The Warrington Examiner. — 1871-03-25 (Warrington, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING CASE OF SUICIDE.  The inquest on the body of Mr. Giblin, who poisoned himself on Friday afternoon last, was held on Monday, at the Thee Pigeons, before C. E. Driffield, Esq. From the evidence given it appears that the deceased was 37 years of ag.., that he was formerly in business in Warrington as a hatter, and that lately he had acted as traveller for Messrs. Myers and Company, Liverpool. On Saturday, the 11th March; he came to Warrington' and since that date he had attended to his business during the day time, but at nights he was in the habit of drinking. Mr. Myers came over on Friday, and met Mr. Giblin at the Old Coffee House, where they dined together, and shortly afterwards Mr. Myers returned to Liverpool. Early the same morning the deceased went to Mr. G. S. Dickson's, chemist, Bridge Foot, and asked for something that would kill a vicious dog. the chemist supplied him with prussic acid, and he filled up the book according to Act of Parliament, writing at the same time that the poison was to "kill a dog." The deceased asked Mr. Dickson to be sure to make it strong, as he did not want to see the poor animal in agony. The bottle, which contained a drachm„ was labelled poison. When Mr. Giblin had been gone about five minutes, Mr. Dickson began to be afraid that he had done something wrong in letting him have the poison, and he then made inquires and found that the deceased did not possess a dog. He informed several persons that the deceased had poison in his possession, and Mr. Newall promised to get it from him. Mrs. Giblin becoming acquainted with the fact she followed her husband to the statioA, whither he had gone with Mr. Myers but she did not find him, until she returned to die Coffee-house, when the revolver was being taken from him. In the meantime, the deceased after going to the station, proceeded down Arpley, where he was seen firing with a revolver at his hat which was placed on a stump. About half-past three Mr. Giblin went into the Coffee-house, and the landlord at once sent for Mr. Newall according to request. To throw him of his guard, Mr. Newall sat down beside the deceased in the parlour and told him he wanted some money. Mr. Giblin replied that he had none, but Mr. Newail put his hand in one of his pockets, where the pistol was; and he jumped up and endeavoured to escape by the door. Mr. Newall then got assistance and the revolver, five chambers of which wereloaded, was taken from him. The deceased asked Mr. Newall to pay for a glass of beer, which he did. On asking him for the poison, Mr. Giblin replied that he had thrown it away in Bridge-street, but Mr. Newall was not satisfied with the answer and he began to search him. Feeling a small bottle in his left hand trowser's pocket, he ,asked him what it was and he replied "Nothing. The deceased then pulled a number of papers out of his pocket, and threw them on the table, and while Mr. Newall was searching for the poison, which he thought was in a powder, he put a bottle to his lips and swallowed a portion of its contents. He dropped down in Mr. Wilkinson's arms, and Dr. Smith was at once sent for. Mustard and water was administered to him, but without effect, and, despite the assistance of the medical gentleman, he died about seven o'clock. It was stated that the deceased had, during his life time, suffered from deliriunt tremens, and that Mr. Spinks had told his wife that drink would have the same effect upon him as poison. For a few days before his death Mr. Giblin had appeared rather wild, but was not out of his mind. On his body were found two letters—one from lawyers, asking for payment of .LlO for leather, and the other from Mr. Myers, complaining that it was useless bringing orders unless cash for outstanding accounts were paid in. At the suggestion of the coroner, the following verdict was returned :—" That the deceased, on the 17th March, destroyed himself by taking a quantity of prussic acid, but as to the state of his mind at the time he so destroyed himself there is no evidence to show."