The Northern News. — 1896-06-06 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY EN BOLTON.  On Monday the Borough Coroner (Mr. Rowland Taylor) held an inquest at the Town Hall, Bolton, on the body of George Brown, aged 22, carter, who committed suicide on Thursday week after attempting the life of Lucy Thorlby, aged 21, domestic servant at the shop, 152, Deansgate. The first witness called was George Brown, father of deceased, who said he lived at Upton, near Sout.twell. Deceased was 21 years of age. He had 1 leen in Bolton about five months, and was a carter. He was engaged to the young woman, Lucy Thorlby-, and had been so for four years. Witness had never had any occasion to doubt the sanity of the deceased.—Mrs. Maria Taylor, wife of Titus Taylor, carter for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, residing at 152, Deansgate, said the deceased had lodged with them since the first week in October. The first week in February he sent for Lucy Thorlby to lodge with her. She acted as servant. He had not been so bright for the last few weeks. He had had some little bits of quarrels with Lucy Thorlby just as sweethearts had. He assisted the girl on Thursday night in the shop, and then asked witness to let Miss Thorlby go out for half an hour to go to Mr. H. Samuel's, in Bradshawgate. Witness concluded he wanted to  Buy a Wedding Ring. They went out, and when they returned the girl served a person in the "chip" shop. Deceased was standing in the dining room, and very shortly afterwards followed her upstairs. Screams were heard, and a n..an in the shop shouted "Mrs., he's murdering the wench." Witness and her husband ran upstairs and found Miss Thorlby lying on the landing bleeding. She asked who had done it, and she said "George." A doctor was sent for and she fetched the police. She had never seen the razor (produced) before. Deceased had been strange for some time, but she did not know the cause. The witness was very much distressed whilst giving her evidence and had to be supported by Detective Banks, the coroner's officer. She was removed from the room in a state of collapse.—lnspector Hargreaves spoke to hearing of the occurrence a few minutes after 10-30 on Thursday night. On entering the premises he found on the first landing P.C. Halliwell and the young woman with her head against the wall, and she was bleeding from a wound in the throat. Ora going to the second landing he saw the deceased Bleeding Profusely From a Wound in the throat. He was alive. The Inspector proceeded to state that, being a St. John Ambulance man, he bandaged Miss Thorlby's wounds, and while he was doing this P.C. Halliwell, who had carried deceased out of the young woman's bedroom into the corridor, shouted downstairs that Brown was dead. Miss Thoriby was thin removed to the Infirmary. In the presence of Hallwell he searched deceased, and found 31s. 6d. in gold, silver and copper, an albert guard attached to his waistcoat, no watch, a knife, pipe, tobacco pouch, keys, and a paper belonging the Provident Society. Afterwards deceased was conveyed on the police ambulance to the School Hill Mortuary.—At this stage the jury were left to consult in private, and were thus engaged about ten minutes. They returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity."  On Tuesday Dr. Jameson, travelling as Dr: Johnson, accompanied by Mr. Rutherford Harris, passing as plain Mr. Harris, visited Lowestoft on their way to spend a week on the rivers and broads in the neighbourhood. They lunched at Lowestoft, and in the afternoon drove to Oulton Broad, going on board a wherry which had previously been, chartered. They will return to London on Tuesday, in readiness for the adjourned hearing of the case at the Bow-st. Police Court.  A deputation, consisting of the Duchess of Abercorn, the Marchioness of Londonderry, Lord Dun cannon, and Mr. Alan Cole, have had an interview with the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with the object of urging upon him the desirability of providing grants in aid to encourage technical instruction in respect of cottage industries in Ireland. Mr. Gerald Balfour expressed his sympathy with the views placed before him, and promised that the subject should receive his early consideration,.