Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Taken from the Western Times 
and the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1924

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: Acland; Adams; Andrews; Auken; Baker; Barter; Bartlett; Beaven; Bennett; Bickle; Blackmore; Bonner; Bowden; Bray; Brice; Brown; Bryant(2); Burbidge; Campbell; Canterbury; Capel; Case; Casely; Castle; Clapp; Cloud; Collier; Cousins; Creedy; Daniel; Davis; Daw; Dawe; Dicker; Discombe; Down; Drew; Dunn; Dymond; Ellis; Eveleigh; Forder; Friend(2);  Frost; Glackner; Grant(2); Greedy; Griffen; Griffiths; Hall; Hamley; Hammett; Harris(2); Hawkes; Heard; Helmore; Herring; Hill(2); Hilton; Holmes(2); Hookway; Hooper(2); Hopton; Horniblow; Howard; Ireland; Isbell; Jarvis; Johnson; Joll; Jones; Kestell; Knapman; Lang; Langford; Lee; Lermitte; Life; Lloyd; Loosemore; Luxton; Macfarlane; Madge; Mairs; Martin; Matthews; Meardon; Meldon; Meredith; Middlemiss; Miles; Milford; Murphy Nicholls; Nichols(2); Nind; Nines; Northcott; Nott; Orchard; Owen; Parsons(2); Perkins; Pickard; Pinn; Pinney; Pitman; Pitts; Pook(2); Poole(2); Priest; Pyle; Redclift; Redman; Restorick; Reynolds; Rice; Rihill; Russell; Sacre; Sage; Salter(2); Sanders; Saunders; Shaxton; Sincock; Skedgwell; Small; Snow; Southcott; St Stephens; Tancock; Tanner; Taylor; Tidball; Tilt; Timmings; Tincknell; Towill; Treen; Turner; Underhill(2); Undery; Venn; Vodden; Ward; Warren; Webber; Were; Wilkes; Willey; Wilson; Wollacott; Woodman; Wright.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 2 January 1924
WEARE GIFFARD - Labourer's Neck Broken. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, at an Inquest at Weare Gifford, the evening before last, on JAMES PRIEST, aged 73, a widower, who fell headlong from a field fence into the roadway beneath, a distance of four feet, breaking his neck. PRIEST who was last seen carrying a scythe for use in his work of a labourer, apparently went across the field to take a short cut. Mr G. T. Slee spoke to finding PRIEST lying in the roadway. Part of the fence of the field was broken down, and close by lay the scythe.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 4 January 1924
BROADHEMBURY - Tree Felling. Broadhembury Fatality. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Broadhembury, by Dr Tweed, on WALTER EVELEIGH, aged 36, farm labourer, married, with two children, living at Common Cottages, Broadhembury, who was killed while engaged with another man in felling an oak tree. The tree had been nearly cut in two and the deceased was driving in the wedge, but it fell in a direction different to that which they thought it would. The men ran away, but one of the branches struck deceased on the back, and pinned him on the top of a hedge. Dr Case said the case of the skull had been broken. The Jury gave the fees to the widow.

NORTH PETHERWIN - Death On Road. Suffocated By Mud. - An Inquest has been held at Brazzacott Cottage, North Petherwin, by Mr G. J. Atkinson, Deputy Coroner, on BESSIE JANE HARRIS, aged 25, single, a domestic servant in the employ of Mr George Dennis, of Little Chilworthy, North Petherwin, who died on Thursday of last week. - RICHARD HARRIS, deceased's father, said his daughter spent Wednesday night and part of Wednesday at home, and left about 6.30 on Thursday morning to go back to work. She would have nothing to eat or drink before leaving, said "Good-bye, father," to him when she went, and then appeared in her usual health. She had about 1 ½ miles to go to Mr Dennis's. - William Rickard, farm labourer, of Brazzacott, North Petherwin, said he was on the road near his house about 8.30 on Thursday morning, when he found deceased lying dead. She was flat on her face, which was right in the mud and water. Her arms were at her side. He at once informed his father and the deceased's parents. - Dr Arthur Budd, of Launceston, said he had treated deceased for epilepsy in the past, and from what her parents had told him, and considering the fact that she left home on an empty stomach, and, possibly, was hurrying back to her work and a little excited, he thought it probable she had an attack of epilepsy and that she fell flat on her face with her mouth buried in the mud, which produced suffocation. There was a strain of epilepsy in the family and she was at any time liable to a seizure as a result of excitement. - The Deputy Coroner entered a verdict that death was due to Suffocation, arising from deceased Accidentally Falling on her Face during an Attack of Epilepsy.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 8 January 1924
IPPLEPEN - An Inquest was held by Mr E. Hutchings into the circumstances attending the death of HENRY CROOT HOLMES. MRS SUSAN HOLMES, the widow, stated that deceased left home to go to Pool Farm, Torbryan, where he had lately been working for Mr Oldridge. He had suffered from shortness of breath for some time past, and occasional bronchitis. Mr John Edward Morey, said he went to work at Pool about 7 a.m. on Thursday, and saw deceased in the stable. He explained to him what work he had to do and the easiest way of getting to the place, as he was aware of his weakness. He then took his horses to drink, and on returning saw HOLMES on his back outside the stable door. He was still breathing, so he loosened his shirt collar and called Mr Ralph Hill, who at once sent for Dr Sealy at Ipplepen. Deceased was then moved to the shed near by and placed on some straw. Dr A. L. M. Sealy stated he was called at 7.20 a.m. and proceeded at once to Pool, where he found HOLMES was dead and beginning to cool. The result of his post-mortem was that deceased had valvular heart disease, while there were traces of pneumonia in the lungs. The Coroner's verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 11 January 1924
EXETER - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Exeter Coroner at an Inquest on JOHN DICKER, aged 85, who was found dead in his bed at 3 Hurst Cottages, Belgrave-road, Exeter, on the 8th inst.

AWLISCOMBE - Dr E. R. Tweed conducted an Inquest at the Parish Room, yesterday, on JAMES HOLMES, painter and decorator, of Redwoods, who died suddenly on Tuesday night. The evidence of Dr Hope Gill showed that, after making a post-mortem examination, he found dead was due to heart trouble. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 January 1924
BARNSTAPLE - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by Barnstaple Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, at an Inquest held at the North Devon Infirmary yesterday concerning the death of JOHN EDWIN BRYANT, an ex-Service man, who died suddenly early on Thursday morning. He was 28 years of age, and leaves a widow and one child.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 January 1924
AXMINSTER - Axminster Inquest On Travelling Draper. - An Inquest was conducted by Dr Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, at Axminster Police-Station, yesterday, touching the death of MR GEORGE C. DAVIS, who was found dead in a chair at his lodgings, 2 Porch Cottages, Smallridge, on Thursday. P.S. Taylor identified the body, and said he had known deceased for nearly four years. He was a travelling draper in the neighbourhood and was 56 years of age, according to a certificate issued by him. He was of a very quiet disposition, respectable and very temperate. Percy Walter Bowden said deceased had lodged with him since December 22nd. Gladys May Bowden (wife of the previous witness) said when she opened her front door at about 12.15 midday on Thursday she saw deceased sitting on a chair dead, and the paper he had been reading had fallen to the floor. He complained of pains in his chest when he came down in the morning and she gave him peppermint and later he went to town. Ivor R. Phillips, chemist, Axminster, said deceased called at his shop on Wednesday, and complained of pains. He gave him a draught, which he drank in the shop. On Thursday morning he called again and said he had had a good night, but awoke with pains all over. Witness advised him to see a doctor, but deceased refused to do so, and witness gave him a bottle of medicine. - Dr Padbury (Axminster) said he was called on Thursday and saw deceased in a chair dead. He had made a post-mortem examination, and found death was due to syncope. Questioned by the Coroner as to whether the medicine prescribed by Mr Phillips was likely to cause any harm, Dr Padbury replied in the negative. It was further observed that very little (certainly not a dose) of the medicine had been removed from the bottle. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 24 January 1924
TAVISTOCK - Mystery. Young Man's Death At Tavistock. - The Inquest on PRESTON ARTHUR BENNETT, aged 21, of Tavistock, was adjourned by the Coroner, Mr Johnstone, yesterday in order that the contents of the stomach might be analysed. Mr Johnstone also complained of the badly-lighted condition of the Mortuary, which rendered it difficult to make a satisfactory post-mortem examination. - At yesterday's sitting BENNETT'S father said they were at work together up to 4.30 in the afternoon. He did not see his son after 7 o'clock in the evening, but heard him chopping wood about midnight. The next morning he went to rouse him, and thought he heard him murmur something. - FRANCIS GORDON BENNETT said he and his brother went to the cinema, and, returning home, had supper about half-past 11, deceased afterwards chopping some wood. The following morning he went to call his brother, but got no answer. Deceased, who was a heavy sleeper, had his head partly covered with the bed clothes, only the top part being visible. - Dr F. W. A. Watts said he had made a post-mortem examination, and found there was a slight congestion of the lungs and a quantity of froth in the windpipe. This may have caused partial suffocation, but he would not say it was the cause of death. He thought the contents of the stomach should be analysed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 January 1924
CREDITON - An Inquest was held at Crediton yesterday by Mr G. H. Stephens concerning the death of ELIZABETH DYMOND, of Yeoford. WILLIAM DYMOND, butcher, of Crediton, said deceased was his step-mother and widow of JAS. DYMOND, a butcher. She was 71 years of age and lived alone. When he saw her on Tuesday she was quite well. Evelyn A. Discombe (a neighbour) proved going to the house on Wednesday and finding that deceased had passed away. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 January 1924
EXETER - Mr W Linford Brown, Exeter City Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Guildhall, Exeter, yesterday on PHYLLIS IRENE HARRIS, aged three months, of 50 Engine Bridge Buildings, Bonhay-road, Exeter. WALTER HARRIS, father, deposed that the child was found dead early on Friday morning. Dr Ffoulkes said he had conducted a post-mortem examination, and was of opinion that death was due to infantile convulsions. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

TIVERTON - Coroner's Advice To Parents At Tiverton. - Summing up the evidence at an Inquest held at Tiverton Poor-law Institution concerning the death of the five-months-old son of MR and MRS THOMAS CASE, of Halberton, the Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, said he understood the child did not get the food it really wanted or the attention required as there were five other young children, and that the dwelling-house was not in the best of condition and unfavourable to the child's recovery. It was not a case in which he should censure the parents, but there was one thing which should not be forgotten. Where there were other children and the conditions were such that an ailing child did not thrive, one could not impress too strongly upon fathers and mothers that they should pocket their pride and sent the child to the Poor-law Institution. Children there would receive tender and skilful treatment; there was nothing to be ashamed of about it; if there was a chance of saving infant life parents should make the necessary sacrifice. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Exeter Doctor And His Certificate. Inquest Incidents. - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, on WILLIAM HENRY CLAPP, 61, shop-porter, who died at his home, 262 Holland-road, Exeter, on January 23rd. Mr M. J. McGahey appeared on behalf of the relatives. Evidence of identification was given by CHARLES ALBERT CLAPP, son of deceased. He said his father had been employed at the World's Stores, Fore-street, Exeter. On November 27th deceased returned home from work and said that a bag of sultanas had fallen down the lift-way and hit him on the side of the head. A doctor saw him on the following day and advised rest for a time. Deceased stayed at home until December 31st, when he started work again. He continued work until January 22nd. The next day, the 23rd, he rose from bed early. Witness got up about 7.40 a.m., and on going downstairs saw deceased lying on the kitchen floor. The doctor was fetched and deceased was carried upstairs to his bedroom, where he died soon after. In answer to Mr McGahey, witness said his father appeared dazed when he came home from work. On the death certificate Dr Corbett attributed death to bronchial catarrh of long standing and heart failure, but the Registrar, knowing of the accident, would not accept the certificate. - FLORENCE ELLEN CLAPP, daughter-in-law, of 9 Holland-road, said she had seen deceased holding his head in his hands. He never seemed the same after the accident. - ELSIE MAY CLAPP, another daughter-in-law, said deceased complained of awful headaches. He never suffered, to her knowledge - and she lived at home - from bronchitis. About three years back he had an attack of influenza, but he was usually a strong, healthy man. The doctor ordered them to apply hot fomentations to the head four or five times a day. Deceased often held his head between his hands on his knees. - Dr P. Gray said that previous to having made the post-mortem, in the company of Dr Corbett, he did not know deceased. When he opened the head he found a quantity of fluid, and in the brain substance itself there was a very large haemorrhage in the right half. Deceased's heart was very enlarged and the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage. - The Coroner asked if the clot of blood could have been caused by violence to the head. Witness: That is not my opinion. I think the haemorrhage was due to the enlarged heart. There was no external fracture or injury to the scalp. This was a deep-seated injury. Hot fomentations to the head was not the usual treatment for bronchial catarrh. This was the first time he had heard of them. - Pressed by Mr McGahey, witness said it was quite possible the accident might have been the predisposed cause of death, but from the post-mortem he found there was sufficient to cause death from natural causes. - DR E. Corbett, who was sent for by the Coroner, said he had attended deceased for years. He now agreed that the clot of blood on the brain was the cause of death. He did not think the haemorrhage was due to the accident, because the latter occurred some time before death. - The Coroner: You didn't report the death. It was a sudden death. - Witness: I wrote out the certificate. - You had not treated him recently for bronchial catarrh? - I had, about a fortnight before. - You are not at all sure in your mind whether this accident caused it all? - It must have had something to do with it. - Mr McGahey: Do you agree that you were wrong in your statement on the death certificate? - Witness: I won't say that I was wrong. - Well, you can't both be right? - When I saw the post-mortem I was satisfied that cerebral haemorrhage was the cause of death. Then your statement that he died from bronchial catarrh is inaccurate? - Doctors are only human, you know. In reply to further questions, witness said bronchial catarrh was one of the causes of the weakening of deceased. - Mr McGahey (referring to the day of the death): He was sitting in a chair unconscious. You told his people to let him lie down flat, and then you went off. You did not do any more? - Witness: There was nothing for me to stay for. - Here is a man whom you have been attending, who becomes unconscious. You are called for urgently by his distressed relatives. You pull down his eyes, order him to bed, and then leave him. - I found him unconscious, and I thought it would be better for him to lie down than sit up. - And you never saw anything more of him that day, and in ten minutes he was dead. - I was around that way and I called in again. - Did you ever examine him at all? Did you order hot fomentations for his head? - Not for his head, but for his chest. - Mr McGahey pointed out that before this occurred, with the exception of influenza, there was nothing wrong with deceased. (To witness): Do you know that you have never examined him for over three years? - Witness: I might have confused him with his brother - Do you know that hot fomentations were applied to deceased's head four times a day? - They were not for his head, but for his lungs. Deceased had no signs of bronchial catarrh at the time of the accident. - The Coroner said some of the evidence was unsatisfactory. He would make no comments now, but adjourn the Inquest until Thursday next, at 3 p.m.

EAST BUDLEIGH - Badly-Lit Road. A Salterton Tragedy. Hint To Urban Council. - Dr Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, and a Jury yesterday investigated the circumstances attending the death of MISS FLORENCE MARY ELLIS, who passed away at Salterton Cottage Hospital on Saturday morning following a collision with a cyclist the previous evening. Mr M. H. Richardson was elected Foreman of the Jury. The Inquest took place at the Cottage Hospital. - MRS ELIZA JESSIE GARDINER, niece of deceased, said that on Friday at 8 p.m. she was walking up Surgery Hill in company with her aunt and Mrs Mabel Clement, a sister. Just as they reached the bend of the road above Lion House, where it was very dark, a cyclist came along at a very fast pace and collided with deceased, who fell to the ground. Deceased was walking on the outside of the three. In answer to the Coroner, witness said her aunt was practically a teetotaller unless she was not well. On Friday night she was quite well. Witness's sister and herself frequently walked home with deceased, who was 50 years of age. The accident happened so quickly that witness could not say very much about it. Witness informed Inspector Bastin she could not say at what speed the cyclist was travelling, but he was travelling fast, and it was a nasty hill to go down. If a cyclist had perfect control it would be a great trouble to go down safely. - Mr T. J. W. Templeman, who appeared for Henry Cecil Watkins, the cyclist, whose machine caused the accident, asked if it was not true that Watkins pulled up immediately. MRS GARDINER replied that he did not pull up until he was thrown off. He ran right into deceased. - Mr Templeman: I suggest he was not thrown off? Witness: It was a very dark corner, and it all happened so quickly that I could not see. It was a very wide road, and there was a lamp-post at the spot, but the lamp was not lit. Had the lamp been lit she fancied the cyclist would have seen her aunt. Witness added that the three were walking close together. She was right in the gutter on the left-hand side and her aunt was not so far out as the middle of the road. She believed her sister heard a cycle bell, but witness did not. Deceased did not make a movement to go to the other side of the road. Witness believed the cyclist fell on top of deceased, and so saved himself from injury. - Mr Templeman: I suggest he did not fall on top of her? Witness: It is difficult to say exactly what happened. MRS GARDINER added that deceased suffered from heart trouble. - MRS MABEL CLEMENT, wife of Edward Clement, of Kersbrook, Budleigh Salterton, said she was walking abreast with the last witness and deceased. Her sister was close to the wall, witness in the centre of the three and deceased outside. Just before they came to the bend opposite Lion House a cyclist came around the corner at a very fast speed. He was not keeping close enough to his proper side and so was unable to pull up, and he dashed right into deceased. Witness heard the faint sound of a bicycle bell. As a result of the collision deceased was knocked down on to her back and witness heard her groan. She was too frightened to see what happened to the cyclist, and whether he fell off or was thrown off she could not say for certain, but as he collided with deceased, she imagined he was thrown off. The cyclist was unhurt and he got up and assisted deceased. Witness asked for his name and he said it was Watkins. Deceased was removed to Mr Emmett's house and there witness told Watkins he did not give them any chance. Watkins replied: "I could not help myself; I could not stop as I only had my front brake on." There was a light on the cycle and it was rather dark where the accident occurred. The road was wide, and there was room enough for six cyclists to pass. Deceased's sight was good. Replying to Mr Templeman, witness said none of the three moved as they had no chance. She did not think she said to Watkins in Mr Emmett's house "I do not blame you." Probably if the lamp had been lit the accident would not have occurred. Watkins, of course, did not do it wilfully, but had he been keeping on his proper side of the road he ought to have seen deceased. She did not agree that Watkins said he had the cycle under perfect control with only one brake on. - Charles Clement, carpenter, of Kersbrook, Budleigh Salterton, said he passed the three women just above the entrance to Lion House as he was walking down Surgery Hill. They were walking abreast on the left-hand side of the road. One was nearly touching the wall and the others appeared to be catching hold of one another. Witness was unable to recognise them owing to the darkness, although he knew them well. When he had gone on a short distance he heard women shouting. He hurried back and saw deceased being helped to her feet by Watkins and the two women with whom she had been walking. He was told that Watkins had knocked deceased down with his cycle and the machine was lying in the middle of the road abreast of deceased. It was very dark where the accident occurred. - The Coroner ascertained from MRS GARDINER that her aunt was a heavy woman and he added that the collision in that case would have been sufficient to stop the cycle. - Witness, in reply to Mr Templeman, said if the cyclist had been going at the tremendous speed suggested he would have expected to find the cycle farther down the road and the cyclist injured. - The Coroner: In spite of having collided with a heavy woman? - Witness: Yes. - Samuel Emmett, verger, of Bedford House, Surgery Hill, said he heard the sounds of the accident, and went to the spot and invited the two relatives to take deceased into his house and let her sit down. Deceased walked there with the assistance of Watkins and MRS CLEMENT. Witness was informed that MISS ELLIS had been knocked down by a cycle ridden by Watkins. When they got into the house Watkins remarked, "It was not my fault; I rang my bell." MRS CLEMENT replied, "Yes, I know you rang your bell; I heard it; but you were riding too fast, though I am not blaming you." Witness heard a remark passed about "only one brake," but he could not say who said it. Dr Semple, who had been fetched by Watkins, then arrived, and witness left the room. It was dark where the accident occurred, and witness did not think it would have happened had the street lamp been lit. When he went to fetch a basket left by MRS CLEMENT he had to feel with his feet along the gutter to find it. - A Perfect Death Trap. - The Coroner: Would you go so far as to say it is poor economy to save gas and take life? - Witness: Yes; that corner is a perfect death-trap. Witness added that he had often seen deceased walking up Surgery-hill, and she was always on the proper side of the road. She generally kept right in to the left. In reply to Mr Templeman, witness said Watkins did everything he could to help and her came back just before 10 o'clock to inquire how MISS ELLIS was. - Mr Templeman: Let us hope they will light that corner soon, Mr Emmett. Witness: I hope they will. - The Coroner: You say he did everything he possibly could. He did not apply his back brake, did he? - Witness: That I could not say. - Inspector Bastin: If a cyclist had a proper and efficient light he would be able to see along the road, would he not? - Witness: I do not think he would be able to see. It is really better in the country, where it is dark all the way. In this place he is just leaving one light, and on turning the bend where it is dark, the light below shines right in his eyes, and takes his sight away. - Dr H. F. Semple, of Budleigh Salterton, said he saw deceased just after 8 p.m. She was in an armchair, and in a very dazed condition. She was semi-conscious and able to open her eyes when spoken to and she moved her head, but she could not answer questions. She was bleeding profusely from the left ear, and there was a contusion at the back of the head at the left side. Witness considered she was suffering from fracture of the skull and ordered her removal to the Cottage Hospital, where she died at 5 o'clock on Saturday morning. The cause of death was fracture of the base of the skull, the result of the collision. He could find no injuries or marks about the body. The fracture was caused by the head striking the road. In reply to Mr Templeman, Dr Semple said deceased might have been hit by the man, and not the cycle, which would account for the fact that there were no marks on the body. - The Foreman: Could the blow be caused by a bicycle ridden at a normal rate of speed? - Witness: A bicycle going at a normal rate of speed down that hill would probably over-balance a person. - P.S. Willcocks, of Budleigh Salterton, said the first intimation he received was at 4.50 on Saturday morning, when he had a telephone message from the Cottage Hospital asking him to fetch deceased's relatives from Chapel-street, as deceased was much worse and they were afraid she was passing away. He immediately called the relatives, and later in the day examined the spot where the accident occurred, and found the road was 22 ft. in width, irrespective of the water tables. There were no marks in the road to show where the accident took place. On the left-hand side of the road going up there was a high brick wall, while some high bushes growing in the garden above overhung the road. On the opposite side of the road, in the garden of Lion House, there was a bushy tree which also overhung the road. There was a lamp-post on the right-hand side of the road, but the lantern had been removed. The nearest lamp was 72 paces away, at the bottom of the road to East-terrace, while the lamp at the top of the hill was 86 paces away. He had since made observations at night, and found that the two lights threw the corner into absolute darkness. At 11 o'clock on Saturday morning he saw Watkins, and cautioned him that he need not say anything. Watkins replied, "I certainly wish to tell you about it." Watkins then said he had an appointment at the top of the hill, near the Hospital, at 8.30 p.m. on Friday. He went around on his bicycle, and, finding he was too early, decided to run into the town to pass away the time. He was riding down the hill at what he called a moderate pace in the centre of the road, and just as he got to the corner he saw two women walking on the left-hand side of the road, but he did not see the third person until it was too late to avoid her. He then applied his front brake, but just struck her, and knocked her down. Witness examined Watkins, but could find no bruises or scratches on him. He then examined the cycle and found the only damage was that the glass of the lamp was cracked. The front brake was quite good, but the back one useless. Witness demonstrated the working of the brakes and pointed out that the front rim was polished and the back one rusty. Watkins informed witness that he could get the back brake to act when he was riding. Replying to Mr Templeman, witness said he should think Watkins had the front brake on all the time, but witness would not like to ride down Surgery-hill with only a front brake. There was carbide in the lamp and nothing to complain of in that respect. It would be of great benefit if the lamp on the corner was lit, as the lamps on either side made the corner darker than it would otherwise be. It was a bad hill and witness always avoided it. - Mr Templeman: Yes; that is my experience. - Henry Cecil Watkins, 19, gardener, of 1 Greenway-lane, repeated the statement given by P.S. Willcocks. He said he put both brakes on, and stopped the machine dead when it touched deceased. He had not noticed that the back brake was unsatisfactory and he had not used it for some time. Witness explained to the Foreman that he had never been anywhere where he needed the back brake, as he had used the cycle more or less to go to work. Deceased was practically in the middle of the road. - The Coroner pointed out that the evidence of previous witnesses showed that she was at the left side of the centre of the road. It was a difficult question for the Jury to decide. It was getting a very important thing when there were so many accidents in one place. It might have been very dark, but that did not justify a man running down people who were walking quietly uphill, for a cyclist must take every reasonable care in his going. It should make the Jury think seriously before they gave their verdict, but cases could not be allowed to go on without a serious view being taken. Here were three people going quietly along and they were perfectly well able to see and hear, yet one was struck down and killed. - Mr Templeman: He rang the bell. - The Coroner: That does not justify a man knocking a person down. He did not wish to press the point, but it was a serious case, and the roads were becoming more and more dangerous. In this case there was no deficiency in width, so the road could not be blamed. - Mr H. Carter (a Juryman): You can blame the lights, sir. - The Coroner: It is a great pity the light was not there, but a person who rides takes the responsibility, and must not ride too fast in the centre of the road. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider that the Local Authority should exercise more care in lighting the dark places in the area. They held the accident was more or less due to the darkness at the spot.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 30 January 1924
EXETER - Cyclist and 'Bus. Inquiry Into The Topsham Road Fatality. - The circumstances under which GRAHAM ALEXIS NICHOLS, aged 28 of Calshot, St David's Hill, Exeter, met his death on the Topsham-road, near Countess Wear, on Saturday morning, were inquired into at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown and a Jury. Mr Norman Lake represented the deceased's family and Mr T. J. W. Templeman, the Devon General Omnibus and touring Company, between a vehicle belonging to which Company and a motor cycle ridden by deceased there was a collision. - Evidence of identification was given by ALFRED VAUGHAN NICHOLS, corn merchant, who said his brother was also a corn merchant. Witness last saw him alive outside their mill in Bridge-street, Exeter, about 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. He was going to Budleigh Salterton on a motor cycle combination. He had been riding a motor cycle about three years, and cycled on the Topsham-road about three or four times during the past 12 months. Replying to Mr Lake, witness said his brother was an experience driver, and was perfectly sober when witness spoke to him on Saturday. - Frederick Thomas Chapple, 'bus conductor, of the Devon General Company, residing at 1 New-street, Exmouth, said that on Saturday while coming from Exmouth to Exeter he reached Topsham-road at about 1.35. The 'bus was full. When approaching the Country House Inn, near Countess Wear, he was standing on the step of the 'bus and had a full view of the road. The weather was very foggy. Witness saw a motor cycle combination coming towards him just after passing the Inn. The 'bus was on the flat part of the road between two slopes. The motor cyclist was on his wrong side of the road, and the 'bus driver was sounding his hooter. Almost as soon as witness saw the cyclist he crashed into the 'bus, having remained up to the crash on the wrong side of the road. The 'bus was proceeding at about five miles an hour. As soon as the collision occurred, witness went to the cyclist, who, he thought, was then dead. The 'bus pulled up in about its own length. - Head Down. - By Mr Lake: The 'bus should leave Exmouth at 12.45, but he could not remember whether it started promptly on time. It might have been a few minutes late. It was due in Exeter at 1.55. It had just come down a hill before the collision. There was fog on the hill and at the bottom. The 'bus stopped at the top of the hill (Countess Wear) and he estimated the speed down the hill at five miles an hour. Witness could see each side of the road, and there were yards between the 'bus, which was on its proper side, and the Country House Inn. He saw the cyclist when the latter was some yards ahead, and the driver immediately applied the brakes. The motor cyclist came on against the front of the 'bus and bounced off. "He drove into us; we did not drive into him," added the witness, who, in reply to further questions by Mr Lake, said the cyclist did not appear to attempt to go to the other side. He appeared to be holding his head down to the ground. - Mr Lake: Do you think that anything went wrong with the cycle? - Witness: No; I should not think there was anything like that. - Witness, replying to Mr Templeman, said the driver of the 'bus pulled up quickly - in about the length of the 'bus. - Mr Templeman: Deceased collided with the front and then went along the side? - Witness: Yes. He added that if the 'bus had been stationary a few yards back the accident must have happened all the same. There would have been sufficient room for the cyclist to have avoided the 'bus had he gone on his right side. Questioned as to the speed at which the cyclist was travelling, witness replied "Very fast, I should say." - Accident Anticipated. - Sidney John Edds, of Countess Wear, said that on Saturday he was going towards the city on a pedal bicycle. He reached the Country House Inn between 1.45 and 2 p.m. Witness heard a Devon General 'bus behind him and heard the hooter sounded. The 'bus continued to sound its horn all the way down the hill. There was a butcher's van standing just the Exeter side of the Inn, on its correct side of the road. It would be immediately in front of anything coming from Exeter. Witness had gone about 70 yards ahead when he heard a motor cycle coming towards him. It was very foggy in the dip, and he did not think he could see for more than 30 yards. When he passed witness, deceased was on his correct side of the road, and going at about 30 miles an hour. Witness waved his hand to the motor cyclist to warn him of the approaching 'bus, but as deceased was pulling his hat down over his eyes at that moment, witness did not think he saw him. At the time deceased passed him, witness looked over his shoulder and saw the 'bus. Owing to the fog witness anticipated an accident, and, looking round, he saw deceased being flung to the left of the 'bus. The 'bus was on its own side and the only conclusion to draw was that deceased had crossed the road. Witness's speed was only four miles an hour. The engine of the motor cycle seemed to be working all right. - Witness, replying to Mr Lake, admitted it was difficult to estimate speed, but considered the cyclist was going much too fast. - Mr Lake: It really means that as soon as you first saw the cycle you saw it was going at a dangerous speed. - Deceased's Speed. - William Samuel Loram, 3 Priory-road, Exeter, one of the passengers on the 'bus, said the 'bus was going "very cautiously" near the Country House Inn, and he heard the 'bus hooter sounded. Witness took measurements of the road, and found it was 11ft. 9 in. from the track of the off-wheel of the 'bus to the pavement. He considered the road was about 25 ft. wide. - Robert Grant, Regent's Park, Exeter, who was walking towards Countess Wear at the time of the accident, said there was fog, especially on the slope. He saw a motor cyclist pass that was not really on his wrong side. He could have passed another motor cycle in that position, but not a 'bus. He estimated the cyclist's speed at about 20 miles an hour. - James Brown, of Fairfield cottage, Topsham-road, a motor driver, said he was crossing the road from his home when a motor cycle combination passed him. It was practically on its right side, but travelling at the dangerous rate of about 30 miles an hour. Witness could only see about 25 yards in the fog. Witness passed the remark to a cyclist: "The stupid fool; he is endangering his own life and that of others." Hearing a crash a moment later, witness again remarked, "He's got it, too." Everything seemed quite all right with the motor. It appeared as if deceased had opened out a bit to climb the hill. - Sergt. Bishop, Exeter City Police, said the road where the accident occurred was practically 25ft. clear width. - 'Bus Driver's Evidence. - Frank Edward Cornish, who was driving the 'bus, said that at Topsham the air became foggy, and as he went towards Exeter it became worse. he should say his average speed was five to six miles an hour from Topsham, and rather less when he got into the fog. He sounded his hooter. About 150 yards beyond the Country House Inn, on the City side, he saw a motor cyclist, who he should imagine was about 20 yards away when first visible. Witness was then on his correct side of the road. He thought the motor cyclist was going at a terrific speed. It was difficult to estimate speed, but the cyclist was going very fast. "Almost as soon as I saw him, he was into us. He came headlong into us. I pulled up my brakes or did something, as I saw there was going to be a collision." - The Foreman: You did not lose your head, I suppose? You said you "probably put on your brakes," or something like that. - Witness: That is rather a funny question to ask one, because you can understand one's feeling on seeing someone coming headlong into you. I have been driving some considerable time for the Devon General - about two years and five months. I am on the road all day long. The first thing anyone would do would be naturally to pull the brakes on. I know I did that, but really what action that had I could hardly tell, because it excited me so much. - A Juror: You did not accelerate, of course? - Witness: No, I did not, or I could not have pulled up in the length of the 'bus. - Witness, replying to further questions from the Jury, said the motor cyclist was looking down, as if he were intent on his tank. - By Mr Lake: Deceased should have heard witness sounding his horn. He was not trying to make up any time on the road; the 'bus was only about two minutes late in leaving Exmouth. Witness did not encounter any fog until he got to Topsham. His fastest speed on this route was 12 miles an hour. He did not travel at more than five miles an hour down Countess Wear-hill. There was no speedometer on the 'bus. Deceased's sidecar was on the left of his cycle, which struck the 'bus just inside the off front wheel. The cyclist came at him suddenly out of the fog. - The Verdict. - Dr Periera Gray attributed death to a fracture at the base of the skull. There were several bruises about the body and profuse bleeding from the ear. - The Deputy Coroner said it was quite likely the fog prevented deceased from seeing the 'bus, and also prevented him from realising exactly the course he was driving along the road. The 'bus was taking up less than half of the road, so there was more than half clear for the motor cyclist. It was also evident the 'bus was going at a reasonable speed. It appeared as if the deceased, for some reason or other, pulled over to the opposite side after passing the cyclist witness on his right side. He thought the evidence pointed to accidental death. - The Jurymen returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the 'bus driver from all blame. They expressed sympathy with the relatives. Mr Templeman, on behalf of the Company, expressed regret at the event, and the Deputy Coroner, who added his sympathy, asked Mr Lake to convey the tributes to the family. Mr Lake said the event was all the more said as he understood deceased was to have been married shortly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 31 January 1924
THORVERTON - Thorverton Housing Tragedy. A Labourer's Suicide. - The District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, conducted an Inquest at the Constitutional Club Hall, Thorverton, yesterday, on an agricultural labourer, GEORGE KNAPMAN, aged 64, of Collins Cottage, who was found with his throat cut the previous day. - Evidence of identification was given by the widow. She said her husband rose about 7.30 on Tuesday morning and said he was going to the lavatory. When he got to the stairs, witness heard him say, "Lord have mercy on me. I am finished." Not hearing anything more of deceased witness called her granddaughter and asked her to look for him. She came back and said deceased was lying down on the grass at the rear of the house. Witness went to him and found him lying on his face with his throat cut. He was gasping, but could not speak. She recognised a razor produced as her husband's property. Deceased had been worried a great deal because he had got to leave his cottage and could not find another. He had not been in regular employment since last Michaelmas and he often said he was no more good to anyone. He was greatly distressed at having to leave the cottage. - P.C. John Stone, stationed at Thorverton, said deceased was still breathing, but unconscious when he saw him. There was a razor lying underneath the man's body. It was blood-stained, and deceased's right hand was also covered with blood. Witness had come to the conclusion that deceased had cut his throat while standing up, and in falling had broken the branches of a bush. - Dr C. C. Shaw said there was a transverse wound across the throat, which, in his opinion, had been self-inflicted. This was the cause of death. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 1 February 1924 DARTMOUTH - The Inquest On MRS ETHEL BARTLETT Again Adjourned. - At the request of MR M. J. McGahey, who represented Mr S. J. Cory, who, it will be remembered, was remanded by Dartmouth Magistrates on a charge of Manslaughter, the Dartmouth Coroner, Mr Davson, on Saturday, adjourned sine die, the Inquest on MRS ETHEL M. BARTLETT, wife of MR C. H. BARTLETT, steward at the Naval Collage, who died last week, from, it was alleged, injuries sustained through being knocked down by a motor-car on the Totnes road on December 27th. The car was driven by Mr Cory, a contractor, residing at Hounslow, London, but who is a Devonian and formerly lived at South Brent. Mr McGahey's contention was that evidence taken at the Inquest which would not be admissible in a Court of Law might be prejudicial to his client. The Police offered no objection and the Inquest was accordingly adjourned as stated.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 1 February 1924
EXETER - Heart Or Head? Exeter Inquest. Conflicting Evidence. - The adjourned inquest on WILLIAM HENRY CLAPP, 61, shop porter, of 262 Holland-road, Exeter, was held yesterday by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown. At the previous sitting, it was stated that on November 27th CLAPP was hit on the head by a bag of sultanas which had fallen down the lift at premises where he was employed. He was attended by a doctor and ordered rest. He resumed work on December 31st and continued at work until January 22nd. He was again taken ill, a doctor was fetched, and he died on January 23rd. On the death certificate Dr Corbett attributed death to bronchial catarrh of long standing and heart failure, but the Registrar, knowing of the accident, would not accept the certificate. Dr P. Gray, who performed a post-mortem in company with Dr Corbett, said that when he opened the head he found a quantity of fluid, and in the brain substance itself there was a large haemorrhage in the right half. Deceased's heart was very enlarged and the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage. He added that it was not his opinion that the clot of blood was caused by violence to the head, but was due to enlarged heart. In reply to Mr McGahey (on behalf of deceased's relatives), Dr Gray said it was quite possible the accident might have been the predisposing cause of death, but from the post-mortem he found sufficient to account for death from natural causes. - At yesterday's sitting, Mr S. Ernest Crosse represented the deceased's employers (the Word's Stores) and Mr M. J. McGahey, the relatives. - Mr McGahey called Mr C. E. Bell, who said he had seen the body. - The Coroner pointed out to the witness that the evidence showed the man met with an accident on November 27th and was laid up for a month. - Witness said that, during that month, he complained of headache the whole time. - The Coroner replied that he did not think it was quite so. He was laid up for a month, and then went back to work on December 31st, and worked on until January 22nd. - Mr McGahey: We were told in evidence that, after he went back to work, at night time he sat with his head between his knees and complained of pain. That was proved by MRS CLAPP. - The Coroner said there was no doubt there was haemorrhage on the brain. The question was how that haemorrhage arose. Was it due to the accident or to natural causes? - Witness said deceased received the blow on the head on November 27th. It was most probable,. indeed, almost certain, that the blow caused a blood vessel of the brain to give way. There was a small bleeding at that time, a clot formed and the bleeding stopped. That was the usual course of such events. - Mr Cross submitted that the witness could not say what the state of the brain was, as he was not present at the post-mortem. What he knew of the case was from reading the newspapers or from other sources. - Mr McGahey said the witness was giving medical history and knowledge. - The Coroner pointed out that he wanted to get all the evidence he could. - Replying further to the Coroner, witness said cerebral haemorrhage would occur from a violent blow on the head. It would be very much as if a man were sandbagged. - The Coroner: And then cease? - Witness: Oh, yes. It was obviously a small haemorrhage at the time. Answering further questions, he said a slight haemorrhage would leave effects such as headache, because the clot had formed on the brain. He also agreed that the progress of events after the man's return to work was in accord with his opinion. Asked as to what effect an enlarged heart might have on the brain, witness said it all depended upon the degree, but he did not think an enlarged heart would have any effect whatever unless the man had a diseased vessel. For some cause or other, the clot that formed around the injured part gave out, and then there was a big haemorrhage and the man died. He did not think that had the vessels of the brain been normal there would have been any effect from the condition of the heart. - Replying to Mr McGahey, witness said he had no doubt the primary cause of death was the blow received on November 22nd. The ultimate cause was a big haemorrhage. - Questioned by Mr Crosse, who asked if it was not quite possible that the man had no haemorrhage, witness replied that he did not think it could have been anything else from the symptoms. - Mr Crosse: You could get haemorrhage set up from stooping to tie up your boots? - Witness: Yes, if there were diseased internal organs. - Do you go so far as to say that the condition of this man's heart had nothing to do whatever with the haemorrhage? - Yes, I do not think it had anything to do with the haemorrhage. - You know he had an exceedingly enlarged heart? It was over a pound in weight? - That would not be very big for a labouring man. - You formed your opinion entirely on the evidence as you read it in the papers? - What I read and heard. - Dr Corbett, deceased's medical attendant, who was recalled by Mr Crosse, said that when he was called to the man after the accident he told the relatives to put him on his back and keep him quiet. There was nothing further he could do then. Witness left saying he would return later. He then had a message saying deceased was dead, but he paid a further visit as promised. He had attended the man for two or three years for lumbago, bronchial catarrh and influenza. He denied telling the relatives to put hot fomentations to the head. He had ordered hot fomentations when the man was suffering from bronchial catarrh. - Answering questions by the Coroner, Dr Corbett said that when he saw the man after the accident there was a slight abrasion on the top of the head. - Did you consider he was in a serious condition? - I ordered perfect quiet. - Mr McGahey: How many times during the month did you visit him? - Witness: I saw him at the surgery several times. - Witness was reminded by Mr McGahey that the man was a panel patient and that a panel doctor had to keep records of all attendances and was asked if he had the records with him. Dr Corbett replied in the negative. - Pressed by Mr McGahey as to whether it was a fact that he had never attended the man for bronchial catarrh, witness replied that he knew he had. He was also pressed by Mr McGahey as to whether it was not a fact that he had not attended the man for over three years and then for influenza. Dr Corbett replied that he must have attended him. - Mr McGahey: How many times have you attended him during the last three years? - Witness: I cannot tell you. - Mr Crosse: Is it a fact that you have attended this man on several occasions during the last three years? - Witness: Yes, I have. - The Coroner, summing up, said it was certainly a complicated case. Evidence given by Dr Gray was to the effect that death was due to the state of the man's heart. He made the admission, however, that the injury to the head might have been a predisposing cause, but thought the actual cause as the state of the man's heart. Mr Bell had given evidence that day. It was much to be regretted he was not present when the post-mortem was made, because, under the circumstances, the evidence he had given was more a matter of theory than actual fact. However, he (Mr Brown) must give every weight to what he had said. The Coroner then reviewed the facts and said he found that haemorrhage, as a fact, was the cause of death. The only question that might arise would be as to whether there was any liability for compensation. In that matter, of course, he had no power one way or the other. The parties could fight that out in another Court. He found that death was due to Cerebral Haemorrhage, but that the evidence was not sufficient to say what was the actual cause of that.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 6 February 1924
TAVISTOCK - A Mason's Death. Tavistock Inquest. - "A most peculiar and unusual case" was the comment of the Coroner, Mr A. K. S. Johnstone, at the resumed Inquiry yesterday, into the circumstances of the death of PRESTON ARTHUR BENNETT, a Tavistock journeyman mason, aged 20. At the previous hearing it was stated that deceased, although apparently in normal health, had been found dead in bed. Dr F. W. A. Watt, who had made a post-mortem examination, had found marked distension of the stomach, slight distension of the heart, and slight congestion of the lungs, and, although expressing the opinion that death was due to asphyxiation during unconsciousness following a fit, had recommended analysis of the stomach contents. - A young lad, named Bailey, recalled an occasion when deceased had fallen backwards against a chest of drawers, and another youthful acquaintance of deceased, named Charles Morris, said that BENNETT had described to him how he had "come over funny and had felt as if he was going stiff, knowing nothing more until he found himself lying on the floor." - The Coroner read the report of the County Analyst, Mr Thomas Tickle, which stated that no poison was found in the stomach contents and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned, the Coroner thanking the Police for the trouble they had taken.

