Mitcham mystery solved
Inquest on missing Liverpool man.
An inquest was held on yesterday on the body of a man found dead on Tuesday last in the scullery of a house in Prospect Road, Mitcham, which he had taken under the name of Percy LEWIS.
Medical evidence was to the affect that the man had suffered from consumption and pleurisy. The liver was much enlarged due to excessive drinking, Death was due to syncope, arising from the condition of the organs.
Detective Charles COOPER said that from inquiries he had made he was of the opinion that Percy LEWIS, was not the correct name of the man. If an adjournment was granted it was likely the body could be identified, The police had received a telegram from the Liverpool police, stating that on the 15th of August a man named Thomas Beecher GRIME left that city having in his possession 4, 100 pound notes. From inquiries witness had ascertained that the man cashed one of the notes at the Hotel Cecil four days later. The man had also stayed three days at the Grand Hotel.
The inquest was than adjourned
A Liverpool correspondent telegraphs that GRIMES was a well known Liverpool coal merchant, who left his office in Wavertree Liverpool on the 15th August, saying he would be back in a few minutes. Since then no trace of his movements had been found, He was a native of Darwen. Our Liverpool correspondent telegraphs, that the disappearance of Mr GRIMES took place under rather curious circumstances. He continued to attend to his business up until Wednesday, where he left his office in Tunnel Road, remarking he would be back in a few minutes. He never returned. His movements ever since have been shrouded in mystery. It is known he drew 400 pounds in 4 notes on the day he disappeared. Subsequently his affairs were put in the hands of the Official Receiver in bankruptcy, a few day later an advertisement appeared in the local press notifying GRIME that a bankruptcy petition had been presented against him in the Liverpool Court by the Sutton Heath and Lea Green Collieries. Co. Ltd .It having been proved to the satisfaction of the court that he had absconded the publication of the presentation of the petition deemed sufficient service on him. At the petition hearing on the 27th ult the debtor did not appear, and a receiving order was granted against him.
Numerous inquiries were made of him at his place of business including his sister who lived in Darwen. GRIME was a married man who had lived apart from his wife for the last 10yrs, she is now living in Huddersfield, they, had no children.