Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

1922

Taken from the Western Times 
and the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[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:-  Algar; Allert; Andrews; Angleis; Atlay; Bagwell; Bailey; Baird; Baker(3); Barrington; Bastard; Beal; Beard; Beer; Bennett; Bewes; Bickley; Black; Blackmore(3); Bond; Bowman; Branton; Bright; Brock; Brooks(2); Brown(2); Bullen; Burch; Burridge; Burrow; Cann; Carn-Duff; Carpenter; Caunter; Channings; Channon; Chapman; Chorley; Clarke; Cobbledick; Cocking; Cockram; Cockrem; Cole; Coles; Compodonico; Copp; Cornish(2); Couzens; Cox; Crocker; Crook; Dare; Darling; Dashper; Davey(2); Davis; Daw; Day; De Caen; Derham; Drew; Duncan; Dunn; Dymond(2); Edwards; Ellis; Ensor; Evans(3) Farleigh; Farnham; Ferris; Franklin; Gale; Geldart; Gilbert; Giles; Godfrey; Grant; Gregory; Grenney; Gribble; Gunn; Hamlyn; Hansford; Harding; Harvey; Hatler; Hawkins; Hill; Hockridge; Holley; Howard; Hubbard; Hutchings(2); Hutter; James; Jeffery; Johnson; Jordan; Judd; Kaveth; Keen; Kenny; Kershaw; Kiff; Kingdon(2); Knott; Langman; Leighton; Lendon; Lewis; Luscombe; Luxton; Lyne; Madge; Mare; Marks; Martin; Michell; Milford; Milton; Mitchell; Morgan; Moriarty; Newcombe; O'Neill; Parnell; Parsons; Partridge; Passmore; Payne; Pearce; Pendrick; Pepperell; Power; Prouse; Pugsley; Pym; Raddon; Ralph; Reddaway; Restorick; Richards(2); Rooke; Rugg; Rundle; Russell; Sanders; Sandford; Sellick; Shellabear; Shepherd; Sherman; Sleep; Smale; Smelt; Smith(2); Snell; Soper; Squire(2); Steer; Stone; Stoneman; Tapley; Taylor(2); Thomas; Todd; Tolman; Towell; Tregale; Trivett; Tucker(2); Vaughan; Walker; Ward; Warren; Watson; Way; Weaver(2); Webber; Welch; Wensley; West(2); Wheeler; White; Whitton; Willcocks; Willis; Wills; Wood; Woodgates; Wooldridge; Wyatt; Zimber.

Western Times, Monday 2 January 1922
TAVISTOCK - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by Mr R. R. Rodd, at Tavistock on Saturday, at the Inquest held on JAMES WARREN PEARCE, 73, who was found dead in bed by his son on Friday morning. Dr G. H. S. Hillyar said death was due to extensive valvular disease of the heart. There were no marks on the body. Deceased was a cabinet maker and china merchant.

Western Times, Tuesday 3 January 1922
NEWTON ABBOT - Fatality at Newton Fall From Third Floor Window At The Institution. - A fatal fall of 35 feet by an inmate of unsound mind at Newton Institution on Sunday was the subject of an Inquest held at Newton Abbot yesterday by Mr S. Hacker, Coroner. Deceased was MARGARET SMITH, aged 59, who had resided at Torquay. - The acting Master of the Institution, Mr P. Bartle, stated that deceased had frequently been admitted to the House. The last occasion was on September 19th, when she was taken in as an ordinary inmate, but she was certified as being of unsound mind on October 5th. She generally seemed most contented. She was placed in a ward on the second storey, to which there were three windows, the sills being 3 feet from the floor. - Dorothy Hall, night nurse in the lunacy Ward, said deceased was sometimes a little quarrelsome, but nothing more. At 7 a.m., on Sunday deceased wished witness the compliments of the season and the nurse then left her to finish dressing and came down to the dining hall as usual. At the time, there was another patient, who was asleep, in the ward. - The Coroner pointed out that a pillow was found on the ground by the side of deceased, and he enquired if it was possible for SMITH to have pushed it so far forward on the window sill that she fell out in attempting to get it. - The nurse said it would be very difficult. - Olive Marsh, an inmate of the Institution, said about 7.45 a.m. she found deceased lying on the pathway beneath the window, with the pillow a short distance from her. - Dr Scrase said deceased was incapable of taking care of herself and was irresponsible. She showed no signs of violence and had no delusions. Neither had he any reason to suppose that she had suicidal tendencies. When he saw her yesterday morning she was unconscious and had a wound at the back of her head. She died at 11 a.m. from fracture of the skull. He considered deceased had fallen out of the window in attempting to get at the pillow. - The Coroner said there were no bars to the window and the provision of these was a precaution that might reasonably be taken. - Dr Scrase said he imagined that after this experience bars would be placed to all the windows. Patients with suicidal tendencies were not kept at the Institution. - The Coroner found that deceased died as the result of a fall from the window.

Western Times, Tuesday 3 January 1922
EXETER - Baby's Death In An Exeter Train. - An Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of LESLIE THOMAS FERRIS, aged seven months, of Gillingham, Kent, was held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. - Chief Engine-room Artificer, J. H. FERRIS, stationed at Chatham, said his son had been under the doctor since birth and his wife had left Gillingham for Exmouth, where she intended to reside, on account of the child's health. Deceased had two or three fits during the journey and it died just after leaving Sidmouth Junction. MRS L. FERRIS, 19 Waverley-road, Exmouth, said she had nursed the child for about six weeks, since which period, acting on the doctor's instructions, she had artificially fed him. Dr J. Pereira-Gray attributed the cause of death to convulsions, due to malnutrition. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Natural Causes," expressed his sympathy with the parents.

Western Times, Wednesday 4 January 1922
SEATON AND BEER - Deceased Believed He Was Being Shadowed. After-War Effects. - The Inquest on FRANCIS BERNARD RESTORICK, 32, of Beer, a carpenter's assistant, who had previously been a clerk in the Post Office at Lyme Regis, and who fell over the White-cliff, 300 ft. above the sea level, between Beer and Seaton, on Monday, was held at Beer yesterday. The widow was too prostrated with grief to attend. - Deceased's brother, ALGERNON VICTOR RESTORICK, stated that deceased joined the Army on August 4th, 1914, and was discharged, but joined again under the Derby scheme. In France he underwent an operation and was afterwards finally discharged. At times he was strange in his manner. In June last he attempted to take his life by cutting his throat, and was sent to the Infirmary at Axminster. His pension was stopped while he was in Lyme Regis, but about ten weeks ago he went to a Medical Board, who awarded him a full pension and certified him to be suffering from neurasthenia. - Mr A. J. Edwards Relieving Officer, Axminster Union, stated that on November 12th last he received a notice from the Ministry of Pensions requesting him to take action under Section 13 of the lunacy Act, 1890. Deceased was certified as suffering from delusional insanity, as unfit to be at large and dangerous to others. Witness thereupon reported the case to a magistrate and obtained two medical certificates, both dated November 15th, from Dr Tonge and Dr Kirkman. These were read by the coroner. Dr Tonge reported that he was strongly of opinion that it was not a case for the Asylum. Dr Kirkman reported that notwithstanding statements made by certain relatives regarding the deceased's past actions, he was unable to certify him insane. - The Coroner (Dr Tweed): There is a little difference in the minds of the private medical men and the Medical Board. - Mr Edwards said he reported the matter to the Medical Council. - The Coroner said he had got Mr Edwards to attend the Inquest as it might at first sight appear that he had not done all that he could be expected to do as Relieving Officer. - The Coroner (to witness): In your opinion do you think deceased was fit to be at large? - Witness: No. He suffered from a delusion that someone who wanted to do him harm was constantly following him. - MRS RESTORICK said her son had never seemed to recover from the depression after discharge from the Army, but to be always in pain. On the morning of the tragedy he had a cup of tea with her and said he was all right. JOHN RESTORICK said when he heard that his brother was walking in the direction of the cliffs he followed, but was unable to overtake him. He knew it was unusual for his brother to leave work as he had done When witness reached the cliff he looked over and saw the body below. - Summing up, the Coroner said it was difficult to say exactly what was the mental condition of a person at a particular time. A person might be perfectly sound at one moment and insane at the other. A verdict that "Deceased Committed Suicide while suffering from Insanity due probably to War Strain" was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 7 January 1922
KENTISBEARE - Kentisbeare Sensation. Open Verdict Returned In "A Difficult Case." - At Kentisbeare yesterday, an Inquest was held on the body of CHARLES DERHAM, aged 21, elder son of MR and MRS DERHAM, of Butsons Farm, Kentisbeare, who was found hanging in a hedge on Wednesday afternoon. - The father stated that deceased seemed in his usual good health on Wednesday. - EDWARD DERHAM, aged 15, said that on Wednesday he and his late brother came in from rabbiting about 3 p.m. Witness put away the ferrets and deceased said he would take the hay up to the field for the cows. As his brother did not come in to tea as usual, his mother sent witness to look for him. Witness found deceased leaning against a hedge. There was a hay rope, attached to a stick in the hedge, round his neck. Witness cut it with a knife which he took from deceased's pocket. Most of the weight of the body was already on the ground; the body only fell about an inch when he cut the rope. - Dr G. G. Gidley (Cullompton) said death was due to strangulation. - MRS DERHAM, mother of the deceased, said it was her son's custom to carry the hay rope and rabbit nets round his neck, and it was possible that in getting over the gap in the hedge he slipped, and the rope got caught on the sticks, thereby strangling him. - Dr Gidley said that was possible. It was also possible for deceased to have attached the rope to a stick in the hedge and thrown his full weight on the rope from the gap. - The Coroner (Dr C. N. Tweed) remarked that it was a difficult case in which to come to a conclusion. If there had been a Jury, they would not, probably, have agreed. The verdict would be "Death from Strangulation, there being insufficient evidence to prove whether Accidental or intentional."

TIVERTON - Tiverton Farmer Who Neglected His Health. - At the Tiverton Hospital last evening, the Borough Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, held an Inquest on the body of JOHN CARPENTER, aged 61, farmer of Cottey House, Tiverton, who died suddenly on Thursday morning. - Dr Pollock, who made a post mortem examination, said he found old pleurisy in the left lung. there were about three pints of fluid between the heart and lung and about a pint in the sack of the heart. This was caused by the pleurisy. The heart was soft and there was indication of disease. He came to the conclusion that deceased died from syncope, brought about by pleurisy and pericarditis. If deceased had taken care of the cold from which he was suffering, and remained in bed, he would, in witness's opinion, be still living. - ARTHUR CARPENTER said his brother complained of his breathing. Witness asked him to see a doctor, but he refused; he was a very stubborn man Deceased milked the cows as usual on the previous evening and retired about 9.30, taking with him a drop of brandy. About 1.15 on Thursday morning deceased called witness, who found him breathing hard and in distress. Witness sent his brother, THOMAS, for a doctor, but death took place before he arrived. - The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Times, Wednesday 11 January 1922
EXETER - Fatal Fricassee. Xmas Turkey Causes Colyton Man's Death. - When MR GEORGE PARSONS, a retired draper, of Westleigh, Colyford, was eating fricassee of turkey at his home on Boxing Day, a small piece of bone lodged in his throat, perforated the wall of the gullet and caused an abscess, which resulted in his death. - The circumstances were investigated yesterday by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest held at the Belmont Nursing Home, Exeter, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - MR WILFRED IVYTON GADD of 4 Bletchington-road, Hove, Sussex, stated that the deceased, his uncle, was 57 years of age. MRS PARSONS told witness that her husband was first troubled with his throat on Boxing-day, and thought he must have swallowed a bit of meat. He called on Dr McMorland, at Colyton and later, on the following Thursday, the doctor visited MR PARSONS at Westleigh and recommended his removal to a nursing home. - Miss Mary Ann Guppy said deceased was admitted to the Belmont Nursing Home on Thursday, the 29th December and said he had swallowed a bone while eating some chicken. - Mr Robert Worthington, M.B., said he saw MR PARSONS in the Belmont Nursing Home on the evening of his arrival and the patient gave him to understand that his difficulty in swallowing began when, on Boxing-day he took a fricassee of chicken. Witness had since been told that it was turkey, but this made no difference. Witness examined the man's throat, and found signs that there was an obstruction at the entrance to the gullet. The patient was given an anaesthetic by Dr Andrew and witness made a further examination. The gullet was inflamed and swollen at the entrance and a small quantity of matter was coming from a small perforation in the mucus membrane. Witness searched for a piece of bone, but could find nothing. MR PARSONS had improved when witness saw him next day, but his swallowing was no better. On Tuesday January 3rd, witness got Mr Dyball to make an artificial opening into the patient's stomach to feed him by, this operation being performed under local anaesthesia. On the Wednesday MR PARSONS was worse and witness got Sir Henry Davy to see him. Sir Henry could find nothing in the patient's chest to account for his condition. On Thursday MR PARSONS was still worse and on the Friday he died at 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon. In a post-mortem examination, witness found a small hole in the wall of the gullet leading into an abscess which had a track down behind the gullet into the chest, between the roots of the lung. There were no other growths or morbid changes and witness was unable to find any foreign body, such as a fragment of bone. Witness concluded that MR PARSONS' gullet was wounded by his swallowing a fragment of bone, which subsequently passed on. This gave rise to acute inflammation of the gullet and an abscess, extending into the chest, which caused death by toxaemia leading to heart failure.

Western Times, Friday 13 January 1922
EXETER - Fatal Fall. An Exeter Woman's Neck Partially Broken. Pathetic Story. - A tragic fate overtook MRS LUCY WOODGATES, aged 45, of 1 Hamlyn's-court, Cowick-street, Exeter. According to her husband, an elderly jobbing gardener, she was "too fond of drinking whisky," and on 15th December last, when going to bed she fell down a flight of stairs. Her neck was partially broken and dislocated, but the seriousness of the injury was not realised for a few days. When admitted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on 19th December she was completely paralysed below the top of the chest. An operation was performed on the 10th inst., to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord, and to remove the broken fragments of bone. This was successful, but the woman died yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, from heart failure following the injuries to the neck. At the Inquest held yesterday at the Court House the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - ALBERT WOODGATES, husband of the deceased, who seemed much affected by the tragedy, said they were married on the last day of April, last year. Deceased had had very bad health, but she never told him until about three weeks after they were married. - The Coroner: She came into some money, didn't she? - Witness: Yes. And she never let me know. - How much? - I asked her, but she never told me. - What have her habits been? - You know; I must tell you: she was too fond of drinking whisky. She had been drinking on the night of the accident. She was not so very bad, but when she got drink she would faint away. - How were you going upstairs? - She asked me to go in front. I had a jug full of cold water because sometimes when she got out of bed she could not get in again, she would fall on the floor. - Did you get to the top of the stairs? - I was on the top putting the jug and the glass down in the front room window, when she went "Oh!" - here witness threw up both hands in dramatic fashion - and back she fell over the stairs. - Witness described how he went to the bottom of the stairs and picked up his wife, whose head was bent in under her arms. He made a bed in the room of Mrs Andrews on the ground floor. He did not fetch a doctor as his wife said she would soon be better and did not want any doctor. Witness, however, fetched Dr Carroll, who attended the woman on the Monday following the accident and advised her removal to the Hospital. - Mrs Andrews of 1 Hamlyn's-court, said she heard nothing of the accident till she was fetched by MR WOODGATES. Deceased used to drink rather freely. She told witness that she was carrying a glass upstairs when she fell. - Dr P. M. Little, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the deceased was admitted to the Institution on the 19th December at 7.45 p.m., suffering from a partially broken neck. He deposed as to the operation on the 10th inst., and the patient's death next morning and stated that death was due to heart failure, the result of the accident.

Western Times, Saturday 14 January 1922
EXETER - Fall Down Stairs. Chudleigh Domestic's Death In The Exeter Hospital. - Slipping on the stairs at Lawell House, Chudleigh, where she was employed as a domestic servant by the Hon. Chas. Clifford, ELLEN FRANCES BAKER, aged 45, fell and broke her leg. The accident happened on October 27th last, and although her leg healed, she died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Wednesday. - The Inquest was held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown yesterday. - Mrs Annie Gillard, housekeeper for the Hon. Chas. Clifford, stated that she engaged deceased on October 25th. Two days later, witness heard her coming down stairs about 6.30 a.m. Witness went out and as she only had a candle, advised deceased to switch on the electric light. Hardly had she spoken, when BAKER slipped and fell to the bottom of the stairs. Witness ran to her and in reply to a question as to whether she was badly hurt, MISS BAKER replied: "I do believe I have broken my leg." Deceased was later taken to the Hospital. - Dr Little stated that in addition to having a fractured leg, deceased was drowsy when admitted to the Hospital. Four days later she became unconscious and witness came to the conclusion that she was suffering from cerebral embolis. The leg was nearly well by the middle of December. On Wednesday, deceased died from heart failure following cerebral embolis. - Replying to the Coroner, Dr Little said he would not say that the cerebral embolis was due to the fracture of the leg. Deceased's condition, when admitted, was not consistent with merely a broken leg. - The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, there being insufficient evidence to show whether the condition of the deceased was affected by the accident.

Western Times, Monday 16 January 1922
OKEHAMPTON - Footballer's Sad Death At Okehampton. - An Inquest concerning the death of WILLIAM ROBERT MILFORD, who passed away suddenly after playing football at Okehampton on Thursday, was held by Mr H. C. Brown, at the Okehampton Union Workhouse on Friday evening. - Hamilton Rickard, brother-in-law, said deceased was 27 years of age and was a guard in the employ of the L. and S.W. Railway Company. He had a wife and one child. Witness said he reached the football field at 3 p.m. and MILFORD was there practising with about 18 to 20 others. There was no rough play during the practice, which terminated at 5 p.m. MILFORD, Rickard and another player named Evans then left the field together and, proceeding to a stream near the field, they washed the mud from their boots. While there MILFORD suddenly exclaimed "Oh!" and fell forward into the water. He had been laughing and talking just previously. Witness and Evans lifted MILFORD from the water and laid him on his back, when he died. Medical assistance was at once sought and Dr Wright was soon in attendance and suggested removal to the mortuary. - Joseph A. Evans corroborated. - Dr T. S. Wright said when he arrived he found deceased on his back dead. As a result of a post mortem examination performed by Dr Gameson and himself, they found no marks of violence. The cause of death was due to sudden heart failure. There was evidence of pre-existing disease of the aorta and the arteries which fed the heart which would account for such failure. All the other organs were healthy. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. The Coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives of deceased.

Western Times, Tuesday 17 January 1922
DOLTON - The Dolton Tragedy. Sad Death Of The Young Son Of A Farmer. - At Tockley Farm, Dolton, yesterday, Mr Geo. Brown, North Devon Crooner, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of ERNEST LEWIS (the fourteen year old son of FREDERICK LEWIS, farmer), who met his death under tragic circumstances, as reported in Saturday's Western Times. - Walter William Cornish, aged 12, stated that he was staying at the farm house with the deceased and on Friday last, when in the farm yard, they saw a flock of starlings in a field adjoining. Deceased went in and got his father's gun with which to shoot some of the birds and witness and deceased proceeded to the field, but by this time the starlings had gone into another field. Deceased put the gun on the hedge and proceeded to climb up. As soon as he got up on the hedge there was a loud report and deceased fell down. Witness immediately ran for help. - FREDERICK LEWIS, the father, said he found his son lying at the foot of the fence quite dead with a terrible wound in his neck. The gun was on the other side of the fence. He had previously cautioned the deceased not to use the gun in his absence. It was kept in the passage behind the door and the cartridges on the top of a glass case in the kitchen. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and extended sympathy to the father in his sad loss. The deceased had only left school at Christmas in order to help his father on the farm. - The Coroner advised MR LEWIS to keep the cartridges under lock and key for the future and the gun in a safe place also, remarking that boys were always desirous of meddling with firearms. - In the course of the Inquiry the coroner commented on the fact that the boy Cornish, whom he called as a witness, could neither read the oath properly nor spell his own name correctly and said he should be sorry to find another boy of witness's age in his district who could not do such simple things. The boy stated that he had been attending an elementary school in the Okehampton district.

Western Times, Thursday 19 January 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - At Hatchmoor Cottage, Torrington, last evening, Mr Geo. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of FLOSSIE EVELYN BOWMAN, aged 30, the unmarried daughter of MR JOHN BOWMAN, a retired farmer. Dr O'Flaherty, of Torrington, said deceased appeared to have had a very severe fit, during which she must have turned on her face, causing suffocation. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death, due to Suffocation, resulting from an epileptic fit."

Western Times, Friday 20 January 1922
EXETER - Death Of An Exeter Schoolmaster. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest held at 2 Barrack-road, Exeter, yesterday, relative to the death of JOSEPH BEARD, aged 57 years, schoolmaster. - Mr F. Maddicks, 31 Sidwell-street, said deceased had complained of shortness of breath during the past two years. - MRS C. E. BEARD stated that she went out with her husband on Tuesday evening and he was taken ill at the top of Lyndhurst-road. He hired a cab and died just after he reached home. - Dr A. Hipwell attributed death to heart failure and a verdict was returned as stated.

EXMINSTER - Canal Tragedy. Exeter Insurance Agent's Body Found. - An Inquest was held by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, at the Stowey Arms, Exminster, on Wednesday, on the body of WILLIAM LYNE, insurance agent, aged 48 years, of 15 Clinton-avenue, Polsloe Park, Exeter. - MRS LYNE, widow, stated that her husband left home at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, with the intention of going to his office. He had been suffering from a nervous breakdown and was off duty at the time. The doctor had certified that he was suffering from mental depression. - The discovery of the body was made by Arthur Conibear, aged 16, of 13 Bridge-street, Exeter, who stated that near the Lime Kilns he noticed a hat and mackintosh on the canal banks. In the water he saw the body floating. He rode to Countess Weir for assistance and later recovered the body. - Edward Ellis of 5 Exe View, Exminster, gave evidence of trying artificial respiration for an hour and ten minutes without success. - Dr Worsley, of Topsham, stated that the body bore the usual appearance of death by drowning. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" and expressed his sympathy with the widow and relatives. - Mr A. J. Melhuish, who represented the deceased's employers, associated himself with the Coroner's expression of sympathy and said that the deceased's books were in order.

NEWTON ABBOT - Lost His Bearings. How Missing Torquay Man Met His Death. No Signs Of Foul Play. - An Inquiry was conducted at Newton Abbot on Saturday afternoon regarding the death of EDWIN BAILEY DASHPER, of Torquay, who was reported as missing during the latter part of December. - The Coroner said that as there had been so many rumours afloat concerning DASHPER'S disappearance, he thought it desirable that a Jury should Inquire into the case. - James Henry Froude spoke of finding the body on the 12th in the mud, about ten feet away from the quay at Teignmouth, near the railway bridge. - Thomas Gayton, retired builder, of Shirburn-road, Torquay, stated that DASHPER was 57 years of age. On the 21st witness saw him when he was in his usual health. DASHPER had no worries. - Dr de Glanville, who made the post mortem examination, said the body had apparently been lying in the water for two or three weeks. Appearances showed that the man died from drowning. - The Coroner: There were no marks showing foul play? - "I could not find the marks of any injury," replied the doctor. - Matthew Crang, of Torquay, said he was well acquainted with DASHPER and travelled with him to Newton Abbot on the 21st December. they kept together from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At that time they were in the Railway Hotel, having previously visited several other inns. Crang added that he begged and prayed DASHPER to return to Torquay, but he would not do so, saying he was going to have some more fun. - The Coroner: What kind of fun? - Witness said there were two or three gipsy girls about, who were having a step dance. DASHPER was enjoying himself. There were two gipsy men there as well. DASHPER stood the gipsies a drink and also gave them a pasty. Witness expressed the opinion that DASHPER lost his bearings. - John Clifford said DASHPER left the Inn at 8.30. He was quite sober at the time. - P.C. Rendell spoke of finding a bank book in a wallet in a breast pocket. There were twenty £1 notes and a 10s. note. In another pocket was silver and copper to the amount of 16s. 8 ½d. DASHPER drew on 17th December £25 there being a credit balance of £27 12s. 2d. In a waistcoat pocket was a gun-metal watch. It stopped at 5.32. Inquiries had been made, but the Police could find no evidence of foul play. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 20 January 1922
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Court House on JOSEPH KENNY, aged 70, retired petty-officer, of 49 St Anne's-road. CAPT. BENJAMIN KENNY, Seaforth Highlanders, stationed at Belfast, identified the body as that of his father. Witness was on leave for a week and was preparing a home at 22 East Grove-road, for his wife, on Wednesday. His father helped him. While witness was on his knees on the floor deceased fell across his back and died before medical aid could be obtained. Dr C. Newton Lovely said the cause of death was syncope, due to heart trouble. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 24 January 1922
OTTERY ST MARY - Ottery Labourer's Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held by Dr Tweed, East Devon Coroner, sitting without a Jury, at the Escot Village Club, yesterday, as to the death of HENRY WHITE, labourer, of Coombe Lake, Ottery St Mary. - The widow said the deceased had been in Hospital from 8th November to 6th December last for treatment for an ulcer in his left leg, and after his discharge returned to his work. He appeared in his usual state of health when they retired on Saturday evening last, but she was awakened on Sunday morning about 12.15 by deceased making a noise and he very shortly afterwards expired. - Dr Johnston of Ottery St Mary, stated that the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Friday 27 January 1922
TOTNES - Totnes Fatality: The Inquest. - At Totnes Guildhall last evening, Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of ALBERT EDWARD HUTCHINGS, of Victoria-street, Totnes, who met with a fatal accident on Tuesday, the wheel of a water cart which he was driving passing over him. - MRS HUTCHINGS said that her husband, who was employed by Mr R. Blight to drive a water cart, was 52 years of age. - Dr E. S. Bowes stated that when he saw the deceased he was dead. He found a large bruise above and behind the left ear and underneath an obvious fracture of the skull. His left fore arm was broken and spine dislocated. From marks it appeared that the cart had been on its proper side, but for some reason had gone to the other, where a wheel started mounting the bank and upset the cart. The actual cause of death was suffocation, caused by pressure. - James Knapman said deceased's head was underneath the horse and the shaft of the cart across his back. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed his sympathy with MRS HUTCHINGS in her bereavement, the deceased's employer, Mr R. D. Blight, joining in, as did also Mr B. White, assistant surveyor, on behalf of the Devon County Council.

Western Times, Saturday 28 January 1922
EXETER - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, on JAMES LUXTON, of Alexandra Nurseries, who was found dead Thursday afternoon. Dr Depree said death was due to heart failure.

Western Times, Wednesday 1 February 1922
EXETER - A Victim Of Influenza At Exeter. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held by Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, respecting the death of THOMAS LENDON, aged 65 years, a general dealer, of 77 Summerland-street, who died suddenly on Monday while going upstairs to his bedroom. - The evidence of Charles Gloyn, 1 Beaumont-terrace, Paignton, who had known deceased for 25 years, was to the effect that he had suffered from rheumatic gout, neuritis, and various other complaints. - Mrs Foulkes, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, who was called to see deceased when he was taken ill in the stairs, said death was due to cardiac failure following influenza. - A verdict as stated was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, at an Inquiry at Newton Abbot, Monday, into the circumstances attending the death of JAMES DUNCAN, aged 63, general labourer, of 22 Gladstone-place, who passed away suddenly on Friday evening. Dr H. S. Pocock stated that deceased suffered from valvular disease of the heart.

Western Times, Thursday 2 February 1922
INSTOW - Fatal Thorn Prick. Death Of A Railway Ganger At Instow. - The death of JOHN SMALE, a railway ganger, aged 55, of the Black House, Instow, was investigated by Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, on Tuesday. Inspector Pring was present on behalf of the Railway Co., and Mr S. A. Copp, solicitor, of Barnstaple, watched the proceedings in the interests of the relatives. - WILLIAM SMALE said his father, on the 16th January was working on the railway just below Instow station repairing a hedge and complained to him of having run a thorn into his leg. He stayed at home the next day and the District Nurse attended to his knee, whilst the day after Dr Toye was called in and was in constant attendance afterwards. - Nurse Kennedy said she deceased on the 17th January and found he had a small wound on the right knee, caused, he said, by a prickle. She applied hot fomentations and poultices and advised him to send for a doctor, which he did. She continued to treat SMALE, who appeared to be going on all right until the 24th January, when he complained of a pain in the left side of his chest. - Dr E. J. Toye, of Bideford, said deceased's knee was inflamed and septic when he saw him on the 18th. he visited him daily until the 24th, when he appeared to have developed pleuro-pneumonia and had a high temperature. He appeared to be getting better up to the 29th, when, however, he suddenly collapsed and died the next day. In his opinion death was due to a septic wound in the knee, followed by pleuro-pneumonia. He remarked that deceased had always been a very healthy man prior to this. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 3 February 1922
EXETER - Exeter Woman's Delusions. Under A Curse And Oppressed By Evil Spirits. - "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," was the verdict of the Exeter city Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest held at the Court House yesterday, relative to the death of GERTRUDE MILTON, married, aged 49 years, of Friars-terrace, whose death occurred yesterday under circumstances already reported. - Evidence was given by the husband to the effect that a son was killed in the war in 1916. Deceased became unconscious on the receipt of the news and had never been right since. She had been an inmate of a mental institution for six weeks. She had a belief that a curse rested on her, and her son, and was the cause of his death. She had threatened to take her life and had written strange letters. - Mrs C. Harper, a neighbour, said deceased had complained of internal burning sensations, caused, she said, by evil spirits. Witness found deceased's door locked yesterday morning. On looking through a window at the back of the house she saw MRS MILTON's head in a gas stove. Deceased was in a kneeling position. Witness broke the glass and found that deceased had a slight cut on the throat. - P.C. Liddicott produced letters written by deceased. - Dr Burton said deceased expired five hours after his arrival. The cause of death was gas poisoning. - The verdict was as stated above.

SALTASH, CORNWALL - Missing Man's Body Found In The Tamar. - The unknown body picked up in the River Tamar on Tuesday by a watchman on board H.M.S. Wreford, proved to be that of ALFRED JORDAN, an inmate of the Tavistock Poor-law Institution, who had been missing since December 27th. He was single and about 44 years of age. At the Inquest held by Mr Glubb at Saltash yesterday, evidence was given by Mr S. T. Sone, Master of the Institution, who said he could identify the clothing which the deceased wore and the articles in the pockets. The features, however, were unrecognisable. He thought the deceased must have lost his way and slipped into the River Tamar at Gunnislake. He did not think it was a case of suicide. The Coroner said he agreed with Mr Sone and returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Fatality. Jury's Rider At Last Evening's Inquest. - Barnstaple Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury last evening Inquired into the death of ALBAN CLARKE, 31, of The Rock, Pilton, who was drowned by falling off Castle Quay on Tuesday evening. - Deceased's employer stated that on Tuesday evening they came up the river with a load of rough gravel and discharged. Afterwards he sent CLARKE to secure the barge to a post and whilst on board heard a splash. He directed his hurricane lantern between the quay and the barge, but could see no sign of deceased. In answer to the coroner, witness said the surface of the quay was very uneven at the spot, big pits having formed. - Dr H. Holtby, House Surgeon at the North Devon Infirmary, attributed death to drowning. - The Coroner said that had not CLARKE been a comparative stranger he might not have fallen over the quay. He agreed that a light on the quay would be an advantage. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned and the Jury added a rider recommending the Town Council to put a light on the quay and to level up the pits spoken of.

Western Times, Saturday 4 February 1922
EXETER - "The Wind Is Cold". Old Man Dies On The River Bank At Exeter. - The Inquest touching the death of WILLIAM DAVEY SQUIRE, 27 Weirfield-road, Exeter, was held yesterday afternoon by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown. - MISS EDITH SQUIRE said her father was an old age pensioner and was formerly a paper maker. He was troubled with heart disease, and had been attended by Dr Gent. On Thursday he went for a walk and was brought home dead. He was 70 years of age. - Mr Kneal, 21 Weirfield-road, said he saw deceased on Thursday out walking and passed the time of the day. They met another man and deceased remarked that the wind was cold and that he was going in. On the way home deceased complained of feeling queer and fell into witness's arms. Witness felt his heart but there was no action. - Dr Gent said death was due to chronic valvular disease of the heart. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

TAVISTOCK - A Dangerous Practice. How A Cyclist Met His Death Near Tavistock. - "It occurs to me that it is a most dangerous practice holding on to motor cars while they are in motion, but deceased took the risk and he was alone responsible for his death," said Mr R. R. Rodd in returning a verdict of "Death from Injuries Accidentally Received," at an Inquest at Tavistock Hospital yesterday, on CHARLES TUCKER, 46, insurance agent, of Albaston, who died on Wednesday at the Institution as the result of an accident while cycling on the previous Monday. - Dr W. J. Shaw said when he was called to the deceased he found him unconscious, due from injuries to the head. He ordered his removal to the Tavistock Hospital, where he subsequently died from a fracture of the base of the skull. - William Henry Pendrey, insurance agent, Tavistock, brother-in-law of the deceased, suggested the front wheel, which was badly bent, collapsed and threw the deceased. - Albert John Gilbert Doidge, tailor's cutter, St Ann's Chapel, said he was riding a bicycle, and on leaving Callington he caught hold of the left front of Mr Gerry's motor car with his right hand and steered the bicycle with his left hand. On arriving at Moss Side he met the deceased, who was also cycling and who caught hold of the right side of the car. After going for about three miles he found the deceased had fallen and went back and saw that he was lying on the ground unconscious. Witness thought the weight of deceased had caused the front wheel of his bicycle to collapse. - Corroborative evidence was given by Bawden Tapson Gerry, the driver of the car.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 9 February 1922
BURLESCOMBE - An Inquest on the body of the newly-born male child of RHODA HUTTER, wife of ROBERT HUTTER, of Twinewood Cottage, Westleigh, was held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, yesterday. Dr W. M. Browne, of Sampford Peverell, said he found nothing which could account for the baby's death. He made a post-mortem examination and found that the child had never breathed, and that it was still-born. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Times, Friday 10 February 1922
BURLESCOMBE - At an Inquest held at Westleigh, Burlescombe, on Wednesday, by Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, medical evidence was given that MRS RHODA HATLER'S baby was still-born. A verdict accordingly was returned.

AXMINSTER - The Deputy Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, conducted an Enquiry at the Cottage Hospital, Axminster, concerning the death of the ten days old female child of HUGH CHANNINGS, labourer, Cott Trill, near Axminster. After hearing the evidence of Dr Langran, who made a post mortem examination, and the District Nurse, the Coroner found that death was due to collapse of the lungs.

PAIGNTON - Paignton Fatality. Child Crushed Beneath A Tramcar On Way To School. - A boy named CHARLES RUSSELL, between five and six years of age, met with a terrible end while going to school at Paignton Wednesday, being crushed to death underneath a tram-car. - No one appears to have seen the boy until he was discovered being dragged along under the front of the car. It is understood he was not noticed by the driver, Sidney James Perriman, who knew nothing of the occurrence until someone shouted that the child was under the car. - The tram was immediately stopped and RUSSELL, who must have been dragged along several feet. was found jammed beneath the lifeguard. With the aid of a lifting jack the car was raised and the body removed. - Dr Thompson was called and he found the lad had sustained shocking injuries to the head and face and that his left arm was broken. - The driver of the car was so unnerved by the occurrence that he had to be immediately relieved. - The Inquest Story. - At the Inquest held yesterday, the Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and attached no blame to the driver. He expressed deep regret that the child should have met this tragic end just on the threshold of his life. - With the Coroner's expression of sympathy with the family, Mr Hutchings joined on behalf of the Tramway Company, who, he said, would defray all the expenses of the funeral. - Evidence was given by Leslie Warren Roper, 13, and Leslie William Dyer, 9, fellow school mates, who were accompanying the deceased to school at the time of the tragedy. They said several boys were running behind a fish cart and deceased, while suddenly crossing the tramway track, slipped and fell, being caught by the life-guard of the car. - James Sydney Perryman, the car driver, said he noticed deceased on the footpath. Witness then had his attention attracted by other traffic and when he looked again he saw deceased step off the footpath, slip and fall. The car was dead level with deceased at the time. "I heard the little boy shout "Oh," and that is all I can say," added witness. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said he found the boy lying direct in the centre of the track and parallel with the tram lines, pinned underneath the life-guard.

