The Northern Guardian. — 1895-08-10 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE MYSTERIOUS DROWNING  CASE.  Yesterday afternoon Mr Coroner Settle held an inquest at the West Hartlepool Police Court, into the circumstances attending the death of Amelia Johnson, whose body was found in the Coal Dock, West Hartlepool, on Thursday morning, as already reported in the Guardaan. Inspector Greenwood watched the proceedings on behalf of the N.E.R. Company. _ _  - . The first witness called was Mrs Johnson, of 14, Bentley Street, West Bartlepool, mother of deceased, who identified the dead body as that of her daughter. The deceased was 25 years of age and was a single woman. She was healthy and strong in mind and body. Witness never thought she would have committed suicide. Sometimes the deceased looked depressed, and did not talk as much as usual. The deceased had been in service at Airs Craig's, in York Street, since February last. The Coroner: Did the deceased leave anything in writing to account for her death? Witness: No, Sir. The Coroner: Supposing she has committed suicide, had she any reason for doing so? Witness : No Sir.  The Coroner Had she a sweetheart? Witness: Not to my knowledge. The Coroner: Had she any trouble that you know of?  Witness: No, sir.  Witness, who appeared very much affected, continuing, sail she last saw her daughter alive on Wednesday evening, at her house. She then appeared all right, and had supper with witness. Eliza Johnson, sister of the deceased, said she saw the deceased alive at a quarter to 10 on Wednesday night. Deceased had to go about a quarter of a mile to her situation. She had not to go in the direction of the coal dock. Witness had no fear when deceased said "Good night " and witness said the same. The deceased was quite alone when witness went home, her mother being at her brother's house. The deceased never tel them why she was depressed. During the last six months the deceased had been very quiet, and would not join in any conversation. The Coroner: Have you any fear or cause to think anyone has done any injury to the deceased? Witness: No, Sir._  -MODI  Inspector Tillar : Do you suspect foul play at all? Witness: No Sir.  • Mary Simpson was the next witness called, and said she had been housekeeper for Mrs Craig during her absence from home. Mrs Craig had been from home five weeks. The deceased was general servant. Witness last saw her alive shortly after six, and she was then getting ready to go out. She never said where she was going, and appeared to be then very quiet. Deceased was very reserved, and always appeared to be studying. Witness once asked her if she had a young man, but deceased never answered her.  The Coroner: We know nothing about any young man, and we must now give that up. Thomas Needham, shipwright, said he found the dead body of deceased in the coal dock at a quarter to five on Thursday morning. He first saw her clothing floating in the water. It was some 30 yards from the jetty. He got assistance and brought the body ashore. Witness and a police officer removed the body from the water. There were no marks of violence on the body. 'Witness found no clothing about the docks except a woman's hat, which was hanging upon the railings at the side of the dock. The deceased when found had no hat on at all.  Dr. G. F. E. Morgan said he had examined the body externally at the request of the Coroner, and found no marks of injury or violence upon it. In his opinion death was due to suffocation by drowning. The Coroner then summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned."