Hampshire Advertiser (UK)
Saturday, 12 January 1889
CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 12.
SAD DEATH OF A BARRISTER.
An inquiry was held last week by Mr. Diplock, at Chiswick, respecting the
death of Montague John Druitt, 31 years of age, who was found drowned in
the Thames. The deceased was identified by his brother, Mr. Wm. Harvey
Druitt, a solicitor residing at Bournemouth who stated that the deceased
was a barrister-at-law, but had lately been an assistant at a school at
Blackheath. The deceased had left a letter, addressed to Mr. Valentine,
of the school, in which he alluded to suicide. Evidence having been given
as to discovering deceased in the Thames - upon him was found a cheque
for £50 and £16 in gold - the jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst
of "unsound mind." The deceased gentleman was well-known and much
respected in this neighbourhood. The funeral took place in Wimborne
Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, and the body was followed to the grave
by deceased’s relatives and a few friends, including Mr. W. H. Druitt,
Mr. Arthur Druitt, Rev. C. H. Druitt, Mr. J Druitt, sen., Mr. J. Druitt,
jun., Mr. J. T. Homer, and Mr. Wyke-Smith. The funeral service was read
by the Vicar of the Minster, Wimborne, the Rev. F. J. Huyshe, assisted
by the Rev. W. E. Plater.
