Extending backwards at 3in i an8les from Dr. Byass's cut there was a jagged cut flit' fphg. The tissues around were much stained by in- cdi- v n of blood, owing to the dependent position of the blnni"^ the edges of the cut showed no sign of effusion of I ti".1^ into the tissues. This cut, like the cut on the knee, it a ened after death, or at the moment of death. hack the scalp and taking off the skull-cap, I forS ? fracture of the bone extending from the vertex fccnio3, and downwards to the right, through the parietal tw' a^d through the right wing of the sphenoid bone, Was lnwards to the body of the bone. The periosteum 4ion ,tllrGugh, but there was no evidence of extravasa- thiijoT ood in the course of the fracture. This injury. I ^hern J~'aPPened after death, or at the moment of death. 110 indication in the brain by which I oould form as to whether it had been injured during life. of tho the wound made by Mr. Hall on his removal tefore described, I found a probo passed deeply 1* behind the ramus of the lower jaw. The tissues were infil- trated with blood. On making a tranverse section through the base of the skull, and examining the front of the spinal column, I found a fracture of the body of the second vertebra of the neck. Upon this the end of the probe had im- pinged. There was a good deal of effusion of blood around this fracture. The fracture extended downwards through the body of the vertebrae to its articulation with the third chipping of the lower half of the anterior part of the verte- bras. On further examination, just in front of this injury, and imbedded in the muscle of the gullet, I found a bullet, which I produce. This gunshot wound was evidently made during life. The bullet had passed in an inch below the right ear, behind the upper part of the ramus of the lower jaw, close behind the internal carotid artery, striking the vertebrae, and there was extravasation of blood into the skin tissue. On opening the body I found the right lung healthy. The left lung was collapsed, and adherent to the chest wall. The heart was large and flabby, but none of the cavities contained any blood beyond a small clot of fibrine. The valves were all healthy, but there was a little degeneration of the aorta just above the valves. The stomach was empty. As regards my opinion of the cause of death, I think the gunshot wound^must have caused temporary insensibility, but in all probability re- covery would soon take place. I think the wounds on the face must have been inflicted by an assailant attacking from the front, I say this because the wounds appear to have been made with a knife or sharp-cutting instrument, drawn from right to left. The cuts showed, in my opinion, evidence of being aimed at the throat. I judge of this by their direction. They were not at all like a suicidally-inflicted wound, and the wounds on the hands, coupled with those on the face and the head, I believe to be absolutely incompatible with a suicidal attempt. They all have the appearance of having been made during life with the exceptions I have noted. The injury on the left.knee, on the back of the head, and the fraeture of the skull were, in my opinion, caused by the falling out of the carriage, either after death or at the time of death. The immediate cause of death I believe to have been syncope. The Coroner: You think it was syncope from the state of the heart? Mr. Bond Yes, to the empty condition of the heart. I might make this addition, that syncope would be caused partly by the shock of the gunshot wound and partly by loss of blood, and it was probably accelerated by disease of the heart, but, apart from the disease of the heart, death would have taken place at some time or other from the injuries." Mr. Goodman: Death would result, I suppose, from the gunshot wound alone ?—Yes, in a man of that age; not immediately, perhaps, but it would ultimately have proved fatal. Mr. Hall, acting house-surgeon at the Sussex County Hospital, was again called. He said On June 29 I took a piece of skin from the body of Mr. Gold, and have since care- fully examined it. In the centre of the piece of skin I re- moved there was a small hole with inverted edges. Sur- rounding this there were several black specks imbedded in the outer skin beneath the cuticle. A microscopic examina- tion showed them to be amorphous grains of a light colour, of a gritty nature, and minute size. The tissue surrounding these particles was congested. The result of this examina- tion was to confirm me in the opinion I have already ex- pressed (at the inquiry on Wednesday) that the wound was caused by a bullet. By bhe Coroner The pistol must have been pretty close to the head when it was fired. It must have been a metallic cartridge, and must have been fitted to the pistol. The bullet found was similar to the one I was shown on June 29. The semicircular wounds on Lefroy's head might have been produced by the metallic case of a bullet, but not by the keys found on deceased. There are no wounds on Lefroy's face, so that if he had his hat on no one could tell he had been wounded. I do not think the photograph or the pen- and ink sketch produced represents the man Lefroy. I should not recognize him from the photograph. By a juror: The shot wound would not prevent deceased from using his voice. By Mr. Brewer: I should think that it is more probable that the semicircular wounds were produced by the muzzle- end of a pistol than by the bullet case. Mrs- Gold, recalled, said that when her husband left home on Monday he had an umbrella with him. It was a cloth one with a hooked handle. She identified the hat produced as belonging to her husband, and also a blood-stained collar and the boot found in Balcombe tunnel. Rhoda Lucas Brown, residing at Horley, corroborated the evidence given by her mother, to the effect that two men were standing up in a carriage, apparently fighting or play- ing when the train passed her mother's cottage near Horley on Monday afternoon a little before three o'clock. Thomas Watson, the guard in charge of the 2 o'clock express from London-bridge to Brighton, said the train was a very light one, and he did not think there were more than 20 passengers. The train started from Croydon at 23 minutes past 2. It passed Horley about 2 41, and entered Balcombe tunnel about 2 52. The train nearly stopped at Hassock's-gate, but he did not think any one could have left the train without his seeing. They did not go less than four miles an hour at any time. At that speed a person could not leave the train without injury, the steps being so high. With that exception, the train travelled the whole distance at express speed, varying from 30 to 60 miles an hour. I know Mr. Gold, and saw him on the platform at London-bridge that day. At Croydon I went from the front brake to the hind brake. I noticed Mr. Gold sitting in the off side of the carriage facing the engine. He appeared to me to be asleep, with a white pocket-handkerchief thrown lightly over his head. If there had been two other persons in the carriage besides Mr. Gold I don't think I should have noticed it. I only noticed two ladies get into the train at Croydon, and did not notice any one get into Mr. Gold's carriage. I did not hear any gunshots or fog signals. The electric communi- cator was in perfect order J tested it at London-bridge for all the train. I saw Lefroy at Preston Station. He was talking to Gibson, the collector, at the time. He said, "I have been cruelly treated on the way by two other passengers who were in the compartment, and who left the train on the way down." Jle asked whether he could get any medical attendance tlrere, and I told him he had better go into Brighton. He seemed willing to go into Brighton. I examined the compartment and found a lot of blood. Lefroy got into the carriage again, and then I noticed a piece of a watch-chain hanging from the side of one of his shoes. I