The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1893-07-22 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SHOCKING- MODS OF A SEACOMBE GENTLEMAN.  On Monday afternoon, shortly after ooe o'clock, desperate attempt to take his life was made by Mr,: H. E. L. Bath, a middle-aged man living at 13, Riveredale-road, Beacombe, and one of the Arm of Beth Brothers, the proprietors of the Liverpool Dock omnibuses. It appears that for some time past Mr. Bath has been in such a condition that was thought necessary to employ an attendant to look after him. At the time in question, the keeper was downetairs. Mr. Bath was in bed, .and at hie request Mrs. Bath brought up some bread lea cheese on • plate, and incautiously brought with it • small dessert knife. This Ms Bath must have secreted, and shortly afterwards he went into the water-closet adjoining the bedroom, ' and need the knife with almost fatal effect. The would-be suicide was seen through the wiodow by Mr. Edward MaGeoch, who was Waning along the street, and the attention of the inmates of the house being called to him, they proceeded to the room, and found him lying on his beck on the floor, attired only in his nightshirt, and bleeding profusely from • wound in the throat. The floor was completely covered with blood. Dr. MoNicol (w ho had previously attended Mr. Bath) was summoned, and found that the wind pipe had been almost completely severed, and that be bad aleo cut the joint of the left arm with the knife, cutting through several of the superficial veins. Had not the knife been rather blunt it is probable that the inlaid* would have accomplished his purpose at once. Dr. MaNieol and Dr. Napier stitched up the wound in the throat, but be still lay in a very critical condition suffering severely through loss of blood. He lingered on until Thursday, when he succumbed to his self; inflicted injuries. At the inquest held by Mr. H. Churton, coroner, at the Beacomoe Ferry Hotel, yesterday, evidence was given by William T. Osborne,aburse belonging to an institution in Hope-street, Liverpool, who had been in charge of the deceased for about a week before he made an attempt on his life. He stated that when he took charge of Kr. Bath he was in • state of delirium tremens, but he had not been drinking hard since he (witness) arrived. Witness never had any drink with him. Deoessed never showed any suicidal tendenoy.—Mrs. Bath said her husband had been addicted to drinking at times. It was Dine months since he took it wail the other day. Nine months ago she got • nurse for him, but she had not the slightest suspicion that he would make an attempt on his life. In answer to the Coroner, Mrs. Bath said the deceased had entire control over his finances, and that he was on the best of terms with herself, exempt that he wanted to go out, and she thought he had better not. The deceased was aged 60—The Coroner said that he died from the original wound inflicted by himself there Geoid be no doubt, and there could also be no doubt that he was in estate of delirium tremens, and was scarcely responsible for his actions. They would all agree with him that be :committed suicide, and that when be did so, he was laboaring under tem. ' portal insanity. , The jury agreed with the Coroner and returned the t verdict suggested.