The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-02-01 00:00:00

SUDDEN ILLNESS AND DEATH OF
CHIEF WARDER BROOKS.

An inquest was held at the Convict Establishment on
Saturday last, before R. N. Howard. Em.. coronas fee the
island. on the body of Walter Brooks, 58 years of aje.
chief warder of the Prison, who died on the previous day,
after 38 hours'

Kr George Clifton, Governor of the Prison, said deceased
had been chief warder of the Convict Hatablishment for
over 17 years, and he had the respect of all who were
brought in contact with him, from the higheirt to the
lowest The last time Kr. Clifton sew him alive was on
the previous Wednesday, about midday, coming off the
embankment The governor spoke to him, and be
appeared unusually well, and better than he badmen him
for months. Deceased went to the warders' hall, and from
there crossed over to F. North ball. Shortly at terwards
the medical officer ran up and told him that Brooks was
seised with a fit. Witheis went to where be was, and he
was then being supported by °Moors. Deceased tried to
speak, but he could not do so. He recognised witness and
tried to equeess his hand. A stretcher was got and he was
taken on it to the Infirmary, where he lingered for 36
hours in an unooncious state.
Mr. IL F. Askbam medical Aim to the establishment,
deposed that on Wednesday, the 19th Inst., he was visit-
ing the complaining sick in the F. North hall, and the
deceased was standing by his side. They spoke to each
other as to ths severity of the weather when he
accidentally dropped his pocket handkerchief. It got
under his right foot, and when attempting to pick it up,
be suddenly rolled while stormier, and an officer near him
supported him for a moment. He afterward, stood up and
said '1 shall be sit right, Dr Aakham." Witmesa milted
him if it was his heart, but he made no reply and rolled
twice, and called out to those near him to retch him. Re
(sritnee) then saw that he was paralysed in the leg, and
ordered his immediate removal to the kitchen close by,
where he was taken by two officer,. He informed the
governor of the occurrence, and a stretcher was obtained,
and at the suggestion of Mr. Clifton, which he thought •
good one, and in order that he might have better atten-
tiou, be was taken to the Infirmary, where he lingered
and died about half-pest one on the 21st. After an hour
or so after his seizure he became semi-conscious, but was
utterly unable to express himself. Shortly afterwards be
became again unconaciouir, and remained so opts the time
of his death. By the consent of the governor (Mr. Clifton)
all his family were at his bedside up to the time of his
death. The cause of death was apoplexy.
Verdict —" Death from Natural Causes."
Mr. Brooks had served under Lord Cardigan •, in the
convict service he was • man of wonderful nerve, he knew
the requirements of the service, and whatever Ise said to
those under his charge was law—a most valuable trait, as
the slightest "mimes in a chief warder is sure, amid
such a lot of men as he has about hire, to bring him unex-
pected trouble. His funeral was appointed for half-pan
two on Wednesday afternoon.
An esteemed contributor writes _

A end gloom was cast over the Convict Prison on
Friday last by tho death of Mr. Chef Warder Brooks,
who was seized with an apoplectic:fit at noon, on the liith
but, whilst in the act of carrying out hi. ressionsible
duties. Be bad only a short time previously been in
consultation with the governor organizing the details of
work, lc., for the convicts during this Severn weather
The Medical Officer, Dr. A.khani, was present when Mr:
Brooks fell, and by his orders he was removed to the
kitchen close by, and thence to the infirmary where be
could no Ave personal attention. By ti, hinnies' of
the governm every facilitywas given for the attendenne
of his chil Iran, who were with him unti hi tisa, which
took place as above mentioned. The following mournful
general order wat issued by the governor :
" His with fe-lings of deep regret that the governor has
to announce for general information, the Chief Want.-,
Mr. William Brooke, died in the at infirm iry at th^
prison" at 1.25 a.m, to-day, aftmt an illness of rally 36
hours.
" During the 17 years which by held the responsible nowt
of Chief Warder, he discharged his Anti, w,th untiring
zeal, tact, and impartiality, and earned for hims the
esteem of all the siaff,and the approbaiti n of the chairman
and Board of Directors."
Kr. Brooks joined the establishment on it, opening in
November. 1818, and was there( ,ro one or three hard-
working officers who did so much to bring things Into
order. The Prison was harried ly opened,there were no roods,
and Mr. Brooke. by his happy demeanour. was at that time
a favourite with his brother officers, only on. of whom now ,
remains in the orison. He MILS ni.,vard, in IT. v.
Dartmoor, until his promotion to Pot, land Priers!' in 1886. I
His pmos will be a diflcult one to fill, so u3tien was hs
esteensitd by officers and prisoners. Whilst all mourn his
great loss the utmost sympathy is shown t, his sorrowing
children—twe SOUS (UN eldest, the Rev. W. Brooks-Hilk,
being no. in Canada/ end three datighters—whom be
loaves behind; it will ohne thus hematitic to look back