BIDEFORD - The County Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, held an Inquest at Bideford, yesterday, on FREDERICK SHAXTON, 57, plasterer, who died suddenly the previous Saturday. The evidence showed that in February last deceased met with an accident at Eastleigh. He worked one day after, but had not worked since. On Saturday he was about, as usual, and went for a walk. After dinner he was taken suddenly ill and expired before medical assistance arrived. Dr Toye, who made a post-mortem examination, said deceased had been under his care for some time. He was suffering from a diseased heart and other complaints, the progress of which was much accelerated by the accident. The cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, accelerated by the accident and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Times, Friday 8 February 1924 EXETER - Exeter Accident. - Mr Linford Brown held an Inquest yesterday afternoon respecting the death of SAMUEL ROSS HOOKWAY, 50, of Bedford-place, Exeter, a mason's labourer, who fell from a scaffold at a house in course of erection in Monks-road on January 29th. - Mr F. Mapledoram, who was working with deceased, said the platform was 18ft. from the ground. Deceased asked him to help him down with a ladder, and witness went to do so after putting his barrow back, and found HOOKWAY on the ground. He said his boots were muddy and wet and the plank he was carrying turned and he lost his balance. Mr J. Carter, a passer-by, said he saw deceased apparently trying to haul up a plank. He appeared to lose his balance and fell on to the wall below. While in the Hospital, deceased told Mrs R. A. Mudge that he slipped, his boots being very slippery through mud and water. Medical evidence was that the deceased's collar bone was badly fractured, as were two ribs. He had an abrasion on the right forehead. - Death took place on February 5th from acute bronchitis and heart failure following the injuries received by the accident. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

COLYTON - Sudden Death At Colyton. - A domestic servant named EDITH EMILY RESTORICK, in the employ of Mrs De la Pole, Colyton, died suddenly at Colybank, Colyton. At the Inquest held yesterday morning by Dr W. H. Tweed, a verdict was returned of "Death from Valvular Disease of the Heart."

HALWILL - Verdict of "Suicide While Of Unsound Mind." - The Inquest was held at Halwill, Wednesday, by Deputy Coroner Mr G. J. Atkinson, on REUBEN MARTIN, who was found drowned in Halwill Moor Pond on Tuesday night. Deceased, who was a timekeeper on the Halwill-Torrington Railway, left home on Monday morning, apparently for the purpose of proceeding to his work. He failed to return and after an all-night search, his dead body was found in the pond. - Mr J. Sellars, sub-agent, in charge of the new line, said workmen had complained of having received short pay and witness had spoken to MARTIN about his carelessness. There was no suspicion that the deceased had benefitted from his wrong book-keeping. All the payments were made by a cashier, and not by MARTIN; the muddle of the books was due to errors, and not as the result of fraud. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 12 February 1924
BRIDFORD - Bridford Woman's Sudden Death. - Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, conducted an Inquest at Didworthy Cottages, Bridford, yesterday, on ELLEN SAGE, 32, who died on February 7th. WILLIAM JOHN SAGE, labourer, identified the body as that of his wife. On February 7th, when witness came home from work, deceased told him she was feeling bad in her heart and at the back of the neck. Soon after she was sick and sat down in an armchair, where she died in a short while. Witness called a neighbour, Mrs Collins, who was present when his wife died. He had no idea deceased had heart trouble. - Dr H. E. McColl, of Moretonhampstead, said he saw deceased dead in an armchair. He had made a post-mortem examination, and found deceased's heart was enlarged and showed signs of valvular disease. The cause of death was syncope, following valvular disease of the heart. - A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 13 February 1924
HARBERTON - At an Inquest at Harbertonford regarding the death of MRS BESSIE SKEDGWELL, 41, wife of MR A. SKEDGWELL, of the Globe Inn, Harberton, evidence was given by Dr Bowes, of Totnes, that he had attended deceased off and on for four years. She had suffered from chronic weakness of the heart and had lately had an attack in the head. Dr Allingham and Dr Carver had also attended her, but neither could give a certificate of the cause of death. On a post-mortem examination he found chronic weakness of the heart affected other organs, but the cause of death was a tumour on the brain. Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, returned a verdict accordingly.

NEWTON ABBOT - Starcross Lady's Death. Inquest At Newton. - At the Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday on the body of MRS E. H. LANGFORD, aged 75, of Southbrook, Starcross, the theory put forward was that she sustained the injuries which led to her death when walking from the field at Coombeinteignhead where she had been visiting with her son, Squadron-Leader A. F. HOOPER, R.A.F., she either had a fainting fit or slipped to the ground, and that the car, when being backed, came in contact with her. The son told the Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings, that he had no idea anything was wrong until he discovered the wheels were going round without the car making any progress and a man named Norcott intimated to him that something was behind it. Dr Colin King said the deceased's injuries were contusions of the face, a fractured rib, and injury to the spine. Death was due to shock and there was no concussion. Deceased told him that she had no recollection of having been struck, or of the accident occurring. She thought she had been to sleep. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Mr Hutchings remarking that no possible blame could attach to the son.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 14 February 1924
EXETER - Longdown Postman's Death. Inquest Verdict. - At the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquest relative to the death of FREDERICK, aged 45, postman and tailor, of the Post-office, Longdown, and whose death occurred at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from gunshot wounds accidentally received while rabbiting near his home the previous Saturday. - Evidence of identification was given by ALFRED ERNEST MILFORD (brother) who said that on Saturday he, in company with deceased, Messrs. Forward, sen. and jun., and W. H. R. Barber, went out rabbiting. They were ferreting in a bank at the bottom of the field. Witness was 20 yards from Mr Forward, sen. Deceased looked after the ferret. A rabbit bolted and Mr Forward, sen., fired and missed and began to re-load his gun, saying he had only two cartridges left. Deceased had jumped from the bank to pick up the ferret. Witness heard the report of a gun. Deceased shouted to Mr Forward "You have shot me." They were all good friends. - William H. R. Barber said after he had missed the rabbit, Mr Forward sen., took a cartridge from his trousers pocket and put it in the right-hand barrel of the gun. As he closed the breech the gun fired simultaneously. - William George Forward also gave evidence. - Frederick Forward, Silwell Farm, Longdown, said after missing the rabbit he turned round, because it worked backward. Witness could not say what happened, except that he felt the gun jerk in his hand. Until he felt the jerk he did not know that it was his gun firing. - The Coroner: Has your gun a very light pull? - Witness: Not very. - The Coroner: Were you all sober? - We were teetotallers practically; nearly all of us. - Dr J. McKane said death was due to shock and peritonitis, following gunshot wounds. - The Coroner said there was no evidence of reckless conduct on the part of Mr Forward and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 15 February 1924 WELLINGTON, SOMERSET - Clayhidon Farmer Killed. Neck Broken By Somersault From Trap. - An Inquest was held at Wellington Wednesday on the body of MR TOM URIAH PARSONS, a Clayhidon farmer, who was found early on Sunday morning in the roadway near Huntspath Farm. The Enquiry was made before Mr D. S. Watson, Deputy Coroner and there was no Jury. The Police were represented by Inspector Shorny and P.C. Garland. The deceased's brother-in-law, MR JAMES SPILLER, of Billett's Farm, said the deceased left his farm between 1 and 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. He left in a trap with a horse, and had about six miles to drive. He was sober, and had taken only a pint of cider. Walter George Sumption, farmer, said he found the deceased lying in the roadway, dead, about 6 o'clock on Sunday morning. The body was in the middle of the roadway. The horse was close by. Dr Meredith, of Wellington, stated that the deceased died from a broken neck, and had apparently turned a complete summersault from the back of the trap. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased died from a broken neck Accidentally caused by falling from his trap.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 February 1924
NORTHAM - At Cross-street, Northam, Mr G. W. F. Brown, District Coroner, held an Inquest on MARIA MARY COLLIER, spinster, 67 years of age, who died suddenly at the house of Mr Charles Hearn, where she was living on independent means. It was stated that deceased complained about one hour before death that she had pains in the chest and stomach. Dr Francis stated he had made a post-mortem examination and found the stomach in an acute state of indigestion and the heart empty of blood. The Coroner found death was due to "Natural Causes."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 18 February 1924
NEWTON ABBOT - Steam Roller That Limits Vision. Newton Abbot Fatality. - It transpired at the Inquest at Newton Abbot on Saturday, in connection with the steam roller fatality, that the driver, when at the wheel, could not possibly see even a tall man standing directly in front of the roller, and Mr E. Hutchings, the Coroner, after establishing this fact by seeing the engine, said it seemed to have been especially made to prevent anything being seen by the driver. - The victim of the accident was HARRY JOHNSON, 59, of Halcyon-road, Newton Abbot, who had been employed as scavenger by the Urban Council for 25 years. His brother, GEORGE JOHNSON, of Western-road, said deceased was in full possession of his faculties and was not at all deaf. - Dr E. Haydn said when deceased was brought to the Hospital he was in extremis, and died shortly afterwards from shock owing to the injuries. Witness complimented the ambulance men on the careful and gentle way in which they handled deceased. It was extremely well done. - Mr Wm. Stephens, fruiterer, 5 Bank-street, said he notice deceased had his trolley cleaning the street and the steam roller was coming from the direction of Highweek. His attention was drawn away by a motor car turning in the street and when he looked back he saw the steam roller moving forward slowly and deceased standing in front of the roller, facing it, his trolley being close behind him. Witness shouted, but at the same time the roller caught the man and he fell. The driver immediately stopped the engine, which had to be backed before the man's legs could be released. - Charles Henry White, driver of the roller, employed by Newton Urban Council, said the engine was nearly 30 years old. In consequence of the cylinder head and the funnel obstructing the view, it was impossible for a man at the driving wheel to see a man 6ft. high standing immediately in front of the roller. - Summing up, the Coroner said it was a most regrettable and tragic affair. It seemed extraordinary that in broad daylight and in a public highway such a thing was possible. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added that no blame was attached to anyone. They suggested that the Urban Council consider the possibility of the attendant dismounting to ascertain that the way was clear when the roller had stopped in the street and was about to re-start.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 19 February 1924
TIVERTON - An Inquest has been conducted by Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, Borough Coroner, at the Hospital, concerning the death of WILLIAM WEBBER, 75, tailor of 3 Ivy-terrace, who died suddenly in Mr C. H Deeks's workshop Claude Deeks, tailor, said deceased, who worked for his firm for many years, had suffered from asthma a great deal but never complained. He came to work that morning as usual, and appeared in good health At about 1 p.m. witness was sent for, and found deceased huddled up on the floor. He procured some water, but deceased had already, apparently, passed away. Dr Nicholson, who had made a post-mortem examination, said the cause of death was cerebral thrombosis - a clot in a blood vessel which led to the brain. Other witnesses spoke to deceased having suffered from asthma, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 22 February 1924
EXETER - Death Under Anaesthetic. Exeter Inquest. - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, on MR CHARLES N. CANTERBURY, who died when under chloroform while undergoing an operation at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on February 19th. - Evidence showed that deceased was a very stout man, and as he could not wear a truss the operation was necessary. There was no sign of heart trouble before the operation commenced. Death occurred on the completion of the operation. - Dr Dyball, Surgeon, said if the operation had not been performed it was quite likely that the deceased would have died from strangulation. He thought death was due to the anaesthetic administered. - The verdict of the Jury was that death was by "Misadventure, due to an Anaesthetic administered for a necessary operation."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 February 1924
CREDITON - Sudden Death At Crediton. Inquest Story. - Mr G. H. Stephens conducted an Inquest at the Police Station, Crediton, yesterday, on the body of ELLEN GRANT, 68, of 14 Oxford-terrace, Crediton. - MARGARET GRANT said her mother had enjoyed fairly good health, although about three years ago she seemed to be suffering from fainting attacks. On Wednesday she returned from Exeter, where she had been since Monday and had supper at 9 p.m. of salt beef and drank a glass of Burton. She went to bed shortly after. Deceased did not complain of anything, and had never suffered from indigestion. About two o'clock in the morning witness, who slept with her mother, noticed her moving her legs and heard her breathing hard. Witness called her brother and he ran for the doctor, but before he came deceased had died. - Dr W. H. Sody said he saw deceased in 1921 and came to the conclusion that she had heart trouble. He was of the opinion that the food deceased had for supper caused indigestion and produced an attack of heart failure. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 27 February 1924
EXETER - Throwleigh Child's Terrible Burns. Inquest At Exeter. - The City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, yesterday conducted an Inquest at the Court House relative to the death of ROSA ALICE HILL, aged 3 ½, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on February 24th as the result of burns. - EDWARD CHARLES HILL, postman and blacksmith of Throwleigh, who gave evidence of identification, said that on the afternoon of February 24th, the deceased and her baby sister were playing in the kitchen in front of the fire. There was no fireguard or fender in front of the fire. Subsequently witness's wife came running out to him crying, "ROSA is on fire." He ran in, picked up the child, who was in flames, and carried her outside and plunged her into some water to extinguish the flames. - ETHEL JOSEPHINE HILL, mother of the deceased, said that when the tragedy occurred, she had gone out into the garden for about three minutes. She heard a scream and ran inside, where she found the child on fire. She wrapped her apron around the deceased, who ran away from her. She then called her husband, who put the child in some water. In her opinion the accident was probably caused by the child falling on the fire, while trying to take away a marble which the baby was putting in its mouth. - Dr McKane said when the child was admitted, she was suffering from extensive burns on various parts of the body She was also suffering from shock, which would probably be partly due to her being immersed in the water. - Replying to the Coroner, MR HILL promised to obtain a fire-guard without delay, in order to prevent any further tragedy. - The Coroner expressed his sympathy with the child's parents, and brought in a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 28 February 1924
HARTLAND - Influenza. - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. T. Brown, has held an Inquest at Hartland. At the Church Room the inquiry was into circumstances surrounding the death of MISS MARIE ELIZABETH REDCLIFT, aged 46. MR JOHN GREGORY WARE (brother-in-law) said deceased had been in bed since Wednesday suffering from influenza. On Saturday morning his wife noticed she was getting weaker and Dr Kay was sent for. She ate an ordinary breakfast at 11.30, but still got weaker. She was seen again at 11.55, but was dead when Mrs Alice Hill went up to her just afterwards. Dr Kay said he did not get the message until he returned from his morning round at 12.30. A post-mortem showed death to have been due to pneumonia of several days standing. Verdict accordingly.

HARTLAND - An Inquest was held at the West Country Inn, on JOHN ORCHARD, a gipsy, aged 62. SARAH JANE ORCHARD, the widow, said deceased, who followed the occupation of a hawker, had influenza 12 months ago and had had a bad cough ever since. They camped at Higher Welsford Moor on Sunday, the 10th, and deceased seemed as usual until early last Friday morning, when he had haemorrhage following a violent fit of coughing. He was dead before Dr Kay arrived. Medical evidence was that death was due to a rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs. A verdict of Death from Natural Causes was recorded.

BROADCLYST - MISS ACLAND'S Tragic Death. Inquest Story. - The story of the tragic death of MISS ELEANOR EDITH ACLAND, the only daughter of MR F. D. ACLAND, M.P. (for Tiverton) and MRS ACLAND of Killerton Park, Broadclyst, near Exeter, who was killed in a cycling accident on Tuesday afternoon, was unfolded at Killerton Institute, yesterday, when the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, conducted an inquiry into the circumstances. There was no Jury. - Mr M. J. McGahey (of Messrs. Dunn and Baker, Exeter) represented Messrs. Fothergill Bros, contractors, Exeter, owners of the motor lorry concerned in the accident, and the driver. - MR F. D. ACLAND gave evidence of identification, and said deceased, who was in the habit of riding a bicycle, was aged ten years. - Miss Constance Dudley, of Killerton, Private Secretary to MR ACLAND, said she last saw deceased about fifteen minutes prior to the accident. She then left on her bicycle with the intention of going to the Post-office. - Mrs L. Wallington, wife of MR ACLAND'S chauffeur, Killerton, stated she was in the garden behind the lodge at the main entrance about 3 o'clock on Tuesday and saw deceased outside the part gates. She heard the bell of the bicycle and the brakes of a lorry being applied when opposite the gates. Witness ran out and saw deceased on the ground. - How It Happened. - Thomas Edwin Welch, the lorry driver, of 31 Summerland-street, Exeter, said he was collecting telegraph pipes on the road that runs through Killerton Park. He picked some up at the bend before entering the park, and proceeded towards the main entrance. His speed was between five and eight miles an hour. As he got abreast of the main entrance deceased came out on her bicycle; she was going at a very fast rate. Witness realised an accident was going to happen, and endeavoured to pull up, but before he could do so the little girl tried to turn away from the lorry and, at the same time, was thrown right over the handlebars and fell straight in front of the lorry. The lorry was moving, and it went over deceased although he did not think the wheels touched her. The bicycle fell across the road, but did not touch the lorry until after MISS ACLAND had fallen on the ground. Witness never heard the bicycle bell sounded. - In reply to Mr McGahey, witness said he did all he possibly could to prevent the accident. He even broke his engine in trying to reverse it. - MR ACLAND said he believed Welch did all he could do avoid the accident. - Medical Evidence. - Dr C. N. Lovely, of Exeter, said on his arrival at Killerton deceased was dead. On examination he found a severe fracture at the base of the skull and other fractures of the lower jaw and right shoulder, and severe contusion of the upper portion of the chest. There were skin abrasions on both cheeks. He was of the opinion death was instantaneous. The child must have turned a somersault and fallen on her head and shoulder. In his opinion the contusion was due to the lorry wheels having passed over the chest. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death" and attached no blame whatever to the driver of the lorry. He said he knew deceased as a regular follower of the Silverton Hounds, being with the pack as recently as Thursday last. She was a bright and most lovable child and everyone gave her a welcome. He was expressing the feelings of the followers of the Hunt when he said they were deeply sorry she should meet such a tragic end. - He knew they wished to convey their heartfelt sympathy to MR and MRS ACLAND. - Mr McGahey expressed sympathy on behalf of the owners and driver of the lorry. MR ACLAND thanked everyone for their kind expressions of sympathy.

BROADWOODKELLY - At an Inquest conducted at Clarkstown, Broadwoodkelly, by Mr H. C. Brown, concerning the death of FREDERICK SOUTHCOTT, aged about 61 years, a rat catcher, of no fixed abode, who, as reported in the "Gazette" was found lying under a tree, a verdict was returned "That death resulted from shock, following general peritonitis, the result of accidentally falling from an apple tree."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 29 February 1924
TOPSHAM - Clyst Tragedy. - At the Inquest yesterday on WILLIAM MURPHY, 29, fisherman and Naval Reservist, of Topsham, whose body was found in the river Clyst on Wednesday, the father said the war had affected his son's health and he rather dreaded going to Plymouth for drill. Other evidence showed that deceased played two games of bagatelle at the Bridge Inn on Tuesday evening and was not seen alive afterwards.

Western Times, Friday 29 February 1924 TOPSHAM - Wrecked By The War. Sad Story Of A Young Topsham Reservist. Served In The Dardanelles. - The story of a young Topsham naval reservist, who, prior to serving in the war, was to use the words of his father, "a great big chap," but afterwards appeared to be "pining away," and who took his life was told to the Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, at an Inquest in the Vestry Hall, Topsham, yesterday, on WILLIAM JOHN MURPHY, aged 29, single, of Jubilee-square, Topsham, whose body was recovered from the river Clyst on Wednesday, near the spot where the hut of the Topsham Swimming Club stands. - WILLIAM MURPHY, fisherman, of Jubilee-square, Topsham, said deceased, his son, lived with him and was a fisherman and also a naval reservist, having served during the war in the Dardanelles. He was discharged just after the Armistice. His health had been affected by the war. He seemed weak and "slack in nerve." After he had been home for some time he seemed to get worse. He was "a great big chap" before he went to the war, but afterwards he appeared to be pining away. He was due to report for drill at Plymouth on Wednesday morning, and did not seem to like going. He had dreaded going from time to time, and "reckoned he had seen enough before." But he had a mate to go with on the present occasion and appeared a little livelier. He had his gear ready. Witness did not think he was so down-hearted about going now. He last saw him alive on Tuesday evening at 6.30. Deceased had said he would be going by the 11 a.m. train on Wednesday. Witness noticed nothing unusual in his manner when he left and expected him back about 9 or 10 o'clock in the night. He did not hear him come home and went to look for him at 2.30 a.m. He found his coat on the Clyst river bank between 11 and 12 on Wednesday morning and grapples were fetched. Witness came to the conclusion that deceased had taken his life. Deceased was attended by a doctor for six months after he came home from the war and treated, witness thought, for nerves. - William John Gibbings, licensed victualler, of the Bridge Inn, Topsham, deposed that deceased called at his house about 7.30 on Tuesday evening. He was in the habit of going there, more for the purpose of playing bagatelle. He had two pints of cider. Just before he left at 9.30 witness was told that deceased was going away, but he said nothing about it himself. - Before he left he said "Goodnight," and shook hands. There was nothing strange about him, but he was unusually quiet. He was always reserved and well behaved. He was quite sober. The men were all very fond of him. - Daniel Pym, fisherman, of Topsham, said the body was recovered about one p.m. on Wednesday, by witness, his son and another man, in about six feet of water. - Dr W. Ashford, of Topsham, said the body presented the usual appearance of death by drowning. It was likely that deceased went into the water the same night. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned, the Coroner expressing sympathy with the parents.

COLATON RALEIGH - Tragic Death Of East Devon Farmer. Shot While Rabbiting. - The East Devon Coroner, sitting with a Jury, returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure," at an Inquest at Colaton Raleigh, on the body of MR GEORGE WILSON, aged 65 of Stoneyford Farm, who was found dead the previous day under a hedge in a field near his home with gun shot wounds in the neck. - According to the evidence, MR WILSON left his house at 11.30 on Friday morning to shoot a rabbit in a field adjoining the farm buildings. As he had not returned three hours later, his son made a search, and found his father lying dead at the foot of a hedge in a field near the farmhouse. The Police were at once notified and Dr Evans, who was summoned from Budleigh Salterton, found a gun-shot wound in deceased's neck, half way between the ear and the chin. The skull was badly fractured, and death must have been instantaneous. Hanging from the stump of some bushes in the hedge was MR WILSON'S gun and it was evident deceased had passed through this hedge. - The greatest sympathy will be extended to the relatives. MR WILSON was well known and had a wide circle of friends.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 4 March 1924
TEIGNMOUTH - Dawlish Man's Death. Inquest Verdict. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest conducted yesterday afternoon at Teignmouth by Mr E. Hutchings (Coroner) concerning the death of JAMES JARVIS, for 40 years bailiff and coachman to the late Mrs Nicholette, Manor House, Brent Knoll, and later of Hole Head, Holcombe, who was found dead in the lavatory at Teignmouth Railway Station. ARTHUR JAMES PAYNE, 10 Priory Terrace, Dawlish, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was his grandfather and resided with his mother. He was 71 years of age and enjoyed very good health; he had not been attended by a doctor for some years. Valentine Pindar (brother-in-law), 45 Bitton-avenue, Teignmouth, said deceased arrived at his house from Dawlish just after noon and left again at 7.30 to catch the 7.40 p.m. train. Witness told him he would have to hurry to catch it. Evidence of finding the body was given by Harold Leonard Acreman (signalman, of Starcross) and George Baker (porter). Dr Ross Kilpatrick said as the result of a post-mortem he found no marks of violence. The kidneys were diseased and in consequence the heart was dilated and the muscles diseased. Death was due to heart failure caused by undue exertion in hurrying to the Station. The Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives. The Great Western Railway Company was represented by Chief-Inspector Mapledoram (Exeter) and Mr J. H. Uren (Stationmaster, Teignmouth).

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 7 March 1924
CREDITON - Crediton Railway Fatality. Lynton Man's Death. - An Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of CHARLES GLACKNER, 49, hairdresser, Queen-street, Lynton, whose body was found on the Southern Railway, between Crediton and Yeoford, on Wednesday morning, was conducted by Mr G. H. Stephens (Deputy Coroner) at the Police Station, Crediton, yesterday. - FREDERICK GLACKNER, brother, 8 Moxon House, Paradise-street, Marylebone, London, identified the body, and said he did not know but what the business carried on by the deceased was successful. He had not seen his brother for seven years, but had heard from him last Christmas, when everything was, apparently, all right. Deceased was a good swimmer and fond of walking. His mother, who also lived in London, received a letter from deceased last Saturday containing a request to lend him £5 to buy some spring stock. The money was forwarded immediately. Reports had been received to the effect that deceased had been giving way to drink and at times appeared to be incapable of looking after himself. Requests were made that some relatives should go to Lynton to look after him. On Monday a telegram was received by deceased's mother from a neighbour of deceased's, saying, "CHARLIE gone wrong; come at once." This was followed by another wire the same day saying: "CHARLIE left Lynton tonight for London." Witness intended coming to Lynton, but in view of the last message decided to meet the trains arriving in London from North Devon that day. On Tuesday morning a further wire was received stating "CHARLIE stranded in Barnstaple last night, incapable of looking after himself." - William Milton, carrier, of Crediton, deposed to finding the deceased lying in the middle of the road between Trobridge Cross and Higher Fordton Farm, at 11.30 on Tuesday night. Witness got out of the lorry he was driving, picked up the man, asked him where he was going and was told "Lynton." Witness left him standing in the road. the man did not ask for a lift or inquire the way to Lynton. - The Deputy Coroner commented that the witness might have offered the man a lift into Crediton, but Milton said the man did not appear to want a lift. Had he asked witness for a lift he would have given it willingly. - Henry Farrant, ganger, Crediton, deposed that on Wednesday morning he was examining the railway line between Crediton and Yeoford when he found the body of a man cut in half - the lower legs were in the six-foot way and the other part of the body in the four-foot way - near Folly Moor crossing. - P.C. Turner stated that the body had apparently been dragged thirty-three yards. - Dr Soady gave evidence as to deceased's injuries. - The Coroner, in returning an Open Verdict, said there appeared to be no doubt that deceased had given way to drink. He expressed sympathy with the relatives and incidentally mentioned that deceased's mother was 71 years of age yesterday.

Western Times, Friday 7 March 1924 EXMINSTER - Exmouth Widow's Death. Attempt At Strangulation Has A Fatal Ending. Daughter's Ordeal. - An Inquest was held at the Devon Mental Institution at Exminster, on Saturday, by Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner for the District, concerning the death of SARAH LAKE SANDERS, 65, a widow, who until recently resided at 9 New-street, Exmouth, and who had been a patient at the Institution since February 4th. - Dr J. M. Henderson, an Assistant Medical Officer at the Institution, stated that when deceased was admitted on the 4th February the whole of her face and neck were extremely congested and there was blood extravasation round the nose and eyes. According to the report of Dr Hanna, on whose certificate she was admitted, she had tied a cord round her neck two days' previously, and her appearance was consistent with this. - Mrs Jane Louisa Gillard, of 12 New-street, Exmouth, said she lived immediately opposite deceased, whom she had known for four years. Her husband had been dead about three years. About 8 o'clock on the evening of 2nd February, the daughter rushed into witness's house in a very agitated state and exclaimed, "Do come; I have just saved my mother." Witness went across and found deceased in bed. Her daughter showed witness a cord she had taken from her mother's neck. Deceased was black in the face and especially round the eyes. The daughter said she had only left her mother a few minutes after taking her some food, when she heard a loud gurgling noise, and ran upstairs, thinking deceased had a fit. She then found her with a rope twisted two or three times round her neck, and pulling the two ends as hard as she could. Deceased had been very depressed for some time, and had complained of feeling strange in her head. Deceased's daughter was too unwell to attend the Inquest. - Dr C. F. Bainbridge, Assistant Medical Officer at the Institution, under whose care deceased had been since admission, said she suffered from the effects of attempted strangulation. Congestion of the lungs supervened, and this was followed by broncho-pneumonia. She died on the 4th. A post-mortem examination confirmed witness's opinion as to the condition of the lungs. The primary cause of death was broncho-pneumonia, the result of attempted strangulation. She was in a depressed and confused state the whole time she was in the Institution, except for intervals, when she became excited and fancied she heard her daughter's voice. Witness did not think she realised what she had done. - The Coroner said death having been brought about as a result of the strangulation, the verdict must be one of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity." He entered a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 11 March 1924
HATHERLEIGH - Hatherleigh Domestic Tragedy. Inquest Story. - Mr H. C. Brown, District Coroner, sitting with a Jury, conducted an Inquiry at the Court House, Hatherleigh, yesterday afternoon, into the circumstances surrounding the death of THOMAS HILL, aged 45, carrier, of Bridge-street, Hatherleigh, whose body was recovered from the River Lew, at Hatherleigh, on Friday night. Deceased was alleged to have attacked his wife with a hammer and, leaving her apparently unconscious, drowned himself. The wife, with her head enveloped in bandages, eyes blackened, and fingers on both hands also bandaged, was accompanied in Court by a nurse. - Prior to taking evidence the Coroner said there had been dissentions in the family arising from certain causes which had been investigated at the Police Court on January 10th. The circumstances then related might have some bearing upon the present Inquiry, and it would be for the Jury to consider those circumstances very carefully, particularly with regard to the effect they might have had upon the mind of deceased. - GEORGE HILL, postman (brother) deposed that on Friday, in company with a neighbour, Ernest George Woollacott, he saw his sister-in-law, MRS HILL, standing by the back kitchen door. Woollacott immediately sent for the Police. Witness could not stay as he was on duty and had a telegram to deliver. He had seen his brother earlier the same evening and he seemed depressed. He told witness he had a suspicion that witness's sister-in-law was "doing for him." Witness told deceased not to be silly, but his brother said: "It will end up bad, you see." Witness saw his brother frequently, but he never divulged what his trouble was. - Answering the Foreman of the Jury, (Mr F. Tucker) witness said he had never heard his brother threaten to take his life. - Dr Mitchell gave evidence to the effect that death was due to drowning. - Ernest George Woollacott, Naval pensioner, of Higher-street, Hatherleigh, stated that on Friday he heard a woman screaming, and, going to the house of the deceased, found MRS HILL standing, apparently having just risen from the ground, with her head and face covered with blood. - Absolutely False. - MRS HILL said she was sitting drinking a cup of tea in her kitchen on Friday evening, while her husband was standing in front of the fire with his hands behind his back. As she was finishing the tea he raised something in his hand, but before witness could see what it was he struck her and knocked her down. - The Coroner: Did he say anything to you? - Witness: No, sir. - No words at all? - No, sir. - That day? - No, sir. - Did you have any trouble that day? - No. - Had you had any quarrel? - Not from that time (January 10th). - You remember the 10th January? - Yes. - Your remember that at that Court you were both advised to keep the peace and so on? - Yes. - Has there been any attempt on the part of either of you to do what you promised to do then? - I have tried everything that laid in my power. - During that time had you lived comfortably with him, do you think? - I thought so. - Had there been any actual quarrel? - No. He brought up old grievances. - Did you give him any cause? - No sir. - Any other men ever mentioned? - No, sir. - No question as to any lodger? - No, sir. - Witness went on to say that her husband at times seemed depressed, and never had much to say. He never threatened witness since the Police Court proceedings. The first blow he delivered knocked her down. She put up her hands to ward off the blow. She was struck twice, but was not rendered unconscious. Her husband said nothing when he struck her. She remembered him leaving the house. - The Coroner: Is it not a fact that during that time you were advised by someone in Hatherleigh to look after what you were doing? - Witness: No. - Did anyone come and say it would be better if you altered your ways? - No. - Didn't anyone? - Yes; the Sergeant came to me. - What did he say? - He came and said there were complaints that I was going on with navvies. I was not. - You told the Sergeant that that was wrong? - It was wrong what he said. It was absolutely false. I have never been to see them at all. - Percy King, labourer, Hatherleigh, deposed to seeing the deceased running down the street. - Wife Warned. - Police Sergeant Babb gave evidence of searching for deceased and finding his body in the River Lew. Witness went on to state that about three weeks ago deceased made a complaint to him about his wife, and, in consequence, witness saw MRS HILL. Deceased said his wife was "carrying on with them navvies again." Witness told MRS HILL that she was trying in every way to make her husband commit a breach of the peace by aggravating him. She denied the accusation, but witness told her it was public talk that she was "carrying on," and advised her, for her sake and the sake of the children, to conduct herself in a proper manner. She still denied there was anything wrong. Witness added that it was a fact that the deceased had had a lot of provocation. It had been talked about that his wife had been out the new road, where the navvies were working, daily. - The Coroner: Have you seen that? - Witness: No, sir; but everybody has been talking about it in Hatherleigh. - Answering a Juryman, witness said deceased seemed very worried, and the night the affair occurred he thought HILL must have been mad. - A Juror: Is it a fact that she has been seen on the new road with navvies? - Witness: She has been seen. They always say that when everybody talks about a thing there must be something in it. Witness added that deceased was not naturally a violent man. There was not a better man in the place. - In his comments to the Jury, the Coroner said that deceased, when he ran away, apparently thought he had left his wife dead, and probably decided to put himself out of it as well. There were circumstances which warranted the Jury placing it on record that they considered the man was so worried at the turn things had taken and by the information that had come to his knowledge that he took his life while not of a sound state of mind. - After a brief consultation, the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 13 March 1924
DAWLISH - Heavitree Woman's Sad End. Warren Cliff Tragedy. - At the Vestry Hall, Dawlish, last evening, Mr E. Hutchings conducted an Inquest on LILLA SARAH KESTELL, dressmaker, a single woman, who lodged at 11 Newcombe-street, Heavitree. Her body was found at Dawlish Warren on Monday afternoon. - NOAH BAILEY KESTELL, carpenter of 11 Landscore-road, St Thomas, Exeter, said his sister enjoyed good health as far as he knew. - Audrey Ellen Everett, married, of 11 Newcombe-street, Heavitree, said deceased had lodged with her for about six months. She suffered from her nerves and had told witness she had a nervous breakdown some years ago. Generally speaking, she did not go out very much except to her work as a dressmaker in the city. On Sunday evening she went out between 6.30 and 7 o'clock, saying she was going to meet a friend. Deceased was always complaining of pains in her head and had spoken of feeling lonely and having no friends. - Albert Edward Antcliff, caretaker of the Dawlish Warren Restaurant, spoke to finding the body. - Dr Thurlow, of Dawlish, said a post-mortem showed that the right thigh was broken in several places. All the organs were healthy. The heart was absolutely empty of blood and there was no water in the lungs. In his opinion death was due to a fall from the cliff. - Other evidence having been given by P.S. Marshall and P.C. Hitchcock, the Coroner said the verdict he should return was an open one of "Found Dead." Death was probably caused by an accidental fall from the cliff.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 17 March 1924
ALPHINGTON - Open Verdict. Young Pensioner Drowned Near Exeter. - An Inquest was held at the Double locks Hotel, Exeter Canal, on Saturday, by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, on FREDERICK CHARLES POOLE, whose body was found in the Canal on Thursday. - SAMUEL ARTHUR POOLE, of 5 Hillside Cottages, Kingswear, identified the body as that of his son, who was 27 years of age, and served for some time in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He fought in the Great War and was wounded at the Battle of Mons. He was afterwards stationed at Bodmin Barracks, and, while there, sustained a bad fall, and was pensioned out of the Army. He then went to live with his sister at Torquay, and in November 1923 came to live with witness at Kingswear. He was ordered to report every fortnight at Exeter for examination, and left Kingswear on Tuesday for that purpose. He departed by the 11 a.m. train, and expected to be back in the evening. Later that day witness received a telegram from deceased, in which he said he would not be back until the Wednesday, owing to an X-ray examination he was expected to have. Deceased, however, did not return on the Wednesday and on Thursday witness received news of his death. His son had suffered terribly with his wounded leg and had a bad heart. He had been depressed about his injuries, but on the morning he last left home he was cheerful. Witness had never heard deceased threaten to take his life, although a doctor told witness when deceased was 16 years of age, to keep an eye on him. - C. W. Lamprey, licensee of the Double Locks Hotel, said that on Thursday he was walking to Exeter about 2.20 p.m. and met a man, whom he had since identified as deceased, proceeding towards Salmon Pool. He particularly noticed a stick deceased was carrying. Witness turned a cow he was driving away from the deceased, who seemed somewhat nervous of it, and was thanked by him for doing so. About 4 p.m. when returning from Exeter, witness saw a paper lying on the bank of the Canal at Salmon Pool, and going closer, saw the deceased's stick hanging on the bridge, and a man's hat near by. About eight feet from the Canal, the grass was beaten down as though someone had lain down there reading. Witness thought it impossible for anyone to roll from the spot into the Canal. He communicated with the Police, and later assisted in dragging operations. The body was recovered at 5.30 p.m. - P.C. Latham gave evidence of the recovery of the body. Deceased's watch had stopped at 2.30. There were numerous papers and personal effects in his pockets. - Dr C. N. Lovely said the body bore no marks of violence and death was due to drowning. - The Deputy Coroner said he had found that the information deceased gave to his parents in the telegram was correct. He returned an Open Verdict of "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 25 March 1924
CHULMLEIGH - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, has held an Inquest here concerning the death of JOHN DOWN, blacksmith, of Great Shute, who was found hanging by his daughter-in-law, ELLEN DOWN, on Saturday, at 12.30 p.m., in an outhouse adjoining his dwelling-house. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 26 March 1924
KNOWSTONE - Mr G. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest held yesterday at Middle Hills Farm, Knowstone, concerning the death of the 16-months-old child of HENRY LUXTON, a farmer. The baby crawled out from the kitchen, over-balanced, fell into a tub containing water a foot deep which was standing in the yard and was drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 27 March 1924
ALVERDISCOTT - Alverdiscott Fatality. Accidental Death. - Mr G. H. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Alverdiscott concerning the death of FRANCIS CHING FRIEND, 11-year-old son of MR and MRS SAMUEL FRIEND, who was killed through the over-turning of a cart in which he and three other children of MR FRIEND were riding to school. Isaac Thorne, who was leading the horse at the time of the accident, said deceased was sitting on the front rail of the cart with his feet on one shaft. The other three children, only one of whom was injured, sustaining a dislocated elbow, were in the cart. The horse was very quiet, and he could not account for it plunging as it did, causing the wheel to go up over the hedge and upset the cart. He found the deceased lying under the horse and the shaft was resting on him. Dr Anderson said the skull was badly fractured, this being the cause of death. - The Coroner, in summing up, suggested that the deceased's foot might have touched the horse, causing its fright, there being nothing else to account for the accident. He expressed deep sympathy with the parents in their terrible bereavement and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 2 April 1924
SIDMOUTH - Sidmouth Boy's Death. Inquest Verdict. - The East Devon Coroner, Dr Tweed, sitting with a Jury, conducted an Inquest at Sidmouth yesterday concerning the death of STANLEY LEMON PARSONS, the nine-year-old son of MR E. PARSONS, of Lower Woolbrook, Sidmouth, who died in the Cottage Hospital, following an operation the previous day. Dr Macleod said the cause of death was asphyxia, brought about by partly digested food which had been sucked into the windpipe during recovery from the anaesthetic. Dr Campbell concurred and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 4 April 1924
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Exeter Poor Law Institution, yesterday, on ELIZABETH CAROLINE SALTER, aged 58, who was admitted following an accident on December 21st, and died on March 30th. The accident in question occurred through her having fallen in front of a motor car in Friar's Gate. Dr Pereira Gray certified that death was due to heart failure following bronchial catarrh. He did not consider death was in any way due to the accident. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 15 April 1924
DREWSTEIGNTON - Fits Of Depression. Drewsteignton Tragedy. - An Inquest was held by Mr H. Brown, Coroner of the Okehampton District, with a Jury, at the Old Schoolroom, Drewsteignton, yesterday, on AMY ELIZABETH REYNOLDS, aged 58, the wife of CUTHBERT EDWARD REYNOLDS of No. 2 Courtlands, Moretonhampstead, whose dead body was recovered from the Teign near Fingle Bridge, Drewsteignton, on Friday evening. - MR REYNOLDS said the deceased had suffered since 1919 from a nervous complaint and had been medically attended for the past two years. She had very bad fits of depression and went away from time to time for the benefit of her health. On Friday, about 4 p.m., she went out, and he did not see her alive again. He went to a friend's house he thought she had gone to, but could not find her, and then gave information to the Police. She had never referred in any way to taking her life - in fact, she had a horror of suicide. She left no note or anything of the sort behind. Deceased had no trouble of any kind at home, where they were very happy. Witness thought she might possibly have slipped into the river. - Alice Lee, of Drewsteignton, said about 7 p.m. on Friday she saw the body of deceased floating in the river Teign about 200 yards below Fingle Bridge. She gave information to a man named Harry Tancock, and, with his help, got the body out of the river. - Dr Davies, Moretonhampstead, said he had attended deceased for neurasthenia. She was very bad at periods and affected by great depression and such might take a suicidal form, although she had never done or said anything to him that would show a tendency that way. He was satisfied death was due to drowning. - The Jury found accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 15 April 1924
UGBOROUGH - South Devon Railway Tragedy. "Reduced To Pulp." - At Bittaford Schoolroom yesterday afternoon Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of JOHN FREDERICK HOOPER, who lost his life on the G.W.R. at Redlake on Sunday. - WILLIAM JOHN VALLANCE gave evidence that deceased was his brother-in-law, who resided at 7 Moorashes, Totnes. He was 48 years of age. - William Thomas Luke, permanent way inspector, Totnes, said the deceased was look-out man to a gang which was loading sleepers and rails at Redlake. He arrived about 8.45 a.m., and witness sent him to the signal-box. On his way there he was knocked down by the down goods train. The deceased had been employed for 12 years by the Company, and was a very careful man. He could not say that he definitely told the deceased to look out for the train, but he shouted the warning to the whole gang. There was railway material strewn about the path by the line and the deceased was somewhat crippled. - Dr E. Hunt (Ivybridge) said deceased's head was practically reduced to pulp and his right leg was off below the knee. The injuries would cause instantaneous death. - John Lugger, signalman, said he saw the deceased walking on the path beside the down line, but not sufficiently wide to clear the train. He shouted to him, but he did not think the deceased heard. He was struck by the engine, thrown in front of it, and dragged about 50 yards. There were loose rails on the path and in avoiding these the deceased probably got too near the permanent way. - Engine-driver Holmes, Newton Abbot, said he did not know the fatality had occurred. - The Coroner came to the conclusion that the deceased was Accidentally Killed in the course of his employment and that nobody was to blame. - Chief-Inspector Ackland was present on behalf of the G.W.R. Company.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 16 April 1924
WASHFORD PYNE - Deadly Fumes. Neglected Warning. Devon Quarrymen's Deaths. - The details of the tragedy at Black Dog, Washford Pyne, on Saturday, which involved the deaths of ALBERT SAMUEL SALTER, 23, of Cullompton-hill, Bradninch, and WILLIAM SAUNDERS, 54, of no fixed abode, but recently of the Blue Boy Lodging House, Exeter, were told at Washford Pyne, yesterday, when the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, conducted an Inquest. Mr C. J. Dyke (of Messrs. Ford, Harris and Ford, Exeter) watched the interests of Messrs. Fothergill, Bros., contractors, Exeter, by whom the men were employed, and the firm was also represented by Mr G. V. Northcote. - Arthur Charles Dashfield, of 35 Ladysmith-road, Exeter, contractors' agent in the employ of Messrs. Fothergill, said he knew SAUNDERS and identified the body. As far as witness was aware he had no relatives. - EMMANUEL SILVANUS SALTER, of Bradninch, farm labourer, gave evidence of identification in regard to SALTER, who was his son. - Samuel Ernest Greenslade, of Cheriton Fitzpaine, foreman at Washford Pyne quarry, and in the employ of Messrs. Fothergill, said he last saw the deceased alive at 6.15 p.m. on Friday. They had occasionally slept in a bell tent and used a "fie-devil" inside it. He described the "fire-devil" as a bucket with holes punched in it. It was filled with burning coke and witness had warned them against its use. One dinner-time witness was nearly stifled with the "fire-devil" fumes himself and he warned all the gang. In consequence of this warning, many stopped the practice, but, apparently deceased did not. They were present when he went into the tent, and they laughed at him because he could not stand the fumes. On going to the quarry on the Saturday morning, witness was informed that the deceased had been found dead in the tent. He immediately went for the Police. - Wm. Henry Southcott, of Black Dog, an employee at Washford Pyne quarry, said he went to the tent on Saturday morning just before seven. He found the tent was tied up, but it was usually undone. He untied it and saw SALTER lying on the ground beside his bed, face downwards. Witness called to SALTER but got no reply, and when he touched him found he was stiff and cold. Turning to SAUNDERS he found he was lying back partly on his bed and was also dead. Witness had heard the foreman give a warning in regard to taking coke stoves into the tent. The weather was rough on Friday night. - Lawrence Sidney Fallis, Surgeon, of Witheridge, said he was called to see the deceased on Sunday. Death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which produced suffocation. Carbon monoxide was a very deadly poison. - The Coroner said it was a very sad case, and expressed sympathy with the relatives. He returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and said it was regrettable the deceased did not take heed of the foreman's warning.

TEIGNMOUTH - Determined To Carry On. Teignmouth Girl's Death. - At Teignmouth Town Hall last evening Mr Ernest Hutchings, Coroner, conducted an Inquiry concerning the death of JUANITA S. OLIVE RICE, domestic in the employ of the Misses Bedford, Meridan, Woodway-road, Teignmouth. - JAMES RICE, father of Netherton, Newton Abbot, said his daughter had never had any serious illness. - Miss Ellen Jane Bedford, deceased's employer, deposed that on Saturday evening deceased complained of a very bad backache and went to bed about 9 o'clock. She had done her work well during the day. On Sunday morning deceased got the breakfast and afterwards collapsed, and witness next found deceased in bed. She said she felt queer and giddy and witness telephoned for a doctor. At 11 p.m. deceased seemed better, but on going to her at 7 a.m. on Monday morning she found her across the bed dead. Deceased was a very plucky girl and would stick to her work even when ill. She intended leaving her employment on Thursday. - Dr Ross Kilpatrick stated that a post-mortem revealed that deceased had slight congestion of the lungs and was in an incipient state of pneumonia. This affected her heart, which showed signs of anaemia. Death was due to her very acute pneumonic condition which was most unusual. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and said it was evidently a case of where a girl would carry on in her work when others would have given in. The least one could say was that this was a tribute to her and should be some comfort to her father.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 17 April 1924
HOCKWORTHY - Hockworthy Schoolmaster's Sudden Death. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, conducted an Inquest yesterday at Dares Down, Hockworthy, on JAMES HILTON, who died suddenly on Monday evening. - MRS ALICE HILTON, widow, gave evidence of identification and said that her husband was a schoolmaster and 62 years of age. He suffered from heart trouble and had not been well lately. He was quite aware of the state of his health and consequently used to diet himself and take things very quietly. On Monday evening, just after five, he went into a field where his daughter was. After a time the latter came running in saying her father had fainted. Witness assisted deceased indoors and put him to bed. A few minutes later he died. - EDITH ISABEL HILTON, daughter, said that she and her father were about 200 yards apart when suddenly he shouted and fell to the ground, face downwards. She ran to him and loosened his collar, and he said "That is better." She fetched her mother, who took him indoors. She sent for a doctor, but her father died soon after being put to bed. - Dr W. M. Browne, of Sampford Peverell, deposed that on his arrival MR HILTON was dead. There were no external marks on the body. Witness attended deceased about six years ago and again in June 1923. Deceased had been a schoolmaster and was applying for a pension, in respect of which witness had given him a certificate to the effect that he was unfit for teaching. It was his opinion that death was due to heart disease. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXMOUTH - Poison Mystery. London Woman's Death. Sad Exmouth Story. - The sad story of a woman who was taken out of a mental home and brought to the house of friends at Exmouth, there to die by her own act after she had shown signs of improvement, was related to Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon. Mr Tweed held an Inquest at Trotwood House, Hulham, Exmouth, touching the death of MRS ETHEL MAUD MARY LLOYD, wife of JAMES HENRY LLOYD, of 110 Elgin-crescent, Notting Hill, W11. - MR LLOYD, the husband, a clerk in the municipal service in London, said his wife had recently been suffering from mental trouble, and had been a voluntary boarder at a mental home in Salisbury. She was not certified, and it was difficult to say if she was improving. If he had been asked that a week previously he would have unhesitatingly answered "Yes." The doctors said she had improved during the week, but he felt her condition was most puzzling, and the doctors had also been puzzled by it. With his friends, Mr and Mrs Williams, of Trotwood, he called to see his wife on Saturday at the mental home at Salisbury. They found her possessed of a very great fear of staying at the place any longer. She had been there five weeks. She was a woman of exceedingly sensitive disposition and very susceptible to environment, and she found the conditions in the ward were intolerable. She complained that some of the patients were very dirty in their habits, and some very noisy. They had been married 18 years, but deceased had only been abnormal in her mind during this year. The trouble came on at Christmas. Witness was seriously ill for three or four months at the end of last year and deceased was greatly worried looking after him and got very run down. She did not eat well, and what she ate she could not digest. That led to a complete breakdown at Christmas and then certain mental symptoms presented themselves. She had since been continuously under medical treatment. She was at an ordinary nursing home for some weeks, but witness found that too expensive and she came home for a little while. She did not improve and did not get any worse, but she eventually went to the Maudesley Hospital for a few weeks, but would not stay. She gave notice to come out and witness went to try and persuade her to remain, but she had a great horror of institutions of any sort. Witness had always been on good terms with his wife. - The Salisbury Home. - Her trouble took the form of a most severe depression and hopelessness of outlook. She thought she would never get better. Witness had never heard her threaten to commit suicide. She had said she would be better out of life, but never by word or action in his presence had she said she would take her life. It had been reported to him that in the acute state of her illness, at the beginning, she said something rather wild. On Saturday she complained that life at the Home was intolerable. They tried to persuade her to stay, and he thought if the people at the Home had allowed them to go and see the ward it would have had a pacifying effect on deceased. They would not, however, allow him to see the ward, and the only reason given was that it was against the rules. - The Deputy Coroner: Do you mean to say it was against the rules for the husband of a patient to be allowed to look at the ward? - Witness: That is as I understood it. Continuing, witness said he had no option but to take his wife away, as if he had compelled her to go back she could have written an order to go out. Reluctantly, but inevitably, he took advantage of the kind offer of his friends and brought her to Exmouth on Saturday. Immediately she knew she was going to Trotwood House she became calmer in manner and it seemed as if a weight had been removed from her mind. During the whole of the journey she was very calm and displayed an interest in one or two external things, which she had not previously done. She betrayed no delusions on Saturday, except when they were talking to her in the town, and slept well during that night. On the following day she voiced another delusion that she was involved with witness in a conspiracy against her. Volunteering an explanation of the state of deceased's mind, witness said she was always rather apprehensive about the future. If no tangible ill threatened, she tended to suppose that some evil would come upon her. So she thought that, having got away from the Institution, she might be forced to go back. She had the delusion that the doctors attending her were conspiring to that end. On Sunday evening she was sitting in the drawing-room and was rather more depressed than she had been during the day. Between 7 and 8 p.m. she left the room and after the lapse of a few seconds witness followed her. As he got to the door of the lavatory she came to meet him and said "I have taken some spirits of salts." - Matter Of Seconds. - The Deputy Coroner: It was a matter of seconds from the time she left to the time you followed her up? - Witness: Yes. - She must have been very quick? - I am very much afraid she must have seen the stuff there before. - But there are several bottles up there in the bathroom are there not? A great number of bottles? Did you notice what bottles were there? - No. - Did you use the bathroom that morning? - Yes. I went there with her the first thing in the morning. I did not notice the number of bottles there. - The Deputy Coroner, who had before him two 1oz. poison phials and a 6oz. flat bottle about half full of spirits of salts, said that three at least of the bottles in the bathroom contained distinct poisons. He asked witness if he noticed the phial of aconite or the phial of belladonna, and added that there was a bottle of spirits of salts there. - Witness: I know that now; I did not know before. - The Deputy Coroner: Did you know what spirits of salts were? - Witness: I knew it was a poison, but it did not consciously come into my mind what it was. I knew it was a dangerous poison. Witness added that he immediately got his wife downstairs and they did what they could to remedy the matter. Deceased was given several doses of mustard and water and the doctor was immediately summoned. Deceased was a woman of great intellectual activity and there were no signs of mental aberration before the breakdown at Christmas. She was 37 years of age. - Inspector Bastin: Are Mr and Mrs Williams relatives of yours? - Witness: No; they are only lifelong friends. I have known Mr Williams since we were boys together. In further reply to Inspector Bastin, witness said when he went to Salisbury on Saturday he had no intention of taking his wife on to Exmouth. - Francis Nathaniel Williams, of Trotwood House, said he had known the last witness since they were 7 or 8 years of age. Witness was in London a few weeks ago and had several talks with MR LLOYD about his wife. They discussed ways and means of helping her and getting her better. Witness and his wife then returned home, and during the week they received a letter from MRS LLOYD imploring them to take her away from the Home. It was a most reasonable letter, quite logical and sensible. Witness wrote to MR LLOYD and told him about the letter. In consequence, MR LLOYD asked them if they would meet him at Salisbury. When they got to the Home at about 2.15 they found the great fear in the mind of MRS LLOYD was that she would have to remain in the Home. She had a hallucination that she would never get out, and that her husband, witness and the doctors had formed a conspiracy to keep her there. They tried to pacify her on the point, but failed. After tea they went back to the Home and deceased begged them to see the ward. Witness asked the doctor if he would allow MR LLOYD and witness to see the ward, but the doctor replied that he could not break through the regulation to the contrary. Witness then asked that Mrs Williams might be allowed to see the ward, but the doctor was absolutely adamant in his refusal. Thereupon, after carefully debating the matter, MR LLOYD and witness decided to bring her away, as they thought it would so remove her fear as to help her. Directly she knew she was going to Exmouth she was a different woman - quite calm and collected. She was absolutely calm and more or less normal all the evening and said she would prove to them how good she could be. They were tremendously buoyed up with hope, and felt they had at last got out of the trouble. Witness explained that he had known deceased since she was 16 years of age. They went for several walks with her on Sunday and during the afternoon she again brought up the conspiracy, which seemed to be a terrific thing on her mind. On Sunday evening, when they were sitting in the drawing-room, in order to divert her mind, witness asked her to play Handel's "Largo." She got up, as witness thought, to play. She went out of the room and all thought she would return immediately. The thing happened so rapidly that it became somewhat confused. He understood that before MR LLOYD got upstairs she had got into the bathroom and locked the door. - MR LLOYD said he did not remember hearing the bathroom door locked. - The Deputy Coroner: MR LLOYD said that within a few seconds he followed her. A few seconds is very quick. What is your impression? - Witness: My wife and I spoke of the rapidity with which the thing was done. In an event in which one is overwhelmed, one is apt to lose sense of time. I rushed for the mustard and water and my wife for the brandy. My impression is that MR LLOYD followed his wife within a few seconds. He got up once, half sat down and then got up again immediately. - MR LLOYD explained that the reason for the hesitation was that he did not want to make her more conscious of the observation kept upon her than was consistent with prudence. - Mr Williams said it was the first time deceased had been out of sight the whole day. Within five minutes the emetic was administered and she was given about four cups of mustard and water. - The Poison Bottle. - The Deputy Coroner: How did the spirits of salts come to be there? - Witness: I can only suggest it was through an elderly lady who was staying here during our holidays. We had no idea it was there. Witness added the lady was staying in the house about ten days previously. - You had no knowledge the bottle was there? - I think I knew the bottle was there, but we have always emptied that bottle immediately it came into the house. Witness explained that he had always used spirits of salts for sanitary purposes, but had always emptied the bottle and put it back on the shelf, as they were afraid of the children getting at it. - Do you mean to say this old lady took your bottle and bought some on her own account? - Well, that is my feeling about it; that she got this stuff into the house but did not use it. - I could understand if she bought another bottle for herself, but it seems unlikely she should have taken your bottle and had it filled. - I admit that; but the bottle is the same shape and colour. - In further reply to the Deputy Coroner, witness said he was not surprised to see the bottle in the bathroom, but he was surprised to see its contents.. The phials of aconite and belladonna had been there ever since witness's marriage, as his wife and himself used to have homeopathic medicines. The aconite was for colds and the belladonna for indigestion. They had been at Exmouth just over a year, and the phials were brought from Bournemouth. Witness had had a number of visitors at Trotwood and also at Bournemouth, but he did not take paying guests. He was not accustomed to having strangers in the bathroom where the bottles were kept. MRS LLOYD stayed in the house for three months before Christmas, and she must have seen the bottles then. She was there from September to Christmas. Witness took the precaution to remove his razors from the bathroom, where he usually kept them. He had heard from MRS LLOYD n direct threat to take her life, but she did say there was only one way out She said that to witness in the dining-room at tea time when he was trying to remove the terrible impression she had about the conspiracy. It was not a conversation to which one would attach any importance and witness did not think seriously of it. - Dr G. R. Gray spoke of being summoned to the house and finding deceased in a serious condition. He administered antidotes and gave the usual treatment. On seeing the half-empty bottle of spirits of salts he went to the bathroom to see if deceased had spilt any, but found she had not. If she had taken all that was gone from the bottle it was incredible that she could have recovered. In his opinion she died directly from the effects of hydrochloric acid With regard to the aconite and belladonna, he said they were powerful poisons in themselves, but it was the practice of the homeopathic school of medicine to use minute doses. He should think these poisons were very dilute, and probably almost innocuous from age. It was likely that a strong man could take all the aconite in the phial and then get over it. There was no evidence of lack of proper caution in having the two phials in the bathroom, but witness would not consider it wise to leave a bottle of spirits of salts there, as it was dangerous even if spilt over anyone. - Nurse Carr, of the Exmouth District Nursing Association, said she attended deceased until death took place at about 2.45 a.m. on Monday. Deceased made no statement. - The Deputy Coroner read a statement from Dr Joseph Percival Westrop, Medical Superintendent of the Old Manor, Wilton-road, Salisbury, in which he said deceased came to the Home as a voluntary boarder on March 5th. She was discharged at her own wish. During her stay she was very agitated and depressed and required constant watching owing to her suicidal tendency. She made an attempt to strangle herself on one occasion. When her husband took her away he was warned of the necessity of keeping MRS LLOYD under continuous observation and supervision and he was also advised to have her citified so that full control could be had over her. - The Coroner (to MR LLOYD): I gathered you did not know of the suicidal tendency? - MR LLOYD: No; I said she had never expressed to me any suicidal tendency. He added that Dr Westrop informed him of the attempt made by deceased, but it was after he had not seen her for five weeks, and she had written a pathetic note. She explained that she thought he had cut her off, and he judged the attempt was made under the stress of that emotion. - The Coroner, who had been reading the letter deceased wrote to Mr and Mrs Williams, said he gathered from it deceased was very much afraid she would be certified? - Mr Williams replied that that was the topic of her conversation in the afternoon. - Deputy Coroner's View. - The Deputy Coroner said there was no doubt deceased died from a dose of spirits of salts, but he had the further duty of finding whether there was any carelessness on the part of anyone concerned. Taking all the circumstances into consideration he had come to the conclusion there was not. How the bottle of spirits of salts got into the bathroom was not clear, but he believed Mr Williams when he said he did not know it was there. He saw the green bottle there and he became so in the habit of seeing it that he practically did not notice it. Mr Williams had said that he made a point of immediately emptying it, but the Deputy Coroner thought possibly he might on some occasion have omitted to empty it, as was his custom. He did not think it very likely that the lady who stayed in the house took the bottle and went out and got spirits of salts. With regard to the aconite and belladonna bottles, the doctor had satisfied him that it would not be unusual to have doses of it prescribed for homeopathic treatment, and he was not inclined to attach much importance to the presence of these bottles. There was no doubt that MRS LLOYD was suffering from a mania of some sort and the point naturally arose as to whether MR LLOYD was justified in taking her away from the Home, in spite of the warning which the doctor had given. The letter addressed to Mr Williams, however, was of a distressing character, and when he read the strong appeal in it he was not surprised that MR LLOYD felt he must take her away if she insisted. He thought it would be hard to resist the very strong terms in which the letter was written, and, therefore, he was disposed to think MR LLOYD was not unjustified altogether. It was unfortunate he did take her away, but he thought most people in similar circumstances would have done the same. He exonerated MR LLOYD and Mr Williams from blame, but he thought it would be a warning to other people not to leave poisons in bathrooms where people could get at them. He returned a verdict that deceased died from Hydrochloric Acid Poisoning, while of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 21 April 1924
LYMPSTONE - Woman's Death. Lympstone Inquiry. The Doctor's Bill. - Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Lympstone on Saturday evening touching the death of ETHEL ELIZABETH CAMPBELL, 40, wife of a labourer, who died after a long illness at Higher Lympstone on the previous day JAMES SIMMS CAMPBELL, the husband, informed the Deputy Coroner, that his wife was discharged as incurable from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on January 26th. She was suffering from a growth in the brain, but appeared to be all right in her mind up to February 12th, when she had delusions. These attacks ceased, however, and she was not certified. Dr Gaitskell visited her up to February 19th, when he told deceased's mother it was of no use coming again, as he could do nothing more for deceased. - Witness, pressed by the Deputy Coroner as to whether he had received any communication from the doctor as to why he discontinued his visits, said he went to the Doctor a week or two before deceased had delusions in order to get some tablets to ease the pains in his wife's head. Dr Gaitskell then told him that unless his account was paid he would do no more for deceased. The doctor, however, visited her again after that. The doctors at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital told witness it was a hopeless case. - The Deputy Coroner: Was it not a case of relieving pain? - No, sir, the doctors said not say anything about that. Witness added that his wife died at 6.20 on Friday morning. - MARTHA BAMSEY, mother of the deceased, said Dr Gaitskell, before discontinuing his visits, said it was of no use his calling as he could do no more than they. She had had no medicine for four months. - Inspector Bastin: Did the doctor give her no medicine before he stopped calling? - Witness: No. MRS BAMSEY, however, subsequently explained that she thought bottled medicine was meant by the Inspector. The doctor gave tablets, but witness did not regard them as medicine. - Dr Gaitskell said he first had charge of the case in January 1922, after which deceased was operated upon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. She refused a further operation and witness subsequently attended her at intervals up to February last. He kept telling MR CAMPBELL he could not be continually supplying tablets unless the account was paid, and advised him that if he was too poor to pay he should apply to the parish MR CAMPBELL'S wages were such as to prevent him obtaining parish assistance and witness then told him he had better get attendance from another doctor. He understood MR CAMPBELL'S wages were £2 per week and that he also had a pension. With regard to the statement that deceased had had no medicine for four months, witness pointed out that the husband said he was supplied with tablets in February. The tablets he gave were phenacetin tablets. He thought probably deceased was not suffering great pain after the visits were discontinued, as the growth in her brain would make her too dull to feel very great pain, while she had been a dying woman for practically two months. Witness heard nothing more, and concluded the husband had gone to someone else, as he did not think the husband would leave his wife without medical attendance. In reply to Inspector Bastin, witness said life would not have been prolonged if he had been called in during the last two months. - The husband, in reply to the Deputy Coroner, said his wages were just over £2 provided he got a full week, but he had to lose time in wet weather. He did not get another doctor, as nothing could be done for deceased except giving her ordinary nursing and attendance. She appeared to be past all pain. - The Deputy Coroner said it was a rather unfortunate case, and it was regrettable that the doctor should have had to cease giving attention, but the cause was reasonable. Deceased's husband was earning good wages, and the doctor could not be expected to go on attending a patient for nothing if the people concerned were in a position to pay. In returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, the Deputy Coroner said he had held an Inquest to set things in order, so that no untrue reports should be circulated, reports which often gave rise to much mischief.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 23 April 1924
SIDMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Sidmouth yesterday morning relative to the cause of death of FRANCIS NICHOLS, of 2 Eastern Town, a married man, aged 24. At 8 a.m. on Sunday deceased attended Mass at the Catholic Church. After the service he went to the Convent lodge and complained of a pain in the chest. He was given a cup of coffee and returned home. He complained to his wife and began to vomit. He went to bed, and shortly afterwards expired. Dr Spence Barnard attributed death to acute inflammation of the pancreatic glands. The Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 25 April 1924
BISHOPSTEIGNTON - Influenza Victim Takes Spirits Of Salts. - At an Inquest at Bishopsteignton, last evening, on FREDERICK WILLIAM POOK, builder and Chairman of the Parish Council there, a verdict of "Death while of Unsound Mind" was recorded. The evidence went to show that deceased had been very depressed since an attack of influenza three weeks ago and on Tuesday morning took spirits of salts.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 April 1924
OTTERTON - Cliff Tragedy. Death Of Two Boys. Varying Theories At Inquest. - The terrible cliff tragedy at High Peak, Sidmouth, in which two Sidmouth lads, RICHARD ADDINGTON WERE (14) and JOHN HILEY WERE (16) lost their lives, was the subject of an Inquest conducted at the Otterton Parish Hall, yesterday afternoon, by Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon. - HENRY DAWSON WERE, independent, of Cotlands, Sidmouth, father of the deceased lads, said he last saw them alive at lunch on Friday, between 1 and 2 p.m. He knew they were going to Ladram Bay to get jackdaws' eggs, but he left in his car between 2 o'clock and 2.15 and his youngest son had since told him the deceased lads left shortly afterwards. Both boys were keen egg collectors. They were quite used to cliffs, and had done a good deal of climbing at Lyme Regis. The dog went with them, and in the evening someone came to witness in the Club at Sidmouth and said his dog was outside. Witness took the dog home and as the boys did not arrive home by dinner their mother became nervous. Witness walked up over High Peak, hoping to meet them coming back, but could see nothing of them. He notified the Police at about 10 p.m. and they advised him to see Dan Hook, a local fisherman, who might possibly have been to Ladram Bay that day. Hook accompanied witness to Otterton, where he roused his partners and they all went to Ladram Bay with lights. Hook and his partners went on along the cliffs in the direction of Sidmouth, while witness drove his wife and Miss Gardener along the road. They called a man named Truman, who lived at the top of the Peak, and Hook and Truman decided to go down over the cliff by Jacob's Ladder and search the beach. It was then about 4 a.m., and witness drove home to Cotlands, Sidmouth, where Hook and Truman came about an hour later, just as it was getting light and told him the bodies of the lads had been found. They agreed the only way to get the bodies was by the Otterton way and that they would have to be hauled up the cliffs. - Witness was overcome with emotion as he told the Deputy Coroner how just after 8 a.m. he saw the body of the younger boy recovered and had to leave the body of the older lad until the next low tide. - Kicking Footholds. - Arthur Robert Deeker, 161 Woodford Green, stationer, said he was walking up the road from Sidmouth to the Peak, and had got on to the cliff from Peak Hill at about 3.30 p.m. on Friday. On a little green ledge on the Sidmouth side of the Peak he saw a brown and white spaniel. He whistled the dog and then saw no sign of any boys. On the way back they looked for the dog again and saw it crouching on the cliff itself just parallel with the ledge. He then saw the two boys. The elder one was suspended by a rope from a half-dead sort of bush, while the younger one was a little farther away, kicking footholds in the cliff itself. It appeared as if they were working towards the ledge. The elder boy was half reclining on some grass, but the rope was holding part of his weight. Witness and his wife at first thought of calling the boys, but there was a strong breeze against him and the younger boy was in a more or less dangerous position, so that a call to him might have done more harm than good. The boys were in an obviously dangerous position, but it struck him that a warning would probably do no good, even if, owing to the wind, his voice would have reached them, which was doubtful. The boys were well on the Sidmouth side of the hill when he saw them. - P.S. Willcocks said the boys must have subsequently gone to the top of the cliff and proceeded farther along the cliff in the direction of Ladram Bay. - Finding The Bodies. - William Edwin Truman, plumber, of Sunnyside, Peak-hill, said he was aroused at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning by MR WERE, and went across the hill, where he found Mr Hook with MR and MRS WERE. They told him they were looking for two boys who had gone out with a light rope looking for jackdaws' eggs on the previous day. Witness went down one part of the cliffs at the top of Peak-hill, where jackdaws usually built, but he could see no signs of the lads, and could make no one hear. He returned and told MR and MR WERE, who were in the car. Hook then went down Jacob's Ladder and witness followed. The tide was low and they decided to go around High Peak towards Ladram Bay by the rocks. Witness went along first and found the younger boy lying on his back, with a rope trailed around his arms and body, as if it had rolled around the boy as he fell. The body was at the foot of a dangerous part of the cliffs just on the Otterton side of High Peak. About eighteen paces farther on witness found the body of the elder lad, who was also lying on his back, with his right arm near his forehead. The right leg appeared to be broken, as it was turned in beneath the knee, and the right arm also appeared broken. Their clothing was wet, as if the sea had washed around them, and both bodies were cold. Witness and Mr Hook subsequently went to Cotlands and reported to MR WERE, who took them on to the Police Station. - Varying Theories. - In reply to P.S. Willcocks, witness said the bodies were lying under the ghastliest part of the cliff. He imagined they were going down over the grass near the Peak-hill plantation. At this point there was a drop of at least 200ft. or 300 ft. to a ledge, from which the boys probably rolled and then fell to the beach. He thought the boys would have been dead as soon as they struck the ledge. - P.S. Willcocks pointed out that the ledge mentioned by the witness was not the one where the witness Deeker saw the lads. - Truman, referring to the rope found on the younger lad, said it would not have been nearly sufficient to have allowed the lads to reach the Plantation ledge from the top of the cliff. In reply to Inspector Bastin, he said he did not notice if one end of the rope was fastened to the boy's body. It was dark when he found the bodies, and neither Dan Hook nor he had a light. His theory was that the older boy was supporting the younger, who slipped and pulled the other over the cliff. - Inspector Bastin suggested that a portion of the cliff might have given way under the feet of the lads. - The rope, which was at this point inspected and tested by the Deputy Coroner, was worn and old, with a frayed end. - Reginald Staddon, fisherman, of Cross-trees, Otterton, said he was called just before 1 o'clock on Saturday morning by Dan Hook, and subsequently assisted in the search of the cliff and beach from Smallstones Point, at the Budleigh Salterton end of Ladram Bay, to the top of Sidmouth hill. He gave up the search at about 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, and about 10 minutes later Dan Hook came with the car and the Police and said they had found the bodies. Witness and a man named Smith were lowered over the cliff with ropes. - P.S. Willcocks, in reply to the Deputy Coroner, explained that the men could not be lowered directly to the spot where the bodies were lying because there was not enough rope. They went over about three-quarters of a mile nearer Ladram Bay, where the cliffs were about 150 ft. high. - Staddon, continuing, said the bodies were partly covered with sand and beach stones. They took the body of the older lad and placed it on a ledge out of reach of the tide, and then carried the body of the younger boy on their backs to the place where the ropes were over the cliff, and had it hauled up. The tide was coming in fast and they had to leave the body of the older boy until the next low tide, as by the time the stretcher arrived it was impossible to get round the point. - Slip Or Wind? - About 3 p.m. the same day witness, again accompanied by Smith, and also by Mr W. H. Fayter and his son, went down and recovered the body of the older boy. In consequence of the heavy seas during the morning and afternoon, it was impossible to launch a boat. In reply to P.S. Willcocks, witness said the rope was twice around the younger boy's neck and the remainder round the arms and body, as if he had been carrying it in his hand. No portion of the rope was fastened to the body. Witness informed the Deputy Coroner he thought the boys either slipped from the edge of the cliff or the wind carried them over. It was a very dangerous path at the best of times. The bodies had, apparently, been just covered with water. Explaining to the Deputy Coroner the position of the rope around the boy's neck, witness said it was possible it rolled around the boy as he fell. It had not been broken by any strain. The position of the bodies was just in line with the plantation below the top of High Peak, and there was a drop of 400 ft. It was a sandy spot, known as Picket Rock Cove. - P.S. Willcocks suggested that the younger boy might have been carrying the rope hooped round his shoulders. - Frank Smith, fisherman of Fore-street, Otterton, corroborated the evidence of Staddon with reference to the recovery of the bodies, and said when they moved the body of the elder lad he found three little articles which he handed to P.S. Willcocks. In the afternoon witness also recovered the older boy's watch. - P.S. Willcocks produced a silver watch, bunch of keys, two pocket knives, nail clippers and a pencil sharpener, which MR WERE identified as the property of the lads. P.S. Willcocks pointed out that the watch had stopped at about 11 o'clock (the minute hand was missing), and Frank Smith said it would have been high tide at about 11.30 on Friday night. The cliff was very loose, and his theory was that one of the boys was holding the other and the cliff broke away. - Dan Hook, fisherman, of Sidmouth, gave evidence relating to the search and discovery of the bodies. - Terrible injuries. - Dr C. Vincent Smith, of Budleigh Salterton, said he examined the bodies on Sunday afternoon. The elder boy had fractures of both sides of the skull, as well as of the neck, jaw, left wrist and the right leg above the ankle. The younger boy had a fracture of the skull, the neck, and several ribs on the right side, while there was a deep cut on the right side of his face. Death must have been practically instantaneous. - MR WERE expressed his indebtedness to Dan Hook and his two mates, Staddon and Smith, as well as to Truman and P.S. Willcocks for their kindness and the trouble they had taken. - P.S. Willcocks said that, on behalf of the Police, he wished to thank Smith and Staddon, as well as William Henry Fayter and Harry Fayter, of Otterton, who went down over the cliffs and helped with the recovery of the second body in the afternoon. Without the assistance of these men, who volunteered to allow themselves to be lowered over the cliffs, he did not know how the Police would have got on. - The Deputy Coroner, in summing up, said it was a case of extreme sadness, and there was no doubt the boys had a very bad fall indeed, and sustained considerable injuries. Exactly what preceded their death was not exactly known. It was fairly evident that the boys did not fall from the spot where they were seen by the witness Deeker, to whom he was not disposed to attach any blame for failing to give them a warning. Had he done so, it might have surprised the younger boy and actually caused an accident. In thanking the four men who assisted in the search and those who helped recover the bodies, the Deputy Coroner said their assistance must have been most valuable. The Police, as always, had done everything that could be done, and their conduct in the case was most praiseworthy. He extended hearty sympathy to the family of the boys whose lives had been cut off in such untimely fashion, and said it was one of the most sad cases he had had to deal with for a very long time. - MR WERE said he would also like to express gratitude to his gardener, Luxton, who searched all through Friday night for the lads. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

TIVERTON - Fatal Jump. Tiverton Boy And Motor Car. - At the Tiverton Hospital last evening Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest on CHARLES FREDERICK POOK, age 14, who died in the Hospital on Saturday from injuries received through being knocked down by a motor car on Wednesday last. Mr Abel Thorne was Foreman of the Jury. Mr W. H. Martin represented the parents. - MRS POOK, mother of deceased, said he had left school, but did not have any occupation. She last saw him at 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday, when he left to go to the slaughter-house. About 10.30 she heard of the accident. She went at once to the Hospital, but her son was unconscious. She saw him again when he regained consciousness, but he did not say how the accident happened. - Walter Boundy, living with his brother at the Railway Hotel, Tiverton Junction, said on Wednesday he was taking Mrs Boundy's big motor car (a Buick) into Tiverton for repairs. When witness got to the top of the railway bridge at Horsdon he met 50 lambs. He saw a car at the bottom of the hill behind the flock, but did not notice anyone in charge of the animals. He had to pull up to about three miles an hour to pass the lambs. When he was almost clear of the lambs he saw deceased move from the left-hand side of the road, but could not see where he came from. He had his back to the car. Witness accelerated, but was only going at about 10 miles. He sounded the horn, but deceased took no notice and witness thought he had cleared him. The boy, however, stepped backwards into the car. Witness thought the lad saw the car when too late, and lost his head, and that if the lad had not looked back he would have cleared the car by at least 2 ft. Witness did not see which wheel went over the lad. He pulled up within a very few yards. - Important Points. - By the Coroner: He attempted to pass the lad on the right as he was walking slowly. Witness overtook deceased who was going in the opposite direction to the lambs. - Mr Martin: How far was the lad in the road when the car knocked him down? - Witness: About the middle of the road. - How far was it from the middle of the road to the kerb on the off-side? - I could not say, but there seemed plenty of room. It was a nice wide road. - He was crossing the road; you could guess the rate he was walking? - He was walking very slowly. - The only way this accident could have been avoided was by your swerving more to the right? - Yes I took every precaution possible to avoid the accident. - Mr Burch: Did you think anything went wrong with the car? - Witness: Not a bit. - By Mr Martin: Witness was driving the car for his sister-in-law, who was injured. He had driven it altogether over 2,000 miles. - Louis Beer, carpenter, of Heathcoat square, Tiverton, said on Wednesday, about 10.30 he was going towards Blundell's School. He met a flock of sheep about ten yards from the slaughter-house, going in all directions. He did not notice anyone in charge of the sheep. He saw a car standing still on the left side of the road, held up by the sheep. He also saw a car coming from Halberton. Witness noticed a boy in the middle of the road looking towards witness and walking backwards. He heard the hooter on the car, which was a good distance away. The boy then jumped away, and then jumped back right into the car. Witness judged the speed of the car at about ten miles an hour, but noticed that when it passed the sheep it was going very slow. He thought the driver did all he could to avoid the boy. Witness picked up the lad and took him to Mr Boundy's car, and then to the Hospital. - By Mr Martin: Witness thought that if the lad had stayed where he was when he jumped first the motor would have passed easily. - Injuries Described. - Dr Burgess said the lad had a fractured pelvis and ruptured bladder. Witness operated as soon as possible. The abdomen was full of blood and the small intestines and did all possible. The boy held his own for two days, but succumbed on the morning of the 26th from heart failure and exhaustion, following the shock of the accident and loss of blood. The real cause of death was a bruised gut. - By the Coroner: The boy was conscious at times, and witness asked him how the accident happened, but deceased was not able to say. - Charles Land, slaughterman, employed by Mr C. Coram, said he had known deceased about a fortnight. The boy called at the slaughter-house to see if he could find any bladders, and as he hung about the men gave him a job to pick fat off the offals. He called again and asked if he could carry on as his mother wished him to. They gave him 4s. between them. This was just before Easter. Mr Coram said he could not give him a permanent job. The boy came again on the date in question, but they did not give him a job and told him to be off. The last witness saw of the boy was just about five minutes before the accident, when he was seen talking to the offal man inside the slaughter-house. Nobody knew he had gone into the road. - Mr Martin: Did any of the men at the slaughter-house send the boy out for the sheep? - Witness: Not that I know of. - Mr Burch: There are rumours about that the boy was sent out for the sheep. - Mr Jordan: Who was in charge of the sheep? - Witness: Mr Kelly's men. - The Coroner asked if the Jury wished to call the men, but the Jury thought the evidence was very clear and did not think it necessary. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerated the driver of the car from all blame and gave their fees to the bereaved family.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 9 May 1924
HATHERLEIGH - Hatherleigh Boys' Death. The Verdict. - At the Inquest at Hatherleigh yesterday into the circumstances attending the death of REGINALD DEW BEAVEN, aged 10 ½, son of MR A. O. A. BEAVEN, draper and grocer of Hatherleigh), who was killed by a load of railway rails falling on him from a trailer, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded. Evidence was given to show that deceased was told on two or three occasions to keep away from the trailer, but that he got under the load when the wheels unlocked, the front part of the swivel and carriage mounted the pavement and the load of metals fell on to the boy. No blame was attached to anyone and a vote of sympathy was passed with deceased's parents.

