Kentish Gazette, 7 April 1857.

WOOLWICH.

Suspected Murder of an Artilleryman.

On Friday evening last an inquest was held at the "Fortune of War Inn," Woolwich, before C. J. Carttar, Esq., coroner for West Kent, on the body of John Lawler, a gunner of the 11th battalion, when from the evidence adduced there appears to be no doubt that the deceased was drowned by unfair means, and two of the parties implicated are now in custody. A female, named Margaret Mahony, deposed she resided at 5, Hog-lane, Woolwich, and on the night of the 24th March the deceased came to her house, a man named Jack Walsh was also present. A quarrel took place, and Mrs. Coulson, the landlady, took up a pair of tongs to defend herself. Walsh then threw the deceased out of the front door, and he went to the end of the lane leading to the river. Walsh followed him, and the deceased went inside the iron railing on the stone landing-place. Walsh then struck the deceased a blow, and he fell back into the water, it being high tide. A female present asked Walsh to extricate the deceased, but he refused. From other evidence it appeared that the deceased had two scalp wounds on his forehead. On Saturday last Welsh, who was ordered into custody by the coroner, was placed at the bar before Mr. Traill, at the Police-court, Woolwich, and remanded. Mrs. Coulson, the landlady, is also in custody. No less than five soldiers have been drowned at the same spot during the last two years, under highly suspicious circumstances.

Kentish Gazette, 14 April 1857.

The Suspected Murder of an Artilleryman.

On Thursday evening an adjourned inquest was held at the "Fortune of War Tavern," Woolwich, before Mr. Carttar, on the body of John Lawler, a gunner of the 11th battalion, who was drowned on the night of the 24th ult. A number of witnesses were now examined, and the result of their evidence strongly confirms the previous opinion that a murder has been committed.

A man named Teesdale deposed that on the night in question he was in Long-lane, when he heard a scuffle near the water side. He did not go too near, as it was an infamous locality, and he was afraid. After hearing a splash in the water, he heard some one say, "Let him drown." Other evidence proved that Walsh (who is now in custody) and the deceased wore formerly both artillerymen in the same company, and that on one occasion Walsh was under arrest in consequence of a report made by the deceased. Since this event Walsh had been heard to say that he would serve the deceased out. This inquest was again adjourned. On Saturday, when the prisoners were brought up on remand, the following important and additional evidence was given:-

Thomas Tesdon, a labourer, deposed that on the night in question he went into a coffee-house in Hog-lane, and heard a quarrel near the water side, he went down the lane, and saw the female prisoner strike an artilleryman over his head with a pair of tongs. He was afraid to go too near. Shortly afterwards he heard some person say, "Drown, you -----, drown." He then heard that an artilleryman was in the water.

John Green deposed, that on the night in question, he was in Long-lane, and heard a woman say "Give it him, Jack." The prisoners at the bar were both lighting with an artilleryman.

Inspector Brine said he had evidence to produce, proving that the deceased and the prisoner Walsh were formerly in the same company of Royal Artillery, and that Walsh had threatened to serve the deceased out for having placed him (Walsh) in the guard-room.

Mr. Traill said in the present stage of the proceeding, as the coroner's inquest had been adjourned, he should again remand the prisoners for a week.