The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-07-17 00:00:00

Dorsetsbire.
WEYMOUTH.
SCDDEN DSATH OF MR. PHILIP DODSON. ,
we regret that it is our painful duty this week to
announce the sudden death of Mr. Philip Dodson,
this town. For some tune past he appears to
have been labouring under a low and desponding
Mate of mind, sail, although he attended to his busi-
ness transactions with his usual regularity, it was
noticed by many parties, particularly by his more
inausaiate acquaintances, that a great change in him
had taken place, and which became daily more per.
eeptible. He also frequently complained of his head,
iad would often place his bands to his forehead
ssi it' to collect his thoughts. Mr. Bayly, with whom
I), was on more familiar terms than many
other
frequently advised him to procure
persons.
medical aid, alleging a reason for urging him to
this °muse that he had a very strong impression on
his mind that unless he did so he would some day
look up all at once. But, although his demeanour
had of late seemed considerably altered, the unex•
nested announceummt on Tuesday morning, that
kr. Dodson bad been found dead in his bed,
poised the most painful excitement throughout the
town, and numerous were the conjectures as to the
cause of death. From a report of the evidence
genn at the inquest, which we publish below, it
will be seen that a root martens examination of the
body has been made, and that the surgeon discovered
that & portion of the brain bore marks of disease of
very considerable standing, which would account
for the altered demeanour of the deceased, but was
ie.t sufficient to explain the immediate cause of
deatb. The stomach, which contained about two
ounces of thud blood, WM congested, evidently
caused by wine irritating substance, but what that
substance was, Mr. Griffin, who made the examina-
tion, was unable to say. The mystery, however,
will no doubt he speedily cleared up, as the fluid
found in the stomach has been sent to London for
snalyzation. Mr. Dodson was a man of thorough
business habits, and was always considered to possess
s smug mind and sound judgment. Being the leader
of the Liberal party in Weymouth, he till
lately took an active part in political and local
„Asters, and oonsugeontly had some bitter political
opponents ; but be had a far larger circle of friends,
and was, perhaps, more generally respected than
any other man in the town. He was shays easy of
wee" and to the poor and destitute invariably kind.
His charities were nuinerous but unostentatious, and
of him it might truly be said, that he "did good by
stealth, and blushed to find it fame." His death
will indeed cause a vacancy—a blank, which will not
soon be filled up, and his untimely end will be
mourned by a very numerous circle of friends and

—acquaintances.
As a mark of respect for the deceased, the ships
in the harbour hoisted their colours half mast high;
and the tiag.staff at the Townhall, and those of seve-
ral other buildings bore similar tokens of regard for
Mr. Dodson, and manifestations of regret at the
melancholy end which bad befallen a much esteemed
and lamented fellow townsman.
THE INQUEST.
An inquest was held on the body at the White
Hart Diu, on Tuesday, before H. Luck, Esq., deputy
coroner, and the following jurymen
ND Joseph Drew. foreman; William Reeks,
charlesJarlisCoopur, Thomas Fook a, Thomas Sh elds,
Thomas Real, James Fairey, Robert Baxter. John
Lucille, John Rosa, Septimus Mace, Thomas Groves,
and James Russell-
Tlio.cas Dodson said: The deceased was my brother.
I superintended his business for him. maw him last a
few minutes after nine &clock last evening. I went to
the office about 8 o'clock, me usual time, and we were
together quite an hour. Sly brother conducted his
bioicess in the usual way. He signed some accounts
for ine, and went through his usual correspondence, and
left wine memoranda on his desk for the next day's
calls. I law him six or seven times during the day. I
did not observe anything unusual about his health.
He took out his watch just as we left the office, and
said it was after nine o'clock. and that he should be
late for supper. I have never heard him complain of
faintness, but he spoke of his head yesterday, and at-
tributed it to the excessive heat.
Sarah Dunn said : I was servant to Mr. Dodson, and
had been so 91) years. Last night he came home about
nine o'clock and had supper. He had bread and cheese
and • glass of water. Brandy was put on the table,
but I do not know whether or not he took any of it.
If he did it wu very little. I removed the supper
things about ten, and did not see him again till eleven
o'clock, when I asked him about his breakfast, and
went to bed. I observed nothing particular in his
manner, but I have noticed for a week past that he has
lets low apiriteil—apparently from over excitement—
and last night, when he came in at 6 o'clock, he com-
plained of a headache. This morning Was. Mitchell came
for the key about 7, and I went to Mr. Dodson's room
for it. I knocked at the door, and finding no answer
was given, I opened it, and walked in and saw he was
dead in his bed, covered by the clothes. I felt him and
found he had been dead some time—he was quite cold.
I called to my fellow servant, who came in, and I after
wards called Mitchell and desired him to call Mr. T.
I)talaou and Mr. Griffin. I examined the bed room at
the time, but found nothing. I had no suspicion
that anything was wrong. I merely walked round
tic bed•neen. Ile was usually lively at home, but he
was sot so for the 1.11 weak or tyro. I *hint' iiaro..
from ansiety. I heard no noise last night. There Was
• bell at band which be could have reached. Had heard
him remark that he was worried, and the work he had
to do WAS too much for him. lam not positive whether
he ate anything, but there were crumbs on his plate, but
he mull not hays eaten much. He mast have drunk
some water, as some of the water from the water bottle
was gone.
Hannah White said I was a servant to Mr. Dodson;
and had been such fur 9 years. I did not see him last
nizht at all. I saw him last about 10 o'clock in the
morning. I was not in the habit of seeing much of
him, and have not obeerved any difference in him of late.
I went into his beil.mom this morning, with Sarah
Dunn, and saw him lying dead in bed. I did not
examine the bed-room.
Richard Griffin said: I ama surgeon. This morning
between 7 and 8 o'clock, I was bent for to see the de-
ceased, and found him lying on his right side, in
bed, in • quiet, easy position; and were it not for • little
bloody froth which had run from his mouth, and stained
the pillow, I should have hind no reason to believe but
that death had arisen from natural causes. On examin-
ing his mouth I found the end a the tongue between
his teeth, and bitten, as if there had been a convulsive
struggle before death. I examined the room bat law
no bottle, as if anything bad been taken from it. I have
since nisei° a poet morseas examination of the body, and
found all the organs in • healthy state, except
that the right side of the heart was full of fluid
blood ; and, indeed, all the organs were full of
blood, in • fluid state, and of • dark colour—
indicating that death had taken place suddenly. On
opening his stomach I found it empty of food, but it
contained shouts two ounces of dark thud blood, and its
whole internal surface was in • congested eats. This
might arise from any irritating substance that had been
taken. I cannot tell the cause of death. Death from
apoplexy might cause the biting of the tongue, but that
would not cause the state of the stomach.
The contents of the stomach have no particular
smell, and I am not able to give any explanation what
the irritating substance might be. Death from natural
causes would not cease the blood mid the congested
appearance of the stomach.
A long discussion here arose whether the contents of
the stomach ought not to be subject to snalyzatien, and
the unanimous opinion Was that it would be moot desi-
rable that the mystery as to the cause of death should
be cleared up. Mr. Gran was consequently desired to
secure the contents of the stomach that they might be
analyzed, and the jury adjounied for an hour that he
might open aud examine the head.
On his return to the jury room again, Mr. Griffin said:
I have opened the head, and found the brain congested;
there was a diseased portion of very considerable stand-
ing, and the vessels in the immediate neighbourhood
tained bright fluid blood,showing that an iullaul matory
action was going on, which would renders person in an
irritable state. There is not sufficient symptoms to in-
dicate the direct cause of death. The brain was not in
a natural state. There was nothing like a tumour, but
the brain was of a yellowish hue, and there was • cell,
and the knife peewit through it.
Edward Bayley, Req., isaid: I saw the deceased about 1,
yesterday. Ile looked very unwell then as he had for
some time past. He coinplained especially, of what he
tensed, a boil in the stomach. He said he liad been in
a ..ion with wine of the men in the yard, and it very
much excited him. I told him he ought to get medical
advice, which he had a great aversion to. lie has for
some three or four months been depressed in
spirits, and was gradually getting worse. He used to
tell me all his ailments. He has been lately feat alter-
ing, which I attributed to over exertion. He has been
quite as vigourous for work as before. He has been
much more thoughtful and solemn. 1 have frequently
told him if he did.not have medical advice he would souse
day break up all at once. I have mentioned the circum-
stance to friends, as it appeared so strongly impressed
upon my mind that he would not live long.
The deputy coroner said that they were no nearer
arriving at the solution as to the immediate cause of
death than before, and it was decided to bend the con-
tents of the stomach for analysis to Mr. Redwood, ana-
lytical chemist, Loudon ; and for this purpose the in-
quest was adjourned till Wednesday morning, July 18th,
at ten o'clock, to receive that gentleman's report.

WEYMOIITII RIFLE CORM—The members of this
corps have at length been supplied with their dresses
and accoutrements, and as they attend parade
frequently, they are making great progress in all
their drill exercises. On kriday evening last, Mrs.
Weston, wife of Capten Weston, presented the
corps with a new silver bugle, lad we understand
that Captain Weston intends shortly to present them
with new drums and fifes for their drum and fife
band.
Tow, B•RIL-011TIle•dAy evening put a public
meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the
Townhall, for the purpose of considering want
arrangements could be made for providing a band
for the present season for the recreation of the visi-
tors. The Mayor presided, but the attendance was
exceedingly limited. Resolutions were passed that
a band for the season was desirable, and a com-
mittee was formed to raise subscriptions and carry
the objects of the meeting into effect.—Mr. SOLOMON
SLY said the Corporation used to be called "liberal,"
but they did not now see much of their liberality.
lie wished to see them liberal in act and deed, and
he would like to see the Mayor and Corporation head
the subscription list with a good round sum. Re
suggested that they should pay for a leader and raise
• town band, whw.h should be at their service when
required. AU other places had their band, and it
was a disgrace to Weymouth that they had not a
bead also—Ma. Au= that the Mayor
eke the opiates al the Trwa"nd Ocolutail, in their our.