Western Times, Friday 9 May 1924 KINGSKERSWELL - Suicide Of Widow. Supposed Death By Morphia At Kingskerswell. Inquest Story. - "I am driven to do this act by ---." This was the commencement of a letter left by BESSIE BARTER, widow, aged about 50, who became mysteriously ill in her room at 7 Princess-road, Kingskerswell, on Monday morning, and died shortly afterwards. The letter was pinned to her nightdress and the Deputy Coroner, Mr Ernest Hutchings, in conducting the Inquiry on Tuesday, said he did not propose to read the whole of the contents. The letter concluded by asking a doctor to cut a vein, and expressed regret for taking up the Coroner's time with the Inquiry. - Evidence of identification was given by Mrs Mary Ann Fry, of 6 Hillside, Kingskerswell, with whom the woman lived until a month ago. - Mrs Ivy Derrington of 7 Princess-road, said that she found deceased at 10.30 on Monday morning. She at first appeared to be dead, but a neighbour whom witness called discovered that the woman was still alive. Efforts were made to get a doctor at Kingskerswell, and also at Torquay, but they were unable to do so until 1.15, when Dr Hatfield arrived. Deceased, however, had passed away about a quarter-of-an-hour before. Witness added that about a fortnight ago she gave deceased a week's notice to leave, but at the expiration of that time, gave her a further week, which would have expired that day (Tuesday). As far as witness knew, deceased had made no threat to take her life. - Corroborative evidence was given by Mrs Isaac, the neighbour who was called to the house. - P.C. Braund said there was no sign of poison in the room, but the deceased's belongings had been placed in three portmanteaux, which were locked and addressed to different people. - Dr J. Russell stated that the post mortem examination did not give a definite cause of death, but in answer to the Coroner he explained that the symptoms were associated with death from morphia. He understood that her husband, who died in March, had been given large doses of morphia, and it was possible the woman secreted some of this. She would have been unable to purchase it herself without a doctor's order. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 May 1924
EXETER - A verdict of "Death from Misadventure" was recorded at an Inquest conducted by Mr W. Linford Brown, Exeter Coroner, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on the body of MRS L. J. LANG, 47, of Dunchideock, who died at the Hospital following an injection. Evidence was given to show that deceased had attended at the Hospital for a bad leg for two years and had had many injections.

WITHERIDGE - Witheridge Tragedy. Delusions And Their Results. - Yesterday, Mr H. W. Gould, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Police Station, Witheridge, touching the deaths of LAURA ADAMS, 29 years of age; LORNA DELPHINE ADAMS, three years; and OLGA LAURA MATHILDA ADAMS, ten months, who were found in the mill leat under circumstances already reported in the "Gazette." - BERT ADAMS, blacksmith's assistant, of Witheridge, identified the bodies of those of his wife and children. He last saw them alive at a quarter to four on Tuesday, when they were in the house. He told his wife he would forgive her for everything she had done towards him. At that time she was putting some milk on the fire for the baby and feeding the elder child. His wife asked him to go to work until five o'clock, and she would be ready for him on his return. Witness worked some distance away from his house, and when he returned to his home he did not find his wife and children. He was not alarmed at their absence. There was no communication from them. Witness looked over the premises, but could find no one. Then he went out to the back garden. Next he made steps to his master's garden, a little way down the road, and his master said he would be back again in a few minutes. Continuing, he said I saw a lot of people coming down the road. I saw Mrs Baker, of Witheridge, running about the Square in trouble, and later heard that my wife and children had been found dead in the mill leat. - The Coroner: Has there been any disagreement between you and your wife? - Witness: It started on the Sunday night. She left me and slept the night at the house of a friend with the children. She arranged that she should be taken to Southmolton by motor transport. - The Coroner: Why did she leave you? - Witness: I don't know. - Was there any quarrel between you? - It didn't matter what I did for her, she was always up in arms. We had scores of quarrels. She had an idea in her head that everyone was running her down and that I was thick with them. - You had no quarrel beyond that? - She cooked the dinner on Sunday, and I told her in a nice manner that I did not feel like eating it. She took that up. Witness added she was under the impression that he and everyone else were against her. That was a delusion. His wife returned home on the Monday morning, and, having given the children some food, they drove away in a horsed cart, driven by Mrs Joyce. She would not say where she was going. On the following morning, said the witness, his wife was brought home by her father from Southmolton. Witness had never heard his wife threaten to take her life. - William Norman, a contractor, of Charles, father of the dead woman, said she came to his house, with the two children about eight o'clock on Monday night. She wanted him to return to Witheridge for the night because she was afraid of her husband. At his suggestion she remained overnight, and he returned with her to Witheridge the following morning. He found her husband at work, and told him he had brought back his wife and children. The husband replied, "It's time, isn't it?" Witness explained that he spoke a kindly word to them, and so far as he knew they were all right when he left. Her husband received her kindly and took her back. - The Coroner: Did she say she would be all right? - I fancy she stated she would like someone with her. She said she would try to be happy and comfortable. - The Coroner: Did she suffer from delusions at any time? - Not that I am aware of. - Is there any insanity in your family on one side or the other? - Yes, a sister is in the asylum. - So far as witness knew, the only differences between his dead daughter and her husband were of a domestic nature. - Leonard Alfred Webber, Relieving Officer, said the dead woman called on him the previous Monday. She said her husband had been acting strangely, and that they could not live comfortably together. She asked witness to see him and ascertain if he was in his right mind. At that time she was perfectly rational. The following day he saw the husband and the wife, and advised them to try and live happily together. - Ethel Baker, the wife of the local blacksmith, gave evidence to the effect that she saw the deceased woman leave her home on the afternoon of the tragedy with one of the children. She picked up the other child, who was playing in the road, and put her in the perambulator, and proceeded away. - P.S. West, of Witheridge, said that about 6.20 or 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday he went to the mill where in the mill stream close by the mill wheel he saw three bodies lying in about three feet of water. Witness immediately took them out. They were dead, but he tried artificial respiration on the woman and sent for Dr Price, who pronounced life extinct. He found a note in a pram which belonged to the deceased, and which was in a field about a quarter of a mile away. He ascertained that the note was in the handwriting of the deceased. - The Coroner said the note was incoherent. He read it as follows: - "It is others who have done this, and I and my children would have been well and happy. I will not be separated from my dear children by my husband's falsehoods, and my own and his family's neglect. I am right and my husband is wrong, and the dear children shall never have the worry I have done. I clasp the children in my arms but that slippery old ---- and the tortures of Witheridge and neighbourhood ----. I can die and be happy with God. I am not the villain, but my husband and enemies are." - The Coroner said the facts were very sad, yet at the same time very simple. First of all, were they satisfied that the deceased woman took her life, and those of her children by putting them into the water. If so they would return a verdict that she murdered them. Secondly, were they satisfied that she took her life by drowning? If so they would further have to consider the state of her mind. It seemed to him that the note threw a deal of light on the woman's mental state. That note was from a woman suffering from delusions, and she evidently was under the impression that everybody was against her. She mentioned Mr Webber who had shown her the greatest consideration, and did all he possibly could to make the husband and wife live happily together. "Surely it could not be that a woman in her right senses would write such a note," concluded the Coroner. - The Jury retired to consider their verdict and found that the mother Murdered the children and then Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind. - "No man living" said the Foreman, "could have done more than the husband did for his wife."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 12 May 1924
KENTON - Kenton's Tragedy. The Inquest. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, conducted an Inquest at Mill House, Kenton, on Saturday, into the circumstances attending the death of MRS DORCAS TOWILL, who was found in the mill pond on Thursday morning last by her husband. MR JOHN TOWILL, a small-holder, of Mill House. - In his evidence, MR TOWILL said his wife was 39 years of age. They were married last July and his wife was in delicate health. She shortly expected confinement. A week ago she complained of sleeplessness. Since last Sunday she had slept in a separate apartment because she said this was a brighter room. He last saw her alive at 11.10 p.m. on Wednesday, when she was asleep. Witness, his mother, and the nurse who was staying there, slept on the same floor. He got up at 6.45 on Thursday morning and on going downstairs noticed that the door was unlocked. He made tea, and took a cup to his wife's room, and found she was not there. He went to his mother and the nurse, neither of whom knew the whereabouts of his wife. A search soon satisfied him she was not in the house. He became alarmed and went into the yard, around the buildings and into the garden. On looking across to the pond, he saw something white and going closer he saw it was his wife. She was clad in only her nightdress and lay face downwards with her arms outstretched. She was in about two and a half feet of water. He immediately took her out and tried to restore animation, but found she was dead. He then sent for the doctor. She had never threatened to take her life, but was always very reserved. - Dr J. H. Iles, of Starcross, said he had been attending deceased. He saw her in bed on the Tuesday evening, having ordered her there some days previously. She was as usual, and not depressed. He was called on Thursday morning about 7.20 and on arrival at Mill House, about 8, saw deceased and examined the body. She was dead, and there were no external marks of violence. The deceased had not been in the water long. She presented the usual appearance of death by drowning. - Nurse Tapper said she had been staying at the house since the 28th April. Deceased did not seem as fit as she ought to have been, and appeared rather tired and run down. She had heard her complain of not being able to sleep very well. - The Coroner said there was no doubt that death was due to drowning, and he had no hesitation in saying that deceased took her own life. From what he had gathered he thought it was a sudden impulse that made deceased commit this rash act. It might not have been premeditated. He returned a verdict of "Suicide while of an Unsound Mind," and expressed his sympathy with the husband and relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 14 May 1924
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Fall From Workhouse Window. St Thomas Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the St Thomas (Exeter-Poor-law Institution yesterday by Mr W. Linford Brown (Exeter Coroner) on the body of FRANCIS CASELY, who died in the Institution on Sunday last. - MAUD MARY CASELY, widow, said deceased was formerly a licensed victualler, and resided at Lympstone. He had a complete breakdown in health while there, and subsequently became peculiar in his manner. He made frequent attempts upon his life with razors, etc., and witness had a lot of trouble with him. He came to the Institution in 1913. - Frank John Moors, Master of the Institution, said deceased was a very handy man in the grounds. He was rather quiet, but had periodical mental lapses. He showed no suicidal tendency whatever. At 9.45 p.m. on Sunday he was told an accident had occurred, and on going to the yard found deceased lying on the ground underneath a window from which he had fallen or jumped. Deceased slept in a dormitory on the top floor and his bed was near a window. If witness had been aware of any suicidal tendency on the part of deceased he would not have been placed in an upstair dormitory. Deceased had slept in the room for several years. - Ernest Miller, who occupies a bed in the same room, said he had never heard deceased threaten to take his life. About 9.45 p.m. on Sunday witness saw deceased get out of his bed and open the window. He then climbed on to the sill, put his head out and fell. Witness thought he was just looking out of the window. - Dr Black said he had attended deceased for minor ailments and never noticed anything peculiar in his manner. He was called on Sunday night and examined deceased, who had a fracture at the base of the skull and a fractured rib. Answering the Coroner, witness said that had deceased shown any suicidal tendency he would have been removed to the Infirmary and kept in a room on the ground floor. - The Coroner said that according to the evidence of deceased's wife, CASELY had made attempts on his life. But he had been in the Institution for over ten years and had never shown any suicidal inclinations. He recorded a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind.

EXETER - Octogenarian's Fatal Burns. Exeter Inquest. - Mr W. Linford Brown, Exeter Coroner, held an Inquiry at 25 Monks-road, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the death of MISS MARGARET FORDER, 86, who died on Sunday following burns caused by her clothing catching fire. - Thomas Henry Deen said deceased came to lodge at his house last November. She had been a governess. Her health was fair, but of late she had suffered from swollen feet and legs. On returning home last Sunday he found MISS FORDER in her room with her arms and legs burnt. His wife applied carron oil to the burns. Deceased was rather helpless, but could move around the room. - Ellen Deen, wife of the preceding witness, said on Sunday she lit a fire in MISS FORDER'S room and placed a guard in front of it. At about 11.40 a.m. her attention was called by some passers-by to smoke coming from MISS FORDER'S room. She ran upstairs and found deceased lying on the floor with smouldering garments. She tore them off and gave deceased brandy and quickly wrapped up the injured limbs. She then covered deceased with an eiderdown and sent for a doctor and nurse. - Dr Whaite said MISS FORDER was in a semi-conscious condition and her arms and legs were charred. It seemed as if the cotton wool around her legs had been ignited and had smouldered, for the garments were charred. Death was due to shock following burns. He had attended deceased on and off for about two months, and she had every care. Mrs Deen gave her the greatest of attention. The old lady was quite active in mind, and thanked him when he came to see her. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," due to shock following burns. He commented that deceased had every attention.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 20 May 1924
CREDITON - Widow's Fatal Fall At Crediton. - On Sunday afternoon MARY ANN NICHOLLS, a widow, aged 85 years, living in Park-street, Crediton, fell backwards while going upstairs and fractured her skull and died about midnight. Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquests last night at the Police Station. Dr Soady said he found deceased suffering from a fractured skull and shock. After hearing the evidence of MARY ANN HARGREAVES (a daughter) the Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 26 May 1924
EXMOUTH - "Money, Money!" Exmouth Man's Trouble. Pathetic Inquest Story. - A tragic tale of monetary difficulties was related at the Inquest on EVAN JONES, 65, whose body was found on Friday afternoon at Sandy Bay, Exmouth. Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, conducted the Inquest at Exmouth Court House on Saturday afternoon. - RUTH LOUISA JONES, the widow of 4 Johnson's-place, Exmouth, said she last saw deceased alive on Thursday, when he left home between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning. He said to her, "Now, don't you worry; one is enough to worry, without you worrying; I shall come back all right. Ta ta." She explained the remark by saying that deceased stayed out until 11 p.m. the previous day, and when he returned he was crying and greatly distressed. He said people would not pay him accounts he had to collect for his employer, Mr Burbury, a coal merchant. Witness did not know what money deceased had, as he never confided his financial affairs to her, and paid all the housekeeping accounts himself. He had never spoken to her about his financial affairs until the Wednesday evening. It was unusual for deceased to stay out late at night, and he was usually in bed by 8.30 p.m., but one evening last week he surprised her by suggesting they should go to the second turn at the pictures, as he wanted cheering up. After they left the pictures, he said he felt a little better. When deceased spoke about the worry on Wednesday evening, she asked him what was the trouble, and he replied, "Money, money, money; they all want money!" When he left on Thursday, after bringing home some breast of lamb for dinner, he said he was going to Mr Burbury, and that he would be at home to dinner at 1 p.m. as usual. He telephoned later, at about 12 noon, apparently from Budleigh Salterton, and said he would not be home to dinner; but would be home later. that was the last communication she had from him. On Thursday night she hunted all over the place for him, and ascertained that Mr Burbury had not seen deceased. Witness slept at Mr Burbury's that night and returned home at 7 a.m. on Friday. Deceased had never to her knowledge consulted a doctor, he said he did not believe in doctors. After making other inquiries on Friday evening, witness went to the Police and gave information. She was informed by P.C. Talbot on Friday night that the body of deceased had been found. Deceased was 65 years of age on May 7th. - Contrasts Of Mood. - Deceased was a sober man, but on Wednesday night, when he came home at 10.50 p.m. he was talking incoherently and acted strangely. She had only known him to be under the influence of drink on one occasion, when his condition was quite different to that of Wednesday. - Edwin Louis Sanders, groundsman of the Exmouth Cricket Club of 17 Egremont-road, Exmouth, said that on Thursday deceased visited the cricket field at about 3 p.m. and remained until 5 p.m. He appeared to be as usual and laughed and talked while he sat smoking his pipe. He told witness he wished he had never seen the coal trade and said there had been a lot of money owing since last October, and that he could not get it in. He did not appear to be worried about it and just mentioned it incidentally. When he let he asked witness if he might leave his bicycle until the following day, when he would fetch it. He said he had been cycling all the morning and felt rather stiff, while he added that he was going to meet a gentleman in a house on the cliff at 5 o'clock. - Richard Searle, proprietor of a refreshment hut at Orcombe Cove, said he was visiting the cove at about 3.1 p.m. on the previous day, when he saw in a cave a bundle of clothing, neatly tied up. After reading a note attached to the Burbery overcoat, witness made a search among the rocks, but could find nothing. He then took the parcel of clothes to the Police Station. - Tragic Messages. - The Deputy Coroner read the note, as follows:- "4.55 a.m., May 23rd, 4 Johnson's-place. Will the finer of this parcel please deliver to the above address, and oblige. - Yours truly, E. JONES." - Inspector Bastin produced the clothing left by deceased in the cave, and the articles found in the pockets. Included among these articles was a pocket diary, with the following entry under May 22nd: - "Took my life. Drowned. Cannot stand the financial worry any longer. Fondest love to my dear wife, Dot. - bless you darling, I pray that the Lord will forgive me for this rash act. Oh, my poor head! Remember me to all. Sell everything and clear out of Exmouth. The Co-op should hand you over a decent sum. Darling Dot, all my belongings are yours. My bike and keys are in the pavilion at the cricket field. See Sanders. I wish I had never seen the coal trade; it has been the ruin of me. goodbye, and all my love." - The Deputy Coroner also read the following letter, which was written by deceased on a pad of sale chits similar to the one found on the pile of clothing:- "My Darling Dot, - My poor head; I can't stand the worry any longer, but I do hope I shall be forgiven. It is awfully hard to leave you behind, but make the best of a bad job, as I shall hope to meet you again in the next world. Oh, the worry I have had recently. My darling I can't stand it any longer. Have a sale and get out of Exmouth. I am sorry to bring this trouble upon you, but my poor head, it can't stand it any longer. Heaps of fondest love and kisses, from your broken-hearted EVAN. You should be getting £250 from Belfast next week on account of £1,600. I have wrote today asking them to send it on to you. When it comes you can pay what is owing; the remainder will come later. Do take care of yourself, dear, and don't worry about me, as I am not worth it. Oh, my poor head; you don-t know what I have gone through these last few months. Worry, worry, worry! I have endured it because I did not want to worry you, as you have been a good wife to me. Can't say more. Goodbye, darling. God bless you. I hope you will meet with some good friends. It is simply worry and I can't stand it any longer. Remember me to all friends, not forgetting Miss ..... I am sure you will have a friend in her. With fondest love and kisses from your broken-hearted EVAN." - MRS JONES, who had shown great fortitude during her examination, broke down while the pathetic last messages were being read. - Employer's Money. - William Henry Burbury, of 91 Victoria-road, Exmouth, said he started a coal business last October and deceased then came and offered his services. JONES had been working in the coal department of the Co-operative Society and, after some consideration, witness decided to engage him on a commission basis as a canvasser for orders. Everything went on well until the previous Wednesday week, when witness knew that deceased collected something about £28. Deceased did not come to witness at the time, and so witness went around next day and asked JONES if he had any money. Deceased replied, "As a matter of fact, I have mislaid it; I don't know where." Witness said, "You will surely find it," and deceased promised to have a good hunt round. The next morning deceased left a note, "Gone to Salterton." On Monday of last week witness again went to deceased and asked if he had found the money. Deceased then said, "As a matter of fact, I have had to send it away." Witness commented that it was an unusual thing to do, as the money did not belong to him and deceased then promised to hand the money over to witness by Wednesday. Witness thought at the time it would, probably, be all right, as deceased had previously mentioned he had been getting money from Belfast. On the Wednesday, however, JONES had not go the money and witness heard he had been trying to borrow some. He then decided that the next time he saw JONES he would tell him that if he did not clear up the matter, and also get some old debts cleared up, witness would have to go around to customers and ascertain the position. The £28 represented three accounts deceased was supposed to have collected on the day mentioned. - The Deputy Coroner: Has he always met his liabilities before this? - Witness: He has let people go on, as we have thought; some people three and four months. I have always made out the invoices and bill-heads and he has met these things. So far as I know there were no liabilities with the exception of the £28. On the Wednesday morning, added witness, deceased seemed quite as usual, and did not threaten to do away with himself. - The Deputy Coroner: Have you heard anything since the death? - Witness: He left a note to say he had collected an account of £23 from a gentleman in the town that morning. The gentleman told me that the account was paid last October, and he gave me proof from the bank that that was the case. - Walter Francis, of Warleigh, Exmouth, said he was at Sandy Bay on the previous afternoon and saw the body lying on the beach. Witness did not know the deceased. He returned home and telephoned to the Police. - P.C. Talbot, of Exmouth, said that at .45 p.m. on the previous day he went to Sandy Bay in company with P.S. Chaffe, P.C's Powell and Sanders, and found the body of deceased lying face downward, about five yards below high water mark. High water on the Friday morning was at 10.30 a.m. The watch found in the clothing was still going and had stopped at 3.55 that day (Saturday). - Inspector Bastin pointed out that the watch must have been wound up on Friday morning. - Dr Walker, of Exmouth, said that death had been caused by drowning, and the body appeared to have been in the water about twelve hours. - The Deputy Coroner said the cause of death was very clear, as was also the fact that deceased intended to commit suicide, and did so. The evidence as to deceased's mental condition at the time was not so conclusive. It was apparent that he was in a very excited condition on Wednesday night, when he returned home, and it seemed his mind was temporarily unhinged. On the other hand on Thursday afternoon in the cricket field he was talking and laughing and appeared to be perfectly normal. Taking all things into consideration, he felt justified in coming to the conclusion that deceased was of Unsound Mind at the time he took his life, and the letters to the wife, although in some respects perfectly well framed and coherent, bore evidences of an overwrought mind. He, therefore, returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide by Drowning while of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 27 May 1924
EXETER - "I'm Dying." - Inquest On An Exonian. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner for Exeter, held an Inquest at the Court House, yesterday, on MARY ANN UNDERY, who died suddenly on May 24th at 12, Sun-street. SAMUEL JOHN UNDERY, husband, said his wife had an illness about two years ago, but since then had been in good health. She was about until about 10.30 on Saturday night, when she went to bed. The following morning, while dressing, she said she felt bad and said to witness, "I think I'm dying." A few minutes later she died. SAMUEL UNDERY, son, said he was called by his father early on Sunday morning. He saw his mother in bed, and she said, "SAM I'm going." With the same she died. Dr R. K. Ffoulkes, who was called to the house, said he found deceased dead in bed. She had suffered from an enlarged heart and he attributed death to heart failure. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 30 May 1924 TOTNES - Wife's Ordeal. Too Late To Prevent Husband Cutting His Throat. - At Totnes on Monday, Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of JOHN HENRY SINCOCK. - MRS SINCOCK said her husband was 72 years of age, and had not been well for a long time. He was very depressed, but never talked of suicide. On Wednesday morning when he got out of bed and said he would go downstairs for medicine, she followed close behind him to the kitchen, where he got a razor and cut his throat. She screamed for assistance, and they fell. The District Nurse, who lived in the house, came and took away the razor. On Saturday morning when she dropped asleep deceased slipped out of the room. She followed to the kitchen, where she found him tearing at the wound. - Miss Young, District Nurse, said she considered deceased had lately been in such a state that his mind was unhinged. She did what she could on both occasions. - Dr Gibson said death was due to septic poisoning. - The Coroner said it was perfectly clear deceased was in a bad state of health and mentally depressed. He recorded a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" and expressed sympathy with the widow.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 4 June 1924
MARY TAVY - Crossing Pole. Marytavy Fatality. - An Inquest has been held at Higher Spring, Marytavy, by Mr Atkinson, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury of seven, on SARAH ELIZABETH TANCOCK, aged 60 years, wife of THOMAS TANCOCK, farmer of that place, whose body was recovered from the River Burn, near by, on Saturday evening. MR TANCOCK said deceased underwent two operations some years ago and ever since had been irritable and liable to sudden fits of depression without any known cause. On Saturday morning she left the house early, and he thought she might have gone to see their daughter at Walkhampton, but, later in the day, he found she was not there, and search was made by him and others, and ultimately her body was found in the river. Paul Bowhay, of Higher Spring, contractor, said he found the body in from 12 to 18 inches of water and near a pole which was used for crossing the river. The pole was about 4 inches through, and he thought it quite possible for anyone trying to cross the stream by means of the pole to fall in. P.C. Penwell, who had examined the pole, also expressed an opinion as to the possibility of slipping from it in endeavouring to cross. The Jury found that death was due to Drowning, through Accidentally falling into the river.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 6 June 1924
EXETER - An Inquest was held yesterday at Exeter on SUSAN UNDERHILL of 15 Victoria-place, Cowick-street, aged 52, widow of THOMAS UNDERHILL, general dealer. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" due to heart failure from Bright's Disease, was returned.

EXETER - An Inquest was held in Exeter yesterday on WILLIAM JAMES REDMAN, a blind inmate of St Thomas Union Workhouse since 1896, and aged 52, whose sudden death took place on Tuesday. Death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 12 June 1924
BROADCLYST - Road Tragedy Near Broadclyst. Knocked Down By Roller. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner for the District, conducted an Inquest at Broadclyst, yesterday, on HAROLD JOHN HEARD, aged 24, farmer, of Little Burrow Farm, Broadclyst., who died on Tuesday from injuries received on April 28th through being knocked down while attempting to get on to a horse roller. - HENRY HEARD, father of deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said that on April 28th his son was rolling a two-acre field with a horse roller. Deceased did not return to dinner and witness heard he had met with an accident near Burraton Cottages, on the Broadclyst-Whimple road. He went there and found his son in a sitting position. He had been attended by a doctor and recognised witness. He had not seen deceased riding n the roller on the highway. Deceased was subject to epileptic fits and was always depressed when they were coming on, but there were no symptoms in this instance. - John Robert Hugh Venn, timber feller, Broadclyst, said he was working on the Broadclyst-Whimple road on April 28th, when he saw deceased approaching by the side of the horse and roller on the left-hand side of the road. A few seconds later he saw the horse coming on alone and that there was something in the road. He went down and found the deceased, who was bleeding from the mouth, on waste land beside the road. Deceased did not speak, and witness ran for a doctor. - Dr Archibald Orr-Ewing, of Broadclyst, stated that, when he was first summoned to deceased, the latter complained of abdominal pains. He had been sick and was bleeding from the mouth and nose He conveyed HEARD home and examined him. He found a cut at the back of his head, his nose was broken and the front teeth were knocked back. The pulse was very slow and the heart was displaced outwards quite 1 ¼ inches. Witness attended him from that day forward. Deceased also complained of severe pains in the bowels. Dr Candler also examined deceased and diagnosed rupture of the liver and severe bruising of the heart. This prevented digestion. Deceased had steadily wasted and suffered from obstruction. Deceased was quite definite in his statement that he had no fit and the injuries were consistent with his having been knocked down and brushed on one side by the roller. Deceased told witness he slipped while trying to get on to the framework of the roller. The immediate cause of death was intestinal obstruction; the heart had resumed its normal position. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

ALPHINGTON - Depression And No Confidence. Exeter Clerk's Suicide. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned by Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, at an Inquest at Double Locks, Exeter, yesterday, on FREDERICK GEORGE DANIEL, 22, printer's clerk, of 21 St Anne's-road, Heavitree, Exeter, whose body was recovered from the Exeter Canal on Tuesday. - The deceased's father, JAMES DANIEL, gave evidence of identification and said he last saw his son alive at 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning when he left home to go to work. He was then quite normal, but at Easter he worried over his work, and appeared run down. he left no communication. - George Fredk. White of 83 Magdalen-road, Exeter, clerk at Messrs. Townsend and Sons, Exeter, stated that deceased worked under him. Witness last saw him alive about noon on Tuesday, when he was at work. He told DANIEL to hurry as he had been rather long with the job he had in hand. Deceased had been relieved of some of his work as he did not appear to make much headway with it. Deceased was very reserved, but made no complaint to witness. When he was run down at Easter he was given three or four weeks' leave of absence, but this did not bring about much improvement. He appeared anxious to do his work properly, and was very sensitive. Apart from his work there was no trouble that witness knew of. He left the office 20 minutes after witness addressed him. - Dr Alfred Henry Gerald Down said death was due to drowning. Deceased was a patient of his, and witness last attended him at Easter, when he was suffering from depression and complained of lack of confidence at his work. People suffering from depression at times developed suicidal mania. - P.C. Hurford, of Alphington, deposed to recovering the body from the canal at 3.45 p.m., after he had received information that a hat had been found on the bank. There was nothing on the body to throw any light on the case. - Recalled, the father said it was customary for deceased to go home to dinner, and he would have no occasion to go to the Canal. - The verdict, as stated above, was returned.

Western Times, Friday 13 June 1924 BRATTON CLOVELLY - Great sympathy is felt throughout the parish for MR and MRS WOODMAN and family, of Little Borough, in the tragic death of their son, ERNEST, through a shooting accident on Whit-Monday. At the Inquest held by the District Coroner on Tuesday, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death from effects of Gunshot Wounds." Police Constable Freeman and Dr Benson deposed to seeing the body at the scene of the accident and evidence stated that death must have been instantaneous, the charge having entered the breast at close range with fatal effect. Evidence as to the finding of the body was given by the younger brother, JAMES. It appears that deceased had risen early that morning in order to go out and shoot a rabbit and did not return to breakfast, but no alarm was felt as it was thought he might have called in at a neighbouring farm. Later on in the forenoon the younger brother went out to call him as they had arranged to go together to see some of their bullocks in another part of the district. Receiving no response to his repeated calls, his brother went round the fields and eventually discovered his brother's dead body lying near a gap in a hedge about three fields away from the house. He immediately returned to the house for possible assistance, but life had been extinct for some hours. The Police and doctor were summoned, and members of the family who had gone to the village for the club festival were made acquainted with the sad news. Deceased had done his bit in the war, having served in the Navy.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 16 June 1924
BRANSCOMBE - Found Drowned At Branscombe. Lady Visitor's Death. - While two Branscombe fishermen, B. Gush and H. Hansford, were getting their boat ready to haul their lobster baskets, at 5.30 on Saturday morning, they noticed a bundle of lady's clothing on the beach, and on further investigation saw the body of a woman, attired in a bathing costume, in the wash of the sea. Artificial respiration was tried by P.C. Ball, who was soon on the scene, but on the arrival of Dr Tonge life was pronounced extinct. The body was identified as that of MRS S. AUKEN, of Richmond, who, with her daughter, had been staying at Miller's Cottage for the past six weeks. Deceased, who was of a generous disposition, had been in very good health, and was quite cheerful on retiring to bed at 10.30 the previous night. She was last seen alive at 5 a.m. by Mr L. Perry, who passed the time of the day. Deceased was then making for the beach, and it is thought that as the water is deep where the body was found she must have got out of her depth. An Inquest was held on Saturday evening by the Deputy Coroner, Mr C. Tweed, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The body was removed yesterday for burial at Richmond.

EXETER - Sudden Death In An Exeter Garage. - At the Court House, Exeter, on Saturday, Mr W. Linford Brown, City Coroner, conducted an Inquest on GEORGE GILES DAWE, who did on Thursday, at 66 Sidwell-street, aged 62 years. - GEORGE ROYCE DAWE, Police Constable, stationed at Crownhill, near Plymouth, identified the body as that of his father, who lived at Shobbrook Cottage, Ide. Witness last saw deceased about a month ago. On this occasion the latter looked fairly well, but complained of pains near the heart and shortness of breath. - Reg. James Courtney, motor engineer, of Paris-street, said that about 1.50 p.m. on the 12th inst. he went into Cox's Garage in Sidwell-street to deliver a note to Mr Cox, and found deceased lying on the ground in the yard apparently dead. - Martin Cox, garage proprietor, Okehampton-street, stated that deceased used to assist him in his garage, but did not receive any pay. On June 12th witness left the garage in charge of deceased about 1.10 p.m., and on his return at about 2 p.m. found deceased was dead. - Chas. Gordon Gates, H.M. Inspector of Factories, said that on the 12th inst., about 1.55, at the request of the last witness, he went to the garage and found a man lying on the ground there. - Dr Pereira Gray deposed to having made a post-mortem examination and found that death was due to heart failure owing to fatty degeneration of the heart muscle. - A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

MARY TAVY - Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest on Saturday at Homer Farm, Marytavy, concerning the death of IVOR FRIEND, aged two years, son of FREDERICK FRIEND, farmer, who was found dead by his mother on Friday last in the Mine Brook, which runs by the farmhouse. MRS FRIEND said she left deceased in the yard while she went to a field adjoining to hang some clothes. On her return she missed the child and on making a search found the dead body in the stream. There were pigs in the field, and as the boy was frightened of pigs she left him in the yard. The Coroner entered a verdict of "Accidental Death".

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 18 June 1924
SANDFORD - Sandford Man's Fatal Fall. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, held an Inquest at Sandford, last evening, concerning the death of MR JOSEPH NINES, of Coppice Cottage, Sandford. Deceased, who was a quarryman, aged 67 years, fell down dead when returning home from work on Monday evening. - William Hy. Matthews, of Sandford, said he was walking along with deceased when he suddenly fell. Witness caught him, but he died without saying a word. Deceased went purple as he fell. - Dr L. Powne, of Crediton, was of the opinion death was due to heart failure, and a verdict of "Death from natural Causes" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 20 June 1924 DARTMOUTH - Blackawton's Dangerous Roads. - MR J. L. LIFE, sub-postmaster, of Blackawton, died in Dartmouth Hospital on Sunday from injuries sustained through his horse slipping and falling on the village road. He sustained a fracture of the base of the skull and laceration of the brain. At the Inquest on Monday, all the witnesses made complaints of the state of the roads at Blackawton. They were described as all bad, and deceased's brother said the slippery state of this particular stretch was the cause of the accident. The Coroner agreed that the road at the scene of the accident was dangerous. His car had skidded at the spot.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 20 June 1924
BICKLEIGH (NEAR TIVERTON) - Depressed. Bickleigh Inquest Story - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was recorded by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, at an Inquest held at Bickleigh concerning the death of MR ROBERT FROST, a retired mill hand, of 66 Westexe South, Tiverton, whose body was recovered from the river Exe at Bickleigh on Monday. - FREDK. GEORGE SEARLE (brother) of 140 Westexe South, Tiverton, said deceased, who was aged 66, had been depressed for a long time. He had suffered from asthma and bronchitis for years and had often said "I am tired of my life" or words to that effect. - The widow corroborated and said on Thursday she left her husband for about ten minutes just before dinner, and when she returned he had gone out. She went into the garden, feeling uneasy at his continued absence and saw his hat against the bottom wall which separated the garden from the river. Deceased had never threatened to take his life. - Henry Hayball of 38 Westexe South, Tiverton, spoke to finding the body in the river near Bickleigh Court. - Dr J. R. R. Pollock, of Tiverton, said death was due to drowning, the body having been in the water several days.

WILLAND - Corn Merchant's Suicide. Willand Inquest. - An Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of WILLIAM EDGAR VENN, of Culm Park, Willand, aged 42, corn and manure merchant, who was found dead, with a gun lying across his chest, in the garden of his house, was conducted by Mr W. H. Gould, District Coroner, sitting without a Jury, at Willand. - ELLEN VENN, the widow, deposed that she last saw her husband alive at about 4.45 on Saturday morning when he left the bedroom, partly dressed, and said he was going to the garden. As he did this occasionally witness took no notice of the fact. Deceased had not been sleeping well of late, but had no special trouble. He had started a fresh business but did not appear to worry about it. It was a big undertaking and her husband was getting on very well with it. - The Coroner: Did he appear to be anxious about it? - Witness: He did rather. - I understand you didn't know, until this happened, that he had previously had mental trouble? - I knew he had been upset in his nerves, but nothing very much. - You didn't know he had been put away? - I knew he went away at the time. I understood he went away for a change and rest because of his nerves. - MRS VENN said this was before they were married, 15 years ago. Her husband had never spoken of suicide. - Rebecca Dommett, domestic, in the employ of the deceased, said that when she went downstairs, at 5.45 on Saturday morning, she noticed that the front door was open. After speaking to MRS VENN, witness was asked by the latter to see if she could find deceased. She then went into the garden and found MR VENN lying on the ground with a gun across his chest - Albert Chick, builder, of Willand, deposed to being called to Culm Park, and finding MR VENN lying in a refuse pit in the garden, having, apparently, shot himself in the mouth. - P.C. F. Hill said he found an impression of the butt end of the gun in the refuse pit, and was of opinion that deceased had sat on the edge of the pit and then discharged the gun, which would have been a very simple thing to do. Witness had been informed that deceased attempted to take his life when a lad. Witness found a live cartridge in the left pocket of deceased's coat. In the right barrel of the gun he found a discharged cartridge. - A brother-in-law of the deceased said deceased had sunstroke when he was 10 years old. - Dr E. F. M. Alleyne stated that the gunshot wound must have caused instantaneous death. Witness had seen deceased recently, but observed no sign of depression. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" and expressed sympathy with the widow.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 27 June 1924
EXETER - Sudden Death. Bridgerule Man At Exeter Station. - The Exeter Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquest at the Court House on WILLIAM HAMLEY, grocer's assistant, of Bristol, who died suddenly at St David's Station. Death was attributed to heart disease. The Coroner entered a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" and expressed sympathy with the relatives. In his opinion every care and attention had been given by the railway officials and others who rendered assistance. - The deceased was born at Merrifield, Bridgerule and for some years carried on a business as grocer at Sanctuary. Later he removed to Whitstone, where he carried on a similar business for many years. Eight years ago he and his family removed to Bristol. Last week he came down to Whitstone to visit some of his old friends and appeared all right when he left Bridgerule Station for Bristol. His wife predeceased him about twelve months ago.

Western Times, Friday 27 June 1924 TORQUAY - Scaffold Fatality At Torquay. - FREDERICK SNOW, of Gloucester, died in Torbay Hospital from the injuries he sustained when scaffolding crashed at the Palace Hotel, Torquay, on May 23rd. Charles Avis, the general foreman at the works, said after the accident, he examined the scaffolding and found that a pole - one of the cross-stays - had broken in the middle. That pole would have to carry six men, besides the boards resting upon it. The pole was quite sound and quite thick enough for the purpose. - Mr C. G. Gates, Exeter, Inspector of Factories, in reply to the Coroner, said he thought the scaffolding was perfecting and correctly fitted up, but he had his doubts as to the strength of the pole. It was by no means a new one. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 8 July 1924
KNOWSTONE - Knowstone Farmer Dies On Moor. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest on THOMAS TIDBALL, of Poole Farm, Knowstone. A labourer said he saw deceased with a dog going for cows. The cows arrived alone and were milked. The dog came back, but witness did not know anything was wrong. Later, as deceased did not appear, witness searched for deceased on the moors for two hours. At a quarter to 4 next morning he resumed his search, and at half-past 8 found his master dead in the middle of the moor, about half a mile from the farm. He was holding his walking stick and had fallen forward. There was no sign of a struggle. Dr Seal, of Southmolton, said death was due to syncope.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 10 July 1924
HATHERLEIGH - Railway Fatality. Hatherleigh Inquest Story. - Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, conducted an Inquest with a Jury, at Hatherleigh last evening, concerning the deaths of GEORGE DREW and GEORGE JOLL, labourers, in the employ of Messrs. T. and W. Anderson, Ltd., railway contractors, who were killed on the railway on Tuesday. DREW was 62 years of age and JOLL 20 years. - Edward Henry Cox, manager, in the employ of Messrs. Anderson, Ltd., said the men had no right at any time to ride on a waggon, laden or unladen, and only as recently as Monday last he gave instructions to the foreman (Middleton) not to allow any man to ride. - Middleton confirmed this, as did also Cecil Yeo, a stoker in the employ of the contractors. - A verdict was returned in each case that death was due to a fracture of the skull, caused by the accidental over-turning of a load of chairs upon a bogey or waggon upon which they were riding on the North Devon and Cornwall Light Railway, in course of construction at Venton, in the parish of Highampton.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 11 July 1924
EXETER - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, at an Inquest at Exeter yesterday, on MRS A. M. LOOSEMORE, aged 77, of 25 Russell-street, Exeter, who died suddenly at her residence on Wednesday morning. Dr Foulkes attributed death to haemorrhage of the lungs, owing to heart failure.

Western Times, Friday 11 July 1924 CREDITON - Old Lady's Death At Crediton. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by Mr G. H. Stephens (Deputy District Coroner) at an Inquest held at Crediton on Monday relative to the death of JANE ELIZABETH WOLLACOTT, 72 years, of Bowden Hill, Crediton. LUCY ANN WOLLACOTT said on the 23rd of last month she went for a walk with deceased. They were gathering sticks when witness heard a noise and on looking back saw deceased lying on her side with her arms doubled under her. She appeared to be stunned, and did not open her eyes for about ten minutes. When she came round she said she had a pain in her shoulder. She was taken home and later went to see a doctor. - Dr Soady said he examined deceased and found she had fractured the left collar-bone and was bruised over the ribs.

EXETER - Exeter Motor Tragedy. - After a hearing lasting over two hours, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest conducted, at the Court House, on Tuesday, by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, relative to the death of CHARLES MATTHEWS, aged 60, of 25 Okehampton-street, Exeter. Deceased passed away at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday, after having been knocked down by a motor-car the previous Tuesday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 July 1924
TOPSHAM - Topsham Fatality. Level-Crossing Risks. The Public's Responsibility. - An Inquest was held at the Vestry Hall, Topsham, yesterday, by the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, on FRANK PYLE, aged 53, of Fore-street, Topsham, who was knocked down and killed by a train at the level-crossing at Topsham on Wednesday evening. Deceased was a bachelor and employed as a farm labourer. - Mr T. J. W. Templeman watched the proceedings on behalf of the Southern Railway Company. - ELLEN FEWINGS, of 5 Higher Shapter-street, Topsham, sister of deceased, gave evidence of identification. She said deceased had no trouble. - Thomas Beer, of 6 Victoria-road, Topsham, shoe-maker, said he was near the crossing on Wednesday evening about ten minutes to eight. He heard several shrill blasts of a train whistle, and that made him look up. He then saw PYLE walking across the metals from the Topsham side. At first deceased was looking straight ahead. The train was about seven or eight yards from him. It was travelling in the direction of Exeter. Deceased glanced at the engine and, at the same time, raised both hands above his head. It appeared to witness as if deceased was endeavouring to fall forward in order to get out of the way. The engine struck deceased on the right side, and seemed to throw him into the air. Deceased was very deaf. - Mr Templeman: Do you know his sight was bad? - No. - Did you know he was a bad walker? - He was unsteady in his gait. - If he had looked towards the Exmouth side he would have seen the train? - Undoubtedly, sir. There was a down train in the Station at the same time and he looked in that direction but omitted to look the other way. If he was short-sighted, perhaps he did not notice the signal was down. - Francis Wm. Lee, engine driver, of 83 Park-road, Exeter, the driver of the train which knocked deceased down, said "I saw a man walking across the crossing on the Exmouth side of the Station. I immediately blew my whistle, but, seeing that he was still proceeding over the crossing, I blew the whistle again and applied the brakes. He was clear of the up-line when I first saw him. While I was applying the brake I kept my hand on the whistle. As far as I could see he took no notice of the whistle at all. I ran into him before I could pull up the train." - Dr William Ashford described the dreadful injuries sustained by deceased. - The Coroner said death was accidental, and no blame, whatever, was attached to anyone. The driver did all he possibly could. "I have been a Coroner now for a great many years, and this is the first accident I have had, at this spot, during my long term of office. It is only fair to the Railway Company to say this. - A voice: "We had a fatal accident there in 1893 sir." - The Coroner: Perhaps you will forgive me for that mistake. I had no recollection of it. - A Topsham resident, Mr Harris, asked if he might put a question to the driver. The Coroner allowed Mr Harris, who said he was a Councillor and a Magistrate, to do so through him. The question was:- "The driver has told us he blew the whistle and applied the brakes immediately. In what distance was the train brought to a standstill?" - Mr Lee: " I applied the brakes and steadied the train, and when I found the man was hit - seeing there were any amount of ladies and children on the train who had been to a treat, and there was every probability of a panic ensuing - I ran into the Station where every help could be obtained." - The Coroner: "It is hardly fair to put a question like that, when he could not pull up in time to save this man's life, there could be no object for doing so. He gave you his reason." - Mr Putt asked if the Coroner would see that some precautionary steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of the accident. - The Coroner: This is a public crossing, and there are notices at either side, and, therefore, a person must take reasonable care. A man crosses there at his own risk. If the Parish Council like to build a tunnel under the line or a bridge over it they could do so. You cannot stop this crossing. "A large number of people consider some means should be taken." "The only means," said the Coroner, "would be to either lock the gates or to build a tunnel or bridge. The Railway Company cannot be expected to do that because it is a public crossing. If you were to ask the Railway Company they would tell you they would rather not have the crossing but the public will not give it up." - The Rev. R. Crozier pointed out the dangers of the crossing, and said something should be done to ensure the safety of the people using it. Locked gates would be a very good idea. - The Coroner: That is a matter for the Railway Company. - Mr Templeman: I will bring to the notice of the Railway Company the various suggestions that have been made, but, on their behalf, I am bound to say there are notices there, and, unfortunately, if a deaf man, and a man somewhat troubled in his walking, walks across the railway without looking - as he did - accidents are bound to happen. The Railway Company regret the accident and express sympathy with the relatives. - The Coroner: We are all very sorry. I am glad the people have ventilated their views. The same difficulty has arisen at St David's, Exeter. It is a question of money. - A Mr Osborne said, "The Parish Council has sent two resolutions to the Railway Company asking them to put a bridge there. - The Coroner: You cannot expect the Railway Company to do that. If it is for the convenience of the public, the public must build the bridge. That is my view.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 17 July 1924
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Moreton Gasworks Accident. Inquest on Victim. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Moretonhampstead by Mr Edmonds, Deputy Coroner of Totnes, on ALBERT PITMAN, of Kinsmans Dale, who died on the 4th inst. Mr C. G. Gates, Inspector of Factories, attended for the Home Office. Deceased met with an accident on 21st June while employed at the gas furnace, whereby he was scalded and burned and had to be taken to the Hospital. - ALBERT PITMAN, of Pinhoe-road, Exeter, identified the body as that of his father, who had been employed at Moretonhampstead Gasworks for many years and whose age was 72. - Walter Wright, of the gasworks, stated that he was foreman in charge of the local works and that deceased worked under his supervision. On 21st June deceased was employed in clinking the furnace - that was raking out the fire. Witness did not see the accident, but was not far off. It was about a quarter to 11 when the accident happened, and he heard deceased call out. He went to his assistance, and got him up out of a subway. Witness was of opinion that an accident was caused by bars slipping. In his experience this was the first time a bar had slipped. By the Inspector of Factories: Deceased was accustomed to the work, had done this particular work for 40 years and was a good workman. Witness had been in charge of the works for five years. He rendered first aid and took deceased to the Hospital. - Mr Gates: If the bar had not been correctly driven into position deceased would not have been able to drive it right through, as the bar would only be resting on a clinker? - Witness: Deceased would not have gone on if he knew he had not the bar right. - Dr E. H. McColl stated that on 21st June he was called to see deceased, who was suffering from burns and scalds of both arms and the whole of the face and ears, and a dislocation of the left shoulder. The dislocation might have been caused by a slight fall or by being lifted out of the pit. The injuries were very serious for a man of deceased's age. He attributed death to septic consequences. The deceased made no statement to witness. - The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed deep sympathy with the relatives. Mr George Lane (secretary of the Devon Gas Association) on behalf of the directors wished to be associated with the expression of sympathy.

Western Times, Friday 18 July 1924 TORQUAY - Torquay's Unsignalled Railway. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest at Torquay on ALICE MEREDITH, of Stoke Newington, London, who stepped in front of a motor-car driven by Mr C. F. James, manager of the "Torbay Express," and received severe injuries to which she succumbed in Hospital, said Torbay-road, where the accident happened, was an unsignalled railway. Only two hours before the accident he saw a little girl rush to the other side of the road, and only by a miracle was she not killed. He suggested a subway should be made from the slipway under the road. He intended to make representations to the Torquay Town Council in the hope that they would agree to them, and take the necessary steps to safeguard the public. He did not think any blame could be attached to Mr James.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 21 July 1924
EAST BUDLEIGH - Devon Cliff Mystery. Inquest Revelations. - At Budleigh Salterton on Saturday, Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, resumed the Inquest on the body of the woman who was found lying unconscious on the cliff path at Ladram Bay, on June 17th, and who died in Salterton Hospital three days later. The Inquest had been twice adjourned to allow the evidence of identification and the analyst's report on the contents of the viscera being obtained. - P.S. Willcocks, Budleigh Salterton, deposed to having attended a post-mortem examination, held at Salterton by Drs. Adams and Smith, on the body of deceased, on June 21st. He was handed certain organs belonging to the body by the doctors. These were placed in a glass jar, sealed and labelled. On June 23rd witness handed the jar and contents to Mr Thomas Tickle, Public Analyst, Exeter, for analysis. On July 19th witness received a certificate (produced) from the analyst, which stated that the latter had found in the viscera barbitone (popularly known as veronal), amounting to about one-fifth of a grain to each pound of body tissue. - Identity By Photo. - The body was photographed in witness's presence by Mr L. M. Horton, of Budleigh Salterton and a copy had been shown to Mr Parker, a member of the firm of Messrs. Oliver, Richardson and Parker, solicitors, 1c., King-street, St James's, London, S.W., who identified it as that of MRS LEVESON BROWN, nee MISS HETTY AUGUSTA LERMITTE, late of Blenheim House, Twickenham, London. The photo had been also shown to MRS AUGUSTA MAUD LERMITTE, 5 Cardigan-court, Richmond, Surrey, widow of MR HENRY RHODES LERMITTE, and, although she was unable to positively identify it as that of her husband's sister, MRS LEVESON BROWN, she stated that there was a marked resemblance to MR LERMITTE'S sister, CAROLINE, who died at Torquay last year. She also expressed the view that, as deceased used the names of LERMITTE and BROWN, she was, in all probability, MR LERMITTE'S sister. It could not be ascertained that deceased had any permanent residence, but it had been discovered that she stayed at the Royal Palace Hotel, Kensington, in the name of Mrs Fitzgerald, from the 9th to the 30th of May last, and left on the latter date without paying her account of £18 odd. While staying at this Hotel she answered an advertisement for a position as domestic servant to Mrs Nankeville, at Wimborne, Dorset, and applied personally, but was not engaged. On May 31st a person arrived at the King's Arms Inn, Winsham, near Chard, gave the name of Mrs Fitzgerald, and her address as Blenheim House, Twickenham. She remained at the Inn until June 4th. She was next seen at the Cottage Hotel, Seaton, on June 4th. With reference to the statement alleged to have been made by her that she had lost her luggage on the railway, inquiries had been made at all the Stations on the Southern Railway between Chard and Waterloo. Inquiries had also been made at all telephone offices with regard to the telephone message that deceased was supposed to have received from Bournemouth on June 9th, and the Police had been informed by the head office that it had no record of any call from the Victoria Hotel, Bournemouth, on that date. Extensive inquiries had been made by the Police in various sources and clues had been followed up with negative results. - Veronal Poisoning. - Dr T. C. Evans, of Budleigh Salterton, said that the average lethal dose of veronal was about 50 grains. He calculated, from the analyst's report, that there must have been a 30-grain yield from deceased's body, and that, having regard to the necessary elimination that would have taken place in the course of three days, the amount of veronal that must have been consumed would be equivalent to a fatal dose. He was, therefore, definitely of opinion that deceased died from veronal poisoning. Answering a question by the Deputy Coroner as to how deceased lived for three days after taking the veronal, witness explained that it was typical of veronal poison that she should have lived for a time as veronal was slow in action. Anyone could buy veronal from a chemist. It was usually sold in five-grain tablets, 1- grains being a safe dose and 50 grains fatal. - The Deputy Coroner said this had been rather a difficult case on account of the paucity of evidence on the first occasion. It was evident that deceased died from veronal poisoning. He had now to try to determine whether deceased intentionally took her life. He confessed that, with such evidence as he had, he was unable to come to a conclusion, and could only say she died from an overdose of veronal. She might have taken it merely for the sake of soothing her nerves. A more difficult matter was to determine the identity of the woman. Deceased had made use of names that were significant, and, in conjunction with other facts, it was very fair evidence that deceased was MRS LEVESON BROWN. Exhaustive inquiries had been made by the Police, and no trouble had been spared by them. Taking everything into consideration he could only come to the conclusion that deceased was named HETTY AUGUSTA, wife of MR LEVESON BROWN and that she died from an overdose of veronal on June 20th. She had taken to drugs, and her death showed the demoralising effect drugs had on people. It seemed lamentable that anyone could obtain sufficient veronal without any trouble to cause death. [Previous article that appeared, prior to identification. - Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 23 June 1924:- Mystery Woman. Death At Salterton. Coroner Not Satisfied. Expressing himself not satisfied with the cause of death, Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, on Saturday adjourned an Inquest held at Budleigh Salterton on the body of an unknown woman, and ordered the contents of the stomach to be submitted to analysis. The Inquest took place at Budleigh Salterton Cottage Hospital, and there was no Jury. - Henry Bolt, proprietor of a tea house at Ladram Bay, gave evidence as to the finding of the woman on the cliff on the previous Tuesday She was in a sitting posture, leaning against a bank, with her feet on the path, and she was unconscious. Witness called two fishermen, one of whom went to Otterton and telephoned for a doctor. On his return the woman was removed to witness's house at Ladram Bay. After Dr Evans had seen her there, she was taken to Budleigh Salterton Cottage Hospital. In her dress was a medicine bottle, two small phials and a small box of tablets, which were stated to be a patent medicine for flesh-building. - The Coroner and Dr Evans examined the bottle and phials and the doctor commented there was not sufficient smell to indicate what they had contained. - William Sydney Stokes, of the Cottage Hotel, Seaton, said the deceased woman came to the Hotel on June 4th. She had no luggage, but explained it had been mislaid at Chard Junction Station, and she was expecting it to arrive, as the Station Master at Seaton had telegraphed for it. She stayed at the Hotel until the following Friday, and, as the luggage did not arrive, suspicions were aroused and witness told her she ought to be getting the luggage. Witness last saw her in the town at Seaton on June 6th, and subsequently informed the Police she had left without paying her bill. She gave the name of MRS LARIMITTE, Coombe Park, Whitney, Surrey. - Alexander George Leask, book-keeper at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth, said the woman arrived at the Victoria Hotel on June 7th. She gave the name of MRS E. BROWN, of Heroncourt, and put up at the Hotel, stating her husband was following with the luggage. She stayed ten days. An account was rendered at the end of the first week, but she did not pay it. This aroused no suspicion, as the woman was well dressed, although her shoes were rather worn. She left on June 17th. Witness rendered an account for £13 0s. 6d., and deceased went to the drawing-room. Witness thought she had gone there for the purpose of writing a cheque for the amount of the bill, but apparently she left the Hotel unobserved, and witness saw no more of her. - Reginald Bennetts, porter at the Victoria Hotel, said that on Whit-Monday, when deceased was out, a telephone message came through for "MRS BROWN." It purported to come from Bournemouth and said that her husband might not arrive with the luggage that day. - The Coroner questioned witness as to whether it might have been deceased's voice, but Bennetts replied that he did not know the woman's voice very well. He was told the message came from the exchange at Bournemouth. When witness came in he conveyed the message to her and she replied "All right." - Dr T. C. G. Evans, of Budleigh Salterton, said the woman was unconscious when he saw her first at Ladram Bay and he had her taken to Budleigh Salterton Cottage Hospital. She was rather cold, and he had her wrapped up. She remained unconscious and had to be fed by artificial means and she died on Friday. An autopsy revealed that the organs were in a fairly healthy condition, with the exception of the lungs, which showed patches of pneumonia. In the absence of any other visible cause, he attributed death to pneumonia, due to exposure. The contents of the stomach had been kept with a view to analysis. - The Coroner said he was not satisfied as to the cause of death and adjourned the Inquest for a fortnight in order that the contents of the stomach might be analysed.]

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 22 July 1924
TAVISTOCK - Road Fatality Near Tavistock. Cyclist's Curious Conduct. - Three witnesses were praised and one was criticised by the Tavistock Coroner, Mr A. K. G. Johnstone, at an Inquest last evening at Tavistock Hospital on STANLEY ISBELL, 21, of Park View, Metherell, a blacksmith, in the employ of the Duke of Bedford at Bedford Mine. It was stated that deceased was motor cycling to work at seven o'clock on Wednesday morning when he collided at Newbridge with a cycle ridden by Charles Sandercock, another worker at the mine, who was on his way home from night duty. Sandercock escaped with bruises, but, it was alleged, did nothing to help ISBELL, who was rendered unconscious by the fall. Other miners, named Sprigman and Perkins, and a boy named Pengelly took ISBELL to the Hospital. - Dr H. Haskin, of Gunnislake, said death, which occurred on Sunday, was due to fracture of the skull. A piece of granite the size of a bean was removed from the deceased's head during an operation. - Sandercock said the brake-blocks of his machine came off while he was descending the hill and the machine got out of control. Meeting the father of the deceased after the accident, witness told him he had run into his son. He then rode home. - The Coroner referred with appreciation to the action by those who had assisted the deceased.. They had done, he said, what one expected from Englishmen. He did not think Sandercock deliberately tried to deceive them, but some of the evidence no reasonable person could accept as correct in every detail. It seemed incredible that all four brake blocks of his cycle came off at once. He was much struck by the fact that, knowing a serious accident had befallen ISBELL. Sandercock stood beside him and did nothing to help, but waited until other people came and then, when they set about doing what he should have done, calmly went on his way home. It was almost incredible that a man should act in that way. He might consider himself fortunate that the accident was not the subject of inquiry elsewhere. He hoped it would be a lesson to him. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 24 July 1924
BRADNINCH - Elderly Man Killed On The Line Near Bradninch. - About 5.30 a.m., the day before yesterday, the driver of a down train saw a man lying across the up line near Bradninch and reported the matter to Signalman Mitchell, who proceeded to the spot and found WILLIAM GEORGE BRAY lying on the up line near the wicket gate, leading off the path fields near Oxforden. His head was completely severed from his body and lying some 30 yards away. Deceased was an old-age pensioner. He was in the Tiverton Workhouse for a period, but came out about April last. Since then he has had no fixed abode. - The Inquest was held yesterday by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, when a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned. - WILLIAM BRAY, mill worker, Bradninch, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was his uncle, and 71 years of age. He was a general labourer, but witness had not known much about him for some years. So far as he knew, he had no fixed address. He always enjoyed good health and did not show signs of depression. - Emma Copp, wife of James Copp, of Bradninch, said she had known deceased since childhood. He told her he had been in the Workhouse at Tiverton for some time previous to a fortnight ago. She last saw him on Monday about 7 p.m. He came to her house and had some supper, he having called in that way for the last fortnight. He stayed about a quarter of an hour and then left. Witness thought he was in a desperately low condition, and advised him to go back to the Workhouse. He said he should not. He did not seem depressed or melancholy and was not suffering in any way so far as she knew. When he left he went down the road towards the Manor, which would be the direct way to the railway line. He usually went that way on leaving her. Deceased had never threatened to take his life in her presence. So far as she knew, he was just wandering about. His sight and hearing were quite good. - Walter George Mitchell, signalman, Bradninch, deposed to receiving a telephone message that a man had been knocked down at Kensham Crossing He went there and found deceased's decapitated body, the head being 34 yards away. From the position of the body he considered deceased must have placed his neck on the rails. Witness sent for the Police. He did not know the deceased. The path was a public footpath, but there was a notice warning people crossing the line against trespassing. - P.C. Derges, Bradninch, said he found nothing in deceased's clothing to throw any light on the tragedy. He had ascertained that deceased had been "in and out" the Tiverton Workhouse for the past two years. He had seen deceased during the past fortnight, but had noticed nothing peculiar about him. He did not know how or where he was living at Bradninch. He understood he generally lived in the Workhouse, but came out for a few days occasionally. - Dr M. Lawsley said deceased's injuries were consistent with his having laid his head on the line and the train passing over. Had he been knocked down as he was crossing the line witness would have expected the body to have had more bruises. - The verdict as above was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 July 1924
CREDITON - Crediton Man's Tragic Death. Inquest Story. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, conducted an Inquest at the Police Station, Crediton, yesterday, relative to the death of ALBERT JAMES MELDON, aged 36, High-street, Crediton, who was found killed on the railway near Folly Bridge, about a mile and a half from the town, on Saturday morning. - Evidence of identification was given by the widow, who said her husband was a motor engineer working for himself. She last saw him alive about six o'clock on Friday evening. He had been in bad health for some time, having been under the doctor for neuritis. Lately he had not been very well, and was unable to attend to his business for some weeks. She had noticed nothing different about him during the last few weeks, although on Friday evening he seemed worried and depressed. At six o'clock he left home after tea, but she did not know where he was going. He went away on a bicycle and did not return that night. Witness was not alarmed, as when he had business to do he was in the habit of working late. As he had not returned the following morning she sent her son to the works, but deceased was not there. Becoming alarmed, she then made inquiries. Subsequently the Police informed her of the finding of the body. - The Coroner handed witness a letter and asked if she identified the writing as that of her husband. - Witness, who burst into tears, nodded in the affirmative. - The Coroner: Do you know whether he had anything worrying him? - Witness: I could not tell you, sir. Nothing at all; he did not tell me anything. - The Coroner: He refers to something here. Do you say you do not know anything of it? - Witness: No. - The Coroner: He says here - I do not intend reading the whole of the letter - "I have done my utmost to replace what I took." You don't know what that means? - Witness: No, sir. - The Coroner: Had he been concerned in anything public in the parish of late? - Witness: I don't know; he keeps his business to himself. - The Coroner: But outside his business? - Witness: I don't know. - Henry John Mills, platelayer, in the employ of the Southern Railway, spoke to finding the body about three feet away from the bridge on the Yeoford side. It was lying chest downwards, with the hands tucked underneath. The neck was nearly touching the rail, and the head was in the four-foot way, almost in line with the body. Against a gate in the roadway was a lady's bicycle. - P.C. Champion said he found the body as described. There was no crossing near this point. He searched the body and found the letter produced. - At this stage the Coroner read the letter as follows:- "I have tried my utmost to replace what I took to save my wife and kiddies from starving, but have failed, so must say good-bye to all. God have mercy on me. Don't worry much about me. I did not tell you, but kept it to myself so as not to worry you. Good-bye and God help you. - Dad." - A Southern Railway official said all engines had been examined, but no marks had been found. - Dr Soady, of Crediton, said the head was completely decapitated. There was a wound on the forehead and its appearance was consistent with the man having put his head on the line and having been run over by a train. - The Coroner said the case was an extremely sad one. there was no doubt deceased took his life, as was proved by the letter found on him and the position of the body. The verdict, therefore, would have to be one of "Suicide," but he had no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that at the time of the occurrence he was not responsible for his actions. He sympathised with the widow and family in their terrible bereavement - an expression in which the Southern Railway official and P.S. Champion concurred. - MR J. H. MELDON, brother of deceased, returned thanks

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 31 July 1924
EXETER - At an Inquest held at Exeter yesterday on JAMES CASTLE, 65, of James-street, a verdict of "Death from Heart Failure" was recorded by the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown. Deceased's landlady said she went to the house on Friday and found deceased lying behind the door dead. He had apparently been in the act of putting on his boots when he died.

Western Times, Friday 1 August 1924 HITTISLEIGH - News of the death of MR W. D. LEE, of Howard Farm, Hittisleigh, which occurred on Thursday evening, will be received with sincere regret by a large number of friends. About a fortnight ago MR LEE fell from a rick which he was assisting in putting up and sustained such serious injuries that very little hope of recovery was entertained. He has since been attended by Doctors Powne and Hugo, of Crediton. Deceased, who was about sixty years of age, was representative for Hittisleigh on the Crediton Board of Guardians and Rural Council. He was much respected. Deceased, who was unmarried, contemplated giving up his farm at Michaelmas last, but decided to carry it on for another year. An Inquest was held on Saturday when evidence was given by Dr S. A. T. Ware of Crediton, and Mr Frederick Edward Beer, a farm labourer. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 August 1924
THURLESTONE - South Devon Bathing Disaster. Heroic Rescue Effort. - The story of the bathing tragedy at Bantham, near Thurlestone, South Devon, was told yesterday afternoon at the Inquest on the bodies of MR G. M. TINCKNELL, teacher, Kennington-avenue, Bristol, and a boy, C. B. OWEN, Randall-street, Clifton. In all five lives were lost, the boys being pupils of Cotham Secondary School, Bristol. - Mr George A. Phillips, the surviving master, who made a heroic effort at rescue said there was a sign on the sands, which was red one side and white on the other, dividing the beach into what was considered a dangerous portion and a safe part. The party kept well on the white side. He had received no caution as to danger at certain periods of the tide. - Returning a verdict of "Accidental Death, due to Drowning" the Coroner said everyone concerned did all they possibly could with every possible risk to themselves, and they deserved very great credit for their efforts. He did not think they could have done more. With regard to the danger notice, he did not think the dividing line between the dangerous and safe sides was very clearly indicated. He expressed sympathy with the relatives. Sir Ernest Cook, Chairman of the Bristol Education Committee, added his sympathy, and paid a tribute to MR TINCKNELL, who had given up his holidays to afford the boys a good time.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 7 August 1924
CHRISTOW - Inquest Story. Christow Fatality. Jury's Rider. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, sitting with a Jury, yesterday resumed the Inquest at Christow concerning the death of ALBERT TREEN, aged 28, of Christow, employed by the Devon Basalt and Granite Company Ltd., who was killed on Friday last by falling from a truck on which he was acting as brakesman. Mr J. W. Templeman appeared for the relatives of deceased and Mr S. E. Crosse represented the employers and driver. The Board of Trade was represented by Mr H. V. L. Evans, of the Mines Department. - William Williamson, quarry manager for the Company, at Christow, said deceased had been employed as brakesman for about six weeks on the railway running between the works and the G.W.R. Station. He had been in the Company's employ altogether for about three months. His duties were to act as brakesman on the trucks bringing stone from the quarry to the Station - about a mile. The distance from the loading place to the points was 748 yards. The loading of the trucks was part of deceased's duties and the engine driver would frequently assist. On Friday deceased started with a load at about 5 p.m. Witness could not say whether deceased was ever instructed as to the amount of the loads he was to take, but he should never take more than three loaded trucks. There were no printed or written regulations for the men. An average load in a truck would be eight or nine tons. The weight of the stone on the three trucks which formed the load of which deceased was in charge was approximately 26 tons. The practice was for the brakesman to ride on the brake or the leading waggon. Witness had not considered this dangerous. After trucks were coupled a locomotive would push them to the leat bridge, where they were stopped for the purpose of putting on the brakes, as there was an incline there. Witness was at the scene of the accident on Friday within a quarter of an hour of the occurrence. He examined the engine and found the hand brake was on. There was evidence of blood marks on the sleepers 10 yards from the body, showing that it had been dragged that distance. - By Mr Templeman: One of the reasons for the brakesman riding on the brake was that it gave extra braking power. - Mr Templeman: Would it not be safer if the engine was in front of the trucks and the two men rode in the cab? - I don't know. - Mr Templeman: Of course it is more convenient to have the engine behind? - Yes. Have you ever had any of the trucks come off the rails before? - Yes. - Was it because of any defect in the permanent way? - On a railway of this sort we are bound to have a certain number of minor derailments due to obstructions and differences in the gauge. - In reply to Mr Crosse, witness agreed he had been complimented by the Inspector of Mines on the way he had kept this line. Since the accident he had examined the brakes of the engine and also the brake on which deceased was standing and found them to be all right. Whatever the driver had done after the man fell off nothing could have prevented deceased's death. - Gladys Annie Williamson, wife of the last witness, said she watched the train on which deceased was riding. It was travelling at its usual rate. - William Francis Miller, Teign Village, Hennock, said he had been in the employ of the Company for about four or five years, during the last few months as engine driver. On Friday he was in charge of the locomotive on which deceased was acting as brakesman. They started from the works about 4.50 p.m. with a lighter load than usual. He stopped at leat bridge for the brakes to be put on. Deceased got off and applied the brakes and then called out "Right," after which witness released his brake and re-started. On getting round the corner he put on his hand-brake to regulate the speed of the train, which seemed to go on all right up to the time deceased shouted, about 70 yards from the catch-pointes. On hearing the shout witness looked through the window and saw deceased's hands go away from the truck. He immediately applied the brake to its full extent, but, instead of stopping the engine seemed to accelerate. He did not apply the steam brake, because he did not consider it would be any use so doing. The train rapidly increased its speed until it reached the catch-points, where it left the rails. Witness then jumped off the engine and ran back to deceased, who was lying with his head across the off rail and his legs and body between the lines. Witness lifted his head, and, finding he was dead, sent for the manager. Witness could not account for the engine "jumping away" as it did, and knew of no reason why deceased should shout to him. - By Mr Evans: Witness's brakes were in good order. - By Mr Templeman: Witness knew of nothing that would cause the train to get out of control except the fact, that the brakesman was off the front brake. He had a sand-box on his engine, but did not think if the engine were in front that would have prevented the wheels skidding. - On behalf of the relatives, Mr Templeman stated they attached no blame to the driver. - Mrs Ellen Mary Wakeley, The Bungalow, Christow, said that on Friday evening the train passed her house going faster than usual. - JAMES TREEN, brother of deceased, said his brother was in perfect health and quite happy. - Dr E. Nicholl, Dunsford, stated that deceased had three fractures of the skull, a broken neck and shoulder blades, compound fracture of the right thigh and compound fracture of the right leg. He had attended deceased, who had no heart trouble. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury adding a rider to the effect that they considered it dangerous for brakesmen to ride on the brake handles of a train of this description when the engine was behind the train.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 13 August 1924
CULLOMPTON - Drowned In Duck Pond. Cullompton Tragedy. - An Inquest was held at Matterton Moor, Cullompton, yesterday, by Mr G. H. Stevens, Deputy Coroner for the District, in connection with the death of FREDERICK GEORGE IRELAND, aged one year and nine months, who was drowned in a duck pond on Monday. - MRS FLORENCE MARY IRELAND, the mother , said on Monday afternoon she walked through the fields with her husband and the little boy. Later she left her husband in the hay field and went with the deceased to an adjoining field. She was carrying him, but he wanted to get down, so she let him walk. He seemed to want to stay in the field and she went into the house to go on with her work, leaving him there. In about five minutes she looked in the field and he was then running after the chicken in the opposite direction to the pond in the corner of the field. When she later looked out she could not at first see him, but after walking around she caught sight of his overall in the pond. She screamed and Mrs Endicott, who had come to fetch milk, ran into the field and got the body out. She had never left him in the field by himself before. He was her only child. - Mrs Bessie Alice Endicott said the water the child was in was nearly knee deep. She tried artificial respiration for a quarter of an hour. - Dr G. G. Gidley, of Cullompton, who examined deceased, said the body had the usual appearance of death by drowning. A child of the age of deceased would derive fatal consequences from being in the water for two or three minutes, together with the shock and artificial respiration would not be as likely to be successful as with a grown-up person. - A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned. The Coroner said the case illustrated the necessity of exercising the greatest care in connection with young children.

Western Times, Friday 15 August 1924 ASHBURTON - Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the Market Hall, Ashburton, last evening, respecting the death of MR FRANK DAW, a dairyman, who was run over by a cart he was driving to Newton Market. Dr Ellis stated that he saw MR DAW at his home after the accident, and found he was suffering from severe internal injuries. An operation was performed at the Hospital the same day, but in spite of all their efforts he died on the Tuesday following. Deceased told him that he was getting off the cart to walk, as the horse was restive, and caught a foot in the reins causing him to fall under the wheel of the vehicle which went over him. Arthur Hern, farmer, of Widecombe, and Eric Honywill, a chauffeur of Travellers Rest, went to MR DAW'S assistance and helped him into a car, which took him home. A verdict of Accidental Death was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 15 August 1924
CULMSTOCK - Boy's Fatal Rush Near Culmstock. - The Deputy Coroner for the District, Mr G. H. Stephens, conducted an Inquest at Culmstock, on THOMAS GREEDY, aged 10 years, of Red Ball Cottage, Culmstock, who was run over and killed by a motor car, at Red Ball Cottage, Culmstock. A Jury was empanelled. Mr Wilmott represented the driver of the car, Mr A. H. Brooking, of Little Queen-street, Exeter. - The father, SIDNEY GREEDY, general labourer, gave evidence of identification, and said deceased's sight and hearing were good. - P.C. Conibeer, of Culmstock, said he was on duty at the village of Red Ball on Friday evening and noticed a Berliet car pass about 9.30 p.m. It was going at an ordinary pace - about 18 to 20 miles an hour. Suddenly, he heard a noise, saw the car pull up and noticed deceased under the vehicle, which was turning him over. He saw the lad's boot fly away on the left side of the road. The car pulled up within 40- feet and witness ran to the assistance of the boy, who was severely injured about the head, while blood was coming freely from his mouth. The driver of the car offered to render assistance. Dr Huth was summoned, but the boy died without regaining consciousness, before his arrival. - Witness, in reply to a Juryman, said the car was being driven carefully on the left-hand side of the road. - Cross-examined by Mr Wilmott: There were some children playing on the green on the right-hand side of the road before the car approached, but he could not say whether deceased was one of them. - Mary Toogood of Red Ball Cottage, Culmstock, stated she saw children playing in the road. When the car passed she noticed a boy run from where they were playing across the road in front of the motor. The car was going at an ordinary pace and pulled up immediately. - Robert Hole, of Oxley, a passenger in the car, said the road seemed clear as they were getting outside the hamlet, but there were two boys on the extreme right. One had his back to the car and seemed to be talking to the other, who was facing the car. When the car was a few yards from them, the boy who had his back to them, darted across the road with his head down and his arms in the position of a runner. Witness had no time to call the driver's attention. By Mr Wilmott: Witness did not think the boy saw the car. There was no need to sound the horn. - Alfred Henry Brooking, jeweller, the driver, said he was driving from 18 to 20 miles an hour. At Red Ball Village the way seemed quite clear, and, therefore, he did not think it necessary to sound the car horn. He saw some boys a little farther away on the opposite side of the road. Suddenly, the deceased turned sharply and ran across the road, the car passing over him. It was impossible to avoid the accident. He pulled up immediately. He had driven a car since 1901. - Dr S. F. Huth, of Culmstock, said he examined deceased and found a scalp wound on the left side of the skull and much blood from the mouth, nose and ear. The cause of death was a fracture of the base of the skull. - The Deputy Coroner, addressing the Jurymen, said they had to consider whether there was any negligence on the part of the driver. It was fortunate that so many, including the Constable witnessed the accident. The evidence showed that the driver was going carefully and at a moderate speed. Had it been going at a much less speed, the boy, having rushed across the road in front of the car, the accident would not have been averted. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 August 1924
EXETER - Painter's Death At Exeter. Inquest Story. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, sitting with a Jury, Enquired into the circumstances of the death of HENRY TURNER, of 5 Queen's-terrace, Wonford-road, Exeter, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. Deceased died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday, to which Institution he was admitted after having fallen off some steps while painting. - Mr S. Ernest Crosse appeared for the widow, and Mr T. J. W. Templeman watched the interests of the deceased's employer, Mr Curtis, builder, College-avenue, Exeter. - Arthur Heard, of 5 Queen's-terrace, Exeter, said his father-in-law was 61 years of age and a painter by trade. He entered the Hospital on June 7th on medical advice, and died on August 11th. Deceased had been residing with witness nearly five years, and during that time he had never complained about his health. He never lost a day's work through ill-health during that period. In March deceased told witness he met with an accident at a house in Wonford-road. He was working on a ladder which stood on a plank stretching from some steps to a landing. He was reaching up the wall when something gave way and he fell. He was in bed a month after and was attended by a doctor. He received injuries to his back and head. To witness's knowledge deceased had not examined the steps since the accident. - Mr Templeman: He got about after the accident? - He was able to potter about. - He made no complaint that there was anything wrong with the steps or plank? - I don't suppose he would know that. - He made no complaint to you? - No. - He went to the Hospital with some gland trouble, did he not? - It was something to do with the neck. - By Mr Crosse: Deceased never returned to work after the accident? - No. - Mrs Annie Turner, the widow, stated deceased told her the steps broke. Three weeks after the accident deceased's eyes got very black. His health was very good. - Mr Crosse: Before the accident deceased never complained of pains in the neck? - No. - Wm. Cornish, painter, of Codrington-street, Exeter, who was working with deceased on the day of the accident, said he heard the steps and plank fall and then saw deceased on the landing. He had fallen just over three feet. He was doubled up, his knees almost touching the chin. He was jammed between the steps and the wall. Witness examined the steps and found one pair was broken in the limb. He could not say which pair of steps it was. Witness thought at the time that deceased might have leaned over and so fallen. - Mr Templeman: Did he fix up the scaffolding? - Yes. - There was nothing defective about the steps or plank? - They had been used all the morning. - You think he tried to reach too far, and the whole concern toppled over? - Yes. - It was just an unfortunate accident? - Yes. - Mr Crosse: You cannot say whether the limb of the steps broke before the fall or after? - No. - Dr Gent said he had known deceased for five years but had never treated him for illness until after the fall. Witness visited deceased at his house up to April 5th, and then deceased called on witness until May 13th. On that day TURNER complained of a swelling of the right collar-bone. This was so, and on the 17th the swelling was bigger. Witness ordered him to bed, and continued to visit him until June 7th, when he sent him to the Hospital after consultation with Dr Weyland Smith. Deceased was suffering from a contused hip and a slight swelling at the back of the head. They thought the swelling under the collar-bone was an abscess. - Mr Templeman: Deceased was getting over the effects of the fall until this abscess came? - Yes. - Dr Buchanan, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was under his care from July 21st onwards. He was suffering from the effects of an abscess which had been opened on his neck. Witness had since held a post-mortem examination, and found that both lungs were badly diseased with tuberculosis. The skull, brain and hip were perfectly normal. The lungs might have been affected through the glands. The glands could not have been caused or inflamed as the direct result of a fall. By the effects of the fall deceased's powers of resisting disease might have been lowered. The cause of death was tuberculosis of the lungs. - The Coroner: Do you think death was caused directly or indirectly by the fall? - I would rather not answer that question, as I did not see him until he was very ill. - Mr Templeman: Did you find a diseased heart? - The heart was flabby. - Were his teeth bad? - Yes and they were removed. - Teeth may cause a poisoning of the system? - Yes. - What was the condition of the kidneys? - They were in a very bad condition, which might have been caused by the poison in the system. It may have been of recent standing. - Mr Crosse: But for the accident the glands might have remained in their latent state? - Yes. - It is probable that the accident hastened his death? - By lowering his powers of resistance it may have. - Did it accelerate his death? - It could have. - Is it unusual for a man of 61 years of age to develop consumption? - It is unusual. - Dr Gent was recalled and on being questioned by Mr Crosse said deceased was in a very low state as the result of the accident. He could not sleep or eat. His powers of resistance were so low that the germs could get the upper hand of him. - Do you think the accident hastened the man's death? - In that way I do. - Mr Templeman: It would have the same effect if he were taking in from his bad teeth? - That would have the same effect. - His powers of resistance would be lowered by a cold? - Yes. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" caused by falling off the steps on March 5th.

