Suicide at King's Head (1869)

Post date: Mar 19, 2013 11:26:13 AM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 4th September 1869

WATERINGBURY.

Suicide.—On Sunday last a man named Thos. Hegshaw¹, who has been in Mr Harris's employ for the past 29 years, committed suicide by hanging himself.

An inquest was held at the King's Head on Monday last, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq, and respectable jury, of whom Mr Charles Ongley was chosen foreman, when it appeared that on Mr Harris's son opening the shop Monday morning he went to call deceased, who sleeps at the back of the premises, and no answer being returned, he went to ascertain the cause, when he found Hegshaw hanging up to ladder by a piece of rope yarn, and quite dead.

The jury, after hearing the evidence, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind." The deceased has lately been in the habit of drinking.

The remains of Hegshaw were interred by the members of the Duke's Head Club, no friend or relative coming forward to claim the body.

Notes

1. Probably Hackshaw who was a saddler and harness-maker.