The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-09-21 00:00:00

FRIGHTFUL SUICIDEBY A SOLDIER AT

rOItLAND.

An inquest was held on Tumidity afternoon last, at
the loctureeomn in the Barrack', before it. N. Howard,
Fere, coroner for the Wand, on the body of Thomas
'Morley, who committed &amide, by gutting his throat
with a razor.
James Mc Keown, • corporal in the rilst regiment,
said deceased was a private in the same regiment, and
also a bugler. Wane.e taw hint last night about half.
past ten o'clock in No. 3 room in the barracks. He lit
his pipe, and put the gas out, which wax burning in the
room, lie went over to his comrade, bugler Page's cot,
and said something, witness could riot tell the exact
worde, but it sweated sad be had fallen out with him,
, and welted to make friends. Witness was corporal of
I the room, and in diseharge of his duty, called him
to go to his bed. He came directly and got into
his bed—the one the jury had viewed. Wane.' was
lin bed at the time and bin cot was next. About live
minutes after swatch we, struck by bugler Bourke, who
was sleeping the other tile of him. Witness then saw
blood running down the side of the bed of deeeav al.
He immediately got up and roused all the other men
in the room. Witness saw be heel cut his throat, and
went for the provost eergesuit. He eons back with him
to the decease], who oat breathing, but blood was
relining from hen. He did not appease sensible, and
shout ten minutes after he breathed his last. Witness
had known him for two years. It was not
pesaible for any person to have cnt the
throat of deccaed, excepting himself, wit h.
out witness knoaing it. Witness was only there
three days; but during that time he noticed that
deceased wan &omega/hat strange, for he would talk
faolislily at time& as if he was not in his right mind.
Wi,ness did not recollect that deceased had any
imprisonment here; but knew he had some little im•
tarisonment at Aldershott When the light was struck,
ethane saw a razor on tle floor but did not see where
deeeaset'i hand was. Dil not hear him after he got
Into bed. Deceased was quite sober.
Patrick Bourke, • private and bugler in the slnt.
regiment. had been nearly fear year. in the regiment.
Was in No. 3 room on Monday night, and sew deceased
about 20 minutes past nine. About 20 minetee post 10,
10, the deceased wen; over to Bugler Cage's
boa and was talking to him when Corporal
McKeown told hilts that be had better go
to bed. The deoeased said he was only making up
chums, and he could not de without it. Another bugler
(Thomas Hill) told him to go to bed, and he at once
greased the room anal did ea He took off his boots and
socks, but got into boil with his trimmers on. Bugler
Thomas Webb commenced telling • tale, when deceased
said be did not Went it that night. He wee going on
with the tale, and witness was looking out of the
window, when the deceased shouted with a loud voice
"Billy Page ! goataleye !" There were two matches, on
the window sill, ant lie lit one ; but it went out. The
glare of the oulphur, however, showed the bliod running
from deceased's neck. Witness lit the other match, and
Saw that he had cut hi. throat, and • stream of blood
was running from it. AU the room was then up, and
witness ran and alarmed the sergeant of the guard, and
the Bergemetanajor. Wii seas did not hear any none
before he struck the match. There was no one near
deoeased except witneo and the corporal. The razor
' was on the floor between the bed of sinless and that
of deemed. Daring the lest few days witness had
noticed that he had been very cations, not the name an
be used to be, and at times he appeared not to be in his
proper senses. Could not give any reason for the
committal of such an sot. laul not think deceased a
likely man to have taken away his life, if he had been
in his right senses. Witness in answer to the jury,
said that he dial not know that he bad any reason.
Deceased was in the guard-room on Mauch 17th last.
Dii not know where the doctor was when deoea•ed
killed himself: hut the doctor could not have saved his
life, as his wiellpipe was cut.
Williaiss Pue, another Muller, said about twenty
minutes past tea deceased came to him and talked
about taking on for • second period. as he had been an
, the regiment nearly seven years. and could reenlist for
eleven years. He also talked about being friendly, as
they had not been very good friends. lkareased asked
witness to forgive him, and be did so. Drowned shook
hands with him, kissed him, and went to his own sot.
About three minutes after, he cried out '' Good-bye,
billy Page !" Berke then struck a match, and some
one said deceased's throat was cut. Deceased we,
much older than witness- On the previous Friday be
came in. and witness offered him his tea, but he would
not have it, Witness put it under his bed, when
deceased took it up and threw it into the fire, and some
likenesses at the name time. He seemed vary strange,
for in the middle of the night be would wake up and
ask witness who was for duty and who was orderly
man. The rnen for ditty were always sworn over night,
and he must have known Who they were if he had been
In his right mind. Deceased was not addicted he drink-
ing, and witness could not account for the deed if be
was in bin right menses. —By •juror : They had had no
words together previous to the Friday mentioned.
Witness always got ready deceased's tea. It was the
duty of the corporal of the room to tarn out the gas
every night; but he could not swear who put it out
that night.
William Woodland, provost sergeant of the 51st,
I said a bugler aallio to the sergeant's mess on Monday
!debt and said a man had eat his throat in No. 3 room.
Witness went up and saw deceased lying in his cot, on
liii beck, his throat cat and his right arm just off the
sot. A razor lay on the floor in the direction of the
hand. (Witneses produced the razor with blood there.
on.) The ease of the razor was under his left tide
the top off. It was deceased's razor for his regimental
number was on it. When witness saw deceased he was
just breathing, and that was all: the windpipe
was completely severed. Had not known deceased
very long, but he had been • very quiet man, since he
had been here. Had not noticed anything strange about
him, but knew he was generally liked In the town.
John Ffolliatt, medical officer in the 51st, said be was
sent for about Wren mioutes after the act was Maas
mitted. Deceased was just breathing, but was scarcely
▪ and was not sensible. Witness found his throat
was cut, all the large vseesla of the neck divided, and
the windpipe severed. Without doubt that was the
cause of death. The out was so severe that witness did
not believe that if he bad been there at the time, any
earthly power could have saved deceased. He bad no
hesitation in saying that the cut must have been done
by !Morley himself. He was 25 years old and enlisted
in 100. His character was very fair Indeed, but be
lied never been In the hospital, and consequently not
much under witoesa's notice, so he could not say any.
thing as to the etale of his mind.
The jury being satisfied with the evidence adduced
Tbe coroner said there was no doubt that the mai.
perished by him own sot. The jury must decide
whether he did it from malice aforethought, or whether
Is. was in on unsound state of mind.
It was elicited from the oiliest in command that moth
man in the regiment had possession of his own razor,
which was marked with his regimental number.
The jury consulted very briefly, and returned • verdict
that deceased bad taken away his life while ins state of
"Temporal Insanity.'