said to him, What have you got there ?" And at the same time I took hold of it and pulled out a gold watch. I said, "How does this get here?" He said, "I know nothing about it. They have been trying to murder me and rob me on the way." I thought it was his own watch. I put the wach on the soat and told him to take care of it. At the same time the stationmaster, Mr. ilall, and the ticket-collector Gibson were standing close to me, so that they could hear. Mr. Hall ordered Gib- son to get into the carriage and accompany Lefroy to Brighton. On arrival there Lefroy alighted directly the train stopped, and Gibson took him to the station superin- tendent's office. I got into the compartment Lefroy had left, and at once noticed two Hanoverian coins lying on the floor, along with a white pockethandkerchief and some large pieces of newspaper. I closed the door and took the articles I found to Mr. Anscombe, the station superin- tendent's office. I asked Lefroy whether he knew any- thing about these coins, and he said that he knew nothing about them. He said, You had better keep these," and I remarked, "They were found in the carriage yoa left.' I handed them over to Mr. Anscorabe's clerk. I asked Lefroy whether he was hurt much, and he said he was hurt all over. I saw a large quantity of blood in the carriage, but I was not surprised at it, because I have had some experience of people killed, and know that a very large quantity will run from anything like a serious wound in a man in full health. Lefroy kept putting his hands to his head and said he was wounded, but I did not think he was hurt seriously. His hands and face and all his clothes were smothered with blood. After his statement that two other persons had ridden in the carriage with him from London- bridge, that they left the train, and taking into consider- ation his condition, I believed that he was a lunatic and that he had attempted to commit suicide. I left him in the superintendent's office, and made inquiries before I left Brighton as to what had become of him. I thought his watch had fallen into his shoes while he was knocking him- self about. Lefroy was wearing low shoes. He ha.d the appearance of a lunatic. I did not find a piece of gold chain in the carriage, but there was a piece attached to the watch in his shoe. By Mr. Brewer At Croydon I looked at the carriage and saw Mr. Gold, who was sitting on the off. side corner seat facing the engine, but I could not say whether there was anyone in the compartment with him. At Hassock's- gate the signal was against it, but the train did not stop a second at the pace of four miles an hour. The brakes were taken off, and we were at good speed again in less than half a minute. I was sitting in the observatory, and could see all up the train. No one even looked out. Lefroy seemed to treat it as a matter of indifference whether he stayed at Preston or went into Brighton. I tested the communicator after we left Croydon, in accord- ance with my instructions, and got a reply from the rear- guard. The piece of chain produced is of exactly the same pattern as I saw attached to the watch in Lefroy's possession. Lefroy said he could not account for his injuries, as he had been insensible all the way. He did not say anything about being shot or how his injuries were received. By Mr. Goodman: Anyone might have got out at Preston- park without my noticing him. I knew Mr. Gold had got into the train at London, but I did not think about him when the train reached Preston. I noticed the blood on the step of the carriage directly I got out at Preston-park. I did not see the superintendent at Brighton, and, therefore, did not tell him about the watch. I saw the watch at Preston, and told the ticket-collector and station-master about it. I asked Lefroy where the man got out, and he said on the way. I told him that was a matter of impossi- bility, as the train had not stopped after leaving Croydon. He said he knew they got out. Lefroy's hair stood straight upright, and he looked wild when he told me there were two other passengers beside himself. That made me think he was a lunatic. By the jury: He had not got the gray coat on at Preston. By the Coroner: I spoke to the passengers adjoining Lefroy's compartment in the second class compartment, and asked them whether they had heard anything on the way. Mr. W. H. Gipson, the other passenger, said he had heard four fog-signals go off in one of the first long tunnels. I asked him whether he had heard anything knocking about in the compartment. He said, No, nothing whatever." Thomas Graham Clayton said: I live at 4, Cathcast-road, Wallington, and am a clerk. Percy Lefroy Mapleton, lodged with me. He is my wife's second cousin. On Monday I left him in the house. He had no settled employment. I saw him again at home about a quarter past nine in the evening, after he had been in some minutes. Mrs. Clayton's nurse told me he had come in with his head bandaged. I went into the drawing-room, and there saw him sitting with Sergeant Holmes of the Brighton Railway. He told me he had been assaulted in a railway carriage. He said he had been struck on the head with what he thought was a gauge. I fancy Lefroy said he had been shot, but I cannot swear that he did. He said he had been knocked on the head, and pointed to his trousers to show the blood on them. I remained in the room while he gave Sergeant Holmes an account of how the matter hap- pened. I did not hear the whole of the statement, but I saw Holmes writing it down. After he had finished his state- ment Lefroy walked to the door of the house with Holmes and showed the Sergeant out. I heard Lefroy say "Good night "to the Sergeant, and heard him thank him for his attendance. After Lefroy returned I made the remark to him, It seems a strange affair; I hope they will be caught," and Lefroy went to Dr. Cressy. I left the house immediately afterwards. Lefroy had gone upstairs then. I have not seen him since. I returned about a quarter-past ten and asked about Lefroy, and was told that he had not returned. About half-past ten Sergeant Holmes returned and asked for Lefroy. I said he had gone to the doctor's and had not returned. He went away, and about the same time Inspector Turpin and a sergeant of the Sussex Police came to the house and said they thought he was in the house. I said I was quite certain he wu not. There is a small piece of garden at the back of my house, and the only means of exit is by getting over a 5ft. gate. The home is semi-detached. There is a separate garden to each house; the gardens are separated by wooden paling about 5Jft. high. At the end of the garden there is a paling, and immediately behind this is a stable, which has a back entrance to the house. If a person climbed over the back paling he could easily get into a road. There is a side entrance to each garden coming out into the front of the house. Lefroy has not paid any rent for the past month or so. We never made any fixed charge, but when he was earning anything he used to pay rent. During the last month he has borrowed several shillings of me. My wife is too ill to attend. The Coroner: I want to ask you a question, and I must warn you not to answer it if it criminates you in any way. Did you send a telegram to Lefroy's sister on Tuesday morning, saying, "If lercy calls tell him the police are after him y Witness I wish to answer the question and make an ex- planation. The telegram was to the effect that his address was known by the sergeant who returned home with him the night before. I sent that telegram, as I believed his own story, and did not think matters were so serious as they have turned out. I thought he had gone away in a fit of eccen- tricity. I also intended to tell him in the telegram to return at once, and I.should have added words to that effect, but I found that the addition would make the telegram over twenty words, and, therefore, very