Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Evening Herald, and Western Daily Mercury

[printed in Plymouth.]

1913

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

Coroner's Inquests were usually held within the space of 48 hours following a death that appeared to be of a suspicious or unexplained nature. They were usually held in a local public-house, ale house, municipal building, or parish workhouse, but sometimes in the building where the death occurred. The Coroner usually came from a legal or medical background and more often than not, appointed for life by the respective County. The Coroner and a Jury of between 12 and 24 persons, usually men of substantial standing, were empanelled to examine the body, hear witnesses, and the Jury then to come to a Verdict as to Cause of Death. The account of the Inquest appearing in local newspapers, included the name of the deceased, where they died, and how they died. Sometimes, age, occupation, parish or address, and other relatives' names can be found. In later years when Hospitals appear, people can be dying away from their parish after having been admitted to that institution, and the Inquest is therefore conducted where the death occurred, rather than where the person was living.

[Numbers in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs.]

Names Included: Adams; Allen; Anstey; Ash; Avery; Babbage; Baker; Barber; Barrow; Bawden; Beale(2); Bennett; Blackler; Bluett; Bolt; Bowden; Bradfield; Bray; Brendon; Browning; Burd; Burrows; Burt; Byers; Calderbank; Chivers; Choak; Colborne; Collins; Coombs; Cornish; Cosh; Cottrell; Couch; Cragen; Cragon; Crouse; Cunliffe; Dalley; Dalton; Davis(2); Dearing; Dillistone; Doidge; Douglass; Down; Downing; Drew; Dunsmore; Dyer; Earl; Ede; Ellacott; Ellison; Endacott; Fish; Fitzgerald; Ford; Foster; Fox; Foyle; Fry; Fulford; Gammon; Gard; Garnett; German; Gilbert; Glinn; Glover; Goodwin; Graham; Gregory; Griffiths; Grylls; Haley; Hannaford; Hannaford-Hill; Hannaghan; Harvey; Hawkins; Haynes; Haywood; Heard; Hicks; Higgins; Hill(2); Hodge; Holton; Hooper(3); Hoskings; Hyne; Jacobs; Jean; Johns; Jones; Kay; Keast; Keates; Kendall; Keohane; Kerslake; Kingwell; Kivell; Knight; Lane; Lang; Lavers; Leahey; Leaman; Lemin; Luckham; Luff; Lydden; Mackenzie; Macready; Madron; Manicom; Mather; Maunder; May(2); McDermott; McKechnie; Melbourne; Minhinnett; Moore; Mortimore; Mumford; Newbury; Nicholls; Nixon; Nunn; O'Leary; Pattick; Pawley(2); Payne(2); Pearn; Pearse; Penrose; Phasey; Phillips; Pickard; Pike; Pring; Proctor; Prowse(2); Quin; Radcliff; Reed; Rendle; Repath; Ridge; Roberts(2); Rockett; Rogers; Roth; Rowland; Rundle; Ruse; Sanders; Scott; Selway; Shambrook; Shannahan; Sheldon; Short(2); Shute; Sibley; Simmons; Smith(6); Sparks; Spencer; Stallard; Stoddart; Sweeney; Sweet; Symons; Tancock; Tapley; Taylor; Tea; Thompson; Thomson(2); Tindall; Tinniswood; Toolan; Trewin; Tucker(3); Tullen; Turpin; Walling; Westwood; Wilkins; Willets; Williams; Wills; Wilson(2); Winsor; Wishart; Wood; Woods(2); Wright

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 1 January 1913
PLYMPTON - Workhouse Inmate's Death. The Effects Of An Immersion At Plymouth. Doctor Criticised. Jury's Verdict At Plympton Inquest. - The adjourned Inquest on THOMAS HOLTON, aged 68, an inmate of Plympton Workhouse, who fell into the water at Sutton Pool on Boxing Night, was resumed at Plympton Workhouse this morning by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner. - Mr John W. Bickle represented the Plympton Guardians, Mr W. H. Davy, clerk to the Plymouth Guardians, and Mr F. C. Hellings (Master) also attending. - Thomas Bishop, Workhouse inmate, stated that on Friday last he was sent to Plympton Station to meet the deceased on arrival by the 4.29 train. He waited at the entrance gate and when the deceased came out he was "all of a shake" and could not speak plainly. Witness took him by the arm and assisted him to the Workhouse, leaving him with the Matron in the Day Room. - The Coroner: Was that his usual condition, to be shaky? - No, sir. - The Coroner: Did he say anything to you on the way? - Yes, deceased said, "They had o business to send me out this weather. I had nothing to eat barring pea soup, and that was at the dinner-hour." - Witness added that the deceased also told him that they (meaning Plymouth Workhouse) charged him 8d. for drying his clothes; they wanted to charge him a shilling, but he would not pay it. Deceased stopped on the railway bridge, and witness asked him what was the matter and he replied, "I don't know. I have lost my breath." Witness led him the rest of the way. - Fell Over Quay Side. - Henry Cobbledick, aged 17, living at the King's Arms Stables, North-street, Plymouth, stated that at 8.40 on Thursday night he was at Sutton Wharf when he noticed the deceased walk to the edge of the quay and while in the act of putting his pipe into his mouth accidentally fell into the water. He shouted as he fell. The witness raised an alarm, and jumped into a boat and with a boast-hook secured the deceased. The man fell quite fifteen feet into about twenty feet of water. It was bad weather at the time. - P.C. T. Byrnes said that he resorted to artificial respiration, while P.C. Leverton went for the ambulance. In about ten minutes the deceased showed signs of coming round and was removed to the Workhouse. He rallied wonderfully on the way and was able to sit up on arrival at the Workhouse. His clothes were removed immediately and he was attended by the lady doctor. The deceased said that he was an inmate of the Plympton Workhouse. Witness added that the water at Sutton Wharf was "very poisonous." - Master's Evidence. - Frederick C. Hellings, Master, Plymouth Workhouse, stated that the deceased was at once taken to the Receiving Ward. As he was cold, his clothing being saturated, witness ordered him a hot bath. He was a little incoherent, but witness gathered that he was an inmate of Plympton Workhouse. Witness telephoned to Plympton and found this was so. Mr Dawe (Master) expressed surprise that the man was in Plymouth, observing at the same time that he quite understood why he wanted to get back to Plympton. He was a stableman, and, Friday, being Board=day, he would no doubt be anticipating Christmas tips. Witness remarked that "the man was very shaky," and he gathered from Mr Dawe that the deceased was inclined to be unsteady. As the man appeared to be recovering witness arranged that if he was well enough in the morning he would send him to Plympton. After the bath HOLTON was put to bed in charge of an inmate. Before his bath he was in a filthy state. The Assistant Medical Officer, Miss Alice Cameron Sharp, took charge of the case. Witness saw him at 9 o'clock the following morning, when he said he was anxious to get back to Plympton. Miss Sharp sanctioned his removal. - In regard to the charge of 8d., witness said he believed the deceased had 3s. 2d. in his possession and in view of the work done by the Receiving Wardsman, suggested to the deceased that something should be given to the Wardsman. Deceased made no remark to him about it. Mr Hellings added that the deceased had no special diet. Several times during the morning he asked if his clothes were ready. - The Coroner: So far as the carrying out of the removal was concerned you did quite right. The point is whether he should have been removed at all. - In answer to Mr Dawe, witness said he sent someone to the Station with the deceased simply because he had promised Mr Dawe the night before. The man was most persistent in demanding his discharge. "I had no medical report to say he should not have been discharged." - The Coroner: That is the point. You need not explain any further. - Assistant Medical Officer. - Alice Cameron Sharp, Assistant Medical Officer at Plymouth Workhouse, stated that when she saw deceased he was in a half dressed condition, very wet and filthy. A hot bath was being prepared. - The Coroner: You were aware of the circumstances under which he was brought to the House? - Yes. - She told them to go on with the bath and then gave instructions for the deceased to be put in bed in the Receiving Ward in hot blankets. She returned twenty minutes later and examined him generally and particularly as regarded his chest. She did not take his temperature, as his pulse, which was between 60 and 70, did not demand it. She found nothing beyond signs of drunkenness and of immersion. She went to the Infirmary and made up a draft, which was given to the Wardsman, who was also ordered to give hot drinks to deceased during the night. She also told the Wardsman that if assistance was necessary he could get it from the Infirmary. - The Coroner: Did you think there was any evidence of shock at all? - Witness: Well, his pulse was rather weak. That was the only thing. She saw him the next morning at 9.30. His general condition then seemed much improved. He was able to answer intelligibly, and his pulse was much stronger. He was very, very anxious to go. She did not take his temperature then because she did not think it necessary. She thereupon sanctioned his removal and did not see him again. - Taking A Patient's Temperature. - The Coroner: "Having regard to the age of this man and the history of his immersion, did not you think that you ought to have taken his temperature?" - Not after going over the chest and felling the pulse. - The Coroner: But is it not always usual or necessary to take a patient's temperature? - Not always, no. - The Coroner: Would not a medical man nine times out of ten take temperature? - No, not always. It depends on the circumstances. - The Coroner: But in such a case as this of a man, rescued from the water practically dying, don't you think, in the light of what happened, you ought to have taken his temperature? - I don't consider so. - The Coroner: Is the condition of the pulse a safe guide as to temperature? - Yes, sir. - The Coroner: Absolutely safe? - Generally. - The Coroner: Under the circumstances would not it be likely that serious symptoms might develop? - Well, they might have. All I can say is I found him fit to go when I saw him the next morning. I considered him conscientiously fit to go, else I should not have let him go. - The Coroner: What I want to gather is this: What length of time ought to elapse before the old man could really be considered to have been out of danger of any developments? - Well, it is difficult to say, really. - Developed After She Saw Him. - Witness added that in view of the post-mortem examination the possibility seemed to her to be that pneumonia developed after she saw him in the morning. Pneumonia developed very quickly. - The Coroner agreed that that was so. "But," he added, "was not there danger of that arising?" - Miss Sharp: I think if the old man had not been so very anxious to go I should have kept him. - The Coroner asked whether she thought the old man's desire to leave was a sufficient answer. - As well as the condition in which I found him in the morning. - The Coroner: Why was not the case placed in the Infirmary? - Well, the Receiving Ward is just as comfortable as the Infirmary. - Mr Hellings pointed out that the Receiving Wardsman had been a male nurse attendant. - The Coroner thought that in the Infirmary, where he supposed there were night nurses, the Doctors' instructions would have been better carried out than in the Ward. - Miss Sharp: I think in that particular ward with that particular wardsman it was all right. She added that the night wardsman told her the next morning that he was up practically all night: he also informed her that the old man asked for a pint of beer in the morning. - The Coroner said the question was whether the man should have been removed. "You still say that if you had a similar case under your observation you would do the same?" - Miss Sharp: No, I don't think so; not after this experience. On the morning I saw him I thought he was much better and able to be removed. - The Coroner asked whether, in the circumstances of the case, she ought, as the Assistant Medical Officer of that Institution, to have detained the old man in the Workhouse Infirmary sufficiently long to see whether there were any serious developments or not. - The witness replied that considering she detained him the night and considering his condition was improved it was long enough. - Address To The Jury. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said: "You will observe from the evidence of Dr Stamp, who made the post-mortem examination, that death was due to pleurisy and double pneumonia caused by the immersion of the deceased in the water, and that his removal from the Plymouth to the Plympton Workhouse in an unfit state accelerated his death. Whilst I think you will probably have no difficulty in saying that the falling of the deceased into the water was accidental, the question as to whether blame can be attached to any party in connection with the deceased's removal here is one, I think, which will require your careful consideration. As to the serious condition of the deceased when Dr Stamp saw him at the Plympton Workhouse, there cannot be any doubt whatever, and it will, therefore, be your duty to say whether, in your judgment, the deceased received proper and skilful treatment at the Plymouth Workhouse. You have had the benefit of the evidence of Dr Sharp, the Assistant Medical Officer at that Institution, and she has told you exactly the treatment she gave the deceased, and adheres to her opinion that in the exceptional circumstances the deceased was properly and skilfully treated by her. Now, you will take all that into account and you will probably think that, having regard to the age of this old man and his immersion in the water on Thursday night - which was terribly boisterous and wet - and the second shock he must have received, the deceased ought to have been placed in the Workhouse Infirmary at Plymouth and detained sufficiently long so as to make it beyond all doubt that serious symptoms were not going to develop in such a case. If you say you consider there was blame, you must decide whether that blame was negligent or whether it was merely an error of judgment. If you say it was negligence, you must then go a step further and decide whether that negligence was culpable or not. If you consider the negligence was culpable, then, of course, you know that that would mean a verdict of manslaughter against the person who was responsible for it." - The Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from Double Pneumonia caused by immersion in the water, due to an Accidental Fall. They added that Dr Sharp, the Assistant Medical Officer at Plymouth Workhouse, did not prudently treat deceased while he was chargeable at the Institution, and that such treatment and order for removal were an error of judgment only. - Youth's Brave Action. - The Coroner remarked that the Jury desired him to express their appreciation of the praiseworthy action of Cobbledick in rescuing the deceased. The Jury, he said, were of opinion that his conduct should be recognised. The Jury also wished to recognise the successful efforts of Constable Byrnes in bringing the deceased around. They thought that such meritorious conduct on the part of public officials should be properly recognised. He should communicate the Jury's view to the Plymouth Chief Constable.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 1 January 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held at Devonport yesterday on the body of EMMA MATILDA SANDERS, 82, a widow, of 10 Rutger-place, who was found dead in her room, Dr Lander attributed death due to broncho-pneumonia.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 4 January 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Devonport Gunner Killed. Injured While Going To Warn Colleague. Accident On H.M.S. Hannibal. - The fatality on board H.M.S. Hannibal was Investigated this morning, when Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquiry at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, into the death of Chief Gunner GARRETT FITZGERALD of the Victorious, battleship. - The Coroner observed, on opening the Inquiry, that the Jury would have to consider the efficiency of the wire in use when the accident happened. - Joseph Barrow, gunner, explained that he was ordered to rig the gear for hauling up a cable on the Hannibal on Thursday. The wire whip was made fast through two leading blocks and then brought to the steam capstan and the cable was hauled by this means to the upper deck for surveys. Everything went well while witness was in charge. At half-past ten he was relieved by the deceased. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said he had examined the wire which was quite good - practically new. It was calculated to bear a strain of eight tons and the weight of a complete shackle of a cable was between one and two tons. The block used was of the usual size and quality for such a wire. When deceased took charge witness advised him to knock off the whip when he got two or three lengths over, and he expressed his intention of doing so. From subsequent investigation witness learned that deceased abandoned this intention and decided to lift it taut and hang the cable to the naval pipe, in which position it could be surveyed. The cable, a studded one, should clear itself, but if a couple of lengths were slack it would bring an extra strain, which, coming close upon the last pull, might carry away the wire. Witness did not think careless work by any of the men engaged on the work could account for the occurrence. The weakness in the whole thing was removing the hanger before the thing was properly over. - To Warn Another Man. - First-Class Petty Officer Self corroborated the last witness's statement of deceased's intentions. When the wire parted he saw the end of the cable strike deceased. The order was given to "stand clear," and only the chief gunner was injured. He was clear, but ran into danger to warn a man below deck and before he could get back the cable struck him. He agreed with the last witness as to the cause of the breaking of the wire. - Mr K. E. Peck, watching the case on behalf of the Admiralty, observed that the only other tenable theory was that the chain had over-ridden on the capstan. - Mr A. J. Mitchelmore, chief carpenter of the Hannibal, said he noticed that the cable was not quite taut, being about three links slack. The strain of hauling these up must have been too great. - The man at the capstan dismissed the theory that the wire surged there, and the captain of the hold testified that there was nothing below deck to account for the wire breaking. - Dr A. J. MacDymond, Surgeon, of the Hannibal, deposed to the deceased suffering from a fractured right forearm and contusion of the hip and head. There were no internal injuries, but deceased had a very fatty heart and death was due to syncope, resultant upon the shock. He was a bad subject for injuries of this sort. - After a sitting of two hours the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Coroner observing that it was a pure accident and a very regrettable one. The Service had been deprived of a most capable officer comparatively early in life.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 7 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Child's Fatal Burns. - Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday afternoon on a burning fatality which was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, the deceased being ELIZABETH LILIAN OLIVE JACOBS, aged two years, whose parents live at 28 Jude's-place. - The child was put to bed with her two brothers on Thursday evening and she and the boys apparently got out and went to another bed, over which gas was burning. It was assumed that either she or her younger brother must have tried to light a piece of paper, for when one of the boys shouted, "Look, mammy," MRS JACOBS rushed into the room and found the deceased's bed-gown ablaze. A quilt was wrapped around the child. - Dr Preston, House Surgeon and the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said the deceased suffered from burns on the face, left side of the chest, arms and legs, death taking place on Saturday from shock. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 7 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - At the Mortuary Mr Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, inquired into the sudden death on Saturday evening of CATHERINE JANE MELBOURNE, widow, aged 74 years, 3 Moon-street. - Dr H. B. Palmer, who made a post-mortem examination, stated that death was due to syncope, the result of a weak heart. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 7 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" in respect of the sudden death on Saturday evening of JOHN ALFRED LAVERS, aged 45 years, of 80 Cotehele-avenue. - Dr E. A. Travers-Stubbs attributed death to heart disease and pneumonia.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 8 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Killed By A Taxi. Devonport Man Fatally Injured In Union-street. - The circumstances attending the death of FREDERICK MINHINNETT, aged twenty-one years, a cabman, of 73 Mount-street, Devonport, who was knocked down by a taxi-cab on New Year's Day, were investigated by Mr R. B. Johns the Plymouth Borough Coroner at the Homeopathic Hospital this afternoon. - Frederick Haskell, 35 Mutley-plain, stated that he was driving a taxi-cab belonging to Mr Brock, of Stonehouse, along Union-street, a few minutes before eight o'clock on the evening of January 1st. When near Athenaeum-lane the deceased rushed from the kerb in front of the taxi, which was going about eight miles an hour. The wing of the car struck him and one of the wheels went over him. He was picked up from between the front and rear wheels, placed in a taxi and taken to the Homeopathic Hospital. Witness had been continuously sounding his horn, as there were many people in the street and witness did not see the deceased till the car struck him. - Arthur Scrimshaw, stableman, 13 King-lane, Plymouth, said he walked down Athenaeum-lane with the deceased, who proceeded ahead of him across the road. Witness did not see the car, nor did he hear any horn sounded. The deceased was quite sober. - Thomas Henry Upton, 45 Edgcumbe-street, Stonehouse, a skilled labourer in the Dockyard, who was riding in the taxi at the time of the accident, also gave evidence, stating that the deceased man ran from the pavement towards a woman, and was knocked down. - Doctor Wilmot deposed to attending the deceased, who was taken to the Hospital unconscious, a condition in which he remained practically up to the time of his death. The witness was of opinion that death was due to concussion of the brain. - The Coroner remarked that fast moving traffic was greatly on the increase but the people of Plymouth did not seem to be educated up to the necessity of looking around before stepping off the pavement. Mr Johns added that taxi drivers should be compelled to carry speedometers. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerated the driver from blame, and expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. . Western Evening Herald, Thursday 9 January 1913 EAST STONEHOUSE - R.N. Stoker's Mysterious Death. Missed From A Lighter At Devonport. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning, Mr R. Robinson Rodd, the County Coroner, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of GEORGE HENRY FOYLE, stoker (1st class), 27 years of age, of H.M.S. Caesar, who disappeared from a lighter in the Hamoaze on December 18. - Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Admiralty, and Lieut. P. R. Thesher and Inspector Maddeford, Metropolitan Police, were also present. - George Frederick Law, torpedo gunner, H.M.S. Defiance, deposed to recovering the body off Henn Point, near Saltash the previous afternoon. It was just awash. - Sergeant Richard Standford, Metropolitan Police, stated that on the collar of the jumper of the deceased was the name. Nothing was found on the body. One of deceased's fingers was missing. - William John Bartlett, chief stoker, H.M.S. Caesar, said that on the morning of the 18th ult. the deceased was given orders to board a lighter lying alongside the Caesar and sweep out the hold. At 7.15 witness visited him and inquired how he was getting on and he replied: "I have nearly finished chief." Witness told him to come aboard and get his breakfast as soon as he had finished, in order that he might go to the Dockyard at 8 o'clock. Neither witness nor anyone else, as far as he knew, had seen the deceased since. To reach the deck of the Caesar he would have had to mount the sea gangway from the lighter. He would be very familiar with this method of gaining the ship. In witness's opinion it was not possible for him to slip between the ship and the lighter. There was no rail around the lighter, but there was some two feet between the hatch coming (which was about 1 ft. high) and the edge of the lighter. There was a fixed ladder leading from the hold of the lighter to the combing. It was quite possible that the deceased tripped over this combing while mounting and fell into the water. His broom was found on the hatch. No cries of distress were heard. When hands were mustered about 8.30 FOYLE was found to be missing. Everything was done to find him. - The Coroner said that he was rather inclined to the view that the deceased tripped over the hatch-combing while mounting the ladder and fell into the water. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 9 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - At the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquiry relative to the death of THOMAS FREDERICK PEARN, aged seven months, the son of FREDERICK PEARN, labourer, 4 Havelock-place. - The child, who had been healthy from birth, died suddenly this morning and Dr Earl found the cause to be gastro-enteritis. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 9 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, Inquired into the sudden death on Tuesday of the nine weeks' old daughter of JAMES ROBERT PAWLEY, labourer, 3 Tracey-street. Dr J. H. Torney attributed death to defective nutrition and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 14 January 1913
EGG BUCKLAND - Crimean Veteran Suffocated. The Crownhill Burning Fatality. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, at Crownhill this morning Inquired into the circumstances touching the death through burning of ABRAHAM SAMUEL FOX, Crimean-veteran of Laurel Cottage, Crownhill. - John Snell, skilled labourer, Devonport Dockyard and living at Laurel Cottage, stated that the deceased, aged 75 years, a naval pensioner, lodged with him. He was his wife's uncle. He went to bed on Sunday night and was seen by his niece asleep at 11 p.m. The bed stood in a recess, and there was always a chair at its side upon which stood a candle. About 3 o'clock witness was awakened by the deceased's sister, MRS CROSS, who remarked that she thought she smelt something burning. He went to FOX'S room and found it full of smoke. The old man was lying on the floor. The bedclothes were burning. The deceased had been in feeble health for some time, occasionally falling. He kept a stick in the corner of the room in order to knock on the wall in case he required assistance, but it had not been disturbed. - The Coroner: What do you think happened? - I should think he got out and lit the candle. - The Coroner: He may have been giddy, fallen back on the candle and caught his nightdress afire. - The Foreman asked whether the deceased was in the habit of smoking in the night. - No, never. We always used to take his pipe away from him. - Extensive Burns. - P.S. Cruse stated that when he arrived at the house he found the previous witness pushing the burning bedclothes out of the window. The deceased was extensively burned over the chest and right arm and was quite dead. - The Coroner: It seems quite feasible that he lit the candle before he got out of bed, and, overbalancing himself, caught his sleeve in the flame of the candle, setting his clothes on fire. He might then have sat on the bed and so caught the bedclothes. There was no reason to suggest it was anything but an accident. - P.S. Cruse said it was purely an accident. The deceased must have fallen down and then suffocated. In a few minutes more the whole house would have been burning. - The Coroner: It might have been a much more serious matter. - Dr Olver stated that death was due to suffocation. The right side of the body was burned, and also the head, the hair being nearly all singed off. There was evidence of heart disease. Witness had attended the deceased for a long time. - The Coroner thought there could be very little doubt that the deceased got out of bed for some purpose. Perhaps he was feeling faint. He must in some way have come in contact with the candle, caught his clothes afire, and then have got accidentally suffocated. - A Juror: He might have been trying to reach his stick. - The Coroner added that it was a very sad ending for an old man who had served his country in the way he had and their sympathy would go out to Mr Snell and the family in their sad bereavement. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly. - The deceased was a member of the Three Towns Veterans' Association. A native of Plymouth, he joined the Navy at the age of fourteen, serving as a powder-boy. He retired as a petty officer, and served for some time in the coastguards. A bachelor, the deceased had resided with his sister, MRS CROSS, for the pat thirty years. - The funeral will take place at Egg Buckland at 2 o'clock on Thursday. 

