Kent and Sussex Courier – Friday 1st October 1886.

SUICIDE OF A BEERHOUSE KEEPER AT TONBRIDGE.

On Monday evening last, R. Preston, Esq., one of the Deputy Coroners for Kent, held an inquest at the “Plough”, at the Powder Mills, Tonbridge, on the body of Richard May, the proprietor of the house, who committed suicide the previous day. Mr. W. Biddle was chosen foreman of the Jury, and after the usual viewing of the body, the following evidence was taken:—

George May, a son of the deceased, said that he lived at home and helped his father in the business.

The deceased, who was 69 years of age, and a widower, enjoyed pretty good health, but about week ago he complained of pains in his inside and head, but had no medical advice, as he did not care much for doctors. He was generally speaking a sober man, but he had at times seen him the worse for drink. He last saw his father alive at half-past nine on Sunday morning going round the house. At 12 o’clock, when they were ready for dinner, his brother went to look for the deceased, and found him hanging dead in the barn. The deceased and three sons lived at home pretty comfortably together. His father was not in debt, and he did not know that he had any trouble which would lead him to make away with himself. He did not know that any relative had ever been in an asylum. Some time since the deceased complained of feeling swimming-headed, and said that he hardly knew where he was going. When he went to bed on Saturday night he left his father sitting up in one of the rooms by himself. They heard since that after that the deceased went out and did not return home till half past three in the morning.

When spoken to by his other sons the deceased said he thought that it was wrong to stay out so late, though he had been doing no harm.

By the Jury: When the deceased was spoken to about being out late he hardly knew what reply he made. His father was not out of temper, and did not say where he had been, or give any reason for being out so late at night. His father was a very quiet man.

Walter May, farm labourer, said that he lived at home with his father, and last saw him alive at half-past nine on Sunday morning in his bedroom when he came up to put some money away. About noon he went to call the deceased to dinner, and found him hanging by the neck to a ladder in the barn. As he had no knife he called his brother James, who cut him down, but was then stiff and cold. He got home about 11 o’clock on Saturday night, and his father, who had had a little to drink, was then in the cellar, but witness went to bed and had no conversation with him. They occupied the same bed, and he heard his father come to bed after he had been to sleep some time, and he should say that it was about three o’clock in the morning. When he spoke to his father about being out he said that he had not been out for any harm. The deceased had complained of pains in his head for eight or nine days but had never heard him threaten self-destruction. When the deceased was found they sent for Dr. Fraser, but he said that if he was dead it was no use him coming.

P.C. Potter, of Tonbridge, said that he searched the body of the deceased, and found in the pockets 15s, in silver, 2s. 9 ½d, in bronze, a box of pills, a clasp knife, and some poor’s rate receipts.

James May, another son of the deceased, said that when he got home on Saturday night his father had gone out. He had noticed lately that he appeared dazed and funny, but had never heard him threaten self-destruction. When he cut him down he was quite stiff and cold.

The jury at once a returned verdict that the deceased committed suicide while in state of temporary insanity.