The Express. — 1858-01-14 (London, England)

BOLTON.  A painful sensation was created at Bolton, on Monday, by the Intelligence that Mr. R. 8. Barlow, of Snow-hill, manager of the bank of Messrs. Hardoeitle, Cross and Co., Bolton. and a gentleman highly respected in the neighbourhood, had committed suicide It appears that Mr. Barlow had arisen early in the morning and gone into his bath-room, where he had blown out his braise by discharging a gun at his bead. He had fixed the gun between his knees and moved the trigger, it is supposed, with one of his toes. The probable motive of the unfortimate gentleman was disclosed in the following evidence, given at an inquest held by Mr. W. S. Rutter, county coroner, on Tuesday. Mr. Thomas Lever Rushton said he was connected with the deceased se a partner in the banking firm of Hardoastle, Cross and Co., of Bolton. Mr. Barlow was managing , and had been so since the death of hie father, in pant irt A few weeks ago the deceased came to his (&r. Rushton's) office in a state of great agitation, and said that be had cote to tall his of his unfortunate involvement with • panne to whom he had lent a large snip of money. He lase said that he had mentioned it to one of the other partners. This led the company to investigate the general affairs of the bank. The partners had a meeting on Satyrday last, and they had a conference with Mr. Barlow as to what he proposed to do with the account in question. The deceased expressed great regret at the state of the socount, and said that he had been led into it little by little, end that nobody could tell the "misery he had endured in consequence of it. This led his partners to ask how he stood in his own personal affairs ; and he told them that be had borrowed a few thonseede from • friend, which bad to be paid back on the 15th January. He was told that be would not be allowed to pay this money out of the bank, and that Its ought to make good the other loss, as it had been shown to them that be had been warned against the party alluded to. He said that if there was a loss be would take it upon himself. Hs said, however, that he could not pay it then. He was ailed if he had say proposal to make, but be said he bad not. He was in a state of extreme agitation and distress of mind. This was on flattuday afternoon, between two and five o'clock. No conclution was come to at the meeting. When it was broken up Mr. Hardcastle and witness had an interview with the deceased immediately after. Witness said to hint it was a pity he bad not made tome proposal to the meeting, as if he had offered to do anything the Earthen required be would have been liniently dealt with, as it was a matter of gnat regret to all. He said, "I thought I bad done so ; I thought I had told you that I would have myself entirely in your hands." Witness told him be had not dace en, but that if he would say so now, be (Mr. Rushton) would communicate it to them. He said "6h. certainly, I will leave myself entirely in their hands." Witness said be was glad of it, for be was sure they would be lenient with hire. This appeared to soothe Mtn ter up to that thee he had been quite hysterical. Mr. Harilcastle and witness than shook hands with him, end in parting witness made en arrangement with him to eet the party who owed the money, to transfer some property which he held as security to the bank. They were to meet witness at bin 'files at 10 o'clock on Monday morning. This was to tranefer the property to the bank, that they might make the beet of the account.  Mr. nutter—Did b• mention the peruses name ? Mr. Rushton—Oh, yea, the muter is well known, and I don't se any reason for ooncesdrnent ; the person is Mr. Joseph Holden, the builder. I don't think it wee so much the loss of the money that affected the detwased ea the feeling that be had lust the confidence of hie partners. He was • min of ► high eases of honour. (Mr. R•ahtem wee much affected in 'peaking of the character of his Mend.) He had the mans ot watAng the loss ultimately, but not t►em available. The loss ea the account would be about 15,0001.; hot he felt, more than this, that Le had lost the confidence of hie pat tners. I mover ssw him after that evening. • The jury found • vordlet of " Temporary tonally."