The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-26 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, at the
house of Henry Rowcliffe, before R. Docker, Esq,
The first witness called, was Charles Cochrane. who
resides at The Grange, Stourbridge. , The deceased
is my son, and aged 15 years. The body, the jury
have viewed, is my son, and was living with me.
Gerald Dudley Freer, said he resided at the Beeches,
Red Hill. My father's name is Leacroft Freer. Was
with the deceased whea he was hurt on Wednesday
afternoon, in the stable at my father's house.
Charleeer, my brother was present at the time.
I was shooting with an: air gun. My brother had
the gun with the last shot. The deceased stood in
the doorway in a stooping position, rolling out a
bullet to diminish the size, and was standing out of
the doorway. Was within a yard and a half of the
doorway. He raised the gun he had, and fired just
as the deceased got up in front of him. The bullet
hit the deceased on the temples. He reeled against
the wall. My brother caught hold of him and put
him on the ground, I ran for assistance, and
Miss Price gave the servant some brandy. I went
with her. I then went for Mr. Freer and Mr.
Smith, who came at mice, and he was removed
into the dining room. Deceased lived four hours
after the accident. Francis John Freer deposed I
live with my father. At 4.30 on Wednesday was in
the saddle room adjoining the stable. Heard a shout
from my brother Charles who called out " brandy "
Went into the stable and saw him supporting the
deceased as he lay on the ground. Saw blood fi m-
ing from the deceased's head. My brother said he
had shot him Deceased was not conscious. Henry
Hammond Smith, surgeon, said he saw the deceased
on Wendesday about a quarter t 3 five. Found him
lying on a mattress in the sitting room quite uncon-
scious. Found a wound just over the right eye brow
and blood flowing freely. It was a gun-shot wound
Penetrated to the brain. Nothing could be done.
Deceased died just after eight o'clock from the
injuries received. The Coroner in summing up,
said that from the evidence given, it was one of
those unfortunate accidents that occur some times.
It would be well when persons use firearms for the
others to be at the rear. . The Jury returned a ver-
dict of " Accidental Death." Mr. Stringer, (fore-
man), said he quite concurred with the remarks
made by the Coroner, it was one of those unfortunate
accident that occur some time, and he was quite sure
that Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane and family had the
sympathy of the Jury and public. Mr. Cochrane
said he was much obliged for the remarks made.

BOARD or GUARDIANS.--The weekly meeting
of this Board was held yesterday. Mr. Ray
bould in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. H. Billiugham, Hingley, Parkes, Rol-
linson, R. B. Guest, Mills, Wood, Giles,
Mullet, Plant, Hale, Rhodes, Lavender, Kelly,
Eveson, and J. Guest. Admitted into the
house 15 ; discharged 15 ; born ; dead 3 re-
maining in the house 475; corresponding week
last year 435. Out-door relief Kingswinford
district £5l Os. ; Stourbridge district £34
Hs 8d; Halesowen district £25 9s ; non-
resident 9s 4d ; total £llO 58 6d; against £64
6s 6d last year.
DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES.—At the Police
Court, held yesterday, before Col. Fletcher and J.
B. Cochrane, Edward Bourne was. charged with
being drunk on licensed premises, the Talbot Hotel,
Belbroughton. Police-coq stable Poole proved the
case, and defendant was fined 5s and costs.

DRUNK AND DISoRDERLY.—Thomas Griffiths,
labourer, was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly, at Cradley, on the 21st inst. Police-con-
stable Oakey, and Police-sergeant Payne proved the
case, and said defendant was very disorderly, and
fell down in the road. Fined 5s and costs; in
default 14 days.
DRUNKENNESS.— Joseph Richards, shoemaker
was charged with being drunk in Coventry Street,'
on the night of the 14th inst. Poliee-constabi e
Eaves proved the case. Fined 2s 6d and costs._.
Edward O'Boyle was charged with being drunk an d
disorderly on the 14th. ,-- Police-constable Reeves
said that he heard a noise and on going in th e
direction, found two men fighting, defendant was
on the floor, bleeding. Three previous conviction
were proved by police-constable Morgan. Fined 58
and costs.—Charles Price, bricklayer, was charged
with a similar offence on the 12th inst. Police-
constable Morgan proved the case. Fined 2s Od
and costs; in default 7 days.
RAILWAY OFFENCE.—AIfred Wooldridge, clerk,
residing at the Lye, was charged with wilfully
breaking two windows of a railway carriage, on the
22nd ult., the property of the Great Western Railway
Company, Mr. Perry defended. John Freeman,
signalman, said that on the 22nd ult., he acccm-
panied the 1.40 train from Snow Hill Station to
Cradley, and the windows were all safe. Between
Cradley and the Lye Stations he heard some glass
being broken, went to the compartment where the
defendant was in, a second-class carriage, and
charged him with breaking two windows. Defend-
ant said, "If he had broken them he could pay for
them, and did not want any bother with me."
Cross-examined: Did not see anyone with him. Mr.
Perry said he appeared for the defendant, who he
believed, admitted doing the damage complained of.
He was with someone in the carriage, and some
rough play took place, of course it was wronc, on the
railway, and the windows were broken accidentally,
and not designedly. Mr. Leadbury said that during
the last few months they bad had many windows
broken between Birmingham and Stourbridge, and
could not find out who did it. The real damage
done was 255, but they only asked for 20s. Mr.
Perry said the defendant was quite willing to pay
the damage done! Coknael Fletcher odd thot the