Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

1912

Taken from the Western Times

[Printed in Exeter]

Inquests

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.

Provided by Lindsey Withers

[No's in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs]

Names included: Alsop; Andrews; Appleyard; Atkins; Ayre; Baker; Bale; Bartlett(2); Beale; Beaumont; Beer; Bending; Benham; Berry(2); Binmore; Bird; Blight; Bond(2); Bowden(2); Bragg; Brailey; Bright; Brockington; Brooks; Brown(3); Budd; Bunstow; Burgoin; Burgoyne; Butler; Butt; Callard; Carnell; Caton; Caunter; Channing; Charley; Ching; Chown(2); Clark; Clarke; Coleman; Collard; Cook; Coombes(2); Court; Cridge; Crossman; Crush; Curtis; Dart(3); Davis; Denslow; Dingle; Discombe; Downing; Dracup; Drayton; Drury; Dyment; Dymond; Easterbrook(2); Edwards(2); Ellis; Elson; Eveleigh; Ewings; Flay; Fletcher; Foot; Fox; Frost; Full; Fursdon; Gibson; Gill; Gillard; Gilpin; Glanville; Glover; Goldsworthy; Gommo; Gove; Greenslade(2); Griggs; Grimes; Grist; Guard; Guillaume; Gully; Halfyard; Hallifax; Hammacott; Hancock; Harding; Harris; Hart; Hartnell; Hatherley; Hawkey; Hawkins; Hayman; Heard; Hellier(2); Hendy; Hill; Hockings; Holt; Hookings; Hooper(2); Horwell; Howe; Hurley; Johns; Jones; Joslin; Joyner; Keith; Kelly; Kidwell; King; Kingdon(2); Lander; Lang; Lavers; Lee(2); Leyman; Locke; Lovell; Lugg; MacNeur; Maeer; Maeers; Manley; Manning; Marshall; Martin; Maud; Milford; Millin; Mitchell; Mitchelmore; Morgan; Mortimore; Moule; Netherway; Newcome; Newton; Nicholls; Noon; Norris; Norsworthy; Northcott(2); Oldridge; Oliver; Osborne(2); Osmond; Palk; Palmer; Parke; Parnell; Pearce; Penellan; Penny; Pickard; Pike; Pitts-Tucker; Pope; Popplestone; Powley; Pratt; Prettyjohns; Prew; Prout; Rabbage; Rees; Rew; Richards; Richardson; Ridler; Roberts(2); Rowe; Rundell; Russell; Salter; Sampson; Sanders(3); Seward; Sexon; Shaddick; Sharp; Shaw; Shooter; Simpson; Skinner; Slocombe; Smith(3); Snell(2); Soper(2); Spear; Speare; Staddon; Stentiford; Stevens; Stiling; Stone; Swain; Tancock; Tattenden; Taylor(3); Tidball; Tinckom; Tincombe; Tithycott; Tope; Tout; Triggs; Tully; Tupman; Underhill(2); Varwell; Veal; Vicary; Vinnicombe; Von Dieckhoff; Wakeham; Walker; Walters; Ward(2); Warner; Warren; Watts; Webber(4); Welch; Westacott; Wheaton; White; Willcocks; Williams(3); Wills; Wilson; Windeatt; Wivell; Wollacott; Wreyford; Wyatt; Wyllie; Yelland; Yeames; Yeo(3).

Western Times, Monday 1 January 1912
ILFRACOMBE - 'Combe Tragedy. Young lady Falls Into The Sea. The Inquest. - Quite a sensation was occasioned in Ilfracombe on Saturday, when it became known that the body of a well known local lady, named MISS GEORGINA FURSDON, had been found under the cliffs at White Pebble Beach, under the Tors Walk, quite dead. The cliffs at this particular spot are several hundred feet high. MISS FURSDON it appears, had been in delicate health for some time past. On Friday morning, in company with her sister and the coachman, she went for a drive and shortly after they returned home she was missed and information was given to the Police. Parties were busy all that evening making a search for her near the reservoir, where it was reported she had been seen. Later it was stated that she had been seen, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, by a young man named Dadds, in Tors Park, and this appears to have been the last time she was seen alive, although a man named Reed, who was coming from Lee to Ilfracombe, said he saw someone near the cliffs of the Tors, and reported the matter. A good search was made by P.S. Woolacott and the Police, with several civilians, all along the top of the cliffs, of the Tors up to an early hour on Saturday, but no trace could be found of her. - The search was resumed at daylight and the body was found on White Pebble Beach at 9.30 by a man named Dadds. - MISS FURSDON was lying on the sand and the tide, which was coming in, was only a few yards away from her. If she had not been discovered then she would probably have been washed to sea. Beyond a few scratches on the face, she was not knocked about, and it is not supposed now that she could have fallen over the cliffs. She could have easily got down on to the beach where she was found, as there are steps leading from Tors Point, right down to the sand. If she fell over the cliffs she must have fallen into the water. Her clothing was all wet and covered with sand. When found she was quite dead, and the body was removed on a stretcher to her home. - MISS GEORGINA FURSDON who resided with her mother and another sister at Sunnycote, Belmont-road, Ilfracombe, was the daughter of the late REV. WALTER FURSDON, who, for many years, was Vicar of Berrynarbor, and shortly after his death the family went to reside at Ilfracombe, where they have lived for about 30 years. They are well known in the district and very highly respected, and much sympathy is felt for MRS FURSDON and her other daughter. The deceased lady was very fond of riding and driving and often used to follow the Devon and Somerset Stag-hounds. - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest in the afternoon, when a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned. Mr C. E. R. Chanter, family solicitor, identified the body, and George Bower and Arthur Dadds told of the discovery on the sands below the Tors. It was 25 feet from high-water mark and had been washed by the tide, which was high on Friday half an hour before midnight. - Dr Gardner, the family physician, said he had not seen the deceased since December 15th. She was all right so far as he knew. He examined the body and found that no bones were broken. There were some marks on the face, probably caused by gravel. Evidently the deceased had slipped down the path and was drowned.

Western Times, Tuesday 2 January 1912
WOOLFARDISWORTHY (EAST)- Death Of A Child From Burns In North Devon. - Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Tree Farm, Woolfardisworthy, on Friday, relative to the death of FLORENCE ROSE VIVIAN DISCOMBE, aged four years. - MRS DISCOMBE, mother, stated that on December 22nd, about 1.30 p.m., she went upstairs, leaving deceased in the kitchen standing by the table and a little distance from the fire. Within a few minutes she heard the child scream out and she ran downstairs and found her in flames. Witness put out the flames and at once sent for a doctor. There was no one in the kitchen besides deceased when witness went upstairs. - Mrs Roach, sister of last witness, gave similar evidence. - Dr D. H. Vickery, of Cheriton Fitzpaine, stated that when he saw deceased all her clothes had been taken off and the burns had been dressed with linseed oil. Death was due to exhaustion, the result of the burns. The Jury returned their verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Wednesday 3 January 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Barum Fatality. Death Of A Boy From Gunshot Wound. The Inquest. - The Barnstaple Borough coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, held an Inquest at the North Devon Infirmary last evening relative to the death of the little boy, EDGAR GUILLAUME, whose parents reside in Litchdon-street, and who was the victim of a gun accident just over a week ago, dying at the Infirmary on Monday evening. - It was stated that on Saturday, December 23rd, the little boy was in the house of Mr Kingdon, junr., in Trinity Place. The lad was fond of playing at soldiers, and Mr Kingdon was amusing him with the guns. He had fired off one or two shots in the yard when someone knocked at the front door. He went to see who it was and placed the gun in the kitchen, forgetting that he had reloaded it. he had no recollection of having done so, but the Coroner said it was perfectly clear that after firing the gun he had inserted another cartridge. Returning to the kitchen he found the little boy trying to get the gun, and as he did not wish him to have it, Mr Kingdon took the weapon from him, when by some means it went off. Mr Kingdon did not pull the trigger, which must have caught in some part of his own or the boy's clothing. The small bullet penetrated the boy's stomach and he was taken to the Infirmary. He got on pretty well for the first few days, and there was every hope of his recovery, but then he had a bad turn and died yesterday. - The boy's mother said she gathered from her son that the whole thing was quite an accident. - Mr Kingdon said he was trying to get the gun behind his back when it went off. The bullet went right through the lad's body and struck on a board behind. - Dr Cooper said the post-mortem examination showed that the intestine was perforated in two places, and was much contused. There were two large holes, with extensive bruises. Any operation to effect a cure would have been quite impossible. The lad was a delicate boy, with not much stamina. Death was due to exhaustion, consequent upon the punctured wound. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and thought everything possible was done for the deceased. - The Jury expressed sympathy with the deceased's parents, while the Coroner added that he was sure they all felt very deeply for Mr Kingdon in his very sad experience and, of course, exonerated him from all blame.

Western Times, Thursday 4 January 1912
ASHBURTON - Yesterday Mr S. Hacker (District Coroner) held an Inquest at the Market Hall on the body of RICHARD WAKEHAM, labourer, of Woodland, near Ashburton, aged 74 years, who died at the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital on Monday last through the effects of a fall, whereby he received internal injuries and broke his right thigh. Mr W. H. Langler was chosen Foreman of the Jury. Evidence was given by the daughter (MRS SMITHERS), son-in-law (Mr Smithers), also by Dr Ellis, who attended the deceased. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 5 January 1912
EXETER - Mr W. Linford Brown, City Coroner, held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court yesterday, relative to the death of CHARLOTTE BARTLETT, widow, aged 74, of St. Annes Chapel Almshouses, Exeter. ANNIE BILLINGS, daughter, stated that her mother had bronchitis in February last, but had seemed better since then. On Tuesday she went to bed about 11, and just as she was going to lie down haemorrhage came on and she died in about five minutes. Dr Bradford stated that death was due to the rupture of an ulcer in the stomach. The Jury returned their verdict accordingly.

HOUNSLOW, MIDDLESEX - Mr Reginald Kemp on Tuesday held an Inquest at Hounslow relative to the death of ARTHUR GEORGE CHOWN, aged 19, who only left Honiton six weeks ago to join the 3rd Dragoon Guards and who died from the effects of a blow received in a quarrel at the barracks. The Jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against the man Jones, who, it is alleged, struck deceased.

SOUTH MOLTON - South Molton Inquest. Fatal Leap From A Bedroom Window. - Mr G. W. G. Brown, District coroner, held an Inquest at the South Molton Workhouse, yesterday, touching the death of SAMUEL STADDON. Mr J. N. Barnes was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner stated that the deceased had lately resided at Filleigh Almshouses with a Mrs Buckingham. On the 21st of December he was in his bedroom and it appeared that he jumped out of the window in his night attire. He was assisted into the house again by Mrs Buckingham and Dr Seal was called in. On the 23rd he was removed to the South Molton Workhouse where he remained until he died. - Mr George Foden (Master of the Workhouse) stated that the deceased was admitted on the 23rd of December and he identified the body. He was 75 years of age and appeared very feeble when he was admitted, and was placed in the sick ward, where he received every attention, but died on the 2nd of January. He made no statement to him whatever. - Miss Mabel Baker (Nurse at the Institution) stated that she attended the deceased. When admitted he was weak and exhausted and complained of pains in the back and his legs. - P.C. Bedford stated that Mrs Buckingham was unable to attend, so he took a statement from her as follows: The deceased had resided with her for some 17 years, and had been in ill-health. On the 21st of December, about 9 a.m. the deceased got out of bed in his night attire and jumped from the bedroom window, a drop of 12 feet. She assisted him to the house and was helped by a Mr Gay to get him upstairs, and Dr Seal was called in the same day, and had him removed two days later to the South Molton Union. He had been a cripple and she always had a lot of trouble with him. - Dr P. H. Seal (South Molton) said he had attended the deceased for some time. He was bedridden and one foot was deformed. He visited him on the 21st and found his feet bruised and back sore and tender. There were no marks to show any strain from the fall. The bruises were probably accounted for by the fall and he was of the opinion that he fell on his feet. He made no statement to him and it was difficult to understand him, having an impediment in his speech. Two days later he ordered his removal to the South Molton Workhouse. He was then suffering from shock and he had attended him up to the time of his death, which was due to bronchitis and heart failure, the former developing a couple of days previous to death, and had been brought about by the shock of jumping out of the window. - A verdict was returned in accordance with the doctor's evidence.

Western Times, Tuesday 9 January 1912
TORQUAY - Death After Shopping At Torquay. - At Torquay on Saturday night, a sad event occurred. MRS DORCAS GILLARD, 60, of Longpark Cottages, Newton-road, Torquay, went into Torquay, as is her wont, on a shopping expedition. Having completed her task she started on her way home, a mile distant, about 9 p.m. A quarter of an hour later a passer-by named John German noticed something lying in the pathway near the Steam Laundry Works. A closer view revealed the body of a woman, and life was apparently extinct. He gave information to the Police, and with due promptitude P.S. Hart, with P.C's Ball and Beal, arrived on the scene with their ambulance. The body was then removed to the mortuary at the Hospital. - Mr Sidney Hacker held an Inquest relative to the death of MRS GILLARD yesterday. Dr George Eales said she succumbed to valvular disease of the heart and a verdict was returned accordingly.

EXETER - Crediton Fatality. Inquest At The Royal Devon And Exeter Hospital. Accidental Death. - The City Coroner (Mr W. L. Brown) held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday, relative to the death of PERCY WOLLACOTT, aged 23, Park-street, Crediton, who died at the Institution on Saturday evening as a result of injuries received on the London and South Western Railway, about a quarter of a mile from Crediton Station, on Monday night. Inspector Trump represented the Railway Company. - Evidence was given by Mr Donald Fisher, acting House Surgeon, who said that the deceased was suffering from a depressed fracture of the frontal bone of the skull and a compound fracture of his thigh. He died from shock. The injuries were probably caused through the deceased having been knocked down by a train. - CHARLES WOLLACOTT, brother, said the deceased suffered from epileptic fits. Witness last saw him alive on January 1st. he was then at home in his usual health. He had fits nearly every night. he had never threatened to take his life. A dog generally accompanied the deceased when he went for a walk. - MRS LUCY WOLLACOTT, the mother, said her son had been subject to fits since he was a boy. On January 1st he went out to gather sticks near Downes Bridge, on the Exeter-road. As he did not return she became nervous and friends instituted a search. He was brought home between 11 and 12 the same night and was attended by Dr Campbell. He never recovered consciousness. - Bert Davey, Crediton, said he found the deceased on the railway path by the side of the metals near Head Weir. By his side was a bag of sticks. He was lying about a foot off the metals and had evidently been knocked several yards. He was probably walking along the path and was caught by a passing train. There was no public crossing on the line. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," due to Shock, the result of injuries described in the medical evidence.

Western Times, Wednesday 10 January 1912
UFFCULME - Uffculme Tragedy. Sensational Evidence At The Inquest. Mental Anguish. - Sensational evidence was given yesterday at the Inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of ANNE ELIZA ROWE, a single woman, aged 34, who was found drowned in a mill-pond at Uffculme on Monday. Dr Tweed, (Honiton) was the Coroner. - JOHN ROWE, the father, gave evidence of identification. His daughter was a worker at the woollen factory at Uffculme. He last saw her alive on Sunday evening, about six, when they had tea together. She seemed in her usual condition, being apparently in her proper health and spirits. He had not noticed she had been depressed, or ever heard her threaten to take her life. She was not insured. About ten minutes past six she left the house. There was no remark made that could have hurt her feelings. They considered she was going to chapel. He heard or saw nothing more of her until she was found the next morning. When she did not come home about 8.30, her usual time, they began to feel uneasy and found she had not taken her hat or jacket with her. They began to look about for her, but could find no sign of her. His wife sat up all night. On Monday morning he informed the Police, and the Constable and he searched for her. While he was in the meadows his son told him that the Policeman had found deceased's watch on the rail of the footbridge by the mill-pond. He came back and found they were drawing the fender, in order to drain the pond. The body was found in the pond and taken home. - The Coroner: I don't want to go into your private affairs too much, but I must ask you, was there any reason for her taking her own life? - Witness replied that she went to Cullompton on Saturday and when she came back in the night she told his wife that she was in trouble by a man named William Jones, a postman. His daughter went to Cullompton on October 13th. - MARIA ROWE, mother of the deceased, said when deceased told her of her trouble she did not seem depressed. She told it to her just as she would tell her anything else, and seemed quite bright. Witness sat up for her all night on the Sunday, thinking she would return. When she did not return she did not know what to think. She had never been in trouble before. When she told witness of her trouble witness was too upset to say anything. - William Jones, postman of Cullompton, a married man, said he had known deceased fifteen or sixteen years. He last saw her on Saturday last, when she came to him at Cullompton about 4 o'clock. She told him she was in trouble. She had also told him the same about a month ago. He wrote to her last week. The letter produced was in his handwriting. It was written on January 4th. He had never heard her threaten to take her life. On Saturday last she was quite jolly the whole time. Deceased was his wife's sister. - A Juryman: Did she come to see you for the purpose of asking you what you were going to do? - No; she came to see us most Saturdays. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said he knew deceased was in a certain condition a month or six weeks ago. She told his wife she was not right. - The coroner: If she had asked you to give her some assistance, what would you have done? - I should have done the best I could for her. - You have never offered to do anything? - No, sir; there was no time. - Did you know if she had any money by her if she was laid up for a time? - No. - The Coroner: It is a very serious thing for a life like that to be thrown away. - Dr Laidlow, Uffculme, said that on October 23rd deceased came to him with a Friendly Society certificate and asked him to report on the state of her health. He had not seen her since, until he was called yesterday. She had then been dead several hours; in his opinion she died before midnight. The cause of death was asphyxia, due to drowning. There were no marks about her to suggest she had been struggling or had been pushed into the water. She suffered from very considerable deformity. - P.C. Ley deposed to receiving information, making a search and finding the watch, attached to deceased's waist-belt, hanging to the bridge rail. He saw no signs of a struggle. The rail was only on one side of the bridge. The water was about three feet deep where the body was found. Artificial respiration was tried without avail. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said that William Jones had owned up, which, perhaps was to his credit to a certain extent. Deceased's action was due, apparently, to an unfortunate sudden impulse. It seemed strange she was not depressed beforehand; but he supposed she came to the conclusion she was to a certain extent disgraced and unfortunately took her life. - The Foreman said the Jury though Jones' behaviour very disgraceful. Jones was the brother-in-law of deceased, who was very deformed - a hunchback. - The Coroner said in the letter to deceased written on January 4th, Jones made the suggestion that deceased should say some man had overtaken her on his bicycle on the way to Cullompton and had put something up to her nose (He meant chloroform, probably, said the Coroner. It was hardly likely anyone would believe such a story) and that the next thing she knew was seeing the man riding off on his bicycle. The Coroner added that Jones probably made the suggestion, thinking it would do the deceased no harm, and that it might do good in the way of protecting his wife and children. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide by Drowning while in a state of Mental Anguish, owing to her condition. The Jury also censured Jones, in private.

DAWLISH - Mr S. Hacker (Coroner) held an Enquiry at the Dawlish Vestry Hall, yesterday afternoon into the death of the six-weeks-old child of HARRY and ETHEL THEODORE RABBAGE, of Badlake Hill, Dawlish. The mother said the child was apparently healthy. She took it to bed with her on Sunday night. She attended to it once during the night. At four o'clock in the morning she woke up and found the child dead. Dr C. N. Lovely said death was due to suffocation, caused, he should think, through the child being covered up by the bedclothes. Replying to the Coroner, he said it was the opinion of the medical profession that children should not sleep with their parents, but that a cradle should be provided for them. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 12 January 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - Found In A Box. Inquest On A Child At Newton Abbot. - At the Town Hall, Newton Abbot, yesterday, Mr S. Hacker (Coroner) opened an Inquiry into the Newton baby mystery. - Mrs Mabel Greaves, wife of the proprietor of Churchill's Hotel, Queen-street, Newton Abbot, deposed to finding the dead body of a child, whose mother was GLADYS HORWELL, of Holsworthy. The body was handed over to the Police. The girl had been employed by witness as a nurse-girl for four months, having given her age as 17. The girl did her work right up to Tuesday morning, when she commenced just before 7 o'clock. Just after 8 o'clock the girl went out on an errand, but did not bring back the articles. She appeared in her usual health. When the articles were sent up by the "tweeny" maid, she asked where GLADYS was, and the girl said that GLADYS did not want her (Mrs Greaves) to know. She later sent the girl to rest in a bedroom in the hotel, and did not see the girl for some time after. Another assistant said they heard GLADYS crying between 11 and 12 o'clock and witness visited her. The girl said she thought she could sleep, so witness left her. Later in the afternoon she went up to the girl, but the door was locked. She asked the girl if she would come down, but she said she felt sleepy, and asked if she could go straight across to her bedroom. Permission was given and the girl said she was better. Witness brought her coat and then left. As the girl was going down the stairs witness called to her, but she took no notice. When the girl got downstairs she asked the boots to open the door quickly and walked across the road to her bedroom. Before going away the girl had asked for her dress basket, as she wanted some clothes. It was taken across later on. Witness offered to help the girl, but she asked her to leave. Later she telephoned for Dr Scrase. From what the doctor said witness asked to see the dress basket, which the girl said was in her box. That box was locked, and on a request being made for the keys the girl made a statement. After taking the dress basket out of the box, they found the child's body inside. The girl also said, "Don't write to mother." - Dr Scrase said in the dress basket, wrapped in a skirt, was the dead body of a fully-grown female child. He questioned the girl, who said the child had not cried. A post-mortem examination showed no external signs of violence, but there were other signs of inattention. The lungs contained air and all the organs were healthy. He was of opinion that the child did not have a separate existence, although it probably gasped for breath. - The Coroner said if the Jury accepted the evidence of the doctor they would return a verdict that the body was that of a still-born child. - The Jury agreed and returned a verdict accordingly.

TORQUAY - The Death Of A Torquay Bootmaker. - The adjourned Inquest relative to the death of ARTHUR BENHAM, 49, bootmaker, who was found dead in bed on December 27, was held at Torquay yesterday by Mr Sidney Hacker, District Coroner. It will be remembered that there was some suspicion that the death was not a natural one, and it was decided to have a portion of the stomach analysed. The Coroner read the analyst's report, which stated that no traces of poison were found. Dr Odell said death was due to syncope, from fatty degeneration of the heart and disease of the liver, accelerated by excessive drinking.

Western Times, Saturday 13 January 1912
STOKEINTEIGNHEAD - Delusions. Stokeinteignhead Farmer's Sad Death. The Inquest. - The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a Stokeinteignhead farmer, named JAMES HOPKINSON NOON, were yesterday investigated by Mr S. Hacker (Coroner) at the Old Schoolroom. - Evidence of identification was given by the widow, who was much affected. She said she resided at The Cottage, and her husband farmed some land. On Wednesday her husband was very depressed and remained indoors all day. At night he seemed the same and went to bed. He slept well, but when he awoke at 5 o'clock the next morning, he was still depressed. The pain seemed to leave him at times. Deceased got up just before 7 o'clock and had his breakfast, as usual. He was talking about going away that day to Nottinghamshire to see some relatives. After breakfast her husband went upstairs, so she followed him, and saw he went to the lavatory. She (witness) then went out to feed the fowls and on her return, asked MARGERY if her father had come down, but he had not done so. Witness then called to her husband and receiving no answer went upstairs. On opening the door she saw a pool of blood and concluded what had happened. She rushed from the house and called Mr French. Her husband died about an hour afterwards, just before 10 o'clock. - The Coroner: Do you know that razor (produced). - Witness: No. - The Policeman: This was found in a pool of blood in the lavatory. - The Coroner: Well, I should like to know to whom it belongs. (To the witness). - You say you don't know it? - I don't, but two years ago he had two razors, usually he kept a shaving razor on the chimney piece. That one was put into his portmanteau the same morning preparatory to his going away. I always kept watch on that one. - Why? - Well, I did not know he had another one, as he told me two years ago he would bury the other one as it was of no use. - Answering further questions, she said her husband had never threatened to take his life. She did not leave him alone because she did not think it was quite safe to do so. - Had you been advised to keep him under observation? - I knew myself that it was not safe to leave him as he had suicidal tendencies, although he had not expressed himself so in words. Two-and-a-half years ago her husband was confined in Exminster Asylum, but he had been out about two years. Dr Gough had advised witness to take her husband away for a change as he showed greater signs of depression since the week prior to Christmas. She had arranged to do so, but her husband said he would never get there. Her husband had delusions. One was that they were leaving the house, or giving notice, and that they would be unable to leave on account of dilapidations. That was a pure delusion. - Thomas French, a farmer, said MRS NOON called to him, "Do go up, I believe he has done something dreadful". The man was alive, blood flowing freely from a wound in the throat. - P.C. Marshall said that when he arrived at 9.30, NOON was unconscious, but the bleeding had stopped. In a pool of blood was the razor (produced). It was in good order. Nothing to throw any light on the sad occurrence was found on the body. - Dr Bell, Shaldon, deposed to seeing the deceased shortly before 10 o'clock. He was pulseless, and the heart was only beating feebly. Across the throat and just above the wind pipe was a deep wound between four and five inches long, which severed large arteries on the left side. It was consistent with a self-inflicted wound. Death occurred shortly after his arrival, although everything possible was done, prior to his arrival, to stop the haemorrhage. Death resulted from loss of blood, consequent on the wound. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - The sudden death of MR JOHN JONES SHADDICK, iron pattern worker, aged 73, was Inquired into by the Borough Coroner (Mr T. A. R. Bencraft) at Barnstaple, last evening. Dr G. S. Ware expressed the opinion that death was due to heart failure and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Monday 15 January 1912
EXETER - Walked Into The River. Sad Death Of An Octogenarian At Exeter. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday, Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of JOHN WARD TAYLOR, aged 81, retired cabinet maker of 29 Holloway-street, Exeter. - FREDERICK WM. TAYLOR, brother, stated he last saw deceased on Thursday evening, when he left the house for his usual walk. He seemed in his customary spirits. When he did not return, witness made inquiries. He thought deceased must have passed the house in the fog and gone on to the river. His eye-sight was not good. Deceased had never spoken of taking his life. - James Cole, of Alphington, said about 9.30 p.m. he heard a splash near the bottom of Colleton-buildings. Witness went to the spot and saw a man in the water. Deceased was rescued from the river and artificial respiration was tried. - Reginald Sparkes said he heard a scream and the last witness said to him, "There is someone in the water." Witness fetched the grappling iron and with assistance TAYLOR was taken out of the water. He thought it was quite possible for anyone to have walked into the river in the fog. - P.C. Heale said he received information that a man had been in the river. He went to the bottom of Colleton-buildings and saw deceased in an unconscious condition. Witness tried artificial respiration and deceased showed signs of breathing after about an hour. He was then removed to the Hospital. - Mr H. Newman (House Physician at the Hospital) stated that the cause of death was asphyxia, due to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Tuesday 16 January 1912
EXETER - Sad Fatality. Inquest On Old Man's Death At Exeter Hospital. - The City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) last night, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, conducted the Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death at the Institution of WILLIAM MANLEY, aged 81, of Bonhay-road, Exeter. - CHARLES HUGH MANLEY, deceased's son, gave evidence of identification. His father was a retired cabinet maker, and lived with witness. He was in very good health, though a little bit deaf. On Saturday, December 23rd, he left home about 6.40 to go to St. Thomas' Post Office. He heard he had been knocked down, and arrived in time to see him being carried off on the ambulance. In a conversation with witness he told him that at the corner of Commercial-road he waited until a trap had passed. He thought everything was safe, but just as he stepped off another trap came along and knocked him down and ran over him. He said he thought it was a pure accident and that he did not see the trap coming and the driver did not see him. - Mr Donald Fisher, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted on December 23rd last. He was suffering from shock and fractured ribs. He died on January 13th, at 3 a.m. Death was due to heart failure, due to fractured ribs. - Samuel Mingo, harness maker of Topsham, who was on the spot, gave evidence as to seeing the deceased fall under the wheel. The trap was going at a very slow rate and was stopped within a few paces. - Charles Ricketts, Cowick-street, also saw the accident and described what he witnessed. The trap was only going at a trot. - Henry Greenway, drayman in the employ of the City Brewery Company, said he was driving his own pony and trap from Commercial- road, Exe Bridge. He was sober. He noticed the deceased ten yards before he came to him. The old gentleman seemed to be going to stop, but as witness was driving by he stepped right in front of the trap. - The Coroner said that the Police report was to the effect that Greenway was sober. He did not think he was to blame in any way. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached no blame to the driver. They expressed their sympathy with deceased's son.

Western Times, Wednesday 17 January 1912
EXETER - At the Exeter Police Station yesterday, Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of RHODA GRIMES, aged 9 months, of Arthur's-buildings, Pancras-lane, Exeter. - WM. GRIMES, a painter, father of deceased, stated that the child had no illness until the 10th of this month, when she appeared to have trouble with her gums. On the 14th she seemed ill and he sent for a doctor, but the child died before he arrived. - Dr Harmer said he had a post-mortem examination and death was due to general acute peritonitis. The Jury returned their verdict accordingly.

EXMINSTER - Death Of An Aged Asylum Inmate At Exminster. - At the Devon County Asylum, Exminster, yesterday, the County Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould) held an Inquest relative to the death of CATHERINE WARNER, an inmate of the Institution. - Dr Eager, Senior Assistant Medical Officer, said deceased was single, and formerly a domestic servant. She was 86 years of age, and was admitted into the Asylum in July 1909 from the Workhouse at Newton Abbot. In December last he was called to see her as she had had a fall, and discovered the neck of the femur was fractured. This was a common thing to happen amongst old people. A head affliction probably caused this fall. he had attended deceased since. She died on Sunday from meningitis, as the result of the fracture. She had received every care and attention. - Emily Mudge deposed to seeing deceased fall in the female day-room. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 18 January 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Inquest At Barnstaple. - The death of PERCY LEONARD BROOKS, the nine months' old son of an unmarried domestic servant, was Inquired into by a Jury at Barnstaple Workhouse last evening. Mr Coroner Bencraft said the child, born in the Workhouse, was about a week since placed out to keep with a Mrs Body, of Hardaway Head, on the mother going into a situation. Death occurred suddenly on Tuesday. He pointed out that on the death of a child placed out in keep for reward it was the duty of the custodian to give the coroner a written notice within twenty-four hours of its death. Then if the doctor could certify that he attended the child during its last illness it was for the Coroner to consider whether an Inquest was necessary, but otherwise there was no alternative but to hold an Inquest. People were under a penalty if they failed to give the notice required, and he wished the Press to kindly give publicity to these facts. - Evidence was given by P.C. Pearce, Mrs Body, Mrs Cornish and Dr F. L. Thomas, who attributed death to convulsions. - Returning a verdict of "Natural Causes" the Jury thought no blame was attached to Mrs Body, who had done everything she could for the child.

EXETER - Old Lady's Death At Exeter. - At College-road, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of SARAH REW, married, aged 86 of 12 College-road. - MISS REBECCA REW identified the body and stated that deceased had had very good health. On Monday she went for a walk, and seemed quite well when she went to bed. The next morning witness found her dead in bed. - Dr J. D. Harris stated that the cause of death was heart failure. - The Jury returned their verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 19 January 1912
EXETER - Sad Accident. Inquest On The Death Of A Sandford Labourer. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, last evening the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) held an Inquest relative to the death of WALTER JOHN GIBBINGS SPEAR, aged 25, of Sandford. - MRS ELIZA LOUISA SPEAR identified the body as that of her son, who was a farm labourer. He lived at Mr Graham's at Yarmley Farm. On Tuesday, December 19th, at about six o'clock, she heard that he had met with an accident, and afterwards saw her son in the stables. he was quite conscious and said he had met with an accident, complaining of his back. Deceased was driving a cart, when his horse stopped suddenly, jerking him off. - Mr Graham, farmer, said deceased was a steady man. He met him at 5.30 a little distance from the farm on the day in question. He was driving one way and deceased the other. Witness pulled in to allow him to pass and in stopping his horse deceased fell and complained of his back. Witness sent for the doctor and procured other help. - Chas. Herbert Lilly, House Surgeon, said deceased was brought to the Hospital on December 20th suffering from fracture of the spinal cord. He died on Tuesday last. It was a hopeless case from the first. Death was due to paralysis, following a fracture of the spinal cord.

CHULMLEIGH - It is with much regret we record the death of MR SAMUEL WEBBER, of London House, Chulmleigh, who passed away after a short illness on Wednesday morning. Only last Saturday week he was observed near his back entrance doing something to a trap and soon after MR WEBBER noticed one of his hands was a little swollen and Dr Hanson was called in as well as Dr Harper, of Barnstaple. In spite of their skill and the assistance of a trained nurse, the deceased gradually passed away. MR WEBBER was in his 69th year and was much esteemed by all throughout the Chulmleigh district for his kindly disposition. He was born at Stone Farm in this parish, and spent many years in London in the drapery business. About 40 years ago he settled in Chulmleigh and commenced business in the drapery, millinery, grocery and also general furnishing and also for several years in his early life carried on a similar business at Hatherleigh at the same time. He has held several offices, was a trustee of the Church Lands Charity, a member of the Cottage Hospital, and for many years Churchwarden. He will be greatly missed. Deceased leaves a widow and three daughters to mourn their loss. - At the Inquest conducted by Mr G. W. F. Browne, District Coroner, at the Town Hall, Chulmleigh, yesterday afternoon, it transpired that on January 4th last MR WEBBER saw a cat on his bed and in driving it off he sustained a small punctured wound on the back of his right hand, caused either by the cat's claws or by rubbing against a nail. Blood poisoning afterwards set in, which resulted fatally on Wednesday. Evidence of identification was given by RICHARD WEBBER, brother, who stated that deceased was aged 68 years. Dr Hanson said deceased gradually grew worse from January 7th and died on Wednesday, in his opinion, from blood poisoning, the result of a scratch. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

ILFRACOMBE - The Sudden Death At Ilfracombe. - The circumstances attending the death of CAPT. RICHARD RIDLER, of Watersmeet-road, Lynmouth, who expired suddenly on Lantern-hill, Ilfracombe, on Wednesday, were Inquired into by Mr G. W. F. Brown, District Coroner, at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital yesterday afternoon. - JACK RIDLER, son of deceased, stated that his father, who arrived at Ilfracombe on Sunday on board the ketch "Melbourne," from Barry, complained to him on Monday morning of feeling unwell. He, however, declined to see a doctor, but lay down in his bunk until Tuesday morning, when he got up. After eating a good breakfast he walked up Lantern-hill with his brother, who was one of the crew of the ketch "Three Sisters," also lying in the harbour. - JOHN RIDLER, brother, said on reaching almost the bottom of Lantern-hill, after having walked to the top to view the weather, deceased suddenly dropped down, expiring practically immediately. - Dr Langridge said a post-mortem examination showed that death was due to the rupture of a blood vessel in the pericardium. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned and the Jury gave their fees to the son.

Western Times, Thursday 25 January 1912
REWE - Devon Farmer's Death. Sad Occurrence When In Marshes Shooting Duck. - At Rewe Barton Farm, Rewe, yesterday, Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, conducted an Inquest relative to the death of the late MR EDWARD OSMOND. Deceased, who was a widely known and highly respected farmer, was, for a number of years, Rector's Warden at Rewe. The Rev. G. O. Apthorp, Rector of Rewe, was elected as Foreman of the Jury. - HENRY OSMOND, land agent, of Exeter, identified the body as that of his brother. - Harry Baker, of Rewe, said he knew deceased, and had been in the habit of shooting with him. On Monday last deceased called and asked him to go to the marshes to shoot ducks with him. Witness could not go and told him he would meet him on his return when they might do some rabbiting. Deceased went in the direction of the marshes, leaving his gun at the corner of the church. - Samuel Harding, labourer, said he was in the employ of deceased. As the deceased did not return home he joined in the search for him, and found the body on Tuesday morning in one of the marshes on the farm. They were dragging the river and witness was looking on the banks when he saw the body in the rushes. Deceased was lying quite flat, with the muzzle of the gun under him. The gun was fully loaded and cocked - ready to fire. - Dr J. W. Sandoe, of Broadclyst, deposed to making a post-mortem examination in conjunction with Dr Solly, of Exeter. There were no marks of violence on the body, but they found inflammation of the brain. Both he and Dr Solly were of the opinion that deceased died during a fit, probably an epileptic fit. Replying to questions, the doctor said death was probably instantaneous. - The Coroner said they would have no hesitation in bringing in a verdict according to the medical evidence. He was sure they would join with him in sympathy with MRS OSMOND and the family. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Found Dead In A Loft At St. Thomas. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at the Police Court yesterday relative to the death of THOMAS FORTESCUE DOWNING, aged 55, a labourer, of no fixed address. - MR CHARLES DOWNING, brother, stated that deceased used to visit him on occasions. Witness did not know where he was sleeping, and last saw him alive on Sunday last. He had tried to persuade deceased, who had been in an Asylum, to go into the Workhouse. - Mr John Philips, of School-road, St Thomas, who has a loft under the railway arch, said deceased used to cut chaff for him. - James Murray, carter, in the employ of the last witness, said on Monday evening he found the deceased lying on the straw in the loft. Witness thought he was asleep, but when he went over to him he found he was dead. - Mr Lee, of Edmund-street, said he had tried to persuade deceased to go to the Workhouse, but he said he would rather sleep under the hedges in the field. Witness saw him on Monday morning and he seemed all right. - Dr Pereira said the cause of death was heart failure, due to congestion of the lungs, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 26 January 1912
WEMBWORTHY - A Wembworthy Fatality. - At Gosses Farm, Wembworthy, on Monday, Mr H. W. Gould (Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of WILLIAM ROBERT UNDERHILL, aged 40 years, a farmer, who died on Friday as the result of injuries to the spine, sustained on the 15th inst., through an accident in the round-house of his farm. - MARY TOUT UNDERHILL said deceased, her husband, told her he was caught by the arm of a chaff-cutter while trying to get under it. - Wm. Heathman, labourer, said that on the 15th deceased was driving two horses in the round-house for the purpose of cutting chaff. Witness and his father were attending to the chaff-cutter. The horses stopped and witness saw deceased subsequently sitting on a bundle of straw. He complained that he had hurt his back, but did not explain how. Witness sent for a doctor. - Dr J. Tucker, Chulmleigh, deposed to seeing deceased on the day of the accident. He found some swelling over the lower part of the back. Deceased told him that, instead of going over the arm of the machine, he tried to get under as he wanted to get to one of the horses. But, in doing so, he was caught between the ground and the arm of the machine. Deceased did not attach any blame to anyone, and said he had done the same thing before. Witness saw him every day until his death. He developed epileptic convulsions from which he died, as a result of injuries to his spine. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

CULMSTOCK - Culmstock Inquest. Labourer Found Dead In A Ditch. An Anonymous Letter. - Dr Tweed, the East Devon Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Victoria Hotel, Culmstock, yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of WILLIAM MORGAN, aged 55, casual labourer, of Blackwater Cottage, Culmstock, whose body was found in a ditch at Pitt-lane on Tuesday morning. - MRS SUSAN MORGAN, widow of deceased, gave evidence of identification. Giving her evidence very falteringly, she said that on Monday her husband went to Burlescombe Market and returned at 6 o'clock to the cottage, finding her there with her three children. He had his tea and just after deceased and witness left home together. She took the rent to Mr Knowlman about eight. It was not until after eight that they went into the Railway Hotel. She had not been in any other public-house previously. She did not know what her husband had taken previously. When he went to the Railway Hotel there was not much the matter with him. - The Coroner: Was he sober? - He might have had a pint. He was quite sensible. After that he had a drop of ale. They left the Hotel together. They went up the road towards their home together. Their home was about half a mile away. When they got to Mr Salter's house they stopped and she stood at the door while deceased went just inside. He had a pint of something to drink, but she did not have anything. She went to the factory gates, thinking someone had called her; and under the impression that her husband had gone on, ran to overtake him. She reached home without him, and her daughter went and looked for him. Witness went to bed, going upstairs without help. Later the Constable called and asked her where she had left her husband. She replied that they had parted at Mr Salter's. - The Coroner: Was your husband addicted to intemperance? - He liked a pint. - Was he often the worse for liquor? - Not very often. He hardly ever went to the public-house in the evening. - DAISY MORGAN, aged 18, daughter of deceased, said when her father came home from Burlescombe Market he was quite sober. he was not often the worse for liquor, but he was sometimes. After they had gone out in the evening, her mother returned home at 10.30. She was quite sober. Witness made her go to bed and went and looked for her father, going to Mr Salter's. The next morning she was told her father had been found in a ditch. Her mother and father had had no quarrel. She never saw her father in a better temper than he was on Monday night. - Francis Bell, Chapel Cottages, Halberton, said on Tuesday morning at 8, he was cycling through Pitt Lane and caught sight of a man's hands on is breast. The man was lying flat on his back in the ditch. He was dead. He went on to a farm and told a young man what he had found. He replied it must be MORGAN for whom they were looking. It rained very heavily during the night and any marks of footsteps were washed away. - Francis Salter said deceased had worked for him in and out for the last six or seven years. On Monday night he called to see him. there was a half pint of ale on the table, out of which deceased had one "tip" only. Witness thought he was sober. He remained about ten minutes. Witness did not think deceased's wife, who remained at the door, had had much to drink. They wished him good night and left together. When the daughter called later they organised a search, but could not find him. - P.C. Jarman, stationed at Culmstock, said he was called at 12 o'clock on Monday night with the news that MORGAN was missing. The daughter was unable to rouse her mother, so witness went upstairs and awoke her, after some trouble. She told him her husband was at Mr Salter's He asked her if she knew who he (witness) was and she replied, "No." He told her and asked her further questions. She told him that she and deceased did not leave the Salters together and that Mrs Salter went part way home with her. MRS MORGAN'S speech was very bad and she was very incoherent in her manner. She began to scream and shout for "WILLIAM." They searched with lamps and lanterns until eight the next morning, emptying the mill leat, as he might have fallen in there. Then he received the information that deceased had been found in a ditch. Witness went there, and found him on his back, lying out straight. The ditch was about two feet deep, 18 inches wide on the top and 15 at the bottom. The body was just warm, but the neck, arms and other joints were quite stiff. - Dr Date said he saw deceased on Tuesday morning at 9.30. He was dead and the body was cold. If there was some warmth in the body at 8 o'clock he should think he had been dead from four to five hours. In his post-mortem examination he found that all the organs showed signs of chronic alcoholism. He should consider death was caused by collapse, following exposure. - The Coroner: Had you any reason to suppose there was any foul play? - None whatever; there were no signs of violence at all. - The Doctor added that it was very difficult to understand how the body could have got into the position it was said to be in. There was not much fluid - not more than a pint - in the stomach. - The Coroner told the Jury they must not listen to what they had heard beforehand, but must go entirely upon the evidence. He, himself, had received an anonymous letter about the case, but one could not pay any attention to anonymous letters. Had the author of the letter had the pluck to sign his name, he (the Coroner) should have known what to do. Without that he could not recognise the letter. He did not see the necessity of calling Mr Blackmore, the landlord of the Station Inn, unless they thought the man was drunk. - A Juryman said it was difficult to understand how the deceased got into that peculiar place in the ditch. It was a complete mystery to him. - The Coroner: Of course, if you think there has been foul play it will affect the verdict very considerably. - A Juryman observed that there was a very thick fog on Monday night and the night was very black. - The Coroner: It is possible he may have misdirected his footsteps. - In reply to the Coroner, Capt. Thompson (superintendent) who watched the proceedings on behalf of the Police, said he was quite satisfied from what he had heard. - The Foreman (Mr Bridle) said one or two of the Jurymen thought Mr Blackmore ought to be called. - Another Juryman cast doubts on the sobriety of one of the witnesses on the night in question. - The Coroner said to settle all doubts he would call Mr Blackmore. The latter said that deceased, his wife and the witness spoken of were all sober on Monday night about 10, when they left his house. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Collapse, following on Exposure. They considered for some time as to whether they should add a rider, but did not do so.

Western Times, Saturday 27 January 1912
EXETER HEAVITREE - Inquest On A Septuagenarian At Heavitree. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Heavitree yesterday, on the body of WILLIAM JOHNS, aged 71, milk-cart driver, of 7 North-street, Heavitree, who died early on Thursday morning. Medical evidence was to the effect that a post-mortem examination revealed disease of the heart, congestion of both lungs and pleurisy on the right side, death being caused by syncope, due to the congestion and pleurisy. The widow stated that at four o'clock on Thursday morning the deceased asked her to tell his employer he would be unable to attend to his work that morning. When she returned, three-quarters of an hour later, her husband was dead on a sofa in the sitting-room. He had complained recently of shortness of breath.

WESTMINSTER, LONDON - Chudleigh Man Killed. Whilst Driving A Bishop's Wife At Hampstead. - The Westminster Coroner held an Inquiry yesterday, into the death of ALBERT EDWARD CRUSH, aged 29, a coachman of New End Flats, Hampstead, who was killed during his employment. - MRS CRUSH, Old Exeter-street, Chudleigh, stated that the deceased was her son and when she last saw him at Whitsuntide, he was in good health. - Mrs Isolene Harriet Perrin, wife of the Bishop of Willesden, of Frognal Gardens, Hampstead, stated that on Wednesday last she hired a carriage from Mr Taylor, job-master of Heath-street, Hampstead, the deceased being the coachman. They were getting towards the corner of Berkeley Square, when the horse slipped down and she saw the deceased fall into the road. She jumped out quickly and saw the coachman lying partly underneath the horse. She did not notice whether the road was of wood paving. A footman came out from 30 Berkeley Square and rendered every assistance until the Police arrived, when the deceased was taken on an ambulance to St. George's Hospital. Witness added that there was a slight descent at the spot where the accident occurred. There was no traffic about at the time and there was nothing improper in the condition of the road that she noticed. Coming from Hampstead most of the journey had been down hill and the horse had not slipped before. - Robert Shellan, a van driver, stated that he saw the deceased driving round the corner. he was driving well and was holding his horse in. At this particular corner there was wood paving and witness considered that it was rather a dangerous place. The road would be much safer if it was sanded. He saw the horse's leg "give out" and the animal fall, CRUSH being partly underneath. The animal lay perfectly still and witness saw that deceased was unconscious. - Mr George Taylor, job-master, stated that deceased was one of the best men he had ever employed. Witness had had the horse for four years. It had slipped down before, but so had all his horses now and again. He had never heard of any previous complaints about the dangerous corner. - P.C. Edwards, who was called to the scene of the accident, said there had never been any previous accident during the past month. On Wednesday morning it had been raining. - Dr Taylor, of St. George's Hospital, spoke to admitting the deceased, who had sustained very severe head injuries and it was through these injuries that death ensued the same evening. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - The Bishop of Willesden was present in Court.

Western Times, Monday 29 January 1912
EXETER - Old Lady's Sudden Death At Exeter. - At the Exeter Police Court on Saturday the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of JANE SANDERS, 80, a widow, an old-age pensioner of 38 Sidwell-street, who was found dead in her bedroom on Thursday. - John Brown, Aldershot, identified the body. Witness last saw deceased alive at Aldershot 12 months ago. He and his wife wanted her to live with them, but she preferred to stay in Exeter. - Mrs Laura Marshall said deceased, who lived in a room at her house, had complained of her heart of late. Witness last saw her alive at 12.30 on Wednesday, when she was quite bright. She usually let deceased have the evening paper and when she went up to her room in the evening she could not make her hear. Witness went up again the next day and again there was no answer, so she communicated with the Police. - Sergt. Sanford deposed to breaking in the door and finding deceased lying on the floor, fully dressed. Her bed had not been disturbed, and there was no suggestion that death had taken place unnaturally. - Dr Pereira said death was due to heart failure and deceased's organs were all more or less diseased. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Tuesday 30 January 1912
DARTMOUTH - Inquest On A Child's Sad Death At Dartmouth. - Yesterday, at the Dartmouth Guildhall, Mr A. M. Davson, County Coroner for the Dartmouth district, held an Inquest concerning the death of ARTHUR JAMES SMITH, an infant child of JAMES HENRY SMITH, coal lumper, High-street. - On Friday last the child, who was 4 years and 2 months old, was in a room with another younger child, their mother being in an adjoining apartment. A saucepan of boiling water was upon the fire, which was not protected by a guard. It is thought the deceased tapped a chair against the saucepan, which was overturned. The boiling water fell on the little boy and his neck, shoulders and chest were badly scalded. MRS SMITH, hearing the child's screams, rushed into the room and found the child badly injured and called assistance and the boy was removed to the Hospital, and there attended by Dr Soper. He appeared to be making progress towards recovery, until Sunday, when there was a relapse and he succumbed to shock following the injuries.

EXMOUTH - Care Of Infants. Dr Tweed's Advice At An Exmouth Inquest. - Mr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for the district, held an Inquest at 98 Egremont-road, Exmouth, relative to the death of the eighteen hours old daughter of WALTER EDWARDS, journeyman carpenter, residing at that address. - Charlotte Pyne, grandmother of the deceased, said during Saturday night the mother woke up and found the child dead on her arm. She could not account for the death of the child. - The Coroner: Did you not know it was dangerous for a mother to go to sleep with her child in her arms? - Witness: My children slept in a cot. - The Coroner: Why did you not have a cot for this child? You must take some responsibility for this, for as the grandmother you ought to have known better than to allow the mother to sleep with the child on her arm. - Nurse Ada Page Martorell, certificated midwife, said she was called to MRS EDWARDS at 8 o'clock on Saturday and left at 10 after the birth of the child, which was perfectly normal in every way. - The Coroner: Did you leave any instructions? - Witness: I generally give instructions for the child to be placed on a pillow in bed. I did not give instructions in this case. - The Coroner: You did not give instructions for the child to be placed in a bassinette? - Witness: No. - The Coroner: did you not think it necessary? - Witness: No; I have had 500 cases and have never had to give such instructions. - The Coroner: It is always necessary to mention this fact. - Continuing witness said the mother was perfectly natural and took every care of the child. The death of the baby was quite accidental. - The Coroner: Well, I think it perfectly proper of me to ask you to instruct all patients not to sleep with a child on their arm. - Dr Hanna stated that he was called by the child's father yesterday morning at about 6 o'clock, but as the messenger said the child was quite dead he did not see it until 9.30. It had all the appearances of having died from suffocation. - The Coroner read the statement of the mother, which was to the effect that her mother aroused her and asked if the baby was all right. She replied that it was asleep. But on taking it up she found it stiff and to all appearances dead. Her mother took up the child and said it was dead. The mother added that she could not have lain on the child and that she must have held it tightly with its mouth down unknowingly. - The Jury returned a verdict that the child died from "Accidental Suffocation." - The Coroner added that in many instances children's lives were thrown away in this manner. The child should in all cases be put away from the mother, or placed in a bassinette and looked after, although the mothers would not be persuaded that it was best for the child's safety. In this case there was no evidence that the mother had been persuaded to do this and he thought it an unfortunate thing that she was not so advised.

ST GILES IN THE WOOD - St Giles Woman Killed By A Cow. - On Sunday morning, at Swanacombe, in the parish of St. Giles, and about 3 1.2 miles from Torrington, a small farm occupied by MR and MRS JAMES TITHYCOTT was the scene of a shocking accident. About 10 a.m. MRS TITHYCOTT went to the shed and milked the two cows. This completed she asked her husband for his pocket-knife to cut off some hair from one of the cows, when the animal kicked out, knocking the old lady under the other cow's feet. The result was that the animals became frightened and she was practically trampled to death. Dr Macindoe was at once sent for, but death occurred long before medical aid arrived. - Yesterday Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, held an Inquest, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 1 February 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - Inquest At Newton Abbot. Little Girl Sat In Bucket Of Boiling Water. - Mr Sydney Hacker, Coroner, conducted an Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of LILIAN GRACE GOMMO, who died as the result of severe scalds. - FREDERICK GOMMO, of Oak Place, cab-driver, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was his daughter, aged just over two years. On Sunday afternoon he was preparing a bath for himself and had carried the cold water up. He had filled a bucket with hot water and whilst doing so he was chatting with the child. He had placed it on the floor behind the child. He turned around to get some towels and, as he looked around, he saw the child close to the bucket. He went towards it to prevent it falling in, but the child sat into the water before he could get near. It was boiling water, so he at once took the child out. They put some flour all over the child where it was burnt, and went to the chemist to get something. he could not make anyone hear and, on the advice of his wife, he took the child to the Hospital, where she died on Tuesday morning. - The mother, AGNES GOMMO, said she was washing dishes at the table, with the bucket behind her. The child was excited, as her father was going to take her out for a walk. - Dr James Culross said the child was suffering from extensive scalds on the lower part of the body and thighs, which was practically denuded of skin. The baby did not recover from the shock and, after convulsions, died on Tuesday. Death was caused by shock from the scalds. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the parents, in which the Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Friday 2 February 1912
EXETER - Exeter Accident Ends Fatally. - At No. 3 Alexandra Terrace, Bath-road, Exeter, last evening, the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) held an Inquest relative to the death of ELIZA WATTS, widow of THOMAS WATTS, who died Wednesday, from injuries received by a fall on January 20th. - Mrs Upright, niece, said deceased lived with her for many years, enjoying good health. On the 20th January she fell down in the bedroom, injuring her thigh. Witness fetched a doctor. - Dr Bradford said deceased sustained a fracture of the neck of the thigh, and death was due to the shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 3 February 1912
EXETER - The Recent Motor-Car Accident At Exeter. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, last evening Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of FLORENCE ALICE UNDERHILL, aged 56, married, of Mary Arches-street, Exeter. - It will be remembered that deceased was knocked down by a motor-car in Cowley-road, on Tuesday last, whilst proceeding to work at Dennis Mead. She died in the Hospital yesterday morning. - GEORGE UNDERHILL identified the body as that of his wife and stated that he saw her last before the accident on Tuesday morning last, about six. She was then well. She was going to work at Dennis Mead, Cowley-road. Witness afterwards heard she had met with an accident. He saw deceased in the Hospital and she was unconscious. She died yesterday morning soon after four. Deceased was a little deaf, but not much and her sight was fair. She was not of a nervous temperament. - Owing to the fact that several witnesses could not be present, the proceedings were adjourned until three p.m., on Thursday next.

Western Times, Tuesday 6 February 1912
BAMPTON - An Inquest was held on Friday, by Mr H. W. Gould, at the Police Station, Bampton, relative to the death of the nine weeks old infant daughter of WILLIAM HENRY ATKINS, hawker, of Bampton, who was found dead in bed beside her parents. - HY. ATKINS, father, stated that the child was alive at 7 a.m., but about half-past seven, after having a dose, he found it was dead. - Dr T. A. Fisher said he was called in on Friday, the 26th inst., to see the child and gave advice as to its treatment, and he was also called on the morning after the child was dead. He made a post-mortem examination and found the left lung very congested and the right one slightly so. Death was due to natural causes and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly, handing their fees to ATKINS.

EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter - The City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, relative to the death of EDWARD CHOWN, of 2 Dinham-road, who was found dead on Friday morning last. - John Richard Hardacre, of Highbridge, Somerset, said deceased was aged 72, and was a retired antique dealer. Witness had not seen him for four or five years. - Mrs Louisa Vincent of 2 Dinham-road, said deceased lodged at her house. He had not been attended by a doctor for several years, and the last time was treated for a broken thigh. He had complained of pains in his heart. On Friday morning between 7.30 and 8 witness's daughter took deceased up a cup of tea, and came down saying, "Oh, mamma, uncle's dead." A doctor was sent for. - Dr J. A. W. Pereira deposed to making a post-mortem examination. Death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 8 February 1912
OAKFORD - Elderly Labourer's Sudden Death At Bampton. - Mr H W. Gould conducted an Inquest yesterday at Little Highly Farm, Oakford, on the body of JOHN MANNING, aged 65, general labourer, employed by the Bishop of Crediton, as caretaker at his Oakford residence. - Evidence was given by the deceased's son, JAMES MANNING, gardener, who said that his father had been at work with him during Monday, but complained of cold. Deceased had tea at 5 o'clock and went to bed at 7.30, which was earlier than usual. - ETHEL MARY MANNING, wife of the last witness, said that at 8.15 p.m. on Monday she found deceased dead in bed. Dr Fisher, of Bampton, said he attended deceased last September for degeneration of the arteries and heart disease which was the cause of death. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes, viz., Syncope.

TEIGNMOUTH - Adjourned. Evidence At Teignmouth. Inquest. Husband's Story. - An Inquiry into the Teignmouth tragedy was opened yesterday by Mr S. Hacker (Coroner) at the Town Hall. It will be remembered that AMY YELLAND, wife of WILLIAM ALBERT YELLAND, a nurseryman, died on Sunday evening last, after partaking of soup for dinner. The husband was also taken ill, but recovered. The sad circumstances created a painful sensation in the town Mr Thomas Hambly was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - MR YELLAND told the Jury that he resided at 18 Bitton-avenue. His deceased wife was 36 years of age last March. They had been married just over thirteen months. His wife enjoyed good health and had had no medical attention since they had been married. She was well on Saturday, and also on Sunday morning. They had a hot dinner on Saturday and were to have it cold on Sunday. About one o'clock his wife commenced warming the soup, which she had prepared the previous evening, an enamel saucepan being used for the purpose. - The Coroner (inspecting the pan): What is that on the bottom? It looks like dirt? - Witness: That's where it is burnt. - Coroner: it looks as if someone has been scraping it off. It looks like the remains of food. - The Foreman: It looks to me as if the soup was a little burnt at the bottom. - Witness said he had two ladles full of soup. - Coroner: What did you have after the soup? - Witness: We did not get so far as that. - The Coroner: What! Within five minutes you were ill? - We tried some pork, but we could not touch it. The witness added that his wife knew she had burnt the soup a little. - The Coroner: Did you notice anything unpleasant? - No, but we thought there was not enough salt in it. It did not taste as usual. - What happened then? - My wife, immediately we left the soup, went to get some plates, but by the time she came back she said she could not eat anything and felt sick. I also felt sick. My wife went upstairs and vomited a good deal, and I was ill downstairs. I went upstairs and found my wife was faint, so I put her on the bed. Then I decided to go for the doctor for her, but found I was too ill to go, so he sent a boy for his brother and the doctor was called. Witness also went to bed, on the doctor's orders. Later his wife complained of the cold and also pains in the stomach at times. Witness was also in pain and still vomiting. His wife died at 11.30 at night. - Answering the coroner, witness said the soup was prepared from some beef he bought on Saturday morning. After making the soup his wife put it up in two pudding basins, which were placed in the meat safe, in which they kept nothing but articles of food. He could suggest nothing to account for the occurrence, as they kept no poison of any sort in the house. The pan was used just prior to his wife warming the soup to boil some water in. The cat had a portion of the soup, and he noticed that it was also sick. - Where is what remained of the soup? - My brother washed that away when we went to bed. - PERCY JOHN YELLAND, brother of the last witness, residing at 10 Chelsea-place, said his brother sent for him just after 2 o'clock on Sunday, saying his wife was ill. He found his brother sitting in the chair and asked him what was the matter. He replied, "I am sick. The soup has poisoned me." Witness then saw his sister-in-law upstairs, and she said she was sick, adding the remark, "That soup." He asked her what he should do with the remaining soup, and she said, "Throw that soup away." He did not throw it away until after the doctor had been to the house. - Witness said he was an ironmonger's assistant and on examining the pan said the enamel was not broken. There was food burnt on the bottom. He found some bones in the soup plates and pan, which he threw into the dust-bin. - Dr F. C. Piggott deposed to visiting deceased on Sunday and finding her lying on a bed. She complained of being sick and said the soup they had had for dinner had upset her. She told him what she had made the soup of - beef, celery, carrots, peas and a pinch of carbonate of soda. He had tasted the remains in the tin from which the carbonate of soda was taken and from the taste he was of opinion that it was carbonate of soda. When he first saw the deceased and her husband, although they were both very ill, there was nothing alarming or urgent in their condition, and nothing to suggest that it was anything but an ordinary case of taking a meal that did not agree. - The Foreman: Nothing to suggest it was poison? - No, except that food that does not agree with the eater is poison. - Witness added that he was called again at 8 o'clock and found the deceased in a grave condition of collapse. He applied several remedial measures with a certain amount of success and she rallied somewhat. He saw her again five minutes before she died. Heart failure was the cause of death. - The Foreman: There was nothing to arouse your suspicions? - When I visited the house after dinner, the husband was certainly the more ill of the two. - Dr Piggott added that he had made a post-mortem examination and found nothing in any of the organs to satisfactorily account for death. The stomach was enormously dilated, and had been so for a long time. It contained about a pint of partially digested food. - The Coroner: Although she had vomited so? - Yes; that was why it was so dilated; she had not emptied it. He added that it presented slight indications of recent irritation. There had been violent diarrhoea. There was nothing in the appearance of the stomach to warrant any conclusions as to the cause of death. The stomach being so enlarged was incapable of emptying itself and deceased did not therefore get rid of the poison, but retained a certain amount in her system, which naturally caused diarrhoea sufficient to prove fatal. The heart was organically sound, but it was unusually small. The deceased had undoubtedly swallowed a short time before death some irritant and was exhausted. He could not swear to any definite indications of poison. - The Foreman: What I gather from your evidence is this: That the deceased swallowed some irritant previous to the vomiting, which caused vomiting and diarrhoea and exhaustion, which affected the heart. The heart being rather small and weak, death followed in consequence of the failure? - Yes. - The Foreman: Supposing that the stomach had been normal, and had been cleared of the poison, there is no reason to suppose that she could not have lived? - There is certainly a possibility. He instanced a case where two persons took arsenic, but the one who took the smaller quantity died. The one who took the larger quantity suffered severely from vomiting and threw it all out. In the present case it was almost a physiological impossibility for the stomach of the deceased to empty itself by vomiting. He produced a portion of soup which had been secured afterwards. - MAY RUTH SANDERS, ELIZABETH JANE YELLAND and JAMES MERDON SANDERS also gave evidence. - The Coroner said it was manifest the Inquest would have to be adjourned, as there was no evidence as to what deceased died of. The evidence showed she did not die from natural causes and, under those circumstances, it would be necessary to have an analysis of the contents of the stomach. - The Inquiry, which lasted 2 ¼ hours, was adjourned to Tuesday week next.

