Edward Panter, a butcher, late of Rushden, had been managing Sam Mackness's business at Little Houghton. On Saturday March 1st, 1896, he left home at 5 a.m. and never returned. A man of his description was seen on Billing Bridge at 6.30 a.m. On Tuesday, Panter's hat was found by a waterkeeper, in Sargeant's field near Billing Bridge. The police began dragging. After three hours, the body of Panter was found in the river near Clifford Hill.

The inquest was held on Wednesday. Edith Panter, his wife said: "My husband has been in fairly good health, and has had no trouble that I know of. The business at Little Houghton has not turned out as he expected, and that, and the fact of leaving Rushden has seemed to trouble him a good deal."

A letter was found on the body:

"To my Dear Wife, Fare Well. I dare say you will think it a cruel shame for me to leave you but under such witch I have brought would be far better has it has what I have sineged would give me transpotaton for live witch would be a lie to you. If I could undo the Past which cannot be to think should leave you with with five deare ones to drag the world alone for me to stay and face the word on such a ch has this would brake the Heart of all round this will."

William Tew, Rushden: ...The deceased has not drawn his money from the bank. I do not think the deceased has signed anything which would render him responsible to the criminal law...

The verdict: Suicide during temporary insanity.