Western Times, Tuesday 14 February 1922
HALWILL - The dead body of MR JOSEPH POWER, aged 44 years, of Devonport, a retired stoker, was found in the Moor Plantation on Thursday evening by Mr Stephen Voaden, employed on forestry work. Deceased had been employed in taking down the huts formerly used by the Portuguese, and which were bought by a Plymouth firm. He was spoken to by one of the employees on forest work in the forenoon, and nothing more was seen of him until his body was found at 5.30, death, apparently, having taken place some hours previously. A post mortem examination was held at the Medley Cottage Hospital on Saturday by Dr Candler (Black Torrington). At the Inquest medical evidence showed that deceased's heart was that of an athlete and that death was due to a strain of that organ as a result of his previous occupation. Mr S. Voaden gave evidence as to finding the body and the widow said her husband had enjoyed good health. He spent the previous weekend with his family and returned to Halwill on Monday morning. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony. There was no Jury. The body will, today, be conveyed to Devonport for interment.

BROADHEMPSTON - A Broadhempston Fatality. - At Broadhempston Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of ARTHUR ELLIS, son of EMMANUEL ELLIS of Kiln Cottage, Broadhempston. Evidence was given by the father that his son was 16 years of age and worked for Mr Rendell, of Kingston. He was brought home injured and told witness that the horse he was driving bolted and he was jammed between the waggon and the gate pillar. Dr Jellicoe saw him on the following morning. Deceased ate his breakfast, and had tea and coffee during the morning, but he died somewhat suddenly. - Dr S. C. Jellicoe stated that when he saw the deceased he complained of considerable pains. He found abrasions on his ribs, back, both sides of his chest and on his hands. Deceased did not appear to be suffering from shock. He had evidently been seriously knocked about, but he did not think dangerously. There was probably internal abdominal injury, which caused haemorrhage afterwards, and death. - Edgar Holwell, gardener at Kingston, said the deceased asked him to get a load of straw with him. Witness went to the straw rick. He saw deceased come inside the gate of the field, which was about 100 yards from the rick. the horse started and deceased shouted to it to stop. The animal had turned round and was making for the gate. Witness got off the rick and found deceased, who had been riding in the cart, bent forward as if in pain. He was probably crushed between the cart and the gate post. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, , Thursday 16 February 1922
EXETER - Yesterday a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, which attributed death to heart failure, was returned by the Exeter City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, who conducted an Inquest touching the death of SAMUEL HENRY GODFREY, who died suddenly at his residence, 61 Roberts-road, Larkbeare, Exeter, on Monday.

Western Times, Friday 17 February 1922
EXETER - Exonian's Sudden Death. Heart Failure Of Elderly Tailor Who Went Out For A Shave. - An Exeter journeyman tailor, THOMAS HOLLEY, aged 72, and living at 26 South-avenue, Polsloe-road, was working at home on Tuesday until tea-time and went out "for a shave" at a quarter to six o'clock. He was in the best of health and spirits. In Belgrave-road, however, he was seized with sudden illness and was found by a passing van-man, fighting for breath, feeling his way blindly along the wall. He fell forward on his face when his hands passed from the wall into a doorway. The van-man went to HOLLEY'S assistance and the old man exclaimed "Sit down." Other people arrived on the scene and an effort was made to get the man into a van to take him home. Someone suggested HOLLEY was drunk, whereupon he twice cried out "No!" Police Constable Read sent for medical assistance and the ambulance and conveyed HOLLEY to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, but the old man died before reaching the Institution. - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the Court House by Mr W. Linford Brown, City Coroner. Evidence of identification was given by TOM HOLLEY, of Sandford-street, a son; MRS BESSIE HOLLEY, the widow, spoke of her husband's good health and cheerful spirits; Wm. Albert burring, the van-man, described the deceased's fight for life and his indignant exclamation when it was suggested by an onlooker that he was drunk. "No" was deceased's last word, said witness. P.C. Read also gave evidence and Dr Pereira Gray attributed the death to heart failure. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

HASLEMERE, SURREY - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Haslemere on GEORGE STONEMAN, 69, retired builder, of Chagford, who was found dead in bed. WILLIAM HENRY STONEMAN, Station Chambers, son, expressed the opinion that deceased turned the wrong tap and finding it did not put out the gas, turned the correct tap and forgot about the other There was no chimney or ventilation in the room and as the window and door were closed the room would soon be filled with gas. Deceased was slightly deaf and would not hear the gas escaping. He seemed in the best of spirits on the previous day. BESSIE STONEMAN, daughter, gave evidence of finding her father dead, while Walter Cole said the tap of a flexible tube was wide open.

Western Times, Tuesday 21 February 1922
BARNSTAPLE - Tree-Felling Tragedy. Inquest On Combe Martin Man Who Died In North Devon Infirmary. - At an Inquest conducted by Mr T. R. Bencraft, at the North Devon Infirmary yesterday, the evidence was to the effect that deceased, WILLIAM THOMAS, aged 60, and his son were cutting up a big tree lying on a six foot hedge at East Challacombe Farm, Combe Martin. Deceased cut off a branch which must have held the heavy trunk in position, thereby releasing it unexpectedly, for it rolled down into the road before he had time to jump clear and pinned him down by the legs. It was some time before he could be extricated. P.C. Jones rendered first aid. Dr Manning also saw the deceased and ordered his removal to the Infirmary. - Dr Holtby, the House Surgeon, said the deceased died shortly after admission from shock the result of injuries, both femurs being fractured, in addition to which there was bruising of the body. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Coroner commented on the danger of such work and said whatever care was taken accidents happened. This was one of them. Deceased was experienced in his work. The Coroner expressed sympathy with the family.

ILFRACOMBE - Tradesman's Sudden Death At Ilfracombe. - An Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, yesterday, by the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, touching the death of MR ARTHUR PUGSLEY, 32, grocer, of 1 Shaftesbury-road, Ilfracombe, who passed away suddenly on Sunday morning. - The widow stated that her husband was about as usual on SAturday. He left work about 9 o'clock when he had a good supper and went to bed. Just before midnight he complained of a violent pain in his head and stomach. She went for a neighbour and on returning a few minutes later she found her husband dead. During the war he was struck in the head with a piece of shell and had since complained of pains in his head. He had never complained of heart trouble. He had had a cold lately. - Dr A. Osborne, who had made a post mortem examination, said there were evidences of chronic meningitis, no doubt due to injuries received while on active service, Death was due to syncope, following chronic meningitis and probably influenza. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Times, Wednesday 22 February 1922
EXETER - Exonian's Death. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest on HENRY PASSMORE, 9 South View-terrace, Exeter, yesterday. Deceased had been suffering from bronchitis for many years and Dr Bromilow said the cause of death was cardiac failure due to cardiac disease.

EXMOUTH - Found Dead At Exmouth. The Body Identified As That Of A Retired Engineer. - Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner, sitting with a Jury, yesterday, Inquired into the circumstances of the death of WILLIAM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 69, and retired marine engineer, of Stockton-on-Tees, whose body was found at the eastern end of the Exmouth foreshore on Saturday. - George Hall, of Stockton-on-Tees, said deceased was his brother-in-law, who was a chief engineer, and retired about four years ago. He had a wife and daughter, with whom he lived on good terms. He was in the habit of going off for a day or two and had previously visited Exmouth and Plymouth. Deceased left his home on Wednesday last, but gave no reason for going. Witness saw a report of a man being found dead at Exmouth in a newspaper and got into communication with the Police. He was absolutely certain deceased was his brother-in-law. - Henry Searle, carpenter, of Exmouth, deposed to finding the body on Saturday afternoon and Inspector Bawden described its position. He said although deceased was lying below high water mark the clothing was only slightly wet. A box of matches in one of the pockets was found to be quite dry. - Dr Thomas, who had made a post-mortem examination, said he found no external marks of injury excepting that the right hand was grazed and that might have been caused by a fall. The heart was slightly enlarged and the aorta was diseased by atheroma. He attributed death to an attack of angina pectoris. - The Coroner said the evidence pointed to death being due to heart disease and the Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Times, Thursday 23 February 1922
EXETER - At an Inquest at the Exeter Court House yesterday, relative to the death of GEORGE FREDERICK BOND, aged 18 days, son of a labourer, of Friernhay-street, it was stated that the child died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on Tuesday morning. The evidence of Dr Goldsmith, the House Physician, was that death was due to basal meningitis. The Coroner's verdict was "Death from Natural Causes."

EXETER - A Coroner's Inquest was held on a three months old child named MURIEL ROSE MARE, daughter of MR A. E. MARE, market gardener, of Wonford-street. Evidence was given by the parents to the effect that the child had shown signs of a slight cold. Nothing was noticed wrong about the child, who slept in the same bed as the mother, when the father rose about 6 a.m. on the 21st and fetched a cup of tea. Just before 8 a.m., however, the infant died. Mr Hipwell, Surgeon, who made a post-mortem examination, found congestion of the lungs, and the commencement of pneumonia. A child of that age would not show, as would have one older and stronger, signs of the serious character of the illness, which had probably been coming on during about 1 ½ days. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Death Of An Old Exeter Tradesman. - Exeter City Coroner, Mr W. L. Brown, held an Inquest yesterday relative to the death of WILLIAM GILLISPIE BAIRD, aged 76, of 3 King William-terrace, who at one time carried on the business of a hair-dresser in Bridge-street. Evidence was given by deceased's brother, MR HENRY BAIRD, of Edgware-road, London, Mrs Shepherd (with whom deceased lodged) and by Mrs Drew, to the effect that deceased had been an invalid for 40 years. At 6.30 on Saturday morning he was found lying on the floor with his face on the fire-grate. The side of his face and neck bore marks of burns. He died on Tuesday morning. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," arising from shock due to burns.

Western Times, Friday 24 February 1922
TIVERTON - Fatal Fall. Veterinary Surgeon's Tragic Death At Tiverton. - An Inquest was held at the Tiverton Hospital on Wednesday on WILFRED GEORGE DARLING, 40, veterinary surgeon, who died as the result of a fall the previous morning, at 46 Barrington-street, Tiverton. - The widow and the landlord stated that at about 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, deceased fetched his wife a cup of tea. He then appeared to be in his normal health and cheerful. He went to the kitchen a second time for hot water with which to shave, taking the kettle in one hand and a morning paper in the other. The landlord (Mr Sims) was then having breakfast in the kitchen, when he heard a thud. Going to the staircase he found deceased in a bend in the stairs, with his head about six stairs lower than his feet. Water had been splashed on the wall from the kettle, which was resting three steps above deceased's head. The paper was by his side. MR DARLING was wearing a dressing gown, which reached to his feet, and Mr Sims' theory was that he stepped on this, stumbled and over-balanced in trying to save the hot water from being spilled. - The widow said her husband, while serving in the War, was one day thrown from his horse and sustained concussion. She had never known him have fits and he never took drugs. - Dr Durgess said externally there was no sign of injury, except a slight bruise at the back of the head. A post-mortem examination revealed blood under the bruise, but none on the brain, nor was there any fracture of the skull. There was an excess of fluid inside the skull and the brain was congested. With a person of robust health the accident would probably not have proved fatal, but owing to deceased's nervous condition, the concussion produced fits, which caused heart failure. - The Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressed sympathy with MRS DARLING, who had only been married to deceased a short time.

TWITCHEN - At Beasonscott, Twitchen, Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of JOYCE IRENE GUNN, infant daughter of ALBERT GUNN, farmer. The father said he brought the child downstairs in the morning and gave it to her mother. The child was very lively and had been exceptionally strong from birth. It suddenly stretched out, gave a little cough and died. Dr Baker, of South Molton, who made a post mortem examination, stated that every organ was quite sound, with the exception that the thymus gland was much enlarged. In his opinion death was due to status lymphaticus. Returning a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" the Coroner pointed out to the father that no doctor could have diagnosed the child as suffering from this enlarged gland and it was only by reason of the post mortem that the fact was revealed.

BRADWORTHY - Bradworthy Tragedy. Farmer Found Hanging To A Beam. Sad Inquest Story. - At Bradworthy, yesterday, the Inquest on GEORGE HOCKRIDGE, 56, single, a farmer, of Holyrood Farm, was held by the North Devon Crooner, Mr G. W. F. Brown. - ELAM HOCKRIDGE, a brother, said deceased worried about another brother's affairs with Mr Hopper, solicitor. Deceased appeared to be as usual on Tuesday morning, but did not come in to lunch and NELLIE HOCKRIDGE, his niece, said when she went to the barn to get corn to feed the fowls she found her uncle hanging and gave the alarm. - ELAM HOCKRIDGE said his brother worried about another brother, ALBERT ERNEST, who bought the farm, and who died last December. That brother paid the deposit for the farm to Mr Hopper and the purchase had since been settled by Messrs. Peter and Peter, and Letcher. Asked what deceased had to worry about, witness said about September or October 1920, Mr Hopper wrote his other brother a letter that he wanted to see him very particularly at Holsworthy. Without saying anything to deceased, the brother went to Holsworthy and Mr Hopper wanted £600 from him, saying "Your money is lying dormant in the bank; if you will let me have this before January I will give you six per cent; you will never know any difference. I am getting the balance for the place" - you see, added witness, he was getting a mortgage -" and I will hand the money right over to you in January." Some time later the brother, when he was ill, told deceased there was a note in his pocket and would he take it out. On it he just saw "six per cent.," and the brother said, "Look here, that is all I am going to have of the £600," and threw the note on the ground. Deceased worried nearly as much as his brother over it, though none of his money had gone with it. - Worried About Financial Affairs. - The Coroner: And that £600 is gone? - Oh, yes; and that has been the worry of both all the time. - Witness said his brother ALBERT died from something of the brain, by troubling so. - Dr Betts said ALBERT died of an unusual cerebral condition which resembled general paralysis. - Witness said his brother's death further worried deceased, particularly in regard to the children - he worried about them as much as any husband. He had never threatened to take his life and witness thought he must have made up his mind all at once, and taken the cord from his pocket; there was none in the barn. - ELAM ERNEST HOCKRIDGE, nephew of deceased, who cut the body down, said his uncle was quite dead. Deceased was the last man he should have thought would have done a thing like that. - Dr L. B. Betts attributed death to strangulation. He had never attended deceased, but knew him as quite a normal man. - P.C. Hannaford also gave evidence. - The Coroner described the case as a very sad one and was afraid the worry caused by the loss of this money by deceased's brother, and his brother's death, had caused him to take his own life. He was afraid it was only one of the aftermaths of the terrible state of affairs created by the bankruptcy of Mr Hopper. - MR ELAM HOCKRIDGE: I wish I could get at Hopper. - The Coroner continued that it seemed to have preyed on his mind what was to come to the children of his brother. His verdict was one of "Suicide by Hanging whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Monday 27 February 1922
KENTISBEARE - Kentisbeare Sensation. Mother's Terrible Acts And Then Suicide. Two Children Injured. - A great sensation was caused in the Kentisbeare neighbourhood when it became known that ELIZABETH RUGG, 30, single woman, of Blackborough, had been found dead in bed with her throat cut and two of her children also had their throats cut. One of the children (who were afterwards removed to the Tiverton Poor Law Institution) was yesterday in a dangerous condition. - At the Inquest on Saturday MRS BURROWS, of Craddock, said she visited her late sister on Wednesday afternoon and made arrangements to see her again the following day in order to prepare for her and her three children's removal to the Tiverton Institution. She arrived at Church Cottage, Blackborough, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, but could make no one hear. On going upstairs she found her sister was dead. The children also appeared dead. She immediately rushed downstairs and out-of-doors and called a neighbour. The car which was to have taken deceased and her children to the Tiverton Workhouse was due to arrive at 2.30 that day. - ESAU RUGG said his daughter, who resided with him, had three illegitimate children. One boy was 11 years of age, another three years and a daughter twelve days old. Witness did not see her on Thursday. He rose at 5.40 a.m., had some breakfast and went to work. At 2.30 p.m. he was summoned from work, being told that "something had happened to ELIZABETH." He, of late, had seen nothing unusual in the condition of his daughter. He had interceded with a view to getting her removed to the Workhouse. - P.C. Hill stated that he was called to the cottage about 3 p.m. Deceased had a bodice twisted round her neck. There was a gash in the throat. One child, aged 12 days, had a bad gash in the throat and the three-year-old boy also had a cut in the throat, but not such a serious one. To the boy, witness said: "Who did this, sonny?" to which he replied "Mammy did it." - Dr Gidley (Cullompton) said that in his opinion the woman's death was due to the wound in the throat and to strangulation. The girl, aged 12 days, had a deep cut about 2 ½ inches long round the neck. He applied treatment, but she was still in a critical condition. The boy's cut was not of such a serious nature. The children were removed to the Tiverton Poor Law Institution. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Times, Thursday 2 March 1922
EXETER - Influenza Epidemic. Several Sudden Deaths Caused In Exeter. Bases Of Lungs Affected. - Reference was made at an Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by Mr W. Linford Brown, to the suddenness with which death has supervened in many influenza cases locally during the present epidemic. - Alfred McGrath, a basket-maker at the Blind Institution, stated that the deceased, EDWARD O'NEIL, aged 24 years, and living at 1 Caryl Buildings, Lower North-street, was almost totally blind, but "could see light." O'NEIL complained of being unable to sleep and of " a very bad head," and on Tuesday witness got him some medicine from Dr Humphry. - Mrs Bessie Anstey said she lived in the same house as the deceased, who had three rooms of his own. She had cooked his dinners. O'NEIL seemed all right on Sunday, but on Monday morning complained of a pain in his head. Witness gave him a cup of tea and he tried to drink it, but was seized with a fit of vomiting. Some medicine was obtained, but deceased could not take it. On Tuesday morning at seven o'clock she gave him a cup of tea. He drank it, but ate nothing. She gave him something to drink later in the morning, and he then seemed to go to sleep very comfortably. "I went about a little and did not disturb him," said the witness, "thinking he was sleeping." But he was dead. - Dr Herbert Vawser Humphry stated that he supplied some medicine to the witness McGrath on Tuesday morning and at about noon went to Caryl Buildings and aw O'NEIL who was dead. Witness made inquiries and from these and the deceased's appearance he had no doubt that the man had had influenza and pleurisy, combined with pneumonia. - The Foreman: Is it a general thing for people to die in this sudden way? - Dr Humphry: It is not a general thing, but I have seen cases somewhat similar during this present epidemic of influenza. It seems to affect the bases of the lungs and I have seen one or two people go off very suddenly. - The Coroner remarked that it was rather unusual for a patient to die very rapidly, but in several cases since the influenza epidemic started there had been deaths of a very sudden character indeed. The deceased, in this case, appeared to have had every attention from Mrs Anstey. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

EXETER - Baby's Sudden Death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at the Courthouse, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the demise of CLARENCE GEORGE WOOD, seven months old child, living at Hamlyn's Farm, Exeter. LEONARD FRANK WOOD, a bailiff, said the baby took its feed at 4.30 o'clock on Tuesday morning and "seemed quite jolly," but at 7 o'clock he would take nothing and died between 9 and 9.30 a.m. The baby had been under medical treatment for yellow jaundice and, latterly, for eczema, and Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to a sudden convulsion owing to rickets and the eczema. The child, he said, had been thoroughly looked after by the parents.

Western Times, Monday 6 March 1922
SANDFORD - Sandford Tragedy. Tragic End After Being Invalided From The Navy. - Mr Gilbert Stephens, Deputy Coroner, held an inquest at Burrowland, Sandford, on Saturday, relative to the death of BERTIE WAY, 28, formerly in the Navy, from which he was invalided about two years ago suffering from consumption. - PERCY WAY, brother, said deceased had often had a doctor. On Friday night deceased seemed about as usual, but on Saturday morning about seven o'clock witness went into his bedroom. The door was open and witness saw him lying on the bed with only his shirt and pants on. Part of deceased's head was blown off. Witness fetched his father. - JOHN WAY, farm labourer, and father, said deceased was a first-class stoker in the Navy, from which he was invalided after the War. At times he was much depressed. Witness had never heard him threaten to take his life. When witness was called to the room on Saturday deceased was quite cold. A gun (produced) was lying by the bed. It belonged to witness and was kept in the kitchen, where it was when witness went to bed on Friday night. The cartridges were kept on the mantle-piece. There was an empty cartridge in the right hand barrel and another unused by the side of the bed. Deceased had kept to his bed since Monday. - Dr Powne, of Crediton, who had attended deceased before and since his return from the Tuberculosis Hospital, Ivybank, Exeter, said deceased was discharged from that Institution two months ago as incurable. He could not have lived many weeks longer and had been depressed of late. His injuries were consistent with having been self-inflicted by the discharge of a gun. A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 7 March 1922
EXETER - Patient's Death At Exeter Mental Hospital. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy County Coroner, at an Inquest held yesterday on ELIZABETH WELCH, aged 53 years, who was an inmate of the City Mental Hospital, Digbys. - Evidence was given by Dr Bartlett, Medical Superintendent, to the effect that deceased was subject to epileptic fits. She had been in the Institution since 1917. On an average she had four or five fits a month. On Friday last she had two fits and he was called to her at 6.15 p.m. when he discovered she had passed away. He conducted a post-mortem and found the primary cause of death was epilepsy, whilst there was a rupture of the heart. In all probability the fit caused the rupture. - Evidence was given by Nurses Beatrice Palmer and Lilian Kelly that deceased had two fits on the day of her death, one at 12.30 p.m. and the other at 4.45 p.m. A verdict as stated above was recorded.

Western Times, Wednesday 15 March 1922
ST MARYCHURCH - Torquay Tragedy. The Injured Man Will Probably Recover. Inquest On The Woman. - Mr Sidney Hacker conducted an Inquiry at St Marychurch Town Hall, yesterday, with respect to the death of MRS LOUISA WATSON, wife of WILLIAM JOHN WATSON, whose body was found on Sunday afternoon in a lane near the golf course. Her head was practically severed from the body, whilst her husband was also badly injured, a razor lying near by. - The evidence of the first witness, Mr Job, nephew, showed that the parties called at the Palk Arms Hotel on Sunday afternoon about 12.30 whilst he was there. He supplied the man, his uncle, with a pint of beer and MRS WATSON had a double whisky. WATSON made an enquiry as to the state of health of witness's relatives and in reply to a question said his nerves were a bit touchy. He did not know when they left the Hotel. - Mrs Coleman stated that on March 1st both husband and wife came home drunk, and they were given notice to leave. - Evidence was given with regard to the discovery of the body and Dr Winter described the wound, which was 4 inches long. There was no sign of a struggle, or that the wound was self-inflicted. It must have been done whilst she was lying on the ground. Had there been a struggle, the woman would have undoubtedly lifted her right hand in order to protect her throat. The Coroner intimated that WATSON would probably recover and the Inquiry would be adjourned until March 28th.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 15 March 1922
LYDFORD - Convicts Death At Dartmoor. - Mr H. C. Brown, with a Jury, held an Inquest at Dartmoor Prison the day before yesterday on RAYMOND WILLIAM GILBERT, a convict, aged 35 years, who died there on March 10th, and a verdict was returned of "Death from Natural Causes." GILBERT had been at Princetown since the 29th April 1920 and was undergoing a sentence of five years penal servitude, he having been convicted at the Old Bailey on the 23rd March 1920, of forgery.

Western Times, Thursday 16 March 1922
EXETER - The Ladder broke. Statement By A Dying Man At Exeter Hospital. Exonian's Sad End. - How GEORGE WILLIAM DARE, 52, mason, of 29 Codrington-street, Exeter, met his death by falling from a ladder whilst at work at a house at No. 11, Regent's Park, Polsloe-road, on Monday, was related to the City Coroner (Mr W. Linford Brown) and a Jury at the Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. - Mr g. C. M. Dyke, Messrs. Ford, Harris, and Ford, represented the employers (Messrs. E. H. Westcott and Sons); while Mr T. J. W. Templeman (Messrs. Dunn and Baker) appeared for the widow. Mr f. Cowell, Plymouth. H.M. Inspector of Factories, was also present. - GEORGE DARE, grocer's manager of 1 Church-terrace, Heavitree, son, gave evidence of identification and said his father enjoyed good health. - MRS ELLEN DARE, widow, said she went to the R.D. and Exeter Hospital, after the accident and saw her husband. Witness asked him what he had done. He made no reply to the question, but said: "You have some trouble." Witness said a man occupying a bed next to her husband: "He has fallen from a ladder?" Her husband replied: "No, the ladder broke." - William Joseph Cross, who had been working with the deceased for the past two and a half months, said he was engaged with the deceased on Monday morning. They had two ladders and were commencing to put up a scaffold. Deceased went up a ladder to tie it to the window, and asked him for the rope. Deceased was about 25 feet from the bottom when the ladder snapped and the deceased came away with it. - The Coroner: Did you hear him speak? - Witness: Yes. - What did he say? - I am gone. - Was the deceased holding anything? - He brought part of the ladder with him. I picked him up. He was groaning, but conscious for about five minutes only. - Witness, in reply to further questions by the Coroner, said the ladder was taken from the workshop, and it had been used ever since he worked with the deceased, who told witness that he had used it long before that, but could not say exactly when the deceased said this, and did not know why he should have told him. - The Coroner: It was not because you objected to it? - Witness: No. He said "I have been using this ladder"; that's all. - Witness explained that it was the custom to use a set of ladders, but he had never complained about or noticed anything the matter with them. - Witness, at this stage of the proceedings was requested to examine the ladder. - The Coroner: You see how rotten it is, don't you? - Witness: I never noticed anything like that when we put it up and we inspected it before we did so. - A Juryman: How long is the ladder? - Witness: 36 feet, I think. - A Juryman: Where was the extreme top bearing? - Witness: It was not above the roof. - The Inspector of Factories: Who examined the ladder? - Witness: MR DARE, before he put it up. - The Inspector said his point was that the examination was not one which would reveal a weakness. - In reply to Mr Templeman, witness said he did not know how old the ladder was, or of what wood it was made. - Mr Templeman: Do you know that it was splitting at every rung? - Witness: We knew that was all right. - Mr Templeman: Is there anybody in Mr Westcott's employ, whose duty it is to look at the material? - Witness: We look at that ourselves. - There is no special person? - No, sir. - By all appearances it has been broken for a considerable time. Did you know that? - No, sir. - Mr Dyke: When was this ladder used prior to Monday? - Witness: On Saturday. - Witness agreed that if the ladder was defective they would expect it to break. If they had noticed the break, another ladder would have been secured, and the defective one would have been cut off at the fracture. Deceased was apparently satisfied with the ladder in question. He was a very careful man in the use of ladders. He would not have used it had he known it was going to break. The ladder had remained at the house at which they were working for about two or three weeks prior to the accident. It did not go back to the workshop. - Mr W. J. Westcott, partner to his father, said deceased commenced work with them about 12 months ago last August. The ladder in question had been used by deceased for the past six months, with a particular set of ladders. They had been examined, but there was no particular time set apart for doing so. They never got complaints from the men as to the ladders. If there was anything wrong with the ladder it would have been broken off at the damaged part. Witness went up as far as the break on Friday and talked to the men working on the planks. He noticed no creaking then. The firm had had the ladder about 18 months. Deceased was fully experienced, and the ladder was quite long enough for the job. - It was pointed out that there was nothing in the Factories Act which enforced an examination. - The Coroner said it had not come yet. - The Inspector said even if the regulations governing things like this became law, it would not affect accidents of that kind. - Dr Dick, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said death was due to severe haemorrhage and shock. Deceased was a well-nourished man. There were no organs ruptured and no bones were broken. There was a bruise in the left groin, but that was the only external mark. - P.C. Hodder having given evidence of bringing the ladder back to the Police Station and the Jury examined the other half of the broken ladder, the Coroner summed up. "I am sure you will agree that it is desirable," he said, "that a regular examination should be made of this sort of plant from time to time in order to detect any little defects that might arise." In this case Mr Westcott said he did examine them sometimes, but not at any particular time. Deceased was a very careful man, and according to the evidence there was some sort of examination by shaking the ladder. There was no complaint from either the deceased or the other man as to the ladder, and if a man could find no cause for complaint it was reasonable to consider that the employer might not, on his part, be able to detect it. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - The Coroner (to the Foreman): do you wish to add anything to it? - The Foreman: No, sir. - Mr Dyke on behalf of Messrs. Westcott, extended their deep sympathy to the widow and relatives. As a workman MR DARE was an excellent man, in whom the firm had every confidence; and whom it would be very difficult in these times to replace. - The Coroner concurred and said MR DARE was a well known citizen, whom most of the Jury knew. - Mr Templeman said he would convey the sympathy of the firm to the relatives.

TEIGNMOUTH - Teign Mystery. Body Of Exmothian Found At Shaldon. An Open Verdict. - The Inquest on SAMUEL JOHN SMITH, the Exmouth postal clerk, whose body was discovered in the river Teign on Monday, after having been missing since February 14th, was held at Teignmouth yesterday. It failed to throw any light on the circumstances in which deceased came in the water, and Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, who held the inquiry, returned an Open Verdict. - Giving evidence of identification, deceased's brother, FREDERICK WILLIAM SMITH, of Salisbury-road, Exmouth, said he was unable to recognise any features. The clothes, however, were identical to that which his brother was wearing before he was missed. Deceased resided with his mother at 2 Belvedere-terrace, Exmouth and was a bachelor. - On Tuesday, February 14th, deceased commenced a few days' leave from the Post Office. In the evening witness was in his company at the Exmouth Inn, where an euchre match was being played. At a quarter-past ten, deceased asked witness to accompany him on his usual walk, which he was in the habit of taking after having been indoors all day. Witness, however, refused. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said deceased usually walked towards Orcombe Point. - The Coroner; Had he taken anything to drink this particular night? - Witness: He might have had a couple of pints, but he was none the worse for it. - The Coroner: Had he any valuables on him? - Witness: He changed 10s. before leaving the Inn. I know he had a gold chain, but could not say whether he was wearing it. It has not been discovered. - The effects found on deceased were produced and included 8s. 10 ½d. in cash, pince-nez and a wallet which was marked "S. J. SMITH, Post Office staff, Exmouth." Some of these effects were identified by witness. - The Coroner: Had he ever threatened to take his life? - He was too jolly for that. He had no worries at all. - The Coroner: There were no love troubles - no girl in the case, I suppose? - No, sir. - Thomas Bradford, a fisherman, of Exmouth, said he knew deceased well, but had never known him the worse for liquor. On the way to Orcombe there were places where deceased could fall over into the water. On the 14th February, at the time deceased was supposed to have been in the neighbourhood, the tide was ebbing. Recently the spring tides had been running very strong and the east winds would have the effect of bringing anything into the estuary of the Teign. - Frank Clemas Tothill, a Teignmouth postman, deposed to discovering the body in the water by Shaldon Bridge last Monday morning. - P.S. Chaffe, Exmouth, said deceased's mother attached no importance to his absence from home for several days. Witness had ascertained that deceased had a gold albert, but it had not been seen for some time. Witness expressed the opinion that he was probably the last to see deceased, having wished him good-night at 10.25 p.m. on February 14th. At that time SMITH was walking towards Chapel-street. It was witness's belief that deceased went towards the pier and slipped off into the water, as there was no fencing around it. He had frequently seen SMITH walking about between 10 p.m. and midnight. Deceased was most popular in the town and the last man he should expect to commit suicide. - P.C. Yeabsley, of Shaldon, said the body when recovered was fully dressed with the exception of boots and socks. The papers found in the pockets gave no tangible information. - The Coroner said the body was in too bad a state of decomposition to allow a post mortem examination that would be of any avail to show whether deceased met his death in any other way except drowning. He therefore returned an Open Verdict.

Western Times, Friday 17 March 1922
CAMBERWELL, LONDON - Tragic Death Of Torquay Lady In London. - MISS NELLIE SERCOMB WYATT, aged 33, lately residing at 14 Warren-road, Torquay, who has been staying with a friend at South Island-place, Brixton, was found on Saturday morning lying in bed in a pool of blood with her throat cut. There was a table knife beside her. At the Inquest at Camberwell yesterday, HAROLD JOHN WYATT, deceased's brother, said a short time ago deceased had a bad attack of influenza and came up to London for a change. She attempted her life by cutting her throat in 1914, and was detained for some time in Devon County Asylum. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Mentally Deranged."

UGBOROUGH - Decapitated On Line. Inquest On Victim Of South Brent Fatality. Farmer's Tragic End. - The Inquest took place at the Wrangaton Hotel, Wrangaton, yesterday, by Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, respecting the death of JOHN HEWETT COCKREM, farmer, of Cheston Farm, who was found killed on the railway, near the farm, on Tuesday. - Mrs L. V. Heath, of South Brent, said deceased was her son-in-law, and was 37 years of age. As deceased's wife was ill she went to Cheston Farm on Sunday evening and that was the last time she saw deceased alive, when he was quite as usual. He had no monetary or other worries and he and his wife were very happy. Deceased lost an infant child on Sunday and was worried because the baby was not baptised. Deceased had never threatened to take his life and there was nothing to suggest that he might do so. - Florence Edmunds, servant at Cheston Farm, said deceased had his breakfast as usual on Tuesday about 8.30 and was quite cheerful. He subsequently turned out the cows and came back for a box of matches, saying he wanted water to shave and that when he returned he would go to Brent for meat for dinner. - William N. Williams, ganger of Wrangaton, spoke to finding the body, which was parallel with the road, the head lying 18 yards from the body. - H. Elson, Plymouth, driver of the 6.45 a.m. down goods' train, said he saw the body of a man by the side of the rails, with a dog sitting beside him. He reported the matter at Wrangaton. - Thomas Rees, driver of the 9.25 a.m. express, Plymouth, said nothing untoward happened on the road, but at Totnes he was requested to examine the engine and found hair on the lifeguard and flesh on the front wheel. - P.C. Hawkins deposed that various letters were found on the body, one offering deceased option of purchasing his farm. - Dr Style, South Brent, said deceased's skull was fractured, but there was not a mark on the body. - In reply to the Coroner, the doctor said he did not think deceased could have been struck whilst walking on the line. - Charles Horswill, retired farmer, Totnes, uncle of deceased, said he had crossed the railway many times with deceased, as the farm was on both sides of the line. - The coroner said the case was full of difficulties, because of the lack of evidence, but there was absolutely no evidence, as far as he could see, that the deceased contemplated suicide. According to Mr Horswill deceased was in the habit of using the railway. The difficulty was as to how he got into the position he did. He had come to the conclusion that he should return a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 17 March 1922
BRADSTONE - At Felldown Head, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest on JOHN KAVETH, aged 83 years, a labourer, who died there on Monday. On the 3rd March, deceased was engaged in milking, when a cow knocked him over. He complained of pain in the left side, took to his bed, and Dr Shepherd of Launceston, was called in. The evidence of the doctor was that death resulted from pleurisy and pneumonia following the mishap and receiving injuries to his ribs on the left side. The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Death from Injuries following an Accident."

