Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-12-10 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

SINGULAR CHARGE.  Before the County Magistrates at Kingston-onThames Mr. Vernon Heath, 72 years of age, wellknown as a landscape photographer, and who gave as his address the Primrose Club, Park-place, St. James's, London, was charged with having at- I tempted to commit suicide on Thursday morning by throwing himself into the Thames at East Molesey. —On taking his place in the dock the prisoner said it was all a mistake, for he had never attempted to take his life.—Police-constable Keane said he was on duty in Bridge-road, East Molesey, at half•past 3 on Thursday morning, when the prisoner came towards him from the direction of the river with his clothes dripping wet. Witness asked him what he had been doing, and he replied that he had just walked into the river; and as witness thought he had attempted to take his life he took him into custody. At the police-station he made the following statement: "I live at St. James's, London, and at 2.30 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) I took an omnibus to Putney. I walked across Putney-heath to Richmond. When I got to the river at Richmond I thought I would commit suicide to end my troubles. I walked along the towing-path, past Kingston and East Molesey, until I got near to Tugg's Island, when I walked into the river. I found the water too cold, however, and I immediately came out again, and thought I had better go and see a constable." Witness asked him what his troubles were, and he replied that he owed 14 weeks' rent, and his landlord had turned the key on him.—Prisoner (with animation) I deny entirely that I ever told him I contemplated committing suicide. I deny it entirely.— The constable said he used the prisoner's own words.—Prisoner: I am accustomed to speak shortly and concisely. May I give my version of the affair? ( The magistrate assented). I left St. James's, London, at half-past 2 o'clock to walk to Roehampton to see a house of my own there 50 years old. From there I walked to the Star and Garter, Richmond, to see a lady, the proprietress, whom I had not seen since her husband's death. I stayed there an hour, during which time I tried to cheer her by tolling her many merry tales, anecdotes, and incidents. That had not the appearance of committing suicide, had it ? I had nothing else to do, and so I walked from Richmond, by Teddington and Kingston, on to Molesey. When I saw the constable he said to me: "I shall charge you with attempting to commit suicide." I said, "You really know nothing of it." He said, "You had better make a clean breast of it"; and I said—and I think it was a foolish thing to say—that it was a fact I had tumbled into the river. lam a well-known artist, and my name and position are also well known. What happened was this. I was walking by the river. The whole scene was so quiet and still. The Thames looked beautiful, and the moon was shining brightly. I had not the smallest thought of ending my life an a minute or two. lam the last man to think of committing suicide. I would as soon think of doing that as of committing murder. I have DO suicidal tendencies.—The Chairman: The constable says you told him you walkad into the Thames.— Prisoner: I contradict that entirely. The truth of the matter is simply this. Iliad made up my mind, for reasons I could give the Bench, not to return home, and being fond of walking, I was on my way from Hampton Court Bridge to Hampton, thinking that possibly some public-house might be open. I was much struck by the beauty of the night, especially by the brilliancy of the moon, and I was watching a small cloud that was passing across her face, when I stepped near the edge of the bank, which in an instant gave way, and I was thrown head and shoulders into the water. I soon found myself out of my depth, but I turned on my back and struck out for the bank, which I reached in safety. This is not what a man about to commit suicide would do. The moment I got out of the water I turned and walked back to Molesey, where I met the constable. I told him I had tumbled into the river. I honestly assure you I have no suicidal tendency, and hope and trust I have too much sense to do such a thing. —The Chairman asked if the prisoner had any friends in court.—Mr. J. Mayo, landlord of the Castle Hotel, East Molesey, came forwar I, and said he had known the prisoner for 10 years. Witness never suspected that he was a man with a tendency to suicide. He was a genial companion and well liked. —Mr. Lay, solicitor, said he had met Mr. Heath at the Garrick Club in London, and was exceedingly sorry to see him in this position. As a landscape photographer he knew him to be very clever, and the last man in the world to contemplate suicide.—Prisoner said he had only one child, a daughter, who was too ill to attend the court. But everybody knew him, and had been good enough to speak of him as a genial man, full of stories and that sort of thing.—The Chairman said the magistrates thought some mistake had been made; but, at the same time, it was a strange proceeding on the prisoner's part to be wandering about all night in that way. They acquitted him of the charge, and hoped someone would see him safely restored to his friends.—Mr. A. W. Smart undertook this duty, and the prisoner left the court in his company.  The Times correspondent at Cairo reports that the Dervishes have been increasing their fighting force at Dongola and the outposts, and are sending 300 men to attack the Egyptian post at Murad Wells, between Abu Hamad and Horosko. These movements, in conjunction with the occupation in force by Oilman Digna of the position at Amet, only 80 miles from Suakin', indicate that the Khalifs has planned an attack on Egypt, which he intends to pursue until opposed. His real intentions, however, are unknown, and he may possibly withdraw without engaging in serious hostilities. The disquieting rumours rife on the frontier are exciting alarm among the people.