South Yorkshire Times, November 3rd 1933
Mexborough
Mystery Solved
Missing Engine Driver
Found In Wood
Throat Cut
Three Weeks Dead
A decomposing body discovered in a secluded wood at Keresforth, near Barnsley, on Wednesday morning, was identified as that of Harry Johnson (48), locomotive engine driver, 4, Goulding Street, Mexborough. Johnson had been missing since October 10th, and prior to his disappearance he had been ill and depressed. The body was found by George Hunter, 13, Nursery Street, Barnsley. An inquest was conducted yesterday at Barnsley by Mr. C. J. Haworth.
The widow, Gertrude Johnson, said that so far as she was aware her husband had no business in Barnsley. He left home on October 10th, after being away from work for a month. He had been attended by a doctor for influenza, and suffered from sleeplessness, his nerves were in a terrible state. He left home about 11 o’clock, and she understood he was going to see the club secretary. As he did not return, she reported to the police that he was missing. She had seen the body and had been able to identify it by the fact that part of a toe was missing. She also identified a pocket-knife, a tobacco tin, and other articles. She could not say whether the razor was his.
George Hunter, miner, 13, Nursery Street, Barnsley, said he was in Needle Eye Wood about 10-30 on Wednesday morning, when he found the body lying face downwards under evergreen trees. The cap was about two feet away. Looking under the bushes he shouted “Hello!” several times, and then saw that the features were black. He immediately notified the police, but did not move the body. Witness was present when the police found a razor-blade.
The Coroner: Would it be possible for a body to remain there for some time without anyone seeing it?
“Yes. They are rhododendron bushes and very thick. Not many people go there. Witness said he had gone to the wood to get leaf mould.
Detective officer Edwin Holt spoke to accompanying Hunter to the wood. They found the body about 60 yards from a footpath known as Dark Lane. A safety razor blade was lying between the head and the hand. The man had previously been reported missing. Witness produced the articles found on the body. They included a safety razor, a penknife, a tobacco tin, another safety razor blade, and 17s. 5d. in money. In the man’s throat was a severe wound stretching practically from ear to ear.
Dr. Blackburn said the condition of the body was consistent with its having lain there three weeks. In addition to the throat wound there were wounds on the left-hand side which appeared to have been caused by a razor blade. The wounds could have been self-inflicted.
Herbert Hanby, glassworker, 15, Raikes Street, Mexborough, said he had known Johnson for eighteen years. He last saw him on the canal bank at Mexboro’ about 1-30 in the afternoon of October 10th. He was walking quickly and said “Good morning” as he passed. Witness thought he was going home. He could not account for Johnson being found in Barnsley.
The Coroner remarked that the only conclusion one could come to was that the man cut his throat in a fit of depression. He returned a verdict accordingly.