Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1865-06-22 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

ATTEMPTED SELF-DESTRUCTION.—The good folks of Allington were not a little surprised on Wednesdat afternoon to learn that Mrs. Elizabeth Payne, a nice lotlking yet:dig *ottlan, *Ho *is married last christrnaes and whose husband has lately been absent at tied, had attempted to commit suicide. It seems that some of the neighbours had been retailing scandal in regard to the poor woman, which, with the knowledge that her husband was laomewerd-bound, snade her very despohdept and lowspirited., She Had alsq lately beUnwell, and was "light-headed" on the ptevlotis She resides in the same house as Mrs. Houma, her sister-in-law, and about ten minutes to two on Wednesday afternoon she went upstairs without saying anything. About five minutes afterwards Mrs. Hounsell had oticasion td go into her bed-room for a ball of cotton, when she heard it nadanine ridge, arid iient half. *ay up the Orret stairs; and then ea,w Mrs: Payne hanging by the neck, from a thin cord,doubled, fastened to the beam by a nail. She was moving. Mrs. Hounsell called Charles Richards, who immediately came and cut her down. At that time Mrs. Payne was hanging motionless. Vinegar and water was applied to her head, and in about five minutes consciousness was restored. The same evening she was apprehended by the police, and on Thursday mottling was btoUglit up before the Mayor, when the abdve facts were deposed to. Prisoner seemed much to regret her rash act, and cried bitterly% he eipressed her Sorrdw for What she had done, but offered no explanation of the cause of it. She was remanded till Monday when she was again placed at the bar before the Mayor and J. Williams, Esq. The following additional evidenee was adduced :—Mr. F. Scott, surgeon, said, I saw the prisoner on Thursday eeening at the polia° station. I examined her to ascertain the state of her mind. I believe her to be perfectly sane, and in. her right mind. I have attended prisoner before—about three or four months ago. She was ill for about ld days or a fortnight. I have never thought there was anything the matter with her mind. To the best of my knowledge she has never suffered from severe headaches, I cannot account for her present conduct, only lovrness of spirits. Any one in good health and at ,the same time very low in spirits, must, I should think, be inclined to insanity. Ido not think such is the case With the prisoner. P.C. Paulley, spoke to receiving the cord with which the attempt was made from Charles Richards, and to apprehending prisoner at the house of Mr. Abbott. When he charged her with the attempt to take her own life she made no answer.—The usual caution having been read to the prisoner, she replied that she had nothing to say, but was very sorry for what had occurred. —The Mayor said it was the most painful case ever he bad had to adjudicate upon. Bothhimself and his brother magistrate thought the crime was so cooly done that they could not overlook it, and they must commit her for trial. He (the Mayor) hoped at first that it would have been proved by the medical officer to be a case of temporary insanity, but such, he was sorry to say, was not the case. Ile hoped the prisoner would alwayi remember the little ineident that had saved her from the grave =the fetching of a ball of cotton by one of the witnesses. He would now commit her for trial at the' next Quarter Sessions' and he hoped • lat  ill I  been .dtlaf  The interest manifested in the gathering may be estimated by the fact that about 1,400 persons entered the field, and for that privilege contributed to the funds £7 10s. 41. At half-past two various athletic sports were engaged in, numerous prizes of varied character being offered for competition—from Thomson's poems to a teapot, and from a pocket-knife to a portrait of Cobden. However, they were all valuable in their way, and some very exciting contests took place to secure them. About five o'clock tea was provided, and the heat of the weather, coupled with the efforta put ferth to obtain a prize, or in laughing at the hopeless cottpetitors, rhade a dr:lnglis; of the cup that ch—" &c. very acceptable. Thanks be to Mr. C. Edmunds for the provision he made in this part•cular. At six o'clock the •sports were restimed; £1 n d .eontintied with vigour for a couple of hours. Bandmaster Wright, with the 3rd D.V.A. band, furnished some excellent music, which made the pleasures of the day compiefe. The prizes were distributed by the Mayor (H. E. Hounsell, Esq.), who is President of the•lnstitute. In performing this agreeable task, he 'complimented some of the most meritorious in their, success. Subsequently he eipieised he pleasure with which he viewed a mieting like the one that day, forit was a very pleasing variation of the ever-recurring dull round of daily duties. He cordially subscribed to the Old adag.s, that "all , work and no play makes-Jack a dull boy." Phys:cth recreation was equally important with mental exercise. It would be beneficial to them all, and he hoped that this day's proceedings would be but the first of a series, and that the working men of the town would leave off some of their drinking and smoking to engage in out-door sports. Physical „culture was essential to mental progress, for a man in good health would perform as much work in one hour as a man in ' ill-health could in three. In conclusion he said he hoped to meet them all again next year, at a similar Bathering. Mir J! Bartlett, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor, vrhieh *as cheerftilly agreed to.—The Mayor acknowledged the compliment. Mr. .1. Bartlett proposed a vote to the Secretary (1111'1 OvYeng), and said the society owe l, its present position and success to the indefatigable exertions of that gentleman. (Cheers.)—Mr. Owens returned thanks, and proposed a vote-of thanks to Mr. T. Hounsell and Mr. Turner who had rendered great help during the day, as starter and umpire.—Mr. J. Bartlett proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Edwards for his kindness in providing the tea, which was likewise resolved amid cheers. Dancing, kiss-in-the-ring, and other sports were participated in right heartily by all present, and the day spent merrily. The whole of the primes, about 76 in number, were subscribed for by gentlenien and tradesmen of Bridport.  Mills, Netlierbury, dlam dhati.i,ed by his master, Mr. Wm. Macey, with leaving his Work unfinished. After being reprimanded, he was discharged on promising to fulfil his contract and pay the cots.