Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Morning News

[printed in Plymouth.]

1901

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: Allsop; Anderson; Andrews(2); Ashplant; Attwood; Atwill; Bach; Baker; Balch; Barron; Bartlett; Bass; Bastin; Bateman; Bawden; Bean; Beer; Blackler; Bleakley; Bolt; Bonney; Bonstow; Bowden; Boyd; Bradridge; Bridgman; Bridle; Brokenshire; Brooking; Brooks; Brown; Bunt; Burman; Burner; Burnman; Burns; Burren; Burrows; Carline; Carter; Cashier; Catford; Chadder; Champness; Christmas; Chudley; Clare; Clarke(3); Clinick; Cole(5); Coombes; Cooper; Copplestone; Cosgrove; Court; Cousins; Creber; Crocker; Dalton; Damells; Damerell; Davey; Davies(2); Davis; Deane; De Boinville; Denley; Doidge; Donnelly; Donovan; Dottin; Drayner; Driver; Duggan; Dunn; Easterbrook; Elcombe; Ellis; Evans(4); Farr; Fawcett; Finnemore; Flood; Foot; Ford(2); Foster; Fox; Freeman; Friend; Garland; Gear; Genge; Giles; Gill; Gilpin(2); Glanville; Gloyn; Goffin; Goldberg; Goldsworthy; Gorrell; Gray; Groves; Gruitt; Haddock; Haddy; Hall; Hallett; Hampson; Hancock; Hannaford; Hansford; Harris; Harvey(3); Hawkins(2); Heath; Hemmett; Higgins; Hoare; Hodge(3); Holloway; Honey; Honeyball; Honeywill; Hopkins; Horne(2); Horsham; Hoskin; Hulson; Huntdavey; Hussey; Isaacs; Jackson; Jennings; Johns; Johnson; Jones(6); Jordan; Joyce; Keast; Kelly; Kerswill; Kimble; Kirkup; Knot; Kyle; Lake; Lane; Lang(2); Langdon; Lawrence; Lee(3); Lemon; Lewis(2); Lobb(2); Lord; Luscombe(2); MacLeroy; Maeers; Mallett; Manley; Manning; Maschke; Matthews; Maunder; McCawley; McGhee; Meager; Meneely; Miall; Miller; Millman; Minhinick; Moore; Morgan; Morris; Mortimer; Mudge; Netherton(2); Newton; Nichols; Niles; Northmore; Noyce; O'Leary; Osborn; O'Shaughnessy; Oxenham; Packer; Page; Palmer; Paynter; Pearce; Penny; Perry; Pettigrew; Phillips(2); Piper; Polkinghorne; Pollyblank; Pook; Powell; Price; Prior; Rae; Reed(3); Rendle; Richards; Richardson; Rickard; Rillston; Roberts; Robinson; Rostin; Rowell; Runnalls; Salter; Sampson(2); Saul; Shattock; Shepherd; Shier; Simpson; Sly; Smith(2); Snell; Soady; Sobey; Southwood; Sparkes; Splatt; Squire; Stabb; Stanbury; Steer(2); Stevens; Stranger; Street(2); Syzer; Taylor; Thomas(2); Thurston; Tindal; Tomenze; Toull; Trend; Trevenen; Trevenna; Trout; Vanstone; Vincent; Vogwell; Walke; Warren; Way; Weeks(3); Westlake; White(3); Whitlock; Wilds; Williams(7); Wills; Winsor; Wise; Wood(2); Wright; Yearling; Young.
Western Morning News, Friday 4 January 1901 LYDFORD - A Sad Princetown Fatality. - At an Inquest held at Princetown yesterday by Mr Prickman, County Coroner, on LILY MARION PRIOR, aged five years and three months, the evidence shewed that the little one on New Year's Day was dressed in a light material, and that during the temporary absence of its mother it by some means got ignited. The screams of the child as she rushed out of the room attracted the attention of the neighbours, who eventually succeeded in extinguishing the flames. Dr S. Frew, of H.M. Prison, Dartmoor, called to the child, found it most severely burnt upon the arms, neck and shoulders. He visited it again during the night but death occurred the next morning. The Jury (Mr A. Rowe, Foreman) expressed great sympathy with the parents and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death". - The Coroner also expressed his sorrow at the accident, and said it appeared that MR and MRS PRIOR had been careful and kind parents.

Western Morning News, Friday 11 January 1901 PLYMOUTH - Death From The Severe Weather. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Plymouth by Mr John Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, on MARY COLE, aged 65, of 21 Anstis-street. Charles Cole, painter residing in the same house, said on Tuesday morning he found deceased dead in her armchair. Dr R. B. Burke, who had made a post-mortem examination said death was due to bronchitis, caused by the excessive cold weather. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 21 January 1901 TORQUAY - Fatal Fight At Torquay. Excusable Homicide. - At Torquay on Saturday Mr Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest on JOHN CLARKE, a labourer, aged 32. - Mr A. E. Druitt, House Surgeon at the Torbay Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted there about nine o'clock last Monday evening. He was slightly faint and in great pain in the abdomen. He explained that in the course of a fight in the bar of the Railway Inn he had been struck in the stomach. A post-mortem examination shewed that the bladder was ruptured. This gave rise to peritonitis, the cause of death. The rupture must have been caused by a severe blow. Replying to Mr Oliver, witness did not think a sudden twist would lead to the rupture. - John Avery, labourer, stated that he went to the Railway Inn last Monday afternoon. Deceased, William Rendell and other men were there. CLARKE had bought twopennyworth of fish and tendered the fisherman only 1 ½d. in payment. The fisherman agreed that the 1 ½d. should be spent in beer, which Rendell helped to drink. When the fisherman asked for the balance of a halfpenny CLARKE said he had no more money. Rendell declined to [?], whereupon deceased said to him, "You have been with me all day, come outside and I will knock your supper up." Rendell refused the invitation and CLARKE then rushed at him and tried to give him "the flying ?ary." Rendell was too quick for him and knocked him down. - The Coroner: CLARKE butted at him with his head? - Yes, he tried to do Rendell a serious injury, but was injured himself instead. - Was deceased drunk? - You can't call a man drunk unless he can't light his pipe. He was not incapable. Rendell was about the same. While sitting in the chair deceased said to Rendell "I give in to you; you are too strong for me." He saw only one blow struck and could not account for the marks and scratches on deceased's face. He (witness) was not drunk. - H. H. [?], fisherman of Pimlico, said the row commenced over the halfpenny for the fish. Both men fell in the fight and there was scuffle on the floor. The landlord parted them. He was almost certain that Rendell fell first. Deceased did not complain of any pain when picked up. - John Davey, landlord of the Inn, said he had previously refused to serve CLARKE and Rendell. When they entered the Inn last Monday he was out. They had purchased the fish before he returned and they asked him for paper in which to wrap them. Seeing their condition he declined to give them any and told them they had better go where they had been all day. There was a dispute about paying for the fish and deceased challenged the other man to fight. Rendell replied, "Not likely. I don't want to pay 7s. 6d." Witness was called to the jug department and while there heard a scuffle. As he returned he saw Rendell give CLARKE two blows, one apparently on the face and the other on the stomach. Both men fell, Rendell under. Rendell promised to see CLARKE home, but did not do so. CLARKE asked for assistance, but as there was no one to help him, witness told him to pull himself together. He then walked off alone. Neither CLARKE nor Rendell had any beer in his house. - JANE CLARKE, mother of the deceased, stated that when her son came home he appeared very ill. He said, "Bill Rendell has knocked me down and I know mother that I am dying." He was in great agony and could not stand still. he went to bed, but a friend persuaded him to go to the Hospital. - William Rendell, who asked to be allowed to make a statement, said deceased and himself went to the Railway Inn, CLARKE ordered two half pints of beer. Deceased put down sixpence in payment. CLARKE went outside and bought the fish and then asked Bond to have some beer, which witness and deceased helped to drink. Deceased ordered a second mug of beer, which he did not pay for. Witness suggested that deceased should pay and CLARKE then challenged him to go out and fight. When he refused deceased sprang at him and struck him in the chest. In self-defence witness hit him in the face. They both fell to the ground. Avery pulled CLARKE off witness and someone said, "You should double him up." Deceased rushed at him again, and he pushed him away. Then CLARKE came at him with his head down and seeing that he was dangerous witness hit out with his fist to stop him. CLARKE suddenly sprang upright and the blow, intended for his face, caught him in the stomach. Deceased fell, remarking, "You are too heavy for me, Bill; I will give in." They shook hands, and he helped CLARKE to a chair. - Mr Smale: Who spoke about doubling him up? - The landlord and Avery. - The Coroner said there was no doubt Rendell killed CLARKE. He had therefore committed homicide, which the law regarded as murder or manslaughter unless there was something in the circumstances to show that it was excusable. It was excusable when the man who inflicted the injury did so in self-defence. - The Jury (Alderman Catland, Foreman) returned a verdict that deceased died from the results of a blow struck by Rendell in Self-Defence. The Coroner: That is Excusable Homicide.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 29 January 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - The Keyham Fatality. Sad Result Of A Drinking Bout. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at Keyham Dockyard yesterday on WILLIAM WRIGHT, labourer, the Keyham Extension Woks, who was found dead on the works on Thursday night. Mr Sidney Shuter appeared for the Home-office and Mr J. P. Goldsmith for Sir John Jackson (Limited). - Mr A. J. Hunt, fruiterer, Birmingham, said deceased, his brother-in-law, was 26 years of age and a farmer, of Curdworth, Warwickshire. Deceased was married and came to Devonport to seek work. He was prosperous in business, but, having had a few words with his parents, came down to Devonport with a friend who had been in the Dragoons. There was no trouble to cause him to commit suicide. He was a fairly temperate man, but sometimes drank a little too much when he went to market. Deceased's wife sent him a postal order, which arrived the morning after his death. - Daniel Caswell, a ganger in the employ of Sir John Jackson (Limited), said deceased came to work for the firm as a labourer ten or fifteen days ago. Witness had no fault to find with deceased until six p.m. on Thursday, when he came to work the worse for drink. Witness told him to go home and get ready for work the following night. Deceased replied "All right," but half an hour afterwards came and asked for his shovel. Witness gave him the shovel and saw him to the end of the road leading to the steps of the office. About 9.15 p.m. witness was walking along the floor of the dock when a man in front of him said, " I think there is a man down here." Witness told the man to get him out and gave instructions for the alarm whistle to be blown. Deceased was got out. An ambulance was fetched and deceased was conveyed to the surgery and afterwards to the mortuary. The dock was well lit with electricity. There was a hollow space about three feet deep between the rails of the tramway where deceased was found, but there was plenty of space for a man to walk on each side of the rails. By the Jury: It was not possible for men to obtain drink in the canteen between 6 and 9 p.m. - By Mr Goldsmith: Deceased was quiet and able to take care of himself when witness told him to go home or he would have sent a man to see him out of the works. - William Roskelly, ganger, said deceased was drunk and after he received his shovel witness told him to leave the job. - Llewellyn Williams, timekeeper, said that about 7 p.m. on Thursday deceased came to the office and asked for his pay-off ticket. Witness told him to come in next morning for it. He returned about a quarter of an hour later and asked for a pass to take his shovel through the gate, and witness replied that he could not give him a pass because he did not know where he got the shovel from. Deceased said the Police would not let him take the shovel away, and witness told him to get the pass and pay-off ticket next morning. - Timothy Hurley, labourer, said about 9.15 he was crossing the sleepers when he saw some clothes. On getting down, he found it was deceased quite dead. The engine was running along the line after 6 p.m., but was stopped when deceased was found. - Sub-Divisional Inspector John Wedlake, Metropolitan Police, said the hollow in which deceased was found was a little over two feet deep, running across the dock and was crossed by sleepers, which were close enough for a man who was able to take care of himself to walk over. The Police kept as strict a watch as possible on men passing into the works, but deceased might have gone in with the rest without being noticed. As many as 680 men passed the gate that night. So far as witness could ascertain deceased did not try to get out of the works with the shovel. There was not the slightest mark on the engine. Witness's idea was that deceased went back to the dock and slipped into the hollow, and, in attempting to get on his knees, was struck by the engine. Men found drunk on the works by the Police were immediately removed. - Surgeon E. J. Finch, R.N., said deceased's skull was very badly fractured, the whole of the top and back part being smashed open and the brain lacerated. The right arm from the shoulder downward was torn to pieces. - Robert West, 7 John-street, Morice Town, said deceased lodged at his house and behaved himself properly until Thursday morning, when, instead of going to bed after leaving work he went out and returned about 4 p.m., when he was not sober. Witness tried to persuade him to go to bed, but he insisted on going to work. He was not fit for work. Deceased had told witness he intended to return to his home as soon as he received money. - The Coroner thought they might assume that deceased had a drinking bout on Thursday. He was convinced it was not a case of suicide. - The Jury found that deceased died from fracture of the skull, caused by his being accidentally struck by trucks while in a state of intoxication. - The Foreman thought if an official at the works he was not in a fit condition to work, steps should be taken to see the man off the works safely. - The Coroner agreed. They knew what a dangerous place it was under ordinary circumstances and with proper care, and men in a state of liquor did not take proper care. - Mr Brooks, representing Sir John Jackson, promised that the suggestion should be acted upon.

Western Morning News, Saturday 2 February 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - Suspicious Death At Stonehouse. Inquest Adjourned. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, on opening an Inquests at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse yesterday on WILLIAM KIRKUP, aged 23, an able seaman of H.M.S. Defiance, mentioned that he had received a report from Inspector-General Fisher, M.D., that the deceased was admitted to the Hospital on Boxing-day with injury to the abdomen and ribs, and that he died yesterday from internal haemorrhage following the injury to the left lumbar region. The deceased was brought to the Hospital by the Devonport Police and it was stated that he was found sitting in a doorway in King-street in that Borough in an injured condition; and that he refused to give an account of how he received the injuries. - Michael John Walsh, leading seaman, H.M.S. Defiance, having given evidence of identification, the Inquest was adjourned until Monday, four p.m., to enable the Police to make further inquires.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Dockyard Fatality. - Perils Of Uncovered Shafting. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest yesterday at Devonport Dockyard on WILLIAM JOHN WHITE, 47, killed on Thursday at No. 5 slip, while laying the keel plate of the new cruiser Encounter. Mr Sidney Shuter, H.M. Inspector of Factories, was present, and Mr E. T. Peck, who appeared for the Admiralty. - James Owen, labourer, said on Thursday morning deceased and others were going to lash a block to the top of a pillar in the slip. Witness was with a man named Woodward on the ground and another man, named Weeks, was on the top of the pillar. WHITE made a bowline, to sit in, to be hauled up to the top of the pillar, and got in it. He warned him to look out for the shafting machinery near the top of the pillar. When they had pulled him up nearly level with the shafting, either the edge of his coat or one of his pockets caught in the head of a nut, which fixed a bolt in the shaft coupling. he at once turned a somersault over the bar, and witness shouted "Let go." He, however, caught hold of the spindle and as he was raised again the bar got under his arms. Woodward and witness then let go the whip, and he shouted to have the lever shut off and stop the engine. Deceased then slipped through the bowline, and as his coat gave way he caught his brace in a rail as he was falling and fell to the ground, striking the derrick on the way. Witness went to him and found he was dead. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said Weeks climbed up because that was the only way for the first man to get up. A man could either climb up or be hauled up. It was easier for two men to haul a man up than for him to climb up. It was quite safe for a man to go up in that way, but there was only seven inches between him and the shafting, which revolved rapidly. Deceased held a guiding rope on his way up, which kept him from swinging much, but he did sway a little. If deceased had let go the rope when he first shouted he would not have been killed, but he was evidently afraid of the fall. - By the Foreman: The shafting machinery was never stopped when a man was being hauled up. Witness had not control of the machinery at all. It was quite separate from his work. A steadying line would no doubt be safe. - By the Jury: The lever was about 130 yards from the place where the accident occurred. He could not say how many times deceased went round, but it might have been 40 or 50 times, as the rope was wound round the shafting about that many times. Deceased broke a gas pipe as he went round the second time and that injured his legs. - Some Jurymen spoke of the necessity of a steadying line, but witness said he would not himself use such a line. If the shafting and coupling had been covered, or in some way protected, the accident would not have occurred. Deceased had many times done the same work, and witness had also been hoisted frequently of late. - A Juror said he had had considerable experience in being hauled up to do work, and it had always been the practice for a man to be drawn as far from any machinery as possible. - By Mr Peck: It might have been more dangerous if witness and Woodward had stood a few feet out of the "plumb," as if he let go the rope he would swing towards the machinery. If a man climbed up he was also liable to get mixed with the shafting. - By Mr Shuter: Four machines were driven by the shafting on the right hand side of the ship. he had never heard of the machinery being stopped to allow a man to climb on the pillars. Witness was very careful, as he was once carried round himself five times. It would be desirable for the shafting to be boxed in. - A Juror said it seemed to him the only neglect was in not providing a guiding line to get the man past the shafting safely. - Charles Woodward, labourer, said deceased was carried round a considerable number of times before the machinery was stopped. Witness called out instantly for the engine to be stopped. he could not give any idea how many times the deceased did go round. - Replying to the Foreman, witness said he always preferred being hauled up to climbing, as it was easier. - By Mr Shuter: Had never known anyone to express a wish for the machinery to be stopped, but he had thought of it himself, though he could not see how it could be managed, as the work on other slips would be stopped. - Henry James Dunsford, shipwright, said he heard deceased shouting, and then saw him revolving on the shaft. As soon as possible witness ran to the other side of the slip and lifted the belt off the machinery, thus stopping it. There was one more revolution and WHITE fell down. It was not his duty to stop the machinery, and he did not know it was anyone's duty. - The Coroner: I think you deserve very great credit for your action. - Witness further said the shafting was revolving very quickly and deceased must have been on it some seconds, but he did not think it was so much as five minutes. It was dangerous for a man to be hauled up so near the machinery. - William Howell, chief boatswain of the Dockyard, said the labourers were under his charge and they were told off in gangs under chargemen and leading men. The men employed on the work were all old petty officers and had been specially selected by him. He could not see the need of a guy rope, but thought the way the man was being hoisted was the most practical. If such a rope was used it would be let go, and probably get mixed up with the shafting. Witness would himself have preferred the bowline. It would only have meant a matter of a couple of minutes' delay in stopping the machinery, but it would have been impracticable, as derricks were often hoisting with the machinery and a weight might be suddenly stopped when in mid-air and cause an accident. There was no one to attend to the machinery, as there were only a few men on the slip preparing for a larger gang. Quite a different method was adopted on the Montagu's slip. The slip was a very old one, and the shafting had never been cased in, though he considered it desirable that it should be done. - By Mr Peck: Did not think it advisable to multiply gear in the case of leading ropes. If the engines were suddenly stopped very likely an accident would occur in the next slip. -= Dr M. L. B. Rodd, Dockyard Surgeon, said that deceased sustained a compound fracture of both legs, a large lacerated wound under the right arm, and his windpipe was broken. The cause of death was shock. - Mr Shuter, asked by the Coroner to make a few remarks, said it was a general rule laid down by his department that shafting under seven feet from the ground should be fenced, but it was then understood that nobody would be obliged to pass a shaft above that height, in which case it had been sometimes ordered that the shafting should be protected. He should have passed the shaft in question all his life and not asked for it to be fenced, unless he saw men engaged as deceased had been. He could recommend one of three courses. They should either have the machinery stopped when a man was going up on the pillars; and to do that have a lever attached. He did not believe an accident could occur if that were done, because if anything was being lifted by the derricks there were catches which would keep a weight hanging. Another course would be to fence the shaft in completely. Coupling bolts in shafting wee a prolific source of accident and sometimes aprons and clothing even caught in the plain steel roll when revolving rapidly. The third course would be to provide proper steps or rails for mounting the columns on the farthest side from the shafting. He would recommend that loose pulleys be fixed on the side of the slip where the accident occurred. There were no doubt hundreds of similarly unprotected shaftings in the country. - The Coroner said Mr Shuter had covered the principal points to be considered in the Jury arriving at a verdict. It was the duty of a Jury to very carefully Inquire into the circumstances of such a death and to say how a recurrence of such an accident might be prevented. He was certainly of opinion that the shafting should be cased in. It would not prevent its working and would make it safe. He hoped the Jury would make some recommendation as to the casing of the machinery, or that it should be stopped when men were working near. Personally he considered it most dangerous to be so hauled up as deceased was in this case, as only a little swinging would result in an accident. He was rather surprised that in his Majesty's Dockyard in the 20th century, when works of such large proportions were in progress, that machinery was left in that condition, especially as so many men had to continually pass it. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and recommended that the precautions the Coroner suggested be taken. They also commended Mr Dunsford on his conduct, and, with the Coroner expressed their sympathy with deceased's wife and relatives.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 February 1901 BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple's Proclamation-Day Fatality. Death of MR LEE. - Barnstaple yesterday heard with the deepest regret that MR THOMAS LEE, who was fearfully injured through the premature explosion of one of the borough chamberlains on the day when the Royal Proclamation was read, had died in the North Devon Infirmary. MR LEE had been foreman of works for about 15 years, and was a very popular as well as efficient officer. He was a W.M. for the year of Barnstaple Lodge of Freemasons, and he was captain of Barnstaple Cycling Club. He leaves a widow and two sons. At the Inquest James Burnell, an employee of the Barnstaple Town Council, deposed that they had fired the chamberlains about 130 times before the accident occurred. MR LEE having successfully discharged them. The premature explosion was probably caused by a spark from the fusee, with which MR LEE was firing the fuse, being blow on to the touch-hole, thus igniting the powder. Witness heard the explosion, and saw MR LEE rolling on the ground, his hat being blown into the air and shattered to pieces. Deceased had been in the habit of firing the chamberlains for several years. - Edwin Rottenbury, another town employee, gave corroborative evidence. Dr Roscrow, House Surgeon, said deceased's face was severely lacerated and his both eyeballs were blown away. He was conscious and greatly concerned about his condition, chiefly with regard to his sight. He rallied wonderfully soon afterwards, but on Sunday he took no nourishment and was not so well. He died from septic poisoning and exhaustion. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr A. Bencraft) expressed his opinion that fuses should be lit with a red-hot iron and not with a fusee, having regard to the fact that the wind was sometimes blowing. It was for the Jury to consider whether they would make a representation to the Town Council as to whether the chamberlains should be used again. Personally, he hoped they never would, and he thought the whole of the public of Barnstaple would agree with him. - The Town Clerk (Mr J. Bosson) said he did not think the Coroner would invite the Jury to make such a representation. He was quite sure the Council would take the whole matter into consideration. - The Coroner remarked that it was part of the Jury's duty to consider the matter. - The Jury (Mr T. Sloman, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with deceased's relatives, and gave their fees, supplemented by a further sum, towards a wreath to be placed on deceased's grave.

EAST STONEHOUSE - A Devonport Mystery. - The adjourned Inquest on WILLIAM KIRKUP, aged 23, A.B., H.M.S. Defiance, was resumed yesterday by the County Coroner (Mr R. R. Rodd) at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse. Mrs E. Pollard, 37 Cornwall-street, Devonport, said deceased called at her house on Christmas-day, about 8.30 p.m., in company with John Sullivan, another sailor. After being in the house a little while KIRKUP went downstairs. He slipped down the second flight and fell in a sitting position. Deceased was taken to a public-house opposite and after remaining there about thirty-five minutes, left. George Hancock , night-watchman, Royal Sailors' Rest, Devonport, said KIRKUP came there on Christmas-day and refused to see a doctor. Witness did not think it absolutely necessary to call in a doctor. P.C. John Best, Devonport Borough Police, said about a quarter to seven on Boxing-day morning he saw KIRKUP seated in a doorway in King-street. he said he felt ill and had his hand to his side. With assistance, witness conveyed him to the Royal Naval Hospital. - Dr T. H. Vickers, of the Hospital, said deceased was suffering from injury to the abdomen and ribs. He gradually got worse and the only chance of saving his life was by an operation, which was performed on the 26th ult., and was apparently successful. Deceased went on well until an hour before death, on the 1st inst. A post-mortem examination revealed that one rib was fractured and the spleen ruptured. That was the cause of death. There were no external marks of violence. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 7 February 1901 BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - Mr R. R. Rodd (County Coroner) held an Inquest at Horrabridge yesterday on WILFRED JOHN PHILLIPS, aged 11 weeks, the infant son of WILLIAM PHILLIPS, jobmaster. BEATRICE PHILLIPS, the mother, said that she took the child to bed with her on Monday night. On waking in the morning the child was in her arms with its face towards her apparently dead. - In reply to the Coroner she said she had a cradle in which the child slept by day. - Dr G. T. Revell, who had made a post-mortem examination, said the child was well nourished and death was due to suffocation The Coroner commented on the dangerous practice of infants taken into bed with their parents. He felt bound to caution the mother to be more careful in the future. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Plymouth Citadel Fatality. Recommendation To The Authorities. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Military Hospital, Stoke, yesterday, relative to the death of FRANCIS DONNELLY, aged 35, a gunner in the 29th Co., but attached to the Depot Battery V. D.R.G.A., who died on Sunday as the result of injuries sustained at the Plymouth Citadel, while a salute was being fired after the arrival in Plymouth Sound of the Japanese man-of-war Huteuse. - Bombardier Charles Thompson, No. 2 Depot Co., W. D.R.G.A., said it was the duty at the Citadel to issue side-arms and stores necessary for a salute. On Sunday he issued three sponges, which were used to sponge the guns after they had been fired, and after the salute the [/} were returned to him with the exception of one sponge, which was missing. Parts of the sponge were afterwards found round two guns and over the parapet. The sponges were damp before being used, had been used before, and were for the particular bore of guns, 18-pounders. The charge was 3lb. - Corporal George Westcott, 29th Co., R.G.A., identified the body and said deceased was a single man and had been in the service 11 ½ years. He was a steady man, and considered to be a first class gunner. He was a native of I[?], Ireland. - Second-Lieutenant C. S. Hunter, R.G.A., said he was [?] for saluting officer on Sunday and a salute was to be fired soon after twelve. At 12.20 he went to the saluting battery and found the gunners on their guns, [?] two to each gun. their duties were to sponge [?] and load each gun. Witness got all the guns loaded previous to firing No. 1. There were eleven guns in the battery, 18-pounders, all old muzzle-loaders. He had to fire the guns at intervals of ten seconds. He fired the first three guns and then gave the order to fire No. 4 gun. It would not go off, but almost immediately No. 5 gun was fired without any command from witness. He then saw that No. 4 gun was ready to fire again and , having seen that everybody was standing clear, he gave the order to fire which was done. Witness then ran to No. 6 gun and fired that and No. 7 in their turn before he found that an accident had happened. Then he saw that deceased had been injured but witness went on firing the salute. In the meantime a stretcher had been obtained and the man was carried away. The fact that witness had to attend to the salute did not interfere with proper attention being given to deceased. Witness's opinion as to how the accident occurred was that deceased had not been paying attention and did not [?] that it was No. 5 gun that went off and not No. 4, and thinking that No. 4 gun had been fired, must have run in with the sponge between the time of witness giving the command for No. 4 gun to be fired and the actual firing of the gun. The man firing the gun could not have seen him, as he (the man firing) was standing on the right of the gun, with his back towards the muzzle, holding the lanyard in the left hand, and chopping down on it with his right hand to fire the gun. It had been customary and necessary to fire the gun in this way owing to the worn state of the [?]. In addition to the 22 men at the guns there were three men to fire the guns. If deceased had been paying ordinary attention he would have known that No. 4 gun had not gone off. Apparently No. 5 was fired because No. 4 missed fire, to keep up the proper interval of time, but the gun ought not to have been fired without witnesses command. Witness had been in the service [?] and had never before known a gun fired without the command being given. Witness spoke to the man at No. 5 gun about firing without the word of command and he stated that he thought it was his turn. If No. 5 gun had not gone off witness would have given the order [?]. By the Jury: There was hardly any recoil from the gun. Friction tubes were used and he did not hear the tube of No. 4 gun explode. - A Juryman thought there must have been a bad look-out for the man to have had his arm blown off. - The Coroner thought it was perfectly clear how the accident happened, and the witness had given a very fair statement. The point was why No. 5 gun went off before No. 4. Deceased went to sponge out No. 4 gun, thinking it had been fired in proper order. - A Juryman thought the charge could not have been rammed home. - The Coroner: Would that explain the miss-fire? - Witness: I do not know that there was a miss-fire. - Suppose there was a miss-fire, would the charge not having been rammed home explain it? - It might. By the Jury: I did not notice that any tubes had been [?]. There were two men told off to each gun, the duty of one being to sponge and the other to load the gun. - The Coroner said he understood that the man who fired the gun could not give any evidence to assist the Jury and he advised him to go to South Africa. - Maj. C. H. Milward, 29th Co., W.D.R.G.A., said he had held an inquiry into the case. The two men who fired No.s 4 and 5 guns left for South Africa that morning. The man who fired No. 5 admitted that he fired without orders, while the man who fired No. 4 gun stated that in running from No. 1 gun, which he had just fired, to No. 4, he had not time to be ready before the officer gave the order to fire. When the officer gave the order for No. 4 to fire, No. 5 fired without orders. The gunner of No. 4 was by this time ready and accordingly fired when the officer called out "No. 4". There was no doubt how the accident happened. This unfortunate man thought his gun had gone off. - The Coroner: Did the firer of No. 5 gun fire without orders because he saw that No. 4 was not ready? - Witness: He had no explanation to offer. - Can you explain why the firer of No. 1 was too late to fire No. 4? - He had forgotten to serve the vent and the corporal, noticing this, said "Go back and serve your vent," and this caused a few seconds delay. - Deceased ought to have seen that his gun had not gone off. - Yes. Accidents will happen. You cannot have a man to look after every other man in action. You have to look after yourselves. - Can a man see whether his gun goes off at the proper time? - Yes. Deceased may have been picking up his sponge at the time No. 5 gun went off, but he ought not to have picked up the sponge until his own gun had gone off. They are anxious not to lose their ten seconds because the men in the barracks are listening. A man was blown from a gun at Woolwich in 1881 in exactly the same way. - Did you, in holding the court of inquiry, find the firer of No. 5 gun was to blame? - It was not my duty. I had merely to collect evidence. - Do you think any blame is attached to the man who fired No. 5 gun? - No. - Supposing the man had remained in the Citadel instead of going to South Africa, would he have been reprimanded? - That is a matter for his commanding officer. He was not under my command. Suppose he had been under your command? - I should have spoken to him very strictly on the subject. - You are of opinion he thought it was better for him to fire his gun, to keep up the proper interval? - Yes. I do not know that you can blame No. 5. there is no medical man living at The Citadel. There are about 150 or 200 men in the Citadel. - Dr Freeman said he was medical officer for the Citadel, and had been there that day, but he had also the Plymouth district to look after and was out visiting when the accident happened. His house was within two or three minutes' walk of the Citadel. - Gunner Harry Anderson said he was at No. 3 gun, and when he went to pick up his sponge he noticed deceased on the floor face downwards and covered with blood. Deceased was carried on a stretcher to Dr Cooke's surgery where he died and the body was removed to the Station Hospital. - Mr J. H. Dawe, Civil Surgeon at the Military Hospital, said it was not known absolutely that the man was dead, and immediately on his being brought to the Hospital he was taken to the operating theatre but on examination he was found to be dead. The lower part of the right side of the face was scorched, and there was a lacerated wound on the right side of the forehead two inches long and exposing the skull. There was also a wound across the bridge of the nose. Both hands were lacerated, but both thumbs were intact, shewing that they were better protected than the other parts of the hands. The cause of death was shock. - Surgeon-Maj. Wilson said the deceased's commanding officer must have wired to him at the Hospital a minute or two after the accident occurred, and in view of the serious nature of the case he detained all the medical officers (four or five) and he had everything ready on the arrival of the deceased. They had reason to believe the man was alive, and hoped to save him. - The Coroner said it was gratifying to know that everything possible was done to save the life of deceased. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," without attaching blame to anyone. - A Juryman considered that if the guns had followed on and No. 6 had been fired after No. 5 the confusion would have been avoided. - Maj. Milward, in reply to the Coroner, said, as far as his experience went, the practice was to go right on. - A Juryman thought that if the vents of the guns were so bad that the tubes would slip out by pulling the lanyard, it was time the guns were done away with, or the vents "rebushed." He knew the danger of bad vents. - The Jury adopted a recommendation to the authorities to this effect.

ABBOTSHAM - Is The Coast Well Watched? - The schooner Goonlaze, of St Agnes, which foundered in Bideford Bay on Tuesday night, left Port Talbot on Monday with coal. Her crew consisted of four hands - HADDOCK (captain), THURSTON (mate), PAYNTER and TOMENZE, seaman. - The captain and mate were natives of Hayle, but had lived at St Agnes for some years. The seamen were of St Ives, this being their first trip since rejoining. HADDOCK leaves a widow and one child and THURSTON had not been long married. The sad occurrence cast a gloom over the place, and the statement in "The Western Morning News" that one poor fellow only succeeded in getting ashore alive to die of exposure made the case all the more to be regretted. The Goonlaze was a well-known coaster and not long ago was thoroughly over-hauled. - The schooner was wrecked under Abbotsham Cliffs. Two of the bodies were washed in under rocks at Peppercombe. The other two bodies were recovered in Abbotsham, one being about 200 yards inland. The body was that of a finely-developed man of about 27 years of age, who evidently crawled up the cliff with the intention of getting help. It seems extraordinary that a schooner could be wrecked in the bay and no one be the wiser until dead bodies were discovered some hours later. Did the disabled vessel show danger signals and were they seen is a question the answer to which will be buried with the dead men. The truth of the matter will probably never be known. In every north-west gale the Bideford Bay is fully exposed and it is suggested that in the present instance the vessel was dis-masted after rounding Hartland Point, and that she then blew round the bay past Clovelly, Bucks and Peppercombe to the Cockington Cliffs under Abbotsham, which jut out into the bay. - Mr Bromham, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Abbotsham yesterday on the two bodies there. Rev. R. W. Sealy was Foreman of the Jury. - Richard Taylor, farm labourer, stated that about a quarter to nine on Tuesday morning from Cockington cliffs he saw a wreck on the rocks below. Going down he found, just at high-water mark, the dead body of a man. A lifebelt was around it. - Emma Jane Taylor deposed that whilst going towards the cliff in search of her husband she saw the dead body of a man in a field at South Hill. - P.C. Barnacott stated that under the Cockington cliff he saw the dead body of a man, dressed as a sailor, in dark clothes, with canvas overall trousers. The body was about 5ft. 7in high. The hair was dark and there was also a heavy moustache. On the little finger of the right hand was a gold signet ring. The body found about 200 yards inland had on a blue guernsey and dark pair of trousers. The hands and feet were badly skinned and the clothes were covered with mud, showing that it must have been only with great difficulty that the unfortunate man reached the top of the cliff. Deceased was a finely-built man of about 24 years of age, and was 5ft. 9in. in height. His hair was dark and he had a dark moustache. In his pocket was a clasp knife. - In reply to Rev. R. W. Sealey, the Constable said that the gunwhale of the vessel was charred, as if port fires had been recently burnt. - The Coroner inquired whether the coastguard saw any distress signals. - Witness: I do not know. - Rev. R. W. Sealy: Is no representative of the coastguard present? - Witness: No. I was on duty on the Hartland-road at midnight on Monday and saw no distress signals. - Rev. R. W. Sealy said he was not satisfied to give a verdict of "Found Dead." One of the bodies at Abbotsham had been identified that morning as being the mate of the Goonglaze, by a sailor from Appledore, who had sailed several times with him. - P.C. Burnacott: The man said he was not positive as to the identity. - Mr Sealy: But he was positive with respect to the one man. He said the name he knew the man by was Aleck. It seemed a most extraordinary thing for the wreck and the bodies to be there so long before being discovered. If there was not at present a system which would discover such occurrences more quickly then there ought to be. - The Coroner: That is a matter which does not come within the scope of this Inquiry. - Mr Sealy: Who are the proper authorities? I want steps to be taken to look into the matter more fully. - The Coroner: You might add a rider. - Mr Sealy: I do not find fault with the coastguard, but with the system. There are four coastguards between Clovelly and Westward Ho! - The Jury returned a verdict of Found Dead," and added a rider asking that an inquiry should be instituted into the method of watching the coast.

Western Morning News, Friday 8 February 1901 PARKHAM - The Wreck In Bideford Bay. Did The Coastguard Watch? - Inquiry into the deaths of the four men, the crew of the schooner Goonlaze, on the coast of Bideford Bay on Tuesday was continued yesterday at Peppercombe Castle. John Hitchings, of St Agnes, Cornwall, the owner of the Goonlaze, said the vessel carried a crew of four men, including the captain. She sailed from Port Talbot on Monday with coal for St. Agnes. The body just viewed was that of J. PAYNTER, an able seaman, of St. Ives. Thomas Hocking, 13, said on Tuesday morning he discovered the body about 400 yards up the beach from Peppercombe Castle. - The Coroner said it was not in his power to deal with the question of whether fault was to be found with the coastguard for knowing nothing whatever about the sad occurrence until informed that a body had been recovered. They must, however, remember that Mr Hitchings, the owner of the Goonlaze, said everything necessary to give danger signals was on board the vessel. - The Foreman: How many coastguards are stationed at Peppercombe? - Chief-Officer Pearce (Clovelly): Two. One coastguard was on duty all Monday night. On a fine night the watch is relieved at midnight, but in rough weather a watch is kept the night through. - Captain Nicholson, of Ilfracombe, in charge of the coastguards on the North Devon coast, explained that as far as he had been able to ascertain the coastguard was on duty the whole of Monday night. The vessel must have gone ashore close on high water. So terrific was the sea that it would have been almost impossible on that night to discern a signal more than 300 yards. He thought it likely that the captain of the schooner had got out of his course, and finding himself close to the shore threw out his anchors. The hawser of one parted, and the vessel slewed round on the rocks. - The Foreman: You think there is no culpable neglect on the part of the coastguard. - Capt. Nicholson: I am informed that a very good lookout was kept, not only by the coastguard, but by other men. - The Foreman: I am not satisfied of that. It is very strange when such a heavy gale was blowing that greater precaution was not taken by the coastguard. How was it that a landsman saw the wreckage first and sent his boy along the beach, the result being the discovery of the dead body? - Was P.C. Cole on duty that night? - P.C. Cole: I went off duty at midnight. It was clear moonlight then. - Replying to the Foreman, Chief Officer Pearse said a watch was kept all night at Clovelly, and a schooner was noticed at about 6 p.m. on Monday, standing away on the port tack well over towards Lundy Island and it was supposed to be the Goonlaze. - The Foreman: That disposes of the suggestion that Captain HADDOCK was out of his reckoning. One of the Jury tells me that when the body was first seen blood was oozing from the nose, and that the body was not quite cold, so that if the discovery had been made a little earlier the poor man's life might have been saved. - P.C. Cole: The man was quite dead when I saw it. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead," and added a rider calling upon the Board of Trade to hold an inquiry.

PLYMOUTH - Deaths Of Plymouth Children. - JAMES ERNEST HUNTDAVEY, aged 10 weeks, son of a journeyman baker, 3 Friars-lane, Plymouth, became ill on Tuesday night and being much worse the following morning medical aid was summoned. Dr Cooke, who on arriving found that the baby had died, stated at the Inquest yesterday that a post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to peritonitis. CHARLES EDWARD SAUL, aged 3 years, whose parents resided at 30 Looe-street, Plymouth, was taken by its grandmother (Julia Roberts) on Monday to Dr Player's surgery in a state of collapse, suffering from bronchitis. Dr Player at the Inquest yesterday said it ought not to have been taken out in such a condition. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned in each case.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 February 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Remarkable Fatality At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of AUDREY MARY ELLEN HORSHAM, aged six months, daughter of GEORGE HENRY HORSHAM, joiner, 12 Clowance-street. - The mother of deceased said that at 3.30 on Monday afternoon she was sitting in her kitchen with her baby on her lap and she remembered nothing more until 3.40 when she heard the baby crying. She patted the child and took her to her mother's in the same street. Since witness was a girl she became unconscious occasionally. - Mary Ann May, mother of last witness, said when the latter came to her house she said, "Mother, I am very bad." Witness put her to bed, and as the child continued to cry very badly, witness examined it and found it was burnt. Witness had sent the child by a neighbour to Dr Saunders, who ordered its removal to the Royal Albert Hospital. The clothes were not burnt when the child was brought to witness's house. The mother of deceased was subject to epileptic fits and did not know what had happened when she brought the child. She usually fell and struggled when she had a fit. Doctors could do her no good. - Mr D. Brought, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, said that when admitted to the Hospital deceased was suffering from burns on the buttocks, thighs and legs. Deceased died on Thursday morning from convulsions due to the burns. People were unconscious when in epileptic fits and were frequently unaware what they were doing for some time after the fits, although they performed involuntary acts in the meantime. - The Coroner said it was a most remarkable case and he had communicated with the Chief Constable, who had instructed a detective to make inquiries. - Detective Sergeant Rundle said MRS HORSHAM made to him a statement similar to that just made. She shewed him the chair on which she sat on Monday afternoon. This was about 1ft. 4in high and touching the fireguard, which was about 2ft. 6in. high and 14 in. from the stove. It would be easy for anyone while unconscious to lean on an oven door which was used to put a kettle on. From inquiries witness found that MRS HORSHAM was a highly respectable woman and very sober. The Police authorities were satisfied that there was no criminal intention. In witness's opinion while the mother was unconscious the child slipped off her arm on to the oven door. - The Jury found that the deceased died from convulsions due to burns, but that there was no sufficient evidence to shew how the burns were received. - The Coroner and Jury tendered their sympathy to the parents and thanked Detective Sergeant Rundle for his assistance in enabling the Jury to arrive at their verdict. - The Coroner said the peculiar circumstances made the death one of the saddest it had been his duty to Inquire into.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 February 1901 PLYMOUTH - JOHN THOMAS HOSKIN, general labourer, aged 29, of 22 Batten-street, Plymouth, died suddenly on Saturday. At the Inquest yesterday Dr C J. Cooke said death was due to the rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs, the result of tuberculosis. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death Of A Pensioner At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on RICHARD NICHOLLS PHILLIPS, 64, a naval pensioner of 26 Avondale-terrace, Keyham. FLORENCE PHILLIPS said her father had always enjoyed good health. He ate a good dinner on Friday and went for a walk towards Keyham Dockyard. While out he felt a pain in his left arm and returned home. He seemed very much out of breath and her mother gave him ginger tea. This appeared to free him from pain and he laid on the sofa. Deceased's wife then asked him to have some spirits. He did not reply, but suddenly fell off the couch and became unconscious. Dr R. Bird Wagner said death was due to syncope, through fatty degeneration of the heart. The hearty dinner deceased ate probably accelerated death, and also the walk afterwards. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 14 February 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - MARY CARLINE, 84, a widow, died suddenly at Devonport on Tuesday. At the Inquest yesterday, Peter Hutchings said she had for four years suffered from a disease of the brain. On the 5th inst. he was called early in the morning to see deceased, who had fallen in her bedroom. She made no complaint at the time, but a swelling was afterwards found on her right hip. She had often fallen about her room. Emma Rieb, who slept in the same room as deceased, said she heard her fall and assisted her up. She appeared to be all right afterwards. Dr Edgar Down said his partner on the 5th int. found deceased suffering from fracture of the neck of the right femur. Death was due to senile decay, accelerated by the fall. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

PLYMPTON - A Terrible Accident. Plympton Road Surveyor Drowned. - Mr R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest last evening at Plympton on GEORGE JOHN SHIER, surveyor to Plympton Rural District Council, found in the Tory leat, near Marsh Mills early yesterday morning. - Chas. S. Brooks, market gardener, Laira, said deceased, his brother-in-law, was engaged on Tuesday with the County Surveyor in inspections in the district.. he drove his own horse and spring cart. The horse, aged about 15, was in the habit of shying. Deceased had driven the horse for about seven years. The trap had a seat with a back to it. It fitted into the sides of the cart by spills. Deceased's body was found in the leat about 300 yards from Marsh Mills, in the direction of Plympton. He found a large poster opposite to where the deceased was thrown. There was evidence in the road that the hose had been restive and had backed into the hedge, where the mark of the back step of the trap was visible. the horse's curb chain was broken. He believed that the horse must have shied at the poster and backed into the opposite hedge. If the trap were backed against the hedge with a jerk the deceased must have been thrown over it to a distance of about ten feet. The bank of the leat was covered with grass and brushwood and was sloping the whole distance. There was about three feet of water in that part of the river where deceased was found. The place in which he was found was about fifty-six paces to the west of where he apparently fell in the leat and he thought that shewed that deceased struggled to get out. He estimated that the horse stood beside the hedge into which it had backed about three-quarters of an hour after the accident occurred. Deceased's watch stopped at 10.30. - Dr Wm. D. Stamp, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to drowning. There was only one small cut on the body. It was below the left ear and from it he removed a small piece of splinter. He considered the wound was caused by a fall. Deceased was a very heavy man. He did not think he was stunned when he reached the water. His lungs shewed that he had made efforts to get out of the water. Probably he had been overcome by the cold. He had known deceased as a steady man. - Thomas Honey, of the Crabtree Inn, said deceased had one glass of cold gin about 9.45 the previous evening. he was alone and perfectly sober. - Thomas Bunker, dairyman of Longbridge, said he was returning from Shaugh about 11.30 the previous night and met the deceased's horse and trap near Plympton railway bridge. The horse was going at a slow trot. As the rug was hanging over the left side and nobody was in the trap, he stopped the horse. The seat of the trap had tipped and was against the tailboard. he drove the horse to Laira thinking deceased had probably called upon his brother-in-law and the horse had started away. He returned with Mr Brooks, finding the deceased's was on the way back to Plympton. The horse did not shy when he was driving. - P.C. Wright found the deceased in the leat lying flat on his back with his feet down the stream. His face and a portion of his chest were above water. He was dead. Deceased had over £4 on him. The depth of the water where the deceased apparently fell in was about 22 inches and where he was found 14 inches. The water was running smart in the leat. - The Coroner said the case was a sad one and not altogether free from mystery. Evidently through the seat of the deceased's trap not being secured, as it should have been, he was thrown over the hedge. He probably fainted and was drowned. There were no marks of violence beyond the effects of the fall and no attempt at robbery. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned, and the Jury accorded a vote of sympathy to the widow and children of the deceased. - MR SHIER was a native of Dorset and came to the West of England many eyras ago with his father and brother. They drained a good deal of land on the Earl of Morley's estate and also Plympton churchyard. They made the Tory leat and levelled the recreation ground attached to Plymouth and Mannamead College. Deceased, about 13 years ago took the position of highway surveyor to Roborough Highway Board and upon the duties of the Board being taken over by Plympton Rural District Council MR SHIER became surveyor to that authority. Deceased leaves a widow and three children, whose ages range between 10 and 4 years. Deceased, who was 46 years of age, was highly respected.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 February 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Egg Buckland Fatality. - JOHN RICHARDSON, 48, quarryman, who resided at 2 Quarry Head, Honicknowle, was working in the Egg Buckland quarries on January 21st, 1901, when a stone fell on his thumb, causing a wound. He took very little notice of it, but the thumb got worse and he was removed to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, where he was found to be suffering from blood poisoning. A few days ago his hand was amputated and death ensued on Friday. At the Inquest on Saturday evidence was given by Edward Burr and the House Surgeon, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 February 1901 PLYMOUTH - Attempted Suicide At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on JAMES EDWIN LEWIS BONEY, 55, shipwright, Devonport Dockyard, residing at 2 Princess-place, Nesse-street, Plymouth. - CHARLES JAMES BONNEY, shipwright's apprentice, said his father had been depressed for some time, but he had never heard him threaten to take his life. - Mrs Champley, wife of William Champley, living at 2 Princess-place, Plymouth, stated that on Friday morning she noticed nothing strange about deceased. In the afternoon MRS BONNEY called her and on going downstairs saw MR BONNEY standing, as it were, on the floor. MRS BONNEY had cut the rope which was attached to a small hook on the ceiling. The witness gave him brandy, but it had no effect, and Dr Cook was called. - Dr Cook said the deceased died about five minutes after he came. He injected ether, but with no result. Death was due to syncope, accelerated by an attempt of the deceased to hang himself. A verdict of "Death from Syncope, accelerated by an attempt to hang himself whilst Temporary Insane," was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 February 1901 PLYMOUTH - Found Dead At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM S. RILLSTON, aged 31. MRS MARY RILLSTON, of 5 Place-view, Fowey, said the deceased, her son, had not been home for two years. He had been employed in Plymouth as a grocer's assistant. Mr Shepperd, refreshment-house-keeper, 77 Union-street, said deceased called at his house on Sunday night and had a bed. Next morning he found him dead in bed. Dr H. Pearse, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to pleurisy. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - SARAH JANE NETHERTON, aged 72, who had lived apart from her husband for several years at 45 Richmond-street, Plymouth, and had been unwell for some little time, on Tuesday became worse and died before a doctor arrived. Dr Brenton made a post-mortem examination and at the Inquest yesterday attributed death to bronchitis. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 February 1901 LAMERTON - Singular Fatality At Lamerton. - Mr Robinson R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Lamerton on Saturday, on HENRY SLY, a sawyer, aged 22. - Dr Snowden Smith of Tavistock, said on Tuesday he found deceased suffering from a fracture of the right leg. On Thursday he developed symptoms of double pneumonia, from which he died on Friday. Death was accelerated by the injury to the leg. EDWIN SLY, the father, a sawyer, of Lamerton, stated that he and his son were felling a tree on a fence for Mr Mudge, of Woodbine Cottage, Lamerton. They had sawn through the tree for about twelve inches, it about fifteen inches thick. Witness put a wedge of wood into the cut and struck it with a hatchet, they were both on the hedge, one on each side of the tree. After hitting the wedge the tree should have fallen from them into the field, instead of which it jumped and slid perpendicularly to the hedge thereby bringing down the branches on them. He (witness) was knocked senseless and had his arm injured, falling into one field, while the deceased was knocked into the other field and had his right leg broken. Mr Mudge liberated witness, and then got over the hedge to his son's assistance. - P.C. Rably on arriving rendered first aid by bandaging the leg, and deceased was taken home in a cart. He was exposed in the open air for an hour before he could be taken home. It was a cold day, and deceased had been perspiring at his work. In falling his feet got wet in a stream running by the side of the hedge. Witness had felled hundreds of trees, but had never had an accident before. The branches of the tree were large and compared with the stock. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Coroner and Foreman (Mr E. H. Harris) expressed sympathy with MR SLY and his family, and appreciated the prompt action of those who administered first aid.

NEWTON ABBOT - Suicide At Newton Abbot. - At Newton Abbot on Saturday Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest on WM. HENRY STRANGER. The widow said deceased, aged 63, living at 109 Queen-street, was a manure merchant. On Friday deceased told her he felt very ill and at dinner he again complained. At three o'clock she left him sitting by the fire smoking. She returned at five o'clock. His coat was hung up and the back-door unfastened. She went out and saw a kitchen chair against a tank. She sent for Mr Reeve, who found deceased in the tank. He had left no note or anything. Deceased had said it was just as well to make a hole in the water as to live. He had lately seemed very distressed at the way he had been treated by his employers. - Abraham Wm. Reeve said deceased was floating face downwards in the tank. As he could not get him out he sent for the Police. His daughter knocked at the door of the house at 4.30 and could get no answer. Deceased, very short and stout, would have some difficulty in reaching the tank. - P.C. Hall said when he found the deceased the body was quite cold. - Mrs Annie Warner said MRS STRANGER called her in on seeing a chair by the tank. MRS STRANGER asked her to look in the tank. Although she could only see the water, she turned on two taps to empty the water. With a stick she felt something in the water. - Dr R. H. Grimbly said he had attended deceased for some time. STRANGER was in a highly nervous state, due to worry. At first he denied having any trouble but later he was continually telling him of financial troubles with his firm. He had never suspected that deceased would do any harm to himself. - Richard S. Edgecombe stated that STRANGER on Wednesday told him he had had a writ served on him and asked if he would be arrested. Deceased also seemed greatly distressed about his forthcoming examination. - In summing up the Coroner commented on the fact that Reeve was called in to look at the ball-tap of the tank and might have had a severe shock on finding the body. - The Jury (Mr F. Fuller, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," and expressed sympathy with the widow.

BIDEFORD - The Bideford Tragedy. - An Inquest was held at Bideford on Saturday on WILLIAM HODGE, shoemaker. Thomas J. Powe, who had been in the employ of the deceased, stated that deceased on Friday morning seemed very depressed. The bailiffs were in possession and a sale had been advertised for that afternoon. - Ex-Police-Sergeant Nicholls, the bailiff, said deceased was cheerful and despondent by turns. On Friday morning he appeared more cheerful. A little later Mr Braddick arrived. A few minutes before noon MRS HODGE ran into the shop and said "Do run upstairs. I am afraid MR HODGE has shot himself." Proceeding to the attic he found deceased with two wounds in his head. Near his feet was a yeomanry carbine. Deceased was not dead and mumbled incoherently. - By the Jury: Did not hear the report of a gun. There was no unpleasantness with Mr Braddick. - MR HODGE did not speak to him for the morning. - The Foreman (Mr Perry): It is understood that Mr Braddick removed furniture before the sale took place. - The Coroner: All I have to Inquire into is the cause of death. - P.S. Pike said in one of deceased's pockets was found a loaded cartridge. - Dr Lane stated that deceased died within about twenty minutes of receiving his injuries. The shot must have been fired at close quarters. - Mr Bazeley, registrar and high bailiff, stated that no goods were removed from the house by the County Court officials, nor were any removed on behalf of Mr Barrett, who acted for the Sheriff. - Mr W. T. Braddick stated that his father, Mr J. J. Braddick, a certified bailiff, removed goods under an execution for rent. - The Foreman: Was there any necessity to remove the goods. - Mr Bazeley: That is not a question for me to answer. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," adding that the removal of furniture probably tended to unhinge the mind of deceased. The Jury handed their fees to the widow. - A subscription in the town on Saturday on behalf of MRS HODGE realised a substantial sum.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 February 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - CLAUDE RICHARD, the six-months old child of THOMAS MINHINICK, hairdresser, 8 Valletort-place, Stonehouse, had a fit whilst on his mother's lap on Sunday evening and died before Dr Waterfield arrived. At the Inquest yesterday death was attributed to convulsions.

