Woman Commits Suicide at Conisborough

Mr FG Nicholson, district coroner, held an inquest at the Fox Inn, Conisborough on Wednesday afternoon to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of Sarah Darley, married woman, of Conisborough, whose body was pulled out of the river on Tuesday morning by PC Jarvis. Mr Savile was foreman of the jury.

Thomas Darley, husband of the deceased, said his wife was 52 years of age. He last saw her alive at 5:50 on Monday the 28^th inst. his son fetched him home about 7 o’clock and his wife was then missing. The deceased had been depressed for some months on account of some internal complaint. She had never threatened to commit suicide.

Lily Darley said she missed her mother about half-past six on Monday night. The search was made, but as she could not be found she sent for her father. She had never threatened to commit suicide. She had been very low spirited for some time.

Thomas Jarvis said he was a police constable stationed at Conisborough. On Tuesday morning from information received he proceeded to the ferry to continue dragging operations. A shawl had been found at the spot on the previous evening. He found the body floating on the water about 20 yards on the Doncaster side of the ferry, about 6 yards from the embankment. She was dressed in ordinary clothes, but she had nothing on her head, and there were no marks of violence.

The foreman asked how the constable counted for the body floating on the water, and witness replied that he considered it was owing to the moving of some boats and a strong undercurrent running at the time.

A verdict that the “deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity” was returned.