Local Gossip: St. Leonard’s Tower, Newton Abbot: … … A very painful suicide was committed by a waggoner named Skinner in the employ of Messrs. Pinsent on Wednesday last, – I I say painful, not merely from the circumstances that led to the act but from the great distress the widow and family of six children have been thrown into. … … (association between drink, poverty and suicide) … … But here is a striking instance where drink was the direct cause of it. The poor fellow seemed always to have been a hard-working honest man, a kind husband, and an affectionate father, and prior to entering the Messrs. Pinsent’s employ (when beyond the direct temptation of drink) showed no disposition to be one of its victims. But during the last few years whilst in Messrs. Pinsents employ, in conveying spirits and ales to various public houses he was habitually brought into temptation that required even more than moral force to resist, especially to a man in the absence of a good education who had only nature for his guide. … … and last Wednesday morning the poor fellow paid the penalty for it by hanging himself in Mr. Pinsent’s wagon linnay. It was a most determined act, for it would seem after adjusting the rope around the beam and his neck he threw himself off from the top of one of the wagons … … …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901