15 September 1906 – William Taylor

Read the article

From the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard on Saturday the 15th of September 1906

William Taylor (50), coachman, until recently in the employ of Mr. T. Graham Smith, of Easton Grey, was brought up at the police court on Tuesday, before T. L. Hinwood, Esq., and the Mayor, T. Reed, Esq., charged with attempting to kill himself by cutting his throat with a knife on the 8th September.

William Curtis, labourer, of Pinkney, stated that on Saturday last he went to Easton Grey and called about 9.30 a.m at the back door of Taylor’s cottage. He called out as usual “Is anybody about?” The back door was open. A voice answered “Come in.” It was Taylor’s voice.

… blood was coming from his throat and he had a knife in his hand.

Witness went through the passage to the staircase, when he found Taylor lying at the foot of the stairs, with no coat on. Witness said “What’s up, Mr. Taylor?” and he replied “Nothing particular, Bill.” He was sitting in a half-leaning position against the stairs, and witness noticed that blood was coming from his throat and that he had a knife in his hand. He took the knife out of Taylor’s hand and ran out for assistance. The knife (a metal-handled pocket knife with corkscrew combined) now produced was the one he took from Taylor. Witness asked his mate outside to go and fetch Mrs. Taylor at once, and he returned into the lodge and tied a towel round the prisoners neck. Mrs. Taylor then came in. Prisoner was conscious and could speak all the time; and witness left him in charge of his wife and went for Dr. Fletcher. He afterwards helped carry the man upstairs and subsequently accompanied him to the Malmesbury Hospital. He had known Taylor all his life; he had never known him depressed till lately. About seven weeks ago he was discharged from his master’s employ and this had appeared to distress him.”

… there was a towel round his neck and his throat was blood stained.

Dr. James Robinson Fletcher of Sherston, proved being called by the last witness to the one of the lodges on Mr. Graham Smith’s estate at Easton Grey. He found Taylor lying in a recumbent position near the foot of the stairs, with his head against the wall. He had no coat or collar on, but there was a towel round his neck and his throat was blood stained. His general appearance was pallid. Witness asked him what was the matter, and his reply was “All right, nothing.” Witness ordered him to be carried upstairs, and having removed the towel, he found a wound extending in length about 2 ½ inches on the left side of the neck in an oblique direction, skin deep.

By the Bench: The skin was cut through. – The knife produced would be capable of making a wound of the kind. He should certainly say the wound was self-inflicted and there were no signs of a struggle. Witness stitched up the wound and ordered Taylor’s removal to the Malmesbury Cottage Hospital for observation. He had attended the prisoner for gout several months previously and always found him of a jovial disposition.

P.S. Maidment, Sherston, proved visiting the Malmesbury Hospital on the Monday and finding Taylor in charge of P.C. Knight. He cautioned him and charged him with attempting to commit suicide on the previous Saturday at Easton Grey, and he replied “That’s quite right”.

The Chairman, having referred to the serious nature of the offence (for which prisoner now expresses his sorrow), said they could not deal with the case, and the prisoner would be committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. If he would promise to return home to his wife and not behave in this manner again, the Bench would allow bail, himself in £20 and one surety of £20.

Taylor having given the promise of good behaviour, Mr. C. Rich, Easton Grey, stood surety, the prisoner being detained until Mr. Rich put in an appearance.