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Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Morning News

[printed in Plymouth.]

1898

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

Coroner's Inquests were usually held within the space of 48 hours following a death that appeared to be of a suspicious or unexplained nature. They were usually held in a local public-house, ale house, municipal building, or parish workhouse, but sometimes in the building where the death occurred. The Coroner usually came from a legal or medical background and more often than not, appointed for life by the respective County. The Coroner and a Jury of between 12 and 24 persons, usually men of substantial standing, were empanelled to examine the body, hear witnesses, and the Jury then to come to a Verdict as to Cause of Death. The account of the Inquest appearing in local newspapers, included the name of the deceased, where they died, and how they died. Sometimes, age, occupation, parish or address, and other relatives' names can be found. In later years when Hospitals appear, people can be dying away from their parish after having been admitted to that institution, and the Inquest is therefore conducted where the death occurred, rather than where the person was living. 


[Numbers in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs.]

Names Included:  Alford; Allen; Alleston; Andrews(2); Arnall; Arnold; Austin; Bailey(2); Banks; Bates(2); Battershill; Beer; Bellamy; Bennett(3); Bessent; Blew; Bloomfield; Bolt; Bostick; Bowden; Bowers; Bray; Brickley; Broomfield; Browne; Burgess; Burgoyne; Butland; Callaway; Callow; Cameron; Cann(2); Carleton; Carne; Chaffe; Chamberlain; Chope; Chubb; Clapp; Clarke(2); Cleave; Clements; Cole; Coleridge; Collings; Couch; Couzens; Cox; Crosse; Croydon; Curtis(2); Dart; Davey(3); Davis; Day; Dean; Derry; Drew; Duke; Edmunds; Edwards; Eggbeer; Elliott; Ellis; Ettery; Ezekiel; Ferrier; Foote; Foster(2); Francis; French(2); Fuller; Furneaux; Gardner; Garrad; Gidley; Gillard; Grant; Grass; Greenslade; Greenway; Guscott; Hall; Hambling; Hamlyn; Hancock; Harding; Harper(2); Harris(3); Hart; Haynes; Hender; Heywood; Higgins; Hill; Hilson; Hinks; Hobbs; Hodge(2); Hodges; Holloway; Holmes; Hooper; Hoyle; Hutchings; Ireland; Irish; James; Jasper; Jeffery; Jessop; Kellow; Kelly; Kittle; Laird; Lake; Lambell; Lane; Lang; Lathrop; Lavis; Leare; Leay; Lee; Le Lacheur; Lilley; Lock; Long(2); Lowman; Madge; Maggs; Maltby; Manning; Mansell; Martin(3); Mason; May; McClusky; McDonnell; McKeon; Medland; Merryfield; Mills; Mingo; Mitchell; Mole; Morgan; Moxon; Mugford; Mumford; Nicholls; Nichols; Nipper; Norman; Norrish; Northcott; Northy; Norton(2); Oats; Parke; Parkes; Penberthy; Penny; Penwill; Perriam; Perry(3); Pollard; Pomeroy; Ponsford; Pope; Powers; Preston; Radmore; Reed(2); Rendle; Roberts(3); Rockett; Roignant; Rosekilly; Rouse; Rowe(2); Rowland; Sanders; Sandy; Sargent; Savin; Scott; Searle; Sibley; Skelton; Skinner; Smart; Snell; Sole; Somerville; Sparkes; Spiller; Spry; Stabbach; Stanton; Stokes; Stone(2); Sullivan; Swain; Symons; Tapscott; Taylor(3); Thomas; Thorne; Tickle; Tope; Toye; Treblecock; Trill; Trudgeon; Vale; Virgo; Vittle; Wade; Wakefield; Walke; Wallis; Warren; Waters; Weale; Webb; Weeks; Welland; White; Whittle; Williams(2); Winter; Wintle; Witchell(2); Worth; Wotton.

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 January 1898 PLYMOUTH - CHARLES THOM NOAH KITTLE, 4 months, of 22 Cromwell-road, Plymouth, was found dead in bed yesterday morning by his mother. At an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns last evening, Dr T. B. P. Williams attributed death to convulsions and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - JANE NICHOLS, 67, of 2 John-street, Plymouth, died on Thursday night after a slight illness. Dr R. H. Wagner made a post-mortem examination, and attributed death to chronic bronchitis and fatty heart, and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Jury.

PLYMOUTH - ALFRED RALPH BOWDEN, 8, of 59 King-street, died from the effects of scalds on Thursday last. At the Inquest yesterday, it was stated that the deceased was sitting in front of the fire on December 19th, and on jumping up overturned a kettle of boiling water and severely scalded himself. Dr H. H. Passloe said that the deceased was severely scalded about the thighs and abdomen and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 3 January 1898
BISHOPSTEIGNTON - Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquiry at Bishopsteignton on Friday afternoon respecting the death of ELIZABETH EGGBEER, wife of W. C. EGGBEER, Newton Abbot, whose body was found in the River Teign near Floors, on Thursday morning, by James Braund, a ganger on the Great Western Railway. Mr Maddicot was Foreman of the Jury. - W. C. EGGBEER, husband of the deceased, stated she was 62 years of age; she was delicate, and under Dr Nisbet's care about a fortnight ago. He believed she was suffering from pleurisy. On Monday night when he got home he heard there had been words between deceased and her daughter. The deceased was excited and crying. On Tuesday evening his wife was again excited. Deceased once said to him that she would as soon be out of the world as in it. She threatened to take her life some years ago. She told witness that she once went out to drown herself, but could not do it. Deceased left the house, and he went after her, but she got out of his sight. witness and his son walked the streets of the town until one in the morning, and sat up the remainder of the night. Witness had never had an angry word with his wife. His wife had complained of pains in her head. - James Braund stated he was walking along the line near Bishopsteignton on Thursday morning, and saw the deceased lying on the bank of the river, with the water washing around her. - Mr Adam Nisbet, Surgeon, Newton Abbot, stated he had attended deceased at intervals for eight years. She was easily excited or depressed. At the time he attended her for pleurisy, she complained of pains in her head. Ten days ago when he saw her in his surgery she was crying and depressed. - A verdict that deceased Committed Suicide during a State of Temporary Insanity was returned by the Jury.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 5 January 1898
EXMOUTH - The infant child, aged 11 weeks, of GEORGE LAVIS, of Exmouth, was found dead in bed. Dr Shapland, who had made a post-mortem examination, gave evidence at the Inquest yesterday, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Suffocated."

PLYMOUTH - CHARLES ALFRED MERRYFIELD, aged 5 months of 6 Wyndham-street, Plymouth, died suddenly on Sunday morning, in a choking fit. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Keily said death was due to spasmodic croup.

DARTMOUTH - Death Of A Crimean Veteran At Dartmouth. - At Dartmouth yesterday, Mr R. W. Prideaux, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of WILLIAM MANSELL, aged 87, a naval pensioner, who was found dead in bed on the previous day. Mrs Roberts, Oxford Slip, with whom the deceased was a lodger, said he appeared in his usual health on the morning in question. She went to ask him if he wanted a cup of tea, but he said no. She heard him walking about his room afterwards. At five minutes to twelve she again went up and found him in bed dead. Her husband also gave evidence shewing that in the morning deceased was in his usual state of health. Dr Soper attributed death to failure of the heart's action, owing to excessive age, and a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned. Roberts said the commander of the Britannia had promised that deceased should have a naval funeral.

EXETER - Sad Death At Exeter. "A Grave Mistake." - Mr H. W. Hooper held an Inquest at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of LOUISA DINGLE LANE, the wife of MR E. H. LANE, 34 years of age. - Deceased went out on Sunday afternoon and when she returned she complained of feeling giddy. MR LANE said his wife had been in poor health for some time. Mr Moon said he had attended her professionally. Lately she had unfortunately been taking too much stimulant, her husband had done all he could to prevent her. When he was called on Sunday evening, he found MRS LANE on [?] and partly across the bed. She was quite dead. He thought death was due to alcoholic poisoning. The Coroner said he considered it a grave mistake that grocers were permitted to sell drink. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Friday 7 January 1898
TEIGNMOUTH - Death Through Sucking Matches. - At an Inquiry at Teignmouth yesterday relating to the death of PHEMIE ARNOLD, aged two years and three months, the daughter of ELLEN MORTIMORE ARNOLD of 22 Teign-street. The evidence proved it was playing in a room close to the kitchen on Sunday morning in the care of her aunt and cousin and that she took a box of Bryant and May's Ruby matches from the table and sucked at least a dozen. The child became ill and shewed serious symptoms on Tuesday when Dr Stevenson attended, but the case was hopeless and the child died on Wednesday. An examination of the internal organs shewed every symptom of poisoning by phosphorus, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."

BARNSTAPLE - JANE BENNETT, 64, widow, Newington-street, Barnstaple, and living by herself, was found dead at the bottom of the stairs yesterday morning, with a lamp by her side, having fallen over, owing apparently to the stoppage of the heart. She had suffered from influenza. After hearing Dr Joseph Harper, a Coroner's Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 January 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Burton Inn, Cambridge-street, Plymouth, on Saturday relative to the death of WILLIAM GREENWAY, aged 30 years, a labourer. Stephen Barkel, landlord of the Burton Inn, said deceased had lodged with him for the past twelve months. On Friday night he complained of being unwell and died before a doctor could be fetched. Dr Brenton, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to syncope, due to haemorrhage, through a blood vessel being ruptured. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

WITHYCOMBE RALEIGH - MRS LONG, aged 61, died suddenly at Withycombe Mills, near Exmouth, on Saturday evening and at the Inquest yesterday Dr Shapland attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart and syncope.

EXETER - Death Of An Exeter Physician. - Mr H. W. Hooper, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of ARTHUR GEORGE BLOOMFIELD, physician. - Mr W. J. Petherick represented the family. - CHARLES EDWIN BLOOMFIELD, cashier in the London and County Bank, Newport, Isle of Wight, said deceased, his brother, was a physician and surgeon, being M.D. of Aberdeen and 43 years of age. He had not seen him for several months, but always understood him to be in the enjoyment of good health. - Lucy Flood, servant, at 34 West Southernhay, said she saw deceased between 10 and 11 on Friday night in his sitting-room, reading a paper. He made some remark about the lamp burners. She took him his whisky as usual, but could not say at what time he went to bed. On Saturday morning she carried up his hot water and knocked. She received no answer, but deceased was never in the habit of making any reply. As the doctor did not come down she went up again at 10.30 and knocked four times. Getting no response, she fetched Mr Edward Petherick, a friend of deceased's and Mr Gibbings, the proprietor of the house. - Edward Petherick, solicitor, said he and Mr Gibbings forced open the door and found deceased lying in bed, with his face on the pillow. Witness turned the head round, and noticed signs of life. He at once called in Mr Russell Coombe and Dr Gordon. There was nothing unusual about the room, and nothing near the bed. - By the Coroner: The door was locked and had to be broken open by force. It was the doctor's usual practice to lock his door at night. - Miss Flood, recalled, said she could not tell whether deceased was in the habit of taking opiates. - Russell Coombe, surgeon, said he met DR BLOOMFIELD in the street on Friday and at the Dispensary on Thursday. He appeared to be in his usual health. When he called to see him on Saturday he found him in bed unconscious and breathing heavily. On examining the eyes he found the pupils intensely contracted. A medicine glass on a pedestal beside the bed appeared to have been recently emptied. It contained a few white crystals, which from deceased's symptoms he judged to be morphia. He administered an emetic and sent for a battery and other appliances. He ran himself for a stomach pump, but before he had time to use it the doctor was dead. Afterwards he found a syringe in the room and some tablets of morphia. The pillow was smelling of laudanum. - By the Coroner: Never heard the doctor say he suffered from insomnia. Taking laudanum might produce vomiting and so fail to act. Then it would be reasonable to use a hypodermic injection of morphia either to procure sleep or relieve pain. DR BLOOMFIELD had been suffering from influenza of late and that produced depression and sleeplessness. A puncture on the right fore-arm might have been made by a hypodermic syringe. Naturally it would have been on left side but DR BLOOMFIELD was left-handed. Death was due to an overdose of morphia or laudanum. Both might have been taken to ease pain or procure sleep. - By Mr Petherick: It would be very easy for a man to accidentally administer an overdose of morphia. - Dr Wm. Gordon gave corroborative evidence as to the cause of death. - The Coroner said the case was a sad one. DR BLOOMFIELD was greatly esteemed and respected and was rising rapidly in his profession. They would all regret his death. The Jury returned a verdict of Death by Misadventure, and Mr Loram, the Foreman, on behalf of his colleagues, expressed deep sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 15 January 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Accident At Royal Marine Barracks. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, touching the death of WILLIAM TAYLOR, 38, of 38 Claremont-street, Plymouth, who met with an accident at the Royal Marine Barracks, Stonehouse, on Tuesday. Mr J. G. Jackson, solicitor, represented Prowse Bros., decorators, in whose employ deceased was. Samuel J. Whear, journeyman painter, said he was with deceased at the officers' mess, Royal Marine Barracks, painting the ceiling. They were standing on three planks, braced together, and resting on a pair of trestles. The planks were securely fastened. Deceased was walking backwards, and when placing the paint-pot on the planks, overbalanced himself from the end of the staging. In falling he struck against one of the stays of the trestle. He was seen by the divisional surgeon at the barracks, and then removed to the Hospital. The planks were nineteen feet from the floor, and rested on trestles made expressly for this work owing to the height of the ceilings. The planking was altogether 21 inches wide. - By Mr Jackson: It was not usual to walk backwards in painting ceilings. - G. R. Good said he saw the staging and was satisfied it was perfectly safe. - Mr J. J. Nixon Morris, House Surgeon, said deceased was suffering from concussion of the brain, dislocation of the right shoulder and fracture of the left collar-bone. Symptoms of compression of the brain developed and after death it was found that the deceased had an extensive fracture of the skull. - The Jury (Foreman, Mr Mays) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added that no blame attached to anyone. The surgeons on duty at the Royal Marine Barracks were thanked for their services when the accident occurred, and for accompanying the injured man to the Hospital.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry yesterday relative to the death of JOHANNA BRICKLEY, aged 75 years, of 3 Stafford-row, Granby-street, Plymouth. Leaning out of her window on Thursday night, she overbalanced herself and fell out about 15 feet. P.C. Palmer said he picked deceased up and carried her into the house, where she died immediately. There was no glass in the window. Dr Wagner attributed death to a fractured skull. In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Foreman of the Jury (Mr R. Percy) said the landlord's attention should be called to the windows.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 January 1898
EXMOUTH - MR HENRY WINTLE, a gentleman, aged 58, who lived at Danby-terrace, Exmouth, had been extremely delicate nearly all his life, but had never been so well as since he had resided in Exmouth. For several days he suffered intense pains in his joints and chest, and on Friday Dr Thomas said he thought the attack was the beginning of influenza or rheumatic fever. He prescribed for him, but did not think there was any danger. Whilst MRS WINTLE was downstairs with a neighbour they heard a noise, but thought it was in the next house. On going upstairs a few minutes later deceased was found lying between the bed and fireplace on the floor. With help he was put back to bed, but he expired. Dr Thomas, who had made a post-mortem examination, deposed at the Inquest yesterday, that deceased had a diseased aorta, a very fatty heart, and diseased kidneys. There were no bruises on the body, and he was of opinion that deceased had tried to get out of bed and been seized with sudden syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Coroner's Jury at Devonport yesterday found that MARY LILLEY, the infant child of a labourer, living at 13 Tamar-wharf, died suddenly from bronchitis.

PLYMOUTH - Fatalities At Plymouth. - Plymouth Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held two Inquests last evening at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, respecting the deaths of WILLIAM RICHARD NIPPER, 24, porter, who fell down the shoot of the lift at the Grand Hotel, Plymouth, last Wednesday and died on Saturday, and SAMUEL ERNEST WADE, 9, of 28 Cambridge-street, Plymouth, who was kicked by a horse in the head on December 6th, and died at the Hospital on Sunday. - In the case of WM. NIPPER, Henry Tucker, head waiter at the Grand Hotel, said deceased went to the top of the Hotel in the lift about 10.30 on Wednesday night and remained on the "leads" for about fifteen minutes. On each floor wooden doors guarded the lift shoot, to which only the hotel attendants had keys. Witness was on the leads with the deceased, and hearing a carriage coming up the street they left the roof hurriedly. Witness reached the basement by the staircase and deceased said he would go down by the lift. The next thing he heard was a crash, which he thought was caused by the banging of a door, but afterwards he found it was caused by the deceased falling down the lift. It was usual to shut the doors of the shoot when leaving the lift, but deceased had evidently not done so when leaving it for the leads, and as someone must have removed the lift before his return, he fell down the shoot. Thomas Clarke assisted witness in removing the deceased from the top of the lift. Dr W. C. Hamilton, House Surgeon, said the deceased was suffering from a compound fracture of the left leg and severe injuries all over the body. He never regained consciousness. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Respecting the death of SAMUEL WADE, John Henry Robinson, driver, of Morley-street, Plymouth, said he was leading a horse in Cambridge-lane on December 6th. The horse was capering a little and when near the corner of the lane three boys rushed by the animal. The horse kicked the deceased in the side of the head. Nobody struck the animal. - John Spence, fish hawker, corroborated. Dr W. C. Hamilton said deceased had a compound fracture of the skull. He was unconscious until December 8th, when an operation was performed. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 January 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Navy Hotel, Southside-street, Plymouth, yesterday respecting the death of ELIZA NORTHEY, aged 15 years, of 3 Castle-street, who died suddenly on Monday morning. Dr C. J. Cook, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to apoplexy. The body was well nourished. CHARLES NORTHEY, fisherman, said the deceased had been weak in the head for the past nine years and subject to fits. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

AXMINSTER - A fatality under unusual circumstances formed the subject of an inquiry at Ball's Farm, near Axminster yesterday. On Wednesday last several trees in the Barton were blown down, and were afterwards sawn off, but the roots had never been replaced to form the hedge. MRS SWAIN and her seven year old daughter went underneath to make a hen's nest, with some straw, when the roots and the surrounding earth fell back, killing the child. With much difficulty MRS SWAIN was rescued. The Coroner expressed his and the Jury's sympathy with the bereaved family. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, touching the death of CHARLES JAMES TRILL, aged 41, pensioner and cook in the Hospital. Another cook, named Reed, stated that deceased on Boxing-day was placing some meat in the boilers and pricked his finger. Very little notice was taken at the time. On the 4th inst., the deceased's hand was swollen and he consulted the doctor of the Hospital, and went on the sick list. He died on Monday morning. Staff-Surgeon William Eames attributed death to heart disease, aggravated by the weak and low condition of deceased, due to the injuries. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

ST BUDEAUX - Inquest At St. Budeaux. A Mother Warned. - Mr R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at St. Budeaux yesterday, touching the death of LEONARD CHAS. BOSTICK, aged 5 months, the son of HENRY BOSTICK, general labourer, 2 Maurice-park. The mother said deceased had suffered from a cough since birth. She never had medical attendance, and observed nothing unusual about deceased when she nursed him at 5.30 on Monday morning. She applied camphorated oil to the chest, and fed the child on boiled biscuit. Dr A. C. F. Smith (St Budeaux) said he was called about 8 a.m. by the father and found the child dead. A post-mortem examination disclosed to him that the child was poorly nourished and only weighed 8lbs. Both lungs were congested and the liver enlarged and congested, probably due to the weak condition and strain of coughing. Death was due to inflammation of the lungs. There were no marks of violence. The little fat he found in the body prevented him from saying that the child was starved to death. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes." The Coroner warned the mother, who had three children living, that he was not at all satisfied with the treatment the child had received.

Western Morning News, Saturday 22 January 1898
GREAT TORRINGTON - Sad Fatality At Torrington. - An Inquest was held yesterday relative to the death of ROBERT DAVEY, in the employ of the North Devon Clay Company (Limited). Mr G. Stawell appeared for the widow. - Henry Holwill, manager of the clay works, stated that deceased had been in the employ of the company for over sixteen years, and was an experienced clay miner. In answer to Mr J. S. Martin, H.M. Inspector of Mines, witness explained the methods employed in clay mining. John Bright stated that on Wednesday he and deceased were stooping to pick up a beam, which they were about to place in a bucket, when a piece of clay, nearly one hundredweight, fell on deceased, driving his head against the beam. Witness took the clay off and seeing DAVEY was in a dying state the manager and doctor were sent for. All reasonable precautions had been taken for the safety of the men in the pit. The men were allowed as much timber as they wanted for props and supports. Dr Morgan of Torrington, said on arriving at the works he found DAVEY was dead. The cause of death was fracture and other internal injuries to the skull. - The Jury (Mr C. Gunn, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding that no blame was attributable to anybody. Mr Holwill, on behalf of the directors conveyed a message of sympathy to the widow, adding that deceased had whilst in their employ been a most respectable and steady workman. The Jury passed a vote of condolence with the widow and gave their fees to her.

Western Morning News, Monday 24 January 1898
BERE FERRERS - Christmas Day Incident In The Hamoaze. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on Saturday afternoon at Beer Ferrers touching the death of PETER SULLIVAN, whose body was washed ashore at Hake Stacks Creek, near Beer Ferrers and found on Saturday morning by P.C. Tucker. George William Bradbury, A.B., H.M.S. Vivid, said the deceased was late of H.M.S. Sirius. He was able to identify him by his trousers and shoes. The deceased tore the right-hand pocket of his trousers and he repaired it by letting in a fresh piece of cloth. He saw him a week before he was missing. He had been informed that on Christmas-day deceased jumped over-board, and was rescued. He jumped over-board again and it is believed he struck himself against one of the cutters in falling and did not rise again. Deceased's wearing apparel, except the shoes, was that of a naval seaman. The constable found in deceased's pockets, in a purse, half a sovereign in gold, 2 ¼d. in copper and a piece of paper, labelled "Jan Mocke, chemist, Union-street, Cape Town." The Coroner adjourned the Inquiry until the 12th March next, when the Sirius will have returned and enable the witnesses of the Christmas-day occurrence to attend.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 January 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held respecting the death of GEORGE WITCHELL, 36, pensioned sergeant of the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. Mrs South said deceased, her brother-in-law, had not enjoyed good health since he was discharged from the army as unfit for duty. Susan Smith, a domestic servant, said on Saturday night the deceased seemed in good spirits, but had complained previously of being unwell. Mr Maddock, dairyman, stated that the deceased had been very regular at his work as a milkman for four years, and seemed in his usual health when he left on Saturday night. As he did not arrive at the usual hour on Sunday night, witness sent a lad to where the deceased lived at the back of Chapel-street, and the message he brought back induced witness to visit the house, where he found the deceased on the bed, apparently dead. Mr L. P. Ryan, surgeon, attributed death to heart disease of long standing, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly. The Jury gave their fees to the widow.

EXETER - Lamp Fatality At Bradninch. Censuring An Agent. - Mr H. W. Hooper, Coroner, held an Inquest at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of ALICE CHAMBERLAIN, aged 20. MRS CHAMBERLAIN said her daughter, mentally afflicted, lived with her at Bradninch. On December 29th deceased went to stay with her sister, who was ill in another room, which was darkened. There were several panes of glass broken in the window, and others had to be secured. A lamp of the open benzoline pattern was standing in the window. Deceased got out of bed to look out of the window, when her nightdress of flannelette caught fire. Her sister saw the flames and fainted. Mrs Drew, a neighbour, hearing screams, went up to the room, and put out the flames as well as she could, afterwards sending for a doctor. On January 12th the girl was removed to the Hospital. There was a delay in sending deceased there, as there was difficulty in getting a recommend. Mr Percy Stirk, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the girl was burnt about the neck, chest and lower parts of the body. She was in a state of exhaustion and died on Saturday. The case could have been received without an order, but still there was a difficulty as the Institution did not take in persons of weak intellect. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mrs Drew, who went to the girl's assistance, in reply to questions said the agent for the house was Mr Glover, Bradninch. Some of the window panes had been out for six months. The sanitary inspector had ordered the house to be repaired, and the reason given for the glass not being renewed was that the agent had to wait for an order from the owner, a lady, who lived in Wales. - At the suggestion of the Coroner, the Jury passed a vote of censure on the house agent for not attending to the repairs.

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 January 1898
TIVERTON - Fatality At Stoodleigh. - An Inquest was held at Tiverton Infirmary last night touching the death of WILLIAM HAMBLING, of Kilkhampton. Deceased was at work for Mr Newton of Buckfastleigh, at Stoodleigh, and whilst feeding a steam circular saw, a piece of wood about five feet long, with a flaw in it, caught in the wheel, flew up into deceased's face and felled him. At Tiverton Infirmary he was found suffering from a compound fracture of the skull. He was able t describe how the accident occurred, but after the performance of an operation, became more unconscious and died the next day. He was 28 years of age, unmarried and until recently worked as a shoemaker.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 February 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday relative to the death of ANGELINA ARNALL, aged 66 of 50 High-street, Plymouth. Frederick George Bickford, painter, said deceased was his aunt, whom he had supplied with necessaries for some time. Mary Radford, who has resided with deceased in the same house for ten years, said last week she was taken ill and on Friday she sent for Dr Cuming. Deceased expired soon after his arrival. Dr Cuming attributed death to pneumonia, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held respecting the death of HAROLD MONTAGUE WALLIS, aged 3 years. The mother, who lives at 50 Duke-street, said the deceased had been suffering from bronchitis. Mr F. E. Row, Surgeon, attributed death to congestion of the lungs, and said the child was constitutionally defective from rickets. The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

STOKE DAMEREL - The same Jury Inquired into the death of the nine months old son of MR A. G. ALFORD, manager to Mr G. Oliver, of Fore-street. Mr J. E. C. Wilson, Surgeon, attributed death to a fit caused by convulsions while teething, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - During Saturday night GEORGE ROWLAND, fisherman, aged 60 years, of 12 Lambhay-street, Plymouth, fell out of bed and on his wife picking him up she found that he was dead. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Cooke said death was due to syncope.

TORMOHAM - Brewery Manager's Death At Torquay. - At Upton last evening Mr Sidney Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of GEORGE LANG POLLARD, 56, manager of the Torquay branch of the Plymouth Breweries Company, found shot at the rear of the offices on Saturday last. Mr G. T. Keppel watched the proceedings on behalf of the family. - GEORGE GUSCOTTE POLLARD, son of the deceased, stated that he was at the offices on Saturday, when the auditor was engaged in auditing the accounts of the branch. Whilst talking to the auditor he heard a strange noise, and thinking for the moment that it was merely something which had fallen in the brewery at the back, he took little notice of it for the time. He, however, could not get it out of his mind, and to satisfy himself went to an open drawer in which his father kept a revolver, and found the weapon was missing. On going through a door which his father had a few minutes before passed, he observed him lying on the floor shot through the head. Witness called a cab and had him moved to the Hospital, but he never regained consciousness. Deceased had had no business or family troubles and was in the best of health. The revolver had been in his possession for many years. The only solution to the mystery he could put forward was that deceased had taken the revolver to withdraw the charge, as witness had told him it was dangerous to keep the weapon in the drawer loaded, and had met with an accident. - Dr Watson, House Surgeon at the Torbay Hospital, stated that deceased was brought there in a dying condition. He expired about 2.25. A post-mortem examination shewed that the pistol had been discharged close to the head as the skin was charred. The wound might have been self-inflicted, and it might have been incurred by falling on the weapon when examining it or attempting to withdraw the charge. - Geo. W. T. Burr, clerk in the employ of Hibbert, Bull and Co., accountants and auditors, said he was engaged in auditing the books of the Torquay branch. He had not completed the work, but as far as he had gone the books were perfectly accurate. When the report of the pistol was heard he was about to initiate the deceased into the method of cash book-keeping adopted at Plymouth. He saw MR POLLARD several times that morning and he was quite cheerful. - George Herbert Pullen saw the loaded revolver in MR POLLARD'S drawer about a month ago, and told his son of it. - THOMAS HENRY POLLARD, bank clerk and eldest son of the deceased, gave evidence that the revolver was a very old fashioned one and whilst endeavouring to draw the cartridge he on one occasion narrowly escaped being shot. - Mr S. Vosper, managing director of the company, said he had always found deceased's accounts correct. That week he had paid over £1,000 into the bank. - Detective Pratt said when he found the revolver there were four chambers still loaded. There was nothing on the body to explain the occurrence. After hearing further evidence, the Inquiry was adjourned for a fortnight that the result of the audit might be made known to the Jury.

BARNSTAPLE - Suicide Of A Railway Servant At Barnstaple. - JOHN HANNAFORD HODGE, 41, assistant ticket-collector at Barnstaple was yesterday found hanging from his bedroom door at 9 Signal-terrace, near the Junction Station. Mr J. F. Bromham, County Coroner, held an Inquiry in the afternoon. MRS HODGE stated that deceased had been at home ill since Thursday. At half-past ten yesterday he said he was about to dress to go to the doctor. Half an hour afterwards witness sent up her little daughter to see what her husband was doing and she returned and said there was some cord on the door. Witness went up, and found her husband in his nightshirt, hanging on the inside of the door. A cord had been passed over the top of the door and fastened to the handle outside. A neighbour, whom her daughter called, fetched a knife from the kitchen and witness cut deceased down. Her husband had had influenza. Was not aware that he had any worry. He had been very poorly for the past three weeks, and ought to have given up work before. - John Kingdon, a neighbour, deposed to finding deceased on the floor after MRS HODGE had cut him down. There was an ordinary knot on the cord, and it appeared that deceased tied it while standing on a chair and then kicked the latter away. - Dr J. W. L. Ware said deceased had been dead a short time when he arrived. Found a pencil note attached to some letters on a table, which he passed to the constable. The note stated that he could not bear the pains in his back and head. These were distinct symptoms of influenza and were generally accompanied by great depression. Deceased, in his opinion, was suffering from mental depression, due to influenza, which induced him to commit suicide. P.C. Cousins produced two notes found by Dr Ware. One, dated the 28th, to Mr Stevens, relief agent, was as follows:- I am very sorry to say that something took me across the back, and I got out this morning to come to work, but could not stand upright, and as Edwards came down and my wife told him I was bad, and could not come to work, I thought that would do. - The second note was from Mr Stevens, as follows:- With reference to the attached, you are well aware of the company's rule, and that is that when a man falls sick a medical certificate must be produced. Please send me same at once. - On the back of this note was scribbled in pencil the follows:- My dear LIZZIE, - My poor head and back. I cannot stand it any longer. Good-bye, my (blank) and all the dear children. I hope they will be good to you. Good-bye, my dear. God bless you. JACK. - Mr Bromham said there was little doubt that deceased was of unsound mind when he took his life - due, as the doctor pointed out, to depression through influenza. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst suffering from Temporary Insanity." - At the close of the Inquiry Railway Inspector Pollard, in reply to the Foreman, said deceased had been called upon for a report, but had not furnished it. HODGE had been over twenty years in the service and leaves five children - the eldest sixteen.

Western Morning News, Saturday 5 February 1898
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - THOMAS SARGENT, 88 years of age, a retired gardener, of Crapston-cottage, Buckland Monachorum, dropped dead in his garden on Wednesday afternoon, his niece, Mary Dockett, having spoke to him a few minutes previously. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Dr G. T. Revell, of Horrabridge, having made a post-mortem examination, and attributed death to syncope.

PLYMOUTH - HORACE F. M. CARNE, aged eleven months, of 39 Southern-terrace, Mutley, Plymouth, died suddenly on Wednesday. At the Inquest on Thursday Dr Bean attributed death to convulsions and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes"

PLYMOUTH - A similar verdict was returned in the case of THOMAS TRUDGEON, aged fourteen months of 6 Wellington-street, Plymouth, who, according to Dr Simpson, also died from convulsions.

