Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1882-12-23 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

STARVATION AND SUICIDE.  Sir John Humphreys has held an inquiry at the oMve Brunch Tavern, Minerva-stnet, liethnal-green, London, respecting the death of Elirnbeth Warboys, ag,tl 70. Great interest MS felt in the cue, as it wan commonly retorted throughout the district that deceased committed suicide on account of being r.fused parish relief. A numb r of poor-law guardians of the parish of St. Matthew, B. tlenal-green, were prmcnt. • James Warboys, a carpenter, of lt 1, Tredway-street, Bethnal-green, stated ant: the deemen ...es his wife, aml up to re ently was in her usual healto. A day or two ago, however, he was inforuna that the deceased was icing in a room adjoining to the one in which he WAS with her thrtnt cut. Its answer to the coroner, the oviteeno said the deceased Ints4 have taken the razor with which she cat her throat out of his coat pocket, Ile got the rave front a friend, and was going to sharpen it for him. The only reason he could give for deceased committing such a rash act was on account of the trouble anti &s-tress they were in. They had almost starved since Ile had been out of employment. Witmer bad loan in the employ of one firm for nineteen years, and was discharged nine months since on account of ill-health, and since that ante he had rearcely been able to earn anything. On the recommendation of her, Berdoe be went In the relieving racer of the parbh, and then he was given a little relief, which was discontinued soon afterwards. When he asked for its renewal, the relieving officer told hint he had better go into the workhoose, and when he asked what his wife was to the, the relieving oflicer replied that she would have to come in also. The relief be had consiste I of lib. of beef and half a /marten loaf every other day for one week. That was ma he received front the parish. Witness said lie did not wish to he away with the few things he had gathered together, Rod he would have had to do that before I.e could go lute the workhouse. Ile had not been so ill but what he would have been able to jog along had a little out-relief been granted him. Be and lie wife felt their tteatment very much, and lie belbred hist wife took her life on account of it. Ile had borne an irreproachable character for ninetee I years, and it was cruel to be treated as they were. Alfred Warboys, a carpenter, stated that he win a son of the eeceased, and she and his fa her lived with him. Ile did what he could for them, but that was riot a great deal, as he only menet 30s. a week, anti had to keep a wife and four children brides, and to earn that money he staid he hal is work untl twelve eel.* at night. Decea.ed complained bitterly of the treatment they hail received front the parish, and seemed to be afraid to go into the workhouse. Mr. Edward Berdoe. Vietorimpark.gate, surgeon, stated that he was t ailed to the deee:sed, and found Iser lybeg in a pool of blood.. She had two wounds omier both CITi. Pr. Berdoe added that Inc had known the decea.ed and her family fur the last five years, and they were most remeetable, worthy, and industrious people. Robert Antot, relieving otlicer to the Bethatal.green Gt.ardians, stated that when Warboys ma le an application to him for relief it was given him for three weeks. He had Ilb. of meat and a half.quartern of bread daily. By the Jury D.. ring the whole three weeks he had almat Glb, of meat and sin 21b, loaves of bread. The medical officer advied that he should be admitted into the infomary, and on witness giving him an order. he said be would go into the infirmary ; but witness n err saw or h and any more of him. He denied being brush or unkin•l to Wart oys when he applied for relief. The jury returned a cram That the deceased committedsuicide whilst of unsound mind, which was accelerated by the unfeeling treatment and cruelty on ills tart of the parish authorities."  ALLEGED ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER