The Cotton Factory Times. — 1888-01-13 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

RADCLIFFE.  SOCIAL GaTIIEEING. The employes and friends of Mr. John Bentley and Sons, Wellington Mills, held their annual tea party and ball on Saturday last, in the large hall of the Radcliffe and Pilkington Co-operative Society, when upwards of 250 sat down to an excellent tea, after which the evening was spent in dancing and songs. Altogether an excellent programme was gone through to the credit of those present.  PAINFUL SIIICIDE OF A WEAvka.—Another painful case of a weaver committing suicide, through her work, took place on Monday morning. It appears that Eliza Hughes, 18 years of age, of 3, Rose-street, Radcliffe Hall, had "some words" with her parents on Saturday, through being unable to take any wages home; in consequence of not having had her cuts taken in. A tea party was held at night in the Co-operative Hall, for which she had a workpeople's ticket, and with which her father appeared to have gone to the tea party, leaving her at home. She was wakened early on Monday morning to go to her work, but instead of doing so she appeared to have gone straight to Park Lodge, in Church-street, and drowned herself. An inquest was held on Wednesday mornig, before Mr. W. Hardy, deputy coroner, at the Old Towler Inn, Radcliffe llall.—The first witness called was John Hughes, carter, residing at 3, Rose-street, Radcliffe Hall, who said that the deceased was his daughter. She was a weaver, and was employed at Messrs. John Bentley and Sons. She resided with him, and was 18 years of age. Witness left home about 5 30 on Monday morning to go to his work, and just before going out he called to the deceased to get up and go to work. She replied, "Yes, father, lam getting up." The next time he saw her was when she was brought home dead, and from her appearance he should say that she had been in the water. She was a strong girl, and she had never intimated in any way that she would commit suicide. She attended Radcliffe Parish Church regularly, though she only attended Sunday school occasionally. She had not drawn her wages during the past fortnight, although she had been working during that time, except two days' holidays. She had told her parents that she had nothing to draw, as she had not got her work out. Witness denied that she had been a great deal grumbled at at home because she did not bring any wages. She should have gone to a tea party, but she voluntarily gave her father the ticket with which to go so that she might attend the work. people's party taking place later on. She was a giddy girl, and had to be kept under control. He, however, denied that she was being continually " bated " or " nagged " at.—At ter a few remarks from the coroner, Sergeant Ingram said that the girl's mother had told the police that when the father went to the party the deceased had said that she hoped they would not let her father in with the ticket.—Alice Ann Smith, aged 13 years, daughter of George Smith, residing at Sandiford-street, said that she knew the deceased. She saw her on Sunday at the Radclife Parish Church, and asked if she had been to the school in the afternoon. Deceased replied to the effect that she had been having "some words" with her mother, and she added, "1 shall never speak to my mother again." Deceased did not say anything about committing suicide.—A Juryman: She did not say why she would not speak to her mother? —Witness: No.—Under the Coroner's direction, ' thy jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned, most probably having committed suicide while labouring under temporary insanity."