The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-01-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

INQUEST.  The Liverpool City Coroner (Mr. T. E. Sampson), held an inquest on the body on Wednesday. Mr. John Charles Faber, deceased's partner, said that Mr. Alexander was a fairly healthy man and generally steady in his habits. He was, however, occasionally eccentric and erratic. Some years ago he complained of sleeplessness, but witness thought that did not continue. There had been sonic family trouble, and deceased and his I wife accordingly separated in June last. This seemed to trouble him, particularly during Christmas time. Witness never thought deceased would do authing to himself, as he never showed suicidal tendencies. and there was no business trouble. On Monday morning deceased arrived at the office a little later than usual, and said he had met with an accident on Saturday evening. He said that while walking at the bottom I of James-street with his hands in his pockets he slipped and fell on the kerb, injuring his temple. He complained of shock. In the evening deceased asked him to go and dine with him, but witness asked to be excused. Deceased theu opened a drawer in the table . and went to the lavatory. bul soon returned. Witness then went from the private office to the general office, and soon after he heard a report of firearms from the private office. On going there he found deceased bleeding from a wound in the forehead. He was conveyed to the Northern Hospital, where he was pronounced to be dead. Mr. Alexander had told witness that he had a revolver, which he had carried with him when at sea. In reply to the Coroner, wituebs said he did not think deceased bad been drinking more than usual on Monday. William Harold Barnett, office boy in the employ of the firm, corroborated. Philip H. Adams, corn merchant, residing at Penkett-road, Liscard, said he had known deceased eleven or twelve years. He was a healthy man, and of fairly steady habits. He was also of a cheerful disposition, but very sensitive. Since his separation from his we he had been living at witness's house. At first he was greatly depressed over the separation, but be seemed to recover a little. At Christmas, however, he felt it very keenly. He was very fond of his child and the child was living with its mother. Witness saw deceased at 9-30 last Saturday night. His face was injured, and he complained of pain as the result of falling off the kerbstone. Be passed -a sleepless night on Saturday, and on Monday morning when he left to go to the office he seemed rather depressed. Deceased's early life was spent at sea, and he then carried a revolver. Mr. Arthur Priestly, deceased's brotherin-law, said deceased was addicted to drink, and was in the habit of taking drugs. He was also subject to hallucinations, and at times was very excited, which mused his wife to leave him. Witness had not seen him for three years. Police-oonstable 96A said that when be saw the deceased in his private office he was gripping the revolver with his hand. The :ivearn had five chambers loaded and one iseDr. Jobn.ston, of the Northern Hospital, deposed that the cause of death was a pinshot in the forehead. Witness thought the fall was one of the helping causes of the condition. The jury returned a verdict that deceased had committed suicide during temporary insanity. THE FUNERAL  'Sepattrou, no algid leo; hill Cemetery, Birkenhead. The service in the chapel and at the graveside /Pus conducted by the Rev. E. P. Dario', curate of St. Anne's, Birkenhead. The mourners were Messrs. A. V. Priestley (brother-in-law), J. C. laver (rtner), L. MorrinoY. IL Speers, C. C. Robin, E. Rudolph, 8.. Palmer, P. 11. Adams, B. Adams, R. T. Cum hey, G. Evans, T. J. Raters, B. Marcroft, J. Stewart, T. R. Hayworth, Arthur 1). Doming, and Newman Choseld. Several beautiful floral tributee were placed upon the °Wan.  Look in at Glasaere for dm ,it Tele* in' rad kroistsmA,  KENSINGTON HOUSE AND CLAUGHTON COLLEGE