Western Times, Monday 20 March 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - Wedding Day Tragedy. Remarkable Evidence At A Torrington Inquest. Coroner's Strong Comments. - At the Cottage Hospital, Torrington, on Saturday, Mr Geo. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest on VALENTINE ANNIE FISHER COPP, 26, belonging to Little Torrington, who, on the eve of her wedding day, was found drowned in the River Torridge. - Her sister, MRS HILDA MARY CUDMORE, of Yard Cottages, Petersmarland, said deceased had been in domestic service and had lately been living with her. She was about to be married to Thos. Wooland, and arrangements were made on the 13th February, but it was put off for no reason at all that witness knew, except that deceased said she never intended to marry. There was no one forcing her to marry. Wooland came over to see her on March 15th, and the wedding was then fixed for Saturday. After this she seemed brighter and relieved and said she was glad she saw her young man, was sorry she had treated him so and that it was a shame. Later, however, deceased said, "I can't get married; it's no use," but she gave no reason. She cried and was depressed. On Thursday night she woke witness up, crying, and would not stay away from her room. She came downstairs about six the next morning, very depressed and said she wished she was dead. She said she would drink poison if she could get it and that she would drown herself. - Asked by the Coroner if she did not think it rather serious then, witness said, "Yes," and when deceased put on her hat she followed her. Deceased then said, "What are you following me for; can't I go for a walk?" She went to her aunt's, who was in bed, and a cousin there asked where she was going, and she said for a walk, and would come straight back. Witness had two young children at home and had to go back to look after them, and also dress herself, when she went to look for her sister. - The Coroner: Why didn't your husband stay and look after her; the woman appeared demented? - Witness replied one would not have thought there was anything wrong, for deceased brightened up. - The Coroner: Having threatened to take poison or drown herself and knowing you had the two children to look after, why didn't your husband stay? - Witness: She did not say it in front of him. - Asked if her uncle or cousin, whom they saw at her aunt's, tried to restrain deceased, witness said they all tried to talk to her, but did not use any force to keep her in. Witness followed her along the road and found she had passed the Gribble Inn, but did not stop. Witness got into Torrington and informed the Police. - The Coroner: What I cannot understand is why all these people, your husband, uncle and a male cousin, should have left all this to you - who had two children in your own house to look after - and done nothing themselves; the woman was then completely off her head. - Witness: I am afraid she was. She agreed she thought it serious enough to follow deceased up. - John Lock, postman, spoke to meeting deceased about 8.15 on Little Torrington Hill, when she spoke to him in passing. It would then take her about a quarter-of-an-hour to the place where Barnabas Hutchings said he found the body about 10.45. - Dr O'Flaherty said death was due to drowning. - Thos. Wooland, decorator, Meddon-street, Bideford, said he had known deceased 18 months or two years, meeting her when she was in service at Bideford, keeping company with her on and off, and the banns were put up for them to be married on 13th February. Because of money matters, and at deceased's request, the wedding was put off. He saw her almost every day afterwards and sometimes she wanted to be married and sometimes not, but she gave no reason why she did not want to be. He visited her on the 15th, when she arranged to meet him at Bideford on Friday, and to be married on Saturday, and he was to make the arrangements about it. She had never threatened to take her life in his presence, but she had said she wished she was dead. - The Coroner: Didn't you think that a curious thing in a person about to be married? - Yes, but the next moment she would say she wished to be married. She had suffered from pains in the head, but he never thought she would do anything rash. - The Coroner said he was not at all satisfied as to the conduct of MRS CUDMORE'S husband or the uncle and the cousin, which required explanation and he should adjourn the Inquest for their presence, for them to give an explanation why they went off in that apparently callous manner, leaving the whole responsibility to MRS CUDMORE, who had two small children in bed and was herself only partially dressed, following the deceased about the road. - MRS CUDMORE said her husband could not leave his work like that; he would have to tell his master. - The Coroner: Don't you think the losing of 5s. counterbalances the saving of a life? - He will have to explain his reasons. - The Inquest was accordingly adjourned until today, Monday.

Western Times, Tuesday 21 March 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - Wedding Eve Tragedy. Further Evidence At Torrington Inquest. Bride Who Was Worried. - The Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of VALENTINE ANNIE FISHER COPP, 26, of Little Torrington, who on the eve of her wedding day was found drowned in the Torridge, which was adjourned on Saturday by the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, for the production of further evidence, was resumed by him at Torrington Town Hall yesterday. - The Coroner first called WILLIAM CUDMORE, brother-in-law of the deceased, and husband of the principal witness who gave evidence on SAturday. He said deceased seemed pleased to think she had "made it up" with her young man, Thos. Wooland, to get married, and had a chat with witness regarding it on Thursday night on the way home from the Gribble, where they went to fetch her dress-case. Witness declared that he knew nothing of the deceased's statement to his wife that she wished she were dead, or of her threat to take her life. On Thursday night, when she twice came into their room, she complained of a pain in her side, and again next morning when she came down. She was restless during the night and did not seem to get any sleep. She did not cry or remark anything about the wedding to him then. In regard to the pain she complained of, witness begged her to see a doctor, but she would not hear of it. When witness left to go to work about 6.40 a.m., he advised her to cheer up, having some tea and lie down again. - The Coroner: Was she depressed? - Witness: It seemed that there was something troubling her, but what it was I could not say. - Do you think it was right to leave your wife, who had two small children, to look after her? - A.: I didn't think there was anything wrong, or that she was going to do anything like this. - Further questioned by the Coroner, witness said the only thing he could get out of her was that she didn't think she could get married. Witness talked to her about the matter, and told her that not one man in a dozen would have come back to her again as Wooland had after she had once put the wedding off. "I offered to do all I could for her," proceeded witness, "and even offered her a home with us until she could get a house." Witness added that he never suspected the girl taking her life. - Henry Hooper, of Pard Cottages, uncle of the deceased, said deceased seemed a little pale and depressed when she called there on Friday morning, and he told her to cheer up. He did not consider that there was much amiss with her, or that she needed watching. MRS CUDMORE also came in, but said nothing to him about the girl. Witness went on with his work, not suspecting anything wrong. - Lewis Hooper, a cousin, said when deceased went out of the house about 20 minutes to eight she said she was going for a nice walk, and noticing nothing unusual about her, he suspected nothing. - The Coroner, reviewing the evidence, said MRS CUDMORE evidently thought there was something wrong with the deceased, inasmuch as she followed her, and reported the matter to the Police. She apparently had suspicion, if no one else had, but whether she related to the Hoopers what was in her mind he (the Coroner) did not know, but he did not think she would have kept it to herself. It was not a woman's way to do so. He thought it most extraordinary that no one else seemed to have been informed of the girl's threat. He could not conceive that MRS CUDMORE would have kept the information to herself, but the other witnesses said they knew nothing about it, and he must take their evidence. He, therefore, returned a verdict of "Suicide by Drowning whilst of Unsound Mind," and added that MR CUDMORE would have done well if he had sent for a doctor, and that if the girl had been restrained on Friday morning she would have been alive today. It was a life thrown away.

Western Times, Saturday 25 March 1922
EXETER - St Austell Murder. Execution Of BLACK At Exeter. His Last Hours. - EDWARD ERNEST BLACK was executed yesterday at Exeter Gaol. Sentenced to death at Cornwall Assizes, at Bodmin, on February 2nd, for the wilful murder of his wife, at Tregonissey, St Austell - she died early in November last from arsenical poisoning - BLACK appealed against the verdict, but unsuccessfully. He was an insurance agent, and his late wife was twenty years his senior. BLACK absconded shortly before her death, and was apprehended at Liverpool. An attempt to commit suicide by cutting his throat just before arrest resulted in his being in the prison hospital during almost the whole period between his first appearance before the magistrates and the Assize trail in February. When his sentence was pronounced by Mr Justice Rowlatt, BLACK received the verdict calmly, though a twitching of the lips suggested the exercise of extreme control. He was removed to Exeter prison to await execution. - The Inquest. - Juror Wanted To Know If BLACK Left A Confession. - The necessary Inquest was held at 10.30 by the Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, who had the assistance of the following eight Jurymen: Messrs. G. West (Foreman), R. West, S. Edgecumbe, W. Grimes, A. Pike, A. Rogers, C. H. F. Thompson and M. Wills. - Mr Ernest George Humphrey, Governor of the Gaol, identified the body as that of EDWARD ERNEST BLACK, whose occupation, he said, was described as that of a tobacconist. He was 5 years of age. He was received into the Exeter Prison in the first place on the 26th January last, and after his conviction at Bodmin Assize, for the murder of his wife, ANNIE BLACK, he was sent there again on the 3rd February. His previous place of abode was Tregonissey, St Austell. Witness duly received a warrant for BLACK'S execution and was present when it was carried out that morning. - "Was everything carried out satisfactorily, and in perfect order?" asked the Coroner, to which the Governor replied that it was. - Mr W. Sacheverell Sitwell, solicitor of Truro, and Under-Sheriff of Cornwall, stated that he was present at the trial of the deceased at Bodmin Assize on February 1st and 2nd. BLACK was found guilty of the murder of his wife and was sentenced to death. Witness was also present at the execution, the mode of which was by hanging. He was perfectly satisfied with the way everything was carried out. - "Can you tell me why BLACK was removed to this Prison?" asked the Coroner. - Witness: It was because the Cornwall Prison, at Bodmin, has been closed since the war. - There is no gaol accommodation in Cornwall now? - No. - The Foreman: Was any confession left by the deceased? - The Coroner said that had nothing to do with the cause of death and he did not suppose this witness would know even if there was. The matter was not, at any rate, one that would help the Jury in forming an opinion as to the cause of death. - Dr R. Wayland Smith, the Medical Officer of the Prison, said he was present at the execution and satisfied himself afterwards of deceased's death. Witness agreed that everything was carried out satisfactorily. - The coroner said he did not think any other evidence was necessary. He proposed to put the following questions to the Jury, which he asked them to answer:- (1) Do you say that the body you have viewed is that of EDWARD ERNEST BLACK, a male person, of the age of 35 years and a tobacconist? - (2) Do you say he is the same person convicted for the murder of ANNIE BLACK and sentenced to death for the said offence? (3) Do you say that judgment of death was duly executed and carried into effect upon the said deceased within the walls of the Prison on this day? - The answer given to each question was "Yes." - The foreman of the Jury asked that they might be allowed to go over the Prison, a request which was readily acceded to by the Governor. They were conducted round by one of the officials.

EXETER - Death Of MR E. T. R. MARTIN At Exeter. - "Death From Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by the Exeter Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest yesterday on the body of EDWARD THOMAS RICHARDS MARTIN, aged 53, of 16 Bedford Circus. Evidence was given by MR L. D. MARTIN, brother, who stated that the deceased had a serious illness last year. - Miss Dorothy Mullins, daughter of the deceased's housekeeper, spoke to finding MR MARTIN dead in bed at 7.45 Thursday morning, when she took up his hot water. The door of his room was open. - Dr F. Roper stated that when he examined the body he found blood-stained sputum on his cheek and he came to the conclusion that death resulted from some acute lung condition. Witness was not surprised at deceased's death, for since a severe illness last year his heart had been weak and he was liable to succumb to any slight ailment. Death was due to heart failure following congestion of the lungs

Western Times, Wednesday 29 March 1922
TORQUAY - Torquay Tragedy. Verdict Of Murder Against The Husband. The Resumed Inquest. - Mr S. Hacker yesterday resumed the Inquest at Torquay, on the body of LOUISA WATSON, who was found dead with her throat cut and lying by the side of her husband, WILLIAM JOHN WATSON, in Easterfield-lane, Torquay, a fortnight ago. - In opening the proceedings, the Coroner said he had received a letter from Messrs. Carter and Fisher, solicitors, who were acting for WILLIAM WATSON, who was now on remand at Exeter Gaol. WATSON had been given the opportunity of attending that Enquiry, but the letter had had received intimated that the man did not desire to be present. - Detective J. Milford, recalled, said he took the clothes from WATSON at the Hospital. He produced the coat the man was wearing and there was blood on the collar and down the back. On the right sleeve there was a slight stain, but it was doubtful if it was blood or mud. On searching the pockets he found a razor case and a few small articles, including four farthings and sixpenny-worth of coppers. There was no letter or document of any sort. On Wednesday, the 15th inst., witness interviewed WATSON at the Hospital and told him of his wife's death and charged him with his attempt to commit suicide and the wilful murder of his wife. WATSON said "Oh, no, Sir; what time did she die? I saw Alfred Job, my nephew, at the Palk Arms. He paid for a pint of beer for me and a drop of whisky for LOUIE, He lent me one shilling. We then left the Palk Arms and went up the lane We stood by the hedge. I took my overcoat off and placed my walking stick on it and my hat. LOUIE, said, 'HARRY, I see nothing else in front of us.' I had the razor in my hand behind my back. I said 'Well, here goes.' I had two gashed at my throat with the razor. She said 'Good God,' and took the razor from my hand. I saw her raise it. I dropped and saw her drop by the side of me' - When formally charged later, WATSON said, "I cannot say anything more than I have told you." - P.C. Walter Hosgood said he removed a raincoat from the body of the woman. It was stained with blood on the left shoulder and sleeve and also on the left side of the collar. On the right sleeve there were a few spots of blood, but there was no blood whatever on the right cuff. - There was a small amount of blood on the thumb of the right glove and the left glove was saturated. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Murder" against WATSON.

Western Times, Saturday 1 April 1922
EXETER - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at Exeter yesterday on MRS CHRISTINA VAUGHAN, aged 52, who died in the Hospital. Deceased met with an accident on March 9th, which resulted in a fractured femur. She later developed pleurisy and heart failure followed.

EXETER - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held on MRS C. BEER, of 38 Archibald-road, who died suddenly.

EXETER - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held on MRS ELIZA GRIBBLE, 81, of 45 St Anne's-road, who died suddenly.

HARTLAND - Fell On A Pitchfork. Hartland Farm Labourer's Tragic Death In The Hayfield. - A young farm labourer's death as the result of an injury sustained through falling on the prongs of an upturned pitchfork, owing to a load of straw on which he was standing falling over, was Inquired into by the North Devon Coroner, Mr George Brown, at Stoke Barton, Hartland, on Thursday, the victim being ALBERT JEFFERY, aged 20, a single man. The father spoke to the deceased having been brought home injured on March 15th from Mr Allin's farm at Stoke Barton. Deceased attributed no blame to anyone, it being a pure accident. - Richard Jones, farm labourer, said they were engaged in threshing operations at the time. Witness had just thrown up the last wad of straw to deceased, and rested his fork on the ground with the prongs upward, when, without any warning, the load suddenly slipped over and nearly buried him. Deceased fell with it, and must have fallen against the prongs of the fork. Witness also thought it a pure accident. - Dr Kay, of Hartland, spoke to attending to deceased from just after the accident up to the time of his death on the 29th inst. JEFFERY had a lacerated wound on the left shoulder, and a punctured wound on the right side of the neck, about five inches deep. He was suffering considerably from shock, but there was very little haemorrhage. Deceased did not rally as witness expected and on the 23rd developed a high temperature and septic poisoning set in, and subsequently pleurisy and pneumonia. Death took place on the 29th inst., from septic poisoning, as the result of the injury. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attributed no blame to anyone.

Western Times, Thursday 6 April 1922
CHRISTOW - Christow Inquest Adjourned. - An Inquest on BESSIE WILLS, 26, a domestic servant at Canonteign House, Christow, was held by the District Coroner, Mr Hy. W. Gould, yesterday. Deceased was suddenly taken ill and died within a short time. The Inquest was adjourned till the 27th inst., for further evidence as to the cause of death.

BARNSTAPLE - Victim Of Malaria. Single Man Found Shot In Hotel At Barnstaple. - At Barnstaple yesterday, HARRY GRENNEY, a single man, aged about 42, was found dead with a bullet wound in his head from a revolver clutched in his hand, in the bedroom of the Hotel where he had been residing for some time past. The deceased was a native of the town and since his return from America several years ago, had followed no occupation. Usually of a very cheerful disposition, he had, it is stated, been unwell for a few days past suffering from a recurrence of malaria contracted whilst serving with the 2/6th Devons in India during the war. - The Inquest. - At the Inquest yesterday, MRS F. B. CANN, a sister, said for the last ten or twelve years her brother lived on money he earned while in America. Up to about six months ago he lived with their mother at Grosvenor-terrace, Barnstaple. He then sold the house and furniture which belonged to him and which must have realised somewhere about £900. Other than that she knew nothing about his financial position. His health had been very poor since he returned from India, where he served in the army during the war. He had a pension as his health was broken; he was also dropsical, at times very depressed and others very cheerful. She never heard him threaten to take his life. - Mr C. H. Thomas, proprietor of the Waverley Hotel, Barnstaple, said deceased had been residing at his Hotel since the middle of last November. He suffered from periodical attacks, which kept him in bed for some days; he complained of pains in the leg. On Saturday night he had one such attack and appeared to be depressed. Taking witness's advice he remained in bed all day on Sunday and Monday. He got up a little on Tuesday, but had not been out-of-door since Saturday. Witness advised sending for a doctor, but deceased said it was the same old thing again and he did not think it did much good. Deceased had everything in life he wanted. Witness had no suspicion he would take his life and did not know he had a revolver. Complaint made by persons sleeping in adjoining rooms showed that deceased must have been uneasy during the night and witness imagined he was delirious. When the boots called him that morning he got no answer and the door was locked. On an entrance being effected, deceased was found lying across the bed. He left no letters to throw any light on the occurrence. He did not appear to be in financial difficulties. - Dr Shaw, who had been attending the deceased during the last six months, said deceased complained of depression and witness attributed it to an enlarged liver. His condition was such as would give rise to severe mental depression at times. - The verdict of the Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, was "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Friday 7 April 1922
TORQUAY - Torquay Fatality. The Necessity Of Having Look-Out Men On Trailers. - At the Inquest at Torquay on BERNARD CHAWLEY WEAVER, the seven-year-old child of MR W. R. WEAVER, Schoolmaster at Torquay, who received fatal injuries through falling underneath a motor trailer, it was stated by the father that the deceased, a high-spirited lad, who was going to school with him, ran on to join some companions when witness stopped to assist an old man who had met with an accident. Hilda Sims said as they were walking up Forest-road the boy WEAVER got on the bar between a lorry and a trailer, although she told him not to. He fell off after riding a little distance and the front wheel of the trailer passed over him. The driver of the lorry said there were no men on the trailer, and those in front knew nothing of the occurrence until someone shouted to them to stop. The lorry was only going at a crawl. Medical evidence was that death was due to fracture of the spine, internal injuries and shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner observing that there was an outstanding danger to child life to which attention should be given so that such trailers, when drawn by motor lorries, should be under observation of the men in control. He should consider the necessity of making representation on the subject to the Ministry of Transport to enable something to be done by way of remedy.

EXETER - Sad Death Of An Exeter Council Clerk. - The Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Enquiry into the circumstances relating to the death of WILLIAM JNO. HENRY TAYLOR, at 14 Wonford-road, yesterday. Deceased, who was 24 years of age, was a clerk in the Surveyor's office and died suddenly on his way to business on Wednesday. - WILLIAM HENRY TAYLOR, of 23 Shaftsbury-avenue, Plymouth, identified the body as that of his son, who had been married about six weeks. A colleague, Edward C. Bunker, of 14 South Lawn-terrace, Exeter, said MR TAYLOR had been in delicate health since leaving the Army. Wednesday he called at his house and, apparently, he was quite well. At the top of Lyndhurst-road, he attempted to clear his throat and asked witness to take him home. A coal waggon was passing and he was taken home on it, but died before he reached his residence. - Dr Clapp said deceased had been suffering from tuberculosis and there was a cavity at the base of the right lung. He formed the opinion that deceased had burst a blood vessel in that cavity and died of profuse haemorrhage. - The Coroner, after expressing sympathy with the relatives, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 11 April 1922
EXETER - Sad Death Of An Exeter Woman. - The Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, relative to the death of AMELIA DAVEY, aged 63 years, who was found hanging behind a door at her residence, 21 James-street, on Saturday. - FREDERICK DAVEY identified the body as that of his mother, and said she had been under the doctor for the past 18 months. She had complained of violent pains in the head and stomach, and also suffered from a weak heart. Deceased lost a son through the war, and two sons were wounded. This caused her a lot of worry. - ALBERT EDWARD DAVEY, another son, said deceased was temperate in her habits. On Saturday morning he discovered his mother hanging, with a scarf round her neck, behind the coalhouse door. She was not quite dead, but expired soon after. - Dr J. Pereira Gray said death was due to asphyxia, due to hanging. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 13 April 1922
VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT - Bampton Woman Drowned At The Isle of Wight. - The Body of ELLEN CHORLEY, 31, of Bampton, who had been employed as a domestic servant at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, was found on the beach there last Friday, having been in the water apparently for two or three hours. At the Inquest it was stated that CHORLEY when she first arrived at Ventnor seemed bright, but of late had become depressed. The evening before her death she had brightened up and talked cheerfully about Taunton. Previously she had complained of being unwell and of feeling numb. She had been in Taunton Hospital with a nervous breakdown. There was no evidence to show when deceased left the house, but the Coroner, who entered a verdict of "Found Drowned" expressed the view that she left at dawn.

Western Times, Monday 17 April 1922
STOKE DAMEREL - Mystery Of Plymouth Officer's Death. - Mystery still surrounds the death of LIEUT. HUBERT JULIAN CARN-DUFF, of H.M.S. Valiant, the well-known Rugby footballer, whose body was found floating in Devonport Harbour on Thursday morning. - At the Inquest on Saturday it was stated that he had dinner with two midshipmen at a Plymouth restaurant on Wednesday night, and at half-past ten went with them to the local yacht club, leaving alone later. An Open Verdict was returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - Naval Officer's Death At Devonport. - A verdict of "Drowned as the result of an attack of Syncope" was recorded at an Inquest at Devonport on Saturday on LIEUT.-COMMANDER RAYMOND DE CAEN, H.M.S. Sardonyx, who was found dead in a bath at a Hotel. A Surgeon Commander said the water in the bath was very hot. The sudden shock might have caused syncope. The widow stated her husband had been in bad health since May.

DAWLISH - Dawlish Tragedy. Suicide Of A Retired Butcher With Humane Killer. - Mr Sydney Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquiry at Dawlish on Saturday into the circumstances of the death of MR JOHN MARK HUTCHINGS, a retired butcher, aged 70, which took place in the cellar of his residence, 2 Cliftonville, Dawlish, about noon on Good Friday. - ALBANY BERTRAM HUTCHINGS, of Lympstone, auctioneer's clerk, gave evidence of identification. The tragedy was inexplicable to him. Deceased left no explanation in writing. - MARY PIKE HUTCHINGS, widow, said deceased had suffered from asthma for years, but had been worse for the past two years. He also complained a good deal of pains in his head. He was kept awake a good deal at night by the asthma. The last few days he had been his usual self. He was no worse than usual on Good Friday morning. He had a small breakfast and went out. - Vera Hembury, of Pontyprid, a visitor, deposed to seeing a man lying in the cellar of 2 Cliftonville, on Good Friday at 11.30 a.m. She called MRS HUTCHINGS and fetched Dr Thomas. - Robert Netherway, butcher, said deceased came to his yard at about 10 a.m. on Good Friday and borrowed his humane killer, saying he wanted to kill a dog. He had worked for witness and had used the humane killer many a time. - Dr Montagu Cutcliffe, saw deceased in the cellar at about 11.20 a.m. and adjudged he had been dead an hour. The bullet had gone right through his brain. Dr F. J. H. Cann had attended deceased for many years. He always spoke very dolefully of his ailments and was distressed because he could not work, but otherwise was of a buoyant disposition. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 19 April 1922
EXETER - Running To Father. Exeter Girl's Pathetic End. - An Inquest on PHYLLIS MAY WEST, of 3 Tremlett's Cottages, aged 6 years, who died suddenly at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on April 15th, was held by the City Coroner at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. The father, MR R. J. WEST, identified the body, and said that on April 13th he got home to dinner about a quarter to 1. His wife was bringing a saucepan of cabbage from the back kitchen into the kitchen. Deceased, seeing witness coming, ran towards him, and collided with her mother. Water in the saucepan was spilled and the child received scalds on the right arm and chest. Witness dressed the wounds and later took deceased to the Hospital, where she was attended and then allowed to go home. As the scalds seemed worse in the evening deceased was again taken to the Hospital and detained. She died on Saturday. The mother, MRS A. D. WEST, gave similar evidence. Dr A. Thompson said he examined deceased when she was brought to the Hospital, and found she was suffering from burns, which were chiefly on the arm. The child seemed to be in good condition, and after dressing the burns he allowed her to go, telling the parents to bring her back if she got any worse. When the child came back in the evening he detected signs of pneumonia and she died in the Hospital next day about 10 a.m. He attributed death to pneumonia and shock, following burns. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The Coroner expressed sympathy with the parents.

EXETER - Overturned Lamp. St Thomas Housewife Succumbs To Burns. Inquest Yesterday. - The Exeter City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House, yesterday, relative to ANNIE STOCKER HARVEY, aged 44, of Improvement-place, St Thomas, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on the 17th inst., from injuries received in a fire which broke out in her room on the 3rd March. - The husband said that he had regularly visited his wife during the six weeks she had been in the Hospital. She told him the accident happened through the accidental knocking over of an oil lamp. - Mrs Williams, a neighbour, said about 6.30 p.m. on the 3rd March, she heard a crash, followed by moaning and the cry of "I can't." Looking out, witness saw the deceased's room full of smoke and flames. She opened the window and called for assistance. Deceased ran away from the window towards the stairs. - Frederick Pile, who was called, said he was pushed into deceased's room through the window. Deceased's clothing, which was on fire, came off in his hands. He wrapped her in a tablecloth and put out the flames. The carpet was also burning and he put out the fire with water. He tried to open the door, but it was locked and he could not find the key. He was hardly able to breathe, so thick was the smoke and he had to return to the window to get water. Ultimately the door was broken open. - P.C. Newman, who rendered first aid, said on the way to the Hospital deceased told him she was going upstairs with a lighted oil lamp. Feeling faint, she fell backwards. Witness found the lamp smashed at the bottom of the stairs. Deceased's breath smelt of drink. In the kitchen there were two empty beer bottles, one empty stout bottle, and a broken jug containing beer. - Dr Ian Thomson said deceased on being admitted to the Hospital was suffering from severe burns on the chest, back and arms. After a few days she appeared to get over the effects of the shock. He had never seen a worse case. He attributed death to septic poisoning, the result of burns. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - The Coroner complimented the young man who entered the room on his courage.

Western Times, Thursday 20 April 1922
NEWTON ST CYRES - River Tragedy. Woman's Body Found In The Creedy. Missing For A Week. - On Tuesday the body of MRS BESSIE HARDING, aged 36, wife of MR T. J. HARDING, a platelayer of Newton St Cyres, was found in the river Creedy near New Bridge, just beyond Cowley. - The deceased disappeared from her home about 10.30 on the morning of the 11th inst. Half-an-hour later she was seen in the field near Marsh Bridge about a quarter of a mile away. She appeared to be rather strange in her manner, but she nodded to those who passed her. Except that she had had nervous trouble of late there was nothing apparently to account for her disappearance. - The river was dragged without result. About seven o'clock on Tuesday her husband and a brother-in-law were walking along the river bank when they found the deceased lying face downwards at the water's edge. - The Inquest: Verdict of "Found Drowned." - Last evening the Deputy Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, held the Inquest at Half Moon Cottages, Newton St Cyres. - THOMAS JOHN HARDING, the husband, said he last saw his wife alive on Tuesday, 11th April at 6.45 a.m., when he left to go to his work. She was then in bed. For a goiter in the neck, she consulted Dr Hugo, of Crediton, at the end of February. She had complained of pains in the head and legs since she had a cold, but did not appear depressed, nor had she threatened to take her life. Witness could not suggest any reason why she should have been down by the water or the bridge, where she was seen on the day she was missed. When he returned to dinner at one o'clock he was informed she was missing. - Susan Bastin, wife of ex-P.C. Bastin, a neighbour, said deceased called at her house about 10.30 on the 11th, and left soon afterwards. Witness did not notice she was depressed: in fact, when she left she seemed to be quite cheerful. She remarked she was going in to finish her work. When the children came home at 12.30 a neighbour asked witness if deceased was with her. - Alfred H. Blatchford, farmer, said he saw deceased on the morning in question at Marsh Bridge. It was about 11 o'clock. She was standing in the centre of the bridge looking up the stream. She had no hat nor any outdoor clothes. Witness, on reaching the bridge, passed the time of the day and deceased nodded. It was not infrequent to see persons on the bridge watching the swans. The iron fencing of the bridge would prevent a person falling into the water there. - Fredk. John Parker, smith, who had been looking for the body of deceased ever since she was missed, said he found it near New Bridge, at the edge of the water, about 7.15 on Tuesday evening. that was about three-quarters of a mile from the bridge where deceased was seen by the last witness. - P.C. Rooke said he searched the body, but found nothing to throw any light on the affair. - Dr Hugo, of Crediton, said on February 27th he prescribed for deceased, who had a goiter. She promised to call on him, but he had not seen her since. She was, when he treated her, in no way depressed. He had examined the body which had evidently been in the water since the 11th inst. there was a cut over the left eye which, in witness's opinion, was caused after death. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned and the Deputy Coroner expressed sympathy with the husband and children.

Western Times, Friday 21 April 1922
TIVERTON - Death from "Natural Causes" was the verdict at an Inquest held at the Tiverton Hospital, Wednesday, on EWART BROOKS, aged 53, who died suddenly on the previous day at the house of his brother, ERNEST BROOKS, Water-lane, Tiverton.

Western Times, Tuesday 25 April 1922
EXETER - Death In The Passage Of An Exeter Public House. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest, held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, yesterday, on the body of MRS FANNY SHEPHERD, aged 65, wife of a painter, living at King William Terrace. - Evidence was given by the husband to the effect that he had been to the Palladium with his wife on Friday last and afterwards went to the Honiton Inn. His wife waited for him in the passage and, before he was served, she fell down and expired. - Dr lovely stated that deceased had an attack of syncope and died from heart failure.

Western Times, Wednesday 26 April 1922
NEWTON ABBOT - Sleeping Sickness. Suicide Of A Victim At Newton Abbot. The Inquest Story. - The circumstances surrounding the death of MR WILLIAM H. E. TOWELL, of Abbotsbury Lodge, Newton Abbot, which occurred last Saturday, as the result of wounds in the throat, were investigated by Mr S. Hacker, the District Coroner, at Newton Abbot, yesterday. - MRS TOWELL said her husband was 57 years of age. Last June he was invalided from the Postal service. He was nervous and depressed and complained of pains in the head. He took no interest in anything. Two years ago he suffered from sleeping sickness. At the end of March he returned from Exmouth, where he had been staying for several months. On Saturday morning, witness went upstairs with egg and milk for him about 11 o'clock. She found him lying by the side of the bed in the bed clothes. There was a pool of blood and she supposed he had broken a blood-vessel. Later she saw the razor near by, which was usually kept in the kitchen. She did not know when it was removed. Deceased had not exhibited any suicidal tendencies. - Dr R. F. Higgin described the injuries to the throat, which included the severing of the windpipe. An operation to enable breathing through the nose was performed successfully, but a good deal of blood had been swallowed and when irritation set in, deceased was choked and died of suffocation. Witness had known deceased for nine years. In 1920 he suffered from sleeping sickness. - The Coroner: I had no idea there had been any sleeping sickness in Newton Abbot. - Dr Higgin: There were several cases up and down the country at the time and this was one of them. We had several specialists to see it. - The Coroner: These cases are generally fatal? - Yes, but not quite so fatal as the tropical cases. - Continuing, Dr Higgins aid the illness left the deceased without confidence. Witness was under the impression that he cut his throat in a merely impulsive moment. - A verdict was returned of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

LITTLE TORRINGTON - Wished He Was Dead. Labourer's Suicide Near Torrington: The Inquest Story. - At the Buckingham Arms, Taddiport, near Torrington, last evening, the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, held an Inquest on JAMES DYMOND, 55, general labourer, of Taddiport, who was found drowned in the river close by that morning. - MRS CLARA DYMOND, the widow, said her husband came home about 920 the previous evening, but immediately went out again, and did not return. Deceased had been ill for nine weeks, suffering from influenza and unable to work. He had never threatened to take his life, but she had heard him say he wished he was dead. When he had not returned by the morning, she informed the Police. - Mrs Davey, of Taddiport, said she saw deceased the previous afternoon, when he had just come from the doctor, who, he said, would not sign him off. Deceased said he was crippled up and was better out of it; the pain was more than he could bear. He wanted to work, but could not. - Dr Pridham said he had been attending deceased for about nine weeks. Deceased tried about four weeks ago to work, but had to give it up. Witness saw him the previous day and told him he had better wait a few days or a week to see if the weather became warmer, before he could sign him off. He took a rather gloomy view of life and there was no doubt he was upset and depressed. Witness had warned him against taking beer. - George Hancock said he found deceased's cap and pipe on the bank, and the body was discovered in the water. - Mrs Grace Short, landlady of the Buckingham Arms, said in the evening deceased had half a pint of cider and after 9.30 one drop of whisky. He left perfectly sober at 10 and said "Good-night" in the usual way. - P.C. Tonkin said there was no note of any kind on the body. He saw deceased himself the previous day, when he seemed down-hearted because he did not fancy he was getting well quickly enough to go to work. - The Coroner said the man's illness seemed to have preyed on his mind. It was refreshing to find the deceased was anxious to return to work; nowadays it did not seem to trouble people very much whether they returned to work or not. He thought deceased must have gone straight to the river after he left that house and thrown himself in. He (the Coroner) returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind." - Fifteen years ago a child of the deceased was accidentally drowned at the same spot.

