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Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Morning News

[printed in Plymouth.]

1906

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: Adams; Aggett; Allen; Amery; Anstis(2); Arthurs; Avery; Babb; Bailey; Baker; Balsdon; Bament; Barchard; Barker; Baskerville; Bastin; Bates; Bayliss; Beasley; Beattie; Benn; Bennett; Bickle; Blackford; Blanch; Bolt; Bond; Botterell; Boucher; Bragg; Branch; Bray; Broad; Brook; Brown(2); Buckingham; Bulley; Burch; Burden; Burton; Butland; Cadd; Cahill; Callard(2); Cambridge; Campion; Cann; Cannon; Caplin; Carpenter(2); Carter; Chadder; Chilcott; Chown; Church; Clarke(2); Clements; Codd; Collins; Cook; Coombes(2); Cornelius; Cornish; Cottle; Couch; Courtis; Cowling; Coyte; Crago; Crannaford; Crease; Cridford; Crocker; Curtis; Daley; Daniel; Dashpher; Davis; Dean; Denner; Densem; Dewbery; Doling; Down; Downing; Drake; Driscoll; Edwards(2); Elliott(2); England; Evans(2); Farley; Featherston; Ferris(3); Fey; Flay; Flood; Forrest; Frost; Gale(2); Giddy; Gidley; Giles; Gilpin; Goodacre; Goodwin; Goodyear; Gould; Granville; Green; Hackblock; Hall(2); Hamlen; Hammett; Hannaford(2); Hardy; Hargreaves; Harris(2); Harvey(3); Haskell; Hayes(2); Heard; Heywood; Hicks; Hill; Hoare(2); Hobart; Hocking; Hodge(2); Holman; Holmwood; Hooper; Horton; Horwill; Howard(2); Howe; Hubbard; Hugh; Iliffe; Irish; Jackson; James; Jellicoe; Jenkins; Jenn; Jermond; Jewell; Jones; Jordan; Kelsey; Kerswill; King; Kingham; Knight; Lamacraft; Landick; Lane; Lang(2); Laughton; Law; Lee(3); Legassick; Lester; Lethaby; Lindon; Lock; Loveridge; Lucas; Luscombe; Lyne; Macey; Major; Maker; Malcomson; Mallett; Mantell; Martin; Mason; Maynard; Mayne; Merry; Michelmore; Mill; Miller; Milling; Millman; Mitchell(2); Mitchelmore; Monk; Moore; Mounce; Newell; Norris; Norrish; O'Leary; Palmer(3); Parnell; Parsons(3); Patherick; Pearn; Pedersen; Pedrick; Pengelley; Pengelly; Perris; Perry; Phare; Phillips; Physick; Pike; Pinniger; Pope; Pound; Powell; Prinn; Prowse; Quance; Quartley; Radford; Randell; Rattenbury; Rendle; Rice; Riddle; Roberts(3); Robins; Rogers(3); Roscamp; Rowe(2); Rundle; Salmon; Sampson; Sanders(4); Sargent; Savery; Scantlebury; Scott; Searle; Semmens; Shapland; Shapley; Sheehan; Sheridan; Simpson; Skinnard; Skinner; Slater; Smale; Smith(4); Sowden; Spencer; Sprague; Squire; Staddon; Standing; Stanbury; Steer; Stephens; Stone(2); Stoneman; Stowe; Strange; Sullivan; Surridge; Sweet; Swigg; Symons(2); Tancock; Tapscott; Taverner; Taylor(2); Thomas; Thorne; Tolley; Tregaskis; Trevains; Trick; Trudgeon; Truscott; Tucker(2); Tugwood; Turner; Turpin; Underhill; Unsworth; Upsher; Upton; Veale(2); Vicary; Vickery; Vigrow; Walker(2); Wallis; Walsh; Ware; Warren(2); Way; Weaver; Weeks; Welby; Whenmouth; Whitburn; White; Whitnell; Willcocks; Williams(3); Wilmot-Moore; Winsor; Woodland; Woolway.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 January 1906
EXETER - An Exeter Suicide. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Exeter on MR ARTHURS, 70. Deceased, a retired innkeeper, who had no family, and was attended by a housekeeper, often complained of severe internal pains, and expressed the hope more than once that an end would soon be put to his sufferings. On Monday, while in his bedroom he shot himself with a revolver, the charge passing through his head. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

STOKE DAMEREL - The Devonport Suicide. A Determined Action. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on GEORGE W. P. MASON, aged 50, a pensioned commissioned boatman, R.N., living at 38 Princes-street. - His widow stated that she last saw deceased about 10.15 a.m. on Monday. Deceased was employed by a sub-contractor at Keyham Extension Works, but four months ago met with an accident by which he lost a finger. Since then he had done no work. On Monday he said he would go to the Extension Works with the view of obtaining employment. He had four children, the youngest of which was eight years. Deceased had a pension of £22 16s. a year. They had always lived happily together. Deceased worried a little about the loss of his finger, but never threatened to take his own life. - Harold Hayes, age 14, said on Monday morning he noticed deceased walking up and down the railway bridge at Havelock-terrace for at least an hour and sometimes he would look over the parapet on the side near the station. Witness was standing on the new bridge when he noticed something falling from the parapet. At first he thought it was a parcel, but from the noise it made on striking the ground he knew it was a human being and came to the conclusion that it was the deceased. Thomas H. Tomlinson, booking clerk at the station, said he heard Hayes shout and on going out to the up platform found deceased, who was then not quite dead. - Dr G. A. Rae said deceased's skull was crushed in. - Inspector Scantlebury, G.W.R., Co. said deceased fell a distance of 37 feet. - The Coroner mentioned that a similar case occurred in the same place some time ago. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 5 January 1906
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ALFRED HENRY VICKERY, the five month old son of WM. H. VICKERY, compositor, of 4 Hastings-street, found dead in bed, Dr Aikman attributed death to pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 January 1906
TORQUAY - The Torquay Fatality. A Young Man's Plucky Conduct. - At Torquay yesterday Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest on HANNAH STEPHENS, aged 58, a single woman, who lived alone at 23 Sanford-crescent, Chelston. On Saturday morning, about one o'clock Mrs Parish, a next door neighbour, detected a smell of burning and her son, Herbert Lewis Parish, who is in the employ of the Broomhill Colliery Company, upon investigating the cause saw smoke and flames issuing from the bedroom occupied by deceased at 23 Sanford-crescent. Parish with great presence of mind, immediately burst open the door of MISS STEPHENS'S house and found the place was full of smoke. He proceeded to deceased's room and discovered that an oil lamp, the window curtains and the woodwork of the apartment were on fire. Deceased was behind the door and her nightdress and skirt were on fire. In spite of the dense smoke, which nearly suffocated him, Parish removed MISS STEPHENS to the landing, where he tore off the burning garments and found that she was dead. He then addressed himself to the task of extinguishing the fire which he succeeded in doing after an hour's exertions. Deceased's window was open and, it being a stormy night, Parish expressed the opinion that the window curtains blew over the lamp and caught fire, and that MISS STEPHENS in endeavouring to extinguish the flames, knocked the lamp over. She was apparently about to retire to bed at the time. - Evidence was also given by Miss Evelyn Parish, Mr W. Bernard, Inspector Jeffery and Mr H. K. Lacey, House Surgeon at the Torbay Hospital, who stated that deceased died either from burns, which were superficial, but very extensive, or from suffocation. - The Coroner remarked that but for Parish's promptitude MISS STEPHENS'S house as well as adjoining residences, might have been destroyed and for his bravery in fighting the flames and getting the fire under, he deserved great credit. - The Jury, who endorsed Mr Hacker's remarks, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Bernard stated that there should be better means of communication between the inhabitants of Cockington and the fire brigade and police. The nearest fire-call station was in Redgrave-road, half a mile off. Parish should be compensated for his bravery. He risked his life in extinguishing the fire and ruined his coat and boots. The Coroner said if Parish made application to the company with whom 23 Sanford-crescent was insured, he would no doubt be treated properly. He had a claim upon them for salvage. With regard to Mr Bernard's complaint, he was afraid the Jury could not do anything. The matter should be brought to the notice of the Town Council.

STOKE DAMEREL - Burnt At Devonport. Five Weeks Without A Doctor. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on ALMA GRANVILLE, aged three years, living at 21 Ker-street, Devonport, daughter of a sailor employed on a Dockyard craft. - LAURA GRANVILLE, its mother, said on November 28th last she left deceased and her little brother eating their dinner. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she heard a scream. She ran back and found deceased's clothes on fire and her (witness's) mother extinguishing the flames with a mat. The child's arms were badly burnt. She used oils on the burns for three weeks. During the whole of that time the child's health improved, but after that time the discharge from the arm seemed rather too much. She did not go for Dr Waterfield until last Tuesday, because she always doctored her own children. - Sarah Thomas, grandmother of deceased, said she thought the child was getting better. There seemed to be quite a sudden change at the last from the different treatment followed. - The little brother of deceased said his sister put a stick in the fire and held it down. A minute later it caught her dress. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said when called he saw the remains of burns on the child's face. She was suffering from two severe burns on the arms, especially the right one. The people in the house seemed to have done their best. The smell in the house was very bad owing to the quantity of oil used. It took several hours to remove the bandages on the child, and when he saw the wounds he was shocked. The advice of a medical man ought to have been sought at once. If a medical man had been called in the burns might have improved. It wanted skilled nursing more than a medical man. The actual cause of death was syncope from exhaustion. - The father of the child said if he had thought it a serious case a doctor would have been called in, but he had eight children, and he had to consider them all. - The Coroner said a medical man ought to have been called in instantly. He would no doubt have ordered the child's immediate removal to the Hospital, where with prompt and proper treatment the child would probably have recovered. He had never known a case where the burns were so severe that a medical man was not called in. He had no doubt the parents erred through ignorance. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 January 1906
EXMOUTH - Inquest at Exmouth. An Open Verdict. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Exmouth by the Deputy Coroner (Mr Tweed) on BEATRICE EMILY STEER, the child of EMILY STEER, a domestic servant, residing at Nutbrooke Cottage, Withycombe. - The mother of the child said it was born on November 17th last. The child, as far as she knew, was a healthy one from its birth, but was a cross baby. She last saw it alive on Saturday morning, when she put it in bed with a bottle half-filled with milk and water, and the child was then apparently quite well. On coming home in the evening she was told by her mother that the child was dead. - JANE STEER, mother of the last witness, said she had been looking after the child whilst her daughter was at work. On Saturday morning she went up to the bedroom to get the child and found it was dead. She did not think the child was a delicate one, but it appeared to be sometimes in pain. She did not think it at any time necessary to send for a doctor. She could not say what position the child was in when she found it. On finding the child dead she sent for Dr Eaton and the nurse. - Cross-examined by Sergeant Staddon, she said she did not state to the Constable that the child was alive when she found it. - Dr Eaton said when called he found the child dead in bed, but there was nothing external to show the cause of death. He made a post-mortem examination, and found the right side of the heart was full of blood and the lungs were slightly congested. It was impossible to say the cause of death; it might have had a convulsion (which bottle babies were accustomed to), or it might have been smothered. - The Coroner said it had been necessary to call the Inquest as there was a certain amount of dissatisfaction and also as the mother was unmarried and no doctor was called in. The way in which both the mother of the child and her mother had given their evidence was unsatisfactory. He thought it was a curious fact that although the child died in the morning the mother was not sent for or made aware of the fact that the child was dead until she returned home in the evening. - An Open Verdict was returned.

BUCKLAND TOUT SAINTS - Incompetent Midwife. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Buckland-tout-Saints on the infant child of WILLIAM H. STONE, of Bounscombe Cottage. Dr W. H. Webb said any person of ordinary knowledge should have known the birth was not natural. If a medical man or a competent person had been present the child in all probability, would have been born alive. - Delila Trout of Dodbrooke said she had acted as midwife for 16 years. She had no certificate. She had never had such a mishap before. - The Coroner: You mean the only one found out. - Mrs Trout said she intended giving up nursing. - The Coroner: At the end of five years if you don't you will be liable to conviction. If anything had happened to the mother you might have been found guilty of manslaughter. I should advise you to give it up, as you are not fit for it. Upon that undertaking no further proceedings will probably be taken. The Jury returned a verdict that the child was stillborn, through improper attention at birth.

TAVISTOCK - Fatal Accident Near Callington. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Tavistock Cottage Hospital yesterday on RICHARD TREGASKIS, of Chilsworthy, aged 66. Mr D. Hawkes was Foreman of the Jury. Mr W. W. Mathews, solicitor, Tavistock, watched the proceedings for the relatives and Captain F. Wright, the agent, appeared for Drakewalls Mining Company. - Francis Barrett, engine driver, of Albaston, stated that on Saturday last he was driving a traction engine from Saltash to Drakewalls Mine and deceased was employed as third man, and was riding in a trolley at the rear of the engine. When near Callington, the steersman of the engine, witness's brother, heard an unusual noise which caused him to look round, and he saw the deceased lying in the road. Witness stopped the engine and went to the man's assistance. After being temporarily attended to by Dr Mole, of Callington, he was conveyed to Tavistock Cottage Hospital. He said that while getting out of the trolley he missed his foot and slipped under the wheels, which passed over him. - David Barrett corroborated. - Dr Snowden Smith, of Tavistock, said that the thigh and arm were broken, the former being very badly crushed. The man died about 10.30 on Sunday morning. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 20 January 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Drowning Case. Open Verdict. - At Newton Abbot last evening, Mr G. F. Kellock held an Inquest on MARK THOMAS CLENSO HARVEY, the five year old son of JOHN HARVEY, Suncourt, Wolborough, who was found drowned in the Teign the same morning. The father saw the boy playing just before dinner, but finding that he did not come home, searched for him during the whole of the afternoon. He had been playing with a boy named Noyce, close to the court, and they raced up a path by the river Lemon, which led to some meadows. They returned again, and both got over the stile into the lane. Noyce turned away for a minute or two and when he looked again the deceased had disappeared. He did not see him go back over the stile again. Had he done so he might easily have fallen into the river. - John Veale, a bargeman, found the body about a mile distant in the river Teign, on Friday morning. - Dr Scrase said there were no marks of violence and death was due to drowning. The Jury returned an Open Verdict and recommended that the attention of the authority interested should be called to the dangerous condition of the place where the lad was supposed to have fallen in.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 24 January 1906
PLYMPTON - Plympton Postman's Death. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at Ridgeway, Plympton, yesterday on FRANCIS J. WHITNELL, a postman, who was found dead in the box attached to the mail apparatus on the G.W.R. below Plympton Station on Monday. - T. Salter, rural postman, stated that on arriving at the Post-office at 5.45 a.m. he was informed that deceased had not returned with the mail bags. Witness at once obtained permission to go in search of deceased and proceeded down the line to the mail apparatus. He found the bags had been placed in position and that the mails had been duly received and delivered by the train. On looking into the hut he found deceased in a sitting posture and quite dead. He at once took charge of the mailbags and returned to the Post-office, on his way calling P.C. Bond and Dr Stamp. - Dr Stamp stated that he considered that deceased, who had a dilated heart, had succumbed to syncope, undoubtedly accelerated by the cold. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Friday 26 January 1906
YEALMPTON - Sad Suicide At Yealmpton. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Yealmpton yesterday on JOHN WILLCOCKS, aged 67, farmer, of Windsor Farm, Yealmpton, who was found in a field on Wednesday with gun shots in his side, from which he subsequently died. - Wm. Reg. Toms, of Windsor Farm, stated that just after noon on Wednesday he received a newspaper from deceased. About ten minutes later witness went into an adjoining field and found WILLCOCKS lying on the ground with his gun by his side. With assistance, witness got deceased into the house and Dr Langworthy was summoned. A few hours later deceased succumbed to his injuries. Latterly he had been much depressed owing to considerable financial difficulties. - Charles Gerald Eve, residing at Yealmpton, steward of the Kitley estate, said deceased rented the farm from Mr Bastard at an annual rental of £360. Up to last Christmas he was £1,200 in arrears. He visited the farm on Wednesday and sent a message by the previous witness to say he was coming. On arrival he was told deceased was out, but was expected back shortly. Soon after he was called by a lad, and on going into an adjoining field he found deceased on the ground shot in the left side. His landlord had in no way pressed deceased for rent. He was offered a pension and a house free of rent in Yealmpton. However, he was prepared to remain and was told that he could only stay until Lady-day 1907. An agreement was formed accordingly. Deceased had been pressed of late by many creditors. - Dr W. S. Langworthy stated that a week previously deceased had complained of depression, sleeplessness and pains in the head. Several years ago WILLCOCKS fractured his skull in a trap accident, which had undoubtedly affected his brain. Deceased died from gunshot wounds in the left side. He did not think the gun went off accidentally. A letter found on deceased was of a very pathetic nature. He complained of general derangement, saying he did not know what he was writing about. In ten years he had lost over £1,000 on the farm. In addition to many troubles, sleeplessness had worn him out. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned. The Coroner commented on the great kindness and generosity of Mr Bastard, deceased's landlord.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 January 1906
PLYMOUTH - The Sudden Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at the Plymouth Mortuary on THOMAS HAYES, mason's labourer, of 6 Victoria-street, Plymouth, who died suddenly on Thursday while watching the proceedings of the Distress Committee in the Plymouth Council Chamber. - AMELIA HAYES, wife of deceased, stated that she saw her husband last at about 1 p.m. on the day of his death. He at that time complained of pains in the chest. - John Maloney, mason's labourer, 30 New-street, Plymouth, said he met deceased in the town, and accompanied him to the gallery of the Council Chamber in order to watch the proceedings of the Distress Committee. Witness took his seat and HAYES was about to do so when he appeared to break a blood-vessel. He laid deceased on the floor and shouted for a doctor. Dr Glinn was soon in attendance, but the unfortunate man died a few minutes afterwards. Dr Glinn stated that deceased died about two minutes after his arrival. Death was due to haemorrhage caused by an ulceration of the stomach. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 30 January 1906
WITHERIDGE - At Queen Dart Farm, Witheridge, an Inquest was held on JOHN GEORGE SANDERS, aged 11, who prior to his death complained of a stiff neck. Mr Meade, Surgeon, as a result of a post-mortem examination, said death was due to tonsillitis. The case was a most unusual one - he had never known of a similar instance.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns yesterday held an Inquest related to the death of JAS. HENRY FEATHERSTON, aged 49, landlord of the Fisherman's Arms, Lambhay-street. MARGARET FEATHERSTON, the widow, stated that deceased while dressing on Saturday morning collapsed in a chair. Dr Wilmot, who had made a post mortem examination, said death was due to an aneurism of the aorta. The artery had been diseased for years. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns yesterday held an Inquest on ALFRED CHOWN, 44, market porter, 14 John-lane. EDMOND H. CHOWN, hawker, brother of deceased, stated that he last saw him alive on Sunday week, when he appeared quite well. He had never known him complain of illness. Richard J. butler, labourer, 14 John-lane, said he last saw him alive on Thursday morning. On Sunday morning he went to deceased's room, having to get in by the window. Deceased was lying dead on the floor, naked. Deceased was always a temperate man. Mr J. H. S. May, who made a post-mortem examination, found the lungs absolutely collapsed. Death was due to pleurisy. Deceased must have been dead at least two days when found. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns yesterday held an Inquest on IVEY WINIFRED WARE, the four-months-old child of JAMES W. WARE, mason 38 Grenville-road. The mother stated that the infant was found dead at two o'clock in the morning. Dr H. B. Palmer attributed death to pneumonia, and said the deceased had been well cared for. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 31 January 1906
PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Suicide. Insurance Agent Shoots Himself. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on PERCY EDWARD HALL, aged 43, insurance commission agent, of 1 Gleneagle-villas. - CHRISTINE HALL, wife of the deceased, said that on Monday week, about 5.40 a.m. she saw her husband in his bedroom. There was nothing strange in his manner. He was not addicted to taking drugs, but had done so on the previous evening. Soon after witness heard the report of a revolver. She went into the room and found deceased lying down with a pool of blood around his head and a revolver in his hand. Dr Mariette was sent for. Deceased had never threatened suicide, but had alluded to it. - Dr Mariette said he found deceased lying on the ground, with a revolver, of which two chambers had been discharged, in his hand. One of the bullets had entered the wall and the other had entered the man's head. He lived in a semi-conscious condition until Saturday last. A post-mortem examination revealed the fact that death had resulted from an extensive fracture of the skull and a lacerated brain, caused by the shot. He had been taking drugs of some kind, but the doctor could not say what. He had known that deceased had had some business depression. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

PLYMOUTH - A Verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on CHAS EDWARD MILL, the ten-months'-old child of MRS MILL, machinist, of 11 Morley-street. The child was seized with a fit at a photographer's shop and did not recover. Dr Burke attributed death to convulsions.

Western Morning News, Thursday 1 February 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Baby's Death. Advice To Parents. - At an Inquest held last evening at Newton Abbot, on the infant child of MR and MRS MAJOR, Watham-terrace, it was stated that the baby, 12 days old, slept between its mother and father on Tuesday night and was found dead yesterday morning. - Dr Hunt, who conducted a post-mortem, stated that the child was suffocated, but he could not say whether it was by being overlain or by the bedclothes. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr G. F. Kellock) said that for the life of him he could not see why people would insist upon having infants sleeping in bed with them. It was a most dangerous practice, but he supposed this state of affairs would continue until the Legislature interfered. When there were so many other measures for the protection of infant life, it seemed to him extraordinary that people should be allowed to have infants sleeping with them, and thus subjecting them to the danger of suffocation. The idea that parents were doing children a kindness by allowing them to sleep with them was a fallacy. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Suffocation," and added a rider that they considered it very dangerous for infants to sleep in bed with their parents and hoped the Press would voice that opinion. - The Deputy Coroner asked Mrs Bradbury, a midwife of 16 years' standing to use her influence in getting people to give up this dangerous custom.

Western Morning News, Saturday 3 February 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - The Keyham Fatality. A Risky Venture. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday on SAMUEL J. POPE, aged 49, a labourer, employed at Keyham Extension Works, who died on Thursday from a fracture at the base of the skull, sustained by falling 16 feet into No. 4 Dock at the Works on Tuesday. Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared for Sir John Jackson (Limited) the contractors. - John Stacey, 62 Beatrice-avenue, Keyham Barton said deceased, his father-in-law, had had attacks of giddiness and was rather deaf, and had been employed at the Works for seven years. - Samuel Neal said about 6 a.m. on Tuesday he and the deceased were leaving work. He was about two yards ahead and after passing the caisson said to deceased, "Step in SAM, or else you may slip and go to the bottom." At that moment he heard the deceased speak, and then missed him. He heard a bumping noise at the bottom of the dock. Two men immediately went down and brought deceased up,. Witness did not know that there was a path at the left of the dock and they always went to the right. There was plenty of room but instead of walking on the rough road they took the top of the dock, which was 2ft. 6in wide. - Arthur Sibley said the deceased itched six or seven steps down the dock. - By a Juror: There was no chain round the dock, as it was not finished. - P.C. Tucker, Metropolitan Police, said the men, by taking the way they did, saved about two or three minutes. It was very foggy that morning and when taking the stretcher to the dock another man would have fallen in had he (witness) not caught him by the coat. - Mr Leonard Thorp, Assistant House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said the case was hopeless from the first, and the man died on Thursday from a fracture at the base of the skull. - The Coroner said that working men, after their work, would run any risk rather than take a little extra trouble. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressed sympathy with the relatives and found that blame attached to nobody.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - The Buckfastleigh Fatality. - Mr G. F. Kellock held an Inquest at Buckfastleigh yesterday on the youngest son of JOHN PENGELLEY, labourer, of 6 Chapel-street. MARY ELLEN PENGELLEY said she left the child in bed safe on Wednesday with a small naked oil lamp on a chest of drawers. When she came back she found that the child had evidently pulled the lamp off the chest of drawers and set fire to his bedclothes. After the accident she found the lamp on the door. The boy was burnt badly and she sent for the district nurse and Dr Wood. - Mr Lawney Henderson, clerk, a lodger, heard a scream about 7 a.m. on Wednesday and went upstairs and found the boy on the landing enveloped in flames. He caught up a mat and put out the flames. No one was in the room at the time. - Dr E. S. Wood said when he called the boy had been dressed by the nurse. He was burnt to the first degree and death was the result of shock. Everything possible was done for the boy, and the doctor was surprised at his sudden death. The Coroner said there was no doubt that the child caught himself on fire. Was anyone to blame? the lamp was a very dangerous one, there being no protection whatever from the flame. The case was a very sad one and the question arose as to whether the lamp was a fit and proper one to leave in the bedroom. - The Jury found a verdict "That the boy died from Shock, the result of injuries Accidentally caused by Burning."

Western Morning News, Monday 5 February 1906
BRIXHAM - ROBERT HARRIS, an aged shipwright, was found lying face downwards on the road at Belmont, Brixham, on Friday by Mr E. Taylor, a visitor. He was bleeding at the nostrils, and after groaning once or twice died. At the Inquest on Saturday, Dr J. Quicke attributed death to Apoplexy.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 February 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Engineer Cadet's Death. The Inquest. - The death, as the result of an accident in the football field, of FREDERICK WILLIAM MONK, a fifth-year student at the R.N.E. College, Devonport, formed the subject of an Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday. - MR JOHN MONK, retired chief officer of Coastguards, of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, identified the deceased as his son, 19 years of age. He returned from Christmas leave about three weeks ago and shortly afterwards wrote home saying he was in Hospital with a broken finger sustained in a football match. Witness came to Plymouth on Friday and was present when his son died about nine o'clock that evening. - Mr Mark Martin, cadet at the R.N.E. College, said he was playing with deceased in the football match between the cadets and Paignton on Saturday fortnight at Keyham. Before half-time deceased was attempting to "save" on the home team's twenty-five line from the feet of the Paignton forwards, who were close on him when he fell. The fall was the act of deceased himself in order to effect a "save." In falling he fractured a finger. No blame attached to anybody. Deceased was a good player. He left the field immediately after the accident and made no complaint. - Surg. Nelson J. Roche, R.N., deposed that deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from a compound dislocation of the fourth finger of the right hand. There was also a slight superficial wound on the back of the hand. He was operated on and progressed satisfactorily until the evening of Tuesday last, when he complained of stiffness of the jaw, the first symptoms of tetanus. He was at once treated for the complaint and the finger amputated, but in spite of everything possible being done he rapidly grew worse and died on Friday. The germ which caused tetanus must have entered into one of the wounds at the time the accident happened. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Jury joined with the Coroner in expressing sympathy with the parents and other relatives. - Removal of the Body. - After the Inquest the body was removed from the Royal Naval Hospital to Millbay Station for transit to Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, where the interment takes place. Prior to the remains leaving the Hospital they were taken into the church attached to the Institution where a portion of the funeral service was read by the R.N.E. College Chaplin (Rev. Edward H. Good). MR and MRS MONK, the father and mother of deceased, who was their only son, were the chief mourners. [Note: There followed a description of the service.]

STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest on WILLIAM H. MILLING, aged 39, a labourer and naval pensioner, living at 23 John-street, Morice Town. Deceased, who had complained of internal pains recently, got up on Sunday morning to light a fire. After drinking a cup of tea deceased vomited and then died. Dr W. J. Gard, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope from heart and lung disease of old standing. Verdict: "Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Found Dead At Lipson. Deceased Identified. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on the man found dead on Friday on the Great Western Railway line at Lipson. the deceased had not then been identified. During the afternoon the inquiries which have been assiduously conducted by the Coroner's officer, resulted in the deceased being identified as CHARLES ALFRED FEY, of 20 Sidney-street, Plymouth. At the Inquest Henry Truscott, driver of a rail motor car, said about 9.22 p.m. on Friday he was leaving Lipson Vale halt when he saw the body lying across the down line in front of his motor. He reported it at the signal-box. - Frank Acland, signalman, said the body was not quite cold. - P.C. Denley said the Plymouth Police had failed to discover the identity of the deceased. A bottle of medicine bearing the name of "FRY" or "FEY" was found in his pocket. The Inquest was adjourned until Monday. Chief Inspector Scantlebury and Mr George Fleuellen, Inspector of Locomotives, represented the Great Western Railway Co.

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 February 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - A Girl Drowned. - At South Knighton, a village near Newton Abbot, Mr G. F. Kellock yesterday held an Inquest on MABEL HOARE, aged 16, a daughter of JOHN HOARE, labourer, Tarr's cottages, Ilsington, found dead in a pond on the Barton estate, Bickington, on Tuesday. Deceased had been in the service of Mr H. H. Bickford, South Knighton, and three times since Christmas had been home ill. She went home for the last time on January 22nd, and remained in bed several days. At 11 o'clock on Monday night she asked her mother for a drink and was given milk. She then remarked that she could not get to sleep. Nothing was heard of her during the night and when her father got up just before six she was missing. He went in search and passing the pond noticed a hole in the ice and found his daughter lying on her face in three feet of water, with nothing on except her nightdress. - In reply to the Coroner, the mother said deceased had absolutely nothing to trouble about and had not hinted in any way that she would do violence to herself. - P.C. Cottey stated that the ice on the pond was a quarter of an inch thick. Deceased's tracks could be traced right across the grass, and she got over a railing three feet high to enter the pond, which she was nearly crossed, as she was found near the opposite side. He produced a letter written by deceased to a cousin at Ashburton. In it she said she was a lot better, expressed a wish that she could get a place at Ashburton, and made an appointment to visit her grandmother on Sunday. - The Coroner described it as a very well written, sensible letter and gave not the slightest indication that there was anything mentally wrong with deceased. - Dr A. T. Nisbet, Newton Abbot, who had attended deceased for a fortnight, said first she suffered from indigestion and anaemia. She then developed slightly ulcerated throat. She got better and at no time was seriously ill. There was absolutely nothing mentally in her behaviour or her condition that gave any indication that anything of the kind was going to happen. - The Foreman (Mr A. Christophers) asked if deceased was walking in her sleep whether, when her bare feet came on the cold wet grass, she would have woke up? - Witness said she would. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Friday 9 February 1906
LOUGHBOROUGH LEICESTERSHIRE - Honiton Woman's Sad End. Last Days Spent In A Pigsty. - ELLEN HARDY, a middle-aged widow, belonging to Honiton, has died in a Workhouse at Loughborough, Leicestershire, under sad circumstances. Some two years ago the deceased lost her husband. Since then she has been tramping about the country. On Saturday night last she called at a cottage in the village of Charley, near Leicester, and asked for a drink of water. This was given her. Next day she was observed by the wife of the tenant entering a disused pigsty at the back of the house. She was questioned, and admitted having spent the night in the sty, and pleaded hard to be allowed to stay there another night. The weather was bitterly cold and sooner than turn her adrift, the cottager's wife gave her permission to remain. She also found her food and drink, and gave her some sacks to sleep on, and also breakfast. The following morning, when told to go away, the woman demurred and again pleaded to be allowed to stay, with the result that she passed another night in the sty. On Tuesday morning the poor creature was so ill that a Policeman was sent for and she was taken in a semi-unconscious state to Loughborough Workhouse, where she died the next day. - At the Inquest yesterday a doctor said death was due to exposure and heart failure. - The Workhouse Master said that in a bundle belonging to deceased he found a number of articles of underclothing, which she had evidently taken off herself and washed, but had not been able to dry. There was also a silver watch and chain and a pencil-case. - The Coroner remarked that the deceased evidently preferred to live in a pigsty than go to the Workhouse. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on BESSIE BAILEY, aged 12 ¼ years of 26 Looe-street. MARY BAILEY, her mother, said on Monday afternoon she left a teapot of tea on the table and her daughter drank the tea from the spout. She was taken to Dr Clarke and on the following day to the Hospital, where she died. Dr Clarke attributed death to shock and burns. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Antony Accident. Serious Allegations. A Haulier Severely Censured. - Mr J. A. Pearce, the Devonport Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on JAMES ROBINS, of Torpoint, who died in the Royal Albert Hospital on Tuesday, after undergoing an operation for injuries sustained in an accident at Antony on December 1st last. - JAMES ROBINS, Torpoint, a mason's labourer, said the deceased, his son, was 17 years of age and a mason's labourer. - Charles Skillern, Torpoint, a haulier, said on December 1st last he was taking a load of bran and oil cake to a farm at Penhale, near St. John's. Deceased was with him. they went through Antony, where they stopped and had some whisky. At the top of Wolsdon-hill, witness locked the wheel and put the shoe on, deceased at the time standing in front of him near the fore wheel. Witness went forward to catch hold of the fore horse to lead the animal down the hill, and deceased got just opposite the shafts, whether to get upon the cart or not witness could not say. He had proceeded about 40 yards down the hill when he heard deceased shout. He pulled up and found deceased about ten yards behind the wagon on the off-side. Deceased said he was not hurt, and walked to the wagon and was lifted in. Witness continued his journey and deceased was taken off the wagon whilst it was being unloaded and put back again when they had finished. Then they returned to Torpoint. He stopped at the King's Arms Inn, and asked the landlord to help him with the horses, as ROBINS had had a couple of drinks and a Policeman was coming. They went over to the stable, the Policeman following. Witness took ROBINS off the wagon and laid him down on straw in the corner. After the horses had been unharnessed and fed, the deceased said he was all right. witness left the stable and went back nearly two hours after and found deceased was then just getting up. He asked deceased if he was going home or with him. Deceased went home with witness, who gave him a rug and pillow, and left him on the kitchen floor, witness going to bed. Later on someone knocked at the door and asked where JIM was. His wife said he was there and the reply was "all right." Later on, about midnight, deceased's father came, and roused his son and took him away. - By the Coroner: There was nothing remarkable in his son's condition. The father did not point out to him that the son was cold and foaming at the mouth. The father did not ask him what had occurred, but witness volunteered the statement that deceased had fallen or stumbled. While at Plymouth on the day of the accident witness and deceased had a drink and another one at Torpoint. he did not have anything to eat before going to St. John's, but deceased seemed quite sober. Witness left deceased in the stable because the Policeman was following, and he did not want him to get into trouble. The only reason for deceased remaining in the stable was that the whisky took effect on him. He did not complain of any injury. - MR ROBINS said deceased told him that he had had five pints of beer and one drop of whisky. Skillern paying for it. Witness denied that this was so. - Mr Avery (deceased's employer) said the deceased told him he had one pint of beer at the public-house at Mile-house, going to Plymouth, and another going back, one pint of beer at the Ferry Hotel, Devonport, one pint at the King's Arms, Torpoint, and one in another house. - Witness: It is not true. - MR ROBINS, recalled, said when he went into the house of Skillern he found deceased lying on the bare floor on his face and hands. On turning his face round he saw some froth on deceased's mouth. He asked what had happened. Skillern replied "Nothing, if you take him home he will be all right in the morning." He lifted deceased up on his feet and asked him what had happened. Deceased replied, "I have been wheeled over." He took deceased home and gave him hot tea. Deceased again said he had been run over by the trolley and added that he was on the fore part of the trolley with Skillern and the latter told him to jump off and put on the shoe. In so doing the horses started and the wheels went over him. Skillern went back, picked him up and put him on the trolley. In the morning Dr Samuels was sent for and said it was a serious case. The boy had better be taken to the Hospital and the quicker the better. Witness sent for Mr Skillern, but he did not come. The boy was taken to the Hospital, and later was sent to the Convalescent Home, Compton, from which he was discharged on January 31st. On Saturday night last deceased complained of pains in his stomach. Dr Samuels was called in on Sunday and prescribed for deceased and on Monday he was again sent to the Hospital. - Thomas Edward Tamblin, of Torpoint, horse driver, gave evidence of helping Skillern to unharness his horses. Deceased was lifted off the cart in the manner described by Skillern. The latter had been drinking, and must have had a bigger quantity than he had stated. - Alfred Arthur Mahout, Torpoint, brother-in-law of deceased, said he went to Skillern's house and the latter's wife told him that deceased was indoors, perfectly safe. - Mr T. Y. Simpson, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, deposed that deceased when admitted on December 2nd was suffering from abdominal injuries, necessitating an operation, which was performed the same evening. The liver was ruptured. Deceased had lost a good deal of blood and was afterwards very ill, but he eventually recovered. He was discharged on January 2nd to the Convalescent Home, which he left on the 31st ult. On Monday last he was again admitted to the Hospital, suffering from intestinal obstruction. That necessitated another operation, which relieved the obstruction, but he died a quarter of an hour afterwards. The actual cause of death was shock following the operation, due to the previous operation for a ruptured liver. He thought the boy would have complained of pain on the homeward journey on December 1st. - The Coroner, summing up, said he was inclined to doubt Skillern's story at the outset and he rather believed the deceased's story with reference to the number of drinks they had. The evidence with regard to the accident itself was not quite clear, for Skillern's conduct in not taking the lad home was most extraordinary. The man gave the boy nothing to eat, but went to bed. Skillern's conduct was deserving of blame. He could not say he was really answerable for the boy's death. That would, perhaps, be too strong, but his conduct was inhuman. - Dr Simpson, recalled, said there was no outward evidence of the cart having gone over deceased, but it did not follow that it did not. - The Foreman of the Jury described Skillern's conduct as inhuman neglect. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, expressed sympathy with deceased's relatives and asked the Coroner to censure Skillern. - The Coroner said he censured Skillern very severely. In the whole course of his experience as a Coroner he had never heard such a story told as he (Skillern) had told. He could not imagine what led him to behave as he did. The only thing he could suggest was that he must have drunk so much as to scarcely know what he did. To take a charitable view of the case that must have happened. He could not conceive that a man in his right senses would take a boy and place him in a cold stable on a cold winter's night and afterwards take him into his kitchen, and leave him with nothing over him, instead of taking him home to bed. The only favourable construction they could put on his conduct was that he had been drinking so hard that he did not know what he was doing, and he must censure him for this very severely. Skillern ought to be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

ASHWATER - The Fatal Fall At Ashwater. - Mr Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on THOMAS PARSONS, aged 40, who was killed at West Venn on Monday last. - WILLIAM PARSONS, deceased's brother, said he was on a corn rick pitching sheaves to deceased, who was standing in the wagon on top of the load. The horse moved and his brother fell to the ground. With the help of his father he carried his brother, who was dead, into the house. Dr Gray having stated that deceased's neck was broken, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 10 February 1906
GEORGEHAM - The North Devon Tragedy. A Wife's Sad Story. - At Georgeham last evening an Inquest was held on FREDERICK GEORGE WILLS SPENCER, a gentleman, of North Buckland House. Deceased came from California, and had lived quietly at Georgeham for more than a year, his wife having acquaintances near Tiverton. By the friends deceased had made he was very much liked. - MRS LUCY SPENCER, who was deeply affected, said her husband came to Georgeham to live in May, 1904. He had been depressed lately, but was not under medical treatment. On Wednesday she noticed nothing unusual. She had arranged to go to a dance at Braunton, and when she offered to stay at home he said, "No, go and enjoy yourself."£ He had not at all resented her going or she would not have gone. She went about a quarter to six, leaving their little girl, age 6, in the house with her husband. Mr Jones, of Georgeham, had arranged to spend the evening with deceased until about one o'clock. Her husband helped her dress for the dance and kissed her goodbye, again wishing she would enjoy herself. He had never threatened to make away with himself, and had left no note to explain the reason. - By a Juryman: Her husband knew Mr Jones had promised to come up between nine and half-past and seemed pleased that he was coming. - The Foreman (Mr J. G. Edwards): How long was deceased depressed? - Ever since we have been married he has had terms of depression. For a few weeks at a time he would be depressed and be then all right again. - Has there been insanity in the family? - My husband told him his aunt had to be put away. - Mr John Jones, grocer, Georgeham, said he had promised to keep MR SPENCER company. He had been in the habit of doing so. On this occasion MRS SPENCER said her husband was rather low and she thought it would, perhaps, cheer him up. Witness got to the house about 10.30 but receiving no answer to his knocking thought deceased had gone to bed and he went away. Deceased had appeared low at times, but he always spoke most cheerfully in witness's company. - Miss Alice Tucker, of Georgeham, who accompanied MRS SPENCER to the dance, said they returned about four in the morning. Witness went on to her own home, but later in the morning received a message from MRS SPENCER that she had missed her husband. She went down to the house at nine o'clock and looking round the place saw deceased on the floor of an outhouse. The gun was on his feet. - P.C. Churchill produced the weapon - a double-barrelled hammerless sporting gun. In the left-hand barrel was a spent cartridge and in the other a loaded cartridge. Besides jewellery he found a razor in deceased's breast pocket. - Dr Walter Harper, of Braunton, said the top of deceased's skull was completely blown away. The gun must have been placed in the mouth and discharged. Undoubtedly the injury was self-inflicted. - The Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) described it as one of the saddest cases he had known. Deceased, he believed, was a very quiet, inoffensive man. - The Jury found that deceased Killed Himself whilst Temporarily Insane.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 February 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on HENRY HOBART, shoeblack, of 129 King-street. Deceased was in his usual health until 5.30 a.m. on Saturday, when he fell down unconscious. He was removed to a kitchen, where he expired. Dr Wagner attributed death to advanced heart disease.

PLYMOUTH - At Plymouth yesterday Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on LOUISA MITCHELL, 18 Laira-street, aged 39 years. Deceased was found drunk on Sunday in her staircase, and did before the arrival of Dr Stubbs, who attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart, the result of excessive alcoholic drinking. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - The Lipson Mystery. - Mr R. B. Johns held the adjourned Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on the man found dead on the railway, near Lipson, about two weeks ago. - Dr Wagner identified the body as that of CHAS. FEY, aged 61, Dockyard pensioner of 20 Sydney-street. He had been a patient of his for some years and on the afternoon of his decease was supplied with a bottle of medicine for dyspepsia. he never saw any traces of mental trouble. Deceased was in the habit of walking near Lipson and Laira. His face was bruised all over when he was found. A verdict of "Found Dead" was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - Drowned On Bideford Bar. Jury Recommend A Gas Buoy. - At Barnstaple last evening, Mr A. Bencraft, Coroner, held an Inquest on EDWARD JENN, 49, pensioner, and fisherman, of Bideford, who was drowned coming in over Bideford Bar on December 18th with the late Captain Bowden. The latter's body was picked up at Saunton at Christmas, but JENN was not recovered until Sunday morning last, when the body was found washed ashore from the Taw opposite Anchor Wood, Barnstaple. It had evidently been "sanded" and floated after the storm of Saturday night. - The Coroner said there were stories about that people had seen the wreck and had not reported it, and he thought they should get to the bottom of exactly what it was. Another matter of importance was whether in the opinion of the Jury the accident would have been avoided had The Bar Buoy been lit by gas. - A Juryman: Most decidedly). He knew every inch of the Bar at low water, and it appeared to him that what they wanted was a light upon the Bar buoy to show sailors not only when they got abreast of the Bar, but to show them how far they were off it. There were two lights on the shore, and there was talk of having two more, but he thought the cost of it would prohibit them from having that, whilst he believed every purpose would be met by having a gas buoy on the Bar (Hear, hear.) He hoped by God's assistance they might be able in some measure at any rate to stop further accidents of this sort upon the ridge. (Hear, hear.) - MRS MATILDA JENN identified the body. Her husband had been 20 years in the navy and six in the Naval Reserve. He did not, however, know much about Bideford Bar. He was a powerful swimmer. - Captain Oatway, of the Morning Star, Bideford, who was out with the Bideford fishing fleet when deceased was drowned, saw Captain Bowden outside the Bar. Both took up their trawls and made for the Bar, but witness was before the tide and hung about a bit. there was a S.S.E. wind and drizzly rain. When they were coming in, his man, who had better sight than witness, said there was something over towards the Middle Ridge. Witness then saw an object, but what, he could not see through the rain and darkness. It was a vessel of some sort, but whether afloat or aground he could not see. - By the Coroner: Did you think it was Bowden's boat? - I could not say. I thought it was his more than anyone else. - Did it occur to you at the time that it was a vessel in distress? - No. I thought if it was a vessel in distress there would be a signal of some sort, but there was nothing. If there was I should have put a flare up at the same time. - It did not strike you it was Bowden's skiff until you got to Bideford Quay, and found he was not with the rest? - That is so. - And it was then too late to do anything? - Yes. - Bowden had got inside the harbour instead of outside? - Yes. - If there had been a gas buoy on the Bar do you suppose this accident would have happened? - No, it would not have occurred. - In answer to a Juryman witness said he could not have given assistance if what he saw was Bowden's boat as they had as much as they could do in his boat. - The Coroner did not think any fault could be found with Capt. Oatway in the matter. - Capt. Harding, who saw deceased's boat outside the Bar, and the wreckage the next day, said the vessel went on the outer end of the Middle Ridge, or the south side of the South Tail. He defied anyone on a night like that to pay to half a mile to his position. Capt. Bowden must have thought himself further out than he was. A gas buoy would have prevented the disaster. It was impossible on a night like that for the men to swim ashore. It was not only a dozen or so men who were interested in a gas buoy, but there were some 140 or 150 small coasting vessels, with an average of three men aboard each. They were all in favour of it, and it only wanted a little pushing. - Sidney Ovey, of Barnstaple, spoke to finding the body, and P.S. Tucker to its dreadfully decomposed condition. In a pocket was a rubber stamp bearing deceased's name. - The Coroner said not only would a gas buoy save money to the ;Lifeboat Institution, but, more than that, would save precious lives. In this case Captain Bowden made an error of judgment in coming in on the wrong side of the ridge. He thought it right to call Captain Oatway for many reasons. No doubt what that witness saw was deceased's boat, but it did not strike him at the time there was anything wrong. The accident would most probably have been avoided if there had been a gas buoy on the bar, and he thought it would be well if the Jury added a rider to that effect. - A Juryman suggested they might throw out a cable and light the buoy by electricity! - The coroner, however, explained that gas was usually used. - The Jury found deceased was "Accidentally Drowned" and added a rider that they did not think the accident would have occurred had there been on the bar a gas buoy, which they recommended should be placed there. - The Coroner said he would communicate that rider to the M.P. for the division and the authorities concerned. - In some subsequent remarks to the Jury, which the Coroner said were not intended for the Press, Mr Bencraft said he had gone into this matter at considerable length because the Jury at Bideford (where the Inquest on Captain Bowden was held) did not appear so suitable to deal with it as that one.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 February 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on ELSIE MAUD HOCKING, aged 2 ½ years, the child of WILLIAM HOCKING, labourer, at Keyham Extension Works, and living at 11 First Avenue. Dr Davis found that death was due to pneumonia, and there were also signs of bronchitis. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest on EDWIN GEORGE DOLING, age six months, the child of a labourer living at 3 Gloucester-street, the mother said the child had been delicate from birth, and had undergone two operations at Southampton before they removed to Devonport. She took deceased to Dr McElwaine on the 5th inst. That morning when she awoke there was no life in the child and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Dr McElwaine said death was due to pneumonia, and a verdict to this effect was returned.

EAST BUDLEIGH - The East Devon Tragedy. Verdict of Suicide. - An Inquest was held at Salton yesterday on JOHN HENRY DUNCAN STRANGE, late of the Grenadier Guards. - MR W. STRANGE, of Ottery St. Mary, father of the deceased, said his son was aged 23. He last saw him alive on Monday morning at 8.30. He then appeared in his usual health. Deceased had no money or other difficulties. - Mr C. Green, stationmaster, Tipton St. John, said on Monday morning he saw deceased in the train from Sidmouth Junction. He was in a compartment alone. - Rev. Mackworthy Drake, vicar of Otterton, who journeyed from Ottery St. Mary by the same train, said just after leaving Tipton St. John he heard a noise, which he thought was probably from something the matter with one of the carriages. At Newton Poppleford he told the guard of it, and went back along the train, but saw nothing to arouse his suspicions. He went on in the train to East Budleigh, when the body was found. He entered the carriage and found life extinct. - William Welsman, guard of the train, said when at East Budleigh someone shouted "Guard!" On going to see what was wanted he found deceased on the floor with his head resting against the carriage door. - Mr Pook, Stationmaster, East Budleigh, said on the arrival of the train there, Gunner Larcombe, R.A., went to open the door and jumping back called to him. He went and saw deceased lying apparently quite dead, bleeding from a wound in his forehead. There was a patch of blood on the seat, and a revolver lying in his right hand, which was resting on the floor. His cap was on the seat; his right hand was ungloved. - The Coroner read deceased's discharge papers, which showed deceased had an excellent character. - Dr Semple said deceased had a small wound just over the nose. The wound looked as if self-inflicted, and caused instant death. - The Jury (Mr F. T. Bright, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Thursday 15 February 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Inquest Opened And Adjourned. - At the Royal Naval Hospital yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd opened the Inquest on the three victims of the disaster - ARTHUR EDGAR BLACKFORD, engine-room artificer; JOHN MOUNEE, leading stoker; and JON SHEEHAN, stoker. Mr J. P. Goldsmith (Venning, Goldsmith and Peck, Devonport) was present, representing the Admiralty. Mr W. Barnes was the Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner, in charging the Jury, commented on the sad circumstances connected with the deaths of the three men. It appeared that MOUNEE and SHEEHAN were in the stokehold of the steamer and reported that something was wrong. Engine-room Artificer BLACKFORD was fetched and went into the stokehold. Whilst he was there the accident occurred, resulting in very severe scalds to the three men, who had since died. He proposed to take all the evidence available and then it would be necessary to adjourn, as he had received a communication from the Commander-in-chief stating that the naval inquiry which was opened on Tuesday had been unable to fix the cause of the accident, and that the boiler would have to be entirely removed from the boat, although it was at first thought that it would have been found possible to ascertain the cause from an inspection of the boiler in is position in the boat. He had made arrangements for the Jury, if they so desired, to see the boat before the boiler was disturbed. After it had been removed a further inspection by the Jury would probably be arranged for. - ARTHUR EDGAR BLACKFORD, retired chief officer of coastguards, identified the deceased engine-room artificer as his son, who was 30 years of age and a single man. - John Small, pensioner joiner from Devonport Dockyard, living at Pensilva, near Liskeard, stated that the deceased, JOHN MOUNEE, 38 years of age, was his son-in-law. He left a widow and one child, who lived at 7 Beatrice-avenue, Keyham. - George Smith, 1st class leading stoker of the torpedo-boat destroyer Sylvia, spoke of having known the deceased, JOHN SHEEHAN, who was about 21 years of age. On Sunday afternoon he was in the mess of the Sylvia with MOUNEE, who, with SHEEHAN, had been relived, so as to enable them to have their dinner. They had been working up to that time since 9 a.m. in steamboat No. 414 belonging to the barracks, which was lying alongside the Sylvia. About a quarter-past one, Stoker Sullivan, who had relived the other two men, came into the mess, and reported that the steamboat had lost her water. MOUNEE at once left with Sullivan, and witness went with them to see if he could render any help. Later SHEEHAN came on board the steamboat to relieve Sullivan, who left and went on board the destroyer. MOUNEE and SHEEHAN remained in the stokehold. Witness looked down into the stokehold and saw MOUNEE blowing the water gauge - the gauge indicating the quantity of water in the boiler. MOUNEE said it was showing no water, and witness said: "If I were you I would draw the fire." MOUNEE asked him to fetch the engine-room artificer, and he did so, BLACKFORD arriving and going down into the stokehold. - By the Coroner: The stokehold was small and with three men in it would be somewhat crowded. - Continuing, witness said he went into the engine-room and saw BLACKFORD blowing through the bottom gauge-cock. It appeared to be all right and BLACKFORD shut off the top cock and the gauge glass then showed half a glass of water. BLACKFORD then shut off the top end bottom cocks and took out the top and bottom plugs. He tested both plugs and found them clear. BLACKFORD told witness to put on the auxiliary pump for pumping water into the boiler. The pump made two or three revolutions and then "came up with a thump" after which it was brought up. - BLACKFORD ordered witness to put the main engines astern, open the reserve tank, and pump up with the main feed. After the engines had been working for three or four minutes BLACKFORD held up his hand as a signal for witness to stop the engines. After obeying the order witness looked through the port and asked BLACKFORD if any water was showing. Before the artificer could reply there was an explosion, and a rush of steam came through the port-hole, catching him on the right side of the face. The engine-room quickly filled with steam, and he felt his way out and on to the deck. MOUNEE managed to get on to the deck and witness heard him cry out, "Save me, I am falling." Witness caught hold of him, and called for assistance, and on the arrival of a petty officer and other hands passed MOUNEE on to them. BLACKFORD was also assisted up, and like MOUNEE, was seen to be terribly injured. witness looked into the engine- room, but could see nothing of SHEEHAN. Afterwards he saw him in the water hanging on to a chain alongside the boat. He was rescued by a domestic in a dinghy. - By the Coroner: SHEEHAN must have been the first to reach the deck, and in his agony jumped overboard. The three men were removed to the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse. - By the Coroner: the fires were not drawn, as he suggested should be done. He did not think the explosion was due to want of water. The pipes were clear after they were blown through. - A Juror asked whether it was possible for the gauge glasses to be showing water when there was none in the boiler. - The Coroner replied in the affirmative, and reminded the Jury that such was the cause of the disastrous explosion in the Blake. - Dr Nelson Joseph Roche, Surgeon at the R.N. Hospital, said the three men when admitted were suffering from very extensive scalds all over their bodies. MOUNEE died at 2 a.m. on the following day. BLACKFORD at 5 p.m. and SHEEHAN at 2 a.m. on Wednesday. The cause of death in each case was shock, the result of the scalds. All the men were conscious up to within a few hours of their deaths. They threw no light on the accident and did not appear to know the cause of it. - Wm. Babbage, leading stoker of the torpedo destroyer Leven, said he was in charge of the steamboat from one o'clock on Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning at ten o'clock, when he was relieved by MOUNEE. During the time he was in charge everything acted very well. - The Coroner: Are these boats so fitted that a leading stoker who had sufficient experience could go on board and work them? - Witness: Yes. - By the Jury: the gauge glasses were not sluggish, and he blew them every hour. There was plenty of water in the tank and also in the auxiliary feed tank. Whilst he was on board, the auxiliary pump worked all right. There were no low test cocks. He had packed one of the gauge glasses with asbestos twine as there was nothing else handy just then. - Michael Healey, stoker, attached to steamboat No. 11, who was working on board steamboat No. 414 with Babbage on Saturday and Sunday, also spoke of nothing apparently being wrong. The gauge glasses were attended to four or five times and found to be in working order. - By a Juror: When the gauges were tested the water went up slowly. - Engineer-Commander Frank Rawling Stuttaford, Indus, gave technical evidence, having been ordered to make an examination of the boiler with a view to finding out the cause of the explosion. He had partially done so. The boiler was of the Mumford water-tube type. He took off as much casing as he could get at in the boat when the first examination was made. At first, the tubes appeared to have been over-heated, but he could not detect any cause for the explosion. He then put a hose into the down-corner tube and detected a slight leak into the furnace from the tubes, but this could not be located with certainty. The boiler was disconnected and removed to the upper deck of the Indus in order that a more thorough examination might be made. More casing was taken off, and the cover of the top centre sectional box on the port side of the boiler was removed. One tube in the second row from the top was found to be drawn clean out of the sectional box; two others were nearly drawn through and several appeared to have started. On examination the outside tubes all appeared to have been considerably over-heated, particularly on the port side. That was, in his opinion, due to shortage of water. He tried the main and auxiliary feed valves with his finger and they worked freely. The port water gauge glass at the top appeared to be choked, but the starboard one appeared to be perfectly free. - By a Juror: If chocked, the glass might show water when there was none in the boiler. - The Coroner: Then it was showing false water? - Yes. - Witness added that the gauge-glass appeared to have been choked with whatever material it had been packed with. A Juror recalled the statement of the witness Babbage that he had used asbestos twine for packing, and asked whether the cause of the accident was the gauge not being packed in a proper manner. - Witness: There would be a certain amount of danger if the man neglected to look at both glasses, but any careful man in the stokehold of a ship would never trust to one glass only. - A Juror: There ought not to be any difficulty in getting proper material for packing. - The Coroner pointed out that the witness had not been carefully examined on that point as yet. It was a matter which would be cleared up later. - A Juror stated that proper washers were supplied when immediate packing was to be done. If there was none available, asbestos twine was the best possible thing to use. It was of the same material as the washers. - Engineer-Commander Stuttaford intimated that he was not prepared to give any more evidence until he had made a further examination. - James Davidson, engine-room artificer, of the destroyer Bittern, stated that he went on board the steamboat about fifteen minutes after the explosion, when the fires were drawn. - Henry Davey, engine-room artificer of the Indus, deposed to having made an examination of the boilers and machinery of steamboat No. 313 on November 22nd and 25th last. He produced a book containing an entry to the effect that the boiler was examined as far as possible and so far as could be seen it was in a similar condition to when examined n May 16th, 1905. - By the Coroner: The boiler was tested with a pressure of 250lb. per square inch and found satisfactory. The test was made with water and force pump. The tubes were tested at the same time, but not the steam-pipes. - The Coroner quoted from the "boiler report-book" a report of the previous examination, made in May 1905, when 60 per cent of the tube-ends were found to be worn very thin. - Questioned further, witness stated that that was not very serious. The boiler was in fairly good condition and the defects had been rectified, but nothing had been done to the tubes. - Steven Henry Ward, 1st class petty officer, gave evidence as to the trips made by the steamboat on the day of the accident. The boat behaved all right and there was no complaint from the stokehold. - At this stage the Inquiry was adjourned to Monday next, when further expert evidence will be given. - Engineer-Commander Stuttaford having undertaken to complete his examination of the boiler in the meantime. - Yesterday afternoon the Coroner and several of the Jury went on the boat and inspected the boiler. - The funeral of Leading Stoker MOUNEE will take place this morning, leaving the R.N. Hospital at 10.30. Engine-room Artificer BLACKFORD will be buried at Weymouth, the body being removed this afternoon. Stoker SHEEHAN'S funeral will take place on Saturday morning.

LYDFORD - Lydford Boy Drowned. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, held an Inquest on Tuesday at Lydford on WILLIAM THOMAS BICKLE, aged 7 years, found drowned in the River Lyd on Sunday last. - RICHARD BICKLE, carpenter, Lydford, said deceased was his grandchild. On Sunday afternoon about 3.30 the boy said he was going out to play with Albert Bolt, another boy. Not long afterwards a third boy named Stanley came back and told him that deceased had fallen into the water. He at once went to the river and after a time found the body. Where the deceased fell in was a dangerous place, but he could not see how it could well be protected. The public had access to the place. - Albert Bolt said he saw deceased fall into the river. They were playing about with some tins. - Dr Marshall, of Marytavy, said there were no external marks on the body, and death was in his opinion due to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

TIVERTON - The Bampton Fatality. Verdict, "Accidental Death." - An Inquest was held at Tiverton Infirmary last night by Dr J. Mackenzie on GEORGE HOWARD, 24 of Holwell Cottage, Bampton, who fell into a thresher at Morebath on Monday. - CHARLES HOWARD, labourer, Holwell Cottage, Bampton, deceased's brother, said he was working for Mr Venner on Monday at Holwell. Deceased was working with him as an occasional labourer to help in threshing. Deceased was used to threshing. At 5.5. they were finishing and witness was on the left side of the platform, and his brother on the right. Witness noticed the machine stop, looked round and saw his brother in the fly. His right arm was in the drum. Witness called for help and Mr Edward Venner came. His brother's arm was torn clean off, and he was quite unconscious. - They lifted him, and left his arm in the machinery. Dr Payne, of Bampton, ordered his removal to Tiverton Infirmary. Witness and his father took him to Tiverton in a closed carriage. - By Sergt. Parnell: There was no fencing around the drum. - Mr Rowe, solicitor, asked the Coroner to ask witness for whom he was working and Dr Mackenzie said witness had already stated he was in the employ of Mr Venner. - Mr Stenner, a Juror, said it was not practicable to have fencing around the drum. - Samuel Morrell, engine driver in the employ of Messrs. Hawkins, Clayhanger, said he saw deceased, who was standing upright, fall stiffly on his left shoulder in the drum. He at once shut off steam. he did not see anything to cause the fall and could not account for it. Deceased had had cider to drink, but was quite sober. There were projections in the platform over which deceased might have stumbled. - Robert Kingdom, labourer, also gave evidence. - Police-Sergeant Parnell said deceased was a very steady fellow. - Dr Hy. Payne said he bandaged up deceased's head and arm and put him in a carriage and brought him to the Infirmary. - Mr Esme Stubbs, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted to the Infirmary unconscious. His right arm was torn off about five inches below the shoulder, and the main artery was bloodless. He died from collapse and exhaustion at 3 a.m. on Tuesday. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 16 February 1906
PLYMPTON - Late MR B. BUTLAND, of Leigham. The Inquest. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Leigham, Plympton, yesterday, on MR BENJAMIN BUTLAND, aged 67. - MISS EDITH BUTLAND, his daughter, said she drove into Plymouth with her father in a ralli car on the 8th inst. At about 5.30 p.m. they commenced their return. In Exeter-street they had passed one vehicle and a large wagon was approaching. The back wheel of it caught the ralli car and over-turned it. She was unharmed, but her father sustained injuries, and died on Wednesday. No blame attached to the driver of the wagon which caused the accident. - Dr W. D. Stamp, of Plympton, said on being called on the day of the accident he found deceased suffering from a deep wound and abrasion over the left eye and a wound on his left elbow, about 2 ½ inches long, of a contused lacerated nature. He was suffering from shock. Death was due to blood-poisoning and shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and sympathy was expressed with the relatives. The Coroner referred in eulogistic terms to the character of the deceased. He was well known in all parts of the West, and his death was a loss, not only to his family, but to the two counties. - The Jury concurred in these remarks and one of MR BUTLAND'S sons returned thanks on behalf of the family.

