His Unlucky Day

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 34, 11 February 1936, Page 2

His Unlucky Day

A man’s delusion that he was going to bo taken to a mental institution on Friday, December Id, nis ‘ ‘ unlucky day,” led to his death on the railway. This was the story told at the Paddington inquest on Frederick Fensoin, 77. bachelor and retired railway inspector, of Monmouth road, Watford. On the Friday Fensoin was seen on the railway track outside Paddington suburban station. A driver left his engine and ran towards him to get him to safety, but Fensoin lurched under a steam train entering the station and was killed. A nephew, Mr Charles H. Fensoin, of Lower road, Choney Wood, said' that two days previously Air Fcnsoni took him his deedoox, but carried it away again. Next day ho gas c him a gold watch saying, “Well, Charlie, to-morrow is the thirteenth, my unlucky day; that is the day they arc taking me.” His uncle added, “I have brought you a cheque for £500,” and put it into his hand. Ilis uncle said that he wanted him io use it to enable a solicitor to light his case if he were removed to an asylum. His uncle stayed with him the night and next morning asked for the return of the cheque. The coroner’s office said that Air Frederick Fensom’s nnancial position at the bank was strong. The £SOO cheque, torn up, was found in his 'pocket. Air Ingleby Oddie, recording a verdict of accidental death, said that it was only a theory, but he thought it reasonable to assume that Fensom’s last movement on the line was when he was trying to evade, as he thought,, his pursuer. “I have no doubt,” said Air Oddie, “that he was there intending to kill himself, but when he saw the man he forgot about it, and in running away was knocked down.”,