Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1879-02-01 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE.  Alice Dobson, a widow, of Bankfoot Colliery, Greenhead, was charged with having attempted to take away her life by cutting her throat in her own residence at Bankfoot, on Saturday morning last, the 25th Jan. It appears defendant had been found by her stepson Robert Dobson, on 'the morning in question, about six o'clook, lying before the fireside with a wound in her throat. Dr Spier., of Halt. whistle, was immediately called in, and he bound up the wound and rendered the poor woman all the aid that lay in hi a power. Her husband had died about four or five weeks ago.—The first witness called was Rechael Hetheriugton, of Baukfoot, who stated that she knew Allan Dobson. She lived next door to her. Lail. Saturday morning, the 25th, ehe rema, ked to her son that something was the matter in the. other house as the children were crying. It was about a quarter past six o'clock in the morning. They went in together, and saw Mrs Dobeen's etevon, who said "I believe my mother lute oat her Dim at." Witneos saw her lying near the fireside, so she went and called her husband, and he sought Bits Ileslop, another neighbour. Witness did not know anything further; she was frightened and did not go in again. His Dobson never spoke. I have been a neighbour of here for about eight years. They were very kind, but did not go into each other's houses much. She had seen her Bine°, and spoke to hor with reference to tho occurrence, when she re. plied, "That she could not tell anything about it; she knew she had done it, and thought it must have been in a nervous fit." Witness had never seen her attempt anything of the kind since; she seemed bur Ile to knew whAt she was talking about. Mrs DJhrein had been tip a little the previous day. Witness had never seen her attempt to pall off the handers from her throat; she had taken them off to chow her (witnesr) the place, and ask if it was getting better, when she assured her that it was. Mrs Dohsou'e stepson was in the house with her and a little boy and girl.—John Grieve, relieving officer to the Halt whistle Union, stated that ho had visited the woman on tiouday last, when he found her in bed. She knew him quite well, and said, "I have done a very bad job this time; do you think I will get better?" lie replied that the doctor said if she kept quiet there was no fear. She appeared weak and nervone that day. On visiting her on Tuesday phe was darnieg stockings. The doctor had v:sited her in the morning, and he said she had been sewing nearly all the day, and had made a chemise. Re asked her if she was any better, when the 'replied that her head was sore. He told 11, r she should net work so much, when the said that she was obliged to do it for tho children; they could not do very well,—the stepdaughter had come home to be a burden. She talked quite rational. On smiling her that. morning she said she was ready to he takeu to the court and wondered what they would do with her, adding that she would like to go to the workhouse. Witness replied that the magi. strates would talk to her about that. In coming down she said that she wished to be taken care of as she was afraid that she would do something to herself. Site mentioned this twice. A person named Miss Goddess had had charge of her. She had seen nothing but that she had been all right, further than nervous. be had been in a low way 14 or 15 years since, after the death o. her first husband.—The Chairman asked Dr Spiers on the face of the evidence whether they could send her to the workhouse F—Dr Spiers did not think it was legal for them to take her into the workhouse but they might do it for a short time till she maid be removed elsewhere—Tim Chairman: Would you certify that she should be taken elsewhere P—Dr Spiers said it would not be wise to leave her without sumebody.—Defenclant. I will go home and try to do better.—The Chairman (speaking to defendant) said she had been guilty of a very serious offence' against her life which was not her own, bat only lent to her for a time. They wished to preserve her really from herself, and for that they would send her to the workhouse, but it was a question whether it would not bo better to send he to be taken oare of where she could not do this. Did she think she would not attempt that again P—Defen• I deal.: I would like to go home again and try to do better.—The Chairman: There is no one to look after you at home.—Aaer a short consultation, the Chairman said: We think you had better go to the workhouse for a few days. There you will be kindly treated. We could not allow you to go home again, we do not think you are to be trusted by yourself.— The defendant accordingly left the court in company with the Relieving Officer.