wA It EHA
prrry ST6BIOIIIB, Tuesday.— Magistrates present: 0.
W• Ferrer, and Mile 4 RA
ROISIM•T AT • Flag—ammo hemlie and Sang Himeek,
b,1,1,6101 tO Charlt.), WON ellariNd With IlltaliNZ quantity
• ..f rt forte. -til.T,"'ALlZlS'ltlrrtaiY dog: MI
ran. 111•17.3 th... lithi4.,lArd'neerlllld4
Court Farm. A fire took !dam on
'n7.7„;,,,t theovening of Welneaday the nth. My 11.41.0
burnt ihmti. Sarah win in my
.er•
eien at the time. On Thum* aftenmon Dennis and
ad.ed to go Inane and were allowed At that
tin.. they were wearing their own clothe,. Ott Saturday from
tho mile he enailimnahlil jtflahucod that soil later
ker▪
ehief. *Well win found In my carter'. Mune I,4onging to
• uldn.rd., and having her Initiala it.—Mr. Richard,'
added that It W. ollly right on the Nn' ieme behalf to may that
hi. daugider during the centric of the night of the ere tokl
them they could take anything they liked to put on to keep at
the Gale Richard, daughter of prosecutor,
Weldllk I the pnipertv. I inquired during the time of the fire
of Ilhwock if die anything lout tin, and Kate her the
picket. I think I told them they had better put ..11 an)thi m
, they naiad Jmieph Stone: CM Saturday I went t.
home, and linked her to deliver up the thing, ,tht
hit
belonging to we Ric:uniu. her muter. She fekheil the Jael,t
and hat. I hail per handy tolil her I believed ahe had a jacket
mid hat and horne .4her thing, I then charged her with shad-
leg them. She wail ',ht, did 'lot intend to .teal the thing.
ek '
„, put Meal on 110641 We Ole iiiithihic eke to W I. hut
borne... Brought her to Wareham, and on the nail asked her
what he had done with the ieramil, and she wad .he ha.l left
od
chief. %et': "n'Tl:tl thl"'n'ewe'r''.hmt a n't;.d'il:':(l.'l'Sn'uoelnn'itrtfisoaU:a:'ll'il.thl.r:'hertiltirilehwi'e:lki.e:thr::::bwdig'l'r.,'em.`n"%"l:
iteh..lanf "d"ihlethPerintagTh'ne7iirate.i'llnatwhathathe
the. lir, ..▪ 11 11thing which hid 6'4; lt a t:i "it :":t,ni. erel: time
e:" IttPyd ."1")1i.nle. the
l being ikh7bd;i:l`ta hh7,:e;
Ii at, to hlto • ten tvitofol ,aot. toappear
agauwt them. -Tin: “Iticll.3 •KANA, IX.L.k.%,"tutut".",