foolishly left it out. By the Coroner: I consider he was very eccentric, and more especially within the last week. He had a sunstroke about a year ago on the Epsom Downs on the Derby Day. He had been abroad to Australia, and had returned about 18 months. I never saw him with a pistol. I did not know he was going to Brighton on Monday last. He had not paid us any money for his board for several weeks. What he gave us he gave us voluntarily. By the Coroner: I do not think he was in a position to travel first-class. By Mr. Brewer: I never saw any Hanoverian coins in his possession. No one had ever had a pistol in my house. I sent a telegram to Lefroy's sister's address at half-past nine the next morning. There was no attempt at conceal- ment on my part. I knew he went to Brighton on more than one occasion once he went to write a criticism of a theatrical performance for the Era. I never heard the name of Mr. Gold before this occurrence. Lefroy has had several watches, and I have seen him with an open-faced gold one, but I never knew him wear a long chain round his neck. Ever since I have known Lefroy he has always been of very even temper, and has always been weak and delicate in health. The billycock hat produced is like the one Lefroy used to wear, but I do not think it was his. Lefroy told me recently that he had got a good appointment on the Era. He said he should not get his money till the end of the month, and borrowed a few shillings of me to go on with. By the Coroner: He always accounted for these watehes to me by saying he exchanged them or bought them second- hand. He was very reserved in informing us oi his business engagements, or of his habits generally. Johannah Chamberlain, servant, in the employ of Mr. Clayton, said she did not take a note to Mr. Ellis. One of the children did. Mr. Ellis called in consequence, and wit- ness went aud told Mr. Lefroy he was wanted in the parlour, but she did not know whether he saw Mr. Eilis. She did not Bee either of them leave the house. She saw Mr. Lefroy about a quarter to ten in the evening in the kitchen. He had then changed his clothes. He came into the kitchen for some toast and water, and said he was going to Dr. Cressy's to have his head seen to. He went out by the back door, as he generally did. It was the ordinary way into the road, which would be the nearest way to Dr. Cressy's. She had never seen him with a pistol, nor with a watch. She had never noticed anything strange in his manner, but he had rather a wild look when lie came^into the kitchen. Mr. Albert George Ellis said he lived at 5, Railway-terrace, Wallington, and kept a bookstall. He had known Lefroy from IS months to two years. He had an account with witness. On Monday morning last witness received a letter at ten minutes to ten o'clock exactly. It purported to come from Mrs. Clayton. It was brought by one of the children. The letter was in Lefroy's handwriting. It asked wit- ness to step up to 4, Cathcart-road, as early as possible before 10.30 to see Mrs. Clayton respecting a stationery order. He went up and went into the drawing room. He sat there for five minutes, and then Mrs. Clayton's little girl came and asked him to wait another five. At the same time he looked out of the window and saw the top of Lefroy's head. He was going towards witness's place of business. Witness waited five minutes, and then the order produced was given him by the little girl. The order was for some books, and was in Lefroy's handwriting. The little girl told him that Mrs. Clayton was too ill to see him., Witness then returned to his shop, and the lad he left in/charge said, Mr. Lefroy has just brought your account." 'Witness remarked, How strange. I have only just left his house." On opening the letter he found it contained two Hanoverian sovereigns and Is. (one of the sovereigns was produced Lefroy owed £1 7s. 2d. The lad said he had given him 13s. ad. change. By Mr. Brewer: Lefroy was very agreeable in his manner and was by no means an eccentric man. Frederick Bincks, in the service of Mr. Ellis, said Lefroy called on Monday morning at five minutes past 10. He brought an envelope addressed to Mr. Ellis, which he said contained two sovereigns and a shilling. He asked for 19s. change, and said, Please be quick, as I want to catch the next train." Witness told him there was only 13s. 6d. in the till, and he said that would do. Witness gave him that. Witness did not know how much he owed, and took his word that 19s. was the correct change. Francis William Stuart Seale said he resided with his brother-in-law, Mr. Clayton. He had been there two years. He was confidential clerk to a solicitor in the City. He had been sleeping in the same room with Lefroy since his return from Australia. Lefrcy and himself had collars in common. The clean collar produced was one of their stock. He could not say whether the blood-stained collar produced belonged to Lefroy or himself. He thought it would be too small for himself. Sometimes witness used collars of 14l size, and sometimes in hot weather collars as large as 16. Mr. Brewer: You mean to say Lefroy's neck is not smaller than yours 1-1 have never measured it, and therefore how am I to arrive at that conclusion? The Coroner: Do you know you are on your oath 1-1 believe so. Have you properly kissed the book ?—I believe so. Have you done so ?—Well, I believe so. The Coroner We will have it over again. The Coroner administered the oath to witness a second time, and addressing him said,-Now, do you repeat what you have previously said ?-Yes, if you wish it. The Coroner: Do you swear that what you have said is truef—Yes, I do. Examination continued: Lefroy slept with him on Mon- day morning, but he did not say he was going to Brighton. Witness returned about a quarter to one on Tuesday morn ing, and Mr. Clayton told him that Lefroy had met with an accident, and that the police had been after him and had searched the house. Witness was electrified. He had never seen a pistol in the house. He thought Lefroy was peculiar. By Mr. Goodman: He was very affectionate to witness. They kissed each other on Monday morning. They had been in the habit of doing so night and morning. Witness had seen him with a watch and chain, the last time might be about three months ago. The Coroner: Mr. Seale, you must be perfectly aware of the character of this case, and you must also be aware of the gravest responsibility resting upon you as a person who slept in the same room with Lefroy, and had been on most extraordinarily affectionate terms with him, and I should advise you to be very cautious in what answers you give to the questions. By Mr. Goodman: The watch I saw him with last looked like a gold watch. Mr. Alfred Gilbert said he was cashier at the Eastern branch of the London and Westminster Bank. Mr. Gold had an account there. He paid in £ 38 in gold on Monday last, and did not take any money out. Mr. Seale, recalled, said, in reply to Mr. Goodman: I will not swear Lefroy had a watch on Monday. I have never seen him wear a long chain like that produced. When I left Lefroy on Monday he did not say where he was going that day. I think he said he might be in the Strand about 8.30. By Mr. Brewer: Lefroy had no profession at all. He earned some money. I believe he was engaged on the Wallington Herald. He told me he was on that paper. By Mr. Brewer: I have never to my knowledge seen a black bag like the one produced. By Mr. Goodman I once saw a photograph of Lefroy in Mrs. Clayton's album. I looked for it on Tuesday, but it was gone, as well as several others. Mr. Brewer mentioned that Mr. J. P. Knight had received a large number of letters containing suggestions in reference to the murder, and that every attention possible had been paid to them. The inquiry was adjourned until nine o'clock on Monday morning. The Court had sat for ten hours and a half.
THE INQUEST.—THIRD DAY.
