The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1883-06-01 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SUICIDE.—On Tuesday a most melancholy case of suicide by hangine: was perpetrated by a native of Swanage, Isaac Collins, and brother to John Collins, who committed suicide by hanging on the same date (May 29th) a twelvemonth ago, the date also of the Corfe Castle murder. He was seen by some children, who went to play in a stable at the quarry, hanging, and they gave an alarm, and some quarrymen who were close at hand quickly cut him down, but life was found to be extinct.—The inquest was held upon the body of Isaac Collins by the coroner of Wareham and Isle of Purbeck on Wednesday afternoon, the jury being Messrs. Hillier, J. Moss. Tatchell, Millward, Baum, J. Parsons, R. Hardy, J. Dorey. L. Bower, J. Burt, J. Beavis, and Sergeant Hooke. Me. Hillier being chosen fireman.—The firzt witneee called was John Tomes, a quarryman, who said : I knew Isaac Collins, and last saw him alive on Tuesday morning, just before seven o'clock. He came through the quarry where I was at work. He said to me "Holloa ! is that you?" I said "Yes, are you going to work?" He said "So far as Ido know." He made some remarks about the weather and passed on. I have known him all his life, but never saw anything peculiar abont him.—James Brown, of Herston, last saw the deceased alive about half-past ten on the morning in question, going into a disused quarry, about 100 yards from his own, but was not nearenough to speak to him.—A. little girl of nine years of age, but not knowing the nature of a oath, WM not sworn, said she with another little girl was going to play in an old stable by the qnarries, went and pushed open the door and saw a bedy hanging, but did not know it. She then ran and gave an alarm.—Walter Brown, quarryman. of Swanage, sail: I was the first after the children that went in. About quarter-past 12 my sister came and told me there was a man hanging the stable. I was working about 20 yards from the place. I went in the stable and saw the dmeaaed hanging to a rafter. I took out my knife and caught hold of him by the arm, cut the cord, and laid him down on the ground. To reach the rafter he had placed a pile of stone about two feet under his feet. and when pushed away would be about seven inches from the ground. His mouth mei very dark, and his eye; closed. I last saw him alive in Tillywhim Quarry on Saturday night; he was then reading a paper. We came rented by Terlesten Bay tozether. He said nothing to lead me to think he was not right in his mind. I have known him this 20 years, and also his brother. If any ole had asked me I should have said he was not insane.—Elizabeth Susan Collins, daughter of deeeased, said : I last saw my father alive on Monday evening when he came home from his work at half past seven. He had his tea and eat down for a while, and then went te bed. I did not see him alive again; did not hear him leave Vie house in the morning. When I got up he was cone; he has been very low quite Melee hut was not generally so. Have heard . him remark about his brother; he mentioned it to me. and asked, "Do you remember what happened on Whit. Monday last year ?" He ha I bean more quiet and reserved than usual for the last fortnight. I think he had sheave had his brother on his mind. He was often in drink, bit very quiet—Mr. H. W. Burt, stone-merchant. of Swanage, said: I have known the deceased and all the family for the last 40 years ; his state of mind, in my opinion, had a tendency to insanity. His father was not, hut his aunt hung herself, and her son, also a cousin and a niece, had been to the asylum. His brother attempted suicide by hanging, but was cut down. Isaac of late had been very desponding, and he (Mr. Burt) thought the man had had family troubles, &c.—After a short consultaVon, the jury found a verdict of "Temporary lusanity."