Bridlington and Quay Gazette. — 1888-05-12 (Bridlington, Humberside, England)

INQUEST. On Monday evening an inquest was held at the Sea Birds' Inn, before Mr. J. H. Trigg, deputy coroner. William Bricinnell Headley was the first witness ogled, and in answer to the interrogations of the coroner said :—I have seen the body, and from the clothing identify it to be the body of James Pattison Gracie, telegraph clerk, Birmingham. I knew the deceased for five or six years intimately. He came to stay with me on Saturday the 24th of March. It was his second visit this year. He was on sick-leave, having suffered from overwork. He complained of this. He had been to see Dr. Nelson for a certificate. He was rather depressed in spirits. He took long walks by himself. I last saw him ahve on Wednesday, 28th March, between three or four o'clock. He went from the house and I saw him as he passed the shop door. He said he wive going down to have a look at the sea. There was nothing in his conduct to suppose he was likely to commit suicide—nothing in the least.—At this point the articles that had been found upon the body were handed to witness to identify. These were: a silver watch and chain, diamond breast pin, a gold garter ring, cigar CAM, two pencil cases, Government pencils, pen.knife, and a pocket book, also a number of papers on business transactions between the deceased and tradesmen. Witness identified the greater portion of the articles. When the body was viewed by the jury this witness pointed out certain peculiarities in the trousers, and when the coroner asked if he could identify his teeth witness said he had observed the greater number were false and this accounted for the absenoe of nearly all the teeth with the exception of the back ones. By the Foaexxs of the Jury: Has the deceased any parents living? Witness: No, but he has a brother in Scotland. I have let him know. The jury seemed fully satisfied with the evidence of the witness and no questions were asked relative to any particular matter in connection with the correspondence. George Leng, seer-, saidt I am a fisherman ; I went to sea about two o'clock on Monday morning and found the body about a mile off south landing. When we first saw it I shouted to another noble "here's a man here on the top, come and help us." We tied a rope to him and towed him ashore. I gave information to the polies and was present when they searched the body. George Leng, junr., son of the former witness, corroborated his father's evidence. P.C. B ckett said: On receiving information I at once got the body removed to the Sea Birds' Inn. I searched the body and found the articles named, also money to the value of 85. 50., here produced. Dr. hewn : I saw the deceased on the Tuesday afternoon at Bridlington Quay, that was on the 27th March last. He came to me for a certificate for ill health. I examined him and found he was suffering from neuralgia and nervous exhaustion and I gave him a certificate that he was unable to perform his daily duties. I had known him  for four years. ' CORONER: Was there anything in his condition to lead you to think that he might commit aniaide ?  Witness: No. CO1102401: Did you give him a prescription? Wilson: Yes : (but turning to Mr. Headley, Mr. Headley shook his head and said "No.') Witness resuming: I am not certain whether I did give one. The COIION6R in summing up the evidence, said the jury had not a difficult matter to decide. One of the witnesses had identified the clothes and articles, and apart from that the papers found on deceased were almost sufficient to enable them to give the only verdict that could be given under the circumstances and the evidence produced. He would, therefore, direct them to give as their verdict that this man was found dead in the sea off Flamborough Head, but there was no evidence to show how, or by whit means he got into the water. The verdict was accordingly given. The Coroner a id he would remark that now the law stood that if a man found a person at sea or on the rocks, he would receive 55.; but it was the overseer's duty to see that the body was conveyed to a place to await the inquest, and they would have to pay reasonable charges to the party who took the body in • conveyance. After the inquest a coffin was prepared for the remains by Mr. Wand, and on Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock the body was interred in St. Oswald's burial ground. The remains were followed to the grave by deceased's brother, Dr. Nelson, and Mr. W. B. Headley.