Western Times, Thursday 27 April 1922
EXETER - Fatal Fall Down Stairs. Death Of An Elderly Widow In St. Thomas. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Crooner, conducted an Inquest at Digby's Asylum on Monday afternoon, on MARY JANE SANDFORD, aged 77, who died on April 21st. Mr A. J. Tucker represented the deceased's relatives. - Dr Bartlett, Medical Superintendent, said MRS SANDFORD was admitted on April 7th from St Thomas Infirmary. On examining her he found a scar on the right side of the forehead and her mental condition was confused. He had made a post mortem examination and found deceased had a fracture of the skull, haemorrhage inside the membranes of the skull pressing upon the brain, and the fourth rib broken. - Mr R. Squire (brother-in-law of the deceased) called on his sister on March 30th, at 31 Courtenay-road. He knocked at the door, but received no answer. Hearing a noise as though someone was falling downstairs, he went in and found deceased in a kneeling position at the bottom of the stairs. He asked her what had happened, but received no sensible answer. - Mrs E. Southcott, daughter of the last witness, said she was called to Courtenay-road by her father, and when she asked the deceased the cause of the wounds she received the following reply: "Falling about, I suppose." - Dr Stokes, of St Thomas, said the confused condition of the deceased was consistent with the injuries received. He dressed the wound, which, in his opinion, had been caused by a fall. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - A Newton Fatality. Cyclist And Motor Van Collide. Story At Inquest. - The main road between Newton Abbot and Totnes was Tuesday the scene of a collision between a cyclist and motor van, which was subsequently attended with fatal results to the cyclist. He was MR FRED FARLEIGH, licensee of the Church House Inn, Torbryan, a ganger in the employ of the G.W.R. - MR FARLEIGH, who was cycling to his work in the direction of Newton Abbot, was crossing the main road at right angles to Coombe Fishacre Cross at the moment, as when a milk motor van, driven by Mr Bowden, dairyman of Queen-street, Newton Abbot, was coming along the main road in the direction of Newton. In an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the cyclist, Mr Bowden turned his car towards the hedge and collided with a telegraph pole and the van completely overturned. Both Mr Bowden and another person with him were fortunate to escape with slight injuries, but MR FARLEIGH was discovered in the roadway severely injured and was brought to the Newton Abbot Hospital, where, despite every treatment, he died the same night. He leaves a widow and a young family. - The Inquest. - Mr S. Hacker and a Jury at Newton Abbot yesterday Enquired into the circumstances of the fatality. Mr M. R. Bowden, the driver of the motor van, was represented by Mr J. Mason and Mr P.C. Cornish Bowden appeared for the widow. Deceased was 42 years of age. MRS FARLEIGH said she saw her husband at the Hospital. He was quite conscious, but did not make any reference to the accident. - Thomas Cockerham of Kingsteignton, employed by Mr Bowden, said he was accompanying his employer to Shedrick Farm with the motor van to fetch milk. At Coombe Fishacre Cross the horn was being sounded for a distance of 20 yards and the van was travelling at the rate of 10 miles per hour. It was impossible to see anyone coming from the Torbryan-road until they were at the crossing. Then deceased, who was proceeding on a cycle, crashed into the side of the van. Mr Bowden swerved and struck a telegraph pole in the hedge. Witness got out of the van and discovered the cycle in the centre of the road and deceased lying near by. FARLEIGH was conscious and groaningly complained of his shoulder. Witness said it appeared to him that deceased was riding too fast and that he lost control of the machine. - George Holmes, Ipplepen, said he arrived on the scene of the accident about 7.30 p.m. There was a decline in the road taken by deceased to get towards the Cross. The height of the hedges at the crossing prevented anything being seen on the main road. - Mrs Elliott, Park Cottages, Ipplepen, said she noticed Mr Bowden was driving quietly when the van passed her house, which is a quarter of a mile from the scene of the accident. Witness went to the cross-roads and saw deceased. His only comment was, "This is terrible." - Dr A. Sealey, of Ipplepen, who arrived on the scene at 7.30, said by a casual examination he found deceased suffering from a fractured thigh and collar bone and directed his removal to Newton Hospital. Witness testified to the dangerous nature of the crossing, and said it would be difficult for deceased to slow down coming along the Coombe-road, as the slope was considerable. He could see the car was on its correct side. Deceased also appeared to have been on his proper side, but swerved to the left just before the impact. - Dr J. Scrase, who saw deceased at the Hospital, said FARLEIGH'S left thigh was fractured, also three ribs on the left side of the chest and a fracture of the left collar-bone. There was a contusion of the left eye. - Inspector Brown deposed to asking deceased at the Hospital how the accident occurred, and receiving the reply, "I don't think anyone is to blame." This was shortly before deceased died. - P.C. Webber, of Ipplepen, said the car was overturned 60 feet from the impact. - The version of the accident given by the driver of the car (after having been cautioned by the Coroner) was a corroboration of the statement of his employee (Cockerham). - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated the driver of the motor van from blame. They added a rider to the effect that the authorities should be asked to trim the hedges at the crossing and to affix a warning notice respecting the dangerous state of the turnings.

Western Times, Friday 29 April 1922
CHRISTOW - Parlourmaid's Death At Christow. - The District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, held the adjourned Inquest at Christow yesterday on the body of BESSIE WILLS, aged 26, a parlourmaid employed at Canonsteign House, the residence of Lord Exmouth. Deceased was found sitting on the floor of a room next to the pantry. She appeared to be in great agony, and said she had pains in the stomach. She refused brandy and died a quarter of an hour later. There was a utensil containing what appeared to be dirty water in the room. Dr Nicholl, of Dunsford, stated that he had made a post-mortem examination, and found deceased was pregnant. In witness's opinion death was due to shock following an injection of water or some antiseptic. The report of the analyst who examined the contents of the stomach stated that he found no poisonous matter. The water found in the room was a solution containing 3.5 per cent, of sulphate of zinc, which Dr Nicholl said would have no greater effect than that of ordinary water. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from shock as a result of an injection by her own act to procure abortion.

Western Times, Thursday 4 May 1922
ROMANSLEIGH - Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Romansleigh, concerning the death of ELIZABETH GARNSWORTHY CROOK, wife of a farm labourer named SAMUEL CROOK. Dr Seal, of South Molton, said a post mortem examination revealed death due to fatty degeneration of the heart and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Tuesday 9 May 1922
UPTON PYNE - Out Of Work And Depressed. Elderly Upton Pyne Clerk Takes His Life. - Mr H. W. Gould conducted an Inquest at Upton Pyne, on Saturday, on the body of CHARLES HOWARD, aged 60, a clerk, of Upton Pyne, who was found hanging in an orchard on May 5th. - SARAH JANE HOWARD, the widow, said she went to Exeter at 9.45 a.m. on the 5th, and deceased helped her to harness the horse. He was quieter than usual, but there was nothing unusual in his appearance. Witness returned at 1.45 p.m., but the house was locked up. She searched for her husband, and saw him lying on the ground at the bottom of the orchard which adjoined the house. Not receiving any reply she went for Mr Ridler, who resided in the village and the latter found deceased to be dead. Deceased had never threatened to take his life, but he had been depressed in consequence of not having any work. He had no money and was dependent on witness. They had been married eight months. - Jonathan Ridler, a roadman, deposed to finding deceased in the orchard lying on his face. There was a piece of cord around his neck and witness later saw a similar piece of cord tied to an apple tree, under which deceased was lying. There was a ladder leaning against the tree. - Dr J. Beddow, of Thorverton, attributed death to strangulation. - The Coroner brought in a verdict of "Suicide whilst being of Unsound Mind."

CREDITON - Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner for the District, held an Inquest at the Court House, Crediton, yesterday, on the infant child of BESSIE WARREN, a widow, residing at Bell-court, Crediton. Evidence was given by Mrs Jane Labbett, of Bell-avenue and Dr L. Powne, the latter, who had made a post mortem examination, stating that the child was stillborn. The Coroner returned a verdict to this effect.

Western Times, Wednesday 10 May 1922
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Tragedy. Loss Of Friends Gives Rise To Depression. Sudden Leap From Cliff. - Dr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest at Exmouth Police Court yesterday, relative to the death of MISS ALICE BLACKMORE , aged 55 years, of 5 Clarence-road, Exmouth, whose body was found lying under the cliffs at Littleham Cove on Sunday afternoon. - Mr James Salter, of the Bungalow, Chapeltown, near Barnstaple, stated that he had known MISS ALICE BLACKMORE for more than thirty years and had identified her body at the Mortuary. He last saw her alive on the preceding Wednesday. She was then a little strange in her manner, though he had seen her worse. He had never heard her threaten to take her life. She was of a religious turn of mind, but was not affected by it in any way. - The Coroner: Not affected by religious questions? - No. - Proceeding, Mr Salter stated that MISS BLACKMORE attended the funeral of his daughter at week ago at Wimbledon. They had been close friends and possibly MISS BLACKMORE was upset. She was fairly well off and not likely to worry about financial matters. - Mr Walter Cox, of 5 Clarence-road, Exmouth, said he had known deceased for two years. She had apartments at his house and it was noticed that she was a little worried at times. She was always ready to do things for other people beyond her strength. MISS BLACKMORE was a religious person and a very great church worker. She usually took her meals with Mrs Cox and himself. On the Sunday morning, however, she had breakfast in bed, and left the house about half-past ten to go to church, taking Miss Hore, a blind lady, with her as far as St Saviour's Church. - Miss Maud Elizabeth Hore said she had known deceased 30 years and thought she seemed rather melancholy during the last two or three years. - The Coroner: What seemed to worry her most? - Witness: Her loneliness. - She had complained of being lonely? - Yes. - Had she threatened to take her life? - No, never. - Proceeding, witness said she advised MISS BLACKMORE about three months ago to consult a doctor and believed she did so. She thought the deceased suffered from nervousness, which seemed to make her unhappy without reason. She did not suffer from delusions. In accordance with a promise MISS BLACKMORE called for her on Sunday morning and escorted her as far as St Saviour's Church, her friend's intention being to proceed to Holy Trinity Church. - Thomas Sedgemore (15) of Budleigh Salterton, stated that with Arthur Robbins and other lads on Sunday afternoon he walked along the cliffs to Littleham Cove, where they saw a lady's hat and coat and a pair of gloves, lying about ten feet from the edge of the cliff, the approach to which was very steep. The coat was folded with the hat on top and in a pocket was found a Prayer Book with the name of ALICE BLACKMORE. Robbins and himself went some distance around to get to the bottom of the cliff and there saw the body of a woman lying on the rocks, but could not reach it on account of the high tide. They returned to Salterton links and informed P.C. Hulland. - Arthur Robbins (16) corroborated, and in reply to the Coroner, said he did not think they could have rendered any assistance even if they could have reached the body. - P.C. Hulland said it was a sheer drop from the cliff to the rocks below of quite 40 feet. From the appearance of the body he considered that the deceased gathered her skirts under her arms and took a leap over the cliff. Lumps of the cliff, which she had dislodged in her fall, were lying about, but there was nothing in her hands to show that she had tried to save herself from falling. In her dress pocket was a sixpenny-piece. - Dr R. S. Thomas said he had known deceased for 25 years and had attended her professionally from time to time, the last occasion being in January 1921. She had been depressed since her father's death about ten years ago and was very restless, but witness had no reason to suspect that she would take her life. The deceased had sustained fearful injuries and death was due to shock resulting from these, both thighs and the right shoulder being fractured. - It was stated that MISS BLACKMORE was 55 years of age and the daughter of a gardener, the late MR CHARLES BLACKMORE. - The Coroner said the evidence pointed clearly to the fact that MISS BLACKMORE threw herself over the cliff while in a state of Unsound Mind. She had evidently come to the conclusion that she was a lonely person, and did away with herself in a melancholy mood. He returned a verdict accordingly, death being due to shock following the injuries.

EXETER - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on MRS EMMA GREGORY, aged 65 years, of 8 Friars-hill, who died on Sunday night. Dr Gent said death was due to heart failure consequent upon diabetes.

Western Times, Thursday 11 May 1922
OFFWELL - Mentally Defective Girl Ran In Front Of Motor Car. An East Devon Inquest. - How FRANCIS MURIEL HUBBARD, the 12-year-old daughter of ALBERT G. HUBBARD, chauffeur, of Mount Pleasant, Offwell, was knocked down and killed by a motor car driven by Mr R. E. Richards of New-street, Honiton, on Monday evening, was related at the Inquest held at Offwell by the District Coroner, Dr Tweed, yesterday. Mr Norman Lake, of Exeter, on behalf of Messrs. Every and Phillips, Honiton, represented Mr Richards. - The evidence was to the effect that Mr Richards was driving a motor car with a passenger, named Bertha Machon, a dressmaker of Coombe Raleigh, from Seaton to Honiton. When he was passing Mount Pleasant the deceased raced directly in front of the car from the offside of the road, and was knocked down. She was taken to Dr Mills' Surgery at Honiton, where it was ascertained that she was suffering from fractured legs, skull and internal haemorrhage and she died shortly afterwards. - The girl, said her mother giving evidence, was not strong mentally and under the circumstances had been exempted from attendance at school. The mental deficiency officer saw her recently and said she might in time be able to earn something, but not enough to keep her. - In reply to Mr Lake, witness said she had received complaints of the deceased running in front of cars and holding up her hands to stop them. - The accident was witnessed by Alice Blomfield, housekeeper, residing at Mount Pleasant. She stated that deceased was walking along the road on the right hand side of the car, and just before it reached her she ran straight out in front. - Mr Richards, who was driving the car, said he saw a little girl walking on the right side of the road as though picking flowers. He kept to the left side as close to the hedge as he could as the road had been tarred. With the exception of the deceased, the road was clear. Just as he was about to pass her, she made a bolt across the road in front of the car. He put on the brakes, but the child had been knocked down before the car stopped within two lengths. He was not going more than 15 miles an hour. - Another witness stated that when picked up, deceased moaned and said, "Mammy, Mammy." - The Coroner, in reviewing the evidence, said, in his opinion, it was clear that Mr Richards was a careful driver, and as far as he could see there was nothing against him. The Jury would be justified in returning a verdict of "Misadventure." - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and exonerated the driver from all blame. - Mr Norman Lake, on behalf of Mr Richards, expressed sympathy with the relatives of deceased. - The Coroner said he could not help reiterating what had often been said that children should be instructed to get out of the way of approaching motors and other vehicles. It was clearly the duty of parents and school masters to warn children of this danger. - The mother of the deceased: I have done my utmost in this respect. - The Coroner: I am sure you have. - The Jury handed their fees to the mother.

Western Times, Friday 12 May 1922
NORTH TAWTON - Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest at North Tawton without a Jury on the body of MISS EMILY KINGDON, who was found dead on a couch. Deceased was 63 years of age and lived alone in Exeter-street, where she had resided for about 36 years. Dr Isard (North Tawton), who was called in after death, did not consider a post-mortem was necessary, as he was satisfied the cause was heart failure. Mrs Lee, a neighbour, stated that she did errands for deceased, and saw her last on Monday night. MISS KINGDON was then apparently better, although she had been ailing for some time. The next morning when she took MISS KINGDON'S milk, witness found the door locked. She went through an adjoining houses and she found the back door unlocked. On entering, she found deceased lying quite naturally on the couch, but was shocked to find she was dead. She immediately sent for the doctor. Miss G. Fisher (Coleridge) said she went to see her aunt on Sunday and then advised her to have the doctor, but her aunt did not consider it was necessary, nor did she accept an invitation to be taken to Coleridge. P.C. Hutchings corroborated the doctor's evidence as to the absence of any external cause of death, which the Coroner decided was due to heart failure arising from natural causes.

Western Times, Monday 15 May 1922
EXETER - Hospital Tragedy. Patient At Exeter Jumps From Ward Window. - An Inquest was held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, on Saturday, on the body of ERNEST B. SMELT of 1 Hill's Court, Longbrook-street, retired commercial traveller, whose death occurred at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital that morning. - MRS M. SMELT said she had never heard her husband make any remarks about taking his life. - Doris M. Sanders, nurse at the Hospital, said deceased had been a patient there since May 8th, and on Friday night he was very restless. At about 6.15 on Saturday morning she left the ward where deceased was lying in order to fetch some milk. There was no other nurse present and she was only away about a minute. Witness heard screams from the other patients and then found that deceased had jumped out of the window. - Annie Love, night sister, said she visited Dean Clarke Ward on Saturday morning and a patient came to her and said, "He is dead," meaning MR SMELT. She then heard he had jumped out of the window. She went downstairs and found deceased lying in a heap where he had fallen. When witness saw him he was unconscious, but he soon came round. On being asked why he jumped out of the window, he said, "I don't know." - Dr J. L. Pringle said deceased appeared to be very rational, although, on one occasion, he had talked in a very vague way about committing suicide. On examining deceased he found a wound about six inches long at the back of the head and the base of the skull was fractured. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

CHUDLEIGH - Chudleigh Sensation. Shoemaker Who Could Not Bear Loss Of Wife. The Inquest Story. - All the elements of pathos and tragedy are associated with an occurrence at Chudleigh on Friday morning, as briefly reported in our Saturday's issue. - JOHN COMPODONICO, of 9 Fore-street, Chudleigh, who carried on the business of a shoemaker and is well known in the town, on Sunday, 7th inst., lost his wife by death, and since then he had been beside himself with grief. - The funeral had been arranged to take place on Friday afternoon and in the morning the coffin was brought downstairs to await removal for interment. Shortly afterwards MR COMPODONICO was discovered lying in one of the bedrooms with a double-barrelled gun by his side, one of the barrels of which had been discharged into the middle part of his stomach, causing a terrible wound. Dr Walters and P.C. Horne were immediately summoned, but nothing could be done to save the life of the unfortunate man. - Deceased, who was forty years of age, had lived in Chudleigh all his life. He took a keen interest in the affairs of the village and for some years was a member of the Parish Council. At one time he was Liberal agent, and did useful work for the cause. He lived with his wife and father, the latter being over 90 years of age. - At the Inquest held on Saturday by Mr S. Hacker, it was stated by John E. Perkins, of Plymouth, that the deceased's wife had been in ill-health for years. Deceased felt his loss acutely and was depressed. On Friday morning he seemed calm until the undertaker arrived with the coffin. Then he became very agitated. When a number of wreaths arrived deceased asked witness to write a card for a wreath which was being bought for him. Witness went downstairs to do this and returning could not find deceased in the dining-room. In the bedroom deceased was lying on the floor. thinking he had fainted, witness ran to fetch brandy and on returning saw a double-barrelled gun lying diagonally across the body. Witness had not heard any report of a gun. Deceased was of a rather excitable temperament and very devoted to his wife. - Dr A. P. Walters said the deceased was quite dead when he called. The gun was lying across the body and level with his head was a foot-rule, which witness thought deceased used to press the trigger. The coat, vest and shirt were undone and a wound was seen below the breast bone on the left side. Deceased was most attentive to his wife and had waited on her, hand and foot, during her illness of several years. - Mrs Edith Millman said the gun was observed in the cupboard in deceased's bedroom on Monday last. She had no idea, however, how long it had been there. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

EXETER - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held at the Exeter Court House on Saturday relative to THOMAS RADDON, aged 86, of 6 Clifton-road, Newtown, Exeter, who was found dead in his bed on Friday morning.

Western Times, Tuesday 16 May 1922
TOPSHAM - Nonagenarian's Fatal Fall At Topsham. - An Inquest was held at Topsham yesterday afternoon by the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, relative to the death of SELINA ANGLEIS, of 11 Follet-road, Topsham, who died on May 13th, following a fall. - Emma Whitton said deceased was 96 years of age and she had lived with her for 20 years. For the past two months or more she had kept to her bed and at about 7 o'clock on the morning of May 9th deceased was heard shouting from her bedroom. Witness went to her and discovered she was in a sitting position on the floor. She told witness she had hurt her leg and explained that when getting into bed she slipped and fell. Witness put her in bed and sent for a doctor the same evening. She did not do so before as she thought deceased had only sprained her leg. - Dr R. Carmichael Worsely of Topsham, said when he first saw deceased on May 9th the left leg was swollen, but the next day an anaesthetic was administered and he discovered the thigh was broken just above the knee. She recovered from the anaesthetic, but succumbed to shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - The Death Of An Ex-Stationmaster At Exeter. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" at an Inquest held last evening on the body of MR FRANCIS WILLIAM TUCKER, aged 72, retired stationmaster, of 51 Danes-road, Exeter. - Evidence was given by P.C. Salter to the effect that the deceased became unconscious in St David's Church a few minutes before the commencement of Sunday evening's service. He was taken outside and expired shortly after. - Dr Galbraith of the Ivybank Home, who was called, attributed death to heart failure.

EXETER HEAVITREE - Heavitree Suicide. Servant Girl Found Hanging In A Pantry. - A domestic servant named MARIA ANNIE DAW, aged 38, was discovered yesterday morning hanging from a hook in the ceiling of the pantry at No. 1 Baring-place, Heavitree, where she was employed. In her dress was found a photograph and a letter which contained a reference to "tattling tongues." - The Inquest was held at the Court House last evening by the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown. - Gunner Bertram East of the R.H.A., Woolwich, stated that he had known deceased for nearly three years and was going to marry her. He was with her all day Sunday and left her at 10.45 p.m. She appeared quite normal and they had no unpleasant conversation during the day. He knew nothing which would account for her taking her life. He was going to leave Exeter yesterday and the deceased said she would not have a drink with him on Monday night. Witness thought she referred merely to his going. - The Coroner passed the witness a letter and asked him to read it. "You see the reference to 'tattling tongues'. Do you know what it means?" asked the Coroner. - Witness: I am not going to tell the Court. - The Coroner: Had it anything to do with this? - Witness: Certainly not. - Mrs Annie K. Roberts, charwoman, gave evidence of finding the body. She stated that the deceased was of a cheerful disposition. She had complained from time to time of her nerves, and had had medical attention. She had an appointment with Dr Kingdon Frost for yesterday. Witness was at Baring-place on Sunday and the deceased and Gunner East seemed all right. Deceased had a brother who committed suicide 18 months ago. - The Coroner: Do you know whether there has been any gossip concerning this woman? - Witness: I cannot say. - You have not heard anything yourself? - Witness: No, I don't know anything. - Chas Stentiford, a workman who was called by Mrs Roberts, stated that there was a handkerchief around the deceased's neck. Apparently she had sat on the top of the steps which were near by. When he felt to see if the heart were beating the pin holding the photograph and letter together stuck into his finger. - Evidence was also given by Mr A. G. Colson, whose mother employed the deceased and by Dr Hipwell, who attributed death to asphyxia. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Times, Wednesday 17 May 1922
BROADHEMBURY - Broadhembury Farmer's Death. - At Broadhembury yesterday Dr Tweed held an Inquest on FRANCIS BLACKMORE, 56, farmer, of Hembercombe Farm. According to the evidence a trapper named Harnell visited his parents' cottage on the farm, and a dispute arose between him and deceased about a dog and some chicken which had been killed. Later Harnell was seen helping BLACKMORE into his yard. This was on Sunday, May 7th. The next day a doctor was called to see the deceased, whom he found suffering from influenza and pneumonia. As he did not think BLACKMORE would recover, deceased's depositions were taken by the Police concerning an alleged assault. He asserted that Harnell had assaulted and ill-treated him. Harnell gave evidence and stated that BLACKMORE struck him first. He put up his hands and when he touched deceased he fell down. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to pneumonia and pleurisy and was in no way accelerated by any injuries that might have been received. The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" and expressed sympathy with MRS BLACKMORE and family.

Western Times, Friday 19 May 1922
ASHBURTON - Mr F. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, sitting without a Jury, held an Inquest at the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Cottage Hospital on Tuesday, relative to the death of BERTRAM GEORGE WILLCOCKS, 24, of Buckfastleigh, who was employed by a butcher there. Deceased was kicked by a horse on the 11th April, and removed to the Hospital on the 28th, where an operation was performed, but without success. A post-mortem examination had been made by Dr Ironside and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

TAVISTOCK - Accident Or Suicide? Tragic Death Of A Farmer At Tavistock. Jury's Open Verdict. - Mr r. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquiry at the New Cemetery Lodge, Tavistock, on Wednesday, respecting the death of HAROLD SIDNEY COCKING, 56, farmer, of Gawton Farm, Bere Ferrers, who was found dead at the back of the Bungalow, Glanville-road, Tavistock, on Monday. - P.C. Middlewicke said he found the deceased lying on his back with the arms out-stretched. By his side was a four-wheel carriage. A portion of the head of the deceased was blown away and a double-barrelled gun lay across the front of the carriage, with bloodstains on the muzzle. The right barrel of the gun contained one spent cartridge, but the left barrel was empty. In the left pocket of deceased's jacket was a live cartridge. - The Coroner: Can you suggest how the deceased was able to shoot himself seeing the position in which the gun was found? - Witness: I think the deceased must have stood at the corner of the trap and pulled the trigger of the gun with his finger. I think it was quite possible, from the position in which I found the deceased, for him to have shot himself. The trigger was quite easy to reach. The Constable demonstrated to the Coroner how the deceased might have done it. - The Coroner: Was the face quite clear? - There was not much left of the face, and the back of the head was completely blown away. I later found two pieces of the skull thirty yards from where the body lay. - Mr Matthews (to witness): Did you see any charring of any portion of the flesh? - No. - Was there any charring of the face as though there had been a big flash of flame from the gun? - I noticed no charring in what was left of the face. - The Coroner: In what way could it be suggested that it was an accident? - P.S. Lake said there was a lot of blood on the near side of the wheel where the deceased had stood. - P.C. Middlewicke remarked that he did not think the gun could have slipped. - The Coroner: How do you account for the blood on the wheel. - P.C. Middlewicke: When the explosion occurred the deceased must have fallen forward. - HAROLD THOMAS COCKING, farmer, son of the deceased, said his father left Gawton Farm on Monday morning at 10 o'clock in his four-wheel carriage, and appeared to be in his usual good spirits. The gun produced was deceased's property. He kept it in the drawing-room and when he left home he took it with him to have the triggers tightened, because there was too light a pull on them and liable to go off accidentally. - Dr Brodrick said the deceased was a light-hearted jokey man. He never complained about insomnia and was absolutely normal. He was about the last man in the world who would think of committing suicide. - It was pointed out that from the position of the gun it was quite possible that the trigger being very loose might have jammed off accidentally when it was being pulled out f the trap. - Mr Matthews said the deceased, who was very light-hearted and genial, was a man of considerable estate. - An Open Verdict was returned of Found Dead, and the Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives.

OAKFORD - Bampton Tragedy. Oakford Farmer Found Shot In An Orchard. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned by Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, at an Inquest held at Oakford, near Bampton, yesterday, on the body of WILLIAM DAVIS, Westlake Farm, aged 39 years. - Dr T. A. Fisher, of Bampton, said deceased had complained to him of feeling low and being unable to sleep. Witness called at deceased's farm on Tuesday last and found DAVIS in the orchard dead, with a gunshot wound in the head. In his (the doctor's) opinion, the wound was self-inflicted. He noticed that DAVIS'S coat was attached to the trigger of the gun, which was lying near and a cord was fastened to his boot.

EXETER - Exminster Child's Death. Hands Caught In Cogs Of A Chaffcutter. - At an Inquest held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Hamilton Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, relative to the death of REGINALD ALBERT WHITTON, aged 4, of Spurway, Exminster, evidence was given by the father, MR ALBERT S. WHITTON, a market gardener, to the effect that on Tuesday, the 9th, while a horse chaff-cutter was being worked in the loft, witness saw the child mount the ladder. Witness, who was picking up hay to feed the chaff-cutter, held up his hand and told his son to stop. Presently, however, witness heard the child scream. Looking round, he saw that the child must have rushed behind him and placed one of his hands into the cog wheels of the machine. Witness ran to him and saw that his fingers were badly injured. The child remarked, "Look at my fingers, daddy." Witness conveyed him to the Hospital at Exeter. Neither witness nor George Ponsford, who was working with him in the loft, saw the child near the cutter until they heard the scream. There was an iron guard half-way over the cog wheels and it would be impossible for a grown-up person to get his hands to the cogs unless it was deliberately done. A little child, however, being low, might get in his hand, and the revolving cogs would draw it in. - George Ponsford said it was impossible for him, from where he was working, to have seen the child enter the loft. On hearing a scram witness looked up and saw the child with the little finger of h is left hand hanging. - P.C. Mitchell, Exminster, said the machine had a guard, in accordance with the regulations. - Dr Ian Thomson, Assistant House Surgeon of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the child on admission underwent an operation, parts of the injured fingers which could not recover being removed. On the following Sunday, as there were signs of gangrene setting in, there was a second operation, more of the fingers being removed. The child, however, died from tetanus on Tuesday. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 20 May 1922
HOLSWORTHY - The Sudden Death Of A Holsworthy Schoolmaster. - Mr George Brown, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Holsworthy last evening, touching the death of MR RICHARD BAWDEN GILES, schoolmaster at the National School, who died almost suddenly on Wednesday morning. There was no Jury. - Mr A. H. Edwards, undertaker, Bideford, said deceased was his brother-in-law. He was 40 years of age and took up his duties at Holsworthy about three weeks ago, leaving his wife and family at St. Giles in the Wood (where he had been headmaster for many years, because there was no house available at Holsworthy. Deceased saw Army service in India, Mesopotamia and Palestine. Prior to joining the Army he enjoyed perfect health, but since demobilisation he had been a changed man, being sallow in face and complained of pains in the head and heart and had to give up cycling. Dr Mortimer, of Torrington, had treated him for heart strain and twelve months ago insisted on his taking a rest, for which purpose deceased went to Yelverton for six weeks. He did not apply for a disability pension, being content to rely on his profession. - Mr J. H. Parsons, butcher, said MR GILES had lived with him since coming to Holsworthy. He was always of a cheerful disposition, but complained of nervous attacks and bad nights. On one occasion he said he had the war to thank for it all; there was nothing the matter with him before he joined the Army. About midnight on Wednesday witness heard a noise and found MR GILES on the first landing vomiting. Deceased was groaning and said "Oh, my head!" - Dr E. O. Kingdon deposed that he found deceased unconscious. He had a series of convulsions between one and two, probably caused by cerebral trouble. It was a hopeless case from the first. - The coroner, in returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, said it was a very sad case. Deceased had evidently suffered from his service in the East.

Western Times, Monday 22 May 1922
TORQUAY - Jumped From Window At A Torquay Nursing Home. - The Coroner and a Jury at Torquay on Saturday had to decide whether a female patient of a nursing home, who died on Friday morning after falling from a window 15 feet from the ground, met her death as the result of an accident or by suicide. - Deceased was AMELIA ELIZA ELIZABETH WEAVER, aged 62 years, of Stroud, Gloucester, who came to Torquay to visit her daughter. She had to be admitted to the Nursing Home, suffering from nerve trouble. On Wednesday morning she was left for a few minutes and when the Matron returned to her bedroom she heard a thud and found the window open. - The Matron stated that the window was closed before she left the room, but might not have been fastened. She further stated that deceased had been improving while at the Home, and had shown no signs to suggest suicidal tendencies. Deceased died on Friday morning. - Dr R. F. Craig said that death was due to heart failure as a result of shock and injuries caused by the fall. He said deceased told him while he had been attending her that she was worried concerning a son. Latterly she had shown no signs whatever that suggested the possibility of suicide. In fact her main desire was to get better. Witness did not agree with the Coroner that deceased jumped out of the window. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 23 May 1922
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Woman's Death. Allegations Of Criminal Assault At The Inquest. - At an Inquiry held at Newton Abbot yesterday by Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, and a Jury, into the death, during pregnancy, of AMY TAYLOR, a spinster, of Arramore, Courtenay-road, Newton Abbot, the allegation was made by Mr J. Mason, solicitor, for the relatives, that deceased's condition was the result of a criminal offence. - Dr R. A. Bennett, of Torquay, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said deceased was suffering from advanced kidney disease, due to pregnancy. This had caused stomach pains and vomiting. The latter created a strain that ruptured a blood vessel in the brain. - Mr Mason wanted to question witness respecting the point he had raised, but the Coroner deprecated this, remarking that the medical evidence clearly showed that death was due to a natural cause. The question of a criminal assault, he added, was a matter for the Police. The Coroner elicited from two of the deceased's sisters that nothing but medicine, properly prescribed by Dr J. Culross was taken by deceased. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Jury.

Western Times, Monday 29 May 1922
EXETER - Silverton Tragedy. Man Takes His Life Following On Delusions. - An Inquest was held at the Court House, Exeter, on Saturday afternoon by the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, relative to the death of THOMAS SELLICK, of Greenslynch College, Silverton, who died on Friday last at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, having been admitted on Thursday evening when he cut his throat in a root-house near his home. - After evidence of identification had been given by ERNEST SELLICK (son), deceased's wife stated that her husband had enjoyed good health until the beginning of March. He was then bound over at Cullompton Police Court for an alleged assault and had since taken no interest in anything. On the 14th inst. he remarked to her, "We have been together so long that we had better go together." On Thursday morning he went out to work, and on returning said he did not think he would go out again. Witness next found him in the root-house with his throat cut and he said "I have done it." - Mr G. C. Were, farmer, of Greenslynch, said deceased was in his employ for over 20 years and was a good workman. After being summoned at Cullompton his manner changed and he had delusions about the Police coming for him, often speaking to witness about it. - P.C. Potter, of Silverton, stated that he found a blood-stained pocket knife on the root-house floor. - Ian S. Thompson, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased died on Friday morning from shock due to haemorrhage. A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Wednesday 31 May 1922
TORQUAY - Feared He Would Be Shot. Delusions Of An Exeter Man Who Lived At Torquay. - Delusions of persecution and a fear that he was going to be shot led to FRANK GEORGE PAYNE, 63, an Exonian, licensee of the Railway Hotel, Tor Hill, Torquay, taking his life by hanging himself from the rail of his bed on Monday. At the Inquest yesterday conducted by the Coroner for the District, Mr S. Hacker, at the Old Town Hall, the story of deceased's distorted imagination was told. - Dr F. C. Thistle stated that he had been attending deceased for about nine months. The patient was suffering from mental depression and delusions regarding persecution. He was afraid people were going to shoot him. He had two attendants, his son and another man, and was kept under supervision. - The Coroner: You considered the question of putting him under control in an Institution? - Witness: Yes; but the relatives were very averse to it and made arrangements with the two attendants. He added that it was his responsibility to suggest as he did, but he had no power to send anyone away. Deceased, he said, was afraid of someone assaulting or murdering him, and further, that he would be turned out of his house. - Evidence was given by a daughter and the widow, the latter stating that she was under the impression her husband would get better. - The Coroner: You made a great mistake in taking this risk, in place of the doctor's advice. - A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Times, Thursday 1 June 1922
EXETER - Fell From A Waggon. But Holcombe Labourer Died From Pneumonia. - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," at an Inquest held yesterday on the body of GEORGE WEST, labourer, aged 49, formerly employed on a farm at Holcombe Burnell. - Evidence was given to the effect that the deceased fell from a waggon while loading hay on May 12th and later asked to be taken to the St Thomas Poor Law Infirmary. He walked about half-dressed awaiting to be fetched. On May 20th he was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he was found to be suffering from pneumonia. Dr Dick, House Surgeon, stated that he could find no external injuries and he was of opinion that the accident had nothing to do with the cause of death. Deceased died from pneumonia.

