The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1904-02-05 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

PITIFUL CASE AT MELTHAM.  YOUNG LW COMMITS SUICIDE  Details of a pitiful case of youthful suicide were related to the Coroner and Jury at the Witham Town Hall on Saturday last. It appears that on the previous day the body of James Crabtree (14;, 15012 Of .101111 Crabtree, cotton carder, 19, Calmlands, Me'them, was found decapitated on the railway at Meltbam Station. From the evidence adducA it seemed that on the IVe4nesday previous the deceased was suspected of stealing at time blelthatu Hills Co-operative Society, where he was employed, and Albert Carter, manager, along with the secretary, Ben Hirst, charged him with it. This the boy denied, but a marked pi:pence was found in hie waistcoat pocket. The shop closed at seven u'oluck, but the boy left at about six o'clock. aid did not return. Neither did he go to his home, and nothing further was beard of him until the body was found as stated. The manager denied having told the lad he would have to appear before the committee, or that he swore at him. He had nut called him a thief, nor indeed said anything except instructions as to work. These particulars were requested by the Coroner, hicause a nevi was found which sMd "Don't trouble about me, should have been living yet but for Albert Caller. Ile has been calling me a thief, a coward, and wearing at me. Albert Carter began with iiie first thing this morning." Carter maintained t tut he had not spoken to the deceased in the manner suggested, and said that all the secretary said to him was—" I am very sorry it should have been you." "As a rule," said Carter, "the lad was intelligent, but sometimes be was very stupid." Evidence was given as to the finding of the body Icy Henry Ashurst, a Netherton platelayer, who was passing through Meltham Mills station as soon as it was light on the Friday morning, when he saw a dark object. On going forward he found the boy's body lying between the inner rail and the platform, and the head was lying detached in the four-foot. Several trains had probably passed over the spot. The body was not mutilated, and it was evident that the neck had been laid carefully on the rail. Footprints could be seen in the ballast. and it looked as if someone had jumped itom the platform and then laid down. There was nu stall in the station except men from ma. them, who went through twice a day. Ity the foreman . The boy had no right to enter the station.  Mary Elizabeth Wrathall, who assisted to lay out the body, said theta cote was found in the boy's pocket, part of which had been read, and another note a:, follows : " Arnold,—Tell him not to trouble about me, as this plot has been in my head all day.- Witness also found a sixpence, which she fancied was marked. In summing up. the Coroner aid that the accusation against the boy—whether it was wellfounded or not did not concern the Jury—supplied a motive for the suicide, which was indicated in the following sentence from the longer note :—if I had not killed myself, I should have gone mad. It was a very sad case, and it was a pity that he had not an older friend to appeal to for advice when in trouble  A vordtct of Feb° de se ' was returned by the jury,