Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 22 September 1893

Strange Suicide at Conisborough.

A Railway Labourer Cuts His Throat.

An inquest was held on Friday last at the Star Inn, Conisborough, upon the body of Charles Their, aged 64, a labourer, of Conisborough, who was found dead early on Friday morning, in the kitchen of the house where he lodged in Clifton-terrace, his throat having been cut and the jugular vein pierced. The district coroner (Mr. W. E. Nicholson) conducted the enquiry.

Elizabeth Bond, wife of Thomas Bond, Clifton-terrace, Conisborough, said she identified the body as that of Charles Their, who had lodged with them for seventeen or eighteen years. Deceased went to Denaby on the previous Monday to take care of witness’s father, who was seriously ill, and remained with him until about 4.30 on Thursday afternoon, when he died. Deceased returned home to his lodgings about 6.30 in the evening, and seemed broken-hearted at the death of witness’s father, whom he had known for a great many years.

Witness and her husband went to bed about eight o’clock, leaving the deceased downstairs, he was then sitting in an arm-chair in the front kitchen. On coming downstairs at 4.30 in the morning she found him lying on the floor, and beside him was a pool of blood. She called her husband, who at once came downstairs. They examined the deceased, and found a wound in his throat close to the jugular vein. Deceased was quite dead and cold. Close to the spot where he was lying witness found a razor which belonged to the deceased, and which he always carried about with him. There were marks of blood on the blade.

Deceased was greatly depressed by the death of his friend, and since his return from Denaby had spoken very little to anybody in the house. So far as witness knew there was no reason why the deceased should have taken his life except that he was badly upset.

William Dodswell, who lodged in the same house as deceased, was the last person who saw him alive. Witness came home to his lodgings about nine o’clock and saw him sitting in a chair in the front kitchen. Witness said nothing to him but went upstairs.

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.”