Wished He Was on Titanic

CORONERS' INQUESTS.
WISHED HE WAS ON THE TITANIC.

Took Poison as Detective Knocked at the Door.
WANTED BY YORKS POLICE.

The widow of Francis Chandler, thirty-five, commercial traveller, who was found dead at the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton-row, told a sad story at the inquest at Holborn yesterday.
Mrs. Chandler said her husband was not living with her, and she did not know his address. "I never thought he was sane since our marriage," she proceeded. "He tried to cut my throat the first week we were married. He was very passionate. He seemed to think there was an evil fate over him, that he was meant to commit suicide, and had to do it." His business was bad, and he was unable to support her and her children. This upset him very much. He wrote her a wild letter, which she destroyed. In this he said he wished he had been on the Titanic; it would have saved him from an inevitable and dishonourable death. He had some cyanide of potassium, which he said he wanted to clean ormulu mountings, and he did use this stuff in his business.
Detective-sergeant Baker said that he went to the hotel, and inquired for Chandler. The cashier said they had a Dr. Chandler staying there, and was describing him when deceased came along. "I suppose that is him," remarked the officer.
"He might have heard me," said Baker. "I turned to look at his description at the back of the hall, and when I looked back he was gone."
Baker said he went to Chandler's room, but he would not let him in. He then heard a noise, as if someone were choking, and burst the door open. Chandler was lying on the bed, with black froth coming from his mouth. Salt and water was administered, and a doctor was sent for, but Chandler died shortly afterwards.
Dr. Hartford said death was due to poisoning by cyanide of potassium. The bottle found would have contained enough poison to kill fifty people.
Inspector Gough said a communication was received from the West Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary, stating that a man named Francis Ellis Chandler was wanted in connection with obtaining a motor-car by means of a worthless cheque. The facts were not advertised, and the only information the man would have was that which came from his own conscience.
Mrs. Chandler (interposing): Long before the warrant was out, before he could have had anything on his conscience, he was always talking of committing suicide. For quite three years he had a mania for it. It was nothing to do with the cheque. With regard to his giving a dishonoured cheque, he had no sense of right or wrong. I don't think he thought he was doing anything wrong.
The Coroner said this was a matter they could not go into, and the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind."

Source: Lloyd's Weekly News, April 28, 1912, Page 3