Shocking Death of an English Judge

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 40, 16 September 1884, Page 3

Shocking Death of an English Judge

The Lo»don correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle telegraphs as follows:

— "A most scandalous disclosure was made to-day at the inquest over Judge Watkin Williams, who died suddenly at Nottingham. England. Judge Williams was a leading member of the English Bench, and ranked deservedly high among lawyers on account of his learning and ability. He was the head of a large family, and highly respected in society. He was specially popular among English reformers, was a frequent orator at meetings in the interest of social reforms, and was generally looked upon as a pattern of all the virtues. He was at Nottingham in the performances of his regular duties on the Judicial Circuit, and was in the apparent enjoyment of excellent health during the day. He died suddenly and the news of his death was received the next day with surprise and sorrow. It was given out that he died from a sudden attack of heart disease. At the inquest, however, the Coroner, in pursuing the inquiries as to the circumstances attending the learned Judge's death, brought out the fact that it occurred in a house of ill repute. It was developed that after transacting his' day's business on the bench, Judge Williams repaired to a brothel, and there dined with one of its notorious women. After dinner the Judge and his companion spent the night atanofgie, in tho course of which he suddenly expired in the house. The Coroner made every attempt to hush up the disclosures, and the friends of the family vainly attempted to bribe the inmates of the brothel and reporters to conceal the scandal, but it has been made public property.