CREDITON - The Crediton Tragedy. Monday's Collision Described At The Inquest. Was Deceased Trespassing? - Inquests were opened yesterday concerning the tragedy at Crediton Station of the London and South Western Railway, when two of the four occupants of a motor car, members of a party camping at Shepherd's Marsh, close to the Station, were fatally injured while the car was attempting to reach the camp by a private crossing. The motor, it will be remembered, instead of approaching the crossing by means of the proper road, came through the goods' yard, and ran into the engine of an up express train. One man, JOHN BROWN, 60, widower, was killed almost immediately, and his body was rested at Crediton to await an Inquest by the District Coroner, and the driver, LEONARD BROWN, aged 30, succumbed soon after admission to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - A large number of witnesses were in attendance at Crediton Police Court for the investigation held there last evening concerning the death of JOHN BROWN. These included several railway employees and officials. - The Inquiry was conducted by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, sitting with a Jury. Major Halford Thompson, Deputy Chief constable of the County, was present on behalf of the Police; Mr M. J. McGahey, solicitor of Exeter, represented the L. and S.W.R. Company, for whom Mr H. Moore, Locomotive inspector for the District, and Mr Gillard, Engineers Department, were also present; Mr Ivor Gregory (of Cardiff), Organising Secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, represented that body. Mr S. Muzzlewhite was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The son, JOHN BROWN, gave evidence of identification. His father, a travelling hawker, was 63 years of age. - Shouts of "Murder." - WINNIFRED BROWN, daughter-in-law and widow of LEONARD BROWN, the other deceased, stated that they had been living in caravans in fields near the Crediton Station. On Monday last a party went out in a motor car and in the evening her two brothers came into the camp shouting "Murder; the express has knocked us down." They were badly hurt. They had been in the habit of driving to and fro over the line. to the best of her belief no one had warned them. - In answer to a Juryman, witness said the party usually went out and returned through the Station Yard, and so far as she knew no one had warned them. Every morning the car went out through the Station Yard and it returned the same way in the evening, as it did on this occasion. - In answer to Mr McGahey, witness said the gate on the side of the line on which their encampment was placed was always open. She did not know that a railway official examined the gate every day and saw that it was locked. - Witness was asked whether her husband and brother had been warned by the ganger prior to the accident that they must be careful and watch the signals. - She replied that she only heard of this after the accident. - Mr Richard Roach, junr., farmer, of Well Park Farm, stated that on May 14th he gave permission to deceased to put three horses in Shepherd's Marsh, immediately adjoining the line on the down side. He asked for no permission to get to the fields by going across the line and said nothing as to how he was to obtain access to the fields. He seemed to know how to get there. It was a hawkers' encampment. - How did you expect he would get to the fields, asked the Coroner. - The Field Gates. - Witness answered that there were two railway crossings, one opposite witness's house and the other opposite the goods station. Witness added that he held the two keys of the gates. - How did you expect they were going to get to the field? - Witness replied that he never troubled how they would get there. The gates to the field were not locked on the Sunday he came. The Railway Company sometimes locked the gates on a Sunday. There was another approach by way of a field around Hookway, but this was rarely used. Witness did not know deceased had got a motor car until Sunday evening last. - Tragedy Described. - On the evening of the accident he was standing at his farm and saw five horses make a sudden plunge. At the same moment he saw a cloud of smoke and heard two distinct bangs. He also saw the express train. He exclaimed to his father, "My God, there has been an accident." Jumping on his bicycle he raced to the Station and saw just on the Exeter side of the Station two bodies lying across the line. Two lads were running away from him towards the camp, and witness went off to telephone to Dr Soady, but seeing on his return that the accident was of a serious nature he got in communication with two other doctors. - By Mr Sellek (a Juryman): He knew of no obligation that he was under from the Railway Company to keep the gates locked. He did lock them as a rule, but it was for his own safety. - By the Coroner: It was a combined occupation road over which two other tenants had a right of way. - By a Juror: In leaving the field people encamped there usually left and returned by the way these people came. He had not warned these people. He had no obligation with the Railway to keep these gates locked. - By Mr McGahey: He usually used the occupation road to cross the line, but sometimes went through the Goods Yard. - Dr Soady described the injuries to deceased, which were of a terrible nature. - The Driver's Story. - Arthur Vincent, of Plymouth, the driver of the train, stated that on approaching Crediton Station he shut off steam and sounded the signal. On getting to the end of the goods shed on the Exeter side of the Station he noticed the bonnet of a motor car come into view and apparently about the cross the rails. The engine was practically on the car before the car could be seen. It was hidden by the Goods Shed. It was impossible to say at the rate the train was going whether the car was moving forward or not. At the time the engine struck the car the train was travelling at 50 miles an hour. Witness applied the brakes, and the train was brought to a standstill at between 200 and 300 yards. He sent the fireman back to the Goods Shed and witness examined the engine. He found that the near side foot step was badly bent and the vacuum brake pipe broken beneath. - By Mr McGahey: The impact, being midway between the engine and the tender, indicated that the car ran into the engine. - Evidence was given by William John Pitcher, fireman on the train, who said the driver sounded the whistle right through the Station. Witness being on the right side of the engine, saw nothing of the car. Witness on going to the Signal Station, picked up a portion of the vacuum brake in the four feet way. - Warning Notices Fixed. - Henry Gillard, of Springfield-road, Exeter, Permanent Way Inspector, said the roadway through which the car went was the property of the Railway Company. At the gates to the Station Yard there was a notice to this effect, and beyond, as the Goods Yard was entered, there was a further warning. At the crossing in question there was the notice "Beware of Trains" and a special caution to drivers of vehicles using the occupation road. These were put there as a warning to people using the occupation road. - By Mr McGahey: Anyone entering the Railway Yard, and long before they got to the Goods Yard, could see whether the train signal was on or off. The occupation road was open to occupiers of land on either side of the railway and only occupiers were supplied with keys of the gates outside certain railway employees. On the gates there was a notice: "Shut this gate - Penalty 40s." - William Richard Steer, of Crediton, a shunter on the L. and S.W. Railway, said a car might pass through the Goods Yard without him seeing it. He had never seen any of the gipsies cross the line through the Goods Yard. - Was Deceased Trespassing? - The Coroner said the sympathies of all would go out to the family in their sad bereavement. It was for the Jury to consider how deceased got on the line, and whether he was there as a matter of right, or whether he was a trespasser. It seemed that by using the Station yard he was a trespasser. In fact, deceased had no right to go across the railway in a motor car, as this was pointed out on the notice with reference to the engines. - The witness, Steer, was recalled, and he said it was his duty to lock the gate at 5 p.m. On the day in question he did so. He only had charge of one gate, and this was near the Goods Yard. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached blame to no one. They suggested that if the Railway Company could do anything to prevent a repetition of such an occurrence they should attend to the matter. - Mr McGahey said he would see that the Jury's suggestion reached the Company. - The Jury expressed sympathy with the bereaved. The Exeter Inquest. - The Inquest on LEONARD BROWN was opened yesterday afternoon at Exeter Police Station. - Mr W. Linford Brown, the City Coroner, sitting without a Jury, took only evidence of identification. This was given by JOHN BROWN, brother, living at the Coach and Horses, Dover. He stated that the deceased had quite lately been living in a caravan at Crediton. He was 30 years of age, and was a hawker. - On this evidence the coroner formally adjourned the inquiry until today, at 3.30. - The widow of the deceased was present, and showed much distress.

Western Times, Friday 2 June 1922
EXETER - Crediton Railway Tragedy. Inquest On One Of The Victims At Exeter. - The Inquest on the body of LEONARD BROWN, one of the victims of the Crediton Railway tragedy, was resumed by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. The Coroner had the assistance of a Jury, of which Mr W. C. Townsend was elected Foreman. - The evidence already given at Crediton was repeated. - Dr Thompson deposed that deceased was suffering from a fracture of the skull and very severe internal injuries. He was almost dead on arrival at the Hospital and there was no hope of his recovering. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure."

Western Times, Wednesday 7 June 1922
EXETER - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest on RALPH MORGAN, aged 63 years, of 25 Union-road, Exeter, which was held at the Court House yesterday. - Leonard Henry Elworthy said deceased was taken ill on Sunday with pains in the stomach and died the following morning. - Dr J. D. Harris, who made the post mortem stated that deceased had been suffering from pericarditis and the right lung was also congested.

Western Times, Thursday 8 June 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - Startled By A Pig. singular Case Of A Torrington Dairyman's Death. - At the Town Hall, Torrington, Mr G. W. F. Brown, held an Inquiry relative to the death of THOMAS REDDAWAY, aged 64 years, who is well known in the town as a dairyman and smallholder. On Monday, 29th May, whilst riding a his pony near Burwood Farm through Watery Lane, a pig crossed the road and startled the pony. Deceased was lifted over the pommel of the saddle on to the animal's neck. Samuel Jury said deceased complained to him of being unwell as the result of the accident, and he asked witness to drive him home in the cart. - MRS REDDAWAY said when her husband was brought home she put him to bed and called a doctor, who had visited him daily since. After a few days he improved considerably. On Monday last the doctor gave him permission to sit out in the room. About 12 o'clock he began to dress, but became faint. They got him back to bed and he passed away almost suddenly. - Dr Pridham said he saw deceased on May 30th when he appeared to be suffering considerable pain in the lower part of the body and the left thigh. There were also considerable bruises to the left groin. He had visited him daily since. The last time he saw him alive was on Sunday afternoon, when he appeared very comfortable. He had made a post mortem examination and found all the organs healthy. There were no internal injuries whatever, but the body was very fat and the heart much dilated. In his opinion the cause of death was the shock of the accident acting on a dilated and fatty heart. - The Coroner returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 9 June 1922
ILFRACOMBE - Ilfracombe Horse Dealer's Fatal Fall. - At the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, yesterday, Mr George Brown, the North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of ERNEST JOHN RALPH, horse dealer, Fore-street, Ilfracombe, who died in the Hospital, as the result of being thrown from a horse he was riding slipping up on the pavement. In the evidence it was stated that the horse had never been broken to harness, but had been trained for racing. The animal was somewhat difficult to pull up, and had bolted once prior to the day of the accident. The medical evidence showed that there was no external haemorrhage and no fracture. Apparently deceased fell on the right side of his head, causing laceration and haemorrhage of the left side of the brain. Strangely enough, added Dr F. Langridge, the skull was not fractured. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - Rector Dies At Exeter. While Travelling From Holsworthy To Fishguard. - At an Inquest held by the Exeter City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at the Guildhall, yesterday, relative to the death of REV. JOSEPH EVANS, 70, Rector of Jordanstown, Fishguard, who expired at St David's Station (G.W.R.), Exeter, on Wednesday, evidence was given by Rev. Evan D. Thomas, Rector of North Tamerton, Holsworthy, to the effect that deceased suffered from heart weakness. - MRS EVANS, the widow, stated that her husband and herself had been spending a holiday at Cardiff and North Tamerton, and were on their way home on Wednesday. They reached Exeter about noon and after visiting the Cathedral and a restaurant, they went to St David's Station. Deceased accompanied the porter across the bridge with the luggage and on taking his seat in the train his face changed and he was unable to speak. He was taken out of the compartment and shortly afterwards died. - Alfred Lutton, a G.W.R. servant, who rendered first aid, said deceased's pulse was beating slowly. He died before the doctor arrived. - Dr Pereira Gray, who was called by telephone, attributed death to heart failure due to muscular degeneration of the heart. - The Coroner, who expressed sympathy with the widow and family, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

CHAWLEIGH - At an Inquest conducted by Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, at Chawleigh, on the body of WILLIAM WILLIS, a railway platelayer, of 2 Railway Cottages, Chawleigh, evidence was given by Robert Sampson, also a platelayer, that deceased went to work with him on Thursday morning, and later complained of feeling "done up." Deceased sat down and just after witness saw his head fall backwards. Witness went to him, but he died almost immediately. - Mr Sidney Jacobs, locum tenens for Dr Tucker, of Chulmleigh, said he found a marked degeneration of the heart muscle, caused by extensive disease of the arteries supplying the heart. There was a certain amount of inflammation of the stomach of fairly long standing. Witness attributed death to syncope following heart disease and indigestion. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

TAVISTOCK - Tavistock Child's Death. Mother Censured By Coroner for Neglect. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Tavistock on Monday, on ERNEST JAMES GALE, 3 ½ years old, son of THOMAS GALE, house painter, of Bannawell-street, Tavistock, who died on Friday. - OLIVE GALE, the mother of the child, said it was poorly on Monday last week, when it had a sore throat and she kept it home from school. It was fairly bright. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday she noticed that the child was going off his food. On Thursday evening he was taken very ill and was "roving" with pains in the bowels. She sent for the doctor on Friday. - Dr Leslie Watt said death was due to pleurisy and pneumonia. Had the child received medical treatment earlier in the week it would have had a fair chance of recovering. - It was stated by P.C. Moore that the woman's negligence was due more or less to ignorance and that she was not very intelligent. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and severely reprimanded MRS GALE for her negligence in not calling the doctor to see her child earlier in the week.

Western Times, Tuesday 13 June 1922
BUCKFASTLEIGH - Buckfastleigh Tragedy. Coroner And An Erroneous Impression. Cutting Down Bodies. - Mr S. Hacker, County Coroner, held an Inquiry at the Town Hall, Buckfastleigh, on Friday, touching the death of AARON CAUNTER, stonemason, aged 67, who was found hanging in Scoble's Barn on Wednesday. Evidence of identification was given by the widow, ALICE CAUNTER, who said deceased had been working up to a month ago, when he met with an accident by falling from a pair of steps when white-washing, straining his back. He was quite all right before that, but after the fall he got depressed. He had no trouble at all, but often complained of pains in his head and neck. He had never threatened to take his life. On Wednesday he went to the doctor for medicine and at about twenty to eleven left to proceed to his allotment garden. He did not return. That was the last time she saw him alive. - ALMA CHURCHWARD, the wife of Thomas Henry Churchward, a shift engineer, said the deceased was her father. She last saw him on Wednesday morning when she asked him how he was and he replied that he was in great pain in his head. - Thomas Barter, Fore-street, farmer, and Thomas Henry Churchward, an electric engineer, son-in-law to deceased, also gave evidence. The latter said having heard deceased had not come home from the allotment he went in search of him and late in the afternoon with two friends found him hanging in Scoble's Barn. The body was facing the door and deceased's toes were just touching the ground. Witness wanted to cut deceased down, but his companions argued that he must not. He examined him and found him quite cold and dead, and he then fetched the Police. - P.C. Alfred Blackmore, stationed at Buckfastleigh, said he was fetched by the last witness on Wednesday evening and he went to the Barn, where he found deceased hanging from the roof in an upright position. His toes were on the ground. Just behind him was an earth tub, which was high enough for him to reach the top, and which he apparently had kicked away. There was no sign of any disturbance in the Barn. - Dr Eva Constance Ironside said deceased was a patient of hers. She was called in to see him about a month ago, when he was suffering from a slight strain in the back caused by a slip from some steps. He appeared to have recovered from this, but mentioned that he had been getting pains in his head, which she said was a sort of nervous complaint or headache. He was perfectly cheerful on Wednesday morning and seemed just as usual. - The Coroner, in summing up, alluded to the very prevalent idea that a body must not be cut down before the Police had been notified. It was a perfectly ignorant idea. The first thing to do was to cut the body down, as it might be the means of saving life. The idea had evidently been confused with such cases where a man had been murdered, where it was not desirable to disturb the things as they were found, as in such cases much evidence could be found which would be valuable in tracing how and why the murder had been committed. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Wednesday 14 June 1922
TOTNES - Old Lady's Death. Coroner's Comments On Removal To Totnes Institution. - At Totnes Union Institution yesterday, an Inquest was conducted by Mr T. Edmonds into the death of JANE ANN ALLERT, 81, widow of the late SERGT.-MAJOR RICHARD ALLERT, R.G.A., of Castle Green, Dartmouth. - Dr S. C. Jellicoe stated that after the deceased was admitted on the 6th inst. she stated that she had had a fall. He found she had abrasions and bruises on her hip. The accident probably had the effect of hastening her death, which was due to shock following it and heart disease. The accident was due to a fall from a chair. - The Coroner observed that it seemed a long way to bring an old woman there, all the way from Dartmouth. It occurred to him that she might have been taken to the Cottage Hospital with more safety. However, he supposed the authorities were justified in sending her there. - Dr Jellicoe: I expect they thought it was not serious. - Miss Jessie Jago said she had seen the deceased almost daily for twelve months. She had been failing for some time and had had two falls before. She lived alone and was an old-age pensioner. She received a message on June 5th and found her apparently very ill and in great pain. She said she had hurt her back. Witness sent for Dr Tyler, who stated that with his wife he was there on the previous night and they made up the chair-bed on which she was. That morning the milkman could not get an answer and she was found with her head in the grate. She asked the doctor if the deceased could not be taken to the Hospital, and he said it was not a hospital case. He brought a lady, who stayed the night with her. They did not know where she was going until the motor came to take her to the Institution. - Charles Howe, sexton of St Petrox, who had known the deceased for over 40 years, said when he went to her house at 5.45 p.m. on the 4th for the key of the church gate he noticed she looked very ill. He offered to send for the doctor, but she would not have it. After the service he went to the house with the key and as he could not get an answer, called on Dr Tyler. He did not consider deceased fit to live alone. - The Coroner, in recording a verdict that death was the result of Heart Disease and Senile Decay, accelerated by an Accidental Fall, observed that apparently the doctor at Dartmouth considered it a case which should come to the Infirmary. There was nothing before him to show any gross carelessness or impropriety, but it did almost seem that under the circumstances described she should have been taken to a local Institution.

Western Times, Thursday 15 June 1922
EXETER - Street Fatality. Boy Crushed Under A Waggon Of Cement. Accident At Exeter. - The Exeter City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House yesterday, relative to the death of HUBERT LAUNCELOT JAMES ROOKE, aged 10 years, of 6 Trinity-street, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from injuries sustained through being run over by a heavily laden waggon of cement, in South-street, on the 12th inst. - Evidence was given by FREDERICK CHAMBERLAIN, stepfather, to the effect that after the accident he went to the Hospital and saw the boy, who could only say he was in pain. - Jack Atkins, leader boy for Chaplin and co., said about 5 o'clock a man named Ingram coming down Bear-street with a load of cement, asked him if the road was clear. Witness replied that it was. He then saw two boys running down South-street. The smaller boy passed in front of the horse's head, but the older one in attempting to stop, slipped and fell. Both the front and rear wheels of the waggon passed over him, the first going over his stomach and the hind wheel over his back. Ingram could not stop the horse until he had crossed South-street, and reached the corner of Sun-street. Witness did not notice whether the brakes were on. The horse was fresh and the bumping caused by the wheel going over the child made the animal jump forward and the driver was unable to pull it up quickly. - Mrs Batting said she saw the boy knocked down by the horse. This frightened the animal, who jumped forward and the boy fell under the front wheel. The driver did all he could to pull up, but the boy, falling under the waggon, caused the animal to plunge forward. The driver did all he could to avert the accident. - Dr J. Thomson, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the deceased, when admitted, was suffering from injuries to the abdomen and bruises about the body An operation was performed later, but deceased died on the 13th from ruptured intestines. - Bessie Syms, who also witnessed the accident, said the driver, who was leading his horse, did all he could to save the boy. - Frederick Hill, who took the deceased to the Hospital, said on the way the boy said he was in great pain and dying. - Richard George Ingram, who elected to give evidence, said he was driving a waggon laden with cement down Bear-street, at the end of which he removed the brakes. He was told the road was clear. He did not see the deceased, but saw another boy running round the horse. The people shouted when the wheel passed over the deceased and caused the horse to bound forward. - The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" said it seemed that the driver did everything he could. While regretting that the child should have been killed, they had to recognise that it was one of those unfortunate accidents for which no one was blameworthy. He sympathised with the mother and stepfather.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 16 June 1922
EAST BUDLEIGH - Much regret was felt here yesterday at the sudden death of MR J. RICHARDS, of the Salterton Arms. MR RICHARDS who had been apparently in the best of health, was well known in the district. He formerly hunted with the East Devon Hounds. He came to Salterton about ten years ago, identified himself with sport of all kinds, and was ready to help in any movement for the welfare of the town. Much sympathy is extended to MRS RICHARDS and family. Evidence at an Inquest showed that death was due to epilepsy following cerebral haemorrhage.

Western Times, Monday 19 June 1922
MODBURY - Owner Of Motor Car Succumbs To His Injuries. - MR WILLIAM JOHN MORIARTY, of Redland, Bristol, the owner of the motor car which was wrecked at Modbury on Wednesday, has succumbed in Hospital to the injuries he sustained. This makes the second victim, for the other occupant of the car, MR BEAL, a Leicester manufacturer, was picked up dead. - No one witnessed the accident and the damage caused to the car - a two-seater - has made it impossible to ascertain whether any fault in the mechanism or brakes was responsible. It was however, stated by Dr R. N. Weeks, of Modbury, at the Inquest on MR BEAL, that MR MORIARTY in one of his conscious moments before being removed to the Hospital, said "The brakes went." - Another theory is that the driver, who wore glasses, was blinded by the sun, and in attempting to negotiate the right-angled bend in the road a few yards from where the over-turned car was found, ran into the hedge with such force that the vehicle toppled over and threw the occupants out. - An examination of the wheel tracks of the car showed that after it had rounded the corner it went a distance of some 90 feet before striking the hedge. it then appeared to have travelled another 20 yards with its left-side wheels banked up in the hedge and eventually overturned.

Western Times, Thursday 29 June 1922
EXETER - Aged Exonian's Death. Found Lying Across Fender With His Food Near By. - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" at an Inquest held yesterday afternoon on the body of HENRY HAMLYN, aged 75, of 20 Stepcote-hill. - Deceased was found lying dead across the fender, with a box of food open near by. - Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to heart failure, caused probably by bronchitis.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 30 June 1922
BLACKBOROUGH - Dr Tweed conducted an Inquest on WILLIAM SANDERS, aged 62, a labourer, who fell from a rick on which he was working at Bodmiscombe Farm, and received injuries, from which he died on the 21st inst. Henry Wright, a rabbit trapper, said he was working on the rick with deceased. He saw the latter stagger and fall 12ft. to the ground. SANDERS was taken to his home, where he was attended by Drs. Huth and Laidlaw. Medical evidence was given to the effect that deceased had fractured several ribs, which had penetrated the lungs. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 4 July 1922
UMBERLEIGH - Fatality At Umberleigh. Old Man Steps Out In Front Of A Motor Car. - At the Inquest conducted by Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, at Umberleigh on Saturday, on ARTHUR DUNN, aged 69, a retired marine engineer, of Bishops Tawton, who was knocked down by a motor-car and killed whilst walking along the main road, towards Umberleigh on Thursday, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the driver of the car, Mr Wm. L. Nicholls, a gentleman living at Hallsannery, near Bideford, was held to be blameless. - Mr Nicholls, whose evidence was substantiated by that of an independent witness of the accident, Mrs Margaret Loosemore, near whose roadside house it occurred, said as his car approached, DUNN was walking in the same direction on the off side of the road. On witness sounding his horn, deceased commenced to cross the road and on reaching the centre of it started to run. Witness again sounded his horn and from tight in to his correct side turned out to pass, whereupon deceased jumped back right in front of the off- wing of the car, which was only travelling about five or six miles an hour. Deceased was knocked down and died within a very short time, despite every assistance, the car being immediately pulled up. It was impossible to avoid the accident. - Dr Good, of High Bickington, said the injuries to deceased included a fracture of the right cheek bone and a broken neck caused, he though, by his having fallen on his face, deceased being a very heavy man, weighing nearly 18 stone. - Mrs Rose Tanner, of Barnstaple, who gave evidence of identification, said deceased had a wife, son and daughter, but she had not heard from them for some years, and did not now know where they were. - Mr Nicholls expressed sincere condolence with the relatives.

Western Times, Wednesday 5 July 1922
TAVISTOCK - Fatal Burns. Gunnislake Child's Death Through Playing With Matches. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Tavistock Hospital, yesterday afternoon, on ELEANOR SLEEP, aged 3 years and 11 months, only child of JOHN HENRY SLEEP, school teacher, of "The Firs," Delaware-road, Gunnislake, who died at the Institution on Monday from shock due to burns received on Sunday. - JOHN HENRY SLEEP, the father, said on Sunday at 9.25 a.m., he left the deceased in the bedroom sitting on the bed, which was by the side of a pair of chest of drawers, and went downstairs to feed some poultry. About two minutes after he had left the room he heard a terrific scream. Rushing back to the house, he went upstairs and found his wife in the room with the child rolled in a blanket and the fire extinguished. Deceased's nightdress was burnt. He immediately telephoned to Dr Shaw, who arrived within ten minutes and ordered the child to be taken to the Tavistock Hospital. In reply to the Coroner, witness said he thought the child must have reached across the chest of drawers and taken the candle and matches, one of which she must have struck. He had never known her to do anything like it before. - HANNAH REBECCA LANGMEAD SLEEP, the mother, said she went downstairs to get clean clothes for the child. Presently she heard her husband come down and go out and almost immediately she heard deceased cry, and then she screamed. - She immediately went upstairs and found the child in flames on the bed. She wrapped a blanket round deceased. She had never known the child attempt to strike matches before, although she had played with matches. - Dr William Geoffrey Shaw, of Gunnislake, said there were extensive burns about the abdomen, the chest, the right leg and the right arm. The burns were not deep, and the child at the time seemed to be in fairly good condition. He put her in his car and took her to the Tavistock Hospital, where she received attention. Later in the day she developed symptoms of shock and died early on Monday morning. The cause of death was shock following extensive burns. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Motor Fatality. Jury's Recommendations As To 'Bus Drivers. The Left Hand Drive. - The circumstances of the collision between a motor omnibus and two motor-cars on the Torquay road, near Newton Abbot, on Sunday afternoon, which resulted in the tragic death of MISS EDITH ELLAN WALKER, aged 72, of Glenwood, Rowdens-road, Torquay, were related to Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, and a Jury at Newton Abbot yesterday. - Brother's Story Of The Accident. - The first witness was the brother of deceased, ARTHUR HENRY WALKER, who was driving the car which contained the deceased. Giving his evidence with emotion, witness said he was a retired civil engineer and deceased had been a hospital matron. On Sunday afternoon deceased and Miss Haine, a neighbour, accompanied him on a drive, returning through Newton Abbot. Nar the scene of the accident, witness was following a car driven by his neighbour, Mr Haine, and in front of them both was a Devon General omnibus. Mr Haine's car succeeded in passing the omnibus and witness attempted to do the same, when he observed a car coming from the direction of Torquay on its proper side. This car was quite near to the 'bus, but witness was quite sure there was sufficient room for him to pass between the two. When the front wheel of witness's car reached the rear of the 'bus, the 'bus swung out towards the centre of the road, and the near front wheel collided with some part of the rear of the 'bus. The impact threw the front of the car diagonally across the road, and struck the other car and turned over. All three of them were thrown out. His sister was lying in the road, with her head towards the back of the car. Witness did not think it was possible for the back wheel of the 'bus to have passed over deceased's head. The injuries must have been caused either by the side of the 'bus or the road. - A Left-Hand Drive. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said his car had a left-hand drive. Although he sounded his horn, witness did not know whether the 'bus was aware of his approach. "I am not blaming the 'bus driver or anyone, except, possibly, my own error of judgment, if there were an error of judgment," he added. - The Foreman of the Jury, Mr L. Coombe: You were at a disadvantage in rounding the 'bus with a left-hand drive? - Witness: I thought I was at an advantage. I could see how near I was passing. - The Coroner: More precautions are necessary with a left-hand drive. - Witness: I admit you have to take a wider sweep to get a sight of what is ahead. - 'Bus Driver's Denial. - Allan J. Rodder, of Kingsteignton, the driver of the 'bus, said he was not aware the previous witness's car was following and he denied swerving out into the road. Witness knew nothing until he heard a crash. He had no reflector on his car. - Walter J. Stone, of Newton Abbot, agreed that the 'bus in no way altered its course. - Exonian's View Of The Collision. - Henry John Moore, of Ferndale-road, St. Thomas, Exeter, said he was driving the second car concerned in the collision from Torquay towards Newton. Observing the other car was endeavouring to cut between the 'bus and himself, he pulled up and the crash occurred just as his (witness's) car was coming to a standstill. Witness was under the impression that his car was struck first, and that the one in which deceased was riding turned. The hood caught against the side of the 'bus, and so turned over. So far as witness could see, the 'bus kept a straight course. - Deceased's Terrible Injuries. - Dr W. Patey said every bone in the roof of deceased's skull was broken and the brain was protruding and crushed. Every rib on the right side was broken. It was impossible, however, to say whether a wheel of the 'bus passed over deceased, but the crush must have been a direct and heavy one. - P.C. Talbot said deceased's head was lying towards the track of the 'bus. Rain had made it impossible to see whether the wheel had passed over deceased's head. - An Error Of Judgment. - The Coroner, summing up, said it seemed to him Mr Moore's story was probably the correct one. There was no doubt that MR WALKER committed an error of judgment in attempting to go between the 'bus and the approaching car. He, apparently, did not realise there was so little space to pass. He did not think the driver of the 'bus had swerved. - After a retirement, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added the following recommendation to the 'Bus Company: (1) That all 'buses should be fitted with reflectors; (2) Each driver should be instructed to slow down to allow a vehicle going the same way to pass. It was also considered that the left-hand drive was a source of danger. - The Coroner agreed, remarking that it had a great deal to do with many accidents. - The driver and conductor of the 'bus were exonerated from blame.

Western Times, Thursday 6 July 1922
EXETER - A verdict of "Death from Misadventure" was returned at an Inquest at Exeter yesterday on MRS ALICE HAWKINS, aged 46, of Shobrooke, who died on Tuesday in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital whilst undergoing an operation.

Western Times, Friday 7 July 1922
DIPTFORD - Diptford Lad's Death. - Yesterday afternoon Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of HERMAN GEORGE ADAMS LUSCOMBE, a lad, at Farleigh Farm, Diptford. - SAMUEL F. ADAMS, farmer, uncle of the deceased, gave evidence of identity and said the lad was 11 years of age and had lived with him for three or four years. He rode to school on Tuesday on the pony he had been accustomed to ride for twelve months. In the evening witness saw the pony at the yard gate, and the boy in the road coming from the direction of Harbertonford. Deceased put the pony in the stable and when he came indoors complained of headache. He denied having fallen off the pony, or that it had fallen with him. Witness found the pony had knocked one knee, but deceased still denied that anything had happened. Later he was sick and went to bed. He slept with witness and was sick at intervals during the night. He fetched Dr Jellicoe when he went to Totnes Market, but he was dead when the doctor arrived. - Dr S. C. Jellicoe (Totnes) said there were no external marks of violence. On making a post mortem examination he found that the cause of death was the rupture of a blood vessel on the right side of the brain. This was not necessarily the result of an injury, and from the fact that he told his uncle he felt headache coming on at school he inclined to the theory that it was the result of natural causes. - Mr E. Kenshole, schoolmaster, Harbertonford, said deceased did not complain of headache on Monday, although he had done so on previous occasions. On more than one occasion during a quiet lesson he had found him asleep. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned, sympathy being expressed with the relatives.

Western Times, Monday 10 July 1922
AXMINSTER - Fear Of Insanity. Pathetic Letter From An East Devon Woman. Body In Stream. - "Do forgive me for bringing all this trouble on you after all your kindness to me. Oh! how it grieves me to leave my dear ones at home. My darling husband has always been one of the best, and now, in his old age, he will want someone to look after him." - The above is an extract from a pathetic letter left by MARY BONNER TOLMAN, wife of SYDNEY TOLMAN, gardener, in the employ of Mrs Barnard D'Oyley, of Coombe Raleigh, Honiton, who was found drowned in the Millbrook Stream at Burnthouse Cottages, Axminster, on Friday. - Addressed to her sister-in-law, HESTER, the letter continued:- Oh! my dears, this dreadful roar in my ears is terrible, and the past few days it has been like a lot of people talking. It will drive me mad. My dear children; I am so proud of them; better ones never lived. Dear, dear BETTY is going to be married. You must go down, HESTER, and act in my place. REG is expected any day. I should very much like to have had a talk with him. Dear FRANK and MAUD, they will both be ashamed of me. But oh! It is my dear little man and my home! How can I leave them? Do advise SYD to have a house-keeper and I hope he will soon find a good wife. I quite believe Almighty God will forgive me. He knows how I am. "How I dread the thought of the Asylum. Oh! dear. Shall I be able to do it while you are sleeping? I trust to meet all another day." - According to the evidence adduced at the Inquest at Axminster, Saturday, deceased had been depressed since she underwent an operation at the West of England Eye Infirmary at Exeter, but of late had been better. She complained of strange noises in the head. On Thursday evening she left home at about a quarter to seven, and as she did not return by nine o'clock, the husband became alarmed and a search party was organised, the body being found next morning as stated. - SYDNEY TOLMAN said his wife had worried because she thought she was going blind. - Dr Langram said the deceased visited him in March, when she was very nervous and expressed the fear that she was going to lose her eyesight. She was one of those cases almost on the border line, and likely to become insane temporarily. - A daughter of the deceased, who saw her on Tuesday last, said that she was remarkably bright then. She, however, threatened to commit suicide, but had once remarked how silly it was for people to take their lives. - THOMAS SPILLER, brother of deceased, spoke to finding the body on Friday morning. Pinned to her hat, which was near the river, was a letter addressed to MR and MRS SPILLER. - George Silk, North-street, Axminster, stated that on Thursday evening he was returning home about 10.30 from Cloakham river, where he had been getting eels, when he saw a woman going towards Burnthouse Cottage gate, but he did not know her. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," and expressed sympathy with the family of the deceased.

Western Times, Saturday 15 July 1922
BRIDGERULE - Bridgerule Recluse. Old Man Found Dead In His House. - Mr H. C. Brown, District Coroner, held an Inquest at Bridgerule, yesterday, touching the death of RICHARD PARNELL, labourer, aged 60 years. - Mr F. Venner, a neighbour, stated that on the 10th inst., he heard deceased groaning, and spoke to him through the window. He offered to get a doctor, but deceased refused, and would not let him (witness) into the house. Later in the day Mrs Venner took him tea, and deceased said he was better, and refused all offers of assistance. He persisted in keeping the door locked and refused everyone admission. - Ex-Police Inspector Pratt deposed to breaking open the door of deceased's house on the morning of the 12th and finding him dead on the bedroom floor. - P.C. Ernest J. Stone said he found deceased in a crouching position on some rags. There were no marks of violence, but the legs were swollen and bore signs of disease. There was practically no furniture in the house, but he found £11 18s. ½d. Deceased was a bachelor and lived by himself. - Dr W. G. Gray said he last saw deceased about two years ago, at the request of the Holsworthy Board of Guardians. On going to the house he (the doctor) was refused admission, but PARNELL came to his surgery the following day. Deceased suffered from ulcerated legs and weak heart. In his opinion, death was due to natural causes. The doctor added that the house was in a most filthy condition and was condemned years ago as unfit for human habitation, but the order had not been enforced. - In returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, the Coroner asked P.S. Spicer to take charge of the £11 18s. 6 ½d. found in the house, until such time as relatives of the deceased (if any) had established their claim.

