Canal Haulage 1913/14

[Almond Tree]

Does anyone know why a substantial loss on canal shares might lead someone to committ suicide in Alvaston, Derby in 1913?  I have been told a family story that a substantial financial loss was made because it was not foreseen that the railways would drive the movement of heavy cargoes away from the canals at this time.  If not a financial loss from this source - any suggestions with regard to what was happening at the time and how this would affect investments.
Thank you.

[CaroleW]

If the shares were their primary source of income - that could do it

[goff153]

I would assume that 1913 was just about the time that all canals were beginning to suffer from the decline of the railways and therefore their shares would drop rapidly.  if someone had thier life savings in the shares of one canal (never a very profitable one) they might face ruin.

[Almond Tree]

Thank you - that is what family anecdotes report.  Investments were all in canal shares.