The Telegram. — 1895-06-25 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

SAD END.—On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. C. G. Nantes, district coroner, held an inquest a* the Five Bells Inn, on the body of Sidnee Langley, aged 32, of H.M.S. Blake. The jiry, of whew Mr. J. H. Eivene was chosen foreman, having viewed the body, the following evidenre was adduced :—William Langley deposed that the deceased was his brother, and was an able seaman on board H.M.S. Blake. He was on leave, brt had only been home three days, he having spent a fortnight in London. Witness had not let, him at all during the three days he was at home. Deceased had delirium tremens, and be was 60 bad that on Sunday witness sent for Dr. Clibborn, who was treating him for it. He had had no drink since his return home, but had been drinking heavily whilst in London, and had a letter toiii there to that effect. He had required conetent watching whilst at honie, and during the previon. night witness had had Samuel Forsey to stay wits him alto. Samuel Forsey left at about a quarter past six, and five minutes later deceased got up, started like a deer, and ran. Witness followed, and the deeeased came up from Perry Lane into South Street, through Mr. Hardy's passage, and then went down the yard and jumped over the well, which was a drop of about Rfr. Witness followed, and went all round Bothen he thinking the deceased had gone there, as he did the same thing the previous evening. Not finding him, witness acquainted the police anti Dr. Clibborn. The next he waa told was ;ha:: deceased's cap had been picked up by the river at South Mill Lane. Witness went to the Marke. Howie and saw P.C. Arnold, who accompanied him to South Mill Lane. They saw Mr. Honnsell, of South Mill, who drew off the water, miud eventually the body of deceased was found, and brought to the bank opposite, witness identifyiny it as that of his brother.—Win. Loveless gave dence as to being the first who saw the bod, and as to helping to get it oar. He saw the previous witness fo/low,n;:the deceased the previous morning.—P.C. Arnold said he searched the clothing of deceased and founo £2 in gold and 6s 7cl in silver and bronze on him. In his cap, which was found on the bank, were a pipe and the address of some-one in London.— Mary Saniways proved finding the cap in South Mill Lane, just over the rails enclosing the river. On the advice of Annie Kenway she took the cap to the Police-station.— Dr. Clibborn, M.D., surgeon to the Adminilty, deposed that lie was called to see Sidney Langley, who wore the uniform of the Navy, but he had no means of identification, as he had lost his leave ticket. Deceased was suffering from delirivis tremens. Witness prescribed for him, and at once telegraphed to the Admiralty at Portsmouth and secured hie identification, lie saw him again after, and told his brother that he must get someone betides himself to stay with him. The brother came to witness that morning and told him that deceased had broken loose. Witness told him to go to the police and tell them to come to him at once, and Sergt. Shields came almost immediately. About a quarter past one he was called in and saw the dead body of amen whom he identified as Sidney Langley. He was in such a state that be was quite unaccountable for his actions.—The coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict that deceased cronniitted suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.