The Warwickshire Herald. — 1889-12-05 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE SUICIDE NEAR FOUR OAKS STATION.  The inquest on the body of the unknown man found frightfully mutilated on the London and North-Western line, a short distance from Four Oaks Station, on the morning of the 28th ult., was held at the Barley Mow Inn, Mere Pool, on Monday last, before Dr. Iliffe (coroner). Inspector Squires, the superintendent of the line, and Inspector Somerfield, the permanent way inspector, appeared on behalf of the London and NorthWestern Railway Company. Mr. John Brown was foreman of the jury. Police-sergeant Smye said that up to the present time the deceased had not been identified. He felt satisfied that deceased was not a late resident of Sutton Coldfield. —Samuel Wilcox, engine driver, in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company, said that on the afternoon of the 27th ult., he drove the five o'clock express from Derby to Birmingham. He passed through Four Oaks Station, but noticed nothing remarkable. When he examined the engine he discovered a number of bits of flesh and blood on the sand box. —John Gilbert, platelayer, in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company, stationed and living at Four Oaks, deposed to finding the body of the deceased, lying in the four foot way of the up line. The deceased was quite cold, the body being frozen. One leg was in the four foot way of the down line, about eight yards from the body, which was fearfully mutilated. He reported the matter at the Four Oaks Station, and also to the police.—Police-constable Bracebridge proved finding on the body an electro-plated pocket knife, with cork screw, champagne wire cutter, and large and small blades, comb in case, empty purse, and a travelling cap.—Thomas Gwynne, butcher, in the employ of Mr. Paget, Mill-street, Sutton Coldfield, said he had seen the body of deceased, and recognised it as that of a man who spoke to him while be was standing at his employer's shop door, at about 3.30 on the afternoon of the 27th ult. Deceased enquired of him the road to Lichfield, and in the course of some further conversation, he asked him where he could get relief. He told him he did not think he could do so in the town. —The Coroner: Is there no relieving officer in Sutton Coldfield ?—Police-sergeant Bove : No, no resident relieving officer.—The Coroner : What is the population of Sutton Coldfield ?—Policesergeant Smye : About 3,500. —The Coroner: You have no power to give an order for relief ?—Policesergeant &nye : No.—The Coroner; Where do your tramps go ?—Police-sergeant Smye : Either to Erdington or Lichfield. The relieving officer for the district was Mr. Armstrong. The Overseers could have given relief. The witness Gwynne, continuing, • said deceased told him he had nothing to eat all that day, and the greater part of the day before. He further informed him he had been working in a mill, but could not get any work to do. Deceased left him, and went in the direction of Lichfield.—Mr. E. Wells, assistant to Mr. Evans, surgeon, of Sutton Goldfield, detailed the injuries of the deceased, and said their natures pointed rather w an accident than to suicide.—The Coroner, in summing up the evidence, expressed it as his opinion that it was a case of suicide.—The Jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict of "Suicide, while in a state of temporary insanity. arising through poverty, and want of work " ; the foreman remarking that the jury thought something should be done with a view to the relief of tramps in Sutton Coldfield.  Mr. Melville selected for production at the Grand, during Cattle Show week, Dion Boucicault's racing drama Flying Scud, in which a stud of real horses were introduced. The drama, to regular frequenters of theatres is, perhaps, not particularly novel, but it is nevertheless extremely interesting, and has found favour with the large " houses " which have assembled at the Grand each night. The view of Epsom Downs, in front of which the race takes place, is the principal scene, and it excites much interest. The company is a good all-round one, consisting of the following Miss Nellie Lawrence as "Julia Latimer ; " Miss Nelson Ramsey as "Katey Rideout;" Miss Grace Scobell as "Lady Wood be ;" Miss E. Williamson as "Susan ;" and Miss Flora Lawrence as "Mary." Mr. H. C. Morton and Mr. J. G. Lawrence are the old jockeys and members of the Pigskin Club; Mr. E. Chester is "Capt. Grindley Goode;" Mr. J. G. McMahon, "Colonel Mulligan ; " Mr. Felix Rogers, "Mo Davies ;" and Mr. F. Crellin, "Jerry Flyer." They are all well qualified for their parts and do ample justice to the piece.  Pa4dion's Slave is en evidence at the Queen's thi. week. It is well suited to the takes of the patrons of this theatre, and is the thing to stir up ones blood this chilly weather. While abounding, as it does, in sensational inciients, including a murder, it is not entirely of a sensational character, for there is plenty of genuine amusement to be obtained from the acting of the two rival lovers, " Captain Napoleon Bonaparte Shortsleeves "and " Butterwotth Golight," the former of which is played by Mr. Fawcett Lomax and the latter by Mr. Holmes Anton. Mr. W S. Halford appeared as "Manuel de Foe;" Miss Sophie Mills as "Clothilde Dijon;" Miss Jennie Dunbaras as "Pattie;" and Miss Emma Averne as "Maud Briscoe."  There is a power of talent at Days' this week and it has been attracting large audiences. The acrobatic performance of the Seven Craggs is very cleverly given, and the Sisters Redderwick introduce a number of songs and dances, which have been much appreciated. Miss Eva Bell, Miss Violet Melrose, and Miss Tilley Watson charm the patrons of the house with their delightful singing; while Mr. Arthur Coombes, who entered upon his third week at Days', on Monday, received hearty plaudits. The entertainment is also supported by the two knights of the cork, Mr. Sam Jesson and Mr. Albert Casselli, who add much to the merriment.  The fourth annual Buffalo concert was held at the Gaiety on Monday night, and it is under-tood that the funds of the society will be considerably augmented by the entertainment. The Bowry Boys are still there, and W. F. Wallett, the " Queen's Jester," Harry Pleon's pic-nic A. P. Boswell, and the S'o-^rs Crossley, render good services and MTh(' .I.uch amusement, and attract num.Tous visitors :o the house.  No