EXETER - Death By Misadventure. East Devon Rail Tragedy. - The Inquest relative to the death of MR JOHN [JACK] GRIFFEN, aged 59, known as "Honiton Jack," who was discovered on the Southern Railway at Lashbrook Bridge, near Whimple, on Tuesday morning, and died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Wednesday morning, was held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by Mr H. Linford Brown, the Deputy Coroner. He sat with a Jury. - BEN GRIFFEN, of Taunton, son of deceased, said his father was a farm labourer, and had been living with various relatives. He had recently been residing with his daughter at Dolton. Last year he underwent an operation, having his foot amputated consequent upon poisoning. He had been unable to do any work since. Witness had not seen him since March 1st, when he left witness's house after staying with him for two years. Deceased was always of a cheerful disposition. - Wm. George Welsman, of the Talaton Inn, Talaton, said deceased was in his house on Monday evening from about 7.30 to 9. He had a pint of cider and some cheese and biscuits. He seemed a little down-hearted and witness thought it was because he had no money. It was a good half-mile from the Inn to the railway. - Ernest Price, platelayer, of Talaton, in the employ of the Southern Railway, said he went to Lashbrook Bridge on Tuesday morning. The bridge was about two miles from Whimple Station, and was overhead. He saw the deceased lying on the bank on the down-road side. He was about 3 ft. up the bank and some 7 ft. from the rails. His head was lying slightly higher than the rest of his body. There was a large gash in his head and he was unconscious. There was no blood on the running rail, but witness found some on the outside of the sleeper. Witness trailed the blood to the spot where GRIFFEN was lying. A pocket-knife was beside deceased. There was a cap and a walking-stick beside the bridge, about 14 ft. from the body. Witness helped to put GRIFFEN on the train, which conveyed him to Exeter. - The Foreman of the Jury: Were the hat and stick laid down carefully? - They were together. I should think they were placed there. - P.C. Nicholls, of Plymtree, said he did not think deceased had been sleeping out. The train stopped at the bridge in order to pick up deceased. - GRIFFEN was recalled, and asked: "Was there a relative of the deceased living near the bridge that he might have been going to visit?" - He replied: "There is a sister-in-law at Talewater." - James Jarman, locomotive inspector, said he had the engines examined, but there were no traces of anyone having been hit. - Dr Purviss, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Institution suffering from a severe wound in the head. It started from the bridge of the nose and went six inches up the left side of the head. The skull was opened and the brain exposed. Deceased died early on the Wednesday morning, and death was due to shock from the injury to the head. There were some bruises on the body. The wound might have been caused by a fall, but deceased, if he fell, must have fallen from a considerable height on to a sharp object. - Davey, recalled, said the stick was standing against the bridge and the cap was beside it. - P.C. Nicholls was also recalled, and said there was £1 18s. 2 ½d. on deceased. He had been living at Talewater, and then left, saying he was going to Honiton. Witness said someone had been sleeping in a shed at Lashbrook Farm. On Monday the straw on which the person had slept was taken away, and since then no new bed had been made there. - The first witness, recalled a second time, said there was a family agreement that deceased should be looked after by relatives. His father went to Honiton after he left Talewater and slept there the night of Honiton show with a relative and left next morning. - The Coroner said deceased could not have fallen off the bridge because his hat and stick were found below the bridge. There was little doubt but that deceased was struck by some part of a train, but he might have been on the line for any ordinary purpose. There was no apparent reason why the man should have committed suicide. There was no evidence to show how he received the blow. - The Jury decided that death was due to the blow on the head, but that there was no evidence to show how the blow was received. They returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 19 August 1924
EXETER - Killed By Gate. Exeter Boy's Death. A Wanton Act. - An Inquest was held at the Exeter Police Station yesterday on ALBERT HAROLD HAWKES, aged 10 years, of Flowerpot Cottages, Okehampton-street, Exeter, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday from injuries received through an iron gate falling on him. Mr W. L. Brown, Coroner, presided, and had the assistance of a Jury. - HARRY ARUNDEL HAWKES, a stoker, identified the body as that of his son. - Percy Norman Lobb, 12 years of age, of Okehampton-street, said he was with his brothers, deceased, and others on the path leading from Okehampton-road to Exwick Fields. HAWKES went into Mr Guy's property and touched an iron gate, which was off its hinges. The gate fell on the boy. - Bertie John Lobb, brother of the last witness, said he had been in the field before the date of the accident and been told by Mr Guy he was not to go there again. - P.C. Addicott said that when he arrived on the scene of the accident, deceased was lying under a heavy iron gate. The gate was about 4 ft. from the public path, on private property. The fence enclosing the property was in a very dilapidated state. The gate weighed over 3 cwt. It was a wonder the lad was not killed on the spot. Witness was told by one of Mr Guy's men that the gate had been unhung for a week. - John C. Buchanan, Assistant House Surgeon at the Hospital, said the lad was admitted to the Institution in an unconscious condition, suffering from an incised wound at the back of the skull and a depressed fracture underneath. He also had a broken thigh. Death was due to shock. - James Guy, contractor, said he was the owner of stables and fields abutting on the path to Exwick Fields. He had never seen the gate off its hinges. On the afternoon of the accident the gate was all right. His foreman was also satisfied that the gate was hanging on the hinges in the early part of the evening, and that some persons must have unhung it through mischievousness. He had had a great deal of trouble through people trespassing. He did not think a dozen boys of the size of deceased could have lifted the gate of the hinges. It was not unusual to find gates unhung. A portion of the railings on the property was broken down. He had chased lads off the property on several occasions. - Fred White, foreman to Mr Guy, said the gate was hanging all right when he left work on the evening of the accident. It was not correct to say the gate had been unhung for a week. - The Coroner, addressing the Jurymen, said the lad was a trespasser. They could, if they liked, express an opinion as to the condition of the fences so near the highway, but it was only fair to Mr Guy to say that he had had to drive lads off his property before the date of the accident. - The Jurymen returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." The Foreman remarked that they felt the gate should be attended to, so that a similar accident should not occur again. - The Coroner said he agreed with Mr Guy the gate could not be unhung unless it was wilfully done. - Mr Guy said he desired to express sympathy with the parents.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 20 August 1924
DAWLISH - Bathing Tragedy. The Inquest. - Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner for the Totnes District, conducted an Inquest at the Vestry Hall, Dawlish, yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of ARTHUR HENRY PERKINS, 20, of 9 Ebrington-road, St Thomas, Exeter, who was drowned while bathing with a friend at Dawlish Warren on Sunday. - The body was identified by MR HUBERT PERKINS, brother of deceased, who was apprenticed as a compositor. - Dr M. Cutliffe, of Dawlish, deposed to being called to see deceased on Sunday about 7.30 p.m., near Langstone Cliff, Dawlish Warren. The cause of death was drowning. - Thomas Stanley Martin, 21, of 5 Courtenay-road, St Thomas, Exeter, said he was with deceased on Sunday and both bathed near Langstone Cliff, which they had frequently done before. They did not stop to think whether it was dangerous or not. Nothing had ever happened to make them think it was unsafe. The sea on Sunday was rather rough, but both witness and his companion were good swimmers. They entered the sea together and after a swim round they came back for a "breather." Then they went in again, but this time deceased went further out than witness. - "I Can't Move." - Witness then heard his friend call, "Tom, Tom." Witness went to him, and then PERKINS said "Tom, I can't move." He caught deceased by the arm, and they got back together to the rocks off the breakwater. As soon as they stood up on this - witness supporting his mate - a wave came and washed them off. Witness lost his hold then, and did not see PERKINS alive again. They were about ten yards from the end of the breakwater and 25 or 30 yards from land. Witness then found that he could not get back himself, as he was becoming exhausted, but someone pulled him out from the end of the breakwater. He had known PERKINS to have cramp while swimming before, and he suspected that that was what happened on Sunday. If he had not had cramp he would probably have been able to reach the shore. - Ropes Used. - Harry Davey, 15, Roberts-road, Exeter, gave evidence that at Dawlish Warren on Sunday he saw deceased and the last witness bathing. He did not notice anything wrong until he saw Martin a few yards from the breakwater waving his arms as though in difficulty There was no sign of deceased. Witness pulled Martin in. - Frederick Hayward, 14, Eagle Cottages Bonhay-road, Exeter, gave similar evidence to that of the last witness. He looked for PERKINS from the breakwater, but could see nothing of him. - John Cotter, Chief Coastguard, stationed at Dawlish, said a man told him at 6.20 that someone had been drowned at Langstone Cliff, which was a mile away. On his arrival he found that the body had been just washed in. Witness brought it up on the beach and they immediately proceeded to try artificial respiration. As the tide was coming in they had to be lowered to the beach between the two rocks by means of ropes. The body had been hauled up the same way. They continued this until after the arrival of the doctor but without success. - Wm. George Carter, of Dawlish, gave similar evidence. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." He considered that Martin and Davey were both entitled to warm praise for the prompt manner in which they had acted. The sea was rough, and the breakwater was an awkward place. Everything possible was done for deceased by all the other witnesses.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 25 August 1924
CREDITON - Crediton Street Tragedy. The Inquest. - Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Crediton, on Saturday, on GLADYS IRENE NOTT, aged four, who died on Friday evening from injuries received through being knocked down by a motor car, in High-street, Crediton. - Mr W. G. Seager (Messrs. Dunn and Baker, Exeter) watched the case on behalf of Mr E. May, the driver of the car. - MRS MATILDA NOTT of 3 St Saviour's-court, Crediton, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was her grand-daughter, and lived with her. - Mr Ernest May, Northtawton, said he was driving a motor car through Crediton about 6.20 on Friday evening. When he was approaching St Saviour's-court he saw a child rush into the road, in front of his car. He was about six paces from her when she stepped off the pavement. He at once turned the car to the right and tried to avoid her. She seemed to go right into the car. He could not tell what part of the car struck her; it was all done in a moment. He then saw her lying in the gutter. He was travelling about 10 to 12 miles per hour. He stopped the car and took the child to Dr Hugo's surgery. - Leonard Henry Woolcott, gardener, of Crediton, said he was in High-street, Crediton at 6.20 p.m., and saw the car going up the street. Suddenly, the girl appeared from St Saviour's-court and ran into the road. She looked neither up nor down the street, but went straight across. The driver swerved as if to avoid her. He was going very carefully at the time, and did all he could to avoid the child. The next thing he saw was the child under the car. - By Mr Seager: He should not think the car was going more than 10 miles per hour. - Dr H. F. L. Hugo, of Crediton, said the child was brought to his surgery, about 6.30 p.m., in an unconscious condition. There was a scalp wound on the right side of the forehead and a fracture at the base of the skull. She died about half-an-hour afterwards. - The Coroner said it was very clear deceased died as the result of an accident. No blame whatever was attached to the driver of the car. People who drove cars knew from experience the impetuous way in which children rushed across the streets. Parents could not impress too strongly upon children the dangers of running across roads and indeed, of all present day street traffic. He returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr Seager said Mr May would like to express his deepest sympathy with the relatives of deceased for this unfortunate accident. It had been almost as bad a shock for himself and his family as for the relatives of the deceased. He would also like to have the opportunity of bearing for the relatives any expenses incurred.

Western Times, Friday 29 August 1924 TAVISTOCK - Killed While At Play Near Tavistock. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held at Honicknowle, on Wednesday, on CLIFFORD SACRE, aged 6 years, of Honicknowle, near Tavistock, who, while at play, was run over by a waggon. It was stated that the horse was frightened, with the result that the animal bolted. Deceased was knocked down and the wheel of the waggon passed over deceased. The driver (Ernest H. Blake, of Crownhill) it was stated did his utmost to pull up.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 29 August 1924
TEIGNMOUTH - Railway Tragedy Inquiry At Teignmouth. - At the Inquest last evening on WILLIAM BLACKMORE, of Taunton, a G.W.R. wireman killed while walking along the line near Teignmouth, Edward James Moore, acting foreman of the gang in which the deceased was working, said they had completed their job. A down train was signalled, and he told the men to keep clear until it had passed. They came on the line with the intention of picking up the tools. He did not see deceased until he was struck by the up train. - William Michelmore, Plymouth, driver of the noon express from Penzance, said he was travelling about 40 miles an hour and did not know anyone was killed until they go to Taunton. His mate jumped to the whistle and said there was a man standing on the line. Witness pulled the train up, and the fireman examined the engine, but found no trace of any accident. - The Coroner found that death was Accidental, and commended the action of the driver and fireman.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 1 September 1924
SEATON AND BEER - Seatonian's Sudden Death. - A verdict of "Death from Heart Failure" was returned on Saturday at the Inquest conducted by Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner, at the Town Hall, Seaton, concerning the death of MR RALPH TANNER, 65, late master at Westminster School, who died suddenly while playing bridge at the Manor House Club. - The late MR TANNER was a member of an old and highly-respected Seaton family, and although he had taken up his residence in Sussex he regularly visited his native town. He had two sons, one of whom, MR RALPH TANNER, was killed in the war. Deceased was educated at Sherborne School and from there obtained an open scholarship at Pembroke College Cambridge. He was 10th in the classical tripos of 1880. Soon afterwards he secured an appointment as a master at Westminster School, where a few years later he became house master of Grants. He remained there until his retirement in 1919. In the late 70's and early 80's he took part in many noted cricket matches for the Seaton Club, being a reliable bat. He was also a proficient lawn tennis player, winning the gentlemen's singles in the first-tournament held at Seaton.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 2 September 1924
KINGSTEIGNTON - Domestic Drowns Herself In Lake At Ugbrooke Park. - VIOLET EVELYN DISCOMBE, domestic servant, who would have been 17 years of age today, was found drowned early yesterday morning in the lower lake at Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, her coat and shoes being on the bank. The Inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Fosterville Farm, Kingsteignton, by Mr Ernest Hutchings, County Coroner. - WALTER DISCOMBE, father of deceased, said his daughter was employed at Batcombe Farm, and he last saw her alive on Thursday. She was then in her usual health and did not appear depressed in any way. - Dr Doris Irene Martin, of Battersea Park, London. locum tenens for Dr Walters at Chudleigh, said death was due to drowning. She saw the body at 7.45 a.m., and formed the opinion it had been in the water from five to six hours. There were no marks of violence. - Mrs Florence Mary Hill, of Batcombe Farm, deceased's employer, stated that the girl had been in her employ for three years and was treated as one of the family. On Sunday afternoon deceased made a communication to her concerning her condition Witness told her she was much surprised, but did not speak angrily to her. Deceased carried out her duties as usual and went to bed at 9.30 p.m. as was her custom. Witness saw her after she was in bed, and she did not appear to be unduly depressed. Yesterday morning when witness went to call deceased, the latter was not in her room. One of the doors downstairs was partly open. - George Henry Candish, lorry driver, of Chudleigh, spoke to finding the body. He first noticed the coat and shoes lying on the bank, and then saw the body in the water. Artificial respiration was of no avail. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide during a period of Temporary Insanity."

EXETER - Thrice Normal. Exeter Man's Enormous Heart. - The Exeter Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquiry, at the Court House, yesterday, into circumstances surrounding the death of CHARLES EDWARD BRYANT, aged 29, a master chimney sweep, of 57 Parr-street, who died on Friday in the garden of 6 Mont-le-Grand. - Evidence of identification was given by ALBERT JAMES BRYANT, a brother, of Portland-street, who said that, seven or eight years ago, deceased had rheumatic fever, and a week or two since received treatment for influenza. His brother had not been well for some time and had complained of a cough. He left home on Friday to visit his young lady, who lived at Mont-le-Grand. No one thought the illness was serious. - Miss D. Finnamore said deceased was not a strong man. He came to Mont-le-Grand about 7 o'clock on Friday, and started coughing. Presently worse and said, "Oh, Dora, I am choking. Will you fetch me a taxi?" Witness got him to a chair and undid his collar and the neck of his shirt, as he was gasping for breath. Then she went to get a taxi. On her return she found him lying on the grass in front of the house, with two men doing all they could for him. He died where he was. - Thomas Herbert Pritchard, of Heavitree, said he was in Mont-le-Grand, at about 7.10 on Friday evening, and was crossing the road when he heard someone shouting for help. Going across to No. 7, he saw a young man sitting on a wall leading to the back. He was frothing and bleeding at the mouth and nose and seemed choked by the discharge. With the help of another man, witness lifted deceased down to the grass, and then asked someone to fetch some water, as he thought it might be a fit. Deceased died in witness's arms. - Dr A. Hipwell, of Heavitree, said he had made a post-mortem examination, and found that the heart was enormously enlarged. It was about three times the normal size. There was also evidence of valvular disease. The lungs were full of fluid - a back wash from the heart. He attributed death to heart failure caused by valvular disease. The doctor added that he was of opinion the heart had been working at full pressure, and that a little extra exertion had knocked it over. - The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" expressed his sympathy with the family and the deceased's young lady, who, he said, must have had a great shock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 3 September 1924
TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmouth Tragedy Inquiry. Cyclist Exonerated. - Mr Ernest Hutchings, District Coroner, conducted an Inquest at Teignmouth on SUSAN TAYLOR, aged 66 a cook, of Newton Abbot, who was knocked down by a bicycle in Lower Brimley-road on Saturday night. - THOMAS BUNCLARKE, nephew, Newton Abbot, said deceased was not deaf and her eyesight was not affected. - Arthur John Lake, butcher's boy, who was delivering meat from a trap near the scene of the accident, said he heard a crash and saw a woman lying in the road. His trap was a foot from the kerb. He saw the deceased walking up the road a couple of minutes previously. He did not hear a bicycle bell rung, but there might have been one. - William James Buckingham considered Greenway, who knocked deceased over was cycling down the road at ten miles an hour. He did not hear any bell rung. - William Sweetzer, who was in the road, said he did not hear any bell rung and could not say whether or not deceased slipped off the pavement. - Walter Amos Greenway, porter, was told by the Coroner that he was not bound to give evidence. He elected to do so, and said there were two brakes on his bicycle. When he came to the bend in Lower Brimley-road he rang his bell and slackened his speed to about five miles per hour. After passing the butcher's cart, he saw deceased about 6 ft. away coming towards him, having come from behind the trap. He applied both brakes, but the carrier on the bicycle hit the deceased in the stomach. She staggered backwards and fell to the ground. The brakes tightened up and he fell across the frame of the machine. - The Coroner: I think you came off because you hit the lady? - Witness: The brakes tightened up and that was partly responsible for my falling off. It all happened so suddenly. Continuing, witness said deceased seemed to hesitate and he never saw her until she was struck by the carrier. - Dr Ross Kilpatrick said that when he saw the deceased she was unconscious. She died about two hours after admission to Hospital, having sustained a fracture of the base of the skull, a bruise on the right hip and a cut over the left eye. Being a slight and elderly woman, her bones were brittle, and the injuries might have been caused by a blow of moderate severity. - The Coroner said it was for the Jury to say whether any blame was attached to the rider of the bicycle, and whether he was riding at too great a speed. The butcher's cart would obstruct his view, and there was no evidence to show that Greenway was not keeping a good look-out. They all had different views about speed, but he was glad to see that boys rode bicycles steadier at Teignmouth than when he was a boy. Probably what happened was that deceased, instead of using the footpath, preferred to walk in the road, which she had a perfect right to do, but in these days of heavy traffic, one was safer on the footpath. - The Jury, who had previously visited the scene of the accident, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and considered no blame was attached to Greenway. - The Coroner entered a verdict accordingly and Mr A. P. Dell, who appeared for Greenway, expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 8 September 1924
EXMOUTH - Sudden Death. Heart Failure. - Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, on Saturday evening, held an Inquest at Exmouth touching the death of MR ALFRED CAPEL, of 32 Lyndhurst-road, who was formerly Stationmaster at Gosport, and whose body was found on the pavement in Exeter-road on the previous Thursday night. - RAYMOND CAPEL, bank cashier, of Bideford, and a second cousin of deceased, said he had been staying at Exmouth, and on September 4th deceased was with him for about two hours at the boathouse on the beach. At about 7.45 witness walked with deceased as far as Park-road, and then turned back. The Orcombe omnibus had passed them at the top of Victoria-road and witness asked deceased if he would like to ride. Deceased replied that he would if they could overtake the 'bus, but they failed to do so. Deceased did not hurry to catch the 'bus. At about 8.45 witness was summoned to Dr Walker's surgery, where he found his cousin dead. Deceased was 68 years of age last May and was a retired Stationmaster. - Dr G. F. C. Walker, of Exeter-road, said that at about 8.30 deceased was brought to his house in a motor omnibus, and witness found that life was extinct. He had previously attended MR CAPEL, but not within the past 12 months. Deceased suffered from a weak heart, but witness had been unable to find any apparent disease. He considered deceased suffered from chronic indigestion, and that, in conjunction with a weak heart, would have accelerated his death. Deceased had a bruise on the left temple, but witness considered that MR CAPEL died as he fell, and that the bruise had no effect. - Walter James Abbott said he was driving his omnibus along the Exeter-road, and noticed the body of deceased lying on the pavement near the railway bridge. He was bleeding from a wound just under the left eye. - The Coroner said that in order to make sure there had been no act of violence it was necessary to hold an Inquest, but he was satisfied death was due to sudden Heart Failure.

NEWTON ABBOT - A Gipsy's Death. Newton Inquest. - The County Coroner held an Inquest on Saturday, at Newton Abbot, touching the death of a gipsy named TOM SMALL, of Beggars' Bush encampment, near Ideford, who died at the camp. The evidence of Drs. Culross and Walters was to the effect that death was due to heart disease, and had nothing whatever to do with an occurrence at Newton Market in December, when, it was alleged, deceased received a blow during a fracas with another gipsy. Dr Culross said that when SMALL was admitted to the Hospital on that occasion, suffering from paralysis, it was thought at first it might be due to brain pressure, but an operation showed it was not so. SMALL was suffering from heart disease. - Dr Walters stated that he attended deceased for heart disease up to the time of his death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER HEAVITREE - Lunatic And Bread Knife. Desperate Asylum Struggle. - How a patient suddenly developed suicidal tendencies and cut his throat with a breadknife, despite the plucky preventive efforts of an attendant - who was injured in the struggle - was related to the Exeter Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, and a Jury at an Inquest held at Wonford House Mental Institution, Exeter, on Saturday, on the body of EDWARD HALL, farmer, of Ford Mills, Hill Farrance, near Taunton. - FREDERICK JAMES HALL, retired Police-sergeant, of 15 Lansdowne-place, Frome, said his brother, who was aged 49, had been depressed for some time, and was admitted to the Institution on September 2nd. He was under the delusion that his cattle were being poisoned by drinking water. He had not threatened suicide, and witness was surprised at the occurrence. He was very quiet in manner and went to the Institution without trouble. He was also under a delusion that Police were after him. Witness told the officers at the Institution that deceased had no suicidal tendencies that he knew of. One of the doctors who certified him said he had not. - A graphic narrative was given by Richard Leslie Ware, pantryman at the Institution. He said that on September 4th, at 3.45, he was cutting bread in the pantry, which was in a gallery where some of the patients were at the time. Deceased was the only one near him, the others sitting down. Witness had his back to the door. Deceased rushed in and knocked him down - he should think with his fist - grabbed the knife and wrenched it away from witness. Before witness could do anything deceased had cut his throat. Witness rose, shouted for help, got on deceased's back and tried to get the knife away from deceased, who was a big, strong man, but found it impossible. In the attempt witness cut his hand and had to have it bandaged. Two attendants rushed to his assistance. - In reply to deceased's brother, witness said deceased did not say anything at the time of the attack. - Arthur John Clark, attendant, gave evidence to the effect that he notice deceased walking up and down, whistling and singing, and occasionally shouting in an excitable, but not violent manner. Witness, who went to the last witness's assistance, also tried to get the knife away. Deceased fell and as he did so the knife dropped out of his hand. He died shortly afterwards. Witness had previously taken deceased out for exercise and he seemed cheerful and not disposed to suicide. - P.C. Woolacott (Heavitree) said he found deceased dead, with a deep jagged wound in the left side of the throat. - Harold F. Atherstone, another attendant, said deceased was in a restless state the whole of the afternoon. The number of attendants varied according to the number of patients who might be in the gallery. On this occasion there were three or four patients. Deceased did not seem inclined to give trouble; he was a bit excited. - Dr A. W. Cadman, acting Medical Superintendent, said he examined deceased the day after his admission. He was suffering from delusions about cattle, as described. There were always at least two attendants in the gallery. He saw deceased in the gallery, and there was nothing in his conduct to indicate that he would act as he did. The wound appeared to be self-inflicted. - Replying to a Juror, witness said he should think a bread-cutting machine instead of a knife would be an advantage. - The Coroner, in summing up, said a patient might be noisy, but not dangerous, and the officials were entitled to accept the evidence of relatives on the point. Deceased was put in the gallery where quiet patients were allowed, and, unfortunately, a sudden impulse took him. - The Jurymen returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind. They attached blame to nobody, but recommended that either some mechanical means be introduced for cutting bread or that the pantry door be closed when a knife was being used.

NEWTON ABBOT - Kingsteignton Man's Fatal Slip. - The circumstances surrounding the death of WALTER WARREN, clay miner, of Woolaton-terrace, Kingsteignton, were Inquired into by the County Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings, at Newton Abbot on Saturday evening. Deceased, who was employed by Messrs. Watts, Blake, Bearne and Co., died at Newton Abbot Hospital on Thursday night as the result of injuries received in an accident on the previous Monday. - Evidence showed that on Monday evening deceased boarded a lorry in order to return from work. Just as the vehicle was slowing down he slipped off and a wheel of the lorry passed over his right arm, which was severely injured. When admitted to the Newton Abbot Hospital, he was suffering from shock and exhaustion, due to the terrible injuries to the upper portion of his arm, and he died on Thursday night. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" the Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 10 September 1924
LEEDS, YORKSHIRE - Exonian's Death Sensation. Suicide Follows Suicide. Lecturer Found Shot On Way To Inquest. - There was a sensational sequel yesterday to the death of MISS HELEN MARY NIND, the music teacher who was found poisoned in a Leeds Hotel during the weekend. She arrived at the Great Northern Hotel, Leeds, late on Saturday night and booked a room in the name of L. BRYANT, of Baker-street, Heavitree, Exeter. She immediately retired to her room, and nothing unusual in her demeanour was noticed. About four o'clock in the morning the night porter heard groans in her bedroom and on opening the door found MISS NIND on the bed, fully dressed, but unconscious with a bottle by her side containing carbolic acid. - The Inquest on the woman was fixed for yesterday afternoon, and the Leeds Police had subpoenaed Mr Hugh Gerald Evelyn White, M.A., a lecturer at Leeds University, who was staying at Cambridge. Mr White arrived in Leeds in the afternoon, and, taking a taxi cab, directed the driver to proceed to the house of Dr Maxwell Telling, a well-known physician. A little way from his destination the driver heard a sharp report, and, glancing back, saw Mr White falling forward. The wounded man was taken to Leeds Infirmary, where he died an hour and a half later. The news reached the Coroner as he was opening the Inquest on MISS NIND, and caused a painful sensation. - At the inquiry into the woman's death (which medical evidence showed was due to carbolic acid poisoning), the Police produced several letters, one addressed to Mr White. - Alluding to them, the Coroner observed that, in fairness to the relatives of the girl, he must say there was no suggestion of anything wrong in the letter. It was evidently a heart-broken letter showing that the girl was over-strung. She said, "Life is too miserable to go on. I trusted you to the very end." - "Most painful," added the Coroner, "is a letter card, which is unsigned, but I have no doubt it was written by White, and had he lived I should have examined him about it." The communication referred to was addressed to MISS NIND, and stated that the writer would inform the Exeter Police of her threat to commit suicide. - A sister of the deceased said she was not aware that the girl knew any man in Leeds. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned. - A lecturer in classics and classical archaeology at Leeds University, Mr White had done considerable archaeological work in the Far East and Egypt. - Resident Of Exeter. - Not a great deal if known about MISS NIND in Exeter, but she is described as an attractive and well-educated woman. For about 15 months her mother, who is crippled with rheumatism, has occupied two rooms at 56 Baker-street, Heavitree, but she has been away on holiday in North Devon for some time. Six weeks ago, on the same day as the landlady at Baker-street went away to the country for her holiday, MISS NIND arrived at the house to stop from her school in Surrey. There had been some arrangement made that a sister of deceased, who had been occupying her mother's rooms, should keep her company, but a week before MISS NIND'S arrival, the sister left, it is believed to take up a situation away. MISS NIND was, therefore, in the house alone. - Nothing further was heard of her locally until a note reached the landlady from the dead girl, saying that she was going away, and did not know when she would be returning. This did not attract any particular attention until a day or two later, when the landlady received through the post in a registered packet the front door key. There was no communication of any kind included in the packet, which bore the Paddington postmark. The first the landlady and her husband knew of the tragedy was when they read it in a newspaper. They at once hurried home to see if any clue to the mystery had been left at the house, but found nothing. - On examining MRS NIND'S sitting room, the landlady found that a small silver-framed photograph of the deceased in evening dress, which had been placed on the mantelpiece with others of her sisters, was missing, and a search for it was fruitless. In the passage of the house is a large trunk of MISS NIND'S, which lies just where it was placed when she arrived at the house nearly six weeks ago. Upstairs her clothes were left scattered about as if she had only intended staying away a short while, and it is not believed that she took much with her. Neither the landlady or deceased's mother knew of any love affair, or of any connection with Leeds. At the time of the tragedy, MRS NIND was at Lynton. MISS NIND was born in North Devon.

NORTHLEW - Hanged At Northlew. Inquest Story. - At West Kimber Farm, Northlew, last night, Mr H. C. Brown, sitting with a Jury, held an Inquest concerning the death of FANNY BICKLE, spinster, aged 57 years, occupier of the farm, who was found dead in her bedroom on Monday evening. - Wm. Saunders, a workman, said he saw deceased (who lived alone in the house) on Sunday, when she appeared as usual. On Monday as he did not see her about - she would not as a rule be seen until the afternoon 0 he called on a neighbour, Mr E. T. Spry) and together they went over the house. They found her in her bedroom dead with a rope around her neck and fastened to a peg in the wall. - Dr Gaster (Okehampton) said he had been attending deceased and last saw her alive on the 6th inst., when she appeared agitated and worried and in such a condition that she might commit suicide, but he thought as to her work or business she was quite rational. The Jury returned a verdict that death was due to Strangulation, through deceased hanging herself while in a state of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 12 September 1924
LANGTREE - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, has conducted an Inquiry concerning the death of JOHN HENRY VODDEN, aged 73, retired farmer, of Thorn Farm, Langtree, who was found hanging from a tree in the corner of a field quite dead. Deceased, it was stated, had never been the same in health since having a stroke about 12 months ago, and that he suffered from the delusion that there was always someone coming for him. A verdict of "Suicide by Hanging while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 16 September 1924
WILLAND - Rector's Bereavement. Inquest Story - Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, conducted an Enquiry yesterday into the circumstances surround the death of ALICE MAUD ANDREWS, aged 54, wife of the Rector of Willand, found drowned near her home on Saturday. - The REV. WILLIAM HENRY ANDREWS said from the end of January his wife had been really ill. It was a nervous and physical collapse, and the doctor had been in regular attendance. Recently deceased had been very depressed, and had suffered a great deal of pain, but had never threatened to take her life. She had expressed a thought that she was a burden, inasmuch as she was not getting better, but she was not that. On Thursday she left the house after breakfast, and went down the road and sat in a brook adjoining. She must have been there for three-quarters of an hour before he found her. On Saturday they were preparing to go to Ilfracombe for a holiday. His wife was ready to go, and they had made out together the list of things they would require. They had intended leaving the Rectory at one, lunch having been ordered for 12. Ten minutes before lunch was ready, deceased was in the garden and witness joined her there. They had a walk round and he picked some blackberries for her. Witness then went indoors to see if the newspaper had come, and as it had arrived he stayed in the drawing-room reading. When lunch was announced deceased did not put in an appearance, and he went to look for her. He searched for nearly an hour before he found her lying face downwards in a pond in an orchard adjoining the house. Her spectacles were lying on the bank, as though she had taken them off as an afterthought. The body was lying in about a foot of water, and not covered. With the aid of one of the servants he recovered it and tried artificial respiration. They did not give up hope until the doctor arrived half an hour later. - The Coroner: Did the doctor give you any instruction after what occurred on Thursday? - Witness: Yes. He told me not to leave her. - And did you keep her under observation all the time? - Yes. I never went out of the house, unless there was someone else there. My son was at the door on Saturday washing the car, and I really thought she was talking to him while I was indoors. - Did she make any reference to what happened on Thursday? - Yes, she did refer to it once to me. She said: "I am thinking it would have been better WILL, if I had done it." I believe we had dispelled that idea, you know. - There is no doubt from what she said to you that she intended to take her life that Thursday? - I don't know. I am in doubt about that. She had had a terribly bad night and she was so worn out that I don't think she knew what she was doing. - Dr E. F. Alleyne (Cullompton) said he attended deceased regularly since last January, and on and off before then. She suffered from severe headaches and general exhaustion. Asked by the Coroner as to deceased's mental condition, witness said he did not see anything wrong. She was not depressed while he was with her. - The Coroner: Then your visits had the effect of cheering her up? - Witness: Yes; she told me once that if I lived nearer and cold come in every day she would get better. Continuing, witness said when he saw deceased on Thursday she was in a state of collapse. He gave instructions she should be carefully watched as he regarded it as a danger signal. She had a great dread that her mind might give way and on one occasion asked MR ANDREWS to ask witness if there was any fear of that. When he saw her on Saturday she had been dead some time. - The Coroner said the case was a very sad one, and his sympathy went out to MR ANDREWS and members of the family. Having regard to what happened on the previous Thursday and to the position in which deceased was found in the pond, there was no doubt she took her own life. As regarded the state of her mind, he was convinced she was not responsible for her actions. He, therefore, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

ABBOTSHAM - A verdict of "Death from Syncope" was returned at an Inquest held yesterday concerning the death of MR L. M. HERRING, an employee at Oldstone, Abbotsham. Deceased was found lying in a collapsed condition on the highway between Cornborough and Abbotsham. He was removed to shelter and Dr Young was sent for, but he expired almost immediately.

Western Times, Friday 19 September 1924 TORQUAY - Serious Warning Given By The Coroner. Speed Of Charabancs. - After an absence of three and a half hours the Jury on Tuesday, who, at Torquay, Enquired into the circumstances attending the death of MR CLIFFORD J. UNDERHILL, of Newton Abbot, who met his death as the result of injuries sustained in a collision with a motor-char-a-banc, at Aller, near Newton Abbot, returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from laceration of the brain caused by the injury. They also found that deceased, at the time of the occurrence, was driving his motor cycle in a proper manner, and that Goss (the driver of the char-a-banc) committed an error of judgment in the manner in which he was driving. - MR UNDERHILL, who was the treasurer to the Newton Abbot Motor Cycle and Car Club, was, on August 30th, proceeding on his motor cycle with his fiancée, Miss Jenkins, on the carrier, to Newton Abbot, and when reaching Aller his machine came into collision with a Torquay motor char-a-banc. - The Jury expressed the view that the speed of char-a-bancs in the district having regard to the narrow roads and increasing traffic, was excessive and it was inadvisable for a passenger to be seated on the right-hand side of the driver as this might affect the proper control of his vehicle and prevent adequate signals to other users of the road being given. They also expressed the opinion that char-a-bancs should be provided with adequate mirror and speedometers. - The Coroner, addressing Goss, told him the verdict did not amount to manslaughter, but it was as near as they could get it. - The Coroner expressed the hope that the case would be a warning to people who drove these large vehicles that it was their duty to drive in a proper manner and not endanger the lives of others. The way in which some of these large vehicles were driven about was positively disgraceful, and if it continued fatal accidents, of which they were having so many, would continue. He hoped that warning would be seriously taken. - The funeral of MR UNDERHILL took place at Newton Abbot on Tuesday amidst every manifestation of profound sympathy and regret. Many members of the Newton Abbot Motor Cycle Club were present and Messrs. T. Medlen and T. McLeod represented the Exeter Motor Cycle and Light Car Club, which also sent a beautiful wreath.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 30 September 1924
CREDITON - Misadventure. Crediton Inquest. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Crediton, last evening, concerning the death of SUSANNAH GRIFFITHS, aged 75, of 1 Dean-street, Crediton, who died on Saturday. - A grand-daughter stated that on Sunday week, deceased went to sit on a chair, but over-balanced and fell. Half an hour after the accident she complained of pains in one of her legs. She declined medical advice at first, but one was summoned later as she was unable to move the legs. Dr Soady, of Crediton, said he found the neck of deceased's left thigh bone fractured. Deceased apparently made satisfactory progress but pneumonia supervened and she died on Saturday. - A verdict of "Death from Misadventure" was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 7 October 1924
CREDITON - Death While Riding. A Crediton Tragedy. - A farm labourer, WILLIAM NORTHCOTT, in the employ o Mr Lewis Woolland, of Chapel Down Farm, Crediton, went to a field, in company with another man, yesterday morning, for some horses. The men were returning, riding the horses, when the leader, on hearing a thud, looked back and saw NORTHCOTT had fallen from his horse and was lying in the road. Medical aid was summoned, but life was found to be extinct. Heart failure is supposed to be the cause of death. Deceased, who was 42 years of age, leaves a widow and three children. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by Mr G. H. Stevens, Deputy District Coroner, yesterday at the Inquest held at Crediton. Evidence of identification having been given by MRS IDA NORTHCOTT, Samuel Johnstone said deceased and himself were employed at Chapel Down Farm. Yesterday morning they were taking the horses from the field, and when near the farm witness heard deceased cough and a thump. On looking round he saw him on the ground near the horse's feet. He appeared to be dead. - Dr S. A. T. Ware, Crediton, said he noticed when examining deceased last April that he had heart disease. He was satisfied that death was due to heart failure.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 9 October 1924
OTTERY ST MARY - Mr E. A. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, conducted an Inquest at Ottery, on HERBERT TILT, Relieving Officer for Ottery and district, who died in the Cottage Hospital while undergoing an operation for appendicitis. Evidence was given by Drs. Traill and lock to the effect that death was due to syncope while under an anaesthetic being accelerated by the shock of the operation. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned and the Jury added a rider that the doctors had done all they could and no blame attached to them.

