The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1882-06-17 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A STOITRBRIDGE TRADESMAN.  I On Wednesday morning the inhabitants of the _ _ I town  .1 and district received a terrible shock whentit )(mime known that Mr. Albert Edward Millward, wine and spirit merchant, 74, High Street, Stourbridge, had been found dead in the yard at the back of his house. On examination it was found that he had committed suicide by cutting his throat and stabbing himself with a pocket knife. There were no less than twenty wounds on his left breast and abdomen, and his throat was lacerated in a frightful manner. Deceased had been a great sufferer from acute neuralgia for some time past, and it is conjectured that the dreadful pain drove him to commit so sad an act. He was universally respected and was a thorough business man, upright, honest, and sober, and his loss will long be felt by those who knew him best. Deep sympathy is expressed with his mother and the rest of the family who have to bear so hard a trial. The deceased gentleman was unmarried and was 41 years of age. We understand the funeral will take place to-morrow (Sunday) at Oldswinford Churchyard. lila inquest on the body was held at the hcuse of Mr. W. Patch, the Coach and Horses Inn, High Strcet, on Thursday eNening, before Mr. Miller Corbet, deputy-coroner. The first witness called was Richard Joseph Millward who deposed: I live at No. 80, Worcester Street, and am a manufacturer. Deceased was my brother and he was 41 years of age, He was a wine and spirit merchant. I last saw him alive last Sunday week. He had been snfferinafrom neuralgia in the bead for about twelve months off and on. He suffered drealfully, and I have seen him in great agony. When I saw him last Sunday week he complained that it was coming on and he was alai() he was going to have another attack. He always spoke against such a thin,' as destroying himself. There was no reason why he should destroy himself. His account at the bankers was very satisfactory, and be ordered some wine and spirits on the Tuesday. 'He never, when suffering, expressed his desire to destroy himself. .  • Mary Wilkins-on deposed: I live in High Street, and was in the service of deceased. I last saw him alive at half-past two on Wedneedsy morning. He was standing at the door leading into the shop. He was in bed most of the day on Monday and he asked the girl and myself if anyone had said anything about him. Ile said something had been said when Sergeant Jones was there. I told him the sergeant had not been there. He said there was a case against him but It was a case of mistaken identity. He lad a paper in his hand which contained the places where he had been during the previousweek. I had been to bed on Tuesday night and he kept calling me down and said there were some men m the house. He pushed me into the yard and told me to send the men away. He afterwards told me 1 had better go to bed. He seemed very strange in his manner. He went upstairs and locked the door of his room and then it was all quiet. The next 'limning a toy knocked at the door and said there was something the matter. I get through the window, down a ladder, and saw him lying down in the yard. I have lived there about two years and nine n.ontlis. He has suffered from neuralgia to a great extent, mere especially the last twelve months. He was in bed on Monday nom Elliousness, but neuralgia always followed it. He did not complain to nie of neuralgia on Tuesday, but it seemed'to Ic coming on. I never noticed him stra lie before Tuesday. He seemed to thi,ik there were some an nin the house. He said there seemed to be suinething wrong but he could not make out what it was.  Ge ge Davis deposed: I live in Union Street, and work for Messrs. Bland and Co., mineral water manufacturers. On Wednesday morning I went to wo:k at a quarter to seven. It is in the same yard as deceased's. As I was going to unlock a door I saw a lot of blood on the bricks, and saw deceased leg down on his right side. I thought he was asleep and knocked at the door and the servant came to the window. I fetched a young man who sent fer the police. I thought it was a drunken man and n€-ver thought it wae Mr. Millward. Geer4e Lawley deposed: I live in Queen Street, Stourbridge, and am a labourer. On Wednesday morning between five and ten minutes past sevea I went iii) deceased's yard, and saw deceased lying there on hs right side. The knife produced was by his light hand. There was a great deal of blood about. He appeared to be quite dead when I looked at him. I did not notice any injury on the body. Mr. George Bin t deposed: I was called in to deceased at half-past seven on Wednesday. Ile was then dead and stiff and might possibly have been dead three or four hours. I examined the body and found a ;urge wound in the throat with a cut d op into the windpipe, dividing the cartilages. Some important vessels were cut and there was free hemniorhage. There are several wounds in the breast, in the region Of the heart.. What I saw in the throat was sufficient to cause death. The stabs r did not penetrate the heart. All the wounds could be st-h-ndli• ted with the knife pioduced. By the Foreman : I saw deceased on Monday alati ho was.suffering item billionsuegs and was very