Western Times, Friday 9 February 1912
EXETER - Killed By A Car. Sad Affair In The Cowley Road. Inquest At Exeter. - The Exeter City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) reopened, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday, the Inquest relative to the death of FLORENCE ALICE UNDERHILL, 56, married, of Mary Arches-street, who died as a result of being knocked down by a motor-car in the Cowley-road on the 30th January. - Mr W. H. Tarbet attended on behalf of the owner of the car (Mr Ellis) and the chauffeur; Supt. Dymond watched the Enquiry on behalf of the Police, and Mr Vile (Messrs. Sparkes, Pope and Thomas) appeared for the deceased's relatives. - Mr Tarbet said both the owner of the car and the chauffeur desired him to express their sincere sympathy with the deceased's relatives in the great loss they had sustained. - James Scanes, vanman in the employment of Messrs. Mansfield, stated that on the 30th January, about 9 a.m., he was driving down the hill near Streatham Hall grounds, when the motor-car passed him at the rate of about eight or nine miles an hour. A few moments later he lost sight of the motor, but it again came into view. He next saw the chauffeur holding the deceased in his arms, about six feet from the footpath and just opposite the entrance to Belmont House. The car was standing on the left side of the road, close to the railings and about a dozen feet from the woman. Witness could not see whether the chauffeur increased his speed after passing him. The chauffeur asked witness to hold the deceased. He did so and with the assistance of two other men, he moved her to the footpath. The chauffeur left to fetch more assistance. - By Supt. Dymond: Deceased was about six feet from the path and appeared to have been crossing towards Belmont. - Walter Hooper, gardener, of Duryard, said he was driving a horse and cart towards Cowley Bridge, when the accident occurred. The motor-car was travelling at the rate of nine or ten miles an hour. He saw a woman come from the lower path and walk directly in front of the car, the hooter of which was sounded. It slowed up a little. The deceased was then in the middle of the road. She seemed to hesitate whether she would cross the road or allow the car to first pass on. The chauffeur seemed to suddenly put on speed and witness momentarily lost sight of the deceased. The car turned into the left close to the rails and witness saw the chauffeur jump out. The latter called out, "Run, quick!" and witness went to the deceased's assistance. He did not actually see the car strike the deceased, but he believed it went over her body, her left leg being doubled up under her. The car was from 12 to 14 feet from where the woman was lying. She was six or seven feet from the footpath, on the Belmont House side. - By Mr Tarbet: After deceased hesitated in the middle of the road, she staggered back in front of the car. - Gertrude Twiggs, aged 11, of King Edward-street, who was on the high path near Belmont House and saw the accident, said that when the deceased came to cross the road the car was coming down on the left rather fast. "The woman," she added, "was crossing the road and the car knocked her down and went over her." She never heard any hooter, nor did she see the woman stop and run back. The motor-car was going at ordinary speed and did not stop until after it had passed over the body. - P.C. Mudge said he was on point duty at the corner of Queen-street, when the chauffeur came to him and reported the accident. He said he saw a woman about to cross the road. He slowed up and sounded the hooter. Halfway across the road she stopped. Seeing he had sufficient room to pass her he started his engines. She then seemed to be frightened, staggered back right in front of the car, and, before he could bring the latter to a standstill again he had gone over her. Witness and the chauffeur then went to the Police Station, the ambulance was placed on the car and they proceeded to the scene. The deceased was unconscious and bleeding profusely from the head. She was taken to the Hospital. The chauffeur was a very careful driver and his license was clean. He rendered every possible assistance. - William Nosworthy, who was formally warned by the Coroner, volunteered to give evidence,. He said he was employed by Mr Ellis, of Newton St. Cyres, as a chauffeur, and was driving from Exeter, in the direction of Cowley Road. When he neared the high path, leading up from the Red Cow Village, he saw a woman crossing the road. He sounded his hooter and stopped his car dead momentarily. The woman went on, leaving room for him to pass. He re-started his car, when the woman turned round and ran back, the front wing of the car striking her on the left side, just above the hip. She fell forward on her head. He immediately stopped the car, which did not go over her. When he stopped the back wing of the car was level with the body. He raised deceased to a sitting position, and called two men to his assistance. He sounded his hooter when he was about thirty yards from the woman. - By the Jury: When the car struck the deceased it could not have been travelling at a greater rate than three or four miles an hour. - By Mr Tarbet: Having stopped his car he thought there was ample room for him to pass and he re-started. - Mr H. Lilley, House Surgeon, stated that the deceased, when admitted to the Hospital, had a large wound on the back of the head, a fracture at the base of the skull and a compound fracture of the left leg, just above the ankle joint. She never recovered consciousness and died on Friday last. The cause of death was concussion of the brain, accelerated by fracture of the skull. - The Coroner, in summing up, said it was clear that the deceased was killed by the motor-car. The Jury had to consider three points: (1) Was she killed under such circumstances as would involve the driver in a charge of manslaughter? (2) Ought he to have been more careful? and (3) Whether there was no fault at all. - The Jury, of whom Mr Little was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed an opinion that the driver did all in his power, under the circumstances. The Jury also expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Western Times, Saturday 10 February 1912
EXETER HEAVITREE - Old Lady's Death. Result Of A Fall In The Snow At Heavitree. - Last evening Mr H. W. Gould held an Inquest at the Heavitree Urban District Council Offices, Exeter, on the body of MARY WINDEATT, aged 77, of 8 Sheldon Place, Heavitree, who was found dead in bed early that morning. - THOMAS WINDEATT, of 23 Franklin-street, Larkbeare, a Police Constable of the Exeter Force, identified the body as that of his mother. He had not seen deceased for a fortnight. She then enjoyed good health. - P.C. Perryman said that on Sunday last, about 8.15 he saw MRS WINDEATT alight from a tram car at the Horse and Groom stopping place at Heavitree. She crossed the road into North-street and when stepping on to the path she slipped and fell. There was an inch and half of snow on the ground at the time and it was consequently very slippery. Witness went to MRS WINDEATT'S assistance and helped her to her feet. She told witness she was not hurt, although she complained of hitting the back of her head. A gentleman was passing who knew the deceased and saw her home. - Mrs Moss, with whom deceased lodged, said that when MRS WINDEATT arrived home on Sunday night she complained of slipping down and injuring her shoulder. She kept to her bedroom the following day, but feeling better on Tuesday and Wednesday she went out. On Thursday morning she told witness she felt far from well and that she had been vomiting a great deal during the night. In the afternoon Dr Wolfe attended her. A little girl slept with deceased during the night and on Friday morning witness heard the child crying. On going to the bedroom the child told witness she had been calling to MRS WINDEATT, but could get no answer and the child thought she was dead. Witness went to the bed and discovered that MRS WINDEATT had passed away. Deceased always enjoyed good health. - Dr J. F. Wolfe attributed death to the rupture of a small blood-vessel on the brain. - The Jury, of which Mr Priest was foreman, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Monday 12 February 1912
AXMINSTER - The Suicide Of A Farmer's Son At Axminster. - Dr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest at Great Wood Farm, Axminster, on Saturday morning, respecting the death of FRANK WHEATON, aged 28 years, who was found shot at Great Wood Farm, the residence of his father, on the 8th inst. Evidence of identification was given by his father (MR WILLIAM WHEATON) and as to finding deceased in the cellar of his house. Deceased's mother also gave evidence to the effect that she heard a report of a gun. The evidence of both father and mother was that deceased had been in a very low and depressed state of late, but had never threatened to take his life. The gun deceased had borrowed of a Mr Churchill, of East Farm, Axminster. Dr Ayshford (Dalwood) certified that death was due to a gun-shot, and in his opinion, self-inflicted. The Jury, of whom Mr James Newbery was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Times, Wednesday 14 February 1912
BIDEFORD - An Awful Fall. Inquest On The Body Of A Sailor At Bideford. - At the Inquest at Bideford yesterday, on the body of the sailor killed by falling from the mast to the deck of the schooner "Kate," at Appledore, on Saturday, it was stated that the man's real name was ALEXANDER SMITH, but that he shipped in the name of ALFRED SIMPSON. He had previously been in the Army. - George Patterson, of Gravesend, who identified the body, said that SMITH sailed on January 26th. He had only recently recovered from an attack of influenza, but was in good spirits, and did not complain of feeling unwell. - Stanley Rees, who was furling the sail with SMITH, said he saw the deceased throw up his hands, open his mouth, and fall upon the deck, a distance of between 40 and 50 feet. - Dr Valentine described the injuries, and said there was never any chance of the man recovering. He had a compound fracture of the skull, with laceration and protruding brain, a compound fracture of the right thigh, and fracture of both big toes. A piece of his thigh bone was embedded in the deck 1 ¾ inches. It had cut through the flesh and been driven into the deck plank, where it broke off. He should think from the evidence that the deceased suffered from a faint or a fit at the time of the accident. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death and added a rider that no blame attached to anyone. - Funeral Of The Victim. - Yesterday afternoon the body of the sailor, SIMPSON, was, amid many signs of sympathy, conveyed to St Mary's Churchyard for interment. The cortege started from the shipbuilding yard of Messrs. P. K. Harris and Son (where the accident happened), the streets being lined with groups of silent, reverent watchers, composed of sailors and sailor's wives. The coffin, of polished English oak, with plain mounts, and covered with the Red Ensign, upon which stood one solitary wreath sent by the master of the "Katie" (Capt. Griffiths), was borne to its final resting place by Messrs. Gordon Vaggers, W. Sully, J. Batten, E. Stevens, S. Tuplin and B. Hooper. The breastplate bore the following inscription: "ALFRED SIMPSON, died February 10th, 1912, aged 29 years." Amongst those who followed the coffin were Capt. Griffiths, Messrs. P. K. Harris, P. Harris, J. Harvey, J. Payne, J. N. Tuplin, Capt. Brooks, Messrs. J. Lemon, J. Hooper, R. Hooper, James Rees, John Rees and Stanley Rees (the mate of the "Katie") and several sailors and ship carpenters from the shipbuilding yards. The Rev. George Scholey officiated. At the graveside Mr Councillor P. K. Harris said he desired, on behalf of Capt. Griffiths to thank all for their kind sympathy and assistance. The terrible accident had distressed the hearts of all.

TORQUAY - Fatal Mistake At Torquay. - Mr Sidney Hacker, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Torquay yesterday, relative to the death of FRANCIS ALBERT NETHERWAY, a watchmaker, who died in Torbay Hospital yesterday. SAMUEL NETHERWAY, father, said on the night of Saturday, February 3rd, he was called to his son's lodgings and found him in great pain. Deceased said he had taken some poison by mistake. He had suffered from pains in the chest and heart and was sometimes depressed. Mary Jane Jerman, deceased's landlady, said when she returned to the house on the Saturday night, she found deceased very bad. He told her he had taken poison by mistake. A doctor was called in and NETHERWAY was removed to the Hospital. Dr Slack, House Surgeon at Torbay Hospital, said when admitted deceased was suffering from corrosive poisoning. He went on very well till Friday, when he vomited some grape skins, the grapes having been taken into the ward by some visitor contrary to orders. A post mortem revealed signs of burning from corrosive poison. He did not think the grapes did any harm. Deceased told him that he drank what he did thinking it was water, as it was dark at the time. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Poisoning."

Western Times, Friday 16 February 1912
TORQUAY - Fatal Fall At Torquay. - Mr Sydney Hacker on Wednesday held an Inquest relative to the death of WILLIAM CARTER LANG, 69, of Kenwood-terrace, Torquay. It was stated that deceased was working on a ladder at the White Hart Hotel, Temperance-street, on the 24th January, when he fell a distance of about twelve feet and was picked up unconscious. Death resulted on Monday. Dr Flack and Dr Arnold made a post-mortem examination, and the former stated that, in his opinion, LANG had an attack of apoplexy, caused through the bursting of a blood vessel on the brain. The Jury, of which Mr Hodge was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Tuesday 20 February 1912
MOLLAND - Sad Fatality. Inquest On The Death Of A Molland Farmer. - MR THOMAS DART, farmer, of Gourte Farm, Molland, has died as he result of a trap accident on Thursday last. - At the Inquest (before Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner), ALAN DART, the son, stated that shortly after dinner his father went to Molland Station in order to fetch some cake. When riding towards he Station between six and seven o'clock, witness came across the horse and overturned cart in the road, by Ford Farm. Underneath the rail of the cart was his father, quite dead. It was evident that the wheel of the cart had gone up over the hedge, tipping up the vehicle. - Thomas Nicholls, landlord of the Black Cock Inn, Molland, deposed that MR DART came to his house with butter and eggs, as usual, and left to go to the cake store. There he waited some time to see his daughter and son-in-law at the Station and returning with his baskets, left perfectly sober between five and six o'clock to go home. He was driving an old and quiet horse. - Dr Seal attributed death to a fractured spine and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressing sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Times, Wednesday 21 February 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - A Mystery. The Teignmouth Poisoning Case. Adjourned Inquest. - Another stage in the Teignmouth tragedy was reached yesterday, when Mr Coroner Hacker conducted the adjourned Inquest relative to the death of AMY YELLAND, wife of WILLIAM YELLAND, a nurseryman, of 18 Bitton-avenue, Teignmouth. - It will be remembered that after partaking of soup on Sunday, February 4th, MR and MRS YELLAND were taken ill with violent vomiting, and although medical assistance was called in, the wife died the same evening about 11.30. At the previous Inquest the husband, who was then in a somewhat weak condition, emphatically declared that he knew of no poisonous articles being kept in the house and when Dr Piggott told the Coroner and Jury that a post-mortem examination had revealed nothing in any of the organs to satisfactorily account for death, the sensation was intensified. Dr Piggott was positive, however, that some irritant had been swallowed which caused vomiting, diarrhoea and exhaustion, which affected the heart. The Inquest was thereupon adjourned for the contents of the stomach to be analysed. - Among those present at the Inquest were Detective Supt. Shutler (Exeter), Supt. Carty, Mr T. Tickle (Exeter City Analyst), and a large number of the public. - At the outset the Coroner said the Inquest was adjourned for the purpose of further evidence being produced, and also of having the evidence of Mr T. Tickle, of Exeter, who had been requested to make an analysis of the contents of the stomach. The Jury would be able to say whether it would be advisable or necessary to again adjourn the Inquest. - The Coroner then read over the evidence which had been taken at the previous Inquest. WILLIAM ALBERT YELLAND, the husband, in answer to the Coroner, said the cat - which was sick after eating some of the meat and soup - was now all right. - Dr F. C. H. Piggott said that at the previous Inquiry he said deceased died of failure of the heart. That was a little bit indefinite. The immediate cause of death was collapse, which was a very definite form of heart failure. - The Coroner: You say there was nothing urgent or alarming in her condition when you saw her first. What did you prescribe then? - I regarded it as a case of food poisoning, due, as the deceased told me, to the soup. - The Coroner: What do you mean by food poisoning? - Having taken some unwholesome food. It is technically food poisoning. The deceased was already in bed, so I ordered her to stay there and also ordered hot water bottles, mustard plasters, and also small doses of calomel - in these cases the best intestinal disinfectant. - Was there anything to enable you to diagnose any poisoning? - Certainly not. - then you were under the impression that deceased was suffering from having taken some food that disagreed with her, and the stomach was upset? - Yes. It was an ordinary case. - I want that clear. You did not look upon it as anything serious at that time? - No, sir. - Mr Hambly (Foreman): The fact of the two people being so seriously ill, even that did not arouse any suspicion? - No, because they had both partaken of the same questionable kind of food. - Mr Hambly: From a layman's point of view, one would begin to suspect it was something of a more serious nature? - Unfortunately, these cases are so familiar. I suppose I have had four or five since that Sunday. It affects members of a family, generally after Sunday dinners, but it does not always affect everyone who partakes of the meal. Of course, a tragedy like this is an exception. - Mr F. Ward (Juror): Is not the fact that sickness came on so quickly after taking the food unusual? - No, that was not quite usual, but I regarded it as a worse case than ordinarily. It did not arouse my suspicion that there was an active poison at work in the ordinary sense. - William Alfred Wills, butcher, of Bitton-street, Teignmouth, said that MR YELLAND called at his shop about 8.30 on the Saturday morning and bought some beef, which he said he wanted for soup. A piece, weighing 2 ¼ lbs., of "neck of beef" was supplied. It was a portion of a carcase of a bullock that was bought by Mr Emmett, butcher, of Ipplepen, at the Exeter Cattle Market, and was slaughtered at Ipplepen on the Monday prior to the Sunday on which the deceased was taken ill. Witness bought the two hind-quarters and one fore-quarter at Newton Abbot Market the Wednesday previous and Mr Emmett conveyed it direct to the shop, From the date it arrived the meat was hanging in the shop until the Saturday on which MR YELLAND bought it. - The Coroner: This meat did not come from abroad? - No, sir. - You are quite satisfied about that? - Yes. It was a maiden heifer of the very best quality. - Mr Hambly: did you sell the remainder of the beef? - Yes. I had the piece of neck from which MR YELLAND purchased his piece and after this occurrence I kept it until the Friday, and then I sold it. I had no complaint whatever. - The Coroner: How did you bring back this beef? - Mr Emmett sent it by his wagon. The remainder I sold in Teignmouth, after it had been hanging in the shop. I have a list of the customers who also had pieces of the beef. - The Coroner: We don't want that. If anybody had been poisoned we should have heard of it? - Quite so. - Do you put anything on your beef to preserve it? - Yes, sir, when it is hot weather. On this occasion it was not necessary as the weather was cold and frosty. The carcase was perfect. - Rosetta Barnett, domestic, of Underbank, Coombe Vale, Teignmouth, who had been sleeping at the house of MR YELLAND, also gave evidence. - The Analyst's Report. - Thomas Tickle, Public Analyst, Exeter, said that on February 7th he received the parts of the intestines and the contents of the stomach. He analysed the kidney, liver, spleen, stomach and intestines. He found arsenic in all the organs in large quantities - (sensation). Deceased must have taken at least ten grains. - The Coroner: Was there anything to show what sort of arsenic? - The arsenic was in soluble form, but there was no evidence to show in what form the arsenic first got into the soup. - The Coroner: Or whether the form was powder? - No. There was nothing to show whether the arsenic was in a solid state or a state of solution originally. As taken it was in a dissolved state as far as I was able to determine. I have found no solid particles of arsenic. It was all in a state of solution. - The Coroner: What is a fatal dose? - Two grains are capable of producing fatal results, or less. - The Coroner: There is no doubt about that? - No, sir. - I suppose the indications are quite clear? - Yes, I am absolutely certain. - In your opinion, then, it is absolutely certain there was arsenic in these parts of the body? - Yes. - Answering the Coroner, witness said that he had examined the other articles, boracic acid, carbonate of soda, cornflour, baking powder, etc., but there were no traces of arsenic. - Mr Tickle next dealt with the bones which had been found in the dust-bin. They also contained traces of arsenic. - The Coroner: Was there much? - Oh, yes; considerable traces. - Mr Tickle said with regard to the enamel pan in which the soup was warmed, he had scraped off some of the adherent substance to the bottom of the saucepan, and found that that contained arsenic also in appreciable quantities. - Can you give us your opinion as to this: If there is a breakage in the enamel, is there any possibility of the arsenic coming from the enamel saucepan? - No, sir; not in such large quantities as I found there. - Where Did The Arsenic Come From? - What is your opinion as to where the arsenic you found in the saucepan came from? - It appears clear to me, sir, from the evidence I have heard, that the pea soup contained the arsenic, from whatever source it came. I found arsenic in this scum in quantities, therefore the last liquid the saucepan contained must have contained arsenic. - Supposing the enamel on that saucepan was the source of the arsenic, that would have affected the soup? - But the quantity there is more than the enamel can contain. Arsenic in the enamel of such a vessel can only be present at the most in minute traces. There was no danger of the arsenic coming from the enamel in poisonous quantities. There was no arsenic in the skimmings. - Mr Swanson: There was none there? - That must be accepted with some reservation. The skimmings from the soup would have no arsenic in them, except as far as moisture was adherent to them. Had the arsenic been introduced earlier, I should have expected to have found small traces in the fat. - The Coroner: That removes the possibility of the arsenic having got into the soup from the enamel? - Quite so. - What is the amount of arsenic? - It is very strong and quite consistent with the ten grains found in the deceased. I have not made an exact determination of the arsenic. The percentage in the pan was very large. - Mr Swanson (a Juror): You lead us to presume there was a very large quantity of arsenic in that soup? - Yes. - If the arsenic was put in afterwards, would it mix? - If the arsenic was put in, in a solid state it would have some tendency to settle at the bottom, but brisk boiling would counteract that, and after a considerable time it would dissolve. Then the arsenic would be dissected uniformly. There was no trace of arsenic in the fat that was skimmed off on the Saturday, and that lent colour to the thought that there was no arsenic in the soup at the time the fat was skimmed off. - The Coroner: That is a very important point if we can rely upon that? - I should not like to put that as an absolutely certain conclusion, because that would be separated from the watery part of the soup. - The Foreman: You would expect to find some trace? - Yes. - The Coroner: Were there any vegetables boiled with the meat? - MR YELLAND: Yes. The carrot was boiled with the beef on the Saturday. - By a Juror: The celery was put in the soup later in the day. - Mr Hambly: Does arsenic produce sickness? - Yes, if it is dissolved. - The quickness of the sickness after partaking of it was evidence it was taken dissolved? - That is so. - Are there any immediate effects of poison after taking such a strong dose? - No, I don't think it is possible to say. At any rate, speaking as an analyst, I should not say that. The symptoms are of such a variety, and merge into one another so gradually that it is difficult to say where one begins and the other ends. - Result Of The Police Enquiries. - P.S. Hulland said he had searched the house of YELLAND, but found nothing whatever in the shape of arsenic or any other poison. They had also made enquiries of the chemists, and he had traced all the persons who had bought arsenic, and he was satisfied none got to YELLAND'S house. the Police had also made enquiries in the neighbouring towns. - Answering the Coroner, MR YELLAND said no one was in the house except his wife and himself and Miss Barnett and his wife did not go out and leave the door unlocked. When he went out mornings he left his dog in the scullery and it would let no one in if they were strangers. - The Coroner (to YELLAND): You have no reason to suppose that anyone has ill-feeling towards your wife or yourself? - No, sir. He added that deceased was not insured. He had never had any weed-killer in the house. - The Coroner, in his summing up, said it was a very unsatisfactory conclusion to the Inquiry, of course, but he was afraid there was nothing else to be gained. - The Verdict. - After a brief retirement the Foreman announced that the Jury had based their verdict upon the Analyst's evidence, and found that the deceased died as the result of Poisoning by Arsenic, which she ate in the soup, but how and in what manner the arsenic got into the soup there was no evidence to show. - The Coroner joined with the Jury in expressing a vote of sympathy with the husband and relatives. - The Foreman also asked that they might be exempted from serving for some time, and the Coroner said he would mention the matter to the Police. The Inquiry lasted 2 ¾ hours.

TOPSHAM - Accidental Death. An Elderly Woman's Fatal Fall At Topsham. - The County Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, held an Inquest at the Vestry Hall, Topsham, yesterday, relative to the death of ELIZABETH SWAIN, aged 73, of Fore-street, Topsham, who died on Monday. - MRS BESSIE SARAH PERKINS, wife of a railway signalman, of Exeter, and daughter of deceased, said her mother had been subject to seizures for a great many years, which made her feeble. On the 10th witness was at her mother's house, when she heard the latter scream in the backyard. Deceased was found lying on the ground. With assistance she was taken indoors and placed upon a couch. Dr Ashford was sent for. At the time the yard was very slippery, but deceased had never explained how she fell. - Dr Ashford, of Topsham, said he had attended deceased since the 10th, when she fell. When he first saw her she appeared to be suffering from pains in the left hip. She was subsequently removed to bed, and witness saw that she could not move her left leg. Upon examination he thought she had broken the neck of the thigh bone, which often happened to old people. She seemed to progress well until yesterday morning, when a great change came over her. She died of heart failure brought about by her condition. The accident was the primary cause of death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

ALWINGTON - Alwington Tragedy. Inquest On The Sad Death Of A Farmer. - The death of ALFRED THOMAS MITCHELL, farmer, aged 47, of Babbacombe, Alwington, who blew his brains out with a double-barrelled gun on Monday, formed the subject of Inquiry yesterday afternoon by Mr G. W. F. Brown, county Coroner for North Devon. - The Coroner stated that on the body was found the following note: "This affair about the rates and taxes is worrying me to death. I hope God will have mercy on my soul. May God bless my dear wife. She is the best of wives. It grieves me to death to see her going about in such misery. I can't stand it no longer. My dear children - what will become of them. I have always been so fond of them, but I can't stand this no longer. £12 or £14 a year put on anyone, when I don't consider I should have to pay it. I think it is cruel. I hope Mr Wakeley won't blame me altogether for his rates being put up. Richard Colwill influenced me about the matter. Elam Lott influenced Richard Colwill. - A. T. MITCHELL." - Wm. Martin, brother-in-law, identified the body and it was stated that MRS MITCHELL, who had been unwell for some time, was unable to attend. - Alfred Bale, farm hand, spoke to seeing MR MITCHELL in the morning, when he seemed quite in his usual health and allotted him his work for the day. Later he found his master dead in the barn. - Wm. Ratcliffe, a lad, stated that he heard a shot fired between 7.30 and 8 a.m. - P.C. Watts informed the Jury that the gun was lying in the right arm, and a cartridge had been discharged. Deceased's brains had been blown all over the barn; but curiously he could not find the spent charge. - Richard Colwill, Assistant Overseer, stated that there had been a re-valuation, but MITCHELL'S rates had not been raised anything like £14. It might have been about £6 10s., and he understood that deceased would get this back out of his rent. The allusion to Mr Wakeley referred to a cottage, but there was really nothing in the matter that should have upset MR MITCHELL. - The Coroner said Mr Colwill's explanation was quite clear, and it was very extraordinary, and one could not understand why the man should have taken his life. It was evident there was no real worry to cause MITCHELL to take his life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide Whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Times, Friday 23 February 1912
ASHBURTON - Yesterday afternoon Mr Cornish Bowden (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest on the body of MARIA ANDREWS, widow, aged 73 years, residing at Church Court, who died on Tuesday. Mr J. H. Mitchelmore was chosen Foreman of the Jury. According to the evidence of WINIFRED TOLCHARD (grand-daughter) and Dr Ellis, deceased sustained a fall on Christmas Day and bruised her leg. Blood poisoning set in and this was the cause of death. A verdict was returned accordingly.

AXMINSTER - At Axminster Police Court on Friday, Dr E. R. Tweed, Coroner, conducted an Inquest relative to the death of JOHN HOLT, labourer, of Axminster, who was found dead in a plantation near Kilmington on Thursday. - Mr E. Snell was elected Foreman of the Jury. - SARAH ANN HOLT said deceased was her husband, aged 68 years. He went away to "pick" stones at Kilmington for the contractor to the Rural District Council at about 8.30 on Wednesday morning. He did not then complain and seemed quite well, except that he suffered from shortness of breath through asthma. Witness expected him home at about 6 p.m. - GEO. HOLT, deceased's son, deposed to searching for his father with his brother, WILLIAM, and others. He found him in a plantation, across which his father used to go as a short cut. It was rather steep here. Deceased appeared to have fallen, but not heavily. The evidence of Dr Langram showed that death was due to heart failure, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 24 February 1912
EXMOUTH - Woman's Sad End. The Need Of An Ambulance For Exmouth. - Dr Tweed, Coroner for the District, held an Inquest at the Temperance Hall, Exmouth, yesterday, touching the death of SUSAN HELEN LUGG, aged 50, wife of THOMAS LUGG, jobbing gardener, residing at 63 Rosebery-road, Exmouth. Mr H. J. Gay Lang was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - THOMAS LUGG stated that on Wednesday the deceased, himself and his daughters had breakfast together and he went to his work at 8.15. Subsequently he was sent for, as his wife was taken seriously ill. He went home at once, but found that she had passed away. - Mrs Mary Lancaster, who lodged in the house, said deceased brought hot water to her room between 8 and 8.30 in the morning and appeared cheerful and well. About 9.15 she heard MRS LUGG calling, "Oh, come down and help me, please." On the call being repeated, she went down and found deceased standing between the front door and the glass door, and she said, "Oh, help me; I am bad." Witness put her arm round her and she reeled and dropped to the ground. As she slipped a tumbler fell from her hand. Mrs Lancaster ascertained that she was not cut, and deceased said, "Oh, give me some ginger." Witness fetched it and brought water at deceased's request. But she appeared unable to swallow. With the aid of Mr Squire, she assisted MRS LUGG to the front room, where she was placed on a couch. She breathed stertorously and her husband and Dr Hanna were summoned. Deceased was a kind mother, a good wife and thoroughly sober woman. - Dr Hanna deposed that he was summoned at about 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning. He found deceased lying on the sofa dead. The body presented the appearance of having died from rather gradual heart failure. He had made a post-mortem examination, and found valvular disease of the heart and disease of the artery leading from the heart. Death was due to heart failure due to valvular disease. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony and gave their fees to the husband. - A Juror mentioned the fact that the body had had to be conveyed to the mortuary on an improvised conveyance, in the absence of proper provision for such a purpose and it was decided to request the District Council to provide a suitable carriage for future use under similar circumstances.

Western Times, Monday 26 February 1912
PAIGNTON - At Paignton on Saturday, an Inquest was held on the week old son of ALBERT BRAGG, a mason's labourer. Evidence showed that the child was healthy when born on February 18th. The child had been in bed with its mother and not in a separate cot. - Dr Adams said the post-mortem showed that death was due to suffocation; he had no doubt about that. It might have been caused by overlaying. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."

Western Times, Tuesday 27 February 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - At Newton Abbot, yesterday, an Inquest was held on the body of the infant son of WILLIAM GEORGE BEALE, bargeman, of Wolborough-street. Dr Scrase said death was due to inanition. The only suspicious circumstances was that it died in bed with its mother. That was why he hesitated to give a certificate. The father of deceased said the child was born on Friday and at 10.30 on Saturday his wife found that it was dead in bed. Answering the Coroner, witness said he had seen in the papers that it was dangerous to allow babies to sleep in bed with their mothers. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Wednesday 28 February 1912
MOLLAND - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest conducted at Molland, last evening, by the District Coroner (Mr George W. F. Brown) on the body of LESLIE JOHN CROSSMAN, the three-days' old child of MRS CROSSMAN, the wife of a labourer residing at Lower Woods, Molland. Evidence was given that the child was prematurely born and that it fell into a pan containing hot water, and died on Monday from shock as the result of extensive scalds.

HENNOCK - Village Tragedy. Inquest On The Chudleigh Knighton Claycutter. - In the Parish Room, Chudleigh Knighton, near Newton Abbot, yesterday afternoon, the Deputy Coroner, Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Enquired into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM HENRY WILLCOCKS, who was found hanging in Teign Orchard the previous day. - Evidence of identification was given by MRS EMMA WILLCOCKS, the widow, who said the deceased was forty-four years of age, and was a claycutter. For several weeks he had been very depressed and was so on Monday morning last. About three weeks ago he had influenza and neuralgia, but did not stay away from his work. Before that time he was of a cheerful disposition and had no troubles. He had never threatened to take his life. - THOMAS HENRY WILLCOCKS (son) said he had never heard his father threaten to take his life, and could throw no light on the sad occurrence. So far as he was aware his father had no money troubles, but had seemed "out of sorts." - A clay digger named Henry Soper said that deceased visited the works on Monday morning and after hanging up his dinner basket and saying "good morning" went out again. Nothing seemed wrong with him. Witness had never heard the deceased speak of any trouble. He later heard he had hung himself and went to the orchard where he had been cut down. - Lloyd Milton, farmer of Chudleigh Knighton, said that as he was letting his cows out he went through the orchard and saw a man in the far corner. As he did not seem to be moving he went towards the tree, where he observed the man and saw he was hanging. He cut the man down, untied the cord from his neck, but he was dead. Witness had known the deceased all his life, but when he cut the body down the features were unrecognisable. Answering the Deputy Coroner, the witness said deceased was as cheerful and straightforward a man as there was in the place. "I always spoke to him as a brother," continued the witness. "When I saw him on the Common, on Sunday, he was very cheerful. He was the last man I should have expected to do such a thing." As the body was hanging the feet were about twenty-four inches from the ground. The tree was marked as if the man had climbed it to hang the rope. - Dr F. Deuntzer said that from an examination the indications pointed to the neck being broken. - The Coroner said that having regard to the evidence, he thought the Jury were justified in returning a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind." It was said sometimes that Coroners' Juries were only too ready to bring in a verdict of that kind, but they were not compelled to do so. In that case, however, he thought they were quite justified, seeing that there seemed no reason for the man to take his life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Friday 1 March 1912
EXETER - A Drewsteignton Fatality. - On Tuesday, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Mr W. Linford Brown (Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of JOHN BROWN, 34, labourer, of Wallon, Drewsteignton, who died on Sunday last, from injuries received in an accident. Mr Norman Lake appeared on behalf of the widow. MRS FLORENCE MARY BROWN said on Thursday, 28th December, her husband went to work at the usual time, and when he returned in the evening he complained of having fallen off the waggon, and said he did not know whether he was hurt or not. After working for a few days he had to take to his bed and was there for a few weeks, being subsequently removed to the Exeter Hospital on February 18th. He died on Sunday last. - George Endacott, farmer, of Wallon, said deceased had been in his employ for about four years. On December 28th he took a load of wheat to Dunsford Mills. He made no complaint until the following Saturday, when he said he had met with a slight accident, and felt a little queer over it. He was lifting a sack of wheat from the waggon, when he slipped and fell, with one leg on each side of the shaft. - Francis John Connett, foreman miller at Dunsford Mills, also gave evidence. - Dr Solly, House Surgeon, said there was no external injuries. Death was due to blood poisoning following an abscess formation set up by the fall. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Times, Saturday 2 March 1912
EXETER - Mr W. Linford Brown held an Inquest yesterday at No. 21 Culverland-road, Exeter, respecting the death of JAMES LEE, aged 81. The evidence showed that death resulted from the shock of a fall from a chair on the 19th February. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

ILFRACOMBE - Mr G. W. F. Brown (North Devon Coroner) held an Inquest at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, yesterday, on the body of MARIA REES, who was found dead in bed that morning. - SARAH GALLIVER, daughter of deceased, identified the body, and said she was 72 years of age. There was nothing unusual in her health on Thursday, but lately she had complained about shortness of breath. She went to bed about 9.30 on Thursday night and on Friday morning her nephew took her up a cup of tea, but came down to say she would not answer and then witness went up and discovered she was dead. - Dr Kettlewell said he was sent for that morning about 9.45 but when he arrived deceased was quite dead. He had made a post-mortem examination and found there were no marks of violence on the body. The cause of death was heart failure and from the condition of the heart deceased was liable to drop dead at any moment. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 5 March 1912
TORQUAY - Torquay Child's Death. - Into the circumstances attending the death of a child, Mr Cornish Bowden (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest at Torquay Friday evening. - LEWIS BENDING, a postman, living in Windsor-road, Ellacombe, said the deceased, named DOROTHY, was four years old, and was adopted from birth by him. She was quite well on Tuesday, was playing about and was in good spirits. On Wednesday morning she was unwell and when he got home at 6.15 p.m. the little one was very ill and died a quarter of an hour later. - Dr Geo. M. Winter said he made a post-mortem examination and found that death ensued from inflammation of the lung. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was entered.

Western Times, Thursday 7 March 1912
STOKE CANON - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned yesterday evening at an Inquest at Stoke Canon, concerning the death of GEORGE THOMAS HATHERLEY, aged fifty-eight, a mill-wright, of Stoke Canon, who died at 10.30 p.m. on the 4th inst. - MARY LOUISA HATHERLEY, the widow, said her husband died quite suddenly in the kitchen. He had complained of pains in his chest for a long time, and he could not breathe at all well. He was attended by a doctor about a month ago but only once. He had pleurisy last year and she believed he was consumptive. - Mrs Bessie Haydon, who was present in the kitchen when deceased expired, also gave evidence. - Dr O. Clayton Jones of Silverton, deposed to being called in and to examining the body. There were indications that deceased suffered from haemorrhage. Death was due to Natural Causes.]

TIVERTON - The Sad Death Of A Domestic Servant. - Tiverton Borough Coroner (Mr Arthur Fisher) held an Inquest last night touching the death of SELINA LEYMAN, aged forty-four, a domestic servant, employed by Mrs Were, at Bradford Farm. - Miss Sharpe, House Surgeon at Tiverton Hospital, stated that deceased came to the Institution last Thursday suffering from influenza, there was no bed available and witness and a nurse assisted her back into the conveyance in which she had been driven from Bradford Farm. On the following day a letter was received at the Hospital from Mrs Were saying deceased had broken the bottle of medicine given her and asking for another bottle. The medicine was made up and it was fetched away from the Hospital on the Saturday. On Monday, Mrs Were came to the Hospital and said deceased was very ill and asked what was the best thing to be done with her. Mr John Thomas Norrish, Relieving Officer, told her Mrs Were came to him at noon on Monday and stated that she wanted her servant removed to the Workhouse Infirmary. He drove out there with a nurse, but found deceased too ill to be moved. The witness alleged that the bed was in a very filthy state and said the smell arising therefrom was so bad that he felt ill. He told Mrs Were he should summon Dr Cullin on his return to Tiverton and said that if deceased died before he arrived a messenger should be despatched to inform him. The death took place soon after he left and the messenger was duly despatched to warn the doctor it was not necessary for him to come on to the farm. - Mrs Baxter, the nurse, who accompanied Mr Norrish to the farm, corroborated his evidence. - Mrs Were, who had been present in Court during the examination of the previous witnesses, stated that the reason she wanted the servant to go to the Workhouse Infirmary was because she thought she required the whole attention of someone. Having other work to do she had not as much time to give to her nursing as her condition on Monday seemed to require. Only on Sunday the deceased said she was better. Witness fed her and gave her medicine regularly. She stated that Mr Norrish and Mrs Baxter had exaggerated as to the condition of the bed. If there was any filth in the bed it got there on the day that death occurred. - Dr Pollock stated that he had made a post mortem examination. All the organs were healthy except the lungs, pneumonia had evidently followed the influenza, from which deceased was suffering when she went to the Hospital. - The Jury, of whom Mr R. Grater was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

BRIXHAM - Mr Deputy Coroner Cornish-Bowden held an Inquest at the Lower Market Hall, on Tuesday evening, relative to the death of JAMES H. WYLLIE, third engineer of the s.s. "Buxton", who was landed at Brixham Sunday morning and died at the Brixham Cottage Hospital on Monday night. - Dr C. B. F. Tivy attributed death to blood poisoning and heart failure. - Charles Hall, chief engineer, said the second engineer called his attention to WYLLIE'S arm at Havre. The captain of the "Buxton" obtained medical advice and as the "Buxton" was sailing for Barry that evening, March 1st, the French doctor said it would be better to land him at an English port. Deceased gradually grew worse. The "Buxton" put into Torbay through stress of weather and he was landed at Brixham. Deceased attributed the illness to a slight knock on the elbow while shutting down steam. to his knowledge there was no disturbance on board the ship and WYLLIE was on friendly terms with everyone. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was recorded, caused through an Accidental blow on the right arm.

DARTMOUTH - Yesterday, at Dartmouth Guildhall, Mr Arthur M. Davson, District Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of ERNEST HENRY LAVERS, infant son of FRANK LAVERS, coal lumper, of Undercliff. The mother said the child was ten months old and on Monday he had convulsions. A doctor was sent for, but the child died before one arrived. - Dr F. A. Davson said the child died from convulsions due to painful dentition. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 8 March 1912
ST MARYCHURCH - Torquay Visitor's Death. - Mr E. Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at St. Marychurch, Torquay yesterday, concerning the death of a visitor, named JOE DRACUP, 34, single man, who came to the district from London, on account of his health. On Friday week he was suffering from blood poisoning. - Ada Prudent, Camden Town, London, said deceased had boarded with her for eight years. Deceased had had attacks of illness recently. He scratched his finger only about three weeks ago and consulted a doctor, who said it was poisoned by paint and lead having got into the system. Prior to that he suffered an illness through a bad finger on the other hand. - Dr Arthur E. Carver of Torquay, said vomiting was deceased's chief trouble and he was in a very weak state. The vomiting got worse and his general condition was due to some very obscure cause. On Thursday he got Dr Horton, of Torquay to see him. They could not arrive at any definite diagnosis, except that there was a very grave abdominal condition existent. The patient died on Sunday last. Witness made a post mortem examination and found the organs all healthy. There were no signs of poisoning and death resulted from cancer of the bowels, following exhaustion. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Times, Tuesday 12 March 1912
SIDMOUTH - A Baby's Death. - An Inquest was held at Sidmouth yesterday afternoon by Dr Tweed on the infant child of MR and MRS A. V. MAEER, of Mill-street. Evidence of the mother, taken in her bedroom, was to the effect that the child, which was born on Wednesday, was fed by her about midnight on Friday and at 6.15 next morning she awoke to find the child cold on her arm. She called her husband who fetched a doctor and neighbours. - Medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to suffocation through overlying. - In summing up, the Coroner warned parents of the danger of a baby sleeping in bed with its mother. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

TEIGNMOUTH - Motor-Car Fatality. A Little Girl Killed Near Teignmouth. Inquest And Verdict. - At Teignmouth on Saturday afternoon, ETHEL GILPIN, aged 10, the daughter of MR and MRS S. GILPIN, of Gordon Cottages, Higher Brook-street, was knocked down and killed by a motor-car on Bishopsteignton-road. - The little girl, accompanied by her brother and two sisters, left home in the best of spirits for a walk. They had proceeded as far as the place locally known as "Salcombe," midway between Teignmouth and Bishopsteignton, where they apparently stopped to gather flowers. A motor-car passed them on its way to Teignmouth and the children then went into the road. Just at that moment another car came upon them proceeding to Newton. Deceased was knocked down. In this car was Lady Hext, wife of Admiral Sir John Hext, of Newton Abbot (the owner), and two other ladies and a gentleman. The chauffeur was driving at a slow pace and says he did not notice the children; in fact, he thought he had a clear road. - The gentleman jumped out of the car and extricated the deceased from underneath. A carriage belonging to Mr J. B. Rodwell, of Pezula, New-road, Teignmouth, arrived on the scene, and Lieut. R. Rodwell and his sister got out and assisted. - The little girl was placed in Sir John Hext's car and taken to Teignmouth. She was just breathing when picked up, but by the time they had arrived at Dr F. W. Morton Palmer's residence in Orchard Gardens, life was extinct, and she was taken to the Mortuary. - Much sympathy is felt for the parents of the deceased, the father being a boatman and lumper. The occupants of the car were naturally much concerned and yesterday morning both Sir John and Lady Hext visited the distressed parents at their residence and expressed their sympathy with them in their sad and sudden bereavement. - At the Inquest held by Mr Sydney Hacker, yesterday, Mr J. H. Hutchings appeared for the chauffeur, Mr Ernest Wellington, and among others present were Admiral Sir John Hext and Lady Hext, and Supt. Cary. - After evidence of identification, it was stated that the car was going down Salcombe Hill, when a number of children were observed at the bottom of the hill. When the horn was sounded, apparently all the children went to the left side. Another car approached and as Sir John Hext's car cleared this one, the deceased ran out from the right side of the road, and was struck on the left side. The car was stopped within its length, and the child discovered at the back, dead. Dr Morton Palmer described the injuries, and said the car apparently went over the child, who died from shock and haemorrhage, caused by fracture of the skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death and found that no blame attached to anyone. - Admiral Sir John Hext said he wished to express, on behalf of himself, his wife, Mr and Mrs Fergus and Miss Russell, and last but not least Ernest Wellington, their great sympathy with the parents of the child. It had been a sad thing for all of them. The Coroner joined in the expression of sympathy.

BARNSTAPLE - Body Of Missing Tradesman Found In The River. - The body of MR RICHARD CHARLEY, a well known butcher, who has carried on business in Barnstaple for many years, and who had been missing since Saturday, was recovered from the river Taw yesterday morning by a boatman named Mock, who, with the assistance of P.C. Pearce and Park Constable Harding, lifted it into a boat and conveyed it to the Slip near the boathouse, where it was put on a stretcher and taken to the mortuary at the North Devon Infirmary to await the Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the North Devon Infirmary in the afternoon, by Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner. - MISS EDITH GERTRUDE CHARLEY, daughter, and who assisted her father n his business, said deceased was 66 years of age. About 16 years ago he had a bad seizure and fell down outside his shop. He was in a serious state for some time, his life being despaired of for a week or two. Since then he had suffered from time to time. He would get excited about small things and witness would then persuade him to go to bed, which he would do, and would then soon be all right again. About a month ago deceased was attended by a doctor for rheumatism in the arm. The business had been going on fairly well, but on Friday a cheque he had drawn was returned from the bank. Deceased cold have met the cheque without difficulty, but the matter upset and worried him. He got in an excitable state and witness sat up with him for a considerable time during the night. Towards morning he seemed all right again. He had never threatened to take his life, and with the exception of this cheque, had nothing to worry him. - By a Juror: He was greatly depressed after the death of his wife, but had got over that. Deceased would worry over little things no one else would take any notice of. - Charles Simmonds deposed to deceased leaving the Hotel on Saturday evening at 6.45, and Harry Moore said he met him from ten to twenty yards on the Barnstaple side of the Great Western Railway Bridge. - A Juryman wondered whether it would have been possible for the deceased to have fallen into the breach in the river bank caused by the recent gale, but Mr Moore said there was no water in the breach when he was there. - Evidence of the recovery of the body was given and also that a bowler hat was found near the iron bridge just after 8 o'clock on Saturday night. - After further evidence, the Coroner summed up, and the Jury returned a verdict of Found Drowned, expressing sympathy with the relatives.

Western Times, Friday 15 March 1912
KENTON - A Starcross Farm Labourer's Tragic Death. - Yesterday, at the Men's Reading room, Starcross, Mr Frank Thomas, (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest on the body of ANDREW GEORGE BAKER, who was found dead in a brook at Cofford Farm, as reported in yesterday's "Western Times." Mr John Sercombe was chosen Foreman of the Jury. MRS MARY JANE BAKER said deceased was her husband, and was 52 years of age. He was a farm labourer in the employ of Mr Wm. Anning, of Cofford Farm, having been there 25 years. She last saw him Tuesday morning, at a quarter past five, when he went to work. He had never threatened to take his life, but a few years ago fell off a horse and had suffered from giddiness since. - James Anning, son of Mr Wm. Anning, stated deceased worked with his father and was threshing on Tuesday afternoon. He might have had extra cider, as usual on those occasions, but was perfectly sober. Witness last saw him about 7 o'clock when he was bedding up the horses and this was done quite satisfactorily. - AMOS BAKER, cousin, also a labourer at the farm, stated that he found the deceased face downwards in the dyke, which was about 6ft. wide and 13 in. deep and ran through the marsh opposite the farm. It was quite possible, though not probable, that deceased went that way home. He could have fallen in from the Dawlish road, but there was no sign of any struggle. - Dr J. Hyde Iles stated that he found no marks of violence. The appearance of the body was quite consistent with drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Times, Tuesday 19 March 1912
EXETER - Exonian's Death. After Eating Mussels For Tea. - An Inquest was held by the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) at the City Police Court yesterday, relative to the death of GEORGE SOWDEN ROBERTS, aged 37, of Old vicarage-road, St. Thomas, who died on Friday evening, after having partaken of boiled mussels. - Mr A. Ross appeared on behalf of Messrs. Ross and son, of the Well Park Brewery, by whom the deceased was employed as a clerk. - The evidence of CLARA AMELIA ROBERTS, the widow, was to the effect that her husband, after reaching home shortly after six o'clock on Friday evening, apparently in his usually good health, partook of some mussels, which he told her he had bought in the street. He was fond of mussels, and had brought them home on several occasions, but they had never before caused him illness. On Friday evening witness and her four children had had their tea, and her husband prepared the mussels himself. He gave the three elder children each three mussels, and ate the rest himself. The eldest girl subsequently complained of feeling sick. The deceased went upstairs to see his aunt, and remained with her about two hours. About half-past eight he came down and remarked that he wished he could be sick, so as to get rid of the mussels he had eaten. He added that he felt "Burning all over." After going to the back of the house, he called to her. He was looking very ill and at his request she loosened his clothes and gave him a glass of water. She tried to get him to swallow it, but failed, and he almost immediately became unconscious. Witness called a neighbour. Police Constables came and rendered aid. Dr Atkins was fetched and shortly after his arrival the deceased recovered consciousness, but eventually expired. Deceased, though not unhealthy, was never strong, and seven years ago suffered from fits. When he was taken ill on Friday evening he was very red in the face, had the sensation of pins and needles in his hands, his mouth was frothy and witness concluded he was suffering from a fit. On the Saturday her son, HERMAN, was taken ill with terrible pains internally and "went all colours." Dr Atkins attended to him. - In answer to a question, witness said she saw her husband remove the beards from the mussels. - Mrs Clara Furze, of Union-street, said on Friday at one o'clock her little girl told her that MR ROBERTS was outside buying mussels from the man he always bought them from. She did not see the man, but recognised his voice as that of a Mr Hooper. - Eli Hooper, a vendor of shell fish, of Preston-street, said on Friday morning he received six bushels of mussels from Starcross. He sold them all in St. Thomas except two or three quarts. He remembered selling some to MR ROBERTS. they were quite fresh, having, he believed, been dredged from the beds that morning. Deceased had previously purchased mussels from him. He did not receive complaints from anybody. He was in the habit of selling 23 to 29 bushels weekly. - P.C. Wood said he found the deceased in an unconscious state. He seemed to rally for a few seconds. He remarked, "Let me go; I shall be better in a minute." He died in the kitchen about 9.30. - Dr Atkins said he found deceased in a state of collapse in the back garden. He took him into the kitchen, placed him on the floor. After giving a few gasps he expired. A post-mortem examination showed that all the organs were healthy. There was no sign of any haemorrhage. It was impossible to say accurately what was the cause of death. Some people were more liable than others to injury from mussels. The same man might be more susceptible to mussel poisoning at one time than another. Much would depend on the state of the stomach. Active mussel poisoning would have an irritating effect similar to that produced by arsenical poisoning. The facts as related by the wife were consistent with mussel poisoning. The illness of the boy was probably late symptoms of the same thing, but the symptoms were not sufficiently marked for witness to say the children were suffering from the same thing as the father. - In answer to Mr H. Pearse (a Juryman), witness said probably after two hours rapid absorption of the poison took place and deceased quickly expired. - The Coroner said it was a question whether it would be advisable to have the contents of the deceased's stomach analysed by the City Analyst. - Mr Pearse suggested that the Inquest should be adjourned for that purpose. There had been a great scare about mussels lately, and the citizens ought to know whether the shell fish were a public danger or not. - Mr Hooper said he should like to know how the mussels were cooked and where they were kept between the time at which they were bought and when they were eaten. - Mr Tickle, the City Analyst, said he could complete his analysis in a week. - The Inquest was accordingly adjourned till Monday next.

PAIGNTON - The Tragic Death Of A Paignton Resident. - Mr S. Hacker, District Coroner, on Friday afternoon held an Inquest at Paignton, relative to the death of JOHN EDWARD TINCKOM, foreman for Mr R. Waycott, who cut his throat with a penknife in the bathroom of his house. - The widow said deceased had been depressed for some time about his hearing, having undergone an operation in London. He was in great pain on Wednesday. About twenty to nine yesterday morning she went to get some papers and on her return, hearing some water running and not seeing deceased, she opened the bathroom door and found her husband on the floor with his throat cut, his penknife being beside him. - Dr Bennett said he found deceased with a deep and jagged wound in the throat, his windpipe being severed. - The Jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane, and passed a vote of sympathy with the widow, in which the Coroner joined.

Western Times, Thursday 21 March 1912
SOUTH MOLTON - Mr G. W. F. Brown (District Coroner) held an Inquest at the Town Hall, South Molton on Wednesday afternoon, Mr James Payne being chosen Foreman of the Jury, touching the death of CHARLES VICARY, a gardener, of East-street, South Molton, aged 62 years, who was apparently in his usual health on Tuesday evening, but was found dead in bed on Wednesday morning at 7.45. Dr Mortimer was called in, but could only pronounce life extinct. The body was identified by MISS MARY VICARY, daughter of the deceased. The evidence given by Dr Mortimer, after making a post-mortem, was that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Monday 25 March 1912
LYMPSTONE - Death From Burns. Lympstone Mystery Still Unsolved. Inquest And Verdict. - An Inquest was held at the Lord Roberts Institute, Lympstone, on Saturday, before Mr E. R. Tweed, touching the death of MARY ANN PREW, widow, aged 52, who died under extraordinary circumstances yesterday. Mr Long was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - ELIZABETH BAMSEY, of Exmouth, stated that the deceased was her sister, whom she last saw at Christmas. She was not weak-minded. Her son, William J. Prew, married sometime since, up to which time he had resided with her. - Mrs Emma Smith, a neighbour, said she saw deceased on Thursday evening at 6.45, and she told witness she should go to work next day. She went out charring. Deceased suffered in her head and complained of biliousness. Her boy, who had always lived with her, had recently married and left for Canada a week ago. This seemed to have affected her and she appeared to be broken down. Mrs Challis found the deceased upstairs lying across the bed. Witness took some coffee to the deceased and asked her how she got burns on her arms and she said she did not know. - Mrs Laura Challis, another neighbour, said she usually saw deceased two or three times a week. She did not think she had been clear in her head lately, owing to her son going away. Mrs Litton came to witness and asked her to go to MRS PREW'S house. Witness went to the house and ran upstairs to the bedroom. She said: "Well, MRS PREW, what is it? What is the matter with your hands?" Deceased replied "Only smut." Her hands were smutty and terribly blistered. Witness had noticed as recently as Thursday that PREW was very poorly and complaining and trembled all over. There were burns on her shoulders. There was an uncorked bottle containing paraffin. This was also kept (as it was found) under a small table about 8ft. from the fireplace. - Nurse Leigh stated that she found deceased suffering from very extensive burns from the ankle to the neck. The legs and arms were blackened and there were deep burns in places. There was a cane seat chair, with the seat burned, by the bedside. Deceased might have rubbed oil or liniment on her body, which subsequently caught fire. There was, however, no oil or liniment in the house - except the paraffin. She was not aware paraffin was used in the neighbourhood as a liniment. She had never considered MRS PREW a mental sufferer. - P.C. Rabley said he examined the house and saw the rug produced, which was singed in two placed. In the kitchen under the side table he found an uncorked bottle with a quarter pint of paraffin in it. - Dr Fitzsimons said he saw MRS PREW at 9.40 a.m. She was lying in bed and was terribly burned. She died at 1.10 p.m. in his presence. She made no statement as to how she got burned. She died from burns, which might have resulted from an application of mineral oil. He could not, however, account for the cause. There was no smell of paraffin. - A Juror suggested that deceased had been burning an old hat. - P.C. Rabley said he had searched the fire-place and found no evidence of this. - The Coroner: It seems an extraordinary case that we cannot get at the reason for a sane woman apparently smearing herself with the oil and then burning herself. - Mrs Litton was called and said she was a next-door neighbour and heard no sounds at all in MRS PREW'S house during the night. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Burns" and added that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the deceased became burned.

Western Times, Tuesday 26 March 1912
EXETER - Mussel Poisoning. Adjourned Inquest On The Exeter Victim. - The case of supposed poisoning by mussels at Exeter occupied the attention of the Coroner, Mr Linford Brown and a Jury at the City Police Station yesterday. The unfortunate victim was MR GEORGE SOWDEN ROBERTS, aged 37, a clerk in the employ of the Well Park Brewery, who died on Friday week last. The Enquiry was opened, it will be remembered last week and adjourned for the evidence of the City Analyst. From the evidence then given, it was shown that deceased ate mussels for his tea, after which he was taken ill and died. - The widow, recalled, said that the mussels were not boiled at home. Deceased simply threw boiling water over them. he last had a fit seven years ago. - Mr House, cashier at the Brewery, said that on the day of his death, when ROBERTS came back to office from dinner he brought in a parcel, which he locked in his desk. When he was going home to tea he took the parcel and said it contained mussels and that he was going to cook them and have a good tea. Witness told him he would not eat one if he were given a cartload. ROBERTS added that he was poisoned with mussels some years ago, but since then he had always cooked them himself and was very careful to always remove the "beard" and weed from them. Deceased was a temperate man and witness had not seen him drink anything that day. - James Chapman, fisherman of Starcross, said he supplied Hooper, from whom ROBERTS bought the mussels, with fish and sent him mussels on the Friday morning. They were taken from the beds on Thursday afternoon, and kept on the Station Platform. Since September he had sent away 2,305 bags of mussels and had not had a single complaint. - The Foreman: Were these not on the platform too long? - Oh, no; they would keep a week. I have known them in the market a fortnight before the Inspector condemned them. - Charles Waycott, a young man living in Cowick-street, said that on March 13th he went to Hooper's fish shop in Preston-street and bought a penny plate of mussels. He ate them in the shop and about twenty minutes later he had an aching pain in his stomach. He could not vomit. He went and drank some scald milk and about ten minutes afterwards he was able to vomit the mussels. He was then better. He had the pains for about three-parts of an hour. - Hooper, through the Coroner, asked witness: Were you told some months ago when you went to the shop and said you felt a pain, not to eat mussels in future, as your blood wouldn't allow you to? - I did have a pain once before, but I thought it was through having no breakfast and therefore I tried mussels again. - Mr T. Tickle, City Analyst, said he had found no irritant poison - or any of the poisons recognisable as such - in the contents of deceased's stomach. - The Coroner: Would mussels affect seem people and not others? - That is so. - That poison is difficult to detect? - It would be in all ordinary circumstances impossible to recognise it under conditions such as I had here, for the poison would be in digested and partly digested food and derived from mussels undergoing decomposition and change. - Hooper said that the pouring of boiling water was not the proper way to cook mussels and they ought not to have been kept in the desk five hours. What, he asked, did Mr Tickle say to that? - Mr Tickle: There is some reason to believe that complete and perfect cooking renders people less liable to suffer from the effects of mussels. - The Coroner said that undoubtedly mussels did affect some people and not others, and it was significant that though Hooper sold many mussels on the day in question only deceased was poisoned. - The Jury, after a private consultation, returned a verdict of death due to "Accidental" Mussel Poisoning. They expressed their condolence with the widow and family. - Dr Adkins, Medical Officer to the Devon County Council, was present. [Note: There is a picture in the newspaper of Mr George Sowden Roberts.]

STRATTON, CORNWALL - Child's Death From Burns At Stratton. - Dr Thompson held an Inquest at Stratton, on Saturday, relative to the death of ALBERT COOK, son of JOHN COOK, a labourer, of Upcott, Welcombe. - The mother stated that on March 1st she went out to let out the cow, leaving the child, 2 years and 5 months old, alone in the kitchen. When she returned a few minutes later she found him with his clothes on fire, smouldering. The fire was on the hearth and unprotected. Dr Braund was in the parish and the patient was promptly attended to. - Dr Chamberlain said the child was brought to Stratton Cottage Hospital on the eighth day after the accident. He could not be admitted before, as the Hospital was already over full. The child was severely burnt about the lower part of the trunk and died from exhaustion, caused by the burns. - The Jury, of whom Mr J. H. Treleven, J.P., was the foreman, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and endorsed the views of the Coroner that the provisions of the Act for the Protection of Children sold be more generally known and observed.

Western Times, Wednesday 27 March 1912
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Fatality. Opening Of The Inquest On The Victims. The Relief Fund. - On Monday, Mr A. M. Davson, Borough Coroner, opened an Inquest relative to the death of MRS CALLARD and her children. Mr Percy Atkins was Foreman of the Jury. - Mr Davson said the Inquiry was one of the most terrible experiences he had had since he commenced his duties as Coroner for the district. - Frank Pound, a coal lumper, of Clarence-street, was the first witness called. He said that about 12.30 the previous night he was on the South Embankment, and on looking up Oxford-street, saw flames and smoke issuing from between two chimneys and a window. He ran up through the street and saw that the buildings in Newcomen-road were on fire. He climbed over into the Council Schoolyard and then saw a man named Ash jump through a window. Ash was picked up in an injured condition and was taken to the Hospital. Witness said he endeavoured to get through a passage leading to the property, but could not do so, because the place was like a dungeon. - By the Foreman: No one else was about at that time. - Replying to Supt. Jeffery, witness said he passed P.C. Stuart at Bayard's Cove. - P.C. Stuart stated that whilst at Bayord's Cove he heard someone shouting fire. He at once proceeded to the Newcomen-road, where he saw a block of building on fire. The flames were pouring from a window and he made enquiries as to the occupants. He also sent for the Fire Brigade and for additional Police. Witness then went through the passage to the back of the buildings, and, on reaching the garden, saw Mrs Ash, who told him that a woman and her three children were in the room. He tried to get into the house, but it was absolutely impossible to do so in consequence of the dense smoke. - William Harris, coal lumper, said that about half-past one that morning he went to the scene of the fire, and did what he could with others, acting upon the instructions of the Police-Sergeant. Witness and a man named F. Alexander set to work to discover the bodies of MRS CALLARD and her children. He dug among the ashes and after about half an hour, Alexander said to him, "Look, here is something here." They started to work, and came upon the body of a child which was badly burnt. They called the attention of the Sergeant, who thought it was a child who had been sleeping in a bedroom in the upper storey. The Police Sergeant gave him instructions to go to work carefully again and get the body out. They did so and it was placed on an ambulance and taken to the mortuary. They continued to dig and subsequently the bodies of the mother and the two other children were discovered. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said they could not recognise the bodies. The child's remains were found close to the fire-place. - The Inquiry was adjourned until Friday next at three o'clock. MRS ASH - Tells Thrilling Story Of Heroic Rescues. - In the proverbial nine days the name of MRS ASH of Dartmouth, will probably be forgotten, and few will remember her heroism. Yet yesterday Dartmouth rang with her name. And well it might, for surely in the long list of acts of bravery performed from time to time by Devonians, more or less famous, there are few more meritorious than that of this plucky woman. - It was in connection with the disastrous fire at Dartmouth that she won her laurels. A woman in a humble walk of life, resident in a tenement, of exceedingly quiet - almost listless - appearance, she appeared just the last person in the world from whom such conspicuous heroism might be expected. - She was sleeping at the time of the outbreak, but as soon as she became aware of the danger she was out of bed in an instant. There was no time to dress, not even a moment to snatch up a single garment, for life was in danger. Her husband was unable to help himself, being overcome by the fumes, and so she set herself the task of saving him. And she did it. - Then there was another life very dear to her - that of her mother, an old lady between sixty and seventy, an invalid. Once again MRS ASH entered the burning building and reaching her mother, carried her bodily to a place of safety. One would imagine that having done as much she would have been exhausted, but the woman was frantic in her endeavours to save her neighbours. - There was in that little room up a rickety flight of stairs, a mother, father and four children. She made an effort to reach them, but the suffocating fumes overcame her. Then, determined to use every effort, she actually stripped off the only garment that she wore and, wrapping it round her mouth, plunged yet again into the house, which was now like a furnace. Reaching the room, and feeling about in the blinding smoke, she touched a body. It was that of a man and with superhuman effort he, too, was dragged to safety. - Again she faced death, but it was impossible for her to enter now, for the flames beat her back. P.C. Stuart met her and learned that there were lives in peril. He, too, tried to enter, but tried in vain. - Fiercer and fiercer came the flames, till the narrow space between the building and the boundary wall became like a fiery furnace. They wrapped MRS ASH in a policeman's overcoat and took her away. The others they carried up a long flight of steep stone steps into the fresh air of the garden beyond. - Later in the day those who had suffered were invited by the Mayor to state their requirements to a little committee. The victims came forward one at a time and explained their various needs. According to their necessities they were relieved. - There was one other to appear. It was MRS ASH. As she came forward there were tears in the eyes of more than one matter-of-fact man of the world and the genial police-sergeant (P.S. Rogers) who himself had worked unceasingly the night through - a man accustomed to touching scenes - found the situation too much even for him. He patted her gently on the back. "Brave woman!" he said. A big lump rose up in his throat and he turned away, unable to add more. - Late on Monday evening, concludes our correspondent, I tried to find MRS ASH. They told me she was in the Hospital being treated for injuries. I sought her, but she was not there, but, while everybody else was talking of her bravery, our heroine was at her accustomed work cleaning up the Catholic School. Her sad eyes were sadder still, while her face was just a shade more pale as the result of her exertions on that memorable night. - MRS ASH Tells Her Story. - Seen by a representative of the "Western Times" yesterday, MRS MAUD M ASH, who, it was apparent had gone through great physical and mental strain in her trying ordeal on Monday, said: "My husband and myself were awakened by screams sometime after midnight. I do not know exactly what time. I said, "Someone is calling fire." My husband doubted me, but I was certain and opened the bedroom door and found the staircase full of smoke and the bottom burning furiously. Our escape in that direction was cut off. We passed through a neighbour's tenement, when I missed my mother - our representative saw the old lady, who was apparently not much the worse for her trying experience - and therefore returned for her. The room was very full of smoke, but I lifted her out all right at the back of the tenement, although she was unconscious. I then found that the Callards were missing, in spite of the talk that all were out of the house and I went in again into the building which was burning furiously. Reaching the Callard's room, I heard Mr Callard exhorting his wife to bear up. Her reply I did not catch, as I was driven back by the heat and smoke, which was very thick indeed. A second attempt to enter the room met with the same result, but as I heard someone moving about I decided to try again. Wrapping my nightgown about my head - you know I was only wearing my night things at the time - I managed to enter the room, but could see nothing for the smoke. Whilst feeling about, someone grabbed hold of me and I at once went towards the door and hauled the person up the stairs into safety. It proved to be Mr Callard, who by this time was unconscious. As we got into the open air at the rear of the premises, I was overcome and fell unconscious across Mr Callard's body." - MRS ASH concluded her simple, yet dramatic story with the remark that "How she had the strength to drag Mr Callard from the room into safety in the open air before collapsing herself, Heaven only knew." She felt very thankful at being able to render the help she had, and to have herself escaped unhurt. [Note: There is a picture of Mrs Maud Mary Ash, the lady who rescued Mr Callard.]

Western Times, Thursday 28 March 1912
KENNERLEIGH - Sad Fatality At Kennerleigh. - Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Kennerleigh, yesterday, relative to the death of WILLIAM HENRY HELLIER. - EMILY HELLIER, of Kennerleigh, identified the body. Deceased was a carter and aged 43 years. Miss Elsie May Davey, of Kennerleigh, said that on Monday, a few minutes after 5 o'clock, she saw the deceased pass the Crossway from Woolfardisworthy to Kennerleigh. He was driving a team of horses in a wagon, and was walking beside them. Afterwards, when she came further up the road, at the top of Tridley Foot Hill, she saw deceased between the front and hind wheels of the wagon, on the left side. The horses had stopped. She at once ran for help. - William Perry, of Woolfardisworthy, who was called by the last witness, said the fore wheel of the wagon was on deceased's left arm and the hind wheel on his feet. They took him out, but the deceased was dead. The hind wheel was chained, but the shoe was hung u in its place. There was nothing to indicate what could have caused the deceased to fall under the wagon. - Henry Webber, carter, of Kennerleigh, said he was in the same employ as deceased. The horses deceased were driving were quiet. - Dr Pratt, of Morchard Bishop, said he saw the deceased at about 6 p.m. on Monday. He was then dead. The ribs on the left side were crushed. There was a scratch on the left thigh and the right heel was twisted. In witness's opinion the cause of death was shock, due to pressure on the heart from the ribs. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

THORVERTON - An Inquest was held at Thorverton yesterday by Mr H. W. Gould relative to the death of WILLIAM DYMENT. - WILLIAM HENRY DYMENT said the deceased, his father, had been a shoemaker at Thorverton, and was aged 67 years. Yesterday about 11.30, the deceased left his workshop and went to the wash-house. A few minutes later he heard groaning and, on going to see what was the matter, he found his father in a semi-kneeling position. He said, "I am faint; lay me back; let me lie back." He died within a minute. He had never known his father ill, but he had complained of indigestion. Deceased had breakfast about nine, consisting of bacon, fish and potatoes,, and he had not done any violent work, or exerted himself unduly, that morning. - Dr O. Clayton Jones, Silverton, said he was of the opinion that the cause of death was heart failure. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

CHAWLEIGH - Little Boy Drowned At Chawleigh. - Mr H. W. Gould held an Inquest yesterday at Chawleigh relative to the death of GEORGE BIRD, aged 6 years. ALICE BIRD, wife of FRED BIRD, general labourer, of Chawleigh, identified the body as that of her son. She last saw deceased alive at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, the 23rd inst., when he went out to pick some flowers. He had a little hand-cart with him, and his sister, aged 4 years, was with him also. She came home and told witness that her brother had fallen into the river and, on going to the spot, she found his cart standing there. - P.C. Frederick John Harriss, of Chulmleigh, deposed to recovering the body on the following day at 11 a.m. from the river, about half a mile from where deceased had fallen in. - Mr Joseph Tucker, Surgeon, of Chulmleigh, having given evidence, the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Drowning."

Western Times, Friday 29 March 1912
EXETER - Pensioner's Sudden Death At Exeter. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court yesterday relative to the death of EMMANUEL HANCOCK, an old age pensioner, of 27 Clifton-road. - Mrs Barrett, 27 Clifton-road, stated that deceased had not been laid up for about 12 years. On Tuesday he came home to dinner about 1.30 p.m. and seemed all right. Afterwards he went to get some coal, and as he did not return, witness went out and saw him lying in the coal-house. She called him, but got no answer and she sent for a doctor. - Dr Duncan stated that the cause of death was syncope, due to the diseased state of the heart and lungs. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

BUCKFASTLEIGH - A Buckfastleigh Fatality. - An Inquest was held by Mr Sidney Hacker (County Coroner) on Wednesday afternoon at Buckfastleigh Town Hall, relative to the death of FRANCES MARY FULL, aged 8 months, daughter of MR and MRS RICHARD FULL. - EMMA FULL said on Monday morning she put the child to bed as usual, about half-past nine. Whilst the child was asleep she went into the back yard to do her washing. She sent her husband up about 11 o'clock and he found the baby still asleep. About 12 o'clock she went up and found her awake and propped her up with pillows and gave her playthings as she was accustomed to do, leaving her alone until the one o'clock dinner hour. On going up for her she could not see her in the bed, but discovered her with her feet in the cradle and the head and body down between the cradle and bed. Witness pulled her up and laid her on the bed and ran out into the street to call for help. Mrs Susan Cole at once came in and she thought the child was dead. - Mrs Cole gave evidence to this effect. - Dr Kiddle said he found a bruise on the left jaw and a dislocated neck. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 30 March 1912
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Tragedy. Mrs Ash Tells Her Story At The Inquest. Jury's Verdict. - At Dartmouth yesterday, Mr Coroner Davson opened an Inquest on the victims of Monday's awful fire. - Mrs Maud Mary Ann Ash, wife of Charles Henry Ash, coal lumper, who was wearing a long faded cloak and cap and who has quite lost her voice, being only able to speak in a whisper, said her rooms were number 3 just above the kitchen. - "On Sunday, I, my husband and my mother, Mary Ann Cole, 61 years old, went to bed at 9.30. Mrs Cole occupied a room on the same floor, but they had to pass through a kitchen to reach the room. I could not state the time, but I was awakened by a cry of 'Charlie Ash, your house is on fire.' I roused my husband, got out of bed, opened the door, and ran to the top of the stairs. The room instantly filled with thick smoke, so that we could not see each other. Then I saw that the stairs were alight. I went back through the kitchen to my mother's bedroom. The smoke overcame the old lady, and I had to carry her out on the landing. I had to go further up the stairs to get to Mr Adams' rooms. There was a door between which was bolted. They were just opening it as I banged at it. Mr Adams opened it, I believe, and helped us into the garden. The passage was full of smoke. I couldn't see anyone and I heard someone calling and said, 'MRS CALLARD is not out yet. Tying my nightdress over my mouth, I went back through Mr Adams' room into the passage. As I groped my way along, I felt two people together - MR and MRS CALLARD, I believe - and pulled them along, but the smoke overcame me. I went into the room again and MR CALLARD said, 'For God's sake, MAUD, keep up,' and she replied, 'I can't, HERB; I can't'. Then there was a crash and they fell, I believe, to the ground. I was again overcome with the smoke, but went back the third time to Mr Adams' kitchen and somebody caught hold of me. It proved to be MR CALLARD. I turned round and carried him out to the steps and called for help, and someone came to my assistance. Then I was quite overcome with the smoke. We were all in the garden together. Higher up Mr Partridge gave me his boots and fetched something to cover me up. The Police came and I told them MRS CALLARD was in the house. They tried to get into the house but were driven back. The staircase burnt was the only way of escape. But for the door through the Adams' we should have been burnt to death. MRS CALLARD has been sleeping, since her confinement, with the two babies in the kitchen. MR CALLARD slept above with the other children. - By the Coroner: How far were you away when this conversation took place? - I can't say. There was so much smoke. - By Supt. Jeffery: Mother was in bed, all day. I saw all the lights out before I went to bed. - Supt. Jeffery: I think she has given her evidence remarkably well - Very clearly indeed. - The Coroner concurred. - George Adams, fisherman, who lived in 12 Newcomin House, said he had lived in the tenement for 35 years and occupied the rooms furthest from the street and next to the garden. he and his wife and grand-daughter occupied these rooms. It was about 10.30 when he went to bed. He heard somebody shout "fire," and as he got out of the bed the voice came nearer. There was no sign of the smell of smoke in his room. He called to his wife and grand-daughter to get on their things as quickly as possible and hearing somebody calling went down and opened the door. There were a couple of trunks and chairs in front of the door. These he pulled out of the way and unbolting the door found the passage full of smoke. He called to his wife to go into the garden, and turning round found Mrs Ash coming through the door pulling her mother along. Taking hold of Mrs Cole he helped her into the garden, and Mrs Ash went back again. Next he heard her screaming for help as she was choking. Witness went into the passage again and met Mrs Ash pulling along a man with her arms under the armpits. Witness caught hold of the man's legs and they carried him bodily into the garden in an unconscious state. They thought he was dead. Flames were coming up the passage, and it was impossible to enter it again. They went back into the kitchen but could not go further, flames were coming up in all directions. The windows were the only way of escape. He had no idea as to the origin of the fire except that it started at the very foot of the staircase. - Samuel Henry Partridge, coal lumper, living at No. 10 Newcomin House with his wife and five children in three rooms, one over the steps outside and two over the Bulleys. CALLARD and Ash were above him. He went to bed at 9.15 on Sunday night. The little boy came in and said Beattie said the room was full of smoke and she fancied she saw a light under the bed. He sent his wife out with two and went for the other three children, getting them all out into the cemented court. Then he heard MR CALLARD shouting, "For God Almighty's sake help." Witness replied "I can't get near you or even see you." He called out, "Look out Harry," and with the same he felt something strike him on the shoulder and looking down saw it was CALLARD'S boy. He took him and another child into the street and returning he helped his wife and the children up to the garden. Then he helped out old Mrs Lidston. Flames were everywhere then, you could not see for smoke, even when CALLARD threw out his boy, he believed from the top window, the smoke was very dense. In the garden he saw CALLARD and the two women in their night dresses. There was no sign of fire or smoke when he went to bed. - John Drake, an old man, grocer and confectioner, who occupied the shop, with his wife and daughter, said on Sunday night he went to bed about eleven, when everything appeared all safe. His wife roused him and at first he thought it was a row in the street. He called his son and they went downstairs and opened the door into the store, when smoke rushed out so thick that witness fell down. When he recovered his breath he went up for his wife, but his son had got her out and returned to witness's assistance. His store under the stairs was against Bulley's kitchen wall. He had not seen any smoke himself in the store at any time, but had heard his wife say something about it. - In answer to the Jury, he said no lights were taken to the store. It was fitted with electric light and on Sunday night everything was quite safe. - Mr J. H. Wallis, Chief of the Fire Brigade, said that when he arrived flames were issuing from the building. He told his men to connect with the nearest hydrant and tried to get into the passage to see if everyone was safe and was told, as far as they knew the tenants had got out safely into the garden at the back of the premises. By this time the hose was playing on the fire from the schoolyard. The fire escape was brought in, and raised to one of the windows overlooking the schoolroom, and it was found the interior of the building was full of flame. Stationing a man with the hose here, he managed to save the front of the building. By this time he thought the engine should have arrived, and this was the case. Two jets were brought into play, one through the front and the other up part of the passage and on a level with Mrs Lidstone's rooms, through a neighbouring garden. This was attended with considerable risk. He was struck several times. From the centre to the end the building was full of flames and it was impossible to enter the building. By three o'clock they had mastered the fire. He heard from the Police that MRS CALLARD and her children had not been able to escape and they tried to find the bodies, but were baffled by the heat until daylight, when, after about threequarters of an hour, they found the bodies as previously described. With the Sergeant, he visited the premises the following day and thought the fire commenced somewhere near the main staircase. He found a beam in the wall directly behind Mr Bulley's fireplace running into the store occupied by Mr Drake. This was absolutely burnt through and in his opinion this had come in contact with Bulley's kitchen flue and had been ignited and so caught the goods in Drake's store. - By the Foreman: He was informed that MRS CALLARD was lost in the building soon after he arrived. - By Supt. Jeffery: Bulley's kitchen proper had not been hurt by the fire, but this beam which ran horizontally along the wall towards the schoolroom, had been burnt right through. He had no doubt that this was the cause of the fire. - William Harris, coal lumper, of Clarence-street, Dartmouth, repeated the evidence previously given as to the finding of the bodies. - Sergt. Rogers said about 12.40 on Monday he received the call and with Constables White and Friendship proceeded to the spot. He first saw Mr Drake being helped out by his son. Being well acquainted with the premises at the back he ran through the passage half way and was almost overcome by the smoke and fire and had to return. Going up an adjoining passage, known as Trigg's passage, he went up to the back and got over the garden wall. By that time the whole block of buildings from Mr Drake's shop to the rear was burning like a furnace. When he got to the top window he saw Mrs Ash, her mother and MR CALLARD and had them removed to a place of safety. They made repeated attempts to enter the building, first from the door leading from Mr Adams' room, and then down to the court where the partridges escaped. But the flames were leaping out many feet from the doorway and windows, and slates were falling in all directions and the smoke was as black as ink owing to the roof being tarred. He was positive no one could live in those buildings for very long. They had proof of this in the condition of the man CALLARD. He left P.C. Stuart in charge of the rescued people and helped in the work of trying to prevent the fire spreading to adjoining buildings which were seriously threatened, seeing that everybody was out of the rooms. Then he assisted the Brigade until the fire was out, which was about three o'clock. From the time of his arrival it was impossible to enter the buildings. Witness described the recovery of the bodies and their terribly burnt condition. - By the Coroner: All the persons in the building other than those four had been accounted for. - Witness agreed with the chief officer of the Brigade as to the beam which was charred right through as being the cause of the fire. There was a fire in Bulley's kitchen on Sunday night. It was at this point the flames were fiercest when he arrived and he felt certain that MRS CALLARD and her children were then dead. - Supt. Jeffery wished to place on record the assistance of the Naval authorities and Mr Wilkins' tug "The Totnes" also the civilian helpers. - The Coroner said it was one of the saddest enquiries it had ever been their misfortune to hold. But to every cloud there was a silver lining and in this case it was the conduct of Mrs Ash, who had acted in a most heroic manner. He felt sure that the people in Dartmouth and throughout the country would join in expressing the greatest admiration of her conduct. Everything that was serviceable, in his opinion, seemed to have been done. - The Jury in returning a verdict of "Death from Misadventure," associated themselves with the Coroner's remarks and hoped the conduct of Mrs Ash would receive official recognition. - The Coroner at the close said: "Mrs Ash, we feel proud that we have such a heroine in our midst." - The Mayor, Fire Brigade and Police will attend the funeral. - Mrs Ash's conduct has been brought to the notice of the Royal Humane Society and the Carnegie Hero Fund. - The Jury added to the verdict an expression of appreciation of the prompt efforts of the Police and Fire Brigade to effect a rescue.

Western Times, Tuesday 2 April 1912
TORQUAY - Torquay Tragedy. Enquiry Into The Drowning Fatality. A Teacher's Warning. - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday afternoon, by Mr Sidney Hacker, Coroner, into the circumstances attending the drowning fatality on Saturday, when two little girls, named WINIFRED and KATIE WYATT lost their lives. - Mr P. H. Almy watched the proceedings on behalf of the Torquay Town Council. Mr R. Claude Wood, who assisted in trying to restore animation, was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - DINAH WYATT, the mother of the children, identified the bodies and said she resided at 5 Myrtle-cottages, Stentiford's-hill, Torquay. She was the wife of a mason named JAMES WYATT. KATE was six years old and WINIFRED four years. Witness had seven children living, all of whom were at home. She had had nine children. The two little ones who were dead left home for the sands at 12.30 on Saturday afternoon, in charge of an elder daughter, named JESSIE, aged nine years. Other children accompanied them to the foreshore at Torre Abbey. A child named Bessie Uglow went to her house about one o'clock and told her, her little ones were in the water. Witness rushed out into the Torbay-road to learn the worst respecting them. - Bessie Uglow, 11 years of age, told her pathetic little story of the occurrence. They all went down on Torre Abbey Sands Going along the rocks separating the first beach from Corbyn's Beach, little KITTY slipped and fell into the water. WINNIE tried to save her and also fell in. Both slipped on the slimy seaweed on the rocks. JESSIE WYATT, the eldest of the sisters, tried to reach the little ones and fell in, but managed to scramble out. Witness ran up the steps and called a lady, and told her what had happened. An elderly man said he could not go, as he was too aged. Eventually a young man arrived on the scene and got the pair out of the water. They had been in for a long time then. Witness said she had walked along the rocks and concrete platform before, but her teacher had told her not to go there when the tide was up. - George McBrearty, a young man of Marychurch, said he was waiting for a tram near the scene of the accident, when a young lady came to him and said two children were drowning or drowned near by. Witness went down the steps outside the King's Gardens and saw the children in the water, midway between the steps and the first sands. he swam in and brought them ashore. They were just under the surface of the water, which was at that point almost six feet deep. A man on the shore assisted him in the rescue. Witness had to swim five or six yards to reach the children. He brought them ashore singly. They were dead when he reached them. - There was hardly anyone else about. Witness and the man carried the bodies to the steps and witness went for assistance. Two Policemen arrived on the scene and an attempt was made at artificial respiration. - By a Juror: It was very greasy at the spot where the children slipped. The two children had on no boots when he brought them ashore. - Sister's Narrow Escape. - JESSIE WYATT, sister of the victims, deposed that she went to rescue her sisters and slipped into the water. She was nearly drowned herself, but managed to catch hold of the rocks and pull herself out. - P.C. Tucker said at 2.5 p.m. on Saturday he received information that two children had been drowned near the Grand Hotel and he proceeded to the spot and found the bodies lying on the steps. Metta Breaty and JESSIE WYATT were there. Mr Claude Wood, the Foreman of the Jury, and himself tried artificial respiration for three-quarters of an hour unsuccessfully. Others assisted in the work and a doctor was sent for by other constables soon after the attempt at animation had commenced. Eventually Dr Soper, of Dartmouth arrived on the scene, and he pronounced life to be extinct in both cases. - By the Coroner: Witness said that children were often on the platform of rocks referred to, or on the top of the sea wall and the Police frequently ordered them away. - By the Foreman: Witness had only just arrived and taken the names before he (Mr Wood) came on the scene. - Dr G. M. Soper, of Dartmouth, said he examined the bodies of the victims. The one child that was in the King's Gardens was dead, and he afterwards saw the other one, which was lifeless. There was a cut on the left ankle of the eldest child. Death in both cases resulted from drowning. - The Coroner thought it was a very sad occurrence to have taken place in Torquay. He reviewed the evidence adduced, and said he thought the sloping platform from beneath the wall was built for the protection of the foundations of the Torquay seawall and not for a promenade. They had heard that the children had been told not to go there. McBrearty, with great humanity went into the water to try to save the children, but it appeared they were quite dead when brought ashore. The accident had been clearly explained, but he did not know whether any suggestion ought to be made to prevent accidents of the kind in future. It was a dangerous place, but children knew that they ought not to go there. - The Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed the hope that the Town Council would make that particular spot more safe. - The Coroner: It is very doubtful if anything can be done or could be suggested. - Mr Almy: I wish there had been some practical suggestion. There had been no fatality there before. - The Foreman suggested that the place should be scraped and kept clean of weed and made level. - Mr Almy: And a week later it would be as bad as ever. The weed has been removed before. Mr Almy promised, however, to convey the wishes of the Jury to the Council.

Western Times, Wednesday 3 April 1912
TAVISTOCK - Inquest On The Tavistock Fatality. - At the Tavistock Cottage Hospital yesterday afternoon, Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of FREDERICK GEORGE KELLY, son of a Devonport fireman, who was run over on Friday last by a motor lorry at St. Ann's Chapel, to which place he was on a visit and died on the following morning at the Tavistock Hospital from the injuries he received. - Dr C. W. Seccombe, of Calstock stated that he found the boy in bed with severe injuries to both legs, one of which was fractured below the knee and there were severe laceration of the tissues. The wounds were full of mud and grit. The lad was conscious, but in great pain, and suffered from shock. The cause of death was shock, due to the severity of the injuries and loss of blood. - ALBERT S. KELLY said that he was a fireman in the employ of the Devonport Corporation, and that the deceased was his son, and was five years of age. He was staying with his mother on a visit to his grandfather at St. Ann's Chapel, and was a strong and active lad. - Frederick Thomas Knott stated that he saw a motor lorry just outside St. Ann's Chapel, going in the direction of Callington, and observed a child riding on the draw-bar, which was about three feet from the ground and which connected the motor with a van. After proceeding for several yards he heard a shout and on turning round he saw the child lying in the road, injured. - The Coroner said that he did not think anyone was to blame, and the Jury, of whom Sergt.-Major Bowles was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They commended Sergt. Bate, of Calstock and Mr Rickard, for the efficient way in which they rendered first aid, and expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents.

CHRISTOW - A Case Of Overlaying At Christow. - At Christow yesterday the County Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould) held an Inquest relative to the death of the infant female child of WILLIAM HENRY GOVE, rabbit trapper. - The father said deceased was born on 30th March and appeared to be healthy. She was fed naturally on Saturday night and was awake until 3.30 a.m., when she went to sleep, witness also going to sleep as well. At 4.30 a.m. he found the child dead, but there were no clothes over her mouth. His wife was attended by the parish nurse. She gave no warning, so far as he was aware, not to let the child sleep in the same bed. He had eleven children living. - Chas. Fenwick, of Dunsford, Surgeon, said that on examination of the body of the child he found the child was well developed and there were no marks of violence. A post mortem revealed no signs of disease. The heart and other organs were engorged with blood, which indicated suffocation, but there was no sign of suffocation. - the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death from Suffocation, the result of Overlaying."

Western Times, Thursday 4 April 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Schoolboy's Tragic Death. Inquest On A Fifteen Year-Old Boy At Barnstaple. - There was a most distressing occurrence at Barnstaple late on Saturday afternoon, when a bright fifteen-year-old schoolboy died from strangulation, as the result of hanging. - An Inquest was held at Barnstaple on Monday by the Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, respecting the death of HERBERT WESTACOTT, 15, who was found hanged. JOHN WESTACOTT, father, said the deceased was 15 years old last Thursday. He was of a cheerful and contented disposition and he had had no trouble with him whatever. The boy was getting on very well at the Grammar School at which he was a pupil, and did not worry about his home work. If he could not do any part of it he would go out and return later to do it. On Saturday morning the lad played for some time with the rope with which he was afterwards found hanging, and seemed in his usual health and good spirits. - The mother, MRS EMILY WESTACOTT, characterised the lad as one of the best of boys, and said he took to his schooling very well indeed. - By the Foreman: He had never complained that the school lessons were too much for him. - MISS OLIVE WESTACOTT, the deceased's aunt, also spoke of the boy's bright nature. About twenty to four on Saturday a little boy told her the fowls were running out of the yard, because the garden gate was open and on going to investigate matters, she found her nephew, who had previously been playing near the house, hanging from a beam where a fowls' house was in course of erection at the top of the garden. There was no movement in him when, with the assistance of Miss Parrish and witness's mother, the body was cut down. Artificial respiration was unsuccessfully tried. - Miss Parrish who spoke to cutting the body down, said the feet were just off the ground. - Miss Parrish mentioned that the remainder of the rope was twisted around the beam, not tied. - P.C. Alfred Hill said that judging by the length of the rope depending from the beam, the boy's feet were just touching the ground. - Dr Ware said death was due to strangulation. Summing up, the Coroner said it was possible that the deceased was standing on the edge of the bar at the bottom of the barn playing a game with the rope and that he fell off accidentally. Of course, there was nothing to show definitely. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death by Strangulation, and added that there was no evidence to show how it happened.

SOUTH ZEAL - South Zeal Fatality. Inquest Follows Labourer's Sudden Death. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at the Cawsand Beacon Hotel, South Zeal, yesterday, concerning the death of THOMAS CHRISTOPHER OSBORNE, labourer, of Rockside Cottage. - Mr E. Sampson was appointed Foreman of the Jury. - It appeared that deceased returned from Bridford on Sunday and died at one o'clock on Monday. - His father said he had not seen him since August last. - Deceased's mother deposed that she sent for the doctor, but death ensued soon after. - P.C. Berry of South Zeal, said he was called to the house. He searched the room, but found nothing to cause any suspicion. - Elizabeth Wills, of Bridford, said deceased had asked her for the name of a rat poison. He left there for Exeter on Wednesday and returned on Friday, when he was seen to take something from his box. - Dr G. V. Burd stated that he had made a post mortem examination and in his opinion there was poison in the stomach, which was inflamed. It was possible to find similar conditions even if a person had not taken poison. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" but added that there was not sufficient evidence to determine the precise cause of death.

FREMINGTON - The Fatal Accident At Barnstaple Junction Station. - The death of HENRY WILLIAM HENDY, aged 34, porter and night watchman, who died as the result of an accident at Barnstaple Junction Station, L. and S.W.R., was Enquired into yesterday at the deceased's residence, at Deptford, Fremington, by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner. Mr a. F. Seldon represented the Railway Company and Mr A. E. Hopper, the A.S.R.S. - MRS HENDY spoke to her husband leaving home after dinner quite well on Monday and returning again just after six in the evening, in the company of fellow employees. He complained of his head, became very ill later in the evening and died early on Tuesday morning. - James Chugg, shunter, said the deceased was pulling a tarpaulin across a truck of manure in the Station yard on Monday afternoon and he slipped, falling seven foot on his head in the roadway. He appeared dazed, but after a time recovered somewhat and walked to his home, a distance of a mile, with other workmen. - Dr Kendrew deposed that a post-mortem examination had revealed a fracture of the skull in the let frontal region. This had burst a blood vessel, causing a large clot of blood outside the brain, which had caused death. Nothing could have been done to save the man's life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 6 April 1912
EXETER - Young Man's Death At Exeter. - At the Court House, Exeter, on Thursday, the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of ARTHUR EWINGS, aged 17, of 18 Union-terrace, Cheeke-street, who died on Tuesday. - JAMES EWINGS said the deceased, his son, was a shop porter. He complained of pains in his heart and asked his mother for a seidlitz powder, but he got no better. Witness advised him to see the doctor, but deceased did not. He seemed all right on Saturday and on Sunday did some work in the garden. On Monday witness sent for Dr. Pereira, as deceased was unconscious, but he subsequently regained consciousness. - FLORENCE TOUT, 2 Wesleyan-court, sister, said after the doctor left, deceased was convulsed, swinging his legs and arms about. He also pulled his hair with all his might and further wrenched out one of his teeth. - Dr Pereira said that when he saw deceased on Monday he was semi-conscious and dying. Indeed he was so ill that it was impossible to examine him. On making a post-mortem examination, he found an abscess between the two lobes of the brain. This caused meningitis which resulted in his death. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Tuesday 9 April 1912
NORTH MOLTON - A North Devon Tragedy. - Mr Geo. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, conducted an Inquest on Thursday at North Molton relative to the death of ROBERT WARD, aged 50, labourer, whose body was found in a pond of water at North Molton on Wednesday last. - Charles Rogers stated that deceased had worked on Higher Fyldon Farm for about twelve months until March 18th. Passing the pond near the farm on Wednesday morning witness noticed a hat on a post near by and on looking into the water saw WARD'S body in an upright position, in about six feet of water. - Grace Watts, of the Poltimore Arms, told the Jury that on Tuesday morning WARD called at the house, and had some beer and bread and cheese and left quite sober and rational. - Dr Baker said he had attended deceased a week previously for gastric catarrh. After the recovery of the body from the pond he made an examination of it, but found no marks and he thought that the deceased could not have slipped into the water, but must have jumped in. - The Jury (of which Mr J. Yendell was Foreman) returned a verdict of "Suicide."

Western Times, Wednesday 10 April 1912
EXETER - Octogenarian's Death. Supposed To Have Been Blown Off A Bank At Pinhoe. - At an Inquest, held by the Exeter Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening relative to the death of HARRIET TANCOCK, widow, aged 84, of Pinhoe, who died at the Institution on Saturday, it was stated, by THOMAS TANCOCK, son of the deceased, that on Friday afternoon his mother had fallen off a bank, about 10ft., near the house. She told him, when he saw her afterwards at the Hospital, that she thought she was blown over by the wind. She had been accustomed to stand on the bank to watch the passers-by. - Another witness, named Philip Charles John, of Alphington-road, who was walking at Pinhoe, said he saw the deceased fall off the bank. There was no one near her at the time. Several men went to her assistance and carried her away. In answer to the Jury, witness said there was no rail, hedge or protection of any kind. - Dr Lilley, House Surgeon, stated that deceased was suffering from a fracture of one of the ribs on the left side. She died from heart failure following shock, as a result of the injuries. - P.C. Walters, who had investigated the case, described the bank, which he said was not protected in any way. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed an opinion that some protection should be provided at the bank. - The Coroner undertook to write to the proper authorities.

EXETER - Sudden Death Of An Exonian. - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court, yesterday, relative to the death of HORACE PONSFORD CLARKE, 42, painter, of Codrington-street, who died suddenly on Good Friday. Evidence of identification was given by deceased's brother, HARRY LESLIE CLARKE, of Starcross. Last Christmas deceased met with an accident, injuring his ribs, but generally he appeared to enjoy good health. - Edwin Underdown, who worked with the deceased, stated that on Thursday after dinner he heard CLARKE groaning in the cellar. Next witness saw him on the top of the steps rolling and in pain. He complained of a severe pain in the stomach. He was able to walk home without assistance. - Annie Banks, of Codrington-street, with whom the deceased lodged, said that on Thursday night CLARKE said he was very ill, but he declined to have a doctor until the following morning. Witness applied fried salt to him until two o'clock in the morning, and that seemed to give him ease. He said that he had boiled eggs on Thursday for dinner. Next morning, about 8 o'clock, Dr Duncan was fetched and on his direction flannels soaked with turpentine were applied. CLARKE died at 2.30 in the afternoon. - Dr Duncan stated that a post-mortem examination revealed a perforation about the size of a sixpence in the front wall of the stomach. The heart was enlarged and was showing signs of degeneration. Death was due to acute peritonitis, the result of perforation of the stomach. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Thursday 11 April 1912
TAVISTOCK - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Guildhall, Tavistock yesterday, on the body of CHARLES RICHARDS, a naval pensioner, aged 70, who died suddenly on the previous day in a room in Exeter-street. - Henry Craze, with whom the deceased lived, stated that he took him up his dinner in the bedroom and on hearing him make a noise, he turned round and saw that the deceased was black in the face. Dr Leslie Watt said that he found a piece of pork stuck in the deceased's windpipe, which caused suffocation. - The Jury, of whom Mr D. McMaster was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death through Accidental Suffocation."

Western Times, Friday 12 April 1912
EXETER - Mr W. Linford Brown held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court yesterday relative to the death of CHARLES GEORGE JAMES SALTER, aged five weeks. Dr Harmer said death was due to convulsions, arising from indigestion. There was no evidence of its being overlain. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

COLATON RALEIGH - Fatal Fall. Accidental Death Of A Bicton Woodman. - An Inquest was held at the Schoolroom, Colaton Raleigh, yesterday, before Mr E. R. Tweed, concerning the death of THOMAS VINNICOMBE, aged 61, a woodman, employed on the Bicton Estate, who was killed on Tuesday afternoon by a fall from a poplar tree on which he was at work. Mr F. Tilke was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - WALTER JOHN VINNICOMBE, son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification and said his father was 61 years of age, and a temperate man. - Ambrose Hart, a labourer, engaged on the Bicton Estate, said he was at work with the deceased on Tuesday afternoon at about 4.30. Deceased had gone up into the tree by means of a ladder and had partly sawn through a limb preparatory to its being pulled down by a rope. He was descending the ladder and had reached the ground within 15 or 16 rungs, when a strong gust of wind blew. He heard Sanders shout "Look out, get out of the way, the limb is coming." This was shouted twice. He did not see the deceased fall, but he saw him afterwards lying on his side at the foot of the tree apparently dead. He went to deceased, who neither moved nor spoke. There was no blame to anyone, the affair being quite an accident due to the gust of wind. - Philip Sanders, a woodman on the Bicton Estate, said he had known deceased for many years as a fellow workman and was working with him on Tuesday. VINNICOMBE was a careful workman. He saw the limb coming down, but he did not observe deceased fall. :There was no act of carelessness either on the part of the deceased or anyone else. - Dr Evans of Budleigh Salterton, said he went to see the

Western Times, Thursday 18 April 1912
TORQUAY - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday respecting the death of CAROLINE ELIZABETH DINGLE, 86, of Devon House, Torquay. Evidence showed that early on Tuesday morning the old lady fell out of bed and died a quarter of an hour later. Dr George Todd said death ensued from heart failure due to the shock of the fall. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

Western Times, Friday 19 April 1912
CHAWLEIGH - Farm Labourer's Death At Chawleigh. - Mr H. W. Gould conducted an Inquest Wednesday at Fiddlecott Farm, Chawleigh, relative to the death of FREDERICK GEORGE WARREN. - GEORGE WARREN, farm labourer, of Lapford, said deceased, his son, aged 21, was a farm labourer. He had been subject to fits for the last two years. - John Underhill, farmer, Chawleigh, said the deceased had been in his employ. On Monday night he went to bed as usual. On the following morning witness went to call him at about ten after six and found him with his head on the floor doubled back on his left shoulder; his feet were on the bed. The deceased was undressed and was dead. The body was slightly warm. - Dr Joseph Tucker, Surgeon, of Chulmleigh, said he was called to see the deceased just before 8 a.m., on Tuesday. In his opinion death was due to an epileptic fit. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

EXMOUTH - Exmouth Tragedy. Shocking Death Of An Old Man. - An Inquest was held at the Temperance Hall, Exmouth, yesterday, before Mr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for the District, relative to the death of WILLIAM SKINNER, aged 80, whose body was found in a field Wednesday. Mr Dale Glossop was appointed Foreman of the Jury. - The widow stated that deceased was a retired tanner. He had suffered in his head since November, but had never hinted at committing suicide. He got up at 10 Wednesday morning and ate his breakfast. At 10.30 he said he would go out for a walk in Gipsy-lane. Witness said, "Don't be long," and he replied, "I shall soon be back." They were both going out together later in the morning. They had always lived happily during their married life of 55 years. She could not account for deceased committing the rash act. She believed he must have taken his life during a fit of insanity, and was not responsible for his action. The knife produced was her husband's. Deceased was cheerful when he left the house and was in his ordinary condition of health. At 12 o'clock, as he did not return, she went to Gipsy-lane to search for him. As she did not see him, she informed the Police that her husband was missing. At 6 o'clock a Constable went to her and asked her to come to the Mortuary, where she identified the deceased. Her husband had no financial difficulties, nor had he any worries whatever. He had been attended by a doctor for the pains in his head. - Charles Frederick Clode, farmer, of Rhoda Villa, Exeter-road, said he went to his farm at Hulham at 2 o'clock and proceeded to Haymoor Field, Featherbed-lane. He looked towards the bottom of the field and saw a man lying down. He thought it to be a tramp resting. Witness went to a building he was having erected and afterwards, at about 3.30, he returned to Haymoor Field to look at the sheep and practically went round towards where he had seen the man lying and found the deceased. He was quite dead. There was a knife lying beside him, the big blade of which was open and covered with blood. There were no signs of a struggle. He telephoned for the Police from Colonel Kinder's house near by. There was a terrible wound in deceased's neck. - By the Foreman: Where deceased was found was about a quarter of a mile from the main road. The deceased had gone through one field to get to the spot where he found him. The body could not be seen from the road. - P.C. Venton stated that he was called by a telephone message from the last witness at 4 p.m. Witness procured a conveyance and proceeded to Hulham Farm. The body was not quite cold when he arrived. He searched the clothing and found deceased's gold chain and silver watch intact, and in his right hand pocket was fivepence in cash. In the other pocket he had another knife. - Dr Beesley deposed that he had attended deceased since the beginning of December. He suffered from giddiness, sleeplessness and pains in the head. He believed the pains were produced by disease of the blood vessels in the brain. He saw deceased last alive on April 13th when he thought he looked worse. Deceased had never threatened to take his life. Witness thought it very likely that want of sleep might have occasioned a sudden fit of insanity; and persons suffering from the disease MR SKINNER had would be subject to fits of that kind. He saw the wound, and was of opinion that it was self-inflicted. Such a wound would cause death within a very few minutes. - Archer Hyatt, an agricultural labourer, said he had worked for Mr Clode for eight or nine months. He had lived in the neighbourhood of Exmouth for fifty years and was well known to many of the Jurymen. he corroborated Mr Clode's evidence. He saw the body lying in the field at 12.30 whilst he was working in another part of the field. He thought it to be a tramp resting. Tramps were often around there and it was not unusual to see one lying in the field. He did not go to deceased for the reason he had given. The Jury returned a verdict that deceased died from a wound self-inflicted during a sudden fit of insanity.

Western Times, Monday 22 April 1912
TAVISTOCK - The Sad Suicide At Tavistock. - At the Tavistock Mortuary on Saturday afternoon, Mr R. R. Rodd (County Coroner) conducted an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of SAMUEL MARTIN, aged sixty, a labourer, in the employ of the Duke of Bedford, who hung himself to a gate by a leather strap on Friday. - FRANK MARTIN, son, stated that his father had worked for the Duke of Bedford for thirty-six years. He (witness) had a brother in the Devon County Asylum and another in a Home in Cheshire, and both suffered from epileptic fits. His father had troubled a great deal over the Duke of Bedford's sale, and feared that he would have to give up his cottage. The illness of his wife had also added to the worry. - William Millman stated that he had been working with the deceased, who, on Thursday, exclaimed, "Lord, have mercy upon me; what shall I do?" He appeared to be worried. When witness left him he was eating his dinner. - In answer to the son, witness said that he had never twitted the deceased about having to leave his cottage. - BESSIE MARTIN, daughter, also gave evidence. - The Jury, of whom Sergt.-Major Bowles was the Foreman, passed a verdict that deceased took his life whilst Temporarily Insane. They expressed their sympathy with the family, with which the Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Tuesday 23 April 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - Teign Tragedy. Inquest On A Newton Abbot Bargeman. - At the Town Hall, Teignmouth, this afternoon, Mr P. C. Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest relative to the death of JOHN SAMUEL VEAL, aged 33, bargeman of Newton Abbot. Mr J. H. Hutchings represented relatives. - A brother said deceased was in the employ of Messrs. Walls, Blake, Bearne and co., of Newton. He identified him by the clothing. - Thomas Murch, a carter, of Teignmouth, said he saw the body in the water, about 150 yards above the bridge, near the lowest buoy, and towed it ashore. - John Underhay, bargeman, of Newton Abbot, who was working with deceased on March 23rd last, said they were preparing to go home and were about a couple of lengths away from the ship they were loading, drifting up on the tide. They were attempting to turn the barge when the deceased's pole snapped about three feet from the top and he fell into the water. When VEAL went overboard witness jumped into the punt, but his mate disappeared under the barge to the other side. He jumped aboard the barge and handed a boat hook to deceased who caught hold of it. By this means he was drawn to the side of the barge. Witness lay down to catch hold of his collar, but missed him and deceased commenced to sink. Witness then caught him by the ear, but it slipped through his fingers and VEAL went down like a stone, and was not seen again. - In answer to questions, witness said there were two lifebuoys and two lifebelts on the barge, but he did not think they would have been of any use for saving deceased's life. - The Foreman said the pole was knotty and he did not think it was very safe. - Charles Lang, who was in an adjoining barge, also said he did not think a lifebuoy would have been of any use. - Charles Maker, foreman of the barges, said the inspection of the poles was left to the shipwright. He considered the pole in question a good one. - Answering Mr Hutchings, witness said the shipwright was responsible for the condition of the poles. - Mr Hutchings: These poles are handed to the bargemen after a test and until they snap off or are worn out no further enquiry is made? - Witness: Not so far as I am aware. - The Coroner asked the Jury if they wished to have the evidence of the shipwright. - The Foreman said it was an important matter, but it was decided to proceed. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said he was of opinion that the pole was not sufficiently strong for the life of a man to depend upon. - Lang: They are quite sufficient. He added that the poles were 22ft. to 23ft. long and they could not do with them any shorter. - Questioned as to the provision of poles, Lang said a man could have one whenever he liked and at half-an-hour's notice. - The Jury, after a retirement, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," considering the accident was due to a faulty pole. They added a rider that there should be a periodical inspection of the poles, and that someone should be made responsible for them. The Coroner said he would convey the Jury's opinion to the firm.

SOUTH MOLTON - Child's Sad Death At South Molton. - Mr G. W. F. Brown (District Coroner) held an Inquest at the Cottage Hospital on Thursday evening Inquiring into the circumstances of the death of a child named WILLIAM CLAUDE KINGDON, of Bishopsnympton. - Mr S. Cole was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner, in stating the facts, said that the child was on the evening of the 16th inst., at 5 p.m., with its father at Avercombe Mills, Bishopsnympton and was apparently watching his father working a chaff-cutting machine. The father on finishing the work, went to turn off the water which was working the machine and which was done from the same room. His back was only turned a few seconds, when he found the child mixed up amongst the machinery and it died from its injuries. It was always sad when they came to accident s to children through machinery. - WILLIAM KINGDON, the father of the deceased, identified the body as that of his infant child, aged 2 years and 10 months. He bore out the facts as stated by the Coroner. The machine was properly protected but there was a small space at the side where the child apparently put his hand in. - Dr Mortimer stated that on seeing the condition of the child he ordered its removal to the South Molton Cottage Hospital. The child's hand was crushed. He amputated the arm, but the child died twenty-four hours after the accident from shock. - The Coroner said it was an accident pure and simple and no blame could be attached to anyone. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated all from blame.

TORQUAY - An Inquest was taken into the circumstances attending the death of an elderly lady named HARRIETT STENTIFORD, 93, of "Belle Isle," Torquay. Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest at Torquay on Friday. Deceased a few weeks previous fell down and broke her arm and a leg and died in the Hospital on Wednesday. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Western Times, Friday 26 April 1912
COMBE MARTIN - A verdict of death from Natural Causes was returned at an Inquest conducted at Combe Martin yesterday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, concerning the death of MARY BERRY, spinster, aged 64, who died suddenly on Saturday night. Deceased, who had not complained of feeling unwell, was found dead beside her bed. - Dr Manning told the Coroner that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Moreton Tragedy. MR W. BUDD'S Body Found Near The Town. The Inquest. - What has become known as the Dartmoor mystery was cleared up yesterday, when Mr P.C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest on the body of WILLIAM GEORGE BUDD, aged 34, eldest son of DR BUDD, of Moreton. - ARTHUR BUDD, M.B., B.S., practising at Launceston, gave evidence of identification. He said his brother was a professional violinist and in May last suffered from a complete nervous breakdown and was ordered absolute rest. Arthur Wotton, rabbit trapper, of Moreton, spoke of finding the body in Howton Brake. - Miss Daisy Middleton, companion to MISS BUDD, sister of the deceased, said she last saw the deceased on the 15th March, when he was going out in the afternoon. He did not seem so cheerful as the night previous. - Answering the Coroner, she said she could not tell what kind of razor he used for shaving, as he slept in a neighbouring house. - P.S. Osmond said the body was lying in a dyke on its back. It was fully clothed, and close to the left side and near the left hand was a blood-stained razor. On searching the body he found a letter. He also detailed the other articles found on deceased. His collar and tie were in his coat pocket, but there were no blood stains on them. The body was much decomposed and around it, lying on the ground, were a quantity of torn-up letters. On March 15th information that deceased was missing was given to the Police and was circulated, whilst the district was searched by the Police and enquiries made. - Answering the Coroner witness said the deceased was not wanted by the Police, neither did he answer the description of any person who was. - The Coroner then read the letter which deceased left behind, and which was in an envelope addressed to "DR BUDD, and others, Dartmoor View." In this deceased said: "Please forgive me for doing this. I have been driven off my head with the worry of the blackmail and persecutions of the last two or three years; blackmail for murder I have not done." - The letter continued that he had been hounded and blackmailed by the Police for nothing. It was a perfect scandal which he hoped would be shown up, as innocent persons were going in danger of their lives. Did anyone think he would commit such a terrible crime as murder? After stating that Mr Ford would explain and detailing how his belongings were to be distributed, the letter concluded: - "I do hope you will bear up in this terrible business, and that you will forgive me. Give my love to all, from your heart-broken and loving son, WILLIE. Friday, March 15, 1912." - Alex Ford of Cable House, Weston-super-Mare, said he had known deceased for some years and met him at Dawlish in January. MR BUDD had the delusion that he was being followed by detectives and Police officers. Witness took him up to a Police Officer at Dawlish to show him he was not really wanted and that seemed to reassure him for a time. He did not know how deceased got possessed of the delusion; unless it was a breakdown. He knew nothing about what was in the letter beyond what he had explained. Witness said he believed deceased did once in a casual way mention that he was tired of life. - Dr Alfred Coleridge said decomposition had set in very badly. There was a large wound in the throat and apparently extended deep and was such as could have been inflicted with a razor. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and passed a resolution of condolence with the relatives. - The Foreman expressed the opinion that Jurors ought not to be expected to view bodies that were in the state this one was in, and with this view the Coroner agreed.

Western Times, Monday 29 April 1912
EXETER - Sad Suicide. Old Lady Drowned At Trews Weir. The Inquest. - The City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) on Saturday at Exeter Police Station Inquired into the circumstances surround the death of RHODA HURLEY, 73, an old-age pensioner, married, of Cannington, near Bridgwater, who was found drowned in the weed-rack of the Trews Weir Mill stream on Thursday night. - ALFRED GEORGE LOVELL, a market gardener, of Baring-terrace, identified the body as that of his mother-in-law, who had been staying with witness on a visit. She had not been well. He had noticed she was a little peculiar in her talk and in some things was strange in her manner. On Thursday last she asked witness's daughter-in-law to take her down and throw her into the "pool". She meant the river. Dr Harrison was called in and he saw her and gave her some medicine. In the evening she was put to bed at 9 o'clock. She was sleeping in a room by herself. A quarter of an hour after she came down and sat on the kitchen stairs in her night attire. He took her back to bed again. Five minutes later they heard a rumbling noise. he immediately went upstairs but could not find deceased. She had told witness when she came downstairs that she could not sleep. He searched all the rooms and when his son came in they searched the house again. Afterwards they found her in the river. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said that deceased's father died insane in something like the same circumstances; her sister died in the Asylum, and one of her sons had to go to an Asylum at one time. - Mr w. J. Pitts, of Trews Weir Mills, said about 10 o'clock he was in the mill and heard a scream. He first thought it was one of his men caught in the machinery, and it gave him a terrible shock. He went out and found one of his men holding up something on the weed rack with the crook. It was found to be the body of an old woman. They got it out and tried artificial respiration for over half an hour. Mr Pitts explained the direction he thought the old lady must have taken from the house, and said it seemed to him that she must have jumped in at the spot where she was found. He searched up the river the next morning, but could find no traces in the mud. In reply to the Coroner, witness said he noticed a severe bruise over the left eye as soon as they got the body out. He considered she got it by stumbling over some brick rubbish on the other side of a wall over which she must have climbed. - The Coroner recalled MR LOVELL and asked him how the old lady could have got out of the house. - MR LOVELL replied that the front door was shut and locked and the back door was also bolted. There was a staircase window, ten stairs down from the bedroom. Four feet below the window there was a roof and he considered she left the house through the window over the roof. - The Coroner: Do you mean to say she got out of the landing window? - She must have done. - The Coroner's Officer: That window was found fastened on the inside. - MR LOVELL: It was not hasped. The window above that was unfastened. - The Coroner: You don't suggest she got out of that, do you? - Dr Harrison suggested that. We differ in opinion. - If she got out of the higher one, how far would she have to drop? - the distance from the upper window to the roof beneath is 15 feet. - Do you think it possible for an old lady of 73 to drop 15 feet and then go across a garden to the river? - It seems very extraordinary to me. - Did you say anything to her about not leaving the bedroom again? - I told her she was to bide there. - You say she must have got down over the roof? - She could not have come downstairs. I was in the kitchen the whole of the time. - The Foreman: One of the Jury wants to know how high the windows were from the floor. - Witness: About as high as my middle. - The Coroner: Supposing she got out of one of the windows. how high was the roof beneath from the ground? - Eight feet this side, but if you get over another roof you come down to four feet. On this other roof there was a greenhouse "light" which was found broken. A person in the lane heard the sound of glass smashing. - The Coroner: I must confess I don't understand an old lady of 73 getting out of the window and going over the roofs. - Wm. Squires, employed at the mills, said that on Thursday night Mr Lovell sent over to his place and asked him to help search for his wife's mother who was missing. They looked all about the garden, in the shrubs, etc. By and bye he came across Mr Lovell himself and they put their heads together and went over to the mill yard. They looked into the weed-rack and saw something white, and it turned out to be the missing woman. - Dr Harrison, who arrived about 10.30, found the body lying on the embankment. The old lady was quite dead. There was a bruise and swelling over the left eyebrow, and a slight one on the nose. The cause of death was drowning. He saw her about 11 o'clock the same morning. She talked to him quite rationally and he could not get any delusions out of her. She complained of a little pain in the back of her head. She was rather self-willed from what he could see of her. He advised her daughter to look after her and not let her go out alone and suggested they should send her back to her home, which they were going to do the next day. - Coroner's Officer Walters deposed to going down to the premises yesterday morning. He examined the roof beneath the windows. It was of slate and slanting. There was no sign of anyone having been on the slates. If the old lady had got out of the window, 15 feet up, she could not have saved herself, and would have rolled over and fallen on to the roof. There were no marks of anything like this on the dirt and grit on the roof. He thought it impossible for an old lady to have taken the course suggested and he should think that she went out of the door unknown to Mr Lovell. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, emphasised the improbability of an old lady making her exit by way of the window and roofs. It was rather an acrobatic feat they could not believe she would perform. It seemed to him that she must either have gone out of the door the first time she came downstairs, or, having been put back to bed, she came down again and left the house by the door without anyone noticing it. She had only her nightdress on and her feet would have made no noise. Knowing her state of mind the family might have taken a little more care that the old lady did not go out. It was all very well to say that both doors were bolted. It was really an insult to one's intelligence to tell them a fairy tale, and say she jumped out of the staircase window, 15 feet high, on to a slanting roof and then went across two more roofs. - Mr Lovell said his son stated that the four-foot window was fastened: he said it was unfastened. he would like it to remain an open enquiry until they could get some more evidence. It did not seem satisfactory to him. - The Coroner: No, it is not satisfactory. I quite agree with you there. - The Foreman asked what the rumbling noise of which Mr Lovell had spoken was. - Mr Lovell: Well, I could not tell. We get horses outside and sometimes we hear the horses. - The Coroner: Sometimes you hear a good many things. You heard a sound. Why did you not go upstairs at once? - It was two flights of stairs from the kitchen. - The Coroner: Do you think it was right to have left the old lady upstairs in her frame of mind? - We were not told to watch her all night. "I can't let this go on," added Mr Lovell. "I would prefer to have a solicitor." - The Coroner: It is not what you want. If the Jury think we want any more evidence I am prepared to adjourn. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased Drowned herself during a fit of Temporary Insanity. The Foreman added that they were not quite clear about how she left the house. - It was suggested that the son should be fetched to give evidence about the windows, but the Jury after considering the point, came to the conclusion that it was not necessary to go into that.

UGBOROUGH - The Fatality At Dartmoor Hunt Races. "Going The Pace." - The tragic death of MR GERALD AUBERY HAYES HALLIFAX, of Halwill House, South Pool, near Kingsbridge, has caused a feeling of grief throughout South Devon, the deceased being a popular and beloved gentleman, especially in sporting circles. He was only 37 years of age. - Mr P. C. Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Langford farm-house in the parish of Ugborough, on Saturday morning. Mr W. H. Heath was chosen Foreman, and Supt. Jeffery watched the case on behalf of the Police. - Mr Charles H. Calmady Hamlyn, J.P., of Bridestowe, gave evidence of identification, and said that MR HALLIFAX had been suffering from influenza, but had practically recovered and in his opinion was in a fit condition to ride in the race. He saw him just previous to the start, and watched him in the race which he desired to win. It was true he was "going the pace." He was a fine horseman and had hunted the hounds regularly. At one time he acted as joint master of the Tetcott Fox Hounds. The course was fair hunting ground. Witness saw him descend one part at great speed and clear the bank. The ground there had an ascent and from what witness could gather the horse plunged the bank, pitched its rider over and then fell on him. Witness hastened to the spot only to find him dead. - Captain Charles F. Burnard was next called and said he was riding in the same race and he and deceased wee near rivals. Witness, however, had fallen at the previous bank, but re-mounted and chased deceased about five hundred yards behind. They were both riding at fast speed - really faster than was safe to take a bank. Witness saw MR HALLIFAX fall and succeeded in pulling his own horse to the right side and avoided jumping over the bank on him. The banks were quite safe and in good order. The ground was very hard but in no way dangerous for riding. - Mr Alfred A. Partridge of Plumpton, said he was the owner of the horse, which was known as "Pedlar." It was 8 years old and had hunted with the Dartmoor Hounds for three years, was a good banker and never had a previous accident. MR HALLIFAX had ridden it before and knew it very well. - The Coroner: Can you account for its falling? - Mr Partridge: Only that the speed was exceedingly fast. - Dr W. T. Webb of Kingsbridge, deposed to watching MR HALLIFAX during the race. He saw the horse fall and ran to the spot, but found him quite dead from a broken neck. - Mr Haldene, of Plymouth, and Mr Ham, of Ugborough, also gave evidence. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and passed a vote of condolence with the deceased's family.

Western Times, Tuesday 30 April 1912
TORQUAY - A Pathetic Letter. Tragedy of Loneliness At Torquay. - The Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday by Mr Sydney Hacker, the Coroner, on the body of JOHN BOWDEN, 49, painter's labourer, living at 2 South Down Cottages, St. Marychurch. FRED. J. BOWDEN, his brother, identified the body and said the deceased was a widower with three children. A week ago witness took one of the children, a little boy of seven years, to live with him. He last saw the deceased on Saturday night, when he appeared in the best of spirits. - John Churchward, deceased's neighbour, stated that hearing a crash on Sunday evening, he rushed out of the house and in the roadway saw the broken wash-basin belonging to MR BOWDEN. Witness at once went for the Police and with a constable went into the deceased's house. In the bedroom they found the deceased with a bad gash in his throat and kneeling in a pool of blood. - P.C. Tooze said the windpipe was severed. He rendered first-aid and promptly took the deceased to the Hospital, but he died in the institution about three hours later. Witness found a blood-stained razor near the deceased. and also a note and a blacklead pencil. This note was identified by Mr Tozer, foreman at the yard where the deceased had worked, as being in the man's handwriting. It ran: "Good-bye REGGIE; good-bye, dear BERTIE; Good-bye FRED. Auntie and uncle will look after you now. People say I have always done all I could. Good-bye, God bless you all. Poor Jack! God forgive me. Can't stay by myself. Pay Mr Little (meaning the Vicar of St. Marychurch) for Bertie." Mr Tarr said the deceased was an excellent workman, and he gave him a good character. For the last month, however, he appeared absent-minded. When deceased left the yard on Saturday at noon he was happy and cheerful, and expressed delight at the thought that the little boy had gone to live with his brother. - Dr Steele stated that death was due to exhaustion following the injuries and the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Wednesday 1 May 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Operation. Sad Death At Newton Hospital. Story At Inquest. - The circumstances surrounding the death whilst under an anaesthetic at the Newton Abbot Hospital, of ABRAHAM TAYLOR, 48, labourer, of Fulford Cottages, Bishopsteignton, were Inquired into yesterday by Mr Sydney Hacker (the County Coroner). - Evidence of identification was given by the widow, who said that on the 8th of September last her husband fell off a threshing machine and injured his shoulder, but he was not detained at the Hospital. Next day he complained of great pains in his shoulder. Since then he had done no work, and visits the Hospital weekly as an out-patient, walking the distance to Newton. In November he underwent an operation, but his shoulder did not appear to have improved. Recently he went into the Hospital to undergo another operation. - "He did not want to have it done, sir" added MRS TAYLOR, "but they compelled him to have it done through the Insurance Company. They thought they had let it go too long to have anything done to it." - The Coroner: Why did he go if he did not want to undergo the operation? - They told him if he did not he would have no more pay. I wrote and told the agent we could not afford to pay for recommends. My husband thought that if he was going to benefit he would have it done. - The Coroner: You can't say he was compelled; but for the purpose of getting the compensation pay, he decided to undergo the operation? - Yes, sir. - The witness added that she saw her husband last Wednesday at the Hospital, and he was then cheerful and fully made up his mind to have the operation performed. The next she heard was of his death, which Dr Culross told her on Sunday. - Mr Nosworthy (a Juror): Are those who have been frightening these people been brought here today. - The Coroner: We don't know of any agent having frightened them. - The Juror: I consider it is. - The Coroner: I am afraid that is nothing to do with the cause of death. If the agent has done anything wrong, he can be made to answer for it. - Dr J. Culross, one of the Medical Officers of the House, said that on the 8th September deceased was admitted to the Hospital with dislocated shoulder and he was given chloroform for Dr Grimbly to perform the operation, as it would occasion great pain. - The operation was successful, and the dislocation quite easily reduced. The stiffness of the shoulder did not disappear, but the man was very healthy. On the 2nd November witness advised TAYLOR to undergo nitrous oxide so to loosen the adhesion, but it was unsuccessful, although he bore it well. On the 16th November Dr Nesbit administered chloroform and witness made another attempt to break down the adhesions which had formed between the shoulder-blade and the head of the upper part of the arm. - The Coroner: he was very pertinacious. - Oh, yes, he wished to get his arm made useful. - Dr Culross added that the operation was unsuccessful and the moving exercise he ordered for the deceased. After that the Insurance Company had him examined by a doctor at Torquay and also by a Surgeon in Plymouth. After that the man decided to undergo another operation to free the joint. The Surgeon of Plymouth offered to get the man into the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital to do it for him. TAYLOR, however, preferred to come into the Newton Hospital, which he did on April 10th. Prior to the operation, he (Dr Culross) made periodical hypodermic injections for the purpose of dissolving hardened tissue, without any injurious effects. The drug, fibrolysin, has been in use for five or six years, and was given to the deceased for the purpose of loosening the bands and tissues of the shoulder and to make the operation a success. On Sunday he appeared quite cheerful and was given chloroform whilst the operation of raising the arm was performed. It could not have been done without an anaesthetic, as it was painful, and the muscles would otherwise have retarded the operation. When he had moved the arms two or three times witness noticed that the patient's face had changed colour, so he stopped the movement, as he was not breathing properly. With Dr Nesbitt he tried artificial respiration for about one and a half hours, injected strychnine and other remedies, but deceased only breathed once voluntarily. It was difficult to say exactly when death occurred, because at the time he was suffering from profound collapse, but he died without recovering consciousness. - A post mortem examination showed that on the right side of the heart there was a fat deposit and the oracle was unusually thin walled. Death occurred from heart failure produced by the administration of an anaesthetic. - By the Coroner: He had never read of any death from the administration of fibrolysin before chloroform. - Dr A. Nesbitt corroborated the main details of the evidence of Dr Culross. - Answering the Coroner as to what the statistics of deaths from anaesthetics amounted to, Dr Nesbitt said that it was one in 2,000. - The Coroner: That is a very low percentage. - Dr Nesbitt: In this Hospital this is the first case there has been and I think there must have been over 5,000 administrations. - The Coroner: I never remember a case. - Dr Nesbitt: Personally I have given between three and four thousand administrations and I have never had any myself fortunately. It is a risk that has to be taken, but no more risky than taking a railway journey. He added that the chloroform had a bad effect upon the deceased, in consequence of the disease of his heart. - In his summing up, the Coroner said that people were apt to jump to the view that it was dangerous to undergo an anaesthetic. It was a happy thing to be able to think, however, that deaths of that sort were extremely rare. The Jury could only return a verdict of death from heart failure, produced by the effects of the chloroform, properly and legally administered for the purpose of an operation and that the deceased by misadventure came to his death. "it is a good record," said the Chairman, "that this is the only case they have had at the Newton Institution." - (A Juror: Hear, hear.) - A verdict in accordance with the Coroner's suggestion was returned by the Jury.

Western Times, Friday 3 May 1912
EXETER - Exeter Tragedy. A Missing Postal Official Found Dead. At Countess Weir. - About 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday Police-Sergt. Mortimer at Heavitree received information that the body of a man had been found with his throat cut in a wood at Countess Wear. The body was subsequently identified as that of MR COOKSLEY GIBSON, of Barrack-road, who was an overseer in the postal department, at the Exeter Post Office, who had been missing from his home since the 17th April. On the morning of that day he left his home scantily clad and was seen walking towards Topsham-road. After that there was no trace of him. - The Inquest. - Mr F. Thomas, Deputy Coroner for the District, held an Inquiry into the circumstances of the death at the Countess Wear Inn yesterday. Mr Shapland was Foreman of the Jury. - MRS SARAH GIBSON, the widow, was the first witness called. She said her husband was 39 years of age and was an overseer in the postal department of the Exeter Post Office. On Tuesday morning, the 16th April, he went on sick leave. He had complained for a week previous of indigestion and sleeplessness, but he had not slept well for a long while before that. He had seen a doctor, and had taken part of a bottle of medicine. On the Tuesday he went to bed at half-past ten, and remained there until 1.30, when he got up and had dinner. In the afternoon he took their child out for a walk, returning about half-past five. He remained indoors until 9.30, when he went out for half an hour to get a little whisky to make him sleep. When he came home he had some supper and went to bed about half-past ten. That night he occupied a separate bedroom because the child had been restless of late and he thought he might sleep better in a room alone. That was the last she saw of her husband. She did not hear him get up in the morning and she first knew he had left the house at a quarter to eight on the Wednesday morning. He left nothing behind to indicate why he had gone out or where he was going. He left by the back door. She knew of nothing that was troubling him except his health. - Asked by the Coroner as to whether she had since missed deceased's razor, the witness replied that she thought he always kept two razors, and she had only been able to find one. - A razor was produced, but witness could not identify it except that she believed her husband had one like it. She had never, she added, in reply to the Coroner, heard him threaten to take his life. - Harold Hames, gunner in the R.F.A., stationed at Topsham Barracks, said that between 4.30 and 5 o'clock on the previous afternoon he was returning to barracks with two comrades, when on passing a field in Rydon-lane their attention was attracted by a number of young rooks in some trees. They jumped on the hedge to see if any others were in the field. they then saw the body of a man, lying about twenty yards from the hedge, under a small bush. Going up to the body witness saw that the man was lying on his left side and that the right hand clutched an open razor. The ground was disturbed as though the arm had shuffled about. From the position in which the body was lying witness could not see that the throat was cut. The body was very much decomposed. Deceased's hat, a bowler, was lying a yard away. Witness gave information to the Police. - Dr G. T. Clapp stated that deceased went to him on the 15th April, complaining of indigestion and of not having slept for three or four nights. He looked bilious and out of sorts, but beyond that there was apparently nothing amiss with him. His nerve was quiet. Witness, however, thought that if he got away from his work for a few days he would be better, and suggested sick leave. Deceased, however, said he would rather be at work, and witness then told him if he did not get any better he was to see him again. On the Tuesday morning he returned, and said he had decided to accept witness's suggestion of going on leave, and a certificate to expire on the following Monday was given him. He was also supplied with medicine and witness told him he would call at his house the following day. This he did, and was told by MRS GIBSON, her husband had gone out, as she thought, for a walk. He had examined the body and found the state of decomposition consistent with death a fortnight ago. There was a deep gash in the throat from ear to ear, severing the deep vessels of the neck. He had no doubt the wound was self inflicted. In his opinion the sleeplessness had caused derangement of the mind and was the reason for the act. Insomnia would bring on a sudden attack of insanity. - P.C. Lang, stationed at Countess Wear, described the position in which he found the body. In deceased's coat pocket was a note, written in pencil on a small slip of paper. It was as follows:- "Forgive me my dear Sally, and boy. My head is so bad I can't stand it any longer. Jim and the sister will look after you. God bless you all." - The note was undated and unsigned. - Mr Montague Edward Hutchings, an overseer in the Postal Department at the Exeter Office, said he heard deceased on one occasion about three weeks ago, complain that he could not sleep. Subsequently he told witness that he felt "liverish." His accounts at the Post Office were in perfect order and his integrity was beyond reproach. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned, and the Jury expressed deep sympathy with the widow and relatives of deceased, an expression which the coroner said he should be pleased to convey.

BIDEFORD - Bideford Tragedy. Body Of Missing Man Discovered. The Inquest. - A gruesome discovery was made at Bideford yesterday afternoon and clears up the mystery of the disappearance of a well-known resident some three weeks ago. - On April 10th MR JOHN H. CRIDGE, a surveyor, employed at the Bridge Buildings, Bideford, failed to appear at his place of business or to return to his lodgings in Bridgeland-street, and the matter gave rise to more than usual comment from the fact that it was well known he was to have been married on the following Monday, to the daughter of a well-known and respected hotel proprietor at Torrington. He had, in fact, taken a house in the Abbotsham-road, Bideford, and it had been partially furnished. - From time to time rumours, apparently well authenticated, were in circulation that CRIDGE had been seen, the last being that he had arrived in Canada and the case had almost ceased to be a subject of comment. - During the past few days some of the junior clerks at the Bridge Buildings had noticed a peculiar smell in the upper part of the premises and yesterday afternoon Mr Stapleton and two of the clerks went over the place. Finding the door of a store-room which was but little used locked on the inside, they procured a key and opened it, finding MR CRIDGE'S body, lying inside, in an advanced stage of decomposition. - The Police were called in and the body, together with some bottles said to have contained vermin killer, were removed to the Mortuary and the Coroner communicated with. - MR CRIDGE had been engaged at the Bridge Buildings for some years, having previously been in the Rolle Estate office at Torrington. He was about 35 years of age and a native of Barnstaple. - The Inquest. - At the Inquest last evening, the Foreman of the Jury said several of the Jurors objected to viewing the body, as it was in such a decomposed state. - The Coroner (Mr G. F. W. Browne): They can view it from the doorway. - Mr E. A. Stapleton said deceased had been in the employ of his firm for four years. He last saw him alive on the morning of Wednesday, April 10th, when he went to speak to witness. Deceased was to have gone out to do a job of work the previous day, but he told witness he was not feeling well and had not attended to it. He said he would go out that (Wednesday) afternoon. Mr Stapleton deposed to the manner in which the body was found. From appearances he should think the body had been in the store-room since April 10th. - The Coroner: Has deceased been steady? - Yes. I had no fault to find with him at all. Immediately he disappeared all sorts of things were said, and I flatly contradicted such rumours. - Do you know anything that would lead him to commit suicide? - Well, he was to have been married the following Monday. Since he disappeared I have found that there had been certain defalcations, very trifling, and one would think not enough to make a man do such a thing as this. - Q: What would the total amount be? - A.: About £20. There had been no falsification of accounts at all. It was simply monies that he had collected and not handed over. Of course, it was possible that had he been in his right mind he might have handed them over. They were not very long out-standing, but, of course, they should have been handed over the same day. He had found it out bit by bit by making inquiries. Witness added that deceased appeared to him on the morning of the 10th ult. to be rather queer, and he said he was "seedy." Witness told him if he felt so, not to go on the job, as it was not so pressing as that. Deceased replied that he could manage it and witness said the walk might do him good. No note had been found to throw any light on the affair. The proper key of the door of the room in which the body was found was discovered in deceased's pocket. - The Coroner: Then he locked himself in the room and put the key in his pocket? - Yes. - Richard Sloman, a clerk at the Bridge Buildings, said the last time he saw the deceased was about 1.30 p.m. on April 10th, when he consulted a railway time table and said he was going to Torrington. Witness noticed nothing at all peculiar about him. - P.S. Newbury produced two bottles with brandy labels on them, which appeared to have contained water. One was full and about half a pint was gone from the other. These were found close to the body. In one of the deceased's pockets P.S. Sprague found a packet marked poison and a bottle of vermin killer. In other pockets were two £5 notes, £5 in gold, 3s. 6d. in silver, 1s. 3d. in copper, a lady's gold watch and other ordinary articles, but nothing whatever to throw any light on the cause of the tragedy. - By the Coroner: He found no receptacle in which the deceased could have mixed the poison, but suggested that it could be placed in the mouth and gulped down with a draught of water from the bottle. - Vernon Hogg, chemist, said the deceased bought the vermin killer for the purpose, so he told him, of killing mice. - Dr Ellis Pearson, as the result of a post-mortem, said death was due to strychnine poison. The stomach was dyed with blue analine dye similar to that in which the vermin poison was coloured. The body was very much decomposed. - The Coroner having summed up, the Jury returned a verdict that deceased committed Suicide.

