The Sun. — 1855-09-18 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL SUICIDE BY A LADY  AT BOOTLE.  Seldom has it fallen to the lot of a journalist to record a more melancholy case of self-destruction, nor one under more painful circumstances, than that which we present to the public this day. No doubt it will be in the recollection of the public that in July Mr. Holdsworth, a gentleman well known and respected, and who held an appointment in the Post-office, met his death by being accidentally drowned whilst bathing at New Brighton. He left a widow and five daughters—the oldest not fifteen, the youngest under three years of age. The shock to Mrs. Holdsworth was so sudden and se vere that her reason became affected, and she has been quite idiotic since that time. With her children she went to reside in the house of her brother, Mr. Knowles (who holds an appointment in the General Post-office), at 7, Lower Mersey-view, Bootle ; and the utmost attention was paid to her by her brother and his children, who cherished great affection for theepoor unhappy lady. Some time ago she bad an attack of paralys; ~ and, one side of her body was, in consequence, seriously affected, and became quite useless. Her mental affliction increased until she seemed to have lost all traces of the world and everything about her. She remained in this lamentable state up to Saturday morning, when she was left alone for about two minutes, and during this brief period she destroyed herself by cutting her throat with a razor. It was a sad and afflicting sight to see the poor little children who, but a couple of months since were blessed with parents, now bereft of both, and left on the world without, comparatively, any provision being made for them. It will be remembered that at the time of Mr. Holdsworth's death a number of merchants and other gentlemen entered into a subscription for the deceased lady and the children, as there was no provision made by the post-office. The matter was placed in the hands of Mr. Bales, superintendent of letter-carriers, and that gentleman, with a degree of zeal that reflects credit on him, prosecuted the affair, as far as his limited time would permit, but as he could not find leisure to call on all who were anxious to subscribe, perhaps the present melancholy occasion will be taken by such gentlemen as wish to assist the poor little orphans. We should be glad to receive any contributions for this laudable nurpose. The borough coroner having been apprised of the melancholy fact, summoned a highly respectable jury, of which Duncan Gibb, Eeq., was foreman, and proceeded to the house of Mr. Knowles, at Bootle, where the body lay. The deceased lady had just entered on her 40th year. The following evidence was given before the jury. Mr. Knowles said--I am brother of the eeceased Elizabeth Holdsworth. She was in a very low desponding state since the death of her husband in July, and bad gradually become worse. Last night she appeared quite unconscious of what she was doing. She had a paralytic stroke about five weeks since, and the use of all ono side wars quite gone. From the manner she worked her anew last night I think she had another stroke. I Went into her bedroom at five o'clock in the morning to bid her good morning, as I invariably did before leaving for the office. She did not appear to know me. I went away at five minutes past five, and when in town I was sent for, and on my return saw her with her throat cat, and quite dead. Miss Agnes Knowles, daughter of the last witness, and niece of the deceased, was examined. She said the deceased did not go to bed at all during the night. I walked the room up to two o'clock with her, and my sister relieved me for the remainder of the night. The deceased was in a desponding state since July, and got worse every day. Since the paralytic attack she did not appear to know where she was, or who were about her. Since last Monday she was quite deranged, and frequently Walked the bed-room all night. About a quarter before seven I went to the door of her room again, and found it locked on the inside. I looked through the keyhole, and then went round and got into the room again through the window. Deceased was lying on the floor, quite dead. I saw two razors with blood on them —one on the floor beside her, and one on the table. Her throat was cut, and she was then dead. My sister had left her about a minute-and-a-half or two minutes, and in that time the deceased must have committed the rash act. The jury said they bad heard quite enough evidence, and at once found for their verdict that the unfortunate lady was out of her mind, and that whilst in that state she had put an end to her life. .Mr. Gibb, the foreman of the jury, asked Mr. Knowles if there was any provision made by the post-office for Mr. Holdsworth ? Mr. Knowles replied there was not. Mr. Gibb--Hoar much had he a-year ? 150/. ; but he had not that always. Mr. Gibb—Then his poor children must have been left quite destitute ; for he could not have saved anything, having to bring up his family, and at the same time support himself in his sphere of life; out'of 1501. a-year. I wish we could make a presentment or representation to the post-office on this point ; but I fear we cannot. The coroner said the people employed about the post-office were the worst paid men on the face of the earth. He instanced a case of a man in this neighbourhood, in Cheshire, who was out winter and summer at half-past four in the morning, and who did not return until 7 or 8 o'clock in the evening, and he was rewarded for this with the munificent sum of Bs. a week. The jury said it was a downright disgrace to the authorities. Mr. Gibb suggested a subscription, and said ho would be happy to promote it for the benefit of the poor little children. Mr. Bales, of the poet-office said, at the time of Mr. Holdsworth's death, a number of merchants and other gentlemen did subscribe, but as he (Mr. Bales) bad not time to wait on many, no doubt more would have been collected for the poor orphans. He was sure, however, that the present melancholy state of the children would not be presented in vain to the ever benevolent people of Liverpool. Mr Gibb said he would at once commence by handing in his subscription. This he did liberally, and his example was followed in the earne-spirit by Mr. Hornby, Mr. IDunsford, and Mr. Young (jurors). The proceedings then terminated, .00111 Thllo.