Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-10-12 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

LATEST.  SHOCKING SUICIDE AT BRIOPORT HARBOUR.  MYSTF,RIOU,I AFFAIR.  A suicide of a most determined character was perpetratsd at the Bridport Harbour late on Wednesday evening, when a Mrs. Wet jumped from the highest p 'int of the East Cliff, a distance of about 300 feet. The circumstances point conclusively to the commission of suicide. and the whole affair has caused quite a sensation in the locality, and this is enhanced by the mystery still hanging over the deceased, As it has not yet transpired who Mrs. West is, her relations, or the fact; which led to the commission of the deed. It would appear that deceased, about a f irtnight since, arrived at the lii hour, a stranger, and took up her abode at Mr. Sandford's ref mshment-rooms. She brought little or no luggage with her, but was to all appearance a most respectab e woman about 35 years of age, and t ilerably go cl-loaking. During conversations with Mr. Sandford she admittei that "She was not on good terms with her husband, and on one occasion expressed the wish that she had never married him, and further that she dared not go borne." A day or two since she wrote a letter addres.ed to "R. Cook, Esok, 1, Adelaide-buildings, London Bridge, London E.C.i" and it is believed that this letter was an appeal for £5. Oii Wednesday morning she anxiously awaited the poiliman, but findiag there was no letter for her she exhibited signs of bitter disappointment, and a strange demeanour was noticed in her from that time. She dined at mid-d iy with the Sandford'. After dinner expressed her belief that her dinner would disasree with her, and accordingly took an emetic with the desired result. She afterwards took a cup of tea, and left the house about four p.m., stating that she was going on to the cliffs, and that she had been there before during the day. She was never after seen alive. After dark, as sae had not returned, Mr. Sandford seems to have had his suspicions aroused, and went on to the beach in company with a coastguard. Underneath the highest point of the cliff the body, life being quite extinct., %Lee found. From the pesition of the corpse fearful internal injuries must have been sustained. The right arm was broken, and a fearful gash was observed over the temples. The body was at once removed to the Neptune Hotel. Mr. Sandford at once commnnia sled with Sergeant Hazzird, who was promptly on the spot. In company with Mr. Felstone and Coastguardsman Score, the Sergeant went up the cliff with lanterns. Abodt a foot from the edge of the precipice—at the exact spot from which deceased fell—the sergeant found a black satin bonnet trimmed with a black feather of a humming-bird Some distance in on the greensward lay a coloured wool wrap, and a cambric pocket-handkei chief containing a few i-pscimens of fungi. These articles were identified as those used by deceased. Excepting the day of her death Mrs. West always wore a handsome silver bracelet, but this was found at her lodgings. A cambric handkerchief bearing the iritiale " S. \V. "was found in the pocket of deceased. I° a Morocco lady's bag at her lodgings were found several articlea, and it is hoped than, a ii•-cription of some of the. e may lead to the friends identifying the body. A I,uree containing a few shillings, silver bracelet, gentleman's gld albeit and pendants, (ornament d key and barrel) several pairs of lady's gloves, (black and tan-coloured), two railway tickets, one second-class from Bishopstoke to Tott inhatn, (20th September. 1883, and the third from Wilted° t Kew Bridge, September 24th, 1883. In addition to these were three pawn tickets, one for the pledging of a diamond ring in the name of " A. West," the pawnbroker being "Charles J. Harris, Churchmtreet, Greenwich ;" an ther for a "keeper," advanced by J. Russell, Shorediich ; and the last for the pledge of • gold watch (22), pawnbroker, Harris. Any intelligence which may aeeist Sergeant Himz ard in disc iveriog tae whsreabou's of the unfortunate woman's frieods would be gladly received by that officer.