A Rushden Resident Missing
Search of the River Continued all the Week – Hat and Stick Found

Sensation of a speculative nature has been caused by the continual absence from his home of Mr John William Nurrish, of Olive House, Higham-road, Rushden. Last Friday morning Mr Nurrish left home, telling his wife that he was going to the bank. Mr Nurrish did not return home. Later, near the Wharf, Higham Ferrers, a walking-stick was found fixed in the ground with a hat resting on top. The stick and hat were believed to have been Mr Burrish’s property, and dragging of the river was begun.

Though there was very low water, nothing was found of a human body on Saturday up to darkness coming on. All this week dragging had continued, a boat being used to assist in crossing and recrossing.

A retired business man, Mr Nurrish, aged about 67, was formerly a partner of the firm Messrs Nurrish and Pallett Ltd., boot manufacturers, Shirley-road, Rushden. Nearly two years ago Mr Nurrish, then a widower, married Miss Nina Gwendoline Westley. Of the marriage there is one child. Mr Nurrish has latterly suffered poor health, and knowing that his heart was not sound, he had become depressed.

Inquires made today (Friday) showed that dragging and searching of the river has been carried on by labour employed by Mrs Nurrish. The body had not been found just after dinner-time today.

Missing Rushden Manufacturer – Disappearance Still a Mystery

Nothing further has been heard of Mr W J Nurrish, the retired Rushden boot manufacturer, who a fortnight today disappeared, his hat and stick subsequently being found on the river bank near the Wharf at Higham Ferrers. It was thought that if Mr Nurrish had thrown himself in the river, the body would have been moved by the heavy floods of the past few days, but this was not so. It is possible that the body has passed by Chown’s Mill, as some of the grating was removed when the body of the late Mrs Middleton was taken out some time ago. Efforts have been continued all the time, but have so far been fruitless.

  After over five weeks of suspense, for the relatives a terrible experience, the mystery of the disappearance of Mr. John William Nurrish from his home, 56 Higham-road, Rushden, was cleared up this week when, on Tuesday afternoon, a gipsy saw the body of Mr. Nurrish in the river Nene at Chown’s Mill.

  Many speculations were made when after days, and then weeks, dragging operations and searching from a boat failed to reveal any signs of a human body.  There were evidences that Mr. Nurrish had been to the river, because a hat and a stick identified as his were found on the bank, also, foot marks were visible down to the edge of the water.  As time elapsed people wondered whether there was any other solution of the mystery besides drowning, but there appears to have been none.

  It was known that Mr. Nurrish had been extremely worried over his own private business affairs.  He had been actively associated with the firm of Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett, boot manufacturers, Rushden, but had retired some time ago.  Mr. Nurrish had been receiving treatment from his doctor occasionally in the last year or so, but had not been visited since last November.  It transpires that the cause of his worry had been cleared up, yet he could not, unfortunately, cease worrying about it.

  On the finding of a body on Tuesday afternoon news quickly spread, and the body was subsequently identified as that of Mr. Nurrish.  The corpse was conveyed to the mortuary, Higham Ferrers.

The Inquest

An inquest was held at the mortuary on Wednesday morning, conducted by Mr. J. C. Parker, (Deputy Divisional Coroner).  Mr. C. W. Wing represented deceased’s family.

  P.C. Lawman was Coroner’s Officer.  Inspector Knight (Rushden) also attended.

  Arthur John Westley, 28 Irchester-road, Rushden, said that the body was that of John William Nurrish, who had lived at 56, Higham-road, Rushden.  Mr. Nurrish was a retired boot manufacturer aged 67.  Witness last saw deceased alive on Jan. 11^th, and he seemed rather depressed and worried.  Deceased did not threaten to commit suicide.

  Mrs. Nina Gwendoline Nurrish, widow of the deceased, said her husband had been much worried for a month or two up to when he left home on Jan. 14^th , at 9.30 a.m.  He said he was going to the bank.  He never returned.  He had been worried about figures which he had said he could not get right.  He was very much depressed, but he had never threatened to commit suicide.  She did not know why he should, apart from the figures, which she believed were something to do with income-tax.  The trouble seemed to get on his brain.  He had not slept at all well for several months before he left home.

  Jim Smith, gipsy, scissor grinder, Irthlingborough-road, said that about 1.45 p.m., on Tuesday he was near the river, as he had been told to keep a sharp lookout for a missing body.  About 100 yards away he saw the body a few yards from the head of Chown’s Mill, in mid-stream.  Witness “chucked” a piece of rope over the body and sent for the police constable.  He and the constable removed the body.

  Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset, of Rushden, said he examined the body of the deceased.  There were no marks of violence, and death appeared to be due to suffocation caused by drowning.  Witness had attended deceased fairly frequently in the last two or three years, the last time on Nov. 23^rd.  Mr. Nurrish was then very depressed and worried and in a very poor state of health.  They had a long talk.  Deceased said he was much worried about income-tax.  Several times since the last professional visit witness spoke to Mr. Nurrish in the street, and he still seemed depressed.  There were no signs then of insanity.  He was so ill that any additional worry could unhinge him mentally, at least temporarily.

  The Coroner found that the deceased committed suicide by drowning himself on Jan. 14^th, and from the evidence of the doctor, he said it was clear that the deceased was temporarily insane at the time.

  Mr. Wing said that, with the permission of the Coroner, he would like to say that the books which the Inland Revenue Department required had been submitted and had completely satisfied the officials.  Unhappily, the deceased had not been able to free his mind of worry over the matter.  No one had seemed able to satisfy Mr. Nurrish that he had nothing further to worry about.

  The funeral of Mr. Nurrish took place this (Friday) afternoon.