EXETER - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Exeter yesterday by the City Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, relative to the death of LOUIS ADOLPHUS PINN.

Western Times, Friday 10 October 1924 TOTNES - Suicide In The Dart. Cause Of Aberration An Obsession In Christian Science. - At Totnes Guildhall on Tuesday afternoon, Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of WALTER JOHN FREER MIDDLEMISS, 45, dentist, whose body was found near Flete Mill on the previous day. - DR GEORGE WILSON MIDDLEMISS, of Settle, brother of the deceased, said he thought deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity. Witness considered the cause of aberration due to an obsession in Christian Science. He put in a letter from the doctor who attended the deceased in London who, on hearing of his disappearance, said he had little doubt that he had made away with himself. - The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased Drowned Himself while Temporarily Insane.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 October 1924
TIVERTON - Farm Labourer Meets Tragic Death At Tiverton. - At Tiverton Hospital, last evening, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom conducted an Inquiry relative to the death of CHARLES CREEDY, aged 29, single, farm labourer, of Lurleigh, who was killed by a motor car passing over him in Westexe-south the previous evening. Mr A. Thorne was Foreman of the Jury. - WILLIAM HENRY CREEDY said that his brother was a sober man. - Winifred Julia Baker, wife of Thos. Harold Baker, West Sidborough, Loxbeare, said that on the previous day she went to Tiverton carnival. At 9.30 p.m. she drove her two children home in her car and returned for her husband. At 10.30 p.m. she drove through Leat-street which very dark. Only one lamp was lighted near the Wheatsheaf Inn, near which was a crowd of boys. At the bend near the factory she felt a bump and pulled up, thinking a spring had broken. She went back and discovered deceased lying on his back about 8 ft. from the kerb. - The Coroner: How do you account for not seeing deceased? - The only reason I can give is that it was a left-hand bend, consequently the lamps would not light the road until the car was right round. - The Coroner: At what speed were you travelling? - Between 10 and 15 miles an hour, because just before I had pulled up because of a crowd. I have driven a car for four years without an accident. - The Coroner: Was deceased standing or on the ground? - I am sure he was on the ground. I should have seen him had he been standing. - Percy Fouracre, Victoria-terrace, Tiverton, said that he heard a bump and thought it was a motor car going over a pot-hole. He heard someone say "You have driven over someone." He then met Mrs Baker, who him to fetch a Policeman. When he went to deceased he was dying. Witness added that he was alone with deceased for five to ten minutes. There were many people about, but three cyclists who passed, refused to give any assistance. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said that the street was in total darkness, as all the lamps were put out at 10.30 p.m. - Dr Robert Burgess (Tiverton) stated that when he examined deceased at the Hospital he was dead. Four ribs on the left side of the chest were fractured and the lung was ruptured. There was a surgical emphysema in the tissues of the let chest. Deceased probably also had a ruptured pericardium. There was a small abrasion on the left side of the face. - John Arthur Trickey, licensee of the Three Stars Inn, stated that deceased called at the Inn about 9.30 p.m. and left about 20 minutes later sober. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated the driver from all blame.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 16 October 1924
HONITON - Jurymen And Road Corners. The East Devon Fatality. - An Inquest was held at Honiton, yesterday morning, by the Deputy Coroner for East Devon, Mr C. N. Tweed, who had the assistance of a Jury, on CAPT. ISAAC MARTIN WILKES, of Sedgley House, Wilmington, who succumbed to injuries received the previous morning through a collision between his motor cycle and a motor lorry at Honiton Hill Cross, on the Honiton - Axminster main road. - Mr W. A. E. Stamp (Messrs. Dunning, Rundle and Stamp) watched the proceedings on behalf of deceased's family, and Mr Norman J. Lake (Exeter) on behalf of the driver of the lorry (Mr C. G. Luxton). - Evidence of identification was given by Ernest Vickery Twose, agricultural engineer, of Halberton, uncle of deceased's widow. Deceased, aged 40, was a farmer. He was a man of sober habits, had been a motorist for many years, and driven all over the country. By Mr Lake: Deceased had bought the motor cycle (a 3 ½ h.p. Triumph) since Lady-day. It was a powerful machine. - William Wood, labourer, of Sedgeley Cottage, Wilmington, an employee of deceased, said he saw the latter on the day of the accident between 9 and 10 a.m. in the yard of his residence. Witness subsequently heard him start his motor cycle. Deceased was then in his normal health. By the Deputy Coroner: Deceased was a careful motorist. He would not emerge from the yard if there were much traffic about. He had owned the present machine for not quite six months. - Major Gordon Haswell, of Wilmington Hayes, deposed to conveying deceased to the Honiton Infirmary. He as unconscious, and witness did not think deceased suffered after the accident. Witness was driving his car from Wilmington to Honiton. Deceased overtook him about 50 yards beyond Offwell-lane. Witness had just changed from second to top gear, and was travelling at 25 miles an hour. He should think deceased was travelling at 33 or 34 miles an hour. Witness continued towards Honiton. When he turned the corner before getting into the straight towards the cross-roads, where the accident occurred, and about 180 yards from the corner, he saw a motor lorry emerge from the Cotleigh-road. He then noticed what he thought was a sack fall off the lorry on to the road. Witness did not notice a motor bicycle then. When he arrived on the scene he saw deceased being supported by two people. Deceased was lifted into witness's car, in which he was conveyed to the Infirmary. - Lorry Going Slowly. - The lorry appeared to be going very slowly and driven with caution. Witness felt deceased must have seen the lorry, unless something distracted his attention, in time to pull up if he were still going at the speed with which he passed witness. Deceased passed witness about a mile from the scene of the collision. A running board on the lorry was completely smashed in two. By a Juror: What he thought was a sack falling from the lorry must have been deceased. By Mr Stamp: The hedges were very high, but he was sure deceased could have seen the lorry for, at least, 100 yards before the accident. Deceased, however, might have been looking at a horse and cart that were also on the road. The Deputy Coroner spoke of some oily substance on the road near the scene of the accident. - Charles George Luxton, motor driver, in the employ of Mr Keitch and residing at Ottery St Mary, said he was driving the motor lorry. He was proceeding to Farway, and had to cross the Axminster-Honiton main road. Witness took all necessary precautions as he was going into the main road, and was not travelling more than about five miles an hour. He looked both ways, but could see nothing approaching. When he was well across the road he felt an impact at the back of the lorry. He pulled up immediately. The tail of his lorry was past the centre of the main road at the time of the impact. Witness got out, and then saw deceased lying on the road, and, with the assistance of another man, picked him up. The motor cycle was lying on the road with the engine stopped. As soon as they had picked up deceased, Major Gordon Halswell drove up. They helped deceased into his car, and witness proceeded to Honiton to report to the Police. Witness was certain he never saw deceased until after the accident. A man named Butter was in the lorry with witness. By the Deputy Coroner: Witness did think his Ford lorry would travel at more than five miles an hour in low gear. It was a left-hand drive. By Mr Lake: Deceased might have been driving on the right-hand side of the road and then swerved to the left. Witness had been a driver for three years, and had never had an accident or complaint. A Juryman suggested that deceased's attention might have been distracted by pumping oil into his engine. He would naturally look down to do this. The Deputy Coroner said the collision was between 200 lb. and a ton and a half. - Was Deceased Pre-Occupied? - Frederick Butter, of Ottery St Mary, who was with the previous witness, said he should say the lorry, when it emerged into the main road, was travelling at a fast walking pace. After the collision deceased was lying on his back. Witness corroborated the evidence of Luxton. - Robert Parish, of Widworthy, deposed that he was driving the horse and trap alluded to. Deceased passed him about 100 yards from Tower Cross, and appeared to be driving at a moderate pace. Just after deceased passed him he saw the lorry, which entered the main road carefully and slowly. Witness "turned his eye," and suddenly saw the motor cyclist going straight for the lorry. He heard deceased sound his hooter before he reached witness. There was plenty of room for deceased to pass behind the lorry. The lorry must have been visible to the motor cyclist. The latter did not swerve at all. By a Juryman: When deceased passed witness they were 100 yards from the scene of the accident. Deceased naturally passed witness on the right-hand side of the road. "The only suggestion I can make as to the cause of the accident is that deceased must have been pre-occupied," added the witness. - Frances Parish, daughter of the last witness, corroborated. - Dr Mills, of Honiton, said he was informed that deceased, after the accident, told the Workhouse Master that he (witness) was his medical attendant. He, therefore, went to the Workhouse Infirmary, where, from the symptoms, he felt no doubt deceased was suffering from internal haemorrhage and ruptured bowel. He did what he could to ease deceased's sufferings and to keep up his strength. Witness did not think anything could have saved deceased, who, in his opinion, died from the injuries mentioned. Deceased was conscious when witness first saw him, but he said nothing about the accident. - The Deputy Coroner, in summing up, said the Jurymen must ask themselves whether they considered deceased took all reasonable precautions. It was necessary to do so seeing that another man was involved in the accident. The idea that a person using a main road had the right-of-way over a vehicle coming from a side road must be taken with moderation. It did not exonerate him from using care in approaching cross-roads. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver of the lorry from blame. The Jury, however, expressed a strong hope that local authorities would take steps to improve corners of this sort by cutting down the high hedges. - The Deputy Coroner agreed. - Sympathy was extended to the relatives of deceased.

Western Times, Friday 17 October 1924 SIDMOUTH - Suicide At Sidmouth. Tragic Discovery Follows Service Of Writ. - Mr Charles Maeer, of Peak Farm, Sidmouth, made a gruesome discovery on Wednesday evening when, on going to a loft, he found FREDERICK PINNEY, a naval pensioner, dead, the unfortunate fellow having evidently hung himself. Although greatly shocked at the moment, Mr Maeer cut PINNEY down and communicated with the Police. PINNEY, apparently, entered the loft two or three days previous to the discovery. A barrel had been placed in such a position that leaves little doubt of its having been used as an aid to reach the rafters of the loft. PINNEY, who was well known in the town, was a typical naval man, and his action occasioned much surprise amongst his intimate friends. - An Inquest was held at the Police Station yesterday afternoon, when medical evidence went to prove that deceased had been dead two or three days when found. - SIDNEY PINNEY, brother, said he saw his brother about six weeks ago when he was in a perfectly normal state. He was 42 years of age, and had been in the Navy 22 years. Since his retirement from the Service he had carried on business as a boot repairer. His nerves were shattered somewhat and he was easily excited. - William Henry Wallis, solicitor's clerk to Mr P. H. Michelmore, said on September 22nd he received instructions to issue a writ on deceased, but as he was unable to find him the writ was not made until the 25th. It was for £28 of which £5 had been paid. When witness served the writ deceased seemed terribly upset. - Charles Goslin, postman, deposed to seeing deceased on October 13th or 14th between Peak-side and Peak Farm at about 4 p.m. As far as he could ascertain that was the last time deceased had been seen alive. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 24 October 1924
CULLOMPTON - Cullompton Street Tragedy. The Inquest. - Mr H. W. Gould, District Coroner, sitting with a Jury, conducted an Inquest at Cullompton yesterday on MARTHA DUNN, of Cullompton, who died through being knocked down by a motor van at Cullompton on Wednesday evening. - DORA DUNN, of The Green, Cullompton, identified the body as that of her mother, who was 76 years of age. About 5.45 p.m., on the 22nd inst., deceased left home on an errand which would take her across the street. Her sight and hearing were exceptionally good for her age. - Samuel Heard, motor driver, Cullompton, said he was driving a motor van across the main street at Cullompton at about eight miles per hour on his correct side. Deceased stepped from the pavement in front of the van and was knocked down, one wheel probably going over her. He jammed on the brakes and stopped the van immediately. Though it was not quite lighting-up time his lamps were lit. - Tom Hutchings Eales, postman, Cullompton, said he saw deceased step from the pavement and disappear in front of the van. - Dr E. E. Alleyne, Cullompton, said deceased had a fractured skull, which caused instantaneous death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 24 October 1924 EAST-THE WATER, BIDEFORD - Death From Burns. Bideford Woman's Fatal Injuries When Cooking Her Dinner. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, the North Devon Coroner held an Inquest at the Nursing Home, East-the-Water, Bideford, on MISS EMMA JANE HAMMETT, 29 Myrtle Grove. Deceased, who was forty years of age, was cooking her dinner at the kitchen range, when it is presumed a spark caught fire to her apron. She did not notice it at the time, but going to the door the draught fanned the smouldering garment into flames, and the unfortunate victim was badly burned. Her cries brought Mr and Mrs Mogg to her assistance, and with the help of Mrs Ley, they, with great difficulty, subdued the flames. - Dr Wilson, on his arrival, found that MISS HAMMETT was in a critical condition. The patient was subsequently removed to the Nursing Home, where she succumbed to her injuries on Friday. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death from Burning and Shock."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 28 October 1924
EXETER - Exeter Street Tragedy. Tram-Line Trap. - An Inquest was held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by Mr Linford Brown, City Coroner, on JAMES CHARLES BONNER, aged 25, of 20 Oxford-street, Exeter, the victim of an accident that occurred in Cowick-street on Saturday afternoon. A Jury was empanelled, of which Mr W. G. Rice was Foreman. Mr T. J. W. Templeman appeared for the driver of the lorry involved in the accident. - ARTHUR ALBERTSON JAMES BONNER, skin-dresser, 20 Oxford-street, identified the body of deceased as that of his son, who was a journeyman skin-dresser. - William Henry Cummings said that about 12.20 p.m. on Saturday, he saw a motor lorry proceeding along Cowick-street. As the lorry was just abreast of witness, deceased overtook it on a bicycle, and after passing it on the right-hand side, attempted to cross the road to regain his proper (left-hand) side, about three yards in front of the lorry. As he did so his front wheel caught in the tram-line near the left-hand side of the road, and he fell. A wheel of the lorry passed over his body. Witness seized his right foot and dragged him from the wheel. At the same time the lorry stopped. The lorry was going slowly at the time, about seven or eight miles an hour in witness's opinion, and the road was wet and slippery. - Dr Penbury, House Physician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from internal injuries. He was conscious but died at about 3.345 p.m. as the result of shock, perforation of the bowels and internal haemorrhage. The injuries would be consistent with the statement by the last witness. There was the mark of the wheel of a vehicle across the bottom of deceased's chest and the top of his abdomen. - P.C. Stone spoke to seeing deceased try to cross the road to get on his proper side a few feet in front of the lorry. The rear wheel of his machine caught in the tram-line and he was thrown to the ground immediately in front of the lorry. The driver, who was driving at a "fast walking speed" pulled up quickly, but not before the off-fore wheel had passed over deceased's body. The road was slippery at the time. - James Paul Hoskins, Cowick-street, Exeter, said the lorry was going at a moderate speed when the accident occurred, and the driver pulled up quickly. - James Skinner, 3 Mill House, Whitestone, lorry driver, employed by Messrs. Crews and Son, Exeter, said he was driving along Cowick-street from the direction of Exe Bridge on his left-hand side. He saw a bike passing him on his near-side and the next he heard was a smash and a yell. He immediately put on his brakes and reversed his engine. At the same time he felt a jar on the steering wheel as the front wheel passed over something. - The foreman announced that the Jurymen were of opinion that the affair was a pure accident and that the driver was in no way to blame. One Juryman who lived near the scene of the accident would like to see more gravel thrown on the road at this spot on slippery days. The Jury tendered sincere sympathy to the relatives of deceased. - Mr Templeman expressed sympathy with the relatives on behalf of the driver and his employers. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the Coroner undertook to convey the Jury's suggestion with reference to gravelling the road to the responsible authority.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 29 October 1924
BISHOPS TAWTON - At the Inquest on HERBERT CLAUD PICKARD, aged seven, son of MR HERBERT PICKARD, builder, of Bishopstawton, it was stated deceased was knocked down by a lorry. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver of the lorry from blame.

Western Times, Friday 31 October 1924 CHEPSTOW, MONMOUTHSHIRE - Tragic Death Of MRS HUGH WARD At Chepstow. - The circumstances attending the tragic death of MRS SUSANNAH WARD, 45, a native of Exeter, who lived at Pinhoe-road, were Enquired into at an Inquest held at Chepstow, Mon., on Saturday. Deceased was the wife of MR HUGH WARD, well known at Exeter as an old Volunteer, who has frequently distinguished himself at Bisley. - MR WARD, the husband, related the circumstances under which he found his wife on returning home from his office shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 23rd. She appeared to be as usual when he left the house about 2 o'clock, and he suggested she should go for a walk. On arriving at the house he found the front door locked as usual, and let himself in by the back door. On a box in the hall he found a note addressed to himself, which read: "I cannot bear the terrible nights any longer. You have been so patient with me and I have tried so hard. You have nothing to regret." Deceased asked that no black should be worn for her, no flowers sent, and no headstone put to her grave. MR WARD said he went upstairs and found his wife lying on the floor, undressed and covered with a blanket. Close by was a gas ring, the pipe from which was underneath the clothing. The tap was full on, and he found his wife was quite dead. - The Coroner: Was she despondent? - Witness: No. - You recently lost your daughter? - Yes, but she wasn't any worse than usual that day. - Did she have fits of depression sometimes? - Yes, but at other times she was quite cheerful. - After your daughter died did your wife also have typhoid fever? - Yes. - You did not anticipate this kind of thing would happen? - No, but she once remarked that she wished she had not recovered. - Dr Drapes, of Chepstow, said he found the deceased lying on the floor as described by the last witness, and when he arrived life was extinct, but the body was quite warm, showing that death had only recently occurred. Death was due to asphyxiation due to gas poisoning. When he saw her about six weeks before she was rather better, but she suffered a good deal from insomnia, and sometimes had fits of depression. Deceased never gave him any reason to suppose she would take her life, and this was probably a sudden impulse. The Coroner found a verdict of "Suicide by Gas Poisoning, whilst of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 4 November 1924
OKEHAMPTON - Okehampton Drowning Accident. Coroner's Intentions. - At the Board Room of Okehampton Poor Law Institution yesterday Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest touching the death of MISS ELSIE DORIS MEARDON, aged 17, domestic servant, late of Baggator's Cottage, Meeth, whose body was recovered from the River Okement the previous morning. - FLORENCE ELLEN MEARDON, of Prestacott, cousin of the deceased, and George Edward Hucker, of South Zeal, said after having had tea with deceased in Okehampton on Saturday afternoon they walked together through Simmon's Park. When they got near the little footbridge at the higher end deceased said "Mind the tree." They were all arm-in-arm at the time, deceased being nearest the river and her cousin next to her. It was very dark and raining slightly at the time. Just as deceased said "Mind the tree" she stumbled, and pulled her cousin, saying "Florrie." With that she fell. That was the last they saw of her. They had walked along quietly together and there had been no larking. - Joseph Evans, of Okehampton, said on Sunday morning he joined a search party and about 11.30 found the body near Dornaford Farm, Exbourne. It was partly in the water and partly over a tree. - Dr T. S. Wright, of Okehampton, who had made a post-mortem, said death was due to drowning. There were injuries to the head, but he was satisfied deceased breathed after reaching the water and that she was drowned. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Drowning Accidentally caused by falling into the river," and expressed sympathy with the relatives. He also announced his intention of making representations to the proper quarter as to properly fencing the river at the present dangerous places in Simmon's Park.

Western Times, Friday 7 November 1924 EXETER - Fatal Accident At Topsham Barracks. Artilleryman Killed. - "I think these fixed jumps are rather dangerous things," was the opinion expressed by Mr W. Linford Brown, City Coroner, at an Inquiry held at the Medical Inspection Room, Higher Barracks, Exeter, yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Driver THOMAS ALFRED RUSSELL, aged 24, a single man, whose parents live at 4 Queen's-road, Mitcham, Surrey. Deceased, on Tuesday, was one of a "ride" of six at Topsham Barracks and his horse failed to take off properly for a jump, struck the obstacle, and turned a somersault, pinning the driver underneath. - Sec.-Lieut. Findley "R" Battery, R.F.A., said the accident happened about 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Witness was in charge of a ride consisting of six drivers, including deceased. They were in the recreation field, in which there were three fixed jumps. Before jumping commenced witness asked if anyone knew whether any of the horses would not jump. One of the drivers, Rowley, said "This horse is not a good jumper." Witness heard nothing from deceased. RUSSELL was the second to go for the jump. It looked to witness as if the horse had galloped along, and it appeared as if something suddenly stopped it. The horse turned right over and landed on its head. The man fell on his back and the horse's quarters were on him. Witness did not see if the saddle touched him. The horse got up. Deceased struggled to get up and was practically on his feet, when he collapsed. The remainder of the ride was dismounted, and witness rendered first aid. Witness originally thought deceased was only winded, but RUSSELL said his stomach was hurting him. Deceased died on the way to the Higher Barracks Hospital. The "take off" had been rather cut up by other horses. Every since witness had been at the Barracks he had seen horses jumping at the jumps in question. On the day in question he thought the ground was just soft enough to give the animals a good grip. - Driver A. E. Archer "R" Battery, one of the "ride," stated that deceased said his horse was not much of a jumper, in reply to the officer's question. The officer said they would try to get all the horses to jump before they retired. Dvr. Rowley was speaking about the same horse. The deceased's mount made for the jump in the usual manner. As it was taking off it appeared to slip owing to the soft ground. The fore legs of the horse caught the top of the fixed jump, and it turned a somersault on its head, pinning the driver underneath. The horse was not a very good jumper. - Dvr. A.E. Whittingstall, "R" Battery, deposed that deceased said, in answer to the officer, that "his horse was not much of a jumper." The horse went at the jump in the usual manner, but in taking off it slipped, and its fore feet caught the bar. In the school the horse had jumped pretty well. - Dvr. S. J. C. Rogers, "R" battery, said the horse "went at the jump a bit wild." The ground was in a very bad condition. - Bomdr. H. Wrench said the horse was not a bad jumper. Witness had known it to jump without any trouble and he had had no complaint about the animal. - Dr E. G. Williams, G.M.O., at the Higher Barracks, said the cause of death was paralysis of the solar plexus, owing to a violent blow, and subsequent stoppage of the heart. - The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," sympathised with the parents. Commenting on the danger of the fixed jump, Mr Brown said they knew very well that if, in trying a horse over such a jump, anything went wrong and the thing came down, it meant that if the horse fell it came over a most terrible cropper.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 November 1924
NEWPORT, MONMOUTHSHIRE - Boy's Death. Poisoning Disproved. - At the Inquest at Newport, Mon., last night, on CECIL HOPTON, aged five, son of an Exmouth cinematograph operator, all suspicion that the child had died from poisoning was removed. It was stated that a post-mortem examination revealed that the brain was of abnormal size and that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was given.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 13 November 1924
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Mr Ernest Hutchings, Coroner, has held an Inquest at Moretonhampstead concerning the death of MARGARET, twin daughter of MR and MRS WRIGHT, of Bow Cottages, who died suddenly on the 7th inst. The post-mortem revealed the cause of death as being due to convulsions and a verdict accordingly was returned.

Western Times, Friday 14 November 1924 EXETER - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held on Monday, by the City Coroner, Mr Wm. Linford Brown, relative to the death of GEORGE TYLER HORNIBLOW, aged 80, of 43 Cedars-road, who died suddenly. Dr Gordon attributed the cause of death to syncope through a dilation of the stomach pressing on the heart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 November 1924
CHARD, SOMERSET - Car And Lorry. The Smash Near Chard. Sidbury Lady's Fate. - A motor smash between a heavily-laden lorry and a two-seater closed-in car on Windwhistle Hill, midway between Crewkerne and Chard, resulting in the death of MISS EMMA LUCY HOOPER, a native of Sidbury, was Inquired into at the Chard Cottage Hospital yesterday by Mr T. Foster Barham, Coroner for West Somerset. The accident occurred soon after 2 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon and in a very dense fog. MISS HOOPER, who had been on a visit to Sidbury, was killed almost instantly and her companion, Mr Alfred Raggett, of Guildford, received bad injuries. The poignancy of the tragedy was increased by the fact that MISS HOOPER and Mr Raggett were engaged to be married, and the wedding was to have taken place shortly. Mr J. A. Forward, of Chard, watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr Raggett and Mr C. F. Saunders, of Crewkerne, appeared for Mr F. G. Stagg, the driver of the lorry. Mr Raggett was sufficiently recovered to attend, but his face was considerably cut about as a result of the accident. - Arthur John Pidgeon, postman, of Sidbury, gave evidence of identification He said MISS HOOPER, who was 57 years of age, was his first cousin. She acted as lady's companion to a Miss Onslow, of Woking, Surrey, and had been to Sidbury for a holiday. - Frederick George Stagg, haulage contractor, residing at the White Hart Inn, Crewkerne said that on Tuesday last he was driving his own motor lorry, loaded with stone, from Crewkerne Quarry to Perry-street Relief Works. He left home at 1.15 p.m. and drove straight to the quarry at Maiden Beach, where he loaded 30 cwt. of large stone. There was a very bad fog - he had never been in a worse one - and when about 400 yards from the Windwhistle Inn, on the Chard side, he noticed something dark directly ahead through the fog, and slowed down to about five miles per hour. He then saw that the object was a steam waggon loaded with a furniture van, and having a trailer. It was proceeding towards Chard, and down an incline of about one in twenty. Witness passed it and drew in on his near side again. When about 30 yards in front of the waggon he noticed something dark approaching, and that it began to wobble. He thought it was a car, but it had no lights. This was about 2.15 p.m. It appeared to witness that the brakes of the vehicle had been applied hard and caused it to skid. The road was greasy at the time owing to the fog. Witness put out his hand to warn traffic behind him that he intended stopping, released the clutch, took his foot off the accelerator and put on his hand and foot brakes. The approaching car came to within about twelve yards of the lorry and then swerved broadside on to witness's near side. The car struck the lorry on the near side buffer, and its hood came in contact with the corner of the hood on the car, smashing the wind screen and sending fragments of glass all around witness. He got out of the lorry, which was stationary at the time of the collision, and found the other car overturned on the grass on the right-hand side road, with its engine stopped. A gentleman approached out of the fog and witness noticed he was bleeding profusely from a cut on the face, while he appeared partly stunned. Witness went to the overturned car with a man (who had been driving a small car behind him) and the driver of the steam waggon. He saw the deceased lying in front of the car in a small ditch, face downwards, with the wind screen about a yard in front of her. The glass had clean gone. By this time there were several cars on the scene, and helpers fetched mats from the furniture van and placed deceased on them in a car. She was then driven to the Hospital. Witness did not know whether she was dead or alive then. His experience of driving through fogs was that approaching cars appeared to come on faster than they were actually travelling. He supposed distances were not as great as they seemed in a fog. - Engaged To Be Married. - By Mr Saunders: Did you completely stop before y struck by the oncoming car? - Witness: I had just stopped. - What did you do after the lady was sent away? - I sent word to the Police and waited for their arrival. - By Mr Forward: He had been driving for three and a half years and had a clean license. - Mr Forward: I am instructed that the accident occurred in a dip between two inclines. - Witness: Yes, sir. both are gradients of about one in twenty, I consider. - You were about in the middle of the road, I understand? - No, sir; I was on the left. - When you saw a likelihood of an accident did you deflect your course at all? - Yes, I went about two feet towards the centre of the road. If I had gone right over I should have been in the wrong. I thought the car would have passed me on my near side. - By Inspector R. W. Brown: The approaching car was coming very fast. - Alfred Raggett, private hired car driver, of 58 Markinfield-road, Guildford, said he was driving a 12 h.p. car landaulette. Deceased was sitting on his left and they were going from Chard to Crewkerne. It was very foggy when they reached the brow of the hill. The car had Michelin cord tyres on all four wheels. They were comparatively new, although the back ones were worn a little more than those in the front. He was going on second speed up the incline and at about twelve miles per hour He saw the lorry approaching him at about twenty miles per hour This was faster than the speed at which witness was travelling. The lorry was on its right-hand side of the road and to avoid what seemed a certain collision witness turned his car on to the grass on his right-hand side, and so presented the left side of the car to the lorry. The car struck on the rear left wheel and side of the body and turned completely over. - The Coroner: How was your wind screen broken? - Witness: I think we were both thrown through it. It must have been like a flash of lightning. - The Coroner: Your story does not tally with that of the man who was driving the lorry. - At this juncture, the Coroner read Stagg's evidence, and concluded: "So, you see, his and your evidence are more or less contradictory." - Witness, in answer to Mr Forward, said he was to have been married shortly to deceased. The accident occurred nearer 2.40 p.m., than 2.15 p.m. He considered he was driving along the centre of the road. The lorry approached head on to him and he pulled to the right-hand side with a view to avoiding a collision. There was a hedge on the left-hand side of the road and an opening on the right. He had been driving for 18 to 20 years and had a perfectly clean license. He had also driven motor lorries in France. - The Coroner: Do you consider it possible for a motor lorry loaded with a and a half of stone to go at 20 miles an hour? - Witness: Oh, quite. I have seen lorries go faster than that with three or four tons of stuff up. - "Well Over, Old Man." - Witness, in answer to Mr Saunders, said he had been in a collision once before. It was some years prior to the war. - Mr Saunders: How far off was the lorry when your first saw it? - Witness: About 25 yards. - How soon after that did the collision occur? - It was a matter of seconds. - Your reason for pulling to the right was that you saw a gap in some railings there? - Yes, sir. - At the time of the impact the lorry was stopped? - No, sir. By the crash I should say it was going at 20 miles per hour, as I have just said. - Witness added that he said to Stagg after the collision, "You were well over, old man." - Walter Holland, engineer, of Westexe North, Tiverton, driver of the car following Stagg, said he asked Stagg, some way back the road from the scene of the accident, if he knew the way to Chard. Stagg said he did and witness drove on behind him. Stagg's fastest speed was 15 miles per hour and most of the time they were going very slowly. He could not see the accident, but heard a crash and saw the lorry do a double swerve. At the same time a motor car appeared on the near side of the lorry, which stopped practically simultaneously with the crash. It all happened in about three seconds. At the time of the accident the lorry was going at 10 miles per hour. - By Mr Saunders: The lorry was not going at 20 miles per hour and it certainly was not on the wrong side. Just before the accident it pulled a little to the left and then out to the right. Witness's car seemed to be crawling at the time. - P.C. Gomer, Combe St Nicholas, said the body of the overturned car was smashed "almost to rags." It appeared to have been struck in the centre of the left side. - Dr Robert Sutherland, of Chard, said he went Hospital almost immediately on receipt of a telephone message informing him of the accident. Deceased was dead. Her skull was badly crushed; her eyebrows were crushed upon her face, more particularly on the left side. Death was due to fracture of the skull and severe injury to the brain. There were no cuts on the body and he did not think deceased was thrown through the wind screen. - The Coroner said he was satisfied the accident occurred about 2.15 p.m. and that both vehicles were going about 10 miles per hour. Neither of them was going any faster than that. They did not realise, in his opinion, the actual pace they were travelling, or that they were going into a dip. Each saw a vehicle looming up through the fog at no very great distance, and each more or less lost his head. He was satisfied that Stagg's story was correct, and that he was going more or less upon his proper side of the road, which was 20 feet wide at the spot where the accident occurred. Why Raggett made for the opening or gap he could not quite understand. But he had a lady, who was engaged to be married to him, in his company and the Coroner did not think he would be reckless. He evidently thought that a collision was imminent and assumed that the lorry was in the wrong place. He saw an opening on the wrong side, made for it, but, unfortunately, did not succeed in the attempt to gain it. It was an accident pure and simple and no very great blame was attached to either driver. He returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 17 November 1924
PAIGNTON - Paignton Courting Couples' Tragic Discovery. - An Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of DR WILLIAM TREWELLA ST STEPHENS of Paignton, whose body was found in a shelter on Preston (Paignton) sea-front a few days ago, was conducted at Paignton on Saturday by Mr Ernest Hutchings, Coroner. - Dr A. H. Carver gave evidence of identification and told the Coroner that DR ST STEPHENS was 54 years of age and was a retired medical practitioner. Deceased came to see him frequently because he constantly suffered from pains in the face and ears, headaches and disturbed nights. He was never d health during the 12 years witness had known him. Until witness treated him he used to treat himself up to three or four years ago. - The Coroner: Was his own treatment beneficial? - Witness: I think he was mistaken in the methods he adopted. - Witness said the cause of death was a bullet wound in the brain and that it was self-inflicted. - The Coroner handed witness a letter written by deceased, and asked the opinion of witness as to the state of the writer's mind. "His mind must been very much undone to write this," remarked Dr Carver. - Percy Jeffrey Pascoe, an apprentice to motor engineering, related the facts of the discovery. He and a "pal" went with two young ladies to the shelter and he sat with his friend facing Paignton, and the other couple sat facing the sea. At the end facing Torquay witness noticed a man was sitting. "We thought he was drunk and sick, there being a mess on the ground. We thought we could assist him and went over and shook him, hoping to help him to pull himself together. We got no reply, and one of the young ladies struck a match. We then saw what had happened." Witness sent the other young man for P.C Blee and remained by the body until he arrived. He saw no revolver until the Policeman came. - Stanley Lancelot Robinson, motor mechanic, corroborated, adding that they stayed in the shelter for three-quarters of an hour. They went to the Preston front from Paignton, but they heard no noise as they approached. - P.C. Blee said DR ST STEPHENS was dead when he arrived. In his opinion he had been dead about an hour and a half, as the body was getting cold. There was a bullet wound in his head, the bullet having entered the right side just above the ear, and had come out on the left side slightly higher. Under the seat was a five-chambered .02 revolver containing one empty and four live cartridges. There was a dent in the woodwork two inches above the seat, caused by the bullet, and the hair on the right side of deceased's head was singed. Witness read a letter which he found on the body. It was an incoherent letter full of repetitions addressed to deceased's wife, in which he said he had gone mad. - The Coroner said he did not as a rule have letters read in that Court which contained anything of a private nature between deceased and some near relative, because he did not intend to allow that Court to be used for pillorying the dead, and certainly not for causing unnecessary anguish and agony to the bereaved. That letter, however, showed the state of deceased's mind. - Returning a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" the Coroner expressed his sympathy with the widow.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 19 November 1924
CHAGFORD - "Death from Suffocation due to acute inflammation of the throat caused by an abscess arising from Natural Causes" was the verdict recorded by Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, at an Inquest held by Waye Hill, Chagford, yesterday, concerning the death of HENRY JOHN COUSINS, aged 52, a mason.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 20 November 1924
DAWLISH - Dawlish Infant's Struggle For Life. - At Dawlish, Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, with a Jury, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of the twelve-months-old daughter of P.O. JOHN HELMORE, R.N. - The mother said that after dinner she fed the child, put it in a perambulator in a front room, and rocked it to sleep. A few minutes afterwards she took some coals from the furnace to the room and put them on the fire. They were not live coals and she did not notice that they were hot. An hour later she found the room on fire. - Mr Young, Customs Officer, spoke to throwing water on the fire. He found the baby on the floor. - Sergt. Marshall said the fire broke out in the corner of the room, but he had been unable to trace the cause. - Dr B. L. Thurlow said death was due to suffocation. He thought the child got out of the pram in a last struggle for breath. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 21 November 1924 TIVERTON - Tiverton Man's Death. Pneumonia Follows Injuries Sustained In A Fall. - An Inquest was held at Tiverton last night on BENJAMIN VICTOR BAKER, 56, miller's store-keeper, Leat-street, Tiverton, employed by Tiverton Roller Mills Co., who tripped over a sack and fell into a motor inspection pit of a garage used as a store, on the 10th inst., sustaining injury which caused his death eight days later. - It was stated that deceased had full charge of the disused garage, which was utilised as a store by the Roller Mills. On the afternoon of the 10th inst., Geo. Fredk. Bolt, of Church-street, Tiverton, who was outside the premises, heard deceased calling. Just after deceased appeared doubled up and asked to be taken home. At his house he told his son that he tripped over a sack and tumbled into the pit. - George H. Hiles, managing director of the Tiverton Roller Mills, said that deceased was drying a number of wet sacks in part of the disused garage. Deceased had never asked that the pit might be covered in. It was not intended to use the garage as regular business premises. - Dr Nicholson said that death was due to pneumonia, caused by injury to the right lung. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 24 November 1924
EXETER - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner for Exeter, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, on Saturday afternoon, on CLIFFORD GEORGE MAIRS, a two-months'-old baby, who died on November 19th. Evidence of identification was given by Mrs Miles, and the Inquiry was then adjourned until Thursday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 27 November 1924
EXETER - Heart Clots. - Mr W. Linford Brown, the Exeter Coroner, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter yesterday afternoon, on EMILY WILLEY, 39, single, who had resided for the past eight years with Mrs Mary Wreford Davey at 15 Lower North-street, who died last Monday. Evidence was given to the effect that the deceased had spoken to Mrs Davey about her parents. Her father, she said, was at one time a clerk in a well-known High-street business while her mother was a dressmaker. She had never mentioned any living relations. Last Saturday deceased, who was a charwoman, went out to work and seemed all right when she returned in the evening. On Sunday morning she came downstairs, asked for some hot water and said she had knocked her arm and leg. The next day Mrs Davey called upstairs to her about 9 a.m., and MISS WILLEY replied, "I am going to work tomorrow." Later Mrs Davey sent her little boy to the deceased with some tea, and at 12.30 p.m. called in the District Visitor, Mrs Turquand to see her, and find out if anything could be done for her, as she had not had much work and her panel money had been stopped for some time. They went up together to her room, and, looking around, found the deceased under her bed. They got her out, she muttered something indistinct, and her voice became thick. Mrs Davey gave her brandy and a doctor was sent for, but MISS WILLEY died a quarter of an hour before he arrived. Dr W. C. Gent said that, by a post-mortem examination, he found deceased had been suffering from valvular disease of the heart, and that the organ was full of clots of blood. There was no external marks. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