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 16 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest this afternoon at the Mortuary into the death of WILLIAM DALLEY, Marine pensioner, 69 years of age, who died suddenly at 133 King-street, on Tuesday morning. The medical evidence was that he died from cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 16 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest this afternoon into the death of CYRIL NOEL DAVIS, the four weeks old son of a labourer living at 21 Rendle-street, who was found dead in bed this morning. The medical evidence was that he died of convulsions and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 16 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at Cobourg-street School relative to the death of HAROLD ALBERT HILL, the fourteen months old child of a mason living at 3 Cobourg-street, who died in its mother's arms yesterday. Death was ascertained to have been due to pneumonia. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 17 January 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Christmas Night Scene. Inquest On R.N. Stoker Opened At Stonehouse. - The circumstances of a disappearance from Stonehouse on Christmas evening were investigated at the R.N. Hospital this morning, when Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquiry into the death of FREDERICK CHARLES DYER, a first-class stoker of the Vivid, whose body was found by Hambly's Wharf, Stonehouse Pool, yesterday. - Evidence of identification was given by the young man's father, who said he was twenty-one years of age and had not been seen since Christmas Day. He had always been difficult to manage and when in drink was quite intractable. - A younger brother of deceased deposed to their leaving a public-house together just after ten, and they met a civilian. All had been drinking but none of them was drunk, and they had words. A Policeman came up and stopped the row. Witness then went towards Devonport and deceased went in the other direction. - Replying to Jurors, witness said he might have had blows with deceased. In reply to Police-Inspector Joslin, he said that if he told deceased he would meet him on the other side of the bridge and fight it out, he only said it "to get him to come home." - To a Juryman, witness said he did not hear his brother threatened to jump in the water. - P.C. Easterbrook agreed that none of the men were drunk. After he had intervened between the two brothers, who were "squaring up to fight," the last witness went away, but shouted back: "All right, I will meet you in Devonport and fight it out." This made deceased very enraged and the Constable had to hold him back. At midnight an alarm was raised that a man was in the water at the Halfpenny Bridge. No trace of a body was found, although the water was "dead low" and it was a moonlight night. - Thomas Stevens, toll collector, deposed to hearing a cry of "Man overboard," and seeing a man in the water on Christmas night and Harry Woodman, a bargeman, described finding the body, face downward, yesterday. - An officer of the Vivid said the deceased, who had been in the Service three years, was on his first Christmas leave and should have returned on January 1st. - The Coroner pointed out that there was no evidence connecting the man who was seen in the water with deceased, however, strong the probability might be. - At this stage the Inquiry was adjourned until tomorrow evening.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 17 January 1913
PAR, CORNWALL - The Par Double Drowning Accident. Evidence At Inquest. - The Inquest on the bodies of WILLIAM HENRY DAVIS, of Plymouth, and George L. J. Walters, of Falmouth, who were drowned at Par on Wednesday, was held yesterday at Par by Mr John Pethybridge, the Coroner. - Evidence of identification was given by ALFRED LIDSTONE, Alma-place, Plymouth, brother-in-law of DAVIS, who was engaged on the barge Arthur James about two years. The deceased leaves a widow and two children. - William S. Pearce, Falmouth, said Walters, the mate of the barge, was about twenty-nine years of age and left a widow and a child. The boat was seaworthy and properly equipped. She traded between the Manacles and Plymouth. She was partially insured. - Richard Curtis, coastguard, gave evidence of finding the body in the water off Par beach. He was on the look-out all night for the body. They could not have launched one of their boats owing to the roughness of the sea. He found the punt's boat about 7 p.m. on Tuesday; it was stove in. - Richard Gardener deposed that when working on the steamship Collier he heard someone shout "Man overboard." He went to the end of the quay and swam out to the mouth of the harbour and round the barge, but could not see anyone. He then got on the barge, took in the sails and brought the barge to moorings in the harbour. He did not think it would have been safe to have ventured out in a boat at the time. - Mark Rowe, crane driver, stated that he saw the barge on the sandbar at the entrance to the harbour, with the sea breaking over her. Then he saw a man for a moment in the trough of the wave. He heard him shout twice and then he suddenly disappeared. Gardener then came up and said he would swim out and rescue him if witness would tell him where the man was. - The Coroner thought it was a very plucky action on the part of the witness. - The witness, in reply to the Coroner, said he thought one man got into the punt to go ashore when the boat might have been swamped. The man on board possibly went to the assistance of the other and got drowned also. He thought any boat that might have gone out to save the men would have met with the same fate. - The Coroner questioned Captain Wright of the steamship Collier, who said he heard the cry of "Help" coming from the sea and he expressed the opinion that it was too rough to have got a boat out. In reply to another question, the witness said the crew were not on board to launch their boat. - The Coroner thought it was strange that two men should meet their death so close to the shore, and that no risk was run in at once getting out a boat to try to save them. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and considered that no boat could have lived in such a sea as was running. - Gardener was commended for his action in swimming out to the barge.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 18 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - At the Plymouth Workhouse today Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquiry relative to the sudden death the previous afternoon of MARY DEARING, aged 63 years, a spinster, who was admitted to the Institution on September 7th, 1901. - Dr C. J. Cooke, Medical Officer at the Workhouse, attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 20 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Baby's Fatal Burns. No Fire Guard. The Doll" Has Burnt The Baby." - To the absence of a fireguard was attributed the death of an eight months old child at an Inquest of the Homeopathic Hospital, Plymouth, this afternoon. - MRS BAWDEN, wife of JOHN BAWDEN, van driver, of 167 King-street, stated that her daughter, ELLEN ELSIE, aged eight months, was left securely tied to a push-cart in a room last Saturday afternoon at about three o'clock. There was "just a glow of cinders" in the grate. There was no fireguard. Witness left another child, aged 4, with a doll in her arms at the doorway and went away for about ten minutes. Upon her return, the child, who was still at the door, said, "the little boy", meaning the doll, "has burnt the baby." The child must have gone upstairs during her absence, caught her doll afire and in her fright accidentally lighted the baby's clothes. Witness afterwards found the doll, slightly burnt, on the floor near the fire. - Charles Brice, living in the same house, deposed to seeing smoke coming from the room and to finding the deceased baby strapped to a pushcart with its clothes in flames. Witness hastily took the child from cart and gave her to someone whilst he removed the push-cart from the room. - Dr Wilmot deposed to the deceased baby's admission to the Homeopathic Hospital, suffering from extensive burns on the lower part of the body and legs. The child lived half an hour after admission, dying from shock as the result of the burns. - The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, said it was the old story - no fire guard. It was a serious thing. - The mother here remarked that they had other expenses; they had, however, since bought a fire guard. - The Coroner: It is too late now. He added that it was the law that fire guards should be provided where there were young children. He hoped it would be a lesson to the mother. - The Foreman of the Jury said he was sorry they could not exonerate the mother from blame. Of course there ought to have been a fire guard, and, he hoped this case would be a warning. - The Coroner added that compared with some time ago there were very few accidents caused to children by burning - "not a tenth of the cases there used to be fortunately." - A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence. - The witness Brice was complimented by the Jury for his prompt action.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 20 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Died After Attending Funeral. - At Pitts Memorial Hall, Plymouth, this afternoon, the Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, conducted an Inquest on the body of WILLIAM SAMUEL RENDLE, aged 41, general labourer, of 8 Guildford-street. - CLARA RENDLE, widow, stated that deceased attended a funeral on Saturday afternoon and appeared to be in his usual health when he went to bed in the evening. The following morning at about 7.30, however, he complained of a pain in his head and he expired almost immediately. - Dr Derry, who held a post-mortem examination, attributed death to acute pneumonia and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 30 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Plymouth. - At an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns at the Wolsdon-street Schools, Plymouth, today, a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned in respect of the sudden death on Tuesday of WILLIAM COSH, Dockyard labourer, aged 63 years, of 15 Wolsdon-street. - Dr A. E. Blades, who made a post-mortem examination, found the cause to be cerebral haemorrhage.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 31 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns at the Plymouth Mortuary today, on the body of the eight months' old son of FRANCIS TINDALL, private, in the Sherwood Foresters, and living in William-street. The child died suddenly last night. Dr M. Aikman attributing death to pneumonia.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 31 January 1913
PLYMOUTH - Sad Death Of A Scientific Man At Plymouth. Took Chloroform To Induce Sleep. - Yesterday we reported the death of MR HAROLD G. DREW in his lodgings at 4 Leigham-terrace, where he was found dead in bed, with a bottle which is said to have contained chloroform near him. The body was taken to the Mortuary. - MR DREW, who was about thirty years of age, was a scientist of high ability. At intervals of varying length he had worked at the local laboratory of the Marine Biological Association on the Hoe. - Originally intending to enter the medical profession, he studied to that end, but changed his mind at the last moment. He then took up scientific research and was awarded a Bolt scholarship for investigations bearing on medicine. He was more especially interested in cancer and had several times worked in this branch of research in an American laboratory. Quite recently he was made a fellow of his college at Cambridge. His work was extremely good and highly thought of. - Of late he had been working hard at the completion of a paper which he proposed to take with him on his next visit to America. - He was an only son and his parents were deeply interested in his promising career. He was a candidate for the present Antarctic expedition of Captain Scott, but his parents were much against his going and he yielded to their wishes. - The Inquest. - The circumstances attending the death of GEORGE HAROLD DREW, aged 31 years, a graduate of the University of Cambridge, who had been staying at a lodging-house in Leigham-terrace, were investigated by the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Mortuary this afternoon. - The father of the deceased, GEORGE DREW, who resides at Oreston, Paignton, stated that his son was temporarily attached to the Marine Laboratory. About Christmas he had a bad attack of influenza followed by jaundice but recovered. He spent Christmas at home and returned to Plymouth early in January. He was not depressed and there was not the slightest reason why he should take his life. - Henry Feather Smith, gentleman, residing in the same house as the deceased, told the Jury that as the servant who took tea to the deceased's bedroom could get no response to her knock he was asked to go into the bedroom. He there saw the deceased lying in bed with the clothes over his head. In his left hand was an uncorked bottle. Dr Wilmot was sent for and he pronounced life extinct. - Bertram Hart, medical student at the R.N. Hospital, a friend of the deceased, said they dined together on Wednesday evening and went to the theatre. Witness left him about 11.15, when he was then in his sitting-room. There was no sign of depression or anything unusual in his demeanour. They arranged to meet the following morning. - Dr Wilmot explained that rigor mortis had set in when he saw the body. There was no sign of sickness. The bottle found in his possession had contained chloroform. The deceased had not swallowed any of the chloroform. There was quite a faint smell when he opened the lungs. Although there was no valvular disease of the heart that organ was unduly flabby for a man of his age. - The Coroner: Would the chloroform affect his heart? - Oh, certainly. - Proceeding, Dr Wilmot said the impression he obtained from the surroundings when he was called and from the post-mortem examination was that the deceased was a man who had recently had a severe attack of influenza and who, perhaps, had not been sleeping so well as he would have liked. He was a man who had a good deal on his mind and to claim his attention, and he thought he would take a small whiff of chloroform to enable him to commence to sleep, so he took the bottle, had a few whiffs, but the bed clothes being over him, he did not wake up again. There was no evidence of anything other than death from misadventure. - The Coroner thought that had the deceased wished to take his life he would not have resorted to chloroform in the manner he did. That was not the way a man of his scientific knowledge would commit suicide. Deep sympathy would be expressed with the bereaved father and family. - The Jury returned a verdict in accord with the medical testimony.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 4 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - Drowned At Plymouth. Inquest On Mousehole Fisherman. - "Found Drowned" was the verdict at the Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday on JOSEPH MADRON, aged 40, skipper of the Mousehole fishing boat Velox. - Evidence of identification was given by Abraham Johns, a member of the crew, and James Pentreeth, a fisherman of the lugger Nellie Jane, the latter adding that he saw deceased, who was quite sober, in Union-street, after eleven o'clock on Friday night. He said he was not going aboard the vessel yet. - Wm. Dobbs, who saw deceased before he left the Velox on Friday, found his coat and hat in his bunk on Saturday morning and reported to the Police that the man was missing. - Evidence of the recovery of the body was given by P.C. Leat, of the Water Police, who was assisted on the occasion by P.C. Roach. - Mr Eric Ward represented the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 5 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest yesterday afternoon respecting the sudden death on Monday night of JOHN STRIPLING ADAMS, aged 71 years, of 21 Grafton-road. Dr E. G. Smith ascertained that it was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and arterial disease. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 5 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on HARRY GRAHAM, aged seventy-two years, a retired Dockyard labourer, of 50 Cecil-street, who expired suddenly on Monday night and Dr J. H. Torney attributed death to cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 12 February 1913
HONITON - Plymouth Chemist's Suicide. Found Poisoned At Honiton. - An Inquest was held at Honiton yesterday on GEORGE WILLIAM ROBERTS, who was found dead in a bedroom at the Honiton Coffee Tavern. - WILLIAM A. ROBERTS, son, living at Birmingham, said his father was a chemist and a registered dentist. He had a good business since 25 years ago, when he gave it up. Since then he had taken situations as a chemist's assistant. This last post was at the Stores, Pennycomequick, Plymouth, which he left on Saturday week. He received a letter from his father on Monday saying his life had been a failure and that he had decided to take a long rest. - Death was due to prussic acid poisoning and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Sound Mystery. The Adjourned Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns held the adjourned Inquest at the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon, on the body of a man found in the Sound on Monday morning. - The Inquiry had been adjourned in order that the deceased might be identified and Mr Johns explained that it had been ascertained that his name was WILLIAM TINNISWOOD. He was staying at Plymouth unknown to his family, and that was probably the reason why he used an assumed name. The doctor, who gave evidence at the previous hearing, made it clear that death was due to natural causes, so that it was only necessary to have evidence of identification and the finding of the body. - A brother stated that the deceased was a salesman, fifty years of age, who lived at Gobowen, near Oswestry. It was known that he suffered from heart trouble and on two occasions lately he had had fits. - Martin Thomas, one of the crew of a War Office steamboat, stated that just after the steamer had left West Hoe, about nine o'clock on Monday morning, he saw the body of the deceased in the waster. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes". The deceased's brother thanked Mr Arnold, of the Albion Hotel, where the deceased stayed, for the trouble he had taken in the matter.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Fall Into A Dock. Devonport Dockyard Fatality. - The death of WILLIAM LEMIN, aged 53, a pensioner of Saltash, employed in Devonport Dockyard, who on Wednesday fell from a staging to the bottom of a dock and was killed, was Inquired into this afternoon. - The deceased was seen to fall suddenly headforemost from the alter to the dock, a distance of 35 feet. It was thought the altar was dry, although it was slippery with the frost on the dock side. Deceased's skull and one of the forearm bones of the right arm were fractured. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 February 1913
SALTASH, CORNWALL - Hamoaze Fatality. Inquiry Into The Death Of A Tavistock Boy. - Mr A de C. Glubb, County Coroner, at Saltash Guildhall this afternoon held an Inquiry into the circumstances touching the death of WILLIAM EDWARD PENROSE, aged 14, who was drowned from the Industrial Training Ship Mount Edgcumbe on Monday last. - George Pellow, boy apprentice, T.S. Mount Edgcumbe, deposed that on the day of the fatality witness and deceased returned to the ship in one of the small boats about 3.45 p.m. The day was calm, but a strong tide was running. Two boys made the boat fast to the gangway, and deceased walked along to gain the steps with his hands in his pockets. He knocked his elbow against a stanchion and fell into the water. He cried out, "Catch me," and witness shouted "Boy Overboard!" Witness then jumped into the boat and tried to catch him with a boat hook. PENROSE knocked it out of his hand, however. He appeared to have one hand in his pocket still. He could swim a little, but after sinking twice disappeared before a boat could reach him. - Captain H. W. Harkcom stated that although boats were sent away they could find no trace of the deceased. The body was recovered the following day, by means of grappling irons, about 200 yards N.E. of the ship. Witness withdrew deceased's hand from his belt and found that he had two pairs of trousers on, and also a belt, both of which were strictly forbidden. Some wounds on the deceased were caused by fish and the grappling irons. - A verdict of death by "Accidental Drowning" was returned. - Deceased was the son of MRS LAURA PENROSE, widow, of Tavistock.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 14 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Workhouse Inmate's Death. Fall From A Form. - The Devonport Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquiry at the Devonport Workhouse this afternoon touching the death of JOSEPH MAY, aged 78, an inmate. Mr C. F. Whenmouth, the Master, said the deceased, who was a general labourer, formerly resided at Mill-street. He had been an inmate of the :Workhouse since June 1904. On May 26 last he was sitting with other men in the airing yard of the Infirmary when he fell from the form and injured his leg. He had every possible attention and died on Tuesday evening last. - Dr G. C. Sandford said that he saw the deceased on the 27th May and found him to be suffering from fracture of the right femur. He was kept in bed for six weeks and then, from time to time, an attempt was made for him to sit up, but he was too weak to be kept out of bed for long. He gradually got worse, dying from congestion of the lungs and heart failure, due to the accident. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 14 February 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Young R.N. Stoker's Suicide At Devonport. Action Attributed To Sudden Impulse. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday afternoon, on EDWARD C. STALLARD, stoker, H.M.S. Majestic, who was found hanging on board his ship, at Devonport, on Wednesday morning. Mr J. P. Goldsmith appeared for the Admiralty. - WILLIAM STALLARD, general labourer, living at No. 3 Rosehill, Stoke, Devonport, stated that his son, the deceased, was eighteen years old. On Tuesday last he slept at home and returned to his ship at 6.15 a.m. the next day. Witness saw him before he left and he appeared well and quite cheerful. - The Coroner: Can you suggest any reason why he should take his life? - Witness replied that he could not. His son had been about two and a half years in the Service, and always appeared well satisfied. - William R. Strathdee, ship's corporal, H.M.S. Majestic, stated that deceased came aboard about 7.5 a.m. the previous day. He was quite sober, and there was nothing in his demeanour to attract attention. Deceased was always of a cheerful disposition and he thought him a very promising lad. He knew of nothing aboard that would cause deceased trouble. - Francis F. Horne, stoker petty officer, first-class, stated that on Wednesday, about 8 o'clock, the deceased did not muster with the engine-room party, and he thereupon went in search, and found him hanging by the neck by a piece of spunyarn. It had a running noose and was tied to a steam-pipe in the stokehold. Deceased's duty did not take him there and the place was somewhat isolated. Deceased was amenable to discipline and always "!very jolly." - The Coroner: It all looked very deliberate, I think. - George H. Lanbourne, leading stoker, stated that he came on board with deceased the previous morning. Witness did not speak to him, but he appeared all right. Deceased did not shift into his working clothes, as he should have done, and was not present at breakfast. Witness then went to make inquiries with the previous witness. - Arthur Taylor, first-class stoker, deposed to deceased asking him for a candle to enable him to go down the stokehold for some clothes. He seemed in good spirits. - Re-examined, the father said his son had been keeping company with a girl, but she was unable to throw any light on the matter. - Staff-Surgeon W. W. Keir deposed to finding deceased already dead. The cause of death he attributed to suffocation, due to hanging. The Coroner said the deceased had taken his life in a most deliberate way. Seeing how deliberate the act was, and seeing there was an entire absence of any reason for him to take his life, there must have been a sudden impulse, which so unhinged his mind that he did the deed. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 15 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Underfed And Overworked. Sad Death Of A Boy At Devonport. - At Devonport Guildhall last evening the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, Inquired into the death of CHARLES JAMES REGINALD CRAGEN, fifteen years of age, son of a general labourer residing at Monument-street. The mother said deceased was an errand boy, and had complained slightly of headaches. On Wednesday morning he got up and went to work as usual. He came home to breakfast and again left. At 10.30 he returned, and said "I am feeling bad." She wanted to get a doctor's note, but he told her not to do so, as he would be better again in the morning. She gave him something and he vomited, after which he slept for some time. Later the same night he again complained of his head. Early the following morning she heard a noise and went to him. She thought he had fainted and could get no answer. She afterwards found that he was dead. Dr Wilson, who was fetched, said the boy had been dead two or three hours. The mother added that the deceased was the main support of the family, and paid the rent. Her husband had been out of work sixteen weeks. - Dr R. Bolus attributed death to valvular disease of the heart of long standing. The body was thin, underfed and overworked. - The father of the lad said he could not get unemployment benefit under the Insurance Act as he had not enough stamps on his card. There were five other children. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said it was a heartrending case. The boy wanted to be fed with good food and was unable to obtain it. He did his work all right until he collapsed. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and tendered their fees to the parents of deceased, the Coroner also giving a donation.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 15 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - Woman's Death At Plymouth. - At Plymouth Mortuary yesterday Mr R. B. Johns Inquired into the circumstances of the death of MRS J. NICHOLLS, aged fifty, of Cambridge-street. - Dr W. Brenton said he was called to see deceased that morning and found her dead. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to chronic bronchitis and heart failure. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Death After Serving As A Juror. Devonport Pensioner's Collapse. - The Devonport Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, conducted an Inquest yesterday respecting a case of sudden death. It was reference to SAMUEL WILLIAM HENRY FISH, who died on Friday night at Beaumont-street, Milehouse. - MARY JANE FISH, 74 Duke-street, said her husband was 61 years of age and a pensioner from the Dockyard. He had enjoyed very good health. He was in Malta Dockyard twelve years, and returned to Devonport nine months ago. - William Howell of Glenhurst-road, Mannamead, stated that shortly after eight o'clock on Friday evening he was walking down Beaumont-street when a young woman called him and said she thought a man was in a fit. FISH was lying on the ground and Dr Pullen, who was fetched, pronounced life extinct. - Dr T. McElwaine attributed death to syncope, due to fatty degeneration of the heart. - The Coroner mentioned that FISH was with them in that building on Friday evening, inquiring into a case of sudden death and within a couple of hours he was dead himself. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from "Natural Causes," and expressed their sympathy with the widow.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - The Coroner stated that in connection with the death of the lad CRAGON, which was Inquired into on Friday, a gentleman at Paignton had sent him a P.O. for 5s. for the parents.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce Inquired into the sudden death of ELIZA NEWBURY, 83 years of age which took place shortly after nine o'clock on Saturday morning at her residence, 23 Canterbury-street. Evidence was given by her son, HERMON JOHN S. NEWBURY; Ella Roberts, 42 Mount-street; and Dr T. McElwaine, the latter stating that death was due to pleurisy. A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 February 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Drowned In Devonport Dockyard. Inquest On Stoker. - At the North Dockyard, Devonport, this afternoon, the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an inquiry respecting the death of ARTHUR THOMAS ALLEN, stoker, first class, serving on H.M.S. Amphitrite, who was found drowned in the Prince of Wales's Basin. - The evidence showed that a man was seen to fall over the bow of the Amphitrite on Sunday evening. The body was recovered by a diver on Monday morning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," but that there was no evidence to show whether the drowning was accidental or otherwise. - Deceased was twenty-two years of age and his parents reside at Exeter.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 25 February 1913
EXETER - The Plymouth Murder. Execution Of GEORGE CUNLIFFE This Morning. His Last Moments. - GEORGE CUNLIFFE stoker, was executed at the Devon County Prison, Exeter, this morning, having been sentenced to death by Mr Justice Coleridge at the last Devon Assizes for the murder of Kate Butler at Plymouth. - The callous nature of the crime for which CUNLIFFE was sentenced is fresh in the minds of many, and little sympathy was felt for the condemned man. - A small crowd assembled in New North-road, Exeter, just before eight o'clock this morning, but the more morbid taste was not realised, for no black flag was hoisted and there was no tolling of the bell; in fact everything was tranquil. The first news of the execution was brought by the doctor's certificate, which stated that CUNLIFFE had been executed and was dead. - Slept Well. - Throughout his incarceration CUNLIFFE was composed and last night he was reported to have slept well. He was awake about six o'clock this morning and shortly afterwards was removed from the condemned cell, having previously changed from his prison garb into his own clothing. - He was taken to a compartment near the scaffold and the time occupied in his walking to the place of execution, his being pinioned and the drawing of the bolt was 1 min. 9 secs. - CUNLIFFE walked firmly to the scaffold and whilst being pinioned he thanked the governor and officials of the gaol for the kindness they had shown him and when everything was ready he wished them all good-bye. The drop was between five and six feet and death was instantaneous. - The execution was carried out by Ellis who had an assistant named Brown. - Others present in addition to the two prison warders were Mr R. F. Locke, Governor; Mr G. Hardy Harris, Under Sheriff of Devon; the Rev. J. T. Collins, Prison Chaplain; Dr D. J. Mortimer, Prison Surgeon, and Dr G. H. Harmer, Assistant. - The certificate of death, signed by Dr Mortimer, said the declaration of the Sheriff and others were subsequently posted outside the Prison gates. - The Inquest. - Later in the morning Mr H. W.; Gould, District Coroner, held an Inquiry in the Committee Room of the Prison and Ralph F. Locke, Governor, identified the body as that of GEORGE CUNLIFFE, stoker, of the Naval Reserve, aged 28 years. He was received at the Plymouth Prison on remand on November 29th, committed on December 6th, and transferred to Exeter Prison on December 24th. His last pace of abode was Plymouth, and he was committed for the Wilful Murder of Kate Butler. Witness was present at the execution, and everything was carried out in a satisfactory manner. - George Hardy Harris deposed to receiving the warrant for the execution of the deceased. - The Coroner: Were you present at the execution this morning? - Yes. - Was the mode of execution by hanging? - Yes. - Were you perfectly satisfied with the way everything was carried out? - Quite, sir. - Dr J. Mortimer said death was instantaneous. The drop was sufficient. It was between five and six feet. Everything was quite satisfactory. - A verdict of "Death by Hanging" was returned. - Last Visitors. - CUNLIFFE was visited on Friday by a chum and another friend saw him in his cell on Saturday, whilst on Sunday he was seen by the Bishop of Exeter (Dr Robertson). - His remains were interred in a grave at the back of the Prison.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 27 February 1913
BRATTON FLEMING - The North Devon Railway Fatality. Inquest Today. - In the village hall at Bratton Fleming today, was opened the Inquest on GEORGE BARROW, who was killed on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway on Wednesday morning, as the result of a truck laden with earth leaving the rails and crashing down an embankment. Three other men named Dinnicombe, Welsh and Dymond, who were also in the truck, were injured and Welsh lies in the North Devon Infirmary with a fractured jaw and concussion of the brain and is in a critical condition. - Mr G. F. W. Brown, the County Coroner for North :Devon, conducted the Inquiry and explained that the men were taking a load of earth from Chelfham and when near Chum Hill the truck for some reason or other gathered speed. Unfortunately on reaching a curve it ran off the metals and down over an embankment. BARROW was instantly killed and the three other men were injured and none would be able to be present that day. - Mr Chanter, solicitor, on behalf of the company, said he was prepared to render the Coroner and Jury every possible assistance at the Inquiry. On behalf of the directors he expressed very great sorrow and regret at the unfortunate accident and tendered to the relatives their very sincere condolence. - Mrs Emma Antill, living at Chum Hill, said that she was outside her premises at eight o'clock in the morning when she saw the trolley, with the four men on it, coming down the line. It was travelling fast and increasing in speed. It reached the curve and then went clean over the embankment into the field below, a distance of about twenty feet, with a crash. - Asked whether it turned a somersault, witness said she could not say. She ran for assistance and afterwards found BARROW and Welsh lying a little distance from the truck, as if they had been thrown there. Dinnicombe was standing beside the truck, and she saw Dymond climb up over the railway and go in the direction of Chelfham Station. Dinnicombe told her that they lost control and that the brake would not act. - William Tallyn, farmer, said he thought BARROW and Welsh were dead when he arrived and Dinnicombe was holding on to the truck for support. A little later he heard Welsh groan and he turned him over so that he could breathe. BARROW was undoubtedly dead. - Thomas Tallyn, late Station-master at Bristol, spoke to giving assistance. Welsh appeared lifeless, but witness rendered first aid and the man began to move. The two men were lying about twenty feet from the embankment and they must have been thrown out of the truck. - Answering questions, witness said BARROW and Welsh were mixed up with the earth which had fallen from the truck. - Dr Ware deposed that he and his partner, Dr Meadon, motored first t Chefham-station and attended to Dymond and then went to the scene of the accident. Mr T. Tallyn had rendered great service to Welsh, who was breathing and who had obviously had his skull fractured. BARROW, who was dead, had had his neck dislocated, and, witness believed, his jaw fractured. He accompanied Welsh and Dymond to the infirmary. - The Inquest was adjourned until March 13th for the attendance of the survivors.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 27 February 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Man's Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held at Prince Rock Police Station, Plymouth, this afternoon relative to the death of WILLIAM JOHN CHIVERS, aged 40, of 45 St Leonard's-road, A.B. in H.M. Harbour-Master's service. - The widow said her husband was brought home from work yesterday afternoon in a cab. He was then semi-conscious. - Dr Travers Stubbs attributed death to colic following strangulated hernia. The rupture was of long standing. - A verdict of Death from "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 12 March 1913
PORTLAND, DORSET - Devonport Youth Killed. Coaling Accident On The Bellerophon. - An Inquest was held at Portland Naval Hospital last evening on the body of REGINALD SYMONS, 18, ordinary seaman, H.M.S. Bellerophon, who was killed while the vessel was coaling on Monday preparatory to proceeding to Devonport to give Easter leave. Deceased's parents reside at Devonport. From the evidence it appeared that SYMONS was in the hold of a collier placing bags in position for men to fill. The crane was being worked on the collier and a hoist of nine bags was about to be transferred from the collier to the battleship. The word to proceed was given and instead of lifting vertically from the hold of the collier the bags swerved and, striking a wall of coal in the hold, they rebounded from the port to the starboard side. Upon seeing the hoist coming SYMONS attempted to avoid it, but was too late, and he was pinned against the combing of the hold. Death was instantaneous, the unfortunate youth breaking his neck and fracturing his spine. One of his comrades had a narrow escape and in order to avoid being struck had to fall flat on his face in the hold. - In reply to the Coroner, witnesses stated that no attempt was being made to break a coaling record. The winches were being worked at comparatively slow speed. - The Coroner said that seeing a similar fatality occurred on board the Bellerophon as recently as two months ago, it would be wise if an order were issued by the Admiralty that coaling operations should proceed at slow speed, except perhaps on special occasions, or once during the year. That, he thought, would prevent many fatal accidents, and would not affect the men or the ships. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, no blame being attached to anyone. The Jury asked that they should witness coaling operations of the fleet in order to understand witnesses' evidence at future inquiries.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 17 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest this afternoon in respect of the death on Sunday of JOHN PERCY PHASEY, aged 53 years, formerly an engine-driver. It was stated that the deceased was taken ill twelve months ago and gave up work last Christmas. Dr E. R. Clarke attributed death to heart disease. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 17 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest this afternoon with reference to the death of GORDON VICTOR TULLEN, the eighteen months' old son of a journeyman baker, living at 11 Devonshire-street. Dr H. B. Palmer, who made a post-mortem examination, found the cause to be convulsions. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 17 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest this afternoon on the sudden death of MISS EMILY BLANCHE JEAN, aged 65, a dressmaker, living at 3 Caprera-terrace. Anaemia and syncope were the causes attributed by Dr Keily for the sudden death on Saturday. A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 17 March 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Shipwright's Fatal Fall. Accident On H.M.S. Onyx At Devonport. Inquest At Stonehouse. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning, on the body of DAN O'LEARY, first shipwright, R.N., H.M.S. Onyx, who died in the Hospital on March 14 as the result of a fractured skull. - John Doolan, 43 Avondale-terrace, Keyham, naval pensioner, stated that deceased was thirty-six years of age and lived at 42 Avondale-terrace. He was his son-in-law and left a widow, but no children. Witness saw him at the R.N. Hospital and on one occasion he said that he was on the roof of the ship when he slipped and fell. He attached no blame to anyone. - Fleet-Surgeon F. Dalton, attached to the R.N. Hospital, stated that the deceased was admitted on the 19th of February suffering from head injuries. He did fairly well during the first fortnight, but after that began to show signs of basal meningitis, from which he subsequently died. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull - no doubt due to a fall. There were no other injuries. The deceased was in every way a healthy man. - Fell Twenty Feet. - Richard Cook, leading carpenter's crew, H.M.S. Onyx, stated that on February 19 the ship was in No. 2 basin, North Yard, Keyham, for repairs. She was a covered-in hulk, being a depot ship for submarines. On the 17th two sheets of the corrugated roofing had been removed for the purpose of lowering some machinery into the ship. Neither deceased nor himself had been employed in removing the roofing. On Wednesday afternoon they were ordered to restore in place one of the sheets of iron. Witness went up and the deceased, who climbed up a ladder by the side of the ship abreast of the hole, over-balanced himself and fell down through the hole to the engine-room below, about twenty feet. A sheet of iron went with him. Although it had been replaced in position it had not been secured. There was a plank rigged on the inside sufficiently low to allow the bolts to be replaced for securing the pieces of iron which had been removed. - Charles Henry Glover, engine-room artificer, H.M.S. Onyx, stated that on Monday, February 17, he removed the two corrugated iron sheets, with the assistance of Stoker Gough. They were lowered to the second deck. On the following Wednesday witness was ordered to replace them with the deceased. He got the bolts and sheeting all ready on the second deck and then left to get a new bolt. In witness's absence one sheet was got up on deck, and when he returned it was partly in position, but not secured. The deceased, who was on the second deck at the time, said it was more of a job of work for him than the engineer staff. Consequently the deceased was given orders to complete the work in his own way. - Fred. S. Scott, chief gunner, H.M.S. Onyx, stated that he was informed by the engine officer that he was going to replace the roofing and witness agreed to a suggestion that the first shipwright should be present to assist in the work. Witness sent for the deceased and ordered him to assist. About a quarter of an hour later, seeing that the work had not started, witness asked the deceased to get on with it. At this time Gough, a stoker, was on a plank under the hole, ready to put up the first plate. Witness said "Come along, make a start," and himself passed up a sheet of iron to Gough, who placed it in position as far as possible. - "This Is My Job." - The deceased then came to him and said: "This is my job; I should like to finish it with the help of my mate, Cook." Witness replied: "Complete the job and report. If you require any other assistance let me know." O'LEARY took the ladder to the jetty-side and by means of it got on to the roof. A little later he noticed the deceased falling through the hole to the engine-room, a distance of about twenty-one feet. The loose shell followed him, and fell upon his stomach, clearly showing that he had not got upon it. - Witness thought the deceased was endeavouring to properly place the plate and in doing so overbalanced himself. He was a most capable man; he was suitable for the job. Witness had since seen the deceased in the Hospital and he told him that he over-balanced himself. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury expressing sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 March 1913
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Moreton Burning Fatality. The Flannelette Danger. - At Moretonhampstead on Saturday, the Deputy Coroner, held an Inquiry concerning the death of SUSAN SHORT, a widow, who resided at Enbleford-cottage, Moreton, and who died of injuries received from a burning accident the previous day. - The Injuries were described by Dr Laurie, who said deceased was burnt over the chest, shoulder, and back. She was wearing a flannelette blouse and that was responsible for her death. MRS SHORT tried to put the flames out, she said, with aprons and then poured water over herself, but could not extinguish the flames until help arrived. - William Victor Lake, butcher's assistant, said he put the fire out with his hands. - The Coroner remarked that flannelette had been responsible for a great many deaths, but people still bought it. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 20 March 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - The Devonport Suicide. Army Pensioner's Letter To His Wife. - HENRY JONES, aged 61, of 12 Monument-street, Devonport, a pensioned sergeant from the Royal garrison Artillery, committed suicide on Tuesday evening by gas poisoning. At the Inquest the evidence showed that on the Thursday previous the deceased fell off a chair and had since complained of pains in his head. About 9.30 the widow, on returning home, smelt gas. She went to turn it off and put her hand on deceased's face. The deceased got the penny to put into the gas meter from a neighbour. The deceased left a note asking his wife to forgive him and stating that by the time she had the letter he would have departed this world on account of the strain through sleeplessness. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 22 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - A Plymouth Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Mutley Police Station, Plymouth, this morning, on the body of HAROLD HYNE, the two-year-old son of JOHN HYNE, labourer, of 44 Fursehill-road. Dr H. G. Pinker deposed to being called at four o'clock the previous afternoon and finding the child dead. As the result of a post-mortem examination, he attributed death to bronchial pneumonia, causing heart failure. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 22 March 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Accidentally Suffocated At Devonport. - At an Inquest held at Devonport Guildhall this morning by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, touching the death of DORIS ANNIE MCKECHNIE, an infant seven weeks old, whose parents reside at Edinburgh-road, the Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was Accidentally Suffocated.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 22 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Engineer's Suicide At Plymouth. - "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was the verdict returned by a Plymouth Jury who on Thursday investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of WALTER SMITH, aged 51, an engineer on the John Pender. Deceased was found dead in his bedroom with his throat cut. He was holding a razor in his right hand.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 26 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Inquiry Into Death Of Girl Run Over By Taxi-Cab. - The circumstances surrounding the death of RHODA PEARSE, aged eight years, the daughter of GEORGE ROBERT PEARSE, general dealer, of 1 Craven-avenue, who was knocked down by a taxi-cab on Saturday last, were investigated by Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday afternoon. - Charles Webb, a taxi-cab driver, living at 2 Clayton-road, stated that he was driving a taxi on Saturday afternoon from St Jude's to Neath-road and when near Craven-avenue the deceased ran from behind a tramcar right in front of the taxi, which was travelling at nine or ten miles an hour. The near side wing struck her on the forehead, he believed. He stopped the taxi in its own length and the child was taken in the cab to the Hospital. - Cecil Lindon, lecturer, 24 Rosebery-avenue, who witnessed the accident, gave similar evidence. Webb, he added, ran his taxi on the pavement in trying to avoid the child, and no blame could be attributed to him. In his opinion the accident could not have been avoided. - Frederick Venton, the conductor on the tram from behind which the child ran, told the Coroner that Webb sounded the horn on the taxi repeatedly as he was passing the tram, but it was impossible to avoid hitting the child. The taxi was going at a steady rate. - Dr J. P. Blockley, House Physician at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, stated that the deceased was admitted to that Institution suffering from a fractured skull. She only lived five minutes after he saw her. - The Coroner, in summing up, thought it a wonder there were not more accidents of such a character in Plymouth, having regard to the noise of the traffic in some parts. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerated the driver and expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 26 March 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry at the Mortuary this afternoon in reference to the death of MARGARET HANNAGHAN, a widow, 76 years of age, lived at 93 King-street. - Margaret Warne, 93 King-street, stated that the deceased, who slept on a wool mattress on the floor, with a candle on a chair by her side, was put to bed about half-past eight on Sunday evening. Early the next morning the witness's husband smelt smoke in the house and going to the deceased's room, found the mattress on fire. The deceased was dead. It was thought that in trying to light the candle she set fire to the mattress. - P.C. Pearce, who was called to the house, having informed the Jury that the deceased was badly burned on the head and neck, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 2 April 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Inquest At Devonport. Sudden Death Of A Pensioner Policeman. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an inquiry at Morice Town Council School last evening touching the sudden death of JONATHAN GEST NUNN, a pensioned Constable from the Metropolitan Police, which took place the previous day at his residence, 19 Herbert-place. - The son, MR ARCHIBALD S. NUNN, said his father was sixty years of age. On the previous evening he found deceased on the wash-house floor. He tried to rouse him, but could not. - WINIFRED MAUD NUNN said her father went to take in the clothes line, and shortly after, when she called him, she could not get an answer. - Dr W. Gard attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart and a verdict accordingly was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 2 April 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Borough Coroner held an Inquiry at the Guildhall with reference to the death of EMMA KENDALL, the one-day-old child of FREDERICK JOHN KENDALL, a Dockyard labourer, of 1 Chapman's Ope. Dr Bolus attributed death to congenital heart disease and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 3 April 1913
PLYMOUTH - Thought He Was Asleep. Found Dead In A Plymouth Train. - An Inquest was held at the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon on the body of MR WILLIAM ELLISON, 70, of 9 Cheltenham-place, Plymouth, a minister of the Catholic Episcopal Church, who was found dead in a third-class compartment of a Yelverton train at North-road Station last evening. - Mr George H. Smith, of Salisbury House, Devonport, deposed to last seeing the deceased at about ten minutes to eight after having spent the day with him on business at Yelverton. - David Harris, a ticket collector, stated that he thought the deceased was asleep until he felt his pulse. - Dr Webber said the deceased had a bad attack of pneumonia last year, from which he had never properly recovered. Death, in his opinion, was due to syncope. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 7 April 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - R.N. Stoker Drowned In Devonport Dockyard. How The Widow Learnt The News. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, conducted an Inquiry at the North Yard, Devonport, this morning touching the death of BENJAMIN MOORE. - Mr K. E. Peck represented the Admiralty. - SARAH WINIFRED MOORE, residing at Dorset-street, Grangetown, Cardiff, identified deceased as her husband, who was a leading stoker in the Royal Navy and was 26 years of age. The last time she saw him alive was when he was home for his Easter leave. Then he was quite well. He would have served twelve years in the Navy on the 7th of the present month. There was an explosion on the Hope at Invergorden, and she telegraphed to know if her husband was amongst the injured and received a reply that he was not, but that he was missing from the ship the day before they left Devonport. The letter further stated that his cap was found floating in one of the Docks and that this might mean that he had met with an accident. - Inspector Miller, Metropolitan Police, stated that at 3 p.m. on the 18th ult. Lieut. Addison, of H.M.S. Hope, which was then lying in No. 2 Basin, reported that the deceased had been absent since 7 a.m. on the previous day, and that he was last seen to leave the ship on the 16th. On the 18th his cap was found in No. 7 Dock. The basin was dragged on the 19th and the 31st. - George Frederick Walsh, 4 Mount-street, Plymouth, labourer in the Dockyard, deposed to the body being found in No. 5 dock on Friday last. The deceased would have had to cross the caison of No. 2 basin to get to his ship. - P.C. George Anderson gave evidence as to the removal of the body to the Mortuary, where it was seen by Staff-Surgeon Page. A South African medal bearing the name of "B. Wood, stoker, H.M.S. Pearl," was found on the clothes. - Staff-Surgeon J. H. Page, North Yard, said the body was in an advanced stage of decomposition. There were no signs of any injury or violence. Death, in his opinion, was due to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was Found Drowned, but that there was no evidence to show how he came into the water. - The Coroner, in expressing sympathy with MRS MOORE said he thought that someone should have reported to the widow the fact that the deceased was missing. He (the Coroner) could quite understand that probably it might have been assumed on the ship that he might have been breaking his leave; but, in the case of a man of good character, it might have been reasonably assumed that it was due to an accident. The cap was found on the 18th March and the fact was reported to the Police on the same day. The ship left Devonport on the 20th. No notification was sent to MRS MOORE, and it was only by seeing that an explosion had occurred on the ship at Invergordon and telegraphing to ascertain if her husband was one of the men injured, that she found that her husband was missing. It was a very unfortunate circumstance that she ascertained the fact in such a manner; it was a pity the matter was not reported to MRS MOORE. - The Foreman of the Jury thought the matter ought to be brought before the notice of the Admiralty, and Mr Peck promised that this should be done.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 14 April 1913
PLYMOUTH - Slipped On A Banana Skin. Plymouth Widow's Fatal Fall. - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest this afternoon with reference to the death on Saturday of ANN ROGERS, aged 70, a widow of 44 South View-terrace. - About fourteen weeks ago deceased slipped on a piece of banana skin in the back court and broke her left thigh. Dr H. B. Palmer attended her to the time of her death, which was due to exhaustion from bed sores consequent on the broken limb. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 14 April 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner held an Inquest relative to the death this morning of TRYPHENA PHILLIPS, aged 65 years, the wife of a clerk living at 35 James-street. Dr J. H. S. May, the family doctor, attributed death to apoplexy, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Monday 14 April 1913
MARY TAVY - Teacher Tragedy. Inquest On MISS GRYLLS At Marytavy. Strain Of Her Duties. - The circumstances of the death of MISS RUTH GRYLLS, the Plymouth school teacher who disappeared from her home at Plymouth last Wednesday morning, and whose body was found in a field near Marytavy, were investigated by the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. C. Brown, on Saturday evening at Wringworthy Farm, Marytavy, where the body had been since it was discovered. Mr H. Nicholls was the Foreman of the Jury, and also present was Rev. H. H. Hill of Salisbury-road Baptist Church, Plymouth, to which church deceased belonged. - WILLIAM GRYLLS, brother, a boilermaker, living at Hatt, said deceased, who was 26, resided at Percy-terrace, Mutley and was a school teacher employed at Hyde Park School, Plymouth. Witness saw her a fortnight ago on Wednesday and she was then very bright and cheerful. As far as he knew, she had no trouble of any kind. - Felt The Strain. - MR JOHN CORY GRYLLS, Percy-terrace, Mutley, a traveller, said deceased was his daughter. He saw her last alive on Wednesday morning about a quarter to nine, when she left the house to go to school. - The Coroner: What was she like then? - The night before and that morning she seemed depressed and strange in her manner. - Witness, continuing, said he did not remark upon it. He thought her duties were pressing upon her, and were rather much. She had not been like that for any period - only the last few days. - Did she complain of things being too much for her? - She did to her mother the day before - Had she ever stated anything about an attempt upon her life? - No, never. - Continuing, MR GRYLLS said deceased had 50 to 58 children in the infants' department to look after. She did not come home to dinner on the Wednesday, and then they found that she had not been to school. A search was made. On Wednesday morning she went part of the way with a friend, named Miss Mudge, who was also a school teacher. When they parted deceased said "Good-bye." She did not make any complaint. - Rev. H. H. Hill asked the Coroner if he would ask MR GRYLLS whether as late as last Sunday night deceased talked of going to Canada, and whether she wrote for papers with a view to going to Canada, because she felt the teaching was too much for her and whether since she left home replies had come? - The father said deceased spoke to her friend about going to Canada on the Sunday evening, saying her duties were too heavy. Replies had since come which showed that she had written about the matter. The replies were from the Salvation Army Emigration Offices. Deceased had never been medically treated. - Frank Doidge mason, Harford Bridge, said at 8.15 on Friday morning he was going along the main road near Wringworthy Farm with a horse and cart, when he saw something lying in the corner of the field near the hedge. He jumped on to the hedge and saw it was a body. He informed P.C. Trigger. - Deceased's father said his wife, noticing deceased was so depressed on Tuesday dinner-time, pressed her to have a doctor. She was taking a patent medicine, and promised if she was not better she would see a doctor on Thursday. - The Constable's Discovery. - P.C. Trigger said deceased's clothes were practically burnt off with the exception of a bit around her waist. Near by he found a coat, a hat, a pair of shoes and a handbag. In the bag there was a piece of cake. In the coat pocket was a purse containing 8s. 2 ½d. and a pocket handkerchief marked "R.G." Near the body he found four empty bottles. One of the bottles was labelled "Glacial acetic acid," marked "Poison," and bearing the name of "C. J. Park, pharmaceutical chemist, Plymouth." Another bottle, bearing the same name, was labelled "Strong acetic acid." A third bottle was labelled "Glacial acetic acid," marked "Poison," and bore the name "J. Barge and Son, M.P.S., Mutley." The fourth bottle was a pint and a half size, smelling strongly of paraffin. There were no signs of a struggle - no indication of a second person. Apparently deceased struggled about four or five yards, for about that distance away from the body he found some front false teeth and two "spent" matches. - Mr Charles Jas. Park, chemist, Plymouth, identified one of the bottles as having been purchased from him. On Wednesday morning, about ten o'clock, a lady came into the shop and asked for the strongest acetic acid he had to destroy warts. She asked for it in an ordinary manner. He told her to be careful in applying it. Acetic acid was not a scheduled poison and need not even be labelled. There was no restriction whatever on the sale of it. The young lady purchased two-pennyworth. He had made inquiries about the other bottle which bore his label, but could not trace who had purchased it. - Neville Barber, assistant to Messrs. Barge and Son, chemists, Plymouth, said about ten o'clock on Wednesday morning a young lady came into the shop and asked for three-pennyworth of the strongest acetic acid for removing warts. She appeared to be an ordinary customer. He identified one of the small bottles as the one he supplied. - Doctor's Examination. - Dr C. C. Brodrick, Tavistock, said he had examined the body. The lower part of the trunk was very badly burnt. The upper part of the chest and the face were scorched and the hair was singed. He had made a post-mortem, and found in the stomach the cardiac end was very black and the whole of the mucous membrane was discoloured, pointing to the fact that some corrosive acid had been taken. The other internal organs were perfectly normal. Death, he considered, was due to burns and shock. The burns were so extensive to quite account for death. - The Coroner: Was there enough acetic acid to easily kill? - The Doctor: No. It affects the stomach by making it perfectly black inside. Continuing, he said the burns were so terrible on the lower part of the body that she must have died very soon from shock. Everything was burnt clean off the lower part of her body. - The Coroner, summing up, said it was a very sad case. There was evidence that depression did exist, and also that deceased was unsettled in her movements for some cause, probably owing to the heaviness of her duties and she contemplated leaving the country. The evidence showed that she was sufficiently deranged mentally as to take the very terrible course of setting herself on fire. Whether or not she previously took the acid was to his mind immaterial. - The verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned, and the Coroner and Jury tendered a vote of sympathy with the relatives, which was acknowledged by MR GRYLLS, jun. 

Western Morning News, Monday 14 April 1913
BOVEY TRACEY - The Bovey Tracey Suicide. Sufferer From Delusions. - At Bovey Tracey on Saturday Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest on ALBION HAYWOOD, aged 55, of Pottery-cottages, whose body was found in a disused lignite pit of deep water on Thursday. - The widow stated that deceased was at work until Tuesday last as usual. On Wednesday, however, he was too ill to go to work. She thought he was suffering from influenza. During the day he had been wandering about and when he came back he did not know where he had been and appeared to be suffering from delusions. That night deceased slept in her room and about three o'clock on Thursday morning he got up, dressed and went out. She did not know he was going, neither did he say anything before leaving. He had never made any threats indicating suicidal tendency, nor did she think he had anything to trouble him, but he was generally depressed. - HARRY HAYWOOD, a brother, said he did not know of any worry sufficient to cause the occurrence. Deceased had complained of pains in his stomach, which they thought were due to indigestion. He was certainly unwell. - In reply to the Coroner as to why deceased did not go to the doctor, witness said he was always averse to doctors. He added that on the Wednesday morning deceased, after having been out, said he could not tell where he had been ad repeatedly said he had lost himself. He once remarked, "Oh, trouble, trouble," which witness thought was a reference to his invalid wife. - NORMAN HAYWOOD, the eldest son, said that some years ago his father had an attack of influenza, when he seemed to give way a little, but since then he had not had a return until that week. He seemed to suffer from delusions and sometimes would hardly speak. His delusions were that his wife was seriously ill and that he had been the cause of her illness. When he saw him like that he removed his razor. He was run down and his mother advised witness to put the razor away. It was usually kept on the dresser shelf, so witness removed it and covered it up on the side of the dresser. On Wednesday witness went for Dr Dallas at nine o'clock in the morning and explained as far as possible what his father's symptoms were. Dr Dallas said he would call in two or three days. Witness told the doctor he did not think his father should be left so long and Dr Dallas then said he would call that day or the first thing next morning. - The Coroner: Why didn't you go for another doctor? - That was his club doctor; we expected him. - Was he seen by the doctor on Wednesday? - No. Witness added that his father did not go to bed until 1.30 on Thursday morning, when witness went to bed. About three o'clock his father called him down as he wanted to go out and his mother advised that he (witness) should accompany him. Witness heard his father light the fire and as witness was coming downstairs he heard deceased go out and shut the door. Witness immediately went out, but owing to the darkness he could not see which way his father went. He made a fruitless search around the works and called his uncle. Search parties were then organized. - Replying to a Juryman, who asked if the doctor gave any reason why he could not attend his father, witness said the doctor stated that he was booked close up, and he thought he would attend him in rotation. - P.C. Finch said, as the result of the organized search by the pottery employees, at four o'clock on Thursday the cap produced was identified by deceased's son, it having been found by a man named L.A. Coish. An improvised grappling iron was obtained and the body recovered. Both hands were clenched, in the right hand being the razor. There was a tremendous wound in the throat. - Dr A. McCabe Dallas said the wound in the throat was a jagged one, as if a determined effort at sawing at the throat had been made. It was sufficient to cause death by the haemorrhage and shock, but he thought it was more probable that death occurred from drowning, and that deceased jumped in after cutting his throat. The wound was self-inflicted. Witness said he had never seen deceased, and he was not a club patient. The son told him that his father was run down and witness did not think it was an urgent case. No mention was made of delusions and he could have attended had he known it was urgent. Deceased was an insured patient under the Act, but he had not put himself on a doctor's list. Witness had no obligation to attend deceased, but from what he had heard he ought to have been seen a week before. He was persuaded not to put himself on the doctors' lists and this was the result. - In reply to a Juryman, deceased's son said no one persuaded his father not to go on the doctor's list. - The Jury, of which Mr W. J. F. Martin was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide by Drowning whilst of Unsound Mind," and they expressed the opinion that the explanation given by Dr Dallas was satisfactory.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 15 April 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Family. "Scarcely Knew Ordinary Rules Of Civilisation." - The Devonport Borough Coroner, Mr J. H. Pearce, conducted an Inquiry at the Devonport Guildhall yesterday touching the death of HERO HOWARD SCOTT, 6 Somerset-cottages, Stoke. - WALTER SCOTT, son, said his father was 65 years of age and formerly a drummer in the 96th Foot Regiment. He enlisted at the age of 14, and bought himself out five years later. He afterwards worked for the Devonport Corporation. Some years ago he came into some money, on which he had since lived. Of late he had been complaining of colds and on Saturday evening was taken with pains. Witness went out in the evening and did not return until eleven o'clock. His father was then dead. His mother told him to go to bed and that they would see about a doctor in the morning. - The Coroner (to witness): It is rather a sad thing to know that your father was ill and you took no steps to get medical attendance. - Witness: I was not in the room much at the time he was bad. - Replying to the Foreman of the Jury, witness said his father always refused to see a doctor. - The Foreman: When you saw a change in your father, didn't you think you ought to have sent for a doctor? - But I was not there then. - A Juryman: Your father was a very temperate man? - He used to drink a drop. Witness added that he did not inform the Police of the death of his father. - ROBERT SCOTT, another son, said he did not see any change in his father on Saturday night. Between seven and eight o'clock the witness fetched some porter for his father. After drinking it he fell back. His mother came into the room and she thought he had gone to sleep. They then had their supper. At eleven o'clock his mother went into the room and had a look at him. His eyes were open. He as then dead, but witness did not know the actual time his father passed away. - By a Juryman: His mother did not think he was so bad. - Replying to another Juryman, the witness said he fetched a pint of porter, of which the deceased drank a cupful. - P.C. Lakeman said that at 10.15 on Sunday night he was on duty in Tavistock-road when he was informed by a man named Benson of the death of the deceased. With another Constable he went to No. 6 Somerset-cottages and saw ROBERT SCOTT. Witness was taken to a back room, where he saw the deceased lying in his shirt on a sofa. He was in a very filthy condition; in fact, he was "alive." Witness asked MRS SCOTT why she had not made known the deceased's death before and she replied that she had sent for three doctors but none would attend. She also added that she noticed he was ill on Saturday night. The Constable added that the whole of the surroundings were in a very deplorable condition. - Dr T. McElwaine said the body was very dirty and objectionable, with a number of scratches on the body, apparently done by himself. Deceased had cirrhosis of the liver. There was no food in the stomach, but there was a large quantity of liquid, which smelt of beer or porter. He had inflammation at the base of both lungs and the cause of death was double pneumonia, accelerated by cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism. - The Foreman: The deceased was a heavy drinker? - Yes. - The Coroner said the least said about the case the better, because they were dealing with a family who scarcely knew the ordinary rules of civilisation. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 3 May 1913
KINGSKERSWELL - Devonport Petty Officer's Suicide. Absent Without Leave. - Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy County Coroner, conducted an Inquiry at Kingskerswell, near Torquay, this morning, into the death of First-Class Petty-Officer, ALFRED JOHN GILLARD COOMBS, of H.M.S. Leopard, who was found hanging from a tree on the previous day. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith, Devonport, represented the Admiralty. - MABEL COOMBS, widow, stated that deceased was thirty-four years of age. He came home from Devonport unexpectedly on Thursday morning and appeared to be in a depressed state. She was quite surprised to see him and said, "Whatever time of day did you get up?" and he replied, "I have been travelling all night, maid." - The Coroner: Do you know what he meant? - Witness replied in the negative. He said nothing about leave. Her husband had complained of pains in the head since he had enteric fever. The pains came on during thunder weather. When a postcard from his sister came in the evening he seemed more restless than ever. He did not eat anything during the day, informing her that he could not get it down. He went out for a run, as he called it, at nine o'clock on Thursday night, and she did not see him alive again. She had seen him quite as bad as this before. - The Coroner: Did he tell you anything about himself? - Witness: No, I could not get anything out of him. I asked him if there was anything the matter and he said he had nothing to tell. - Hanging From A Tree. - Sidney Reginald Morris, a lad, gave evidence as to seeing the body hanging from a tree in Best Mount Field and he told some men. - William Thomas Mills said the man's boots were covered in mud. He cut the rope. The body was quite stiff. - Dr J. R. Hatfield expressed the opinion that death had taken place eight or nine hours previously. There were no signs of a struggle. Deceased's hands were green, as if they had been in contact with the branches of a tree or grass. Death was due to hanging and was instantaneous. - MRS HILDA MAY BROWN, of King-street, Exeter, sister of the deceased, spoke to sending a postcard to her sister-in-law asking her brother to come up and see her "as soon as possible about something very important." She explained it was a "little family affair between themselves." - The Coroner: You heard a witness say that this rather upset him? - Witness: I don't see why it should. There was nothing to worry about. - The Coroner: I think you may tell us what it was about. - The witness said an aunt had just died and left a little money between the three of them. - Without Leave. - Lieut. Geoffrey Thomas Wright of H.M.S. Leopard, stated that COOMBS left the ship at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the information of the quartermaster. - The Coroner: Had he leave? - No, but he was in charge of the ship. - The Coroner: That would be a serious offence? - Witness: Yes. - Witness added that the matter was reported to him on the following morning. He had known COOMBS since September 1911 and he had an exemplary character. So far as he (witness) was aware, the deceased had never broken leave before. He had a good conduct medal. COOMBS was rather reserved. A warrant had been issued for his arrest. - The Coroner: Do you think this could have got to his knowledge. - P.C. Brook said he had not received any information from the Devonport Police, and, therefore if could not have got to the knowledge of COOMBE. - The Coroner: Can you throw out any suggestion for the action? - Witness: He had been worrying about the stores. - Were they not in order? - Witness: Only to a trifling degree. - Do you think this had been worrying him? - From subsequent events I think it must have. - The witness thought that another cause for worry was the fact that the deceased had been ordered to report himself to the captain on the return to Grimsby on the question of discipline. It was petty and there would have been no serious consequences at all. - Petty-Officer Eli A. Edgcombe, H.M.S. Leopard, also gave evidence. - The Jury, of whom Mr W. H. Mortimer was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," expressing their sympathy with the widow. - Lieutenant Wright, on behalf of the officers, associated himself with this resolution.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 8 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Death Causes By Bone. Inquest On A Plymouth Man. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry at Cattedown this afternoon into the circumstances attending the death of JOSEPH THOMAS EDE, 45, of 11 Sycamore Avenue. - Dr Deery said the deceased came to him on the 25th ult and complained that he had swallowed a bone while eating his dinner. Witness sent him to the South Devon Hospital, where the X-rays was employed to locate the bone, but without success. On Tuesday last he was bleeding from the throat and was in too weak a condition to be operated upon. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to haemorrhage of the base of the left lung, due probably to the fracture by the bone of a blood vessel. - A verdict was accordingly returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 8 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Plymouth. Woman's Fall. - At the North Friary Home this afternoon the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquiry relative to the death of MRS ROSE BOLT, aged 41 years, the wife of an accountant's clerk, who is now in Singapore. - JOSEPH ED. MACE, a chief engine-room artificer, said the deceased, who was his niece, had been living with him in the top flat of Brockley House, Marlborough-road. For some time past the roof had been leaking and on April 21 she went on to the rafters to place a bowl there to catch the water. While so doing she apparently stepped on a cardboard box and fell through the ceiling to the stairs below, a distance of about 24 ft. Dr Eccles was called in and she was removed to the Nursing Home. - Dr G. H. Eccles stated that the deceased suffered from a broken left thigh and left elbow joint, while there were bruises all over the body. Up to within fifteen minutes of her death yesterday, from a clot of blood in the heart, not an unusual development in such cases, she progressed as well as could be expected. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury expressing sympathy with the relatives.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 9 May 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquiry at the Guildhall, Devonport, this morning touching the death of SUSANNAH FOSTER, whose body was found floating in the water near the bathing place at Morice Town on Wednesday evening. - IDA BLANCHE WESTLAKE, 10 Warren-street, gave evidence of identification. The deceased was 63 years of age and was the wife of HENRY FOSTER, journeyman miller, from whom she had been separated between nine and ten years. She resided at 10 Warren-street and had a maintenance of £1 per month from her husband. She was positive the body was that of her sister-in-law. The witness last saw her alive on Wednesday afternoon between two and three o'clock at 10 Warren-street. She left the house by the back door. The deceased had a sister living at Torpoint. Her father died recently and she had been very strange in her manner since. She had never threatened to take her lie. She went to Torpoint on occasions to see her sister. - John Hart, 5 Trelawney-terrace, Torpoint, captain of the Torpoint ferry, deposed to finding the body some twenty yards from the bathing place at Newpassage. - Dr T. McElwaine, who made a post-mortem examination, attributed death to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 10 May 1913
STAVERTON - The Missing Ashburton Girl. Inquest At Staverton. - This morning at the Court Room, Staverton, Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of BETSY GERMAN, of Ashburton. - GEORGE GERMAN, deceased's uncle, a brushmaker and auxiliary postman of North-street, Ashburton, said that the deceased, who was his niece, was the daughter of THOMAS GERMAN of Diptford. She was nineteen years of age and a dressmaker. She was subject to fits and had one three weeks before she disappeared, on April 24. The girl was usually cheerful and had said that she wished she could go out and earn her living like other girls and he thought this must have preyed on her mind. She left the house about 8.30 p.m. and the following morning he found her apron on Holne Bridge, about two miles from Ashburton. He could offer no suggestion as to how she came into the river. - Mr E. Y. Salsbury deposed to finding the body half-way down Sandpool on Thursday. - Dr E. A. Ellis, of Ashburton, stated he knew the deceased suffered from epilepsy. He attended her after a fit on March 5. There were no marks of severe violence on the body, which was so decomposed that slight bruises would not be noticeable. A post-mortem examination showed there was no doubt that the cause of death was drowning. - The Deputy Coroner pointed out that there was not sufficient evidence to say how the deceased got into the river. There was no evidence that she was despondent and committed suicide. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was Drowned on April 24 but there was no evidence to show how she got into the water.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 14 May 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - AT an Inquest held at Devonport last evening by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, touching the sudden death of LENA LILIAN MAY, the infant child of WILLIAM DANIEL MAY, mason, of 11 Hood-street, Dr G. A. Rae attributed death to heart failure due to non-expansions of the lungs and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Late COL. A. W. MACKENZIE. Inquest At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth of LIEUT.-COL. A. W. MACKENZIE, of the Indian Medical Service (retired). - Col. J. H. Gideon, a retired officer, and living at Holmfield, Northam, North Devon said COL. MACKENZIE was his brother-in-law, and had lived at Jebmyn, Elmsleigh Park, Paignton. He was 59 years of age and on May 2nd left Paignton for Plymouth on a visit. So far as he knew the Colonel had no trouble, but a short time ago replied to an invitation that he was not fit for two rounds of golf. - Mrs Westacott, wife of a shipwright in the Dockyard, living at Prince Maurice-road, Mutley, said COLONEL MACKENZIE came to her house to lodge on May 2nd and appeared to be in good health. He never went out of the house, except to go into the garden. - The Coroner: That is surely very unusual? - Col. Gideon: He often used to stay indoors a lot when the fit was on him. - Mrs Westacott, continuing, aid the Colonel was taken ill on Sunday morning about 8.30. He was in bed at the time. Hearing him knocking, she went to see what was the matter. He complained of being sick, and she at once sent for medical assistance. - Dr Pinker said he was called on Sunday morning at about 8.40 and on reaching the house found COLONEL MACKENZIE dead. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had a large fatty heart, which was the cause of death. The disease was of long standing. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 14 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Fatal Fall. - An Inquest was held yesterday at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, by Mr R. B. Johns upon VERA GWENDOLINE HALEY, aged 5, who died from injuries received by falling from a window, 16 or 17 feet from the ground. - MRS LAVINIA HALEY, of Higher-street, said about 4.40 p.m. on Sunday she was in the kitchen on the ground floor and the child was with others younger than herself, in another room, the window of which was shut when she left the room. VERA must have opened it. - William George Griffin, a neighbour, said he noticed two children at the window and told them to close it, and they did so. He then went to tea and shortly afterwards his wife going into the yard saw a child lying huddled on the ground. She called to him and he at once picked the child up and took her to the Hospital. - Dr J. P. Blockley, House Physician, said the child was admitted suffering from a fractured skull. An operation was performed that evening, but the child died about 12.45 a.m. on Monday. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed their sympathy with the mother and approval of the prompt action of Mr Griffin.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 16 May 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - At Stonehouse this afternoon Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, conducted an Inquiry into the death of the twelve months' old male child of THOMAS BURD, of 35 Union-street. The medical evidence showed that death was due to convulsions, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 16 May 1913
BISHOPSTEIGNTON - Child's Fatal Fall. Inquest On ADMIRAL STODDART'S Son. - An Inquest was held yesterday in the Schoolroom, Bishopsteignton, by Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, upon JAMES KENNEDY STODDART, only son of Rear-Admiral and Mrs STODDART, of Wood, Bishopsteignton, who died on Tuesday evening as the result of a fall from a donkey. Mr F. W. Pook was chosen Foreman of the Jury, who viewed the body, which was lying at the Parish Church. - Rear-Admiral ARCHIBALD PEILE STODDART stated that his son was four years of age. On the 6th inst., he was informed by a little girl that his boy had fallen from his donkey. He (witness) immediately ran out and found that the boy's nurse had left the donkey and carried the deceased all the way home in her arms. Upon examination by the chief nurse it was found that the boy's arm was broken and a messenger was despatched by motor car to Newton Abbot for a doctor, the nurse meanwhile bandaging the broken limb. Dr Haydon and his assistant arrived and set the arm, and the limb progressed favourably. On Sunday the doctor called again and found everything progressing satisfactorily. The next day, however, the nurse noticed that the boy's teeth were getting set, and Dr Nisbet called during the afternoon. On Tuesday Dr Nisbet called again and opened up the wound, and gave every possible attention, but the boy passed away the same evening. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said they had had the donkey for about 18 months. There was no saddle on it at the time of the accident; only a saddle cloth. Deceased was not in the habit of playing whilst on the donkey. On the day in question, a little girl who was staying with them and the deceased were on the donkey together, one riding in front of the other. - The Deputy Coroner: You do not consider any blame can be attached to anyone? - Witness replied that he did not and he was sure that everything that could possibly be done was done to save the boy's life from the time of the accident. In his opinion, no power could have kept the tetanus back. - Olive M. Partridge stated that she was a housemaid at Wood, but she also assisted with the child. She had frequently taken him out with the donkey. On the 6th inst. she took him on the road leading from Wood to Bishopsteignton. She first put the little girl on the donkey and then the deceased. The donkey was still, when both children lost their balance and fell off. The little girl was not hurt. Witness noticed the boy's arm was rather funny, but she thought it was only a cut. It was bleeding. - Asked if she could offer any suggestion as to why the children lost their balance, witness said the little girl was apparently unable to keep her balance when she let go the reins and, as the boy was catching hold of her, both fell off. The little girl was not carrying anything in her hand at the time. - Dr A. T. Nisbet (Newton Abbot) stated that he was away from home on the date the accident happened. He had previously attended the boy and on Sunday he examined the boy's arm in company with Dr Haydon. It was a perfectly healthy wound, with very little swelling and the bones were in good position; in fact everything appeared to be going on satisfactorily. Up to this time there had been no rise in temperature. Witness called again on Monday morning and at that time he did not detect any sign of tetanus, although the boy complained of spasmodic pain. This, however, witness attributed to the disturbance and dressing of the wound. At midday the nurse first noticed a drawing at the mouth, and when witness called later the boy was worse, and he (witness) recognised that he was then suffering from lock-jaw. On Tuesday he was still worse and at midday, with Dr Haydon, witness administered an anaesthetic, and again opened up the wound, which was still perfectly healthy. The boy gradually got worse, however and died at 7.30 that evening. - A Juror, Mr J. A. Stidston, said he happened to be passing at the time and saw the children with the donkey. Everything was in order and the children were perfectly quiet. - The Coroner expressed deep sympathy with Admiral and Mrs STODDART and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 20 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Cycling Fatality. The Inquest. - A cycling fatality at Peverell formed the subject of an Inquiry by Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital yesterday afternoon, the deceased being PERCY WILLIAM WOODS, a traveller, thirty-one years of age, of 36 Tracey-street. - The Rev. J. Shore, of the Catholic Church, Peverell, stated that about a quarter-past twelve on Friday afternoon he was in Short Park-road, when he heard a crash and saw that two cyclists had collided. He went to render assistance, and found the deceased, who was unconscious, bleeding from the nose and mouth. Constable Mann was sent for and the deceased was taken to the Hospital. - George Owen Williams, butcher, 45 Beatrice-avenue, Devonport, the second cyclist, stated that he was proceeding down Peverell Park-road, when the deceased cycled round the corner from Short Park-road and collided with him. The deceased's bicycle struck the front wheel of witness's machine. WOODS was on the wrong side of the road and did not ring his bell. The accident could not have been avoided. Apparently the deceased took a long sweep in turning the corner. Witness rendered assistance after the accident. - Dr J. Blockley, House Physician at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said the deceased suffered from a fractured skull and clavicle. He was operated upon, but death took place early on Sunday morning. From a post-mortem examination he found that the cause of death was meningitis, due to the injuries. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 20 May 1913
EVERSLEY, HAMPSHIRE- Devonshire Woman's Death. Evidence By Miss Kingsley At Inquest. Suicide While Insane. - An Inquest was held at Eversley School, Hampshire, today on the body of MISS SALOME LOUISE FULFORD, native of Hartland, Devon, secretary and lady's maid to Miss Kingsley, which was recovered from the River Blackwater on Saturday afternoon. - Miss Kingsley, who is the daughter of Charles Kingsley, gave evidence that deceased had lived with her nearly six years. On Whit-Monday morning she entered witness's study and asked her whether she could do anything. Witness told her not then, but if she would come in a quarter of an hour she should help her to arrange the flowers. She then said, "If I am mad." Witness remonstrated with her lovingly and told her she must not say such things. Deceased replied, "Oh, but I feel as if I was going mad." Witness soothed her and told her she must use her will to fight against such foolish ideas. Deceased said she had dreadful pains at the back of her head, and kept thinking about herself. Later deceased helped witness with the flowers but was very silent all the time, and looked shockingly ill. That was the last conversation witness had with her. - Another witness gave evidence of deceased's leaving the bedroom early in the morning. She was then wearing a nightdress, dressing-gown, stockings and shoes and when spoken to replied that she wanted to go downstairs. That was the last the witness saw of her. - Medical testimony was given that deceased had had an attack of influenza and afterwards complained of general debility. She had also suffered from skin irritation, evidently of neurotic origin, which she said had kept her awake a good deal. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased Drowned Herself while Temporarily Insane.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 23 May 1913
BOVEY TRACEY - Bovey Child's Fatal Fall. Windows Without Proper Fasteners. - An Inquiry was held at the Town Hall, Bovey Tracey, yesterday morning, before the Deputy Coroner, Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, touching the death of WILLIAM CHOAK, aged four, son of MR and MRS G. A. M. CHOAK, of 17 South View, Bovey Tracey. - The father said his daughter put the boy to bed on Tuesday evening. The bed was close to the window, three or four inches below the sill. The window opened outwards, there being no bar in the middle. The window had a fastener in the middle, with a bolt at the bottom. The bolt was down on the evening when the accident happened. When the window was shut there would be no ventilation in the room. Just after six he saw a shadow before the kitchen window, which was immediately below the bedroom window, and he also heard a shout. He ran out and picked the child up and found him bleeding from the nose. Later his daughter sent for a doctor. - Asked if he recollected any of his neighbours' children having fallen from the bedroom window, witness stated that he could remember two previous to his son's fall. One occurred about fourteen years ago and another about three years ago. - JANE MAY CHOAK, deceased's sister, said her little brother, HARRY told her they were playing on the sill, when deceased went against the window and fell out. Her brother LEONARD went to try to save the deceased, but Mrs Bedford told him to go back from the window, otherwise he would have fallen out as well. - Dr A. McCabe Dallas, of Bovey Tracey, stated that deceased's skull was fractured at the base. - The Coroner said he thought in a place such as Bovey they should have a Mortuary where post-mortems could be carried out in a proper manner. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Jury added a rider suggesting that the owner should have proper fasteners fixed to the windows, with an iron horizontal bar placed on the outside.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 24 May 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Child Drowned In A Can At Devonport. Extraordinary Accident. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquiry last evening touching the death of NETA KEZIA WINSOR, the nine-months-old child of PERCY WINSOR, a plumber, residing at 7 Keat-street, Morice Town. - The mother stated that just after one o'clock on Thursday she placed the deceased in a cot and went across the road to buy some sweets for another child. On returning she found the deceased in a water can, head downwards. The can was standing between the cot and the gas-stove. She pulled the child out of the can and shouted for help. A neighbour came and Dr G. A. Rae was soon in attendance. It was a swing-cot and she (the mother) thought the child overbalanced herself and fell into the can. - Dr G. A. Rae stated that he saw the deceased on the floor, being rubbed by a neighbour. A considerable quantity of water was got out of the child. He (the doctor) used artificial respiration for an hour and a half, but without any sign of life returning. The doctor added that the water-can was about a foot and a half away from the cot. The child must have been shot out into the can. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said they would agree with him that it was a most remarkable case. They would never dream that such an accident could happen. No blame was attached to the mother, who was only absent a few minutes. It must be a unique case. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was Accidentally Drowned and expressed their sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Monday 26 May 1913
ST BUDEAUX - St Budeaux Girl's Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Higher St. Budeaux Schools on Saturday on ROSINA SHORT, aged 11 years, the daughter of a skilled labourer in H.M. Dockyard, residing at Higher West Park-terrace. - The mother stated that on the previous Sunday night her daughter complained of feeling cold and on Monday developed headache and giddiness. She died on Thursday morning. - Dr Slater said the girl had double pneumonia and the immediate cause of death was syncope. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 26 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Window Cleaner's Death. Fall From A Ladder. - An Inquest was held at the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon concerning the death of GEORGE MOFFETT MARCH DALTON, aged 19 years of 6 Bath-place, Plymouth, who died from injuries received while following his occupation as a window cleaner in the employ of the Three Towns Window Cleaning Company. - Elda Brand described how the deceased was cleaning windows at Pentillie-road, Mutley, saying he was working in the front of the house, using an extension ladder. Suddenly witness, who was working near by, heard a crash, and rushed round to the spot from whence the noise came and saw the deceased lying motionless on the pavement. He was unconscious, but there was no blood visible. Death took place soon after his removal home. - A Juror inquired whether the ladder was in the same position after the accident as before, and received a reply in the affirmative. - Another Juror: Don't you think it is very dangerous for you men to stand on narrow ledgers where there is no hold and where the slightest slip means a broken neck? - Witness: It is the same as in other dangerous professions. You get hardened to it. - The Juror pressed his point, but the Coroner told him he had got his answer. - Dr Smith attributed death to the effects of the accident and a verdict was returned accordingly. - The directors of the company (for whom Mr Gunn appeared) expressed their sympathy with the widow and relatives of deceased.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 28 May 1913
RUNCORN, CHESHIRE - Plymouth Sailor Drowned. Mate Of Padstow Vessel. - An Inquest was held at Runcorn today on WILLIAM SIMMONS, of King-street, Plymouth, mate on the schooner Jane, of Padstow. - On Monday evening deceased was returning to the vessel in Fenton Dock, Runcorn, the worse for drink: he overbalanced in trying to get aboard and fell twelve feet into the water, striking the ship's rail on the way. - Henry Rowley, a fellow-seaman, was commended by the Coroner for pluckily diving into the dock in the darkness twice in a vain attempt to save SIMMONS. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 30 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Burning Fatality. Inquest On A Plymouth Child. - The circumstances attending the death of ROSETTA BLANCHE LUCKHAM, aged 7 years, the daughter of a labourer living at 5 Clare-cottages, were investigated by Mr R. B. Johns, the Borough Coroner, at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital yesterday. The evidence showed that the deceased apparently got on a chair in an endeavour to procure some clothing hanging over the stove, when her clothes caught fire. The first intimation that something was wrong was when the child screamed, and on a neighbour, Mrs Maud Rendle, going into the room, she saw the child enveloped in flames. She wrapped her in a coarse apron she was wearing, and with other assistance the flames were extinguished. On the child being taken to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, it was found by Dr J. P. Blockley that she was suffering from extensive burns, which caused her death the same day. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 31 May 1913
PLYMOUTH - Baby's Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday afternoon on WILLIAM GEORGE PROWSE, the three months' old child of WILLIAM HENRY PROWSE, Dockyard labourer, of 14 Mount-street, Plymouth. - The mother said the child was of rather delicate health and passed away early yesterday morning. She left the child in bed thinking it was asleep and upon returning, after performing some domestic duties, she found it dead. - Dr G. Deery stated that as the result of a post mortem examination he found death was due to chronic gastritis. A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 31 May 1913
PLYMSTOCK - Fatal Fall At Turnchapel. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest yesterday at Turnchapel on MRS CAROLINE GLINN, 83 years of age, of Boringdon-terrace, the wife of a retired Trinity Pilot. - ELLEN AMELIA URELL said her grandmother had a fall on Wednesday night when going upstairs to bed. She heard the thud and found her at the foot of the stairs on her back, unconscious. Dr S. Noy Scott, Plymstock, stated that he found MRS GLINN dead, with a sever contusion of the forehead and right eye. There was also a fracture of the frontal bone of the skull. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner and Jury expressing sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 June 1913
PAIGNTON - Veteran Officer's Death. The Danger Of Smoking In Bed. - Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Paignton yesterday on MAJ. WILLIAM HENRY PETER GORDON BLUETT, aged 84, of Southfield, who on Wednesday last set fire to the bed clothes, severely burning himself and died on Saturday. - MR GILBERT W. COVENTRY, son-in-law, stated that the deceased had been ill for some months. He was rather obstinate about smoking in bed, and witness thought it hard to deprive him of this pleasure. Witness understood that the deceased was not quite sure himself how the accident occurred. A bell was always left by his side, and this was subsequently found underneath him. He told witness that he called out for help, but could not find the bell. - Arthur Foley, who was working in an adjoining garden, said he heard someone shout "help!" and saw smoke coming from the bedroom window. He rushed in and put the fire out. - Dr Bennett described the injuries and said the major had been suffering from heart disease and dropsy. Death was due to shock. Witness added that he had often warned the deceased against smoking in bed and that he heard MR and MRS COVENTRY say he ran some risk. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. - MAJOR BLUETT, who was one of the last survivors of the 2nd Sikh wars, served in the 10th, now Lincoln, Regt., at the capture of Mooltan and the crowning victory of Gujerat; he was also engaged during a great part of the Mutiny, taking part in the Jugdespoor operations and the relief of Azimgurh. MAJ. BLUETT was the senior representative of the ancient Devonshire family of that name, originally founded by ROBERT BLUETT, Justician and Chancellor to William Rufus, a family which for several centuries was resident at Holcombe Rogus near Tiverton. He married his cousin Henrietta, daughter of Mr Peter Bluett, of Holcombe Court and leaves one daughter, who is married to MR J. COVENTRY. 

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 3 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Inquest On Plymouth Child. - An Inquiry was held by Mr R. B. Johns at the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon relative to the death of HILDA WINIFRED IVY LEAMAN, aged two years, the daughter of a coachman living at 15 Wellington-street. - The child had been delicate for the past six months and about three months ago she was medically attended for chest trouble. She became ill again last Friday, after having had a small quantity of mackerel and died this morning. - Dr W. Perton Hardwicke attributed death to heart failure consequent on pneumonia. There was no sign that the eating of mackerel had had any injurious effect. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth Mortuary yesterday on ROBERT LYDDEN, aged 69, of 67 North-street, who was found dead in bed the previous morning. - MRS ANNIE SLOMAN, deceased's daughter, with whom he stayed, spoke to finding the body and Dr Palmer said death was caused by heart disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 5 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Baby's Death. - At the Foresters' Hall, Plymouth, this morning, the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest on JOHN HENRY KAY, the five weeks' old son of JOHN FREDERICK KAY of 28 Rendle-street, who was found dead in bed. Death was due to convulsions and a verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 10 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Inquest On A Boy At Plymouth. - The Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at the Cattedown-road Council Schools yesterday afternoon on the body of EDWARD THOMPSON, the four-year-old son of MR WILLIAM THOMPSON, journeyman shoemaker of 29 Oakfield-terrace, Plymouth. - According to the medical evidence, the child developed inflammation of the lungs about three weeks ago. He rallied somewhat after being attended by Dr Travers Stubbs, but suffered a relapse on Saturday. The doctor was not called again and the child died on Sunday morning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 June 1913
BRIXTON - Brixton Woman's Suicide. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest yesterday at Chittleburn Farm, Brixton, on CHRISTABEL ROSE TURPIN, 29 years of age, of Railway-view, Brixton. - REUBEN TURPIN, her husband, said he left home about 6 a.m. on Saturday to go to Chittleburn Farm, where he worked. His wife usually came up to the farm after she had done her housework. On Saturday evening he returned home about seven 'clock, as she had not arrived. On entering his house he discovered her hanging by a rope in the back kitchen. He cut her down immediately and went for assistance. - Dr E. J. Donbavand, Plymstock, stated that on being called he found MRS TURPIN dead, with her neck dislocated. About fourteen months ago she had a serious illness, which might have brought on a sudden impulse to take her life. - Mrs Edith Hicks said MRS TURPIN had complained of pains in her head since her last illness. - The Coroner suggested that the deceased in a sudden attack of melancholia destroyed herself. He wished to convey to the relatives his sympathy and the sympathy of the Jury. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 10 June 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Little Girl's Sudden Death. Inquest At Devonport. - The sudden death of KATHLEEN SWEENEY, the nine-year-old daughter of LILIAN COLLYER, wife of GEORGE WEBB COLLYER, naval pensioner, residing at 39 St John-street, which took place on Saturday morning, formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at the Devonport Guildhall last evening. - According to the evidence of the mother, deceased, with another daughter, had been in St Teresa's Orphanage where they were placed shortly after the death of her first husband. Both returned home last Saturday week and the deceased then appeared in good health. She was at school all day on Friday but on the following day she was taken bad, the mother thinking she had a bilious attack. The girl was given some medicine and on Saturday night the mother thought she was in a nice sleep. At three o'clock the next morning her daughter was making a strange noise and she told her husband that she thought the girl was dying. Death took place before the doctor arrived. The girl had enjoyed good health at the orphanage. - Dr T. McElwaine said there was old standing pleurisy of the left lung and acute inflammation, which, in his opinion, was the cause of death. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly and expressed sympathy with the mother.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 10 June 1913 
CORNWOOD - Broken Neck. Labourer's Fatal Fall At Cornwood. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at Lutton, Cornwood, yesterday, on the body of ROBERT HENRY BLACKLER, labourer, who was found dead in the court at the rear of his parents' house at Lutton on Saturday evening. - ALBERT EDWARD BLACKLER, clay labourer, stated that deceased, who was his brother, was 36 years of age. On Saturday evening after supper, about 10.30 his brother went into the garden to go to the lavatory. He went up three steps to the garden, the path of which was quite flush with the wall, except for a few coping stones. He did not return and after fifteen minutes witness went to look for him, but could not find him and returned indoors. Witness went out again and, looking over the wall saw his brother lying dead, stretched out in the path, about five feet, three inches below. It was a fairly dark night. He could see nothing on the spot to account for his brother's fall. Deceased might have tripped in the grass and overbalanced himself. - Dr C. E. Cooper, of Ivybridge, stated that he called on Sunday to see deceased, whose neck was dislocated. There was an abrasion behind the right ear and dried blood. Death was instantaneous. Witness added that it was a very dark night. - The Coroner thought there could be no question that BLACKLER accidentally fell over the wall and in so doing broke his neck. It was a dangerous place. He understood Major Parker was the owner of the property, and he (the Coroner) thought it should come as a rider from the Jury that the owner should place a strong rail there. This was not a reflection by any means, but a protection for the future. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death", sympathy being expressed with the bereaved family. - The Coroner said he would write and ask Major Parker to place a rail at the spot where the fatality occurred.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 14 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Drover's Sudden Death. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Mortuary, Plymouth, yesterday, on the body of EDWIN JOHN SWEET, aged 21, drover. - Elizabeth Lucas, wife of Sydney Arthur Lucas, 7 Notte-street, identified the deceased as her cousin. - P.C. Cutts stated that on Thursday evening the deceased came to the Octagon Station and asked to be taken to the Workhouse Infirmary. He appeared to be very ill, and as he got worse the witness sent for Dr Cooke, but life was extinct before he arrived. - Dr J. Stephens Ward attributed death to pleuro-pneumonia. - A verdict accordingly was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 16 June 1913
BANGOR, IRELAND - Devonport Man's Suicide In Ireland. Leap From H.M.S. St Vincent. - An electrician named FREDERICK W. KERSLAKE, aged twenty-six, of Devonport, committed suicide at Bangor (Ireland) by jumping overboard from H.M.S. Vincent. He was rescued in about two minutes, but life was extinct. - At the Inquest it was stated that the deceased had been peculiar in his manner for the past six months, and on Thursday, when asked what was the matter, said he thought he had got some poison in Belfast some nights before and began to cry. - Staff-Surgeon R. Hughes attributed death to shock and to suffocation caused by drowning. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned. 

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 18 June 1913
WEST ALVINGTON - Child Buried In A Cesspit. Sad Story told At West Alvington. Inquest. - At West Alvington, near Kingsbridge, a domestic servant named CAROLINE LOUISA TUCKER, gave birth to a child in a disused garden and remained for twenty-four hours without attention. The body of the child was found buried in a cesspit. It was buried with pieces of old sacking and brown paper. - An order was obtained for the woman to go into the Workhouse, but she was unable to reach so far, having to come back. - At the Inquest yesterday Dr H. H. James, of Kingsbridge, said the child was fully developed, and there were no marks of violence on it. He was quite satisfied the child was stillborn and had never had a separate existence. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Stillborn." Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 18 June 1913 STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Baker's Suicide. Inquest Today. - At the Devonport Guildhall the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, Inquired into the death of ALFRED HOOPER, a baker, who was found dead in his bedroom at 47 Mount-street, with his throat cut last night. - JESSIE HOPPER, the wife, said her husband was forty-two years of age and of late he had been getting his living by going about selling cake. Recently he had not been well and on Monday night he was very strange, and was under the impression that his house was surrounded and that people were after him. As he was not well yesterday, she accompanied him on his rounds. He returned home at seven o'clock and at nine o'clock he went to bed. She went into another room and on returning to the bedroom about 9.45 she found him lying in a pool of blood on the floor. She thought he had fainted and called a neighbour, Mrs Tolcher, and a doctor was sent for. Witness said she thought carrying a basket of cake on his head affected her husband's mind. - Grace Tolcher said deceased was dead with his throat cut when she arrived. She had seen him during the day and noticed that he was strange in his manner. - Inspector Voss said he was called and found deceased on the floor. - Dr McElwaine said the wound was deep and severe and the principal blood vessels on the left side of the neck were severed. The wind pipe was also severed. Death was due to haemorrhage. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 18 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Sudden Death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest conducted by Mr R. B. Johns at the Plymouth Mortuary today on the body of MABEL KNIGHT, aged 27, wife of RICHARD KNIGHT, a first class petty officer on H.M.S. Devonshire, living at 10 Percy-terrace, Plymouth. - Death occurred on Monday and Dr Mabel Ramsay, who made a post mortem examination, said the cause was fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 30 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at the Mortuary today on SAMUEL JOHN HENRY FRY, aged eleven weeks, the son of a hawker living at 61 York-street, who died suddenly this morning. - Dr Square attributed death to convulsions and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 30 June 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at the Mortuary today on LOUISA MAY LANE, aged six weeks, the daughter of a dock labourer residing at 16 Martin-street. - The child was found dead yesterday morning in bed, in which the parents slept and Dr Matthew Aikman, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to suffocation. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned. - The Coroner once more urged the necessity of legislation being passed rendering it penal for children of tender age to sleep with their parents.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 2 July 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Taken Ill While At Work. Death Of A Painter At Stonehouse. - Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, today, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of JOHN JAMES EARL, aged 63, painter, in the Dockyard, who lived at 27 Barrack-street, Stonehouse. - Deceased's son said his father never complained of illness, and was always able to follow his employment. He complained of pains in the stomach on Monday and was taken to the R.N. Hospital. - Fred William Essery, painter, stated that he was working with the deceased, painting doors at the Royal Naval Barracks. At noon EARL, who seemed quite well up to that time, suddenly complained of severe internal pain. He was seen by a doctor, after which he was sent to the Hospital. - Thomas R. Lloyd-Jones, R.N., said the deceased was admitted on Monday at 1.30 .m. He complained of acute internal pains and was advised that an operation was the only thing that would relieve him. He refused and died of exhaustion twelve hours later. In the circumstances witness did all he could for him. - A post mortem examination was made. The body was well nourished and there were no marks of violence. Death was due to acute haemorrhage of the pancreas and sudden collapse. - Replying to the Coroner, witness said that in the circumstances he did not think that an operation would have been successful in saving the man's life. He could give no explanation or opinion as to how the haemorrhage occurred. The man's organs were perfectly healthy. - Death from "Natural Causes" was the verdict.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 3 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Infant's Death. - The Plymouth Coroner held an Inquiry at the Mortuary this afternoon into the death of FLORENCE BLANCHE HANNAFORD, thirteen months old, the child of W. H. HANNAFORD, chief stoker, R.N., of Kinterbury-street. Dr W. C. Hamilton said death was due to convulsions and a verdict accordingly was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 5 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Cyclist's Death. The Collision With A Motor Car. - The Inquest was held yesterday on the body of the sixteen-year-old lad, ARTHUR GEORGE HOOPER, who died from injuries received in an accident on the Plymouth Yelverton road on Wednesday. - Audley Saxton, a motor engineer, of Leamington, said that on Wednesday between 7 and 7.30 p.m. he was driving a 15 h.p. car from Yelverton to Plymouth, and considered that when the accident occurred on the hill just past Clearbrook he was going at the rate of about 25 miles an hour. HOOPER was cycling down at about 18 miles an hour and swerved right across the road, striking the inside headlight of the car, wrenching it off and breaking the windscreen. Witness admitted that he also swerved slightly. If he had not done so he would have struck the deceased square and run over him. - J. F. Harris, a flour merchant, said the car was going at a terrific pace. In passing over the bridge it nearly jumped up in the air. - A cycle agent's assistant named Frederick Brewer, however, thought the car was going at a fair pace. Deceased, in his opinion, either lost his head or something went wrong with the handle bars. - Dr Blockly, the House Surgeon of the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said that if the boy had lived he would probably have been minus both legs and an arm. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" exonerating the driver of the car from blame.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 8 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Baby Accidentally Suffocated. Inquest At Plymouth. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns at the Plymouth Mortuary today on the body of the five months' old daughter of ELI TUCKER, a fish packer, residing at 5 Buckwell-street. The child, who slept with her parents, was found dead on Monday morning. - Dr McNair made a post-mortem examination, and found suffocation, probably due to overlying, to have been the cause of death. - The Coroner commented on the fact that young lives were continually being thrown away, and nothing was done to prevent it. - The Foreman of the Jury, Mr W. G. Southern, remarked that people could not be educated up to the point of seeing that infants should sleep by themselves and therefore other steps should be taken.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Motor Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on ALFRED W. T. WOOD, aged eight years, of North-street. - Geo. Neary, chauffeur, of Dartmouth, said on Saturday afternoon he was driving a motor car in Exeter-street at about eight miles an hour. He did not see WOOD until he was right under the car. The lad was looking the way the car was going. The wing of the car struck him and the wheel passed over his head. The car was stopped in less than its own length. - Mr Arthur G. Forbes, retired tea planter, of Fleet, Hampshire, said he hired the car and was riding in it when the accident occurred. In his opinion WOOD was playing with another boy, and stepped off the pavement without looking. - Mr A. Hoskings, insurance agent, who saw the accident, said it was unavoidable. - Dr J. P. Blockley, House Surgeon, said WOOD had a fractured skull and died at 10 o'clock the same evening. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver of the car from blame.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 July 1913
TEIGNMOUTH - Fatal Mistake. Bishopsteignton Girl Poisoned. - At Teignmouth Hospital yesterday an Inquest was held on AMY LOUISA PAYNE, domestic, of Bishopsteignton, who was admitted to the Institution on Sunday suffering from poisoning and died on Monday morning. - CHARLES JOHN PAYNE, farm labourer, of Bishopsteignton, said his daughter, aged 18, had been home on holiday. On Sunday she remained in bed until noon, but that was nothing unusual. About noon she rushed downstairs, saying, "I have drunk the wrong stuff; give me some water." She was mad with pain. The District Nurse, who happened to be passing, gave her hot water and mustard, which made her vomit. She was taken to Teignmouth Hospital. - Asked by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Cornish-Bowden, if he thought his daughter drank the poison purposely, witness replied, "No, sir; I shall never believe that." He believed it was a pure accident. His daughter was perfectly happy all the time she was home out of a situation. - ELLEN L. PAYNE, the mother, said her daughter was always bright and happy, and had nothing to trouble her. - JOHN PAYNE, deceased's brother, said he went to the room to shave. On turning round after shaving he saw his sister put down the lotion bottle and rush out of the room. She could reach the bottle without getting out of bed. - Dr F C. H. Piggott said he came to the conclusion from the smell, taste and appearance, that the lotion was a mixture of belladona (a deadly poison) and camphor liniment. - the only remark which fell from the girl's lips which might, he thought, have any bearing at all on the case, was, "I wish I had not tasted it." - Miss Willson (Matron), said she asked deceased why she took it and she said, "I don't know." - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure.

Western Morning News, Thursday 10 July 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Double Fatality. Fall Of An Angle Iron At Devonport Dockyard. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquest at Devonport North Dockyard yesterday on CHARLES SMITH and FRANK HIGGINS, labourers, employed by Messrs. John Lysaght (Limited), contractors, Bristol, who were killed by an angle iron falling at the North Yard on Monday. Mr J. P. Goldsmith was present on behalf of the Admiralty; Mr L. P. Evans, for the Home-office; Mr John Bone, for Messrs. Lysaght (Limited); and Mr F. W. Skardon, for the widow and orphans of HIGGINS. - Harry Lyscom, Chapel-street, labourer, employed by Messrs. Lysaght, contractors, Bristol, said CHAS. SMITH, 43 years of age, was a naval pensioner and a single man. He was steady and reliable. - EDWARD JOHN HIGGINS, yachtsman, Plymouth, identified the body of FRANK HIGGINS as that of his brother. He was 35 years of age and had been employed by Messrs. Lysaght at Devonport about three weeks. Formerly he was a fisherman. He lived at Castle-street, Plymouth and left a widow and four children. - Henry Thomas Waldron, Radford-road, Plymouth, an erector in the employ of Messrs. Lysaght, said on Monday, about four o'clock, he was engaged on the roof of a steel building which was being erected for repairing turbines. At the time they were getting ready to fix a purline, when one end of it slipped off the bracket along which it was being flected to get it in position. The one end dropped about six inches on to the top of a girder. The end that slipped then flew around, and the weight being too much for witness to hold, he was bound to let go. Previous to doing so he shouted so as to give the men warning. The angle iron fell and he saw it strike HIGGINS. Seven angle irons had been fitted previously inexactly the same manner without accident. The angle iron was 18 ft. 4 in. long, 4 in. by 3 in. wide, and ¾ think. The weight was 1 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lb. They always fixed angle irons in the same way. - The Coroner: How do you account for the slipping of the angle iron? - Witness: I can only account for it by the fact that we had a big shower of rain, and the girder and angle iron being wet it slipped. - What was there to prevent a rope being attached to the girder to keep it from slipping? - It would have slipped in this case with or without ropes. Ropes would be a hindrance to us. - The Foreman: The purline could not have been watched both ends when being fleeted along. One end must have been pulled too far off the girder. - Witness: Just so. - The Foreman: If it had been fastened with only a rope to hold it to the girder it would not have come down. Was there a man in charge of the men below? - Yes. - Are men allowed to stand in under when anything is being lifted? - We never allow men to do so when anything is being lifted. - Well, you were sliding it and it is about the same thing? - I must differ from you. - The Coroner: The angle iron fell 60 ft. - A Juryman: Would it not be safer if ropes were attached to each end? - Ropes would only hinder us. - By Mr Skardon: He could not suggest any other means of getting a purline into position to prevent it falling. There were brackets to prevent it falling, but this one fell in a peculiar way and without warning. When there was any danger the men below were warned. - Thomas Percy Farrell, labourer, employed by Messrs. Lysaght, said he was working on the girder with the last witness helping to fleet the angle iron into position. Suddenly it fell off the top of the bracket on to the girder, and then slid off to the ground. He could not suggest any method to prevent it slipping. - Fleet Surgeon O. W. Andrews said he saw the bodies at the Mortuary, where he made a superficial examination. Both men had compound fracture of the skull. There were no other injuries. Death must have been instantaneous. - William Henry Skuse, Radford-road, Plymouth, foreman, in the employ of Messrs. Lysaght, said he was on the ground of the building when he heard a shout, "Under below." The next he saw was a man being struck by a purline coming down on the slant. He went to the man, who was HIGGINS, and found he was dead. Other men ran to the assistance of SMITH. Witness had had fourteen years' experience in erecting such buildings. He could not suggest any better method than fleeting the purlines along. Ropes would be a nuisance. The less men they had aloft the better. On the ground one man could carry the purline. The men were working in their right places. Their kind of work was dangerous and a nervous man was no good. He had never seen a purline slip before. - Replying to the Coroner, Mr E. T. Harris, resident representative for Messrs. Lysaght, said he had been engaged in that class of work between 15 and 20 years, and the method of fleeting the purlines was universally adopted. He could suggest no other method which would be safer. He had never known an accident like this before. - The Coroner said the only question of importance was whether every precaution was used to prevent accident, or whether anything could be done in the future to prevent similar occurrences. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Jury suggested that "the men working on such jobs should put their wisdom and wits to work" to prevent such an accident again. - Mr Bone expressed deep sympathy on behalf of Messrs. Lysaght with the relatives of the two men. They would undertake the funeral of the man SMITH, whose relatives could not be found at present. It was the intention of the firm to do whatever was right for the dependants. - Official Sympathy. - The firm has received the following letter from the Admiral-Superintendent of the Dockyard (Vice-Admiral R. H. S. Stokes):- I am directed by the Commander-in-Chief to express his regret on account of the accident at the new turbine shop yesterday afternoon, by which two of your erectors lost their lives, and to ask you to be good enough to convey to the relatives of the unfortunate men an expression of his sympathy with them in their bereavement. At the same time I desire to associate myself with the Commander-in-Chief in his expression of regret and sympathy. - The Coroner and Jury also expressed their sympathy with the relatives.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 12 July 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Fell Thirty Feet. Inquest On Devonport Labourer Adjourned. - The County Coroner, Mr R. R. Rodd, held an Inquest at the Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning, on the body of HENRY JOSEPH KEAST, a labourer in Devonport Dockyard. - Dr A. J. MacDiarmid, R.N., said the deceased was admitted to the Hospital on Wednesday suffering from serious injuries to the head. Death was, in his opinion, due to fracture of the base of the skull and laceration of the brain. - W. H. Kensington, a Dockyard labourer, said that on Wednesday morning he was directing the unrigging of a staging on the starboard side of H.M.S. Warrior in No. 10 dock. The stage consisted of spars about 15 feet apart, one end resting on the other at the side of the dock, the slip end being held by a 2 ½ in. wire hanger. Planks were placed across the spars to form a stage. They had removed two of the spars by means of a steam crane, and were in the act of removing another when the dock end of the spar jammed against the end of the shore above it. The deceased was standing on the end of the sills to push the spar clear as the ship end of it was lowered for that purpose. On the order to ease the hanger being given, the end of the spar dropped about 10 ft., causing deceased to fall 30 ft. into the dock below. The sill was about 18 inches wide and there was nothing for him to hold on by. The wire did not come off the end of the spar. No other work was going on at the time. - The Inquest was adjourned until Thursday to allow of the attending of H.M. Inspector of Factories.

