The Northern News. — 1898-11-26 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE INQUEST.  The inquest on the body was held on Wednesday, at the Railway Hotel, before J. It. I), Lynn, Esq., coroner for South Northumberland, and a jury of which Mr J. Blackburn, The Gap, was foreman. Edwin Graham, farmer, Gappshields, identiflecl the body as that of his brother, William Graham, 53 years of age, residing at Stanley Crescent, Gilsland. He last saw deceased on the previous Friday. when he looked healthy and well. He had never F • n anything wrong with him mentally. Annie Grahtm, deceased's daughter - I her father left the house about three o'clock on i )(Way afternoon. He did not say where he ruts going. but lie appeared to be all right. There had been nothing wrong with his mind. He did not return and she caused search to be made at night. He was brought home dead about 10-20 on Tuesday morning. He had no particular business at the place where was found, but he sometimes took a walk in that direction.  James Gregg, postmaster, Gilliland, stated he found the body of deceased at ten o'clock on Tuesday morning in the Poltross Burn, near the railway arch. The Burn was the dividing line between the two counties. He was lying on his back in the centre of the burn, the water flowing over his face. The water was about eighteen inches deep. His clothes were all in order. There was a plank attached to the arch to pass along without protection on either aide, and there were marks on it as if some one had slipped, From the plank to the water would be about eight feet. In order to get through the arch it was necessary to go along the plank. He could not say whether it was a public footpath. He had used it The 'Throp farm could be reached that way. The deaeased was conveyed home. He was there when he was stripped, and he then saw a wound on his head. The doctor looked at the deceased when laid on the grass, but he was going away and did not examine him. The wound was on the top of the head, on the left side. There were large rough stones in the bed of the burn where the deceased fell. He was of opinion that deceased had fallen from the plank on the stones and rolled into the water. There was also a wound on the left side, such as might have been caused by a fall on a stone. He was of opinion it was a dangerous track.—The Coroner: Whose property is it?— Witness: The Railway Company's, I presume.— Mr Graham: 'They keep it in repair.—The Coroner: Have you any Urban or District Council?—Witness: There is a Parish Council for Thirlwall Parish and a Rural District Council for Haltwhistle —The Coroner: It is a matter they should attend to.—The Foreman said he had seen the place that morning, the plank was green and very dangerous. P.C. Totter, Greenhead, said he examined the body of deceased, which was then at home Ile found in the pockets a pocket book containing a cheque for £l3, and a purse containing .£4 lOs in go'd and a £5 note, a gold watch rind chain, with some small articles and two letters. The watch was run down, and was stopped at seven. The water had not penetrated the works. The letters were addressed to the deceased, there was no writing of his own. There was a deep wound about an inch long above the left haunch. It was cut through the clothing, and might have been caused by falling on a sharp stone. There was also a scalp wound on the left side of the head, and the skull appeared to be fractured. giving way to pressure. The mouth was closed. He afterwards viewed the plank and quite agreed with what the previous witness (Gregg) said as to the way the fall had occurred and the cause of death. He had no suspicion of foul play. He could say nothing about the path except what he was told by the Railway Company, that nn one had a right to use it except the tenant of Thlrlwhl Mill who could go to turn the water on and off.—The Coroner said he would see the place, tin,' tie would be quite willing to make a presentment, if desired, to the Riilway Company or the District Council 'Their irn:nediate duty, however, was to find the cause of death The deceased left home in his usual he slth, he was quite right in his mind, he was in the habit of going in this direction, so there was nothing to suggest suicide. There was no suspi-ion of foul play. The natural explanation seemed to be that he had slipped and fallen on the stones as suggested. As to whether death was due to drowning or the injuries it would be impossible to decide. The jury immediately found that deceased was found dead in the Poltroas Burn, having accidently fallen from the footbridge under the railway arch, and that his skull was fractured. With regard to protecting the bridge, the foreman thought some protection should be put up, if only for Mom whose right to use the path was admitted by the Railway. Company. He did not think it was public in any other sense than that it had been used by the public for a long time. There were no stiles, and its only use was as a short cut to a farm house.  The Coroner said he would write to the Railway Company. lie had always found the North-Eastern  most willing to attend to any representation he mtde. Not being a public path might make a difference. Mr Gregg thought it would be a pity if the path was closed to the public. In his opinion it would be I.etter to let the Pariah Council enquire into the 'natter. and if tha path was not public, take no further action.  THIRLWALL PARISH Conn°ta.—A meeting of this Council was held on Thursday, the 17th, the member* present being Masers Wright (Chairman), Robert Graham, G. Graham, and F. S.tiith. with the Clerk (Mr M. Wilkinson).—lt was reported that toe lopping of the tree near Poltrose Bridge had been attended to.—The Clerk read • letter from the postal authorities, stating that the requost of the Council for more frequent delivery should liars attention.—lt was agreed to ask the North Eastern Railway Company to provide urinal accommodation for passengers from the ea4t, and to call the attention of the County Su:rzeyor to some culverts at New Craig, and near Parmley.