Widnes Examiner. — 1900-08-31 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT RUNCORN.  Inquest and Verdict.  At the Runcorn Police Court, on Friday afternoon Mr. R. Dobson, coroner, held an inquiry relative to the death of Thomas Fox,who resided at 17 Fryer-street, and who expired on the previous day as the result of serious injuries to the throat. —lllr. John Yates was the foreman of the jury, and Acting-Sergeant Gregory conducted the case on behalf of the police. Michael Mulhairn, living at 17, Fryer-street, said he was a dock labourer. The deceased lodged with him, and was also a dock labourer. He was about 40 years of age. He had been married, bur his wife was dead. Witness had known him for about 25 years. Last Sunday witness noticed that the deceased only took a small portion of his breakfast, which be thought was du,) to drink, the deceased having loNan imbibing very heavily. Some time ago he was strange in his mind. Deceased worked up to a week last Saturday, and witness was not aware he was short of money. a)ceased retired about 10 20 on Wednesday night. Prior to this Um-) he had talkad with witness but he did not then think he was strange. About 440 the next morning his dauglit'r Mary Ann knocked witness up. When he wok) he rose up on his elbow ac,d SAW Fox lying on the broad of his back on the fl or. He went over to him and noticed his right arm was covered with bloo.l. There was a wound in his neck, and the blood was flowing from it. Upon looking round he espied a small pocket knife lying bed& deceased's left arm on the floor. He could not say whether there was any blood on the instrument. Witness ran for Dr. Delaney,and he thought when he went that the man was dead.  The Coroner : Has hs ever attempted to take his life before ? Wltness : According to information I received, he was found on the railway metals some years ago, and I believe be was brought Co the Town Hall.  P.C. Nicholl stated that about 5 a.m on the previous day he was called to 15, Fryer-street. He followed Dr. Delaney into the house, and he found the deceased lying on his back on the floor. Close to ffis left hand was the knife produced. It was stained with blood, Witness knew Jeceased very well, aid had noticed him walking up and down the bottom of the street and rubbing his hands. His conversation, however, was rati•Jnal.  Dr. Delaney stated that he wai called to the house on the previous morning. He got there about the same tima as last witness. He found deceased lying op the floor in a pool of blood, portions of which were clotted. He was quite motionless, blanched, and appeared on a cursory glance to ne dead. Witness had him transferred to the bed, and found that life was not extinct. lie examined the wousd, which was partially filled with clotted blood. He sewed the wound tip. It was about an inch ia depth and about 1-1 inches in length. It did not interfere with the cartilage of the throat,as deceased took without difficulty some hold. He saw him later in the afternoon when he seemed to be better, although there were signs of inflammation and swelling. Ho called in the evening, when the man had passel away. Death was due to exhaustion following loss of blood.  The Coroner: From the direction of the wound are you of opinion that it was self-iofilctcd ? •IWitne3s: Yes. There was a smillor wound about an inch further up the neck, as though there had been a second attempt. Mr. Yates: Have you any idea as to his state of mind?  Witness: I have been informed that he was strange in his mind. Drink would affect it. Sergeant Gregory statPi that he had known deceased for the last nine years. Three years ago be was brought up for having attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. He was let off on promising not to repeat the offence. He was a very vspectable, hardworking man, except when he took drink- He had broken off the drink, and that he believed had affected him.  The Coroner thought there was no doubt that the man did cut his throat. It seemed that he had previously attempted buici In, but there was no direct evidence as to the condition of his mind on the present occasion. The jury returned a verdict that the man committed suicide whilst temp Jrarily insane.  RE-