The Blackpool Herald. — 1879-05-16 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

ATTEMPTED -SUICIDE BY A YOUNG WOMAN AT BLACKPOOL. ,  Considerable excitement occurred in Blackpool on Wednesday, on it becoming known that a young woman had made two attempts to drown herself in the sea. The particulars of the case will be gleaned from ulterior proceedings which took place at the police court yesterday morning. There WAS a crowded court, and great interest seemed to be taken in the young woman, who was about twenty years of age, and of modest and unassuming appearance. It was elicited that her name was Annie Marton Clark, and that she belonged Belper, Derbyshire.  Benjamin Caton saidlie was a boatman, and resided at No. 1, Winifred-street, Blackpool. About ten o'clock on Wednesday morning he was on the sands near the North Pier, Blackpool. The prisoner came on the sands. He asked her if she wanted a sail, and she replied "Yes," and engaged his boat for a shilling sail. She paid him, got into the boat, and they sailed off. When about 250 yards from the end of the jetty, she said she would like a bathe. He said bathing was not allowed there. When they got further out, she asked to be allowed to row. Witness gave her the oars, and she tried to row, but could not. She gave the oars back again, saying she was tired. She then took a paper out of her pocket and threw the pieces away, and then jamp out of the boat into the sea and sank. When she came up to the top of the water, he got hold of her and dragged her into the boat, and then made for the shore. She said her clothes were very wet, and said she did not know how she would get home. Before we reached the shore she jumped into the water again and went overhead. When she came up to the top he got hold of her again and held her up. William Owen came into the boat and assisted him to get her into the boat. When they got her to land be sent for a doctor, and afterwards helped to convey her to Bailey's HoteL William Owen said he was a boatman. On Wednesday morning, he saw this young woman in Caton's boat, and saw her jump overboard. Caton shouted to him, and he went to the boat, got in, and assisted in getting the girl ht.() the boat. Afterwards, he helped to bring her te the shore. P.C. Robinson deposed that he went down to the shore, and took the young woman into custody. He had her conveyed ta Bliley's Hotel. Sarah Ormerod deposed: I am a widow, and keep a shop at No. 18, Bonny-street. About ten o'clock on Tuesday night I got into the train at Kirkham and saw the prisoner in the carriage. She asked me where she could stay in Blackpool at some hotel or cheap eating-house, for a night or two. I said she might come and stay with me ; that I would make up a bed for her. She came to my house. Before she went to her room, about half past ten o'clock at night, she asked if she would be by herself. When in the room she said she had been travelling all day. That she had got a telegram, and had gone to Matlock ; was there three hours, and then came on to BlackpooL I noticed she was very quiet, and would not speak except when spoken to. She paid me 2s 6d. She had no luggage. She got up about 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and dressed herself. After having breakfast, she went out,—about 9 o'clock —saying she would go and see Miss Gould, and that she might call again. Dr. Victor A. Wartenberg said he was sent for to the sands on Wednesday morning. He found the young woman unconscious. He sent for blankets to his own house, and then he had her conveyed to Bailey's Hotel, where he brought her round in a short time. She was now recovered from the immediate effects of immersions, but she wasn't out of danger of inflamation of the lungs resulting. William Whittaker, said he residedjat Belper, in Derbyshire, where the prisoner also belonged. She was his sisterin-law, he being married to her sister. Neither he nor any of her other friends were aware of anything to cause her to do what she had done. This was the first time she had attempted anything of the sort.  On Mr. Hoyle asking the prisoner if she had anything to say, she rephed—l am extremely sorry for what I have done: I have nothing more to say. Mr. Hoyle then dismissed her with a caution, on her brother-in-law expressing his willingness to take charge of her.