Description:This article from the Gazette dated 28 December 1886 recounts the attempted suicide of the curate of Perry Barr, the Rev. R. P. Walker, when he attempted to slit his throat with a razor blade. The explanation given that he was worn out from having to rush his dinner and then having to walk to Oscott and back in the snow does not seem to be sufficient explanation for the rather drastic action of the curate. Since he ended up cutting his larynx, in order to aid his recovery he was well supplied with beef tea. In a subsequent article dated 21st of March 1888 we are told that the Rev. Walker, having recovered from his suicidal state, decided to take a tour to improve his health. Far from improving his health however the unfortunate Rev. Walker caught typhoid in Dunedin, New Zealand and subsequently died.
Caption by Chris Basterfield