The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1873-10-07 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

BUICTISL—Tbe inquest on James Commies, who jumped into the river and was drowned, was held before Mr. Coconut Leach, coroner. Jlary Ann Coonthee, wife of the demand, said oh September 24th, about throe o'elook in the afternoon, I went with my busbind to fetch woe water. Hs said nothing on his win down to the neer, and stirred both buckets. On getting to the water be put them down on the beak, and immediately jumped into the water. His fano was in the water, but he was in • stooping position. I tried to get him out, but could not reach hint. I saw Silas Dean, and celled to him, but could not make him hear. I ran to him, and he gime down and got my husband out of the water. He was then quite dead. A fortnight ago he came out of the union, where he had been a .xionth. It wee not my wish that be should oome out. I was of opinion that before he went into the union he was not in his right mind. When be oame out In seemed worse than when be went in. He threatened to ant his throat with a table-knife. I brought him to Sturminster to see it:. Leath. He started off, and I saw him no more until Tunday, when the policemen brought him to me. We then went to • public house, and there he had • pint of ale; it seemed to make hint wane, and stetted him very much. Silas Dew labourer, working for the Rev. B. B. Kennard. said deceased's wife curie to me and sold "Poor Coombes is in the river.' I went is aboel lea enemies era intarler Oats Anse and saw him in • stooping position on his folded arms and knees, end could see the length of his beak and the bank of kb heed. He wee about eight feet from the bank. The water was, I should thick, four or five feet deep. I could nob walk in. I mane back and fetched moistener, to get him out. John Gilpin, turnpike-mite keeper mid, on the previous day from information be indeed, be found deceased in a ditch near the river and asked him •Int be we, about. He pointed to the river and said "That's my doom." I remonstrated with him and tried to get Um away. He refused to some, saying "I was ordered to stay here and starve myself before Iye Into the river. I Ilses killed my wife and daughter, and now I roost kill myfelf." Then worts he repeated several times. I then fetched a policeman and accompanied them to the neon-bonen P.C. Miller wont to the ditch where be found drowned sitting on the bank. I asked him what he was there for. He replied he did not know, he had been there since yorterday. I watt with him to the union. Some food was offered him by the master and matron, which he refused, and said Iles his wife wee dead, and the virawsle would not r:o him say good. I then went on with him towards limmhull, and met his wife, and 2•VII him up to her. Mr. Leach, ate of the medical °ethers of the intim, put in his book, in which was the following entry under date August 12th "James Coombs., Mani hall, recommended for admission into the union house, or the county asylum, as he has become melancholic, with • niaidal tendency." The jury unartimoitsly returned an their verdlet —" Thai the deceased James Coumbes committed suicide whilst In • mate of permanent insanity, and the Jury strouily express their opinion that, after such a medial report, the deceased ought not to have been let out of the union ; but there is no tividenee before them by whose authority he left."