STOKE DAMEREL - On waking at 7.40 on Sunday morning MRS MCGHEE, wife of a leading stoker of the Rainbow, living at 13 King-street, Devonport, was surprised to find her fourteen-months-old child greatly changed. Dr R. P. Ryan was called, and found that the child was dead. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to suffocation, a verdict accordingly was returned at an Inquest yesterday.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on ELIZA A. YEARLING, aged 50, the wife of JOHN YEARLING, labourer, 15 Morley-street. John F. Rail, accountant, 2 Athenaeum-place, stated that on Friday evening deceased was talking to him apparently well, when suddenly she fell off her chair and, he thought, died immediately. Dr C. S. Cooke said he had made a post-mortem examination and found that both lungs were congested. Death was due to syncope and the Jury returned a verdict "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on ELSIE WINNIFRED BROOKS, aged one year, the daughter of HENRY BROOKS, cab-driver, 8 martin-lane. The mother said the child had been healthy since birth. On Friday she was going to put it to bed, when it turned colour. She took it to Dr Pearse, who told her it would die before she reached home again. The child died on the way. Dr Pearse had made a post-mortem examination and said death was due to bronchitis and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

IDE - Devon Traction Engine Fatality. Driver Committed For Trial. - At Ide, near Exeter, was yesterday resumed the Inquest on JAMES CHUDLEY, 70, a sawyer and thatcher, who was killed by a traction engine in Ide village on Wednesday last. At the opening of the Inquiry the son of deceased, who was in the donkey-cart with his father when the engine came along, stated that the driver was going at six miles an hour, while a second witness aid the speed was seven to eight miles. it was alleged that the whistle of the engine blew twice, whereupon the donkey turned and fled, and that the engine kept so close to the animal that when deceased was thrown out he was almost under the wheel. It was also stated by the son of deceased that the driver at once backed, so that his father was twice run over. On this evidence Mr A. Burrow, Deputy Coroner, adjourned the Inquiry in the interests of the driver. - At the adjourned Inquest yesterday the widow of deceased was represented by Mr C. Baker, the owners of the engine by Mr B. Ford and the driver, Thomas Keen, by Mr F. H. H. Orchard. - WILLIAM CHUDLEY, recalled and questioned by Mr Orchard, said he was walking behind the cart before the engine came up and asked his father to pull in to a gate on account of the engine going too fast. Was certain that the driver could see them in the position they were. The donkey did not back when the driver whistled, but turned round. When the whistle went the engine was only eleven yards away. Called out the moment the donkey turned round. Assuming the donkey had become quiet, there was plenty of room for the engine to pass. The engine ought to have pulled up when the donkey turned. When the donkey turned completely round the engine was almost up to the cart. Was positive that the driver did not shut off steam when witness shouted, because the engine did not slacken speed. The accident happened within 20 yards after the donkey turned. - By Mr Baker: The road was perfectly level and for the 20 yards the engine was right upon the cart. - Arthur Warren, yardman, was also re-examined. On the previous occasion he stated that the driver was slightly intoxicated. - By Mr Orchard: Witness spoke to the driver, who was excited. - William Ley, engine-driver, Kenford, with eight years experience, stated that the engine was a high pressure one and could not in his opinion be driven at eight miles an hour. Expected the could get six miles an hour out of it. The engine had 1 ½ inch longer stroke than the ones he had been accustomed to. This would, he supposed, give a greater speed. If it was travelling at four miles, he judged that the engine, drawing (as it was) a thatcher and binder, could be pulled up in double the length of itself, which would be 33 feet. If deceased fell out immediately in front of the engine, the driver could not see him. - By the Jury: If it was the case, he should shut off steam, reverse and apply the brake. There was a very heavy fly-wheel on the engine, which would render it very difficult to bring[?]. Had never experimented as to the distance in which he could pull up. It was very dangerous to reverse. - By Superintendent Jesse: It was illegal, for any reason whatever, to blow a whistle on the highway, or to drive at more than four miles an hour. Had never had occasion to pull up instantly and could not say in what distance an engine could be pulled up. - William Smale, gardener, Ide, said he saw the engine standing outside the Bridge Inn, about one o'clock. The driver, who was inside the house, was under the influence of drink. Should think he was not capable of taking charge of the engine. Witness went home, had his dinner and came back to inquire where the driver was going threshing, and saw the engine going in the direction of Alphington, at, he should say, five to six miles an hour. Went to the New Inn, and heard of the accident. Was not surprised to hear of it. - By Mr Orchard: Had a glass of beer with the driver, who had a glass of whisky. - Samuel Green, gardener, deposed that the engine stopped at the Bridge Inn, for three-quarters of an hour. It started away at four to five miles an hour, and increased, he should say, to five or six at the Alphington-road. Heard the engine whistle once. As the engine turned the corner to get on the Alphington-road, it gave two or three loud puffs, as if putting on more speed. There was a rise at the point where the puffing took place, and extra steam would probably be necessary. - By Mr Jesse: Had seen many engines, and this one was going much faster than witness had been accustomed to see them. - P.C. Rowland stated that he arrived at the scene of the accident about 2.30. WILLIAM CHUDLEY told him how the accident happened, and pointed out the gate in which the donkey had been placed. Witness said to the driver "Well, Tom, how did this happen? How is it your engine is on here if the donkey turned around at that gate? Didn't you try and stop it?" Keen replied, "Yes, When I saw the donkey there I blew my whistle and when he turned round I reversed the steam and did all I could to stop it until I came here." It was 58 feet from the gate to where the man was killed. Morey, one of the enginemen, told witness he jumped off when the donkey turned, and tried to render assistance, but the wheel was over the man before he could do anything. Keen, the driver of the engine, shewed that he had been drinking, but walked perfectly straight, and, in the opinion of witness, was perfectly capable of taking charge of the engine. The two other men on the engine were perfectly sober. - Mr Mark Farrant, jun., deposed to the injuries, which were of a distressing character. - Thomas Kenn, driver of the engine, was called by the Coroner, but declined to give evidence, on the advice of his solicitor. William Mocksey, the second engine-man, also preferred not to give evidence. - John Phillips, who steered the engine, was then examined. He did not know how long they stopped at the Bridge Inn - perhaps about three-parts of an hour. Keen had one whisky, so far as he knew, and did not betray any signs of drink. Went about four miles an hour to the Alphington-road, where the speed was not increased, to his knowledge. Saw the donkey 20 yards before they got to the gate. Did not tell the driver, as the donkey was quiet. The driver blew the whistle before the donkey bolted. It was a signal to Mr White, of Ball Farm, to ask if he wanted the thresher. The driver did not say anything about the signal before. Had not seen the donkey when the whistle was blown. The donkey got away as fast as he could, and the driver saw the donkey when he bolted, the engine being 15 to 20 yards off. Told the driver to halt when the cart turned over, but the engine immediately was over deceased. Could not say whether the driver tried to slacken, as witness was looking to the steering. Did not know that whistling on the road was illegal, or that the speed should not exceed four miles an hour. Was no scholar, and had not driven on the road. No one on the engine had a conversation with P.C. Rowland. When the cart overturned CHUDLEY was right under the wheel. - A Juror: Then you pulled up in less than the length of the engine. - By Mr Orchard: The donkey backed about 20 yards before the turned round. - By Mr Baker: The engine had come from a mile beyond Tedburn and had stopped at the Travellers' Rest. Was at Sampfords' Farm, five miles from the Bridge Inn, at nine. Could not say what they were doing for the four hours until they got to the Bridge Inn. They kept pegging away. - By Mr Jesse: Keen had a whisky at the Travellers' Rest. Wold not say that they were there an hour and a half. - Sydney F. White, farmer, Ide, deposed that Keen had been in the habit of blowing the whistle on passing his farm. Heard it blow once on Wednesday. Phillips would know what the signal was for, as he was on the engine when the signal was given on former occasions. Thought the whistle came from the steam roller, as he did not expect the thresher on that day. - By Mr Baker: had never heard a steam roller whistle. - The Coroner explained the law with regard to culpable negligence and said if the whistle, which was illegal, had the effect of starting the donkey, and that the engine kept close behind it, it seemed to him culpable negligence on the part of the driver. - After a short deliberation the Jury found that Keen was guilty of Culpable Negligence. - Coroner: Then that is equivalent to guilty of Manslaughter. - Keen was then committed for trial, bail being allowed - himself in £100 and two sureties of £50.

Western Morning News, Friday 1 March 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - The Death Of A Sailor Boy In The Hamoaze. - The County Coroner (Mr R. R. Rodd) held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday on F. H. MORGAN, aged 16, a native of Haverford West, near Milford, and second-class boy on H.M. training-ship Lion. - Thomas Rowe Trevithick, boatswain of the Lion, said on Wednesday morning he took 24 boys from the Lion to the Swinger for an examination in swimming. The Swinger has a large bath on board, 4 feet 6 inches deep and the water was heated to a temperature of 90 degrees. When his name was called deceased dived into the bath, came up, and took two strokes. Then his head fell forward and he turned over on his left side. Three other boys were in the water at the time, and these at once by order landed MORGAN. Artificial respiration was used for a short period, and deceased was then rowed back to the ship. - Dr F. J. McKenna, Surgeon of the Lion, said when brought on board deceased was apparently dead. Artificial respiration was tried for about an hour without result. MORGAN had been on the sick list, but was discharged on 15th ult. - Dr A. H. H. Vizard, Surgeon, Royal Naval Hospital, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope. There were no injuries to the head or brain, neither were there any signs of drowning. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on CAROLINE ROBERTS, 79, of 24 Batter-street. - MARY JANE ROBERTS, said the deceased, her mother, was the widow of a fisherman. On February 17th deceased fell down in her room. Mr Cuming, Surgeon, said when called he found deceased in great pain with her thigh broken. He attended her up to the time of her death on the 25th ult. Dr Wagner assisted in putting on the splint. From the first he saw the shock would kill deceased. Death was due to heart failure, accelerated by the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 4 March 1901 EXETER HEAVITREE - Strange Suicide Near Exeter. - ELLEN BAKER, 66, widow, Hope-place, South Wonford, near Exeter, was on Saturday found dead on the floor of her kitchen by a friend from Ide. P.C. Johns, who was called, discovered that a piece of string had been twisted about six times round the neck. At an Inquest later in the day the medical evidence shewed bruises on the wrists, on account of the cord having been fastened to them. Death was evidently due to strangulation. Deceased had been very quiet for some time, but had not complained to her son, who lived with her, and there was no apparent cause for depression. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held at Devonport on Saturday on SYDNEY JOHN MORRIS, the two-year-old child of a private in the R.N.R. Regiment, living at 70 James-street, death was shewn to be due to catarrhal pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 March 1901 PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest yesterday on WILLIAM HIGGINS, aged 67, naval pensioner, who resided at 12 Green-street, Plymouth. Mr G. H. Julian, market constable, said last Thursday about 6.30 p.m. deceased was ill in the market and after being attended at his (Mr Julian's) house, he was conveyed to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital. Mr C. L. Chalke, Assistant House Surgeon, said deceased when admitted was unconscious and remained so until he died on Sunday. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to haemorrhage on the brain. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Hamoaze Drowning Case. A Mysterious Soldier. - Mr J. H. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on LUCY MALLETT - WILLIAM MALLETT, farm labourer, Coombe Park, Wilcove, said deceased, his daughter, was 18 on Thursday last. She was in the service of Miss Stacey, 13 Prospect-street, Plymouth. He last saw her alive on Sunday fortnight, when she was at home. She seemed very cheerful, but was looking rather paler than usual. She had been four months with Miss Stacey, and before then was about twelve months with Mr Robins, of Horson Farm. Neither witness nor his wife had any suspicion that deceased was expecting to become a mother. She had nothing to fear if they had known of her condition, as he would have welcomed her home. They never heard she kept company with a young man. In a letter received from her a few days before Friday last there was nothing unusual. - James Jasper, bootmaker, Torpoint, said on Friday evening, just after 7.45, while waiting for the Torpoint Ferry, he found a hat on the beach and afterwards saw the body being washed up. He called to a soldier waiting on the bathing platform several times. At first he took no notice, but afterwards ran to the water's edge and said it was a woman. The soldier went away quickly, witness thinking he was going to get a policeman, but he did not again see the man. With the assistance of some persons on the floating-bridge, the body was moved to the waiting-room, where artificial respiration was tried. Dr Row eventually arrived and pronounced life extinct. He did not see the soldier arrive. When he (witness) first got on the beach, the body, which he thought was some timber, or perhaps a dead dog, was floating about ten feet out and he had to step in the water a quarter of an hour afterwards to pull it ashore. Witness could not see it was a woman, but the soldier saw it at once. He did not think about telling the policeman about the soldier at the time. A Mr Reynolds, of Torpoint, told him when coming to the Inquest, that he saw deceased at 6.45 on Friday evening. - Dr R. H. Wagner stated that on Friday afternoon last deceased came to him at Plymouth and said she had been sent by her mistress. He told her she was advanced in pregnancy, and advised her to tell her mistress and relatives. She got very morose, but made no remark. Her condition was not very apparent and it was possible it might have escaped her parents' notice. - P.C. Irish said after he removed the body in the waiting-room he commenced artificial respiration, being assisted by P.C. Sandy. Dr Row continued this on his arrival, but it was of no avail. A purse, with 1s. 6d. was all he found on the body. - Dr F. E. Row said when he first saw deceased he thought she was dead, but told the constable to continue his treatment. He prepared a heart stimulant for the girl, and then assisted the constable with artificial respiration for a further half-hour. He then pronounced life extinct. Death was due to drowning, accelerated by shock. There were no signs of a struggle. - Mrs Henrietta Hoare, 13 Prospect-street, Plymouth, said she had known deceased since January. She was not feeling well on Friday last and suggested to Miss Stacey, her mistress, that she should see a doctor. She went out about three o'clock and did not return. Deceased was a very bright girl and no despondency had been noticed. Miss Stacey thought the girl had gone home when she did not arrive, as it had been suggested that she should. - In summing up, the Coroner suggested that deceased intended to go home and reveal her condition, and on reaching the beach was in such a state of mind that she decided to take her lie, but he thought the verdict should be "Found Drowned." - Jas. Jasper, recalled, said the soldier had on a long coat, and he could not see to what regiment he belonged and he did not think he could identify him. - The Coroner thought it advisable that the soldier should be found, and that Mr Reynolds, of Torpoint, and a man named White should be present, and the Inquest was adjourned for a week.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 6 March 1901 EXETER - Sudden Death Of An Exeter Railway Inspector. An Awkward Misunderstanding. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Exeter on Inspector EDWARD ISAACS, aged 55, who died at St. David's goods yard on the previous day. Inspector Shattock represented the G.W.R. - William Sansom, locomotive inspector, stated that deceased complained to him at noon that he had a very bad cold. - Inspector Shattock said he was afraid this was the last time MR ISAACS could be proved to have been seen alive. - Alfred Herd, acting yard inspector, deposed that he used the same office as deceased. On going there at ten minutes to six deceased was on the ground perfectly cold. His pen was behind his ear and a smear over an entry of a train would seem to shew that he fell sideways from his seat while he was writing. He accounted for deceased not being seen since noon by the fact that if the door was closed no one but himself or witness could open it. If any subordinates knocked they would conclude that MR ISAACS was away. - Mr John Moone, Surgeon, stated that he saw deceased at ten minutes past six. Death had taken place about three hours. Had attended deceased for 20 years. He was a very healthy man. His face and neck were now discoloured, but he could not say from what cause. - The Coroner explained that he had ordered a post-mortem, through Inspector Shattock, who had conveyed the message to Dr Moone's coachman, whom he saw in the street. - Dr Moone said he had everything ready for the post-mortem, and was surprised at not getting the order. His coachman told him about the Inquest but did not say a word about the post-mortem. The Jury thought a post-mortem desirable, and the Inquest was adjourned until Thursday.

Western Morning News, Friday 8 March 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - A Scotch Soldiers Suicide. Writing On The Wall. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest at the Military Station Hospital, yesterday, on SAMUEL TAYLOR, 25, driver, 39th Company Army Service Corps. - Lieutenant and Riding Master John Ridler, A.S.C., said deceased was stationed at New Granby Barracks, was a native of Hamilton, North Britain. He was a single man, and had been 23 months in the service, during which time he had borne a fair character. He was released from civil custody on March 1st, after having undergone two months' hard labour. He was seen by the commanding officer on Saturday morning and spoken to in a kindly manner. On Monday he was brought before the commanding officer for refusing to obey orders, was cautioned and given good advice, as things seemed going against the man. The next morning he appeared again on a similar charge, and elected to be dealt with by court-martial, saying he did not deserve a chance at all. He had first refused to assist in cleaning out his barrack-room, and the next day absolutely refused to draw bread for his mess. Deceased was sent to the guardroom on Tuesday, and application was made for a trial by court-martial. Deceased was searched before being placed in the cell, and later on was again searched. Imprisonment had made the man very despondent. Inquiries had failed to shew that deceased complained to his comrades. It was not known how deceased became possessed of the razor. A driver cleaning out the cell called his attention to writing on the wall, scratched by a piece of wood, probably chipped off some of the woodwork in the cell. The message was "Good-bye dear father and sisters and brothers and try to forgive me for the wicked sin that I have done. By the time you see this I will be before my Maker to answer all my sins." - By the Jury: Deceased was in the cell from eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning until he was found dead. - Lance-Corporal W. Clayton, 39th Company A.S.C., said he searched deceased's pockets and thought that sufficient. During the night he visited deceased four times. The last time he saw the prisoner alive was at two o'clock. He missed one call as he was engaged posting sentries and calling the trumpeters to sound reveille. Looking into the cell shortly after six o'clock, he found deceased lying upon the floor, apparently dead. - By the Jury: The cell was lit by a gas jet outside. Witness unbuttoned deceased's tunic when searching him, and also searched the waistband. - Robert de Beauvois, civil surgeon at the Station Hospital, said deceased had a large gaping wound in the throat from right to left and had been dead quite three hours when he saw the body at eight o'clock. - Police-Sergeant Lethbridge produced the razor, which had the appearance of a service one, but was not marked. A shaving-brush was found in the pocket of deceased's great coat. He believed the writing on the wall was done with the razor. - The lance-corporal, recalled, said the great coat was taken into the cell with the bedding at 6.30 on Tuesday evening. He did not search it and did not understand it was his duty to make any search beyond the clothes prisoner was wearing. - The Coroner commented on the fact that the corporal did not make a thorough search. The corporal was evidently under a misapprehension as to his duty. No doubt the razor was in the pockets of the great coat. He was very pleased to hear that the deceased had been given light work to do on returning from prison, and had been spoken to kindly by his commanding officer and was let off his first act of disobedience. It showed very clearly the kind way in which the men were treated at Granby Barracks and it was quite pleasant to find it so. - A Juror asked if any steps had been taken on their recommendation to provide a doctor at Raglan Barracks. - The Coroner believed steps had been taken to comply with their wishes. An application had been made for quarters at the barracks, and instructions had been issued to the units to send for the nearest doctor in case of emergency, instead of to the Station Hospital. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Death From Mussel Poisoning At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, the Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM JAMES BOYD, carpenter, aged 35, who resided at 42 Claremont-street. - The widow said on Tuesday her husband bought mussels at Mr Richards', Cecil-street and ate about fifty. The mussels apparently had taken no effect upon her husband and he appeared all right, going to bed about eleven o'clock. About 12.45 a.m., he awoke, complained of feeling ill, and got out of bed. He lit a candle and went into another room. As he entered the room she heard him fall and groan and call her name. She went to him, but he did not speak again and appeared to lose consciousness. Dr Brenton said that on Wednesday morning at 1.15 he was called to see deceased and found he was dead. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to a convulsion, the result of mussel poisoning. The mussels left were apparently healthy, some of them being alive. There was nothing in them which showed that they had been in contact with copper which would have accounted for the poisoning. The mussels might, however, have been feeding in water which contained sewage. A verdict of "Death from Convulsion due to Mussel Poisoning" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 March 1901 PLYMOUTH - A Mannamead Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM CHASTEL DE BOINVILLE, architect, aged 45, residing at 1 Wingfield-terrace, Thorn Park-road, Mannamead. The widow stated that on February 23rd about 6.50 p.m., she and her husband were getting out of a tramcar at the corner of Thorn Park-road, after coming from Plymouth. She got out of the car first and turning round saw her husband knocked down by a horse in a milk cart. One of the wheels passed over his body. He was helped up and walked home but complained of feeling ill. She attributed no blame to the driver of the cart, and her husband had also said the driver was not to blame. - Emmanuel Watkins, dairyman, Roborough, said he was driving behind a Corporation tram. The light was fading, and he did not notice the tram had stopped at Thorn Park-road. When, however, about six or eight feet away from the tram he noticed a man get out, but he was unable to pull up in time to prevent an accident. At the time he was driving about six miles an hour and passed the tram on his proper side. - Several of the Jurymen thought the tram conductor should have been present to give evidence. - The Coroner remarked that the Inquest could be adjourned for his attendance. - Dr G. H. Eccles said on the night of the accident, he found deceased in a state of collapse. One rib, probably a second, was broken. There was a great deal of pain in the upper part of the abdomen and bruises on various parts of the body. Deceased said he himself was to blame for not looking up and down the road before getting off the car, and he could not charge the driver of the milk-cart with wilful carelessness. Death was due to cardiac failure of the heart, accelerated by the accident. - A verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence was returned. Some of the members of the Jury proposed adding a rider admonishing the milk-cart driver, but it was opposed by others on the ground that MR and MRS DE BOINVILLE said the accident was not the fault of the driver. After much discussion the suggestion was abandoned.

Western Morning News, Monday 11 March 1901 PLYMOUTH - LILY EMMA PIPER, aged one year and seven months, daughter of DANIEL PIPER, 8 Pier-street, Plymouth, was taken unwell on Thursday afternoon and died before a doctor arrived. At the Inquest on Saturday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Dr Cooke said death was due to convulsions resulting from teething.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 March 1901 CREDITON - Killed Near Crediton. - At the Inquest held at Crediton yesterday on JOHN ASHPLANT, aged 54 years, a farm labourer, JOHN ASHPLANT, his son, said his father, who lived apart from his mother, had been lodging in Crediton. He last saw him alive on Saturday night. He passed him in the road, but did not speak. It was between the lights and he did not think he saw him. He spoke to him a fortnight ago, and never heard him threaten to destroy himself. His father had been to prison three times for refusing to maintain his two children in the Workhouse, the last time just before Christmas. George Yendole, railway porter, proved finding the body on the railway between the station and Hookway crossing on Sunday morning, lying on its face and hands outside the rails on the down line. There was a public level crossing about 68 yards away. The widow said she had not been living with deceased for two years, and he had not given her any money since. When she lived with him he was of a very jealous disposition and at times very melancholy and despondent, and she was afraid almost to stay in the house. The heard he had been working at Exwick. Police-Sergeant Staddon said he could only find out that deceased had had two glasses of ale. Mr J. Banks, Stationmaster, said the body was found close to the six foot way, with the head just off the rails, as if it had been knocked off. Every effort had been made to ascertain what train did it, but no trace could be found. - Dr Powne said there was a large wound at the back of the head, caused, he should think, by some sharp instrument, such a thing as may be in front of an engine. The clothes were saturated with water, as if deceased had been immersed in water. It was close to the river where he was found. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - LAVINIA HODGE, the infant daughter of MR HODGE of Ford Park-buildings, Plymouth, was taken ill on Saturday and died before a doctor arrived. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned after Dr J. Gardner had given evidence.

PLYMOUTH - Drowned In A Tank At Plymouth. - At the Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday on ROBT. COLE, labourer, aged 68, who resided at 30 Wesley-avenue, Mr H. Stroud said on Saturday afternoon he was crossing the pathfield from Compton to Efford Farm, when he saw deceased standing on a stile. Near the stile was a cattle tank, seven feet long, three feet wide and two feet deep. Deceased appeared to be watching the water. - Mr R. C. Davy said he saw the body of a man lying face downwards in the tank shortly after four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. With assistance the body was lifted out, and artificial respiration was tried, but to no effect. - HENRY COLE, son of deceased, said his father had been slightly depressed for some little time. - The medical evidence proved that death was due to drowning and a verdict of "Found Drowned " was returned. - The Jury thought the tank was too near the stile and recommended its removal to another part of the field.

PLYMOUTH - The Laira Railway Fatality. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on EDWARD HONEYWILL, aged 54, who resided at 66 Cambridge-lane, Plymouth, who was run over by a train on the Great Western Railway line between Laira and Lipson Junction signal-boxes. - FREDERICK T. HONEYWILL, son of the deceased, said his father was employed on the Great Western Railway as a labourer. Witness had never heard his father threaten to take his lie, neither had he ever seemed depressed. - James Hayward, ganger, said at 6.35 deceased left his work at Laira for home. Witness was afterwards informed that someone had been run over and on going to the main up-line he found deceased had been cut to pieces by the 6.20 train from Millbay. Asked by a Juryman whether employees were allowed to walk along the line, the ganger said they were not, and notices were posted up forbidding them to use the line. Witness knew, however, that the deceased had walked along the line. Dr W. D. Stamp, of Plympton, said he was called to the Great Western Railway line on Friday evening and found the remains of a man terribly mutilated. The spine was twisted and every bone in the body, except the right thigh bone, was broken. Deceased was apparently struck in the head and dragged some distance. Death was instantaneous. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Hamoaze Drowning Case. A Mystery Cleared Up. - At the adjourned Inquest yesterday on LUCY MALLETT, a domestic servant, found drowned at Ferry Beach, Morice Town, Private Thomas Holt, R.M.L.I., stationed at Fort Tregantle, said on the evening of March 1st, while waiting for the ferry on the bathing platform at the Ferry Beach, James Jasper called to him, saying something in the water looked like a body. Witness asked why he did not pull it out, and then jumped down on the beach, and both pulled deceased out. He then went to the top of the beach and asked a man to go for a Policeman. They afterwards turned the body over on the beach and someone asked if it was a married woman. Witness lifted up both her arms, and saw there were no rings on her fingers. Witness said he had only recently returned from three months' leave, after coming back from South Africa, where he served with H.M.S. Powerful brigade. - Thomas Edwin Reynolds, provision merchant, Torpoint, said he saw deceased going over to Torpoint at 5.10 on March 1st. - John William Hart, captain of the floating bridge, said he helped to take the body out of the water. Deceased was about eight feet out. - Mary Jane Pearse, living at Antony, said deceased at one time was employed on a farm near Torpoint with her. She was rather friendly with one of the workmen on the farm, and something witness said to her about it she did not like. In May last, two months before the young man came to the farm, deceased had said to witness, when they were speaking of a young woman who had given birth to a child, that if such a thing ever happened to her she would drown herself. - Richard White, labourer, Torpoint, said shortly after eight o'clock, when the ferry came in, he saw Jasper on the beach and two women near him. Witness went to fetch a Policeman, the deceased still being in the water. He took it for granted the girl was dead. - The Coroner: You should have pulled the body out. Between so many of you, you got muddled. - Witness said Jasper told him he had been watching the body for half an hour. When he first saw the body it was about ten feet out. - The Chief Constable asked witness if he was sure Jasper said he had been watching deceased for half an hour. - Witness did not understand whether Jasper meant he was watching the body, because he said he thought at first it was a dead dog. - Mr Matters: Did it not strike you that the body ought to have been taken out of the water? - No; I went for the Police. - Mr Pearce: What good could a Policeman have done more than yourself? I don't know. - A Juror: Perhaps he was afraid of wetting his feet. - The Coroner: He must have been afraid of something. - William John Pearse, son of a former witness, said he saw deceased on the beach at 5.15. He was going over to Torpoint in a trap and did not speak to her. As the bridge moved away he saw the girl go round by the bathing platform. Between 3.30 and four o'clock the same afternoon he met deceased in Bedford-street, Plymouth. She told him she was getting on all right, and was out for the afternoon. he saw her go into Union-street, and then lost sight of her. - James Jasper, recalled, said though he was on the beach for nearly half an hour, he thought what he saw in the water was a piece of timber, then a dead dog, and it was not until the bridge was a good way over that he was sure it was a human body. - The Coroner said he was glad the Inquest had been adjourned, as it had enabled them to clear everything up. He recommended the Jury to return an open verdict. It was a matter for regret that neither Jasper nor White did anything to get deceased out of the water. There was evidently an erroneous impression abroad that the first thing to be done in such a case was to call the Police. Assuming there was no station at Morice Town, a man would have to go as far as the Guildhall for a stretcher and then back to the ferry beach. The first thing to do was to have tried to save the life of a person they found in the water, and send for the Police the same time or afterwards. But they all knew that sometimes men with good nerve got frightened at the sight of a dead body. He wished to thank the Police for their assistance in procuring the witness. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned, the Jury expressing sympathy with deceased's parents.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 March 1901 PLYMPTON ST MARY - The Death At Plympton Workhouse. The Inquest. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquiry at Plympton Workhouse yesterday concerning the death of EDWARD DAMERELL, aged 82. - EDMUND FREDERICK DAMERELL, of Colbrook Farm, said deceased, his uncle, was formerly a farmer, and afterwards worked for his relatives. When seen by witness a week ago, he made no statement with regard to his fall. His only wish was to depart this life. - Dr C. H. G. Prance said by the fall deceased had on January 10th he sustained a fractured thigh. On Sunday he died from shock, the result of the injury. Deceased told witness he had been knocked down with a broom by Hill, the wardsman. Deceased was very tottering, and would easily fall if he came into contact with a broom. Witness should not have been surprised if deceased had been found dead, apart altogether from the injury, which, however, undoubtedly accelerated his death. - John Hill, an old inmate, who did not know his age, said on January 10th he was in charge of the downstair northern ward, and was sweeping out the passage, deceased being the only other person present. DAMERELL wished to enter before witness had cleaned the passage and a dispute arose. Deceased attempted to strike witness with his fist, and he (Hill) held up his broom to keep him away. He did not strike deceased with the broom, but DAMERELL came in contact with it and fell. Witness could not get him from the ground and sent for assistance. Deceased was quarrelsome. - George Dawe, Master of the Workhouse, said deceased had been an inmate since May 1890. Deceased first said he fell, but afterwards stated that he had been pushed down by Hill. The latter, however, told the same story as now. Deceased was very quarrelsome and the late Master had to shift him from one ward to another on account of this. - The Coroner: Is it the practice here to have inmates in charge of wards? - Witness: yes. There are only six officers all told. - Have you no male nurse at all? - No, sir: only one female nurse. The average number of inmates was about 100. - In reply to a Juryman, Mr Dawe said the duties of the inmate in charge was simply to clean the ward and not to attend to the sick in any way except to carry the food. The nurse visited the wards two or three times a day to attend to the sick. Hill wished deceased to either stay in or keep out until he had finished his cleaning, but deceased wanted to come and go when he liked. From the position in which witness found deceased, Hill's story was probably true. DAMERELL was not within his rights in going back to the ward again, and Hill had a perfect right to tell him to either stay in the ward or keep out. - The Coroner said there appeared to be no evidence that Hill struck deceased. What he did was simply to put up his broom against deceased to ward off the blow, and the Jury would probably come to the conclusion that the injury sustained was due to his own fault, and that it was accidental. The question of whether Hill was a fit and proper person to be in charge of a ward of that description was a matter for the consideration of the Jury. If they wished to make any representation on that point, he would be pleased to forward it to the Board of Guardians. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - The Coroner said he thought the Jury would find that after the case had been reported the Local Government Board Inspector would come down and make the Board appoint a male nurse. A similar case happened at Stonehouse, where two inmates had a quarrel and one died, and after the matter had been published, Mr Preston Thomas reported it to the Local Government Board and the Guardians were compelled to employ a male night nurse at £20 a year, who was in charge of the old men.

Western Morning News, Thursday 14 March 1901 SAMPFORD SPINEY - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Sampford Spiney on MARTHA LANGFORD FOOT, aged 65. JOHN FOOT, agricultural labourer, her husband, said just as he returned home on Monday evening he heard his wife fall in the kitchen. She died immediately. MARGARET FOOT, the daughter, said she had only just left her mother before her father came. Deceased was then seated before the fire. She had complained of pains in her chest and back. Dr Revell, of Horrabridge, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to syncope, caused by fatty degeneration of the heart and kidney disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 15 March 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held yesterday on FLORENCE MATILDA LANGDON, widow, aged 44, residing at 5 King-street, Plymouth. Mr G. Gill, who lives in the same house, on Tuesday afternoon heard deceased groaning and going into her room found her lying across the bed, looking very ill. He spoke to her, but she made no reply, and died shortly afterwards. Dr Burke who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 March 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - On Monday morning the ten months old son of JAMES CHARLES THOMAS, jobbing gardener, 130 Albert-road, Devonport, was taken ill and died before medical aid could be obtained. The child had been sickly from birth, and at the Inquest yesterday it was found that death was due to convulsions caused by teething and rickets.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Devonport Dockyard Fatality. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on BENJAMIN NILES, labourer, chief constructor's department, Devonport Dockyard. - Mr S. Shuter, H.M. Inspector of Factories, was present, and Mr J. W. Puckey and Mr T. Rider represented the shipwrights and chief constructor's departments respectively. - Thomas H. Hawking, labourer in the Dockyard sawmills, said on Saturday morning he was working with the deceased, keeping the chute clear of sawdust. Just before he went away to some other work one of the frames stopped working, and on returning it commenced revolving again. He heard the deceased cry out and went to his assistance. The machinery was at once stopped and he got NILES out. There was a lock-pin provided and had the deceased used it - as he should have done before going into the chute - it would have been impossible to put the machinery in motion until the pin had been withdrawn. He was also provided with a rake with which he was supposed to clear the chute of sawdust. Had all the means provided been used the deceased could not have met his death. - Richard H. Metters, sawyer, Devonport Dockyard, said on Saturday he finished sawing a piece of wood, and in ten minutes set the machinery in motion again. Directly after he heard cries and stopped at once. If the deceased had used the lock-pin and rake he would not have met his death. - J. W. Puckey said there was no printed regulation with regard to the lock-pin. - Dr H. W. G. Green, R.N., said the deceased, who died early on Sunday morning, was badly bruised in several parts of the body. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 March 1901 LYDFORD - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Duchy Hotel, Princetown, yesterday on WILLIAM KNOT, aged 67, who died last Sunday. Mr William Phillips, son-in-law of deceased, said KNOTT was married and had six children. On Saturday night he requested to be allowed to sit in the chair downstairs, as it troubled him much to mount the stairs, and would bring on one of his "coughing fits." He (witness) head a noise on Sunday morning and going downstairs, found deceased on the floor dead. Dr Forward, Assistant Surgeon of Dartmoor Prison, who was called, said from a superficial examination, he attributed death to cardiac affection. Dr Brodrick, Tavistock, stated that he had attended deceased for several years as a pauper patient and as recently as three months ago he treated him for asthma and bronchitis. The Jury (Mr James Scoble, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 March 1901 PLYMOUTH - At Plymouth yesterday Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on SYDNEY A. ATTWOOD, aged 16, found drowned under the Hoe on Friday. - JOSEPH S. ATTWOOD, bookseller, Tavistock-road, said that he last saw his son alive when he went out after dinner on February 25th. He had been unwell for some time, and complained of his nerves. He had never said or done anything that would indicate that he would ever take his life. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on JOHN NEWTON, labourer, aged 50, found dead in a greenhouse at Lipson, belonging to George Sercombe, market gardener, 25 Princess-street, Plymouth. Mr Sercombe stated that he had known the deceased for upwards of 30 years, who had on one or two occasions done some work for him. On Friday night, NEWTON asked to be allowed to sleep in the greenhouse, and he reluctantly consented. Early the following morning he found NEWTON in the greenhouse dead. He advised NEWTON to go to the Workhouse, but he said it was too late. - Dr C. E. Bean, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to failure of the heart's action and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was returned.

LYDFORD - Wintry Weather. Dartmoor Fatality. - Mr J. D. Prickman held an Inquest at the Duchy Hotel, Princetown, yesterday, on JAMES HAMPSON. Arthur Roberts said he and HAMPSON were natives of Cadishead, near Manchester, and had known each other from boyhood. Deceased, he and five others on Wednesday left Plymouth about half-past twelve to walk to Princetown, en route for Exeter, picking up two others on the road. The weather was fair at starting, but at Dousland they sought shelter in a shed, and stayed there until ordered out. After walking about 2 ½ miles five of them forged ahead, leaving deceased and three others - John Smith, Frederick Leonard and John Bedford - behind. I never, continued the witness, saw deceased alive again. We had had no food all day and were without means, except a single shilling, which I possessed. After great struggles against the snowstorm the five of us reached Princetown, and were kindly treated by the landlord of the Imperial Hotel. Next morning the Police Constable advised us to go back to Plymouth as the moor was not fit to travel over. We struck across the railway line and on Roborough Down picked up some of our companions, who stated that they had missed HAMPSON, who might have gone on ahead of them. - In answer to questions, Roberts stated that HAMPSON was engaged at Keyham Extension Works up to Monday last. Was paid on Saturday and sent a sovereign of his wages to Chadwell Heath to pay his former landlady for some clothes he had ordered. HAMPSON left his work because his mate was discharged. He was a good workman, and on the whole a steady man, and was about 27 years of age. On their tramp they were all good friends. No quarrels of any sort occurred - in fact, one man played a tin whistle just after they started and kept on for some time. - John Smith, of Birmingham, labourer, stated that he had known deceased for about six years. First knew him in Northumberland, and saw him recently at Keyham. Smith corroborated Roberts, and added - I was one of the four let behind. We were in the second group. We came on as best we could until we reached Devil's Bridge Hill, where we stayed standing all night near a hayrick. We had to stand, as the snowstorm was blinding and terrible. As soon as day broke we started to walk back to Plymouth. None of us knew we were so near to Princetown, as we could see nothing and were nearly done up. I was in front of the four, HAMPSON was last. We made our way towards a light which we reached. Mr Gill took the three of us in and gave us food and [?]. We told him that we had missed one of our mates about 10 minutes ago. It was impossible to look for him then, as the storm was at its height. This was about half past seven on Thursday morning. We did not know where HAMPSON was or where to look for him. We met a postman and another man about 1.30 p.m., on our way back to Dousland, and inquired whether they had seen a stranger. A woman, who kept a public-house near Yelverton told us a strange man had asked the road to Plymouth. So we, thinking that our mate was the stranger, made no further inquiries until we reached Devonport, where we spoke to the Police. We had had nothing to eat until we came to Mr Gill's farm. It was a life-and-death struggle against "the blizzard" on Wednesday night and a time of "every man for himself." Was never in such a storm and hope never to be again. - Fred Leonard, engine driver, deposed that he left the Keyham Extension Works through disagreement with the foreman. He entirely agreed with the evidence of Roberts and Smith. On their way from the hayrick he followed Smith. Bedford was next and deceased lagged behind. If it were not for Mr Gill he believed all of them would have died. "I was never out in such a storm" continued the witness, "and will not be again, if I can help it." - Samuel Gill of Stenlake Farm, told the story of sheltering the men from the storm for about five hours (from 7.40 to 1 p.m.). It would have been madness to try to find anyone during such a blizzard. There was no chance of success. The three men were nearly done up, their coats were frozen hard outside and the men were wet through and could not hold a teacup. On Friday morning, as he was going to Princetown, he found deceased on a bank about two miles from Princetown, quite dead, cold and stiff, lying on face and hands with his head directed towards Plymouth. - Dr W. S. Frew, Medical Officer of Dartmoor Prison, deposed that he examined the body. In all probability death was due to exhaustion and heart failure. Very likely the man had fallen forward and lay in that position, perhaps for half an hour. There was no abnormal pallor to shew that deceased had slowly frozen to death. Having been nearly 30 hours without food, his powers of resistance were considerably weakened. There was nothing to indicate foul play. He was quite satisfied that death ensued from natural causes. - P.C. Crispin deposed that deceased had in his pockets the pieces of three letters, a pocket knife and pencil. No marks were on deceased. - The Jury (Mr Thomas Knapman, Foreman) found a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, and expressed their appreciation of the hospitality afforded these wayfaring workmen by Messrs. S. Gill and Williams (Imperial Hotel). The Coroner thanked those gentlemen on behalf of the Jury and the public and said their kind-hearted action was worthy of all praise. The body will be buried on Tuesday and relatives of deceased will then attend.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 March 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - Skylarking And Its Sequel. Sad Case At Newton Abbot. - An Inquest was held at Newton Abbot yesterday on FREDERICK STEER, 24, of 17 The Avenue, railway carriage painter. Deceased enjoyed good health until a fortnight ago, when he stopped working, complaining of internal pains. Dr C. Martin, called in a week ago, found he was suffering from peritonitis. Deceased informed him that on the previous Wednesday he was skylarking and lay on his back with his knees up round his head, and while he was in that position one of his fellow workmen stood on him. Deceased afterwards felt that he was injured. He blamed no one for the injury, nor did he give the name of the man who stood on him. A post-mortem examination shewed that there were no external marks of violence. Internally there were signs of an abscess of considerable standing and this abscess had been ruptured, doubtless through the contortions the deceased had gone through - producing peritonitis, which in its turn produced death. - The Coroner (Mr Hacker), in summing up, said there could be no doubt as to the cause of death being accidental; at the same time it was a pity the man who stood on him did not come forward just to clear the matter up. Concealment in all these cases was to be deprecated, for where there was concealment there must also be suspicion. Perhaps the man was nervous, but as there was no blame attached to him it was, as he said, a pity, both for his sake and that of the public, he had not come forward. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on FLORENCE OLIVE GERTRUDE WILLIAMS, aged six months. BESSIE WILLIAMS, the mother, living at 37 York-street, whose husband is an armourer's mate serving on H.M. gunboat Hussar, now on the Mediterranean station, said the deceased (her first child) was in good health from its birth. On Saturday night the baby was put to bed at 7.30. It had a separate pillow, but there also slept in the bed a young woman lodger. During the night the child was restless and witness put the teat into her mouth. Just before six o'clock in the morning she awoke and noticed that the baby was very cold. Dr Ryan was sent for and pronounced life extinct. On Saturday afternoon she gave the child a teething powder. The child was very hot and the powder cooled it. The child was insured for £2, for which twopence weekly was paid. Dr Ryan said death was due to convulsions, either in consequence of teething or the slight congestion of the right lung. The child was very well nourished and cared for. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 28 March 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - Sad Fate Of A Labourer. - An Inquest was held last evening at Newton Abbot on GEORGE WARREN. G. L. Bond, farmer, Buckland Barton, Coombeinteignhead, said deceased had been in the employ of himself and his father for nearly 40 years. On Tuesday afternoon he went with two young horses into a field rolling. Seeing one of the horses a bit fresh he (witness) suggested the leader should be taken out and the restive horse worked alone. Deceased called back that it was all right. No one had worked the horse s but deceased since they were broken in, about twelve months ago. In answer to a Juryman, Mr Bond said the same horses bolted about a fortnight ago in consequence of a lady opening suddenly a sunshade or umbrella. Witness, continuing, said he heard one shout, and looking saw the horses and roller going up the hill, no one with them. On going to the field he found WARREN lying on his face and hands. WARREN, who said he was hurt all over, was taken to the Newton Abbot Hospital. A brother of deceased said he saw his brother last Sunday, when he spoke to him of the splendid pair of horses he had to look after, and said he never had any trouble with them. - Albert White said he was sent by his master to help deceased with the horses and was told to remain as long as he was wanted. He stayed about an hour and then WARREN said he could manage without him and sent him away. The shaft horse jumped about a bit at starting, but afterwards went quite quietly. Dr Margrave said at the Hospital WARREN told him that as he was walking between the two horses they suddenly bolted, and the roller went over him. Deceased was absolutely without power from the neck downwards, although quite conscious and able to talk. The case was quite hopeless from the first, as the spine was fractured in the neighbourhood of the neck. He remained conscious until his death, which was due to exhaustion consequent on a broken neck. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death" and considered no one was to blame.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 March 1901 LYDFORD - Death Of A Convict. Nearly 40 Years In Prison. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmoor Prison yesterday on ANTHONY HOPKINS, aged 61, who died on Tuesday. Mr W. H. H. Russell, the Governor, produced records shewing that deceased was a native of Huddersfield, unmarried, mason by trade, and was at Leeds Assizes in 1899 sentenced to seven years' penal servitude for receiving stolen property. His previous convictions were 17th August 1868, shop-breaking at Wakefield, seven years' penal servitude; 23rd July 1874, shop-breaking at Wakefield, 14 years' penal servitude; 13th May 1880, burglary at Leeds, 10 years' penal servitude; and several other convictions. He had served 38 years in prison, where his conduct had been "fairly good." Dr W. S. Frew, Medical Officer, deposed that HOPKINS on his reception at Dartmoor from Stafford on 31st July 1900 was in fairly good health and on account of his age was ordered to ordinary light labour. On 28th September last he complained of pains in the stomach and was admitted to the Infirmary. At the end of December a lump, about the size of a small orange developed in the outer end of his stomach. On 17th January he was reported as seriously ill. Deceased had no friends with whom the prison authorities could communicate. A post-mortem shewed that death was due to "cancer of the bowels," following exhaustion. Assistant Warden Owen stated that he had charge of deceased, who appeared to be grateful for what was done for him. Convict Orderly John Cove said that for some time he had helped to nurse deceased and at his request had stayed up with him the last two nights prior to his death. He knew him at Portland about 15 years ago. Even at that time HOPKINS complained of pains in his (Albert Goodman, of Tavistock, Foreman), returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Morning News, Saturday 30 March 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of ALICE SELINA HARRIS, aged 26, wife of ROBERT HARRIS, stoker R.N., of 43 Garden-street. Deceased was out charing on Thursday and yesterday morning complained of pains in her right shoulder. Her husband, who had to be on board the Hyacinth by 7 a.m. did not think deceased seriously ill, but decided to go on board and ask for a day's leave to look after her. Shortly after he left the house deceased became worse and died in the arms of Mrs Widdicombe, a neighbour, before a doctor could be fetched. - Dr Gard said death was due to syncope, the result of diseased heart and lungs. The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 2 April 1901 TORQUAY - A Peculiar Torquay Case. Aversion To Doctors. - At Torquay yesterday Mr Hacker held an Inquiry on MARIA DUNN, aged 73, who died on Saturday at Happaway-row. - E. W. A. MANLEY, aged 47, a porter, said deceased was his mother. They had lived together in two rooms at Happaway-row, occupying the same bedroom. Deceased's husband was W. DUNN, cutler, of Queen-street, Newton Abbot, but she had been separated from him 25 years. Until lately she had earned 15s. a week for cleaning the Post-office and on leaving that employment, received £4 from the Rowland Hill Fund. she had been more or less ill since January, but he did not call in a doctor, as she had a strong objection to seeing anyone. - The Coroner: Why did you allow her to lie there and die like a dog without seeing anyone? - When it came to the last, I went for Dr Cook. - Yes, after three months and when he came your mother was dead. Why didn't you get a doctor three months ago? - She would not hear of it. - But you are not a child. The Jury will not accept statements of that sort from a responsible man. Did anyone else see her? - One or two neighbours. - Is there not a parish nurse in Torquay who could have been called? - I have heard there are nurses. I did what I could for her. - You are an ignorant fellow and could not do anything. Did you give her anything to make her better? - Certainly I did. As far as I had means, I saw she had enough food. - The Coroner said witness could have got parish relief. Witness was not a fool, and should have acted like a man. - Witness replied that her complaint was so variable. He had to be out looking after work, and the neighbours sometimes looked in. - How is it the place was so filthy and not fit for a human being to live in? - I admit the place was dirty, but the chimney smokes like a furnace. - Where are your mother's clothes? - Down in the house somewhere. - The house has been searched and there are no clothes there. What did she die in? - A flannel petticoat, chemise and a dress. Last Friday night I sat up all night with her, and after midnight went for the doctor. I had not a farthing in the house. When the doctor came she was dead. She died sitting in an easy chair, because she thought she was better sitting up. She had a fair appetite right up to the last. - It is nonsense to say she would not have a doctor. Were you afraid she would smack you if you fetched one? - Hardly; but I did not like to go against her wishes. The Coroner said the son's conduct was disgraceful. The question was whether the law could punish him for not getting assistance for his mother. - Charlotte Furneaux, a neighbour, also spoke of deceased's objection to a doctor. She was most strange in objecting to anyone entering her rooms. - Mr W. G. Tucker, chief clerk at the Post Office, said he obtained the Rowland Hill grant of £4 for deceased, hearing she was in poor circumstances. The son was lazy, and consequently instead of giving the £4 to deceased the money was spent on groceries. The Inspector, who called first with groceries, said he would not go again, as the place was so dirty. - Dr Cook described the house as one of the dirtiest he had ever seen. There was no sign of starvation. In the post-mortem examination he found deceased's skull was the thickest he had ever seen. It was a quarter of an inch thick in the thinnest part. The brain was of a very low type. Death was due to heart disease. - P.S. Collop also said he had never seen such a filthy house and corpse. Deceased's hands were shining with black as though she had been blacking a grate. - The Foreman thought the local sanitary authority should be censured for allowing such dirty places to exist. - The Coroner remarked that they would certainly have expected better conditions in a town like Torquay. The Jury could add a rider if they pleased. - No action was taken. The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes. - W. DUNN, of Newton Abbot, stated that he and his wife separated twenty-six years ago. She had never communicated with him since. He had known where she was. - The Foreman: You never ascertained whether she was destitute? - Witness said he understood she was fairly well off. The circumstances under which they separated were such that he never intended to interfere with her again. - Witness declined to undertake the burial of deceased. - The Coroner referred the son to the relieving officer and said no doubt the parish authorities could call on the husband to repay the cost of the funeral.

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on JOSEPH POWELL, who was born on Saturday morning and breathed for abut thirty minutes. WILLIAM DENNIS POWELL of 4 Watt's-cottages, Seaton-place, Ford, father, said he was on his way for a doctor when the birth occurred. A midwife had been engaged. Kate Grenfell, married, living in the same house, said she heard the baby cry, but did not touch it. Dr C. L. Lander said death was due to suffocation, a caul covering its head and face. After removing the caul he tried artificial respiration, but without avail. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth Workhouse yesterday relative to the death of EDWARD HORNE, aged 77, an inmate of the Workhouse. Mr F. Hellings, Master of the Workhouse, said deceased was a ropemaker, and had been an inmate for two years. On Friday night he seemed quite well, on the following morning he was found dead in bed. Deceased was a native of Plymouth. Dr C. J. Cooke stated that he had attended HORNE for a fractured shoulder, but he had got over that. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to a rupture of an aneurism. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Fatality. - Plymouth Borough Coroner yesterday held an Inquest on HENRY PETER ELCOMBE, carman, aged 45, who resided at 1 Saunders-place, Plymouth. - Daniel Philip Eake, crane-driver, said that on Saturday evening deceased was attending to his horse and cart outside the stables in Bath-street, Plymouth. Witness heard a noise as if the shafts had fallen, and on looking saw the horse plunge and kick. Eake ran and caught hold of the horse's bridle, and it became immediately quiet. Deceased was jammed between the trolley and the stable door and blood was pouring from his mouth and nose. A surgeon sent for, ordered the man's removal to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital. Witness thought that deceased was struck on the head and jammed against the door by the board in the front of the trolley, the horse having been frightened by some of the harness getting round its legs. - Dr C. L. Chalke, Assistant House Surgeon, said that ELCOMBE was dead when brought to the Hospital. His skull was fractured and the brain severely injured. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 April 1901 PLYMOUTH - Shocking Case At Plymouth. A Filthy Home. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest yesterday on JANE WARNE RICHARDS, aged 51, a single woman, who died on Monday at 46 High-street. - Mr Johns said that the case was certainly one of the most dirty ever heard of. The deceased, a spinster, had for many years past been living with a man named Fry. He (the Coroner) was informed by his officer (Mr Codd) that the room in which the couple lived was the worst that he had seen in his life. - Henry Fry, carpenter, said he had lived with RICHARDS for 26 years, during which time he gave her £1 a week. Witness had often complained to her about the state in which their room was kept, but he could not tell how she spent the money. Deceased had been unwell for nearly two months past. He frequently asked her to see a doctor, but she always refused. - The Coroner: It was your place to have sent for a doctor. I cannot understand a man of common decency allowing a woman to keep a room in the state in which this room was. you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. Fry, continuing, said he had been out of work for a fortnight. On Monday morning before leaving his home he gave deceased an egg and milk, but did not know whether she had anything else during the day. He returned between seven and eight in the evening, and the woman said, "I am glad you have come. Help me out of bed." Whilst helping her out she died. - Mrs Mitchell said on Monday at two p.m. deceased appeared as usual. Deceased had been in the same state for months. - A female in that court said the room in which the couple lived was a furnished one and Fry did not own a particle of furniture. - Dr Cooke stated that on being called on Monday night he found the woman dead. She was then lying on the floor with only one under garment on. - Deceased was in a most filthy state, her body and head being covered with vermin. The room was filthy and the bed dirty beyond description. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to disease of the liver of long standing. Deceased was very badly nourished There was no food in the stomach or bowels. It was possible she had had an egg and milk, as stated by the first witness, on Monday morning. - P.C. Stevens said the room was in such a filthy condition that the Coroner's Officer was taken ill after being in the room a few minutes. - A Juryman: Considering the woman has been in bed over a month and seeing the state she is in, the man is deserving of most severe censure. - The Coroner: The man ought to be ashamed of himself and he cannot be capable of looking after himself. He is no credit to himself or anybody else. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PETER TAVY - Drowned In The Tavy. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Petertavy yesterday on WILLIAM SALTER, late landlord of the Petertavy Inn. Mr W. Williams was Foreman of the Jury. - William Blackmore, of Exeter, superannuated sergeant, Devon County Constabulary, said deceased, his brother-in-law, was 52 years of age. - Alfred Cann, labourer, stated that he gave deceased a lift from Tavistock to the cross-roads near Harford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. His impression was that deceased had been drinking. - Charles Doidge, mason's labourer, saw deceased near Harford Bridge at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Asked how he was getting on, he replied "all right." Deceased then walked along a field by the side of the Tavy, a short cut in the direction of his home. Witness thought deceased was sober. - Francis Hendy, quarry labourer, deposed to finding the body in the Tavy at 5 a.m. on Sunday. To reach his home by the short cut from Harford Bridge, deceased would have to cross the Coombe break over some boulders, which were very slippery and dangerous to pass over at any time. No one had any right where deceased was. The break emptied into the Tavy. - Dr Snowden Smith, Tavistock, attributed death to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," expressed their sympathy with the widow and family and gave them their fees. - Rev. Dr. Bryant, rector of Petertavy, testified to the very satisfactory way in which the deceased kept the Petertavy Inn, and expressed his sympathy with the family. The Coroner concurred in the expression of sympathy, adding that as ex-Sergeant Blackmore, MRS SALTER'S brother, was stationed at Stonehouse he had known him practically all his life and therefore he knew that the widow as a member of a very respectable family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 April 1901 CHUDLEIGH - Mr S. Hacker, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Chudleigh on Wednesday evening respecting the death of W. DAVEY, general haulier and proprietor of the Sandhill quarries, Torquay, who died suddenly on Haldon the previous day. Deceased, in company with one of his workmen arrived in Chudleigh shortly after six o'clock, and called on two friends - Mr R. Train and Mr Shinner, of the King's Arms, who accompanied him to Haldon, where he was going for a load of peat. After finding a suitable spot he proceeded to dig but on lifting the first piece he fell forward and expired. After hearing the evidence of Dr Walker, who had made a post-mortem examination, the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 8 April 1901 BARNSTAPLE - SAMUEL LEWIS, pensioner's child, aged five, died in North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, from burns on Saturday. At the Inquest, the mother stated that she left the child asleep upstairs on Wednesday morning, but heard him screaming subsequently and found his nightdress had caught fire, as the result of playing with matches left in a candlestick. Dr Hay, House Surgeon, said death was due to septic pneumonia, following on the burns. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXMOUTH - At Exmouth on Saturday an Inquest was held on JAMES LORD, 78, army pensioner, who died suddenly on Thursday morning. The Coroner, Mr Cox, fined himself £1 1s. for being late. Half of this was given to the Maud Hospital and the other half to the Dispensary. Dr Martin, who made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to a diseased heart and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 April 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held at Devonport yesterday, as to the death at the age of 93, of ANN GLANVILLE, [?]street, Devonport, Dr. T. Rolston stated that a post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to senile decay.

