The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-20 00:00:00

INQUESTS.

Before P. F. CURRY, ESQ., CORONER.
DEATH FROM STARVATION.—Yesterday an inquest was
held on view of the body of George Clarke, who died in the
bridewell on the morning of Wednesday. Richard Poole, a
police-officer, said he was on duty at the Exchange on Tues-
day afternoon about five o'clock, when he saw a man lying
on the flags in the
piazzas. He went to him and roused him
up, but was some time before he could get him to speak. The
man recovered a little, and was asked where he lived, and he
said something, but in an inarticulate and very low tone.
Another 'man came to the assistance of the witness, and the
deceased was raised up. He was able to stand, but could
not walk. He was then carried to bridewell, and booked for
safety and being drunk. He then gave his name as George
Clarke. Robert Jones, a seaman, stated he was in bridewell
at the time, for being drunk. He found the deceased lying
on the floor before the fire. He appeared to be dying, and
witness knocked for one of the officers, who came imme-

' diately. ,A surgeon was sent for, and every attentiot was
paid to the deceased. He was able to speak at times, and
was perfectly sensible. He did not appear to get any better,
and died between five and six o'clock the following morning.
Thomas Henom assistant bridewell-keeper, stated that his
attention was called by the last witness to deceased, whom he
found as described. Witness at first thought he was drunk,
but afterwards found he was not; and as he appeared very
unwell, he called Mr. Parkinson, the keeper, to him. He
(Mr. P.) asked him how he felt, and he said, rather poorly.
A messenger was sent to the Dispensary for a surgeon.
Mr. Deane came immediately, and ordered the deceased to
be supplied with gruel and wine every hour, which was done.
He visited him again at half-past nine o'clock, and also at a
quarter before one in the morning. The officers on duty
visited the deceased every quarter of an hour, until half-past
five in the morning, when he expired. Mr. Samuel Deane,
surgeon, said he had made a post mortem examination of the
body, and was of opinion that the cause of death was a
serious congestion of the brain, produced by want and priva-
tion.—There was no appearance of the deceased having been
in liquor. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that " the
deceased died from want of the common necessaries of life."—
The coroner remarked that it was a lamentable fact that
within the last few weeks, inquests had been held on three
individuals who had perished from actual starvation.
DEATH FROM APOPLEXY.—Same day, an inquest was
held on view of the body of Michael M`Derluott. The de-
ceased lodged at the house of Mary Ann Buyland, in Skel-
horne-street, and was 67 years old. That person said that
on Tuesday evening last, a little after eight o'clock, the de-
ceased and she and several of the neighbours went to Ward's
public-house in Williamson-square, and returned home at a
quarter past eleven o'clock. The deceased was then quite
well, and in very good spirits. While they were out the
deceased had two glasses of whiskey only. Soon after they
had got home, the deceased bad for supper some cold meat
and potatoes. He took some copper out of his pocket to.
send for some ale, and just as he did so witness observed a
change in him, and he appeared to be sick. He did not
throw up, was unable to speak, and in about ten minutes he
died. A surgeon was sent for, but the deceased was quite
dead when he came. He was sober.—Mr. Colquhoun Jef-
frey, surgeon, stated that he had made a post mortem exa-
mination of the body, and was of opinion that the deceased
had died in a fit of apoplexy.—Verdict accordingly.