Blandford, Wimborne and Poole Telegram. — 1875-08-27 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE OF. A yoyN.G  lif-ri-Carter-cas held an inquest on the body of Elizabeth Smith, aged 16, of Kilburn, who was found drowned in the Thames on Saturday. Mr. Henry Smith identified the body as that of his daughter, whom he last saw alive about seven weeks ago. Charles Reid, a young man, of Hammersmith, stated that he had known the deceased to speak to and be in her company 15 or 16 days. He met her on Friday night about a quarter to nine. She said, I have left a letter for you, one for my father, and another for my mother, and it is the last time you will see me." Witness asked why. She replied, "Time will tell, you will know in the morning." A. minute after wards she met a Mr. Martin-liarboys, whom she suddenly kissed, and said, "Good bye, I shall see you no more." She then walked on over Hammersmith Bridge, witness following, and passed on to the towing-path. Suddenly she made a rush to get into the water, when witness seised her by the arm and prevented her. She begged him to let her go, and said that her reason for doing so would be found if he went to a Mrs. Laurie, a laundress, who had the likeness of a young man named Hedlain. She then struggled with witness for half-an-hour to get Into the water, until she was at length quite worn out, and fell down fainting. Shortly after reviving she again tried twice to jump into the river, but was restrained by the witness, who at length.tried to induce her to go home. She consented to go. They walked along the towing-path, and had got to the centre of Putney-bridge, when the deceased jumped upon the bridge parapet, but was pulled back by witness, who then threatened to call some one unless she came along home. They remained on the bridge until 2.30 in the morning, or a quarter to three, when she came back on to the towing path, and begged witness to let her go, as she could die happy. She also attempted to cet at his knife, and asked him for it, but he refused. She afterwards asked for his scarf, as she was cold; and upon witness giving it to her she tried to strangle herself with it, but he agrin frustrated her attempt. This last time was about 25 minutes to five in the morning, and she then expressed her intention of going straight home. She begged him not to come with Her, as people in Hainmersmith might remark it, and they then parted about 50 yards below the first iron bridge on the towpath from Putney, deceased refusing to go to his mother's and have breakfast. She thanked bins for looking after her, kissed him, and left, arranging to meet him in the Grove, Hammersmith. Ile never again saw her until she was found dead. Mr. Arthur Edward Stainforth, an officer in her Majesty's Calvary, identified the body as that of a domestic servant who had lived with his family for three or four years. This witness produced a letter in the handwriting of the deceased, found in her box, in which she expressed her intention of committing suicide, and praying to the Almighty to forgive her, and bless her parents and brothers. The letter, which was a very long one, also contained paragraphs to the effect that she had a good master and mistress; that she was out of her right mind, and had only ale friend in the world, and that she should meet all her friends in Heaven. The jury, afer a short deliberation, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind." The Coroner told the witness Reid that if the letter had not been found he would have been in a very awkward position, and he was much to blame for not calling the attention of the police to the deceased.