Kentish Chronicle, 6 October, 1829.

Suicide.

A coroner's inquest was held on Saturday afternoon, by Mr. Newman, the acting city coroner, at the "Cross Keys Inn," Greenchurch Street, on the body of Mr. Charles Spicer, age 33 years, who had put an end to it to his existence on Friday morning, in his bedroom, at that house. The jury being sworn, proceeded to view the body, which presented an awful appearance.

Mr. Pallister proprietor of the "Cross Keys Inn," stated that he had known the deceased for 20 years. He kept the "Crown and Anchor Hotel," at Margate; witness had not seen him for the last 6 months till Thursday, when he came into the bar, and shook hands with him; he had slept in the house the two preceding nights. He appeared to be in a very agitated state of mind, and told witness he had been declared a bankrupt, and on Tuesday was to appear before the commissioners. He said he had just arrived from Dublin, and had been made a bankrupt without his knowledge; that he was completely unserved, and had lost his memory; his head was so confused that he had not taken any steps, and have not applied to a solicitor. Witness advised him to go to his solicitor, which he said he would, and went away; witness never saw him again until after he committed the fatal act.

On Friday morning about 9 o'clock, the chambermaid told him that a gentleman in one of the bedrooms had fired off a pistol. He ran up to the room, the door of which being fastened on the inside, he burst it open, when he saw the deceased lying on the bed, with blood gushing from his throat. The room was full of smoke, and smelled of gunpowder. He instantly sent for a surgeon, who came and remained with the deceased till he died, which was about a quarter of an hour. He afterwards found a pen knife on a dressing glass, covered with blood, and a pocket pistol in the bed. He was convinced the deceased was of unsound mind when he saw him on Thursday morning, and said to his wife that evening. He was an unmarried man, and nothing but his embarrassed circumstances caused his unhappiness.

Mr. John Polley, who keeps the "Crown and Cushion," London Wall, stated that he new the deceased 3 years. He went to Ireland about 3 months ago, for the benefit of his health. He had twice before attempted suicide, and on his passage to Ireland had attempted to throw himself overboard. Witness was confident he was of unsound mind.

Mr. Games, surgeon, stated his having been called to the deceased. He was alive, but totally and insensible. He had an incised wound in his throat, and a wound in the abdomen, caused by a gun or pistol shot.

These wounds caused his death.

Verdict - Insanity.