The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-07-15 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SUICIDE OF A FAMOUS CRICKETER.  William Sootton, • famous Nottingham cricketer, committed suicide in a most determined manner on Sunday morning. Since his separation from the Nottingham team Sootton had not been doing lunch active play, especially recently, owing to an injured knee-cap, his position at later-day matches being that principally of umpire. The last week in June he went to Mitcham to umpire • match, but one of the teams being short of a man he decided to play in the absent man's place. It was at this match that he injured Richardson'a finger, an incident which troubled Sootton very much. On Tuesday last he proceeded to Clifton, where he umpired it match, and returned to his residence, 91, St. John'swood-terrace, at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon. He appeared in a mentally distressed condition; indeed, he is stated to have boen strange In his manner, recently obtaining a divorce from his wife. About ten o'clock on Friday morning he went out to go to Lord's, but it is stated that he never went there. He returned home at eleven o'clock in the evening, and went to bed, and on Saturday did not get up all day. He appeared to have some trouble on his mind, but gave no indication as to what it was. At a quarter to 12 on Saturday night Mrs. Townsend, his landlady, and her daughter, went into the back parlour, which he occupied as a bedroom with a fish supper. He then appeared to be in better spirits, and said that he thought he could enjoy a good nights rest. No noise was heard throughout the night, but when Mrs. Townsend went into the kitchen, at 20 minutes to on Sunday morning to prepare breakfast, she heard • peculiar choking noise in the deceased's room, but took no notice of it. At half-past 8 Mrs. Townsend as usual knocked at Scotton's door with his breakfast, but receiving no answer she entered. The teem, was a horrible one. Scotton in his mental distress had evidently tossed himself about in his bed throughout the night, and eventually go: out of bed, seized his razor and out the jugular vein. To do this deceased had placed a basin immediately under the window, and in front of the dre 'sing table, and then kneeling beside the bed he, with his left hand (Scotton was a left-handed men) inflicted the wound, about 3in. long on the left-hand side of the throat. The wound was very deep, and the wall and furniture two yards off were saturated with blood. When Dr. Carter, of St. John's-wood-terrace, arrived at a quarter to 9 the body was warm, but death had taken place. Inspector Ross, of the S Division, took charge of the room, and telegraphed to Nottingham, where deceased's friends reoide, and In connection with which county he is well known. Scotton, who was about 37 years of age, leaves a father and other relatives to mourn his lose and general regret will be felt in the cricket world at the removal of one of its familiar figures. Though not a brilliant vioketer, Sootton had done an immense amount of service for the county of his birth. He was, as already stated, a left-handed batsman with fine defence and unvarying patience, and a splendid field. His last appearance for Notte. was in 1890, when he played 20 innings, and had an average of 16.10. He visited Australia as a member of Shaw's team three times viz., in 1881-82, 1884-85, and 1888-87, whilst he also played for England against Australia in the years 1884 and 1886. At the inquest on Tuesday a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was returned.