The Stockton Examiner, and South Durham and North Yorkshire Herald. — 1879-04-26 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MYSTERY SOLVED AT SOUTH  STOCKTON.  On Monday Mr Jas. Dent, deputy coroner, Middlesbrough, held an inquiry at the Tees Bottle House Inn, South Stockton, touching the death of Thomas Almond, a cashier at the Tees Bottle Works, and who lived in Mandate road. The circumetances giving rise to the deceased's mysterious disappearance will be freah in the recollection of roost people. For some time prior to the 27th of March last he was known to be in • low way, mainly owing, no doubt, to the lose of a young wife to whom he was much attached, and who , left behind several children. He had been steady and attentive to len/liners, and was a member, or a regular attender, at the parish church. On the morning of the date just named he manifested his unsettled etate of mind by leaving the office, and remarking that he could not content himself for five minutes together. Proceeding to Mr Drayton's boat yard at the river side, he conversed with that person and again exhibited his uneasiness ma way that was noticeable. Having hired a boat he rowed up the river, preeumably for recreation. A etrong tide was on at the time, and about three.quarters of a mile from the boat house Jame. Miller, a slag tipper at the Tees Bridge Iron Works, ' enticed Almond rowing apparently under some difficulty. He observed him unbutton his coat, and then attempt to right the boat, which had got 'ids era). on the current. Miller's attention was diverted fore few moments, and on again looking in the direction of the boat he noticed that it woe half full of water, and that one of the oar. was pulled out of its place in the outrigger. Information of these cireuntstances was given to Mr Drayton, and a search woe made for the missing man. The dragging of the river over many hours, however, proved fruitless, and ultimately the labour. of the river men were suspeedeel. The wellgrounded rumour now gained currency that Almond had committed suicide, and the cause for the man having drowned himself was sought in his melancholy state of mind. Meanwhile the deceased's father offered a reward of £5 far the recovery of the body, and the search waa resumed, but with no better result. On Saturday afternoon, however, an end to prevalent surmieee was brought about by the discovery of the missing body. It appears that a fieherman named Robert Laidler, whilet spreading his nets on the Tees bank about two milee beyond Drayton's boat-house, observed a dark object in the water, and on rowing towards the spot found the remains of poor Almond. At the inquest the body was identified as that of the missing man. The Coroner advised the jury that in all probability the deceased WHO by his death accidentally. Having rowed into a part of the stream where the current was strong he attempted to right his boat, and being overpowered fell into the river. A verdict accordingly—of "Accidental death"—was returned.  On Monday evening the mortal remains of Thomas Almond were committed to their last rusting place in the Cemetery at South Stockton. The funeral was numeroualy attended, which testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held by all who knew him. The funeral was timed to leave his father's residen. at 535 p.m., but owing to some delay it did not move until after six. He was a member of the Order of Oddfellows, MU., and was also connected with the lit Durham Rifle Volunteers, being a private in the corps The procession, as it wended its way to the cemetery. waa preceded by the firing party, under the command of Sergt. J. Clarke; they were followed by the band el the volunteers play'nf, the " Dead March" ia Sao/ immediately following was the hearse, accompanied on each side by three riflemen as bearers ; these again were followed by a strong detachment of the non commissinned officers and privates of the let Durham, under the command of Captain Wren, the mourning coaches containing the family and friends of the deceased coming behind, the rear being brought up by a multitude of sympathisers and friends. On reaching the cemetery the burial service 9/34 read in the chapel and at the graveside by the Rev. dl. Roberts, vicar of St. Thornaby. lie spoke in endearing terms of the  departed one, and remarked that he wuti all that could be desired in a Christian and a man. Al the conclusion of the burial service the usual military hmlours were paid, two escortm front deceased's own company &ring three volleys over his grave.  SOUTH STOCKTON LOCAL BIARD, On Tuttle), the annual or first meeting, of the new Local Board for South Stockton, was held. Present : Messrs. M. Robinson (presiding), A. Walker, Ander. son, Cuthbert, Furness, J. Watson, Knights, Wr,ght. son, Simpson, Brecon, Henderson, Tanfield, Armour, and Usher.