EXMINSTER - Exminster Fatality. Railway Worker Killed on The Line. A Martyr To Duty. - "A martyr to duty" was the description given by the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, at an Inquest on WILLIAM BAILEY, of Berry's Cottages, Exminster, held at the Schoolroom, Exminster, last evening, when referring to the manner in which deceased had met his death. - BAILEY, it will be recalled, met his death while at work on the G.W.R. main line at Exminster on Thursday morning. - Mr P.C. Cornish Bowden represented the fireman and driver of the engine, while the following were present on behalf of the G.W.R:- Chief Inspector Mapledoram, Locomotive inspector Cooke, Mr G. G. Bray, and Inspector Bowditch (Engineering Department). - SYDNEY BAILEY, of Swansea, gardener, son of the deceased, said his father was 65 years old. His hearing was good and he had been a platelayer on the G.W.R. for 41 years. - Frederick John Counter, who was working with the deceased on the day of the fatality, in company with another man, stated that they left deceased to go to a hut about 200 yards away to fetch some keys for repairing the line. He subsequently saw deceased lying dead between the platform and the rail. - The Signalman on duty at the time, Frank Dyer, of Alphington, explained that the up passenger train was due at Exminster at 8.19 a.m., and the goods train from Reading was also due about the same time. The goods train would not stop, but the other would. At the same moment as he (witness) went to put his signals back, he looked up and saw the engine of the down train knock down the deceased. - Sidney Lewis Medland, of Newton Abbot, a fireman on the down goods, said as they were approaching Exminster Station the up train was coming in. He did not see deceased on the line until the engine struck him. Previous to entering the Station the driver blew his whistle, the same as he would on approaching any Station. As soon as witness knew what had happened, he informed the driver, who pulled up as soon as possible. The train had been running through Exminster Station regularly and had not been put on recently. - Mr P.C. Cornish Bowden: Do you think deceased had been in a stooping position? - Witness: Yes; I thought he was raising himself from a stooping position. - Mr Cornish Bowden then asked what distance away the signal was given from the bridge, and witness said it was from the home signal. - Mr Cornish Bowden: I think the rules of the Railway Company are that they always sound the danger signal as well when passing a level crossing. - Mr Cornish Bowden then intimated that he should like the Coroner to call the driver of the goods train, in view of the remarks which had just been made. - Charles Wills, of Newton Abbot, said he blew his whistle between the distance and the home signals. The home signal would be 60 yards away from where deceased was knocked down. - In answer to Mr Cornish Bowden, witness said there would have been time for deceased to get out of the way if he had heard the signal. - The Coroner then recalled Frederick Counter, who said he was not certain whether a goods train had passed the same time the previous morning. - Dr John Iles said death must have been instantaneous. - The Coroner said the case was a very sad one and from the evidence it was apparent, he thought, that deceased had been a martyr to duty. He had been so closely engaged in his work that he did not notice the approach of the train. He thought death had been met in an Accidental manner. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 July 1922
BIDEFORD - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest at Bideford yesterday on WILLIAM HENRY MITCHELL, 85, an old age pensioner, who was taken ill during the previous night and died before the arrival of Dr Littlewood, who had been summoned. He was suffering from bronchial pneumonia and death was caused by syncope, which had been accelerated by the pneumonia. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Tuesday 18 July 1922
EXETER - St Thomas Man's Death. Due To Natural Causes And Not To An Accident. - An Inquest was held at the Court House at Exeter on Friday, by Mr W. Linford Brown, relative to the death of WILLIAM ALBERT BEWES, aged 60, of No. 4 Fanshawe Cottages, Dunsford-road, who died on July 11th. - Mr A. Martin Alford represented Mr Reginald Sclater, for whom deceased was working at Bowhill Nurseries, when he was taken ill. - The Coroner said the case was somewhat unusual, as it was not until the doctor had stated his opinion as to the cause of death that anything was said about an accident. Notice was given to the Coroner, that there had been an accident, and so an Inquest was necessary. It would be for the Jury to say whether death was due to disease or accident. - MRS ELLEN GIBBINGS stated that deceased, her father, had influenza in March last. He was ill for about six months, and during the past month he had complained of pains in the chest and a cough. On July 10th, about 4 p.m., deceased was brought home from work, complaining of pains in his side. He was put to bed and Dr Gray was called. Her father died the next evening. While her father was ill witness saw a Mr Elworthy, who told her he heard deceased had a fall from a ladder. Witness told her father what she had heard and he replied: "It was not far; don't tell mother." The latter remark was made, she thought, because his wife was not strong. - Reginald Sclater, market gardener, stated that on July 10th, deceased was picking cherries. Later, witness saw him sitting on a barrel. Asked if he had had a fall, BEWES replied, rubbing his side, "No, I feel bad." Mrs Ireland, who was working near, said "He did not fall; it is his heart." He came down, she added from the ladder, but did not fall. Deceased was given brandy and taken home. - Albert Lamacraft, who had been working with deceased, stated that BEWES told him that prior to July 10th, he had had a fall. He did not complain of having hurt himself, but fell on his feet from a small ladder. He did not complain of a fall when taken home on July 10th. Replying to Mr Alford, witness said the conversation took place three weeks before July 10th. Deceased had been jolly since that time. - Jams Mitchell stated that BEWES told him he had had a slip as the ladder swerved. - Mrs Sophia Ireland, Clinton-street, who was working with deceased, stated that BEWES came down the ladder, sat on a barrel and began to groan. He told Mr Sclater he did not fall from the ladder. Had he fallen, witness would have seen him. - William Bennett, 16 Rugby-road, said that BEWES fell from a small ladder on June 22nd, but told witness he received no injuries. - Dr Pereira Gray, who examined BEWES on July 10th, said the man was in great pain. The next morning witness again examined him and found his heart was in a very bad condition. The first that witness heard of an accident was when the daughter said to him after her father's death. "I suppose I shall get compensation for this." Witness made enquiries and found an accident had happened a fortnight ago, but he saw no connection with that and the man's death. He attributed death to haemorrhage of the heart. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Times, Thursday 20 July 1922
EXETER - Exeter Woman's Suicide. - At an Inquest held at the Court House yesterday afternoon, relative to the death of ELLEN LOUISA BROCK, 53, of Prospect Cottages, a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased, who was found hanging in her bedroom on Tuesday morning, had had considerable worry, her husband having been ill for four years and she herself had for three weeks been suffering from pains in her head and gastritis. Recently she told a neighbour she wished she was in the Cemetery.

NEWTON ABBOT - Kingsteignton Tragedy. Beeswax And Turpentine Over A Gas Stove. Woman's Fatal Burns. - At Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon, Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an inquiry into the circumstances which caused MISS EVA TREGALE, 25, of Kingsteignton, to be burnt to death whilst mixing turpentine and beeswax over a gas stove on Monday. - According to the evidence of MRS KATE TREGALE, of Bagton Terrace, Kingsteignton, deceased was her adopted daughter. She was brought to witness's house terribly burnt on Monday afternoon and death took place yesterday morning at the Hospital. - Hilda Cockerham said she was in the service of Mrs Quinton, of Blindwell Cottage, Kingsteignton, together with the deceased. Her mistress had been away and deceased and witness had taken a holiday until Monday, when they were alone in the house making preparations for her mistress's return. During the afternoon witness left deceased placing turpentine and beeswax on the gas stove in a tin in order that it should be melted. Later witness, who was upstairs, heard a shout and, coming downstairs, found deceased's clothes in flames, whilst the tin of turpentine and beeswax was on the floor also burning. Witness was much too frightened to do more than rush to the door and shout. Witness added that usually the mixture was placed on a stove to warm, but, in this instance, it was placed on the flames of a gas stove. - Mrs Clara Senior, of The Retreat, Highweek, said she was passing Blindwell House on Monday afternoon when Miss Cockerham ran wildly out and asked her to come into the house. As witness got to the door deceased ran out practically naked with the exception of her corsets, which deceased tore off and threw to the ground. Her stockings were smouldering and the body burnt terribly. - The Coroner returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," said there was no useful remark to be made on the unfortunate occurrence. It did not occur to the deceased that it was much more dangerous to use a gas ring for melting the wax than to place it on an ordinary stove. Both the Coroner and MRS TREGALE thanked Mrs Senior for her assistance and a passer by. Sympathy was expressed to the relatives. [Note: Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 20 July 1922: - Victim is named as EVA MARGARET PENDRICK, aged 25, the adopted daughter of MR and MRS TREGALE of Bagtor-terrace, Kingsteignton.]

Western Times, Friday 21 July 1922
RACKENFORD - Sudden Death Of Rackenford Schoolmaster. - Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the School House, Rackenford, yesterday, on THOMAS CHARLES KINGDON, aged 63. MRS KINGDON said her husband always seemed to enjoy good health. On Tuesday after tea he read the paper for an hour and then went out to the back to pump some water. A few minutes after she heard a groan, and on going out found her husband sitting in the bath with his legs hanging out over as though he had fallen. He groaned but did not speak, and seemed unconscious. - John Fook, postman, who responded to MRS KINGDON'S call for help, said when he saw deceased he appeared to be dead. - Dr George Nicholson, of Tiverton, who made a post mortem examination, said deceased suffered from old standing valvular disease of the heart, which would account for the sudden death. The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

NEWTON ABBOT - Highweek Woman's End. Dies In Hospital After Being Found Ill In A Churchyard. - Mr Hacker held an inquiry Wednesday into the death of MRS MARA WEBBER, a widow, who on Tuesday morning was discovered in Highweek churchyard vomiting and who died after her subsequent removal to the Newton Abbot Infirmary. Deceased had for six years occupied a room with Mrs F. E. Cross, of 31 Highweek-road, according to whose evidence, deceased was not strong and occasionally did nursing, sewing or housekeeping. She suffered from nerves and was unable to sleep. During the past seven weeks deceased had been under the care of Dr Patey. On Tuesday morning deceased left the house for a walk at 7 a.m. - a most unusual hour for her. - Frederick Clatworthy, sexton at Highweek, said on Tuesday morning about 8.15 he found deceased lying between two graves moaning and vomiting. - The Coroner asked witness if he was aware that deceased's husband was buried in Highweek Churchyard. - Witness replied that deceased was not lying near the grave of her husband. - P.C. Horne said he visited deceased's room and found three medicine bottles, which were handed to Dr Scrase. The room was in perfect order with the bed made. No communications were discovered. - Dr James R. Culross said he was given to understand by the Hospital Matron that deceased had been strange in her manner recently and had threatened to throw herself out of the window. Witness found no indication of poison, but deceased was suffering from severe pain in the stomach and was mentally depressed. - Witness's opinion was that deceased was suffering from acute melancholia. He considered consequently, that the case was not one for the Hospital and personally arranged for deceased's removal to the Infirmary. - Dr J. Scrase, who took charge of deceased at the Infirmary, said deceased, although conscious, was weak, but inclined to be violent. Deceased was in a collapsed but not a dying state and he thought she might recover. She was suffering from acute inflammation of the stomach. A post mortem examination revealed that deceased's heart was in a state of advanced fatty degeneration. The stomach contained blood and was ulcerated in one place. There were also evidences of old ulceration. Death was due from haemorrhage of a gastric ulcer, accelerated by the weak condition of the heart. There were no evidences of poison. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 July 1922
TIVERTON - Uffculme Hayrick Fatality. The Inquest. - The Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of WALTER COLES, 55, who died at the Tiverton Hospital on Wednesday, from the effects of a fall from a hayrick at Uffculme, was conducted by Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, Coroner, at Tiverton last evening. - William Denner, who worked with the deceased, said they were engaged in forming a rick. COLES was on the top of the rick. Witness was pitching the hay from a waggon to the top. The rick was from 10ft. to 12ft high. After deceased had asked witness not to pitch too fast he saw the ladder slipping from the side of the rick. Witness went around to see what had happened and he found COLES lying on his stomach, with his head on the side of the ladder. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 31 July 1922
EXETER - Misadventure. Exeter Child's Death. - Mr W. Linford Brown, sitting without a Jury, held an Inquest on the body of ERNEST WILLIAM JAMES, aged 1 year and four months, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Thursday, from scalds. During the mother's temporary absence, the child went into the kitchen, and must have put his hand on to the table, caught hold of the cosy and tipped a teapot over himself. "Misadventure" was the verdict.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 2 August 1922
EXETER - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Exeter Coroner at an Inquest at 5 Newcombe-terrace, Heavitree, yesterday, on the body of JULIA ANNA DAVEY, 63, a single woman. Dr Whaite attributed death to heart failure.

Western Times, Friday 4 August 1922
EXETER - An Alphington Fatality. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, on MOYA BRANTON, aged 11 months, the daughter of MR and MRS BRANTON of Tozers Cottages, Alphington. Deceased was admitted to the Hospital on July 31st and died Tuesday. MR A. G. BRANTON said he left home about 9.30 a.m. on July 31st and his child was sitting in a high chair at the corner of the kitchen table. She was about 3 ft. or 3 ft 6 ins. away from the fire. MRS BRANTON explained that she was washing and on hearing screams she went into the kitchen and found the chair had been overturned and the child had fallen on top of the stove. Dr Dick, Assistant House Surgeon, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said death was due to shock following burns.

CHITTLEHAMPTON - On Saturday morning MR ALBERT BLACKMORE, for many years a worker on the Clinton Estate died suddenly. At the Inquest a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 11 August 1922
OTTERY ST MARY - Poison In Tea Cup. Ottery Mother's Tiff With Her Son. Bank Holiday Tragedy. - An Inquest was held yesterday by Dr E. R. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, at Greenland farm, Higher Metcombe, Tipton St John, in the occupation of Mr S. R. Kingsland, respecting the death of MARY ELIZABETH TRIVETT, wife of MR ROBERT JOHN TRIVETT, of Rose-cottage, Higher Metcombe, which took place as the result of poisoning by oxalic acid on Monday night last. - ROBERT JOHN TRIVETT, the husband, an agricultural labourer, said his wife was 55 years of age. On Monday, witness was visited by an uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Oldridge, of Colyton, his youngest daughter (MRS WATSON) and sister (MRS WEBBER), with some children. They all had tea at 6 o'clock and afterwards took a walk over the Common, subsequently going to Tipton St John Station together to see his uncle and aunt off by the 7.45 p.m. train. They had a little refreshment at the Golden Lion Inn before the train left and his wife and himself afterwards returned to the Inn. She had two drops of brandy altogether, and they left for home at a quarter to 10 o'clock in good spirits and on the best of terms. He had heard of no quarrelling between his wife and other members of the family. - WILLIAM JOSEPH THOMAS HENRY TRIVETT, eldest son of deceased, said he escorted his mother home from the Station and they sat together in an outer front room for some time. Witness was reading a book and his mother said: "Go and have your supper, boy." H replied: "I will in a minute." His mother then got up from her chair, holding her handkerchief to her mouth and entered a back room, where the other members of the family were having supper. In a few seconds she returned, and went straight into an inner front room. Witness then heard a thump and his mother shouted "WILL." He went to the room and found her lying on the sofa. In passing the table witness noticed a teacup and a paper packet with a red label on it. His mother was undoing her brooch and said: "This is for you, WILL." Witness saw that his mother had taken something and shouted to his brother, ARCH: "Fetch a doctor as mother's taken something." His mother gave two screams and asked to have her clothes taken off. She then expired in the presence of his father and other members of the family. - ARCHIBALD HENRY TRIVETT, another son of deceased, of Plymouth, said he was home for a weekend. His mother suffered from her heart and after witness came home from India last February, she said the doctor advised her to go home and take it quiet, as she only had six months to live. Witness, on the way home from Tipton, Monday night, said he advised his mother to give up the drink. She was about to reply when witness told her to shut up, as his father was coming along. - The Coroner: Did you call your mother a drunkard? - Witness: I hardly know what was said. - The Coroner: Did she say: "You, my youngest son call me a drunkard." - Witness said his mother seemed to take what he said the wrong way. - The Coroner: Did she say: "I threaten to do myself in, I will do it now?" - Witness replied that he did not hear his mother threaten herself. - Pressed by the Coroner as to what he told the doctor, witness said he might have said something of the kind. His mother may have said it, but he could not say. - Dr J. A. W. Ponton, of Ottery, stated that death was due to poisoning by oxalic acid. - The Jury came to the conclusion that death was due to Poisoning by Oxalic Acid, and that the poison was Self-administered. The Jury further considered there was not sufficient evidence to show the state of deceased's mind at the time.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 18 August 1922
BLACK TORRINGTON - At the Inquest on ROBERT WOOLDRIDGE, aged six, staying with his uncle, MR E. J. WOOLDRIDGE, at Smithland Farm, MR WOOLDRIDGE said deceased had been playing in a field with his own little boy, who later came in and said deceased had been kicked by a horse at which he had thrown the lid of a tin. Dr Candler said the boy's jaw was fractured and death must have been almost instantaneous from shock and haemorrhage. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The deceased was the son of the REV. R. H. and MRS WOOLDRIDGE, of Burslem. The parents had been on their annual visit to the village and only returned two days before the sad accident.

Western Times, Friday 25 August 1922
FARRINGDON - Farringdon Man's Unaccountable Act. - A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned at an Inquest held by Dr Tweed at Farringdon this morning on the body of MR T. EDWARDS of Perkins Village, who was found hanging in the scullery by his wife. - According to the evidence, the wife, with whom deceased lived on affectionate terms, left him in the sitting-room on Friday evening. She told him he had better come on to bed and he replied, "No, you go on, I will follow." He did not do so, and a quarter to six next morning he was found hanging in the scullery. - It transpired that deceased was of a most jovial disposition and he had been in one employment for 22 years. No reason could be assigned for the rash deed.

KINGSTEIGNTON - Girl Left To Drown. "No One Would Take The Trouble To Help." Kingsteignton Tragedy. Coroner's Scathing Remarks To Two Witnesses. - The disgraceful conduct of two men in connection with a drowning fatality on Friday last at Kingsteignton, called forth severe censure from Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, at the Inquest held on Saturday afternoon. The victim was EVA AMELIA BURROW, the eleven year old daughter of GEORGE BURROW, clay miner of Orchard Gardens. It appears deceased was picking flowers on the banks of the river Teign, near Teignbridge, when she pulled out the root of a flower, over-balanced and fell into the river. - A companion of the deceased, named Lily Mason, said she tried to reach her little friend when she was in the water, but the body went out into the middle of the river. She then ran out into the roadway and saw a man called Farleigh with a horse and cart. Witness told him what had happened and he started to go to the scene, but subsequently said he could not go because he could not leave his horse. "Another man," continued the little girl, "was coming down the road, and Farleigh said 'You had better tell this man.' I did so and he came to the side of the river, but by then the body was out of sight. He afterwards said he had best go and find EVA'S father." - Girl Might Have Been Saved. - Wallace Farleigh, a young man who said he was a coal dealer, told the Coroner he could not get out of the girl actually where the accident had occurred. - "Did you understand a girl was in the river drowning?" queried the Coroner. - Farleigh: No. She said the girl was in the water. - The Coroner: You understood there was a girl in the water, and you say you were unable to leave your horse? - It was a young, troublesome horse and I could not leave it in the middle of the road. I put it in the lane. Then this man came along and I gave him the information. - What is the good of telling another man? The only proper thing for a young man like you are is to see what you can do. It is what the public expect of any man who has any right feeling. - Farleigh replied that he did not know what to do first - put the horse in a lane or leave it. - "You shirked it yourself, and left it to the other man," observed the Coroner. "The girl was left to drown - that is the upshot of this - because there was no one who would take the trouble to give any assistance. If you had been prompt and done your duty, as the public expect a young fellow like you to do, you would have been able to pull the little girl out." - Farleigh: The girl might have been drowned when I was told. - The Coroner (disgustedly): "Oh, yes. 'Might' have been. You cannot tell whether you 'might' have got thee in time or not. The thing is that prompt action very often saves life, whereas, if you dally and take no trouble, life is lost. And you did nothing except tell another man. Aren't you ashamed?" - "I fell sorry now," replied Farleigh weakly. - "We are all ashamed of you," said Mr Hacker. "If you had acted promptly this girl might have been saved." - Never Made An Effort. - The next witness was the man met in the roadway named Henry John Lintern, a clay cutter living at HIghweek. He said he went immediately to the banks of the river and searched, but could not see anything of the body. The water was running strongly and was cloudy. Going back to the roadway and looking into the river from Teignbridge, he saw the body in a swirl of water, head down. - The Coroner: And when you saw where she was - - "I could see she was dead," continued Lintern, "so I went to Mr Carnells and asked for her father's address. I thought if I took her from the water I should have to stand by her. - The Coroner: You saw the child in the water and made no attempt to get her out. - Lintern: No, Sir. - The Coroner: Why not? - Lintern: She was under the water and dead. There was no movement and no bubbles in the water. - The Coroner: How could you tell whether she was dead? - Lintern: There was no movement. - The Coroner (disgusted): No movement"! What has that got to do with it? - You saw the body of this child in the water and walked away without making any effort to pull it out? - I didn't actually make an effort to get her out. I didn't know what to do. - Isn't it the first thing to do - get the body out of the water? - I thought if I took her out I could not let the Police or her father know. I always understood you had to stand by a dead body. I might have stayed with it all night before I saw anyone. - "You are talking nonsense," replied Mr Hacker. "It is a silly excuse to hide your disgraceful conduct. Whoever told you that you had to stand by a dead body? Have you anything to tell the Jury as to why you did not put out a hand to save this child? " - Lintern: She was dead. - "What business have you to say she was dead? You are not to judge. Any decent man would have made an attempt to save her at once. It's a disgraceful state of affairs to find men like this going about." - In answer to the Coroner, P.C. Rayan said the water was six feet deep where the body was found. - Lintern admitted that he had been in the Navy, but was unable to swim. - The Coroner: There are other ways of saving a body in these circumstances besides swimming. A man could reach if he had any wish to do so. - Jury Endorse Coroner's Remarks. - Norman Shortt said directly he heard of the occurrence he went to the spot and waded out into the water. With the aid of a pole he released the body from the hole, and the swirl of water brought it towards him. He tried artificial respiration for ten minutes but it was hopeless. He believed, however, her life could have been saved had someone acted promptly. - A man named Carnell said he was told by Lintern that the girl was dead and consequently did not leave his work. - The Jury, after retiring, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and endorsed the remarks that the Coroner had addressed to Farleigh and Lintern. Sympathy was expressed with the relatives.

EXETER HEAVITREE - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at Heavitree Police Station yesterday on EDWARD J. EVANS, the two-month-old child of MR and MRS G. EVANS of 53 Regents-square, Heavitree. Dr Lovely stated that the child was fairly well nourished but was not very large. Death was due to syncope following a severe cold.

OKEHAMPTON - Okehampton Fatality: The Inquest. - On Saturday, at the Inquest at Okehampton on ANNIE SQUIRE, aged 14, drapers' assistant, of Hatherleigh, employed at Okehampton, who died as the result of injuries sustained through being knocked down by a horse and cart at Okehampton on Friday, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Norman John Voaden said the horse might have been frightened by some paper, pieces of which were flying about. - P.C. Ley said deceased, when she saw her danger, seemed to hesitate and then ran toward St James'-street, but the horse swerved and caught her, the wheels of the trap going over her. - John Murrin said he only left the horse half-a-minute. He had never had any trouble with it. Dr Gaster said deceased suffered from a fracture of the base of the skull and from the first there was very small chance of recovery.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 25 August 1922
BROADWOODWIDGER - Shocking Death At Broadwoodwidger. - At the Inquest held at Westweek Barton, Broadwoodwidger, by Mr H. C. Brown, on WILLIAM W. DYMOND, aged 22, son of MR W. DYMOND, the latter said a nephew, deceased and witness were working a Ford Tractor attached to a saw mill. His son was working some distance away and on turning round they found the tractor motionless and deceased badly injured about the head and arm. Dr Galbraith was sent for and arrived within half an hour. Deceased was unconscious and the doctor ordered him to be removed to Launceston Hospital, but he died on the way. Witness was unable to say how the accident happened, but suggested that deceased was caught in the machinery when attempting to stop the tractor. - Dr Galbraith said both thighs were broken as well as the left arm, while the skull was fractured. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 August 1922
EXMINSTER - Exeter Labourer's Death. Strange Case. - The District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, held an Inquest at Exminster, yesterday, on ALFRED JAMES GRANT, general labourer, of No. 5 Paris-street, Exeter, whose body was discovered in the Exeter Canal, near the Lime Kilns, on Friday. - Richard Byrne, of Paris-street, restaurant proprietor, gave evidence of identification. Deceased had resided with him for the past three weeks. He was a widower and had been in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Witness last saw him alive on Sunday, August 20th, at 10.20 p.m. He was then going to bed, and next morning witness found the bed had not been occupied. Deceased left no communication and appeared to be in good health. There were no signs of depression, but witness had observed for two or three days that deceased's mind seemed to be wandering. Witness had never heard GRANT speak of suicide. - James Jordan, of 75 Cowick-street, St Thomas, general labourer, said he was engaged in road-making at Countess Wear with deceased. On Monday, the 21st inst, at 6.50 a.m., witness met GRANT between the river and the canal, going in the direction of the latter. Greetings were exchanged and deceased said he was going for a walk. - Charles Pepperell, of the Lime Kilns, Exminster, labourer, stated he was cycling home from Exeter at 4 p.m. on the 25th inst., along the canal banks and just before he reached the kilns saw the body floating in the water. Witness recovered it and gave information to the Police. - P.C. Mitchell, of Exminster, said he searched the body and found a purse, which contained 4s. 11 ¾d., a pocket-knife, box of matches, packet of cigarettes, and the cover of an old Army book. There was nothing to throw any light on the matter. Inquiries had been made at Bournemouth for deceased's relatives, but without success. - Dr J. Hyde Iles, of Exminster, said the body had been in the water several days. He attributed death to drowning. - The Coroner returned an Open Verdict of "Found Drowned," and remarked that a letter had been received at GRANT'S lodgings since deceased had been missing which intimated that Sir Robert Newman, M.P., had been interesting himself in the deceased and had been endeavouring to secure a pension for him. Deceased evidently did not know the result of Sir Robert's efforts, as the letter arrived after GRANT was missing.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 1 September 1922
TOTNES - Totnes Tragedy. Girl Found Drowned. - At the Inquest conducted at Totnes by Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, concerning the death of GLADYS LEIGHTON, 21, whose body was recovered from the Dart at Totnes, Mr E. Walter Morrison, of Nottingham, said deceased came to Winsland on holiday with himself and his wife as a nurse girl. They were perfectly satisfied with her, and he was sure she was with them. There had been no complaints and he knew of no trouble. She was very excited about coming to Devon, and was devoted heart and soul to the baby. He was taking the body home and paying funeral expenses. - Alice Maud Butt, temporary cook, said she did not know deceased had any troubles. At Winsland about 6.20 to 6.30 p.m. deceased said she was going out. She commenced to write a note and began to cry. Witness asked her why, and she said witness would know the end of it tomorrow. Deceased would not tell her what she meant. She tried to reason with her and to stop her going out. - The Coroner read the note which was: "To Mrs Morrison, - Sorry about the jam, but if you write to my mother she will make it right." - Mrs E. A. Morrison, Winsland, said on Thursday morning deceased was using the jam in the morning-room and said she hoped witness did not mind. Witness replied that she did not, but she was not to take the jam which was for her own use. On returning home she found deceased had again been using the jam, and told her she must not do so. Deceased did not seem upset. She could suggest no reason why she should have thrown herself into the river. After she spoke to her she heard deceased cheerfully singing in the bathroom. She was a good girl and an exceptionally good servant. - Evidence as to the finding of the body having been given, the Coroner said it was perfectly clear that deceased died from drowning. She might have fallen in or thrown herself into the river. There was no evidence that it was an accident and no proof that it was due to suicide, and the verdict would be "Found Drowned." - Mr Cornish-Bowden, on behalf of Mr and Mrs Morrison, expressed deep sympathy with the parents of the deceased, and said she was a thoroughly good girl, efficient, and a good servant, who always gave satisfaction.

Western Times, Friday 1 September 1922
REWE - Rewe Tragedy. Man Who Fell Into River During Dense Fog. - During the dense fog that enveloped the Culm Valley in the early hours of Saturday morning HENRY CANN, of Rewe Cottages, Rewe, lost his life by falling into the river. - Deceased, a farm labourer, in the employ of Mr Harry Reginald Baker, left home, as usual, at 5.40 a.m. to fetch the cows from a marsh adjoining the Culm and at eleven o'clock was found by Mr Baker lying face downwards in the river. The water at this spot is about eighteen inches deep and the bank, obscured by rushes, almost level with the water. Deceased was fully dressed, but his cap was missing. - At the Inquest held by the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, at Rewe Parish Room, on Monday, the Coroner, sitting without a Jury, recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Tragedy Of The Moor. Portsmouth Cyclist Killed Near Moretonhampstead. - At Moretonhampstead, Mr Coroner S. Hacker, held an Inquest on MR HARRY COUZENS, who died as the result of a cycling accident between Princetown and Moretonhampstead, on Friday. Deceased, from Portsmouth, with a friend, had been visiting friends at Plymouth. They left home on Friday morning, intending to make the journey on cycles by way of Princetown and Moretonhampstead. When about five miles from Moreton and while descending a steep hill, deceased "free wheeled". He reached the bottom safely, but had ascended about 50 yards up the hill on the opposite side when his companion noticed the machine take a sudden turn to the side, with the result that deceased was heavily thrown. He was picked up by a passing motor car and taken to Moretonhampstead. - It was stated in evidence at the Inquest that the brakes of the machine were in order, and that the accident was a mystery. Deceased's neck was broken and death must have been instantaneous. - The Coroner thought that a warning sign should be placed on that part of the Moor as it was a very dangerous part.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 September 1922
EXETER - Dunsford Labourer's Death. Knocked Down By Own Waggon. - An Inquest was held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, on GEORGE CORNISH, of Halslow Cottage, Dunsford, who, according to his own statement to a Constable, was crushed by the wheels of a waggon he was driving, near Dunsford, on Tuesday last. - GEORGE CORNISH, father, said deceased was 40 years old and a farm labourer, working for Mr G. May, The Farrants, Dunsford. - P.C. Crocker, Dunsford, stated that, on Tuesday, about 2.45 p.m., he received information that an accident had occurred on the main Exeter road, about two miles from Dunsford. Upon proceeding to the spot he found deceased was lying in the hedge, having received severe injuries to the head and a fractured right ankle. He was taken to the Devon and Exeter Hospital. CORNISH, in a statement to witness, said he was walking on the near side of his waggon when the front wheel caught the heel of his boot, threw him forward and the wheels passed over him. As far as witness could ascertain, no one actually witnessed the accident. - Dr E. E. Nicholl said he went with the last witness to the scene of the accident. Half of deceased's scalp was hanging off, and he also had a broken ankle and a fractured shoulder blade. - John Wright, Dunsford, said he saw deceased walk about fifty paces after the waggon and then drop down. He did not see the accident, which happened just previously. - Alfred Mortimer said he heard deceased shouting to the horses to stop. He also heard the statement made by deceased about the accident. - Dr Dick, House Surgeon, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said that in addition to the injuries described by Dr Nicholl, there were some fractured ribs on the right side and the lung was punctured. Death was due to shock, consequent upon the injuries received. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 8 September 1922
EXETER - Elderly Lady's Sudden Death At Exeter. - The Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of LUCY TURNER MICHELL, of Carlton House, New North-road, Exeter, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon. - MISS MARY TURNER, said her sister was 70 years of age. They had been travelling for some time and at Ilfracombe last year deceased had congestion of the lungs. The doctor then said her heart was very weak. Wednesday afternoon they intended going to Dartmoor by char-a-banc and while they were walking from Carlton House her sister said she would follow on slowly. Deceased ultimately decided not to go and witness went over to cancel the trip. When she came back, deceased was lying on the ground. - Mrs Griffey, with whom deceased resided, said she saw deceased yesterday morning when she seemed in good health. Dr Foulkes attributed death to syncope, due to valvular disease of the heart. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

CHARDSTOCK (DORSET) - East Devon Farmer's Untimely End. Bramble Catches Trigger. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the East Devon Coroner, Dr Tweed, at an Inquest held at the College Hall, Chardstock, on Monday, relative to the death of JAMES BAGWELL, 33, of Hook Mill Farm, Chardstock. - According to the evidence, the deceased was found by George Brownsell, labourer, of Burridge, on September 1st, lying among some brambles in a field on the farm. The top of his head had been blown off and across his leg was a single-barrelled gun containing a spent cartridge in the breech. With assistance P.C. Pearce removed the body to the farm. It is presumed that the gun was accidentally discharged by the trigger catching a bramble.

EXMINSTER - Mr H. W. Gould, County Coroner, held an Inquest at Exminster on Saturday, on the body of THOMAS PEPPERELL, aged 69 years, of Sentry Cottage, Exminster, who was found lying dead on the floor in the kitchen of his house on Thursday last. Mrs A. Blake said she assisted deceased to keep house. She last saw him at 5.20 p.m. Thursday, outside his door. At five minutes to seven that evening, on going to his room, witness found him lying dead on the floor. There was one chair across his legs and his head was between another. A rope was around his neck and the rope was broken. Another portion of the rope (produced) was suspended to the ceiling. He had not been to work recently and seemed depressed in consequence. Witness had never heard him speak of suicide. There was no sign of any disturbance in the kitchen. Dr Iles, Exminster, expressed the opinion that deceased died from heart failure produced by shock caused by attempted strangulation. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

BRISTOL - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Bristol Coroner at an Inquest held on the body of MISS HILDA MAUD CHAPMAN, aged 22, of King's Heanton, Marwood, who met her death as a result of extensive burns.

TEIGNMOUTH - Crushed By A Wall. Witness Who Had Premonition Something Would Happen. Stokeinteignhead Fatality. - "Death by Misadventure through being Accidentally Crushed by the Fall of a Wall" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held at Teignmouth, last evening, by Mr Thomas Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, on the body of GEORGE BENNETT, aged 69, a labourer, in the employ of the Newton Abbot Rural Council, who met his death through injuries sustained as the result of the fall of a wall at Stokeinteignhead on Tuesday, while engaged in digging a trench to carry water pipes. - Mrs Susannah Pedrick, of Stokeinteignhead, who was standing near the scene of the accident when the wall gave out, said she had a "sort of premonition" that something was going to happen, as she heard someone knocking outside her door about five o'clock the same morning. She thought someone was tampering with stones, and mentioned the fact to her husband and sons. They, however, heard nothing and told her she was dreaming. She, however, got up and looked out the window, but saw nothing. - Mr S. Olver, highway surveyor to the Newton Rural District Council, said he was satisfied that no precaution was necessary, although he had not examined the wall. - Replying to the Deputy Coroner, witness stated that had he seen the wall before the accident , he would neither have shored it up or undermined it. He thought the wall fell owing to old age. - The Deputy Coroner expressed regret that he had not summoned a Jury, but thought there had been no culpable negligence. If Mr Easterbrook (who appeared for relatives of the deceased) desired it, he (the Deputy Coroner) would adjourn the inquiry. - Mr Easterbrook: I think it would be an advantage if you visited the site. - The Deputy Coroner: I understand the position, but possibly there was an error of judgment in not having the wall examined. - Mr Easterbrook: I agree there was an error of judgment. - The Coroner: It would be far from my opinion to say Mr Olver was criminally responsible. - Mr Easterbrook did not press for an adjournment and the Coroner returned the verdict as above stated.

TOTNES - A Totnes Suicide. - At Gerston Farm, Totnes, on Tuesday afternoon, Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of WILLIAM SOPER, who was found hanging in a linhay on Monday. MR ALFRED SOPER, of Gerston Farm, said deceased, who was 49 years of age, lived at the farm. He had been under medical care, having been a little low spirited. He was at work in a field on Monday morning and as he did not come to lunch witness went to look for him and found him in the linhay hanging to a beam. He should say he got on a partition and jumped off. He did not know deceased had any troubles that would lead him to commit suicide. - EDWIN A SOPER said when called by his father he went to the linhay, where his elder brother cut the rope. Deceased was dead. He had no reason to think his brother would commit suicide. Dr W. Chapman said he saw the deceased three weeks ago when he complained of restlessness and sleeplessness and abnormal appetite and thirst. He considered his mental condition not up to normal, and he was probably not accountable for his actions when he committed suicide. - A verdict was recorded to that effect.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 September 1922
ST GILES IN THE HEATH - At Box's Shop, St Giles-in-the-Heath, Mr H. C. Brown, County Coroner, with a Jury, held an Inquest yesterday on MARY ANN STANBURY COLE, aged 78, wife of JOHN COLE, retired farm labourer, of that place, who had been knocked down by a cycle ridden by John Moore, 16. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the cyclist being exonerated from blame.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 14 September 1922
ILFRACOMBE - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at Ilfracombe yesterday on WALTER CHARLES BROOKS, 43, cashier of the Bristol Co-operative Society, and of 174 Chissall-street, Bedminster. Deceased had a carbuncle behind the ear which ultimately set up pyraemia to which Dr Stevenson attributed death.

Western Times, Friday 15 September 1922
EXETER - Killed With A Mattock. Tragedy In An Okehampton Garden. Distressing Accident. - The distressing tragedy in an Okehampton garden, whereby a little child's death was caused by being accidentally struck by a mattock which an elder brother was using to dig potatoes, was the subject of an Inquest held by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at Exeter Court House on Monday. - The child, STANLEY DAY, aged between two and three years, was the son of SAMUEL DAY, motor-car proprietor, of 20 West-street, Okehampton, who stated that on Tuesday, the 5th inst., he was in his house when he heard terrible screeching and his son, LEONARD, brought deceased into the house in his arms. He said he had hit the child on the head, the little boy having got under the mattock just as it was dropping. He did not see his young brother before the mattock fell and he believed he had killed him. There were several women in hysterics and witness hastened with the boy to Dr Gameson, who attended to the injuries. The child went on very well until Friday, when, about midnight, it gave a terrible shriek and this continued at intervals. Next day, Dr Gameson ordered the child's removal to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - LEONARD DAY, aged 16, brother of deceased, who expressed a wish, in answer to the Coroner, to give evidence, said he was digging potatoes close by some currant bushes. He did not see his brother, who, when he went to the garden, was playing outside the house of his sister, MRS WESTLAKE. The child ran out from behind the bushes just as the mattock was descending. He was running forward to pick up a potato. The mattock struck him on the head. - Dr Pringle, House Physician at the Hospital, said the child died of tetanus on the 9th inst. There were tetanus germs at the bottom of the wound, which was 2 ½ inches long. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressed deep sympathy with the parents and the brother.

TIVERTON - Fata Freewheeling. Tiverton Lad's Escapade On Newte's Hill. Collision With Motorist. At last night's Inquest on THOMAS PATRICK TODD, 15, of Peter-street, Tiverton, who was killed in a collision on Newte's Hill, Tiverton, on Wednesday evening, it was stated that deceased had often cycled down the hill with another boy in order to see which could free-wheel furthest. - It was also stated that on the evening of the accident several boys were stationed at the foot of the hill to give deceased and his companion warning of approaching vehicles. - MISS ANNIE UTTEN TODD said that her late nephew saw no fear. The bicycle which he rode was a strange one, the brakes of which were defective, his own machine having been stolen. - Richard Chapman, of Tiverton, stated that he was with deceased on Wednesday evening, when for 45 minutes they cycled down Newte's Hill to see which machine would go the furthest without pedalling. At about 7.30 one of the boys stationed at the bottom shouted that a motor cyclist was approaching, but TODD was unable to pull up in time to avoid a collision. TODD was heavily thrown and died within a short time and the motorist - Frederick Hine, of Cullompton - was rendered unconscious. - The Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom: Could you pull up? - Yes. I put on my brakes very hard. TODD, who was in front of me, was unable to stop. He was travelling about 25 miles an hour. - Leslie John French said that he, with other boys, kept at "look-out" while deceased and Chapman free-wheeled down the hill. The motor cyclist was ascending the hill on his proper side. - Dr Nicholson stated that deceased died from a fractured skull, caused by being thrown on his head. The motor cyclist was progressing favourably. His injuries were, however, serious. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure," and, at the suggestion of Mr Wm. Barrons (Mayor of Tiverton) requested the Coroner to write to the Town Council, suggesting that notices be erected on Newte's and other steep hills in the borough, warning motorists and cyclists that if the gradients were negotiated at dangerous speeds offenders would be proceeded against. - The Coroner, Jury and Police, commented upon the local practice - which, they observed, had increased of late - of motoring and cycling down dangerous hills at excessive speeds. Men, woman and boys, it was alleged, all indulged in the practice.

Western Times, Friday 22 September 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held at the Torrington Poor Law Institution on Friday, by the North Devon Coroner, Mr Geo. W. F. Brown, on the body of ELLEN BRIGHT, widow, aged 76, who died as the result of a fall, following a push from another inmate. Dr W. F. Pridham said there was an injury to the right thigh, where a bruise developed and gangrene set in.

TEIGNMOUTH - LADY ATLAY Dies At Teignmouth Following A Fall. - At Teignmouth Town Hall yesterday Mr Sidney Hacker, Coroner, conducted an Inquest on the body of LADY CONSTANCE LILIAN ATLAY, of Mapleton, Great Misenden, Bucks, who died at the Hermosa Nursing Home on Tuesday, as the result of an accident on Sunday. - Evidence of identification was given by SIR WILFRID ATLAY, chairman of the London Stock Exchange and a Justice of the Peace for the county of Bucks, who said his wife was 57 years of age. He was with her when she died. Witness and the deceased were staying in Teignmouth on a holiday, his wife having been, more or less, an invalid for the past 30 years, when she broke her right hip. She could, however, walk about, but not very well. On Sunday morning he went to his wife's room about 8 o'clock and found her better than usual. On leaving her, he went to his room adjoining and shortly after he heard a fall. On going again to his wife, he found her lying on the floor by the side of the bed. He picked her up and laid her on the bed. He asked her how she fell and she replied that her legs gave way. For some days, her legs had been stiff. As his wife was in pain, he went for a doctor, and did not know she had broken her thigh. On Dr Kilpatrick's advice, she was removed to the Hermosa Nursing Home where she died on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. - The Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that death resulted from heart failure, due to the fracture of her thigh, in consequence of an Accidental Fall from her bed. - Mr Hacker tendered his sympathy to SIR WILFRID ATLAY in his sad bereavement.

CULLOMPTON - His Last "Good Night". Suicide in 4 ½ Inches Of Water At Cullompton. Cattle Dealer's End. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was recorded by the Deputy County Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, at an Inquest at Cullompton on Tuesday, on SILVANUS CROCKER, 66, cattle dealer of Butterleigh, who was found drowned in a stream by the side of Old Tiverton-road, Cullompton, the previous day. - The widow stated that her late husband was a man of violent temper. He had recently suffered from nerves and dizziness and would cry at the least thing. He had worried about his sight and feared that he would become unfit for business. On Sunday, the 17th inst., he got up in the evening and left the house about nine, not saying where he was going. - Fredk. Quant, postman, Cullompton, stated that he found the body in the stream lying face downwards. Deceased's hat was by the side of the road and his stick was stuck in the hedge. - Harold George Butt, Cullompton, stated that deceased said "Good night" to him in a faint, low voice at 10.5 p.m. on Sunday, when witness over took him near the spot where his body was found. - Dr E. F. M. Alleyne said death was due to drowning. He was of opinion that deceased placed himself in the water, which was about 4 ½ inches deep.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 September 1922
EXETER - Boy's Inflamed Ankle. Inquest At Exeter. - The Exeter Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House yesterday on DAVID THOMAS GELDART, aged 13, son of FREDERICK GELDART, a tram cleaner, of Bournemouth. - Mr P. A. Dodds, Headmaster of the West of England Deaf and Dumb Institution, said deceased had been in the Institution for five years. He was not a strong boy and there was a history of tuberculosis. He went for his holidays on July 20th and came back on August 4th. On the 15th he complained of a pain in his foot, and said he had fallen over something. Later he gave different versions of what had happened. He was attended by the nurse, who examined the foot and treated it for sprain. It became worse and Dr Clapp was called in. On September 20th the right hand and the right knee began to swell and he was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - Harry Benham, an assistant master in whose class deceased was on the day the foot was found to be bad, said the boy did not complain much. He was allowed to sit all the day. - Nurse Higgs said the foot was not badly swollen on the Friday, but much worse on Sunday. - Dr Eager, House Surgeon, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased when admitted was suffering from a septic ankle. He had since made a post-mortem, found the body in good condition, but acute inflammation of the bone of the ankle. Abscesses had formed throughout the body. The cause of death was blood poisoning, due to inflammation of the bone. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 29 September 1922
OTTERY ST MARY - East Devon Fatality. West Hill Lady Dashed To Death. Defective Bicycle Brake. - A fatal cycle accident befell MRS ALICE MAUD HANSFORD, wife of MR MARK BERNARD HANSFORD, of West Hill, Ottery St Mary, on Saturday morning. MRS HANSFORD'S father-in-law, who was staying with her and her husband, having died the previous day at the ripe age of 95, she cycled to Ottery in order to get the necessary death certificate from Dr Ponton. - She was returning by way of Cornhill and when rounding the corner, descending the hill near the King's Arms, she appeared to have lost control of her machine, for she was thrown violently against a brick wall just below Mr Fred Coles' saddlers' shop. - Assistance was soon forthcoming and it was at once seen she had received serious injuries to her head. She was carried into Mr Coles' shop and afterwards taken to the Cottage Hospital. - From the first there was little hope of her recovery and without regaining consciousness she died during the night, despite the best medical attention and care bestowed on her. Her injuries included a fractured skull. - How It happened. - Thanks to the intelligent way in which P.C. John Stone, of Ottery, pursued his enquiries, the Coroner, Dr Tweed, at the Inquest which was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday morning, was able to get a clear picture of the cause of the accident. - Deceased, it appears, never used the back brake of the bicycle and the rim of that wheel was thick with rust, though the brake itself was in perfect order. The front brake, however, which she relied on had become useless owing to the bolt which held it to the lever having dropped out. In trying to apply the brake, and finding it useless, deceased probably lost her presence of mind and control of the machine. - Mr William Samuel Marchant, of Cornhill, was standing on his doorstep when deceased dashed by down the hill. As she passed him she was trembling, and said "Oh, dear!" He shouted: "Keep cool, missus, put your brakes on." - Mr John Burrows of Cadhay, who was standing with his milk float outside the King's Arms Hotel, also saw her coming down the hill. He held up his hand and shouted "Steady, missus," but she flew by and partly rounded the corner when the front wheel hit the kerbstone and deceased was thrown on the left side of her face against the wall, and she and the bicycle bounced back into the middle of the road. - Both witnesses agreed that MRS HANSFORD had lost all control. Each rendered what assistance he could. - The Coroner, on returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" complimented P.C. Stone on the way in which he had pointed out the defects of the bicycle. - Much sympathy is being expressed to MR HANSFORD and his young son in their sad bereavement and double loss.

TOTNES - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Totnes Wednesday on REV. WILLIAM DREW, aged 79, a native of St Columb, who resided at Wrangaton for some years and who, for some time, was in charge of Avonwick Church.

SOUTH BRENT - Nuts And Berries. How The Didworthy Pantryman Existed For 19 Days. - At the Inquest held at Didworthy Sanatorium Wednesday on HERBERT HENRY BASTARD, formerly pantryman at the Institution, whose dead body was found in a copse close to the Sanatorium after he had been missing for 19 days, some remarkable evidence was given. The body was discovered on Sunday, and from appearances death had only taken place four days previous. The supposition is that during a loss of memory deceased walked about the moor and was probably on his way back to the Institution when he entered the copse and died from sheer exhaustion. According to the medical evidence, the man had partaken of no substantial food, having lived entirely on nuts and berries. Another statement made by Dr William Livermore, Medical Superintendent at the Sanatorium, said a peculiar feature of deceased's mental condition was that he would wish to avoid people and would do all he could to hide from them. The widow said since being demobilised he had suffered from loss of memory, due, she believed, to his overseas experiences. His mental condition sometimes led him to go away from home and remain absent a couple of days. Dr Livermore added that deceased had since his absence from the Institution been "absolutely a vegetarian." He had not been starved and could have lived on the nuts but for the exposure and if he had had proper rest. "Death from Misadventure" was the verdict returned by the Coroner, Mr S. Hacker.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 4 October 1922
EXETER - Dalwood Sexton's Death. - The Exeter Coroner conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on LOUIS PARTRIDGE, aged 50, of the village of Dalwood, near Axminster, who died the previous day in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - Edward Trim, labourer, Dalwood, identified the body as that of his brother-in-law, who by trade was a shoemaker, but had given up that for labouring and to become the sexton at Dalwood. - MRS M. PARTRIDGE, wife of deceased, said her husband got a small scratch beneath his left thumb nail. She had not seen it, nor did she know when he received it. The scratch seemed to get better, but her husband began to complain of pains in his back and stomach. Two doctors were called in, and on their advice deceased was removed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday. - Dr Eager, Assistant House Surgeon, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased when admitted was suffering from severe tetanus, and died next day. He was of opinion that the germ entered the body through the scratch on the left thumb. The germ came from the soil and the more highly cultivated the ground was the greater the danger. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."

EXETER - Death At Exeter Tea-Table. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Exeter Coroner at an Inquest at the Court House yesterday on SUSAN JESSIE MARKS, who died suddenly at 29 Union-street, St Thomas, on Sunday evening. Her husband said deceased had suffered with her heart. On Sunday she cooked dinner and went to sleep after. She was cutting bread and butter for tea when she put her hand to her head and said "Oh, my head," and collapsed. Her age was 52. Dr Stokes attributed death to heart failure.

Western Times, Friday 6 October 1922
TORQUAY - Torquay Mystery. Problem Of A Child's Death Still Unsolved. - After sitting nearly two hours, a Torquay Jury on Monday were unable to solve the mystery attending the death of AYLEEN WARD, the six-year-old daughter of a widow, who died after eating some tablets from a box under the impression that they were sweets. - The mother said she could not account for the tablets being in the house. She recalled that her late husband was given tablets as a tonic after the War, but he did not take them. They were put away and forgotten and she could not say if the tablets the child ate were the same. On Friday the child complained of illness. She was seized with convulsions and died. The mother was told by another girl that EILEEN had eaten one tablet that evening and ate one the day before, thinking them sweets. - Dr Crowdy said the symptoms pointed to strychnine poisoning. The child had an abnormally large thymus gland and was therefore easily susceptible to poison. If the tablets contained strychnine one-sixteenth of a grain might have caused her death. - The Inquest was adjourned for analysis of the contents of the stomach and the remaining tablets.

TORQUAY - Whirled To Death. Terrible Story Told At A Torquay Inquest. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest on RICHARD BROMLEY BURRIDGE, engine-driver, employed by Messrs. H. T. Jenkins, of Upton, Torquay. Deceased as was reported in our last issue, was caught in the belting of machinery and was found 35 feet from where he had been working. His leg, which had been torn off, lay 60 feet away from the shafting, which was revolving at about 200 revolutions a minute. - "I was fixing some marble on the paving machine" said one witness, "and on turning round saw deceased stooping to put a pin through the belt. I went on with my work, and a few seconds later my attention was drawn by a noise like the crashing of wood. Turning round I saw what looked like a bundle of rags revolving around the shafting. Suddenly it flashed to my mind that it was BURRIDGE. Then I heard like a tearing noise and the body was hurled from the shafting." Witness added that the separated leg was hurled out first, and the body immediately after.

BRIDFORD - Quarry Fatality. Engineman Crushed To Death At Christow While Adjusting A Nut. - The shocking fatality which occurred yesterday morning at the engine house at Scatter Rock Quarry, Bridford, was investigated on Wednesday, by the Coroner for the District, Mr H. W. Gould, the proceedings taking place at Stone Farm. Deceased, PERCY JOHNSON, aged 34 years, a mechanical fitter and turner, left Lincoln not long ago to work at the quarry. - William George Langabeer, an engineer, said JOHNSON was tightening a nut on the clutch of a pulley, three feet away from the witness, when the spanner slipped and deceased fell on to the pulley wheel and was drawn down. Witness immediately stopped the engine, but found JOHNSON was dead. The wheel was working at 180 revolutions per minute. It would have been a prudent thing for JOHNSON to stop the machine while adjusting the nut, but he did not do so, nor did he say anything to witness about it. - Thomas Henry Solomon of Poole Farm, Bridford, manager of the quarry, agreed that it would have been wise to have stopped the engine while the adjustment was being made; there were no regulations against this being done. Deceased was a competent mechanic, and a very good man. - Dr E. E. Nicholls, of Dunsford, said he was called to see deceased's body at about 8 o'clock Wednesday morning. JOHNSON'S skull was fractured, the back of the pelvis was crushed, the right arm was considerably torn and the left leg was separated above the knee. Death must have been almost instantaneous. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 October 1922
EXETER - "Found Drowned." Exeter Baby's Death. Inquest Story. - The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of BETTY, the 18-months-old baby of MR and MRS A. P. KNOTT, of 8 Newcombe-terrace, Heavitree, Exeter, was conducted at the Exeter Court House by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown yesterday. The baby disappeared from its perambulator in Stoke Woods, whither it had been taken by its mother, last Wednesday week, and the body was found on Thursday afternoon in the river at the Quay, Exeter. - Mr C. M. Scott represented the father and mother, and Major Halford Thompson (Deputy Chief Constable) represented the Chief Constable of Devon. The Chief Constable of Exeter (Mr A. F. Nicholson) was also present. Mr W. H. Elliott was elected Foreman of the Jury. - The father identified the body and stated that in August last year his wife was certified insane, and was made an inmate of the Devon County Asylum at Exminster until the 2nd of May this year. Since then she had seemed quite normal, except for little lapses - she might be in the middle of a conversation and suddenly lose her memory. Last Wednesday week, September 27, he left home at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He did not have any conversation with her beyond wishing her "Good bye." His wife had been in the habit of taking out the child often and he had never troubled. He waited at home on the 27th, and as they had not arrived home by 6.30 he went out to look for them and after going to some friends at Topsham to look for her, and not finding his wife and child, he gave information to the Heavitree Police. Between half-past 11 and 12 o'clock the same night he was called to the Exeter Police Station. She was then not able to explain clearly where she had been. - On The Border-Line. - The following morning, in consequence of what she had said, he went to Stoke Woods with Detective-Inspector Hoyle and his wife. They found the perambulator in the woods, but could not find the baby. Witness had been in the woods before, but not by the river. Since the 29th Dr Dodd had been attending his wife for mental breakdown. The day previously Drs. Roper and Dodd had had a consultation about his wife, but they had not certified her to be insane, as they said it was a case on the border-line - she might get better and she might get worse. When his wife arrived home on the night of the disappearance of the baby she was in an exhausted condition. Her clothes were wet to the waist. The child could walk quite a good distance. In answer to the Chief-Constable of Exeter, witness said when his wife was sent away she suffered from delusions and said someone was "watching her." She was quite fond of the child. His wife's mother had been in an Asylum for some time eight or nine years ago. In answer to Mr Scott, MR KNOTT said his wife told him that she left the child in the pram under a bush. - "I Have No Child." - P.S. Elford said he saw MRS KNOTT at 11.25 on the night of the 27th September in Matford Lane, Topsham-road. He stopped her, and found her to be in an exhausted and dazed condition, and was unable to give her name and address. He asked her where the perambulator and child were, and she replied "I have no child." When she had sufficiently recovered she said that she had left the child in the perambulator under a bush in Stoke Woods. - Detective-Inspector Hoyle said the next day he went with MRS KNOTT in a car to try and find the child and perambulator. They found the perambulator about 700 yards from the keeper's cottage, and about 100 yards from the roadway. In it were a cushion, a child's woollen jacket and some flannelette, which had been arranged for the child to sit on. The hood of the pram was up and the waterproof apron was fastened in its place, while a lady's umbrella was hanging on the handle. There were no signs of a struggle. He then went with MRS KNOTT to the bridge at Stoke Canon, where she said she had wheeled the baby before leaving it near the keeper's cottage. The child was then sleeping and she left it while she went to pick some blackberries. When she returned she could not find either the child or the perambulator. On the 29th the river banks from Stoke Canon downward were searched and at a spot where the top Stoke-road meets the bottom road several marks of a woman's shoe heel were found. The ground was soft and trampled down, and a small portion of the river bank had been broken down as though someone had slipped over the bank. That spot was separated from the road by a rough field and was almost in a line from the spot where the perambulator was found in the woods and about 400 yards away. Later, he saw MRS KNOTT'S shoes and compared them with the marks on the bank. The heels were the same size and would make similar marks. - "Where's My Baby?" - Answering the Chief-Constable, witness said that if the child had wandered to the water's edge it would have been an easy thing for it to slip into the water. There were blackberries of a richer kind within three or four yards of this spot. If the mother had noticed the child had slipped into the water it would not have been possible for her to reach it. If the mother did see such a thing happen and walked to the river's edge on the slippery ground all that she could do would be to reach in, but she could not enter the water without being able to swim. If she could not have reached the child witness imagined, from the marks on the bank, that the frantic woman had been walking to and fro without being able to do anything. - Arthur Vinnicombe, 3 Haven Banks, Exeter, deposed to recovering the child's body from the river near his home. - Dr Pereira Gray stated that when he saw MRS KNOTT at the Police Station she kept saying "Where is my baby?" In his opinion her mind was then deranged. He made a post-mortem examination of the child and found no marks of violence. Death was due to drowning. - The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that it was a very sad case. It was not possible that any further evidence could be produced. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," adding that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the child got into the water. They expressed their sympathy with the father.

Western Times, Friday 13 October 1922
CLYST HONITON - Child Accidentally Suffocated At Clyst Honiton. - The East Devon Coroner, Dr Tweed, conducted an Inquest on the body of FLORENCE KATE RICHARDS, aged 2 months, of Honiton Clyst, at the South Whimple Farm, Honiton Clyst on Wednesday. Deceased was one of twins. - MRS RICHARDS, the mother, said about 12 (midnight) on Monday the child cried and she took it into her bed, but dropped off to sleep again and when she awoke found the child under her left side, warm, but lifeless. Witness had done a hard day's work on the previous day, and was very tired when she went to bed, and could not say how long the child had been dead. - WILLIAM JOHN RICHARDS, father, farm labourer, said on the previous night he carried the twins up to bed in the cradle and placed it on two chairs by his wife's side. He knew nothing until 3 a.m., when his wife woke him and said the child was dead. He immediately went for Dr Orr Ewing, who came in half-an-hour. - Mrs Taverner said MRS RICHARDS had been in her employ for ten years and she had always found her a very steady and affectionate mother. - Dr Orr Ewing said death was due to suffocation, which he considered accidental. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony and sympathised with the parents.

TORQUAY - Child Poisoned. Danger Of Leaving Tablets In Reach Of Little Folks. A Torquay Inquest. - The adjourned Inquest touching the death of AYLEEN BETTY WARD, the six-year old child of MRS SARAH WARD, of Braddon-street, Torquay, was yesterday held at the Old Town Hall. The child died after eating some tablets found in an unused drawer in a lodger's bedroom. - Mr T. Tickle (County Analyst) stated that he had analysed the contents of the stomach and found it contained one-sixteenth of a grain of strychnine. He said it was very possible that another sixteenth of a grain had passed into the blood. One-eighth of a grain would be sufficient to cause the death of a child six years of age. It showed that at least three tablets and possibly four, had been swallowed by the child. - The Jury returned a verdict that the child met her death by strychnine poisoning by Misadventure. They also asked the Coroner to call the attention of the public as to the danger of Easons tablets which contained strychnine being left about.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 16 October 1922
DORCHESTER, DORSET - Commercial's Collapse. Dorchester Inquest. - The Coroner for South Dorset (Mr G. P. Symes, of Weymouth), held an Inquiry in the Board-room at the Hospital concerning the death of MR WILLIAM EDWARD WHEELER, of 27 Longbrook-street, Exeter, district representative of "The People" Newspaper Company, who in the course of his duties stayed at the Phoenix Hotel, Dorchester, where he was seized with illness which proved fatal. - ARTHUR ROBERT WHEELER, brother of the deceased, gave evidence of identification and said his age was 51. Deceased was a widower and a commercial traveller. - Daniel Pyke, licensee of the Pnoenix Hotel, said deceased came to stay at the Hotel on Tuesday; he said he had had a heavy day and was tired. On Wednesday morning he could not finish his breakfast owing to an attack of biliousness. He afterwards motored to Piddletrenthide and returned at 2.15. He then had two glasses of bitter and asked if he might go upstairs and lie down. He said that he should be down at 3 o'clock to tea, and when witness's wife went to call him he appeared to answer all right. He did not come down, however, and when witness went up in the evening he was, apparently, sound asleep, so he took off his collar and tie and covered him up. The next morning witness's wife failed to get any response from the deceased when she knocked at the bedroom door and witness went to see him. He was breathing naturally "but he had a shine in his eyes like anybody coming out of a fit." A doctor was at once sent for. - Dr T. C. Meggison said he was called to see the deceased at the Hotel on Thursday morning shortly before 10. He was lying on the bed fully dressed. His face and general aspect were very blue, his breathing laboured, and he appeared to be unconscious. Witness could barely feel his pulse and his heart sounds were absolutely inaudible. He seemed to be in no pain. Witness applied restoratives and the deceased improved slightly. He seemed to be easier when lying on his right side. Witness saw him an hour later and as he had not improved he was taken to the Hospital. The landlord found in the deceased's coat pocket an empty bottle, labelled "Chlorodyne." There was a half-empty bottle of tonic medicine on the dressing table. Witness made a post-mortem and found that all the organs were very fatty, both lungs were congested and hardly any air could be expressed. The right lung showed old pleurisy, and the liver was enlarged and fatty. Altogether he was a very unhealthy man and, in witness's opinion, death was due to the bad condition of the heart and lungs. - Dr Margaret Snodgrass, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said that everything possible was done to restore the deceased, but without success and he died on Thursday afternoon. - The Coroner entered a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 17 October 1922
BRATTON CLOVELLY - Overlaid Baby. - Mr G. J. Atkinson, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Boasley Cottage, Bratton Clovelly, on the body of the five-months old female infant child of ELLA LANGMAN, who died on Saturday last. The mother of the deceased deposed to waking up and finding the child dead by her side in bed. A verdict of "Death from Suffocation through Accidental Overlaying" was recorded.

Western Times, Friday 20 October 1922
TEIGNMOUTH - Youth With Child's Heart. Tiverton Young Man's Death At Teignmouth. Overgrown And Weak. - The medical evidence of Dr D. Ross Kilpatrick at the Inquest at Teignmouth on Monday, on the death of PHILIP BARRINGTON, a young bank clerk, whose home was at Blundell's-crescent, Tiverton, showed the tragic end was due to natural causes. He was 17 years of age. - Deceased was employed at the Teignmouth branch of the Capital and Counties Bank and on Saturday morning at 9.30 he was discovered by Wm. Webber, a baker's assistant, in the lavatories by the Town Hall. Webber, noticing that the young man did not look well on entering the lavatory, subsequently made investigations and found deceased lying face downwards on the floor groaning. After a drink of water deceased inquired after a cheque which he had been carrying and was taken away to the Bank by Walter Williams and a man named Parker. On the way deceased was sick and had the appearance of being bilious. Death occurred at the Bank after the arrival of the doctor. - Dr Kilpatrick said deceased was treated by him last July for nasal and throat catarrh. At that time there was nothing to indicate any organic disease, although he was very much overgrown, being well over 6ft. in height. A post mortem examination revealed that deceased's heart was very small for his body; it was, in fact, infantile. Subject to any strain, the heart might reasonably have given way. Deceased also had a very extensive pleurisy of the right lung, which was of recent origin. Death was due to heart failure due to his debilitated condition. - The Coroner said it had been stated by the Bank cashier that deceased had been lifting books about. - Dr Kilpatrick: If the books were heavy, they might have occasioned failure. - Returning a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," the Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives. - Mr Clutsom acknowledged the expression and thanked all who had assisted deceased in his extremity.

Western Times, Friday 27 October 1922
TEIGNMOUTH - At Teignmouth last evening, Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest on the body of ARTHUR KERSHAW, commercial traveller, of Manchester, who suddenly collapsed whilst booking orders in a Teignmouth shop on Tuesday. Dr Ross Kilpatrick, who made a post mortem, said he found no signs of external violence. There was extensive haemorrhage on the left of the brain, due to the bursting of a blood vessel. This was the cause of death. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

HALBERTON - Farmhouse Tragedy. Young Woman Shoots Herself At Halberton. Victim Of Nerves. - At Tuesday's Inquest on DORIS IRENE WENSLEY, 21, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in the head in the kitchen of Lower Herne Farm, Halberton, on Sunday morning, FRANCIS WENSLEY, farmer, Sandford, Crediton, father of the deceased, stated that his daughter, who was never very strong, suffered from an attack of influenza about four months ago, which left her extremely weak. Since that time she had suffered from "nerves" and frequently got run down and depressed. She had never threatened to take her life. - ELLA LILIAN COLES, wife of Albert Coles, occupier of Hearne Farm, stated that deceased, who was her sister, had lived with her since Lady-day. Of late months she occasionally seemed depressed. Witness had asked her sister if there was anything which worried her and she replied, "No." On Saturday deceased had her bath at 9.30 p.m., as usual and then went to bed. Witness rose at 6.45 a.m. Sunday and found her sister's room empty. On going downstairs, she found her sister on the kitchen floor with the muzzle of a gun in her left hand. Blood was about her clothes and she appeared to be quite dead. The shot was not heard upstairs. - P.C. Searle stated that the gun was a single-barrelled one. A piece of cord, with a long loop, had been fastened to the trigger, and there was a spent cartridge in the gun. - Dr Seymour (Tiverton) stated that the back of the skull was completely blown in and the brain was protruding through the opening. - In reply to the Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, the doctor stated that the discharge was probably not heard by the other occupants of the house because the muzzle of the gun was placed so close to the skull, thereby muffling the sound. - The verdict was "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

NEWTON ABBOT - Heathfield Fatality. Cyclist Killed As Result Of Colliding With A Pedestrian. - An unusual fatality was Enquired into at the waiting room at Heathfield Station, Newton Abbot, on Saturday, a collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian resulting in the instant death of the cyclist, while the pedestrian, a burly workman, escaped with a bad shaking and a few bruises. Mr T. Edmunds (Deputy Coroner) sat without a Jury. - The deceased was WILLIAM STEER, 31, of Granite Lodge, Teigngrace, a plate-layer on the Teign Valley Railway. - Dr J. E. Finlay (Bovey Tracey) said life was extinct when the deceased was brought to his house in a converted motor-lorry at 10 o'clock on Thursday evening. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull. - Ernest Edgar Vallance (Chudleigh Knighton), engine driver for the Wilson Syndicate, said he left his house at Chudleigh Knighton at 9.20 on Thursday night, which was very dark. He had only proceeded a short distance, walking on the left side of the road, when he suddenly felt something strike him in the back and was thrown into the road. He was unable to get up for a time, but men who appeared on the scene said there was a man and a bicycle lying in the road. He heard no bell, and although the bicycle had a lamp he could not say whether it had been lit or not. Both he and the cyclist were on the proper side of the road. - John Spry, labourer, Chudleigh Knighton, Harold Jones and P.C. Hollis also gave evidence. - The Coroner said it was evidently a pure accident, and if anyone were to blame, it was the deceased himself. He congratulated Vallance on escaping so lightly.

HOLSWORTHY - Boys Will Be Boys. Fatal Ride On Trucks Down Holsworthy Hill. - "It's very easy for me, in my official position, as for anyone else, to be wise after the event, but the fact remains that in all the ages past boys always have indulged in these very foolish games, and probably will continue to do so to the end of the world. Games of this kind are fraught with great danger, and in this case with tragic and unfortunate result. He hoped it would be a warning to the boys of that and other districts not to have joy rides on unsuitable vehicles." - These observations were made by Mr Atkinson, Deputy Coroner, at the Inquest on JOHN PROUSE, the 13 year old boy, who lost his life at Holsworthy on Tuesday. - The evidence showed that deceased, in company with three other boys, was delivering groceries at Whimble Hill, Holsworthy. Having disposed of the parcels, JOHN PROUSE locked two hand-trucks together, and, with Austin Jeffery, aged eleven, proceeded to ride down the steep hill. After going a short distance the trucks were served towards the hedge to avoid a perambulator coming up the hill. Seeing the danger of the situation, Austin Jeffery jumped off, with the result that the handles of the front trolley flew up and struck JOHN PROUSE who was thrown on the road on his face and knees in a kneeling position. Miss Harvey, who was passing, picked him up, but he never again spoke. In a few minutes Mr Madge came along with his car and conveyed deceased to the doctor's. - Dr E. O. Kingdon said when he saw deceased he was unconscious and evidently dying. On examination he found several ribs on the right side were broken, and had penetrated the lung; there were also several broken ribs on the left side and these had penetrated the heart and lungs Death was due to shock as a result of the accident. - In returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, Mr Atkinson made use of the above observations. He expressed sympathy with the relatives in their tragic and sudden bereavement.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 27 October 1922
EXETER - JAMES TAPLEY, an old resident in the village of Pinhoe, has died suddenly and an Inquest was held on the body by Mr W. Linford Brown, the Coroner for Exeter, at the City Poor-law Institution. Deceased was 64 years of age. Owing to circumstances, TAPLEY and his wife were living apart and on the day of his death he decided to enter the Poor-law Institution. He had not done much work lately and MRS TAPLEY said she and the members of her husband's family had assisted him. The deceased was found on Monday in Clifton-street, Exeter, very ill. He expired near East John-street when on his way to the Infirmary. Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to haemorrhage, due to a malignant ulcer in the stomach and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 October 1922
ST MARYCHURCH - An Inquest at St Marychurch, yesterday, on the body found on Thursday off Oddicombe Beach, and identified as that of SAMUEL PYM, of Exmouth, a Trinity House pilot, who disappeared with Capt. Garnsworthy, of Exeter, when taking part in a sailing match between Exmouth and Dawlish on October 5th, resulted in a verdict of "Accidental Drowning." A brother of deceased suggested that other boats particularly the Primrose, in which deceased sailed, was missed after a squall. Dr W. H. Macpherson, of Topsham, who was in the race, explained that when the squall followed the boats they could not see anything of the Primrose. They were carried away in the squall. On looking back, the rays of the sun were so strong that they were unable to see. However, it never occurred to them that any accident had happened to Capt. Garnsworthy's boat. They had no reason at the time for thinking there was any trouble. Robert Bolt, of Topsham, who was sailing with Dr Macpherson, gave supporting evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 2 November 1922
EXETER - Wonford Octogenarian's Death. - At the Exeter Poor-law Institution, yesterday, the City Coroner conducted an Inquest on SARAH FARNHAM, aged 88 years, who had been living with her son, GEORGE HENRY FARNHAM, 73 Wonford-street, for the past eleven years. MR FARNHAM said that on the 19th July he went to his allotment, and on returning found his mother lying on the kitchen floor. She said she had put her foot on the stairs to ascend them, but fell back. Witness found a bucket of coal upset in the kitchen. MRS FARNHAM, wife of the last witness, said deceased had a bruise on her thigh as the result of the fall. Later, when witness went to see her mother-in-law she could not move. Dr Whaite saw her and advised her to enter the Poor-law Institution. She was admitted on September 20th. Dr P. Gray said deceased had fractured thigh. She developed bronchitis. Death was due to heart failure and bronchitis, due to the accident. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 3 November 1922
CHITTLEHAMPTON - Chittlehampton Infant's Death. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, Inquired into the death of JOHN VERNON E. ENSOR, aged eight weeks, at Brightly Cottage, Chittlehampton, on Monday. - MRS ENSOR, the mother, stated that she took the child to bed with her on the 29th inst., and fed it twice during the night. Lying on her left arm, the child appeared perfectly right at 7 a.m., but she awoke two hours later to find it dead. There were no clothes on the child's face. - Dr A. S. Goode, of High Bickington, who had made a post-mortem examination, expressed the opinion that death was due to suffocation. - MRS ENSOR, who seemed very much upset, declared that this was impossible. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Suffocation by Overlaying."

Western Times, Friday 17 November 1922
SHEBBEAR - Shebbear Sensation. Farmer Accidentally Shot While Rabbiting. - A sensation was caused in the Shebbear district on Saturday when it became known that MR AUGUSTUS COBBLEDICK, farmer, of Forda, had died as the result of gun shot wounds received while out rabbiting. Deceased, the only son of the late MR LEWIS COBBLEDICK, was 39 years of age, and was out rabbiting with his father-in-law, MR R. QUANCE, at Ruxhill Farm. MR COBBLEDICK was getting through a wooden fence when his gun accidentally discharged, he receiving terrible injuries to his head, from which he died within a few hours. - At the Inquest held by Mr W. F. Brown yesterday, MR QUANCE said he was only a couple of paces from deceased when the accident occurred. Witness did not think the hammers of the gun were cocked, but that the weapon slipped from deceased's hand, and the hammer caught on the rail and forced the striking pin forward, thus exploding the charge. Deceased was an excellent shot and a most careful man with a gun. Witness was of opinion that the hammerless gun was the safer. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

TAVISTOCK - The Fatal Accident To A Tavistock Auctioneer. - At an Inquest yesterday on JAMES EDWIN BURCH, 47, auctioneer, of Tavistock, who died from injuries sustained in a motor accident at Tavistock on Monday, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Deceased was driving from Princetown in a motor-car, and on entering Tavistock the car dashed into a hedge and threw MR BURCH, who was accompanied by Mr Hamilton, into the road, injuring his head seriously.

Western Times, Friday 24 November 1922
BROADCLYST - Woman's Sudden Death. Collapse A Few Hours After Eating Hearty Supper. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, at an Inquest held at Vinnicombe Cottage, Broadclyst on Saturday, on HETTIE ELIZABETH CHANNON, 24 years of age, the wife of CHARLES WILLIAM CHANNON, engine driver. - The husband said he had been married sixteen months and his wife had enjoyed good health. On Thursday evening about seven o'clock she had a cooked meal consisting of beef steak pudding and afterwards sat reading until 9 o'clock. When she went to bed she did not complain of feeling unwell. Witness went to bed half an hour later. Some time afterwards his wife awoke, exclaiming "Oh, CHARLIE!" He jumped out of bed, caught hold of her and sat her up in bed, but she seemed to pass right away. - Dr Orr Ewing, who was called, stated that a post-mortem examination revealed an enormous distention of the upper part of the abdomen. It was flatulent distention, caused by the meal, which was only partially digested. She was very constipated. The liver was slightly enlarged and very congested. the heart showed absolute collapse, brought about by pressure evidently on the liver. Witness was of the opinion that her lying down position after the mal brought about heart failure. The deceased was evidently very anaemic. - As stated, a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

WEST ANSTEY - Septuagenarian's Suicide At West Anstey. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned by Mr G. Brown, the North Devon Coroner, at an Inquest last night at West Anstey on FRANK COCKRAM, aged 70 years, a well-known cattle dealer. Evidence showed that for some little time he had been worried and on Monday night was very restless all night. He told his widow it was about money matters and that someone had not fulfilled a promise to pay him something. He was consoled and the next morning went downstairs to light the fire as usual. Subsequently he was missed and then discovered in a linhay with his throat cut from ear to ear with a razor, death being almost instantaneous.

BOW - Open Verdict At Bow. Farmer's Death Puzzles The Coroner. How Did The Gun Go Off? - The Deputy Coroner for the District, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, held an inquest at Nymett Villa, Bow, yesterday afternoon, on the body of MR GEORGE MADGE, farmer, aged 67, who was found fatally shot on Walson Moors, not far from his house, on Tuesday night. - ERNEST GEORGE MADGE, son, stated that at 3 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, his father left home saying he was going up to Walson Moors to repair some fences. He said he was taking the gun with him, as he might get a shot at a rabbit. He frequently went to Walson Moors, and sometimes took his gun. He said he would be back to tea at 4.30. As he had not returned shortly before eight o'clock, witness went to Spestos Farm, where witness's brother lived, to see if he was there. He had not been there, and witness became alarmed. He and his brother and two others went in search of him. They found his father at Walson Moors beside a fence dividing one part of the moor from another. He was lying on his left side with his feet towards the fence. The butt of the gun was resting on the bottom bar of the fence, the muzzle lying parallel with deceased's left side. There was a gunshot wound on the right side of the head just below the ear. He was dead. Deceased had been in excellent health and witness knew of no serious worry he had had. He had made no complaint of anything that worried him, and he had no financial difficulty which should have caused him trouble. He had never threatened to take his life. - The Scene Described. - P.C. Potter described the position of deceased when he arrived at the spot shortly after 11 o'clock. He was lying straight away from the fence and the gun was as described by the last witness, the muzzle being stuck in the mud. The gun contained two cartridges, one loaded and one discharged. The right barrel was discharged and the left trigger was cocked. Witness knew deceased well and he was always of a pleasant and cheerful disposition. - Dr H. R. Bastard said he found a round hole just below deceased's right ear, with blackened skin around it. the left side of the face and jaw were completely shattered. The muzzle of the gun must have been close to the neck when it went off. - The Coroner said it was difficult to tell whether the wound was self-inflicted or was the result of an accident. Whether deceased in trying to get over the fence placed the gun in such an awkward position that it accidentally went off he could not say. It was possible that in putting the gun on the bar of the fence the trigger touched something that made it to go off. There was no evidence that deceased ever contemplated taking his life and they had been told there was nothing to cause him serious worry. - He (the Deputy Coroner) thought under the circumstances, he must return an Open Verdict. He sympathised very sincerely with the widow and family in their bereavement.

Western Times, Friday 1 December 1922
EXETER - Fatal Street Scuffle At Exeter. - The Inquest regarding the death of WILLIAM HENRY NEWCOMBE, of 15 Follett's Buildings, Mermaid yard, who succumbed in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday to severe head injuries, the result of a heavy fall on the cobble paving in Preston-street, was opened at the Courthouse, Exeter, Wednesday. The deceased, a general haulier, aged 50 years, was engaged in an argument with a dealer in Preston-street, at about 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon regarding the price of coal, and in a scuffle NEWCOMBE went to the ground and his skull was fractured. - The Inquiry was conducted by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown. Mr T. J. W. Templeman, Messrs. Dunn and Baker, appeared on behalf of Frederick Henry Westlake, a coal dealer of 14 Preston-street. - Several witnesses were called and the Jury, after a very brief consultation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider that Westlake only acted in self-defence. - The Coroner remarked that, of course, they were very sorry for the deceased's relatives.

EXETER - Honiton Man's Death From Burns. - A verdict of "Accidental Death from Burns" was returned at an Exeter Inquest yesterday afternoon, when Mr W. L. Brown, the City Coroner, Inquired into the death of RICHARD SHERMAN of Elm-terrace, Honiton. It was stated that MR SHERMAN, a pensioned able seaman, had been blind for the past five and a half years and had suffered from epileptic fits for about a year. On Nov. 17th, he was left seated in a chair by the fire, and a few minutes later was found with his clothes on fire. MRS SHERMAN wrapped a quilt about him, but his burns were so severe that he had to be taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for treatment. Death was due to the shock of the burns, which were on his left hand and arm, left side of the chest and neck and the right hand.

OKEHAMPTON - Error Of Judgment. Cause Of Exonian's Death Near Okehampton. Inquest Story. - An error of judgment on a dark night was the cause attributed by the Coroner, Mr H. C. Brown, for the distressing motor fatality which occurred between Okehampton and Sticklepath on Thursday evening, whereby MR FRANK ALGAR, son of MR FREDERIC ALGAR, ironmonger, of Exeter, lost his life. Deceased, who was a young married man, lived at Powderham-crescent, Exeter, and his dead body was found beneath his overturned car a couple of miles out of Okehampton on the Exeter road. The Inquest was held on Friday at the Board room of the Okehampton Institution, the body having been removed to the Mortuary there. MR FREDERIC ALGAR, the father, gave formal evidence of identification. - Mr William Palmer, son of the licensee of the Plume of Feathers Hotel and a motor-driver, said he saw deceased on Thursday evening at the Inn. He was quite all right when he left, and said he should be seeing witness again before Christmas. He was perfectly well able to drive the car. - Dr T. S. Wright, of Okehampton, said deceased was brought to his surgery in a car by P.C. Gerry about 9 o'clock on Thursday evening. He was dead and the body was removed to the Mortuary. There a thorough examination was made and it was found that no bones were broken. Death was due to shock from a violent blow in the abdomen. In his opinion, death was instantaneous. - Mr Richard Reddacliffe, butcher, of Okehampton, said on the previous evening he was driving home a horse and trap from Sticklepath and about 8 o'clock, near Tongue End, he saw a motor-car turned upside down. It was lying on witness's driving side. He pulled up and looked round the car, thinking there was engine trouble or something of that sort. He saw the legs of a man protruding from beneath the car, the body and head being under the car. He shouted for help and a Mr Wonnacott, of South Zeal, drove up and they both tried to lift the car, but they could not raise it. Finding their efforts unavailing, he jumped into his trap and drove full speed towards Okehampton. He met a Constable on the way. - By the Coroner: Do you know the cottage which is near the spot? - Witness: Yes; it is no distance away. - Did it occur to you that you might get assistance from there? - I had called out for help and I did not know what to do. - You and Wonnacott overlooked the possibility of getting help from the cottage? - Yes, we did. - You did not think of it? - No, I was so frightened. - Did you feel the legs, to ascertain if there was any movement in them? - Yes, but there was no movement whatever and I said to Wonnacott that the man was dead. - Mr James Wright, landlord of the Devonshire Inn, Sticklepath, who was driving his motor to Okehampton Station to meet a train, said he was stopped at the scene of the accident by Mr Wonnacott. It was impossible to lift the overturned car. He also did not think of getting assistance from the cottage not far away. - P.C. Ash said he helped to lift the car. He found the frame of the hood resting on the right side of deceased's back. - P.S. Snell spoke to tracing the wheel-marks of the car on the wrong side of the road along about nine feet of the hedge and about four feet up the hedge at the point where the car overturned. On examination the following morning the car was found to be in running order and was driven into Okehampton. the road at the scene of the accident was 17 feet 6 inches wide. There was no trace of the car having skidded. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death." It was, he said, an extremely sad case and one which was unsatisfactory in one way, in that they could not account for deceased making an error in driving, which he must have done. One could only assume that the night being a very dark one, deceased did not see soon enough where he was going. He extended his deep sympathy with the deceased's relatives. - The father thanked the Coroner and said he believed the two men did what they deemed to be best in the circumstances.

SIDMOUTH - Terrible Birth Tragedy. Mother And Baby Bleed To Death. East Devon Sensation. Grandmother's First Aid Leads To Arrest. - A terribly pathetic case engaged the attention of the East Devon Coroner, Dr Tweed, and a Jury at an Inquest held at the Railway Hotel, Sidmouth Junction, Monday, on MRS EDITH JANE KIFF, and her infant son, of 6 Railway Cottages, Sidmouth Junction. - Apart from the tragic and painful details of the story itself, something of a sensation was caused in East Devon by the news that, following the Inquest (at which the Jury expressed the opinion that there was no criminal negligence on the part of anyone concerned), the Police had arrested MRS KIFF'S mother, an old lady of 74. - Supt. Braddell watched the Inquest proceedings on behalf of the Police. - The circumstances of the mother's death were Inquired into first. - The Coroner, in opening the proceedings, said the case was one full of pathos and tragedy and, he was afraid, rather besmirched with ignorance. He asked the Jury not to be prejudiced by what they had heard outside the Court, but to form their opinion entirely on the evidence. - Dr Ponting, of Ottery, stated that at a quarter-past seven on Friday evening he was called to the confinement of MRS KIFF, wife of ALBERT JAMES KIFF, railway porter. He had not been engaged to attend the woman, but was informed that the midwife had sent for him for a bad confinement. When he got there he found Mrs Dymond present, who informed him that on her arrival she found the baby dead and the mother in a dying condition. Mrs Dymond also told the witness that she found the umbilical cord cut in two. This, it transpired, had been done by MRS KIFF'S mother, aged 74. The mother died seven minutes after witness's arrival. - The Coroner: Was there any gross carelessness? - Witness: I have only hearsay evidence on the point. - Witness was quite satisfied with what the midwife had done. - Mrs Elizabeth Dymond, registered midwife, of Gittisham, said she had visited deceased on Friday. MRS KIFF was then in a critical condition, was practically unconscious and was bleeding profusely. - "I have had forty years as a midwife and I have never seen such a case," said witness. - "MRS KIFF was looking forward to having a boy, and it was a boy," added witness, pathetically. MRS KIFF'S mother, she believed , acted in ignorance. - Mrs Jackson, health visitor, said Nurse Dymond was a competent midwife under the doctor. - Aged Grandmother's Story. - MRS MARGARET SEDGEMAN, 74, the mother of MRS KIFF, stated that she had had nine children herself. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said she did what she did because her daughter compelled her to do so. - Did you think you were doing any harm? - I thought I was doing all I could, because she wanted to be relieved of her pain. It was quite against my will. - ARTHUR JAMES KIFF, the husband, said he was not present when the child was born. - She Did Her Best. - The Coroner: Supposing it is suggested that the mother and grandmother were in collusion for a felonious purpose, it is true? - Absolutely untrue. - In reply to further questions, witness said he thought MRS SEDGEMAN did her best for his wife. - The Coroner: You do not think there was any negligence on her part? - Witness: No. I will swear to that. - Witness, in reply to Supt. Braddell, said his wife had had six children, three of whom were alive. Neither the mother nor the child were insured. - MRS SEDGEMAN, recalled, said the child lived a few minutes after birth. - Mr Molland, Station Master of Sidmouth Junction, said both MR KIFF and his wife lived on the best of terms. MR KIFF had always spoken endearingly of his wife and children and he had always found MR KIFF honest and straight-forward. - P.C. Stone, having given formal evidence, said MRS SEDGEMAN told him that she got the pair of scissors with which she performed the surgical act from MR KIFF. - MR KIFF said he desired to explain that he asked Mrs Dymond to see his wife six weeks or two months ago. - No Criminal Negligence. - The Coroner, in reviewing the evidence, said the Jury had to decide whether the haemorrhage was caused by any felonious intent on the part of MRS SEDGEMAN, or whether the woman died from some negligent omission of duty. If they did that it would be tantamount to a verdict of manslaughter. In his opinion she merely went to perform a maternal kind and natural act, in relieving her daughter of great pain. women, especially at the age of 74, did not always keep their heads on these occasions. - The Jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes, expressing the opinion that there was no criminal negligence on the part of anyone concerned in the confinement. - The Inquest on the child followed and a similar verdict was returned. - Arrest Of Grandmother. - Subsequently MRS SEDGEMAN was arrested and conveyed in a motor car to Honiton, where she was formally charged with manslaughter and remanded. - The Funeral. - The funeral took place in Feniton Churchyard. The Vicar, Rev. E. Pearse, officiated. The bearers were Messrs. A. Powell, Way, Edward and Gear of the Junction staff and Messrs. F. Harris and J. Powell. The many beautiful floral tributes included one from the staff at Sidmouth Junction Station which was represented by Mr and Mrs Molland and Messrs. Darch and Morcom at the funeral. The greatest sympathy is felt for the bereaved husband, who is left with three young children and deceased's aged mother and the other relatives in their sorrow. - Yesterday the old lady was brought before the Honiton Bench again and the case against her dismissed. These proceedings are reported on another page.

LAUNCESTON, CORNWALL - The Tragic End Of MISS D. M. SHELLABEAR. - At Launceston on Monday, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest held on MISS DORIS MARY SHELLABEAR, youngest daughter of MR and MRS G. G. SHELLABEAR, Mount Tor, Tavistock, who died as the result of being thrown from her horse while hunting with the East Cornwall Hounds on Friday last. The evidence showed that deceased was thrown consequent on her horse stepping into a rabbit hole.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 December 1922
EXETER - At an Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, by Mr W. Linford Brown, City Coroner, on the body of JANE BULLEN, aged 74, who was found dead in a chair in her room in Preston-street, Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to heart failure and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 6 December 1922
EXETER - Infant's Death. - The City Coroner conducted an Inquest at the Court House, yesterday, on an infant male child. The father, MR W. J. CORNISH, of 55 Summerland-street, said the child was born on December 1st, at the house of Nurse Rowe, 4 Belmont-road. Nurse Rowe, certificated midwife, said the child appeared normal when born. It went on all right until Saturday evening when it appeared a little restless, so witness and a woman whom she employed stayed half the night each nursing it. About 7.50 on Sunday morning, while holding the child, she saw it turn blue and foam at the mouth, so she at once sent for a doctor. The baby died just as he arrived. Dr E. J. Dodd attributed death to convulsions. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 8 December 1922
GREAT TORRINGTON - The Death Of MR JUDD, Torrington. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was on Wednesday returned by Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, at an Inquest on the body of MR SILAS JUDD, aged 73, for many years a clerk in the employment of Messrs. Vincent and co., of Torrington, and a well-known figure in the town there. Deceased expired suddenly on Tuesday night shortly after arriving at the Wesleyan Chapel. Dr O'Flaherty said a post mortem examination revealed acute dilation of the heart as the cause of death.

CHUDLEIGH - Crushed By Roller. Terrible Death Of A Chudleigh Farmer. Evidence At Inquest. - The circumstances of the terrible death of MR WM. PHILLIP STONE, aged 38, of Foxley Farm, Chudleigh, who was killed by a steam roller while returning home from Newton Abbot were Inquired into at Newton on Friday, by Mr E. Edmonds. Mr T. J. W. Templeman represented the owner of the steam roller, Mr Elworthy, of Tiverton. - Evidence of identification was given by William Henry Shapley, of Gifford-street, Chudleigh. - Dr H. B. Walters, of Chudleigh, said the cause of death was a crushed skull and laceration of the brain. - James Hamblyn of Ruggaden Farm, Chudleigh, said he was driving home from Newton last Wednesday afternoon and deceased was on the same road in a dog-cart. Witness remarked to deceased, who was driving behind, that his horse would not pass the engine. Deceased replied that his horse would pass, and took the lead, but on reaching the water-cart that was attached to the roller, the animal refused. Deceased touched his horse with a whip and with the same the animal jumped, causing the wheel of the dog-cart to mount the hedge. It righted itself and then deceased touched the horse again as it was about to pass the engine. The animal jumped again towards the hedge, overturning the cart. Deceased was thrown out in front of the roller and before it could be stopped it passed over deceased's head. There was room for a trap to pass, provided the horse went quietly. Neither deceased or witness asked that the driver of the roller should pull in, or stop. The two men in charge of the roller were both on the engine. The driver pulled up directly the accident occurred. - In answer to a Juryman, witness said he thought the engine could have given the trap another two feet in the roadway. Witness gave it as his opinion that if the driver had seen the deceased was in distress he should have pulled up. - John P. Vallance, a clay miner, residing at Kingsteignton gave a similar account. - Mr Templeman: Could the driver have done anything more than he actually did? - Witness: Not unless he received a warning from deceased. - William Henry Reddaway, Kingsteignton, who was in the company of the previous witness, gave similar evidence. - Driver Free From Blame. - George Reed, the driver of the engine, after receiving a caution from the Coroner, said he resided at Witheridge. He was unaware of the presence of any trap on the road until he saw deceased with one wheel on the road and another in the hedge, as he was passing the roller. Witness pulled up as quickly as he could, but not soon enough to prevent the accident. - Frank Chubb, of Cullompton, steersman of the engine, said he knew nothing of the presence of deceased until the horse and trap were passing. - P.C. Friendship, of Kingsteignton, said the width of the road where the fatality occurred was 21ft., and the roller had left 10ft. of the roadway for the trap to pass. - The Coroner said there was nothing in the evidence to show that any blame was attached to the driver. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the driver and steersman exonerated from blame. The Jury, as a rider, expressed the opinion that there should be no exception to steam rollers in respect of the communication cord regulations.

Western Times, Friday 15 December 1922
NEWTON ABBOT - Killed By Microbes. Strange Cause Of Death Of A Newton Railway Guard. - An Inquest was held at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, on the death of a Great Western Railway passenger guard named DAVID WHITTINGHAM EVANS of 53 The Avenue, who died last Saturday. - According to the evidence of the widow, deceased met with an accident to his ankle on 29th May last and since that date he seemed to have been "pining away." - Dr J. Culross said the accident caused deceased considerable pain and trouble, the joint of the ankle having been injured and strained. - Witness had discovered other internal ailments since he had been attending deceased and a post mortem examination revealed that death was due to malignant endocarditis - an ulcerated disease of the inside of the heart caused by microbes attacking it. The accident to the ankle had not accelerated death. - Mr F. Brown, organising secretary of the N.U.R. in the West, questioned Dr Culross on the latter point, but the Deputy Coroner, Mr T. Edwards, said he was satisfied and returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Mystery Solved. Victim Of A Recent Train Tragedy Identified. - The mystery surrounding the identity of the man who, on November 25th, was found in a train at Newton Abbot Railway Station with his throat cut, has been solved. - Newton Police have satisfied themselves that the man is CHARLES FREDERICK ANDREWS, a late sergeant in the Rifle Brigade, whose home was at 11 Council Cottages, Sandhurst, Berks. According to statements issued by the Police, ANDREWS, who was a married man with four children, left home on November 23rd, during the absence of his wife. On the following day the wife received a letter from him, wishing her and the children "Good-bye," and stating what a rotten husband he had been to her. - "Suicide" was the verdict returned at the Inquest.

BRAMPFORD SPEKE - Brampford Speke Man's Death At Stoke Canon Station. - Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy County Coroner, held an Inquest at Mount Pleasant, Brampford Speke, on Monday, relative to the death of THOMAS HILL, aged 53, a wood block floor layer. The evidence of the wife showed that deceased yesterday morning ate his breakfast rather fast, but left home in good time to catch his train at Stoke Canon Station, about 1 ½ miles distant. He had not been attended by a doctor for years, but used to get indigestion, of which he occasionally complained. - Ernest Savage Chislett, of Brampford Speke saw deceased at Stoke Canon station. HILL said he was going to Shaldon and had two bags with him. Just after witness heard a thud and turning round saw deceased on the ground. - Dr Beddow, of Thorverton, was of opinion that deceased died of sudden heart failure, brought about by the heavy breakfast and exertion following it, thus causing indigestion. - A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 19 December 1922
EXETER - At an Inquest at Exeter yesterday, on JOHN BICKLEY, aged 61, cattle dealer, of Wonford, whose sudden death took place in York-road, Exeter, on Saturday, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. Dr J. A. Pereira Gray said deceased's heart was greatly enlarged and weighed 17 ounces. Death was due to heart failure, caused by sudden exertion after a meal. The Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, extended sympathy to deceased's relatives.

Western Times, Friday 22 December 1922
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Sensation. Suicide Leaves Confession Of A Murder. Postman's Tragic Story. - A sensational story was told at an Inquest at Dartmouth on Tuesday on the body of ALFRED CHARLES RUNDLE, 47, a local postman, who was found dead at 3 South Town, Dartmouth, on Sunday morning. - According to the evidence, RUNDLE was in the house alone on Saturday afternoon, his mother having gone out shopping. On her return she found the door shut and there was no sign of him. She waited until midnight, but he did not put in an appearance. About two in the morning MRS RUNDLE, who had retired to rest, thought she smelt gas, and fetched another son, with whom she searched the house. Deceased's body was found in a room which had at one time been the bar of a public house. The place was full of gas. The Police were called in and inquiries instituted. It was stated that about two months ago RUNDLE became aware that he was the father of an illegitimate child and had been very much worried. - IVY LILY TOZER, a young single woman, the mother of the child, said she had written to deceased asking him to make provision for it as her father and herself were in poor circumstances. RUNDLE took the child from her and said he had arranged with a lady he met in a train to provide it with a good home. She spoke to him several times about the child and he always told her it was in a comfortable home. - P.S.Carr said he found a letter written by deceased and addressed from "Your loving son" to "Dearest Mother." The letter ran:- "Please for my sake take the greatest care of my loving mother, in which there is no blame to her. All I have told her has been false. This is done entirely on my own; no one knows anything about it. I took the life of the child and it is in a cavern at Lower Point, Compass. I am taking all the blame for this. I can't stand the pressure any longer." - The Police Sergeant said he had searched the place indicated, but up to the present had found no trace of the child. - The Jury returned a verdict that RUNDLE committed suicide by Gas Poisoning.

EXETER - Suicide Follows Worry. An Exeter Tradesman's Tragic Prophecy. "Something Will Go Snap." - An overcoat, a length of new flexible tubing, and a bundle of business letters were produced on Tuesday at the Inquest on MR WALTER HENRY HAMLIN, of St Trinian's, Portland-avenue, Exmouth, a member of the firm of Messrs. Peters and Hamlin, whose dead body was discovered by the Police at his office, 50 High-street, Exeter, shortly after Sunday midnight. - The outer door of the offices was locked, but the clerk's office was unsecured. Within, the door of the private office was slightly ajar. Sergeant Wise, of the Exeter Police, who visited the premises in search of MR HAMLIN, as the result of a telephoned request from Exmouth, found the body in a corner of the private office, lying on the floor. There was a strong smell of gas. The overcoat had been placed over the head and shoulders and the flexible tube, one end of which lay under deceased's left ear, was attached to a gas jet, which was turned on. - The letters were of a business nature and taken in conjunction with the other evidence, led the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, who sat at the Court House without a Jury, to return a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide whilst Not of Sound Mind. - Evidence of identification was given by Mr Alfred W. Tuckwell, of Blackall-road, Exeter, a brother-in-law, who stated that deceased, aged 51 years, was a wholesale grocer and provision merchant. When witness last saw him alive on Saturday morning, deceased was in "his usual perfect health and strength." - The Coroner: I think he has had some worry lately - financial worry? - Witness: Yes, he has been a bit worried. - MISS MARY FRANCIS HAMLIN, daughter of the deceased, said her father had been worried about business and money matters, but had been sleeping well, and had seemed in his usual health right up to last weekend. - MISS HAMLIN: My father said about three weeks ago: "What with all the worry, and one thing and another, one day something will go snap in my head and then God help you all if it does." - P.S. Wise described how he found the body. - Witness produced a dark overcoat, which he said was spread out over the head and chest. He also exhibited a length of new flexible tubing which he found on removing the overcoat. The tube was suspended from a wall gas bracket, the loose end being just under deceased's left ear. - Witness examined the body and found life was extinct. He sent for the Police Surgeon and afterwards removed the body to the Mortuary. - Dr Pereira Gray, Police Surgeon, said he examined deceased's body at the office in High-street between midnight and one o'clock Monday morning. The cause of death was asphyxia, due to coal gas poisoning. There were no marks of violence. - Detective-Inspector William Henry Hoyle handed to the Coroner a bundle of letters which, he said, had been taken from deceased's office. - This concluded the evidence. - The Coroner said he was quite satisfied with the evidence that had been given and would say that he expressed his sorry at having to hold an Inquest on MR HAMLIN. He had known him for a good number of years and was very sorry that he should have come to this end. He desired to express his sympathy with the family. - The funeral took place at the Higher Cemetery, Exeter, on Wednesday, there being a large and representative attendance. The Rev. Bickersteth Ottley, of Exmouth, performed the last rites.

UGBOROUGH - Cornish Miner Suffocated To Death At Bittaford. - An Inquest was held at Bittaford, Ivybridge, on Monday, by Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, concerning the death of OSCAR ZIMBER, aged 30, who was found dead in a shed on Pile's Peak Farm. CHARLES F. ZIMBER, of Bodmin, brother, said deceased was a tin miner. He suffered from heart trouble and had not been working lately. He was often away from home. Dr Style, South Brent, said death was due to suffocation. Deceased evidently fell off the hay and knocked his head against the wall, rendering him partly unconscious. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased was at Ivybridge in the afternoon and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Suffocation through falling in the barn."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 22 December 1922
PAIGNTON - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest on MRS KATE SOPHIA COX, of Needwood. Deceased, 88 years of age, was blind and an invalid. Just over a week ago her husband was driving her in a bath chair in Winner-street, which he left standing in the road while he went into a shop. Unobserved by him, the chair started to run down the hill and across the road, colliding with a wall and over-turning. MR COX at once went to the assistance of his wife, who, he said, did not cry out, as she thought he was pushing the chair. Deceased sustained a slight abrasion on the forehead, but appeared to be cheerful. The next morning she was unconscious. Death was attributed to compression of the brain, due to cerebral haemorrhage, caused by the accident.

Western Times, Friday 29 December 1922
BIDEFORD - Bideford Fatality. Remarkable Evidence Given At An Inquest Yesterday. - Remarkable evidence was given at an Inquest held at Bideford yesterday afternoon on THOMAS KEEN, a 72 years-old fisherman of 8 New-street, who died in Hospital on Wednesday morning. KEEN fell over the stairs at his home at midnight on Saturday, was got back to bed by his wife and an invalid son, the other occupants of the house and lay there unconscious from a fractured skull until a doctor was sent for on Sunday night, when he was removed to the Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries without having recovered consciousness. - ELIZABETH KEEN, the widow, said her husband was well on the 23rd and went to bed as usual. About midnight he had occasion to get up and she heard a fall as he was going downstairs. She found him at the bottom of the stairs unconscious and, with the assistance of her son, THOMAS, she carried him up to bed and a doctor was sent for. - By the Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown: Deceased was quite sober on Saturday evening. - THOMAS KEEN, junr. corroborated. When he helped to pick his father up he saw blood coming from his ears. After they had got him to bed witness went for Dr Marshall, but he was out and he fetched Dr Ackland, who came and saw him the next day. - Insistent questioning by the Coroner elicited from the last two witnesses that it was not until the Sunday night that a doctor was sent for. They said deceased did not usually get up until late on Sundays, and they thought he was sleeping. Asked why they did not go for a doctor before, the widow repeated that she thought deceased was sleeping and she was busy cooking and THOMAS said he was not well enough to go; he was in bed himself. - Dr Marshall spoke to being first sent for on Sunday evening at 8 o'clock. He was out and Dr Ackland at once went for him, and had deceased removed to Hospital. Witness saw deceased there on Monday morning. He was still quite unconscious and bleeding from the left ear and mouth. He had all the symptoms of fracture of the base of the skull. There was no possible hope for his recovery and he died early on Wednesday morning without having regained consciousness. Apparently he had been lying unconscious from the Saturday night. The cause of death was fracture of the base of the skull. - The Coroner: As far as his people knew an operation might have saved him? - Witness: I think they simply thought he was asleep. He would appear to be. - A married daughter living away said she knew nothing of the accident until the Sunday evening. She went with her husband to the house and was told her father had not come down yet. She remarked, "Never mind: he very often does not come down until late Sundays," but went upstairs and called him. He did not answer and seemed to be asleep. As she failed to rouse him she went down for her brother. He also failed to rouse deceased and then they sent for a doctor. She did not see that her father was bleeding until the doctor moved him. - Asked by the Coroner if there were not anyone there who would have seen the state of affairs before, witness answered in the negative and explained that her brother had been home for five years from the war suffering from shell shock and did not understand it. - The Coroner, after remarking that it was a remarkable case, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

TORQUAY - Worried About Debts. Kingsteignton Man's Nerves Gives Way. Life One Long Sorrow. - The body of the man found in the sea at Torre Abbey sands, Torquay, has been identified as that of THOMAS WILLIAM SNELL, who carried on business as a grocer at Kingsteignton. Deceased, who was 63 years of age, left home on Wednesday morning to go to Newton Abbot on business, and was not heard of again until his body was recovered at Torquay. At the Inquest held on Friday, the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. Edmonds, read the following letter which was found in deceased's pocket: - "My dear Kate, Madge and Elsie, - I hope some day you will forgive me for the shock and trouble I have given you. The fact is I am in great trouble about money matters, and have longed to tell you for years past, but I put it off, thinking something would turn up. My life has been one long sorrow for years past. Hours and hours I have laid awake thinking about my debts and how I could pay them, but now I see no hope of ever being able to do so and can stand the strain no longer. I am sure Messrs. Gibbons will be good to you, as they have been to me in the past. A better firm never lived. Oh, my poor head. What shall I do? I can truly say I have tried to get on, and for years have spent only very little on myself. Want of capital has been the cause of my downfall. I pray God will help you and am sure He will. You have all been more than good to me. No man ever had a better wife and children than I had. The only reason I have kept my position from you is that I did not want to trouble you. Good-bye all, from husband and father. Many a time I thought you could see I was in trouble. Again good-bye to all my loved ones." - Deceased's nephew, Mr John William Furler, said he had never noticed that his uncle was depressed and had no idea his business was in an unsatisfactory state until Thursday, when he made inquiries at the Capital and Counties Bank and found there was an overdraft amounting to £100 18s. 9d., against which there was a life insurance policy for £100, which the bank held and also a guarantee for £50 from deceased's brother. Witness had called on the wholesale firm with whom deceased dealt and found there was a very old debt contracted many years ago, which had not been pressed for. He was told the firm had practically written it off their books. Deceased ran a monthly account with the firm, who some time ago told him he must settle monthly, and that they would not then press for the old outstanding amount, which was a sum of over £100. They were expecting a sum of about £100 from deceased shortly in payment of the most recent of his monthly accounts. - A verdict that "Deceased Committed Suicide whilst insane" was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Man's Death. Open Verdict As To Administration Of Poison. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr T. Edmonds, held an Inquest at Newton Abbot on Saturday without a Jury in connection with the death of JOHN BAKER, an old-age pensioner, of Chapel Hill, Highweek. He found that death was due to poisoning by cyanide of potassium, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the poison was administered. - The widow said that on Thursday morning the deceased went to Stover to get some vegetables from his son's garden and returned about one o'clock. She thought he had had a little drink. He refused any dinner, saying he had a headache and would rest first, and sat by the fire with her until about four o'clock, when he went to bed, taking with him a cup of water. About nine o'clock witness went to bed, and, looking into her husband's room, saw him lying in bed, apparently fast asleep. Next morning her son called her and she found deceased in exactly the same position as he was in the previous evening and dead and quite cold. Witness said deceased had no troubles, and he was not a man to worry. Shown a bottle labelled sodium citrate, witness said the bottle had always stood on the table beside deceased's bed, but she did not know what was in it. She had never known him take medicine except a pill. He had never spoken of suicide and he was the last man she would think of doing a thing like that. - Dr Joseph J. Brown said he considered death was due to poisoning from cyanide of potassium. Death would occur practically at once. It was extremely dangerous and was used for destroying wasp nests. - JEFFERY BAKER, deceased's son, said he was at home all day on Thursday with lumbago. When his father returned from Stover he had had more than a drop too much. Witness occupied the same bedroom as deceased, but a separate bed. When he went to bed, just before his mother, his father was apparently fast asleep, and he did not go over to him. Next morning, when he noticed that his father was in exactly the same position, he called his mother. The bottle of cyanide was always kept on the bedside table. The deceased, who was a jobbing gardener, often destroyed wasp nests. On the table was a piece of paper and small particles of the cyanide, a knife and the cup containing traces of cyanide. His father was a man who drank too much and when under the influence of drink complained of severe headache, which he put down to sunstroke while in the Service. Years ago he used to get very violent when in drink. - The Coroner said the deceased evidently died from Poisoning by Cyanide of Potassium. It was probably self-administered, but whether by accident or design there was no evidence to show, and there was insufficient evidence to show how the poison was administered. He returned a verdict of Death from Poisoning, and that there was insufficient evidence to show how such poisoning occurred.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 29 December 1922
PLYMOUTH - Death From Excitement. - The death of MRS ANNIE BAKER, aged 72, of Plymouth, was attributed at the Inquest to excitement following her daughter's wedding.