Dr. Green, Coroner, held an inquest Eckington yesterday into the death of John Holmes, care-taker of the Eckington Council School, who was found suspended from a rope in the boys’ room Saturday. His Father, Jermyn Holmes, an ex-policeman, said the deceased was formerly a constable, and was 45 years of age. During the last two three weeks had been rather low-spirited in consequence, witness thought, of complaints having been made respecting the cleaning of the school. regard to this matter the deceased had received a letter from the school managers. On Saturday he was engaged in the school, and a son was sent to call him for dinner. He could not be found for some time, but eventually the boy saw a ladder against the man-hole in the attic, in the boys’ room. Mounting it, saw the deceased hanging from a rope, and gave the alarm. Witness cut the deceased down. The body was warm, but life was extinct.
William Arthur Holmes (13) spoke to finding his father’s body- Sergeant Hewitt, who searched the body, said he had found nothing of any value except some papers. There was a letter from insurance company of which deceased was agent, respecting arrears, and letter written the deceased his wife… dated February 29.
In it Holmes stated that none of his family were to follow him to the cemetery “except his wife, Lillie, Willie, Leonard, and his father.” and asking that the band should’ play “ Dead March” over his grave. She was to write to the insurance company for his insurance money if the policy had not been cancelled for arrears. The Coroner read an arrears notice dated January 15, which stated that unless the arrears were paid, the policy would be cancelled.—The arrears had not. been paid. Sergeant Hewitt said.
The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst temporarily insane.”
BNA © Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 03 March 1908
