Widnes Examiner. — 1888-08-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SHOCKING SUICIDE IN PRISON AT WARRINGTON.  Some sensation was caused in Warrington, on Wednesday evening, by the circulatian of a report, that a young woman, while in custody at the Borough police station on a charge of felony, had committed suicide by hanging herself.. On inquiry being made at tlie police station it was found to be only too true that a female prisoner had taken away her life. The mode she adopted was to strangle herself with a couple of pocket handkerchiefs. which she had wound round her neck and then tightened to an almost incredible degree. Deceased, who had given her name as Clara Ellen Kennedy, and was described as a singer, of 41, Orford-St., had been apprehended on a charge of stealing a pair of shoes from the house of Mrs. Heaton, 41, Otford-at., where she lodged. She had not been long on the Bridewell premises, and had only for a very, short time been by herself unobserved, when it was discovered that she had committed the rash deed. The police used their utmost endeavours to restore the unfortunate woman to consciousness, and Dr. Peacock. who lives near at hand, and was at home when his assistance was sent for, was on the spot a few minutes after the occurrence. Their efforts, unfortunately, were futile. Deceased was a Musical Hall artist, and had been engaged at different public-houses in Warrington, where there are singing rooms, and at one time she was engaged at the Theatre Royal in Scotland-road. Her husband is an actor. She was about thirty years of age. The following is the substance of a statement made by Mr. Hunt (the chief constable) in relation to the deplorable affair. Complaint was made to Constable Monoghan on Wednesday morning, at about eleven o'clock, by Mrs Heaton, of 41, Orfordst., that she had missed a pair of boots, her property under rather strange circumstances. Monoghan 'macro-inquiries, and found that the boots had been predged at Mr. Jackson's pawnshop for half-acrown by a person who gave the name of Nellie Rice.. That person turned out to be the lodger of Mrs Heaton. About one o'clock in the afternoon • Cimstabln Monoghan found Clara Ellen Kennedy in the EU public-house, Buttermarket-st., and took her to the police station, where on being charged with having stolen the booth, she replied, "It is quite right." She, was not lOcked up in a cell; but was placed in, the women's day yard. About half an hour afterwards upon someone 'going to see the prisoners about their dinners, -the feet' df a woman were seen on the greund projecting-from the day-house. Inspector Spinks and Police-constable Pace were called, and they found Kennedy Tying on the ground, face downwards, with a silk pocket-handkerchief tied tightly round her throat; and another handkerchief tied round it. They instantly removed the handkerchiefs from the woman's neck, turned her on her back, and used every possible means to restore animation. While this was being done, Dr. Peacock was sent for, but on his arrival it was found that life was extinct. The police have evidence that some few days ago the deceased had used some rather strange expressions as to what might happen during the night. Deceased and her husband had been lodging for seven or-eight weeks in Orford-st., but the husband, who‘iS are actor. had occasion to leave to take an engagement at Wolverhampton. Deceased had since earned her living by singing in different publichouses. She had been engaged at two or three places, her Hist engagement being at the Hop Pole, Horsemarket-et. , At the sitting of the Borough magistrates on Thursday morning, the matter was mentioned to the magistrates in attendance—Major Litton and. Councillor John Greening. On the sheet used for that purpose waa a charge against "Clara Kenned.f.; singer, of 41, Orford-st., for having stolen from the dwelliiig-hoirse of Richard Heaton, 41, Orford-s, one pair of ladies' elastic side boots, of the value of Os, tile property of Ann Heaton." The Chief Constable; after. the Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. B. White)died read over the charge, informed the Bench of the unfortunate occurrence tlpit had taken place,on the day previous, over which, he said, lie thought Oro-police had no control whatever. He then entered into lull particulars of 'the affair, after which the Magistrates Clerk mentioned that Mr. Stringer, .(the . Theatre Royal. Scotland-road, had informed tarn that the deceased was formerly a member-of a Company appearing at that theatre. The.engargement finished about the 15th of last June, and'since then the deceased had had no connection with thetheatre, haying taken temporary engagements.. The Chief Constable said that a person of resp,ctability bad been speaking to him on the question of whether anything could be done to stop singing. and dancing in public - houses in , Warrington. Something more would, perhaps, 'be said on Atria subject afterwarde, but the pollee had no control over these places.-,The Magistrates' Clerk: Unless there is disorderly condixt.—Ma ior Litton : I suppose we cannot do' anything in the matter until there is an Inquest.— The Chief Constable : We can do nothing here, but there was a charge on the books which had to be explained. The next thing will be an inquest,— The. Magistrates' Clerk intimated that if the magistrates desired to refer to anything objectionable at. public-houses in the respect mentioned they could db.so on the annual licensing day.—An entry was then made on the official record to, the effect that the prisoner had been found dead.