OKEHAMPTON - At Okehampton last evening an Inquest was held on THOMAS ELLIS, 78, labourer, of Crediton-lane, who died on Monday. His daughter, with whom he lived, said he had been unwell for some time. On the evening of the 2nd inst., she heard a noise in his room and found him with his shirt on fire. It was not the custom to leave a light in his room and she believed he must have turned giddy after lighting the lamp and set himself on fire. Dr Burd attributed death to congestion of the left lung and shock to the system caused by the burning. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 April 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on WILLIAM GOFFIN, coal porter, aged 45, who resided at 20 Lower-street, Plymouth. - William Cann, coal porter, said last Thursday deceased was unloading coal from the Broomsgrove at the North Quay. GOFFIN had to unhook baskets of coal from the hold, hook on the empty baskets and lower then into the hold. Deceased hooked on an empty basket, but he had a lot of slack rope. He let the empty basket fall into the hold instead of lowering it down. This jerked the "runner" out of deceased's hand, and he over-balanced himself and fell backwards into the hold, about twelve feet. Dr F. C. Hitchins, House Surgeon, stated that deceased, who was suffering from concussion of the brain and fractured ribs, died early on Saturday morning. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to haemorrhage on the brain. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Pensioner's Death. - Mr J. A Pearce, (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on FRANCIS CHARLES HENRY BASS, 39, a naval pensioner, found dead at the new goods station, Stoke, on Sunday. - William R. Jones, foreman at the Station works, said deceased had been employed there since June last. He usually had good health, although there was something the matter with one of his legs, for which he was invalided from the navy. On Friday night deceased was brought home drunk in a cab. He had not arrived home by one o'clock on Sunday morning. - George Cain, carter, said that at 9.10 on Sunday morning he found deceased lying dead on some bags of cement. Dr Ryder said death was due to syncope, owing to valvular disease of the heart and chronic pleurisy. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Scalding At Devonport. - ETHEL WHITLOCK, aged 20 months, died at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, on Sunday. At an Inquest yesterday its mother stated that on Saturday morning the child, whilst in the bedroom, fell backwards, and throwing out her arms to save herself upset a kettle of boiling water which was spilt over her. She at once wrapped her in a blanket and took her to the Hospital. Dr H. J. Pickering, Assistant House Surgeon, said the child was suffering from severe scalds on her face and the greater part of her chest and abdomen, down to both knees. She never recovered from the shock. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 13 April 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Death From Burning At Devonport. Playing With Matches. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday an Inquest was held on RITA MAUD FRIEND, aged two years. The mother, who lived at 7 Church-street, said on the morning of April 1st she left the child in bed sound asleep. About a quarter of an hour afterwards her little boy asked her to go and see what was the matter with RITA. She went upstairs and found the child in flames. She had left a candle and matches on a table at the bedside and the child had evidently played with the matches. - JOHN FRIEND, aged eight, said he was in bed in the same room, and he heard his sister cry. The sleeve of her nightdress was on fire. He tried to blow it out, but could not and went downstairs for his mother. he did not hear his sister striking matches, but had seen her strike them on previous occasions. Dr D. Brough, House Surgeon, said when admitted to the Hospital deceased's right arm was burnt from the fingers to the shoulder and was quite dead to the elbow. The right leg was also burnt. The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) remarked that it was peculiar that so young a child should play with matches. It showed the necessity of the greater supervision of parents over even the youngest. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. EAST STONEHOUSE - A Devonport Fatality. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on JOSEPH MANLEY, an excavator of Ford. The widow stated that deceased's age was 46, and enjoyed good health. She was left with seven children. - Dr H. W. G. Green, said after admission to the Hospital, deceased never regained consciousness. He had extensive disease of the valves of the heart which was about double the average size. There was evidence of extensive haemorrhage on the right side and at the base of the brain. The brain was dis-organized. There were no cuts, bruises, or fractures. A blow might have irritated or determined the cause of death. - Wm. Rowe said the deceased was with others discharging the barge Gatede at Devonport dockyard. One of the baskets, on being lowered into the hold, caught in the hatch and swinging, struck the deceased lightly at the back of the head It was not hard enough to knock him down, but he staggered. About a minute later he fell. The weight of the basket was about 13 or 14lbs. - Charles Gilbert, skipper of the barge, said the discharging was day work. He cautioned the mate not to lower the baskets too quickly. - A verdict of "Death was due to Haemorrhage of the Brain, accelerated by an Accidental Blow." The Jury gave their fees to the widow.

Western Morning News, Monday 15 April 1901 IVYBRIDGE - Supposed Suicide At Ivybridge. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Ivybridge on Saturday concerning the death of EMMA LETITIA TREVENEN, aged 44, dressmaker of 26 Turret-grove, Mutley, Plymouth, whose body was found in the River Erme on Thursday. Deceased lived with her sister, who, on Wednesday took her to the residence of Mr N. O. Lake, builder, Staddon-terrace, North-road, a friend of the family, as she seemed depressed and it was thought the change would do her good. During the evening she did sewing and talked in a perfectly rational manner. She slept at Mr Lake's house and after breakfast the following morning left to go to work at the Vine Hotel, Stonehouse - an appointment which had been postponed from the previous day. Her sister brought her bag and accompanied her as far as Cecil-street. Deceased then appeared quite right. About half-past ten the same morning, however, Christopher Pengilly, groom, of Ivybridge, recovered her body from the river near the mills. She had on neither jacket nor hat, and a search failed to discover them. Dr A. Ashby Shillitoe found that death was not due to drowning, but to injuries to the head, there being a wound over the right temple about an inch in length, extending to the bone, and a slight scalp wound. Deceased had twice been confined in an asylum, once at Exminster and later at Blackadon. Mr Lake suggested that the reason of her being at Ivybridge was that she was on her way to Blackadon. She walked there once before, but was sent back by the officials. There was no evidence of anyone having seen deceased at Ivybridge, either at the Railway Station or near the river. - The Coroner said that everything pointed to a case of suicide, but there was no evidence as to how deceased got into the river, and the safest verdict would be "Found Dead." - The Jury found accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 April 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Plympton. - An Inquest was held at Laira yesterday on JAMES OSBORNE LANG, 32, who lived at Laira Gardens. - Thomas Varcoe, carpenter, in the employ of the Great Western Railway, said on the 4th inst., at noon, he was working with deceased and another man at Plympton Station fixing a gate-post in the ground. A hole about four feet deep had been dug and the post was about ten feet long and ten inches square. The three men lifted the post and moved it towards the hole, deceased being farthest away from the hole. As the end of the post reached the hole, it slipped away more suddenly than was expected, and deceased was struck across the arm, which the post forced back against his side. Deceased, who was in charge, complained of being injured and left work. - W. M. Dunston, platelayer, of Underwood, Plympton, corroborated. - Dr E. J. Stubbs said he found deceased had fractured a rib. There was also a slight amount of pleurisy setting in, probably owing to the injury. Witness attended the deceased until his death which took place on Saturday. In the meantime pneumonia had set in. Death was due to pneumonia and pleurisy. The Deputy Coroner (Mr J. Graves) said deceased was in charge of the gang and therefore no one could be blamed for the accident. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Mr E Ward appeared on behalf of the deceased's widow.

PLYMOUTH - HARRY ALONSO JOHNS, carpenter's apprentice, aged 15, who resided at 25 Southern-terrace, Plymouth, returned home from work on Friday evening, and feeling unwell, went to bed. The following morning at 4.30 his father saw him and he stated he had passed a good night. Three hours later his mother found him dead in bed. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Travers-Stubbs, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to congestion of the lungs and failure of the heart, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Woman's Death At Pennycross. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest last evening on ELIZABETH JANE MAUNDER, aged 24, who lived at 15 Rosebloom-grove, Pennycross. - Mary Ann Metters, wife of a labourer at Keyham Dockyard, said deceased, her daughter, complained of slight pain on Friday, and became worse on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, William Craze, with whom her daughter was living, came for her, and on going to deceased's room she found her in the arms of Mrs Ley, a neighbour. She fetched Mrs Williams, a midwife and when she got back her daughter was dead. - Emma Grace Ley said deceased had lived six weeks at her house and she thought she and Craze were married. When Mrs Williams arrived witness told her to be quick, as she thought deceased was faint. The midwife then sent Mr Craze for a doctor, but deceased passed away just after he left. Deceased and Craze lived together on friendly terms. - Jemima Williams, married, said she agreed to attend deceased during her confinement. When she arrived deceased was looking very black, breathed heavily three times and then died. - William Craze said he had lived very happily with deceased for about eighteen months. Dr F. E. Row said death was due to kidney disease. Nothing could have saved deceased, but the child might have been saved. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - The Exeter Fatality. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Exeter on HENRY WM. BACH, killed at Winser's Dyeworks, Bartholomew-street, on Saturday. Mr H. W. Michelmore represented Mr Winser and Mr Sidney Shuter, Plymouth Inspector of Factories, was present. - Albert J. Knight, foreman of the works, said deceased was oiling the shaft of the ventilating fan, which was connected with the engine he was accustomed to work. There were no self-lubricators attached to the machine. Deceased was working in his breakfast-hour. He had no instructions to stay. It was usual to oil the machinery in the morning before it started. Did not say anything to deceased about oiling the machinery. Had never known the rule abut oiling the machinery in the morning disobeyed before. Did not call the attention of deceased to it. He thought he had a reason for it. had never seen deceased oil the machinery in motion before. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 April 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - An Inquest was held yesterday on WALTER DINGLE MEAGER, 44, a commercial traveller, of 13 York-street, Devonport. - Elizabeth J. Ellis, said deceased had lived at her house for about two years. He travelled in the neighbourhood of Devonport, and found difficulty in getting about in consequence of bad feet. On Friday last he complained of a pain in his side, but went out for a walk. He seemed about the same on Saturday and Sunday, but was worse on Monday, and sent for a doctor. He stayed in bed on Sunday. Witness went to see deceased's relatives at Saltash on Monday and when she returned he was dead. - Dr J. E. C. Wilson said deceased passed away a few minutes before he saw him. Deceased' s heart was fatty and he was suffering from hernia and peritonitis was commencing. Death was due to syncope through heart disease. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Child's Death. - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held on FRANCIS KELLY, aged two years, the son of FRANCIS KELLY, living at 11 Hamilton-street, Keyham. - The father said the child lived with Mrs Rennie, at 42 Cannon-street. Two other children of his were also living with her, and he paid her ten shillings per week. Deceased was a twin child (the other is alive), but had always been delicate. On Saturday the boy appeared as usual. - Georgina Rennie, widow, said she had been keeping MR KELLY'S children for some months. On Monday evening she noticed the child was struggling in his chair and took him to a neighbour, who said she thought he was dying. Dr Wilson was sent for, but the child had passed away before he arrived. She had five children of her own. She had given the required notice of keeping the children, and the Inspector had expressed his satisfaction at the way the children were looked after. Dr Wilson said death was due to convulsions, accelerated by rickets and chicken-pox. The child was well cared for. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - CHRISTOPHER GORRELL, of Parr-street, Plymouth, was early on Saturday morning aroused by loud knocking in his mother's room. On going into the room, his mother, ELIZABETH ANN GORRELL, aged 70, said she was dying and she died before medical aid arrived. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr Duttons said he was satisfied that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Morning News, Friday 19 April 1901 KINGSWEAR - At Kingswear last night Mr Hacker held an Inquest on JAMES PETTIGREW, 29, second mate of the steamer Surlaton, whose body was found floating in Dartmouth harbour by William Passmore, of Dittisham. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Drowning.

LANDKEY - The Late Vicar Of Landkey. - An Inquest was held yesterday on REV. HENRY FAWCETT, vicar of Landkey, near Barnstaple. Deceased was in good health up to the dinner hour, but just before the meal was concluded he said he did not feel quite himself, and within a short time of going into his study he died. Death, in the opinion of Dr Cooper, of Barnstaple, was due to cardiac syncope, probably produced by acute indigestion, following a rather heavy meal. - The Coroner (Mr Bromham) observed that MR FAWCETT was generally beloved in Landkey, of which he had been 2 ½ years vicar. As an author he had obtained considerable distinction. The title of his last book was "The Great Hereafter." - The Jury (Mr E. S. P. Jones, vicar's warden, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and expressed condolence with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Monday 22 April 1901 CORYTON - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Bern's Hall House, Coryton, Milton Abbot, on Saturday, concerning the death of LOUISA LOBB, aged 68, who lived with her brother, a gentleman farmer. Deceased retired to rest on Wednesday night apparently all right, but about one o'clock in the morning was taken very ill. Her brother gave her brandy, but she sank rapidly and died before the arrival of Dr Thompson. Death was due to heart failure, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 April 1901 PLYMPTON ST MAURICE - Death Of A Plympton Celebrity. - THOMAS GEORGE CREBER, a blind man, for many years a resident of Plympton St. Maurice, died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 71. he had always been blind, and his wife, who survives him, is similarly afflicted. Keen-witted and of a remarkably cheery disposition, he had a large circle of friends. he augmented a small annuity by retailing tea, &c., and formerly by making baskets and caning chairs. There are four sons, two of whom are in the Royal Navy and four daughters, of whom the eldest is in Australia. At the Inquest last evening, THOMAS JOHN CREBER, R.N., stated that his father had complained of indigestion and shortness of breath for a considerable time, but he appeared in his usual health on Sunday morning and left his home to go to chapel at about 10.30. He returned again at about 11.15 and complained of a violent pain in his left side. He went to his bedroom without assistance, but on reaching the door, fell and died immediately. Dr C. H. G. Prance said death was due to syncope. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and handed their fees to the widow.

PLYMOUTH - Death In Plymouth Prison. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr J. Graves) held an Inquest at the Plymouth Prison yesterday relative to the death of HENRY PERCY JONES, aged 30, who died at the Prison last Saturday. JONES was sentenced by the Devonport magistrates on the 12th instant to four months' imprisonment for stealing articles from the Station Hospital, Stoke, the property of a wounded soldier. He was ill when admitted to the Prison and had been attended by two trained nurses. Mr S. Wolferstan, Surgeon, said JONES had been suffering from haemorrhage of the stomach. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to fatty degeneration of the liver. Nearly all the abdominal organs were diseased. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - A Child Suffocated - At an Inquest held by Mr Graves, Deputy Coroner, at the Galatea Inn, King-street, Plymouth, yesterday, as to the cause of the death of JAMES EDWARD JOYCE, aged nine weeks, of 69 King-street, Plymouth, MARY JOYCE, the mother, said she found the child dead by her side about half-past five on Saturday morning. Dr H. Pearse, who was sent for, said the child had been dead some hours, and a post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to suffocation. There were no external marks of violence, and the child was well nourished. The mother said she thought the child was accidentally suffocated by the bed-clothes. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 24 April 1901 PLYMOUTH - IVEY FRANCES LAKE, aged 20 months, daughter of FANNY LAKE, who resides at 17 Brunswick-road, Plymouth, was taken ill on Sunday and died before a doctor arrived. At the Inquest yesterday Dr E. Stubbs attributed death to convulsions and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

WOODBURY - Sad Affair Near Topsham. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Ebford, near Topsham on EDWARD COPPLESTONE, aged 52. Miss Gibbings, housekeeper at Ebford Barton, stated that the deceased had been in the employ of Mr Walters as gardener for over five years, but had had notice to leave through intemperate habits. Lately he had been very strange and a likely man to commit suicide. On Monday she went to deceased's bedroom as he had not come down to dinner. Getting no answer to the knocking, she opened the bedroom door and saw him lying out over the bed with his throat cut, quite dead. She last saw the deceased alive on Sunday about midday. He was then quite sober. Dr MacArthur said deceased was dead some hours before his arrival. It was proved that the deceased had been drinking very heavily. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 April 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Aged Sailor's Death. - The Deputy Coroner, (Mr J. Graves) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM AVERY WESTLAKE, aged 78, a retired merchant sailor, who resided at 112 Lambhay-hill, Plymouth. - SARAH LEARS, daughter of the deceased, said on 11th inst. her father was walking on the Hoe near the Citadel, when a strong wind caught him, knocking him against a wall, grazing his face. He was helped home by some passers[by. The deceased died on Thursday. Dr Cuming said he had attended the deceased since the accident. Death was due to failure of the heart's action, accelerated by the accident. A verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 29 April 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - A River Teign Fatality. - At the Inquest on Saturday at Newton Abbot on JAMES LANG, lighterman, aged 25, married, with two children, in the employ of Watts, Blake, Bearne and Company, clay merchants, George Brimmicombe said he and deceased worked a barge back from Teignmouth with poles. When near Newton deceased let his pole slip out of his hand and he asked him to get it. Witness jumped into the boat and went after the pole. Returning in four or five minutes he could not find deceased. The body was found about 20 yards from where the barge lay. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," but expressed their regret that no medical evidence had been given. - The Deputy Coroner said the point raised was a very serious one, and if the Jury were not perfectly satisfied as to the cause of death he would adjourn the Court for a post-mortem examination. The Jury, after retiring, said they did not wish that done.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 1 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - At Plymouth mortuary yesterday an Inquest was held on ALICE BUNT, aged 10 days, daughter of WILLIAM BUNT, fisherman of 69 North-street, Plymouth. The father said that about two o'clock on Sunday morning his wife awoke and told him the child was dead. - Dr Player said he found the child had been suffocated. There were no external marks of violence. The mother told witness it had been accidentally overlaid. A verdict of "Death from Overlaying" was returned.

EXETER - Sad Fatality At Exeter. Carbolic Acid For Cider. - ALFRED OXENHAM, 34, labourer, was on Monday evening working at a cottage which he had just taken at Heavitree Bridge, Exeter, when he took a drink from a bottle containing carbolic acid, instead of from a bottle containing cider. MRS OXENHAM, coming downstairs, was asked by her husband for water, being informed of what had occurred. OXENHAM staggered to the door and fell. A doctor sent him to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he died shortly after admission. - At the Inquest yesterday, MRS OXENHAM stated that she did not know what was in the bottle from which her husband drank. It was given to her husband as good for scrubbing, and she had used it on the floors. Before she went upstairs she moved the bottle to the mantel-shelf on account of her child. She did not know whether her husband was aware of this. The bottle was afterwards found on the sofa, and the one which had contained the cider was empty. - Dr Trumper, Assistant House Surgeon, had no doubt that death took place from carbolic poisoning. The liquid was very potent. An ounce of it would be fatal. A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned, the Coroner remarking that the facts were on all fours with another case he knew of in the county. A Juror added that he knew of a similar case.

Western Morning News, Thursday 2 May 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Accident At Keyham Extension Works. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest yesterday at the Royal Albert Hospital on GEORGE JONES, crane driver at Keyham Extension Works. Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented Sir John Jackson. - William A. Henwood, ganger, said shortly after nine on Monday evening he heard cries for help and on going to the spot saw deceased with his left leg lying across one of the rails. The wheel of the bogie of the steam crane was on the leg and witness ordered the driver to move back, so that deceased could be lifted off the rail. Deceased was conscious and said he was going to get on the crane to have supper with the other driver, that just as he put his foot on the wheel the driver was reversing to go back for water, and that he (deceased) slipped and fell under the middle wheel of the bogie. At that time all the cranes were at a standstill for the supper hour. - Robert Wilson, crane driver, said he had started to travel back with his crane to get water, when he heard the cry "Whoa." He stopped instantly and on getting down saw the deceased, one of whose legs was on the rail. Deceased stated that he came to the crane to have his supper with a friend, Tom Baker, whose place witness was taking for the night. Witness worked in a box and was unable to see deceased when he tried to get on the crane. - Alfred Harris, labourer, said he assisted to take out the deceased who attributed no blame to anybody. - Dr D. Brough, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, said when admitted deceased's left leg was almost severed from the body. The leg was at once removed, but he died from shock at 3.40 on the following morning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed the opinion that no blame attached to anyone. The Coroner, in reply to a Juryman, said the case would no doubt come under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and the widow would be well looked after.

Western Morning News, Monday 6 May 1901 ILFRACOMBE - The Fatal Cliff Accident At Ilfracombe. - Mr J. F. Bromham, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Ilfracombe, on Saturday on the body of HARRY MILTON HAWKINS, 13, which was found late on Friday night on the beach near the Torrs Walks. Deceased was the son of SAMUEL HAWKINS, relieving signalman, London and South-Western Railway. On Friday evening he and George Stewart Best, aged 14, went to Lee Downs to find nests in the cliffs. HAWKINS went down the rocks, but Best remained on top. Deceased returned once, but could not find any nests. He then descended another part of the cliffs, but, not returning, Best shouted to him. Deceased was on a rock and called out and asked how to get up. Best said he did not know and afterwards lost sight of him. After waiting over half an hour he got alarmed and ran home to tell MRS HAWKINS. A search party was got up and Best went with it. Best said it was the first time he had gone to the cliffs with HAWKINS. It was very steep where deceased went down and the tide was ebbing at the time. He saw deceased jump from a rock on to the beach. - George Pine, pier porter, stated that about 10.30 on Friday night he went with five others in a boat from Ilfracombe Pier to Halse bushes and landed with three of the search party. The found a railway porter named Parkhouse who had come down over the cliff. They found footprints on the beach. They climbed over a high rock, got into the boat again and went to Brandy Cove. Witness and Parkhouse landed and after walking about 30 feet saw deceased on his face and hands between the rocks. There was no water, but the boy's clothes were very wet. They tried artificial respiration for a quarter of an hour, but with no effect. The body presented the appearance of drowning. The body was then placed in the boat and taken round to the pier, and subsequently carried to the home of the deceased. - Captain Birmingham, who had charge of the search party, said it was high tide about six p.m., and the water would be at least 14 feet at high tide where the body was found. He was of opinion the boy had been drowned. MR HAWKINS said deceased could not swim. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 8 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on FREDERICK R. O'SHAUGHNESSY, aged five months, the son of JOHN W. O'SHAUGHNESSY, a fisherman of 22 High-street. The mother, on waking up early on Sunday morning, found the child lying dead by her side. Dr C. J. Cooke said there were no external marks of injury, and the child appeared to have been suffocated by being overlain. A verdict of "Death from Overlaying" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 14 May 1901 PLYMOUTH CHARLES THE MARTYR - At an Inquest held at Compton yesterday on HEDLEY CHARLES DALTON, aged 7 weeks, son of W. J. DALTON, carpenter, found dead in bed on Sunday, Dr G. H. Aldous attributed death to convulsions and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 15 May 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Inquest. A Strange Loss Of Memory. - An Inquest was held at Devonport last evening on AMELIA JANE HARVEY. - JOHN EDWIN HARVEY, beerhouse keeper, 49 Tavistock-road, said the deceased, his wife, was 57 years old. She had been ailing for several months, and on Wednesday night last as she was entering the kitchen she slipped and fell. - The Coroner: When did your wife die? - I forget whether it was the same night or not. - But it could not have been last Wednesday. It is Tuesday now. - I could not say. I have been so knocked over. My head is gone altogether. - A Juror: There are rumours about Stoke that you knocked your wife about? - I have never lifted my hand to her. - Witness said his wife had been housekeeper to Sir Charles Penrose, and was a widow when he married her. They were on perfectly friendly terms. - Anna Maria Membery said MRS HARVEY told her, her husband pushed her, but he denied it. Dr Rider was not sent for until the next morning, as it was not thought that deceased was badly injured. MRS HARVEY was a temperate woman, but both deceased and her husband were of excitable natures. They had words occasionally, but she did not believe they had any at the time of the accident. - Dr Alonzo J. Rider said deceased told him her husband threw her across the kitchen. Her right thigh was broken. It was set, but the position she was compelled to remain in brought on her old complaint of chronic bronchitis. Death was due to heart failure through bronchitis, accelerated by the injury. He did not think MRS HARVEY'S version of the accident was correct. If deceased had been thrown across the kitchen she would have sustained further injuries, but she had not another bruise on her body. Such an injury was generally caused by a slip. - Mary Elizabeth Sim said MRS HARVEY told her that her husband pushed her down, but she did not really think she was answerable for what she said. She had been strange in her manner for some time. On Monday morning, a short time before she died, deceased seemed quite calm and reasonable. She then said she fell down and was not knocked down. She took MR HARVEY'S hand, witness and another woman being present. The pair were very comfortable together during the last few hours. - The Coroner said as there had been rumours in the neighbourhood, a very careful Inquiry had been necessary. There was no doubt the life led by the husband and wife for the past year or so could not have been of the happiest. MR HARVEY said they lived a very happy life, but Mrs Membery said they quarrelled from time to time. MR HARVEY'S evidence could not, he thought, be accepted. Perhaps his idea of domestic felicity was very different from theirs. MRS HARVEY'S confession on her death-bed had very much simplified matters. It would otherwise had been the duty of the Jury to consider whether there was any question of manslaughter. He did not, however, think there was sufficient evidence to shew how the thigh was fractured. It was strange that the husband did not know when his wife died. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Heart and Respiratory Failure, accelerated by deceased Accidentally falling and breaking her thigh."

Western Morning News, Thursday 16 May 1901 OTTERY ST MARY - Fatal Kick At Tipton. The Coroner Fines Himself. - An Inquest was held at Ottery St. Mary yesterday, on JOHN DRIVER, aged 52, of Woods Farm, near Tipton St. John. The Jury was summoned for 2 o'clock, but the Coroner (Mr Cox) did not arrive until 3.40. Mr A. Cripps, chosen Foreman of the Jury, had been put to very great inconvenience by the delay. - The Coroner said he was extremely sorry. He understood he had fixed the Inquest for 3.30, but by a slip of the pen put 2 o'clock on the warrant. Mr Cripps suggested that the Coroner should fine himself. The Coroner willingly adopted the suggestion and find himself a guinea, the money to go to the Hospital funds. - EMMA JANE DRIVER, the widow, said deceased, a carter in the employ of Mr Hayman of Houghton, returned home on Monday and said he had been kicked. He walked upstairs unaided. Soon afterwards he got worse and Dr Burns had him taken to the Hospital. - Frederick Hayman, who manages Woods Farm for his father, said DRIVER told him he was driving the horse out of the field, walking behind it. As the horse stepped by the gateway to pick at the hedge, he touched it with a stick, and it kicked him in the stomach. The horse was not vicious, and DRIVER himself, after the accident, said he had never known it kick before. Deceased put the horse in the stable, and walked home without assistance. - Dr Burns said deceased died on Tuesday, the cause of death being peritonitis, the result of the blow. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the widow.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Suicide At Stonehouse. Result Of Over-Indulgence In Alcohol. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday, on ANN MARIA VINCENT, aged 53, who resided at 3 Wellington Cottages, Peel-street. - JAMES WILLIAM VINCENT, of 3 Adelaide-place, said the deceased, his mother, had been addicted to drink for years. - Ada Bridgman said when on Sunday she took deceased some dinner, she said, "You must not be surprised if I put an end to myself." On Monday night she again saw the deceased, who was suffering from the effects of drink. The following morning, as the deceased was not noticed moving about, the shutters of her window were broken open, and she was seen seated in a chair fully dressed. - Police-Sergeant Gerry said he found MRS VINCENT in a chair dead. On the table were a cup containing liquid and two labels, one with "Oxalic Acid, Poison," and the other of "James Cox, Edgcumbe-street, Stonehouse." - Dr Corbett said death was due to oxalic acid poisoning. There was evidence of chronic alcoholism with cirrhosis of the liver. - The Coroner said it seemed clear that deceased took her life as a result of alcoholic depression. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fatality At Devonport Dockyard. - An Inquest was held last evening on ALFRED SOADY, a labourer, in the employ of Messrs. Shellabear, the contractors for the dock at Devonport Dockyard. Mr S. Shuter, Inspector of Factories, was present, and Mr J. W. Bickle appeared for Messrs. Shellabear. - JANE SOADY, Trenwith Cottage, St. Martin's-by-Looe, said the deceased, her son, was 19 years old. - George Osborne said on Monday deceased, witness and another man were tipping concrete from wagons into the new slip, a depth of 14 or 15 feet. One wagon over-balanced and fell into the dock. Looking over, he saw deceased lying on the concrete. Similar accidents had happened before and he attributed the accident to deceased's lack of presence of mind. Witness had been in a similar position and had always managed to get clear. They sometimes used a lever to prevent the wagons going over. On this occasion a chain was fastened from the carriage of the wagon to a baulk of timber which formed part of the gantry, but when the wagon fell over the staples were drawn out. - In reply to Mr Bickle, witness said he put the staples in himself. Every precaution was taken to make things secure. Deceased had hold of the wagon and could not have released his hold when it went over. - Philip James Cocks, chargeman asked by the Coroner what precautions could be taken to prevent similar accidents, thought if a chain wee placed around a baulk of timber it might act as an additional security. - Replying to Mr Bickle, he said he had been in the employ of Messrs. Shellabear fourteen years, and this was the first fatal accident that had occurred. Mr C. A. B. Horsford, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was suffering from an injury to the hand and internal injuries when admitted. An operation was performed the same evening, as there was a chance of saving his life, but death occurred the following morning as the result of rupture of the spleen and large vessels supplying the intestines. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed the opinion that no blame attached to anyone.

Western Morning News, Saturday 18 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - LAURA EVANS, daughter of WILLIAM EVANS, a driver, 89 Cambridge-street, Plymouth, died on Wednesday fifteen hours after its birth. At the Inquest yesterday Mr R. Burke, Surgeon, attributed death to overlying by the mother, to whom he attributed blame. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - At the Inquest yesterday on JOHN NETHERTON, 48, carpenter, 45 Richmond-street, Plymouth, who died on Thursday in a doorway of Octagon-street, Mr W. E. Corbett, Surgeon, said deceased's liver and other organs were diseased and the immediate cause of death was syncope and exhaustion, the result of the inflammation due to the strangulation of a rupture. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Crushed To Death At Keyham. A Fatal Slip. - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held on JOHN CHADDER, 35, a labourer, employed at Keyham Extension Works. Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared for Sir John Jackson (Limited). - Walter T. Blank, of Camel's Head, said deceased, his cousin, resided at Moon-street, Keyham, and had been married about a fortnight. He was a native of Torcross, and had been employed at Keyham Extension Works nine or ten months. - William Holden, crane-driver at the Works, said deceased's duty was to place timber for granite blocks to rest on as witness lifted them into the trucks. About 2.30 on Thursday morning a block was just steadying about four feet above the bottom of the truck when his foot slipped from the brake of the crane, and the stone fell. He immediately put his winding-pin in the gear and hoisted the stone away from the truck, lowering it on the jetty. He saw deceased in the truck and ran for the foreman. Witness had eleven years'; experience of crane-driving, and had been at the works over three years. He had unloaded thousands of tons of granite on that jetty without accident. A hand-brake was not suitable for crane-driving, as it was absolutely necessary to have the hands free. Such cranes were always worked by foot-brakes. His foot had never before slipped. It was a practice of crane-drivers not to wear nails in their boots, but he had put some protectors in his boots a few days before. That was the only reason he could suggest for the foot slipping. Deceased's place was not under the stone, where he must have been. The men had been warned frequently against standing under the stones. - By the Jury: The other man in the truck was in his place at the other end. - William Young, ganger, living at 33 Keyham-street, said he had given orders to the men to stand clear of the stones until they were within two or three feet of the bottom of the truck. - By the Foreman: Deceased was a trustworthy man. Witness had warned deceased. The weight of the block was over 30 cwt. - Daniel Gill, labourer, 40a Granby-street, said deceased was removing a piece of packing from one end of the truck to place it at the side. He was stooping when the stone came down. They had the packing in position when the stone came out of the ship's hold. They saw, however, the stone was longer than the others that had been lowered and found it necessary to shift the packing. - By the Jury: It was not right for either of them to have been under the stone, and witness had been warned frequently. - Harold Pickering, Assistant House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was dead when admitted. Six of his ribs were fractured on the right side, the right lung was laceration and the bladder was ruptured. Deceased could not have lived more than 15 minutes after the accident. - The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) said two causes contributed to the death. First, deceased acted contrary to orders by being under the stone when it was being lowered; and, secondly, the driver's foot slipped off the brake. It was a question whether the brake could be improved. - Mr T. E. Davis, Assistant Engineer at the Works, said a number of the latest and best travelling cranes had only recently been purchased and the foot-plates were identical with the older ones. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 20 May 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Scalding At Devonport. - An Inquest was held at Devonport on Saturday on EDWARD JAMES HEMMETT, aged 3, whose parents live in Chapel-street. - Maud Elizabeth Smith, 57 Duke-street, said deceased's mother had recently been confined and she (witness) was making her bed on Thursday evening, when she heard the child scream in the adjoining room. Going in she found him lying on the floor and an overturned kettle near him. She had kept the stove on the floor with a kettle of water on it. The baby was on a bed-chair near it. She thought he rolled off the bed and trying to pick himself up, knocking over the kettle. - Dr C. A. B. Horsford, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said the child was admitted suffering from scalds on the head, face, right arm and chest. The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) said he felt very sorry that Mrs Smith had had this trouble. She was doing all she could for MRS HEMMETT, and there was not the slightest blame attached to her. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 21 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - As SARAH JANE LUSCOMBE, aged 41 of 8 Salem-street, Plymouth, on Sunday morning, slept longer than usual, her husband sent for a doctor, who found she was unconscious. She remained in that condition until she died in the evening. At the Inquest yesterday Dr T. Wilkinson said death was due to kidney disease and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 22 May 1901 KINGSTEIGNTON - The Late DR MACLEROY - Sudden Death At Kingsteignton. - At Kingsteignton yesterday Mr Hacker held an Inquest on ARTHUR LLOYD MACLEROY, M.R.C.S., found dead at his residence, Oakford House, on Sunday evening. - MRS MACLEROY said deceased was 48 years of age. He was in practice at Kingsteignton. For twelve months past he had complained of feeling unwell, but had continued his work. Last week he seemed worse and on Sunday he complained of feeling very tired. he did not leave the house at all that day. About 4.30 on Sunday afternoon he had a cup of tea, and returned to the drawing-room and rested on a couch. Two hours later she went into the garden. Deceased was then still in the drawing-room. Returning to the house, she could not find him. She called and on going to the dining-room found him lying on his face on the floor near the table. She turned him over and saw that he was quite dead. MRS MACLEORY thought deceased must have got up to get some lemonade to drink. He had apparently had some. He had complained that he had a weak heart and had suffered from sleeplessness. During the last three or four years he had had several fits. - Dr Culrose, of Newton Abbot, called to deceased on Sunday evening, said there were no marks of violence. On Monday he made a post-mortem examination and found nothing in any of the organs to account for death except the heart. There was fatty degeneration and the cause of death was failure of the heart's action. Witness had attended deceased for several years. He had a fainting fit in November 1897 and had had several since. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly. - Mr Rutland asked if a post-mortem examination was necessary. - The Coroner replied that it was. When a man was found lying dead the cause of death might be anything. They were bound to satisfy the public or they would find all sorts of rumours about. The Coroner said the parish had suffered a great loss by the death of DR MACLEROY, who was a very kind friend to the poor and did his duty honourably and well. (Hear, hear.) - Mr Snow, the Foreman of the Jury, endorsed the Coroner's remarks, DR MACLEROY, he said, was poor-law medical officer in Kingsteignton and he always attended the poor in a most kind-hearted manner, going out of his way to help them. MRS MACLEROY also displayed great interest in the poor, and never spared herself any trouble in her efforts to serve them. (Hear, hear.) On the motion of Mr Snow a vote of condolence was passed with MRS MACLEROY.

Western Morning News, Friday 24 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - HILDA MAUD S. PERRY, aged 4 ½ months, the daughter of JOHN PERRY, coachman of 33 Pier-street, Plymouth, was seized with a fit on Tuesday afternoon and died within a few minutes. Dr Parsloe, who had made a post-mortem examination, stated at the Inquest yesterday that death was due to Convulsions.

Western Morning News, Monday 27 May 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, on Saturday, on SAMUEL HARRY BLACKLER, aged 8 months, son of WILLIAM BLACKLER, labourer, 12 Buckwell-street. - BESSIE BLACKLER, the mother of the deceased, stated that on Thursday evening she went on an errand, and during her absence, her daughter BEATRICE, aged 7, took deceased from the chair where he was seated and went into the backyard. When on a step leading into the yard, the baby became restless and jumped out of its sister's arms and fell on the stone pavement. Dr F. C. Hitchins, House Surgeon, said death was due to a blow on the temple. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

TOPSHAM - A Topsham Fatality. - On Saturday an Inquest was held at Topsham on ALBERT WILLIAM TROUT, shipwright, who was drowned in the River Exe on Friday morning. FREDERICK TROUT, nephew of the deceased, stated that at Black Oar the deceased went on the boom to reef the sail of the smack Friendship, which was proceeding to Exmouth, when a sudden squall caught the canvas, which knocked deceased into the river. Witness and deceased's brother saw the accident and before they could render any assistance TROUT sank. Witness cold not say if his uncle was swimming or struggling, but he made no noise whatever when in the water. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with an expression of condolence with the mother and family.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 28 May 1901 TORQUAY - Fatal Fall At Torquay. - An Inquest was held in Upton parish-room yesterday on WALTER FRANCIS HADDY, aged 9 years, the son of RICHARD HADDY, 6 Meadfoot-lane. - Dinah Allan, grandmother of deceased, said on Monday last he came to her crying, and said he felt very bad. She kept him indoors the next day. On Wednesday he told her a boy tripped him up whilst laying "touch." On Friday evening he came home crying and vomiting violently. He became convulsive and unconscious, in which state he remained until his death on Sunday morning. - Claude Richards, 165 Union-street, said he saw the deceased and Landon playing touch on Monday in last week. Deceased was running away and seemed to trip in the path and fell heavily, striking his head on the kerb. Mrs Landon and Willie Landon corroborated. Dr Pollard, who had made a post-mortem examination, found extensive haemorrhage pressing on the brain. There was also a fracture of the base of the skull. The skull was not very thick. It was curious that the haemorrhage did not start until several days after the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 29 May 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquiry yesterday on ANNE HODGE, aged 82, of 8 Back of James-street. Anne Lawton said deceased, her mother, lived at Polbathic until six weeks ago, when there was a great change in her. Last Saturday night, she was rather peculiar, but witness thought she was only displeased over some matter. She found her dead in bed at 5.30 a.m. on Sunday. Dr E. S. Saunders said death was due to heart failure, accelerated by pneumonia and senile decay. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Sudden Death At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday, on ETHEL FARR, aged 19, late of 31 East-street, Stonehouse. - JULIA FARR (mother of the deceased) said that her daughter was employed as a machinist at Tippett's factory, and was at work on Saturday. On Monday, shortly after breakfast, she had a fit of coughing and died almost immediately. For the past four years she had been in delicate health. - Dr W. H. Waterfield, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to a ruptured blood vessel in the lungs, caused by consumption. Deceased would, probably, not have lived three months, even if she had not broken a blood vessel. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 31 May 1901 PAIGNTON - At Paignton an Inquest was held on GEORGE JENNINGS, 69, found unconscious in a linhay at St Michael's on Monday morning. He had been a pig dealer, but of late had been tramping about, living on relatives and sleeping in outhouses and under hedges. Dr Alexander, who attended him at the Cottage Hospital, said death was due to haemorrhage on the brain.

PLYMOUTH - ADELAIDE ELIZABETH FORD, aged two months, whose parents reside at 21 Neswick-street, Plymouth, was taken ill on Tuesday and did almost immediately. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr Burke attributed death to convulsions, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on HANNAH ANDERSON, widow, aged 65, who resided at 7 Howe-street, Plymouth, Mrs Nicholson stated that on Thursday morning deceased went to the relieving officer for her week's pay. She returned in about twenty minutes and while chatting with some of the neighbours staggered and would have fallen had not witness caught her. She died just before a doctor arrived. Dr Player, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to haemorrhage on the brain.

COCKINGTON - The Sad End Of A Paignton Lady. "Suicide Whilst Of Unsound Mind." - At Lyndhurst, Chelston, Torquay, yesterday, an Inquest was held on MRS E. BRIDGMAN, who was found dead on the previous morning. - MR G. SOUDON BRIDGMAN, retired architect of Paignton, deceased's husband, said his wife was 41 years of age. He last saw her on Tuesday fortnight in that room. She came to that house to stay at her own request to be near her brother. She was so low and depressed that he feared that she might go over the border and become insane. He never expected that she would do any harm to herself. - Dr George Black said he kept Lyndhurst, where deceased met her end, as a vegetarian home for patients and others desiring rest and quiet. Deceased, who was his sister, came to him five weeks before suffering from nervous depression and insomnia. The life at the home was the proper one for her with that complaint. It was complete rest and quiet. He took her for drives every day and she improved a great deal. He had feared at one time that she would lose her reason but not lately. The only medicine she had had lately was a drug largely used by homoeopathists to remove a feeling of depression. Deceased had suffered from palpitation of the heart, but only as the result of the nervousness. - Bessie Webber, cook-housekeeper at the home, said deceased seemed perfectly well on Wednesday. She went for a drive as usual and went to bed at the usual hour. At about 8.50 that evening witness took a hot water-bottle into deceased who was in bed. They wished one another good-night. - Edwin Bright, a medical attendant, employed by Dr Black to look after a patient, said he was sitting up all Wednesday night with his charge. He heard no noise in the night. About six o'clock on Thursday morning he went into a room under deceased's bedroom and saw something outside the window. He went outside and found MRS BRIDGMAN hanging by a sheet from her window in her nightdress. He called the coachman and then went up to the deceased's bedroom and untied the sheet from the leg of the bed and lowered the body. Deceased was quite dead and cold. - Snow, the coachman, corroborated. - Dr A. Midgley Cash said he was called in on Thursday morning about seven. He found deceased quite cold and dead. The body was quite supple, the face pale. Death was due to strangulation. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

EXMOUTH - An Exmouth Girl's Suicide. Pathetic Letter. - At Exmouth yesterday an Inquest was held on CHARLOTTE EMMA BRIDLE, aged 20, who died at No. 7, Trinity-terrace, on Wednesday. EDWIN BRIDLE, the father, said he was a fisherman, and his daughter went out to work as a charwoman. She was engaged to be married to an engineer who was now at Chatham, but on Tuesday she asked her sister to write putting off the engagement, as she felt like getting mad at the thought of being married. EDITH BRIDLE, aged 14, said she left her sister on her way to work on Wednesday, who told her that if anything happened to her she was to have her watch and chain. She also said "I shan't be living when you come back to tea." - P.S. Chammings said he was sent for at about 4 o'clock, and there was handed to him a cup, a packet of oxalic acid, and the following note:- "Good-bye dear old father and mother. It grieves me to do this. I am quite prepared to die. Please don't tell EDDIE of this my untimely end. Good-bye once more Mah, and Jess and Dolly, and everyone else. I should like to be buried in all I have on. Broken-hearted - LOTTIE. - The mother said she came home at about 3.30 from her work and called upstairs. An answer came yes and she went up. She found her daughter undressed and in bed. She saw she was looking ill and went down to make her a cup of tea. She put on the kettle and went upstairs again when her daughter was on the floor. She called out of the window or her grandchild to fetch her other daughter who came and they put LOTTIE in bed. While the doctor was fetched she bathed deceased's head with vinegar and water thinking she was faint. She died before the doctor came. - Mr Rhodes, the assistant at Holman and Ham's, said the oxalic acid was purchased at the shop between 9.30 and 10 on Wednesday morning. It was used for cleaning brass and hats. - Dr Cock said when he arrived he found the young woman was dead. He had made a post-mortem examination and found that death was caused by irritant poison. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide from taking Oxalic Acid during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Monday 3 June 1901 ERMINGTON - An Inquest at Ley Farm, Ermington, on Saturday, on ELIZABETH PEARCE, aged 91, who had been living at the farm with her son, resulted in a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes".

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - The Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquiry on Saturday touching the death of GEORGE SOUTHWOOD, 20, a labourer at the Keyham Extension Works. Deceased was the son of LOUISA SCHOLES, of 29a Paris-street, Exeter. As a boy he was in the navy, but was invalided because he was subject to fits. He had them very frequently for three years, but during the past twelve months they had been less frequent. He was apparently in perfect health when he went to bed on Thursday night, but on Friday morning he was found by Henry Langdon, 27 College-road, Devonport, with whom he lodged, lying with his legs on the bed and his face on the floor. He was quite dead. Dr W. J. Gard said he died from syncope due to an epileptic fit. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

MARWOOD - Child Drowned At Marwood. - FRANCES MARY GEAR, 2 ½ years old, daughter of a farmer of Huish, Marwood, was accidentally drowned in a drinking trough on Friday evening. The evidence at the Inquest on Saturday showed that a few minutes before 7 p.m. deceased was playing with a little tin near the trough. Just afterwards a servant named Ellen Williams went in search of the child and found her in the trough face downwards in 10 inches of water. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 4 June 1901 TIVERTON - The Inquest at Tiverton yesterday on MR JOHN SHATTOCK, the Uplowman farmer who was thrown from his trap at Sampford Peverell, resulted in a verdict of "Accidental Death." The Jury gave their fees to the widow, and her son passed them on to the Infirmary, where deceased lay a week before his death.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Stonehouse on MARY ANN GRUITT, aged 86, of 72 Union-place, Stonehouse. John De St. Craix stated that his mother-in-law fell down on April 29th and fractured her thigh. Since then she had been bedridden and under the care of Dr Leah. Yesterday morning she died. Dr Leah stated that death was due to old age, accelerated by the injury. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Suicide At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on EDWARD BAWDEN, 49, skilled labourer, Devonport Dockyard, of 4 Rose-hill-cottages, Stoke. - FREDERICK BAWDEN, of 29 West Hill-road, Plymouth, said on Saturday evening he went into the hayloft at the back of his premises, and there saw his father, apparently kneeling on the floor. Witness asked him what he was doing, and receiving no answer, went up and found his father was dead suspended by a rope attached to a beam. Witness knew of nothing that should have made him take away his life, and there had been nothing strange about him. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

STOKE DAMEREL - Killed At Keyham Extension Works - Devonport Borough Coroner held an Inquest at Keyham Dockyard last evening on HENRY ALFRED HANCOCK, 39, a banksman. Ernest J. Finch, Surgeon, R.N., Keyham Dockyard, said deceased had a severe fracture of the base of the skull and both legs were broken. - Frank Johnson, crane-driver at Keyham Extension Works, said on Saturday morning he was driving a crane which was lifting a little over five tones. Deceased was on a platform of the crane working the wind-brake. Witness jibbed the weight round to the right, and deceased applied his brake rather sharply. Witness then tried to slack it off by manipulating another wheel, but there was a jerk, and the wheel broke. He did not know what happened until he was on the ground and the crane had fallen. The wind was blowing strongly at the time. - Mr Brooks, engineer of the extension works, said no doubt when the wheel gave way it threw a great strain on the lying leg, and the crane fell over. Deceased was found under his platform, probably never having attempted to jump off. - By Mr Goldsmith, for Sir John Jackson: The crane was built to carry a weight of ten tons. - By Mr Shuter, Factory Inspector: He had been working on that crane seven weeks. - James Moss, mechanical foreman, said he put up the crane about four months ago. The machinery was not new, but all the timber was. The crane was tested before it was used. He examined the derrick on Saturday after the accident, and found the race wheel, two castings at the foot of the jib and iron guy at the top of the mast, were each broken. Accidents of that sort were not infrequent. When the crane was brought up with a sudden jerk the teeth of the race wheel were liable to break. - By the Foreman: The jib was tested with 15 tons at the extreme radius. - The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) remarked that the chief cause of the accident was apparently the wind. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" exonerating all concerned from blame, and expressing sympathy with the relatives.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Devonport Borough Coroner held an Inquest yesterday on MARY OSBORN, 52, a widow, who lived at 3 Clowance-street. - THOMAS OSBORN, fireman, said on returning from a three months' trip he found the deceased, his mother, had died the same day. She usually enjoyed good health, but complained at times of pains in the head. - Anna Druce said on Saturday morning deceased was having a cup of tea with her when she suddenly shouted and put her hand to her head. She put her head under the tap, and as she was returning to the room witness noticed she was in a crouched position. She laid deceased down in the passage and put a pillow under her head as she saw she was dying. A doctor was sent for, but deceased died before he arrived. - Dr E. S. Saunders having stated that death was due to haemorrhage of the brain, asked the Coroner if the corpses could not be properly prepared for post-mortem examinations. In the present instance he was obliged to perform the examination under most unpleasant circumstances. - The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) said he believed the matter would be remedied when the new mortuary was completed. It was his intention to have the examinations then carried out under proper conditions, and have an attendant responsible for the preparation of the bodies. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 6 Jun 1901 PLYMOUTH - Drowned In Plymouth Sound. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on MICHAEL JAMES COSGROVE, aged 17, a native of Cork, first class boy, H.M. training brig Nautilus. Mr Venning represented the Admiralty. - John Riley, first class boy, of the Nautilus, said last Saturday week he and deceased formed part of a boat's crew, and had just returned from landing some liberty boys. Deceased left the boat and went up the gangway leading to the upper deck, when he slipped and fell overboard. Deceased rose to the surface and struck his head against the ship's side. He immediately sank and did not rise again. The steps forming the gangway were placed vertically up the side of the ship. It was usual to have two man-ropes hanging down each side of the steps, but on this occasion there was none. It was easy to go up the steps without the aid of the ropes, but the boys did not often do so. Holes were made in the steps for boys to place their hands in when ascending. - Henry James Wilmot, first class petty officer, said as a rule the side ropes were hanging by the side of the steps. It was quite as safe to ascend by the aid of the holes in the steps as with the ropes. - Richard Bunt, of 13 Exeter-street, Plymouth, said on Tuesday morning he found deceased's body floating in the Sound outside the Island buoy. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 8 June 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Killed In Keyham Tunnel. A Mysterious Accident. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at Keyham Dockyard yesterday, on THOMAS ATWILL, aged 43, established skilled labourer, killed on Thursday morning in the tunnel between Devonport and Keyham yards. Mr S. Shuter represented the Home Office and Mr Peek the Admiralty. Lieut.-Col. E. R. Kenyon, R.E., (Superintendent Engineer Devonport Dockyard) was also present. - Charles Gale, 3 Mildmay-street, Plymouth, special leading man of labourers at Keyham Dockyard, said he sent deceased with others to load a condenser on a truck to be taken through the tunnel to Devonport Yard. Before it went into the tunnel it was tried under the gauge, and there was a clearance of two inches. He told deceased to go on with it and see it safely through. Very shortly afterwards he was informed that an accident had happened, and that a man was underneath the condenser. He immediately took a hydraulic jack to the spot. Deceased was under the condenser, lying face downwards on the footpath with his head towards Devonport Yard. The condenser was lifted and the body taken out. Deceased was then dead. Ten days previously a similar condenser went through the tunnel without mishap. The condenser was properly secured to the trucks by ropes. Wood was placed under the condenser to prevent it from sliding. In the ropes connecting the truck and locomotive there was a little freedom to allow the turning of curves. He did not know whether any of the rope was hanging. After the accident he saw that a drain plate was lifted almost bodily, but he could advance no theory as to how this happened. The truck had previously passed over one drain casting. Deceased was a steady, experienced man. - By the Jury: The brickwork of the tunnel over the truck was scored. When the truck was brought up suddenly, the condenser tipped up upon its end and scored the tunnel and then fell on its side. There was no back-balance on the rear of the truck. - The Foreman said if the truck had kept the rails it would not have struck. - Witness said the weight was evenly distributed on the four bearing points of the truck. - By Mr Shuter: It was necessary to have "slack" in the connecting rope, because the connections on the engine were higher than those on the truck. - William Gidley, signalman and pointsman, said he saw deceased jump on the side of the truck and when he last saw him he was riding on the truck down the incline. - William H. Collins, engine-driver, said when he had proceeded thirty or forty feet through the tunnel the locomotive had a sudden check. His mate said, "The truck is off the line and the condenser is falling. There is a man underneath." Witness at once shut off steam and applied the brake and with a handspike tried to get the weight off the man, but could not do so. The train was travelling about six miles an hour when the accident happened. Just before that he turned round, and, seeing the condenser was getting too close, put on a little more steam. When the truck was close up there would be slack rope, which might have caught in the drain plate. The connecting rope broke and the condenser fell between the engine and the truck, the engine travelling thirty or forty feet after the jerk. If the truck and locomotive were of the same level no slack would have been allowed in the rope. - Samuel Light, guard on the engine, said after the jerk he noticed deceased commence to run in the direction of Keyham, and then turn in the opposite direction. Then the condenser fell on him. - E. J. Finch, R.N., Surgeon, Keyham Yard, said deceased's skull was smashed to pieces, the brain lacerated, the chest crushed in, four or five ribs broken, and the left arm was badly broken. Deceased could not have lived a second. - Lieutenant-Colonel Kenyon said he could see no reason for the truck having left the line. He did not think the theory of the rope catching in the drain cover could be correct. He considered the truck must have left the line, for some reason that he could not explain, before it reached the drain-box. The marks on the top of the tunnel would be caused as the condenser canted over. There was no indication of the truck having been back-weighted. He could not account for the accident. The truck leaving the line caused the drain box to be lifted. - Replying to a Juryman, the Lieutenant-Colonel said although the drain-box had nothing to do with the accident, the flanges would be lowered to the level of the roadway. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sincere sympathy with the widow and family. - The Coroner thanked Lieutenant-Colonel Kenyon and said it was a pleasure to know that an official of Col. Kenyon's position took such an interest in his duties as to attend.

Western Morning News, Monday 10 June 1901 WHITCHURCH - At Whitchurch on Saturday Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on EMILY SECCOMBE SQUIRE, wife of JAMES SQUIRE, labourer, aged 32. Maria Pearce, who had been a midwife fourteen years, but was uncertificated, attended deceased when she gave birth to a child on Friday, about half-past ten o'clock. The mother took some warm tea, and about two hours later went to sleep. At two o'clock Dr C. C. Brodrick was sent for and at four o'clock death occurred. The doctor expressed his satisfaction with what the nurse had done. The deceased, a very delicate woman had an enlarged and fatty heart and he attributed death to syncope. The Jury (Mr J. Lavers, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and expressed their sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 June 1901 NEWQUAY, CORNWALL - At the Inquest on MR SEPTIMUS LOBB, of Plymouth, held at Newquay yesterday, a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned. One of the witnesses stated that he warned MR LOBB of the risks he ran in bathing near the Tea Cavern.

PLYMOUTH - JOHN DUGGAN, labourer, aged 50, of 37 Clare Buildings, Coxside, Plymouth, was going to work with another man on Saturday afternoon when he fell down in Sutton-road, Plymouth and died. Dr Player, who had made a post-mortem examination, stated at the Inquest yesterday that death was due to heart disease and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fatality At Devonport Dockyard. - At the Inquest held in Devonport yesterday on THEOPHILUS HULSON, aged 61, naval pensioner, a labourer in the yard, and who resided at 28 Palmerston-street, Stoke, Samuel Rendle, another labourer, stated that on Saturday deceased, another man and himself, were taking down baulks of timber from a stack about twenty-five feet high. Witness was at the top and the other men were at the bottom at the rear of the pile. He was moving one baulk, and having shifted the north end about six feet, went to the other end to move it out. Previously he had put a greasy skid under the baulk and had gone behind it. He then placed the iron bar under the log as far as he could, and was lifting up the wood when another baulk gave way under his feet and fell down at the rear of the stack. Looking down he saw deceased lying about a foot away from the bottom of the pile, apparently dead. - Replying to the Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce), witness said he had not had much experience of that kind of work. It was usual to have only one man on the top of the stack. If two men had been on top the accident would have been prevented. - John Coaker, leading man, said deceased had been employed on that kind of work for 15 years, and the other man (Jenkins) for 20 years, whilst Rendle had only been on for five or six weeks. There had not been more than three men on a similar job for five years, as the baulks were light. Five years ago four men were employed, as the timber was then much heavier. - Replying to Mr Peck, for the Admiralty, witness said he thought perhaps Rendle shifted the north end a little too far, and the south end had slipped back and pushed the end baulk slightly over the edge of the pile. Then, when the man went back to shift the south end, he put his foot on the outside baulk, with the result that it fell down. - Mr Rider, foreman in the Dockyard, said at the time of the accident deceased had no business where he was, and it was owing to his anxiety to get over the work that he was there. - James Mowett, Surgeon, R.N., Devonport Dockyard, said deceased's right thigh and the right leg were broken, and there was a compound fracture of the left leg. There were contusions all over the head and the lower part of the abdomen. Death was instantaneous. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and recommended that two men should be employed on the top of the stack instead of one.

Western Morning News, Thursday 13 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday on ARTHUR WELSHFORD KYLE, aged 10, the son of a sapper, R.E., stationed at Elphinstone Barracks, Dr C. J. Cooke, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to pleurisy and pneumonia, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

CHARDSTOCK, DORSET - The Chardstock Tragedy. Verdict of Murder And Felo-de-se. - Chardstock, the scene of the terrible double tragedy of Tuesday, is a village on the borders of Devon, Somerset and Dorset, and the terrible incident has naturally thrown the little community into a state of consternation. Both the victim and the murderer were born and reared near the village. MR DEANE'S father was the proprietor of Reed's Hill Farm, a mile away, and the father of GENGE occupied Churchill Farm. The murdered man left the neighbourhood and farmed in Surrey, and it was here, over who years ago, he was murderously attacked by GENGE, with a reaping hook. MR DEANE, indeed, had a narrow chance of recovery. GENGE was sent to prison for twelve months and came out more dangerous than ever. Some months ago MR DEANE returned to Chardstock, owing to the decline of his father, who died two months age. There can be little doubt that disappointment at the will made by MR DEANE, sen., was the immediate cause of the tragedy. - Further inquiries shewed the determined character of GENGE, the murderer and suicide. He had a reputation in the place as a vindictive and dangerous man. Two years ago a horse belonging to Mr Parris, of the George Inn, was hamstrung. GENGE was seen near the field on the night of the occurrence and was credited with the outrage. Later on the same person's outhouse was on fire and this was also attributed to GENGE, who had a deep enmity against Mr Parris. Not only this, but, over and over again he threatened people, who really went in fear of him. All through the chapter GENGE appears to have been on the wrong side of luck. About thirty years ago, while renting a dairy farm of his father at Churchill, he married a sister of the murdered man. GENGE afterwards moved to various farms, and about seven years ago was in business as a butcher at Chardstock. At this time MRS GENGE left her husband, who had behaved very selfishly while the children were down with fever After this GENGE lived a precarious existence. He had a good garden and did casual work all round the neighbourhood. It is said that he cleaned a garden at Chard on Monday evening and was quite rational. He had received a good education and kept a diary of all daily doings. On Monday he entered, "Chard - Sold two pecks gooseberries, 2s. 8d." He did not however, record that he bought a gun on that day or had made preparations for the crime he had doubtless well-planned. - Some of the entries in the diary evidenced the deep spleen he had against MR DEANE. MR DEANE, sen., died, as stated, two months ago, and it appeared to be the belief of GENGE that the murdered man influenced the father to keep any property from his daughter. On March 14th GENGE entered in his diary, "JOSEPH DEANE died at night," and on June 5th, "Saw Mr Forward (MR DEANE'S solicitor), but will not proved yet." There are several entries concerning the murdered man. On March 25th GENGE wrote "SID DEANE and I met," and on April 9th, "SID DEANE threatened that he would smash my nose in and kicked at me on leaving the door." The latter refers, no doubt, to an occasion when GENGE went to DEANE'S, and was ejected. On a former occasion GENGE had summoned DEANE for assault under similar circumstances, but the summons was dismissed. - Pinned to the last page of the diary is a pencilled leaf, apparently quite recently written. It begins, "A few years ago by a lie he got the old man to make the present will......... He told a lie, which was the lie that done the mischief. The old man told me a short time ago that he should make a fresh will and do something for the children....... I thought SID would have killed me about two years ago. I still suffer from the fractured ribs. I was unable to work 14 weeks. I have no money to pay solicitor's fees, or he would have been punished." Amongst the entries in the diary are some referring to GENGE suffering from indigestion, which was so bad that the vicar had arranged for a bed in the Cottage Hospital. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest yesterday afternoon upon the two men, when evidence was given confirming the account of the tragedy which we published yesterday. - Dr Belfour, of Chard, stated that he considered MR DEANE'S case hopeless from the first. The bullet had entered the left side. GENGE had shot himself through the mouth and the missile was probably in the head. - Extracts from GENGE'S diary were read, for the purpose of showing his bitter feeling against MR DEANE, after which the Jury returned a verdict that MR DEANE was murdered by GENGE, in whose case they returned a verdict of Felo-de-se. An additional fact connected with GENGE is that his father committed suicide largely owing, the villagers say, to the conduct of GENGE.

Western Morning News, Friday 14 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - Boy's Sad Death At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday on GEORGE FRANKLYN HANSFORD, aged 5, whose parents live at 57 St Leonard's-road. John Phillips, aged 10, son of Mr Phillips, baker, St Leonard's-road, said on Wednesday he and the deceased were playing with some trucks on the railway line leading to Sutton Wharves. Several boys were pushing a truck when HANSFORD fell, and the wheels passed over his arm. Nobody pushed him down. Dr F. C. Hitchin, House Surgeon, said when admitted the lad had extensive injuries to the left forearm and hand. He was put under an operation and died. The left forearm was in a terrible state and was hanging simply by the skin. Replying to a Juryman, Inspector Millman, G.W.R. Company, said the boys were really trespassing. A wall had been built to keep them out. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on MRS ISABELLA KATE MATTHEWS, aged 51, the wife of Mr H. J. R. MATTHEWS, confectioner, Redford-street, Plymouth, who resided at 15 Gri[?]street, Plymouth. Mary Ann Allsop, nurse to MRS MATTHEWS said on Tuesday night deceased appeared particularly well. The following morning she was all right and said that she had passed a good night. She then retired to her room to dress. Her daughter heard a thud from her room and when witness went in she found the deceased lying on the floor. A doctor was sent for, but before he arrived MRS MATTHEWS died. Dr J. Gardiner said he was satisfied death was due to cardiac failure and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 15 June 1901 MODBURY - A Modbury Suicide. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Modbury yesterday on JOHN BROWN, aged 46, master baker. Deceased's wife stated that about 2 p.m. on Wednesday he left her in the kitchen and went upstairs. About half-past three she went upstairs and there saw him seated on the foot of the bed. His feet were on the floor, his head was inclined forward and a piece of string was around his neck. Deceased had been depressed during the week and was under notice to quit at Midsummer. He was in monetary difficulties and had not always been a temperate man. He had been unwell on and off during the past twelve months and recently underwent an operation. Mr W. Matthews said he was called by the last witness to see the deceased and found that he was apparently dead. Dr E. McCready Spencer said around deceased's neck was a narrow-lined red farrow, corresponding with the string produced. Death was due to strangulation. There was no dislocation of the neck. The string around the neck had broken, probably due to a convulsion at the close of life. A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 17 June 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - Sad Death Of An Impregnable Boy. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on Saturday, on ALFRED A. MAEERS, aged 16, second-class boy on the training-ship Impregnable. - Thomas R Cynick, warrant officer on the Impregnable, stated that on Friday morning at 10.45 he was testing the deceased and other lads for the deep-water swimming test. the temperature of the water was 56 degrees, the regulation temperature being 53 degrees. The deceased dived off the stern of the pinnace by the bathing [?] and on coming to the surface commenced to strike out for the marked buoy 100 yards away. A small boat carrying the swimming instructor was following close to him. The boy swam about 70 yards when he suddenly sank, previous to which he shewed no signs of weakness, and to the last he struck out. He manifested no signs of fear when starting and went into the water cheerfully. The lad was a good swimmer, having been under instruction for six weeks. On the 7th inst he made his first attempt to swim in deep water, but witness then thought that he was not capable of swimming the distance and MAEERS was taken out. - Elwyn James Jarvis, first class [?], H.M.S. Impregnable, said he accompanied the deceased on the small boat. When a few yards off the marked buoy witness turned his head and on looking round again the lad had disappeared and never came again to the surface. He looked for air bubbles on the surface of the water but saw none, otherwise he would have dived off. The body was recovered by a diver. Arthur H. H. Vicard, Surgeon, Royal Naval Hospital, said death was due to drowning. The sudden sinking of the body might be due to exhaustion, cramp, or syncope. the organs of the deceased were sound, and there were no marks of violence on the body to indicate he came into contact with anything. A verdict of "Accidental Drowning" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. A Dangerous Staircase. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on FRANCIS EDWARD WEEKS, journeyman painter, aged 37, who resided at 13 Moon-street, Plymouth. - MARY WEEKS, the widow, said deceased was out all day on Saturday, and returned home about 6 p.m. Shortly afterwards he went upstairs and she heard him fall and found him unconscious at the foot of the stairs, with blood flowing from the back of his head. He had been drinking heavily for some time, and had done no work. Two months ago his father died, and some money was then left him. - Dr c. E. Player said deceased had a fracture at the back of the head, extending to the base of the skull, and died about two hours after the accident. - Several Jurymen stated that in place of a banister a thin rope was hung up over the stairs. The rope was not sufficient to bear a man's weight. - MRS WEEKS said her husband always caught hold of the rope when he ascended the stairs and he broke it by the fall on Saturday. P.C. Palmer said the landlord had told him that he had received no complaint about the stairs. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 June 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an inquest last evening on PERCY BARRON, aged 22 months, son of MR BARRON, shipwright, of 55 College-road. The father said the child was healthy until a [?], except for a running from the left ear. He was taken ill, owing, it was thought, to cutting his teeth. On Sunday night he suddenly became convulsed and died before a doctor arrived. Dr Lander said death was due to convulsions, owing to the ear trouble. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 20 June 1901 SEATON AND BEER - HENRY BRADRIDGE, farmer, aged 54, of Couch Hill, Beer, was leading a horse when the animal put its foot in a rabbit hole and fell on him. He sustained such serious internal injuries that he died on Sunday, two days after the accident. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - A Death In Newton Workhouse. Insufficient Supervision. - An Inquest was held yesterday in Newton Abbot Workhouse on ALICE GILPIN, aged 19. MRS MARY ANN GILPIN said her daughter, who had been an inmate of the Workhouse for two years, had suffered from epileptic fits for seven years. - Emily Ada Smart, nurse, said she saw deceased during Monday night. At 6.30 on Tuesday morning deceased spoke to her. She (witness) then went into the male ward to do her duty there. A wardswoman was left in charge. About seven o'clock the wardwoman came and said she believed ALICE GILPIN was dead. Witness immediately went to the ward and found the young woman dead, her head buried in the pillow, her hands clenched, her neck swollen, and her face purple. - Annie Brown, the wardswoman, an inmate of the Workhouse, said there were thirty patients in the ward. The deceased was the only one suffering from epilepsy. Witness heard no noise, neither did she see the deceased move. As all the other patients were awake, she went to wake the deceased and found her dead. - Dr J. Culross said there were no marks of violence on the body. On previous occasions deceased generally screamed at the commencement of a fit. Deceased might not have died had she been turned on her back immediately the fit commenced. She died of suffocation, following an epileptic attack. - In answer to a Juryman, witness expressed the opinion that there was sufficient supervision and attendance in the ward. - The Coroner (Mr S. Hacker) in summing up, said it ought not to be possible for a person to be suffocated in a way deceased had probably been. This was not the first case of the kind that had occurred in the House. He held an Inquest on a person who died there in a similar way two or three years ago. The patients should be classified in the House and more careful provision made for supervision. Deceased was sent to the House that she might be better looked after than she could possibly be at home, and this was the result - and a very sad result too. - The Jury found that the deceased was Accidentally Suffocated whilst suffering from an epileptic fit and added - "The Jury is of opinion that there should be classification of patients in the Workhouse Infirmary and better supervision of epileptics." The Jury gavel their fees to the deceased's mother.

Western Morning News, Friday 21 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - ALFRED BLACKLER TOULL, engaged as a sweeper by Plymouth Corporation, who resided at 3 Nicholls-court, High-street, Plymouth, complained on Tuesday of pains in his stomach. A doctor was sent for, but before his arrival the man died. Dr Cooke, who had made a post-mortem examination, stated at the Inquest yesterday that death was due to syncope and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 22 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on ELLEN PROWSE SNELL, aged 30, who resided at 63 Grenville-road, Plymouth. FREDERICK JAMES SNELL, labourer, the husband, said his wife was taken ill on Wednesday. Dr Dutton's assistant was called in and left, promising to call again, but he did not return. Dr Glinn was then fetched and death occurred about an hour after his arrival. Dr Glinn said he found deceased practically in extremis. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to acute peritonitis. Nothing could possibly have saved her life. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - Poisoned By Gas At Plymouth. A Defective Tap. - At an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on LAURA MIALL, aged 80, widow of WILLIAM HENRY MIALL, late of H.M. Customs. Amelia Potts, housekeeper, stated that the deceased was on a visit to her brother at 6 Tothill-avenue. On Friday night she went to bed apparently in her usual health. A gas jet in the room was lighted for the deceased. In turning on the gas, MRS MIALL apparently had twisted round the tap and then turned the gas on again. On Saturday morning the housekeeper knocked at deceased's door and getting no answer called in a man, who burst open the door. The old lady was lying on the bed unconscious and the gas was escaping. Dr Ward was immediately called in, but the deceased died yesterday morning. - The Jury inspected the jet and it was found that [?] to the tap, with the result that the [?] completely round. The Foreman of the Jury said the Gas Company should examine the tap [?]. The Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) said the company [?] to enter houses to examine the gas taps. Dr Ward said that death was due to the effects [?]. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth - MR RICHARD GILL, aged 86, retired farmer, residing at 5 Hyde Park-terrace, Mutley, on 18th inst., fell out of bed. His daughter found him quite conscious and he told her that in getting out of bed he fell. At the Inquest yesterday Dr E. P. Mariette said deceased broke his thigh and that undoubtedly accelerated death, which occurred on Saturday. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 26 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Street Fatality. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ALBERT EDWARD VOGWELL, aged 3 years, the son of WILLIAM J. VOGWELL, plasterer, of 59 Durham-avenue, Plymouth. - Mr J. Carter, agent of the London and South-Western Railway, said on Monday afternoon he was in Beaumont-road. A wagon was going at a walking pace, about two yards from the pavement, when the deceased walked into the road, intending to cross to the other side. Struck by the shaft of the cart, he was knocked down, and the wheels passed over his body before the driver could pull up. No blame attached to the driver, who could not have seen the child until he was struck by the cart. - Mrs Annie Jordan, of Chedworth-street, Plymouth, corroborated, and agreed that no blame could be attached to the driver. She took the boy in a trap to the Hospital, but he apparently died in Woodland-terrace. The mother stated that the child was in charge of an elder brother, who had previously crossed the road, and it was in following him that deceased was knocked down. - Frederick Reeby, of Red Hill-cottages, Plymstock, driver in the employ of Mr Hine, stated that he was walking his horse in Beaumont-road and did not see the deceased walk off the pavement. Dr Hitchins, House Surgeon, South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, said the child was dead when admitted. Its ribs on the left side and the right collar-bone were fractured. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury exonerating the driver from all blame.

Western Morning News, Friday 28 June 1901 BOVEY TRACEY - At the Inquest at Bovey Tracey on EDWIN WINSOR, 5 years of age, who died on Wednesday morning, evidence was given by the wagoner, Robert Carpenter and Mr H. Pinsent. The little fellow must have passed underneath the timber wagon at the back, climbed on a piece of timber from which he fell and the end of which rolled him over and over. Dr Stewart attributed death to shock, resulting from abdominal injuries. No blame whatever was attributed to the wagoner. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMPTON - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Plympton yesterday on SARAH CHRISTMAS, widow, aged 67. Elizabeth Newson, who lived opposite to deceased, said she wished her "good night" on Tuesday night about 9.30 when she was shutting up her house. Not seeing the house open next morning at 11 o'clock she communicated with the Police. No one resided in the house with deceased. P.S. Newbery said on entering the house he found deceased in her night clothes lying across the bed, face downwards, quite dead. She had evidently been dead several hours. Dr Stamp, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to heart disease. There was no evidence whatever of alcoholism. He attended deceased several years ago for heart affection, and he quite expected she would at some time die suddenly. The Jury (Mr J. W. Lillicrap, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 June 1901 PLYMOUTH - FANNY GOLDBERG, wife of JOSEPH GOLDBERG, a Polish Jew, who resides at 166 Grenville-road, Plymouth, was taken ill yesterday morning and died before a doctor arrived. At the Inquest yesterday Dr T. B. P. Wilkinson attributed death to syncope and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 1 July 1901 BRIXHAM - Suicide At Brixham. - At Brixham on Saturday an Inquest was held on JOHN FURNEAUX SPARKES, of Myrtle cottage. - SOPHIA SPARKES, the widow, said deceased was 72 years old, and retired as a master mariner 25 years ago. Early on Saturday morning she was walking in the garden with him, because he complained of feeling unwell. while sifting some ashes she missed him and found him in an outhouse. Seeing blood she screamed for assistance, thinking he had broken a blood-vessel. Mr Matthews, who lived next door, came. Deceased had nothing to worry him and they lived together on the very best terms. - Charles Roger Matthews said he found deceased standing upright with his face towards the wall and holding himself up by his hand. In one hand was a knife. Deceased never spoke or groaned. - Dr W. L. Meyer stated that he had treated deceased for nervous prostration caused by the delusion about the condition of his stomach. Deceased was quite dead when he arrived. There was a deep wound in the front of the neck. Death was due to suffocation and collapse from haemorrhage. A verdict of "Suicide while in a state of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 2 July 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatally Burnt At Plymouth. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr J. Graves) held an Inquest at the Homeopathic Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on SARAH ANN JONES, aged 8, who resided with Mrs Sarah Cooke, her aunt, at 11 Lambhay-hill. Mrs Cooke stated that the deceased had been living with her for the last six weeks. The child's father was a collier, and resided at Pontypridd. A few minutes before eight on Friday morning she heard screams proceeding from the stairs and found deceased in flames. She put a cape around the child and a neighbour came to her assistance in putting the flames out. The child only had her nightdress on. Deceased slept in a cot in the kitchen and a fire was lighted in the room by Mr Cooke before he left for work. - Dr Vawdrey, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the deceased had burns affecting the face, neck, chest, both arms, and legs. The case was practically hopeless from the first, and she died on Saturday morning. Deceased was not in a fit mental condition to give an account of the cause of her injuries. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 4 July 1901 LYDFORD - Death In Dartmoor Prison. - An Inquest was held at Dartmoor Prison on Tuesday on Convict U.V. 131 CHARLES FOSTER, who died on Sunday, aged 65. FOSTER, who was of German nationality, was described as an agent. He was convicted of being a receiver of stolen property and sentenced to five years' penal servitude at North London (Clerkenwell) Sessions in October 1898. He had been twice before convicted, having been sentenced at Wakefield in 1887 to 6 months and at Liverpool, March 1894 to 5 years. Whilst in gaol his conduct had been "very good," and he had never received any punishment. Letters had been sent to his friends, but they were invariably returned. Deceased, on his reception from Chelmsford Prison in April 1899, was in fairly good health. On account of his age he was put to light labour - stocking knitting - and was permitted other little privileges. He was treated in Hospital in March 1900 for boils in leg. He recovered and went out. In April 1901 he was again admitted, complaining of cough, &c. His right lung was found to be affected and in spite of nourishing diet FOSTER lost weight rapidly and after a lingering illness, during which every care and attention was given him, died as before stated. Deceased never complained and was grateful for all the kindness he received. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 July 1901 MORETONHAMPSTEAD - The Fatality At North Bovey. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Moretonhampstead Cottage Hospital on WILLIAM NICHOLS, 15, of Wormhill-cottages, North Bovey, who died in the Institution on Thursday. William Taylor, a farm lad, said he and deceased, with another boy named Richard Cann, were carting manure for Mr Taylor of Hele Farm, on Wednesday. About 5 p.m. witness and deceased started for the field with a loaded cart and met Cann coming back with the empty one. Deceased left witness and got into the cart with Cann, from whom he took the reins. Five minutes after NICHOLS came back to the field and asked him to go to help him to get Cann from under the cart as he had upset. NICHOLS was bleeding at the mouth and ears. He did not say what caused the cart to upset. They went together and witness lifted the cart while deceased pulled Cann out. He was unconscious. Witness considered deceased had driven up over the bank, as there was a wheel mark there. - Annie Bastin, living in some cottages near Hele Farm, deposed that when she arrived on the scene, deceased and Cann were by the roadside and NICHOLS said to her, "Your Dicky's dead and I'm dying; run and fetch my mother." She could not, however, as she had Dick to get home and attend to. - James Taylor, of Hele Farm, the boys' employer, said he was working at the top of the field and hearing shouts he went down. The two injured boys were then by the roadside and NICHOLS walked to the farmhouse, was undressed and put to bed and attended by Dr Middlemist and later was removed to the Hospital. He thought NICHOLS must have driven against a large stone in the bank and so overturned. There were marks on the stone. Dr Middlemist said deceased remained conscious until 12 o'clock. He then had fits and paralysis of the left side ensued, and he died about 7 o'clock on Thursday morning. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Thursday 11 July 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Child's Fatal Fall. Inquest Adjourned. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday on ELIZABETH MAY SIMPSON, aged 13 months, daughter of ROBINSON W. SIMPSON, labourer, 16 St Paul's-street. MRS E. SIMPSON, mother of the deceased, said on Monday, about noon, her sister, ALINA DREW, wife of Frederick Drew, petty officer, R.N., who resides at 7 Frederick-street, Plymouth, went with her to the dressmaker, Mrs Drew carrying the child. After leaving the dressmaker's, her sister asked to be allowed to take the deceased with her, and she consented. Mrs Drew was then quite sober. They had had no drink together. About twenty minutes after six the child was brought home. Her head was bruised and a doctor was sent for. She died on Tuesday morning. Deceased was a very healthy child. Miss A Dewar, dressmaker, 27 Admiralty-street, said when MRS SIMPSON and her sister visited her on Monday, Mrs Drew was quite sober. - Mr Samuel May, of the Prince of Wales Inn, Emma-place, stated that on Monday evening, about six o'clock, Mrs Drew came into his house carrying the deceased, who was crying. The woman asked for a glass of porter, but he refused to serve her as she was drunk. As the child's father was passing the public-house, Mr. May called him in and he took the child away. - Mr R. W. SIMPSON, the father, said Mrs Drew was addicted to drink, but she had been steady for the last three weeks. - Dr T. Noy Leah said death was due to a fracture of the vault of the skull, about four inches long. A large blood clot was pressing on the brain, which was itself lacerated. The Inquest was adjourned until Friday for the attendance of a witness who saw the child fall.

Western Morning News, Friday 12 July 1901 EAST BUDLEIGH - Sad Fatality At Salterton. - ELIZABETH IVY PALMER, aged two years, was killed on Tuesday on Salterton Beach by the collapse of a large elm trunk, used on the work of carrying off the water from the marsh, and into which she had crawled during play. At the Inquest Walter Lavis, son of the contractor, said the trunk was built in four sections, and when they left work on the evening of the accident (only about two hours previously) he considered it perfectly safe. Only the day before the men had had their dinner inside it. They left the trunk safely shored up and the shores must have been purposely taken away during the interval. It was possible that the shores were knocked away by children for mischief. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" adding that they considered there was a certain amount of neglect on the contractor's part in not seeing that the shoring was more secure.

Western Morning News, Saturday 13 July 1901 TEIGNMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Teignmouth last evening on RICHARD MUDGE, 74 years of age, who lived alone at 19 Model-cottages. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Deceased, who would not allow anyone to come near him, had a deposit note for £43.

SALTASH, CORNWALL - The Saltash Steeplechase Fatality. - Mr A. C. L. Glubb, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Saltash yesterday, on GEORGE NOYCE, a jockey, aged 17 years, of Newton Abbot, who was killed on the Saltash Racecourse on Wednesday last, when riding the horse Manxman in the Open Steeplechase. Mr William Moorman was elected Foreman of the Jury. P.C. Henry Martin stated that the last round at the last bank in the race the horse appeared to clear the fence, but fell on landing and threw its rider, the horse's fore quarters striking the deceased. He did not think NOYCE broke his neck in falling. When he reached deceased blood was coming from his mouth, his head being bent forward on the ground and slightly twisted. He was unconscious and died within a few minutes. Dr Meadows was sent for and on arriving stated that the youth was dead. The fence was from four to five feet high. - By the Foreman: Was about 30 feet distant from the scene of the accident. - WILFRED NOYCE stated that deceased, his brother, worked with him. He was accustomed to ride hurdle races and steeplechases. He rode on the Saltash course last year. - The foreman asked if there would be any medical evidence, and the Coroner replied in the negative. Mr Alford thought evidence should be given as to the bank, whether it was a good one or not. Mr F. A. Rawling, on behalf of the Race Committee, stated that the committee were prepared to offer evidence to shew that the banks were in good condition and fit for racing, but the Coroner thought the Jury were quite satisfied on that point. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Jury handed their fees to the mother of the deceased.

Western Morning News, Monday 15 July 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Baby Suffocated At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce, the Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Devonport on Saturday morning on FREDERICK MASCHKE, the two days old child of LILY MARTHA MASCHKE, of 17 Princes-street. Jane H. Painter, the wife of a labourer in the Dockyard, stated that the mother of the child was a bookbinder and a single woman. The child was born on Wednesday. Mrs Verney acting as midwife. On Friday morning the mother called witness, saying the baby was dead. It was lying by the side of the mother. She sent for Dr E. J. C. Wilson, who found deceased had been dead four or five hours. he made a post-mortem examination and found all the organs healthy, but presenting signs of suffocation. Deceased died from asphyxia. The Jury returned a verdict that deceased died from Suffocation, whilst in bed with his mother, but that there was not sufficient evidence to shew whether suffocation was accidental or otherwise.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd held two Inquests at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on Saturday. The first Inquiry was into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM JOHN LEE, aged 37, able seaman, H.M.S. Cambridge, who died at the Hospital on July 11th. John Guise, able seaman, H.M.S. Cambridge, said on July 6th about 8.5 p.m. deceased was going into the chains to fetch a broom. After ascending two steps he missed his footing and fell about 35 feet. In his descent he struck the after guy of the boom, the refuse bins and also the gratings at the bottom of the staging. Deceased was perfectly sober. - Surgeon Arthur S. G. Bell, H.M.S. Cambridge, said deceased sustained extensive injuries to the head, although the skull was not fractured. - Surgeon T. D. Halahan, Royal Naval Hospital, said deceased's spine was also injured and that was really the cause of death. The marvel was that he lived so long as he did. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." Deceased was a native of Tiverton.

EAST STONEHOUSE - The second Inquest was on FREDERICK JONES, aged 26, stoker, who died in a cell on H.M.S. Defiance on July 17th. Surgeon Maurice C. Langford, H.M.S. Defiance, stated deceased, received on board on July 10th from the Royal Naval Barracks as a prisoner for breaking leave, was placed in a cell on the orlop deck. Witness last saw him alive at 6.30 p.m. on the 11th inst. in the sick bay. He was removed there because he applied that his cell door might be left open, alleging that he had been invalided from the army suffering from fits, and he was afraid if the cell door was closed that he might have a fit and no one would know it. Witness had his temperature taken and found it was perfectly normal and his pulse was good. The temperature of the cell was about 80 degrees at the time. Deceased's request was granted, the door being kept open. He was found dead about 2.10 a.m. on July 12th. The cell was of sufficient and proper size for anyone to be confined in. A post-mortem examination shewed that the heart was very much enlarged and fatty. It weighed 16 ounces instead of 10 or 12. Death was due to syncope. Private William Dowdeswell, R.M.L.I., posted over deceased's cell at midnight on the 11th inst., said the door remained open all the time. About two o'clock he heard a fall and going into the cell found deceased on the floor , face downwards. Witness did not turn him over, but immediately sent for the corporal of the guard and the man was removed to the sick bay. The Coroner suggested that in future if witness found anyone in a similar position he should turn him over. The Jury found that death was due to "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 July 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Drowned At Camel's Head. - Mr Pearce, Borough Coroner for Devonport, held an Inquest at Camel's Head yesterday, on THOMAS SHEPHERD, aged 18, platelayer. Edward John Perry, labourer, 12 Fourth-avenue, Devonport, said on Sunday afternoon he and deceased (his stepbrother) went with three others bathing in Weston Mill Creek. Four of them got into the water just above the South-Western Railway bridge, but witness stayed on the bank. Deceased swam to the opposite bank and stood on the mud for four or five minutes and then started to swim back. In the middle a strong current caught him and witness thought he was seized with cramp. He held up his hands and shouted to Swaffield, who was in the water. Swaffield caught hold of him; deceased seized him around the waist and dragged him under with him. Efforts were made to rescue both, but they failed to recover deceased, who was not a good swimmer. Swaffield was brought ashore. - William Swaffield, crane driver, of 10 Fourth-avenue, said after deceased caught hold of him and dragged him under he knew nothing until he found himself on the bank. P.S. Wallis said he and two other constables reached Weston Mill Creek about 3.15 p.m. and, procuring boat hooks, commenced to search for the body. It was not until 7.15 that they recovered it in the bed of the river. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 July 1901 TAVISTOCK - Death Due To The Excessive Heat. - Mr C. G. Brian, Deputy County Coroner, held an Inquest last evening at Crase Cottage, Mill Hill village, near Tavistock on MARY W. E. COLE, aged 63. JOHN COLE, a farm labourer, her husband, stated that she was carrying a pail of water on Monday morning and shortly afterwards was found unconscious. Dr C. E. Brodrick was called and pronounced life extinct. He had made a post mortem examination and found death was due to heart disease, produced by the excess of heat. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 20 July 1901 PLYMOUTH - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on CHARLOTTE STEVENS, aged 77, who resided at the Alms-houses, Green-street. Mrs Donovan stated that on 3rd inst. deceased went to put a glass in a cupboard, tripped and fell. Mr Hellings, Master of the Plymouth Workhouse, stated that the deceased was admitted on the 5th inst., and died on Thursday evening. Dr C. J. Cooke said deceased broke the neck of the thigh bone. A verdict of "Death from Heart Failure, accelerated by the injuries accidentally received" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 22 July 1901 KINGSBRIDGE - Fatal Fall At Kingsbridge. - An Inquest was held on Saturday at Kingsbridge on ROBERT HEATH, a thatcher, residing in Church-street, Dodbrooke. On Friday night he arrived home about eleven o'clock, and told his little boy he should not go to bed as he had to start early to work. Next morning at half-past six his son found him lying at the foot of the stairs. In about an hour, and before a doctor arrived, he died. The cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, probably caused by a fall, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

SIDMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Sidmouth. - An Inquest was held at Sidmouth Cottage Hospital on Saturday on FREDERICK WILLIAM DAVIES, aged 20, grocer's assistant, of St. Neot, who had been employed since Monday last by Mrs Casson, of New-street, Sidmouth. Joseph Stringer, porter, employed by Mrs Casson, said on Friday they went to the stores to take boxes of currants into the loft. Deceased had forgotten to bring the keys, and said "Don't go back for them; I will hoist myself up by the pulleys," the loft door being open. When about eight feet from the ground deceased's foot slipped from the hook of the pulley and he fell. Mr B. G. Pullin, Surgeon, said deceased had a severe fracture at the base of the skull and a broken collar-bone. He was conscious and could answer any question. Afterwards he lost consciousness and gradually sank, death taking place at midnight. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 July 1901 TORQUAY - Horrible Delusion At Torquay. An Old Lady's Suicide. - At Torquay last evening an Inquest was held on SARAH ANN REED, an elderly woman, formerly a lady's maid, of Cavern-road, Ellacombe, found dead in her bedroom on Sunday morning. - Caroline Field said her sister (the deceased) and herself had a small annuity. Deceased, 65 years of age, was an invalid and a spinster. They lived together. The annuity was from a lady they were both in service with. Deceased had been treated for consumption "for years and years." She had been low-spirited about four years. Last Saturday morning she went out for a walk, which was very unusual. She said she had been up in the coppice, at the top of the Warberrys. On Sunday morning witness took up deceased's breakfast as usual. After that witness went out to church, leaving deceased in bed. On her return she called up the stairs and then went up, speaking all the way to the deceased, little thinking she was dead. When she went into deceased's room she saw her bed was empty. Going round the bed witness saw deceased lying on the floor dead, as though she had fallen. Witness called a neighbour, named Mrs Terry, who found a packet of oxalic acid under the bolster on the bed. Witness could not explain how it got into the house. Possibly deceased got it when she went out. Under the toilet cover on the dressing table another neighbour, named Mrs Down, that afternoon had found the paper, produced. The writing was her sister's. The coroner read the note as follows:- This is to say I have done this dreadful deed myself, for I can no longer live the wicked life I am living. I have cursed God, damned His Church, despised His Word. I am a liar and a Sabbath-breaker. My dear sister is all love, but I am a vile wretch, SARAH A REED. Everyone is, and has been, full of love to me. My dear sister, what love she has bestowed on me, and all to no purpose. I can only be the wicked creature I am. God be cursed for letting me live. S.A.R. - Witness said deceased had been living under delusions for years. She had always thought herself a very wicked woman, and no one could get her out of it. But she was the reverse of that. - How long has she had these delusions? - For years. - Has she had religious mania? - Yes. She thought she was lost. - Had she very strong feelings on religion? - I should say that would be it. She had no hope, and said she was lost. It was a delusion, because she had lived a most upright Christian lie all her lifetime, and no one could bring a word against her. No one could persuade her out of it. - She was not what you would call religious? She was the other way? - I do not know what you would call it. - Did she got to Church? - No, to chapel, but not lately. She had been a Christian all her lifetime. That was her delusion: and may I be kept from such. For four years she had never known what it was to have peace, because she had been so tormented with this delusion. - had she any other delusions? - No. That was the one thing. It was that continually. What you read in the note has been her language generally, because it was her belief. When I tried to persuade her against it she said she could not help it. "It will come (she said); it is like a flow of water. It will come out." What could anybody say when they could not bring a spot against her character. - Was her intellect all right? - She was sensibly deranged. Sometimes she would speak very sensibly, but at other times not. - Had she ever threatened to do any harm to herself? - Not that I have heard. She has always said she could not live, and that she did not want to live. But I never heard her threaten to do any harm to herself. - Mrs Terry, the neighbour called in, said she found the paper labelled "oxalic acid" under the pillow on the bed. Deceased had a delusion, which frequently caused her to use wicked words. Deceased used to be a Christian, but not of late years. - Dr Cook said deceased probably took a full ounce of oxalic acid. She apparently poured it down her throat in its dry state. The shock would have killed her in about ten minutes. There was a little vomit on the bed. The post-mortem examination shewed softening of the brain. Death was due to poisoning. - T. H. Ness, chemist, Market-street, whose label was on the oxalic acid packet, said he did not sell the poison to deceased. He was positive of that. He did not know to whom, or when, he sold the oxalic acid. The poison was commonly used for cleaning straw hats. It must have been purchased at his shop. The Jury returned a verdict that deceased committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind. - The Coroner asked if there would be any objection to putting oxalic acid in the first schedule of poisons. Mr Ness did not know. There was a considerable demand for oxalic acid. - The coroner: Would chemists oppose its being so scheduled? - Mr Ness: No. They would be glad to do anything. The Government is the main obstacle. Very few people buy the poisons they have to sign for. Restrictions are, therefore, valuable.

PLYMOUTH - Death Through Drink At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on RICHARD JOHNSON, travelling cutler, aged 36, who resided at 17 Mill-street. The widow said her husband had been a heavy drinker all his life and especially during the last twelve months. On Friday night he was taken ill and the following day was so bad that a doctor was sent for. Deceased died on Sunday morning. On Friday he took a large sleeping draught and ate a meat supper. He went to bed, but did not sleep until two the following morning and was never conscious afterwards. Dr R. B. Burke said he found deceased on Saturday under the influence of some opiate and could not be brought round. Deceased had been previously attended for delirium tremens. Death was due to Alcoholism accelerated by an overdose of opium. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Machinery Fatality At Stonehouse. - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on JAMES EDWIN CHARLES LEMON, aged 21, who resided at 38 Rendle-street. The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) stated the deceased was employed in the ginger beer factory, Stonehouse, carried on by the representatives of the late Mrs Elliott and got mixed up with some machinery on June 24th. It would be necessary to communicate with the Inspector of Factories and the Inquest was adjourned until Friday. Mr F. W. Skardon watched the case on behalf of the representatives of the late Mrs Elliott.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 24 July 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - The Devonport Suicide. Queer After Drinking Bouts. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest yesterday on GEORGE SAMUEL KIMBLE, aged 29, of 5 Canterbury-street. - BESSIE KIMBLE, the widow, said her husband, a skilled labourer employed in Devonport Dockyard, had been unwell for some time. He had not worked regularly lately and had given way to drink a good deal. He frequently complained of pain in the head and acted strangely at times, knocking his head against the wall. She did not know he ever threatened to take his life. He had not worked since the previous Tuesday and had drank in the meanwhile. He went away at 6.45 on Monday morning and she thought he had gone to work. He did not return until 6 p.m. and then had had some drink, but she had seen him more drunk. She got some porter for him, while he held the baby. She afterwards went with the baby into the street, as it was cross. Just afterwards she was told her husband had taken poison. - Mary Anne Simmonds, living in the same house, said she heard deceased calling, and on going upstairs, he said "Oh dear! Mrs Simmonds, I've done it! I've done it!" He was lying on the bed but got off and went towards her. She asked what he had done and he said "I've taken it." She asked "What have you taken?" and he handed her a bottle. She sent for a doctor, and afterwards returned to the room with deceased's mother. He was then unconscious. She had known deceased and his wife nearly a year and he often acted very strangely. He knocked his head against the wall and once put it through a wall partition. A fortnight before MRS KIMBLE came to her at two o'clock in the morning, as her husband was running round the room with the razor. Deceased's queer state of mind generally followed a drinking bout. - Dr E. S. Saunders said deceased evidently took carbolic acid in the porter, as neither his mouth nor tongue was burnt. Whilst witness was washing the stomach, deceased's heart suddenly stopped and animation could not be restored. There was enough carbolic acid in the stomach to kill two or three people. The acid was the ordinary crude sort. - P.C. Harper produced a bottle containing a little carbolic acid. He found it in the room. Mr J. S. Lamble, chemist, told him he had served KIMBLE'S wife with the poison some time ago, but could not say whether the bottle produced was the actual one he supplied. - Mr Lamble, who was sent for, said an immense quantity of the acid was used for destroying vermin in that part of the town. It was not necessary, under the new Act to enter the sale of the poison in a book, but chemists were bound to put it in a corrugated blue bottle. He could not say for certain whether he had sole any to MRS KIMBLE. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," and joined the Coroner in an expression of sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 July 1901 PLYMOUTH - Suicide At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on SARAH JACKSON, aged 40, wife of J. J. JACKSON, dairyman, 192 Beaumont-road. The husband stated that yesterday morning he got up about six o'clock and went downstairs to make his wife a cup of tea. Shortly afterwards he heard groans, and on going to his wife found her in convulsions. A doctor was sent for, but she died about 7.15 a.m. Deceased had never threatened to take her life. - Dr J. C. Aldred said he found deceased suffering from strychnine poisoning and she died in about a quarter of an hour after his arrival. - Mr J. H. Hatfield, chemist, Beaumont-road, Plymouth, said he sold MRS JACKSON the poison on 20th inst., as a vermin killer. The packet contained two grains of strychnine. A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Singular Fatality At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on SOLOMON NORTHMORE, aged 57, journeyman carpenter, who resided at 10 Treville-street. SOLOMON NORTHMORE, the nephew of the deceased, said about 9.15 a.m. on Thursday, he left his uncle at work in the workshop, and he then appeared quite well. Witness returned three and a half hours later and found the deceased entangled in the ironwork which connected the two shafts of a cart together, so that the shafts were suspended. Assistance was procured and NORTHMORE was released, but he was dead. Witness thought his uncle must have been bending down to pick up the water-hose, which was under the cart, when the shafts fell, catching him in the ironwork. - Dr G. H. Eccles said death was due to compression of the windpipe. The coroner said the case was a most curious one, but he thought that death was purely accidental. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

LYDFORD - Death Of A Convict. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest in Dartmoor Prison on HENRY DAMELLS, aged 56, who died on Monday. Mr W. H. O. Russell stated that deceased, a mason by trade, was convicted at Bristol in October 1899, of larceny and sentenced to 5 years' penal servitude, a previous conviction of 3 years for felony being proved against him. Whilst in gaol his conduct had been good. He had received no punishment whatever. He was reported seriously ill on May 11th, when his father visited him. - Dr W. S. Frew, medical officer, stated that on his reception at Dartmoor from Exeter in April 1900, deceased was in fairly good health, but wearing a double truss. He therefore ordered him to light labour - bag making - allowed him to exercise in the inner ring and excused him from all other duties. He was several times admitted into the Hospital suffering from minor ailments. In December, 1900, he was admitted and retained until February 1901. On May 20th he was again admitted and allowed out on his own application, but on 23rd April he came back again. Since that time he had gradually grown weaker and complained of something growing in his stomach. On examination an operation was considered impracticable. Deceased died on 23rd inst. A post-mortem shewed cancer in the stomach. - Assistant Warder Lukies stated that he was present when deceased died. He seemed grateful for what was done for him. - Convict Orderly Thomas Smith deposed that he had helped to wait on deceased, who had had everything he asked for. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned. Mr Edward Williams was Foreman of the Jury.

EXETER - The Fatal Bicycle Accident At Lympstone. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Exeter Higher Barracks yesterday on WILLIAM HENRY REED, 26, private, Devon Regiment, who died on Wednesday night as a result of falling from a bicycle at Lympstone on Wednesday. - Lieutenant-Colonel O'Brien, Medical Officer in charge of the troops at Exeter, said that REED was suffering from concussion when brought in. There were several contusions of the face, one being over the right eye. He was in a semi-comatose condition throughout and remembered nothing of the accident. There was no evidence as to how deceased came by his injuries. One account said his machine caught in a stone, and another that he collided with a wall. The Inquest was adjourned to this morning for the attendance of a witness who saw the accident.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 30 July 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Stonehouse. Dangers Of Belting. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) resumed the Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday touching the death of JAMES E. C. LEMON, aged 21, who resided at 38 Rendle-street, Plymouth. Mr Percy Pearce watched the case for the friends of the deceased. Mr F. W. Skardon for the representatives of the late Mrs Elliot. H. M. Inspector of Factories (Mr Sidney Shuter) was present. - Thos, Elliot, mineral water manufacturer, 4 Caroline-place, Stonehouse, said deceased had been employed in the factory four or five years. On the 24th ultimo he was called to see the deceased and found him hung up in the shafting. The gas engine was stopped, and the man was cut down within two or three minutes. The machinery was in perfect order and the belt was on the fly-wheel. Witness was attending the machine, but he left to go to the stables and during his absence the accident occurred. - Replying to Mr Shuter, witness said the deceased had no business to touch the machinery. the machine which the belt came off was a bottling machine, but it was not the machine the man was working. The belt had often come off this machine before. - Mr Pearce: Did the belt slip off owing to the striking bar being loose? - Witness: No, but I did tell a workman to keep his eye on the striking-bar, as it was loose. A notice posted in the factory forbid any man touching the machinery. - Mr Skardon: How far away from the machine was the deceased working? - Twenty feet. He had no business there, but the accident is a mystery to me. Possibly he was caught by the shirt-sleeves by the belt, and suspended about three feet from the ceiling. - Charles Gourley, of 4 Carlton-terrace, Stonehouse, late bottler to Elliot's mineral water works, Stonehouse, said the belt was constantly slipping off. On two or three occasions Mr Elliot put it on and on the last occasion deceased put it on, witness having asked him to do so. LEMON was wearing his mask and gloves and could see properly. Deceased stood on some cases to reach the belt, when his shirt-sleeves caught and he was dragged upwards. Witness had the engine stopped at once. The belt came off owing to the striking-bar being loose. Earlier in the morning Mr Elliot told witness to keep his eye on the belt. When the belt came off anybody could replace it. There were no notices in the factory before the accident, but some had been put up since. Witness had never seen anybody put on a belt with a mask on. The belt was rivetted and where the join took place one side of the belt overlapped about an inch and that might have caught in the man's shirt. - Charles Richards, labourer, 4 Laira-place, Plymouth, late in the employ of Messrs. Elliot, said he at once got a knife and cut LEMON down. Prior to the accident he never say any notices about the building, but since the accident he put up four. Once a belt came off and when a young man asked Mr Elliot to replace it, he told him to get some of the older hands to put it on. Previous to the accident the striking-bar was very loose and had been so for about a month. Printed notices were kept in stock relating to the engines, but the only one posted was about boys going into the stable. Witness himself had put the belt on with his mask on. The engine was going at about half-speed at the time. - Dr Charles L. Chaulk, Assistant House Surgeon, S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said deceased was admitted suffering from fractured spine, lacerated left ear and numerous bruises about the arm and neck. He was conscious the whole time and died on the 22nd ult. - Mr Shuter said in the room where the accident occurred there was a light shafting, with four or five pulleys on it and these pulleys were connected to the bottling machines by belts. The shafting was sufficiently high to relieve the possibility of enclosing it, as required by the Factory Act. With regard to stopping the engine to replace the belt, the Inspector thought that was a safe method, but it was very rarely done as it was hard to start a gas engine when it was once stopped. He was convinced that the idea of putting on a belt with a mask on was asking for an accident. All bottlers were compelled to wear a mask at their work but they often complained that it hurt the eyes, and that they could not see properly with it, and he believed there was some truth in this. How a man could try to replace a belt with a mask on was astonishing. People had to use common sense when dealing with machinery. A belt might slip off the pulley from a thousand and one other causes than the looseness of the striking-bar. - The Coroner said it was for the Jury to decide whether there was any real carelessness or negligence on the part of Messrs. Elliot or whether the accident was caused by the deceased's own carelessness. After a short consultation the Foreman stated that the general opinion of the Jury was that it was a pure accident and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Found Dead At Devonport. Allegations Against A Husband. - Mr J. A. Pearce, (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on ELLEN MARIA DRAYNER, aged 30, wife of JAMES SOUTH DRAYNER, 26 Pembroke-street, a stoker on the dredger Cornwall. The husband, after being cautioned by the Coroner said he desired to give evidence. His wife had been subject to fits, and during the three years they had been married he had known her have one or two a week. She seemed very well during the last week and the last time she had a fit was about a fortnight ago. Some time ago she tried to drown herself and was picked up in the water. She afterwards went to the Workhouse for three or four months to try to recruit her health. They went to bed at 11.30 on Saturday night and witness awoke about 7.30 next morning. Not noticing anything wrong, he left the house for a few minutes and on returning saw that his wife was looking strange. He was very much frightened and fetched deceased's brother and together they fetched Dr Saunders, who pronounced life extinct. Witness and his wife had "a few words" at seven o'clock on Saturday evening because he was rather late in coming home from work, but they had made it up before they went to bed and had no quarrel during the night. Deceased used to drink occasionally and it was while in that state she attempted suicide. Apart from the drink she was a good woman. He did not strike her on Saturday night and had never threatened to "do for her." He did not feel deceased move during the night. - William Henry Saunders, joiner, H.M. Dockyard, living at 84 Pembroke-street, brother of the deceased, said he was not satisfied with the husband's evidence. It was not correct as to the drink. When he was fetched to the house deceased was lying on her right side in bed. Her left arm was cold and her face luke-warm. The left hand was extended to the edge of the bed and there was a white mark across it. On the pillow was a quantity of blood and the bed-tick and the sheet were also saturated with blood. One nostril was buried in the pillow. Last Tuesday week the husband came home drunk, started knocking his wife about and kicked her at the back of the leg, in consequence of which she limped when walking. Witness had advised her to see a doctor, but she said she had no money. - The Coroner: did you speak to your brother-in-law? - No; they used to quarrel and drink together. He was the worse of the two. He has good wages, but spends them in drink. - Was it not your duty to go to your brother-in-law? - I have done all I possibly could for her as a brother, and was tired of it. Sometimes she would have as many as three fits in a day. Worry would bring them on; and very little drink would upset her. On Saturday afternoon she came crying, and said her husband had given her no money. She told me she had a scar on her thigh and her husband told her to say it was caused by a fit. He was not present when she said this. - Then he has never had an opportunity of defending himself from these statements? - My accused brother do for has him moment of own sister that think you your...

Western Morning News, Wednesday 31 July 1901 CHAGFORD - Suicide Of A Chagford Man. - At the Inquest held at Chagford on Monday on THOMAS SAMPSON, carpenter, aged 47, of High-street, the Coroner (Mr J. D. Prickman) remarked that it was curious that no less than three cases in the district in a short time were those of persons, who, after being fined small amounts by the Magistrates, had committed suicide. They must not infer that the decision of the magistrates in either case was unduly severe or wrong. The decisions had been taken to heart by men of weak minds. - MRS SUSAN ANN SAMPSON, the wife of deceased, said on Tuesday last her husband was fined by Moretonhampstead Bench. He did not say much about it, neither had he ever threatened to take his life. On Wednesday morning he left his bedroom at 6 o'clock and soon afterwards returned to fetch his coat. He had been strange in his manner for some time. - Mr George Rice, of West Withecombe, Throwleigh, deposed that on Wednesday morning last he overtook deceased between 6 and 7 on the main road near Sands Gate, and walked with him towards Venton. Deceased said he was going to Whiddon Down, but had first to call at Venton. Witness left him at the moor before reaching Venton. - Richard Lee, of Murchington, stated that he saw deceased just after the last witness, but only for a short time. - Mr William Henry Folland, of Shilstone farm, said on Sunday morning he saw the body of deceased floating face downwards in Bradmere Pool. - P.C. Goodman, of Chagford, said he and P.C. Hurford dragged Bradmere Pool on Saturday without result. In deceased's trousers pockets were 4d., two pocket knives and pieces of carpenters' pencils. Deceased's cloth cap was in his jacket pocket and his hands were clasped on his stomach. There was no written statement in his pockets to throw any light on the matter. - Mr A. D. Hunt, Surgeon, Chagford, said the cause of death was drowning, and there were no marks whatever on the body. It must have been in the water at least four days. The position of the hands when found indicated there could have been no struggling. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst in an Unsound State of Mind."

Western Morning News, Thursday 1 August 1901 BIDEFORD - The Woolacombe Fatality. - At the Inquest held at Bideford last evening on GEORGE WOOD, aged 31, a hosier, of Newport, Mon., Charles Howell, iron merchant, Newport, said about noon on 18th instant, he and deceased bathed together at Woolacombe Bay. Whilst floating he was carried out with the current some distance and called for help. Meanwhile another gentleman had joined WOOD, and they came towards him. Witness reached them and found WOOD much more exhausted than he was. He (Howell) consequently helped WOOD, who urged him after he got further in to let him go by himself. Witness did so and swam to the shore. Looking round he saw WOOD being carried out by the tide and calling for help. A man named Spiers, of London, went to his rescue, but WOOD was drowned. Afterwards a Mr Tucker, of Exeter, went to the rescue of Spiers. Witness did not see Price, the bathing machine proprietor, coming to the rescue, being too dazed. - Thomas Price of Woolacombe, said he heard three men crying for help and he asked a Mr Tucker, who was undressing in a machine, to go and help and by the time Tucker got to them WOOD was drowned. Witness went to Tucker with a pole and rope, and he (witness) and Spiers were pulled ashore by people. - Chas Dark, of Bideford, deposed to finding the body in Bideford Bay. - Mr Algar considered the place was dangerous for bathing and suggested a warning board being placed there. - The Jury considered no one to blame, and returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned whilst Bathing."

Western Morning News, Saturday 3 August 1901 EXETER - Fatal Accident At Exeter. - Driver JOHN HORNE, 120th Battery R.F.A., was practising wrestling on horseback in a field near Topsham Barracks on July 1st, in preparation for the sports, when his horse reared and rolled over upon him. HORNE was conveyed to the Military Hospital, where it was hoped that no internal injury had been received. In a few days, however, there was a rupture in the stomach, and an operation had to be performed. He gradually sank, and died on Thursday. A post-mortem showed that there had been a large internal haemorrhage, which was the determining cause of death. A Coroner's Jury yesterday returned a verdict of "Death by Accident". Deceased, a native of Hamilton, Lanark, was only 22 years of age, and had 18 months' service. He will be buried with military honours this morning from the Higher Barracks.

SAMPFORD SPINEY - Infant Strangled Near Horrabridge. - At Woodtown, Sampford Spiney, near Horrabridge, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest respecting the death of ELIZABETH POOK, infant daughter of WILLIAM JOHN POOK, gardener to Mr W. F. Collier. - Alice Maud Daw, aged 23, of Sampford Spiney, said she acted as nurse to MRS POOK at the confinement. Deceased cried lustily at birth, but died about five minutes after. The umbilical cord was round her neck and Dr Blagdon did not arrive until three-quarters of an hour after the birth. She never attended cases unless medical men were called. - Dr J. J. Blagdon said he was called to see the child on Wednesday. He found it dead and separating the umbilical cord he tried artificial respiration. Death was due to strangulation, owing to the cord being round deceased's neck. It could have been cleared by the nurse had she sufficient experience. - The Coroner thought Miss Daw too young to undertake midwifery duties. there was no criminal neglect in the case, but he advised the nurse not to act in other cases until she had had more experience.

Western Morning News, Monday 5 August 1901 BARNSTAPLE - The Fatal Accident At Barnstaple. - The Inquest on the body of WILLIAM REED, of Lostwithiel, who died at the North Devon Infirmary from the effects of a fall from a 25ft. ladder whilst painting sheds at Barnstaple Great Western Railway Station, on Friday, was opened by Mr Bencraft on Saturday, but was adjourned for the attendance of the widow of deceased. The evidence, however, of Henry Francis was taken. It shewed that witness, who was working with deceased, heard a shout and saw deceased and the ladder falling. Deceased pitched just off the metals, with the ladder on top of him. He was unconscious when witness went to his assistance. No evidence was forthcoming as to precisely how deceased fell, Francis saying that he did not see what could have caused the ladder to fall, while the Coroner said that he had reason to think that the rumour that a truck ran into the ladder was not correct. Chief Inspector Shaddock, of Exeter, and Assistant Divisional Engineer elms of Plymouth, were present on behalf of the railway company. The Inquiry will be continued on Wednesday.

EXETER - Sad Drowning Fatality At Exeter. - At an Inquest at Exeter on Saturday relative to the finding of the body of GEORGE LEWIS, aged 16, of Albion-street, St. Thomas, on Friday evening, it transpired that deceased, an apprentice of Messrs. Hodge, engineers, was in a boat belonging to the firm at dinner-time and was warned by the foreman. Just before five a fellow-apprentice saw deceased in a boat pulling the tiller from side to side. A few minutes afterwards he missed LEWIS and gave an alarm, when the body was recovered by grappling. A single oar was floating near the boat. There was no suspicion of suicide, deceased being of a very bright disposition. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner, said there could be little doubt that the lad fell overboard and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Fatal Accident At Keyham Dockyard. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquiry at the Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on Saturday, touching the death of SAMUEL KEAST, naval pensioner, and a labourer in Keyham Dockyard, of 54 Charlotte-street, Morice town, Devonport. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared on behalf of the Admiralty, and Mr S. Shuter (Inspector of Factories) for the Home-office. On Thursday morning deceased was engaged with other workmen in preparing a staging for H..S. Blonde, in No. 1 dock. In order to drive a nail into the end of a wooden shore, he stepped from the head of the dock to the first step below, a distance of about two feet. The step is about 15 inches wide, but as deceased stepped forward he accidentally overbalanced himself and fell on to the broad altar, 24ft. below, sustaining severe injuries. He was at once taken to the Dockyard surgery and attended to by Surgeon Finch, who found that the base of the skull had been fractured. Deceased was removed to the Naval Hospital, but died shortly after admission. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 7 August 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - CYRIL GEORGE LEE, aged three weeks, son of THOMAS WILLIAM LEE, cabdriver of 51 Durnford-street, Stonehouse, was found dead in bed on Sunday morning. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr T. Noy Leah, said death was due to convulsions and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Fatal Horse Kick Near Exeter. - On Wednesday last MR C. GILPIN, butcher, of Ide, near Exeter, was preparing to go to the Horse Show. His son, CLIFFORD YORK, aged two, with a cousin and some other boys, were out looking at the rabbits, close to the stable, the horse was about to be harnessed standing in the yard loose, with his head over the half-door of the stable. Hearing the horse scuffling, MR GILPIN rushed out and found the child on the ground bleeding. His theory is that the horse became frightened and tried to clear the child, but caught it in the face with one of its hoofs. At the Devon and Exeter Hospital it was found that the boy had a compound fracture of the upper jaw, as well as serious injuries to the right side, and that he was suffering considerably from shock. He got better and appeared to be going on nicely, but died somewhat suddenly on Monday night from syncope. At the Inquest yesterday the Jury returned a verdict that the child died as the result of an Accident.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Crownhill. - An Inquest was held at the Fortescue Hotel, Plymouth, yesterday, touching the death of JOHN HENRY DOIDGE, aged 29, mason of 49 Belgrave-road, Plymouth. John Pope, coachman in the employ of Mr Clark, coach proprietor of Hoe Mews, stated that on Monday evening he was driving a party in a pair-horse wagonette back from Yelverton. At Milton deceased asked the coachman to give him a lift home and as the party had no objection the man climbed on the box and went as far as the George Hotel. They stopped there for about twenty minutes, and when deceased returned witness noticed he had been drinking. The wagonette stopped again at the Tamar Hotel, Crownhill. Deceased tried to get down, and to steady him the coachman caught hold of the back of his coat. He got on to the box of the wheel when he slipped and fell to the ground. He was taken into the Hotel, and ten minutes later he came out, and went as far as Plymouth in the inside of the wagonette. He was unwell during the journey from Crownhill and slept part of the time. He left the vehicle at Mutley. Dr Mariette said when he saw deceased he was in bed unconscious. He died early that morning. A post-mortem examination shewed that the skull was fractured. There was an injury to the left temple and a large clot of blood pressing against the brain. No doubt the injuries were caused by deceased's head striking the box of the wheel as he fell. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 9 August 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - The Teign Bathing Fatality. - At the Inquest yesterday on the lad SAMUEL DENLEY, of Newton Abbot, who was drowned whilst bathing with other boys in the River Teign on Wednesday, it was proved that neither of the lads could swim. One of the boys warned not to go too far into the river came back; the deceased said he could go out further. On getting up to his neck in water, however, he endeavoured to come back, but slipped on the uneven bed of the river, reappeared once, and was not again seen until his body was recovered more than an hour afterwards. The river is only about 20 feet deep where the boys were bathing, and had the lad been able to swim three strokes he could have been saved. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The Coroner and Jury both expressed the opinion that, now the parishes of Highweek and Wolborough were amalgamated, the question of providing a proper bathing place would engage the early and serious attention of the new Council and also that the boys attending the public schools should be taught to swim by a competent teacher at the public expense.

TEIGNMOUTH - The Suicide At Teignmouth. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest at Teignmouth last evening touching the death of MR GEORGE PERKINS H. ROWELL, aged 58, retired wine and spirit merchant, who shot himself with a revolver at his residence, West Cliff, the previous day. - RALPH BEATER ROWELL, second son of the deceased, said he knew his father had been depressed, but he did not complain of any serious illness, and was apparently all right the night before. Nothing had been said to the family to lead them to suppose that deceased would do harm to himself. - MRS THIRZA ROWELL, the widow, said deceased complained of not being well on Wednesday morning. She did not know he was troubled over monetary affairs; there was no occasion for it, and she never had reason to believe he would take his life. - Dr Rudkin explained how he found deceased in the coach-house quite dead, and said he (deceased) was a man of highly excitable temperament. - Mr T. W. B. Hutchings, solicitor, said deceased had been very absent-minded of late. There had been no occasion for him to worry over his financial position. A bailiff entered into possession on Tuesday afternoon; the writ (for £250) had been served eight days before, and deceased said he had met all that was required, but he had not. The man came to levy a day earlier than he was expected, but there was no necessity for it, as they were in communication with the parties. Deceased brooded over this and kept it to himself. The bailiff saw MRS ROWELL who sent him to their office. In the meantime the deceased shot himself. Since the writ was served he had been like a man dazed. The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased shot himself whilst Temporary Insane, and passed a vote of sympathy to the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Monday 12 August 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - The Suicide At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Stonehouse on Saturday on the body of ALLEN ROSTIN, a Marine pensioner, aged 60, of 47 George-street, Stonehouse, who hanged himself in a public urinal on the 9th inst. - SARAH ROSTIN, the widow, stated that she last saw deceased alive on the previous Saturday, when he came home to dinner as usual. He left again about 12.30, and did not return, but she could give no reason for his absence. Deceased drank at times. They had had no quarrel and that was the first occasion on which he had stopped away from home. He worked at Mr Northey's, auctioneer, Plymouth. - Malachi French, labourer, living at 29 Hobart-street, stated that on Friday morning at 5.30 he went into the public urinal, near Buckingham-place Inn, when he saw a man suspended from an iron bar. He was so startled that he did not cut him down, but ran for the Police. Deceased's knees were touching the ground, and also his hands. - John Carroll, army pensioner, labourer, residing at 128 King-street, said he knew the deceased, and last saw him alive on Thursday evening in St Jude's-road. He appeared to be all right then, but had some marks on his face, which witness and others chaffed him about. In reply to a question as to how he came by the marks, deceased stated that he received them in a row he had with two men on Monday evening. - P.C. Jeffery deposed to being called to the urinal. He cut the man down and found he was quite dead, and apparently had been so for some time. Deceased had a running noose round his neck and was hanging from the bar which formed part of the central compartment. - Dr Corbett said death was due to strangulation. The marks on the face had nothing whatever to do with the cause of death. - The Jury found that deceased committed Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 August 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday touching the death of ANDREW JOHNS, carter, aged 22, who lived at 25 Richmond-street. Mrs L. Peters, of 25 Richmond-street, said she last saw deceased alive on Friday evening, when he was quite well. Shortly after eight o'clock he left home, first kissing witness and telling her he would not be gone long. Earlier in the evening deceased seemed a bit strange and asked witness if she would go on the Hoe and drown herself with him. She replied, "You surely don't mean it?" and deceased said he could not part from her and wanted her to go with him. She had a husband living, but he had been away and deceased had been living with her. - Albert Skelley, of 41 Cromwell-road said he was called by a man named Pett to a stable at Willow-plot, where he found deceased hanging from a beam by a piece of scaffolding rope. The man was immediately cut down, but he was quite cold and had apparently been dead for some time. The Coroner said he could see no reason for the man's being morbid and taking his life and the Foreman of the Jury thought it was evident that the deceased was insane, or he would not have spoken during the evening in the way he did. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

PLYMOUTH- An Inquest was held at Plymouth Mortuary yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM FLOOD, general labourer, aged 50, who for some time past had lived at the Model Lodging-house, King-street. - Niel Province, manager of the house, stated that on Saturday morning deceased went into the backyard, where he had a severe fit of coughing. Shortly afterwards he fell down and when witness went out he was apparently dead. - Dr W. H. Waterfield stated that he was called to see the deceased, but on his arrival found him dead. A post-mortem examination had been held and it was found that there was an enlarged aneurism in the aorta, which had eaten right through the breastbone. It was a marvel how the man had lived so long. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 August 1901 BIDEFORD - Fatal Fall At Bideford. - The County Coroner, Mr J. F. Bromham, held an Inquest at Bideford yesterday on the body of PHILIP HONEYBALL, aged 78, who died from the results of injuries received from a fall on Thursday morning, at Bideford Workhouse, whilst an inmate there. The evidence of the Master, Mr W. H. Andrews, and John Dark, another inmate, shewed that HONEYBALL went to the regatta on Wednesday afternoon, and in the evening, he fell whilst going down the steps leading to the boiler-house, where he worked in the day. Dr Grose said death was due to concussion of the brain. Deceased was the worse for drink. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday touching the death of WILLIAM HENRY GEORGE RICKARD, aged one month, son of HENRY RICHARD, engine-room artificer, of 95 Charlotte-street, Morice Town. LAVINIA RICHARD, mother of the deceased, stated that on Thursday deceased (who was one of twins) was rather unwell and a doctor was sent for. - Dr J. A. Rae said that when he arrived the child was dead. A post-mortem examination had been held and it was found that death was due to convulsions, caused by catarrhal congestion of the liver. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Carefully Planned Suicide At Exeter. - Mr H. W. Gould, Deputy Coroner, Inquired at Exeter yesterday into the suicide on the previous evening of JOHN CLARKE, 45, watercress gatherer, of 54 Preston-street. The widow stated that deceased asked her to go out and gather a few mushrooms, as he could not get out himself. On her return she found that her husband had been dead for hours. He had taken a looking glass from a wall, placed it on a chair, put a pan under his head and cut his throat with a razor. Before she went out deceased said, "I've had a dreadful night. I could never get through another night like it." She did not pay much attention to this, as he had made the same remark before. Her husband had suffered greatly for months from inflammation in the side, and had been especially bad since Sunday. - Dr Bell stated that it was the most carefully-planned suicide in his experience. - A verdict "That deceased committed Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 19 August 1901 TORQUAY - Accidental Death At Torquay. - At Torquay on Saturday evening Mr Kellock, Deputy County Coroner, held an Inquest on EMILY E. S. HARVEY, aged 2 years, the child of a painter, residing at Victoria Park, St Marychurch-road. The evidence shewed that when the child's mother returned from work at one o'clock last Wednesday the grandmother was getting the dinner. She had strained off the cabbage she had been boiling from the saucepan into a tin bowl on the kitchen floor. There she left it for the mother to deal with. The baby was in the cradle and two elder children were sitting up at the table. While the mother was getting a dish the baby got out of the cradle and in crossing the floor apparently over-balanced herself and fell backwards into the hot water in the bowl on the floor. The baby's screams brought her mother to her at once. she was then sitting in the water and it was found that she was severely scalded on the legs, back and abdomen. Linseed oil was applied and as quickly as possible the mother took the child to Torbay Hospital. There it was seen that the child was so severely scalded that it could not recover and on Friday night the baby died of shock. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 21 August 1901 OKEHAMPTON - A Dartmoor Artillery Camp Tragedy. Explosion Of A Lyddite Shell. Loss Of Three Lives. - An accident resulting in the loss of three lives occurred on Monday afternoon about half a mile from Okehampton Artillery Camp, through the bursting of a 50lb lyddite shell. The victims were SERGEANT FRANK BLEAKLEY, of the 96th Battery, R.F.A., CONSTABLE HALL, of the Devon County Constabulary, and JOHN LOCK VANSTONE, an ex-Police Sergeant. - VANSTONE last Bank-holiday found an unexploded shell, hid it in a clump of rushes and told Sergeant BLEAKLEY of it. BLEAKLEY endeavoured to find the shell, but failed to do so. On hearing of his failure, VANSTONE offered to shew him where he had placed it. On Monday the two left the camp about 3.30 in the afternoon in company with the P.C. HALL. The latter had of late been on duty in the neighbourhood of the ranges to catch civilians who are in the habit of going there to pick up old metal. But he had received no special instructions to go there on the afternoon in question, although it was understood that he might do so at any time. The party on leaving camp, proceeded in a westerly direction towards Yes Tor, near the summit of which the accident happened. How it actually occurred will be forever shrouded in mystery, for although several saw the men together and heard the explosion, no one was close enough to see it. It is surmised that BLEAKLEY must have picked the shell up, and either tampered with it or dropped it, because his body was shattered beyond recognition, a portion of one of his feet being found as far away as 200 yards from the scene of the explosion. HALL'S head was blown from the body and his arms and legs broken in several places. VANSTONE seems to have received the least injury. - The bursting of the shell was heard in the camp, but no importance was attached to it as such sounds are of every-day occurrence. The explosion was attributed to blasting operations that are being carried on in the town waterworks. The men were not missed until yesterday morning, when Sert. BLEAKLEY was reported absent when the range party was paraded. It was his duty to go with them, as he was range sergeant. Inquiries were at once instituted, and it was then found that he had not returned to camp. Search parties were sent out, but the bodies had been discovered by Kelly, employed as a range clearer. VANSTONE, who is employed as caretaker at the Arcade, Okehampton, was the only one of the three who was married. HALL was to have been married at Christmas. - The Inquest - The Inquest was opened in the afternoon by Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, in the recreation-room at the camp. Col. Eustace, camp commandant, attended. The Coroner remarked that that was the first time since he had had the honour of holding the appointment of Coroner for that portion of Devonshire, that it had been his lot to hold an Inquiry in connection with the artillery camp. There was one inference that they could draw from that, and that was the first and foremost - the artillery operations were carried on with the greatest possible care. It would be idle for him to say that there was no danger attached to the artillery practice, because where there was the handling of highly explosive materials there must of necessity be danger. But that the practices were carried on under the most careful conditions was evidenced by the fact that there had been no inquiry since he had been Coroner. He believed the only accident that had occurred took place during the time his predecessor held office, some twelve or fourteen years ago. He mentioned this because in these humanitarian days there was rather an idea that they ought to do away with war, but he was sure that they, and everyone with sound common sense, must know that military operations were an absolute necessity, and Dartmoor afforded a perfect ground for artillery practice. It was thought desirable, if possible, to maintain Dartmoor for the use of tourists, but while we had possessions to maintain and guard there must be war. It was to their interests as townsmen of Okehampton, and their duty as Englishmen, not to allow a feeling to get abroad that the practice carried on, on Dartmoor, was dangerous to the public, so as to prejudice the town. He was sure he was expressing their feelings as inhabitants of Okehampton when he said how extremely sorry they were to have lost so good a fellow townsman as ex-Sergeant VANSTONE. It had been his privilege to have known him about 23 years, and he ventured to say that there never was a better officer in the force, and in losing him at a comparatively early age the town had suffered a great loss. With regard to Constable HALL, he had only lately joined the force in that district, and he believed he was doing very well. Sergt. BLEAKLEY was a young and promising soldier, and had at an early age won his stripes. He would only further mention that that must be a preliminary Inquiry, because under the Explosive Act, 1875, it was necessary for him to give notice to the Home-office, that it might be represented at the Inquest. He should, therefore, adjourn it until Monday at Okehampton Townhall at four o'clock. - The Inquest on each body was conducted separately, that on VANSTONE being taken first. - JAMES VANSTONE, a porter in the employ of the London and South Western Railway, said the deceased was his father. witness was the eldest of six children. He last saw his father alive on Saturday evening. His age was 56 years. - Police-Sergeant Gammon identified the remains. Yesterday morning he went to the scene of the accident, and found the body. there was a watch on it and a purse containing 11s. the watch had stopped at 4.20. - P.C. Rees identified the remains of HARRY RALPH HALL. He had been at Okehampton since the 17th inst., and had been in the force about four years. His last station was near Barnstaple. On Monday he left the Police Station about one o'clock in plain clothes. He had instructions to go to Harter's farm, to fetch some metal which had been left there on July 17th. The place where he was found was quite in the opposite direction. Witness saw nothing further of him until he saw the body lying on the north-west side of Yes Tor yesterday morning. The body was about ten yards distant from the pit caused by the explosion. VANSTONE was also about the same distance, but portions of BLEAKLEY were discovered 60 yards away. HALL was about 25 years of age. Witness was informed of the occurrence about 8.15 a.m. - George Kelly, employed as a range clearer, stated that yesterday morning he was clearing No. 1 range, when just before eight o'clock he found the bodies of HALL and VANSTONE. they were lying about 70 yards from the top of the tor. He at once gave information of the discovery. - William Henry Commings, foreman in charge of the waterworks, deposed to seeing the three men together on Monday. He also saw the explosion, but did not think anything of it. - Dr Johnson said the recovered remains of BLEAKLEY were only about a third of the whole body. He must have been very c lose to the shell at the time of the explosion. One portion of him was 150 yards away from the pit. The two other men could not have been so near. - Corporal Daniel Kerr, 96th Battery, R.F.A., identified the remains of Sergt. BLEAKLEY by his belt, shoes and a portion of his stripes. - Sergt. Greenland deposed to seeing the men leave the camp. He had heard VANSTONE tell BLEAKLEY that he had found an unexploded shell and had hid it. BLEAKLEY tried to find it but could not do so. Witness also heard the appointment made for Monday. - The Coroner then adjourned the Inquest, remarking that he thought the evidence would show that it was one of those accidents which were entirely unavoidable.

PLYMOUTH - Child Fatally Burnt At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on CHARLES HENRY BROKENSHIRE, aged two years, the son of WILLIAM BROKENSHIRE, first class petty officer, R.N., who resides at 36 [?]-street, Plymouth. ALICE BROKENSHIRE, the mother, of the deceased, stated that on Saturday evening she returned home from market with deceased. She was called out of the room for a minute, and when she came back she found the child's clothing on fire. The fire was put out and oil used on the burns. she thought deceased found sticks and put them in the fire. - Dr H. Pearse, said deceased, who sustained extensive burns about the neck and arms, died on Sunday morning. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 22 August 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on CHARLES SMITH, aged 48, dockyard labourer, who lodged at 39 James-street. A fortnight ago deceased with about 70 other labourers, was discharged from the Dockyard, and since then he had done no work. He had never complained of being ill and was apparently quite well when he left his lodgings on Monday evening. He returned at 11.20 p.m., and went to his bedroom. Having lighted his pipe, he sat on the bed and then fell back. William Walker, a bandsman in the Royal Navy, a fellow-lodger, called for assistance, and Dr Wilson was immediately fetched, but deceased died just before his arrival. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to syncope, caused by fatty degeneration of the heart. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 23 August 1901 SALTASH, CORNWALL - The Saltash Tragedy. Details Of The Crime. An Insane Impulse. Opening Of The Inquest. - A thrill of horror passed over Saltash, and, indeed, a far wider area yesterday when the news first became generally known of the terrible tragedy enacted in its midst, resulting in the extinction of an entire family by its head. Everywhere the news was the absorbing topic and the feeling of consternation, awe, and dismay which possessed all classes of the community deepened as the ghastly details of the crime - happily unparalleled in the West - were learnt. - The MORTIMER family were well-known in Saltash. HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER, the murderer and suicide, was about 42 years of age, and his wife, GEORGINA, was nine years younger. their family consisted of four children - ERIC, aged eight years, ALAN, seven, MADGE, five and KENNEDY three. All perished at their father's hand. Home Park, where they lived, is a row of two storey houses, situated on the hillside, and commanding a pleasant view of the harbour above Saltash Bridge. The house occupied by MORTIMER differs from its immediate neighbours in possessing on the ground floor a bay window, and on the first floor a balcony, on to which two French windows open. - So far as can be gathered, the family, with the exception of the father, retired to rest at their usual hour on Tuesday night. MORTIMER himself remained up long after his wife and children were presumably fast asleep. Overnight he had purchased a bottle of whisky at a hotel in the borough, but whether he stayed up drinking to fortify himself for the terrible deed which he afterwards committed, or passed the hours quietly reading, as he was often accustomed to do, can never be other than a matter for conjecture. But between three and four o'clock the next morning several of the residents in Home Park were aroused by reports of firearms in quick succession coming from the direction of MORTIMER'S house. Mrs Palmer, living next door, hearing the first shots, woke her husband, and suggested to him that MR MORTIMER was shooting his children. But Mr Palmer refused to accept such a suggestion, and, knowing that MR MORTIMER had recently been making fireworks, connected the reports with the circumstance. Other neighbours who were awoke by the firing thought the reports were those of blasting operations at the Keyham Extension Works, which, when the wind is in a certain direction, can be distinctly heard at Saltash. So no one did anything to investigate the cause of the unusual and alarming sounds heard by so many in the dead of the night. There seems to have been two distinct series of reports, separated by at least some seconds of time. It is a pathetic and significant incident that in this brief interval the voice of little ERIC was distinctly heard by Mrs Palmer, saying to his young brother "BUMPY, what is it?" When morning came and the day wore on without any sign being seen of the MORTIMERS, the neighbours began to grow anxious and some of them, who had dismissed the mysterious sounds of the night as having no significance, began to connect them with the silence of the house. In the afternoon vague rumours reached the Police of shots heard in the night, but the information was too indefinite to create any suspicion that anything wrong had happened. Mrs Palmer, however, was uneasy in her mind all day, and when her husband, who is employed at Devonport Dockyard, came home in the evening, she persuaded him to take action. Mr Palmer first went to the MORTIMER'S house, next door, and rang the bell vigorously several times, of course receiving no answer. he then informed the Police of the sounds heard in the night and of the silence which had since reigned in the house. Viewing the house from the exterior, the Police, not unnaturally, thought the family might be away for the day and were reluctant to break into the premises without sufficiently strong grounds to justify their action. When darkness set in, a lamp was seen to be burning in the dining-room of MORTIMER'S house. This at first allayed suspicion, since it seemed to give evidence of life in the house. But the place was closely watched, no one was seen to enter or leave and about ten o'clock the lamp flickered and went out. By that time the Police had received confirmation from other residents of the firing in the night and the Mayor (Mr Roderick Porter) with Dr Meadows, and other prominent townsmen, arriving on the scene, a consultation took place and it was decided to force an entrance into the house and clear up the mystery. - Placing a ladder against the railings, Police-Sergeant Cornelius reached the balcony from the garden and was followed immediately by J. McNickell, a fitter employed in Devonport Dockyard; P.C. Basker, and W. T. Gill, a postman. Afterwards the Mayor, Dr G. Meadows and Messrs F. A. Rawling, A. G. Payne, Pooley and Thomas, entered in the same way. Flashing his bull's-eye lantern in through the French window on the left, the sergeant could only see a pair of white shoes. But on looking through the right window he discerned the feet and legs of a man stretched out on the floor. Opening the window and entering the room, a horrible spectacle met the eyes of the sergeant and his companions. Stretched full length along the floor between the foot of the bed and the window lay the body of HY. MORTIMER, clasping with both hands a double-barrelled gun, which rested with the butt end between his feet. More than half the head above the lower jaw was blown clean away and what remained of the back of the head, rested in a great pool of blood. Deceased was fully dressed in grey clothes, except that he wore no boots. In the room was a full-size bed, with a cot on each side of it. On the bed lay the body of MRS MORTIMER, with the bedclothes thrown back. Her head was a shapeless mass, the features being almost entirely destroyed. In the little cot on the right lay the youngest child, as if sleeping peacefully, the features not being disfigured at all. But closer inspection showed that the back of the head had been entirely blown away, the face being left a mere shell. The little girl, in the large cot on the other side of the bed, was lying half across the pillow. In her case also the back of the head had been blown clean away, but the position of the child disclosed at once the nature of the injury. Knowing there were two other children, the horrified group proceeded to the back bedroom, on the same floor. There an equally horrible sight met their gaze. Just inside the doorway, in a kneeling posture, with his arm resting on a chair, was the body of the eldest boy, ERIC. His face and head were completely shattered and a large portion of his brains lay in a mass on the floor two or three yards away. In the centre of the floor, lying in a heap was his little brother, ALAN, his head completely blown off and fragments of his skull and brains were scattered all over the room. The walls, ceilings and floors of both apartments were bespattered with blood stains and shot marks, and the two bedrooms were converted into perfect shambles. - Exactly in what order the unfortunate victims met their fate can, of course, never be known, but indications are conclusive that having taken off his boots and armed himself with the gun, the father went first to the front bedroom and slaughtered his wife and two younger children as they lay in their beds. In the view of the Police, MRS MORTIMER was first shot as she slept, and the others butchered afterwards. But the pose of the body and the position of the bedclothes, in the judgment of others, seem to indicate that she had woke and was about to spring out of bed when her existence was cut short by her husband's hand, and it seems not improbable that the murderer first despatched his little girl, who lay in the cot nearest the door, and then shot his wife, as, startled in her sleep, she made the first involuntary movement to get out of bed. Whichever was his first victim, the nature of the injuries and the direction of the shot shews that he must have killed them both while standing at the foot of the cot. Afterwards reloading, he must have walked round to the smaller cot and fired with the muzzle of the gun close to the baby's neck. Going to the adjoining room he met his two elder boys, one at the threshold of the door and the other just jumping out of bed, and ruthlessly cut short their young lives in the same way. Returning to his own room, he must have sat down, placed the butt end of the gun between his feet, the muzzle in his mouth, and while still sitting, pressed the trigger with his toe, literally blowing his head off. The dreadful deeds seem all to have been carried out in the most deliberate fashion, and death was in each instance instantaneous. The empty cartridges found in the breech of the gun and lying about the room shew that the murderer used what is known as "No. 1" cartridges, the largest and most deadly used for sporting purposes. - MORTIMER had become a familiar character during his residence in the borough. His family occupy a good position and MORTIMER, though following no occupation, was always in possession of ample means. At one time he was in receipt of an allowance from his father. His father died a few years ago, and whether MORTIMER then came into possession of property, or enjoyed some provision under his father's will, is not known, though possibly some light will be thrown on these matters at the adjourned Inquest today. Whatever the source of his income, there is no suggestion that MORTIMER was in any pecuniary embarrassment. MORTIMER came to Saltash ten years ago, and as already stated, became exceedingly well known there. He is described as a man rather above the medium height, slim, and wearing a slight moustache. MRS MORTIMER was a ladylike woman, who was very greatly liked by her neighbours and the children were bright and intelligent little folk. In many respects, however, MR MORTIMER was a rather eccentric man, imbued with peculiar ideas and holding extreme and certainly unorthodox views on political, social and religious questions. An avowed Freethinker, he was fond of indulging in religious controversy and never hesitated to proclaim his Atheism. Educated partly in Germany, where he is said to have acquired many of his peculiar views, he was an ardent Socialist and was a member of the Three Towns Branch of the social Democratic League. In all kinds of sport he took a particularly keen interest. When the Saltash Rifle Club was formed last winter he was elected a member of the committee, and was known as one of the most expert shots at the range. Some years ago his father, through Messrs. Rundle and Jackson, solicitors, Devonport, purchased Salter Mill marshes for him, assigning as his reason that he wished his son to have some occupation. On the marshes MORTIMER established a poultry farm, and bred large numbers of geese, ducks, and fowls. Last winter, however, he was laid up for some time with a severe attack of rheumatism, and gave up the rearing of poultry. Lately Salter Mill has been in the market, but has not yet been sold. MORTIMER also took a keen interest in bee-keeping, making it for a time his hobby. In some other respects he led a very free and irregular life. Long after his family had gone to bed, it was his habit to sit up reading, and it was not an infrequent occurrence for him to stay up the whole night. His lax notions of morality brought him into trouble, and a week ago he was served with an affiliation summons by a woman who was formerly in the employ of the MORTIMERS as a domestic servant. Whether this had any direct or indirect connection with the terrible tragedy which followed so speedily can now only be a matter of conjecture, but it is stated that this was not the first occasion on which he had been called upon to contribute towards the support of an illegitimate child. MORTIMER was by no means an intemperate man. As already mentioned, he brought home a bottle of whisky on Tuesday night. This has since been found untouched. Another bottle of whisky, nearly empty, was found yesterday on the dining-room table. Whether before nerving himself to murder his family the unhappy man partook too freely of the spirit cannot even be conjectured. But ordinarily he was most abstemious in regard to drink. Despite his eccentricities and peculiar views, MORTIMER was regarded as a clear-headed, intelligent man, and though at times reserved, seemed usually of a cheerful disposition. Of his wife and children there is abundant evidence in the testimony of neighbours that he was passionately fond. Only on Monday last, he took them all for a steamer trip and the children were seen on the boat happy and joyous, while on the night before the dreadful deed he was seen laughing with his wife and playing with the children. Of anything like adequate motive for the pitiless massacre, there seems none, and the mystery seems incomprehensible unless the medical theory is accepted, that the murderer acted without premeditation on an insane impulse. Early yesterday morning Mr W. R. Hill, chief constable of Cornwall, arrived at Saltash, and, in conjunction with Superintendent Matthews of Liskeard, investigated the circumstances of the crime. The funeral of the victims will not take place before Saturday. - A Watford correspondent telegraphs that the deceased man, MORTIMER, was the son of the late MR W. J. MORTIMER, of Dellfield, Hempstead-road, Watford. MR W. J. MORTIMER, who was the head of the well-known tailoring firm in London, died about two years ago. His widow then removed to Kildonan, a neighbouring residence. H. T. MORTIMER was known to only a few in the town, but his children have spent holidays with their grandmother. The news of the tragedy reached Watford early yesterday morning. Superintendent Wood, chief of the local Police, was apprised of the relationship of MORTIMER with the local family, and it is stated was requested to break the news to MRS MORTIMER as lightly as possible. At the house, however, he ascertained that MRS MORTIMER was away holiday-making in the North of Scotland. the superintendent accordingly proceeded to the house of Dr Fisher, a local practitioner, who married MORTIMER'S sister. The doctor, too, was away with MRS MORTIMER: but Superintendent Wood became possessed of his address and carried out the sad duty of notifying the identity of the victims of the dreadful tragedy. Those of the residents of Watford who became acquainted with MORTIMER were greatly shocked at the occurrence. He was regarded as a quiet, self-possessed man, and for a considerable time it was not believed that he came of the local family. The telegram to Superintendent wood put all such doubts at rest. The Inquest: - The Inquest was opened yesterday afternoon at the Railway Hotel by Mr A. C. L. Glubb, County Coroner. Meeting at the house in Home Park, the Jury were sworn in, and elected Mr F. A. Rawling Foreman. After viewing the bodies the Coroner and Jury proceeded to the Hotel, where the evidence was taken. - The Coroner, in opening, said the Jury would agree with him that what they had just seen was the most terrible tragedy that one's imagination could conceive. Certainly it was the most terrible that ever he had experienced in his life. Their duty was to ascertain first at whose hands these six persons had met with their death. Of course there could be no question that the four children could have nothing to do with anyone's death at all. They were the victims. But there was a conceivable possibility that either the father or the mother might be implicated or responsible for the death of their children. Should they come to the conclusion, as they probably would, that the father was the one who committed these fatal acts, then two Inquests would have to be held and two verdicts given, though he should, of course, take the evidence in both Inquests at one time, as it would be applicable to both. If the evidence showed that the deaths were occasioned by HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER, then he would be the subject of one Inquest and the victims - his wife and four children - the subjects of the second Inquest. If they had no difficulty in finding who occasioned the death of these people, they would have to consider the condition of the mind of the person who had committed these fatal acts. It was very important they should arrive at some conclusion on that point. If they found that HENRY MORTIMER killed himself while temporarily insane, that finding would also e part of the verdict with regard to the wife and children, because he could not be a madman for one act and a sane one for the others. He would be insane temporarily or otherwise in respect of the whole of the deaths. But if they could not arrive at any conclusion with respect to his sanity, then they would have to find that the wife and children were murdered by him. Of course, he was dead and gone, and it was not of the awful importance that it would be if he had survived all these terrible deeds. They had looked at the faces of the deceased, and he was sure they would be quite of the opinion that they were all shot. They were all injured in the head, and their heads were entirely smashed and carried away. he did not think they would have much difficulty in arriving at a conclusion so far as that went. Then, as they also saw, the gun was in the hands of the man as he lay on the floor. When MORTIMER was first seen by the Police both hands were grasping the gun. When the Jury saw the body only one hand was grasping the weapon, but the Police had had to move the weapon for the purpose of searching the deceased's pockets. The evidence as to insanity, he was sorry to say, would be very meagre. Of course, it was necessary to judge by the acts and deeds of the man whether he was insane or not, and his killing of his wife and children and himself were very relevant facts as to the condition of his mind. He could not say that because he did these deeds, therefore he was mad, but the committal of these deeds must have a very relevant bearing on the question of his sanity. - Richard Howell, 1 Bellamy-terrace, Prince Rock, Plymouth, stated that MRS MORTIMER was his wife's sister, and identified the bodies. MRS MORTIMER was a native of Teignmouth, Devon. He was intimate with MR MORTIMER and all the family. HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER was about 42 years of age. MRS MORTIMER was 33 years of age. ERIC, the eldest boy, was eight years of age, ALAN seven, MADGE five and KENNEDY three. His brother-in-law always seemed a very quiet and congenial man and was always cheerful. Witness never saw him in a melancholy mood. At times he was in high spirits, and full of hilarity. MORTIMER was passionately fond of his family. Witness knew nothing about his pecuniary circumstances, but had always understood him to be a man in a good position financially. Had never seen any of MORTIMER'S relatives, but understood the family to be in a good position. did not know what income MORTIMER had, but understood he received an allowance from his family. could not account for the tragedy in any way. MORTIMER was the last man in the world he should have thought would have done such a thing. - Charles J. R. Palmer, living next door to deceased, stated that he last saw MR MORTIMER alive about 8 o'clock on Tuesday evening. they conversed over the garden wall. MORTIMER told him he was leaving the house in September and intended going to Southampton. Witness asked him if he had secured a house at Southampton, and deceased said he had not, but that would make no difference, as he should go into lodgings. MORTIMER was in his usual health, and was chatty and not depressed. Witness observed nothing remarkable about him. Had never previously noticed any symptom of melancholia or depression in his demeanour. About a quarter-past three o'clock on Thursday morning heard the sound of firearms. He heard three reports, possibly four. His wife heard other reports before, and woke him. She said to him, "MR MORTIMER is shooting his children." Witness replied, "Don't be so absurd." At first he thought it was a lamp explosion, because he knew MR MORTIMER was in the habit of sitting up reading until the early hours of morning. In conversation MORTIMER had told him that he had often sat up all night reading if he had an interesting book, and had not gone to bed until 6 or 8 o'clock. Witness did not attach much importance, therefore, to the reports at the time. Only a week or two ago, about 11 o'clock at night ,he heard two reports just outside MORTIMER'S kitchen window similar to the reports he hard in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He went out into the yard and called to MORTIMER and asked him if it was all right. Either then or the next morning he could not remember which, MORTIMER told him he was trying some fireworks, which went off. At the time he was satisfied with the explanation. - The Coroner: It is very singular your wife saying he is shooting his children. - Witness said it might appear so, but it was a remarkable time to hear such a report. Continuing, witness said MR and MRS MORTIMER, when he saw then at eight o'clock on Tuesday evening, appeared to be on the best of terms. They were laughing and joking together, and their children were talking to his own over the garden wall. When his wife woke him on Wednesday morning and he heard the reports, he said probably MR MORTIMER was making some of his fireworks again. On the previous Sunday the MORTIMERS had a leak in their ceiling and MRS MORTIMER told his wife that MR MORTIMER had been up until half-past two in the mending the cistern. Recollecting this, witness, when the reports were heard, thought that MORTIMER might possibly be staying up to three o'clock in the morning making fireworks. After the first shots were fired, his wife heard the eldest boy, ERIC MORTIMER, calling his brother by his nickname, say, "Bumpy, what is it?" After his wife woke him witness went into his front room to one of his children, who had fallen out of bed when the first shots were fired. It was when he came back to his own bedroom that he heard three or four shots fired. He immediately commenced to dress with the intention of going to the landlord, who lived three or four doors above. But his wife begged him not to leave her. Hearing nothing further, he came to the conclusion that MORTIMER was making fireworks. MR MORTIMER was a very eccentric man, and held extreme views on religion and politics. Witness never, however, thought him an excitable man. Should have thought he was rather a cool man in danger from his description of his experiences when, as a single man, he had been boating alone for several days in rough weather. MORTIMER was very fond of his family, without exception. On the night previous to the tragedy he was running up and down with the youngest child on his shoulder. - By the Jury: Only a few seconds elapsed between the first set of shots and the second. - Mr George T. Meadows, surgeon, described the position of the bodies in the front room, and stated that MRS MORTIMER was shot from behind as she lay on her right side, the shot entering the back of the head. The front of her face and skull were both shattered. The little girl's head was also completely shattered, only the base of the skull being left. The baby was shot under the right ear, the charge carrying away the whole of the base of the skull. In his opinion they were all asleep when they were shot. In the next room was ERIC, the eldest boy, who was evidently running out of the room when the father came. He was shot in the front of the upper part of the face. The other boy, ALAN, was shot in the mouth, the whole of his face and head being carried away and the skull scattered about the room. The body of HENRY MORTIMER was lying on the floor of the front room. The butt of the gun was between his feet, and the muzzle had evidently been in his mouth. No doubt he was sitting up at the time. When witness first saw the body both hands were grasping the barrel of the gun. Undoubtedly MORTIMER had hold of the barrel when he died. In his opinion deceased pulled the trigger with his foot. He was shot through the roof of the mouth, carrying away a portion of his head, and leaving only the base of the skull. Witness had no hesitation in saying that MORTIMER shot himself. In his judgment MORTIMER first shot his wife, then the two children in the cots, then he went into the other room, and met the elder boy in the doorway and shot him and his brother. Witness knew MORTIMER well, and had spoken to him often. Deceased was passionately fond of his children to a remarkable degree. witness could see no motive at all for the crime. did not think he was a morbid man. Could not account for the crime, except that deceased was seized with an insane impulse. MORTIMER was a man of clear intellect and not easily upset by any morbid sensation. There was nothing to indicate premeditation, but everything pointed the other way. - The Foreman mentioned that MORTIMER recently received a summons, and asked whether, in the doctor's opinion, that was likely to prey on his mind. - Witness did not think it made the smallest difference. - MORTIMER was a man who would make no secret of the summons or the causes that led up to it. - Replying to the Jury, witness said the gun could not possibly have been placed in MORTIMER'S hands after death. If it had been it would have been clasped differently. - One of the Jurors said they had no evidence as to the ownership of the gun: but another Juryman said he sold the gun to MORTIMER eight years ago. - Sergt. Cornelius said in his opinion MORTIMER shot his wife and children, and then took his own life. Witness, with Inspector Nicholls, had searched the premises, but could find no letter or writing. MORTIMER was a man whose views on religious and social matters were notorious in Saltash. Witness produced six empty cartridges and stated that four were picked up in the bedroom and two taken from the gun. In MORTIMER'S right-hand coat pocket he found a loaded cartridge. Witness frequently saw MORTIMER, who always appeared cheerful and never suffered from melancholia. A week ago he served him with a summons. MORTIMER then appeared bright and cheerful, and took no notice of the summons whatever. In fact he laughed about it. - The Coroner said that was all the evidence the Police had been able to get, but if the Jury thought there was any point on which further light could be got, they would adjourn the Inquest. - The Jury intimated that they were all of opinion that the wife and children were killed by their father. - Subsequently the Court was cleared, and while the Jury were considering their verdict a telegram was received from Messrs. Rundle and Jackson, solicitors, Devonport, stating they were in a position to give some information. In view of this unexpected development it was immediately decided to adjourn the Inquest until today. - A sketch of the scene of the tragedy will be given in todays "Western Weekly News."

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 August 1901 SALTASH, CORNWALL - The Saltash Tragedy. Resumed Inquiry. Further disclosures. Felo-De-Se And Murder. - Public interest in the terribly tragic fate which overtook the MORTIMER family at Saltash, when in the early hours of Wednesday morning the father, HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER, blew out the brains of his four little children and their mother, and then took his own life, centred chiefly yesterday in the Inquest which was resumed at the Railway Hotel. It was anticipated from the tenor of the telegram received from the deceased man's solicitors on the previous evening, that some further light would be thrown on the murderer's antecedents and manner of life, but the disclosures made were more painful even than the Jury had expected. It transpires now what was more than suspected before, that the unfortunate woman, who for ten years lived with MORTIMER at Saltash as his wife, was never united to him in wedlock. Her name is GEORGINA LUSCOMBE, and her family are known in Plymouth and Paignton, in both of which places they lived for a time. She came to Saltash originally as housekeeper to MORTIMER, and after a time cohabited with him. A more surprising revelation was the fact that MORTIMER was already married. His wife left him some 12 years ago in consequence of his treatment, and is stated to be living at Torquay. Preparations were made yesterday for the funeral, which will take place at St Stephen's-by-Saltash at half-past ten o'clock this morning. Four coffins have been made, the children being placed two together in one coffin. The Rev. A. Preedy, vicar of Saltash, will conduct the service. The Jury's verdict of felo-de-se against HENRY MORTIMER, deprives the murderer and suicide of the right to burial with the rites of the Christian Church, and unless the procedure is modified at the last moment, his body will be taken on ahead of the cortege, and while the religious service is being held in the Church over the remains of the unhappy victims, the author of the foul deed will be quietly interred in the graveyard without any ceremony. Dr Fisher, of Kings Langley, Herts, husband of MORTIMER'S sister, is on his way from Scotland to attend the funeral, and is expected to arrive at Saltash early this morning. The Inquest - The adjourned Inquest was resumed yesterday by Mr A. C. L. Glubb, County Coroner. - The Coroner remarked that the Inquest was adjourned on the previous day in consequence of a telegram received by the superintendent of Police from Messrs. Rundle and Jackson, solicitors, Devonport, stating that they could give particulars of the deceased man. - Mr J. S. B. Jackson, called, stated that he had acted as solicitor for HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER since 1898, and he had some knowledge of the family. It cropped up in connection with certain business transactions that GEORGINA MORTIMER, so-called, was not his wife. MORTIMER admitted it to him, and he received proof of it afterwards. She was, in fact, GEORGINA LUSCOMBE, and was never married to him. He could not marry her, as, from other sources, he had reason to believe that he had a wife living. The father of HENRY MORTIMER was FREDERICK MORTIMER, late of Delfield, Watford, Herts, and was formerly a London tailor. He was dead. - The Coroner: Can you give us any information as to MORTIMER'S mental condition? - No; I have not seen him since May. Continuing, Mr Jackson said although MORTIMER might have been a more or less excitable man, yet in all his dealings with him he was absolutely sane. He was perfectly sane when he saw him last in May. He considered him an excitable man, both in himself, in his looks, and as a type of man. Could not say anything about his bearing towards his family. He had only seen him once with his children, and that was in 1898, when he brought two of his children with him to his office. Had heard that he was very fond of his family, but could give no information whatever on that point himself. - Asked if there was any further evidence material to the Inquiry that he could give, Mr Jackson replied in the negative, and explained that he had come because he saw in the papers there was a difficulty about the identification of the deceased. He really did not wish to be mixed up in the matter, but as he could identify the man he felt it his duty to come. - The Foreman (Mr F. A. Rawling): Can Mr Jackson tell us whether MORTIMER was in any financial difficulty? - Mr Jackson felt quite certain there was no financial difficulty whatever. He did not know the extent of MORTIMER'S means, but when he wanted to sell the property at Salter Marsh, deceased told him it was not because he wanted money, but because he wished to get rid of it. - A Juror remarked that the Naval Bank were deceased's bankers, and only last week he deposited money there. If he had lived, Salter Marsh would have been sold, because he saw the intending purchasers on Thursday going to buy it with the money in his pocket. - Mr Jackson: He had been anxious to get rid of it because he wanted to go away. - the Foreman asked if Mr Jackson had been consulted with reference to the summons which had been served upon MR MORTIMER in respect to the maintenance of an illegitimate child. - Witness said MORTIMER came to him in April with reference to the claim of the woman Hodge, but not since the summons had been served. In fact, he was under the impression that the matter had been disposed of altogether. - A Juror: There are no facts I suppose that you know of which would suggest a motive for this act? - Witness: None whatever. I was very dubious indeed when I first heard the report whether it could be the same man, and I looked him up in the directory to see if there was another MORTIMER in the road. There was not, and one was bound to come to the conclusion that it was the man. - The Coroner asked whether MORTIMER had not had affiliation summonses served on him before. - Witness said he did not know of any previous summonses. There was one other similar claim, which was settled, but that was compromised without any summons being issued. - A Juror: In your interview with MR MORTIMER in April did he appear depressed or worried because a claim had been made upon him for the maintenance of a child? - Quite the contrary. - The Coroner: He did not regard this sort of slip as very important? - No; I think not. He never gave me that impression, and having regard to the circumstances as we know them now, I don't think he would. - The Coroner intimated that there was no more evidence, and asked the Jury if they were prepared to consider their verdict. - Replying to Mr Trood, a Juror, the Coroner said he had see a letter relating to the affiliation claim, and thought it disclosed a good defence. - Mr Trood said MR MORTIMER since Christmas spoke to him of the rumour which had been circulated respecting him and said he mistrusted the servant, went to her room, searched her box, and found a letter, which he should keep. He said it had nothing to do with him, and he should not pay her anything. - The Coroner, in summing up, said he understood from the Jury on the previous day that they were unanimous on the main point, that MORTIMER was the perpetrator of the deed by which these people lost their lives, and he took it they were of the same opinion now. - The Foreman: We are all unanimous on that point. - The Coroner, continuing, said the only question which now remained to be considered was the very important one of what was the condition of the mind of the man who had suddenly swept the whole of his family out of existence. What was the condition of his mind when he did these terrible deeds? Was he a sane man, or was he insane? There were certain considerations that might be helpful to them in arriving at some conclusion. They knew that MORTIMER was what was called a loose character, that he was uncontrollable as to his moral procedure, and that for that and other reasons he was a disgrace to his family, who had sent him down to that part of the world to live that he might not be able to annoy his own people, and bring disgrace upon them. They knew further that he was a man of sound intellect. From the evidence of Dr Meadows and the testimony of other people there was no question that he was a man of sound intellect, so far as mere intellect was concerned. But there were two sides to human nature. There was the emotional side, which had to be considered in this case quite as much as the soundness of the intellect. A man of sound intellect might keep a highly emotional temperament in order when ordinary circumstances were occurring. But supposing anything unusually striking or exciting occurred, it might happen that his intellect would be incapable of controlling his emotions, and consequently acts might be done which his intellect would show him to be wrong. They knew also that MORTIMER was a gentle man in his demeanour. He had none of that truculence and barbarity which his acts induced. He was not a ferocious man. He was uncommonly devoted to his family. But besides his emotional nature, which was possibly a very susceptible one, he was a man whose conduct was not influenced or controlled by religious considerations. He was outside in all his views, outside in his religious views, outside in his political views, outside also in his social ideas. He thought these false steps which he had taken in his career were entirely unimportant and they did not have any effect upon him, so as to make him feel that he was a wicked and bad man for pursuing the course which he did pursue, and which no limitations of religion ever helped him to control. MORTIMER undoubtedly, from his professed religious views, believed that if he swept the whole of his family out of existence there would be an end to it, and that there was no future life to be considered with respect to their fate. He was a bad man. His own people got rid of him because he was a bad man. He was a bad man to his family, although devoted to them in his affection. But he was a man with whom a young family ought never to have been connected. He must have felt and known that he was a man not deserving of these nice little children, which everybody described them as being. Might it not be possible that he was seized with a profound compassion for these little children, of whom he was so fond, and that he felt their career in being connected with himself and possibly inheriting his own tendencies to evil, would be a sad one. He might suddenly have become impressed with these ideas, and then, having regard to his religious views, he came to the sudden conclusion that he would sweep away all these young sentient organisms, and not let them run the risk of the miseries and trouble which he felt would very likely attend their careers in life. That might have been his motive in sweeping his family away. But he did not do it with any ferocious intent. They might feel sure of that. It seemed a hard thing to say, but his shooting these little children with large shot, and shooting them all in the head, and scattering their brains about in every direction, was no doubt done with the hope that they would have no consciousness of the of the act he was performing and that they should suffer no pain whatever in the process of killing them. That might be the psychological interpretation of this matter. But was it a legal defence? He used the word "defence" because there was only one defence. If a man knew that he was doing an improper and unlawful thing, by the law of England he was guilty of doing it; and he did not think these considerations that he had referred to - and which he had discussed in order that they might really get some insight into the psychological facts of the case - were an answer to the question whether that man knew or did not know he was committing the crimes which he did commit. Dr Meadows suggested that MORTIMER had a sudden impulse. He was sitting up that night by himself until three o'clock in the morning. What went through his mind they did not know. But evidently he must have stealthily gone upstairs and with the object of giving as little pain and shock to his family, made that instantaneous destruction of their lives which he then effected. But if they did not think that was sufficient evidence to prove that he was insane, they would have to find as their verdict that he was a felo-de-se and committed the crime of destroying himself. And if that was their conclusion, it must follow that murder was the crime which he committed on the five other people who were killed with himself. - The Jury, after deliberating in private, found that HENRY THOMAS MORTIMER did feloniously kill himself and GEORGINA LUSCOMBE, ERIC MORTIMER, ALAN MORTIMER, MADGE MORTIMER and KENNEDY MORTIMER. Verdicts of Felo-de-se and Wilful Murder were consequently recorded. The Jury were not quite unanimous in their conclusion. Thirteen voting for the verdict, one was against and one remained neutral. - In reply to a Juror, the Coroner said he had consulted Mr Jackson, and decided to enter the children in the name of MORTIMER, since they were registered and known by that name.

Western Morning News, Monday 26 August 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - JOHN EVANS, aged 51, naval pensioner, of 32 George-street, Stonehouse, was taken ill on Thursday night and died early the following morning. At an Inquest on Saturday Dr W. H. Waterfield said he found the deceased unconscious and dying when called. He attributed death to apoplexy due to alcoholism and the heat. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.

TOTNES - Suicide Near Totnes. - The Inquest on ROBERT FORD, drowned in the Dart on Thursday, was held at Totnes on Saturday. JAMES FORD, eldest son of deceased, said his father had been an invalid for six years, through rheumatism in his hands. He had also suffered from sunstroke, and had two fits three months since. Lewis Goodman, Joshua Parnall and Frederick Rapson each helped deceased out of the river and tried artificial respiration for half an hour without success. - Dr W. R. Edmond stated that deceased was dead when he arrived. He had made a post-mortem examination and found the body well nourished, there being no bruises or marks of violence. - The Jury (Mr G. Marshall, Foreman) found a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" adding that deceased was no doubt affected by the sun, as he only wore a small cap.

