The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1884-01-29 00:00:00

STRANGE DEATH OF A CONVICT.

A convict, named George Webb, r, died at the Coo.
Act Establiehmout, on Werines.isy evening, in a pain.
fully so lien manner. The medical • fficer in chants
oft the riam (Dr. Ulu). hay, in eoooequence of
the . ecea•ed vomiting, 001•11 to the conclusion that
the der:woad Me mom poisonous roots while at work in
the quarries.
Ttis INQUCHT
Wee Laid on Thursday afternoon, before It N.
Howard, P.N. (Coroner), and a jury, of whom Mr. W
Attwooll wee chosen foreman.
Johnst me stated be woe the Governor of
the Portleod Convict Evtablishment. The deceses I,
De, xge W. bber, we received into the prreon n the
15th February, 1883, under tentence of five To.",
penal servitude. Do the 18th of J.nuary tleo-ae.°
was admitted into the prison infirmoy, where he
remained until the time of hi. death, 'rivet) sok Pl."
at hallpaet five o'clo..k the aame afternoon. The
deceased wee 31 years of age. His "'bola numb, /
was 1.333. Hid conduct ea a convia was ito-sl. end
he had had oily three days' dietary punishment since
the 14 of May.
Dr. Lilley stated he war medical officer in charge of
the Portland Convict &dahlia/moot, and Maroded
deceased on his admission in the infirmary Co
the 16th, previous to which he had been coast/sally
under medical treattneut. Hs was suffering from •
stricture of many years standing. He expressed Wined(
relieved and able to do his wok. That was at mid.
day. He went out to work as usual, but oompisios'i
of being unable to do his work. He was at once sent
down to the hospital. &ad witness saw him ate quarter
to four. He complained of a queer sensation ail over
him, and said he felt sick. 11, ordered him a vato or
bath, and mme msdicine. He hail the bath, sod
expressed hlmell relieved and comfortable, B fore
he hloll hi• hell, he vomited • great qoantity of ball
Mg. sled vegetable oulatanoe. lie had not that day
had vegetable dottr, and he di in't know where he had
got What he had been eating. At 4.10 he had the
I bath, and at 4.35 it was removed; at 5.30 he sari
I deed. He war not pre. nt at his ti. ath. De?..a.ed
I was visited 'refine: tly bet•een having his b.th and
his death, hut he made no c mplaint, end was c.st•
ski:teed c rmfortahle. Tire vomit was no: kept. ii•
;did nt v•P•ct hie death—it wan rudder, and he Mr/
buted it t • he hsvirg e..teo '.me will roots I •
p damone nature whilst out in the works.
Edward Howard R chmood statsd be at ended
deceased, as I gave him yawn: bath upon hie
admission to the In exprewed Wessell
' relieved. Hs wee la the 31 Wade% sod irss

,f wirer& made comfortable in bed. He took the
apwatos away. and went t see deceased a
quarter of an hour afterwards. Hs was very coin-
and said it wee similar trestm nt to that he
h,l received io Guy's Hospit tl. Hs went to hint
ahout 20 minutes past five. and spoke to bin,
..ut trowel did not cower. H wed breathing
h,,eily. and wheel.* amid ir.t feel that he bad coy
p.a... He thought he was dylog, and called the
,nacipal warder, Lambert, who went for the doctor.
•camiralinoet Immediately, bat the dsciaaed died
abet 5.30.
Tbs jury returned a verdict e That deceased's
death wen the result of hie having eaten some
,aisimous t0...t0 whilst on the works, but how he got
them there was no evidence to show."