THE INQUEST.—THIRD DAY. The inquest was again resumed on Monday morn- ing.—We take the following report of the proceedings from Tuesday's T'MHea :— Edward Tullett: I live at Keymer, and am a plate- layer in the employ of the London Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company. On Monday, June 27, about five minutes past three, I found a silk hat half a mile south of Burgess-hill Station, lying in the up road four-foot. The two o'clock London-bridge express passed me, and directly it had gone by I saw the hat. There was no hat on the line before the train passed. I saw no one looking out of the windows. I took the hat to the office at Burgess-hill Station. Mrs.,Catherine Cross, the wife of Charles Cross, of 145, East-street, Walworth My husband has charge of the shop belonging to Mr. Gold. He used to call every week to receive the week's takings. He called on Monday, the 27th of June, in the morning. I gave him 438 in gold, 5s, in silver, and Id. He used to put his money in a small bag, and he took it away in it. I do not know any one of the name of Lefroy or Mapleton nor do I know any one at Wallington. By Mr. Goodman: I gave him an account of the week's takings on a small piece of paper. Mr. Gold was in the habit of wearing a chain like the piece produced. By the Coroner Mr. Gold frequently called in Mark- lane on his way to London-bridge Station to order flour. I have seen him with a purse similar to the one produced. Richard George Gibson I live at 23, Blackman-street Brighton, and am a ticket-collector at Preston-park Station. I was on the platform on the arrival of the two o'clock London-bridge express on Monday last. I noticed a pas- senger with his head out of a first-class compartment. He had no hat on and was beckoning as the carriage passed me. Ticket-collector Sparks opened the door of the com- partment in which Lefroy was. Lefroy said in my presence I have been murderously attacked and fired at; is there a doctor near? He also said, I am faint and want some water." The stationmaster (Mr. Hall) told me to jump into the carriage with Lefroy, and go down to Brighton with him. Lefroy walked up and down the platform at Preston- park, and while he was so doing I noticed a piece of gold chain hanging out of his left shoe. He said, "I have put it there for safety." Watson, the guard, who was standing close by, stooped down and took the chain out of Lefroy's shoe. There was a watch on the chain. I thought Lefroy was a lunatic. We both got into the compartment which Lefroy had left and the train went on to Brighton. I noticed blood on the floor of the carriage and alsc on Lefroy's face, neck, and hands. He took his hat off and showed me several wounds on his head. He said, I have been fired at three times and struck on the head with a pistol." I asked him who by, and he said by a countryman. I asked where he get out, and Lefroy replied, On the road." At the Sussex County Hospital Mr. Hall examined Lefroy's head, where he complained of being hurt most. Lefroy pointed out the wounds. Mr. Hall said, "How did these wounds occur?" and Lefroy said, "I was struck on the head with a blunt instrument, which knocked me insensible." Mr. Mall remarked, We shall keep him to-night." Lefroy said, "I cannot stop as I have very pressing business in London. I must be at my club by half-past eight." He had no collar on so on the way back from the hospital to the Town-hall we stopped the cab, and Police-constable Martin bought a collar and a scarf for Lefroy. He said it must be 14 £ size. About this time Lefroy was counting his money to see about paying the cab fare. He said, "I have not much money. I am shortly coming into a lot of property if I have not money enough I will send it down and make it good. I will also make you two a handsome present I have very little money with me." He also said, "I have been robbed." He pulled some more money out of his trousers pockets, I should think about 15s. or 16s. Whea we reached the Town-hall we saw Mr. Thompson and fchief-censtable Terry. Detectives Holland and Holmes, of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, were also there. Police-constable Martin said, Mr. Hall has pressed the gentleman to stay at the hospital, but he wants to be in London at his club at 8.30, and we cannot detain him against his wish. The superintendent then questioned Lefroy. The Coroner: I want to know whether you were treat- ing this man as an injured man or a criminal.—I was treating him as a lunatic. Examination continued While we were at the hospital I looked into the pockets of his great-coat, and found the address-card produced. I also found a leather card-case containing some pawn-tickets, but I cannot recognize the case produced. In the pocket I saw several Hanoverian sovereigns. I did not see a pistol or any bullet cases. When we got back to the Town-hall several questions were again put to Lefroy, but I did not see whether his answers were taken down in writing. I afterwards returned to the station in the cab with Lefroy, and the two detectives walked on. The Coroner: Now, after these statements by Lefroy, did you believe him at all ?—No, I still thought he was a lunatic. The Coroner: Did you know it was a criminal offence for a person to attempt to commit suicide?—I did. The Coroner: Was there any general conference as to what should be done with him at the Town-hall ?-No. Examination continued: We drove up to the station and went to Mr. Anscombe's office. Mr. Hooper and the two detectives came in afterwards. Here further questions were asked Lefroy, and I left to return to Preston. Lefroy paid for the cab to the station. The only money I saw him pay away was Is. 6d. for the collar and tie, 2s. for the cab. By Mr. Brewer Lefroy said he recovered his senses just before he got to Preston. He did not tell me where he received the blows. He did not say the countryman had fired at him, but that the countryman was the one who assaulted him. Mr. Brewer You thought he was a lunatic, that you did not Imrsue the inquiry is a marvellous story; one would think you would have examined the carriage.—I was looking at the man, and did not particularly notice the carriage. By the Coroner One of the numbers of the Family Herald was in the carriage. It was covered with blood. At Preston I did not call the attention of any of the porters to the car- riage I went off with Lefroy directly. I did not notice any scratches on his face I saw only the wound on his forehead. I did not ask him anything about the watch and chain while we were in the carriage. I did not ask why he had put it in his shoe. He said the countryman and old gentleman got out on the way, but I told him the train did not stop after it left Croydon. I mentioned this conversation at the Town-hall. Mr. Dutton, a solicitor, of Westminister, here appeared, and said he had been instructed in a telegram by the sister of Lefroy, Mrs. Brickwood, to watch the case in his interests. Mrs. Brickwood had been a client of his for the last two years. The Coroner: She has no authority to instruct you on behalf of her brother. I can take you only as representing ..Mrs. Brickwood and the family. Mr. Dutton: Very good. Examination of the witness continued When he told me he had been robbed, I did not ask him :what he had lost. The Hanoverian sovereigns found in the carriage were produced at the Town-hall. I did not then mention that I had found similar flash sovereigns in Lefroy's over- coat. Kate Greenfield I live at Balcombe, and am staying in the neighbourhood of Hassock's-gate. I went yesterday morning on a visit; I found the purse produced while out for a walk in a field on the west side of the liae. It was this side of Hassock's g.ite Station. The purse might have been thrown from a train to the place where I found it. There was nothing in it; it was torn. Joseph Starks I live at Preston, and am a ticket col- lector at Preston-park Station. On Monday last I was on the platform when the two o'clock express train from London arrived. I proceeded to collect tickets and saw a gentleman sitting in a first-class smoking compartment with his face and neck covered with blood. 