SAD DEATH OF A DESBOROUGH TRADESMAN.
Mr. W. A. Dawkins Poisons Himself
THE INQUEST.
As briefly announced in our various editions yesterday, Mr. William
Arthur Dawkins, a well-known tradesman of Desborough, met his death in a
very sad manner on Tuesday. The inquest was held on Wednesday morning at
the George Hotel, before Mr. J. T. Parker and a jury over whom Mr. T.
Gadsby was foreman.—The Coroner briefly addressed the jury and said he
thought their duties would be very simple.
Joseph Dawkins,
builder, Desborough, a brother of William Arthur Dawkins, said deceased
was 36 years of age and was of the same trade as himself. On Tuesday
morning at 11.30 witness was called to deceased's house and saw him
lying on the couch. Deceased said to him, "Oh! Joe," and witness asked
what was the matter with him, when he said, "I have taken some rat
poison." Witness asked him why he had taken it, but could get no further
reply. He died about 12.30. Witness knew of no reason why deceased
should have done as he had, for when he saw him on Saturday he was quite
cheerful.
Gertrude Allen, servant to the deceased, said on Tuesday morning
about 11.30 she went to look for her master, as he called "Gertie." She
heard the chairs rattle, and witness tried to open the door, but found
she could not because of chairs being pushed up against it. She went and
told Mrs. Thomas, who lived next door, that she could not get in.
Earlier in the morning she saw deceased take a glass from the cupboard,
put it into his pocket, and take it up to the carpenter's shop.
Mrs. Thomas, wife of P.S. Thomas, said she lived close to the
deceased. She was fetched in by the last witness on Tuesday morning. She
went to the front room, and on opening the door she found deceased lying
on his face. Witness said, "What have you done?" He replied, "I shall be
all right in a minute. Look after my Lizzie (meaning his wife)." He told
her to send for Dr. Gibbons, and his request was attended to. She
remained with him until his brother Joseph came, and then witness
heard deceased tell his brother that he had taken rat poison. The glass
(produced) was on the shelf. She had noticed that deceased at times was
very depressed. He had been upset very much since he failed in business
eighteen months ago. He had drunk more during the last two years than he
did before, and at times had taken more than he ought. He was very much
attached to his wife and family. Mrs. Dawkins was in bed at the time.
Herbert Deane,
chemist and druggist, said on the 11th May last he sold some rat poison
to the deceased. It contained arsenic and a small quantity of
strychnine.
Mr H. Gibbons, registered medical practitioner, of Desborough, said
on Tuesday morning at 11.50, he saw deceased at his house. He was lying
on his face in his front room. He was then suffering from a severe
attack of muscular spasms. Witness made an examination, and asked
deceased if he had taken anything, when he said he swallowed some rat
poison out of the glass. Witness asked him why, and he said he would
tell him afterwards, but he was then too exhausted. He died about 12.20,
during one of the attacks. The symptoms were those of strychnine poison.
So far as witness knew deceased had been in good health.
Mr. F. Barlow, J.P., contractor, of Rothwell, said he knew the
deceased. He was foreman for him at Desborough up to three months ago,
when witness discharged him. Witness had tried to get some settling with
him, and failed. There were accounts owing in Desborough, and as they
thought people a long time in settling they sent out last week letters
asking the people to pay, and the result was that people came and
produced the receipts signed by the deceased. On Monday morning deceased
came to see witness, and begged of him not to prosecute him, and
witness, in consideration of his wife and children, said he would not
prosecute if he made a clean breast of it. He then seemed in a dazed
condition. Deceased was to have seen witness again the same evening, but
he did not.
The jury at once returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily
insane," and voted their fees to the widow.
Northants Evening
Telegraph, Wednesday 05 December 1900