Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1885-05-16 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

TRAGIC STORY.  An inquest has been held at the Middlesex Hospital by Dr. George Danford Thomas, coroner for Central Middlesex, on the body of a man named George Tamplain, aged thirty-three, a joiner and trunk-maker, lately living at 87, Church-street, Marylebone, who committed suicide in a most tragic manner, owing, it was stated, to his brother having threatened to murder him. The case is a very sad one, and created great indignation among the jurymen, who were unanimous in stating that the brother was morally responsible for the death of the deceased. From the evidence of the widow, who carried a young baby in her arms, and who said that she had three more children at home, it appeared that the deceased was a very sober and industrious man, but that he was constantly persecuted and worried by his brother for money. A few days ago one of the brothers came to him and quarrelled with him, and finally threatened to take his life that night or the next morning. The de- I ceased believed that the brother would carry out his threat, and he accordingly applied at the policestation for protection. The police, however, refused to arrest the brother, but promised that a man would be stationed near his house the next morning, to see that he would be allowed to go to work unmolested. He went to work next day, but while at work his other brother quarrelled with him, and he was compelled to return home early, and because of this he determined to resign his situation. His employer would not accept his resignation, however, but dismissed the brother, and deceased then resumed work. When he returned home at night he seemed to be much depressed, and went to bed early. As he was going to bed he took the baby in his arms, and kissing it, said," Kiss me, kiss me, little mite ; you may never sec your poor father alive again ; his brother will kill him." Witness went to bed shortly after, and was awakened next morning by hearing the deceased open the door to go out. She called out to him to wait for his breakfast, but he would not, and ran down the stairs shouting, "Good bye ! good bye!" Witness became alarmed, and on rising discovered that he had not put on either drawers, stockings, or collar, and she at once sent these things after him to the workshop, but before her messenger returned she received word that he was in the hospital. Two fellow-workmen, named respectively Spooner and Goddard, deposed that the deceased came to the workshop earlier than usual, and directed one of the boys to bring him a bowl. On receiving the bowl he procured the oxalic acid and put some of it in the bowl and went to the front shop to mix it. Witnesses did not pay any attention to him, as they use oxalic acid in their business, and they thought he was merely preparing it for some job in hand. In about half an hour he returned from the front shop, and standing in the presence of witnesses cried out, " Good-bye, mates," raised the bowl to his lips, and drank off a large quantity before it was struck from his hand by Spooner. Be became insensible immediately, and a doctor was sent for, but, as he did not arrive in ten minutes, deceased was carried to the Middlesex Hospital. Dr. Farren, the house surgeon, deposed that the deceased was dead by the time he had reached the hospital. A post-mortem examination was since made of his body, and it was found that he had drunk a sufficient quantity to cause instant death. The foreman of the jury, at the request of his fellowjurors, called the attention of those present to the fact that it was a fortunate thing for the brother that the deceased had been seen to take the poison, for, were it otherwise, the brother would have been most deservedly open to very grave charges. They otherwise expressed abhorrence at the conduct of the brother, who, it was elicited, was a dissolute and, thriftless character. The coroner in summing up dwelt at some length on the evidence, and the jury, after much discussion, returned the following verdict "That the deceased was found dead, and died from the mortal effects of oxalic acid, taken while in a state of unsound mind produced by terror consequent on the repeated annoyances and threats of his brother."  AN inquest has been held at Liverpool on the body of the convict O'Hare, who within a week of being sentenced to penal servitude for ten years by Mr. Justice Smith, committed suicide in Walton Gaol. The convict was a surgeon, and by means of threats of a libellous character endeavoured to obtain money from a lady at present residing near Liverpool. By means of shreds of a sheet, which he attached to a bell-pull above five feet from the ground, he hung himself. Four previous attempts to commit suicide had been frustrated. SARAH HANLEY, 22 years old, the other day attempted suicide by jumping from Clifton Suspension Bridge. Several people who saw her fall expected to see her dashed to pieces; but she marvellously escaped death by falling feet downwards on the muddy bank, down which she slid. She was conscious when picked up, and gave her name and address. She was taken to the infirmary, where it was found no bones were broken, although she, was terribly shaken. The attempt was made through a lover's quarrel. The height of the bridge above low water is 250 feet. AT Dudley a coroner's jury have returned a verdict of " Manslaughter " against Enoch Careless, an engine. tender, for allowing the plates of a boiler to become overheated, and so causing an explosion, whereby David Crowe, a fireman, was killed. Careless Is reported to be now In America.