EXETER ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Topsham Old-Age Pensioner's Death. - The Exeter City Coroner (Mr W. L. Brown) held an Inquest at the St. Thomas Workhouse yesterday relative to the death of SARAH ANN BOND, aged 80, an old-age pensioner, of Denford-road, Topsham. Evidence was given to the effect that on April 15th she fell while engaged in hanging up clothes in her garden. When picked up it was found that she had fractured her left thigh. Dr McPherson, of Topsham, attended to her injuries and sent her to the St. Thomas Union Infirmary, where she died on the 29th April. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 4 May 1912
GREAT TORRINGTON - Torrington Sensation. Inquest on Man's Body Found In The River Torridge. - An Inquest was held at Torrington Town Hall yesterday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM DRAYTON, labourer, which was found in the river Torridge on the previous day. - Charles Popham described how he found deceased in the Torridge on Thursday. About 2.30, in company with his two boys, he went fishing, returning about 4.30 by way of Common Lake. Just above the Railway Station his two boys were discussing a small bathing place, and when he got near he saw a man's boots and trousers above the water. A closer investigation revealed it to be DRAYTON, who was lying face downwards in about 16 inches of water. Witness immediately summoned the Police. - John Short, a distant relative of deceased, told the Jury how DRAYTON on May 1st came to his house about 1.20 a.m. in a most excited condition, and stated that a man was chasing him to kill him. He (witness) unlocked the door and let him in and gave him some tea and put him to bed, but he could not rest, and left the house again about 4.30. - Asked by the Coroner if deceased had been drinking, witness replied, "No, not on that day." - Thomas Hearn, cemetery keeper, spoke of seeing deceased running, about 6.30 a.m., towards the river. He took no notice, as he had often seen him do such a thing. - P.S. Bastin said deceased on the evening of May 1st came to the Police Station and stated that a man with a long grey beard, about 5ft. 4in. in height had been troubling him at his house. He asked for a Constable to go to the house and sleep with him. His wife had been away for nine weeks at Manchester. Witness advised DRAYTON to get lodgings for a few nights and recommended him where to go. - Questioned, witness said deceased had not been drinking of late, and he talked quite rationally. - P.C. Barnacott described the articles found on the body, which included a letter from the man's wife. - The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that it was evident that deceased had a delusion that a man was wanting him and was that scared that he fell into the water. - The Jury, of which Mr E. Baker was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

EXETER - Another Tragedy. Inquest On Exeter Porter's Sad Death. - The City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) held an Inquiry at the City Police Court yesterday, relative to the death of THOMAS GOLDSWORTHY, and employee of the London and South Western Railway Company, who was found hanging in a cattle shed at Queen-street Station on Thursday night. - SUSAN GOLDSWORTHY, the widow, 1 Portland-place, Paris-street, said her husband was 59 years of age, and a railway porter. Deceased left home on Thursday morning at a quarter to eight and seemed all right. Witness's daughter took his dinner to him. She had never heard him threaten to take his life and there was no trouble that she knew of. - George Way, railway porter, said he saw deceased between 5 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, when he seemed quite cheerful. He asked witness to let him have some straw. He did not see him after that. - Charles Lyons, 2 Prospect-place, Rack-street, said he was at the cattle pens, Queen-street Station at 10.55 Thursday night, when he entered one of the sheds, where he struck a match and saw deceased hanging. He sent a mate of his for the foreman, who cut the body down. - By the Juryman: The body was then quite cold and he should think deceased had been dead several hours. - Ralph Melhuish, yard foreman at Queen-street Station, said deceased's feet were about six inches off the ground, and P.C. Heale deposed to having the body removed to the mortuary. - Dr Pereira saw the body on Thursday night just after 12 o'clock. There was a mark of the rope on the deceased's neck extending from the jaw on one side to the ear on the other. Death was due to asphyxia, caused by the hanging. - The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that the widow had said deceased had never threatened to take his life, nor had any trouble. From what he had been told it seemed there had been some domestic trouble lately. They need now, however, concern themselves about that. There undoubtedly had been some trouble or other. - The Jury found that deceased Hung himself during Temporary Insanity.

HARTLAND - At the Inquest held at the Club Room, Hartland, by the North Devon Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) on the body of WILLIAM CURTIS, 69, carpenter, of Hartland, who was found in bed on Thursday morning, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. The evidence went to show that the previous day deceased appeared to be in good health, and retired to bed about 10.20 p.m. As he did not come down in the morning, a Mrs Westlake, who had resided with deceased and his wife on account of the latter's illness, went to his room to see if there was anything the matter with him, when she found him dead in bed. - Dr Wright said a post-mortem examination revealed a very fatty heart and a rupture in the posterior wall, which caused death. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Monday 6 May 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - Aversion To Doctors. Death Of a German Lady At Teignmouth. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, on Saturday evening conducted an Inquiry into the death of CLARA VON DIECKHOFF, a German lady. Deceased had been staying at Devon House, Teignmouth, and on Friday morning last, on her bedroom door being forced open, she was discovered lifeless in bed. She was 66 years of age. - Mrs Charlotte Anning, the occupier of Devon House, said the deceased arrived at her house five weeks ago, saying she had come from Paignton. She was a widow and had a son living in Scotland, who was a priest in the Abbey at Fort Augustus. She was staying in the South of England on account of her health, being of independent means. For the last few days she had kept to her bedroom, having complained of a cold. On Thursday witness saw the deceased was not so well and fetched a doctor, but deceased would not see him when he arrived. - The Coroner: Did she say why she would not see the doctor? - She said she did not believe in them. - Mrs Anning continued that when she left the deceased at 9.30 on Thursday evening the lady said she was much better. When no response was made to the knocks at the door the next morning - the door being locked - she at once sent for the Police. On the door being forced open, she was found lying on the bed dead. It was her custom to sleep in some of her day clothes, with very little bedclothes over her. She was just as she appeared in a sleep. - Dr G. H. Johnson said that he was told the deceased had been unwell for a few days, and he called in on Thursday, but she would not see him. About 8 o'clock the next morning he was called to the house and on entering the room he made an examination of the various bottles, etc., with P.S. Hulland, but only found ordinary medicines in them. He should say the deceased had been dead about four hours. A post-mortem examination shewed that the body was in a very emaciated condition and evidently the deceased had taken very little nourishment of late. There was congestion of the left lung, or pneumonia, with pleurisy and also extensive valvular disease of the heart, which alone would account for her sudden death, as it was of long standing. The other organs were healthy. Death was due to heart failure. - P.S. Hulland deposed to finding deceased's bedroom door locked on the inside and to forcing the door open. - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict of the Jury.

TIVERTON - Tiverton Tragedy. A Victim Of Financial Worries. The Inquest. - Mr A. Fisher, Borough Coroner, conducted an Enquiry at the Tiverton Hospital, on Saturday evening, into the circumstances surrounding the death of SIDNEY HOOPER, a farrier, of Barrington-street, who was found dead with his throat cut on Friday morning last. Mr F. Gillard was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - SIDNEY COX, brother-in-law of the deceased, said he last saw the deceased alive on Friday morning about 7.55. Witness went to the shoeing forge and told the deceased he would be bringing a mare to be shod in the afternoon. There were two horses in the smithy at the time, and witness remarked, "If you are very busy, fastening will do until Monday," to which deceased replied, "That is better." The horse deceased was shoeing was rather fidgety, it gave a twitch and threw him on one side. This happened three times while witness was present, and suddenly deceased exclaimed, "It is no use, Sid, I can't do it." Deceased did not seem himself. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said deceased had been financially embarrassed and called his creditors together some six or eight months ago. About a fortnight ago deceased received a County Court summons and this had preyed on his mind a good deal. He had not been in the best of health for some time owing to a bad wound in the leg. Deceased was a very steady man. - WILLIAM SIDNEY HOOPER, aged thirteen, son of deceased, said about twenty minutes after eight, on Friday morning, he went into the cellar to fetch something for his mother. As soon as he got to the bottom of the stairs he saw his father lying on his face in a pool of blood. Witness ran off to his mother and told her what he had seen. - MRS HOOPER, widow, said deceased had suffered great pain from a wound in the leg. He had also worried about financial affairs. She had never heard him threaten to take his life. - Joseph Payne, machinist, in the Tiverton Lace Factory, said he went to the cellar in company with Mr Blackmore (postman) and Mr Marks, licensee of the Barrington Bell Inn. Mr Marks said deceased was still alive, and witness, having ascertained that Dr. Cullin was the medical man, ran off for his assistance. Dr Cullin asked witness what was the matter and he replied that it was attempted suicide and a case of life or death. Dr Cullin said the Police Surgeon ought to be called. Witness replied, "I was asked to come to see you; I have done so; good morning." - The Coroner asked witness whether Dr Cullin said he would go? - Witness: No; and until today I did not know but what he had gone. Naturally I thought he would go. - P.S. Takle said he found the deceased lying on his face; he was breathing; there was a tremendous gash in the throat, the arteries on the left wrist were also severed. - The Coroner: Did a doctor come while you were there? - Witness: No. How long were you there? - An hour. - Summing up, the Coroner said there was no law compelling a doctor to attend a case of this kind unless he was under a previous contract to do so. If ten doctors had been called in they would not have saved HOOPER'S life, as he was practically a dead man before the messenger was despatched for a doctor. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

ASHBURTON - Death Under An Anaesthetic. - An Inquest was held on Saturday at the Cottage Hospital, Ashburton, by Mr S. Hacker, District Coroner, touching the death of ANN E. BUNSTOW, single woman, aged 23, a domestic servant at Hawson Court, who died after an operation on Thursday. Mr W. H. Langler was chosen Foreman of the Jury. MRS E. BUNSTOW stated that deceased was her step-daughter and was in service at Hawson Court. Deceased very often complained of indigestion. On Thursday, 2nd May, witness was sent for by deceased, who said she had consulted Dr Williams, and he had told her that an operation must be at once performed to which she agreed. In the afternoon witness went with her in a carriage to the Hospital, where the operation was performed by Dr Williams. About 6.30 witness was informed by Dr Williams that there was no hope of recovery and she died shortly afterwards. Dr Williams had attended her before and knew her well. - Mr William Keller (William Le Queux) of Hawson Court, stated that deceased was in his employ. On Thursday morning he was informed by deceased's fellow-domestic that she had been very ill during the night. He at once sent for Dr Williams. Later the Doctor told him that an operation was immediately necessary. He informed the mother and had them sent to the Hospital. About 8 p.m. he received a telephone message from the mother stating that death had taken place, and that the body must be immediately removed. This he considered an extraordinary request. He, however, sent an undertaker to do what was necessary and later he learnt that the girl did not really recover consciousness. - Miss E. Bickford (Acting Deputy Matron) said she was a trained nurse, but not a Hospital Nurse. On Thursday afternoon deceased was admitted to the Hospital and witness was told by Dr Williams to prepare for an operation, which was afterwards performed by Dr Williams, assisted by Dr Ellis. She was present the whole of the time, as well as Nurse Whitaker. After the operation deceased was taken back to her room and was still under the influence of the anaesthetic. She died about three-quarters of an hour afterwards. Witness informed the mother of the death and asked her to make arrangements to remove the body, thinking that was the proper course to take. - At this stage the Inquiry was adjourned to Thursday next, at 2.30 p.m.

Western Times, Tuesday 7 May 1912
EXETER - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court yesterday, relative to the death of CAROLINE COLEMAN, aged 57, of Magdalen-street. - Emily Agar, Payhembury, stated that deceased had been depressed for about a month and complained of a pain in her side. On Saturday last she went to a cupboard to get some carpet. Witness was there and saw deceased fall. She tried to raise her, but could not do so. - Dr G. P. Hawker said the cause of death was heart failure and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

BARNSTAPLE - Singular Death. - Of A Young Man At Barnstaple On Sunday. - The tragic death on Sunday afternoon of JAMES YEO, aged 22, son of MR WILLIAM YEO, gardener, of Hawley Cottage, Barnstaple, was Enquired into yesterday by Mr A. Bencraft, the Borough Coroner. - The Coroner explained that the deceased had been working for Mr Drake at Braunton, and that on Sunday afternoon he cycled to Barnstaple and was found in a field near his parents' house. He was very ill and died shortly after. The deceased was apparently a fine, strong, healthy young fellow. About a fortnight ago he had a cold, or influenza, being attended by Dr Manning. The latter was surprised at his death and so he (the Coroner) thought it better to have a post mortem examination. - MISS NELLIE YEO, sister, stated that her brother had been troubled with abscesses in the mouth, but when she last saw him last Thursday he was bright and cheerful. Looking out of the window on Sunday afternoon she saw her brother in a sitting position in the field below. He beckoned to her to come to him and she called her father, who helped him into the house. Dr Gibbs was sent for, but death ensued in about five minutes. - WILLIAM YEO, the father, bore out his daughter's evidence. Deceased's only words, when found by him in the field were, "Father, father, I am very bad." - Dr F. R. Gibbs, Barnstaple, stated that a post-mortem examination showed deceased had been suffering from leucocythaemia, a very rare complaint among young people. It took the form of several small haemorrhages all the body under the pores of the skin and in the internal organs. There was also a small haemorrhage in the wall of the heart, which was the cause of death. Nothing could have been done to save the young man's life. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Wednesday 8 May 1912
TIVERTON - Tiverton Tragedy. Inquest On The Sad Death Of A Farmer. - The circumstances attending the tragic death of MR FRANCIS WILLIAM TOUT, farmer, of Warmore Farm, near Tiverton, were yesterday Inquired into by Mr H. W. Gould (Exeter) Coroner for the district. - On Monday the deceased was found lying dead in the road near his farm, his head bore several frightful wounds, and the thumb of his left hand had been torn away bodily. It appeared that as the deceased was leading a young colt to another field the animal became frightened, bolted, and dragged deceased a distance of nearly a hundred yards, inflicting the injuries mentioned. - WILLIAM THOMAS TOUT, eldest son of the deceased, said his father was 56 years of age. Witness had been drilling mangolds, when he was told an accident had happened to his father. Witness went down the road near the farm and saw the dead body of his father. The colt his father had been leading was two years old. Witness did not know his father was going to take out the colt, which had been worked on two occasions only. - Fredk. Salt, of Morebath Manor, said he was riding along the road, when he met a colt near Mr Thornton's residence. The animal had a halter and chain. Fifty yards nearer Warmore Farm witness found the deceased lying in the road unconscious and bleeding from the head. - Dr G. Sydenham (Dulverton) said deceased's thumb was torn off at the second joint, the left side of the head was smashed, pressing on the brain; there was a deep wound on the upper side of the scalp and the bones were fractured in several places, passing into the brain. Witness was of opinion that the terrible injuries to the head could only have been the result of kicks from the animal; trampling on the head could not have made such wounds. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Times, Thursday 9 May 1912
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Inquest On Boy's Sad Death At St. Thomas. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at Dunsford-road Schools, St. Thomas, Exeter, last evening, relative to the death of WILLIAM FRANCIS TETT KINGDON, aged thirteen years of 106 Cowick-street, which occurred as the result of injuries received in an accident on Monday evening. - MR OLIVER ALFRED KINGDON, painter, father of the deceased, identified the body. - MRS KINGDON stated that on Monday last, about 7.30 p.m. her son was brought home. He said that he was not hurt and did not want to go to the doctor. He complained of pains in his head. She took him to Dr Atkins and he advised her to take him home and put him to bed. He went on all right until three in the morning, when he had convulsions and died. - Frederick Tribble stated that he had a small cart and said he had been in the habit of riding in it with deceased and another boy. On Monday there were three in the cart as it was coming down Dunsford-hill, deceased being at the back. He saw a Mr Brown crossing the road and then the back of their vehicle seemed to go down. He should think deceased put the brake on quick . They were all thrown out and KINGDON was stunned. They could pull the cart up quick with the brake. - Mr John Henry Brown stated that on Monday evening as he was going to get on a car, he saw the cart coming down at a fast rate. He saw deceased thrown out right in front of the cart and the box part hit him on the head. He thought the accident occurred through the brake being put on suddenly. - Dr Atkins said he examined deceased and could find nothing the matter, but a bruise on the right side of the head. Death was due to bleeding from the meningeal artery. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Jury expressed their sympathy with the bereaved parents. The Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Friday 10 May 1912
ASHBURTON - The Ashburton Case. Servant's Death After An Operation. Resumed Inquest. - At Ashburton yesterday, the County Coroner (Mr S. Hacker) continued an Inquiry regarding the death of ANN ELIZABETH BUNSTOW, aged 23, a domestic servant employed by Mr William Kelly (William Le Queux) at Hawson Court, near Buckfastleigh. - From the evidence given on the previous occasion it appeared that the deceased was removed from Hawson Court to the Hospital at Ashburton in order that an operation might be performed. This was carried out by Dr Williams and Dr Ellis, but she died when under the influence of the anaesthetic. Mr Kelly told the Court that a request was made the same evening that the body must be removed from the Institution and this he considered to be extraordinary. He, however, sent an undertaker to do what was necessary. - Nurse Bickford, at the hearing yesterday, wished it to be understood that the deceased was not under the influence of the anaesthetic when she died. - Dr E. A. Ellis stated that on May 2nd Dr Williams asked him to give an anaesthetic in a case of operation at the Hospital. He also examined the patient, whose heart was in a very weak condition. She took the anaesthetic very well and at no time during the operation was she very deeply under it. She had not fully recovered when removed from the operating theatre to the bed, but was well on the way. - In answer to the Coroner, the witness stated that the patient died as a result of the disease from which she was suffering - perforated gastric ulcer. She was also suffering from a shock produced by a rupture to the stomach. The operation was the only chance of saving her life. - The Coroner: You don't think that the operation caused the shock? - Witness: To some extent, possibly. - The Coroner: She survived 30 or 40 minutes after the operation? - Witness: Yes; death under an anaesthetic was quite a different matter to that. - Dr S. R. Williams, who was first called in to see the patient, said he told both the deceased and Mr Kelly that an operation was necessary as the only chance of saving her life. She offered no objection, observing, "I don't want to die, and you had better do your best." The operation was absolutely successful. Technically, she had recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic as a drug before she was taken from the operating theatre. If she had passed away under the anaesthetic, she would have been dead before the knife touched her. She possibility never entered his head and he did not therefore report the matter to the Coroner. - Dr Williams produced a letter from Mr A. G. Bateman, General Secretary of the Medical Defence Union, in which he said: "The question as to when and under what circumstances an Inquest shall be held rests with the Coroner, subject to the provisions of the Coroners' Acts. Under the circumstances detailed you would have been perfectly justified in giving a certificate of death, provided you mentioned the fact of an operation and the anaesthetics given. There is no legal obligation under any Act compelling you in such cases to communicate with the Coroner, and no blame can attach to you for not so communicating. Some Coroners hold Inquests after operations where death has followed rapidly; others do not. There is no rule in the matter; every Coroner is a guide to himself." - The doctor said there was no desire to hush the matter up, or avoid an Inquest. Realising that death did not take place under an anaesthetic, it never occurred to him that he should report it. - The Coroner: It is the usual practice. - The Doctor: Never in any other place where I have been. - The Coroner: It should be reported, so that a court can deal with the matter if thought necessary. In the interest of the public it was necessary and it gave confidence to the public to know that things would not be hushed up in any way. - "I merely wished to make the statement for the public benefit," said the witness. "In Bristol," he added, "unless the patient dies in the operating theatre the Coroner is not informed." - "There is no blame attaching to you," said the Coroner. - Answering a question by Mr Hacker, the doctor said the Hospital was well equipped. - In answer to Mr W. Kelly, Dr Williams said he attempted to get the assistance of other medical men on the list. There were five on the list. He thought assistance was unnecessary. - Mr Kelly said there were five medical men on the list of the Hospital, and he expected a servant of his to receive the best medical skill. - "I expect she had," remarked the Coroner. "There should have been another doctor there to assist in such a serious operation as this," said Mr Kelly. - The Coroner: The Doctor says he did not require it. - Mr Kelly: It is the opinion of other medical men. You admit the staff were all out, and you could not get them. - The Doctor: There is no question about it. - The Coroner: It is not necessary to have more than two qualified medical men - one to perform the operation and the other to administer the anaesthetic. - "Where there are plenty of men available, it is an advantage to have them," said the Doctor. - Mr Kelly did not consider that the staff was efficient. - Replying to the Foreman of the Jury, Dr Williams said time was of considerable importance in the case. There were few patients who recovered after the disease had had effect for 15 hours and after 24 hours recovery was practically hopeless. - The Coroner, in the course of his summing up, congratulated Ashburton and Buckfastleigh on having such a well-equipped Hospital and such an efficient staff to carry out the duties. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and agreed with the Coroner in his views with regard to the equipment of the Hospital.

SOUTH BRENT - Mr Sidney Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Constitutional Club Room, South Brent, on Wednesday, touching the death of MRS ANNIE ELIZABETH MAUD, of Belmont, South Brent, widow of the late REV. J. P. MAUD. Deceased passed away the same morning as a result of injuries received from a fall in her bedroom on Sunday morning. Evidence was given by the nurse and Dr F. W. Style. The Jury, of whom Mr R. H. Gill was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Saturday 11 May 1912
BROADHEMPSTON - "A Lovely Feeling." Extraordinary Story Of An Escape From Death At Broadhempston. - When Mr S. Hacker (County Coroner) conducted an Inquest on the body of PHILIP RADFORD NEWCOME, aged 26, a single man, of Woodcroft, Russell Hill Road, Purley, Surrey, at Broadhempston yesterday, an extraordinary story of an escape from death was told by the partner of the deceased. NEWCOME had for two-and-a-half years been a partner with William Butland Mann, as a cider merchant at Downe, Broadhempston, and on going into a cider vat on Thursday was overcome by the fumes. Mann, who attempted to rescue him, being also overcome, but rescued with difficulty in time. - Mann gave evidence of identification and said the deceased had been with him for two and a half years. On Thursday they were in the bottling shed and then came down through the stores where the vats were situated. Deceased said he would go and see what was in the No. 3 vat, and taste it. "I said to him," continued witness, "PHIL, don't go down into the vat, let it alone," but deceased went up and took off the manhole. - Why did you tell him not to go down, asked the Coroner, and the witness replied, "Because I did not think there was any occasion for him to go down." - Did you think there was any danger, further asked Mr Hacker, to which the reply was given that he (Mann) thought there might be. - Witness continued that the vat was capable of holding 800 gallons, was 6 1.2 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter. At the top of the vat there was a manhole, for the purpose of going inside if necessary. - The Coroner: There would be no ventilation except from the manhole? - Witness: Yes, there are the two shives at the side, and, if necessary, the plug at the bottom. - Witness continued that he thought there was about 15 inches deep of cider left, but the deceased said he wanted to see how much was in it. They never took out the shives when cider was in the vat, because they did not want too much air to get into it. Deceased lifted the manhole and descended into the vat. "When I found he had gone down," he said, "I got up on the vat to hand him the glass to taste it and I found he was lying on his back at the bottom of the vat. I then went in and as I did so I shouted to my man, Caunter. I could not say if the cider was over him." - How long had he been in there? asked the Coroner. - Only three seconds. As soon as he disappeared I jumped on the top to hand him the glass. I stooped down over the ladder, and go him under the arms. I tried to pull him up and that is all I recollect. I suppose my man caught hold of my arm. - Asked if he noticed the atmosphere, witness said he did not, because as soon as he got down the steps he must have gone right off. - What sort of a sensation or feeling was it? - It was a sort of lovely feeling, if I may so describe it, but I remember nothing more. - It was not an oppressive or unpleasant feeling then? - I was just in there a second when I must have gone off. - Caunter (the cellar man): Yes, you had gone when I got hold of your arm. - Mann: The next thing I remember I was in the yard. - Witness said that the vats were only built since Christmas and were the first he had had. He had had no experience of there being dangerous gas generating in them. When the Inspector of Factories last visited him the vats were not erected. Both deceased and himself had been in the vats before to clean them out. "I told him (deceased) not to go in because the manhole had not been off for a week. If the cover had been off a few hours before there would have been no danger. He was inside before I could say 'Jack Robinson,"" he added. It was usual, witness continued, to take down a candle to see what they were doing, but deceased did not take one. - You have not been in the habit of lowering a lighted candle as a test? - No, because I have always taken the precaution to see the manhole is off some time before. - You were aware of the danger there was in going into the vat if the cover had not been previously removed? - Yes, most decidedly. - Do you know it is a good test, as to whether there are any noxious gases, by letting a lighted candle down? - Yes; the same as in a well. When cleaning the vats out they ventilated them well, even taking the stopper out of the bottom. - A Juror: You don't think MR NEWCOME knew there was any danger? - I don't think he could have. He was only in there a second and he was gone. - The Coroner: When you regained consciousness had the deceased been got out? - Yes; I suppose I was a bit delirious and I craved to go back, because I was so distressed about it. - Witness said he was not aware of what his men did, because he was not always there, to which the Coroner replied that it would be to his interest to have regulations for his employees, to let them know the danger. - Answering a Juror, the witness said they always kept a pole for the purpose of measuring, without having to go inside, but the deceased wanted to taste it. - Dr W. F. Dale said the deceased was lying on his face in the shed and men were trying artificial respiration. Witness feared he was dead, but they continued the process for an hour, without success. There were a few external bruises, the face was livid and there was general lividity of the skin, with the exception of the lower part of the abdomen. A post-mortem examination showed the blood vessels of the brain were gorged with dark blood, the lungs were in a state of intense congestion and gorged with blood, the left ventricle of the heart contained dark blood, but nothing extensively gorged. The other organs were normal. Death was due to asphyxia, caused by carbon of dioxide gas. - As a rule, you find the right side of the heart full of blood? - Yes; but I think the suffocation was so quick, that the blood had not time to gorge there. - The Coroner adjourned the Inquiry until Tuesday next, at 2.30 p.m., for the attendance of the Inspector of Factories.

Western Times, Monday 13 May 1912
EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter. - At the Court House, Exeter, on Saturday, the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of THOMAS OSBORNE, aged 68, of Old Vicaridge-road, St. Thomas, who died on Friday. - THURZA OSBORNE said deceased was her brother, with whom she lived. He was a bachelor. He had complained of pains after having his meals. He was once a platelayer on the permanent way of the railway, and was pensioned off. On Thursday last witness went out, coming back at 9.30 p.m. Deceased was in bed and she took him up a cup of tea and some bread and butter. He did not then complain. On Friday at about 3 a.m. she heard deceased groaning. She went down to him and he died while she was there. - Dr S. E. Atkins deposed to making a post-mortem examination. The kidneys were much diseased and the heart affected. Death was due to coma as a result of the disease of the kidneys. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 14 May 1912
SOUTH MOLTON - Mr Rather, who failed to answer a summons to serve on a Coroner's Jury at South Molton Workhouse, on Thursday, was fined £1 1s. The Enquiry was into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM HILL, a Warkleigh labourer, who fell and injured himself whilst descending a short ladder on January 16th. He was attended by Dr Nicholl, who on March 14th ordered the man's removal to the Workhouse, where he died from senile decay accelerated by shock. A verdict to this effect was passed.

PETERS MARLAND - Fatal Accident. Sad Death After Being Married A Fortnight. - At Petersmarland, the death of FREDERICK DYMOND, labourer, aged 25, who met with a fatal accident after only a fortnight's married life, was Inquired into by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon. - MRS DYMOND stated that her husband was a horseman. The previous Sunday he went to attend to the horses and was subsequently brought home seriously injured. He was unable to tell her what had happened, never recovering consciousness. - Daniel Britton, deceased's employer, deposed that he found DYMOND lying on the ground, with a wound in the head and bleeding from the nose. Witness's little boy, aged four, told him the black horse had kicked deceased. - Dr Macindoe informed the Jury that there was a compound fracture of the skull and concussion of the brain. This was the cause of death, which occurred on Friday. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with deceased's widow.

KINGSWEAR - Late Vicar Of Kingswear. Irregular Treatment Of The Body Complained Of. - The Inquest relative to the death of the REV. FREDERICK WALKER, vicar of Kingswear, was held on Saturday. - CAPTAIN J. WALKER, R.N., (retired) said the vicar, his brother, was 72 years of age, a bachelor and had been vicar of Kingswear 32 years. He had complained of heart troubles for the past twenty years. - William S. Gee said on Saturday at about twenty past eleven o'clock, he saw MR WALKER near the Vicarage. Five or ten minutes later, seeing him on his hands and knees in the roadway, he sent a boy for assistance. The vicar was breathing very heavily, but unconscious. With Mr Trebble's assistance he carried him into the Vicarage and placed him on the couch, where he died. - Dr J. Harris said a post-mortem examination showed that all the organs of the body were healthy except the heart. Death was due to disease of the aorta. Death must have been instantaneous. What Mr Gee described as heavy breathing was the air going in and out as the body was being moved. - Mrs MacTavish said she had been walking with the vicar, who must have fallen just after he left her. He was rather excited, but did not seem to be in any distress. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes." - The Coroner called Miss Binham before him and asked: Did you go to the vicarage after MR WALKER'S death? - Witness: Yes. My mother could not go and asked me to go up and see if there was anything I could do. - What did you do afterwards? - I took off one boot and Miss Smart took off the other, and we rubbed his feet. - Mrs Wotton said she went up to see what she could do after MR WALKER was dead. - The Coroner: What has that to do with you? - I laid him out. - Are you aware that you must not interfere with a dead body? - I did not interfere. - The body was in the custody of the Police, and you had no right to interfere with it until ordered to. Did you search the clothes? - When I took off his coat the purse fell out and I picked it up. - Mrs McTavish said the doctor expressed a wish that the body should be laid out as soon as possible, and she volunteered to get someone. - Dr Harries said in such cases rigor mortis set in quickly and he suggested that the body should be laid out immediately. No Police were present up to that time. - The Coroner: Well, it is an irregular thing to do. If the body of a deceased person is searched by anybody it is the duty of the Police to do that. I understood the deceased's clothes had been searched. It was all irregular and ought not to have occurred.

TOTNES - Death From Lock-Jaw At Totnes. - At the Inquest held by Mr S. Hacker at Totnes Guildhall yesterday, on ALBERT JOHN HAWKINS, who died as the result of an accident, ERNEST THOMAS HAWKINS, plumber, said deceased was 38 years of age. On May 1st he saw him after he had seen the doctor. He told witness that while loading casks in a truck one slipped and crushed his fingers. Deceased did not regard the accident as serious, but a week later he complained of agonies of pain, which continued until he died on Saturday. - Samuel Yeoman, cooper, said that the deceased was loading casks into a truck to witness, but a ten-gallon cask was not lifted high enough and deceased caught his fingers between the truck and the cask. - Dr Gilson stated that the fingers of the deceased's left hand were bruised and there was a slight abrasion. He treated the deceased. On Thursday last he was called and found him suffering from lock-jaw, which became worse, and he died in a convulsion on Saturday morning. The germ of tetanus was principally found in surface and road dirt and was probably forced into his fingers. He used serum, but without result. Recoveries were very rare. Mr H. M. Lloyd stated that there was no manufacturing process at the stores where the deceased was employed. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

SUTCOMBE - The sudden death of WILLIAM HENRY JONES, carpenter, aged 65, of Sutcombe, was Inquired into yesterday afternoon by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, at Sutcombe. The evidence showed that deceased appeared to be in his usual health on Saturday and went to work at "The Cottage." While there he complained to Georgina Mills soon after he started work of feeling unwell and asked her for some milk which she gave him. Having drank it he said he felt better and went home, but expired almost immediately. - Dr L. B. Betts said a post-mortem examination revealed the right side of the heart fatty and dilated and death was due to syncope. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and gave their fees to the family.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Deserter's Tragic Death. - The death of ARTHUR NEWTON, aged 35, officers' steward, of the destroyer "Cameleon," and formerly a private in the R.M.L.I., formed the subject of an Inquest held at Stonehouse Town Hall yesterday afternoon. - George Frederick Law, a torpedo-gunner, of the "Cameleon" said deceased, who was his servant, went on night leave on April 30th, and should have returned at seven o'clock on the following morning, but had not returned since. Had he returned after the first seven days he would have been court-martialled as a deserter. He bore a good character. - P.C. Easterbrook, who was on duty at the Admiral's Head at 12.30 on Sunday morning, deposed to having seen the body of deceased there. Deceased was in a bent condition in about eighteen inches of water on the right hand side of the Hard. His cap was on the Hard and his face resting upon it. His arms were folded. He was quite dead. Searching the body he found a gun-metal watch that had stopped at 11.40 and was filled with water, fourpence halfpenny in cash, a pawn-ticket for an albert, and other articles. The pawn-ticket was dated May 2nd. - Other evidence was called to show that deceased had been seen on the night before his death, apparently in a very dejected state of mind. - The Coroner observed that it was quite clear there was no foul play. There was the point that the deceased knew he was a deserter and it was for the Jury to decide whether that had worried him into taking his life. - The Jury returned an Open Verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Times, Wednesday 15 May 1912
BROADHEMPSTON - Employees' Bravery. The Broadhempston Cider Vat Tragedy. Adjourned Inquest. - At the Church Institute, Broadhempston, yesterday afternoon, Mr S. Hacker (County Coroner) continued the adjourned Inquest on PHILLIP RADFORD NEWCOME, 26, of Woodcraft, Russell Hill-road, Purley, Surrey, who died on Thursday last. The deceased met his death by going into a cider vat, where he was overcome by the fumes and died before he was rescued. - At yesterday's Inquest Mr L. P. Evans, Inspector of Factories, watched the proceedings. - Wm. Henry Caunter, head cellarman at the factory, said that on the 9th May he was cleaning casks in the cellar. He heard MR NEWCOME say to Mr Mann, "I will go and see what cider there is in the vat," and Mr Mann replied, "Don't go down, PHIL." At the time witness had his back to the vat, but deceased could not have gone in without lifting off the manhole. Mr Mann shouted out "PHIL where are you?" and then he heard Mr Mann shout "Caunter," witness ran up the steps and found Mr Mann in the vat. Witness could not see MR NEWCOME. Mr Mann was overcome and was just collapsing when witness caught him by the arm. Witness pulled him up for all he was worth and shouted for help. to get him out was too much for witness. Mrs Mann was the first to come and he told her that Mr Mann had been overcome and she went for a man named Roach. - The Coroner: How long was it before you got him out? - Oh, quite ten minutes. - Only you holding him near the top? - Yes. - Witness, continuing, stated that another man named Rowe came, and they got Mr Mann out. He was quite unconscious and they had to roll him about to keep life in him. Other assistance was soon forthcoming and Rowe went into the vat to get out MR NEWCOME. - In answer to the Coroner, the witness stated that he should say MR NEWCOME was in the vat about twenty minutes. The men employed at the factory would not go down into a vat immediately after the cover was taken off. He thought deceased must have done so on the spur of the moment. It was well known to be a dangerous thing to do. The cover of the vat was sometimes kept off for two days and a night and a candle was usually lowered in. - Frederick John Rowe, a carter, described entering the vat to remove the deceased. When he got about three rungs down the ladder he found he was standing on something. It proved to be MR NEWCOME, whose head was lying in the bottom of the vat. His feet were between the rungs of the ladder. Continuing his narrative, Rowe said that he was standing at the bottom of the vat, endeavouring to tie a rope under MR NEWCOME'S arms, when he felt his head going giddy and he could not breathe. He went to the top and put his head out of the manhole and when he had had enough fresh air he went down again and finished placing the rope around deceased. He then told the others to pull him out and this was done. When they got him out there was a little blood running from his nose. They tried artificial respiration, without success. - In summing up, the Coroner said the presumption was that the deceased did not know the danger of entering the vat without first allowing the gas to escape. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider to the effect that a notice should be placed in the factory that no person should enter the vats without the order of someone in authority.

Western Times, Friday 17 May 1912
RATTERY - Strange Story. Of A Naval Stoker's Death At Rattery. - At Hatchland Farm, Rattery, yesterday afternoon, Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of a man found in the Harbourne stream which flows through the farm. - George Fey, labourer, deposed to finding the body face downwards in a pool 6ft. wide. Deceased would have to go through two fields to get to the place. - P.C. Pearse said the deceased appeared to have been in the water some time, the body being decomposed. Deceased was wearing the uniform of a naval stoker, and had his cap in his right hand with H.M.S. "Skipjack" on the band. On his "dicky" and in his purse, which was empty, was stamped the name E. JOYNER. - Thomas J. Buckler, chief writer, of H.M.S. "Skipjack," said he believed the body was that of ERNEST JOYNER, stoker, first class. He left the ship on Sunday, April 21st., and should have returned at 7 a.m. on April 22nd. He lived at Hallen Marsh, Bristol, and was about 20 years of age. - Cecil Ernest Coker, farmer, stated on the morning of April 22nd he found a bicycle inside a field three-quarters of a mile from where the deceased was found. He went to the field daily, but had not been beside the pool since April 19th. - The Jury (Mr W. Moore, Foreman), returned a verdict that the deceased was ERNEST JOYNER, but that there was no evidence of how or when he came to his death. - Mr Coker mentioned that on May 4th the Otter Hounds came up the stream the whole way.

Western Times, Saturday 18 May 1912
EXETER - An Exeter Accident. Coroner Enquires Into Tragic Death Of A Builder. - Mr W. Linford Brown held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening, touching the death of THOMAS WILLIAM HOOKINGS, a master builder, of East Grove-road, Saint Leonard's, Exeter, who was blown off some scaffolding on Thursday afternoon, and died almost immediately as the result of his injuries. Mr Gloyns was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Thomas Hooper, Fore-street, Heavitree, identified the body as that of MR HOOKINGS, who was 39 years of age. - Richard Southard, 9 Bedford Circus, carpenter, said he was working with deceased in St. Leonard's-road, and was standing at the bottom of the ladder while deceased was one the scaffolding. A gust of wind blew deceased right off. Witness and another man picked him up. - By the Coroner: They were only just fixing up the scaffolding. Deceased did all the tying himself. - James Ewings, labourer, said he came down from the ladder to get a rope and when he looked round he found deceased lying on his face, on the path. - Dr Fisher, who saw deceased when he was brought to the Hospital, said he was dead on arrival. He made an examination and found fractures of the vault and base of the skull. Death was possibly instantaneous. - P.C. Walters, Coroner's Officer, stated that all the ropes were sound on the scaffolding. - The Coroner said it was no doubt an accident caused through the deceased either being blown off the scaffolding or slipping off. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" caused by a gust of wind, and expressed sympathy with the widow. The Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Friday 24 May 1912
TOTNES - Accidentally Drowned. The Sad Death Of A South Devon Farmer. - On Monday afternoon, at Sharpham Barton Farm, near Totnes, Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of MR HARRY FRANK PALK, 65, the occupier. - Mr J. Harvey was the Foreman of the Jury, and Supt. W. Jeffery represented the Police. - FREDERICK PALK said his father enjoyed good health. He left the house at 7 o'clock on Saturday night to look at the cattle. He did not return and witness and James Trace searched for him. They met at the pond at 10 p.m., and found deceased's dog barking there at the top end of the pond. Close to it was a rake and long-handled hook. Deceased's hat, which was wet, was beside the rake at the edge of the pond. When cattle were put in the field, deceased usually went to clear off the weed, so that they should not stick in the mud. If he had slipped he would have fallen into deep water. The body could not be found with grappling irons and the Totnes fire engine partly emptied the pond. He thought perhaps deceased's hat fell into the water, and that he put it on the bank to dry. He knew no reason why his father should take his life. - James Trace, farm labourer, said he would not say deceased had the rake in his hand when he fell in. It looked as if he had finished his work at the pond. He thought perhaps he got giddy and fell in, and even if anyone had been there at the time there would have been difficulty to get him out. - Sidney Metters, postman, said he was on his round at 7.15 p.m. and saw deceased pulling weeds from the pond. He called to witness and took the letters. He told witness he was stocking the field and if he removed the weeds, stock would not get into the mud. He also said that before doing any more he would go and see the cattle and went towards Sharpham House. There was 3ft. to 4ft. of water where he was working. - Ernest R. Hawke, butcher, Totnes, said that while in a boat on the river about 8.30 p.m. on Saturday he saw the deceased walking along the bank of the river. The cattle were at the higher end of the field. - P.C. Endacott said that about 10 yards of weeds and rushes had been cut. The engine pumped from 10.30 a.m. to 1.45 p.m. before the body was found. The letters on the body were a bill and receipt. - Dr G. J. Gibson, of Totnes, stated that death was due to drowning. He last saw the deceased on Sunday week. He considered that he was falling off in strength. Mentally he was all right. Witness did not know he had suffered from giddiness, but aged people often got fits in stooping. - MRS PALK, deceased's widow, said he did not suffer from giddiness, but had told her the worst thing he could do was to stoop. She had no reason to think he wished to end his life. - The Coroner said it was a fair presumption to suppose that deceased fell into the pond. The only other way he could have got into the water was with intentions of taking his life and there was not the slightest evidence to support such a suggestion; in fact all the evidence appeared rather against it. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and expressed their sympathy with the family. - The Coroner joined in the vote, as did Mr H. Osmond, the estate steward, on behalf of Mr Oxley Durant Parker.

WOODBURY - Mysterious Affair. Farm Lad Hangs Himself At Woodbury. Story At The Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Parish Room, Woodbury, yesterday afternoon, before Mr E. R. Tweed, concerning the death of WILLIAM JAMES EVELEIGH, a farm servant, aged 16, who was found hanging the previous day. Mr Lear was chosen foreman of the Jury. - FREDERICK HUGH EVELEIGH, a labourer, of Ebford, identified the body as that of his son, whom he last saw alive on Good Friday, April 5th. He had never shewn any signs of mental instability. He entered into the service of Mr Samuel Cornish as a farm servant on January 8th. He was quite happy and contented in his place. He had never heard his son threaten to take his life and he had no love affair. - Samuel Cornish of Cottle's Farm, Woodbury, said deceased was in his employment, and entered into his service in January. Deceased had been employed to help on the farm, and did his work thoroughly and his conduct had been satisfactory during the time he had been in his employment. He saw EVELEIGH soon after five Wednesday afternoon. He had been turning in potatoes with witness in front of the house. Deceased said the hooter was blowing at 5, and witness told deceased to finish turning the few spits and take the key, go to the stable and turn the horse into the field, and go up for the cows. Then take the mare back with the cows to drink. He went away apparently, and about a quarter of an hour later the mare came galloping down the road towards the village, with the cows in front. Witness notices that the mare had no halter on, so he got across a field and caught her and brought her home up the road towards the homestead. Witness shouted to Mr Wright and asked him if he had seen WILL (the deceased). Mr Wright replied, "I saw him go for the cows just now." Witness said, "But the mare and cows have galloped home and I expect the mare has kicked him in play and galloped away." Mr Wright said, "I'll go up the road and see," and rode away on his horse. Witness attended to the mare and cows, by which time (about ten minutes) he heard the horse which Mr Wright was riding galloping back. Wright said to witness, "It is nothing to do with the mare. It is what he has done himself. He was hanging inside the gate from an oak limb with a rope around his neck." Witness at once sent for the doctor and the Police. He (Mr Cornish) had never noticed anything about deceased in the way of insanity. In the morning deceased never seemed bright, but seemed to be thinking. EVELEIGH was always pleasant and good-tempered, and was quite bright all the day, and had spoken pleasantly to Mr Wright. Deceased had never caused any trouble and they were all on pleasant terms with him. - William Wright said he was the last person to see deceased alive. Just after five he was ploughing in a field with two horses near where EVELEIGH was found, when he heard someone shouting. It was deceased, who said to witness, "You are going to kill these horses." Witness replied, "Hello, is that you? Are you talking through your hat?" EVELEIGH responded, good-humouredly, "Yes." Deceased passed on. Witness had been a great deal in deceased's company lately. About half an hour later he heard Mr Cornish shouting to ask if witness had seen WILL coming down the road. He replied "No." Witness rode up the road and inside the gate of the field he saw deceased hanging with a piece of string around his neck, from an oak bush. Witness jumped off his horse and cut deceased down and immediately started artificial respiration. But there was no response and witness was satisfied that the lad was dead. Witness had never seen anything wrong with the lad which would point to insanity. - Mr Beer (a Juror) asked if the rope was sufficiently strong to hang a man like deceased from an oak tree as big as a man's arm? - Mr Wright replied that the feet were touching the ground. - The Coroner: He strangled himself, then. - Dr Furnival said he was called to see deceased at 6 o'clock and saw him lying in a cart in the gateway of the field. He was informed that artificial respiration had been tried for fully half an hour. Witness made a cursory examination of the body, but was satisfied that there were no signs of life. The body was then removed to the ante-room of the Parish Room in the village, where witness saw a cord mark on the neck rather deep, being such as would indicate hanging. There were no marks of injury on the body else. Dr Furnival explained that as on account of deceased being tall, and from the length of the rope above the head, the cord was quite strong enough to hang the deceased without breaking. But had there been a seven feet drop to the ground the rope would have parted. The neck was not broken and death was due to strangulation. The rope was above the larynx, but had it been below death would have been quicker. - P.C. Parr gave evidence and said he tried artificial respiration, after he saw deceased, for half an hour, without success. He had searched the body and found nothing that would throw any light upon the motive for the act. He had also searched deceased's bedroom and found nothing there that would be likely to clear up any matter. - The Coroner commented on the extraordinary fact that deceased, in light spirits and in a good heart apparently, should put a rope around his neck and bring about his death in this way. He could hardly think it accidental. But if the Jury thought he had intentionally done it they should not hesitate to say it. It had been suggested that it might have been accidental. - The father said deceased was sometimes up to pranks, and he believed he might have done it as an experiment. - The Coroner: Well, gentlemen, that is the father's view. - The Coroner pointed out that the Jury, in recording their verdict might add that deceased was of unsound mind rather than that he did it during temporary insanity. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Saturday 25 May 1912
GREAT TORRINGTON - Child's Sad Death At Torrington. - Mr G. W. F. Browne, County Coroner, conducted an Inquest at Torrington yesterday relating to the death of a 17-month old child, the daughter of MR and MRS BLIGHT, who fell into a pan of boiling water and succumbed to its injuries. MRS BLIGHT told the Jury that last Sunday she took some cabbage which she had boiled for dinner, into the back yard to strain off the water, leaving the pan in the yard while she put the cabbage on the table. During that moment her little boy shouted that IVY had fallen into the water. She immediately ran to her assistance, and sent for the doctor and nurse. - Dr Macindoe said he was called to the house on Sunday afternoon and found the child suffering from extensive scalds to the lower part of its body. He attended to the wounds, and she made good progress until Thursday, when she expired. He attributed death to heart failure and blood poisoning, set up by the burns. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly and expressed their sympathy with the parents.

EXMOUTH - Pathetic Story. Inquest On The Exmouth Tragedy. Illness And Depression. - At the Exmouth Cottage Hospital yesterday morning, Mr E. R. Tweed, (Coroner for the District) held an Inquest relative to the death of MRS LOUISA JANE HART, aged 37, wife of MR HENRY ELIAS HART, gardener at Castle Park House, Exmouth. Mr J. W. Edwards was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The husband of the deceased said at 6.30 on Thursday morning he found his wife in the kitchen at Castle Park House, on her knees, with her hands clenched. Her throat he noticed was cut. He asked her why she had done it, but she did not reply to the question; nor did she at any time make a specific statement as to how she came by the injury. She only said afterwards to witness, "Do not leave me." Witness then called his wife's sister, who was staying in the house and asked her to go for a doctor. Deceased struggled to hold her throat. Afterwards Mr Lacey came down. On Wednesday night witness went to bed at 10.15. His wife, by the doctor's orders, had been in bed since Monday. Dr Hanna, her medical attendant, saw her on Wednesday morning, and told her to still remain in bed. On Tuesday deceased seemed to have delusions about her illness. Her eyes were puffed and she said she had erysipelas. Next she seemed to think she had dropsy. She had for a fortnight had pains in her head, and then catarrh, which seemed to relieve the pains. Witness did not apprehend anything as to the state of her mind. ANNIE FOWLER, his wife's sister, was staying in the house and had been doing her work whilst she was ill. The other persons in the house beside were Miss Hammond (the cook), and Mr Lacey and his brother, and deceased was on good terms with everyone. Witness said to Mr Lacey, who was in the kitchen, "I wonder what she did it with?" as he saw a table knife on the table, and deceased replied, "I did it with your razor." He had never heard her threaten to take her life and she always expressed a horror of suicide. There were no troubles or worries whatever to affect deceased. The razor produced was his. It was bloodstained when he saw it on the dresser in the kitchen, but during his absence at the Hospital, and before the Police came, it had been cleaned by someone. - ANNIE FOWLER, sister of the deceased, said she was down for a holiday and on Sunday she visited her sister at Castle Park House, where she remained afterwards because she found MRS HART ill. She complained to witness of being very bad in the head. She said, "NANCY, my dear, I shall never get better. It is the dreadful pains in my head; and, oh! my poor eyes." She had complained of her eyes for a long time. She had never threatened to take her life. Witness thought deceased was much better on Wednesday and did not think it necessary to watch her. MRS HART and her husband lived on the most affectionate terms. On Thursday morning MR HART called to her to go for a doctor. She looked into the kitchen and saw the blood, and thought her sister had haemorrhage. She afterwards spoke to deceased and said, "My darling; my sweet sister," and she replied, "God bless you, my brother and sister." But she made no admission about the matter. No one thought she was likely to take her life, though she had been depressed for some days. Witness quite believed the injury was self-inflicted. - Dr Hanna said MRS HART had been a patient of his for four or five years. He was called to see her on Saturday, when she had a swelling of her eyelids and complained of pain in the head. He told the husband that if deceased was not better on Monday she would have to go to bed. Witness saw her on Monday and again on Wednesday, when she was in bed. The husband said deceased had had a bad night. After witness saw her he told MR HART he had better have someone to look after his wife by day rather than let her remain alone upstairs. She was not suicidal so far as he was able to say. Her chief trouble on Wednesday was that she would be parted from her child. She was usually a very cheerful person. Witness did not see her again until Thursday morning, about five minutes before she died, and he was with her at the time she expired. She was then unconscious. - Dr Sturdee said he was called to Castle Park House on Thursday morning and saw deceased sitting on the floor in the kitchen, supported by a woman and a gentleman. There was much blood about the floor and a handkerchief was upon deceased's throat. The wound had then stopped bleeding. He did not ask her any questions, nor did she make any statement. Witness got her placed on the table and then Dr Hodgson arrived, and she was removed to the Hospital, where he examined her throat and stitched up the wound. Deceased had made a primary attempt, which had only cut across the skin. But in the second cut above, which extended 3 ½ inches along the neck, she had cut through skin and muscles and the front of the windpipe. Three-quarters of an hour after he left deceased at the Hospital he was summoned to her again, and was told by the Sister that she was very restless and talking. He found deceased in this state and she complained of choking. The cause of death was due to suffocation, owing to a clot of blood from the wound forming on the lungs. He concluded that the wound was self-inflicted and by a right-handed woman, as it was a cut from left to right. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and gave their fees to the Cottage Hospital.

PAIGNTON - The Sudden Death In A Field At Paignton. - At an Inquest at Paignton yesterday on the body of JOHN PEARCE VARWELL, a young married man of 25, who died suddenly in a field adjoining Sparks Barn Lane on Thursday morning, Dr Cosens said the organs were all congested and the heart was fatty and flabby. Death was due to failure of the heart's action, accelerated by the congestion. The young fellow, who had means, was delicate and when he fell dead was talking to his father-in-law in a field in which the latter intends putting up some houses.

Western Times, Monday 27 May 1912
PAYHEMBURY - Sad Death Of a Payhembury Farmer. - Dr Tweed (Coroner) held an Inquest at Haskins Farm, Payhembury, on Saturday, touching the death of RICHARD PRATT, aged 60, of Farrantshayes Farm, Clisthydon. MR PRATT left his home on Thursday morning, at 11 a.m., to visit Haskins Farm, where he was about to reside. When midnight came and deceased did not arrive home, a search was made for him, and at 5 a.m. on Friday morning, deceased was found dead in a little stream in one of his own fields at Broadhembury. The body was found by deceased's son and a workman. Mr Harris was chosen Foreman of the Jury. Dr Relton who had made a post-mortem, stated that there was no sign that deceased had a fit. His opinion was that he fell into the stream, was stunned, and died from drowning. There was about six inches of water in the stream. It was stated that a bough overhung the stream, and it was supposed deceased caught his foot and stumbled into the stream. The Jury found that deceased accidentally fell into the water, the cause of death being Drowning.

EXETER - Newton Woman's Death At The County Asylum. - At the Devon County Asylum on Saturday, the County Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould) held an Inquest relative to the death of SELINA WILLS, aged 73, an inmate, who died on Wednesday last. - Dr Eager, Assistant Medical Officer, said deceased was admitted to the Asylum in December 1904 from Newton Abbot. She was an epileptic and in a weak condition generally. Witness was called to see her on the 16th May and was told that she had a bruise on top of her chest. On examination he found she had a fracture of the collar-bone and a bruise also in the abdomen. The bruise might easily have been caused by her falling whilst in a fit. He could not say definitely. She was removed to the Infirmary and kept in bed. She developed congestion of the lungs and died on the 22nd inst. Death was due to heart failure. On making a post-mortem examination, he found that the bones were unusually brittle. He thought the fracture might possibly be due to deceased turning over in bed, or being turned over by someone else. He could not ascertain whether or not she had had a fall. - Mary Clarke, charge nurse in the epileptic ward deposed to deceased having a fit on the Sunday previous to the discovery of the bruise. Deceased threw herself about then, being in bed at the time. From enquiries she had made, she was certain that deceased did not have a fall. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Tuesday 28 May 1912
ST MARYCHURCH - Torquay Fatality. - An Inquest was held at St. Marychurch, yesterday, by Mr S. Hacker, concerning the death of ARTHUR, the four-year-old son of SAMUEL ELSON, quarryman of Furrough-cross, Babbacombe, Torquay. - Evidence was adduced showing that the little boy was knocked down five weeks ago by a boy cyclist named Luxton. Last Wednesday the child was taken ill and died on Saturday. After hearing the evidence of the boy Luxton who said he was riding round the corner slowly and of Dr Winter, who attributed death to meningitis, caused by a blow through being accidentally knocked down by the cyclist, the Jury, of whom Mr Fenton was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached no blame to anyone.

Western Times, Wednesday 29 May 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - An Ex-Sergeant's Death At Newton. - Mr Sidney Hacker conducted an Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday on the body of FREDERICK CHARLES TATTENDEN, of 39 East-street, an ex-Sergeant of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, who died suddenly in Queen-street, Newton, that morning. - WALLACE EDWARD TATTENDEN, son, gave evidence of identification, and said his father was a builder's clerk, in the employ of Mr Hugh Mills. - The widow stated that her husband was unwell from November to January last and underwent a serious operation, since when he had enjoyed much better health. He went for a walk on Monday afternoon and yesterday rose at 5.30 a.m. - Mr Mills told the Jury that deceased arrived at his work as usual that morning and just before eight let to go to breakfast, making a casual remark about the glorious weather. - John Henry Weatherdon gave evidence of seeing deceased fall against the gate of Messrs. Cull's timber yard, about 8 a.m. He recovered himself a little, but made a step or two forward and fell again, striking his head on the ground. - P.C. Mortimore said death had taken place when he arrived and Dr Nesbitt, giving the result of a post-mortem examination, stated that death was due to failure of the heart. "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict of the Jury.

Western Times, Friday 31 May 1912
CHARDSTOCK (DORSET) - It was stated at an Inquest held Wednesday relative to the death of GEORGE WELCH, aged 59, a retired baker, of Chardstock, that although he was of a quiet disposition as a rule, he was none the less cheerful. Before retiring to bed at 10 o'clock on Saturday he bade his sister, MRS LARCOMBE, good night, and appeared to be in the best of spirits. MRS LARCOMBE retired to bed at about 12 p.m. and on rising at 7 o'clock on Sunday morning saw her brother over the banisters. She called to him, asking him what he was doing there and receiving no answer, went to investigate. Finding her brother hanging, apparently dead, she rushed into the street and met Mr Symes, who cut the body down. Mr Symes was then joined by P.C. Daniels and the latter examined the body and found that it was cold and rapidly becoming rigid. Dr Langran of Axminster, was summoned and he found that deceased had died from asphyxiation caused by the pressure of a rope. After a short deliberation the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," expressing sympathy with the deceased's relatives.

TOPSHAM - The Inquest on JOHN BUTT, aged 63, of Denver-road, Topsham, whose body was found in the river Exe near Jackson's Pit, about 1 mile from Topsham, was held by the District Coroner (Mr H. W. Gould) at the Topsham Vestry Hall on Tuesday afternoon. P.C. Hutchings said about 7 a.m. on Saturday evening he found a coat on the bank of the river Exe at the back of Newport House, and it was subsequently identified as belonging to the deceased. In one of the pockets was the envelope, on which was written: "Goodbye, my children; I cannot stand this any longer. Think good of me, your dad." - The body was recovered from the river the next morning near the spot where the coat was found. The Jury of which Mr Nott was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

TORQUAY - Fatal Accident At Torquay. - An elderly lady named DRURY, living at "Eastbourne" Vansittart-road, Torquay, who met with an accident some weeks since and broke her ribs, died on Wednesday. - Mr E. Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held the Inquest yesterday. - Mary Tothill, who carries on "Eastbourne" as a lodging-house, said deceased was 88 years of age. She was well on May 20th, the day of the accident, but she had a fall and complained of having hurt her side. It was not usual for deceased to get up as early as 6.30. When the occurrence took place medical aid was at once procured. - Mary Elizabeth Way also gave evidence, like the last witness, in a very inaudible tone of voice. - Dr W. W. Stabb said he had attended deceased for some years. On the morning of May 20th he was called to the house and he found her suffering from a broken rib on the right side. He attended her and she went on well for the first two or three days, after which she gradually sank and died from exhaustion due to the shock of the accident. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 1 June 1912
EXETER - An Exeter Child's Death. - At the Court House, Exeter, last evening, the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Browne) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of FRANCIS EDWIN BRAILEY, of Waterloo-place, Belgrave-road, Exeter. - THOMAS BRAILEY identified the body as that of his son, who was four years of age. Witness noticed he was ill on Monday morning. Deceased looked queer and he brought him to the kitchen from the bedroom and laid him on the couch. At about nine o'clock the child got worse and witness fetched Dr Frost at midday. The doctor ordered the child to be poulticed and bathed. The death took place about forty-five minutes after the doctor left. - Witness had not heard that on the Friday previous deceased had fallen and sustained a blow on the head. He had heard that he had been pushed down in the street by his little sister while at play. - ALICE MAUD BRAILEY corroborated her husband's statement. The boy had always been a healthy child. He was poorly on Sunday. He made no complaint about having hurt his head by falling off a wall. - Mrs Budd, Waterloo-place, Belgrave-road, said that on Friday she saw deceased with a scarred head, which a neighbour who looked after the children had bathed. She heard that on Saturday the child very ill and further that it had fallen off a wall. - Mrs Adams, another neighbour, said she saw the child fall while at play on the Monday. - Dr Frost said he found that the boy was suffering from convulsions, due to pneumonia. He had not heard that deceased fell. He had made a very careful examination and found there was only a very slight abrasion on the right cheek. This had nothing to do with the death. The lungs were badly congested. - The Corner said that the reason why the Inquest was held was that the Police had heard that death might have been caused by a fall. It had been proved by the doctor's evidence that death was quite natural. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Monday 3 June 1912
ASHBURTON - Fatal Accident At Ashburton. - On Saturday afternoon, at the Market Hall, Mr Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of MR PETER FOOT, about 52 years of age, of the Old Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, who died at the Cottage Hospital the previous day. Mr J. Cock, junr., was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Mr Stanley Langler, saddler, identified the body and said he saw the deceased in North-street, Ashburton, on Thursday afternoon. He was then in his usual health. - Dr Ellis stated that he saw the deceased on a horse near the Bullring, Ashburton, on Thursday evening, wishing some friends good-bye. The horse started off at a gallop. When he got to Great Bridge he saw the deceased lying in the road. Witness attended to him and then went for the ambulance on which deceased was taken to the Cottage Hospital. - MARIA FOOT stated that deceased was her husband and left home on Thursday for Ashburton on a horse that had not been ridden or worked for several days. He was in his usual good health and said he should be home early. - Charles Cresswell, ostler at the London Hotel, stated that he stabled the horse, which was a young chestnut gelding and quite fresh. Deceased was perfectly sober. - Dr Sankey stated that he was informed by Dr Ellis that an accident had occurred to MR FOOT, who was a patient of his. He at once went to the Hospital, where deceased was brought. He saw from the first that there was no hope of recovery, as deceased was bleeding from the mouth and ears and had a large wound on the top of his head. He died on Friday afternoon without recovering consciousness. - Mr Matthews, professional golf player, stated that he was near Great Bridge at the time. The animal turned too sharply and threw the rider. He went to his assistance and Dr Ellis was there within a minute. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the widow, in which the Coroner joined.

Western Times, Tuesday 4 June 1912
TORQUAY - At Torquay, yesterday, Mr E. Cornish Bowden (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest at the Police Court concerning the death of THOMAS HENRY LANDER, 19, of No. 7, Lower Wellesley-road, Ellacombe, Torquay, which sad event occurred at the Hospital, deceased having been an inmate for four months. Nearly a year ago deceased was kicked by a horse whilst in the employ of Mr S. Neuman, dairyman, of Tor Hill-road, Torquay. - The Coroner, at the outset, said that there appeared some doubt as to whether deceased died from natural causes or as the result of an accident. - THOMAS LANDER, father of the deceased, employed by the Torquay Corporation, said that deceased enjoyed good health up to July last, when he complained of pains in the leg and said he had previously been kicked by a pony, the property of his employer, Mr S. Neuman. At that time he limped about, but being a young man he appeared not to take much notice of it. Eventually he persuaded the lad to see Dr Cook and later he went to Dr Bennett, who examined him under the Routgen Ray process. Eventually the deceased went into the Hospital, where he remained until his death, having been an inmate for seventeen weeks on Saturday last. Deceased whilst there underwent a successful operation, but the trouble afterwards flew to the head. - Dr B. Flack, House Surgeon at the Hospital, deposed that deceased was admitted to that Institution on February 10th, upon the recommendation of Dr Bennett. Deceased suffered from a badly swollen knee, which he could not bend. An X-ray examination revealed much enlarged joints, and no fracture, but tubercular disease. The disease might have been hastened on by the kick from the horse. Deceased was put under medical treatment, but the tubercular growth becoming worse, an operation was performed very successfully. Deceased got along very well until about a fortnight ago, when he became worse and died on Saturday last at midnight. Death resulted from tubercular meningitis. He had great doubt as to whether the kick from the horse had anything to do with the death. - The Jury, of whom Mr W. Blackler was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Times, Wednesday 5 June 1912
CREDITON - An Elderly Woman's Sad Death At Crediton. - Mr Henry W. Gould conducted an Inquest yesterday at the Girls' Club Room, Crediton, relative to the death of ELLEN GLANVILLE. - EDWIN GLANVILLE, shoemaker, said the deceased was his wife, and 72 years of age. He left his house on Monday at about 12.15 to visit his daughter, who lived a few doors below, and later Mrs Harvey came to him and informed him that his wife had fallen down. Witness found her at his daughter's. She was conscious and with his assistance walked home. She was seen by Dr Moiser in the afternoon and died on Monday at 1.14 p.m. Witness had known her fall many times before and she was under Dr Moiser's care at the time of this accident. - Mary Ann Harvey, wife of William Harvey, postman, of Crediton, said she heard someone fall outside her house. She went out and found deceased on her back on the pavement. She presented the appearance of one stunned. Mr Lionel Moiser, Surgeon, Crediton, said when he saw deceased she complained of severe headache and pain at the bottom of her back. Witness saw her later, and found her unconscious. He concluded she was suffering from haemorrhage. She continued in much the same state and died the next day. Her condition might have been produced by a fall. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 7 June 1912
COLDRIDGE - Accident At Coleridge. Young Driver Found Dead Under His Cart. - Mr Frank Thomas, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Chelverton Cottage, Coleridge, on Wednesday, relative to the death of FRED SAMPSON, aged 20, son of a road contractor. The body was identified by JAMES SAMPSON, the father, who said his son left home on Monday morning with a horse and cart to draw stones from Holme Cross to Frogbury Cross. The horse was a quiet one. William Molland, of Westcott, farmer, said on Monday afternoon, while on his way to the village at East Cross, he found a horse and cart upside down on a piece of waste by three cross roads. The horse was on its back and could not rise. Cutting the harness he released the animal. As he was unable to turn over the cart, he got on the horse and went for assistance. The head and shoulders of the deceased were underneath the cart. When released his body was still warm, but there was no sign of life. The cart was empty. There were no signs that any other vehicle had passed, but there were signs in the road of the horse having been frightened, and having tried to run away. One wheel of the cart had passed over a heap of stones, and the horse had apparently dragged the cart on its side for several feet before it turned completely over. - Dr Haycroft of Bow, who examined the body on Monday evening, said he found small bruises over the neck, right shoulder and another slight bruise over the region of the heart. The neck was dislocated. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 8 June 1912
BROADCLYST - Crushed To Death. Broadclyst Labourer Meets With a Shocking End. - The shocking death of GEORGE HENRY TAYLOR, aged 35, labourer, of Ballamount, Broadclyst, formed the subject of an Inquest held at Dobery Cottage, Killerton, by Mr Frank Thomas (Deputy Coroner) last evening. - CHARLES TAYLOR, of Ballamount, Broadclyst, labourer, brother of deceased, said deceased worked for Mr George Shore, timber merchant of Broadclyst, up to the time of his death. - George Hurford, of Rockbeare, labourer, said he was paid by Mr Shore to throw and bark trees at Killerton. He engaged his own man of whom deceased was one. The previous day, witness, deceased and two other men were engaged in cutting off the limbs of oak trees which had already been barked. Witness left them, having given directions as to which branches were to be taken off, and shortly afterwards heard one of the other men, named Bartlett, calling out. He went back and found that while they were cutting off a large branch the tree slipped and that the deceased had been caught between the trunk of the tree and a branch which had been previously cut off. Witness did not consider there was any danger in sawing off the branch in the manner directed. - Walter Bartlett, labourer, of Rockbeare, said at 4.45 on Thursday afternoon he was engaged with deceased in cutting off the branch as described by the last witness. They were using a cross-cut saw and the branch was about three feet from the ground. Witness was standing on one side, whilst the deceased was between the trunk and the branch and was kneeling on the ground. When the branch had been nearly sawn off it gave way suddenly and the deceased must have moved on one side. The trunk of the tree rolled slightly away from him and he got his head caught between the tree and another branch which had been previously cut off. Had he stayed still witness did not think he would have been injured. His head was wedged so firmly that they had to move the tree to release it. Death appeared to have been instantaneous. - Dr Sandee, of Broadclyst, who examined the body in the evening, said the whole of the skull was crushed into quite a pulp. Death must have been instantaneous. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Found Drowned. Inquest On A St. Thomas Labourer. Dead In A Trough. - The peculiar circumstances surrounding the death of JOHN COURT, aged 61, general labourer, of 96 Cowick-street, St. Thomas, were investigated by the Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) and a City Jury at the Police Station, Exeter, last evening. - WM. JOHN COURT, son of deceased, said he last saw his father on Tuesday evening, about 9 o'clock. He was then going out of the house. - The Coroner: Had he been drinking? - By his appearance and talk he had. His health, proceeded witness, had been all right and he had never heard him threaten to take his life. - James Bulled, of Cowick-street, said he knew the deceased very well. He last saw him on Wednesday evening, soon after 9.30, in the Falmouth Inn, where witness served. He was sober, as usual. He went away just after that time, having had two glasses of cider. - Wm. Hunt, under gardener on the Franklyn Estate, said on Thursday, about 9.30 a.m. he saw a coat hung up on a nail by the pump in the Archery Field. On going closer he saw the body of deceased face downwards in the trough in 5 or 6 inches of water. One arm was over the side of the trough and the other was in the water. Witness went for the Police and a doctor. - P.C. Russell, who was summoned at 9.55 a.m., said he called Dr Black and they went to the Archery Field. The doctor examined deceased and pronounced life extinct. Deceased was lying face downwards, with his right arm underneath him. The left hand was grasping the left edge of the pump. There was no evidence of a struggle or any violence. The feet were resting on the edge of the trough. - Dr Black stated that the head of the man was three-parts submerged. The body was rather bigger than the trough and the feet were tucked up outside on the edge. The body was just commencing to get rigid, which took place from four to ten hours after death. - The Coroner: did you notice anything particular about the hands? - It appeared as if he had been holding himself down in the water. - As if he had done it on purpose? - It looked so. - Do you think it possible that he could have fallen in? - No; it was such a tight fit in the trough that I don't think he could possibly have fallen in. The cause of death, the doctor added, was drowning. - The Foreman: Would it be possible for him to fall in and get in the position in which he was found? - I don't think so. He might have been stooping over and have been overcome with faintness and not able to raise himself out again; but in my opinion he must have got in on purpose. - The Coroner reviewing the evidence, said it was a case in which the deceased seemed unfortunately to have been addicted to drink. It was quite possible that he, having been drinking, might have felt thirsty and wanted a drink and going to the trough might have put his head down and held himself down for the purpose of getting it. This might have affected his heart and, becoming faint, he might have been unable to get back again. On the other hand, he might have gone there with the idea of doing away with himself. If it was a case of suicide it was a very determined one, having regard to the shallowness of the water. There was no direct evidence. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," being of opinion that there was no evidence to prove how deceased got into the water.

Western Times, Monday 10 June 1912
CREDITON - Business Worries. Tragic Death Of A Well-Known Crediton Tradesman. - Quite a sensation was caused in Crediton on Saturday on it becoming known that MR MARK OLDRIDGE, grocer, of High-street, was found hanging in the woodhouse adjoining his premises. It appears that MR OLDRIDGE got up as usual in the morning, but did not open the shop door and he apparently went out about 8.30 a.m. His wife, finding the shop was not open, went to look for him, but could not find him. She informed Mr Norsworthy, who lodges with them and also Mr S. Francis and her son, MR W. OLDRIDGE. On a search being made, they found MR OLDRIDGE hanging from a beam in the woodhouse. Steps were close by his side, and he apparently had got on these and jumped off. MR OLDRIDGE was held in great esteem by all who knew him. He was formerly a churchwarden and the greatest sympathy is extended to his wife, son and two daughters. - The Inquest. - Mr H. W. Gould (District Coroner) conducted the Inquest at Crediton Police Station on Saturday afternoon. - WM. HENRY OLDRIDGE, builder's draughtsman, the son, said his father was aged 58. That morning witness went to his office before breakfast and when he got back to the house his mother told him his father was missing. Witness had a hasty look round, and then went for his employer (Mr Francis) and together they made a search, eventually finding the deceased suspended by a rope from a beam in the woodhouse. They sent for the Police and deceased was cut down. - The Coroner said it would have been wiser to have cut deceased down at once. There was no necessity to send for the Police before doing so. - A note produced, proceeded witness, was in his father's writing. He had been depressed, and not in good health for some time. He had had business worries. Witness had never heard him speak of taking his life. - Albert James Cox, butcher, who helped to cut the body down, said it was nearly cold, and there was no sign of life. - Edith Davey, servant in the employ of deceased, stated that she last saw him alive at 7.15, when he left the kitchen to go into the yard. He came back with an armful of papers and went into the shop, after having said something to her about the meals. Witness had noticed that deceased had been depressed for several days. - The Coroner read the following note, which P.S. Webber found on the body:- "Dear MARY, - I can stand my worry no longer. I have done my best and struggled to get on, but there is no chance. You know that since "The Star" has been here my trade has gone. I hope you will get someone to help you in your trouble. I am quite done for. Good-bye all." - Dr Campbell gave the cause of death as dislocation of the neck. He thought deceased must have thrown himself suddenly forward off the steps. Deceased had come to see him from time to time. He suffered from chronic indigestion. He never complained of depression, but indigestion was a cause of melancholia, which led to mental aberration. - In reply to a Juror, the doctor said it would have made no difference when the body was cut down. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased took his own life during a fit of Temporary Insanity, and expressed sympathy with the widow and family, with which expression the Coroner associated himself.

Western Times, Tuesday 11 June 1912
LANDKEY - Swymbridge Tragedy. A Well-Known Resident Found Drowned. - The village of Swymbridge Newland, near Barnstaple, was thrown into a state of excitement on Friday when it became known that the lifeless body of a well-known inhabitant - MR ALFRED SEXON, tailor, aged 53, of Vensford-row - had been found lying in a stream of water which runs through one of the meadows in the village. Between three and four yesterday morning SEXON arose, as his wife supposed, to do some work, and at the time she thought very little about the matter, as it had been his custom to do on many previous occasions. As, however, she did not hear him moving about downstairs she called her son, who dressed, and went to see if anything had happened to his father. On reaching the garden he noticed footmarks across the meadow on the dewy grass, and on further investigation he was horrified to find the body of his father lying in a pool of water in the stream. He at once ran for P.S. Hart, who had the body removed, life being found to be quite extinct. The deceased leaves a widow and grown-up family. Nothing is known that would have led the deceased to take his life, and how his body got into the stream is a mystery. - At the Inquest held before Mr Coroner Brown, at Landkey, on Friday. MARY SEXON, the widow, stated that her husband went to bed the previous evening in his usual health, but woke up about midnight worrying about some clothes he had to make for Barnstaple that evening. She told him not to worry, and kept him from getting out of bed, telling him it was too early. She fell asleep, waking up later to find her husband had gone. She called her son, who discovered deceased in the stream a little distance from the house. - The Coroner: There was no penalty attaching to his not doing the trousers at a particular time. - MRS SEXON: He had to get them into Barnstaple that evening. Her husband had never threatened to take his life. - THOMAS SEXON, deceased's eldest son, spoke to tracing footmarks in the meadow to the stream, where his father was lying face downwards in three feet of water. He was too much frightened to pull his father out of the water, but ran to P.S. Hart. There was not the slightest movement in the body. - Dr Kendrew attributed death to drowning. - P.S. Hart, who helped to take the body from the stream, said deceased left no note of any kind. - The Coroner said it was an extraordinary case. There seemed absolutely nothing to worry about, and it seemed to be a case of deliberate suicide. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Times, Wednesday 12 June 1912
KENN - The Inquest On A Kennford Farmer's Death. A Dangerous Practice. - The Inquest touching the death of MR RICHARD EDWIN TOPE was held yesterday by the District Coroner, Mr W. H. Gould, at Whitcombe Farm. JOHN EDWIN TOPE, farmer, of Stoke Gabriel, identified the body as that of his son, aged 31. - Ernest Colridge, farm labourer, who was with deceased at the time of his death, said they went out on Monday about 2 o'clock in the afternoon with the intention of hoeing mangolds. Ran began to fall and they took shelter under a tree standing practically by itself. Presently there were thunder and lightning. Suddenly witness felt a mighty shock against the tree and was severely shocked himself, making him dazed. When the feeling passed, he spoke to deceased, who replied, "Oh! Ernest." Witness asked him if he was hurt, but he never spoke again. He was in a sitting posture on the ground, leaning against the tree about two or three feet away from witness. - Dr L. P. Black said he had examined the body, and found a scar over the left shoulder blade, such as might have been caused by a hot iron. The body presented the usual appearance of death from lightning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Lightning," and the Coroner expressed sympathy with the deceased's relatives and mentioned that the case clearly showed the danger of taking shelter under an isolated tree in a thunderstorm. - The watch and vest worn by deceased at the time of the accident were shown. The watch had stopped thirty-three minutes past three, and it bore certain marks, but it is difficult to say if these marks were caused by the fatal flash. The vest, however, bore unmistakeable evidence of having been struck by the lightning. The back of it was scorched. It was also punctured by a number of small holes, varying in size from an eighth to half an inch.

Western Times, Thursday 13 June 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Boy Found Drowned. Sequel To A Barnstaple Mystery. The Inquest. - It transpired yesterday at Barnstaple that a lad named WILLIAM HOOPER, aged seven, son of a labourer living in Zion's-place, Barnstaple, was drowned in the River Taw off Seven Brethrens Bank on Tuesday afternoon. It appears that HOOPER and a boy called Sidney Evans were playing on the river bank about four o'clock on Tuesday, and sitting in the park opposite, Mr George Catford, butcher, afterwards saw them paddling their boots and stockings off, while later he noticed one of the boys apparently swimming in the river. - The boys did not shout or appear to be in any difficulties, but inasmuch as subsequently Mr Catford saw one boy only on the bank going towards the town he mentioned the matter both at the boathouse and at the Police Station. - Enquiries were set on foot, but the second boy Evans could not be found, and it was not until late in the night that the father of HOOPER reported his boy to be missing. The Police during Tuesday had searched for the boy, but could find no trace of him and yesterday they were also on the bank assisting boatmen in trying to find the body in the river. - About half-past eleven the body was discovered near Pottington - over half a mile away from where dragging operations had been diligently carried on from an early hour - and removed by P.C. Alfred Hill to the Mortuary at the North Devon Infirmary to await the Inquest. - The Barnstaple Borough Coroner (Mr T. A. R. Bencraft) held the Inquest last evening. - MRS HOOPER, the mother, related how shortly before 2 o'clock on Tuesday her boy threatened that he would not go to school, as the teacher had punished him in the morning. Witness went to get him a piece of cake to pacify him, but on her return she could see nothing of him and concluded that he had gone to school. He had threatened many times before to play truant and had afterwards gone to school and she thought he had done the same on this occasion. Later on she was told he had not been to school, but did not become alarmed until late in the evening. The lad was afraid of the water. He complained when he came from school in the morning that his knuckles were sore and she observed they were red. - The Coroner asked witness if she thought the boy had been chastised too severely and she replied in the negative. She told her son that he must have been a naughty boy and he replied that he had done nothing out of the way. - Sidney Hennings described how he and HOOPER played truant and went to the river bank, where they chased some sheep. HOOPER then took off his boots and stockings and went into the water. Witness saw him slip and go under and did not see him again. Witness ran away home, frightened. He did not tell anyone because he was afraid. - Evidence was given by George Catford, butcher, who saw the boys playing on the river bank and in the water, and also as to the finding of the body. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" and expressed sympathy with the parents. In this the Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Friday 14 June 1912
LYNTON - Motor Fatality. Commercial Traveller Killed Near Lynmouth. - The famous Beggars' Roost Hill, near Lynmouth, which is stated to be one of the steepest roads in England, was Wednesday the scene of a terrible motor accident, the only occupant of the car being killed instantaneously as the result of the brakes failing to act, the machine getting out of control and overturning. - The victim of the tragedy was MR C. H. MARSHALL, a traveller for the firm of Messrs. Edward Joy and Sons, oil refiners, of Leeds. - As far as can at present be ascertained MR MARSHALL, on reaching the summit of the hill, turned his car into the side of the road for the purpose of doing some slight repairs. There he removed the bonnet of the car, together with sundry articles of luggage, which were left behind when the car commenced its descent, the goods being subsequently found on the top of the hill. While on the top of Beggars' Roost, MARSHALL sought the assistance of several children, who were on their way home from school, in pushing the car out of the gutter, his evident intention being to get it into the middle of the road in preparation for the descent. When, however, the car began to run the brakes failed to act, and the motor dashed at a great speed down the hill. On reaching the steepest part of the hill it is stated, it dashed into the left hand side of the road, catching the bank with great force, rebounding to the other side, and upsetting, pinning the driver underneath. The iron lamp bracket was found pressing tightly on the unfortunate man's throat. - Dr Lynn Jenkins and P.C. Prout (with the ambulance waggon) were quickly on the spot, and for half-an-hour worked their hardest in order to restore the unfortunate man. MARSHALL was, however, beyond human aid, death (as the result probably of suffocation or internal injuries) ensuing within a short time of the accident. The body was removed to the mortuary at Lynton. - The car was not greatly damaged, but the steering wheel was badly bent, as was also the front axle. - Lynton has for many years been happily immune from serious accidents, and the sad tragedy has caused a painful sensation throughout a wide district. - At the Inquest at Lynton yesterday, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death through using a faulty car." The Jury recommended that a special notice board should be fixed clearly showing the dangerous gradient of the hill. The evidence included that of two school girls who stated that the deceased told them his brakes were bad. They added that he asked them to help him push the car out and it then started. The deceased jumped into it with the intention they thought of stopping the machinery, but the car disappeared around the bend in the hill.

UFFCULME - An Old Lady Of Eighty Drowned In A Pond At Uffculme. - The Inquest on MRS EMILY FLETCHER, widow, 80 years of age, found dead in a pond at Hillhead, Uffculme, was held at Hillhead Farm yesterday by Dr Tweed, Honiton. Mr S. B. Sparkes was chosen Foreman of the Jury. MRS FANNY NORTON, daughter, stated that her mother had lived with her other two daughters at Starcross, and went on a visit to witness last week. Asked if she was well then, witness said her mother had influenza four months ago and had been under medical treatment ever since. She had not been depressed and had never threatened to take her life. She had a cup of tea in the morning, an egg in milk at 10 o'clock and at 11 a.m. half a glass of stout and a sandwich. She complained of feeling shaky and witness advised her to lie down, but she preferred going out. The pond was 110 yards away from the house. - MR NORTON said his daughter came up the garden crying and said "Granny was in the pond." He went and took her out. She was quite dead and cold. - SARAH NORTON, about eight years old, told the Coroner she went to feed the ducks and saw Grannie's skirt and shawl in the pond. - P.C. Ley (Uffculme) and Dr Eames gave evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned."

Western Times, Monday 17 June 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - "Good-Bye Mother". Strange Evidence At A Newton Abbot Inquest. - At the Town Hall, Newton Abbot, on Saturday, Mr Sydney Hacker, County Coroner, conducted an Inquest concerning the death of WILLIAM ROBERT NORSWORTHY, a labourer, whose body was found the previous day in the river. - Mr W. Maddern was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The father of the deceased, WILLIAM SNELLING NORSWORTHY, of 37 Bowden Hill, a brickyard labourer, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was 22 years of age and for a time lived at home. On Friday, June 7th, the Policeman visited the house and when he (witness) arrived home the deceased was "kicking up a shindy about it." He appeared much upset and said a Policeman had left the summons on the table. It was a summons for assault and deceased said he would shift. His mother came back later, and deceased went and shaved himself. When he came back deceased said, "Father, I'm going to be off. I am going to shake hands with you all." The witness continued: I said, "Go on; I am not going to have anything to do with it." I have heard him say it before. He has gone away for three months at a stretch. He paid his mother his lodge money and went away laughing. As he went he shook my hand. He then left, saying, "I think I shall drown myself." - The Coroner: Why don't you tell me everything. You will be getting into trouble else. - The Witness: When he went away he said, "You won't see me any more." I said, "What's the use you talking up that nonsense," and I took no notice of him. He said, "I will take the water." He had said that before when he was upset. - What made him say that? - On account of the woman next door. - You mean the summons? - Yes. - Witness added that his son gave him a pocket-knife, as he had done often before, saying "You won't see me any more." Last summer he was taken with a sunstroke and was conveyed to the Hospital. He had seemed alright since, and had shewn no signs of mind trouble. - NORA NORSWORTHY, the mother, said she advised her son to go to bed, because he was upset over the summons. When he was going he said, "Good-bye mother, I shan't see you again." She said, "I won't shake hands with you," but told him to go to bed. As her son went out, he shouted, "Good-bye!" to a neighbour across the passage. - William Blackmore, of Bowden Hill, a neighbour, spoke to going down the town with the deceased on the Friday evening. They had a pint of beer together, but the deceased was not the worse for drink. The deceased said he had been served with a summons, but that he would not appear in Court. He was laughing and joking, and did not appear much upset. - P.C. Kellaway spoke to serving the deceased with the summons, when he said: "I thank you, Constable, but I shan't appear. Only once more shall I appear in Court." The summons was for assault on a woman next door. - William Lang, in the employ of the Devon and Courtenay Clay Company, said that on the Friday they were making fast the lighter about 11.30, when they saw a man going down along the tow-path, but were unable to identify him, owing to the darkness. After the man passed he said: "Good-night; I'm going to drown myself. You don't know what trouble I'm in." - Why didn't you go and stop him? - We did not think he was going to do it. We thought it was a joke. We have heard a good many talk like that down the river, and don't take any notice of them. - The man went on about a hundred yards, and called out "Here goes," and with the same they heard a splash in the water. Witness ran down to the spot and found a coat and waistcoat. The man came to the bank and pushed himself off again. Then they heard him gurgling. Witness could not get near him in time to save him. - George Matthews, Teignmouth, captain on the dredger in the Teign, said the body was found about 60 feet away from the dredger. It was partly on the sand bank, having been left there by the tide, and near the place where deceased was supposed to have jumped in. - P.C. Reale produced the coat and waistcoat found on the bank. The cap was found close to the bank. There was nothing on the clothing. - In his summing up the Coroner said that unfortunately this time the deceased's threat was not a joke. There was no doubt the man drowned himself intentionally, but the question of his mind the Jury would take into consideration. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter. - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the St. James' Schools, Exeter, on Saturday, touching the death of MISS ANNE SEWARD, of 117 Old Tiverton-road, who was found dead in bed on Friday morning. - EDWARD SEWARD, Pinhoe, identified the body as that of his sister, aged 64. He saw her about a month ago, when she was in her usual health, but she suffered from a weak heart. - Selina Sanders, of 117 Old Tiverton-road, said deceased was companion to Mrs Newberry, and they rented apartments at her house. About 4.30 on Friday morning the latter rang the bell. Witness went to her and they at first thought deceased was in a sound sleep. They could not, however, arouse her and witness called in the doctor. - Dr Frost said he found deceased dead in the bed. Witness had attended her up to the 18th of January. She had had a serious heart disease and there was no doubt that that was the cause of death. - The Jury, of which Mr Trenchard was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 18 June 1912
EXETER - Exeter Tragedy. Determined Suicide Of A Fruit Hawker. - A suicide, in which extraordinary determination was displayed, took place at 13 Colleton-buildings, Exeter, about 7 o'clock yesterday morning, a fruit hawker, named FREDERICK WILLIAMS, being found there with his throat cut. A short time ago he moved from Blackboy-road, to Colleton-buildings, and had been worried since then through money troubles. At 6 o'clock in the morning he went downstairs after a restless night and at 6.50 he answered the door to a young nephew named FREDERICK IRIS, who had called about a handcart. He promised the lad he would take the car to him later on, and immediately after that he must have gone into the kitchen and cut his throat. Just at seven o'clock he went upstairs to his wife, remarking "Look what I have done." Thereupon he kissed his children and the wife immediately ran out for assistance. Proceeding downstairs again WILLIAMS must have cut the wound deeper, for upon the arrival of P.C.'s Parker and Hurford he was still living, but could not speak, the windpipe being severed. He died shortly afterwards. - A note which he left behind shows that he had suffered mental distress. It is written on both sides of a small envelope. On the front side he addressed his wife, asking her forgiveness and the forgiveness of the children, and saying that what he had done was not her fault, and that he had been "a curse to all." On the other side was a short note to his brother and sister, which stated that he could not "go on," and that they were not to blame his wife for it. - WILLIAMS, according to the widow, had complained of pains during the night. He was 40 years of age, and leaves five young children. He was formerly in the Devon Regiment and served in India and South Africa. He is described as a steady man, but was worried lately by his poor success in business. - The Inquest. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest on the body at the Police-Station, Exeter, yesterday afternoon. - Henry William Iris, 47 Holloway-street, identified the body and said deceased was a steady man and used to be in the Devon Regiment. Witness saw him last on Friday evening. He then seemed all right. He had never threatened to take his life and had no trouble. - Frederick Iris, son of the last witness, said that yesterday morning about seven he saw his uncle and spoke to him. He seemed a bit startled. - MRS WILLIAMS, widow of deceased, said her husband got up about six o'clock and said he was going to get a cup of tea. About 7 a.m. he came into her room and his throat was cut. He kissed the children and asked witness to kiss him. Witness screamed out and one of the children went to the next door neighbour. She had never heard him threaten to take his life. He had complained of pains in his head and had been depressed for a long time. - P.C. Parker said about 6.55 a.m. he was called to the house. On going to the kitchen he saw deceased sitting in a chair with his throat cut. Witness tried to arrest the bleeding, but was unable to do so. He sent for a doctor. Deceased died in a few minutes. On the table was a letter and a razor. - Dr Harrison said the wound was an incised one about 5 inches long, severing arteries on both sides. The Coroner then read the letter left by deceased, which stated:- - "Dear poor NELL, - Think nothing of me when I am gone. May the Lord keep you and your children from this. I have only been a curse to all. Good-bye to all, thanking all for their kindness to me. What I have done is my own seeking, let no one think it your doing, it is my own and no one else's. I can't keep going on like I am, and pretending I am good and am only a devil. Dear brother and sister don't blame NELL for what I have done." - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at the Police Station, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, relative to the death of JOHN KING, aged 70, shoeing smith of 52 Hoopern-street, Exeter. - GEORGE KING, 50 Hoopern-street, identified the body and said he had recently changed residence, the deceased helping. On Thursday deceased had a good breakfast and then complained of feeling giddy. When witness went home, about 1 p.m., his wife told him his father was ill, and he went upstairs and saw deceased on the floor. He put him to bed and sent for a doctor. - Dr Harmer said death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence.

Western Times, Wednesday 19 June 1912
EXETER - Exeter Inquest. Little Girl Killed Whilst At Play. - Mr W. Linford Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest at Mount Dinham School, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, relative to the death of ENA BLANCHE LOVELL, aged 6 years, daughter of MR A. H. LOVELL, head master of the school. - Mr J. W. Orchard represented the managers of the Episcopal Schools Trust. - The father stated that on Monday, about 5.30 p.m. he was moving things from the schoolroom. The forms were already in the yard near the shed. Deceased was playing with her brother, age 5. Witness went into the garden and was away about two minutes, when he heard someone crying and he went back. He saw the little girl under one of the forms, which was lying on her head. Witness lifted her up and took her into the house and sent for a doctor. The little boy said that "Nanny was swinging on the desk." The desks and forms were being taken out for the purpose of putting new ones in. - Dr Harmer said he found the child dead when he arrived. He saw a bruise on the left side of the head and face, and the base of the skull was fractured. Death was due to the injury to the brain. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Orchard expressed the sympathy of the Governors with MR LOVELL in his sad bereavement, the Coroner and Jury concurring.

Western Times, Thursday 20 June 1912
GREAT TORRINGTON - Sudden Death At Torrington. - Mr G. W. F. Brown (County Coroner) conducted an Inquiry on the death of JOHN GUARD, aged 75, an old familiar figure at Torrington, who expired almost suddenly on Monday night about 10 p.m. Thomas Bennett (son-in-law), with whom the deceased had been residing, said deceased appeared in his usual health the previous evening and partook of a hearty supper before retiring to bed. Some little time after he had gone upstairs he heard a noise and on going to his room he found deceased on the floor, quite dead. Dr J. G. Macindoe, as the result of a post-mortem examination, found the valves of the heart much diseased, and said the exertion of going upstairs after a hearty meal was the cause of death. - The Jury, of whom Mr Ernest Rew was Foreman, concurred with the doctor's evidence, and returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Friday 21 June 1912
JERSEY - A young soldier named RICHARD ARTHUR WEBBER, of Chudleigh, and of the Devonshire Regiment, met with a terrible death on Sunday. He was walking with a friend near the edge of the precipitous cliffs at Gros Nez. St. Orien, Jersey, when the ground on which he was standing, which was undermined, gave way. He fell 100 feet to the rocks below. The body, terribly mutilated, was subsequently recovered and conveyed to St. Peter's Barracks. The deceased was a native of Chudleigh, Devon. He had been in the service for twelve months. At the Inquest yesterday a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Monday 24 June 1912
PINHOE - Suicide At Pinhoe. - The District coroner, Mr H. W. Gould held an Inquest on Saturday afternoon at Bridge Cottage, Pinhoe, relative to the death of GEORGE WEBBER, aged 71, a brickyard labourer, of that village. - EMMA WEBBER, wife of deceased, identified the body and said that on Saturday morning, about eight o'clock, the deceased came down as usual. He had a cup of tea and then went into the garden, at the rear of the house. A little later she went out to call him for breakfast, but could not find him. She then sent for P.S. Harvey. She further stated that deceased had been in indifferent health for about nine months past and had been attended by Dr Frost, of Exeter. There had been no unpleasantness between them, and he had never threatened to take his life. - P.S. Harvey, stationed at Pinhoe, said that on being sent for by MRS WEBBER he went to an outhouse at the rear of deceased's residence and found the door fastened on the inside. He burst it open and found the deceased hanging from a rafter in the roof. Witness cut the body down, but WEBBER was quite dead. - Dr Davis, of Broadclyst, who was called by the last witness, said the cause of death was strangulation, due to hanging. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Tuesday 25 June 1912
TORQUAY - Inquest On Naval Man At Torquay. - At an Inquest at Torquay yesterday, on the body of JOHN CATON, 35, serving on board H.M.S. "Hindustan", evidence was given by Lieut. Tooth that the man was reported to him on Saturday to be in a fit. First-Class Petty Officer Smith said the deceased, who was his messmate, was joking a quarter of an hour before he found him ill. Having visited the hairdresser, witness went back to the mess and found deceased lying on the mess table. Gunner Sanders, Royal Marine Artillery, arrived and both rendered assistance, but CATON expired just after the sick bay steward arrived on the scene. - Gunner Sanders confirmed this evidence. - Surgeon S. Bradbury of the battleship "Zealander," said a post-mortem examination revealed that deceased suffered from fatty degeneration of the heart, from which death ensued. - The Jury recorded a verdict accordingly. Deceased will be interred with full Naval honours in Torquay Cemetery tomorrow.

ST MARYCHURCH - Found Dead. Inquest On A Coal Trimmer At Torquay. - At St. Marychurch Town Hall, Torquay, yesterday, an Inquest was held relative to the sudden demise of FREDERICK WILLIAM CLEMENTS BROCKINGTON, 48, a coal trimmer, living at Beaumont Cottage, Babbacombe, Torquay. - Mr Francis James was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The widow, HARRIETT BROCKINGTON, deposed that she was a cook at Babbacombe Hall. Deceased, who was employed at Messrs. Renwick's Coal Stores, Torquay, was unwell last Monday and she had seen him five or six times daily since then. Witness poulticed him, as he complained of having a cold. Deceased went out on Wednesday to get a shave, but on Thursday he remained in bed. He refused medical advice and was well enough to eat a chop on Friday. he had never had an illness. Witness, at the request of deceased, did not remain with him on Friday night, as he said he was better at 10 p.m. The next morning he was found dead by her daughter. Deceased had taken cough mixture. - EMILY ELIZABETH LOUISE BROCKINGTON, daughter of deceased, deposed that on Saturday morning last, as was her wont, she went to her father at 7.20 a.m. She could not open the door, so Mr Southcott broke the window open and she got in, to find her father lying dead on the bedroom floor. She asked deceased to have a doctor, but he refused, saying he was not ill enough. - Dr Pitt Palmer deposed to being called to Beaumont Cottage, and to finding the man dead on Saturday morning last. Death had taken place some hours previously. Witness made a post-mortem examination, and found that deceased had suffered from congestion of the lungs. He appeared to have been well looked after and the house was very clean. Deceased must have got out during Friday night, because witness found a broken glass downstairs. His death was thus accelerated by his getting out of instead of keeping to his bed. Had he been kept quiet in bed and had medical attendance, perhaps his life would have been saved. - A neighbour, named Mrs Southcott, said deceased, in her opinion, was too unwell to be about, so she advised a doctor being called in, but deceased would not hear of it. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Jury.

Western Times, Wednesday 26 June 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - London Visitor. Dies As Result Of Exhaustion At Teignmouth. - At the Town Hall, Teignmouth, yesterday, Mr S. Hacker conducted an Inquest touching the death of ALFRED YEAMES, a retired merchant, aged 74, of Fulham, London. Deceased was on a visit to Teignmouth and last Tuesday he left Teignmouth for a walk round the rocks to Shaldon. He was warned by his sister-in-law to be careful, as the tide came right up to the foot of the cliffs. He did not return, and information was given to the Coastguard. Deceased was found next day near Maidencombe. He said he had lost his way and was sorry to have caused so much anxiety. He was removed to a Nursing Home on Sunday and died on Monday morning. - Deceased's sister-in-law, with whom he was staying, said he told her he went too far and had been caught by the tide. His hands were scratched and he had evidently tried to scale the cliffs. He had had nothing to eat or drink, and remained out all night. - Robert Haytor, Coastguard stationed at Shaldon, said he searched the rocks on Tuesday night. He and others went nearly into Maidencombe, but saw nothing. He learnt on Wednesday that a man answering the description of deceased had been seen at Labrador the previous day. About 3.30 on Wednesday he found deceased sitting on the beach about two and a half miles west of Shaldon. Deceased had evidently climbed up the cliff. He was conscious, but could not speak owing to thirst. - Answering the Coroner, witness said deceased must have been up among the bushes forty or fifty feet up when he passed that way. He was positive that was how he missed him. - Dr A. Johnson said death was due to heart failure, accelerated by exhaustion and exposure. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Thursday 27 June 1912
KINGSTEIGNTON - Clay Pit Tragedy. Coroner's Inquest Held At Kingsteignton. Failure Of The Brake. - At Kingsteignton yesterday morning, Mr Coroner Hacker conducted an Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of SAMUEL FREDERICK CARNELL, claycutter, aged 35, who met his death in a clay-pit on Monday. Mr T. Boydell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Truro, was also present. - James Albert Sharp, clay moulder and brother-in-law of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was a clay-cutter in the employ of Oliver Goddard Ltd. - Robert Cornelius, Kingsteignton, foreman, said the pit at which deceased was working was known as Chiphouse Pit, and was about 35 feet deep. About 2.30 on Monday afternoon he was down under with the men, one of whom was CARNELL. They were in need of water and the men on the top were going to lower it in the bucket. Those that were cutting were not in the up-way, but he heard one of the men at the top shout out, "Look out for the bucket!" before they went to the brake to lower it. An empty bucket was never lowered without warning. The place was clear. Over on their side was an empty can and they thought that deceased must have fetched the can, and as he was coming back the bucket knocked him up. He did not see it happen, as the first he saw was CARNELL under the big bucket, their attention having been attracted by a shout. So far as he was aware the bucket did not come down faster than usual, but he heard the crash down to the bottom of the pit. - The Coroner: That was unusual, wasn't it? - Witness: Yes. - So you knew the bucket had taken charge? - I thought so. - Do you think he would have walked under the bucket if he heard the shout from the top? - Witness: No; but all the other men heard it. - The witness said that they took the bucket off him as soon as possible, but beyond a little twitch in the neck there were no signs of life. CARNELL was bleeding from the nose and ears. When they went to the deceased the hook attached to the wire rope by which it was lowered was still attached to the bucket. - Is it the custom to lower the bucket immediately there is a warning shout? - We go back out of the way at once. If we don't want it to come down we should say, "Hold on till we 'olley." - The Inspector: When you hear them shout from the top do you reply? - Sometimes we do. - Do you every time? - When there is any water in the bucket we do. - This was one of those special occasions when water was coming down. Did you say to those at the top, "Hold back till the way is clear?" - We always shout out before the bucket comes down. - did anyone shout back this time? - No, because no one was working underneath there. If anyone had been there we should have shouted up. - Answering further questions, witness said that deceased was working at the back of the pit, and could easily have walked around the side to get the can. - William Mallett, another claycutter, said the deceased appeared to have gone right across the pit for the can after the shout from above. He heard a shout shortly after the man had crossed over and the warning that the bucket was descending, and saw the bucket "come down with a rush." Nothing could have stopped it. usually, he said, it came down gently. It was no sooner that the voice came than the bucket struck the man. It seemed as if CARNELL attempted to get out of the way and was struck on the left side, and practically killed outright. His body was pushed away from the bucket, but his legs were still under it. He had never known such an occurrence in the whole of his 30 years' experience. - Do you understand the risk of the bucket coming down? - Oh, yes. - You would not stand in under it would you? - Well, I should not. - James Coles, surface foreman, spoke to putting water in the bucket and lowering it. The bucket was not full. They shouted out the warning to the men below that the brakesman would lower it if there was no reply from below. After the bucket got a little way down he saw it was going faster and that Stevens (the brakesman) could not hold it. He could do nothing, because the bucket was at the bottom in no time. He surmised that the brake could not hold it. - The Foreman (Mr Butland): Have you ever known the bucket run away before? - No, sir. - Does rain have any effect on the brake? - Yes, sir. - Have you had trouble or known it greasy and slippery with the rain? - Yes. - There was a shower or rain on this occasion? - Yes. - The Inspector: Do you put any grease on the rim of the brake? - Yes, a little. - Was there any grease on it on Monday? - I could not say. - Is there this morning? - Yes, a little. - Do you shout as soon as it gets over the pit? - Yes. - Before it goes down? - Yes. - Did it start to go down immediately you hoisted it over the pit? - No; I shouted before the pin was taken out. - Answering the Coroner, he said he was sure the box was over the brake drum during the dinner hour, when it rained. - How do you account for it being wet? - I don't know. - The Inspector: Wouldn't it be better for you to wait until they shout up before lowering the bucket? - We usually do. - Joseph Henry Stevens said on Monday he went to lower the bucket, as the other man was not present. When the foreman told him to lower the bucket, he knocked it out of gear, but almost at once it went down. he caught hold of the brake, but he could not hold it. "I pulled my utmost, with all my weight on it, but I could not stop it," he said. - The Inspector: Do you put anything else in the brake? - yes; if it is a bit greasy, we put in a chip. - Did you do it on Monday? - Yes, sir; but it slipped out quite quickly. - Why did you put in that chip? - Give you a better grip. - That is because the band is slack? - Yes. - If the band was tight it would hold it without the chip, wouldn't it? - Yes, but it would make the work so much harder for the horse. - Have you made a test since? - Yes. - With water? - Yes. - And did you control; it with the brake and without the chip? - Yes. - Have you made any alterations since the accident? - No. - When you knocked out the clutch did you have the brake on, or did you put the brake on afterwards? - I pulled the clutch out with one hand and held the brake with the other. - Are you sure, because if you pulled the clutch out with both hands, we can understand the bucket going down? - I am sure I had one hand on the brake. - Dr McBeath said CARNELL was dead when brought to the surface. he had been struck on the head, and was bleeding profusely from the left ear. His neck, head and chest were suffused with blood, showing internal bleeding. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull. - The Inspector, giving evidence, was asked by the Coroner if the brake was the usual one used for the work, and he replied that the pattern was fitted for the purpose for which it was wanted. He thought that the chip would only be used if the brake was loose, but he was not suggesting that the slackness of the brake was the cause of the accident. He did not think it was possible to have any check to meet the case of a brake failing. He tested it that morning and found it would steady a bucket full of water, but would not actually stop it. He did not see there was any danger in connection with the brake if it was free of grease and sufficiently tightened. - The Coroner said if the deceased had exercised the ordinary prudence and care which men were supposed to exercise under such circumstances the accident would not have happened. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 29 June 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Child Drowned. Fell Into Bradley Leat Whilst At Play. - Mr Coroner Hacker held an Inquest at Newton yesterday, relating to the death of WILLIAM FREDERICK HAYMAN, aged 5 years, who was drowned in Bradley Leat on Thursday. - Winnie Hippsley, aged 14 said two boys told her deceased had fallen into the water. She saw the child at the bottom of the leat, just above the bridge, and as he rose she attempted to grasp him, but the force of the water took him under the bridge. - James Richard Farleigh, a labourer at the van yard, said he got a man to raise the fender under the bridge to let the body through and as soon as it did so, he got it to the bank. There were no signs of life. he could not say if any other children had fallen into the leat within the last two years. - Dr Scrase said he found the child lying on the bank and a workman was endeavouring to promote artificial respiration. The child was dead. There was a bruise on its temple, which might have been caused by the child falling against the bank rather than by colliding with the fender. - Mrs Sarah Bowden, who had lived in Bradley Lane for 25 years, said not many children had fallen in the leat lately, and such as had - with this exception - had been rescued. - The Surveyor explained that the public were allowed to use the road. - P.C. Lane said there was only 3ft. 6in. of water where the child fell in. - The Coroner suggested that something should be done to make the road safe. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury adding a rider requesting the Local Authority to take some steps to obviate the danger which at present exists.

Western Times, Friday 5 July 1912
EXETER - Exeter Tragedy. Inquest On The Child Killed In St. Thomas. No One To Blame. - The Deputy City Coroner (Mr W. Rackwood Cocks) held an Inquest at the Police Station yesterday, relative to the death of MARION LILY SOPER, infant daughter of MR GEORGE SOPER of Lansdowne-terrace, Alphington-road. The child was killed by a traction engine on Wednesday. - MR SOPER said the child was 18 months old. - May Louisa Slade, who is employed by MRS SOPER as a mother's help, said it was part of her duty to look after the children. She dressed the deceased at 8.30 and at 9 o'clock gave her her breakfast. The child then went into the garden to play. A few minutes later witness missed her, and on going down the garden she found the gate, which leads to the back lane, open. Going down the lane and into the road she learnt that the accident had just occurred. There was a traction engine, and a crowd of people. Witness was told that the child had been run over. - Robert Henry Clements of Kennford, said he was steersman of the traction engine. On Wednesday he was steering it through Alphington-street, en route for Dawlish. Two waggons were attached to the engine, the steering wheel of which was on the left side. Just before reaching Lion House he saw a little child with a doll coach standing by the railings of the house. The engine was travelling on the left side of the road. Witness kept his eyes on the child till he came abreast of her. He took his eyes from her for an instant, and then saw her run towards the engine. He immediately shouted "Stop, there is a child in front of the engine." The driver at once stopped. When witness turned round again the child was between the two wheels, the back one of which was just going over her. She was very badly crushed. The engine was not travelling more than two miles an hour. That was the speed for the City. For the County the usual pace was four miles an Hour. There was nothing on the engine to record the exact speed, which was judged by looking at the milestones. - By the Jury: The driver did not see the child as he was on the other side of the engine. he did not know whether the front wheel went over her. He thought that she was probably knocked down by the axle, and that the back wheel went over her. - Sidney Robert Chard, the driver, said he did not see the child before the accident. He stopped the engine within ten feet after hearing the warning shout. He agreed with the last witness that the speed was just under two miles an hour. The engine weighed 12 tons 13 cwt. It was drawing two trucks, each of which weighed about 5 tons 10 cwt. They had a total load of 16 tons. - By a Juror: he did not think it was possible to stop in less than 10 feet, as he had first to shut off steam and then turn off the levers. - Albert George Chard, brother of the last witness, said he was riding on the back truck, and his duty was to give warning of anything approaching from behind. He first saw the child to the left front of the engine standing with a doll's coach. The engine next stopped suddenly and threw him on the bricks. When he got off he saw the child just behind the left hind wheel, which had passed over its body. - Benjamin John Lear, butcher, who was walking in the same direction as the engine, and close to it when the accident occurred, estimated the speed at two miles an hour. He was sure the front wheel did not go over the child. - Dr Corbett said he thought death must have been instantaneous. - Detective-Sergeant Hoyle said the road at the spot was 32 feet wide. The engine and trucks were on the left side of the road. The child's body was lying behind the back wheel, and was ten feet from the rails of the house and 14 feet from the front of the engine. The latter had been moved slightly forward to extricate the body. But it had stopped within its own length. - The Deputy Coroner said he did not think any person was at fault. - Miss Slade (recalled) said the child went into the garden to play with other children. The door of the garden was then shut. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and acquitted everybody from blame. They expressed their sympathy with the parents, with which the Deputy Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Saturday 6 July 1912
ABBOTSHAM - Innkeeper Drops Dead In His Bar Near Bideford. - CHARLES GLOVER, 61, landlord of the New Inn, Abbotsham, near Bideford, on Thursday evening, after playing a game of bagatelle with a Mr Fuller, was seen to fall to the floor, and on being picked up was found to be dead. At the Inquest last evening Drs. Gooding and Toye, who had made a post-mortem, said that death was due to an enlarged heart, which was not known during life. The Jury, of which Mr C. R. Hibbert was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and passed a vote of sympathy with the widow and family. Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, conducted the Inquest.

Western Times, Monday 8 July 1912
WEYMOUTH, DORSET - Unsatisfactory. Strange Story Of Torquay Man's Death. Inquest At Weymouth. An Inquest was held at Weymouth on Saturday on ERNEST CHING, stoker of the battleship "Bellerophon," of Stentiford-hill, Torquay. Deceased previous to joining his shop for manoeuvres hired a bicycle. He was perfectly sober and to avoid colliding with a girl, fell from his machine. Two comrades took him to the Sailors and Soldiers' Home, Weymouth, where the officials, under the impression he was drunk, treated him as such. He was placed on a mattress in a wash-house and allowed to remain there. The next morning he was found dead. - Medical evidence showed that deceased must have fallen with terrific force, for a clot of blood, weighing six ounces, was found on the brain. "Accidental Death" was the verdict. - The Coroner commented in strong terms on the unsatisfactory way in which the man was dealt with at the Institution. It was, he said, a very funny story, and had the doctor said the man could have been saved by prompt attention, the officials might have been prosecuted for culpable negligence.

Western Times, Tuesday 9 July 1912
KINGSTEIGNTON - Sad Suicide. Sad End Of A Kingsteignton Clay-Cutter. Victim Of Depression. - Mr P. C. Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, yesterday conducted an Inquest at Kingsteignton, relative to the death of JAMES FOSTER GULLY, a married man, aged 51, of Dicker's-court, Kingsteignton. - Mr T. Butland was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - ANNIE GULLY, the widow, gave evidence of identification, adding that the deceased was a clay-cutter. For some time he had been in very bad health, but would not be persuaded to go to the doctor. About a month ago he referred to an illness, and also said "NANCE, I don't feel well. When that fire occurred it was a great shock," but I told him, added the witness, to let it be forgotten. When poor Sam Carnell was killed - deceased was working in the same pit - that was another shock and a dreadful thing. It appeared to affect his mind, and he could not sleep. He had not been able to rest since Sam Carnell was killed and he never took his food. There were no home worries. Her husband lost a quarter on Saturday, remarking, "NANCE, I don't feel well and shall not go the first quarter." He arrived home earlier than usual to dinner, again remarking that he was unwell. Just after he went into the garden to pick some beans, and as he was a long time she went out. She noticed him in a partly standing posture, with the legs bent, and on going over to him saw he was hanged. She then screamed for help. - The Deputy Coroner: Do you know anything to make him do this? - No, sir, for we were always happy. - Since this incident, have you thought of anything. - Well, he seemed depressed since the accident. - Do you think that affected him? - The accident to Sam Carnell had hastened it on. There were no money troubles. - Another witness, named Brealey, said he tried artificial respiration, but without success, for nearly three-quarters of an hour. When Dr Culross arrived he examined the body and pronounced life extinct. - The Deputy Coroner congratulated Mr Brealey, saying he deserved great credit for what he had done. - The eldest son of the deceased, JAMES FOSTER GULLY, private, R.M.L.I., of H.M.S. "Collingwood", said his father had been very depressed during the last few months and had complained of being unwell. There had been several accidents which he had taken to heart. Witness had noticed that his father had appeared as if life was not worth living. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

BIDEFORD - Bideford Tragedy. Parents Censured At An Inquest. Child's Sad Death. - An Inquest was held at Bideford yesterday afternoon by the North Devon Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Browne) and Jury of which Mr A. D. Adams was Foreman, on the body of MARY ANN LEE, the seven-year-old child of JOHN and SELINA LEE, of Foundry-row, East-the-Water, who died in the Hospital the same morning as the result of a burning accident on Saturday night. The mother described how at nine o'clock she went out and saw her husband on the Bridge and got some money from him, he having been harvesting. She then went back and put the deceased to bed, as well as another girl of five, leaving TOM, aged 13, and another boy in the kitchen with a lighted candle on the table. After that she went out to fetch some groceries and was not away half an hour. The accident happened while she was away. She had left the children before and nothing had happened to them. The father deposed that after giving his wife the money about nine o'clock he went to a public-house and had two pints of beer. He was just coming out when he was fetched because of the accident. - Other evidence shewed that after the mother went out the child came downstairs for a lighted candle with which she set her flannelette nightdress on fire. An excited crowd gathered round, but rendered no assistance, until the arrival of Sidney Rogers, who, with the assistance of George Wolfe, put out the flames. The child was taken to the Hospital and treated by the nurse, but was not seen by a medical man until Sunday. - P.S. Newberry said that when the mother returned to the house, after the accident, she threatened and scolded the child so much that he interfered, the child appealing to him for protection. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding riders censuring the parents, commending the action of Rogers and Wolfe, and expressing the opinion that the Hospital staff should have sent for a doctor sooner.

Western Times, Wednesday 10 July 1912
TORQUAY - The Torquay Tragedy. Important Evidence At The Inquest. A Serious Statement. - Great interest centred in the Inquest held at Torquay yesterday concerning the death of a middle-aged woman named ELIZABETH COOMBES, housekeeper employed by Mr George Phillips, at 10 Madrepore-road, Torquay. The Jury composed mostly of tradesmen, and the Coroner was Mr T. C. Cornish Bowden. Mr E. Hutchings represented Phillips. - Evidence was given by the deceased's daughter to the effect that on Saturday night last, at 7 o'clock, she went to see her mother as usual. She found her with Mr Phillips and a man named Coombes. The latter was no relation to deceased. It was alleged that her mother was the worse for liquor whilst the two men were also under the influence of drink. There was no quarrel and after about 20 minutes' stay she left the house after putting her mother to bed. - George Phillips gave evidence to the effect that he went home with the man Coombes about six o'clock to have some tea, but did not have any. On two occasions he sent out for beer. The woman, who was intoxicated when they got home, also partook of the beer. - Witness, continuing, said that deceased went and lay down. He procured several small supplies of beer afterwards. MRS COOMBES eventually got under the influence of drink and witness was likewise. Deceased only lay down for about an hour. - There was no quarrelling at any time during the evening? asked the Coroner. - Witness: At no time during the evening. - MISS COOMBES came in and remained, how long? - About twenty minutes, and the daughter put her mother to bed. - Had deceased anything more to drink? - I could not say. - When the daughter left, was deceased in her bed? - Yes. - Phillips went on to say, in reply to questions from the Coroner, that deceased came in where they were, after the departure of her daughter. He did not know what time COOMBES left the house that night. As far as he knew deceased was in and out of the room. Witness did not remember COOMBES leaving the house. No unpleasantness occurred between any of them. He did not know what happened after COOMBES' departure, until the Police came to the house. They asked at once if he was aware that his housekeeper had fallen on the pathway. There were two Constables, or officers, he believed. Witness could not remember what he said in reply - he sat in a chair. He had not missed his housekeeper from the house up to that time. Witness went to the door and asked the Police to bring the woman indoors. He noticed she sat on a chair in the pathway and there was a crowd around her. They did not bring her in. The door opened facing the road, and to go out there was a nasty step, 3 ½ inches high, to tread, and there was also a ledge. He had encountered difficulty on occasions in going out and suggested that deceased might have fallen over. He did not know what occurred to the deceased. COOMBES was liable to fall about, but he could not remember her falling on that particular night. When he came home that afternoon his housekeeper had not a black eye. If she had one later she might have fallen down. He could not think of anything happening that evening to give her such an injury. Witness did not see deceased after he saw her in the chair outside his house, until the Sunday morning at the Hospital, when she was quite unconscious. She had then a black eye, but how she came by it he knew not. The left eye had been operated upon and it was not normally black, but was often bloodshot. - The Coroner: How did deceased receive her injuries? - I can only suggest that she fell out. - Did deceased have some of the beer? - She had some of the beer, as I know she drank something. - The Foreman: Deceased did not stay in the bedroom after her daughter left? - A: She came out to where they were. - A Juror: You say deceased had been an habitual drunkard. Why did you keep her in your employ? - The Coroner: That is hardly a fair question. It does not arise out of the Inquest. - A.: I do not want to go into everything. It is not the first time deceased has fallen down. Once she fell in Swan-street, fractured her skull and was attended by Dr Cook. - Mr J. Browne (Juror): She had bad eyesight and a blind woman would not be about in a crowd on Saturday nights? - A.: She was not exactly blind. - The Coroner: Many people with defective sight, get about the streets. - MISS COOMBES (Deceased's daughter) recalled, said she put her mother to bed dressed, and she did not get up whilst she was there. - Frederick George Coombes, a coachman, spoke of being with Phillips on Saturday and of visiting the house. Witness said he had never seen Phillips "tight" until Saturday - just a bit "jolly." - and MRS COOMBES, until last Saturday, had always been, when he visited the house, sober. On Saturday he met Mr Phillips out and he begged him to go back with him to tea. He went to the house, but could not remember seeing MRS COOMBES there. Nothing was said about tea. Mr Phillips was not quite sober, he thought. MISS COOMBES next came into the house. When the second pint of beer was procured he remembered that MRS COOMBES was present. Witness did not think MISS COOMBES remained there long. He could not say he noticed that MRS COOMBES was drunk, but there appeared some restraint as she was not so amiable towards him as usual. Witness fetched another pint (the second and the last) of beer, and when he returned he noticed there were only two glasses on the table, a fact which he commented upon and asked where MRS COOMBES' glass was, and a third glass was immediately fetched. Prior to that MISS COOMBES he believed had gone. No unpleasantness was caused by the absence of the third glass, or his remark on the subject. There was a remark later over the fact that Mr Phillips (looking at a photo of his wife) began praising up his deceased wife. MRS COOMBES quickly resented that and said she always tried to do her best and her duty towards Mr Phillips. He was sure there was no quarrel over the matter. The conversation then changed into one respecting curios Phillips had got. Witness had not realised that MRS COOMBES was inebriated - she sat back quietly in her chair. When he left about 11 o'clock deceased was conversing with Phillips over their own business affairs. Witness realised that perhaps he was hearing that which did not concern him, so that was the reason he left the house. There was, he was sure, no dispute of any kind that night. He had not said that there was a quarrel, except that which concerned the reference to the photo, and the good works of Mr Phillips' dead wife, which was only a quiet remark. Witness bade "Good-night" to his friends from the passage way. MRS COOMBES, as far as he knew, had no injury or black eye. The big door leading to the pathway was, when he went out, open, and he left it as he found it, or he believed he did so. He got as far as the corner, a dozen yards away, and hesitated as to which way he would go home - by the town or by the Braddens. Two young women passed him and when they got near to Phillips' door, one exclaimed, "My God, who is it?" and with the same he saw a woman lying in the road. Witness thought at first it was one of the two women referred to who had fainted, but on arrival at the spot he saw that it was MRS COOMBES, and that they had lifted her up to a sitting position. A crowd congregated as the public-house had closed, and he asked someone to get some water, which was done and some of it was dashed into the woman's face. A few minutes later the Police arrived on the scene. Witness immediately went to the Police Station for an ambulance. Prior to his departure he saw Phillips looking out of the doorway. A man threatened Phillips and witness then left to procure the ambulance. He left his name and address behind with the Police. He believed the threatener said to Phillips "Come out here!" and held his fist up at the same time as the threat was made. Witness heard Mr Phillips ask that the woman should be brought into the house, and someone replied, "No; we will take her to the Hospital." - The Coroner: Did you realise at any time that MRS COOMBES was sober or drunk? - I never saw her stagger. She always had an impediment in her speech and at the time I am speaking of she was sitting down. She gave me the impression of being slightly dazed. - Nothing was said? - No. - Did she move about from the sitting-room to the bedroom? - No, sir. - Was Phillips drunk or sober? - Phillips was not drunk, but was a little excited. - You told the Police there was some wrangling and the sound of a row? - I did. It was unpleasant for me. There was wrangling but no loud shouting, over the photo of Phillips' late wife. - Are you telling the same story, for I cannot get it out of my mind that you are not doing so? - I might have heard a sound, but it was not a very loud sound, when I came out. A young woman going by at the time talking prevented me hearing. - When you were standing outside and hesitated as to which way to go home, did you hear anything? - I heard a sort of sound, but whether a door slamming or a person falling, I could not say. - Mr Hutchings: How far were you from the first door? - T en or twelve yards. - When you let was there any quarrelling, bickering or unpleasantness? - It sounded as though the persons were at variance over the subject they were discussing. - Whatever occurred happened immediately you left? - Yes. - How far is the door from the pavement? - The sitting-room door is 20ft. away. - If there had been a struggle or violent push you would have heard it? - I heard no sound, nor anything suggestive of a struggle. - Did you hear any banging of a door as if a person was pushed against it? - No, sir. - If the little girl said her mother was intoxicated and could scarcely walk or understand matters, is that correct? - The woman did not look intoxicated at 7 o'clock. - What do you mean when you say the man was a glass or two over the mark? - When a man had had a couple of glasses over the mark he is talkative. He was sober enough to know what he was talking about and doing. - How many times did you go out for beer? - Once and Mr Phillips went out once. - Are you prepared to say you left the front door open when you left? - Yes, I am positive I left it open, because I am always in the habit of leaving things as I find them. - After the adjournment both MISS COOMBES and Phillips were recalled. Both said there were a pair of steps beyond the door. - Rhoda Hayman, married, 19 Braddon-street, said she was passing the terrace at ten minutes to eleven, a young man being close by, when suddenly she saw the door of No. 10 opened by a man. She saw him push a woman out of the doorway into the road way. Being dark she could not recognise the man, nor could she say whether the woman fell on her face or backwards. The woman fell with a loud thud. A man named Pearse who came along behind witness, called out "What's up here?" Witness went to procure a chair from the public-house near, but was unable to get one. Returning to the scene, witness found the injured person sitting on a chair and she at once recognised her as Mr Philliips' housekeeper. When she fell the woman exclaimed, "Oh!" That was her last word. Witness heard no more prior to the occurrence. When the woman was pushed out the man shut the door with a bang. - Witness, cross-examined by Mr Hutchings, said the man Pearce asked what Mr Phillips had done and the latter replied: "I have done nothing; she slipped her foot." Witness was emphatic in her replies to several straight questions that it was a man whom she saw push the woman out, and in spite of the suggestion that it was imagination on her part, she adhered to her original statement. - Mr Hutchings referred to a statement made by the witness to a gentleman, and quoted the following words:- "It appeared as if the woman was pushed through the door." Did she say that? - Witness: Yes. - Mr Hutchings: I don't wish to threaten you, but your evidence contains a serious allegation against someone as serious as it is possible to make. Did you say what I have quoted? - Witness: I think I did, but I did not say that a man pushed the woman through. Mr Hutchings: Why not? You have said so today. No reply was made by witness, but replying to further questions she said: "I am certain that I saw a man push the woman through the doorway. I made no protest against the man, whom I knew was inside the door referred to." - William Chas. Pearce, fisherman, Braddon-street, said he was walking up Madrepore-road at 11.10 and overtook Mrs Hayman. When within two or three paces of No. 26, he saw the woman come out through the door and fall on the path into the gutter. he could not say whether the door was open or shut. He did not see any man in the doorway. Picking up the woman he sent Mrs Hayman for help. He did not see Mr Phillips at the door. When witness knocked Mr Phillips said: "What's up?" Witness replied: "it looks as if something's up; there is a woman nearly dead." Mr Phillips, who had not kept witness waiting, said, "Bring her inside." Witness replied that it was a case for the Hospital. Mr Phillips then shut the door. A few minutes later witness saw Mr Phillips look over the doorway. Witness added that he did not think the woman could fall in that way, or double up by herself. She would fall forward on her face. - The Coroner: That is your opinion. I only want you to tell the Jury what you say - facts. - Witness, continuing, said the woman could not have shut the door behind her. As she came out the door closed with a bang. He could not say whether she came out on her face or backwards. She was lying all of a heap. He was a couple of paces behind Mrs Hayman, and was not in a position to see if anybody was in the doorway when the woman came out. - In answer to Mr Wood (a Juryman), witness said he thought the woman must have been pushed out. - Mrs Sarahs and Mrs Martin having given evidence, Miss Anne Hamlin, of 1 Alma-Place, close to the scene of the occurrence, said she was standing at her door at ten minutes past eleven, when she heard someone shout, "MRS COOMBES," and saw somebody reel into the path in front of Mrs Hayman. Witness went across and saw it was the deceased, and returned to her house for a chair. Sometime after Mr Phillips came to the door, caught MRS COOMBES by the sleeve as she was sitting on the chair, and said, "Come on LIZZIE," and added "I can nurse her as well as anybody else." There were two blood smears on her apron, as if the deceased had wiped her nose before she fell. In fact, she must have done so then, as at the time she was picked up she was unconscious. Her eye was blackened while they were attending to her. She found her lying parallel with the road and not across the path. - After hearing further evidence the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 12 July 1912
CHARDSTOCK (DORSET) - At an Inquest at Birchill Cottage, Alston, near Chardstock, relative to the death of BENJAMIN BEER, 61, quarryman, evidence was given to the effect that while he was working in a quarry at Coaxden, a quantity of earth fell away, striking him on the left side and ankle. At first he did not feel hurt, but an hour later he complained of pains in his left ankle. The medical evidence was that death was due to cerebral embolism, caused by the injures. Verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 13 July 1912
KINGSKERSWELL - Trespassing. Inquest On Kingskerswell Tragedy. The Jury's Rider. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, yesterday conducted an Inquiry at Stoneycombe, into the circumstances attending the death of JAMES CHANNING, who was killed on the line early on Thursday morning. Chief Inspector Mapledoram (Exeter) and Inspector W. Cook (Locomotive Department), Newton Abbot, watched the proceedings on behalf of the G.W.R. Company. Mr S. Cox was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - In the course of the evidence it was stated that quarrymen from Kingskerswell and Ipplepen were in the habit of walking along the line to their work. Deceased, who is said to be rather hard of hearing, was walking in the 4ft way of the down line on Thursday morning, when he was run into by the paper express, neither the fireman or driver of which, however, saw him, and did not know of the occurrence until they were told of it at Plymouth. Deceased was terribly mutilated, both arms and legs being shattered, and the skull fractured, death being instantaneous. - The Coroner suggested that where there were steps leading to the line it was an invitation to people to go down and walk that way, and suggested that warning notices should be placed there. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider recommending the railway company to put up notices warning people against trespassing both at Kingskerswell and Dainton.

Western Times, Monday 15 July 1912
PAIGNTON - Paignton Fatality. Verdict of "Accidental Death" Returned At Inquest. - At an Inquest on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Mr S. Hacker, at Paignton, on the body of ALFRED SPEARE, aged 37, ostler, at the Gerston Hotel, evidence of identification was given by Thomas Casley, of Kingswear, brother-in-law. Mr J. S. Huggins, proprietor of the Gerston Hotel, said deceased and Mrs Huggins were with him in a waggonette drawn by two horses on Monday last. Near the "big tree," Dartmouth-road, the horses shied at something and the pole striking the right wall broke. SPEARE got out and caught hold of the near horse's head, but the pair plunged and bolted for twenty-five yards, SPEARE being left behind. When the horses were stopped he saw deceased on a cushion by the side of the road. - Mrs Huggins said SPEARE was caught on the pole, the jagged end of which entered his left thigh. She released him and helped to put him on the cushion. Two boys were under the tree, one having a barrow and she thought their moving caused the horses to shy, though that was only a surmise. The boys did nothing to make the horses shy. - Evidence was given by Frederick Pottinger, who bound up the wound, and a lad named Wm. Wyatt, who was driving the barrow, and Dr Adams said the chief injuries discovered at the Cottage Hospital was a lacerated wound at the back of the left thigh. The wound was greatly inflamed and blood poisoning setting in rapidly amputation was impossible. The tissues were very much damaged and bruised, making deceased's resisting powers less. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 16 July 1912
LANDKEY - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest conducted by the North Devon Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) at Landkey, last evening, on the body of BESSIE DART, aged 53, wife of MR JOHN DART, farmer, of Harford, Landkey, who died suddenly in an outhouse on Saturday. Dr J. R. Harper said a post-mortem examination revealed a dilated heart and death was due to syncope.

EXETER - Porter Killed On The Line At Honiton. - Mr W. Linford Brown, Coroner for the City of Exeter, held an Inquiry at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday, with regard to the death of JAMES RICHARD MORTIMORE, who met with fatal injuries at Honiton on the London and South-Western Railway, on Friday. - Thomas Trump of York-place, Coombe-street, gave evidence of identification, deceased being his cousin and a married man, of Ellis's-place, Heavitree. He was aged 42, and was employed on the L. and S.W. Railway as a supernumerary porter. - Henry Thomas Coles, of Lion's Holt, a timber porter, said he was helping deceased to load timber at Honiton Station on Friday last about 9 a.m. Both of them had a brake stick and deceased while using his, let it slip. He fell underneath the two wheels of the wagon on which they were working and the back wheel ran over one leg, but witness stopped the truck in time to prevent his other leg being run over. With assistance he lifted him out and he was taken to Hospital after a local medical gentleman had examined him. - Dr D. fisher, Assistant House Surgeon, at the royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was conscious when he saw him. He had a compound lacerated fracture of the left thigh and a simple fracture of the right leg. He died the same day, the primary cause being the compound fracture and the secondary cause shock. - The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Inspector W. Trump watched the proceedings on behalf of the L. and S. W. Railway Company. - Deceased's widow was present and it was mentioned that deceased also leaves a large family of eight young children.

EXETER - Woman's Strange Death. - Mr W. Linford Brown, Coroner for the City of Exeter held an Inquest on the body of DELIA POPPLESTONE, married woman, of Waterloo-place, Exeter, who died at the Hospital as a result of swallowing part of a set of false teeth. - The husband, an Exeter cab driver, said he was at work on June 21st, when he learned that his wife had swallowed her half-plate of false-teeth. She was operated on at the Hospital and when he first visited her she seemed quite cheerful. Later on, however, she became worse and died last Friday. On the day of the mishap, she brought witness's dinner to him at a cab shelter and went home to have her own. It was then, he understood the accident happened. - Amos Morgan, cab proprietor of Iddesleigh-road, said that it was at 2 p.m. on June 21st that deceased came to him very excited and enquired if her husband was on the cabstand. She was told no, and then remarked to witness that she had swallowed something. He drove her to the Hospital as quickly as he could. - Dr Fisher said that an operation was performed on the evening of June 21st, and some teeth from about seven inches down the gullet were extracted. For a time the patient went on all right, but poisoning ensued, the teeth not being cleaned and there being a difficulty in feeding her. Eventually she died from toxaemia and inanition. - A Juror asked whether deceased's life might have been saved if the false teeth had been clean? - Dr Fisher replied not in this case, remarking that deceased's own teeth, apart from the artificial ones, were not clean and therefore there was bound to be some substance get to the wound following the operation. - The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Thursday 18 July 1912
NORTH TAWTON - Under Deputy Coroner Mr H. Brown, an Inquest was held yesterday to Inquire into the death of THOMAS NORTHCOTT, who was killed by falling from a rick of hay on the previous day. Mary Branch, the deceased's housekeeper, identified the body. - John Ford, employer of deceased, said that NORTHCOTT was working on the rick. He offered to get a ladder so that he could get down. Deceased, however, tried to get down by the cart, but fell between it and the rick, pitching on his head. He made no statement afterwards. - Dr Desprez, who was called to render assistance, said he was of opinion that death was caused by deceased's neck being broken. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

UFFCULME - Inquest at Uffculme. - An Inquest on a man named CHARLES STONE, of Culmstock, who was found dead in a lane close by Goodleigh Farm, on Tuesday evening, was held by Mr Tweed, of Honiton, yesterday. Mr J. Popham was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The first witness was JESSIE MILTON, sister of the deceased, who stated that he was 38 years of age, and had been engaged until this week at Culmstock Station unloading stone. He went to Goodleigh Farm on Monday morning to help Mr Alford haymaking. - George Purke, of Belvin, stated that he worked for Mr Alford. The deceased came to work on Monday to assist in haymaking. He got through the day all right. He resumed work on Tuesday, about 4 p.m. He said he felt a bit queer and got off the waggon and leaned on the wall after putting on his waistcoat. He then went across the yard towards the lane, apparently to get into the shade as the weather was exceptionally hot. - Charles May, Prudential agent, said he was cycling along the road at the bottom of Goodleigh-lane, about 5.50, when he saw a man lying beside the roadway. He was dead, and he called Mr Alford's men who were about 40 yards away in a field haymaking. One of the men rode to Culmstock on horseback for the Constable. - Dr Harwood Hardman, who is acting as locum tenens for Dr Date, of Culmstock, deposed to examining the body and said that the cause of death was fatty degeneration of the heart. The kidneys were enlarged and the liver and the heart were much too fat. Coupled with the high temperature, that was sufficient to cause death. - A verdict was returned accordingly. - The Coroner complimented P.C. Ley on his smart work of getting the Inquest held so early.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1912
PAIGNTON - A Tale Of Drink At Paignton. - THEOPHILUS H. MAEERS, a Paignton labourer, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning at 2 Princes-street, and, at the Inquest on Tuesday, it was stated that he was the worse for liquor on Saturday night, and had words with James Austin, son of the lodging-house keeper, with whom he lodged. Austin, who shared a room with MAEERS, got up and dressed in the morning and thought deceased was lying asleep on the bed. Later the father called deceased for dinner and receiving no answer, went upstairs and found MAEERS was dead. Dr King stated that, as a result of a post-mortem examination, he found the organs fairly normal, but there was haemorrhage of the brain, which was the cause of death, the haemorrhage being accelerated by alcoholic excess. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Monday 22 July 1912
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Exeter Mystery. Young Nursemaid Found Drowned In The Canal. - How MARY BOND, the young Exeter nursemaid, whose body was found in the canal early on Friday morning, came by her death, remains a mystery. Mr H. W. Gould, Coroner for the District, conduced an Inquest at the Double Locks Hotel on Saturday, and after several witnesses had been heard, a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned. The Police had failed to trace deceased after she was seen and spoken to by a young man in Alphington-street late on Monday night last, and it is probable that she was drowned that same night, for when her body was recovered it was almost unrecognisable. Her identity, by the way, was first established by a signed Insurance Act card found in her pockets. - Annie Wright, wife of a vanman, living at Regent-street, St. Thomas, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was her niece, and her father and mother were both dead. The former was a Sergeant in the Lancashire Fusiliers and had been invalided out of the Army before his death. Deceased had been a domestic servant, or nursemaid and used to go out to day work. Witness last saw her three weeks ago in the High-street. - Agnes Hawkes, wife of a stoker working at Willey's, and residing at 15 Clinton-street, told the Jury that deceased had lodged with her for about three months. She last saw her alive on Monday morning just before eight o'clock. She then left to go, as witness thought, to her work at a house in Mount Radford. That same night witness's children saw her at the Fair. Deceased, so far as she knew, was not in any trouble, but though she owed witness a fortnight's "lodge," she had never been pressed for it. She was a bright and cheerful girl as a rule, and had certainly never mentioned suicide. She had left no note or anything so far as witness knew to throw any light upon her death. She had kept late hours at night and had frequently been told to get home earlier, or find fresh lodgings. When spoken to, however, on that matter, she never replied. Recently she stayed out all one night. The next night, which was last Sunday, she was brought home between 10 and 10.30 p.m. by two gentlemen, who told witness she had fallen down at the end of Buller-road. She seemed dazed, but witness did not think she ever took anything to drink. When questioned that night, before she went to bed, she simply said she had fallen down and gave no explanation of how she fell. She did say, however, that she had been to a friend's. - By a Juror: Last Saturday was the first occasion she had stayed out all night. - Harry Laskey, a young cellarman, living at St. Thomas, said he had known deceased about twelve months. He saw her last Monday night about 10.45 p.m. in Alphington-street. Witness stopped and spoke to her, but she did not say where she was going. She proceeded along Alphington-road, which would not be in the direction of her lodgings. She was then quite her usual self, and did not seem at all depressed. - Frederick Milton, of 52 Preston-street, who found the body, said that it was floating in the canal face downwards. He noticed it about 6.15 yesterday morning as he was attending to the lock gates. He got the body ashore with a boat hook, and gave information to Mr Hannaford at Double Locks. He first saw the body about 300 yards the Double Locks side of Salmon Pool bridge. - P.C. Wills, of Alphington, gave evidence of being fetched to the canal banks shortly before 7 a.m. Deceased was fully dressed, including her hat. The only thing found on her was a National Health Insurance card, which had been signed, and on which she had described herself as a nursemaid. Witness had since made enquiries and found deceased went to work at Mount Radford dairy as a day girl. She left there on Saturday last, and was to have gone in again on the Monday, but did not do so. Nor did she go near her work afterwards. Witness had searched her clothing and the box at her lodgings, but had failed to find anything which would throw light on her death. - Dr Brash told the Jury that death was due to drowning and this was the whole of the evidence. - The Coroner said it seemed useless to prolong the Enquiry as the Police had made every enquiry and had failed to trace deceased after she was seen on Monday night. - As stated above, a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

NEWTON ST. CYRES - Child Crushed To Death At Newton St. Cyres. - Last evening, as a man in the employ of Mr Guy, baker, of Cowick-street, St. Thomas, Exeter, was delivering bread at Newton St. Cyres with a van, he gave WINNIE STEVENS and HAROLD STEVENS, and a lad named Baker, a ride, and on turning a sharp corner near East Holme Farm, the van by some means turned completely over and the four occupants were underneath. The driver and Baker managed to extricate themselves and then endeavoured to lift the van and get the two little STEVENS'S out. In doing this Baker was severely kicked by the horse in its endeavours to free itself. It was found that HAROLD STEVENS, aged three, was badly bruised and crushed, but as far as could be ascertained no bones were broken, but his little sister, WINNIE, who is between five and six years of age, had met with a far worse fate. Her skull was dreadfully crushed and from all appearances death must have been instantaneous. Medical aid was sought, but unfortunately in the case of WINNIE it was of no avail. The deepest sympathy is extended to MR and MRS STEVENS and relatives in their deep trouble and bereavement. The family have resided at Newton St. Cyres all their lives and are well-known and respected. Coroner's Inquest At Newton St. Cyres. - The District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould), held an Inquest at Newton St. Cyres on Saturday relative to the death of ETHEL WINNIFRED STEVENS, aged 5 years, daughter of a farm labourer, who met her death through the upsetting of a baker's trap in the village on Friday. The body having been identified by her father, evidence was given by George Gardner, journeyman baker, of Cowick-street, St. Thomas, to the effect that on Friday he was delivering bread at the village. He went into a house and when he came out the deceased's mother was putting up her two children in the trap, in which there was also a boy named Wm. Baker. Witness got into the trap and drove on, and when turning the corner leading to Clayhill, the trap struck a stone fixed in the bank, and turned over. In turning the corner the horse seemed to swerve towards the bank. All the occupants of the trap were turned out and the cart fell on the deceased. She was quite dead when she was taken out. - Herbert Baker, aged 13, gave corroborative evidence. - Thomas Moore, labourer, said on hearing of the accident, he went to the spot. He found the trap turned over and the deceased underneath it. - Dr Moiser, of Crediton, said deceased had a compound fracture of the skull which would have caused instant death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the parents. The father's employer also contributed.

Western Times, Tuesday 23 July 1912
TORQUAY - Watcombe Beach. Torquay Jury And A Drowning Fatality: Safety Appliances. - Mr Sydney Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest at the St Marychurch Town Hall, Torquay, yesterday, concerning Sunday's bathing fatality at Watcombe, the victim of which was a youth of 17 years, named RONALD BRIGHT, the adopted son of a gardener named SAMUEL KIRTON, of 11 Lammaton-place, St Marychurch, Torquay. - Mr P. H. W. Almy watched events on behalf of the Torquay Corporation. The Foreman of the Jury was Mr H. Luscombe. - SAMUEL GEORGE KIRTON said he saw his adopted son leaving home on Sunday morning for a dip at Watcombe, accompanied by Miss Parker and witness' daughter. An hour later he was apprised of an accident and speedily gaining the beach, he saw the body received by a boatman and others. Witness and others tried artificial respiration, to no avail. The Police tried with like results, and Dr Dalby pronounced life extinct. The body was recovered from about nine feet of water. - The chief witness of the sad affair was Violet Parker, sister of MRS KIRTON, who was on a visit from Teignmouth. She said she went into the water at about the same time as deceased, but Elsie, her niece sat upon a boulder on the beach. Deceased swam past her and joked her because she had not ducked her head. She went to duck her head in the water and upon turning round saw RONALD floating. She treated it as a joke, because he was doing such, but when she called him and got no answer and then saw him go down, she rushed back to some boys and told them to go to her friends for help. She, in the meantime, went up to Watcombe and raised an alarm. Returning to the beach she found that the body had not been recovered. - Elsie Kirton gave evidence to seeing deceased's head at one time and then to seeing him disappear. - Leslie Campion, one of the boys apprised of the affair, said he could swim a few strokes. He rushed out to try and find BRIGHT, but could not do so. A lot of people bathed there from time to time. - Samuel Badcott, Babbacombe boatman, said he recovered the body thirteen yards off shore in eight feet of water, by means of his paddle, from the boat. - Answering the Coroner and Foreman, witness said he thought there should be some life saving apparatus there. - The Coroner said there was a boat there. - Witness said that it was a private boat. - Frederick Anning, deposed to receiving the body from the last witness when he recovered it and was taking it ashore. - Dr Dalby called, said life was extinct, after an hour's artificial respiration had been tried. He said that death was due to drowning. He thought some provision for the safety of bathers should be made on the beach. - The Coroner said that a young man was drowned on the same beach some months ago, on which occasion the Jury recommended the Town Council of Torquay to provide life apparatus. - Mr Almy pointed out that the Torquay corporation had no jurisdiction over the beach. They had negotiated with one of the several owners of the property and recommended that a life buoy and line be placed there. After a lengthy correspondence, only a few days ago were the Council apprised that, that day or later, a buoy and line would be provided. As far as the Council were concerned that body had done its best. - The Coroner said that Mr Almy's remarks were satisfactory. The case before them that evening was similar to the one in September last. - The Jury brought in a verdict of "Accidental Drowning" but hoped the Council would negotiate to procure something additional as regarded safety for bathers at Watcombe beach. - Mr Almy promised to lay the matter before the Town Council. - The Jury and witnesses gave their fees to the deceased's foster parents.

Western Times, Friday 26 July 1912
AXMINSTER - Dr Tweed, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Axminster, on Monday, relative to the death of EDWIN HELLIER, farm labourer, Uphay Cottage, near Axminster. The widow stated that on Sunday night, about eleven o'clock, she and her husband retired to the bedroom. She got into bed, but he did not undress. She fell asleep and when she awoke at six o'clock in the morning she saw that her husband had not been to bed. She found him hanging from a beam in the wash-house. He had been ill on and off for some time. He earned 12s. a week, with a cottage and garden rent free. He was 42 years of age and had six children, the youngest being two years of age. - James Foxwell, a carter, of Uphay, said HELLIER had been complaining of feeling unwell for some time, but had never threatened to take his life. He told him he would be to work on Monday morning whether bad or not. - Dr W. Langran, of Axminster, stated that about a week ago HELLIER complained of rheumatism and neuralgia pains in his head. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

WIDECOMBE-IN-THE-MOOR - At Jordan Farm, Widecombe, on Monday, an Inquest was conducted by Mr S. Hacker, concerning the death of JOHN EASTERBROOK, of Jordan Cottage. MR EASTERBROOK, 65 years of age, had been for many years assistant overseer and rate and tax collector for the parish and correspondent of Widecombe and Leusdon Council Schools. Fanny Burge, domestic servant, said she called her master n Sunday morning and failing to get an answer, she entered his bedroom and found he was dead. Dr Ellis, of Ashburton, said when he saw the body at 12.30 p.m., he considered death had occurred about 12 hours before. The Jury found Death was due to Heart Failure. The funeral took place at Widecombe on Tuesday.

Western Times, Saturday 27 July 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmouth Fatality. Inquest On Newton Child's Sad Death. Sailor Boy's Pluck. - The District Coroner (Mr S. Hacker) held an Inquest at Teignmouth yesterday, relative to the death of REGINALD FRANCIS COOMBES, son of a labourer, of East-street, Newton Abbot. - BEATRICE COOMBES, the mother, identified the body and said deceased was aged 4 years and 9 months. On Thursday afternoon he accompanied her to Teignmouth with her other children. She sat down with them near the Pier. Later REGINALD was missed. She went to look for him towards the Pier. She did not know why he left her, but there were some of her other children at Teignmouth at a school treat. It was, she admitted, a long way along the sea wall for the child to wander. Witness added that as she was walking along the sands in search, she met a girl, who said that a boy named COOMBES had been picked up. She proceeded to the spot and found a crowd on the sea wall. She did not see the child then, but was told he was dead. - Minnie Elliott, aged 14, Newton Abbot, said while walking along the sands she saw a little boy on the wall. He was crying for his "Mamma." He got on to the "apron" of the seawall, ran along it, to the end, and slipped into the water. - Charles Gale, of H.M.S. training ship, "Impregnable," whose parents reside at the Coastguard Station, said he heard a girl scream from the lower buttress. He jumped over the wall to the sands, having heard a gentleman exclaim that there was someone in the water. Witness ran along the "apron", jumped into the water and brought the child ashore - a distance of about 50 yards. - Alfred Sclater said that as soon as the body was brought out, Dr Temple commenced artificial respiration, which was continued unsuccessfully for forty-five minutes. - The Coroner said he did not wish to add to the distress of the mother, but he could not help saying that it was a pity that she did not keep an eye on the children. The only way to avoid the risks at these places was to make sure that the youngsters were properly looked after. The Coroner added that the lad Gale was deserving of great commendation. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" and endorsed the Coroner's commendation of Gale.

Western Times, Wednesday 31 July 1912
EXETER - "Unwarrantable." Exeter Jury And A Hospital Delay. Widow's Complaint. - Some strong comments were made last evening at an Inquest conducted at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by the City Coroner (Mr Linford Brown) upon the body of JAMES TRIGGS, builder, of Cowley-road, who died at the Institution as an indirect result of an accident which occurred on June 25th. - JAMES TRIGGS, son of deceased, identified the body and said deceased's age was 51. On June 25th his father was working at a house in Duckworth-road, St. Thomas, fixing a window-frame. He was on a scaffolding, and about 11.20 a.m. witness, who was at work two houses away, heard a crash. He ran round, and saw his father lying on the ground. Dr Atkins was called, and had him removed to a private residence; then he was brought to the Hospital, and witness went with him. The House Surgeon was away, and a nurse saw him and put hot-water bottles to his feet to keep his broken leg warm. According to witness's mother, who was with him all the time, a doctor did not attend deceased for an hour and a half. Deceased was not able to say at the Hospital how the accident happened, but he told witness the doctor had set his arm five times since he had been at the Institution. He said it was set right the first time and they broke it trying to put his dislocated shoulder in. After that, he said, they did not seem to know how to set it right. - Alfred Mitchell, carpenter, who saw the accident, being at work with MR TRIGGS at the time, said that the scaffolding fell through a pudlock giving way in the wall. deceased fell 18 feet and witness was saved through a bag pinning him against a scaffold pole. - John Martin, of Rugby-road, a bricklayer, told the Jury that the scaffolding was put up by James Ash, under his supervision. It was erected all right, but he understood it was reconstructed afterwards to get a bay up to the top floors. Witness used the scaffolding to do a lot of heavy work and when it was reconstructed the pudlock must have been taken out. - MRS TRIGGS, the widow, said that on the morning of June 25th, she went to the Hospital. Her husband was brought in a few minutes afterwards. She complained to the nurse because he was not attended to and told her it was worse than horse treatment to leave a man who was so badly injured. She also told her that her husband's foot was cold and then the nurse put hot-water bottles "to a broken limb." It was two hours, she should estimate, before the House Surgeon did come. Afterwards, when she saw her husband at the Hospital, he complained that his arm had been reset five times and once he cried about it. - A Juror: Was there any reason why he was kept so long? - The Doctor told me he had been in the operating room and I told him he ought to have someone else there. - A Juror: It seems strange that anyone should be there so long and not attended to. Did your husband say why the arm was reset? - No; but it was throwing him back. - Dr Fisher, Assistant House Physician, said deceased had fracture of the right thigh, fracture of the left arm, dislocation of the collar-bone and slight concussion. He went on all right till July 28th and died on the morning of that day. Witness could not remember if deceased was attended to earlier than the two hours mentioned. Witness might have been in the operating room. The left arm was broken in the accident, but not re-broken at the Hospital. It was set the once and the dislocation required very little treatment. - The Coroner: He told his wife the arm was re-broken? - No; that is not the case. We looked from time to time to see how it was getting on, and that is all that was done. Witness also said that the case was under Mr Domville and he (Dr Fisher) only attended deceased as Acting House Surgeon; it was he, however, who set the limb. Mr Domville merely saw the limb from time to time. The Foreman (Mr W. Rudd): Why was he here two hours and not attended to? - I do not remember having attended to him personally. I do not admit he was here two hours, but I cannot remember. There would be two residents on duty, Mr Newman and myself. It is the practice to attend to all urgent cases at once. The only exception is when we are both in the operating theatre. - The Foreman: Is not someone left in charge? - All accidents are seen first by the Assistant House Surgeon. - The Coroner: You say there is an exception when you are both in the operating room? - I said there might be a slight delay before one could get away. - The Coroner: Supposing a man came in dying, and some attention might save his life, has he to wait the pleasure of the doctors in the operating room? - One would be administering the anaesthetic and one helping in the operation. One would shortly be able to get away. - The Coroner: I should say there should be always someone at hand. Supposing a patient came in with a cut artery? Of course, we can't blame you for the practice at the Hospital. - Dr Fisher: This is the first I have heard of any allegation of delay. - A Juror: It isn't the first I have heard of it. It is all over the town about a man being left here two hours. Surely you can remember something about it? - I could tell you if I consulted my books. - Dr Fisher was absent some time to consult his books. Returning, he said that they showed both he and Mr Newman were in the operating theatre in the morning, but no time was mentioned. - The Coroner: It is a very, very long time to keep a patient with broken limbs. - I can produce text books to show that in the case of a fracture it would not hurt to go 24 hours without setting. - You would not like to go so long yourself? - I have broken a limb and it has not been set for two hours. - The Coroner: We will get on to the post-mortem. - Dr Fisher: Yes, that is more to the point. - The Coroner: I don't know that it is. We shall have something to say upon the other point. One likes to be civil, but to pull me up in that way is rude. - Dr Fisher: I am sorry. The doctor went on to state that the post-mortem showed death to be due to syncope. The heart was thin-walled, dilated and fatty. The condition of it, of course, might have been aggravated by the accident. - Sister Dufty said that the case came under her notice first on July 5th. The arm was not re-broken, but the splints were changed. Nurse Benson was in charge before witness. - The Foreman: We want Nurse Benson, then. - Nurse Benson was subsequently fetched and said she was in charge of the ward when the case was brought in there. Doctors came in five minutes afterwards and gave orders. She thought he was brought into the ward at 2.5, but, of course, she could not say how long he had been in the Hospital before that. Deceased was in her charge till July 5th. The arm was set only the once, so far as she knew. The splints were loosened one day, but not taken down. - Sister Hussey said it might have been 11.40 when deceased was brought in. Dr Newman, who was now away, saw him fifteen or twenty minutes afterwards and then left him for Dr Fisher. Dr Newman satisfied himself that the patient's leg was broken and that he was quite comfortable, being wrapped up well. - The Coroner: Does it not strike you that a man with a broken leg on a stretcher is in pain, and not comfortable? - Dr Newman satisfied himself he would be all right. - The Coroner: Why didn't Dr Newman set it? - Because he was physician and not surgeon. - Was he capable? - Yes. - Why didn't he, then? - Because Dr Fisher was then the Surgeon. - The Coroner: It seems a disgrace to the Institution. - A Juror: I don't think you would treat a horse like it. - The Widow: It is not fit for cattle. - Nurse Hussey: The wife was anxious to take him away. - The widow: That was because he was not being attended to. - The Foreman: How long would e comfortable to let him lie on the floor with a broken limb? - Oh, for a few hours he would not hurt if he were still. - It wants some explanation! - Sometimes patients lie in the wards for an hour or more and the limb not set. - The Foreman: We are not blaming anyone. We are blaming the rules. - The Coroner, in summing up, said that one's common sense revolted at the idea that a man with a broken thigh, broken arm and a dislocated collar-bone should be left lying on a stretcher two hours. Hospitals were fine Institutions, but one liked to feel one got proper attention at them. If this delay were necessitated by the rules of the Institution, the sooner the rules were reconsidered the better. - The Jury found a verdict of Death from Heart Failure, expressed sympathy with the widow and family and added that the delay which elapsed before deceased's broken limbs were set was most unsatisfactory and unwarrantable.

Western Times, Friday 2 August 1912
SOUTH BRENT - An Inquest was conducted at Plymouth Borough Asylum, Blackadon, near South Brent, on Tuesday, touching the death of an infant, found in the river about half-a-mile from the Institution. According to the evidence, P.S. Beer of Brent and Superintendent Jeffery called on ANNIE PENNY, a nurse recently employed at the Asylum and asked her to submit to medical examination. She refused and a search was made on the Moor. As a result, a cardboard box was found and about fifty yards away, in a pool in the river Lud, under some stones, the body of a child was disclosed. The child had breathed, but according to the evidence of Dr C. E. Cooper of Ivybridge, death was due to inattention at birth. According to the statements of the other nurses, NURSE PENNY was seen to leave the Asylum with a parcel and to return without one. She was also seen near where the body was found. The Jury found that the child was that of ANNIE PENNY and that it died from Inattention at Birth.

EXETER HEAVITREE - Open Verdict. Killed On The Line At Heavitree. Terrible Injuries. - An Inquest on the body of CHARLES HENRY POWLEY, single man, employed as a painter, and living at Clifton-road, Exeter, who was decapitated on the L. and S.W. Railway near Mount Pleasant Halt, was conducted by Mr Frank Thomas, Deputy Coroner for the District at the Urban District Council offices, Heavitree, last evening. - Mr A. M. Alford was present to watch the proceedings on behalf of the relatives. Inspector Trump represented the L. and S.W. Railway. - John Thomas Kelly, painter, of Chute-street, Exeter, identified and body and gave deceased's age as 51. He had known him eleven years and they worked together for an Exeter firm of decorators. He last saw deceased alive on Tuesday evening, about 7.30 p.m., when the latter was at home lying on his bed. He had not been at work that day, and in consequence of this witness went to see him. He complained of pains in his head and diarrhoea, as he had often done before. Witness had sometimes seen him hold his hands to his heart and his head, but he would always take them away when observed. Witness stayed with him on Tuesday evening for three-quarters of an hour and deceased said he should return to work in the morning. Witness had never heard him threaten to take his life, and he was of a cheerful disposition. he lodged with his mother. - Henry Holmes, of Roseland-terrace, Heavitree, a foreman platelayer, spoke to finding the body. It was at 6.45 a.m. on Wednesday when he was entering the east end of Blackboy tunnel that he saw the body near the wall, about thirty feet within the tunnel. Deceased was on his right side facing the wall, and about three feet from the down metals. The face was cut clean off as though it had been struck by some part of an engine. There were some remains on the rail itself, and no cap or hat could be found. - Henry Moore, locomotive inspector, mentioned that no marks had been found on any engine which passed through the tunnel that night or early morning, but as there was much rain at the time such marks might have been washed off. - Dr Bradford described the terrible injuries. They were confined to the head and face and from a further inspection he should think the deceased lay on the ground with his head over the rails face downwards. When witness saw him, soon after he was found, he had been dead at least eight hours. - P.S. Mortimore told the Coroner that no letter was found on the body or at the home. - The Jury found that deceased was killed on the line, but as there was no evidence of how he came there, the verdict was an Open one. - Deceased was a naval pensioner and served through the siege of Alexandria.

Western Times, Saturday 3 August 1912
TIVERTON - Drank Carbolic. Widow's Tragic Death At Chevithorne. Her Brother's Suicide. - The story of the suicide of a widow whilst staying for the benefit of her health with relatives at Chevithorne, near Tiverton, was related by various witnesses at an Inquest held at Pileywell Farm, Chevithorne, last evening by Dr G. D. Perry (Deputy Coroner) on the body of SUSANNA HOWE, aged 59, of Fairfield House, Stogursy, near Bridgwater, widow of ROBERT HOWE, farmer. Mr John Hill was elected Foreman of the Jury. - The first witness was the daughter, ELLEN MARIA HOWE, of Pileywell Farm, who said the deceased saw a doctor at Bridgwater about six weeks previous. She had been suffering from mental depression. The doctor recommended a change and she came down to stay at Tiverton three weeks ago. She spent a week in Tiverton with Mr Northam and the other fortnight with witness. Her health improved very much and arrangements had been made for her return to Bridgwater on Thursday, August 1st. Deceased had had a lot of trouble, but there was no reason why she should have troubled latterly. On the whole her general health was quite good. Witness slept in the room with her and left her in bed about twenty to seven on Thursday morning. About 7.30 she went back and deceased got up and began to dress. Witness remained with her a quarter of an hour and then went to breakfast. About ten minutes later witness went to call her again. She made no answer and witness heard a peculiar noise. Witness called Nurse Chuggley, and they entered the room together. They found deceased lying on the floor on her face, with a bottle of carbolic acid close to her. A doctor was sent for. The nurse gave her some flour and milk. She was quite unconscious and said nothing. They did not hear her leave her room. - By the Foreman: There had been no signs of insanity in any other members of the family, so far as they knew. - The Foreman: had not she a brother with whom there was something wrong? - That was temporary, after influenza. - Emily Chuggley, District Nurse for Chevithorne, who lives in the house, said she left her bedroom to go to breakfast, leaving her bedroom door open. In her room was a medical cupboard containing various poisons, including a bottle of carbolic acid (produced) which was found on the floor beside deceased. The medical cupboard was locked with the key left in the lock. Deceased would have to go along a passage to get to witness's room. She was fully dressed with the exception of her boots. She had never said anything about taking her life. - The Coroner: Somebody said she was asking for salts of lemon a short time ago? - The day before she asked her daughter, whilst shopping in Tiverton, to get her some salts of lemon because she wanted to take iron mould out of one of her best table-clothes at home. The daughter told deceased there was no need to get such trivial things until she got home. She did not say anything more about it. - A Juryman: Is salts of lemon poison? - The Coroner: Yes. - In reply to further questions the nurse added that she had left her room only about ten minutes before deceased was found. She must have watched her from her room and gone there direct. - Dr Burgess, of Tiverton, said he found deceased in a collapsed, moribund condition, cold and pulseless. He administered various drugs, stimulants etc. The patient died about twenty minutes after he arrived. There were burns caused by carbolic, on the lips and inside the mouth. Death was due to shock, caused by carbolic acid poisoning. Everything that could be done for deceased by the people in the house, added the doctor, was done and done well. - In the course of summing up, the Coroner said that with regard to the salts of lemon incident, deceased had very good reason for wanting to buy it. As she lived in the country at Bridgwater she might have found some difficulty in getting it, and have thought it just as well to purchase it at Tiverton. It made one suspicious, as salts of lemon was used by some people for destroying themselves, but neither the daughter nor the nurse had ever heard her threaten to take her life. There was no history of insanity in the family, although he (the Coroner) understood that deceased's brother did destroy himself. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and the Foreman added that they did not think any blame could be attached to anyone.

Western Times, Monday 5 August 1912
WESTWARD HO! - A Fatal Bathe. Sad Death Of A Westward Ho Visitor. - A sad fatality occurred at Westward Ho! on Saturday, a visitor, MR THOMAS BEAUMONT, expiring suddenly whilst leaving the sea after a bathe. He had seemed in the best of health when provided with a bathing tent, and ran down about 200 yards to the water. About a quarter of an hour afterwards he was seen by a lady on the Pebble Ridge to fall when leaving the water and not rise again. She raised the alarm but when help got to him MR BEAUMONT was dead, as all attempts at artificial respiration were unavailing. The deceased, who was only 27 years of age, was in the Civil Service and had been in Northern Nigeria for two periods of twelve months each. He came back about two months ago and had been staying with his brother, MR LEWIS BEAUMONT, Officer of Customs and Excise at Bideford. - At the Inquest held on Saturday evening by the Deputy Coroner, Dr Ellis Pearson, Joseph Hoare said he went to the deceased on hearing the lady shouting and dragged him in out of the water. Two ladies had already partly dragged him in. Artificial respiration was tried for some time, but he believed deceased was dead when he got to him. - Dr Francis, of Northam, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope. The heart was very thin and with a certain amount of fatty degeneration. He had evidently had an attack when leaving the water and on falling down some of the water got into his lungs and that finished it. If he had fallen on the shore he might have been saved. - The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that it was a very cold day and the thin walls of deceased's heart would not stand the strain. He probably felt an attack coming on and was leaving the water when he fell. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Heart Failure."

Western Times, Thursday 8 August 1912
SIDMOUTH - Sidmouth Fatality. Death Through A Fall Over Stairs. - At an Inquest held by the District Coroner (Mr Tweed) at Sidmouth Cottage Hospital yesterday, on HENRY POPE, aged 65, of Russell-street, who was found on Tuesday morning at the bottom of the stairs of the house in which he lodged, with his neck broken, evidence of identification was given by CHARLOTTE COLBORNE, daughter of the deceased. Other evidence was to the effect that deceased, who lodged with Mrs Hoare, in Russell-street, was in bed on Monday night by 10.45. At 6.45 the next morning, William Colborne, who also lodged in the house, found deceased at the bottom of the stairs doubled up and apparently dead. The body was cold. The landlady was sleeping with Mrs Butters, in a bedroom close by, but neither heard any noise during the night. Dr Pullin, who made a post-mortem examination of the deceased, said all the internal organs were healthy. Death was caused by dislocation of the neck. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Tuesday 13 August 1912
TIVERTON - Tiverton Lady's Sudden Death. - MRS GILL, wife of MR CHAS. GILL, of Church-square, Tiverton, aged 62, was taken ill on Angel-hill on Tuesday evening and died almost immediately. At the Inquest conducted by Dr G. D. Perry (Deputy Coroner) at Tiverton on Thursday, evidence was given by deceased's daughter, LILIAN MAUD GILL, Frances Ellen Perry, and Dr C. E. Liesching. The medical evidence showed that death was due to heart failure consequent on fatty degeneration and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Thursday 15 August 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - The Teign Mystery. Inquest At Newton On Devon Farmer's Death. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr P. C. Cornish Bowden) conducted an Enquiry at the Town Hall, Newton Abbot, yesterday afternoon relative to the death of SAMUEL PIKE DART, whose body was recovered from the River Teign about 1.45 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr Thomas King was Foreman of the Jury. - Thomas J. H. Partridge, assistant overseer of Kingsteignton, gave evidence of identification, and stated that deceased was his step-brother and resided at Incott Farm, Sampford Courtenay. He was a farmer and 47 years of age, and had been staying with witness from Saturday, August 3rd, having come up for the Newton Races. he last saw him alive about 7.30 p.m. on Bank Holiday, when after having tea, he left, saying he would go into Newton for an hour or two and promised to be home by 10 o'clock. He had had a glass or two of beer, but was not drunk. He was a sober man, and of a cheerful nature. Answering the Coroner, witness stated that he was convinced deceased did not take his life intentionally. - Henry W. Rowe, a postman, of Wolborough-street, deposed to seeing DART, who he had known about four years, by the Tower in Wolborough-street, between 8 and 9 on Bank Holiday evening. He was perfectly sober and walked towards East-street, after saying "good night." - Harry Gorwyn, of Sampford Courtenay, gave evidence to being in his step-brother's (the deceased) company at the Newton Races on the Monday, and last saw him alive about 7.15 p.m. at Mr Partridge's house at Kingsteignton. Deceased liked a glass of beer, but did not drink to excess. - Frank Hamlyn, a dredger, of Teignmouth, stated that whilst at work on the dredger on Tuesday afternoon about 1.45 p.m. he saw something in the water and on closer investigation found it was the body of a man. It was low water at the time, there being about 3 feet of water where the body was lying on the bottom. He got a boat and brought the body ashore, and sent information to the Police. - Dr R. H. Grimbly reported the result of his post-mortem examination of the body. There was a clean cut to the bone over the right eyebrow and the upper bone of the left arm was broken, but there were no other marks of external injury, and in his opinion these injuries were caused just before or at the time the unfortunate man met his death. The cause of death was suffocation by drowning and his impression, from the condition of the body, was that for some reason or other he was unable to make any effort to save himself when he got into the water. Answering the Coroner, witness said a fall from a height would cause the injuries described. - P.C. Kellaway gave evidence to searching the body on removal to the Mortuary and finding 6s. 9 ½d. in money, a pipe, knife and a pocket-handkerchief. He was fully dressed with the exception of a hat, and the clothing was not disarranged in any way. - The Coroner, in summing up, described the evidence as to the deceased's whereabouts on the night in question as unsatisfactory. Enquiries had been made by the Police, but no one seemed to have seen him after leaving the witness Row. - The Jury, after retiring, through their Foreman, intimated that they were satisfied there had been no foul play and returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Times, Friday 16 August 1912
BLACK TORRINGTON - A Farmer's Wife Commits Suicide At Black Torrington. Midnight Search For Missing Woman. - Black Torrington district was horrified on Wednesday morning, and a great gloom settled on it when it became known that MRS BESSIE WIVELL, of Lower Gortleigh Farm, after being missing from her home since the afternoon of Tuesday, had been found in the river Torridge under conditions which pointed to determined suicide. - It transpires that MRS WIVELL left her home about 5 p.m., and had not been seen nor heard of afterwards until the body was discovered near the middle of the river just opposite her home, in which her three little children were quietly sleeping. After the friends had been searching for her and hoping against hope for her return, Mr Lewis Dart saw a gun and some articles of clothing on the river bank. Further search revealed a blank cartridge and signs of someone having fallen from the bank into the water. After some time the body was seen and taken from the river about 7 p.m. by the searchers. Dr Candler and Constable Board being amongst the helpers. - The lower part of the face was terribly mutilated, but beyond this the body was uninjured. MR and MRS WIVELL have, since their marriage, ten years ago, resided at Lower Gortleigh and are universally respected in the three parishes of Shebbear, Sheepwash and Black Torrington. MRS WIVELL is about thirty-one years of age, and the daughter of the late MR JOHN ADAMS, of North Furse Farm, Shebbear and MRS ADAMS of North Furse House. The sympathy of the whole neighbourhood goes out to the stricken husband, the bereaved children and the sorrowing relatives. - The District Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) and a Jury yesterday afternoon Inquired into the circumstances of the tragedy. Mr A. J. Isaac, a neighbouring farmer, was elected Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner briefly related the facts connected with the tragedy, and said the woman, while apparently in her usual health and spirits, left the house about 5 o'clock on Tuesday evening, and as she did not return search was later on instituted. Next morning her body was discovered in the river Torridge, about a quarter of a mile from her home, by a man named Dart, and the Police Constable. A gun, which had evidently been discharged, was lying on the bank and he thought the evidence would conclusively show that she shot herself and then fell into the river. - The husband, who was much affected, was the first witness. The deceased, he said was 31 years of age, and he last saw her on Tuesday, about 1.30 when she appeared to be in her usual health. He had noticed nothing unusual in his wife's manner of late. He returned to the farm about 9 o'clock at night, and was informed she was missing. He went to her mother's house, but found she had not been there, and inquiry at her brother's and sister's met with similar result. Search around the farm with lanterns was then made, but no trace of deceased could be discovered. At two o'clock in the morning he went to the barn and then saw that his gun was missing. He had left the gun in a hutch in the barn a few days before. It was not loaded, and the cartridges he kept locked away in his writing desk, so that the children could not get at them. No one had opened his desk so far as he was aware. The key was in his pocket. He did not know where the cartridge used was obtained, and was unaware there was such a thing in the house except those in his desk. - The Coroner: Can you imagine where she obtained the cartridge? - Witness: She may have taken it out of the desk any time when she had the key. - The empty cartridge produced, witness added, was similar to those he used. - The Coroner: Did your wife ever touch the gun? - The husband: No; she was always afraid of the gun. - The Coroner: Have you any doubt in your mind that she committed the act herself. Do you think it possible anyone shot her? - Witness: No; I think she must have done it herself. - Have you any idea why she should commit such a rash act? - No. - Had she ever threatened such a thing before? - No. - Was anything worrying her? - Not that I knew of. - MRS AGNES WIVELL, the mother-in-law, said deceased was sitting with her on Tuesday evening. She was sewing and seemed all right and comfortable. She went out, saying to the children, "You stay there with Gran, and I will go out and put in some fire under the kettle." She went into the kitchen and attended to the fire and then went into the yard. Witness did not see her after. - The Coroner: Did she seem strange? - No; she was just as usual. - Witness added that she could give no reason for the act. Deceased had always been comfortable and happy the whole time witness had lived with her son and his wife. - P.C. Board, who made a search along by the river for the deceased, in company with two men named Dart and Chapman, said that in a field they came across the gun, deceased's apron and a back hair comb. The gun was lying by the side of the bank, and partly over the river. There was blood upon it and a cartridge in the left barrel had been discharged. The body was discovered in a pool four feet deep and about twenty yards below, where it had evidently been carried by the stream. There was a gunshot wound on the deceased's throat. Close by the gun was a stick, which she had apparently used to press the trigger to discharge the gun. Witness said he had known deceased some time, and she always seemed very pleasant. He considered the wound self-inflicted. - Commenting on the case, the Coroner said that, so far as he knew, this was the only case on record where a woman had taken her life with a shot gun, as this woman appeared to have done. It must have been very determined, for the woman, as the husband had said, was always afraid of a gun. Nearly all women were afraid of a gun. If they saw it on a table they always thought it was loaded and was going off. It was extraordinary what strong impulse must have induced this woman to take the gun. It must have been against her desire and feeling even to have handled it at all and then, to make doubly sure, she went to the river bank, so that if the shot failed she could drown herself. She appeared to have placed the butt of the gun on the ground, pressed the trigger and then fell into the river, being carried a few yards down by the flood. He thought the Jury's verdict could only be one of suicide. If the Jury desired to say anything as to her state of mind at the time, they would, of course, do so. - "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was the verdict. The Foreman said the Jury knew the deceased well as an inoffensive and retiring woman. They desired to express their deep sympathy with the family. - The Coroner said he would convey to the husband and relatives the Jury's expression of sympathy.

Western Times, Monday 19 August 1912
BRIXHAM - Brixham Fatality. Smack Owner Who Fell Into A Furnace. The Inquest. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr Cornish Bowden, held an Inquest at the Brixham Town Hall on Saturday, relative to the death of WILLIAM M. M. BURGOYNE, smack owner, who accidentally fell into a barking furnace at Mr Drew's barking yard on the previous Wednesday and died from scalds on Friday last. Mr F. Cowell, Inspector of Factories, was present. Mr W. J. Sanders was the Foreman of the Jury. - Leonard Pillar, skipper of the fishing ketch "Minnie" said deceased was, with the members of the crew, engaged in barking the sails. The lea was drawn from the furnace by a tap. They had one more sail to do. Witness was spreading that sail while deceased went to get more lea. He heard cries of "take me out," but when he got there deceased had pulled himself out and dropped from the furnace level to the yard. No one saw the accident as a sail hoisted to dry hid their view of the furnace. Deceased went to dip out the lea because the liquid in the furnace was below the flow of the tap. - P.C. Hart deposed that the furnace measured 51 ins. across the top, 44 ins. deep in the centre. There was 14 ins. depth of liquid, this being level with the tap, so that no more could flow through. The top of the furnace was covered with loose boards. - Dr F. Brett Young said both legs, the buttocks and right arm were badly scalded. The chance of recovery was practically hopeless from the first. Deceased died on Friday through heart failure, the result of the shock consequent on being scalded. - JOHN P. BURGOYNE, brother, said deceased told him that as he stooped to dip the lea from the furnace his foot slipped and he fell sideways and backwards into the furnace. - The verdict was "Accidental Death". The Jurors recommended the fixing of a permanent cover which would open so that not more than one-third of the top shall be exposed, and that a proper bucket with handle be provided to dip the lea when it was below the flow of the tap. They also expressed their sympathy with the bereaved.

Western Times, Tuesday 20 August 1912
CRUWYS MORCHARD - Sudden Death In The Harvest Field. - Mr Henry W. Gould, the District Coroner, conducted an Inquest yesterday at Yeadbury Mill, Cruwys Morchard, relative to the death of HERBERT ALSOP. - HARRIET ALSOP, of Poughill, said deceased was her son, aged 34, and a farm labourer. He was formerly in the Navy as a stoker. On the morning of his death he had complained of pains in his stomach. - Frederick Trude, of Yeo Farm, Poughill, said that on the 16th inst., deceased was working for Mr Miller, of Marsh Farm, Poughill, following the reaper, and tying corn. Witness was in the same field and about 1.30 p.m. He saw ALSOP fall and immediately went to him and found he was dead. Deceased was quite clear of the machine at the time. - Mr David Haddin Vickery, surgeon, of Cheriton Fitzpaine, said the cause of death was syncope, the result of heart disease, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Wednesday 21 August 1912
GREAT TORRINGTON - Langtree Man's Death. Adjourned Inquest At Torrington Cottage Hospital. - Yesterday afternoon Mr G. W. F. Brown (County Coroner) held an Inquiry at the Torrington Cottage Hospital, relating to the death of MARK AYRE, (Langtree) age 24, who died in the above Institution on Friday last through contracting a severe burn about the lower part of his body while banking up the fire of a large stationary boiler at the Marland Brick and Clay Works on August Bank Holiday. - Henry Halwill (manager) said deceased had been in their employ as engine driver for about two years. On the day in question AYRE visited the works as usual to bank up the fire of a large Lancashire boiler, when suddenly a terrible explosion occurred and caused severe burns to his body. Eventually he was taken to the Hospital. - An Inspector of Factories present questioned the last witness as to whether the dampers were properly open before the unfortunate man commenced to charge the furnace with coal. Witness replied that the dampers were quite open. - Charles Martin, uncle of the deceased, living near the works, said about 10.15 a.m. on August Bank Holiday he was at his house when he heard a terrific report. Looking in the direction of the works he saw a tremendous volume of smoke. He proceeded to the spot and suddenly heard AYRE shouting. About thirty yards distant he saw the unfortunate man, his clothing being in a mass of flames. After putting out the fire, witness endeavoured to ascertain what had really occurred, but without result. - Questioned by a Juror as to what caused the explosion, witness said in his opinion it was a quantity of gas which had collected in the flues. The damper was quite open when he afterwards examined the boiler and deceased was a man who was fully acquainted with the work. - Dr J. G. Macindoe said the deceased was suffering from severe burns. he had practically recovered from the shock when septic poisoning set in, which eventually caused death. - The Jury, of whom Mr W. Short was foreman, returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence and expressed sympathy with the parents.

Western Times, Thursday 22 August 1912
EXETER - Motor Fatality. Inquest At The Royal Devon And Exeter Hospital. Last Evening. - The sad motor accident which happened on East Wonford-hill, Heavitree, last Friday, was the subject of a Coroner's Inquest, conducted by Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening. It will be remembered that a child of six, named MABEL IRENE MARY FLAY, was knocked down by a Bristol car, and brought to the Exeter Hospital, where she died on Monday. The injuries were internal. - Mr W. J. Robinson, solicitor, of Bristol, represented the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, owners of the car and also the driver, George Winter. - Evidence of identification was given by the child's father, GEORGE HY. FLAY, who was much affected. He resided at Cholwell Cottage, Heavitree, and works for a market gardener. He told the Coroner that when he got home on Friday to dinner he heard that MABEL had met with an accident. The doctor called and ordered her removal to the Hospital, and on the way she told him that she was running across the road, when the car knocked her over. She added, said the father, "I will never run across the road again." He gave his consent to an operation at the Hospital. - POLLY JAMES, aged 12, sister of the child's mother, gave evidence to the effect that she was out for a walk with deceased. They went on an errand into Heavitree, and were on the path going over East Wonford-hill. A cart was going up and IRENE left witness and went across the road to catch hold of the back of it. Witness called to her three times, but she did not reply. Then witness saw a motor-car coming and told her to stay where she was, and she would not be hurt. The car came along "moderate," and just as it reached the cart IRENE ran right out, with the result that the front of the car knocked her down and passed right over her. She heard no hooter sounded as the cart made such a rattle. - By Mr Robinson: The car was pulled up as quickly as possible. - John Tucker, farmer, of Woodbury, who was driving the cart up the hill, estimated the speed of the motor at from ten to eleven miles an hour. After it had passed he heard a scream and looking round saw a child under the car. A hooter might have been sounded, but he did not hear it. So far as he could see, no one was in the least to blame. - Wm. Henry Hitchcock, of Regents Square, Heavitree, was also on the hill at the time, and saw the child run behind the cart. The car, he said, came along rather slowly and he heard a hooter sounded when it was five or six yards away from the cart. - Geo. Winter, who was driving the car, told the Jury that he saw the child behind the cart as he drove along. he slackened his speed to between eight and ten miles an hour, and blew his electric siren three times. Deceased dashed out right in front of him, and it was quite impossible for him to get out of her way. - Mr S. Shirley, of Bristol, who was in the car, said at this stage that he would like to express his deep sympathy with the parents. The driver was absolutely blameless and he, himself, ran out and picked the child up from under the car. - Dr Lilley, House Surgeon, said the child was suffering from shock and abdominal injuries. On Monday the parents were told that her only chance - a slight one - was an operation. She did not survive this operation and a post-mortem showed laceration of the kidney and blood poisoning. - The Coroner pointed out that all the evidence exonerated the driver, and the Jury found a verdict of Accidental Death, sympathising with the parents and giving it as their opinion that no one was to blame.

Western Times, Monday 26 August 1912
LYNTON - The Lynmouth Drowning Fatality. - At Lynton an Inquest has been held relative to the death of HAROLD SHARP, aged 3 ½ years, who was drowned in the river on Thursday. The little fellow, it was stated, left home at Middleham, with his sister, EDITH, aged 9, to go for a walk. They went along the River Lyn, and HAROLD over-balanced himself while throwing a stone, fell into the water. His sister's screams attracted several visitors, among them Mr Walter Oxenham, who searched the stream, which was very swollen and found the body about 200 yards below where HAROLD fell in. Mr Oxenham and another tried artificial respiration. - The Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, said the lad's father, who was doing no work, should exercise more care over his children in the absence at work of their mother. - Mr Clapp, a Juryman, said it was very desirable that some kind of fence should be erected at such a dangerous spot and it was decided that a letter be sent to Miss Halliday, the owner of the property. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and gave their fees to the parents towards the funeral expenses

Western Times, Monday 2 September 1912
EXMOUTH - Sad Fatality. Melancholy Story Of A Trip To Exmouth. Child Killed By A Fall. - An unfortunate accident, which terminated fatally befell a child named VERA COLLARD, daughter of MR JAMES COLLARD, sculptor, 156 Pinhoe-road, Exeter, at Exmouth, on Friday. MRS COLLARD and her children had been spending a holiday in Exmouth and the luggage was returning in a waggon yesterday afternoon, when the children had a ride with it in Exeter road, as far as the railway arch, where they alighted. As the little child VERA did not walk so fast as the other children, a girl named Doble, who was with them, picked her up and carried her a little distance, when she tripped and both children fell. They got up again and proceeded homeward. Subsequently as the little girl COLLARD'S drowsy condition alarmed her mother, MRS COLLARD sent for a doctor, who found VERA unconscious and she died a few hours later. - Mr E. R. Tweed held an Inquest at the Temperance Hall on Saturday, touching the circumstances of the little one's death. - MARY JANE COLLARD, the mother, said she and her children had been having a holiday at Exmouth since August 1st, and on Friday a man named Channing, employed by her husband, came with a wagon for the luggage to take back to Exeter. She left the house at 2.15 and her children rode away from the house. At 3.30 she saw VERA coming down the street with a girl named Winnie Ashford. She was crying. When she met the child she appeared drowsy and deceased told her she had fallen down. She took her to a sweet-shop to get chocolates to pacify her. But the child continued crying and declined the sweetmeats offered her. She only seemed to care to rest her head against witness. MRS COLLARD then went to a chemist's shop and not knowing a doctor in the town a telephone message was sent to a medical man. The child kept saying: "Mamma, my head," and could only explain herself by saying she had fallen down, when asked what was the matter. - Lilian Doble, aged 9, said she saw the wagon in Exeter-road outside Mr Canniford's shop, with four children in it, and, as they asked her to come with them for a ride, she got into the wagon. They rode as far as the railway arch, then the wagon was stopped, and a boy (CHARLIE COLLARD) got out and assisted her and the other children to alight. They walked a little way, and as VERA could not get along so fast as the others, she picked her up, and was carrying her, when she tripped and fell, VERA falling out of her arms first. They got up again and walked along together. Deceased kept crying and calling "Hilda." Winnie Ashford walked with witness and deceased all the way back to New-street, where they all resided. The deceased held her hand to the side of her head all the way home. - Miss Jones, Rillside, Exmouth, said she knew the deceased, as she was in her Sunday School class last year. At 3.30 on Friday afternoon, when she was with her sister, she saw the children running behind a wagon, which was going towards Exmouth. She saw the last witness go back and pick up deceased, and saw them fall. Lilian Doble picked up the deceased, who cried a great deal. Witness spoke to the child and looked at her head to see if she were hurt, but did not notice any injury. It was quite an accident. Lilian Doble not being sufficiently strong to carry the deceased. - Dr Hanna said he was called at 4.15 to see the child at No. 7 New-street. He found her unconscious and suffering from concussion. He left instructions with the child's mother, and called again at 7.50. Dr Thomas going with him. The child was then in a very grave condition, but nothing could be done for her, and she died at 8.30 the same evening. The cause of death was shock, due to concussion following the accident. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and the Coroner and Jury expressed their sympathy with MR and MRS COLLARD.

TOTNES - Child Killed. Run Over By A Motor-Car At Totnes. - A sad motor fatality - the first which has occurred in the borough - took place at Totnes on Saturday. A number of children were in the Plymouth-road, opposite the Vicarage, some of them being behind a cart, which was proceeding in the direction of Plymouth, when a motor-car, in which were Mr and Mrs Frank S. Gray, of Harold-haven, Taplow, came along from the opposite direction. As it drew almost level with the cart a little lad, SAM BINMORE, son of a labourer, named JOHN BINMORE, of Cistern-street, came in front of it. The chauffeur, William Butler, applied the brake and pulled the car up in its own length, but, unfortunately, it struck the child, and passed over it. Miss Wellacott took it into the Vicarage and the Vicar (Rev. W. T. Wellacott), in a motor-car, proceeded for a medical man. Dr Allingham was quickly in attendance, but found the child was beyond human aid, death being probably due to a fracture of the skull. The body was removed to the mortuary by P.C. Cooper and P.S. Bolt proceeded to Newton Abbot to inform the Coroner. The dead child was the youngest but one of a family of six. - The Inquest. - At the Inquest held by Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, Mr J. Harris was Foreman of the Jury. - JOHN BINMORE, the deceased's father, identified the body and said the deceased was two years and eight months old. - CLARA BINMORE, aged 10, said she took deceased and her baby sister out in a perambulator. On the way home she wanted to get off the pavement and took the deceased out. He ran behind a wagon, and she called him back, as she heard the car coming. He came back, but ran out again and tried to cross the road. The car struck him and a wheel went over him. Those in the car would not be able to see deceased. - Mrs Wellacott, wife of the Vicar of Totnes, who witnessed the accident from the Vicarage window, said the car came along very slowly. Deceased ran from behind the wagon, as if he were playing and apparently he was concealed from the driver. She saw him disappear under the car. Her daughter brought the child into the Vicarage, where he gave a few gasps and died within ten minutes. - Miss Mildred Wellacott said deceased was struck by the front of the car, but the wheels did not go over him. - Alice Cuming, 12, said she saw deceased run from behind the motor. She did not think he knew it was coming. - William Male, of Babbacombe, the driver of the wagon, said his horses were walking. As he passed the children he heard the car. he did not see the accident. He heard the horn sounded before the car came around the corner and afterwards. - Frank Sherwood Gray, the owner of the car, said when he heard the horn sounded he noticed the two-horse wagon in the road. The car was slowed to six or seven miles an hour and as they passed the wagon the little boy ran from behind it dancing and throwing his arms about. He ran right into the car. There was absolutely no time for the chauffeur to do anything - it was all over in a flash. - Dr H. R. Allingham said when he saw deceased at the Vicarage he was apparently dead. He had made a post-mortem examination and found death due to cerebral haemorrhage, due to the rupture of a large blood vessel at the base of the brain, caused by the shock. There was no fracture of the skull, and the ribs were unbroken, but the cavity of the left lung was full of blood. The child was well developed and healthy. - William Edwin Butler, chauffeur of Maidenhead, said as he came around the corner he sounded the electric horn and did so again on seeing the horses in the wagon tandem fashion. The leader seemed a bit restive and turned towards the pavement. He did not see the children, but slowed to six or seven miles an hour. Deceased ran right in front of the car. He swerved as much as he could safely do, but the end of the frame struck the deceased. He straightened the car and passed clear of the child, stopping the car in less than its own length. - The Coroner remarked that the evidence seemed to be perfectly satisfactory and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," finding no blame was attached to anyone. - The Jury gave their fees to the mother.

Western Times, Tuesday 3 September 1912
EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter. - At the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of ELIZABETH BROWN, an aged charwoman, of Paris-street. - Chas. White, decorator, of Paris-street, said deceased was his step-sister. She was married, her husband, WM. BROWN, who was a bootmaker in Paris-street, having deserted her about 35 years ago. Witness last saw her alive about a fortnight since. She had to his knowledge always been a healthy and hard-working woman. - Ellen Elizabeth Fulford, 13 Paris-street, said deceased had rented a room of her for about five years. Deceased appeared healthy, although in January last she had a fainting fit. She last saw her alive on Saturday at two o'clock and she was then going upstairs with her dinner and seemed all right. As witness saw water coming through the ceiling from deceased's room, she went up, and found her lying prone on her face amongst some logs and tins. She fetched Dr Harmer, who found the woman to be dead. - Dr Harmer said that after making a post-mortem examination, he found death to be due to fatty degeneration of the heart. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 6 September 1912
STEEPLE, DORSET - Sad Fatality To An Exeter Boy. - ERNEST FRANK SOPER, aged 15, of 50 Paris-street, Exeter, a motor van boy, in the employ of Lyons and Company, met his death under peculiarly distressing circumstances at Steeple, a little village in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, Wednesday afternoon. The lad, who was accompanied by a chauffeur, got down to open a gate across a road, and in endeavouring to get back on the van, slipped and falling, fractured the base of his skull, dying almost immediately. - At the Inquest yesterday MR W. H. SOPER, the father, who is a chauffeur, said his son was an unusually bright lad. A postcard received from him stated that the driver of the van with which he was with, was a new man, but he liked him immensely, as he treated him well. Deceased was leaving the employ of Messrs. Lyon on Friday next in order to go to Messrs. Stanfield and Whites, Exeter, to learn the work of a motor mechanic. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and exonerated Denstone, the driver of the motor van from blame.

Western Times, Saturday 7 September 1912
TAVISTOCK - Fatal Slips. Sad Stories told At Tavistock Inquest. - Mr R. R. Rodd conducted an Inquiry yesterday, at the Tavistock Cottage Hospital, into the circumstances attending the death of ISAAC MILFORD, aged 60, a farm labourer, of Hilltown Farm, Lamerton, who had been taken ill suddenly whilst driving bullocks, and succumbed a few days after. - Dr C. B. Brodrick stated that he was called to see the deceased at Hilltown, Lamerton, on August 31st last and found him in a semi-conscious condition, with general loss of power, which indicated that he had cerebral haemorrhage. He ordered him to the Tavistock Cottage Hospital, where he died on Monday last, death being due to cerebral haemorrhage, probably caused by over-exertion through running after bullocks. - LUCY MILFORD, the widow, and LILLA MAY MILFORD, a daughter, also gave evidence, which showed that deceased had been driving six bullocks to the London and South Western Station, Tavistock, when one of them attempted to slip back, and, in trying to prevent it, deceased turned round suddenly and fell into the hedge, and injured himself. - The Jury of whom Sergt. Bowles was foreman, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

TAVISTOCK - An Inquest was held at the Tavistock Cottage Hospital yesterday by Mr R. R. Rodd, relative to the death of SARAH WILLIAMS, aged 56, a married woman residing at Heathfield Cottages, near Tavistock, who died on Wednesday as the indirect result of a dislocation of an ankle, caused by alighting from a trap a few weeks ago. - Dr James Leslie Watt said that he first saw the deceased on the 14th June, when she was suffering from a dislocation of the right ankle joint. He bound the limb up and ordered the woman to the Cottage Hospital, where a few weeks later her leg was amputated below the knee by Dr Lucy, of Plymouth. Later a bed-sore formed in the lower part of the back, which spread rapidly, and resulted in the setting in of gangrene, from which she died. - William Hocking, farm labourer, stated that he was driving a trolley to Brentor on June 14, when he met deceased, who asked him to give her a lift, and he drove her to her home. On alighting from the vehicle she slipped and injured her ankle so badly that she could not get up without assistance. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

OKEHAMPTON - Sad Fatality. MRS AGNES WARD, of Okehampton Succumbs To Her Injuries. - It is with great regret that we announce a fatal termination to the regrettable accident to MRS W. T. WARD, of Okehampton, who accidentally caught her clothes on fire on Thursday morning. - Despite every attention on the part of Dr E. H. Young and trained nurses, the extent of the injuries were such that she never rallied, and passed away yesterday morning. - The sympathy of their many friends throughout Devon will go out to MR W. T. WARD and the members of his family in their great bereavement. - Mr J. D. Prickman (County Coroner) held the Inquest yesterday. - MR H. J. WARD (Sanitary Inspector) deposed that he was a brother-in-law of deceased, and last saw her alive on Monday last. She was then in her usual state of health. She was married to his brother in 1891 and there were two children, the youngest being 12 years of age. The deceased was aged 50 years last January and was a native of Shropshire. - LESLIE WARD said on Thursday morning his mother was boiling some bees-wax on the fire in the kitchen to make some furniture polish and just as he came downstairs, about 8 o'clock he saw the flames burst out around the pot in which the bees-wax was boiling. His mother ran forward to put them out and caught her dress on fire. He tried to extinguish the flames and threw some water over her. He then told the servant to go for Mr Goddard, a neighbour, whilst he ran for the doctor. His mother's clothes were almost burnt off. - Annie Pike, the servant, said she heard the last witness calling for help, and saw him trying to put out the flames. When she came in the flames were out, but deceased's clothes were still smouldering. - Dr Young, of Okehampton, said on arriving at the scene of the accident he found MRS WARD very badly burnt. She explained to him that it was the result of the pot of bees-wax boiling over. Upwards of two-thirds of her body was burnt and badly blistered and the cause of death was shock to the system occasioned by such burns. - The Jury (of whom Mr G. K. Blatchford was Foreman) returned a verdict that the cause of death was Shock to the system occasioned by Burns Accidentally Received.

