Mexborough and Swinton Times February 3, 1928

Husband’s Grief.

Suicide Follows Bereavement.

A tragic story of a husband’s grief form a dead wife was unfolded at an inquest at the United Methodist Church, Wombwell, on Tuesday, on Richard Farrington (27), unemployed miner, of 123, Barnsley Road, Wombwell. Farrington was found dead in the early hours of Saturday with a gas tube in his mouth. The inquiry was conducted by the District Coroner (Mr. C. S. Haworth).

George ‘Utley, father-in-law, with whom Farrington had lived, said he went to bed as usual about 11.15 on Friday night, leaving Farrington in the kitchen. Sleeping in the same room as witness were two of Farrington’s children, one of whom was ill. During the night one of the children woke up and exclaimed “Grandad, will you get me a drink ?”

Witness proceeded downstairs, and when he got into the kitchen (he noticed deceased sitting in an arm chair with his feet against the sink. On going closer he noticed that in Farrington’s mouth was a gas tube. The tube was secured to Farringtons; mouth by a piece of string passing round his neck and his mouth was bound by a scarf. The other end of the tube was attached to a gas bracket. The place was full of gas.

Witness removed the tube at once and turned off the gas. He them sent for Dr. Jardine, who arrived shortly afterwards. The body was quite cold and the man had been dead for some time.

The Coroner : Had you any suspicion, that he would do anything of the kind?

Witness: None whatever, sir. He has been very much depressed since his wife was taken away a for night ago. She died in hospital on January 2ith. Her baby, born on. New Year’s Day, was buried the day before she died.

Dr. W. C. Jardine said be was called at 440 p.m. on Saturdav morning and went to the house. The man had then been dead an hour or two. The because of death was gas poisoning he mentioned that Mrs. Farrington died of puerperal feyer.

P.-c, Stokes said he examined adjoining property at 1.20 a.m. on the morning of the tragedy and the the house in, which Farrington was found dead was then fully lit. Witness then handed in a letter written by the deceased which he found on the mantelpiece when he went to the scene of the tragedy.

The letter consisted of three pages written in encoding clear hand. After perusing it the coroner remarked, “It is perfectly clear that this man as worried about his wife and her death has upset him.”

He added that the letter showed that Farrington was very much affected. It also expressed his determination to follow his wife.

A verdict that Farrington, “Poisoned himself with coal gas during a fit of depression,” was returned.