Thursday, 10 January 1889
We regret to hear of the sad death of Mr. M. J. Druitt, a barrister of this circuit, and son of Mr. Druitt, of Wimborne. An enquiry into the circumstances attending his death was held by Dr. Diplock at Chiswick, on Wednesday, deceased having been found drowned in the Thames near that place. The deceased was identified by his brother, Mr. William 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. A paper had also been found upon which the deceased had written, "Since Friday, I have felt as if I was going to be like mother," who had for some months been mentally afflicted. Evidence having been given as to discovering deceased in the Thames - upon his body were found a cheque for £50 and £16 in gold - the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind." The funeral took place at Wimborne on Thursday. Deceased was a prominent member of the Kingston Park Cricket Club, and as such was well known in the county.