1 said, Ticket, please." The man said, Look here, can I see a policeman, and can I get a wash ?" Upon that, I called Gibson to the carriage and asked him what I had better do. Gibson advised me to call the stationmaster. I had opened the door to take the ticket, and the man got out and walked towards the steps. I did not ask the man how he got hurt, and he did not tell me. Mr. Gold generally re- turned by the two o'clock express. I did not see any pas- senger leave the train at Preston. By Mr. Brewer I went to other compartments before I went to that in question. By Mr. Goodman: I did not go to the compartment because anyone beckoned. There was a round pool of blood on the floor, just inside the door. The man was sitting over the blood. 1 did not ask him how he accounted for the blood. The overcoat had marks of blood upon it, and it seemed as if he had smeared his face in endeavouring to wipe the blood off. The man did not say anything by way of explaining how he had got into such a condition. By Mr. Dutton The carriage-door was unlocked. Robert Peel, an engine-driver fcr the railway company I was the driver of the two o'clock express train from Lon- don-bridge on Monday last. I did not hear shots fired, nor did I notice anyone get out of the train, except at the sta- tions. I have known Mr. Gold for ten years. When I backed my engine on to the carriages at London-bridge, I saw him on the platform. He was tnen wearing a high hat, the same as produced. By Mr. Brewer: I did not see anyone else get into the compartment with Mr. Gold. We drew up on the journey, but never slackened to a pace less than 30 miles an hour. From Croyden to Hassock's-gatfe we went at the rate of from 40 to 45 miles an hour. By Mr. Goodman :—I did not go as slow as ten miles an hour. I did not look out for Mr. Gold at Preston. Alfred Ajlmer, stoker on the engine, gave similar evi- dence. Robert Peel, recalled, in answer to Mr. Brewer, said: 1 heard no fog signals go off at Merstham tunnel or elsewhere. I must have heard them had there been any. By Mr. Goodman If there is anything serious on the line or repairs going on in a tunnel the platelayers will put a fog signal on the line. Henry Nye I was rear-guard of the two o'clock express train on Monday last. My attention was not drawn to any- thing unusual. A person might have left the train when we checked speed without my seeing. w By Mr. Brewer: I should think the train slackened to about four miles ffor just a second or two near Hassock's- t\afce. lye Weetinghouse brake was certainly used at that time. There would be a noise made when the brake was applied, but I cannot remember hearing it on that occasion. I tested the electric communicator at London-bridge and found it in proper working order. John Blunden White, carriage inspector at Brighton Station, said he inspected the carriage in question soon after it came 12. He handed in a written statement with respect to the condition of the compartment, confirming the descrip- tion-already published. The electric communication was in proper working order, and had not been used. Alfred Joseph Hall: I am stationmaster at Preston- park. I was on the platform when the express came up. A gentleman said, "Are you the stationmaster?" I replied, "I am." He said, Could yeu send for a medical man, as I have been murderously assaulted and shot at by a fellow passenger." Collector Gibson called to me to proceed further down the platform opposite to a first- class compartment. When I arrived there I found the compartment covered with blood, and presenting evidence of a struggle. I turned to Lefroy, who was by my side, and said, Where is the passenger by whom you have been assaulted? He replied, He got out at a station further up. I said, That could not be, as the train does not stop after it leaves Croydon." He made no ceply to this, but again asked me whether I could not procure a. medical man. I told him there was not one in the neighbourhood nearer than half a mile. I said you had better go en to Brighton, where you will be able to preeure medical advice and anyassistanee you may require. He then got into the compartment, and when he lifted up his leg I observed a watch and a small portion of a chain in his shoe. The chain was like the one produced, and was about four inches long. Pointing to it, I said, "That is a singular place to carry a watch?" He said, I did not know it was there. I told Gibson, the collector, to get into the same compartment, go with him to Brighton, and take him to Mr. Anscombe. The Coroner: What was the impression on your mind in reference to the man?—I thought he was a lunatic. He looked very wild, and I thought he had attempted to com- mit suicide. He did not say he was assaulted by a country- man. He said nothing about a tunnel. Mr. James Terry I am Chief Constable of the Brighton Police. On Monday last, about four o'clock, I was sum- moned to the Police-office, Town-hall, where a report of Lefroy s statement was shown me. In it he said that he had been shot at by a fellow passenger after leaving Croydon and before entering the tunnel. There were two passengers with him, and he believed it was a countryman who shot him. He could give no description of him, except that he was about 60 years of age. He became insensible directly he was shot, regaining consciousness only just before the train reached Preston-park. Lefroy having been brought fr om the hospital, I asked him whether the report was correct. He said, Yes.' I read some portion ef it over to him. I said, I am very sorry: I will give instructions to the police to find out the parties." There were two Hanoverian coins left in the office. I said, "Do you know anything about these coins?" He said, "No: they must have belonged to the Party who attacked me, and left on the floor of the carriage." I then asked him why he came to Brighton. He said, "I came to see Mrs. Nye-Chart at the theatre." I said, "Won't you go and see her now?" "Oh, no," he said, not in this state. I wish to get away back again as soon as possible." I asked Martin whether he had got anything to say or any charge to make. He said, Oh, dear, no, I only accompanied this gentleman down to make this report and see a doctor." They all left the office. At night I was informed that a gentleman had been found in Balcombe Tunnel. The Coroner: When you saw Lefroy, what did you think of him 7-1 thought he had attempted to commit suicide but he answered my questions so coherently that'my opinion was altered. When a charge is brought by the railway police, we do not take it out of their hands. They are entirely separate from us. They bring a charge, I lock up, and they take the responsibility. Had I not believed his story, I should have advised the constable very differently. Mr. Brewer: I think I should have locked him up myself. Witness In reference to what ? Mr. Brewer did not make any reply. Examination continued: I did not know what occurred on the line beyond what was stated in the report. I know nothing about the shots being fired or the bullets in the car- riage. I did not know anything about the watch. Gibson did not tell me about any coin. I allowed the officer who brought Lefroy to the station to take him away again. No charg.e was made. The inquiry was adjourned until Tuesday. The report made by Lefroy at the Brighton Police-office, and put in by Mr. Terry, was as follows :— Town-hall, June 27,1881. Arthur Lefroy, 4, Cathcart-road, Wallington, came to the hall at 3.45 p.m. with Richard Gibson, ticket collector, Preston-park railway station, and railway Police-constable Martin, and reported that he had been assaulted when travailing in a first-class carriage of the express train leaving London at two p.m. Mr. Lefroy states an old gentle- I man was sitting opposite to him and a man having the ap- pearance of a countryman, and they were the only persons in the carriage with him. After passing Croydon and before entering a tunnel a shot was fired, and he felt a blow on his head, and he has no further recollection until the train arrived at Preston. Mr. Lefroy cannot describe the countryman further than that he was about 50 years of age. He believes he had whiskers on the side of the face. Mr. Lefroy says he is an author and journalist. He says he does not know who assaulted him, but he does not think it was the old gentleman. Richard Gibson, ticket-collector says Mr. Lefroy was looking out of the window when the train arrived at Preston. He stated that he had been fired at and knocked about. The carriage was uninjured, except that there was a quantity of blood about it. The train had not stopped after leaving Croydon till it arrived at Preston. Mr. Lefroy was the only person in it. Two Hanoverian pocket pieces were found on the floor of the carriage by the guard of the train, named Watson."
