The Warwickshire Herald. — 1890-05-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SAD SUICIDE OF A LADY.  On Monday, Mr. A. Braxton Hicks, the Mid-Surrey coroner, opened an inquiry at Battersea, commenting the death of Harriett Mary Gibbs, aged 35 years, lately residing at Chiswick, who was found drowned in the Thames on the 7th inst.—Harriett Higgins, wife of a grocer, residing at Hammersmith, identified the deceased as her daughter by a former husband. She was a single woman. Witness last saw her alive on Boat-rue day, when she did not speak to her. She had not lived with witness since she was II years old, having been adopted by a great aunt who died in 1881, leaving her some property in the hands of trustees.—Edward John Thompson, of Smith Hampstead, said he WY the owner of the house Si, Ent* gardens. Chiswick, which he let in March last toMr. Henry Byron Stokes under an agreement fur • three years,' tenancy. He saw the deceased and remarked a grist disparity in the ages of the couple, the man being at least 60. On April let he went to the house respecting some repairs, and the deceased then told him that she was not manned to Mr. Stokes, who, she said, had deserted her and left her destitute. She besought him not to go to her relations. On April 16th witness received a letter from Birmingham signed "Ada Elizabeth Stokes" which stated that the deceased was an abandoned character, and that Mr. Stokes never signed witness's agreement in the presenoe of • third person. Wanes, regarded that letter at an attempt to put him off his guard, and took no notice of it. The witness handed to the coroner • letter from deceased, addressed from 37, Eyot • gardens, which contained the following pathetic sentences : "I Imolai* the key of 37, and thank you for your great kindness and patience under my trying circumstances. I have been cruelly wronged, but there is One above who can pay debta without money, therefore the only way that I can get out of my troubles is by putting an end to my life, and death will be • happy release now. Therefore, kindly communicate with my executor, Mr. Thomas °cocks, who will no doubt see to the furniture, as it is to be sold at my death. The keys of the house at Richmond are on . the drawers in the front bedroom. So now, dear sir, believe me to remain, yours respestfully. M• 1111177 M. Grope. P.S.—lf you like to write to Mr. Stokes, the address is 6, Victoria-place, Leebank-road, Biz, mingham." Upon the receipt of this letter witness at once went to the police, and on going to the home found the things as described. Previous to this, witness had been informed by the deceased that she had had an advance of 11250 on her life interest under her aunt's will, but she only received £llO of it.—Mr. Thomas Clucks, the trustee referred to, deposed to finding • letter with the deceased's keys, in which the-deceased expressed • wish to be buried in a coffin with black cloth and in her aunt's grave. —Mu- Higgins, the mother, re-called, said that Mr. Stokes, who described -himself as an engineer, was a lodger in her house, and while there formed the an. of her daughter, who used to visit there. 3—Evidence was then given of the finding of the body in the river on Wednesday, and Dr. hempster said that death was due to drowning. The body had been in the water 10 or 12 days.—The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.