The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-14 00:00:00

hi..

A SAD END!

On Monday evening Mr. Lanithom, the Deputy Coroner,
held an Inquest at the "Essex [lea!' Tavern, E4seretrott,
Strand, Lonion, on the body of alive Blanche Oswald. sged
to; my years, who committed suidde by throwing herself
from Waterloo bridge on Thursday evening last.
Mrs. Eliza Castle, 178, High-street, Shadwell,
identified the body as that of a lodger who caimv to
her house a fortnight ago, and gave the name of Locus.
Deceased told her that she came from America with a
Indy who had four servants, but after arriving in
Britain two were Iliclargetl, and in consequence her
work became very hard. She was discharged, and came
to London to Fee the Americas, Consul, and, if possible,
to obtain a pass back to America. She received a
letter on Thursday afternoon last which seemed to up-
set her. Later in the afternoon she went out, but never
returned.

Thomas Engham, 80, Webber-street, a compositor,
said he was passing over Waterloo-bralge on Thursday
last, about six p.m. Deceased was about eight yards
in front. When she arrived at the sec md recess on
the M;ddlesex side she threw her silk umbrella on the
pavement, ascended the parapet, and rolled over. He
raised an alarm. A steamer come along, stopped,
hicked water, and threw out a couple of buoys, when a
11 am s Police galley caum along an.l the offimrs
fished her up and corrected her to the Temple Pier.
Afrer deceased got into the water she screamed out for
help.
Mr. Richard Pane, acting inspector on board the
' Royalist, said, hearing a cry of a person overboard, he
put oil and PIIC ceded in catchirg the deceased. Ile
ronoved her to the Temple Pier, tried artificial respira-
tion for three-quarters of an hour, but without
success. Me Heal aid was summoned immediately the
body was landed. From the time of hearing the cry to
getting the body out not three minutes elapsed.
Dr. Nunn stated that every means was tried to pro-
duce respiragon, but without avail. He examined the
body externally. Over the temple was a bruise,
recently done, but there were no other marks of
violence. The cause of death was drowning. Deceased
was abut sft. 2iin. high, regular features, and bright
brown hair.
- -

Inspector King said he searched deceased •, upon
her person he found a purse containing a halfpenny
in bronze, a duplicate for a shawl pledged for 2s. a
wedding ring, a small box key, a dress ring with white
stones, a pair of gilt earlings, small brooch, and a
locket containing the miniature of a gentleman, also
several papers, and addressesof the American Minister,
Consul, and others.
Some further evidence having been given, the
following letter VIM put in and read :
_ . _ .

" 178, High street, ShldivelL London, September 3, 1871—
The crime that lam about to commit and what I twist
suffer hereafter is nothing compared to my present misery.
Alone in Loudon, not a penny or a friend to advise or lend a
helping hand, tired and weary with looking for iitnethitig
to do, falling In ever, way, footsore and heartweary, I
prrfer death to the dawning of another wretched morning.
I bare only been in Britain nine weeks. I came as
nursery governess with a lady from America to Scotland,
where she discharged me, refusing to pay my pAsage back,
airing in^ my wages, .C 3103. After my ,spenses to London
liaised myEelf in C.ds great city with only Sc. What WWI 1
to do I sold my watch. The paltry sum I obtained forth it
soon went In prying for my board and in looking tars curse-
am. Now 1 urn destitute every 150 11 a misery to use. No
frferel, no hope, no money ; what is left? Oh, Grief H.-raven,
have mercy ou a poor help:ere sinner; Thou knoivest how I
have striven against this, but fate is against rue. I cannot
tread the path of sin. for my dead mother will be catching
me. FatherlPas, motherless, Imme 1 have none. Oh for the
rarity of Christian hearts. I am not mad ; for days I have
foresem that this wool.' be the end. May all who serfll.• my
death trrAve me, and may God Almighty do so, before whose
ear I must aoon appear. Farewell to ail, to this beautiful,
and yet wretched won l t.—ALICE BILANCIIN OSWALD. lam
20 years of age the Ilth of this month."

;rho Coroner summed no, and the jury retorted a
verrio:t of "Suicide while in a smte of temporary in-
sanity."