■.- .; y THE INQUEST.—FOURTH…
y THE INQUEST.—FOURTH DAY. The inquest was continued on Tuesday.-We take the following report from The Times of Wednesday William Harrold Brown said I am station-master at Three Bridges. On the evening of the 27th of June, when the 6.10 train from Brighton to London reached Balcombe, I got into the compartment in which Lefroy, Holmes, and Air. Hards of the engineer's department, were riding. I told them a dead body had been found in the tunnel, and that the cuts upon it led me to suppose that a murder had been committed, I asked if Lefroy had ridden in the same carriage with the man. Before this 1 had been told that Lefroy reported he had been shot at. I said to Holmes I hope you won t lose sight of him,' meaning Lefroy Holmes said, Lower your voice, or he (Lefroy) will hear you." By the Coroner Lefroy seemed very uneasy while I was talking. Mr. Henry Anscombe said I am station superintendent at Brighton. On Monday evening, about 5.40, Cab In- spector Barnes came to my office with Lefroy and Gibson. I had heard of the circumstances connected with the two o'clock express. Lefroy, who looked very vacant, said, "I want a lawyer; I must offer a reward." I said there is no lawyer here. Upon searching Lefroy we found three Han- overian pieces among the money in his pocket. I said That looks queer three similar pieces have been found in the carriage, how do you account for them ? he said, "I suppose I got them at whist." My opinion at the time was that he was suffering from temporary derangement, and that the injuries were his own act. I had heard nothing at that time of the finding of the body. George Holmes said: I am a detective sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, in the employment of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company. When Lefroy said he wished to return home, Inspector Howland and I proposed that as we were-going to London, we should see him home to the address he had given. This was to ascertain whether it was correct. By order of Mr Ans- combe Lefroy was passed by the officials through the bairiers, and allowed to enter the London train. It was agreed that Inspector Howland should ride in the guard's van, and make inquiries at each station as we went up. Mr. Hards also rode in the carriage with me I asked Lefroy whether he usually carried a revolver when he travelled. He replied, No I like to keep a good dis- tance from those things." At Balcombe Inspector Howland told me that a man had been found dead in the tuunel. The Coroner Did you tell Lefroy about a man being found dead?-No. Did you not think that Lefroy was connected with the matter at all?-NO; I did not think about it. If I had had any suspicion I should have removed him from the carriage at Balcombe. Why were you anxious that he should not hear it?—I did not wish him to hear our private conversation. The Coroner Private conversation on a very public matter though. Witness, in answer to further questions, said I believe the station-master, Mr. Brown, said, Are you going to take him before a magistrate to get his depositions taken ? I said, No, certainly not; I have no charge against him." We took a cab from Croydon to Wallington At Croydon I received a telegram from Inspector Howland, which led me to ask Lefroy whether he could tell me the numbsr of his watch and he said it was 56,312. On examination I found that the maker's name was Griffiths, Mile End-road, Lon- don. I opened the watch and said, You have given the wrong number, it is 16,261." Lefrov said, "Yes, I have made a mistake." I asked him if he knew the maker's name. He said, "No I bought the watch from a friend some time ago." The Coroner: Did you not think this was all very strange ? —No, because I do not know the number of my own watch. If you were asked the number, should you give a number, especially if you were in the hands of the polioe ?-No; I I should say I did not know. Did not you think it was curious he should know the num- ber and not the maker ?—No. The Coroner You did not think any of this business was strange?—No, Sir, I did not. You know you had information given to you by telegram, which I will not mention?—There was nothing said about the chain. The Coroner: I did not say anything about the chain. Examination continued: On arriving at 4, Cathcart-road, Wallington, we went into the drawing-room, and I asked Lefroy to give me the whole of the particulars, which I took down in writing. Mr. Clayton came into the room, and Lefroy said, I have met with an accident. I have been violently assaulted and shot at while riding in the train with- two other passengers." Before I came away he said again he hoped the authorities at Scotland-yard would be informed. I told him they would at once, and every inquiry would be made. I then said, "Where shall I see you to-morrow, provided we obtain any information ?" The Coroner Did you think it likely you would have any information ?-I thought we might hear of something. What information did you expect the next day ?- I thought, perhaps, he had been assaulted. Did you take Mr. Clayton aside, and ask him whether he was alunaticY-No. Did you make any inquiry on that subject at all ?—No. Examination continued Lefroy said, "You will find me here till twelve o'clock to-morrow, and afterwards you will find me at the United Arts Club, Savoy-street, Strand." This was in Mr. Clayton's hearing. The Coroner During the whole of this time you said nothing about the finding of a body in the tunnel ?-No. N or the fact that a body had been found without a watch ? -No. You had been informed that no watch was found on the body?-Yes. The telegram I received from Inspector Howland was to the following effect:—" No watch found on body, see if wounded man has watch." When I left the house I went to Wallington station, and there I saw the station-master, who showed me a telegram he had received. He may have shown two telegrams to me, and I read a portion of one and then returned to Cathcart-road. The Coroner What did you do ?-I kept observation. Kept observation? What, do you mean to say you did not go into the house?-No. How long had you been away?—I should think from six to seven minutes. It could not have been more than that time. Mr. Brewer: I suppo you ran back 1-1 did, sir. The Coroner: After the telegram, did you not think it your duty to go to the house and inquire whether Lefroy had a watch when he left home that morning; and, if so, what watch it was?-No; I was waiting for the arrival of the inspector. The telegram said, "Detain him." It was dark when I got back to the house. I walked about there for some time. The Coroner: After the telegram you had received, did you not think it your duty to go at once and apprehend this man ?-No; not by myself. I thought it would be very unwise for me to go by myself and knock at the door of that larje house and let the man escape at the back. When I saw the telegram informing me that the inspector would arrive, I thought it right to wait. By the Coroner I have no idea how long I waited. After some time Inspector Howland arrived, accompanied by Mr. Turpin and Sergeant Tobutt, of the East Sussex Con- stabulary. They at once asked me where Lefroy was. I said, In the house." Inspector Howland then went to the back of the house by means of a piece of waste ground to take observations. After waiting a short time I knocked at the front door, which was opened by Mr. Clayton. I told him I wished to see Lefroy. He said, He is gone to Dr. Cressy's." I then informed Mr. Turpin and Sergeant Tobutt that he was gone. They searched the house, and I still remained on the look-out in front. Returning, they said they could not find him. Subsequently, a constable was despatched to Dr. Cressy's. Lefroy had not been there. I have been in the Metropolitan Police 11 years. I believed Lefroy's story when he made his statement. The Coroner: What did you think he had been shot for? —I did not know. By Mr. Dutten Lefroy was present at the time the tele- gram was handed to me at Croydon. I do not think he saw it. I did not consider him in custody. He had an oppor- tunity at the station of escaping if he had tried, but I do not suppose he would have got away. Mr. Brewer Supposing he had attempted to get away, what would you have done then I—It would have created suspicion on my part. Kate Bovin I am the daughter of Joseph Bovin, watch- maker, of 2, Market-street, Brighton, and assist him in the management of his business. Mr. Gold was a customer of his. On the 31st of May last he brought his watch to be adjusted and cleaned. It was a gold English patent lever with a white face. The numher was 16,261. I noticed the maker's name wken I copied the number, and I believe it was Griffiths. About a week after the watch was brought to us it was returned to Mr. Gold. Charles Tobutt: I am a police sergeant in the East Sussex Constabulary, stationed at East Grinstead. On Monday, the 27th of June, while on the platform at Three Bridges Station, I received sertain information. I telegraphed to Wallington, following by the train, and arrived there about half past ten o'clock. I met Inspector Turpin at East Croydon. He ac- companied me to Wallington. In Cathcart-road I saw Ser- geant