From The Runcorn Weekly News of 29 September 1933: "MARRIAGES - CHRIMES - DOWDE September 25th, at St. Michael's Church, Garston, by the Rev. J.M. Swift, Frank Leslie Chrimes, of The Arch Hotel, Widnes, to Kathleen Dowde, of 43 McBride Street, Garston."
From The Runcorn Weekly News of 11 March 1938: "HOTEL TRAGEDY - WIDNES LICENSEE'S DEATH - Gassed in Upstairs Room. A tragic happening in Widnes was revealed on Monday afternoon when, it being found that the Swan Hotel in Waterloo Road had not opened at the usual time, an entrance was effected and the licensee, Frank Leslie Chrimes, aged 32, was found in a gas-filled room upstairs. Efforts to revive him by artificial respiration proved unavailing. At the inquest on Tuesday afternoon the Coroner (Sir Samuel Brighouse) found that he had taken away his own life while of unsound mind. Mr. W.S. Knowles represented Mrs. Kathleen Chrimes, wife of the deceased, who said that at three o'clock on Monday afternoon she was getting ready to visit friends at Garston and her husband was closing the premises. He appeared in his usual good spirits and as she went out said she needed not to come back until half-past eight as that would give him an excuse for not going to Runcorn with the darts team. When she returned she was told that he had passed away. William Thomas Charles, a concrete worker, of 54 James Street, Widnes, said that at 5-30 on Monday he noticed the front door was closed. He knocked but could get no answer. Later a girl came along and as a side window was open she climbed through and opened the front door. Robert Gregson, of 72 Henderson Road, Widnes, said at six o'clock he called at the Swan Inn and saw two of his friends knocking at the door. He asked them what was the matter and they said the deceased must have overslept. A few minutes later a girl who worked at the inn came along and finding the side window insecure she got through and opened the front door for them. They went in and looked in the rooms downstairs and then he went upstairs with the girl, Lilian Fox. When he got to the top he smelled gas. He sent the girl back and on opening the door of the front upstairs sitting room he found the deceased lying on his back on the floor near the gas fire. An eiderdown was over his head. Witness carried him downstairs and into the yard where he commenced artificial respiration and sent for the doctor. When the doctor came she said he was dead. Police Constable Norman Dewhirst said that at 6-40 he went to the Swan Inn and saw that artificial respiration was being applied under the supervision of Dr. Kavanagh. Witness afterwards examined the upstairs room and found that the pipe of the gas fire had been disconnected at the union and pulled towards the centre of the room. Gas was still escaping and the tap was in the 'on' position. He tried to close the tap but it was too stiff and it had to be turned by footprints [sic]. Close to the fire he found a hammer which deceased had apparently used to turn the tap on. Deceased left a note. After the Coroner had read the note he advised Mrs. Chrimes to allow it to be destroyed and it was put into the fire. Dr. Kathleen Kavanagh said that when she arrived at the hotel and examined the deceased life appeared to be extinct but they continued artificial respiration for three quarters of an hour without success. Death was due to coal gas poisoning. The Coroner said there seemed to be no doubt about the cause of death and all the circumstances pointed to the fact that he had taken his own life. It was quite clear from the note he had left that he was of unsound mind at the time."
Frank Leslie was an accomplished darts player.
Frank Leslie's Administration record reads: "CHRIMES Frank Leslie of the Swan Inn 108 Waterloo Road Widnes Lancashire died 7 March 1938 Administration Liverpool 30 March to Kathleen Chrimes widow Effects £378 2s 6d" |
