The Nuneaton Times. — 1875-06-26 (Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE OF A TRADESMAN AT COVENTRY. An inquest was held on Tuesday morning at the Sydenham Palace Hotel, Lower Ford-etreet, Coven• try, on the body of John Parkes, a grocer, who had resided immediately opposite, and whose death the following evidence explains : —The Jury having been sworn, viewed the body. Susan Parkes, the , widow, who was deeply affected while giving her evidence, said : The deceased, whoae body the Jury have seen, was that of my husband. He was 33 years of age, and a grocer. I last saw him alive between a quarter and half .past ten o'clock on Sunday night. Be was in his bedroom, which was the top-room, where he would sleep alone. He took the middle little girl, but I knew she would not have any rest with biro, because he was so restless. The next morning I heard a noise about half-past seven o'clock. I went and found him on the floor. He was making a gargling noise, as though he were choking. I had no idea of what had taken place. I cdlled to him, and as he did not answer I hastened to send for a doctor, His eyes were shut. The Coroner : Had there been anything peculiar in his manner of Intel—Yes sir, he had been very peculiar. The Coroner: He would go and sleep in the attic F—Yes sir. The Coroner: Do you know if be had ever threatened to destroy himself I—Yes sir he had. On Sunday morning I went up-stairs to him, and he would not answer me, and I saw a patch of blood ageinst his neck. I felt his brow and said to him, " John, have you been doing anything to frighten me 1" And he said, " No." Inspector Elms: Be bad scratched his arm, and rubbed the blood on his throat to make her believe be had cut hie throat. The Coroner (to witness): You don't think he has been right in his mind ?—No sir, I do not. The Coroner : Did you know him, Dr. Dresser ? Oh yes air; he has been getting very strange for a long time. Dr. William Dresser, of Ford-street said, I was called to the deceased about half past seven o'clock yesterday morning. He was in the attic of the house lying on the floor with his face downwards. A rope was round hie neck, and fastened to the bed post. He was dead, and there can be no doubt that the cause of death was strangulation. From his position 'and surrounding eircumstanoes, I have no doubt the act was self inflicted. I have known him ' for seven or eight years, and hare noticed a 'hangs in him this last twelve mouths. He h•s become worse lately, and I do not think he has been altogether responsible for his actions. Charles Benjamin Elms, Inspector of Police said, I was called to the deceased yesterday morning, ce on after 8 o'clock. He had been tem,dve Ito bed. Ode portion of the rope I produce was fa•tened to th.e bedstead, and the other lay on the floor. A verdict of euioide while labouring under temporary insanity was returned.  A great strike has commenced at Rita. The Government has been asked to augment the duties on Woollen goods by 10 per cent. In the case of Anson v, the London and North Western Railway Company, the liability of the Company for damages arising from the late Wigan accident has been affirmed. HOSPITAL Frleu.—Down to last evening the sum received at the Mansion House on account of the MetmpoLitan Hospital Sunday Fund had exceeded £24.000. Sr. Pat, 'L's.