|
Kentish Independent, 09 September 1865.
SUICIDE OF A WOMAN AT PLUMSTEAD.
On Tuesday last an inquest was held at the "Walmer Castle," Plumstead,
on the body of a woman named Mary Ann Robins, who died on the previous
Saturday, under circumstances which left no doubt that she destroyed her
own life. The following evidence was taken:-
William Thomas Anders, captain of a coasting vessel, residing at 30, Ann
Street, Plumstead, said deceased was 48 years of age. He had known her
for two years, and for the last ten months she had been living with him.
She was a married woman, but he did not know whether her husband was
alive or not. On Thursday morning, at half-past 5, he left her at home,
and went with his vessel to Sheerness and Chatham, returning on Saturday
night about five minutes before she died.
Catherine Pickerine said she was the wife of a labourer in the Arsenal,
and lived next door to Mr. Anders. Last Saturday morning, about ten
minutes to 9, Mrs. Anders (deceased) called her over the and she saw
that she was very drunk.
At her request witness pulled down one of the palings and let deceased
into her house, but as she seemed very bad indeed, advised her to go
back into her own house and lie down. She said she would do so, but said
to witness "You shall never see me again." Witness thought she was so
intoxicated that she did not know what she was saying. Deceased went in
at the back door, which she closed and bolted. At about 11 o'clock
deceased's daughter called and knocked at the door, but witness told her
that her mother was probably in a sound sleep, and she said she would
not disturb her. Witness heard nothing of her during the day, and just
before six o'clock she knocked at her door. But heard no reply except
the barking of deceased‘s dog. Witness's husband then got in at a window
and admitted her, and almost the first objects she saw were two small
bottles labelled "Laudanum—Poison." Witness expressed a belief that she
had committed suicide, and on going into a bedroom, found her lying on
the bed on her back, with the dog upon her chest. She was black in the
face, foaming at the mouth, and gasping for breath. Witness sent for the
doctor, and everything was done to save life, but deceased expired at
half-past 11 at night. She was alone in the house all day.
William Edwin Stevens, assistant to Dr. Wise, said he was called at 7
o’clock, and found deceased quite insensible and suffering from the
effects of some narcotic poison. The stomach pump, emetics and every
possible remedy were used by Dr. Wise, but deceased never rallied.
Sergeant Featherstone, the coroner's officer, said he had ascertained
that deceased bought two penny-worth of laudanum at 8 o’clock the same
morning - one pennyworth at the shop of Mr. Fairbank, chemist, Powis
Street, and the other at the shop of Mr. Stuart, close by.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide while in a
state of unconsciousness through intoxication.
|
)