From the Folkestone Chronicle 30 November, 1861. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was holden at the "Folkestone Cutter," before Silvester Eastes esq., Coroner of the borough, on Saturday, November 23rd, 1861, at two p.m., on view of the body of James Brown, who destroyed himself under the circumstances elicited in the following evidence:-

Mr. William Henry Willis was chosen foreman of the jury, after swearing which they proceeded to view the body in a miserably furnished upper room in a cottage in Prospect Cottages.

After returning from viewing the body Charles Egerton Fitzgerald was called, who deposed he was a surgeon residing in Folkestone; at a few minutes past eight on the previous morning he was called by a son of the deceased, who told him his father had cut his throat; he immediately proceeded to the residence of deceased. On arriving at the house he found him lying in bed in a state of collapse – he was sensible – with a large gash in his throat extending from ear to ear; he was breathing heavily with a rattling noise – respiration much impeded; had almost entirely severed the windpipe; witness attended to him; there had been no considerable haemorrhage; there was about three or four ounces of blood. Witness picked up on the bed the razor produced, covered with blood, with which the wound was caused. Witness dressed the wound and deceased was then able to speak; he said he had done it himself with his right hand; the state of his lungs and his late illness precluded all chance of saving his life. Witness left him at a quarter to 10, and found him dead when he returned about half past twelve.

Sarah Ann Tuff deposed she resided near deceased, who she identified as James Brown; he was about 47 years of age; he gathered water cresses for his living, which his daughters sold. Yesterday the younger daughter ran out into the yard, and called out her father had cut his throat. Witness went into the house and found deceased lying on the bed, with his head over the side; witness said there was blood on the floor. Deceased said “See what I have done” as well as he could speak; witness sent for assistance immediately; he died about twenty minutes past twelve; he complained of family troubles, and would not see any of his children before he died. Witness saw him a day or two before his death, when he complained of his side, arising from a severe fall he had had some time since; he did not appear destitute, as his family brought in a good deal of money by the sale of water cresses.

The Coroner said this was all the evidence he had to offer them. The poor man had been for some time suffering from disease of the lungs, and this sometimes had the effect of prostrating the mind; he thought the most charitable verdict would be one of temporary insanity.

The jury then consulted for a few minutes, and the foreman returned as their verdict that the deceased had destroyed himself apparently being in a state of temporary insanity.

Whilst the above inquest was being held, the jury and witnesses were alarmed by a crashing noise in the street, and upon ascertaining the cause, it appeared that a bricklayer, employed in repairing the roof of a house in the street, had fallen, from the ladder being insecurely fastened up. The lower one, being pressed against by one on the roof, toppled over, and Underdown fell to the ground with the ladder he was on. Mr. Fitzgerald was immediately in attendance, and reduced a dislocation of the right thumb which had taken place; on further examination it was found that he had received a severe fracture of the elbow, but no internal injuries. The poor man is now, however, going on very favourably.