The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-10-01 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF A LOZELL'S MAN. THE INQUEST. An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon at the "Yew Tree," Witten, before Mr. 1). R. Wynter (coroner for Central Warwickehire), touching the death of William Toots (77), who resided up to the time of his death at 170, Lovell's-road, and was formerly a licensed victualler carrying on business at the Cemetery Tavern, Key Hill, Hockley. Ellen Teaks, daughter of the deceased, stated that she last saw her tether alive at half-past three on Saturday afternoon. Deceased was very queer in his manner, and on the recommendation of his medical adviser was provided with an attendant, who usually accompanied him. His attendant was allowed holiday on Saturday afternoens. and it one thee deceased's custom to go alone to the Stork Hotel, where he usually met a number of old friends. On this occaekin, as on the others, deceased left the house unaccom !Allied. He then seemed in a happy fauna of mind, and she had no reason to su,poet that he would depart ham his usual custom of visiting She Stork Hotel. Deceased, however, did not return home in the evening, and witness becoming alarmed caused a search to be made for him, and at four o'clock on Sunday morning she received information to the effect that his body had been found in the canal at Witten. Her father had on one occasion been detected when about to make poison, and had several times threatened to simulle suicide. GOUVUO LUCAS, deceased's private attendant, said he had had charge of deceased for the past two years. Deceased was mentally deranged, and complained of "mere pains in the head. Witness considered that he Was not responsible for his actions, and he had a suicidal mania. He had twice previously attempted to commit suicide during the time witness had had charge of him, once by taking poison and once by cutting his throat. Witness last saw him alive at ten minutes past one on Saturday afternoon, and he then seemed quite cheerful. It was his custom to go to the Stork Hotel on Saturday afternoons to see come old friends, and on Saturday evening last he received information from Miss Tonics that he had not returned. He at once instituted enquiries, with a view of ascertaining his whereaboute, and gave information to the police. On Sunday morning he learned at Aston Police station that the body of an old gentleman had been taken from the canal at Witten, whom, from the description given, he knew to be the deceased. Police-constable Atbwell, of Witton. stated that on Saturday night, at about 8 15, he received information that a gentleman's hat had been found on the canal side. He dragged the canal, and at about 10.45 found the body of the deceased. He received assistance, and conveyed the body to the "Yew Tree." The body was near the side of the canal. He was then fullydressed. Witness searched the body, and found upon the deceased £2 2s. 20. in money, and a a atch that had stopped at eight minutee to maven. He had since learned that tic watch was #bout ten minutes slow, and it had apparently stopped when deceased entered the water. There were no marks of violence upon the body. Ho examined the towing path on the following day, and saw nothing that led him to believe deceased had met with foul play. A juryman having expressed his opinion that deceased should not have been allowed to go out unattended, a Mr. Price, son-in•law of the deceased, explained that in July last he and his sister-in-law, Miss Tents saw (ieceased'a medical adviser, ssho then expressed his opinion that although deceased was in is poor state of health his suicidal tendencies seemed to have disappeared. He further said that deceased might go to Rhyl for a holiday, accompanied only by his daughter. The doctor's statement seamed to be horns out by deceased, who had oi late seemed more rational in his demeanour. Deceased had beet, de-druue of dispensing with the services of his attendant He seemed to feel that restraint was being placed upon him, and he WRS informed by his friends that the services of the attendant were being retained as a companion. The jury appeared perfectly sati-fierl with the explanation. and the Coroner having reviewed the evidence mid it seemed to him and the jury had only one course open to them. Ho did not think that blame was attachable tc anybody kr I deceased's death. The jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind."