The Warwickshire Herald. — 1887-12-01 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE NECIIELLS SUICIDES.  REMARKABLE FANCIES.  Mr. D. R. Wynter (coroner for Central Warwickshire) held an inquest on Saturday morning, at the Swan Pool Tavern-road, Aston, on the body of John Thomas Alderwick (3.1), shoe rivet machinist, of 46, Railway Terrace, Nechells, which was found in the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, on the previous Thursday morning.—Sarah Jane Alderwick, widow of the deceased manifested the greatest distress whilst giving her evidence. She stated that on Sunday her husband went to London where he had obtained a situation. He returned unexpectedly on the following Tuesday morning. When he saw witness he exclaimed" Where have you come from; I thought you were dead." In reply to questions, he stated that he had returned home in consequence of having received a telegram from Birmingham stating that witness was dead. He said he had a pain in his head; and he was induced to lay and rest himsell upon the sofa. Subsequently he became hysterical and asked where he was. About four o'clock he partook of some tea and said he felt better, and jumping up off the sofa, expressed his intention of going out to try something. Witness asiced him if he had any money and he said "no, and I dont want any." Witness went up stairs to get him some, and on returning she saw him rush out of the door, and run with all speed up the street. She never saw him alive again. During the time she was giving her evidence the witness partially fainted. Edwin Hadley, who lived next door to the deceased in Railway Terrace, deposed to dragging the canal in search of him, and finding his body near Holborn Hill. He knew the deceased well and had frequently heard him coin plain of pains in his head. —Alfred Kilminster of Potters Hill, Aston, said he had known the deceased for a period of twenty years, and he was up to the time of his death a member of the Trade Society, of which witness was secretary. On Sunday night last, he saw him at New-street en ronte for London. He was then in good health and spirits. On Tuesday night he was informed by Mrs. Ahlerwick that " Jack " had returned from London but was missing. He instituted a search for him, but not hearing anything of him he telegraphed to deceased's late employers in London, asking for information about him. He received in reply a letter stating that the deceased worked on the Monday, but was absent on the Tuesday because as he informed a fellow workman he was unwell. As he did not go to work after dinner as anticipated. Enquiries were made about him with the result that it was ascertained thot de left his lodgings in a hurry in the morning in a cab, stating that he had received a telegram saying his wife was dead, and that he was going home.--In reply to questions asked by the Coroner. witness expressed the opinion that deceased had received no such telegram, as no one in Birmingham knew his private address. On Wednesday morning Mrs. Alderwick showed him a collar of the deceased, which was found on the chiffoniere, on which was written in his handwriting "My time has come to an end. My heart is broken." On a piece of paper, the deceased had also written, "Good bye and “od bless you." —Police-constable Hodson deposed to examining the body, on which there were no marks of violence. The hands were claspad round the back of the head. Several papers were found upon him, but no telegram.—Upon the recommendation of the Coroner a verdict of " Suicide whilst temporary insane.' was recorded.