The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1900-02-21 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

THE INQUEST. The inquest was conducted by the County Coroner, Mr. D. Bate, on Monday afternoon, at the Boathouse Hotel, Magazines, New Brighton. Henry Samuels, station officer, at the New Brighton Coastguard Station, was the first witness called. He stated that deceased had charge of the Liverpool division. He last saw lam alive about ten minutes to four on Saturday afternoon. He was then oat the promenade pier. After conversation about. business matters deceased left the pier. Coroner to witness: Did you notice anything strange about his character ?—No, sir. , Have you ever known him to be strange In his manner F--No, never. Catherine Simeon, residing at 5, Moot. pelier-ereseent, said deceased bad lived with her since December, 1898. On Saturday, about a quarter-past three he left the house. Directly afterwards she found a piece of paper, on which were the words:. "Good-bye to all; sorry I cannot stay. Perhaps we -shall meet in the great unknown; however.. I don't think I am worth meeting anywhere."l Continuing, witness said deceased appeared rather strange in his manner on Saturday morning in consequence of which she sent for his brother-in-law and a friend. Replying to further questions, she said deceased was accustomed to getting dressed before havieg his breakfast, on the Saturday morning, however, he went downstairs on two occasions in his dressing gown. He also turned on the water in order to have a bath. but, instead of doing this, stood in front of the fire smoking. You are quite sure lie never said anything wrong before—No, sir. He was deaf, am 4 it was very awkward to communicate with him. You are quite sure he-sewer said anything .to you about taking his lifee—He never said. a word about it. What made yotisend.for his.hrotber-inAaw —Well, he bad heen much alone. and T thought if his friend or brother-in-law came they would be company for him. When you found that note did you seeped , he would do anything of the sort? -No, I never dreamt of such a thing. He never re- I turned after leaving the house, abint three o'clock. Witnees knew of no reason why deceased should commit suicide. Charles Towers, 17 years of age, reeidieg at 37, Egerton-street, New Brighton, said ha was going down to the ferry and noticed a lot of children standing round the deceased. ' who was sitting on the ground. After making inquiries, witness spoice to the deceased. He , told him that he had better get rei or LAI policeman would be locking him up. Deceased replied, "I don't want to eo home." He then got a razor out of his coat pocket. I and all the children ran away. Coroner: And what then?—He cat hes throat, and I and another lad then went for aesistanee. A juryman: You saw him with a razor in his hand ?—Yes, sir. Did you give information at once ?—Yes. Edmund Marsh, of 4, Mersey-terrace, New Brighton, deposed that about 4-50 p.m. on Saturday his attention was drawn to the deceased by his sister, who exclaimed, "There's a man cutting his throat" He immediately rushed out of the house to May, who was seated on some spare ground opposite his (witness's) house, with his throat cut. He spoke to him, but he only uttered the word 'razor." He (Marsh) tried to stop the bleeding, but his efforts did not meet with success. Deceased was then conveyed to the police-station. Inspector Meffale (to witness): Did you hear the doctor say that his life could not be saved ?—Yes. Dr. William Bell said he had attended the deceased, who had suffered severely from indigestion, for about two years. It times he had eomplianed of being very deaf, and having pains in his ears, which, he thought, was caused by the firing of guns on board ship. On one occasion deceased intimated to hint that he had seen a specialist, and he used the words—"He gave me gipp." He did not say exactly what the specialist had done. He .isow deceased professionally on Saturday morning, and he answered his questions fairly well, although he appeared to be rather !strange in his manner. Coroner: Did he expect to see you ?--Yes, shook bands with me. Was it his request to see you P—l don't. know. The condition of his ears might have affected the brain. Dr. C. G. May, of London, brother of the .deceased, said he received a letter from him 'on Wednesday last, stating that he had been in bed for three days, suffering from influenza. Coroner: Has he ever said he would take his life P—No, never. As Dr. Bell had said. the condition of his ears might have affected the brain. The Coroner, summing up, said there was no doubt that deceased took his own life, the only question for consideration was the state of his mind at the time. He must at first have said or done something rather strange, otherwise the children would not have gathered round him. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.