The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1897-03-05 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

INQUEST AT THE TOWN HALL.  On Friday morning last an inquest was held at the Town Hall, Slaithwaite, before the District Coroner, Mr. Win. Barstow, of Halifax, touching the death of Jarvis Winterbottom, 23 years of age, whose home was at No. 13, Mark Street, off Chancery Street, Chatterton, Oldham, and who was found drowned in the canal ou Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Thomas Whiteman was the foreman of the jury. Mr. T. Varley, manager, was present to represent the Spinning Company. Betty Winterbottom, living at Mark Street, off Chancery Street, Oldham, mother of the deceased, identified the body as that of her son, Jarvis Winterbottom, who was 23 years of age, and was a cotton piecer. She last saw him alive in September last at Oldham. He was unmarried and came to work at the cotton mills in Slaithwaite. He was then in good health. In answer to the Sergeant witness said that none of her family had ever committed suicide; neither had the deceased committed suicide.—The Coroner: That has yet to be proved. John Gibson, a boatman, living at Huddersfield, said that between half past four and five o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, in company with John Edward Brierley, he was going up the canal with a boat. When they came to No. 29 lock they found that the gates would not close, and they examined the lock and discovered the body fast between the bottom gates. They got the body out of the water, and after giving information to the police they proceeded forward with their boat to Manchester. Henry Turner, a cotton spinner, employed at No. 3 mill of the Spinning Company, and living at Helliwell's Buildings, Crimble, said that the deceased had worked as his piecer since the second week in September. He last saw him alive when he left his work at 5-30 on the 17th ult. He then appeared in his usual condition which was naturally quiet. The deceased had lodged with him for considerable time past. He had been made comfortable and they had had no words When they found that the deceased had not returned home they made inquiries. He had appeared much quieter since he had given up taking his beer. Witness believed that the deceased had not committed suicide. He based his belief upon the fact that the deceased was seen going to the railway station the same night in company with another man.—The Coroner: Had any threat been held out to him or had he been in any way intimidated 7—Witness: Nothing more than what had been generally given._ .  James henry Dyson, 17 years of age, maid that he was acquainted with the deceased. He last saw him alive going into the station shortly after half past five o'clock on the 17th ult. The deceased was in company with another man whom he did not know. The stranger was a young man dressed in a blue suit. The two were in conversation and apparently on friendly terms. The Coroner: Do you think we ought to adjourn the inquest ?—The Sergeant: He might have gone by train to Marsden and then walked back along the canal aide. I don't remember what sort of a night it was. If it was as windy as last night he might possibly have been blown into the canal. Samuel Johnson, living at Crimble and a cotton spinner, said that he had known the deceased for a long time and had been much in his company. A few weeks ago the deceased remarked to him, " Johnson, do you wish you were dead." Witness replied, " No, what a question to ask." He had never heard him say anything of the kind before that. The deceased came to witness's lodgings on the 16th ult., and witness remarked to him about his being so quiet. He asked what was the matter with him, and deceased simply turned his head and made no reply. P.C. Murray stated that on Tuesday he received information that a body had been taken out of the canal. He had it removed to the cemetery. Upon examination of the body a out was found upon his head about one inch and a half long, which he believed was caused after death. There was also a blackness on the body which might have been caused by the lock gates closing upon him. Upon I searching his clothing he found a pocket knife and a tobacco box. He did not find any money upon I him.  The Coroner said that the only thing they could do was to return an open verdict that the deceased was found drowned in the canal, with a cut on his head probably caused after death, and with no evidence to shew how be came by his death. If any further information was discovered, the Sergeant could bring the cage up again.