Mexborough and Swinton Times January 25.
Head Cut Off
Conisborough Man’s Body on Railway Line.
“Suicide” Verdict.
The Doncaster District Coroner, Mr W.H. Carlisle, recorded a verdict of “suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed,” on William Settle Rawson (37) unemployed, of 155, Doncaster Road, Conisborough, whose decapitated body was found on the L.N.E.R.line at the Butterbusk crossing at Conisborough on Monday, at the inquest held at the Council Officers, Conisborough, on Wednesday.
Albert Rawson, brick setter, of 155, Doncaster road, Conisborough, said, his brother lived at the same address, and was employed by the Conisborough Cliff Company until last April, when his health compelled him to cease working. He suffered from tuberculosis and was admitted to the Crookhill Receiving Hospital in April 1940, leaving at his own request three months ago. He had been depressed. He had never threatened to take his life.
Lying Across Line.
Percy Merrill, of 89 Cecil at Avenue, Warmsworth, a railway ganger, said on Monday at about 3pm he went toButterbusk crossing, and found a man with his chest on the line and his head on the Conisborough side of the line. The head was severed from the body and was lying in the 4 foot way. The body was on a crossing, which ran from a public footpath.
Thomas Stanley Pleasance, of Station House Conisborough, said he was notified of the mishap at about 3.10 p.m. on Monday. The only train which passed between 215 and 3:10 PM on the down line was the 2.25 to Sheffield from Doncaster.
The driver of the train, Fred Smith, of 105 Schofield Street, Mexborough, said he saw nothing unusual when his engine passed over the Butterbusk crossing.
Dr James M O’Donnell, practising at Edlington said Rawson had been a patient of his. Rawson was suffering from tuberculosis, but was responding to treatment well