Holmes. I asked where Lefroy was, and he said, indoors." I went to the front door and knocked, another officer going round to the back of the house. When the door was opened I asked for Lefroy, and was told he had gone out. I, with other offieers, immediately searched the house from top to bottom also the yard. Any one could get away from the premises at the baek over the fence. Lefroy's trousers, stained with blood, were found in his bedroom. William Turpin, inspector in the Metropolitan Police and ehief detective officer in the empley of the London, Brighton, Iv and South Coast Railway Company, gave confirmatory evidence, adding that Mr. Clayton afforded him every information he cpuld, and seemed willing to assist the police as far as lay in his power. James Martin, a police-constable at the Brighton Rail- way Station, said he remembered the evidence given by Gibson, and generally, so far as he knew the facts, it was correct. He added that if he had not left the Hanoverian coins at the Town-hall, he would not have gone back there on leaving the hospital. William Hooper: I am clerk to Mr. Anscombe, superin- .tendent of the Brighton Station. On Monday, June 17, Gib- son, the collector, and Watson, the guard, brought Lefroy to the office. Gibson told me that Lefroy had been assaulted and Lefroy said, I have been shot at and nearly murdered! When I got in at London-bridge there were an old man and a young man in the compartment, and as we were going into a tunnel I was shot and struck on the head by the young man, and I know no more until we came to the station at which we stopped." I thought he had attempted to commit suicide. I did not tell the collector or Martin to enter a charge against him at the police-station. I sent him there that he might be seen by a doctor. William Godden Howland I am a detective officer in the service of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company. At Brighton, when the watch was taken from Lefroy s lèft trousers pocket, he said, "That is my watch. When I recovered myself, I found it at the bottom of the carriage with my chain gone." I did not take a. note of the articles ound upon him. When I first heard that a man had j [gumnui rtt?i°wn|d 0n th? line' Lefr°y was in the train i?i the I told Holmes, who was with Lefroy, about it, but it did not other me tbe tW° D!atters were connected with each Superintendent Berry said that that wai th.^ Vhole c.f thp> evidence. u e lae The Coroner adjourned the inquiry to half-paet nine on Thursday morning. The following is the statement alluded to in Mr. Holmes's evidence Arthur Lefroy, 22, of 4, Cathcart-road, WallinstoB. states he took the express train from London-bridge t* Brighton and got into a first-class compartment two more passengers being in the compartment, he (Lclrov'i sinin*- near the platform with face to the engine, the two other! sitting opposite. Description of passengers .-—First ast* about 60, height medium, with slight gray whisker? dressed m dark clothes second, age about 40 or 50 hehrht medium complexion fresh, dark whiskers side of face, no moustache, dressed in grayish suit. Neither spoke te him in the train at all, and on arriviBg at the entrance to the first tunnel after passing Croydon he saw a flash and heard a report of fire-arms. Could not state if revolver or pistol. He half sprang up from his seat. As far as can be remembered, he received a blow on the head, supposed from the younger man, who was sittiug in the centre of the carriage on the opposite side, which rendered him insensible, and on recovering consciousness found himself in semi-sitting position. On arriving at freston-park he at once called one of the ticket collectors, who accom- panied him to Brighton Station, and from there to Brighton Hospital. States he received six wounds, supposed caused by a gouge, 011 his head. He was accompanied to the Town- hall. ix Hanoverian medals, three found iu carriage, three 111 coat pocket; gold watch feand, No. 16 261; maker, Griffith, Miie-end-road, London. Missr-d about 2ds. from side pocket in his coat. Can be seen at United Arts b f ^floy'street' stra21(i- not leave Wallington
" THE INQUEST.-'f HE FIFTH…
THE INQUEST.f HE FIFTH DAY. The adjourned inquest was resumed on Thursdav morning at Balcombe The coroner said that he had received a tel gr am from the Director of the Criminal Investigation Depart- ment, stating that Holmes was not one of ihe Detective Department of the Metropolitan Police. ffe with twelve other?, although still on the register of the force, were in the employ of the General Post Office and three railway com- panies, under whose orders they entirely and exclusively acted. Air. Brewer (who represented the Brighton Company) said that he did not wish to conceal the fact that Hoimes was connected with the Brighton police. lie had been eleven years in the Metropolitan Detective Police, and it was only three months ago he came into the service of the company. They took these men from that department when they could. hoping to secure the best men. Thomas Picknell was then called, and said f am a ganger of platelayers in the employ of the railway company, and live at Red Bridge, Balcombe. I found the collar produced about three-quarters of a mile below Balcombe Station o^ar'1* ^ighton about a quarter to five on Monday, the 27th ult. It was in the same condition, ana the blood wa3 wet. It was wet with rain as well as with blood. I .bad not been past the spot previously, only in the morning we were workmg lower down. Harry Sewell, booking-clerk at London Bridge, stated that there were three first-class and five seeond-ciasi tickets issued to Brighton on the day in question. He issued two of those tickets to a lady. Whilst the lady was takina: them a man was standing a few paces behind waiting to take his turn. He ]ust glanced at the man, who was tall and thin, with a slight moustache and little whisker on each side He made the remark afterwards that the man was shabbily dressed lor a first-class passenger. John George Ager, clerk in the accountant's office of the Brighton Company, said the tickets which were stated to have been issued to the lady had been returned in the usual way. The third ticket had not been returned. Mr. Brewer said the third ticket was the one which was collected from Lefroy, and which had been put iu evidence. The coroner then summed up the evidence. He referred to the finding of the body, which had no doubt fallen, or been thrown, from the train. Tho face either showed signs of an attempt to commit suicide, or pointed to an atrocious murder. In addition to the cuts on the face a ballet wound was discovered, and the bullet found in the skull. The skull was fractured as well, and the jury would have to say whether the wounds were self-inflicted or not, or whether they were accidental. If they believed the medical evi- dence there could be no doubt that the wouuds were those of an assailant, and that the deceased had been foully mur- dered and thrown from the train. He thought they must dismiss from their minds the theory of suicide, and, that being the case, it was tlitir duty to inquire who was the murderer and who the murdered man. There could be no doubt that the identify of Mr. Gold had been established. The only person found in the compartment, in which the deceased had travelled was Lefroy, who had a few slight wounds. It was almost impossible to escape the conclusion that Lefroy was the murderer, and that robbery was the object of the murder. There was the theory that a third person was the .murderer, but that was almost physically impossible, because it was scarcely within reason that any one could have committed the murder and escaped from the train. The finding of the watch upon Lefroy and his sudden disappearance after he had been kindly treated by the rail way officials and the police were strong points against him. If he were innocent he could have pre- sented himself at the inquest and given evidence, instead of absconding, and he might then have explained away the suspicions which existed. Under all the circum- stances he did not think the jury could come to any other conclusion than that Mr. Gold was foully mur- dered, and that Lefroy perpetrated the murder. There remained but one other point, and that was the sanity of Lefroy. He had gone carefully through all the evidence, and had failed to discover anyihing which pointed in that direction. He believed that the witnesses who had regarded him as being insane did so because, no- ticing his condition, they believed he had attempted to com- mitsuicide. Had they at the time they formed their conclusion have known of the finding of Mr. Gold's body, they would he believed, have arrived at a different view of the matter. Under all the circumstances, he thought they could arrive at but one verdict, and they might remember in doing so that they were not trying anybody, and that if they found a verdict of wilful murder against Lefroy, he would still have a fair trial it he did not succeed in eluding the vigilance of the police. THE VERDICT. The jury, after consulting for about twenty minutes, returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against Arthur Lefroy, alias Mapleton, alias Lee, alias Coppin.
