The Haslingden Gazette. — 1908-12-12 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

BUTCHER'S SUICIDE.  CUT HIS THROAT AT WORK.  ALWAYS CHEERFUL AND NO TROL7IIILE.  THE INQUEST.  Qui. a sensation was caused in Accrington on Saturday afternoon when it became known that William Itartim, aged 40, of Aitkenstreet, foreman butcher at the Richmond-street branch of the Ac• crington and Chart h CO-Operative Solely had cut Jets throat. From the police report, it app•ars that deceased had always enjoyed good health, and had lived very comfortably with his family. On Saturday morning he got up at seven o'clock and had his boakfaiu as meal. When ha left his hoe. at 7.45 to go to his work he appeared quits cheerful. It was ascertained that he owned the chop at eight, but at noon when a customer went the door waa found to be looked. The police were telephoned for, and in very little time Inspector Garvey arid the manager for the Coop. butchering department were on the neat. At/mi.:Mon was gained to the shop, and the deceased WWI found en the door with his throat mat, and a large knife used for cutting up meat was lying near his reht hand.  The East Lancashire Coroner (Mr. 11. J. Robin. eon) held the inquest at the Town Hall on Monday morning, Mr. T. Walmsloy being foreman of the jury. _  Ali. Ellen Barnes. the widow, was the first witness. She stated that deceased was foreman butcher for the Acerington and Church 00-operative Society at tile Richmond branch. Ile left home on Saturday moruing about twenty minutes to eight, mad appeared to Le just a• usual. The Coroner: Ile did not tell you that he had got notiio to leave, or anything of that sort!—No. Do you know that he was in any other trouble? —Na.  Too had not heard that Le la. threatened with police court proceedinge—He did not tell we anything of the kind.  liien be had no trouble of any kind ?—I don't think so.  Row then do you account for thiet—l cannot aorount for U.  Simeon Dearden, manager for the butchering department of the Co-op., stated that docaaacd was in charge of the Richmond branch shop., which was situate in Brown-street. On Saturday morning he received a telephonic message from the grocen.' shop, stating that the butcher.' &hop was ciceod. He went to the shop in company with Inspector Garrey, and when they opened the door they found hint lying dead. The Coroner: Was this man under notice?— No, air.  You would have known if he had been!—Yea Do you know that he had been threatened aith polite court peoieedinge—No. You had never heard anythingof that hind?— No, and there was nothing wrong whatever athis work.  Then how do you account for this act?—l can. account for it at all.  Was he a cheerful man•.—Yes. always cheerful and tie.  There were no signs of ineanity shout him!— No. he was the last. rnanlshould have thought would have done such a thing. The Foreman You considered him a good servant and fit tole trusted anywhere!—Yes. '  A Juryman: lie had done his work properly up to this time on Saturday mornine—Yes. In.pector Garvey proved going to thn chop on Saturday at noon and finding the door locknd from the insid.. They conceded in knocking the key out and getting it from beneath the door. Deceased was lying on his back quite dead and nearly cold. Hie head was almofit severed, and lying on the lone clotne to his right hand was • large butcher's knife.  The Coroner : Do you know if anyone had threatened police court proceedinge—l base heard CO.  Did you know this man?—Yes, I have known him for a very long time. die was always very courteous and obliging, and a general favourite with the (n-operative customers. I was more than astonished to find ho had done suet, a rash act. A more theerful fellow I never knew.  The Foreman: What were the proceedings; sloes the Chief know anything about them!—No, the Chief know, nothing about that matter. The Coroner pointed out that they had no ex.i. deuce of any trouble, except something with regard to police court proceedings, and that nu nothing but •report, but whether that wan thermos., of the determined guicidehe could not say. After retiring the jury returned a verde t of "Suicide," tut there was no evidence to ehow the istatcof his mind at the time.