The Nuneaton Times. — 1875-08-28 (Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England)

STRANGE SUICIDE OF A YOUNG GIRL. Mr. Carter has held an inquest at Putney on the body of Elizabeth Smith, aged 16, of 40, Cants, bury. road, Kilburn, who was found drowned in the Thames. Mr. Henry Smith identified the body as that of his daughter. Ile last saw her alive about seven weeks ago, and he knew nothing of her death. Charles \ Reid, a young man, living at 21, Tranquilla.terrace, Hammersmith, having been duly cautioned by the coroner, elected to be sworn, and stated that he had known the deceased by sight for eighteen months, but that he had known her to speak to and to be in her company fifteen or sixtcen days. He last saw her alive on Saturday, the 21st inst., about 20 minutes to five, when they stood together on the towing-path of the river Thames at Putney. He met the deceased on the previous night (Friday) about twenty minutes or a quarter to nine, at the corner of Langley-lane, Ilammeremith. She said, "I have left a letter for you, one for my father, and another for my mother, and it is the last time you will see me." Winless asked why.. She replied, " Time will tell, you will know in the morning." A minute afterward* she met a Mr. Ilarboys, whom she suddenly kissed, and said, "Good-bye, I shall see you no snore." She then walked on over Hammersmith-badge, witness following her, and eventually passed on to the towing. path. Suddenly she made a rush to get into the water, when witnest seizid her by the arm and prevented her. She begged hint to let her go, and said that her reason for doing so would be found if he went to a Mrs. Laurie, a laundress, who had the like. eess of a young man named Hedlam. She then struggled with witness for half-an-hour to get into the water, until she Was at length quite worn out, and -fell down fainting. Shortly after reviving she again tried twice to jump into the Aver, hut was restrained by the witness, who at length tried to induce her to go home. She consented to go, but decided to walk along the towing-path, across Putney Bridge, and through Fulham Fields. They walked along the towing-path; and had got to the centre of Putney. bridge, when the deceased jumped upon the bridge parapet, but was pulled back by witness, who then threatened to call someone unless she came slow,home. They remained on the bridge until 2.30 in the morning, or a quarter to 3, when Mile.ellMe back on to the towing-path, and begged witness to let her go, as she could die hap. She also attempted to get at his knife, and asked him for it, but he refused. She afterwards asked for his scarf, as she was cold ; and upon witness given it to her she tried to strangle her. self with it, bist he again frustrated her attempt. Thia last time was about 20 minutes to five in the morning, and she then expressed her intention of going straight home. She begged him not to come with her, as people in Ilaninierwaitis relight remark it, and they then parted about 50 yards below the first iron bridge on the towpath from Putney, deceased refusing to go to his mother's and have breakfast. She thanked hint for looking after her, kiss, d him, and left, arranging to meeting him in the Grove, Hammerswith. Ha never again saw. her until she was found dead. Deceased paid her own toll, and witness his own coming over Ifaininersmith.bridge. The biry, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind." The Coroner told the witnese Reid that if the letter had not b. en found he would have been in a very awkward pialtion, and he was much to blame for uot calling the attention of the police to the deceased.