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest last evening on WILLIAM HENRY HODGE, aged 38, of 41 Gloucester-street. Deceased, taken ill on Wednesday, died before Dr Rae could get to the house. Dr Rae attributed death to syncope and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 19 February 1906
YEALMPTON - A Yealmpton Man's Death. Accidental Or Natural? - Mr R. R. Rodd at Yealmpton on Saturday resumed the Inquest on THOMAS ROGERS, aged 65, farm labourer of Butland Lodge, Yealmpton, who died on February 1st. the case had been before the Coroner twice previously, and was adjourned on account of the illness of Dr Langworthy. The Inquiry was rendered the more important as deceased was insured against accidents. Some time ago deceased received a kick from a cow, and whether death was accelerated by that or not had to be decided. Dr Langworthy being still ill, his evidence was taken in his bedroom. - The evidence of Dr Gladstone, who attended deceased during his colleague's illness, showed that he had made a post-mortem examination and found death was caused by a clot of blood obstructing the functions of a blood-vessel in the right lung. There was evidence of a less degree of a similar trouble on the left side. The heart was dilated and had been diseased for some considerable time. The valves were also unhealthy. The injury in the left shin, caused by a kick from a cow as deceased stated, was healed. The clot of blood might have been caused by the heart trouble or directly to the leg injury. He was inclined to the latter theory. - Dr S. Langworthy, of Yealmpton, said he had always regarded ROGERS as in good health for his time of life. On December 16th witness, after receiving a message, sent deceased some ointment for a bruise on his left leg, which he said was caused by a kick from a cow. On December 24th deceased called at his surgery. His leg was swollen considerably through an inflamed ulcer and varicose veins were much enlarged. Deceased went to bed for a few days, and apparently made good progress. ROGERS then had an acute attack of pleurisy in the right side. After a short recovery he was similarly attacked and that time in the left side. Witness continued treating him until he was taken ill himself. He considered it quite feasible that the injury arising from the kick accelerated death. He believed the pleurisy was resultant on the injury. - Mr Whipple, of Plymouth, employed by the Insurance Company, said Dr Gladstone had said the wound in deceased's leg was completely healed. In that case he did not think the clot of blood was due to the injury. In addition, ROGERS had been suffering from an insidious form of heart disease. - The Coroner, summing up, said the Jury had to consider whether death was due to natural alone or to natural causes accelerated by the accident. - After a short retirement the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes directly resultant upon the Injury received by deceased". The Jury gave their fees to the widow.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 February 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Naval Domestics Fatal Fall. - At the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce, Borough coroner, held an Inquest on CHARLES HENRY CANN, aged 21, second class domestic at that establishment, who fell over the banister of the staircase in the officers' mess on Friday night. Mr K. E. Peck, (Venning, Goldsmith and Peck, Admiralty Law Agents) was present on behalf of the Admiralty. - FREDERICK CANN, of the Albion Hotel, Plymouth, identified the body as that of his brother. Deceased had been in the service three years and was a native of Tavistock. - Arthur Lake, second class domestic, R.N. Barracks, said that on Friday night witness and deceased were in boot-room No. 116, and at about 9.50 deceased went to turn in. He turned out the gas in the boot-room and they left the room together. Deceased walked along the passage to the banister, about ten yards away and caught hold of it with his hands. He raised himself from the floor and in doing so over-balanced himself, with the result that he fell to the bottom of the well. Witness ran downstairs, but another man (Vincent) had already reached CANN and a surgeon was then sent for. Witness could not give any reason for the deceased lifting himself on to the banister. It was often done about 11 o'clock to see if the first lieutenant was going the rounds. Deceased fell into the hall head first. - William Robins, third class domestic, said he saw deceased leave the boot-room, lean over the banister and fall into the hall below. Witness did not notice the deceased raise himself. Deceased and Lake were not skylarking, nor did the latter touch the deceased. He did not think the deceased threw himself over wilfully. The banister was about three feet high and the rail at the top about three inches broad. There was plenty of light. - Surgeon G. E. Hamilton, R.N. Barracks, deposed to seeing the deceased lying on the floor of the hall in the officers' mess. He was unconscious and died in about three minutes. A post-mortem examination showed a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, death being due to shock following these injuries. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with the relatives.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Explosion In A Steam Pinnace. Improper Workmanship. Jury's Recommendations. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, the adjourned Inquest was held on C.E.R.A. BLACKFORD, Leading Stoker MOUNEE and Stoker SHEEHAN, who died from scalds received in the boiler explosion in steamboat 414 at Devonport on Sunday week. Mr W. Barnes was Foreman of the Jury and Mr J. P. Goldsmith (Venning, Goldsmith and Peck) represented the Admiralty. - Engineer-Commander Frank Stuttaford, R.N., stated that since the adjournment he had examined the auxiliary and main feeds, and found them in perfect working condition. There was nothing to prevent them working efficiently. It was the starboard water-gauge glass that was choked and not the port, as stated in the evidence on Wednesday. It was choked by asbestos packing and the glass was fractured at the top. - The Coroner: I take it that that condition of things was due to improper workmanship? - Yes. - And might easily have been detected by the officer responsible for supervising it? - If it had been mentioned to him. - I take it there is an officer who is responsible for seeing that these things are in order whether it is mentioned to him or not? - I think there is someone told off in the barracks for that purpose. - If the officer responsible had exercised proper supervision it must have been detected? - If a man packs a glass without giving warning to the officer or engine-room artificer responsible the latter might not get round to that particular boat in time to test the glass. The leading stoker in the boat should know how to test a gauge glass. - Supposing "A.B." was told off to look after a flotilla of boats and went on board this boat for inspecting this glass, would he have detected it? - Yes. - Witness: A question arising is: Was the glass broken, or a new one put in during the hours the boat was actively engaged? - All we know is that MOUNEE, the leading stoker, went on board and got some asbestos twine, but whether he used it or not there is no evidence. Nor is there any as to when the cracking of the glass took place. The leading stoker should call the attention of the officer responsible to any such event as the cracking of a glass, as otherwise he would not have knowledge of it probably for a long time. Witness added that he did not think more packing would, in the ordinary way, be put in to an old glass. - Mr Dodd (a Juror): But the twine we abstracted on Wednesday last was new. In my opinion MOUNEE got the packing and inserted it outside the old Dewrane. - Witness: I think you will find the Dewrane packing is on the bottom. - Mr Dodd: In our way of thinking the Dewrane had not been packed for some weeks, because it was packed so hard that we had to cut it out. The Dewrane packing is supposed to be pliable for months, but in this case the man who packed that glass evidently smashed the glass on the top and then allowed the steam to come through the broken portion outside the packing. He would see this, and therefore put another turn of asbestos twine and in so doing force the packing up. - The Coroner referred to a suggestion made by Mr Dodd that a washer should be inserted in the packing box before the packing was put in and commanded it as a useful precaution. Some little discussion on the point followed, but no definite conclusion as to its advisability or otherwise was arrived at. - Mr Dodd asserted that according to the regulations no man below the rank of an engine-room artificer was allowed to pack a gauge-glass, and even then an entry must be made in the register. It appeared to him that in this case the man did not have time to find an executive officer. He did not think the packing was recently done. - The Coroner asked the Engineer-Commander whether he considered the condition of the boiler a contributory cause of the explosion - the bad state of affairs, in the boiler. - Witness replied in the negative. He should say the boiler was quite safe in view of the report of May last. - If this accident had not happened how long would this boiler have gone on? - For a considerable period. I would guarantee it for another year at least if the tubes had not been burnt. - You still adhere to the statement that the explosion in the boiler was due to shortage of water consequent upon false indications owing to the starboard water-glass gauge being chocked? - It is difficult for me to say what happened in the stokehold. I would rather say if the men had consulted both glasses it would have been impossible for them to be short of water. - The Coroner: But they apparently did not do that, and of course were misled by the starboard glass? - Witness: They may have been misled by the starboard glass. - It was pointed out that when the boiler was reported on in May it was found that sixty per cent of the tube-ends were worn thin, and witness was asked whether in view of that the remark as to the boiler being safe applied. - Commander Stuttaford: Except for the burnt part of the tubes the boiler would have been perfectly safe for a very considerable time. - The Coroner: Supposing she had been a boat in the Mercantile Marine, and that report had gone in to the Board of Trade, do you think they would have allowed her to be worked? - Witness: I think they would have sent somebody to see it, and probably they would have expressed the same opinion as I have expressed. You must understand in regard to these tube-ends that the actual safety of the boiler depends on the tubes being well rolled into the tube plates. So long as the tubes are sound in the tube plate it really does not matter about the ends at all. - By Mr Goldsmith: In May and November last the boiler was tested with water pressure above the ordinary working pressure. - Mr Goldsmith: Was it safe to work with one glass? - We have it that one glass was in good order? - It is perfectly safe to work with one glass so long as the proper test is applied to see that the top and bottom cocks are clear. At the first opportunity the new glass should have been put in. - The state of the boiler was again referred to and the Coroner remarked that it did not look " a very handsome article." - Mr Dodd: From what we saw I should say the boiler was in a rotten state; but, of course, we don't know what it was like ten months ago. - The Coroner: Sixty per cent of the tube ends being worn thin is mentioned in the report. - Mr Dodd: I should say the tubes should have been condemned at that period. - The Coroner: Will that boiler be repaired and used again? - Commander Stuttaford: Probably it will have to be repaired on account of the burning. - The Coroner in summing up said he thought they might conclude that the shortage of water in the boiler was consequent upon the false indications which the starboard water gauge glass showed. It had occurred to him that that was caused by the asbestos packing choking the orifice at the top of the glass, and that was no doubt due to improper workmanship, and that if the officer responsible for the supervision of such glasses had exercised proper supervision that might easily have been detected. If he neglected his duty in that supervision it would be for the Jury to say so, but he took it that if they were agreed that there was negligent supervision of those glasses they would not think that it amounted to culpable negligence. As to the suggestion in regard to the metal washer, he was rather struck with it as being an important one, and one which should be recommended to the Admiralty for adoption, because although with proper fittings the present state of affairs might be all right, yet in the event of a short glass being supplied, or a defective fitting, a metal washer would prevent the possibility of any packing getting up into the opening of the glass. A further suggestion should, he thought, be made to the Commander-in-chief, that when such boats were lent for temporary duty to destroyers, or other vessels the man who was used to her machinery should be lent with her. She should not be transferred day by day to different men, but one man should be put into her and held responsible for the working of the boat. In view of the report of May last that sixty per cent of the tube ends were thin, he thought more serious attention should have been given to the condition of things than appeared to have been given and from what he knew of the strict regulations and measures of the Board of Trade, if a similar report had come before them in respect to a boat in the Mercantile Marine he did not think the boat would have been allowed to work until everything had been put in a thorough state of efficiency. - The Jury found that the men died from Scalds and shocks "Caused by an Explosion in the boiler of steam pinnace 414, due to shortness of water in the boiler consequent on false indications by the starboard water gauge glass which was choked by asbestos packing through improper workmanship. they are unable to say from the evidence who was responsible for such improper workmanship." The Jury concurred with both suggestions referred to by the Coroner.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 27 February 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on NORA BEATTIE, aged ten months. JANE N. BEATTIE, the mother, said the child had good health until about a fortnight ago, when it appeared to have a touch of bronchitis. She kept it in one room and doctored it, but on Saturday morning it died. Dr Round said death was due to pneumonia and convulsions. A verdict was returned accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - The death of WILLIAM H. GREEN, son of FRANK GREEN, army pensioner, 9 Gascoyne-place, was Inquired into. ETHEL M. GREEN, mother of the deceased, said the child had always been healthy. On Friday night it slept with her, and was in its usual health, but in the morning she found it dead by her side, having been accidentally overlain. Dr Leah attributed death to suffocation through overlaying. - The Coroner told the mother it was a shame that she should sleep with the child. If the law of England were as it should be, such a thing would not be allowed. In Germany a law had been passed prohibiting it and there should be a similar law in this country. In this case a life had been absolutely thrown away. The Jury concurred in these remarks and returned a verdict in accordance with Dr Leah's evidence.

EXETER - Exeter Tradesman's Suicide. Affecting Incident. - At an Inquest at Exeter last evening on THOMAS WILLIAM CAPLIN, aged 50, a taxidermist, of 71 Paris-street, MRS CAPLIN said of late deceased had had a great deal of trouble with regard to financial matters. About a week ago the Sheriff's officer was put in possession of his goods, which were to have been sold. This preyed on his mind. On Sunday night, between 9 and 10 o'clock, he came into the kitchen from the workshop, and said he had taken corrosive sublimate (a deadly poison used for preserving stuffed birds &c.). He kissed her and said "Good-bye." Mrs Lidster, a neighbour, gave him an emetic and medical assistance was sent for, but he died at four o'clock yesterday morning. - Dr E. A. Brash said Drs. Andrew and Shirley Perkins had used the stomach pump when he arrived. The usual remedies were applied and deceased was put to bed and given a sleeping draught. Witness left him at 1 a.m., and again saw him at 4 o'clock when he had just died owing to collapse. - Mrs Lidster said on Sunday deceased called at her house in Paris-street and wished her and her husband "Good night." As he looked ill, she followed him back to his house. He walked to the workshop and on returning to the kitchen said he had taken corrosive sublimate. He had not apparently been right in his mind for some time. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Thursday 1 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at Hillsborough, Mannamead, on MR THOMAS HARRIS, aged 58 years, manager of Willoughby and Co., engineers, Plymouth, who died suddenly on Monday last on a Plymouth Corporation car. Mr Charles e. Russel Rendle, M.R.C.S., 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.

Western Morning News, Friday 2 March 1906
RAME, CORNWALL - Plymouth Man's Suicide. Sad Story Of A Cripple. - Mr A. de Castro Glubb, Coroner, held an Inquest at Trehill Farm, Rame, yesterday on JOHN GIDLEY SPRAGUE, aged 58, plumber and gasfitter of 113 King-street, Plymouth. - Bombardier G. A. Beatson, R.G.A., said he was going from Millbrook to the Polhawn Battery on Monday about 7.30 p.m. and near Knatter[?], saw deceased on his hands and knees. He said he had fallen and, being crippled, was unable to rise. There were two sticks lying near by and a tool bag. He said he wished to go to Plymouth. Witness told him he was on the wrong road and assisted him to Five Gates and there left him. On the following day witness was passing the same way at 8.15 a.m. on the road from Polhawn to Whitsand Bay and found deceased lying just beyond one of the gates where he left him. He was almost unconscious and foamed at the mouth. he was only able to lift his hand. His tool bag was roped around his shoulder where witness had fastened it for him on the previous evening. His cap and the two sticks were a few feet in front, as though he had walked forward and then reeled back. Witness having to be on duty, went to the Coastguard Station, where medical assistance was telegraphed for. - Sapper W. Culley, R.E., said he and another Engineer found the deceased at Five Gates, unconscious and removed him to Trehill Farm. - EDWARD SPRAGUE said deceased, his brother, left home between 8 and 9 a.m. on Monday to do some work in Plymouth. He should have returned in about an hour, but did not. Witness went to the house where he was to have worked and found he had been there and left about ten o'clock. Deceased had been very depressed and reserved recently, the fact that he was a cripple having weighed heavily upon his mind. He attempted suicide about seven years ago by taking spirits of salts, which was used in his occupation, and a bottle of that acid was found on his body, was taken when he left home. There had been no unpleasantness at home. Deceased left a widow, but no family. - Dr Simpson, of Anderton, said when called to Trehill Farm, he found the body in a barn. In the tool-bag was a bottle containing hydrochloric acid, spirits of salts, a virulent poison. there were also in the pockets, a pipe, a notebook, a tin box filled with grease and 1s. 2 ½d. in cash. A post-mortem examination showed that the coat of the stomach was covered by a fluid which, on analysis proved to be hydrochloric acid. The period before death from poison taken in that manner varied from 25 to 30 hours. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

CHERITON FITZPAINE - An Inquest was held at Cheriton Fitzpaine yesterday on WM. TAVERNER, aged 17, son of MR F. TAVERNER, of Welcombe. On Monday deceased was engaged in a field when his horse bolted and he was knocked down, receiving injuries which ended fatally on Tuesday.

STOKE DAMEREL - An Inquest was held at Devonport yesterday by Mr J. A. Pearce, on WILLIAM JOHN TOLLEY, living at 34a Chapel-street, aged 61, a pensioned storehouseman from Devonport Dockyard. The widow said deceased had not complained of illness until Wednesday evening, when it was difficult for him to breath. Dr R. P. Ryan, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to heart disease of long standing.

Western Morning News, Monday 5 March 1906
ILFRACOMBE - An Ilfracombe Suicide. Elderly Spinster's Sad End. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, on Saturday held an Inquest at Ilfracombe on MARY ANN STADDON, 62, of 3 Witheridge-cottages, Hele, who died on Thursday from carbolic acid poisoning. Deceased lived by herself and the house was found locked. On Thursday when her brother, JOHN STADDON, and his son forced an entrance, they found deceased lying over the bed with a glass by her side. She appeared to be alive. Dr Langridge, who was sent for, said the case was hopeless. Death was due to carbolic acid poisoning. MISS STADDON was eccentric. The Coroner referred in summing up, to a letter deceased had written, which showed she suffered from delusions. the letter read:- "There has been a very large mystery and [?]itty between --- and ---- is greatly interested about me. I should like to know whatever is the matter. They say I am going to be transported for life, and they will make me repent now. Her's going to have it when I get in jail. They are going to eat me when I get there. They say I shan't live long. I have lived in good service and kept myself respectable all my life. I can't think what is the matter and the Police is coming for me. It's put me in a fever. I can't stand this sort of thing. My nerves is bad at times. I am not going to be brought up. I prefer in preference death, not to be tortuged by jaylors, indeed. My own people, I hope, will not greve or truble about me. I have no malice no hatred to no one. I have no bills anywhere, only the rent. Pleas be sure to pay it for me. - M. A. STADDON." - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on SARAH ANSTIS, aged 68, of Kerich Cottage, Old Laira. Deceased who had always been delicate, was taken ill on Friday and died from syncope before Dr Prance could arrive. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at the Grenville Hotel, Plymouth, yesterday, by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, on WALLACE GOULD, the three-months-old child of WALLACE GOULD, van driver, of Desborough-road. The child was found dead in bed by its mother's side on Saturday morning at 3.30. Dr Palmer said the child died from suffocation. He had always been delicate, and it was a wonder that he had been reared so long. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

INWARDLEIGH - Suicide At Inwardleigh. - An Inquest was held by Mr J. D. Prickman (Coroner) yesterday at Folly Gate, Inwardleigh, on RICHARD TRICK, a labourer, aged 75 years, found dead on Sunday morning. - Mary Chamings, of Folly Gate (deceased's housekeeper), said deceased left home early on Wednesday morning last, and said he was going to work with the steam roller at Sourton. He told her about a week before that something had taken him in his head, but when he left that morning he appeared well and comfortable. - Frank Chamings, a boy, of Folly Gate, said in making a search on Sunday morning he found deceased hanging by a rope from a tree on Narratons, Inwardleigh (Mr Reddaway's farm). His feet were three feet from the ground, and it looked as if the deceased must have got on a branch, put the rope round his neck and then slid off. - P.S. Beer, of Okehampton, also deposed to finding the body hanging. He considered deceased hanged himself. - Dr Burd said death was due to strangulation. There were no bruises on the body or head, and he was of opinion that deceased hanged himself. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide by Hanging whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 March 1906
BICKLEIGH (NEAR TIVERTON) - The Exe Mystery. Farmer's Fate Near Tiverton. - An Inquest was held at Bickleigh, near Tiverton, yesterday on RICHARD PIKE TUCKER, aged 31, who had been missing since January 25th last. Identification was only possible by the clothes and articles found on the body. - Deceased's father said his son worked with him on Hatherland Mill Farm, Washfield. On January 25th he left home for Tiverton, saying he would not be away many hours and he asked his sister to clean his boots, as he intended to go to a ringers' supper in the evening. He never returned. Deceased was a most cheerful young man, and had no worry; he was also temperate. - Robert Harris, groom, Bolham House, said he overtook a man at 11.30 p.m. on January 25th on the Washfield-road from Tiverton, and got into conversation with him. He did not know deceased, but from the published description believed the man he overtook was the deceased. The man asked him to go with him to Mr Butt's, Washfield, (where the ringers' supper was held), but witness declined and as he bade him "Good night" deceased disappeared in the darkness in the direction of a footpath which led across some fields behind Wath House. - Asked if the man was sober, witness replied, "Yes, he was not rambling, but he had had a little." - Deceased's father, recalled, said the path was a short cut home. It led across the River Exe and near the bridge was an open gate through which witness thought deceased must have walked and so into the river. - The Coroner said everything pointed to accidental death. Deceased's watch had stopped at 12.15, which was shortly after he parted from the witness Harris. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The body was carried more than six miles down the river. A bottle of whisky found in the breast pocket was intact; there was also 6s. 1 ½d. in the deceased's pockets. Deceased's father said his son was bringing the whisky home for him.

Western Morning News, Friday 9 March 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Pensioner's Strange Conduct. Inquest At Devonport. - At Devonport last evening Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest on ALFRED JAMES COYTE, aged 47, a pensioner from the Royal Engineers and a labourer employed in the Corporation cleansing department, living at 70 James-street. - JOHN E. COYTE said the deceased, his father, returned from work on February 28th, and said he had had a fall and hurt his head. He had a bruise at the back of his head the size of a 5s. piece, and raised about a quarter of an inch. Between 3 and 4 a.m. on March 1st deceased got out of bed, blew the passage light out and rushed into the court with only his nightshirt on. Witness ran after him and took him back to bed. Later in the morning deceased was in a state of perspiration, his nightshirt being quite wet. On Saturday evening he became very strange in manner, making faces at the wall. Dr T. McElwaine was sent for, but by the time he arrived, deceased was unconscious and remained so until he died on Wednesday. - Ernest W. Rogers, living at 16 Herbert-street, Devonport, a labourer, employed in the Corporation Cleansing Department, said he was working with deceased on February 28th, in Admiralty-street. Just before 4 o'clock deceased left his work and went up the street about 150 yards. Deceased performed various strange actions, mimicking people. Asked what was the matter, he replied, "I am very well. How are you?" He then went into the middle of the road, threw away his broom and fell down. Witness picked deceased up, who said, "Let me go, I am all right again now." Deceased picked up his broom and leant on it, but shortly afterwards fell down again, this time on the granite setts in the waterway. Witness lifted him up and in a few minutes deceased seemed to come round again. Mr Wright, foreman, then arrived, and deceased appeared to carry on with his work as usual. He came to work again on the next day, but about 3 p.m. witness noticed his face change, and at 4.30 p.m. he began to jump about the road with his broom, behaving in the same manner as he did on the previous day. On Friday and Saturday he did his work and seemed in his usual health. - Dr T. McElwaine, who had made a post-mortem examination, said he found a considerable abrasion of the skin on the left hip. The body was emaciated and there were traces of long-standing pleurisy of the right lung. The liver was considerably congested, the heart was small and fatty, but there was no fracture of the skull. The brain was considerably congested, but the bruises on the skull seemed to have disappeared. Death was due to syncope from congestion of the brain and a fatty heart. The falls deceased had had nothing whatever to do with death. - The Coroner explained to the Jury that no Inquest would have been held had it not been that deceased had two falls and it was, therefore, necessary to ascertain whether they had anything to do with death. It had been shown, however, that they had not. - Verdict, "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 12 March 1906
TORQUAY - Torquay Child's Death. - At Torquay on Saturday Mr G. F. Kellock, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on the male child of FANNY MANTELL, domestic servant, of Landcroft, who was prevented by illness from attending the Inquest. - Dr Crowdy stated that he was summoned to attend MANTELL, who admitted having had a child. He discovered the body underneath her bed, in a box. The girl said the child was born the day previous to his visit. With the assistance of Dr Stabb witness had made a post mortem examination. The body was that of a fully developed child which had breathed, though he could not swear that he had had a separate existence. There were no external marks of violence. Dr Stabb corroborated, adding that he could not state the cause of death. The Inquiry was adjourned until April 2nd.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Fatal Fall. Dangerous Leads. - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth on Saturday on DORIS MAY FROST, aged 1 year and 5 months, the child of GEORGE FROST, labourer, 9 Bishop's-place, Plymouth. Deceased fell from the tenement leads of the house on Wednesday. - BLANCHE L. FROST, the mother, stated she left the child in the room opening on to the leads, and had only been gone a couple of minutes when she heard a thud in the courtyard, where she found the child lying unconscious. - By the Foreman: The leads were used for drying clothes. - Dr. T. G. Vawdrey said on being called to the Homeopathic Hospital he found deceased suffering from concussion of the brain, from which she died on the following day. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." There was some comment on the fact that the only safeguard against children or others falling from the leads into the courtyard below consisted of two open bars and the tenant of the house was asked to approach the landlord with a view to better protection being provided.

AVETON GIFFORD - Suicide At Aveton Gifford. Drowned In Six Inches Of Water. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on Saturday at Aveton Gifford on MARY GRACE FERRIS, found drowned in the River Avon on Friday. - JAMES B. FERRIS, gardener, of Aveton Gifford, said deceased, his wife, was 56 years of age. On Friday, at about 5 a.m. he awoke and found his wife missing. He last noticed her with him at 1 a.m. He searched the house and not finding her informed the Police. Deceased had been very depressed of late, and was to have left the village on that day for a change. She had never previously threatened to take her life, and had left nothing that would throw any light on the matter. - Hilda A. Hart, of Aveton Gifford, said she had been with deceased for a month. Between 3 and 4 a.m. on Friday deceased came into her room and looked out of the window. Previous to that she went downstairs on two occasions. - William J. Sandover, farmer, Aveton Gifford, said on Friday morning, at about 5 a.m. at the rear of his house he heard a splashing in the river near by. He took no notice of it, thinking it to be caused by some boys playing with a boat. The noise seemed to come from the spot in which deceased was afterwards found. - P.C. William H. Morris stated that on Friday at 6.20 a.m. deceased's son informed him that his mother was missing. He conducted a search, and foot tracks in Jubilee-street led him to the River Avon, where, in a field near by, he found deceased lying face downwards n about six inches of water. - Dr H. P. Miles, of Modbury, said he had seen deceased recently, but not professionally. She was then suffering from nervous depression. A post-mortem examination revealed that death was due to drowning. - A verdict of "£Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned. - A few months ago a mission was held in Aveton Gifford. Deceased attended it and since then had suffered from religious mania. She had remarked to her husband that she thought the Spirit of the Lord had departed from her. That apparently preyed upon her mind.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 March 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held by Mr J. A. Pearce at Devonport yesterday on SAMUEL CALLARD, aged 70, a naval pensioner, living at 1 Chapel-street, SARAH A. CALLARD, his daughter-in-law, stated that deceased who had not been ill for ten years, on Friday last had a cold and died suddenly. Dr J. Wilson said death was due to valvular disease of the heart.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Children And Overlaying. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on WILLIAM BRICE KING, the four-months-old child of MARY and FRED W. KING, of 12 Moon-street. The mother stated that the child slept with them on Sunday night and at 6.30 a.m. on Monday she awoke and found it dead. The child had been in good health since its birth. - Dr C. E. Bean, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to over-laying. - A verdict was returned accordingly. The Coroner remarked on the evil of infants sleeping with their parents and said there ought to be an Act of Parliament to prevent it.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - At the Inquest at Buckfastleigh last evening on MR JOHN HEARN HOARE, aged 66, who died suddenly on Monday, Dr S. R. Williams, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to heart disease - angina pectoris - and that the recent severe weather accelerated death. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned and the Deputy Coroner (Mr G. F. Kellock) and the Jury expressed sincere sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Friday 16 March 1906
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Woman's Death. Husband Censured. - At Exmouth yesterday an Inquest was held on ELIZABETH ANN MAYNARD, aged 34, the wife of HENRY MAYNARD, labourer, residing at Church-street. Dr Hanna said when called to see deceased on Tuesday she was dying. She died a quarter of an hour later. Death was due to consumption. The stomach was empty and showed that the deceased had not had any food for four hours, but he could not say that this showed any neglect, as a person in consumption would not require much food. She had recently been confined and he understood the nurse had advised the husband to get a doctor, but he said that he could not afford it. Eventually the nurse fetched him (witness). The bed was filthy, and he could see no food in the house. - The husband said he had latterly been unable to get his wife to eat anything. He suggested her having a doctor, but she declined on account of the expense. - In reply to Superintendent Jesse he said he had an annuity of 15s. per week. He had four children, and had to pay 3s a week rent. After hearing the evidence of Ellen M. Stone, a sister of the deceased; Nurse Pegg and P.S. Staddon, the Jury returned a verdict in accordance with Dr Hanna's opinion, and added a rider censuring the husband.

BISHOPS NYMPTON - Thrown from his trap at Southmolton on March 3rd, MR WM. BRAGG, 54, farmer and butcher, of Bishopsnympton, sustained a fractured skull, which eventually caused his death. An Inquest was held on Wednesday.

HOLSWORTHY - The Chilsworthy Suicide. - Mr J. R. Prickman held an Inquest at Chilsworthy on Wednesday evening on EDWIN ENGLAND, found hanging dead in his fowls' house early on Tuesday morning. Mr T. Oke, deceased's late employer, said ENGLAND was dismissed on Saturday last. - After hearing HENRY ENGLAND, son, who found the body, Dr Kingdon and P.S. Wills, Holsworthy, the Jury found a verdict of "Suicide whilst in a State of Unsound Mind" adding that no blame attached to anyone, and that the Jury expressed its sincere sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Truro Rate Collector's Death. Inquest At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on GEORGE MICHAEL DOWNING, 56, rate-collector, of Truro. - GEORGE S. DOWNING, dairy farmer, of Homefield, Truro, said deceased was his father. He last saw him alive on Thursday morning at breakfast, when he appeared in his usual health. He had been to Plymouth three or four times of late, but on this occasion said nothing about another journey. On the Wednesday his father had been summoned to appear before the Board of Guardians, and a little financial trouble might have made him somewhat depressed, but there was nothing which could not be put right. Witness had never heard him threaten to take his life. He was a man of very upright character. - The Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns): He was of a sensitive nature, I suppose, and if there was any liability he could not meet he would have felt it? - There was no such liability, so far as I know. I had a telegram on Thursday, saying he was coming back on Friday, as he had been to Plymouth on business. - Dr F. M. Williams, medical officer of health for the Port of Plymouth, said deceased had an abrasion on the right temple, most probably caused before death. The wound was most likely caused by his falling on the rocks. - In answer to the Foreman, Dr Williams said deceased might have slipped on the rocks and fallen, stunning him, and then rolled over into the water. He was probably rendered insensible before he got into the water. His lungs were inflated, and the body had floated. It was probable that he had only been in the water a few hours. - James Rambridge, 10 Lambhay-hill, Plymouth, spoke to seeing the body floating in the water off Plymouth Hoe, and to towing it in. - P.C. Roach said he found on the body a lady's watch and a gent's watch, 1s. 6d. in silver and 10 ¼d. in coppers. There was no railway ticket on the body, nor any letters. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and expressed their sympathy with the family, as did also the Coroner.

HATHERLEIGH - Suicide At Hatherleigh. - CHARLES PHARE, aged about 40 years, who had been staying at Hatherleigh a few days with his sister in Bridge-street, was discovered hanging in an outhouse quite dead on Sunday night. The body, which was suspended to a beam with a rope around the neck, was cut down by Police-Sergeant Hill and others. - At the Inquest held yesterday by Mr J. D. Prickman, MRS GRACE PHARE, of Monkokehampton, said the deceased, her third son, was a wheelwright, aged 45, and unmarried. Since Christmas last he had suffered from indigestion and had complained of pains in his head, but was always cheerful. On Thursday last he left home with his sister (Mrs Purchase) to stay with her for a few days at Hatherleigh. - Alfred Purchase, deceased's brother-in-law, said during the days deceased was at Hatherleigh he was cheerful. On Sunday evening he (witness) and his wife went to chapel. Asked by Mrs Purchase if either of them should stay home with him he cheerfully answered "No; I shall be all right." When his wife returned from chapel she missed her brother, and sent for him (witness). On arriving he found him hanging. - Police-Sergt. Hill, who cut the body down, said deceased must have got a ladder, tied the rope to a beam and then around his neck and slid off. His feet were about four feet from the ground. On the body he found £3 17s. 8d., a silver watch and chain, other articles and a note in black-lead:- "Dear father and mother. - I hope you will forgive me for what I have done, as I feel clean off my head, being fair mazed as a brush. God forgive me." - On another note was written: "Read the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy and the first fourteen verses." - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 21 March 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sad Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Coroner) held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on JOHN ANGUS COOK, aged 55, retired engineer, R.N., of 11 Norman-avenue, whose death occurred on Monday. - Dr Robert Bird Wagner said deceased visited him on Sunday week and complained of having swallowed a small bone while eating some Veal. Witness made the usual examination and found that deceased could swallow fluid perfectly. He further examined the gullet and could find nothing to prevent swallowing. He prescribed a particular diet, and gave him some medicine. There were no further symptoms until a few days later, when witness was sent for, deceased complaining of pain. He was quite able to swallow. On Saturday deceased exhibited symptoms of cardiac trouble and in the afternoon Dr Row and witness saw him and prescribed for him. The medicine prescribed gave him relief until Monday morning, at five o'clock, when witness was again sent for, and found deceased dying. He died shortly after witness's arrival. A post-mortem examination had shown the gullet to be ulcerated, death being due to pleurisy and pericarditis, due to the ulceration of the gullet. No bone was found, but that was undoubtedly the cause of the ulceration. EDWARD COOK, son of the deceased, said his father complained of having swallowed a bone at dinner on Sunday wee. He was seized with a fit of vomiting, and witness persuaded him to visit a doctor. - The Coroner described the case as a very sad one. Deceased was liked by all who knew him and his death would be a loss to the neighbourhood. Their sympathy would be extended to his relatives. - The Jury entirely concurred in this, and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 22 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Man's Sad Death. - The Plymouth Borough Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest yesterday on JOHN BURCH, 70, found dead in his room at 113 Exeter-street, on the previous day. - Thomas Hellyer, of 1 South Devon-place, Plymouth, the landlord of the room occupied by deceased, said BURCH was a naval pensioner. Witness last saw him alive a fortnight ago. On Tuesday, on going to the house, he was told by the other tenants that they had not seen deceased for some time. Deceased's door was locked and he (witness) had it broken open, and BURCH was found lying on the floor dead. - Sarah Jose, wife of Richard Jose, town porter, of 113 Exeter-street, said she saw deceased on Saturday afternoon on the landing. She spoke to him and brought him some milk. He seemed all right, except that he had a bad cold. He was a quiet man. - Dr G. Bate said a post-mortem examination showed that the body was very much decomposed, but well nourished. Deceased had been dead for some days. There were no marks of violence on the body and the cause of death was senile decay. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

OKEHAMPTON - Sudden Death At Okehampton. - Mr J. D. Prickman (Coroner) held an Inquest at Okehampton yesterday on JOHN PALMER, a labourer, aged 75, who died on the previous day. - Mrs Breyley, daughter of deceased, said her father, who lived with her, was a widower with eleven grown-up children. James Shobrook, of Croft, farmer, said on Sunday deceased drove with him to Okehampton, where he spent the day. On the return journey they both got out of the trap to walk up Tanner's-hill. Deceased went on first and when about half way up the hill witness saw him fall forward. On going up to him he found PALMER speechless. He breathed once or twice and then died. Dr Burd said he was of opinion that death was the result of syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 23 March 1906
WANDSWORTH, LONDON - Devon Centenarian's Death. Remembered Waterloo. - ELIZABETH BLANCH, aged 104, who died at Wandsworth on Monday, was a native of Chivelstone, near Kingsbridge. Six weeks ago she burned her finger, and at an Inquest yesterday, the doctor said that probably accelerated her death, which was due to heart failure. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. A witness said the old lady remembered the battle of Waterloo and the rejoicings when peace was proclaimed.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Body Found In The Hamoaze. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, opened an Inquest yesterday at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on an able seaman whose body was found lying on the mud near the gunnery-ship Cambridge, in the Hamoaze, on the 21st inst. - Leading Seaman Thomas James of the Cambridge, said that about 7.45 on Wednesday morning he saw the body lying on the mud. It was removed to the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse. - P.C. Perryman examined the deceased's clothing, and found on the shirt collar the name, "W. KINGHAM." - At this point the Inquiry was adjourned until Monday next at 12.30 p.m. There seems to be no doubt that the body is that of WILLIAM KINGHAM, able seaman, of the cruiser Eclipse. While stationed at Devonport on February 3rd, KINGHAM, while attempting to board a steam pinnace alongside the Eclipse, fell overboard and was drowned. Able Seaman Baker made a plucky attempt to rescue him, but failed. The Eclipse is now at Osborne, and the Inquest was adjourned in order that witnesses of the occurrence now on that ship might attend to give evidence.

PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) held an Inquest yesterday morning respecting the death of FLORENCE MAY CORNISH, the infant daughter of MR and MRS CORNISH, of 53 North-street. - RACHEL CORNISH, wife of CHARLES HENRY CORNISH said the child was three months old, and had always been delicate. Dr Round attended it three weeks ago, when it had a bad cold. On Wednesday morning, about two o'clock she saw the child and it then appeared to be well, but on waking up later she found it was dead. Dr Palmer said a post-mortem examination revealed the fact that the child died from convulsions. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Keyham Fatality. Neglecting Means Of Safety. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on RICHARD JOHN HUGH, 26, labourer at the Keyham Extension Works. Mr J. P. Goldsmith represented Sir John Jackson (Limited); and Mr S. Shuter the Home-office. - WILLIAM B. HUGH, of Crantock, father of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. - Thomas Sergeant said on Tuesday, about 11.30 a.m. he and deceased and another man were stripping the face "shuttering" of the closed basin wall. To enable them to perform this work, cleats about two feet long, on which a plank about a foot wide was placed, were nailed to the profile. Deceased was standing on the plank and witness and the other man were on the top of the wall. Deceased was standing upright to loosen a bolt. When the cleat sprung the lank canted and deceased fell over. He was falling sideways, but twisted himself into position and fell on his legs on some timber. He was taken first to the surgery, and then to the Royal Albert Hospital. The work was not dangerous and there had been no previous accidents. There was a rope which workmen could use to prevent them falling, and whilst loosening a lower bolt deceased made use of it, but did not do so when he commenced with the higher bolt. Deceased fell about 35 ft. - In reply to Jurors, witness said it was an unusual thing for the plank to cant. In his opinion the cause of the cleat springing was possibly due to a skip striking the cleat and loosening it. A foreman inspected the work at intervals during the day. - By MR HUGH: The foreman had seen men working without the rope and had advised them to use it. - By the Coroner: Only experienced men were engaged in this particular work. - William McCormick, foreman carpenter, deposed that deceased was under his supervision and had been for five and a half years n the same class of work. He was a most careful man. Witness had always cautioned workmen when he had seen them working without holding the rope. Witness could offer no explanation of the springing of the cleat. - By a Juror: The use of the rope did not impede the men in their work. - Dr T. Y. Simpson, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased had five broken ribs and other injuries. He was operated on at midnight for rupture of the spleen and died on the following day. A post-mortem examination revealed ruptured kidneys, and other injuries, the man being completely shattered. Deceased, who was a strong man, was conscious to the last. - The Coroner said it was a great pity that deceased had not taken advantage of the means of safety provided. They would extend their sincere sympathy to the relatives of the deceased in their sad bereavement. The Jury concurred and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Goldsmith expressed the sympathy of Sir John Jackson with the bereaved family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 March 1906
ILFRACOMBE - The Ilfracombe Fatality. Body Recovered: Inquest Opened. - The body of GEORGE SANDERS who met a tragic death at the old Ilfracombe Gasworks on Thursday, was recovered about 3 o'clock yesterday morning. Deceased was engaged removing the old gas-holder at the works at Wilder-road, when the top collapsed and he fell into about eight feet of water The ironwork falling upon him, he was pinned to the bottom and killed. Before the body was recovered about 200,000 gallons of water had to be removed by the steam fire engine and auxiliary hand pumps. Deceased, a mason, 37 years old, lived within 20 yards of the scene of the accident. He leaves a widow and four children, and the sad circumstances of his death have caused a sensation in the town. The gasworks were removed to Hele some time ago, and deceased was, with other men, clearing the machinery and apparatus from the old works. In the gas and rust impregnated water SANDERS could not have lived three minutes. - The Inquest was opened last evening by Mr George W. F. Brown (Barnstaple), Messrs. R. Lake, W. C. Rafarel, and J. P. Ffinch, directors of the company, were present and the proceedings were watched by Mr A. F. Seldon on behalf of the widow and family. Mr J. C. Clarke (chairman) and Mr W. M. Rowe (clerk) represented Ilfracombe Urban District Council, the owners of the site. Mr Armstrong (manager of the gasworks) was also present. - The Coroner said he understood deceased was at work demolishing an old gasholder, and was actually engaged in unscrewing the ironwork of the roof when the thing collapsed and he was precipitated into the body of the gasholder, which contained eight or nine feet of water. Attempts were made to recover the body, but it was found that part of the heavy ironwork covered it and kept the poor man beneath the surface. He (the Coroner) was passing at the time, and saw that everything possible was done, but the body was not recovered until about 3.30 that morning. After evidence of identification he should adjourn the Inquest for the presence of H.M. Inspector of factories and workshops. THOMAS SANDERS, of Northam, brother of the deceased, identified the body and stated deceased was a strong and healthy man. - Mr J. P. Ffinch said the directors and the company would give every possible assistance to the Coroner and the Jury and they deeply sympathised with the widow and family in their loss. - The Inquest was then adjourned to Tuesday next at 11 a.m.

PLYMSTOCK - Turnchapel Labourer's Death. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Turnchapel yesterday, on JNO. CHAS. SMITH, aged 29, labourer, of Rock-cottage. JAS. H. S. SMITH, said deceased, his brother, had been rather unwell for a week and remained home from work. A doctor was sent for, but deceased expired before his arrival. Deceased, who suffered from curvature of the spine, had frequently complained of pains in the chest. Dr Noy Scott who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to haemorrhage of the left lung and ulceration of the aorta. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" as returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 27 March 1906
EXETER - At an Inquest at Exeter yesterday on GRACE SALMON, aged 81, of St Thomas, widow of a farmer, formerly of Colan, near St Columb, Dr Vlieland attributed death to heart failure, caused by old age, and a lowered vitality, consequent on the cold weather.

PLYMOUTH - Student's Sad Death. The Fatal Chemistry Lesson At Plymouth. Coroner's Inquiry. Jury's Criticisms And Recommendation. Sympathy With The Parents. - The Inquest on EMMA ROWE, aged 15, scholar at the Plymouth Secondary School, daughter of MR W. L. ROWE, bank clerk of 40 Hill Park-crescent, who died as a result of swallowing a strong solution of caustic soda during a practical demonstration in chemistry, was held before the Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Mutley Wesleyan Church School yesterday evening. The Town Clerk (Mr J. H. Ellis) represented the Education Authority. Mr Robert Baskerville was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Advice To The Jury. - The Coroner asked the Jury to disabuse their mind of anything they might have read in the Press. It was not fair to comment upon anything sub judice, and they came there with a perfectly unbiased mind to see how that unfortunate child met her death. The facts appeared to be these. A month ago the child was attending a class of eight at the Technical School. Mr Hutchinson was the demonstrator, and Mr Hutchinson would show them exactly what took place. The whole of the experiment, through the courtesy of Mr Ellis, the Town Clerk and Clerk to the Education Authority, was shown to him (the Coroner) that afternoon. There were also three other pupils sitting with the deceased at the time, and he thought after they had heard them they would have no difficulty whatever in coming to a conclusion. The instrument that Mr Hutchinson was using was called a pipette, and the soda was brought up by suction. It seemed to be with very great difficulty that a child could have brought up the whole of the soda. The deceased apparently made no remark to the child sitting next to her; she seemed strange, and put her hands up by the side of her face, as if in pain. Mr Hutchinson's attention was called to it, and he at once got some water, which he tried to get the child to take, but she would not. Mr Hutchinson would tell them what the effect of that would have been if she had unfortunately swallowed the caustic soda; it was practically have had no effect on the tongue, lips or anything else. He asked the Jury, as they were bound by the oath, to give a fair and impartial hearing, and he was sure when they had seen the experiment illustrated they would have no difficulty in coming to a conclusion. - The Father's Evidence. - MR WILLIAM L. ROWE, bank clerk, 40 Hill-park-crescent, said the child was taken home on the 26th ult, whilst he was on duty. A doctor had been called in. The child was subsequently removed to the Charlton Nursing Home, Ford Park. the child had been a student at the Technical School since August. - Had she any science lessons before that time? - Only elementary reading in chemicals. She died yesterday. - How long did she remain at home before being removed? - She was removed on Wednesday night last. She was at home three weeks and two days. It is four weeks today when the accident occurred. - Demonstration To The Jury. - Mr Arthur R. Hutchinson, teacher of chemistry at Plymouth Secondary School, of 71 Mount Gould-road, said he had been employed by the Plymouth Education Authority as a teacher of chemistry for the last ten years. He would illustrate to the Jury the identical experiment, which was first done with all the children around him. - The pipette, burette, jars &c., were placed upon the table before the Jury and the demonstrator proceeded to give a practical demonstration. He first mixed equal portions of water and caustic soda in a jar, then took a pipette full of the mixture, put it into a jar with litmus. Afterwards he put sulphuric acid, drop by drop, from a burette until the litmus was turned red. Then the quantity of acid required to neutralise the alkali was read off from the burette. The experiment was repeated. his instructions were that the caustic soda and water should be mixed in equal quantities. He used the same apparatus then before the Jury. There was a mark round the tube to show how far the liquid was to be drawn up. - The Coroner: I think it would be well to pass the tube round. - The witness at once did so, saying the students were carefully warned not to take the stuff from anything but the jar and not to go beyond the mark, because to take the solution of caustic soda into the mouth was very disagreeable. - A Juror: It is difficult to see the mark on the jar. I cannot see it when I place the tube in the position for suction. There ought to be something plainer. - The Coroner: Probably you have not got the eyesight of youth. - Another Juror: What is the object of the experiment? - The object was to show the effect of the acid was it not? Witness: Yes, the neutralising of acids. - The Coroner: As I have already indicated it will be proved by three children that Mr Hutchinson showed them exactly where the mark was and where they were to stop. You will have conclusive evidence as to that. - A Juror: He was present when the whole thing was being done? - The Coroner: Certainly. - At the time she sucked it up? - Yes. - Did the other children watch? Before they used acids it was done experimentally with water, and they knew how far they had to go. - "A Dangerous Experiment." - A Juror: I take this to be a very dangerous experiment and there ought to be [?] to watch the case. - Another Juror: Mr Hutchinson was there. - The Foreman: I think it is a very dangerous practice (Hear, hear.) - Mr Hutchinson, examined by the Town Clerk, said: This experiment is included in the syllabus of the Board of Education and has been in actual operation for the last ten years. - You have conducted it during the past ten years? - Yes. - Have you invariably before entering upon it carefully explained it? - Yes. - Did you on this occasion? - Most decidedly. - Did you further tell them that the consequences if they got some into their mouths would be extremely disagreeable? - That is what I told them. - It would be no more than that unless swallowed? - It would not be anything more than extremely disagreeable if they spat it out and washed their mouths out with water. - The Coroner: You say if she had swallowed any of the fluid and had taken water to wash out her mouth it would have had no ill-effect? - If she had taken some acid it would not have had any ill-effect. - You would not go so far as to say it would have been the same if she had swallowed it, I suppose? - This is not a strong solution in the bottle, it is diluted. I should say if she had swallowed this and had taken some acid it would not have had any injurious effect. - A Juror: Was it a stronger solution she took or the same? - This is what she was instructed to use. - It is the same strength. Exactly the same. This is the stuff I used on the table in the lesson. - The Coroner: And you have used this for the last ten years? Yes. - The Foreman: Has anyone else died of the same experiment? - I have never heard of anyone swallowing it before. - The Foreman: I was told today that Miss Kendall, the head mistress of the Girls' Day-School, died by the same process. - The Coroner: I think you may take it from me that she did not. - Sympathy Of The Education Authority. - The Town Clerk said the Education Authority, who met that afternoon, instructed him to appear there and say whilst hey deeply deplored that most unfortunate accident and the terrible consequences that had arisen from it, they wished to offer the Jury the utmost assistance, and put before them every fact within their knowledge, because if it be proved that this experiment had in it any elements of danger they would undoubtedly communicate it to the highest authority, but so far as they were advised at present, if the instructions were obeyed there was no element of danger in it at all. He did not wish to prejudge or to indicate exactly what Mr Hutchinson's evidence might be, because when he had finished they would form their own conclusion as to how the unfortunate occurrence took place and how it had proved fatal. - The Foreman asked whether there was any prize offered to induce the pupils to draw the fluid higher than the mark? - Witness: If I found pupils trying to do anything beyond my instructions, I should ask for them to be taken away from the laboratory; I should not like to take any responsibility with regard to them. - What age is specified by the Board of Education for these experiments? - When they have passed the elementary school, I understand. - What age would that be? - Twelve. - Another Juror: Too young! They need to be very careful. Does it often occur that they have to draw liquids up by suction? - Very rarely. - A Boy Experiments: - The Coroner: It is a difficult thing to get it over the bulb (in the centre of the pipette). There was only one of three children who was able to do it this afternoon. - A Juror: I should like to see one of the same age as the deceased try it. (Hear, hear.) - One of the two boys present was then furnished with a pipette and a tumbler of water and asked to draw up the liquid by suction. This he did without much apparent effort, the water going well above the prescribed mark. - "If he had sucked once more it would have been at the top" exclaimed a Juryman. "I thought you wanted me to bring it up to my mouth," the boy replied. - The Foreman: You can bring it up to your mouth if you try? - Yes. - A Juror: The girl would be stronger than the boy, and it is a very dangerous experiment in my opinion. - The Town Clerk then continued his examination of Mr Hutchinson: You explained that to the class? - Yes. - After you explained it did you demonstrate it as you have done before the Jury? - They went to their benches and did the experiment. Were you looking on at the time? - Yes. - Instructions Not Obeyed. - The Coroner: They all did it? - Yes. - The Town Clerk: They do it in couples? - Yes. The associate of MISS ROWE was Winnie Richards. - You explained that the caustic soda should be diluted? - Yes, just exactly as I have shown to you. - As a fact was that instruction carried out by Winnie Richards and MISS ROWE? - No; it was not. - Was the solution a great deal stronger than you instructed it to be? - Yes. - Had it been diluted, even the unpleasant consequences in the mouth would not have been so great as the stronger fluid? - Nothing at all to be compared with it. - While the experiment was going on did you notice the deceased? - Yes, I noticed that EMMA had got her hands up to her face and she was looking distressed. I felt there was something the matter, so I turned to her at once, asking "What is the matter?" She did not say what was the matter except "It stings! It stings!" I at once concluded that she had got stuff in her mouth. I gave her citric acid to rinse her mouth with, but I could not get her to take it. I threw it down the sink and filled a glass of water and asked her to take it, but I could not get her to do so for several minutes. - Was the object in asking her to take the acid to neutralise the effect of the alkali in the same manner as this experiment? - Yes. If she had taken the acid and she had the stuff in her mouth the effect would have been perfectly harmless. - The Foreman: Notwithstanding she had swallowed a portion? - I cannot understand the girl swallowing it. That puzzles me. She must have swallowed a portion? - Yes. Then rinsing out the mouth would not be sufficient to counteract the effect? First of all, I wanted to get it in her mouth. As soon as she got the water in her mouth she was very sick. I was sorry to see her so sick. I wish she had not been sick. - Did you examine the strength of the solution before the experiment? - No, sir. - The Coroner: No, they were told to dilute. The instruction was to dilute the caustic soda, which they all did except these two. - Witness: It was absolutely impossible to do that. If I had to examine the strength of each we should have taken a lot more time than was allotted to the lesson: we should have done no work at all. - Answering another question, witness said: When she was sick, I went into the next room to Dr Thackray, and asked his advice as to what was the best thing to do, she had got this in her mouth and she possibly had swallowed some. I asked him for advice and I believe I suggested acid myself. - He said, "You cannot take anything better than citric acid." - I dissolved the acid and she would not take it. I drunk some myself and got the girls round me to drink it. At last I got her to drink it. If it had gone beyond the mouth she was doing no harm in drinking this stuff. - The Foreman: Rinsing out the mouth would not have counteracted all that had gone down. Is not this stuff of a burning nature? - Not if she had taken the diluted caustic soda. - Questioned By Deceased's Parent. - MR ROWE: Would you say that the caustic soda undiluted by my daughter would be fatal? - I cannot say that I don't believe it would if she had taken the acid at once. - The acid would have been an antidote to the caustic soda? - It is the antidote. - But would it have been a sufficient antidote to save her life? - I do not believe your daughter would have been in danger at all. - MR ROWE: Thirty years ago I studied chemistry, passing an examination at South Kensington. What I said to you after the accident was "Supposing it comes to a fatal result, are you, Mr Hutchinson -- --" - The Coroner interposing: I am afraid we cannot go into that, MR ROWE. - MR ROWE: I must ask about my daughter. - The Coroner: I must ask you to reserve that until afterwards. - MR ROWE: Why is that form of pipette used when there are safer instruments? - Witness: He suggested where I should be if it was a fatal thing. There was no idea that the case would prove fatal. - MR ROWE: If I may be permitted to speak, the sentence was passed the moment she swallowed that caustic soda. - The Coroner: Would you like to ask anything else, MR ROWE? - MR ROWE: I should like to give my opinion. - The Coroner: You cannot do that. - MR ROWE: There is a pipette with a rubber bulb at the end, which can be used with perfect safety. I should like these gentlemen to test that, and see what they can do with it. Why not have used a safety pipette? - The Coroner (to witness): Is there a more modern appliance than that used? - This is the only form of pipette that I know of for use in laboratories. This form may be used in different sizes, or different gradations, but it is the only form in use. - Is The Pipette Dangerous? - The Foreman: Don't you think it might be lengthened so that it would be impossible for a child to suck liquid through? It seemed that the little boy could get a large portion in his mouth and if it is so dangerous as the father thinks there should be something different to this. - The Town Clerk: It may be that the form of pipette is not desirable. I come to this new like the Jury, and it may be as the result of this Inquiry, that improved appliances will be established. (To Witness): Is there to your knowledge a better form of pipette? - Not in the Technical Schools. - Is there anywhere else? - Not to my knowledge. - Is that the ordinary one supplied as an educational appliance throughout the country? - Yes. - The Foreman: There was no one there to see that these children did not suck the liquid up to the top? - I was there all the time. - Did you see that she had sucked up a portion? - I did not see it. - The Coroner: Unfortunately the girl and her companion did not carry out the instruction. Did they understand it? - Yes, they were told about it before. - A Juror: Ought they to be allowed to deal with it themselves? - The Coroner: That I cannot say. If they did not do these things for themselves they would not learn anything. - Another Juror: How many of these lessons had been given? - This was the first lesson. - And you expected her to mix it properly? She had first done it with water and it had been explained to her that if sulphuric acid and water were mixed improperly it might cause blindness. - Did you see her mix this yourself? - She did not mix it, that is where the trouble is. - The Foreman: This was her first lesson, I suppose? - Certainly not. She had done experiments several times before. She tried this experiment with water first. - An Invariable Custom. - The Town Clerk: With regard to all practical experiments, am I right in saying that they are invariably explained before the class engages on the experiment? - Yes. - You have different experiments each time? - Yes. - Many of them, I apprehend, if carried out in a different way to what they are instructed, may lead to unpleasant consequences? - Very unpleasant consequences. - You just referred to blindness coming from putting sulphuric acid with water in a particular way? - If they were carelessly mixed the atmosphere would rise very high and there would be an explosion. - that is explained in the syllabus? - Yes. - Replying to the Foreman, witness said the students [?] a measured quantity of the liquids. - The Foreman: What benefit is that going to be to a person who has to get his daily living. - The Coroner: This is not compulsory education; the students came voluntarily and they are advanced pupils (to Witness): they are voluntary pupils at the Technical Schools, and, in fact, pay fees? - Fees or scholarship. It is altogether beyond elementary education? - Yes and they are older. - Winnifred Richards, 37 Lisson-grove, said she attended the class with the deceased. She heard Mr Hutchinson explain the experiment and she understood what they had to do. Did you understand that getting the stuff into your mouth would be disagreeable? - Yes. And that you had to take precautions not to get it there? - Yes. You were working with poor MISS ROWE? - Yes. Did you dilute the acid in the way instructed? - We knew we had to get it diluted, but we took a pipette of caustic soda and were going to mix it in that way. - then MISS ROWE sucked up the caustic soda which had not been diluted with the same quantity of water? Yes. - What took place then? - Well, she looked frightened, and put her hands up to her neck, as if in pain. I gave her some water, but I don't think she took any. then Mr Hutchinson came up. - You say you were under instruction, and that you quite understood about mixing it? yes, but instead of mixing it at once we took a pipette of water and was going to take a pipette of caustic soda. - A Juror: Have you ever accidentally drawn this up into your mouth yourself? - No. - MR ROWE: did you and my little girl fill the pipette with caustic soda? Yes. - Intending to mix it afterwards? - Yes. You did not know you were doing wrong? No. We had the water in the jar. - You did not think if you had caustic soda in our mouth that you would die? - No. - You knew that it would be unpleasant to take? - Yes. - Mr Hutchinson, recalled, said he had no assistant; the demonstration was carried out by himself. He did not see these two girls at work. If he had done so he would have interfered at once. - A Truthful Boy. - Thomas Martin, lad, of Laira Bridge-road, also stated that Mr Hutchinson explained the experiment. - Did you do what he told you? - No, sir. - Why not? - I took it from the bottle, and then a pipette full of water. - Then you did not carry out the instructions? - No, sir. - You can see it is very desirable to do so now? - Yes, sir. - The Foreman: I think that boy ought to be highly commended for speaking the truth. On the other hand, I think there ought to be someone to see that students carry out instructions. (Hear, hear.) - Edwin Rogers, another youthful student, gave similar evidence. He worked with Martin, taking charge of the burette. - Does Mr Hutchinson always explain his experiments before carrying them out? - Yes. How many times had you done it before? - We had to use the pipette once before, and that was with water. - The Girl's Sufferings. - Dr Mariette, Ford Park House, Mutley, said he saw the deceased on the 26th ult., about midday. He found her in great pain, having difficulty in swallowing and pains in the abdomen. She vomited and he noticed that the back of her mouth was severely burned. She continued in that state for several days. She was vomiting for about four days and could keep nothing down. The girl then gradually got better. First she had only a little peptonised milk, and things went on fairly well until, he thought, about last Friday week, when she complained of a little more pain and did not seem quite so well; but it was not until the following Monday that she had any difficulty in swallowing. She was not able to swallow solids; she could only take liquids. That difficulty increased and when he saw her on Wednesday she was unable to swallow a cup of cocoa. He was afraid there was a stricture of the oesophagus, and he passed a tube down, which came against an obstruction. Then he took a smaller tube and passed it through the obstruction. Of course, it gave her pain and the difficulty of swallowing was not really relieved because of the pain. The symptoms became very acute, and he thought they ought to take her to the nursing home. On Wednesday night they got her into the home. the symptoms increased; she became feverish, and had great pains about the abdomen. In consultation they thought possibly the symptoms might be due to some laceration in the stomach. As a matter of surgical procedure, it was hopeless to attempt an operation of the oesophagus, and they thought that perhaps it might be the means of saving her life if they had an operation on the abdomen. Unfortunately, they found no mischief in the stomach and that nothing further could be done with any reasonable prospect of success. She died on Sunday. He had made a post-mortem examination. The strictures around the oesophagus were inflamed and disease appeared to have spread from a certain portion of the oesophagus. Death was due to septic infection set up by disease of the oesophagus, which could only be attributed to taking caustic soda. - The Foreman: She would have died without the operation? - Oh, yes. The operation was done with the hope that we might find there was mischief which we could get at. - Was she conscious after the operation? - Yes. I am satisfied that the operation did not hasten her end. - Answering other questions, witness said he did not know the strength of the caustic soda, but a strong solution of it was known to be a corrosive poison. The tongue did not seem to suffer so much as the back of the throat. - A Juror: don't you think there should have been someone to see that the stuff was mixed properly? - Unprofessionally, I think so. - Coroner's Summing Up - The Coroner said this was the whole of the evidence. It had been fairly and fully put before them, and it was for the Jury to say whether the pipettes were the ordinary pipettes used not only in this school, but in all the laboratories. - Mr Hutchinson had told them that they were - and whether the demonstrator took all the precautions it was customary to take, having regard to the fact that this was a scientific experiment. This was not a question of children having to go to an ordinary Board school; it was something beyond that. - The Foreman: I don't think that alters the question. I don't care whether the children pay for their education or not. I say if they are having such instruction there should be an experienced person to conduct it. - The Coroner said it was for the Jury to say whether the proper precautions had been taken. Mr Hutchinson told them that in every experiment he showed what had to take place before allowing the students to participate in it. They had had before them three pupils, not one of whom carried out the instructions which he gave. It was a question for them whether he could have gone round the whole of the class to see if they carried out his instructions or not. the students were not like babes; they had gone through the elementary stage. - A Juror: I should like to ask the Town Clerk whether the Board of Education is responsible for the apparatus? - The Town Clerk: These are the only appliances we know of; they are approved by the Board of Education in their examinations of our schools. - The Verdict. - After a long deliberation in private, the Jury found that death was due to Misadventure, and they recommended more supervision whilst the students were experimenting on the part of the Education Authority. They also expressed sympathy with the deceased's parents. - The Town Clerk said he need hardly say that the verdict would be laid before the Educational Authority at the earliest opportunity. As he informed the Jury at the outset, this was an educational matter and one of considerable difficulty, and he made no doubt whatever that the Education Committee would in due course communicate with the Board of Education with regard to the matter and that the best thing would be done which could be done to prevent a recurrence of that which all of them most deeply deplored. (Hear, hear.) He associated himself with the sympathy which the Jury expressed for the parents. - Mr Hutchinson also said he wished to express his deep sympathy with the parents. - MR ROWE, briefly acknowledged the expressions of sympathy, and the Inquiry closed.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 28 March 1906
ILFRACOMBE - Ilfracombe Fatality. Singular Evidence. The Inquest And Verdict. - At Ilfracombe yesterday Mr George W. F. Brown (Coroner) concluded the Inquest on GEORGE SANDERS, 37, mason, of Wilder-road, Ilfracombe, who met a terrible death on Thursday last, when, working for the Ilfracombe Gas Company at their old works, he fell into a disused gas tank through the collapse of the framework upon which he was working and was drowned in eight feet of gas impregnated water. The body being pinned down by the falling ironwork, some hundreds of thousands of gallons of water had to be pumped out by the steam fire engine before it was recovered. Deceased, who was highly respected, leaves a widow and four children. At the Inquest, which was attended by a large number of townspeople, Mr S. Shuter (Plymouth), H.M. Inspector of Factories, was present. - Dr E. d. Kettlewell, who examined the body on its recovery, said there were no fractures, but a slight bruise over the right eye and nose, and another bruise on the thigh, caused, he should say, by the fall. Death was probably due to drowning. - Richard Passmore, labourer, employed by the Gas Company, said on Thursday he was helping deceased, who was at work on the top of the gasholder, cutting away the battens. Just before the accident - about five minutes to one - the foreman called to SANDERS to come in; he supposed for dinner, he did not know what it was. Deceased then knocked away the upper batten, and the principals fell right into the tank, in which was some seven or eight feet of water. - The Coroner: Who was directing the work? - Witness: Mr Luxton, the foreman of the works. - Witness added that efforts were made to rescue deceased but the water was not got out until the following morning. SANDERS had helped to demolish the other gasometer in the same yard, under the direction of the same foreman. - Who Was In Charge? - Mr Armstrong, gasworks manager, when asked who was in charge of the works, said that was a difficult question, because he was the manager of the company, with fixed duties, having to be at the works the first half of the morning, the second half looking after the working of the company generally; in the afternoon he had also to look after the commercial department. As he had only been in Ilfracombe a few weeks, he was simply finding out how the whole of the organising was conducted and in doing so he had been obliged to let things go on as they had been going on in the past. - A scheme for taking down the gasholder was suggested by deceased and Harry Harris, another workman, which was that it should be taken down in similar lines to the other holder, by taking out every other rafter and leaving intact the rafters that contained the tension rods. - The Coroner: Was deceased working according to the scheme? - He did not work according to that scheme, which HARRIS and he distinctly gave me to understand they were working to. - Why was deceased on the roof? - So far as the battens were concerned, he was obliged to be on the roof. - Cause Of The Collapse. - Witness, replying to other questions, said it was not necessary to fix the derrick for structural safety, but to assist in getting down the material. The cause of the collapse was that instead of stripping every other one, they had stripped at least half a dozen to nine of the struts, which it was not his intention to do. He was not superintending the work on Thursday morning and during Luxton's absence there was no one superintending. They had sufficient confidence in Harris and SANDERS to allow them to go on. He intended seeing the derrick put up at two o'clock. - In reply to the Inspector, witness said on the day of the accident he must admit he knew very little about it, as he had not much time to devote to the work of demolition. It would not be part of the scheme for men to be working around the circumference whilst someone was working on the roof. - By the Coroner: Had he seen what he knew now was done, he would not have approved of it under any consideration. - Mr Seldon: Who was in charge of the work on that morning? - Candidly speaking, the men were in charge of themselves. - Luxton is wrong when he says he was foreman of the job; he was not there? - No, but he is general foreman, with full charge of the men. - Luxton's orders he tells us he gave were of course superseded by your adoption of the scheme? - Yes. - The Coroner: Was the scheme submitted to the directors? - No, sir. - Henry Harris, blacksmith, said SANDERS went knocking the angle irons clean away, and witness told him he was doing wrong. No one superintended the work. No one did anything in opposition to their scheme except SANDERS himself, and SANDERS cut away the rafters, which let the roof swing. A man named Berry was on the roof, but not for long. He was ordered by someone to come off, and he came. - William Duggleby, who discovered the body, described it as being kept down by a piece of "T" iron. - After a retirement the Jury returned the following verdict: - "That deceased met with his death by Drowning by falling into a gasholder owing to the collapse of the framework of the holder on which he was working, and we further add that the accident occurred owing to the absence of skilled or any supervision on the part of the Gas Company." (Hear, hear). - Upon this, the Coroner entered the verdict as "Accidental Death." - Mr J. J. Mansfield (Foreman) expressed sympathy with the widow and family on behalf of the Jury, who gave the widow their fees. - The Coroner added his sympathy and Mr Chanter said the directors of the Gas company wished to offer their condolence and regret that the accident happened.

Western Morning News, Thursday 29 March 1906
SIDMOUTH - Sidmouth Lady's Sad Fate. - MRS HICKS, aged 80, widow of MAJOR HICKS, who was at Sidmouth discovered by her servants late on Saturday last in her bedroom suffering from burns, has died. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 30 March 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Women's Deaths. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth, yesterday on FANNY R. EVANS, aged 53, of Plym-street. HENRY EVANS, husband of the deceased, said his wife had been subjected to gatherings and skin eruptions. A week ago a gathering appeared on her hand, and she poulticed it. She was taken worse on Wednesday and died soon after the arrival of Dr Round. Dr Round said he found deceased's finger in a very bad condition. A post-mortem showed all the organs to be very much congested. Deceased would be very liable to blood poisoning, and the cause of death must have been a scratch with some instrument. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was also held on AMELIA C. NORRIS, widow, aged 59, of the George and Dragon Inn, Exeter-street. EDGAR J. NORRIS, said deceased, his mother, fell out of bed on Wednesday morning, and Dr Cooke was sent for and found her dead. Dr Cooke said death was due to asphyxia and occurred independently of the fall. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Millbridge, Stoke, yesterday, on ELLEN WINIFRED RENDLE, the seven-months-old child of JOHN RENDLE, shipwright, of 13 Valetort-place, Stoke. The mother, ELIZABETH RENDLE, stated that the child had enjoyed good health since birth. About six o'clock on Wednesday morning it was taken unwell. She left it with Mrs Morgan, a tenant in the house and went for Dr Wagner. He was not at home and Dr Landers was summoned, but the child died in the meantime. Dr C. H. Landers said the child suffered from rickets, and was generally delicate. Death was due to convulsions, which he attributed to the child's weak condition. Verdict, "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 2 April 1906
PLYMPTON - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest on Saturday at Plympton on SOPHIA PALMER, aged 65 years. Deceased was on a visit to her son, CHARLES J. PALMER, gamekeeper, at Saltram, and apepared in her usual health. On Thursday night she complained of pain in the chest and on Friday morning died suddenly. Dr C. H. Stevens, who made a post mortem examination, attributed death to the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 April 1906
HENNOCK - MRS SARAH BOWDEN GALE, of Chudleigh Knighton, started to walk to Chudleigh on Saturday night and Mr William Loveys, at seven o'clock met her and spoke to her. A few minutes later she was discovered dead, not 40 feet from that place. At the Inquest last evening Dr E. Farncombe, who made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and expressed their sympathy with the bereaved.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 11 April 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Drowning Case At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on JOHN COLLINS, aged 13 of Third-avenue, Rectory. Henry Goddard, a boy, of 10 Stoke-hill, said he was on the timber in Stonehouse Pool on Sunday afternoon, with four other boys, when he heard a cry of "Boy drowning." Witness saw a boy under the water and dived under to bring him up, but was unsuccessful. He then got on the wall and called two soldiers, who put out in a boat and recovered the body. The boy had been on the water about ten minutes. - Charlotte Zane identified the body as that of her son by her first husband. He was not able to swim, and she did not know that he had gone to bathe. - Edwin George Roberts, private, R.A.M.C., said he was on duty at the Station Hospital on Sunday when he heard an alarm that a boy was drowning. He ran down to Stonehouse Pool and after several attempts brought the body to the surface. Artificial respiration was unsuccessfully attempted. - Dr W. H. Pope, of the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, said he was sent for to see the deceased, and found life extinct. The body bore no marks or bruises such as would be caused if deceased had struck a rock. - Christopher Thackeray, aged 14, of Edgcumbe-place, deposed that deceased had undressed to bathe, and was standing on a piece of timber, which rolled and deposited him in the water. Witness, who was a swimmer, jumped in and tried to rescue him, but deceased caught hold of witness, who had difficulty in saving himself. - The Coroner and Jury complimented witnesses on their pluck in jumping in to rescue the deceased. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

BERE FERRERS - Overcrowding At Bere Alston. Revelations At An Inquest. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Bere Alston yesterday on JOHN HENRY ALLEN, aged one month, the child of FLORENCE ALLEN, of Bere Alston, a single woman. - The mother stated that she lived with her father and mother, with whom two brothers and a sister also lived. On Sunday night she took the child into bed with her, and on awaking at 3 a.m. found it dead. Her father and mother slept in the same room in a separate bed. three men lodgers and two boy lodgers slept in another bedroom. - Dr H. A. Baber proved that death was due to suffocation. The mother had overlain the child, he thought, inadvertently. Young children should not be taken into bed with grown-up people. - The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that notwithstanding that Coroners and Jurors had been protesting for years against infants being taken into bed to sleep with parents, the bad practice was still indulged in. Thousands of children were done to death in that way every year. In the present case, however, he was inclined to agree with the doctor that there was no wilful intention on the part of the mother, and that the overlaying was accidental. - The Coroner drew attention to the over-crowded state of the cottage in which the deceased died. One small room, in which slept three men and two boys, was without light or ventilation and the other, in which the deceased child and its mother slept, had only one small window for ventilation. He thought the attention of the Sanitary Authorities should be drawn to such a state of things. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They endorsed the Coroner's remarks with regard to overcrowding, and the Police Constable in attendance was requested to report the matter to the proper authorities.

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 April 1906
SOUTH BRENT - A Brent Gentleman's Death. Verdict Of Suicide. - Mr Coroner Hacker held an Inquest yesterday on ERNEST LESLIE MITCHELL, of Oakhill, South Brent, whose body was found hanging from a tree on Lutton Farm on Tuesday afternoon. - Captain Gordon Glennie, R.N., of Alverstoke, Hants, identified the deceased as his brother-in-law. Deceased was a retired pensioned clerk at the Bank of England and was aged 45, being a bachelor, living with his sister. He had lived in Brent about eight or nine years. Witness saw him on Monday afternoon about five o'clock. Witness had been telegraphed for. After conversation on meeting one another, they went to their rooms to dress for dinner. Whilst dressing he heard deceased go downstairs and as soon as he had dressed he followed, but could not find him. With some friends they continued the search until about 11 p.m. without avail. Next morning he asked Col. Green to assist and organised a further search. In the afternoon A. Hill, a manservant to Mr Paddon, of Leigh Grange, reported having seen somebody hanging from a tree about half a mile from the residence. Witness, with Col. Green discovered the body to be that of the deceased. - Questioned by the Coroner, witness stated that deceased had suffered from melancholia about eight years ago and was for some time under the constant surveillance of an attendant. He grew better n health and had since been comparatively well. he (witness) hoped he could have taken care of him again and did not expect such an occurrence so soon after his arrival. Deceased seemed depressed and worried about his eyes. Witness knew he (deceased) must be watched. No writing or papers of any kind could be found. - P.C. Crispin stated that nothing was found on deceased besides his watch, whistle, knife and money. - Lieut.-Col. Green of Glazebrook, corroborated the latter part of the previous witness's evidence. - Mr f. W. Style, Surgeon, practising at South Brent, stated that he knew deceased well, having treated him on several occasions for slight illnesses and also, eight years ago, when he was suffering from melancholia. Witness saw him on 7th inst, about 6 p.m. Deceased told him he was run down and asked for some medicine. He seemed depressed. On Sunday evening witness was sent for and found him worse. In conversation he seemed to be suffering from delusions, and he (witness) considered him dangerous. He arranged for his guns to be taken out of his way and obtained someone to sleep in the house that night and advised that he should be watched. Witness joined in the search on Tuesday and arrived when the body was found soon after Col. Green had cut it down. Rigor-mortis had set in. Questioned by the Coroner, witness said what he saw was quite consistent with the idea that deceased had hung himself on Monday night. - The Coroner remarked that MISS MITCHELL , by the doctor's certificate, was not in a fit state of health to attend and give evidence. He, however, would not adjourn the Inquiry unless it was really necessary that MISS MITCHELL'S evidence should be taken. The Jury were of opinion that everything seemed plain enough without adjournment and returned a verdict "That ERNEST LESLIE MITCHELL did on Monday, the 9th of April, kill himself by Hanging himself with a rope whilst in a state of Unsound Mind, " and added a rider that no blame whatever could be attributed to anyone.

PLYMOUTH - Feeding Infants On Biscuits. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on THOMAS EDWARD CARTER, aged nine months, the son of THOMAS EDWARD CARTER, domestic in the Royal Navy, living at 66 Neswick-street. The mother, MARY JANE CARTER, stated that at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday the child was taken ill and died before the arrival of Dr burke, who had been summoned. It had otherwise been in good health since its birth. Besides feeding deceased on milk, she allowed it to have biscuits. Dr R. B. Burke said a post mortem examination showed that death, which was due to convulsions and lung trouble, was accelerated by the eating of biscuits. In his opinion, no child of that age should be allowed to have such food. Otherwise the child had been well cared for. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PADDINGTON, LONDON - Devonport Man's Death. A Fatal Fall In London. - In the Paddington Coroner's Court yesterday an Inquest was held touching the death in St Mary's Hospital of HENRY CHAS. SOWDEN, 39, a draper's assistant in the employ of Messrs. Whiteley, Westbourne-grove. - SAMUEL JOSEPH SOWDEN of Catherine-street, Devonport, identified the body as that of his son, whom he was expecting home at Easter. On Sunday witness heard that he was in St Mary's Hospital dying, having fallen down some steps. - Frank Knapp, in charge of the sleeping apartments of Messrs. Whiteley in Queens-road, Bayswater, stated that on Saturday night he was called downstairs and found deceased lying on the floor unconscious, suffering from a wound at the back of the head. He was at once conveyed to Hospital, where he died some hours after admission. Witness explained that close to where deceased was found there were some stone steps with iron edges and deceased had evidently slipped on these falling to the bottom. - William Birkett, an assistant in the same employ, said on Saturday night about 11.40 he saw deceased coming up the stairs leading from the basement at the main entrance. He appeared dazed. He slipped when on the fourth step from the bottom and fell striking his head. - The Coroner: Did he speak? - No. He stared steadily as if dazed. - Dr V. S. Cope, House Surgeon at St Mary's Hospital, said deceased died about three hours after admission from cerebral haemorrhage due to the wound at the back of the head. - Other evidence showed that there was no defect in the stairway. Deceased had on occasions complained of biliousness. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 16 April 1906
MILLBROOK, CORNWALL - Devonport Woman Drowned. Inquest And Verdict. - Mr A. De Castro Glubb held an Inquest on Saturday at South Down on EMMA JANE SKINNARD, of Devonport, whose body was found on Thursday on the foreshore at Keyham Barton Cove, South Down. - Thomas Stacey, labourer, of Millbrook, stated that at 9.30 a.m. on the 12th inst., he was working in a field near South Down and saw on the foreshore the body of a woman. It had apparently been washed up by the tide. He sent information to the Police, and remained on the spot until they arrived. - RICHARD STACEY, of Bittleford, Landulph, stated that deceased was his daughter and lived at 43 George-street, Devonport. He last saw her on April 4th and she then appeared to be depressed on account of her husband's illness. He had been in Hospital suffering from consumption. - Eva Cook, wife of Richard Cook, of Painter's Cross, St. Mellion, said deceased was her sister-in-law. Since Saturday witness had been staying at her home. Early Wednesday morning deceased left the house to purchase some meat at a butcher's shop a short distance away, and did not return. There was no question of poverty, though her husband was shortly to have entered Didworthy Sanatorium. - Dr Simpson, of Anderton, stated that death was due to drowning. Taking into consideration the tides and the condition of the body, he thought death took place on Wednesday. - Thomas Stacey, who found the body added that he found a portion of deceased's skirt in some bushes close by the water. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that "Deceased was Found Drowned on the shore at Keyham Barton Cove, and that in all probability she drowned herself on the 11th inst., during a fit of Temporary Insanity."

OKEHAMPTON - Fatal Accident At Okehampton. - CHARLES PEDRICK, a farm servant, 17 years of age, in the employ of Mr Geo. Hodge, of Okehampton, died on Good-Friday from injuries received on Thursday. - At an Inquest held by Mr J. D. Prickman on Saturday, it appeared that PEDRICK, who had been sent to fetch some oats from Mr Perkin's store, fell whilst carrying a bag of oats downstairs. He was found lying in an unconscious state and Dr MacDonald ascertained that he had sustained, among other injuries, a fracture of the upper part of the skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 April 1906
DAWLISH - Dawlish Man's Death. A Clergyman And The Publicans. - An Inquest was held at Dawlish yesterday respecting the sudden death on Good Friday night of WILLIAM AMERY, 53, retired grocer, of 2 Iddesleigh-terrace. It appeared that deceased had drinking bouts at intervals and on the Friday night went home the worse for liquor and fell down three stairs. His daughter (DOROTHY MAY AMERY) with whom he lived, fetched the Rev. H. R. W. Hammond, who lived next door, to help him up. He did not apparently hurt himself, except for a scratch on the nose. He was quiet during the night. The next morning, as he did not get up MISS AMERY again fetched Mr Hammond, who found him dead. It appeared that Mr Hammond had often assisted MISS AMERY to get her father upstairs when he arrived home drunk. - Mr Francis J. H. Cann, M.B., stated that he had made a post-mortem examination and found that nearly all the organs were in a very bad condition. The heart was weak, and he considered that death was due to syncope. Deceased had sometimes had a kind of epileptic fit due to excessive drinking. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 April 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, held two Inquests at Stonehouse Workhouse yesterday. The first was on SARAH ANN ELLIOTT, aged 72, widow, of 6 Carlton-terrace. - ROBERT ELLIOTT, labourer, son of the deceased, said deceased died suddenly on Monday evening before a doctor could arrive. She had been in good health, with the exception of a seizure about four months ago. - Dr burke certified death to be due to fatty degeneration of the heart and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned. The second case was that of SAMUEL RICHARD STONE, the three months old child of PHILIP and JANE STONE, of 15 High-street, Stonehouse. The mother said she slept with deceased and two other children on Saturday night and when she awoke in the morning she found that the deceased had fallen, head foremost into a bucket of water by the side of the bed. She took it out, but life was extinct. Witness must have accidentally knocked the child out of bed in her sleep. - Dr Noy Scott said he found the deceased quite dead, death having probably occurred a few hours before. Death was due to drowning. - The Coroner said it was a very sad case, and only another instance of the folly of taking young children into bed with adults. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and sympathy expressed with the parents.

STOKE DAMEREL - Naval Stoker's Death. Drowned At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at the Metropolitan Police Reserve Room, Devonport Dockyard, yesterday, on JOHN SULLIVAN (21) stoker, of the battleship Russell, who was drowned on Sunday evening. - Fleet-Surgeon H. X. Browne, of the Dockyard Surgery, said the post-mortem examination revealed that death was due to drowning. There were a few superficial bruises about the face, caused, in his opinion, after the deceased had fallen into the water. - Ethel Ramsey, of Flora-street, Plymouth, stated that she had been engaged to the deceased for about two years. She last saw him on Sunday evening, at about 10 p.m., when he left her at Stonehouse Bridge. He then said he was going on board by the ship's boat from Northcorner. When deceased left witness he was quite sober. During the evening they had visited two public-houses. They parted the best of friends. - William Robert Keast, stoker, of the Russell, said he met SULLIVAN, whom he knew well, in Fore-street, Devonport, at 10.40 p.m. on Sunday. Deceased, who was sober, said he was going back to his ship. Witness told him that the boat had already left and deceased then said he would go to the Sailors' Rest. - Jas. Kessell, St. Aubyn's-avenue, fireman of No. 25 yard craft, stated that on Sunday night he was on his boat alongside No. 5 jetty at the Dockyard. Just before midnight he was on deck and heard a shuffling noise as if someone was half slipping and half climbing down into a boat. A few moments afterwards he heard a splash, which was followed by a cry. Witness then shouted "Man overboard." A waterman at Northcorner put off in his boat and witness directed him towards where he heard the man swimming. At the same time, he shouted encouraging words to the swimmer. It was very dark at the time. Shortly afterwards he heard a gurgling noise. SULLIVAN undoubtedly made a hard struggle for life. - Jas Foley, waterman Holman's-buildings, Devonport, said on hearing a cry of "Man overboard" he put off in his boat, and after a search only found the deceased's cap, in which were two stamped letters. - P.C. Jas. Wyatt, of the Metropolitan Water Police, stated that he was on the Hard at Northcorner, and saw deceased, who asked him when the Russell's boat would leave. Witness replied that it had already left, whereupon deceased sat on a seat on the jetty and remained there. Witness then went up the harbour, and n returning at about 1 a.m. to Northcorner, was informed of the occurrence. After two hours' work he succeeded in recovering the body by means of drags. In the clothing there was 8 ½d. When witness spoke to the deceased he was sober. - Sub-Lieut.-Engineer E. A. Hird of the Russell, stated that deceased bore a good character and was recorded as being a swimmer. He was a native of Cork. A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 20 April 1906
HENNOCK - The Trusham Fatality. "Accidental Death." - the Inquest on JAMES LOVEYS COOMBES, of Chudleigh Knighton, who was killed at the Teign Valley Granite Co.'s siding near Trusham Station, on Wednesday week, adjourned from Thursday last for the presence of H.M. Inspector of Quarries, was concluded yesterday afternoon at Chudleigh Knighton, by Mr S. Hacker, Coroner. Mr J. G. Martin (H.M. Inspector of Quarries), Bristol, was present, also Mr Cornish Bowden, representing the Quarry Co., and Mr J. Hutchings for the widow. The depositions already reported were read. The stepping of deceased to uncouple the wire cable, which was drawing the truck, at a time when there was only two feet between the buffers, was thought by H.M. Inspector to be explained by the fact that it was often done by men to obviate the trivial matter of having to stoop after the trucks had got together. - Mr R. Bathurst (manager) said the proprietor (Mr Hardwick) had sent the widow a cheque to meet her present needs and with respect to compensation he did not think there would be any difficulty in that, as all their men were insured and they were in communication with the office respecting their claim. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death whilst in the execution of his duty."

SEATON AND BEER - "A Leap In The Dark". Sad Death Of An Army Officer. - At the Manor House, Seaton, yesterday Mr Coroner Cox held an Inquest on GUY DUGDALE BARCHARD, who sustained injuries on Monday night from which he died on Wednesday afternoon. As the commencement of the Inquiry, the Coroner said this was an exceptionally sad occurrence and he knew that one and all sympathised most decidedly with MRS BARCHARD, his mother and the relatives in their bereavement. - MRS BARCHARD, mother of the deceased, said her son was 20 years of age last birthday. He was a second-lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. He was conscious when brought home about 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning and told her he fell down a goyle. - William Hy. Head, huntsman to the Axe Vale Harriers, said they were out on Monday night badger hunting. It was a very dark night there being no moon. In the midst of a run, in which they were on the right of a goyle and deceased on the left, they heard a noise in the bushes and he thought a hound had got down. He remarked on it to Dr May, who was close by and then they heard a cry for help. Dr May and others went down into the goyle to render assistance. The depth, he was told, was about 15 feet, but the night was so dark he could not see. - Dr May said he went down into the goyle and found the deceased lying across two stone pillars. He was lying on his left side and complained of having hurt himself there. He was unconscious when he first reached him, but soon regained consciousness. He should say it was some 15 feet or 18 feet deep, and it would be quite impossible for anyone to jump across. On both sides there was a thick undergrowth of blackberry bushes and trees. He remained in the goyle about three-quarters of an hour as they had then to partly lift and carry him out. They then took him to Harcombe Far, about 200 yards distant. There were no external injuries. Deceased had told him he was trying to get across to the hounds and jumped over thinking he was getting into a lane or bridleway. He then knocked his head on the opposite side and remembered nothing more. They remained about 1 ½ hours at the farm before they could get a conveyance to drive deceased home. - Dr Evans said he was called on Tuesday morning. Deceased was quite conscious and told him he had fallen down a goyle. On making an examination he found a rib on the right side fractured and this had lacerated the right kidney. This was the only external evidence of injuries although there might have been more. Deceased came out 1st at Woolwich and on the 14th May was to have left for service in India. - The Coroner, in summing up, said he was sure that after what they had heard they realised how sad it was for a young man of such promise to meet with death in such a way. It was clear deceased had leaped, not knowing his whereabouts in the goyle. It appeared to all of them as Englishmen that one who had he lived, might likely enough have held a distinguished position in the army of his country. The Jury at once returned a verdict of "Accidental Death caused through a fall while hunting near Borcombe Farm, Colyton." They also expressed their deepest sympathy with the mother and sister of the deceased. At the close the Coroner said this was one of the very saddest cases he had presided over; that a young man of such promise should be cut off in his youth in this manner.

Western Morning News, Monday 23 April 1906
BELSTONE - A Belstone Woman's Death. - ELI CROCKER, a groom, in the employ of Rev. J. R. Lucas, rector of Belstone, near Okehampton, found his wife in an outhouse with her throat cut on Friday night. The cut extended from ear to ear, and a razor was by her side. CROCKER immediately rode for a doctor, but before he could arrive the woman had died. Deceased, who was in the employ of the rector as housekeeper, had been nursing him through a serious illness, and it is believed that the strain on her nerves was too great. She was CROCKER'S second wife, and was formerly employed as barmaid at the White Hart tap. Her maiden name was BODNER, and she was a native of Cornwall, and 27 years of age. She leaves no children. - At the Inquest held by Mr J. D. Prickman on Saturday, the husband stated that all the deceased said after he found her was "Good-bye." On the kitchen table he found a letter in which she wrote:- "Good-bye ELI. The time has come that I can stand this no longer. I am writing this to let everyone know that you are quite innocent of anything and this is entirely my own doing. May God forgive a wretched sinner." He knew of no reason for her writing such a letter, as no accusation of any kind had been made against her or him by anyone. She had been looking very strange for a few days, and complained of pains in her head. - Eva Jane Westaway and Elizabeth Kelly both gave evidence as to complaints made by deceased of pains which she had been suffering in her head. - Dr Gwynn said the wound appeared to have been self-inflicted by a razor, which was lying on a mattress. Dr Young gave corroborative evidence and the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

CORNWOOD - Suicide At Cornwood. Sad Family History. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on Saturday at Cornwood on FRANCIS HORTON (39) of Moorcross-cottages, labourer at Lee Moor Clayworks, who committed suicide on Thursday. The circumstances surround the case are very sad, as deceased seemed to have no pecuniary or personal difficulties. His family history is a pitiable one. Deceased's grandfather, father and brother all died by their own hand, while his mother is in an asylum, and his sister is under supervision. - At the Inquest Dr Chas. Ed. Cooper, of Ivybridge, said in September last he attended deceased for melancholia. At the time he cautioned deceased's wife. Knowing the family history, he personally had no doubt that HORTON was of unsound mind when he hanged himself. - MARY JANE HORTON, wife of deceased, said at 5 a.m. on Thursday her husband got up and woke her, saying he had not slept well. He went out and not returning she went in search of him and found him hanging in the pig-stye. At this point MRS HORTON became hysterical and was unable to make any further statements. Albert J. Larcombe, journeyman gardener, of Mencross, stated that MRS HORTON called him about 6 a.m. on Thursday and together they went to the pig-stye, where he saw deceased lying on his back dead. MRS HORTON had previously cut the body down. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and expressed sympathy with the widow and her two children.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 April 1906
SIDBURY - GEORGE PARSONS, farm labourer, of Sidford, aged 69 years, was on Thursday last leading a horse to the stable when it reared and kicked him on the arm. PARSONS continued work that day and on Friday. On Saturday he felt unwell and went to lie down in the stable, where he died before medical assistance could be brought. Dr G. W. Clowes, who had made a post-mortem examination said death was due to heart failure, and was accelerated by the kick. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 26 April 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Carpenter's Fatal Fall. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, on ERNEST DENNER, aged 28, carpenter, of Shaftesbury-cottages. Alfred Harper, carpenter, of St. Budeaux, said he and deceased, in the employ of Mr J. Hannaford, were working on Tuesday morning on the roof of a house being built at Boon's-place. Deceased handed witness a ridge piece from the ground, and then came up a ladder and stepped on to a portion of the scaffold planking which broke. Witness had been on the same board just before. The scaffolding was erected by a labourer about a fortnight ago and was about 18 feet from the ground. when the board broke deceased fell to the ground and was unconscious and bleeding from the nose. - William Payne, labourer, 40 Rendle-street, said Dr Aikman was called and ordered the man's removal to the Hospital. - John Hannaford, builder, 3 Beechwood-avenue, said he was on the scaffolding on the day of the accident. It was the men's duty to report to him immediately if they saw any part of the scaffold n an unsafe condition. He had examined the plank and found a knot at the point of breakage. - Dr F. L. Thomas stated that death was due to fracture of the skull, the lower portion of the brain being born. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Hannaford mentioned that the men had no business to step on the board which broke. It was to be used in the construction of the house, and had been placed where it was for their own convenience.

Western Morning News, Friday 27 April 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Tram Fatality. The Danger Of Children Playing In The Streets. Coroner's Warning Words. - Mr J. A. Pearce, (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on ELSIE MARGARET REBECCA BENN, aged 2 ½ years. Mr f. G. Tarn represented the parents, and Mr G. H. Moreton, the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramways Company. - WM. R. BENN, leading stoker of the cruiser Hague, the father of deceased, said the child was with a friend when the accident happened and he considered they were capable of taking care of themselves. - William F. Offer, assistant-superintendent of the London and Manchester Insurance Company, said about 6.10 p.m. on Tuesday, at St. Aubyn's-street, No. 2 car overtook him. Immediately afterwards he saw two children step off the pavement to cross to the other side of the road. The younger of the two was leading the other by the hand. Witness saw that an accident was inevitable and shouted and two women screamed. The car was then about four yards away and he dashed off with the intension of knocking the children from the front of the car, but he missed them by about three yards. Deceased was caught by the right hand corner of the car and the other child let go her hand just in time. The car was immediately brought to a standstill. Witness got down on his knees, and saw deceased on the opposite side from that on which she was struck. He could not say he heard the gong of the car, but it was possible it was sounded without his hearing it. The car was not travelling at an unusual rate, probably no more than four miles an hour. No blame attached to the driver. there were no vehicles ahead of the car. Children of such tender age ought not to be allowed in thoroughfares alone. The car was brought up within three or four yards. Both hands of the driver were engaged and he was not eating at the time. - Mrs Annie Wilson, wife of Dr E. J. C. Wilson, St Aubyn-street, said she was in her dining-room when her attention was attracted by the clanging of a bell and the shouting of a man. On looking out she saw two children playing, as she thought, at the side of the road. One of them let go the hand of the other child and ran across the tramway metals. She fell down and the car went over her. Witness was positive the child got between the tram rails and was not knocked down by the car. The driver did all he could to stop the car and, as far as witness could see, no blame attached to him. The car seemed to be going more slowly than usual. By Mr Tarn: I do not know that the cars sometimes go up the street at a desperate rate. - James Pedrick, 17 Renown-street, the driver of No. 2 car, said he had been in the employ of the company 4 years. Nearing York-street, he saw what appeared to be one child outside Mr Wilson's house. The child was between the kerb and the tramlines and out of danger. As he got nearer he saw that there were two children. One stepped back and the other stepped in front of the car and was struck by the car under [?] left hand. Witness immediately cut off the current and put on the emergency brake and the hand-brake. Jumping off the car witness saw the child under the car, jammed by the pilot board, but the wheel had not touched her. The lifting "jack" kept on the car was immediately got out; the car lifted and the child taken out. The car was travelling eight or nine miles an hour at the time. - The Coroner: Don't you think the cars sometimes go too fast up St Aubyn-street? - We go at the same rate up Devonport-hill. - The Coroner: But Devonport-hill is a pretty wide road and there is no crossing. Do you think you could have prevented the accident? - No, on my oath I could not. - The child ran across just as you got up? - Yes. There was no reason to make any particular noise with the gong because there was nothing in the way. Witness added that he had a fatal accident 34 years ago, and that was in April. The swinging gate on the front of the car could not have been struck, or the guard would have dropped. The guards were so sensitive that a concussion of a 2lb loaf was picked up. - By Mr Tarn: They were not 20 to 25 minutes in getting out the child. He did not tell a constable that he could not stop the car. - Harry Luscombe, 10 Carlton-terrace, conductor of the car, said when the car was brought up by the emergency brake he immediately got the "jack" and the driver of another car began to use it. The car was raised as quickly as possible and the child was taken out. He did not see blocks fetched from Chapel-street to raise the car. The child was taken out in eight or nine minutes. - Alice Radford, 4 St. John-street, who witnessed the accident, said the driver rang and called as loudly as he could. She screamed, but the child was instantly under the car, having no chance to escape. No blame whatever attached to the driver. - Dr E. J. C. Wilson said he ran out and found that the child's head was fractured and that she was dead. About ten minutes was occupied in getting the child out. Seeing that the child was dead, he told the men not to hurry unnecessarily. The "jack" worked perfectly. Death was instantaneous and was due to fracture of the skull. - P.C. Vowell said the "jack" was immediately brought into use. - The Coroner: Have you, in the course of your duty, seen children - four or five and sometimes more, hanging about the cars, and asking passengers for tickets? - Yes, we are continually driving them away. - The Coroner: It is a perfect nuisance. - Mr Tarn, replying to the Coroner, said he was perfectly satisfied. - The Coroner, summing up, expressed sympathy with the parents. He would like to enter a strong protest against the manner, he did not refer to this particular case, in which young children were allowed to roam about the streets at large without anyone being in charge of them. They not only crossed the cars deliberately, but he had seen them stop dead in the middle of the rails and remain as long as they could, and then rush aside. It was necessary for someone to impress upon the children the great danger they ran in playing about main streets. It was the duty of parents in these days when the traffic was very different from what it was ten years ago, - now there were electric cars, motor cars, motor cycles and other cycles - to keep the children from the main streets as far as possible, and it had been suggested that teachers might talk to the children as to the danger of playing about the mains streets. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death", and that no blame attached to the driver of the tram.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Sad Death. - At Plymouth Mortuary yesterday Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest on MINNIE WINNIFRED BENNETT, aged one year and eight months, of 44 Station-road. JESSIE BENNETT, mother of the deceased, said she left the child with two elder children in bed on March 25th while she went to purchase food for dinner. When she returned she found that one of the elder children had taken deceased over by the fire, where its cloths had ignited. - Mrs Snell, a neighbour, was called in and extinguished the flames, and the child was removed to the Homoeopathic Hospital, where she died on Wednesday. Dr Newbery said death was the result of the burns, and a verdict to that effect was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 28 April 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. Coroner And Infants' Biscuits. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on SYDNEY ERNEST SARGENT, the eight-months'-old child of CHARLES H. and CHARLOTTE SARGENT, of 35 Wake-street. The mother said the child had been weak from birth. On Thursday it was seized with a fit such as it had had on several previous occasions and died. Witness sent for the nurse, not thinking a doctor necessary, as the child had always previously recovered. The child had been fed on milk and infants' biscuits. - The Coroner said the child was too young to have biscuits and should have been kept entirely on milk. It was no wonder that the child had convulsions. Mothers had often been reprimanded in cases like this, and it was very injudicious. - The mother replied that she had successfully reared five children on similar lines, but the coroner said the experiment might be successfully tried several times, but there was always danger. - Dr Aikman said death was due to convulsions. There was considerable distension of the stomach, which might have been due to improper feeding. He certainly did not agree with those biscuits, which were very unsuitable for a child of such tender years. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned, and the Coroner said he wished to reiterate what he had said about those biscuits. The great amount of infant mortality in this country was largely due to improper feeding and the lack of knowledge on the part of mothers as to what should be given to children. He hoped MRS SARGENT would make it known to her friends that "patent biscuits" were unnecessary and wrong. - The Jury concurred in this and expressed sympathy with the parents.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Traveller's Suicide. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on SAMUEL JOHN LEE, aged 36, of 10 Beaumont-place. EMILY SELINA LEE, wife of deceased, stated that her husband was a traveller and had been lately attended by Dr W. H. Brenton for dyspepsia and nervousness. He had warned her that her husband was of unsound mind and had given her a certificate to that effect. About 2.30 a.m. yesterday her husband got up and went downstairs. Soon after, in company with a neighbour, named Soper, she went in search of him and found him hanging in the fowl-house. - The Coroner said having such a certificate witness had assumed a tremendous responsibility in not acting upon it. - Continuing MRS LEE said her husband had never threatened to take his life. She was not surprised at seeing her husband dressed so early in the morning. - A Juryman stated that he saw deceased the day before his death and he then appeared quite rational. - Samuel Soper, 12 Beaumont-place, stated that he was called at 3 a.m. yesterday and in company with the last witness they searched for and found deceased in the fowl-house. He cut the body down. P.C. Damerell said on being summoned he tried artificial respiration until the arrival of Dr Palmer, who pronounced life extinct. - Dr Brenton said he attended deceased on April 7th, 9th and 10th. On the last date he told MRS LEE he would no longer hold himself responsible for the man's actions. He was suffering from sleeplessness and delusions. He was very excited and was under the impression that his family affairs were wrong. He alienated himself from his wife, and thought his family were starving. He (the doctor) gave the wife a certificate that deceased was dangerous to himself and others. A few days later he again impressed on her the responsibility she was taking on herself. He advised her to communicate with the relieving officer, with the view of having her husband removed to an asylum. - MRS LEE stated she realised the responsibility herself, but deceased's relatives were most indignant about it and objected to his removal to such an institution. A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Naval Officer's Sad Death. Engineer-Commander LAUGHTON Expires At Mutley Station. - A painful sensation was caused at Mutley Station, Plymouth yesterday morning, by the sudden death of Engineer-Commander CHAS. LAUGHTON, of the cruiser Isis. The deceased, who was aged 41 years, left his residence, 12 Coryton-terrace, Mutley, yesterday morning just before seven o'clock to catch a train at Mutley station for Devonport. He was a little late in starting from his home, and hurried to the Station. He reached the up platform, and ran over the level crossing, the train having already arrived. He had reached the guard's van when he was seen to fall backwards. At first it was considered that he had fainted, and several persons ran to his assistance, but death soon followed. Dr Gardiner was summoned, but on arrival could only pronounce life extinct. P.C. White conveyed the body on an ambulance to the mortuary. - Deceased who was a native of Scarborough, passed out of the Royal Naval Engineering College, Keyham, as an assistant engineer, on July 1st, 1886, became engineer on September 1st, 1890, chief engineer February 9th, 1901, and engineer-commander on February 9th, 1906. He had no war service. He only returned from the West Indies in the Isis on Tuesday last, after a ten weeks' cruise and then expressed himself as being in excellent health. The deceased leaves a widow and one boy, aged two and a half years. - At the Inquest, Mr Francis Ford, 10 Whiteford-terrace, retired inspector of machinery, stated that he had known the deceased for several years. When MR LAUGHTON left his residence he was in his usual health. He went to Mutley Station to catch the Devonport train. - Dr J. Gardiner stated that he was summoned to Mutley Station just after 7 a.m. and on arrival he found that MR LAUGHTON was dead. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to heart failure. - Hy. Croft, bricklayer, of 49 Grenville-road, said he saw the deceased running down the pathway leading to the Station. On nearing the guard's van the deceased stumbled and fell, death ensuing in a few minutes. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was returned. - The funeral will probably take place on Monday at Plymouth Cemetery, with naval honours. - The news of the death of Engineer-Commander LAUGHTON reached the Isis, in the Hamoaze, during the morning and was received with profound regret. MR LAUGHTON had been in the Isis since she commissioned in 1902, as tender to the Britannia, at Dartmouth, and was responsible for the steam training of the naval cadets serving in her. With them as with all ranks on board, MR LAUGHTON was most popular, and the officers of the ship, from Capt. C. F. Sowerby downwards, mourn not only the loss of a talented officer, but a personal friend. MR LAUGHTON, when last at Dartmouth, had complained of shortness of breath, and consulted a London specialist, who advised him to avoid undue hurry. During the last cruise of the Isis MR LAUGHTON seemed to have greatly improved in health.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 May 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on MRS ELIZA TUCKER, aged 32, of 60 Cecil-street. Deceased who had been unwell for some time, but was not under medical care, died suddenly on Sunday. As the result of a post-mortem examination, Dr R. H. Wagner attributed death to cancer of the uterus and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMPTON - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at Plympton yesterday on ANN CLEMENTS, who would have been 90 years of age today. Frances Salter, grand-daughter of the deceased stated that on Monday last her grandmother attempted to prevent her (Salter's) baby sister from falling from the footpath on to the roadway, a drop of about two feet. In doing so, she herself fell in the footpath, cutting her head and bruising her thigh. Dr Pearce stated that he had attended deceased since her fall and death was due to senile decay and shock to the system, caused by the fall. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

SOUTH MOLTON - The Southmolton Suicide. Worried About Property. - Mr g. W. F. Brown held an Inquest yesterday on JOHN PIKE, a gentleman living retired, aged 54 years, residing at Fern Bank, Southmolton, who was found in an outhouse on Saturday last shot through the head. He left a letter behind addressed to "E. Bastin, Esq., solicitor, Exmouth" which read as follows:- "Dear Mr Bastin, Why don't you write to me as promised. I know there is something wrong, when I placed the sale in your hands, and myself as well, so that you could put me right. Why do you always write through Crewes and Son. PIKE. You are responsible for my death." - MRS EMILY PIKE, widow of the deceased, stated that they had resided at Southmolton for the past seven years. He had troubled a great deal about her illness and about the property at Exmouth. he had breakfast as usual on Saturday morning. - Ellen Baker, servant, gave evidence as to finding deceased in an outhouse and to calling in Mr Hill, their next-door neighbour. - Mr Hill said he found deceased in the house at the back in a sitting position and with a gun between his legs. He was dead, having shot himself through the roof of his mouth. Deceased was somewhat depressed owing to his wife's illness, but after he received news that the operation had been performed satisfactorily, he was quite himself again. But during the past ten days he had been very excited and strange, evidently troubling over something. - Dr Wigham said deceased was shot through the mouth, the charge having come out at the top back part of his skull. The wound was self-inflicted. - Mr Seldon, on behalf of Mr Bastin, produced the correspondence between MR PIKE and Mr Bastin, Crewes and Son and Blackmore and Son. Mr Bastin was an old friend of MR PIKE, having known him at Exmouth when deceased resided there and was very upset at what had occurred, especially as such a letter had been left behind. Having been instructed by MR PIKE, Mr Bastin spoke to Crewes and Son re the sale of MR PIKE'S house. Blackmore and Son having got to hear of the sale, wrote MR PIKE offering £850 les fees, and that he accepted. Crewes and Son made a better offer afterwards of £875 free. MR PIKE wrote Mr Bastin to know if he could get out of the contract with the Blackmores. Mr Bastin wired that he could not, as the provisional contract had been stamped. That meant a loss of about £40. There was absolutely no foundation for what the deceased had written on the letter. In a previous letter to Mr Bastin, deceased had said how quite satisfied he was that Mr Bastin was doing his best for him. - Mr Bastin bore out this statement. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during a Fit of Insanity," and exonerated Mr Bastin from any blame. The Jury also passed a vote of condolence with MRS PIKE and family in their sad bereavement.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Woman's Sudden Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on EMMA TRUDGEON, a widow. ELLEN TAYLOR, of 106 Wilton-street, Stoke, said deceased, her mother, was 70 last birthday and lived with her. On Friday night her mother appeared to be in the best of spirits and health. She had been acting as a nurse at Mrs Lamb's, at 7 Chapel-street, Devonport, and was to have returned on Saturday. On Saturday night someone brought her box, and said her mother would be there in a few minutes. Shortly afterwards she received a message to go at once to Mrs Harvey's where she found deceased lying dead on a couch. - Wm. Hicks, of 36 York-street, said he took deceased's box from Mrs Lamb's house to the tram, and deceased and witness rode as far as Wilton-street. they both got out and witness went on with the box, deceased saying she would follow. - Lilian A. Harvey, of 14 Edgcumbe-place, Stoke, said MRS TRUDGEON walked past the shop and returned and sat down. She asked for some brandy, which witness gave her, and she went inside. She asked for a doctor, and witness put her on a couch and before the doctor came she died. - Dr C. H. Lander said the cause of death was syncope, due to kidney disease of long standing. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned, the Jury expressing their sympathy with the family of the deceased, and thanking Miss Harvey and her mother for their kindness to her.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 2 May 1906
PAIGNTON - Unfenced Limepit. Paignton Child's Shocking Death. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Paignton on ALFRED J. MITCHELMORE, aged two years, the son of a seaman, R.N., residing at Noneham-terrace, St. Michael's. The deceased while playing at the back of the house on Saturday fell into a lime-pit on a site where Mr Stidworthy is building houses. The pit is close to the road and unfenced. The mother, hearing her baby had fallen into the pit, rushed out and with Mrs Matthews, a neighbour, got him out. - Dr Adams, who had the child removed to the Cottage Hospital, said his eyesight was completely destroyed; he had swallowed some of the lime, which had filled his ears and he was burnt all over. Death took place on Sunday. - Mr A. J. Stidworthy, builder, said the pit had been dug for two months, and lime was being put into it on Saturday. It was not finished at dinner-time, during which hour the accident happened, and the men were away. It was a dangerous place, but it had not been finished. - MRS MITCHELMORE, in answer to the Coroner, said it was rather dangerous for the child to play about there, but she could not always watch him. - The Coroner (Mr Hacker) said when a person had a dangerous place on his property he was bound to protect the public from danger, and had no right to leave it unfenced. It was the duty of the public authority to see that precautions were taken in such cases. It was pointed out that there was no playground for children at St. Michael's. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding a rider calling on the Council to instruct their officials to see that all dangerous lime-pits in the neighbourhood were properly fenced.

Western Morning News, Monday 7 May 1906
REVELSTOKE - A Noss Mayo Death Trap. Strong Remarks By The Coroner. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on Saturday at Noss Mayo on EDWIN GEORGE HODGE, aged two years, the son of VINCENT G. P. HODGE, baker. On Thursday morning (his birthday) the child, wandering farther from its home than usual, was seen near the Wide slip, for the ferry landing. It is thought that the child got on the wrong side of the fence, which at that point is in a very bad condition, and either over-balanced himself, or slipped and fell to the rocks below, a distance of over 20ft. It died the same evening. - Deceased's father said shortly before noon on Thursday, his son, accompanied by his brother, aged 4 ½ years, wandered away. Since the fine weather had set in he had allowed his children to roam alone in the village, but he had not known them go as far away as the Wide Slip. He was being towed down the river in a boat when he saw his children near that dangerous spot. Deceased cried out, "What cheer, daddy!" He (witness) shouted to the elder boy to take his brother home. Having a presentment that something ill had happened, he went ashore at the next landing stage, and running back along the cliff found his son being carried home unconscious. - David Herbert West, postman, Revelstoke, said when in a boat on the opposite side of the river he saw deceased lying on the rocks. He went over and picked him up. the fence was so constructed at the point where deceased fell over as to render it dangerous to children. Near by there was a gap through which a child could easily pass. - Dr A. Gladstone said death was due to a fracture at the base of the skull. - The coroner said the case was a very sad one. He and the Jury had inspected the fencing along the cliff and found it in a very bad condition. On the other hand, the obligation rested upon all parents to see that their children were protected from danger. He did not think that, after hearing the case, the Jury would consider that any culpable negligence rested on MR HODGE. At the same time, it was his duty to have seen that there was proper supervision over his child, which, in his (the Coroner's) opinion had not been exercised in that particular case. With regard to the road, he understood it was a public road. The fencing was in a deplorably bad condition, and somebody was responsible for that. Evidently it had been allowed to get into that condition by long neglect. Whoever was responsible should be asked to explain why the fence was in such bad repair. At the point where the child fell it was undoubtedly a death trap to children. At the most dangerous portion of the cliff there was inadequate fencing. Representation should be made to the proper authorities as to the neglect of their duty and reminding them that the fence should be continued along the whole of the road. He was deeply sorry for MR and MRS HODGE, but felt justified in what he had said. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - MR HODGE, addressing the Jury, hoped they would exonerate him from all blame. According to the Coroner, it appeared that he was to blame. - Mr Rodd said the Jury could not do what was asked. The less MR HODGE said on the matter the better.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 May 1906
TAMERTON FOLIOT - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Tamerton yesterday on ROBERT LINDON, aged 75, a farm labourer, who died suddenly early on Saturday morning. The widow stated that she was in bed, and on awaking about 6.30 a.m. found her husband lying unconscious by her side. Dr Olver proved that death was due to heart disease of long standing, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 May 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - Child Suffocated At Newton. - At an Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday, on the infant child of JOHN SAMUEL VEALE, bargeman, 6 Court, Wolborough-street, it was stated that the child, seven weeks old, was found dead by the side of its mother on Sunday morning. - Dr Stewart stated that death was due to suffocation. - The Coroner said it was a terrible thing to think that so many children who might have grown up to be healthy men and women, should lose their lives in consequence of ignorance and carelessness. The mother in this case admitted that she knew the danger, but did not think of it at the time. She would not be freed from blame. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 May 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - A Fatal Ride. Devonport Boy's Shocking Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on CHARLES WOOLF WILLIAMS, aged 16, points-boy at Keyham Extension Works, and son of EDWARD WILLIAMS, horse driver, 6 Tamar-wharf. Mr S. Shuter, Inspector of Factories, and Mr J. P. Goldsmith, representing Sir John Jackson, were present. - Albert Thomas Sobey, points-boy at the Extension Works, said about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, he saw deceased jump on to the step of an engine, which was moving. Deceased slipped off the step and jumped on again and went past witness's points all right. They were not supposed to jump on the engines. Deceased, when he jumped on, could not be seen by the driver. The points-boys were supposed to remain by their points, and deceased must have jumped on the engine for a ride. - George J. Bennett, another points-boy, said after the engine had passed his point he saw deceased lying on the bank, with his heels about half an inch from the rail. Deceased was face downwards and groaning. Deceased's cap was on the rail and the wheels had passed over it. The wheels had also just touched the heels of his body and his head was cut. Deceased had been employed on the works three or four years. They all knew that they ought not to ride on the engines. - Samuel Stockton, engine driver at the Extension Works said when he brought his engine to a standstill at the turn-out, he turned round to see if the points were right for him to go back, and saw the boy lying at the side of the line. The heal of one of his boots was torn off. He had not seen deceased on the engine. The engine was not going more than five or six miles an hour when the accident occurred. Before breakfast that day he saw deceased on the engine and made him get off. Perhaps deceased jumped on the engine to get to Bennett's points for some tea. When deceased got off the engine-step, he probably slipped and his head was struck by one of the nine wagons. - Dr T. Y. Simpson, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was admitted in a dying condition at 4 p.m. and died at 4.55 p.m. He was suffering from fractured ribs and shoulder-blade and injury to the right lung. He was grazed on the right side of the neck, chest and shoulder. The injuries indicated that possibly deceased was dragged. After his admission he asked for a drink and shortly afterwards became unconscious. - The Coroner said probably deceased's foot was caught by something when jumping off the engine and he was dragged along. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Coroner and Jury expressed deep sympathy with the parents. - Mr Goldsmith on behalf of Sir John Jackson, joined in that expression of sympathy.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 May 1906
EXETER - The Exeter Suicide. A Plymouth Man's Sad End. - At the Inquest at Exeter yesterday on THOMAS FREDERICK HOOPER WARREN, single, aged 54, a cook and confectioner, Plymouth, George Miller, deceased's brother-in-law, said he last saw him in February last. He then understood he was going to Dartmouth in a situation. He went to Dartmouth, but witness did not think he went into a situation. At times deceased was very steady and industrious, but occasionally he gave way to drink. If deceased had told him he was in want he would have been supplied with means. From what witness knew of him he was a bit too proud to ask. His last situation was at Probus, Cornwall. - Thomas Johns, in charge of the cloakroom at St. David's Station, said deceased deposited two tin boxes with him on February 20th. He subsequently came to the room twice and took something out of the boxes. the last time he saw him was on the 5th or 6th of April. Deceased said he had failed to obtain employment and was hard up. He seemed very depressed. - John Lyons, labourer, Waterbeer-street, said he was walking along the Canal banks on Sunday morning when he saw the body of the deceased in the water. Witness sent for the Police and assisted in bringing the body to the bank. Tied to the neck by a piece of rope was a piece of concrete 21 lb. in weight and a string was twisted round his hands. - P.C. Russell deposed to the removal of the body from the water and its conveyance on the ambulance to the mortuary. - Dr Duncan said the body was in a bad state of decomposition. the twisting of the cord around the hands could have been done by the deceased. The cord around the neck was tied also with twine. Death by drowning must have been accelerated by the strangulation from the cord around the neck. The body must have been in the water from three to four weeks. - Deceased's brother-in-law, recalled, said some years ago deceased went into business in the North of England, and lost the whole of his money. Since then he had at times strange views of life. His misfortune rankled in his mind and led to periods of depression and drink. Hearing that he was in the neighbourhood of Exeter, an advertisement was inserted in the papers asking him to communicate with his sisters in case he was in want, but he took no notice of it.. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 16 May 1906
PLYMOUTH - WILLIAM JOHN TUGWOOD, aged one year and eight months, the child of a naval musician, living at 32 Frederick-street, Plymouth, was taken ill on Monday and died before the arrival of medical aid. Dr Pearse, who had made a post-mortem examination, proved that death was due to congestion of the left lung and the Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

EAST STONEHOUSE - Sudden Death At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, yesterday held an Inquiry into the death of MRS ELIZABETH SCOTT, aged 66, of 7 Adelaide-street, Stonehouse. Her husband, EDWIN SCOTT, a driver let home on Tuesday morning, when his wife was apparently in her accustomed health, which had not been very good for a considerable time. On returning in the evening he found his wife lying on a couch dead. - Mrs Elizabeth Mary Williams, who also lives at 7 Adelaide-street, told the Jury that deceased had never complained to witness until Tuesday morning when she said she had pains in the head. Dr J. S. Pearse proved that death was due to syncope. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Death From Burns At Moreton. - An Inquest was held at Moretonhampstead yesterday by Mr S. Hacker, on GEORGE UNDERHILL, aged 81, who was admitted into the Cottage Hospital on May 2nd suffering from extensive burns, the result of a fall into the fire at his home at Chagford. Deceased, who was in receipt of parochial relief, resided with his wife, who was almost an imbecile. On April 22nd deceased had a fainting fit and fell off a chair into the fire. His wounds were dressed by the parish nurse, who found that deceased had changed his clothes after being burnt. Ten days later, however, he was taken to the Hospital by his nephew, Aaron Brimmecombe, who had great difficulty in persuading deceased to go. - Dr Laurie, of Moreton, said the wounds were very deep and extensive and had healed but very little. Death was due to blood-poisoning, as the result of the burns. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Saturday 19 May 1906
PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest n WM. JOHN JEWELL, stableman, aged 47, of 58 Cambridge-street, Plymouth, found dead in bed, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Deceased had suffered from heart and liver disease.

Western Morning News, Friday 25 May 1906
LITTLE TORRINGTON - The Little Torrington Suicide. - A Coroner's Jury found a verdict of Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind in the case of JOHN QUANCE, 42, farmer, of Little Torrington, who shot himself, after leaving a letter in which he asked that all would forgive him, and stated that he could not bear his trouble any longer. Deceased, it was shown, had been depressed lately.

Western Morning News, Monday 28 May 1906
PLYMOUTH - WM. J. GOODWIN, quay porter, aged 43 years, engaged lodgings in 6 Vauxhall-street, Plymouth, on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, when the lodging-house keeper (Mr S. Johnson) called the man, he found him very unwell. Shortly afterwards he took him up a cup of tea. Soon afterwards he died. At the Inquest Dr Wolferstan, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to heart disease.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 29 May 1906
WESTON-SUPER-MARE, SOMERSET - Torquay Gentleman's Death. Inquest at Weston-Super-Mare. - Dr Craddock, Coroner, held an Inquiry at the Weston-super-Mare Hospital yesterday respecting the death of RICHARD FLINT WELBY, A.M. Inst., C.E., of Chelston, Torquay, who, while on a visit to his sister at Weston-super-Mare last Friday, was killed when riding a motor tricycle through the public streets. - Mr T. O. Gunton, a London stockbroker, son-in-law of the deceased, said that MR WELBY had suffered from heart disease. - Albert Edward Fisher, a fish salesman, said that on Friday he was driving a cart at about midday through Meadow-street at the rate of about four miles an hour, and when crossing Orchard-street deceased, on a motor tricycle with a fore carriage, ran into him. Witness heard no warning, and did not see deceased until he was right on him. The machine ran into the kerb, and deceased fell over on to the pavement. Witness went to his assistance and remained until he was taken to the Hospital. - On being questioned by the Coroner, witness stated that he thought the accident was caused by deceased running on to the kerb, and not by the collision with his cart. - In answer to a question by Mr Gunton, witness said that his step touched the hind wheel of the tricycle. - Henry Cornelius, landlord of the Ashcombe Hotel, Weston-super-Mare, said he was standing on the pavement at the corner of Meadow-street and Orchard-street, when he heard a horn of a motor. He also heard a pony trap coming. As the tricycle crossed Meadow-street the pony and trap, driven by the last witness, came along. Witness thought the accident was caused by the pony, and not by contact with the kerb, and that deceased was knocked off by the force of the collision. Deceased was insensible when picked up. Fisher did his best to avert an accident. - John Green, a commercial traveller, who was standing at the corner of the two streets, said he heard a motor horn and saw deceased ride up at about 12 miles an hour. Fisher tried to pull up. Deceased seemed to have passed the front part of the cart and then the machine turned over, being thrown to the pavement. Witness attributed no blame to Fisher. - Dr Stanley Livesey said death was due to a very severe fracture of the skull, causing a good deal of haemorrhage. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 30 May 1906
RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT - The Suicide Of MR POUND. Small Financial Worries. - An Inquest was held last evening at the Royal Isle of Wight County Hospital, Ryde by the Coroner, Mr F. A. Joyce, on the body of ALFRED JOHN POUND, 57, barrister of C[?] Cottage, Buckfastleigh, who on Saturday last shot himself at Newport, Isle of Wight. The deceased's son was present at the Inquiry, but was not called. - Mr John Bickford, of Newton Abbot, said he had been deceased's solicitor for some years. Deceased, who was separated from his wife, had lived at Buckfastleigh for the last five years, principally with his eldest daughter, who latterly had been in bad health and away with friends, so that when his children were not there on holiday deceased was alone. As to the cause of deceased's trouble, witness said he thought his daughter's illness possibly worried him. Deceased had had financial worries ever since he had known him, but during the last few months that trouble had become more acute. He received a letter from deceased on Friday and another posted just before deceased shot himself, in which deceased referred to a judgement summons against him. - The coroner said the papers addressed to him, marked by deceased "private and confidential" referred to a judgment summons in an action by Foster and Co, for £74. - Mr Bickford said the judgement summons related to proceedings in the High Court, and it was returnable for Monday last at the Paignton County Court. - The coroner said the receipt of that summons seemed to have worried the deceased very much and he seemed to have at once made up his mind that he would destroy himself. He had been through all the papers left by deceased. they told the same story of financial trouble. He did not think it necessary that they should be read to the Jury. - Maud Bidgood, book-keeper at the Bugle Hotel, Newport, said that about ten minutes to four on Saturday afternoon the deceased went into the Hotel and asked for Scotch whisky hot. He drank it whilst sitting on a lounge in the entrance hall and remained about five minutes. He talked with no one. She heard him tapping glass rather violently and after paying for the drink he walked into the stable yard. - William Buckingham, ostler at the Bugle yard, said that about four o'clock he saw the deceased pass through the yard and go towards a loose box. Immediately afterwards he heard a shot and saw smoke coming from the stable. Witness went to the stable and saw the deceased sitting down against the wall with a revolver in his hand, bleeding from wounds in the forehead. Witness closed the door and sent for the Police. - The Coroner said he understood two shots were fired. - Witness said he only heard one and he saw only one wound on deceased's left forehead. - P.C. Summers said he found deceased sitting against the wall of the stable, bleeding from two wounds in the forehead and waving the revolver about with his right hand. It was a five-chambered revolver and two chambers had been discharged. Inspector Cass said deceased had a leather glove on which was singed with powder, deceased having apparently steadied the revolver with the left hand for the second shot. In the left-hand coat pocket of the deceased he found letters addressed to the Police and the Coroner. That to the Police read as follows:- " To the Police. Name; ALFRED JOHN POUND, formerly of Wroxhall. Mr Stratton, solicitor, will know me or Dr Lowther, Ventnor. Please not to trouble my family, with whom I have not been living at Alton House, Ventnor, about the Inquest as they are only ladies thee. Please communicate with Dr Whitehead, Ventnor, and ask him to announce to family at Alto House, Ventnor. Please wire or write Messrs. Rundle or Hebrew, 73 Basinghall-street, E.C.; John Bickford, Esq., Wrigwell, Newton Abbot, the Registrar County Court, Totnes, so that they may know by Monday morning early, so as to stop a case in Devon. I wish to be buried at Godshell Churchyard where my family lie." - The solicitor for the trustees of the deceased said he did not think there was any statement he could usefully make, or throw light upon the occurrence. The deceased had an allowance of £360 from his wife. He thought the whole of that amount was devoted to the deceased's own maintenance. - The Coroner said that it was very strange that the deceased should have destroyed himself over such a small matter as a judgment summons for £70 or £80. - Mr Burcham agreed and said it pointed to the fact that deceased's mind was unhinged. - Dr Coombs said deceased had a bullet wound in each temple. He evidently had shot himself in the right temple first and finding he did not lose consciousness, he shot himself again in the left temple. - Dr Smith, Hospital Surgeon, described the injuries, which included fracture of the base of the skull. - The Coroner said that according to the deceased's letter he had warned the plaintiffs in the judgment summons case last year that if they persevered in judgment he intended to die by his own act. It seems a very small thing as the most the Court would have done would be to make an order for payment by instalments. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Friday 1 June 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest on GEORGE JAMES SWIGG, at Devonport yesterday. It was stated that for two weeks the lad had been suffering from an acute and serious illness, but only at the last moment was a doctor called in. The Jury, whilst taking a serious view of the case, considered the mother not to blame as it was due to her ignorance of the serious nature of the boy's illness that a doctor was not called in until it was too late.

Western Morning News, Monday 4 June 1906
PLYMOUTH - Death of MR C. D. BULLEY, C.E. - MR CHARLES D. BULLEY, C.E., died suddenly at his residence, 13 Napier-terrace, Mutley, on Friday night, and the circumstances of his death were Inquired into on Saturday by the Deputy Coroner. The deceased, 59 years of age, was an old and respected member of the Plymouth Institution. Having travelled much, he was a most interesting conversationalist, and his genial and attractive disposition won for him a wide circle of friends. At the Inquest Dr J. Gardiner said death was due to rupture of an aortic aneurism, deceased having probably strained himself during the day. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 6 June 1906
TOTNES - At Totnes yesterday an Inquest was held on HARRIETT CALLARD, 50, a spinster, of Bank-lane, the daughter of ABRAHAM CALLARD, cab-driver, found dead in bed that morning. Dr Edmond, who had made a post-mortem examination, said deceased, who was very stout, died of rupture of the heart, which was very fatty and degenerated.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 June 1906
NEWTON ST CYRES - The Newton St Cyres Fatality. - The Inquest on GEORGE BASTIN, platelayer, of Newton St Cyres, was held yesterday afternoon. From the evidence of Messrs. Mills and Pitman, fellow-workmen on the London and South Western Railway, the deceased, who had been in the service of the company for sixteen years, had been warned that the up North Devon express was approaching. BASTIN left the line at the same time as his two companions, but returned and looked over the rails presumably at a faulty plate. The buffer plate of the engine struck his head and hurled him a distance of thirty-five feet. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Deceased 41 years of age, leaves a widow and seven children.

Western Morning News, Monday 11 June 1906
Landslip At Meldon. Man Killed: Another Injured. - CHARLES PARNELL, aged 20, residing at North Tamerton, was killed early on Saturday morning by a landslip at Meldon Viaduct, on the London and South Western Railway, and about three miles from Okehampton, while Richard Jennings, aged 18 years, whose home is at Kilkhampton, was seriously injured. - Jennings and about thirty other men employed by Mr T. Gardiner, of Whitestone, Bridgerule, sub-contractor to the London and South Western Railway Company, were clearing a heading at Meldon to reach stone for the permanent way. PARNELL, Jennings and William Pearce were on a level space about ten feet from the top of the heading loading trucks. The men had been at work half an hour on Saturday morning when a piece of earth, measuring 11ft. 6in. wide, and estimated to weight five tons, fell without the least warning. PARNELL, working on the near side, was completely buried and Jennings a few feet away was partially covered. The other men promptly set about extricating the two men. After ten minutes Jennings and PARNELL were dug out, both seriously injured. They were conscious when rescued, but PARNELL died in a few minutes. He had a very severe wound over the forehead, several inches in length. Jennings was in a state of collapse when rescued. Both is legs were broken. P.S. Beer and P.C. Hambly and Mr Hine, the Stationmaster from Okehampton, quickly arrived. The body of PARNELL was placed on a truck and conveyed to Okehampton Railway Station. Jennings was taken to the Halwill Cottage Hospital, and yesterday was reported to be going on as well as could be expected. PARNELL, who was respected by his fellow-workmen, had only been engaged on the works about six weeks. There have been previous landslips at the spot, but none of a serious character. In consequence of these slips deceased had been advised by his relatives only a fortnight ago to give up the work, and return to farming. He had had no previous experience in quarry work, but is spoken of as a careful workman and one who took no unnecessary risks. - The Inquest. - Mr J. D. Prickman, County Coroner, in opening the Inquest on Saturday evening, said an adjournment would be necessary that H.M. Inspector of Mines could attend. - ALBERT W. PARNELL, postman, Clawton, said the deceased was his brother. He last saw him about a fortnight ago. Deceased told him there had been slips at the quarry, and he advised him to give up the work. - Wm. Pearce, of North Tamerton, said deceased, Jennings and himself on Friday were at work shifting the heading about the centre of the hole, and shovelling the earth into trucks. Mark Gardiner, the ganger, in charge of the men engaged on the top shifting, put them on the work. On Saturday morning they had no specific orders, but went to the same place, under Mr Gardiner's supervision. About a half-hour after they started there was a slide of the top of the quarry, about six or seven feet in width. The deceased, who was working in the middle, was completely buried and Jennings was thrown down and injured. They were working on a bench 50 or 60 feet above the railway. It was the practice to go on top to let down bars to shake the top earth to make it fall easier. They had done that the previous evening. - Dr Young said deceased sustained a compound fracture of the skull and a simple fracture of the right leg. The Inquest was adjourned until today.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 June 1906
OKEHAMPTON - The Meldon Fatality. Accidental Death: Jury's Rider. - Mr J. D. Prickman, at Okehampton yesterday, resumed the Inquest on CHARLES PARNELL, aged 20, residing at North Tamerton, killed at Meldon on Saturday. Mr Martin, H.M. Inspector of Mines and Mr W. Granger, district engineer, L. and S.W.R. Company, attended. The Coroner, Mr Martin and the Jury viewed the scene of the accident. - The Coroner briefly explained the regulations which governed the working of mines and quarries. The Acts provided that the sides, tops and other portions of a quarry should be worked to prevent dangerous falls, and that all loose materials should be cleared far enough back to prevent danger. All work connected with a quarry was dangerous and because an accident happened the Jury must not presume negligence. The railway company were the owners of the quarry, but the clearing of the heading had been sub-let to Mr Gardener, who was, therefore, really a contractor under the railway company. The other portion of the work at the quarry was done by the L. and S.W. Railway Company themselves. He understood the railway company admitted the onus of ownership. - Mr Grainger understood that Mr Gardener was primarily liable, but if he failed to carry out his liability, then the Company took upon themselves the responsibility. - William Pearce, who was working on the heading, recalled, said bars had been driven into the top of the heading to loosen the soil. The earth had been undermined to the extent of two or three feet. - Replying to the Inspector, he said he had not taken any notice of rules posted for the guidance of the workmen. When the men commenced work on Saturday neither of them examined the piece of soil which subsequently fell out and buried PARNELL. He saw the bars, driven in to loosen the earth, after the soil had fallen. These bars could be seen by anyone going on the top of the heading. He was not aware that the rules necessitated an examination of earth, soil or rock upon which men were engaged, or that they had to remove any loose earth or dangerous material. - Richard Vawden, of Marhamchurch, said he saw PARNELL and Jennings go on to the top of the heading and rive down bars to loosen the soil. Witness had not seen the rules, neither had his attention ever been directed to them. The usual plan was to undermine a piece of soil, and then go on to the top of the heading and throw it. Mr Gardener had frequently warned the men not to undermine too deeply. He received no instructions when he first came on the job as to how the headings were to be removed. - Answering Mr Martin, he said he had not done this particular kind of work before. - Frederick Babb, another employee, said he saw the soil falling, but there was no time to warn the men. About three or four truck loads fell. It seemed to come down on deceased's head. The ganger decided whether undermining was going too far, and he frequently checked the men. Witness was warned by Mr Gardener when he commenced at the quarry that the work was dangerous. - Mark Gardener, of Launcells, brother of the contractor, said he had been connected with similar undertakings for seventeen years. His brother's work was distinct from that of the L. and S.W.R. Witness gave deceased no special instructions as to how he should work. Witness was the ganger of the work, and did not allow much undermining. He passed the piece of soil on which deceased was working in the morning, but he did not go on top and was not aware that iron bars had been driven in to loosen the soil. - By the Foreman: The bars in question had been let down while he was superintending work in another part of the quarry. - By the Inspector: The rules laid down that the working should be examined every day and this direction had been carried out. There had been a previous slip, but he did not know whether it was due to an under-cut. Under-cutting was the easiest and cheapest way of getting the earth down. he had never seen accidents arising from under-cutting, but he had heard of them. - The Inspector: You have an experience now, and a dearly bought one, and what do you propose to do in the future? Is this sort of thing going to continue until another man is killed by this under-cutting? - We must dig and throw down. - Mr Grainger: He attributed the fall not to the undermining, but the driving in of the bars on the top of the heading, and this loosened the soil. Had he known this he should not have allowed the men to under-cut any further. - Thomas Gardener of Bridgerule, the Contractor, said he had arranged with the London and South Western Railway Company to shift the over-burden of the quarry at so much per yard, being paid in addition a sum for picking out stone. He did not personally superintend the work, that being left to his brother, the ganger. witness gave deceased no specific instructions when he hired him. The usual and proper notices were posted on the works. - The Foreman: Did it not occur to you that considering the raw hands you had there, that one ganger, who was superintending the laying of the road, could not superintend these men and see if they were under-cutting? - I left the matter to my brother. - William Grainger, superintendent engineer of the Western District, London and South Western Railway Company, said the railway company had taken all possible precautions as far as they were concerned. He knew the contractor and his brother were experienced in the work. - The Jury, after retiring for half an hour, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding "The Jury, whilst saying that no one is to blame in this particular case, is of opinion that when any men are employed in a quarry who have no previous experience, special instructions should be given them, and their special attention should be called to the rules, especially to rule 32, which directs that the workman himself should secure and prepare and see to the ground previous to commencing work.

KENTON - Suicide At Starcross. Naval Pensioner's Fate. - About six o'clock yesterday morning it was discovered that MR H. AVERY, a naval pensioner, had committed suicide by cutting his throat. The deceased lived with his brother, JOHN, also a naval pensioner and their aged mother also dwelt in the same house. Dr E. R. S. Lipscombe was sent for, but could only pronounce life extinct. The deceased had been a pensioner for four or five years and as a lad was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. For the last two or three seasons he has been one of the crew of the excursion steamer Duchess of Devonshire. The deceased was unmarried. No one seems to suggest any cause why the deceased comparatively young should take his own life. He was receiving a comfortable pension, and apparently had nothing to worry him. - In the afternoon Mr H. W. Gould, County Coroner, held an Inquest. Deceased appears to have been a little depressed of late, but for what reason no one seemed to know. His pension was that of a chief petty officer. Dr E. R. S. Lipscombe was called to him a day or two ago and was to have seen him that morning. Between 5 and 6 a.m. deceased asked his sister-in-law for his case of razors, as he wished to shave. She let him have it and not long afterwards he called to her "I have done it." She ran to his room and found him with his throat cut. Dr Lipscombe said deceased severed the arteries. - The Jury's verdict was "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind." - The deceased had two brothers, both naval pensioners, and another brother served in the York and Lancaster Regiment in India for many years. His mother is nearly 90 years of age.

EGG BUCKLAND - Mr R.R. Rodd, yesterday held an Inquest on MRS EMMA STONEMAN, wife of a market gardener residing at 4 Arnold's-point, Laira. The evidence showed that deceased was found hanging in the lavatory on Saturday morning, life being quite extinct; that deceased had had a stroke of paralysis some time ago and had not recovered. Dr G. Bate said when he was called she was quite dead, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Thursday 14 June 1906
WEST ANSTEY - Suicide in North Devon. - MORTIMER K. QUARTLEY, aged 24, farm labourer, of West Anstey, committed suicide by Shooting himself at Land's Farm. Two years ago he was placed in an Asylum and was discharged two months later. At the Inquest a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

CLOVELLY - MRS CHARLOTTE BABB, of Clovelly, about 65 years of age, called her son on Saturday morning to go to work. Subsequently she complained of illness and died about 6.15 a.m. At the Inquest Mr Hobling, of Hartland, said death was due to heart disease.

Western Morning News, Friday 15 June 1906
REVELSTOKE - Soldier's Fatal Fall. Inquest At Noss Mayo. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Noss Mayo yesterday on Private WALTER SMITH, aged 20, E. Company, 2nd Devon Regiment, North raglan Barracks, Devonport. Lieutenant P. R. Worrall, 2nd Devon Regiment said the deceased, a native of Tiverton, was one of a detachment engaged at Stoke Point Signalling Station. About 8.20 p.m. on Wednesday he was informed that deceased had fallen over the cliffs at Revelstoke. He immediately went out and found him lying dead on the rocks, his head being badly smashed. He must have fallen from the cliffs above. Deceased had seen about nineteen months serve and was one of the best men in the company. - Private F. Hamlyn, 2nd Devon Regiment, said deceased and Private Sowden on Wednesday evening took a walk by the edge of the cliffs. He saw deceased suddenly fall over. He might have slipped, or he might have caught his foot in a rabbit-hole. The cliff was not public property. - Private Jn. Sowden corroborated. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner and Jury expressing sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 June 1906
ABBOTSHAM - The North Devon Mystery. Inquest on FRANK GOODACRE - An Inquest was held at Abbotsham last evening on FRANK GOODACRE - MRS LILY GOODACRE, the widow, said deceased was 41 years of age. She last saw him about five weeks ago at Braunton Station. He was not living anywhere then. He had just left a house she had had furnished and told her he was going to Ilfracombe. She believed he did go there. She had not been aware that he had been living at Braunton. he had been in financial difficulties and had often threatened to commit suicide. She had heard that he was wanted by the Police on a charge. She had written him twice and could not understand why he had not replied. - George Frankpitt, landlord of the Railway Hotel, Braunton, said deceased first came to his place with his wife and two daughters in February. He was there in May, and came again last Saturday week. On deceased were a pair of socks which belonged to witness's son and were missed after the deceased left Braunton last May. While staying with him he rarely went out, but loitered about and sang. After breakfast on the Friday he asked for his bill and went out, saying he was going to get a "wire order" at eleven o'clock. - P.C. Veale, Braunton, said acting on information given him by a young man named Bassett, he found deceased's hat and coat (produced) on the bank at Braunton, about 150 yards from the railway station. That was on Sunday. A dog was chained up to a tree. In the coat pocket he found a stamp case and two letters. One was addressed to "Dear Lizze," and concluded with "I hope to be forgiven by Him who alone knows the suffering I have endured." The other note began "Be kind to my dog, she is my only pal." [Both letters appeared in our issue of yesterday.] Witness added that he found a razor, borrowed from the barber at Braunton, marked with the teeth of a dog, a pipe and a black-lead pencil. - Frank Carter, groom, of Abbotsham, spoke to finding the body under Abbotsham cliffs on Wednesday. It was fully dressed with the exception of hat and coat. - P.C. Rice said there was a wound on the upper lip. - Dr Grose, Bideford, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to drowning. There was no sign of poison, and no sign of foul play. The indications were consistent with the body having been in the water from the Friday. - Wm. Brock, who was prawning when the body was found, gave it as his opinion that the body was drowned where it was found, and that it had not been washed over from Braunton. He did not think the man had been dead more than three hours when the body was found. - The Coroner and the doctor disagreed with this view. - In summing up, the Coroner said he could tell the Jury that the man and wife had not been living very happily together. The man was always in debt and getting into trouble in many other ways, and the Police had circulated his description throughout the country as a man wanted for obtaining goods by false pretences. It was at first thought the leaving of the coat was a ruse to put the Police off the scent, but the finding of the body negatived that. He did not think the man would have walked 14 or 15 miles to where he was found without a coat or hat. - The Jury returned a verdict that "Deceased was FRANK GOODACRE, that he was found Drowned at Abbotsham on June 13th and that there was no evidence as to how he got into the water."

ASHBURTON. - The Ashburton Suicide. Deceased's Sons Drunk At The Inquest. - Mr G. F. Kellock, Coroner, attended at Blackmore Farm, Ashburton yesterday, to hold an Inquest on URIAH COTTLE, who shot himself on Thursday. The first witness was CHARLES COTTLE, son of the deceased, but he was in such an intoxicated state the it was impossible for the oath to be administered. GEORGE COTTLE, another son, was in a similar condition, and both talked, shouted and behaved in such a disgraceful manner that the Coroner was obliged to adjourn the Inquest until eleven o'clock today. He ordered both sons to be taken into custody until the time of the adjourned Inquest. They were conveyed to Ashburton Police Station by Police-Sergeant Prew and locked up. It appears that they had drank nearly the whole of the contents of a bottle of brandy just prior to the holding of the Inquest.

PLYMOUTH - Sad Suicide At Plymouth. A Son's Discovery. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest on MRS SARAH SIMPSON, wife of MR ALFRED DYER SIMPSON, warehouse buyer, of 14 Channel View-terrace, Plymouth. - The husband stated that deceased had twice been an inmate of an asylum, once about ten years ago and the second time three years ago. On the first occasion she was there three or four months and on the latter about 4 months. In the meantime she had been in full possession of her faculties. For five or six days prior to her death she had been under medical treatment. He last saw her alive when he went to business on Thursday morning. Then she was perfectly rational, cheerful and considerably better in health. He had never known her show any suicidal tendencies. - HAROLD P. SIMPSON, deceased's son said he last saw his mother alive about nine o'clock on Thursday morning. Coming home to dinner, he found the front door latched. Going round to the back he climbed over the wall into the backyard and looking into the scullery saw his mother hanging from a rope fastened to a beam. She was dead. Dr C. T. Gleny said he saw MRS SIMPSON about eleven o'clock on Thursday morning. She was then very cheerful and quite rational. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," and passed a vote of sympathy in which the Coroner joined, with the relatives.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Naval Officer's Death. Inquest on LIEUT. EDWARDS. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse on LIEUT. ARTHUR ALEXANDER EDWARDS, R.N., who died suddenly on board the Hood at Devonport on Thursday. Bugler t. J. Paul, Plymouth Division, R.M.L.I., on the Hood, stated that the deceased was lent to the ship as first lieutenant for mobilising. About 4.40 on Thursday afternoon witness noticed the deceased fall in the bag [?]. He stumbled over a steel coping. Witness went to him and called assistance which arrived at once. Deceased only joined the ship that morning. - Charles Renfry, leading seaman, who joined the Hood with the deceased and others from the R.N. Barracks, deposed to leaving the Barracks about 4 a.m. on Thursday. At that time he seemed all right. - Dr Oswald Mills, Surgeon, attached to the Hood, said he saw the deceased almost immediately after he fell and found him dead. There were no external marks. During the morning the deceased had complained of feeling a little pain in his side, but in the afternoon he said he was all right. - Dr A. J. Werner, Surgeon at the R. N. Hospital, Stonehouse, who made a post-mortem examination, said the cause of death was syncope, due to organic disease of the heart and blood vessels, of long standing. The Jury found that death was due to "Natural Causes." - The date and other arrangements connected with the funeral of LIEUT. A. A. EDWARD have not yet been settled, but his friends have intimated their desire that the interment shall be at Douglas, Isle of Man.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 June 1906
EXETER - At the Inquest on Saturday evening on URIAH WOODLAND, aged 65, of the "Wynard's" Almshouses, Exeter, the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane". His wife said deceased cut his throat and fainted.

ASHBURTON - Ashburton Farmer's Death. Deceased Son's conduct. - GEORGE COTTLE and CHARLES COTTLE, sons of URIAH COTTLE, aged 73, of Blackmoor Farm, Ashburton, who died in tragic circumstances on Thursday, were on Saturday before Col. P. F. S. Amery and Major R. C. Tucker, charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Coroner's Court the previous day. P.S. Prew said at the Inquest both defendants, who were to be witnesses, were very drunk, and their conduct was so bad that the Coroner could not go on with the Inquest. - John Coombes, of Ashburton, Foreman of the Jury, corroborated. - Dr Wilcox, of Ashburton, said at the Coroner's request he examined both defendants, and found them very drunk and noisy. - Defendants, who pleaded guilty, were each fined 20s. or 14 days' hard labour and the Chairman expressing his regret that such a thing should have happened. - At the adjourned Inquest CHARLES COTTLE said he last saw his father on Thursday morning about six o'clock. He was in a field with his brother, when they heard the report of a gun. They ran in and found their father on the barn steps with his brains blown out. - GEORGE COTTLE, brother of the last witness, added that deceased had been restless all the night and very strange in his mind. Deceased lost his wife at Christmas and had been worried ever since. - Police-Sergeant Prew said he was fetched by CHARLES COTTLE, who said his father had shot himself. - He at once proceeded to the farm, and found the body in a sitting position at the bottom of some stone steps leading to the barn. He was quite dead, his head being shattered. He found a gun resting on the body and on his legs under the gun was a walking-stick. He saw no signs of a struggle. He found an empty cartridge in the right barrel of the gun. The other barrel was empty. He ascertained from the sons that the gun had been moved by one of them. On the way to the farm CHARLES COTTLE made a statement similar to the evidence given by him. Witness afterwards saw GEORGE COTTLE whose version of the affair corresponded with that of his brother. - Dr E. Wilcox, of Ashburton, said deceased had a large wound in the head: the whole of the right eye was blown away, the charge passing through the brain to the base of the skull. There was a larger wound at the base of the skull than in front. Death must have been instantaneous. He attended deceased some little time ago. He complained of headache and also of being terribly worried through the death of his wife. The worry of the last few months had upset his nerves. - THOMAS COTTLE, son of the deceased, said there had been quarrels between the father and his sons, and they had threatened to do one another injury. He could not say if there had been any quarrels recently, as he left them some time ago on account of their behaviour. - The coroner said the case was a most painful one, and one to be deplored in a Christian country, and he hoped it would be a very long time before they would meet in Ashburton or elsewhere to inquire into another such case. - The Jury found "That deceased died from a wound caused by Shooting, but there was no evidence to find by whom it was inflicted."

TRURO, CORNWALL - Plymouth Plasterer's Death. - Mr E. L. Carlyon held an Inquest at Truro on Friday on EDMUND WILLIAMS, aged 54, plasterer of Ilbert-street, Plymouth. Deceased was employed by Mr W. H. Moyle, builder, Chacewater, to lath and plaster the ceiling of the Bible Christian Chapel at Quenchwell, Devoran. On the 6th inst he was found lying on the floor of the building having apparently fallen from a scaffolding 15 feet high. He told Fredk. Mitchell, who picked him up, that he over-balanced himself. He was admitted to Truro Infirmary suffering from a broken breast bone and injured ribs and died on Thursday. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 June 1906
ASHBURTON - The Ashburton Tragedy. Deceased's Son Goes Mad. - CHARLES COTTLE, son of the late URIAH COTTLE, of Blackmore Farm, Ashburton with being a wandering lunatic. P.C. Clarke, of Buckfastleigh, stated that he found COTTLE in a field at Priestaford Farm, running up and down searching in the hedges and among sting nettles for his brother. He then jumped over the hedge into the highway shouting out. "Here he comes," meaning his brother. there was no one about at the time. Witness accosted him and asked him what was the matter Prisoner replied that he was looking for his brother. He afterwards said they had taken his brother to Ashburton to give him some more law, as they did not give him enough the previous day. Witness conveyed him to Ashburton Police Station, where Dr Fitzpatrick certified him to be of unsound mind. He was ordered to be removed to Exminster Asylum. He had previously attended his late father's funeral at Buckfastleigh Church, where he had acted in a very strange manner.

PLYMOUTH - An Egg Buckland Fatality. Stonehouse Man's Sad Death. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on GEO. FRANCIS TAPSCOTT, aged 39, quarryman's labourer, of Peel-street, Stonehouse, who died on Friday from injuries received at the Bloomball Stone Quarry, Egg Buckland. - Sydney Battishill, contractor, said deceased on April 19th was employed on the stone crushing machine, when the shaft broke and the wheel fell on his foot. The machine was examined in January last and found in good order. - Jno. Chapman, quarryman, stated that deceased said he was a "done" man, but did not blame anyone. In reply to Mr Martin, H.M. Inspector of Mines and Quarries, witness said he had known the machine for three or four years and never knew it go wrong before. - Jno. Harris, engine driver, who was in charge of the engine, said he had no suspicion of anything being wrong with the machine. He saw the wheel roll off and stopped the engine at once. John Dunstan, in the employ of the Bickle Engineering Company, said he had seen the shaft since and could see no defect to account for its breaking. - The Foreman of the Jury said the Jury were of opinion that there was a flaw in the shaft and the shaft was produced for the inspection of the Jury. - The Foreman said it was plain the flaw could not have been detected while the machine was working. It was evidently a pure accident. - Dr F. L. Thomas, House Surgeon at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, said deceased's left toe was badly crushed. Parts of the second and third toes were completely gone and subsequently the foot was amputated. Death was due to septic pneumonia, set up by the condition of the foot. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

DOLTON - Choked To Death. - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest at Dolton, on Saturday, on HENRY WOOLWAY, baker, aged 55, who died on Thursday under rather remarkable circumstances. - John Hartnoll, a butcher, deposed that deceased came to his shop and purchased some tripe. He left the shop to get change and on returning saw deceased suddenly fall to the ground and die almost immediately. - Dr Greenwood Penny said death was due to asphyxia, caused by a piece of tripe which stuck in his throat. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Accidental Causes."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 June 1906
ASHBURTON - Ashburton Tragedy. Another Son A Lunatic. - GEORGE COTTLE, the elder son, who resided with his late father at Blackmoor Farm, near Ashburton, was apprehended at Ashburton yesterday by Police-Sergt. Prew as a wandering lunatic. COTTLE called at the office of Edwin Tucker and Sons (Limited), seed merchants, Ashburton and made a number of wild statements. He was brought before Major R. C. Tucker and certified to be of unsound mind and ordered to be removed to Exminster Asylum.

STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - At Devonport yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquest on SAMUEL GIDLEY, pensioner, R.A. of 21 Victory-street, Keyham. Deceased's wife stated that her husband, 59 years old, was troubled with heart disease some time ago, but appeared to have got rid of it. When out with her on the previous day he suddenly complained of feeling ill, went into his house and threw himself upon the bed. Going up five minutes later she found him dead. - Dr W. H. Davis attributed death to syncope, due to heart disease. The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 June 1906
LAMERTON - Lamerton Schoolmaster's Sudden Death. - MR NICHOLAS J. GIDDY, for 15 years schoolmaster at Lamerton School, died suddenly on Tuesday evening, while on his way with Mr J. Eastcott, of Lamerton, to the miniature rifle range. He complained of feeling unwell and sat down to rest. Apparently having recovered, he proceeded for a short distance and then reeled and fell, dying immediately. He was secretary of the Lamerton Miniature Rifle Club and the Cricket Club and sang in the church choir. The deceased leaves a widow but no family. He was 40 years of age and highly esteemed. At the Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd yesterday, Dr M. T. Leaman of Tavistock, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to an aneurism of the aorta.

Western Morning News, Saturday 23 June 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an inquest yesterday on THOMAS B. LUSCOMBE, aged 69, pensioned shipwright from the Dockyard, of 13 St Vincent-street. On Thursday after a good breakfast he helped his daughter (Mrs Williams) during the morning. Shortly before 1 p.m. Mrs Williams called her father to dinner, but got no answer and on going to his room found him on the floor dead. Dr J. H. Torney, who made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to syncope, due to chronic lung and kidney disease. The Jury found a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 June 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest at Devonport on Saturday on ELFRIDA GEORGINA GRACE CRIDFORD, 7 years, daughter of J. H. CRIDFORD, railway carpenter, 52 Lorrimore-avenue, Dr McCulloch attributed death to chronic valvular disease of the heart. It was quite possible the heat of Thursday had something to do with the death.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 June 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Royal Marine's Death. Found Drowned At Devonport. - An Inquest was held last evening by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, respecting the death of PATRICK HAYES, 25, a private in the R.M.L.I., who was found drowned at Tamar Wharf on Sunday. Corpl. J. Gardner, R.M.L.I., gave evidence of identification. P.C. Lovell stated that he saw the deceased in William-street about four o'clock on Sunday morning. He was covered with dust, and looked as if he had been lying down. there was a mark on his nose and part of his face was covered with dry blood. Witness asked him if he was having a night out and deceased replied in the affirmative. He further told the constable that he had just returned from Plymouth and intended to have a good wash. Deceased was neither sober nor drunk. James Henry Easton, labourer, of Jolly's Cottages, said at Tamar Wharf about 10.30 on Sunday morning he saw a body in about four feet of water. He gave information to the Police. Dr Row stated that an examination of the body disclosed a severe wound on the nose and a bruise on the upper lip. These had been sustained before death. Witness examined the finger nails and found that deceased had not struggled in any way. His opinion was that death was due to drowning. The marks were most probably caused by the fall. P.C. Greep, who assisted in removing the body to the mortuary said in the clothing he found a few coppers and a little tobacco. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

STOKE DAMEREL - Bathing Fatality. A Devonport Youth's Fate. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport last evening on ALFRED RICHARD MILLMAN, aged 19, a machine printer of 146 Alexandra-road, Ford, the son of WILLIAM MILLMAN, marine pensioner. George Baker, a member of St James-the-Great Boating Club, said on Saturday, with seventeen other members of the club, he went on a boating trip to Bere Ferrers. Six of them decided to bathe and witness and MILLMAN were among them. MILLMAN, the first in the water, was wading out to a deeper part, when witness passed him and swam out. He knew deceased could not swim and turned round to see how he was getting on. He saw him apparently trying to swim and he urged him to strike out. Witness swam back and MILLMAN suddenly disappeared. As he came up he caught him hold by the neck and was pushing him towards the shore, when MILLMAN struggled and catching him by the collar of his bathing costume, drew him under. MILLMAN eventually released his hold and he (Baker) on reaching the surface could find no trace of him. Attempts to recover the body proved unsuccessful until about midnight, when he was found by George [?], a Saltash fisherman. the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death"

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 June 1906
TORQUAY - Torquay Cook's Sad Death. - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday on AGNES SHAPLEY, aged 23, daughter of GEORGE SHAPLEY, 10 Manor-cottages, Newton Abbot, and employed as cook at Woodbury, Babbacombe-road, Torquay (the residence of Mr and Mrs H. E. Dale). Whilst deceased was toasting bread in the kitchen on May 21st her clothes caught fire and, enveloped in flames, she rushed into the drive. She was brought back by Rebecca Jones, the housemaid and Mrs Dale extinguished the flames by wrapping a rug round deceased. After being seen by a doctor, she was removed to the Torbay Hospital, where she died on Saturday. Mr M. Thomson, the House Surgeon, stated that the burns were very extensive. Deceased was unable to account for her dress becoming ignited. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 28 June 1906
PLYMOUTH - HANNAH DRAKE, widow of 11 Mount-street, Plymouth, was taken ill on Tuesday afternoon and soon afterwards died of heart disease. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMSTOCK - Plymouth Young Lady's Sad End. Worried By A Love Affair. Sympathy Of The Jury. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at the Morley Arms, Plymstock on MILDRED MARY LUCAS, daughter of MR W. W. LUCAS, builder, of 2 Lanhydrock-road, Plymouth, and a member of the Borough Council. - The Father's Evidence. - MR LUCAS said deceased was 20 years old on April 28th. About half-past seven on Monday evening she left home with a girl friend, and said she was going to Lipson-avenue. She had of late been under Dr Wilkinson's treatment. At times she was emotional and depressed. - The Coroner: The only thing which would account for that depression was her state of health? - I should like to be perfectly frank about it. There has been some little misunderstanding between her and her young man for a couple of months, and I think that that has contributed to it. - You think that there has been a little misunderstanding in a love affair? - I think so; in fact, I know it. - That has brought about her state of health? - Perhaps so. I have talked with her and her mother has. On Monday evening she and the young man met and had a conversation outside the house. - Did you object to the young fellow? - Not in the slightest. He was a very nice young fellow, and we are on the most friendly terms with the whole of his family. his name is De Viell, and he is a most respectable fellow. - I understand deceased has associated herself in good work? - Yes, right up to last Sunday afternoon and evening. She has been organist in the Wesleyan Mission Hall at Tresillian-street. She spent all last Sunday afternoon training the children for the anniversary, and played the organ in the evening. She was a teacher in the Sunday-school, and was one of the Band of Hope Committee, and an officer of the Good Templar Lodge. - Was she a good and dutiful daughter? Very. She had a beautiful spirit and never gave us a moment's trouble. Witness added that when she did not return on Monday evening he made enquiries and stopped up all night, as his daughter had always been very particular about being in by ten o'clock. - The Coroner: I think you received a card yesterday morning from her, telling you that by the time you received the communication she would be in another world, and that you were not to worry. - That is so. She said we were sure to meet in heaven. - In answer to the Foreman, witness said he saw deceased speak to her young man between five and six in the evening. - The Young Man's Story. - Sidney G. De Viell, of 9 Cleveland-road, St Jude's, Plymouth, clerk, said he had known deceased for over seven years, and had kept company with her for some time. - The Coroner: Had there been any misunderstanding between you? - I know she wished me to go back and keep company with her again. There was no fuss, and we were not engaged. - You felt, perhaps, it was time to stop it before it went too far, and you had made up your mind that you could not become engaged to her? - Yes, that was so. - You think she became attached to you, and you endeavoured to persuade her otherwise? - That is so. - That is perfectly satisfactory. I may take it that you felt you did not care sufficiently for her to marry her and you told her so? - that is right. Did she ever threaten that she would take her life? - No. - Of course, you never led her on to believe that you were going to marry her? - No. - MR LUCAS remarked that he had no objection to the young man. He never inquired into it very much: they were children together and attended in the same mission hall. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said he met deceased by chance on his way home from business about 6.30 and also just after seven o'clock. Nothing transpired then to throw any light on subsequent events, and their parting was perfectly friendly. - Deceased's Last Walk. - Janie Menhenick, of 14 Laira-street, Plymouth, said she met deceased about eight o'clock on Monday evening in Laira-street. They went together to Pomphlett, where deceased wished to see a girl, but found she was not at home. They then went for a walk in Saltram Woods, and returned at dusk. Deceased left her on Laira Bridge, saying she was going back again to call on her friend and witness went home. Deceased appeared to be as usual, but spoke to witness of a young girl in Cornwall whom she knew, who had threatened to drown herself. Deceased had been poorly lately. - In answer to a Juror, witness said she left deceased about 9.30 in the evening. - Joseph Michael Jackson, insurance agent, of 8 Spencer-terrace, Plymstock, said he was on his way to Oreston at 11.10 on Tuesday morning, when he found a lady's hat and a pair of boots on the bank of the Pomphlett Creek. He searched and found deceased's body in the water. - Dr Luscombe, of Oreston, said on the body he found three-halfpence, two rings, a bracelet, a lead pencil and a pair of gloves. There was nothing in writing. - A Fatal And Sudden Impulse. - Dr t. B. P. Wilkinson, of Plymouth, said he had attended deceased off and on for years. A week ago he prescribed for her. She was run down in constitution; and when that was the case her eyes suffered. She was of a very emotional temperament, and was easily depressed, being actuated a good deal by impulse. He thought, from what he knew of her, that she was likely to act on sudden impulse. She suffered periodically from inflammation of the eyelids, causing slight disfigurement, which might have been an additional worry. He thought she must have acted under an insane impulse when she got into the water. - Dr E. J. Donhavand, of Plymstock, said a post-mortem showed that death was due to drowning. There were no marks of violence about the body, which was apparently quite healthy. - MR LUCAS asked why he was not informed that a post-mortem was to be made. - The Coroner replied that there was nothing irregular in the proceeding. Where a person died and the doctor said he wished for a post-mortem, they naturally told the relations. But where there was to be a public Inquest, the Coroner gave the order, and he did so in that case. - MR LUCAS: It is never done in Plymouth. - The Coroner said if he had thought for a moment that MR LUCAS would have liked to have known, he would have sent a message. But he did not think it was at all essential. - MR LUCAS said he merely asked the question. - The Coroner, summing up, said they would all agree that it was a most painfully sad case, and he knew they would express to MR LUCAS and his family their deepest sympathy. (Hear, hear). In view of the fact that the hat and boots were found on the bank, and of the communication which the father received, there could be no doubt that deceased drowned herself. With regard to Mr De Viell, he thought his conduct towards deceased was that of a straightforward young man. He found he was not suited to her, nor she to him, and he did an honourable thing and told her so. That seemed to have preyed on her mind and having regard to that, and the condition of her health, he thought she acted on an insane impulse and threw herself into the river. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during a fit of Temporary Insanity." - MR LUCAS expressed his thanks to the Coroner and Jury for their kind expressions of sympathy.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 June 1906
LODDISWELL - C. SKINNER, of Well-street, Loddiswell, aged 13, who had not long returned from treatment at the Sanatorium for Consumptives, on Tuesday went to Kingsbridge with a market gardener named Hine. On returning he ate a hearty supper. Seized with vomiting, he died about two o'clock in the morning. At the Inquest a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

SOUTHAMPTON HAMPSHIRE - Tamerton Man's Sad End. A Fatal Dive. - As the result of an accident sustained through diving whilst bathing in the Southampton Corporation Baths, FREDERICK SMITH, a native of Tamerton Foliot, aged 26 years, has died. He was formerly in the navy, and was said to be the middle-weight boxing champion of his branch of the service. When he met with the injuries which proved fatal he was teaching two ladies to swim. Deceased was seen to go on to the balcony and sit on the rail. There were a good number of people present at the time, but few anticipated that he intended to take a dive from where he sat. He, however, did so, in spite of the fact that painted notices affixed by the side of the diving stage stated that bathers must not dive from any other part of the gallery. When he came to the surface, the manager of the baths (Mr Bridgen) quickly noticed something was wrong. he was speedily hauled out of the water, when it was noticed he was unconscious. Drs. Ives and Beaucraft were in attendance, and he was removed to the home of his sister, at 23 Milton-road, Southampton. By medical direction he was afterwards ordered to the Infirmary, where he died the following evening. - At the Inquest Mr Bridgen stated that deceased dived from a height of 11 feet into 3 feet 8 inches of water. - Dr Harnett (House Surgeon) said that when deceased was brought to the Hospital he was rather stunned and could not state what had happened. He became fully conscious about one hour after admission, when he complained of great pain in the base of his neck. He was paralysed from his neck downwards, and had a bad scalp wound. - A post-mortem examination showed that his neck was broken. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressing sympathy with the relatives and exonerated the manager of the baths from all blame.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 July 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - The Devonport coroner yesterday held an Inquest on KATHLEEN EDWARDS, aged two years and eight months, the child of HARRY EDWARDS, a boatman, of H.M. Customs at Falmouth. It was stated that the child lived with her mother at 30 Hotham-place, Stoke, and on Friday ate several strawberries. On Saturday she was suddenly taken ill and died before the arrival of a doctor. The verdict of the Jury was to the effect that death was due to convulsions, following on diarrhoea.

MODBURY - The Modbury Tragedy. Suicides On The Increase. - An Inquest was held at Butland Farm, Modbury, yesterday by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, on ERNEST HILL, aged 15, in the employ of Mr Sydney Coyte, farmer. - SAMUEL HILL, farm labourer, Modbury said deceased, his son, was of a very cheerful disposition and had been in his present employment three years. He had always said he was comfortable and happy, and had never made any complaint. He (witness) was unaware of any insanity in his family. - Laura Williams, domestic servant, said on Friday last, about 9.15 p.m., deceased took his master's gun and two cartridges from the kitchen, saying he could see to shoot a rabbit. He appeared jolly and had just previously cleaned his boots and leggings, the first time for eight months. He asked her not to say he had taken the gun. She had protested against his taking the gun. He told her he did not think he would be there much longer. - William G. Martin, farm labourer, said he saw deceased last alive on Friday, 6.45 p.m. He was then riding his master's horse, and appeared just as usual. Witness, with others, searched for him at 7 a.m. on Saturday, and found nothing. Later P.C. Jarman organised a search party, and he then discovered the deceased about 11.45 a.m. on the farm, in a barley field, in a sitting posture, left side against the hedge, and knees bent. The gun was between his legs, with a piece of cord tied to the trigger and twisted three or four times around his hand. The cartridge in the right barrel had been discharged. The head was blown practically away. Deceased was a cheerful boy. - Sydney Coyte said he had found deceased a capable and willing boy. He had recently returned after an absence of eight days, and had complimented the boy on the way he had done his work during his absence. - The Coroner, summing up, said it was a lamentable thing that suicides were on the increase. It seemed an extraordinary case for a boy of 15 to commit suicide without a reason, as far as they could see. It certainly did strike him as being eccentric that the boy should clean his boots and leggings - the first time for eight months - just before going to shoot himself. - The Jury (Mr A. Pearse, Foreman) found that deceased had Committed Suicide in a fit of Temporary Insanity.

PLYMOUTH - The Motor Car Fatality. Chauffeur's Indiscretion: Speed Of Cars In Towns. Five Miles An Hour Limit. - At the Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday by Mr R. B. Johns on ROSE EMILY GILES, aged four years and six months, of 137 Grenville-road, Mr Percy T. Pearce appeared for Mr Cory, owner of the motor car which knocked down the deceased, and the chauffeur, Sidney Sherrell. HENRY S. JAMES GILES, armourer's mate, R.N., said the deceased was his daughter. - Sidney W. Samson Sherrell, the chauffeur, stated that he was driving the car, and the accident occurred about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The car was travelling at about eight miles an hour, when he saw two children standing hand in hand in the middle of Embankment-road. There was room to have passed the children if they had remained still. On seeing them he sounded his horn continuously. When the care was nearly abreast of the them the girls parted company. The deceased ran to the right and the other to the left. At that time he was about three yards distant and thought the children were going to remains stationary. He immediately put on the hand brake and swerved to the right, the car being thrown up over the pavement. The car was not brought up quickly enough, however, and the left-hand lamp struck the deceased on the head. He had driven the car in Plymouth and district for about three months. Where the accident occurred was one of the most dangerous places for children in the town. - A Juror put it to witness that it would have been better for him to have stopped when he saw the children, and that the blowing of the horn brought about the accident. - Witness: If I had not blown the horn, I should have got into trouble on that account. - Mr Pearce: The law compels you to blow the horn? - Yes. The car was topped within its own length. When the child was picked up it was just at the rear of the car. - A Juror: These cars go through our streets too fast. - The Coroner: You must now allow any general prejudice to enter into this particular case. - A Juror: Twenty yards is a very small space of ground to cover. The driver ought to have stood still with his car and allowed the children to get on to the footpath. - Another Juror: I don't see the driver was called upon to stand-still. - Mr George Cory, R.N., stated that he was in the car and was watching the children as it approached. He thought nothing could possibly happen to them. The chauffeur sounded the horn and the children appeared to notice it. He did not see how the driver could possibly have averted the accident. It would have been extremely perilous not to have sounded the horn. - Mr Patrick B. Crowan, R.N. another occupant of the car corroborated. The car was going quite slowly. - A Juror: Do you think it was a decent rate to be going through the streets? - Yes; it was the same rate as a carriage, and a bicycle would be going rather faster. - A Juror: I never saw a motor car going eight miles an hour. It is nearer twenty. - John Kent Trewbells, 197 Embankment-road, said the car was approaching at the rate of from six to eight miles an hour. - The Coroner: Did you think it was going too fast? - No, quite the reverse; it was going quite slowly. - In your opinion if the children had remained stationary could the car have passed them? - Decidedly. - Did the chauffeur do everything that could possibly be done? - Yes. - Replying to the Foreman (Mr t. Pope), witness said the chauffeur endeavoured to turn the car into Elliott-road to avoid the child. If he had turned to the left instead of the right the other child would have been struck. - William Rowling, tramcar conductor, said he saw the accident when about thirty yards away. He heard the horn blown continuously. The pace of the car was between six and seven miles an hour. The chauffeur did all he could. He would have been bound to have struck one of the children whichever way he had turned. - Herbert K. Cook, linotype operator, 65 Desborough-road, said the children seemed terror-stricken. If they had remained stationary they would have been avoided. - The Coroner: Did the chauffeur do all he could? - Yes, it was wonderful the way he pulled the car up. It was travelling at an ordinary pace, perhaps eight miles an hour. - Did it strike you that it was going too fast? - Well, I think all motor cars go too fast. - If a cab was going at the same pace, would you consider it fast? - Yes, for a cab. - Dr Travers Stubbs stated the child was brought to his surgery quite dead. She had a scalp wound about four inches wide across the forehead, a dislocation of the right external side of the clavicle and three ribs on the right side fractured. The injuries were sufficient to cause instantaneous death. - The Coroner said he hoped the Jury, whatever their opinions were on motor cars, would not allow their judgment in the present case to be influenced by them. All the witnesses had given their evidence fairly and been quite prepared to answer the questions put to them. Apparently everything that possibly could be done was done, and it was one of the unfortunate cases that happened occasionally. The question for them to consider was whether they thought the chauffeur was driving furiously and could have avoided the accident, or whether he was going along in such an ordinary way that it was really the fault of the child. - The Jury retired to consider their verdict and on returning the Foreman said they were agreed as to its being a case of "Accidental Death." They wished to add the following rider: - "The Jury consider that, seeing the tender age of the child, the chauffeur was indiscreet in not coming to a standstill and also that the speed of a motor car should not exceed five miles an hour going through a town." - The Foreman added that the Jury wished also to express their deep sympathy with the bereaved parents. - Mr Pearce said Mr Cory and the chauffeur deeply regretted the occurrence.

EAST STONEHOUSE - The Essex Accident. Coroner's Jury Visit The Ship. - Through the courtesy of Rear-Admiral C. J. Barlow, D.S.O., Acting-Commander-in-Chief at Devonport, a visit was yesterday paid to the cruiser Essex by Mr R. R. Rodd (Devon County Coroner) and the Jury, who last Friday opened the Inquiry into the death of Able Seaman GEORGE MALCOMSON, who was killed as the result of an explosion on board. The Essex being moored at No. 13 Buoy in the Hamoaze, the Coroner and Jury embarked in a steamboat at the Dockyard and on reaching the ship were received by Capt. C. A. W. Hamilton and Commander H. G. C. Somerville. Capt. Hamilton conducted the visitors to the starboard foremost upper deck casemate, where the explosion took place while the blank charges were being fired in an attack on the "enemy" off Arosa Bay. Immediately after the explosion last Wednesday the casemate was locked and placed under a sentry, so that the gun and fittings, and everything else in the casemate are now just as they were at the time of the accident. The Jury inspected the casemate, but there was little to indicate the nature and extent of the accident. It is understood that one blank charge had already been fired and MALCOMSON, was standing near the breech of the gun, with the powder for a second charge in his hands, when the powder exploded as the result of a "back fire." The powder was contained in a felt or cloth bag and the explosion killed MALCOMSON instantly. The captain of the gun, Leading Seaman W. Salter, escaped injury, and will no doubt five evidence at the Inquest, which will be reopened at the R.N. Hospital, at Stonehouse at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Western Morning News, Thursday 5 July 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - The Essex Accident. An Error Of Judgment. Verdict Of "Accidental Death." - Mr R. R. Rodd, (Devon County Coroner) resumed the Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, relative to the death of GEORGE MALCOMSON, age 20, able seaman, whose home was at 8 Hurst-street, Belfast. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith (Messrs. Venning, Goldsmith and Peck) represented the Admiralty and Capt. C. A. W. Hamilton, of the cruiser Essex, was also present. Mr Thos. Reeve was Foreman of the Jury. Lieut. J. B. Haly and Able Seaman A. A. Ball, who were injured in the explosion on board the Essex, which caused MALCOMSON'S death, were also able to be present, but Ball was still wearing a shield over his right eye. - The Coroner said he was very glad that Lieut. Haly and Able Seaman Ball had recovered sufficiently to be able to attend. - Leading Seaman Wm. H. H. Salter, of the Essex, said that on Wednesday, 27th ult., the ship, which was in the Blue fleet for the manoeuvres was off Arosa Bay. About 5.30 p.m. witness was one of a gun's crew (A.1) in the starboard upper deck foremost casement. Lieut. Haly was also present and there were altogether ten in the casement. The ship was engaged in stopping merchant ship and one 6-inch cartridge, blank ammunition had been fired. The cartridge was similar to one shown to the Jury on Monday. The deceased then received the second cartridge, and was holding it, being stationed about three feet immediately at the rear of the gun, opposite the breech. No. 2 of the guns crew (Able Seaman Rexten opened the breech for sponging prior to firing the second charge. At that moment there was a "back fire" caused by the vessel steaming ahead and there being a strong head wind. The effect of the "back fire" was to explode the cartridge in MALCOMSON'S hand before the gun had been sponged. MALCOMSON was killed and others were injured. Witness's leg was singed, but not injured. The effect of the explosion was to fill the casemates with smoke and witness was afraid the [?] would [?] choke. there was no panic or excitement and the evolution was being done quietly. The sole cause of the accident was the "back fire." There was nothing wrong with the gun. Deceased should have been out of the way to the left rear of the gun and had he been there he would have been safe. Deceased was quite up to his work and a smart, handy fellow. - The Foreman: Do you think the breech was opened too quickly, seeing that you were head to wind? - No. - The Coroner: If the man had been at his proper station he would have been all right. There was a mimic war proceeding at the time and this ship was stopping a merchantman. - Witness: The deceased was too eager, but if I had seen him in that position I should have pushed him away. But I don't blame him. - By Mr Goldsmith: The gun's crew had frequently practised together at this kind of work. - Lieut. John Barrington Haly, of the Essex, stated that at 5.30 last Wednesday he was in charge of the casemate referred to and at the time of the explosion he was standing in the officers' hood to control the firing. - The explosion did not throw witness from his position, but he was burnt. Witness did not notice the deceased. He agreed with the evidence of the last witness. If in the position described by last witness, deceased ought not to have been there before the gun was sponged out. The explosion could not have been due to any other cause than a "back fire." There was no mis-fire. - Arthur A Ball, able seaman, gunlayer, said he was captain of the gun's crew in A.1 casemate and at the time of the explosion he was standing on the left platform. He agreed with Salter's evidence. Witness was looking straight ahead and did not see what happened. Deceased ought to have stood clear until the gun had been sponged out. - By Mr Goldsmith: the crew had been frequently drilled together. - A Juryman: Those in authority ought to have seen he was in his proper position. - Witness: If there were six officers they could not see every man in his exact position under the circumstances. - The Coroner: Every man knows his station, and if he does not keep it he must be responsible. Everyone has his own job of work for the moment. You must remember they were in action. - Harry Hunt, chief boatman of coastguards, stationed at St Ives, said he was in the casemate looking out of the port and training the gun on the enemy and did not see the explosion. He agreed that the deceased should have kept clear until the gun had been sponged out. Deceased was a smart young man and well able about his work. - Mr Barnes (Juryman) inquired whether Lieut. Haly was blown out of the casemate? - Capt. Hamilton said he saw Lieut. Haly picked up from the top of the casemate immediately after the accident. - Staff-Surgeon R. C. Munday, of the Essex, said at 5.50 p.m. he was told that there had been an accident, and on going to the sick by found that the injured man had been brought there. Deceased's right arm and shoulder blade had been blown off and his face had been burnt to a cinder. The fore arm was severed from the arm. Death was instantaneous. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said they had had a view of the casemate and gun, and had heard the evidence as to how the deceased received the injuries from which he died. They must bear in mind that the vessel was engaged at the time in a mimic war, when, of course, every man was on his metal to distinguish himself, as well as his ship. for smartness. They would agree that the sole cause of this sad fatality was the explosion of a 6-inch cartridge, which deceased was holding at the time. Deceased was stationed immediately to the rear of the gun, opposite the breech. The gun had been fired, and while deceased was standing with the second cartridge, the breech was opened and in consequence of the steaming ahead and the strong wind there was a "back fire" which struck the cartridge, causing it to explode, with the result that a very sad catastrophe occurred. They had been told that deceased was not in his proper station. He should have been to the left rear with the cartridge and had he been so he would have been perfectly safe. But, as he had already mentioned, the Jury must consider what was going on at the time. This poor fellow very anxious to be quick and smart, no doubt thought that immediately the breech was opened and the gun sponged, he would put in the cartridge. To put it charitably, they could only describe it as an error of judgment. Having regard to that they would then no doubt return a verdict of "Accidental Death" and express their sympathy with the parents of deceased of a brave and promising young son. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their pleasure at seeing that the injured men doing so well. - The Corner: It is a merciful Providence that it was not a more serious affair. - Captain Hamilton in reply to the Coroner, said the ship was roughly 60 miles south-west of Arosa Bay at the time of the explosion. There was no land in sight.

Western Morning News, Monday 9 July 1906
Mr J. D. Prickman on Saturday opened the Inquest on CHARLES BROOK, who met his death on Friday by a fall of rock at Meldon Quarry, and after evidence of identification, adjourned until this morning.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 July 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - A Stonehouse Infant's Death. At an Inquest held at Stonehouse yesterday, it was stated that KATE FERRIS, 28 years of age, residing with her parents at 34 Admiralty-street, gave birth on Friday afternoon to a female child and when a doctor was called he found the child in a slop-pot dead. No preparations were made in any form for the birth. The parents of the girl stated that they had no knowledge whatever of her condition. As the mother was too ill to attend the Inquiry was adjourned until the 27th inst. The Coroner (Mr R. R. Rodd) remarked that in that case they had used the new mortuary for the first time, the body of the child having been laid there. They were now able to view the body under satisfactory conditions, and the new building reflected great credit on the township.

PLYMOUTH - Naval Pensioner's Suicide. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on RICHARD CHARLES HOLMAN, naval pensioner. HELEN J. HOLMAN said deceased was her husband, but she had been separated from him for over two years. She last saw him on Bank Holiday, and they parted very good friends. Dr Cooke said deceased had been dead some time when cut down. He attended the man five years ago and he was then very depressed. - Samuel Dann, boilermaker, of 31 St Andrew-street, said on Friday evening on going to his bedroom to change he found deceased hanging by a strand round his neck and attached to the skylight. He cut him down at once but he was dead. Deceased had been depressed for a fortnight. he had not done much work lately. He had never heard him threaten to take his life. The Coroner: Deceased's brother hung himself about two years ago. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 11 July 1906
BICKINGTON - At Bickington, near Newton Abbot, yesterday, the County Coroner (Mr S. Hacker) held an Inquiry relative to the death of MRS MARY PHILLIPS, widow, aged 63. Mrs Emily Cole said she was standing talking to the deceased in the road on Sunday night, when she was suddenly taken ill, and died subsequently. Dr Ernest Wilcox, Ashburton, said the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Fatal Fall. - Mr R. B. Johns (Borough Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on EDITH MACKAY KELSEY, aged 29, who died at her home on Monday evening from injuries received through falling downstairs the previous day. - WM. NEWTON KELSEY, manager at Nicholls and Co., athletic outfitters, 153 Union-street, stated that deceased was his wife and on Sunday evening he went for a walk, leaving her in the house. He returned just before 10 p.m. and proceeded upstairs without striking a light. Halfway up he kicked against something lying across the stairs and found that it was his wife, whose face was covered in blood. She was initially unconscious. He bathed her face and got her into bed. After supper he went to bed also. - In reply to the Coroner, he said his wife's condition did not strike him as being peculiar. Shortly after midnight he thought she was ill and then got up and summoned a doctor. - The Coroner: Did she speak to you? - No. - Did you ask her how it happened? - Yes, and I received no reply. - The Coroner said he most certainly thought the husband should have done something further. - Mr R. Wall (Foreman) said that the Jury themselves felt that witness should have immediately sent for the doctor. - Dr Pearse stated that after making a post-mortem examination he found that death was due to a rupture of a blood vessel on the brain. There was also a bruise under the chin. The injuries had the appearance of being caused by a fall. The case was practically hopeless from the first. - The Foreman said they had visited the house and had no doubt that deceased fell down the stairs and sustained the injuries mentioned. The Jury were also of opinion that the stairs were badly constructed, the rails in one part ending a foot above the bottom of the stairs. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 July 1906
BRAUNTON - Lady Burnt To Death. Sad Affair In North Devon. - During Tuesday night a fire broke out in a house in Caen-street, Braunton, occupied by Mrs Cooper,, a widow, and a lady lodger was so terribly burnt that she died in three hours. The deceased was MRS SLATER, a widow, aged 54, who came from London. P.C. Veale pluckily entered the burning room and removed MRS SLATER, sustaining burns on the arms in the effort. Braunton Fire Brigade got the fire under before the arrival of the Raleigh Brigade from Barnstaple, but the back of the house was gutted and most of the furniture destroyed. Some damage was also done to the houses immediately adjoining. - At the Inquest yesterday Miss Emily Perryman, niece of Mrs Cooper, said MRS JANE SLATER was in the habit of reading in bed and she retired about 10.30 on Tuesday. An hour after Mrs Cooper called her, saying there was something wrong in MRS SLATER'S bedroom and on going to the room she found the bed hangings on fire and a lamp over-turned on the floor. The table on which the lamp generally stood was also over-turned. MRS SLATER was lying on the floor, her clothing on fire. She (witness) tried to extinguish the flames and finding she could not do so, called for help. P.C. Veale at once coming. She could not say whether the lamp burst or was over-turned. P.C. Veale said he burst open the door of Mrs Cooper's house on hearing cries of "Murder." He saw Miss Perryman on the landing with her clothes on fire. He extinguished the flames and she then told him there was a lady on fire in the bedroom. Groans directed him to MRS SLATER, who was lying near the window covered in flames. He was [?] exhausted by the flames, but he managed to get MRS SLATER on to the landing. She there, however, kicked herself from his shoulders. He got assistance, and conveyed MRS SLATER to an adjoining house. The only words he heard her say was "My goodness. What has happened?" - Dr Walter Harper said the burns were so extensive that there was no hope of recovery. Deceased muttered a good deal, but said nothing to throw any light as to how the accident happened. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and commended P.C. Veale for his brave conduct.

Western Morning News, Friday 13 July 1906
PLYMOUTH - Drowned At Plymouth. - At the Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday on ELIAS DOWN, aged 60 years of age, John Squire, farmer, Villavin Farm, Roborough, Beaford, stated that about 25 years ago deceased carried on the business of a farmer at Southmolton. Witness last saw him in February when he drove him to the Station from his residence. Deceased would not say where he was going. He had always been of a jolly disposition and witness would never have thought that deceased would have taken his own life. Mrs Edith Crocker, refreshment-house keeper, Mount Pleasant-terrace, stated that on July 1st deceased took a room at her house. Early on Tuesday morning he got up and said he was going to bathe his feet under the Hoe. - William Rowe, waiter at the Central Hotel, stated that about six o'clock on Tuesday morning he saw deceased's body lying within a foot of the shore near the Promenade Pier. He recovered it and communicated with the Police. - The Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) remarked that there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water, but it appeared as if he went to bathe his feet and fell in. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 16 July 1906
EXETER - Exeter Man's Death. Fatal Quarrel At Brampford Speke. - An Inquest was held at Exeter on Saturday on ROBERT SANDERS, aged 57, a cattle dealer of 24 Courtenay-road, St Thomas. - Mr W. H. Tarbet represented Henry Western, who wished to express his deep sympathy with the relatives. - Sarah Westcott, widow, said when deceased left home on Monday morning to go to Brampford Speke he was in good health and was brought home at midnight in a trap, having lost the use of his legs. He was attended by Dr Stokes, but died on Wednesday evening. - Henry Stadden, pig dealer, Brampford Speke, said at 9.30 on returning from hay-making, he was informed that deceased had been taken into his stable. Asked what was the matter, deceased said he thought he had had a seizure, but would be all right if he could rest a bit. Thinking deceased looked very ill, he drove him home. - John Brewer, farmer, Brampford Speke, said shortly after six he was informed that deceased was in Mr Wadman's field asleep and that some children were having a game with him, and throwing stones at him. He assisted him to rise and supported by the arms by witness and Richard Staddon, he walked into an orchard out of the way of the boys. Deceased said: "If you will only let me stay here and have a sleep I shall be all right." Witness asked Richard Staddon to keep watch while he went to look after sheep and returning in about two hours, they assisted him to the cottage of Mrs Roberts, who made tea for him, after drinking which he was able to get to Mr Staddon's farm. Mr and Mrs Staddon being out, witness put him in the stable. Deceased said "I'm all right now. I shall have a sleep and when Harry Staddon comes he will drive me home." Asked what was the matter, deceased said he thought he had had a seizure, but he had not been drinking anything out of the way. - Henry D. Staddon, landlord of the Agricultural Inn, Brampford Speke, said deceased came to his house on Monday at midday and had three pints of cider. Mr Harry Western was also there. During the afternoon deceased and Western went into the yard. SANDERS was quarrelsome. Witness spoke to the deceased and told him to go. Both then went away. Before going he heard deceased challenge Western to fight. They went in the direction of Mr Wadman's field. Western and the deceased entered witness's house together. Western had two pints and a glass of cider. - Sarah Jane Roberts, Brampford Speke, said as SANDERS and Western passed her house shortly after five, she heard SANDERS say: "Let us come into Wadman's field and have it out." She watched them go to the field. SANDERS opened the gate: Western followed. Neither of the men were sober. She followed and when she got to the field she saw SANDERS lying on the ground. Western stood looking at him. Deceased did not seem to have any power in his limbs. She went away, but came back on the suggestion of Western to get deceased a cup of tea. She thought he was drunk. She did not see any blows struck. - Henry James Western, butcher, Brampford Speke, said he went to the Agricultural Inn with deceased and stayed there about three hours. He left because MR SANDERS was getting quarrelsome. They were told to go by the landlord. They were both sober. Deceased started the row by saying he would throw witness over the table with one hand. He said "If you are going to serve me like that, I am going to shift." Deceased became so excited that witness went out. Deceased followed him to the yard and caught hold of him. There was no struggle, they having been separated by a black-smith. On the way to Wadman's field, witness asked deceased if he was going to sell the bullocks he had been talking about. There was no more conversation until they got to eh gate, when deceased said, "You come in here and I will bury you." Witness asked him to come and have some tea, but he replied, "Not until I have done with you." They then had a tussle, witness falling down. In another struggle they fell together, deceased being under him. Witness offered to help him, but he refused, saying he would be all right after having a sleep. Witness then went home. It did not occur to him that deceased was hurt. He, however, thought it strange that deceased wanted to go to sleep. Witness asked him if he was hurt, and he said "No." He did not hear anything of the affair until the next morning. He did not know how deceased fell. He followed him into the field because he challenged him, but not to fight it out. - Dr C. E. Stokes, St Thomas, said when he examined the deceased at one o'clock on Tuesday morning he found his limbs were paralysed. Witness told him he had had a fall, but deceased said he had not. He complained of great pain in his neck. On Wednesday morning deceased admitted to him he might have had a bit of a fall. A post-mortem examination showed that the spine in the region of the neck was fractured, and that was the cause of death. - Dr J. Pereira corroborated. - The Coroner, in summing up, said the case was a very singular one. If two men were fighting and one killed the other, the survivor was undoubtedly guilty of manslaughter. Of course, when a man was attacked by another and one killed the other, then that would be justifiable homicide. A man had no right whatever to accept a challenge. - The Jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Western, and the Coroner committed him for trial at the Assize, bail being granted. - The Foreman of the Jury said he wished to commend Mrs Roberts for the way in which she had given her evidence. - Chief Inspector Dymond drew the attention of the Coroner to the very able way in which P.C. Hoyle, the court officer, obtained the necessary evidence in such a short space of time. Although a young officer, he had done his duty very creditably. - The Coroner quite agreed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 July 1906
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening on CHARLES R. BOLT, cab driver, aged 62, of St Thomas, who on Wednesday evening was found lying unconscious on the floor of the cabmen's shelter at the station. Mr P. H. Stirk, House Surgeon said deceased died on Friday. A post-mortem examination revealed a large amount of haemorrhage on the left side of the brain, which was the immediate cause of death. All his organs were extensively diseased.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 July 1906
TAVISTOCK - Fatal Joking At Tavistock. A Very Sad Affair. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Tavistock yesterday on JOHN ROSKILLY WILLIAMS, son of MR GEORGE WILLIAMS, saddler, Tavistock. Mr W. Snell was Foreman of the Jury. - MR WILLIAMS stated that his son, 28 years old, complained of pain in the abdomen on July 7th. Deceased told him that he was leaning over the balcony of the Constitutional Club when a young bank clerk did or said something in fun. Deceased turned round sharply and the other young man had his knee up and accidentally caught him in the stomach. His son said the young man never intended to injure him and he hoped no fuss would be made about it. - Joseph Reginald Braddock, bank clerk, Tavistock, said they were joking, and deceased turned round to lay hold of him. He did not remember raising his knee, but in trying to lay hold of him deceased might have knocked himself against it. - Dr Snowden Smith called to deceased on July 8th, found him suffering from symptoms of appendicitis. He consulted with Dr Woollcombe. They attached a good deal of importance to the blow as the probable cause of the illness. Deceased went on fairly well until Friday, when he became seriously ill and on Sunday underwent an operation, which showed that he was suffering from appendicitis, with abscesses in the neighbourhood of the appendix. In the appendix itself were three hard concretions, as that if the deceased had not received the blow he would sooner or later have had appendicitis. On the other hand, it looked as if the blow as the exciting cause of the complaint. The deceased might have had a better chance of recovering from the operation but for the blow. He thought the cause of death was shock after the operation for appendicitis, which was probably hastened by the blow which deceased told witness was accidental. - The Coroner said MR WILLIAMS was satisfied that what was done was purely accidental. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and they and the Coroner expressed deep sympathy with MR WILLIAMS in the loss of his only surviving son. The Jury asked Police-Sergeant Hill to purchase a wreath with their fees. - The deceased was a very popular young man. He was associated with the Cycling Club, of which he had been the captain. He was also a Freemason. The flag at the Constitutional Club is at half-mast. In reply to MR WILLIAMS, the Coroner said an Inquest was absolutely necessary in order that the question of the blow might be cleared up, as it had been by that Inquiry.

EXMINSTER - Kingsbridge Man's Death. Gymnastic Feats In The Asylum. - An Inquest was held at the Devon County Asylum at Exminster last evening on a labourer named LEGASSICK, aged 67, of Kingsbridge. Deceased some time ago threatened to drown himself, and had since attempted to cut his throat. On July 6th he was put into the padded room and watched day and night. At times he would pull up the mattress on the floor, stand on his head and try to turn somersaults. One morning it was found that he had sustained bruises on the left side of his body, but he made no complaint, and the attendants thought it was an old bruise, or something very slight. He died on Tuesday, and a post-mortem showed that on the side where the bruises were five ribs had been broken. It is thought the injury must have been sustained during the man's gymnastic exercises. The cause of death was heart disease accelerated by the injury to the ribs and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 20 July 1906
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - Councillor SEMMENS' Death. Inquest At Dousland. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Manor Hotel, Dousland, yesterday on MR JOHN SEMMENS, of 32 Chapel-street, Devonport, Borough Councillor who died suddenly at Peak Hill on Wednesday while accompanying the Water Committee on a visit to the Corporation Waterworks. - Alfred T. Johns, of Cambridge-road, Ford, his son-in-law said deceased, 62 years of age, was a Dockyard pensioner. He had not made any complaints with regard to his health lately. Witness had never known deceased to have a weak heart. - William P. Jones, caretaker, said he accompanied the Water Committee on the previous day. The party was ascending Peak Hill, after luncheon, and witness and deceased walked together. Deceased suddenly put his hand to his chest, and said "I cannot walk any further." He advised him to get into the wagonette, and opened the door for him to do so. He entered the vehicle and witness was following, when deceased suddenly fell forward with his head under the seat. He thought he was indulging in a joke, as he had been of a jocular disposition throughout the day. He lifted him up and found he was dead. - In reply to Dr H. J. S. Liddell, witness said deceased ate a very light luncheon. - Dr Liddell said a post-mortem showed that the cause of death was heart disease. There was a large amount of fatty deposit about the heart and the stomach was very dilated. The other organs were in good condition. Death was immediately due to syncope, accelerated by the walk up the hill, following lunch, and the extreme heat. - The Coroner said it was an extremely sad occurrence, and expressed sympathy with the relatives and the Borough Council in the loss of a valued member. The Jury concurred and returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes." - Mr Fittall, town clerk of Devonport, who acknowledged the expression of sympathy on behalf of the Council, said MR SEMMENS had always taken a deep interest in the water undertaking of the borough and had recently on four days accompanied the engineer in a walk along different parts of the leat. His loss would be deeply felt by the Council. - Mr Johns returned thanks on behalf of the widow and daughter. - The funeral will take place at Plymouth Cemetery tomorrow, leaving 32 Chapel-street at 1.45 p.m. and not at 2.15 p.m. as previously arranged. In the absence of the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moon), the Deputy Mayor (Mr E. Blackall) has issued a circular informing the Council of his intention to be present.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 July 1906
LYNTON - An Inquest was held at Lynton yesterday on CHARLES UNSWORTH, who arrived there on Wednesday last, and after wandering about the place and Lynmouth all night, was removed to a hotel and there died. Dr Atkinson, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to an excessive dose of morphia and a letter found on deceased showed it was a determined case of suicide. - The Police have been unable to trace the deceased, who was about 55 years of age and 5ft. 6in in height, with a partial contraction of the palm of the left hand and one finger permanently crooked. In his brown leather bag, left at the Railway Station, were articles of clothing, surgical scissors, good toilet supply, gunmetal watch and gold chain, with a chased gold ring, which he particularly desired should be buried with him; also a purse containing 15s. 8 ½d. in silver and copper and £4 10s. in gold.

Western Morning News, Saturday 28 July 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - The adjourned Inquest as to the death of the infant child of KATE EVENS, was to have been held at Stonehouse Town Hall yesterday, but the Coroner, Mr R. R. Rodd said Dr Corbett had informed him that the mother was not fit to attend, and another adjournment took place until next Thursday at three.

BRIXHAM - Brixham Woman's Death. Suffocated While Drunk. - The Inquest on EMILY ADAMS, wife of MR S. G. ADAMS, fisherman, was concluded at Brixham yesterday. - Dr W. J. Quicke, Surgeon, said deceased had no external marks of violence. Her heart was enormously distended with dark fluid blood. Death in his opinion was due to suffocation. She had been drinking and sitting down in her kitchen with her head and arms resting on the gas stove. She was suffocated in that position. Dr G. B. Elliott agreed with Mr Quicke. Deceased's husband, who was at sea at the time of his wife's death, said she had drank freely for years and he was powerless to prevent it. A verdict of "Accidentally Suffocated while Asleep" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 30 July 1906
STOKENHAM - Found Drowned At Hallsands. - At Torcross on Saturday Mr Sidney Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest on JOHN PHYSICK, 44 years of age, a naval pensioner of Dartmouth, whose body was found in the sea off Hallsands on Thursday. - FRANK PHYSICK, coal lumper, of Higher-street, Dartmouth, identified deceased as his brother, who, he said, had been away from home four years and had worked in various parts of the country. Deceased returned to Dartmouth last Saturday week and had been living with his mother, to whom he had always been very good. His brother was a steady man, and he had never heard him threaten to take his life. He only knew from hearsay that he had been charged at Reading with attempted suicide. - George Ackerell, certified bailiff, Dartmouth, said deceased was his brother-in-law. At Easter he attempted suicide at Windsor by cutting his throat, and was tried at Reading and discharged upon his own recognisances of £10. Deceased tried to obtain work. He seemed perfectly miserable at having nothing to do, and nowhere to go. Deceased promised faithfully he would not attempt to commit suicide again. On Tuesday deceased left home, but had not returned by night and witness, therefore, gave information to the Police. - Robert Trout, fisherman, of Hallsands, deposed to finding the body on Thursday. - Dr A. K. Matthews, of Chillington, said death was due to suffocation, caused by drowning. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

LYNMOUTH - Lynmouth Bathing Fatality. Need Of Life-Saving Appliances. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, on Saturday held an Inquest at Lynmouth on the two victims of the terrible bathing fatality the previous day. The deceased - GEORGE LESTER, 52, ironmonger of 149 Stroud Green-road, London and THOMAS JAMES WHITE, 30, grocer's assistant, employed at Lynmouth, but whose home is Cullompton - were bathing off Lynmouth with others, when either through the roughness of the sea or miscalculation of their own powers they were quickly drowned. - Mr E. B. Jenne, J.P., was Foreman of the Jury. - SAMUEL LESTER, chemist, of Lynmouth, said one of the deceased was his brother, who with his wife had been visiting him at Lynmouth and on this morning they were all bathing, but deceased had gone out before him. In fact, witness was only in the water a few minutes when he saw his brother sink in about eight or ten feet of water. His idea was that his brother got on the reef of rocks there and was hurt by a wave, but after he saw his brother go down everything was more or less a blank. Witness thought the life might not have been lost had there been at hand life-saving appliances and suggested a line should be kept at the spot in future. - Another bather, Samuel Bale, painter, Lynmouth, thought it possible LESTER had been knocked against the rocks and hurt and the undercurrent, which was very strong, carried him out of his depth. He had told LESTER not to go too far eastwards on account of the breakers and deceased replied, thanking him. With witness, bathing about the same place, were Messrs. WHITE, Charbonnier, jun., and Webber. The first-named was a weak swimmer and noticing him in difficulties witness caught hold of him and tried to get him ashore. He shouted for help and Charbonnier, jun., came towards them, but seemed afraid and turned back. Witness shouted "Come out," but no one did so. Another sea breaking over them, WHITE sank, and witness had as much as he could do to get ashore. Then he first heard that MR LESTER was drowned. - Questioned by the Foreman with regard to his calling for help, witness said several people were standing on the shore, but none attempted to come out, except young Charbonnier. WHITE was too heavy for him. - John Crocombe, who heard the alarm raised whilst he was discharging coal, said he fetched a life jacket and line and swimming out brought in LESTER, who seemed alive, but artificial respiration, resorted to by Mr A. Osborne, and Mr W. Johnson, London visitors, had no results. - WHITE'S body, other witnesses stated, was not recovered for four hours. - Dr Atkinson said in both cases death was due to asphyxia, caused by drowning, possibly in the case of LESTER accompanied by fainting from fright. The two visitors did everything possible for deceased before witness arrived, and a long-continued attempt to restore animation was made. - A relative of WHITE'S wishing to know what steps were taken to recover that body, it was stated grappling was useless, although Mr Pedder went there to try it. - The Coroner thought it a most painful tragedy, but they must assume Bale's cries for help were unheard, for they could not imagine persons hearing them taking no notice. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Drowning," the Jury added a rider recommending Lynton Urban Council to place life-saving appliances on the beach. They also recorded their wish that Bale's gallant attempt at rescue should be brought to the notice of the Royal Humane Society. - MR LESTER expressed his admiration of Bale's conduct, and his appreciation of services rendered by Mr Crocombe and the visitors and others.

PLYMOUTH - Fall From A Window At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth Mortuary on Saturday, on ADA DORIS LANE, the fifteen months old child of FREDERICK LANE, driver of 3 Higher-street. - WINIFRED LANE, sister of deceased, said she was dressing another infant sister on the previous day and deceased was in the same room in the care of a small brother. The brother suddenly cried: "She has fallen out of the window," and witness found that deceased was missing. She immediately ran into the courtyard below and found the deceased lying there. She carried her indoors and sent for Dr Clarke. - Dr Clarke said the child was alive when he saw it, but expired soon after, death being due to fracture of the skull and consequent haemorrhage - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

ASHBURTON - Devon Mining Fatality. Opening Of The Inquest. - Mr Coroner Hacker, of Newton Abbot, on Saturday opened an Inquest on JOHN HENRY CAMPION, who was killed by an explosion in a shaft at Owlacombe Mine, near Ashburton, on Thursday night. The Inquiry was attended by Mr T. Greenland Davies, one of H.M. Inspectors of Mines, and Mr H. Mallaby Firth, of Ashburton represented the owner of the mine, Mr E. H. Bayldon, of Dawlish, who was also present. - GEORGE CAMPION, of Bickington, a labourer in the mine, said deceased, his brother, was 19 years of age. He was also a labourer. Witness was on the morning shift on Thursday and deceased was on the afternoon shift. Norman and Sidney Grose were in charge of the afternoon shift. They drilled and charged six holes with gelignite, and between one and two o'clock the holes were fired; three the first time and they all went off. Then two more were lighted and went off. Then the sixth charge was lighted, which was at the east end of the shaft, and they heard that discharge. He was sure he heard all six charges explode. - Sidney Grose, miner, said he was on the morning shift on Thursday. They bored holes for blasting. There were seven holes when they finished. Three of them and a part of a fourth had been drilled the night before. He charged the holes, all seven. His brother Norman put in the cap and the fuses and he (Sidney) lighted them. First they lighted three sinking holes and they all went off, one after the other. Then they let off three more holes at the west end. Two of them exploded; the third did not. The fuse of that one did not light and they went down the shaft again and blasted another hole in the east or pump end of the shaft. That hole exploded. When the afternoon shift came on witness told them all of the one hole that had not exploded. - The Coroner: What did you tell them? - That one hole down there in the western corner had not gone off. - The Inspector: What are your rules or instructions about a mis-shot? - Witness: When we get a mis-fire we don't go back for half an hour. - What time did elapse before you went back? - About half an hour, but we knew that the hole had not fired because the fuse did not light. - After the sinking shots went off did you make examination of the bottom? - No, we could not; there were six inches of water there then. - There was then no means of ascertaining whether these shots had properly fired? - No, the water was all over it. - There were only six inches of water there? - It soon rose to a foot. - To the Coroner: The hole that did not go off is left there still. - Was the charge taken out? - No; we left it as it was. - Then you do not know whether or not that was the hole that afterwards exploded? - Oh, yes; I have seen that one there since. - Have you any theory as to the cause of the accident? - The only thing I can suppose is that one of the "safeties" did not put off all the dynamite. There must have been some left in the bottom of the hole that did not explode. That is the only explanation I can give. - Was there anything in the report that would give you that idea? - No; they all went off alike. - If only half the charge exploded, there would be a difference in the report wouldn't there? - There might be. - If the charge was not properly laid, it might be that some part of that would not explode? - I do not think so. - If the hole was carelessly charged would that make the difference? - No; it ought to be all put off then. - Was there water in the bottom then? - No; the pumps were working, but the hole was full of water. - The Inspector: Have you no instructions to go down and see if a hole has properly exploded? - We could not do it for the water. - Ought not the next shift to make that examination? - They could not see it before the bottom was cleared. - Replying to further questions, witness said they had instructions to take explosives down the mine in a tin; but he had not got a tin. - To Mr Firth: We saw the fuse did not burn at all in the hole that missed fire. - The Coroner: Have you ever known such a thing as only part of a charge to go off? - No. - Never heard of it? - I have heard other men say they have known of it. - John Redstone, of Sigford Mine, timberman, said he went down the shaft after the accident and found two men injured and CAMPION dead. He got them up to the surface. - P. C. Champion, stationed at Ashburton, deposed to arriving at the mine about 10.30. Dr Fitzpatrick examined the body of deceased, and he removed it to the cottage. It appeared from his injuries that the deceased was struck in the pit of the stomach. - At this point the Coroner said he should have to adjourn the inquiry, as it was not certain the Inspector of Mines would be there and they had only arranged to take formal evidence. Moreover, he (the Coroner) had an engagement in another part of the county. He proposed, therefore, to adjourn the Inquiry until Friday next at 11 o'clock at Ashburton. - Mr Firth said before they adjourned he desired to express on Mr Bayldom's behalf his deep regret at this accident, and his sympathy with the relatives and with the injured men. He could assure them everything had been done and no expense had been spared to carry on the mine properly and every precaution had been taken against accident, and risk. - Mr Grose, the "captain" also did everything he could for the injured after the accident.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 31 July 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - The Devonport coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, yesterday held an Inquest on RICHARD J. S. WEEKS, aged 53, Dockyard labourer, residing at 21 Westeris-terrace. - Laura Lidstone, sister of the deceased, stated that the latter had been suffering from rheumatics, and on Sunday night complained that he had difficulty in breathing. He promised to see a doctor about his health on the following morning. Early on Monday witness heard deceased moaning and afterwards heard him going downstairs. On arriving at the kitchen about an hour afterwards, witness found the deceased lying on the floor dead. It was stated that WEEKS was a married man, but lived apart from his wife. - The Coroner asked whether the wife knew of her husband's death. - Witness replied that she had married again, and her "husband" had summoned her for bigamy. - Dr Sandford said death was due to heart disease, probably accelerated by the condition of the liver and intemperance. - The Jury returned a verdict to this effect.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Man's Sudden Death. Married A Month. - An Inquest was held by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, yesterday, on DAVID BROAD, a carpenter in the Works Department in Devonport Dockyard. - The widow, EDITH BROAD, gave evidence of identification and stated that the deceased's age was 48. On Sunday night she left the yard with her husband and went to a service at the Sailor's Rest. When proceeding home during the evening witness went on ahead and as he did not arrive home for a considerable time, she sent deceased's little boy to look for him. She, herself, afterwards went out and found a crowd gathered in the street, and discovered that it was collected around her husband. She could not say whether he enjoyed good health, as she had only been married a month, but during that time he appeared to be very healthy. - P.C. Giles said he was in Catherine-street about ten o'clock on Sunday evening, when he saw deceased lying on the pavement apparently in a faint. He tried to restore him to consciousness and sent for a doctor. With assistance he then conveyed him to the Royal Albert Hospital, where Dr Thompson pronounced life extinct. - The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to the disease of the arteries of the heart and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly and expressed their sympathy with the widow.

KINGSBRIDGE - Sequel To Kingsbridge Fair. A Bargeman Killed. - At Kingsbridge Townhall yesterday, Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on WILLIAM HENRY WAY, a bargeman, of Dodbrooke. Deceased was 50 years of age and not 80, as erroneously stated yesterday. Superintendent Jeffery watched the case on behalf of the Police. - SARAH JANE WAY, widow, said her husband left home on Thursday to attend an audit dinner at St. Edmund's Hall, given by Messrs. Holman. He appeared sober when he left home, but might have had a glass or two. Pressed by the Coroner, witness said deceased was capable of taking care of himself and was not the worse for drink. A little after seven o'clock he was brought home unconscious and had a wound upon the back of his head, which was bleeding. He remained unconscious until he died on Saturday morning, about two o'clock. - William Hill, Duncomb House, opposite the hall, saw deceased being brought out on the back of another man named Heal, going down the hill. Many others were coming from the direction of the hall at the time, but there was no disturbance or shouting. As he passed the house deceased lurched and fell off in the road upon his head. Did not notice that Heal lurched, but deceased fell over his shoulder and never moved. Heal again picked him up and placed him by the side of the road. He did not consider Heal was drunk or incapable, but might have had some drink. - Emily Jane Reynolds gave similar evidence and James Peter Oldridge, Dodbrooke, engaged as waiter at St. Edmund's Hall, said deceased came in with others and had a lemon-dash. He was talking in rather a loud voice after his dinner and could not control himself, wanting to remain after his companions asked him to go home. Heal said, "Come on, BILL, I will carry you home," and took him on his back down the stairs, walking steadily. Trout was steadying deceased's legs behind, as Heal had him over the shoulder like a sack. There was no horseplay and he considered Heal carried deceased out of kindness. - John Charles Trout said he met deceased at the hall and had dinner with him. Deceased was the worse for drink, but had very little there. Heal was sober and carried deceased alone. Deceased commenced wriggling about, wanting to walk, which caused him to slip off Heal's back and fall on his head. - William Heal said he met deceased there. He had finished his dinner and was going out, when he was called back to see deceased home. He offered to carry him home, and took him up on his back. In going down the hill deceased moved and fell over his left shoulder on the back of his head. Witness could not hold him while he was wriggling. - Dr William Tudor Webb said deceased was suffering from concussion and had a small scalp wound. He never recovered consciousness and the cause of death was concussion of the brain, inflamed by drink. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EAST STONEHOUSE - Naval Shipwright's Death. Fall From A Ship's Staging. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, yesterday held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of JOHN JAMES WARDEN PENGELLY, a naval shipwright, formerly residing at 125 Grenville-road, Plymouth. Mr Peck (Messrs. Venning, Goldsmith and Peck, solicitors) appeared for the Admiralty. - The father, JOHN EDWARD PENGELLY, gave evidence of identification. - Bertram Henry Symes, leading shipwright, of the cruiser Hogue, stated that on Thursday the 19th, he was engaged with the deceased in securing some staging at the side of the ship. Witness was standing on a gun, but the deceased was on the staging, which hung from the vessel by ropes. Deceased was about to pass the rope under the end part of the staging, preparatory to taking it on board, when witness heard a splash, but took no notice, thinking someone had thrown a bucket of water over the side. Shortly after he looked over the side and saw PENGELLY in the water, making for the bow of the ship. Someone on board the Cornwall shouted to him to swim back to the staging, and he was doing so, when, owing to the tide between the two ships being very strong, he was swept away before anything could be done to save him. Witness's impression was that PENGELLY over-balanced himself, as there was no movement of the staging to account for his falling. Deceased was quite capable of performing his work. A Juror considered that the work of fixing the staging should have been done by an able seaman and not a young shipwright. - Witness replied that the shipwrights were required to erect their own staging. - Harry Drinkwater, boy, of the cruiser Hogue, stated that he saw PENGELLY fall backwards over the staging. There was no movement of the staging to account for the accident. - MR PENGELLY considered that his son ought to have been saved. - The Coroner: We quite sympathise with you in your feelings, MR PENGELLY, and I have no doubt there was not one on that ship who would not have willingly attempted to save the lad if it had been possible. - The Jury concurred. - The Coroner drew Mr Peck's attention to young shipwrights being required to secure their staging, and suggested that the matter be brought to the notice of the Naval Commander-in-Chief. - Lieut. C. W. Trousdale, of the Hogue, stated that the staging was always fixed by the shipwrights. - The Jury sympathised with the relatives of the deceased, and returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned." The funeral will take place this afternoon, leaving the R. N. Hospital at 3.15 for Plymouth Cemetery.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 1 August 1906
STAVERTON - Staverton Boy Drowned. A Dangerous Sport. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest last evening in the Court-room, Staverton, on FREDERICK GEORGE CRANNAFORD, aged 12, son of WILLIAM FRENCH CRANNAFORD, farm labourer, who was drowned whilst bathing in the River Dart, on the previous day. - Evidence of identification having been given by the father of deceased, a Juryman observed that it was a great pity that there was no place in the parish for lads to bathe: there ought to be a spot specially marked out. - Arthur Baskwill, age 12, stated that after leaving school on Monday morning, about 12.45, he accompanied deceased to the river to bathe off Great Marsh. Three other little boys were there paddling, but deceased and himself undressed and went into the water. Deceased came out several times and went in again; he could not swim, but tried to do so. Just as witness went into the river he saw deceased floating down apparently in difficulty. After going under deceased came up several times and eventually he put up his hand. Until then witness did not understand that he was drowning. Not being able to swim, he waded out towards deceased up to his chin, but, finding he could do nothing, he came in, dressed and went for assistance. He found Mr Robjohns and Mr Cole at the mill. They came to the spot, but were unable to swim. Eventually Mr G. F. Kellock came and fetched out the body. In reply to a question, witness said he knew of no other bathing place in the parish, and one of the Jurymen stated that the spot in question had been used for bathing during the past 60 years. - Mr George Francis Kellock, solicitor and Deputy Coroner, of Riverford, Staverton, stated that whilst he was attending the Court Leet, of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners at the Court-room, about 1.15 p.m., Mr Robjohns came there and asked if anyone could swim, as a boy was drowning. Witness at once ran to the spot, where he saw deceased lying on his face and hands in a deep pool. He undressed, swam out and catching the body with his foot, he dived and secured it, and brought it to the bank. There being plenty of assistance, artificial respiration was tried for a considerable time, but without success. That portion of the river known as "the Island" was a safe bathing-place, but where deceased was drowned was a most dangerous spot. He regretted that he was not there in time to save the boy. - Dr Edmond, Totnes, who arrived at 3.15 p.m., proved that death was due to drowning. - The Coroner said deceased evidently floated a little too far and then sank. He might have been saved if anyone who could swim had been there before. - It did not seem altogether a proper state of things, with such a splendid river, to prevent boys bathing in it, but he thought the Parish Council might put up a notice board stating that boys might bathe at "the Island," and that other places in the river were dangerous. He asked Mr Searle, one of the Jurymen, to bring the matter before the Council. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Drowning," and a formal vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Kellock for his prompt role in responding to the call. The Coroner said that wherever possible he considered that swimming should form part of the County Council schools' curriculum, and especially where there were natural facilities for bathing. - Mr Kellock concurred and thought teachers to teach bathing could easily be obtained in every parish. The Jury gave their fees to the father of deceased.

ASHBURTON - An Inquest was held at Ashburton yesterday by Mr S. Hacker on ANN HARVEY, a widow, aged about 70. Deceased fell from her chair on the 14th and died on Sunday, according to Dr Fitzpatrick's evidence from cerebral haemorrhage accelerated by the fall. A verdict to this effect was returned.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - Inquest At Buckfastleigh. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest at Scoriton, Buckfastleigh, yesterday, on JOHN PHILLIP S. CODD, who met with an accident on Friday last and died on Sunday. Mr John Rowlands was chosen Foreman of the Jury. The father, a butcher, said deceased was four years old on the 12th of July last. Witness loaded the two-wheeled box covered trap he took his rounds with on Friday and it was in the back-yard, with the shafts on a water-butt, with a piece of wood across it. He thought the boy must have climbed up at the back, and finding the trap slipping back must have tried to save it. They heard the trap go down with a bang. They found it had fallen backwards as the shafts were in the air, the child being underneath the tail-part of the trap. - Dr E. Stanley Wood, Buckfastleigh, said the child had a fracture of the skull. He died from shock, due to the fracture, on Sunday. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They passed a vote of condolence with MR and MRS W. CODD in their bereavement, which the Coroner wished to associate himself with.

BARNSTAPLE - The Mother Of Twenty. - At Barnstaple Workhouse on Monday Mr A. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on FLORENCE LETHABY, the four-months-old child of a Brendon mason. - Mr A. F. Seldon appeared for the N.S.P.C.C., whose Inspector, the Coroner stated, visited the LETHABY'S home last week. The deceased child was then in an exceedingly emaciated condition, and the Inspector, not knowing whether the cause was neglect or disease, very properly, the Coroner thought, after consulting with the doctor, got a removal order to the Workhouse Infirmary. The child died on Friday, and a post-mortem examination revealed death to be due to natural causes - a very bad type of tuberculosis. - The father gave evidence as to the feeding of the child, who had a pint of raw milk every day. The mother had been ill up to within a month. - Cross-examined by Mr Seldon, witness said he had seven children living. His wife had had about 20, he believed, about a third dying as babies. Now he had three or four "tisicky" on their chests. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said deceased was not insured to his knowledge. Some others of his children had been, but the burying cost more than the £1 or 25s. he received. - Dr J. P. Atkinson (Lynton) said the mother did not appear to like losing the child, but he thought it had the best chance if removed to the Infirmary, and the N.S.P.C.C. Inspector obtained a justices' order. With Dr Cooke, a post-mortem examination took place, and death was found to be due to acute pulmonary tuberculosis. In answer to the Coroner, witness said he could not say death was materially accelerated by any wrong treatment, but it would have been wiser had a doctor been called in earlier than the parents called him. The child might have been ignorantly fed. - Dr C. M. Cooke said when the child was admitted it weighed 5lb. 11oz; the normal weight was 10lb. 8oz. This disease, however, was very wasting and rapid. The child was dying when brought in, and the journey made no difference. - By Mr Seldon: During life the child had all the appearances of starvation and it was only after a post-mortem examination that one was able to say the emaciation was due to tubercular disease. - "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 2 August 1906
PLYMOUTH - Sad Fatality At Crownhill. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth yesterday, on JAMES NAT. FOSTER VIGROW, aged 11, son of JAMES VIGROW, labourer, Malcolm Cottage, Crownhill, who died at the Hospital the previous day as the result of an injury to his chest sustained by the exploding of a ball cartridge which he found at Crownhill on Wednesday last, while attending a school treat. The father stated that on Sunday evening last deceased struck the cartridge with a stone and it exploded, its bullet entering the lad's chest. He was immediately taken to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. - Reginald Remfrey, employed at the Plymouth Steam Laundry, and residing at Crownhill, deposed to seeing the lad on Sunday evening with blood running down his arm. Deceased, who was alone, said he had exploded a cartridge. - Mr Edwin C. Jones, resident House Surgeon, South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, said deceased was brought to the Hospital on Sunday evening suffering from a bullet wound on the right side of the chest. He was attended to by the assistant House Surgeon, and witness saw him on Monday. Deceased died on Tuesday from the injuries received. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 3 August 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Infant's Death. Mother Committed For Trial. - the Inquest on the female child of CATHERINE (KATE) EVANS, a single woman, of Admiralty-street was resumed at Stonehouse by Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, yesterday. Mr J. P. Dobell appeared for CATHERINE EVANS, who was looking exceedingly ill and was attended by her mother. The Inquiry was opened on July 9th, when Dr Corbett said in an upstair back-room he saw KATE EVANS. In a pail, close by the window, he saw the body of the deceased. It had had a separate existence. - Dr Corbett now attended with his head bandaged, as the result of the accident on the previous day. - The Coroner said they sympathised with him, and they were glad to see he was no worse. - Dr Corbett continuing his evidence, said by the Coroner's order he made a post-mortem examination. There were no marks of external violence. He was of opinion that the child lived before it was put in the pail. The mother was in bed, almost in a state of collapse. She seemed quite dazed, but was not delirious. - A Juror: Had proper precautions been taken would the child have been now alive? - Undoubtedly. - Some force had been used. - MARY JANE EVANS, wife of LUTHER EVANS, general dealer, said the mother of the deceased was her second daughter, aged 28 years. She was not aware that her daughter was in trouble, and no preparation was made for the birth. - By Mr Dobell: Her daughter's conduct had been exemplary: she had never given her a moment's trouble. She left school at the age of 16 years, and had lived with her ever since. She never went out in the evening along. Last October, KATE one evening visited one of her married sisters at Stoke, and when she returned at half-past nine o'clock she told her that when crossing Devonport Park a man sprang out upon her. the next thing she remembered was hurrying after some people. Since then her daughter had refused to cross the Park at night. In further examination witness said she did not attach much importance to the incident then, but she did now. - By a Juror: Her daughter was nervous and very excitable. - Sergt. W. J. Wootton said he received from the last witness the body, and conveyed it to the Mortuary. - The Coroner, in summing up, said if the facts were as stated, and EVANS placed the child in the bucket, maliciously intending to kill it, then their verdict would be that of wilful murder: but if, on the other hand, they were not of that opinion, and believed there was such culpable negligence on her part in not making any preparation for the birth, and then concealing it, their verdict would be one of manslaughter. Further, if they considered the negligence was not culpable, they might say so. - For fifty-five minutes the Jury considered their verdict, and on the public being readmitted to the court, the Coroner intimated that 14 out of 15 of the Jury had returned a verdict that CATHERINE EVANS did feloniously kill her child. He committed her for trial at the next Assizes on the charge of Manslaughter. - He bound CATHERINE EVANS over in her own recognisances in £20 and one surety of £25.

Western Morning News, Saturday 4 August 1906
ASHBURTON - Owlacombe Mine Disaster. Inquest And Verdict. The Moral Of The Accident. - The resumed Inquest on JOHN HENRY CAMPION, who was killed by an explosion in the shaft of Owlacombe Mine, was resumed by Mr Coroner Hacker at Ashburton yesterday. Mr J. Greenland Davies, H.M. Inspector of Mines was present. Mr H. Mallaby Firth represented the owner of the mine, Mr E. H. Bayldon, of Dawlish, was also present and Mr E. Cornish-Bowden watched the proceedings for an insurance company, under the Employers' Liability Act. - Miners' Evidence. - Norman Grose, Ilsington, miner, said he was on the morning shift on the day of the accident. They drilled holes for blasting. Some holes were drilled by the former shift but they told him they were not charged. He did not examine them. They finished one hole that was partly drilled. He drilled the sinking hole on the north-east, where the accident occurred. His brother, Sidney, charged the holes and put the fuse to the hole in the north-east corner. It was his duty to mark the explosions, and hearing three reports they concluded the three sinking holes had exploded. There was nothing in the reports to make him think all the dynamite had not exploded, and they could not examine them because the water had risen. They left it to the afternoon shift to finish pumping the water out as their time was up. They reported to the afternoon shift where the holes were and the one that did not take fire. - Mr Davies: Supposing the shots were fired before you went down, is it your duty to examine the holes? - Witness: If the muck is not shifted we know the charge has not done its work. - Can you see any sign of the hole after the explosion? - If the dynamite had exploded it would blow all the muck out of the hole. - Do you mean that you cannot see any sign of the hole? - Sometimes, not always. - Which hole did you arrange to go off first? - The one near where the accident happened. We light them separately and use shorter fuses for the later ones. - Witness described how he lighted the fuses. He took the gelignite out of the cartridge, cut a slit at the end of the fuse, and put a little gelignite in that slit; then he lighted the fuse by putting under it a candle which burnt through the cover. - The Inspector: Have you ever heard that is a dangerous way of firing a fuse? - No. - You have never heard of fatal accidents being attributed to that cause? - No. - What difference in length of fuse did you allow between the first and second holes? - Two inches. - Supposing No. 2 shot went off before No. 2, might not that knock off part of No. 2 shot, and only a portion of it would be fired? - That might be possible. - What distance was there between No. 1 and No. 2 holes? - Four feet. - Do you think if you allowed 5 inches of fuse for No. 2 you would guard against that? - I cannot tell. - But the chances are if you had 6 inches of fuse for No. 2, No. 1 would go off first? - It would still be liable to hang fire. - Witness further stated that when he went down to light No. 7 hole, he took away the fuse and detonator of No. 6 which still remains undischarged. - The Inspector: Supposing part of a hole remaining after a charge has exploded, what do you do? - We drill another hole; we don't meddle with that hole at all. - A portion of the explosive might be left? - Yes; if we fired the hole clear, then we can put another charge in and fire it out, but if there is anything left in the hole, we don't meddle with it, but drill another hole beside it and blast it out. - To Mr Firth: We have general instructions from the mine owner to take every precaution against accident. - Thomas Radford, miner, Bickington, said he was in charge of the afternoon shift. He went down about 2.15 with deceased and Kingwell. They first finished pumping out the water and then proceeded to get up the loose stuff. They examined the ground, but found no trace of the holes. - The Coroner: The moil came in contact with the hole and caused the explosion, did it not? - Yes, but we did not know the bottom of the hole was there. We were moving out the loose ground, so as to clear it. Warren, Lee and the deceased were engaged in that work, but witness and Kingwell had started drilling in another part of the shaft. - The Coroner: Do you not think it was wrong to begin drilling before the ground was cleared and you had examined the hole? - We could not all work in the same part of the shaft. The explosion occurred about half-past eight. A moil, which was being used at the time by CAMPION and Lee, is a short iron bar, which Lee was holding, and CAMPION was striking, when the explosion took place. - Edward Lee, labourer, Ashburton, said he was holding the moil and deceased striking it, when the explosion occurred. They were working in loose ground. He was struck with small stuff, but CAMPION was killed at once. - Sidney Grose recalled, said he could swear he did not accidentally drop a gelignite charge. He did not know how many charges the box he took down the mine contained. The charges were not checked. - Replying to Mr Firth, witness said they paid for the gelignite in their contract and it was to their interest to be careful in using it. - Assistant-Manager's Theories. - Ambrose John Grose, assistant-manager of the mine with his father, said he held the key of the store, and supplied the men with dynamite. They were all supplied with tin cans to carry the dynamite in, although they did not use them. - The Coroner: Have you formed any opinion as to the cause of the accident? - Witness: I have two opinions. The first hole may have hung fire, the next hole exploded before the first hole, and knocked off the top cartridges, which gave the sound of a second explosion, but left the lower cartridges still in the bottom of the hole. My second theory,. and this I have known in my own experience in mines abroad, is that some of the dynamite was left at the bottom of the hole. - Why? - That I cannot say. - The Inspector: If the charges were one on the top of the other they would all go off unless there was something wrong with the dynamite. - The Coroner: How can you account for the case in your own experience? - All I can say is that afterwards we found a piece of dynamite. - Mr Cornish Bowden asked whether, supposing dirt got in between the cartridges, that might prevent the whole charge going off. - Witness: We should suppose that the dynamite would "kiss" through and all go off in one explosion. - Replying to Mr Firth, witness said that the dynamite supplied was the best procurable. - A Juror asked whether dynamite without a cap would explode when struck by a moil. - The Inspector: Yes, that is so. - The Coroner Points The Moral. - The Coroner, in summing up, said as it appeared there must always be some risks in the use of dynamite, the moral of this case was that there should be the utmost care in examining holes after an explosion before the men began working again. One rather serious thing that had come out at the Inquest, although not connected with the cause of death in this case, was that the regulation that dynamite should be carried down in a tin and not in the cardboard boxes had not been strictly observed. The captain of the mine should be careful to see that regulation carried out, because if the dynamite was carried in packages there was risk of it falling out and causing accidents. - The Jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 6 August 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Death. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth on Saturday on CATHERINE O'LEARY, the 10 year old daughter of DANIEL O'LEARY, hawker, of Railway-cottages. - JOHANNA O'LEARY, mother of the deceased, said about eight o'clock on Thursday evening deceased complained of feeling ill and was seized with a fit. Dr Pearse was sent for, but the child died before his arrival. Deceased had never been a particularly delicate child. - Dr J. S. Pearse, of Union-street, said death was due to pneumonia, resulting from a fit. The child was well nourished. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 August 1906
BIDEFORD - Torquay Pedlar's Death. Jury And Payment Of Doctors. - At Bideford yesterday, Mr W. Pyke, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on KATE DALEY, otherwise known as CATHERINE DRISCOLL, 56 years of age, a hawker, of Pimlico, Torquay. - Sarah Martin, of Torquay, said deceased was known at Torquay as KATE DALEY, but for five years had lived with CORNELIUS DRISCOLL as his wife. Where DRISCOLL was she did not know, and deceased had not been with him for some time. - In answer to Police-Superintendent Buchanan, witness said deceased was a heavy drinker and a smoker. She was a native of Southampton. - John Andrew, of Parkham, said on Friday he saw deceased with another woman inside a gate at Horn's Cross on the Clovelly-road. The other woman was on her back and deceased, then standing up, was accusing her of being drunk. He left, but went back again for his stick, and then saw deceased falling over a high hedge. He picked her up, found her head "lying every way." Both women appeared to be drunk. - In answer to the Jury, witness said the other woman could not have pushed deceased over the hedge, as she was four land yards away then. - P.C. Townsend deposed to removing both women to Bideford in a trap. Deceased was alive when he lifted her in the trap, but appeared to be dead when he took her out at Bideford. He had no idea there was anything the matter with her otherwise than that she was very drunk. - Mary Crunden, pedlar, who was with deceased at the time, said she remembered nothing about deceased going over the hedge. They were drunk, and went inside the gate of a field to sleep. - Dr Pearson, who saw deceased at Bideford Police Station at midnight on Friday, said she was then dead and a post-mortem examination revealed death to be due to apoplexy. there was a clot of blood about the size of a Tangerine orange on the left side of the brain, due to the rupture of a blood vessel. Undue exertion would have caused the apoplexy, and nothing could have saved the woman. - Recalled, P.C. Townsend said he should think the doctor was obtained at Bideford in about a quarter of an hour. The Police went to Dr Grose, who was unwell; Dr Thompson refused to come and then they got Dr Pearson. - Dr Pearson explained that there was no means of paying a medical man called by the Police under those circumstances, and a doctor was not bound to attend. - A Juror: And it is open for a doctor to come or not? - Witness said yes. He might come, get no fees, and be neglecting his own patients. Doctors, like other persons liked fees for their services. - The Jury found death due to Apoplexy, and added a strong expression of opinion "that the present system of non-payment for medical assistance in cases of accident when medical men are called by the Police is very unsatisfactory, owing to there being no paid official medical man."

STOKE DAMEREL - MRS SYMONS, of 24 Pembroke-street, on Saturday morning awoke and found her daughter BEATRICE ANNIE, aged six weeks dead by her side. At the Inquest yesterday Dr Sanders attributed death to suffocation. The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" advised the mother to let her children sleep in cots.

Western Morning News, Thursday 9 August 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - At the Inquest at Devonport yesterday on WILLIAM J. BRANCH, aged three days, the son of a labourer, residing at 30 Townshend-avenue, Dr McCullock stated that the immediate cause of the sudden death was heart failure due to bronchitis.

PLYMOUTH - The Sudden Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on JOHN HENRY SMALE, 58, a canvasser in the employ of "The Western Morning News Company (Limited)", who died suddenly on the previous morning at Hurley's Restaurant, Plymouth. Mr G. W. Quigley represented deceased's employers. Joseph Folley Cox, plumber of 128 South View-terrace, Plymouth, said he had never heard deceased complain of his heart at all. - Wm. B[?]y, refreshment house keeper of 5 Bank of England-place, said deceased came to his place about 12.15 on Tuesday and ordered dinner. He seemed in his usual health, but suddenly he changed colour and became very ill. Witness called a Police Constable, who fetched a doctor. Deceased died about a minute afterwards. - The Coroner: did he seem strange or excited when he came in? - No. He came in, in a very quiet way and sat down. - He did not look as if he had been racing at all? - No. He was very quiet. - Dr J. S. Pearse, of 153 Union-street, said n being called, he found deceased in extremis and he died almost at once. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be syncope, probably accelerated by the heat. Deceased had a fatty heart. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 11 August 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Insurance Agent's Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an inquest yesterday on WILLIAM HENRY FORREST, insurance agent, of 5 Wilton-street, Stoke, Devonport. - The widow stated that for some weeks her husband had not enjoyed good health. On Thursday she went out of town, and returning in the evening found her husband unconscious, with a doctor in attendance. Deceased passed away shortly after, without having spoken, or apparently recognised her. - William Paddon, retired Dockyard pensioner, 5 Wilton-street, said about seven in the evening he was called to Victoria Park, and there saw the deceased unconscious. A doctor was using artificial respiration. Witness assisted in taking him home. - P.C. Sandy said a young man named Gorley told him that he found FORREST looking very ill in Union-street, Plymouth, and assisted him part of the way home. - Dr Lander said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart, probably accelerated by the oppressive heat. It was an extraordinary fact that deceased had only one kidney. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Death In A Rowing Boat At Devonport. - The Inquest on GEORGE FREDERICK HOLMWOOD, aged 36, a Constable of the Metropolitan Police, was held yesterday by the Devonport Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce) at Devonport Dockyard. - Harry Bourn, bootmaker, of Battersea, cousin of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. - Ernest Samuel Wells, a member of the Metropolitan Police Force, stationed on board the floating magazine-ship in the Hamoaze, stated that the deceased had been temporarily on duty on board that ship. About three o'clock on the previous day witness assisted HOLMWOOD in rowing some passengers to Saltash. On the way he complained of feeling queer. Witness left him at Saltash. - John Lightowler, sergeant of the Metropolitan Police, stated that he was on board the floating magazine ship when the deceased returned from Saltash. Witness had gone on the landing-stage to meet the boat and on looking down he saw the deceased lying face downward stretched across the seats. He was unconscious and witness bathed his head with water. With assistance he was lifted on to the ship and Dr Mills, of the Defiance was fetched. Previous to the latter's arrival death had taken place. Deceased had been a member of the force for about 16 years. - Dr Oswald Mills said death was due to heart disease. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

OTTERY ST MARY - Drowning Case. Remarkable Conduct Of Boys. - Mr Coroner Cox held an Inquest at Ottery St. Mary yesterday on PERCY HOWE, aged 9, who was found drowned in the River Otter on Thursday morning. - George Prigg gave evidence as to finding the body in a pool about 12 feet deep and Frederick Hake, carpenter, said he saw the boy's clothes on the river bank about half-past seven on Wednesday evening, and gave further information to the Police. - Arthur Basten, age 11, said he was bathing in the river soon after four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon in company with deceased and three other boys named Carter, Dunford, and Rowland. Deceased got into deep water and they saw him struggling for his life, but they dressed and came away. - In answer to questions, witness admitted that he told the other boys not to say anything about it to anybody, or they would be hanged. - The other boys gave corroborative evidence, and Dr Bartlett proved that drowning was the cause of death. - The Coroner, in summing up, said he thought the Jury would agree with him that the evidence of the boys was of a very remarkable character. He attached special blame to Basten, who, he thought, had frightened the other boys by convincing them that they were in danger of being hanged. The conduct of all the boys was most disgraceful. If they had hurried away and told the first person they met that such an accident had happened, the life might have been saved. - The Foreman of the Jury (Mr H. G. Luxton) said it was a most callous action. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and censured the boys for their behaviour. They also recommended that a proper bathing place for boys should be provided and the Coroner was requested to communicate with the Urban District Council on the matter. - The Coroner severely reprimanded the boys and said he should not make them any allowance for their attendance at the Inquest. - The Jury gave their fees to the father of deceased.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 14 August 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Naval Pensioner's Death. - The Devonport coroner yesterday held an Inquest into the death of WILLIAM JOHN MOORE, retired stoker, of 50 James-street. - Ellen Rigg stated that about 1.30 p.m. on Sunday she entered MR MOORE'S room, as he had not answered her call, and found him lying on a bed-chair, dead. - P.S. Brown deposed to finding the deceased, as stated by the previous witness. He had been dead for some time. - Dr Rowe gave his opinion that death was due to pneumonia, accelerated by the consumption of alcohol. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Fall At Keyham. The Inquest. - An Inquest was held at Devonport yesterday by Mr J. A. Pearce on ALBERT EDWARD COWLING, a Dockyard labourer, living at 35 Wolsdon-street, Plymouth. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared for Sir John Jackson (Limited). Mr J. L. K. Martyn for the relatives. - The widow said her husband, besides being a labourer at the Keyham Extension Works, was a naval pensioner. - Thomas Goggin, 20 Rendle-street, Plymouth, stated that on July 27th he was working in the same gang as the deceased on the night shift. Witness was working on the west side of No. 7 dock. Deceased asked the time and then walked away. The dawn was just breaking. - Henry Ware, one of the gang, deposed to finding the deceased at the bottom of No. 7 dock, unconscious. - John Sweet, a ganger, said he missed deceased about 3 o'clock in the morning. He organised a search, and assisted in bringing deceased to the top of the dock. There were three planks covering the slip which the deceased had apparently fallen into. A lamp, hanging about twelve yards off, made it quite possible t see the planks in the dark. COWLING was apparently making for a place to reach which he would have to pass over the planks. - Stanley Lane, C.E., sub-agent to Sir John Jackson (Limited) said the particular slide in question, being out of the way of the ordinary traffic, made proper protection inconvenient. Deceased probably went out of the route he should have followed - a footway with a fence on one side. That had always been the recognised access, and by going the other way he was placing his life in jeopardy, there being a drop of sixty feet if he missed his footing. - Mr Martyn said he should have preferred to see the spot as it existed. - Dr Thompson, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was unconscious for about two days. After that he could understand what was said to him. He progressed favourably until Thursday last, when his breathing became somewhat bad. On Friday he became worse and died about midnight, and a post-mortem examination revealed that death was probably due to convulsions caused by the fracture at the base of the skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached no blame to the authorities of the works. - Mr Goldsmith conveyed the regret of Sir John Jackson (Ltd.) and Mr Martyn thanked the Jury for its sympathy on behalf of the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 15 August 1906
EXETER HEAVITREE - Sad Affair At Wonford. Child's Fatal Playfulness. - At an Inquest at Wonford yesterday on EDITH TAYLOR, aged three years, daughter of a private of the Devonshire Regiment, now in India. Mrs Evans said on Monday afternoon she saw the child fall from the footpath and roll under a passing coal wagon. - Charles Lowe, the driver, said a child playfully pushed the deceased off the path and before he could pull up the hind wheel passed over her head. - Dr Wolfe said the skull was crushed, and death must have been instantaneous. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated the wagoner from blame.

Western Morning News, Thursday 16 August 1906
TAMERTON FOLIOT - Drowned In The Tamar. Risks Of Inexpert Swimmers. - At Tamerton Foliot yesterday an Inquest was held on ALFRED JAMES CORNELIUS, aged 14, drowned while bathing in the River Tamar. - RICHARD CORNELIUS, of Holsworthy, father of deceased, said his son was on a visit to the Stationmaster at Tamerton. Witness could not say whether he was able to swim. - Henry H. Millman, porter, said deceased entered the river about 200 yards from the Station, on the previous afternoon to bathe. Witness had arranged to join him, and on reaching the beach saw the lad already in the water wading up to his armpits. He undressed and entered the water, but before he could reach him, CORNELIUS disappeared and did not rise again. The body was recovered three hours afterwards. He himself was only a beginner as a swimmer. He was under the impression that CORNELIUS was seized with cramp. It was about half tide with a strong current running. - Henry Kitt, labourer, deposed to recovering the body in eight or ten feet of water. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" and the Coroner (Mr R. R. Rodd) expressed sympathy with the relatives, remarking that it was another instance of the folly of young people attempting to bathe in dangerous places when not expert swimmers.

Western Morning News, Saturday 18 August 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - The Dockyard Fatality. Inquest Adjourned. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on WILLIAM T. DASHPHER, aged 44, a skilled labourer, and residing at No. 36 Westbourne-road, Perevell. - Dr Pope, Royal Naval Hospital, said deceased was admitted suffering from a depressed fracture of the skull. An operation was performed, but he died without recovering consciousness. - Charles T. Cowburn, chargeman in Devonport Dockyard, said deceased was one of his party on Thursday testing the steam capstan of No. 9 lighter. When deceased crossed over a hawser to get to the other side of the vessel to procure a small boat, it flew up. Deceased was thrown up and fell on to his head. - James Phillips, who was working with deceased, said owing to some defect in the capstan it was impossible to adopt the usual course of throwing the whole of the strain of the clump on the capstan. It was the rule to tighten the hawser when the clump touched the bottom of the water, but on this occasion it appeared as if some stones had give way, causing the hawser to become suddenly tightened. - Captain Clifford Bawden, of the Dockyard, said the clump had been lowered at least five times during the afternoon of the accident, and at the same spot, but nothing occurred to suggest that anything was wrong. - The Inquest was adjourned until Tuesday that the Inspector of Factories might be informed.

BOVEY TRACEY - Suicide At Bovey Tracey.- Mr Sydney Hacker held an Inquest at Bovey Tracey yesterday on HY. AGGETT, aged 63, who was found hanging in a linhay in his garden on Thursday. - J. AGGETT, son of deceased, said he worked with his father thatching on most days, but on Wednesday he did not see him. On Tuesday his father seemed a bit strange, but witness had never heard him threaten to take his life. Deceased had a fall from the roof about 20 years ago, and damaged his head and back, and in January last he had a slight seizure. He sometimes complained of pains in his head. - ELIZA AGGETT, widow of deceased, said her husband did not sleep much on Wednesday night on account of pains in his head. He got up about 5 a.m. on Thursday and before going into the garden told her to get the kettle boiling, as he would be back in a few minutes. As he did not come back she went out and found him hanging in the linhay. Deceased had never threatened to take his life, but had threatened witness. - William Wills, a neighbour gave evidence as to cutting the body down and Dr Goodwyn said death was due to a broken neck. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 20 August 1906
TOTNES - Motor Car Fatalities. The Totnes Accident. Coroner On South Devon Roads. - At Totnes on Saturday Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest on MRS JULIA C. BOUCHER, 65 years of age, of Parham House, Tyndall Park-road, Bristol, who was killed while motoring with her son-in-law on Thursday at the bridge known as Hood or Riverford, Staverton, midway between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. - JOHN MYCROFT BOUCHER, druggist, Leigh Woods, Bristol, said deceased was his mother. Deceased had been staying for a few days at Paignton. He knew that his brother-in-law, who drove the motor car, was a steady driver. - William C. Sim, of the engineering department G.W.R. Totnes, produced plans of the bridge, which he said was approached on the Buckfastleigh side by a sharp turn. He noticed marks of something colliding with the bridge. From the top of the parapet, from which deceased fell, to the bottom of the cattle creep below the railway line, into which she fell, was 30 feet. - HELEN CONSTANCE BOUCHER, of Parham House, Tyndall's Park, Bristol, said all went well on the journey to Ashburton. The deceased sat in front, beside Mr Lewis, witness and her sister being behind. They left Ashburton about 5 p.m. They did not go over the bridge on the outward journey, as they missed the road and went a different way. The car was not going very fast before the bridge was reached, Mr Lewis having put on the brake. At the turn the side of the car went into the wall. She did not see her mother fall out. There was a jerk, but not much. Witness jumped over the door at the back of the car because she knew something had happened. There was a crash and the car stopped. Mr Lewis said deceased had fallen over the bridge, and witness ran down to her. She thought she was dead when she reached her. witness was not thrown out and was not bruised. She thought deceased had only been in the car once before. - Charles Smith of Fore-street, Totnes, stated that there was nothing excessive about the speed when the car passed him 100 yards from the bridge. When he reached there he was told deceased had fallen over and he saw Mr Lewis supporting her. - Evan Percival Lewis, of Heathfield, Nailsea, son-in-law of the deceased, said he was the owner of the motor car, which he had driven twice from Bristol to Devon and back. He arranged to take deceased, his wife and sister-in-law to Ashburton on Thursday. MRS BOUCHER had been in the car only once before, and to his knowledge that was the only time she had ridden in a car. All went well on the return journey until he approached the bridge. having gone through Staverton the road was strange to him and he either under-rated the turning, or was going faster than he thought, and failed to take the curve. He was not going at more than 16 miles an hour in approaching the bridge, and considerably less as he took the curve, as he had slowed down. - The Coroner: That is rather a fast pace to take such a turn. You did not know there was such a sharp turn? - Witness said he did not. He did not see any danger. The car grazed the side of the bridge for some distance, but did not strike it. The mudguards of the car were buckled up, the lamp smashed and the front axle bent. The car grazed the wall for 32 feet before it reached the place where the deceased fell over and scraped along it for a further 22 feet. Witness heard a shout, and, glancing round, he was just in time to see the deceased going over. Had he noticed her before he might have saved her, but his attention was directed to keeping the car off the wall. He thought there must have been a jerk, although he did not notice one, which dislodged the deceased, the top of the wall at the place being slightly lower than the seat of the car. - The Coroner: Not being a motorist, I can't understand why you did not pull up when you touched the wall. - Witness said he was afraid to do so suddenly, lest all should have been unseated and thrown over the bridge. He could have pulled up in a length and a half of the car, but he thought he should clear the wall. He found the deceased lying on her back. She had fallen 30 feet and was unconscious, dying just after he reached her. He had held a motor licence two years and had driven a car two months in Somerset and Gloucester, but this was his first experience in Devonshire. There was nothing on the front of the car to which anyone could hold. The car weighed near a ton. - By the Jury: I don't think that the deceased jumped out. She had very strong nerves and I think she would have stayed to the end whatever happened. I can't understand now how it was I did not take the curve. I have not been able to find anything wrong with the steering gear. - The Coroner and Jury decided that it would be unnecessary to call Mrs Lewis, the other occupant of the car. - Dr W. R. Edmond, of Totnes, said that when he saw the deceased she was dead. There were no superficial marks of violence and he considered she died from the shock to the system caused by the fall. He could not say if the skull was fractured, but there was nothing in the appearance of the deceased to indicate it. The deceased fell into four or five inches of mud. Witness often crossed the bridge and he considered that Mr Lewis took a curve slightly smaller than the natural curve of the road, and having got into it, it was impossible for him to pull out of it. Where the unfortunate lady fell over was probably where the axle of the car was caught and bent. If he had kept more to the wrong side of the road, he would have gone round easily. If the car had been going very fast it would have been smashed. - The Coroner, in summing up, said the roads in South Devon were very different to those further up the country, and anyone coming there to drive a motor car, without knowing anything about them, if they wished to be safe, had to be very careful to mitigate speed and not attempt to drive at the same place as they would on roads where there were not these complicated turns and twists. - He took it that if the turn had been taken at a little less speed there would have been no danger, but Mr Lewis did not know that it was so sharp. He was going at about 16 miles an hour just before, and that was a high speed to turn. That was the explanation of how he could not manage to turn and the accident occurred. - The Jury were unanimous in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Foreman (Mr S. H. Vibert) said they desired to express their deep sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. - The Coroner joined in the expression of sympathy and MR G. H. BOUCHER, on behalf of the relatives, thanked the Coroner and Jury for their expression and said he wished to take the opportunity of thanking the inhabitants of Totnes and neighbourhood who had helped them in their sad bereavement. Nothing could have been more terrible than this loss to the family.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 21 August 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - At Stonehouse yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on BEATRICE MARIA UPTON, aged three months, daughter of FREDK. UPTON, 1st class P.O., R.N. Dr W. H. Waterfield said death was due to a clot of milk in the windpipe and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Suffocation."

YELVERTON - Drowned In The Tamar. Remarks By The Coroner. - At Hole's Hole yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest on RICHARD BATES, skipper of the Devonport barge Glance. - RICHARD JOHN BATES, bargeman, residing at 27 John-street, Morice Town, Devonport, said the deceased, his father, was 44 years of age. Witness and deceased came up the Tamar in the Glance on the 13th inst., reaching Pentillie Quay the following morning about 9 o'clock. About 6.45 p.m. deceased left in a small boat to go to Hole's Hole to get bread and cheese and tobacco. He was alone and promised to return in about an hour. He, however, did not return and witness left Pentillie in charge of the barge on the following morning, reaching Hole's Hole about 7.30. He noticed a boat in the mud just above Hole's Hole and subsequently he identified a belt and hat which were in her as belonging to deceased. When deceased left the barge he had £2 2s. in his pocket. - John Oliver, fisherman, Bere Ferrers, said on Tuesday, the 14th he was rowing at Hole's Hole and hearing a noise on the beach went ashore and found deceased lying on his back. Deceased told him he was going to his barge at Pentillie Quay. Deceased got into his boat all right, struck a match, found his hat and pulled away, wishing witness "Good night." Deceased had been drinking, but was not drunk. He was quite capable of taking charge of the boat, if he had not been witness would not have allowed deceased to continue his journey. - The Coroner remarked that witness, finding a man on his back and having drink in him, ought not to have allowed him to go away in a boat. - John Henry Rice, landlord of the Tamar Hotel, at Hole's Hole, said deceased came to the Hotel on the evening in question and was served with tobacco and beer. He left about 9.45 p.m., perfectly sober. Witness did not remark to his wife, "He has evidently pulled up the river all right." - P.C. Blee said that was the remark which was made to him by Mr Rice. - Deceased's son, recalled, said when he saw the landlord of the Hotel the day after the accident, he said that when deceased left the Hotel he "had enough in him." - John Gillespie, chauffeur, residing at Pentillie, gave evidence as to recovering the body. - P.C. W. Blee swore to finding £2 in money on the body, and also to Mr Rice making the remark to which witness had previously referred. - Dr H. A. Baber of Bere Alston, said death was due to drowning. there were no marks of violence on the body. - The Coroner remarked that after hearing the evidence, he was bound to say that, in his opinion, deceased came to Hole's Hole sober, and left under the influence of drink. While under the influence of drink he evidently stumbled over some steps and fell on to the beach. He was picked up and put into the boat in a condition which he (the Coroner) did not think was creditable to the witness Oliver, who ought never to have allowed the man to proceed in the boat. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 22 August 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on NELLIE ELLEN BURTON, seven months, daughter of RICHARD BURTON, stoker, R.N., residing at No. 11 Oakfield-terrace, who was found dead in bed on Monday morning. Dr W. A. Trumper gave evidence and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

EAST STONEHOUSE - The Dockyard Fatality. - The Inquest on WILLIAM DASHPHER, aged 44, skilled labourer, Devonport Dockyard, was resumed at Stonehouse yesterday by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner. - Mr S. Shuter, H.M. Inspector of Factories, attended, and the Coroner furnished him with a summary of the evidence given last Friday. It showed that the deceased was with a party of men working on one of the tenders with a hawser stretched across the deck with a clump at the end of it. As the deceased was crossing to the other side of the vessel the rope, by some means, tightened, and he was thrown on his head, sustaining a badly fractured skull. He died at the Royal Naval Hospital without recovering consciousness. Mr Shuter said the accident appeared to him to be quite an ordinary one, with no blame attaching to anyone and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 23 August 1906
EXETER - Death From Anthrax. Sad Case At Exeter. - At an Inquest held at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday on SAMUEL BURDEN, 58, of Thorne Cottage, Woodbury, a labourer employed at Ware's Tanyards there, the widow said on Saturday, August 15th, pimples appeared on deceased's left arm. They got worse and on Wednesday commenced to swell badly. Next day Dr Furnival gave him lotion and medicine and on Friday he was advised to enter the Hospital. On Thursday week deceased skinned a cow which had, she understood, died suddenly at a farm at Woodbury. He had handled a good many hides during the week, but this beast was the only one he had skinned within that period. - Mr P. H. Stirk, House Surgeon, said when deceased was admitted to the Hospital the left arm was swollen to twice its natural size and between the wrist and elbow there were many blisters. Witness drew a little fluid from one of the blisters, and examined microscopically, he had little doubt it was the fluid of anthrax. He inoculated some blood serum with fluid and next morning he found a growth of anthrax there. A small portion of blood taken from the patient's right ear contained [?] bacilus, showing that his body was generally affected. He died on Sunday evening. It was possible to inhale the poison. - By Mr S. Shuter, Inspector of Factories: Deceased would probably have been cured if he had been operated upon when the first pimple appeared. - Mr Harold Ware, one of deceased's employers, said on Thursday he warned him of the possibility of anthrax, but he replied that the doctor told him it was a bad case of blood poisoning. Had witness known of the irritation when it first appeared he would have driven him to the Hospital at once. He had skinned a bullock which, according to Mr Kidd, veterinary surgeon, at Exmouth, died through being struck by lightning, and not from anthrax. His firm only took the skin. The carcass was burned. - By Mr Shuter: His firm dealt in English market hides. They had not bought foreign hides during the past two or three years, with the exception of a purchase, about three weeks ago, of fifty Oporto hides. Deceased, however, never touched them, and they had, in fact, not been dealt with yet. In the tannery there were printed rules as to the course to be taken in cases of this kind. Overalls were not provided, but the firm gave the men leather gloves. The farmer from whom the skin was purchased told witness that there was no suspicion that the animal died from anthrax, the veterinary surgeon was very emphatic on the point. The firm always endeavoured to ascertain the cause of death in all cases where the animals died suddenly. - By Mr W. J. Wreford (Exeter Sanitary Inspector): Deceased skinned the bullock on the instructions of the firm at the request of the farmer. Deceased said there was a mark upon the hide which seemed to indicate that the animal was killed by lightning. He took the opinion of the veterinary surgeon as that of an experienced man. The Jury returned a verdict that deceased Accidentally contracted Anthrax, from which he died, but as to when, where or how he contracted it, there was no evidence to show.

Western Morning News, Friday 24 August 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Man's Death. Medicine Without Visits. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Devonport by Mr J. A. Pearce on ALFRED CHILCOTT, 61, boilermaker, 13 York-street. The widow stated that her husband had suffered from rheumatism for nearly twelve months. He would not allow her to fetch a doctor, although she wished to do so. She used to get medicine from the Medical Aid. Her husband was taken with a fit about midnight on Wednesday, and died soon after the arrival of the doctor. - P.C. Sweet said he was called to 13 York-street, and found CHILCOTT dead in a bed-chair. The room was in a wretched condition, hardly fit for habitation. There was every sign of poverty in the house. - Caroline Heffernan, daughter of the deceased, said her brother, an able-bodied man, who lived with the family, had been out of work for three years. Her own husband had disappeared, she knew not where. He kissed the children, saying he was going to look for work, and had not returned. Further evidence showed that her brother lived upon the deceased's allowance and his sister's small earnings, and never tried to obtain work. - The Coroner: I wish he was here today; he would have had a good talking to. - Dr Torney said death was due to heart failure. - The coroner said he was sure the Jury would concur with him that it was very undesirable for medicine to be sent to a patient without a doctor visiting him. He would ask Dr Torney to bring before the committee of the Medical Aid the desirability of making an alteration in respect of that. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned, and the Jury concurred in the Coroner's remarks.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 28 August 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Drowning Cases. - Mr R. B. Johns held Inquests at Plymouth yesterday on a man and woman found under the Hoe. The first related to the death of TRYPHENA FLOOD, aged 40, of unknown address and occupation, whose body was seen floating in the sea early on Saturday morning by Henry Tonkin, a fisherman. P.C. Cutts said deceased was discharged from the Workhouse on the 14th inst. - Elizabeth Williams, of Flora-street, said she last saw deceased on Friday, when she seemed all right. She said, however, that she was in bodily fear of a man named Cousins, who wanted her to live with him. She had never heard her threaten to take her life. - A constable said he knew the man, whose name was Nathaniel Cousins. - The Coroner: What is his occupation? - A poacher, sir. - Is that an occupation now? - did he live on the earnings of this woman? - No sir. He was only with her for a few days. The second Inquest was on WM. SHEPHEARD COURTIS, aged 58, hairdresser, of Duke-street, Plymouth, whose body was found on Sunday morning in a creek near the ladies' bathing place. - Joseph Willcocks, of Clowance-street, Devonport, said deceased had been somewhat worried over business affairs. - P.C. Knight said he saw deceased in the boatmen's shelter under the Hoe on Saturday morning. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned in each case.

ASHBURTON - An Ashburton Fatality. Engine-Cleaner's Fall. - Mr Sydney Hacker held an Inquest at Ashburton yesterday on GEORGE GABRIEL PERRIS. Mr B. D. Webster, of Newton Abbot, watched the proceedings on behalf of the father, while Inspector Flowellen, of the Locomotive Department, Newton Abbot, and Mr Scantlebury, Chief Inspector Traffic Department, Plymouth, represented the Great Western Railway Company. - GABRIEL PERRIS, of Newton Abbot, cab proprietor, deceased's father, said his son, an engine-cleaner, left home on Saturday afternoon, for Ashburton, on night duty. - Arthur J. B. Almond, fireman, G.W.R. Company, said he worked the last train to Ashburton on Saturday night and left the engine in deceased's charge at 11.10 p.m. He was called at 12.30 a.m. and informed that deceased had fallen off the engine. He at once proceeded to the shed and found deceased in the cabin. He spoke to him, but could not understand what he said in reply. - Frederick R. Cousins, a carriage-cleaner, stated that shortly after midnight he noticed the lights were not moving in the engine-shed, and as he could not hear any noise he went in and found deceased on his left side on the right side of the engine. He carried him to the cabin. He understood from deceased that he fell off the top of the engine. - Dr E. Wilcox said he found deceased suffering from a blow on the head and had him removed to the Cottage Hospital by the St. John Ambulance Corps. A post-mortem examination showed that there was no fracture of the skull, nor any marks of bruises, but there was extensive haemorrhage behind the left ear and a large quantity of clotted blood. Death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. - The Jury (Mr A. W. Cove, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding a rider that there ought to be two men employed at night work in case of any accident occurring.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 29 August 1906
NORWICH, NORFOLK - Stoke Lady's Death. The Tragic Gun Accident At Norwich. Inquest And Verdict. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Cottishall Manor House, Norwich, on the body of MRS MAUD G. HACKBLOCK, daughter of the late DR METHAM, of Stoke, Devonport, who was killed by a shot fired by her husband on the morning of the previous day. - Hannah Downes, deceased's maid, said after her mistress was dressed she went downstairs. Five minutes later witness heard a shot and then MR HACKBLOCK called in great distress, "Help! Help!" Witness ran down and met MR HACKBLOCK in the hall. He said "The gun went off; I have shot your mistress." Witness went outside with MR HACKBLOCK to where her mistress was lying. She was quite dead. MR HACKBLOCK said, "Help me," and witness ran to the lodge for help. When she came back the body was on a mattress, covered up. MR and MRS HACKBLOCK had been talking that morning and she heard MR HACKBLOCK say "Aye, dear>" Dr Wright said he was telephoned for just before nine. MR HACKBLOCK met him on the lawn and said "What can we do? My poor wife is dead. We had been trying to shoot a rabbit and were just going in to breakfast. My wife was just in front of me. I was just going to take the cartridge out of the gun; and whether I slipped on the grass or what happened I do not know, but the gun went off." Witness added that he had already made a cursory examination of the body. Deceased was dead from a gunshot wound, which must have caused instantaneous death. The head was very much damaged. The shot was from almost directly behind and was from below upward. MR HACKBLOCK was almost too stunned to realise anything. Witness opened the gun and found a discharged cartridge case in it. There were two small spots of blood on the brass end of the cartridge. - The Coroner observed that the gun, which was produced, was very irregular in the pull-off. - William Skeete, MR HACKBLOCK'S dairyman, said as he was churning he heard MR HACKBLOCK call for help. He ran out and said, "However did this happen?" MR HACKBLOCK said, "I was taking a cartridge out of my gun." - MR W. H. HACKBLOCK, who was the next witness, was asked by the Coroner to tell his story from the beginning. He said: About a quarter past eight in the morning, when I was in the garden, I saw a rabbit cross the roadway. My wife was devoted to her garden, and we had been trying to keep the rabbits down because they had been doing so much damage. I came indoors and got an old gun. At that time my wife was just finishing dressing. When she came down I told her there was a rabbit in the flower-bed, and she offered to beat it out for me. We did not find it, and we turned round to go in for breakfast. We walked side by side across the grass. When we got to the gravel near the house she was a yard of two ahead of me. I was taking the cartridge out when the gun went off and the charge struck her in the back of the head. - The Coroner: Are you accustomed to carry a gun? - Yes, I have been for 45 years. - Can you account for the gun going off? - I cannot, but I may say the lever is close to the trigger. I had a pair of loose gloves on. - What conclusion have you come to? Do you think you touched the trigger? - Witness: I do not know. I cannot account for it. I took the gun down off my shoulder and raised it in my hand as far as I can tell; but I really do not know. I had the gun in my hands, and I was in the act of taking the cartridge out. - You were in the usual position for taking the cartridge out? - I think so; I have always been very careful with guns. - Have you ever had any trouble with the lock of the gun - was it in order? - Witness: Well, it was an old gun that my brother-ion-law gave me. His sons had learned to shoot with it, and he gave it to me for my sons to learn to shoot. I think it was in order. I have used it half a dozen times this summer. - So far as you know has the gun gone off with itself before? - No, never. - After a pause, MR HACKBLOCK added in a tone of profound distress: "I have never been guilty of such an act of carelessness before. I have never before had a gun go off in my hand." - The coroner, in putting the case to the Jury, said the evidence was entirely corroborative. They had to consider whether this occurrence was pure accident, or whether there was any gross or culpable negligence. It might be said, of course, there was always negligence. When a person pointed a loaded gun at another, as must have been done in this case, that was negligence in a certain degree. Was the occurrence due to mere carelessness such as anyone might be guilty of, or had there been gross and culpable negligence? Of course, they were not obliged to say that there was any negligence at all. They might, if they liked, say it was a case of pure accident. He had had large experience of shooting and he did not think he ever went to a shooting party but that once in the course of the day he found a loaded gun pointed at him, and yet he had always been accustomed to shoot with careful men. - Turning to MR HACKBLOCK, the Coroner asked: Did you open the gun at all? - MR HACKBLOCK: I am certain I did not. - Dr Wright here remarked that MR HACKBLOCK was, he knew, a very careful man with a gun. Probably he was beginning to open the gun when it went off, the rebound causing it to shoot up. - The Coroner said his own view was that this was a case of pure accident. - The Jury almost immediately returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - The Foreman, on behalf of the Jury, expressed strong sympathy with MR HACKBLOCK and the members of his family in the great trouble which had befallen them. - The late MRS HACKBLOCK was the youngest daughter of the late DR METHAM, of Stoke, Devonport, who for many years filled important positions in the Three Towns. Dr Metham had three other daughters, one of whom, Miss Metham, resides at The elms, Stoke. The deceased lady was married at an early age, leaving Devonport about 30 years ago. Previous to her marriage she and her sisters did much in the interests of Devonport and her death will be very deeply felt by her relations and those with whom she was associated.

PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday on GEORGE LEE, aged two days, son of HENRY LEE, labourer, Willow-street, death was said to be due to imperfect development of the heart.

PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest on JAMES BASKERVILLE, aged 19 years, residing at 16 Chedworth-street, Plymouth, who died on Saturday evening last at his residence from spinal meningitis. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 31 August 1906
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday relative to the death of ALFRED CHARLES CHALKER SYMONS, the one year old child of MRS SOPHIA SYMONS, of Ilbert-street. The child was taken ill on Tuesday morning, and Dr Aikman was sent for. Before his arrival it had succumbed to pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 September 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Death Under Chloroform. Devonport Woman's Sad End. - Mr J. A. Pearce yesterday held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, on ANNA ELIZABETH STOWE, aged 33, the wife of RICHARD L. STOWE, pensioner, Royal Marines, residing at 1 Cross-street. - Dr. G. S. Thompson, House Surgeon, stated that the woman was admitted to the Hospital to undergo a slight operation. She was suffering from an extensive ulceration of the leg. The operation was performed on Thursday about mid-day, chloroform being administered to the patient. The draught did its work until the period of excitement arrived, and she then struggled violently; to such an extent that it required the doctor and two nurses to keep her on the table. Ten minutes afterwards he became suspicious and ceased to administer the chloroform. During this time the breathing was quite good. She was then removed to another room, where her breathing became shallow and eventually stopped altogether. Respiration by artificial means was attempted, without success. Dr Row and Dr Morris were present whilst the operation was proceeding. A post-mortem examination revealed fatty degeneration of the heart, and death, in his opinion, was due to syncope. He (the Doctor) would like to express his very deep regret to the relatives. It was an especially sad case for him, and if he could do anything for the deceased's son he would be only too glad to do so. In the course of his profession, he had administered as many as 250 anaesthetics, and none had before been followed by death. - Mr Pearce said during the thirteen years he had been Coroner he had only held four Inquiries into deaths having occurred in this manner. Dr Thompson had always given his evidence in a very straightforward way. - The Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives and returned a verdict that death was due to Syncope during the Administration of Chloroform, and exonerated the medical men from all blame.

BIDEFORD - A Bideford Baby's Death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Bideford yesterday on HAROLD RANDELL, the twelve-months-old child of JOSEPH and MAUD RANDELL of Victoria Grove. On Saturday last the child was being carried by a sister, aged 11, and when a boy at play ran against her and knocked the child out of her arms. The baby died on Thursday from an inflammatory condition of the brain, caused by a blow it received on the right temple in the fall.

STOKE DAMEREL - Dr Gard at the Inquest held yesterday on CHARLES ROGERS, aged 70, pensioner, Royal Naval Ordnance, lately residing at 14a. Herbert-street, said death was due to Syncope.

EXETER - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday on FREDERICK BUCKINGHAM, coach-builder, who had died suddenly. The doctor said the heat had probably aggravated deceased's heart disease.

Western Morning News, Monday 3 September 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - Drowned In The Teign. A Baby's Sad Death. - At Newton Abbot on Saturday, Mr G. F. Kellock held an Inquest on WILLIAM GILPIN, son of MR DAVID GILPIN, who was drowned in the River Teign on Friday Deceased, 2 years and 4 months old, went out to play with his ten-year-old sister, FLORENCE. The latter joined several other children paddling without boots and stockings in the water. She subsequently went round Mr Nosworthy's house, thinking the boy was following her. A quarter of an hour elapsed before she missed him and in the meantime Henry Hore, an assistance Schoolmaster, walking on the bank of the river, noticed the body of a child floating down with the tide. He called to Arthur Lang, who was bathing near the boathouses, and the latter swam out and brought the body to the bank. Artificial respiration was resorted to by Mr Hore and Constable Rundle, but without result. - The Coroner pointed out that the girl FLORENCE had given her evidence in a most intelligent manner. As she was entrusted with the child, and failed to look after it, it was for the Jury to say whether she deserved to be cautioned. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Drowning and expressed the opinion that whilst the girl might have exercised more care, she was too young to be held responsible or to be censured.

BARNSTAPLE - Carriage Fatality. Sad Death Of A Barnstaple Lady. - Mr A. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, at Barnstaple, on Saturday held an Inquest on MRS SARAH MARY SHAPLAND, 84 years of age, of the Square, Barnstaple, widow of MR GEO. SHAPLAND, who died that morning as the result of a carriage accident at Braunton. For the evidence it appeared that deceased, with three other ladies and a servant, had driven to Saunton in a landau on Wednesday last, the four ladies being inside and the domestic on the box with the driver, Wm. Fry, of Barnstaple. They had returned to Braunton, when the ladies, noticing a gentleman they wished to speak to, asked the driver to turn back. He attempted to, and when the horse was half-way around said it was too narrow to turn and endeavoured to get back to his original position again. At that moment the landau over-turned. All were thrown out, but none of the party were seriously injured except the deceased. - Questioned by the Jury, Fry, the driver, said he could not account for the carriage over-turning. - Mr F. Northcote, Fry's employer, said the carriage was a "full locked" landau, which meant that it should turn in its own length. All his vehicles were examined each week and he had examined this one since the accident. There was absolutely nothing the matter with it except the broken shafts and bent wheel bar, caused by the accident. There was nothing wrong with the locking gear. His only theory was that the weight of four persons in the body of the carriage and two on the box might have been more on one side than on the other and when half-turned it might tie the bed of the locking gear and cause the upset. That was the only way he could explain it. - Dr J. W. Cooke said MRS SHAPLAND was his aunt. He attended her with Dr Harper of Braunton, and found deceased had a bad knock on the left side of the head and a black eye. There were bruises, but apparently no bones broken. The cause of the death was shock from the accident, which brought on congestion of the lungs. - The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death", said they attached no blame to anyone.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 4 September 1906
WERRINGTON - The Suicide Of Boyton Postmaster. Result Of Ill-Health. - Mr J. D. Prickman held an Inquest at Werrington on Friday on JAMES PARSONS, aged 63, as briefly reported in our issue of yesterday. - Richard Toms, farmer, of Warra Farm, said deceased was his uncle by marriage. he had been Postmaster of Boyton for over 20 years, and was previous to that engaged in farming. He had been ill for some time, and came to Warra Farm for a change. On Thursday witness left deceased about eleven o'clock and went to do some work. On his return shortly after he found deceased on his back, with his head in the well. Witness took him out and shouted for help. - Albert Smith, farmer, of Colehouse, said hearing shouts he went to Warra Farm, and found the last witness holding the deceased. Everything possible in the circumstances was done to restore animation, but PARSONS was quite dead. - Dr Thompson deposed to having known deceased for over twenty years. His health had been very good until within the past three months. He got depressed and imagined himself suffering from non-existing ailments. Witness recommended him to go to Launceston for a change of air, but he afterwards heard that deceased had gone to Warra Farm. He last saw him alive on Sunday afternoon, when deceased went to Launceston to see him. - In reply to witness PARSONS said he had no suicidal tendencies, but his replies were not absolutely satisfactory. That was witness's reason for advising his going to Launceston with the nurse, so as to be watched. When called to Warra Farm witness found PARSONS quite dead. There was a bruise on the right side of the forehead and all the symptoms of drowning. Witness considered deceased laid on his back to accomplish his purpose. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

IVYBRIDGE - Death Through The Heat. - An Inquest was held by Mr R. R. Rodd, at Cadleigh Barn, Ivybridge, yesterday on WILLIAM MILLER, 67, naval and prison pensioner. - Richard John Downing, packer in the employ of the Great Western Railway, said he, deceased, and a man, by name William John Bovey, were working for Mr Cane at Hundsen Farm, saving hay. Witness and Bovey were throwing hay to deceased, who was on top of a wagon. One heap of hay being finished, they moved on, and before starting warned deceased of what they were going to do. They then recommenced the task of loading, but as deceased did not take the hay they called to him, and got no answer. They went round to the other side of the wagon, where they found MILLER dead. Dr Cooper was called. Deceased must have fainted and fallen off the wagon. - By the Coroner: There were no intoxicants in the field, as Mr Cane always preferred tea or coffee. - William John Bovey, packer, corroborated. - Dr C. E. Cooper, of Ivybridge, said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body and had found the lungs healthy and the stomach full. This with the heat might cause syncope, but dislocation of the neck was the cause of death. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 6 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Naval Pensioner's Sudden Death. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on GEORGE JENKINS, aged 57, naval pensioner, of 5 Hill-place, who died suddenly on the previous day. - Amelia Atwill, sister-in-law, said deceased had not enjoyed good health but his indisposition had not been sufficiently serious to necessitate confinement to the house. He was taken ill suddenly on the previous day, and succumbed before a doctor could arrive. - Dr Palmer said he had ascertained that deceased partook of a heavy supper on the night previous to his decease, and this had accelerated syncope, which was the cause of death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 7 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Neglect At Plymouth. Child's Sad Death. The Parents Censured. - Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, on HILDA ROBERTS, aged 4 months, daughter of WILLIAM and GRACE ROBERTS, of Higher-street. - Mr H. Lawrence Spear appeared for the N.S.P.C.C. - Richard Hy. Pearce, Inspector of the N.S.P.C.C., said on July 11th, accompanied by P.C. Denner, he visited the parent's house, and found the child fairly well nourished, but very dirty, and covered with vermin bites. The home was in a filthy condition, as also were the beds. Witness told MRS ROBERTS of the complaint he had received, that she drank too much and neglected her children. The woman denied this, and said she was very poor; her husband could only give her 12s. to 15s. a week. On July 19th he again visited the place and found an improvement. On September 3rd, with P.C. Denner, he paid his third visit at 10.30 a.m. The mother and child were in bed. MRS ROBERTS said she had been up until one o'clock that morning with the child, which had been ill ever since his last visit. Witness remarked that the child appeared to be dying. The woman said that she had taken her daughter to Dr Stubbs, and his assistant attended it. The last time she saw him was on the previous Tuesday, when he ordered it barley water. This, however, went right through it, so she gave it no more. Witness remarked that the consequences might be serious and cautioned her. Witness questioned the woman as to what she fed the child on, and she then produced a packet of blanc-mange, which she mixed with water. The child, she said, could not take milk. On the mantelpiece was a small bottle of medicine. It had been on the shelf three days and only a small portion of it had been administered. Witness asked why she had not given the child a sufficient quantity, replied that she did not think it was doing it any good. There was no food of any description in the house. While he was there the father came in and taking 4d. out of his pocket said that was what he had earned that morning. On his last visit the child was extremely emaciated, and its legs were like sticks. The body was in a very bad condition. The back of the child's neck and its right shoulder were covered with blood. One of its eyes was closed, filled with matter. The only other covering on the bed besides the bolster was a quilt, which was filthy in the extreme. There were five other children in the house from 11 years to 5 years. The mother stated that the child was not insured. - Dr J. Round said he was with Inspector Pearce on his last visit and then the child was in a very extreme condition, and it was suffering from diarrhoea. The bed was in a very filthy condition. Two other children in the house were also in a dirty condition, and verminous. The neglect in feeding and the deceased's condition must have greatly aggravated its ill-health. He could not say that the neglect accelerated death. Dirty and absence of proper food might cause diarrhoea. Witness advised the mother to take the child to the Hospital. In answer to a Juror, Dr Round said that corn-flour, such as the blanc-mange powder appeared to be, was not good for a child of that age. - Blanch Maud Winser, single, stated that she resided in the same house for 18 years. The child at birth in a healthy condition. The mother was often out drunk and when she was in the house she was often drinking. When she went out she would leave the child on the table, or in a chair for long periods. On one occasion, MRS ROBERTS left the child thus for 2 ½ hours. The woman then left the house half drunk and returned worse. On the day of the Inspector's last visit the woman was drunk. Witness had heard the husband complaining that his wife spent the week's money in drink. - Rosina Luscombe, single, also residing in the same house, stated that on the Saturday previous to the Inspector's third visit, MRS ROBERTS saw her brother, who gave her half a crown. Soon after the mother left the house with a jug. - Dr D. A. Chamberlain said the child was brought to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital in a dying condition. It weighed 5 ½ lb., whereas the normal weight of such a child was 10 lb. It was probably the diarrhoea which caused the wasting. The dirt and improper feeding might cause such an illness. - The mother, recalled, stated that she insured her baby when it was three months old for a penny a week. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from diarrhoea, probably caused by the condition which it was stated to have been in. They were also of the opinion that the parents should be severely censured for their conduct. The Jury at the same time complimented the two young women in coming forward to give evidence in the case. - The Deputy Coroner said there was no doubt that the parents had been extremely neglectful. The father ought to have controlled the mother. The Jury had also no doubt about the question of drink on the mother's part. There was absolutely no excuse for the disgusting state in which she kept the child. The child had not a chance. The parents had very narrowly escaped a prosecution for manslaughter. They would get no sympathy and deserved none.

Western Morning News, Saturday 8 September 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on MARTHA JANE CADD, aged 76, of 23 Kensington-terrace, Devonport. - Alice Davey said deceased was a spinster and, considering her age, she enjoyed good health. On Wednesday witness was in the house, when she heard deceased call out "I'm falling." She rushed out of the room and found her at the top of the stairs in the act of falling. She would undoubtedly have done so had not witness hastened forward and caught her. A doctor was sent for and deceased was put to bed. Death occurred within a few hours. - Dr M. L. Griffin stated that he had attended MISS CADD for a considerable time. She had been suffering from a peculiar form of heart disease, to which he attributed death. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 10 September 1906
SALTASH, CORNWALL - Stonehouse Man's Death. Found Drowned Near Saltash. - On Saturday Mr A. de Castro Glubb, Coroner, held an Inquest at the Wheatsheaf Inn, The Beach, Saltash, on JAMES CLARKE, aged 55, pensioner, of 19 Waterloo-street, Stonehouse. - Henry Clements, waterman, 9 Tamar-terrace, St Budeaux, stated that at 2.30 that afternoon he was in a boat off Moditenham Creek about 1 ¼ miles above Saltash, when he saw a body floating close in shore. He brought the body down to Saltash. - George Maddock, 15 Caroline-place, Stonehouse, said deceased was in his employ as a bargeman. Witness saw him last at 7.30 on Tuesday morning when he (CLARKE) was sent up by train to take a barge down the river from Halton Quay on the Tamar. He never saw deceased again, but he understood that at the quay CLARKE was put on board the barge by a Mr Down. He then got under-way, and went down the river about a mile and a half to Hole's Hole, where he anchored the barge and went on shore, it being then 11 a.m., and near low water. Deceased was in sole charge of the barge. At 12.45 p.m. he returned on board, and was seen walking the deck by a Mr Oliver. After that he was not seen again. At 3 p.m. Mr Craddick found the barge driving up the river on the flood tide with no one in charge. The anchor was not off the ground, but it was dragging along the sandy bottom because there was not sufficient chain out to cope with the strong tide. Deceased could not have fallen overboard in attempting to weigh the anchor because the cable was fastened to the bollard with five half hitches. It was stated that when deceased landed at Hole's Hole he visited the public-house. Witness understood from CLARKE'S wife that he was taken queer at times and then he used to drink. He did not think there was the slightest suspicion of foul play. Deceased was an excellent swimmer. - Joseph Elliott, steam tug master, deposed to towing the barge down the river to Stonehouse on Tuesday, 4th inst. When he went on board he found deceased's coat on the pump. - The Jury, Mr R. Giles, Foreman, returned a verdict of "Found Drowned, there being no evidence to show how deceased got in the water. The body was removed to Stonehouse yesterday.

MARY TAVY - Mr J. D. Prickman held an Inquest at Marytavy on Friday on THOMAS TANCOCK, whose death took place on Wednesday. Evidence was given by MRS TANCOCK, widow, who said that while deceased was at supper she noticed that he was choking, and at once endeavoured to relieve him. Mr J. Littlejohns, a neighbour, also rendered assistance, but they were unable to remove the obstruction. Dr L. Richmond Marshall having also given evidence, the Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased met his death through being Accidentally Choked with a piece of Meat.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 September 1906
GEORGEHAM - Croyde Fatality. Inquest On A Barnstaple Painter. - At Georgeham yesterday, Mr George W. F. Brown held an Inquest on SIDNEY JOHN RADFORD, aged 19, the Barnstaple painter who was drowned whilst bathing at Croyde on Friday last, and whose body was recovered on Sunday. - Evidence of identification was given by the father, FRANCIS HENRY RADFORD, of Barnstaple, who said his son was engaged at Croyde at work for Messrs. Croot and Son, decorators, of Barnstaple. Arthur Ward, deceased's friend, detailed how both went bathing. Deceased could only swim about five or six strokes, whilst witness could swim fairly well. Before going into the water he told RADFORD not to go further than where the water was up to his armpits, and then to strike in towards the shore. Witness was swimming about further out when deceased called to him "Art!" As soon as he could he swam up to him, and catching hold of him tried to get him to the shore, at the same time saying what he could to cheer him up. He struggled with deceased for a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, but owing to the ground sea could not get on very well. Five or six heavy breakers came along and knocked them about and then one extraordinary one parted them, and he never saw RADFORD again. Witness was exhausted and giving up hope, when a breaker landed him on the rocks, where Mr Jenkins espied him. He did all in his power to save his friend. - Dr William Jenkins, of Freshwell House, spoke to finding the last witness on the rocks, and to making an ineffectual attempt to find RADFORD. Breakers were washing over Ward when he found him and he could barely speak. All he said was that he had lost his mate. The breakers nearly washed witness off the rocks. Mrs Gray, of Croyde Bay House, sent assistance and brought blankets in which Ward was carried to Croyde Bay House. The men were bathing in what was called Freshwell Pit. - George Yeo, machinist, of Barnstaple, spoke to finding the body on Sunday a short distance from the place where deceased was drowned. - Dr Walter Harper said death was due to drowning. - The Coroner described it as a rash act for the men to bathe in such a dangerous place, but he was sure the sympathy of the Jury was with the parents of the deceased. - The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," expressed sympathy with the parents and commended Ward for his attempt to save his mate.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 12 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Children's Deaths. - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held two Inquests at Plymouth yesterday. The first was held at the Flying Scud, King-street, and related to the death of VIOLET ROSINA TREVAINS, the eight months old child of THOMAS JOHN TREVAINS, of 12 Summerland-place. - Dr L. L. Hanham, of Stoke attributed death to diarrhoea, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was returned. The death of EVA JAMES, aged ten days, the child of ELIZABETH JANE JAMES, was the subject of the second Inquiry, at the Caprera Hotel. - Annie Taylor, of 2 Caprera-place, said the child was born in her house and the mother was attended by a midwife. The mother was not yet sufficiently well to attend the Inquest. Deceased since birth had been well and carefully attended to. - Dr L. A. Lyth said he was sent for on Sunday, and found the child screaming with abdominal pains and was informed that it had exhibited diarrhoeic symptoms and vomiting. On the following day, in response to a message, he went to the house, and found the child dead. He performed a post-mortem examination, which showed the child to be well nourished, with all the organs healthy except the stomach and bowels, which were acutely inflamed. He could not assign a cause of death and could not even say it was a natural cause, and would be unable to pronounce judgment without analysis of the contents of the stomach. He had never known death to be so rapid in such a case before. - The Coroner pointed out that although the doctor did not suggest that the cause of death was not natural he could not swear that it was. He would therefore suggest an adjournment to ascertain what caused the inflammation. - Mrs Taylor said the child had never been out of her sight and for her own sake she preferred a thorough investigation. - The Jury agreed that, the death being so sudden, it was advisable to thoroughly sift the matter and the Inquiry was accordingly adjourned for a fortnight.

Western Morning News, Thursday 13 September 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Child's Terrible Death. Fall While Picking Blackberries. - Mr Albert Gard (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest at Devonport Guildhall yesterday on AMY IRENE STANBURY, three years and eleven months, daughter of ALBERT EDWARD STANBURY, dock labourer, 92 King-street, Plymouth. - MARY ANN STANBURY, mother of deceased, said she saw the child playing outside the house at 4.30 p.m. on Monday and missed her about six o'clock. She searched the district and failing to find her, reported the matter to the Police. Deceased was lost about twelve months ago. When she was first missed on Monday witness was under the impression that she was in Victoria Park, and she now had no suspicion that anyone took her away. - Francis Ashton, 6 Park-street, Stoke, said he was picking blackberries with his sister at Old Penlee Quarry on Monday evening when he saw the body in a bush, the feet being uppermost. Witness immediately ran to Stoke and gave information to P.C. Nixey. - P.C. Nixey said he found the child in the busy, lying on her stomach, and her legs doubled up. There were bruises on the child's face. She must have fallen about 15ft. There were blackberry bushes along the bank. No one could get to the quarry without trespassing. - Dr F. E. Row said he examined the body and found the eyes and forehead severely bruised and one or two small bruises under the chin. There were hundreds of sharp, little scratches on the left arm, and a few on the right arm. The knees were also scratched and there was a little blood on the left hand. He also found a little blood on the under-clothing and a spot or two on the body. On making the ordinary post-mortem examination he found terrible internal injuries. The heart was split from top to bottom, one lung was bruised and the right kidney was displaced,. The child bled to death from ruptured heart. There was absolutely nothing to indicate an attempted outrage. Witness was of opinion that the child bounced right into the bush and that death was practically instantaneous. The scratches would be caused by the bushes. No bones were broken. Witness had examined the spot where the body was found. It was about 20ft. deep and stony and the grass above was very slippery. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, but there was no evidence to show how deceased reached the spot. - The Coroner and the Jury expressed their sympathy with the parents and complimented the boy Ashton on his conduct.

EXETER - Late REV. J. E. HARGREAVES. The Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday on REV. J. E. HARGREAVES, Wesleyan minister, of Bishopsteignton Mr J. H. Bellamy, master of the City Workhouse, said deceased, who was his uncle, was 64 years of age. - Richard Wise, cabdriver, said he was engaged at 10.15 on Tuesday morning to take deceased from St. David's Railway Station to the Mint. On the way he was taken ill in the cab and died. - Rev. N. R. Dickerson, Wesleyan minister, Paignton, said he came up from Teignmouth with deceased, who complained of being very ill and said his doctor had forbidden his travelling. He complained of his heart and swallowed a tabloid, with the remark that "he was taking dynamite." In the cab witness noticed the deceased fall back and saw his hat fall off. He jumped into the cab and sent for some brandy, but before the messenger arrived he told the driver to go at once to the Hospital, as he saw the deceased was dying. - Witness jumped on the box. - The Coroner thought it was a pity Mr Dickerson should have taken such a step. There was everything to gain, and nothing to lose, by waiting for the brandy. - A Juror also thought it would have been better if Mr Dickerson had remained in the cab with the deceased. - The Coroner: Why did you get out of the cab and go on the box? - Mr Dickerson: I preferred not to ride in a cab with a dead man. - What was the objection? - Purely sentimental. As a Christian minister you have no objection to a dead body? - No, certainly not. - Mr Stirk, House Surgeon at the Hospital, stated that on the arrival of the body at that Institution life was extinct. A post-mortem examination showed that the heart was fatty and the valves diseased. Death resulted from syncope. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and expressed sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Friday 14 September 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr Albert Gard, Deputy Coroner, yesterday conducted an Inquiry into the death of ANNIE HORWILL, widow, residing at Corporation-road, Devonport. - Annie Sarah Jago, of Clarendon-terrace, North-road, Plymouth, stated that her grandmother, whose age was 78 years, had enjoyed good health up to the time of her death. On Wednesday afternoon witness was at the deceased's residence, and about 5.20 left her grandmother sitting in a chair in the kitchen. On returning within a few minutes she saw her lying back in the chair dead. A doctor was called in, but his services were of no avail. Dr C. J. Cooke stated that death was due to heart failure, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Man's Death. Kidney Disease Or Alcoholism? - Mr J. Graves (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on DANIEL JOHNSON CAMBRIDGE, residing in Park-street, Plymouth. On the 7th inst. deceased was charged before the Plymouth magistrates with having been drunk and incapable. Medical evidence showed that he was suffering from alcoholism, and the Bench dismissed the case. On the following Tuesday CAMBRIDGE died. - Mrs Ann Blythe, wife of a wheelwright, living in Park-street, identified the body as that of a man who had lodged at her house for over two years. On Wednesday week she understood that he left the house early in the morning to go for a walk. He was partly paralysed, and had been so ever since she had known him. He could walk with difficulty. On the Friday morning CAMBRIDGE was brought home in a cab. He was unconscious and remained so until his death. - P.C. Cloke stated that at 8.55 p.m. on the 5th inst. he was informed by a civilian that a man was lying on the footpath in Westwell-street. He went there and saw deceased on his back with a large crowd around him. The man was helpless and his speech was thick. He took deceased to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on an ambulance, and there he was found to be uninjured, but declared to be the worse for drink. While in the Institution CAMBRIDGE muttered something about sunstroke. Witness removed him to the Central Police Station, where on the following morning he was charged with being drunk and incapable. On the advice of Mr Wolferstan, the Police Surgeon, the case was adjourned to the following day, when the man was discharged. He was then stated to be suffering from alcoholism. - A Juror pointed out that there were many bruises on the body, whereas the man was stated at the Hospital to be uninjured. - The Deputy Coroner replied that the doctor who made the post-mortem examination would be able to assign a reason for the bruises. - In reply to a question whether the man was really drunk, Mrs Blythe said he had been in bed all that day. - P.C. Cloke added that when he found the man in Westwell-street there were several people around him with glasses containing brandy, which they were trying to get deceased to take. CAMBRIDGE admitted that he had had two-pennyworth of whisky. - Dr J. Round said he saw deceased at his lodgings on Saturday and he was then conscious and could just speak. On Sunday he became unconscious, and died on Tuesday. The post-mortem examination revealed that deceased had an enlarged heart and that he had been suffering from kidney disease of long standing, the right kidney having a cyst in it. The liver was normal. The consumption of alcohol might have had something to do with it. There was an extensive bruise over the right eye, which probably did not appear until after his admission into the Hospital. - The Coroner pointed out that the fact that deceased had drink given him in Westwell-street and his being unsteady in his walk, would account for the statement that he was the worse for drink being made at the Hospital. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 15 September 1906
DARTMOUTH - The Suicide At Dartmouth. - At Dartmouth yesterday the Borough Coroner (Mr A. M. Davson) held an Inquiry relative to the death of JOHN JERMOND, formerly a school attendance officer, who was found in his house on Tuesday evening with his throat badly cut and saturated with blood. - HENRY LONG, a cadets' servant at the Britannia Royal Naval College, said deceased, his grandfather, had for months complained of pains in his head; he had also had a good deal of family trouble. He was 82 years of age. - MRS ELIZABETH LONG, a widow, said she lived in the same house as deceased, who was her father. She left the house on Tuesday evening and deceased then appeared to be all right. She returned in about ten minutes' time and then heard a noise upstairs. Upon going in the bedroom she saw her son FREDERICK and her father, saturated with blood, was sitting on the bedside. Her father had never to her knowledge previously threatened to do himself any bodily harm. - FREDERICK LONG, another grandson of deceased, said that on Tuesday night upon going into the house, he found deceased in the kitchen, beside the table, with his throat cut and a knife on a table. Deceased said "I've done it," and witness replied "What have you done?" but received no answer. He carried deceased, who was bleeding a great deal, to his bedroom, and then went to fetch his brother HENRY, afterwards going to the doctor's. - Dr G. M. Soper said he found deceased in bed with a deeply-incised wound in his throat. In his opinion the wound had been self-inflicted. He had attended deceased previously. JERMOND had latterly suffered from depression. He attributed death to shock as a result of the injury to the throat. - The Jury found that deceased committed "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane". Both the Coroner and Jury expressed their sympathy with the relatives of deceased.

PLYMOUTH - Scalded To Death At Plymouth. - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on EDWARD JOHN WALSH, aged 15 months, son of EDWARD WALSH, labourer, of Desborough-road. - JULIA WALSH, the mother, stated that on Wednesday evening, about five o'clock, the kettle was on the fire boiling and the child playing in the room. Whilst he back was turned she heard a scream, and on looking round found the child with the kettle of boiling water in his arms, the boiling water running over him. She immediately raised an alarm and Dr T. Stubbs was summoned. On his arrival he found the child severely scalded about the arms and lower part of the body and ordered its removal to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. - The House Surgeon at the Hospital said the child when admitted was suffering from severe scalds and died on Thursday evening from the extensive injuries. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 17 September 1906
SHEBBEAR - The death of MRS WILMOT-MOORE, 70, who lived alone at Shebbear, and who was found dying in her room with some of her clothes alight, was Inquired into by Mr G. W. F. Brown (Coroner) and a Jury on Friday night and the evidence of Dr Clarke showed that there were no burns at all about the body, death being due to syncope, owing to shock on a weak heart. A verdict accordingly was returned.

BERRYNARBOR - Suicide At Berrynarbor. Farmer's Son Shoots Himself. - On Saturday Mr G. W. F. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at Bodstone Farm, Berrynarbor, on GEORGE BAMENT, son of a farmer of Bodstone Farm, who was found shot in the garden at the farm on Thursday morning. - GEORGE BAMENT said deceased was his son. He last saw him alive on Thursday between twelve and one o'clock when he was going into the house. Deceased was at work as usual, and had gone to Berrydown with some cows, in company with another man. Witness did not notice anything wrong with his son, who had never previously attempted to take his life, nor had he ever said he would do so. Deceased went shooting sometimes. No one heard the gun on the day he was found dead. There was no suspicion that anyone else had fired it. - The Coroner was handed a letter from an insurance company respecting a rick which was burned, but said the letter had no connection with the affair. - George Shapland, a farm hand, stated that on Thursday he went with deceased to Berrydown. He was working in the barn with deceased making ropes during the morning. That which deceased was making broke, and he went out of the barn. - ALFRED BAMENT, brother, who was standing on the other side of the court saw deceased come out of the barn, but he did not speak. He seemed rather low spirited, but there was nothing that witness knew of to worry him, as there was no trouble. About two years ago he had an illness. The burning of the rick was no fault of his. - Dr Manning said he saw deceased about three o'clock. He was then in the kitchen quite dead. The top left-hand side of his face was shattered and his left eye was blown out. The inside of the mouth was black and charred. The gun must have been placed in the mouth. The brain was shattered. As evidence that the gun was placed very close, he mentioned that the lips were not charred, only black. He had known deceased for eleven years, and had always found him to be a very decent young fellow. He was quiet, inoffensive and sober. He had perfectly recovered from his illness which, he thought, would leave no ill effects. - Deceased's mother added that she was in the kitchen when he came in. He had complained that he could not sleep for two nights. He went to the cupboard and was next found in the garden. - The Coroner characterised the case as a remarkable one, and strongly commented upon the fact that some newspapers had published an inaccurate report of the affair. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased died from a Self-inflicted Gunshot Wound.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 September 1906
EXMINSTER - Suicide Near Exeter. - An Inquest was held at Towrington, Exminster, yesterday, on WM. R. LOVERIDGE, aged 44, a labourer, who, according to the evidence, was addicted to drink and frequently quarrelled with his wife. On Saturday week he threatened to take poison, but nothing came of his threat until Thursday last, when he complained of feeling ill. A doctor was sent for, and on Sunday morning his wife found him dead in bed. Phosphorus poison was kept in the house for killing rats and Mr Mark Farrant, Surgeon, said deceased's appearance was consistent with phosphorus poisoning. The Jury returned a verdict that "Deceased Poisoned Himself whilst of Unsound Mind."

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death. - Mr J. Graves held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on CATHERINE GOODYEAR, aged 42. MABEL GOODYEAR, laundress, said deceased, her mother, the wife of a carman, resided at 39 Rendle-street. She had been unwell for some time and on Friday morning she died in her sleep. Dr J. S. Pearse, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope, following old-standing pleurisy and bronchitis. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on GERTRUDE EMILY COUCH, aged 37, of 7 Athenaeum-place. Annie Leddon, who lives next door, said she called on deceased on Friday morning. She was in bed, and said she was very unwell. Later she heard MRS COUCH screaming and going in gave her a drink of milk she asked for. She appeared to be very exhausted and died before a doctor could be summoned. - Dr E. B. Thomson said that he had attended MRS COUCH for many years, and from what he knew of her he had not the slightest doubt she died from syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

BRIXHAM - Child Drowned At Brixham. - About 5 p.m. on Saturday a little girl named Cole, playing in the Manor Yard, noticed a child's hand just above the surface of the water in the harbour near New Quay Steps, and drew the attention of a young man close by to it. At the same time, two men from the ketch Sabrina pulled towards the spot and discovered ELLEN THOMAS, aged four years, under the water. Having got her into the boat they set to work to restore respiration, and as soon as possible the child was taken to her home close by and medically treated, but without success. - At the Inquest yesterday, a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Suicide At Devonport. Rifle Brigade Sergeant's Sad Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Military Station Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on THOMAS WALKER, acting-sergeant, 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, who shot himself at Raglan Barracks, on Sunday afternoon. - Lieut. and Acting-Adjutant R. P. A. de Moleyne, 3rd Rifle Brigade, said deceased was 28 years old, a native of Sussex and a single man. On Saturday morning he was before the colonel for being absent without leave and was severely reprimanded. He appeared to feel this deeply. He bore a good character and carried out his duties satisfactorily. Witness was unable to say how deceased obtained the ammunition for his rifle. As a sergeant he had more opportunity of obtaining a round of ammunition, but even he should not have had it. - In answer to a Juror: Deceased gave no reason to the colonel for his absence. - Henry Wm. Bryant, sergeant-major, 3rd Rifle Brigade, said he saw deceased about one o'clock on Sunday afternoon in the sergeants' mess. He looked depressed and worried. Witness knew he had been before the colonel, and had spoken to him about it. Deceased did not seem to like the remarks the colonel made when he reprimanded him. He told the commanding officer he met some friends outside the barracks and over-stepped the mark. He had been acting-sergeant for two or three years. He had not spoken to witness about any love affair or financial difficulties. Deceased was liked by his mess-mates. He was acting-sergeant in India, but he did not think the heat had affected him at all, although he had had an attack of malarial fever. - In answer to a Juror: The only thing witness noticed about deceased was that when he was before the colonel he appeared to be recovering from a drinking bout. He was in India for 10 years and had passed the doctor for service on the West Coast of Africa, with a view to going there at some future date, but he was not actually ordered there. - Lieut. de Moleyne explained that this was a purely voluntary service. - George A. E. Angell, private, 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, said at 1.15 on Sunday afternoon he walked over to No. 5 room. He heard the report of a rifle as he entered and looking round saw smoke issuing from a window. He went to the door of deceased's bunk and found it locked. He listened and heard something dripping and at once burst the door open. SERGT. WALKER was sitting on his bed, with a service rifle between his legs. A piece of string was tied round his right foot and the other end round the trigger of the rifle. Witness gave an alarm and sent for the sergeant-major at once. Deceased was breathing hard when witness found him. Medical assistance was summoned, and deceased died soon afterwards. The bunk, which was partitioned off, was in the barrack-room, in which other men were having their dinner. Deceased did not speak to witness. - Colr.-Sergt. C. H. P. Higgings, said deceased was attached to his Company. On Friday morning, when the roll was called, he was found to be absent but returned to barracks at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, having been absent 17 hours. On Saturday morning, after deceased had seen the colonel, he told witness he did not like the remarks the colonel made and seemed upset. He had not been before the colonel since 1898. - P.C. Bawden said on a table in deceased's bunk were three sealed letters, apparently recently addressed. Witness saw a number of other letters, but none had any reference to the incident. Witness also found a ring on the table. - Miss Edie Bunny, 9 Mount Edgcumbe-terrace, domestic servant, said she had known deceased for about four months, and had kept company with him constantly. On Saturday evening, at her house, deceased seemed depressed, and told her he was going away. He also said he had been before the colonel. On the Thursday night deceased came to her house and left about 9.30 being cheerful and well. She went to the barracks on Friday night to see him, as he had not met her and he told her he was under arrest. There was no quarrel between them. On the Saturday evening he seemed depressed, wished her good-bye and aid he was going away to Liverpool that night. She expected him to be at Liverpool on Sunday and she tried to cheer him up. She did not consider his statement about going away referred to any possible attempt on his life. He said he would write to her in a few days. - Dr T. McElwaine of Devonport, said deceased had a bullet wound in the centre of the forehead. The wound was self-inflicted. There was a hole in the ceiling where the bullet had struck, after passing through deceased's head. - Lieut. de Moleyne told the Coroner there were no orders for deceased to go away, as he had told Miss Bunny. - In summing up, the Coroner referred to the three letters found by the Constable on deceased's table. One was written to a sergeant at Tregantle, and he would read it. The other two were written to Miss Bunny and to a sergeant of the 2nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Portland. He had read through the last letter and could not make head or tail to it. It would not help them to read it, and he was convinced it was written by a man who was not in his right mind. The letter to Sergeant Sherwood, Tregantle, was as follows:- Dear old Shiver. - Would you kindly see to all my things; and I will ask you to kindly write to my people and break the news as easily as you can, and give them all my love. So good-bye, old boy, with best respects to all the members of the mess. Perhaps Colonel Congreaves will find some acting-sergeant to do my work a bit better, as he told me I was no good. - The note to Miss Bunny was very short:- My darling Edie. Good-bye love. TOMMY. - The Coroner remarked, after deceased left Miss Bunny on Thursday night they had no evidence as to his whereabouts. He had no right to stay out without leave, and if a man, and especially an acting-sergeant, chose to commit a breach of discipline, he must expect to be punished. He was severely reprimanded by the colonel who was, of course, only doing his duty. He seemed to have told deceased that he was a very good officer in India, but since he was in England there were one or two reports about him. - Deceased felt that very much, and seemed depressed, and he (the Coroner) had no doubt he was of unsound mind when he took his life. He appreciated the very unpleasant position in which Miss Bunny had been placed on coming before them that afternoon. She had given her evidence very straightforwardly indeed and they all sympathised with her in this sad trouble. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind." - The Coroner expressed the Jury's sympathy with Miss Bunny, and said if the relatives did not claim the ring he would hand it to her. - Miss Bunny remarked that deceased had told her he would send it to her, but as the relatives might claim it she would not accept it.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Another Scalding Fatality. - Mr John Graves, Deputy coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on LILIAN DOROTHY MACEY, the one-month-old child of WILLIAM and JANE MACEY, of 27 Rendle-street. - FLORENCE MACEY, age 11 years, deceased's sister, said on Wednesday afternoon last, on returning from school, she heard a child screaming. Entering the kitchen she saw deceased lying in the fender and her mother on the bed, apparently asleep. The kettle had been upset and the baby was badly scalded. - Mrs Elizabeth Mitchell of 41 Rendle-street, said she also heard the screams and on going in saw deceased in her sister's arms severely scalded. The mother, who was lying on the bed, had also received severe scalds. She had heard that MRS MACEY was subject to fits. - Dr W. F. H. Newbery said he saw the child within half an hour of the occurrence at the Homoeopathic Hospital. there were severe burns or scalds over the body, and on Monday it died from shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

TORQUAY - Torquay Lamp Explosion. Coroner's Strong Remarks. - Mr G. F. Kellock, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Torquay last evening on GEORGE BOND, aged 53, gardener, of 7 Victoria-park, Plainmoor. - Jane E. Cornelius, with whom deceased lived, said deceased was making preparations to go to bed at about 10 p.m. on Saturday, when she remembered there were no candles in the house and asked him if she should go out and buy some. He replied, "Oh, it doesn't matter; we will take the lamp." He took it from the table, but before he had gone a few yards it seemed as if the lamp exploded. In a moment the deceased was in flames. She knew the lamp had a defective burner, but she and BOND had carried it to bed scores of times and on Saturday anticipated no danger. She had just previously filled it with a quart of oil. All the doors were shut at the time of the explosion, and she did not think there could have been a draught. Her hand was burnt in rendering the deceased assistance. - Samuel Webber, labourer, occupying the back part of the house, said he was roused out of bed by the deceased's screams and hurrying downstairs seized a piece of carpet and by these means, with the assistance of others, managed after awhile to extinguish the flames that had enveloped BOND. He had his hand burnt in the endeavour. - Robert Tucker, labourer, also living in the house, said while he was doing his best to assist Webber, the deceased clutched him around the neck, burning him severely. His shirt also caught the flames, burning his back. - P.C. Bater said after helping to put out the flames he took deceased to the Torbay Hospital. On the way he stated that the lamp exploded. - Dr Thomson, House Surgeon, Torbay Hospital, said deceased lived until 10.15 on Monday morning. he was burnt practically all over the body, and from the first there was no possibility of his recovering. - The witness Cornelius, recalled, said she bought the lamp second-hand about nine or ten months ago. She did not know whether it was damaged when she purchased it. - Several of the Jury examined the lamp and found that the burner was very defective, and that it only needed a slight shake to detach it into two pieces. - The Coroner said to use lamps of the description produced was to court disaster. Accidents were bound to happen sooner or later; it was simply ghastly. To use a lamp with a glass reservoir was bad enough, but when there was a defective burner, and a person took it in his hand to carry it, it was awful. that case must go out as a warning and a reminder of the fearful calamities that might happen from the use of such rubbish. Tucker and Webber both acted nobly. The latter's presence of mind in picking up the carpet was especially commendable. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." The Foreman (Mr H. Terry) asked that the Jury wished to call attention to the danger attaching to the use of defective lamps of the description produced, and to urge upon not only those who bought them, but also those who sold them, the necessity of seeing that they are in proper order. The Jury also endorsed what the Coroner had said with regard to the commendable action of Webber and Tucker.

NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Drowning Case. Sad End Of "A Faithful Servant And Trusted Friend." - Mr G. F. Kellock held an Inquest yesterday at Newton Abbot, on WILLIAM UNDERHAY LANG, aged 63, canal superintendent and foreman, in the employ of Watts, Blake, Bearne and Company, clay merchants. - Samuel Hunt, a labourer, in the employ of Watts, Blake, Bearne and Company, said on Monday morning deceased was on the bank of the canal on the Kingsteignton side. He heard the exclamation "Oh!" and turning saw deceased slip off the locks into the basin, in which there was a depth of four or five feet of water. The rush of the water from under the fenders carried him away from the wooden frame down to the stone part. Witness at once lowered both fenders. When deceased came to the surface again his head was hanging down and his hands were turned downwards and he gave the appearance of having been struck on the head. Witness cried out for help, being alone and lame, and he then took a pole and got deceased down a short distance through the basin to the spot beside the ladder. By this time William Davey, Henry Perryman, and others arrived and they got deceased on the bank. He was in the water altogether about three minutes, it being some time before he rose to the surface. His head showed that he had sustained a blow. He was stunned and was "dead to the world," but witness did not think he was really dead at that time. They laid him on the bank and witness began to work his arms and to try to restore him. Water came from his mouth but they soon saw that their efforts were apparently useless. A doctor was sent for. - The Coroner: Do you consider the spot where he fell is a dangerous place? - The place may be dangerous to strangers, but not to bargemen, who are used to it. I have been over it for the last 35 years and deceased for 31 or 32 years. - Had there been any rain to make the wood on which deceased was standing slippery? - There had been a slight frost and the wood bars were slippery. - William Davey, another workman, said when he heard the shouting for help he rushed to the basin and went down by the ladder fixed by its side, where Hunt was keeping deceased's head above water. Witness assisted in getting a rope with which deceased was pulled out. He seemed to be dead. - Dr Wm. Forbes said deceased had a bruise and abrasion of the skin on the right side of the face just below the eye, evidently the result of a very severe blow. He came in contact with the shelving stone wall on the edge of the weir and the blow was sufficient to render him unconscious at once. He did not think the blow killed him, but that death was due to syncope or failure of the heart's action due to the shock caused by the sudden immersion following the blow. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Foreman, Mr Fuller, tendered their sympathy to MRS LANG and the family in their very sad bereavement. - The Coroner said he was glad to know that deceased was so highly respected. - Mr Fuller said he was always ready and willing to do a good turn to everyone. - Mr Bearne, on behalf of Watts, Blake, Bearne and Co., expressed their deep sympathy with MRS LANG and the family, and their intense regret at the sad occurrence. The firm had lost a most faithful servant and trusted friend, and it would be very difficult to replace him.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Man's Death. - An Inquest was held at Devonport yesterday on ALBERT KERSWILL, a coal porter, 12 Morice-street. - Frances Ayres, with whom deceased lodged, said KERSWILL, whose age was 48 years, came home on Friday evening from his work, complained of feeling unwell and went to bed. During the night he vomited and suffered acutely from cramp in the stomach. On Saturday morning he went to work. Returning about midday, he went to bed immediately after dinner. It then transpired that he ate nothing but apples on Friday. On Saturday night he was very ill, but would not allow her to go for a doctor. One was called in the following day, however, but KERSWILL died in the evening. Deceased was a very temperate man, but drank an immense quantity of tea. - Dr Ryan attributed death to English cholera, brought about by eating the apples and accelerated by acute pneumonia. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes " was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 20 September 1906
BRIXTON - Sad Death At Brixton. - At Brixton, near Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on THOMAS FAUX UPSHER, aged 85, senior partner of MR T. P. UPSHER AND SONS, house and estate agents, Plymouth, who died at Rosemount, Brixton, the residence of his son. - MARY ELIZABETH UPSHER, his daughter-in-law, said on Friday afternoon last deceased went into the garden and while gathering beans scratched his hand in barbed wire. He came into the kitchen and showed her his hand, the knuckle joint of which was slightly bleeding. The hand was placed under the cold water tap and plaster put on the scratch. On Saturday morning deceased had to take to his bed, being attacked by the shivers. The injured hand became swollen and inflammation made its appearance. Dr Langworthy was sent for and death took place on Tuesday afternoon. - Dr W. S. Langworthy said deceased hand showed symptoms of blood-poisoning. The hand and arm were much swollen and there were symptoms of gangrene. Death resulted from blood-poisoning, as the result of the injury. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 24 September 1906
DARTMOUTH - A St Ives Sailor's Death. - On Saturday Mr A. M. Davson held an Inquest at Dartmouth on HENRY DAVID DANIEL, a seaman of the Whitehaven steamer Fleswick, who sustained shocking injuries at sea on Tuesday last. - HENRY DANIEL, a fisherman of St Ives, said deceased, his son, was 25 years of age, was married and had one child. - Dr G. M. Soper said on Tuesday he was called aboard the Fleswick and saw deceased. The captain told him they were hoisting a sail and deceased was caught in the winch. Deceased was removed to the Cottage Hospital. He had a compound fracture and dislocation of the left leg and dislocation of the left shoulder joint. There were injuries to the left eye, bruises over his neck, one on his arms, thighs and forehead. There was also a large abrasion across the lower part of the back. Death was due to shock. Dr Soper added that deceased's left foot, which was clubbed, was injured. - The Inquest was adjourned until October 2nd for the attendance of some of the offices and crew of the Fleswick. - The body was conveyed to St Ives on Saturday and was interred in the cemetery yesterday afternoon. The funeral was attended by hundreds of fishermen and others, the officiating minister being the Rev. T. Sadler (Primitive Methodist).

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Accidental Death At Plymouth. - Mr John Graves held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth on EMILY GARD WEAVER, aged 41, wife of HENRY J. WEAVER, railway clerk, residing at Yeovil Junction, who died on the 22nd inst. - Mrs M. Brown said the deceased, her sister, was staying with her at 12 St Michael's-terrace. She did not know how the accident happened. Dr M. Aikman said on August 11th he was called to 12 St Michael's-terrace, and saw deceased, who had broken her leg through falling out of a window. Death was due to shock caused by the accident. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Jury expressed sympathy with deceased's husband and relatives.

PLYMOUTH - Accidental Death. - Mr Graves held an Inquest at Laira yesterday on FREDERICK E. HAMLEN, the three-months-old child of FREDERICK EDWIN and BESSIE HAMLEN of Laira-street. - The mother said on Saturday night the child slept with her and her husband. Next morning when she awoke she found her son dead. - Dr H. B. Palmer, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to suffocation. - A verdict was returned that deceased died from Suffocation whilst in bed with its parents.

EXETER - Totnes Lady's Death. The Mad Leap From An Express Train. Inquest And Verdict. - The Exeter City Coroner (Mr W. L. Brown) held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday afternoon on MISS MONA M. K. JELLICOE, aged 28, of Loventor, Totnes, who died under sensational circumstances whilst travelling on the Great Western Railway near Exeter on Saturday. - DR STANLEY C. JELLICOE, of Loventor, Totnes, said the deceased, his sister, was a daughter of MR PALMER JELLICOE, of no occupation. Deceased seemed very well when he saw her a month ago. She had been living at Richmond for a time, and he did not know that she was going home. In June of last year she had pneumonia, and was very ill. Her mind was affected during the acute stage. She had day and night nurses and completely recovered. She was living in lodgings at Richmond. He had no reason to believe her mind was affected after she recovered from pneumonia. On Friday he received a letter from Miss Parrett, the landlady at Richmond, saying his sister was in particularly good health. - By the Coroner: Deceased had not been put under restraint, but she was out of her mind during the acute state of pneumonia. He had seen plenty of such cases. - Mr Martin Handon, of Ferncote, Carshalton, Surrey, said he travelled with his wife by the 11.40 Great Western train from Paddington. Deceased entered the train almost immediately before it started, and sat next to him. She seemed somewhat pre-occupied or worried. Almost immediately after the train started she covered her face with her hands and appeared somewhat strange. She had not taken her ticket for want of time, and paid the collector. About half-past twelve she left the carriage, he supposed to go to the luncheon car. About quarter-past two his wife told him the lady was again in the corridor, and suggested that witness should make room for her to sit down She did not come into the compartment, however, and presumably entered the lavatory compartment. From fifteen to twenty minutes later his wife suddenly screamed out, saying there was a woman hanging out of the window. witness looked towards the lavatory window just in time to see the disappearing legs and feet. She appeared to be falling head foremost on to the line. Witness immediately pulled the communication cord. In the meantime another gentleman in the compartment had rushed out towards the lavatory to try and open the door and there met the ticket inspector. Both came back to the compartment. Witness informed the inspector that he had pulled the cord, and of what he had seen. At that time they were very near Exeter Station, where the train stopped and the Stationmaster was communicated with. Witness was not prepared to say that he pulled the communication cord sufficiently hard to communicate with the guard. - Mrs Martin Handon said she only caught a glimpse of the lady when she returned to the corridor and as she had been away so long she told her husband to make room for her, as she might want to take her seat. Some time after that she saw something moving by the side of the train, and then saw a woman struggling out of the window. She screamed out to her husband. - Horace Smith, travelling ticket inspector on the Great Western Railway, said he was on duty in the 11.40 train from Paddington on Saturday. When examining the tickets in the train shortly after leaving Paddington, he found that the deceased had not had time to take her ticket and she asked him for a single ticket to Paignton, for which she paid 16s. 7 ½d. He had no reason to see her again. Between Stoke Canon and Exeter witness received a report from Mr Martin Handon of what had happened. He tried to open the lavatory door, but found it bolted on the inside. He could not force it open as the bolt was too strong, and as the train was so near Exeter he left it until arrival at the Station. From the offside he looked in through the lavatory window, which was about ten inches square. The lady's clothes were in the lavatory. The door was forced open, and her things removed to the Stationmaster's Office. - Chief Inspector Shattock, Great Western Railway Company said a wire was sent from Exeter to Stoke Canon, and as there happened to be a down train coming at the time, the body was brought on by the guards and porter there, so that it was not necessary to send out a train to the spot. - Porter Loveys, of Stoke Canon, said the driver of the up 2.35 train from Exeter called the Stationmaster at Stoke Canon, and told him there was a body on the line. Witness went down the line on a ballast train with the Stationmaster, and found the body lying in the six-foot way, the legs being in over the down line. The body was quite nude. Deceased was still living, so they procured an overcoat and brought the deceased on to Exeter in a guard's van. At St. David's she was attended to by the ambulance men. - Mr W. H. Marsden House Physician, said the deceased was admitted into the Hospital about four o'clock on Saturday afternoon with a compound fracture of the skull, a compound fracture of the right ankle and abrasions all over the body. Various things had been forced into the mouth - a large mass of hair, a plate for artificial teeth, and some hair pins. she died at ten minutes t six the same night. Death was chiefly due to the fracture of the skull. - The Coroner: Supposing anybody had been suffering from pneumonia which affected her mind, might a sudden impulse take her? - It is not very frequently that we hear of such things, because mania coming on in a disease such as pneumonia is not an uncommon thing, and the patient would be completely well after it. If the medical officer at the place where she was treated after pneumonia, says she was perfectly cured, I don't see why I should oppose that statement. - The Coroner (to DR JELLICOE): Did your sister ever show any mental disease except on that occasion? - She has always been very quiet and she had an idea that she was consumptive. I don't think she had anything else to worry about. - The Coroner said he had received a written statement from Dr Lacey of Torquay, who was travelling in the train at the time. He was the gentleman who tried to force open the lavatory door. He confirmed what previous witness had said, as to deceased being rather strange in her manner. He (the Coroner) could not see that any possible steps could have been taken to prevent what happened. - A Juror: How about the communication cord? Was that pulled sufficiently? We have not had any evidence about it. - Chief Inspector Shaddock: I think the gentleman told us he was afraid he did not pull it sufficiently. - The Juror: I did not know whether the guard made any statement. - Inspector Shaddock: The guard did not have his attention drawn by the ringing of the bell. - The Coroner: I suppose it would require a great deal of pulling? - Inspector Shaddock: Of course; you have to pull the whole length of the train. - The Coroner: It is important that the communication cord should be kept in a state so that it might be easily pulled. - A Juror thought it would have been better if the collector had pulled the train up. - Inspector Shaddock: I don't think anybody could have got to the lady sooner than those on the Stoke Canon train because the train followed closely behind. - The Coroner: I don't see that it would have made any difference in this case, but what the Jury means is this: That a case might happen in which they ought to pull up because neither the driver nor the guard would know what had happened. - Collector Smith: The communication cord could not have been pulled sufficiently, or else the brakes would have acted. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

NEWTON ABBOT - A Newton Boy's Death. - Mr G. F. Kellock yesterday held an Inquest at Newton Abbot on SAMUEL FREDERICK C. HARVEY, the eight-year-old son of SAMUEL HARVEY, 3 Lemon-road. - Frederick John Simlar, nine years of age, stated that he and deceased on Saturday were returning from Rackerhayes and on going along the Kingsteignton-road, hung on to a wagon loaded with grass. Deceased let go to cross the road and the motor car knocked him down. - Reuben A. Southey, Teignmouth, who was riding a motor cycle, corroborated, adding that the right-hand lamp of the car caught the lad and knocked him down, the car passing over him. The car stopped within 25 feet. - John Grendon Durant, Northtawton, stated that it was his car, and he was a licensed driver. He was proceeding from Sticklepath to Bishopsteignton. When he met the wagon he slowed down to pass it. The boy must have jumped out from behind, but witness did not see him because the wagon was loaded. The motor had three brakes, all in working order. He was travelling about ten miles an hour and the car was capable of doing twenty. - William Discombe, farmer, Bishopsteignton, who was in the car, corroborated. - Dr J. J. Scrase said deceased had a fracture of the skull and his neck was broken. Death was instantaneous. - The Coroner, summing up, pointed out the regulations governing motor car traffic and said the Jury must consider carefully those regulations, because if they came to the conclusion that the driver of the car was negligent in observing them, it was a question for them to say how far that negligence was criminal. The papers and the public in those days were practically teeming with complaints of the way in which motors were driven, and there could be no doubt that an enormous amount of recklessness was experienced. This did not mean only that vehicles were in danger on the road, but that hundreds of people were given most frightful frights and annoyance. Here was a motor car driven on the road at such a pace as was sufficient to knock a boy down, but cut a great cleft in his skull and knock the bone into the brain, to break the base of the skull and to break his neck, his arm, and his leg. The fact that the wagon was on the road prevented the driver from seeing what was immediately behind. The question was whether he ought to have pulled up or gone slower… Ought he to have done anything he omitted to do which would have avoided one of the most horrible accidents and one of the saddest deaths he (the Coroner) had ever had to investigate. Children would be children, and they must use the road. Besides, there were old as well as young, and blind as well as deaf, and what could be more natural than that a person if he saw a car approaching should get behind a wagon? - The whole accident was due to the boy coming from behind the wagon. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached no blame to anyone. - Mr Discombe, on behalf of Mr Durant, expressed sympathy with the parents, and said he would bear all the expenses of the funeral.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 26 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Infant's Death. - Mr J. Graves yesterday resumed the Inquest on EVA JAMES, 10 days old, daughter of ELIZABETH JAMES, of 2 Caprera-place, Plymouth. He explained that at the opening of the Inquiry a fortnight since the doctor said that as death was so sudden he was unable to put it down to natural causes, and he aroused a certain amount of suspicion. the Inquest was adjourned that the contents of the child's stomach might be analysed to see if there was any trace of acid in the preserved milk or milk in the stomach. This milk preservative was an injurious substance, especially to weak stomachs. The analysis, however, had found that the milk was pure and did not contain any boric acid. It was a good thing that they could get milk which did not contain any preservatives, especially for those with weak stomachs. Death was due to diarrhoea, as the doctor had stated. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 27 September 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Motor Fatality. - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on ALBERT VICTOR HEYWOOD, aged 16 years. Mr Edgcombe Stevens appeared for Mr Walter Williams, motor engineer. - SIDNEY H. HEYWOOD, father of deceased, said his son was an employee of Mr Walter Williams. At the Hospital on Wednesday last week his son told him that on the previous day he was riding on a motor tri-car with George Wilkinson, a fellow employee. Wilkinson was driving, and when opposite Sherwell Chapel, in Tavistock-road, the wheel of the tri-car got on the tram-line and owing to the slippery state of the line the car overturned, and he was thrown out. Deceased told him distinctly it was an accident pure and simple. They were going not more than ten miles an hour. His son did not consider the slightest blame attached to the driver. - In reply to the Foreman of the Jury (Mr A. Banbury), Mr Stevens said HEYWOOD was with Mr Williams on sufferance, but it had never been decided whether he should be apprenticed or not. He was paid no wages, and was not an apprentice. - George Wilkinson, apprentice to Mr Williams, said he took the tri-car for a trial-run. HEYWOOD asked him to let him occupy the spare seat. Opposite Sherwell Chapel the car skidded and turned a complete somersault. It was quite a modern car, and they were travelling at ten miles an hour. - By Mr Stevens: The car was the property of a customer of Mr Williams. Did not think the car was out contrary to Mr Williams's order. If Mr Williams told him not to take the car out he never heard him. It had been repaired in the shop. He had not been ordered to take the car out. He took it out on his own responsibility, but not contrary to orders. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - MR HEYWOOD said he should like to place on record the great care, sill and attention given to his son by the whole of the staff of the Hospital. They extended to him and his wife every courtesy and kindness and from personal knowledge he could say that everything that human skill could do was done for his son. - The Coroner said no doubt the Hospital authorities would be very grateful at receiving such testimony, because it was not very often they got it.

TOTNES - Fatal Fall At Totnes. - GEORGE CHURCH, a labourer, aged 60, while picking apples for Symons and Co., Totnes, in an orchard at Warland on Tuesday afternoon, fell from a ladder, injuring his ankle. He was helped home and died in the evening. Symons and Co.'s foreman at the Inquest yesterday, said he told CHURCH it was hardly worthwhile to go up the tree, as the apples were not worth picking. Dr Johnson, who had previously attended deceased for heart and lung trouble, said death was due to shock caused by the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

FREMINGTON - Bridgwater Captain's Death. Conflicting Evidence. - Mr G. F. Brown, at Fremington, yesterday, held an Inquest on CAPTAIN HENRY IRISH, 50, of Bridgwater, killed on his steamer, the Tender, in the Taw, on Tuesday. - Dr Gamble (Barnstaple) said deceased's head was smashed in completely. - Richard Bowden, of Appledore, pilot of the Tender said he was taking that vessel to Remington Quay on Tuesday morning and a quarter of a mile from Allan Rock saw the Dartmouth schooner Proba coming towards him. The deceased, by whose side he was standing, blew the whistle once. He ported his helm, showing his port side to the sailing vessel, which should also have ported, the steamer being as close to the rock as she could go; but the vessels collided, and the foreyard of the schooner brought down the mast of the Tender, killing the captain. - Questioned by Mr Hulland and other Jurymen, witness said there was plenty of room for the schooner to have gone outside. He was too near the rock to stop, and had he done so would have lost command of the steamer. There was about four or five minutes between the blowing of the whistle and the collision. There was no doubt about his being on the right side. He had been a pilot for twenty years and up and down the river thousands of times. - Alfred Bell, mate of the Tender, said he heard the whistle blown when the schooner was 300 or 400 yards off. Their helm was ported at the same time, but the schooner did not alter her course, and struck them on the port bow. - John Hobbs, of Appledore, master of the Proba, who said William Evans, of Appledore, pilot, had charge of the vessel, denied hearing any whistle from the Tender. Another steamer had just passed on the starboard and he concluded the Tender would do the same, it being the steamer's place to get out of the sailing vessel's way. When, however, he saw the Tender port her helm he did the same, there being nothing more to do. Then the vessels collided. - The Coroner: There was room for you to have gone outside? - There was, but I did not know which side the steamer was going to pass. The steamer might have avoided the collision by stopping below the rock until I had passed, or by going full astern. - In reply to a Juryman, he said he understood one blast from a steamer meant going to starboard, two to port and four for swinging around. - The Coroner: That is diametrically opposed to the evidence of the Tender's pilot. - Pilot Bowden (recalled) said one blast meant "port," and two "starboard." That was the regular warning. - William Evans, of Appledore, pilot of the Proba, agreed with Pilot Bowden that one blast meant "port," and two "starboard." The Tender however, blew no hooter at all. The Tender could have gone astern without any danger to herself and would thus have averted the accident. - Alfred Evans, Appledore, mate of the Proba, said they were keeping as close to the rock as possible to give the Tender a chance to pass on the starboard, but she tried to go between them and the rock and run into them. He heard no signal from the Tender. It was too late when he was ordered to port his helm. All he could think was that the Tender preferred to run into their vessel than into the rock. - After consulting in private for half an hour the Jury found that deceased was Accidentally Killed and they did not attach any negligence to the pilot or master of the schooner Proba. - The Coroner expressed his concurrence with the finding. He believed the Proba was waiting to see what the Tender was going to do, and naturally thought she would pass on the starboard side. The evidence was conflicting, but he was quite certain those in charge of the Proba did not in any way wilfully bring about such a collision, but that it was a pure accident. It was brought forcibly to them that there should be some kind of rule of the road as to which side a steamer or a vessel should keep when going to and from Fremington Quay. - Sympathy was expressed with the relatives of the deceased.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 2 October 1906
PLYMPTON - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Underwood, Plympton, on the infant child of HENRY JACKSON, a labourer. The mother stated that the child had been ailing for a day or two before she sent for a doctor. Dr Prance said when he arrived the child was dead. The parents said they were unaware of that, and thought the child was sleeping. He attributed death to syncope. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - The Late MR SURRIDGE. Was An Inquest Necessary? - Mr W. L. Brown (Exeter City Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday on MR JOHN SURRIDGE, aged 76, a retired miller, who died at his residence, 10 Bartholomew-terrace, Exeter, on Friday. - The coroner said the reason the Inquest was not held on Saturday was because the officer whom he sent to inquire as to the death of deceased was refused information at the house. He was again sent to the house for an explanation, but was once more refused information. He (the Coroner) had had no statement from the family until that morning. It was quite useless for the relatives to keep anything back. - Wm. Braddon, licensed victualler, Bristol, identified the body. Beatrice Butland, servant, said deceased was seized with a fit on Saturday and died before the arrival of a doctor. - MISS FLORENCE SURRIDGE, daughter, said deceased was ill on Thursday, but she did not send for a doctor, as they did not anticipate a fatal ending. Deceased had been out nearly every day since the 19th. - The Coroner: Why did you not tell the officer this? - I refused to answer his questions. The whole thing has been unnecessary. We were too much upset. I told him to get his information from the Doctor. - The Coroner: It is the duty of anybody whose relations have died suddenly to give every information. By refusing this they are defeating the object they have in view. - Mr Mark Farrant, Surgeon, said he last saw deceased on the 19th. He had an attack on the 14th and nearly died then. - The Coroner: Did you examine the body? - No. - Then how could you give a certificate? - I ascertained that deceased was dead. That was sufficient. Witness added that from what he had known of deceased he was of opinion that death was due to heart failure. Deceased had a similar attack about a year or so ago. - The Coroner said because deceased had suffered from heart disease he was not bound to die of that complaint. Relatives were bound to give information to enable the Coroner to say whether an Inquest should be held or not. MISS SURRIDGE denied that she refused information. she referred the officer to the doctor. She was too unwell at the time to give it herself. - The Coroner: You did not say that at the time. - MISS SURRIDGE; I could not stand and argue the matter. - The Coroner: There was MRS SURRIDGE in the house who could have given the information; it's no good to put it off in this way now. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and the Foreman added, "We quite think that an Inquest should have been held."

NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Man's Death. Due To Alcohol Poisoning. - An Inquest was held at Newton Abbot yesterday on GEORGE H. HAMMETT, 23 years of age, of 44 Beaumont-road. - WM. HAMMETT, the father, stated that deceased, a gardener, was at work up to Saturday. - MARY J. HAMMETT said deceased left home on Saturday evening about half-past eight and at eleven o'clock was brought home the worse for drink. She put him to bed and remained with him until two o'clock. As he had slept in the interval she went to bed. About an hour later she again went into his room and found he was not snoring as heavily as before. She called him and lifted him up, but "he was not quite gone." His father went for a doctor, but he was dead before one arrived. - Frederick King stated that he saw deceased in the Commercial Hotel, and afterwards accompanied him to the Bradley Hotel. Between 10 and 11 he had three drinks, one of brandy and two of gin, but he did not finish the brandy as something seemed to take him as though he was ill. He assisted him home. - Dr Nisbet, who had made a post-mortem examination, said the organs smelt very strongly of alcohol, but were healthy. Death must have been caused by an overdose of alcohol, causing heart failure. - The Coroner (Mr G. F. Kellock) said no doubt that deceased in a very short time and in strong form took an overdose of poison in the shape of alcoholic liquor. He hoped the public generally would take very serious warning of the danger there was in drinking, as exposed in the court that day. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Alcohol Poisoning."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 October 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Singular Stonehouse Incident. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse Workhouse yesterday on HARRY ALBERT, the two-months old child of CHARLES and HETTIE SAVERY, of High-street, which died in its mother's arms that morning. The Jury were going to High-street to view the body, when the mother said she had it with her, and unfolding a shawl which she held to her breast, she deposited the child's body on which a post-mortem examination had been held, on the table. Dr W. H. Waterfield said death was due to convulsions and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

DARTMOUTH - Death Of A St. Ives Sailor. Adjourned Inquest - At Dartmouth yesterday Mr A. M. Davson resumed the Inquest on HENRY D. DANIEL, of St. Ives, an able seaman, of the Whitehaven steamer Fleswick. - Alexander brain, mate of the Fleswick, said the tonnage of the steamer was 340 gross and 185 tons net, and there were 12 hands all told. On 18th September the deceased was by himself setting the fore-trysail, by the steam winch. Witness was tending the sheet. He heard deceased sing out "Oh, oh," and found him bound round the winch. He stopped the winch, and, as he could not release him, ran for the captain, who was in the wheel-house. the captain came, and they succeeded in freeing deceased. The cog-wheels of the winch were guarded. The winch was used for loading and unloading the cargo. It was one man's work to work the winch. - By Mr H. Square (for the relatives): The vessel was sufficiently manned. - Mr George Moffat, collector of Customs at Dartmouth, said he visited the steamer after deceased had been landed. The winch was on the forecastle deck. The cog-wheels were properly guarded and the only thing witness noticed to be peculiar was a piece of rope between the barrel and the frame. It appeared to him as if the rope had been broken. - The Mate, recalled, suggested it might have broken off from the rope by which the sail was hoisted. The weather was very boisterous at the time. - Mr Moffat said, so far as he knew, the vessel was properly manned. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added as a rider that, in view of the boisterous weather, another man might have been called in to assist in hoisting the foresail. - The Coroner remarked that a relative at the opening of the Inquest stated that the vessel was undermanned and that had appeared in the Press. Mr Moffat who represented the Board of Trade, had now stated that in his opinion the vessel was properly manned, and he (the Coroner) asked the Press to take notice of that in fairness to the owners.

Western Morning News, Thursday 4 October 1906
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Baker Killed. Fall Out Of A Window. - At Dartmouth MR HEDLEY ALBERT WALLIS, master baker, of Foss-street, Dartmouth, fell from a bedroom window early yesterday morning and was killed instantly. At the Inquest in the afternoon the widow said deceased was 37 years of age. At 3 o'clock that morning he got up to look at the time. He went to bed again. Afterwards she heard a fall and finding he was not in the room looked out of the window, and saw him on the ground in the street. She screamed and two men came to her assistance. It had been deceased's custom to go to the window every morning to answer the knocks and calls of Mr Farley, who came to work at five. - By Mr P. R. Hockin, for the relatives: Her husband's affairs were in a very flourishing condition and he was in a strong financial position. He had arranged with the men to be there early that morning. She had no reason to suppose he met with his death other than by pure accident. - By a Juror: Her husband was subject to fainting fits and had had palpitation of the heart. - Samuel Widdicombe, in the employ of deceased, said on Tuesday night the deceased seemed a little dull at times, but spoke quite rationally and there was nothing to worry him. Deceased had complained of feeling faint. - William t. Dowrick, engineer of the Floating Bridge, said that morning he was in Fore-street at ten minutes to five o'clock, on his way to work, when he heard a crash on the pavement, and saw deceased lying there not fully dressed. He was dead. - P.C. Causley, who was called out of bed, and went to the house of deceased, said, in answer to Mr Hockin, that the deceased's bedroom windowsill was only 29 inches above the floor. There was a little three-legged table, which, he was informed, should have been in front of the window. It was upset and lying in the corner. Possibly it might have been kicked over by deceased's legs as he went over. In any event it would show he had not deliberately moved the table to put it out of his way. - Dr J. H. Harris said the base of the deceased's skull was fractured and his neck broken. He saw deceased on Saturday and he then complained of palpitation, indigestion and sleeplessness, also of giddiness. - By Mr Hockin: giddiness would be accentuated by looking down from an altitude. There was nothing to make him believe death was due to anything but an accident. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their deep sympathy with the widow and family. - The Coroner (Mr A. M. Davson) also expressed his sympathy and said it was the saddest case he had had to Inquire into. Mr Hockin thanked the Crooner and Jury on behalf of the relatives.

PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM WEST VEALE, stevedore, of Alma-street, Plymouth, who was found dead in bed on Sunday, Dr McCarthy said death resulted from heart disease.

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Ford yesterday on CHARLES DEAN, retired carpenter, R.N., formerly residing at St. George's-terrace. On Tuesday morning his wife left him in bed, apparently asleep, but on going up to the room about an hour later she found him lying across the bed dead. Dr Torney said a post-mortem examination showed that the deceased had been suffering from heart disease. He had probably been attacked with a fainting fit and being unable to move, fell across the bed and was suffocated. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 5 October 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on RHODA MAY ROBERTS, the six months old child of ELIZABETH ANN ROBERTS, of 19 Clowance-lane, Dr J. E. C. Wilson said death was due to convulsions.

BOVEY TRACEY - Teign Valley Fatality. An Unfortunate Mistake. - At the Inquest held yesterday at Heathfield on JOHN CRAGO. THIRZA CRAGO, his mother, of Morval, stated that deceased was 30 years of age. - William Turner, goods guard, Exeter, said he was in charge of a goods train which was being shunted at Heathfield about 1.20 p.m. on Tuesday. After unloading goods in the goods shed, he called to the signalman to turn the train on to the branch line. Deceased, after shutting the doors of the truck, got on to the footplate of the engine, and witness asked him if he was all right, and, getting an affirmative reply, gave the engineman the word to go on. They had not gone far before deceased was caught between the engine and the van standing on the next line and crushed to death. - The Coroner (Mr G. F. Kellock): How far had the train travelled? - Very little more than the length of the engine. - Would the engine have passed the truck clear if the deceased had not been there? - I don't think it would. - Who put the truck there? - I did; but I did not intend going in that direction. The pointes had been turned, and I didn't know it. I intended going on the platform line, and this was on the Teign Valley branch. - Albert dyer, signalman, said he had the points right to cross from the branch platform to the weigh-bridge, and was waiting for them to go ahead when he heard someone shout "Over." Thinking that referred to the points immediately in front of the spot on which the train was standing, he reversed the levers and pulled the points accordingly. The train started and the accident happened almost immediately. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said he did not hear anyone shout for the branch at all; all he heard was the word "Over." - George Ostler, the engine driver, said he could not be positive what it was the guard shouted to the signalman. When the former gave him the word "right" he started the train. The fireman stopped him almost immediately, but not quick enough to avoid a collision. He thought everything was clear, but he was on the opposite side of the engine. - Sydney Derges, fireman, said they had not got far before he saw they were going wrong, and immediately applied his brake, but it was too late. - Dr Murray Stewart, Bovey Tracey, said the wall of deceased's chest was crushed, as well as one leg. - The Coroner said it was evident that a mistake had been made either through carelessness or misunderstanding. The guard said he called for "branch" and saw the signals move, while the signalman said all he heard was "over" whilst the driver, who, the Coroner had hoped, would be able to clear up the mystery, could not be positive what was said. That was a point that should be cleared up. The men should work together in harmony, because the least mistake led to most awful calamities. - In reply to the Coroner, Mr Reed, the Stationmaster, explained the technical position, and said that in his opinion the mistake between the two men was bona-fide. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and that the affair was due to a misunderstanding between the guard and the signalman. They considered there should be better means of communication between the guard and the signalman, especially in rough weather. They did not consider that the mere calling of a word in weather like that which prevailed was sufficient. - The coroner asked the representatives of the Railway Company to take a note of the recommendation and press it upon the directors. - Mr T. Tonkin, district inspector, traffic department, expressed sympathy with the mother and family, as also did the Coroner and jury, the latter handing their fees to her.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 October 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Stoker's Mysterious Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at Keyham North Yard on ALEXANDER POWELL, stoker, H.M.S. Devonshire, who had been missing from his ship since Sunday, September 23rd. - Philip O'Hara, stoker, of the Devonshire, identified the body, and stated that the deceased was 31 years of age and a native of Ayr, Scotland. - George Codner, master-at-arms, of the Devonshire, stated that on Sunday morning, the 23rd ult., POWELL was reported to him as missing He instituted inquiries, but without success. He consequently acquainted the commanding officer of the matter. A close examination was made of the entire vessel, but deceased could not be discovered. Beside POWELL'S hammock, which had not been slept in, was found his serge collar and silk handkerchief. The tidal basin, where the Devonshire was undergoing repairs at the time, was dredged, and the following day divers sent down, and although every effort to discover POWELL was made, all proved unsuccessful. A leading stoker, named Mayo, informed witness that he came on board the Devonshire at 11.50 on Saturday night with deceased, and left him by the side of his hammock undressing. Mayo was on leave at the present time and was unable to attend. - The Coroner remarked that it was unfortunate that Mayo was not present to give evidence. - The Master-at-Arms ventured an opinion that Powell, feeling unwell, had gone on deck and had over-balanced himself and fallen into the water. Charles Jeffery, stoker, of the Devonshire, stated that he last saw deceased at 12.50 on Sunday morning, at which time he came to his (witness's) hammock, and in a skylarking way informed him that it was time to turn out. Witness told him to go to his hammock, and received the reply that he was going to do so. Deceased had been a very popular man. - John Edward Cleave, 17 Sidney-street, an employee of Sir John Jackson (Limited), deposed to discovering the body floating in the harbour near the tidal basin about seven o'clock yesterday morning. He towed it to shore, and handed it over to the Police. - Dr Folliott stated that death was due to drowning. There were no marks of violence on the deceased's body. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and considered that there was not sufficient evidence to show how deceased got into the water.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Suicide At Moretonhampstead. - Mr G. F. Kellock (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest at Moretonhampstead yesterday on WILLIAM ROBERT WINSOR, who was found hanging in the slaughter-house of his employer on Wednesday. WILLIAM WINSOR, a farmer, of Bickington, deposed that deceased was his son, and was 24 years of age. Deceased had never complained to him of the state of his health or anything else. He knew of no reason why he should kill himself. Walter Woodbury, butcher, in the employ of Mr Ribil, said deceased worked with him, and they slept in the same room. Deceased was gone when witness woke about 6 on Wednesday morning. After attending to his horses, witness went, about 7 o'clock, to the slaughter-house, and then saw deceased hanging by the neck to a rope, A boy with him called some men, who cut him down. He (witness) was too frightened to do it himself. The night before he saw nothing the matter with deceased. He had not complained to him of anything. William Ash, labourer, Moreton, deposed to cutting deceased down. Deceased was hanging from a beam, and was high up from the floor. Albert Edward Ribil, of Moretonhampstead, butcher, said deceased was in his employ, and had care of the slaughter-house. He had no work to do there that morning. Deceased delivered bills t customers, and witness had received one or two complaints of bills having been paid to deceased which had not been accounted for, but he had not yet had proof. On looking over his box with the Police, witness found a number of bills which should have been delivered last quarter. He had not had any unpleasantness with deceased. Dr R. Sutherland said deceased died from asphyxia. It was evidently deceased's own act. A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 8 October 1906
RATTERY - Fatal Fall At Rattery. - MR GEORGE CREASE, aged 51, for a number of years smith and farrier at Mill-cross, Rattery, about five or six weeks ago on his way home from Brent, and very near his residence, fell off his pony. The deceased was picked up in an unconscious state and died on Thursday. At the Inquest a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 October 1906
AXMINSTER - Fatal Fall Over Rousdon Cliffs. - An Inquest was held at Axminster yesterday on JOHN NEWBERY, a labourer, of Axmouth. - P.C. Willis stated that deceased on 12th May last told him he had fallen over the cliffs at Rousdon and injured his head. - Dr Langran, Medical Officer of Axminster Workhouse, stated that he had attended deceased since his accident. His skull was pressing on the brain, causing paralysis. Deceased gradually grew worse and died on October 5th. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Traveller's Death. Fatal Dose Of Sulphonal. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at 34 Grafton-road, Plymouth, yesterday, on WM. JOHN RAGGETT CAHILL, 54, commercial traveller. - MRS CAHILL said her husband had a severe illness some years ago and since then had suffered from sleeplessness. He was in the habit of taking sleeping draughts, and once she found a bottle containing tabloids of sulphonal, which she threw away. On Saturday he was very ill, having taken tabloids of sulphonal on the Friday and was suffering from it. Dr Dunstan was sent for and witness gave him an emetic. Afterwards the doctor gave him medicine, but he got gradually worse and died about ten o'clock on Sunday morning. - Dr Robert Dunstan, of Mutley, said he had attended deceased for six months, he having suffered through taking these drugs. When called in on Saturday the case was hopeless. Deceased had had the sulphonal in him for 16 hours. He had taken very large quantities of the drug; the ordinary dose was about 30 grains, but deceased had probably taken about 200 grains. Recently deceased took a four ounce dose of chloral, and he had 25 grains of opium in his pocket. Witness told him that the next time he was called he would be dead and that had come true. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure", deceased having taken an overdose of sulphonal.

