Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 17 May 1892

Suicide Near Wath.

On Sunday afternoon the body of Mary Ann Eccles, aged 39, wife of Joseph Eccles, collier, of Willow Green, Brampton Bierlow, was recovered from the Dearne and Dove Canal at Greenland, Hemmingfield.

Eccles and her husband have lived very unhappily together, caused, it is alleged, through the woman’s drinking habits. On Monday, May 2, he sold up his home and turned his wife out. She. however, went to the house of Mr. and Mrs. Eyre at Concrete cottages, remaining until the afternoon of Saturday.

A girl named Amy Atmoor noticed she was very low spirited and crying as she went away. Atmoor spoke to her, and she gave her an umbrella and hat, saying at the same time that she was going to drown herself. The girl wanted go with her, but she would not allow of this proceeding.

At 10 o’clock at night Benjamin Heppenstall heard screams proceeding from the water, but he was unable to render help owing to the darkness.

Dragging operations were commenced, and the body was got out at two o’clock the afternoon of the following day.