The Express. — 1866-01-05 (London, England)

DIVTRESSINO SUICIDE.  Last evening Mr. John Humphreys, the Middlesex coroner, held an inquiry at the Clarence ' Tavern, Churchstreet, Stoke Newington touching the death of Mr. James Needham' a clerk in the Bank of England, who committed suicide under circumAraces of a very painful character. Mrs. Emma Needham, r lady who was deeply affected while giving her evidence, said that she resided at No. 3, Pere -cottages, Lordship-lane. The deceased was her husband. He was a clerk in the Bank of England. On last Tuesdsy morning he rose at seven o'clock. It was his usual habit to bring witness• cup of coffee before he went out in the morning, and as he did not do so on Tuesday witness called out to him, " You do not mean to go without in seeing .." s she received no answer she got op and went downstairs, and found her husband lying io the outhouse in a pool of blood, with his throat cut. Witness then called a policemen, and a doctor was sent for, but the deoeased was dead. For the last three months the deceased had been very desponding in consequence of having lost 500/.' which he bad lest to a neighbour, and could not get it back, for the party to whom he had lent the money had become destitute. He was not in pecuniary difficulties, and on Monday last be kissed witness, and said to her, " I will put my shoulder to the wheel, and I will have courage, for I am not without 301." He also said, "I hare an nnlet bones on hand, end I will get some of the tradesmen in the neighbourhood to let it." Witness believed that her husband committed the fatal act when he did not know right from wrong. Mr. F. Needham, Myrtle Cottage, Brentwood, said that the deceased was his brother. He was lately in a very low state of ruled. He was so excitable and nervous latterly that witness did not like to call upon him. Witness believed that he was very unhappy at home. Witness did not know whether his wife gave way to intemperance. Mr. James Durant, principal of the New Three per Cents. Office at the Bank of England, said that the de. ceased was superintending clerk in that office. His salary was 3201. a year. On last Monday he received over 201. ; a month's pay. About the middle of last October witness noticed a change in the habits of the deceased. He was suffering from physical excitement to such a degree that witness felt it his duty to report the fact to the Bank authorities, and a doctor then saw him, and gave a certificate that he was not to attend to business for two months, and the governor granted him two mouths' leave of absence. After the expiration of that period he re. turned to his duties, and appeared to be calmer. On Monday last be said that 7004, worth of his own private stuck was nearly gone, and when he was leaving the Bank he said, "I am ruined. It is all op with me. You will not see me much more." The declaration about his being ruined was a delusion, for his situation at the Beak was not in danger. Dr. Edward Thoruley said that he was the medical Atte°. dant of the deceased, and for some time past he had noticed his excitement and depression. Lest week he met witness in the street, and spoke quietly, but ha said, "I fear I shall do myself an injury some day." On Tuesda last witness was called in to see his body. Witness found four large wounds io his throat, one of them a severe gash from left to right. The isjuriea had been self-inflicted. The Coroner having summed up. the jary returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind.  A