Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1873-09-20 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE IN WARRING TON.  A shocking case of determined suicide occurred in Market-street on Wednesday afternoon, the deceased being Mr. Wm. Woods, axle and spring manufacturer, who resided in Bewsey-road. The inquest on the body was held on Friday morning, at the Hop Pole, Horsemarket-street, before C. E. Driffield, Esq., when the following evidence was given:— Thomas Wadsworth, of Market-street, eating-house keeper, was the first witness called. He said he lived under the deceased, in Market-street. On Wednesday afternoon, shortly before four o'clock, he was passing out of his house when he noticed the deceased come out of his yard door, and turn to his left, as if going in the direction of the market. Witness was returning from the market a few minutes after, and seeing a crowd around the door and hearing what had occurred, he ran through his premises and passed up to the top floor of the warehouse. On getting there he found the deceased hanging from a beam. Mr. Booth cut the rope while he supported the deceased. When he was laid on his back he could just perceive the pulse, but nothing more. A doctor was sent for, but the deceased was quite dead. He was in his coat, the hat being on the bench close behind hina. A box was beside his feet, on which he appeared to have mounted to fasten the rope. Witness had not spoken to the deceased for a week, when he saw nothing remarkable about him. He had reason to believe that the business was being sold on account of the work becoming scarcer, and the high price of materials.  Thomas Woods, 10, Dallam-lane, provision dealer' deposed that he had known the deceased since he was a boy, although he was no relative of his. Between two and three o'clock on Weduesdayhespoke to the deceased close to his works in Market-street, and asked him if he intended to retire from business. The deceased, in reply, said—" Did you ever see me the worse for drink in your life ?" and he exclaimed—never in my life." He then said—" Did you ever know me meglect my.busi..ess ?" to which he replied in the negative. The deceased bale him "good afternoon," and hi left him. Three quarters of an hour afterwards he heard that the deceased had hung himself, and he went and saw him, quite dead. Witness, in reply to the Coroner, said he naturally thought as the property was advertised for sale that the deceased was retiring from business. The deceased was very sober, and attentive to his business.  John Pucill, living in Lythgoe's-lane, said he was a striker in the employ of the deceased. About a quarter to four o'clock on Wednesday, witness, who was engaged in waking some bolts, had occasion to go up stairs, and noticing that the door leading into one of the rooms was shut, he thought it strange, and he and his mate went in. The first thing he saw was his master suspended from the ceiliu_ , dead. Witness gave an alarm, and the deceased was immediately cut down. George Booth, of 41, King-street, coffee roaster, said he had known the deceassd for 20 years. He last saw him about twenty minutes past three o'clock, on Wednesday afternoon, as he was crossing the yard going into Market-street. For several days witness thought the deceased was rather strange—troubled— and seemed to be thinking. The deceased had told him previously that the business did not pay, and he thought of asking Mr. Geddes to buy the premises. Witness heard the alarm that Mr. Woods had hung himself, and he went and cut him down, after a policeofficer had been fetched.  Mr. Joseph Harrison, was the nest witness. He said the deceased married a relative of his. He had known the deceased for a long time, but was not very ultimate with him, knowing very little of his affairs. Two years ago the deceased and his brother dissolved partnership, and there had not been any communication btitween them of late. With reference to the sale of the property, he said it was compulsory because the mortgagee was calling in the money advanced to the deceased. Knew nothing more about the affair, and had not seen him for three weeks. The deceased was a steady abstemious man, and well conducted in every way. When he broke the news to Mrs. Woods, one of the first questions she asked was—" Has he taken anything," thus showing that she had noticed something peculiar in his manner of late. Mrs. Isabella Chester deposed that she was staying in the house with Mrs. Woods, and was not surprised to hear of the occurrence. On Tuesday night the deceased was rather late in coming home, anti she and Mrs. Woods went to see where he was. They found him in the office, and he appeared strange and confused. The gas was out, and he had made a good fire, as if to last all night. After wasting for upwards of an hour they went home, but nothing unusual occurred afterwards. On the day referred to the deceased neglected coming to his dinner, which made Mrs. Woods unhappy. On being asked the reason, he said he was busy and had not time to go home. The Coron,r said the facts elicited were sufficient to show that the deceased had committed suicide whilst suffering from temporary insanity. A verdict to this effect was returned by the jury.