The Poole Telegram. — 1880-12-03 (Poole, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE.— A. fearful discovery was made in West Allington, about quarter. to 10, on Monday morning. A gardener, in the employ of Mr. Whetham, named William Reece, who kept a small green-grocer's shop, nearly opposite Magdala-terrace. was found by a man, named Wilder, who shared the house with him, lying in his bed with a dreadful gash in the throat. The unhappy man, it was at once seen, had destroyed himself. Lying on a box about two feet from the bed was an ordinary pocket pruning knife, which deceased had been in the habit of using in his work. The wound was about six inches in length, extending internally to the spinal column, severing the juglar vein. One arm was hanging outside the bed to the floor, and down the arm the Wood had streamed into an ordinary utensil on the floor. It appears the unfortunate man had been a hard drunkard, and the effects of this and other troubles undoubtedly led to the act. Deceased was about 70 years of a:e.—The iaquest was held on the following evening at the New Inn, before C. G. Nantes, Egg., Deputy Coroner, Mr. George Balson being chosen foreman of the jury.— After viewing the body, Ann Major, a widow, was called. Witness deposed having visited the house of deceased ones a week, to keep the place clean, and attend him when he was ill. She went there on Friday last, and sat up with him all night. When she went on Friday she saw pools of blood in the kitchen, and he told her he had fallen down in the house on the previous (Thursday) night. She washed up the blood. Deceased had inarks on the shoulder and head, and he told her no one was present at the time. She remained at the house from Friday till Saturday. Witness fancied deceased was lightheaded, and fetched Dr. Denziloe. She went oot during the evening, and when she came back, he was out of bed standing upright. He was able to eat a dinner on Sunday, but complained at night of seeing things befere his eyes, and would not stay without a light. She left a light in his room and went away.—By Dr. Denziloe: There were two pools of blood downstairs on Friday—quite a pint about the room.—John Wilder was the next witness. He stated having lodged with Reece. For a fortnight deceased had complained of a" pricking" at his heart. Witness saw him on Thursday at dinner time and considered he was half drunk—he was sitting on a chair by the tire. Witness remained there a half or three-quarters of an hour. He usually cocked dinner for witness. Witness came home to tea between six and seven, a lamp was on the table and deceased's boots by the tire. Witness called upstairs, and deceased called down that he must get tea for himself. Witness went out, and returning, between nine and ten, on going to bed saw a qua.uity of blood about downstairs. He went up to deceased and asked him what it meant, and he answered he did not know. There was blood on his jacket at the foot of the bed. On the next day (Friday) deceased told him his foot had slipped and he had fallen down. On Sunday evening, when all was a-bed, there was a:knock at the door, and deceased called to hinito go down, thinking it was the doctor. Witness: went down, and it was Major's son come for his mother, as her daughter was ill. Deceased heard this. Mrs. Major, who had been sleeping in a garret, went a*ay asking witness to lock the door after her, which he did. Ho put the light back into deceased's room, and asked him how lie was. Deceased said heelidn't think he should be better in the morning. ale wished deceased "Good night," and saw no monsCof him until next morning, After breakfast witnesefent up to his room with a cup of tea. Witness then Ow a horrible sight. Deceased was lying on the side of,the bed, a utensil on the floor containing blood which had flowed down the arm. Witness did not see the wound in his throat. He appeared to be dead. Witness put down the tea and made the matter known to Mrs. Hart.—Eliza Edwards proved being called on Monday morning by Mrs. Hart, and with her went up to the bedroom. Saw deceased lying on his side on the bed, and a knife covered with blood on a box near. She took it up and put it down again.—P.C. Christopher deposed going to the house ; the doctor was there. Witness explained the position of the knife which was lying on the box, the edge of the blade being upwards.—Dr. Le Gros Denziloe said he was called about a quarter to ten, on the previous morning, by Eliza Edwards. He entered the bedroom of deceased, who was lying on his side, saw the blood as described. He examined the body, and on the left side of the throat was a wound about six inches in length, extending internally to the spinal column, severing the jugular vein, a main artery. The flow of blood must have been profuse. The position of the wound and the body indicated suicide. The doctor also stated being sent for on Friday last by Ann Major. He then found a slight contused wound on the head. He was pretty rational, and witness thought he had been drinking lately. There was no aberration of intellect. On Saturday the doctor gave him a stimulant. The blow on his head was not the cause of suicide. He (the doctor) thought he was suffering from mild delirium tremens. The jury unanimously found a verdict that "deceased committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind." Camay POLICE, Friday.—Before S. W. Whethare, E4q.