Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-08-31 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SALISBURY,  END OF A DRUNKARD.—OR Friday the deputycoroner held an inquest on the bo ly of Ruth Whitlock, 54, who had cuntnitted suicide. The evidence showed that the deceased was a married woman, had only just b3en liberated from Winchester Ga and that she had been brought before the Salisbury magintratee, chiefly for drunkenness, about 40 time,. She and hsr husband led a miserable life, and in the end she cut her throat. The verdict of the jury was "Suicide from temporary insanity." WATER V. ALCOHOL.-013 Friday, on the ground of Mr. George Melsome, B -acou-hill, Amesboly, commenced a singular match for £5, lasting all day iu unusually hot weather. Toe contest, which was under the auspices of the Church of England Temperance Society, was the result of a bet at a public meeting at Salisbury, and was between Mr. Terrell, a Wiltshire farmer, who challenged his opponent, Mr. Abbey, an Oxfordshire farmer and lecturer for the society. The issue was who would do the most work in the harvest field. the former on beer and the latter on water only. Fifteen acres to each pitcher were 'warded. Mr. Terrell fram the first held a very considerable lead. and at four o'clock the ground cleared be him was 151. 3r. 16p., and Mr. Abbey Ma. 3r. The match created great interest in the county, and Mr. Terrell was warmly congratulated by his friends. The 3altslntry Journal gives the following interesting details of the singular contest :—Mr. Abbey wished the contest to be f. r a week, and for himself to be allowed to take any non-intoxicating drinks, especially oatmeal drink, which he strongly recommended for  hay and harvest work, but Mr. Terrill desired the conteat not to extend beyond a day, and ale, wished Mr. Abbey po have nu drink except water. Mr. Abbey accepted these terms, and the c rated (which was at pitching wheat) took place yesterday on a piece of laud over 40 acres in exteot, at Bulferd, lent by Mr. Georee Melsome. It may be here mentioned that Mr. Terrill is taller than Mr. Abbey, but, on the other hand, he is older by eh iut 13 years. Before the match was begun each of the parties deposited £5 with Mr. Melsome, the winner's money to be retnrned to him and that of the loser to be given to theßalisbnry Infirmary. Work began at four minutes past seven and from the commencement M. Terrill took the lead, which he maintained to the end. At four o'clock he had cleared 151. 3r. 16p., that cleared by Mr. Abbey being 14a. Or. 13p. Therefore, at that time Mr. Terrill was nearly two acres ahead. After four, however, Mr. Abbey gained steadily, continuing to do so to the finish, when he was only 3-. 21p. behind, having gained s nnething like an acre in about three hones and a quarter. They finished at 7.15, the whole of the bra having beep cleared, The quantity Ditched by Mr. Terrill was 20a. 2r. 7p., and that of MI.. Abbey 19a. 2. 26p. It appears that a min who Cleves 12 or 12 acres in a day is considered to have done a good day's work. After the contest Mr. Terrill end Mr. Abbey shook hands in a mo 4 cot dial manner, and eaell proposed cheers for the other. Mr. Abbey made a short speech, in which he thanked Mr. Melsome for the excellent manner in which he had arranged everything, and for his kindness in granting the use ~f the ground, and el included by cuing three cheers fer him, which were ee trtily accorded. Me Abbey et steel he lea I not dme a day's h rd trt moat labour , for 20 years, rind We unetrstand that Me, Terri 1 has not done similar work for four Years. Teeter was i. large number of pc sons on the ground to witness the coatest, which, it is exp:cted, will be followed by others. 

Article type: Incident