The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1873-12-27 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT DAWGREEN.—THE INQUEST.—On Saturday night, Dawgreen was startled by a rumour to the effect that a man named Matthew Morehouse, a resident of Whitley-street, Dawgreen, had committed suicide. This rumour proved to be ordy \too correct; for it was soon discovered that Morehouse had hanged himself by means of a leather belt, which he had Owl to a bedpost. The deceased had been troubled with bodily efli ..tion for a considerable period; this coupled with other cireurnstanCes seemed to have preyed .upon his mind, and on Saturday night last, between eight and nine o'clock he ;err an end to his miserable existence. An inquest was bald on the body, on Monday, before the coroner, Mr- The. 'fa) at the Brunswick Hotel, Dawgreen. The first wineaa elided was Sarah Morehouse, daughtet of the deceased, who said that the name of her father was Matthew Morehouse. They lived in Whitley-street, Dawgreen; and witness was a power loom. weaver. Her father was aged, fifty four years; and he was by trade, a woollen weaver, though he had, during the past two years, been in business as grocer. Two months ago he received a notice to 'quit from the landlord; and during that period he had done no work whatever; he simply talked about "looking after a new place." The shop was in Highstreet, from which place they removed to the house where the sad event, on which an inquest was being held, occurred. During the past fortnight, he had bet troubled with indigestion. He had been quite sober, and he had been ill in bed. No medical assistance was provided for him because he had been ailing for about twenty years. He had talked very little; in fact, the only words he had spoken were to the effect that he was weak and poorly. He had been very Much troubled with" sick fits ;" and was at timer very excitable and low spirited. The food which was provided for him did not appear to be relished by him at all; and her mother and deceased had had very few cross words." Her mother had been in the infirmary for six weeks, and one of the children was imbecile. On Saturday he said "I don't think I shall be able to work any more." Between eight and nine o'clock, he retired to rest; an 3 whilst upstairs be complained of toothache. and that he hat weakness in his legs. Witness .s.,ortly afterwards took the youngest child to bed—and there thought she saw something at the foot 3f the bed. She at once communicated the information to her mother, who went upstairs and called him by his name, but received no answer. It was shortly afterwards discovered that he had hanged himself. Witness had never heard him say that he would do anything it himself.—Joshua Littlewood, a resident of Whetley-street, powerloom weaver, said that he had been acquainted with Matthew Morehouse—the deceased. In his opinion the *eased had not, for some period, been in sound spirits, and had frequently appeared to -be " lost." He had sufficient money to keep him for three years; and therefore he did not commit suicide through poverty. Witne.s last saw him alive at four o'clock on Saturday last; and, according to his usual custom he read the deceased aipeice of laughable news which was in the newspapers, but the latter did not comment on it as he had frequently done before. The deceased had once observed "what with the affliction which has seised my wife, coupled with my own illness, I really don't know what to • do.' In consequence of information which he received he visited the deceased's house between nine aid half-past nine o'clock on Saturday night, and found that the deceased had hanged himself. The whole formed a picture "which excelled anything he had ever seen or read of."—By the Foreman: Deceased's wife was very kind and affectionate; in fact, he believed that "they were the happiest couple under the sun ;" and deceased had often expressed his admiration at the conduct of his wife.—The Coroner remarked that, to his mind, the case appeared clear. For some time he had been ailing; his mind became affected. and he resolved to put an end to his life.—Wm. Henry Ricketts, warehouseman, Whitley-street, said that he had been acquainted with Matthew Morehouse for eighteen months, daring which period he had supplied him with goods. Deceased had. always been "on the study ;" and altogether he was a very " peculiar " man. Witness had never seen him in a state of intoxication. On the Saturday night in question, from information he received, he proceeded to the house occupied by the deceased; and ia tie bedroom he found the deceased, quite' dead, with his head through a leather belt which was fastened to the bedpost. The family had always appeared to be in ncomfortable position; and the deceased appeared to be a very careful man.—The Foreman: I think he has been too careful.—The Coroner reminded the jury, that it was now for them to consider whether the deceased had committed suicide whilst' of unsound mind.—The Jury returned a verdict to the effect "that deceased committed suicide whilst in temporary state of insanity:' RA.