Widnes Examiner. — 1883-06-02 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE OF A SERVANT GIRL.  On the same day Mr. Barker held an inquest at the Ship Inn, Bank Quay, on the body of Maude Mary Cooper. daughter of James Cooper, of 17, Smith-street, who committed suicide by drowning on Thursday evening week.-Jast. Cooper, painter, 17, Smith-street, said deceased was hie: daughter, and was about 16 years of age She was in serviceat Mr. Cntchley's, provision dealer, Irlam-street, where she had been about 12 months. He did not think there had. been anything to trouble deceased, who was a very impulsive girl, and could not bear chiding. In reply to Mr. Buckley, a juryman, witness said he had never gone to the girl drunk in his life, and asked her for her wages.— John Critchlev said deceased had been in his service, lie last saw her alive en the previous Thursday night, about 9 , o'clock, when she was at his house. He did not notice, anything unusaal about her. She went on an errand to Churcli-street, and did not return. He made inquiries, but I could learn nothing of her whereabouts. lie knew of nothing which might have led her to commit the rash act. His daughter found written on a pasteboard ornament (produced) in a drawer the following: "So you think on when I you want me next that you will find Mande in river on , Friday. Amen." He could not say whether the writing I was the deceased's, but be had shown it to the father who I said it was. She was very excitable, and rather eccentric at j times.—By a juryman: She was out rather late on Wednes' day night, and his wife told her of it.—Mr. Cooper : Did Critehley give her notice when she had these words ? —Witness: No; she had no words. His wife spoke to her on the Thursday morning about being out late, but they bad no words. Deceased seemed very jolly in the evening before going out on the errand.—Charles Wainwright, a young man, said he walked along the river side on the Thursday night, and saw the deceased about a quarter past nine standing against the crane uear the India Rubber Works. She Ivas alone, and close to the water. He knew the girl very well but had never spoken to her, and did not on this occasion. He noticed she had a white apron on.—Frank Kirkham, al ire drawer, said be was on the river in a boat on Tuesday and found the body of deceased floating in the water. It was pulled into the boat and brought to the Ship Inn. When they found the body the dress was not disarranged in any wait. An apron was over the head and tied round the neck. He believed it could have been tied thus by the girl.—Jaue Cooper, stepmother to deceased, said that the girl often visited her, and she was on good terms with her. Sometimes when deceased had been reproved sha would sulk for a long time. So far as witness knew the girl had been comfortable in her employment. A Juryman: Is there any love affair ?—Witnesi said she was not aware that deceased had had a sweetheart. Replying to her. husband, witness said he had never made a proslice of going to Mr. Buckley's drunk and asking for the girl's wages.—P.C. Neill said he had known Cooper for many years, and he had always found him to be a sober man; and he was surprised when he heard the remark from Mr. Buckley.—The Coroner: Yes; it is a pity the remark was made.—A verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide by drowning during temporary insanity, was then returned.