The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-01-25 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.

An ingneet was held on the four bodies on Wednesday,
at the house of Mr B. Hingham, before B. Hooper,
Esq., Coroner, when the following evidence was pro-
duced :_ _

The first witness called was Jame* Ednuteds, who said:
I am a paddler, and live near Corng . I know
Joseph Edmunds who was 29 years old, and • paddler.
I also knew Phcebe Whitehouse who was married and 27
years old, and wife of Edward Whitehonse • ehainmaker.
I also knew Edward Whitehouse who wee husband to
Phcebo Whitehouse, and 29 years old; and I also knew
George Edmunds who was my eon. The bodies just
viewed by the jury are the bodies named. My son,
George, lived with Edward Whitehouse. Joseph Ed-
munds lodged with Edward Whitehouse, and is my
brother. I last saw Joseph Edmunds alive on Saturday
night, about half-past twelve. On Monday • girl came
to my house, and said they had all been murdeted. I
went to the door, which was open, and found Edward
Edmunds and Edward Whitehouse, in the back room,
lying on one bed, and undressed. I saw Plicebe on
another bed in the same room. She was insensible.
Joseph Edmunds was lying in the front kitchen, and was
also Insensible. Did not seem as if there had been any
straggle. There was no fire-place in the room were the
people were found dead. I was not the first who saw
them, bat have made inquiries, and found there was a
bucket in the room. There was no reason to doubt, but
what they died from suffocation. They lived peaceably
together. Had words sometimes. Joseph died at half.
past five o'clock, and Phohe at ball-pant three this
morning.
By • Juryman: They slept in the back-room together.
By the Foreman: I have no real suspicinn.
The Foreman : Then why do you hesitate?
Witness : Because I should like to know the cause.
Catherine Billingham deposed: I live about 500 yards
from deceased's house. About a quarter to eight o'clock
on Monday morning, my husband rapped at the door but
received no answer. I went at half-past nine and found
the door and window closed, and the blind down. At
twelve o'clock I went to the house again, as I wanted to
bake in their oven. I told the nurse to get through the
window and make • use. The window was unfastened.
She got in and unfastened the door, made • Sr., and
began to sweep up the house. I west to the bedroom
door. It was not fastened, and I went into the room
and saw Joseph draggling on the bed. I then went to
the other bed and saw that Edward Whitehouse, and the
boy were dead. Phcsbe was also in the same bed, and
looked as if she had been struggling. She was not
sensible. I noticed there was a queer atmosphere in the
room, as if it wanted fresh air. I fetched • man and
smashed the windows to get more air. Dr. Standish
was sent for, and attended to those who were alive, sad
continued to do so until they died. I was on friendly
terms with deceased, and have known them before to
have gleeds in the bucket outside the room. The gleeds
looked as if they had been burning in the bucket. AU
of them lived on good terms with each other, and happily
together. From what I saw In the room, I believe they
had been suffocated.
Benjamin Billingham deposed: I am a eludnmaker,
and live at Dudley Wood. The first I heard was from
igre. Billingham, who asked me to come and see what
was the matter. I went etzaight to the room where the
master and mistress lay. I saw that the man and baby
were dead. The woman breathed. I began to rub her,
and called out for water. I saw a bucket in the room,
and when Mr. Standish came and saw the bucket he
said ,` There is the very thing that's done the job."
By the Foreman : The basket was in the room, and
some gleeds.in it._ _

Thomas Standish, surgeon, deposed: / am in practice
at Cradley Heath. Abont one o clock on Monday I was
sent for to go to Whitehouse's house. and got there as
soon as possible, also my assistant. On entering the
house found in the first room, on the sofa Joseph
Edmunds, where be had been removed. Found him In
• state of coma, totally insensible. In the other room I
found the baby. George Edmunds dead, and in the other
bed Edward Whitehouse wee dead; and Phcebe in •
state of insensibility. I first thought they had taken
poison, and looked round the room,but found no trace of
that. On making further search I happened to kick
against • bucket containing gleeds. of small coke. The
'wicket was very hot, and I thought they died from
carbonic gas, which suffocated them. There was no
ventilation, but a hole in the wall from two to three
inches. Every means were need to restore those who
were alive. The bodies had been removed before I got
there. lem quite satisfied they all died from suffoca-
tion, awl not from poison.
By a Joryrsaa I There was an make arising, bat
VillpOOL