Penistone, Stocksbridge, Hoyland & Chapeltown Express, etc. — 1899-11-10 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

THE TINGLE BRIDGE DROWNING CASE.  WHAT THE INQUEST REVEALED.  NO SUSPICION OF SUICIDE.  THE BODY SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN IN A  LOCK FOR ELEVEN DAYS.  VERDICT OF FOUND DROWNED.  A RAN WHO COULD THRASH THE BOBBY,  'The inquest touching the death of Tames Porter, M middle-aged man, recently resident at Concrete, whose body was found in the South Yorkahire Canal, at Tingle Bridge, on the 31st ult., nu conducted by the District Coroner (Mr. D. Wightmari). There wu also present Inspector Burkitt, as representing the police. Mr. Wm. Parker held the °Mee of foreman. —William Potter. pony driver, of 97, Concrete, stated that he had known deceased for about nine years. lit was about <1 years of age, and unmarried.  Coroner: Where was be a native of P—Well. I don't know where by was born, but he has lived at Concrete for shout nine years  What aa he?—A bye-worker at the South Kirby Colliery. Up to a fortnight ago he lodged it Hera& worth.  • When did you last see him alive?—About a fortnight since, at Concrete. The nearest way he could get there then would he by the oanal?—Yes; be would go on the canal side. Wm. Middleton Miner, of 38, Foundry street, Eleeear, deposed that on the 20th of October lain he , left the Castle Inn, somewhere between 5 and 5-30 p.m. The Coroner, Was he sober P—No, be was under the influence of drink. Had there been any quarrel, or anything of that nattue?—Well, we were discussing rather heartily the question of the Boers, and were opposing each other. Well, did you get to fighting—No, air; although told him 1 mold thrash him as well as the Boers. (UMW**  • aro. nei : Well, did you tryP—No, air; I left 'him alone. When you parted did he say anything about going ' home ?—No. Had be been working that sy—No; at least I don't think no; he was too clean to have been working You Lave no mason to think that there has been any foul pv!)--Notie whatever, sir. Inspector hurkitt: What sort of • night was it ? A very foggy one. sir. I went along the canal bank myself on the Rune evening, and lost my way. Coroner Even if he had been perfectly sober it was not the proper thing to go on the canal bank during the fog ?—Hardly, Joseph Bower, lock-keeper, at Tingle Bridge, was then called. _  Coroner Did you know this man (deceased) No, air.  When did you first hear of him being in the water? —On Tuesday, the 31st October, about a quarter past two in the afternoon. Did you find the body?—No; my attention was called to it by' boatman.  Where wax the body P—ln the lock. Did you get it out. —Yes. How could it have got in the lock—Welt, I cennot fairly say. becauve on that night the lock was empty. Well, how could the body stop in there for eleven daya?—l cannot say, but my opinion is that it was in there all the time. Did you ,ee hint marched '—Yes•  In reply to further questions witness mud the deeraked we fully dremer). Inapeetor Burkitt Did you think that he fell into the lock?—Yea, I_do.  Tbe Foreman: Has anybody found his cap yet ?—I think not.  The Landlord of the Elephant and Castle was then instructed to give evidence. lie informed the jury that he did not know Porter. and had never men him before the 20th ult., when he left hi house about half-past eve... .  CorrOU-er7jilid be go home aloneP—He reel out by the back d.0.0r. _  Had YOU told him that. it was about time be was off ?—No, sir: he only mid "Good afternoon." Was be a:Mil—Perfectly sober when he left this place. .  . The Coroner, in his closing rentarlm There seems to be no suspicion of the man having committed suicide. No doubt die foggy night and the dangerous way in which he went home—namely, by the canal side—would have something to Ilto with his death. After the usual conversation the jury returned a vetdiet of 'Found drowned: having in all probebility fallen info the canal during a foggy night."—There being no trace of relatives of the deceased, the interment was left in the bands of the Pow Law Officials.