The Telegram. — 1899-07-25 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE OF THE G.W.R. STATION - - - MASTER. The intelligence that Mr. Walter Henry Gale, the G. W.E. Statton-master here had committed suicide on the South-Western line at here Alston, in Devon, way  . received in the town with very great regret. It appears  that deceased left his station in charge of a junior clerk last Friday afternoon, and cave no intimation to the Clerk or to any of the officials of his Company  of his intended absence from duty. fir was driven to Cole Station (S. & D.), and is understood to have gime to Plymouth, where he had friends, and where isonly daughter was staying on a visit. Deceased was an obliging official,who made no enemies, and the keenest regret is expressed at his unfortunate end, as well as the deepest sympathy with his daughter and Meter and aged mother, who shared his home.  Tug biquiLsT. An inquest was hen at Here Ferrero Station on Tuesday on the body of deceased. The following evidence was adduced:— James Arscott, platelayer, Loudon and South-West ern Railway Company, residing at Tavtotock, stated that on Monday he was travelling by the 5.35 p.m. train from Here Foyers to Tavistock, and about half on the Plymouth side of Here Alstou he noticed a man near the level crossing gate, on the outside, in a field. He believed it was Walter Gale, whom he knew about six or seven years ago at Tavistuck,and remarked to his fellow-workman at the time that he believed it was the brother of Mr. Gale, of Tavistock. The man was standing still, looking across the field, John Albert Hawkins, engine driver, London & South-Western Railway Company, said on Monday he was driving the 5.15 p.m. express from Exeter to Friary. A mile and a-quarter this side of Here Alston, ' when the train was running 50 miles an hour, he noticed a man walking in the four-foot way, with Ilia back to the engine, preveeding towards Plymouth. Deceased must have been 160 yards from the engine when witness blew the whistle. No notice was taken of it and the whistle was sounded again. Demand looked round and a third time the whistle was blown. The man then made a half-turn towards the engine, apparently to get out of the way, but he fell in Beet of the engine. When the whistle sounded the first time deceased made no effort to get out of the way. Witness pulled the train 1.11M14 quickly as possible, and informed the guard that a man had been run over. The guard thought it advisable to proceed to Here Ferrero, where information was given to the stationduaster, and the body brought to the station. Deceased was wearing a dark suit and a hard bowler hat. The man seemed quite unconcerned when the first and second whistles were blown. P.C. Banbury, Itere Ferrero, said he found deceased lying in the centre of the down four-feet way quite dead, and very much mutilated. The hat was on the outside of the up line, close to the dine:seed, and was marked in gilt leters, ' W.H.G." In the pockets were as 6,1 in silver,a tobacco pouch full of tobacco,a smashed pipe, and a private railway carriage key. That morning a 24 piece was picked up near where the body was found. The Coroner said the inspector of the Great Western ailway would not be able to get to Here Ferrero until laste, and it was necessary that Mrs. Easterbrook, alter of Gale, awl who saw him on Monday afternoon, should be present to give evidence. The inquest was then adjourned.  - . An adjourne , inquest was held at Bare Ferrero Railway-station on Wednesday, on the body of dc. cea.sed, who was found killed between the line at Here Alston and Bete Ferrets on Monday evening last. The Rev. F. Wintle was foreman of the Jury, and DetectiveInspector Percival was present on behalf of the London & South-Western Railway Company. Andrew Easterbrook, 65, Cambridge Street, Plymouth. master mariner, said deceased was his brotherin-law, aged about 45 years, and Was station-master at Castle Cary. Deceased's daughter had been staying with witness and his wife for the past fortnight, and he came to Plymouth on Friday last for a holiday, intending to return to Castle Cary that day (Wednesday) with his daughter. On Monday afternoon last, deceased left the house at 4 o'clock, saying he was going to Here Alston, but expressed no reason for doing so. Witness could identify deceased by his hat (produced) containing the initials " W.H.G." on the inside, his shirt, and necktie. Deceased dirl not appear anxious or worried about anything, but, on the contrary, had been cheerful. Gale was a temperate man. In answer to the Foreman of thedury, witness said he knew of no reason why deceased got on the line. Gale said nothing about his business, but for years stated that he did not like being stationed at Castle Cary. William Thomas Forrester, chief inspector Bristol. Division G.W.R.,sahl deceased was the Station-master of Castle Cary, which was in Ins district. Last Friday morning Gale left his duties without permission. and serious notice would no doubt have been taken of this on his return, probably resulting in suspension. tin Wednesday last deceased was reprimanded by an official of the Company for allowing his work to he in arrrar. The following day Gale sent an urgent train 111Craaaga to Bristol stating lie was unwell, and asking for relief. Before any reply could ho communicated to him the bead office was advised that deceased had left the station. Gale had been station-master at Castle Cary for nearly eight years. 'The Coroner said there was absolutely nothing to account for the deceased being on the line, or to justify his presence there. 'that being so, he was a trespasser. Deceased left his relatives at Plymouth, and gave 119 reason for going to Here Alston. The engine driver had stated that when lie saw Gale on the down line he blew the %biotic of the engine three tunes, but the man Ilia not or would not take, any notice of the warning. Ti) his (the (I.,roner s) mind deceased's conduct pointed to his being of unsound mind, and that he intended to commit suicide. Gale left his work on the previous Thursday without pep missdin, and no doubt very serious notice would have been taken of it by the Great Western Railway Con pony. This breach of conduct, coupled with his having heen previously reprimanded, perhaps preyed upon the mind of deceased. Having regard to the way in which Gale exposed himself to danger and ignoring the warnings of the driver, there were clear indications in his (the Coroner's) mind that he intended to commit suicide. the jury, after 20 minutes' private deliberation, returne I a verdict" That deceased committed suicide whilst hi a tit of temporary insanity."