BAMPTON - Fatal Accident Near Bampton. - Mr A. Burrow yesterday held an Inquest at Petton, near Bampton, touching the death of WILLIAM CURTIS, 62, labourer. On Wednesday afternoon CURTIS, with his daughter, was passing over a level crossing with some maunds containing food for cattle. The girl went ahead of her father, who was somewhat deaf, to open the further gate, and turning round saw the Taunton-Barnstaple train approaching and shouted to her father. He apparently did not hear her warning and the next instant the engine caught him and dragged him several yards. After the train had passed, the girl went to where her father was lying. His head was in one of the maunds and he was quite dead. Neither driver nor fireman saw the deceased, but they both saw the girl and felt a slight shock on the engine at the spot where the accident occurred. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Neglect At Exeter. - At Exeter yesterday Mr H. W. Hooper held an Inquest relative to the death of FRANCES WORTH, aged 14 months. AMANDA WORTH, the wife of a labourer, employed on the new railway at Padstow, said her husband had not been home for two months, and she only received 2s. a week from him. She occasionally left the child in charge of a neighbour. She did so on Wednesday night, and returning found the child dead. She nursed the infant, and also fed it on bread and milk. Her mother sent her bread and butter and money to buy milk three times a week. She was the only support she had. Her husband was some time ago sent to prison for two months for neglecting to provide for her two children. - In reply to Inspector Sullock, the woman said she had very seldom been out late at night, and when she had Mrs Webber had looked after the child. Inspector Sullock considered it a case of cruelty. WORTH told him it was ten days ago she took the child to a doctor, who gave her a bottle of medicine. She only gave the child a few doses, and said she did not give her more as she thought she was better. The woman told him she had no food in the house, and when asked if the bedroom was clean replied in the negative. - The Coroner said there had evidently been gross neglect, and it was a case which should go before the magistrates. - Mrs Webber said she heard the child crying about a quarter of an hour after the mother left the house on Wednesday. She went to her, and Mrs Copp took the baby home and gave her milk, but she died. The neighbours did all they could for the child. The bedroom was not very clean. She had been out of bed at night to look after the child. Mrs Copp corroborated and said MRS WORTH'S room was very unclean. - Sergt. Butt, who was called in on Wednesday night, said the bed on which the child was left was an old straw bedtie, which was rotten and the blanket on top was rotten in the centre. - Mr Clapp, surgeon, said the child was well nourished. The cause of death was convulsions, followed by diarrhoea. From what he could gather, the medicine prescribed was for a cold. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes, accelerated by neglect on the part of the parents."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 February 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - The St. Budeaux Fatality. The Verdict. - At Devonport Guildhall yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce resumed the Inquest respecting the death of HENRY HEATH SYMONS, 34, of 2 Bridewell-terrace, St Budeaux, who received fatal injuries by a stone thrown in blasting from a quarry at Weston Mill on January 21st. Mr J. W. Bickle represented the widow of deceased; Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared for Sir John Jackson, who is using stone from the quarry; Mr T. H. Gill for Mr Searle, lessee of the quarry; and Mr Isaac Pearse for the Railway Passengers' Assurance Company. Mr J. S. Martin (Bristol), H.M. Inspector of Mines, also attended. - Frederick Lowring, labourer, in the employ of deceased, said on January 21st, hearing groans, he went towards the back of Bridewell-terrace, where he saw deceased lying on his face with his head in a bowl, half full of blood. There was also a stone in it. Went to the quarry for assistance, and returned with a foreman named Bramble. Deceased was then unconscious. Shortly before hearing the groans there was blasting in the quarry, the foreman (Bramble) having previously shouted "Fire" at the top of his voice. Some of the stones from the quarry went over witness's head and others fell close to him. Previous to that, witness had not noticed so many stones fly out from the quarry. - By Mr Gill: The foreman gave the signal three times before the explosion. The stones which fell near him were about the size of his hand. Did not know whether the deceased had had differences with anyone in the neighbourhood. - By Mr Bickle: The only danger signal he had heard at the quarry was the cry of "Fire" three or four times. Previous to the date in question he had narrowly escaped being struck by stones from the quarry, sometimes when the deceased was working by the side of him. - By Mr Martin: Had ducked his head and jumped out of the way of stones twice. The men working in the quarry left their work before the explosion took place and went a little distance away. - Robert Willcocks, St Budeaux, said he was walking near the houses being built for Sir John Jackson and heard two blasts. The blasts caused a number of stones to fly, and on approaching the hedge near the houses he heard groans and called Lowring's attention to these. Found deceased in the condition already described. A stone in the bowel weighed eight t ten ounces. (A jagged stone was identified as that found in the bowl.) Deceased did not speak after witness arrived, and seemed to be totally unconscious. - By Mr Bickle: Eighty-one yards was not a long way for stones to fly from a quarry which was being blasted, considering the character of the explosive matter now used. Had seen stones the size of the one produced fly from a quarry even when the holes charged had been covered with wood, but not when the wood had been chained down. - Charles Smaile, Ford, who is building houses at St. Budeaux, said he generally head the explosions from Searle's quarry, and also heard the danger signal given when he was not too far away from the quarry. Witness was working a quarry in connection with some buildings, and at first he used to give the alarm for blasting by a man calling out "Fire." He was advised, however, to get a bell and ring it, but he found that brought people from their houses and so the ringing of the bell was discontinued, and the former method was resorted to. If the hole about to be charged was considered dangerous it was covered over the furze and planks to prevent the stones flying. - By the Jury: Considered the signals given at Searle's quarry sufficient to warn people in the neighbourhood, as they could be heard all over the place, and were quite as good as a bell ringing. - By Mr Gill: Had heard blasting at Searle's quarry when he had not heard the danger signal, but he accounted for this by the wind being in the wrong direction. - By Mr Bickle: Considered the voice signal the best, as bells were used by street hawkers, who visited the locality and the signal might be mistaken. - John Shepherd, 7 Bridewell-terrace, cartman, in deceased's employ, said he heard the foreman give the alarm before the explosion took place, and shortly afterwards was called upon by Mr Searle to assist in removing deceased from the yard into the house. Witness saw deceased in his garden about five minutes before the explosion. The blast was followed by stones flying about, and the horse of which witness had charge was frightened. - James Bramble, foreman of quarrymen for Mr Searle, said on the morning in question there were four blasts, the last two at 8.30. Before each explosion took place, the holes were covered with baulks of timber and chains. As soon as the fuse was lighted, witness went to the mouth of the quarry and shouted "Fire" four or five times. The mouth of the quarry was close to the boundary wall of the deceased's garden. After the explosion the men returned to the quarry, and about five minutes afterwards witness was informed of the accident to MR SYMONS. Witness went to the back of 2 Bridewell-terrace and found MR SYMONS lying with his head close to the back door. Some small stones fell near where witness stood during the explosion, but he saw none go over his head in the direction of Bridewell-terrace. The depth of the holes in which the charges were inserted wee 2ft. and 2ft. 6 in. respectively and the usual charge was one dynamite "pill" to each foot, and a primer. timber and chains were placed over the holes on every occasion and the only notice of danger was the shouting, which was the best signal. Deceased had mentioned to him about stones flying from the quarry, but had never made a serious complaint about it. Complaints had been made of slates and glass being broken at the houses near the quarry, but everything possible was done at the quarry to ensure safety. - A Juror: Did you not tell us when we visited the quarry, that you rang a bell before the explosion? - I was puzzled at the time as to what I was saying, owing to so many being round me, and I recalled my words almost immediately. - We asked you distinctly if you used a bell as well as shouting? - If I said so, I was greatly mistaken. - By Mr Gill: Had frequently warned deceased when blasting was about to take place, and he was well acquainted with the mode of firing. Saw no stone in the bowl near where MR SYMONS was found. Baulks of timber and chains were a better preventative against stones flying up than fagots and furze which got knocked to pieces. The charges were weak. - By Mr Bickle: The other men employed in the quarry also called out "Fire" sometimes, but could not say whether they did so on this particular occasion. The day before the accident, one or two stones from the quarry were carried on to the roofs of the houses in Bridewell-terrace, and deceased remarked, "They're rattling again, but I don't care whether you blow them up or not, as they do not belong to me." - By Mr Martin: His wages did not influence him in getting out any particular quantity of stone. - By Mr Goldsmith: Was paid by Mr Searle, as were the other quarrymen. - Witness was closely questioned by Mr Martin, as to why, after he received notice of stones flying on to the roofs, he did not take further precautions to prevent the chance of damage, and replied that lighter charges had been used and more care taken in covering the holes charged. - Mr Martin: Here is an error of judgment occurring one day and a continuance of those errors. How do you justify that, when in your experience you get stones flying about? - I have tried to do everything to prevent damage. - Mr A. E. Searle said he rented the quarry from Mr Clarke on a monthly tenancy. He supplied the builders on the estate with stone. Sir John Jackson had nothing whatever to do with the quarry except using the stone from it. Bramble had sole charge of the quarry as regarded the blasting. Witness had never received a complaint, directly or indirectly, as to the way in which the quarry was worked except that MR SYMONS mentioned to him one day in passing the place that one or two slates of the roof of his house had been cracked by stones from the quarry. He also received a letter from Sir John Jackson in October with reference to the slates. Witness was in his house, about 150 yards away from the quarry on the morning in question and heard the warnings given before the explosions. He was informed of the accident, and on reaching deceased's house found the stone (produced) in a bowl. Was positive that the chains and timber were used whenever holes were fired in accordance with instructions. - By Mr Gill: The dynamite "pills" weighed 1 ¾ oz. each. - By Mr Percy Pearce (who had relieved Mr Bickle): Some time ago he replaced two panes of glass broken at 2 Bridewell-terrace, by blasting operations. Received a bill from MR SYMONS amounting to £9 10s. for damage to the roofs of two houses in Bridewell-terrace by blasting operations, but did not regard it as a complaint. He treated it as an effort to do him an injury because there was nothing like damage amounting to that sum. Paid no attention to the account after looking at the roof. Remembered receiving a copy of a letter which MR SYMONS wrote to Sir John Jackson, stating that he could not afford to erect houses for Sir John if they were to be damage by blasting operations. He told Sir John Jackson's manager it was a bogus complaint, made with the intention of injuring him. Did not tell Sir John's manager that he would repair the damage, and a letter written to that effect to MR SYMONS was sent without his sanction or authority. - Superintendent Lane, County Police, said the first complaint he received of the dangerous working of the quarry was the day before the accident, when he was informed that stones had been flying in the proximity of buildings near the quarry. The complaint came from the constable stationed at St. Budeaux. - P.C. Joy produced the hand bowl and a stone found in the yard of 2 Bridewell-terrace. Previous to the accident he received no complaint respecting the quarry, but last Saturday he heard from deceased's brother that stones from the quarry had been flying near the houses in Bridewell-terrace. - Mr Gill protested against evidence being given what occurred subsequent to the death of MR SYMONS. - Dr A. C. Smith, St. Budeaux, and Mr J. J. Nixon Morris, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, gave evidence of the injuries and said the case was hopeless from the first. Death was due to fracture of the skull. - The Coroner directed the Jury to consider whether the ordinary precautions were taken to avoid danger to human life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and recommended that a chain net be provided and used where practicable, to avoid any danger. The Inquest lasted six hours.

Western Morning News, Friday 11 February 1898
EXETER - Mr H. W. Hooper held an Inquest at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of JOSIAH THOMPSON CROSSE. Deceased was seized with illness on Wednesday morning, and died from an affection of the heart before medical aid could be summoned. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 February 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest respecting the death of EDWARD THOMAS COUZENS, the infant child of a skilled labourer in the Dockyard, living at 49 Gloucester-street, Morice Town. Death was attributed by Dr G. A. Rae to convulsions, due to dyspepsia, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 February 1898
TORQUAY - Death Of A Brewery Manager At Torquay. - Last evening at Torquay Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, resumed his Inquiry relative to the death of the late MR G. L. POLLARD, local manager for the Plymouth Brewery Company, who was shot at his offices a fortnight ago. Mr S. Vosper, of Stonehouse, recalled, said he had now completed his audit of deceased's books and accounts. All the accounts were satisfactory and quite correct. On checking the cash in hand he ascertained that there was a deficiency of £146. There should have been £173 in the cash-box, but only £27 was there. He had ascertained that deceased was in the habit of keeping his own cash in the same box with the company's money. - The Coroner: Did you know that before? - Witness: No. MRS POLLARD had informed me that deceased never kept a banking account. - The Coroner: There was no cash of his own in the box, but some of the company's cash was missing. - Witness: I find from the old directors of the Torquay Brewery Company that deceased frequently drew his salary three months ahead. They knew about it and did not object. - The Coroner: Did you sanction it? - Witness: No. We were there to shew deceased how to keep the books in future in accordance with the plan observed at the head office at Plymouth. There was nothing to shew where the money was. He checked the cash deceased had last November and found £1 2s. 1d. over the amount shewn in the books. - A Juror: What would you have done had deceased lived? - Witness: He would have replaced the money, and the thing would have gone on all right. The absence of £140 is not sufficient to account for deceased taking his life. - The Coroner: That all depends on the man. - In reply to a Juryman, Mr Vosper said deceased had notice of the audit in the ordinary way. He had never heard that deceased was in financial difficulties. - The Coroner, summing up, said Mr Vosper's evidence threw considerable light on the question of motive, supposing that deceased took his own life. - The Jury, after being absent for over an hour, found that "Deceased killed himself by Shooting himself with a Pistol."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 22 February 1898
TOTNES - Suicide Of A Girl At Totnes. A Last Message. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Totnes by Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, relating to the death of ELIZABETH KATHERINE CHOPE. FREDERICK CHOPE, farm labourer, West Alvington, father of deceased, who was much affected, said deceased was 15 years of age. He last saw her about six weeks before Christmas. She had always suffered from headache. The doctor told him she had grown too fast. In a letter written by her on the 13th instant she said she had had a splitting headache all day. It was written, however, in a somewhat cheerful strain, remarking that she was going to assist Mrs Bourne at the bazaar for three days, and it would be a nice holiday. He knew of nothing to account for what had occurred. At the request of Mr Bourne, the Coroner asked witness if she ever threatened to destroy herself. - The witness replied never to his knowledge. She had always been known as a very intelligent girl. She had never in any way shewn that her mind was weak. Mrs Bourne, wife of Mr R. F. Bourne, Elwell House, said deceased had been in her service as housemaid for a little over six months. On Friday last she reprimanded her for wearing a dress belonging to her eldest daughter. Her daughter told her she had done wrong, but spoke kindly. She (witness) afterwards spoke to her, but did not threaten to send her away. Deceased said "I must go home. I cannot stop here." Witness replied, "No CARRIE, I have too much respect for your parents." She saw her again in the kitchen about a quarter to three before going out. In the morning she appeared to take it much to heart, but not when she saw her the second time. She left her with the other girl. About five o'clock her son came to her at the bazaar and said deceased had gone out. Later on, hearing from her daughter that deceased had not returned, she went home and sent her man to Brooking, where deceased had been before with a companion, and on finding she had not been there, sent to the Station to ascertain if she had taken a ticker for Kingsbridge with the same result. She hoped she had walked to Brent and then on to Kingsbridge. On Friday morning she sent a telegram to her father. - In reply to the Coroner, Mrs Bourne said deceased had had a slight attack of influenza but would not have a doctor. She suffered much from headache. She had given deceased warning to leave the Saturday previous for staying out after hours. She had never heard her threaten to do any harm to herself. - Elizabeth Vinnicombe, cook at Mrs Bourne's, said she was not aware deceased had any trouble. The night she came home late she said she had half a mind to jump into the river. She said when she had warning to leave if any trouble came in her way she should go into the river down on the shooting marsh. She left the house on Friday about ten minutes to four. Asked where she was going, she said home. Miss Ste[?] deposed to seeing a hat, a pair of boots, jacket and collar on the river bank, also a piece of paper in the jacket pocket, and to telling the Stationmaster what she had seen. Mr Angle said he went back to the spot with last witness, who handed him a piece of paper she had found in the jacket pocket. Evidence as to the recovery of the body was given by Henry Potter. - Dr Hains said there were no marks of violence on the body and in his opinion death was caused by drowning. He knew deceased, having seen her when he had called at Mr Bourne's house. He had noticed a vacant appearance about her. Last Tuesday it was very noticeable to him. - Sergeant Webber produced the piece of paper he received from Mr Angle. The words were perforated [?] it apparently with a pin, but could be read by holding it to the light. The words pricked through the paper read as follows:- "No pencil, drowned, I hope, CARRIE." The Jury returned a verdict that deceased Drowned Herself being of Unsound Mind at the time.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sad Death At Devonport. At Devonport yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest concerning the death of ELLEN VIRGO, 42, of 48 Pembroke-street. The husband, a waterman said he was sent for on Friday afternoon and on reaching home found his wife very ill. She was expecting to be confined. Early in the evening he was sent for a doctor, and his wife died during his absence. She had altogether had fourteen children and provision was made for the confinement. Elizabeth Beer, midwife, said the deceased had complained of shortness of breath for some days previous to Friday, and was attended by a doctor. She was confined shortly before seven o'clock on Friday evening and died within a few minutes, having immediately before said she felt as if she was going to be choked. A doctor was sent for when witness found that the deceased was short of breath. The child was living. Mr F. J. Hinvest, Surgeon, said a clot of blood formed on the left side of the heart was the source of all the trouble. Death was due to syncope accelerated by fatty degeneration of the internal organs and child-birth. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Thursday 24 February 1898
PLYMPTON ST MARY - The Death At Plympton. - In Plympton St Mary Workhouse yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest respecting the death of JAMES WILCOCKS, aged 62, moorland driver. - ANNE WILCOCKS, niece of deceased, living at Burmidge with deceased, said the deceased left home about half-past eleven on Monday morning to go to Plympton. - Philip John Luscombe, a labourer, residing at Drakeland, stated that deceased called at their house, having lost his way. He had some tea, and left at five minutes past nine in the evening. Witness accompanied him to the top of the moor and shewed him the road home. He was quite sober. He was distant from his home about three quarters of a mile. His sight appeared to be bad by the way he crippled along. It was snowing and blowing hard when he left. - William Henry Andrews, farmer, Portworthy, parish of Shaugh, said: I was coming across the moor on Tuesday morning at eleven o'clock and found deceased kneeling about twenty yards from the main road. Asked him what he was doing there and he replied that he had been to Ridgeway, and lost his way coming back. I sent to my house for some brandy and milk for him. I carried him nearly a mile and obtained a conveyance and sent to Plympton Workhouse. Dr Ashley, of Plympton, who was called to see deceased about half-past two on Tuesday afternoon at Plympton Workhouse and found him dead. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to syncope from exposure. There were no marks of violence on the body. A verdict of "Death from Exposure" was returned, and the Jury asked the Coroner to thank Mr Andrews for the kindness shewn to deceased. The Coroner said great credit was due to Mr Luscombe, who went considerably out of his way to assist the deceased. Mr Rodd was congratulated by the Jury, through Mr F. C. Hellings, on his first appearance among them as County Coroner.

Western Morning News, Friday 25 February 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held respecting the death of HUGH MCCLUSKEY, 72, a naval pensioner, of 48 Clowance-street. Mr A. Russel Rendle, Surgeon, attributed death to a rupture of the heart, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce also held an Inquest at Ford concerning the death of JANE ANDREWS, 78, widow, of 5 Cambridge-terrace. Dr. G. T. Rolston certified that death was due to syncope from old age and pelvic abscess of long standing. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Monday 28 February 1898
BIDEFORD - Fatal Accident At Bideford. - On Friday evening WM. COX, sailor, of Appledore, met his death by falling from a plank at Bideford whilst unloading the smack Rosamond Jane. Deceased, 47 years of age, leaves a widow and three children. At the Inquest on Saturday, Herbert Taylor stated that deceased had just landed a bag of manure which he was "running" from the vessel to the quay across a plank, when he slipped, and striking his back against the bulwark, fell on to the sand. The bags were slung by the winch to the level of the quay, and then deceased, who was on the planks, would push the bags on to the quay. The planks were 22 inches wide and 20 feet long, being steadied on the quay side by two bags of manure weighing four cwt. Deceased was quite sober. - Alfred Woolf, who was working at the winch, saw deceased place the bag of manure on the quay, and as he turned to go back over the planks he seemed to step out over. - Dr Duncan said death was due to fracture of the skull and must have been instantaneous. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerating everyone from blame. - Mr J. Swain (a Juror) asked why the body was in a railway van. That there was no mortuary in the town was a disgrace. Mr F. Dalby (Stationmaster) said the body was first placed in the store, but as there were rats there he directed it to be carried to a van out of the way of any rats. The Foreman (Mr J. Lugg) said he expected there would before long be a mortuary provided in Bideford.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 March 1898
EXMOUTH - JAMES IRISH, aged 66, a jobbing gardener, was last seen alive on February 24th and two days' later was found dead in his room at No. 1 Exeter-road, Exmouth. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Stanley Thomas said death was due to uraemic coma.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 2 March 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - ELIZABETH JANE FRENCH, aged 20 months, died suddenly at Millbrook on Monday from convulsions. At the Inquest yesterday the Jury (Mr C. Dean, Foreman), returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

MERTON - As a result of being thrown from a trap on the 19th ult., and injuring his spine, JOHN HARRIS, 80, of Little Specott, Merton, died on Monday. Mr J. F. Bromham, Coroner, held an Inquiry yesterday and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest yesterday Dr T. B. P. Wilkinson attributed the death of ELIZABETH ANN HOYLE, aged two months, of 5 Looe-street, Plymouth, found dead in bed, to congestion of the lungs, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was also returned in the case of RICHARD MUGFORD, aged two weeks, of 8 Beaumont-avenue, Plymouth, who was also found dead in bed, on Dr Keily stating that death was due to wasting, consequent on premature birth.

EAST STONEHOUSE - An Inquest was held at Stonehouse Townhall on Monday by Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, relative to the sudden death of SAMUEL SKELTON, residing at 3 Edgcumbe-street. Deceased was in his usual health when he got up in the morning. His son noticed shortly afterwards that he seemed poorly and sent for Dr J. Steele Pearse. Before that gentleman arrived the deceased died. The medical evidence shewed that deceased succumbed from failure of the heart's action and a verdict was returned accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Street Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday relative to the death of VICTORIA MAUD TAYLOR, aged 10 years, of 26 Looe-street, Plymouth, who was killed by some boarding falling on her in How-street on Monday afternoon last. - Mr P. T. Pearce represented Mr Paton, borough surveyor, and the chief constable (Mr J. D. Sowerby) watched the case on behalf of the Police. - The Coroner drew the Jury's attention to the fact that on Monday, Mr Kerswill reported to the Police the danger of the boarding giving way and the Police reported the matter at the Borough Surveyor's office. - Mr Paton said he had heard nothing of the report and he explained that the men had been withdrawn from demolishing the buildings, and when they left they barricaded the place up to keep the children out. - Mr Pearce suggested that the Inquest should be adjourned, as he had only just received his instructions. - Thomas John Evel of 131 Exeter-street, Plymouth, said on Monday evening he was walking down How-street, when he heard a crash and looking round saw a portion of a pair of double doors, with a beam across them, had fallen (and with it a number of large stones) on deceased. he rushed back and with assistance got deceased out, but she was dead. - By Mr Pearce: A number of boys were inside the buildings ransacking the place. He noticed on going down the street the boarding in question was projecting a little. Last Saturday evening he saw quite 200 boys in the buildings, and half a dozen huge fires. - The Foreman (Mr Martin) thought it would be advisable to adjourn the Inquiry, that the Jury might have an opportunity of visiting the scene of the accident. The Inquest was adjourned until Monday evening next at five o'clock.

Western Morning News, Monday 7 March 1898
TORQUAY - Mr S. Hacker opened an Inquest at Torquay on Saturday concerning the death of the four-year old daughter of ADOLPHUS J. CLARKE, of Fore-street, Babbacombe. The little girl died in Torbay Hospital of burns. On February 14th she was left for a short time alone by the kitchen fire and then her father found her with her clothes in flames. She was attended by Dr Winter and the parish nurse until the 27th ult., when she was removed to Torbay Hospital. Mr Hacker adjourned the Inquiry for the attendance of Dr Winter and the nurse.

Western Morning News, Thursday 10 March 1898
TORQUAY - A Torquay Fatality. Doctor And Nurse Exonerated. - The Inquest relative to the death of ADA CLARK, aged four, the daughter of a Babbacombe coachman, was resumed at Upton, on Tuesday evening. At the first hearing on Saturday, the mother reflected on Dr Winter, under whose care the child was placed. Dr Winter yesterday stated that in the first instance he advised the mother to send the little one to the Torbay Hospital, but she was averse to this. He examined the child's burns, which were extensive, dressed them, and told the mother to see the parish nurse, who would daily call at her house and renew the dressings. He also gave her instructions as to diet, &c., and called at the house on several occasions but did not examine the wounds, as it was dangerous to expose wounds to the air. he did not call for six days, as he did not wish to run the CLARKS into unnecessary expense and considered a qualified nurse was quite competent to deal with the case. On hearing that the nurse was going away for change of air he called and dressed the wounds himself and again advised the mother to send the child to the Hospital, but she objected. The child was at that time doing as well as could be expected. He took every care possible with the child, and when it was removed to the Hospital he considered that it was progressing favourably. Nurse Kate Hill stated that she dressed the burns every day until she went away and also advised the mother to send the child to the Hospital. - MRS CLARK, recalled, stated that what Dr Winter had said was perfectly correct. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and completely exonerated Dr Winter and Nurse Hill from any blame.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Sad Death At Stonehouse. Remarkable Ignorance. - At Stonehouse yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd, (Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of LAURINDA BLEW, of 25 High-street. JOHN BLEW, upholsterer, said his wife, who died on Monday evening, had suffered for several years from diarrhoea, and was nothing but skin and bone. She had not been out of bed for twelve months. He attended to her and when he went to work had to leave her alone. He had given her the best diet he could, such as mutton chops, eggs and oatmeal. - The Coroner: The woman has the appearance of having been starved. Did you not think it was your duty to call in some medical man? - I could not afford it. - You know perfectly well that by applying to the relieving officer you could get a doctor free of charge? - I did not know that until a few days ago. - You don't expect the Jury to believe that? - I assure you that is a fact. We sent down for Mr Leah and he was not at home, but he came next morning. - You have not got her in any club? - Yes, in a death club. - Not a sick club? - No, in the Prudential. She was 76 years of age and I have been married to her fifty years. - Could you not get one of the neighbours to look after her? - Most of them, like myself, had to go to work. - Witness further said lately trade had been very bad, and last week he only took up 3s. Occasionally he got 10s. a week, but that was very seldom. He paid 1s. 4d. a week rent and could not afford eggs and mutton every day. It was not true that he refused to allow a neighbour to go to his wife, or that there was a stench coming from their room. When he left the house he wrote in chalk on the door, "Out to work," so that customers who came would know. - Anna Reed, caretaker, 25 High-street, Stonehouse, said deceased and her husband had lived in the house for twenty years and were very eccentric people. Deceased never spoke to anybody. On Monday evening she found her unable to speak. She sent for Dr Leah, but deceased died before his arrival. She never heard deceased and her husband having a row. The room was in a fairly clean condition. - Dr Leah, on making a post-mortem examination, found the body very badly nourished and attributed death to old age and debility. Her condition was quite consistent with what the husband had stated. It was not a clean room, but there was no offensive smell. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and considered the husband wanting in his duty in not calling in a doctor.

Western Morning News, Friday 11 March 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - A Keyham Fatality. Mysterious Fall Down A Trench. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday afternoon concerning the death of THOMAS FRANCIS JEFFERY, (16), of 42 Claremont-street, Plymouth, a crane boy at Keyham Extension Works. Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented Sir John Jackson; and Mr P. S. Pearce watched the case on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. Before evidence was taken the Jury inspected a large drawing shewing the trench down which deceased fell, and its surroundings. - Honor Glanville gave evidence of identification. - Abraham Honeyman, foreman cleaner at the Extension Works, said the deceased and the other boys employed as cleaners, commenced work at seven o'clock on Sunday night. Deceased was employed cleaning an engine called "The Devonport" until two o'clock on Monday morning, when witness took him round to the different boilers and cranes on the work. Witness afterwards posted the deceased to fill the boiler and light up No. 539 derrick, and instructed him to remain there whilst witness went his rounds. Another lad named Sibley was left with the deceased for a time, and was then told to go to another derrick. When witness returned to No. 539 derrick, at 4.45, the deceased was missing and no one knew of his whereabouts. About 6.30 the lad was found in a trench. He was attentive to his work. The night was very light for getting about and the planked footway around the trench was supported on the outer side by a hand-rail. - By the Jury: The moonlight was very good after midnight on Sunday and there was no necessity for the use of the electric light. - By Mr P. T. Pearse: The electric light was always set going at 5.30 a.m. no matter whether it was a dark or light morning, but was not used during the night shift. There was no handrail to the planked footway on the inside, because the cranes ran close to the edge of the opening down which the deceased must have fallen. - Charles G. Sibley, fireboy on the cranes, who was working with the deceased at No. 539 derrick, said they found there was not sufficient fire and went round to one of the big cranes to get some wood and live coals. Witness went in front and took the narrow plank footpath, whilst the deceased went along the wider footpath, which had a handrail on the outer side. They were running and it was quite dark. When witness got to the crane he missed the deceased and shouted for him in vain. It did not occur to witness for some time that the deceased might have fallen into the trench as he was running along the planks. - By the Jury: The moon was not shining when they were going along the planks at a good pace. Witness had six cranes and a derrick to attend to. The lads on the night shift were provided with "duck lamps," but they could not carry them and the fire which they were going to bring back. - By Mr Goldsmith: His work was simply to light up the six cranes. - By Mr Pearce: Never heard the foreman cleaner (Honeyman) order the deceased to remain on No. 539 derrick until he returned. If the foreman had done so witness would have heard it. The moon was not shining, as the foreman had stated. The narrow footpath along which witness went to reach the big crane for some wood and fire was not supported on either side by a handrail, but the path which the deceased took had a rail on one side. The trench was 65 feet deep and there were frequent openings between the cross planks. The cleaners on the night shift went on at 7 p.m. and left off at 6.30 a.m., with one and a half hours for meals. - William Baker, mason's apprentice, said he went into the trench at 6.30 on Monday morning and found a lad lying at the bottom. He was placed in a skip and hoisted to the surface. There were about two inches of water in the trench. - James Counter, labourer, said the deceased was lying on his right side and the left hand was in one of his pockets. - Mr Brooks, sub-agent to Sir John Jackson, explained that the railroads shewn on the plan were to admit of the cranes travelling along and for the wagons with concrete to be tipped into the trench for the dock walls. On that account it was an impossibility to have a handrail along the inner roadway, which was not intended to be used as a footpath. There was a proper footpath on the outer side of the trench, supported on one side by a handrail. This was the path which the deceased took when going from the derrick to the crane for wood. Sibley went along the narrow planks, but wood was kept near the derrick. The trench where the deceased was found was 65 feet deep and near the point of the planked footway where he fell there was a drop of three inches. - Mr Preebous, chief mechanical engineer, said the electric light did not extend to the part of the works where the deceased fell. The footpath which had a handrail, was not dangerous at night if proper precautions were taken by those using it. - Mr Brooks informed the Jury that the proper footpath was two feet nine inches wide , whilst the planks parallel with it, and along which Sibley said he ran, were eighteen inches wide. - Mr J. J. Nixon Morris, House Surgeon, attributed death to an extensive fracture of the skull. - Owing to the discrepancies in the evidence of the foreman Honeyman and the fire-boy Sibley, the former was recalled and said there were heaps of fire-=wood near the derrick ready for use. Deceased would not have been taken off his proper work, that of engine cleaning, but for the fact that Sibley had not carried out his work properly. Witness insisted that it was a light morning. In addition to the light of the moon the fire from the 5-ton crane reflected on the footpath. - The Coroner, reviewing the evidence, said they had been unable to clear up the mystery how the deceased came to be at the bottom of the trench if it was true, as state, that the early morning was a light one, and that he took the proper footpath, whereas Sibley took a narrower path and reached the crane safely. Sibley's evidence was not satisfactory, and the natural assumption was that he was keeping something back. He never told the foreman that the last time he saw the deceased was when he was on the wide footpath, possibly because he did not want the foreman to know that they both left the engine at once. - The Jury (Foreman, Mr W. G. Swiss) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and did not consider there was blame attaching to anyone connected with the extension works. The Jury also considered that the foreman, Honeyman, had given his evidence in a very satisfactory manner, and thanked Sir John Jackson, through is representatives, for the assistance which he had rendered them by preparing a plan, from which they had derived much help. - Mr Brooks acknowledged this and on behalf of Sir John Jackson expressed sympathy with the widowed mother and other relatives of the deceased. The Jury gave their fees to the mother, with an expression of sympathy, which was acknowledged by Mr P.T. Pearce.

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 March 1898
TAVISTOCK - The death of GRACE TICKLE, aged 56, wife of WILLIAM TICKLE, mine labourer, was the subject of Inquiry last evening at Church Park-cottages, near Tavistock, by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, and a Jury with Mr T. Kerslake as Foreman. The husband stated that he left the deceased, who had been a delicate woman, in bed about six o'clock on Wednesday morning, and went to his work. She appeared just as usual. Mrs Mary Louise Barton, wife of Captain Barton, deposed that shortly after ten o'clock on Wednesday last she called at deceased's cottage on her round as district visitor. Deceased came downstairs about five minutes later, and they conversed for about half an hour. Deceased only complained of cold. As witness was at the door, about to leave, deceased complained of great pain, and fell forward. Witness caught her, and she remained unconscious and died in half an hour. Dr De Beauvais stated that death was due to heart disease of long standing and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 March 1898
HOLBETON - Fatal Fall At Holbeton. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Holbeton, relative to the death of FREDERICK C. WALKE, aged 16. THOS. WALKE, an agricultural labourer, deceased's father, said his son worked for Mr Barrett, a farmer, of Holbeton, and that on Sunday 6th inst., he complained of having knocked his knee by falling down when carrying a basket of mangolds. Neither trousers nor skin were broken. That night he slept at his master's, but returned home early the following morning, feeling poorly, and went to bed. On Wednesday Dr Grenfell was called in, and deceased died on Friday. The son said the fall was purely accidental. - Another witness named Hurson stated that deceased told him he had knocked his knee, but he (deceased) worked on Sunday evening feeding the cattle and did not appear to notice the injury. Dr Grenfell said he found deceased suffering from blood poisoning, the result of an injury. There was an abscess set up causing the blood poisoning, from which death resulted. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 18 March 1898
TORQUAY - Another Burning Fatality At Torquay. - At Torquay last night another Inquest was held relative to the death of a child who died of burns. This child was five years old, and the daughter of GEORGE E. VALE, fitter, of 3 Waterloo-road, Ellacombe. Last Monday the child was left in the kitchen cutting pictures from a book, while the mother was hanging clothes in the garden. Hearing screams, the mother rushed into the house and found the child in flames. She was removed to Torbay Hospital, where she died on Wednesday evening. On Tuesday the child told her mother her brother pushed her into the fire, but he was in the street at play when the mother left the kitchen and did not know anything about it. The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" expressed the opinion that children should not be left alone unless fire-guards were provided.

LYDFORD - Death In Dartmoor Prison. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmoor Prison yesterday relative to the death of GEORGE BATES, aged 66. Mr G. J. Arnold produced records shewing that BATES, a labourer, of Tamworth, was, for a criminal assault on a little girl, at Bradley, sentenced at Stafford Assizes in 1893 to penal servitude for five years, five previous convictions having been proved against him. In prison his conduct had been good. Dr W. S. Frew deposed that deceased on his reception at Dartmoor in December 1895 was found to be suffering from heart disease and was ordered light labour and located on the ground floor In October last he was admitted to the Infirmary, and in December his wife was written to. She replied that want of means would not allow her to visit him. She regularly corresponded with him up to the day of his death. A post mortem shewed that death was due to valvular disease of the heart. - Assistant-Warder J. Blandford stated that deceased was a quiet, uncomplaining man. - Convict Orderly James Clarke said BATES had been nursed by him and was perfectly satisfied all was done for him which was possible. He never made any complaints. - The Jury, of whom Mr James Scoble was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 22 March 1898
PLYMOUTH - A Mother At Plymouth Censured. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday, relative to the death of SARAH ANN WILLIAMS, aged three months, of 52 High-street, Plymouth. The Coroner, Mr R. R. Johns, explained that deceased was one of twins, and a short time ago he held an Inquest on the other child, when it was shewn that the mother had been feeding the infant on biscuits. - MARY ANN WILLIAMS, the mother, said she put deceased to bed on Saturday night apparently in her usual health, but on waking up the next morning found her dead. She had not been feeding her on biscuits. Dr Bean, who had made a post-mortem examination, said deceased was very thin and only weighed 6lb. 9oz., about half the average weight for a child of her age. There was no milk in the stomach and he considered the child had been very badly nourished. The body was also in a filthy state. He attributed death to pleurisy. The Coroner considered the mother had not done her duty. If she was poor that was no excuse for the child being so filthy. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and severely censured the mother.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 23 March 1898
PLYMOUTH - BESSIE ROWE, aged three months, of 28 Looe-street, Plymouth, died suddenly on Saturday night. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr Bean attributed death to convulsions and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 25 March 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest concerning the death of THOMAS HENRY NORTON, (32), of 24 Arundel-crescent, Plymouth, an army pensioner and painter. Deceased was working at Raglan Barracks on Wednesday morning when he began to foam at the mouth. George Goodhead, a fellow labourer, sent for a doctor, but death ensued before he arrived. Surgeon-Lieut. Col. A. W. Browne, A.M.S., attributed death to the rupture of an aneurism leading to the left lung. A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 March 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - Fatal Trap Accident. - An Inquest was held at the Workhouse, Stonehouse, yesterday by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, respecting the death of ALBERT LAKE, aged 37 years, landlord of the Volunteer Inn, 38 Adelaide-street, Stonehouse. - MATILDA LAKE, the widow, said deceased left home last Tuesday afternoon to drive to Horrabridge and was brought home unconscious. He never regained consciousness and died on Thursday. - Richard Tucker, labourer, 38 Rendle-street, Plymouth, said on Tuesday last he went for a drive with deceased to Horrabridge. After stopping at three hotels on the way home, they arrived at the George Hotel, Roborough, where they both got out of the trap, but did not go into the Hotel. Deceased got up into the trap and just after witness had got in. They were both thrown out. When witness got up he saw MR LAKE lying on the ground. After a short while MR LAKE got up and as the shaft of the trap was broken they led the pony half-way into Crownhill, when deceased fell and said he could go no further. Witness then obtained a trap and had him driven home. Henry Hammond, proprietor of the George Hotel, Roborough, said the pony shied and swerved round and upset the trap, throwing the occupants out. One of the shafts was broken. Deceased was quite sober and fit to be in charge of the pony. Deceased walked away and appeared not much hurt. - James Congdon, ostler at the George Hotel, corroborated. - Dr R. G. Burke said on Tuesday night deceased was unconscious and suffering from internal injuries to the head. After making a post-mortem examination, he attributed death to the injuries received. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

TORQUAY - ELIZABETH PENWILL, aged 74, single, and of independent means, who lived with her nephew, Mr George Andrews, grocer at 17 Braddon-street, Torquay, shortly after taking her tea on Thursday evening sank back into her chair and died. Seven doctors were summoned, but the messenger found none at home except Dr Eales, who after making a post-mortem examination attributed death to disease of the heart valves and an enlarged heart. At the Inquest yesterday the Jury (of whom Mr E. Blackler was Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM MANNING, aged 51 years, of 23 King-lane, Plymouth, who fell over the stairs on 12th inst. Dr Wagner said deceased never regained consciousness and died on Thursday. He was suffering from paralysis of the right side, the injury being on the left side of the brain. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 28 March 1898
ASHFORD - At an Inquest held by Mr J. F. Bromham, on Saturday at Ashford, near Barnstaple, relative to the death of MARY EDWARDS, wife of GEORGE EDWARDS, groom in the employment of Sir William Williams, it was stated that the husband was at Exmoor with the hounds. Deceased was residing with her daughter-in-law, but went occasionally over to her own cottage. On Thursday she went there and in the evening her daughter-in-law, finding the door locked, thought she had gone to bed. In the morning, however, deceased was found hanging by a cord. She had been in bad health, but there was nothing to lead to a suspicion she would commit suicide. A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.#

TIVERTON - EDWARD GILLARD, aged 77, farm labourer, of Cullompton, became an inmate of Tiverton Workhouse on the 10th inst., and the next day was admitted to the Infirmary. On Friday he was found dead in bed, and the medical officer, (Mr W. Michelmore) made a post-mortem examination, which revealed the bursting of a vessel in the outer covering of the heart to have been the cause of death. A Coroner's Jury on Saturday returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 29 March 1898
EXETER - Mr H. W. Hooper, Coroner, held an Inquest at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM STONE, a mason's labourer, 76 years of age. Mr Chow went to visit the deceased on Friday evening and found him lying half in and half out of bed. He was quite dead, but the body was warm. Deceased had suffered from chronic bronchitis and enfeebled circulation and death was due to syncope in consequence of old age.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 30 March 1898
UFFCULME - Sad Fatality At Uffculme. - SIDNEY CLAPP, 16, in the employ of Mr A. W. Robjohns, miller and farmer of Uffculme, left his employer with a cart to deliver four sacks of grain. About two hours afterwards the cart was found overturned in a narrow crooked lane, the horse on its back and the lad under the cart. The boy was taken to Tiverton Infirmary and on arrival there was in a state of collapse and blue with cold. He revived for a short time but died without being able to give an account of the accident. Mr H. England, who made a post mortem examination, attributed death to shock occasioned by the accident intensified by pressure and exposure before his removal and during the journey to Tiverton. The Jury at the Inquest yesterday, returned a verdict of "Accidental :Death." It was shewn that the lad had taken no reins with him.

NEWTON ABBOT - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was returned yesterday on HENRY BAILEY, aged 67, clay-cutter, who died suddenly while at work at the Clay Pits, Decoy, Newton Abbot, on Monday.

Western Morning News, Friday 1 April 1898
TIVERTON - Suicide At Tiverton. - Mr L. Mackenzie, the Tiverton Coroner, held an Inquest last evening touching the tragic death of JOHN CLARKE, a gardener employed by Mr A. Clarke-Jervoise on the Exeleigh estate. The widow stated that deceased was 52 years of age and enjoyed good health until within the last two years. Some time ago he fell over a barrow, striking his head. He frequently complained of pains in his head, but refused to see a doctor, saying he could not give him a new head. The place where he worked was very large, and he felt his work. Sometimes in the summer he would start at four o'clock and would not finish until nine o'clock at night. He one day remarked to her, "Don't be frightened if you hear at any time that I'm dead." He used to drink heavily at one time, but during the last two years had been quite steady. He had one brother, whom she had heard was not exactly right. Her husband had lost flesh rapidly, took his food badly, felt sick after eating and was restless at night. On the morning of his death deceased left at about 6.30. He had no food. - John Jerrard said he found deceased lying on his back in the potting shed. P.C. Tackle said he was called about 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday and found CLARKE dead in the potting house at Exeleigh. Of his face everything was shot away but the mouth and a little piece of the nose. By the left side was a double barrelled pin-fire gun containing one discharged cartridge. By his right side was a piece of gas piping with a small elbow joint to it, and on the joult and trigger of the gun were scratches which corresponded and shewed how the deceased had fired the shot. Mr H. England said deceased committed suicide, for no other set of circumstances could have produced such a wound. The Jury (Mr W. Grant, Foreman) found a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Monday 4 April 1898
CHUDLEIGH - ELIZABETH NORMAN, aged 75, wife of JAMES NORMAN, market gardener, Chudleigh, was found dead in bed on Friday morning. Dr. A. G. B. Lory made a post-mortem examination, and found the lungs congested and the heart very much diseased. At the Inquest held by Mr G. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 April 1898
BRADNINCH - Railway Fatality At Hele. A Case Of Suicide. - An Inquest was held yesterday relative to the death of ALLAN THOMAS SAVIN, found on the Great Western line near Hele and Bradninch Station on Saturday morning. - MR H. B. SAVIN, a Canadian farmer, at present staying in London, said deceased was his brother, an auctioneer's clerk at Bicester. He was 29 years of age and single. He was a man of fairly good health, but not temperate. Mrs Alice Frances Holloway, deceased's sister, said she saw her brother at Bicester on Thursday. He was very agitated and said he was in great trouble. He did not wish to disgrace the family, but if he remained in Bicester he should. She asked him where he was going, but he did not seem to have any idea of his intentions. She stayed the night at his lodgings, expecting him to return, but he did not come back. On Sunday morning she received two letters from him. One was dated from Exeter, and in it deceased said he should drown himself at midnight. The second was from Hele, and in that he said "The express will be down in half an hour and I shall manage to get in front of it." - Edward Blackmore, farmer of Bradninch, said at 11.15 on Saturday morning he saw a man standing at the gate of the railway crossing and as a goods train came by he walked in front of the engine. - John Jones, engine driver of the goods train, said he saw the man at the gate and as they were getting close he walked on to the four-foot way, and took no notice when witness blew the whistle. He shut off steam and stopped the train as soon as possible. His mate and the guard went back to the man, who was taken to Exeter. Mr f. A. Brath, Surgeon, said when SAVIN arrived at Exeter he was dead. The left thigh and leg were extensively broken, the head was bruised and the right arm broken. The Coroner complimented the officials of the Great Western Railway Company for the promptness they displayed. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Monday 11 April 1898
EXMOUTH - At Exmouth on Saturday, before Mr C. E. Cox, an Inquest was held on the body of AMY ALBERTA PERRIAM, aged 11 months, who died suddenly on Thursday morning. Dr Thomas stated that death was due to convulsions. Verdict, "Death from Natural Causes."

EXMOUTH - An Inquiry respecting the death of WILLIAM SNELL, 66, who was killed on the line on Thursday morning, was held at Exmouth on Saturday. Deceased was on his way to Exmouth, walking along the line, when he was knocked down by the engine. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 April 1898
EXETER - Fatal Fall In Exeter. - Mr H. W. Hooper, Coroner, held an Inquest at Exeter Workhouse last evening, relative to the death of THOMAS BENNETT, a cripple. Deceased was a well-known character in the High-street, where he obtained a livelihood by selling time-tables. MRS BENNETT said on March 30th she let her husband in the street, and he was then all right. When he came home he had two black eyes and said someone had kicked him in the face. Dr Clapp ordered his removal to the Hospital, but he was taken to the Workhouse. William Yendall said he saw deceased who appeared to be sober, fall forward on the pavement outside Eastgate. Mr Bellamy, the Master, stated that when BENNETT was admitted he was at once placed in the Infirmary. He died on Saturday. Dr Woodman said when he first saw the man he was totally unconscious and in a state of collapse. He improved and then said he had fallen down several times. He suffered from giddiness. The cause of death was the rupture of a blood vessel in the head and diffusion of blood on the brain through the fall. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - ELIZABETH BROWNE, aged 73, of 62 High-street, Plymouth, was coming downstairs on Sunday evening last when she slipped and fell. Dr Keily was sent for, but before his arrival she had died. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Keily, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to haemorrhage of the brain, the result of the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Burning Fatality At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, relative to the death of EMILY LOUISA WOODWARD, aged 14, of 2 Richmond-street, Plymouth. ARTHUR WOODWARD, the father, said on Friday evening last he was in the shop with deceased, and told her to serve a customer with some chips whilst he (witness) went to fetch coals. On his return deceased was in the passage with her dress on fire. He tried to put the flames out with his hands, but as he could not do so told her to remain where she was whilst he fetched a blanket. Instead of doing so she rushed into the street. When he returned he gave the blanket to another man to wrap the deceased in, as he wanted to go upstairs and prevent his wife from getting out of bed, as she was dangerously ill. - Hannah Christy, of 57 Richmond-street, Plymouth, stated that when deceased rushed out of the shop she was conscious, as she asked witness to put the fire out. Dr Dill said deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from burns on the thighs, calves of the legs, the forearms and one of the hands. She died on Sunday from shock. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 18 April 1898
NEWTON FERRERS - At the Inquest at Newton Ferrers, relative to the death of RICHARD TOPE, who fell over a slip, the Jury recommended that the place be guarded by a handrail.

PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest held on Friday by Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, at Plymouth, relative to the death of JOHN THOMAS POPE, fish hawker, aged 24, of 8 Woolster-street, who dropped dead on the fish quay on Thursday, Dr Cooke said death was due to syncope, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 April 1898
PLYMOUTH - Suicide At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of HENRY BUTLAND, an army pensioner, aged 49, of 129 King-street, Plymouth. - Agnes Basher said she went up to deceased's room in the morning to call him and he replied he would be down directly. She then went down into the kitchen, which is just below deceased's room, and saw blood coming through the ceiling. She then sent for the Police. P.C. Palmer found deceased lying in bed with his throat cut and a razor was on the bed. He died shortly afterwards. Dr J. S. Pearse said the wound in the throat was three inches long and very deep. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Friday 22 April 1898
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Horrabridge, on Wednesday, respecting the death of JOHN HODGES, 67, gardener, of Sampford Spiney, who died suddenly whilst gardening on 19th inst. Dr G. T. Revell stated that deceased suffered from rheumatism, and weakness of the heart, and death was due to syncope brought about by the exertions of gardening. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 April 1898
TORQUAY - Occupying a couple of rooms in Melville-street, Torquay, were a labourer, named DART, his wife and two children. According to custom the parents put the children to bed about seven o'clock the other night and an hour later left to assist the man's father in ice cream making. Another occupant of the house, named Lear, was asked to "listen" to the children. When the father and mother returned at ten o'clock the younger child, aged twelve months, was under the bedclothes insensible. She died before the arrival of Dr Eales, who, after a post-mortem examination, attributed death to convulsions. The mother said the child was insured when three weeks old. At the Inquest on Saturday the Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 April 1898
PLYMOUTH - ELSIE MAY W. CANN, aged 16 months, of 6 Marine-fields, Plymouth, had been suffering from a cold and on Wednesday was taken suddenly worse and died before the arrival of a doctor. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Dutton attributed death to pleurisy and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Monday 2 May 1898
PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest held on Friday by Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, relative to the death of JOHN EDWARD EDMUNDS, aged 58 years, mendicity officer, of 8 Baring-street, Plymouth, who dropped dead in Whimple-street, Plymouth, on Thursday, Dr Clay said death was due to heart disease, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 May 1898
EXETER - JAMES PHILLIP GRANT, aged 62, of Exeter, went home on Friday evening and complained of feeling unwell. He commenced vomiting and went to bed. Shortly afterwards he became unconscious and Dr Moone was sent for. GRANT died before the doctor arrived from cardiac syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest yesterday.

HARTLAND - The Inquest relative to the newly-born child of ANNIE MARY FREEMAN CURTIS, at Hartland, was resumed yesterday, by Mr J. F. Bromham. The girl (who has been committed by the Magistrates to the Assizes on the charge of concealment) made a statement as to the birth, and, in answer to the Coroner, said she heard no cry, and believing the child was stillborn, paid no attention to it. The Jury found that there was no evidence to shew that the child was born alive. Mr Walter Bosson (Barnstaple) represented the defendant.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Millbrook Fatality. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Mount Batten respecting the death of WILLIAM HART, 31, labourer, of Millbrook, who was drowned on Saturday, March 12th. Deceased was a single man. His brother, CHARLES HART, labourer, identified deceased by the clothes. - Arthur Gummer of Millbrook, master of the steamboat Devonia, stated that on Saturday, March 12th, deceased was a passenger on the Devonia from Mutton Cove to Millbrook by the 8 p.m. steamer. Deceased was sitting on the guard-rail on the port side with his feet on the seat and must have fallen backward into the water. There was no row. The water was smooth. He stopped the engines at once and put the helm hard to starboard to keep the stem of the boat off deceased. The searched for about forty minutes, without finding HART, who probably struck his head on the gunwale. HART was sober. - Colley Rowse, 13, of Turnchapel, found the body on Jennycliffe Beach on Saturday afternoon. A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday a Coroner's Jury found that LILY ETHEL MARTIN, aged 3 years, daughter of an able seaman living at 6 Fort-street, died from acute congestion of the lungs, consequent on measles.

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident At Newton. A Pathetic Death. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Newton Abbot relative to the death of ROBERT HENRY SCOTT, aged 22, parcel clerk at the Railway Station, a son of MR W. SCOTT, 2 Marlborough-terrace, Beaumont-road, Plymouth, engineer, R.N. - Charles Row said deceased had been at Newton Abbot about five months and left the office a few minutes before seven on Friday evening. At seven o'clock witness was informed of the accident. Knew of no reason why deceased went on the siding. If he wanted a pipe he might have had one in the porters' room. Smoking was not allowed in the parcel-office. - William Henry Holmes, returning from greasing the wheels of a goods train, saw deceased standing upright, in great suffering, pinned between the buffer of a carriage and a buffer block on a siding. Immediately called for assistance, and the deceased was released. The three lamps on the end of the carriage were all lighted and deceased was facing the train. - W. Billings said he was shunting three coaches from the centre line to other coaches stationary on the siding. It was a rule to blow a whistle before shunting. he thought the whistle was blown on this occasion, but was not sure. - Henry E. Williams, Stationmaster, Newton, said two minutes would elapse after sounding the whistle before the engine would have reached where SCOTT was. - Thomas John Wills, foreman of shunters, said he was just coming off duty at 6.55 p.m. on Friday and saw the engine bringing three coaches back to the other carriages standing in the siding. Deceased did not call out, but was standing erect. Just after deceased was removed he found the stem of the deceased's pipe outside the left hand side of the metals. The tail lamp had been opened and in his (witness's) opinion, deceased opened the lamp to light his pipe at the moment the engine backed the other coaches. He had never known anyone to try and light his pipe in that way before. - Dr r. H. Grimbly found SCOTT in a complete state of collapse, in great pain, evidently suffering from very extensive internal injuries. Several ribs were broken. Deceased said he could not say anything about the accident until he was in less pain. - Mr Williams, Stationmaster, said the deceased asked for something to relieve the pain and added, "Let me die. Let me go to my heavenly Father. He must want me, or He wouldn't allow this to have happened." The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 4 May 1898
NEWTON TRACEY - At an Inquest held yesterday by Mr J. F. Bromham at Newton Tracey, near Barnstaple, relative to the death of JOHN SKINNER, 37, after being struck with a piece of timber which was being cut on a circular saw, Dr Charles Cooke stated that there was no chance of saving the man's life by an operation, some of the intestines having been ruptured. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Jury gave their fees to the widow.

STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday at Coroner's Jury found that FRANK MARTIN, fourteen months' old son of THOMAS MARTIN, a blacksmith, of 8 Edgcumbe-place, Stoke, died from convulsions, due to teething. Medical evidence was given by Mr R. B. Wagner.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 May 1898
THURLESTONE - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned last evening at an Inquest relating to the death of MR JAMES BURGOYNE, of Thurlestone, thrown out of a cart on Friday on West Alvington-hill. The two horses suddenly bolted, but no cause could be given for them doing so.

Western Morning New, Wednesday 11 May 1898 BRIDGERULE - A Fatal Fight. Charge Of Manslaughter At Bridegrule. - On Saturday, April 30th, GEORGE LAWRENCE STONE, a navvy on the Holsworthy and Bude Railway works and Nicholas Uglow, a travelling scissor-grinder, were with others in the Bridge Inn, Bridgerule, near Holsworthy, drinking. After quarrelling, they began fighting and STONE received a blow from which he died last Friday. Uglow was arrested at Kilkhampton on Saturday and conveyed to Holsworthy. The Inquest was held at Burrough Farm on Monday by Mr Prickman, County Coroner. - Mrs Heydon said deceased had lodged with her about two months. On Saturday, April 30th he complained a great deal of pains in his head and said he had had a terrible fall on a gutter stone. He also had a black eye. He admitted fighting with Uglow. Deceased had been drinking. He seemed to be in great pain. He kept moving from seat to seat, and shortly afterwards went to bed. In the morning Dr Lewis was fetched, but deceased never regained consciousness. Once she heard him say, "Serious matter, serious matter." - Henry James, son of the proprietress of the Bridge Inn, said on April 30th the scissor-grinder and several others were in the house drinking. Deceased was a very quiet man. STONE and the scissor-grinder fought three or four rounds. Then STONE fell on the back of his head on the road. He could not say whether the fall was the result of a blow or a throw. He lay on the ground two or three minutes. Someone then helped him up and he made his way to his lodgings. There were no Police about at the time. He did not think the men were drunk. - Dr Lewis, assistant to Dr King at Stratton, said he was called to deceased on May 1st, and found him in bed unconscious. He could find no injury at the back of the head. Deceased's left ear was bruised and he had a black eye. Deceased partially recovered consciousness on the Monday. On Tuesday deceased had paralysis of the arm and on Friday his leg was quite paralysed. A post-mortem examination shewed that above the left ear the muscles were extremely bruised. On removing the skull cap, immediately beneath the bone on the outside membrane of the brain, he found a large clot of blood. The pressure of the big clot was quite enough to cause death. All the symptoms indicated a blow on the side of his head. The Coroner commented strongly on the fact that nobody endeavoured to part the two men, and the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Uglow.

DARTMOUTH - Suicide At Dartmouth. - At Dartmouth yesterday, an Inquest was held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Philip R. Hockin, touching the death of ANN RENDLE, a widow, 58 years of age, residing at No. 1 Belvedere-terrace, Dartmouth. On Thursday last Miss Trout, who resided in the same house, heard groans proceeding from the closet. She called Chief Petty Officer Launder, H.M.S. Britannia, who resides opposite and broke open the door, and found the deceased kneeling on the floor with her throat cut. She was removed to the Cottage Hospital and died on Saturday morning. Dr J. R. Harris said the operation of tracheotomy was performed to enable deceased to breathe. The cause of death was blood and secretion passing into the lungs, deceased not having sufficient strength to cough it up. Some 20 years ago deceased went to an asylum. A verdict of "Suicide whilst in a state of Temporary Insanity" was returned by the Jury, who protested against having to view the body, and thanked Mr Launder for his kind assistance to the unfortunate woman.

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 May 1898
ILFRACOMBE - An Infants' Death At Ilfracombe. - The adjourned Inquest was held at Ilfracombe yesterday by Dr E. J. Slade King, Deputy Coroner, on the body of the illegitimate ten-day old daughter of ADA GRASS, Ivy-cottages, found dead in bed on Sunday. R. Vicary, relieving officer, deposed that ADA GRASS was a pauper chargeable to the Union since January 7th last. Previous to this she received 10s. and medical relief in consequence of influenza. She had been paid 1s. 6d. per week for 26 weeks. He could not say whether the medical officer had seen her during this time. The relief was paid up to May 4th. He had paid a midwife 1s. out of charity. He had stopped relief in consequence of information that the woman was living with a married man. He had visited her twice between the dates in question. - By the Jury: ADA GRASS had not applied to him during the past two months for admission to the Workhouse. Had he known that she was destitute steps would have been taken to meet her necessities. He saw her on the Monday previous to the birth of the child, and she was not destitute. - P.S. Pike stated that the previous night he went to No. 1 Ivy-cottage, and found her there with a man whom he knew very well. On being questioned, the man said he came to pay ADA a visit. - After a long consultation, the Jury returned the following verdict: "That the child came to its death from extreme weakness caused by defective nourishment and want of attention, but the Jury do not consider the mother was to blame for this, owing to her [?] and weak constitution.

Western Morning News, Saturday 14 May 1898
PLYMOUTH - The Sudden Death Of MR DUKE. - The sudden death of MR W. E. DUKE, of Hornbrook Villa, Compton, in a Corporation tram, was the subject of Inquiry by Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, at deceased's residence yesterday. - MR C. L. DUKE, contractor, and son of the deceased, stated that his father was a granite merchant, 68 years of age. Deceased left his house about 7.30 on Thursday morning, apparently in good health. He had never complained of any heart affection, but sometimes suffered from shortness of breath since he had an attack of influenza two years ago. Edward Jacobs, tram driver, in the employ of the Plymouth Corporation, said MR DUKE got into the tram at Compton Lane-end at a quarter to eight o'clock on Thursday morning. Witness spoke to him, and he seemed quite well. Just as he reached Thorn Park-avenue, however, he heard him scream. he looked round and thought he had a fit, but he died almost immediately. Witness at once sent for Dr Aldous, who arrived in a few minutes, and pronounced life extinct. - Dr G. H. Aldous said he was summoned a few minutes before eight o'clock to see deceased, and found him in the tramcar dead. Having made a post-mortem examination, he certified that death was due to syncope. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 May 1898
TAWSTOCK - At an adjourned Inquest at Radscott Farm, Tawstock, yesterday relative to the drowning of the newly-born child of EVELYN HOBBS, a domestic and with regard to which the Police had offered no evidence, the girl stated that she did not know what she was doing when she entered the well where the child was born. She was greatly worried at the father of the child telling her he was going to America and slept very little on the night previous to her entering the well. After a long consultation the Jury returned a verdict of "Drowned through Misadventure."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 May 1898
EXETER - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of ELLEN GUSCOTT, aged 47. On Sunday afternoon deceased complained of feeling unwell. A doctor was sent for, but she died from syncope before he arrived.

STOKE DAMEREL - MARY SOMERVILLE, 82, widow of a naval lieutenant, died suddenly at 1 Wilton-street, Stoke. At the Inquest on Monday afternoon Dr c. Bainbridge Rendle attributed death to syncope due to fatty degeneration of the heart and long-standing kidney disease.

Western Morning News, Thursday 19 May 1898
PLYMPTON ST MARY - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Camel's Head yesterday respecting the death of WINIFRED, the four months old child of WALTER and NELLIE H. B. HARRIS. Deceased always slept with its parents and on MRS HARRIS waking on Tuesday morning she found it dead. It had always been very healthy. Dr Kernick, who had made a post-mortem examination, was of pinion that death was due to suffocation. The Coroner condemned the practice of parents allowing their infant children to sleep with them, and cautioned the mother.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 May 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, relative to the death of PRIV. BERTRAM GARRAD, R.M.L.I. Corporal S. F. Griffin said deceased belonged to Islington, and on Sunday morning, when he went to wake him, he found him dead. Dr E. A. Fenfeld, R.N., said death was due to syncope and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

BUCKFASTLEIGH - At the Inquest at Buckfastleigh on Saturday respecting MR L. EZEKIEL, retired grocer and draper, aged 65, who was found dead in his garden on the previous day, Dr Wyncott, who had made a post-mortem examination, said a large blood vessel leading to the heart had burst, the result of fatty degeneration.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 25 May 1898
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall In Beaumont Park. - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday relative to the death of FREDERICK EDWARD MOLE, aged 33, of 25 Mainstone-avenue. George Bloye, plumber, of 3 Constantine-street, Plymouth, said on Sunday morning last he saw deceased fall from a tree in Beaumont Park, at a height of about 26 feet, and pitched on the pavement outside the park. When he picked him up he was unconscious. Dr J. D. Russell, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted on Sunday suffering from fracture of the skull and died early on Monday evening. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 26 May 1898
NORTHAM - The Appledore Dock Fatality. - An Inquest was held at Appledore on Tuesday evening by Mr J. F. Bromham, touching the death of J. W. ALLESTON, master of the barque Cathaya, 46 years of age, who met his death by falling in Richmond dry dock on Sunday night. Mr. M. H. Toller watched the case on behalf of Cock and Sons, lessees of the dock. Samuel [?] over-looker for Jacobs and Co., of London, stated that deceased joined the ship on Tuesday last, and was a native of Scotland. Witness considered the gangway was three feet in width, and quite safe. Captain Jenkins, master of the Chocolate Girl, said on Sunday evening he returned with deceased from Bideford and they parted company at 9.45. John Monsonidees of Appledore, watchman on the Cathaya, said the captain went ashore on Sunday afternoon. At 10.25 witness hailed deceased coming along the dock. Witness went ashore and told deceased to be very careful as to the approaches to the gangway. He declined to take witness's hand. Witness waited for him at the other end; and when about six feet from deceased he appeared to drop on his right knee, and then fell into the dock. Witness called for assistance and went for the doctor. There was no handrail but witness did not consider there was any danger in crossing. By Mr Toller: He considered the gangway of sufficient width. - Dr Mahood stated that he found deceased lying at the bottom of the dock; he was unconscious and evidently seriously injured. he had him carefully removed, but he died about 3 a.m. on Monday without having recovered consciousness. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner, on behalf of the Jury, expressing deep sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 28 May 1898
ST BUDEAUX - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Honicknowle yesterday touching the death of FRANCIS Robert B. ROCKETT, aged 57, pensioner, who, with his wife, left home after dinner on Wednesday to attend a funeral, hurrying on the journey. When near Honicknowle deceased fell and expired immediately. Dr Smith made an examination and found that the heart was fatty. he considered death was due to syncope, caused by over-exertion. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

CREDITON - Before Mr Burrows, jun., (Deputy Coroner) an Inquest was held at the Railway Hotel, Crediton, yesterday touching the death of FREDERICK GREENSLADE, a labourer, residing at Hookway, Crediton, who was run over and killed on Wednesday evening, whilst at the level crossing at Hookway, by a light engine returning to Exeter. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the widow. Inspector Percival, of Exeter, watched the case on behalf of the railway company.

Western Morning News, Thursday 2 June 1898
EXETER - Sad Fatality At Exeter. - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of EVA GARDNER, aged three years. She was left in bed by her mother, who soon afterwards head her screaming. On going upstairs MRS GARDNER found the little one standing in the middle of the room with her nightdress on fire. Some matches were left in a tray on the table and it is supposed the girl struck one. The mother wrapped the child in a sheet and sent for a doctor, who ordered her removal to the Hospital, where she died an hour after admission. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 3 June 1898
TEIGNMOUTH - Mr Sidney Hacker, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Teignmouth yesterday touching the death of SAMUEL SANDERS, a painter. JOHN SANDERS said his father was 64 years of age. He had been laid up for several months with rheumatic gout and received parish relief. Could not say whether his father died from want, as he was not on good terms with him, though he knew how he was going on from his landlady. - Ellen Westaway stated that in Hermosa-road deceased was a little ahead of her, walking very badly. He stood for a minute and then fell. She got some men to help deceased up. He was groaning. George Henley, a Bishopsteignton lad, stated that deceased was at work with him painting at a house in the Hermosa-road. Deceased worked all right, but complained of being in pain. They both left work at 5.30 and that was the last he saw of him. Edward Percy Havelock, House Surgeon at the Hospital, stated that the deceased was brought in at ten minutes to six. Witness had been treating deceased for some little time for rheumatic gout as an out-patient. When brought to the Hospital he was unconscious, paralysed and collapsed. He never rallied and died in three hours. A post-mortem examination revealed rupture of blood vessels on the brain. The body was well nourished. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 4 June 1898
NEWTON ABBOT - Neglect By A Torquay Mother. Inquest At Newton Workhouse. - Last December MRS JAMES, wife of a carman residing at Mill Leat-cottages, Pimlico, Torquay, was sent to prison for neglecting her children. One of these was named MARIE LOUISE JAMES, and was then seven months old and weighed 10lb. While the mother was in prison the children were taken charge of by a Mrs Skinner, and Inspector Browne, N.S.P.C.C., supplied the baby with twenty bottles of albumenised milk on which she gained 3 ½ lb. in weight in a month. The mother did not return to the children for a fortnight after leaving prison. then for the first five weeks the baby was kept clean and apparently in good health. Subsequently the child was neglected and became so bad that by May 16th she weighed only 9 ¾ lb. Then, by order of the magistrates, the baby was removed to the Workhouse. She died there on Thursday and an Inquest was held last evening by Mr Hacker, Coroner. - Inspector Browne gave general evidence of neglect. - Detective Gregory stated that he visited the house about ten o'clock on the night of December 6th last. The house was in darkness. He obtained a candle and found three children huddled together under a table in the kitchen. Upstairs the baby was in bed, perfectly nude excepting a little shirt. The bed was soaked with wet, and covered with filth. He visited several public-houses in search of the mother, and then fetched Superintendent Roberts and Dr Cook. Superintendent Roberts had the child removed. When the mother came home she was drunk. - Elizabeth Skinner, wife of a fisherman, had charge of the child while the mother was in prison. She lived in the same house. Occupying five rooms were four adults and eight children. - Louisa Sweetland, Queen-street, supplied milk for the baby, paid for by Rev. H. M. Downton and the district visitor. - Nurse Petite, at the Workhouse, said the child's head was a mass of sores when it was brought to the Workhouse. Vermin were under the sores and the arms and neck were badly covered with rash. She took nourishment fairly well. - Dr Culross stated that the child was very emaciated and in a serious condition when admitted to the Workhouse. there was no organic disease. She weighed 9 ¼ lb., whereas her weight should have been about 19lb. She was a ghastly object. He had made a post-mortem examination. The body weighed 9lb. 1oz., and was generally bloodless. The baneful effects of alcohol might have been transmitted to the child and have so damaged its constitution that no amount of care would thoroughly bring it into a healthy condition. The immediate cause of death was failure of the heart's action, the result of the anaemic condition of the child's blood and hereditary debility. The anaemic condition of the child might be due to neglect and insanitary surroundings. She could not have grown into a healthy child. - The Coroner: Did the want of care cause it to die? - Dr Culross: It would have lived longer if it had had more care. - The Coroner: That is equal to saying neglect hastened its death. - Dr Culross: The child inherited a rotten constitution from the mother owing to her consumption of alcohol. - Dr Cook, Torquay, expressed a similar opinion. - Mrs Elizabeth Royce, of 21 Spring Steps, Torquay, said the child just after birth appeared fine and healthy. The Coroner adjourned the Inquest until Thursday next.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday respecting the death of ROBERT BATTERSHILL, boot finisher, 52, of 7 Laira-Bridge-terrace, Plymouth, who was taken ill in Treville-street, Plymouth, on Thursday morning and died at the Hospital shortly afterwards. Upon the evidence of Dr Hamilton a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 6 June 1898
PLYMOUTH - Naval Pensioner Drowned At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on Saturday, at Plymouth, respecting the death of ALBERT THOMAS, age 42, of 62 Cambridge-street, Plymouth, found dead in Plymouth Sound early on Saturday morning. - HENRY THOMAS, steward, R.N., of 62 Cambridge-street, said the deceased, his brother, a naval pensioner, returned from the West Indies station about four months ago. Deceased had taken money from his brother lately, and had been detected. He last saw him alive at 6.30 on Friday morning. The wife of the last witness said the deceased returned home early on Friday evening, and pretended to be drunk. He left the house about 2.30 on Saturday morning. Francis Pike, seaman, found the deceased about seven o'clock on Saturday morning near the Melampus Buoy in Plymouth Sound, and towed the body to the Barbican. P.C Menhinnick said there was a mark over the deceased's left eye. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - WILLIAM GEORGE MAGGS, aged 40, on Thursday afternoon complained to Charles Sergeant, a lodging-house keeper of 72 Union-street, Stonehouse, that he felt unwell and at 5.50 on Saturday morning was found in his bed dead. Dr Waterfield made a post-mortem examination and found death to be due to heart disease. At an Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd on Saturday, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 June 1898 EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr C. R. Sargeant, of the Grand Theatre Restaurant, Stonehouse, writes:- "In your report of an Inquest on WILLIAM GEORGE MAGGS you give the impression that deceased was not seen from Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning, whereas he was seen several times during Friday and supplied with anything he asked for. Neither was he found dead in bed, as one of the men in the same room said at the Inquest that he gave him drink about three minutes before he died, and he also saw him die.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 June 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - An Inquest was held yesterday at Stonehouse Townhall by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, respecting the death of WILLIAM MAY, aged 63, Naval Reserve pensioner, of 41 Valletort-buildings, Stonehouse. - The widow said deceased in March last had a severe attack of influenza and ever since had been depressed. He had been under medical treatment and had not worked for the past three years. Whilst she was emptying some ashes the deceased, who seemed very depressed and nervous, must have cut his throat with the knife with which she was preparing the dinner. Lance-Sergeant Hagan, R.M.L.I., residing at Valletort-buildings, found the deceased with his throat cut in the lavatory about 1 p.m. on Saturday. Deceased was a very quiet and reserved man. - Sergeant Osborne said the deceased's throat was very badly cut, the wind-pipe being completely severed. A table knife was lying under him. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said the deceased had severed all the structures of his neck and death must have been almost instantaneous. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

TORQUAY - Death From Exposure At Torquay. - At Upton last evening Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquests relative to the death of THOMAS LATHROP, 65, fisherman, of Perrot's-buildings, Pimlico, who died suddenly on Sunday evening. The evidence of the widow shewed that on Whit-Monday deceased went out, and did not return until late on Thursday evening, when she fetched him from the fish quay, where he had slept in a cask for three nights. She could give no reason for his sleeping there until the end of the Inquiry, when she stated that he wished to be on the spot when the fishing boats went out. She fetched him home on Thursday in a very weak state and although he lingered on until Sunday night she did not send for a doctor because deceased did not wish it. - Dr Cook attributed death to inflammation of the lungs and pleurisy caused by exposure. The body was frightfully emaciated as if deceased had wanted for food. - Inspector Brown, N.S.P.C.C. said he visited the deceased's house and asked the wife where her husband was. She replied she did not know, and was thinking about looking for a new husband as TOM was most likely drowned. There was not a scrap of food in the house. He had paid two weeks' rent for the woman. She declined to go into the Workhouse. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 9 June 1898
TOPSHAM - In the case of EMMA BELLAMY, aged 49, of Topsham, found drowned in the River Exe on Sunday after leaving home to visit her daughter at Countess Weir, the Coroner's Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Friday 10 June 1898
PLYMPTON - Suicide Near Plympton. The Effect of Influenza. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquiry yesterday at Lee Moor, near Plympton, touching the death of ELLEN CLARA PERRY, aged 24, wife of SAMUEL PERRY, of Lee Moor Farm. Deceased who had only been married ten weeks, had an attack of influenza, which evidently preyed upon her mind and left her in a very debilitated state. Dr W. D. Stamp, who attended her, testified as to her general condition consequent on her illness and from what he gathered on Tuesday morning had no doubt that deceased committed suicide by taking poison. He had, with Dr C. H. Stevens, made a post-mortem examination and discovered death to be directly due to carbolic acid poisoning. Evidence was given that carbolic acid was one of the requirements on the farm. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Monday 13 June 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Operation At Devonport. - SAMUEL LONG, 22, stoker, invalided from the Royal Navy, died suddenly at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, during an operation for a diseased hip joint. At the Inquest on Saturday Mr E. R. Sloggett, master at Stonehouse Workhouse, stated that deceased was admitted there on February 23rd from the Royal Naval Hospital. He had been discharged as incurable. He was a native of Ireland, but his place of settlement could not be ascertained. Mr D. Brough, House Surgeon, Royal Naval Hospital, deposed that deceased was admitted on March 7th. Since then he had undergone four operations and chloroform was administered each time. The last was on Thursday, when it became necessary to perform a severe operation to save deceased's life. Mr Leah, Surgeon, was performing the operation. Mr Nixon Morris, resident House Surgeon, was giving the anaesthetic, assisted by witness. The anaesthetic was properly administered and the greater part of the operation had been performed when the deceased became worse and expired. A post-mortem examination indicated that death was due to shock during the operation and not to the anaesthetic. - Mr J. J. Nixon Morris said that previous to the operation he had administered chloroform to the deceased and thought he was a fit subject for it. He agreed that death was due to shock consequent upon the operation. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, adding that the operation was being skilfully performed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 14 June 1898
ST BUDEAUX - Touching the death at St. Budeaux of the 15 months old daughter of ROBERT and ZILLAH WEALE, an Inquest was held by Mr R. R. Rodd yesterday, and a verdict of "Natural Causes" returned. Deceased, a delicate child, had been attended by Dr Fesling Smith, who made a post-mortem examination, and attributed death to convulsions accelerated by bronchitis.

EAST BUDLEIGH - JOSEPH DAVEY, who had been painting the new gas tank at Budleigh Salterton on Friday afternoon, was sitting on a plank placed across a tub having his tea. Suddenly he staggered and fell forwards across a heap of coke and died. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Evans said a post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to the rupture of an aneurism of the aorta. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and gave their fees to the widow, who is left with four young children and is totally unprovided for.

LITTLEHAM (NEAR EXMOUTH) - Sad Fatality Near Budleigh. - SUSAN MARY DAVEY, a domestic servant , in the employ of Mrs Ellett, at Liverton Farm, Littleham, last January, had a slight epileptic fit, but had been very well ever since. On Thursday last the deceased was about her work and was found lying across a large open kitchen fire. She was unconscious for about half an hour and upon recovering her senses could give no account as to how she came in the fire. Dr Semple, at the Inquest yesterday, said the burns were not severe. On Friday, however, her condition was very serious and on Sunday she died. Death was due to shock from burns caused by having accidentally fallen into the fire whilst suffering from an attack of epilepsy. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 16 June 1898
EAST BUDLEIGH - ELIZA PRATT, wife of RICHARD SMITH PRATT, on Monday appeared in her usual health and had been out to work. Her husband returned about nine o'clock in the evening and found her in the kitchen quite dead. Deceased had been talking with neighbours only about an hour previously. Mr H. F. Semple, who made a post-mortem examination, said at the Inquest yesterday death was due to a rupture of the aorta.

Western Morning News, Monday 20 June 1898
PAIGNTON - Mrs Lock, Lower Yalberton, Paignton, was driving home in a trap on Thursday evening, and was giving a ride to her neighbour, MRS ROWE, who was carrying her six months old baby. Near home the pony tripped, and MRS ROWE was thrown forward on to the pony's back. The child fell from her arms to the road, and one of the wheels went over its head, which was crushed. The child was picked up dead. An Inquest was held by Mr Coroner Hacker at the house of MRS ROWE on Friday night, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

CLOVELLY - An Inquest was held at the New Inn, Clovelly, on Friday, before Mr J. F. Bromham, on the body of MARY ANN MILLS, 50. James Harris found the body at 5 a.m. on the beach high and dry. Charles Marshall, brother of deceased, identified the body as that of his late sister. He last saw her alive on Monday, May 16th, at 11 p.m.; she was greatly worried about financial difficulties. The Jury found "That deceased committed suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

CHUDLEIGH - An Inquest was opened on Saturday at Chudleigh on the body of ROBERT LEAR, butcher, who was found dead or dying in the coach-house of his brother, who is a baker and occupies adjoining premises. It is suggested that deceased fell upon a hay fork which his brother was carrying and that the instrument pierced his right eye and lacerated the brain. The brothers had not been upon speaking terms since Christmas. The Inquiry was adjourned for a week.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 21 June 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday at Coroner's Jury found that FLORENCE AMELIA BANKS, the infant child of CECILIA BANKS, of 7 Stanley-street, died from pleuro-pneumonia of the left lung. Mr E. J. Hinvest, Surgeon, prescribed for the child a few weeks ago, when it was suffering from bronchitis.

Western Morning News, Friday 24 June 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - Suicide At Devonport. A Pathetic Story. - Devonport Borough coroner (Mr J. A. Pearse) held an Inquest at the Falcon Hotel yesterday respecting the death of MARY GRACE LOWMAN, 39, of 6 Sussex-terrace, Ford, wife of MR T. LOWMAN, R.N., gunner, of H.M.S. Flora, now on the South-East Coast of America. THOMAS G. LOWMAN, engine fitter apprentice at Keyham, said his mother had of late been very low spirited and had been attended by Dr Eider. When he went to bed on Tuesday night she was in her usual spirits and wished him "Good night." Witness thought she was remaining rather longer than usual downstairs, and he called down to her. She replied that she would be upstairs in a minute and witness then dropped off to sleep. His mother generally aroused him in the morning, but she did not do so on Wednesday. When his two younger brothers went downstairs they found deceased in the wash-house suspended from a beam. He hurried downstairs when his brother shrieked out and tried to cut the rope but being unable to do so one of his brothers lifted the weight of the body off the rope and witness then untied the knot, and immediately went for medical and other assistance. Witness could not suggest any reason for the act. His father had been abroad six months. Susan Purdie, of 2 Sussex-terrace, said the deceased (her sister) had been depressed at times and had complained of pains in the head. Dr G. A. Rae stated that the deceased had been dead some hours when he saw the body early on Wednesday morning. Dr Aldous A. Rider deposed to the deceased having consulted him in April owing to mental depression. She seemed to w[?] good deal about her husband being at sea, and [?] had an attack of influenza. She was much better [?]. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst in an Unsound State of Mind," and expressed their sympathy with the relatives. The Coroner concurred and referred to the pathetic spectacle of the two lads finding their mother hanging in the wash-house and one of them holding the body up to relieve the weight off the roe while assistance was found.

Western Morning News, Saturday 25 June 1898
MOREBATH - MR FRANK ETTERY, farm bailiff, Willishayes Farm, Morebath, saw something in the pond near his house on Tuesday evening and becoming alarmed he jumped into the water and brought out the body of his daughter, GLADYS EMILY, aged 2 years 5 months. The portion of the pond in which the body was found is next to the road. Chas Takle, carter, who lives with ETTERY, saw deceased playing in the yard, away from the pond, 15 minutes before. At the Inquest held yesterday by Mr A. Burrow, Deputy Coroner, a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

BRIXHAM - Shocking Suicide At Brixham. - HENRY FOOTE, aged 55, landlord of the Three Elms Inn, Brixham, committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence at six o'clock yesterday morning. Deceased retired to bed after closing the previous evening and nothing was seen or heard of him until the following morning, when his daughter took him up a cup of tea. As soon as she got near the bedroom door she heard the report of a gun, and, going in, saw her father lying on the bed. She ran downstairs, greatly frightened. P.C. Baston was soon on the premises and found deceased dead n bed with a double-barrelled gun beside him. Deceased appears to have placed the muzzle of the gun in his mouth and then reached down and pulled the trigger. The top of his head was blown completely off. MR FOOTE was a man of considerable means, and has been a member of the Local and the School Boards. About five years ago his wife died, and a year later his second son committed suicide in a similar manner with the same gun as his father used. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest last evening. MR HARRY FOOTE said his father had occupied the Three elms for 18 months. On Thursday night his father appeared in his usual spirits. did not think he was financially embarrassed. He was on good terms with all his family. he was not a hard drinker, but might have taken a drop too much sometimes, but not often. His second son, JOHN, shot himself five year ago with the same gun. - THOMAS A FOOT, another son, said that morning, at five o'clock, he was called by his father and went out to work. He had been low-spirited lately. - CARRIE FOOTE, a daughter, who helped manage the Inn, said her father had been a bit low-spirited lately, but would never tell what about. His wife's death six years ago had always troubled him. He called her at five o'clock. She went down and made him a cup of tea, and took it to him in his bedroom, but he told her to take it away. She did so, and within a minute she heard the report of a gun. She rushed into the room with her sister, and saw her father with the top of his head blown off and a gun lying at his left side. - BERTHA FOOTE, another daughter, said her father grieved very much at the death of her mother. - Jonas B. Donner, a dairyman, Dr G. C. Searle, and P.C. Charles Baston having given evidence, the Jury (Mr G. J. Bulgin, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Monday 27 June 1898
TAVISTOCK - Fatal Railway Accident Near Tavistock. Sad Result Of Forgetfulness. - Mr Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquiry at Tavistock on Saturday into circumstances attending the death of FREDERICK WEBB, a mason in the employ of the London and South Western Railway Company, who was killed on Friday afternoon while pointing Higher Gamton Bridge, about two and a half miles from Bere Alston. - Inspector Percival, of Exeter, represented the railway company. - GEORGE WEBB, mason, Tavistock, said the deceased was his son. His age was 32; he left a widow and two children. - Thomas Adams, labourer, in the employ of the company, stated that he went to work with the deceased on Friday. Before leaving Mr Adams, permanent way inspector, instructed them that the special boat train, leaving Plymouth at 1.50 p.m., would run as usual. Deceased also had a book of passenger and goods trains shewing that the special boat train was inserted to run when required. Deceased worked at the over-bridge all the forenoon pointing the face of the bridge. Deceased sent him to the level crossing with a red flag, and instructed him to remain there until he called him in. He called him in at 2.15, just as the 1.20 train from Friary was due. Deceased had no ladder up then. After the train had passed witness got their tools together for returning to Tavistock by the 3.15 train. Suddenly a terrific storm of rain and wind came on and they took shelter under the bridge. Deceased looked up and noticed that some of the joints of the crown of the bridge required pointing. He said to witness, "Tom, just put the ladder up for a minute. there is nothing about until the fast train due at Tavistock at three o'clock. I have a little cement here, and we may as well use it." They had both forgotten about the special boat train to Southampton. Witness put the ladder up against the side of the arch, the ends of the ladder resting between the up-rails of the permanent way. Leaving the deceased standing in the footpath, witness said he would slip down to the hut and put out the flag in case anything should come along. Before he had proceeded twenty yards in the direction of the hut the special boat train dashed by. Witness did not see or hear it, the wind and rain being so terrific, but he felt the motion of the train. On going back to the bridge he found deceased lying dead about six feet up from the bridge and the ladder was smashed. It was a definite instruction to the deceased to have his flagman out when engaged in his work on the line. - Wm. Adams, permanent way inspector, said deceased was a steady and reliable workman. His instructions to the deceased had always been to use his flag when engaged at work with his ladder on the line. The ganger Palmer also reminded deceased on Friday morning that the boat train would run. Deceased's work was to point the face of the bridge and not the crown. The latter was done on Sundays only by means of special apparatus. Witness supposed that deceased taking refuge under the bridge and having a little cement left thought he might as well use it. - Mr J. Hill, a Juryman, considered that a mason's labourer should have been provided as well as a flagman, but it was pointed out that the previous witness had stated that he had very little work to do as a labourer. - James Stone, the engine driver of the boat train, stated that the weather was so thick that he could not see the bridge when they passed through it. Sometime afterwards he missed the "target" attached to the engine indicating that the train was a special one. On reaching Tavistock he examined the engine and found some fresh bloodstains and pieces of wood upon it. - P.C. Guscott, stationed at Bere Alston, deposed that deceased's head was badly smashed and one leg was broken. - The Coroner said the instructions issued by the permanent way inspector to the deceased appeared complete, and if acted upon the accident would never have happened. He did not see how the Jury could find that anyone was to blame but the poor man himself. - After the Jury had deliberated in private, the Coroner stated that they found a verdict of "Accidental Death," and they desired him on their behalf, and he did so also on his own, to express deep sympathy with the deceased's widow and family in their very heavy loss. The Jury desired him also to express a hope that the company would favourably consider the claim of the widow and family. Mr Percival said he would convey the expression of opinion to the proper quarters.

CHUDLEIGH - The Chudleigh Tragedy. JOHN LEARE'S Explanation. - There was a calmer feeling at Chudleigh on Saturday. The week that had elapsed since the opening of the Inquest relative to the death of ROBERT LEARE, butcher, of Fore-street, Chudleigh, had enabled the inhabitants to examine the details more carefully. There were no longer wild statements about the brother, JOHN LEARE, whose hay fork caused ROBERT LEARE'S death. People recognised there was no evidence in support of the grave allegations so freely made a week ago. Only JOHN LEARE saw what occurred and his explanation was that the death was the result of a pure accident. His doing nothing to assist his dying brother was due, he said, to fright. When the Inquiry was resumed at the Town-hall on Saturday there was an even fuller attendance of the public than at the previous hearing. JOHN LEARE and his wife were represented by Mr T. W. Windeatt, Superintendant Williams watched the case on behalf of the Police. Objection was taken to Mr R. Ball, a relative, sitting on the Jury. - The Coroner, Mr S. Hacker, said Mr Ball had better retire. - Mr Ball then withdrew. - The Coroner read over the evidence given at the previous Inquiry and a few questions were put to the witnesses by Mr Windeatt. - MRS ANN MARIA LEARE, the widow, was questioned. - Is it not a fact that just in front of the coach-house the paving stones are very uneven and rough? - Yes. - A place on which a person might very easily trip up? - Yes, I think so. - H[?] MARY LEARE, daughter of JOHN LEARE, said vetches were thrown down against the bakehouse door. Her father was carrying them on a fork through the coach-house and across the yard to the stable. There were rough stones outside the coach-house. - Charlotte Lamble, the servant, who was second on the scene of the tragedy, added that she heard a quarrel between the brothers just before Christmas. She did not know that they quarrelled on any other occasion. - Was it a violent quarrel? - No, only a just a few words. - No threats? - No. - Since that time they have constantly met each other? - Yes. - And they have simply not spoken? - Yes. - There have been no angry words since? - No. - Dr H. H. Lloyd Patch had nothing to add to his evidence. - Mr Windeatt: From your description of the wound you mean that it was practically horizontal? Only slight upward? - Dr Patch: I can't say it was horizontal. It was about that (indicating a slope of about 45 degrees). - But very little out of the horizontal? - Oh, I think it was a good deal out of the horizontal. - The Coroner: You said in your evidence it was slightly upward. - Dr Patch, replying to further questions, said the pavement in front of the coach-house was in a very bad, uneven condition. So uneven that a person might easily trip up and fall towards the coach-house door. - Assuming that a person had tripped up in that way as another was leaving the coach-house with a fork in his hand, would you say the wound was inconsistent with the person falling against the fork? - No, provided the one who fell was to a certain extent in a straight line with the fork. - William Henry Metherell, miller, Chudleigh, the first new witness, said he was near the Post-office, Chudleigh, on the evening of June 17th. MRS ROBERT LEARE'S little girl asked him to come to MRS LEARE, as she wanted him very particularly. When he reached the coach-house he found ROBERT LEARE, the deceased, on the ground. His wife was kneeling behind him, keeping him in a sitting position, and with her handkerchief holding his eye in its socket. She told him the eye had been cut out and was hanging on his cheek. Part of his body was in the coach-house and part of it was across the doorway. Witness asked MRS LEARE to get a large handkerchief to tie round her husband's head and added that then they would carry him indoors. - The Coroner: Was JOHN LEARE there? - He was in the coach-house. I heard him say, "What did he interfere with my doors for?" That is all I heard him say. - Was that in reply to any observation by anyone else? - No. - Was he addressing anybody? - No. - Newman Green, saddler of the Lion Inn, stated that he saw MRS LEARE'S servant running about the street. He went across the road to MRS JOHN LEARE and asked what was the matter. She replied that ROBERT LEARE had had the pick run in his eye. He went up the yard and found MRS ROBERT LEARE bathing her husband's face. At MRS LEARE'S request he went for further assistance. - Did you see the fork? - Yes, against the wall on the left-hand side of the coach-house, prongs upwards. - Was JOHN LEARE there? - Yes, standing in the coach-house with his daughter. I didn't hear him say anything. - JOHN LEARE, about 55 years of age, having, in reply to the Coroner, said he wished to give evidence, questioned by Mr Windeatt, said:- On Friday, June 17th, I went to Newton Abbot and came back at a quarter to six. I put the pony in the stable. My daughter unharnessed it, while I put the trap in the coach-house. Then I fed the pony with vetches, which I fetched from against the bakehouse door. The bakehouse door opens on to the yard. I took the vetches through the coach-house and across the yard to the stable. - How did you take them across? - On that fork. (The fork with which deceased was killed.) - When you had finished feeding the pony what did you do? - I came across into the coach-house and took the trap a little further up. Then I was going through the coach-house door back into the stable with the fork to put the dung up in the corner out of the way. - With the fork in your hand? - Yes. - There are double doors, and they were turned back outwards. - As you were standing in the coach-house the left-hand door would fall back against ROBERT LEARE'S gate, which is parallel with the coach-house? - Yes. - Tell the Jury what happened as you were going out with the fork in your hand? - ROBERT LEARE intended to go to Knighton with his pony. - Never mind what he intended. That is what you have heard. - I heard someone slam the left-hand coach-house door against me. - It was in the way? - Yes. - Could you see who pushed it back? - I could not. Was it slammed back very hard? - Oh, very hard indeed, sir. - What happened then? - Then he fell in. - Who? - ROBERT LEARE fell in and really frightened me. He fell on the fork I had in my hand. - The Coroner: What, immediately after he had slammed the door? - Yes. Of course, it rebounded a little. I had the fork in my right hand. - You were then going out of the coach-house? - yes, with the fork in my right hand. - he fell in against you, and the pick entered his eye? - His eye, sir, and he fell. - Until he fell against you had you seen him? - I had not. - Had you had any words with him? - Not at all. I hadn't exchanged a word with him for the day. In fact, we hadn't spoken for months. - Can you in any way account for his falling? - I should think he slipped over those very large, uneven stones. - It is stated that you didn't apparently do anything to assist him? - I could not sir; I was so much frightened. - It is stated that you also said he should not interfere with your doors. What did you mean by that? - Because he had slammed the door against me. - The Coroner: But was the fall after the slamming? - Yes, sir. - Why did you refer to his interference with the door> - If he had not slammed the door he would not have fallen in. The door was sufficiently open for him to pass. As he slammed it the door rebounded. It was not in his way. - If he had not pushed the door he would not have fallen? - That is so. - The Coroner: How were you carrying the fork when LEARE fell in? - In my right hand. I was going to the stable, not thinking anyone was coming. I was carrying it like that (taking the fork in his right hand with the prongs pointing upwards). - The Coroner: Could you not see him coming? - No, sir. It was all at once. Of course, the door frightened me as much as he. - Hadn't you time to pull back your hand? - No, I was frightened so much. - Had there been irritation between you and ROBERT LEARE about these doors? - No, sir. He has often slammed them, but I never took any notice. - What made you say he should not have interfered with your doors? - Did anyone ask you about it? - No. - What made you say it? - I said it because I was frightened. - Who did you say it to? - To the people who were there. But I was so frightened I scarcely knew. I could not say whether the door rebounded against the deceased. - Did you see where the fork struck him? - In the eye. - You saw that at once? - Yes. - How was the fork taken out of the eye? - As he fell down, of course, the fork came out of the eye in my hand. - You didn't withdraw it? - No; he was on the ground, and the fork came out like that (indicating with the fork that as deceased reached the ground the prong came out of his eye.) - When you heard him slam the door did you, being irritated, raise your fork? - Not in the least. - And give a thrust with it? - No, sir. - Do you swear that? - I do sir. - In reply to his solicitor, LEARE said there was a black-smith's shop in the yard close by. The people there never heard a word pass. - The Coroner, in summing up, said JOHN LEARE was the only eye-witness of the affair. It had been shewn that there was unpleasantness between the two brothers, and there was also ill-feeling about the doors. But apparently there had been no quarrelling for some time. It looked at first as though JOHN LEARE might have been suffering from irritation at the time and was actuated by ill-feeling and the statement he made about interfering with the doors might, without explanation, have supported that view, leading to the belief that LEARE gave his brother a blow because he had interfered with the doors. Now they had heard his explanation it was for them to say whether it was reasonable. The widow was satisfied that if there had been any quarrelling she must have heard it. The rebounding of the door, he thought, would be just the thing to cause deceased to fall. The Jury had to determine whether it was a case of accidental death or whether death was due to the action of JOHN LEARE. - The Jury retired for twenty-five minutes, and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Deceased was insured in an accidental insurance society for £300.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 28 June 1898
TOPSHAM - Found Drowned At Topsham. - An Inquest was held at Topsham yesterday relative to the death of a man found drowned in the River Exe, near Jackson's Pit, on Friday last. - Henry Dart, landlord of the Black Moors Inn, Exeter, said the deceased greatly resembled the man who had been staying at his house for over a week, and who gave his name as TREBLECOCK. He told witness he had a wife and family and a brother at Stonehouse, and was a shoemaker by trade. Dr Rae Arthur said the body presented the appearances of death from drowning, and had been in the water three or more days. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," the person being unknown.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Bicycle Fatality At Devonport. A Dangerous Corner. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday afternoon, Mr J. A Pearce held an Inquest respecting the death of THOMAS DAVID MCDONNELL, aged 22, of 1 Knolly's-terrace, Pennycomequick, who was thrown from his bicycle over a wall at Stoke, on Sunday fortnight. Mr T. H. Gill watched the case on behalf of the relatives, and Dr Lucy represented the Ocean Accident Insurance Company. - MABEL MCDONNELL said her brother left home about ten o'clock on Sunday, June 12th, on his bicycle, intending to go to Bodmin. - Dr Alonzo G. Rider said he was in Portland-road shortly after ten o'clock and saw the deceased riding a bicycle. Immediately afterwards he heard a smash and turning round saw the deceased disappear over the low wall adjoining Exmouth House. Witness dismounted from his machine and hastened to the spot. Looking over the wall he saw deceased on the ground. He said he had hurt his back. Owing to the deep drop on the inside of the wall, deceased could not be got at without some difficulty. A man who was passing got down and administered some stimulant to the deceased, and witness followed. After a superficial examination, witness made preparations for raising the deceased by means of a ladder covered with carriage rugs. Some reins were attached to the ends of the ladder and the body was lifted up horizontally and placed in a cart, in which it was conveyed with care to the Hospital. From the momentary glance, which witness had of deceased, he did not appear to be riding very fast. The spot where the accident occurred was a most treacherous corner and other accidents, but not fatal, had happened there. By the Jury: If the wall had been a few feet higher, it would have prevented the deceased being pitched over. - By Mr Gill: When witness saw the deceased in the Hospital he implied that he lost his head and forgot the existence of the brake and that the machine got beyond his control . - Mr D. Brough, House Surgeon, said the deceased was admitted with a fractured spine, high up and his recovery was unfavourable from the first. He was treated in a private ward and attended by Dr Keily and witness. He remained conscious almost to the time of his death, which was the result of the accident. The only reference which deceased made to the occurrence was that the bicycle was a perfectly satisfactory one. - Albert Heath, of Pym-street, who witnessed the accident, said the bicycle was being ridden round the corner at a good pace, and collided with the wall. Deceased was pitched over the wall and witness at the request of Dr Rider went to procure a ladder. - Mr W. G. Sturgess, who lives at 1 Portland-road, said he noticed two cyclists pass his house at an ordinary pace. The latter took a wide sweep opposite Exmouth House and the machine then struck the kerbstone and bounded over the wall. Witness added that he was not surprised at the accident as he had been watching the spot for years. From the crown of the road to the channelling there was a drop of quite a foot and the road sloped off very suddenly. The road had been made from time to time without anything being done to raise the channelling, which was consequently very low. - Frederick Chappell, of Pym-street, who was the first to drop from the wall, said deceased told him that he lost control of the machine. - James Baker, cab proprietor, said he understood from the deceased that he was riding at a tidy pace to catch the ferry at Torpoint and did not know he was rounding such a nasty corner. On the machine striking the kerb of the pavement he let go the handle bars and lost control of the machine. - The Coroner said they must feel greatly obliged to Dr Rider and the others who rendered such prompt assistance. There was no doubt the deceased was riding at a fair pace and might not have been aware of the dangerous character of the turning. - The Jury (Foreman, Mr S. Lyle), returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and concurred with the Coroner in expressing sympathy with the relatives. - In a packet of cigarettes which MR MCDONNELL had in his clothes when the accident occurred was a signed coupon for £100 against injury or loss of life.

PENNYCROSS - IRENE HODGE, aged 22 months, the daughter of MARY and THOMAS HODGE, of Weston Peverell, was on Sunday morning found dead in its cradle. She had been treated by her mother for measles, and three of the family had just recovered from the same disease. Dr Hannam made a post-mortem examination and attributed death to congestion of the lungs. At an Inquest held by Mr Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 July 1898
EXETER - Mr Hooper, Coroner, held an Inquest at Exeter yesterday relative to the death of SERGEANT-MAJOR FURNEAUX, aged 63. Deceased, out for a walk on Friday evening, was taken ill and died suddenly. Mr J. d. Harris, who had been attending MR FURNEAUX for some months for diabetes and asthma, said death resulted from natural causes. The funeral will take place this afternoon and members of the 1st R.V., of which regiment Sergeant Major FURNEAUX was formerly instructor, are requested to parade at the Drillhall at 2.15 p.m.

Western Morning News, Thursday 7 July 1898
TIVERTON - Fatal Accident At Tiverton. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned last night at the Coroner's Inquest relative to the death of JOHN BROOMFIELD, aged 77, who was crushed against a wall in the Angel Hotel yard, Tiverton, by a carriage on Tuesday. Dr Liesching found the deceased in a state of collapse, probably due to some internal injury, which might not have proved fatal with a younger man.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 July 1898
CHUDLEIGH - Mysterious Death At Chudleigh. - At Chudleigh yesterday an Inquest was held touching the death of MARY ANN LAMBELL, wife of GEORGE LAMBELL, labourer, aged 32, the mother of three children. On Friday of last week she bought sprats and ate them the following day. Up to Saturday night when she retired to rest she was in good health, but about five o'clock on Sunday morning she became very ill and died on Wednesday. Dr Patch said he found deceased had lost all power of movement of her limbs. She had violent sickness but no diarrhoea. The next day she had paralysis and her temperature rose to 109.2. He had made a post-mortem examination and considered death was due to some irritant poison in the stomach, causing acute gastritis. He had removed the stomach, liver and kidney for analysis. He was unable to say what the irritant was. Deceased's mother, Mrs Elizabeth Holwill, said the sprats when bought were quite fresh. The Coroner (Mr S. Hacker) adjourned the Inquiry until 22nd inst., when the analytical report will be ready.

Western Morning News, Monday 11 July 1898
TEIGNMOUTH - Bathing Fatality At Teignmouth. A Plucky Companion. - An Inquest was held at Teignmouth on Saturday by Mr Sidney Hacker on the body of GEORGE ALBERT FREDERICK MITCHELL, 24, smith, New Swindon, who was drowned whilst bathing in Ness Cove, on the Shaldon side of the river. - SIDNEY THOMAS MITCHELL stated that deceased was his brother. They had come to Teignmouth with the Great Western Railway employees for their holiday. On Friday afternoon deceased left their lodgings to bathe, and proceeded to Labrador, witness following a little later. Whilst witness was walking along the beach he saw his brother in the water with a friend. They were shouting, and witness thought they were hailing him and he shouted back. As soon as he realised they were in danger he ran and took off his clothes just in time to plunge into the water and rescue Mr Marsham, as his brother had disappeared. Deceased could swim a little. Both were about 60 yards out. the sea was smooth and no tide. Deceased was taken out of the water fifteen minutes afterwards. - Arthur Henry Marsham, fitter, said he went to bathe with deceased. Deceased led witness to understand that he could swim. They enjoyed the dip. Whilst swimming deceased asked if he could "bottom it," and then he noticed that his companion was in trouble. Witness got him by the hand and tried to swim ashore, but it was like dragging a log. He told MITCHELL to tread water, but he did not seem to understand. Witness shouted, but could not get people on the beach to realise they were in danger. Witness could barely keep himself afloat, still he stuck to his friend, who seemed lifeless. Then witness went down, and he remembered no more until he found himself ashore. - George Soper, fisherman, who was on the cliff looking out for mackerel off Bundlehead, observed the two men bathing and heard one cry out. Witness shouted to the men in the boats, and Mark Mason and another rowed in with the punt, but not in time to pick up either of the men. The beach was flat and sandy and scores went there to bathe daily. - Mark Mason said deceased was in five feet of water on his face and hands and his legs were drawn up. They got him into the boat and the usual method to restore life was adopted, but without success, and they rowed t Teignmouth Pier. - The Coroner suggested that as the spot where the deceased lost his life was a favourite place for bathing it would be well if the District Council placed a lifebuoy and ropes there. - The Jury were of opinion that it was not a recognised place for bathing, and those who went to bathe did it at their own risk. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned. the body was taken to Swindon yesterday.

EXETER - Mr H. W. Hooper held an Inquest at Exeter on Saturday relative to the death of REGINALD WALTER FRENCH, aged 8. Deceased went to play on the Quay with his brother and fell into the river, and was drowned before assistance could arrive. William Gregory dived for the body, but could not find it, and it was afterwards dragged to the surface. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

SOUTH TAWTON - ELLEN NORTHCOTT, of Rounsley, South Tawton, had been hay-making in a field belonging to her father, JOHN NORTHCOTT, on Friday and in the evening was driving a cart to the field to take home the hay. The ground was very rough and in entering the field the right wheel went over a rock and the cart upset. Deceased fell under the cart. John Westaway, a labourer, and William Fewins carried her home. She was unconscious and died shortly afterwards. Dr Passmore (Okehampton) told a Coroner's Jury on Saturday that injury to the skull was the cause of death, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 July 1898
TAVISTOCK - Sad Death Of A Cripple. - The death of GEORGE GIDLEY, found drowned in the River Tavy on Friday night, was the subject of Inquiry by Mr Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday, at Rudge Farm, Tavistock, the residence of deceased's parents. Sergt. Major Bowles was Foreman of the Jury. - Dr M. T. Leaman, of Tavistock, stated that deceased was under his treatment twelve months ago for a nervous disease. At that time witness feared that he might commit suicide, and warned his parents to keep all dangerous implements away from him. He was under the delusion that he had worms creeping about him underneath his skin and he made a big sore in his neck with his nails. He was a cripple, and got about on his hands and knees. G. W. GIDLEY, farmer, stated that the deceased, his son, was 32 years old, and had been a cripple 30 years. Deceased was missed on Friday, and being alarmed at a gate leading to the river standing open, witness sent for the Police, who dragged a pool in the river 16ft. deep. Deceased was of a nervous temperament and reserved. Witness did not notice anything unusual about him on Friday. - John Ernest Steer stated that with three other men he dragged the pool at 11.20 on Friday night and in a quarter of an hour landed the body. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 July 1898
BARNSTAPLE - At an Inquest yesterday at Barnstaple respecting the death of ERNEST MALTBY, 25, assistant to Mr Godden, china merchant, who died on Monday after dinner, Dr Jackson said death was due to failure of the heart's action, due to overheating and a good meal following. It was stated that deceased was subject to fainting fits. Immediately after dinner he said he had not felt so well while at Barnstaple (six weeks). Mr Maltby was a native of Lincoln.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 July 1898
TORQUAY - Suicide At Torquay. - While out fishing near Hope's Nose, Torquay, on Thursday evening, a number of fishermen saw the body of a man lying on the beach. They at once reported the circumstance to P.S. Adams at BABBICOMBE, and he went round in a boat and had the body removed to St. Marychurch mortuary. It was identified as that of HENRY LAIRD, aged 21, a draper's assistant, residing with an elderly relative in the Avenue-road at Tor. Deceased had been out of a situation for some time and it is supposed that this worried him into committing suicide. P.S. Adams found his pockets were weighted with lead. Death was due to drowning. At the Inquest last evening a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 July 1898
CREDITON - In the case of JOHN FRANCIS, aged 71, who shot himself with a double-barrelled gun early on Friday morning in front of his house at Winstout Farm, Crediton, the Jury on Saturday returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind." Deceased, a large farmer and land owner, had been depressed for some time, and been medically attended.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 July 1898
EXETER - WILLIAM MEDLAND, aged 50, town porter, on Thursday evening fell down in Goldsmith-street, Exeter. At the Hospital he was found to be suffering from paralysis of the right side and died on Friday morning from haemorrhage of the brain. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday relative to the death of a man supposed to be W. G. MOXON, aged about 48. The Coroner said every inquiry had been made to identify deceased, but without avail. On Saturday deceased went to the Soldiers' Institute at Stonehouse and received a letter addressed to W. G. MOXON. P.C. Hannaford on Saturday afternoon noticed deceased lying on the grass on the Hoe apparently in a fit. As he could not revive him, he conveyed him to the Homoeopathic Hospital where he shortly afterwards died. A letter was found on him addressed to W. G. MOXON, Soldiers' Institute, Stonehouse. Dr Vawdry, who saw deceased at the Hospital and who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to effusion of blood on the brain. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - OSWALD ROUSE, aged 10 months, whose parents reside at 34 High-street, Plymouth, on Friday afternoon got restless in his perambulator and in attempting to stand fell out and struck the back of his head on the kerbstone. On Saturday he died from concussion of the brain. At the Inquest yesterday the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 July 1898
NORTHAM - JANE HINKS, aged 83, who lived alone at Appledore, was on 14th June found lying on the kitchen floor with her right leg fractured. Dr Pratt was called and attended her until her death on 16th instant. At the Inquest on Monday evening a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Shocking Suicide At Devonport. The Reflections On The Police. - At Devonport yesterday Mr A. Gard, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of JESSE ANDREWS, who was killed as the result of jumping from a window at 36 Monument-street. - PHILIP CHARLES ANDREWS, painter, said deceased was his wife, and was 35 years of age. Between half-past three and four o'clock his daughter LILIAN, aged 7, woke him and said "Mother's gone out of the window," referring to the room in which they were, three storeys high and about 26 feet from the ground. He rushed into the street and found his wife lying on her side unconscious in the gutter. He lifted her on the doorstep and immediately ran to the Police Station for help. The Constable in charge told me to fetch the nearest officer on beat in St John-street. I went there, and the Constable and I ran back. We then got an ambulance and the Constables took my wife to the Hospital. There was no delay. My wife appeared perfectly well on going to bed the previous night. At times during the past fourteen years she had suffered from delusions. Deceased was of temperate habits. - George Hoare, 49 Kerr-street, sail-maker, was in Monument-street, about 3.35 a.m. on Monday, when he saw deceased lying in the gutter with a severe wound on the head. Her husband appeared on the scene almost immediately. - Mrs Bryant early on Monday morning heard a window open in MRS ANDREWS'S room on the opposite side of the street, and then hearing a thud in the street she got up and looking through the window saw deceased lying on the ground and her husband in his nightclothes calling for help. At times MRS ANDREWS suffered from a weak mind. - Alice Louisa Penfound, residing in the same house as MRS ANDREWS, said on Sunday night MRS ANDREWS expressed a fear that a neighbour was going to do some injury to her although she was on friendly terms with the person in question. Deceased was in the habit of talking nonsense. - P.C. Vowell, who answered the husband's shout for assistance, said there was no delay in procuring the ambulance. - Dr A. Bradbourne, assistant House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was brought to the Hospital suffering from a fractured skull and died at 4.55 p.m. from internal haemorrhage due to a rupture of the spleen. Verdict, "Suicide during Temporary Insanity." The Jury expressed sympathy with the husband and family in their bereavement and the Foreman, Mr Ledley, further said that though a statement had been published derogatory to the Police they could not see that there had been any delay in the procuring of the ambulance, and P.C. Vowell deserved great credit for his promptitude in answering the call of the husband. MR ANDREWS felt that every despatch was used but minutes must have appeared hours to him in his distress. The Coroner was glad to hear such a statement from MR ANDREWS because some sort of reflection on the Police had been published. From the evidence no delay was evident. - The Chief Constable (Mr Matters) was glad the Police had been exonerated from any charge of delay because he felt certain everything possible would be done for anybody under such circumstances. (Hear, hear.)

Western Morning News, Saturday 23 July 1898
OTTERY ST MARY - Fatal Accident At Escot. - THOMAS CROYDON, a wagoner in the employ of Sir J. H. Kennaway, was killed while drawing timber on Thursday. At the Inquest yesterday the evidence of John Ash and William Bolt, woodmen in the employ of Sir John Kennaway, shewed that CROYDON was drawing a load of hard wood, from two to three tons, on a "kerry," with three horses in Escot Big Wood. After going about 20 or 30 yards the two woodmen walking behind, saw the wheels pass over CROYDON'S body, and deceased told them he caught his foot in some ferns which had grown over the wheelpath from the bank. - Henry Ash, woodman, said as soon as the accident happened, he fetched a pony carriage and took deceased to the Ottery Cottage Hospital. Dr Annealey, assistant to Dr Reynold said deceased had sustained fearful injuries in several parts of the body. There was no hope whatever of his recovery and he died about three hours after the accident. Mr G. Underdown, forester to Sir John Kennaway, said where the accident happened was not a dangerous place, and the path was good and nearly level. - The Coroner agreed with the Jury that there should be more than one man in charge when three horses were engaged in such work. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the widow. Deceased, a very steady man, 34 years of age, leaves a widow and four children.

CHUDLEIGH - The Chudleigh Mystery. - Mr Hacker, County Coroner, at Chudleigh, last evening resumed the Inquest relative to the death of MRS MARY ANN LAMBLE. Dr Bean, Borough Analyst of Plymouth, shewed that as the result of the examination of the stomach and the analysis of the fluid death was due to lead poisoning. Three-quarters of a grain may have been taken, probably to procure abortion. - Elizabeth Holwill, deceased's mother, who declared that she did not know of her daughter's condition, or of her having taken drugs, was questioned relative to the death of a younger daughter under somewhat similar circumstances. Mary Ann Warren, who attended deceased, said she had no suspicions of anything wrong. In reply to the Coroner, she gave particulars of the death of the younger daughter. The Inquiry was adjourned for a week.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 July 1898
CHUDLEIGH - The Strange Death At Chudleigh. The Inquest Again Adjourned. - The adjourned Inquest touching the death of MARY ANN LAMBELL, wife of GEORGE LAMBELL, labourer, of Chudleigh, was held by Mr S. Hacker, at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon. Mr C. E. Bean, of Plymouth, deposed that he had analysed the contents of the stomach of the deceased, which he had received from Mr H. Lloyd Patch, and found strong evidence that the deceased had come by her death by acute lead poisoning, and that the condition of the parts analysed and the symptoms from which the deceased suffered could not be accounted for by the deceased having eaten bad fish. - Mrs Holwill, mother of the deceased, was again called, and asked by the Coroner if she knew whether her daughter had taken any drug or medicine. She said her daughter, as far as she knew had not taken anything in the way of medicine for some time. She knew a Mr Stow, who called from house to house on Saturdays, but the only thing she knew her daughter to buy of him was some worm lozenges for her children. She had a daughter die about 13 months ago. She was 18 years of age and was married. She heard from a neighbour that she had taken some steel drops, but she never told her so herself. - Mrs Warren, wife of a labourer, who was a near neighbour of the deceased, and had acted as midwife, said she was asked by the husband of the deceased to visit her on Sunday morning. She saw her frequently and was present at her death. The deceased never made any statement to her except as to her condition, and she saw no bottles or boxes in the room likely to have contained any medicine. - Mr William Stow said he travelled for his son, who was a chemist. he might have sold the deceased some lozenges, but he had no recollection of the fact, and he could not say that he could remember the deceased. - At this point the Coroner said that considering the evidence of Mr Bean, and the importance of the case, he thought it advisable to adjourn the Inquest until that day week.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 July 1898
PENNYCROSS - A Sad Pennycross Case. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Pennycross yesterday relative to the death of MARY ANN KELLAWAY, aged 30, of 13 Rosebloom-grove. - Mrs Sarah Southcott of 19 hawthorn-grove, Pennycross, said she attended deceased as midwife on Sunday morning and had to send for Dr Down. Witness had been a midwife for 15 years, but was not certificated. Dr E. Down, of Stoke, said he was called to see deceased early on Sunday morning and found her in a great state of collapse. She died the same morning from syncope, due to haemorrhage. Probably had a medical man attended deceased in the first place she would not have died. - The Coroner said from the medical evidence there appeared to be no culpable negligence on the part of the midwife; yet, through her inexperience, deceased had lost her life. Coroners were continually having cases of this kind before them, and it was a matter which called for legislation. He cautioned Mrs Southcott to hesitate before undertaking another case of that kind without medical assistance. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 28 July 1898
WHITCHURCH - Sad Affair At Tavistock. - Mr Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Hunson Villa, Whitchurch, yesterday, relative to the death of ROBERT TOYE, aged 71, a retired mine agent. Mr J. W. Willcock was Foreman of the Jury. - MARY TOYE, daughter, stated that deceased had been depressed for some time, having suffered from inflammation of the kidneys He went to bed at 11.30 on Saturday night. Next morning at 5.20, she saw him in the kitchen in his nightshirt. He dropped from his hand a knife. She found blood upon it and threw it into the fire. She had never heard her father threaten to take his life. There had been no family unpleasantness. - WILLIAM SOPER TOYE said on being fetched from his home by his sister he saw his father's throat was bleeding. On being asked what he had done, deceased replied, "I don't know, BILL. My God, what can I do?" Witness told him he had better prepare for another world. Dr Fonceed, of Tavistock, deposed that when he saw the deceased at 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, he was suffering from a wound on the right side of the neck, two inches long and about a quarter of an inch deep. The windpipe was not affected. He lost a quantity of blood, but had a good pulse. Pneumonia, which often followed such an injury, set in, and he gradually sank, and died on Monday. he did not appear to be aware of what he had done. The Jury found that the deceased committed Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind, and expressed their sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 July 1898
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Explosion At Plymouth Gasworks. - An Inquest was opened at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, last evening, respecting the death of AARON PARKES, of Hollinswood, Lancashire, injured in an explosion at Plymouth Gasworks on 19th inst. Mr P. T. Pearce represented Messrs S. Cutler and Sons, of Millwall, London, the deceased's employers. - Deceased's father said his son was 23 and by trade a fitter. - The Coroner (Mr Johns) said there were two others in the Hospital who received injuries by the explosion, but it would be some time before they were able to give evidence. It was also necessary that an inspector of explosives should be present and he, therefore, proposed to adjourn the Inquest until September 2nd. Mr Pearce said Messrs. Cutler were desirous of giving the Jury every information as to the accident.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Burns In Plymouth. - OLIVE VITTLE, 13, of 5 Oxford-avenue, Plymouth, died yesterday morning at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital from the effects of burns received on 8th inst. At the Inquest, held by Mr Johns, evidence shewed that on the night in question MR and MRS VITTLE were out with friends, and left deceased and her elder sister ELSIE at home. the girls went to their bedrooms, and afterwards deceased rushed into her sister's room and flung herself on the bed. Her nightdress was on fire. ELSIE poured a jug of water over her sister and extinguished the flames. She called a neighbour, who wrapped the girl in a blanket and took her to Dr Crossing, who attended her until she was admitted to the Hospital. A book and overturned lamp were found on the bed, and witness thought her sister must have been reading after she got into bed and had fallen asleep without removing the lamp. Owing to her condition she had been unable to give a clear account of how the accident happened. - Dr Russell, House Surgeon, described the burns, and attributed death to exhaustion as the result of the injuries. The case was absolutely hopeless from the first. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 30 July 1898
CHUDLEIGH - The Chudleigh Mystery. The Adjourned Inquest. Verdict. - The adjourned Inquest on the body of MARY ANN LAMBELL, wife of GEORGE LAMBELL, labourer, of Chudleigh, was held by Mr S. Hacker (the Coroner for the District) at the Town Hall, Chudleigh, yesterday afternoon. The Coroner said the Inquest had been adjourned in order to give the Police an opportunity of making further inquiries. He (the Coroner) understood that there was no other evidence to lay before the Jury, but from that which had been given at the two previous sittings it would appear that the deceased went to bed at 11 o'clock one evening, when she was apparently in good health. The next morning, about 5 o'clock, her husband found her in bed ill, and she got rapidly worse. All her limbs became benumbed and paralysed. She was unable to move her arms or legs, and was afterwards attacked with severe vomiting. Of course this was a very suspicious state of things. She died three days after being taken ill, and on that day her temperature rose to 109.2. An analysis was made, and strong evidence of lead poisoning found, and the public analyst had said that death was due to acute lead poisoning. A question arose as to whether the poisoning could be attributed to the dish from which some food had been eaten by the deceased. It had also been shown that the woman ate some sprats the day before she was taken ill. The inside of the dish used was lined with what was known as lead glazing. The article had been examined and the glazing was found to be intact, and, therefore, it could not be supposed that any poisonous substance in the glazing was mixed with the food. The analyst told them that it was a well known fact among the medical profession that lead poisoning was sometimes administered by criminally-disposed persons for a purpose. The Jury could come to the conclusion that death was due to lead poisoning, but that was not the whole of their duty - they had to ascertain who administered the poison, and how it was done, because if the deceased came to her death by acute poisoning it must have been administered by herself or some other person. Unfortunately, there had been no evidence upon this point. There was nothing to lead them to suppose that the deceased wished to commit suicide. It had been suggested, but there was no evidence to support it, that the woman might have secured the poison and taken it, or that it was administered to her by someone else. It was for them as a Jury to ascertain where she obtained the drug, and by whom it was administered. There was no evidence to show either of these facts. People who had been about selling drugs had been called, but there had been nothing to connect them with this case. After a retirement of 20 minutes they Jury returned a verdict that deceased came by her death by Lead Poisoning, but there was no evidence to show by whom it was administered. They conveyed their thanks to Mr Patch for bringing the case forward.

Western Morning News, Monday 1 August 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth Mortuary on Saturday relative to the death of WILLIAM HENRY TAPSCOTT, aged 9, of 16 Moon-street, Plymouth. James Briggs, Higher-street, Plymouth, saw deceased in Sutton Pool on Friday evening and he and another boy brought him ashore. Deceased was then alive, but although artificial respiration was tried the lad died shortly afterwards. Deceased had apparently been bathing, although witness did not see him enter the water. P.C. Hannaford said he attempted to restore animation without effect. Dr Wilkinson pronounced life extinct The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

ST MARYCHURCH - The Alleged Manslaughter At St. Marychurch. Accidental Death. - At St. Marychurch Townhall on Saturday Mr Coroner Hacker resumed the Inquiry relative to the death of THIRZA MINGO, wife of a marine store dealer, who died last Tuesday and it was alleged was knocked down by her son-in-law, Joseph Harding. The husband, recalled, admitted that he told Inspector Bond last Tuesday that he saw deceased knocked down. But this was a mistake. He was "worried" at the time, and on reconsideration came to the conclusion that he did not leave his shed, where deceased had been creating a disturbance, until after she had fallen. Then he assisted her into the house, where she remained on the floor until she died next morning. - Replying to Inspector Bond, MINGO admitted returning to the Police Station and saying he was not answerable for what he had said. He had been knocked on the head by his wife, and still suffered from the blow. He allowed deceased to remain on the floor as he feared she might attack him if he woke her up. - JOHN MINGO, jun., son of the deceased, said he came home from fishing about ten p.m. and found his mother on the floor "beastly drunk." He did not wake her up, as he feared she might throw a knife or poker at him as she had done before. Fearing what she might do when she awoke, he sat up all night, as was his custom when she was drunk. About five o'clock in the morning he put his hand on his mother's forehead and found she was cold. Ascertaining that she was not breathing, he sent for a doctor. - James Godfrey, pensioner, of Homefield Cottages, Babbacome, saw Mrs Holding trying to lead deceased (her mother) home. When the daughter let her go deceased picked up a large stone and threw at her, striking her in the back. Holding saw this and went up to deceased and told her to go home. He put up his hand, but did not strike deceased. - The Coroner: What caused her to fall? - Witness: She was drunk. Deceased was allowed to remain in the road twenty minutes before she was picked up. That was because she was drunk. The others stood by talking. - William Cann, fish dealer, corroborated. - Harry Evans, labourer, who resides next door to the MINGO'S said he restrained Holding, who went up to deceased, put one hand on her forehead and another on her breast. It was more of a push than a blow. - The Coroner: Holding gave her a push. - Witness: Naturally enough. - Thomas Rowland, house painter, said Holding pushed deceased away from his wife. Deceased fell, but it was not the push that caused her to fall. The Jury found that deceased while under the influence of drink, Accidentally Fell and died of concussion of the brain.

Western Morning News, Friday 5 August 1898
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - ANN CHUBB died suddenly at the Rock Hotel, Yelverton, on Wednesday. Deceased was a cook in the employ of Mr J. H. Deacon, of Meavy and only left her service on Wednesday morning. Mr Rodd, County Coroner, opened an Inquest and adjourned it until tomorrow, to give the Police an opportunity of tracing deceased's relatives and Dr Liddell of making a post-mortem examination.

NEWTON ABBOT - At Newton a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned in the case of WILLIAM J. HAMLYN, aged six, who was drowned near the Devon Wharf, Highweek on Tuesday. The Jury added the following rider:- "That the Coroner be requested to call the attention of the proper authorities to the advisability of at once taking steps to provide adequate bathing accommodation for the parishioners of Wolborough and Highweek."

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 August 1898
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Suicide At Moretonhampstead. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Moretonhampstead yesterday as to the death of WILLIAM CANN, 55, wheelwright, of Forder-street, who was found hanging by a rope to a beam in his pound house on Thursday evening. - GEORGE CANN, innkeeper, said deceased, his brother, was a widower, and had a son, aged 11, living with him. An accident some years ago injured his eye, since which he had had cataract, and had complained for the last year or two or pains in the head. Witness believed deceased had trouble about money matters, but he did not speak to him about them. He had never in witness's hearing threatened harm to himself. - William Miller, labourer, in the employ of deceased, saw him about 10 o'clock on Thursday morning, when he gave him orders about his work. - Herbert Crout, mason, working on a building opposite deceased's house, last saw him alive about three o'clock. Deceased asked him how his head was, he having had a blow the day before. - P.C. Small said he found on the body a County Court summons for £1 1s. with £1 17s. wrapped in it. - Leo Victor Laurie, M.B., of Moreton, deposed being sent for. Deceased had been dead about three hours. He attended him seven or eight months ago for gastritis, but had never been consulted for the pains in the head. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Monday 8 August 1898
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - The Inquest on the body of ANN CHUBB, wife of a chief petty officer now at Malta, was resumed at Yelverton on Saturday by Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner. Deceased was driven by W. H. Rowe to the station on Wednesday morning and left her luggage there, saying she would spend the day at Yelverton. She afterwards went to the Rock Hotel, where she was served with a glass of whisky, which she drank. She appeared to be in good health, but later was found sitting in a chair in the parlour of the Hotel, and on examination proved to be insensible. Dr Liddell was sent for and found that she was dead. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to heart disease. A verdict to this effect was returned.

THURLESTONE - Sad Suicide At Thurlestone. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on Saturday evening at Whitley Farmhouse, Thurlestone, on the body of MRS WHITE, its former mistress, who was found dead in the wash-house on Thursday night, with her face in a trough of water. The post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to drowning. Deceased had lately been much worried in consequence of being without either a servant or an assistant whom she usually kept, and harvest made her unusually busy. The Jury considered it improbable that deceased could have fallen by accident and returned a verdict of "Suicide while in a fit of Temporary Insanity." Great sympathy is evinced for the family, as MRS WHITE was highly respected in the neighbourhood.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 August 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport Guildhall on Monday Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest respecting the death of WILLIAM HENRY SIBLEY, 63, of 30 Barrack-street. Deceased, a stableman, was leaving his house to go to work on Saturday morning, when he staggered and fell down the stairs. His son assisted him and then fetched Mr Hinvest, who pronounced life extinct. Mr Head, landlord of the house, spoke to hearing the deceased fall. His health had not been good of late. Mr E. J. Hinvest, Surgeon, attributed death to syncope, due to congestion of the lungs and general weakness. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

KINGSTEIGNTON - Suicide At Kingsteignton. - An Inquest was held by Mr Sidney Hacker, at Kingsteignton yesterday concerning the death of SELINA CLEAVE. According to the evidence of her husband and daughter, deceased, who was 49 years of age, had during the past fortnight suffered from pain in the head. On Monday morning she got up and had breakfast with her daughter, and then went into the garden to gather beans for dinner. Half an hour after the daughter went into the garden and found her mother hanging by a cord from the bearer of a sawpit. She was cut down by Messrs. T. Cook and Peachy, and Dr Macheroy endeavoured to restore animation but without avail. The Jury brought in a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Thursday 11 August 1898
OTTERY ST MARY - Drowned Whilst Fishing. A Clergyman's Sad End At Tipton St. John's. - The REV. W. ANSLOW SOLE, of Creedwell Rectory, near Malmsbury, Wilts., who has been doing temporary duty at Aylesbeare for the Rev. E. B. Brutton for the last three weeks, was accidentally drowned while fishing in the River Otter, near Tipton Bridge on Monday evening. The Coroner, Mr C. E. Cox held an Inquest at Tipton St. John's yesterday. Dr Maclear was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The eldest son of the deceased said n Monday last he accompanied his father and two young brothers to Tipton for a day's fishing. They arrived soon after twelve and had lunch just before three o'clock and then separated, arranging to meet for tea at 5.30. His father did not put in an appearance for tea, and witness went away again until half-past seven when they had arranged to leave for home. He then saw his brothers but not his father and they became alarmed. He went down to the river to the second field from Tipton Bridge, and there saw his father's body in a shallow part of the river close to the bank. He took the body out of the water and obtained assistance. His father had one boot and stocking off and his rod and net lying by his side. There was a trout in the net. On a previous occasion his father had waded into the river and afterwards said the water made him feel giddy. He had suffered from a heart complaint for about three years and often complained of faintness. He was 54 years of age. The deceased had been in especially bad health lately, but said he felt better on Monday morning. He was a keen fisherman and liable to get excited on landing a fish. He had caught two trout that day. - ARTHUR FRANK SOLE corroborated last witness's evidence, and a young son of the deceased said he saw his father on the river bank about five o'clock, when he was changing a fly. He said he had had a big rise which made him feel bad, as he got excited. REV. ARTHUR SOLE, rector of St. Thomas's,. Winchester, brother to the deceased, confirmed what had been said as to the weakness of the heart and said his brother, under medical advice, had to give up cycling and take no violent exercise. - Daniel Power also gave evidence. Dr F. Mortimer Reynolds, of Ottery St. Mary, said at the Coroner's Inquest, he had made a post-mortem examination, and found that drowning was the cause of death. The heart was enlarged, fatty, weak and was in such a condition that he considered the deceased would be likely to suffer from fainting attacks. - The Coroner said he was sure their sympathies would be with the members of the deceased's family in their sad and sudden bereavement. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 August 1898
NEWTON ABBOT - ANNIE, wife of GEORGE PENNY, first class petty officer, H.M.S. Collingwood, died suddenly on Sunday morning at Newton Abbot, and at the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Bicycle Accident At Mutley. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Fortescue Hotel, Plymouth, yesterday, relative to the death of GEORGE THOMAS DERRY, professor of music, of 80 Belgrave-road, Mutley, who died through injuries received through being knocked down by a bicycle on August 4th,. Mr J. D. Sowerby, Chief Constable, watched the case on behalf of the Police. - Emily Clark, of 98 Belgrave-road, Mutley, said about half-past nine o'clock on the evening of the 4th inst., she saw a boy named Stephens ride down Belgrave-road on a bicycle at a tremendous pace and she shouted to him that he would be summoned. She did not notice whether his feet were on the pedals, nor if he carried a lamp. At the bottom of the road he collided with deceased, who was crossing the road. She did not hear Stephens ring his bell or shout. - Mrs Tolcher, of Belgrave-road, who was talking to the previous witness when the accident occurred, gave corroborative evidence, and added that Stephens' lamp was lighted. - William Norman Stephens, a warehouseman's apprentice, of 7 Penlee-place, Plymouth, said he was riding down Belgrave-road at about eight miles an hour on his bicycle, which was geared at 72, when MR DERRY was crossing the road. Deceased was walking very unsteadily and as he was about to pass him after crossing the road and ringing his bell and shouting, he rambled into his machine and they were both thrown. Witness got up somewhat dazed and with the aid of some men, took deceased home. Stephens did not notice that deceased was bleeding from a wound in the side of the head until they reached his house,. When he went to deceased's assistance he noticed he was unconscious and smelt very strongly of liquor. He had no brake on his machine, as he considered he could manage it almost as well without one. - William Guard, a clerk, of 37 Belgrave-road, who was also riding a bicycle down Belgrave-road, said Stephens passed him. The accident was not Stephens's fault. Deceased was walking very unsteadily and when picked up smelt very much of liquor. - Emma Elliott, of 99 Belgrave-road, said she heard Stephens ring his bell and shout. - Dr Jackson said his son, who had been attending deceased up to Thursday last, was now in Ireland. When he saw deceased on Friday he found he was suffering from a lacerated scalp wound five inches in length and one and a half in width. He did the same evening. He had attended deceased since 1893 for inflammation of the nose and throat, but during the past twelve months he had been practically well. He attributed death to shock to the system through exhaustion from loss of blood acting upon an enfeebled constitution. Deceased's eyesight was imperfect, as also was his hearing. He did not think MR DERRY was addicted to drink. - Dr M. Cuff, who dressed deceased's wound immediately after the accident, said he did not detect any signs of alcohol, and deceased certainly was not drunk. After a lengthy consideration the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and added that they were convinced that deceased was not under the influence of drink and recommended that every cyclist should carry a brake.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 August 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Boating Fatality. Steamer's Captain Reprimanded. The Jury And Steamboat Racing. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on the body of SARAH CARTER PENBERTHY, 31, a native of St Ives, who was drowned in the Hamoaze on Sunday evening, as the result of a collision between a waterman's boat and the Millbrook Steamboat Company's steamer Devonia. Mr P. S. Snell represented the owners of the Devonia, and several relatives of deceased were present. - Mr C. S. Body, accountant at Messrs. H. J. and E. A. Boolds, said he had known the deceased for six years. She was an assistant in Messrs. Boolds' mantle showroom. - James Baker, licensed waterman, living at 31, back of Mount-street, said at half-past nine on Sunday night he took in a party of eight passengers at Cremyll for Mutton Cove. A hulk and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe's steam ferry were moored some distance off Cremyll, the hulk being a little further down the harbour. The bows of both were facing up the harbour, and witness passed round the stern of the ferry and was making for the stern of the hulk, when he saw the steamer Devonia coming straight towards him. The distance between the steamer and witness's boat was so short that there was no time for witness to clear, and the Devonia crashed into witness's boat about amidships on the port side. All in the boat were then thrown into the water. Before the Devonia struck the boat witness stood up in the boat and shouted out three or four times for the Devonia to port her helm. There was a great noise of people shouting and witness could not say whether the captain of the Devonia heard witness's voice, but the steamboat's course was not altered. Witness's boat was licensed to carry nine passengers. Witness and one of the passengers were rowing, but no one was steering. It was a dark night. Previous to sighting the Devonia witness heard no whistle, nor at any time afterwards. Witness had been a waterman all his life and his father was also a waterman. Witness's rules given with his licence did not say that watermen must carry lights. A Government regulation said all vessels and boats should carry lights, but this did not mention watermen's boats. Private boats did not carry lights. - Mr Snell: But they ought to. - The Coroner (to witness): Have you heard of the Government regulation stating that rowing boats, whether under oars or sail, should have ready at hand a lantern shewing a white light, which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision? - Witness: Yes, I have seen it on a placard. - You have never understood it to apply to watermen's boats? - No. - Had you any light on board on this night? - No. - The Foreman (Mr May) said he had been in watermen's boats scores of times, and he had never seen them carry lights, but he had known matches struck occasionally. - Witness said he had never understood the regulation to apply to any other boats then Government boats. - By the Jury: I did all I could to avoid a collision and to get away from the steamer. I am guided by the book of rules I receive from the Commissioners, and this says nothing about carrying lights. I have never seen a steamer going up the harbour turn her head to go between the hulk and the Armadillo (the steam ferry) with the view of landing. I consider the Devonia was eighty yards from me when I sighted her, and I think she could have sighted me at the same distance with a good lookout. - The Coroner in reply to a Juryman, said the book in which the Government regulations were printed stated that the rules should be followed by all vessels on the high seas and all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels. - Witness further said it was nearly low water when the collision occurred. While he was in the water after the collision he saw the steamer pass. The steamboat was not eased until she almost struck the boat. After the collision the steamer brought up just opposite the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe's hard. - By Mr Snell: The Armadillo was moored about 20 or 30 yards from the beach at low water, and the hulk was 50 or 60 yards from the Armadillo. Perhaps the Devonia was not 80 yards away when I first sighted her. When I saw her I steered north-east and gave away from the steamer, but the steamer did not alter her course after rounding the bows of the ferry. - Mr Grigg (a Juryman): The steamer ought to have given way to him. - Arthur Capel, labourer, of 9 Albany-street, Devonport, said he left Cremyll in the last witness's boat on Sunday night at about five or ten minutes past nine, and not half-past. Witness was pulling stroke oar on the starboard side. He first sighted the Devonia when she was very close on them. Shortly before that the boatman said to witness, "Easy you, I'll pull." The effect of the boatman pulling would be to pull the boat more down the river. Before witness sighted the Devonia the people in the stern of the boat said, "There's a steamer down on us." As soon as witness saw her he shouted, "Pull, mate, for God's sake, I'll back water." He did not hear Baker shout until the people in the stern of the boat said a steamer was coming, when he shouted pretty loudly three or four times, "Port your helm." The steamer crashed into the boat between witness and the passengers. The steamer was going at a fast rate - rather too fast at that time of night. As witness sank the steamer struck him on the right side of the head. - By the Jury: I did not notice anyone in the bow of the steamer. The steamer's blade was stopped when I rose to the surface. - By Mr Snell: I put full confidence in the waterman, and was not a bit afraid. When I heard that a steamer was coming I did not anticipate a collision. - Dr W. Tait, R.N., Staff-surgeon, serving on H.M.S. Impregnable, said that about 9.20 on Sunday night three persons were carried on board the Impregnable. Two of them were conscious and the third, the deceased, was unconscious. Witness used every means in his power to restore animation in deceased, but without success. Death was due to drowning. One of the other two (a boatman) stayed on board until Monday forenoon, and the other (a girl) left about two o'clock in the morning, after getting dry clothes from the shore. Witness did not hear cries before the people were brought on board, but some on board heard shouts and boats were sent out. - The Coroner said they must all feel obliged to Dr Tait and the officers of the Impregnable for the services they rendered. - The Foreman said he was sure the Jury felt that gratitude to which the Coroner had referred, feeling that all efforts were made for the restoration of the deceased. - A relative also offered the thanks of the family of deceased. - Robert Franklin Elliott, draper, living at Truscott's Hotel, Plymouth, said he and his young lady were passengers in Baker's boat. He saw a steamer coming very quickly if not at full speed, and called out "Steamer ahead." As the steamer kept her course and the boat was going straight for her, witness said "For God's sake back water," and seized one of the oars to assist in backing water. The boatman then said "Sit down in the boat," and witness sat down. The bow of the steamer struck his left hand, which was on the gunwale of the boat and he went down. He was conscious all the time, but did not see his young lady after the steamer struck. When he came up he struck out. He could swim a little, and getting hold of an oar, managed to get to a boat. While he was hanging on a girl came up and said "Oh! mother." Witness called to her, "For God's sake hold on," and getting her dress in his teeth and his arm round her waist kept her up until she and a man were lifted into a ship's boat. - By Mr Snell: The Devonia was about 100 yards away when I first sighted her. It was a very dark night, and thinking it was a bit risky I kept a good look out. I believe that had they backed water with one oar, and pulled with the other we might just have escaped the collision. - Mr Grigg: With 100 yards between there was plenty of time for the steamer and the boat to get clear of each other. - In reply to the Jury, witness said the steamer was going very fast. With the traffic of small boats it was very risky for the steamer to be going at such a rate, especially with no lights on the boats. - Arthur Gummer, West-street, Millbrook, said he was captain of the Devonia. The steamer left Mutton Cove about 9.20. She was carrying a bright light at the masthead, a green one on the starboard bow, and a red one on the port bow. On leaving Mutton Cove the vessel was first headed in the direction of Millbrook, but halfway between Mutton Cove and the Nile witness found there were two gentlemen to land at Cremyll and he then altered the course and headed almost south. his intention was to land the passengers between the hard and the quay and he went between the hulk and the Armadillo. When he got almost to the stern of the Armadillo he rang the bell to ease the engines and when passing the stern of the Armadillo the engines were stopped. At the dame moment he saw something flash past the bow of the steamer, which he took to be a boat. He hailed the look-out man, who was forward on the starboard side, and shouted, "If that's a boat waive it to starboard." He also shouted down the tube. "Hard astern," and the engines were immediately reversed. He had hardly got the words out of his mouth when he heard the crash. Then he stopped the engines and threw eight or ten lifebuoys overboard. The Devonia had no boat. Two boats instantly pushed off from Cremyll and a service boat also came. The Devonia was going across at about half-speed. - The Coroner: Can you account for such serious injuries to the boat, seeing that the engines were reversed before the crash came? - The boat had a certain amount of way on her, and her weight would cut a light thing like that in two. It was the darkest night he had seen for the year. He did not hear shouting until the crash, when he heard screaming from the females. He did not hear Baker call out "Port your helm." He did not whistle when he was passing the stern of the Armadillo. He had seen nothing in the rules requiring him to whistle night or day when passing the stern of a vessel. - The Coroner: How can you notice anything on the other side? Would you in the ordinary course whistle in passing the stern of the Armadillo as a warning either night or day? - I didn't do it at that time. - The Coroner: That is when dangers come in - when you don't notice boats they are there. You know a good many watermen's boats cross on Sunday nights. - Witness: Yes. I have seen them, and at other times there have been none. - By the Jury: From where I steered I could see a boat only about a dozen feet ahead. It is customary to go at half-speed at ebb tide on the last trip. Full speed is about nine knots an hour. The man at the look-out who is about eighteen years old, was perfectly sober; he is a temperance man. He said his eyes were not exactly in front at the time. The Devonia carries five hands - three on deck and two below. I hadn't the slightest chance to avoid the collision. There is no course laid down by the Board of Trade[?]. It is usual to go between the hulk and ferry when going from Mutton Cove to Cremyll. I have been captain of the Devonia two years and a half, and have had two collisions within twelve months. There have been several collisions since the rivalry has been on. - The Coroner: Was there any racing? - No; the opposite company's boat left a quarter of an hour before us. - Do I understand you go as fast as you can because of the rivalry? - No. - The collisions would not happen if the steamers belonged to the same company? - I don't see that. - Witness further said this was his first fatal collision. He held a certificate and was also a pilot. If the boat had had a light he would have seen it several hundred yards off. - Replying to a relative of deceased, witness said he considered at the time if he had starboarded the helm the steamer would have gone through the boat. - Philip Stacey, of Millbrook, who was on the look-out on the Devonia at the time of the collision, said that after coiling up the ropes he stood on the raised part on the starboard side. He saw nothing as they were passing the Armadillo. The captain shouted that there was a boat on the port side and told him to run forward and hail it off. When he got forward and shouted the two struck. Witness was looking another way at the time and did not see the boat. The Devonia was going about two miles an hour at the time; she eased down as they were passing the stern of the Nile. - The Coroner (to witness): You must be very careful, because your evidence is quite contradictory to the evidence of the captain. Two miles an hour is a crawling rate. - By the Jury: The captain was just above my head when he called to me. - A Juryman: Then you were not in your place. You could not see a boat. - Another Juryman said the captain was a better lookout man than the witness. - In reply to the Coroner witness said he stood on the fore-side of the mast and not in the well. - The Coroner: We know what they do when they ought to be on the lookout. - A Juryman: This is not a responsible person to be on the look-out when so many lives are risked and passengers are speaking to him. - Mr Harold Brown, student at the R.N.E. College, said that while putting off from Cremyll in a waterman's boat on Sunday night he heard cries about a hundred yards off, and saw a steamer ten or fifteen yards from a waterman's boat running straight into her. She went smash into the boat without altering her course, and brought up about thirty yards further down. With the waterman witness immediately put off, and they picked up two women and a man. - William Trehane, engineer of the Devonia, deposed to carrying out the captain's orders on Sunday night, and said they were going about four knots. - Samuel Harrington, a Devonport waterman, who with Mr Brown picked up several persons, said these persons were about sixty yards from the beach. The Devonia was going about nine miles an hour. - Sidney Bennett, a bluejacket, on the Nile, said he heard a crash, and with two other men went out in a boat and picked up deceased. After unsuccessful attempts to restore animation, the body was taken to the Impregnable. The night was very dark and a boat could not be discerned more than ten yards away. - P.C. Warren gave evidence shewing the steps taken after the recovery of deceased's body. - The Coroner, in summing up, said that if the Jury found there was culpable negligence on the part of the captain or look-out boy they would find a verdict of manslaughter. Whatever verdict they brought in he had no doubt they would see fit to caution the captain to take great care in crossing the harbour on such dark nights, especially on Sundays, when boats left Cremyll for the Devonport side. It was the duty of the captains to take extra precautions on such occasions. They knew the rivalry there was between the steamboats plying between Devonport and Millbrook and he was afraid they travelled at far greater speed than they ought. It was time for this rivalry to be put a stop to, because there was no doubt it caused danger to life. He expressed his regret at the very sad occurrence which resulted in the loss of this young lady's life, and the Jury would agree in extending sympathy to the relatives. - After a consultation of nearly half an hour the Jury found the unanimous verdict that the deceased was Drowned, owing to an Accidental Collision between the waterman's boat in which she was a passenger and the steamboat Devonia; that the Jurors were of opinion that a more experienced look-out man should be employed, especially on dark nights, and greater precautions for the safety of passengers and others on the river taken. The Jury strongly disapproved of the high rate of speed at which the Millbrook steamers run owing to the existing steamboat rivalry and reprimanded Capt. Gummer for the way in which he navigated his vessel on this occasion. - The Coroner said he was directed by the Jury to add that they had very seriously considered their verdict and it was a question at one time whether they would not bring in a verdict of manslaughter against the captain and look-out man. They strongly disapproved of the manner in which the boats were navigated and were afraid that if this high rate of speed was continued and greater precautions were not taken there would be a greater loss of life later on. Capt. Gummer and the look-out man had had a very narrow escape. The Jury had a good word to say for the efforts made by watermen, sailors and others to save the lives of the people thrown into the water. fortunately eight out of the nine were saved. But for the readiness shewn to go to the rescue it was possible that all the lives would have been lost, and the Jury desired to publicly thank the rescuers. The Jury also hoped that, seeing the narrow escape the captain and look-out man had had, and considering that the boat of Baker had been entirely destroyed, the owners of the Devonia would be able to do something for the man. The Jury had very considerately given Baker their fees. The Inquiry lasted four hours and a half.

Western Morning News, Friday 19 August 1898
ST BUDEAUX - Fatal Accident At St. Budeaux. - Mr C. G. Brian, Deputy County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Trelawny Hotel, St. Budeaux, yesterday, relative to the death of ARTHUR EDWARD STANTON, aged 1 year and 8 months. - Alfred Jackman, of 5 Coldrenick-terrace, St. Budeaux, a labourer, said on Saturday afternoon last deceased was playing in the road, when a van, driven by Mr Robertshaw, who was talking to someone on the pathway, knocked the child down. Witness shouted to the driver, but it was too late, for deceased had been knocked down by the front wheel. The van was going very slowly. He did not think the driver could see the child, as it was hidden by the front wheel, which was higher than deceased. He did not notice anyone in charge of the child. - George Robertshaw, a butcher, of Ford, said he heard Jackman shout "Good God, you have run over a child." Witness got out and gave every assistance possible. He did not notice the child until Jackman shouted. Dr A. Festing-Smith, of St. Budeaux, said shortly after the accident her found the child was partially unconscious, was bleeding from the nose and had a wound on the cheek and ear. He attributed death to concussion of the brain. Deceased died on Wednesday. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

MORTHOE - Death Of MISS FOSTER - Dr Slade-Kind Inquired yesterday at Morthoe into the circumstances attending the death of MISS WINIFRED FOSTER, aged 20, of 30 Grosvenor-road, Westminster, who was drowned on Sunday while bathing. MR FOSTER, a brother, and Mr Fordham, brother-in-law, represented the family. SIR WALTER FOSTER, M.P., was in the village, but was not present at the Inquiry. Mr J. P. Ffinch represented the Hotel Company and Mr W. H. Huxtable and Mr Henshall the manor authorities. - Mr Ernest Oswald Fordham, J.P., Odsey House, Herts, and brother-in-law of deceased, stated that MISS FOSTER was a student of Durham University. On Sunday last he went down to the Combs Gate Bay about half-past ten and was bathing with his children, when deceased and her sister arrived, and entered the water, which was on the young flood. It was a rough sea. After sending out his children, witness went to the ladies, who were in about three feet of water and swam past them. Some large waves coming, he turned. Found the ground swell dragging him. He then heard deceased call him by name, and was surprised to see that she was farther out than himself - about thirty yards from the shore. Did not think that the call to him was an exceptional one; MISS FOSTER was a moderate swimmer. The waves went over the head of witness and the ground swell again caught him. From his own situation he knew that deceased must be in difficulties and he called for help, and shouted to MISS FOSTER to swim on. Could not see her, as the waves came over his head, and never saw her again. His appeal for help was to Mr and Mrs Baly, who were close by. Did not think it was practicable for anyone to rescue deceased without a rope. Witness recovered his feet with great difficulty, and, with Mr Baly, endeavoured to find deceased. He thought he saw deceased in the hollow of a wave, but she could not be reached,. They searched a quarter of an hour. When witness thought he saw MISS FOSTER she was about thirty yards off and drifting to the rocks. Was not aware that on the day previous a warning not to bathe had been given at Ilfracombe, nor that it was very dangerous to bathe on that coast when there were ground swells. - Mr John Hubert Baly, Skipton Lodge, Walton-on-Thames, corroborated as to the ground swells, and rough sea, and as to the distance deceased was out. The sister of deceased came to witness and his children about twelve yards from the shore in an ordinary way, and just after he noticed deceased much further out, in what he believed a dangerous position, and go still further out. She then became doubled up with a six-foot wave. Witness at once went to his wife and told her the lady was in extreme danger. The sister of deceased asked him if he could swim. Witness's wife went out almost to her neck and was about to swim out, when he absolutely forbade her. Sent his daughter for the assistance of a good swimmer and a gentleman came in about fifteen minutes and swam out. Did not see anything of deceased afterwards. No boat could have lived in the surf, and it would have been absolutely impossible to rescue deceased without life lines or other aids. Mrs Baly thought she saw deceased afterwards. When Mr Fordham and Mrs Baly returned from their perilous positions all went to the adjoining rocks in the hope of being able to do something. Never heard of the danger which they experienced. His opinion was that none but the strongest swimmer could have got through the breakers. - Alfred W. Smith, labourer, deposed to finding the body at Coombe Gate on Wednesday in a pit about four feet deep and covered with seaweed. Should say that the body was about fifty yards from where the previous witnesses had described. Was out beyond the place himself later than when the fatality occurred, but the ground swell rose and fell rapidly. Did not consider bathing under the circumstances deposed to safe, as the surf would prevent respiration. Was of opinion that it was wise to stop bathing at Ilfracombe on Saturday, when the conditions were similar to these in the present instance. - By Mr Ffinch: Had never known of a previous drowning case at Morthoe. - Coroner: I have had charge of the district for fourteen years, and have never held an Inquest in a case of drowning. - Replying to a Juror, Smith expressed his opinion that the water was less rough when he swam out to a boat than when the accident occurred. - After a verdict of "Death by Misadventure," Mr Huxtable was permitted to say that complaints had been made as to the absence of precautions at Woolacombe. Coombes Gate was not a recognised bathing-place, but the sands and here every precaution was taken. Machines were in charge of expert swimmers, life-saving gear attached to each machine and a man placed in charge of the whole. The evidence that no previous accident had occurred was proof that bathing was safe. On Sunday 200 persons entered the water on the sands, and the chief attendant enforced caution. - Mr Ffinch remarked that the evidence seemed to shew that bathing at Morthoe had been generally safe. There had sometimes, unfortunately, those ground swells, Everything possible seemed to have been done for MISS FOSTER, and he suggested an expression to that effect, which would be gratifying to Mr Fordham. - Mr G. Gammon (Foreman) said the Jury wished him to express their belief that everything that could be done was done by those on the beach - Mr Fordham thanked Mr Ffinch and the Jury for their kind words and expressed the gratitude of the family for the many kindnesses of the inhabitants of Morthoe. - SIR WALTER and LADY FOSTER have received hundreds of condolences. MISS FOSTER will be interred at Morthoe today (Friday) at eleven.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death On The Gorgon. - Mr J. A. Pearce, (Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday, relative to the death of SAMUEL POWERS (29) first class stoker, of the Gorgon. The evidence shewed that on Tuesday night deceased was playing cards, and was apparently in very good health up to 9.30 when he turned in. He had occasionally complained of pains in the head, chest and stomach. About eight o'clock on Wednesday morning deceased suddenly fell, apparently in a fit, and Mr George Henry Porter, R.N., who was in charge of the ship, immediately sent to the Royal Naval Barracks for medical assistance. Dr A. Woollcombe, R.N., who responded to the call, found that life was extinct, and on making a post-mortem examination discovered diseased vessels at the base of the brain and haemorrhage. Death was due to an effusion of blood at the base of the brain. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 22 August 1898
CHAGFORD - Killed By Lightning At Chagford. - Mr Prickman, Coroner, held an Inquest at Forder Farmhouse, Chagford, on Friday, on the body of JOHN HENRY HUTCHINGS, the young man killed by lightning near Forder House on the previous day. - JOHN HUTCHINGS identified the body as that of his son, aged 20. Deceased and himself on Thursday were at work in the harvest field for Mr Nickels, of Sandy Park Mills. The storm coming on they had to stop work. Witness went to his home about twelve o'clock and left his son in perfect health. - Mr George Endacott, farmer, of Forder, said he found deceased lying in the road. The clothes were stripped completely from his back. - P.S. J. Mortimore also gave evidence. Deceased's clothes were torn in shreds, particles of his clothing lying about the road. Some had been taken across the road, over the hedge, and into the field adjoining; one of his boots was torn off, and was found 45 feet from the body, while part of the other boot was found 20 feet in the opposite direction. He considered he must have been leaning against the elm tree for shelter and was struck by the electric fluid, for the ivy had been stripped from the tree for many feet above where his head would have come, but below that it was not scorched. - Dr Hunt said he had no doubt that death was caused by the lightning. The Jury returned a verdict "That death was caused by Lightning by the Visitation of God." - Deceased was a member of the Right Half Company 5th V.B.D.R., and will be buried on Monday at Chagford with military honours.

NEWTON ABBOT - Quarry Accident Near Newton. - Mr S. Hacker on Saturday held an Inquest on the body of GEORGE HOLMES, who died on Friday from the effects of an accident which happened while working at Parker's Quarry on Thursday. - WILLIAM HOLMES, labourer, having identified the body, Frank Furze, Bowden-hill, Newton, carter, said he was loading his cart with stones at Mr Parker's Quarry, and saw HOLMES drilling a hole for blasting purposes. He was standing at the foot of the quarry about three yards from witness. There was no person working above deceased. Witness heard something fall and looking round saw HOLMES in a crouched position. A barrelful of gravel and small stones had fallen from just above deceased on a ledge on the solid rock. He put him in a cart and deceased asked to be taken home, and not to the Hospital. - William Chudleigh, Abbotskerswell, carter, saw deceased working and a couple of minutes after heard earth fall, and looked round and saw deceased crouching on the ground. There were two holes in HOLMES' cap, and deceased was bleeding considerably from wounds at the top of his head. He sent to Newton for Dr Grimbly and for a cab to take deceased to the Hospital, but deceased was taken home at his own request. On the way Dr Scott met him and examined deceased. - By Mr Parker: There had been a very severe storm in the morning, with lightning and thunder and it was lightning at the time very vividly. The quarry might possibly have been struck by lightning. - George Hawkings, Totnes-road, foreman quarryman, in the employ of Messrs. Parker Bros., was at work there about 3.30, and was about 100 yards from deceased when the accident happened. About a hundredweight of clay, soil, and small stones had fallen. - The Coroner asked witness if he knew that there was a rule that all loose ground must be cleared from the edge of a quarry. - Witness said if the man thought there was any danger he would have cleared it. In his opinion the rain and storm would dislodge the loose gravel. - Cross-examined by Mr J. S. Martin. H.M. Inspector of Quarries and Mines: Had been a quarryman at this quarry for 19 years, and had seen several small slips. He did not think that any loose gravel should be left in a dangerous position. He had charge of the quarry. - Mr Coroner Hacker raised the question as to why the quarry was not fenced in at the top in accordance with the Fencing Act. - Mr Parker thought there was no need for the fencing of his quarry, but he would do so if the Inspector considered it necessary. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," caused by the falling of the loose stones on deceased's head, and added a rider in which they called the attention of Messrs. Parker Brothers to the suggestion of the Inspector to remove all rubbish.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 August 1898
TEIGNMOUTH - Fatality At Teignmouth. - Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest at Teignmouth Hospital yesterday touching the death of THOMAS CHAFFE, who died in the Hospital after having been run over by the lifeboat carriage on Tuesday last week, the day of the demonstration. Deceased was 46 years of age, a widower, with no family. On lifeboat day he had been placed with other men at the wheels of the lifeboat carriage to keep the people back. At the signal "All right," the carriage was started and Gidson Bartlett heard a shout that someone was under the wheels. - Arthur W. Braine saw deceased put his hand up as if hooking something on the carriage. the wheel caught him, knocked him down and passed over his head and body. There was no pushing or anyone near deceased, and he spoke when picked up. - Edward Percy Hasluck, House Surgeon, stated that Mr Johnson attended deceased on Tuesday directly he was admitted. On Wednesday and Thursday deceased was apparently well, the only injury he had sustained being a sprained ankle, but on Friday he developed symptoms of delirium tremens, and he died on Saturday from consequent exhaustion. No doubt the shock hastened the symptoms. He had been treated at the Hospital for diseased liver and kidneys. If he had been a healthy man he would have got over the accident. - The Jury gave a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added that no fault was attributable to the crew or those connected with the arrangements. - Mr W. J. Burden, the local hon. secretary, said he was instructed to represent the Lifeboat Institution, who regretted the occurrence and would cover all costs of the interment.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 24 August 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on Monday relative to the death of ROSA BEER, aged 15 months of 37 Beaumont-avenue, Plymouth, who was found dead in bed by her father on Saturday. Dr Wagner attributed death to inflammation of the bowels and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

STOKE DAMEREL - The body of Private JOHN WAKEFIELD, R.M.L.I., who was missed from the Gorgon at Devonport on August 16th, and was believed to have fallen overboard, was found floating in the water off Keyham on Monday. At the Inquest which was held at Morice Town yesterday, a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 25 August 1898
SIDMOUTH - Drowned At Sidmouth. - Respecting the death by drowning of ERNEST JOHN MADGE, 14 years of St. Thomas, Exeter, employed at Smith and Sons' bookstall, Sidmouth Station, Mr Coroner Cox held an Inquest yesterday. Frederick Baker, 14, said deceased was bathing with him and several other boys a few yards from the shore the previous evening. It was high water and deceased got out of his depth. Witness and one or two other lads swam out towards him, but were unable to effect a rescue. - Sidney Abbot said he tried to rescue deceased, who caught hold of his arm. Abbot then attempted to swim ashore with him, when deceased caught hold of his legs, and they sank together. On coming to the surface Abbot struck out for the shore, but deceased let go his hold and sank for the third time. The lad then went to the coastguard. Two fishermen, named Thomas Woolley and William Smith, went into the water. Woolley struck the body with his foot and Smith dived and brought the deceased to the surface. He was at once taken to the shore, and the coastguards and Drs. Pullen and Goodwin endeavoured to restore animation, but without avail. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death by Drowning," and recommended a buoy should be placed on the shore near the spot, a witness having stated that if a lifebuoy had been there deceased's life would probably have been saved. The Coroner commended Abbot for his pluck.

Western Morning News, Friday 26 August 1898
PLYMOUTH - Dr Williams informed a Coroner's Jury at Plymouth yesterday that EDITH HANCOCK, aged eight months, 2 Ambrose-cottages, Plymouth, died suddenly on Wednesday from whooping cough, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 August 1898
TIVERTON - Fatal Fall At Tiverton. - An Inquest was held at Tiverton yesterday, relative to the death of ROBERT SPARKES, farm labourer. THOMAS SPARKES, son of deceased, said his father on Tuesday evening in the Infirmary said, "It was no one's fault." - William M. Snell said deceased was in the employ of his father. Witness was pitching a load of oats and deceased was loading them on the wagon. The load had reached up to the top of the lades, and witness shouted out "Hold fast, ROBERT." The horse moved up about five yards, and deceased called out to stop the horse. Witness did so and ran round and saw deceased on the ground. He helped him up, and he was taken to Tiverton Infirmary. Mr England, House Surgeon, said deceased fractured his spine and died on Thursday. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 30 August 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth, relative to the death of WILLIAM THOMAS BRAY, aged 38 years, a naval pensioner, of 26 Clarence-street, Plymouth. ANN BRAY, deceased's mother, said her son was invalided from the Royal Navy in January last, on account of consumption and on Saturday he was taken unwell and died before medical aid could be summoned. Dr Pearse said death was due to internal haemorrhage, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

SOUTH POOL - Found Dead At South Pool. - At the Inquest held yesterday at South Pool by Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, relative to the death of WILLIAM CLEMENTS, found dead on Saturday, the evidence shewed that deceased left home early on Friday morning to go harvesting and that in taking a short cut he was suddenly seized with a fit and fell forward on his face in some mud and water and was suffocated. Not arriving home at midnight, a search was made, and the poor fellow was found apparently in the same position as he had fallen. A verdict to that effect was returned. Had help been available he would probably have recovered.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 31 August 1898
BERE FERRERS - Boating Fatality On The Tamar. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Bere Ferrers yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM SEARLE, aged about 46 years, a porter of Northcorner, residing at 87 James-street, Devonport. Peter Doidge, waterman, of Bere Ferrers, said deceased engaged him on Sunday afternoon last to go to Saltash. There was a fresh breeze blowing and the tide was ebbing. In tacking off Warleigh Point a squall struck the boat and deceased was thrown to the leeward and the boat began to fill. Deceased immediately jumped overboard and swam for the shore. When about twenty yards from the beach he seemed to be entangled in the seaweed. The boat soon filled, but witness managed to cling to the side. As the water was not very deep he succeeded in pushing the boat ashore with an oar. He then went to deceased's assistance, and found him a little way off the shore with his head buried in the seaweed. He took him out of the water and tried to restore animation, but without avail. The boat was 16 ½ feet long, and he was carrying a mizzen and mainsail, and had the sheet in his hand. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 1 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - The Cornwood Railway Fatality. Careless Workers On The Line. - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest respecting the death at the Hospital of WILLIAM FULLER, of Teignmouth, who was killed on the railway on Slade Viaduct, near Cornwood, on Monday. - William George Langdon, signal painter, said deceased was a foreman in that department and he and others were proceeding along the line from Cornwood Station to Hemerdon signal-box, which was to be painted. This was about 9.15. As the up train passed, witness saw the engine-driver make signs, and he also blew the whistle of the locomotive. They did not know exactly what was meant, but witness looked back and saw a train coming in the opposite direction, and was within an engine's length of them. It was a boisterous morning, and with the noise of the up train the down train could not be heard. Witness jumped aside just in time, but the deceased and another were struck by the passing train. That was on the Slade viaduct, and they were walking between the lines at the time. After the train had passed witness went to the assistance of a comrade named Millin, and also found FULLER in a sad condition, with his leg almost torn off below the knee and with other serious injury. Both men were attended to, and the North mail was stopped at Cornwood, and FULLER conveyed to Plymouth, whence he was taken to the Hospital. - John Francis, a lad engaged as a signal painter, gave similar evidence. - George Hollister, engine driver, said he was driving the engine attached to the 4.15 excursion train from Bristol to Plymouth. When near Cornwood a signal was against him and he blew his whistle and was subsequently given a clear line. He put on steam again and when passing the other train the driver of the engine motioned to him and though he could not understand the signal, he looked out but saw nothing. he learnt at North-road that the accident had occurred. He was travelling about 40 miles an hour at the time and had the deceased been walking in the six-foot way instead of the four-foot way the fatality would not have happened. - Mr William Thomas, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said when deceased was admitted his right leg was torn off just below the knee and his left arm was severely fractured. Death was due to shock and loss of blood. - The Coroner commented on the carelessness displayed by some railway employees. They seemed to become so accustomed to danger that they seemed to almost court it at times, and placed themselves in the most hazardous places. The four-foot way was a very improper place for the deceased and his companions to walk in. A representative of the Great Western Railway Company explained that on this particular viaduct there were recesses, with handrails, built especially for platelayers and others to step into when trains are passing. The Coroner observed that if a special footbridge was built, half the men would not use it. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 3 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - The Fatal Explosion At Plymouth Gasworks. Adjourned Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, at Plymouth Guildhall yesterday, resumed his inquiry into the death of AARON PARKES, fitter in the employ of Cutler and Sons, Millwall, London, and residing at Hollinwood, Lancashire, who was killed by an explosion in the carburetted water-gas plant at Plymouth Gasworks on July 19th. Mr Percy Pearce appeared for Cutler and Sons, and the Gas Company were represented by their secretary, Mr J. Thomas and manager, Mr Wharton. - The Coroner remarked that since the formal opening of the Inquest, when evidence of identification only was taken, Mr Pearce had placed him in possession of all the information, and although the water-gas plant was a complicated piece of mechanism, the technical aspect of its method of working did not enter into the question which the Jury were called upon to decide. They had merely to determine whether there was any negligence or responsibility on the part of anybody. Some time ago Messrs. Cutler and Sons erected sets of water-gas plant at the Plymouth Gasworks, and at the time of the accident they were engaged in the erection of additional sets of the plant. During the work Mr Ernest cutler came down to inspect it and whilst in Plymouth his attention was called to something which had gone wrong in connection with the plant which had been previously erected and was already in working. The machinery was opened up to discover the defect, and whilst that was being done an explosion occurred. As far as he could see it was one of those accidents which no one could foresee. - Mr Samuel Cutler, head of the firm of Cutler and Sons, explained by means of plans the process of making water-gas and the mechanism of the apparatus. In the course of the manufacture of water-gas deposits of carbon accumulated in various parts of the plant, necessitating occasionally the cleaning of the tubes in order that the gas might have free circulation. There were gauges upon the operating floor of the water-gas plant, by which those in charge of it could see when such stoppages occurred. It appeared that such a stoppage took place on January 19th, and it was necessary to locate and remove it. His son was at the works in connection with the erection of another set of water-gas plant, and was asked to assist in locating the stoppage. Between the portion of the plant called the "washer" and another part known as the "scrubber" there was a valve, and in opening up the plant they drew from the washer the water which formed a seal, preventing the gas coming back into the apparatus, and the right course then would have been to have taken care to see that the valve was closed, because there would be some small quantity of gas remaining in the scrubber, which the valve would prevent from flowing back. As he understood this valve was not closed, and the consequence was that the gas that remained in the scrubber flowed back into the apparatus, and came in contact with the flame at the top of the super-heater, with the result that an explosion took place inside the apparatus and the flame came out at the manhole, from which the lid had been taken off. His son only a moment before was looking inside the manhole, and had to explosion taken place at that second, he must have been killed. - Mr Ernest Cutler, an engineer and son of the last witness, stated he came down to Plymouth on July 18th, and on the following day visited the gasworks for the purpose of inspecting the two sets of carburetted water-gas plant which the firm of Cutler and Sons were erecting for future use. While there his attention was drawn to the existence of a block in the other plant, which was already at work. It was necessary to remove the stoppages when they were located. In clearing a stoppage any spare gas in the washer was forced by means of water into the scrubber, which was attached to the gasholder, and could be separated from it by a valve. When that valve was closed all communication with the gasholder was cut off. The manhole lid on the scrubber could not be taken off until the water was driven back. The stoppage in the plant which was working was reported to him by Cole, the operator, at seven o'clock on the day of the accident. He was just then going to dinner and directed Cole to flood the washer and take the manhole lid off. When he returned to the works he found that the washer was flooded, but the manhole lid was still on. After the water had been running out some little time he directed two fitters to take off the manhole-lid, which they proceeded to do. On the removal of the man-lid, witness put his head through the manhole to look inside the scrubber. Just then some water fell on his nose, causing him to pull his head back with the intention of going upstairs to see if the water was turned off. Immediately afterwards fire broke out of the manhole, where his head had just been, and the explosion occurred. PARKES and the other fitter, Baverstock, were then about to replace the man-lid, and witness and a pupil-apprentice were standing near. They were all injured. He should not have ordered the man-lid to be removed if he had known the valve was not closed. The effect of the valve being open was that gas could travel along to the top of the super-heater, where there was a light and the water left in the washer having been removed, there was nothing, with the valve open, to prevent fire running down into the washer and so into the scrubber. Had the valve been closed this could not have happened. His firm had erected similar machinery at Hornsey, Hastings, Southend, Buenos Ayres and other places without any accident having happened. - Asked whether no definite instructions were given to anyone to close the valve, witness said he gave no instructions at all. He was busily engaged in ascertaining the cause of the stoppage, and never thought whether the valve was open or not. His thoughts were on the stoppage, for which he was looking and he never gave any actual instructions to close to valve. - By Mr Pearce: Before this water-gas plant was handed over to the Plymouth Gas Company instructors came down for ten weeks to explain to the men how to work it, and when the machinery was handed over the company had to work it with men who had been properly instructed in its working. Deceased and Baverstock were merely mechanical fitters employed in the construction of the new sets. - Replying to the Coroner, Mr Pearce said there was no question of financial responsibility involved in the case. - Mr Johns said his firm acted for the Gas Company, and he should not be sitting there as Coroner if he thought there was any question likely to arise between the company and the representatives of the deceased. - A Juryman: I presume if Cole had carried out the instructions given him this would not have happened. - The Coroner: We cannot say that. It seems that Cutler relied on Cole and Cole relied on Cutler. - Mr Pearce: Neither Mr Cole nor Mr Cutler would have removed the manlid if they had thought there was any danger. - Mr Russell, House Surgeon at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted to the institution on July 19th suffering from burns on the face, neck and hands, and died on the following Wednesday from his injuries. He was conscious when admitted, but quickly lost consciousness and made no statement. - Frank Cole, operator in the employ of the Gas Company, deposed to reporting to Mr E. Cutler on the evening of July 19th that the water-gas plant was obstructed. Mr Cutler was just going away, and told him to flood the washer by the time he came back. On Mr Cutler's return witness reported to him that he had flooded the washer, but had done nothing further. Mr Cutler then told him to let the water out of the washer. After he had emptied the washer there was considerable water in the scrubber with the valve shut, and the scrubber was sealed. He reported that all the water was out of the washer and Mr Cutler then told him to let the water out of the scrubber. He carried out the instructions, Mr Cutler watching the proceedings. Subsequently the manlid was taken off. Witness did not at the moment know that the manlid was off, but had gone away to see there were no lights burning in the vicinity when the explosion occurred. Did not see Mr Cutler put his head into the manhole, and did not see deceased there. Had had experience in the working of the water-gas plant since December last, and was the operator in charge of the set which was at work. He was conversant with the machinery except the explosive part and had now been enlightened in that respect. If Mr Cutler had not been on the works at the time he should himself have undertaken the clearing of the stoppage. - By Mr Pearce: With other men, he had a course of ten weeks' instruction in the working of the plant before the set was handed over to the Gas Company last December. He was placed in charge of the set and had successfully manipulated it ever since. When the washer had been emptied of the water the valve was used to keep the gas in the scrubber; but when there was water in the washer there was no necessity to use the valve. If he had thought the valve was not shut he would not have been a party to removing the manlid. The moment he saw they were going to remove the manlid he went to see there were no lights about. On the day before he himself took off the manlid. - The Coroner said there were one or two other witnesses to be called, but it seemed a waste of time to take further evidence. The facts were very simple. There seemed to be no diversity of opinion between Cutler and Cole. It was really an ordinary case, but it had taken place at some big works, and more had been made about it than if it had occurred at a smaller place. - On this evidence the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held three Inquests at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday. The first was relative to the death of WILLIAM L. HILL, aged 56 years, a journeyman painter, residing at 25 St John's-road, Plymouth. George Wilkinson, of 3 Parkfield-terrace, Plymouth, said he saw deceased fall from a ladder about twenty feet high, at Prince Rock-terrace, on Monday morning last. - John Peatheyjohns, a retired builder, said he employed deceased to paint No. 2 Prince Rock-terrace, and gave him two ladders and ropes to splice them with. Shortly before the accident deceased drew his attention to the shute of the next house which required repairing. In his opinion, in attempting to mend the shute deceased over-balanced himself. - Dr D. W. Thomas, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said when deceased was admitted he was suffering from a lacerated wound on the back of the head, and also above the right cheek bone. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death. - Mr Skarden watched the case on behalf of Mr Peatheyhjohns.

PLYMOUTH - The second case was that of ARMONAL LEAY, aged four years, of 11 Hill-street, Plymouth. Walter Denner of 52 Richmond-street, Plymouth, a driver, in the employ of Mr Jewell, of Plymouth, said he was driving a pair of horses in a wagonette from the races on Thursday. On going through Exeter-street he noticed deceased standing on the kerb with her back to the road, talking to some other little girls. When abreast of deceased she suddenly turned round to cross the road, and collided with one of the horses and was knocked down, both of the wheels passing over her body. He immediately got down, but somebody had picked up the child and taken her to the Hospital. He was driving at a slow trot. - Julia Harvey of 7 Hill-street, Plymouth and James McKirby of 61 Mainstone-avenue, Plymouth, gave corroborative evidence and both were of opinion that Denner was driving very steadily. - Dr Russell said when deceased was brought to the Hospital she was dead. The right side of the head was bruised, and he attributed death to fracture of the base of the skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and were satisfied that Denner was driving at a moderate place.

PLYMOUTH - The third case was that of CHARLES BATES, aged 56, a painter's labourer, of Peel-street, Stonehouse. John Sampson of 8 Edna-terrace, Plymouth, said on Thursday morning last he was engaged with deceased and six other men in removing a crate of glass, weighing 13 cwt., from a trolley in Phoenix-street, with the aid of ropes and planks. Deceased was holding a plank which helped to support the crate, when he slipped and the case fell upon him. Every precaution was taken to safely unload the trolley. Deceased had been engaged in similar work before. John Johns, a painter, of Wellington-street, Plymouth, corroborated. Dr Russell said deceased, who was conscious when brought to the Hospital on Thursday morning, died in the evening from a fractured pelvis. Again the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 5 September 1898
EXETER - FREDERICK THOMAS PERRY, 36 years of age, was taken ill suddenly at Exeter on Friday morning and died of haemorrhage. At the Inquest on Saturday Dr Kemp said deceased had evidently been suffering from consumption for eight or nine years.

TORQUAY - Fatal Accident At Torquay. - Mr Sidney Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquiry at Upton, Torquay, on Saturday concerning the death of SCHALL ROIGNANT, 29, a Breton onion vendor, temporarily residing at 14 Pimlico, and a native of St Paul de Leon, Finnesterre, Brittany. Deceased was killed on Friday night through being thrown from a handcart on the Paignton road. Most of the evidence was given in French, the Coroner translating it to the Jury. Deceased formed one of a party of 20 onion vendors at present in Torquay, the chief being Francois Moal, who on Friday morning sent deceased and Louis Pierseon out with a load of three hundredweight of onions to sell. They sold their onions and were returning by way of Paignton, where they picked up Francois Moal, a son of the chief man. Between Torquay and Paignton ROIGNANT and Moal mounted the handcart and Pierseon, who was barefooted, pulled them along. Coming down Brockencliff-hill, Pierseon lost control of the handcart and it dashed into the hedge at the side of the wall, throwing ROIGNANT and Moal out with great violence. The former had the base of his skull fractured and died before his companions could get him to Torquay. Young Moal's head and face were severely damaged. The employer told the Jury he had frequently warned the men not to go at a furious pace with the handcarts, and the Coroner told Pierseon, the driver, that he was liable to go to gaol for furiously driving a vehicle through the streets and he had better be careful or he would find himself in prison. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 7 September 1898
EGG BUCKLAND - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner held two Inquests at Crownhill yesterday. SARAH ELLERY WELLAND, aged 79, of 5 Grove-cottages, Crownhill, was taken ill last Sunday and died somewhat suddenly. Mr r. S. Olver, Surgeon, attributed death to heart disease following upon bronchitis. A verdict to that effect was returned.

EGG BUCKLAND - HILDA CARLETON, infant daughter of Sergeant CLAUDE CARLETON, Worcestershire Regt., stationed at Crownhill, died an hour after birth. A verdict of "Death due to Premature Birth" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 September 1898
TIVERTON - Mr Foster Barham held an Inquest at Tiverton yesterday relative to the death of THOMAS KELLOW, a quarryman, of Langley Marsh, near Wiveliscombe, where a windlass struck him on the head. He took no heed of the wound at the time, but subsequently went to Dr Norris, of Wiveliscombe, to be treated. He was ordered to Hospital, where it was soon found that an abscess had formed on the brain; from this he died.

SLAPTON - Dartmouth Regatta Fatality. Risks Of Yacht Racing. - Mr G. F. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at Slapton relative to the death of GEORGE MCKEON, of the yacht Ailsa. - Capt Charles Bevis of the Ailsa, stated that deceased was an able seaman belonging to the yacht, and his home was at Brightlingsea. On Saturday, August 27th, deceased was on board the yacht, which was racing in the Start Bay Yacht Club's matches off Dartmouth Harbour. Deceased, attending to the lee runner, was on deck just abaft the mast. The deck was wet and on an angle. The water was rushing along and, deceased's foot slipping, he went overboard. He was in the act of taking hold the lee runner when the sea caught him, and he had hold of nothing. Deceased had to haul in the runner as the yacht came round the mark. There were two other hands to assist him. Immediately the man was washed off witness shouted for a lifebuoy to be flung and a boat launched, and both orders were carried out immediately. The Brixham pilot went in the boat. Witness was at the helm in charge of the yacht, on board of which were the owner (Mr F. B. Jameson), his cousin (Mr Willie Jameson), and two ladies. There was a launch close by, and it cruised about over the spot. The Ailsa stood there for half an hour and then returned to harbour. The sea was perfectly smooth at the time. Deceased could not swim. Witness did not know when he engaged the deceased that he could not swim, but he learnt it about two months before the accident. The crew of the yacht went out next day to try to pick up the body, but without success. - The Coroner: Sailing at that pace a man is apt to be washed overboard sometimes? - yes, we were going 12 knots. The wonder is there are not more accidents. If a man slips on deck when the yacht is going at such a speed there is such a rush of water he would be turned over, and instantly thrown overboard before he can properly tell what had happened. - William Ellery, fisherman, deposed to picking up the body on Monday about sixty fathoms from the sands. - A Juryman: Is it customary for a man when he joins a racing yacht to be asked if he can swim? - Capt. Bevis: I never heard of such a question being asked. The men are engaged upon their own responsibility. They know what they are wanted for; that it is for racing and not for pleasure. - Another Juryman: Is there no protection for the crew? - The bulwarks are fifteen inches in height. - The Foreman: Was the deceased sober or not? - Capt. Bevis repudiated any idea that deceased was not sober. He added: Deceased was a steady man, and had never known him to be out of the ship. - How could he have fallen over the bulwarks? - Capt. Bevis said a racing yacht and an ordinary yacht were two different things altogether. As soon as the yacht lay down she took in three or four feet of water, right up to the skylight, nearly amidships. He had seen as much as six, seven, or eight feet of water on the lee deck. The men knew what they had to expect in a vessel like the Ailsa. There were thirty men in the crew. The wind was strong. They were on the point of rounding the mark, and the sheets being penned in to go on the wind, as they came round the wind came at right angles and the boat was pressed down. As she lay down the man went overboard,. There was quite three feet of water on the lee rail at the time. They could imagine what chance a man had when he had hold of nothing and slipped on the wet deck. - The Coroner: Had he been able to swim he would have been all right? - Yes, he would have been saved in two minutes. - The Coroner said it was a most serious thing for a man to engage in such a risky occupation unless he was able to swim. - Capt. Bevis: For the future I shall ask every man I engage whether he can swim or not. A man who goes in a racing boat should certainly be able to swim. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 9 September 1898
NEWTON ABBOT - JOHN LANG, a thatcher, aged 74, an inmate of Newton Workhouse, from North Bovey, was found dead in the House. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 10 September 1898
TAVISTOCK - The Burrator Fatality. - The death of THOMAS HENRY HENDER, aged 29, formed the subject of Inquiry at Tavistock Cottage Hospital yesterday, before Mr Rodd, County Coroner. Sergeant-Major Bowles was Foreman of the Jury. - Evidence was given by William Bellinger, labourer, and Charles Pickett, general foreman of the Burrator works, to the effect that the deceased was assisting in removing the planks of a footbridge over the Meavy, when a plank slipped and carried him with it to a depth of 20 feet, and he fell on some large boulders. Deceased had been employed on the works two and a half years and knew his duties well. - Dr Blagdon, Horrabridge, deposed that there had been extensive haemorrhage into the cavity of the abdomen, the liver and right kidney were ruptured, and death was due to shock consequent on haemorrhage. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr J. H. Ellis, town clerk of Plymouth, and Mr Sandeman, the borough water surveyor, attended the Inquiry.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 September 1898
SOUTH BRENT - The Brent Poisoning Fatality. - An Inquest was held at Brent last evening by Mr G. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, touching the death of JOHN PRESTON, builder, aged 60, who died on Saturday night from poisoning by spirits of salts. Police-Sergeant Yendell watched the case. - HANNAH GRACE PRESTON stated that deceased, her husband, came home on Friday evening and went to his workshop. Some time afterwards he went to bed and about half an hour later she heard a noise and on going upstairs found him vomiting blood. In reply to her question, he said he had drunk something from a bottle in the shop, thinking it was cider. - Dr Style deposed to being sent for and finding deceased in the condition stated. PRESTON told him he had taken some soldering stuff in mistake for cider. Witness found the bottle in the workshop containing spirits of salts, raw. He smelt and tasted it. There was no poison label on the bottle. He applied the usual remedies and attended the deceased until his death, at 4.15 p.m. on Saturday. The Jury, after a long consultation in private, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and strongly condemned the keeping of such acids as spirits of salts without being labelled "poison."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest held yesterday by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, relative to the death of JOSEPH J. BAILEY, a pensioner of 29 Buckwell-street, Plymouth, who died suddenly at his residence on Monday. Dr Cooke, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to rupture of an aneurism of long standing, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - As MICHAEL KELLY, aged about 58 years, a police pensioner, of 155 King-street, Plymouth, did not come down to breakfast on Monday morning, his landlady (Mrs E. Richards) sent for assistance, and forced an entrance into his room, and there found him dead on the floor. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Burke said death was due to syncope and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 16 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - Found Drowned In The Laira. - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday, relative to the death of JOSEPH FOSTER, fish hawker, aged 68 years, of 66 Grenville-road, Plymouth. - ALBERT FOSTER said the deceased, his father, had been unwell for some time. On Tuesday last he was very strange in manner all day, and in the evening went out. As he did not return a search was instituted, but they could find no trace of deceased. - William Easterbrook, captain of a Laira sand barge, said on Wednesday morning he was in a boat on the Laira, when he saw the body in the water, feet upwards. He towed it ashore. - P.C. Beer, who received the body from Easterbrook, said he did not notice any bruises or wounds on deceased, who had 4s. 7d. and a sick club ticket in his pocket. - Dr Parsloe attributed death to drowning, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Monday 19 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - WILLIAM BOLT, aged 83, cab proprietor, of 5 Ford Park-cottages, Mutley, was found dead in bed on Friday morning. At the Inquest on Saturday Dr Mariette said death was due to failure of the heart's action.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - Sad Fatality At Plymouth. - Mr John Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, relative to the death of ALGERNON J. WOTTON, aged 67, a carpenter and joiner of 17 Park-street, Plymouth. William Innis of 19 Claremont-street, Plymouth, foreman of shunters, in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company, said on Saturday afternoon at the Great Western Docks deceased attempted to run between two trucks which were in motion and was caught by the buffers. Dr J. D. Russell said when deceased was admitted to the Hospital he was suffering from fractured ribs and internal haemorrhage. He died the same evening. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 23 September 1898
PLYMOUTH - Mr John Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of SUSAN JANE ANNE MAUD COUCH, aged 18, of 14 Morley-lane, Plymouth, who died on Tuesday in a fit. Dr Fox, who said he had attended deceased for some time and that she was subject to fits, said a post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to convulsions supervening on brain disease. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 26 September 1898
HIGHWEEK - MRS BURGESS, aged 77, of Highweek, Newton Abbot, was trussing a fowl on August 20th, when she cut her hand. No notice was taken of it, but blood poisoning set in, and proved fatal on Wednesday last. At the Inquest on Friday the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Blood Poisoning."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 28 September 1898
TOPSHAM - Drowned At Turf. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Turf House Inn, near Topsham, relative to the death of GEORGE SMART. - Mr H. Burridge (Burridge and Cannacott, printers, Exeter) stated that deceased had been in his employ as a compositor for the last twelve months. Prior to that he had been an apprentice under him. On Thursday SMART was at work and during the morning asked if he could go out for a short time, which was a very common thing for the deceased to do. He never heard deceased threaten to take his life and his opinion was SMART had an accident or a fit and fell into the water. - Mr T. E. Dixon, landlord of the Turf House Hotel, said on Thursday night, when walking along the canal he tripped over a fishing basket and two fishing rods, which were afterwards identified as the property of deceased. When SMART was reported missing the canal was immediately dragged and on Sunday the body was recovered with a cut over the eye, which could have been caused by the deceased's head coming in contact with the stones near. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Thursday 29 September 1898
EXMOUTH - Drowned At Exmouth. - Mr Cox, Coroner, held an Inquest at Exmouth yesterday relative to the death of RICHARD CAMERON, aged 29. Before commencing the proceedings the Coroner apologised, and unreservedly withdrew all the remarks he made at the last inquest, when he severely censured Mr J. T. Bickford, Chemist, of Exmouth, for not labelling a bottle of eye-wash with the word "poison." - GEORGE CAMERON, brother of the deceased, of Greenock, said his brother was third engineer of the steamer Elk, and joined the vessel on May 16th. Frank Dyer, landlord of the Criterion Inn, said deceased came to his house about 10 o'clock in the evening of Monday, and left about 11 o'clock with the second engineer to go on board. He only drank soda water while in the bar, but stood a round of drinks for the others, and if he had asked for anything intoxicating he would have been served, as he did not appear to have been drinking. Witness went off with the boatmen and saw CAMERON get on the lighter, where he stood talking for about ten minutes. As they were going away they heard a splash in the water, so that deceased must have fallen in getting from the lighter to the steamer. There was a space of about three feet between the lighter and steamer. They pulled about for an hour, but could not find him. - John Smith, boatman, Arthur Smith and Frank Bamsey, who were in the boat, gave similar evidence and all said deceased was sober. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 5 October 1898
NORTH HUISH - JOHN WARREN, aged 63, died at North Huish on Sunday from injuries received in June last by falling from a hayrick. At the Inquest held by Mr G. F. Kellock, Deputy County Coroner, yesterday, Dr F. W. Stoyle of Brent, said deceased fractured his spine and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

CHAGFORD - Mr Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Middlecott, Chagford, on Monday, relative to the death of JOHN COLERIDGE, farmer. Deceased was found on Saturday dead, a gun being near him. MOSES COLERIDGE, son, spoke of his father having been depressed for some time. Dr Hunt, who had attended deceased on different occasions for mental disease, stated that recently he had developed acute mania. He had no doubt that the wounds from which deceased died were self-inflicted. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 10 October 1898
COMBEINTEIGNHEAD - At the Inquest at Combe Cellars touching the death of WM. GEO. ELLIS, drowned by falling from a clay barge, the Jury added to their verdict of "Accidental Death" a rider, "That on account of the great risk men working upon barges run some better provision should be made for the preservation of the lives of any that might fall overboard; they also consider in this case more time should have been spent in trying to recover the body of the deceased."

BARNSTAPLE - A Barnstaple Lady's Fatal Accident. Straying Animals At Saunton. - An Inquiry was held by Mr R. I. Bencraft on Saturday, at Barnstaple, respecting the death of MRS AUGUSTA MARY HARPER, wife of DR JOSEPH HARPER. - The Coroner (who was very much affected) said it was the saddest in his experience. MRS HARPER'S lamentable death had excited universal sympathy throughout North Devon and far beyond, where she was so well known and so highly esteemed. - DR WALTER HARPER (Braunton), stated that his mother was 51 years of age. On the afternoon of September 21st he had visited a patient at Saunton, and was just leaving the village, when he saw his father's carriage about fifty yards in front. He saw the horse shy at some ducks, as far as he could see and took the carriage to the side of the road, which here fell away. As a consequence the carriage skidded, and almost turned over, throwing his father (who was driving) into the road. This startled the mare and she bolted. Witness drove up to his father, who began to move, and told him to go to his mother. A couple of hundred yards further on he found the carriage overturned, and his mother lying in the road unconscious. - Dr Mark Jackson deposed that MRS HARPER remained unconscious for two or three days and then regained consciousness for a couple of days. This was followed by a relapse and deceased again became unconscious. Once more she became sensible, but again relapsed and gradually sank. There were no external marks, but the internal injuries must have been very serious and resulted in compression and inflammation of the brain. - After a verdict of "Accidental Death," Mr William Allen (Foreman) tendered a vote of sincere condolence with DR HARPER and family, and asked that the fees be sent to the Infirmary. - Mr T. Lee (a Juror) thought some action should be taken with reference to the straying of farm stock at Saunton. He himself had had two or three narrow squeaks. Dr Jackson quite concurred. More than once he had to get out of his trap on account of pigs being on the road. The Coroner said he would call the attention of the superintendent of Police to the matter. The funeral is fixed for Tuesday next; service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene at noon.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 October 1898
BARNSTAPLE - Suicide At Barnstaple. - A very distressing suicide took place at Barnstaple yesterday. MR GEORGE HARPER, master smith, and for many years a member of the 4th V.B.D.R., asked Sergt.-Major Hellings, on Sunday evening for his private Martini-Henry rifle, which was in the armoury. Mr Hellings said it was not worth while lighting up the place - to come over in the morning. MR HARPER took the rifle away at a quarter to eight yesterday morning, proceeded to his workshop three minutes distant, and shot himself. At an Inquest held by Mr Bencraft, it transpired that the deceased had a bad attack of influenza at Christmas, and had since suffered from sleeplessness, pains in the head, and loss of memory. George Thorne, in the employment of Mr Samson, a neighbour of MR HARPER'S, heard the shot fired, and looking through the window saw MR HARPER was dead and went for the Police. MR HARPER had pushed the trigger with a piece of nail iron, which he had crooked for the purpose. Dr Mark Jackson deposed that the barrel of the rifle was placed in the mouth, and the bullet passed through the roof of the building. Such symptoms as those described were not unusual after a severe attack of influenza, and cases of suicide had resulted from the consequent depression. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was passed, and the Foreman (Mr T. R. Seldon) conveyed to the family a vote of sympathy. The Jury added to their fees for the purchase of a wreath. Deceased, a brother of MR SYDNEY HARPER, the well-known tenor, was himself an excellent vocalist and of very genial temperament. He was a familiar figure at the volunteer camps. The cartridge with which deceased shot himself was from South Africa.

LYDFORD - Death Of A Convict. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmoor Prison yesterday relative to the death of JAMES DAY, aged 64. Mr B. H. Thomson, Deputy Governor, produced records shewing that DAY was at Clerkenwell Sessions in 1897 sentenced to five years' penal servitude for larceny. Whilst at Dartmoor his conduct had been very good, and he had received no punishments of any kind whatever. - Dr W. S. Frew, Medical officer, deposed that on his reception from Lewes, deceased was in fairly good health according to his age. He was put to very light labour, and excused ordinary duties. In June last his left lung was found to be unsound. He gradually sank and died on Saturday from consumption. Charles Coaffee a convict orderly, stated that he helped to nurse deceased who had been very patient and made no complaints. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 14 October 1898
PLYMOUTH - Laira Fatality. An Error of Judgment. - Mr John Graves, Deputy Corner, held an adjourned Inquest at Plymouth Guildhall yesterday relative to the death of HENRY AUSTIN, aged 46, a packer in the employ of the G.W.R. Company and lately residing at 38 Cambridge-lane. Mr Bickle appeared for the relatives of deceased, Mr Eric Ward for the G.W.R. Company, and Mr P. T. Pearce for Mr Wotton, inspector of permanent way. - Dr J. D. Russell, House Surgeon at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said deceased was admitted on Sunday, 2nd inst., suffering from severe shock, due to injury to the abdomen, from which he died, after an operation, on the following Wednesday. - Henry Bartlett, labourer, G.W.R. Company, said on 2nd inst. he was one of a party of men employed to work on a travelling crane at Laira on the main up line, for lifting new crossings from a truck on a side line. Inspector Wotton directed the operations, and gave orders to raise the "jib" or arm of the carne, which was lying on the "match-truck." Witness and his mate proceeded to work the handles, and when they had lifted the "jib" two or three feet witness discovered that a link was cracked. He reported this to Mr Wotton, who told him to go on with the work. - Mr Pearce and Mr Ward agreed, in reply to the Coroner, that the link had nothing to do with the accident. - Witness said when the "jib" was up Mr Wotton told him to slew the crane over the work to be done. Witness then said "I must put out the tail-weight," or ballast-box, but Mr Wotton said, "Never mind, it is only 4 ½ tons." They picked up one crossing and placed it between the truck and the crane. After a passenger train had passed they picked up the second crossing and Mr Wotton ordered the trucks on which the crossings had been conveyed to be pushed back. This was done, and then he was ordered to slew. He felt the crane falling over and called out to the men to jump. He did not particularly observe where Mr Wotton stood, but he was close to the work. - By Mr Bickle: I made the remark as to the tail-weight because I have always been in the habit of putting it out. I did not know the weight of the piece we had to lift, except what Mr Wotton told me. If the weight was 4 ½ tons I think the tail-weight should have been put out; but I had to obey the inspector's orders. I was leading man on the crane, but Mr Wotton was in charge. The precaution of chaining the crane-truck to the permanent way is only necessary when six tons has to be lifted. - By Mr Pearce: The greater the weight to be raised the further back the ballast-box has to be placed. The ballast-box was close home, and locked at the time. On the ballast-box and crane carriage there are printed instructions as to the use of the crane. I saw the radius of the crane altered, but do not know whether it was altered from 27 feet to 23 feet. The weight which was being lifted when the accident occurred was the same as the first piece. Mr Wotton ran an equal risk with the rest in case of accident. - By the Jury: the crane will lift six tons with a single chain, and we were using a single chain. - Isaac Newson, ganger, in the employ of the Great Western Railway Co., said that on the 2nd inst. he was engaged in chaining the crossings to the chain of the crane. When the second crossing was being raised he lifted one end, and on getting to the edge of the truck let it slip gradually. This caused a slight jerk, and the crane began to cant. Mr Wotton was standing at the side of the "match truck" on the side on which it fell over. Witness called out to Mr Wotton, "Look out; the 'match-truck' is coming over." Mr Wotton jumped, and escaped being crushed. - By Mr Bickle: I did not hear Bartlett say anything to Mr Wotton about putting the tail-weight out. - Bartlett, recalled, said the defective link did not become dislocated. - John Wotton, Inspector of the permanent way, Great Western Railway, said he had been in the service of the Company 31 years and was in charge of the operations. He judged each piece to be lifted weighted three tons. Prior to the accident he made no remark as to the weight of the piece being 4 ½ tons. He did not think the weight justified him in shifting the ballast-box. It was necessary to perform the operations as quickly as possible, as they were blocking the main line, and he was informed that a theatrical train was coming down. He had previously consulted Mr Helms, the assistant engineer, as to the crane to be used. - By Mr Bickle: I first stated that I would have the "jib" at a radius of 27 feet, but, on looking at the instruction plate, saw that 4 ½ tons could be moved with a 27 feet radius, and altered the radius to 23 feet. The alteration was made because of weight as well as position, as I did not think the margin of safety between 3 and 4 12 tons was sufficient. I believe if the ballast-box had been put back the accident would not have occurred, because the weight would have been more equally divided. I am informed that the weight of the crossing was about 4 ¾ tons. I might have ascertained the weight approximately by measurement, but this is rarely done, and I judged the weight by sight. If I had thought the weight was 4 ¾ tons I should have put the tail-weight back. - By Mr Pearce: It was an error of judgment. I have been inspector of permanent was 21 years, and have undertaken large works without any previous accident. I was in as dangerous a position as anyone there, and if I had not jumped I should have been directly under one of the trucks. When I discovered that deceased was injured I stopped the theatrical train and had deceased removed to the Hospital immediately. - By Mr. Ward: I should have liked more instructions with regard to the ballast-box, but it is a very good crane. - By the Jury: I believe the pig iron from the ballast-box struck deceased. - Mr Francis Helms, chief assistant engineer, Plymouth division G.W.R., gave evidence as to the interview with Mr Wotton on the previous Wednesday, when the latter described the crossings, and said the weight was about three tons. - By Mr Bickle: I believe the accident would not have occurred if the ballast-box had been properly adjusted; but it is possible to put it too far back. - The Coroner, in summing up, said Mr Wotton had frankly admitted the cause of the accident. It was due to an unfortunate error as to weight, but the Jury had to consider whether he made an honest error or made it carelessly. It would be desirable to measure up the work, but in that case there would be no Coroner's juries and no inquiries to be made. (A Juryman: A good job, too.) Mr Wotton ran an equal risk with the rest. With regard to Bartlett's statement that Mr Wotton said the weight was 4 ½ tons, he thought there must have been some mistake. If the Jury came to the conclusion that there was culpable negligence, it would be a serious matter for Mr Wotton; but if they came to the conclusion that there was an error of judgment - and they could not work so carefully on the main line as in the station yard - they would find it was such an error as any man might have made. - The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death, caused by the falling of a crane," and added a rider recommending that in sending out heavy pieces of metal the railway company should, if possible, stamp the weight on them, to prevent such accidents in the future. - The Coroner thought what was recommended was desirable, and would probably give very little trouble. Mr Ward undertook to forward the recommendation to the Company.

Western Morning News, Monday 17 October 1898
EXMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Exmouth on Saturday relating to the death of HARRY HARDING, aged 7 months, the child of MARY HARDING, single, aged 16 years, of Exmouth. The child was very small and poor, and the doctor thought it unable to digest the food given it. The Jury found that death was due to convulsions, owing to improper feeding.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Fatality To A Shunter At Devonport. - At Devonport Guildhall on Saturday, Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest touching the death of JAMES CALLOW (53), who was killed on the South Western Railway on Thursday. Mr W. E. Cheyney, Inspector of Police department, L. and S.W. Railway, represented the Company and Mr F. G. Tarn watched the proceedings for the relatives of the deceased. Evidence of identification was given by WILLIAM CALLOW of 15 Melville-road, Ford, who said his father had been in the employ of the company for thirty years. He used to suffer from giddiness, but not during the last twelve months. - Surgeon-Major F. W. Harris, R.A.M.C., of the Station Hospital, said shortly before 5 o'clock on Thursday evening he was crossing the bridge at Waterloo-place, and noticing there had been a railway accident went to render assistance. The deceased's head was smashed, his spine broken, and he was also disembowelled. Death must have been instantaneous. The Coroner and Jury thanked Major Harris for hastening to the scene of the accident and offering his services. - Walter Raymont, fireman, stated he was on an engine going from the goods yard towards North-road Station, and a goods train was proceeding slowly in the same direction. The deceased was trotting on the six foot way on the left of the engine which witness was working. Separated from the deceased and the goods train was a pair of rails, so that there was plenty of clear space. When the locomotive which witness was working on got almost abreast of the deceased, he turned to cross the rails in front of the engine without apparently looking round to see if anything was approaching. Witness shouted and applied the brake, but was unable to pull the train up in time. Deceased would have to cross the rails to communicate with the signalman by means of an electric bell, but the bell was some twenty yards away from the point at which the deceased crossed the line. The fact of a goods train running parallel with the engine which was being shunted might have drowned the noise, but the deceased did not look back before he attempted to leave the footway. It was not unusual for the deceased to cross the rails before he got abreast of the electric bell. - By the Jury: The engine was travelling at the rate of four or five miles an hour, which was in accordance with the shunting regulations. - By Mr Cheyney: Deceased had been in the habit of shunting that particular train every day. - Thomas W. Ralls, foreman of shunters, who was riding on Raymont's engine, saw the deceased running along the six-foot way. He suddenly disappeared and the engine went over him. There were two electric bells to communicate with the signal-box, and witness thought the deceased would have crossed the rails near the lower one, instead of which he crossed almost opposite the upper bell. The whistle was sounded as the engine left the shed, and the deceased kept clear of all danger until he unexpectedly stepped from the six-foot way. Asked by a Juror whether it would not have been advisable to sound the whistle as the engine approached the deceased, witness replied in the negative, explaining that it might have caused the deceased to get into danger instead of otherwise, by his mistaking the meaning of the whistle. - Frederick Bowden, engine driver, said it was quite unnecessary to sound the whistle at the spot where the accident occurred, as deceased was clear of all danger. - William Bird, inspector, informed the Jury that the deceased was a steady workman. - P.C. Barkell deposed to the difficulty which was experienced in getting the remains from under the engine owing to the manner in which the body was entangled in the machinery. - Corporal Coad, of the Station Hospital, rendered assistance in extricating the deceased. - The Coroner said they might reasonably assume that owing to the noise of a goods' train the deceased did not hear the shunting engine approaching. - The Jury (Foreman, Mr J. Ledley) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and thanked the company's servants for the straightforward manner in which the circumstances had been related. A vote of condolence was tendered to the widow and children, and Mr Cheyney said it was customary for the company to make some compensation in such cases. - The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Milehouse Cemetery in the presence of a large number of railway employees at Devonport, North-road and Friary Stations. A subscription list for the widow and family has been opened at the South-Western Station, Devonport.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 October 1898
DARTMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Dartmouth. - At Dartmouth yesterday Mr R. W. Prideaux, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest touching the death of HENRY ERNEST ALLEN, aged 8 years, who died on Saturday from injuries caused by falling from a fourteen feet wall at Dartmouth Schools on October 4th. There was a four feet fence along the top of the wall. The boy, who was at play with another, climbed over this fence, and missing his footing, fell heavily on to a step below and sustained depressed fracture of the skull and other severe injuries. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and suggested to the School Board that the fence should be raised in height and set closer to the edge of the wall. The Coroner, who is also clerk to the School Board, said during the whole of his 24 years' experience this was the first fatal accident at the schools.

Western Morning News, Thursday 20 October 1898
PENNYCROSS - Fatal Lamp Accident At Weston Peverell. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Weston Peverell yesterday relative to the death of MISS GERALDINE JESSIE ELPHINSTONE HOLLOWAY, aged 25 years, daughter of MAJOR ELPHINSTONE HOLLOWAY, late of the Commissariat Ordnance Department of Belair, Weston Peverell, who died yesterday from injuries received by the upsetting of a lamp. Edith Avery, servant in the employ of MAJOR HOLLOWAY, said on 8th inst. she heard cries, and on going upstairs saw deceased coming from her bedroom with her clothes in flames. Witness tore off some of deceased's clothes and with the aid of the cook got a blanket and extinguished the flames. Deceased had a lamp in her room which she accidentally knocked off the table catching her dress on fire. Dr Wolferstan, of Plymouth, said he saw the deceased shortly after the accident, she having been attended by Dr Webber in the interval. Deceased was extensively burned on the left side of the body and on Monday congestion of the lungs set in, from which she died. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death". The Coroner expressed his and the Jury's sympathy with MAJOR HOLLOWAY in his sad bereavement, and added that it was only another instance of the folly of using unsafe lamps.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 October 1898
TOTNES - Strange Death Of A Torquay Man. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Totnes by Mr G. K. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, relative to the death of WILLIAM MASON, aged 60, of Queen-street, Torquay, town porter, who was found in a ditch on Shadrack Farm, Berry Pomeroy, on Friday morning and conveyed to the Totnes Union Workhouse, where he remained unconscious to the time of his death on Friday night. W. H. MASON, son of the deceased and also a town porter at Torquay, said he left with his father at two o'clock on Thursday morning to pick mushrooms. About nine o'clock his father sat down to rest, while witness went into the field. He was away about half an hour, and when he came back his father was gone. He went quite out of his way to get to Shadrack Farm. Dr L. Harris said at the base of the skull was a large clot of blood and haemorrhage sufficient to account for death. A fall or sudden jerk would cause a haemorrhage, as the blood vessels were thin. Elizabeth Rowden, of Shadrack, Berry Pomeroy, deposed to seeing deceased walk up the road. He then had no hat on. William Evans of Shadrack Farm, said he heard groans coming from the ditch and found deceased lying on his back. He was cold and insensible. He gave him whisky and covered him with bags and laid him on hay. In the meadow was an oak tree and the roots went right across into the other meadow, forming a bridge over the ditch. He believed deceased tried to cross by it and fell in. P.C. Wright, Berry Pomeroy, agreed with that view. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves, Plymouth Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of JOHN T. WEEKS, aged 64, journeyman painter, of 9 Valletort-road, Stoke, who suddenly expired in the Presbyterian Chapel on Sunday evening after having hurried on account of the rain. Dr H. Pearse said death was due to failure of the heart's action and the verdict was in accordance with his testimony.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 26 October 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - Alleged Concealment Of Birth At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse Townhall yesterday relative to the death of the newly-born illegitimate female child of EMILY ROBERTS, a domestic servant in the employ of Mr W. H. Mitchell, refreshment-house keeper, Edgcumbe-street, Stonehouse. Mrs Elizabeth Mitchell, of 5 Edgcumbe-street, said EMILY ROBERTS had been in her employ for the past three months, and about three weeks ago she denied her condition to witness. Last Monday morning witness missed ROBERTS and found her upstairs. ROBERTS was looking very poorly, and said she had a headache, but she continued her work. Shortly afterwards (about two o'clock) witness again spoke to ROBERTS who replied, after a little hesitation, that she had had a baby which was upstairs dead. ROBERTS then went to a cupboard and took the child out wrapped in an apron. Witness ordered her to bed and sent for Dr Waterfield. Subsequently, ROBERTS admitted to Mrs Mitchell that she was confined at half-past ten. - Dr W. F. Waterfield said he was called to see EMILY ROBERTS on Monday evening. She told him she had given birth to a child in a front room, and that during the confinement she fainted and when she came round the baby was by her side dead. She wrapped it up and went about her work. Witness examined the child, which was fully developed, and bore no marks of violence or signs of suffocation. He had made a post-mortem examination, and was of opinion that had the mother been properly attended at the birth the child would have lived. He attributed death to syncope, caused by inattention at birth. The Inquest was adjourned until November 7th to give EMILY ROBERTS an opportunity of being present.

TIVERTON - GEORGE HEYWOOD, 56, late naval pensioner, of 7 Twyford-place, Tiverton, carried a writing desk upstairs after dinner on Monday and when his wife went up ten minutes afterwards she found him lying on his back on a spare bed, black in the face, and insensible. Dr J. T. R. Pollock, sent for, pronounced him quite dead. A post-mortem examination shewed that the main artery above the heart was ruptured. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 October 1898
PLYMOUTH - The Plympton Fatality. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, respecting the death of THOMAS THORNE, 34, of Thorne and Sons, hauliers, Zion-street, Plymouth. John Parkes, sergeant, Postal Telegraph Corps, R.E., stated that he left Plymouth with deceased on Wednesday at noon and drove to Ivybridge and Brent. They were superintending the laying of telegraph poles. Returning about five o'clock from Ivybridge deceased was driving and collided with a heavy wagon near the four-milestone close by Plympton. Neither vehicle had lights, but they were on their proper side of the road. He could not tell how the collision occurred. Both the deceased and himself were thrown out. Dr E. B. Thomson stated that deceased was suffering from concussion of the brain and died on Thursday morning. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 31 October 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - An Inquest was held at Stonehouse on Saturday by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, respecting the death of CHARLES MORGAN, aged 75, of 55 Emma-place, found dead at his residence on Friday morning. Dr Bulteel attributed death to syncope.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 November 1898
SIDMOUTH - Suicide At Sidmouth. - An Inquest was held at Sidmouth yesterday by Mr C. E. Cox respecting the death of ALFRED SANDY, aged 32, gardener to Miss Kennedy of the Peak Estate. Deceased had been worried about money matters of late, and when visiting his wife at Sidmouth Cottage Hospital (where she had been an inmate) on Friday evening last he said to her, "I think I must run away from the place altogether." She knew he was lonely in the house without her, and at times seemed depressed. Witness for some time was an inmate of Devon and Exeter Hospital, and when deceased visited her there once he said, "I shall blow my brains out," but she did not think he meant it. - JOHN SANDY, aged 9, son of deceased, said on Saturday morning his father sent him and his sister into the town on an errand, telling them that when they came back he would be gone. On their return deceased drank some milk and then went to sweep up leaves in the drive. Soon after he returned to the house staggering and shaking and with difficulty got upstairs. He told witness to call the coachman as he was ill. The coachman, butler and cook went to the lodge and a doctor was sent for. - Mrs Hawke, the cook, stated that after she applied mustard poultices to deceased he revived a little, and told them he had poisoned himself by taking strychnine. - Dr Leon made a post-mortem examination, and considered death was due to strychnine poisoning. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned. Deceased leaves a widow and four children.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 2 November 1898
BAMPTON - JOHN PONSFORD, 41, builder, of Bampton, who was kicked by a pony at Bampton Fair, died from his injuries on Friday. At the Inquest it was stated that a post-mortem examination at Tiverton Infirmary shewed acute peritonitis to be the cause of death.

Western Morning News, Thursday 3 November 1898
TIVERTON - At the Inquest touching the death of HENRY REED, carrier and coal dealer, of Tiverton, it was stated that on coming down on Monday morning deceased complained of feeling queer and almost directly afterwards said to his wife "Catch me, MARY," and fell dead. Dr Reddrop, who said he had never met with a fatter man, found the heart three times its usual size and said death was the result of syncope, due to dilatation of that organ.

WINKLEIGH - Death Of A Child From Opium Poisoning. - Mr Prickman held an Inquest at Winkleigh on Tuesday, as to the death of MARY CORDELIA HALL, the infant child of MR ARTHUR JAMES HALL. MR HALL (lay reader) said on the 28th ult. the child was suffering from flatulence and he gave it three drops of "Rateman's Pectoral Drops" mixed with water and sugar. In the evening the child had a difficulty in breathing. The next morning as they could not wake it, she was put in a warm bath, and as that had no effect, Dr Norman was fetched. The child died about noon. He had been in the habit of administering the drops to his elder children, with beneficial results. - Dr Norman said the child was in a comatose state and its face was pallid, the symptoms pointing to opium poisoning. The child had been strong and healthy from birth and was well nourished. He had no doubt death was due to opium poisoning. He sent the bottle of "drops" to Dr Slade King, who reported opium present in a well-defined quantity. Witness considered it was wrong to give such a preparation to a young child. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Opium Poisoning," the opium being inadvertently administered.

Western Morning News, Friday 4 November 1898
EXETER - MR JOHN STABBACH, aged 45, a publican and brewer, of Exeter, on Thursday last week scalded himself whilst brewing, and, judging from what he said, his wife concluded that he had fallen into the cooler, which contained very hot beer. He died on Wednesday, death being due primarily to the scalds, which were very severe about the legs. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest yesterday.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Burns At Devonport. The Need Of Fire-Guards. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest yesterday at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, respecting the death of WILLIAM FRANCIS BENNETT, aged 6, of 10 Cornwall-street. MRS BENNETT said on Tuesday she made the deceased a pair of knickerbockers, and was about to try them on when she noticed that the lad was getting near the fire. As he had just taken off his old things and was only in his shirt, she called to him to come back. She had no sooner done so than his shirt caught fire. She wrapped him in a rug, and, having applied linseed oil to the burns, put him to bed and covered him up as he complained of being cold. About an hour afterwards her husband arrived home from the Dockyard and took the lad to the Hospital. - The Coroner closely questioned witness as to why she did not take the boy to the Hospital at once or call for the assistance of the other persons in the house. - Witness replied that she did not associate with the others in the house, and as regarded the delay in going to the Hospital it was occupied in alleviating the pain with linseed oil. Deceased was insured for a halfpenny per week, but the policy had only been in operation three months. - Mr D. Brough, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted at six o'clock on Tuesday, suffering from very extensive burns to the legs, body and arms, and in a state of collapse. Death occurred on Wednesday morning. The case was hopeless from the first. There was so much skin burnt that the lad ought to have been brought to the Hospital at once. - MR BENNETT said the child was partly dressed and bandaged when he arrived home and his wife requested him to take the lad at once to the Hospital. There was no fire-guard in the room, which served as a living and sleeping-room for the family of six. The room contained two beds. - The Coroner strongly advised the use of fire-guards, particularly in rooms where there were children. He had had to inquire into several deaths which might have been avoided by the use of fire-guards. It was his duty to repeat the warning, and he trusted this case would direct the attention of parents to the necessity of using fire-guards. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 7 November 1898
ST BUDEAUX - An Inquest was held by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, on Friday at St. Budeaux, on the daughter, aged six weeks, of SAMUEL WILLIAMS, a labourer. According to the father's evidence deceased was found dead in bed by him and his wife when they woke up on the morning of 2nd inst. Dr Kenrick was of opinion that death was due to suffocation, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth mortuary, Vauxhall-street, by Mr. John Graves, Deputy Coroner, on the body of the seafaring man found floating in the Channel on Wednesday by the crew of the trawler Goshawk. The body was at first supposed to be that of one of the crew of the Mohegan, but it was subsequently identified as that of CHARLES WILLIAM WHITTLE, aged 51, late mate of the Jersey ketch Racer, run down in the Channel at 11 o'clock on a Wednesday night three weeks ago, when three other members of the crew were also drowned. The widow, SUSAN WHITTLE, who appeared to be in great distress of mind, produced a letter from Messrs. Renouf, of Jersey, owners of the ketch Racer, in which they intimated that they expected to receive compensation from the owners of the steamer which sunk the boat and the Coroner expressed the hope that something would be done by the owners for the poor woman. - Formal evidence was given by P.C. rule of receiving information from Walter Kingdom, skipper of the trawler Goshawk, as to the finding of the body of the deceased off Rame Head, and of its conveyance to the mortuary. A verdict was returned of "Found Drowned." The Captain of the Racer is in hospital at Weymouth.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on the body of EDGAR HOOPER, the infant son of BEATRICE HOOPER, domestic servant, of Well-street. The midwife who was with the mother at her confinement said no doctor was present. The child was weakly from birth. Ten days after that event it appeared to be much worse than usual. Dr Burke was sent for, but before his arrival the child died. He attributed death to convulsions, and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 November 1898
PLYMOUTH - Death Of A Plymouth Girl. - Mr John Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday, relative to the death of ROSINA CATHERINE OATS, aged 15, 62 Southside-street. - JOHN OATS, fisherman, her father, said she was taken suddenly ill about midnight on Friday, and he sent for Dr Cooke, who said he could not attend, as he was expecting to be summoned to an urgent case. He then sent for Drs. Lucy and Cuming, both of whom said they were unable to come. - Dr Cuming said "He did not know the people." Later on witness again sent for Dr Cooke, explaining it was a case of life or death. When Dr Cooke arrived deceased was dead. Witness was of opinion had either doctor come when asked deceased would not have died. Dr Cooke attributed death to Bright's disease and affection of the heart. The immediate cause of death was internal haemorrhage. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

EAST STONEHOUSE - A Child's Death At Stonehouse. - The adjourned Inquest respecting the death of the newly-born child of EMILY ROBERTS was resumed by Mr R. R. Rodd, at Stonehouse yesterday, Mr E. E. Square (on behalf of Mr Percy T. Pearce) represented EMILY ROBERTS. - Dr W. H. Waterfield, in reply to Mr Square, said he found all the air passages of the child in a healthy condition, but the lungs were not fully developed. There were no marks of violence. He could not swear the child had had a separate existence. As a result of his post-mortem examination he attributed death to syncope brought about by haemorrhage through want of proper attention at birth. There was every reason to believe the mother fainted at birth. Evidence was called to shew the mother denied bearing a child. - Mr Square pointed out that the Jury had no power to consider the more serious charges against the mother unless perfectly certain the child had a separate existence. He asked that the mother might be excused from giving evidence as she was very unwell and what she could say had been given in substance by the doctor. The Coroner expressed belief that the child had a separate existence, and in answer to a Juryman said the mother was not obliged to give evidence, but he should think anybody innocent would be perfectly willing to do so. - Mr Square said it was merely because of her illness he did not want the mother to give evidence. After a lengthy consideration, the Jury found "That the child died through neglect at birth, but there is no evidence to shew that such negligence amounted to culpable negligence." SOUTH MILTON - Wreck Of The Mohegan. Inquest At South Milton. - An Inquest was held yesterday at South Milton, near Kingsbridge, by Mr G. F. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, on the body washed ashore on Thurlestone Sands Rev. W. H. Wilkinson, vicar of South Milton, was Foreman of the Jury. - Mr H. Orme Fox, of Falmouth, of C. Fox and Co., shipping agents, Falmouth, acting for the Atlantic Transport Line, of which line the Mohegan belonged, produced a list of her passengers, which included the name of J. J. LE LACHEUR. He also produced a notice of reward issued by his firm for the recovery of the body. The papers taken from the body proved it to be that of MR J. J. LE LACHEUR, aged 46, of the United States of America. The features were quite gone, but the papers found on the body identified him beyond doubt. - George Henry Legassick, a fisherman, of Hope Cove, said on Saturday he found the body on Thurlestone Sands, partly in the water and gave information to the Police. He found the papers produced on the body, also the watch and chain. The hands of the watch pointed to 7.30, but they had since dropped off. - P.C. Sprague said Legassick handed nearly all the papers produced; also seven £5 notes, gold and silver money, gold watch and chain, &c., and nine coins, some English and some American. He took the note-book and a bundle of bills from the body addressed to "MR LE LACHEUR" and two handkerchiefs with "L" in the corner. The purse had the initials "J. L. L." upon it. The Coroner said it was for the Jury to satisfy themselves as to the identity of the body with that of the missing passenger, MR LE LACHEUR, and if they satisfied themselves on that point, then to give a verdict as to the cause of his death. - The Jury expressed themselves satisfied as to the identify and returned a verdict that the deceased was Drowned at Sea, through the foundering of the steamship Mohegan on the Manacle Rocks.

Western Morning News, Friday 11 November 1898
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Hotel Fatality. The Danger Of Water Gas. - The gas fatality at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth, on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of GEORGE LEE, 19, page boy, was the subject of a Coroner's Inquiry yesterday. The Deputy Coroner (Mr J. Graves) held the Inquest, and Mr R. J. Wall was elected Foreman. Mr P. T. Pearce watched the case on behalf of the directors of the Hotel, and Mr Eric Ward represented Plymouth and Stonehouse Gas Company. Among those present were Mr J. Thomas, secretary, and Mr A. Wharton, manager of the Gas Company, and Mr F. B. Westlake, chairman, and Mr G. Rogers, director of the Hotel Company. - George Finch, night porter at the Hotel, said he was called shortly after midnight on Tuesday by Edward May, an employee at the Hotel, to examine an escape of gas on the top landing, outside the room in which the deceased and John Brittan slept. He found an escape from the landing bracket and on applying a light the gas lit, forming a jet four or five inches long. He put out the light, plastered the bracket near the wall with soap, and testing it again found there was no escape visible. He did not hear any explosion or falling of plaster when he applied the light in the first instance. At six o'clock in the morning he knocked at the door of the deceased's room, and receiving no reply, pushed open the door and found the deceased lying at the foot of the bed, with his feet touching the floor. He left him on the bed. John Brittan was lying on the floor further from the door. Both were unconscious. A considerable amount of plaster on the floor had fallen from the lath-and-plaster wall dividing the room from the passage. No laths were blown out. He sent for medical assistance. There were many gas jets alight in the Hotel all night. He did not think the escape sufficiently serious to wake everybody in the Hotel, and turn the gas off. His impression was that he stopped the only leakage of gas. He did not detect any smell of gas when he entered the room in the morning and the gas in the room was then alight. The room was lofty and capacious. Deceased was in his nightshirt. - Edward May, kitchen porter, stated that he discovered the escape of gas on going to bed on Tuesday night, and called the night porter, who stopped the leak. There was nothing to indicate at midnight that gas was escaping in any other direction than in the passage, and that escape appeared trivial. - H. H. Parsloe, Surgeon, 5 Buckland-terrace, said he found deceased apparently dead when summoned to the Hotel. He placed him on the floor and commenced artificial respiration. After about twenty minutes, he thought he saw him breathe. He continued artificial respiration for about two hours, and injected ether and strychnine, but eventually abandoned the case as hopeless. Dr Bushnell was sent for to attend Brittan, who had had constant attention and regained consciousness about two o'clock that (Thursday) morning. In the case of LEE, death was due to asphyxia, the result of coal gas poisoning. Brittan, in a semi-conscious condition, had told witness he thought he lit the gas at five o'clock in the morning. In answer to a Juryman, witness stated that a man might inhale coal gas for forty hours and still live. - The Foreman asked if there was anything in the character of gas now burnt in Plymouth, a mixture of coal and water gas, which would be more fatal than ordinary gas. - Mr Arthur Wharton, gas engineer and manager of the Plymouth Gas Works, stated that the gas supplied in Plymouth during the day was a mixture of coal gas and water gas, containing thirty per cent of the latter. At present they ceased making water gas at ten o'clock at night and between that hour and six a.m. coal gas alone was supplied. Water gas could be produced very much quicker than coal gas, and the manner of its supply in Plymouth was merely one of working their plant. In the winter months, when the demand was greater, water gas could be supplied by night as well as by day. He knew that there was an agitation against water gas in the North of England, but did not think it would come to anything. Water gas contained a larger percentage of carbon monoxide than coal gas and in the case of leakage it would be more dangerous than coal gas; but the mixture of the two gases did not increase the danger of explosion. Water gas pure and simple was odourless, but carburetted water gas, which was that supplied for consumption in Plymouth, was more pungent than ordinary coal gas, and its leakage cold be more easily detected. - A verdict of "Accidental Death," the result of coal-gas poisoning, was returned. The Foreman said the Jury were satisfied that everything that could be done under the circumstances had been done. directly the escape of gas was discovered efforts were immediately made to stop the leak. The room in which the deceased met with his death was spacious and well ventilated and the Jury thoroughly appreciated the efforts of Dr Parsloe. - Mr Percy Pearce said the directors of the Hotel extremely regretted the sad accident. Deceased was one of the best boys ever engaged in the Hotel, and the directors desired to acknowledge the service of Dr Parsloe, who stuck to Brittan for twenty hours, and undoubtedly saved his life. The Coroner also acknowledged Dr Parsloe's splendid services.

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 November 1898
HIGHWEEK - At an Inquest held yesterday at Highweek, Dr Stephens attributed the death of a one-day-old child to suffocation, but could not say how caused. The father, JOHN IRELAND, of Lawn-cottage, said the child died at 5.45 a.m. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - FREDERICK TAYLOR, 57, pensioner, R.M.L.I., 10 Jessamine-street, Devonport, lately employed as a porter in the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, died suddenly on Wednesday. Dr Ryan, at the Inquest yesterday, attributed death to heart disease of long standing.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 November 1898
TAVISTOCK - Quarry Fatality At Gunnislake. - At Tavistock Cottage Hospital yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest touching the death of HENRY STOKES, quarry labourer, aged 32. John Blatchford, quarry labourer, stated that on Friday last, at Pearson and Sons' (Limited) quarry, Gunnislake, the steam crane brought up a stone, which was placed on the ground for deceased to work upon. As the crane was returning deceased stepped on a loose stone, which tilted and in endeavouring t save himself he fell with his left arm across the rails on which the crane was running, the hinder wheel of which passed over his arm, severing it. Mr Mifthrin, ex-constable of the Cornwall Constabulary, attended to the fractured limb, and deceased was removed to the Tavistock Cottage Hospital. The stone deceased stood on weighed about three-quarters of a cwt., and was about three feet from the metals. There was no occasion for deceased to have been so near the crane. - William Tidball, crane-driver, said that while deceased was standing near the crane witness shouted that the crane was about to move. Had deceased stood still he would not have been in danger. Witness stopped the crane directly he heard persons shouting. - Dr Snowdon Smith, of Tavistock, stated that deceased's left arm was severed three or four inches from the shoulder. Witness removed the arm at the shoulder joint. The left collar bone was broken, and also the back, about the middle, probably as the result of deceased being violently doubled up as the wheel passed over his arm. Deceased told witness he was jammed in the crane. Death ensued on Saturday morning from the injuries, more especially to the back; otherwise there was no reason why he might not have recovered. The treatment of the ex-constable was most successful, and but for it deceased would, probably, have bled to death. - Mr J. S. Martin, H.M. Inspector of Mines and Quarries, observed that that shewed the value of instruction in first aid to the injured. There should always be someone who had received such instruction among so large a body of men as that employed at the quarry. - The Jury, of whom Mr W. E. Baker was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the widow, who has three children. -

Western Morning News, Thursday 17 November 1898
TAVISTOCK - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday Inquired into the cause of death of WM. THOS. BISHOP WINTER, aged 58, draper, of Tavistock, who died on Tuesday morning. Miss Esther Mant, his niece, stated that deceased, who had always appeared in good health, came downstairs at 8.30. She heard him groan and complain of great internal pain. She gave him hot milk and water and he went upstairs to his bedroom and died instantly. Dr Snowden Smith stated that death was due to angina pectoris. A person might die with the first attack. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and expressed sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Friday 18 November 1898
EXMOUTH - JOHN W. POMEROY, aged 39, gardener, fell dead in South-street, Exmouth, early on Tuesday morning. A post-mortem examination by Dr Hodgson shewed that death was due to a rupture of an aneurism of the aorta, and at the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 19 November 1898
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Revelstoke. - An Inquest was held by the Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM HILSON, aged 46 years, a farm labourer, residing at Noss Mayo. - Joseph Metherell, of Caulston Farm, Revelstoke, said deceased had been in his employ for two years. Having filled a cask, which was in a cart, with water on Saturday last, deceased got into the cart, with the result that it tipped back and jammed him between the cask and a wall. Assistance was soon forthcoming and he was driven to his home. On the advice of Dr Langworthy deceased was removed to the Hospital on Monday. - Dr Russell, House Surgeon, attributed death to peritonitis, the result of the accident. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 23 November 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held respecting the death of EDITH MARY WITCHELL (5) who died suddenly at 4 Lambert-street. Deceased had been unwell for a fortnight and was seen by Dr G. A. Rae. On Monday night she was taken worse, and Dr Ryan was sent for, but death ensued immediately. Medical evidence attributed death to acute double pneumonia and pleurisy. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly and expressed their condolence with the mother, whose husband died suddenly this year.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. A Pathetic Incident. - SAMUEL FREDERICK RADMORE, 32, caulker in Devonport Dockyard, died suddenly on Monday night. At the Inquest held yesterday by Mr J. A. Pearce, RICHARD R. RADMORE, engine-room artificer, said deceased (his brother), who lived at 8 York-place, arrived on Monday night at a children's birthday party at 45 Gloucester-street. His brother's wife and three children were amongst those present and witness had never seen the deceased looking better. After the children's party had broken up the adult members of the company indulged in harmony and deceased sang the song, "The heart bowed down." ("The Bohemian Girl"). As he was about to sing the last note of the first verse he fell down by the side of the piano. The song was rendered with apparent ease. Witness assisted in lifting him up and Dr Rome Hall was sent for, but before he arrived life was extinct. About two years ago deceased had an attack of influenza, and since then he had suffered from indigestion. On Monday evening he complained of feeling unwell and was unable to eat anything on returning home from the Dockyard. Dr G. Rome Hall attributed death to heart disease of long standing. Deceased must have been seized with spasm of the heart, from which he was unable to recover owing to the weak condition of the heart. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and expressed their sympathy with the widow and relatives.

Western Morning News, Thursday 24 November 1898
EXETER - MRS HARRIETT BESSENT, 66, died suddenly at Exeter on Monday. Deceased's son, a City Constable, at the Inquest yesterday, said he let his mother in her ordinary health on Sunday afternoon. She used to complain of her legs at times. At 11.20 on Monday morning she called in a friend, said she was very ill, and died shortly afterwards. Death was due to failure of the heart's action.

Western Morning News, Friday 25 November 1898
TORQUAY - How Tramps Live At Torquay. - At Torquay yesterday Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest touching the death of SUSAN DREW, 52, pedlar, of Thompson's common lodging-house, George-street, who was found dead in bed on Tuesday morning. - Mrs Georgina Bassett, daughter of deceased, said the latter had separated from her husband, who was a hatter at Plymouth, and had tramped the country for many years. William Mahoney said deceased returned from Paignton on Monday evening, and he saw she had been drinking. Whilst he was turning out some mushrooms he had picked MRS DREW sat smoking her short black pipe. Later in the evening four other women came in and he was kept running to the public-house for beer for them. The five consumed several quarts during the evening and MRS DREW - and, in fact, all the others but his wife - became very drunk. Deceased had a quarrel with a Mrs Ricketts, and he had to part them. MRS DREW went to bed in a helplessly drunken state at 12.30. On the following morning as she did not appear, witness went to her room to offer her a drink of cider, and found her lying fully dressed on the bed with her pipe still in her hand, and blood running from her mouth. This was at 9.30, but it was not until two o'clock that the parish doctor saw her, and she died at five o'clock. - Questioned by the Coroner, witness denied that he had about a week previously knocked one of the woman's teeth out with a bottle, but admitted that in taking it away from her he might have been rather rough and cut her mouth. - Dr Cook said death was due to apoplexy, probably brought on by this drinking bout. - The Coroner commented on the drinking and rowdyism in this common lodging-house and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 November 1898
PAIGNTON - Mr Coroner Hacker held an Inquest at Paignton yesterday relative to the death of the three months' old child of a labourer named NORRISH. It was put to bed in apparently good health and at 3.30 the next morning was found dead. Mr Adkins, Surgeon, proved that the stomach was filled with undigested bread, which caused flatulence, which led to convulsions and death. The Coroner spoke of the danger of giving food of this description to very young children.

FILLEIGH - RICHARD FERRIER, 82, living with his son at Filleigh, slipped and fell over the stairs, fracturing a rib, from which he died. At an Inquest by Mr J. F. Bromham, on Thursday, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 28 November 1898
NEWLYN, CORNWALL - Plymouth Fisherman Found Drowned. - The body of JESSOP, the Plymouth fisherman drowned in Newlyn Harbour nearly a fortnight ago was found on the beach between Newlyn and Penzance on Saturday morning by a man named John Edwards. It was identified by the clothing, the features being unrecognisable. Mr G. P. Grenfell, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Newlyn. - P.C. Holwill said he had known deceased for two years. He was third hand on the Plymouth trawler Formosa. On the 14th inst. at 11.30 at night, he saw deceased on Newlyn Pier, about 150 yards from his boat. JESSOP appeared to be under the influence of drink. Subsequently some fishermen who were about heard a splash as of a body falling into the water. The hat of deceased was picked up near the boat, but the body could not be found. Mr Rowe, landlord of the Union Inn, said deceased left the house between half-past nine and ten. He was not drunk then. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Friday 2 December 1898
PLYMSTOCK - An Oreston Widow's Wretched Death. A Miserly Existence. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at Oreston, near Plymouth, respecting the death of DINAH CALLAWAY, an aged widow, found dead in a two-roomed cottage, at Oreston, on Wednesday. Louisa Birch, widow, said deceased was her aunt, and about 74 years of age. She last saw her on Monday afternoon. She appeared in her usual health, and was at work last Saturday. Deceased frequently visited her, but would never allow witness inside her doors. Deceased had been in receipt of 2s. 6d. a week parochial relief, and every Saturday fetched it from Plymstock. Deceased's husband, an army pensioner, died about ten years ago, and she had lived in the cottage in which she died for about fifteen years. Deceased had relatives at Plymouth and Wembury, and could not have earned much money. - Mr C. Flory, Surgeon, Plymstock, said he had made a post-mortem examination and found the body well nourished, although the stomach was empty. The organs were healthy considering age, and death was due to syncope. There were no marks of violence. He could not say the condition of the rooms accelerated death. The rooms were filled with rubbish mixed with money. Money was found on the floor. - Rachel Brown, widow, said she lived next door to deceased. She would never allow witness inside her cottage, although she had tried to gain admission to give her a cup of tea. Deceased frequently visited witness and last Saturday accepted a cup of cocoa. She had never seen the deceased taking rubbish into her cottage, and last saw her alive on Monday night. She advised her to have some brandy, as she was coughing badly. Witness always considered deceased very poor. Her body appeared clean, but her clothes were always poor and scanty. The relieving officer had been unable to enter the cottage, and the officer had told her if she did not keep herself cleaner she would have to go into the Workhouse. Deceased then fetched her relief money looking cleaner. - Rhoda Ann tout stated that deceased frequently looked after her children. She always thought her very poor. Deceased had had many meals at witness's house. Last Sunday she sent a message that she was so poorly she could not come to dinner. Witness took a cup of tea to her cottage, but she hesitated a long time before opening the door. On being sure witness was alone deceased opened the door, and witness saw the first room. The following day witness offered to clean the room and fetch a doctor, but she would not consent. She (witness) was frightened when she saw the room. She told the Constable she suspected there was something wrong with deceased. - P.C. Eastmond stated that on Wednesday afternoon, failing to obtain an answer, he forced an entrance and found the deceased dead on her bed. She had not been dead long. In the rooms he had found between £80 and £90, consisting of £43 in gold, £1 15s. in coppers, and the rest in silver. The money was distributed in various parts of the room, and he believed a good deal more money would be found. The room was full of rags, bones, paper, coals and coke. The room would be "a very good catch for some of the men who came round from Plymouth." - The Coroner: I suppose there is no chance of burglars visiting the house tonight? (Laughter.) - Witness: In an old box which did not appear to have been opened for years I found twenty packets of money. It took three people about an hour to count the money. In the box mentioned about £50 was found. Some little time ago deceased made a complaint about the breaking down of a tree, but would not allow me in her rooms when I desired to see her on the matter. - The Coroner said it was quite clear that deceased rejected offers of assistance, and her miserable death was brought about entirely by herself. It was to be regretted the Poor-law authorities had not visited the old woman. Had they done so they would have seen the disorderly condition of the rooms. Then if she had not been prepared to put them in proper order the matter might have been referred to the district sanitary inspector. With the permission of the Jury he would inform the Plympton Board of Guardians that one of their paupers had died in such a miserable condition, so that in future somebody should periodically visit paupers and satisfy themselves that they were deserving, and that their rooms were in at least a clean and decent state. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 5 December 1898
HARPFORD - MARY MAY PERRY, 18, cook to Rev. G. F. Molineux, vicar of Harpford, in her bedroom on Thursday afternoon in company with another servant, suddenly fell. She never thoroughly recovered consciousness and died early the following morning. After a post-mortem examination, Dr Jones, of Ottery, could not say positively what was the cause of death, but it might be an apoplectic fit. At the Inquest on Saturday the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 December 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - Singular Death Of A Seaman. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, relative to the death of DENNIS FRANCIS HIGGINS, able seaman, who recently joined the Royal Naval Barracks, Keyham. Mr J. J. E. Venning watched the case on behalf of the Admiralty. - Thomas Hellier, petty officer, said he saw HIGGINS in the barracks on Sunday, apparently ill, and had him removed to the Royal Naval Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards. Surgeon E. T. Meagher said on his arrival HIGGINS was dead. He made a post-mortem examination and found death was due to suffocation, caused by blockage of the air passages by food. Witness said he had never met with a similar case. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death by Accidental Suffocation."

PLYMOUTH - Burning Fatality At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth yesterday relative to the death of ERNEST JOHN MARTIN, aged two, of 3 Friary Green, Plymouth. LOUISA MARTIN, the mother, went out on November 25th, and to prevent deceased and two other children, aged 12 and three respectively, playing with the fire, she placed a drawer before it. On her return, after about ten minutes, she heard the children screaming, and saw deceased's clothes on fire. Extinguishing the flames she took the child to a chemist, who gave her some lotion and advised the child's removal to the Hospital, where Dr J. D. Russell, House Surgeon, saw it was suffering from burns on the right arm and chest. Death took place on Saturday from shock caused by the injuries. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and recommended the mother to procure a fireguard.

Western Morning News, Saturday 10 December 1898
PAIGNTON - Fatal Accident At Paignton. - Mr G. F. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquiry yesterday at Paignton relative to the death of WM. REED, aged 29, a mechanic in the employ of Mr R. F. Yeo, the contractor for the seawall on the estate of Mr P. E. Singer. About one o'clock on Thursday an engine and crane, at which deceased was working, toppled over and the boiler fell on REED, killing him instantly. - Mr R. L. Yeo, son of the contractor and superintendent of the works, said deceased was engaged as wheelwright and smith and for about six weeks had been engine driver at his own special request. The engine and crane were fixed where it stood two months ago and deceased superintended that work. The engine was bolted on to uprights fixed in cast-iron sockets and stayed vertically by timber guys, bolted to the ballast timbers by iron stays. One of these bolts snapped and caused the accident, but he could not account for it, as there was no flaw in the iron bolt, an inch and a half thick. It might be that the swing of the crane, which was raising about a ton weight at the time, caused a jerk and the snap. The Jury questioned the witness very minutely as to the construction and fixing of the crane. - John Hoare, who was assisting at the crane when it collapsed, said he was himself in danger. He had never heard any complaints as to the machinery, and knew nothing of any defects. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 12 December 1898
ASHBURTON - An Ashburton Fatality. - The sudden death of KATE BOWERS, 46, cook, in the service of Miss Tozer of Priestaford House, Ashburton, was Inquired into by Mr Kellock, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury, of whom Mr J. Harris was Foreman, on Saturday evening. The evidence of Annie Murch and William H. Morrish, fellow servants, shewed that deceased fell in going up the yard steps, and complained of having knocked her head. Two hours later she became unconscious and died just as medical assistance arrived. Dr Ernest Wilcox said death was due to compression of the brain, induced by a blow. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded and the Coroner and Jury complimented the young girl, Annie Murch, upon her praiseworthy conduct when alone in the house with the injured woman.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 December 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - AGNES MARGARET DEAN, 62, wife of a superannuated shipwright, died suddenly yesterday morning at 37 Clowance-street, Devonport, and at the Inquest Mr T. McElwaine, Surgeon, attributed death to heart disease of long standing.

PLYMOUTH - BENJAMIN HARRIS, 49, of 12 Melbourne-street, Plymouth, was taken suddenly ill on Monday morning and died before medical aid could be summoned. At an Inquest yesterday death was attributed to syncope, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Relative to the death of GEORGE NICHOLLS, 64, a commercial traveller of 4 Lisson-grove, Plymouth, the Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest on Monday. William J. Cahill, 22 Seaton-terrace, found deceased, who was a friend of his, on Saturday morning in a room at his residence in a very collapsed condition. Dr Mariette, who was sent for, but arrived after deceased had expired, attributed death to syncope, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 December 1898
SIDBURY - Sad End Of A Honiton Drover. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Putt's Corner, in Sidbury, relative to the death of HENRY SPILLER, 48, known as "Punch" to farmers and cattle dealers in East Devon. - SAMUEL SPILLER, labourer, Honiton, said deceased, his brother, left his lodgings on Sunday, 4th inst., and he had not seen him since. Did not make any particular inquiries, as his brother was in the habit of staying away a week at a time. - Mr Pugsley, butcher, Honiton, saw deceased at Ottery fat stock show on 6th instant, he employed deceased to drive a bullock to Honiton. Deceased, however, lost the bullock before starting. - Levi Welch, landlord of the Lamb and Flag Inn, said deceased called at his house the same evening and asked to be allowed to lie down on the straw. He complained of not feeling well and did not have anything to drink. - No further evidence was called as to deceased being seen alive, and it is supposed he was making his way to his daughter's at Colyton, as his body was found in Downsgert Goyle, near Putt's Corner, by Mr Harry Hill, who, on passing the place on Wednesday last, saw a man's boot wedged between the side of a steep wooden water shute and a tree. He went down and found SPILLER hanging by the foot. Deceased had apparently got over the railings between the road and the goyle and had slipped down on the edge of the shute until his foot got wedged. The body was lying head downwards, and his shoulder just touched the ground. - Sergt. Gerry also gave evidence. - Dr Bingley Pullin, of Sidmouth, who had made a post-mortem, considered the cause of death was drowning, caused by the rush of water down the goyle, deceased having been previously rendered unconscious by blows on his head. On Wednesday the man had been dead some days. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 19 December 1898
EXETER HEAVITREE - Suicide At Heavitree. - An Inquest was held at Heavitree on Saturday relative to the death of GEORGE ORTON ROBERTS, an accountant, aged 48. MRS ROBERTS said during the past week deceased had been somewhat depressed, but said nothing that would lead her to suppose he would take his life. He went out on Thursday and returned in the evening. He went upstairs, and a few minutes later her daughter heard groans. She found her husband insensible. Medical aid was summoned, and the deceased died on Friday morning. - MISS ROBERTS said of late her father had complained of pains in the head. When she went to him on Thursday evening he said "I have done it," or "I have taken it." She did not know that he had any trouble. - It was stated that there were discrepancies in deceased's accounts at the office at which he was employed. Dr Andrews gave evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 December 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday a Jury found that GEORGE ISABEL JASPER, an infant of 36 John-street, Morice Town, died after a few hours' illness from pneumonia, accelerated by irritation from teething convulsions.

PLYMOUTH - ARNOLD DAVIS, aged 2 years of 20 Home, Sweet Home, Plymouth, upset a kettle of boiling water over himself on Saturday morning last, and so badly was he scalded that he died on Sunday. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Wilkinson said deceased was badly scalded on the back, abdomen, one leg and arm, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

STOKE DAMEREL - A Sad Devonport Case. "Life Not Worth Living." - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held by Mr J. A. Pearce, respecting the death of HARRY BENNETT ROSEKILLY, aged 34, of 39 Queen-street, who committed suicide on Saturday. - MARY ROSEKILLY said her son (the deceased) was in partnership with his father as railway agents. A fortnight ago he was laid up with a violent cold and remained indoors. On Friday evening, when the deceased retired, nothing unusual was noticed, but about three o'clock on Saturday morning witness heard a noise and going upstairs found the door of the deceased's bedroom locked. It was forced open, and deceased was then found to have cut his throat. Her son had complained of pains in his head ever since he had an attack of influenza six years ago. He was engaged to be married, but there was nothing, as far as witness knew, in connection with the engagement to make him depressed. - P.C. May, who was called to 39 Queen-street, at three o'clock on Saturday morning, found the deceased with a large gash across his throat. He died in five minutes after witness arrived. There was a blood-stained razor on the pillow, three sealed letters on the chest of drawers, and a note on a piece of paper. - William C. Self, clerk to MESSRS. ROSEKILLY, said previous to last Thursday the deceased had been drinking heavily. Witness last saw him alive on Friday evening, when he seemed to be very tired and suffering from a cold. On the Friday morning he went on H.M.S. Magnificent, but previous to that he had been out of doors very little for a fortnight. On Wednesday morning his conduct was so strange that he frightened witness in the office. On that occasion a telegram from the Chatham agents was handed to deceased, but witness was unable to convince him as to the real nature of its contents. He looked very strange, and on rising from the desk appeared to be in pain. Witness mentioned the circumstances to MRS ROSEKILLY. On Saturday morning a business label with the words "Good-bye Duke," and signed "HARRY" was found attached to the dog's collar. Deceased usually tied the dog up before he retired to bed. A note was also found addressed to witness, directing him to hand over all books to Gard and Pearce, and to use his own discretion respecting some accounts. The deceased in this note also wished goodbye to witness, "Bill and Jago, and all inquiring friends." - Mr T. McElwaine, Surgeon, deposed to having prescribed for the deceased for vomiting. He had apparently been drinking. Witness understood from the deceased that he had influenza six years ago, and had never felt the same since owing to pains in the head. - Mr T. Petherick, coachbuilder, said he had for years been on very intimate terms with deceased. He had frequently referred to pains in the head. - The Coroner read a touching letter which was addressed by the deceased to Mr Petherick, mentioning the names of certain friends he should like to attend his funeral. The letter also referred to business relations which existed between the deceased and Mr Petherick, who was greatly affected whilst the communication was being read, - The Coroner also read the following letter:- "My dear mother, - I find life is not worth living here. Please excuse me for this act. I have left a book straight as a die for her (meaning the young lady to whom he was engaged), which I hope she will always use. I love her so much. Give my best wishes to father. It will be advisable for you to sell everything off to the best advantage. - Believe me, your affectionate son, HARRY. Give my love to aunts Jane and Helen. (This sentence was repeated). - The Coroner said the only point which the Jury had to consider was with reference to the state of mind which deceased was in when he took his life. In connection with that they must take into consideration the attack of influenza which the deceased had six years ago, and the effects of which, according to the medical and other evidence, never appeared to have left him. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that deceased had been drinking heavily of late, and that he had also been strange in his manner, as was shewn by what occurred last Wednesday in the presence of the clerk. Although the letters pointed to premeditation, deceased might have been in such a state of mind when he wrote them that he was not responsible for his actions. In support of this theory the Coroner referred to repetitions and other peculiar features in the letters. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst in an Unsound State of Mind," and expressed sympathy with MR and MRS ROSEKILLY.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 21 December 1898
STOKE DAMEREL - Accidental Suffocation At Devonport. - LAVINIA NORTON, the infant daughter of GEORGE NORTON, a bargeman, living at 21 Morice-square, Devonport, was found dead in bed on Sunday morning. At the Inquest yesterday the father stated that on Saturday night he slept at the foot of the bed with one child, and his wife slept at the other end of the bed with the deceased. On waking next morning the child was dead. It had been sleeping in its mother's arms. The medical evidence shewed that death was due to suffocation. The deceased was a healthy and well nourished child and had been well looked after. A verdict of "Accidentally Suffocated" was returned.

KINGSWEAR - A Fatal Blow At Kingswear. - At Kingswear yesterday Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest touching the death of EDWARD COLE, labourer, aged 78. Mrs Ryder, daughter of the deceased, said her father enjoyed fair health for his age, and was able to do a day's work occasionally. Mr G. A. Casey, the Priory, said he employed deceased to help him putting down some posts at Overhill to form a dividing line between two gardens adjoining new houses. Witness was putting down the posts, deceased filling up the holes. Suddenly witness slipped on the loose earth and fell backwards. The post slipped from his hands into the hole and he shouted to COLE to "look out." The post struck the old man a glancing blow on the forehead. It was not a severe blow. He died as he was being taken home. Dr Kendall said the blow was not enough of itself to cause death, which was attributable to shock. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 23 December 1898
WOODLAND - Devon Hunting Fatality. "Crushed Like A Fly." - At Pulsford Farm, Woodland, between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, Coroner Hacker yesterday conducted an Inquiry relative to the death of JAMES COLLINGS, for 13 years huntsman to the South Devon Foxhounds. - Richard Thomas Doney, second whip, stated that the hounds met at Welstor Cross, near Ashburton last Tuesday. they ran a fox for an hour and a half, until it went to ground at Havy Church rocks in Buckland Woods. The rocks were large granite boulders very much like a rubble heap. - A Juryman: They are supposed to have been tipped there at some time. - Another Juryman: No, they were never tipped there. It is on the slop on the hillside. there were many such places in the country. - A third Juryman said he knew the place very well. They were all loose rocks there. - P.S. Hannaford: There is not much looseness there. - Witness said it was not rock at all. It was nothing but solid masses of stone. On top of all was a huge boulder, which he considered caused deceased's death. Deceased ordered him to pull away the stones beneath it, and put a terrier in under the boulder to drive out the fox. Most of the ladies and gentlemen out with the hounds were down in the drive below, or were on Buckland Beacon. There were only four persons present while they were trying to dislodge the fox, deceased, witness, Mr Cross of Newton College, and the groom at Buckland Court. They pulled out what witness regarded as the foundation of the rocks with their hands. He (witness) said they had better be careful because of the big rock at the top, close to which deceased was standing directing the operations. Deceased replied that it would be all right. Soon after, when they pulled away a big stone at the bottom, the whole thing suddenly collapsed and deceased went with it. - The Coroner: What made you pull away the stones if you thought it dangers? - Deceased told us to do it, and we could not tell exactly that the stones we were moving formed the foundation for the boulders above, because they were all covered with earth and ivy &c. The groom at Buckland Court and himself pulled away the stones. They had removed five or six smaller stones before pulling out the one that caused the accident. The stone they last removed weighted about half a hundredweight. - What happened then? - All the rocks above tumbled down, bringing COLLINGS with them. Deceased was about four feet above me. - P.S. Hannaford: It was more than 20 feet by measurement. - Witness stated that directly the rocks fell he saw COLLINGS was dead. - The Coroner: Did you see him fall? - No, because I threw myself to the left to escape the stones. It was pitched to the right with the boulders. - When you looked round where was deceased? - About eight or nine feet below. I did not see the stones actually fall on him. He was on the ground doubled up, with the hounds all round licking him. I thought the best thing I could do was to get the hounds away. Mr Cross lifted deceased up, but it was clear he was dead. I took the hounds back home. There are many such rocky places round Buckland Woods. - Dr Ubsdell: It is a very dangerous country. - George Beer, groom at Buckland Court, stated that as he was going through the woods he came across deceased putting the terrier into the rocks after the fox. He saw COLLINGS throwing away stones. Then the whip came up and COLLINGS went higher up on the boulders, while witness and the whip pulled away the stones. Deceased told them to remove the ivy, and as soon as they did so witness heard a rumbling noise and a big boulder came crashing down from the top. Witness saw deceased on the ground. He was dead and witness took the little mare that was there and rode to Ashburton for a doctor. - By the Jury: The place did not appear very dangerous. There was naturally danger about it, but he did not think the big boulder would be loosened by what they did. The terrier was under the stones at the time, but was not killed. Just before the accident deceased asked witness if he had the terrier and he replied that it was under the rocks. Could not say how deceased fell. - P.S. Hannaford considered that he slipped away on his back. - Mr John Cross of Newton College, said COLLINGS was leaning almost against the boulder while the stones below were being removed. Witness was within a yard or so of him and saw the whole occurrence. As soon as the stones began to slide deceased slipped down the slope feet foremost and the big boulder pitched over on him and rolled on a short distance. He was not caught between the boulders, but was simply rolled over by the big boulder at the top. Witness went to his assistance, but deceased never so much as shivered after the boulder had passed over him. Death must have been instantaneous. - Dr H. R. Ubsdell, of Buckfastleigh, who was called to the deceased, said there were three different injuries, each of which was sufficient to account for death. The neck was badly broken, the skull was crushed and the brain protruding right through the ear. The bones of the chest were broken, and the lungs and heart must have been completely crushed. The upper portion of the body was crushed like a fly. No other comparison could be made. The silver horn on his breast was flattened out like a plate. One of his arms was broken. Deceased must have been jambed between the boulder that fell and a projecting boulder. - A witness stated that although the upper portion of deceased's body was so completely crushed, his watch was uninjured, and was still going when the body reached home. Witnesses thought the boulder which fell on deceased weighed at least three tons. - The bailiff on the Buckland Estate could not tell how long the rocks had been there. They were not rubble from the mines, or anything of that sort. They were a natural formation, like the rocks on Hey Tor. - Dr Ubsdell considered the rocks had been there since volcanic times. The whole place was "sown" with them. There were fifty such places within as many yards. - The Coroner said the only thing that called for remark was the suddenness of the occurrence. If the accident had happened while deceased was taking a fence it would not have been so surprising, but under the circumstances it was especially sad. They all knew deceased in the position he had worthily filled so many years. He was a man it would be very difficult to replace. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and passed a resolution of sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 December 1898
NEWTON ABBOT - ANN LOCK was found dead in bed at Newton Abbot on Thursday, and a post-mortem examination shewed that the right side of the heart had been ruptured. Deceased, 75 years of age, was a spinster. At the Inquest yesterday the Jury (Mr J. Pike, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 27 December 1898
EAST STONEHOUSE - Fatal Accident To A Hawker. - At Stonehouse Townhall last evening an Inquest was held by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, on the body of GEORGE TUTTON ROBERTS, 28, fruit hawker, of 5 High-street, Stonehouse, who died from the effects of a fall from a cart on Saturday night. Between nine and ten o'clock deceased, in company with another hawker, named Richard James Carter, of 47 High-street, Plymouth, was returning home along the road adjoining the Brickfields. They had a pony and low flat cart. Carter was leading the pony whilst deceased, who was drunk, rode in the cart and owing to his condition, he slipped out over the back of the vehicle and fell heavily on his head to the ground. His companion conveyed him home and sent for a medical man, but on his arrival deceased was dead. - Dr Leah, as the result of the post-mortem examination, stated that death was caused by fracture of the spinal cord. - The Jury, who expressed their satisfaction at the way in which Carter gave his evidence, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

SHAUGH PRIOR - The Double Fatality At Shaugh. A Sad Case. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Shaugh, on Saturday, touching the death of WM. GEO. ELLIOTT and SYDNEY WALTER MUMFORD, both 12 years of age, whose bodies were found on Crown Hill Down on Friday morning by John Perkins, a farmer. ELLIOTT was identified by his father, GEO. COLBERT ELLIOTT, an agricultural labourer, and the boy MUMFORD by his uncle, Wm. Henry Andrews, a farmer, of Shaugh. - According to the latter his nephew was spending his Christmas holidays at the farm. Both boys were used to driving horses and on Friday morning left home with a horse and two-wheeled cart to draw turnips. Whilst ELLIOTT was loading MUMFORD assisted witness in shifting some hurdles, and then rejoined ELLIOTT to go to the other field with the turnips. This was about 10.45 a.m., and the last time witness saw them alive. The horse was a very quiet one. John Perkins, who found the bodies about 11.30 a.m., said the cart was upside down and the horse was lying on its side. MUMFORD had the reins twisted round one leg, which was under the shaft of the cart. The boys' heads were near the horse's feet, and were terribly injured. Both boys were dead. The only reason he could assign for the upset was a bush with a stone in the centre just outside a gate through which they must have passed, and apparently by a recent mark in the bush, the wheel of the cart struck it. - The Coroner, who with Juryman, had visited the spot, concurred in this view. Dr C. H. Stevens found serious injuries to the heads of both boys. The skull of MUMFORD was fractured. Such injuries were due, in his judgment, to the horse kicking in attempting to get up. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and sympathised with the relatives, the Coroner remarking that it was the most painful case he had investigated since his appointment.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 28 December 1898
PLYMSTOCK - Drowned In Plymouth Sound. - At an Inquest at the Castle Inn, Mount Batten, yesterday, relative to the death of RICHARD SPRY, leading seaman, H.M.S. Curacoa, whose both was found at Mount Batten in a very decomposed state on Monday, it transpired that he was 24 years of age. - Master At Arms Harvey stated that whilst the Curacoa was in Plymouth Sound deceased was hauling in one of the ship's boats, when he fell overboard. He was wearing oilskins and, though a swimmer, he never rose to the surface of the water. He had served on the Curacoa for two and a half years, and bore a good character. Henry Adams, waterman, spoke to finding the body in a very decomposed state. Commander H. T. Jerram informed the Coroner (Mr R. R. Rodd) that at the time of the accident two tugs were steaming out at full speed, in competition for the piloting of a vessel. The captain of one of these (Captain Evans, of the Bell), on seeing what had happened, immediately stopped the tug and assisted in the effort to save the deceased. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 30 December 1898
PENNYCROSS - Mr Albert Gard, Deputy Coroner, in opening an Inquest at Pennycross on Wednesday, remarked it was the first held by the Devonport Coroner in the enlarged district. He could not say it was a pleasure, but it was a privilege to preside on such an occasion. The deceased was the infant daughter of MR WATERS, poultry dealer, of Langaton-road, and upon the evidence of Dr Griffin, of Plymouth, the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from acute rickets and convulsions."

Western Morning News, Saturday 31 December 1898
PLYMOUTH - JAMES HAYNES, aged 71, of 51 Penrose-street, Plymouth, died suddenly at his residence on Thursday. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr Wagner attributed death to syncope.