The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1890-08-16 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SUICIDES AT COVENTRY.  The suicide on Tuesday morning of Henry Holmes (68), of 2, Herbert's-row, Briekkiln-lane, formed the subject of a Coroner's inquest on Thursday morning at Willenhall schools, before Dr. C. W. Iliffe. M. 11. Mason was foreman of the jury, who viewed the body in an adjacent cowshed.—Rebecca Rainbow, single woman, 2, Herbert's. row, Brickkiln-lane, deposed to having lived with her uncle, the deceased, for two years' past. He was by trade a silk weaver, but carried on more or less the occupation of a bookmaker. He was brother to the late Mr. John Holmes, and his death affected deceased very much. For two or three years he had been very low spirited, and especially so the last 12 months. He had also been rather short of money, and troubled mich about his sister's death, which took place three years ago. On Tuesday morning, between nine and ton, he left home. She had never known him possess any weapon, until a year ago, when she saw a revolver in one of his boxes, but could not identify the one produced as the same. At that time she buried the weapon in a box in the garden, because she did not like to have it in her house; she did not anticipate that deceased would injure himself, although he had said he wished he was with those who had gone before.— William Cleaver, labourer, Willenhall, said he found deceased about 12.10 noon on Tuesday. He was working man adjoining field, and about 11 o'clock heard two reports, but took no notice of them. At the time stated he found the body near Mr. Worcester's bean field in the Willenhalllane. Deceased was dead, but witness did not touch him. He immediately gave the alarm to the police.—P.c. Clifford, stationed at Willenhall, deposed that he arrived at the spot where deceased lay about 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The revolver produced was in his right hand and there was a bullet wound above the right ear. Deceased had upon him an envelope addressed to him; a purse containing four cartridges; a pair of spectacles and the key to the house. The revolver was loaded in four chambers, the other two having been discharged. A telegram also found on him contained the words "10s. on M.P. in whatever it runs." " M.P. " referred to the horse that ran in the Grand National Steeplechase.— Dr. Overton, who examined the body of deceased, said he found's, gun shot about two inches above the right ear, but could find no wound on the opposite side of the head where it would have exit. The wound would correspond in size with the cartridges produced. Respecting the two shots he thought it probable that on the first attempt deceased missed himself. He thought deceased would live about three minutes, death being due to laceration of the brain substance, and he had little doubt that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.—A verdict of " Suicide whilst tempoiarily insane " was returned. Dr. Iliffe held an inquest on Thursday, at St. Mary's-hall, on the body of Henry Bartlett Spencer, 60 years old, by trade a silk weaver, and living alone at 10c. lb. Little Park-street, who cut his throat.—Jas. Mansfield, greengrocer, Little Park-street, deposed that he had known the deceased from boyhood, and had seen him daily lately. Witness had observed him walking alone in the park. He asked deceased why he did not come to his garden now, and he replied "I shan't come any more. There is a man meets me and flourishes a stick over me." Witness asked him to point out the man, and then deceased said, " No, he won't come if there is anybody with me," and he also declined the suggestion that he should go first and witness would follow. Deceased had lived by himself, behaving been separated from his wife and family for seven years past. Mrs. Mansfield and witness had endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation between Mrs. Spencer and deceased, and they were going to rejoin each other this present week. On Wednesday evening his daughters were going by train to Birmingham, and they called to see the father, but as they could not get into the house they came to witness's shop. He had not see deceased all that day, and went to the house. He could, however, get no answer, and Mr. Judd, a neighbour, fetched a ladder and looked in at the window. Afterwards deceased's son came, and at his request witness got into the house. He then saw Spender sitting in the arm chair, covered with blood, with his throat cut, and quite dead and stiff. Two knives and a razor were on the table.—Dr. Wimberley deposed he was in Little Park-street when called to deceased, whom he found had been dead several hours. The wound in the throat was about 10in. long. Witness thought the man had first tried the knives and used the razor last.—The Coroner summed up the evidence, complimenting Mansfield on the clear way he gave his evidence, and the jury, of which Mr. W. Parsons was the foreman, returned a verdict of "Death while temporarily insane."