PLYMOUTH - An Egg Buckland Fatality. - The circumstances attending the death of WM. PROWSE, plasterer, of Rose Cottage, Lower Compton, were Inquired into by Mr R. B. Johns yesterday. - MRS HARRIET PROWSE, the widow, said deceased was 56 years of age. When she saw him in the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, he did not tell her how the accident happened, but said, "Never mind, mother. I shall be all right again in a fortnight." - George Skinner, plasterer, Plymouth, said he worked with deceased at Egg Buckland He was painting the vestry about 1.30 midday on September 28th. He was standing on a pair of steps and witness was working at another part of the church, with his back to deceased. Suddenly he heard a crash, and, turning, he saw deceased lying on the floor. He said his leg was broken. The steps were smashed. Mr Cole, baker, of Honicknowle, who was passing, drove him to the Hospital. - George Hosking, builder, Plymouth, said deceased had been in his employ for four days. He was at work on a sub-contract, painting the interior of the church, and was using his own pair of steps. The sash cord was not sufficiently strong and the steps ought never to have been used. Dr F. L. Thomas, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the bones of deceased's right leg were broken and sticking through the skin. Deceased did fairly well for a day or so, and then became jaundiced. He developed a cough, his chest got worse and he died on Friday last. The cause of death was pneumonia, accelerated by the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Man's Death. - A Coroner's Inquiry was held at Devonport last evening on WILLIAM BALSDON, a stoker, residing at 18p. James-street. - MARGARET BALSDON, deceased's widow, stated that he had been employed on the Government tug Salvo as stoker. On Saturday evening last he left the house to visit his brother-in-law at Stoke She had not seen him since. - SAMUEL BALSDON, a brother of the deceased and living at Stonehouse, stated that his brother visited him on Saturday night and left him to proceed to the house of his brother-in-law. Witness's opinion was that he was hurrying and fell dead. His father had died in a similar manner. - P.S. Reeves, of the Metropolitan Police, stated that he was passing in the locality of Devonport Park about 8.30 on Saturday evening, when he saw a man just inside the park entrance to the Brickfields suddenly stop and look at something lying on the ground. Witness went up and found the deceased lying upon the ground. He touched him and was startled to find he was dead. He told the other man to remain by the body whilst he fetched Dr Row, whom he had just left. - P.C. Hewins, of the Devonport Borough Police, deposed to being called to the spot and removing the body to the mortuary. - Dr Row said deceased died from syncope. Deceased was a healthy man. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned and the Jury accorded their sympathy to the widow and family and thanked Sergeant Reeves for the trouble he had taken in the matter.

BIDEFORD - Bideford Man's Suicide. - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest at Bideford last evening on JAMES LEE, found dead in bed at his lodgings in the Market-place the previous afternoon under circumstances already reported. - Dr Ackland said he had known deceased for fourteen or fifteen years, and had been attending him for three years for chronic heart disease. Some time ago he suffered severe pain, but he did not know that he had latterly. He last saw him alive at 7 p.m. on Saturday, when he was very weak, expressed the opinion that he should not live much longer, and should be glad to go. About 2 o'clock on Sunday he was called, and found deceased dead in bed, with a bullet wound through his head. A revolver was clenched in his right hand. He had no doubt whatever that the wound was self-inflicted. Witness having heard that deceased had mentioned to a friend, a Mr Rogers, that he "wished he had one of those little pills like Whitaker Wright had," directed that someone should be with him night and day, and he believed that had been done. - In reply to the Jury, the Doctor said deceased had always appeared to him a clear-headed and rational man, but it was possible his mind had become unhinged after he last saw him alive. - Mrs Elston, a niece of the deceased, who had been with him up to last Tuesday, said he was 73 years of age. He had retired for 22 years. He seemed as usual when she last saw him. - Mrs Shute, the landlady, spoke to seeing deceased about 11 on Sunday morning. He seemed as usual and said he had had a bad night, but was a little better then. On going to his room about half-past one, she saw his head lying on the table and that his nose was bleeding. - Mrs Sarah Hunt, a relative, who had been looking after deceased by day, said she was with him from nine to twelve on Sunday, when he told her to go and have her dinner, as usual, which she did. He added: "You will be back again when you have had your dinner," and she replied "Yes." She could not understand how he got at the revolver, as he was so weak. A long time ago, when he was well, he showed her a revolver, which he kept in a box. - John Shute said deceased had lodged with him for five or six years. On Sunday morning he saw him just before going to chapel, and spent five minutes with him just before one o'clock. He had previously said he was feeling much better. Before witness had finished his dinner he heard a noise, but did not put it down to the report of a firearm. His wife went up and then he was called and found deceased dead, as already stated, with a revolver in his hand. He sent for the doctor and the Police. Mr Sanders, the newly-appointed Relieving Officer, told him some time ago that deceased had a revolver, but he had never seen it before. Deceased had left no writing. - P.C. Potter produced the revolver, a new weapon of moderately-large calibre, and the bullet, which passed through deceased's head and then rebounded from the wall against a door. The remaining four chambers were loaded, and he found more cartridges in deceased's box. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 October 1906
BROADHEMPSTON - At an Inquest held at Broadhempston on Monday evening on REGINALD G. NORRISH, aged 10 months, who died suddenly on Saturday night, Dr Smith, of Totnes, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to dentition with convulsions.

AXMINSTER - Drowned At Axminster. Inquest on MR MALLETT. - Mr C. E. Cox, Coroner, held an Inquest on MR SAMUEL MALLETT, who was found in the River Axe on Monday morning. - FRED. MALLETT, son of deceased, said his father was 72 years of age and was formerly manager of the Dorset Lime and Cement Works, at Coaxdon (Axminster). He retired about two months ago. Witness last saw his father alive about nine o'clock on Monday morning. Deceased put on his cap and taking a walking stick, left the house to go near the river. The weather was extremely rough at the time. - Replying to the Coroner, witness stated that a bridge crossed the river near by and the rail was broken, and would not prevent anyone blown against it from falling into the river. His father had been particularly bright, but had suffered from rheumatism for some time. In consequence of his father's long absence a search was made and the river dragged without success. - MRS MARY ANN MALLETT, deceased's widow, gave similar evidence. - P.C. Lang spoke to dragging the river and finding the body in about 15 feet of water. - Dr Langran of Axminster, deposed to making a superficial examination of the body and in his opinion death was due to drowning. There was one slight bruise on the side of deceased's nose. The Coroner said the case was a very sad one, and they all sympathised with the members of the family. There was no evidence to show that deceased was suffering from any mental worry. - The Jury thereupon returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 October 1906
NEWTON ABBOT - Sudden Death At Newton. Marriage - "That Finished Him." - At Newton Abbot yesterday Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on RICHARD RATTENBURY, who died suddenly at the Jolly Sailor Inn on Sunday morning. - His brother, THOMAS RATTENBURY, 4 St. John's-street, Devonport, a Dockyard pensioner, identified him as a brother, although he had not seen him for many years. Deceased commenced life as a groom, and getting tired of that obtained employment in Devonport Dockyard as a labourer. Then he got married and that, said his brother, finished him. He left Plymouth, and his family heard very little of him for 20 years. His wife is now in Devonport Workhouse, not having lived with him for some years. - The Coroner pointed out that the deceased had gone under the name of THOMAS STEPHENS, and asked if MR RATTENBURY could give the reason. - The latter replied that he knew another Dockyard pensioner of that name, and he supposed deceased must have adopted it - he could not explain why. - William Taylor, landlord of the Jolly Sailor Inn, stated that he knew the deceased as ROBERT KING. He lodged at the house from time to time, and on Sunday morning was sweeping out the bar when he fell dead. - John Richards, porter at the Workhouse, said he had known deceased for the last twelve years as KING, KING-STEPHENS and THOMAS STEPHENS. - Dr Culross said when he attended deceased at the Workhouse Infirmary he had given the name of THOMAS STEPHENS, or KING. A post-mortem showed that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart, and there was disease of the kidneys and liver, due to alcoholic poisoning. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 October 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Poverty At Devonport. Seven In A Bed. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Devonport on CHRISTIANA S. M. LANG, the eight months old child of FRANCIS W. LANG, house decorator, 25 Hawthorn-road, Pennycross. The father stated that the child had been weak since birth. On Sunday evening it refused its food and on the following morning his wife awoke him and told him that it had died during the night. When deceased was alive he had six children under eight years and all the family slept in one bedroom. His wife and six children used one bed. He slept on a box. The bed had a sheet and two overcoats for covering. Latterly he had been earning 26s. a week. - The Coroner (Mr J. A. Pearce): Don't you think you could live in a more decent manner, seeing that you have half a crown for each member of the family? - How do you think, sir, you would flourish on such a sum? - The mother having given evidence, the Coroner said it seemed inexplicable that the home should have been in such a poor state. - P.C. Presswood stated that the bedroom was in a most filthy condition. MR LANG told him it took him all his time to find food for his family. The child had on the clothes it had apparently been wearing during the day and the father said it was all he had. The home was in a very bad state. Why he could not understand. - Dr G. Sandford, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to pneumonia and malnutrition. The house was in a miserable state. There was every sign of poverty about the place. - The Coroner, summing up, said there was, in his opinion, no neglect as regards feeding and, therefore, the Jury could bring in a verdict of "Natural Causes." But he could not help saying he could not understand how a man and woman, who were teetotalers should live in such a miserable condition. The bed with seven people in it, however, large, must have been over-crowded. It was undoubtedly a lamentable and disgraceful state of things. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

DARTMOUTH - The Dartmouth Fatality. - At Dartmouth yesterday, Mr A. M. Davson held an Inquest on GEORGE HENRY CHADDER, 36 years of age, an employee at the gasworks. = Harry Dodd, gas fitter, said he was at work with deceased at the Market Hall on Friday, fixing a lamp outside. They were standing at the top of the steps, waiting for Mr Tall to arrive when deceased called out "Oh," and fell backwards down the steps, his head being downwards. Deceased, who was bleeding a good deal, was taken to the Cottage Hospital. He had never seen CHADDER the worse for drink. - Dr G. M. Soper said deceased had an incised wound about an inch in length on the left side of the forehead and a contused wound on the right side of the back of the head. Early the next morning deceased developed symptoms of delirium. On Saturday night the delirium became worse and on Sunday deceased was quite unmanageable, and died at three o'clock on Monday morning. The cause of death was exhaustion from delirium tremens, caused by shock. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their sympathy with the widow, to whom they gave their fees. The Coroner commented upon the case as a particularly sad one.

STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held yesterday by Mr J. A. Pearce at Devonport, on CHAS. DANIEL WHENMOUTH, aged 64, naval pensioner, living at 4 Holman's-buildings, who died suddenly on Monday afternoon, Dr R. A. Fleming attributed death to heart failure, due to congestion of the lungs.

Western Morning News, Monday 22 October 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr J. Graves (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest on Saturday at Plymouth on EDWARD BAKER, aged 52, hawker, residing at 9 Queen-street, Devonport. Hy. Goodman, 65 Southside-street, said on Friday morning he found deceased outside his house, bleeding from the mouth. Witness took him into the house and went for Dr Cooke, but on returning found him dead. Dr C. J. Cooke attributed death to a broken blood-vessel in the left lung, the latter organ being in an advanced state of disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" as returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 October 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Death From A Scratch. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest yesterday at the Devonport Workhouse on MARTHA HANNA HOOPER, aged 62, charwoman, of 120 Albert-road, Morice Town, who died on Friday from blood poisoning. Mrs Sarah Conquest, wife of a first class petty officer, and living at 120 Albert-road, stated that deceased, who was a widow, was a tenant in their house. On Tuesday week deceased was working for a Mrs Smith, at Stoke, and on returning home remarked to witness that she had cut her finger with a brass shovel. On the following day MRS HOOPER again went out washing but in the afternoon the bad state of her finger caused her to return home. Witness suggested that she had poisoned the cut in the blue water. After being attended by Dr Rolston for five days deceased was removed to the Workhouse. Dr Rolston remarked to witness that he thought deceased was suffering from rheumatism. - Dr J. C. Sanford stated that when admitted to the Workhouse deceased complained of no pain. Her temperature was high and on the forefinger of the right hand there was a very slight wound. The left elbow and armpit were swollen. On the following day deceased became delirious and remained so until her death, which occurred on Friday. Death was due to blood poisoning, caused, in his opinion, by the cut mentioned. - Mrs M H. Perry, Garden-street, also gave evidence, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Scalding Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on the body of MAY ELLIOTT, the two-year-old daughter of EMILY ELLIOTT of 27 Chudleigh-road. - The mother said she was boiling some water in a saucepan on Friday, and while her attention was diverted by a vendor of fruit knocking at the door, deceased had jumped into the water, and been taken out by a four-year-old sister. She was taken to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, where she died soon after midnight. - Dr J. A. Chamberlain, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the case was hopeless from the first, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 25 October 1906
EXETER HEAVITREE - Exeter Railway Mystery. An Open Verdict. - At an Inquest at Whipton yesterday on JAMES FLAY, aged 47, of 181a. Sidwell-street, a City Council employee, JOHN FLAY, son, said on leaving home after dinner deceased told MRS FLAY that he might be a bit late, as he had to see a doctor on his way home. He had been suffering from rheumatism of late, and had seemed dull and depressed. Some time ago deceased went away for two days, and on returning told him he went to see a sister at Withycombe, because he was not feeling well. Deceased had not been addicted to drink. - Wm. R. Roon, engine cleaner, L. and S.W. R. of Pinhoe, said n Tuesday morning about six o'clock he found the body of the deceased on the down line near Polsloe Bridge. His head was inside the rail and his body on the path outside the down line. His feet were cut off. there were blood marks on the grass, as though the deceased had been up and down the embankment. There was no appearance of a struggle. - Fredk. Washer employed at Exmouth Junction, said no trace of blood had been found on any of the trains which passed over the line on the morning in question. - The Jury returned an Open Verdict that the deceased was Found Dead on the line, but as to how he got there, there was no evidence to show.

EXMOUTH - Exmouth Parents Censured. - At Exmouth yesterday Dr Tweed held an Inquest on WINIFRED HALL, aged 6, daughter of THOMAS HALL, a painter, New-street, Exmouth, who died the previous day. The father said the child was alive on Tuesday morning, when he last saw her. She had been poorly for some time and he noticed that she breathed very fast, but did not appear to be any worse than she had been during the previous fortnight. He did not think a doctor was needed, as she had no cough and did not complain of pain. NELLIE HALL, the mother, gave similar evidence and said on Tuesday morning she called in her mother and was going to send for a doctor when her mother advised her to wait until her husband came home. The child was uninsured. Dr Thomas said when he was called in the child was dead. she had suffered from chronic pleurisy and died of syncope. The child was fairly well developed. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and in severely censuring the parents, the Coroner said they had only just escaped a verdict of manslaughter.

BICKLEIGH (NEAR PLYMOUTH) - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest on Tuesday evening at Bickleigh on ELIZABETH MAKER, 62, wife of JAMES MAKER, an agricultural labourer. On Monday morning the deceased fell in the kitchen and was found insensible. She never recovered consciousness and died. Dr Olver, of Crownhill, made a post-mortem examination and attributed death to heart disease. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 October 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Sudden Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce yesterday, at Devonport, held an Inquest on THIRZA MARY MERRY, a widow, aged 60 years, formerly residing at Stanley-street, Devonport. The deceased was in her usual health on Thursday morning and washed her clothes. - William Thomas, a Dockyard labourer, on calling to see her about midday, found her lying on the floor of her drawing-room dead. - Dr Saunders attributed death to syncope, due to fatty degeneration of the heart. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmouth Suicide. The Distressing Death Of A Young Woman. Deceased's Last Letter. - At Teignmouth Townhall yesterday Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest relative to the death of ETHEL MAY NEWELL, aged 22, sister-in-law to Mr Alfred Down, plumber, Promenade House, Spring Gardens, who died from the effects of taking oxalic acid the previous day. - MRS ETTIE DOWN, sister of deceased, stated that she had been living with her and her husband since she was 15 years of age, her both parents being dead. Deceased had for some time complained of headache, but it was nothing out of the ordinary and she had enjoyed good health as a rule. Witness thought deceased was run down and wanted a change, and she had arranged to go away on Saturday to stay with another married sister at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. On Wednesday night deceased was packing in readiness to go away and witness believed she slept well. She made no complaint on Thursday morning at breakfast. Soon afterwards she went out to do some shopping, taking witness's little girl with her. She came in with some parcels and then went out again. At 11.45 she again returned and five minutes afterwards witness asked the servant maid in the kitchen where deceased was, and the maid replied that she had gone to lie down as she was not well and had taken some medicine. Witness went to the bedroom on the ground floor, where deceased was lying down on the bed and asked her what was the matter. Deceased replied "I don't know what I have done, but I have taken poison because my head was so bad." Witness asked he what she had taken, and she said oxalic acid. Witness asked deceased whatever made her take that and she replied, "My head was so bad; I thought I was going mad." Deceased did not then seem to be in pain. Witness called for help and sent the servant for her husband, and he came and his mother as well. they gave deceased mustard and water and sent for a doctor. Deceased said witness had been good to her and died about one o'clock. Before her death she handed to witness the following letter: - Dear ETTIE, - Don't blame me for what I am doing. My head is so bad. I am sure I am going out of my mind. My love to all my friends. I don't know what I am doing. You were always good to me, and I am grateful although I don't say much. Kiss my dear little Con (her niece). - Your broken-hearted sister ETHEL. - I can't live with my head so bad. - Witness said deceased took the oxalic acid in the kitchen and she found the glass from which it had been drunk in the adjoining scullery. Witness who had been much distressed, at this stage of the proceedings swooned and had to be attended by Dr Rudkin. She soon revived sufficiently to enable her to complete her evidence. She added that she found the paper which had contained the oxalic acid in the kitchen. So far as she knew, deceased had no troubles, worries, or disappointments. She was of a very bright, cheerful disposition. She was bright and cheerful both when she went out shopping and when she returned. Nothing had happened to throw any light on the occurrence. Deceased was not engaged to be married, and witness did not know that she had had any disappointment in love. There was nothing to upset deceased in connection with her going away. It was her own wish and she was on good terms with her other married sister at Bury St. Edmunds. - Georgina Pearce, the servant maid, said when deceased came into the kitchen she put the powder in a glass of water and drank it, and then went to lie down. Witness asked deceased if she was taking a sedlitz powder and she said "Yes." - Mrs Elizabeth Rich down,. Beach House, said she accompanied deceased whilst she was shopping and noticed nothing unusual about her. She was always cheerful. She was a thoroughly good, pious girl and her relations loved her much. She had a headache occasionally, but nothing more than other girls suffered from. She had a good home and every comfort. - Dr G. M. A. Rudkin said when he saw deceased she was gradually becoming unconscious. She was past swallowing and was collapsing, and he consequently treated her hypodermically. All the symptoms were those of poisoning by oxalic acid, which burnt terribly. Deceased's lips and the inside of her mouth were burnt. Dr Mills, House Surgeon at the Hospital, himself gave deceased artificial respiration which kept her alive for half an hour. She took his hand and evidently wished to be saved if it were possible. The post-mortem examination showed that the stomach was terribly corroded from the action of the acid. The cause of death was undoubtedly oxalic acid poisoning. An ounce of the acid had been taken, which was a very strong dose. Some years ago witness treated deceased for a trivial accident to her head, but this had no bearing on the present occurrence. He knew deceased well and she had never complained to him about her head. It was a case in which there was a sudden unhinging of the mind, coupled with intense headache. There was no symptom of brain disease. Deceased knew what she was about, but was not mentally strong enough to realise the consequences of her act. - Henry Dring, chemist, stated that deceased had constantly bought things at his shop. Between 11.30 and 12 o'clock on Thursday she called, leaving the little child outside in a perambulator. She asked for an ounce of oxalic acid, saying, in reply to his question, that she wanted it for cleaning hats. He supplied the acid and on the wrapper were the printed words "Oxalic Acid - Poison." Deceased wished him "Good morning" in the ordinary way and was perfectly cheerful and there was nothing in her manner to raise suspicion. - Mr Down said deceased had never shown signs of being mentally wrong and had not complained of the headaches mentioned in her letter. He had never noted any depression in her. Her father was killed in an accident. - The Coroner said he was afraid the evidence did not throw much light on the matter. It showed without doubt that deceased came to her death from oxalic acid poisoning, and it was equally clear that she poisoned herself, as she admitted this in the letter which she gave to her sister whilst she was in a dying state, and in which she gave her reasons. It was a most extraordinary letter, but from its contents they could have no doubt that there was something which had upset deceased's balance, and that she was suffering from some terrible pain in her head, or she was under the delusion that she was. At any rate the letter showed that she was in such a condition that she hardly knew what she was doing. It was one of those few cases in which there was no apparent motive of any kind and the conclusion to be drawn from the letter was that there was something going on in deceased's brain which clouded her mind. - The Jury, after having retired for private consultation, returned a verdict that deceased Poisoned Herself by taking Oxalic Acid whilst Temporarily Insane. Through the Foreman (Mr Irving Taylor) they tendered their sincere sympathy to deceased's relatives and friends.

Western Morning News, Thursday 1 November 1906
LUSTLEIGH - The Lustleigh Suicide. - At Lustleigh yesterday Mr Sydney Hacker held an Inquest on WILLIAM SAMPSON, who was found hanging dead in a doorway of his cottage at Lower Coombe, Lustleigh, early on Tuesday morning. - ALICE SAMPSON, the widow, said her husband was aged 40, and they had only been living in Lustleigh about a month. He had been in regular employment and was apparently in good health. She thought deceased had been worrying about his aged father who was very ill. On Saturday night they went to Bovey together and witness saw deceased's father, but deceased refused to do so, as witness thought he had a disinclination to seeing sick people. - The Coroner: One would have thought he would have seen his father if he was dying. - Witness: He never would. It was a peculiarity of his. Continuing, witness said she reproached deceased on this account when they returned, and he burst into tears. On Monday night they retired as usual. On Tuesday morning when witness awoke at 8 deceased was gone to work she supposed. Her little boy went down for some water, and came rushing back saying his father was hanging in the porch. She found deceased suspended from a cross-bar. They had never quarrelled "more than other people." - George Ellis, Emmerslake, said deceased's feet were touching the ground, but the weight of the body was resting on the rope, - George Edgcombe, South Hill, said deceased worked under him in the employment of Mrs Wise. Witness had had reason to be dissatisfied with his work, and had told him if he did not improve he would have to look out for another situation. - Dr. A. Sullivan gave evidence that deceased died from hanging. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane." Deceased leaves a widow and two children.

Western Morning News, Friday 2 November 1906
PLYMSTOCK - A Turnchapel Inquest. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest at Turnchapel yesterday on JAMES PEARN, mariner, aged 79, found dead in bed on Tuesday by his daughter, MARY E. PEARN. - Dr Noy Scott attributed death to the rupture of the aorta. The daughter refused to be sworn, but would give no reason for her refusal, and made her statements with such reluctance that the Coroner had to remind her that it was a perfectly simple case, with no reflection of any kind upon her.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 November 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. Fall Over School Banisters. - Mr J. A. Pearce last evening held an Inquest on ALBERT EDWARD RIDDLE, aged seven years, the son of MR EDWARD RIDDLE of Clowance-street, Devonport. - Dr Thompson, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, stated that the deceased was admitted in a semi-unconscious condition and only regain consciousness on Thursday. On Saturday night deceased became worse and at 6.45 died. A post-mortem examination showed that the actual cause of death was dilatation of the heart, due to septic broncho-pneumonia following a fracture of the skull. - Miss Almeria Jordan, a teacher at St. Stephen's School, Devonport, stated that the deceased was in her class and on Tuesday afternoon asked to leave the room. She permitted him to do so. Five minutes later she was told that he had been found at the bottom of the steps suffering severely, and had been taken to his home. - Arthur Balsdon, age 12 years, living at James-street, stated that he discovered the deceased lying at the bottom of the stone steps leading into the back yard. He was moaning and he informed the teacher. - Mr R. R. R. Clarke, senior assistant teacher at St. Stephen's School, was of opinion that the lad had attempted to get on the banisters to slide down, and in doing so over-balanced himself and fell about 16 feet. His theory was borne out by the fact that the lad's cap was found about four steps down. Nobody witnessed the accident. - The Coroner remarked that the managers of the school would probably look into the case and make it impossible for lads to slide down the banisters. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Jury expressed sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Friday 9 November 1906
ALPHINGTON - Suicide On Exeter Railway. A Farewell Letter. - At an Inquest held at Alphington yesterday, on RICHARD CARPENTER, 59, bricklayer, the widow said deceased left home on Wednesday evening to call on his son, but did not do so. She knew of nothing that would lead him to commit suicide. - The Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould): I have a letter which he left, in which he says: "What I have done, your mother has driven me to." That then is a delusion? - It is a delusion; he had no cause whatever. Ernest Vanstone, a packer, said he found deceased's body on the Exeter railway yesterday morning. - Frederick G. Coles, of the Village Inn, said deceased was in his house for about three-quarters of an hour on Wednesday evening, and then he took some papers from his pocket and commenced writing. He was sober when he left the house. - John T. Haydon, engine-driver, said the last train passed the spot on Wednesday night about 10.5. Witness drove the first train over the spot that morning. It left Exeter at 6.35. He saw something on the line as he passed, but in the gloom could not say whether or not it was a body. He reported the matter at Ide. - P.C. Bradford said on the body he found a purse containing 6 ½d. , a watch, which was still going, and a note which read:- Good-bye dear George. Good-bye dear children. God bless you all. May the Lord forgive me for the rash act I am going to do. Your mother has driven me to it." - Dr Farrant said deceased had sustained a compound fracture of the skull. - W. G. Rudell, son-in-law, said deceased had worried a great deal about a son of his, a sergeant in the army, who had been reduced to the ranks. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Saturday 10 November 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Infants Death. Young Woman's Sad Life. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday on ELLEN ROBERTS, aged 14 days, the child of ELLEN BEATRICE ROBERTS, 2 Waterloo-street, Stonehouse. - The mother stated that she only arrived in Stonehouse from Tavistock a month ago. She was confined on October 24th. No doctor was present, but a Mrs Roberts attended her. On Sunday she called in Dr Corbett, but the child died on the following Wednesday. - Mary Ann Roberts stated that she was present at the birth of the child, though she was not a registered midwife. - The Coroner remarked that he hoped witness would take it from him as a friendly caution not to repeat her action. - Dr W. E. Corbett stated that when he was called the child was practically in a state of collapse. He was told the child had been fed on scald milk, and was shown the bottle which, however, was clean. Death was due to exhaustion due to catarrh and inflammation of the bowels. - The Coroner, in summing up, said that deceased was ROBERTS'S third illegitimate child. It was stated that no doctor was summoned for the birth of deceased and not even a registered midwife was called. Again, Dr Corbett was summoned apparently at the eleventh hour, when he could be of hardly any service. The scald milk was probably given to the child through ignorance. It was a fact that should be well emphasised that such a food was not suitable for infants. It was to be sincerely hoped that the publicity given to the case would be a means of bringing the girl to reflect on her past and to make up her mind to turn over a new leaf. He hoped it would be a lesson to her. - The girl apparently felt her position keenly, and assured the Coroner that she would endeavour to amend her ways. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest at Laira, Plymouth, yesterday on JANE SCANTLEBURY, aged 60, who died suddenly on Thursday, Dr W. Stamp attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Morning News, Monday 12 November 1906
COPPLESTONE - Devon Farm Tragedy. Suicide's Extraordinary Letter. - An Inquest was held at Bewsley Farm, Copplestone, on Saturday, on ROBERT EDWARD SEARLE, single, aged 30, son of MR JOHN SEARLE, farmer, who said deceased had suffered from a weak stomach and ate very little. He gave his attention to reading and would not follow the agricultural industry. That naturally caused witness disappointment and was the only cause of unpleasantness between them. On the previous Saturday evening deceased threatened to go away after witness complained of the little interest he took in the farm. Deceased said "I wouldn't be like you for all the world. I won't touch a stroke of anything more." Witness tried to smooth matters over, and deceased said he was sorry for what had occurred. - By the Coroner (Mr F. Thomas): He asked deceased what prospect he had in view and offered to help him in any way he could if he had any idea to suggest as to getting a living in any way other than farming. On the Saturday when the differences arose between them, deceased said rather than stay on the farm he would take his life, but he only considered it an empty threat. Deceased was missed on Tuesday, and witness thought he might have gone to visit some friends, but finding that his gun was missing he came to the conclusion that something wrong had happened and sent for P.C. Tancock, of Coleford. - P.C. Tancock said he found the body of deceased by the side of a hedge in a field about 400 yards from the house, lying face downwards. The gun was resting over his shoulders and the stock supported on the hedge. One barrel had been discharged and the other was loaded and cocked. The charge had entered deceased's head. His coat, waistcoat, collar and cap were lying near the body. On the morning before he heard from MR SEARLE he had a message from Sergt. Mogridge stating that a man had written a letter to an Exeter paper. - The Coroner read the letter, which was as follows:- Bewsley, Copplestone, 6th November, 1906. - Dear Father,- I keenly regret to cause you so much trouble. I think I should have made it a great deal easier for you if you had let me go away as I wished (Monday morn). I wish to say that I feel grateful to you for my material surroundings, the many privileges received at your hands and your good intentions concerning me. - I hope I have earned my living. I thought it was generous of you when you said you had no doubt that you were many five pounds in my debt; you need not think that at all. But if you take the trouble to inquire you will find that I have studied your interest when you have been absent from me. To that rule there has been no exceptions apart from the time when you conducted that open war against your own house. I am not extolling the quality of my services, for I am quite conscious of my limited capacity. Whenever we have got into a tantrum I have never meant to express wholesale denunciation, and I know I have been wrong in expressing any criticism. I ought to have left years ago. You will now have full opportunity to say as much as you think proper of your dead son, but it would be kind of you not to belittle my memory more than needs be. There is one thing I wish more than that. I beg you don't be harsh to our previous mother. She really deserves the greatest kindness you are capable of. She has tried very hard to make the home happy and comfortable for you and do remember that it is cutting words, when there is no fault, that kills the best in people. - I don't think I am any use in the world, so will pass out. - I have tried to write to many kind friends, but get flooded in the attempt. - I thank you again for your very good intentions and strenuous efforts, and deeply regret that I have never been able to be a joy to your heart. If possible don't let my foolish action crowd your memory. I attribute my position to a lack of interest in my occupation and I can't bear to think of being entirely useless in the world. - It seems most brutal to bother you, but I can help it no longer. - Your Latitudinarian Son, BOB. - To the Press. - On hearing of my death you may publish this. - In a further letter found upon the body, and to which no date was attached, deceased wrote:- "Dear friends, I am sorry to be unable to carry out my duties concerning you. - BOB. P.S. Cherish mother and father." Mr L. H. Moiser, Surgeon, having given evidence, the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 November 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Contractor's Death. Piece Of Paper Causes Death. - An Inquest was held at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, by Mr R. B. Johns, on MR SAMUEL TURPIN, aged 66, carrier and farmer, of Narrator Farm, Sheepstor. - MR SAMUEL TURPIN, Alvington-street, Plymouth, said the deceased, his father, was on October 26th driving in a two-wheeled trap on Roborough Down. The horse was a steady one and deceased had owned it for about nine years. It had never shied before. A piece of paper blew across the road and struck the horse on the nose, causing it to shy. The seat-board on which deceased was sitting slipped back, throwing deceased out. Mr Bastard picked deceased up and brought him to the Hospital in his motor car. - Mr Percy J. Walters, forage merchant, Exeter-street, Plymouth, said he was riding on horseback on the edge of the Downs near the reservoir. He saw an old gentleman injured. He had been put back in his trap. Witness asked whether he could assist and a young man said no; arrangements had been made to send him into Plymouth. Deceased was conscious, and asked how his horse was. - Dr Frank Leslie Thomas, resident at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted on October 26th about 6.30 in the evening, suffering from the effects of a fall. He complained of pain at the back of his neck and said he could not move his legs. Deceased explained the cause of the accident and blamed no one. He never recovered the use of his legs. Witness was hopeful at first, but his lungs became affected and that was the actual cause of death, accelerated by the accident. - The Coroner said he was very sorry; he saw the deceased the day before the accident. His death was the result of a pure accident. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Foreman (Mr James Chandler) expressed on their behalf sympathy with the deceased's family. - MR TURPIN thanked the Hospital authorities on behalf of MRS TURPIN and family for the kind attention the deceased had received at the Institution.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Halt Fatality. Uncared For Children: Drunken Mother. A Dangerous Playground. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on EDNA GWENDOLINE MARTIN, aged six years, daughter of WILLIAM MARTIN, engine-room artificer, H.M.S. New Zealand, now at Gibraltar, killed on Friday on the London and South Western Railway at Camel's Head Halt. Inspector J. Percival, of Exeter, represented the London and South Western Railway Company. - IDA ROSINA MARTIN, deceased's mother, residing at Third-avenue, Camel's Head, said on Friday she sent deceased to Johnston-terrace Schools with her son STANLEY, aged eight. At about 4.15 p.m., the Police informed her of the death of her daughter. A week ago she took the girl away from the halt, where she had been playing. She afterwards found the children had not been to school. Her son was in the habit of playing truant. - James Kingdon, ganger on the London and South Western Railway, said on Friday afternoon he saw a boy and girl running up and down the platform of the Camel's Head Halt. He ordered them outside the gate. Witness went home and on receiving news of the accident, he went to Camel's Head and saw that deceased was the little girl whom he had previously ordered off the halt. - Mrs Sarah Smith, Third-avenue, Camel's Head, said she saw deceased and her brother on the railway most of the afternoon. She did her best to drive them off. When the ganger appeared they hid away until he was gone, and then went on the platform again. She went about her work, and on hearing a train approaching ran to the window and saw the boy underneath the platform, while the girl was running on the same line as that on which was the train. running into another room to get a clearer view, she saw the deceased stretched across the line, the train having apparently passed over her. She had frequently seen children on the line. - Wm. T. J. Danning, of Plymouth, fireman, L. and S.W.R., stated that on Friday he was on the 4.15 p.m. train from Friary to St. Budeaux. On approaching Camel's Head Halt, he saw a little girl leap from the platform on to the line. The train was stopped at once. He went back, and, seeing a constable, he called his attention to the child. The child jumped right in front of the engine. There was no possibility of preventing the accident. - P.C. George Rogers said he found the child lying on her right side between the metals, apparently dead. He went to inform the mother, whom he found very drunk. On the previous Tuesday MRS MARTIN received £6 from her husband, and had been drinking ever since. - Dr W. Davis said death was due to a broken neck. The head was also injured. He saw the mother, who was drunk. - The little boy STANLEY said his sister found a bird and threw it on to the line and then both jumped on the line to find it again. - The Coroner said the case was a peculiar one in more ways than one. The children were not looked after as they ought to have been. The father was in a good position and there were only three children to be cared for. He was sorry to find the mother was drunk on the afternoon in question. She was very much to blame for the way in which the whole house was managed. It was probable if the mother had not been in the state she was the accident might have been prevented. He was glad to say the fatality was the first which had occurred since the institution of halts in the district. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressed the opinion that the father ought to e acquainted of the full circumstances of the case, and that the railway company was exonerated from all blame.

STOKE DAMEREL - Stoker's Death In A Train. Alcoholic Poisoning. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest yesterday at the Metropolitan Police quarters, Devonport Dockyard, on JOHN CANNON, stoker, 1st class, of the Vivid, who died suddenly while travelling by rail from Newcastle to Plymouth. Mr K. Eyton Peck (Messrs. Venning, Goldsmith and Peck) represented the Admiralty. - Mary Anne Smith, residing at the married quarters, South Raglan Barracks, wife of Robert Smith, bandsman in the Rifle Brigade, identified the body as that of her brother. His age was 32. Her brother was not a temperate man. - William Deeley, stoker, petty officer, 1st class, attached to the R.N. Barracks, stated that on Friday evening he was one of a party of seamen travelling from Newcastle, where they had been engaged with the steam trials of the cruiser Achilles. Witness was travelling in the same carriage as the deceased. Shortly after midnight CANNON left the carriage to go to the lavatory. Over half an hour afterwards witness found deceased in the lavatory in a stooping position. With assistance he was laid out on the floor of the corridor. Shortly afterwards the train stopped at a station and it was then ascertained that the doctor was in the second part of the train. The lieutenant in charge of the party was summoned and life was then found to be extinct. The body was left in the corridor until Devonport was reached, the doctor having examined it at Exeter. Deceased had with him a bottle of whisky, which witness ordered him to do away with. He could not say whether the man drank it or not. Previous to his going into the lavatory, deceased gave witness 10s. to keep for him, and made attempts to climb out of the window. - One of the Jury remarked that it did not seem as if witness looked after the man in a proper way, after his attempt to get out of the window, as he allowed him to remain in the lavatory forty minutes without ascertaining what he was doing. - Jas. Ed. tucker, stoker petty officer, 1st class, another member of the party, stated that he was travelling in the same carriage, but not in the same compartment as the deceased. He went to the lavatory shortly after midnight and found the deceased there. He summoned Petty Officer Deely, who was in charge of deceased's compartment. The deceased appeared to be sober at Newcastle. - James MacWalter, stoker, said he travelled in the same compartment as the deceased, who at one part of the journey attempted to jump out of the window. Just before that witness saw the man drink the contents of two pint bottles of whisky, neat, as far as witness could see. CANNON purchased the whisky at York unknown to the petty officer in charge. The petty officer saw the man drinking, and attempted to prevent him doing so. Deceased was very drunk, and was known to be a rough sort of man. Witness knew him at the barracks as a free and easy sort of man, fond of drink. - Lieut. J. H. Jones, R.N., stated that he was in charge of the party, and at 4.40 a.m. at Old Oak Common, where the train was changing engines, a report was made to him that a stoker was very ill. At Acton he saw the deceased lying on the floor of the corridor, dead. Witness sent for a doctor, but without finding one. the second portion of the train, which passed them at Oak Common, contained the doctor. Witness wired to the vivid and to Exeter to have the other train stopped for the doctor to examine the body. There were 269 stokers travelling by the train, and 137 others travelled in the second portion of the train. - Staff-Surgeon T. t. Jeans, of the Europe, stated that he examined the body superficially at Exeter and in his opinion death was due to acute alcoholic poisoning. - Deceased's papers were produced and showed that he bore a very indifferent character. - The Coroner said the circumstances were of a very shocking nature, the man being allowed to drink two bottles of whisky in a very short time in a railway compartment. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 November 1906
EXETER - At an Inquest at Exeter yesterday on EMMA H. LAMACRAFT, aged 57, wife of a tailor, Gill's-court, Cheeke-street, who was found dead in bed on Monday morning, Mr Miller, Surgeon, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to heart failure, due to chronic alcoholism.

Western Morning News, Thursday 15 November 1906
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Lady's Death. Alcoholic Poisoning. - At the Inquest at Exmouth yesterday on ALICE ELIZABETH CARPENTER, a spinster, aged 49 years, late of Park-road, EMILY MARY CARPENTER, of Dawlish, her sister, said about two years ago deceased took a house, and said she preferred to live alone. Witness wished her not to do so, as she was unfit to do any housework or to manage for herself. Acting under the doctor's orders, the deceased was a teetotaler for some time, and had been at Hanwell for a month, but was perfectly sane. She had heard that since she had been to Exmouth she had been drinking. She was of independent means, and had money in the bank and in her cash-box. - Mrs Annie Lock, deceased's next-door neighbour, said on Friday last she called to inquire for her. Deceased would not let her in, said she was much better and asked her not to call again as she did not wish to be interfered with. She heard deceased moving about on Saturday, and also on Monday morning. Hearing groans in the afternoon, she endeavoured to get the deceased to answer her, but received no reply. - P.C. Weeks said, on being called, he found the house locked. Getting in by the backdoor he and Police-Sergt. Staddon saw deceased lying on the floor, partly dressed, with her head under the table. They obtained a ladder and entering a bedroom window they went downstairs and found the deceased unconscious. There were no signs of any violence. There was plenty of food in the house, including a fowl and some bacon, not cooked. A large number of Bass's ale bottles were in the house, one of which was unopened. - Dr Stanley Thomas said on being called to the house he could not get in. He went around to the back kitchen, and saw deceased in a terrible condition, with scarcely anything on. He got into the bedroom, but could not go down at once, owing to the horrible stench throughout the house. The kitchen was in a filthy state. He ordered deceased's removal to the Hospital, where she died in about an hour. A post-mortem showed that her liver was a typical drunkard's one. He should think death was due to a drinking bout, followed by exposure. It was a wonder she lived so long. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Morning News, Friday 16 November 1906
CHITTLEHAMPTON - Fatal Fall From A Horse. - An Inquest was held last evening on MR THOMAS JOHN DENSEM, a young farmer, of Town House Barton, Southmolton, at Deptford Farm, Chittlehampton. On Tuesday night MR DENSEM left the 8.40 train at Umberleigh and went to the Rising Sun Inn, where he had a glass of whisky. He left there at 10 o'clock, Ernest Kingdon, driver of the mail cart between Umberleigh and Southmolton, taking the horse out of the stable for him. MR DENSEM mounted and rode quietly away and was in Kingdon's opinion perfectly sober. At 5 o'clock the next morning when Kingdon took the mails to Southmolton, he was horrified when near Deptford to discover MR DENSEM unconscious, "huddled up" in the road. He was taken to Mr Thomas's farm and Dr J. H. Smyth sent for. Deceased's skull was fractured and at six o'clock on Wednesday evening he died. The horse's saddle was found by deceased's legs, with the girth, which did not appear to have been very strong, and was tied with string, broken. - P.C. Yabsley said he found horse's hair on the ground for some distance, and believed the horse had tripped and fallen. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their deep sympathy with deceased's mother.

EXETER - Exeter Child's Death. Nurse Girl's Risky Action. - At the Inquest last evening at Exeter on the infant child of MR PINNIGER, who died from burns received whilst lying in a cradle, the father stated that the nurse girl was told to light a fire in the copper in the kitchen and he imagined that to do this she brought some live coal from another room, and dropped some into the cradle. Burnt coals were found in a shawl which was in the cradle. - Alice Hooper, having been cautioned by the Coroner, admitted carrying live coals from one room to the other, but she did not notice any coal fall into the cradle. The cradle was under the table. - The Coroner said there was no suggestion that the fire was wilfully caused, nor was there culpable negligence on the part of the girl. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death. - At Plymouth yesterday the Deputy Coroner, Mr John Graves held an inquest on SARAH DAVIS, aged 83, of Thornton-cottages, Granby-lane, who died suddenly on Tuesday night. Dr Aikmann, who attended the deceased, attributed death to syncope and senile decay and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned in the case of MARY JANE BAYLISS, widow, 57, of Grosvenor-place, who was found in bed unconscious by Mrs Jane Ann Higman, a neighbour. Dr Wagner was at once called, but in a few moments she died. The doctor attributed death to heart disease.

TEIGNMOUTH - The Shaldon Sensation. Depressed By Home Sickness. - The Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of JESSIE BARBARA ROSCAMP, aged 26, who disappeared from Shaldon on Monday, and whose body was found between Labrador and Babbacombe on Wednesday, was held at Teignmouth yesterday, before Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner. - Hugh Sunderland, of Alnwick, Northumberland, who gave evidence of identification, stated that deceased's mother resided at that place. He saw deceased about a month since, when she left Alnwick for Yarmouth before going on to Devonshire, where it was her intention to take a situation at Shaldon. It was possible that she felt a little home sick, but nothing much. He had no idea what caused deceased to commit such an act; so far as he knew, she had no trouble whatever. - Mrs Naomi Ede, of Shaldon View, Shaldon, stated that deceased was engaged as a companion to her, and that she took up her residence on Monday week. Deceased was very quiet, and appeared to be home-sick. On Monday she was depressed in consequence of which witness suggested that she should go out for a walk. This she did during the afternoon, but refused to take a dog with her. Witness expected her to return in about an hour and, as she had not come back at half-past four, witness walked some distance along the Torquay-road, but did not see her. Later in the evening she reported to the Police that deceased was missing. Deceased knew that another young woman had jumped out of a boat and been drowned near Shaldon, but this did not appear to have made any impression on her mind. She told witness that she did not sleep well and that when she woke up she was always with a great sense of fear. - P.C. Prideaux, Shaldon, said he and P.C. Mogridge found a jacket on the sand, almost buried, just under Labrador. The jacket had been buttoned up after it had been taken off. The beach could be reached by a path which was somewhat rugged. A few yards away, behind a rock, they discovered the body, which was partly buried with sand. Deceased was fully dressed, with the exception of a hat; she was even wearing her gloves. The rock was about ten yards from high water mark. - P.C. Mogridge, Combeinteignhead, added that two silver brooches and a pocket handkerchief were found on deceased. - Dr Hayward stated that there was no evidence that deceased had fallen from a height. There were marks on her face, including a bruise on the right temple, caused, witness thought, by the body coming into contact with the rocks just before death. From a superficial examination he should say that death was due to drowning. - Mrs Mary Riddle of Alnwick, sister of deceased, said the latter had nothing to trouble her so far as she knew. She produced a letter written by deceased on November 8th from Shaldon, addressed to her "dearest mother," in which she wrote as follows:- I was so pleased to have your letter tonight. I am still feeling very unsettled - more than words can tell. Mrs Ede is very kind to me, and when she saw me looking miserable today came up, put her arms around me and told me she wanted to see my happy. I do want to settle, if possible. I have been working hard to day to take my mind off things. - Mrs Ede is very sympathetic to me. there is no news at present, but do write to me soon to cheer me up. - The Coroner, after reading the above letter, asked Mrs Riddle what deceased had to take her mind from. Witness: She was only missing us, I suppose. - The Coroner: She had no troubles of any kind? - Witness: Nothing that I know of. - The Coroner: What does your mother think of it? - Witness: She attributes it to home sickness. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

YARNSCOMBE - An Overlain Child. North Devon Coroner's Warning. - At Yarnscombe yesterday Mr Geo. W. f. Brown, (North Devon Coroner) held an Inquest on the fifteen weeks' old child of WILLIAM TURNER, labourer, of Yarnscombe. The mother took the child to bed with her, and in the morning found it dead in her arms. Dr Macinloe (Torrington) said death was due to suffocation, apparently through the child being overlain. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - The Coroner, pointing out to the father the danger of the practice of parents taking infants to bed with them in a small bed, said these cases were getting too frequent. If the practice were persisted in, he should have no alternative but to take severe measures against parents.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 November 1906
BRIDESTOWE - Bridestowe Disaster. Inquest on CAPTAIN VICARY. Probable Cause Of Collapse. - So heavy was the fall of masonry at the New Bible Christian Chapel, Bridestowe, on Wednesday afternoon, that it seems remarkable that the five men engaged on the building at the time were not killed outright. Arthur White and W. Pengelly were seriously injured, two received bad cuts and bruises, one escaped with slight wounds, whilst an old resident, a retired quarry captain, named VICARY, standing idly in a doorway, was so badly hurt by stone falling on his face that he died within twenty-four hours. The accident is unparalleled in the history of the village, and it is almost the sole topic of conversation in the whole countryside. - The site of the new chapel adjoins Mucksey-lane, on the left-hand side of the road leading from the railway station. On July 25th 1906 the foundation-stones were laid, amidst rejoicings. Mr Littleton, J.P., of Devonport, presided at a public luncheon, and nearly £350 was realised towards the £800 required for the completion of the building, which is designed to seat 200 persons. - The architect is Mr F. J. Worden, surveyor, of Okehampton, and the contractors, Messrs. Blatchlow, Okehampton and Walter Winter, Bridestowe. - Considerable progress had been made with the building. It was hoped that the roof would be completed in the course of a few days. On Wednesday morning the scaffolding at the farther end of the chapel was erected and the men were said to have favourably commented upon its strength and utility when they commenced working directly after the dinner hour. For two hours four masons and a labourer worked on the scaffolding without noticing the least sign of impending danger. The masons were Arthur White, Harry White (son of Arthur White), W. Pengelly and William White, and the labourer, George Middleton. - The Collapse. - About 2.45 p.m., without warning, upwards of twenty tons of stones and bricks fell from the gable-end, bringing down the scaffolding and the men upon it with a loud crash. The noise was heard all over the village. S. White, a mason at work in the shed on the opposite side of the lane, was the first inside the building. He saw Arthur White and Pengelly in the centre of the debris, their bodies being almost covered. Harry White was behind a scaffold and W. White was a short distance off. bleeding profusely from a wound on the back of the head. Middleton fell clear of the brickwork and escaped with slight injuries. Assisted by the landlord of the White Hart Hotel, and others attracted by the noise to the scene, S. White and Middleton removed the debris from those pinned down, and telegraphed for Dr Benson, of Lewdown, who came with all possible speed. Arthur White could move neither hand nor foot and he had to be carried to his home. He is suffering from injuries to his spine. Pengelly suffered from severe bruises on different parts of his body and also had to be carried home, whilst Harry White had bruised legs, and W. White a bad cut on the head. - Discovery Of The Deceased. - Some minutes elapsed before CAPT. VICARY was discovered lying unconscious on the ground. His head was just outside the doorway and his feet inside A large wound on his face showed that he must have been looking upwards when the crash came. Only three minutes before he had been talking pleasantly to S. White n the little stone-shed at the top of Mucksey-lane, recalling the time when cottages stood on the new chapel site and speaking of those who inhabited them. CAPT. VICARY was 92 years of age, and had a marvellously retentive memory. It was his custom to go to his garden every morning and return by way of Mucksey-lane. Carefully, the old man was picked up, laid on a garden gate and taken to Bridge-house, the residence of Mrs Northcote, his daughter. When being taken upstairs to his room he showed signs of returning consciousness, but the issuing of blood from his nose and mouth showed that his end was near. He died about nine o'clock on Thursday morning. - Points For The Jury. - Mr J. D. Prickman, Coroner, held an Inquest on GEORGE VICARY yesterday afternoon. He said the Inquiry must be of a two-fold nature. Firstly, they had to say how VICARY died and what was the cause of death, and secondly, to see whether there was any negligence in connection with the building, which brought about the occurrence. It was, of course, the duty of everybody connected with building operations to take the necessary precautions for safeguarding those employed on the building and those in the immediate neighbourhood, and therefore they would have to see that the necessary precautions were taken. If they came to the conclusion there was negligence, they had to consider how far it was gross negligence, or negligence which did not entail a very heavy responsibility. - The Jury viewed the body and the place where the accident occurred. - MISS ELIZABETH VICARY, said deceased, her father, was 92 years of age and a widower. He was a retired quarry captain and a son and two daughters survived him. On Wednesday afternoon he went out of the house to go to the garden, which lies beyond the chapel on Station-road. There was a large cut on deceased's forehead and his eye was injured. He never recovered consciousness and he died at 9.25 on Thursday morning. - The Accident Described. - Samuel A. White, mason, said he was employed on the building and on Wednesday was cutting stone. He was employed by Mr Walter White. In the afternoon he was just outside the shed and five other men were also engaged upon the building. No one was actually in charge, but the eldest man was witness's uncle, Arthur White. The five men were erecting an 18-inch stone wall, running east and west of the building. there was an archway of 16 feet in the centre. The top of the arch was 17 feet from the ground. The whole length of the wall was 28 feet. - How was the wall supported on the north and south ends? - There were buttresses on either side. At two o'clock everything was in working order; the men were getting stones on top. At 3.30 when all the men were at work, I heard a crash and saw the wall disappear. I ran to the front door and saw what had happened. - What did you see? - The wall had fallen and the men mostly buried. I did not see the deceased. - What precautions are taken to prevent this wall falling? - I don't know. I should say the buttress gave way. Mr Walter White, the contractor, had not worked on the building this week. - When had the architect been there? - At the laying of the foundation-stone. - You did not see the deceased? - Yes, about three minutes before the accident he came to the shed where I was working and talked to me quite cheerful. - Had he any business there? - I think he was only looking round. - By a Juror: He (witness) took no orders from Arthur White. - No One In Charge. - Harry White, mason, Bridestowe, said he had been working on the chapel a month or so. He was building the wall, which was commenced about a fortnight ago. they had been working continuously on the wall all the week. He last saw Mr White, the contractor, on Saturday. No one had inspected the scaffolding or the general building of the wall. - What were you actually doing when this thing happened? - I was "walling" and the others were doing the same. We had stones on top, but not an undue quantity. - Who was your ganger? - Mr Walter White. - But he was the contractor, who had not been near the place. Supposing you had gone away for the day, who would have checked you? - There was no one for that. - There was no ganger, no time-keeper, or anyone superintending the building, is that so? - Father was the oldest. - But was he in charge? - No one was in charge. - No one was telling what should be done, or anything of that sort? - No. - Give us your opinion as to how it happened. - I was at the top of the building, which went all at once. I can give no reason for its falling. It fell due east. - By the Foreman: He took his orders from Mr Walter White on Saturday. Witness was taken out of the debris, but he was not very much hurt. - Architect's Evidence. - Mr Francis J. Worden, architect, Okehampton, said he was architect of the building. The wall was as described by Arthur White, except as to height. The arch to the top was 18 feet, and to the springing of the archway 10 feet. The wall that fell was the back or west end of the building. - According to the specifications, what was the strength of the wall? - It was an 18-inch wall, 26 feet 3 inches across in clear, there was an additional 18 inches each side and outside that two buttresses, also 18 inches in thickness at the base. - Is that in your opinion a proper wall? - Yes, one that ought to stand. - How do you account for its falling? - The only thing I can account for it is the action of the weather, especially the frost. It was a thoroughly strong wall. I had not inspected the building for two or three weeks. Competent men were engaged on the work, and the scaffolding was thoroughly satisfactory. - Do you think the stonework well laid? - I have not seen the wall in position. The wall should have stood but for the outside agents. - Was there a desire to build the chapel cheaply? - No. There was no scrimping of the work so far as I could see. I make that statement because I know the builder. - Were your specifications sufficient? - Yes, so far as I can see. - Samuel Hockin, a Juryman, said he was present within a minute of the accident. When he came to the doorway he saw MR VICARY lying inside. He ran for help, and assisted to take the deceased home. Deceased was lying on his back and never spoke. Three or four stones were lying close to the deceased. - Condition Of The Patients. - Dr C. r. Benson said deceased over his right temple had a large wound. He also had a black eye. He was semi-conscious. The wound was the result of a blow, probably from a large stone. he died from concussion of the brain, and general collapse, being a man of very small vitality. He thought the other two men would recover. Arthur White was terribly bruised about the back. William Pengelly was bruised, but he was getting better. Arthur White's case was one of tedious recovery. - The Coroner said he did not know whether the Jury would like him to adjourn the Inquiry until they got the evidence of the other men. Undoubtedly it would be more satisfactory. If they were satisfied, however, that proper precautions were taken, that the fall of the wall was as the architect had described, then they had sufficient as to the cause of death; but if they were not satisfied, and would like him to investigate further and find out who was really responsible for the building of the wall, then they would adjourn it to get further evidence. - The Foreman: I don't think it is necessary. - The Coroner's Officer called attention to the fact that the contractor was present, and the Coroner decided to examine him. - The Contractor Called. - Walter White, contractor, Bridestowe, said the sides of the chapel were completed, but not the east end. Six men had been on the wall since Monday. On Monday he gave orders to his eldest brother, Arthur White, also to Samuel White. When he left on Monday the arch was turned, and the stone work about half way over the arch. A very heavy hard stone was used. - It is very unusual for a wall to fall? - This is not the first to fall. - The Coroner: I hope it will be the last. It ought to be. - Witness: I think it is owing to the wet and frost. The lime and sand were good. - Have you ever had any other wall fall? - Witness (laughing): No. - The Coroner: This is no laughing matter. I wish you to understand that this is a serious Inquiry, in which the death of a man is under consideration. - This is the first accident I have had. I have been a mason all my life. I am 41 years of age, and this is the first job of the size I have had. - Do you agree that a buttress 18 inches at the base and half the width at the top is sufficient for a wall 29 feet across? - I should not like to say. The architect ought to know better than me. - Do you agree with him? - I have agreed with him as to the front and so on. - Mr Blatchford (interposing): I don't think the mason can say. It is a question for expert advice. - The Coroner (to witness): You decline to answer? - Yes. The buttress was built according to the architect's specifications and of good material. - A Juror remarked that he had heard that the buttresses of the Wesleyan Chapel at Okehampton were built on the same principle. - The Verdict - The Coroner said they had had rather a prolonged Inquiry. did they consider proper precautions were taken? - It was unfortunate that the wall was not examined when the men began to build on Wednesday morning. The suggestions were that the wall was well built, that the material was good and the designs good. He could not tell them whether buttresses of the dimensions that had been given were sufficient for a wall of that sort. They probably knew more about that then he did. He could not tell them whether the wall was of sufficient thickness to stand, or whether the archway weakened it; it was not part of his province, but he did say that after the frosts of Monday and Tuesday the wall should have been examined by somebody before the work began. On the evidence before them he could see no criminal negligence, because no one contemplated the falling of the wall. The only question was whether they thought anyone to blame. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and added a rider that the accident was the result of the weather, and that no blame was attached to anyone.

STOKE DAMEREL - The Bull Point Fatality. Accidental Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce (Devonport Borough Coroner) held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital yesterday on ALFRED JOHN JONES, aged 38, an excavator, of 4 Canterbury-street, who died on Thursday from injuries caused by a fall of earth at Bull Point. - William Shepherd, 11 Harbour-avenue, in the employ of Messrs. Matcham, said that on the previous day deceased, John Williams and himself were filling wagons at the Naval Ordnance Depot, Bull Point. there were three wagons and they were working at the end wagon. They had put some earth into the wagon and took their picks to go back again deceased and Williams being in front of witness. As witness took his pick and turned round he saw the earth falling. He shouted to them to jump, but they could not do so in time. The earth fell on JONES and Williams and witness assisted to get JONES out. They were only two or three minutes in doing this and JONES was placed in a cart and taken to St. Budeaux. There he was placed in a tramcar and taken straight to the Hospital. Dr Smith saw deceased at the Hospital. Deceased was conscious all the way. On the night before the accident they had taken a wagon load from the same heap; it was not a very big ground. It was earth and clay that fell and about 2 cwt, or 3 cwt fell on deceased. They had not been undermining. - William Sanders, 18 Bradwell-road, ganger, in the employ of Matcham and Co., said that on Tuesday they were working at Bull Point in shifting a lot of earth and clay stuff preparatory to the ground being built on. Witness arrived on the scene about a minute after the accident and found that deceased was partly buried in a fall of earth, his legs being covered. - Dr G. S. Thompson, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased was admitted at 9.30 and died about noon. Witness had made a post-mortem examination. There was very extensive haemorrhage into the tissues of the lower part of the abdomen on the right side and numerous fractures of the pelvis. The cause of death was shock to the system through injuries received. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Debnam, jun., representing Messrs. Matcham, said the firm took every precaution to prevent accident, and deeply regretted the man's death.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 November 1906
BRENTOR - The Brentor Suicide. A Strange Delusion. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Brentor yesterday on ALBERT HARRY RICE, married, aged 28, employed as a butcher by his mother, a widow, at Brentor. - EDWARD J. RICE, brother, said deceased attended Tavistock market as usual on Friday, where he had a stall and returned in the evening. He had been depressed. He resided in another part of the village, but on Thursday last came on a visit to his mother in the hope that it would cheer him up. On Saturday morning he came down at 7.30, cut up meat, milked two cows and had breakfast. he then served customers and asked him to put away the cows. he left to do so, and a few minutes later was called back and saw the deceased in the lavatory with his throat cut and dead, the knife (produced) being on the window sill. he had not threatened to take his life. He suffered from indigestion and complained of feeling ill. He had no monetary difficulties nor domestic troubles. He was of a very sensitive nature and would soon worry over business mattes. He was a very steady man. He did not suffer from religious mania. He did not know that there had been insanity on either side of the family. - MRS MARY RICE, the mother, stated that they saw such a change in the deceased on Friday evening that they decided not to leave him alone. He seemed ill and depressed and some time ago complained of pains in the head. He had a delusion that they were all going to prison. upon his going upstairs after the last witness had left the house, his wife ran after him, but he hastened into the lavatory and fastened the door. Witness tried to burst it open, but being unable t do so, called in Mr Stanbury, who forced the door open. She had not known her son to complain of illness until the beginning of the summer. In August he saw Dr Clay, of Plymouth, who said he was run down and must not work. She had not pressed him to do so. - Dr Marshall of Marytavy, said there was a terrible wound in the throat seven and three-quarter inches in extent. After having heard the evidence of the previous witnesses, he had no doubt that deceased suffered from melancholia, the worst form of insanity with a suicidal tendency. - The Coroner said the family seemed to be much respected in the neighbourhood, and he was sure the Jury would desire to tender them their sympathy in the very sudden and sad bereavement which had befallen them. - The Jury (Mr J. Gerry, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane." - Rev. L. Court, Bible Christian minister, Tavistock, thanked the Coroner and Jury, on behalf of the family, for their kind expression of sympathy.

Western Morning News, Thursday 22 November 1906
BAMPTON - Pathetic Case At Bampton. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Bampton on THOMAS HOWARD, an old man, found drowned near Tucking Mills on Tuesday. At the last meeting of the Tiverton County Bench, HOWARD was fined £1 or fourteen days, for robbing a till at the Red Lion Inn, Bampton. This, together with the fact that he was out of work, preyed on his mind. Before leaving his lodgings at the Great House Inn, on Monday morning, he obtained pen and ink, and wrote on a piece of paper, "I hereby sign that I owe Mr Evans at the Great House Inn, Bampton, 3s. 6d. for lodge, tenpence for beer, total 4s. 4d. - THOMAS HOWARD. " - About six months ago HOWARD'S son caught his arm in a threshing machine, and died as a result of the injuries received. HOWARD received about £50 as compensation from the employer. It was stated that HOWARD had got rid of all the money and that last week his application for relief to the Tiverton Board of Guardians was refused. - P.S. Parnell said deceased had relatives at Bridgwater and at Dulverton, neither of whom had replied to communications sent them as to HOWARD'S death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Friday 23 November 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at Devonport yesterday on ELLEN CLARKE, wife of an engine fitter in the Dockyard, residing at 23 Herbert-street. Deceased was taken ill on Monday evening and died on the following morning.

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 November 1906
TORQUAY - Killed By A Collar Stud. Torquay Boy's Sad End. - An Inquest was held by Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, at Wellswood, Torquay, yesterday, on CECIL HARRY MAYNE, 10, son of MR H. MAYNE, nurseryman, of 13 Wellswood-place, who died suddenly on Thursday as the result of swallowing a collar stud. - The deceased's father stated that the boy had always been strong and enjoyed good health. About 8 o'clock on Thursday morning he came into witness's room and complained that he had swallowed a collar stud. he was quite exhausted and witness's wife at once telephoned to Dr Goff. In the meantime he (witness) gave the lad an emetic, but without avail. Dr Goff telephoned directions and then witness took the lad to Dr Makeig Jones, who lived about 150 yards distant. Both Drs. Makeig Jones and Goff attended him, but he died just after witness had left the surgery. - Deceased's brother, a child, aged 6, said that the deceased had a collar stud between his teeth and it was witness's opinion that he inadvertently got it at the back of his throat, perhaps when laughing. - Dr Makeig Jones said when he saw deceased he was in a perfectly collapsed state. Dr Goff soon after arrived and as a last resource tracheotomy was performed. The larynx was opened from the outside, but the boy did not breathe after the incision was made. Artificial respiration was performed for ten or fifteen minutes, but with no result. A post-mortem examination he had since made with Dr Goff had revealed the stud (produced) in the top of the voice box. This blocked the passage, although on either side a small column of air could pass. The broad base of the stud was hitched in the vocal cords. The presence of the foreign substance had set up a spasm of the larynx, which would completely close the vocal cords. Death was due to suffocation. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and passed a vote of sympathy with the parents, in which the Coroner concurred.

Western Morning News, Monday 26 November 1906
BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Tragedy. Extraordinary Letter From Deceased. Inquest And Verdict. - The tragic suicide of MR JOHN JORDAN, Borough Accountant, of Barnstaple, who took a fatal dose of carbolic acid on Friday night, about an hour before the Mayoral banquet, at which he was to have been present, was on Saturday Inquired into by Mr Coroner Bencraft and a Jury, of which Mr J. R. Ford was Foreman. Owing to the unusually melancholy circumstances connected with the case, and the fact that deceased had left a letter in which he referred to several public men, the proceedings were watched with great interest and were attended, among others, by the Mayor, Mr G. T. Andrew), the ex-Mayor, Councillors W. J. Cooke, W. Liverton, A Perrin, J. Smale and e. E. Draper. Mr A. F. Seldon, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Councillors Cooke and Liverton, dinner stewards to the Mayor's banquet, of which the deceased was secretary. - Loss Of Mental Power. - Mr James Bosson, Town Clerk, gave evidence of identification, and stated deceased, who had been Borough Accountant of Barnstaple for some years, was 44 years of age. - At the request of the Coroner, witness referred to a meeting of the committee of the Town Council on Thursday night. General financial matters were being considered for the purpose of the preparation of the precepts of the rates for the ensuing half-year. MR JORDAN was present and witness said it was evident to him that at that time his mind was unhinged. MR JORDAN was, and had been, a very able and efficient accountant and public officer, but he evidently at that meeting was unable to bring to the work that usual sound ability which he displayed in financial matters. He was not himself. - The Coroner: I believe deceased was asked by the ex-Mayor to supply some trifling estimate, and expressed himself unable to do so? - That is so. - Witness added that some days before that he observed a failure in deceased's mind. On Friday MR JORDAN was wanted to complete some arrangements for the Mayoral banquet. He failed for some days to take that interest which he usually displayed in that function, and in the morning there were some messages from the dinner stewards to deceased. Witness called his attention to them, but he did not appear to grasp that there was any necessity for action. He also failed to keep an appointment with the stewards and other gentlemen at the Imperial Hotel at 2 o'clock. An hour later he came into the municipal offices, and in reply to witness's query, said he had seen the gentlemen. He also said abruptly, and not in his usual manner, that he supposed he was a bit late. That was the last time witness saw him alive, but he understood he was in the office again between three and four. At five o'clock the borough plate was required for the banquet, but deceased, who had the key, could not be found. The boxes were, however, eventually opened. - The coroner: The plate was there, all right, I think? - Mr Bosson said that was so. Going home about six o'clock he noticed lights in the Electric Light Committee Room, and it occurred to him to go up and see if deceased was there. There was a walking stick and coat on the table, but the room was empty, and witness was leaving when in passing he tried the handle of the lavatory door. It was locked and the key was inside. Getting no response to his shouts, he went out and fetched Mr Thomas Symons, who was passing. Together they tried to burst the door, but could not. With the assistance of Mr Allen, from the electric light works, they got the door open, and inside found MR JORDAN, sitting down in a state of collapse, but alive. On the window sill was a bottle marked "Poison - Carbolic Acid," and a glass with a little liquid in it. A doctor was sent for and the Police, and the body removed to the committee-room. Doctors arrived in a very few minutes, but deceased shortly after expired. - In answer to the Coroner as to what troubled deceased, witness said he was not aware of any trouble that should cause him anxious care. - The Foreman: You had no idea he intended to take his life? - No; I had no thought that he would do that, nor had he said anything to make me think so. - The Coroner: So far as you know, are the Borough accounts all in order? - I believe so thoroughly. The audit is now proceeding, and I have no reason to suppose there is anything wrong whatever. - The Accounts All Right. - Mr Thomas Symons, auctioneer and valuer, said he had been acquainted with MR JORDAN some time, and the previous day saw him about quarter after four in his (witness's) office. He went out rather suddenly, witness being engaged, and he (witness) asked what was the matter. MR JORDAN replied "Nothing." Witness was auditing the Borough accounts. After describing the scene at the finding of the body, witness said he picked up a letter from the shelf and gave it to the Police. - By the Coroner: Deceased had not been so bright as usual for some little time. There was nothing wrong with the accounts, the audit of which was nearly completed. - P:.S. Tucker, who was fetched to the electric light station by Mr Bosson, said deceased's pulse was then beating feebly. His lips and mouth appeared to be burnt, and he administered an antidote. Drs. Gibbs, J. R. Harper, Woodbridge, C. Cooke and J. Cooke did everything that was possible, but about quarter to seven MR JORDAN expired. Apparently some of the carbolic acid had been spilt on the shelf, and it was so strong that it had blistered the paint. The glass stopper of the bottle was broken and it would appear that the cork around the glass had been cut with a pocket knife, which was left open. - Pathetic Letter. - The letter witness handed in, which deceased evidently intended for his wife, was read by the Coroner, as follows, the names mentioned in it being those of members of the Council and of his children:- Dear Rio. - My heart is absolutely broken. I am done. Everyone is against me. Wal Cooke was the last; when I got back from dinner at Imperial he was so unkind. So was Liverton, but that says nothing - for he, Chanter, Pearce, Draper and Co., have worried me so that my poor head has gone wrong. God help you, dear, for you have been always good and true, and may He protect my darling children, who have been so good to me and so kind. Dear little FRANK, God help him. May he grow up to be a good fellow. I am - well, dear, I don't know, simply lost, lost. Forget and forgive this terrible trouble I am inflicting on you. - Let dear FRANK see my buried. I love him. I am in a terrible state. God help you, my darling Rio. - Your loving JACK. - The letter was wholly in pencil, and in larger letters across the page was written:- " Do take care of FRANK" (his son). The poison bottle, the police witness stated, bore the name of Mr Lee, chemist, who had told him that whilst the bottle must have originally come from his establishment it must have been quite twelve months ago, as he used a different class of bottle now. - The bottle, the Coroner pointed out, was boldly labelled "Poison." - Cecil Norman Smith employed at the electrical works, said he had seen a bottle exactly like that produced on the top shelf of a cupboard in which MR JORDAN kept papers. This was about six or seven months ago. - The Coroner remarked it was not a scheduled poison. Mr Lee had no recollection of selling such a thing to MR JORDAN or to anyone for him, and had no entry of it in his books. - Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Stanley Rider Gibbs said MR JORDAN was in a very collapsed state when he arrived. he found P.S. Tucker had given white of egg, which was the correct thing in such circumstances. He was, however, so far gone that nothing seemed of any use. Dr Harper attempted to use the stomach pump, but the throat was so closed up through the burning that this was impossible and the strength of the poison in the throat was so great that Dr Harper's fingers were burnt. It was crude carbolic and after the quantity taken had passed deceased's lips his life could not be saved. - Questioned by the Coroner as to his idea of deceased's mental condition, witness said no one in his right mind, for such a small reason as stated in the letter, would take his life. - The Coroner: Do you think his mental state at the time amounted to temporary insanity? - I do, and one thing which proves it to me is the way the stopper, which would ordinarily come out easily, has been broken off. - The Ex-Mayor. - Mr Henry Barrett, J.P., C.C., ex-Mayor of Barnstaple, spoke as one intimately connected with MR JORDAN in business matters. He was present at the meeting to which the Town Clerk had alluded, and asked MR JORDAN for some particulars he was usually able to supply in a moment. But on Thursday his mind appeared a blank, and he did not seem to understand witness's questions. After the meeting witness remarked to Mr Cooke that "MR JORDAN seemed to him to be out of his mind; he had never seen him like it before." On Friday, about one o'clock witness was with Mr Cooke, who wished to know the number who would be present at the dinner in the evening. They then saw MR JORDAN but although the latter had his book and the names of those who had promised to attend, he was unable to correctly add up the number and wrote one name three times over. Mrs Youings, of the Imperial Hotel, later told witness she could not make MR JORDAN understand what she required. - The Coroner: What do you put down his disturbance of mind to? - I know of no reason; the accounts are al correct as far as I know. - did he appear to have been indulging too freely in alcoholic liquor? - No. On Thursday evening I did not smell anything; neither on Friday did I discern anything, but he seemed very peculiar. - On this occasion the conduct of the work he had to do for the (banquet) stewards was not satisfactory? - No. Mr Cooke will explain that. - No Ground For The Complaints. - The Jury thought that the councillors named in deceased's letter should have an opportunity of replying. - Councillor Wallace J. Cooke gave evidence. As dinner steward with Councillor Liverton he had been frequently in contact with deceased during the past fortnight. He was quite at a loss to understand the remarks in deceased's letter, as he had been one of MR JORDAN'S best friends ever since he had been in Barnstaple, as MR JORDAN knew. The Coroner had asked a question in regard to alcoholic liquor, and unfortunately on two or three occasions, particularly last week, deceased was in that state. - The Coroner: I think there was an understanding with the Council that MR JORDAN was not to take any liquor some time ago? - I believe that was so. - The Coroner: There was no occasion for the distress and trouble he seems to express in this letter? - Witness, in reply, said MR JORDAN had an appointment with Councillor Liverton and himself at two o'clock on Friday, and when MR JORDAN did not arrive until five minutes to three, he (witness) expressed surprise at his keeping them waiting. (The Coroner: "Naturally.") MR JORDAN apologised and another appointment was made for four o'clock, but he failed to keep it. - Councillor W. Liverton entirely supported Mr Cooke's statement. There was no ground whatever for deceased to make such unpleasant remarks in connection with either of them. He thought MR JORDAN'S mind must have been unhinged when he wrote the letter, and before. - Councillor Draper remarked that his name was mentioned in the letter, and he did not know if the Coroner desired him to speak? - The Coroner: I don't see anything myself to answer. Mr Bencraft added, in summing up to the Jury, that it was perfectly plain MR JORDAN administered the poison himself, and in a quantity sufficient to kill many men. After the medical evidence and that of other witnesses, he did not think there could be any difficulty in agreeing on the point as to his mental condition. As to the other names mentioned in the letter he saw no reason to adjourn the Inquiry for the purpose of hearing those persons. The public Press was open to them if they wished to avail themselves of it, but he saw no necessity. - Suicide Whilst Insane. - The Foreman thought this matter quite a delusion on the deceased's part and the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane." They desired the Coroner to forward a message of condolence to the widow and family. - Mr A. F. Seldon, in alluding to the mention in deceased's letter of the names of several councillors, said all knew, or the members of the Council, at any rate, that although there was a short time since some discussion in regard to MR JORDAN'S salary, so far as that official was concerned there was never an unkind word said of him or by him. The whole thing was done in a perfectly friendly spirit, and MR JORDAN during the whole time he had been a servant of the Council had received every kindness and consideration from every member, as he would say himself if he could. He respectfully asked the Jury to add a rider to their verdict saying they were satisfied there was no foundation for the suggestions made. - The Jury did not think they could do this, but the Foreman pointed out they had agreed the letter was the result of a delusion. - The Coroner concurred. - MR JORDAN looked at things in a very distorted and exaggerated manner. His little trouble was magnified by his distorted intellect into a very large trouble, and he thought the Jury's verdict covered and accounted for everything.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 27 November 1906
ST GILES IN THE HEATH - Remarkable Suicide. Boy Attacks A Girl And Then Hangs Himself. A remarkable story was yesterday related to the North Devon Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) at an Inquest at St Giles, near Torrington, on the body of HENRY LOCK, aged 17 years, a farm labourer, working for Mr Hookway, and whose father lives in the village. The lad was known to the Jury as a thoroughly steady, reliable youth and on Saturday went about his work on the farm in his customary bright manner, whistled as he worked, and in the words of one witness, was "quite merry." On Sunday he was found hanging dead. - Around six o'clock on Saturday evening, according to the evidence of Florence Dennis, 15, who is in the same employ, the lad acted in a remarkable and unaccountable manner. She went through the yard to the shippen to milk the cows, and when passing a barn deceased called her. She went over, when he pulled her inside and shut the door. Throwing her on the ground, he took a rope, which had a noose in it, from his pocket and endeavoured to get it over her head. She struggled and put up her hands and then he attempted to strangle her. In the struggle she got nearer to the door and at last managed to rush out. Deceased did not follow her, and she went to the shippen as there was no one else about the farm. Mr and Mrs Hookway not having returned from Torrington market. Directly they came back, she told her mistress what had happened. - At once a search was instituted for the deceased, but he could not be found, and it was presumed he had gone home to his father's house. As, however, he did not put in an appearance the next day, the father was communicated with, and it was then found that the boy had not been home. Then the shocking discovery was made by another labourer of the body, hanging stiff and cold from a beam in the round-house. Evidently the boy had been dead some hours. On the body P.S. Callard said he found a rope, which the girl identified as the one deceased had attempted to place around her neck. It was a strong piece of cart rope with a noose in it. - Dr Brown, of Torrington, spoke to an examination of the girl, and found nothing which would suggest a criminal assault. - No motive either for deceased's attack on the girl or for the taking of his own life could be adduced, and the Jury found a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane." Expressing his concurrence with the verdict, the Coroner said deceased must have been a raving lunatic at the time to commit such an extraordinary act, as the girl had given no offence, and they appeared to have been the best of friends.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 28 November 1906
CREDITON - The Saltash Incident. Inquest At Crediton. - At Crediton yesterday Mr H. W. Gould, Coroner, held an Inquest on JAMES THORNE, 79, a thatcher, of Dean-street, Crediton, who died on Saturday night. - EMILY THORNE, daughter, said he left home on Wednesday morning. He did not say where he was going, and she knew nothing of his whereabouts until she received a letter from Sergeant Broad, of Saltash, on Thursday, which stated that her father arrived there about 5 p.m. on Wednesday and fell into the sea and was in great distress. She went to Saltash and asked her father why he had gone there, but he made no reply. He was very exhausted when she brought him home. He was worse on the Saturday morning and she called in a doctor. She asked deceased several times why he went to Saltash, but all he said was, "It will be all right bye-and-bye." Her father had no friends at Saltash, and he had not been there for 30 years. She did not know anyone by the name of Mr Isaac, whom her father stated he had come to see. - The Coroner read a report he had received from Sergeant T. H. Broad, of Saltash, which stated that on Wednesday, 21st inst., William Clatworthy, of 2 Brunel-terrace, Saltash, boatbuilder, was standing near his shop, about 50 yards from Ashtor Wharf. At 6 p.m. Mr Clatworthy heard a splash in the water near the landing stage. It was dark and foggy at the time. He at once rowed his boat in the direction of the sound and found JAMES THORNE of Crediton, standing in about four feet of water and steadying himself by the wall of the wharf and making his way towards the beach. Mr Clatworthy asked him who he was and how he got in the water. His reply was, "I am a stranger." he was taken to a lodging-house close by, and, having only 2 ½d. in his possession, he was sent to him (the Sergeant). There were six steps at the landing stage and in answer to questions, he said, "I fell over the steps at the quay. I came to Saltash to see a man on business." He was very wet and the Sergeant at once sent him to the lodging-house with orders for him to go to bed at once. He also sent dry clothing and refreshments for him. On the following morning witness paid him a visit and he said, "I am feeling all right. I thank you for all your kindness." - In reply to the Coroner, the daughter stated she was positive her father had no money; he must have borrowed it. She herself had to borrow the money to go to Plymouth. - Mr Smale, a member of the Jury, and the landlord of the Plymouth Inn, Crediton, said early the same morning that THORNE went to Saltash, he came into his House and called for a pint of cider and an ounce of tobacco, and Mrs Smale changed a 6s. piece for him. That would leave, after paying his train fare, about what was found on the body. - Dr Campbell said the man died from cardiac failure. The state of the heart would cause dullness and ultimately dotage. No doubt he exerted himself too much and felt giddy and faint and so fell into the water. - The Coroner said he was glad to note that deceased received every kindness from the Police at Saltash, and he was sure his friends would feel very grateful. The Jury endorsed the remarks of the coroner and returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Thursday 29 November 1906
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Tragedy. Inquiry Into The Death Of The Borough Surveyor. Alleged Irregularities. Pathetic Letters: "Suicide." - The Inquest took place in Dartmouth Guildhall yesterday, before Mr A. M. Davson, Borough Coroner, relative to the death of MR ARTHUR SMITH, 39 years of age, the late Borough Surveyor, who was found shot dead in his office in Victoria-road, on Monday evening. Mr P. R. Hockin, solicitor, attended on behalf of the widow, orphan children and relatives and friends of deceased: and the Town Clerk (Mr s. J. Pope) watched the proceedings as the representative of the Town Council. Mr W. Braithwaite was chosen Foreman of the Jury. There were about 30 or 40 persons also present, and the sad proceedings were followed with great interest. - Deceased's Illness. - Ernest Charles Oakes, of Torquay, said he was an assistant in the office of the late borough Surveyor, a position he had filled for eighteen months. On Monday morning witness came down to Dartmouth from Torquay as usual, arriving at 9.30. He did not see deceased until 4 p.m., and then he was at his house in bed. Deceased had been ill for the previous two weeks or more. He came to the office for the first time after his illness on the previous Wednesday, and he continued to come down daily until Saturday. On the Monday afternoon he told witness that he felt very unwell and he complained of great pain in the head. Witness tried to stop him from going to a private committee meeting of the Town Council on Monday evening, but he was not successful in this. The object of the meeting was to inquire into certain charges which had been made against deceased. When witness tried to persuade him not to go to the meeting, he said he wanted to get over the charges quickly. Witness told deceased he would meet him at his house at 7.15 but he did not do so, as deceased came to the office before he went to his house. Deceased arrived at the office about 6.45 and the meeting was called for 7.30. When deceased came into the office he sat down and said he felt in great pain. He also said he wished to go to the meeting and have it over as quickly as possible, and asked witness if he had a note-book to enter any notes of the proceedings. Deceased had written some letters, and he sent witness to the Post-office for some stamps for them, and when he returned deceased was still in the same position. Deceased told him to post the letters and to meet him at the Guildhall at 7.30. He then commenced to rave, and witness thought he was going into a fit. Deceased exclaimed, "I am coming! I am going to the Guildhall! I shall make a mistake!" Witness was frightened and went out for assistance. He met Mr Wallis, the water inspector, and Mr Hughes, insurance superintendent, outside Mr Bowhay's shop. He told them that deceased was ill and asked them to come to his assistance. They promptly went into the office. Mr Wallis told him to fetch a doctor, and he went to Dr Harris's house. When witness came back it was all over; he did not hear the gun go off. - Mental State. - The Coroner: Was the gun kept in the office? - Witness: I have seen the gun there, but not recently. I did not notice it there on Monday. I knew that deceased kept cartridges in the office. - The Coroner: I suppose you have seen deceased constantly during the last fortnight? - Witness: Yes. - The Coroner: Did he seem to be worried over these charges that have been brought against him? - Witness: Yes. - In reply to Mr Hockin, witness said some time ago deceased used the gun for shooting rabbits. His eye[sight, however, was not very good, and he had not used the gun for this purpose recently. - So that there was nothing unusual in his keeping a gun and cartridges in his office? - No, not at all. - But unfortunately they would come in handy if he were in a state of great mental aberration? - Yes. - You never thought he was going to kill himself? - No. - usually he was a man of very cheerful disposition, wasn't he? - He was a very cheerful man. He suffered occasionally from severe attacks of headache, and on these occasions he would be subject to great mental depression. Witness added that it did not occur to him that he might have been of greater assistance to deceased by remaining with him in the office instead of going out into the street. He thought deceased was ill and did not know what else he could do at the time. Deceased had been suffering from a severe attack of influenza, and this had had a grave effect upon his mental powers, judging from his strange and unusual conduct. As the time approached for his attending the Council committee meeting, deceased seemed to get worse, until this culminated in his raving and becoming quite out of his mind. Deceased was very abstemious in his habits. - The Town Council's Charges. - You have said there were certain charges he had to meet. We don't want to go into them, but I put it you - so far as you have known, up to quite recently, there has never been anything alleged against him? - No. - He was hard-working, capable and zealous in his duties wasn't he? - Yes very, until this collapse. - Nothing had occurred or been brought under your notice as to any irregularities by deceased? - No, and he said he was prepared, if he only had the strength to quickly clear up the charges. I believed that, and I believe it now. - By the Town Clerk. - Deceased was ill about a week before he received a statement of the charges and he was considerably worried when they were sent to him. He was worried before receiving the charges, but he was not quite so worried as he was afterwards. He could not say that deceased was unduly worried in respect of these charges, and that they would not have worried him at all if it had not been for his illness. - Mr Hockin said he did not suggest that there had been any attempt at persecution at all, but according to his instructions deceased was quite prepared to and would have readily removed any erroneous impression. - The Foreman: During the past week Mr Smith was very worried in his mind owing to the attitude taken by the Town Council? - Witness: That is so. - The Shooting. - Lewis Charles Hughes, superintendent of agents for the Prudential Insurance Office, stated that on Monday evening, about 7.15, he was standing outside the surveyor's office, speaking to Mr Wallis, when Mr Oaks came out and said, "The surveyor is ill. Will you run up?" Witness went up, just in front of Mr Walls and when he got into the outer office he saw a small part of deceased's body as he was going into the inner office, the door of which he shut and locked. Witness spoke to Mr Wallis and shortly afterwards they heard the report of a gun. They broke in the door and then saw deceased lying on his back on the floor, the gun being by his side. Deceased was quite dead. - John Henry Wallis, water inspector to the Town Council, corroborating the last witness, said he spoke to deceased through the door. He said "MR SMITH!" to which deceased replied, "It's all right." Witness said, "yes, it's all right, MR SMITH, but you surely don't wish to lock the door against me. It's only Wallis." Deceased again replied, "It's all right," and the report of a gun followed immediately. Simultaneously witness broke the door open and found deceased as had been described. - P.S. Rogers produced the double-barrelled gun found in the office and it was identified by witness, who said he saw Dr Harris extract a cartridge from the weapon. The gun had been kept in the office for several years, and about 500 cartridges. - "Hounded To Death." - The Coroner: You have known the late Surveyor a long time. Have you noticed any change in him recently? Witness: Yes, a considerable change. - Has he said anything to you? - Yes, on Friday last he said that he was simply being hounded to death. - The Coroner: I don't want to enter into this more than I can help. I want rather to ascertain the state of his mind. - Witness: When deceased said he was being hounded to death, I said, "What for? What have you got to trouble you?" - What reply did he make? - He said, "I am weak, and if I could only gain my strength to defend myself," or words to that effect. - Has he ever said anything to lead you to suppose that he would take his life? - No, nothing. He complained at the same time about his "poor head." - Replying to Mr Hockin, witness said deceased took over his duties as Borough Surveyor about six years ago, and during this time he had always found him very cheerful, except when he suffered from severe attacks of headache, when he was prostrate and depressed. Witness never noticed anything to lead him to suppose that there was the slightest irregularity in deceased's work, accounts, or conduct. He had heard quite recently that certain charges of irregularity were formulated against deceased, who said that, if only his poor head would stand it, he would be able to clear them up. He said this on more than one occasion, even so recently as the previous Friday. Deceased had been suffering from influenza since November 7th and since then there had been a considerable change in him. Witness had visited deceased constantly, but he did not think that it was until last week that his mental condition became affected. He saw deceased for the last time on Saturday at noon, and he was then in the same state; his mental condition was impaired. - The Town Clerk: How recently was it that he gave you the impression that he was worrying over anything? - Witness: Last Wednesday or Thursday. - The Town Clerk: You said that MR SMITH said to you that he was being "hounded to death." Do you think he meant that he was being hounded to death by the Council as a body? - Both the Coroner and Mr Hockin objected to the question. Mr Hockin adding that he was delighted to find that at last the Council had found a conscience which appeared to have been touched. - In reply to the Foreman, witness said he did not notice until about a week ago that deceased seemed to be weak in his head. - A Foreman's Story. - William Henry Dodd, foreman under the Town Council, said he last saw deceased alive on Sunday evening at his house. He came out to witness with both his hands to his head, and saying, "Oh, my head! Oh, my head! Oh my head! I am afraid I am going out of my mind." Deceased then went back to his room, and on witness asking him if he should stop he replied no, and that he should very soon retire to bed. Witness had noticed a great change in deceased in the past week; he did not seem to know what he was talking about. - By Mr Hockin: On Sunday evening deceased appeared to be quite out of his mind. So far as witness was concerned, no irregularities by deceased had ever come under his notice. Deceased never said a word to him on the subject. - Medical Evidence. - Dr John Henry Harris stated that on Monday evening, at 7.30, he received a hurried message to go to the Surveyor's Office. He went down immediately, and when he arrived he found deceased lying on his back on the floor dead. The gun was resting against the table. He examined the body and found a large wound over the right eye. The top of the skull was fractured and blown away, and brain matter was exuding and scattered about the room. He formed the opinion that the injuries were caused by a gun-shot. He should say that deceased had the gun in his hand, and that he pulled the trigger looking down the barrel. Witness found one barrel loaded and the other discharged and he extracted the cartridges. He had been attending deceased since November 7th, when he was sent for, and found him suffering from an attack of influenza. He considered that the influenza affected deceased's brain: it was a well-known fact that it would affect a man's mind and produce mental aberration. - By Mr Hockin: Deceased suffered from cerebral influenza, which directed all its forces against the brain. The last time he saw deceased alive was on Saturday, and then he complained so much of the pain in his head that he gave him something to alleviate it. From his knowledge of deceased and his professional experience, he had no hesitation whatever in saying that the influenza had temporarily affected his brain in such a manner as to cause small things to appear magnified. He was in such a state of mind that if called upon to explain any irregularities he did not think he could have done it; he was not fit to carry through any business, or even to attend to his own personal affairs. - The Town Clerk asked Dr Harris (who is medical office of health) if he had advised the Town Council that MR SMITH was in the condition described. - Mr Hockin objected to the question and claimed protection for the witness. - The Town Clerk said the Council were not cognisant of deceased's state of mind. - Dr Harris said it was not his duty to report such a fact to the Council. He only attended deceased as a private patient. - The Town Clerk asked the Coroner if he had any objection to his giving evidence as to the charges made against deceased. - The Coroner replied that he had, and that it was not part of his duty to receive such evidence. - The Town Clerk said he thought it would help the Inquiry so far as deceased was concerned, that was all. - Mr Hockin said at the proper time, if the Council were prepared to pursue their investigations, in justice to the memory of deceased and his family, his friends, and relatives were fully prepared to go into the charges, whatever they might be, and to meet them to the best of their ability. They would be deprived of the personal assistance, unfortunately, of the man who lay dead, but if, owing to that, it should happen that they could not fully refute the charges, they would be prepared to render reparation. but, when the time came for the investigation, he thought it would be found that deceased was more sinned against then sinning and that he was the victim of a great lack of supervision. - The Town Clerk said he wanted to say something out of respect to the memory of deceased, but the Coroner intimated that he did not wish to hear any more. - Strange Letters. - The Coroner stated that just previous to the occurrence three letters were written by deceased - one to his wife; one to the Rev. W. T. Soper, Baptist Minister; and one to Mr G. E. Smith, electrical engineer. He had carefully perused these letters, and there were portions of them which he proposed to read to the Jury; the other portions were of a personal nature, and did not form part of the Inquiry. In the letter to his wife deceased said:- " You know the state I have been in the past week and the fact that you have broken down again, together with what is going on down the town, has driven me mad. My head is suffering so I cannot write more. You know how my head has troubled me since my illness of 1891. - To Mr Soper deceased wrote:- Thank you for your letter. My mind seems to be giving away under the strain. I don't know what may happen. My illness has happened at a most unfortunate time, and I cannot eat or sleep, and the pains in my head are horrible. If anything should happen be a friend to my wife. I cannot write more, as my head is so bad, and I am afraid what I might do if left to myself. - In his letter to Mr Smith deceased said:- I feel I am going mad. My head is in a terrible state. The pains are like red hot iron burning my brain..... I must relive myself by writing to someone, or I shall go mad. - The Foreman, speaking with some emotion, said he should be glad if anything could be done to take away any reflection upon the memory of this poor man's character. - The Coroner remarked that that was a court of inquiry as to the cause of death, and that the matter referred to would come before another body. - Mr Hockin intimated that if they had been called as witnesses, Mr Soper would say that the previous night deceased's widow told him that his mother was a great sufferer in her head and that his sister was under constant treatment for the same thing, and Mr Smith would have stated that he had known deceased had suffered constantly from headaches, and that he (deceased) told him that, if his head only kept well, he could refute the charges and clear himself altogether. - The Coroner Sums Up. - The Coroner expressed his assurance that the Jury would find no difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to the manner in which deceased came by his death, which was undoubtedly by shooting himself in his office. As to his state of mind at the time, they knew that on Monday evening a committee meeting of the Town Council was to be held, at which certain charges were to be gone into as to the way in which deceased had managed his department; but it was not his (the Coroner's) duty to go into these charges. If the Jury were satisfied that at the time deceased took his life he knew perfectly well what he was doing, they must return a verdict of felo-de-se, but if, after hearing the evidence as to this illness and state of mind, they came to the conclusion that deceased was incapable of knowing what he was doing, it was their duty to return a verdict of suicide with the qualification that at the time deceased took his life, he did not know what he was doing. Whatever they might think of the man who took his life, the sympathy of all of them and of everyone in the town must go out to the widow and those others left behind in this terrible bereavement. - The Verdict. - The Jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide during a fit of Temporary Insanity; the Foreman adding that they wished to express their sympathy with the widow and children in their distress and hoped that God would succour them in their time of need. - The Coroner remarked that it was not long since that Mr Hockin, also representing relatives, appeared before him at a similar inquiry, and he was very much regretted that he was now again called upon to appear in connection with this sad business. He wished to join with the Jury in their expression of very deep sympathy with deceased's relatives, in asking Mr Hockin to convey this expression to them, he was assured that all present would join in it, and that the sympathy of the whole town would go out towards the relatives in this terrible occurrence. - A Sad Case. - Mr Hockin said it was his painful duty recently to represent the widow and relatives in another case, and on that occasion the Coroner observed that that was one of the saddest cases that had ever been brought under his notice. With that remark he (Mr Hockin) cordially agreed, but he ventured to suggest that the Coroner would feel, as he felt - speaking from an experience of 22 years - that the present was without doubt the saddest and most tragic case of its kind that had ever occurred in the borough of Dartmouth. He thanked the Coroner and Jury for their kind and sympathetic condolences with the widow and orphan children and other relatives and friends of the late Borough Surveyor. He served that town faithfully and loyally, and with great vigour and energy ever since he came there six years ago and more, and against him, until recently, not a breath of scandal was raised nor a charge of irregularity, on the contrary, nothing but encomiums and praise for his conduct had always been poured upon him by his employers. The kindly sympathy expressed, the very patient hearing accorded by the Jury to the witnesses, and the very able way in which the Coroner had conducted the Inquiry, should be conveyed to the widow and those concerned, and be trusted that the knowledge of their sincere sympathy and the good wishes of the whole town would go somewhat towards alleviating the widow's terrible sorrow and sustain her in her hour of anguish and enable her to endeavour to put things together from her own point of view and to face the world and to bring up her orphan children. - Town Council's Sympathy. - The town Clerk, on behalf of the Council and himself, also tendered his sincere sympathy with the widow and relatives of the late MR SMITH, who, he said, was a gentleman whom personally he respected very much. He was sure they were all very greatly upset at this very tragic event, which was one of the worst that had ever happened in Dartmouth, and they hoped that the widow and relatives might be comforted and assisted by the Almighty in their great affliction. - Mr Hockin thanked the Town Clerk for his kindly sympathy and expression of personal regard towards the late Borough Surveyor and also for the sympathy of the Town council. He was sure it would be a source of comfort to MRS SMITH to know that a gentleman who had been associated with the Town Clerk's department for so many years entertained such high regard for one of the chief and most important officials of the borough. - The Jury gave their fees to the Cottage Hospital.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - Drowned In A Ditch. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on WILLIAM COOMBES, 51, farm labourer, who was found dead in an orchard near Coulston Farm, Buckfastleigh, on Tuesday evening. Deceased was subject to epileptic fits and had not been in regular work for some time. On Tuesday he was at work picking apples at Coulston Farm, and as he did not return home, his wife went with another labourer named Beer to look for him. They found him in a ditch on his face and hands, having probably rolled over the bank. Dr E. Stanley Wood, who had attended deceased for nearly three years for epilepsy, suggested that deceased was taken with a fit and fell into the ditch. Death was caused by suffocation owing to the water covering his face. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" and gave their fees to the widow.

Western Morning News, Friday 30 November 1906
PLYMOUTH. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned on the case of the two-days old child of FRED. K. WHITBURN, [?], of 3 Parkwell-cottages, Witham-lane, in regard to which evidence was given by Mrs Foster, a midwife, and Dr R. Wagner, the latter of whom stated that death was due to congenital heart disease.

PLYMOUTH - Death From A Scratch. - What the Coroner spoke of as a very sad case was that of CHARLES PHILLIP BROWN, an engine driver aged 44, of 6 King-gardens, who died as the result of a scratch. Samuel Harvey stated that on November 11th deceased, his son-in-law, came home and complained of pain in his arm, and that he was very cold. He had a scratch on his thumb, which was aching and which he bathed in hot water. Dr Wagner, who was called in on the following day, deposed that deceased was complaining of pains all over and had a very bad headache. On the following day an inflamed patch made its appearance under his left armpit. Witness examined for the cause of this, and found a wound on the back of the left thumb, which deceased told him he scratched whilst on the engine. The wound opened up on the following day, and matter discharged from it. Subsequently the skin on the left arm and the tissues under the skin became inflamed and then "broke down" in various places. Witness called in Dr Webber in consultation and they removed part of the dead flesh. Deceased grew worse and it was decided to amputate the arm. This was done on Wednesday and death took place at nine o'clock the same evening whilst witness was present. The cause of death was septic poisoning following the injury to the thumb. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Giving evidence as to the sudden death of SARAH HEARD, aged 75, of 42 Gibson-street, Plymouth, which took place on Tuesday evening, Dr T. H. Williams stated that death was due to heart failure. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

BICKLEIGH (NEAR PLYMOUTH) - Bickleigh Tunnel Fatality. An Open Verdict. - In the waiting room of Bickleigh Great Western Railway Station yesterday, Mr R. Robinson Rodd (Coroner) held an Inquest on JOHN DENNIS BOTTERELL, aged 40 of 1 Commercial-road, Plymouth, a general dealer, whose body was found on the railway line near Bickleigh, on Wednesday. - Evidence of identification was given by MARGARET EMMA BOTTERELL, sister of the deceased, who said he left home at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday and had not been home since. There was a little business depression, but he never seemed to worry about it, and was not at all likely to take his life. - He left a widow and four children under five years of age. He was a temperate man and was very fond of his family. In reply to the Coroner, witness said she believed her brother had gone away to get some potatoes at Horrabridge. - William Dawe, ganger in the employ of the Great Western Railway, said he examined the permanent way between Bickleigh and Yelverton on Tuesday and found it all right. On Wednesday at about 9.30 a.m. he found the body of the deceased in the Bickleigh Tunnel about 40 yards from the Yelverton end, in a mutilated condition. He had it removed to Bickleigh Station. He had not seen deceased in the neighbourhood recently, nor head of his being seen. - Lottie Elizabeth Rolstone, of Clearbrook, said she saw the deceased just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Skylark Inn, Clearbrook, where he wished to buy some potatoes. He appeared to be in good spirits. He said he was going to catch the 5.45 train from Bickleigh. - Dr W. D. Stamp said he had examined the body and found that the base of the skull and the left lower jaw were fractured. The left shoulder was almost severed from the body and there was a compound fracture of the left elbow joint. Death must have been caused by a train on the previous day, and been quite instantaneous. - The Coroner said there was no evidence to show how, when, or where deceased got on the lines. There was a fresh root in his pocket and he might have gone on the line to gather ferns or to commit suicide. He thought a verdict of "Found Dead" would meet the case. - The Jury found accordingly, and expressed sympathy with the widow, to whom they handed their fees. - Chief Inspector W. Scantlebury (traffic department), Inspector G. H. Flewellen, locomotive department, Newton Abbot, and Inspector Wotton, permanent way department, watched the case on behalf of the Great Western Railway Company.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 4 December 1906
PLYMPTON - Plympton Infants' Death. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Hemerdon near Plympton, yesterday, on the three-months' old daughter of SAMUEL PERRY, labourer. - The mother stated that she took the child into bed with her on Friday night and nursed it until it went to sleep. On awaking at five o'clock in the morning she found it dead on the pillow where she had placed it. - There was froth in the mouth. - Dr C. H. G. Prance (Plympton) said death was due to suffocation. He knew the parents as thoroughly respectable people and very fond and careful of their children. - The Coroner, in summing up, referred to the very grave risk parents ran by taking infants into bed to sleep with them, and said he hoped the publication of the facts of that case would be a warning, not only to the parents of the deceased, but to all others. having regard to the doctor's testimony as to the parents, he assumed the Jury would find that death was accidental. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and expressed sympathy with the parents.

STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on the four-weeks-old child of EMILY CURTIS, the wife of a store assistant in H.M. Dockyard, residing in St. Levon-road, Dr Pullen said death was the result of syncope, due to the pressure of an over-distended stomach.

TORQUAY - Torquay Burning Fatality. Singular Circumstances. - Mr Hacker held an Inquest at Torquay yesterday on CATHERINE GALE, 62, who was burnt to death at her lodgings, 250 Union-street. - JOHN GALE, formerly a greengrocer, said the deceased, his wife, was not a regular drinker, but now and again "broke out." On Saturday she had been drinking and left him. He found later that she had gone to lodge with Mrs Pearce at 250 Union-street. He went there to see her, but she refused to let him stay and he left, saying he would call again in the morning. When he left her about 10.45 p.m. she had begun to undress. A candle in a candlestick stood on a chair near the bed. He went again about dinner time on Sunday and saw her lying near the foot of the bed, dead, and very badly burnt. The candle-stick was standing on the chair as on the previous night, with the candle burnt out. There were some scraps of burnt paper on the floor. He could not understand it, as his wife was not in the habit of reading before going to bed. - The Police produced a bank deposit note for £450, a P.O. Savings Bank book showing £50 deposited, a will, three £5 notes, a gold watch and chain, &c., found underneath deceased's pillow. Witness identified them as having belonged to his wife. A bottle containing rum, found on a table in the room, was also produced. - P.C. Lang, who, in company with Inspector Pratt, went to the house, said deceased was in a recumbent position on the floor. she had on some under-linen, which had been burnt to a few rags. None of the furniture, bedding &c., had been burnt. the burnt scraps of paper had evidently formed part of a newspaper. - Ellen Pearce, wife of George Pearce, greengrocer, said deceased came to her house about 10.45 on Saturday night, having previously taken a bed for two nights. She had evidently been drinking, but could walk upstairs unaided. witness helped her to undo her boots, removed the candlestick from the chair to the dressing-table, and left her about 11. There was no newspaper in the room, unless deceased had one in a basket she brought with her. witness and her husband, who slept on the other side of the house, heard nothing to disturb them during the night. She did not call the deceased for breakfast, thinking she might be tired. At 12.45 she went up to tell her dinner was ready, and found her in the condition described by the Constable. No smell of burning was noticeable until one entered the room. - Mary Gifford, single, occupying the next room to that of the deceased, said about 1 or 2 a.m. she heard the sound of a fall in one of the rooms, she could not tell which, but attached no importance to it. - P.C. Passmore said he saw deceased enter Mrs Pearce's on Saturday night. She appeared quite capable of looking after herself. - Dr H. K. Lacey attributed death to the severe burns deceased had received. He saw her on Sunday afternoon and rigor mortis had then set in strongly. It was quite probable that deceased died about 11 or 12 on Saturday night. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death, as the result of Burning."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 5 December 1906
BOW - The Bow tragedy. Verdict Of Suicide. - At the Inquest at Bow yesterday on MR GEORGE HUBBARD, of the firm Hubbard and Son, nurserymen and fruit growers. EDWARD G. HUBBARD said the deceased, his father, was 62 years of age and had for some time suffered from depression. When these fits of depression came upon him, he would say he was tired of it all. He seemed to fear that his mind was going. He last saw his father about 10.30 a.m. on Monday, when the deceased went out with paint brushes and pot to do so some painting, but he had not commenced work. - Henry Rowe, boot dealer, said he was called between 10.30 and 11 to search for MR HUBBARD, who was missing from the garden. A tank had the cover open and deceased's coat lay near. He searched the water with a long poke and felt the body. The tank was 10 or 11 feet deep and there appeared to be about 8 feet of water. The mouth of the tank was about 24 inches by 13 inches. The mouth of the tank was such that a person cold not easily fall in accidentally. - Mr C. H. Haycroft, Surgeon, said he was present when the body was taken out at about 11.10 a.m. He concluded he was dead, but tried the usual methods of restoration without effect. There were no marks of violence. Deceased had suffered from great depression and insomnia and he (witness) feared that deceased would take his life. He would not be responsible for his actions whilst suffering from these attacks. The Jury (Mr R. D. Prickman, Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

EXETER - Exeter Railway Fatality. A Sad Good-bye. - At the Inquest at Exeter yesterday on THOMAS PATHERICK, aged 34, a native of Hele, Walter Hooper, late of H.M.S. Commonwealth, said at Bradninch on Monday he arranged with the deceased to meet at Exeter later in the day. He had heard deceased say he had been in the militia. Witness had intended to go to Plymouth by the 4.50 train and deceased came to see him off. When witness got into the carriage, he thought deceased was standing on the platform; he could not say he was not standing on the foot-board. As the train moved off they were shaking hands. He saw nothing happen after that, and the next thing he knew was that the train was stopped and a crowd came around. They were together about twenty minutes before the Plymouth train went out, and during that time they went to a public-house and had a pint of beer together. From the time he let go deceased's hand until the train was stopped the train could have gone scarcely the length of the coach. - Inspector Upham said he started the train and almost immediately heard someone shout. The train was at once pulled up. He went to the second coach, and deceased's body was found under the front wheel. The train was eased back and the lifeless body taken out. He did not notice anyone standing near the train just before it started. He did not see deceased until he was under the train. - Robert Quick, porter, said when he came up to the coach the train was right on deceased's body. The right arm was off. He was quite dead. - Walter Nottingham, of Newton Abbot, fireman on the train, said he noticed deceased and Hooper shaking hands He was standing on the platform. Suddenly, as the train started, he fell and rolled under the coach. He shouted to his mate, and the train was at once stopped. - Dr Sayers said the right arm was cut off and the right chest completely smashed in. The spine was broken and the lungs were protruding through the wound. There was also a terrible wound on the head. Death must have been instantaneous. - P.C. Hoyle, Coroner's Officer, said he had made inquiries, and found that deceased was a single man and resided alone at Hele. He had no relatives. He had been informed that deceased came to Exeter for the purpose of going into the Hospital, also, that the men were the worse for liquor. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Scalding Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on RICHARD FROST ROWE, the three-year-old son of RICHARD ROWE, armourer, R.N., of Exeter-street. - The mother said deceased was on a chair in the kitchen on October 27th and she was scrubbing the room. On leaving the chair deceased collided with a stove, on which was a saucepan of boiling water. The saucepan upset and the deceased was scalded. On the following day he was admitted into the S.D. and E.C. Hospital. He was afterwards removed to the Fever Hospital, where he died. - Dr Williams said deceased was admitted to the Fever Hospital on the 21st ult, with scarlet fever. Death occurred on Monday and was due to scalding and was not materially affected by scarlet fever. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 6 December 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - The Indus Fatality. Stoker Petty Officer's Death. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd (Coroner) held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, on EDMUND LAW, 30, stoker petty officer, 1st class, of the Indus, who died from injuries received on Sunday. - John Thomas Scarr, sick berth steward of the Indus, said the deceased had been in the ship about eleven months. On Sunday morning witness was told that the deceased had fallen in the engine-room of Indus III. Witness found deceased lying unconscious and bleeding slightly from the head. The room was a dark one, and was not used now. A doctor was sent for, and deceased was removed to the R.N. Hospital. The approach to the engine-room was by a ladder from the deck, and the deceased was about 15 yards from the foot of it. The floor of the engine-room sloped, and there was a platform in it. - By the Coroner: It was impossible for the deceased to have fallen down the ladder. he might have slipped on the ground, but probably fell from the platform. - Henry Harris, stoker petty officer, 1st class, of the Indus, said he saw the deceased between 9 and 9.30 on Sunday morning, when they paced the deck together. After a time deceased left, with the remark: "I'm going below to shift." - By the Coroner: It was not necessary to go into the engine-room to "shift." - Lieut. W. J. Matthews, of the Indus, said the engine-room was a disused place and deceased's duties did not require him to go there. He was studying for an examination and might possibly have gone there to study, or he may have gone that way to the work-shop, but the body was found in the opposite direction. - The Foreman of the Jury (Mr O. R. Matthews) remarked that it was improbable that deceased went down to study, seeing that the room was dark. - George Hamblen, stoker petty officer 1st class, deposed to hearing a fall, followed by groans. On going to the engine-room he found the deceased on the floor, which sloped at an angle of 45 degrees. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said it had been the custom of some of the men to hang clothes in this room. The probability of the deceased having gone to the room to study was increased by the fact that a scientific book was found near. No candle was found, nor was there any means of lighting the room. - Surgeon N. J. Roche, R.N. Hospital said LAW died on Tuesday without having recovered consciousness. A post-mortem examination had revealed extensive fracture of the skull, with haemorrhage. A small punctured wound on the back of the skull was the only external mark of violence. - The Foreman of the Jury thought the hatchway should have been closed if the engine-room was a disused place. - Lieut. Matthews replied that the ladder was a good one, and was an approach to the workshop. - The Coroner said if they were going on the lines suggested by the Foreman they would have to shut up half the ship. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and sympathy expressed with the widow.

EXETER - Colour-Sergeant's Suicide. Inquest At Exeter. - An Inquest was held by Mr w. L. Brown at the Higher Barracks, Exeter, yesterday, on COLOUR-SERGT. FREDERICK STANDING, Depot Devon Regiment, who served through the Tirah and South African campaigns, and went through the siege of Ladysmith. - Sergt. Major Adams said deceased was 43 years of age. - MRS STANDING, the widow, who wept whilst giving evidence, said deceased had been in a terrible state of depression during the last few days. He was in hospital with congestion of the liver a short time ago. He had ague on Sunday evening. He had not for years threatened to do anything to himself. She last saw him alive about ten minutes before his death, when he was very miserable. - Private John Kigannon, drummer, Depot Devon Regiment, said on Tuesday morning, close upon nine o'clock, he was in the storeroom with the deceased, who sent him to fetch a stick from an adjoining room. As he was about to re-enter the store-room, he heard the report of a rifle. The deceased was sitting on a form, holding the rifle by one hand and his face leaning over the muzzle. The rifle was kept in the room, and was used on parade by the deceased at times. He was apparently dead. Witness at once reported the occurrence. On Saturday morning deceased complained of pains in the head. - By the Jury: He believed that as a colour-sergeant deceased might have got ammunition when he liked. Ammunition was not kept in the room. The rifle belonged to the deceased. - Sergt. J. Taylor, Depot Devon Regt., said on Tuesday morning he was with the deceased just before his death. He seemed slightly depressed. He had been so for the past four or five days. He left the last witness with him. He could not say where deceased could have got the bullet, they were so strict nowadays in the army. If they went on parade with ammunition everything was strictly examined before the men went off. Some time ago deceased went to a rifle match at Thorverton. - Capt. S. T. Healey said deceased belonged to his company and was a steady man. His accounts were correct. He might have got the bullet anywhere. - Surgeon-Col. Corkery, medical officer in charge, said there was an extensive fracture of the base of the skull, and a portion of the cheek had been blown away. The bullet had entered by the mouth and came out at the top of the head. It was quite impossible for the wound to have been otherwise than self-inflicted. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and expressed sympathy with the widow, the Coroner concurring.

DARTMOUTH - At Dartmouth yesterday Mr A. M. Davson held an Inquest on MORTON PEDERSEN, captain of the Japanese whaler Ikagnchi Maru. Dr G. M. Soper said he was called aboard the whaler on Tuesday and found deceased dead in his cabin. He made a post-mortem examination and attributed death to a syncopal attack, due to acute pericarditis. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on MRS SARAH JANE WARREN, aged 34, of 10 Central-street, who died suddenly in bed, Dr W. H. Waterfield attributed death to syncope due to cirrhosis of the liver.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 12 December 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Infants' Milk. A Common And Unfortunate Practice. - At Stonehouse yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest n ELLEN MAUD BROWN, 14 weeks old daughter of WILLIAM ALFRED BROWN, sick bay steward, R.N., Hospital and residing at 25 Edcumbe-street, Stonehouse. - The mother said she had two other children age 5 and 7 years. On Monday morning at five o'clock she found the deceased in bed dead. It had been all right from birth. She used the bottle. She was in the habit of cleansing the bottle every day. The milk in the bottle was filled the previous night at 9.20. It was purchased the Sunday morning and boiled before being placed in the bottle. The doctor when he came pointed out to her that the milk in the bottle was absolutely sour. She could not understand why the milk had turned sour, because it was sweet on Sunday night. - Mr Rodd said he hardly thought it possible that the bottle was cleaned every day. It was a terrible thing if little children were given sour milk in a dirty bottle. - Several Jurymen thought the bottle could not have been perfectly clean when the milk was put into it. - The Coroner said if that was so it was neglect of an essential part of the child's treatment. He did not suggest anything wilful about it. - The mother said that the tube or stopper had got disarranged from the top of the bottle, and she put a piece of linen around the tube and the top of the bottle. The piece of linen had been there about four days. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said the piece of linen was the cause of the whole of the trouble, because it contained enough acid germs to turn a large quantity of milk sour. The linen was in a terrible condition. - A neighbour said she could testify to the very kind manner in which MRS BROWN treated her children. - Dr Waterfield said he could bear out that statement. MRS BROWN was a most careful mother. - The neighbour remarked that MRS BROWN had limited means and with what she had she did the very best for her children. - Dr Waterfield stated that the child died of convulsions, brought on by irritation of the stomach. The irritation was caused by curds of milk. The child, although thin, was not neglected. He believed what MRS BROWN had said as to cleaning the bottle, but the cause of the trouble was the piece of linen. This should have been boiled each time it was used around the stopper of the bottle; but people did not do it. It was a common and unfortunate practice. - The Coroner said no doubt after what had been said MRS BROWN would be more careful in the future. He had no doubt also other mothers would take notice of what had been stated at that Inquiry. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, last evening held an Inquest on CHARLES JOHN F. PALMER, a retired shipwright, R.N., residing at James-street, Devonport. Ernest J. Rabjohns stated that deceased, a single man of advanced age, enjoyed fairly good health. On Monday night he was slightly ill and witness visited him about three o'clock the following morning. Deceased was then all right, but about seven o'clock was found dead in bed. Dr T. N. Leah said death was due to chronic bronchitis. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

LONDONDERRY - Plymouth Man's Death. Injured At Londonderry. - A fatal accident happened to ALFRED ERNEST SQUIRE, a Plymouth naval pensioner, aged 37, at Londonderry, on Monday. Deceased, on leaving the Royal Navy, joined the mercantile service at Plymouth three weeks ago and became an able seaman on the steamer Pearl, belonging to Mr W. Richardson of Glasgow. The Pearl reached Londonderry some days ago from Liverpool, with rye. On Monday, SQUIRE was replacing the hatches, when he slipped and fell into the hold some 39 feet, and was instantly killed. Deceased leaves a widow and six children, the eldest being 18 years and the youngest 18 months old. The family reside at 6 Collingwood-avenue, Plymouth. An Inquest was held yesterday, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Deceased will be buried at Londonderry. - Deceased joined the Royal Navy in 1883 as a boy on the training ship Lion, and retired in February of this year, having attained the rank of 2nd class petty officer. SQUIRE took part in the Benin war (1894) and the China war (1899) and received medals. In 1892 and the three following years he was in the cruiser Philomel, employed on the East coast of Africa in suppression of the slave trade. In 1904 he served a year at Greenwich Royal Naval Reserve Battery as a gunnery instructor. His last commission was on the Suffolk in the Mediterranean.

Western Morning News, Friday 14 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM HERTFORD ANSTIS, aged 74, a naval pensioner, of Morley-place, who died suddenly on the previous day, Dr Brenton stated that death was due to syncope, and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned as a verdict in the case of LEONARD HENRY ILIFFE, the one-month-old son of AUBYN HENRY ILIFFE, a lance-corporal, Royal Engineers, whose sudden death was attributed by Dr Dunstan to convulsions.

EAST STONEHOUSE - The Ferret Fatality. Petty Officer RUNDLE'S Death. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, on JOHN VIVIAN RUNDLE (38), 1st class petty officer, and coxswain of the destroyer Ferret, who was drowned in Start Bay on Wednesday. - Charles Taylor, retired chief writer, R.N., of 13 York-place, Stoke, gave evidence of identification and said the deceased left a widow and three children. - Lieut. C. A. Freemantle, commanding the destroyer Ferret, said she proceeded to sea at about 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday, in company with the Theseus, for target practice. When three miles off Berry Head, at about 11.45, they were approaching some targets at which the Theseus had fired, and which they were going to pick up and replace by others. The sea was rough and squally, and deceased, who was aft preparing a target, was by an extra roll of the ship thrown overboard, together with Leading Seaman Knight. A cry of "Man overboard" was raised and lifebuoys were thrown out. The Ferret was steaming at about six knots an hour, which was immediately increased to 14 knots and she was brought round in about five minutes to the place where the men had fallen overboard. The Theseus was about two miles away. Neither of the men grasped the lifebuoys, nor could they catch hold of the target, which had fallen over with them. The men were about ten yards apart in the water. Knight was ultimately rescued with a rope and P.O. Houghton jumped into the water and brought RUNDLE into the boat. He was unconscious and unsuccessful efforts were made to restore animation. - By the Coroner: The drowning was a pure accident, and everything possible was done to save the deceased, who was an experienced and active seaman. - Replying to a Juror, Lieut. Freemantle said he believed RUNDLE was afloat during the whole of the time until he was brought back to the Ferret, whereupon the Juror said it was peculiar that he died so quickly. It was, however, pointed out that there was a high sea running and the deceased's head frequently floundered, although his body was afloat. - Leading Seaman Richard Knight, of the Ferret, said the deceased had his oilskin and sea-boots on. He struggled to remove his boots when in the water, but could not do so. Witness and deceased struck out for the target, which was about 10 yards off, but it seemed to move as rapidly as themselves and witness confined his efforts to keeping afloat. Deceased lost his presence of mind when he fell into the water and shouted. Everything possible was done to rescue them. - The Coroner congratulated witness on being alive to tell the tale, remarking that he had had a very narrow escape. - Asked by a Juror how long he was in the water, witness replied, "I don't know, every minute seemed an hour." - Surgeon Albert N. Lavertine, R.N., of the Theseus, said he saw RUNDLE soon after he had been taken from the water. Artificial respiration was being skilfully attempted and this was continued for nearly two hours, but no signs of life were manifested. Death was due to asphyxiation, probably accelerated by shock. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" the Jury extended their sympathy to the widow and children.

Western Morning News, Saturday 15 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Sudden Death. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday morning at the Plymouth Mortuary on MARTHA FARLEY, 47, of 50 Woolster-street, Plymouth. - Thomas Shute, general labourer, who lives at the same address, said deceased was taken ill a week ago, and on Wednesday witness sent for Dr Cuming, but the woman died the same night. Dr Cuming said a post-mortem examination revealed the fact that death was primarily due to kidney disease. Verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 17 December 1906
PLYMPTON - Octogenarian's Death At Crownhill. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, on Saturday held an Inquest at Plympton on ROBERT HANNAFORD, aged 81 years, living at Crownhill. Mrs Amy Cody, daughter of the deceased, stated that her father left home early on the morning of November 26th and did not return. A search was made and he was brought back about 7 a.m. next morning badly bruised on the face and head. On the advice of Dr Gill he was taken to the Plympton Workhouse, where he died on Friday. - Sergt. A. H. Tavey, 1st D.C.L.I., stated that he was in the barracks about 6.30 p.m. on November 27th and heard a noise in a lane close by. Proceeding there he found the deceased in a pool by the side of the hedge. With assistance he conveyed him home. It was possible that HANNAFORD fell from the hedge. Death was attributed by Dr C. H. Prance to senile decay, accelerated by shock and exposure. A verdict in accordance with that opinion was returned.

PLYMPTON - Plympton Pensioner's Death. - An Inquest held on Saturday on WILLIAM H. FERRIS, aged 65, pensioner and labourer, of Hanover-square, Plympton. Dr J. H. Stevens said on being called to Sparkwell he found FERRIS on the road dead. His neck was dislocated and there were other serious injuries about his head and shoulders. He was told that deceased had fallen from a dray when it was moving at considerable speed. The driver of the dray was standing by appearing very frightened, and showed signs of being under the influence of drink, although not excessively so. He gathered from the marks in the road and on the footpath that the dray had been proceeding down the hill when the driver lost control of the horse and collided with the edge of the footpath, rebounding and again coming into contact with the edge, jerked the deceased out of the dray. - The driver, John Thomas Brown, a young man, stated that he was in the employ of the Anglo-American Brewery Company, Plymouth, and about five o'clock on the previous evening was returning to Plymouth in a one-horse dray, loaded with six barrels. On passing through Sparkwell, he gave the deceased, with whom he was well acquainted, a lift. FERRIS sat on a barrel near the edge of the dray. half-way down the hill FERRIS said he would get out before they reached the bottom, as he lived close by. Witness pulled up at the George, and turned round to advise FERRIS to alight there. He was astonished at finding the man had disappeared, and immediately brought his horse round and proceeded up the hill. Just below Chaddlewood Lodge he found FERRIS lying in the road dead. Witness denied that he was under the influence of drink, or that he lost control of his horse. He was driving down the hill at about three miles an hour. A barrel also fell off the dray at the same time as the deceased apparently did, but witness being slightly deaf did not hear the noise. - Mr Frederick French, bailiff, Poole Farm, Egg Buckland, said he was stopped by Brown as he was driving down the hill and rendered all possible assistance to the unfortunate man. Brown was not under the influence of drink. - The driver of a milk cart, a lad named Gully, declared that the dray, as it passed him before the accident, was proceeding down the hill at a very fast rate. - P.C. Passmore said Brown was not drunk, but very frightened. - It was ascertained from Brown that the breeching of the dray gave way, and that probably accounted for the horse going at so fast a rate. - In advising the Jury to return a verdict of "Accidental Death" the Coroner said he did not wish to criticise too severely Dr Stevens's remarks about Brown being under the influence of drink. He (the Coroner) was personally assured that there was no justification for such remarks. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the views of the Coroner.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 December 1906
BOVEY TRACEY - WILLIAM BARKER, aged 50 years, head gardener in the employ of Mr H. A. Bentinck, of Indio, Bovey Tracey, on Friday morning while dressing was seized with a fit of coughing. In the afternoon he was taken worse, and soon passed away. At the Inquest yesterday Dr H. Goodwyn, who had made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart. The Jury passed a vote of sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 December 1906
NEWTON FERRERS - Newton Ferrers Farmer's Death. Due To Chronic Alcoholism. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Newton Ferrers, on ROBT HENRY J. HANNAFORD, retired farmer. - the widow stated that deceased, whose age was 44 years, on September 20th fell over the steps leading to the door of his residence and fractured his left thigh. he had been confined to his bedroom ever since, only occasionally leaving his bed. On Sunday morning last she assisted him back to bed, when he complained of his chest and sank back, and died. The fall over the steps was purely accident. Her husband drank spirits occasionally. Dr A. E. Gladstone of Newton Ferrers said he attended deceased after his [?] He made a post mortem examination and in his opinion death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and [rest of the article very blurred and unreadable]. A verdict of "Death from Chronic Alcoholism" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 20 December 1906
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Infant's Death. Strong Remarks By The Coroner. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest yesterday at Stonehouse on ALTER H. BEASLEY, the three-months-old child of Private WH. H. BEASLEY, R.M.L.I., of 29 Edgcumbe-street. - The mother stated that on Tuesday night the child slept with her. At five o'clock in the morning she fed it, the child then being in its usual health. Four hours later witness awoke and found her son lying dead at her side. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said she had no cradle for the child. - The Coroner remarked that cradles were in no way expensive. Such cases were continually being reported in the papers, but parents seemed to defy everybody. In his opinion, until Juries took a serious view of cases of this kind, and sent one or two persons concerned for trial, the parents would not treat the matter seriously. - Dr Waterfield attributed death to suffocation. A verdict of "Accidentally Suffocated" was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 21 December 1906
EXETER - Exeter Boy's Death. - An Inquest at the Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, was held yesterday on WILLIAM J. SANDERS, aged nine, an inmate of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, who died from scalds. Mr J. E. Daw represented the committee of the Institution. The father, a labourer, living in Mary Arches-street, said his son had been an inmate of the Institution for seven weeks. - Alfred Gale, of the staff of the Institution, stated that deceased was mentally weak, as well as partly dumb. On Tuesday morning he washed the boy, using a small foot bath. After he had washed the boy he partly dried him and left the bathroom to fetch another towel and a clean shirt. As he was returning he heard a scream and going into the bathroom, found the boy in the sink with the hot water tap turned on. The sink was 29 inches from the floor. The hot water tap, to which was attached a straight handle, was turned on full. If the boy were clambering into the sink and caught hold of the handle, that would probably turn on the water. When the boy was found he was not conscious. - Medical evidence showed that the boy died on Wednesday from shock and scalds, which extended over both arms, both legs and the lower part of the body. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and found that no blame attached to anyone. - Mr Daw, on behalf of the governors, expressed sympathy with the parents and undertook that none of the expenses of burial should fall on them.

Western Morning News, Saturday 22 December 1906
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Fisherman's Death. Overwhelmed In A Squall. - The County Coroner (Mr W. H. Gould) yesterday held an Inquest on WALTER KNIGHT, aged 41, an Exmouth fisherman, drowned whilst out crabbing on November 27th and whose body was recovered on Thursday. - Alfred Breading, the Exmouth harbour-master, and captain of a tug, said he saw KNIGHT sailing out to sea near the Conger Rocks. Soon after he passed him, a squall arose, and for about twenty minutes he lost sight of KNIGHT. He realised, however, that the man was in danger and releasing the boat he was towing sooner than he ought, he returned where he had previously seen him. He was nowhere to be found, but a paddle, a sou'wester and some corks recovered were identified as belonging to KNIGHT. He also saw a cap, but it was so far off that he could not recover it. He saw nothing of the boat and he believed that had not been recovered. As it was heavily ballasted it would sink and soon wash to pieces. - Thomas McClaughlin, of Powderham, a fisherman, said he recovered the body off Powderham early on Thursday morning. - Dr Lipscombe said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition. Considering the circumstances and seeing that there were no marks of violence, he could not say other than that death was due to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and joined with the Coroner in expressing their sympathy with the relatives.

STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. - At an Inquest last evening on EMILY ROSINA SHERIDAN, child of JOHN PATRICK SHERIDAN, stoker, R.N., of John-street, Devonport, it was stated that the child was born on the 4th inst. In consequence of a rash on the chest, she was last Monday taken to a chemist, who said the child was suffering from inflammation, and gave a powder for outward application. The child was baptised on Thursday night, was found to be convulsed and very cold at 1.30 a.m. yesterday and died before a doctor could be fetched. Dr Gard attributed death to convulsions, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on JOHN SWEET, aged 46, commercial traveller. - JAS. SWEET, of Gifford-terrace, stated that the deceased, his brother, resided at Pontypridd. On December 12th his brother visited him and though apparently in fair health complained of pains, which he attributed to indigestion. On Wednesday deceased, after a good breakfast, was seized with pains and went to bed. Shortly after he got up and after calling to his nephew he fell down, dying almost immediately. Dr Dunstan, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to heart disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 24 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - On Saturday at Mount Pleasant-place, Plymouth, Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on OWEN ROGERS, cab proprietor, aged 64, of No. 5 Mount Pleasant-place. Mr C. E. Russel Rendle attributed death to heart disease of some standing. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 26 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest at Plymouth on ELIZABETH PRINN, aged 72, wife of JOHN PRINN, residing at Rendle-street, Dr r. H. Wagner attributed death to coma, due to the cold weather, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 27 December 1906
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest at Devonport yesterday on BEATRICE MARY TRUSCOTT, age 2 years and 10 months, the child of ARTHUR HENRY TRUSCOTT, labourer, 2 Morice-street, the evidence showed that the child, who had been weakly from birth, was taken ill on Saturday, and died at 2.30 a.m. on Monday. Dr W. W. Forbes made a post-mortem examination and found that death was due to pneumonia.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Infant's Death. - Mr C. G. Brian (Deputy County Coroner) held an Inquest yesterday at Stonehouse on NELLIE TAYLOR, the five-months-old daughter of Lance-Corpl. TAYLOR, R.M.L.I., residing in Adelaide-street. The mother, SUSAN MARY TAYLOR, stated that the child had been attended by Dr Pearse off and on for some time, the last occasion being a month ago. On Monday, at 2 a.m., the baby was taken ill, and she sent for Dr Pearse, who was unable to come. Three hours and a half later it died. She again sent for Dr Pearse, who, however, could not come. He gave her a death certificate, without having seen the child. - Dr W. E. Corbett attributed death to a convulsion brought on by bronchitis. - Dr Pearse also attended the Inquiry. - The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" thought that Dr Pearse should not have given the certificate without having seen the child, as he had not visited the child for some time.

Western Morning News, Friday 28 December 1906
EXETER - Exeter Woman's Death. Sad Christmas-Day Incident. - Mr W. B. Brown yesterday held an Inquest at Exeter on FRANCES SUSANNAH LYNE, aged 52, wife of GEORGE H. LYNE, formerly a foundry labourer, of Follett's-buildings. EMILY LYNE, deceased's daughter, said at half-past eleven on Christmas morning her mother left home to go to St. Thomas to see friends. She appeared to be in the best of spirits. She had been suffering from a troublesome cough, and had been attended by Dr Clapp. - Frederick J. Purrington of St. Sidwell's , said at 11.35 on Christmas morning he was near the Mint in Fore-street, when he saw deceased clinging to the railings. He went to her assistance, but before he reached her she fell, striking the ground with the back of her head, from which blood flowed. John Taylor, who was in company with the previous witness, corroborated. Dr Clapp said recently deceased had been suffering from bronchitis, complicated with a weak heart. Death was caused by cardiac failure due to bronchitis. No doubt the extreme cold on Christmas morning affected her. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes," and expressed their sympathy with the relatives, the Foreman (Mr S. Oliver) remarking that it was very sad that deceased should have been taken away in the midst of the festive season.

STOKE DAMEREL - Christmas-Day Tragedy. Devonport Pensioner's Suicide. - Mr A. Gard, Deputy Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at Devonport on FREDERICK BRAY, aged 47 years, a naval pensioner, late of Goschen-street, Ford. - FREDERICK W. BRAY, said the deceased, his father, had never threatened to take his life, and to his knowledge had no troubles whatever. Some time ago he met with an accident and since then had complained of pains in his head. - On Christmas morning he appeared to be merry, as usual, and about 5.50 p.m. went to the rear of the house. In consequence of his remaining there so long, witness went out and found his father in a sitting posture, dead. Round his neck was a rope attached to a pipe about a foot above his head. - John Gorrill, naval shipwright, Keat-street, said on Christmas-day he visited the deceased's son. About six o'clock he wished to go to the back of the house, but found the door closed. He informed the son. The door was burst open and deceased was found seated, dead, with a rope round his neck. He cut the rope, assisted in conveying the deceased inside, and went for a doctor. - George Maddock, an able seaman, corroborated. - Dr McCullock said, on being called to Goschen-street about 7 p.m. on Christmas-day, he found the deceased lying on the kitchen floor. He had evidently been dead about an hour. There was a mark of a rope round his neck and superficial examination revealed that death was due to strangulation. He had seen the place where the deceased was found hanging, and considered from the position in which he had been sitting that the suicide, if such had been the case, was of a very determined character, as he must have thrown himself upon the rope. - Witnesses, recalled, declared there was no insanity in the family, and that deceased had not, even on Christmas-day, appeared strange. - The Coroner remarked that the evidence was rather weak about deceased's state of mind at the time of his death, but he personally had no doubt that his mind was deranged. - The Foreman of the Jury said the case was one of the saddest ever brought to his notice. Their sympathy went out to the friends of the deceased in their trouble. In his opinion BRAY had become excited from the happy events of the day, and the results of the accident had apparently unhinged his mind, and in a moment he committed the terrible act. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and passed a vote of sympathy with the relatives.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Sudden Death At Stonehouse. - At Stonehouse Townhall yesterday Mr C. G. Brian (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest on ANDREW LANDICK, labourer, 30 years of age, of 39 High-street. The widow stated that for the past six months deceased had complained of shortness of breath and asthma. On Christmas evening he came home about eight o'clock, but did not then complain of being unwell. they went to bed at 10.30. About half an hour later she woke up, and saw deceased in the room, near a table, gasping for breath. She asked him what was the matter, but he made no answer. Dr T. N. Leah was sent for, the deceased expiring before midnight. Deceased was in the Army Service corps for seven or eight years, but had no pension. He had recently been out of employment. - Dr T. N. Leah, who made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to chronic bronchitis and congestion of the lungs. The body was fairly well nourished. The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

IVYBRIDGE - Mr Brian, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Ivybridge on GEORGE HASKELL, aged 78, labourer, who died on Monday evening through choking. - Mrs Rose Chapple, wife of Thomas Chapple, labourer, St Budeaux, said deceased was her father. Phillip Willis, labourer, of Woodlands, Ivybridge, said deceased had lodged with him for about four months. On Monday evening they were having tea, and deceased was near the fire, eating a fried beef steak. His (witness's) wife called his attention to deceased, and he went to him and shook him and hit him in the back to try and clear his throat, and sent for Dr Cooper, who was soon in attendance. He had known deceased choke once before and then he relieved him by pulling the meat from the throat. - Dr Cooper said he found a piece of beef about half the size of the palm of his hand stuck in deceased's throat. Witness tried artificial respiration but failed to bring him around. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Choking."

DARTINGTON - Found Dead At Dartington. - At Dartington yesterday an Inquest was held on MR HENRY MICHELMORE, carpenter, Totnes. - Miss Sarah Evans said the deceased, 71 years of age, suffered from heart failure. - George Parnell deposed that MICHELMORE came to the Cott Inn at 7 o'clock on Christmas evening, and left at 9.15 p.m. It was then raining fast, but he declined the offer of an umbrella. Deceased had regularly visited the house on Sundays for the last 30 years. - Ernest Parnell, brother of the last witness, said he was coming back from Totnes and outside Cott Farm, 150 yards from the Inn, found MICHELMORE lying on his back in the road dead. - Dr K. R. Smith, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 December 1906
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ELIZABETH WALKER, aged 86, of No. 11 Union Place, George-lane, Plymouth, who died suddenly on Wednesday evening. Deceased complained of feeling unwell and fell dead into the arms of her daughter. Death was due to heart failure and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.