VERDICT OF SUICIDE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8, 7 May 1912, Page 6

VERDICT OF SUICIDE.

INQUEST ON MR. F. S. POLLOCK. An inquest was held this afternoon before Mr C. D. Sole, J.P., ActingCoroner, touching the death of Frederick Smythe Pollock. The following jury was ompannelled: Messrs Arthur Blick, Alfred Hughes Grant, John Blair Crossan, Charles Rowson, Michael John McMahon, and Joseph Henry Harston. Of these gentlemen Mr McMahon was elected foreman. Mr TV. G. Malone appeared on behalf of the widow. Annie Leah Matilda Smythe 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 homo— "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 him 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. He had business worries of late.. - To Mr Malone: There had been no .Jiome-.woxries.ol any. kind. Their married life had been happy. On. that morning he had breakfast in bed and had dressed himself for the day. What had happened was the last thing she would 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 coniido'iee 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 yesterdav to bring his father home to dinner. He tried to get in tnrougii the ' office door, but found that locked. He went home and told his mother lie could not get in, but then came back and got iaito the office through the back door. On his way to the office he passed the lavatory, and in there saw nis father hanging. He ran out, jumped over the fence, went home, and told his mother. He did not touch the body. H s mother sent him to the police. Sergeant McNecly then entered the box, and tendered his 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 wheelright's shop in Page Street, Stratford. He, in company with Constable Bleasel, immediately proceeded to the shop, and found the body hanging by the neck to a rafter in the lavatory. They at once 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, and was marked on the outside "Strictly private." He delivered the letter to Mr. McCormick, who opened it in his presence. Ho would call Mr. McCormick and ask him to read the letter. To the Acting-Coroner: Dr. Paget was on the spot about a minute after the body was cut down. Robert McCormick, foreman to ceased, who had been employed by Mr. Pollock for about 10 years, said tnat he last saw him alive on Saturday night at half-past live o'clock, when ho appeared to be rather quieter than usual, but there was nothing to lead him to suspect that deceased would lake his life. He was handed a letter yesterdav by the police. Jt was signed "F.5.P.," and he identified it as being the handwriting of Mi'. Pollock. The letter was dated May uth, and read: "Mr. R. McCormick.— i "Dear Bob, I know you will be shocked to know the horrid step 1 have taken." (Here witness objected to reading any more of the letter. He said it was private and confidential, but he would hand it to the Sergeant, the jury could lie shown it, if it was necessary). Mr. Malone said the letter was 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 lie 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 the Act-ing-Coroner preceded to read the letter. ii-, Mr Malone, however, contended tnat it should not be read in the Court. | A discussion ensued as to what portion of the letter should be open to the Press. ~,,.. Seiyeant McNeely stated that it should be mad© clear that only financial 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. Continuing his 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 his accounts, but lie had told him (witness) that lie expected to pull through. Witness had heard from outside "that the bailiff had been in." Tom Lakin Paget, medical practitioner, deposed that he was called in vesterdav to view the body of decerned "T found the body,,, said Dr. Paget, "lying on the floor of the wheelright's shop at the deceaspd'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 neck. From the appearance of the body, I iudged that death had taken place from heart failure consequent upon sudden strangulation. The usual signs of suffocation were not present. I have no doubt the heart was badly degenerated." The doctor added that he'mentioned the last few wcyds because it might be of benefit to deceased's relations to know that he 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 lie had consumed had attacked both brain and heart. Deceased had had an attack of delirium tremens some 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 be impulsive • insanity, brought on by chronic alcoholism. The jury brought in a verdict of "Suicide while temporarily insane"