The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-07-08 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE INQUIRY.  Yesterday rno:n;ng he inquiry was continued by Mr. Cecil Holden (Birkenhead Coroner), into the eircunvatances of the death of George Appleton, aged 42 years, of 323, Borough-road. At the outset the Coroner said the inquest had heon adjourned in order that Dr. B. Owen Morrie might be present, but he was detained on public business in London, and would not be back during the cource of the week. If the jury thought the evidence was conclusive they might complete the inquest without hie evidence.  George Wrench, of 323, Borough-road, a weterinau, the decessed man's brother-inlaw. said the deceased man hal been much troubled by the failure of his business—that of a decorator and paper hanger, and he had made arrangements with Messrs. Fhaw and Jonos for the sale of the busiress. On Wednesday, the 21. th June, witness went home abont half-past eleven at night, and I after going to bed about midnight heard the I dei.e.ased man 'save his bedroom and begin to walk up and down the landing. Witness found him in an ezcited condition, and put him back to bed. 'h.. Owen Morris was cent for ,and he gave the deceased man a sleeping draught, and subsequently attended j him several times. On Saturday, the 27th ! June, after having a taik with him, Dr.l Morris advised his removal to the Iranmere Infirmary its being out of his mind. I The family, alth nigh agreeing with Dr. Morris, said they would try and bring Appleton into a better condition of mind by keeping him at borne, and looking after him. The deaeased man appeared to have recovered. and returned be his employment as book-keeper to Mr. Snelsou, decorator, etc. On Wednesday morning last he lett the house, and said he was goirg to put a referee price on his stock, which was to be sold that day at his shop in Argyle-street. He did not return to the house.  - William Thackeray, of 92, Brook-street, a porter employed by Messrs. Shaw and Jcnes, said the deceased man called at the show room ir, Market-street, about quarter to nine on WednEsday morning, for the latch key of the shop in Argyle-street. He said he would bring it back. Albert Hurworth, of 41, ParkSeld-avenue, a clerk in the employ of Mr. Thomas Pugh, solicitor, said the deceased man was .a client of his employer's. Mr. Pugh had wound up his business for him, and witness last saw him whet be came to the office on the 25th June. Appleton said he was in debt to tffit extent of £5O. He wasn't well enough to go on with the business,and was out then contrary to the doctor's orders. On the let July, about three o'clock in the afternoon the deceased man's sistera-inlaw called at the office. and acting on Mr. Pugh's instructions witness went to the shop in Argyle-street, and after forcing open the back door, because all the doors were locked, found the deceased men hanging by a rope in the back premises. Witness informed a police constable. Police-constable 36A (Cregeen) said he was called by the last witness. He cut the body down, Appleton being then dead. lie found a watch and chain and some papers i a his pockets, hut nothing throwinr sny ti:rbt on his action. Tho jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind."