Ambleside Herald & Lakes News 15-Aug-1884 Death of Wm Crosthwaite - Part 1 Melancholy Case of Suicide at Windermere It is with indescribable feelings of regret that in our issue of today it become our duty to chronicle the sad circumstances which relate to the blotting out of existence the life of one who was so familiarly known, not only to the residents of Ambleside, but to the majority of those who have been in the habit of journeying between Windermere and Keswick during the past 20 years, as WILLIAM CROSTHWAITE of Windermere who when seated on the coach box could handle the "ribbons" in a style which could be excelled by none and many there are, who but three short seasons ago were on the look out morning after morning to enjoy the pleasure of admiring the style in which the "Sportsman" coach, with its splendid team of horses dashed through the town under the pilotage of BILLY CROSTHWAITE. But alas, those who knew poor Billy will know him no more. It is apparently pretty clear that the inability to regain a situation as driver on one of the coaches, which was the one occupation on which he doted, had preyed upon his mind to a considerable extent and was the principal source of the despondency which was noticed to have come over him sometime back An inquest was held at the Elleray Hotel, Windermere on Friday evening the eighth inst, before J.B. WILSON, Esq., coroner and a jury of which Mr. W. HARRISON was foreman. ANNIE CROSTHWAITE of Windermere (who was visibly affected and gave her evidence with difficulty) deposed as follows: The deceased, WILLIAM CROSTHWAITE was my husband. He was a labourer and 50 years of age: for a couple of months or so he has been in low spirits but became considerably more so during the past three weeks. He was formerly a coachman but lost his situation some time ago, and I attributed his despondency to that, as he was unsuccessful in obtaining another coach. I last saw him at home yesterday at about a quarter to one o'clock when I went out. He appeared as cheerful as usual and I did not notice anything peculiar out of the usual way about him at that time. David Leverton Leverton, Stevens, Clibborn, Dodgson, Hird, Stalker ulpha@telus.net