Ambleside Herald & Lakes News 19 May 1882 Page 4 Death of Thomas Hewitson Suicide In A Police Cell At Windermere THOMAS HEWITSON, who was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the petty session on Tuesday for drunkenness, was found in the cell after the rising of the court with his throat cut from ear to ear severing the windpipe. Inquest held Wednesday before JOHN WILSON, deputy coroner for Westmorland, and the following jury: WILLIAM HARRISON (foreman), W. LEIGHTON, J. AIREY, E. DEASON, J. HARTLEY, T. SWAINSON, JOHNSON ROBINSON, W. CARTMELL, JAMES LONGMIRE, J.K. GIBSON, R. HEATON and J. MOORE. WM. HENDERSON KELLY, police constable, after sentencing at the police court he took deceased to a cell at 12 o'clock and didn't see him until SERGEANT WATSON came upstairs saying there was something serious. This would be half an hour later. He saw the body and identified it as THOMAS HEWITSON. He found a razor between the mattress and the bed partially open. There was a great deal of blood on the floor, and he thought he might have cut his throat whilst standing, and become weak, fell down on the bed. DR. HAMILTON was sent for, but declare him quite dead. Witness had known deceased - who had been drinking heavily lately - for some years. He appeared sober at court the previous day. MR. HARTLEY and MR. LEIGHTON here explained that deceased was in the habit of hiding his money in his shoes and supposed the razor must have been hidden in some such way. Deceased was 48 years of age, and was a shoemaker by trade. SERGEANT JOHN WATSON said he had no reason to believe deceased intended doing himself any bodily harm. Asked as to a rumour that HEWITSON declared on the platform at the railway station that he would not go to prison, he said that he afterwards heard of such a rumour and generally corroborated PC KELLY's evidence. JOSEPH CLARK, joiner, Windermere, said he was called to lay deceased out about 12:30 on Tuesday. He found some old bruises on his ankles, but nothing to cause death. He had a severe bruise on the right ankle. His throat was cut. Verdict - committed suicide during temporary insanity. The deceased had been drinking heavily since Christmas. His wife and daughter had to leave him in consequence of ill usage. and on the same page is the report of his appearance at the Windermere Petty Sessions Tuesday before G.H. PUCKLE (chairman), A.H. HEYWOOD, Esq. and Dr. HAMILTON. THOMAS HEWITSON Drunk and using abusive language on the 26th ult. Chairman said he was a regular nuisance and it was no use to fine him. One month hard labour in Kendal. After the court retired he was found in his cell with throat cut. and from 2 week previous, 5-May-1882 page 4, again, Windermere Petty Sessions Tuesday before G.H. PUCKLE (chairman), A.H. HEYWOOD, Esq. and Dr. HAMILTON. THOMAS HEWITSON Doing damage to a cottage in Queen's Yard the property of DINA RODEN. Fined 10s plus 9s 6d costs.

> > Ambleside Herald & Lakes News 19 May 1882 Page 4 > > Death of Thomas Hewitson <SNIP>> > and from 2 week previous, 5-May-1882 page 4, again, Windermere Petty Sessions > > Tuesday before G.H. PUCKLE (chairman), A.H. HEYWOOD, Esq. and Dr. HAMILTON. > > THOMAS HEWITSON > Doing damage to a cottage in Queen's Yard the property of DINA RODEN. > Fined 10s plus 9s 6d costs. Hi everyone, My grateful thanks to David Leverton for his wonderful postings of info from the Ambleside and Lakes News. The Dinah RODEN, mentioned above, b 1828 in Kendal, is my 2X GGrandmother. She and her husband John ran the Queens Hotel in Windermere. They had 11 children. John died in 1874 leaving her to soldier on. Her brother Martin BROWN came from Kendal to assist in the running of the hotel. I had no idea of this troubling incident until I read David's posting just now. David, you're a hero! Kind regards and grateful thanks, Lorraine in Canada