The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-06-10 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held on the body on Monday
last, at the Talbot Hotel, before It. Docker,
Esq., Coroner. The first witness examined was
Mary Ann Williams, who deposed: Deceased
was my husband, and lived at No. 9, Park-street.
He was engaged as post- hoy at the Talbot Hotel.
I last saw him alive about half-past two o'clock
on Friday, the previous day. The next time I
saw him was about 20 minutes past three the
following morning. I did not feel comfortable
because he was not at home, and got up to go
to the stable, but I met Sergeant Jones, who
asked me what I wanted. I told him I was
looking for Bell, my husband. He said if you
go into Market-street you will see him ; and
Jones walked away feet. I went into the street
and saw him between two policemen. I got up
to bitu and asked him to get up, but he gurgled
in hi throat and died.

Police-constable William Brooks deposed: I
was on duty in Market-street on Saturday
morning, about 13.13. I saw deceased lying in
the street. His head was in the carriage road,
and his feet towards the footpath. He was on
his knees, with his head on the floor, anti his
hands by the side of his head. His hat lay a
yard and a half from him in a straight direction.
A cigar lay under his head, which looked as if
it had just been lighted, but not smoked. Saw
a small quantity of water near the mouth. I
turned him over. Deceased breathed slightly
once. His clothes were not disarranged. I
blew my whistle, and Sergeant Jones came, and
he at once went for Dr. Bayley. I assisted to
convey the man home. Had previously seen the
deceased at Red Hill, about ODO o'clock. Ile
then sat upon his box, coming towards the
town.

By a Juryman: I examined the road where
the deceased lay. There did not appear to have
been any struggle. There were no marks of
blood. Deceased was not bleeding from the
nose. I did see a scar on the forehead. It was
not very piain then ; it is more plain now.
There was slight dirt on the lips.
Charles Edge deposed: I live at Brettell Lane,
and am a potter. I was in Market-street on
Saturday morning, on my way home from Kid.
dertuinster. I saw a policeman, who was walk-
ing towards the deceased. I went up to him at
the saute tiuie. The man appeared to be dead.
By a Juryman : I did not meet any one all the
way from Kidderminster. I was walking alone.
Police-sergeant John Jones deposed: I was
by the Clock with Brooks, at the end of Market.
street. That was at ten minutes past three.
Brooks went up Market-street. I went down
Coventry-street. In about two minutes I heard
the whistle blown. I immediately ran along
Market-street to just beyond " The Bell.- I
saw Police-constable Brooks, and the deceased.
Brooks was holding him up, deceased being in a
sitting position. I felt his pulse. It did not
beat. I then put my head to his heart, and
found it did not beat. I at once went for Dr.
Sayley. In doing so, I met the deceased's Nsife
in Talbot-street. I asked her if she had lost any
one. She said she was looking for her husband.
I told her she would find him in Market-street.
I assisted in getting him home. I took his
watch from his pocket, and a pin from him his
ac in. I left for a short time. On returning I
felt in his pockets to see what he had got, but
found that his left hand pocket had been tam-
pered with. Found in his right pocket some
keys and a comb. A scarf was in his jacket
pocket. The wife has sinee told me she found
a purse on the floor after the woman had gone
out, and that it contained Is.

In answer to the Coroner, witness said he had
heard that all the money was not found he had
about him. Deceased's face was much dibeo•
loured when he first fonnd him.

Mr. H. Phillips deposed : The deceased took
me to Enville, in a one-horse fly. Went at foul
o'clock. Left Enville about 20 minutes past
twelve. Deceased left inc about half-past twelve.
He was perfectly sober.
Robert Luther Bayley deposed: I am a sur-
geon. I saw the deceased at about 25 minutes
to four o'clock. Was called up by Sergeant
Jones. Saw the deceased in an arm chair, sup.
ported by two policemen and Edge. Deceased
was dead. Had been so from a quarter to half
an hour. Made au au examination at the time,
and found five bruises. The largest was one
three or four inches long on the forehead, over
the eye, about half an inch in depth. It Was a
alight bruise, although extensive. There Was
very slight abrasion of the skin, scarcely parcel).
tilde. Did not see any dirt. The smaller
oruises presented precisely the same appearance
as the larger one. There was no doubt about them.
There was another smaller bruise near the nose.
The lips were slightly moist and slightly livid.
I recognised the man at once. The body was
taken home. Saw it stripped. There were no
marks of violence anywhere. I have again ex-
amined the wounds. Have seen no cause to
alter my opinion. Should think all the brukes
were occasioned at the Millie time, and from a
fall. The symptoms I saw then and since are
those of suffocation.

By the Foreman: The cause of the ears being
dark was caused after death, not from violence.
By a Juryman: The marks caused by a blow
would be very different. There would be a swel-
ling, and the bone probably would be injured.
Caroline Williams deposed: I am single and
sister to the deceased, liars beeu living at his
house for some months, should say nearly three.
Have often known him U.) be out, but never a,
late before. Deceased's wife went to look after
him. They have quarrelled; the last time about
a month since. Blows were struck.

By a Juryman : My brother usu.-ally had more
money about him. He always had a sovereign
or a half sovereign.
This being all the evidence given.
The Coroner said that the exact cause uf
death had not been shown, and suggested that a
post ,not tern should take place.
Several of the jury expressed themselves as
not satisfied as to the cause of death from the
evidence given, and the inquest was adjourned
until this day (Saturday), at eleven o'clock.
Tho Coroner regested Mr. Bayley to make the
post morton, and get what assistance was neces-
sary.