Widnes Examiner. — 1890-08-16 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EARLESTOWN YOUTH REWARDED FOR GALLANTRY. A pleasant ceremony took place in connection with the annual treat to the scholars of St. John's Schools, on Saturday afternoon. This consisted of the presentation of a vellum testimonial from the Royal Humane Society, to James Smith, of 51, Sankey-street, and a member of the Bible Class taught by the Rev. E. W. Whittenbury-Kaye. In the beginning of July Smith succeeded in rescuing a child from drowning in a pond at Wargrave, and as this was the second occasion upon which he had been successful in saving life, Dr. Mouncey, of Earlestown, brought his commendable conduct before the notice of the Royal Humane Society. The result has been that Smith has received the society's testimonial ; inscribed on vellum. This testimonial was presented to Smith before the assembled scholars on Saturday afternoon. The ,Rev. T. R. Matthews (vicar), presided, and explained the object in meeting together. Dr. Mouncey then stated the circumstances under which the presentation was being made to Smith, and said it was an award for physical courage, which meant risking one's life for the sake of another. The testimonial, was enclosed in a neat roll, and read as follows " Royal Humane Society, Instituted 1774. Patron: Her Majesty the Queen, Vice-Patron H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge K.G., G.C.M.G. ; President, His Grace the Duke of Argyll KG., K.T. At a meeting of the Committee of the Royal Humane Society, held at their office, 4, Trafalgar Square, on the 21st day of July, 1890; present,Sir William Fraser, Bart., in the chair ;it was resolved unanimously that James Smith is justly entitled to the honorary testimonial of this society, inscribed on vellum, which is hereby awarded him for having,on the sth July, 1890, gone to the rescue of Abel Jones, who was in imminent danger of drowning in a pond at Wargrave, Lancashire, and whose life he gallantly saved. Argyll, President ; J. W. Horne, secretary; and William Fraser, chairman." SUMMER SALE now on at J. & W. DUTTON'S Sankey-st., Warrington.—Advt.  THE SUPPOSED CHILD MURDER AT WIDNE S The resumed inquest on the body of the newly born male child which was found in an ashpit, at bile rear of the house occupied by Mrs. Clifton. 56, Waterloo-road, was held at Widnes Police Court, on Tuesday morning. Mr. W. T. Husband, the deputycoroner, conducted the inquiry, and Superintendent Noblett was present on behalf of the police. The evidence as to the finding of the body by Saul Mercer, on the 20th July, was repeated. Annie Quinn, wife of Samuel Quinn, of 60, Waterloo-road, said about 6 o'clock on the morning in question, she found in the yard of her house a boy's cardigan jacket, a coarse piece of wrappering, and an apron. The articles were saturated.—Dr. O'Keeffe said he had mad a postin,...rtem examination ef the body, which was that of a male child, newly born. The weight of the body was seven pounds nine and a half ounces. The weight of the lungs was two and three-quarter ounces; the left lung was six drachms heavier than the right. The skull was broken on the top of the head. He was of opinion the child had been born alive, but it had practically bled to death owing to the umbilical cord not having been tied. There was no trace of placenta. The fracture of the skull might have been caused before death. There was no trace of food. The child was full grown and well developed.—The Deputy-Coroner said he had been told before the inquest that the skull was fractured, and he had supposed they would have to return a verdict of wilful murder against some persons unknown, but after hearing the evidence the only course open was to return an open verdict.—Dr. O'Keeife said he had never made a statement with regard to the post-mortem until that day. Therefore, he was not responsible for the idea the Coroner had got.—The Deputy-Coroner accepted this statement, and the jury returned a verdict that the child had died from loss of blood, owing to inattention at birth.