Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1901-04-26 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

NELSON CHU ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.  A SAD STORY OF DOMESTIC MISERY.  A most pitiable story was revealed at the Nelson Borough Police Court, with the Mayor (Councillor H. Dyson) in the chair, on Satorday.--A girl 15 years and 1 month old, was put in the dock and charged with attempting to commit suicide by throwing herselfover Carr-road Canal Bridge, Nelson, the previous day (Friday). Her name was Mary Emma Edwards and she was a cotton operative at Alderman Wilkinson's Mill. Though the girl was only 15 years of age her apparent age was at least 23. She had the appearance of exuberant wo nanhood and she evidently represented a typo where maturity is reached at an early age. She had good features. Supt. Brassington stated the charge against the girl briefly. He said that the girl had lived at home. Her father stated that she was unruly and bad to manage. He proposed, after giving sufficient evidence, to turn her over into the hands of the Police Court Missioner, Mr Bowring. John Forrest, a youth Of 14, living with his parents; at 6, Howard-street, was called. Supt. Bra.ssington: What do you do am an apprentice to cabinet mariing. Were you passing over the canal bridge in Carr-road about 20 minutes to one last Friday ?—Yes. I saw the girl standing there, on the left hand side. I saw her take off her shawl, scream loudly, and then jump into the canal.  Did you call out for help ?—I called for P.C. Foster, who was not far away. In the meantime, Tom Wilkinson, a canal man, jumped into the water and rescued the girl. I assisted but when the girl got out she did not say anything. Hartley Thomas Wilk in on, warehouseman for the canal company, stated that about 12-40 lie heard a scream and saw the defendant jump into the canal. What dil you do?—I ran down from the warehouse and jumped into the canal and got the girl out and handed her over to P.C. Foster. The girl made no statement. Elizabeth Ann Thompson, wife of Henry Thompson, 21, Burnley-road, Nelson, was called.  Supt. Britasington • Do you work near the prisoner F—Yes. Did you notice anything wrcng with her that morning?—l saw her crying in the mill. , she was in great trouble and I spoke to her and asked her what she was crying for. She ! said, No one in the house will speak to me. I am going to drown myself." After this, 11 advised her to do no such thing. I told her, she was very foolish to talk like that. She said nothing. Did you think that she would keep her word f—No, I did not think she meant suicide. _  The Mayor : That was about 10-30 in the morning ?—Yes, P.C. Foster deposed to being called by the boy. He went to the canal side and saw the prisoner in the water. He ran to give &S-s 'stance and saw Wilkinson get hold of the woman. Be aasist 41 him to get her out of the canal. She was brought to the Police Station ani afterwards charged. She replied, "Yen. I attempted to coin nit suicide." The Mayor : She did not threaten to do no again p—No, The Clerk: She has been seen by a doctor ?—Yee. _ _  _ . Mr Bowring, the missiontry, said that he had had an interview with the girl that morning and she was prepared to place herself in his charge. He had also seen the parents, and, subject to their worships do-: cision, the girl should be got into a home.: If they gavo her a chance that moming, he was prepared to see that she was placed in a , proper rescue home. Mr Tunstill : For how long ?—Mr Bow- ' ring: They cannot compel her to stop again.st her wish, but, generally speaking, they are expected to remain two years in the home. Mr Tunstill : What is the name of the home'—lt is in Sheffield. It is a non-sec, tarian institution.  The girl's father spoke up and said that she would not take any notice of what he said to her.  The Clerk: She is only just 15 years old —Yea, 15 years and one month. The Mayor (to the father): Is that all you have to complain about Y--She would not do what she WM told to do. _ _ _  The Mayor: What has been her character ?—She has left home many times. The Mayor She has beet in trouble before ?—She took some shawls when at school. The Mayor: Ho long limn .e P—Supt. Brassingtou : March 27, 1899. The Mayor: Has she stayed out late at night? She has not gone with men father : Not that we are aware of. I have five children.  The Mayor : The accused complains the you would not speak to her %- I spoke to her many a time telling her things, but she would not take any notice. The Mayor: Are you Nelson people?— No, we come from Burnley Lane: _  Supt. Brissington %lien, did you find her the previous Saturday ?—I found her in the Lord Nelson Inn last Saturday night. I did not know that it was her walking in.-She deserved a "good licking." Supt. Brassington: She we. away for the week-ondf—Tho father: Yes. She went out of the Nelson Inn on Saturday night at 9-30 and I never saw her until the following Thursday morning. She went to hod on Wednesday night and fastened hers, If in. We did not know that she was in the house.  The Mayor (to the prisoner): What have you got to say for yourself Why did you jumo into tho canal  - The Prißon.r: There no one at hoim. cares for me (burst into team).  The Mayor : Are you ready to mend your room.? You get into a very bad way! Are you wining to try to do better P—The girl still did not speak but continued to shed tears. The Mayor: If you won't proinise anything we shall commit you. The Cleric : Are you willing to go with Mr %wring ?—Yea, I ion (very firmly). The Mayor: Will you do better in future? —The girl (boldly): I will be bettor away ! from home. The accused VAIS then given into Mr Bowring's charge. Mr Prescott augeested to the Bench that Bartley Thomas Wilkinson shou!d be recommended for the Royal Hamme Society's medal. The Mayor We will ce to that.