The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1904-05-27 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

CRIPPLE'S SAD END.  DROWNED IN THE CANtIL.  An inquest was held at the Royal Hotel, Milnsbridge, before Mr. E. H. Hill, on Monday morning, touching the death of E iward Hellas Spencer (57), a cripple, of 33, Marsden Road, Crosland Moor, whose dead body was taken from the canal near to the turn bridge between Holme Mills and Stanley Mills, Golcar, on Saturday morning last. Mr. Albert Shaw was the chosen foreman of the jury.  Harriet Ann Ilallas Spencer, wife of the de. ceased, who was greatly affected, gave evidence of identification, and said that deceased was a cloth miller by trade, but for the past 18 years had not worked owing to being unable to get work. She last saw him alive at 1015 on Friday eveniug when he was sat by the table. He went out about that time after supper to fetch two penny-worth of tripe, hut never returned. He would go to Longroyd Bridge fur the tripe, and the canal would not be in his way at all. Ile had never threatened to commit suicide, nor had he ever hinted at such a thing. She waited till about ten minutes to eleven, lie could not get over the ground ns fast as they could, and she then went in search of him, but not finding him informed the police. Ile had not been well for some time, and hat a tevera cold at Easter, though he had never been mcdicllly attended. Deceased had been much depressed however since Easter.  The coroner : Have you ever complained about him not being able to get work? Witness: No, I've only been too glad to work for him with the health and strength that God has given to me. Gantinuing, witless said deceased had been born a cripple, and when quite young had his feet cut. He was liable to stumbling, but she had never kn )wn him fall.  Joe Rodgers, it tnley Terrace, Gulcar, woollen spinner, employed at Messrs. B. and J. Whitwam d: Co., Stanley Mills, said he found the body of deceased when he was on the swing bridge on Saturday morning about 3-35. He worked on the night shift, and had just gone out to have a smoke. He saw an object in the water which he thought was a body. He then went for assistance, and the body was got out of the water with a stoking iron and a rope. Deceased was quite dead. Ile then informed the police, who took charge of the body. Bolice•Constable Whincup gave evidence to the effect that he was called by the last witness to the place described, and found the body laid on the bank. He searched the body, and found is. in cash, and a knife. He also found a ht-rok with part of his name on, and a label bearing deceased's full name and address. They had been shown to his brother, who said he thought it was deceased's writing. There was a bruise on the forehead, one on his lip, and one on the left ear. There were people about the place all night, as night work was in progress at a mill on each side of the canal. The coroner remarked that it was evident deceased had not been robbed, and there was no sign of any struggle. It was certainly nut of the way, but he might have gone for a walk and owing to his lameness stumbled into the water.  The jury returned a verdict of " found drowned," but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how deceased got into the water.  A restaurant is a place where people go to see and to be seen. A tea shop is a place where people go and hope they will not be seen. An hotel is a place where people look out for th.: on. expeoted.—Lundvn Opinion.