Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 01 July 1892

Inquest at Wombwell

On Wednesday Mr D Wightman held an inquest at the Prince of Wales Hotel on the body of Mr Richard Carr, of Church St, Wombwell.

Mr Charles Pease was the foreman of the jury.

Mrs Carr, wife of deceased stated that he was 60 years of age and was employed as a labourer at the Wombwell Main colliery. He had always been a very healthy man until a year ago, when he had an attack of influenza, and never been himself since. During the last 15 weeks he had been unable to follow his employment, and seem to get gradually worse, complaining very much about pains and dizziness in the head. He was more cheerful, and look at it on Saturday night than usual, having had a number of visitors, retired to rest about 10. o’clock. She went about 11 o’clock, and asked if he was asleep and he said “no”. She awoke next morning about 5.30 and found he had got up. She got up shortly after, and about 7 o’clock was going out to see if she could find him when news of his death was brought. In answer to the coroner, witness stated that there had been no quarrel nor anything at all to cause them to do it.

George Ashby was then called and he stated he lived at Cortonwood, and was employed at the Wombwell glassworks. He was returning home after working all night just after 6 o’clock on Sunday morning, and found a hat and stick on the bank, and a little further on he saw the body of deceased floating on the water near Wombwell.

A verdict of suicide by drowning whilst temporarily insane was returned. The deceased, who was highly respected, fours for many years in the service of the late Mr Hawson. He leaves a widow and two children (a son and a daughter) both of whom are married.