The Haslingden Gazette. — 1910-09-24 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

RISIITON PRO.'S SUICIDE. FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND DRINK.  On Monday. at the Council Offices, St. Armes, an inquest was held on the body of F. G. Bull, the Riahton cricket professional, whose remains were found in the sea at St. Aimee yesterday week. Mrs. Alice F. Bull, the widow, who was legally represented by Mr. Dunn, of Liverpool, was the first witness, and she gave her address as Hoylake, Cheshire. The deceased, she said, was 34 years of age, and was a proteseional cricketer. The last time alto saw hint was on the 23rd July, at by. lake Station. when he was leaving for Blackburn. after having stayed with her from the 17th. Since the former date also had only hau two letters from him, the at one dated about six weeks ago. She saw nothing more of him until she saw his body in the mortuary. Sho was married eleven years ago, and the deceased had always enjoyed good health. Ho was not quite as temperate as he ought to have been, and in consequence had had financial troublee. That was the only reason Ale could ascribe for his act. About six years ago he threat. cried. to commit suicide. She was then living in  Blackburn, and he told hor that hie clothes would be found on the bank of the lake. They had not been living together, but he had frequently come to am her at lloylako, and relations between them were quite amicable.  The Coroner: Do you know whether the anemial difficulties have been greater of late? _  Witneui He never -contidod in me about them. He _would drink very heavily whoa in trouble. . . . . .  Was he in drink when he threatened suicide six years ago I—Yes. The Foreman: I suppose you have not heard of him since that letter of six weeks ago?—No. Harold Harker, 16, St. George's-road, St. Armes, spoke to finding the body, and P.C. Tawley described it,. position. It was 300 yards north of tho pier, and lying face downwards in the water, the , face being disfigured. Round the neck there was tied a handkerchief, containing a steno weighing nearly 71b., and in the pockets were other stones. There were no written documents in any of the pockets, and there was no suggestion of any foul play.  The Coroner intimated that a witness named Lawton, of 20, Gloucester-avenue, Blackpool, had for some reason failed to appear. Ho was the man who saw the deceased as late as anybody. He said in his evidence (which tho Coroner read) that on the 7th of September Bull was playing cricket against him. On Sunday evening (a week ago) he saw Bull at 10-15, and ho told him that he had lest his purse. Lawton lent him 103., and Bull gave him an 1.0. U. On Wednesday, when Lawton arrived horns at 10-25, he found Bull  there. and the latter told him that he had walked  from Lytham, and asked it he could stay the night. Lawton agreed, and at nine o'clock next morning they had breakfast, and Bull said he had slept well. Lawton walked with him to the corner at the No. 3 Hotel, where they parted. He caw him again at 11-30 the same day, and lent him half-a-crown. Lawton. in his statement. said that Bull appeared to be in the best of spirits. In answer to the Coroner, the jury Thought they could manage without this evidence. The Coroner, in summing up, said the deceased ' appeared to be of iregular habite, and had financial difficulties. There was nothing else suggested. On a previous occasion, when he was under the influence of drink, he threatened to commit suicide. There was no zetisfactory evidence to show his state of mind at the time. It would be very drastic thing to bring in a verdict of suicide. There would have to be part.icular circumstances for a man to do away with himesq when be enjojed well-balanced mind.  Tho jury rcturnfd a verdict of "Suicide," and %aid there was nothing t., allow his atato of mind  ft the time.  The remain- of Ste demewl were interred at No o'clock on Monday afternoon in St. AnnoB Churchyard, n. vittict, cerantony being attended by near relatives only.  The contract. for Ilessrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co.'s new shipyard at Newcastle, which lias been let to Messrs. Nuttall, of Manchester, is understood to be for between £150,000 and £160,000.