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 July 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stoker's Death From Scalds. Accident At A Party In H.M.S. Carnarvon. - At the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest on ROBERT DUNSMORE (23), stoker, of H.M.S. Carnarvon. Mr J. P. Goldsmith watched the case on behalf of the Admiralty. - MATTHEW DUNSMORE, of Burn Bank, Hamilton, identified the deceased as his son. - David Black, stoker, R.N.R., of the Carnarvon, said the deceased and himself were carrying water for tea from the main deck to the upper deck for a children's party. The cans contained about five gallons of boiling water. When witness was within two or three steps of the upper deck he stumbled and some of the water fell on the deceased, who was immediately behind. The water fell on his hand, and in trying to avoid any more he overbalanced himself and fell about five feet to the main deck. On reaching the deck the can of boiling water the deceased was carrying emptied itself over him and caused the scalds. They were not skylarking at the time. - Surg. A. J. MacDiarmid, R.N. Hospital, said the deceased when admitted was suffering from extensive scalds on the back, arms, and legs, from which he died on the 8th inst. - Cornelius Keene, leading stoker, who witnessed the accident, corroborated Black's evidence. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - Immediately after the Inquest the funeral took place, and was attended by a large number from the ship. The family mourners were the father and brother, who had journeyed from Hamilton. A firing party was present from H.M.S. Carnarvon, in addition to others, as mourners and the gun-carriage on which was conveyed the coffin, draped with the Union Jack, was drawn by blue-jackets from H.M.S. Carnarvon. The band was supplied by H.M.S. Suffolk. The officers present from the Carnarvon included Commander Thomas A. Williams, Engineer-Commander John D. Wilson, Lieut. Lambert Morgan, Lieut. Ralph Leatham and Engineer-Lieut. R. G. Jeffery. Wreaths were sent from Rear-Admiral A. H. Christian, captain and wardroom officers, engineer officers, mechanicians, chief and stoker petty officers, stokers, seamen, the ship's company and the Marine detachment of the Carnarvon.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 15 July 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Double Attempt. Ex-Naval Man's Suicide At Devonport. - The Deputy Borough Coroner, Mr Albert Gard, held an Inquiry at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, last evening, touching the death of PATRICK LEAHEY. - MARY VEALE, residing at 33 Edinburgh-road, wife of a chief cook in the Royal Navy, said deceased was her brother, and he was formerly a second-class cook, R.N. He was 26 years of age, single and lived with witness. For the past seven or eight years he had made his home with her when ashore. He enjoyed good health and did not drink to excess, to her knowledge. He was fairly good-tempered up to a fortnight or three weeks ago, when he became very quiet. He did not complain of anything, and had never threatened to take his life. About 9.30 on Saturday evening witness found him lying on the floor of her room. The door and window of the room were closed and the two gas taps were turned on. Witness turned the gas off and then shook him, saying "Come out into the back court." He replied "If that won't act, this will," and thereupon he pulled his hand across his throat. She did not see the razor. She called a neighbour and said, "Come and help me; my brother has cut his throat." Deceased, witness added, had no occasion to be worried and had everything he wanted. He was very kind to her and her children. - By the Jury: He had been out of work twelve months; he had only had three weeks' work during that time. - William Ward, skilled labourer, H.M. Dockyard, and residing at 18 Duncan-street, deposed to going for a Constable. - P.C. Sanders said he found LEAHEY in an unconscious state. He was removed to the R.A. Hospital where he died at 12.15 on Sunday morning. Witness found a blood stained razor in the room. The Constable added that he had known deceased several months. He saw him half-an-hour before he committed the act and he then appeared in his usual spirits. Witness had never seen him the worse for drink. - Dr Maxwell Ramsey, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said the wound in deceased's throat was a bad one, extending from left to right. - The Coroner observed that the double attempt showed that the man was determined to take his life. What he said to his sister was sufficient to show that his mind must have been deranged at that particular time. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" and expressed their sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 16 July 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Dockyardman's Death. Conflicting Evidence. - The adjourned Inquest on HENRY JOSEPH KEAST, 24, a Dockyard labourer of Mount-street, Devonport, was held at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday. From the previous evidence it appeared that the deceased, who was working on the cruiser Warrior, was knocked off the ship through the canting of the spar which was being lowered on to the ship. - Frederick Montague Richards, first-class P.O., H.M.S. Warrior, stated that he was in charge of the naval men on board. He received the order respecting the wire hanger to "let go inboard." That had the effect of lowering the ship end of the spar and canting up the other end. The result was that the deceased was knocked off the sill. He received his order from Mr Kensington. - Percy F. J. Melhuish, labourer, said he received an order from Mr Kensington to "case inboard." The order was proceeded with. He had to draw back to prevent his hands being caught between the wire and the fair lead as the wire surged and gathered speed. Two or three other hands were holding on to the wire, but they must have let go. No turns were taken off the lead. He heard no order given to let go. The order he heard was to "ease inboard." - Geo. Hy. Brown, able seaman, said he was taking the turns out of the wire, when it suddenly ran through is hands. He could not say what made the wire run away so quickly. - The Coroner said it appeared to him that the wire was carelessly unfastened and that instead of holding on to the wire they trusted to the turns to hold it and were not standing in their right positions. - Mr Cleave, chargeman, said he visited the spot four or five minutes before the accident occurred. He did not attach any great importance to whether the wire was fastened to the after or forearm, as they had to secure the best possible position for the fair lead. In this case there was a lot of paint and where there was paint or rust there was always a difficulty in easing a wire just as one wanted it to be eased. - Answering the Coroner, he said that that should make people all the more careful. He was of the opinion that Kensington and Melhuish were capable men for this work. - The Inspector of Factories said that if the men engaged in the work walked aft when the wire was taken off the hitches and away from the fair lead, that would account for the wire suddenly jumping away. - The Coroner: Who was responsible for seeing that this work was done in a workmanlike way? - Mr Cleeve: Melhuish. - Able Seaman Channing said the order was to "let go," and not "ease." - The Coroner: It seems that the naval men say the order was to "let go," and the Dockyard men say it was "to ease." - Mr Kensington, recalled, said he gave no order to let go. It was the first time he had superintended this sort of work, but he regarded himself as quite capable of doing it. - Joseph Saunders, labourer, said the order was "to ease." He did not agree that standing aft of the fair lead would lessen the hold. - The Coroner observed that the naval men said the order was to "let go" and they did so, with the result that the spar went down. The Dockyard men said the order was "to ease," and if that were so, the Inspector of Factories, who was present, held the opinion that the men who were holding the end of the wire were taking the strain from the wrong position, which had the effect of loosening the turns off the horn of the fair lead. He (the Coroner) did not consider Melhuish was a sufficiently competent man to take charge of the work on the ship. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and agreed with the Coroner's opinion respecting Melhuish.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 17 July 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Inquest On Stoker P.O. At R.N. Barracks. - The sudden death of JAMES EDWIN SPENCER, stoker petty officer, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Deputy Borough Coroner, Mr Albert Gard, last evening. - ALBERT EDWARD SPENCER of 28 Elliott-road, Plymouth, compositor, identified deceased as his brother, who was thirty-eight years of age, and single. He had complained of feeling unwell lately, attributing it to change of climate, deceased having returned from Malta about five weeks previously. - Staff-Surgeon Henry Woods said he saw deceased in the sick-bay at one o'clock on Tuesday suffering from the effects of a fit. Watch was kept over him, and he gradually became unconscious. He remained in that condition until his death, which took place at eight o'clock the same evening. Death was due to cerebral haemorrhage, following a blow on the head when he fell. - Frederick William Ripley, C.P.O., Coastguards, described how he saw deceased turn round, spring into the air and fall on the back of his head. He was removed to the sick bay. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 18 July 1913
KINGSWEAR - The Kingswear Tragedy. Remarkable Evidence: Depressed On The "Thirteenth." - In the Royal Dart Hotel, Kingswear, Mr P. C. Cornish Bowden, held an Inquest on MISS ALICE CALDERBANK, manageress. Mr E. P. Fenner was Foreman of the Jury. - [missing] woman, chef at the hotel, said he had had understood from MISS CALDERBANK that her home was at [missing]. During the time she had been at the Hotel she had not seemed to be a happy woman. She [missing] had had something happen to her five years ago on the thirteenth of the month and whenever that date came round she was worried. On Monday morning he heard her play upon the piano in the room in which the Inquest was being held the first four lines of the hymn "Art thou weary, art thou languid?" She went out and he did not see her alive again. - George Adlam, a visitor, said he saw a woman whom he thought was MISS CALDERBANK, descend into Lighthouse Cove on Monday morning. - Lewis Miller, gardener, employed at Kingswear, said on Monday morning, at about eleven o'clock, he saw the almost submerged body of deceased in the water, and heard her scream. He was not able to swim and could not reach her and went for assistance. He found Mr Tribble, and with him went into the cove in a boat, and reached the body and took it ashore. At that time a young man named Pepperell was just returning to the shore with his clothes all wet. They left the body on the shore until they found P.C. Newman who arrived in about half an hour's time. They could not get any other assistance until then. A man named Shattock and the Constable then tried for about ten minutes to revive the body . - Arthur Edward Pepperell, grocer's assistant at Dartmouth, said on Monday morning he saw the body in the water, only the shoulders being visible. He tried to reach it by swimming out but became entangled in the weeds and had to return. He did not take off his boots, only his coat. He made another attempt, with the same result. He then saw Miller and Mr [missing] unmooring a boat and go to the body and bring it ashore. - [Missing] H. Veale, of Paignton, District Manager for [missing] Knight, and Ford, owners of the property, [missing] MISS CALDERBANK commenced her duties at the Hotel on June 9th, and had managed the Hotel quite to his satisfaction. She told him on Thursday of last week that she had neuralgia and had suffered from that very badly in her day. - Miss C. Webster, assistant-manageress, deposed that the deceased told her she was always depressed on the thirteenth of the month and once had some trouble on that date. When she went out on Monday morning deceased said "Good-bye, Miss Webster, I am going for a walk. I hope I shall come back a little brighter." - Witness had given her a brandy and soda that morning because she did not appear to be feeling well, but she did not believe she had anything else to drink and she was quite sober when she left the house. - Dr F. B. Young, of Brixham, considered the cause of death was droning. Possibly there might have been a chance of saving her life if artificial respiration had been resorted to immediately the body was landed. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane." - The Coroner and the Jury warmly commended the conduct of Mr Pepperell. The Coroner also dwelt on the importance of resorting to artificial respiration immediately a body was recovered from the water.

Western Morning News, Saturday 19 July 1913
TAUNTON, SOMERSET - Bampton Labourer's Death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at Taunton yesterday on THOMAS HAWKINS, 39, labourer, of Shillingford, Bampton. Deceased, while driving a wagon on the 11th inst., fell between the shafts, death being due to heart failure caused by lung complications set up by the accident. - Deceased's father asked whether his son was in a fit state to be moved to Taunton Hospital and was informed that the relatives had no cause of complaint against the doctor who sent him there.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 23 July 1913
YEALMPTON - Died While On Holiday. Inquest On Plymouth Workhouse Inmate At Yealmpton. - The sudden death of HENRY RUSE, aged 63, an inmate of Plymouth Workhouse was Inquired into by Mr R. Robinson Rodd (County Coroner) at Yealmpton this morning. - Samuel Richard Henwood, Deputy Master of Plymouth Workhouse, stated that the deceased once acted as town-porter. He had been an inmate of the Workhouse since September 1908. Through the aid of the Brabason Society the deceased and other inmates left on the 3rd inst. to spend a fortnight's holiday at Yealmpton. He was a very respectable man. - William Hooker, an inmate of Plymouth Workhouse, said he breakfasted with the deceased the previous day. About 10 o'clock they went out, the deceased going into the orchard. Witness followed a little later and found him in a reclining posture against a seat, dead. RUSE was partially paralysed on one side. - Dr E. H. B. Fox of Yealmpton, deposed to making a post-mortem examination and to finding the organs healthy, with the exception of the heart and lungs. Death was due to syncope. - A verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 28 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Death Due To Heat. Inquest On A Watchmaker At Plymouth. - The Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at the Homeopathic Hospital this afternoon on the death of HARRY DILLISTONE, 43, a member of the Church Army and a watchmaker by trade. Deceased collapsed while walking across Guildhall-square on Saturday afternoon and died shortly after admission to the Hospital. - Dr P. Wilmet stated that a post-mortem examination showed old-standing and extensive heart disease. Death was probably due to the hot weather. - It was stated that deceased had served as a soldier in South Africa. - A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 30 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Taxicab Accident. Workhouse Inmate's Death. - An Inquest was today held by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, on the body of JOSEPH BURT, an elderly inmate of the Plymouth Union, who was on Sunday knocked down by a taxicab. Deceased passed away at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. - Harold Luscombe, chauffeur, in the employ of Messrs. Andrews and Co., was the first witness. On Sunday morning, he stated, he was driving a taxicab along Ebrington-street to Holy Cross Church, and, when he was at the bottom of Gasking-street the deceased stepped off the pavement in front of the car. The unfortunate man must have turned and fallen, the front axle of the car striking him. Witness added that the speed of the car at the time was about five or six miles an hour. - Mrs Schofield of Windsor-terrace, who was a passenger in the car, stated that the deceased stepped in front of the car. Apparently he did not notice its approach. In the opinion of the witness no blame could be attached to the driver. - George Morris, retired seaman, of Ladysmith-road, said he saw the deceased in the road. He assisted him to the Hospital. - Dr J. Brockley, who examined the deceased on his admittance to the Hospital, said he was suffering from shock. On Monday evening he died from the effect of the shock as the result of the injuries received. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The Jury exonerated the driver from all blame.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 30 July 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Dustman's Suicide. Wife's Distressing Discovery. - The death of SILAS SMITH, which took place at his home, 17 John-street, Morice Town, yesterday, formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at the Devonport Guildhall this afternoon. - The wife, ALICE MAUD SMITH, said her husband was thirty-five years of age and a dustman in the employ of the Devonport Corporation. He had been in a bad state of health for some time past, and this made him very depressed. On Sunday last he was very bad indeed and in great pain. He had not worked for the last three weeks. Yesterday he was in and out of the house all the morning and refused anything to eat. At 1.30 she went into the courtyard and finding the door of an outhouse locked from the inside she looked over the door and saw somebody hanging from a beam. She sent for P.C. Seeley. Her husband had never threatened to take his life. - P.C. Seeley said he was called to the house, and, on looking over the top of the door he saw a man's head. Witness prised the door open and found the deceased hanging from a beam. He cut him down and used artificial respiration, however, without avail. The body was removed to the Mortuary. On searching the body he found a note which ran as follows:- "Dear ALICE, - I now write you these few lines. I am fair miserable and in such pain I don't think I can get on at all. Don't worry about me. I expect a letter this morning with a cheque. So you can pay everybody. - Good-bye, SIE." - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide whilst in an Unsound State of Mind, and expressed sympathy with the wife. - MRS SMITH said to the Jury that she did not know anything about the letter with a cheque. She had not received such a thing. - The Coroner said it only showed the state of deceased's mind at the time he wrote it.

Western Morning News, Thursday 31 July 1913
NEWTON ABBOT - Death of Newton Epileptic. - At Newton Abbot yesterday, an Inquest was held on GEORGE HENRY FORD, 33, labourer, living with his parents in Highweek-street. His mother said she had never heard of his having fits. - James Hooper, Sherborne-road, hotel porter, said on Monday FORD was unloading a wagon outside the Vegetable Market. He lifted a big box from the wagon, and went to pick up another when he cried out and fell backwards. He was unconscious for several minutes and then walked away with his nose bleeding. Other witnesses spoke of FORD falling down unconscious in Courtenay-street half-an-hour later. He recovered and walked home with assistance. - Dr W. J. Ashley said FORD had an epileptic fit just after he arrived at the house and had 13 more before 11 o'clock that night. The next day he died. The post-mortem showed that death was caused by a blood clot on the brain and laceration of the brain, with small fracture of the skull. These injuries were caused by the fall on the back of the head and he thought the fall was caused by a fit of epilepsy. - Harry Winser, Lemon-road, said about two years ago he was with FORD when he fell down unconscious, but recovered and walked home. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence.

Western Morning News, Thursday 31 July 1913
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at the Mortuary on ELIZABETH BENNETT, 49 years of age, of Clarence-street, Plymouth. Dr Burke said on having called to see her, he found life extinct. After a post-mortem examination he attributed death to syncope. - Verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 2 August 1913
BARNSTAPLE - ELIZABETH RIDGE, aged sixty-three, an inmate of Barnstaple Workhouse, had an accidental fall on June 15, fracturing one of her legs. RIDGE, who had been subject to paralysis for some time, died on Thursday. At the Inquest a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 2 August 1913
TORQUAY - Mistaken Identity. The Fate Of An |Artillery Bombardier. - The body found in Torbay on Wednesday was at first reported to be that of Henry Brinham, a Torquay fisherman, drowned more than a fortnight ago, but it was subsequently shown that this was not the case, and it is now supposed to be the body of a missing artillery bombardier from Portland. The body was found floating by Frederick Johnson, skipper of the Brixham trawler Girl Beatrice, about a quarter of a mile from Berry Head, and it was brought to Torquay. In the pockets were passes made out to BOMBARDIER A. C. SIBLEY, R.G.A., Portland and a letter apparently from the man's sweetheart. Inquiries of the Military authorities at Portland showed that SIBLEY was missing, and was gazetted as a deserter. Some money and keys were found in the pockets of deceased, who was wearing a blue-striped suit of clothes. The features were not quite recognizable. At the Inquest, at Torquay, on Thursday, the father and mother arrived just as it was about to be adjourned, and expressed their belief that the body was that of their son, ARTHUR CHARLES SIBLEY, farm labourer, Morcombe Lake, near Charmouth, whom the father last saw at Easter, when he was going back to the R.G.A. at Portland, he having been in the army seven or eight years. The Deputy Coroner, Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, read the supposed sweetheart's letter. In it the writer, "Annie," addressing "My dearest" expressed sorrow that he was made to work so hard, but that he would have a rest at Easter. The mother said she saw this letter in her son's pocket when he was home, and that he returned to Portland with a sailor friend. It was suggested by the Coroner that deceased might have been drowned on July 10th, the day he was stated to be missing, but there was no evidence that he was a deserter. The Inquiry was adjourned to August 19th, to allow of the completion of the Police inquiries.

Western Morning News, Saturday 2 August 1913
BRIXHAM - The Brixham Tragedy. Suicide Of A Prospective Bridge. - At Brixham yesterday Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden held an Inquest on MARIA ELIZA ASH, 24, daughter of MR WILLIAM JOHN ASH, fish merchant, Berry Head-road. Deceased, who was to have been married next Monday to Frederick Couch, employed in Devonport Dockyard, had supper with her father and mother and two sisters on Tuesday evening, and when she went to bed was bright and cheerful. Early next morning she was missed and a search was made for her by relatives and others. Later it was reported that deceased had been seen in a lane leading to the sea shore, near Mudstone. John Sanders afterwards found a woman's hat, a handkerchief, and a breakfast cup near Dragon's Stile, in the same locality, and, looking over the cliff, at a distance of about 70 feet down, he saw the body on a ledge of rock just below high water mark. A man named Gatzias descended by a rope and brought the body to the surface, P.S. Bolt, P.C. Hart and others assisting. - Mr John Shelley Curtis, chairman of the Urban District Council, was Foreman of the Jury. - MR ASH said during the last two years his daughter had been very depressed at times through being anaemic, but not lately. When depressed she had never threatened to take her life, and she was quite happy at home and also in the prospect of being married. - LIZZIE WINIFRED ASH, sister of deceased, who slept in the same bedroom with her, said she had not been well lately and had been very quiet, although not unhappy. When witness woke on Wednesday morning at 4.30 deceased was gone, and at 6 witness and others went out to look for her. She could offer no reason why deceased should take her life. She spoke about her wedding as if she was looking forward to it. - Thomas Snell, fish packer, proved finding the body at the bottom of the cliff, adding that there was something like sugar in the cup. - Gatzias said deceased had been in the water and if there had been any sickness it would have been washed away. - Frederick Couch, of Paisley-street, Devonport, a shipwright in the Dockyard, engaged to be married to deceased next Monday, said he knew of no reason why she should be depressed or unhappy. He last saw her on July 23rd and she was then very lively. He had seen her depressed, but nothing to speak of and that was some time ago. She was timid at times, but not very. She had never said anything to give him the idea that she would take her own life; quite the opposite, and he was surprised at what had taken place. She left no letter or message to him throwing any light whatever on what had happened. - Dr F. Brett Young said deceased was a very nervous girl. Her right arm and right leg were bruised. No limbs were broken, but there was evidence of a fractured base of the skull and a broken neck. He had analysed part of the sediment in the cup, and found it to be oxalic acid, a corrosive poison. The appearance of the lips did not indicate that any poison had been taken. He did not think that death was due to poisoning; either the dislocation of the neck or the fracture of the skull was a sufficient cause of death. If death had been due to poisoning, deceased could not have managed to throw herself over the cliff. - Deceased's sister, recalled, identified the cup as having been taken from her parents' house. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased's death was due to her jumping over the cliff in a fit of Temporary Insanity, and passed a vote of condolence with the parents and other relatives, and also with her intended husband, the Coroner associating himself with this expression.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 2 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Infant's Death At Plymouth. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns at the Plymouth Mortuary today respecting the death this morning of the four days' old daughter of SAMUEL GEORGE SHELDON, a naval seaman, living at 52 Southside-street. - Dr T. G. Vawdrey attributed death to insufficient expansion of the lungs.

Western Morning News, Monday 4 August 1913
BIDEFORD - An Inquest was held at Bideford Townhall on Saturday on ROBERT KIVELL, retired bargeman, of East-the-Water, who died suddenly that morning in a boat in which he was going fishing. Deceased, aged 84, was rowing the boat, in which he was alone, when he was seen by a young man to fall backwards and release his hold on the oars. KIVELL'S boat was towed ashore, but the man was dead before the slipway was reached. Dr E. J. Toye attributed death to syncope and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 5 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Burning Fatality. Inquest On A Little Girl. - A sad burning fatality formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Homeopathic Hospital this afternoon, when an Inquest was held on GLADYS VIOLET WESTWOOD, aged two years, daughter of a private in the R.M.L.I., living at 124 Exeter-street. - It appeared from the evidence that the child left her mother's room on Friday afternoon to go to the floor below, where she was in the habit of playing with her cousins. She was placed on a couch by her aunt, who left the room for a minute. When away she heard screams and on returning found the deceased in flames. She placed a rug round her and sent for a doctor. Before the arrival of the latter, however, the child had been taken to the Hospital. Some eggs were being boiled on a gas ring, which stood outside the fender and it was surmised that the deceased went to look at the eggs her clothing thus becoming ignited. At the Hospital, Dr Willmot found she was extensively burned on the legs, arms, body and face. Death resulted the next day from shock. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and sympathised with the bereaved parents. The Coroner thought it a dangerous practice to use a gas ring where children could get near it.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 11 August 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Sailor Killed. Fatal Cycling Accident At Stonehouse. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, this afternoon with reference to the death of WILLIAM JOHN SMITH, an 19-year-old stoker, of H.M.S. Collingwood, the victim of a cycling accident. - Mr K. Eyton Peck was present representing the Admiralty and Inspector Rogers represented the County Police. - MARY SMITH of Plymouth, identified her son. Deceased had learnt to ride since he joined the service in November. - The medical evidence of Surgeon A. J .MacDiarmid showed that death was due to an extensive fracture at the base of the skull and laceration of the brain. - BEATRICE COX, of Prince Rock, aunt, with whom the deceased had been staying for a week, said he had borrowed the bicycle from someone on the Embankment. - A merchant service mate named John Martin deposed to noticing SMITH cycling down Stoke-road. He seemed to have control of the cycle, and was free-wheeling. As he turned to go into King-street the front wheel struck the kerb. The tyre burst and SMITH was thrown heavily. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Monday 11 August 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Fall From Destroyer. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, this afternoon with reference to the death of an able seaman named HENRY THOMAS BAKER, aged 20, of H.M.S. Express, a native of Topsham. - Mr Rewfry, gunner, of the Express, said the deceased fell from the stern of the Express and the tide took him between the bows of the other two vessels. - Richard Hamley, able seaman, of the Vivid, who is at present serving on the destroyer Seal, stated that late on the night of the 4th inst. he heard the cry "ropes end." Hurrying on deck he saw the deceased in the water between the Seal and the Thrasher, which were attached to each other in mid-stream in the harbour off Wilcove, Torpoint. Witness threw the man a line, but he missed it. BAKER, who was swimming, was being carried down by the tide. Bamford, another seaman, got down amidships and endeavoured to seize the deceased, but was not successful.. BAKER was not a strong swimmer. It was a fairly dark night. - George Regan, gunner, of the Thorn, which is attached to the Express, stated that with the lifeboat's crew a search was made and search-lights of ships in the harbour were utilised in the search, but to no purpose. - Had To Secure The Boat. - Ernest Collings, an able seaman of the Express, explained that on the night in question the dinghey brought the liberty men on board. Witness gave the order to BAKER to secure the boat with another seaman. By some means he fell into the water. - Inspector R. Maddeford, of the Metropolitan Police, stated the body was recovered on Sunday by a stoker named Plumb, near the Thrasher. - The Inquest was adjourned until Wednesday week at 10 a.m. to enable the seaman (at present on leave) who witnessed the accident to give evidence. 

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 12 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Delay In Holding An Inquest. Devonport Man's Death. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquiry at the Guildhall, Devonport, this morning, touching the death on Saturday of HERBERT S. ROCKETT, of 2 St Aubyn-avenue. - LILIAN ROCKETT said the deceased, her husband, was fifty-two years of age. He was an engine-fitter in Devonport Dockyard and had enjoyed very good health. He returned from his work on Saturday as usual, had his dinner and sat down to rest. Shortly after he expired. - Dr Lander attributed death to heart failure, brought about by the diseased condition of the lungs. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes." - An Explanation. - The Coroner explained that the Inquest was not held on the previous day owing to his officer, who was unwell, not attending at his office as was his custom in the morning, and therefore did not get a message early enough to summon the Jury for 3.45 p.m., the time he had fixed for holding the Inquiry. If MRS ROCKETT and her friends had suffered any inconvenience by attending at the Guildhall on the previous afternoon, he (Mr Pearce) regretted it very much indeed, and could only say it was due to the indisposition of the Coroner's Officer. - Mr C. Lock, a relative, said it was very kind of the Jury to pass a vote of sympathy with the widow, but what he complained of was that he had been unable to get any assistance from the Police or anyone else. It was six hours before he could get an ambulance to remove the body; nobody knew anything. It was forty-eight hours before he could get into communication with the Coroner's Officer. - The Coroner explained that the Inquest in any case could not have been held before yesterday afternoon. - Mr Lock: I should think so. - The Coroner: It might have been held on Monday morning, but it was impossible to hold it before. - Mr Lock: In Devonport. - The Coroner: I have simply given an explanation to MRS ROCKETT, and it should under the circumstances be accepted. - Mr Lock: To me it is not satisfactory.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 14 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Children's Act At Plymouth. A Warning To Persons In Charge Of Children. - The Plymouth Deputy Coroner, Mr John Graves, held an Inquest at the Prince Rock Police Station today respecting the death of a female child, eight months of age, which was in the care of MRS ELIZABETH STREETER, 19 Cromwell-road. - The child died early on Thursday morning, and Dr Doyle, who had seen it previously, attributed death to convulsions consequent on diarrhoea. - A verdict was returned accordingly. - Mr Graves pointed out that under the Children's Act, MRS STREETER, who had agreed to take charge of the child, should have acquainted the authorities of the fact within two days of receiving it, but she failed to do so through ignorance. He mentioned the matter so that other persons in a similar position might carry out the requirements of the Act.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 15 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Father's Sad Experience. Little Boy Drowned In The Laira. - At the Plymouth Mortuary this morning, Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on the body of HERBERT GEORGE ANSTEY, the six-year-old son of ARTHUR P. ANSTEY, labourer, of Grenville-road, Plymouth, who was drowned near the Iron Bridge at Laira, Plymouth, last evening. - ARTHUR PETER ANSTEY stated that at 7.45 the previous night he was fishing near the Iron Bridge at Laira, when his eldest son cried out "Boy overboard!" He did not know it was his own boy HERBERT who had fallen in. Deceased left home shortly after five, and he had not seen him since. The boy sank almost immediately. The river was dragged and the body recovered at nine o'clock. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 16 August 1913
SALCOMBE - "Found Drowned". Mysterious Salcombe Tragedy. - Mr Cornish Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest in the Oddfellows' Hall, Salcombe, on Thursday, on the body of MR G. W. DOWN, aged twenty-one. - Mr C. E. Turner represented the owners of the barge Hudson. - MR G. DOWN, of 481 Grosvenor-buildings, Poplar, E., identified the body as that of his son, GEORGE WILLIAM, who resided at Poplar, and was a general labourer. Witness last saw his son about six weeks ago, when the young man shipped on board the Hudson. - Jonathan Watson Smith of 1 Arthur-street, Grays, Essex, said he was master of the Hudson, and DOWN was third hand and cook, having joined on July 6. They had discharged and loaded at Kingsbridge, going down to Salcombe on Monday, August 4. Witness and the mate went to Kingsbridge on Monday, stayed the night and returned to Salcombe on Tuesday afternoon. DOWN came ashore in the boat for them and later, about eleven o'clock, the three of them returned to the vessel. They had supper together in the cabin and whilst DOWN was clearing away witness "turned in." DOWN asked if witness wanted him any more and he replied, "No, not tonight, JOE." - Were Perfectly Sober. - He made a cigarette, smoked it in the cabin, then got up and said "Goodnight." The mate had also turned in. DOWN went forward to the forecastle. Witness did not go to sleep at once. The hatch was wide open and he did not hear any sound or noise after. None of us was the worse for liquor; all three were perfectly sober. In the morning, about seven, witness called the mate, who went forward to call DOWN, but could not find him. The boat was made fast astern as witness had left it the night before. He went ashore to the Customs House about four o'clock. - The Coroner asked why he did not report the matter earlier. - Witness: I did not think he had fallen overboard. The Rochester Castle had been lying near us and had gone to sea that morning, and I thought he might have gone away in her. We were all on good terms. There was no unpleasantness of any kind between the three of us. I never had cause to find fault with him and he never made any complaint. - By the Foreman: DOWN took one oar and witness the other when they came off. When DOWN came on deck later there was no need for him to see if the boat was all right. Witness did not hear anything after DOWN went on deck, except his footsteps until he passed over the "main horse." The bulwarks were 2 ft. 6 in. high aft and forward. At midships about 1 ft.; here the spars were lashed up, which was a protection. They had no drink of any kind at supper. - By Mr C. E. Turner: They left Customs House Quay at about half-tide. - No Unpleasantness. - T. Clarke, of 42 Annandale-road, East Greenwich, mate of the Hudson, corroborated the captain's evidence as to their movements on Monday and Tuesday. He and DOWN were great friends, and there was no unpleasantness. On Wednesday morning he went forward and called DOWN two or three times, but there was no answer. He went below and found that DOWN was not in his bunk. He then went aft and reported, "JOE'S missing. JOE'S not aboard." Witness could not say whether DOWN had been in his bunk. - Frederick Clark, boatman, Salcombe, stated that he saw the three men together on the Quay about 10 o'clock. Later he put a man across the harbour and saw the three in a boat. It was a very dark night, but he could hear their voices talking in an ordinary way. This was at about 11.20, and they were going in the direction of the Hudson. Later, when returning and nearing Salcombe he heard a strange noise, like a choking sound. It was a very still night, and he listened and thought he heard it again. He stopped rowing and listened, but heard nothing further. He met a coastguard, who also heard the sound. - Courtenay C. Brice, a Navy writer, on H.M.S. Bellona, at Devonport, stated that he was sailing on Wednesday morning near the Blackstone rock, when he found the body and brought it to Salcombe. - Dr D. O. Twining said he had made a post-mortem examination, and could find no trace of any ante-mortem marks, nor external marks of violence before death. There were no signs of any food in the stomach for four or five hours. Certainly the man had not partaken of a meal for four or five hours before death, unless he had been sick shortly after. - By the Coroner: If the noises heard by F. Clark were from the deceased, and if deceased had taken supper about 11.30, then he must have vomited after, or eaten nothing. Death was due to asphyxia caused by drowning. - Capt. Smith, recalled, said he did not know what supper DOWN had, and repeated that he was positive none of them was the worse for drink. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned." The body was conveyed home to Poplar by road motor.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest at Devonport yesterday afternoon on ELIZA SUSAN PIKE, aged 35, Cornwall-street, wife of WILLIAM PIKE, commercial traveller. ANNIE LAKE said the deceased, her daughter, had not enjoyed good health and she lived apart from her husband. She died on Thursday morning just before the doctor arrived. Dr Fleming said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart, accelerated by alcoholism. Verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 18 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Found Dead, Leaning Over Gas Stove. Inquest On Plymouth Labourer. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at the Mortuary, Plymouth, this afternoon, with reference to the death of GEORGE BARBER, general labourer, aged 49, of Granby-lane. - Deceased was this morning found in his room dead. He was sitting in a chair, leaning over the gas stove, the jets of which were on full, but the meter being a penny in the slot one the gas was not then escaping. - P.C. Pearce detailed these facts, adding that when he visited the house at quarter to twelve this morning there was a bed sheet over the man's head. He had been dead some three or four hours. - James Swift, hawker, said he saw the deceased at eight o'clock this morning, when he appeared quite in his usual spirits and wished him "Good morning." - The Inquest was adjourned until ten minutes to ten tomorrow morning to enable medical evidence to be called, the Jury not being satisfied that death was due to gas poisoning.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 18 August 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Street Perils. Death Of Lieut. ALTON WISHART, R.N., At Plymouth. Sad Result Of Cycling Accident. - On Saturday the death occurred at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, of LIEUT. ALTON WISHART, who since March 19 last has commanded No. B4 submarine, of the Devonport Flotilla. Some six weeks ago LIEUT. WISHART, who resided with his wife at 5 Hoe Park-terrace, Plymouth, met with an accident whilst cycling from his home down Citadel-road, Plymouth. He collided with a builder's cart and subsequently developed internal troubles, which caused his removal to the Naval Hospital, where he was operated upon for the removal of one of his kidneys. - The Inquest. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd Inquired into the circumstances touching the death of LIEUTENANT WISHART, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith watched the proceedings on behalf of the Admiralty. - Alfred Joseph Vallack, carter, in the employment of Messrs. Isaac Foot & Sons, Notte-street, Plymouth, stated that at 8 a.m. on July 3 he was driving a cart past the G.W.R. Station, Millbay, towards the Hoe, when deceased, who was cycling down the hill, collided with the off wheel. Witness was leading the horse up the hill at the time, and he immediately ran to deceased's assistance. Deceased was conveyed to the Brunel Hotel, where he was treated by a doctor. - Witness added that deceased stated afterwards that in avoiding a gentleman he ran into the cart, and that no one was to blame. Witness did not notice deceased cycling and knew nothing until the smash. - Arthur Warren, Dockyard labourer, deposed to assisting the previous witness in conveying deceased into the Hotel. He also heard that deceased had said he attached no blame to anyone. - Medical Evidence. - Deputy-Surgeon-General Alexander Gascoigne Wildey, R.N., stated that deceased had been under treatment at the R.N. Hospital since the 28th ult. Up to that time, he was informed, deceased had been treated at his home by Dr Square. Deceased was suffering from profuse haemorrhage and it was found necessary to operate on the 30th ult. Witness was of opinion that the injury was caused by a violent blow. Deceased had said that he had a book in his pocket at the time, and very severe direct pressure was caused. Another operation was performed subsequently. Deceased was doing fairly well up to Saturday, when he collapsed rather unexpectedly and died from exhaustion caused by continued haemorrhage due to the injury. - Fleet-Paymaster ALTON stated that deceased, his nephew, lived at 5 Hoe Park-terrace, and was twenty-six years of age. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with medical evidence. - The Coroner remarked that it was a very sad case, as the young officer left a widow. - Sympathy was expressed with the widow and other members of the family in their bereavement. - The Deceased. - The late LIEUT. WISHART was a few years ago married to a daughter of MR J. T. FOURACRE, of Plymouth, and was the son of Engineer Rear-Admiral W. L. WISHART, who was formerly Engineer-Manager of Devonport Dockyard, and afterwards held a similar appointment at Portsmouth, which he vacated last October on retiring from the Service. Admiral WISHART is at the present time lying seriously ill at Portsmouth.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 19 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, resumed the Inquest this morning on MR GEORGE BARBER, general labourer, aged 49, of Granby-lane. Verdict. - At the resumed Inquest this morning Dr C. Hamilton, who made a post-mortem examination, told the Jury that death was due to gas poisoning. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 19 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Girl's Sudden Death At Plymouth. - At 2 Durham-avenue, Plymouth, this morning, the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest upon the body of QUEENIE PRING, the fourteen-years'-old daughter of MR THOMAS HENRY PRING, of that address. - The girl died suddenly yesterday and Dr C. F. Glinn, who made a post-mortem examination, found heart failure to have been the cause.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 19 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Fall From A Window. Inquest On A Stonehouse Child. - The death of LILIAN COUCH, the twelve-months old child of FLORENCE COUCH, the result of injuries received by falling out of a window at her home, 63 Union-place, Stonehouse, on Friday, was the subject of an Inquiry by the Borough :Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at the Royal Albert Hospital, last evening. - The mother said that she placed the child in bed at 9.30 on Friday morning and just before dinner time she had occasion to go into the yard. There she found the child lying on the ground, underneath the window of her room. She picked the baby up and asked Mr Searle, a neighbour, to fetch a doctor. As no medical man arrived, she took the child in a taxi-cab to the Royal Albert Hospital. The bed in which she placed the baby was halfway across the window, the bottom of which was open more than a foot. the child must have climbed on to the window, overbalanced and fallen into the court. - P.C. Cove, of the Stonehouse Police, said the child fell a distance of from 12 ft. to 15 ft. - Dr Maxwell Ramsey, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said the child was admitted in an unconscious state. There was a wound over the left eye and he could feel a fracture of the skull. She died the same night at eleven o'clock, from the fracture. - Replying to the Coroner, the doctor said that if a medical man was in attendance immediately after the accident, he could have done no good. - The Coroner observed that it was a very unusual, and a very sad case. Remarking on the windows being open, he said if they were closed they would have complained that they were not admitting the fresh air, so that no blame attached to the mother. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 August 1913
TORQUAY - Found Off Berry Head. Mystery Of Soldier's Death At Portland. Inquest At Torquay. Witnesses The Coroner Declined To Believe. - Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an adjourned Inquest at Torquay yesterday on BOMBARDIER ARTHUR CHARLES SIBLEY, R.G.A., of Portland, found two or three weeks ago floating about a quarter of a mile off Berry Head by Fredk. Johnson, skipper of the Brixham trawler Girl Beatrice. At first it was thought to be that of Henry Brinham, a Torquay fisherman recently drowned in the bay. Inquiries, however, showed that the body was that of the son of parents living at Morcombe Lake, near Charmouth, last seen there at Easter, when he was returning to Portland, he having been in the Army seven or eight years. By the Military authorities SIBLEY was gazetted as a deserter. Some money and keys were found in the pockets of SIBLEY, who was wearing a blue-striped suit of clothes, but the features were scarcely recognizable. In a letter, the writer, "Annie," who addressed deceased as "My dearest," expressed sorrow that he was made to work so hard, but said he would have a rest at Easter. This letter was seen by deceased's mother in his pocket whilst he was at home and he was said to have returned to Portland with a soldier friend. It was suggested at the previous inquiry that SIBLEY might have been drowned on July 10th, the day he was stated to be missing, and that there was no evidence of his being a deserter. The Inquest had been adjourned to allow of further inquiries being made. - In reopening the Inquest yesterday, the Deputy Coroner said it was doubtful whether the Jury would be able to come to a satisfactory conclusion. Deceased was present at the Dorset Police sports, near Dorchester, with other soldiers on July 9th. He was in plain clothes, and had leave from the Military authorities until midnight. On leaving, he and his three companions went into the town of Dorchester, whence he travelled with one of his companions by train to Portland. Whilst in the train he got into conversation with two women, and on arriving at Portland, shortly before 10 p.m., he and the women went to the Victoria Hotel. They had drink there, and on leaving went to the New Hotel, and had more drink. From the New Hotel SIBLEY and the women went to the Beach Inn and had still more drink, and thence they went to the Crown Inn, where they had more drink, leaving that house just before 11 p.m., SIBLEY and the women being then very drunk. After leaving the Crown Inn they went up High-street, but SIBLEY'S subsequent movements were uncertain. He was picked up lying across the street apparently helplessly drunk. Both these women had declared that he was last seen in the company of the other woman, and both denied having been the last to be with him. At four o'clock the next morning, SIBLEY'S cap and stick were picked up on Portland beach by a man going fishing and nothing further was heard of him until his body was found off Berry Head three weeks later. The Coroner handed a photograph of the beach to the Jury and drew their attention to the spot where the cap and stick were found, remarking that it would not be an easy place for a man not sober to get over. - Voices On The Beach. - Alice Carter, married, Portland, living apart from her husband, said she saw SIBLEY at the Police sports, near Dorchester on July 9th and afterwards saw him in the train on the way to Portland, there being another woman there. Deceased got into conversation with this other woman, and on arriving at Portland they visited the Victoria Hotel, and other public houses, staying a few minutes in each, all being quite friendly. At the Crown Inn deceased showed the other woman, Mrs Culverwell, whom deceased called Daisy, his purse, containing a half-sovereign and other money, saying he was "not broke yet." Deceased put his arm around Mrs Culverwell and kissed her and he kept on whispering to her. When Mrs Culverwell came out over the steps from the Crown Inn she dropped two out of six bottles of beer which deceased had given them and they were broken. Neither of the three of them was drunk. Deceased went into get some more bottles, but the landlord refused to supply him. Witness then left deceased talking with Mrs Culverwell and that was the last she (witness) saw of him. She walked to her house with a man named Adams. She missed a parcel and went with Adams to the cliffs to look for it. She heard voices on the beach and it was suggested by A:dams that it was "Daisy" down there with "the bloke," and that there was quarrelling. Witness had said that she heard a splash and someone say "Pull me out," but she now thought that what was said was with regard to the pulling up of a boat. She told the superintendent of Police at Portland that she heard someone walking on the pebbly beach and also heard someone say "Take me out" or "Pull me out," and that it sounded as if it was the voice of someone who wanted to be taken out of the water. She further said she thought one of the voices was that of Mrs Culverwell, but she could not swear to it. She now said she could not say whether the words she heard were "Pull me out" or "Haul up." She afterwards walked home with Adams, who left about four o'clock. Deceased's cloth cap and walking stick were produced and witness identified them. - Replying to the Foreman, Mr W. Gregory, witness said deceased was wearing a watch and chain during the time she was in his company. In answer to the Coroner, witness said when she and Adams were out on the cliffs they saw another man there. He had a little dog with him and said "Good night" as they passed. - The Other Woman's Denials. - Daisy Culverwell was the next witness. After she had taken the oath, the Coroner said, "If I ask you any question the answer to which might tend to incriminate you, you are not obliged to answer, but if you do answer the answer must be true, and if it is not true you are liable to a prosecution for perjury. You understand that and that the subject of this Inquiry is very serious?" - Witness: Yes. She went on to say that she was a married woman, living at Portland. Her husband was William Culverwell, a stonemason. After describing how she met deceased (a stranger to her) in the train, and drank with him and Mrs Carter at several public-houses, she said she did not remember deceased kissing her whilst at the Crown Inn. All three of them were quite sober. Deceased did not show her any money. He bought four bottles of beer and Mrs Carter had two and witness had two, and she did not remember any of the bottles being broken. When they left the Crown Inn they all three went up the road together as far as the lamp-post in High-street, opposite the bottom of King-street. She there left deceased, and said "Good-night" to Mrs Carter and she (witness) went up King-street by herself. Mrs Carter went up High-street and deceased followed just behind. Witness said she never saw deceased after that. She denied that she had ever said the contrary. After going up King-street she met her husband at the top, and they went straight home, arriving there about quarter-past eleven. She never went outside her door again that night. She did not see Adams, nor any other man except deceased. She was not the last person who saw him. - Landlord's Evidence. - James Rose Pearce, landlord of the Crown Inn, Portland, said he remembered deceased and the two women coming into his house about ten minutes to eleven. They went into the smoking-room, and appeared perfectly sober. He served them with three glasses of beer, and they were there about five minutes. When he intimated that it was time to leave, deceased bought six bottles of beer, Mrs Carter taking two and deceased four. Just after they had gone outside witness heard a smash of bottles and deceased came back for two more, which were refused. Deceased still appeared to be sober, although it could be seen that he had been drinking a little. Mrs Carter brought back two empty bottles the next night and Mrs Culverwell brought back the other two. From his house to that part of the beach where deceased's cap and stick were found would only take a person two or three minutes to walk. - Hugh Adams, labourer, 69 Artists'-row, Portland, said he went to the Crown Hotel about eleven o'clock, and outside he saw the two women and two or three men whom he did not know. He heard the bottles broken. He walked away with Mrs Carter, the others coming on behind. He and Mrs Carter turned in by some cottages on to the cliffs, leaving the others in High-street talking, the others being Mrs Culverwell and "a couple of blokes." He never saw any of them again that night. When he went to the cliffs the second time with Mrs Carter, to find a parcel she had missed, witness saw a man with his dog. He (witness) did not hear any voices on the beach. He remembered Mrs Carter saying there were noises down on the beach, but he did not hear anything and told Mrs Carter to "shut up." He did not remember saying, in regard to the noise, that it was "only Daisy." - Drunk And Abusive. - Thomas Wren, labourer, Portland, said after leaving the Crown Inn he saw a man (supposed to be deceased) deliberately lie down in the street. He roused him up telling him the Police would have him. Just then a man came up who witness believed was called Eveleigh, and he helped along the other man, who was staggering drunk. The drunken man became abusive and asked for his stick, which they gave him, and then left him, and he walked away by himself towards the Crown Inn. At the corner he left the drunken man with Eveleigh, a man called Jack and a stranger. He heard nothing more of the drunken man after he left him. - John Russell Pearce, "the man called Jack," quarryman, Portland, said Mrs Culverwell walked with him after leaving the Crown Inn to his house in High-street, and left him outside. He did not know where she went after that, and he did not come out again that night. - The Coroner pointed out a discrepancy between this witness's evidence and that of Mrs Culverwell, the latter having said she went up King-street and not High-street. One of them was either telling what was wrong or had forgotten what happened. - William Culverwell, husband of Daisy Culverwell, said on the night in question he met his wife coming up King-street at quarter past eleven. No one was following her and they went home together, a matter of two minutes' walk, and neither went out again that night. - Cap And Stick Found. - William James Allbery, High-street, Portland, said he went down to the beach at four o'clock on the morning of July 10th to go fishing, when he found the cap and stick produced. There were no marks or spots of blood on the beach. The tide was going out. He looked to see if there were any clothes, but there were none. He did not think anybody had been drowned, nor had he heard that a soldier was missing from the fort. Both cap and stick were dry and had not been in the water. - Coroner's Strictures. - The Coroner, summing up, said the Dorsetshire Police had worked very hard to obtain information bearing on the case. Eveleigh had denied having been at the place mentioned that night. The Police intended making further inquiries, and if there was additional evidence forthcoming the matter would not be dropped. As, however, the question of finding any further evidence was very indefinite, he did not propose to further adjourn the Inquest for this. The evidence of Mrs Carter might be taken probably as no doubt correct. He was afraid he could not say the same with regard to Mrs Culverwell: he did not believe a word she had said. He did not know whether she was drunk at the time, or whether she had come there to say what was untrue, but he did not think the Jury could rely upon anything she had stated. It was not a very creditable story which had been dragged from Mrs Carter and Adams, but they agreed. As to Russell and Pearce, one or the other had said what was entirely untrue. With regard to Pearce and Mrs Culverwell, there was no evidence to show what were their doings on the night in question, but he did not think they had told all they knew, and he was sure that they had not told the truth. It was possible Mr Culverwell invented his story to shield his wife: at any rate, they could not rely upon the statements as to what Mrs Culverwell did after she came out from the Crown Inn. There was, however, certainly not sufficient evidence to put anyone on their trial for any wrongful act, and there was no evidence to show how deceased came by his death. At the time he might have been doing something wrong and someone came along and knocked him on the head. He suggested a verdict of "Found Dead." - Mrs Culverwell Recalled. - After consultation, the Foreman said that the jury were not satisfied with the evidence of Mrs Culverwell, and expressed a wish that she should be recalled. This was done and Mrs Culverwell was closely questioned by the Jury as to her movements on the night in question. She emphatically denied the statement of Pearce that she accompanied him to his house and declared that what she had stated was "the straightforward truth." - The Coroner suggested that the Jury should regard the evidence of Mr and Mrs Culverwell and Pearce as utterly unreliable. It would, however, be difficult to prosecute them for perjury, because he did not think they knew what took place that night. They were all so fuddled that they had no clear recollection of what happened. The only thing the Jury could go by was the evidence of the other witnesses. Ms Culverwell was a little frightened now and she had made up a story. - Mrs Culverwell: No, it is not, really; it is the plain truth. - The Coroner suggested that Detective-Sergt. Beck, of Portland (who had assisted with the evidence) having taken the statements of other persons besides the witnesses, and who had local knowledge, would be glad to help the Jury if they desired it. - The Foreman, however, said, whilst they would be pleased to hear Sergt. Beck, he did not see what further light could be thrown upon the case. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased was found in the sea off Berry Head, but that there was no evidence to show how he came by his death. - The Inquest lasted five hours and a half.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 20 August 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Drowned In The Hamoaze. Adjourned Inquest At Stonehouse. - A verdict of "Accidental Drowning" was returned at the adjourned Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd, at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning, on HENRY THOMAS BAKER, (20), the able seaman of H.M.S. Express who was drowned in the Hamoaze on Bank Holiday. - Allen Edward Brooks, A.B., of the Express, said he had stepped aboard from the dinghey, and deceased, who was standing on the boat, was handing him the lantern. The tide was so fast that it took the boat from under him, and he fell in the water, being unable to retain his grip on the propeller guard which he was holding.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 August 1913
MORTHOE - At Seymour-villas, Morthoe, yesterday, Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest on JOHN GAMMON, 81, a retired labourer. AMOS GAMMON, brother, said deceased had a fall on 8th August whilst crossing the kitchen and injured his thigh. - Dr Harris, (Woolacombe) attended him, and said the man gradually became weaker and died on Sunday from cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict of Natural Causes was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Labourer's Suicide. - At Plymouth yesterday Mr R. B. Johns resumed the Inquest on GEORGE BARBER, labourer, of Granby-lane, found dead near a gas stove, with a sheet covering his head. - Dr W. C. Hamilton, having made a post-mortem examination, now stated that death was undoubtedly due to gas poisoning, and a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 August 1913
ILFRACOMBE - Dr Kettlewell, giving evidence at the Inquest at Ilfracombe on WILLIAM SHAMBROOK, a porter, aged 57, said the man had been dead for about 12 hours when found locked in a public lavatory on Tuesday morning. His liver was enormously enlarged, weighing 108 ounces and there was inflammation of the bladder and kidneys. MRS SEWARD, SHAMBROOK'S sister, said he drank, but she had never seen him the worse for drink. A verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned.