WOODBURY - Sad Fatality Near Salterton. - An Inquest was held on Saturday at Salterton on HENRY CHAMPNESS, aged 74, a retired foreman in Chatham Dockyard, and who only a fortnight ago lost his wife. - HENRY R. CHAMPNESS, chief naval constructor, Devonport Dockyard, said the deceased, his father, since the death of his wife, had been in poor health. - MISS M. J. CHAMPNESS said she recently accompanied her father on a visit to Salterton. He was fairly well on the morning of his death and appeared better for the change of air. - Frank Carr said last Thursday about noon he saw the deceased on Salterton Beach, hurrying along to catch the Duke of Devonshire steamer. He was only just in time, being the last passenger to go on board. - Geo. Smallridge, barman on the steamer, said deceased was looking very ill, and asked him for a drop of whisky; he went down in the saloon, drank it, and then lay down on the seat. Witness did not disturb him, thinking he was sleepy or feeling sea-sick. - Captain Maypel, master of the steamer, said during their return from Sidmouth, Frederick Fowler, a fruit boy, called his attention to deceased, whom he found looking very ill in the saloon, and propped up with cushions. Immediately on beaching he sent a man ashore to obtain medical aid, and deceased was most carefully taken ashore and laid in a shady spot under the cliff until the arrival of a doctor. In reply to questions, the witness said he believed deceased was alive when carried ashore. - By MR CHAMPNESS: There was a nasty easterly roll on the sea at the time and it might have endangered the lives of the passengers if he had kept his boat back. It would have been difficult for a doctor to have come off in a small boat and to have boarded the steamer. - A Juryman (Mr Kempson) thought Captain Maypel exercised a wise discretion in landing the deceased instead of keeping him on board until they reached Exmouth. - Dr Evans, of Salterton, said when called to the deceased he found him propped up under the cliff; he had been dead 5 or 10 minutes. The post-mortem shewed that deceased was not in good health, and that the principal cause of death was serious apoplexy. It was very probable that deceased was actually unconscious from the time of his first lying down. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned, and the Jury (Mr Hamlyn, Foreman) expressed its opinion that no blame whatever attached to Captain Maypel.

STOKE DAMEREL - Scalding Fatality At Camel's Head. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest on Saturday on WILLIAM THOMAS POLKINGHORNE, aged 17 months, son of WILLIAM POLKINGHORNE, engine-room artificer, First-avenue, Camel's Head. On Wednesday morning deceased took a jug of boiling milk from the table, intending to drink, and scalded himself. Dr Davis was called and the child went on favourably until Thursday evening, when he suddenly developed brain trouble and died in convulsions. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 27 August 1901 PLYMOUTH - EDGAR JAMES GLOYN, aged one year and nine months, son of SAMUEL GLOYN, labourer, 12 Summerland-place, was always a delicate child and the mother, at the Inquest yesterday, said Dr Wagner told her some time since he could do nothing for the boy. The deceased was taken ill on Sunday night and died a few hours later. Dr H. Pearse said death was due to pneumonia and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Child's Sudden Death At Plymouth. Another Case Of Improper Feeding. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ELSIE MARY WILLIAMS, aged three months, daughter of WILLIAM WILLIAMS, labourer, 18 Laira-street, Plymouth. - MRS WILLIAMS, mother of the deceased, said the child had been delicate since birth, but had never been attended by a medical man. She had been fed on milk and biscuits. Last Saturday week the child was taken to Dr Stubbs, and he told her to stop giving the deceased biscuits and advised new milk. Witness stopped giving her biscuits, but still gave her condensed milk, as she could not rely upon getting the milk from one particular cow. The child died on Saturday morning. - Dr E. A. T. Stubbs said when he saw the child last Saturday week she was very much emaciated. She was brought to him again on Wednesday, but there was n improvement and the mother had not discontinued giving the child biscuits. - The Coroner: If the child had been seen oftener would it have prolonged life? - Witness: Yes. - A Juryman asked if the doctor made it clear to the mother that she was to discontinue the food, and the Coroner said the mother in her evidence had stated that she was advised to do so. People fed their children on biscuits in ignorance. The husband, however, he understood, was a man who drank and did not give his wife what he ought to. - A Juryman asked why the doctor could not give a certificate. - The Coroner thought Dr Stubbs did quite right in bringing the case forward. It would be better if people began to realise that they did not know more than a doctor. - Dr Stubbs said the child died suddenly and he could not give a certificate. Death was due to convulsions, accelerated by improper feeding. A verdict of "Convulsions, accelerated by Improper Feeding" was returned.

TAVISTOCK - The Tavistock Fatality. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Tavistock yesterday on WILLIAM BURREN. Mr W. R. Northway was Foreman of the Jury. - George Smith, wagoner, in the employ of Turpin and Son, contractors, Plymouth, said the deceased was aged about 57 years, and a labourer. They were on Friday last drawing timber from Morwellham to the South Western Station at Tavistock. Witness had four horses drawing about two tons weight of timber on an ordinary timber wagon. They had just descended the hill by the Tavistock Gasworks and stopped close to the Drake statue. witness backed the horses, took off the shoe and hung it up. He also removed a chain from one of the wheels. He then went on to the footpath abreast of the leading horse and deceased was behind on the same path abreast of the shaft horse. They had not proceeded far when witness heard the shaft horse jump away. Looking around, he missed the deceased and hearing him groaning went back. Deceased was lying face downwards. Witness picked him up and asked him if the wheel had passed over him, but he did not reply, beyond saying "I'm done for." Witness was of opinion that deceased must have tried to jump on the shafts whilst the wagon was in motion, overbalanced and fell between the shafts. The deceased was sober, and appeared to be a handy man, having worked for Messrs. Turpin for many years. Edward Yole, nurseryman, Tavistock, assisted in getting deceased to the Hospital. - Dr Brodrick, who had made a post-mortem examination, said the right part of the chest was crushed, and the ribs had penetrated the lung, causing extensive haemorrhage into it, resulting in death. Witness thought the wheel of the wagon must have passed over the chest. - The Jury attributed death as the result of an Accident, and considered it was a very dangerous practice for wagoners to jump on the shafts of their vehicles while in motion, and that it should be discouraged. - Mr Collins said Messrs. Turpin at present had no information as to the deceased's relatives, but as the firm insured their employees against accident, the representatives of deceased would be entitled to £120.

OKEHAMPTON - The Okehampton Explosion. Conclusion Of The Inquest. - The Inquest on Range-Sergeant BLEAKLEY, 96th Battery Royal Field Artillery, ex-Police Sergeant VANSTONE and P.C. HALL, was resumed yesterday at Okehampton, before J. D. Prickman, Coroner. There were also present Col. Eustace, C.B., camp-commandant; Major Burrard, Captain Ruck-Keene, and Superintendent Egan, Crediton. It will be remembered that the only direct evidence of death was that ex-Sergeant VANSTONE reported that he had found an unexploded shell on Yes Tor and the other two men went with him to locate it with a view to its destruction, and the next day their mangled remains were found around the exploded shell. - The Coroner said the Inquest was adjourned to enable certain other details to be gathered and to enable him to give notice to the inspector of explosives. He (the Coroner) had been in communication with the authorities and they had decided not to attend that Inquiry. The only further evidence so far as he knew, was that of the military authorities as to the notices given to the public warning them against dealing with any shells they might see, and also declaring what they should do in case they discovered any unexploded shells. It would be a matter of great interest to know what proportion of the shells discharged at a range were left unexploded and undiscovered on the moor. Capt. Ruck-Keene had kindly prepared some statistics which would shew that hardly one shell in two hundred was unaccounted for, and that included also shells which went into bog and were smothered. Therefore, it was an extremely small proportion of shells which were unexploded and unaccounted for. He (the Coroner) wished to make that statement publicly, because other statements had been made which were calculated to alarm and scare people. The only thing that occurred to him was that the notices which were put up by the military authorities should have greater attention and be more regarded by the people who went on the moor. The notices shewed that every possible warning was given against anyone touching or tampering with the shells. The great danger was that the people did not heed the warnings given and he hoped one result of that Inquiry would be to make people more afraid of touching anything like a shell should they chance to see it, and that they would feel it more incumbent upon them if they saw a shell to report it to the authorities and not to touch it in any way. - The Foreman (Mr C. Geen) said that notwithstanding the absence of the Home-office Inspector, he hoped evidence would be furnished as to how the military marked these shells and accounted for them. There was still time to obtain witnesses from the camp, if they had not the information already. - Capt. R. F. Ruck-Keene, staff-officer attached to the camp, said he was responsible for the warnings to the public with regard to the shells. He produced the printed notice which was sent to 38 railway stations, 6 post-offices and 16 police-stations, accompanied by a letter requesting it to be posted in prominent places for the information of tourists. There are also 18 notice-boards surrounding the ranges with these words: "it is dangerous to handle shells found on the moor." The proportion of shells reported unexploded is less than one per cent. this would include those buried in bogs and there smothered. It would be Sergt. BLEAKLEY'S duty first to find out where the shell was, then he should have reported it to me or to a warrant officer. - The Coroner: You have visited the spot, I believe. did you see anything to indicate the BLEAKLEY did anything to the shell? - There was no digging nor any signs of it. - Do you think BLEAKLEY had it in his hand when it exploded? - Possibly. I should think he must have been touching it. The fact that VANSTONE told Sergt. BLEAKLEY that he had moved it 20 yards might have induced BLEAKLEY to think it was all right. - And then it might have been moved by him? - Yes. - Witness explained that when a cap was removed a shell became active and not much force was required to explode it. during the firing there were range officers out whose duty it was to report upon every shell - where it fell and how it fell. After the practice the range party had orders to discover any blind shells they could, and anyone discovering a shell received a reward of 2s. 6d. if he did not touch it. If a blind shell was found it was exploded with gun-cotton and electricity by a man 500 yards or 1,000 yards away. There were practically no unexploded shells left on the surface and those underneath the surface were so far down that they would not be dangerous. They had never known that ponies or cattle had exploded a shell. - The Coroner: do you think anything else could be done to prevent the possibility of accident? - No. - The Foreman: If a shell remained in the wet for a month or two would it render it innocuous? - Not unless the rain got inside the shell. - If the heath and furze were on fire what effect would that have on a shell that happened to lie there? - If the fire were big enough it would probably explode it. It would have to get very hot indeed before it exploded. - Can you tell exactly when the shell was discharged? - I think on July 9th. - How many men were engaged in searching for unexploded shells? - Sometimes 20 or 30; never less than 6. - Can you account for this shell being seen by VANSTONE and not by the range party? - I don't know where VANSTONE found the shell, but the place where it was afterwards found was some way from the target. - Mr Holmes (a Juror): did you know this shell was missing? - There was one shell undiscovered after the firing on July 9th. A search was made for it. - Only the military receive rewards for finding shells? Civilians do not receive any reward in the hope that they will leave them alone. - The Foreman: What precautions are taken to keep civilians away when the shells are being exploded? - Witness: The range officer is responsible for seeing no one is near. - The Coroner, in reply to the Foreman, said it was, no doubt, quite possible, Sergt. BLEAKLEY might have been only scraping the shell to see whether it was a whole shell. - Witness said it was a pity Sergt. VANSTONE did not report his find early, and not have touched it. - The Coroner said VANSTONE'S explanation of that was that he put it out of the way of children and passers-by. - Sergt.-Major Rowney, instructor of gunnery at the camp, further explained how an unexploded shell, when found, was destroyed. He had exploded 25 shells this year. He had generally to drive cattle off and saw no one was in danger. - Mr Philip Johnson, M.R.C.S., said he examined all the remains and was sure they were not more than the remains of three men. - At the conclusion of the evidence the Coroner said the case for the Jury really resolved itself into a simple matter. They could return but one verdict - that the deceased men were killed by the explosion and that the explosion was an accident. They had gone a little out of their way in considering the matter as concerning the safety of the moor. But they wanted really to let people know the facts so that there should be no unnecessary alarm on the part of tourists or the people on the moor. Artillery practice was, of course, in itself dangerous, but he was sure from what they had heard they must all agree that every possible precaution was taken for the protection of the public, and to prevent the public injuring themselves. He trusted the evidence that had been elicited would convince people that the danger was much less than some fervid imagination had represented it to be. They sincerely regretted the loss of three good men and true, but it had to be faced. - The Jury retired to consider their verdict, which they afterwards gave as follows:- "That the deceased men lost their lives through the Accidental Explosion of a lyddite shell. The Jury are pleased to record that every reasonable precaution has been taken in the past, and am confident they will be continued in the future for the protection of the public during the artillery practice on Dartmoor; the Jury further respectfully suggest to the War-office authorities the desirability of their making, in conjunction with the Police authorities, some equitable arrangement for the future support and maintenance of those found to be dependent on the deceased persons, having due regard to the necessities of each particular case. - The Coroner thanked the military authorities for the kindness and courtesy which they had shewn in connection with the investigation, and their sympathy with the bereaved relatives.

ILFRACOMBE - The Ilfracombe Drowning Case. - An Inquest was held at Ilfracombe yesterday on the body of MR FRANK JONES. - Miss Channing said on the morning of the 8th inst., whilst in the Britannia Garden, she saw a man come from the Atlanta Boarding-house, and go to the beach. Shortly afterwards she saw a man struggling in the water some distance from the shore. She ran to tell her father and noticed the man in the water throwing up his arms. The tide was ebbing at the time. - William Jones, proprietor of the Atlanta Boarding-house said MR JONES came to his house on august 7th from Bristol. He was between 36 and 40 years of age. Witness knew nothing of what happened next morning until he heard deceased's wife screaming about 7.45 a.m. She said "My husband has gone out to bathe and they can't find him." Steps communicated from his house to the beach. The sea was rather rough. It was a usual thing for visitors to bathe on this beach. Deceased had stayed at his house twelve months before and was accustomed to bathe there. - William Patt deposed to finding the body early yesterday morning near Hillsboro' Hill. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Child Suffocated At Devonport. - At Devonport yesterday an Inquest was held on FLORENCE ELSIE TREND, aged four months. FLORENCE BEATRICE TREND, the mother, said she was single and a laundress. Deceased was in good health until the previous Monday. On Friday last witness went to bed at 11.30 and deceased was then in a separate cot. At about midnight she was restless and witness took her into her own bed. She intended to replace her later, but fell asleep. At 2.45 witness awoke and found the child was cold. She called her mother and they found the baby was dead. The father had been maintaining the child. Dr T. McElwaine said the child's lungs were congested, and death was due to suffocation. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Suffocation."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 28 August 1901 DARTMOUTH - At Dartmouth yesterday an Inquest was held on HENRY PERCY WOOD, five years old, son of a shipwright residing at Above Town. Lear and Masters, boys, saw the deceased in the water off the North Embankment. Both were unable to swim. They gave an alarm and Henry Chapman, an engine fitter, belonging to Portsmouth Dockyard, jumped in and got the body out. He also endeavoured to restore animation, and was assisted by a lady and two gentlemen from yachts, Mr Barber, P.C. Causley and Dr Harris, but without success. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and expressed their appreciation of the services rendered, particularly by Chapman.

Western Morning News, Thursday 29 August 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - Death Through Drink At Stonehouse. Distressing Case. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday on EMILY WHITE, aged 48, widow of WILLIAM J. WHITE, a naval pensioner, killed in Devonport Dockyard in January last. WILLIAM WHITE, father-in-law of deceased, said MRS WHITE received from the Admiralty a grant of £156 and £25 from a club. As a result deceased had been constantly drunk, and always carried a bottle containing spirits about with her. The woman was addicted to drink during her husband's lifetime and for a time was separated from him. - Elizabeth Ann Lavers, refreshment-house keeper, 29 Union-street, Stonehouse, said about six weeks ago deceased was turned out from her apartments in East-street, and out of pity she took her in. Unknown to her, MRS WHITE sent the landlady's children to fetch drink for her and would buy a bottle f wine or a shillingsworth of spirits nine or ten times a day. Deceased's only food was beef tea, and a great quantity of fruit. Deceased became ill on Tuesday, and a doctor was called. When dying, MRS WHITE handed the landlady £10 15s., all the money that remained. - Dr W. H. Waterfield, called to see the deceased on Tuesday afternoon, said he found her unconscious and she died a quarter of an hour afterwards from chronic alcoholism. A verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 30 August 1901 EXMOUTH - Suicide On Woodbury Common. Driven To It By A Brother. - At Exmouth yesterday, an Inquest was held on SAMUEL WM. THOMAS, 58, a Woodbury farmer, found hanging to a tree on Woodbury Common on Wednesday morning. Deceased had been lodging in Camberdown-terrace, and was missed on Tuesday evening. - P.C. Bond stated that on July 20th he apprehended THOMAS at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on a charge of attempted suicide by cutting his throat. At Exmouth he was committed for trial, but liberated on bail, his sister taking charge of him. Deceased and his brother were partners on the farm. The brother had driven deceased to do what he had. The brother was a drunken man, who spent every shilling he had. Deceased had spent all his money in bringing up his brother's family. - MISS MARGARETTA THOMAS, deceased's sister, said he told her "he wished he had died when he did it," alluding the former attempt on his lie. He was very restless. He wanted her to have more knives, but she would not, as she could watch one on the table better than several. On Tuesday evening Mrs Pearce, the landlady, asked where deceased was, and witness replied that she thought he had gone to bed. They went to see and found he was missing. - Mrs Pearce said she last saw deceased in his room about nine o'clock on Tuesday evening. Deceased was very restless and kept pacing around the table. Once he spoke of his attempt to take his life. She asked him to undertake not to do it again. He would not promise her and added that if he wanted to commit suicide he had plenty of chances. - Frederick Chas. Edwards, a carpenter, spoke to finding the body on Staybury-hill in a field, hanging by a handkerchief to the branch of a tree just inside the gate, one foot on the hedge. - P.C. Weeks deposed to cutting the body down. Deceased had £9 17s. 10 ¾d., a gold ring, three purses, and other articles about him. his boots were unlaced, and one was partly off. - ETHEL THOMAS, the daughter of the deceased's brother, said deceased had brought her father's family - ten of them - up, because her father was a drunkard. Owing to his habits her uncle had been caused a great deal of worry. Her father had remarked that he would not "go in black" for his brother. - In summing up the Coroner said Edwards and his father had not taken the steps they ought to; they should have cut the body down immediately without question. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Suffocation by hanging, whilst in a state of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Saturday 31 August 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest yesterday on ANNIE MARIA COLE, 31, a housemaid, of 3 Bedford-street, Ford. - NICHOLAS COLE said deceased, his daughter, had never complained of ill-health. She was a servant at Admiral Hammick's, at Beaumont House, and was spending a holiday at home. Her holiday concluded on Wednesday evening and she left the house at nine o'clock, witness accompanying her. When in Melville-road she suddenly fell. He picked her up, but she did not speak or take any notice of him. She was taken on a stretcher to Dr Lander, who pronounced life extinct. - Dr c. L. Lander said deceased's organs were healthy, excepting some old mischief in the lungs and the gall bladder. There were several stones in the bladder and one was impacted in the gall passage. That was the cause of death. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 2 September 1901 MANATON - The Dartmoor Carriage Accident. Death Of A Torquay Gentleman. - The recent carriage accident between Manaton and Bovey Tracey has terminated fatally for one of the party. On Friday night, MR EDWARD BARLOW HUSSEY, aged 77 years, of 3 Beanland-gardens, Torquay, who was on the box seat of the conveyance when the accident occurred, died at Southcott Farm, Manaton. Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, opened an Inquiry at Manaton on Saturday evening, Rev. J. C. B. Sanders being Foreman of the Jury. None of the persons in the conveyance when the accident occurred could attend, three of them being still confined to their beds in the house in which the body of the deceased was lying. One of them, Mrs Dixon, daughter of the deceased, had one of her arms broken in two places. The nursemaid, Nellie Hall, whose head was so badly injured, is slowly recovering; and Mrs Stone, who also had a broken arm, and is suffering from shock, is getting better. The driver, a Bovey Tracey man, named Dodd, will probably be about again in the course of a week or so. Owing to the absence of these witnesses, Mr Hacker could do little more than take formal evidence. - EDWARD SALTER HUSSEY, of 104 Sefton Park-road, Bristol, a warehouseman, gave evidence of identification of deceased being his father, who was of independent means. - Henry Dixon, solicitor, of Redland, Bristol, son-in-law of the deceased, stated that he had been staying with MR HUSSEY at Southcott Farm, Manaton. Last Tuesday afternoon he saw deceased shortly before he left the farm to return to his home at Torquay. After the accident deceased was carried back with the others to Southcott Farm. There deceased told witness that as they were driving to Bovey one of the horses shied and ran the wheels of the carriage up the bank. The driver was thrown off. Deceased said he attempted to get the reins which were dragging along the ground, but was unable to do so. The horses, he said, galloped down the hill, and they were all thrown out over the bridge into the stream, the carriage coming on top of them. - Dr Goodwyn, of Bovey Tracey, said he was fetched to Deal Farm about four o'clock last Tuesday. Deceased, Mrs Stone, Mrs Dixon and the nurse were all there suffering from injuries. They had been taken into the farm. Deceased was suffering from shock, a fractured wrist and a blow on the head. there was a little concussion of the brain. Deceased and the others were removed to Southcott Farm, where he continued to attend them. Deceased developed pneumonia the next day and died of pneumonia following the shock, the result of the injuries. - Mark Germon, the Manaton village blacksmith, said he heard from his wife that horses were running away. He ran down to Deal Bridge and there found that the conveyance had fallen over the bridge and was upside down in the stream with the people under it. The driver was also there trying to help, but he was unable to do anything. Witness helped left the conveyance and pull the people out, including deceased. they were all very wet. - Louisa Hern, of Deal Farm, close to the scene of the accident, said in her kitchen last Tuesday, she heard screams. Running out to the bridge she saw that a wagonette had been turned over into the stream and that the passengers were all underneath. The road near the bridge was very steep and rough. She saw deceased taken out of the stream and into her house. - Philip Stone, farmer, of Southcott Farm, said deceased had been lodging with him for about a month. Last Tuesday afternoon the horses had come out from Bovey to fetch deceased, who was returning to Torquay. Witness saw them leave the farm about three o'clock in the afternoon. There were a pair of horses and a wagonette. Deceased was sitting on the front seat. The driver had nothing to drink at the farm, and was quite sober. He started driving away very steadily. - This was all the evidence available and Mr hacker adjourned the Inquiry for a fortnight by which time it is hoped the driver and others of the injured will be able to attend. - Deceased was formerly connected with Torquay Brewery, and for some years was a churchwarden at Ellacombe. He had resided at Beanland-gardens about ten years. He was a brother of MR HUSSEY, auctioneer, of Exeter. The body will be removed to Torquay today for interment. The children who were in the conveyance and who suffered least, were grandchildren of deceased, and were aged respectively 2, 4 and 6 years.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 September 1901 TAMERTON FOLIOT - At Tamerton Foliot last night, Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest on GILBERT JAMES EASTERBROOK, aged 11 months, son of WILLIAM NICHOLAS EASTERBROOK, a gardener. The child died from a fit while being nursed. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Deaths At Devonport. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquiry at the Royal Albert Hospital yesterday on ELIZABETH JANE ANDREWS, 58, a widow, of 41 Cecil-street, Plymouth. - MAUD ANDREWS said her mother went to Mount Edgcumbe Park on 5th ult., and near Picklecombe fell over the cliffs, about 18 feet, whilst picking ferns. Her thigh was fractured and she was removed to the Royal Albert Hospital. - Dr C. A. Horsford said deceased had been doing well, but was rather weak, and suffered from her heart. A few days ago she had a fainting fit, from which she recovered. On Saturday she had a similar fit, from which she did not recover. Death was due to syncope, through fatty degeneration of the heart. He did not think her death was accelerated by the fall, though it probably weakened her. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

STOKE DAMEREL - In the evening, at Morice Town, Mr Pearce held an Inquest on MARY JANE CATFORD, aged 55, of 68 Gloucester-street. - ALFRED EDWARD CATFORD, fitter in the Dockyard, said the deceased, his wife, complained occasionally of shortness of breath in going up and down stairs. She went to Gloucester-street Chapel on Sunday evening with her daughter, and appeared to be in the best of spirits and in her usual health. On his way to the chapel later, and as he passed No. 1, Gloucester-street, he was called in, and saw his wife, who was breathing very heavily. She did not want a doctor sent for, and said she should be well in a few minutes. As they were rubbing her, she turned and said "I'm going home, Lord have mercy on my soul," and then passed away. - Dr J. Nixen Morris said death was due to syncope, through fatty degeneration of the heart. The Jury expressed sympathy with the husband and relatives and found a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 6 September 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on THOMAS MENEELY, aged 36, leading chargeman of labourers on the torpedo destroyer Vixen. - James Haslam, chargeman engineer in the employ of Vickers, Son, and Maxim, said deceased was a native of Belfast, but worked for the firm at Barrow-in-Furness. He seemed to be in good health and went on with his work as usual on the Vixen until eight o'clock that morning when he said he felt queer. On going on deck he fainted, but revived after his hands and forehead had been bathed with water. Two men then took him to his lodgings. Michael Fearon, fireman, of 88 Albert-road, said he and another man assisted him out of Keyham Dockyard with the intention of taking him to his lodgings. They took deceased to the Clarence Hotel to give him a glass of brandy, but before they could get the brandy he died. On the way to the Hotel deceased rested three times. Deceased had been at Devonport five weeks, and went to work regularly except on one day, when he complained of having a pain in the leg. - Dr T. Rolston, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to syncope, caused by lung and heart disease. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 7 September 1901 LYDFORD - At an Inquest held at Princetown yesterday on VIOLET MABEL WILLIAMS, aged nearly five months, the Coroner (Mr J. D. Prickman) said, although he considered an Inquest unnecessary, he was compelled to hold one by recent County Council regulations. MR EDWARD WILLIAMS, father of deceased, said on Thursday morning he had left the bedroom about ten minutes, when his wife shouted to him. On rushing upstairs he found the child dead, though still warm. The child had been delicate from birth. Dr F. E. Forward said the child was small, but fairly well nourished. There was no sign of any bruises or external marks on the body. There was no evidence of overlaying. Death was probably caused by convulsions. In such a young child convulsions might arise from many natural causes. The Jury (Mr T. Knapman, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

ST BUDEAUX - A Deplorable St Budeaux Case. - An Inquest was held yesterday at St Budeaux, Devonport on CATHERINE STREET, 3 Coldrenick-terrace South. - LOAMMI STREET, the husband, a pensioner from the 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, said she was 52 years of age. Her health was good until about five years ago when she gave way to intemperate habits. He had tried to keep her from the drink but could not do so. She had money of her own. About six weeks ago she fell down the steps leading to the house. The accident occurred before nine o'clock in the morning and she was under the influence of liquor then. On Wednesday she was about her work as usual. Early on Thursday morning he noticed that she was breathing heavily and moaning slightly. He fetched Dr Gard, but death ensued in a few hours. Deceased had been drinking on the Wednesday. In fact she was hardly ever sober and had been put to bed twice in one day in an intoxicated condition. They had always lived on good terms. she had a bruise on her leg, but he could not say how she came by it. - Mary Ann Payne, of 10 Coldrenick-terrace North, stated that MRS STREET was intemperate, but she believed she and her husband got on fairly well together. She had never seen MR STREET strike his wife. She had never heard MRS STREET complain of anyone ill-treating her. - Dr Henry Gard, of Devonport, said when called to deceased she was unconscious. She had a great many bruises, which appeared to have been caused by recent falls. There were symptoms of heart failure and congestion of the lungs. It was a hopeless case from the first. At a post mortem examination all the organs pointed to chronic alcoholism. The bruises had nothing to do with the death, which was due to syncope brought about by alcoholism. The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) said it was a very deplorable case, and a verdict of "Death from Syncope due to Chronic Alcoholism" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 9 September 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - Suicide At Newton Abbot. - An Inquest was held on Saturday at Newton Abbot by Mr Hacker, County Coroner, on PHILIP DOTTIN, aged 81, of independent means, living at Rooklands, Wolborough-street. The widow said her husband during the past six weeks had been to several doctors. Agonising pains in the stomach, he said, was more than he could bear, and he got worse every day. He never threatened to do harm to himself. Her husband slept in a separate room and she heard no noise during the night. On Saturday morning she went down and lit the fire and seeing her husband in the woodhouse, she spoke to him twice. As he did not answer, she went closer and then saw he was hanging by a rope attached to a hook in the ceiling. - Alfred Gregory, called by MRS DOTTIN, said he found deceased quite dead, and, therefore, did not cut him down, but fetched P.C. Hatherley, who did so. - Dr R. H. Grimbly said the deceased had probably been dead at least two hours, and although in this case it would have been of no avail, yet the first and most important duty of anyone finding a person hanging, was to cut the body down, and loosen whatever was round the throat. Lives might be saved if this were done. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 September 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - A Man's Strange Death At Devonport. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital yesterday on HENRY JONES, aged 24, a labourer employed at Keyham Extension Works. - Agnes Gliddon of 24 Victory-street East, Devonport, said the deceased was a native of Anderton, near Holsworthy, and lodged at her house. On Friday, August 30th deceased returned home ill, and the following morning a doctor was sent for. JONES had been in the habit of spitting blood. Upon Dr Davis's advice, deceased was taken to the Royal Albert Hospital. - Cyril A. B. Horsford, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted suffering apparently from obstruction of the bowels. For the first three or four days he progressed satisfactorily, but on Friday he got worse and on Saturday severe complications set in. After a consultation with Dr Leah, it was decided to make an operation, as the only chance of saving the man's life. Chloroform was administered on Sunday morning, but deceased died whilst under the influence of the drug. - The Coroner: did the chloroform hasten death? - Yes, I think so; but had the operation not been performed the man would only have lived a few hours longer. He was in a very weak state. A post-mortem examination revealed an internal strangulation. There was an abnormality in the bowels which usually disappeared at birth, but in the deceased's case persisted, and grew, and at last stopped the passage of the bowels. Deceased died from syncope whilst undergoing an operation for internal strangulation and peritonitis. - A Juryman asked if the deceased consented to the operation. - Witness replied that he did, as he was informed that it was his only chance. Three doctors were present at the operation. - The Coroner said he was glad to say that there were only a very few deaths at the Royal Albert Hospital of patients whilst undergoing an operation. This was very good considering how many people underwent operations at the Hospital. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned, and the Jury passed a vote of thanks to Miss Gliddon for her kindness to the deceased.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 11 September 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held yesterday on REGINALD PERCY ALLSOPP, aged 4 months, son of HENRY WILLIAM ALLSOP, engine driver, on the Great Western Railway, who lives at 11 Huntley-cottages, Old Laira, Plymouth. The mother stated the child was taken ill on Sunday morning, and died before a doctor arrived. Dr Wagner, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to double pneumonia and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 September 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Borough Coroner, held three Inquests yesterday. The first was on EMMA MILLMAN, 49 years, wife of a Metropolitan Police pensioner, living at 55 College-road. Deceased's husband stated that about three weeks ago she said she was dying and seemed in a fainting condition. Dr Rae was called in and she seemed to recover completely. She went to Cornwall-street on Monday evening, and returned in a tram with Ellen Butler, wife of an insurance collector. Mrs Butler said deceased asked to have the tram door opened, as she wanted air, but the conductor would not open it, saying it was against the rules. At St Levan-road she had to be assisted out of the tram, and taken home in a chair. Dr G. A. Ran attributed death to syncope, due to fatty degeneration of the heart.

STOKE DAMEREL - The next Inquest was on SUSAN BASTIN, 62 years, wife of THOMAS BASTIN, Marine pensioner and Crimean veteran, of 57 James-street. Mrs McGinnis, a neighbour, deposed to being called by deceased's husband about six o'clock that morning to see MRS BASTIN, and she sent for a medical man. Dr T. McElwaine arrived almost immediately and found the woman dead. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to syncope the result of heart and kidney disease of long standing.

STOKE DAMEREL - The third Inquest was on ELIZABETH SPLATT, 85 years. Elizabeth Ann Watson, widow of 13 Morice-square, said deceased, her mother, was feeble and blind, in consequence of which she had a young girl to look after her. The girl left her for a few minutes on August 29th and then heard a cry. Deceased was found at the bottom of four stairs, down which she had fallen. Dr McElwaine attended her until her death on Tuesday. Dr McElwaine stated that death was due to the fall. There was an incised wound about 1 ¼ inches long, at the back of the head, severing an artery, and she had also bruised her face. she had been conscious since the fall. The verdict in each case was in accordance with the medical opinion.

Western Morning News, Saturday 14 September 1901 MANATON - The Manaton Carriage Fatality. Result Of The Inquest. - At Manaton last evening Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, concluded his Inquiry into the cause of the death of the late MR E. B. HUSSEY, of Beanland Gardens, Torquay, who died on August 30th last. Deceased was one of a party of seven persons driving from Manaton to Bovey on August 27th when the horse bolted and all the occupants of the conveyance were thrown into a stream. At the first Inquiry, the Coroner took the evidence of identification and heard the statement of Dr Goodwyn, and that of those who helped to get deceased from under the conveyance in the stream. The Inquiry was then adjourned for a fortnight to enable the driver of the carriage, who was seriously injured, to attend. Last evening the Coroner reviewed the evidence given at the first sitting. - George Martin Dodd, the driver, was then called. He stated that on August 27th he went on from Bovey Tracey to fetch the deceased and friends and drive them to Bovey Station. They were staying at Southcott farm. He left Bovey about two o'clock, driving a pair of horses and a big wagonette. He had driven the horses many times before, but had never had an accident with them. They were steady animals. He left the farm about three o'clock. deceased sat on the box with witness and there were three ladies and two children in the body of the trap. On the way down deceased said to him, "Driver, I think we will go past Leighon and Deal Farm instead of round by Manaton, to save time." They went that way. this road was much rougher and narrower than the other, with a steep "pinch" just before they got to the farm. He did not know whether the road was much used for driving. Just after they branched off from the road from Southcott farm, where deceased had been staying, the off horse shied and knocked the near horse clean off her legs against the hedge. - The Coroner: Did it fall? - Witness: It had no chance to fall, the road is so narrow. It was knocked against the hedge. He was only trotting at about four miles an hour. - The Coroner: Four miles an hour would hardly be trotting. - Witness: Well, that was about the pace. He did not know what the horse shied at. He saw nothing in the hedge or anywhere else. - By the Rev. J. C. B. Sanders: How far was that from the main road? Witness: Only a short distance. He was knocked off the box of the vehicle. He hung on to the reins until he felt something catch his left foot. Then he let go. - The Coroner: Was it the wheel? - Witness: I could not tell exactly what it was. - The Coroner: You were left behind then? - Yes, on my face and hands, until I picked myself up. The wagonette went on, but it was not going very fast when last he saw it. They were still trotting then. He got up and went on as fast as he could after them. By the time he got up they were out of sight. - The Coroner: Were you injured? - I was severely bruised and had inflammation of the hip. One of my ribs was also nearly broken. I went on until I came to Deal Farm, where I found the wagonette upside down in the water. The children had crawled out from under the vehicle when I arrived, but the others were all underneath. Some people came up and I helped as well as I could to get the people out. - The Coroner: It must have been a big jerk to throw you out like that? - Witness: It was a jerk, sir. - You could not have been sitting very tight? - When you get a jerk like that you can't sit very tight. It is not as though you were braced in. - Mr Beer, of Bovey Tracey, stated that he had had the horses for eight or nine years. They were always very steady. He was never more astonished in his life than when he heard they had met with an accident. Witness usually drove that way. It was not much more dangerous than the other road. It was a bit narrower; that was all. At the farm there was a very steep bit, but with a good brake anyone could get down all right. If the horses had escaped the bridge, he thought they would have got home safe. He had driven the horses many miles, but had never known them shy. - The Coroner: There is no accounting for some accidents. - The Coroner, summing up the evidence, said the shying of the horse caused the accident. What caused the horse to shy appeared to be a mystery. It was very unusual for old horses like this, which were not shiers, to suddenly shy. - The Foreman of the Jury (the rector) said the verdict would be that the death was due to pneumonia resulting from immersion, no blame attaching to anyone. The Coroner: That is, Accidental Death, the pneumonia being consequent on the accident and the injuries. The Foreman: Yes.

Western Morning News, Monday 16 September 1901 BRENTOR - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Brentor on Saturday on the wife of MR HENRY DAVIS, of East Plymouth Dairy. MR DAVIS said he came to Brentor with his wife on Thursday afternoon and after taking ea they went for a walk. On their way back deceased was obliged to stop two or three times, and at length could go no further. A conveyance was fetched and on the way to the house of a friend she died. Dr C. C. Brodrick, of Tavistock, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart. The Jury (Mr W. Glover, Foreman) returned a verdict accordingly. The funeral took place yesterday at Brentor and was very largely attended.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 September 1901 PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth on CHARLES WILLIAM SYZER, a naval pensioner, 65 years of age, of 45 Cambridge-street. MARY SYZER, wife of the deceased, stated that he let home at 3.30 on Saturday morning when he seemed fairly well. Occasionally he had complained of pains near his heart. P.C. Teilman stated that on Saturday morning in Old Town-street he saw deceased lying on his back by the side of the pavement. His pulse had stopped beating and he thought he was dead. Dr J. Cooke said death was due to heart disease. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Suffocated At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the Laira Hotel, Plymouth, on LOUISA MARGARET DAVIES, daughter of HALMAN THOMAS DAVIES, of 46 Embankment-road, Plymouth. The mother stated that it was a fairly healthy child and was only suffering from a slight cold. She did not call the doctor because she thought it was just an ordinary cold. The child, her husband and herself were the only persons sleeping in the bed on Friday night. She awoke up at one o'clock on Saturday morning and found the child all right, but when she again awoke at 6 o'clock it was dead by her side. Dr Pearson said death was due to suffocation. The face was of a blueish colour, but there were no marks of violence. The child had been well cared for. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Workhouse Fatality. A Strange Case. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at the Workhouse yesterday on JOHN GROVES, 37, a marine engineer, who jumped out of a window at the House on Friday last. - James Allen Prideaux, Head Schoolmaster, R.N., said deceased had lived at 4 Second-avenue, Rectory-road, Devonport. He had been well physically, but was depressed at times. - By a Juror: He had no domestic difficulties. - Charles Frederick Whenmouth, Master of the House, said deceased was admitted on Wednesday last. He received an order from Mr George Prior, Relieving Officer, stating that deceased was a lunatic. He was not a pauper, and he asked that he should be detained three days. Mr Prior said deceased was quite harmless, but as he had been strange in his mind, and because of his wife's condition, it was thought advisable for him to go to the House. Deceased was not at all riotous. He accompanied him to the Infirmary and handed him over to one of the Nurses, pending the arrival of the doctor. During a conversation he appeared quite rational and witness saw no signs whatever of lunacy. On the second day deceased remarked that he had another day to be there. He appeared quite sensible the whole time and when three Guardians and a friend saw him on Thursday he appeared to them sane and quite satisfied with his surroundings. While the Board was sitting on Friday morning, it was reported to him that deceased had thrown himself from a window. Witness did not care to give an opinion as to whether quietness in a supposed lunatic was suspicious, but it was the custom to treat a violent lunatic in the lunatic wards, and cases like deceased's in the infirmary wards. - MR HARRY GROVES, of Greenwich, a brother of deceased, expressed regret that a man had not been directed to look after deceased, as he was sent away to be under the care of a male attendant. Mr Whenmouth said deceased had a female attendant. - Mr Prideaux, recalled, said he received a medical certificate from Dr Down, which he gave to the Relieving Officer. Dr Down was attending deceased's wife and he considered it imperative that deceased should be removed from the house as soon as possible, as he feared for MRS GROVES' safety. - A letter which deceased wrote while in the House was read to the Jury, but there was nothing peculiar in its contents, except that the spelling was bad. Mr Prideaux explained that deceased had recently got into a way of spelling badly, though usually he was a careful writer. - Effie Raymond probationary nurse, said she had been on duty in deceased's ward. She received no instructions from anybody as to deceased's condition, but thought he was an ordinary patient. She saw him reading a paper once, and several times he spoke to her about the view from the windows, and appeared perfectly rational. She saw him several times on Friday morning, and once when he was standing on the landing near his room looking out of the window. He asked when the barber would be round, and passed remarks about the weather. She conversed with him several times during the morning and he told her he had just returned from a trip with his wife to Teignmouth and Dawlish. The window was then closed. She heard a few minutes later that he had jumped out of the window. - By the Foreman: It was not uncommon to see patients looking out of the window. She would not have allowed him about the landing had she thought him a lunatic. - Mr Prideaux remarked that deceased returned from a holiday the previous Monday, and he had been queer in his manner while away. He was sometimes depressed, and at such times the whole of his conversation was about money. His appearance at times altered, and one evening in particular he noticed a great change from the morning. - Replying to a Juror, Mr Prideaux said deceased had never shewn any signs of being insane before three weeks ago. - Eliza Nicholls, superintending nurse, said when deceased was given into her charge she was told he had been sent there for three days' detention, and was quite harmless. he seemed quite sensible. She could not say whether Nurse Roskruge was told individually of deceased's condition, but she did tell some nurses assembled at the time of his admittance. Miss Roskruge was the junior probationer, but her senior was acquainted with the circumstances. If Miss Roskruge had known, deceased could not have received greater attention. Witness would not have thought much of finding deceased on the landing in his particular case, especially as the lavatory was close by. She was, at the time of the fatality, on the ground floor. - By the Foreman: Deceased was allowed to go where he liked about the wards. The fact that he was in that ward shewed the nurses that he did not require a great deal of watching. - A Juror suggesting that the windows should be barred, the Nurse pointed out that the wards were for Hospital patients and not lunatics. - Henry Stokes, an employee of the House, said he saw Nurse Raymond talking to deceased on Friday morning. Witness was cleaning the taps in the lavatory and saw deceased against the window on the landing. He went to get some rags, and just when he got in sight of the window again he saw deceased's legs disappearing through it. Witness slept in the same ward as deceased, but never noticed anything strange about him. He had complained once or twice of pains in the head. The window was open all the morning. He did not think deceased could have had time to lift the window. - George Prior, Relieving Officer, said he noticed nothing showing insanity when he took deceased to the Workhouse. He tested him for half-an-hour, and, had it not been for the condition of his wife, he would not have removed him. As it was, he felt very doubtful. Deceased went to the House without a murmur. He felt sure nobody could have detected that there was anything wrong with the man, and he believed that had he taken him before the Magistrates they would not have issued an order for his admittance to a lunatic asylum. He did say he had been feeling unwell and had been suffering from dizziness, but this reply, like every other one, was perfectly rational. - Dr E. Everard Row, Medical officer at the House, said on deceased being admitted he talked to him for nearly half an hour on every conceivable subject and found not a sign of lunacy, every answer or statement being perfectly rational. There was not a single sentence or action which gave him to suppose deceased was of unsound mind. On the Saturday deceased would probably have appeared before the magistrates for a lunacy certificate to be granted. If it had happened that he had been the surgeon called upon to advise the magistrates he would have refused to make an order if his examination had resulted as it did on Wednesday. He had recommended deceased being placed upstairs with the infirmary patients, as it would have been cruel to have placed him with the imbeciles. He saw him on Thursday and then he was quite sensible. The doctor then read the nurses day and night reports for the time deceased was there, and they shewed there was nothing seen to be the matter with him, and that he was satisfied with his surroundings. Deceased's body was 35 feet below the window and the head (on which he fell) was only 15 inches out of the perpendicular. this proved conclusively that he had not sprung from the window. Whether he had fallen or jumped he could not say. Witness was called from the Board Meeting to see deceased and found the case quite hopeless. He died within half an hour, never regaining consciousness. He had made a post-mortem examination and found nothing out of the common in the brain. It was quite normal. At the base there was a very old adhesion, where a portion of the brain had stuck to the skull, probably in childhood. If deceased had been looking at the flower-plot below, he might have fallen through dizziness. He thought it certain that deceased did not jump, but whether he fell by accident or design it was for the Jury to say. Deceased had not been lost sight of by one of the nurses a minute before it happened. - By the Jury: It would have been cruel to place deceased with the imbeciles. If he had been so placed, he might have watched his opportunity and done the same thing. He did not think the nurses were in any way to blame. Death was due to fracture of the skull and haemorrhage of the brain. - Mr Vanstone (a friend of the deceased) said he knew him to be very fond of flowers, and that he was intending to get a house where he could cultivate them. - Nurse Raymond, recalled, said she had opened the window and closed it again and was sure it was closed a few minutes before the fatality. - The Coroner said he had found it necessary to go very fully into the case as the death had occurred at a public institution. He was doubtful whether Dr Down really considered the deceased of unsound mind, or whether he gave his certificate in his anxiety for the wife. Deceased had been strange in his manner, but persons often acted strangely after being overworked, or through other causes. Dr Row did perfectly right in not placing deceased with the imbeciles. He would not have been placed in an infirmary ward had he been considered a lunatic, as there were proper places for such. A hospital was not the place for the reception of a lunatic and the nurses were not there for that purpose. No lunatic would ever be there if certificated. It was for the Jury to say whether deceased fell from the window by accident or purposely. - The Jury returned an Open Verdict, considering there was not sufficient evidence to shew whether death was caused accidentally or otherwise. They were satisfied there was no neglect on the part of the authorities. - A vote of sympathy with the relatives passed by the Jury was concurred in by the Coroner.

Western Morning News, Thursday 19 September 1901 EXETER - At the Inquest yesterday on MISS FINNEMORE, aged 78, of Silver-place, Heavitree, who died at Queen-street, Exeter, on Tuesday evening soon after arriving from Sidmouth, the medical evidence shewed that death was due to heart disease.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 September 1901 EXETER - Suicide At Exeter. A Pathetic Farewell. - FRANK BERRY CARTER, aged 40, of 66 Portland-street, Exeter, committed suicide yesterday. He was a stamper at the Post-office, where he had been employed for over twenty years. He had only been discharged as cured from Digby's Asylum on Thursday evening. At midnight on Sunday he recommenced his duties at the Post-office, and on leaving early yesterday morning went home to bed. MRS CARTER saw him there at ten o'clock. At noon, however, she found he was gone, and sent for his brother. They went to the attic, where the body of the deceased was found on the floor under a nail in the wall. He had strangled himself with a scarf and the latter having broken the body fell to the ground. Dr Bell found that CARTER had been dead some time. At the Inquest it was stated that on May 9th last deceased was charged with attempting to commit suicide, having taken paraffin oil. He was then found to be suffering from delusions, and Dr Bell certified that he was insane. The following note, written in pencil, was found in the bedroom:- My dear wife and children, - Try to forgive me for what I have done. What I have suffered in my head is terrible. I can bear it no longer. As God has sent this infliction upon me I put my trust in Him, that he will receive my soul. So now I am gone. FRANK CARTER. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

EXETER - Exeter Boy's Sad Death. - Mr H. W. Gould held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday on JAMES GEORGE SAMPSON, aged 16, errand boy in the employ of Mr Helson, ironmonger, Fore-street. Deceased, whilst cycling on the 5th inst., endeavoured to pass between a van and the pavement, and, colliding with a gentleman, fell and was thrown under the horse. The driver of the van pulled up, and the lad, who had his arm cut, was medically treated. He was admitted to the Hospital the same day, and the wound, which was very dirty, was carefully cleansed. Deceased was treated as an out-patient, but after attending two or three times absented himself for three days. he came afterwards, but on the 19th tetanus set in and death occurred on Sunday night. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 25 September 1901 KINGSBRIDGE - Death Through Skylarking. - At the Inquest on ALBERT HENRY BURNER yesterday the evidence shewed that deceased, employed by Mr J. Badcock, Bearscombe, Kingsbridge, while fetching hay from a loft, invited a lad to have a ride on the shaft of a machine. The lad refused and deceased, getting on himself, rode round several times, until caught in the shaft and crushed beyond all recognition between the cogs and a butt full of apples. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 26 September 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns (Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on SARAH ANGEL KERSWILL. - Jno. Exworthy, labourer, Flora-street, said deceased was his mother-in-law, and on September 2nd he visited her and found her niece there. After a short stay he and the niece went out for a short time and during their absence she fell out of bed, fracturing her thigh. Dr Wagner said deceased had been suffering from paralysis, but she died from injuries received by falling out of bed. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Fatality. An Orphan Hurt At Play. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest yesterday at the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum, Stoke, on EVELINA BLATCHFORD GRAY. - Lucy Wakeham, 4 Phoenix-place, Stonehouse, the mother, said deceased, aged nine years, was sent to the asylum by the Admiralty in December 1899. She did not think the child was strong, though she suffered from no particular complaint. Violet Ethel Spencer, an inmate of the Institution, said after school on Tuesday evening she saw deceased go into the playground and join two or three other girls at a see-saw in the playground. The see-saw was not balanced, but one end of the plank was suspended on the trestle, and the children were running up it and jumping off. The second time she ran up deceased caught her foot in the groove of the trestle (in which the plank worked) and fell, striking her chest against one of the legs of the trestle. Witness helped her up and rested her against the trestle, but the girl said she had no pain, and it was not worthwhile to send for a nurse. Witness then left her and went to another part of the playground. Witness had run up the plank many times but had never caught her foot in it, nor had she known any other girl to do so. - Ada Ironsides, another playmate, said she saw the deceased crying in the playground, but she said she was not hurt. Just afterwards she complained of a pain in her side and witness, with other girls, assisted her towards the infirmary. As she was going up the stairs she appeared to be in great pain and had to be carried to the Infirmary. - Mary Ann Catchpool, matron, said when she saw deceased she was so very ill that she at once sent for Dr Rolston. Deceased passed away at 6.10, less than two hours after the accident. Children were allowed to play with the see-saw as a see-saw or as it was at the time of the accident, but she always stopped them if she thought they were playing with danger. Deceased had twice before had falls, once grazing her face and another time injuring her head by running against a post. She then blackened her eyes and brought up blood. She did not know of any previous accident on the see-saw. Deceased was not a strong child, but very cheerful. There had not been a fatal accident during the thirty-three years she had been Matron. - Dr John Rolston said when he saw deceased she was in a state of extreme collapse. She was conscious and he could find no bones broken; her breathing also being fairly regular. He administered stimulants, as she became very restless. her restlessness increased, the heart's action became weaker and while he was present she passed away. A post-mortem examination shewed that the spleen had a fissure in it and that was the only evidence of disease. Death was due to internal haemorrhage, in consequence of rupture of the spleen. She had a bruised arm, but otherwise Tuesday's accident had not injured her. - Dr R. P. Ryan, hon. Medical Officer to the Institution, said he looked upon deceased as a delicate child, although, except being anaemic, she had no particular disease. The accident was unlikely to cause the rupture of a healthy spleen, but the deceased's was large and not healthy. - Admiral Cardale, hon. secretary to the Institution, said the plank was new, but the trestle, which was a little worn, would be replaced. He would like to hear testimony to the great care and devotion which Mrs Catchpool bestowed on the children. It was a very unhappy occurrence for them all, as it was the first accident that had ever ended fatally. It was a curious thing that the Matron and he had been the same morning discussing the safety of the swings and see-saws in the playground, and had thought the latter to be perfectly safe. - The Coroner remarked that the fact that it was the only fatal accident that had ever occurred bore high testimony to the careful manner in which the children were looked after. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and, with the Coroner, expressed their sympathy with the mother and family, and their opinion that no blame could be attached to anyone. - The Foreman, several Jurymen and Dr Rolston expressed the warmest satisfaction at the manner in which the inmates were treated and educated. Dr Rolston specially referring to the loving care of Mrs Catchpool, who was more than a mother to them, as he had seen her at all times of the day and night by the sick-bed, the death-bed and in the pursuit of her ordinary duties. He wished every mother displayed the same care. - Rev. W. Mantle remarked that nobody would have thought, if they had all seen the children playing, of preventing deceased, or any of them, from running up the plank.

PLYMOUTH - Found Dead At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner of the Borough of Plymouth, held an Inquest yesterday on MARY ANN WILLIAMS, of No. 1 Looe-place, about 70 years of age. Sarah Jude, widow, 22 Green-street, stated that she last saw deceased alive on Monday, when she stated she felt better than she had all day, but could not stop frothing at the mouth. Jas. Smith, labourer, of 5 Looe-place, stated that on Monday afternoon, he entered deceased's room and found her lying in a corner dead. The shutters were shut. - Dr Bean, who had made a post-mortem examination, said there was evidence of consumptive disease in both lungs. The stomach was empty, cancerous growth nearly stopped the passage. Death was due to exhaustion, through not being able to assimilate food. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Death Of A Marine. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday morning, Mr R. R Rodd, held an Inquest respecting the death of PRIV. THOMAS DONOVAN, R.M.L.I., who fainted outside the Star Hall, Frankfort-street, on Monday, and died soon afterwards. Frederick Richards, licensed victualler, of 53 Richmond-street, Plymouth, said the deceased, who lodged with him, was attached to the Vivid, and was about 26 years old. He had not heard him complain of being unwell and on Monday evening he appeared in good health. Deceased, who was a native of Middlesbrough, had been invalided home from the war in South Africa. - Evidence was given to the effect that deceased walked out of the Star Hall about nine o'clock on Monday evening and fainted. He was removed to the Naval Hospital by the Police and died a few minutes after his admittance. Dr Arthur H. H. Vizard, stationed at the Naval Hospital, said the post-mortem examination revealed that death was due to haemorrhage as the result of aneurism of the aorta. A verdict to that effect was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 28 September 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Keyham Extension Works Fatality. Employees Carelessness. - At an Inquest in Keyham Dockyard yesterday on SIDNEY AUGUSTUS BEAN, 30, a lamp-trimmer, employed at the Extension Works, Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented Sir John Jackson (Limited) and Mr Sidney Shuter, Inspector of Factories, the Home-office. - WILLIAM BEAN said deceased had been employed at the works since they started. His son had previously been injured. - Samuel Beer, pointsman, said at 11.50 a.m. on Thursday two engines, the Hamoaze and the Mount Edgcumbe, were being moved into a siding. He talked with deceased, who walked up the line. The Hamoaze passed the pointes and deceased got out of the way. The Mount Edgcumbe was then moved in the same direction and after it had passed he saw deceased lying on the track with his head on one of the lines. Before the Mount Edgcumbe moved, it whistled and went up the single line, pushing a number of trucks. After the Hamoaze passed deceased got on the line again and walked behind the engine. There was plenty of room for him to walk beside the rails, but men persisted in walking between the metals. - Mr Whatley Eliot, superintending civil engineer for the Admiralty at the Works, said he was walking alongside the rails and saw deceased lying between the metals on his stomach, with his neck on one of the rails. there was no sign of blood. He knew of no reason why deceased should walk between the rails. - John Beasley said he was driving the engine Mount Edgcumbe, and blew the whistle before he reached the points, Samuel Beer signalling the line clear. He saw Mr Eliot, but not the deceased. His engine was pushing two wagons. His companion did not see BEAN. He was told deceased had fallen dead. - Dr L. L. Hanham said deceased's spine was fractured, ten of his ribs were broken, on the left side and eight on the right side. His liver was smashed, and the left kidney, spleen and right lung were lacerated. There was no flesh wound, and he did not think the man could have been run over. He was no doubt knocked down very violently and thrown some distance in front of the engine. Either the spine injury or internal haemorrhage was sufficient to cause almost instant death. - The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) said deceased probably did not hear the engine coming and was knocked down by the trucks. There was evidently plenty of room to walk by the side of the rails, and he could not understand why men would walk between them when there was such a danger. Deceased would have been still living if he had only exercised proper care. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerating everyone from blame, and expressing sympathy with the relatives.

