CERDICT OF SUICIDE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7, 6 May 1912, Page 6

CERDICT OF SUICIDE

INQUEST ON Mil. F. S. POLLOCK

An inquest was hold this afternoon before Mr 0. D. Solo, J.P., ActingCoroner, touching the death of Frederick Srnythe Pollock. The following jury was cmnannelled: Messrs Arthur Blick, Alfred Hughes .Grant, John Blair Crossan, Charles llowson, Michael John McMahon, and Joseph Henry Harston. Or boose gentlemen Mr McMahon was elected foreman.

Mr W. G. Malone appeared on behalf of the widow. Annie Leah Matilda Smytho Pollock, wife of deceased, was the first witness called/. She said her late husband was forty-four years of age and was carrying on a wheelwright business in Stratford. She last saw him alive about 10 o’clock on Sunday morning last. He was then leaving home—“just for a few 'minutes, he said”—for the office to write a letter. At 1 o’clock she sent the eldest boy, Frederick, for iiim to come to lunch. From what the boy told her on his return she sent for the police. He appeared very bright on leaving home. Ho had business worries of late. To Mr Malone: There had been no ■home worries of any kind. Their married life had been happy. Oa that morning he had breakfast in bed and had dressed himself for the day. What had happened was the last thing she would have exepected him to do. The Acting-Coroner: The bailiffs have been in the shop lately, have they not, Mrs Pollock ? Witness replied that deceased had not taken her into his confidence with regard to his business. Frederick Pollock, aged 14, the eldest son of the late Mr. Pollock, deposed that he was sent at about 1 o’clock yesterday to bring his father home to dinner. He tried to get in through the office- door, but found that locked. Ho wontMiome and told ids mother he could not get in, but then came back and got, into tne office through tacback door. On ids way to the office he passed the lavatory, and in there saw nis father hanging: He ran out, jumped over the fence, went Jiome, and told ids mother. He did not touch the body. H:s mother sent him to the police.

Sergeant McNeely then entered the box, and tendered nis .evidence. Shortly after one o’clock on Sunday he was informed that the body of _Frederick Smythe Pollock was Hanging in the lavatory at his wheolright’s siiop in Page Street, Stratford. He, in company with Constable Bloasel, immediately proceeded to the shop, and found the body hanging by the neck to a rafter in the lavatory. Tlicy at oneo cut the body own and found life apparently extinct. Dr. Paget, being summoned, pronounced life extinct. The body was Hanging by a piece of rope (produced). After the doctor’s examination the body was conveyed to Mr. Pollock’s residence, where it now lay. In deceased’s office was found a letter ; addressed to his foreman, Mr. R. "McCormick, arid was marked on the-out-side “Strictly private.” He delivered the letter to Mr. McCormick, who opened it in his presence. He would call Mr. McCormick and ask him to read 'the letter.

To the Acting-Coroner: Dr. Paget was on thp spot about a minute after the body was cut down. llobert McCormick, foreman to deceased, who had. been employed by Mr. Pollock for about 10 years, said that he last saw him alive on Saturday night at half-past five o’clock, when he appeared to be rather quieter than usual, but there was nothing to lead him to suspect that deceased would take his life. Pie was handed a letter yesterday by the police. It was signed “F.5.P.,” ami he identified it as being the handwriting of Mr. Pollock. The letter was dated May sth, and read: “Mr. R. McCormick.—

“'Dear iioh, I know you will be chocked to know the horrid step J have taken.”

(Here witness objected to reading any more of the letter. Kc said, it was private and confidential, but he would, hand it to the Sergeant, the jury could be shown it, if it was necessary) . Mr. Malone said the letter war written by deceased when Mr. Pollock was obviously out of his mind. It contained a charge of a very serious nature against a man, which he considered, knowing the circumstances, was quite unjustified. It would not assist the jury. The Foreman said he saw no reason to suppress the evidence, and tlie Act-ing-Coroner preceded to read the letter.

Mr Malone, hpwever. contended that it should not be read in the Court. A discussion ensued as to what portion of the letter should he open to the Press.

Sergeant McNcoly stated that it should be made dear that only finan c al difficulties were mentioned, otherwise the public- would think “something awful” was contained in it. Finally the letter was handed to the jury, who read it through. Witness had heard from outside “that the bailiff had been in.”

Tom La kin Paget, medical practitioner, deposed that he was called in yesterday to view the body of deceased.

Continuing liis evidence, witness said Mr. Pollock had been better for a while in his habits. Deceased had been worried over not getting in enough money to pay Iris accounts, but ho had told him (witness) that lie expected to .pull through. “I found the body,” said Dr Paget, “lying on the floor of the wheeli ight’s shop at the deceased’s place of business. The body was fully clothed, and the clothes were not disturbed in any way. The death had taken place, probably about an hour previously. There were the marks of a rope, round the nock, li’rorn the appearance of the body, .1 judged that death had taken place from heart failure consequent upon sudden strangulation. The usual signs of suffocation wore not present. I have no doubt the heart was badly degenerated.” The doctor added that lie mentioned the last few words because it might he of benefit to deceased’s relations to know that ho died quickly and without struggling. To Mr. Malone: He knew deceased for a very heavy drinker, and had no doubt at'all that- the amount of alcohol ho had consumed had attacked both brain and heart. Deceased had had an attack of delirium tremens same time ago, and business worries would probably have a.different effect upon him to what it would have upon a man in a normal state of health. If there was insanity it would ho impulsive insanity, brought on by chronic alcoholism. The jury brought in a verdict of “Suicide while temporarily insane.”