Western Morning News, Friday 22 August 1913
TEIGNMOUTH - The Teignmouth Fatality. Probably Drowned While Faint. - Mr P. C. Cornish-Bowden, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Teignmouth Hospital yesterday on JAMES HENRY COLLINS, painter, of 16 Grove-avenue, Teignmouth, who met with his death under sad circumstances whilst bathing with others from the beach opposite the East Cliff Promenade on Tuesday morning. - STEPHEN JOHN COLLINS, brother, said deceased was 28 years of age, and was in the habit of bathing from the beach in the morning. - William Hill, of Den-road, said he was bathing from the beach at the same time as deceased, at about 7.40. He saw deceased swimming outside the "breakers." When he got out to deceased he seemed all right. Witness swam further out and when he came back COLLINS started swimming near him in the same direction. Witness afterwards lay on his back and floated, whilst deceased swam on. That was the last he saw of him until his attention was drawn to what he at first thought was a bather's costume floating on the water. On getting hold of it, however, he saw what it was, and tried to get the body ashore. He was knocked down by a wave, but still retained his hold on the body. He shouted for help, and, with the assistance of other bathers, the body was got ashore. - The Deputy Coroner: Did you hear him shout at all? - No, sir, I heard no sound whatever from him. - Were you the nearest bather to him? - Yes, sir. - He seemed quite capable of looking after himself when you first spoke to him? - Yes. - Mr T. Hambly (Juror): The sea was not particularly rough for a swimmer? - No. - Doctor's Help. - Dr George Harold Pearson, a visitor staying at Portland House, said whilst on the Promenade his attention was drawn to two men struggling with a body in the water. He went on the beach to give what attention he could. After getting as much water as he could out of the body, artificial respiration was commenced. - The Deputy Coroner: In your opinion was the man dead then? - Yes. - How long did you keep up artificial respiration? - For about one and a half hours altogether. That would be about three-quarters of an hour on the beach and for about the same time at the Hospital afterwards. - May we take it for granted that everything that could possibly be done was done? - Yes, he was given an injection of strychnine and was wrapped in blankets. - Did you have any opinion as to the cause of death; whether he appeared to have been drowned or whether it was heart failure? - It appeared to me he must have had failure of the heart. - Arthur Rumbold, dental mechanic, of 17 Orchard-gardens, said he was cycling along the promenade, and stopping to watch the bathers, he noticed one who appeared to be waving his arms. He thought the man was in the act of diving. Owing to the sun shining on the water witness then lost view of the bathers, but when he again saw them he noticed one was missing. He went on the beach and inquired as to the number of bathers, and came to the conclusion that the man he had noticed must have come ashore. He walked away and shortly afterwards heard something about a man having been drowned. - The Deputy Coroner: How long would this be, do you think, from the time when you first had your attention drawn to him? - Between seven and eight minutes. - Mr Hill, recalled, said it could not possibly have been more than three minutes, as he was not himself bathing more than ten minutes at the most. - The Deputy Coroner: What was the depth of water at that spot? - I could touch between the waves. - Replying to questions, the witness Rumbold said he could not say that deceased appeared to be in difficulties when first he saw him. He might only have just entered the water. - Mr T. Hambly: In case he had raised an alarm, the other bathers were close enough to have reached him quickly? - I should say so. - Benjamin Henry Emmerson, a visitor from London, who stated that he was a schoolmaster, said he had been bathing from the beach and had just come in. The first thing he saw of the occurrence was when he noticed Mr Hill trying to get the body in. He rushed to give assistance. He heard no cry or alarm of any kind, and he should say the whole thing could not have taken more than eight minutes from the time deceased entered the water until he was brought out. - Everything possible was done to try and bring him round. - Bather's Diseased Heart. - Dr F. C. H. Piggott said he had made a post-mortem examination. Deceased had valvular disease of the heart. The lungs were full of sea water and witness had no doubt that death was due to drowning. - The Deputy Coroner: Supposing he had a fit? - Dr Piggott said if he might put it simply he should say that deceased probably had an attack of syncope which brought on faintness. He probably sank below the surface of the water in an unconscious condition, and, being unconscious, he did not possess that protection which a conscious man possessed to save himself. He made convulsive attempts to breathe and consequently got drowned very much more quickly than a conscious man. There was no sea water in the stomach and that pointed to the fact that he drowned without much struggle and probably in an unconscious condition. - The Deputy Coroner: As a matter of fact, did he, with a heart like that, ought to bathe. - Dr Piggott replied that as a matter of principle no man with a heart in the condition of deceased's should bathe. - The Deputy Coroner: At the same time the state of the heart was quite compatible with his enjoying ordinary health? - Certainly. - The Coroner, summing up, said such an accident might have happened anywhere, and had nothing whatever to do with the safety, or otherwise, of Teignmouth beach. (Hear, hear.) - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Drowning," in accordance with the medical evidence. - Dr Piggott said, on behalf of his colleagues at the Hospital, he should like to express appreciation of the services rendered by Dr Pearson in connection with the case. In what he did he showed the greatest kindness and consideration. (Hear, hear). 

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 23 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Child's Death At Devonport. - At an Inquest held by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at Devonport Guildhall this morning, touching the sudden death of LILIAN ELSIE TAYLOR, the one year and ten months old child of THOMAS TAYLOR, stoker in the War Department, and residing at 25 Queen-street, the mother stated that the child had been delicate from birth. Last Wednesday there was a change for the worse, but the deceased appeared better the following morning. On Friday she was again taken worse, and died in witness's arms. - Dr G. Sandford attributed death to gastro-enteritis, or infantile diarrhoea and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Dockyard Messenger's Suicide. "Depressed And Very Sad." - At Devonport Dockyard yesterday the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquest on WILLIAM JAMES PAWLEY, messenger in the Engineer-Manager's Department, who was found hanging in the record-room at the offices on Saturday. Mr Eyton K. Peck attended on behalf of the Admiralty. Engineer-Commander Watson was also present. - EDWARD J. PAWLEY said the deceased, his son, was 28 years of age. Witness last saw him alive on Thursday morning, when he asked him where his brother's ship was. He replied in a hurry and then ran away. He had lived in lodgings for several years, and seldom visited his parents. He seemed worried at times, but witness knew nothing about his affairs. - Emma Jane Atrill, Baker's-place, Richmond Walk, said deceased had lodged with her for three years. She last saw him at 6.30 on Saturday morning, when he bade her "Good morning," as usual. She had noticed a great change in him during the past few months. He used to make an awful laugh and talk to himself. He had been depressed and very sad lately, and looked very strange at times. He did not drink to excess. She did not know that he had any trouble. On Friday evening he did not go out after tea. He took two letters out of his pocket and put them in the fire. She did not know who the letters were from. He always said "Good night" to her, but did not do so on Friday. He had never threatened to take his life. - Charles Henry Webber, Millbrook, messenger in the Engineer-Manager's Department, said on Saturday morning he missed the deceased about 10 o'clock, when he should have been at work in the messengers' room. thinking there was something wrong, and finding the key of the record-room gone, he went to that room and found deceased hanging from a beam dead. For the past month or two he had been very depressed. He had reason to believe that deceased had financial troubles. - Staff-Surgeon J. H. Page said death was due to hanging. - P.C Tattershall (Metropolitan Police) deposed to removing the body to the Mortuary. There were no papers in the clothing. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 26 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - Old Woman's Fatal Fall. Inquest At Plymouth. - The death yesterday of an octogenarian, named SARAH MACREADY, spinster, 22 Well-street, Plymouth, formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Union-street Schools this afternoon. - A month ago the deceased, who was 85 years of age, slipped and fell in Well-street. Dr Torney found her thigh was broken. She progressed favourably till four days ago, when congestion of the lungs supervened. The disease, coupled with shock due to the fall, caused her death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 27 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Death Of A Devonport Child. - At an Inquest held last evening by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at Morice Town Council School, touching the sudden death of BERTRAM QUIN, the fourteen-months-old child of EDWARD ROBERT QUIN, of 25 Gloucester-street, Dr G. A. Rae stated that the top of each lung was shrivelled, and the child had been breathing with a part of each lung only. Death was due to convulsions, arising from malnutrition and debility. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Jury.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 28 August 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Woman's Sudden Death At Devonport. - At an Inquiry held by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at Morice Town School, last evening, touching the sudden death of MARY ELIZABETH GREGORY, a spinster, aged thirty-six years, John Williams, a naval pensioner, residing at 12 Gloucester-street, stated that deceased had kept house for him for seven years. She had been ill lately, and had been attended by Dr Price. She was suffering from consumption. On the previous morning she was taken worse and before a doctor could arrive she passed away in his arms. Dr Fleming attributed death to haemorrhage, due to phthisis. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 29 August 1913
ILFRACOMBE - Ilfracombe Drowning Case. Hillsboro' Beach - The "Worst Beach In The Channel." - The Inquest on EDWARD WILKINS, of Cotham-vale, Bristol, the young man drowned while bathing at Ilfracombe, was held yesterday by Mr G. F. Brown. - Charles R. Woodridge said on Wednesday he was bathing at Hillsboro' Beach with a party of four ladies and five gentlemen. WILKINS could swim only a little, but was fond of showing how he could float. While doing so he suddenly called out and sank. Witness and the others tried to reach him, but failed. They then tried to get at him with a stick, but could not do so. He then hailed a passing boat. - George Corner, boatman, said he was in a boat off Hillsboro' with a lady and gentleman. They heard shouts from the shore and at first did not take much notice, but as they were repeated he rowed to the beach and found a number of people in an excited state. Two gentlemen were on a rock trying to get something out of the water. On being told that a man had sunk he went to the spot, and saw a body about 6 ft. under water. With his oar he pulled it out and it was taken ashore. They all tried to restore animation. - In answer to the Jury, Corner said when he reached the beach all there seemed to have lost their heads, as they appeared to be doing nothing to recover the body. The beach was certainly not a safe place to bathe at; in fact, it was the worst beach in the channel. Sometimes the undertow would sweep away sand and gravel and even large stones. A person might go into the water for about 3 ft. and suddenly slip out of his depth. He could not understand why people went to such a place, without it was to save the bathing fee at the regular beaches. - Dr Percy Gardner said on being called to the beach he found P.C. Clarke and others doing all that was possible to restore animation. He continued the treatment for 2 ½ hours, but there was no sign of life. MR WILKINS may have had a cramp. It was dangerous to bathe so soon after a meal. - The Coroner said no one was apparently to blame. Everything had been done that was possible. Of course, those present could not be expected to be so cool and collected as usual. MR WILKINS'S companions made a plucky attempt to save him. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and added that the District Council should be asked to prohibit bathing on this beach. - The Foreman, Mr Tattam, expressed the sympathy of the jury with the father of the deceased.

Western Morning News, Friday 29 August 1913
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held yesterday by Mr R. B. Johns, at Plymouth, on STANLEY FRANK BEALE, aged 10. ERNEST C. BEALE, hawker, Cobourg-street, said his son underwent an operation for appendicitis last November and had since been in a bad state of health. He came downstairs at 8.30 on Wednesday and died before a doctor could arrive. Dr Keily said he was stopped in the street and went to the house. The boy was already dead. He had been violently sick and was in an emaciated condition. He was evidently of a weakly constitution. Death was due to internal obstruction. The verdict was "Death from Natural Causes"

Western Morning News, Saturday 30 August 1913
DARTMOUTH - Yacht Tragedy. Man Overboard & Drowned In Dartmouth Harbour. Strange Evidence. - Last evening Mr A. M. Davson, Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmouth on FREDERICK WILLIAM PAYNE, of Southampton, one of the crew of the steam yacht Fleur de Lys, chartered by Mr A. F. A. Smith, of Park-lane, London, who was drowned in the harbour in the early hours of yesterday morning. - Mr W. H. Fox was Foreman of the Jury. - Christopher Willis, captain and owner of the yacht, gave evidence of identification. - Frederick Monk, one of the crew of the yacht, said that on Thursday night deceased and himself had two glasses of ale ashore each and then returned to the yacht. They were both quite sober. - In reply to Mr W. S. Richards, who appeared for Mr Smith, witness said that gentleman was one of the best of employers. - Frank Amos, seaman aboard the yacht, said that at 10 p.m. on Thursday he saw deceased, who was the perfectly sober. He was awakened early in the morning by hearing PAYNE tell Mr Smith, "You are a fighting man and so am I." Witness then heard a splash and running on deck saw deceased in the water. He was swimming and witness threw a line to him, but deceased "swam in," once or twice, and then swam right away. Witness sang out, but deceased did not speak a word. Witness put off in a dinghey and tried to get deceased out of the water, but could not do so. Mr Smith then came out in a cutter and deceased was taken on board that. A doctor was dent for, but PAYNE was then dead. - Harold Watkins, of Stoughton Grange, Ilford, Surrey, a guest aboard the yacht, gave evidence and said he had once or twice seen deceased "in drink." PAYNE in that condition appeared to be a bit of a boast, and became like a man "ten foot high and three yards wide," so to speak. He was with Mr Smith until one o'clock that morning and both him and witness were then perfectly sober. - Dr J. H. Harris said that when he was called to see deceased at twenty minutes to three that morning the man was dead. There were no marks of violence on the body. He attributed death to shock owing to immersion in the water. It was possible that a man might be so full of alcohol that his heart would be paralysed on sudden immersion. - P.C. Barnicott said that at 2.20 that morning he heard a splash as though someone had fallen in the water, and then saw deceased swimming close to the bow of the yacht. He informed Mr Smith of the fact, and told him to go to his assistance, and Mr Smith replied, "He's all right. He's only drunk." A rope was passed over the side of the yacht for deceased to catch hold of, but he was then too far away to see it. Deceased was swimming on his breast, with his face on the water. Mr Smith took off his coat and waistcoat as if he was going to dive into the water to go to the man's assistance, but Ames got into the yacht's dinghey and proceeded to the man. He could not, however, get him in the boat. Mr Smith went to his assistance in a cutter and the body was placed in the boat. The pulse had then apparently stopped, and witness tried artificial respiration, but was unsuccessful and the body was removed to the yacht, and Dr Harris sent for. When on the yacht Mr Smith said, "I am the cause of that man's death. Constable, do your duty." That was said to P.C. Turner. - P.C. Turner said that Mr Smith had called him aside on the yacht, and said, "I am the cause of this man's death. I pushed him overboard. Take me in charge." A minute later, when reminded by P.C. White of what he had said, he denied having done so and said, "I must have been hysterical at the time." - Alphonso Francis Austen Smith gave evidence and said that after deceased had returned with him to the yacht early in the morning deceased became quarrelsome and wanted to fight. He was grousing about the boat suggesting that he did not get enough money for drink, and witness said, "Very well, we will settle this matter in the morning." Witness bade him goodnight and walked forward, but PAYNE then said, "You're a fighting man, I'm a fighting man. I'm going to fight you. I'm going down to fight Captain Willies." Witness told him he would only get into trouble, and he then made a rush at him. He evidently slipped and fell overboard. - In reply to questions, witness denied having said that he was responsible for the man's death and that he wanted to be taken in charge. He might have said later he was hysterical, for he had been so. Had deceased wanted to obtain drink after he had got on board he could have easily gone into the saloon and obtained some. He could not have struck deceased, for he was not within striking distance of him. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 1 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - Woman's Suicide At Plymouth. Inquest This Afternoon. - Mr R. B. Johns, at Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon, held an Inquest into the death of MRS ELIZA JANE WILLIAMS, aged 48, a London visitor, who was found with her throat cut on Saturday. - Evidence of identification was given by the widower, a naval pensioner, who said his wife left him in London on Friday night to stay with her brother-in-law in Plymouth, in the hope of recuperating after an illness. She had been depressed and suffered from the delusion that the next door neighbours were watching her movements through a crack in the wall. - CHARLES WILLIAMS, a sawyer, of Belmont-street, said that about 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon deceased, who had arrived at his house in the morning, went to the kitchen where he found her lying on the floor, with her throat cut. She had been under the delusion all day that she was being followed about. Witness fetched Dr Burke. - In answer to the Coroner, he said he had never heard MRS WILLIAMS threaten suicide. - P.C. Morrish said he went to Friary Railway Station on Saturday morning, and an Inspector told him that deceased had been sitting on the platform with her legs hanging over on to the metals. When asked what she was doing she had replied: "I had a feeling come over me that I ought to throw myself in front of the train, but I don't feel like it now." The Constable spoke to her and she said¨ "There is a detective in that carriage over there, having breakfast. He is taking me to Dartmoor for ten years for stealing knives and forks." Concluding that she was deranged, witness took her to the Central Police Station, and a little later she was handed over by Superintendent Foot to her sister-in-law. - Asked if she was mentally examined, the Constable said he did not know, "I came to the conclusion," he said, "that she was a lunatic." - "I think it is fairly obvious," commented the Coroner. - The husband, who was very much affected, told the Jury that his wife had been run down by attending to her daughter and the London doctors said that she was at a critical age she should have a rest. That was why he sent her to Plymouth. - The Coroner said there was no question about MR WILLIAMS having done his best, and the Jury felt a great deal of sympathy with him - (hear, hear). - Dr Burke having given evidence, a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 1 September 1913
STOKENHAM - The Drowning Of MR DOUGLASS. Jury And Motor Launch. - Sailing with his son in a small boat on the afternoon of the 10th of last month, MR WILLIAM TREGARTHEN DOUGLASS, son of the late SIR JAMES DOUGLASS, was drowned off Dartmouth. On Friday the body was recovered in Start Bay and at the Inquest on Saturday at Torcross it was stated that MR DOUGLAS and his son, MR EDWARD DOUGLASS, who were on a visit to LADY DOUGLASS, left Dartmouth in the afternoon in a small sailing boat. When a short distance off the harbour the boat was seen to collapse and sink. - MR DOUGLASS and his son swam about for some time, but the former suddenly sank, the son being rescued by the steamship, Princess Victoria. - Eric Siegfried Hahn, bank accountant, stated that with a friend he was in a dinghey when the accident happened. It was too rough to go out to the place of the accident, but they saw a large motor-launch and witness told those aboard that he thought a sailing boat had capsized. The occupants of the launch asked how far out it was; he replied he thought it was a mile and a half and they answered to the effect that it was too rough to go outside. - Edward M. Drury, of Bristol, son-in-law of MR DOUGLASS, said the survivor, who sailed on Thursday for Australia, told him that MR DOUGLASS had said to him when they were in the water: "Take it easy, someone will soon be up." Both swam for some time, then MR DOUGLASS said he was done. The son tried to keep him afloat, but he could not do so. - Mr James, a bank clerk, corroborated Mr Hahn's evidence as to the motor-launch. - In reply to the Police-superintendent, Mr Hahn said he had ascertained that the motor-launch belonged to Paignton. - Coroner's Comments. - The Coroner said as the son, the only survivor of the accident, had gone to Australia, he had allowed the Jury to have some hearsay evidence, and they therefore would not have any difficulty in arriving at their verdict. He did not think it would be necessary to add a rider to their verdict concerning the action of the people on the Kangaroo. Whatever they might say, or whatever their opinion might be, there was nothing criminal in refusing to go to the assistance of the deceased, nor was there anything of which the law could take any notice. If ordinary decent English pluck had been exercised, it was probable that a valuable life would not have been lost. It was extraordinary that a valuable life should have been thrown away for blue funk. Mr Hahn had been accused of spreading a false report, but the owner of the Kangaroo, who had been given notice of the Inquiry, had lacked courage to come and refute the charge imputed to him or to swear to his side of the story. - The Jury found that MR DOUGLASS was Accidentally Drowned, commended Mr Neale Hill of Kingswear, who had pluckily gone out in a small boat, and expressed their regret that the person in charge of the motor-launch lacked sufficient courage to save a valuable life. The Coroner concurred with the verdict. - The Foreman: We wish to express our sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. - The Coroner: I should like to join you in that expression.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 5 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Suicide. Coroner And A Woman Witness. Severely Censured. - An Inquest was held at the Plymouth Mortuary on the body of CHARLES ALBERT DOWNING, who was found dead in a room at 5 Harwell-street. - Mary Ellen Donnelly, who was living with the deceased, said he was 64 years of age. She last saw him on Sunday evening at 6.30, at the bottom of Cecil-street. They had some words about his being out of work. She alleged he had been drinking at the time. He left her, not allowing her to come with him. She did not see him again. - Florence Jane Cocking, widow, 5 Harwell-street, said she knew nothing of any disturbance between the deceased and his wife, who lived in her house. The woman who was living with him did not see him again until Thursday morning. DOWNING during that time was in his room, so far as she knew. - "Is Deserving Of Blame." - The Coroner: When you did not see the deceased, did it not strike you that something serious had happened? - No. - You did not go to look for him? - No. - Nor call the Police? - No. It was not my business. - The Coroner: I don't agree with you. You allow a man living in your house to shut himself up in his room from Sunday night until Thursday morning before you make an effort to see if anything has occurred? - Witness: I have to look after myself, and not other people. - The Coroner: That's not my opinion. I think you should have acted differently and that your conduct is deserving of blame. The man lived in your house and you knew nothing about him from Sunday night until Thursday morning, when he was found dead in his room. - Cloth Over His Head. - Ernest Spraggs, shoemaker, 5 Harwell-street, Plymouth, said that yesterday morning, with the aid of a screw-driver, he entered the room and found the deceased sitting on a chair leaning over a gas ring. He had a cloth over his head and was dead. The first witness was in the habit of leaving him for days. They both drank. - The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to asphyxiation. Deceased had been dead three days when the doctor saw him on Thursday morning. - "Not A Credit To Anybody." - The Coroner (to Donnelly): I'm afraid you are not a credit to anybody. - Donnelly: I did my best for him. - The Coroner: I don't think so. - A daughter of the deceased, sitting in Court, said, pointing to Donnelly, "That woman is the cause of it all." - The Foreman of the Jury (Mr Southern): Your evidence was very unsatisfactory and we don't believe a word you have said. - Donnelly: I do, then. - The Coroner: You must not be impudent, you know. - Jury's Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased Committed Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane and severely censured the witness Donnelly, who, they considered, had not done her duty by the deceased, with whom she lived. - Donnelly was more or less hysterical during the whole of the hearing.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 5 September 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - "Found Drowned." The Stonehouse Mystery. - A Coroner's Inquest could not penetrate the mystery which enshrouds the death of CHARLOTTE APSLEY GARD, a woman, whose body was recovered from the water off Devil's Point, Stonehouse, early yesterday morning. - At the Inquiry held by Mr R. Robinson Rodd last evening, Mary Ann Farnham, living at 37 Admiralty-street, Stonehouse, said the deceased, who was her friend, was single, and forty-seven years of age, and she came to stay with her a fortnight ago last Monday. She last saw deceased alive on Tuesday afternoon, when she said she was going to Devonport. Deceased had been well and was quite cheerful. Witness had never heard her threaten to take her life. She would sometimes drink too much, but not during the past fortnight. Deceased was a domestic servant and when out of a situation always came to stay with witness. - Elsie May Bailey, of Morice Town, said deceased called on her at 4.45 p.m. on Tuesday, staying until 5.30. Deceased had a cup of tea, and seemed all right. - George Joseph Howard said his attention was drawn to the body of a woman floating near the entrance to the Victualling Yard Tunnel early the same morning and he recovered it. She was fully dressed with the exception of her hat. - Dr W. E. M. Corbett deposed to making a post-mortem examination. Death, in his opinion, was due to drowning. There were no marks of violence. All the organs were healthy, except the heart, which was fatty. The name "C. A. GARD" was on the clothing. - The Coroner remarked that there was no evidence as to how the deceased got into the water, and, therefore, it was of no use surmising how it probably happened. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 8 September 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - R.N. Stoker's Fatal Fall At Stonehouse. - "It's A Regular Death Trap." - The death of Stoker EDWARD WILSON, twenty-three, of H.M.S. Defence, was investigated by Mr R. Robinson Rodd at Stonehouse Town Hall this morning. - WILSON met his death by a fall from the window of the Princess Royal Hotel, and the Jury - who inspected the room and the window - had to consider whether the fall was purposive or involuntary. - Frederick Hargreaves, stoker, of the Defence, who slept near deceased on the ship, said he had never known him to walk in his sleep. He was not a teetotaler. - John Symons, licensee of the Princess Royal Hotel, said deceased was perfectly sober when he went to bed on Friday night. He paid before going to bed. The French windows of the room were both open, one of them wide. The man had stayed at the Hotel many times. - Defective Fittings. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said the window-fittings were defective, and it was possible for deceased to have fallen out of the window involuntarily if he had been sitting on the window-ledge. He had never received any complaints, but would have a couple of bars put across the casement before anybody slept in the room again. - W. J. Hannam, A.B., of the Forth, said when he looked in the room at half-past eleven the windows were closed and WILSON lay on the bed only partly covered with the bed-clothes and dressed. - P.C. Seldon described hearing a thud and seeing the man's body in the road. He thought he had probably "taken a header" out of the window. He was eighteen inches from the kerb. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said there was a rupture of the brain, and death must have been instantaneous. - "A Regular Death Trap." - Summing up, the Coroner remarked that he advised an Open Verdict. He emphasised the necessity of the window being at once attended to. "I never saw a more dangerous window," he said, "And where the public are invited to sleep, it is too awful to contemplate. It's a regular death-trap." - An Open Verdict was returned, with a rider embodying the Coroner's comments on the window.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 September 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Died While At Work. Inquest On A Stonehouse Man. - The Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, conducted an Inquiry at the Guildhall, Devonport, this afternoon, touching the sudden death of RICHARD AVERY, 45, labourer, in the employ of Lord St Levan, and residing at High-street, Stonehouse. - The widow said the deceased had enjoyed good health and had never had a doctor. - Aaron Shelly, 22 Clifton-street, Plymouth, also in the employ of Lord St Levan, said the deceased was engaged yesterday afternoon at work at the cross-road between Beresford and Beaumont-streets, when he suddenly fell backwards. Witness went to him and found him unconscious. A doctor was sent for. - Dr R. C. Pillar attributed death to a rupture of an aneurism of the aorta. There were signs of old tubercular disease in the lungs. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 11 September 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Bluejacket's Gallant Act. Devonport Man Commended By Coroner. - A verdict of "Accidental Drowning" was returned at the Inquest held by Mr J. A. Pearce at Keyham Dockyard this afternoon on the body of JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER TOOLAN (21), an able seaman of the Lion. - Robert Norman Beavis, petty officer of the ship, which was in number two basin, on Tuesday night said he was roused between twelve and one o'clock by a cry of "Man overboard." Dragging operations were carried out and the body soon brought to the surface. Staff-Surgeon Murphy attempted artificial respiration for over an hour. When deceased came aboard at twenty to eleven he appeared to be perfectly sober. - Quarter-master Patrick Driscoll described hearing a splash and thinking he saw a dark object disappear between the ship and the lighter. Leading-Seaman Gough jumped into the water and witness reported to the Police. None of the men had any reason to be on the side from which TOOLAN fell over. He had never known him walk in his sleep or threaten suicide. - Leading-Seaman Gough said, having jumped into the water without effect, he dived in a second time with a weight in order to go down further, while the drags were being fetched. - An officer present said deceased's character was generally good. - A Police-Sergeant deposed to finding signs of a man having vomited over the side of the ship. Presumably deceased felt unwell and overbalanced himself. - The Coroner expressed the opinion of the Jury that Leading-Seaman Gough's conduct was highly commendable. It was a gallant and deserved some recognition.

Western Morning News, Saturday 13 September 1913
SHAUGH PRIOR - Shaugh Boy's Death. Coroner And Jury Disagree. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest yesterday at Whitaborough Farm, Shaugh Prior, on HARRY KINGWELL, aged 13, found hanging in a barn on the farm on Wednesday. - MR JOHN KINGWELL said on Tuesday his son was harvesting with him, and he remarked that he supposed he would be glad to go back to school on Monday next. HARRY replied that he would not be glad and would rather be doing the job he was then engaged upon. He promised to take him to a sale on Monday and he should go to school on the Tuesday. His son never needed to be told a second time to go to school. Witness was at Tavistock all day on Wednesday. - the Coroner read a letter from Mr F. H. Thomas, head master, Mutley Grammar School, Plymouth, in which he stated that the lad was very happy at the school, and was a lively and cheerful boy. The relationship between him and all his masters and school-fellows were of most friendly and cordial nature. - MR KINGWELL said he could not throw any light on the manner of his son's death. - MRS SARAH SANDERS KINGWELL, mother, said they had dinner together on Wednesday about one o'clock. HARRY was then quite in his usual state. All the boys went out together about 1.45 and within half an hour she heard he was dead. She believed it to have been an accident. - WILLIAM KINGWELL said he went out with his brother after dinner and he told him he was going out into the field to turn hedge parings, and would go into the loft to get a prong. He then went with his other brother to fetch the horses and on his return with them noticed his brother's boot in the hole leading to the loft. Thinking he was asleep, he pulled the boot and as he got no answer he went up and found him hanging with the rope used for reed-combing. The rope was secured in a half hitch as it would be for hoisting reeds. He was dead. One leg was resting on the floor of the loft, and when he raised the body the rope slipped away. He had had no conversation with his brother about school. He had seen his brother when playing with a swing place the loop of the rope under his chin and swing so. He had never seen him tie the rope round his neck. - A Juryman remarked that this was a long loop of rope in which the boys used to swing. - Dr C. H. Stevens, of Plympton, said he found no dislocation of the neck. There was a mark which might have been made by a half-hitch knot. Death was due to suffocation. The rope must have been tied, and could not have secured itself, though an accidental slip might have tightened it. - The Coroner, summing up, said that it was a terrible thing to think that a mere child should take his own life, but from the evidence, and after seeing the loft and the rope, he was of opinion that the lad hanged himself. He could not see anything to support the suggestion of accidental hanging. There was ample opportunity for him to save himself if he had slipped, for one leg was on the floor of the loft. It would have been an impossibility for the affair to have happened accidentally. It was open to them to return a verdict of "Found Dead." The only motive he could see was indicated in the conversation with his father. The boy apparently preferred work to school. The head master's letter was satisfactory. - The Jury, after considerable deliberation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Hanging," and, with the Coroner, expressed their sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Monday 15 September 1913
CHAGFORD - Inquest At Chagford. - Mr Brown held an Inquest at Thornworthy House, :Chagford, on Saturday, on the body of an infant. P.C. Broad stated that on being called to Thornworthy House on the 11th inst., he saw in a bedroom a tin trunk, which contained the body of a female child, wrapped in a pillow-case. The bedroom, he was told, had been occupied by E. KEATES, the housemaid, who left on September 1st for a holiday. - Emma Gay (cook) said on August 29th she called EMMA KEATES at 6.30 a.m., and on her coming downstairs remarked, "You are looking bad." KEATES replies, "I have a bad bilious attack." She did her usual work on that day. On the 11th inst., when in the vacant bedroom, she experienced a bad smell and informed her employers. - Dr Brydon stated that the body was that of a fully-developed female child, but he could not say it had had a separate existence. - EMMA KEATES, aged 23, who admitted she was the mother of the child, said she did not hear it cry, and she was so worried she did not know what to do. - The Jury returned a verdict that the child had had no separate existence. KEATES was afterwards remanded until tomorrow, when at Moretonhampstead she will be charged with concealment of birth. The accused, who has been in her situation about eighteen months, had borne a good character.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 September 1913
ASHBURTON - Ashburton Woman's Death. Husband Severely Censured. - Mr P. Cornish-Bowden held an Inquest at Ashburton yesterday on ADA LOUISA ENDACOTT, aged 44, wife of WILLIAM J. ENDACOTT, labourer, of Rew Lea-cottages, who died on Saturday. - Dr E. A. Ellis said he attended MRS ENDACOTT on August 23rd and found her suffering from erysipelas of the face and blood poisoning. At her request he did not call again. - Mr F. Edgecombe, Relieving Officer, stated that he pointed out to the husband the necessity for a doctor or nurse. Dr Ellis drew his attention to the case. - The Jury, Mr H. Smith, Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and added a rider severely censuring the husband for having neglected to procure proper attention for his wife.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 16 September 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquiry held by Mr J. A. Pearce, Borough Coroner, this morning touching the sudden death of ROBERT SPARKS, 57 years of age, a labourer, residing at Camel's Head, Devonport, Dr W. H. Davis attributed death to the rupture of an aneurism in the aorta, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Friday 19 September 1913
SHIRWELL - Discharged For Being Asleep On Duty. Suicide Of An Ex-Naval Man. - There was a tragic discovery at Plaistow Wood, Sherwell, North Devon, on Thursday, the decomposed body of RICHARD WILLIAM BRAY, of Trentishoe. being found. - The man was until recently in the Navy, and had been missing from his parents' home since July 25th. - At the inquest today Mr Coroner Brown said deceased was in the Navy seventeen years, and in the middle of July was discharged on account of sleeping on duty. - A labourer named Westacott of Barnstaple, while working in the wood yesterday, went to pick a stick and then saw the body. The Police found a five-chamber revolver near by, with three chambers discharged. - In letters found in deceased's pockets deceased wished his parents "good-bye." He declared the Navy had been his ruin, and said that but for it he should have been better in life. - The Coroner added that deceased was troubled about his discharge and had said he was a fool to have gone to sleep on duty. A sad feature of the case was that another son of MR BRAY'S shot himself in Wales, the doctor having told him he had cancer. - Deceased's father bore out the Coroner's statement. His son was cheerful when he left home, and had about eleven or twelve shillings in his pocket. - Dr Kendrew said there was a bullet wound in the skull. The verdict was "Suicide by Shooting."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 20 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - Knocked Down By A Taxi-Cab. Inquest On A Stonehouse Labourer At Plymouth. - "No blame attaches to the driver" was the opinion which a Coroner's Jury at Plymouth this morning appended to its verdict of "Accidental Death" at the Inquiry into the death of THOMAS HENRY THOMSON, (33) a labourer of Phoenix-place, Stonehouse, who died at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital as a result of being knocked down by a taxi-cab on the evening of last Tuesday week. - Mr Mayburne Pearce watched the proceedings on behalf of the relatives. - The Driver's Story. - Charles Tamblyn, employed by Messrs. Andrew, who was driving the taxi-cab, said the accident happened outside the Palace Theatre, as the crowd was going in for the first house. He blew his horn several times, and as the traffic was very congested he was only going at four or five miles an hour, when deceased stepped in front and was knocked down. He took him to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital in the car. - Replying to the :Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, witness said it was not in his power to avoid the accident. He was driving on the correct side of the road. He pulled up the car in half its length and jammed both brakes so tight that they had not been fit for anything since. He was not following any other taxi. - Arthur Kerry, a labourer, of Adelaide-street, Stonehouse, and P.C. White said the driver was proceeding slowly and did all in his power. Kerry estimated the speed at four or five miles per hour and the Constable at five or six. - Engineer-Lieutenant Hall of H.M.S. Lancaster, one of the two naval officers in the cab, corroborated the driver's statement. - Another Version. - Conflicting evidence was given by Stanley Giddy, a hairdresser of Manor-street, who described the speed of the car as "too fast." He thought it was eight or ten miles an hour. - "I have three more witnesses," observed Mr Pearce, to which the Coroner replied: "Well, I hope they will be better than this one. I don't want to damp your ardour, but he appears to know nothing about it." - Arthur Sharp, a labourer, said the car seemed to be going at " a good speed," about eight or ten miles an hour." - Coroner And The Speed. - The Coroner expressed the opinion that if the car had been making that speed in view of the traffic at the time, it would have hurt other people as well. - Dr G. L. Preston, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased, who was admitted suffering from shock, cut head and arms, and several bruises, progressed satisfactorily at first, but blood poisoning set in, followed by pleurisy, and pneumonia. - "I don't think there is any doubt about it," observed the Coroner, expressing his agreement with the Jury's rider. 

