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.]

1929

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

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

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

Names Included: Adams; Allen; Alward; Arscott; Atkins; Austin; Bagwell; Baker(2); Barker; Basioli; Beer(3); Berry; Billows; Black; Boles; Bond; Bone; Brading; Brice; Brinicombe; Brooks; Browne; Bubear; Carter; Carthew; Chamberlain; Clapp; Clarke; Clift; Coats; Coleby; Coles; Collins; Cooksley; Cornish; Costello; Cotgrave; Crocker(3); Crook; Cross; Dart(2); Dean; Deem; Dobb; Dunn; Dyer; Easterbrook; Ellis; Farrant; Fewins; Fielding; Finch; Francis; Friend; Fuller; Gibson; Gidney; Gillette; Gliddon; Gollancz; Goodridge; Griffiths; Hammett; Hancock; Hannaford(2); Harle; Harris(2); Harrison; Harsant; Hart; Harvey; Hawkins; Haydon; Hayman; Haywood; Heale; Heard; Hill; Hobbs(2); Hodge(2); Holmes(2); Holwill; Hook; Hoskin; Howe; Humphreys; Hutchings; Jasper; Jeffery; Johnson; Jones; Kelly; Kettle; Kirkman; Lake(2); Lowman; Lowndes; Luscombe; Madge; Marsden; May; McDonald; Meadowcroft; Melhuish; Middlewick; Miller; Mills; Mitchell; Monahan; Mortimore; Oliver; Osmond; Overton; Owen; Parker; Penny; Perry; Pethybridge; Phelps; Pike(2); Pile; Porter; Price; Prince; Pyle; Readhead; Reeves; Restorick; Reynolds; Ricketts; Rogers(2); Rutherford; Scarlett; Scorse; Selley; Serle; Seward; Sharland; Sibbald; Silk; Skinner; Slade(3); Smale; Small; Smallridge; Smith; Sparkes; Spiller; Steel; Stephens; Stevens; Stoneman; Strike; Syers; Tapley; Taylor; Tedbury; Toby; Toms; Tooze; Triggs; Trippier; Trout; Truman; Tucker; Tuckett; Vallance; Vickers; Vivien; Warren; Webb; Webber; West; Westcott; Western; White; Whitehead; Woodbridge; Woolridge; Wyatt; Yabsley; Young

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 January 1929
EXMINSTER - The Triangle. Torquay Servant And Married Man. Death By Poisoning. - An Inquiry was conducted at the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, yesterday, by the Deputy Coroner for the District, Mr G. H. Stephens, sitting with a Jury, into the circumstances surrounding the death of LUCY STRIKE, a single woman, aged 40, of Kemport, Cornwall. - Blanche Ross, wife of Thomas Ross, retired Wesleyan Minister, of Ardardan, Thurlow-road, Torquay, said deceased had been employed by her for two years and nine months, and had enjoyed good health during that time. At the time she was engaged, deceased was walking out with a married man living apart from his wife. Witness begged her to give him up, but did not know whether she had done so. About three months ago witness received a letter from the man's wife, and spoke to deceased about it on November 8th. She resented that. On November 22nd witness went into the scullery at 10 a.m. to speak to the deceased, and found her mouth very swollen. She said she had taken salts of lemon. Witness found a bottle three parts full of spirits of salts in the cellar. When asked why she had done it, deceased replied, "To make an end of things." Witness had her removed at once to the Torbay Hospital. - Dr Paterson, Assistant Medical Officer at the Devon Mental Hospital, identified the body. He said deceased was admitted on the 25th November from the Torbay Hospital, and had signs of burning and ulceration around the throat. The sores healed, but the stomach and throat were ulcerated and caused difficulty in swallowing. About 11 a.m. on New Years' Day deceased complained of pains in the back, right leg and abdomen. She was examined at 3 p.m. by Dr Weston and witness, and as a result Mr N. Lock, of Exeter, was called out at 8.30 to perform an operation, as the only chance of saving deceased's life. This was carried out at 11 p.m., but deceased collapsed and died while being removed to a ward. A post mortem examination showed that the abdomen was very dilated and confirmed witness's opinion that death was due to the poison. Deceased would have died in a few hours had the operation not been performed. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind" was returned, the cause of death being acute dilation of the stomach following hydrochloric acid, self-administered. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 9 January 1929
EXETER - Dead In Bedroom. Resumed Inquest On Exeter Woman. Open Verdict. - The Inquest was resumed yesterday at the Court House, Exeter, concerning the death of MRS MABEL DAVIS CROCKER, aged 35, wife of MR A. W. E. CROCKER of 8 Thornton-hill, Exeter, who was found dead in her bedroom at the Great Western Railway Hotel, St David's, Exeter on Monday, December 17th, 1928. When the Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, sitting with a Jury, opened the Inquest on December 18th the husband gave evidence of identification. - Husband's Evidence. - Recalled yesterday, he said that on Saturday, December 15th, he took his wife for a drive in his car in the morning and arrived back at the Hotel at 1 p.m. He left her there and went to Thornton-hill, where he was living. He was on perfectly good terms with his wife, but they were living apart on account of her intemperate habits. On Sunday, the 16th, she telephoned him at 11.50 a.m. and asked if he was coming to see her. He replied "Yes." Later, he remembered that he had invited friends to dinner, so he rang up again saying he would see her early on Monday instead. He knew nothing further until he was rung up by the manageress of the Hotel on the Monday morning saying she could get no answer when she knocked at deceased's bedroom door. Witness got his car and went to the Hotel immediately. He went up to his wife's room and called her, but received no answer, and found that the door was locked. The manager suggested breaking down the door, but he (witness) advised entrance by the window, and a ladder was procured. The boots got in through the window and opened the door, and witness went up. He saw his wife lying on the floor of the room dressed as if for going out with the exception of a hat. She had not been in a very good state of health lately, and had complained of heart flushes, for which she was in the habit of taking tablets. She had never suggested committing suicide; she was too fond of life for that. - In answer to Mr R. J. McGahey, who appeared on his behalf, witness said his wife had never had any money troubles; he allowed her £500 a year. - Edwin James Mallett, second boots at the Hotel, gave evidence of entering by the window and finding deceased lying on the floor, fully dressed with the exception of a hat, and with her feet towards the door. He touched her hand and found it was cold. An empty tumbler was standing on a small table just inside the door. He last saw her alive on the Sunday morning at 11 o'clock and she was quite sober. - Deceased's Complaint. - Edgar Calthorpe, Manager of the Hotel, said deceased had stayed at the Hotel on many former occasions. The last visit commenced on November 17th. At 12.15 a.m. on the Sunday referred to, MRS CROCKER asked him for a bottle of lemonade, which he poured out for her in a glass. She took this upstairs. That was the last he saw of her. Answering a question, witness said she was accustomed to go without food sometimes for long periods. She only had meals when she wanted them. - Miss Yvonne Calthorpe spoke to receiving a message from MR CROCKER over the telephone saying he would not be down until Monday. This she conveyed to MRS CROCKER, who seemed disappointed. - Mrs Marie Calthorpe, the Manageress, said she had known deceased for a considerable number of years. She was, she knew, addicted to drink. At 10 a.m. on the Sunday deceased came to witness's bedroom to wish her "Many happy returns of the day," as it was her birthday. She complained of a sore throat, and said that her heart was "wonky." Deceased was accustomed to gargle her throat with Lysol, although warned it was too strong. Witness gave her a mouth-wash tablet, which was procured at the local chemist's. MRS CROCKER mentioned that she was going to lie down, as she was not feeling well. In reply to the Deputy Coroner, witness said deceased often went without food for 24 hours on end. - P.C. Kelly spoke to finding deceased lying on the floor of the bedroom in the manner described. There was a strong smell of disinfectant in the room. MRS CROCKER'S tongue was clenched between her teeth, and her legs slightly drawn up. A square foot of blood was by her head and this had apparently come from the nose. A small wound was found on the right of the bridge of the nose. The bed had not been slept in. Numerous lemonade bottles, a half-pint spirit bottle and an eight-ounce bottle of Lysol were found in the wash-stand cupboard. A tumbler found on the wash-stand had apparently contained Lysol. - A Violet Death. - Dr J. Pereira Gray, who examined the body, said deceased had apparently died a violent death, which was not due to natural causes. He read a report made by Mr T. Tickle, the Public Analyst, who found that the liquid content of the stomach weighed five ounces and this contained one-third ounce of cresole, which together with linseed oil and soap was one of the components of Lysol. A teaspoonful of Lysol, of which there were eight to the ounce, swallowed in mistake by a 50-year-old woman, had produced a state of unconsciousness and the woman's life was only saved by the washing out of the stomach. Two teaspoonfuls of cresole were easily sufficient to kill an adult. - In reply to Mr McGahey, Dr Gray said that a large quantity of Lysol swallowed either neat or diluted was sufficient to cause death. - Replying to the Foreman of the Jury, witness agreed that if MRS CROCKER had been under the influence of drink she might have swallowed the Lysol while gargling. - After some deliberation, the Jury came to the conclusion that death was due to Cresole Poisoning, but as there was not sufficient evidence to show how it reached the stomach they left the verdict open.

