The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-01-03 00:00:00

A BOXING DAY TRAGEDY.

Mr. Langhaul, on Tuesday, held an inquiry at St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, London, regarding the death
of Lucy Mary Lynes, aged 19, a domestic servant,
whose parents live at 39, Andover-road, Hornsey-
road, who committed suicide by taking poison in Mil-
ner-square, Islington. The identity was proved by
the father, who stated that his daugl,ter was in service
at Tollington-park, Holloway. Witt ess last saw her
alive on Sunday week, when she complained that her
mistress was continually nagging at her, and that she
had to work very hard. Witness believed that in
addition to having to do her household duties she had
to attend to a pony which her mistress kept. She was
looking forward very much to Christmas, when she
thought of leaving hei situation. Deceased was sub-
ject to fits, and they appeared to be epileptic
fits. She had also very bad health, and had
been in a convalescent home for three weeks. After-
wards she appeared better. Amelia Parker, a servant
in Upper-street, Islington, deposed that the deceased
met her on Christmas Eve, and intimated that she did
not intend to go back to her situation, as she was very
unhappy there. Witness advised her to leave; but
she said she had been out of a situation for some time
previously, and did not wish to be a source of trouble
to her parents. She said she did not intend to go
home again. She seemed very low and depressed.
Mrs. Mackinlay, of 40, Tollington-park, Holloway,
the deceased's mistress, said deceased seemed strange
in her manner, and told witness that she had troubles
outside which she knew nothing about. She was very
troublesome, and twice received notice to leave, but, as
she behaved better, the notice was revoked. She went
out on Christmas Eve, contrary to witness's wishes, and
appeared very much upset. Police-constable Gare
said early on Boxing-day his attention was called to
deceased sitting on a doorstep in Milner-squar4),
Upper-street, Islington, apparently in a dying state.
Witness procured the ambulance and took her to the
police-station, where she was attended to by the
divisional surgeon, who found her suffering from the
effects of poison. She was removed to the hospital,
and told witness that her mistress had threatened to
discharge her without a character. She appeared,
however, to be wandering.—lnspector Bateman, N
Division, said he discovered a bottle of laudantun
upon the deceased, together with a letter in her hand-
writing, which the coroner read. It stated, "My
mistress has driven me to this. She would not give
me a character, but would prevent me from getting
another place. So of course, I shall be done for.
She worries me, and I really do not know what I am
doing. I shall be better out of the way. If I
stopped there it would drive me crazy." The letter
was addressed to her mother. Dr. Creswell, house
physician, said deceased was suffering from opium
poisoning, and died the same day from the effects of
the poison. He did all he could to resuscitate her.
The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while tem-
porarily insane."