Bealing, Arthur 1905 Apr 21st West Knoyle
A Village Tragedy
The South Wilts Coroner (Mr R A Wilson) held an inquest at West Knoyle on Saturday, on the body of Arthur Isaac Bealing, farm labourer, of the village, who was found hanging by the neck in an outhouse, on Thursday.
The widow stated that her husband had been ill since Christmas, having only done seven days work since that time. He had complained of suffering pains in his head which she believed were traceable to a fall he had some years ago. He had been attended by a doctor, and a week previously his finger was amputated below the first joint. She had never heard him threaten to take his life, but she had heard him say that the pains in his head would drive him mad. He was very bad on Tuesday and gave her so much trouble that she had to ask a neighbour, a Mr Austin, to call on the doctor at Mere, and tell him she thought her husband had got worse in the head.
John Wiles, a labourer of West Knoyle, stated that on Thursday he was at work in his garden at about seven o’clock when the last witness asked him to go and see her husband who was very strange in his head and said he was going to do away with himself. Witness went to the house and called deceased’s name, but he received no answer, and on going to the outhouse he saw him hanging by the neck on a chain, which was attached to a staple. The deceased’s feet were only a little way off the ground. Witness held the body up until the chain was removed from the staple, but Bealing appeared to be quite dead, although the body was warm, and perspiration stood out on the face. The witness added that he had known deceased for some years and he had always been strange.
The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane.
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 