The Tamworth Examiner and Working Men's Journal. — 1874-11-28 (Tamworth, Staffordshire, England)

THE INQUEST. On Tuesday an inquest before Mr. Bret, deputy coroner, as to the death of Mary Davis, a tramp, was held at the Dog and Partridge, Canal-street. Mr. Langden was the foreman. Considerable interest was manifested by a crowd of people assembled in the streets, it having been stated in a local contemporary that the woman had been murdered. The body was identified by Ellen McCann. Police-sergeant Emanuel Hall deposed that about one o'clock on Monday he received information that a sudden death had occurred in Canal-street. He at orme went to a lodging-house in 15 Court, kept by Ellen McCann. He found the deceased and her paramour. Could not say whether he ever saw her before. He went upstairs, and op the first landing from the ground floor he saw deceased lying on her back, apparently dead, but on moving her thought she was alive. He sent for a cab, thinking to send her to the hospital. He also sent for Dr. Love, but deceased died shortly after. The prisoner, Joseph Swan, ter paramour, was leaning over her, and seemed confused, being under the influence of drink. Witness found that the top part of deceased's dress was saturated with blood, and blood was "spattered" about where she lay. He perceived that she had received an injury on the left ear, which appeared to be cut through. The wound was a little "jagged." Near to where she lay there was a room door, and he noticed blood on the edge of the doorpost. Dr. Love arrived and examined the body, which was ultimately removed into another room, where he examined the wounds. When he came downstairs Swan was by the fire. Did not know how the accident happened. Robert McCann, a boy of thirteen years of age, said he lived with his father and mother in Canal-street, at a lodging-house in 15 Court. Deceased had lived with Joseph Swan at their house for about a fortnight, as man and wife. On Monday morning Swan was taking deceased upstairs, and both of them were drunk. Swan got her on the first landing and left her there. Witness was sitting in the kitchen by the fire. Swan came downstairs and sent him for a pint of ale. There was no one else in the kitchen. He fetched the ale, and when he returned five minutes afterwards, found Swan still sitting where he left him. Swan told witness, and a little lad named Billy came and helped her up to the top landing, and he would give them id. each. He and the other lad went upstairs and found her lying with her back to the door, and her legs upright in a sitting posture. They tried to get her on her legs, and she fell down again. Swan then came and helped witness to get deceased upstairs the other boy having gone downstairs. Swan took hold of her under her arms and took her to the top of the stairs himself. Swan afterwards told witness, who was then behind, to go in front and take hold of her hands while he came behind to push her up. Witness left her with her hands outstretched, and her chin on the landing, and her feet on the stairs, and Swan then tried to pull her up further higher, and fell down by the side of the bed. He after. wards got up and struck her on the top of the head, and the woman did not speak—she did not stirand they went downstairs leavieg the woman there. Did not notice any blood nor hear her speak. About five minutes after he heard a noise, and going up to the first landing, he shouted to Swan, who was sitting in the kitchen, "She's tumbled down." He saw her with her head resting by the wall near to the staircase, and her legs stretched out. Swan went upstairs, and afterwards came down and said to him, "She is all right." During the whole time this happened her mother was out, but coming in, noticed the plaster on the floor that fell. In reply, wit. ness said the plastering had fallen when deceased fell, and Swan said he had left her in bed. His mother called to Swan from upstairs and the latter said to a man who was passing up the court, "Oh, dear! my poor wife's dead. Bring in the police." Swan Wai then on the door-step. The police afterwards came, and deceased was removed into another room. When witness saw the woman, after hearing a noise, he could not say whether she was alive. The inquiry was then adjourned until Thursday morning at three o'clock, in order that a poot-nwrteon examination might be made by Dr. Love.  A Coi.trany ON