The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1869-01-23 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

DISTRESSING CASE OF SUICIDE.  A singular series of facts were elicited in London on Tuesday, at a coroner's inquest, held to inquire into the death of Mrs. Eleanor South, aged 33 years, who Committed suicide through grief brought on by the loss of a lover, who died shortly after being struck by her husband. It would appear that the deceased was a very handsome woman, aml that 14 years ago she was engaged to be married to a Frenchman, whose name at the inquest was purposely withheld from the public. After keeping company for four years, she and her lover were separated, and they never met until about live weeks ago. During the interim th deceased got married to a printer, hat she neve told him anything about her former lover, and for sight years they lived happily together. One night , her husband asked her to go and get his supper beer, and she left his lodgings for that purpose. Upon entering the Tavern she saw her former lover talking Ito a girl. When he perceived her he left the girl and spoke to her. After that they had several meetings, and the deceased complained very much to her hue. I band of anxiety and pains in the head. During her illness he was very kind to her, and he never suspected that she had met a former lover. The rest of the story of this sad ease is best told in the words of the witnesses:  . _ Richard South, the husband, stated that on Thursday I week, finding that his wife was not at home, he went to look for her, and he hound tiers, eaking to a Frenchman, for whom, he was sorry to say, she haul a rely great attachment. j W hen be saw them speaking he void.' not stand quietly by j so he struck the Frenchumn severely. At that time the Frenchman was ill, :nod the day after he received the lolaws he la.codue worse. lie ailed in a few days, but witness cult • not say is hat he .Iled of. On Saturday, at twelve' nude ... . cease I heard that th Frenchnotti buried an I -he be.unne like one that was mad. She t 4,1•1 him d her attachment for the dead man, and they had some words about it : she spoketo him, and he spoke tole.r. She was very much excited. She was in a great deal of trouble, but it was trouble that slid sot concern him. On Saturday night, at twelve o'clock, she sat down on a sofa in her room, ILEA witness sat on a chair, for he thought it best to take no notice of her. lie saw her tear her long hair out of her head in handfuls : but he thought that IS time she would become calm, so he did not interfere. All at once he heard the chinking of a glas+, and he then saw that she was drinking poison. He jnmped from hi' chair and dashed the glass out of her hand ; but l.cfore he was able to do so, she had drunk oil 4 d bitter almond :1. lie caught :Ind carried lier to a chemist's. but while he was le d.ling her at he. do, sine foisted in his antis, she was then carried to Dr. . .  lionohoo's, where she died in two hours. Dr. Donohoo gave his evidence, and said that the deeeased hat expired from the effects of a doi:e of es,mitial..ll .4 bitter almonds, a bottle of which her husband had kept in the house for five years to flavour pies.  The o roner said that the case was a very r-markable and a sad one. The jury returned av. rdict of "Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."