The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1882-01-07 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF A PRISONER AT THE  POLICE STATION. A prisoner named William Cook (50), miner, of the Lye- committed suicide on Sunday morning, at the Police Station. Cook had been arrested on Saturday on a charge of fraud, at the instance of Abeam Jos. King and Co., Netherend. His work ccesiated of getting clay, for which he was paid so much a ton, and the -allegation against him was that faise returns had been made of the quantity of clay got, and that he thus had obtained payments beyond what he was entitled to. When brought to the police station he cried, and was much put abut by the charge against him, protesting that he was innocent. He was placed in an upper cell at the police station, and was visited sevetal times during the night by successive police-ollisers. Police.constable 51..)0re last saw him alive at 4.30 on Sunday morning, but two prisoners in a cell below lreatd him pacing about till just before day. light. Police-constable Hancocks went to the cell at eight o'clock, and then found-prisoner hanging from the grating of the cell-door by his silk neckerchief. He at once called Sergeant Herman, and they cut him down, Tbe;body was warm, and Dr. Bayley, who was sent for, considered he had been dead nearly an hour. Cook, to effect his purpose, had to kneel on the floor, and his knees were touching the ground when Police-constable Hancocks found him. Deceased was a married man, with a family. . _ _ _  An-inquest was held on the body on Tuesday last, at; Mr. H. Rowcliffe's, the Chequers Inn, before R. Dccker, Req., coroner. Police-constable James Ilancocks was the first witness called, wbo stated that about twelve o'clock at night he went to the cal, and found the prisoner was not in bed as he should have been The prisoner was sitting by the side of the bed, and he (witness) asked him if he was all right, to which he replied yes. He visited the cell again about ten minutes past eight the next morning, and on looking through the grating door saw the prisoner's face hanging near the door by his neckerchief, which was tied round one of the bars of the grating. He at once fetched Police-sergeant Herman. They both pushed open the door, and as they did so the body went with it. They found his knees were on the floor, and they at once cut him down and fetched Dr. Bayley. Police-constable Moore said he visited the deccased's cell at 4.30 and saw the prisoner who was then lying on the bed, covered over with a rug. He (witness) asked him if he was all right and he answered yes. He did not see him again until ten o'clock.  Benjamin Cook, son of the deceased, said he lived at Shepherd's Brook, near to his father, and worked with him at Messrs. J. King and Co. Some twelve months ago he (deceased) had a blow on the head, and at times he would get excited. During the Inst month he got so excited that he could not o down the pit. and he (witness) had to go for him On Wednesday he came home very quiet but all at once became very excited and threatened to kill his mother and sister. He was a good father when he was all _ _  Police-conitable Oakey said he apprehended the •leeeased cn Saturday, and charged him with stealing the Eum of 10s., the property of Jos. King and Co. He (deceased) abked to speak to Mr. Bird , a clerk, who told him that he had been inducing some toys to put down more tubs ot clay than he had accounted for. There was nothing in his conduct to show that he did not know what he was doing. The Coroner then summed up and the jury returned a verdict of 'Committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."  A. recett writer in our kcal papers has wisely observed that " one of the follies of the age is to buy dear Wines and Spirits." Another folly is to suppr,se that 1-nyieg from those who make the largest return of duty is buying them in the cheapest market. The Merchant who pays duty upon thousands of gallons, pep in exact propornto the retailer clearing a single cakk. a greet profit must be gained to Cover enormous expeuses urge business premises, vest a advertising, and AA ellewanee„ cf profit to the Agent, greater in many instances than taken by the respectable Merchant. To buy cheep is to buy where but One; piotie is made, awl we cannot better illustrate our argument than by pointing out the way in which our townsmen, Messrs J. Rutland and Son, cf High Street, have opened up the trade. We have no h.aifation in saying that 2.7. per cent. ia now saved by their bringing the producer and the consumer together, over the prices paid a few yews ago, and a trial willfully bear out our assertion. Dudley Herald, December 24th, 1880, STRIKE cP