Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1886-12-25 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THE SUDDEN DEATH AT !LAUGHTON.  As reported in oar last issue a woman named Ann Shaw, 58 years of age, wife of George Shaw, hatter of Haugliton, met wish her death on Tuesday week in a sudden manner, after suffering from a severe cold for about a month past. The circumstances were narrated by or last week. AN INQUEST was held at the An gel Inn, Haughton, on Saturday morning, before Mr. F. W. Price, coroner. Mr. L. Lomax, was elected foreman. George Shaw said t I live at No. 3, Old Square, off Broom Grove Lane, Haughton, and am a batter. The deceased Ann Shaw, was my wife and lived with me. She was 57 years of age. She has been "quite hearty" for a long time, and has not required a doctor for a twelve month when she had a cold. She enjoyed general good health, and suffered from no constitutional weakness. Dr. Griffin attended her, and 1 du not know whether she was affected with her heart at that time About a month ago she complained of a cold again on her chest, similar to what she had before, and she was troubled with a pain under her left breast. She did not think it serious, and her daughter recommended her to go to a doctor, but deceased did not Wink a doctor's assistance was required. She took a stomach pill occasion .11y. During Tuesday she went about her housework apparently "quite hearty" and went out of doors several times. At about six o'clock she went to a neighbour's and returned home about 7-30. She said she felt better than she had done all the day. She sat by the fireside an hour or more, because she felt cold anti chilly. Then she laid down on th,e chairs in front of the fire, her face being turned to the fire. I laid down on the couch. Itly son was in the house, and deceased asked him to put an ulster over her shoulders, which he did I awoke at about 10.30. I got off the sofa. The fire was very low. I spoke to my wife, but she made no answer .nor moved. I raised her foot and it fell again like lead, and then I pulled the ulster from her head and found she was dead I went for my daughter. who was in a neighbour's house, and sent for Or. Griffin. He examined her and then they asked him what he thought about it, and he said he thought she died from disease of the heart Ido not know of any other cause for death. The doctor did not say when become that he knew she suffered from heart disease. She took a "sap" of beer occasionally "the same as women will do."—The Coroner: Not all women—Witness Well no—Witness continuing, said deceased did not take drink to excess. Annie Walker said: lain a married woman, my husband's name is John Walker, and he is a house painter. We live at No. 7, Old Square. I have known Mrs. Shaw for several months, and she has enjoyed pretty good health, but she has informed me that at times she has been troubled with swelMop of the body and legs. She has complained also of a catching pain under the left breast. She did not think it very serious. I last saw her alive on Tuesday at ditmer time. At that time she seemed much as usual, only suffering from cold. Deceased's daughter was in my house at the time Mr. Shaw came for her at about 10-30. He came in and said -.go and look at your mother, she's poorly," after she was gone, lashed Mr. Shaw what was the matter, and he said he was afraid that Mrs. Shaw was "gone." I followed Sarah Shaw and found deceased dead. At the time I thought it might be a fit, and sent for Dr. Griffin. Deceased was lying Oil her left side, her head being lower than her body. The family lived very comfortably together. I believe she died a natural death, whatever the cause might be. The jury expreased themselves satisfied as to the cause of death, and returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."  IlUltDElt AND A'II'EMPTED SUICIDE  IN _LOWER. BROUGHTON:,  About C:alf.-pa-st—ei-iiht o'clock on Wednesday morning Mrs. Elizabeth Crane, wife of a fitter, named Francis Crane„employed at the Broughton Copper Works, murdered her eldest child, Mary ElMs, three years of age, by cutting its throat with a razor. The horrid act war committed while the child was in bed. The mother then attempted to destroy hereelf by witting her own throat, but her condition was discovered by the neighbours, who, having ascertained the dreadful nature of the tragedy which had been committed, sent for the police, and Mrs. Crane was taken into custody by Police-constable Bubonic, who. however, conveyed the woman to the Salford Hospital, where she in now being medically treated. The house surgeon holds out hopes of her recovery. It seems, from inquiries made, that Mrs. Crane has been several times eonfihed in a lunatic asylum, and it is believed the act was committed while the woman was in a condition of temporary insanity. Mr. and Mrs. Crane resided in a cottage, No. 2, Brazil-street, but the child which has been destroyed was the only one residing with its parente at the time. The other two children, both of whom are younger than the deceased, had been placed under the care of friends. Mrs. Crane is about 35 years of age, and a strong, stoutly-built woman. The body or her unfortunate daughter bears several marks of bruises, which seem to indicate either that a struggle took place during the tragic act, or that the child bad Men previously roughly dealt with, accidentally or otherwise. The murder, it transpires, wan first discovered by Mr. Crane, who, on reaching home for his bleak. fast, was admitted by his wile, who was covered with blood. Mrs. Crane only returned home from Freatwich, on Saturday. Farther details will doubtlese be revealed at, the il.quent.