Rumbold, Samuel 1902 August 8th
An inquest was held before Mr W J Trethowan (deputy coroner) at the Salisbury Infirmary on Tuesday afternoon, touching the death of Samuel Rumbold, a resident in Churchfields. Mr E J Kimber was chosen foreman of the jury.
Prudence Ann Rumbold, the widow, stated that her husband was a dairyman in the employ of Dr Finch. She last saw him alive on the morning of Sunday, July 27th, when he went through her bedroom about 5 o’clock. He said he could not stay in bed any longer. She heard him put his boots on downstairs, and saw him leave the house and go down to the sheds. As she expected him to go in the opposite direction she called after him. He paid no attention, and, dressing quickly, she followed, and hearing a noise in the shed, went in. She found him lying face downwards on the straw. There was blood about, and he had a table knife in his hand, which was covered with blood. She took the knife away, and went for assistance. She met her nephew, and they went into the shed. Her husband tried to move on the straw, but could not speak. She could not see that he cut his throat. A doctor was sent for, and on his arrival her husband was taken into the house, and was subsequently removed to the Infirmary. Her husband had been ill for about six months, and, in fact, had not been really well for a long time. He could do a little work, but it troubled him that he could not do more. He had never threatened to take his life, although he was frequently in a low and despondent condition.
William Rumbold, a nephew of the deceased, stated that on the night of July 26th he slept with his uncle. Deceased was in very low spirits but witness did not know that his uncle had got up until Mrs Rumbold called him. When he went into the shed he found his uncle face downwards on the straw. He tried to turn him over, but he resisted so vigorously that witness desisted lest his efforts should hurt him. He could see a wound in the throat, from which blood was flowing. Witness remained with his uncle until assistance came, and deceased was taken to the Infirmary. On July 26th his uncle seemed brighter than usual. He had never threatened to take his life in the hearing of witness.
PC Perry, stationed at Fisherton, deposed that when he went to Rumbold’s house he found him sitting in a chair. Mr Wilkes was then dressing the wound. Deceased, who was able to speak, was conveyed to the Infirmary in a cab.
Mr H O Smith, house physician at the Infirmary, stated that the deceased was admitted to that institution shortly before eight o’clock on the morning of the 27th ult. Witness found a wound in the throat four inches long. There was very little bleeding, and no large vessels were severed. The wound was not of itself sufficient to cause death. He could not state the cause as he had not been in attendance on the case since Mr Ferrier returned to the Infirmary. An operation was performed on Monday, the 29th ult., by Mr Coates.
Mr Ferrier, house surgeon, stated that death ensued on Monday, the cause being septic pneumonia, due to the discharge from the wound.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst of unsound mind.”
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 