Mexborough and Swinton Times September 20 1919

Canal Tragedy at Wombwell.

Aged Miner Commits Suicide.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of William Hepworth (74) whose body was recovered from the Dearne and Dove Canal at Wombwell on Tuesday night, was held at the Wesleyan Wombwell, on Wednesday.

William Hepworth, coal mining, 10 Church Street, Wombwell, deceased nephew, said he had lived with deceased since he was a boy. His uncle retire from colliery work 15 years ago when the fire occurred at the Cortonwood Colliery, and he had not worked since.

Lately he had suffered with his eyesight, but he had never threatened to commit suicide. Deceased went out at 7 o’clock on Tuesday evening, saying he would go for a walk, but witness did not know the direction, he went in. He next heard from the police that his uncle’s body had been taken from the  canal. Witness afterwards went to me mortuary and identified the body.

Enoch Dyson, taker at Wombwell Glass Works, and residing at 88, Concrete Wombwell, said he was walking along the towing path of the Dearne and Doe Tuesday night, near the glass works, at Wombwell, on when he found a man’s jacket. In one of the pockets was a note with deceaseds name written on it. He took the jacket to the police.

P.c. Beil said that on being informed about the finding of the jacket, he went to the spot and  saw a dark object in the water. Drawing it to the side with a long “taking in” fork, he found it was a body, afterwards identified as Hepworth. There were 2s. in the pockets.

“Drowned himself whilst temporarily insane” was the verdict returned.