Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1889-03-02 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT SOUTFI  STOCKTON.  SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A DARLINGTON  PENSIONER. Shortly after three o'clock laid Saturday after. noon the body of a man, named Thos. Parkin, was found in the old river between Middlesbroagli and South Stockton. From all appearancd the body had been washed from the RIM Tees to where it was found, near the Erinine Hotel, and to which place it has been removed for identification. Enquiries have been instituted by Superintendent Hutchinson. of South Stockton, with the result that some pawn tickets which were found upon deceased, :in] which bear the name of Wright, have been form: to belong to a pensioner named Tho:flat Parkin, of Darlington. He left Darnug• ton seventeen days ago, stating that ha was going to Stockton, and it is supposed that he must have committed suicide, an nothing more bad been heard from him. He wan brought au at Darlington in July of last year for attempting to commit suicide by drowning himself itt the Tees at Blackwell. and ab.tut foar days afterwards he laid himself in front ot a train on the railway, and was badly injured. He was taken to the Infirmary. and after his recovery he was again taken before the Magistrates and discharged with a caution. —On Tuesday Mr Deputy-Coroner Mackereth held an inquest at the Erimue Hotel, South Stockton, on view of the bode of Thomas Parkin, aged 57 years. which wet found in the old bed of the Hirer Tees on Saturday last. Mr John Steel was foreman of the jury.—Robert Lynn, labourer, living at the old toll bar cottage on the Middlesbrough road, said his son, John Lynn, came to him about twenty minutes pest three on Saturday afternoon. and in consequence of what he told bin witness went to the old river channel, when about 100 yards above the road-bridge he found the body of a man. His feet were in the water, and his head laid on the "slew." He Ti fully dres,ed except his hat. His oast was fastened by one button. There were nO signs of a struggle having taken pla..e. Witness and other three men pulled him to the bank, and came and told P.C. Castling. They then put him on a board and brought him to tlio Erimus Hotel. When searched there were found on him three pawutickete, a spectacle cam, ands small pocket- book.— P.C. Robt. Castling corroboe ated, and produced the articles found on the Mir. Near the place where the body was found h certificate ad been picked up which showed that the deceased was a pensioner on the Royal Artillere, and was entitled to a pension of ls per day—Sergeant Bowman. of Dariingtou, said he had known deceased since the 18th of Jana. ary, 1887, and knew he wan a pensioner On that date deceased was taken to Police Station at Darlington for attmnvi ing to commit seicide by drowning nem 111"kwell Bridge. He was brought before tOi Magistrates, cautioned, and discharged. On Lai 21st of the same month he was taken to thelsasint‘i On a stretcher, having thrown himself iu front of a luggage train and been serert'll injured. Ile was discharged from the Henn on 25th November, 1887, and after his discharge some missionaries took an interest in hint and witness was asked to keep an eye 00 hnn. Witness did so for three or four months till he left the town, and witness did not ter him again till three weeks not :htj he saw him come oat of • public.house. ll I latterly been living 111 lodging.houses, and gained a livelihood by hawking oranges. lle had be...e.e heard to say that he was tired of hi; lir Witnen had never seen him the worse or drink, but at the time when he WAS b"lfir the Magistrates it was said that he ai been drinking heavily. Dr. Flynn. el South Stockton, stated that be hail inot'h: ppat-Proortena examination of the body hclan_ right aide of the head was felled blood. and was calcification of the aorta The lens were both congested, and • good dad of fluid wee le the stomach. Witness Me of opinion diatribe cause of death was drowning.—The jury ruto a verdict that demeand_was Found drowned..... - -• Printed and published for the proprietor*, ,at High-street eStockton-on-Ten, in the Loulit" 01 Derhs.iii, 'by David Craig, residing at to  Ms lie