The Miner and Workman's Advocate. — 1864-04-30 (London, England)

SUICIDE THROUGH LOVE AT BOLTON.  An inquest was held on Monday afternoon, at Bolton, before Mr. J. Taylor, into the cause of death of Hannah Hulme, aged 25, a domestic servant in the employ of Mr. Hebden, cotton spinner, the Holleys, Chorley Old road, Bolton. It appeared that a young man, named Metcalfe, residing at Stanley street, Cheetharn, Manchester, had been paying his addresses to the deceased for the last eight months, as a single man, although it is not yet twelve months since he was married. His wife was in the court during the investigation, with an infant in her arms. Metcalfe was also in attendance. A large package of letters was handed to the Coroner and jury, which had been found in the box of the deceased, dated from Manchester, commencing "My dear Hannah," couched in the most affectionate terms, and signed, "Your lover, Will." The letters extended over a period from the beginning of November last to the 19th of the present month. In some of the letters he said that he "loved her fondly ;" that they had "spent many happy evenings together ;" and expressed anxiety that she would return to Manchester, so that he might see her oftener." In others he described her as his "dear angel," and in several made allusions to "the days when we shall be one, and shall be happy together." A letter was also found in the handwriting of deceased on the floor of her bedroom, enclosed in an envelope, addressed "Mr. W. Metcalfe, L. Sz, N. W. Railway Company, Liverpool road, Manchester," the handwriting on the address being that of the person to whom it was addressed. The contents were as follow : "Dear Will,—You are the cause of the bitter cup. Think of my words, what I told you many times, that I no more can be happy again. Good bye, dear William Met calf e„ Kiss." A hymn book was also found in the room with a leaf turned down, a niece of blue ribbon between the pages, and a number of -envelopes addressed in the same handwriting, and similar to the one enclosing the last note from deceased to Metcalfe. From the evidence of Mr. Hebden it appeared that Metcalfe had been allowed to visit deceased as her "follower," having been represented by her to be a very respectable man. He came over from Manchester to see her always on the Saturday night. He was there on Saturday night last, leaving about half-past nine o'clock, and the deceased was found dead in bed next morning. A pint jug was found under the bed, containing a strong decoction of aconite, commonly known as monkshood. This is a most deadly poison, and is grown in the garden of Mr. Hebden. William Metcalfe was then sworn. He admitted the facts as already stated, and said he had been acquainted with the deceased about eight months. On Saturday night he had no quarrel with her, gave her no medicine, and knew nothing of that found in the jug. She had known a little more than a month that he was a married man. She found it out herself. He had reason to believe she was pregnant. When he left her she did not appear in low spirits; she did so about half an hour previous. The jury found, "That deceased destroyed herself by drinking an infusion of aconite whilst in a state of unsound mind." At the request of the jury, Metcalfe was called in and admonished by the Coroner, who said he was a great scoundrel.—Metcalfe admitted the truth of the Coroner's remarks. 

Article type: Incident