The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1902-08-08 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE AT SLAITHIVAITE.  A YOUNG MAN'S SAD END.  INQUEST AND VERDICT.  On Wednesday evening much surprise was expressed when it became known that Allen Bamforth, a woollen spinner, residing at so, Chapel Street, Slaithwaite, had b2en found dead at his home with his throat cut, he evidently having committed suicide. Deceased was only married about four months ago, and was 28 years of age, and it came as a great shock to the persons residing in the neighbourhood when they heard that the young man had taken his own life. The inquest was held at the Town Hall, Slaithwaite, on Thursday afternoon, before Mr. E. H. Hill, the district coroner, and a jury of which Mr. Law Dyson was chosen foreman.  Florence Bamforth, wife of the deceased, who during the time she was giving her evidence was labouring under deep emotion, said she last saw her husband alive on Wednesday morning at to o'clock. The Coroner: Did he then go to his work ?—No, he was out of work. Continuing, witness said they both left home at x o o'clock, she to go to her uncle's at Linthwaite, by tram, and he to her father's, Mr. Saville Hirst's.  Coroner: When did you come back ?—lt was about 6-30 when I got home. _ . _ _ _ .  Had you the key ?—isr.o, I left it with him. The door was unlocked when I got home. What did you find when you went in ?—I sought for him and found him behind the kitchen door. I could not open the door properly, but I just put my band round and when I pulled it back it was covered with blood. You found he was dead ?—Yes.  What did you do next ?—I ran for P.C. Smith, and he pushed the door open so we could get to him. A carving knife with a blade eight or nine inches long, covered with blood, was then produced, which witness recognised as one she frequently used, it being generally kept in the dresser drawer.  Coroner: Has deceased ever spoken of doing anything like this ?—No, nobody could be happier than we have been. Has anything troubled him ?—Not that I am aware of.  Has being out of work troubled him ?—No, not to any extent.. _ . . _ _ _ _  How long had he been out of work ?—Not two days.  Had he any work coming on ?—No. P.S. Haynes was next called, and he stated that he received information of the affair from P.C. Smith about 6-30, and arrived at deceased's house in a few minutes. He found the deceased behind the door of the kitchen on his back. The body had not been disturbed at all. His throat was cut, the left jugular vein and windpipe being severed. He found a carving-knife (produced) on the cellar-steps, the body of the deceased being near the top of the steps with his left arm at the top of the steps. He could have thrown the knife without moving. Blood was all over the place. He did not think witness had walked at all after he had done the deed. His clothing was all properly arranged, but he had no collar on. The body appeared quite cold. Saville Hirst, Spa View, Linthwaite, was the next witness and stated that he lived about a quarter of a mile from the deceased's home. He last saw him alive about 1-30. Coroner: How long was he with you? Witness: We were by our two selves from 10-30 to 12. He stopped and had his dinner and then said he would go home and do a bit of dusting. That would be about 1-30, and I did not see him alive again.  Coroner: How did he seem, to be in his usual frame of mind?  Witness: Just the same as ever he had been since I knew him. He did'not seem a bit different. I have never heard him threaten to do away with himself.  Coroner; Did he say anything about his work?  Witness: I think it troubled him a bit, but not to that extent that anyone would notice It. Coroner: Frow did he leave his work? _  Witness: As far as I understand he left Shaw Carr Wood to go to Messrs. George Mallinson and Sons. He went working in the night at the latter place and did ' until a quarter-past nine and found it was too hard for him and went home. He had not got any more work.  brace Smith, schoolboy, residing at Triangle Cottage, Linthwaite, stated that he knew the deceased, and last saw him on Wednesday evening just turned four o'clock. Deceased was then going into the house. Witness played about outside after calling in at his mother's house. He did not see anyone go in or come out of the deceased's house.  Coroner: Did deceased speak to you when you saw him ?  Witness: No, sir, but I saw him speaking to my mother.  You saw him go into the house after that? —Yes, sir.  Edward Shaw, undertaker, Spa View, I,inthwaite, said his wife laid out the deceased. et He was present at the time. He only saw one wound on the throat, and there were no other marks or bruises. The knife had cut half-way through the neck. It was a clean cut and appeared to have been done with one attempt. The Coroner in addressing the jury asked them if they were satisfied that deceased had died from the wound inflicted by himself. Then the question arose as to whether or not there was evidence, though he did not see any, that he was of unsound mind. The verdict was then recorded ai follows: "Deceased died from a wound in the throat, inflicted by himself. Fe/ode se."  A juror remarked that no doubt losing his situation had preyed on his mind.  Another juior. remarked that it was his own fault losing the situation, as he had left it. He had heard it stated that deceased went to Mallinsons' and found the work more than he could do, and then he had asked to be taken on again at the old place, but had been refused. The inquiry then terminated.