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 23 September 1913
ST BUDEAUX - Shockingly Emaciated. Inquest On Honicknowle Child Adjourned. - Three months ago a female child named ELSIE GLADYS MAUNDER was born to FLORENCE MAUNDER, wife of JOSEPH MAUNDER, a general labourer, of Rose Cottage, Honicknowle. On Friday last Inspector Westlake of the N.S.P.C.C., obtained a warrant to remove the infant from the custody of its parents to the Plympton Workhouse. The removal was deemed necessary on account of the serious condition in which it was in. In that Institution it lingered for two days, expiring on Sunday. - The body is shockingly emaciated, appearing to be nothing but skin and bone. - This morning the Coroner for the district, Mr R. R. Rodd, opened an Inquiry into the cause of its death,. - After formal evidence by Police-Sergeant Cruse, the Inquest was adjourned until 9.30 on Friday morning. - Superintendent Crooke was present this morning. The Police will photograph the body prior to its interment. - Today's proceedings wholly consisted of the viewing of the body and the brief evidence of Police-Sergeant Cruse, who deposed that the deceased was removed to the Workhouse on September 19 and died there on September 21.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Accident. - At an Inquest held at Plymouth yesterday by Mr R. B. Johns, on a boy, JAMES HENRY REED, scarcely four years old, Dr Brenton said death was due to convulsions caused by inflammation of the brain, which might be accounted for by a fall. - MR and MRS REED, who live in Morley-place, said the boy was taken home last Wednesday bleeding from the nose and mouth. He was taken to the Homeopathic Hospital where he was treated, and the mother advised to bring him again if he became worse. On Sunday he was taken with a fit, and died. - The father said they could not find out for certain what happened to the child, who told them he had had a fall. - John T. Mills, a schoolboy, said he and another lad found the boy in Mill-lane bleeding from the nose and mouth, and carried him home. - The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 23 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - Aged Woman's Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns conducted an Inquiry at Prince Rock Police Station, Plymouth, today, touching the death of GRACE ROBERTS, a widow, aged 87 years, which occurred at her residence, 7 Desborough-road, Plymouth, the previous day. - Mrs Holman, who lives in the same house, said the deceased had been for some time attended by Dr Wilson. She suffered from bronchitis. - Dr J. M. Platts, locum tenens for Dr Wilson, attributed death to bronchial attack, accelerated by old age. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 24 September 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Dangerous Play Place. Devonport Youth Fatally Injured By Motor. - At the Morice Town Council School, Devonport, last evening, the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, held an Inquiry relative to the death of WILLIAM WINICOTT CORNISH, aged 17, who met with an accident in August of last year. - Mr Percy T. Pearce appeared for the owners of the motor-car concerned in the accident (Messrs. Andrews and Co., Plymouth). - ANDREW MCKENZIE CORNISH, skilled labourer in H.M. Dockyard, residing at 10 (back of) William-street, said the deceased was his son. On the 9th August last year deceased met with an accident and was taken to the Royal Albert Hospital. He was removed to his house on the 21st October as incurable. He died on Sunday last. - Robert William Carmody, residing at 17 Canterbury-street, stated that on the 9th August 1912, he was proceeding down St Aubyn-street between 8 and 9 p.m., when he heard a motor horn. Some boys were playing in the street, and suddenly a boy came out from the side of the Bland Institution and ran right in front of the motor-car. The car, which was proceeding up the street, swerved, but the guard of the car caught the boy, who was thrown into the gutter. The boy was removed to the Hospital. The car, witness added, was travelling about five or six miles an hour and was in the centre of the street when the accident occurred. In his opinion it was a pure accident. - Witness's Letter. - The Coroner here read a letter which Mr Carmody wrote just after the accident. In this he expressed the view that the driver of the car was in no way to blame, and that he deserved credit for the smart manner in which he swerved to avoid the boy. - Victor Baldwin and another witness corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. - Dr G. Sandford said that in April last he was called to attend CORNISH at his home. He found the boy suffering from paralysis due to injury of the spinal cord, which he was informed was the result of an accident. He had attended the boy from time to time since, and death took place on Sunday, being due to heart failure following the injury to the spinal cord. - Sergeant Drake, who assisted in removing CORNISH to the Hospital, said that from inquiries he had made he found that no blame attached to the driver of the car. - The Coroner, in summing up the evidence, spoke of the carelessness of lads in the streets even when traffic was going on, and said it had been a marvel to him there were not more accidents in these days when motor traffic was so general. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their sympathy with the parents. Mr Pearce, on behalf of the owners of the car, associated himself with the Jury's expression.

Western Morning News, Friday 26 September 1913
BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Man's Death. Coroner's Jury And A Doctor. - In High-street, Barnstaple, yesterday, WILLIAM PICKARD, aged 43, mason, fell and died suddenly whilst working for the contractor relaying the street with wood blocks. PICKARD, who lived at Newport, leaves a widow and three children. - At the Inquest last evening the evidence showed that he had enjoyed fairly good health, but had stated that whilst working at Dulverton a fortnight ago he had a fit. He started work at 6.30 a.m. yesterday, and did not complain. PICKARD was putting in a peg when he fell forward. Mr H. H. Williams and others rendered first aid, but on Dr Harper arriving he could only pronounce life extinct, the cause of death being in his opinion, heart disease. - It transpired that Mr Williams first telephoned for Dr Cooper, and, finding he was out, sent his assistant, Mr Jones, to Dr Thomas. - Mr Jones said to the best of his recollection he told Dr Thomas the Police thought it was rather a bad case, Dr Thomas replying that the Police had their own doctor, and had better fetch him. - Dr Thomas suggested he also told witness that if he could not get the Police Doctor to telephone for him. - Mr Jones said he did not remember the doctor saying this, but would not say he did not say so. Witness ran back with the message. - Dr Thomas added that had he really realized it was an urgent case he would have gone, but he had to see a woman in his surgery. - The Coroner, Mr Bencraft, said, generally speaking, it was important a doctor should go directly he was called in cases of this sort, as he might be able to save life. Nothing, however, could apparently have been done in the present case. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" and, through the Coroner, expressed the opinion Dr Thomas should have gone to the case when he was called.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 26 September 1913
PLYMPTON - Manslaughter Verdict. Inquest On A Honicknowle Child. Shocking Story Of Dirt And Neglect. Parents Committed To The Assize. - A shocking story was told at the Plympton Workhouse this morning, at the resumed Inquiry into the death of ELSIE GLADYS MAUNDER, the three-months' old child of JOSEPH and FLORENCE MAUNDER, who reside in a house bearing the fragrant name of Rose Cottage, at Honicknowle. - The County Coroner, Mr R. R. Rodd, conducted the Inquiry. Mr T. H. Gill represented the N.S.P.C.C. and Superintendent Crooke watched the case for the Crown. - Amelia Eliza Taylor, a certificated midwife of 2 Stoke-terrace, Crownhill, stated that the child was born on June 12th. About a month before, the coming birth was mentioned to her by the District Nurse, Miss Clark, and witness undertook the case. On June 11th MR MAUNDER came for her and she proceeded to Rose Cottage and was present at the birth. She judged the child to weigh at birth 8 lbs., and it seemed quite healthy. MRS MAUNDER said it was the biggest baby she had had. For ten days witness was in attendance. The child was then thriving on its natural nourishment. - The Coroner: What was the condition of the home? - Witness: It was very dirty. - In further reply witness said there were vermin in the house. Little provision was made for the birth. There was practically no bedding in the cottage, and witness borrowed some from the District Nurse. MRS MAUNDER complied with the witness's request to engaged Widow Worth, a neighbour, to clean the house. It must have taken many weeks for the house to get in such a filthy condition. Since leaving the deceased in its mother's care on June 22 witness had not seen it. She considered it was as perfect and healthy a child as she had seen during her midwifery experience. - Mr Gill: Were there six other children? - Witness: I don't know how many they had. - Mr Gill: There were several other children? - Yes, there were several other children. - Mr Gill: Did you all sleep in one room together? - Yes, sir - Replying to the Coroner, witness said that they had two beds. Further examined by Mr Gill, witness said that the children were dirty and the only clothing they had consisted of a shirt and trousers. - The Coroner: They were miserably and insufficiently clothed? - Witness: Yes, sir. - Mr Gill: What was the condition of their bedding? - They had nothing but the mattress and an old coat. - In further reply, witness said that the mattress was filthy and so ragged that the contents went on the floor. - The Police Visit To The House. - Police-Sergt. Cruse, stationed at Crownhill, deposed that on Friday last, in consequence of a complaint he received respecting the MAUNDERS' home, he communicated with Inspector Westcott, of the N.S.P.C.C. Together they went to Rose Cottage, where they saw MRS FLORENCE MAUNDER. Sitting on a chair was a two year old girl, ROSE, another daughter of the MAUNDERS. The child was fearfully dirty and looked weak and ill. - Witness spoke to the mother and she replied, "What can I do? I do the best I can." - Witness asked where the baby was, and, pointing to two chairs in the corner of the kitchen, she said "There it is. I don't know whether it is dead yet, or not." Over the child was a piece of curtain which was hardly sufficient to keep off flies. The child was still alive, but in a terribly emaciated condition. It was attired in its nightdress. Witness asked MRS MAUNDER where the other children slept, and she replied "upstairs." - Going upstairs MRS MAUNDER showed him the place where she and her husband and the baby slept. The room was in a very dirty condition, and an evil odour arose from it. The bedding consisted of a very old flock bed-tie and the flock was falling out on the floor. The bed clothing consisted of a piece of an old counterpane. In the room occupied by the children there were a bedstead and a bedchair. There were two counterpanes on the bedchair, and they were in a filthy condition and absolutely rotten from wettings. There were no bedclothes of any description. The other bedstead contained two mattresses and a part of a dirty sheet, and two or three old coats for covering. The room was very filthy and not fit for human habitation. - Speaking in a very indifferent manner, MRS MAUNDER said she had done her best. Witness reminded her that her husband earned good money. She replied that he gave her what he earned, sometimes, 24s., and sometimes he did not earn quite so much. - Witness had also ascertained that the eldest son earned 6s. or 9s. per week and that the deceased was insured for 15s. There was a tin of proprietary food in the house and MRS MAUNDER said she had left off feeding the child from the breast. Dr Olver was called in and ordered the deceased's removal to the Workhouse. - Replying to a Juror, witness said there was one window open in the house when he went there. - In reply to Superintendent Crooke, witness said that the same evening as the child died he went and informed the mother, but she did not seem upset by the news. She said she would only get 15s. insurance money, but if it had been insured three months she would have got 30s. - Censured At A Previous Inquest. - Further, witness said that he was present at the Inquiry into the death of one of the MAUNDERS' children three years ago, when the parents were censured by the Jury. Since that time the N.S.P.C.C. had kept them under observation. - Inspector Westcott, N.S.P.C.C. corroborated, and said he found in the house a jug with some sour milk in it, and ain a small bowl there was a mixture of something which was sour, and stinking. According to MRS MAUNDER it was a proprietary food. - Witness asked the woman how she fed the child, and she said she fed it with a spoon, but that the child would not take it. - He asked her if she had had a doctor since his last visit, on August 28th, when he warned her, and she replied, "Yes, I had Dr Olver in last Monday." Witness inquired what the doctor said was the matter, and she replied that he said it was pining and, looking across to the corner where the deceased was, she said in an indifferent manner, but "it is not dead yet." - Pointing to the child ROSE, witness asked her if she drew the doctor's attention to the child, and she replied, "No. That child has curvature of the spine." It could not stand, although it was two years of age, and its legs were doubled up underneath it. About an hour afterwards witness returned to the house with Dr Olver, who ordered the removal of the two children to the Workhouse Infirmary. - Did Not Want Them Taken Away. - When witness was about to remove the children MRS MAUNDER said that he should not take them. She ran to the deceased and picked her up and placed her under one arm, and grabbing up ROSE with the other hand she ran into the road and entered a neighbour's cottage. Witness went in pursuit of her and acting on the persuasion of Mrs Gray, a neighbour, MRS MAUNDER gave the children up. They were ill, badly nourished, very dirty and flea bitten. - Questioned as to his visits to the house to keep the MAUNDERS under observation, witness said that when they removed to Rose Cottage things improved and he ceased visiting there until he received complaints on February 21st last about them, and he then found them as bad as ever. He made monthly visits until June 17th, but he did not go again until August owing to an illness he had, which lasted several weeks. When the deceased was admitted to the Infirmary it was weighed, and turned the scale at barely 5 ½ pounds. - The Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Olver said that when he saw the baby on September 15th it was very thin and dirty and had symptoms of diarrhoea. He asked MRS MAUNDER how she fed it and she showed him some proprietary food. Witness told her she ought not to prepare so much at a time. He prescribed some medicine. MRS MAUNDER also said that the child had milk from one breast only, but it yielded a fair amount. On the following Friday witness was called again to see the deceased and found it much worse. He ordered the removal of the deceased and ROSE to the Workhouse Infirmary. - In reply to Mr Gill, witness said that he confirmed a certificate he gave as to the condition of ROSE and ELSIE. He stated in the certificate that ELSIE was very emaciated, but there was apparently no organic disease to account for its wasting. The house was in a very dirty condition and the bedding totally inadequate for human beings. It was rotten, dirty and stinking. As the conditions under which the two children were living were injurious to their health and were causing them unnecessary suffering, he considered their removal to the Infirmary necessary. - Mr Gill: Did you find vermin jumping from the elder child? - Witness: Fleas. - At the Workhouse Infirmary. - Dr W. D. Stamp, Medical Officer of the Workhouse Infirmary, stated that on admission the deceased was in a most emaciated condition. He prescribed for it, and it was seen every hour during the thirty-six hours which elapsed before its death. On the day after admission it weighed 5 lbs. 6 ozs., and at the post-mortem examination it weighed 5 lbs. 4 ozs. There was no organic disease to account for death, except the small amount of material in the intestines. - The child could not have been properly fed to support life for some time before it came under his care. It was to that condition of affairs that he attributed death. It had been insufficiently attended. It was practically dying on admission, and the cause of death was asthenia, which was a gradual decay of the system, through insufficient food and attention. There were no marks of violence on the body. No doubt there had been great neglect. Had the child been 8 lbs. at birth, it should have weighed over 12 lbs. at three months, but, allowing 2 lbs. off the weight estimated by the nurse at birth, it should have weighed 9 lbs. at three months. - The Parents' Statement. - Invited to give an explanation the MAUNDERS made lengthy statements in defence. The woman accused the nurse of telling lies, and the latter rose to meet the accusation, but was advised by the Coroner to sit down. - MR MAUNDER went into the details of his domestic economy, and said that his wages only averaged £1 per week. All the trouble was caused through the weakness or dullness of his wife, who was subject to fainting. His life, he added, had been a misery. His poverty was not caused by drink. - The Coroner remarked that poverty was no crime, but the condition of things to which the Jury had listened was terrible. - MRS MAUNDER declared that she scrubbed the rooms every day and kept the children clean. - Verdict Of Manslaughter. - The Coroner, summing up, said that it seemed to be as bad a case of neglect as could possibly be unfolded to a Jury, and he had no hesitation in advising them to return a verdict of manslaughter against both parents. - The Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against the MAUNDERS. - The Coroner committed them for trial at the Exeter Assizes on October 22nd, and admitted them to bail in their own recognisances of £25 each. - This afternoon the accused were brought up at Crownhill and formally remanded until next week.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 27 September 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - A Devonport Woman's Sudden Death. Inquest Today. - The death of ETHEL MAY GILBERT, a young married woman, 22 years of age, who resided at 31 Chapel-street, Devonport, formed the subject of an Inquiry by the Deputy Borough Coroner, Mr Fred. Gard, at the Guildhall this morning. - The husband, ALBERT GILBERT, a Corporation labourer, stated that at 5.45 yesterday morning before he left for work, he took his wife a cup of tea and she was then apparently all right. - Dr P. R. Bolus said he was called at 8.30 yesterday morning to see deceased. She had been dead for some time. He added that deceased was about to be confined. She was suffering from disease of the kidney, which had developed and death was due to heart failure, the result of inflammation of the kidney. - HANNAH WORTH, mother of deceased, said her daughter was taken ill on Tuesday and the Alexandra nurses, whom she had engaged, came and saw her. Yesterday morning at 8.25 witness went to her room and found her on the floor dead. Dr Bolus was sent for. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Monday 29 September 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Labourer's Sudden Death. - At the Foresters' Hall, Octagon, this afternoon, Mr R. B. Johns, the Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on a labourer named LEWIS SMITH, aged 63 years, of 1 Alice-street, who died suddenly on Saturday evening. - Dr Pearse, who made a post-mortem examination, found that the cause of death was fatty degeneration of the heart, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 2 October 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Fatality. Inquest This Afternoon. - At the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon, the Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of HENRY MUMFORD, aged sixty years, a dock labourer, of 11 Prospect-place, who was killed while working on the steamer City of Belfast, at the Great Western Docks on Tuesday. - Mr Harold Wolferstan represented Messrs. Palgrave, Murphy and Co., the owners of the City of Belfast, and Chief-Inspector F. M. James, the Great Western Railway Company. There were also present Mr F. Cowell (the Inspector of Workshops and Factories), Mr D. Hillman (Dockers' union), Mr W. H. Lucas (the Railwaymen's Union), and Mr W. H. Webb (on behalf of the ship's brokers). - DAVID MUMFORD, dock labourer, of 16 Garden-crescent, explained that about half-past two on Tuesday afternoon his brother was assisting in unloading the cargo of the City of Belfast, being at the hatchway of the forehold. A load of five bags of sugar was hoisted from the hold, and just as it should have been swung ashore it fell on the deceased, who was killed on the spot. Witness shouted to him, but his warning was too late. - Witness, in reply to the Foreman of the Jury and Mr Wolferstan, who inquired if it was not possible for the hatchwaymen to stand from underneath the load, contended that was impracticable under the circumstances. - Mr Graves: In your opinion he was standing in the correct spot for his work? - Yes, sir. - Was there any other spot where he could have stood and done his work properly? - I could not see there was. - Mr Wolferstan: Could you see what caused the accident? - No. - Did the slings give way? - No. There was some defect in the machinery. - Fell Without Any Warning. - Alfred Warren, 20 Melbourne-street, an employee of the G.W.R., said he was driving the crane which hoisted the sugar and saw the load fall without any warning. As soon as he saw it beginning to fall he shouted a warning. At that time it was between fifteen and twenty feet above the steamer's deck. - The Foreman of the Jury: Was there any sudden jerk to cause a fracture of the machinery? - No; the load went up with a steady strain. - Answering Mr Cowell, the witness stated that the crane was driven by hydraulic pressure. and when he saw the load commence to fall he tried to keep the machinery still hoisting. - Mr Wolferstan: Was there any fault with the slings and chains? - None, whatever. - A Juryman: Is there a brake on the crane? - No. - Mr Lucas desired to ask the witness a question, but the Deputy Coroner declined to allow him to do so except through himself. - Cause Of The Accident. - Arthur Wm. Veale, chargeman of machinery, in the employment of the G.W.R., deposed to examining the crane and to finding that a bolt holding the joint connecting the pressure pipe to the cylinder was forced out by the internal, causing the pressure to leave the ram. Thus the power was released with the result that the load fell. The reason the bolt was forced out was that a female thread engaged to the bolt was stripped. The crane was examined by a crane tester of the G.W.R on October 9, 1912. It was then tested up to 2 ½ tons, which was 25 per cent above its working load. - At the time of the accident a load of 10 cwt. was being hoisted. - Answering the Inspector the witness said there were no means of testing the machinery above its working pressure. - Dr H. H. Parsloe, who was called to examine the deceased, proved that death was due to a compound fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain. - Mr Cowell described the crane and its method of working, and intimated that it absolutely impossible to say who was at fault if anyone was at fault. Probably the defect was not in the machinery, but in the fitting of it. - Mr Wolferstan: Is it not strange that the crane has lasted five years? - In most of these contrivances of iron you find such a thing. - The Deputy Coroner remarked that the firm who supplied the crane was now defunct, and no one could say where was the man who fitted the crane together. Mr Graves expressed his indebtedness to Mr Cowell for the lucid explanation he had given. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed the opinion that the crane should have had a more detailed inspection. - The Deputy Coroner: The Inspector of Factories says it would have been impossible by an inspection to discover the defect. It was internal. - Mr Cowell supplemented this by pointing out that to discover such a defect every bolt in the crane would have to be taken out, and when they were put back somebody else would have to make a further inspection to see if the work had been done properly. - The Deputy Coroner: I understand from the inspector there has been a proper test, so far as the crane could be tested. - The Jury, Inspector James, Mr Wolferstan and Mr Lucas expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 4 October 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - At the Inquest held at Devonport yesterday on JOHN DOUGLAS LUFF, gunner of the 107th Co., R.G.A., of Fort Efford, who died on Thursday, death was attributed to embolism of the pulmonary artery and the Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 7 October 1913
HARBERTON - At a Harbertonford Inquest the Jury returned a verdict that the death of MR W. A. BOWDEN, a young farmer, was due to injuries received through his being caught by the wheel of an engine.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 October 1913
BERE FERRERS - Mr R. Robinson Rodd yesterday held an Inquest at Bere Ferrers on FANNY ANN WINSOR PROCTOR, aged 75 years, who kept house for MR JOSEPH PROCTOR, her brother. Mrs Lavina Matters said she found her sitting on the bed fully dressed, with her head on the pillow, dead. - Dr P. W. Wilkinson said death was due to valvular disease of the heart.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 7 October 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mental Depression. The Suicide Of An Ex-Soldier At Plymouth. - At Plymouth Mortuary yesterday Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner, conducted the investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of HENRY MICHAEL WALLING, caretaker at the Plymouth College, whose body was found hanging in a cellar. - The widow said the deceased left his home at about a quarter past eleven on Sunday morning, going to the College. As he had not returned she visited the College early in the evening and the Rev. H. J. Chaytor, (the Headmaster) found him hanging in the coal cellar. For the last six months deceased had suffered from mental depression, a complaint which necessitated his retirement from the R.G.A. That depression dated from the time of his service at Sierra Leone. - The Rev. H. J. Chaytor said the deceased had no Sunday duties at the College. On being approached by MRS WALLING, he made a tour of the premises, and found the body of the deceased suspended from the hot-water pipe in the cellar. - WALLING had performed his duties satisfactorily. - Dr Woollcombe attributed death to hanging. - Mr Graves handed the Foreman of the Jury a letter which he said had been found on the body. He did not think that it need be made public. - The Jury agreed and the Deputy Coroner added, "It shows a clear intention to commit suicide." - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 11 October 1913
TOTNES - Fatal Accident At Brent Fair. - At Totnes Cottage Hospital yesterday an Inquest was held on CHARLES HEARD, labourer, of Ugborough, who died on Tuesday, as the result of an accident at Brent Fair a week ago. - The mother of deceased stated he was 36 years of age, and unmarried. - Frank Mitchell, fireman, employed by the G.W.R. Company, said he was at Brent Fair and was standing near the roundabouts about 11 p.m. He saw deceased, who appeared to be under the influence of drink. HEARD rushed for a roundabout whilst it was going at top speed, struck one of the upright bars and sat on the lower step, eventually getting on one of the horses. Subsequently he saw deceased fall from the horse, and going to his assistance, saw that he had broken his leg. - John Gully, labourer, corroborated and said he saw the deceased at 7.30 p.m., when he was sober. Dr H. R. Allingham said deceased had a compound fracture of the right leg and was suffering from slight shock. The case went on quite satisfactorily, but he was sent for on Tuesday, and before he arrived at the Hospital HEARD was dead. The pulmonary artery to the lung was filled with a clot of blood, which stopped circulation and caused death. - William Douglas, Woodbury, one of the roundabout assistants, stated that he asked deceased for his money after he got on the machine whilst it was in motion, and he tendered a halfpenny, which witness did not take. Whilst the machine was going deceased got round the horse and jumped off, receiving the injury described. - Similar evidence was given by another assistant, Charles Legassick. - P.S. Beer said he saw the deceased at Brent and he told witness that he either jumped or fell from the horse - he did not know which - and that no one was to blame. - Verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 13 October 1913
KINGSBRIDGE - Drowned At Kingsbridge. Remarkable Evidence At Inquest On Ship's Engineer. A Scuffle On The Quay. - Mr S. Hacker conducted an Inquiry at Kingsbridge on Saturday on ALBERT NIXON, 40, chief engineer of the s.s. Holman Sutcliffe, whose body was found on Thursday on the steamer's propeller as she lay alongside the new quay, Kingsbridge. - James Nicol, master of the vessel, which is owned by Messrs. R. Rix and Sons, Hull, gave evidence of identification. Deceased, who was a native of Hull, had been chief engineer on the vessel for two years. His relatives had been communicated with, but none of them were present. Witness took command of the steamer last March. She arrived at Kingsbridge with a cargo of coal on October 5th. On the afternoon of October 8th deceased was off and one the ship just as usual. About ten p.m. he came to witness, who was in his cabin. - The Coroner: Did he say anything? - Witness: He said a lot. - Tell the Jury: - I would not like to express the words he used. It was not fit for print. the Jury can draw their own conclusion, but it was everything that was bad. - Tell the Jury what he said. - I would not express it. The Coroner, having told witness to write it down, asked: What did he come to your cabin for? - He came to fight me. - In reply to further questions, witness said deceased asked him to come on deck and fight and wanted to pull him out of his bunk. He had been quarrelling with everybody. He had no grievance against witness that he knew of, nor had witness a grievance against him. - The Coroner: What did he come into your cabin for? - You will find that out from the other evidence. - You must tell us. - Had had no grievance against me. - Then you swear he had no grievance? - I swear that the man was mad. - How long had he been in that condition? - All that part of the day. - Had he been drinking? - He might have been. - Did he show signs of drunkenness? - Yes, worse than drunk. He was daft. - If you had said that five minutes ago you would have saved time? - I did not want to say anything against him. - You will tell us all about it. Did you have a quarrel in the morning? - Yes. - Witness further stated that deceased challenged him to fight in the forenoon on the quay. He was drunk at that time also. There was no fight, but just a disturbance, which deceased began. Deceased came at him with his fists and witness struck him, while other people on the quay kept him off. The next time he saw deceased was when he came to pull him out of his bunk. Witness calmed his temper a little bit, and as he left he said, "You have disarmed me. I am going to see these other two people," meaning the second engineer and the mate. When deceased left the cabin witness went up to the chart-house on the bridge. He heard deceased calling out for the second engineer, but that was the last he heard of him. Witness did not know if deceased went ashore again or stayed on board. If there had been a row on deck he would have heard it, but not if it were below. When witness last saw deceased alive he was dressed as the body was when found. The following morning, about 6.15, witness went over the gangway to the quay. The gangway had no rail on either side then, but after the finding of the body a rail was fixed. He did not have that done to deceive anyone. - Pressed by the Coroner as to why he had the rail fixed, witness said, "Because it would be safer in case of an accident." It was quite usual to use a gangway without a rail when the quay was level with the ship's side. According to the Board of Trade regulations the gangway should have been guarded during loading and unloading, but on small vessels they did not always do this. When going to examine the propeller witness saw the body lying face downward between two of the blades, clear of the water, it being low tide. Witness at once fetched the Police. - Captain's Mistake. - On Police-Superintendent Jeffery asking witness whether he saw deceased between the time of the struggle on the quay and when he came to his cabin, witness replied: Yes. I was with him all day. We had tea together at seven o'clock. He was as happy as I am. - The Coroner: You have just stated on oath that you did not see him between midday at 10 p.m. - There is a mistake there. I said that was the last time I saw him. - You stated clearly to the Jury that you did not see him. - Then there was a mistake. Everything was forgotten after I struck him in the morning. - Do you mean that you made friends? - Yes. - Under further examination, witness said deceased was quite quiet at tea-time, and did not call him names. After that witness did not see him until ten o'clock, and did not know where he was. Deceased's temper changed like the wind. - Dr Edward Wing Twining, Kingsbridge, said externally the body bore only slight cuts and bruises. As the result of a post-mortem examination he found that death was due to drowning. There was nothing to suggest a struggle. - Jonathan Chapman, of Hastings-street, Plymouth, mate of the Holman Sutcliffe, said he saw the scuffle between deceased and the captain on the quay. He also saw deceased coming and going between the ship and the shore in the afternoon. At tea deceased was quite amicable and afterwards he had a couple of drinks at the New Quay Inn with witness and the second engineer. Deceased was not drunk, but was excitable. He went away in a rage between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m., saying he was going aboard to kill the captain. Deceased was now in drink. They did their best to pacify and detain him. - The Coroner: Didn't you follow him to see what happened? - We did not expect he would kill the captain. - Proceeding, witness said that about 10.30 p.m. he and the second engineer went aboard and found all quiet. While witness was undressing deceased rushed into the captain's stateroom, but witness pulled him back. Deceased then rushed in again, struck a light, and said, "He's not there. He then struck witness twice. If witness had known the captain was not in his cabin, he would not have touched deceased. - Frank Luscombe, lamp-lighter, said that as he returned to Kingsbridge, about 11.45 p.m. on October 8th, after extinguishing the public lamp just opposite the steamer, he saw a big man without a coat, leaning on the wall opposite the New Quay Inn. Witness said "Good-night," but received no answer. He could not say that the deceased was the man he saw. - George Gibbins, second engineer of the steamer, corroborated the mate's evidence. Deceased, he said, was slightly inebriated. - An Open Verdict. - The Coroner said that any suspicion that deceased came to his death by any foul means had been removed. He died from drowning, but the question was whether they felt the evidence sufficient to say that he was accidentally drowned. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned, there being no evidence to show how deceased got into the water." They added a rider to the effect that a gangway should be protected with handrails at all times and the Coroner undertook to forward this to the Board of Trade.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 16 October 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - "Can't Stand This Pain Any Longer." The Devonport Suicide. - The death of CHARLES WILLIAM HOOPER, who was found hanging in the old mill, Millbridge, yesterday morning, formed the subject of an inquiry by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Fred Gard, at the Guildhall, Devonport, this afternoon. - EMILY HOOPER, wife of the deceased, residing at 24 Fellowes-place, said her husband, who was 48 years of age, was a rent collector for Mr Lawrence Spear. Yesterday morning at 8.30 deceased came in and had his breakfast, and afterwards left to go to the stores at the old mill. About nine o'clock she went to the stores to see what her husband was doing. She could not find him downstairs and on going upstairs she found the door of the room locked. - Found Her Husband Hanging. - She burst it open and found the deceased hanging by a rope to a beam. She called for assistance. Witness added that for some time her husband had complained of rheumatism all over the body. He suffered agonies and had been under the doctor's care. - Alfred Ernest Vincent, 2 Pym-street, barman, and Alfred Ernest Newman, corporal, R.A.M.C., gave evidence as to cutting deceased down and using artificial means of respiration for three-quarters of an hour. - P.C. Cox said that a letter found on the floor of the old mill, was in deceased's handwriting. - Dr C. Lander said the body was warm when he arrived. There seemed the hope that the man might breathe again and artificial respiration was continued for some time. He had attended deceased on one occasion for an incurable disease of the nervous system. Death was due to suffocation through hanging. - "Good-bye Everybody." - The Coroner read the note found near the deceased, which was as follows:- "Good-bye everybody. Can't stand this pain and worry any longer. WILL." - This morning the Coroner had received a letter from Dr H. B. Palmer, of Plymouth, in which he said that during the latter part of last year the deceased was under his care for two or three months, in consequence of symptoms suggesting tumour of the brain. He recovered but imperfectly, and he (the doctor) could quite believe that such a condition resulted in mental derangement. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while in an Unsound State of Mind," and expressed their sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Friday 17 October 1913
TAVISTOCK - Tavistock Drowning Case. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest yesterday on GEORGE KENNETH ROWLAND, aged two years and three months, son of HENRY ROWLAND, general labourer, of Newquay, Tavistock. - John Seccombe, journeyman gardener, Gunnislake, said on Monday afternoon he heard shouts from children he had seen playing about on the bank of the Tamar. Looking round, he saw the child in the water. Witness, being some distance away, could not reach the spot before deceased sank. The child's mother and grandmother were present, but there was no sign of the child. The river was flowing high up above the bank, and was quite ten feet deep where the child fell in. - The father stated that he had lived in his cottage about four years and had had no accident before. The bank of the river in front of his cottage was unprotected and dangerous, but he had not complained to the Duke of Bedford, from whom he rented it, about its insecurity. No loading or unloading was carried on and there was no reason why a fence should not be erected. - Edwin Colwill deposed to finding the body. - Dr C. C. Brodrick attributed death to drowning and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 21 October 1913
TEIGNMOUTH - Newton Man Drowned. A Mystery That Was Not Cleared Up At Inquest. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest at Teignmouth yesterday on WILLIAM HENRY HODGE, aged 22, son of MR W. H. HODGE, of 10 Forde-road, Newton Abbot, whose body was found on Labrador Beach on Sunday morning. He had been missing for over a week. - WILLIAM HENRY HODGE, of 10 Forde-road, Newton Abbot, District Relief Signalman, said it was impossible for him to identify the body by the features. He had not the least doubt, however, that it was his son, the clothes and boots being the same as his son was wearing when he last saw him alive. His son was a signal linesman, in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company, having lately been working at Port Talbot, South Wales. His son arrived home for ten days' holiday from South Wales on October 1st. He appeared to be in his usual health. - The Coroner: Can you tell the Jury anything about him that would throw any light on the affair? - Unfortunately I cannot sir. I made inquiries everywhere last week and even went to South Wales to see if I could discover anything. His intention was to leave Newton Abbot at 11.20 last Sunday morning in order to reach Port Talbot in the evening. He had to e on duty the following morning. I last saw him alive at breakfast time on Saturday, October 11th, when he appeared to be as usual. - Witness, replying to the Coroner, said he had searched through his son's box, but he could discover nothing that threw any light on the affair. "If there was any trouble," added witness, "he had covered it up." - Had he any misfortunes or love affairs that might have affected him? - I discovered a photograph and some letters and the young lady has been to see me, but there is absolutely nothing that I can suggest to account for his disappearance or that he had any intention of taking his life. He had a promising career, but he had intimated that South Wales did not suit him so well as Devonshire. "There is one thing I cannot understand," concluded the father, "and that is that no money was found on him." - MRS E. M. HODGE, step-mother, said when deceased left home on the Saturday night he simply said, "So long," as usual, adding that he was going for a short stroll and would not be long. He was a very steady young man. He said nothing as to why he did not go to Teignmouth as he had arranged. - John Parkes (Labrador) gave evidence as to seeing the body lying on the beach on Sunday morning at 11.30 and Coastguard Hayter (Shaldon) spoke of the recovery of the body by means of a motor boat and punt. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead." - The Coroner joined in their expression of sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 21 October 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Found Dead In Bed At Devonport. - Mr Fred Gard, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday on ELIZABETH ANN GRIFFITHS, aged 24, wife of WILFRED GRIFFITHS, fitter in H.M. Dockyard, of York-place, Devonport. When the husband left home to go to work on Friday morning MRS GRIFFITHS was in her usual health. About 1 p.m. she complained to Mrs Henwood, living in the same house, of pains in the back and went to lie down. On the husband returning from work shortly after 5 p.m. he found his wife dead in bed. - Dr J. Ingram made a post-mortem examination and attributed death to a clot of blood in the pulmonary artery. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned and the Coroner and Jury expressed sympathy with the husband.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 23 October 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Staging That Was Not Safely Put Back. Riggers' Duties. - The death of PHILIP HENRY WEBB MATHER, aged 43, shipwright and naval pensioner, who died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, on Tuesday, after receiving terrible injuries through falling from a staging alongside the new battleship Warspite, building at Devonport South Yard, was the subject of an Inquiry this afternoon by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Devon County Coroner. Mr K. Eyton Peck, Admiralty Law Agent, represented the Naval authorities and Mr L. P. Evans, the Home Office. - FREDERICK MATHER, naval pensioner, Cawsand, gave evidence of identification. Deceased, who was witness's brother, was a single man living at Cawsand. - Charles Goodman Murley, skilled labourer at the Dockyard, of 10 St Levan-road, Ford, said he was engaged with deceased on a staging at the starboard side of the Warspite, replacing a deal plank, which had been removed to enable witness to do some rivetting. Witness moved the plank near the ship's side on the middle plank of the staging so as to fix the line of rivets level with the staging. After witness had done the job he asked deceased, who was just going to descend the ladder, to help him to replace the plank. - A Shout That Was Not Heard. - When the plank was resting on the spar at witness's end he shouted to deceased that that would do and dropped his end. Deceased was at the other end of the plank, which was 20 feet long and weighed about 1 ½ cwt., and apparently did not hear witness shout, as a rivetting machine was working near. The consequence was that deceased pulled the plank along a bit more and before witness could stop it, it slipped off the spar to the staging below and on witness looking round he saw deceased falling backwards. - When deceased pulled the plank it was over-lapping the next plank at witness's end by a foot. At deceased's end the plank did not overlap as it had done, and it was his idea to get it back instead of leaving it as it was when witness shouted. It was at that time quite safe. Witness thought that deceased's end of the plank must have struck him on the chest or chin and caused him to over-balance. The stagings were three planks in width. The distance deceased fell was about forty feet. - Further questioned, Murley said there was a plank at his end overlapping the spar towards deceased by two feet, so that deceased must have pulled the plank about three feet. - The Coroner said the point was that the staging was safely rigged, and it was not safely restored. - Witness agreed that if the plank had been put back as they found it the accident would not have happened. The planks were of varying sizes. - Foreman And The Altering Of Stages. - Mr W. T. Mason, Foreman of the Yard, said it was not the general practice for any but the riggers to move the planks, but as a rule, when a few rivets had to be inserted, the workmen on the job shifted them. A gang of stage-makers, or riggers, were constantly on the job walking about the ship erecting and altering the stages. Ship-wrights and other men at work on the ship were accustomed to stagings and moving planks about, but it would not be at all a difficult matter for riggers to be called upon to remove and replace planks of stagings. - Deceased Terribly Injured. - Surgeon George Jameson Carr, R.N., R.N. Hospital, said death was primarily due to rupture of the left lung, caused by the fracture of the tenth rib, although he would have died shortly from injuries to the skull. Deceased had a multitude of injuries, all of which could have caused death. There was fracture of both the vault and base of the skull in three different directions, which caused separation between the brain and the spinal column. Also a fracture of the tenth rib, causing rupture of the left lung; and fractures and ruptures of the kidney, pancreas and pelvis, besides smaller injuries. - The Coroner: He was regularly smashed up? - Witness: Yes. - The Coroner said the matter was a simple one. Had experts removed and replaced the planks there would have been no accident. Murley and others did their best and he could not say that any blame attached to them. He thought it would be well to recognise that when stages were erected by proper men responsible for their safety they should go and do what was necessary when anything was required. - Suggestion About Nets. - Deceased's brother suggested that nets might be placed in position round the ship as accidents were frequent and men were very liable to slip, especially in wet weather. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 24 October 1913
HARBERTON - Death In Belsford Mills. Killed While Oiling Machinery. - An Inquest was held at the Constitutional Hall, Harberton, Totnes, yesterday, on SAMUEL SELWAY, of Belsford Mills, who was killed on Tuesday morning whilst oiling the mill machinery. - WILLIAM JAMES SELWAY, son, said his father was aged 65 and a miller. Witness, his brother and father were partners in the business. The work was done by the partners. On Tuesday morning, at breakfast-time, witness's sister ran into the house and said her father was amongst the machinery. Witness ran out, but found he could not reach his father in the pit. the machinery was going and deceased's head was not visible. Witness rushed away and stopped the water, and with the help of his brother he got his father out, but he was quite dead. The legs and part of the body were under a wheel. His father must have got the oil can and started to oil the machinery. - SAMUEL JOHN SELWAY said he received his training of the working of the mill from his father. His father would occasionally oil the machinery and sometimes witness did. The general practice was to oil the machinery before they started the mill, but he did not see any great risk in oiling it whilst in motion. - Asked if he could account for the accident, witness said he thought after his father oiled the machinery he got up and raised his head too high and it was struck by a revolving wheel, which knocked him down, and his feet then became entangled in the machinery. - Dr W.R. Edmond, Totnes, said the head was completely crushed in and death must have been instantaneous. He thought MR SELWAY must have felt giddy and raised his head, with the result that his head was struck, which would make him unconscious. - The Coroner, Mr Hacker, said the law as regarded the Factory Acts was this. If the mill was one which came under the Act - Belsford Mill did not, as no persons were employed in it - it would be illegal and contrary to the provisions of the Act for any person to go under machinery whilst in motion in order to oil it. Those provisions were made for the safeguard of persons who were employed in mills. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Jury and the Foreman, Mr Blight, expressed their deepest sympathy with the relatives of the deceased, and moved a vote of condolence. They all deeply mourned his death and the loss of so valuable a parishioner. He had known MR SELWAY for 26 years and had been on intimate terms with him. - The Coroner associated himself with the vote.

