The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-04-18 00:00:00

Xotal an Pistrict Pius.

MgLANCROLY SOICIDK.—tha Tuesday afternoon a wo-
man named McDown, who resided in Bretteil Lane, COW-
witted suicide under rather extraordinary circumstances.
The deceased was the wife if. glass-cutter, who has been
out of employment for a considerable time, and who is
absent from home in search of work. Sins rose at her
usual time in the morning, went through her usual house.
hold duties, cleaned up the 11011,0 after dinner, and Dom
went upstairs, leaving her two childnm below. Before
going she told them not to follow her. Aboat half an
hour afterwards, however, the eldest, a girl some six
years of ago, called her, and, receiving us answer, went
up to the bed-resins. There she found her 'author hang-
lug by the neck from the bedpost. The little girl ran
and called some neighbours, who came and cut her down.
Life was extinct. Deceased had been observed by her
neighbours for the last fortnight to be strange in her
manner. There can be no doubt she wan insane when
she destroyed herself.—On Thursday afternoon an in-
quest was held on the body before Mr. W. H. Phillipa,
Deputy-Coroner, at the Red Lion Inn, Bretton Lane.
Alter hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict
that deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of
insanity.
. .

DAM AGING A BARREL OP A LE.-At tho Petty Sessions,
on Tuesday, before R. L. Freer, Esq., George Williams
wits brought up on a charge of wilfully damaging. barrel
of ale, at the Bagley Park, the property of C. W. Bourne,
of Dudley.—Mr. Bourns supplied refreshments at the
Volunteer Review on Monday. Defendant went to bin
booth in a state of intoxication, and, wanting more drink,
incontinently took a tap completely out of one of the
barrels.—Fined 2s lid and coats; in default 10 days im-
prisonment.
. . . _ .

Scaom. oF7Anr.—On referring to our advertising
columns it will be seen that this school will re-open on
Mouday next, after the Easter holidays. For terms, itc.,
see advertisement.

ltstannio.—lt will be seen in our advertisement col.
umns that the Rev. J. M. Bellew will give a reading in
the Union Hall, on Monday evening next. It will be
seen that the programme is a well.selected one.
PRESENTATION.—A number of Mr. S. Brookes's friends
who were desirous of showing their esteem towards hini,
determined to show their regard to hits by presenting
him with an oil painting of himself. A committee was
formed consisting of Messrs. Davy, Weer], and Corbett,
and subscriptions were quickly raised, and a splendid
life-like portrait was painted by Ablilmin, of Birming-
ham. On Wednesday evening a dinner took place at the
Talbot Hotel, after which the chair was occupied by W.
Akroyd, Esq., and the vice-chair by Davy, Esq. After
dinner the Chairman, in an eloquent speech, eulogising
Mr. Brookes, presented hint with the picture as a token
of the esteem that he was held in by his fellow-towns.
men. Mr. Brookes replied. During the evening the
usual loyal toasts ware drank, ml a pleasant evening wat
spent.
_ _

DEATIT OE A PENINSULA MAN.-011ILdfly morning,
the death of Mr. John Truman occurred at his residence
Lovedane. He was one of the now few surviving soldiers
of the Peninsular War, having enlisted in the Grenadier
Guards when only sixteen years of age, and went through
the latter P :ninsular campaigns of iVellington. Hu wns
in several eng Temente, and, we I,UI passed
through them ,eatheless. He Visi ,evealy•tia, yenis
of age.

lixr.r..—The annual ball, in connection with the Spade
Tree Turners, took place in the Corn Exchange, on
Monday last. Upwards of 300 persona were present, who
kept up the dance to the strains of Mr. Turner's Quad.
title bard.