Mexborough and Swinton Times May 11, 1928
Servant Girl’s Suicide.
Found Poisoned In Wath Wood.
A Second Attempt.
While walking through Wath Wood early on Wednesday morning two local postmen, Edward Laker Warren and Horace Horace Warren, brothers, found the body of a young woman close to the footpath. The body was identified as that of Florence McHugh (21), domestic servant, who had been employed at the Montagu Hospital for the last fortnight or so.
An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Town Hall, Wath, by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker and a jury, and a verdict was returned that “the girl committed suicide by poisoning herself with lysol, and there was no evidence to show the state of her mind at the time.”
Harry McHugh, brother, of- 8, Oak Road, Wath, gave evidence of identification, and said that the last time he saw the girl alive was about 12 noon on Tuesday. She had been at his house since Monday night when he and his wife had been told that she was roaming in the streets, and had fetched her in. The girl had never been strong, and during the week-end had some trouble at the Montagu Hospital. The first he heard of her death was on Wednesday morning when his wife called at the Manvers Main Colliery and told him that he was needed for identification purposes.
He was told about a bottle of Lysol being found by his sister’s body, but had not been allowed to read a letter that had also been found.
P.c. Miller said that two postmen found the girl’s body on Wednesday morning about 8-10 in Wath Wood. They gave information to the police and he and another constable went to the spot and found McHugh lying on her back, the right arm under her body. There were marks on the chin and lower part of the face which might have been caused by disinfectant. Froth was coming from her mouth, and there was a slight smell of Lysol. The sergeant arrived on the scene and conducted a search during which a bottle of Lysol was found, with some of the disinfectant in it, a handkerchief, letter addressed to “Harry,” and cash amounting to 14s. M. There were no signs of a struggle. The body was removed to the mortuary and identified. Enquiries showed that the parents of the girl were dead, and that for the last two years she had been employed as a domestic servant at various places. Several weeks ago she came to Wath, and shortly after Easter found work at the Montagu Hospital, where she worked up to Monday. She was then given notice because she would not work. On Tuesday afternoon she met a man called Beardsley and he would be the last person to see her alive. In witness’s opinion the girl’s death had been caused by the drinking of Lysol.
John Henry Beardsley, 68, Doncaster Road, Wath, said he had known Florence McHugh for five weeks only. He, saw her last about 2 p.m. on Tuesday near the gas works bridge at Wath, and stood in conversation with her for about 30 minutes. The girl said that “the next time he saw her would be when she was dead.” He told her to go home with him but she refused and said: “I am not coming back. I am not coming back. I am going towards the station.” As far as he knew, the girl had no trouble except for her work.
The girl’s brother was recalled and shown a letter which was found in the pocket of her coat. He identified it as the girl’s writing. He agreed with the Coroner that it suggested suicide,, and said his sister attempted to commit suicide by drowning about two years ago at Huddersfield. As far as he knew there was no insanity in the family.
Lily McHugh, wife of Harry McHugh, said on Tuesday afternoon when the girl went out, witness understood that she was going to the Montagu Hospital for her clothes. She had been employed there but received her notice on Monday. The first witness heard of this was about 11-30 on Monday night when she and her husband were knocked up. On going to the door, she found her brother, Beardsley, who said that Florence was roaming about, and threatening to commit suicide. Witness sent her brother home, and went to find the girl, and after half-an-hour’s search discovered her in Beech Road. The girl said “I am going to make a hole in the water,” but Mrs. McHugh persuaded her to go home with her and be put to bed. The girl said nothing about her work until the following day, and witness went to the hospital and was told that the girl had been dismissed for laziness.
The coroner asked Mr. and Mrs. McHugh if they blamed the matron or housekeeper at the hospital, and they said emphatically “No.”
P.c. Miller recalled, said that on Wednesday, he called at the shop of Mr. E. Sandiforth in High Street, Wath, and was told that on Monday between 4 and 5 p.m., a young woman answering to the description of Florence McHugh had been supplied with a bottle of Lysol.
The coroner said the letter was important evidence, but he made it a practice not to read such letters aloud, because the deceased persons generally made statements which often had no foundation, and caused pain to those interested. The evidence, with the letter, was practically conclusive that the girl had poisoned herself.