Western Morning News, Friday 31 October 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Shooting Case. Coroner's Jury Return Verdict Of "Wilful Murder." - The Inquest n AMELIA BRADFIELD, the victim of the Plymouth shooting affair, was held yesterday at the Mortuary by Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner. James Honeyands, naval stoker, the accused, had been informed of the woman's death, but elected not to attend the Inquest. Superintendent Foot watched the proceedings on behalf of the Police. - The Deputy Coroner reviewed the evidence, and, referring to the capture of Honeyands, said the postman, Albert Harvey, was deserving of great commendation for his plucky pursuit of an armed man. - An unseemly incident happened early in the proceedings. One of the Jury objected that the Foreman was acting on his own responsibility instead of first consulting the other members of the Jury, and petty quibbling between the Foreman and the discontented Juror was audibly carried on, the Foreman offering to resign the position to which he had been elected in favour of the malcontent. The Deputy Coroner interfered and told the Juror that his interruptions were not warranted, to which the Juror made reply, "I say it is." - The Deputy Coroner: I don't see what right you had to make the remark. - The Juror: That is my opinion, at any rate. - This closed the incident, and the Inquiry proceeded with as much despatch and convenience as the frequent rumbling of vehicles past the window - rendering the evidence of the witnesses quite inaudible to all except the Coroner - would permit. - Story Of The Meeting. - Evidence of identification was given by the mother, EDITH JANE PERRY, wife of a labourer, of Stonehouse-lane, who stated that MRS BRADFIELD was 18 years of age, and the wife of a stoker now serving on the Monmouth, on the China Station. Her daughter first met Honeyands aboard H.M.S. Suffolk, which she had visited with her mother-in-law for the purpose of seeing a brother-in-law. Four or five weeks later Honeyands called at witness's house, saying he had a message for MRS BRADFIELD from the brother-in-law. MRS BRADFIELD spoke to him from the house while he stood in the street. When the Suffolk paid off a few days later Honeyands again called at the house, and asked if he might lodge there when ashore. Witness consented and off and on for some weeks he regarded it as his home. On the night of the shooting she went to the Courtenay Arms, in consequence of a message which her boy had brought to her. Witness was joined in the street by MRS BRADFIELD and Honeyands. The latter ridiculed BRADFIELD, to which her daughter replied that her husband was a gentleman. Honeyands then insinuated that MRS BRADFIELD was unclean. this was repudiated and a moment later Honeyands fired. Witness stated that she was thunderstruck at this and remembered nothing of the subsequent happenings except seeing her daughter duck to avoid the shots. - The Coroner: What condition was Honeyands in when he came out of the Hotel. - Witness: Well, he did not seem as if he had had very much drink. - Elizabeth Walton, King-street, told an eye-witness's story of the affair. She overheard Honeyands make an allegation respecting MRS BRADFIELD'S bodily health, and MRS BRADFIELD replied that her husband was a gentleman, nor a cur. Honeyands immediately pulled a pistol from out his jumper and fired three times at the woman. The first shot was aimed at the woman's breast. Then she turned round and ducked and the other two shots were fired at her back. She fell in the gutter and the man then put the pistol in his own mouth and pulled the trigger. There was no report, and he ran away. - Capture Of Assailant. - Albert Harvey, postman, detailed his pursuit and capture of Honeyands. The sailor ran past him in Courtenay-street, with a crowd at his heels, shouting "Murder. Stop that sailor." Witness gave chase, and when abreast of the Co-operative Stores, Honeyands first pointed the revolver at witness, and then at his own head. Witness shouted to him: "It is too late; it is empty," and closed with him, throwing him to the ground and wresting the revolver from him. - P.C. William Southern, who arrested Honeyands while the last witness was struggling with him on the ground, stated that on the way to the Police Station the sailor, after repeating the allegation he had made to MRS BRADFIELD and her mother, said: "I hope I have killed her. I fired two shots at her and tried to shoot myself, but it would not act." Honeyands had had something to drink, but was not drunk. He was able to walk quite as well as witness, and knew what he was talking about. - Dr P. Wilmot stated that the woman was admitted to the Homeopathic Hospital at 10 p.m. on October 18th suffering from five wounds, which had been caused by three bullets. She died at the Institution ten days later. Death was due to injury done to the right lung by one of the bullets, which the woman some days after admission at the Hospital coughed up. The other bullets found their way out in the ordinary way, entering the body at one point and emerging at another. The case was hopeless from the first, the right lung being badly "smashed up." The woman was conscious when admitted to the Hospital, and there was no symptoms of her having been drinking. As the result of a Post-mortem examination he was of opinion that the woman had never suffered from the complaint which, according to the evidence, Honeyands had imputed to her. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against James Honeyands, and commended Postman Harvey's conduct. They also expressed sympathy with the relatives of MRS BRADFIELD in connection with the vile reports which Honeyands had circulated concerning her - allegations for which, according to the medical evidence, there was not the least foundation.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 6 November 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Fall On Devonport Warship. Death After Eleven Weeks. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry at Devonport Guildhall this afternoon touching the death of ALFRED SHANNAHAN, of 24 Townsend-avenue, Keyham. - KATE SHANNAHAN, deceased's wife, said her husband was 47 years of age. He was a casual labourer and naval pensioner. On August 21 he returned home as usual at 5.15 and said he had been nearly killed. He said he had fallen between fifteen and eighteen feet. Deceased went to work the next day and continued to go until September 11, but he had complained of pains in the head and kept very quiet. On the 11th, when he returned at dinner-time, he said: "I don't know what is the matter with my head," and commenced to cry. After then he took to his bed and witness had attended upon him day and night until last Tuesday night when death took place. Witness gave birth to a child the day after the accident, and her husband had no doubt refrained from complaining because of the state of her health. - After the accident the deceased told her his mouth was full of blood when he fell and said he hoped nothing had happened to his head. He also told her that some of the men complained that a plank was not strong enough but were told to carry on. - Plank Collapsed. - Albert Edward Teed, chargeman of labourers, in the employ of Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., said the deceased was one of a party fitting armour in Q barbette of the battleship Marlborough. A party of six men, under witness, were employed "keying" the armour in position, and each hammered at the keys in turn. They were on a staging, with one man hammering and five others waiting their turn. Witness had examined the keys placed in position and was just stepping on the plank with the other men when it collapsed. He fell with the deceased into the cradle, a distance of six feet. Other men fell a greater distance to the deck below. Deceased did not complain at the time, or subsequently, of any injury, and the two had congratulated themselves upon not being hurt. The staging had been erected by the same party under witness's supervision and the plank was 16 ft. long, 11 in. wide and 2 in. thick. It snapped in the centre. The split disclosed a three-quarter-inch knot running through the wood. - The staging was erected as all others in barbettes, and the ends were placed on the armour, the space being somewhat cramped. Witness had been a first-class petty officer in the Navy, and had been engaged on such work for four years. The men were not all standing on the single plank, but three planks were resting on that plank, and they stood on those. The three planks did not rest on the middle of the single plank. He had known ten or twelve men on a plank. Three of the men were almost on the side armour and did not affect the weight on the plank to any considerable extent. - John Henry Ivey, labourer, said he was on the plank using the hammer on a key at the time of the accident. He thought that a span of 15 ft. or 16 ft. that the plank had was rather a long one. - In reply to Mr L. P. Evans, District Factory Inspector, witness said it was the custom for the men having a spell not to keep on the staging, but sometimes men remained on the planks. He had been told to keep off. - Cause Of Death. - Dr George K. Pearson said he had attended the deceased for a considerable time. He did not at first say anything of the accident and witness considered it to be due to digestive troubles. When he knew of the accident he treated deceased differently, but he gradually grew worse and died. He had made a post-mortem and found there was no fracture, but a post haemorrhage cyst. A part of the brain was hollowed out where the haemorrhage had taken place. The state was quite consistent with a fall and death was due to the formation of the cyst through the fall. The haemorrhage was probably caused by a jar to the spine. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with the widow. - The Foreman also expressed pleasure that the Coroner had recovered from his recent illness and Mr Pearce returned thanks.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 7 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Baby's Death. - At the Prince Rock Police-station today, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquiry relative to the death of GEORGE ALFRED BEALE, aged ten weeks, the son of a hairdresser of 12 Bath-lane. - The child died suddenly at 1 Belvedere-road, the previous day. - Dr Travers Stubbs, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to convulsions. - A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 8 November 1913
WELLINGTON, SOMERSET - Fatal Accident At Culmstock. - Mr T. Foster Barham held an Inquest at Wellington yesterday on CHARLES COTTRELL, 60, mason, who died at Wellington Cottage Hospital on Tuesday. It appeared that deceased was employed in placing a sleeper across a well at Culmstock, and that when removing a stone to place the sleeper in position, the casing fell in and buried him. The accident occurred at 3 p.m. on Monday and it was not until 10.30 p.m. that he was extricated. He died from shock. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 8 November 1913
UGBOROUGH - Fatal Knock With An Axe. Death From Blood Poisoning At Ugborough. - An Inquest was held at Ugborough on Thursday on the body of ALFRED SHUTE, carpenter, aged 48 years, who had been in the employ of Mr A. C. Johns, builder, Ugborough. While cutting a tree on October 14, deceased knocked his leg with the back of an axe, and blood poisoning followed. Dr Miles, of Modbury, attended the sufferer, who apparently was doing well. But early in the morning of Tuesday, November 4, SHUTE suddenly died. Dr Miles stated that death was caused by phlebitis, directly due to the blood-poisoning of the wound in the leg. Also there were clots of blood from the veins to the heart. A verdict was given accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 11 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Baby's Death. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at the Prince Rock Police Station by the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, this morning, on the body of the four week sold son of CHARLES WILLIAM JOHNS, storeman, 48 Cotehele-avenue. - Dr Travers Stubbs attributed death to convulsions.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 11 November 1913
ROBOROUGH - Midwife's Error Of Judgment. Death Of A Woman At Roborough. - An Inquest was held at Roborough yesterday afternoon by Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, touching the death on Saturday last - two hours after giving birth to a child - of ROSA CROUSE, aged forty-one, wife of WILLIAM CROUSE, a seaman of H.M.S. Temeraire. - Amelia Taylor, a certificated midwife, of Crownhill, stated that she attended the mother on Saturday, when she telegraphed for Dr Olver, of Crownhill. - Dr Thomas Olver, of Crownhill, stated that when he saw the deceased at noon on Saturday she was in a state of collapse, having lost nearly all the blood in her body. If a medical man had been in attendance at the birth, or if Mrs Taylor had done what she should have done, the woman's life would have been saved. He had known Mrs Taylor for fifteen years as a capable midwife. - The Coroner reviewed the facts, and expressed sympathy with the family in their very sad bereavement. - The Jury returned the following verdict:- "That the deceased died from haemorrhage, due to the neglect of Mrs Taylor, but that such neglect was not culpable, rather an error of judgment."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 November 1913
KINGSTEIGNTON - At an Inquest at Kingsteignton yesterday on ANNE TEA, 81, widow of a well-known contractor. MRS MAY ROSE COOK, deceased's daughter, at whose house deceased died on Friday, said six weeks ago her mother fell on her knees and elbow, but was able to get up by herself. Dr W. McBeath said there was no bruises, but deceased was in a very nervous condition, and the shock had accelerated death. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 12 November 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Able Seaman's Death. Struck By An Engine At Plymouth. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, on Able-Seaman HENRY WILLIAMS SMITH, H.M.S. Conqueror, who died from injuries received at Millbay Railway Station on Sunday evening. Mr Eyton K. Peck attended on behalf of the Admiralty and the Great Western Railway Company was represented by Inspectors A. Poultney and W. J. Cook. - Petty Officer C. L. Owen, H.M.S. Conqueror, said SMITH was aged about 21, and was a native of Hull, and, as far as witness knew, his character was very good. - William Edgar Perkins, porter, said on Sunday, about 9.25 p.m., SMITH got up from a seat and walked to the edge of No. 3 platform. A t the same time the 6.50 Exeter train was running in, and the man, reaching the edge of the platform, sat down, and, in witness's opinion, jumped down from the platform in front of the engine. The engine was pulled up almost immediately. The man was badly injured and did not speak. Witness thought the man was perfectly sober. He was found between the platform and the side rod of the engine. - Sidney Thomas Howell, porter, gave similar evidence. - The Coroner: It looked a deliberate attempt to commit suicide? - Yes, sir. - Surgeon T. R. Lloyd Jones stated that the man was admitted to the Hospital suffering from injuries to the left shoulder and back, also shock, from which death resulted. - The Inquest was adjourned until tomorrow for the attendance of the engine driver and an officer from the ship.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 November 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Bluejacket's Suicide. Verdict In Plymouth Railway Station Case. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned at the adjourned Inquiry at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, this morning, into the death of WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, A.B., of H.M.S. Conqueror, which occurred at the Hospital from injuries received on Sunday night when he was knocked down by an engine at Millbay Station. - William George Butler, the engine driver, corroborated the evidence given by two porters at the opening of the Inquiry, that deceased stepped off the platform in front of the train. - Leading-Seaman Patrick O'Brien, a shipmate, said SMITH was liable to fits of depression.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - Frightened By Thunderstorm. Woman's Death At Plymouth. - To the severe thunderstorm on Tuesday night is attributed the death of MRS FRANCES GOODWIN, aged 53 years, of 7 Rosebery-avenue, Plymouth, on whose body an Inquest was held by Mr R. B. Johns at the St Simon's Mission Hall this afternoon. - The deceased, according to the evidence, had suffered from a weak heart for some time past, and after the thunderstorm she was taken ill. Her husband, a French polisher, attributed her condition to fright, consequent on the storm. She died while he was fetching a doctor. - Dr C. F. Glinn, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to a fatty and dilated heart, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 14 November 1913
PAIGNTON - Adopted Child's Death. Inquest At Paignton. - An Inquest was held at Paignton yesterday at the Sandgate Lodge on an illegitimate female child, named ELLEN GRACE HILL. - MRS ANNIE TANCOCK, of Sandgate Lodge, said she adopted the child. Witness was paid £10 to take charge of the baby. She did not take the child for the money, but for the love of it. Witness fetched the child from Exeter when it was a fortnight or three weeks old. - The Coroner, Mr Hacker: Had not the mother undertaken to pay your expenses during the time you had it alive? - o, sir. I took the child for love, to bring it up. Witness added that the child was taken ill on Monday. She called in a doctor, but it died in the evening. Witness adopted another child fifteen months ago, receiving £5 for it. The mother of that child had gone abroad. - The Coroner: Did you take that child for love, too? - Yes. - Have you had any other children in keeping since you have been in Paignton? - No, sir. - I suppose you know you have been acting illegally in not giving notice under the Children Act? - I am very sorry that I did not have it registered. I really did not think of it. Witness further said she answered an advertisement in each one. - The Coroner: Would you apply tomorrow for a child if you saw an advertisement in a paper? - I could not say. - Mrs Lettie Bailey, of St Thomas, Exeter, a certificated midwife, said she was present at the birth of the child on September 16th at No. 4 York-terrace, Exeter. The child was very healthy. The mother told her MRS TANCOCK was going to adopt the child and take it off her hands altogether. - Dr George attributed death to heart failure in consequence of convulsions from pneumonia. Dr George added that MRS TANCOCK had always looked after the children under her care to the utmost of his satisfaction since he had known her. - The Coroner said the child seemed to have had every attention. It should, however, be known that when a woman took a child to keep from the mother she was bound to notify the fact to the Guardians, so that the child might be under supervision. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and attached no blame to MRS TANCOCK, the Foreman of the Jury (Mr B. Outfin) remarking that most of the Jury knew the family and were satisfied that they were very fond of children.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 November 1913
DARTMOUTH - Dartmouth Child's Death. Conflicting Evidence. - At Dartmouth Guildhall yesterday, Mr A. M. Davson, Coroner, held an Inquest on GLADYS BESSIE WILLS, aged seven, daughter of JAMES HENRY WILLS, yachtsman, of Lake-street, who some weeks ago was run over by the Dartmouth and Kingsbridge coach, and died at the Hospital last Sunday. - Jarvis Henry Wallis, water inspector, said on Thursday afternoon, October 23rd, he saw the coach being driven up Newcomen-road. The child came from the main entrance to the Infants' Council School and ran across the road in front of the leader of the three coach horses. Both the driver and witness shouted to the child, but she struck one of the horses and fell. The front wheel passed over her about the waist and the child then turned over between the two wheels and the offside hind wheel also passed over her. Witness took the child to the Hospital. - Louis Guest, driver of the coach, said the child ran from behind a cart and struck the "wheeler," and he felt a wheel touch her. He stopped the coach as soon as possible. - Dr Gordon Nicholls said he was at the Hospital when the child was brought in. He found abrasions on the left hip and left ankle, and on the right shoulder. There were no signs of the wheels having passed over the child, who was suffering from shock consequent on the injuries. She was a tuberculous child. Probably the accident, such as it was, accelerated the disease, which was already there. Several days after the accident she developed signs of tuberculous inflammation of the bowels, to which she succumbed. - In reply to questions, the doctor expressed the opinion that had the wheels of the coach passed over the child her frail bones would have been smashed. - By the Foreman: Death was due to tubercular peritonitis or inflammation of the bowels, accelerated by the accident. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and exonerated the driver of the coach from blame. - The Coroner expressed his opinion that the affair was quite accidental, and commented upon the fact of Guest being an experienced driver, having driven the coach for 15 years, and said there appeared to be not the slightest blame attaching to him. He suggested that it might be the wish of the Jury to make a recommendation to the school managers with a view to some steps being taken to prevent children on coming out of school from rushing into the street traffic and to cause them to leave quietly. - The Jury expressed a desire that the Coroner should make such a recommendation to the managers. - Mr Wallis said he maintained his statement that the wheels passed over the child, and added that there were other eye-witnesses who had seen that occur. It was an absolute miracle that the child had not been immediately killed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 November 1913
LYDFORD - Convict's Suicide. Previous Attempt To End His Life. - An Inquest was held at H.M. Prison, Princetown, yesterday on JAMES WILSON, a convict, who was found hanging in his cell on Friday morning. The Coroner was Mr Brown, of Okehampton, and the Jury was composed of inhabitants of Princetown. - Mr Gankroger, Governor's clerk, said deceased, aged 51, had been 28 times convicted, his last sentence being three years' penal servitude at Lincoln Assizes for housebreaking and being in possession of housebreaking tools. WILSON was then described as a butcher. So far as could be ascertained he had no relations or friends. He came to the doctor on October 2nd, and had been in Hospital and under observation. - Warder Dennis deposed that on November 14th deceased was in one of the ordinary cells which witness had to keep under observation. He saw the man every time he looked in, but noticed nothing out of the common. The last time he looked in, about 4.14 a.m., deceased was in bed and covered up, and there was nothing to excite his suspicion. - Warder John Slowman said that shortly after he came on duty, at 5.30 a.m. he went to deceased's cell and found him hanging. Going in he found WILSON had wound up the sheet to hang by and used boot-laces to make a slip=knot. By braking a pane of glass he had attached the rolled sheet to a bar outside the cell about 8 ft. high, so that his feet were off the ground. Witness called assistance, cut down the body and tried artificial respiration until the doctor arrived. - Admission To Prison Doctor. - Dr Holley said there was no previous suggestion of mental trouble or suicidal tendency. When deceased was received in Hospital on October 2nd. it was for a cut on the back of his head, which deceased said was caused by falling off a stool. On examination witness found there was a mark of discolouration round deceased's neck, which he thought suggestive of a previous attempt to hang himself. Deceased denied it was anything of the kind. He joked about it and said it was a birth mark. Two days afterwards, however, he admitted having made the attempt, saying he was upset at the time. He seemed of a cheerful and jaunty disposition and never mentioned any actual trouble. He (the Doctor) had ordered observation first in Hospital and then in an observation cell, but nothing was reported. Witness had made a post-mortem examination and found death due to strangulation. The organs of the body were all healthy and there were no signs of a disordered mind. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 November 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - The Death Of A Stonehouse Licensee. Inquest Adjourned For A Post-Mortem Examination. - At the Town Hall, East Stonehouse, this evening, the County Coroner, Mr R. Robinson Rodd, held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM GARNETT, who (as reported on Page 2) was found asphyxiated this morning at the White Lion. - MRS ETHEL CHARLOTTE GARNETT, the widow, said her husband, who was a licensed victualler, was aged 43. She had been living apart from him for a month in consequence of differences. The deceased had been living alone. He had been in financial difficulties to a slight extent - that had been the cause of their quarrel - but they were not sufficient to have been insurmountable had he lived. He was a man easily depressed, and was given to worrying over his troubles, but he had never threatened to destroy himself. - Annie Bessie Parnell, single, residing at Devonport, deposed to seeing the deceased at the Globe Hotel, Devonport, about 10.30 last night, when he seemed quite all right. He was a naval messman previous to taking over the White Lion. In her opinion he had been upset by a lot of gossip. There was no material cause. Last night he told her he was going to sell the business and "go across the Western Ocean." The deceased had been married seven years. - Laura Symons, 57 Union-place, Stonehouse, wife of a labourer in the G.W. Docks, said that when she called at her usual time this morning, 8.10, MR GARNETT let her in as usual. He wished her "Good morning." He then went upstairs and witness did not see him again, nor did she hear him moving about. He had his evening clothes on, and looked as if he had not been to bed. This was quite unusual. She thought he must be going out early on business. She did not notice anything strange about him. - Susannah Shilston, widow, 12 Chapel-street, Stonehouse, said she was at the White Lion from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the deceased having sent for her. He was away all day. As he had not returned, she closed the house at 11.10. On going to the house at nine o'clock this morning Mr Roy said "I can't get MR GARNETT to answer." - Witness went upstairs to the deceased's bedroom, and there found him sitting on a chair with a pillow-case over his head, with the pipe (produced) leading from his mouth to the gas bracket, the tap of which was full on. She spoke to him, and found him dead. She turned off the gas. There was not a great smell of gas in the room. MR GARNETT seemed a little worried, but only over business matters. In witness's opinion the trouble was not sufficient to cause him to take his life. He was not addicted to drink. - The Inquest was adjourned until 10.30 tomorrow morning for a post-mortem examination to be made.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 November 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Keyham Tragedy. Open Verdict At The Inquest. - Mr J. A. Pearce conducted an Inquest at Devonport Guildhall yesterday on BRIGHAM MANICOM, pensioner, of Johnston-terrace, who was knocked down by a train at Keyham Station on Sunday night. - MRS MANICOM said her husband, aged 61, was an examiner of stores in the Dockyard and came out on pension five months ago. They went into Devonport together on Sunday evening. She went back to Keyham by car and he walked home. When she got home she found she had not got the key, so she walked back and met him. She went home and he came along after her. She waited for him, and thought it strange that he did not arrive. He had enjoyed good health and had had no worry. - William S. S. Murch, Ford, stated that he saw deceased at Morice-square at 8.10 and he was then about to walk home. - Found Near Luggage Crossing. - William Bending, of Fleet-street, checker, employed by the G.W.R., said that shortly before 10 o'clock, when he was taking some cans of milk from the up platform of Keyham Station to the down platform, he saw an object on the metals at the western end of the up platform. He found boots, braces and other things, which showed that it was the body of a man. He sent for the Police, Doctor and Stationmaster and then removed the portions of the body from the rails. He knew deceased, but had not seen him for some days. - By the Jury: There was a private crossing for taking luggage over about seven yards from where he found the remains. He had never seen deceased go from one platform to another by the crossing. People were forbidden to use the crossing, as there was a footbridge provided. Apparently MANICOM was on the crossing when knocked down by the train. The 9.45 up train had just left the Station when witness found the remains. - By the Coroner: If anyone used the luggage crossing they would have been trespassing. - Engine Driver's Evidence. - Albert A. J. Stanbury, G.W.R. engine driver, said he was driving the train which arrived at Keyham at 9.45 from Liskeard. He did not see anyone on the crossing as he approached the Station. It being Sunday the signal-box was in darkness, thus lessening the light at this spot. When he got to Devonport Station he got down to examine his engine in the usual way, as he could not examine both sides at Millbay in consequence of the platform at one side. He found some blood on the front of the engine and then remembered having felt a slight jar as the engine entered Keyham Station. He told the Station authorities, who sent a man back to Keyham, but in the meantime the remains had been found. The engine weighed about 40 tons, and they were travelling at about 15 miles an hour. Had he seen a man on the crossing he would not have been able to pull up. - Dr T. R. Rolston said the body was shattered to pieces and death must have been instantaneous. - P.C. Dunn, who was called to the Station, thanked Mr Arscott (Stationmaster) and the Station staff for the valuable help they had rendered. - Mr A. W. Grigg said he had seen deceased almost every Sunday, and the last time he saw him he was very jolly. He knew of nothing that was troubling him. Deceased had a house in Renown-street, and possibly he was crossing the line to get there when knocked down. - The Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased was killed by being knocked down and run over by a train, but that there was no evidence to show whether it was accidental or otherwise. They expressed sympathy with the widow. - Mr Grigg, acknowledging the expression on behalf of the widow, said he believed it was an accident. - The Station authorities and engine driver were thanked for their promptness in dealing with the matter.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 19 November 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Suicide By Gas Poisoning. Inquest On A Stonehouse Publican. - The adjourned Inquest on the body of WILLIAM GARNETT, aged 43, landlord of the White Lion Inn, Clarence-place, Stonehouse, was resumed today at the Town Hall, Stonehouse, by Mr R. R. Rodd, County Coroner. - The Inquiry was adjourned yesterday for a post-mortem to be held. - Yesterday, MRS ETHEL CHARLOTTE GARNETT, the widow, said her husband, who was a licensed victualler, was aged 43. She had been living apart from him for a month in consequence of differences. The deceased had been living alone. He had been in financial difficulties to a slight extent - that had been the cause of their quarrel - but they were not sufficient to have been insurmountable had he lived. He was a man easily depressed and was given to worrying over his troubles, but he had never threatened to destroy himself. - Gas Poisoning. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said he had found that death was due to gas poisoning. Deceased suffered very considerably from fatty degeneration of the heart and that no doubt accelerated his death. - The Coroner said it was quite clear that deceased committed suicide. The man had domestic as well as financial troubles, but the former were perhaps the more serious and this no doubt acted upon a man who was inclined to be reserved and depressed. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporary Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 24 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Attempt To Swim Ashore. Inquest On German Sailor At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth Mortuary on Saturday on ROBERT PATTICK, captain's steward, on the German steamer Nereide, whose body was found floating off Victoria Wharf, Plymouth, early on Friday morning. - Charles Adams, dock-master, who saw the body floating in the water, having given evidence, Geo. Windhurst, captain of the ship, said PATTICK joined as captain's steward at Antofagasta. He was 28 years old. On Wednesday he said he would like to be paid off at Plymouth, but witness said it was impossible, as they were only calling at Plymouth for orders. Deceased never threatened him that he would leave the ship. On Thursday night witness's boatman came ashore and told him the weather was bad, and he decided to stop on shore. Next morning, when he went on board, he learnt from the chief officer that the captain's steward had jumped overboard, wearing a cork vest, in an attempt to swim ashore. - Otto Russman said that on Thursday night deceased asked him the distance from the vessel to the shore, and he told him it was about two miles. Deceased then asked, "Could a man swim it." Witness said, "I shouldn't like to try it; it is too rough and cold." About 6.30 witness heard a noise as though someone were overboard. From the vessel's side he saw someone swimming away and a sailor said he saw the man drift astern. They launched a boat immediately, and cruised about for two hours. They could get no news of the man from ships anchored in the vicinity, and the tide was running strongly. He thought the man might have obtained leave to go on shore had he asked. - A verdict of "Found Dead" was returned and a representative of the German Consulate intimated that a Consular inquiry had been held from which it was apparent that there had been no bad blood to which the man's act might be attributed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 November 1913
TORBRYAN - Devon Farmhouse Tragedy. Suicide At Tor Bryan. - An Inquest was held at the Assembly Rooms, Tor Bryan, yesterday afternoon on URSULA OSBURGA AUGUSTA HANNAFORD-HILL, 32, wife of JAMES HANNAFORD-HILL, farmer, of Tor Court Farm, Tor Bryan. - MRS ANNIE MAUNDER, Ashcombe Barton, Dawlish, said her daughter, the deceased, had been poorly, but was better when she saw her a week ago. She lived happily with her husband, and there were no financial worries. - JAMES HANNAFORD-HILL, deceased's husband, said his wife slept well and they got up together at 6.15 on Saturday morning. Witness went out to milk the cows at ten minutes to seven. When he came back he found his wife lying on her back dead, with a quantity of blood about. He called the neighbours and sent for a doctor. He had no idea what could have caused his wife to injure herself. They had lived together very happily. She had not threatened to take her life. - Mrs Laura Potter, a neighbour, said she was a close friend of deceased's and she had never complained of any trouble. - Dr Sealy, Ipplepen, said the message he received was that the woman had cut her throat. He found her lying on the floor. Around her neck was a piece of blind cord, tied very tightly in a slip knot, with the other end broken. From a nail in the beam overhead was suspended another piece of blind cord. From what he found he came to the conclusion that the woman put the noose over her head when on a chair and jumped off. The cord broke with her weight and she fell to the ground, striking her head violently, causing a bruise on the side of the head. But the cord remained tight round the neck. The fall possibly caused unconsciousness, but the loss of blood would overcome that and the woman evidently got up and walked into the other room, supporting herself by the table and then came back and fell down. There were marks of her nails having been dug into her neck in her endeavours to get the cord off. Death was, in his opinion, due to strangulation, but several of the usual symptoms were absent, this being due probably to the loss of blood. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 25 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - At the Plymouth Mortuary this afternoon the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest on WILLIAM HENRY BRENDON, aged 60, a retired grocer, well-known in the town. Deceased had been depressed very much lately and Dr Clay attributed this to dyspepsia. - ARTHUR DENNIS BRENDON, son, a grocer, of Plympton, deposed to finding his father hanging from a beam in his business premises at Looe-street, Plymouth, soon after one o'clock yesterday. - Dr Hamilton attributed death to strangulation as the result of hanging. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned by the Jury, who expressed their sympathy with the family.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 25 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, the Borough Coroner, held an Inquest this afternoon at the Mortuary regarding the death of WILLIAM HICKS, a young man, 3 Martin-street, who was found hanging from a beam in some stables at the back of Ebrington-street, Plymouth at 10 p.m. on Saturday. - ARTHUR HICKS, brother, deposed to finding the deceased, who had complained of "something flashing" across his mind. He had not been ill, however. - Dr Jamieson attributed death to strangulation due to the hanging. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly and expressed sympathy with deceased's brother.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 26 November 1913
DITTISHAM - Late HON. MRS E. COLBORNE. Inquest At Dittisham. - Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest in Dittisham Parish Council Room yesterday on RHODA ELLEN COLBORNE (The Hon. MRS EDMUND COLBORNE), who died suddenly in Dittisham Rectory on Sunday. - Captain W. M. Hardcastle was Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner remarked that the death took place under circumstances which rendered an investigation necessary and that the evidence would no doubt satisfy the Jury as to the circumstances which surrounded the death, also as to the cause of it. - FERDINAND DECIMUS MACKRELL, 29 Pembroke-gardens, Kensington, stated that deceased, aged 70, was his mother-in-law and lived with him. She was the widow of the HON. EDMUND COLBORNE, who died whilst travelling abroad. Witness last saw MRS COLBORNE alive on November 5th in Dittisham, she having left London on the 1st on a visit to Lady Montgomery Moore, her late husband's sister, at the rectory. She was then in her usual health and she enjoyed very good health, apart from her malady. It was well known to her nearer relatives that she suffered from heart trouble, which had existed for the last ten years and considerably longer. She had had medical attendance for this trouble. Dr E. H. Lendon, of Hollands-Park, having attended her for 20 or 25 years. - The Coroner read a letter from Dr Lendon, which had been sent at witness's request in which he stated that he had attended deceased since 1888, and that ever since that time she had had disease of the heart. He was sure that the condition of her heart was such as to be a sufficient cause of sudden death. - Lady Jane Montgomery Moore, Gipsy Lodge, Norwood, wife of General Sir Alexander Montgomery Moore, K.C.B., stated that she and her husband had been staying at the Rectory at Dittisham for the last three months, the late rector (the Hon. and Rev. Graham Colborne, whose funeral took place about a month since) being her brother. Deceased, who was her sister-in-law, came to Dittisham on November 3rd for the funeral. She enjoyed apparently good health and witness had never heard that she had suffered from heart affection. On Sunday morning last they were in the drawing-room and after breakfast they prepared to go to church. Deceased left the room at quarter-past ten, and witness followed her upstairs and saw her go into an apartment, she having said she would be ready at 10.45 to go to church. Ten minutes afterwards witness passed the apartment and tried the door, but she did not then know that deceased was there. She went downstairs and called for her and as she did not answer she thought she had gone on to church. She and Sir Alexander walked on to the church, but, although she saw that deceased was not there, she expected to see her come in every minute. She was surprised, after returning from church at 12.45, not to find deceased, and thought she might be in the garden. She asked her niece where deceased was and she said she had not seen her. After luncheon witness again asked for deceased, but neither of the servants had seen her. The door of the apartment was still found to be locked and they got Mr Edwards, carpenter, to force it open. Sir Alexander went in first and witness followed, and there they found deceased. Her hands were quite cold, and witness's impression was that she was dead. She helped to carry her upstairs and lay her on the bed, and a doctor was sent for. - General Sir Alexander Montgomery Moore said he had noticed nothing about deceased except that she was pale and delicate. She walked about the village and up the hills and took exercise like a strong person. On Sunday after breakfast deceased was all right as usual. When he and his wife went to church he thought deceased was behind them. Whilst at lunch he was called out of the room and was told by his niece that deceased could not be found. Her bonnet and cloak were on the bed. When he found her there was nothing to suggest that there had been a struggle, and witness had no doubt whatever that she died of natural death. - Dr J. G. Berne, locum tenens for Dr Nicholls, Dartmouth, said when he saw the body at 3.15 p.m. there were no signs of anything unnatural. He made an external examination, and the extraordinary pallor pointed to heart disease. He was of opinion that death was due to an attack of syncope, due to old heart trouble. - The Coroner observed that from the evidence it would be seen that the case was one of sudden death from natural causes. There appeared to be no grounds of any sort for supposing that death was due to anything else. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and the Foreman expressed their deep sympathy with the relatives, in which the Coroner joined.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 26 November 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Death Of A Plymouth P.O.'s Child. - At the Wolsdon-street School today, Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on the body of IRENE MAY RUNDLE, aged 9 months, daughter of ALFRED JAMES RUNDLE, P.O., R.N., 50 Wolsdon-street. - The mother said she was nine weeks without money, and when it came it was practically all owed. The deceased had a cold, and she did what she could for it, but did not send for a doctor. She nursed it and rubbed it with camphorated oil. - Dr Angus Macdonald said that the child had suffered from bronchial pneumonia, from which death was due. It was a well-nourished child and there was no evidence of neglect. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 November 1913
SOUTH BRENT - Brent Tragedy. Gipsy's Story Of Meeting Sidmouth Man. Fight Denied. - The Inquest on a man found on the line near Brent Great Western Railway Station on Thursday, and who proved to be a gasworks stoker from Sidmouth, was yesterday adjourned by Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, with the view of inquiry into a rumour that a fight had taken place between deceased and another man on Wednesday night. Chief Divisional Inspector Poultney and Inspector Cooke, locomotive department, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Railway Company. - Richard Joint, G.W.R. platelayer, said he was going along the line at Brent to his work about 6.55 a.m. on Thursday, when he found evidences of a fatality under the lower bridge. He examined the line and found the remains near the river bridge. The victim had evidently been struck by the front of an engine, and dragged about fifty yards to the other bridge. - Gipsy's Denial. - Robert Small, gipsy, said that on Wednesday night he met a man, whom he had no doubt was deceased, near Avonwick. The man said he was going to Sidmouth, and that he had come from Plymouth. Witness told him he was on the wrong road for Sidmouth and said his best plan was to go back to Avonwick, on to the Ashburton road, and thence, next day, to Exeter for the main road. The man said he was a seaman, and had missed his boat at Plymouth. There also his money went. The man had a fit and on his recovering they went on to Avonwick, where they had one, or possibly two pints of beer. The man was sober, though he shook like a man recovering from drink. He came with witness to within a short distance of the tent (by the side of the railway line), assisting witness with his pony. From the tent witness's wife asked who was with him and witness replied, "Only a man." The man, without warning, left the pony and went into the darkness, witness calling after him. He could not say in what direction the man went, and he never intimated that he was going back to Brent. The man wore a dark serge suit, but he identified him by the cap that was picked up. - A Juror stated that there had been a rumour that the man and Small were seen fighting. It was only fair to Small to ask if that rumour was true. - Small: There was not an angry word. - The Foreman said it would e much nearer from the gipsy tent to Brent if one went over the rails. - Charles Soper, of Avonwick, spoke to a man coming into his Inn on Wednesday night with Small, and drinking two pints of beer. The man said he had had a fit and witness provided him with some biscuits. He said he came from Sidmouth. - Dr F. W. Style said he had examined the remains. The man appeared to have been about 5 1.2 ft. in height. He had a small dark moustache. The body was terribly mutilated and the most probable theory was that he was walking towards the engine, and was struck in the mouth. - P.S. Beer said among the articles found upon deceased were a halfpenny, Plymouth tram and toll tickets and a crushed watch. Both heels of his boots had been torn off. A man was missing from Sidmouth. - Chief Divisional Inspector Poultney, G.W.R., said that seeing the nearness of Brent Station and the manner in which the body was mangled, the probability was that it was an express train which struck deceased. - Identified By A Brother. - SAMUEL HENRY MORTIMORE, bootmaker, Fore-street, Sidmouth, who arrived at Brent at 6.30 p.m., said he had viewed the body and clothes and was satisfied that the remains were those of his brother, WILLIAM FORD MORTIMORE. He identified him chiefly by his boots, which were sold him by witness. Deceased's wife had told him she purchased the coat at Exeter, and that he was wearing that and other marked clothing at the time. Deceased was a stoker in Sidmouth gasworks, but had been out of work for six or eight weeks. He left home just over a week ago, in the hope of getting work at Tiverton gasworks. His family heard nothing from him after he left home. Deceased was not subject to fits and was a steady man. He took ample means to last him over the week. - P.C. Edwards of Brent, formerly of Sidmouth, said he was acquainted with deceased, who was a steady, industrious man. - Robert Small, recalled, was questioned by the Coroner as to his relations with deceased. Again asked whether there was any truth in the story of a fight, he emphatically reiterated his previous denial. - The Foreman intimated that the Jury wished to hear a witness with reference to the allegation of trouble between Small and deceased, and the Coroner adjourned the Inquest for a week for evidence on this point to be procured.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 3 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held at the Plymouth Mortuary today by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, this afternoon on the body of the four days' old daughter of a Dockyard labourer named JOHN BYERS, 2 Devonshire-street, who died yesterday. - Dr T. N. Leah, of Stonehouse, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to convulsions, the result of congestion of the lungs.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 3 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Fall In A Fit. Inquest On A Devonport Woman. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquiry at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, last evening, touching the death of LOUISA DOIDGE. - ELIZABETH GARDNER, residing at 22 Keat-street, Morice Town, said deceased, who was her sister, was fifty-three years of age, and a spinster. She lived with witness, and had been paralysed from birth. Lately she had developed epileptic fits. On Thursday, the 20th November, at 6.30 in the morning, deceased was coming downstairs to have a cup of tea. She must have had a fit at the top, for she fell to the bottom of the stairs. Witness went to her aid and found her in a fit. Her head was cut and witness bandaged it. She also sent for Dr Rae, who came and dressed the wound and advised her removal to the Hospital. - Dr Maxwell Ramsay, House Surgeon, said deceased had a very bad scalp wound, and was semi-conscious. She progressed very favourably until last Saturday, when she developed abdominal trouble. She became very bad and died on Monday evening. Death was due to rupture of the small intestine, following a fall downstairs while in an epileptic fit. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 4 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Stonemason's Death. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Plymouth Workhouse this evening by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, on EDWARD HARVEY TREWIN, a stonemason of 5 Buckwell-street, who died suddenly last night. - Evidence of identification was given by the widow, who said her husband was admitted to the Workhouse the previous day upon the doctor's orders. - Dr C. J. Cooke attributed death to syncope, adding that the man's condition was due to alcohol.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 4 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. Sad Story. - Some distressing details with regard to a Devonport home were revealed at an Inquiry held at the Guildhall, Devonport, this morning by Mr J. A. Pearce, the Coroner, respecting the death of FLORENCE MAY LANG, the eighteen-months-old child of FRANCIS WILLIAM LANG, a journeyman painter, of 12 Cannon-street. - MARY ELLEN LANG, the mother, said the deceased, who was born in May of last year, had been delicate from birth. She seemed peevish on Tuesday, and witness gave her fourpennyworth of raw milk. The child passed away at 8.30 p.m. As witness could not get a doctor she went to the Police Station and reported the child's death. She had six children living. - P.C. Gulley stated that when MRS LANG reported the death of her child he called Dr McElwaine and accompanied him to 12 Cannon-street. There he found deceased lying dead on a small table in an upstairs back room. A cradle close by had been used by the child, but it contained no clothing at all. He examined the cupboard in the room and found a loaf of bread and a few crusts, but no other food. In another place there were a few raw potatoes and turnips. The family occupied two bedrooms. In one of them were two beds, one of which had an old mattress filled with shavings, and a dirty old rug and a blanket on it. The other bed had a straw mattress from which the straw was protruding through the covering. There was a dirty blanket and a thin counterpane upon it. In the other room was a bed with no bedding. Deceased's father, who had been before the Magistrates for cruelty to the children, was at present working in Cornwall. - Dr T. McElwaine said the child's body was fairly nourished, but was inclined to be ricketty. The principal organs were healthy, but the liver was enlarged and the stomach congested and distended. Death was due to syncope through the distention of the stomach. There was no evidence of neglect, but the home was in a wretched condition. It contained practically no furniture with the exception of the small amount of bed clothing. The other children were in a very verminous state. - The Coroner said the case was a very bad one, and he thought the mother might make some effort to keep the home in a better state. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 December 1913
SOUTH BRENT - Brent Tragedy. Gipsy's Denials Of Fight With Sidmouth Man. "Robbed At Plymouth." - The Inquest on WILLIAM FORD MORTIMORE, aged 39, gasworks stoker, of Sidmouth, was resumed at Brent yesterday. The body was found by a platelayer named Richard Joint on the down line near Brent Station early on the morning of November 27th. The Inquest was opened a week ago, and was adjourned in order that inquiries might be made with regard to a rumour that a fight had occurred between MORTIMORE and a gipsy. This was denied by the latter, who said deceased on the night of November 26th accompanied him to within a short distance of his tent by the side of the railway line, and suddenly left him without stating where he was going. Superintendent W. Jeffery, of the Devon County Police; Chief Divisional Inspector Poultney, G.W.R.; and Inspector Cook, of the Locomotive Department, G.W.R., attended the Inquest. - Evidence Of A Scuffle. - William Henry Veale, postman, Brent, stated that on the afternoon of November 26th he was cycling from Brent to Avonwick. As he was going down Horsebrook Hill, he met Robert Small (gipsy) and another man. Small was walking, while his companion was riding a pony. They were proceeding towards Brent. When he was passing them the gipsy shouted, "Have you seen any ponies about today?" He replied, "No." Some way down the road witness spoke to a Mr Wakeham. A few minutes later he chanced to look round and saw the two men having a scuffle, Small's companion having by this time dismounted. Witness saw Small strike the other man, who cried out: "Oh, my! Don't!" The man was acting on the defensive. Small knocked or pushed the other man into the hedge, and witness heard the remark, "Now perhaps you will bring it on in a proper manner." The two men walked up the hill and disappeared from sight. - The Coroner, Mr S. Hacker: Did you regard it as a serious fight? - Witness: I did rather. - The man didn't run away? - He couldn't. - What do you mean? - He was having too many knocks. - Was he defending himself? - No, sir; not in the least. - Superintendent Jeffery: What time was it? - About 4.40 p.m. - You thought Small was serving the other man badly? - Yes, sir. - Why didn't you go to him as a man? - I had my mails. - Veale told the Coroner that it did not strike him there was any need for assistance. The scuffle took place about 130 yards from where he was standing. - Thomas Wakeham, of Horsebrook Farm, stated that some time before Veale came along he saw the two men going up the hill. Small was riding the pony. The other man then asked witness if they were on the right road to Brent. A little later he hard Small ask the man if he would ride, and he replied that he would not. Small afterwards jumped off the pony, and one of them, he did not know who, mounted. In his opinion the scuffle was not a very serious affair. If he had thought the scuffle serious he would have gone to them. - Sidney Condy, age 11, schoolboy of Higher Lincombe, said that about 5 p.m. he saw the two men fighting, Small knocking the other man into the hedge. At the time witness and three other boys were riding on a horse. - Robbed At Plymouth. - Charles Soper, landlord of the Avon Inn, Avonwick, stated that at 3.45 p.m. on November 26th, Small entered the Inn with a short man dressed in dark blue clothes. He engaged in conversation with them and Small related that his companion had been robbed at Plymouth. The man bore out Small's statement, and said he had had nothing to eat or drink for some time. He also spoke of his having had a fit. Witness could see that the man was not an ordinary tramp, and gave him some biscuits. From the conversation witness gathered that the man had only a halfpenny on him. - The Coroner: He did not give any particulars as to how he had been robbed? - Witness: No, sir. - Did he state the amount he had been robbed of? - Five or six pounds, I understood him to say. Witness added that each of the men had two pints of beer, for which Small paid. The man was perfectly sober when he left. - Robert Small, gipsy, who was recalled, denied having had a quarrel with MORTIMORE. - The Coroner: Have you any explanation to give? - Witness: Very likely they thought we were fighting, but we were struggling for the pony, which had just been broken in. What should I fight the man for? - Do you deny the evidence which has been given? - Certainly I deny it. - What are you going to say? - What can I say? How could they hear us when we were 150 yards away? - Do you deny having knocked the man into the hedge? - Certainly. - What was he leading your pony for? - Because I was tried. He was leading the pony, and I had hold of its tail. - Wasn't he taking the pony along to your satisfaction? - Certainly, sir. As for riding the pony, the man did not ride at all, nor did he attempt to ride. - You had better be careful. - That's all right. I was sober and I ought to know what I was about. Witness added that he did not remember seeing anyone on the road on the afternoon of November 26th. - The Coroner: For what purpose did you lead the man back to your camp? - Witness: I was going to give him a bit of food, and let him lie down. That was my idea, but he never gave me a chance to do that. - Evidence Of Gipsy's Wife. - Mrs Lily Small stated that when, about 6 p.m. her husband returned to the camp, she asked him why he had brought home a strange man. The man was holding a pony in front of the tent, but she did not say a word to him. Her husband and herself proceeded to move a cart, and when they returned the man had gone. They managed to secure the pony. Her husband called out, "Tom, Dick, where are you gone?" while witness remarked, "Good riddance; we don't want any strange man about here." - The Coroner: Isn't it a fact that you told a person that the man remained in your tent until 3 a.m.? - Witness: No. - Do you know the cook at the vicarage of South Brent? - I only know her by calling at the door. - Didn't you say to her when you called there the other day that the man had stopped in your tent until 3 o'clock the next morning? - No, sir; I might have asked what the time was, because we had to be at the Inquest. - Elizabeth Shears, the cook, said the only thing she remembered Mrs Small asking her was what the time was. - Summing up, the Coroner said Small's evidence was unsatisfactory. There was no doubt from the evidence that the deceased was the man who went with Small. The Jury might take the evidence of Mr Soper without any doubt, and his evidence was extremely important. The fight between Small and MORTIMORE diminished into a small thing when one examined the matter. It was just a scuffle, and a very small matter, because neither Mr Veale nor Mr Wakeham really thought anything of it. The men had had some drink, and it was reasonable to suppose that neither of them knew what he was doing. Again, it was likely that deceased was trying to find his way back to Brent by a short cut and thus met with his death. The rumours had caused the Jury unnecessary time and trouble. - A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 6 December 1913
BOSCASTLE, CORNWALL - Plymouth Officer's Death. Mysterious Affair At Boscastle. - The Coroner's Inquiry into the death of LIEUTENANT M. T. WILLETS, 107th Co., R.G.A., Fort Efford, Plymouth, who was found dead on Thursday morning below his window at his Hotel at Boscastle, apparently having fallen out, was held yesterday afternoon. - Dr Brodrick, of Tavistock, said he had known the deceased for six or seven years, and should say he was about 28 years of age. He had been in the habit of coming to his house and using it as he would his own. He was always genial and bright, and was one of the last men one would expect to take his own life. Only the Monday previous to his death he had breakfast with witness and they went out with the hounds. There was no depression whatever. - Captain Harold Allen, of Fort Efford, said he had known the deceased about twelve months. He was engaged in horse classification for the War Office, and for this purpose could make his headquarters where he liked. He had not seen him lately, but he was always cheerful and bright and was a very popular officer. - A Juror: Has he been in the habit of walking in his sleep? - Dr Brodrick: Of the dozens of times he has slept at my house I have never known him do so. - Mr Gloyn, Hotel proprietor, of Launceston, with whom the deceased had stayed for five weeks previous to going to Boscastle, said the deceased was of very temperate habits; he had drink only with his meals. - Questioned, the witness said only once had he found him moving about in the night Then he said he was going down to have a smoke; it was about three in the morning. - A Juror inquired whether a man walking in his sleep would not be immediately awakened in opening the window, with such a hurricane of wind blowing. - Dr Brodrick: He might or might not. - A man named Pickard, boots at the Hotel, gave evidence as to finding the body. - P.C. Truscott said when he was called the body was stiff. The skull was fractured and the neck dislocated. - The Foreman: It seems to me that the whole question is a mystery, and nothing will ever prove how the deceased fell. - The verdict was that the deceased died from fracture of the skull by falling out of the Wellington Hotel window, but there was nothing to show how he fell out. - The Jury expressed their sympathy with the relatives of the deceased and officers in his mess. - A brother of the deceased and Captain Allen expressed thanks to the Jury.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 December 1913
WINKLEIGH - Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at Seckington, Winkleigh, yesterday, on WILLIAM JOHN ELLACOTT, aged 41, drover, of Winkleigh, found dead in the courtyard at Seckington on Friday. - ERNEST ELLACOTT, labourer, said he last saw the deceased, his brother, on Wednesday. He seemed all right then. His brother fell out of a trap about two months ago, and since then his speech had been somewhat affected. - John Harris, butcher, of Winkleigh, said he saw deceased at 10 o'clock on Thursday night, when he came out of the King's Arms and went in the direction of Seckington. - Walter Heard, groom and gardener at Seckington, said about 8.15 on Friday morning he found the man lying dead on his back in the yard behind Seckington House. There were no signs of a struggle. There was a barn close by, and witness had seen quite recently signs of someone having slept there. - Dr A. W. Harvey, of Winkleigh, said in his opinion death was caused by heart failure, due to exposure. - Verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Murder Charge At Plymouth. Woman Drowned In Sutton Pool. Coal Porter Remanded. R.N. Stoker's Story Of Seeing Woman Dropped Into Water. An Extraordinary Case. - As a sequel to a tragic affair which occurred at the North Quay last evening, a coal porter, appeared before the Plymouth Bench this morning on a charge of murder. - It is a sordid story, and so far as can be ascertained both the man now in custody and the woman concerned were in the habit of frequenting public houses in the neighbourhood of Sutton Pool. The evidence available is to the effect that Daniel James Palmer, a coal porter, living at Clare-place, Coxside, had spent some time drinking in a quayside Inn with ANNIE KEOHANE, a woman of disrepute, who was better known as "Irish Annie." She was about forty years of age and of no fixed abode. Palmer is a married man, twenty-nine years of age and has a wife and family. - A Quarrel. - They were seen leaving the public-house at eight o'clock and, whilst walking towards the edge of the quay, angry words passed between them. The nature of the quarrel does not appear to be known. - A man named Ball, a naval stoker, was strolling about the spot at the time, and he declares that he saw Palmer catch the woman up in his arms and drop her into the water. She screamed and Ball and several other men ran to her assistance. - The nearest flight of steps was fifty yards away, and Ball and a lad named O'Shaughnessy, of 3 Hicks-lane, hurried around in the hope of going to KEOHANE'S assistance in a boat. The craft they reached, however, was padlocked. This occasioned a delay, but in a few minutes Ball and two or three others who had arrived on the scene got afloat and rowed towards the woman, who was making a desperate fight for her life. - Beyond All Aid. - Meanwhile, Palmer, also, had got into the water. Whether he had fallen over the quay or jumped in to rescue the woman is a matter of conjecture. At any rate, when he was seen in the Pool he was quite fifty yards from the woman and close to the steps. O'Shaughnessy pulled him out and then Palmer seems to have made tracks for his home. When the woman was brought ashore Dr McNair, who had been summoned, tried artificial respiration, but she was beyond human aid. A little later her body was removed to the Mortuary. - Arrested At His Home. - Shortly after nine o'clock P.C's Bray and Morrish visited Palmer's home, arrested him and took him to the Central Police Station, where Inspector Coombs charged him on suspicion with the murder of KEOHANE. The prisoner had previously been placed among nine other men and identified by Ball. - Accused In Court. - Palmer, who lives at 2 Clare-buildings, was brought before Messrs. T. G. Greek Wills and E. Hamilton James, at the Police Court this morning, charged with the murder of ANNIE KEOHANE by throwing her into the water at Sutton Pool. - The Chief Constable, Mr J. D. Sowerby, intimated that he proposed to offer very little evidence, just sufficient to justify an application for a remand. He thought such a course would be fair to the prisoner. He would call one witness, who heard the prisoner threaten to drop her into the water and who saw him put her over the side of the quay. - William Ball, a stoker on H.M.S. Vivid, stated that at eight o'clock last evening he was in the Sutton Harbour Inn on the North Quay, where he saw the prisoner and KEOHANE in the bar. The woman was singing and the landlord told her to be quiet, adding that if she continued that conduct he would have to request her to leave. - The Chief Constable: How long did she remain after the landlord spoke to her? - Three or four minutes. - And then she left voluntarily? - Yes. - Alone? - Yes. - How long afterwards did the prisoner leave? - Five or six minutes. She was walking up and down outside singing. - Alleged Threat. - Continuing, witness said the accused stood near Looe-street Ope. The woman, who was standing near him, was abusing the son of the licensee and Palmer said to her, "If you don't go away I will but you over the quay." A minute later he approached her from behind, took her under the arms, lifted her from the ground and walked towards the edge of the quay. - The Chief Constable: Did she struggle? - She was saying, "Leave me alone," or something like that. - What did you see him do? - I saw him lift her up and put her outside the wall where the water is. He stopped two or three seconds and then let her drop. - The Deputy Magistrates' Clerk: How was the tide, high water or low? - It was nearly low water. - What drop would there be before she reached the water? - The Chief Constable replied that it would be a fairly long drop at low water. - Screamed As She Touched The Water. - Mr Sowerby (to the witness): As she dropped did she scream? - She screamed when she touched the water. - What did the prisoner do after he dropped her? - He ran towards a barge to get a boat. As he was trying to get aboard the boat he fell overboard. - Between the barge and the quay? - Yes. - Did you run after the prisoner? - No, I ran to get a boat. I tried to get a boat, but the moorings on the barge were locked. - Witness added that he and another man helped the prisoner out of the water. Later witness identified the prisoner from nine or ten men. He was then dressed differently from when he was in the public-house. - The Deputy Magistrates' Clerk: Did you see the dead woman? - Yes, on the steps. - Did you see her taken out of the water? - No. - On this evidence the accused was remanded for eight days. - The Chief Constable explained that there had been a change of licensees at the Sutton Harbour Inn, the new landlord only entering the premises at five o'clock that evening. - The Inquest. - The Inquest on the body of ANNIE KEOHANE was opened by Mr R. B. Johns at the Mortuary this afternoon. - The accused man, DANIEL JAMES PALMER, who has been remanded on a charge of having murdered the woman, was present. - The Chief Constable, Mr J. D. Sowerby, and Superintendent Foot also attended. - CORNELIUS KEOHANE, a naval pensioner, living at 17 Duke-street, Devonport, having formally identified the body as that of his daughter, a spinster, aged about 42 years, the Inquiry was adjourned till 4 p.m. on Monday.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Suicide. Man's Drink Of Liniment. - The Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquiry at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, this afternoon into the circumstances attending the death of WALTER GLOVER, aged 63 years, a mason, who lived at 74 South Milton-street. - For some time past the deceased had been suffering from rheumatism, and had been supplied with a lotion to rub on his legs. A letter he had received requesting him to appear before the Guardians respecting arrears due in respect of the maintenance of his wife had troubled him. He went to bed about half-past nine, at which time, according to his son he was the worse for drink. About midnight he called his son, to whom he said, "I have done it." He flung his arms about and commenced to sing. - P.C. Hole was sent for, and deceased, owing to his condition, was removed to the Hospital, where Dr Salisbury, the House Physician, found him suffering from coma. He died shortly afterwards. A post-mortem examination revealed the fact that death was due to asphyxia and heart failure, caused by his having drunk some camphor liniment he had been using on his legs. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 10 December 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Under An Anaesthetic. Inquest On R.N. Stoker At Stonehouse. - An Inquiry was conducted this morning by Mr R. Robinson Rodd at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, into the death of WILLIAM SAMUEL THOMSON, aged 36, of Blatchford-road, Ivybridge, a 1st class stoker on H.M.S. Vivid. - MARY GRACE HOWARD, 10 Benbow-street, Devonport, identified the deceased as her brother. He was under treatment at the Royal Naval Hospital from April to July last, but after his discharge he appeared to get on with his work all right. - Thomas Lloyd Jones, medical practitioner, stated that the deceased was admitted to the Hospital on the 2nd April last suffering from pneumonia. On May 8, empyema developed, for which he was successfully operated on. He was discharged on July 17. On November 3, however, he was again admitted suffering from a breakdown on the empyema wound. On Monday last it was decided to operate again for the purpose of ascertaining why the wound would not heal. This operation would not have been so serious as the original one, and had it been undertaken and proved unsuccessful a very much more serious one would have been necessary. - During The Operation. - Deceased, who was informed of the nature of the operation, consented to its being done. The anaesthetic was administered by Surgeon Bradbury in a room adjoining the operating theatre, and deceased was removed to the operating table. The operation had almost been completed when witness's attention was drawn to the patient, who was of a blueish colour. Artificial respiration was immediately tried, but without avail. Before the anaesthetic was administered the deceased was examined and found to be a fit subject, and witness considered that Surgeon Bradbury had conducted the operation in a skilful manner. - Samuel Bradbury, Surgeon, R.N., stated that while performing the operation he noticed deceased turning pale and then blue. He immediately stopped the operation, but the deceased did not recover. - Hamlet Mark Whelan, Surgeon, R.N., said that death was due to syncope, caused by the fatty degeneration of the heart. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and the Coroner remarked that he was convinced the operation had been skilfully performed.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - At Devonport yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on MATILDA ANN WOODS, wife of a naval pensioner, 48 James-street. MRS WOODS was subjected to fits, and under a seizure on November 28th she fell across a stove and injured her head. Erysipelas supervened and Dr W. J. Gard, who had attended the case for years, said this was the cause of death. Verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 13 December 1913
TAMERTON FOLIOT - The Tamerton Suicide. Inquest On Naval Officer's Steward. - At Tamerton Foliott yesterday afternoon Mr R. Robinson Rodd, County Coroner, conducted an Inquiry relative to the death of HERBERT GEORGE BURROWS, aged 30, second officer's steward on H.M.S. Earnest, whose body was found near Buds Head Mills, Tamerton, on Wednesday afternoon, there being every indication of deceased having shot himself. - Mr J. P. Goldsmith was present on behalf of the Admiralty and P.S. Cruse represented the County Police. - Evidence of identification was given by MR THOMAS BURROWS, plumber, of Brampton Park-road, Hitchen, who stated that deceased was his brother, and had a wife and family of two children at Hitchen. He could give no reason why deceased shot himself. - Mr H. E. Newcombe, gunner, R.N., deposed that deceased joined H.M.S. Earnest about a month ago. He was last seen on board the destroyer on Tuesday morning, about noon. He left without leave. On Monday morning he was found drunk on board. Witness himself saw him drunk at seven o'clock, and subsequently the commanding officer put the man under close arrest. Later deceased was placed under open arrest. - The Coroner: Was that the only trouble he had on board? - Witness: Yes. - Had he been punished before? - No; that was his first offence. - What would have happened to him? - He would probably have lost a day's pay and had two or three days' grog stopped. - As an officer's servant would he be in charge of stores? - He had no charge of any store. - Wine Store Broken Open. - Further questioned by the Coroner, witness said that on Monday evening he found that the officers' wine store had been broken open and there was a shortage of wine. Deceased would, in the discharge of his duties, go to the store for any liquor. - The Coroner: Was deceased accused in any way for the breakage? - No, sir; he was simply charged with being drunk, and the captain had arranged to investigate the case on Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock, but deceased had gone. - Deceased knew the investigation was going to take place? - Yes. - Had it been proved that deceased broke into the store, that would have meant a serious matter - probably imprisonment and dismissal from the Service? - Yes. - You have no reason to believe that any other person on board was guilty of breaking open the store? - No. He added that a shilling's worth of wine was missing. - What was the man's general character on board? - He was most cheerful and willing and always did his work in a satisfactory manner. - The Coroner observed that it looked as if deceased, having a sudden craze for strong drink, broke into the store, and afterwards saw the seriousness of his position. - Conversation With a Pensioner. - John Paddon, naval pensioner, Tamerton Foliott, stated that on Tuesday afternoon he noticed deceased, whom he had known for eighteen months, pass his house. Witness had a conversation with him and deceased expressed his pleasure at seeing him again. He appeared as cheerful as usual. Subsequently they walked towards the Station, deceased having expressed his intention of catching the 4.30 train. At the top of the hill near the Station deceased told witness that he need not go any further as he could find his way and they then parted, deceased shaking witness by the hand and promising to see him again. Deceased was quite sober. He made no reference to any trouble on board; on the contrary, he said he liked the Earnest and was getting on all right. - Asked if he heard a shot, witness replied that he did not. By the time deceased reached the spot where the body was found witness had returned to his home. - The Discovery. - Mr Harold Doney, Buds Head Mills, St Budeaux, deposed that whilst boating on Wednesday he discovered the body of the deceased on the beach, lying close against the cliff. It was quite stiff and the revolver produced was in the deceased's right hand. The spot where the body was found was a quarter of a mile from Tamerton Station and was not a thoroughfare. - P.C. Tremlett said he found nothing on deceased to throw any light on the affair. In his right hand was a revolver, with two discharged and one live cartridge. In his coat pocket was a box of cartridges and in other pockets the sum of 10 ½d. and other small effects were found. - Dr T. Olver, Crownhill, said an examination of the body revealed a gun-shot wound in the roof of the mouth. The bullet did not pass through the skull. The cause of death was laceration of the brain, due to a gun-shot. He had no doubt that the wound was self-inflicted. - Coroner's Remarks. - The Coroner, summing up, said there was ample evidence that deceased was very much worried. The fact that he was under open arrest for drunkenness, that he had broken out of his ship, and that in all probability he would have been charged with breaking into the wine stores, undoubtedly preyed on his mind. When deceased left Mr Paddon there was no doubt that he intended to shoot himself. Having regard to all that was worrying deceased at the time, the Jury might safely assume that he was in a state of temporary insanity. All the letters which had been opened from his wife were couched in the most affectionate terms, and it was evident that nothing had happened in the home to account for deceased's rash act. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned, a vote of sympathy being passed with the widow.

