Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1876-01-01 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT MIDDLESBROUGH. A most determined suicide has just been cornmitted by a man living at Middlesbrough, named John Burlinson, 40 years of age, the mode of selfdestruction resorted to being that of cutting the throat, and so determined was the deceased to effect his purpose that his head was nearly severed from the body, a fearful gash extending horn ear to ear. An inquest on the body ot the deceased was held at the Princess Royal Inn, on Friday evening, by Mr .1. Dent, deputy coroner. The following evidence was taken :  Ann Taylor, of 18, Buxton-street, said she had known deceased for twelve years; some three years ago, when his sisters went to live near Sunderland, he came to lodge with her, and continued to do so for eight months. He left, and went to other towns in search of work. On Monday, the 13th instant, he returned to her house. He was not sober all the following week, and came in irregularly to his meals. But on Friday, the 17th, he complained of being ill. He remained in bed till tea-time on Saturday, when he became better, and went out last week, but took nothing to drink that she knew of. On Thursday evening he came in about nine o'clock, and sat till 11.30, when he went to bed as usual. He was generally a quiet man, but she did not think he was more than usually quiet that evening. Deceased had acquired the habit of lying late, and so witness did not call him till after eleven o'clock. She called him again at half-par.st twelve, but, receiving no answer, she became alarmed, and got William Carrick to go into the bedroom. When the door was opened she saw him laid dead, with his throat cut. She could give no reason for, him committing the rash act.  William Carrick, moulder, said he had known the deceased for twelve years. He was the owner of the: house witness lived in and the adjoining house. Deceased came to his house on Thursday evening and wanted him to accompany him to Stockton, but as witness was poorly he dedlined. Deceased then left. He heard no more till Mrs T.Lylor fetched him. He went up the stairs, and after knocking opened the door. He then found the deceased lyinz on the bed quite dead. His throat was cut from ear to ear. A knife was laid between his hands, with the pen blade opened and stained with blood. There was also blood on the bedclothes.  sergeant Metcalfe said he found the body as had been described by the last witness. On searching the house he found Is 6d. in deceased's trousers pocket, and a pocket-book containing two £5 notes and several important papers. Dr B. A. Clarke said he had made an external examination of the body, and found that the windpipe and principal arteries of the neck were completely severed. The wound was a clean cat, and had been inflicted from left to right, so that if any other hand but his own had done it the person must have climbed over the body to do it. The jury returned a verdict that the man had committed suicide in a fit of temporary insanity.  A telegram has been received at the Colonial Office by Lord Carnarvon, stating that the combined. force took Kinta on the 17th inst., without loss, after three days' severe march from Blanja through twenty miles of jungle. FATAL Daid..—A FRENCH DIME SHOT BY AN ENGLtsamex.—A quarrel took place at an evening party some days ago at Biarritz. The Marquis de Sofraga sent his seconds to Mr Leyborne, an Englishman, who was wintering at the place in question. It appears that the Marquis had made some unseeming remarks for which he had been reproved by Mr Leybonrne, who attempted to explain matters, but the friends of the fiery Marquis would accept of no apology, consequently the Englishman at last agreed to meet his enemy with revolvers. The rafting took place at the village of Vera, on Spanish terdtory, a few yards off the French frontier. Fifteen paces wag the distance agreed upon. The first bullet was exchanged without any effect, but when the word of command was given for the second time the Marquis fell a corpse to the ground stone dead. The bullet bad struck him on the hip, and glancing upwards passed into his heart. The deceased gentleman was only some 35 years of age, and was the son of the Due de la Rocca. He had at various times been entrusted with diplomatic functions by Don Carlos, of whom he was a most devoted adherent. The affair has caused some senaation in English and foreign circles at Biarritz. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr Leybourne, who was really the aggrieved peaty.