The Warrington Examiner. — 1873-09-13 (Warrington, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE IN MARKET STREET.  A shocking case of determined suicide occurred in Market-street on Wednesday afternoon, the deceased being Mr. Wm. Woods, axle and spring manufacturer, who resided in Bewsey-road. The inquest on the body was held yesterday morning, at the Hop Pole, Horsemarket-street, before C. E. Driffield, Esq., when the following evidence was given:—  Thomas Wadsworth, of Market-street, eating-house keeper, was the first witness called. He said he lived under the deceased, in Market-street. On Wednesday afternoon, shoitly before four o'clock, he was passing out of his house when he noticed the deceased come out of his yard door, and turn to his left, as if going in the direction of the market. Witness was returning from the market a few minutes after, and seeing a crowd around the door and hearing what had occurred, he ran through his premises and passed up to the top floor of the warehouse. On getting there he found the deceased hanging from a beam. Mr. Booth cut the rope while he supported the deceased. When he was laid on his back he could just perceive the pulse, but nothing more, A doctor was sent or, but the deceased was quite dead. He was in his coat, the hat being on the bench close behind him. A box was beside his feet, on which he appeared to have mounted to fasten the rope. Witness had not spoken to the deceased for a week, when he saw nothing remarkable about him. He had reason to believe that the business was being sold on account of the work becoming scarcer, and the high price of materials.  Thomas Wcods, 10, Dallam-lane, provision dealer, deposed that he had known the deceased since he was a boy, although he was no relative of his. Between two and three o'clock on Wednesday hespoke to the deceased close to his works in Market-street, and asked him if he intended to retire from business. The deceased, in reply, said—" Did you ever see me the worse for drink in your life?" and he exclaimed—never in my life." He then said—" Did you ever know me neglect my;business ?" to which he replied in the negative. The deceased baits him "good afternoon," and he left him. Three quarters of an hour afterwards he heard that the deceased had hung himself, and he went and saw him, quite dead. Witness, in reply to the Coroner, said he naturally thought as the property was advertised for sale that tile deceased was retiring from business. The deceased was very sober, and attentive to his business. John Pucill, living in Lythgoe's-lane, said he was a striker in the employ of the deceased. About a quarter to four o'clock on Wednesday, witness, who was engaged in making some bolts, had occasion to go up stairs, and noticing that the door leading into one of the rooms was shut, he thought it strauge, and he and his mate went in. The first thing he eaw wee his master su,peuded from the ceiling, dead. 'Witness gave an alarm, and the deceased was immediately cut down. George Booth, of 41, King-street, coffee roaster, said he had known the deceas ad for 20 years. He last saw him about twenty minutes past three o'clock, on Wednesday afternoon, as he was crossing the yard going into Market-street. For several days witness thought the deceased was rather strange—troubled— and seemed to be thinking. The deceased had told him pfeviously that the business did not pay, and he thought of asking Mr. Geddes to buy the premises. Witness beard the alarm that Mr. Woods had hung himself, and he went and cut him down, after a policeofficer had been fetched. Mr. Joseph Harrison, was the next witness. He said the deceased married a relative of his. He had known the deceased for a long time, but was not very intimate with him, knowing very little of his affairs. 1' wo years ago the deceased and his brother dissolved partnership, and there had not been any communication between them of late. With reference to the sale of the property, he said it was compulsory because the in the money advanced to the md eecretagseegde.e was ilieg neeawuothing more about the affair, and had not seen him for three weeks. The deceased was a steady abstemious man, and well conducted in every way. When he broke the news to Mrs. Woods, one of the first questions she asked was—" Has he taken anything," thus showing that she had noticed eomething pecufiar in his manner of late. Mrs. Isabella Chester deposed that she was staying in the house with Mrs. Woods, and was not surprised to hear of the occurrence. On Tuesday night the deceased was rather late in coming home, and she and Mrs. Woods went to see where he was. They found him in the office, and he appeared strange and confused. The gas was out, ann he had made a good lire, as if to last all night. Alter waiting for Upwards of au hour they went home, but nothing unusual occurred afterwards. On the day referred to the deceased neglected coming to his dinner, which made Mts. Woods tuthappy. Oct being asked the reason, he said he was busy and had not time to go home. 'The Corua,r said tee facts elicited were sufficient to show that the deceased had committed suiciue whilst suffering from temporary insanity, A. vordiot to this effoaya returue4 by ttte