Manchester Times
Friday 16 September 1892
Painful Suicide of a Woman at Burnley
An inquest was held at the Burnley Town Hall, on Tuesday, touching the death of Maria Nelson, whose body was taken out of the canal. The deceased, who was 41 years of age, had, it was stated, been deserted by her husband; and Mrs. Lee, a sister, who lives at Stockport, said she had also been "deserted" by her other sisters. She had suffered from a bad leg. -Police-constable Spence said he examined the deceased's clothing, and found a letter and a purse containing 7d. The letter was addressed to her sister and asked her to try and send her a little money as she had nothing. He (meaning her husband) had ordered her children to stay where they were. She could not keep them, being as she was. She had seen the children every day, but it was not like having them with her, although they seemed to be well looked after. -A boker named Ashworth said he had assisted the deceased several times, and the last time he saw her he gave her 15s. -Questioned by the coroner as to his relations with the deceased, witness said she had given him what furniture she had, saying that he had done the most for her. He did not know why her sisters and brother had turned their backs on her. -The Coroner said he believed the 15s. which Ashworth said he had given to the woman was a myth. -The jury found that the deceased had committed suicide whilst of unsound mind, and that want had led her to commit the act.
_________________ Mel
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