Remarks.—In this conflict Turner proved himself a steady scientific boxer: there was nothing hurried in his manner, and he used his left hand with celerity and decision. Instead of appearing a novice, he showed himself a superior up-hill boxer to Curtis. He took the lead and kept it; supported not only by length and strength, but was by far the best fighter. His position was so formidable, and his mode of setting to so different from pugilists in general, that Curtis could not get at him with anything like safety to make a hit. The knowing ones were completely outwitted upon this event, which ought to operate as a useful lesson, by inducing them to calculate the capabilities of the combatants, instead of being led astray by the mere greatness of names. Three to one is dangerous betting at all times.
Notwithstanding the greatest exertion and humane care were taken in speedily removing Curtis from the ring, after the battle had terminated—in fact, but a few minutes had elapsed before he was put to bed at the Red Lion Inn, Hampton, and medical assistance procured—yet this brave, but unfortunate boxer, in the course of a few hours breathed his last. The subject of his death having come under the cognizance of the laws of the country, an inquisition was taken on the body at the above inn, on Friday, October 25, 1816, before Thomas Stirling, Esq., Coroner for Middlesex.
John Griffinhoof, surgeon, of Hampton, deposed to being sent for on Tuesday evening to attend upon the deceased, who, when he arrived, was in a state of insensibility. There were no blows upon the body which, in his opinion, could have caused a man’s death. There was a general discoloration from the waist upwards. He bled him in the arm, and applied leeches to his temples, and also endeavoured to administer to him a draught. He was of opinion that the blows which he received on the head were the cause of his death. The deceased lived until twelve o’clock at night.
Mr. Morris Jones, surgeon, of Hampton, gave similar evidence. He believed that a blood-vessel had broken in his head, and the only hopes he had of his recovery was by his bleeding profusely.
Richard Coombe, fishmonger, of Hampton, was present at the fight between the deceased and Turner. It was a pitched battle. He never heard of there being any quarrel between Curtis and Turner; saw Curtis enter the ring at half past one o’clock; Turner entered directly after. They stripped, shook hands, and then commenced fighting. When they had fought more than an hour, witness went up to Curtis and advised him to give in; but he observed that he could see, and should beat his opponent yet. He said his seconds advised Curtis not to fight any longer, and forced him to the ropes, but he broke from them and faced Turner again. The third round after he forced himself from his seconds, Turner gave him a heavy blow, which threw him, and fell upon him. He was raised up by his seconds, and the battle ended. Turner was declared the conqueror. He was informed that Curtis had been, previous to the fight about a month, unwell with a certain disease, and had been under the care of two physicians of St. Thomas’s Hospital. His friends, thinking him not in a sound state, advised him not to fight; but Curtis was determined. He never saw a fairer fight. Turner could have struck him several times between the fiftieth and sixty-eighth (last) rounds, when he would not, on account of his having such an advantage over his opponent. At one time he stood over Curtis as he leaned against the ropes, and might have given him a violent blow, having him wholly in his power; instead of doing so he lifted up his hands and walked away.
Another witness, also sworn, observed, that for about twelve rounds before the termination of the contest, he told Curtis he had no chance to win, and that it was a pity he should suffer himself to be beaten to pieces. The reply of the deceased was, that he could not lose the battle, and he maintained this assertion against every remonstrance, until he fell in the last round, and never recovered from a state of stupor. Oliver, his second, advised him also, in vain, to resign long before the battle was decided, and the umpire refused to hold the watch any longer; but the deceased entertained a notion that he could win until the moment he fell. The evidence of this witness went to explain on the subject of the fall. He stated that, in the struggle for superiority, both men were down, and that Turner had an opportunity of doing mischief to his adversary, by falling upon him, but he broke from him and behaved in a manly manner, as he had done in other instances during the fight. After this fall, Curtis never recovered from the stupor, and witness believed him to be in a dying state before he reached the inn at Hampton.
It was further sworn that Turner had forborne to take advantage of his adversary when he had him upon the ropes, and that he showed much fair play during the combat.
The Coroner summed up:—Gentlemen of the jury, I have read over the whole of the evidence which has been adduced, and it is now my duty to point out to you what is the chief point for you to consider with regard to your verdict. It is proved there was no previous quarrel between Turner and the unfortunate deceased before their contest at Moulsey Hurst; but, notwithstanding, it is my duty to tell you that the meeting was unlawful, for Turner had no right to beat Curtis until he died because he had his consent, although they did not agree to fight till one had killed the other: yet such was the fact in evidence, that the extremities of Curtis were dead before he left the ring. There are certainly several points in favour of Turner. It appears that he could several times, when he did not, have not only disabled the deceased, but that he had him at one time so much in his power that he could have put an end to the contest, but that he avoided the opportunity of an advantage: still the deceased died in consequence of the wounds he received from Turner. I have stated what appears in favour of Turner; and, on the other side, that he acted unlawfully, and you cannot discharge your duty, in my opinion, unless you find him guilty in some degree—to what degree it is for you to determine. The jury were in consultation for twenty minutes, when they returned a verdict of manslaughter.
Upon the issuing of the warrant, Turner at once surrendered himself.
On Friday, November 1, 1816, at the Old Bailey Sessions, Edward Turner was indicted for the wilful murder of John Curtis, by inflicting with both his hands divers blows, on the 22nd of October, whereof he died.