Star.
London, England, 1819-09-27 00:00:00

" CAUTION.

" The Public, and particularly the Friends of Reform, are
requested to abstain from over-crowding this town to-day, or
from exhibiting Flags, huazaing, shouting, or making any noisy
expression either of approbation or disapprobation, on this so-
lemn and melancholy occasion, lest such foolish corLact should
be the cause of again adjourning the Coroner's Inquest.
" The friends of order and decency, it is hoped, will comply
with the above request."
(Signed by)—" Joint Haws, ROMS ASMWORTII,
-Virnrsow, AsattiassWaioxiv, GrosaxTnosu.s, and two others:*
A Captain's guard, of the 31st regiment, marched
from Manchester to Oldham this morning, and one
of the men was placed at the door of the Angel, as
was a private of the 7th Dragoon Guards, one troop
of which is stationed at Oldham. Up to this mo-
ment the utmost order has been observed, and I
have no reason whatever to apprehend that any dis-
turbance will arise. There is a deep and settled me-
lancholy on every countenance; and the immense
assemblage now before the house are waiting pa-
tiently for the result of the inquiry.
I have not time to add more, as the express is
waiting to take my notes. A Gentleman is kind
enough to continue the evidence while I am writing
this. The further proceedings shall be transmitted
to you without a moment's delay. I subjoin the
evidence already adduced:
EVIDENCE ON THE INQUEST.
The first witness was Robert Lees, the father of the
deceased. He deposed as follows :—My son, John
Lees, lived with me on the 16th of August last. He
left the house about eight or nine o'clock in the
morning. I did not hear him say where he was going.
He was as hearty then as ever he was since he was
born. I saw him next between eight and nine on the
following morning. He was standing on the top of
,the lauding in my factory. I desired him to move.
I saw his shirt all blood ; he was without coat or
waistcoat. I told him that if he would not work he
must go to the Overseer, for I would not support
him. Ile never spoke, and I said no more. He
made an attempt to move, but he could not. One
of the men, Yorke, saw him too. This was on Tues-
day morning. I saw him .again the Sunday but one

following, that was the 29th of August. After he
was washed and cleaned, I told him that if he would
walk out I would give him Its. I did not take any
means to know what was amiss with him ; I did not

expect but that he would get better: my mistress can
tell you a great deal better than I about him.
Mt. HARMER observed, that Mr. Earnshaw was the
medical man who attended him. N.
Witness continued—l observed blood on his arm
on the Tuesday morning. I did not go to any
,Doc-
tor to assist him: he went for the Doctor of his own

accord, not by my direction ; he went to Mr. Earn-
shaw. He kept growing worse every day, till the
time of his death. I did not interfere any more than
I have told you.
CORONER—Why were you so apparently indifferent
to his situation ?

Witness—l expected he would get better till the
day but one before he died. He died on Tuesday

morning about half-past one—l began to think on
the Sunday that he would not get better ; I called
in no further assistance or help for him , I cannot

tell when the Doctor began to attend him at my
house: my mistress can tell that ; I know that he
did attend him :on the Monday he grew worse he
kept his bed from Saturday night till he died on
Tuesday morning. I had no conversation with him,
by which it appeared that he was aware of his ap-
proaching death. I cannot exactly state what the
cause of his death was. I did not see any wounds or

bruises. I did not examine him, but other people
did; I can only State my opinion as to the cause.of
his death: I am generally at home overlooking the
factory : he led a sober life ; he might get something
now and then on Saturday nights after his work ; but
he was generally as regular as any man in this town.
I have a daughter, Sarah Lees, and two sons, James
and Benjamin. My wife's name is Hannah. They
dwelt with me during the whole of my son's illness.
CORONER—Have the Gentlemen of the Jury any

question to put to this witness ?
Juryman—Your carelessness arose from the atten-
tion which your wife and family would pay to him ?
Witness—Yes ; I knew he would be as well looked
after as if I was present all the time.
CORONER—Have you, Gentlemen, who are at-
tending here for some purpose, any question to put
to this witness?