STOKE DAMEREL - "The Burning Season." Strictures By The Devonport Coroner. - CHARLES HENRY CLASBY, aged 3, died at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday and at the Inquest its mother, living at 33 Granby-street, said on Wednesday she left him and another child playing in a room while she went to the front door to send another child to school. There was a fire in an ordinary grate. In a few seconds she heard a scream, and rushing upstairs saw deceased's clothes in flames. Covering him with a blanket, she extinguished the flames. The child was conscious and she took him to the Hospital. - Replying to the Coroner, (Mr J. A. Pearce) she said there was no guard before the fire. She had seen reports of similar cases in the newspapers, with the recommendation of juries that fire-guards should be provided. - The Coroner remarked that it was a miracle the other child was not also burnt. In view of the large number of burning cases that had happened within the past few years, it was extraordinary that the simple precaution of a fire-guard was not taken. The guard were very cheap, so that poverty could not be pleaded as an excuse. - Dr C. A. Horsford said the child was burnt about the chest, face and arms. - The Coroner told the mother to at once provide a guard. The case seemed to show that the burning season had commenced, unfortunately rather earlier than usual. Recently the Coroners of England and Wales forwarded to the Home Secretary a list of such burning fatalities during 1899 - 1900 and the large number of deaths was surprising. If it could be shown that persons could afford fire-guards and they lost children through not providing them, he thought they should be punished. These cases occurred principally among the working classes where the crowding together of children in a room could not be avoided. He hoped the Home Secretary would be able to bring in a bill providing some punishment where neglect was shewn in those cases. they were the worse that he had to inquire into, as they could be prevented. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and endorsed the Coroner's remarks.

Western Morning News, Saturday 5 October 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - The Death At Devonport Infectious Hospital. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at the Falcon Hotel, Ford, yesterday, on VIOLET MAY BALCH, aged 15 months, the child of JAMES HENRY BALCH, living at the back of 5 Wellington-street, engine-driver at Devonport Gasworks. The mother was present, but fainted before being called, and it was stated that that was the first time she had ever been in a public-house. The father of the child stated that on Thursday week deceased took up a piece of paper and afterwards threw it into the fender. Her mother then went into the next room to make the bed, and the other child called out: "Mother, baby is playing with the fire." The mother found the child drawling from the fender, where the paper was burning. The child was burnt all over the face and right hand, and the mother, after putting some flour on the burns, took her to Dr Down, who dressed the burns Dr Landor attended the child every day until she was taken to the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Dr Lander was not sure that the child had diphtheria, but thought it best to send her to the Hospital. One child of witness, a boy aged six, died last Monday from diphtheria. three children and witness's wife were at the Hospital at one time, and one of the children was there now. There was no fireguard around the stove in the room in which the child was burnt. His wages averaged 36s. 8d. a week. - The Coroner said he could have got a guard for a small sum. - Witness said they had never had an accident with the fire before. He would make a guard. - Dr T. R. Rolston said he was in charge of the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The child was taken to the Hospital for observation on Saturday. Two other cases from the family were sent in with diphtheria. One of them died on Monday and another was recovering. Deceased's burns were dressed twice a day, but she died at 10.15 p.m. on Wednesday. The face, right hand, and wrist were badly burnt. By post-mortem examination, witness found but slight evidence of diphtheria, and not sufficient to cause death. The child died from shock and exhaustion following the burns. - The Coroner said it was a particularly sad case and the Jury would add their sympathy to the parents, who had lost two children. If the ordinary means of protecting fire by a guard had been taken this child might have been alive today. It was remarkable that, although people heard of such cases., they took no steps to provide guards until a death occurred. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and sympathised with the parents.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 October 1901 BARNSTAPLE - A Barnstaple Widow's Sad End. - At Barnstaple yesterday the Coroner (Mr R. J. Bencraft) held an Inquest on MARY JANE PACKER, a widow, living by herself, at 115 Pilton-street. On Sunday morning deceased, aged 65, was found in her back court lying with her head against a rockery. Dr Manning found that MRS PACKER was dead, the probabilities being that she had lain there since the previous Friday night, various callers having since then been unable to gain admittance to the house. She was last seen alive on Friday evening. - Dr Manning deposed that she was a very likely subject for apoplexy, and, in his opinion, that was the ca\use of death. Deceased was wet through, very heavy rain having fallen on the Friday night and since. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

EXETER - Suffocation Of An Exeter Woman. - An Inquest was held yesterday at the Devon and Exeter Hospital concerning the death of REBECCA JORDAN, aged 65, the widow of a fish dealer, who occupied a room in the house of George Rowe, coal dealer, of Coombe-street. When Mrs Rowe took up a cup of tea for deceased she found her in her nightdress on the floor of her room - which was full of smoke - in a dazed condition. At the foot of the bed was a small penny lamp, and when the window was opened flames sprang up from the bedclothes, which had been smouldering. There was a dead cat in the room. Deceased was removed to the Hospital in a state of collapse, and semi-conscious. She never recovered, and died the same evening from suffocation. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest yesterday on WILLIAM YOUNG, aged 52, haulier, in the employ of Gabriel and Sons, timber merchants, who died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, as the result of injuries sustained by a timber wagon passing over him in Fore-street on Thursday. The animal he was driving bolted through the breeching strap breaking, and deceased fell under the wheels. Deceased informed his landlady that the horse had injured other people and the Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould) expressed the opinion that if this was true, the sooner it was got rid of the better.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 October 1901 IVYBRIDGE - An Ivybridge Boy Killed. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Ivybridge yesterday on LOUIS HODDER WALKE, aged 10, the son of JOSEPH H. WALKE, horsekeeper to Allen and Sons, Paper Mills. - Dr C. E. Cooper said death was due to a severe fracture at the base of the skull. - The father stated that on Sunday morning his son after chapel went with others boys up the river. There a tree fell on him. He got to the place within a minute or so and found him dead. - Thomas Cook, shoemaker, said he was in the bed of the river collecting bees from the hollow of a branch of a tree that had fallen. The branch was about a foot in diameter. Deceased and other lads were looking on, when a second branch of the same tree fell. Hearing the crack he looked up and saw it falling. There was no time to give warning. The branch fell very fast owing to the force of the wind, and struck the boy on the head. He could not say whether the branch was rotten. The Coroner said it appeared that the boys were trespassing where the trees fell. But boys would go there, and it would be advisable to ask the owners to lop or remove decayed trees, so as to prevent a recurrence of this sad event. - The Foreman of the Jury (Mr King) remarked that the place had been regarded as a playground as long as he could remember. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Coroner was asked to write to the Misses Deare, of Blachford, the owners of the trees. The Coroner and Jury expressed their deep sympathy with the parents of the lad. - Before the Inquest the Jury visited the scene of the accident and it was remarked that the branch of the tree (an ash) broke off about 40 feet from the ground, and was quite rotten in the middle.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 October 1901 PAIGNTON - An Inquest was held last night at Paignton on FREDK. WM. POLLYBLANK, aged 27, who died on Saturday from the effects of a fall on the previous Tuesday. deceased, a jobbing gardener, was, after working hours, employed at the Victoria Inn as a potman. Philip Head said he saw deceased slip down the back steps of the Inn. It was dark at the time. Dr Adams who had attended deceased for two months, for weak stomach and weak heart, said he found him suffering from a broken leg. The next day delirium set in and continued until his death. He thought deceased suffered from the effects of drink. He became very violent and died from heart failure following exhaustion. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider suggesting that a light and some rails should be put by the steps.

Western Morning News, Monday 14 October 1901 NEWTON ABBOT - Alleged Manslaughter At Newton Abbot. A Mother Committed For Trial. - Newton Abbot Town Hall was crowded on Saturday evening when Mr. G. F. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, resumed the Inquiry relative to the death of the child of CLARA MANNING, the wife of a soldier, who has been serving in the war for two years past. Mr J. Hutchings appeared for MRS MANNING, for whose attendance the Inquiry was adjourned. The death took place on September 17th, shortly after birth. When the child was born only MRS MANNING and her sister, aged 16, were in the house. The sister wanted to fetch assistance, but MRS MANNING said she wanted to keep it quiet and declined to let her go. The child was put on the bed, where MRS MANNING looked at it for about half an hour. It was then placed in a box under the bed and next day Dr Culross was asked to give a still-born certificate. He declined to do so. At the first Inquiry Dr Culross said if the child had been properly attended at birth it would probably have lived. - On Saturday Dr Culross, cross-examined, said the mother told him she expected the child to be born about the end of September or beginning of October. Therefore, he had no reason to disbelieve her statement that the child was born before she anticipated. It was quite likely a child born unexpectedly, as this was, with no help near, would die. The lungs were only partly inflated. There were no traces of external violence. Mr Hutchings suggested that as there was no evidence of violence there was no necessity to call the mother. - The Deputy Coroner: She must give her explanation of it. - Mr Hutchings: Why? The Doctor says there is no suspicion of violence. - The Deputy Coroner: She must be called. - CLARA MANNING, the mother, a young woman, was then called and warned by the Deputy Coroner that what she said would be taken down in writing. - Mr Hutchings: And yet you call her. The proper course is to tell the woman she need not give evidence unless she pleased. We have the evidence of the doctor that the death was natural. - The Deputy Coroner: We must have the woman's story. - Witness, replying to Mr Hutchins, said on September 17th the child was born. She did not expect its birth until October. She had spoken to the doctor about it. She did not do anything to the child. - The Deputy Coroner: What allowance do you get from your husband? - I am not supposed to answer that, am I. I get enough to keep myself. - Had you told your husband of your condition? - No. - A Juryman asked why she did not send for the doctor. - The Deputy Coroner: That is a proper question to ask, but the question is whether Mr Hutchings will allow her to answer it. - Mr Hutchings¨ Certainly. - Witness replied that she had no one to send. Her sister was in the house, but she did not expect what happened. - The Deputy Coroner, in summing up, said they had to consider whether the child was killed, died from neglect, or was accidentally suffocated. - The Jury retired for ten minutes and Mr Fuller, the Foreman, then announced that they found death was caused by the wilful neglect of the mother in not procuring the necessary assistance at birth. - The Deputy Coroner: That is tantamount to manslaughter. The mother was committed to take her trail at the Assizes.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 October 1901 BRIXHAM - At an Inquest yesterday on GEORGE HOARE, 73, a Brixham fisherman, who died suddenly at Totnes Workhouse, Dr Edmond said a post-mortem examination revealed that deceased suffered from valvular disease of the heart of long-standing.

PLYMOUTH - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, was held an Inquest on JANE WEEKS, aged 50, of 13 Garden-crescent. Her husband, EMMANUEL WEEKS, a general dealer, stated that when coming out of her room on 18th ult., she slipped and fell, breaking her thigh. Dr Hitchin said death, although due to pneumonia, was accelerated by the accident. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Tram Fatality. - At Plymouth yesterday, an Inquest was held on FREDERICK BARTLETT, aged 25, labourer, 15 Granby-street. - Thomas Hull, the driver of a Plymouth and Devonport tramcar, said on Friday night as he was driving towards Plymouth he saw the deceased on the line in front. As he did not take any notice of the whistle, he shouted to him. he then got clear of the line, then staggered and fell across the line. He appeared to be intoxicated. The horses were going at a steady trot. He pulled up as soon as he could, but the wheels had gone over the man, who was dead when picked up. - Lance-Corporal George W. Riddle, R.M.L.I., said he heard the driver shout, but the man seemed under the influence of drink. The Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) said it was quite clear the driver did all he possibly could and no blame could be attached to him. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated the driver.

EXETER - The Exeter Drowning Case. - At an Inquest held at Exeter yesterday on WILLIAM STANBURY, farmer and cattle dealer, aged 67 years, formerly of Tedburn St Mary, but lately residing at Foxhayes, Exwick. WILLIAM STANBURY, farmer, of Tedburn St. Mary, a son of the deceased, said he last saw his father at Tedburn St. Mary on October 3rd, the day before he was missed. It was believed that he accidentally walked into the River Exe whilst crossing the pathfields at night by making towards the lights of St. David's Station. Witness was watching the river by the railway bridge near there on Sunday morning when he saw the body of his father rise and float down the river. - P.C. Hatherley said £31 10s. in gold, a cheque for £31 10s. and another for £14 18s. were found upon the body. - Dr Pereira, Police Surgeon, said there were no marks of violence on the body. - ELLEN MAUD STANBURY, who resided with her father at Foxhayes, said deceased left home on the 4th inst. to attend Exeter cattle market and did not return. She, however, did not become alarmed as she thought he might have gone to her brother at Tedburn St Mary, but as he did not return by the following night she caused inquiries to be made. - Blanch Hamilton, a young woman of Exwick, said she saw deceased crossing the pathfields on the evening of 4th inst., but going towards St. Thomas in the opposite direction to his home. Just afterwards she heard deceased inquiring of a man the way to Foxhayes. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and expressed their opinion that there was no suspicion of suicide or foul play.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 16 October 1901 BRIXHAM - JOHN HANNAFORD, aged 72, labourer, who hanged himself in a barn at Woodhuish, Brixham, on Saturday, appeared to have jumped off from the floor of the barn, giving himself a drop of four feet. His neck was broken. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned at the Inquest on Monday evening.

STOKE DAMEREL - A Hamoaze Mystery. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) opened an Inquest yesterday on THOMAS TARRING ANDREWS, 22, able seaman, whose body was found floating in the Hamoaze on Monday. Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented the Admiralty. - JOHN ANDREWS, farm labourer, of Holbeton, said the deceased, his son, was serving on the torpedo-boat destroyer Gipsy, with the Devonport instructional flotilla. He last saw him alive a fortnight ago last Sunday night. There was nothing the matter with him then, and he believed he liked the service. He was not a teetotaler, but had never known him the worse for drink. Deceased was a single man. - Minnie Dimmick, Cecil Park-cottages, Coxside, Plymouth, said she last saw deceased, her brother, alive on Monday week, he having stayed at her house from the preceding Saturday. At 10.15 a.m. he left the house for his ship and was then in good health and excellent spirits. He told her he was going for a three weeks' cruise with the flotilla, and at the end of that time would have finished his course and he returned to the Royal Naval Barracks. He was not in any difficulty and was to have received 24s. on his return to the Gipsy. - By a Juror: He was to have been on board at noon that day. She had never known him break his leave. - By Mr Goldsmith: He said nothing about getting extended leave before he left. - Thomas Plaice, waterman, 24 John-street, Morice Town, said off Pottery Quay on Monday morning he recovered the body about nine yards from the pontoon. - P.C. Spry said no money was found on the body. - The Coroner said he would have to adjourn the Inquiry, as some important witnesses were away with the Reserve squadron and would not be back for a few weeks. He had received information that a man who went across to Torpoint by the steam launch at 11.10 p.m. on the Monday in question, saw three sailors on the pontoon and a splash was afterwards heard. There was nothing known as to whether deceased was one of the men, but if the matter was given publicity, the sailors might come forward and clear the matter up. - The Inquest was adjourned until November 4th. - We understand that when Torpoint steam launch left the Ferry beach shortly after 11 p.m. on 30th ult., three sailors were seen larking on the pontoon. When the launch was on her way across, a splash was heard, and it was thought that one of the men had been pushed into the water accidentally.

EXETER - Exeter Widow's Shocking End. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday Mr Deputy Coroner Gould held an Inquest on MARY ANN BOLT, 65, widow of a licensed victualler. On the night of September 30th the deceased was found lying unconscious at the bottom of a flight of stairs at her residence, 20 Market-street. She was covered in blood and there was a pool of blood on the floor. Tenants residing at the top of the house had retired to rest, and did not hear the fall; but a woman named Watson, also residing in the house, on arriving home at 11.15 at night, discovered the deceased. Deceased, on recovering consciousness, stated that she fell through a stair giving way. She was taken to the Hospital. - Mr William Bird, Surgeon, stated that when deceased came to the Hospital she was in an inebriated condition and had a bad scalp wound. The wound was dressed, but the deceased would not remain in the Institution as desired. She was made an out-patient, but when she again came to the Hospital two days later her condition was s serious that it was considered advisable to detain her. Erysipelas set in, and she died on Sunday night. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA - A Torquay Soldier Murdered [Reuter's Telegram.]. Victoria, Monday. - Henry Gill, of the Royal Engineers, who killed an artilleryman named CLINICK, last evening, at Point Barracks, by shooting him, came from Manchester, while his victim came from Torquay. An Inquest has been held and a verdict of "Wilful Murder " returned against Gill.

Western Morning News, Thursday 17 October 1901 PLYMOUTH - CHARLES HONEY, aged 38, a labourer, 19 Flora-street, Plymouth, died suddenly at his home yesterday, and at the Inquest Dr burke attributed death to apoplexy.

IPPLEPEN - An Inquest was held at Wrigwell, Ipplepen, on Tuesday evening by Mr Kellock, Deputy Coroner, on GEORGE WILLS, aged 14, son of MR JAMES WILLS, market gardener. The lad was taken ill on Sunday evening. In the early hours of Monday the symptoms becoming alarming, MR WILLS went to Newton for Dr Stevens, but before his arrival the lad had died. A post-mortem examination shewed that congestion of the brain and lungs was the cause of death and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes". The deceased was a sharp little fellow and with MR and MRS WILLS much sympathy is felt.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 22 October 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - A Stonehouse Pensioner's Death. Inquest Adjourned. - At Stonehouse yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on FRANCIS EVANS, 53, marine pensioner, 24 Quarry-street. - Emily Hayman said on 18th August last the deceased, her father, on his way to his bedroom, caught his foot in a mat, fell against a dresser and complained of a slight injury to his right side. The two following days deceased complained of pain. Embrocation was applied and Dr Waterfield consulted. Deceased got about, but did not do any work. Dr Waterfield was of opinion that deceased was suffering from a cold to the kidneys, pleurisy and inflammation. The doctor was told that her father had had a fall, but he said no ribs were broken. After three weeks' treatment by Dr Waterfield, Dr Leah was called in. - Dr Leah said on September 1st he found the man suffering from a fractured rib on the right side. Bandages were applied and in a few days EVANS said he was so much better he should not require further attendance. On 5th October deceased called to see him and witness found him suffering from congestion of the right lung, and ordered him to take to his bed. EVANS got gradually worse and an abscess formed in the right lung, and there was considerable haemorrhage. Deceased died on Saturday last of pneumonia accelerated by the injured rib. He had not made a post-mortem examination. The Coroner said it would be advisable to have an adjournment for a post-mortem examination. It was only just to Dr Waterfield that he should have an opportunity of attending. Adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Western Morning News, Thursday 24 October 1901 PLYMOUTH - SUSANNAH CLARE, aged 57, wife of a labourer of 26 Buckwell-street, Plymouth, was taken unwell with pains in her head on Saturday, but she did not consider it sufficiently serious to see a medical man. On Monday morning she was well enough to get up and walk about, but in the evening she was taken worse and died. Dr Player, at the Inquest yesterday, attributed death to cerebral haemorrhage.

EAST STONEHOUSE - A Stonehouse Pensioner's Death. Medical Mean At Variance. Accusations And Recriminations. - At Stonehouse Townhall yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, resumed the Inquiry into the death of FRANCIS EVANS, 53, Marine pensioner, 24 Quarry-street. - At the previous hearing, EMILY HAYMAN, daughter of deceased stated that her father, on August 17th, on his way to his bedroom, caught his foot in a mat and fell against a dresser, injuring his right side. He afterwards consulted Dr Waterfield, who said he was suffering from a cold to the kidneys, pleurisy and inflammation. Three weeks afterwards Dr Leah was called in. - Dr Leah stated that on September 1st he found deceased suffering from a fractured rib on the right side. Bandages were applied, and in a few days he got better. On October 5th witness was called in again and found EVANS suffering from congestion of the lungs. Death took place on Saturday from pneumonia, accelerated by the injured rib. On this evidence the Inquiry was adjourned for a post-mortem examination and to give Dr Waterfield an opportunity to make a statement. - Dr Leah now deposed to having made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased in the presence of Dr Waterfield. He found there was no fracture of the rib or any other bone. There was evidence of bruising of the fifth, sixth and seventh ribs on the right side, which had resulted in inflammation on their covering membrane. The lung was closely adherent to this area and also to the diaphragm. All this was no doubt caused by the fall. There had been pneumonia of the right lung and there was also old standing pleurisy of the left lung. The kidneys were waterlogged, probably due to septic poisoning from the gangrene in the right lung. The liver was fairly healthy. Altogether deceased was not a healthy man. Death was due to pneumonia accelerated by the fall. - By the Jury: there was no big abscess of the lung, but there was gangrene. He did not give a certificate of death because it was a case brought about by accident and he was bound to refer it to the Coroner. - Mr Coombe, (a Juror): On Monday I asked you whether it was a difficult thing to find if a rib was fractured or not. Your reply was it was very easily discovered. - Witness: So it is in most cases. - Mr Coombe: Can you account for the fact that although you stated there was a fractured rib, it turned out there was not. - Witness: I examined him three weeks after the accident and the symptoms would be masked by the operative processes of nature. - Mr Coombe asked whether it would not be easy to feel a fracture. - Witness replied that if the ends overlapped it would be easy to feel it but with fractures frequently there was no displacement. - Mr Coombe: On Monday from what you said it appeared to us there was gross neglect on the part of Dr Waterfield. You said the man was suffering from fractured rib and Dr Waterfield treated him for inflammation and pleurisy. Do you think if he had gone on with the treatment for pleurisy and not been bound up for fractured rib, the man would have been alive today? - Witness: Binding was good for him whether he had pleurisy or fractured rib. It would keep the chest clear. - Replying to further questions, Dr Leah admitted that deceased was suffering from pleurisy. - the Foreman (Mr Matthews): But you did not treat him for that. Dr Waterfield had been treating him for pleurisy for three weeks, but you stopped the treatment for pleurisy. - Witness: Oh no. He had pleurisy. - Mr Coombe: You did not say so on Monday. - Witness: Pleurisy comes of necessity with fractured rib where there is lung trouble. - Mr Coombe: Even now I don't understand how the mistake was made in thinking the man had a fractured rib when there was no sign of it. - Witness: There was an injury to the rib, though not a fracture. - The Foreman: Can you give any account as to how you made this error of judgment? - Witness: It is a very excusable error. - The Foreman: If it had been found that this man had fractured ribs it would have been a very serious case for Dr Waterfield. - Witness: I was not thinking of Dr Waterfield. It was my opinion that the man had a fractured rib. - The Foreman: You cannot give any better excuse than you have this morning? Witness: I do not consider that any excuse is necessary. - The Coroner: If the man had followed the advice given to him to nurse himself and keep himself quiet he would probably have been living now. - Replying to the Jury, Dr Leah said deceased's daughter told him her father had been under Dr Waterfield's care. - Dr Waterfield prefaced his evidence with a statement. He said: - I am here to defend my professional reputation. A most serious and unfounded charge has been brought against me and it has been taken up by the Press and published. It has done me a considerable amount of injury and if it had not been for the courtesy of the Coroner and Jury in asking me to attend this Inquiry and the post-mortem examination, my position would have been a very serious one as regards my professional reputation. - Proceeding to give evidence, witness stated that deceased came to him on Saturday, August 24th. He told him he was suffering from a very bad cold and severe pain in the side and added that he had rubbed liniment on his chest. Witness directed him to go home at once, be well poulticed and not leave his bed until he got much better. EVANS was then suffering from pneumonia of both lungs and pleurisy of the left. Witness asked if he should call on Sunday, but deceased said no. On the 26th witness called. Deceased was then slightly better. he saw him again on the 28th. EVANS had then greatly improved and to his surprise told him not to call again unless he sent for him. Instead of attending him for three weeks witness saw him only on those three occasions. He heard nothing further from him, but afterwards saw him in the streets walking about. During the time he was attending him neither deceased nor his daughter said a word to him about any injury or accident. He attended the post-mortem examination. There was no fracture of the rib or any trace of it. On the inside of the ribs there was a roughness to three of the ribs, and the lung was adhering to it. On the outside the ribs were perfectly smooth and healthy. There was no sign of any external injury where they would expect to find it. The inflammation was on the inside of the rib, the last place it would reach if it had arisen from an injury, but the very first place they would find it if it came from pleurisy. There were also signs of syphilis, both external and internal. Deceased was the most unhealthy subject he had seen for a long time at a post-mortem examination, and it was a marvel to him how he lived. In his opinion the cause of death was pleurisy, pneumonia and the general congested condition of the internal organs, due to drink, syphilis and exposure. The injury to the ribs had nothing whatever to do with the death, but was merely a coincidence. In his surgery in August, witness impressed on deceased the necessity of keeping quiet and taking the greatest care of himself and told him that unless he did so he would not be living at Christmas. Continuing, Dr Waterfield said this case shows one of two things - either the doctor who was called in was guilty of gross negligence, or there has been a direct attack to injure my professional reputation. This is not the first time this attack has been made. Unfortunately, in Stonehouse, it is a crime for a young man to come into the town and try to make a name. - The Coroner (interposing): Such a thing has never occurred in my Court before with regard to yourself. What took place arose out of the evidence of the daughter and no one else. - Dr Waterfield: The daughter would not have made that statement unless she was told. I quite excuse the daughter. But the allegation was not only unfounded, it was ungenerous. At the time I was attending that man I had to bear the hardest blow a man can possibly bear - the loss of my wife. When he came to see me I had been twelve nights out of bed and if there had been a fractured rib, and I had not discovered it, would it not have been excusable? This attack has been hard for me to bear. If there had been a fractured rib, where would my professional reputation have stood in Stonehouse? I and my children would have had to go somewhere else. I thank you for allowing me to come here and vindicate my character. But if it occurs again it will not end in a Coroner's Court. Another court must hear these accusations. - Dr Leah said he should like to give some explanation as to the reason why the roughness was on the inside of the ribs only. The rib was an arch and if they flattened, they naturally stretched the inner surface. A severe injury to the outside of the rib by pressure would flatten out the rib and stretch the inner membrane and that was the reason why one side of the rib was rough and not the other. - Dr Waterfield, replying to this, said the amount of pressure necessary to stretch the inner membrane was so great that it would fracture the rib. - The Coroner, summing up, said there could be no doubt from the additional evidence that deceased died from pneumonia and that the injury did not accelerate death. He was sure that after his explanation, which was quite satisfactory, Dr Waterfield would leave the Court without any stain upon his professional reputation whatever. It was stated in evidence that deceased improved both under the treatment of Dr Waterfield and under that of Dr Leah, but it was clear that in the interval between the attendance of the two medical gentlemen he did not take that care of himself which Dr Waterfield strongly impressed upon him to do. Instead of stopping at home and nursing himself, he was about in the streets and public-houses, and that undoubtedly hastened his death. - The Jury, after a private consultation, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and added as a rider, "We are of opinion that the Inquiry was quite unnecessary and was brought about by an error of judgment on the part of Dr Leah and we exonerate Dr Waterfield from all blame."

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 October 1901 PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held two Inquests yesterday. In the case of JOHN PAUL PAUL WILLIAMS, aged 60, of independent means, of 3 Edith-terrace, Mount Gould, it was stated by MISS LAURA WILLIAMS, deceased's sister, that, after complaining of feeling unwell on Thursday evening, at ten o'clock her brother became worse. Dr Eccles, who formerly attended deceased, was sent for, but death took place before his arrival. Dr Eccles said death was due to natural causes and a verdict was returned to that effect.

PLYMOUTH - The second Inquest was concerning RICHARD JOHN BEER, labourer, aged 54, of 1 Looe-place, who died in the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday morning from heart disease accelerated by a broken thigh sustained by falling 25 feet whilst at work in Bidgood's ice stores, Woolster-street, on September 28th. A verdict of Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Mr Shuter, Inspector of factories, attended.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 29 October 1901 SIDMOUTH - At Sidmouth yesterday an Inquest was held on MISS PAGE, lodging-house keeper, of Fortfield-terrace, Sidmouth, who died suddenly, as previously reported, on Friday afternoon. MR NOAH PAGE, brother, Mrs Tucker (a neighbour), and Mary Annie Terrell (a servant) deposed that deceased had never complained of illness. Mr B. G. Pullin, Surgeon, said he had made a post-mortem examination, and found that deceased died from internal haemorrhage, the result of a tumour. Verdict accordingly.

BIDEFORD - Sad Fatality At Bideford. - WILLIAM WAY, aged 46, coachman, in the employ of Mr H M. Bazeley, solicitor, Bideford, was yesterday morning erecting a triumphal arch in connection with the approaching wedding of his employer's daughter, when the batten on which he was standing broke and he fell to the ground, dislocating his neck. He died shortly after his removal to the Bideford Infirmary. At an Inquest in the afternoon, William Cole, and Jno. Cloak, who were with deceased, and Dr Gooding gave evidence, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The Jury gave their fee sot the widow, who is let with six children.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 30 October 1901 PLYMOUTH - JANE BROOKING, aged 71, wife of THOMAS BROOKING, labourer, 116 King-street, Plymouth, was taken ill on Sunday night and died the following morning before a doctor arrived. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Wagner, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to heart failure, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest on JAMES MCCAWLEY, aged 36, merchant seaman, of 121 King-street, Plymouth, RICHARD MCCAWLEY said on Saturday night his brother was apparently well, but the following morning he was found dead in bed. For some time he had been suffering from consumption, but had not seen a doctor since July. Dr Fox, who had previously attended deceased for phthisis, attributed death to syncope and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Child Fatally Burnt At Plymouth. - Plymouth Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest yesterday on BEATRICE DAVEY PENNY, aged 5 years, daughter of ARTHUR THOMAS PENNY, cork cutter, 632 Southside-street, Plymouth. - The mother stated that last Thursday evening her daughter took a couple of matches to the closet and in lighting them caught her clothes on fire, and rushed into the kitchen enveloped in flames. - Mrs J. Newey, who resides in the same house, said hearing screams she went into the backyard and found the deceased's clothing on fire. the child rushed into her arms and she put out the flames with a mat. Mr F. C. Hitchins, House Surgeon, Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, said the deceased was suffering from extensive burns about the face, neck, chest and arms. The case was hopeless from the first and the child died on Saturday evening. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 8 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Keyham Extension Works Fatality. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital yesterday on ROBERT JOHN BURMAN, aged 50, of 8 Rosebloom-grove, Pennycross, injured at Keyham Extension Works on Monday. Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented Sir John Jackson (Limited). - George Leaford, ganger, said deceased's duty was to keep two Wells lamps burning. About 6.25 p.m. on Monday witness sent him from one light to another on the dummy carriage of a crane. About five minutes afterwards witness heard him shout "Oh!" and saw him falling from under the tank of the crane. Deceased probably, instead of going round the crane to get at the lamp, went over some timber near the boiler and the crane slewed round and knocked him down. It was very dangerous to go the way taken by deceased. - By the Jury: If deceased had gone the proper way there would have been no danger. - George Duncan, engine driver, said he was driving the crane, but did not see deceased, nor know he was there. He ought not to have climbed over the timber when the crane was working. The proper road was underneath, but probably deceased got on to the timber to save the trouble of climbing up the dummy carriage. - William Caisley, labourer, who helped to pick up deceased, and remove him to the Hospital, said he was unconscious until he reached the Hospital. - Laura Davy, of Pennycross, said when asked by his wife how the accident happened, deceased said he did not know but he felt something strike him and when picked up he was under the machinery. - Dr S. K. Roy, Assistant House-Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said death occurred at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday. A post-mortem examination revealed severe internal injuries, the pelvis being fractured and death was due to shock and haemorrhage. The injuries must have been caused by his having been crushed and not by a blow. - Mr Brooks of Keyham Extension Works, said it was supposed deceased was crushed between the tank and a beam, and afterwards fell. - The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death," and considered that no blame attached to anyone. The Coroner and Jury thanked Mr Brooks and other officials of Keyham Extension Works for the assistance invariably given when accidents at the works had to be inquired into. Sympathy was expressed with the relatives of deceased.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Stonehouse. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on MARY JANE LANE, aged 74, a widow, who resided at 7 Finewell-street. MRS ROSE LANE, daughter of the deceased, said her mother was brought home in a cab last Monday, having met with an accident. Deceased could give no account of it and all she could say was that a tramcar knocked her down. The same evening at half-past six witness went for Dr Cuming, but he was not at home, and the daughter left a message with the servant asking him to come and attend to her mother. As the doctor did not call witness went again the following morning, when she saw Dr Cuming himself and he called to see her mother half an hour later. The doctor did not call again to see deceased until Wednesday afternoon, when she was dying. Deceased was a little deaf. - Mrs Bailey, 48 Edgcumbe-street, Stonehouse, said last Monday evening shortly before six o'clock, she saw deceased standing near a lamp-post waiting for a car to go to Plymouth. She left the pavement and walked n front of a car coming from Plymouth. MRS LANE then fell down but witness could not tell whether she was knocked down. The accident was in no way attributable to the driver of the car, as he was going slowly and pulled up as sharp as he could. - Walter Alberts, driver in the employ of the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramway Company, said he entered the siding at Edgcumbe-street, and was just pulling up when deceased made a sudden rush across the road and dived under the horses heads. Witness shouted out to her and she turned round and immediately fell. He pulled up at once and he did not believe any part of the car struck deceased, but she fell down through excitement. - Dr Cuming said he first heard of the case on Tuesday morning and he then went to see the deceased. There was a bruise on the side, but could not find any definite signs of a fracture. Witness did not think it was a serious case, and he did not call again, but he was sent for on Wednesday. He noticed a great change in her condition. The accident greatly accelerated her death, which was due to shock the result of the accident. A verdict of "Death from Injuries Accidentally Received" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 11 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - RICHARD BURNS, aged 66, was admitted to Plymouth Workhouse in October last, suffering from bronchitis, but otherwise fairly healthy. On Friday, about 7.15 a.m., he dropped dead while dressing. At the Inquest on Saturday, Dr C. J. Cooke, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to apoplexy.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce)_ held an Inquest yesterday touching the death of JOHN BURNMAN, 77, labourer, of 2 Gaves-court. Elizabeth Skews, living in the same house, said deceased, who had been unwell for some time, went out last Friday, but was not well on Saturday, and she thought he was suffering from a cold. He grew worse at midday on Monday and witness went for Dr Wilson, but deceased passed away shortly after she returned. Dr J. F. C. Wilson said death was due to heart disease of long standing and senile decay and the Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 14 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - Romantic Death At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on ALFRED THOMAS FOX, hotel boots, aged 21, who lived at 27 Union-street, Stonehouse. Deceased's father said his son was engaged to a girl, and three weeks ago she died. Deceased was very much attached to her and her death preyed on his mind. A fortnight ago last Saturday deceased borrowed a boat from West Hoe Pier and later the boat was found drifting about with only his cap in it. Deceased sent a pathetic letter to his mother on the Saturday he left home, in which he made many references to the death of his sweetheart, to whom he appeared to be devotedly attached. He also wrote "I am sorry to think I have got to do this terrible deed, but it cannot be avoided, as the only one I loved is gone." - William Love, fisherman, said on Tuesday morning he noticed a body floating some distance from the shore off the Aquarium and it was washed ashore. P.C. Doney found a chain and locket and 6d. on deceased. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 15 November 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - Fatal Fall At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd, (County Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday at Stonehouse on WILLIAM GORDON COOPER, aged 9 years, of 20 Quarry-street, Stonehouse, who died on Tuesday last from acute peritonitis, caused by a fall. - Dr Eccles, Plymouth, said on Tuesday last he found deceased suffering from peritonitis, but did not think it would prove fatal. A post-mortem examination shewed death was due to acute peritonitis caused by a fall. - JAMES COOPER, father of deceased, naval pensioner, stated that on Sunday last the deceased attended church and on coming out ran and fell over the kerb into the road. When asked if he had any pain he replied no. On reaching home he began to vomit and was obliged to be kept from school on Monday. As he did not improve by Tuesday, Dr Eccles was called in. - Ernest Luxton, aged 11, said he attended church with deceased on Sunday last, and when they came out deceased began running and fell over the kerb into the road: deceased went and told his father, who was standing outside waiting for him that he had fallen down, but did not complain. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

LYDFORD - Death In Dartmoor Prison. - An Inquest was held at Dartmoor Prison yesterday on JOSEPH THOMAS MOORE, O.Z. 408, who died on Sunday. MOORE was convicted at Northampton Quarter Sessions in June 1898 and sentenced to five years' penal servitude for larceny. He had been previously convicted - once for five years, and 21 times for small terms of imprisonment. He was a miller by trade. Whilst in gaol his conduct had been good; he had received no punishment whatever. He was visited by his wife and daughters at different times. On hearing of his death, they wrote to the prison authorities thanking them for the great kindness their father had received. - Dr W. S. Frew, who examined MOORE on his reception at the Prison in September 1899, found him to be in fairly good health, but owing to his age (60 years) he ordered him light labour and excused him orderly and other duties. On January 22nd, MOORE was admitted into the Hospital suffering from general weakness. At his own request he was allowed to go out on February 14th. he was readmitted on March 14th. It was then found that his heart was much affected. In May he was reported seriously ill and his friends visited him. Dropsy ensued, and although everything possible was done, he gradually got worse. A post-mortem shewed death to be due to pericarditis. Deceased, it was stated, made no complaint, but appeared grateful for what was done for him. Convict Orderly Edward O'Brien, L.V. 27, who helped to nurse deceased throughout his illness, was satisfied that he had been well cared for. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Inquest on One Of The Victims. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) opened an Inquest at Morice Town Board School yesterday afternoon touching the death of JAMES BURROWS, engine-room artificer, of the Devonport Fleet Reserve, who was drowned on the 29th ult., through the torpedo-boat destroyer Thorn colliding with a boat full of men going to the cruiser Forth in the Hamoaze. - Mr W. J. Moon, was elected Foreman of the Jury. Before the body, which was found on Wednesday morning, was viewed, the Coroner said he proposed to only take evidence of identification and then adjourn the Inquiry until the 29th inst., at 3 p.m. Mr J. P. Goldsmith was present on behalf of the Admiralty. - JAMES BURROWS, millwright of 80 Whalley-road, Blackburn, identified the body as that of his son, whom, he said, was 23 years old on the day of his death. - Henry Chapman, carpenter, employed at the Keyham Extension Works, said he was working at No. 4 gantry near the Royal Naval Barracks Pier, at 9.15 a.m. on Wednesday, when he saw the body floating near the dam. It was towed to Keyham Dockyard, a sergeant of the Metropolitan Police having taken charge. - John Wedlake, a sub-divisional inspector of Metropolitan Police, stationed at Keyham, said that when he searched deceased's clothing at the mortuary he found a tobacco-box, with the name scratched on it, some money, and a new pocket-book, which deceased had received as a birthday present from his sister the previous day. Deceased was wearing a mackintosh and was fully dressed, all his clothing being buttoned up. - The Coroner and Jury conveyed to MR BURROWS and his family their sincere sympathy for the very sad loss they had sustained and the Inquest stood adjourned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Another Body Recovered. - Shortly before four o'clock yesterday afternoon the body of Private JAMES ROBINSON, of the Plymouth Division R.M.L.I., one of the victims of the disaster which occurred in the Hamoaze on 29th ult., when the destroyer Thorn collided with a boat containing liberty men, of whom three were drowned, was found by Sergt. Rees, of the Metropolitan (Water) Police, floating off Carew's Point, near Wilcove. It was taken to Pottery quay and handed over to P.C. Collett of the Borough Police, who conveyed it to the Morice Town mortuary. The body, which was fully clothed, was in a very decomposed state and there was nothing left of the head but the skull. In the clothing were found letters addressed to deceased, several shillings in money and a copy of the "Western Morning News" of the 29th ult. Deceased was a young man and had been for a few weeks a member of the crew of the cruiser Forth, belonging to the local Fleet Reserve. His parents reside at Mile End-road, London. After hearing evidence of identification and the finding of the body the Coroner will on Monday adjourn the Inquest until the 29th inst.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 November 1901 STOKE GABRIEL - Mr Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Stoke Gabriel, on Friday evening on ELIZABETH ANN BONSTOW, aged 67, who met with an accident on August 22nd. On that date she and her daughter-in-law were driven into Totnes by William Hannaford, and he brought MRS BONSTOW home alone. At Longcome he got out of the trap to walk up the hill and went on about 60 yards. On looking back he saw deceased was not in the vehicle, so he went back and found her lying in the road. he picked her up, drove her home and sent for Dr Cuppidge, who found that she had sustained a broken collar-bone and an injury to the hip. She continued to get worse and died last week. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Exhaustion due to injuries Accidentally received.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - The Hamoaze Disaster. Opening Of The Inquest. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) opened an Inquiry at Morice Town yesterday afternoon touching the death of PTE. ALFRED ROBINSON, R.M.L.I., who was drowned in the Hamoaze on the 29th ult., when the torpedo-boat destroyer Thorn collided with a liberty-boat that was taking men to the cruiser Forth, and three were drowned. The body of Engine-room Artificer BURROWS was found early last week and ROBINSON'S body was recovered on Friday, but that of the seaman Spear has not yet been recovered. - Corporal Richard Nightingale, of the cruiser Forth, yesterday gave evidence of identification and said deceased was stationed on the Forth. He was a single man and his parents lived at Bethnal Green. - Station-Sergt. John Richard Reeve, of the Metropolitan (Water) Police said he found the body floating near the Triumph on Friday afternoon. He handed it over to P.C. Collett at Pottery Quay. On the body was found a copy of the "Western Morning News," dated October 29th, a pipe, a tobacco pouch, and some letters addressed to deceased. - The Coroner intimated that at this stage the Inquiry would be adjourned until the 29th inst., when the cause of the death of the artificer BURROWS would also be Inquired into.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on JANE CROCKER, aged 39, who resided at the Sir Francis Drake Inn, Camden-street, Plymouth. Mrs K. Blight said on Friday deceased kept to her bed and complained of feeling cold, but refused to see a doctor. About 5.30 she left the deceased and upon returning half an hour later found she was dead. Deceased's husband said his wife about a week ago was attended by Dr Pearse. Last Thursday she went out and must have caught a chill. The Deputy Coroner (Mr John Graves) said the doctor who attended the deceased was confined to his house and could not be present, but Dr Pearse's son had promised to be at the Inquest. He, however, had not kept the promise. There was no evidence as to the cause of death, but probably it was a chill. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - The Fatality In Devonport Dockyard. - An Inquest was held yesterday by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on WILLIAM JOHN WEEKS, aged 47. Mr Elliot Square represented the family and Mr Goldsmith the Admiralty. - Mr Edward Sutton said deceased was admitted about noon on Saturday from the Devonport Dockyard, suffering from a severe injury to the abdomen, and he died in about two hours from shock. The injury was very terrible, all the lower part of the body being crushed. - William Bennett, skilled labourer, said on Saturday he was engaged with deceased and William Willis in cleaning a diving-boat. About eleven o'clock witness started to tar the boat on the port side. The stern was resting on the quay and the bow was raised about thirteen inches by two blocks. having finished the port side, WEEKS instructed them to turn the boat over that they might proceed with the work on the starboard side. Deceased assisted witness to attach the boat to the crane, and then gave him and Willis orders to heave round the crane to get the boat on a level keel. When they started hoisting deceased was near the crane; he then went the other side and told them that the boat was high enough. They stopped hoisting then. Witness and Willis had their backs to the boat and they heard a cry. Looking round, they saw that the boat's bow was off the blocks, and they hoisted again, so that WEEKS could be cleared. He was jammed between the boat and an iron bollard. In his opinion the blocks must have become wet and the smaller one had slipped off. - A Juryman explained that he had nearly lost his life at the same place through the crane not being perfectly plumb under the boat and the present accident must have occurred in the same manner. - The Coroner: WEEKS, as chargeman, would be responsible for that. - Witness, continuing, said the boat swung round to the south. - William Ambrose Farmer stated that he was in a lighter at the time of the accident. He saw WEEKS try and get some blocks under the boat and in trying to adjust them the boat slipped off. Deceased saw the danger he was in, but ran in the wrong direction, the consequence being that he was caught between the boat and the bollard. - The Coroner said it was a sad case, but no blame could be attached to anyone. - Deceased had left a wife and seven children. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Foreman of the Jury (Mr W. Barnes) thought some recommendation should be made to the Admiralty for compensation. Mr Goldsmith promised to bring the matter before the notice of the authorities.

EXETER - The Burning Fatality At Exeter. - At the Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, yesterday, on ELIZABETH COURT, aged 36 of 18 Cambridge-street, St Thomas, WILLIAM HENRY COURT, the husband, a joiner, said he left home on Saturday morning at 20 minutes to seven, leaving with his wife their three children and a servant girl, aged about 15, who was now very ill with inflammation of the throat. Deceased was an invalid, suffering from a cancerous growth. - Mrs Sambell, a neighbour, said about twenty minutes to ten on Saturday morning she heard screams, and deceased's little boy fetched her. She found deceased lying in a corner of the kitchen, with her nightdress and shawl smouldering. Witness cut off the clothing and put her to bed with the help of another neighbour. All deceased said was that she was very badly burned and that she knew she should die. The young girl told witness that deceased partly fell over the stairs and that she had helped her into the kitchen. Deceased caught fire in the bedroom, where there was always a fire. - Mr. P. M. Stirk, House Surgeon, said deceased had burns all over her body. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on JOHN O'LEARY, fish hawker, aged 27, of Exeter-street, Plymouth. - MICHAEL O'LEARY, brother of the deceased, said on Sunday night, at 10.50 he left his brother at Saunders-place, Plymouth, apparently quite well. - P.C. Richard Body stated that at midnight on Sunday he found deceased dead in Saunders-place. He was in a kneeling position on the ground, with his head against a wall, and his face resting on the ground. About fifty minutes previously witness saw deceased lying drunk on the footpath at the end of Saunders-place. Witness, with the assistance of a Police-Sergeant, then put him on his feet, and deceased said he would be able to get home, as he lived in Saunders-place. - Dr J. H. S. May, who had made a post-mortem examination, said he found there signs of old and recent pleurisy, the heart much enlarged, the walls greatly thickened and internally a good deal of fat. He attributed death to syncope, induced by extensive disease of the heart, accelerated by the extreme cold of Sunday night. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - ROBERT RYDER RENDLE, 68, naval pensioner, 7 Charlotte-row, Devonport, died suddenly on Monday night from fatty degeneration of the heart. Deceased's son went for a doctor on his father being taken ill and, on returning, found him dead in a chair. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest yesterday.

PLYMOUTH - The Mutley Station Fatality. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on JOSEPH GILES, naval pensioner, of Laira, employed as a supernumerary porter at Mutley Railway Station. - Inspector Scantlebury and Mr Arthur, the Stationmaster, represented the Great Western Railway Company. - John W. G. Michaelmore, porter, said about 5.45 p.m. on Saturday he and deceased were taking over parcels from the down to the up-platform. Deceased wheeled a barrow over the lines, and they then heard the approach of a train. GILES said, "I am going over to attend to the train, Jack." Witness replied, "All right, JOE." Both thought the approaching train on the down line was the South-Western passenger train from Friary. The train was, however, a goods train. After the goods had passed, witness called to the deceased, and receiving no answer walked some distance down the line and found GILES in a heap between the rails. he had evidently been struck by the coal-box of the engine. Deceased had frequently been employed as a porter at Mutley, and if he had not crossed the line to attend to a passenger train, witness would have done so. - Dr F. C. Hitchins said the deceased was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday in a semi-conscious state, suffering from several scalp wounds, fractured ribs and a fracture of the left arm. He was also suffering from shock and concussion of the brain. The case was practically hopeless from the first. Deceased became unconscious, and died at 5 o'clock on Tuesday morning. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 22 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at the Grenville Hotel, Plymouth, yesterday, touching the death of MAUD ELLEN HALLETT, aged four months, daughter of a bricklayer, of No. 2 Watson-gardens. The father of the deceased stated that on Tuesday night his daughter was apparently quite well, but next morning he found her dead by his wife's side. He could not in any way account for death. Dr Wilkinson said he had made a post-mortem examination, but could find nothing to account for death. There was some biscuit in the stomach, and he thought the child had died from convulsions. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 23 November 1901 ST BUDEAUX - A Devonport Child's Death. - At St Budeaux last evening the Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest on ANNIE GARLAND, the newly-born child of WILLIAM GARLAND, employed on a Government dredger. - Sarah Uren, widow, said she was hastily called at 3.40 a.m. on Wednesday to MRS GARLAND, who gave birth to a child at 5.30 the same morning. She washed it and gave it sugar and water. It was very small and died about 8.30. She did not think it necessary to send for a medical man, as she thought deceased would get better. - The Coroner: I have told you before that in cases of doubt it is the best thing to send for a medical man. - Witness said she had acted as a midwife since the death of her husband, seven years ago. She had attended the births of about 200 children, and only had a medical man present in about one out of seven cases. - The Coroner: did you ever know a doctor give sugar and water to a newly-born child? - No, but I have seen nurses do it very often. Witness, continuing, said she was the mother of 19 children. She had never been told not to give children sugar and water by a medical man. - Replying to the Foreman, Mr Pearce said that witness had treated about 180 cases without the aid of a medical man. - Dr F. E. Row, Police Surgeon, said death was due to debility, owing to premature birth. He could not say whether it would have made any difference if a doctor had attended the child. Mrs Uren's action in bathing the child in warm water was quite correct, but it was a very bad practice to give sugar and water to newly-born children. Every doctor was raising an caution against the practice. Nurses would do it, and very often, just after a doctor's back was turned, and sometimes against his orders. It had, however, nothing to do with the death in the present case. - The Coroner, summing up, said the child's father was earning good wages, and it was his duty to see that his wife received proper medical attendance. All midwives should, he thought, send for a medical man at the birth. If the fee could not be afforded, the parish doctor could be summoned. In the present case, Mrs Uren very promptly replied to the call and deserved some credit for doing what she could. No blame could be attached to her in the present case. In a very urgent case he did not think any doctor would refuse to come. - Dr Row: I don't think so. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

NEWTON ABBOT - Cycle Fatality At Newton Abbot. - At Newton Abbot last evening Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on LOUIS W. TINDAL, son of the REV. H. TINDAL, of Beech Villa, Newton. - MISS TINDAL, of Eversley, Hampshire, his cousin, stated that deceased, 39 years of age, left home on Wednesday morning to cycle to Stover to play golf, and was brought home in the evening in an unconscious condition. He died on Thursday. - Dr Edgar Haydon said deceased was suffering from concussion of the brain. He found a swelling on the left side of the top of the head, indicating that deceased had probably fallen back off his bicycle when riding. He could not discover any fracture at first, but the symptoms indicated serious injury. It was evident an operation was the only thing that could save life, and Mr Paul Swain, of Plymouth, was called in. They performed an operation and found a long fracture on the skull. He died shortly after the completion of the operation. Death was due to the injury to the brain. The blow must have been very severe. Dr Haydon thought deceased was probably riding very fast, and that his back wheel locked and threw him backwards. Deceased had been subject to epileptic fits, although he had not had one for nearly two years. Seeing the condition of the bicycle, he did not think a fit had anything to do with the accident. - Mr J. H. Gardner, saddler, of Torquay, stated that on Wednesday evening he was cycling from Bovey to Torquay. On the hill near Stover a cyclist passed him. Witness was walking up the hill; deceased rode up. Riding down the hill on the other side, witness found deceased in the road lying on his face, with the machine under him. Witness carried deceased back to Stover Lodge. He was able to stand a little, but seemed unconscious. Deceased was able to indicate that he was not in much pain. The back wheel of the machine was jammed and the chain off the driving wheel. - The coachman at Stover said he took the deceased into his house and laid him on the couch. Once deceased put his hands to his head and complained of the pain. When they were lifting deceased to remove him to his house he asked them not to move him, but to let him have a sleep, as he was very tired. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 November 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on ANNIE G. CASHIER, aged 34, wife of a labourer, of 18 Rendle-street. Deceased's husband said on Sunday evening he was having tea with his wife who was apparently in her usual health, when she fell off a chair and died immediately. Dr H. Pearce, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to internal haemorrhage, due to the rupture of a small aneurism. A verdict of "Death From Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sad Burning Fatality At Devonport. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, the Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest on MAURICE HENRY COOMBES, aged two years, who died on Saturday afternoon after having received burns. - FLORENCE E. COOMBES, living at 46 Mount-street, said on Thursday evening she was waiting for her husband to come home to tea. A candle was on the table and she was sitting with deceased and two younger children, aged eighteen and six months. As the candle was nearly burnt out, she went out to buy another, running to Pembroke-street, and back, as it was raining. When she returned the deceased was sitting on the table with his clothes on fire. He had been wearing a fine muslin apron, and she thought he must have climbed on the table and caught it in the candle flame. With the assistance of a neighbour, she removed the clothes. She put a guard round the fire before she went out, but did not think the child would climb on the table, as she had never known him to do so before. - Samuel John Pyle, living in the same house, said he took the child from the mother and removed the clothes, as they were smouldering and then carried him to the Hospital. Deceased was quite conscious and kept saying "Daddy" on the way. - Dr Horsford, House Surgeon, said deceased was suffering from extensive and deep burns on the face, arms and chest and he had no hope of his recovery. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and joined the Coroner in expressing sympathy with the parents and their appreciation of Mr Pyle's prompt services.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sad Case Of Blood Poisoning At Devonport. - Devonport Borough Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) held an Inquest at the Queen's Dock Inn, Morice Town, last evening, on JESSIE AMELIA SMITH, aged 37, of 9 Kemyell-place. - WILLIAM J. SMITH, the husband, a joiner in the Dockyard, said his wife was confined last Friday week. On the 11th inst. deceased cut her thumb with a breadknife, but it was only a small cut and did not bleed much. She got gradually worse after her confinement, and died on Monday at 7.20. The knife was clean. - Mariah Williams said on Monday week she saw deceased in the back yard, with her right hand bleeding. She said she cut it when taking a knife away from one of the children. On the following day she complained of a pain in the arm, but nothing could be seen. A doctor was afterwards called in, but the injury was not at first thought to be serious, as she had got over her confinement safely. The baby had been removed to some relatives and had since died. Deceased washed clothes the day after. Replying to a Juror, witness said that deceased used soap and soda for washing and not soap powder. Dr R Bird Wagner said deceased was suffering from a very much inflamed arm and shoulder and had the symptoms of puerperal fever and she speedily got worse. Death was due to blood poisoning, after puerperal fever. Confinement was the predisposing cause of the fever and the cut was the primary cause of death. The poisoning would probably not have been fatal, but for the confinement and development of fever. The washing of dirty clothes had, perhaps, irritated the arm. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and, with the Coroner, expressed sympathy with the husband and relatives.

