Penniless, Foodless, Friendless. By Harold Cunliffe had, but not for them. God help me, but I have no other choice.” He concluded the letter with these lines: “So, He who formed me in the womb. He shall guide me to the tomb. He will guard me, he will keep. He never slumbers, never sleeps.” I remain yours in sorrow. Edward Bowden. The Coroner returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity.”
V
Above: Manchester Assize Court
intage newspapers and magazines hold a wealth of interesting information relating to life in bygone times. Reporters back then covered events in great detail and paint a vivid picture of what life was like. Looking back at what made the news makes interesting reading, even though the first two cases reported here are of a sad nature. Manchester in the 1920’s. The City Coroner read a remarkable letter which was left behind after taking his own life by a 67 year old gentleman who lived alone in the district of Blackley, Manchester, who ended his life by inhaling town gas. A neighbour passing the home of Edward Bowden discovered a strong smell of gas. As quickly as he could he forced the front door to find Mr Bowden lying dead on the floor. As the neighbour entered the living room he was met with a warning notice which had been written by Edward in chalk on the dining room table, “Beware of the gas, Gas disconnected.” In not having any money to feed the gas meter Edward Bowden had removed the gas inlet pipe from the meter to enable an unlimited supply of the poisonous gas to fill the front room of his terraced house. 168
It transpired that the reason Mr Bowden took his own life was due to total desperation. In a letter found in the house, which was addressed to the Coroner, he stated, “I am almost 68 years of age and can no longer live in a cruel and merciless world. I am unable to pay my rent, deserted by my relatives, and will be homeless before the week is out.” His family had driven him from their home five months earlier and forbidden him to return, also being refused by them a little help to buy food. It was stated that he found work but after only three days he broke his arm and wrist. He was granted unemployment pay at the Openshaw Labour Exchange, of eight weeks pay at 15 shillings a week (75p). His final payment was 2s.6d, this amount was all he had to support himself for a total of 23 days. Edward wrote, “I have always vowed that I would not die in the workhouse, so I beg you will forgive me the trouble I am causing you. I wish to ask you to kindly give my grateful and humble thanks to Mr. and Mrs Callaghan, Old Road, Blackley, for their noble and generous assistance during the last two years. Many a hungry day would I have
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
Edward Bowden started work in 1853 and lost very little time during his working life. All through the 1914-18 war he was employed in shell making. In a final twist to this sad case, Edward wrote a note for the attention of the Corporation apologising for stealing the gas which took his life. “I had not enough money for the gas meter to supply the quantity of gas required.”
Above: Valentine Brow, Blackley. * shows the location of Old Rd, which leads to the village, just prior to the tram office.
Left His Wife For Better Life An old woman named as Mary Wilson was in front of the Manchester Police Court charged with attempted suicide. When brought in to the dock she appeared www.lancmag.com