9EI

(hi koum
t.b.lromul mid It
01(h (ho hon.ww•lstethe's:4" diweris,"..
hetdi bed edd. they t:tb.,eut,hl"hogindw.:7l:74lhd.
it u.s 1.00(010
but after whet Mr. Rhe
to sooarletiall. It wan, however, e wee
do iso and not
morotrous th ternrebedut • tram one, ma Yr. Richard. bad said
that the time of • fire was looked upon by Moe the mane aa •
shipwreck, .d advantage wa• taken of it to rob 'home who
ought at au oh • time to be protected. There were much circum-
wane. let tits Lase. that had It not been for Mr. Kichardes
kind aptical, the Bench would lure Bent them for trial
irlth the hope that they would not not In such a manner ageio,
lite charge lonild be dissmismeL The decision of the Bench
smeared to give considerable eatimlaction to throe in Court.
, Temarase is Samar or Orme -- Robert Jaliffs,
Badsv. Jain &vim, .d Thomas Caaa ware charged with
jo in eenceh of game 111 land. In the occupation of Mr.
John Samuel Drew. The defendant.% appeared in the dock
handcuffed, • position which their solicitor, Mr. Atklmon,
eimumtefided ea may unmated In a paachtng came, and one he
did not wish to nee again.- Edward nasal., keeper to Mr.
II omer them On 801,0107 morning hunting the hedge. with
four d. '0 He went bow& them. They ran away :he mote
up to then, They mid they would stand something hansbsune
11l said nothing almint it, and stand gleams round if I would go.
to the Cross-examined The defendants had no gum,.
mad I don't think they bed sticks. They told me they Was
oaly ou(fore walk. They had no tame, nor did I ree them
start any. For the defence, Mr. Atkinson said that the defen-
dant, were travelleri, and that they merely went out for a
walk taking, as bbi very often the case, their data with them.
They had no guns or 'tricks with them, and the only thing
mains/ them sres that they were orrialnly on the land, and
three .4 them not ebbing to run (ho risk 01 being
fem.' fault • ith, ran nosy. Ile contended, on their
behalf, that they had been sufficiently puniebed even if
the lamed. conddered the cam proved. They 'darted with their
taro. to lilandford, end were taken out of their brie at
u'eloek in the morning, much to their horror and divine, by
Mr. Kelm, and bruited back to Wareham handcuffed ant
locked up two nighta and brought to that court ha:shafted, a
prisweding which he treated he should never see adopted twain
Is sueh • tase.--The Hunt+ took • very ilifferunt view of the
Own, ow... Werner that it wae watch worm for men travelling
I from I.lacc to place &hint the country TO be found treapsad tut,
than tor • imor Man teinirtoil to take • rabbit. and flood them
10s. anti lius. costs each, at the name time stating that bad it
Cot been for them having been locked up they Mould have in-
Skied the full penalty.
*TIMMS', SloSitr reoll A RAILWAY STAMM.--NONA NOM*,
of Shaftesbury, wax brought up in .witody ellatired with Meal-
lag VS.. Pl., from the till at Moreton dation. the property of
the Knith.Weeern Kaihray Company. - Supertendent
Ileblett watched the ease on behalf of the immlimir.—mr.
Atkinson for the scau..al.—Mr. Un.h Sanioni detiommentet
• lo minute% .4 00 he was told by the clerk thal rime
Money hail ismia lost from the till. and pumper wmpointed out
to lion no the person who had horn in the office. He spoke to•
prisoner slaying •• Have you been in riddling our till." liemid
he had not. I mid he bad, and itook him out of the train.
Prisoner said be hal •4.8. in biz pocket end • few shillimp be-
side. The 504. be had tam .4 his master in tbe morning...-
Turd, Edgier one of the porters at the station, looked through
the window and me the prisoner Jun tearing the Aloe, where
Ike tiekets and money are kept. There io • door IN:treat the
olive and the waltier room. Theis were no other on In
thr e•eiting.n o sen or n the Barry 11P=tele-
trreph clerk, was informed of tome one being in the office
by or .4 the porters. I then went and examined bog
aml found 2 wvereigno short and a helf.crown I had Just Worm
tee., „r the pri,..over. I told Mr. Samuel that I had Lb
I. gold in the lon. but I cannot my how much silver—Cross.
examined : In the °Ow room the policeman mked me how
many Miami had been It ken. 1 told him I did nut know.
Could not my lithe I.olissero(ti told wewbat I waste. my. rm.
Whites+, a...venal In Ids cromentamination In a Vtry
factory manner, and ,aid lie could not remember who the polwe-
Man wax. He could not my If the money amain no erehir,..
halls.vereigio in the till. Could not Weedily any of the
motley found on the prisoner me hie property. Hy the repast
of Superintendent &dm, the witness% was asked which of the
polies spoke to him in the court room, to which he replied
!forwent Florence, but the sergeant denied (het he apoke loth°
witness, and added that he woo n. 4 in the court haring been
to Poole. P.C. John Ilenenta remised prisoner Into custody,
and seised him what money he had. He reviled when I left
home this money I had SA. and • little odds, he believed It
treatise comer,. I then raiumlnal him in the preen..o of the
'Mtn inmmoiter, and banal 0:2 in gold, Os hait-erown., two t
ehilhng Mose, Len Mem., twooslrucor, be lourbenny
and twopence-Miff penny in copper. The money wee
In hi. pocket. This IVIO the evidence for the prowecution.
Mr. Atkins.% connelered there VON nu ome, •• there wee no
actual ime4.4 the 100 of the money. The teleifmnb deft cooid
not say what Mem. 4 4 money were in the lein, whether they
were ...vet, iems or hell-sovereigns. —The Bench, however, were
of • isdarary tipinion, and committed prionier for trial.