Western Morning News, Thursday 28 November 1901 ILFRACOMBE - Alleged Reckless Driving At Ilfracombe. - The Inquest on GEORGE HOLLOWAY was resumed at Ilfracombe yesterday. John Bale, carpenter, said on November 9th, about 7.30 pm. in Church-street, he saw deceased knocked down by a cart driven by Mr. John Thorne. The horse was going at a very fast trot. Thorne was driving nearly twice as fast as an ordinary cab horse. - WILLIAM HOLLOWAY, labourer, son of the deceased, said that his father was brought home blood all over. His father was rather short-sighted and hard of hearing. On reaching home he said to witness, "I have been knocked down," and later, in reply to a policeman, he said, "I do not feel much of the blow nor wish to proceed against Mr Thorne." His father went to his work in Tors Park at 9 a.m. and returned to dinner, and went again in the afternoon, returning home about 4 p.m. The deceased had a bruise in the calf of his leg. He died about 7 o'clock last Sunday morning. - J. E. Thorne, farmer, of Whitstone, stated that he was driving at the rate of eight miles an hour. He was not aware that he knocked down a man in Church-street. He did not hear of the accident until Monday, 11th inst. - James Cooke, labourer, who was with Thorne, corroborated. - Dr E. Gardner, re-examined, said HOLLOWAY died from bronchial pneumonia. The exposure to cold was when deceased returned to his work and not at the time of the accident. - By the Jury: He did not consider HOLLOWAY'S death due directly to the shock, but from inflammation to the lungs, through exposure to cold. He did not see deceased until four days after the accident. - After a long and warm discussion the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," adding a rider drawing the attention of the Police to the frequency of cases of furious driving in Ilfracombe streets.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 November 1901 KINGSKERSWELL - Fatal Fall Near Newton Abbot. - An Inquest was held at Whilborough, near Kingskerswell, yesterday, on GRACE COLE, aged 69. Louisa Priddy said deceased (her mother) had been a widow for over 30 years, and during the last three or four years had been blind. For a great number of years an old man, named Joseph Dart, had lodged with her. After the latter arrived home on Saturday he fetched witness, telling her that her mother had fallen over the stairs. She found deceased quite unconscious at the foot of the stairs. Deceased died on Wednesday. - Joseph Dart stated that on Saturday he wanted an account, and deceased told him it was upstairs. He could not find it and deceased went to assist him. She ascended several stairs and then suddenly called out, "I'm gone." She fell back, but he could not tell what caused her to fall. She had swollen legs, and they might have given way. Dr Culross stated that deceased had a bruise on the right side of the head and another large bruise on the lower jaw. She remained deeply unconscious up to the time of her death on Wednesday. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on GEORGE EVANS, aged 56, fisherman, 24 The Parade, Plymouth. - LUCY EVANS, the widow, said last Tuesday morning when her husband was coming downstairs he slipped and fell. He was picked up, but was unable to speak. - Dr G. Wilson said he was called to the deceased on Tuesday afternoon and found him unconscious and suffering from a lacerated wound at the back of the skull. His symptoms pointed to compression of the brain, due to the injury, and from which he died. Witness had previously attended him for general paralysis, and he had been in a tottering and stumbling condition for years. Once before he had a fall, and was then taken to the Hospital. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 30 November 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - The Hamoaze Fatality. Adjourned Inquest: Lieut. Alton Exonerated. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Borough Coroner, held the adjourned Inquest yesterday concerning the deaths of ALFRED ROBINSON, private, R.M.L.I., and J. BURROWS, engine-room artificer, who, with D. P. SPEAR, leading seaman, were drowned in the Hamoaze on the morning of October 29th owing to the boat which they and others were in being run into by the torpedo destroyer Thorn, in charge of Lieut. and Commander H. S. Alton. The Inquest, after being formally opened soon after the occurrence, was adjourned pending the holding of the court-martial on November 14th and 15th, the result of which was that Lieut. Alton was reprimanded and dismissed his ship, it being held that he should have stopped the destroyer when she was 400 yards from the boat. Lieut. Alton was present at the Inquest with his legal adviser, Mr Percy T. Pearce, Plymouth. Mr K. E. Peck (Venning and Goldsmith) represented the Admiralty; and amongst others present were Lieut. Gutty, R.M.L.I., Mr Alton, R.N. (Lieut. Alton's brother): and Capt. Osborn, R.N., the latter assisting the Coroner. A set of small models was used during the hearing. Mr W. J. Moon was Foreman of the Jury. - Lieut. Alton, after being cautioned by the Coroner, expressed a wish to give evidence. He stated that on October 29th he was in command of the destroyer Thorn, and was proceeding into the Hamoaze at 7.15 a.m., on returning from a cruise. Up to just before reaching the Breakwater, they were going at a speed of 15 knots an hour and they then slowed down to 12 knots. There were eight destroyers going up, and they were streaming in single file. When the Leopard fell out the Thorn was in No. 2 position. At the Rubble-bank a signal was given by the leading boat, according to which they could proceed at what speed they thought proper, and from this point he went at the further reduced speed of between nine and ten knots up to H.M.S. Repulse, which was at No. 6 buoy, which was off Sir John Jackson's extension works, and just below the barrack pier. Witness was on the bridge, having been there since 4 a.m., so that he was in actual command. Up to the Repulse the course was pretty clear, and there were few boats about. When just off the stern of the Repulse he saw tug and a hopper coming from Sir John Jackson's works. The Thorn was on her right side, the starboard channel. The tug and the hopper forced him close to the stern of the Repulse. Just as he was rounding the stern with a little starboard helm on he sighted a cutter, and immediately afterwards two other boats lying abaft the cutter's port beam. He righted the helm and gave orders to port, as he saw he could probably clear the first boat, but not the two others. He then shaped a course to leave the cutter on his port hand. He was close up to the cutter, when the latter altered her course straight across his bows, and he then saw that a collision was inevitable. He ordered the helm to be starboarded, in the hope that he might perhaps clear the cutter's stern, or give her a slanting blow, and he stopped both engines. He would not go full speed astern, as he did not think it possible that the way of the destroyer could have been appreciably diminished in time and he considered that with the screws revolving the men who would be in the water would have been cut up if they touched the screws. A collision did take place, the thorn striking the cutter on the starboard quarter, which was cut away and the occupants were thrown into the water. Witness at once ordered all lifebuoys to be thrown over and all the boats' crews to be manned, and as soon as he was clear of the boat he reversed the port engine and swung across the harbour. The boats were immediately on the scene of the accident and as he could see no one in the water, he concluded that all were picked up and proceeded to the "Trot," where the matter was reported and inquiries made as to whether there was anyone missing. From the information he received he understood that all the men had been picked up. His speed up to the time of the collision was about 9 ¼ knots. He had been in command of a destroyer since January 15th last. They went up the Hamoaze generally at about the same speed as he was going on this occasion, that was assuming there was nothing in the way, and under ordinary conditions. In order to have full command of the helm, it was necessary for a destroyer to be going at nine knots. He knew the Dockyard port regulations; he did not fly the Union Jack, as about eight months since an order was issued that nothing less than a third-class cruiser was to fly the Union Jack on going in or out of harbour. he used to fly the Union Jack when going up the Hamoaze before the issue of the order. The destroyer was navigated with due care, and at a moderate speed for a destroyer. He was on the right side - namely, that which lay on his starboard hand. He knew the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. - What is the duty of an overtaking vessel, as yours was on this occasion? - The keep clear of the vessel she is overtaking, but there is no rule laid down as to the side. - And what is the duty of the overtaken vessel? - She should hold her course. - The cutter did not keep her course? - She did not. - If she had, would any collisions have taken place? - No, sir, because I should have left her on my port hand. - Did you give any orders that she should alter her course? - No, sir. - So that if anyone on board your ship directed the cutter to alter her course, it would not be with your order? - No sir. My crew were not successful in picking up any men, but there were two boats on the scene, and another followed up. We immediately threw out the lifebuoys and I think they were of service. - There is no order to limit you to any particular speed in going up the Hamoaze? - No, sir. The regulations specified that when lighters or tugs were alongside the destroyers were not to go beyond six knots, but there was nothing alongside the Repulse on this occasion. He only passed two small craft going up the Hamoaze, and these were not enough to cause him to moderate his speed. The maximum speed of the destroyer Thorn was 27 knots, so that at the time of the occurrence she was going only one-third of her maximum speed. Had he sighted these boats before he got to the Repulse he should have kept straight on at the same speed, as he knew the destroyer was quick at answering her helm. He first went to sea in January 1888, and had never had any collision before. - By the Jury: The destroyer was about 25 yards from the cutter when he saw that the collision was inevitable. The shortest distance in which the destroyer could be brought up, if the regulations were carried out, was 150 or 200 yards. The collision would not have occurred if the cutter had not ported her helm and crossed the destroyer's bows. It would not have been possible for the destroyer to have cleared the cutter and passed between her and the other two boats astern. Had the regulations formerly in force been carried out the occupants of the boats would have known that there were destroyers coming up the harbour. No destroyer now flew the Union Jack. - The Coroner: What is your opinion about that? Don't you think it would be safer if the Union Jack was still kept flying? - It would be on the safer side. - By Mr Pearce: His action in not reversing the engines of the destroyer was justified by the subsequent fact that the lives of two men who were in the water were saved, whilst, if the propeller had been moving, they must have been cut to pieces, as they were found on the propeller guard. The cutter deviated from her course eight points. She was about 300 yards from the stern of the Repulse when witness first sighted her. At the speed he was going, nine knots an hour, and which was necessary to have command of the helm, the destroyer would cover 300 yards in a minute, and it was during this time that he controlled the whole of the movements made from the bridge. - Gunner Daniel Donovan. H.M.S. Thorn, now of the thistle, who was on the bridge previous to and at the time of the collision with Lieut. Alton, corroborated his evidence. He said as the destroyer approached the Repulse she was going from 8 to 10 knots. The engines were stopped before the collision, the men were ordered out with the boats, and the lifebuoys were thrown to the men in the water. They remained on the spot from five to seven minutes. Witness saw several men in the water, and thought all had been saved, as the boats were moving away. He called out to the cutter to give way and also waved his hand, and if the cutter's crew had acted on the directions of Lieut. Alton and himself she would have been cleared. The destroyer was going as slow as she could go to have her under navigation. In his opinion, the destroyer was navigated with due care. He had been up the harbour in a destroyer at the same speed many times before, and had never had a previous collision. - By the Jury: The cutter altered her course without any intimation from the destroyer; he called to her afterwards. If the men in her had pulled with stronger force they would have just cleared. He could not say why the cutter altered her course; that was a mystery. Everything possible was done on board the destroyer to prevent the collision. - John Grundy Collins, first class petty officer, H.M.S. Forth, and coxswain of the cutter, said on the morning in question, he left the camber about 7 o'clock with a party of 24 men in the cutter, which was eight-oared and about 26 feet long. They had just passed the stern of the Repulse, when, on his attention being called to it, he saw the destroyer coming up astern. A short time afterwards she blew two siren blasts and witness saw she was turning to port. He thought she was turning to go to the "Trot," as usual, and he continued his course. He subsequently saw by the way the destroyer was turning that she would most likely hit the cutter with her stern. At that instant someone said, "They are waving to us to go to starboard." Witness said, "All right; give way hard." He looked round again and saw that, instead of the stern of the destroyer coming near, her stern was coming directly towards them. They gave way as hard as they could until almost the last instant, and when the stern of the destroyer struck the cutter he jumped overboard, with an oilskin on. When he came to the surface he saw he was nine or ten yards from the destroyer, on her port side, and the wreck of the cutter was close to her stern on the starboard side. He swam about for five minutes, when he was picked up by the Thames cutter. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said there was room for the destroyer to pass between the cutter and the other two boats astern, and in his opinion she could have done so easily. He ported his helm to get away from the stern of the destroyer. He knew the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. He did not keep his course on this occasion, as he considered he was justified in acting as he did under the circumstances. He should have gone in the same direction if they had not waved to him from the destroyer. He considered that, if she had not altered her course, the collision would not have happened. - Cross-examined by Mr Pearce, witness said when he first saw the destroyer the cutter was about 200 yards from her. Asked as to how far he was when he ported his helm, witness said he could not say. - Mr Pearce, quoting from a report of the court-martial in "The Naval and Military Record," suggested that witness had said he was 150 yards off at the time. - Witness replied that he did not say so, but, after further pressure, he admitted that he thought the distance was about 150 yards. He added that, having regard to the length of the destroyer, and that they were going in an opposite direction, he considered it was possible for her to strike the cutter, as her bow was swinging round. He altered the course of his boat five points. - William Richard Dunn, first-class petty officer on the thorn, who was at the wheel on the bridge at the time of the collision, stated that on passing the stern of the Repulse he received the order, "Hard to starboard," and the helm was put accordingly. His next order was to right the helm, and no other order was given before the collision. In his opinion, if the cutter had not altered her course, the destroyer would have cleared her. - Henry Beresford, first-class painter, who was in the cuter, said the course of the boat was not altered until they saw the waving of hands on the destroyer. - The Coroner asked the Jury to put out of their minds entirely what had happened in another place. They must not pay any attention whatever to those proceedings, but find their verdict on the evidence adduced before them. Commenting on the evidence, he said he thought that of Lieut. Alton was given in a very straightforward manner, and in such a way that they could very easily understand the occurrence, together with the help derived from the models, and, if the Jury had to rely upon that evidence alone, they would have no difficulty whatever in saying that their verdict would be. Lieut. Alton's evidence was corroborated by the gunner, and, in some measure, by the man at the wheel, but a different statement had been made by the coxswain of the boat and his evidence was in some measure corroborated by the last witness. The coxswain gave his evidence very fairly, but he was in charge of a heavily-laden boat, and might have been flurried at the time. If, as had been stated, it was necessary, in order to have proper control over a destroyer, she should go at a speed of nine knots, there was no blame attaching to Lieut. Alton for going up the harbour at that speed. It was for the Jury to say whether, when he saw there was likely to be a collision, Lieut. Alton did his utmost to prevent it, and whether he exercised that care and took that reasonable precaution which a man placed in such circumstances should do. If he did, then, of course, they could not say there was any blame attaching to him. Was the collision entirely due to the alteration of the course of the cutter? If so, in that case no blame could attach to Lieut. Alton. If the cutter only ported her helm under instructions from the destroyer, even then those instructions seemed to have come, not from Lieut. Alton himself, but from the gunner of the ship, although it was true the commander gave orders that the men were to give way. If these men went to the starboard by any directions coming from the gunner, and not from the commander, the latter should not be held responsible for any act proceeding from those directions. The Jury would give one of two verdicts. The first was that of accidental death, and that the collision was due to accidental circumstances. As to the other verdict, they had to consider whether the occurrence was due to the gross and reckless negligence of Lieut. Alton. If so, if would be their duty to bring in a verdict of manslaughter against him, but, so far as he (the Coroner) could see there was no evidence at all which would warrant them in bringing in such a verdict. - After about ten minutes' deliberation in private, the Jury returned the following verdict:- "That the said JAMES BURROWS and ALFRED ROBINSON, were drowned owing to the boat in which they were having been accidentally run into and cut in two by H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer Thorn; and the Jurors unanimously consider that under the circumstances there is no blame attaching to anyone in connection with the matter.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 December 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Laira Hotel, Plymouth, yesterday, on THOMAS SOBEY, aged 84, builder, of 24 Lucas-terrace, Plymouth. Edith Snell, daughter of the deceased, said on Sunday morning, as her father appeared to be dying, she sent for a doctor, but before his arrival death occurred. Dr G. Bate, who had made a superficial examination, attributed death to senile decay and heart failure, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. - Mr Thomas Sobey, for many years a builder at Lerryn, died suddenly recently at Plymouth, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs Snell, with whom he was staying, and was buried at St Austell, where he lived after retiring from business. Deceased, 84 years of age, leaves six sons and two daughters, all of whom are married, 45 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Several of his descendants live in England, and others are in America, but by far the greater number are in South Africa.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Stonehouse Townhall last evening relative to the death of FRANCES FLORENCE MARY BATEMAN, aged twelve months, the illegitimate child of KATE BATEMAN, domestic servant. - Emma Sarah Hill, widow, 29 Quarry-street, said the child lived with its mother (witness's sister) for six months at 12 Quarry-street, and afterwards up to the time of its death with witness. The child, which had been delicate since birth, was insured, the payment being 1d. per week. Between three and four o'clock that morning witness was aroused by the peculiar noise made by the child's breathing, and it died a few hours later. She called in a doctor afterwards. - In reply to the Coroner, witness admitted that, although she knew the child was dying, she did not send for the doctor until it was too late. - The Coroner advised witness, if she had another child placed under her care, to use more caution than she did on this occasion, or else she would get into trouble. - Mr A. R. Rendle, Surgeon, Devonport, stated that as the result of a post-mortem examination of the child he found she was poorly nourished, but this was owing to exhaustion brought on by bronchitis and pneumonia, to which death was due. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Drowned At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on JAMES WILLIAMS, aged 73, a labourer, of 52 Stanbury-terrace, Plymouth. - Samuel Roberts said the deceased, his father-in-law, after tea on Sunday night, went out apparently in his usual health. Deceased's right eye was a little weak, and his hearing was a little defective. - Thomas Bawden, fisherman, of Porthleven, said on Sunday night, shortly after six o'clock, he was on the quay at Sutton Wharf, near where the Jersey steamers lie. Deceased came through the gates and walked towards the edge of the quay. Witness said: "Look out, old man, mind the quay." WILLIAMS, however, never made any reply, and continued to walk towards the water, when his foot caught in a warp, and he stumbled over the quay. Witness caught hold of the deceased's coat and tried to pull him up on to the quay, but could not do so, and finally he fell into the water. Bawden then got into a boat and with assistance managed to get the deceased into the boat, and later he was removed to a barge. Witness asked the deceased if he was all right, and he made a motion as if to say he was. - Dr C. J. Cooke stated that when called to see the deceased, artificial respiration was being tried, and was continued for some time, but there was no sign of life. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 5 December 1901 YARMOUTH, NORFOLK - Sad Death Of A Plymouth Sailor. - The Yarmouth Coroner yesterday held an Inquiry regarding the death of a young seaman named HENRY FREEMAN of Vennel-street, Plymouth. Deceased belonged to the Padstow ketch Plover, and last week on her arrival at Yarmouth from Ostend complained of the mate's brutality. Proceedings were instituted against the mate, George Boper, whom the magistrates sentenced to a month's hard labour. FREEMAN was subsequently taken ill on board the Plover and was conveyed to the Hospital, where he suddenly expired the following day. the House Surgeon, Dr Hemmans, who made a post-mortem examination, said he found that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. Matthew Woods, another member of the crew, said deceased had been knocked about on two voyages, but the doctor said that death was quite independent of any ill-treatment. A verdict of Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 December 1901 PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday on EDWARD CLARKE, journeyman tailor, aged 60. George Cutler, 78 King-street, said the deceased had lodged with him for about twelve months. On the 3rd inst. deceased was in the kitchen , sitting on a form, and hearing a noise witness went to the room and found CLARKE lying on the floor. He said he had hurt his head, but subsequently complained of an injury to the thigh. Deceased was taken in a cab to the Workhouse Infirmary, but as he could not be admitted there he was removed to the Hospital. At the time of the accident two other men besides the deceased were in the kitchen, but when the landlord went into the room they were both asleep. There was no row between the men, an witness thought the deceased must have slipped off the form. - Mr Hitchens, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said CLARKE, when admitted, was suffering from a rupture of the right thigh and bronchitis. He thought the injury to the thigh might have been caused by the man falling off a form. Death was due to bronchitis, which was aggravated by the injury. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes, accelerated by the injuries received" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at the Fortescue Hotel, Mutley, yesterday, touching the death of MAHALA ANN BOWDEN, widow, aged 53, who resided at 16 Belgrave-road, Plymouth. - Mrs B. J. Derry, of 12 Belgrave-road, stated that when she saw deceased on Saturday night she appeared better than she had been for some time, having been suffering from bronchitis. On Sunday morning about 8.30 witness went to deceased's bedroom and found her sitting on the floor dead. Dr E. P. A. Marriette stated that when he was called to see MRS BOWDEN on Sunday morning she had been dead about four hours. A post-mortem examination shewed that death was due to syncope, caused by a diseased heart and chronic bronchitis. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 December 1901 PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on HENRY WISE, 45, a hawker, of 8 North-street. MRS MATILDA WISE stated that on Tuesday evening deceased was in his stable attending to his donkey, when he suddenly dropped down. She screamed and ran for Dr C. E. Player. On her return her husband was dead. Dr Player said about a year ago he attended deceased for a weak heart. A superficial examination led him to believe that heart trouble was the cause of death. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 14 December 1901 EAST STONEHOUSE - At the Townhall, Stonehouse, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on MARY JANE LAWRENCE, aged 69. Deceased resided with her son and daughter-in-law at No. 6 Regent's-buildings, St Mary-street, and was found dead in a closet on Thursday night. Dr T. Leah, as the result of a post-mortem examination, attributed death to syncope and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - The Fatal Shell Explosion At Plymouth. The Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital last evening relative to the death of HERBERT GEORGE MILLER, aged 21, journeyman brass finisher, of 2 Ross-street, Morice Town, Devonport, who died in the Hospital on Wednesday from injuries caused by the explosion of a pom-pom shell on the previous Friday at the South Western Brass Foundry Company's Works, Russell-street. - Mr P. T. Pearce attended on behalf of the Foundry Company and Mr E. H. Micklewood, chairman of directors, was also present. - Rev. W. Mantle, vicar of St. Michael's, Stoke, was likewise present, deceased having been a member of his Church Guild. - Mr Thomas F. Ladd was Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner explained that deceased was employed at the Foundry Company's works. Mr Edward Parkhouse, furniture and curio dealer, Old Town-street, sent through his foreman, William Thomas, three pom-pom shells to the works to be turned into table gongs, candlesticks and other articles; and it was alleged that when he brought the shells Thomas told the foreman, in reply to his inquiry, that they were all right. It appeared that whilst an apprentice named Henning was at work on the shells, he struck the percussion caps on two of them and these caps went off. he then commenced on the third shell, which it seemed was hard to work, and was put into a vice in consequence. When the cap of this shell was struck it ignited a charge of cordite which was inside, and the shell exploded, a piece of the brass of the cartridge striking deceased - who was at work a few yards off - in the head, and penetrating his brain. Dr burke was sent for, and seeing that deceased was seriously injured he ordered him to be removed to the Hospital, where he died on Wednesday. - Mr Pearce stated that the company were desirous of furnishing every information in their power and they extremely regretted the accident. - John Chingon, foreman of brass finishers in the foundry works, living at 3 Carlton-terrace, Plymouth, stated that the pom-poms were brought to him by Mr. Thomas on December 3rd, with instructions that they were to be made into candlesticks, ash trays and other articles. Thomas brought the shells in eight pieces and witness asked him if they were all right, to which he replied, "Yes, they have all been taken to pieces." The shells were loose, except one, which was a little stiff to get off, and witness, taking this up in Thomas's presence, asked him about it, and he said it was all right. Three or four days afterwards he gave out the shells to the apprentice, Henning, to work upon. On Friday, about quarter to one, he saw Henning in the jobbing shop. Deceased was working a very short distance from him, but not on this particular job. Witness was giving instructions about a pipe that was to be brassed and whilst his back was turned to Henning the explosion took place. Witness saw deceased lying on his back close to his bench and blood coming from a wound in his head. He lifted him up and found that he was alive. He sent for a doctor, and Dr Burke came, bandaged deceased's head and sent for an ambulance, in which deceased was taken to the Hospital. - By the Jury: He did not examine all the shells. He examined one, and took it for granted, after what Thomas had told him, that the others were all right. He had dealt with pom-pom shells previously and never had an accident before. - By Mr Pearce: He was in the shop only about three minutes before the accident happened. So far as he could observe, there was nothing wrong with the shell he looked at. - Mr John Shelton, engineer, one of the Jury, speaking from his former experience with pom-pom shells in South Africa, explained that they were partly filled with cordite contained in a small muslin bag. When taken out this cordite was quite harmless. He should say the shells were never examined. - William Thomas, of 65 Gibbon-street, Plymouth, foreman to Mr Parkhouse, said when he took the shells to the brass foundry he handed them to Mr Chingon, who asked him if they were all right. Witness replied in the affirmative. He had examined the shells on the same day by taking them to pieces. He did not know how he came to overlook the shell that exploded: he pulled out each shell from the [?], but found no muslin bag in either. He did not know where the shells came from, or that they were supposed to come from South Africa. The officer who brought the shells to Mr Parkhouse drove up to the shop in a trap and had the shells in his pocket. Mr Parkhouse understood from the officer that they were spent shells. It was an ordinary circumstance to have those sort of things brought there. - In reply to the Foreman, witness said he did not know the name of the officer who brought the shells. - The Foreman: Can we not ascertain whether they were got from a Government store? - The Coroner said they were not there to Inquire into that, it was a matter for the Government. If the Jury thought the officer brought the shells to Mr Parkhouse knowing them to be filled and likely to cause an accident, they might adjourn and go into the matter. What they had to do was to ascertain how deceased came by his death. - Arthur Henning, apprentice in the brass finishing department of the foundry, living at 22 Pym-street, Morice Town, stated that before he touched the pom-pom shell which exploded he dealt with the other two, the three being in eight pieces. When he worked the first shell the percussion cap went off, causing a noise like that made by a small toy pistol. Witness thereupon said to deceased, "Did you hear that BERT?" and he replied, "Oh, that's nothing, that's only a little cap going off." Witness said, "All right," and then dealt with the second shell, the cap of which also went off in the same way. He did not think it necessary to mention this incident to Mr Chingon. He put the third shell in the vice and struck it with the centre punch on the cap very easily, so as to get the centre properly. The shell did not go off the first time, but on his hitting it harder the second time the explosion occurred and he fell back against Mr Chingon. One piece of the brass cartridge struck him on the hand and another piece went against his waistcoat. - Replying to deceased's father, witness said he found a little muslin bag in the exploded shell and threw it into the garden. - Deceased's father said this shewed that the shells were not thoroughly examined. - The Coroner observed that, whilst deceased's father might ask questions, and would receive help in any way he wanted it, he must not make remarks. - Frederick Charles Hitchens, House Surgeon at the Hospital, stated that when deceased was admitted he was unconscious and suffering from a wound on the left side of the forehead from which a portion of the brain was protruding. The next day the Rontgen Rays were applied to deceased's head and it was found that a small portion of metal was in the brain. Deceased was operated on the next day and the metal was removed. He did not regain consciousness and died on Wednesday afternoon. Undoubtedly death was due to the injuries received. Practically it was a hopeless case from the first. - The Coroner said he thought there was no reason for going into the question as to where the shell came from, unless the Jury considered the officer in question disposed of it with an improper motive. The foreman at the foundry took every precaution by asking if the shells were all right. It was, however, the fact that one of the shells was overlooked, with the unfortunate result that had followed. It was for the Jury to say whether any fault could be attached to Mr Chingon or to Mr Thomas, or whether it was a case of oversight and an accidental occurrence. - The Jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that deceased came by his death Accidentally. They added as a rider that Mr Parkhouse should be cautioned by the Coroner as to taking in explosive matter in future, and that they exonerated the directors and employees of the brass foundry from any blame in the matter. - The Coroner expressed concurrence in the verdict, and addressing Mr Thomas, told him that he examined the shells very carelessly and that he ought to exercise more care in dealing with such things. He hoped that what had happened would be a lesson both to him and to his employer. - The Foreman added that the Jury also desired to express very deep sympathy with the deceased's father, and to the members of the bereaved family generally. - Mr Micklewood said, as one of the directors of the company, he also wished, on their behalf and his own, to say that they deeply sympathised with deceased's father in the terrible affliction that had fallen upon him. This was not a mere matter of business; the directors, he hoped, would do more than merely express sympathy with MR MILLER. - The Coroner and Jury expressed gratification at receiving this intimation from Mr Micklewood and deceased's father was overcome with emotion. - Mr Parkhouse did not arrive at the Hospital until the Inquest had terminated.

Western Morning News, Monday 16 December 1901 TOTNES - The Suicide AT Totnes. A Curious Case. - At Totnes on Saturday Mr S. hacker (County Coroner) held an Inquest on ELIZABETH STABB, of Church-lane. RICHARD STABB, labourer, said the deceased, his wife, was 35 years of age and there were four children under seven. He was not aware there was anything the matter with her. He had breakfast with her on Friday and on returning home at 1.15 p.m. found the doors locked. He entered through the window and found her dead in the bedroom, the youngest child being beside her in bed. She was lying on her face and hands on the bed with the rope of his dinner basket around her neck and tied to the bedpost. She had taken some brown substance. They had lived happily together. - P.C. Stoneman said he was called by the husband and found the woman quite dead. The rope was looped round her neck. - Dr W. R. Edmond said there was a well-defined mark of the rope round her neck and all the signs of asphyxia. A post-mortem examination shewed that she had swallowed a large quantity of a strong solution of permanganate of potash, but death was due to the hanging and not to the poison, which, beyond the intense staining, would not do much damage. He suggested that the deceased placed the rope round her neck, swallowed the solution, then drawing the rope tight with both hands. There would be almost instantaneous unconsciousness and she would fall forward, to all intents and purposes dead. Permanganate of potash was used as a cheap disinfectant and was not a scheduled poison. - Mrs Parkhouse and Mrs Nosworthy, neighbours, said they did not think there had been any quarrels between STABB and deceased. - Mr E. H. Cooke, chemist, said on Friday he supplied deceased with 1 ½ ounces of potash crystals which she asked for. This was used as a safe disinfectant and stain. There was no restriction on their sale, and not being a scheduled poison he did not label them "poison." The effect of taking the crystals would be only about the same as taking 1 ½ ounces of washing soda. - Mrs Glanville, deceased's mother, said she was an even-tempered woman and made no complaints to her. A distant relative had suffered from insanity. The Coroner said it appeared that the poison was not very virulent and it would take a large quantity to cause death, which was very fortunate, as it was not scheduled and could be sold without restriction. - A verdict of "Suicide by Hanging while Temporarily Insane" was returned, the Foreman of the Jury (Mr w. Harper) expressing sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 December 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on JOHN STEER, aged 77, shoemaker, of 19 Lower-street. Mrs Goffin, 20 Lower-street, said on Thursday night deceased appeared in his usual health. The following morning she was called to deceased's house and found him lying dead between a box and the bed. Dr Lucy, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to kidney disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on MINNIE WILDS, aged 27, single, who lived at 5 Inns'-court, Granby-street. Mr Martins aid deceased had been living at one of his lodging-houses for about six months. Lately she had been ill, but he did not know if she had been attended by a doctor. On Friday morning he was told she wanted to go to the Infirmary. He went for a cab, but on his return he found the woman worse and on a constable's advice sent for Dr Pearse. Annie Squires, Inns-court, Granby-street, said she had known deceased for four years, during the whole of which time she was suffering from a disease. She had never been attended by a doctor and died on Friday. Dr Cooke, who had made a post-mortem examination, said deceased had suffered from a loathsome disease of some years standing and also from an enlarged liver. Death was due to syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMPTON - At an Inquest on MARY WHITE, 69, widow, of Ryall-cottages, Colebrook, Plympton, yesterday, Dr W. D. Stamp, who made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and pericarditis.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - The Buckfastleigh Fatality. - At Buckfastleigh yesterday an Inquest was held on WILLIAM HARVEY, cowkeeper, found dead at the bottom of Higher Kiln Quarry, near the churchyard, on Saturday. FRANCIS HARVEY, his son, who lives at Hill Crest, said his father was 67 years of age. He last saw him alive at breakfast on Saturday, apparently in good health. At dinner time his mother told him father had not returned from the quarry field, and he at once went to look for him. Arriving at the field, he saw where his father had been throwing dung about and parting the quarry hedge. Looking over the edge of the quarry, he saw his father lying at the bottom, a distance of 50 feet down. He and John Friend went down and found him quite dead. The fence was in a proper condition, barbed wire running round the whole of the quarry. His father probably got over the wire and fence to trim the ivy to prevent the cows falling into the quarry by trying to reach it. - John Friend, of Poundhouse Hill, labourer, corroborated, and stated that afterwards he went to the top of the quarry and noticed where deceased might have slipped away while cutting the ivy. The hat deceased wore caught in a ledge about half-way down, and remained there. - EMMA HARVEY, daughter of deceased, said her father left home between 9 and 10 a.m. to go to his field by the quarry with the cows, taking his hook and fork. Not coming home at dinner-time she went to find him, but was not successful. On returning she met her brother on his way to the field. - Dr Thos. Massey Pearce said death resulted from severe injuries to the head, and most probably was instantaneous. - P.C. Radford said he picked up deceased's hook about six yards from the body. - The Jury (Mr James Millman, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the wife and family. - The Coroner (Mr Hacker) said he noticed a hole in the hedge on the road near the quarry, which he considered dangerous, and hoped those responsible would see it was properly repaired.

Western Morning News, Saturday 21 December 1901 NEWTON POPPLEFORD - Gruesome Discovery In Devon. - At Newton Poppleford on Thursday an Inquest was held on WILLIAM PRICE, 72, a retired market gardener. Deceased, it appeared, had enough means to keep him respectably if he had liked. He had some property and lived in a cottage at Harpford alone. He had never married and had lived alone since his mother left him some time ago. On Monday, as nothing had been seen of him since Saturday, an entrance was forced and he was found in bed with his face covered. Several pieces of flesh were gone from the small parts of his legs and arms. The rats, which swarmed the house, had been eating the body. The house was in a most shocking state. It had been condemned by the sanitary authorities, and a constable described it as not fit for a pig to live in. When the sanitary authorities condemned the house, deceased was told to go out, and he did; but he came back at a subsequent date on the sly. The windows had been boarded up, and he let them remain so. Valvular disease of the heart was the cause of death, which Dr Burns believed, had been sudden. Deceased probably died late on Saturday night. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

EXETER - Sad Burning Fatality At Exeter. - Deputy Coroner Gould held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening, on the body of VIOLET MAY HAWKINS, daughter of GEORGE HAWKINS, tailor, 60 Holloway-street. - The mother, who wept whilst giving evidence, said the deceased was joyful on Thursday, because of the "break up" of her school that day. In the evening she heard her upstairs apparently singing, but then hearing her stamping and kicking she rushed upstairs and found her in the water closet in flames. Witness and her husband extinguished the flames with difficulty. the child stated that her dress caught fire by coming in contact with a lighted candle whilst she stood on the seat to pull the plug. - Mr N. E. Gibbs, Assistant House Surgeon, said the deceased was admitted into the Institution suffering from severe burns in the upper parts of her body and face and she died yesterday afternoon from shock. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - The Suicide At Plymouth. The Inquest. Remarkable Evidence. - Interest in the singular suicide of MISS GEORGINA JOSEPHINE RAE. who shot herself at midnight on Wednesday at the doorstep of No. 3 Carlisle-terrace, Plymouth, centred yesterday in the Inquest which was held by Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, at the Mortuary. Mr Banfield was chosen Foreman of the Jury. Mr Percy T. Pearce appeared for the relatives and Mr J. G. Jackson for Mr Frank Kellett. The Court was crowded and many were unable to obtain admission. - The Coroner, in opening, said deceased was a single woman, 22 years of age, and for some time past she had had some connection with Mr Kellett. It did not concern the Jury very much, but it led up to what took place on Wednesday night. MISS RAE appeared to be under the impression that Mr Kellett was a single man. Mr Kellett, however, was a married man, and that information came to her indirectly. Mr Perriton, who was engaged to her sister, told the sister on Sunday night, and she subsequently informed deceased. At any rate deceased seemed to have been very much affected by the news. On Wednesday she went to a gunsmith in Plymouth and purchased a revolver and cartridges. This got to the knowledge of her family, who were very much concerned about it. On Wednesday night she let home about a quarter past seven, apparently with the intention of going to some dressmaker in Emma-place, Stonehouse. When Mr Perriton came to see the sister, the family told him of her purchase, and he suggested they should follow the girl up. They proceeded to Emma-place, but found she had not been there. It occurred to Mr Perriton that she might be at the Palace Theatre, and they went there and learnt from Mr Grant that she was inside. Mr Grant was told by the family that the girl had a revolver, and he got hold of her, found the revolver loaded and extracted the cartridges. Deceased then apparently went away and the last her mother and sister saw of her was at twenty minutes to eleven, when she went into the Lockyer, and was supplied with some liquor. About half-past eleven a shot was heard by Mr Cornish, who lived in Carlisle-terrace, who went out and found the young woman lying on the ground apparently dead. He at once summoned a constable and fetched Dr Sedley Wolferstan, who arrived only to pronounce life extinct. It would be for the Jury to say whether deceased committed this act herself or whether anyone else was instrumental in causing her death. It was an unfortunate thing for Mr Kellett, but there was no law to prevent any man, whether married or single, from going with a woman, and it was not the business of the Jury to Inquire into that matter. There were three letters found on the woman, and they shewed that she must have been wandering to some extent. They were somewhat incoherent. The first, addressed to her mother, ran:- "Dear ma, - I did not quite understand about this and now he has made me really love him, the first in my life. Now, darling ma, pray for me, as I love my God and fear Him. I have mercy, for more sinned than sinning. Excuse all imperfections as I am so very ill in bed. - GEORGIE. P.S. All my things are at 15 Ilbert-street. I love him." - For some time past she had been living at Ilbert-street, where she was visited by Mr Kellett. The second letter was to Mr Kellett. It ran:- "Dear Frank, - I am waiting outside and I saw that you must see me, as I am feeling very wrong in the head and mother won't leave him. I do believe I am going off. I will wait or find you. Now, Frank, I must see you. I mean tonight and without fail. - GEORGIE." - The other letter was to Mrs Benyon, 3 Alfred-street. It ran:- "Dear Maggie.- I give you my best love and also my goodbye. Think kindly of me. I am only a girl after all. I like you, dear. Think of me and think also of your God and trust in Him. - GEORGIE." - These letters, the Coroner, concluded, shewed that her mind was not so well balanced as it would have been in its normal condition. - MRS ELLEN RAE, widow, living at The Retreat, Lipson, and mother of the deceased, said she last saw her daughter alive about ten minutes to eleven on Wednesday night. She was then at the door of the Lockyer Hotel, waiting for Mr Kellett. He was with her, but left and went inside while she waited outside. She had not heard of her living with Mr Kellett until that day, when Mrs Benyon told her. She then went to 15 Ilbert-street, and saw the landlady. At ten minutes to six on Wednesday evening deceased came to see her, and left the revolver in the lobby. Her sister lifted it up and asked what it was and deceased said it did not belong to her. Witness said, "GEORGINA, you can't have that, give it to me." She replied, "No, it belongs to Mr Hodge, of Modbury. I am taking it there tonight." Witness told her daughter to wrap it up carefully and assisted her to do so. Deceased said she was going out to see her dressmaker in Emma-place, Stonehouse. They went out together. Passing Chubbs', deceased said, "If you had not been with me I should have had Mr Kellett before now." At her daughter's request witness went into the Lockyer Hotel to see if Mr Kellett was there, and give him a letter. Mr Kellett, however, was not there. Her daughter then went in to look for him, and on coming out suggested going to the Palace Theatre. They accordingly went to the Palace. After half-time Mr Grant came and spoke to them. Deceased said she wanted to telephone, and went away with Mr Grant. When they came back Mr Grant said he had been talking to her daughter, and she was going to be a good girl and give up all nonsense. Previously he had said it was not good for her to go about with a loaded revolver. Looking round afterwards, deceased said, "There is the man I want, and pointed to Mr Hodge and Mr Kellett. She then left her saying, "May, you will see me at the door when the theatre closes. Look for me." When witness came out deceased was not there, but she saw her other daughter, NELLIE, who told her GEORGIE had gone up the street with Mr Kellett. They followed and overtook them at Derry's Clock at twenty minutes to eleven. Outside the Lockyer, Mr Kellett left her daughter and went inside. Witness went over and said, "GEORGIE, come home now." Deceased said, "I saw you following me. Why do you do it. Go home, and I will come in half an hour." - Witness turned round and saw Mr Hodge coming down the road very drunk. She then went home. - Frederick H. L. Cornish, clerk, residing at 2 Carlisle-terrace, stated that on Wednesday night at 11.35 o'clock he was in his bedroom and looked out between the blinds to see up the avenue. Five minutes afterwards he heard a report. Going to the side window, he pulled up the blinds and looked out, and saw a young woman lying across the steps of No. 3, opposite. Summoning Major Morris, who lived in the same house, he went across the road. Deceased was not then dead. At Major Morris' suggestion he went for Dr Jackson, in Athenaeum-street, but he was out. On the way back he met P.C. Mann, who went back with him. Afterwards he fetched Dr Wolferstan from the Yacht Club. - Replying to the coroner, witness said he opened the window immediately he heard the report, and there was no one but deceased in the street. - The Coroner said MISS NELLIE RAE was present, but as her evidence was practically the same as her mother's, he did not propose to examine her. - Mrs C. Glanville, lodging-house keeper, 15 Ilbert-street, stated that deceased had been living in her house for a month. She went under the name of Mrs Kellett. Since Saturday last she had seemed upset and restless, and kept taking laudanum. Witness remonstrated with her about it. Deceased replied that her husband was treating her badly, but did not say in what way. No other male person visited deceased, but Mrs Benyon came occasionally. She last saw MISS RAE on Wednesday morning at 12 o'clock. Deceased was then very bad, she thought from the effects of laudanum. - Reginald Grant, manager of the Palace Theatre, stated that shortly after five o'clock on Wednesday he was dining at the Swiss Cafe with another gentleman. At another table in the same room were seated MISS RAE and Mrs Benyon. Knowing both of them, he spoke to them. MISS RAE then asked him if she might speak to him alone. She told him her mother had told her she must have nothing to do with Mr Kellett in future, and she had agreed to do so. She also gave him to understand that she was sorry for her connection with a certain circle, and it was her intention to terminate it. She then asked him for two seats for the evening performance at the Palace and he gave her the seats, she having a certain connection with the theatrical profession which entitled her to the courtesy. About nine o'clock in the evening deceased's sister came to the Theatre, told him that GEORGIE had in her possession a revolver, which she had discharged once at home the same day and asked him to get her sister to give it up. Witness afterwards went to the seats occupied by MRS and MISS RAE, and the latter asked if she might use his telephone office. He escorted her to the telephone-office, and she then said she wanted to send a message to Mr Kellett. Witness told her Mr Kellett was already in the theatre, and she replied, "Never mind, I want to speak to him all the same." She had a parcel in her hand which she placed on his desk. He took it up, and asked if it contained a revolver. She replied, "Yes, I have been getting into trouble at home because I fired it accidentally today." Witness told her it was a foolish thing to carry it about. Deceased said, "It belongs to a gentleman who is here in the theatre tonight. He asked me to buy it for him, and meet him here to give it to him. But I have loaded it today and fired it once." Witness asked her the name of the gentleman, but she declined to give it. Opening the parcel, witness found it contained a revolver and a box of cartridges. The weapon had been loaded in five chambers, one of which had been discharged. Witness unloaded the weapon, and packed it in fresh paper. Deceased was perfectly rational, and the same in manner as he had always known her. During the past twelve months he had remonstrated with her about her mode of living. He was intimate with the family, and sorry to see the company she kept. Did not think it unusual she should have the revolver, as he knew she associated with sporting gentlemen. After this he took her back to her mother. - Replying to the Jury, witness said the deceased had acted in pantomime and had also been on tour. - Frank Kellett, contractors' manager, 3 Carlisle-terrace, said he met deceased about 9.30 on Wednesday evening with Mr Grant on the steps leading from the auditorium to the balcony at the Palace Theatre. She said, "I want to speak to you." Mr Grant said to her "Go downstairs to your mother." Witness went upstairs. Ten minutes afterwards deceased came up. He found her speaking to Mr Hodge. Witness left the theatre with her, and reached Derry's Clock at twenty minutes to eleven, when he wished her good night, and went into the Lockyer. At that time she did not seem in any way perturbed. That was the last time he saw her alive. He had not retired to bed when the bell rung at the door of his house, and he saw deceased lying dead outside with about a dozen people round her. - Replying to the Coroner, witness denied that deceased was under the impression that he was a single man. She had not the slightest foundation whatever for such a belief. He had for some time been on intimate terms with her. So far as he knew, there was no reason whatever for her taking her life. He had had no disturbance with her at all. - Cross-examined by Mr Pearce, witness admitted that on Monday he took away three telegrams from Ilbert-street. Two of them related to appointments with her, and the other to a dog, which she kept for him. - Mr Pearce said it was suggested by MRS RAE that there had been a disturbance between Mr Kellett and her daughter. - Witness said the only disturbance was with reference to the dog. he sent a telegram from Newton Abbot to her to send it on and a man called for it, but could not get it. - Pressed further on the point, witness denied that there was any disturbance or unpleasantness, or that he forcibly abstracted the telegrams against deceased's will. There might have been some little altercation about the dog, but nothing else. - Asked by Mr Pearce what his conversation was with deceased while walking from the Palace Theatre to the Lockyer, witness said she wanted him to go to Ilbert-street, but did not tell him her mother had told her to cease the connection. She was perfectly friendly and amicable and did not get excited. There was no discussion between them with reference to the insurance of certain houses. - By Mr Johnson: He refused to go home with her. With regard to the dog, he went to the mother's house on Monday night, demanding the dog and got it. - By the Coroner: At first deceased objected to his having the dog. - By Mr Johnson: Apart from any unpleasantness with regard to the dog, they were on the most friendly terms. - By the Jury: did not know whether MRS RAE knew he was keeping company with her daughter. - Frederick H. Edwards, gunsmith, 2 George-street, deposed that at 12.20 on Wednesday deceased came into his shop and asked to look at a revolver. She said she had a cousin coming up from Cornwall who had asked her to get a revolver as he wished to shoot a donkey that had a diseased leg. Witness suggested a shot-gun, but she preferred a revolver. She chose a six-chambered revolver, and asked him to put six cartridges in it. He refused to sell so small a number as six, and she purchased a box of 50. He also declined to lead the revolver, telling her it was against the rules to fill a weapon in the shop. She was not in the least excited. He had known her by sight for some time, and she had occasionally been in the shop. She was very bright and he quite believed her story. - Dr Sedley Wolferstan said he was called to 3 Carlisle-terrace, and found deceased lying on the doorstep quite dead. The front of her dress was open and he found a bullet wound on the lower part of the chest on the left side. From a post-mortem examination he found the bullet wound was the only external mark of violence. The bullet entered her chest, passed through the liver and lower artery, and into the spinal column, causing death. The bullet had not passed through the dress or corset. The garments beneath the corset were burnt, shewing that deceased must have opened her dress before the shot was fired. From the direction the bullet took, he imagined that the revolver was held in the right hand, but held the reverse way, and the trigger pulled by the thumb. - The Coroner, summing up, said the evidence was more sensational than intricate. It was admitted that the woman was very much upset, but it seemed beyond doubt that no one did the deed but herself. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and added a rider that no blame attached to anyone.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 December 1901 PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on GEORGE RUNNALLS, fish packer, aged 61, of 64 High-street, Plymouth. the widow said deceased was brought home on Friday afternoon by two Policemen, having been taken ill in Buckwell-street. Dr c. Player said on being called to see deceased on Friday he found him dead. From an examination made he was satisfied that death was due to syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr E. E. Gard, Deputy Coroner for Devonport, held an Inquest yesterday on SYDNEY ARTHUR GOLDSWORTHY, aged three months, the son of SYDNEY ARTHUR GOLDSWORTHY, leading stoker, 15 Church-street. The mother said the child was taken ill on Thursday and became worse on Saturday, but she did not send for a doctor. The boy had been fairly well since birth. Witness and her husband went to bed at about two a.m. on Sunday and at about four o'clock she nursed him. At 6.30 she found the child was dying and sent for Dr Rae, but before he arrived deceased died. Dr G. A. Rae, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to convulsions. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 26 December 1901 COLEBROOKE - The Yeoford Fatality. - At the Inquest at Coleford on WILLIAM COUSINS, Mr Madge said on SAturday he was working with deceased just below Yeoford Junction. COUSINS was standing on the up line to allow the down train to pass. There was a heavy fog, and the smoke from the engine was also heavy on the line. When the express was coming in the opposite direction deceased attempted to jump, but the engine was close on him and he was knocked down. - Seymour, who was driving the express from Plymouth to Exeter, said just below Yeoford Station he felt the engine jump, but could not see anything until he saw the men running. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

BERE FERRERS - The Railway Fatality At Bere Ferrers. The Inquest Adjourned. - Mr R. R. Rodd opened the Inquest at Bere Ferrers Railway Station on Tuesday touching the deaths of JOHN NORMAN TREVENNA, of Bere Town, and WILLIAM WILLIAMS, of Hole's Hole, who were knocked down by a light engine whilst walking across the level crossing at the Station the previous evening. - Mr Eric Ward (Plymouth) appeared for the relatives of both the deceased and Inspector Percival (Exeter) for the London and South Western Railway Company. The rector of Bere Ferrers (Rev. F. T. W. Wintle) was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner, opening the Inquiry, said they all regretted the melancholy circumstances of the case in connection with which they were called together. Their deepest sympathy would go out to the relatives of the deceased men in their sad bereavement. He proposed simply to take evidence of identity and then adjourn the Inquiry until Monday, in order that he might in the meantime communicate with the Board of Trade, as under the statute he was compelled to do. - Mrs Charlotte Alice Bateman, wife of Frank Bateman, residing at Bere Ferrers, identified deceased, JOHN TREVENNA, aged 52,, and said she acted as his housekeeper. He was an assistant superintendent of Police for the island of Ceylon, and had been home on leave for nearly two years. He had served his full time in Ceylon and it was his intention to apply for his superannuation. He went to Plymouth on Monday by the 10.57 train, and was in his usual good health. About ten minutes to seven in the evening he was brought home injured and unconscious. Twenty minutes later he died, without having regained consciousness. - Thomas Morris, retired chief boatswain R.N., of Bedford-street, Bere Alston, identified the deceased, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, aged about 68 years, as a Royal Marine pensioner, Plymouth division, and an uncle of witness's wife. About half-past eleven on Monday deceased called at his house, remained to dinner and left at twenty minutes to one for Bere Alston station, and was then in first-class health, and said he was going to Tamerton Foliott to see his grand-daughter. He heard of his death at seven o'clock the same evening. - George Williams, [?] agent and surveyor, in practice at Plymouth, stated that he travelled by the 5.4 p.m. train from N[?] station to Bere Ferrers, which was reached at half past five. It was blowing and raining very hard when he left the train. Three ladies got out of the train and went into the waiting-shed. He spoke to one of them and offered to carry her handbag across to the other side. He saw no other passengers: probably they travelled in the front part of the train and were further up the platform. Mr Helson, Stationmaster, was there, but he noticed no other officials of the Station on the upside platform. The train left the Station, and the three ladies went to the head of the platform in the direction of Tavistock to cross the railway by the level crossing, there being no footbridge, whilst witness, being the holder of a season ticket, as usual jumped on to the line with the Stationmaster to cross the line in the centre of the platform. when they were in the six-foot way between the lines Mr Helson said, "Steady on," and touched witness, otherwise he should have jumped to get up on the other platform. In a moment a light engine flashed by at the rate, he should think, of about sixty miles an hour. He knew that something was coming, having noticed the green signal, and he heard the whistle simultaneously with the Stationmaster touching him. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said Mr Helson had not spoken to him or cautioned him about the light engine coming down previous to his speaking when they were on the permanent way, neither did witness hear him caution anyone else. Continuing, witness stated that when he got on to the down platform he heard shouting in the dark by the crossing, and said to the Stationmaster, "Someone is hurt." Witness went to the signal box at the Plymouth end of the Station and called signalman Kidwell, informing him that someone had been knocked down and he had better carry over a chair, whilst he (witness) went to the village for help, having been informed by a little girl that two men were injured. - Mr Ward said he should have to ask Mr Soltau a number of questions, but in view of the adjournment and the fact that the Company were not legally represented, he would reserve those questions, which would obviously be very important, until Monday. - Dr Harvey Macpherson deposed to being called to the Station about 5.45 and seeing the body of WILLIAM WILLIAMS. On making an examination he found a wound in the abdomen, extending around to the back, through which the bowels were protruding. His left arm was fractured and the skull was also fractured at the back. There was also a wound over the left eye, extending upwards. The wound in the abdomen caused instantaneous death. This injury was probably caused by deceased being struck by the light engine, and the others through the fall. Witness had previously attended to TREVENNA in the booking-office. He was conscious and told witness he had been struck in the right groin by an engine whilst crossing the line. He said he was afraid it was "all up" with him, and witness saw this to be the case. Deceased made no further remark. He was in a totally collapsed condition and witness had him removed to his house. On arrival there he lost consciousness and died twenty minutes after. The engine must have struck him in the side, for the pelvis was fractured. Deceased died of shock due to this injury. - The Inquiry was adjourned to Monday afternoon, when the Railway Company will be legally represented. There is no footbridge at Bere Ferrers Railway Station.

Western Morning News, Friday 27 December 1901 STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Deaths At Devonport. - Mr E. E. Gard (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on JOHN STREET, aged 73, a Greenwich pensioner, of 25 Pembroke-street. Deceased had been ill for some time and for three weeks had kept his bed, suffering from asthma. He had been supplied with medicine from the Royal Naval Hospital, but got worse on Tuesday. His daughter, Emma Ferrett, said she tried to get a doctor from the Royal Naval Hospital, of which he had been an out-patient for three or four years, and, as she was unsuccessful, she applied for the parish doctor. Her father died on Tuesday evening before the doctor arrived. - Dr R. P. Ryan, who made a post-mortem examination, said the body was greatly emaciated, very thin, and poorly nourished. The immediate cause of death was heart disease and in addition there was consumption of the lungs. The asthmatical symptoms were probably caused by the consumption. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.