Melancholy Catastrophe
We mentioned in our last, the distressing accident which occasioned the death of Mrs Scardefield of Badsey, in this county, on the 26th ultimate. We lament to announce now, that her husband has fallen by his own hand; he put a period to his existence, but cutting his throat with a razor. The afflicting accident which deprived him of his wife, deeply affected his mind; and there is too much reason to fear that some infamous reports propagated by the tongue of slander reached his ear and added a pang to his already wounded spirit.
An Inquest was held upon the body on Friday before Charles Best, Esq, Coroner, when a verdict of Insanity was returned without hesitation. We have received the following letter in reference to the paragraph in our last:
To the Editor of the Worcester Journal
Sir
Having heard the evidence on the Inquest held on the body of Mrs Scardefield of Badsey on the 28th of last month, I can confirm the accuracy of many particulars respecting that affecting event, mentioned in your paper on the 15th inst. But I think it clearly appeared that much more than a “minute” elapsed between the time, when she remarked to her husband how high the flood had been in Badsey brook the day before, and the time the “shriek” she uttered was heard by him, when it appears he was at a considerable distance from the spot, where the fatal accident happened. Had he been so near her at that time, he must have heard her fall into the water and might probably have saved her.
I must also in justice to Mr J G Appleton, a respectable surgeon, lately settled at Evesham, observe, that so far from his being in attendance as stated in your paper, “shortly after the accident”, all the witnesses proved that a long interval, on such an occasion, of not less than an hour and a quarter, elapsed after the accident, before he was able to reach Badsey. They proved also, that on his arrival he most promptly and perseveringly used every means in his power, for the recovery of his patient, including such as have generally been successful when applied “shortly” after similar accidents.
T.F.
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The Cheltenham Journal of Monday 26 May 1828 also reported on the tragic death, as also did many other newspapers throughout the country:
WORCESTER, MAY 24
A melancholy sequel has attended the sad accident at Badsey near Evesham, by which Mrs Scardefield lost her life, as recently related – viz, the self-destruction of Mr Scardefield, the husband of the deceased. This last event took place on Friday morning last when the unfortunate gentleman, no longer able to bear up against the calamity of his wife’s loss, his affliction, there is too much reason to fear, aggravated by most cruel and flagrant reports which had been propagated against him, severed his throat with a razor, and shortly became a corpse. The same day, an inquest was held upon the body before Charles Best, Esq, Coroner, when the Jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of Insanity.
The unfortunate couple, whose earthly career has thus closed under such awfully deplorable circumstances, were both young. Mr Scardefield’s age, we understand, not exceeding 27, and Mrs S’s being little more than 20. They were both respectably connected, and in possession of a handsome income. Happily no offspring are left to mourn their untimely doom.