Brighouse Gazette and Local Railway Guide. — 1894-12-01 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

RASTRIOK DYER WALKS INTO THE RIVER. INQUEST AT THE WOODLAND HOTEL,  On Monday evening last a sad drowning fatality occurred at Anchor Pit, Rastrick, A dyer employed at Messrs. Grandage's, named Henry Allen, forty years of age, who resided in lodgings with Robert Batson Cook, Bradley Wood, was a little the worse for liquor, and was proceeding along Anchor Pitroad on his way home ahout a quarter to eight, and when near the rolling mill corner waq seen by Albert John Leader to walk into the river. Leader got the assistance of James Cooper, look-keeper, and the lifeless boll, was got out and removed to the Woodland Hotel.  THE INQUEST Was held at the Woodland Hotel, Birds Boyd, on Thursday morning, before Mr, W. Barstow (district coroner). The following comprised the jury MeSSrA U. Thornton (foreman), J. Sutcliffe, G. W. Mallinson, B. Schofieli, J. Wray, B Booth, J. I)3W. son, F. Wad lington, J. Taylor, G. Sunders and J. Broomhead. P.S. Marshall and P.C. I/Ay were also present. The jury viewed the body. and were afcerwards sworn. The first witness examined was RICHARD ALLEN, contractor, of Widnes, brother of the deceased, who had seen the body and identi• fled it. He last saw his brother alive six years ago : he had been brought up a dyer. His father saw him two years ago. He was married, but his wife was in America. .  ROBERT BATSON COOK, who resides in Bradley Wood, said Allen worked at Messrs. Grandage's Dyeworks, and lodged with witness. He last saw him alive on Monday morning, between six and seven o'clock, when he left the house to go to his work. From the previous Friday he had been having beer, and seemed nervous when he carne home on the Sunday evening. Ell did not come home on Saturday night. He had seen him iu that state after having drink many times, but he had no reason to think he bad committed suicide. Deceased's brother stated that he had been told that when deceased was in drink he was afraid to go past the place, and gave people money to take him. In reply, Cook said that Allen h 4,1 sal I that he was not afraid to pass the place, as he could see i he water. A Juror informed the Coroner that when in drink Ailen had said that he was afraid to pass the _Place.  GEORGE STOTT, fifteen years of age, of Birds Boyd, said that on Monday last, at 7-40 p.m, he saw Allen, whom he knew quite well. Witness was going along Anchor Pit-road and overtook Allen, and walked a short distance with him. They conversed together, and Attan said several times, ' When shall I get home? I have a long way to go.' He was a little the worse for drink, but was quite cheerful. ALBERT JoHN LEADER, market gardener, stated that he resided at Bradley Park Gardens. On Monday evening last, about 7-45, he was on his way to Brighouse along Anchor Pit-road when he saw Allen come off the footpath by the rolling mill corner. and instead of turning to the right he walked straight into the river. He did not recognise the man, although he knew him quite well. He shouted out to Allen, but he was gone. Witness would be fifteen paces away. The place would be Bft. perpendicular and there would be shout Ida. of water. lie raised an alarm and fetched the lock-keeper, and the body was got out. He considered it a very dangerous place both by day and night. JAMES COOPER, loak-keeper, Kirklses Flood Gates, said he was fetched by the last witness to the place where Allen had fallen in, and he assis ad to get the body out. It would be 16ft. deep in water where oral:leased fell in, and the water was clearer than usual. MARY TILLOTSON, of Calder-street, said she assisted to lay out deceased's body, and with the exception of a bruise on the forehead, there were no marks of violence or injury. This was all the evidence tendered, and a verdict of 'Accidentally drowned, through missing his way in the dark,' was returned.  fflarriages and geaths.  DIAR itIAGE S.