FOUND DROWNED IN WASH-TUB – Badsey Husband’s Tragic Discovery
The District Coroner (Mr H Basil Harrison) held an inquest at the Royal Oak Hotel, Badsey, on Thursday afternoon on Mrs Bertha Cassidy, wife of George Cassidy, insurance agent, of Sunny Lea, Blackminster, who was found dead with her head in a wash-tub on Tuesday morning, the discovery being made by the husband.
George Cassidy, the husband, said that his wife was 46 years of age. On Tuesday he left home at 9.30 am when his wife was quite normal – well and cheerful. He did not return until midday, and not finding her in the house, he went into the wash-house where he found her with her head in the dolly tub. She was submerged as far as the armpits. He could not say definitely, but the thought her arms were inside the tub. Before anyone arrived he got her out and laid her on the floor. He did not know she was dead. He called in a neighbour, and with her assistance carried deceased into the house and laid her on a bed. He sent for a doctor at once, and it was not until his arrival that he realised his wife was dead. Deceased had been ill for some time past, and had complained of pains in her head. She had never threatened to take her life, but had often said she wished she was dead, because it was “more than she could stand”. Within the last fortnight deceased had said the pains were more than she could stand.
The Coroner (producing a letter found): “is that her handwriting?”
Witness: “Yes, but it is not true. Can I have it?”
The Coroner: “No, I need it, but I am not reading it.”
Continuing, witness said he had one son, the one referred to in deceased’s letter. He had not anticipated such a thing recently, but would not have been surprised if it had happened six months ago. She had improved in health wonderfully, and that day, felt better than she had done for the last two years. Witness asked if he could have the letter and the police constable’s copy.
The Coroner: “It will not be published.”
Mrs Annie Tolkien, a neighbour, said that on Tuesday Mr Cassidy called her into his house shortly after midday. On arrival she saw Mrs Cassidy lying on the floor in the wash house. She assisted Mr Cassidy to remove the body to a bed in the house. Deceased’s head and shoulders were wet. She thought deceased was dead, but did not say anything. Her husband fetched the doctor and she (witness) went for the village nurse, but she was out. The dolly tub was very small and would, she imagined, be difficult to get into. “Mr Cassidy was very upset and broken-hearted, poor man,” said witness. Continuing, she said that she went to stay with deceased four months ago while Mr Cassidy fetched a doctor. She then was quite bright. She did not know Mrs Cassidy very well.
James Cockerell (10), of Blackminster, Badsey, said that on Tuesday he had to take some books to Mrs Cassidy, which his mother had borrowed. Deceased was then in the wash-house shaking a cloth. She told him to put the books on the table. She said, “Thank you, Jimmy. Good morning.” This was between 10.30 and 10.45. “She was quiet, because she always spoke to me,” added the boy.
Dr Stephen Radford Goodwin of Evesham said that he received a call from Mr Cassidy shortly after midday Tuesday. He went straight to Blackminster, where he found deceased’s body on a bed. He immediately applied artificial respiration, but without result. The upper clothing was wet, from which it appeared that the upper part of the body had been in the water as well as her head. As a result of the artificial respiration, water came from the lungs. Death was due to asphyxia from drowning. The dolly-tub was such, that had deceased got her shoulders in, it would be difficult to get out again. Death, in the position she was found – with her head down – would be more rapid. Death had occurred about an hour before he first saw her. Mrs Cassidy had been under his firm’s (Messrs Heath & Goodwin’s) attention for some time past. Women, he said, at deceased’s time of life were apt to get queer ideas of that nature. Anything that was going to happen usually happened then. He agreed with the Coroner that at those times the mind became abnormal. He had never noticed any sign of mental trouble in deceased’s case.
The Coroner said he had no alternative than to bring in a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane”. There was no doubt that her mind was unhinged, and had been for some time. He expressed sympathy with the husband and the son.