SCHOOLGIRL'S SUICIDE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1912, Page 12

SCHOOLGIRL'S SUICIDE

A PECULIAR CASE. A remarkable story was told at an inquest on the twelve-year-old Daisy Bank (Bilston) schoolgirl. The Coroner asked if Louie Pope, the deceased girl, had over threatened to commit suicide. The mother replied that the girl had said she would, "in her foolery," two or three times. "But, 1 ' added the sorrowful mother, "we never took any notice of her. She had a terrible temper, and I hav6 had to give her many a penny to coax her to do things properly. If I did not give her just what she pleased, she uaid, 'I will go and drown myself.' V The mother added that the girl was usually bright and cheerful, and was in Standard VI. at school. During the last two weeks, however, Bhe appeared to have, taken an objection to attending school. No reason for this had been disclosed. The mother threatened to tako the girl back to school. "But she did not come within reach of mo by yards." Mrs. Pope added that on a Wednesday morning, just as the girl was starting for school, she said to her compan ions : "You can go on. lam not going to-day. I do not know that I ■ shall go any more." On being told Bhe must go to school the girl threw d piece of bread and butter on the floor and ran off.' She then skipped in the yard, where she played until 12.30. On being reproved for not going to school, the girl again declared she would not go. Later the mother was informed that her daughter had drowned herself in the canal. Hannah Popo, aged nine, Buid that when she returned from school her sister told her she was going to drown herself. ' When Louie started off in the direction of the canal witness followed, whereupon her sister threatened to hit her. But she went on, and was amazed w see her sister undress on the towpath near Rotten Brunt bridge, place her feet in the water, slide into it, and finally disappear. According to the deceased's schoolmasLeij the girl was of a Bullen temperament, but did not Beeni to dislike Bchool. A companion of the t>irl told him three weeks ago of a threat at suicide if her mother hit her.