Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-29
RENEORTH MODEST.

AT the coroner's inquest into the cause of
the death of James Renforth, at st. John, his
friend and associate boatman, Kelley, testified
as follows:
Have known deceased for six years; he was
in good health until last Sunday morning
when he had five-mile walk during our re-
turn Renforth started on run, but stopped
shortly, and when we overlook him he COM
planned of feeling queer inside; we left him.
and a conveyance soon after took him up; we
reached the house some minutes later and
asked what the matter was; he said he felt a
pain inside and had taken little brandy and
water; laid down and soon said he felt better;
since then l heard no complaint whatever; l
roomed with the deceased, and yesterday we
rose at half-past four A. NJ. when we reach
ed the bank Renforth was never in better
spirits we got into the boat and proceeded to
the starting point the t.Johncrew had got into
their boat deceased said we need not start from
the boat, but from the buoy, to which 4 ulton
agreed we were then all ready and went off
on the first quarter, we were leading some
during that distance, said to Renforth, ''1t's
all over now," meaning we had the race in
our hands we were not going then at any race
pace, and saw that the st. John crew were
gradually gaining on us; then called to
Renforth for a dozen-meaning put it on a
little quick-but there was no response at all ;
we moved another quarter of mile, when
Renforth looked over his shoulder and said,
Harry, Harry, I've had something" l said,
whats the matter!" He then bent forward
| said, ''sit up, jim, and he Strengthened up
and fell back in my arms; then said to Per-
cy and Chambers, Grow ashore as quickly as
you can," they did SO and Percy got Off the
boat and jumped into the water, and with the
assistance of others on shore put him in a
carriage and drove to the Clarmont House /;
myself and Chambers then rowed the boat to
the starting point and went to the Clarmont
House, and to Renforth's room; he did not
stand at all after entering the boat; | asked
him how he was and he said, '.Oh, Harry y
replied, You'll be better presently" Some
one remarked that it was probably fit. He
answered, Its no fit; I'll tell you all about
it. lie made some short disJointed exciama-
tons, and seemed to know he was going, for
he said his breath was leaving him. From
the remarks which l have testified to l
thought there was something wrong, that
he had been tempered with. For that
reason / asked to have a post-mortem exam
nation. | do not now know enough to ex-
press my opinion; should prefer to hear the
result OF the post-mortem examination. We
were not ovcr-exerting ourselves in the least
at the time of the accident; after the first two
or three strokes there was no life, no spirit
in Renforth's stroke; had no impress
ion of foul play, except from Renforth's re-
marks; never saw him in a fit; when he fell
over he looked very pale and white he ap-
peared very faint and rolled up his eyes but
said nothing. He appeared all right when he
entered the boat. If crew is ahead at the
end of the first mile it is good criterion of
its position at the end of the race.