Western Morning News, Saturday 13 December 1913
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Carter's Fatal Accident. - Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest at Newton Abbot Hospital yesterday on GEORGE BLAKE TAPLEY, aged 41, carter, of Polybank-terrace, Newton Abbot, who died as the result of an accident. - Bessie Lola Heath, Disker's Court, Kingsteignton, said she saw TAPLEY walking along the edge of the kerb on the Kingsteignton road on Wednesday morning when he turned round and slipped, falling face downwards. The cart, laden with coal, of which he was in charge, was proceeding near the kerb, and passed over the top of his shoulders. - Dr R. H. Grimbly said when brought to the Hospital TAPLEY was suffering very much from shock. the skull was not fractured. He died about two o'clock on Thursday morning. Two ribs were broken on the left side. Death was undoubtedly due to shock. - Reginald Luscombe Phillips of Ogwell, said TAPLEY was in his employ sixteen years. About three months ago he was kicked by a horse. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Monday 15 December 1913
EAST STONEHOUSE - Drowned While Fishing. Inquest On Officers' Steward At Stonehouse. - A verdict of "Found Dead" was returned at the Inquiry conducted by Mr R. Robinson Rodd at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, today, touching the death of REGINALD CLIFTON WRIGHT, who had been missing from H.M.S. Caesar (in which he served as officers' steward), since the 21st ult., and whose body was found in the Hamoaze on Saturday. - Evidence of identification was given by Wm. Henry Prout, ship's corporal, who said deceased was twenty-three years of age. - John Dunkeld, officers' steward, said he last saw the deceased on November 20th. WRIGHT seemed to be all right then, and he told him that he intended to sleep in the pantry, where he might have gone fishing. - Alfred James Hiscocks, private, R.M.L.I., on H.M.S. Prince George, said his ship was lying alongside of the Caesar on the 20th. About 1.30 a.m., when on duty, he heard a heavy splash. He looked over the side but saw nothing. He spoke to the man who was acting as quarter-master on the Caesar, and they shouted but received no response. - George Frederick Nash, lance-corporal., said that the last witness communicated with him. He threw a lifebuoy into the water and shouted. There was no response. He found that one of the scuttles in the pantry in which deceased was last seen was open, and a fishing line. - Samuel Clatworthy, stoker, also gave evidence as to the discovery of the open scuttle and fishing line. - William James Knowles, chief gunner, said he thought it possible for the deceased to have over-balanced himself if he had been kneeling on the bench in the pantry fishing with one hand on the torpedo boom. - A verdict was returned as stated above.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 15 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - The Alleged Murder At Plymouth. Inquest On The Woman This Afternoon. "Save Her, Bill." The Accused Man's Exclamation. Verdict of "Manslaughter." - The adjourned Inquest on the body of the woman ANNIE KEOHANE, aged 42 years, the wife of a Devonport pensioner, in connection with whose death last Monday Daniel James Palmer, labourer, 2 Clare-place, has been charged with Wilful Murder, was held by Mr R. B. Johns, at the Plymouth Mortuary today. - The accused man Palmer was present. - The Chief Constable, Mr J. D. Sowerby, attended, and Mr Percy T. Pearce represented the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company. - The first witness called was Dr McNair, who had made a post-mortem examination. He expressed the opinion that the deceased died from asphyxia, due to drowning. - William Ball, a stoker on H.M.S. Vivid, stated that on Monday evening he was in the Sutton Harbour Inn, Sutton Wharf, when he saw the deceased and Palmer. The former was singing, and the licensee told her that if she were not quiet she would have to leave. A little later she and Palmer left, and when outside the woman began arguing with somebody, and Palmer told her that if she did not go away he would throw her over the quay. He then took her under the arms and carried her to the quayside, a distance of about thirty yards. - "Then he let her hang over the side for about two or three seconds, and when I rushed over he let her drop." - The Coroner: Did she say anything? - As she was going over she said, "Let me go." - Did she struggle? - A little bit, not much. - She was trying to get away? - Yes. - As soon as he had let her drop Palmer ran towards a barge, shouting to witness, "Save her, Bill." Palmer tried to get on the barge, but fell into the water. - Did you try to pull her out? - I tried to get a boat, but when I got one I found the moorings were locked. - Another man shouted to witness to help Palmer from the water, and this he did. - What happened to the woman all this time? - She was in the water. - Did you try to get at her? - Yes, sir. - Two other men went to the woman's assistance, the witness explained, and took her ashore. - The witness was asked if there were iron ladders from the quay to the water, but he pointed out that it was too dark for him to see. - Mr Pearce intimated that "dogs" were attached to the various piles. The woman dropped between two lamps, which were 42 feet from each other. - The Coroner (to witness): Did Palmer and the woman have any disturbance in the public-house? - No. - Palmer: When I ran to the barge did not I get into the boat before you did? - No. - Was I not aboard the barge? - When I pulled you out. I did not see you get aboard. - The Coroner: He says you went to the barge and slipped into the water. - Palmer: No; I jumped into the water. - Albert E. Dyer, labourer, 8 Looe-street, deposed to hearing cries of "Woman overboard." He ran for a lifebuoy, which he threw to her, but she appeared to be motionless. A little later the body was landed by means of a boat. The Police tried artificial respiration without result. - The Foreman of the Jury, Mr W. G. Southern: Can you tell the Jury the state of the tide? - About two feet from low water. - Therefore there was a long drop from the quay? - Yes. - Henry Macey, fisherman, 17 How-street, stated that about eight o'clock on Monday evening he heard Palmer and the woman quarrelling near the Sutton Harbour Inn. He heard Palmer say: "If you don't get off this quay .... I'll knock your .... eye out." The woman made no reply. - The Coroner: What condition were they in? - The prisoner was the worse for drink. - Ball, recalled, expressed the opinion that Palmer had had a "couple of pints," but knew what he was doing. - The witness, Macey, continuing, told the Jury that after hearing Palmer's remark he said "Be a man and don't strike a woman." Witness did not see the woman dropped into the water, but shortly afterwards a man told him there were a man and woman overboard. - Witness unmoored a boat, and with assistance went towards the barge. He was told the man had been rescued and was requested to go and help the woman. When he reached the spot she was being landed. Her legs were on the steps, and he raised her head. - Mr Southern: What distance was the woman standing from the public-house when Palmer made that remark? - Three or four yards, I should think. - Police Evidence. - P.C. Morrish stated that in consequence of what he was told he ran towards the steps at Sutton Wharf, where three or four men were bringing up the body of the deceased. He had her placed on the ground and commenced artificial respiration, which continued for half an hour. In the meantime a doctor was sent for, and Dr McNair came. During the time witness was attending to the woman he heard a conversation between two sailors and that caused him to make inquiries, with the result that an hour later, in company with P.C. Bray, he went to 2 Clare-place, where he saw the prisoner. P.C. Bray charged him, and during the time the man was getting ready to leave the house Palmer's wife said to him "What did you throw the woman into the water for?" Before he replied, witness cautioned both the man and his wife. Palmer then answered. "This is a drunken spree. You can't make nothing of this, as it is a family affair." - The man was taken to the Central Police Station in a taxi-cab, where he was formally charged. He showed signs of having been drinking. - Asked by the Coroner what he knew about Palmer, the witness said that in fairness to the prisoner he would rather not answer that question. - Witness went on to explain that the depth of the quay wall was 22 ft., and the depth of water that night 9 ft., so that the woman dropped 13 ft., before touching the water. The spot where she fell was 50 yards from the quay steps. The edge of the quay was 31 yards from the public-house. - "My God" Is She Dead?" - P.C. Bray said that when he told Palmer he would be arrested on a charge of having caused the death of the woman, the accused exclaimed "My God! Is she dead? This is a drunken spree." Witness searched the room and found a pair of boots and clothes soaked with wet. When formally charged at the Police Station prisoner answered, "No, I don't think." - The Coroner: Did you know the woman? - Yes. - Was she a sober or drunken woman? - She was rather addicted to drink. - The Foreman: As a matter of fact she was a dissipated character? - Oh, yes. - The Coroner asked Palmer if he desired to give evidence. - "I don't wish to," intimated Palmer. - "I think you are right," commented Mr Johns. - The Coroner went on to tell the Jury that there was one man whom Mr Sowerby hoped to get hold of, and who would be able to say something in favour of the accused. That evidence, no doubt, would be produced at the Police Court. - Verdict. - The Coroner, having summed up, the Jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter." They recommended that a ladder or some other convenience be provided so that there might be a chance of a person falling into the water not being drowned. - Mr Pearce promised to bring the representation to the notice of the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company. - The Jury also commended P.C's Morrish and Bray for their conduct in the case, and also for the manner in which they had given their evidence. They hoped the Chief Constable would take notice of the matter. - Mr Sowerby promised to do so.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 16 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - An Inquest was held last evening by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, on LOUISA EMILY BATE PROWSE, 73 years of age, widow, residing at 102 Pembroke-street, Devonport, who died suddenly on Friday night. Dr Saunders said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Thursday 18 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Mason's Death. Fall From A Ladder. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the Royal Albert Hospital on WILLIAM FREDERICK TUCKER, 50, mason, 8 Donegal-terrace, Stoke. Mr T. H. Gill appeared on behalf of Messrs. G. H. Smith and Co., builders. - Frederick H. Ashton, mason's foreman, 6 Park-street, Stoke, stated that he and deceased were working at 10 Rodney-terrace the previous day clearing out shutes by means of a ladder. Deceased was standing on a rung of the ladder, which was placed against the roof, witness being below him. The ladder topped the shute by about six rungs. Deceased was clearing the shute with a small trowel. In witness's opinion, deceased leaned over too far and overbalanced himself, with the result that he fell to the ground. Witness descended the ladder and found deceased lying on his face with his arms outstretched. Witness ran for a doctor, who ordered deceased's removal to the Hospital. Later, witness noticed that a bar above the shute was broken, which might have been the one which deceased was holding when he fell. Earlier in the morning witness had stood upon the broken rung, which was then all right. Witness heard deceased shout, "Look out, I'm falling," but when on the ground he had lost consciousness. - William Henry Buchan Harrison, carpenter, 13 Anne's-place, Stoke, said he had used the ladder with the deceased earlier in the day and as far as he could see all the rungs were perfectly sound. If a flaw had been discovered a new bar could have been inserted. - P.C. Billing stated that he was summoned to Rodney-terrace and found deceased on the ground gasping, as if breathing his last. He died while being conveyed on an ambulance to the Hospital. - Dr Maxwell Ramsay, House Surgeon at the Royal Albert Hospital, said deceased had sustained a fracture of the top of the head, a fracture of the base of the skull, and a fracture of the left thigh. Death was due to a fracture of the skull. - The Coroner remarked that deceased had been in the employ of Messrs. G. H. Smith and Co., for over 35 years. The circumstances of the case were purely accidental, and no one would have known there was a flaw in the rung. He expressed sympathy with deceased's brother and his employer. - Mr G. H. Smith expressed deep sympathy with deceased's brother and mentioned that he had not only lost an employee, but a friend, who had been with the firm all his life. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 20 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Death In A Doctor's Surgery. Inquest On Plymouth Ship's Rigger. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, held an Inquest at the Mortuary today on the body of ALBERT BABBAGE, aged 50, of 24 Bond-terrace, Plymouth, ship's rigger, who died suddenly in Dr Macnair's surgery at Brunswick-terrace, on Thursday evening. - SIDNEY JOHN BABBAGE, chief boatswain, R.N., brother, said he saw the deceased about a fortnight ago, when he made two very serious complaints concerning his health. - Dr Macnair said when the deceased was brought to the surgery he seemed to have great difficulty with his breathing, and in spite of all witness could do he died in about ten minutes. A post-mortem examination revealed very acute pneumonia in both lungs, which was the cause of his death. The illness developed rapidly. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 20 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall Out Of Bed. Plymouth Woman's Death. - Mr J. Graves, the Deputy Coroner for Plymouth, yesterday afternoon conducted an Inquiry into the death of SARAH HAYNES, aged eighty-four, at 29 Wyndham-square. - ELLEN MATTHEWS, daughter, stated that on Saturday last she left the bedroom where deceased, who was an invalid, was confined. Upon her return she saw that her mother had fallen out of bed and later noticed a bruise on her head evidently caused by the fall. - Deceased then complained of pains in her head. Death took place early on Wednesday morning. - Dr J. H. Torney attributed death to shock and heart failure, accelerated by the fall. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 22 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - Fell On The Fire And Set His Beard Alight. Old Man's Death At Devonport. - At the Devonport Guildhall this morning the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of JAMES RADCLIFF, a naval pensioner, ninety years of age, who resided at 34 Chapel-street. - Elizabeth Veale, who lives in the same house, stated that at half-past ten on Friday morning she heard a noise in deceased's room, and on going to his apartment she found he had fallen down in a kneeling position, his hands being on the fender and his head on the fire. His moustache was alight. She put the flame out and removed him from the fire. A neighbour and a sister-in-law came, and witness then went for a doctor, but deceased died before Dr Saunders arrived. - Dr Saunders said deceased's beard had been burnt. He attributed death to heart failure, the result of shock through catching his beard on fire. - A verdict accordingly was returned by the Jury.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 22 December 1913
DAWLISH - Strange Inquest Story. Young Dawlish Lady's Death By Poisoning. Confession to Doctor. - A strange story of a young lady's tragic death was told on Saturday, when an Inquest was held on MISS EMILY MABEL HARVEY, daughter of a well-known local gentleman. - Dr C. N. Lovely related a confession MISS HARVEY made to him. He said she was quite rational at the time, but desired that her mother should go out of the room. Her mother did so, and then she said, "I have eaten some weed-killer," adding that she took the powder from a tin. "I don't know, it was very foolish of me," she replied, when asked for an explanation; she was not unhappy. - Witness, in answer to the Coroner, said MISS HARVEY had peculiar moods and was of a hysterical temperament. - The Coroner: Anything like suicidal mania? - With the idea of Making a Sensation. - Witness: No. She once told me that she did not think her life had been a success. She might have taken this weed-killer with the idea of making a sensation rather than of committing suicide. I don't think she realised that she was risking her life. - "Do you think that this highly-strung temperament would account for this action?" witness was asked. - "Yes," was the reply; "this hysterical temperament might account for the foolish action." - MRS HARVEY, the mother, spoke of her daughter's conduct on Thursday morning, when she rose at 6.30 and was seen later in the drive. Witness went out to speak to her, and deceased rushed out of the bushes into the house. She looked rather wild. Deceased did not tell her anything as to the cause of the illness. - "She even wished me to leave the room when she told the doctor," added the mother, who said the weed-killer was kept on a high shelf in the coal shed. - Witness could give no reason for this action on the part of her daughter, except that she was very excited because her sister had come home from China. In a moment of thoughtlessness she might have taken the stuff. - The Coroner: Had she no reason whatever for taking her life? - Witness: Not so far as I know. She was looking forward to Christmas very much. Witness added that two or three years ago her daughter was watched because she got so excited. - The Coroner: You thought she might do herself harm? - Abandoned Wedding. - Witness explained that at that time her daughter was to have been married, but all at once decided that she would not do so. That was the cause for the excitement at that time and on several occasions since her daughter had expressed her pleasure at the fact that she did not marry. - The Coroner described the case as a very curious one. The doctor considered that the nervous condition might have unhinged the young woman's mind. - Replying to a question from a Juryman, the doctor said hysterical persons would do absurd things for which they could not be held responsible. - "There might be a slight brain storm?" suggested the Coroner, the reply being in the affirmative. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that at the time the young woman was not accountable for her actions.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 24 December 1913
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest held yesterday at Devonport Guildhall by the Borough Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, touching the sudden death of DOROTHY HOSKINGS, the six-month-old child of CHARLES HENRY HOSKINGS, a labourer in his Majesty's Dockyard, residing at 12 Market-street, the Jury returned a verdict that death was due to syncope, the result of congestion of the lungs.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 27 December 1913
PLYMSTOCK - Fell Overboard. Swedish Sailor Drowned At Plymouth. - The County Coroner, Mr R. R. Rodd, held an Inquest on a body picked up off the Batten Rocks at the Castle Hotel, Batten, today. The body was considered to be that of the Swedish sailor, JOHN ROTH, who fell overboard from the schooner Imogene, on December 9th. - Police-Inspector Drew (Fowey) sent a document which informed the Court that Capt. E. Wilcocks, master and owner of the schooner Imogene, 146 tons register, reported to him that at about noon on December 9 he was in tow of the s.s. Gallant from Plymouth To Charlestown. When between Batten Breakwater and the Melampus buoy JOHN ROTH, able seaman, who sent to unfasten the clew of the main sail on the starboard side, which was about 25 ft. from the deck. In doing so he accidentally fell overboard. A rope was thrown to him and a boat quickly lowered, two of the crew going to the spot where the man was last seen. Meanwhile the vessel was stopped. However, they could only find his cap. They remained on the spot for some time, but ROTH was not seen again. - Albert Ford, general Labourer, Turnchapel, said he was working on board the Imogene at the time and remembered seeing a member of the crew who was dressed like the deceased. He could not swear that deceased was the man. - Richard Rowley Wigfull, 18, who assists his father as a silversmith, said that at two o'clock the previous day he saw the body floating near the rocks at Batten and informed the Police of the fact. - P.C. Bawden, stationed at Turnchapel, deposed that the body was dressed according to the description given of the missing man ROTH. The place where it was found was close to where ROTH fell overboard. - The Coroner said there was no direct evidence of the identity of the deceased, but everything pointed to the fact that it was the body of JOHN ROTH. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead." A Juryman suggested that utensils should be kept in the Mortuary to keep it clean and the Coroner said he would mention the matter to the proper authorities.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 29 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Died In The S.D. and E.C. Hospital. - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital today, Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest relative to the death of ELIZA JANE REPATH, aged 37 years, the wife of an agricultural labourer, living at Down Thomas, Wembury. - The deceased slipped on a stone and fell on the 23rd inst., sustaining a compound dislocation of the elbow. She was attended by the House Surgeon, Dr J. B. Donaldson, who found that she also suffered from kidney disease. Death was due to septicaemia following on the injury. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 30 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Baby Accidentally Suffocated. - An Inquest was conducted by Mr R. B. Johns, at the Plymouth Mortuary yesterday in reference to the sudden death on Saturday night of the one month sold son of ALBERT BROWNING, dock labourer, 37 Cecil-street. Dr Waterfield stated that he was called at 12.15 a.m. on Sunday n and found that the child had been dead at least five hours. He made a post-mortem examination, and found that death was due to suffocation. It was a well nourished baby, and there were no marks of violence on the body. - The mother stated that she noticed something wrong about nine o'clock and sent for several doctors without result. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 30 December 1913
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Borough Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the Mortuary regarding the death of the seven days old son of WILLIAM MCDERMOTT, general labourer, 16 Hastings-street, which took place on Sunday. Dr A. R. Phelps, who made a post-mortem examination, found death was due to convulsions. A verdict was returned accordingly.