Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1886-10-16 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE SUICIDE OF MR CORY, LATE  OF WEST HARTLEPOOL.' The melancholy intelhgence of the suicide in London of Mr Ebenezer Cory has created a painful feeling of surprise and regret in the Hartlepools, where the deceased gentleman was widely known and universally respected. It appears that about three o'clock the afternoon of Thursday, the 7th inst., one o the servants at Claremont House, Penge, the residence of Mr Cory, heard the report of firearms, lied on going to the front bedroom found the door locked. Assistance was obtained, and the door forced, when Mr Cory was found dead on the floor near the dressing table with a revolver lying near him. -Several letters relating to nofortunate business transactions were found upon him. Mr Cory was 44 years of age, and leaves a widow and numerous family. He was a large steamship owner, and a little over twelve months ago transferred his business, which was carried an under the title of E. Cory cud Co., from West Hartlepool to London. During his residence, in West Hartlepool which extended over a period of close upon 25 years, Mr Cory was intimately connected with the public life of the town, having on several occasions been elected a member of the Town Improvement Commissioners. He was also a member of the Board of Guardians and of the Stranton School Board. He was a man of strong religions sympathies, and was ever active in promoting philanthropic and charitable objects, one of his latest works being the establishment, in conjunction , with Mr G. H. Baines, of the West Hartlepool Charity Orgauizo.tion Society. Many of his most charitable sets, however, never saw the light. It may be truly said of him he " did good by stealth," cud when he removed from the town many poor family lost a warm and openhanded friend. He was for many years superintendent of the Tower-street Congregational Sunday School, and was a warm friend and liberal supporter of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was at one time president, in politics he was an advanced Liberal, and was one of the founders of the West Hartlepool Liberal Club. Mr Cory was twice married —first to the eldest daughter of Mr Geozge Pyman, J.P., and at her death to the daughter of Mr R. Irvine, J.P. wise survives him.—On Saturday afternoon le,st Mr Carter, the Coroner for the Western Division of Kent, held an enquiry at the Golden Lion Hotel, Sydenham, teuelling the death of Mr Cory, when the following evidence was given :—Mr Robert Irvine, ship[ builder and steamship manager, residing at ,1 Orchard House, West Hartlepool, stated that the I deceased was his son-in-law. is age was 45. He had nine children. The sad event had completely shattered Mrs Cory's health, and she was quite unable to attend the enquiry. Witness I last saw the deceased on Thursday morning. He appeared in his usual health—that was to say. he was ailing, but not particularly depressed. Deceased had been an abstemious man, but some time ago put himself under hydropathic treatment. Ilritnose had a conversation with the deceased, and left him about noon in the drawing room. Deceased asked witness to remain and dine with him, but, unfortunately, he had a pressing engagement.— The Coroner: When leaving had you the remotest idea that he was so depressed that he might be tempted to commit suicide 7—Witness No. The deceased was the lest man I would have suspected of having suicidal tendencies.— Continuing, witness stated that he had heard from one of the deceased's daughters that be was labouring under the delusion that everyone was laughing at him. Deceased was in no pecuniary difficulty whatever. He bad been subject to delusions respecting his finances for Several weeks. He was a man of peculiar religious views. He had an ides that whilst he was in this world be ought to do all the good he could to his fellow-creatures, and sometimes he would become depressed and low-spirited, and say that he feared be did not do his duty to his fellowman. That was a mere delusion; for a kinder and more charitable gentleman never breathed. Margaret Childs, housemaid at Claremont House, Penge, said that she had known the deceased for about twelve months. He had been ailing for some time. She last saw him alive at half past one o'clock on Thursday afternoon. He was then in the dining-room !having his dinner. About twenty minutes past I two, while clearing the table, she heard a fall in I the bedroom above.—By the Coroner: I never heard any report of firearms.—Witness, resuming, said that, being startled, she ran up stairs to tell Mrs Cory about the circumstance. Mrs Cory was standing at the top of the stairs. They tried to open the door, hut it was locked on theinside. Mrs Cory exclaimed, "Oh, I am afraid your master has done some injury to himself." A workman was sent for. He Came quickly, and burst open the daor. They then saw the deceased lying on the sofa in front of the dressing table. i7.4.he noticed a smell of gunpowder in the apartment and some smoke, as if some weapon had recently been exploded. Dr. Law, of Sydenham, was at once sent for, and he attended the summons promptly.—Mr George Wilcocks (the deceased's partner), who resides at , 32, Venner-road, Penge, deposed that he last saw ! the deceased alive three weeks ago last Wednesday. He was then very low and depressed in spirits. A few weeks ago he resided at Sandown for the benefit of his health, but 'he had never been under restraint or in an asylum for the insane.—Witness hereupon craved permission of the Coroner to make a statement respecting certain unfounded reports which had lately been made to the effect that deceased had had unfortunate business transactions. Mr Wilcocks said:—l have read a statement in the London newspapers which has caused great mischief, and which, I think, ought to be corrected at once. It is to the effect that deceased was labouring under pecuniary difficulties, it is perfectly untrue. He was in no difficulties whatever. He had a delusion that he was in difficulties, but it was only a delusion. He was quite able to pay 30s in the pound when he died.—The Coroner: But he had delusions ?—Witness: Yea' the last time we had a conversation he said, "I am a ruined man." Deceased bad only recently made arrangements for the purchase of a new lease of a house.—Other evidence having been given, the jury returned &verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.