The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1874-01-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE SUICIDE OF MR. JOHN PARKES.—An inquest was held at the Angel Inn, on Saturday, before Mr. M. Corbet, Deputy Coroner, on the body of John Parkes, aged 35, Witcher, of Coventry Street. —John Sewell, grocer's assistant, said he knew the deceased, who had been in business in Coventry Street. Ile came into the shop Thursday morning and began talking about a wedding which had taken place the day before. There was something peculiar in his manner which witness noticed, and which he had never seen before, Parkes, after talking a little tine, darted out of the shop suddenly.—Henry Powell, butcher, said he knew the deceased. Witness went to grind some knives on deceased's grindstones a little before ten on Thursday morning. The grindstone was in the brewhouse, and he found the door locked, and the key Witness looked throogh a window and saw deceased hanging. Ile raised an alarm, and the door was forced open. Deceased was cut down, and he appeared to be quite dead. He had never noticed anything peculiar in deceased's manner—Solomon Walters, carter, said he went to deceased's brewhouse on Thursday morning, and burst the door open. He saw the deee sued hanging by a rope from a hook in the ceiling. Witness held him up, while someone cut the rope—Mr. A. Freer, surgeon, said he was fetched to deceased about 10 o'clock on New Year's morning. He was quite dead, but warns, and appeared to have been dead half an hour. There were marks on the neck, and death appeard to have taken place from strang,nlation.—A brother of the deceased said his manner had been peculiar latley, and he attributed to his drinking to much.— By a Juryman : He had never heard from deceased that lie had received a letter from a solicitor on behalf of a lady. but he had heed told so by others.— A Juryman said he did not believe deceased des. troyed his life from drink.—The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."  Mr. Hickman withdrew his motion, paying, at the same time. a high compliment to Mr. North. It was then unanimously resolvee to appoint Mr. North vice-chairman. Mr. Hadley thanked Mr. Hickman and Mr. Mingley for withdrawing the proposition. Mr. Hickman said it seemed to him that their Board would be distinguished over all the other Boards in the district fo.l its extreme moderation. He knew no Board in whi the majority had not appointed officers from its own numbers. The majority on that Board having begun by appointing one of the minority as vice chairman, were entitled to some credi. for moderation and good feeling. The Chairman said the next business was the appointment of clerk. They were in tie offices of the Rowley Regis Local Board, and it was a very central position for a Board-room. Mr. Arthar Wright. of Oldbury, wits clerk to the Local Board, and the room was really in his hands, and he (the Chairman) thought they could obtain his services more reasonably than any other clerk, because the work would run together very well Mr. Hickman proposed that Mr. Wright be appointed clerk to the School Board for the ensiling twelve months. at a ealary of .160 per year. This was seconded by Mr. Lewis, and carried unanimously, The Chairman said the next business wall lippOintlllellt of treasurer. They had received a communication from Mr. Walker, the manager of the Cradley Heath Branch of the Dudley and West Bromwich Bank, offering lots services as treasurer to the Board. Ile (the Chairman) thought it would better to have their banking account at the Local Bank.  Mr. Hingley proposed that Mr. Henry Origin Walker he appointer' treasurer to the Board It a salary of 1:10 per year. This was seconded by Mr. Hadley, and carried. '  After some desultory corversation, it WM moved by Mr. Penn, seconded by Mr. Lewis, and carried. That the School Board hold their meetings in the room of the Local Board, and that the rent of the room be increased io £OO, the School Beard paving £lO, being £2 aa an acknowledgment to the Local -Board for the use of the room ; and that the next meeting be held on the 2cd of February, at twelve o'clock' A vote of thanks to Mr. Allen for the services he had rendered the Board closed the proceedings.