From Worcester Guardian 06-06-1846
SUICIDE.— The following melancholy case of suicide occurred at Gloucester, on Saturday last:— Mr. George Beard, the landlord of the Star Inn, and a large boat- owner and coal- merchant, had been indulging too freely in liquor on Friday morning last, notwithstanding which he went to the Lower George Inn, to the anniversary dinner of the Druids, of which society he was a member. There he also drank freely, but went home about nine o'clock. He there became very quarrelsome, and went so far as to strike his wife, after which he left the house, swearing he would never enter it again. After having called at two or three places, at each of which he took " another glass," he got back to the Lower George, when the landlord, seeing the state lie was in, very kindly, and with a great deal of difficulty, induced him to go to bed, and afterwards went into his room to see that all was right, when he appeared to be very fast asleep. About ten o'clock on Saturday morning the landlord took up some coffee for him, when, to his great horror and astonishment, he found him fastened up to tho bedpost, and quite dead. He had tied a large scarf to the bedpost and round his neck, with what in bargemen's phrase is called a bowling knot, and had then apparently fallen forward from the bed, as his legs were quite doubled under him, and his elbow resting on the bed; but being a very heavy man, his great weight had drawn the knot up tight, and occasioned strangulation. No cause but drunkenness can be assigned for this melancholy circumstance, as he was in very good circumstances, and had a good business. We are sorry to add that a widow and six young children are left to deplore his untimely end. A coroner's inquest was held on the body on Saturday, when the Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."