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Much annoyance has been caused to several peopl. in different parts of the country who have had the mil" fortune to be thought like the description of thi missing man. On Tuesday the police authorities at Southampton boarded the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Australia, which left the Thames on Mondiy outward bound, for Calcutta, in search of a man sad to be on board answering the description of Lefroy and concerning whom information had been telegraphsa frem Scotland-yard; but there was nothing in tie rumour.
THE MAEKlii-S,
THE MAEKlii-S, METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.—MoNDAT. The cattle trade was quiet and without any special feature. Supplies were not large. From our own graiing districts the receipts of beasts were about the averageaud the quality and condition tolerably good. The hot weathei and the weakness in the dead meat market caused slow sales and quotations were weak, especially for inferior qualIties. The best Scots and crosses sold at 6s. to 5s. 2d. per SIbs. From Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex we received about 1,500, from the Midland and home counties about 500, and a few from Scotland. The foreign side of the market was moderately supplied with beasts, which changed hands quietly at at,out; late rates. The sheep pens were fairly well filled. Not much was done, and the level of prices was not so good as 2s 0 last week. The best Downs and half-breds made 6s fis 9ri per Slbs. Lambs were quiet, at 7s. to 7s. 8d uer 8Ib's PklvM and pigs sold at late rates. Inferior beasts 4s to 4s 6df second quality, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d.; prime large oxen 4s 10d to 5s. prime Scots, 58. to 5s. 2d. inferior sheep 4s' IOd. te J afond Quality, 5s. to 5s. 6d.; prime coarse woolled, 5», 10d. to 6a. prime Southdowns, Q&, to 6s 2d • large coarsa calves, 5s. 2d. to 5s. 6d.; prime small ditto, 5s. 6d. te 5s. I0d.; large hogs, 4s. 8d. to 5s. small porkers, 5s. to 5s. 4d. lambs, 7s. to 7s. 8d. per 81b. sinking the offal. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET.-MONMY. Supply not large, but trade dull, and prices weak. Quota- tions are as follows :-Infericr beef, 2s. od. to 3s. middling ditto, 3s. 4d. to 4s. prime large kitto. 4s. 4d to 4s. 6d.; prime small ditto, 4s. 4d. to 4s. gd veal, 5s. to 5s. 4d. inferior mutton, 3s. 4d. to is.; middling ditto, 4s. 4d. t» 5s. 4d. prime ditto, 5s. lOd. to fts. 4d.; large pork, 3s. 4<L to 3s. 10d. small pork, 4s. to 4s. 4d. iamb, 6s. 6d. to 7s. per 81b. by the carcase. GAME AND POULTRY. Large fowls, 4s. 6d. to 6s.; small ditto. 2s. to 3s. chickens, Is. 6d. to 2s. 4d. ducks, 2s. t»d. to 3s. 9d. goslings. 4s. 6&. to 8s. live hens, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6s. Italian quails, iod. to Is. fat ortolans, Is. 9d. to 3s. pisreons, 6a. to 8d.; Bor- deaux pigeons, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.; haunches of venison, GOs. to 70s. each forequarters ditto, od. to A0i. per lb. FISH. Fresh salmon, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. crimped ditto, 2s. 2d. te 2s. 6d. mild smoked ditto, 3s. to 4s. Kipptr ditto, Is. 2d. to Is 6d. pickled ditto, 6Jd. to 7sd. 'ilse, lOd. to Is. Id.: trout, Is. to Is. 2d. eels, std. to n live ditto, is. to Is. Id. sturgeon. Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. h&llibufc, 8d. to Hd.; soles, is. to Is. 0d. per lb. POTATO. New potatoes are in demand, but old sorts neglected. prices are as follows 50-i to 70s. Via torias, 60s. to 80s. per ton. New*.—Cherbourg rounds, 6s. Jersey rounds, 6s. ditto kidneys, 10s. tn 1115. per cwt.
FUNERAL OF MR. GOLD.
FUNERAL OF MR. GOLD. The funeral of Mr. Gold took place on Monday, when great numbers of persons showed their sympathy with the family of the deceased by attending at the iuneral, which took place at the Extramural Cemetery, so called oecause when opened it was outside the boundary of the town of Brighton. The attendance at the funeral would have no doubt been still more numerous, were it not that many persons were compelled, and others induced to attend the inquest which was being held at Balcombe. Some of the leading houses ef business in Brighton had their shutters up during the time at which the fu-lieral was taking place whilst Preston itself, where the deceased re- sided, was altogether in mourning. Along the entire route of the mournful procession the blinds of the windows were drawn, and groups ef spectators were congregated at points along the roadside. On Saturday afternoon the re- mains of the deceased-encased in a shell coffin, with an outer eovering of brass-mounted polished elm, bearing on its cover a shield-shape plate bearing the in- scription, "Frederick Isaac Gold, died June 27, 1881, aged 64 years"—were conveyed by rail from Balcombe to Preston- park station, where they lay in the private room of Mr. Hall, the station master, until moved by the Brighton under- takers. The funeral cortege consisted of a plain hearse, drawn by two horses in black velvet housings.