Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1903-04-09 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

SUICIDE AT COLNE.  "LIKE FIGHTING MAC."  At the Red Lion Hotel on Friday, Mr. Coroner Robinson held an inquest on the body of John Wormwell, a tabourer, aged 40, of Ruck-street, Cane, whose death, result ' in.,' from self-adntinistered poison, was recorded in our last issue. The mother of the, deceased, Margaret Dickinson, said he had been out of work for some time and had five' children dependent upon him. He came home on M ednesday the worse for drink, and witness scolded him for his conduct. He said the drink had cost him nothing; and the witness said that it would be better if those who gave him drink would give him instead the money it cost. She could not help him any more; she had done what Ow could for him, and she could do as she had done no longer as she had an invalid husband to keep. Deceased said, -Well, you needn't trouble about me. mother, I can do 'Fighting Mac.' on it." Witness said, "Get away with you, you'll do nothing of the kind." He then left her and she saw him about 20 minutes after in Dent-square. She was with her daughter, and deceased said, "Now, Elizabeth Ann, I have done it; I have taken one lot and I am going for more." The Coroner: Did be say what he had taken?  The witness: Yes, laudanum. Witness, continuing, said she told the deceased's daughter to foLlow him and if he went into a druggist's shop she was to tell them not to serve him. Witness did not at that time believe that he had taken any poison. The little girl came back and told witness that deceased was in a druggist's shop, but that there were a lot of people in. Witness then sent her daughter-in-law after him, and he came out of the shop. She returned and said she thought he had got some drug. Witness saw no more of deceased till they had got a doctor to him, and they were trying to keep him alive. She was very much obliged to everyone for their kindness to them. They tried their best to save his life but he died about half-past six the next night. She went to two chemists' shops and found that he had bought an ounce of laudanum at Hirst'..., and three pennyworth at Wilkinson's. He had not been in the habit of taking laudanum before. He I had only taken drink occasionally, and had not neglected his home. He had been out of work and of course could not take money home when he could not earn it.  Jane Boyes, the wife of Benjamin Hayes, of 16, Buck-street, said that shortly after 'seven o'clock on Wednesday evening she saw the deceased going down the streets past her house. She was standing at the door. He held up a bottle and said, You see this bottle, Jane?" Witness said, -Yes, what is it ?" He said, "It is laudanum." Witness said, "Where did you get it ?" He replied, *At Hirst's." Witness said, "Let me look at it." He replied, "No," and thereupon drank it and threw the bottle on the floor, and smashed, it. Witness tried her best to stop him but could not. Wormwell said, "I have taken one fourpennyworth and this is another. If that don't do I will swim across the reservoir." Witness followed deceased to his home and asked him to try to get the laudanum back, but he would not. He said, -If I had another fourpence I would try another dose. I am a strong man and it is not going to touch me." Witness then left the house and when she returned the man was in,en.sible.  P.C. Symon said that at about 20 past eight on Wednesday night he saw the deceased at his house at 14, Buck-street. Two doctors were present Drs. Dickie and Lovett—and there were also two policemen with the deceased. They were trying to keep him awake by slapping him wet towels. They also walked him about the house and took him outside and walked him up and down the street. All the usual remedies for Ilaudanum poisoning were tried. Dr. Lovett sent witness to borrow a galvanic battery, and gave deceased several shocks with it. Witness had been round to the chemists. Mr. Himt said he went there between six land seven o'clock and bought an ounce of 'laudanum. He said he wanted it to rub his leg with. He al.° went to Mr. Wilkinson's and found deceased had got six drachms in a small bottle, tellimg him the same tale. Deceased had had a broken leg about twelve months ago. The Coroner said there was no doubt about it that deceased died from laudanum poisoning, and that he had taken the drug with the purpose of killing himself. The only question was whether the jury thought he was responAble for his action, or whether from drink or otherwise he was of unsound mind.  Th.,, jury agreed on a verdict of -Suicide during temporary imanity."