The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1872-06-01 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE.--On Sunday night last a young woman named Mary Winuall, residing at Clatter Batch, committed suicide by taking a quantity of " Battle's Vermin Killer." It apposite that she had been to Clent with her young man. On returning homa she went to Mr. Hughes's, chemist, and bought a packet of " vermin killer," went home and took a portion of it, and died in a short time after. Two medical gentlemen were called in, but their services were of no avail.—The inquest was held on the body on Thursday, at Mr. Baker's, " All Hands to the Pump," before R. Docker. Esq., Coroner. The 111.0, witness called Wes EBTACTII Winnall, who deposed: I ain mother of deceased. She is IS years old, anl lived at home. She was formerly a servant, but has been at home for throe week;. After dinner on Sunday my daughter went from home, and returned at half-past nine. When she came in, I went out with Mrs. Sorrell for a few minutes, leaving my husband aud two daughters. On returning home in a few minutes I told my daughter to get her supper, and she began to eat some seed cake, and was taken ill shortly after. Mr. Birt, surgeon, was sent for, and came at once, and also another surgeon. She screamed and knocked about, and died about half-past ten o'clock. George Birt, M.R.C.S.. said : I was called to see the deceased a little before eleven o'clock. Found her in spasms, as if suffering from strychnine poison. Tried restoratives, but they proved of no avail. Have since analysed the powder produced, and found strychnine in the powder, and it contained sufficient to cause death. Deceased's death was caused by strychnine.—G. Darrell, assistant to Mr. Hughes, chemist, said they sell at the shop a powder called " Vermin Killer." On Sunday night the deceased came to the shop from halfpast nine to ten, and asked for a packet of "Battle's Vermin Killer." Sold her a sixpenny packet. Deceased was quite collected, and not at all excited. The word." poison" was on the outside packet.—Thomas Gilbert, of Beauty Bank, said he knew the deceased. First saw her about half-past two o'clock, in company with George Willington, and went together to Clent. Came back to Hagley at Tompkins's, and when the second pint of ale was had in deceased said, "Come on, George, let's go home," and left, and witness followed her and walked to Stourbridge with her. When at Coventry-street she said to him, " Tom, you had better go home now ; your mother will wonder where you are." Witness watched her into Hughes's shop, and afterwards walked home with her. On parting with her she said "George will never see me again alive, for I shall be in my coffin soon." Witness could not give any evidence as to the reason she did it. She had no quarrel with her young man while out.—George Willington, engineer, living in Coventry•street, said: I have kept company with deceased for more than two years. When on Clent Hills deceased looked queer. I told her to put her sulky looks off till I had got to bed. She left me at Hagley, and I did not see her till she got home. She has asked me to marry her. She was not pregnant. Her temper at times was very bad.—Police.sergeant Jones proved finding a portion of the :poison and labels near the night-closet.—The father was called, and said he could not account for the act. She had had nothing to put her about. She was of a queer temper.—After a short consultation, the Jury found that "Deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."  resigned.  district,  I===ll Stour "_