Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 19, 1919

Wath Drowning Tragedy.

The body of Miss Alice Stables, of High street, Wath-on-Dearne, was recovered from the canal near Warehouse lane, Wath, on Wednesday at noon.

A woman living in Warehouse lane noticed it floating in the water, and it was at once brought to the side, and taken in charge by the police. Miss Stables was wearing a night-dress and a dressing jacket. She had been missing from home since Saturday morning. She kept house for her brother, their parents having died about a year ago. On Friday night, before retiring to bed, she complained of pains in the head. At midnight her brother looked into her room .and found her all right. At five o’clock next morning she was missing, and the back door of the house was open.

An inquest was held at the Cross Keys Hotel, Wath, on Thursday..

George Stables, platelayer, said his sister was 40 years of age, and kept house for him at 18, high street, Wath. She had not been well of late and had complained of pains in the head, and. giddiness. She was poorly on Friday evening and retired to bed fairly early. About midnight he took a cup of warm milk and some biscuits to her room, and she then said she felt better. At five o’clock next morning he rose to go to work, and looked in her room. He saw she had disappeared, but her clothes were there except her nightdress, a skirt, a sports coat, and stockings. He went downstairs and found the kitchen door unlocked. Ile reported the matter to the police.

John Love, miner, of Warehouse Road, Wath, said he saw the body in the canal at about 11.30 on Wednesday morning. He brought it to the side and notified the police.

Police constable Duck said he examined the body and found no marks of violence.

The Coroner recorded a verdict of “Suicide during a, fit of depression.”