Rushden Argus, 17th April 1903

A painful sensation was caused in Rushden last Saturday morning by the startling news that the body of Mr. Porter Brant Smith, hairdresser, of Wellingborough-road, Rushden, had been found hanging in a hovel near Knuston Spinney, Irchester. It appears that on Friday at about 9am Mr Smith, who had complained of business worries, left home with his bicycle with the intention of visiting Mr. Geo. Bayes, to whom he was going for advice. He had previously stated to his wife that as a probable result of his interview with Mr. Bayes he might have to go to Wellingborough or Northampton, so that his wife was in no wise perturbed when he had not returned at a late hour. On Friday evening two plate-layers named Tobin and Sawford saw a bicycle against the Midland Railway fence adjoining Knuston Spinney, but as that was not unusual no particular notice was taken. When, however, they returned to work next morning and saw the bicycle still there, their suspicions were aroused and upon examination of the machine, a message in pencil was found written on the saddle, signed P. B. Smith, 180 Wellingborough-road, Rushden, R.S.O. In a hovel near by the dead body of a man was found hanging from a beam. The men at once cut the body down and Sawford, leaving his mate in charge, at once went and notified P.C. Crisp, of Irchester. The constable returned to the hovel with Sawford and examined the body, and, finding life extinct, at once proceeded to Rushden to notify the widow, who is left with four children, two girls and two boys. [the inquest report follows]