The Potteries Examiner : — 1874-06-27 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

INQUESTS ON TEE ABOVE DEATHS.  An inquest was held at the Sneyd's Arms Hotel.Silverdale, on Friday, touching the death of Wm. Bickerton. 50 years of age, who was employed at Messrs. Stanier and Co's., No. 21, Grove Pit, and on Thursday a quantity of dirt fell npon him, and he was killed almost immediately.—Joseph Knapper, collier, High-street, Silverdale, said the accident happened about three o'clock on Thursday afternoon. He was only about four yards from deceased, who was moving some stone, so that he could commence holing in the drift where he was working. The roof fell in. A three.cornered piece fell, striking Bickerton, and covering him all but his head and shoal. dera He was released in about five minutes, but died before he could be taken out of the pit. The place had been examined that day by deceased himself.—ln reply to Mr. Gilroy, the assistantrinspector of mines, witness said he could not say exactly what size the piece of roof would 'v.—William Barton gave evidence as to the state of the place deceased was working in.—A verdict of accidental death was returned. An inquiry was also held touching the death of George Wright. who AVM employed as a looker-on at Crewe Coal and Iron Companies No. 2 Pit, Leyeett, and whilst enmed trying to lift a balance waggon it was overbalanced. and struck him on the head, causing his death.—George Maydow, foieman, said the balance waggon got off the line. and he was assisting with three others in putting it on, one on each side and two at the end to lift it on. Witness and another had a bar, and were using it as a lever. He asked them all if they were ready, and they made a lift, but Wright being the weakest'it had turned over upon him. It fell upon bis head and injored him very badly. They bad done the game thing before, and bad put it on with two and three before.—Wm. Downing. collier, Alsager's Bank. gave similar evidence—Mrs. Smallwood Raid he died about 3.30 the !tame day, everything having been done that could be done for him.—A verdict of accidental death was returned.  An ionniry was also held touching the death of P.C. Joseph Dyche, who was found hanging dead, as stated above. Deceased was first appointed on the 21st of August, 18$7, and was stationed at Borslem, under Superintendent Longden,before being removed to Silverdate.---Tumertor Geo. Harston, Silverdale, said he Paw him on Wednesday evening Eaten o'clock, at the Policestation. He told him off for duty at Ronttou, etc., where to meet every hour. That was the last he saw of him. He was sober and in his mud good spirits. He knew of no reason why he should destroy himself. He wae properly dresPed when he went out, and properly appointed. On the following morning a few minutes past five, witness wits tailed up, and went to Mrs. Mead's stack-yard, at Knutton, where he saw him lying at the end of a newly-made hay-rick, quite deed. He had his coat collar pertly unhooked, otherwise his clothes were not disarranged. There were no marks upon him only round the neck. The body was, by the direction of Inspector Baker, careful!), examined by Dr. Goodall. He had of late been saving money.—Superantendent Longden gave evidence as to meeting him on Thursday morning a little beforei one. They were together from five to ten mintttea He did not notice anything unusual hit manila or  ecn, vethation.—ln reply to the Coroner : He wouldhave to go off duty at three o'clock. He had not been reprimanding him for anything.—Elisabeth 11,ough, a married woman, living at Knutton, said she knew deceased by sight. She saw him at ten minutes to three musing her door; she having occasion to get up with the baby she looked through the window and saw boo pass.—Jno. Brookehaw, farm labourer, living at Mr. Rhead's, at Knntton, said he got up about 5 o'clock on Thursday morning and went into the yard, be saw the sheet of the hay rick had been moved and he went across to see whet was the matter and found deceased at the far end of the house. Deceased was almost in a sitting position, but his weight was all upon the rope, though his feet were on the ground. It was apiece of tar rope uttachedte the sheet which hung over the top of the ladder. He could not put the noose round his neck without going up the ladder.—James Rhead, farmer, Knutton, said being called up by the servant man on Thursday morning. He went to the stockyard and found deceased banging. His brother lifted him up under the arms' and he cut him down. There was ro marks of any disturbance in the rickyard. He could have made the noose, as he stood upon the ground, but could not have pot it over his head without going op the ladder.—The Rev. 0. W. Steele, incumbent of Knutton, said he was called up by Mr. Rhodes about ten minutes past five on Thursday morning, and saw deceased. The hands and face were somewhat cold, but the body a natural heat, and scarcely thought he could be dead. He endeavoured to give him some brandy, but be could not swallow.— Joseph Dyche, cordwamer, Stafford, father of deceased, said the deceased would be 29 last birthday, lie had been in the police force six years and ten months. His mother saw him on Monday. He knew of nothing which could cause him trouble. There was no lunacy or suicides on either of the parents aides to the best of his knowledge—Ralph Goodall, surgeon, Silverdale, said he saw the body about half-past four on Thursday, at the Police-station, and described its appearance. He did not think it possible for anyone to :save taken him there and hung him.—The jury returned a verdict of "Committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."