Mr. H A RAIER—I thank you, Sir, I have none to put.
CORONER—If there are any witnesses here, I think
they had better withdraw, on whichever part they
are attending.
Mr. HARMER thanked the Coroner. It would be
highly proper.
All the witnesses were then ordered to withdraw,
except Mr. Basnett and Mr. Earnshaw.
Mr. Mellor, the Constable of Oldham, said "There
is one of our witnesses here."
This witness was then ordered to withdraw.
Mrs. Hannah Lees, the mother-in-law of the de-
ceased, was then sworn. She was in deep mourning,
and appeared very melancholy.—" My son, John
Lees, slept at my house on the Sunday night of the
15th of August. I did not see him on the Monday
morning. I supposed he was at work at the factory
when I got up. I saw him on Monday night a little
before it was dark. He was standing at the gate. I
desired him to come in and get his arm dressed. Some
person told me, before I saw him, that his arm was
cut. He came in, got something warm, and went to
bed. He had tea and toast. I did not see him again
that night. I did not go into his room. I did not
expect any thing serious. My own son, Thomas,
told me that John had got a foul cut. I saw him
again the next day in the forenoon. He had his
breakfast in bed. I can't tell when he got up. I saw
him about eleven o'clock down stairs. I did not see
any wound. I did not inquire, nor did I see any
thing but his arm. I desired him to go to some Doc-
tor. He went directly. I saw him when he came
back. I asked him whether he had got his wound
dressed ? He said he had. This was on Tuesday.
On the following days, during the week, he laid in
bed till two, or past two, before he got up. After he
got up, he sometimes walked out for a bit of fresh
air; he was quite poorly. He did not complain of
any I:articular place, but said he was poorly. He
used to throw up what he ate. I did not see him
throw it up, but I saw him go out of the door, and
when he came back, he said,- he had thrown up his
food ; he threw up every thing. On Wednesday, in
the second week, he began to grow worse. He regu-
larly applied to the Doctor till the Wednesday. After
that day. Mr. Earnshaw came to the house. He
came on Thursday. I had not much conversation
with the Doctor. I asked him what was to be done ?
He ordered him to take medicines three times a day.
On Saturday, in the second week, and some time, I
think, before, I saw the wound on his right elbow; it
was in a healing state when I saw it ; it was nearly
two inches long ; it opened a little about the breadth
of my little finger. I don't remember seeing it again;
I was not very fond of looking at it ; it was very
foul, though in a healing state. H complained much
of a pain in the other shoulder. He grew worse ; I
was obliged to raise him up to drink; this was nearly
a week before he died. The first time I lifted him up,
about a week before his death, he complained that
hid left -shoulder was worse than his cut arm, and
made faces. I did not examine it. He said, it had
no cut upon it, but he was much afraid of kavtng it
disturbed. He said, he felt a violent pain. He com-
plained of his left foot too. He said, he thought it
was swelled. I examined it, and saw a great many
purple spots on it. It was swelled up the leg, and in-
flamed. He did not say what was the cause of it. He
said very little after the accident. He was quite low
spirited. I asked him if I should send for any other
Doctor? He said, no. On the next day the Doctor
came. I was present when it was examined. I put
a poultice on it. Ile regularly complained of his left
side, and gradually lost the use of it. lie lost the
sight of his left eye. I attended him daily from the
time he began to grow worse till he died. On the
Wednesday but one before he died, there was a great
alteration in him for the worse. He was taken with
a severe coldness. He was then in bed. He found
himself ill early in the morning. He died on the
Tuesday but one after, about one in the morning. He
was relieved from the coldness, ,ularl,
down stairs till Sunday, the 29th,
went to the Doctor to get his
then very poorly. On the 514
nesday, and so on, my two
stairs for company ; he did not
su weak he could nut corn(

