Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1881-10-15 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE INQUEST.  An inquest on the hod; wise held on Tumidity morning at the Chapel House Inn, before Mr. F. Price, district coroner, when the following evidence was tendered : Esther Bennett said: The deceased was my husband with whom I resided at 142, Chapel Green, Stockeort.road, Denton. I lived with him up to Monday tbe 26th ult. He was a toaster blacksmith, and his smithy was in Stockport road. Ha was 30 years ol lad July, , He had been very sober of late for about four mouths, although previous to that, he took drink to excess. I don't think he took so much as to injure his constitution. For about six weeks previoux to his death, he complained of violent pains is his head and between his shoulders. He also had great difficulty in breathing at times, for which I gave him camomile and linseed tea He was very close-minded at the best of tiu3es, and as far as I know, he had not anything On his mind to trouble him or to cause him to take the steps he has done. On Monday the 20th of September he got up about 5 30 am. I remarked to him that it was au unusual hour for him to rise and that be could never see to work in that dark place, (meaning the smithy) In reply he said " Well I will get up," and he left the room shortly after. When he was ready to go out he came to the bottom of the stairs and said to me " Do you hear, I am going and you will sot see we again yet," I did not know what he meant to do, bet I got up and opened the bedroom window, but I could not one him anywhere. He mud have gone round the corner of the house and down Town Lane I never saw him alive after that. I had no light in the room became] it was almost daylight, lie was in the habit of carrying money about him, but between two aud three pounds I think would be as much as he would have. My father was at our house no the Sunday night previous, and my husband told ray father that he had a lot of horses coming in the morning to get shod. Ile aloe told me it was Cheadle Wakes on the Monday and that I was to get ready and go with him. My husband generally lit the smithy fire on the Mouday morning's but when he did not, ray son went. On the morning in question however, a man my husband employed came for the key. About ten o'clock that morning I heard he had not been near the smithy, and I sent my son in eearch of him down Town Lane but he came bask and said he could not aea or hear of him anywhere. I also sent to Denton station and could not hear anything of him. He was brougat home dead on Saturday afternoon last. If he has committed suicide by throwing hiinself iii the pit, I , cannot tell what line led him to take such a: course. We had no disagreement whatever. George W. Cooke the next witness said : I am 16 years old and live with my mother at 181 Town Lane, Denton. I work as a farm labourer at Hyde Hall Farm, Mr. Lomas is the occupier, and Mr. lienstock the landlord of the farm. I knew the deceased very well. On Monday morning the ' 26th of September about 6.5 I saw him going down Town Lane passing our house. I was on my 'way to work at the time and I said to the deceased " You are having a walk in good time this morn. log, Tom'" and he said "Yes." I also flaked him if he was not going to work, and he said "No I am going to let my man do it all to-day, it is the wakes." I said "gems will be there in good time then" and he also said "Yes' to that question. He then turned out of the lane along a path that led past the pit ahere be was found. The field belongs to Hyde Hall Farm. I lord sight of him after that, and never saw him alive after. Thera is an edge and railings round the pit on all sides, end be most have thrown himself in for he %told not have fallen in. lie did not seem to be any. ways wrong in his mind when I spoke to him. By a Juryman : The foothpath through the delis goes straight by the pit, at the lead the edge is not more than a yard from it. James Bradbury said lam 17 years old, and live with my parents at 153, rown Lane, Denton. tame dyer. On Saturday e.ternoon last about five minutes to five, 1 and two others were coming by the pit on our way home, from Woodley. We were coming along tee footpath that leads through the fields. Oa passing the pit Issue something like a body in the miadle of the water. I , thought it was a dog at first, and I went to my employer, William Stanton, and he and William Bull went hank to with me to the pit. As we knew Yhomas Bennett was missing, William Ball threw a grapple, sad the object I had seen in this water turned out to be Thomas Bennett. Police l'forind "andhatlCieurge searchedtChoeudstaeLle deceased roenmnbeer de in was 62 93. 11d., in money in his pockets. The jury on the recommendation of the coroner, returned an open verdict of "Found drowned"