Suicide through the London Horrors?

[Chris Scott]

Hi Mark
Many thanks for that
It is quite possible that the young Arthur is in that crowded pic
Chris

[Chava]

Thanks Chris! Poor kids, I feel really sorry for them.

[Sam Flynn]

It is quite possible that the young Arthur is in that crowded pic

If the famous quote attributed to Churchill is anything to go by, trying to find a Sodeaux mite on board ship isn't going to be too difficult

[m_w_r]

...trying to find a Sodeaux mite on board ship isn't going to be too difficult

Yes, and although orphans' options were limited in the LVP, one wonders whether young Arthur might not have felt more comfortable in a profession which didn't necessitate the regular use of ropes...

Mark

[Dave O]

Elizabeth Jessie Sodo inquest

Hope no one minds my resurrecting an old thread. I thought I'd post this. Macdonald's records for both of these cases are held by the LMA. The notes are pretty brief but contain a few more details. This is from Elizabeth Jessie Sodo's inquest:

LMA/MJ/SPC/NE 295 (Box 2, No. 25 in rotation). Inquest on Elizabeth Jessie Sodo, aged 50, held at the Black Lion, 63 Hanbury Street, Brick Lane, Christchurch, October 12 1888. Verdict: Suicide by hanging. Violent.


John Sodo having been sworn upon the day and year and at the place above mentioned, deposed as follows:--I reside at 65 Hanbury St Spitalfields I am a Silk Weaver. Decd is my wife Elizabeth Jessie Sodo aged 50 years. Decd has been strange in her manner for some months, especially so at monthly intervals. On Sunday last she obtained a razor which was taken from her. On Wednesday 10th Inst I went out about 8.30 a.m. leaving her at home. I had then no reason to expect that she would commit suicide. She had been drinking a good deal lately and complained of her head. On my return about 10.30 A.["A" struck out]m. I found she was dead. Her sister has attempted suicide and her uncle was insane. She was cut down before I [got] home.

Ada Sodo. Says I am 8 years of age. I am daughter of Decd. On Monday [struck out] Wednesday last 10th Inst about 10.30 a.m. I went on to the stairs. When I saw Decd hanging by a rope to a nail on stairs just outside her room. I ran down stairs and called Mrs. Cornell but she would not go up with me. So a Police Constable was called who at once went up + cut Decd down and Dr. Killeen was sent for. She was dead.

Marie Cornell on her oath says, I reside at 65 Hanbury Street. I am a Widow. I was called by last witness but was afraid to go up until the Police came. I live underneath them. The child cried out that her poor mother was dead.

Richard Broad on his oath says I am PC 267 H On Wednesday last 10th Inst I was on duty in Hanbury Street. About 10.30 a m I was called to No 65. On the stair case near Second floor, I saw Decd hanging by the rope which I produced to a large nail in the wall. I at once cut her down. She was quite dead but warm. The Doctor pronounced her dead.

Dave

[Dave O]

John Sodo

LMA/MJ/SPC/NE 521A (Box 4, No. 21 in rotation) Inquest on John Sodo, aged 52 years, held at Black Lion, Christchurch, 9 January 1889. Verdict: suicide by hanging while in a state of unsound mind. Violent.

Charles Sodo having been sworn upon the day and year and at the place above mentioned, deposed as follows:--I reside at 65 Hanbury Street. I am a Jeweller. Decd is my father John Sodo a Silk Weaver. He lived at the same address. On Sunday last 6th Inst. About 12 noon Decd went down stairs. He told me he was going into the yard and would be back in a few minutes. I was called soon after and on going down and saw that he had hanged himself to a Beam in the W.C. he was at once cut down by John Murray and Dr. Hume was sent for and came immediately. Decd did not appear to be quite dead and the Dr. used efforts to restore him but without avail. He seemed in his usual health that morning. He has been very desponding since his wife hung herself in the same house in October last year. He said we should some day find him dead, as he could not live without his wife.

James Taylor on his oath says. I reside at 65 Hanbury Street, the same house as Decd. I am a Fishmonger. On Sunday last about 12 o’clock I was in the yard at work. Decd came out wished me good morning and went into W.C. As He did not come out I made my little boy look through a crack in the door. He opened the door. I then saw Decd. Hanging by a Cord to a Beam in the W.C. my step son John Murray was with me and he at once cut him down and Dr. Hume was sent for. He did not appear to be quite dead when cut down, but he died almost immediately in spite of Dr. Humes’ efforts.

John Murray on his oath says. I am a Horse Hair Carder. I live at 65 Hanbury St. I was in the yard on Sunday 6th Inst about 12.15 p.m. I cut decd down. He was not dead but died soon after.

David Hume, on his oath says. I reside at 139 Hanbury Street. I am MRCS + Regtd. I was called to Decd about 12.20 p m Sunday 6th Inst. He had then been cut down. On examination I found no external marks of violence except the marks of the cord round the neck. Death was due to strangulation by hanging.

Dave