The Blackpool Herald. — 1890-01-03 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT BISPHAIL  SEQUEL TO THB THORNTON RIGHT OF WAY CASE.  THE INQUEST-FULL REPORT.  The usual tranquility of the little village of Bispham, distant from Blackpool about three miles, was on Monday disturbed by an event which caused the wildest excitement amongst the inhabitants, and oast quite a gloom over the entira neighbourhood. Richard Hardman, an old and respected resident in the village,was found on that morning to have committed suicide in a most determined manner by cutting his throat with a razor. The deceased was the defendant in what will be remeaubered as the 'Thornton Right of way Case" which recently came up for hearing at the Liverpool Assizes. Judgment was given in favour of the plaintiff, a verdict which the defendant had never taken into his calculations. In fact the result of the trial caused much surprise throughout the whole district, it being thought that the plaintiff would not be able to prove his case. These surmises proved to be totally wide of the mark, and when Hardman realized his position, it is said he became very despondent and altogether miserable. About three days after the termination of the case, the deceased fell ill, and was attended by Dr. Winn, of Poulton, who treated him for bronohitis, amongst other oomplaints. The deceased man, who was a widower , had for some years resided by himself at small house in the village, attending to his own wants and generally sating as his own housekeeper up to the time of his illness. Since then a neighbour, Mrs. Wilson, has assisted him. The poor man has, as have stated, been in very low spirits during his illness, but it was never for a moment supposed that he would make an attempt upon his life. On Sunday evening his brother, George Hardman, saw him about 1) o'clock, when he seemed to become quite cheerful. The following morning he saw him about six o'clock when he was all right, and in bed. Mrs. Wilson also saw him about seven o'olock, when she gave him his breakfast. She then thought he did not look "quite himself," and would have stayed with him had he not told her to go to Blackpool as usual with the milk, he remarking that he would stay in bed until she returned. About eight o'clock deceased's brother again went to see him and was horrified to find the poor fellow in the ooalhouse adjoining his dwelling, lying facie downwards in a large pool of blood, which had flowed from three different wounds in the throat, which had beyond doubt been inflicted with a razor lying close by the body, and which was one of four which deceased had kept in a drawer. He was quite dead. Deceased was the son of John Hardman, a wheelwright, and was born at Carleton in the year 1824. He lived for some years at the Marsh Farm, Thornton, through which grounds the disputed footroad passed. He next lived, for about 16 years, at the Fox Lane Ends Farm, Wrea Green. On his haring to leave this farm he was very much upset, and after a period of despondency he made an attempt upon his life by hanging. Fortunately he was discovered before he had had time to carry his design into effect. He then took op his residence at Bispham, some eight or ten years ago, as a small farmer. Owing, however, to the death of his wife, he gave up farming, and has since occupied the position of under gardener at the Knowle, Bisphsm. He was a regular churchgoer, seldom failing to attend, and, as we have , said, was very well-known and highly respected by the inhabitants of the village. The remains of the deceased were interred at Bispham Church yesterday (Thursday).