EXETER - Almswoman's Fatal Tumble. - Mr W. Linford Brown, the Exeter Coroner, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon on ELIZABETH BOWDEN, who lived at Ducke's Almshouses, Heavitree. Alfred Stamps, of 147 Sidwell-street, identified the body and said deceased, who was the widow of THOMAS HENRY BOWDEN, was 77 years of age. Jessie Seldon said deceased had lived in the Almshouses for about four years. She had never complained to witness. Mrs Fanny Rowe, who also lived in the Almshouses, said that on Wednesday, November 19th, at 6.15 p.m., she heard deceased going up stairs and then a tumble. She went out, and saw deceased in a heap on the floor. She was on her face and hands, and witness discovered, when a light was brought, that her face was covered with blood. She told deceased she ought to have taken a light and deceased replied, "Don't be angry with me." Witness then went for P.S. Bishop. Dr Purvis, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital said deceased was admitted on November 19th suffering from a wound on the face extending from cheek to cheek over the nose, a fracture of the right wrist and shock. She died on the 25th soon after six in the morning. She was frail and suffering from diabetes. The cause of death was diabetes, accelerated by the injuries received. P.S. Bishop said he went to Ducke's Almshouses on the 19th and found deceased in her room in a very hysterical condition. She was tearing at a wound on her face and shouting. The stairs were very dark. The Coroner suggested it would be better if they were lighted. Witness replied they were only used by the old people when they visited each other All the conveniences etc., were on the floors on which they lived A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 28 November 1924
EXETER - Baby's Death. Exeter Father's Remarkable Answers. - The Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of a nine-weeks-old child, whose parents, EVELYN MARY MILES and ALFRED GEORGE MAIRS, a labourer, occupy a room in Edmund-street, Exeter, was continued by the Deputy Coroner, sitting with a Jury, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon. Mr S. Ernest Crosse watched the proceedings on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C. - Elizabeth Downing said MAIRS and MILES had occupied a room at her premises for 10 weeks. The baby forming the subject of the Inquiry was born about two months ago. When the mother and the child were removed to the Infirmary about 10 days after birth, the child appeared very well. Both returned to the Tavern about three weeks afterwards, and the child was then looking splendid. Witness saw the child on the 19th of this month and it was then looking ill. She asked the mother why she had not sent for a doctor, and was told by the mother that she could not "Because her husband had not filled the paper in." Witness made a bed for the child by the fire and put a hot water bottle to its feet. She sent for the N.S.P.C.C. Inspector. When the man had left her no money, witness had provided milk for the child. - Dorothy Downing, daughter-in-law of the previous witness, said she advised the child being taken to a doctor or to the Infant Welfare Centre, and to being told by the woman that her husband would not allow of that being done. When witness warned her she told her to mind her own business. - Elizabeth Wright said she offered to take the child to the Infant Welfare Centre or to a chemist and the woman replied that MAIRS would not take the child to the Centre. The man told her he could not afford to lose time to fetch a doctor. - Edwin George Way, chief Relieving Officer for the City, said the woman was admitted to the Institution because she was weak and unfit to nurse the child. On the 19th inst. MAIRS called upon him in the afternoon and asked for a medical order, which was given him. - Alice Maud Davies, head nurse at the Poor-law Institution, said that when the child was admitted it was small. During the time it was in the Institution, it gained. It seemed as if it was just beginning to improve when it went out. Witness told the woman the child was not fir to go out, and that she was taking it out on her own responsibility. The Medical Officer had also advised the woman not to take the baby out. It was re-admitted on the 19th in a dying condition. - Too Weak To Cry. - Inspector W. Hart, N.S.P.C.C. said MAIRS was working as a farm labourer. MAIRS and MILES had a child in May last year. Although it died in April of this year, he believed the parents were fond of it and did what they could for it. When witness saw the mother of the second child in September this year she appeared to be half-starved. When he saw the baby on the 19th it was emaciated, and was too weak even to utter a cry. MAIRS later said, "Everybody is against me. I've a good mind to go and jump into the water and put an end to it." Witness obtained a warrant for the removal of the baby. - Nurse Rowe described the baby as small, but healthy. On the eighth night after the birth she was informed that MILES was walking about in her nightdress. Witness telephoned for a doctor, who advised the woman's removal to Hospital or Infirmary. - The father of the child said that he and MILES had been living together for three years. There had been no trouble with the child and he thought it was all right. He sometimes earned 16s. a week and sometimes 12s. a week. He had to pay 10s. a week rent for the room he occupied. Only on the 19th did his wife say that the child did not seem well, and he then went for the doctor. Previously he had taken the child to a chemist. Owing to his short sight he was unable to tell what condition the child was in. - By Mr Crosse: Realising on November 13th you ought to have got a doctor you failed to do so? - Yes, sir. Have I got time, when I've got to look for work. I've got to get my living, ain't I? - Do you agree that on several occasions MILES asked you to get a doctor? - So far as I remember. - The Deputy Coroner said that MAIRS had emphatically denied it to him previously. (To MAIRS: You say that MILES advised you on more than one occasion? - Yes, sir. - Mr Crosse (to MAIRS): And what is your excuse for not having done so? - I'm sorry I didn't do it at the time. I only wish I had not. - I suppose you do realise it is absolutely shocking neglect on your part not to have done so? - Yes, sir. - MAIRS here burst into tears. He admitted in answer to further questions that his failure to fill in the Dispensary form was absolute neglect. He had done his best for the child. He agreed that both the mother and child would have been better off in the Infirmary, and that Dr Stirk had told him MILES was not getting sufficient food. Replying to further questions, MAIRS declared: "I have had nothing but trouble ever since I've been back in Exeter." - Answering the Foreman of the Jury, MAIRS said he had applied to the Guardians for relief, but was offered a ticket for the Workhouse, which he declined. - The Inquiry was adjourned till Monday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 November 1924
BOVEY TRACEY - "Found Drowned." Bovey Inquest Verdict. - Concerning the body recovered from a stream at Wofford Bridge, Bovey Tracey (as reported in yesterday's issue), an Inquest was held last evening by Mr E. Hutchings. GEORGE HENRY WILCOX MADGE (Torquay) identified it as that of his father, who was a warehouseman. He had, he said, been missing since October 21st, and he last saw him alive on October 19th. - Richard Edwin Windsor (Torquay), with whom deceased lived, said he left on the 21st, but left no message as to where he was going. He was a quiet man and there was nothing peculiar about his manner. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 2 December 1924
EXETER - Exeter Child's Death. Verdict Of Manslaughter. - An Inquest was resumed at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, by Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy City Coroner, on CLIFFORD GEORGE MAIRS, aged nine weeks, whose parents were EVELYN MARY MILES and ALFRED GEORGE MAIRS, labourer of Edmund-street. After hearing the evidence of Inspector W. Hart, N.S.P.C.C. (for whom Mr S. Ernest Crosse appeared), and other witnesses the Inquiry was adjourned from last Thursday until yesterday for additional evidence. - EVELYN MARY MILES said she was living with MAIRS. The child seemed healthy for the first fortnight. When it was 10 days old, she went to the Workhouse Infirmary, when the natural feeding was stopped. When she left the Infirmary she signed a book, but the sister did not tell her she was signing to the effect that she was taking the child out of the Institution against medical advice. Except for a little soreness the child was all right when she took it out. She then fed the child on milk and water, and it drank two quarts of milk a day. A neighbour suggested that she should take the child to the Children's Welfare Centre, but she did not do so, as she had enough of it last time. She took the child to a chemist for soreness around the buttocks and a powder was supplied. MAIRS also said she was not to take the baby to the Centre, and that he would see to the baby himself and take it to the chemist. The baby took the milk well and she warmed it up three times a night. She objected to the baby being removed to the Infirmary, but a warrant was brought for its removal. On November 19th the child did not take its food about 9 a.m., after feeding during the night. - Asked by the Deputy Coroner why she did not send for a doctor immediately, witness said she did not have anybody to send. When MAIRS came home he went for a doctor. She thought the child was going on all right after it left the Institution. - "Bit Of A Cold." - Witness, replying to Mr Crosse, said she did not take the child to the dispensary on November 13th because she had not any money. At that time the child only had a bit of a cold. Sixpence had to be paid every time before a doctor could be obtained from there. MAIRS went for the parish doctor. - Simply because you had not sixpence you did not have the services of the Dispensary doctor? - I could not pay the money if I had not got it to pay. - Continuing, witness said she did not remember Mrs Downing telling her she would get into serious trouble if she did not send for a doctor. She did not tell the last-named to mind her own business. She only told her "husband" to fetch a doctor once and did not tell Inspector Hart that she told him to do so more often. - Mary Grace Turner, Edmund-street, said MAIRS purchased about a pint of milk a day from her for about a fortnight or three weeks before the child died. He had been having about the same quantity since the death. - Alice Maud Davies, sister at the Infirmary, stated it was correct what she deposed last Thursday, that she told MILES, when she was leaving the Institution, that the child was not fit to be taken away and that she was taking it at her own risk. The book was read to MILES before she signed it. - Medical Evidence. - Dr Pereira Gray said he held a post-mortem examination of the body in the presence of Dr C. N. Lovely. The child weighed 5lb. 12ozs. It was emaciated and the skin was covered with an eruption. It was very anaemic, the stomach was empty and there were large masses in the lungs and liver that pointed to disease. The normal weight of a child of such age should, at the very least, be 9lb or 10lb. The opinion of Dr Lovely and himself was that the primary cause of death was neglect and inattention. If the child had been properly looked after it would, in all probability, have been alive today. The disease referred to, unless carefully treated and looked after, would, most probably, prove fatal in the end. - Dr Lovely said he concurred with the evidence of the last witness. He used the word "patched" instead of "masses" in the liver and lungs. The disease referred to, if not treated, accelerated the child's death. The condition of the child created unnecessary suffering and pain which caused the death. Cross-examined: On November 19th the child was in great pain. It was covered with a copper-coloured rash and in a very emaciated condition. He asked MILES why she had not sent for a doctor before, and she said, "Ask the father." He then asked MAIRS, who said, "We can manage the child all right; it doesn't want a doctor. - Summing Up. - The Deputy Coroner said it was evident, by the way MILES gave evidence, that she was of very low mentality. He did not know whether one would far as to say she was mentally deficient, but, obviously she was of very low mentality. It was also for the Jury to consider whether MAIRS was responsible. Apparently, both parents were very ignorant. They not only definitely took responsibility of the child themselves, but definitely refused to let anyone also take the responsibility from them. - The Jurymen considered their verdict in private for three-quarters of an hour. The Foreman then said they considered death was due to Inattention and Neglect and that MAIRS alone was Guilty of Culpable Negligence, which amounted to Manslaughter. They added a rider that the man seemed to be of very low mentality. - MAIRS was arrested by the Police and will be charged before the Magistrates today.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 5 December 1924
BIDEFORD - Running After Lorry. Bideford Child's Death. - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest at Bideford Hospital relative to the death of the three-year-old son of ALFRED JOHN GRANT, of Geneva-place. The child did as a result of injuries received when running after a motor lorry in Abbotsham-road the previous afternoon. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the driver of the lorry was exonerated from blame.

Western Times, Friday 5 December 1924 PAIGNTON - Seen by some employees of the Paignton Council to go from Preston Sands for a bathe just after 8 o'clock on Saturday morning, a well-known Preston man named TIMMINGS, who owns a second-hand book shop in the Torquay-road, was later seen to be floating on the water. When taken from the water he was found to be dead. At the Inquest a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes due to Heart Failure while Bathing" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 9 December 1924
MOTTISFONT, HAMPSHIRE - Funeral. Late MR A. J. PITTS, Late of Halberton. - Residents of Halberton and district will regret to learn of the death of MR ALBERT JOHN PITTS, of Abbey Farm, Mottisfont, near Romsey, and late of Great Curham Farm, Halberton. Deceased was born at Great Curham Farm, and at an early age proceeded to the Tiverton Middle School, at the time the Rev. J. French was the Headmaster. He went to the Ashburton Grammar School, where he had a very successful career, and was the captain of the school football team. On leaving he assisted his father on the farm, and was for several years a keen member of the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry. On the death of his father, he farmed Great Curham Farm for several years and only left for Mottisfont about two years ago. His death took place under very sad circumstances, being due to drowning in the river Test, near Mottisfont Station. It seems that he left home in his usual good health, and proceeded to Romsey on business, returning to Mottisfont Station soon after nine in the evening. He had a short conversation with Mr F. W. Bailey. He was then quite well and cheerful. He proceeded towards his home with a parcel under his arm. Barely a hundred yards from the Station, deceased had to pass over a bridge over the river Test, and as he failed to reach home that night, a search was made next morning and his parcel was discovered lying close to the roadside near the bridge. It was a very dangerous road by night, and the wooden fencing near the bridge had been broken down for a considerable time. It is considered that MR PITTS caught his foot in the broken rails, dropped his parcel in throwing up his hands to save himself and fell headlong into the river. The river flows swiftly at the spot and was in flood at the time, the water below the bridge being 15 feet deep the following day. The river was dragged four times, but the body was not found until a fortnight afterwards, when it was discovered floating nearly a mile below the scene of the accident. At the Coroner's Inquest witnesses stated that there were no marks of violence on deceased, and Dr Ralph C. Bartlett, of Romsey, said that death was due to drowning and, in his opinion, the body had been in the water 14 days. The Coroner said there was no evidence that the deceased met his death violence, or by suicide, and he advised them to return a verdict of "Found Drowned." The Jury returned a verdict accordingly. - The funeral took place at Mottisfont amid every token of respect for the deceased , who was well-known and liked in the neighbourhood. The service was conducted by the Rev. Cyril Edwards, Rector of Mottisfont, and practically the whole village and parish came to pay their last tribute of respect. The organist and choir also attended, with Mr Bessant carrying the Processional Cross. The hymn "Abide with me" was sung in the church. The principal mourners were MRS PITTS (widow), Miss Salter (sister-in-law), Messrs. A. and J. Salter (brothers-in-law); Messrs. W. Pitts and A. Shere (cousins). Besides the large number of wreaths from relatives and friends from Devonshire and elsewhere, there were many from friends in the neighbourhood. - Commenting on the lamented death of the late MR A. J. PITTS, at the early age of 35 years, "The Romsey Advertiser " says: It would not be possible to measure the sympathy that has been extended to MRS A. J. PITTS and her family, both in the village and throughout the whole district when it became known that her husband was missing. The loss was accentuated by the fact that though the circumstances pointed to accidental drowning, and willing workers were dragging the river, a whole fortnight elapsed before his body was found. Though MR PITTS and his family only came to Mottisfont from Devonshire in September 1922, they so identified themselves with all that concerned the welfare of the village that he will be much missed. Always bright and cheery, with a ready smile and the generous heart that is ready to think the best of everyone, he will be long remembered as a man filled with the true spirit of brotherhood. MR PITTS was at once elected a member of the Church Council, and subsequently people's warden. A keen churchman, ready to give of his best at all times, he was often able to suggest the best solution of any difficulty, and gave generous support to any movement that was beneficial to the extension of the church's influence. He was very keen on the new scheme of freewill offerings, which constitutes the principle that every member whose name is on the Church Roll, should be asked to give a contribution outside the church. The annual deficit in the church accounts was constantly in his mind, and he did his best to increase the number of subscribers, and so place the finance on a sounder footing. At the Mottisfont Club, where he was a most popular member, he did his utmost for the welfare of all, while on the farm he will be remembered for many a long day as a considerate and generous employer, his sympathy for those who worked for him finding touching expression in the beautiful floral tributes brought by them to the funeral. Deceased was also Secretary and Treasurer of the Mottisfont Unionists, Chairman of the Mottisfont Sports' Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Mottisfont Club.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 11 December 1924
AXMINSTER - Axminster Cycling Fatality. Mason's Sad Death. - At Axminster yesterday morning, Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, conducted an Inquest on CHARLES CLOUD, 62, a mason, of Springfield Cottage, Musbury-road, Axminster, who succumbed to injuries sustained in consequence of the bicycle he was riding colliding with a pedestrian. The Coroner had the assistance of a Jury, of which Mr J. N. Webster was Foreman. - Evidence of identification was given by GEORGE CLOUD, deceased's son, who said that on Monday, about 5.30 p.m. he was cycling down Lyme-road with his father and brother. As they were approaching Old Park-drive - deceased being in front - his brother, who was also in front of witness, signalled to him. Witness cycled up to the spot and saw his father with a lady on the ground on the left-hand side of the road. Witness's brother attended to deceased and witness went to the assistance of the lady. A doctor was sent for, and, subsequently, both the injured persons were removed to the Cottage Hospital. - Witness, in answer to the Deputy Coroner, said he could not see his father cycling in front of him. Deceased was a careful cyclist. He was unconscious when witness arrived on the scene of the accident. He succumbed about 3 a.m. on the 9th inst. - JAMES CLOUD, another son, said he was cycling about five yards behind his father. Witness shouted to deceased to keep well to the left as a 'bus usually passed them at the spot. Witness later heard a crash. He was then about thirty yards behind his father. On reaching the spot he found both his father and the lady unconscious. Deceased's bicycle was fitted with an acetylene lamp. Witness did not actually see the accident. - Dr A. E. Crockford deposed that he saw deceased in the Cottage Hospital about 6.45 p.m. on Monday. He was unconscious and symptoms of a fractured skull. Witness saw him again between 10 and 10.30. He was worse and it seemed unlikely that he would live. Witness told the Matron to ring him up if necessary in the night. She did so about 3 a.m. and said the man was dying. Witness attributed death to a fractured base of the skull. - The Deputy Coroner said the injured woman (Miss May Hunt) was not well enough to give evidence otherwise he would have called her. The facts were, however, simple. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with deceased's family, a sentiment in which the Deputy Coroner joined.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 16 December 1924
EXMOUTH - Old Lady's Fall. Unsuspected Fracture. An Exmouth Inquest. - Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, yesterday held an Inquest at Exmouth Court House touching the death of MARY MACFARLANE, a widow, aged 78, who died at Exmouth Cottage Hospital on Saturday morning, after suffering for over a fortnight from the effects of a fall out of bed at the residence of her son-in-law and daughter, MR and MRS JOHN TILLMAN, of Littleham. - ELIZABETH TILLMAN, daughter of the deceased, said she last saw her mother alive on Friday last at the Hospital. She was suffering as the result of an accident. On the evening of Tuesday, November 25th, when witness was putting deceased to bed, she saw some blood coming through her mother's stocking. Deceased frequently fell about, and when witness saw the blood she sent for Dr Hanna, who came almost immediately, and said deceased had broken her leg. He ordered her removal to the Cottage Hospital, and she was taken there the following morning. Witness thought deceased must have broken her leg on the previous Sunday, when she fell out of bed. Deceased, however, said she did not fell anything, and, consequently, had not said anything. Deceased was 78 years of age, and had been a semi-invalid for about six years. She was the widow of EDWARD WATSON MACFARLANE, a shipwright. - JOHN TILLMAN, husband of the previous witness, corroborated. He said about four years ago, when deceased was living at Southampton, she suffered from a seizure, which left her legs almost powerless. She had a further seizure about 12 months ago, and since then had been frequently falling about. On the night before the doctor was called in deceased fell out of bed and witness went into her room and put her back again. She said that as she fell she twisted her leg under her, and could not get up again. On the following morning, at 5 o'clock, witness found deceased in bed still asleep, and she was still sleeping at 9 a.m., when witness returned from Exmouth. At 7 o'clock in the evening, when they discovered the injury, deceased asked them not to send for the doctor, as there was nothing serious the matter. Witness noticed no blood when he picked deceased up after she had fallen out of bed. She was then wearing her stockings. - Dr G. H. Hanna, of Exmouth, said he was called on the evening of November 25th to see deceased and was told her leg had broken out bleeding. He found her leg was broken and ascertained she had fallen out of bed. Witness put the leg in splints and told MRS TILLMAN to have the patient taken to the Cottage Hospital, which was done. Two days after arrival in Hospital she developed bronchitis, and soon after her became gangrenous and she died from exhaustion Saturday morning. She was an old lady whom witness had attended for a stroke about a year ago, and she had to keep to her bed a good part of the day. Her injury was a compound fracture of the left leg, but she did not feel much pain in it, and could move it without wincing. Witness considered deceased did not know she had injured her leg. - The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

EXMOUTH - Exmouth Birth. Cottage Hospital Case. Remarkable Evidence. - Remarkable evidence was given at an Inquest held at Exmouth yesterday by Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, touching the discovery on top of a wardrobe at Exmouth Cottage Hospital of the body of a newly-born male child, stated to be that of AILEEN HOWARD, who had been a probationary nurse at the Hospital for a few months. Mr H. Linford Brown appeared on behalf of the Hospital authorities. Mr P. G. Mathews was elected Foreman of the Jury. - Harriet Catherine Shaw, a sister at the Hospital, said that on Monday, December 8th, she came downstairs morning and saw MISS HOWARD sitting down in the dining-room and leaning over a radiator. HOWARD, who had been a probationary nurse at the Hospital since April 16th, said she felt bilious and witness took her temperature, which was a little over 99 and told her to go to bed. She was a little better next day. Her temperature went down to normal, and she would have been allowed to get up, as there appeared to be nothing in particular the matter with her, but on the Wednesday her temperature went up to 101. HOWARD saw Dr Thomas on the Monday, when she first went to bed. Witness was doing the ordinary hospital work during the week, but looked in every day to see the girl. On the Friday an unpleasant smell was detected by one of the probationers who was taking HOWARD'S meals up, and it was mentioned to witness, who noticed it particularly on Saturday. On the latter day witness was left alone, as two nurses had gone to a performance of "The Mikado." Witness went to see if HOWARD wanted anything, but the girl was asleep and the light was on. The smell was very noticeable, and witness, after looking around, decided it must come from something on the top of the wardrobe. In reply to the Coroner, she said she suspected the smell was from something decaying, but did not suspect what she eventually found. On the top of the wardrobe she discovered the body of a newly-born male child, together with a sheet and a towel. It had apparently been put up somewhat roughly. Witness informed the Matron. In reply to further questions by the Coroner, witness said she noticed something as long ago as September. She added, "I seem to remember I did ask her once, but I never thought of it seriously afterwards." - The Coroner: It is rather extraordinary that right the birth of the child you had noticed nothing. - Witness replied that HOWARD on the occasion mentioned a satisfactory answer as to her condition, and afterwards seemed all right. - The Coroner: If she had not made that remark you would not have been inclined to think it was all right? - Witness: I think so. I had no suspicion there was anything wrong. Witness added that after she had informed the Matron, Dr Thomas was summoned by telephone. Witness saw the body again in the presence of the doctor. It was that of an apparently healthy chid. - The Coroner: I put it to you again - you had no suspicion at all this girl was going to give birth to a child? - Witness: No. - Incriminating Questions. - Inspector Bastin put several questions as to the position in which the body was found and as to a subsequent conversation with HOWARD. - The Coroner subsequently intervened with the comment that the questions were of an incriminating nature, and it was a question whether they should be put in the absence of the girl. She was not present, and there was no one present on her behalf. - Dr Thomas, in reply to the Coroner, said the girl would not be fit to attend for two weeks. - The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said he thought they would agree it was a case in which a certain person might be charged with a criminal offence. That person was not present, had no opportunity of saying anything and was not represented by anybody. He thought they would also agree that these questions, which tended to incriminate her, should not be asked in her absence, in which case he considered it fairer to adjourn the Inquest until such time as she would be able to be present. He pointed out that the girl was not bound to give evidence. - The mother of the girl asked the Coroner's permission to speak. She said she came from Bridgwater, had three little children, and her husband worked at night, so that it was very difficult for her to attend. If the Coroner could possibly see his way to go on with the inquiry she would give as much evidence as possible. She had had a conversation with her daughter. - The Coroner: I am afraid that is not sufficient. I don't want to compel her to be present, but I should like to know from her if she does not wish to give evidence. I do not suggest for a moment the mother is trying to prevent her daughter giving evidence, but at the same time it is conceivable there may be a case where the mother might wish the thing hushed up and would not wish her daughter to give evidence, although the daughter might herself wish to do so. I do not say it is so in this case, but as a principle I do not think it right to take the desire of the mother as tantamount to the desire of the person herself. I think it fairer to adjourn the Inquiry. - Inspector Bastin said the girl could not be compelled to give evidence that might incriminate herself, but it was fairer that she should be present when the questions were put. - The Foreman asked if it was the wish of the daughter that the mother should represent her. - The Coroner: She may be represented by an advocate, but not through her mother. I cannot take the mother's evidence of hearsay. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, I shall adjourn the Inquiry to enable MISS HOWARD to have the opportunity of giving evidence. The Inquest was then adjourned to Tuesday, December 30th at 12 noon.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 18 December 1924
EXETER - Axminster Man Kicked To Death. The Winkleigh Tragedy. - Mr W. Linford Brown, Exeter Coroner, conducted an Inquiry at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of WILLIAM BRICE, 53, of Castle-hill, Axminster, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday, following injuries caused by kicks from a horse while exercising it for Messrs. Claridge, of Exeter, at Winkleigh, on Saturday. - Mr L. D. Thomas, of Exeter, who represented Messrs. Claridge, expressed on their behalf sympathy with the relatives and said deceased was a competent and reliable workman. - Evidence of identification was given by ALFRED WILLIAM BRICE, son. - Edith Tonkins, of Monkokehampton, said she was cycling on the Hatherleigh - Winkleigh road on Saturday and saw deceased riding a horse. Just before she got level with the horse it shied and jumped from one side of the road to the other. Deceased, however, soon got the horse under control. - Thomas John Knight, labourer, Winkleigh, stated that he noticed the horse was restless. An approaching car slowed down to pass the horse. Afterwards the animal made a plunge and the rider fell forward off the horse, which bolted. Witness stopped the horse. Questioned by Mr Thomas, witness said that near the scene of the accident was an outbuilding containing an engine which gave intermittent bangs. The horse passed both the car and engine house quietly. - William Richard Robbins, mason, Winkleigh, deposed to seeing the horse galloping along the road and to rendering assistance to the deceased. - Geoffrey Roger Claridge, a member of the firm of Messrs. Claridge, timber merchants, Exeter, said deceased was employed as a horse keeper. With one exception the horses kept at Winkleigh were quiet and the one deceased was riding on Saturday was, so far as witness knew, absolutely quiet. - Dr Purves, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the deceased had an extensive fracture of the skull, several broken ribs, a fractured breastbone and dislocated collar-bone. He attributed death to the fracture of the skull. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death," and observed, with reference to the exhaust pipe of the engine, that evidence had been given to show it had been in existence for 20 years, and did not appear to have been responsible for any accident during that time. He expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

Western Times, Friday 19 December 1924 MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Moreton Sensation. Tradesman's Death Caused By Humane Killer. Verdict Of Suicide. - Moretonhampstead was shocked on Monday morning by the news of the death, under distressing circumstances, of MR ALBERT EDWARD RIHILL, a well-known butcher in the town. - At the Inquest on Tuesday, MRS E. RIHILL, said she last saw her husband at 7 a.m. on Monday, when he left the house with the intention of giving his horses a drink. Before he left, deceased said, "I shall only be away a minute or two." He had never said anything about taking his life. - Dr Hugh E. McColl said he saw deceased at the mortuary at the Moretonhampstead Cottage Hospital. There was a wound in the forehead which, in witness's opinion, could have been caused by a humane killer. - Fredk. R. Brooks, of Belgrave House, Moreton, said he was in a shippen opposite the Cottage Hospital on the morning in question, and heard a report as if a tyre had burst. He could see nothing at the time, as it was dark. Mr B. Simmonds called witness almost immediately after the report, and they found deceased in the roadway apparently dead. - P.C. Eddy said the humane killer and a spent cartridge were by the side of the deceased. - Evidence was also given by Mr Albert Simmonds, and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane". Deceased was forty-six years of age.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 31 December 1924
EXMOUTH - Exmouth Discovery. Body On Wardrobe. Cottage Hospital Case. - The Inquest on the body of an unnamed child of AILEEN HOWARD, probationary nurse at Exmouth Cottage Hospital, which was adjourned from December 15th for the attendance of MISS HOWARD, was resumed at Exmouth Court House yesterday by Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner for East Devon. Mr Frederick A. Wilshire, of the Western Circuit Bar (instructed by Messrs. F. W. Bishop and Tyrrell, of Bridgwater), appeared to represent MISS HOWARD, and Mr H. Linford Brown, of Exmouth, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Exmouth Cottage Hospital authorities. Inspector Basin, who represented the Police at the opening of the Inquest was unable to be present owing to illness, and his place was taken by P.S. Chaffe, while Superintendent Braddell was also present. - The Coroner read the evidence given by Sister Shaw, of the Cottage Hospital, at the opening of the Inquest. In the course of her statement Sister Shaw said that on the morning of December 8th she found HOWARD leaning over a radiator in the dining-room, complaining of biliousness. She sent the girl to bed. On the following Friday, December 12th, an unpleasant smell was detected in the bedroom, while on Saturday the smell was intensified, and in the evening witness found the body of an infant on top of a wardrobe in the bedroom. Witness had no suspicion the girl was going to give birth to a child. The statement added that, in reply to Inspector Bastin, Sister Shaw said the body was concealed from public view, and she had to stand on a dressing table to see the body on the top of the wardrobe. - The Coroner said he thought it fairer to adjourn the Inquest in order that no incriminating questions should be asked in the absence of AILEEN HOWARD, who, he understood, was represented that day by Mr Wilshire. - Sister Shaw then went into the box and was further examined by P.S. Chaffe. She said everyone took a turn in attending to MISS HOWARD, and the Matron of the Hospital made the bed on the Tuesday morning. Witness saw MISS HOWARD casually from day to day, but said nothing to MISS HOWARD on the day she found the body. - Treated For A Cold. - Miss Hardisty, Matron of the Cottage Hospital, said MISS HOWARD came to the Hospital as a probationer in April last. Witness had no idea the girl was pregnant. She first became ill on the morning of Monday, December 8th, and was in bed when witness went to see her after being informed by Sister Shaw that the girl was ill. HOWARD then said she had a bad headache. Dr Thomas saw her later the same day. Witness asked her if she had any pain anywhere else, and she replied, "No." - Witness treated her as if she had a cold. She made the girl's bed in the evening, but noticed nothing to cause suspicion. The sheets were not exceptionally stained. Nothing further happened on the Tuesday, but the girl was kept in bed. Witness made the bed again, but nothing unusual was noticed. She was getting out of bed to attend to herself until Wednesday, when her temperature rose, and she was then kept in bed entirely. The treatment was continued in the same way on Thursday. On Friday witness noticed an unpleasant odour, which she thought was like soiled clothing. She asked Sister Shaw to see if MISS HOWARD had any soiled clothing, but the Sister was busy on that day. On Saturday the odour became worse, and in the evening a search was made by Sister Shaw, who found the body of the child. Witness was not present, but was informed by Sister Shaw. Witness at the time was waiting for a telephone message from Dr Thomas, and when it came she asked him to come to the Hospital. Dr Thomas arrived between 11 and 12 that night and he lifted the body down. Witness said to the girl, "Nurse, why didn't you tell me?" The girl replied, "I am very sorry." Dr Thomas asked when it happened, and she did not then reply, but when asked again she said it was born on Monday night. Since then witness had not mentioned the matter to MISS HOWARD, who had been at the Hospital until that morning. - An Isolated Bedroom. - The Coroner: How do you account for not noticing her condition? - Witness: I do not know of anything that would lead me to be suspicious. - Asked by P.S. Chaffe how she accounted for the sheet which was found with the body, witness said the right number of sheets were on the bed, and HOWARD must have obtained some sheets from downstairs. On Tuesday, when she made the bed, witness noticed no difference in the girl's figure and there was nothing in her appearance to cause witness to think there was anything wrong. The sheet was stained in a way which caused her to think the girl had been careless, and she spoke to HOWARD about it accordingly. - Replying to Mr H. Linford Brown, witness said HOWARD came to the Hospital on April 16th, and had, therefore, been there less than nine months. Her duties occupied her for a couple of hours in the morning and in the afternoon from 2 to 4.30 or 5. HOWARD did not explain to witness what was the cause of her headache, but a nurse informed her that HOWARD had fallen down in the bathroom. Witness then felt the girl's head, but was unable to detect any swelling. When witness made the bed she thought the stain a natural one, and mentioned the fact to the girl, who did not say it was not. She saw it each day she made the bed, but it was less, and became very slight. The bedroom was in a small wing, and in the extreme corner. Nobody was sleeping in the next room, and then there was the bathroom, and a bedroom in which the domestics slept. The floor of the bedroom was of concrete, with a linoleum covering, so that it was practically soundless, and could be easily wiped up. The girl sometimes went out in the afternoons, but was usually in again by 4.30. As far as witness knew, HOWARD had no friends and no young man in the town. - Witness informed Mr Wilshire that the conduct of the girl had been entirely satisfactory during the time she had been at the Hospital. - The Coroner, at this stage, asked Mr Wilshire if he intended to allow MISS HOWARD to go into the box and give evidence. - Mr Wilshire replied that the girl became a mother only three weeks ago. In his opinion she was not well enough to go into the box, and he did not propose to call her. - The Girl's Statement. - The Coroner said in that case he proposed to call a witness who would give the statement made by the girl. - Sarah Sharp, probation officer for the county and acting under the Standing Joint Committee, said she visited AILEEN HOWARD at the Cottage Hospital at 5.40 p.m. on December 15th, and saw her in bed in the room where she had given birth to a child on December 8th. The bed was in front of the wardrobe, and only two yards away, so that the girl would be able to push a chair from the of the bed to the wardrobe, and, standing on the chair, could reach the top, where she said she placed the child and the clothes. The top of the wardrobe was nine inches deep, so that anything placed behind the front of the woodwork would be quite concealed from any ordinary observer. She told MISS HOWARD she had come to see her about her baby, and concealing the body, and cautioned her. HOWARD replied that she only wanted to tell the truth. The girl then made a statement in which she said she came to the Hospital on April 16th, and did not then know she was in trouble. She also said she had no idea she was pregnant until the child came, and had been in her usual health the whole of the time. On Monday night, while in bed, she was taken ill, and when she sat up in bed the baby was born. She took her scissors from the workbox by the side of the bed, and afterwards turned up the light. When she looked at the baby she was frightened because it was stiff, and the nails were dark, and the eyes and mouth closed tight. After describing how she placed the body on top of the wardrobe, the girl added that she wanted to tell either Sister or Matron, but was too nervous. On the Saturday night she had been asleep and when she woke up Dr Thomas, the Matron and the Sister were in the room. Dr Thomas asked her when it happened, and she told him after a bit it happened on Monday night. The Matron asked her why she did not tell her before, and she could not answer the question. - Surprise For the Doctor. - Dr R. S. Thomas, of Exmouth, said he was asked to see AILEEN HOWARD on December 8th. She complained of a headache and was in bed, and had a temperature. She had a quick pulse, and witness listened to her heart. She said she had no pain except in the head, and witness prescribed for her. He saw her on the 9th, and she complained more of her headache, and said she had fallen in the bathroom. The scalp was tender. Witness saw her again on the 11th, and she still complained of her head; and again on the 12th and 13th. Witness was called at about 11.30 on Saturday night by the Matron, and to his surprise, when he reached the Hospital, the Matron told him an infant had been found in the bedroom. He went into the bedroom, stood on a chair and then on a dressing table and saw the stained linen and the infant on the top of the wardrobe. Witness lifted them all down and then AILEEN HOWARD woke up, and he asked her when the child was born. She said, "On Monday night." Witness had attended her since, and up to the previous day. He made a post-mortem examination on the child's body, and found the lungs had never expanded. They were discoloured and did not float. He came to the conclusion the child was still-born. It was a fully-developed male child and there were no marks of violence. - Distressing Discovery. - Dr Thomas, in reply to the Coroner, said he noticed the smell on the Friday and wondered what it was. He mentioned it at the time. With regard to the girl's statement that she did not know she was pregnant, owing to the condition of her health, he believed it was possible, and had heard of it, but it was very unusual. Replying to P.S. Chaffe, witness said he thought it was a full-time child. It was of medium size and weighed 7lb. Witness had seen the girl from time to time since, and was satisfied she could have been delivered of the child. - Mr Wilshire: Such a discovery as that made by the girl would tend to unhinge her mind or cause great distress? - Dr Thomas: Undoubtedly. - MRS ROSE MABEL MAY FEAR , of Bridgwater, the girl's mother, said when she sent the girl to the Cottage Hospital in April last, she did not think there was anything at all the matter. She had seen the girl each four weeks since, when she came home for weekends, but no reason to suspect anything. The girl was home for a fortnight in September, and witness saw her a fortnight or three weeks before the birth, but noticed nothing wrong. In reply to P.S. Chaffe, witness said the girl slept in the same room and even when she undressed witness noticed nothing wrong. - The said the latter part of the doctor's evidence rendered the duty of the Jury comparatively simple, as it ruled out any question or murder or manslaughter. There was, however, still to be determined whether there was any intentional concealment of birth. If the Jury did so find, it did not render the girl liable to apprehension upon that finding. The Jury, however, was entitled to say there was criminal concealment of birth if they so found. They had also to consider whether all due care had been taken by the authorities, and whether anything ought to have been done that was not done in this case. Apparently both the Matron and the Sister were emphatic that there was nothing noticeable, and if it were noticed doubtless the girl would have been cared for in a different way, and possibly the child would have been born alive. - The Jury retired, and on their return the Foreman said the verdict would be in accordance with the medical evidence, while the Jury did not think there was any intentional concealment of birth. - The Coroner: You wish that recorded? - The Foreman: Yes. - Mr Wilshire, after the Coroner had formally registered the verdict, on behalf of the parents, expressed thanks to the Coroner for having courteously adjourned the inquest in order that the girl might be present. He also thanked the Hospital authorities, who had attended to the girl in the most admirable manner, and also the Police for the courteous and kindly manner in which they had done their duties. - Police Court Charge. - AILEEN HOWARD was subsequently brought up in custody at Exmouth Police Court, before Messrs. Leonard Lees (in the chair) and Wallace Bardens. The charge was one of unlawfully endeavouring to conceal the birth of the child. Supt. Braddell explained that the prisoner had only just been arrested on a warrant and he proposed, with the approval of the Bench, to give evidence of arrest and then to ask that the case be adjourned until Tuesday next, at 11 a.m. It was difficult to fix a day that would suit the professional and other witnesses, and that particular day was suitable. - P.S. Chaffe stated that he apprehended prisoner on a warrant, read the charge to her, and cautioned her. She replied, "I admit the offence and I am sorry for it" - Supt. Braddell said the Police had no objection to bail being granted. The Bench remanded accused and fixed bail in the accused's own recognisance of £20, while Miss Phillips, the local social worker, became surety in another £10.

EXETER - "At Rest." Upton Pyne Man's Sad End. - An Inquest was conducted by Mr W. Linford Brown (Exeter Coroner) at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on the body of HENRY JOHN BURBIDGE, a laundry lorry-driver, who was found In on Monday in a mill stream near Countess Wear. - EMILY BURBIDGE of Brookside-cottage, Horseshoe-lane, Upton Pyne, said her husband would have been 46 last Monday He had been a healthy and steady man, and had never threatened to take his life. He had worked for the Exeter Laundries Ltd., about 14 years, and for the last four or five years had driven a motor van. She thought her husband had become nervous owing, perhaps, to the traffic. On December 8th he left home at 7.45 to go to work. She knew he had not been well. - William Leonard Salter, of Cowley, said he spoke to deceased on the Creedy Bridge, Cowley, on the morning of December 7th, and later saw him walking away from the river Exe towards the road. - Detective Annett said deceased's hat and coat were found on the river bank on the Exeter side of Cowley Bridge on December 8th. In the pocket was a motor driving license bearing deceased's name. - Ernest Wm. Heal, aged 14, stated he saw deceased at 8.20 a.m. on December 8th and spoke to him, but BURBIDGE did not reply. Deceased was walking up and down the river bank smoking, and had his hands in his pockets. - Wm. Alexander Kneel, Managing Director of the Exeter Laundries, Ltd., said deceased was most respectable and reliable. As far as he knew, BURBIDGE had no cause for worry. His books and papers were quite all right and he received good wages. On Saturday, December 6th, deceased appeared unwell, and said he had a He had a dose of quinine in the office and then went off to see his doctor. Witness next saw him on the following Wednesday and told him he was unfit for work. Deceased refused to go home, however, although it would have made no difference to him financially. On Thursday he seemed better. Witness did not see anything wrong with him mentally. - P.C. Baker of Heavitree, deposed to seeing deceased's body in a mill stream in the Old Abbey Fields on December 29th. It was in several feet of water and witness got it out with the aid of John Howard, a chauffeur. Deceased was dressed with the exception of his hat and coat. - Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to drowning. - The widow, recalled, said she found a postcard (produced) in her letter box on December 8th. - The Coroner then read the card which stated: "By the time you get this card I shall be at rest I wrote to Dick to ask him to come and see you on Wednesday to make arrangements for the future, Yours, HARRY. To dear EM and the boy." - MRS BURBIDGE said Dick was her brother. Deceased must have been suffering from a delusion. - A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned.