Widnes Examiner. — 1899-06-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES' CLERK.  At the Runcorn Petty Sessions on Monday the following magistrates assembled to make the appointment of clerk to the Bench. Messrs. Henry Reynolds (chairman), James Handley, A. R. Norrno.n, F. J. Norman, G. L.. Davies, J. Ockleston, S. Taylor, W. Timmins, F. Wiswall, and Dr. Steel. There were a number of applications. On coming into Court, the Chairman said that morning they had assembled to appoint a successor to the late clerk and legal advise to tile Bench (Mr. J. Ashton)and he had to declare they had unanimously appointed Mr. Frank Johnson to the position. He hoped he would live many years to enjoy the post. His marked ability during the last 30 years as deputy clerk had thoroughly proved that be was worthy of the position, and he was sure that would always be so.—Mr. Burt on, solicitor, thought the appointment was in every way one which was warranted by the services Mr. Johnson had rendered, It was an appointment that would have the fullest confidence of tne Court, and those who had husiness there. —Mr. Fletcher said he would like to offer a word of congratulation to Mr. Johnson. He had known him longer than any other professional man practising before the Bench. For over 30 years he had experienced the advantage of his courtesy, and he was sure the Bench would have done the same. They had made a worthy selection in their clerk. THE SUICIDE W IDNp.  At the Adelphi--fi-ot-ei,--W-idnes, on Friiay, Mr. S. Brighouse, coroner, held an inquest touching the death of James Rawlinson, aged 34, 21. Warrington-road, Widnes, who committed suicide on Wednesday by cutting his throat with a razor.—Elizabeth Rawlinson, wife of deceased, stated her husband was a foreman at the Lancashire Metal Works. On Saturday, 27th May, he sprained his back whilst at his work, and Dr. Hutchineon's assistant attended him. On Tuesday night deceased was very restless while in bed. He got up and went into the back bedroom. Witness went to him and persuaded him to go back to bed. He had the idea that the police were alter him for having neglected his children.—That was a deluslion.—P.S. Williams here stated there were no grounds for deceased's belief.—Mrs. Rawlinson, continuing, said that about 2.30 a.m. she got up to get deceased a cup of tea, and went for her mother-in-law. She stayed with them until 5.40 a.m., and then returned home and sent her daughter, Mrs. Roscoe. Deceased was down stairs then. In about twenty minutes' time he went upstairs. Witness did not follow time until she heard him mcan. She then found him in the back bedroom,lying on his back, lacing the two childm in bed, and trying to cut his throat with a razor. Witness endeavoured to stop him, but could not, and in the attempt got her thumb cut open. Her sister-in-law also tried to stop 'him, but he called them a couple of fools. Witness rushed out for assistance and got George Pope to go upstairs, but when witness jaw her husband again he was dead. Her husband had had the influeuzl, but had never had any delusions before.— George Pope. 19, Ellis3n-street, said that on the day named Mr. Rawlinson's little daughter came running out of the house and said that her "daddy was killing himself." Witness then went into the house and met the mother rushing ouf. She said to witness "ma upstairs Jimmy is cutting his throat." Witness went upstairs, and tried to get the razor away from deceased, but deceased caught bold of his wrist and prevented him, and continued cutting at his throat. Withess endeavoured to stop him bat was unable, as deceased was so vielent.—The Coroner did not think there was any necessity to produce any further evideace,as he thought the case was quite clear. There were only two points for them to consider—did deceased cut his own throat, and was be in a sound state of mini at the time?— Without retiring the jury returned a verdict of" Suicide whilst temporarily insane."