Western Times, Monday 9 September 1912
EXETER - Drowned In A Dyke. Inquest On An Exeter Tragedy. Traveller's Sad Death. - The circumstances connected with the death of ERNEST WILLIAM SANDERS, aged 28, a brewer's traveller, Springfield-road, were the subject of an Inquiry before the Deputy Coroner (Mr W. Rackwood Cocks) at Exeter Guildhall on Saturday. The deceased, it will be remembered, was found dead in 15 inches of water in a dyke in Hoopern Fields on Thursday. - The body was identified by WILLIAM HOLLAND SANDERS, millwright, employed at Tremlett Bros., tanners and father of the deceased. He said his son was formerly employed at the Heavitree Brewery, but lost his situation. He was out of employment at the time he married. He never seemed quite the same after he lost his situation. That worried him very much. He was some time in getting another place, and this caused him to be very despondent. Later he was employed by the Well Park Brewery Company. On Sunday last his wife told witness that deceased was missing. Witness had never heard him threaten to take his life. Although cheerful in company, he was despondent when alone. When walking about the City he would avoid the main streets, as if he was ashamed to be seen by anyone. The fact that people, who were his friends when he was in good circumstances, turned their backs on him when he was in a reduced position, greatly preyed on his mind. Mr Ross, of the Well Park Brewery Company, very kindly gave him a berth. - MRS MABEL SANDERS, the wife, said she was married to the deceased about twelve months ago. Latterly he had been employed by the Well Park Brewery. On Saturday he came home to dinner as usual, but left again about 3.30 saying he was going to the Sports on the County Ground. She did not see him again till last Wednesday evening at eight o'clock. He then seemed rather ill and worried. Asked where he had been he replied that he had been spending a few days with his sister. he had never been off before in that way without first telling her of his intention. Witness asked him why he had left without telling her, and he replied that he could not help it, and "it took him at times." He added that he felt he must get away. After supper he seemed better. He expected his father, but, as the latter did not come, he said he would go out to him. He then left and witness did not see him again alive. His worries were chiefly in regard to his business. He always said he should like to go out of Exeter. Formerly he was in a much better position. - William Congdon, railway signalman, living at Hoopern-street, said his little boy, aged ten, told him that the body was lying in the brook in Hoopern Field. Proceeding thither, witness found the deceased lying on his stomach, his head and shoulders being submerged in a pool of water about 15 inches deep. His overcoat was lying on the right-hand side of the brook and his hat was hanging on the brambles. The deceased was dead and the body stiff. - P.C. Edwards, who searched the body, said in the deceased's coat pocket was a note inscribed:- "Love to all at home, and do never forget poor old ERN." In his pockets were also a pocket-knife and a small pair of scissors, wet and covered with mud. Deceased was seen by Mr Ross, of the Brewery, last Saturday, and up to that time his accounts were correct.. In a book found in his pocket there were entries showing where he had spent the four days during which he was missing as follows:- 1st Sept., Newton Abbot; 2nd, Dawlish; 3rd, Dawlish; and 4th the Warren. He was not seen at the Brewery Office after last Saturday and he should have presented himself there on Monday. On the morning of that day he called on a few customers. - Dr Periera said there were four superficial wounds on the deceased's neck, evidently caused by a very sharp instrument. They were not at all deep, except one which had penetrated the skin. They were evidently self-inflicted. They were not, however, the cause of death. A post mortem examination showed that that was due to drowning. - The Deputy Coroner said it was a very sad case. A promising young man, the deceased made one slip which dogged him through life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and expressed their condolence with the father and wife of the deceased.

DAWLISH - Accidental Death. Killed By The Riviera Express At Starcross. - Mr Thomas (Deputy Coroner for the District) conducted the Inquest relative to the death of MR H. SHOOTER, aged 68, of Exeter, who was killed on the line at Starcross on Friday, at the Reading Room, Starcross, on Saturday. - Chief Inspector Mapledoram (Traffic Department, Exeter) and Inspector Cook (Locomotive Dept. Newton Abbot) represented the Great Western Railway Company. - HORACE HENRY SHOOTER, son of the deceased, of 9 Weirfield-road, Exeter, identified the body, and stated he last saw deceased alive at 1 p.m. on Friday at the end of the Exeter Quay. He said he was going to Starcross to prepare a Lodge at the Courtenay Arms. He was a Tyler, and had gone there frequently for years. - By Chief Inspector Mapledoram: Deceased's sight and hearing had of late been slightly defective, but nothing to cause any alarm. - Charles Edwards, a porter on the railway at Starcross, stated that on Friday he collected the tickets on the down platform from passengers on the 1.26 p.m. train. He took deceased's ticket, and saw him leave the station by the pier path. Deceased was the only passenger who got off the train. Witness went across to the office, and as he was coming out the up fast train went through. He went to cross and looked down the line. Seeing the body on the line near the Courtenay Arms, he immediately went to the spot. Deceased was lying on the pathway between the up metals and the Courtenay Arms. Witness did not notice whether the driver sounded his whistle. - John Henry Lork, driver of the train, said it was the Cornish Riviera Express that he was driving. It was a non-stop train from Plymouth to Exeter, and then on to London. It left Plymouth at 12.33 p.m., and got to Starcross as far as he knew about 1.30 p.m. He sounded the engine whistle when approaching the Station. he did not see anyone walking on the line, nor did the fireman. On hearing of the occurrence, witness examined the engine, but found no trace to indicate the accident. - By a Juryman: He knew there was a level crossing at Starcross. He did not know whether the carriages had been examined. - There was a strong wind blowing across the line, which might have taken away the sound of the whistle, but the houses at the spot also might have prevented that. - Dr E. Scott said he examined the body, and the injuries were sufficient to cause instantaneous death, and were consistent with the statement that deceased was knocked down by a passing train. - Mr Harry Leslie Clarke, of the Courtenay Arms Hotel, Starcross, said deceased was in the habit of attending Masonic Lodges there. He was expecting him on Friday. There was a footpath along the line to below the Courtenay Arms, which led to the Pier, and was frequently used by people. There was a gateway leading from the Courtenay Arms to the line. - Questioned by the Coroner, witness said he thought there was a right-of-way there. - Inspector Mapledoram said the Railway Company disputed the fact that there was a right-of-way there. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and attached no blame to the driver.

Western Times, Tuesday 10 September 1912
EXETER - Visitor's Sudden Death At Exeter. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday, Mr w. Linford-Brown (City Coroner) held an Inquest relative to the death of JAMES GILES TUPMAN, retired printer, aged 82, of St Helen's-road, Abergavenny, who was taken ill while travelling from his native place to Exmouth on a visit to his brother. - EDWARD GEORGE TUPMAN said deceased had always been healthy and was going to Exmouth for his annual holiday. He was active for his age. - John Lea, Stationmaster, St David's, said on September 5th last, about 2.30 he had his attention called to the deceased, and found him evidently very ill. Witness telephoned for a doctor, who ordered his removal to the Hospital. - Dr Fisher said the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, and the Jury returned their verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 13 September 1912
BIDEFORD - Northam Labourer Killed By A Horse. - A verdict of Accidental Death was returned at an Inquest at the Bideford Hospital, on Wednesday, by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, on the body of THOMAS HARDING, of Northam, a carter aged 59, who was kicked by a horse at Silford farm on September 2nd, and died in the Hospital on Tuesday. The evidence went to show that the deceased, who was in the employ of the Buckleigh Laundry, noticed that his horse was going lame. He was examining the animal's foot when the accident happened. HARDING being knocked down and struck, according to the medical evidence several times on the chest by the horse's fore feet while on the ground.

Western Times, Monday 16 September 1912
ASHBURTON - Ashburton Tragedy. Bank Cashier's Dread Of Dishonour. Sad Story At Inquest. - An Inquest was held at Ashburton on Saturday touching the death of a cashier at the Ashburton Branch of the Capital and Counties Bank, named HAMILTON THOMAS HAWKEY, who was found dead in a gulley near Halsworthy Farm. Deceased was well known in the district, and much interest was centred in the proceedings. Mr J. Barnes was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Evidence of identification was given by a brother, named ARNOLD JOHN HAWKEY, of Cattestock, Cornwall, a farmer. Deceased was 32 years of age, a bachelor and a cashier in the Capital and Counties Bank at Ashburton, where he had been six years. He saw his brother three weeks ago, when deceased was in Cornwall on holidays. - The Coroner: Did you have any conversation in which he referred to any troubles? - No, sir. - You know nothing to throw a light on this occurrence? - No, sir. - Charles fisher Hawken, of "Clitheroe," Station-road, said deceased had lodged with him for nearly six years. On Thursday morning last deceased left his lodgings about 9.30. - The Coroner: Has there been anything happening unusual? - Well, deceased had not been well during the last week. He returned from his holidays on the Friday of the previous week. - Continuing, the witness said HAWKEY had been attended by his doctor and did not go to work. On Thursday last deceased was down much earlier than usual. Witness was standing at the bottom of the stairs when HAWKEY came down, carrying a gun. HAWKEY said "I dare say you wondered what had become of the gun." Witness answered, "No, I have not been troubling about it." Deceased said, "I took it upstairs to try and put it in my bad, as I want to return it. I think I shall go to the Bank this morning, and have a stroll to return the gun the same time." He had his breakfast, and then said, "I am going out for the stroll. I want to return the gun, so I'll go before I go to the office. If anyone enquires for me, say I have gone for a stroll, but do not say I have taken the gun with me." The witness added that he found some cartridges in a drawer in deceased's sitting room, but he did not notice them until after the deceased had left the house. Last year HAWKEY had a gun of his own for shooting, but not lately. - The Coroner: In the course of any conversation, has he referred to anything that will throw light on what has happened? - Nothing, sir. - Did you expect such an occurrence? - No, sir. - Did you know he was in trouble? - No, sir. - The witness added that as the deceased did not return on Thursday he mentioned the matter to Mr Edgecumbe, his son-in-law. HAWKEY always seemed merry and bright, and paid his (witness's) bills all right. - Frank Edgcumbe, relieving officer, of East-street, Ashburton, spoke to seeing Mr Rendell, Manager of the Bank, on the Thursday evening, as deceased had not returned. Mr Rendell knew nothing of deceased's movements, as he had not seen him that day. He made further enquiries, but up to midnight could find no traces of the deceased. At 5 a.m. on Friday he (witness) met Mr Yolland, junr., to go to Mr Hext's farm at Halsworthy, where deceased was supposed to have gone to return the gun. Mr Hext, junr., came down and they searched the fields where deceased had been shooting the previous week. The body was lying in a gulley that was overgrown by hedges and the deceased would have had to crawl up through, and would then be out of sight. Mr Hext, junr., who found the body, remained, whilst witness fetched assistance. - The Coroner: Has he been in trouble? - No, sir. I always thought he was a gentleman, very well off indeed. - Frederick Richard Hext, of Halsworthy, Staverton, told the Coroner he was well acquainted with the deceased, who on Friday week last visited the farm, when he said he had caught a cold at Totnes Races. Then HAWKEY said he had seen a brood of partridges go into a field of mangold seed and asked if he could have the gun to have a shot. Witness let him have it, and ten cartridges. Witness identified the gun produced, the upper part of the barrels being stained with blood. He heard one shot, but had not seen the deceased since. The gun had been lent HAWKEY before. He spoke of finding the body in the gulley. - By the Foreman: There was no gap the deceased could have fallen from. - P.S. Boughton said he was called to Halsworthy Farm, where he saw the body lying on the right side like anyone asleep. He noticed the right side of the face and skull were smashed, the brains being scattered about. By deceased's side was the gun, with the butt resting on one foot and near the gun was a short stick that had been cut from a bush. The gun appeared to have slipped down below the armpit. In the right barrel was a discharged cartridge, and the left barrel, which was unloaded, contained blood. It was a very light trigger, and could be easily manipulated by the stick. Found on the deceased was a cartridge, watch, cigarette case, keys 2d. in money, two foreign coins. In his jacket pocket was a cheque made payable to bearer for £2 and in his pocket-book were two letters, one addressed to "R. E. Tucker, Esq., solicitor, Ashburton," and the other to the Coroner. - Answering the Coroner, the Sergeant said he was sure deceased was lying down at the time the gun was discharged. - The brother identified the writing on a letter which was found on the deceased. It was dated Thursday, 12th September, 1912 and ran:- "It is hard to think that the people one has helped in many ways will not own up. I have been accused of doing something of which I know nothing about. I am absolutely innocent. I cannot live with the idea that my honour and honesty is not what it appeared. I defy anyone to find anything wrong with my books. Apparently, from the interview I had, my manager is beyond reproach; it is not for me to say. It can never be proved who is guilty, and life will not be worth living. It is hard to take one's life, but I see it is the only course open. I am innocent of the whole thing. - H. T. HAWKEY." - The Coroner handed Mr R. E. Tucker the letter addressed to him, and asked him to read it. If there was anything public he would read it. If it was private, it would not be necessary. After reading the letter it was handed back to the Coroner, who, after reading it, said: "The material parts of this letter, as far as the Inquest is concerned, is contained in one or two sentences, which I will read." - Mr Tucker: Don't you think you ought to read it all, sir?" - The Coroner: No. This is not a court in which to try accusations. The sentences read by the Coroner were: - "I cannot stand the strain on my honour, so I am about to leave this world. I have done no wrong and I defy anybody to find anything wrong with my books." - That, commented the Coroner will be taken as evidence of intention. - William Henry Yolland spoke to hearing a gunshot about 10 o'clock on Thursday from the direction where deceased was found. - Dr W. O. Sankey said the wound was undoubtedly self-inflicted. - Alfred Henry Godfrey, Bank Inspector connected with the Capital and Counties Bank, said he came to Ashburton on the 2nd inst. to make investigations of the affairs of the Branch. - The Coroner: Have you seen the deceased man in connection with the inspection? - Yes, I saw him first on the Wednesday. - From your inspection of the books was anything found wrong? - Yes, I found the coin was short. Since then I have inspected the books of all the customers and found them all in order. - Was any accusation made against the deceased? - No. He was told the cash was short, and I asked him to explain it. - Was that satisfactorily explained? - He denied any knowledge or that he had taken it. - That meant a report to the Bank? - Yes. - And he would stand in the position of an accused person? - If it could be proved. - You cannot prove it, then? How can it be proved unless it is seen? - The position of the cashier would be that he would be responsible for it, whoever took it? - No; it would rest between the cashier and manager. He (deceased) did not accuse the manager and since then he has told me that the manager was innocent. - The Coroner: That doesn't imply that he admits it? - The witness shrugged his shoulders and replied: "Well, I should not like to form an opinion." - The Coroner: There is the inference made, and at the same time he states he himself is innocent. - The Foreman: It also says something about helping others. - A Juror asked if the deceased was in the Bank immediately before the arrival of the Inspector, as they heard he was on holiday. - The Inspector answered in the negative. - The Coroner: You can't go so far as to say who is responsible for the loss of the cash? - One of two is. - In his summing up, the Coroner told the Jury they were not trying deceased or anybody else as to whether there had been irregularities committed or not. What they had to find out, after considering the evidence, was there a motive for the act that had been committed. - A verdict of Suicide was returned, but that there was no evidence to shew the state of deceased's mind at the time. The Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives. - On behalf of the Bank, Mr Tucker joined in the expression of sympathy, remarking that they regretted losing one who had always borne an honourable character.

Western Times, Tuesday 17 September 1912
GREAT TORRINGTON - Servant girl Dies Suddenly Near Torrington. - Yesterday afternoon Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, held an Inquiry at Week Farm, Torrington, relating to the death of MARY PICKARD, age 25 years, a domestic servant, in the employ of Mr s. Pettle. - MR PHILIP PICKARD (brother) identified the body as that of his sister, but he last saw her alive in November. - Mr s. Pettle said deceased had been in his employ since Lady-day 1911, and she was subject to fits, but otherwise enjoyed fairly good health. On Friday last she retired to bed about 9.30 in her usual health. On Saturday morning, about 5.30, he found she was not up and later went to her room, where he discovered her lying across the bed quite dead, her head hanging slightly over the side. - Dr J. G. Macindoe described the result of a post-mortem examination. The heart, he said, showed signs of suffocation having taken place. Deceased appears to have had a fit and fell over on her face, which he considered caused her death. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, viz., "Death from Natural Causes, via., Suffocation, caused by a Fit."

Western Times, Wednesday 18 September 1912
ILFRACOMBE - Open Verdict. Tragic Death Of Ilfracombe Woman. The Inquest. - An Inquest was held at Ilfracombe Hospital yesterday afternoon by Mr G. W. F. Brown, relative to the death of SELINA DRAPER NICHOLLS, a single woman. - JOHN NICHOLLS said the deceased was his daughter, and was 43 years of age. She was of intemperate habits. - Mrs Jane Phillips, with whom deceased resided, said deceased returned home last evening between 7 and 8 the worse for drink. She went out again and did not come back until 12.45 that morning, when she was much the much worse for liquor. When she got into the passage she fell over an earthenware umbrella stand, which was smashed to pieces. She went into the kitchen, where witness and she had some words. Deceased afterwards went upstairs and called to her son William to assist her to get NICHOLLS into her bedroom. Deceased did not recover consciousness, but witness thought she was merely drunk. NICHOLLS sometimes had words with her son. - William Phillips, son of the last witness, said he met the deceased in town on Monday. They had a drink together, but she left him, and he did not see her again that evening. He heard the fall on the landing when deceased went upstairs and his mother called to him. He found NICHOLLS lying on the landing and carried her into the bedroom. His mother called him again about 5 a.m., saying she believed NICHOLLS was dead and he afterwards went for the Police. - John Henry Mock, who lives opposite the Phillips's, said on Monday about 12.30 he was awakened by hearing cries of murder. He looked out, and saw deceased trying to get out of her bedroom window. He heard her say she had been treated like a dog, and that William Phillips was making her arms black and blue. Witness saw Phillips downstairs going to the windows to see if they were fastened. - William Phillips, recalled, denied going downstairs. - Dr Kettlewell said he found deceased with a wound on the left side of her head, which might have been caused by a fall downstairs. There were several bruises and the skull was full of blood. the spine was also fractured. - The Jury found that NICHOLLS died from a Broken Spine, but were unable to say how the injuries were received. - The Coroner again called Phillips forward, and said he had given his evidence in a very unsatisfactory way and they could not believe a word he said. He would not be allowed the usual fee.

NEWTON ST CYRES - Waggoner's Death. Run Over And Killed At Newton St. Cyres. - At Dunscombe Cottages, near Crediton, yesterday, Mr H. W. Gould (County Coroner), conducted an Inquest relative to the death of RICHARD HENRY PEARCE, a carter, in the employ of Mr Richard Brown of Dunscombe Farm, who met his death under tragic circumstances on Monday. - ELIZABETH PEARCE, the widow, said her husband was 43 last birthday. - Joseph Sharland, Dunscombe Cottages, shepherd, also in the employ of Mr Brown, said he was coming home from Crediton on Monday afternoon, when deceased overtook him driving a horse and wagon loaded with oil-cake. He was accompanied by another waggoner, named Morrish. Witness got in the waggon driven by Morrish. On the top of the hill leading into Dunscombe Farm deceased, who was driving in front, got out and stooped down to "tie" and drag the wheel. While he was in this position the horses suddenly commenced moving, and deceased was caught in the wheel by the heel and jammed up against the hedge. He was powerless to help himself and the back wheel passed clean over him. Dr Leslie Powne (Crediton) rendered help, but death must have been instantaneous. - Morrish, the other carter, corroborated the previous witness's statement. - Dr Henry Martin, of Crediton, described the injuries, and said that death must have been instantaneous. There was a double fracture of the bones of the right leg and a fracture of a bone on the side of the skull, the latter injury being the direct cause of death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - Mr N. J. Lake, of Exeter, represented the widow and family at the Inquest.

Western Times, Thursday 19 September 1912
SLAPTON - Labourer's Suicide Near Dartmouth. - Mr F. Hacker held an Inquest at Slapton, near Dartmouth, yesterday, relative to the death of JOHN MITCHELMORE, aged 59, a farm labourer, who was found in bed with his throat cut on Monday. Deceased had been confined to his bed for five months with a bad leg, for which he had been medically attended; but as he was receiving club money he did not want for anything. According to his wife, however, he had worried considerably as to whether he would be able to obtain work when he got better, and during the last few days had complained of pains in his head. On Monday morning at 9.30 MRS MITCHELMORE dressed her husband's leg and he then appeared as usual. She then went into the village. During her absence the doctor called to see deceased and getting no reply to his knock, he opened the bedroom door and went in. He found MICHELMORE in bed in a sitting posture, propped up by pillows, and with a razor in his hand. There was a deep wound in his throat and he was quite dead. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Times, Friday 20 September 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Motor Fatality. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held at Barnstaple, last evening, concerning the death of WILLIAM BALE, 72, a well-known carpenter and builder, of Newport, Barnstaple. Whilst cycling to Combe Martin with his grandson and Mr Smith, art master, of Barnstaple, the old gentleman ran into a motor-car which was rounding a bend. - Deceased, who was rather deaf, was cycling up the hill with his head down. An attempt was made by the driver of the car to avoid a collision, and a couple of inches more would have prevented the accident. Death was due to concussion of the brain.

Western Times, Saturday 21 September 1912
EXETER - Sudden Death At St. Thomas Workhouse. - Mr W. Rackwood Cocks, Deputy City Coroner, held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Court, yesterday afternoon relative to the death of ALFRED NORRIS, an inmate of the St. Thomas Union Workhouse. - Mr Henry Smith, of Exmouth, said deceased was his brother-in-law, and aged 56. He was not married and he had been in the St Thomas Workhouse for about three years. - Mrs Lang, employed at the Workhouse, said she saw deceased last Monday, about 8.30 in the stokehold. She asked him for wood for the office fire, and he told her he was feeling unwell, but would be better presently. He suddenly collapsed and witness went to fetch the nurse. - Nurse A. Sanders said she attended to deceased, who complained of pains in the head. She took him into the ward and put him to bed. He appeared better during the day. - Mr F. G. Moore, Master, said deceased's health was generally good, but he suffered from delusions at times. - Dr S. D. Atkin said death was due to heart failure and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Tuesday 24 September 1912
EXETER - Inquest At Exeter. - At Exeter Police Court last evening, Mr W. R. Cocks (Deputy Coroner) held an Inquest on HORACE JAMES KEITH, the six-weeks-old son of WILLIAM JAMES KEITH, town postman, of Redvers-road. - The father said that to all intents and purposes the child seemed to be quite healthy. On Saturday morning last witness saw that deceased seemed to have great difficulty in breathing. It gasped two or three times, and then died. Dr Black was then sent for. - Dr Black said the child was dead on his arrival. He had made a post mortem examination and found that the child died through general tuberculosis, which affected the bowels, lungs and other glands. The child must have been ill for a week or two. Witness thought that nothing could have saved the child's life. - MR KEITH, recalled, in answer to the Coroner, said none of his or his wife's family had ever suffered from consumption. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 1 October 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - Fell From The Yard-Arm. Inquest Respecting Sailor Lad's Death At Teignmouth. - The Teignmouth Coroner's Jury yesterday had the unusual experience of having to climb a ladder hanging over a ship's side, to view the body on which they were about to hold an Inquest. The deceased was a 14 ½ year old lad, named BERNARD GRIST, the son of a well-to-do parents in Copenhagen, who met with a tragic death on the barque "Orkney". - It was stated that the lad joined the vessel two months ago at Liverpool, and when eight miles off Brixham, and making for Teignmouth on Sunday, it was decided to shorten sail while waiting for the pilot. The deceased was sent aloft to take in the top gallant sail. He had just got there when he fell to the deck, and, according to the medical evidence, broke his leg, his arm and was very badly knocked about and bruised, death being practically instantaneous. The work was what the lad had been accustomed to, and there was no special danger on the present occasion. There was a good breeze, but no heavy sea. The captain told the Court that when he was 14, he did similar work. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and the witnesses were complemented on the clearness of their evidence.

Western Times, Saturday 5 October 1912
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Tragedy. Husband's Sad Discovery: Wife's Depression. - An Inquest was held at the Temperance Hall, Exmouth, yesterday, before Mr Cyril N. Tweed, (the Deputy Coroner), relative to the death of MARY SUSAN MOULE, aged 50, wife of MR GEORGE WILLIAM MOULE, of the Exmouth Inn, whose death occurred early yesterday morning under distressing circumstances. - GEORGE WILLIAM MOULE, licensed victualler, husband of the deceased, said he last saw his wife alive on Thursday night. She was then in the bedroom. She was low spirited and weak and said she would like to sleep in her daughter's room. Witness replied, "Please yourself," and deceased kissed him and said "Good night," and went away. At six yesterday morning witness went to his daughter's room, opened the door and said "Where is mother?" Deceased was not in the bed, but his daughter put out her hand expecting to feel her by her side. Witness looked in the other rooms upstairs and said "She is not up here." He went downstairs, and saw a candle burning on the table in the kitchen, and found his wife lying on the floor. She was not dead, but was unconscious. Witness's daughter heard him call and she went down and placed a pillow under her mother's head. Witness gave deceased a little brandy, after which she seemed to breathe better. His daughter drew his attention to a bottle on the table, and said "Look! she has been taking carbolic," and fetched some milk, and tried to give it to deceased. She swallowed a little of the milk, but appeared to breathe harder after it. Witness sent for a doctor. Deceased was temperate, but during the past two months she had suffered from sleeplessness and had become depressed. There was nothing to account for her becoming like this. She did not appear to be out of her mind, but was a little strange sometimes. She was able to converse all right. Deceased partook of beef tea for supper. She had no trouble, nor had she had any quarrel with anyone. Witness was not aware that there was any carbolic in the house, but his daughter said it had been there a long time. - By P.S. Rattenbury: His wife had expected her sister to visit her on Thursday. She had been to the Station twice to meet her. She did not come and deceased appeared to be disappointed. His wife's idea was to go back with her sister for a holiday. - ELLA VICTORIA MOULE, daughter of the last witness, said her mother on Thursday, after dinner, said she felt better, and wished to do some work. But she did not appear to settle down to anything. She had beef-tea with her mother for supper and they all retired to bed at 11.15. During the evening her mother kept sleeping in her chair, and witness said, "Why don't you go to bed, mother?" and she replied, "How can I go to bed and your aunt coming? What would she say if she came and found me gone to bed?" Deceased slept in witness's bed. At 1.30 yesterday morning she was sitting up, and witness asked her to have something over her shoulders, but she refused. She sat up with her mother, and they talked about different things, chiefly about deceased going to her sister's for a holiday. Deceased said she could not go away without witness, as they had always been together. Her mother went to sleep again. At 6 o'clock her father came to her room, and asked for her mother. - By a Juror: Witness did not enjoy good health, and this was a great worry to her mother, and she did not seem to like the idea of going away for a holiday, as she would be parted from her. - By the Coroner: She believed the carbolic was one of a few bottles purchased at Torquay as a disinfectant about nine years ago. - The Jury found that deceased Committed Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane, and expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Western Times, Tuesday 8 October 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Yesterday afternoon Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Barnstaple Borough Coroner, Inquired into the death of MRS MARY JANE KIDWELL, wife of MR JAMES KIDWELL, retired park-keeper, aged seventy-six. The evidence showed that MRS KIDWELL had been in a feeble state lately, and had been under the care of Dr Manning. On Saturday she fell in the lavatory, sustaining a cut in her forehead as the result of colliding with the latch of the door. Her husband assisted her indoors, but she died almost immediately. Dr Manning attributed death to shock, the result of the accident, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Tuesday 8 October 1912
PYWORTHY - Curious Belief. A Child's Body Left In A Stream. Pyworthy Sensation. - A curious notion which still exists in many minds, particularly in rural districts, was disclosed at an Inquest held yesterday at Pyworthy, near Holsworthy. It is that a presumably dead body must not be touched after discovery until it has been seen by the Police. The case in which the survival of this belief was revealed was the death of the infant child of a labourer named PARNELL, found under tragic circumstances in the early hours of Friday morning in a brook near Duel Bridge, in the parish of Pyworthy, with the mother, scantily clad, lying on the bank close by, and in an apparently unconscious condition. The sensational discovery was made by the father and husband about half-past two, when, finding the mother still alive, he conveyed her to his home, while the child, whom he thought was dead, was left where it lay for five or six hours until a Constable arrived, his reason being that he thought the law forbade interference with the body until it had been examined by a Police Officer. - The Inquest was held by Mr J. D. Prickman, Coroner for the District, at Moor Cottage, where the family reside. Mr W. Sleeman being Foreman of the Jury. - SAMUEL PARNELL, the father, who is 35 years of age, said he was a farm labourer, in the employ of John Sanders, draper, of Ealing, London. Witness had lived at Moor Cottage two and a half years, and had been married ten years. The latter was born on the 24th September last, the mother being attended by Nurse James, who slept with her, witness occupying a separate room. Nothing unusual occurred until the morning of October 4th, when the nurse was called away at 2 o'clock by Mr Cole, of Pyworthy village, to attend his wife. Witness went into his wife's room after the nurse had gone, and both mother and child were then all right. In answer to his inquiry as to how she was getting on his wife replied, "Just the same." He remained in the room about five minutes, and then returned to his own room. At 6 o'clock he got up and went to his wife's room and found that both she and the child were gone. He looked around the garden and the house, but, seeing nothing of them, he called his neighbour, William Jordan. Witness was in his night attire up to this time, and, having dressed, he made further search. He found his wife lying on the bank of the stream by Duel Bridge about 300 yards from the house. She had only her nightdress on, and no shoes nor stockings. Looking round for the child he saw it in the water. He shouted for help, and Mr Jordan and Mr Sangwin arrived. He spoke to his wife, saying: "What are you about her, my dear?" She made no reply. He did not touch the child, but picked up his wife and, with the assistance of the other two men, carried her home to bed. It was a cold, frosty morning. His wife did not speak and she gave no explanation as to why she had gone it. He questioned her, but could get no reply. Dr E. O. Kingdon was sent for, and arrived about nine o'clock. The body of the child was left in the stream until the Constable came on the scene at eight o'clock. Witness left the body in the water because he was under the impression that he ought not to touch it because it was dead. - The Coroner: How did you know it was dead? Why did you not pick it up to see if it was dead? - Witness: I thought it was dead, because I did not see it move. He repeated that he thought he must not touch a dead body. - Nurse James gave evidence as to the birth of the child, everything being satisfactory. She went to see MRS PARNELL after the occurrence connected with the Inquest. She was hysterical and cold and was unable to articulate properly. Witness said to her "I would not have left you had I thought you were ill, " and MRS PARNELL replied "I wish you had not." That was the only sentence witness had heard. - Dr E. O. Kingdon, of Holsworthy, said he was called on the 4th October, and arrived at Moor Cottage at about nine a.m. He saw the body of a child about a week old. There were no marks of violence or bruises on the body. After making a post mortem examination appearances showed that death was due to drowning. Some undigested milk in the stomach showed that the child had been fed shortly before, probably by suckling. He saw the mother afterwards finding her in a semi-conscious state and unable to articulate. He was still attending her, and she remained in a comatose state. She had given him no indication that she knew what she had done. Her mind appeared to be an absolute blank, both as regards the past and present. She was incapable of giving any evidence, or of understanding anything she might hear. - Coroner And Jury Disagree. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said the case was so far a simple one. He was sure they were satisfied that MRS PARNELL took her child and went to Duel Bridge. He thought they would be equally satisfied that she, and she alone, caused its death. It was true that no one saw the occurrence, but they had to look at the probabilities. If they were satisfied that the mother caused the child's death, it was not for them or for any Coroner's Jury to enquire into the state of her mind. They had nothing to do but to return a verdict of murder. In that case, the woman would be committed by him to take her trial at the Assizes. It may be said, continued the Coroner, that the act was committed during temporary insanity - there could be no doubt that she was responsible for the act. But the Jury could not go from the evidence. The father of the deceased infant seemed a straightforward and honest man and was apparently in no way to blame. The case would, after the Jury's verdict, be reported to the Public Prosecutor, and he might be of opinion that it was not a case for prosecution. But as far as they were concerned, they had no other course but to return, if they were satisfied, a verdict of murder. - Mr Sleeman (the Foreman): We have no evidence of murder. The poor woman cannot speak for herself. There was, he continued, the probability that the woman may have fainted, and the child fallen into the river from her arms. The Jury did not dare to say it was murder, or that the woman went to the spot to murder the child. - The Coroner: Think it over, gentlemen. - The Jury retired, and went and viewed the scene of the occurrence. - On their return, the Foreman informed the Coroner that sufficient evidence was not forthcoming to warrant a verdict of murder. The verdict, therefore, was "Found Drowned." - The Coroner: I will only say that I have no doubt that it is the verdict of your hearts. It is not a verdict which, if the matter had been left with me, I should have given, because I am satisfied, and the natural inference from the evidence points to it, and I should have had no hesitation in coming to a different verdict. However, it is for you to say, and I accept your verdict. However, against sound judgment it may be in my opinion, it shows your kindness of heart. The Coroner added a few words as to the foolishness of the action of those who first saw the body of the child in the water, in not looking to see if life still existed. It was the duty of anyone who found anyone in any similar circumstances, to at once endeavour to examine the body and to try to restore life, if possible.

Western Times, Thursday 10 October 1912
OTTERY ST MARY - Sad Affair At Ottery. Well-Known Farmer Cuts His Throat. - There was considerable sensation in Ottery, on Tuesday morning, when it became known that MR JAMES WILLIAMS, farmer, of Ridgeway, had attempted suicide by cutting his throat. It appears that MR WILLIAMS, with whom his youngest son and his family reside, has been very ill for several weeks past. Owing to his enormous size he was not able to lie down for any length of time and consequently slept mostly in a chair. Early Tuesday morning his daughter-in-law heard a movement in the bedroom where he slept together with a little grandson, and when she went to him she found he had succeeded in getting from one chair to another and had placed the pillows on the bed. She noticed that blood was flowing from a wound in his throat, and a pocket knife was in his hand, which was resting on his knee. Dr J. Ponton, who had been attending him, was immediately called, and the wound was dressed. WILLIAMS, who was quite conscious, in answer to the doctor, said he did not know what made him do it. He succumbed through weakness and shock to the system about 3.30 on Tuesday afternoon. - Dr C. N. Tweed, District Coroner, conducted the Inquest at Ottery yesterday. - A daughter-in-law, EMILY WILLIAMS, stated that she saw deceased in the early morning, when he seemed all right. About 8 o'clock, however, she heard a movement in the room in which he slept, and went there. She saw deceased with a wound in his throat, from which blood was flowing, and there was a pocket-knife near him covered with blood. In answer to a question by her, deceased said he did not know why he did it. She immediately sent for Dr Ponton. - WILLIAM WILLIAMS, son of deceased, said his father had for the last month or two suffered from fatty degeneration of the heart and had been attended by Dr Ponton. The knife (produced) was one which his father used for cutting fruit to eat. - Dr Ponton said that owing to the fact that deceased's throat was so fat, the wound had not penetrated some of the larger vessels. He was of opinion that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and not to the wound. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

TAVISTOCK - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquiry yesterday at Mill Hill, near Tavistock, into the circumstances attending the sudden death of VERA TINCOMBE, aged two years, the daughter of a miner, of Mill Hill Cottages. - Dr C. C. Brodrick stated that the child had had two fits, and died from convulsions on Monday. - The Jury, of whom Mr Walters was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Friday 11 October 1912
KINGSTEIGNTON - Found In The Hedge. Woman's Death On The Roadside At Kingsteignton. - Whilst driving to Newton Abbot, Wednesday, about 8 p.m., Charles Horrell, a wagoner, in the employ of Mr Scott, of Bank-street, Newton Abbot, saw lying in the hedge just above Fairfield Terrace, Kingsteignton, the body of a woman. Thinking there was something wrong he sent for P.C. Hawkins, on whose arrival the woman was found to be dead, and was removed to the mortuary. She has been identified as SUSAN ANN WEBBER, a single woman, aged 37 years, lodging at Fern Terrace, Newton Abbot. She is a native of Bickington, but has been stopping in the town for some time. - At the Inquest yesterday, the woman's father stated that since she left home to go into service at South Tawton, neither he nor her mother had seen the deceased until in the mortuary that day. They did not know where she was living. The post mortem examination, it was stated, revealed that death was due to syncope, due to a fatty heart. Incipient pneumonia and congestion of the lungs was also revealed, and the liver and kidney were diseased, probably through alcohol. One witness stated that the deceased told her she was married to an old gentleman for two years, and that he visited her a few days ago. The Jury returned a verdict of death from Natural Causes, the Coroner remarking that the death taking place under such curious circumstances, that Inquest was necessary.

Western Times, Saturday 12 October 1912
AWLISCOMBE - Sudden Death At Awliscombe. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Awliscombe touching the death of JANE LOCK, of Awliscombe, who died suddenly on Thursday evening. The deceased was in her usual health up to late that evening, and had returned from Honiton, to which place she had walked. She had her supper and was taken ill. Dr Hedden was sent for, but on his arrival MRS LOCKE was dead. The cause of death was heart failure.

NEWTON ABBOT - Sad Accident. Child Fatally Scalded At Newton. - The natural propensity to climb on chairs has been the sad cause of an accident to an infant at Newton Abbot, which, unfortunately, had a fatal termination. The accident occurred on Wednesday morning, and, after a painful lingering, the child passed away on Thursday evening. Seeing a chair standing near the fireguard in the kitchen, the twenty months old son of MR and MRS ERNEST NORTHCOTT, of 87 Halcyon-road, climbed thereon, but lost his balance, and fell in over the guard. In falling the child also knocked over a saucepan, in which was some barley water heating, most of which fell on the infant. The father saw what happened, but he could do nothing to save the child, which he immediately got out of the fire-place, removing the clothes. Dr Nesbit was summoned and fond the child terribly scalded. Despite every attention, the little one failed to recover from the shock and burns, death following convulsions. - At the Inquest yesterday the father stated that as he was entering the kitchen on Wednesday morning at 11.30 he saw the child fall from a chair over the guard. He could not prevent the accident. The boy seemed to over-balance and in falling struck the handle of a saucepan containing barley water, which was spilt over him. - The mother told the Coroner that the boy had been following her around, and it seemed only half a minute that she had left the kitchen when she heard a scream. The boy was in the habit of dragging the chairs about, although she had chastised him for it. - Dr Nesbit said death was due to convulsions caused by the shock of the extensive burning. - A verdict of Accidental Death was returned, the Jury commenting that the fireguard in use was an excellent pattern. - The Coroner agreed and said the accident was a most unusual one.

DODDISCOMBSLEIGH - Sad Accident To A Farmer's Wife Near Exeter. - Mr Henry Gould, the District Coroner, held an Inquest at Sheldon Farm, Doddiscombsleigh, yesterday morning, relative to the death of MRS LUCY WREYFORD. Deceased, who was 64 years of age, died as a result of severe burns received on Saturday night last. - RICHARD GEORGE WREYFORD, farmer, of Sheldon Farm, said he came home from ploughing on Saturday evening, brushed his horses down, and went into the lower kitchen and sat in front of the fire. His mother, the deceased, came in and asked him to step aside whilst she stirred up the fire to make the kettle boil for tea. She lit a candle and went into an adjoining room for a table cloth. A few minutes afterwards he heard a scream, and rushing into the room found his mother enveloped in flames on the floor near a reading desk. She was unconscious. Witness and his father helped to put out the flames, and put the deceased to bed directly. Death took place on Thursday morning about 5.30. Witness considered that deceased never completely regained consciousness after the occurrence, and was never in a fit condition to state what took place. He added that his mother was subject to fainting fits as the result of scarlet fever. The candle and candlestick were on the floor, the former extinguished, when he got in the room. In answer to a Juror, witness said he thought his mother, feeling faint, caught hold of the desk, by which she was found and threw away the candle. - Dr Charles Fenwick, surgeon, of Dunsford, deposed to being called to attend deceased on Saturday last about 6.45. He found extensive burns on the chest, arms, neck and face. MRS WREYFORD was in an excited state, suffering from shock and was in a semi-conscious condition. Deceased's death was due to the burns. She was never in a condition to tell exactly how the accident arose. The Jury found a verdict of Accidental death from Burning, and expressed their sympathy to the husband and son.

EXETER - Exeter Carter's Death. Jury's Verdict Disagrees With Doctor's View. - The circumstances surrounding the death of JAMES GREENSLADE, aged 55, of 86 East John-street, Newtown, a carter, in the employ of Mr Kivell, haulier, of Exeter, were Inquired into at the Police Court by the City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown. - MRS M. A. GREENSLADE said her husband had enjoyed very good health generally. On Thursday, July 25th, he was taken to the Hospital, having fallen off a waggon in the L. and S. W. Railway yard. On the following Monday he was taken home, and he told her that concussion was marked on his card. He went to work for three days, but could work no longer, because he was so giddy. Deceased had not done any work since. He was out on Sunday last, and went to bed about 11 o'clock. After a while he called down to her and asked for tea. She took some up and left him. Hearing a noise, she went up to him again and found him holding his head and exclaiming, "My poor head is going to pieces." He died about 11.30. - In answer to Mr W. H. Tarbet, who represented Mr Kivell, MRS GREENSLADE said that deceased had eaten some blackberry tart about 8 o'clock and he complained of wind. - did you suggest sending for a doctor early? - Yes, and he replied, "No, I am going," and succumbed. - Replying to Mr N. Lake (who represented the widow), witness said that it was three hours after eating the blackberry tart that deceased complained first. - William James Calcott, a carter working for Mr Kivell , said he remembered the day of the accident. Witness and deceased had gone from Messrs. Bodley Bros., to Queen-street Station. They were removing a cog wheel, weighing 4cwt. Deceased fell from the waggon and pitched on the top of his head. He was unconscious when picked up, and was taken to the Hospital. - Mr W. Trump, manager of Messrs. Chaplin and Co., bore out the last witness's statement. - A Juror: Did either of the horses move? - No. - Dr Wreford said he had made a post-mortem examination which showed that there were no lesions of the brain to account for giddiness. Death was due to acute inflammation of the lungs. - The Coroner: Would the accident have accelerated death? - It is a difficult question to answer. We could find no haemorrhage in the brain substance. - A Juryman: Is it a fact that blood discharged from deceased's ears since death? - It is the first I have heard of it. Has any one said so? - The Juror: I heard so. - Mr N. Lake: There might have been some connection between the injury and death? - It is impossible to say. The accident might have lowered the vitality of the man and possibly have predisposed the cause of death. It was strange that the man should have died in that way, but I have no data by which I can say that the accident contributed to the man's death. - The Jury found that death was due to the accident.

EXETER - Sudden Death At Exeter. - Mr H. Linford Brown, the City Coroner, held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Station, relation to the death of THOMAS JAMES BARRY FOX, of 56 Parr-street, Newtown. MRS FOX said deceased was aged 33, and was a carter in the employ of Messrs. Chaplin and Co. On Monday last he went to work as usual and returned about 7.15 in the evening. He went to bed shortly before ten, and later complained that he could not rest. Witness gave him some tea. Whilst she was downstairs some short time after she heard a peculiar noise and running upstairs, found her husband dead. - Dr Duncan said the cause of death was inflammation of the lungs, accelerated by the weak state of the heart. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Thursday 17 October 1912
EAST BUDLEIGH - The Deputy Coroner for East Devon held an Inquest at East Budleigh yesterday, concerning the death, on Monday, of CHARLES WILSON, aged 60, a labourer, who was found dead in Bears-lane about 6 o'clock. Evidence was to the effect that the deceased called at the Britannia Inn, Knowle and had a couple of drops of brandy. He took away with him a pint of brandy and, as the empty bottle was found by his side, it is supposed that he drank the brandy neat. Medical evidence, in accordance with which the Jury returned their verdict, was that Death was due to Alcoholic Poisoning.

EAST BUDLEIGH - The Deputy Coroner for East Devon held an Inquest respecting the death of ALICE JANE HEARD, the eight-year-old daughter of HENRY HEARD, gardener, of East Budleigh, who died on Tuesday after 26 hours' illness. Dr Evans stated that a post-mortem examination revealed inflammation of the bowels, probably caused by eating unripe fruit. A verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 19 October 1912
EXETER - Exeter Man's Death. Sequel To An Accident On The Midland Railway. The Inquest Last Evening. - The City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) held an Inquest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening, relative to the death of ARTHUR JOSEPH RUSSELL, aged 39, furniture remover of Cornish's-court, Paul-street, formerly in the employment of Messrs. Mousell, who died at the Institution on Tuesday. Mr Hunt represented the Midland Railway Company. - The body was identified by the wife, who stated that about Christmas last her husband met with an accident at Cheltenham. He was engaged in shifting some furniture from railway trucks. The engine shunted and he was caught between the buffers. he frequently on his return home complained of pains in the chest. He was treated at the Dispensary before he entered the Hospital. She never knew him to be ill before the accident. - Albert Baigent, manager for Messrs. Mousell's furniture removers, Exeter, said the Midland Railway Company admitted liability for the accident. Deceased was discharged by witness's firm on the 4th May. - Mr C. Pearson, House Physician, said a post-mortem examination revealed a malignant growth on the left side of the chest, which was full of fluid, and had bloodstains. Death was the result of heart failure, accelerated by the cancer. He did not think that the growth was caused by the accident, but he could not say for certain. In fact, it was not the sort of growth he should have expected to find if it had been caused by the accident. Deceased practically had no left lung. - The Jury found that death was due to heart failure and the malignant growth and was accelerated by the accident at Cheltenham.

DAWLISH - Sad Fatality. Death of MR H. L. CLARK At Starcross. A Singular Case. - More than passing interest was taken in an Inquest held by the District Coroner, Mr Henry W. Gould, at the Reading Room, Starcross, last evening, to Enquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of MR HENRY LESLIE CLARK, a well-known resident of Starcross, and husband of the licensee of the Courtenay Arms, Starcross. Deceased was formerly cashier and clerk in the employ of the St. Anne's Well Brewery Company, at Exeter. - MRS ELLEN BEEDLE CLARK identified the body as that of her husband, aged 52. His death took place that morning at 5.50. Her late husband took an excursion trip to London on the 26th of last month from Starcross, and intended to return by the 5.20 train on the Friday morning following, that being the time the train was due back. On that morning she heard a knock at the front door, and looking out of the window saw it was her husband. She told him that she had left the door open for him, but he replied, "Come down, NELL." This happened about 5.30. She went down and noticed that deceased's arm was hanging straight down, and he said he was afraid that he had broken it. He was given a drop of brandy, as he said that he was cold, having been on the platform for some time, lying stunned. Witness asked how it happened and deceased replied that in stepping out of the carriage from the train he had fallen. He added that the Station was in darkness. He lay there until he recovered consciousness. He said he did not know how he got up with only one arm. The doors of the Station were locked and he came across the side of the line to get out. The train arrived just before five o'clock. Witness fetched the doctor, who had been attending deceased up to the time of his death. - In answer to the Coroner, the witness said her husband was quite sober. She did not think that anyone had travelled with deceased to Starcross. He went with his sister and brother-in-law, but they left him at Exeter. - In answer to one of the Jury, witness said that there was no one on the Station at the time. - Robert George Tothill, of Heavitree, deceased's brother-on-law, deposed to travelling with him to London. They arrived at Exeter at 4.30 sharp on the morning of the accident. Deceased was in the compartment alone when witness left him. He did not see the train off, as it was rather cold, and he wished him good-night and went on. He emphatically added that deceased was perfectly sober. - Dr John Hyde Isles, Surgeon, who attended deceased, said that when called on the morning of the 27th of last month to attend deceased, he found him in a rather collapsed and dazed condition and very cold. His right arm was helpless, being broken. There were abrasions on the left hand and his lips had been cut, caused by broken teeth. There were no further injuries to speak of. Deceased told him a similar story to that which he had told his wife. - The Coroner: He was quite sober? - Witness: He was quite sober when I saw him. - Dr Isles continued that he found that deceased's heart was flabby and weak. The base of the lungs was congested. The cause of death was pneumonia of the lungs, brought about probably by the shock and the condition of the heart. - The Coroner: Do you attribute that shock to the injuries he received on the 27th September? - Yes; without the shock he would not have died. - Charles Edwards, porter, in the employ of the G.W.R. at Starcross, said he was going on duty at five o'clock on the morning of the 27th of September and coming towards the Station saw a man in front of the Courtenay Arms, which was the deceased. He told witness that the Station was in darkness and that in getting out he had fallen over some wire. Witness found deceased's hat on the up-platform. - In answer to the Coroner, the witness said the Station was in darkness. There was no wire on the platform. In reply to a Juror, he said that the 5.18 train, which he was booked to meet, had come in and gone before he got there. Charles Bartlett, Newton Abbot, who was the guard in charge of the train by which deceased returned from London, said the train was due to arrive at Starcross at 5.18. It stopped there, however, at 4.50 and left again at 4.52. Witness did not see anyone get out of the train, and on examination at Dawlish he found no doors open. He recollected seeing a person standing near the railway bridge and thought it was an official. - The Coroner: Could you positively say that you did not see anyone fall out of the train? - Yes. - Continuing, witness said the lamps were not lit. - In answer to the Coroner as to how he accounted for the train being before time, he replied that they had had a splendid run down, with no delays. - Again questioned by one of the Jury, who asked if it was not his duty to see for himself that the doors were all closed, he repeated his former story of a supposed official on the platform, saying that he saw that a door was open by the reflection of the gas on the platform, and seeing someone there, and thinking it to be an official, he shouted out "All right," and an answer came back in the affirmative. Witness could not say that it was the deceased. - The Stationmaster at Starcross (Mr Ernest Willocks) said he was advised of the train's coming and he booked a porter (Edwards) there to meet it and light the lamps, etc. He heard of the accident later and made a search to see if he could find any evidence of it, but he could not. - Dr Isles was at this stage recalled and said that the injuries would not cause a noticeably large quantity of blood to be spilt. - The Coroner, in summing up, said that there was no doubt that the deceased's death did come about by accident. There was one point, however, which was not clear, and that was who was the person on the platform referred to by the guard. It could not have been the deceased, and it was quite possible that it was some other passenger. That was possibly an explanation of it. It was quite evident that the deceased died from shock, as the result of the accident. With regard to the supposed wire on the platform, deceased was dazed when he spoke of that and he might not have been answerable for the statement. - After a short consultation, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their sympathy with the bereaved family. Chief Inspector Mapledoram, on behalf of the G.W.R. also expressed sympathy.

TIVERTON - Sheepdog Leads Searchers To Farmer's Dead Body At Bolham. - The Inquest on JOHN SNELL, aged 70, the unfortunate Bolham dairyman and farmer, who met his death on Thursday afternoon, was held in the Schoolroom, Bolham, last evening by Mr Arthur Fisher, the Tiverton Coroner. Mr W. Milford was elected Foreman of the Jury. - MARY ANN SNELL, the widow, Blagdon's Farm, said the previous afternoon deceased had his usual afternoon sleep by the fire. About 3.45 he went out to fetch some cows from a field at the back of "Rix," as was his custom. That was the last she saw of him alive. She fancied he was rather longer gone than usual, and she sent the boy down "to hurry him up." About ten minutes after the boy came back and told her he was "gone." She asked him what he meant and he explained that he was drowned. She asked Mr Perry to go down and see what could be done. Her husband had not been well for some time; he had been weak, having been bad in his stomach and somewhat deranged in his head, but he had been rather better lately. Sometimes he got lost. He had a hearty dinner about 1 o'clock. He had not done much work for two years, when he was firs taken ill. - The Coroner: Did you notice anything unusual yesterday? - Well, he did not take his cap with him, which was unusual. I did not notice it until he was gone. - The lad whom the old lady sent to look for deceased was next called and gave his evidence very intelligently. John Dunn, aged nearly 15, of Bicknell, Cove, said he was working for deceased the previous day. MR SNELL left the house about a quarter to four, and he was sent after him soon after four. He went to Were's Mead, where he saw deceased's dog beside the rails. He went straight to the dog and saw MR SNELL lying on his face in a gutter there. The gutter was between two and three feet wide. There was a little water, about six inches deep, but it was mostly mud. The whole of the body was in the gutter, with the arms beside it, one slightly bent. Witness ran back as fast as he could and told MRS SNELL. - The Coroner: Why did you not pull him out? - Because I was so frightened and it was not much use my trying to lift him out because he was so heavy. - You mean you could not have lifted him out at all? - No, sir. - You did not try, did you? - No. - But supposing he was alive; would you not have tried? - Yes, sir. - How did you know he was not alive? - Because he was not moving. - Witness added that the body was taken from the ditch by Mr Perry and others, within about ten minutes of the time he found it. - Albert Wm. Perry, of Bolham, who was called by MRS SNELL, said he and his son went to the field, his son going on ahead on his bicycle. When witness arrived there the body had been taken out of the gutter, which was close to a railed fence. The face was covered with mud, which witness washed off. Deceased was turning purple about the lips. They tried artificial respiration for about three-quarters of an hour. He thought deceased must have been dead when he got there for he could not feel his pulse. On the railings witness noticed a spot of fresh mud, with a leaf attached, on the second rail from the top. This looked as though deceased had tried to climb up. There were no signs of a struggle and no indication of any other person having been there. Witness had known deceased very well; he suffered slightly from his head. They kept up the artificial respiration until Dr Cullen, for whom he had sent his son, arrived. - Asked by the Coroner why deceased should want to get over the railings, witness replied that the cows were in the other field. His theory was that deceased fell back while getting over the railings. - William H. Perry, son of last witness, said he cycled and got to the body first. He heard the dog barking and that attracted his attention to the spot. The face was under water, with the back of the head just showing. Witness jumped in and pulled his head out of the water. With the assistance of others who had arrived he pulled the body out. - Henry Edward Ford, of Leet-street, Tiverton, said he was in "Rix" fixing fences and saw deceased in his field about four. He was looking out over the hedge about 120 yards from where witness was at work. He had no hat on and was wiping his face with his handkerchief. It was very warm just at that time and he should imagine deceased was sweating. He did not see any more of him. He saw no one else near deceased at the time. - Dr R. B. Cullen, who was called about 5 o'clock, said when he arrived at 5.30 deceased was quite dead, although they were still trying artificial respiration. They were doing it in a perfectly proper manner. The face was blue and congested and he had been frothing at the mouth. The cause of death was apparently drowning. He had attended him on and off for years. He complained of his head a lot, and had stomach and other troubles. His heart was fatty and weak, and over exertion would cause it to stop. - The Coroner: Would the exertion of trying to climb the fence cause his heart to stop? - Yes, decidedly. - The effect of that would be he would faint and fall backwards into the ditch? - Certainly. - If he fell into the water and did not die of heart failure he would die of drowning? - Certainly; it would be a big question to say which. - Then it might be natural causes? - Yes. - Shall I say you think he died of natural causes? - Well, I can hardly go as far as that. - Summing up, the Coroner said that heart failure was the cause of death of hundreds and hundreds of old people. There was no suggestion of foul play. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

BIDEFORD - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Bideford yesterday afternoon on ALBERT SELLICK SANDERS, 54, a Barnstaple painter, who had been working on the decoration of Bideford Railway Station, and was that morning found dead in bed, having retired on Thursday night apparently in his usual health. - Dr Ellis Pearson said death was due to cardiac syncope, caused by dilation of the heart, which weighed about fourteen ounces instead of nine or ten, and was affected with valvular disease. It was surprising that there had not been more symptoms of it before.

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1912
TORQUAY - Motor Fatality At Torquay. - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday, relative to the death of MARY BROWN, aged 4 ½ who was knocked down by a motor car as she was leaving school at Torre on Tuesday afternoon, and died from her injuries. One or two witnesses, chiefly women, who witnessed the occurrence, stated that the car was going much too fast, considering there was a school in the vicinity, and one put the speed at 20 miles an hour. The owner and driver of the car, Mr Grist, stated that he was running up the hill on his second gear, and could not possibly exceed 8 miles an hour and another witness also gave that as the pace at which the car was travelling. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressed sympathy with the parents and exonerated Mr Grist from all blame.

Western Times, Saturday 26 October 1912
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Disaster. Inquest On The Younger HOCKINGS. Monday Night's Squall. - An Inquest was held at the Temperance Hall, Exmouth, yesterday, before Mr Cyril N. Tweed, (Deputy Coroner for the East Devon District) relative to the death of WILLIAM GEORGE HOCKINGS, one of the victims of the fishing boat disaster on Monday night, and whose body was found on Wednesday morning. Mr Albert Hayman was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - MAUD HOCKINGS, sister of the deceased, said she last saw her brother on Monday afternoon at her father's house in Union-street. He told her he was going fishing. It was 3.35 when he went away. Deceased was 26 years of age. - George Prowse, fisherman of 50 Camperdown Terrace, Exmouth, stated that he saw deceased standing on the Quay at Exmouth with a rope in his hand, his father being in the boat. He asked witness to give him a pull so that he could get away clear from the Pier. Deceased got down into the boat, having passed the rope to witness to pull the boat away. The craft was about 28 feet long, with eight feet beam, and was "dandy" rigged. It was quite a new boat. There was a nice fresh breeze blowing when the boat started. Having towed the boat to the end of the Pier he "wished them so-long," and the boat went away towards Dawlish to the fishing ground. He saw no more of them. Deceased said to witness as they could not catch anything by day they were going out to see what they could do by night. This was the first time the HOCKINGS had gone out trawling this season. - By the Foreman: It was a good night to go out. The boat was a sound one and everything so far as he knew was perfect. - William Holman, a Trinity Pilot, of 4 Tower-street, Exmouth, deposed that he was coming into the harbour on the steamer "Pert" on Monday evening just before 7. Passing near the Checkstone Buoy it was reported to him that there was a boat just on the starboard bow. He took up the glass and saw the boat tacking in front and going in the same direction as the steamer. As they passed the boat he saw it was MR HOCKINGS. At the time there was a west-south-west breeze blowing. It was not a gale, but a nice fresh breeze. A heavy squall of unusual severity sprang up shortly afterwards. It was the heaviest squall he eve remembered, and lasted five minutes. The squall was quite sufficient to capsize the boat, even under the most efficient management, when under ordinary sail, as he saw the HOCKINGS' boat. HOCKINGS was a capable man of large experience on the water. - By a Juryman: He could see nothing from the steamer in the rain and foam. - Edward Knight, fisherman, 18 Camperdown-terrace, stated that on Wednesday, at 11 a.m. he was engaged in fishing and saw a dark object out over the Pole Sands. He said to his brother (who was in the boat) "Haul up the anchor, Harry" and then went out on the sands to see what it was. He found it was the body of WILLIAM GEO. HOCKINGS. He dragged the body to the boat and they towed it to the shore and landed it at the Coastguard Station. Deceased was lying on his back. Where he found the body was about threequarters of a mile from where the boat sank. He knew the deceased well, and saw him at 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon and spoke to him as he passed him near the dock. - Dr Hanna, of Exmouth, said he saw the body on Wednesday. There were marks or abrasions on the face, a slight bruise over the right eye, and a wound near the ear. The conclusion he came to was that the man died from drowning, and could not have been dead longer than two days. - By a Juryman: He could hardly say that the bruise over the forehead was caused by a mast. Nor could he say how soon before or after death the bruises were sustained. - The Coroner, in summing up the evidence, commented on the extremely sad nature of the fatality, and pointed out that from the evidence they had heard, there was no doubt that the mishap was accidental, and that the squall was of such violence that it was practically impossible for the men, however well experienced, to have managed their boat in such an emergency. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and gave their fees to the widow. - The Coroner mentioned that in the event of the body of the deceased's father being found within a few days, the same Jury would be called together. In that event the Inquiry would only last a few minutes.

MILTON ABBOT - Yesterday morning Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Milton Abbot, on the body of MARY PALMER, wife of MR W. L. PALMER, of Uppaton Farm, Milton Abbot. It appears that the deceased went to bed at ten o'clock on Wednesday night and waking up about three on the following morning with a fit of coughing, died shortly afterwards. She had not complained of feeling unwell. Dr C. C. Brodrick of Tavistock, who had made a post-mortem examination, found that death had resulted from the rupture of a blood vessel of the heart and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Mr Blythe was Foreman of the Jury, who, with the Coroner, expressed sympathy with the husband and family.

Western Times, Tuesday 29 October 1912
TEIGNMOUTH - Inquest On A Child's Death At Teignmouth. - Yesterday afternoon, at Teignmouth Town Hall, Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest on the body of the three-weeks-old child of MR J. BERRY, of the Gardeners' Arms, Lower Brook-street, who was found dead in bed on Sunday. - MRS BERRY stated that she lay in bed with the child until 11 o'clock on Sunday morning. She went upstairs again after one o'clock and found the little one on its right side dead, with its nostril against the pillow. - The Deputy Coroner pointed out the danger of not having cots for children, but MRS BERRY said she had a cot and had never had such an accident before. - The father having given evidence that he saw the child peacefully sleeping after 12 o'clock, Dr F. C. H. Piggott attributed death to suffocation. He added that accidents of that kind were less likely to happen if children slept in a cot. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Wednesday 30 October 1912
BUCKFASTLEIGH - The Dean Coombe Fatality. - At the Inquest held yesterday afternoon by Mr Coroner P. C. Cornish Bowden, on the body of JAMES PENELLAN, of Dean Coombe, near Buckfastleigh, who was found drowned in a hedge drain, the evidence went to show that the deceased must have stumbled on his way home from Buckfastleigh, on Sunday night and rendered insensible. When found on the following morning he was lying in the gully with his head under water and resting on a stone. - Some men who first saw the body, instead of pulling it out of the water at once, stood around, evidently waiting for the Policeman to arrive. Mr E. J. Coulton, a farmer, who happened to come upon the scene, removed the body. - The medical evidence shewed that death resulted from asphyxiation and the Jury found a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned."

SIDMOUTH - Fatal Fall. Inquest On Sidmouth Gentleman's Sad Death. - At Sidmouth yesterday, Mr C. N. Tweed (Deputy Coroner) conducted an Inquest on the body of a gentleman, named ALEXANDER MACNEUR, age 69, of no occupation, residing at Torgueda, Bickwell Valley, Sidmouth, who died on Sunday morning from injuries sustained from falling downstairs. MRS MACNEUR, widow of the deceased, in giving evidence, stated that on Sunday morning, about four o'clock, deceased got out of bed for the purpose of going downstairs. He took no light with him, leaving the candle which he had lit on the dressing table. A few minutes later, on hearing a crash, she at once got out of bed to see what was the matter and found deceased lying at the bottom of the first flight of stairs, down which he had apparently fallen. He was then quite conscious, and in answer to his wife's inquiry stated that he thought it was "mostly shock." With the assistance of the servants, he was taken to his room and a doctor was sent for. - George Stoneman, gardener, stated that after the accident he went to the assistance of deceased, who was lying on his back on the landing at the foot of the stairs. He was quite conscious and gave witness instructions as to how to lift him. - Dr Colelough said that when he arrived at the house he found deceased in his room quite conscious. MRS MACNEUR described to him the occurrence, and deceased answered all the questions put to him by witness. On examining deceased he found that he was suffering from a fractured spine. Witness left the house for the purpose of getting his instruments and on his return found life extinct. Death was due to a fractured spine, caused by the fall. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 2 November 1912
EXETER - Sad Case. Bit Of Scandal Leads To Girl's Suicide. Inquest At Exeter. - The circumstances surrounding the death of EDITH MARY SMITH, a domestic servant, aged 21, of Alphington, whose body was found in the Exeter Canal on Thursday, were Inquired into by the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) at the Court House, Exeter, last evening. - ERNEST SMITH, Park Cottages, Alphington, a clerk, identified the body as that of his sister, aged 21, daughter of MR T. H. SMITH, postman, who also resides at Alphington. Witness last saw her alive on Wednesday evening, when she was at home with her sisters. Deceased had been depressed, and suffered from neuralgia. She was continually crying and the death of a sister had affected her very much. She worked for Mr Strang, at Fore-street, Exeter. he had never heard her threaten to take her life. - ELLEN BREWER SMITH, sister, deposed to going home from the City to Alphington with her sister at about 8 o'clock on Wednesday night. She was then all right. - Daniel Robert Strang said deceased was a very quiet girl, but was not strong. On the Wednesday afternoon she complained of headache, and went out for a walk. She had been to Dr Stokes, who said she was run down. Deceased received a letter on Wednesday morning. She did not return to witness's house on Wednesday night. He waited up until 11.30 p.m. and gave information to the Police. - Mrs Phillips, Ware's Buildings, employed at Mr Sluggett's on different occasions, said that on the previous Monday she informed Mrs Sluggett that a lad named Moore, who was formerly employed by Mr Sluggett, had made a certain statement to her bearing on the deceased's character. - Chas. Moore, Upexe, was called, and deposed to making the statement referred to about four or five months ago. - The Coroner (to Mrs Phillips): On Monday last? - Mrs Phillips: Yes. - The Coroner: So you kept it in your mind for these four or five months? - Mrs Phillips: Yes, and then Mrs Sluggett wrote to EDITH (the deceased) telling her she need not come to her house any more. - The Coroner: It is a pity you did not keep it in your mind altogether. It is a great pity you women cannot hold your tongues. - (Cries of hear, hear, from the Jury). - Mr Sluggett stated that the letter received by his wife was as follows:- "I expect when you get this you will have heard other reports. I am first writing these lines to apologise in answer to yours, which I received this morning, but as I don't know what the offence is, and that I really must not see you or the dear children any more, my life is not worth living. Therefore I am about to take it. Please don't regret your writing to me, as I expect I am in the wrong. I remain for a short time, EDIE SMITH." - The girl, continued Mr Sluggett, was fond of his wife and children. She was a good girl. - Harry Gillard, an employee at the City Gasworks, said he discovered, on Thursday morning, a hat and macintosh on the Canal banks. Among the clothing was a letter, addressed to her brother. He gave notice to the Police. - The letter found by Gillard ran as follows:- "Dear FLORRIE and ERNEST, - I feel very much upset, so I write this. I received a letter this morning which plainly shows that I have offended someone. I don't know what it is, and I don't feel inclined to inquire as I fear they would not satisfy me if I ask. Good-bye for ever. Your affectionate sister, EDIE. P.S. - Please keep two photos of Reggie and Sammy in remembrance of me." - P.C. Labdon, Devon County Constabulary, deposed to dragging the Canal below the Welcome Inn, and recovering the body of deceased. - Dr Pereira said death was due to drowning. - In summing up, the Coroner said he could not conceive how a stupid woman should have carried about such an idea in her head for four or five months and then told it with such mischievous results. Mrs Sluggett naturally wrote a letter to the deceased warning her not to come near the house again. The girl seemed very fond of the children, and Mrs Sluggett's letter grieved her very much. Mrs Phillips should not have let her tongue run after being silent for five months and her statement to Mrs Sluggett was the cause of the girls death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," and strongly censured Mrs Phillips. - The Coroner again strongly censured Mrs Phillips for her conduct.

Western Times, Monday 4 November 1912
TIVERTON - Inquest At Tiverton Hospital. - At the Tiverton Hospital, on Saturday evening, Mr A. Fisher conducted an Inquest on the body of FRANCIS TOM GREENSLADE, aged 52, lace hand, in the employ of Messrs. J. Heathcoat and Co., who was found dead in his bedroom on Friday afternoon last. From the evidence adduced by MRS GREENSLADE, widow, and her son, it appeared that deceased had complained of pains in his chest and across his shoulders for several days past. He remained at his work until Tuesday last. On the previous Sunday deceased ate a hearty supper of beef and celery and during the night awoke and complained of pains in his chest, which he put down to indigestion. MRS GREENSLADE went downstairs for some hot water, which deceased drank; he then said that the pains were much better. On Friday, about 2 o'clock, deceased said he would dress and come downstairs. MRS GREENSLADE heard a thud and on going to the bedroom found deceased lying on his left side, partially dressed. Life appeared extinct, as he did not answer when she spoke to him. - Dr Leisching stated that he had made a post-mortem examination and found the muscles of the heart were very soft and friable, occasioned by fatty degeneration; the left ventricle was ruptured. Replying to the Coroner, Dr Leisching said that probably the indigestion caused by the hearty supper referred to set up palpitation of the heart, and the climax was probably brought about by the exertion of dressing. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 7 November 1912
KENN - Quarry Fatality. Cullompton Young Man Killed Near Exeter. - Mr F. Thomas, Deputy District Coroner, held an Inquest at the Reading-room, Kenn, yesterday, relative to the death of FRANK STILING, aged 24, formerly of the Devon Regiment, and on the Reserve at the time of his death. Deceased had been working for Mr Robert Chard, of Kennford, a traction haulier, for the past five weeks as steersman of a traction engine and was on Tuesday engaged in hauling stone from Rushey Coombe Pit, Haldon, to Kenton. - Charles Voisey, third man with the engine, said they had loaded two trucks with stone and had taken one about 100 yards from the pit. They uncoupled that and went back for the other, which they coupled up. Sidney Chard was driving and witness and deceased were walking alongside between the engine and the truck. The road was narrow and muddy, and on the side they were walking there was a bank two feet high. The space between this bank and the truck would be less than two feet wide. He saw deceased kicking a stone on the ground, and then looked forward to see where he was going. Deceased called out and on looking round witness saw one of the wheels of the truck passing over STILING'S right foot. STILING fell on the ground on his face and the wheel went over his right side. The engine was stopped at once, and deceased was pulled out. He appeared to be unable to speak and died in half an hour. - Sidney Chard, who was driving the engine, said only one of the wheels went over deceased. STILING was a quiet and sober fellow. - Dr Black, of St. Thomas, said an examination of the body showed that the pelvis and right arm were broken, and there were probably internal injuries as well. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 9 November 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Borough Coroner yesterday, at the North Devon Infirmary, Enquired into the death of ROBERT HARRIS, 25, of Knowle, a wheelwright, who died as the result of an accident when loping trees at Buckland, Braunton, on Wednesday. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Jury expressed sincere sympathy with the widow, who had only been married to the deceased for a week.

Western Times, Wednesday 13 November 1912
BRIXHAM - Sad Death Of A Brixham Fisherman. - Mr Sidney Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest on JOHN RICHARDSON, fisherman, Brixham, who was found dead in the Brixham churchyard early on Monday morning. His widow deposed that deceased had been delirious during the Sunday and at 4 a.m. on Monday she missed him, and not finding him on the premises called her neighbours. Wm. G. Hingston searched and after going to the Police Station and the Pier Head, was on his way to Mudstone, when he found him lying dead in the churchyard path. He was very scantily dressed. The weather was so cold that an ordinary man would have died through exposure had he fallen down. - Dr Thompson attributed death to pneumonia, accelerated by exposure. The Jury's verdict was in accordance with this.

SHALDON - Fatal Fall From Shaldon Embankment. The Jury's Rider. - Mr Sydney Hacker, County Coroner, yesterday investigated the sad circumstances surround the death of WILLIAM ALFRED GEORGE MILLIN, 39, of 75 Ringmore-road, Shaldon, a painter in the signal department of the G.W.R., who was drowned on Sunday evening. Mr A. P. Dell (Clerk to the Teignmouth Urban District Council) and Mr F. W. Knight, Surveyor) watched the interests of the Council. Mr F. Wheatley was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - MRS MILLIN, the deceased's widow, said, as usual, her husband stayed at home on Sunday while she went to church at Teignmouth with friends. He said he would meet her, weather permitting. On her way home she looked for him, but did not see anything of him, and supposed he had stayed in because of the rough weather. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said there were lights along the embankment. It seemed darker than usual, and she thought perhaps a lamp was out. She went that way so often that she did not notice whether it was light or dark. She added that she had told her husband when he had been going to work in the dark mornings, to go the other way, as she considered there was some danger. Her husband had said he could go that way blind-folded. - The Coroner: The embankment is protected by a small wall? - Yes, but I think it is very dangerous there by the posts. Their position is most ridiculous. The posts ought to be on the other side. It would be better to have a turnstile. - Witness added that she searched for her husband without avail. - At this stage a letter was handed to the Coroner, who read an extract relating to an accident the deceased sustained when a signal lever struck him on the head. The witness explained that the accident happened six months ago. - Concluding her evidence, the witness said something ought to be done to make the embankment safer. The posts were very dangerous if one was wearing a long coat. - Samuel Coombes said he saw the deceased go on the embankment about 8.30. Shortly afterwards he went out, but did not see anyone on the embankment. The water was rather high and splashing over the walk. At the time the lamps were lighted. Deceased had on his long coat. He later found the body about three feet from the wall, the water being 15 to 20 feet away. - Dr A. C. Brown said death was due to drowning. There were no marks whatever on the body. - P.C. Prideaux said in 1905 a man fell over the wall after dark, but the tide was out. - John Dibble said eleven years ago he fell over, but there was no wall there then. Other accidents had happened. - The Coroner: Yes, I remember, about 20 years ago, holding an Inquest. - A Juror said a man went over the wall the other side of the Church, but it was now protected. - The Foreman: When the man fell over by the turnstile, some 20 years ago, it used to be a quicker way to mount the wall and go around. It was supposed to have been a frosty morning and he slipped back on his head. - The Coroner, in his summing up, said a small wall a foot high was as much protection as if there was no wall at all. There had been improvements in recent years by lamps, and it was fairly well lighted. Lights were placed there after previous accidents, but the wall was not built higher. As inhabitants of Shaldon, they could make any representation to the governing body they might think fit. He was surprised to hear there had been so many accidents, but it seemed rather an indication that the matter should be considered. - Mr Follett (a member of the Teignmouth Council): May I ask if the clerk of the council admits liability with regard to the wall, and what is the position of the Council? - The Coroner: The Council will have to find that out for themselves and act accordingly. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Drowning after Accidentally Falling from the Wall." - After a lengthy deliberation the Foreman said the Jury had agreed to the following rider: "The Jury consider the attention of the Teignmouth District Council should be directed to the danger to the public by the wall of the embankment, with a view to taking such steps as may be considered desirable for the safety of the public." - The Coroner: I certainly think it a very proper rider, and I will send it to the Council. - Mr Dell said the Council would take it into consideration, and whilst not admitting any liability as regarded any danger, they would, in the interests of the ratepayers, consider what was best.

GREAT TORRINGTON - Torrington Child's Death. Jury Find There Was A Certain Amount Of Neglect. - The North Devon Coroner (Mr G. W. F. Brown) yesterday conducted an Inquest at the Town Hall, Torrington, on the body of the infant child of MR and MRS ALBERT SNELL, of Shambles-court, Torrington, who died on Sunday morning after a short illness. - On the Coroner asking the Jury to view the body, Mr Louis Parkhouse, a Juryman, asked if this was compulsory. - The Coroner: I am afraid so. - Mr Parkhouse, producing a copy of the "Express and Echo" of the previous evening, said that their Mayor was very much against "These kind of things," and would not go to Church the previous Sunday on account of the prevalence of measles in the town. - The Coroner: There the law is, and we cannot alter it. - Mr Parkhouse replied that they would have to disinfect the place after them. - MRS SNELL, the mother, giving evidence, said her child, which was 16 months old, was taken ill on Friday last, and she sent to the chemist's for a powder, as she thought the child's teeth were the cause. The child was lying heavy, like her two other children, which had had the measles, but she did not send for a doctor as she thought it would get on all right as the others had done. On Saturday she observed the child had measles, and as it got worse she took it downstairs by the fire and gave it milk; but it died about six o'clock a.m. Her husband gave her every assistance. The child was insured. Questioned by the Coroner why she did not send for a doctor, she said she fully intended sending for him in the morning, and thought there would be no harm in waiting until then. She did not hear her husband use any bad language. - The father of the deceased, who is an auxiliary postman and gardener at Torrington, was closely interrogated by the Coroner respecting language he was reported by a Police Constable, who happened to be passing outside the house at the time, to have used towards his wife respecting the child. SNELL said he might have said something on the impulse of the moment that he ought not to have said. He was half asleep when he was called. - The Coroner: You must have been pretty well awake to keep up this flow of language which I have reported here. - Witness denied having made use of expressions stated in the Constable's report. - Asked why a doctor was not sent for, SNELL, said the child, for which he had done everything he could, did not look any worse. He nursed it for a considerable time during the night. He had always taken a great interest in his children, but admitted when called he "might have rattled off a bit," but it was on the impulse of the moment. - The Coroner: You were annoyed at being called? - Witness: I might have used bad language, but it was without any thought. It was not because he was too lazy that he did not fetch a doctor; he thought it was not necessary to go until the morning. - P.C. Collings deposed that while passing SNELL'S house at 1.30 on Sunday morning, he heard him make use of the language complained of in his report. - Dr J. G. Macindoe, who made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to heart failure following extremely high temperature resulting from measles. The child probably would have lived if medical aid had been called in before. - The Coroner, in summing up, said SNELL was evidently annoyed at being called and (he should say himself) declined to go for a doctor, because any parent, who was worthy of the name of such, seeing the condition of the child, would have at once thought it necessary that a doctor should be called in. He considered there had been considerable neglect on the parents' part in not calling in medical assistance, for if the child had been medically treated, it might have been living today. - The Jury, of which Mr T. Heywood was Foreman, returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, thought there had been a certain amount of neglect - they would not say wilful neglect, but neglect through ignorance, for seeing the temperature of the child was very high they possibly ought to have sent for a doctor earlier, for there was no doubt the child's life might then have been saved. - The Coroner: I hope this will be a lesson to you in the future.

PAIGNTON - Paignton Drowning Case. - Mr S. Hacker yesterday investigated the death of ELSIE MARY ELLIS, domestic servant of Chudleigh, who was in service at Asthore, Hyde-road, Paignton, and whose body was found on Preston Beach, Paignton, on Monday. - THOMAS ELLIS, of Woodway, Chudleigh, identified deceased as his daughter, and she was 18 years of age. He last saw her alive on Sunday week, when she went home. A letter, which witness had read, threw no light on the matter, but another one from Exeter threatened a summons unless a debt was paid, and another bill was found. The father knew of no reason for her taking her life. - Mrs Sutton, deceased's mistress, said deceased was called at 7 o'clock on Monday morning and she left the house between 7.15 and 7.30. Deceased was under notice to leave because she neglected her duties. - Emily Morey saw deceased leave "Asthore" just after seven. She had a print dress on, as well as a cap and apron, with a coat over this. She was smiling and hurrying. - Mrs Edith Mill gave evidence relating to the discovery of the body on Preston Beach. - Dr C. H. Cosens attributed death to drowning, and the verdict was one of "Found Drowned."

ASHFORD - At the Inquest conducted by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, on the body of GEORGE EDWARDS, farm labourer, who was found lying in a field in which he had been working at Ashford, Dr S. R. Gibbs, who made a post mortem examination, attributed death to cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict of "Death from Natural causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 15 November 1912
ASHBURTON - Mr Sidney Hacker held an Inquest at the Market Hall, Ashburton, on Wednesday, relative to the death of WILLIAM CAUNTER, formerly a coachman, who lived by himself at Cape Cottage, and who was found dead in bed on Monday afternoon. Mrs Alice Shepherd, wife of a labourer, said deceased had no relatives in the neighbourhood, but received an allowance of 10s. weekly from a cousin in Australia. She was employed to keep his house clean and provide his meals. He was last downstairs on Friday, but had not noticed that he was unwell or worse than usual, neither had she heard him complain. He had, however, been in a feeble state of health for a considerable time. On Monday, when she took him his dinner, she found that he was dead, and Dr Ellis said he attended CAUNTER in August 1911, but not since. He was called on Monday about 2 p.m., and found the man dead. The body was wasted, and the heart showed signs of disease and also the kidneys. The cause of death was heart failure and general decay. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

TAVISTOCK - On Sunday morning RICHARD OLIVER , who delivers newspapers at Tavistock, was missed, and it was afterwards ascertained that he had not fetched his Sunday newspaper parcel at the London and South Western Railway Station. As he had not been seen since the previous night, it was feared that something had happened and inquiries were then made concerning him, and Mr Taylor, a foreman in the employ of Messrs. Hosken, Trevithick and Polkinhorne, woollen manufacturers, found the body of the missing man in the Mill Leat, which is about three feet deep, at the back of their factory in Parkwood-road. The deceased was about 60 years of age, was well educated and at one time travelled as a representative for a firm of drapers at Plymouth. He was a native of Tavistock. In recent years he had followed the vocation of a painter. How the deceased fell into the water is a matter for conjecture, but it is thought that he slipped off the bank. When the body was discovered at 2 o'clock, the Police were at once communicated with, and Sergt. Hill and P.C. Pike took it in a conveyance to the mortuary. - At the Inquest a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

GREAT TORRINGTON - Mr G. W. F. Brown (County Coroner) conducted an Inquiry at the Torrington Town Hall on Wednesday relating to the death of EDITH ELSIE RUNDELL, aged 7 years, daughter of POLICE-CONSTABLE RUNDELL, who died almost suddenly yesterday morning. - Dr H. Compton Parsons, who made a post mortem examination, attributed the child's death to heart failure, caused by measles. - The Jury, of whom Mr F. W. Hodge was Foreman, returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Monday 18 November 1912
EAST BUDLEIGH - An Open Verdict. Budleigh Salterton Cliff Tragedy. The Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Masonic Hall, Budleigh Salterton, on Saturday afternoon, before Mr E. N. Tweed, Coroner for the District, concerning the death of MISS LILY VIRGINIA HARTNELL, aged 40, who had been missing from the house where she was employed as assistant housekeeper since November 7th, and whose dead body was found at the foot of the cliff on Friday morning. Mr J. F. Blight was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - MINNIE MARY WILLIAMS, sister of the deceased, said she last saw her alive three weeks ago, when deceased visited her at Ottery St. Mary, and stayed from Saturday to Monday. She appeared to be very well and in good spirits. She made no complaints as to her health or financial position. So far as witness knew she had no suicidal tendencies. She was employed by Mrs Bickley as an assistant housekeeper. About thirteen years ago deceased had a mental breakdown and was subsequently placed in the Exminster Asylum. She was detained there for some eighteen months, and returned home for three months, after which she took a situation as an assistant housekeeper at Torquay. For ten years she remained well until she had another mental breakdown and again went to the Asylum, which she left last December, and had shown no signs of insanity since. The deceased engaged with Mrs Bickley and entered into her service on August 1st, remaining there until November 7th. - Mrs Bickley, wife of Henry Bickley, High-street, Budleigh Salterton, said deceased had been in her employ since August 1st as assistant house-keeper. Witness had never noticed any signs of insanity. She appeared quite ordinary, and did not threaten to take her life. Deceased used to go out each Sunday evening to a place of worship. She did not care to go out as much as witness wished her to go out. On November 7th after tea, witness asked her to go out. She often asked her to go out when she did not eat well. But she was always making excuses for not going out. On November 7th. , deceased went out just after five, and asked witness what time she should return, and witness told her to come in when she liked. Her last words as she went out of the house were: "I wish I had someone to speak to," and witness replied, "I should like you to make a friend. It would be nice for you." Deceased went out attired quite ordinarily, and did not carry either umbrella or stick. Witness did not see her again, and was quite sure she did not return to the house. She told her husband at 11 p.m. that MISS HARTNELL had not returned, and reported the matter to P.S. Hutchins. She knew nothing more of deceased's movements and so far as she knew deceased had no money with her. - Cecil Howard Churchward, farm labourer, residing with his uncle at Silverton, Exeter, stated that he came to Budleigh Salterton on Thursday to see the Carnival, and was staying until the next day (Friday). On Friday morning he walked with a lady friend to the flagstaff and returned to the beach by way of Sherbrook Chine. As they walked towards the town witness noticed something lying on the beach close to the foot of the cliffs. He could not discern what it was and as he did not wish his friend to be alarmed he walked on and reported the mater at the Feathers Hotel, and Mr Worth telephoned to the Police. - The Coroner: Why didn't you go up and see what it was? - A Juryman: He had a young lady with him who was only 16. - The Coroner: Surely you could have gone over; you were not alone, and it was a matter of life and death. - Witness: I saw the face, and it was mortifying. - P.C. Phillips, of Otterton, stated that he went to the beach on Friday morning in response to a telephone message. He was accompanied by P.C. Ash, and he saw by the body that it answered the description of MISS HARTNELL, who had been missing since November 7th. He found a pocket-handkerchief in the coat pocket, marked "L. V. HARTNELL, " and two keys (presumably of her box). Deceased was lying flat on her back, her legs and right arm outstretched and her left hand across her body. The head was turned with the back to the sea and tilted upwards. The hat was about twelve yards away from the body. She could not be seen from the top of the cliff, and on account of the high ridge of pebbles a person walking near the edge of the water would not have observed the body. The height of the cliff to the spot where the deceased was found was 190 feet. A back hair comb was found on a ledge of the cliff about 12 feet from the ground. There was also a little hair on the ledge corresponding with the deceased's. The cliff was quite perpendicular at the spot and the top was covered with brambles. - Dr Semple said he had examined the body and found a compound fracture of the base of the skull and the brains were protruding. The neck was also broken. There was a wound over the left eye covered with mud, probably caused by striking a stone. The left arm and left leg were also fractured. Death was instantaneous and due to the injuries he had described, and the evidence of death would correspond with the 7th November. A person who suffered from religious mania would be likely to commit suicide. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead," and added that there was not sufficient evidence to show whether it was due to accident or suicide.

EXETER - The Tragic Death Of A Clyst St. George Farmer. - The suicide of a Denbury farmer, GEORGE JOHN TULLY, was the subject of an Inquest conducted at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, by Mr Linford Brown, City Coroner on Saturday. Deceased had been on a visit to a relative at Clyst St. George and on Thursday morning his wife found him with his throat cut. He was removed to the Hospital and died there next day. - Mr Fisher, farmer, of Clyst St. George, gave evidence of identification, and said deceased was his brother-in-law. His age was 50 and he stayed with witness last week with a view to coming on to Exeter to consult Dr Gordon. He had been suffering from nervous depression, and complained of pains in his head. On Wednesday he went to Newton Abbot with witness and did a lot of business. The next morning witness took him up a cup of tea and he then said he was not much better. Shortly after, MRS TULLY called him, saying deceased had cut his throat. Witness found him bleeding from the throat, and said, "You wicked man; what have you done?" His reply was "I could not help it. My nerves have gone." He had never threatened to take his life, but he had been troubled because he had got to leave his farm. - The widow said her husband had been unable to sleep and had been very low spirited. he had said he could not bear to see the farm where he had lived all his life sold. On Thursday morning she went to call him to breakfast and found him standing at the top of the stairs with his throat cut. - Mr H. T. Depree, Assistant House Surgeon, said the cut was a very long one, but not deep. Deceased died the next day from shock. The wound was evidently self-inflicted. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide, while Temporarily Insane."

PAIGNTON - Fatal Explosion. Inquest On The Paignton Tragedy. How Did It Happen? - Into the circumstances attending the death of MR HERBERT THOMAS YEO, farmer's dairyman of Torbay-road, Paignton, an Inquest was held at Paignton Police Court on Saturday by Mr Sydney Hacker, the County Coroner. Mr C. H. Motts was Foreman of the Jury. - The widow, MRS KATE YEO, stated that on Friday the deceased rose at 2 o'clock and sent to work in the dairy. She assisted in skimming the cream. Deceased attended to the boiler for scalding the cream, and just before 5 o'clock commenced working the milk separator, which was driven by electricity. The machine was bought six months ago and deceased thoroughly understood its working. Her husband was standing about two yards from the separator when an explosion occurred and on looking round she saw him lying on the ground with his head badly cut open. The outside cast iron cover of the separator was smashed and fragments were strewn about everywhere. She had the presence of mind to stop the motor and then went to the deceased, who never moved. The top of his head was practically blown away. Nothing had ever gone wrong with the machine before the present instance. - John Maers, who lives opposite the dairy, said his wife heard the explosion and he went across. In the dairy he saw the deceased lying on the ground, dead. Having found that MRS YEO was safe, he procured medical assistance. - Dr L. P. Adams, who described the injuries, said MR YEO died as the result of a fractured skull and lacerated brain. - George Ellis, employed at the dairy, said he had worked the machine, and deceased had been working it for about a week and understood it perfectly. The motor was fixed at 1,000 revolutions per minute, and always worked at that speed - indeed, it could not be altered - which drove the separator 8,000 revolutions a minute and the speed was regulated by the belt, which if slack reduced speed. Witness could not explain how the accident happened. The day before his death his master worked the machine perfectly. - Ernest Hudson, works manager of the firm who supplied the machine, said that type of machine had been made for five years, and there had never previously been an accident. If the bowl got off its balance it would knock against the outer cover and damage it. An examination of the machine revealed, in his opinion, that it must have been driven at too high a speed. The speed of machines was tested at the works up to 11,000 revolutions. Printed instructions were always supplied with each machine. - ALFRED BERNARD YEO, brother of the deceased, and dairy engineer employed at Vauxhall Station, gave his opinion that there was a flaw in the steel rim (produced) which worked loose and caused the accident. He testified to the fact that deceased was a perfect genius with machinery. It was possible that the machine might have been run faster than was anticipated. - MRS YEO, recalled, said it was possible that perhaps her husband did not test the machine on Friday morning. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, but could not say how the explosion occurred. They added a rider that printed instructions should be fixed to each machine.

Western Times, Tuesday 19 November 1912
TORQUAY - Torquay Recluse. Found Dead In A Chair In A Locked House. Inquest And Verdict. - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday, touching the death of MISS SARAH JESSIE SHAW, who was found dead in her house in Windsor-road, Torquay, on Friday. Deceased had not been seen for some days by people living in the neighbourhood, so the Police were informed, and an Officer, P.C. Hatherley, made a forcible entry into the house, to find the woman dead in a chair. - Francis Ann Ware, of 127 Babbacombe-road, Torquay, wife of Henry John Ware, plumber, said that the lady lying dead was SARAH JESSIE SHAW, 45 years of age, who lodged with her for six weeks prior to going to the house where she was found dead. Deceased told her, her home was at Swansea. - P.C. Hatherley stated that he had communicated with Swansea and found out that a brother of the deceased committed suicide two years ago. - The witness Ware continuing, said that deceased was not married. Witness had only seen deceased twice in about 1 ½ years, and she was a lady who had very few visitors. When with her she appeared in good health. She told her she quarrelled with a sister who got married. Deceased was very eccentric, and always wanted to be alone. - Eva Webber, married, living at 98 Windsor-road, next door to the deceased, said the latter lived quite alone. It was three weeks since she last saw deceased, when she was cleaning the front door. As she was not seen witness and another neighbour told the Police. Deceased told her her chest was weak, but that Torquay suited her. Mrs Ellen Maria Baker, the neighbour mentioned, said she last saw the deceased alive on the evening of November 7th. - P.C. Hatherley said on forcing an entrance to the house he found the deceased in a chair in a small sitting-room, quite dead. She was dressed and had on an outdoor coat. On the table was a tumbler containing liquid with a white sediment, an empty prussic-acid bottle being by the side of the glass. There was also a note reading as follows, viz: "it is not death, but life that plays; the night less mountainously lies upon my lids than foolish days. Unfortunate futilities." Then followed, said the Coroner, some extracts relative to the Inquest. - Some poetry written in lead upon a sheet of paper was found in a cupboard by the Constable. A verse was quoted therefrom by the Coroner as follows, viz.: - "it is strange that at the age of 41, My life seems sweeter than in youth; Although I am friendless - I am quite alone - Happiness I have found in very truth; I dwell alone within my little cot - No other foot has crossed the threshold plot, And every day I find new pleasures here, And yet to leave my peaceful home no more. "Rose Cottage," refuge from the hateful word; bright little house, ever dear to me." - P.C. Hatherley said he found documents showing that the deceased had £200 invested. In a wardrobe he found several packages of poison, whilst in a cash-box was £13 and some silver. - Dr G. Young Eales said there were no signs of external violence on the body. In the brain he found a small cyst, which had caused inflammation of the surface of the brain. The stomach contained very little food. There was no sign of corrosive poison. There was, he thought, an odour of prussic acid, but he could not say that such had been taken, because death had resulted quite a week before and that fact prevented his tracing any prussic acid poisoning. He thought from appearances that death resulted from prussic acid poisoning. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased took Poison whilst of Unsound Mind.

Western Times, Friday 22 November 1912
NORTHAM - Appledore. - Mr Coroner G. W. Brown held an Inquest on Monday evening upon the body of the infant child, LUCY SLOCOMBE, age 3 ½ years, who met her death through falling, on Thursday last. MRS SLOCOMBE said deceased and another of her young children were playing about the house on Thursday evening. The elder of the two ran into the room from the passage, and collided with the baby, who fell down. Witness picked the child up. She was crying a lot and after she ceased witness placed her in a chair and the child ate heartily of cake and drank tea. Shortly afterwards the child seemed faint and she sent for the doctor. - Dr W. A. Valentine stated that the deceased was a weakly child, and suffered from rickets. Death was due to haemorrhage on the brain. - The Jury, of whom Captain Oatway was the Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," in accordance with the doctor's evidence.

Western Times, Saturday 23 November 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - A Fatal Quarrel. Sad Death Of A Woman At Newton Abbot. The Inquest. - The death occurred under painful circumstances on Thursday evening of MRS SARAH BARTLETT, wife of ERNEST JAMES BARTLETT, of 56, The Avenue, Newton Abbot. It appears that that evening MRS BARTLETT was taken with a fainting fit and fell to the ground, presumably striking her head. She died a short time afterwards. The facts were reported to the Coroner, and yesterday a post-mortem examination of the body was made. The Inquest was held at the Town Hall, Newton Abbot, by Mr Coroner Hacker. - The husband stated that when he arrived home at 7 p.m. in the evening he was a little upset, and asked his wife if she had fetched his medicine. He was a little hasty, and in his temper he banged the table, braking a plate. About five minutes later his wife was returning from the larder when she suddenly fell backwards on her head. He immediately got some water and went to her, but found she was dead. He did not strike nor threaten his wife. - Evidence of the quarrel was given by deceased's mother, MRS HARRIET FISHER and by Mary Lock. The former said that when she heard the quarrel she was afraid to go into the kitchen, as her son-in-law had a fearful temper. She had never heard him threaten his wife, and they only had the usual quarrels. - Dr Crickett said the deceased suffered from Graves disease, which would have the effect of dilating the heart and the quarrel would bring on an attack of angina pectoris. This would cause her to fall suddenly. Her skull was fractured by the fall on the stone floor and this, with shock, was the cause of death. - The Coroner said the case was an unusual one and the circumstances certainly required investigation. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Tuesday 26 November 1912
EXETER HEAVITREE - Died In Her Sleep At Heavitree. - The Deputy District Coroner, Mr F. Thomas, held an Inquest last evening in the Church Rooms, Heavitree, relative to the death of SARAH HALFYARD, an aged widowed lady who resided in one of Ducke's Almshouses, Heavitree, whose death took place suddenly on Sunday. - GEORGINA HALFYARD identified the body as that of her mother, aged 72. The deceased, she said, had resided at Ducke's Almshouses for the last 12 years or so, alone. She last saw deceased alive on Saturday evening. She then seemed bright and cheerful. Her health had been good during the last 12 months, except that she had been troubled with rheumatism. She was apparently all right when witness left her. - P.C. Chilcott, stationed at Heavitree, deposed to being called by the deceased lady's son, who said that he could not get into his mother's house. Witness forced the door open and found MRS HALFYARD dead in bed, lying in a natural position. - Dr J. H. Whaite, of Heavitree, said he was called to see deceased. He had since made a post-mortem examination, and in his opinion death was due to syncope, the deceased probably died in her sleep. - The Jury, of whom Mr Bickle was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Friday 29 November 1912
EXETER - Singular Death Of A Child At Exeter. - At the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital last evening, the Deputy City Coroner (Mr W. Rackwood Cocks) conducted an Inquest relative to the death of LOUIS BOWDEN, the two-year-old son of an Upton Pyne agricultural labourer named BOWDEN. The evidence of the father and mother of deceased was to the effect that on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, MRS BOWDEN was pumping water, when the heavy handle of the pump struck the child, who was standing behind it, in the forehead, making a slight cut. The wound was treated and the child seemed to get better, but later it grew worse. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the child was attended by Dr Stokes, of Exeter, who thought its condition was not serious. Deceased's father spoke to the doctor, and told him he thought the child was more ill than he believed. - The child was brought to the Hospital on Wednesday at Dr Stokes's suggestion, but it died in the evening. - Dr Depree, Assistant House Surgeon, said the child was dangerously ill when received at the Hospital at 2.230. The forehead and eyes were swollen. He died at 5.30. A post-mortem examination revealed that death was in no way due to the accident. Deceased died of inflammation of the sac containing the heart, and there was also inflammation of the lungs. The brain was healthy. Deceased must have felt unwell for some days. - A Juryman thought Dr Stokes should have known what really was the matter. - The Deputy Coroner intimated that if the Jury wished he would adjourn the Inquest to secure the attendance of Dr Stokes. - The Jury, however, considered the evidence sufficient and returned a verdict in accordance with medical evidence.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Murder. Terrible Story Told At The Inquest. - The postponed Inquest on the body of KATE BUTLER, the woman who was murdered in King-street, Plymouth, on the 8th inst., was continued yesterday. George Cunliffe, who is alleged to have murdered her, elected not to be present. - CORDELIA GRAHAM, sister of deceased, said she was in the house with her sister about midday. A person came and told her that Cunliffe had hold of her sister by the throat. She went to the room and found the door closed. She burst it open and found deceased lying in a pool of blood. She said, "DEALIE, he's killing me." The man said, "I have done it this time." He was leaning over deceased. Witness ran out of the house to fetch the Police, and they came and arrested him. She knew that he had been living with her sister for some time. Her husband left her about six or seven years ago. He was now at Chatham. She had often heard them quarrelling. On the Friday previous he knocked her down. - P.C. Pearce said he was called to 19 King-street. Going upstairs he saw a door partly open. Entering the room he saw the deceased lying on her back on the floor with her arms extended. She was partly dressed. There was a large quantity of blood on the floor. The prisoner was lying on top of her. His arms were doubled up under him. Witness pulled Cunliffe off and then noticed that the woman's throat was terribly cut. Her breast and abdomen were also badly cut. Cunliffe immediately said, "I have done her in. Let us both die together." The woman said, "Give me a drink." - Witness then saw that the man's throat was cut. With the assistance of P.C. May and a man named Johnson, who was present, he got him into another room and bandaged the wound. P.C. May attended the injured woman, who lived about twenty minutes. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against George Cunliffe.

EXETER - The Deputy City Coroner (Mr W. R. Cocks) held an Inquest at the Exeter Police Station on Monday relative to the death of EDWIN JAMES CHARLES WALTERS, aged 4 months and 3 weeks, son of a groom of Courtney-road, St Thomas. It was found that death was caused as a consequence of the child vomiting some food.

Western Times, Tuesday 3 December 1912
WITHERIDGE - The District Coroner, Mr W. H. Gould, held an Inquest, Saturday, at Ditchett House, Witheridge, relative to the death of FRANK FROST. - HARRIETT MARTIN MAIRE wife of Amos Maire, miller of Witheridge, said deceased was her late brother and was aged 56 years. He had resided with her and had no occupation. She last saw him alive on Thursday last at about 5.30 when he left the house. Ernest Hill, butcher, of Witheridge, said that at about 8 p.m. the same night he found the deceased lying on the ground in Church-street, in the village. He was insensible and died almost immediately. Dr Brown, Witheridge, said a post-mortem examination showed death was due to apoplexy. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Wednesday 4 December 1912
EXETER - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the City Police Station yesterday, relative to the death of the ten weeks' old child of MR and MRS PIKE, of Mary Arches-street, Exeter. D r Pereira said death was due to debility and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 6 December 1912
NEWTON ABBOT - "Cruel And Heartless". Censure By A Newton Abbot Jury. A Chudleigh Case. - Mr S. Hacker, (County Coroner) conducted an Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday, on an infant child. - BESSIE HAMMACOTT, married woman, a laundress, of Clifford-street, Chudleigh, said the mother of the child was ROSE HAMMACOTT, her niece, who was 24 years of age. On Monday her niece complained of a headache, and went to lie down about midday. She heard groaning and told her daughter her niece would have to go to Newton Workhouse. - The Coroner: Why did you bring a woman in her condition in a cab that journey at nine o'clock at night? - I was under the impression she would have reached Newton all right. She added that her husband saw the doctor on Monday night, and he said that if the nurse thought the woman could be removed to Newton Abbot that was sufficient. - What reason had you for removing her, instead of letting her stay there the night? - I had no preparations whatever. The child was born on the way to Newton. - The Coroner: You have a nurse and doctor in the town - what else do you want? - You could have let her stay at home. Instead of that you put this woman in a cab and took her a journey of six miles. What do you say to that; How do you justify it? - I thought she would reach the Workhouse all right. - The Coroner: That will do. I may want you later. - Dr J. J. Scrase said he saw the body of the child that morning, and made a post-mortem examination. There were no signs of violence and no indications that the child had breathed. - In reply to a question by the Coroner, Dr Scrase said the child might have been sat on or smothered or prevented from breathing. - Miss R. Wilson, District Nurse, Chudleigh, said when she was called on Monday she told the people that under the rules of the Association she was unable to attend the case without a doctor and she advised the uncle to see a doctor. The uncle told her the doctor was coming. - The Coroner: Did you advise her to be removed? - Yes. - Under the circumstances I said she should see the doctor first, but she did not see the doctor. - The Coroner: Do you think it was the proper thing to do? - Yes, certainly I do. It is not an unusual thing to send such a case to the Hospital. - "What, in a cab?" queried the Coroner. - "Yes," was the reply. "I have done it before." - "Where?" asked the Coroner. - "In London," said Miss Wilson. - "But that would not be such a long journey," said the Coroner. - Miss Wilsons aid she sent a message to Dr Walters, but she had since learned that her message had not been correctly given. Dr Walters was told the woman was fit to be removed, so that was why he did not see her, but telephoned to Newton Abbot. Witness, however, did not send that message. - In his summing up, the Coroner said the circumstances disclosed that there had been some irregularity, or some great mistake. He thought a serious error had been committed by Miss Wilson, and he did not see any excuse for her giving the advice she did. It was not in accordance with humanity to send the woman rattling over stones in a cab when she had a place to rest and where a nurse and doctor could be found for her. - The Jury retired and on their return the Foreman said they agreed with the doctor's evidence. They would, however, like to add a rider that they considered it was cruel and heartless conduct on the part of those responsible for removing the woman to Newton, more especially on the part of the nurse, who refused to undertake the case, as she was not allowed to do so according to the rules of her Association, and then advised MRS HAMMACOTT to remove her, before a doctor had been to see her.

TOTNES - Sudden Death At Totnes. Obligation Of Medical Men To Attend Cases. - At Totnes Guildhall, Wednesday afternoon, Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of RICHARD FREDERICK PROUT, labourer, of Ticklemore-street. The deceased's widow said he was 56 years of age, and had suffered from whooping cough for three months. On Monday night he appeared distressed, being unable to breathe. Her son-in-law went for the doctor, and while he was away her husband died in her arms. - Isaac Edward Terry stated that both Dr Gibson and Dr Jellicoe refused to come and see the deceased. He did not know that they could have saved him if they had. - Dr Gibson said he had occasionally attended the deceased, but kept no record of his visits. It was possible, but not probable, that he had whooping cough, but he considered the cough was due to an aneurism, the rupture of which caused death. When the last witness came to him he had company, and did not wish to go. - The Coroner observed that it was unfortunate that a doctor could not be obtained, but there was no legal compulsion on a medical man to attend unless he had contracted to do so, and he supposed if medical aid had been available, it would not have saved the deceased. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and the doctor and Jury gave the widow their fees.

Western Times, Wednesday 11 December 1912
EXMOUTH - Heart Failure. Sudden Death Of R.N.R. Pensioner At Exmouth. - Mr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for the District, held an Inquest at the Temperance Hall, Exmouth, yesterday, on the body of JOHN YEO, aged 71, who died suddenly the previous night at the Sailors' Rest. Mr F. Tucker was Foreman of the Jury. - ELIAS YEO, son, identified the body, and said he last saw his father alive on Saturday. He was then in his usual health, except that he complained of his food disagreeing with him. His father had been a sailor in the Merchant Service, and was a R.N.R. pensioner, and had lived alone at No. 3 New-street, since his wife died about eight years ago. - William Staddon, labourer, a member of the Sailors' Rest Club, said he saw deceased come into the Sailors' Rest at about 8.15 on Monday evening. He did not speak, but nodded and smiled to some of the members as usual. He was rather deaf, and did not talk much. MR YEO was watching a game of billiards, when witness saw him fall flat on his face. Witness and others at once went to his assistance and lifted him on a chair, but he was dead. A doctor was at once called. - Philip Quenault, caretaker of the Sailors' Rest, corroborated. - Dr Hanna said death in his opinion, was due to heart failure. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Friday 13 December 1912
BARNSTAPLE - Distressing Fatality. Young Lady Thrown From Her Horse And Killed At Barnstaple. - A distressingly sad fatality occurred at Barnstaple yesterday afternoon, a young lady meeting her death as the result of being thrown from her horse. - MISS HILDA VIOLET PITTS-TUCKER, aged 14, daughter of MR and MRS W. E. PITTS-TUCKER, of Bickington, near Barnstaple, was riding down the Landkey-road, when, it is believed, her horse was startled and bolted. It galloped through Newport and on entering Litchdon-street, near the North Devon Infirmary, the animal swerved, throwing its rider violently to the ground. - Assistance was promptly at hand from people in the vicinity and MISS PITTS-TUCKER was taken into the Infirmary, where it was found she had fractured her skull. She died some ten minutes after her admission to the Institution. - The sad affair created quite a painful sensation in the town, the PITTS-TUCKER family being well-known and greatly esteemed through the district. - Mr Bencraft, Borough Coroner, held the Inquest at the North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, last evening. - Mr A. F. Seldon identified the body. - Thomas Lemon said whilst he was at the attic window of his house at the top of Newport, he heard the galloping of a horse, which was evidently going at a very fast pace. He thought the animal had run away and watched it for some time. He noticed that the young lady rider, whom he did not know, had a rein in each hand, and was managing as best she could to keep the animal clear of the traffic. He thought the horse was out of control, but the young lady looked perfectly at east in the saddle, and seemed to have her nerve. - George Harding, park constable, said he noticed the horse galloping along by the park, but did not think it was running away. He saw the young lady give an extra pull at the reins, but the horse went on just the same. When near the Infirmary a cab stopped and the horse swerved round, MISS PITTS-TUCKER being thrown off. - Reggie Webber, the driver of the cab referred to, said MISS PITTS-TUCKER looked to him to be quite exhausted and appeared to have dropped the reins. He had seen her riding on previous occasions, and she always seemed to have control of her horse. - Mr Seldon said he was told MR PITTS-TUCKER bought the horse about a month ago, but it was a quiet animal. - Dr Melrose, House Surgeon at the North Devon Infirmary, said death was due to the fracture of the base of the skull. It was a hopeless case from the first. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the relatives, in which the Coroner concurred.

Western Times, Tuesday 17 December 1912
DARTMOUTH - On Sunday the death occurred at Dartmouth of MRS BESSIE PRETTYJOHNS, aged 51, wife of HARRY PRETTYJOHNS, coal lumper, of 5 Oxford-street. Deceased had been ill for some time, but refused to have a doctor. On Sunday morning her daughter found her in a very weak state at about half-past eight o'clock, and a doctor was sent for, but before he could arrive the invalid had passed away. The Coroner was communicated with and an Inquest was held this afternoon, when the medical evidence showed that death was due to Natural Causes.

TEIGNMOUTH - Painful Case. Inquest On Child's Sad Death At Teignmouth. - Last evening in the Council Chamber Town Hall, Teignmouth, Mr Sidney Hacker, (Coroner) conducted an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of the two-year-old child of MR WILLIAM JOSLIN, of 2 First Avenue, Lower Bitton. - ROSA JOSLIN, stepmother of the child, said on Saturday evening she went into the scullery for the purpose of getting some hot water from the copper and there being a knock at the front door, she placed the bowl of water on the floor. The child was standing near the scullery door. When she returned from answering the front door she found the bowl turned over and all the water about the floor, she concluding that she had upset it in her hurry to answer the door. The child was still near the scullery door and was crying a little, but witness did not think there was anything the matter with her. She did not notice the child was wet, and had no idea she had been scalded. Whilst undressing the child about a quarter of an hour later, she noticed that she was wet and that the skin was coming off the lower part of the child's body. She thought the child had rubbed herself when sitting down. - MR JOSLIN got some carron oil from the chemist's, which she put on some linen and wrapped the child up and put her to bed. As she was blistered the next morning witness took her to the doctor. He told her to go on dressing the place with oil, and he would call the next day. On Sunday evening about 5.30 the child had a convulsion and died about 9.15. - WILLIAM JOHN JOSLIN, the father, said he had had six children by his former wife, but all had died at a tender age. Asked why he did not fetch a doctor at first, witness said it was only a little place and he did not think it necessary. - Dr F. C. H. Piggott said when the child was brought to him it had a scald on the lower part of the back, and also on the buttocks. He should say the child sat back in the bowl of water. The cause of death was convulsions, following a scald. Witness added that the child's mother died of consumption. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The Coroner mentioned that it was not a very prudent thing to do to put a bowl of boiling water where a child was standing.

Western Times, Wednesday 18 December 1912
BURLESCOMBE - "Two Dreadful Nights." Tragic Death Of A Naval Pensioner At Westleigh. - "I have had two dreadful nights of it, and I cannot stand it any more," wrote a Naval Pensioner, named GEORGE ALFRED APPLEYARD, aged 74, to his married daughter before committing suicide in the Grand Western Canal, near Westleigh, Burlescombe, on Monday. The Inquest into the sad occurrence was conducted at the "Royal Oak," Westleigh, yesterday, by Mr Henry W. Gould, the County Coroner. - MRS FLORENCE MAUD BARNETT, of Golders Green, London, daughter of the deceased, said her father was formerly in the Royal Navy, from which he drew a pension. - The Coroner: You know nothing of the facts leading up to his death? - Witness: I know he was ill and the death of my husband last June upset him very much. She added that his ill-health preyed on his mind. He lived alone at Westleigh. - Mary Coppin, wife of a Westleigh quarryman, said the previous day at 9.45 she was going to Sampford Peverell along the Canal banks. This side of Westcott Bridge she saw a piece of brown paper with a man's umbrella and grey felt hat. thinking it rather strange she looked in the Canal and over the bridge, but seeing nothing she went on her way and met a Constable, whom she informed of the circumstances. She did not notice a postcard inside the hat. - The Coroner: Written in French, I see. - MRS BARNETT: It is from my sister I think. - James Snow, farmer, Westleigh, who knew the deceased, stated he last saw him alive on Monday at a quarter to ten, close to his farm. He noticed he had a parcel under his arm. He thought he was a bit quiet, but beyond that discerned nothing unusual about him. - P.C. Searle, of Burlescombe, said he went to the spot indicated by Mrs Coppin, and saw the body of deceased in the water, near the opposite side of the towpath. He recovered it by means of a large hook. Tied around the deceased's neck with a slip-knot was a bag containing two large stones. He took the rope off and tried artificial respiration, but the man was quite dead. All he found on the body when he searched it was the key of deceased's front door. At his home he found a letter on the table and also the address of his daughter. - The letter was ready by the Coroner as follows: - "My dear old Queen, - In my cash-box there are full instructions for you. I have had two dreadful nights of it, and I cannot stand any more. Friday night was bad enough, but the past night has been the worse. Dr Macdonald has done all he can do for me, but at my age of 75 I cannot be cured. To say I am in a normal state of mind would be a lie. " - Dr Macdonald told the Coroner that the body presented the usual appearance of death by drowning. He had attended deceased since the beginning of July. He was not suffering from any incurable complaint, but a very intractable one. It was nothing of a serious nature, bleeding at the nose being the worst symptom. It had evidently preyed upon his mind very much and caused depression, although when witness saw him a fortnight ago he was quite cheerful. - The Coroner, summing up, said the letter clearly indicated that deceased intended to take his life. The fact that the stones were tied around his neck showed that it was a deliberate attempt at suicide. The real question the Jury had to consider was the state of his mind at the time, and he thought they would have little difficulty in coming to the conclusion that he was not in his right mind. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Times, Thursday 19 December 1912
KNOWSTONE - Fatally Gored By A Bull At Knowstone. - EDWIN TIDBALL, farmer, 43, on Sunday was attending to a bull when the animal turned on him, tossed him and gored him when on the ground. He died as the result of the injuries on Tuesday. At the Inquest conducted yesterday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, Robert Blake, farmer, who saw the accident, said he beat the bull off with a stick as soon as he could and carried MR TIDBALL into the farm. THOMAS TIDBALL, brother, said he usually attended to the bull and never knew it to turn on anyone before. - Dr M. Brown said deceased had four ribs broken and the heart was injured. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX - Devon Aviator's Fate. Inquest Held At Wembley: Tribute To The Deceased. - The Inquest was held at Wembley yesterday on LIEUTENANT WILFRED PARKE, R.N., of Uplyme, East Devon, and Mr A. Hardwicke, manager of the Handley Page Aeroplane Co., who lost their lives through an accident to a monoplane. LIEUTENANT PARKE was an officer of the Naval wing of the Royal Flying Corps, and Mr Hardwicke, a passenger. - Mr Wood, speaking on behalf of the Lords of the Admiralty, said he was desired to express their Lordships' sincere regret at the fatality. At such a time little could be said that would prove of any consolation but that the Admiralty recognised that, in a Corps especially distinguished for its bravery and daring, there was none who was the equal, in these qualities, of LIEUTENANT PARKE. - Dr Goddard said the death of LIEUTENANT PARKE was instantaneous and Mr Hardwicke lived a few seconds only. - The Jury returned a verdict that death was due to the Accidental Fall of the Aeroplane, and attached a rider that officers on leave should not be permitted to make experimental flights without permission of the authorities.

CROYDE - The Sudden Death Of A North Devon Farmer. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest conducted by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, at Home Farm, Croyde, on the body of WILLIAM WHITE, farmer, aged 71, who died suddenly on Monday afternoon. - William Lock stated that he and Mr Symons, a butcher, were engaged in tying up straw in MR WHITE'S barn on Monday afternoon. Deceased appeared then to be quite well, and worked without any effort. About 4.30 Mr Symons and himself left with a load of straw, and on returning again about a quarter of an hour later, they found MR WHITE lying on his face and hands on the floor, just breathing. He died within a few minutes. He had not complained of feeling unwell. - Dr W. J. Harper spoke to making a post-mortem examination of the body and stated that in his opinion death was due to heart failure, from fatty degeneration of the heart. - The Jury returned a verdict as stated, and expressed sympathy with the family in their bereavement.

Western Times, Monday 23 December 1912
VENN OTTERY - East Devon Tragedy. A Young Farmer Found Shot At Venn Ottery. - Late on Thursday night, MR T. BURGOYNE, farmer, of Venn Ottery, who had been missed during the afternoon was found dead in a linhay on his farm with a gun-shot wound in his head. A gun was lying by his side. P.C. Pook, of Newton Poppleford, who was immediately fetched, had the body removed to the farmhouse, where it was seen by Dr Pullin, of Sidmouth, who certified that MR BURGOYNE had been dead for several hours. Deceased, who was 35 years of age, was unmarried and was formerly a sergeant in the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry. - It appears that MR BURGOYNE, who was very popular in the district, had been out rabbiting with some friends during Thursday afternoon, and he is said to have been in his usual spirits. At any rate, nothing transpired to led his companions to think that he was troubled in his mind. The fact that he did not return to the house after the rabbiting did not at first arouse any suspicion. As the evening advanced, however, and no tidings of MR BURGOYNE had been heard, his aged mother and sister became alarmed and a search party was organized. Late in the evening a lad engaged on the farm found the deceased in the loft of an out-building, half buried in straw. The head was much disfigured from a wound which had evidently been caused by a shot from the gun, which was a double-barrelled sporting one, and in which was found an empty cartridge. Much sympathy is felt for the family, and especially with MRS BURGOYNE, who is advanced in years. - The Inquest. - Dr E. R. Tweed (Coroner for the District) held the Inquest at Elliot's Farm, Venn Ottery, on Saturday afternoon, relative to the death of MR THOMAS BURGOIN, farmer. - MR J. BURGOIN, brother of deceased, identified the body, and said deceased about a fortnight ago met with a slight accident and had been depressed since and unable to sleep at night. - EDITH BURGOIN, sister of deceased, said her brother had a cup of coffee just after ten on Thursday morning and went out. She did not see him alive again, as she went to Sidmouth and did not return home until about 4 p.m. Her mother told her that deceased had gone out rabbiting at 2 p.m., but she did not know whether he went by himself. As he did not return up to 6 p.m., they searched for him, and eventually about 9.45 p.m., the body was discovered in a loft by Henry Channon, a farm labourer in deceased's employ. - Henry Channon said that on Thursday morning, about 10.30, deceased told him to do some work on the farm. He did not see him again alive. Eventually they searched the farm, and about 9.45 p.m. witness discovered the body in a loft in the farm-yard. It was partly hidden by straw and witness did not see it until he was close upon the body. There was a gunshot wound in the left eye and blood on the face and collar. The gun was held in his left hand, with the butt on the ground, while in his right hand deceased had a small stick - P.C. Pook, Newton Poppleford, deposed to visiting the loft in company of Dr Pullin and P.S. Hambly. There was a gunshot wound right through the left eye, the shot having evidently gone out at the back of the head. There was one empty cartridge in the gun, while the left barrel was filled with congealed blood. They found nothing that would throw any light on the tragedy. - Dr Pullin described the injuries and said the left eye was gone, the cheek burnt, the brain cavity was empty and the whole of the skull was fractured. Death must have been instantaneous and the wound self-inflicted. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

SIDMOUTH - Old Lady's Fatal Fall At Sidmouth. - At Sidmouth yesterday morning, Coroner C. L. Tweed conducted an Inquest on the body of an aged lady named ROBERTS, widow of the late JOHN ROBERTS, farm bailiff. Deceased, who was 80 years of age, had resided at Sidmouth with her son, MR WALTER ROBERTS. - MRS JULIA ROBERTS, daughter-in-law, in giving evidence, stated that on Tuesday evening last, after supper, deceased expressed her intention of retiring to bed. She was apparently in her usual health. A few minutes later, on hearing a noise she went out in the passage to see what was the matter and found deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs, down which she had apparently fallen. Witness at once sent for a doctor. On the arrival of Dr Colelough deceased was taken to her room, when it was found she had broken her collar-bone. - Dr Colclough, in giving evidence, stated that on the evening of the accident he was called and on arriving at the house found deceased lying in the passage at the bottom of the stairs. She was quite conscious. With the help of MR ROBERTS she was taken to her room, where he examined her and found that her collar-bone was very badly broken, three ribs being also broken. Witness added that on being questioned as to what had happened, deceased said that on going upstairs she felt giddy, and tried to catch hold of the bannister, but failed, after which she remembered nothing further until she found herself at the bottom of the stairs. Witness further stated that he attended deceased after the accident until Saturday evening, when death took place. He attributed death to inflammation of the lungs and shock, caused by the injuries sustained by the fall. A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 28 December 1912
HOLSWORTHY - Moor Tragedy. Sad Story Told At Inquest At Holsworthy. A Mother's Heroism. - A pathetic story of a tragedy on a lonely moor about three miles from Holsworthy, which occurred at a gipsy encampment on Christmas Eve, and of a mother's heroism in a terrible situation, was told at an Inquest held at the Holsworthy Workhouse by the Coroner for the District (Mr J. D. Prickman) yesterday. - The Inquiry was into the deaths of two gipsy children, JAMES and THOMAS GRIGGS, sons of JOSEPH and DAISY GRIGGS, who succumbed from shocking burns sustained in a tent fire. - The mother of the children, DAISY GRIGGS, the first witness, was in a state of great distress. She told the Coroner that she was married ten years ago at Withycombe Church, Exmouth. There were five children, the two deceased, JAMES and THOMAS being aged respectively five years and three years. They had for the past fortnight been encamped at Burnard's House, Pancrassweek, having come from Sheepwash. They had a small van and one horse and a tent eight feet high and about ten feet square. On Tuesday evening about eight o'clock, she was alone at the camp with her children, her husband being away. She had put one child to bed and the rest had their shoes off. Three were sitting on the bed and the baby was on witness's arm. There was a small stove in the tent and witness was cooking a saucepan of potatoes for supper. She was sitting by the stove and holding the infant child, and looking up she suddenly saw that the top of the tent was on fire. In less than two minutes the whole tent was burnt to the ground. She had no idea how it caught, but the pipe from the stove, which was a coal fuel one, ran out through the side of the tent. She had used the stove over two years, and the sheet iron chimney was new twelve months ago. It was a rough night and the wind was blowing right into the mouth of the tent. Usually the tents were pitched with the wind at the rear, but it had veered round. In a moment the whole tent was in flames, which were fanned by the wind. There was also some loose straw in the tent. She saw she could no nothing to put out the fire, as the canvas was oiled and she threw her youngest child out of the tent. She then caught up "little JIMMY" from the bed, which was about ten feet from the stove, and carried him outside. His shirt was alight and she stripped that off and ran back and picked up "TOMMY," whose coat was ignited. She put out the flames with her hands and took him also outside. The little girl ran out meanwhile. The ten collapsed directly the children were out. Witness knelt down between the shafts of the cart by her two boys, who were burnt and while there, Mrs Lile, who lives in a cottage a hundred yards away, came to her assistance, she having seen the fire. The children were all carried away to the cottage, and witness rubbed in all she could to those who were injured to allay their suffering. The doctor was sent for and the children were conveyed to the Workhouse Infirmary at Holsworthy, about 4 o'clock in the morning. The children were then all alive. - Mrs Elizabeth Lyle, a widow, who lives at Week Stone, Pancrassweek, close by the encampment, said she had known the GRIGGS family about twelve months as they frequently camped on Burnard's Farm, by permission of Mr Penwarden. On Tuesday night witness' daughter saw the reflection of a fire as she was going milking and told her the tent was on fire. Going out she saw the tent all ablaze and running to the spot she saw MRS GRIGGS kneeling between the shafts of the wagon. They both screamed for help, but the nearest house was a quarter of a mile away, and, owing to the high wind, they could make no one hear. The tent fell in, in a mass of flame. They carried the children to witness's house, and shortly afterwards young Mr Bowden, of Deryl Farm, passed on his way to the Christmas carol singing. She told him what had happened and he went off at once for a doctor. - Dr R. Gill, locum tenens for Dr E. O. Kingdon, of Holsworthy, said he went to Mrs Lyle's house and saw the children. JAMES was huddled up under some clothes, on a sofa. He was practically scorched all over the face, head and body, with the exception of his back and was suffering from severe shock. In the case of TOMMY, he was burned about both legs, arms and neck, and was crying. He seemed to be suffering more pain than the other. The children were conveyed to Holsworthy Workhouse in the early morning and Dr Gray, Deputy Medical Officer, took charge of the case. - Dr W. G. Gray, Deputy Medical Officer of the Workhouse, said he saw the child JAMES about seven o'clock on Wednesday morning. He was beyond recovery and died a few hours later. THOMAS died twenty-four hours later. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said that LOUISA, the other child in the Infirmary, was also much burned. She rallied a little that (Friday) morning, but she was still in a very serious condition. - Dr Gray, at the conclusion of his evidence, said he desired to pay a tribute to the great care and attention paid to the children by the officials of the Workhouse. The Master and Matron, the Assistant Matron and the nurse had done all they could for them, and if the children had been those of the highest in the land they could not have been treated better. - The Jury showed their approval of the Doctor's tribute. - The father was not sworn, but in answer to the Coroner, he said at the time of the tragedy he was in Holsworthy on business. He had been accustomed to camping out all his life and had never had an accident by fire before. He thought the likely explanation was a spark from the chimney. - The Coroner, in addressing the Jury, said they had listened to a graphic picture of a sad tragedy, and it required no words to be added to describe the pathetic scene which must have been enacted on this lonely moor. - There was the mother with her children, and in an infinite small space of time the whole home was destroyed, the belongings burned, and nearly the whole family wiped out. Two children had died, another was lying in a critical condition, and, in fact, the whole of them were still suffering. It was impossible to say how it happened, because nobody saw the actual outbreak, but most probably in the gale, a "blunk" of fire blew out of the chimney on to the tent. They had to picture to themselves a gale of wind, a dark night, a single ten, the woman left alone, and the whole scene one of desolation and tragedy. The story had been clearly told by the mother, and he thought a very proper tribute had been paid to the kindness of the neighbours, and, indeed, to everyone concerned. They would agree that everything a mother could do was done by this poor woman; everything that a neighbour could do was done by Mrs Lyle, and everything that medial skill and attention could do by the doctors and the officials of the Workhouse was done. All the Jury could do was to record their verdict that death arose from burning accidentally caused. He could only repeat what Dr Gray had said of the officials at that Workhouse and it was a matter of notoriety that anyone was sure to get careful attention there. - In returning the Jury's verdict of "Death by Accidental Burning," the Foreman, (Mr Alfred Yeo) said they wished to express their sympathy with the parents and their appreciation of the heroic way in which the mother tried to save her children. They also recognised the kind way Mrs Lyle received them and the officials of the Workhouse were deserving of great thanks. They were unanimous in giving their fees to the parents to enable them to get another tent, and if the fees were not sufficient, they would subscribe the balance, so that they might get a home over their heads again. - The Coroner, on behalf of the parents, thanked the Jury, and also spoke in terms of praise of the conduct of the Police. The only consoling fact in the terrible tragedy was that everything possible was done to alleviate suffering. - Funeral Of The Victims. Painful Scene Witness At The Graveside. - The funeral of the little victims took place yesterday at Holsworthy in the presence of a large gathering. A number of gipsies attended, as well as sympathising townspeople. The ceremony conducted by the Rector (Rev. T. S. Kendall) was simple and impressive. The bodies of the children were enclosed in separate coffins, but were deposited in the same grave. The unhappy mother was still in a state of great mental distress and at the graveside a painful scene was witnessed. The mother, overcome with grief and despair, made a frantic attempt to follow her children into the grave after the coffins had been lowered, and it was only by the combined efforts of a number of friends and bystanders that she was restrained. After a struggle she collapsed and was carried by the Matron and Assistant Matron of the Workhouse (Mrs Bennett and Mrs Carpenter) and Police-Sergeant Tooze, to a house near by. A simple breast plate rested on each coffin, and on each also was placed by the Workhouse officials, a bunch of white flowers, bearing suitable texts. One was "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven. - R.I.P." On the other were the words, "Christ took them up in His arms and blessed them," and "He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. - R.I.P."

AXMINSTER - Fatal Accident. Inquest On Farm Lad's Death At Axminster. - Dr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest at Weycroft Farm, Axminster, yesterday, relative to the death of SIDNEY DENNIS DENSELOW, aged 18, of Chardstock. - Mr M. J. T. DENSELOW, father, identified the body and said deceased was in perfect health when he left home to go to his work about 8.30 in the morning. - Henry Maidment, bailiff in the employ of Mr Cyril Holmes, occupier of the farm, said deceased arrived at work about 9 a.m., on the day in question, about three hours late. As a matter of fact witness did not expect him to come at all that day, as deceased's brother was going to be married in the afternoon. He asked deceased if he wanted to be off and he replied that he should like to get off in the afternoon, and witness told him he could. He told deceased to turn out some turnips. He took the horse and cart, but did not use reins. This was his usual custom. When he first came to the farm witness told deceased he ought to use reins, but deceased replied that it was not usual to use reins in that part of the country on farm work. About two and a half hours after deceased had gone to work witness went to see if anything was the matter as he was rather a long time. He found the horse standing near the gate in the second field, quite quiet and in the same field about 250 yards away he found deceased lying on his back, apparently dead. There were no signs of a struggle. The only reasonable explanation he could give of the accident was that deceased was standing up in the cart, which was slippery and that, as was his usual custom he was calling to the horse to turn round, and while the animal was doing so, probably one of the wheels skidded, and with the heavy wind blowing, deceased might have lost his balance and tumbled over on to his head. The wind at times that day was strong enough to blow a man off his feet. The horse deceased was working with was quiet. - Mr C. Holmes said deceased had been in his employ for about eight months and was a very quiet and sober lad. He corroborated the last witness's evidence. - Dr Langran said he examined deceased and found no scalp wounds, but the neck was broken and the skull fractured internally. Death must have been instantaneous. The injury might have been caused by such an accident as that described by the previous witnesses. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER HEAVITREE - The Sudden Death In An Exeter Tramcar. - The District Coroner, Mr Henry W. Gould, held an Inquest at the Heavitree Council Offices, yesterday, relative to the death of ELIZABETH EASTERBROOK, aged 69, who expired suddenly in a tramcar on Christmas Eve. Mr H. C. Bartlett, manager of the Exeter Corporation Tramways was present. - Fred Charles Lamacraft, tram conductor, said deceased got on his car at the Guildhall. When near Liverydole-terrace, a lady informed him from the inside of the car that a passenger seemed to be in a fainting condition. He immediately went in and noticing that deceased was unwell, fetched a glass of water. He damped her forehead and lips with the water and this seemed to revive her but he asked the driver to drive on to the nearest doctor. The car stopped outside the residence of Dr Wolfe, who immediately came out and said MISS EASTERBROOK was dead. They went on to the Horse and Groom and deceased was taken from the car. - Dr J. F. Wolfe said death was due to heart disease and the Jury, of whom Mr Stone was Foreman, returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Tuesday 31 December 1912
PLYMOUTH - Sad Plymouth Fatality. - The distressing fatality at Plymouth on Saturday afternoon formed the subject of an Inquiry by Mr R. B Johns, at the Homeopathic Hospital yesterday, when an Inquest was held upon the body of EVELYN JOYCE DAVIS, aged six years, the daughter of GEORGE DAVIS, labourer, of 21 Rendle-street. - The father stated that he and his daughter went to Madeira-road, and when near the Corinthian Yacht Club she asked to be placed on the wall so that she could see the wrecks at Batten. He did so, keeping her in position with hands, but on his turning round the child must also have moved, for she slipped from his grasp and fell into the water below. - Alfred Hostler, a corporal in the R.E., stationed at Elphinstone Barracks, stated that he saw somebody waving his hands and shouting for help. He at once jumped over the wall and went down the rocks to the water, where the deceased was being washed by a heavy swell. With the assistance of a cook's mate he got the body on the rocks, where artificial respiration was resorted to for some time. - Dr Hardwick said the child when admitted was suffering from concussion and shock through having been in the water. She had two deep scalp wounds, one on the forehead and the other on the back of the head. She died about an hour and a half later from the effects of the concussion. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - The Coroner and the Jury commended Corporal Hostler for the services he rendered. - The Foreman thought the girl's father should have exercised more care after he had placed her on the wall.