' cept on one octasion. Ile was 'down On gaturdat
before he died, and had four or six lec.chea put on bit.
temple. He was carried up on Saturday nlglit, Oct
never came down'again. I asked him whether he
thought he should get better ? He said, he did not
know. I asked him if .he did not get snort: set-ions
crush among the crowd ? He said, he was never
among rile crowd, hut among the horses. This con•
versation was on Saturday. On Sunday and Mon-
day he said very little; he could say no, v, ith diffi-
culty. I examined his clothes, and found cuts in theft
His shirt was cut in many places, and his coat seat
cut over his shoulder. I can't exactly say when
saw this. I did not at first think there was any thing
serious. On his left shoulder, his cow; and waistcoat

were cut through. The length of the cut, in one place,
was an inch and a half. I did not examine his shirt
on the shoulder. Betty Ireland washed his shirt. I
cannot say whether any other part of his clothes was
cut. The top of the crown of his hat was 0ff..,...t
believe it was a good hat before he went. I did not
particularly examine it to see whether it was cut ;.
but I saw the top was out. He was'not often out of
the house in the first week ;he walked out sometimes.

On the Sunday but one before he died, I heard him
say he would take a walk towards Middleton ; he
asked me for a shilliag. On his return, he never said
that he had been there. He went out about five

o'clock. I did not see him any more that night. He
often passed up stairs without my seeing him. I don't
know what time he went to bed that night. I saw
him at eight o'clock the next morning ; he came
down stairs. I did not ask him whether he had been

to Middleton ? nor did I hear him say whether he had
been there or not. I did not see any difference in his
appearance. He made no complaint. I did not
examine him, but told him to get his breakfast.' I
never saw any sign of intoxication in him : he was
quite humble and low. I never saw that he appeared
to have tasted liquor. He refused liquor in the house
frequently when I asked him : but he once drank a
little wine and water with some women: He was not

unwell before he went to Manchester ; he was at

healthy as any man in the factory. He was a very
regular worker. Some one in the house said, that
he sometimes complained of a pain in his breast.—.
He seen,ed to me very healthy and sprightly. He
never complained to me of his breast. He corn.
plained to some one, I suppose to some of the fac-
tory, about his breast, but he never made any cons,
plaint in our house. I can swear that I never heard
him complain of his breast within a week of the time
he went to Manchester. I never remember his taking
physic before the 16th of August. l don't recollect
any thing of the kind."
CORONER.—I have heard that you said to Mr.
Chaddick, that you did not wish for an Inquest, as
the pain in his breast had occasioned his death. Mr.
Chaddick is here.

Witness.--I did not say to Mr. Chaddick that the
pain in his breast occasioned his death. I did not
want any disturbance about the matter : as he had
lived so long, I did not think there would be any oc-
casion for an Inquest.
CORONER.—Did you give that as a reason—the
pain in his breast ?
Witness.—l wished him to be buried without any
disturbance : I dare say I did mention to Mr. Chad..
dick, that I heard he had a pain in his breast.
Juryman.—Mr. Coroner, ought not Mr. Chaddick
to leave the room ?
Cononea.—No, I think not ; he knows what he is
to be examined to as well as I do.
CORONER. —Did you assign. the pain in his breast
as the cause why no Inquest was necessary?
Witness.—l wished to put it off without any ado.
CORONER.—Did you assign that as a reason, or p
a part of the reason ?
Witness.—No, not exactly ; I was no judge. I did
not know that he had a pain in his breast. My hus-
band ordered me to send a man to Mr. Chaddick, to
know whether there should be an Inquest ? Mr.
Chaddick sent the man to the Doctor, to get a line
from his hand.

CORONER.—Who was present when Mr. Chaddick
came ?—Witness--Mr. Chaddick can best tell. I can
believe what Mr. Chaddick says.
CORONER.—Who went for the Doctor?
Witness.—l sent a man. He brought a line, and
I told him to take it to Mr. Chaddick.
CoaoNEß.—When was it that Mr. Chaddick said,
he wished you had not let him know any thing about it?
Witness.—l don't know whether it was when he
brought Mr. Cox to inspect the body, or before.
CORONER.—Was any other part of your family at
Manchester with your son ?—Witness.—No.
CORONER.—Do you know who was with him?
Witness.—Mr. Chaddick perhaps can tell ; he sent
for one man who was with him. Dr. Cox examined
the body on the day it was buried, the 9th of Sep-
tember. No other Surgeon had examined it previ-
ously. The last time I saw the wound before his
death, it seemed to be mending ; it was drawing to
a close, so that he could use his arm a little.
CORONER.—Have any of you, Jury, any questions
to put ?
Juryman.—Have you ever heard John Lees say
how be came by the cut on his clothes or his elbow?
Witness.—No: he said very little.
Juryman.-When you told Mr. Chaddick you
thought there was no occasion for an Inquest, did
you say so because you believed he died of the pain,
at his breast ?
Witness.—No. He had been sometimes irregular
in taking his meat, but I did not think any thiag
particular ailed him.
Mr. HARMER.—Did any medical men come to in-
spect the body with the Jury? Did Mr. Earnshavr
and Mr. Bassent see the.body ?
Witness.—l saw some Gentlemen, but did not
know they were medical men. I saw the Gentlemen
nulling the body over, which distressed me very
much, and I went away. I was very much frightened
and affected. Betty Ireland and James ( laid
out the body. He appeared in good health and spi-
rits before he went to Manchester. I cion't remeM-
ber his casting up any thing before that accident. I
did not see the least appearance of intoxication
iQ
him frcm the 16th of August till he died. He once
filc a litth Ind water, which was pressed upon

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inning. He died on the did not see tiie least appearance of intoxication a"
one in the morning. He him from the 16th of August till he died. He once
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less, and came regularly took a little wine and water, which was pressed upon • t , ,
29th. On that day, he him, as he was told it would do him good. . , i
is arm dressed. He was Betty Ireland was then called.-1 am a married i
Monday, Tuesday, Wed- woman. (She was then sworn.) I knew John Lees, ..
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o sons carried him down the son of 'Robert Lees. I have known him ever since ' , I,
not like to be alone. He he was about fourteen years of age. I did not ice 1
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me down by himself, ex. him -till. he died. I neyer saw such acorpse in all I
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my life. I washed his clothes. One John Leach as-
sisted in taking off the clothes. The right shoulder
was quite black on the top. It warlike a dark pur-
ple—the breadth of your hand or more. The next
part I remarked was the right hip. The skin was off
in two places, as if it had been scabbed. One place
was smaller than the other. I don't know what pro-
duced it. If I must tell the truth, and the whole
truth, there was hardly a free place on his back: it
was exactly as if he had been tied to a halbert and
flogged. I have often seen dead bodies: I never saw
one like this. I think his inside was putrified. I can't
say whether or not all these marks were produced by
violence. His breast and his belly were not disco-
loured more than any other person's. I took the
poultice off his foot, but did not see any thing parti-
cular. The elbow looked very sore; it did not seem
as if it had been mending.
Juryman.—Did it bleed afresh when you saw it?
Witness.—Yes ; as fresh as if it had been just done.
He bled most when he was put into his COffill.
CORONER say there were no marks on his
breast? Witness.—Not that I saw; the marks that
I saw were on the back and sides.
CORONER.—Did the other places bleed?
Witness.—No; they did not.
Mr. HA AM ER.—How soon after the death did you
attend ? Witness. Before the body was cold.
Mr. HARMER.—You have assisted in laying out
many persons after their death ?—Yes.
Mr. HARMER.—Did they die of violence ?—No.
Miglartmea.—And you did not observe such dis-
colourations as these?
Witness.—No ; the discolourarions in this case were .
all upon the back.
Mr. Earnshasv was then called.
The CORONER asked him, whether lie was a regu-
lar surgeon, and admitted at the College?
He said he was a regular surgeon, but not admit-
ted at the College.
The CORONER offered to swear him.
He said, he thought it improper to take an oath.
He was one of the Society of Friends.
The CORON ER said, that in a criminal case he would
not examine him without he took the oath.
Mr. 11.11I:rze said this was a case of great public
lustice, and one in which it behoved this Gentleman
to take the oath. He had known many instances
is! it had been taken to aid the purposes ofjustice.
The CORONER said, that in such cases as the pre-
!•ent, many persons of the same persuasion had taken
the oath.
Mr. Earnshaw, after a pause, said—" I must de-
c:::,e being swum."
The ConoN Lit —Tben you can't afterwards be exa-
mined. You are aware of that?
:%;r. Est rnshaw.—Yes.
Mr. William Basnett was then sworn.—l saw John
f.es the day after his death. I never saw him whilst
1:•••ing. I was solicited by Mr. Harmer to open the
l•otly. I discovered that he was in a state of putre-
faction. There was a cut on the right elbow, about
two inches long and an inch and a half deep. This
was livid, and the mark extended to the shoulder.
The bone was separated ; when I bent the elbow, the
bone protruded. The bone was cut partly in two. I
did not perceive that the place bled: there was no
running. Had I examined it while he was alive I
have no doubt it would have opened in the same
way. I can't say whether the wound was in a heal-
ing state, the appearances after death are so diffe-
rent. The ound was above the joint of the elbow.
I have been in the room during the examination.
There appeared to have been a cut or stab in the left
shoulder. The part was black, and appeared to have
been nearly healed up. The cut was about two inches
long, as I judged by the scar. It did not appear to
me that this could have occasioned any serious in-
jury. His shoulder and back and Hits were much
discoloured ; they appeared to have been bruised.
There was no other mark or cut.
Colioxrn.—lf ycu had not heard of any accident
before his death, what should you think could have
produced this discclouration ?
Witness.—l should think it was produced by vio-
lence, inflicted by some blunt instrument.
Comm sa.—Do you mean to be understood to swear
that the mortification took place in consequence of
the bruises and cuts?
Witness.—l have no hesitation in saying that.
Coeosen.—Could you tell as well by outward in-
spection, as if you had opened• the body, what was
the cause of his death?_
Witness.—l could tell better if I opened it.
CORONER.—If the mortification proceeded from the
bruises, must he not have been in excruciating pain
for some days previous to his death?
Witness.—Undoubtedly.
CORONER—And would not gangrene have ap-
peared round the other wounds?
Witness---I saw none, except round the cut. The
back and loins were more putrified than any other
tart of the body. I did not examine the foot.
CORONER---Could you have traced the same mor-
tification on the day he died as you did afterwards ?
Witness--Perhaps not. In some cases, if it had
been very rapid before he died, it might have ap-
peared, and particularly about the abdomen.
Juryman---Do you believe he died in consequence
of his wounds and bruises?
Witness—l believe that the wounds and bruises
caused the mortification. I only speak from general,
appearances.
CORONER—Might not those appearances have
arisen from some other cause than external injuries?
Witness—l do not think they could.
Mr. lIARMER—A witness has said, that the wound
bled after his death. Can you account for that?
Witness—l have known it when the fluid was in
a state of putrefaction.
Mr. lIARMER—WouId the loss of the eye-sight,
and of the limbs be a necessary consequence of an
injury to the spine ?—They would.
.11r. HA am ER—Are coldness, sickness, loss of ap-
petite, and dejection of spirits, also consequences of
an injury to the spine ?—Ycs.
Mr. HARMER—If the wounds were inflicted three
weeks before the death, must they have been very
considerable?—Yes, they must.
Mr. HARMER—Did the general appearances which
the body exhibited lead you to form an opinion of
the cause of his death ?—Yes.
Mr. HARbIER—Did you believe that they were
caused by injuries?—Yes.
Mr. HlutAtu—You thought, then; that the ap-

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