Western Times, Friday 11 January 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Seaton Sensation. Suicide Of DR F. M. REYNOLDS, Medical Officer Of Health. The Inquest Story. - On Sunday evening the death occurred under tragic circumstances revealed at the Inquest held on Monday on DR FRANCIS MORTIMER REYNOLDS, M.O.H. for Seaton Urban District Council, at his residence "Beachcote", Seaton. Deceased was a son of the late HERBERT JOHN REYNOLDS, C.S.L., J.P., of London. Born at Dacca, India, in 1861, he was educated at Clifton College and Edinburgh University. He formerly practised at Ottery St Mary, where he was M.O.H. for the Honiton Rural Urban District Council and the Newton Poppleford district of St Thomas. Retiring, he came to reside at Seaton in May 1911, and subsequently was appointed M.O.H. to the Seaton Urban District Council, which office he held at the time of his death. He was a prominent Freemason, being P.M. of the "De la Pole" Lodge (No. 1181) Seaton. He was also a P.M. of the "Fortescue" Lodge (No. 847), Honiton, and a P.P.G.D. of the Province of Devon. Deceased was also very fond of sport, cricket and sea fishing being his favourites. He was of cheery disposition, and will be greatly missed in the town. Much sympathy is extended to MRS REYNOLDS in her sad bereavement. - On Monday morning Mr B. R. Dunning, Deputy Coroner for the Honiton district, held an Inquest, without a Jury, at the residence. - The widow (MRS M. A. REYNOLDS) identified the body as that of her husband, who was 67 years of age. In April last he was going upstairs with parcels and fell back over and broke his collar-bone. Witness thought a seizure was the cause of the fall, and he never properly recovered. He got about for a time, and in August went to a Hospital in London for a fortnight. He had, however, been getting worse ever since and was very depressed, caused by pain, but had never threatened to take his life. On Sunday at dinner-time deceased was left about half an hour. He sat out to have his dinner, which he enjoyed, and got back to bed again. She sat with him the whole afternoon, but he was rather more restless than usual. She came down at 4.45 to tea, and deceased stating he would have some milk, witness took some to him. He drank some and witness continued to sit with him. Soon after she noticed the bed sheet go up. She at once went to him and found he had the milk cup in one hand and a bottle (produced) in the other. She did not see him drink after the first drink. She called Mr A. Bishop to come to her aid at once. - Arthur Bishop, nephew, stated he had been staying at "Beachcote" about three months looking after deceased, chiefly at night. Deceased was very depressed. He usually conversed on things in general. He was especially interested in the Test matches. Deceased often went into the bedroom adjoining, but he was always with him. - By the Coroner: He could not tell how all the bottles came on the washstand. They were there before he came. The only thing he had purchased for deceased was sleeping tablets prescribed by the doctor. - Dr E. Tonge, M.B.E., stated he last saw deceased about the 18th December, but had been keeping supervision over him for the past three years. Deceased, when he last saw him, was cheerful and doing his medical officer's work. Deceased was really suffering from cancer, and had been for two years. He knew he was so suffering, and had had confirmation of the same. By the fall referred to deceased broke his collar-bone in three places and lost his speech. There was no doubt he had a seizure. The fracture had caused him pain ever since, and was no better for the London treatment. Speaking as to the state of deceased's mind, Dr Tonge stated deceased was sometimes depressed and then cheerful again. At Christmas he was doing his work, and spoke of what he was going to do for the Council. - Dr E. H. Walker, Seaton, stated he was called about 5.15 p.m. on Sunday, and deceased passed away just as witness arrived. MRS REYNOLDS handed him a cup and bottle as soon as he arrived. Deceased's mouth smelt strongly of hydrocyanic acid, and the bottle was half empty. - By the Coroner: The quantity gone from the bottle was a fatal dose, and sufficient to kill half-a-dozen people. Death was due to syncope through taking an overdose of hydrocyanic acid. The quickness of death was consistent. - Recalled, MRS REYNOLDS stated she had not previously seen the bottle to the time she saw it in her husband's hand. A similar bottle containing cocaine was produced. She stated deceased used this for his teeth. - Dr Tonge said the acid in question was used considerably for indigestion and flatulence, and being an old medical practitioner could prescribe it for himself. It would not surprise him if deceased had not been taking the acid for weeks, and may have taken an overdose. - By the Coroner: A fatal dose was a half to two drops. - The bottle of acid produced bore the label of a Bristol firm, and this, Dr Tonge stated, was the same firm from which deceased obtained his supplies, and he would get it in his ordinary practice. - MRS REYNOLDS, asked where the bottle produced was kept before, said she had never seen it before. Deceased did not get out of bed at tea-time, and must have concealed it in bed since the dinner-time. - The Coroner found that death was due to Syncope through taking an Overdose of Hydrocyanic Acid, and that deceased Committed Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 16 January 1929
EXETER - Exeter Lady's Death. Inquest Verdict. - The Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquest, yesterday, touching the death of MRS LOUISA GOODRIDGE, 81, of 60. 9, the Iron Bridge, Exeter. - CHARLES HENRY WILLIAMS, proprietor of the Exeter Inn, Bartholomew-street, Exeter, said deceased was his mother-in-law and widow of WILLIAM GOODRIDGE, who kept a dairy at No. 9, the Iron Bridge. On January 1st she fell from a chair and complained of a pain in her left leg. Dr Harris was summoned, and on examination he advised her removal to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for X-ray treatment. Deceased later returned home, where she remained in bed until the Sunday, when she suddenly collapsed and died while the doctor was attending her. - Dr Harris said the fall resulted in the fracture of two bones below the knee. Deceased was subject to heart attacks and in his opinion one of these occurred while he was applying fresh splints. Death was due to cardiac failure, consequent upon a degenerate heart, possibly accelerated by the fracture of the leg. - The Coroner returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 18 January 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - "Found Drowned." Inquest On Kingsteignton Clay Miner. Coroner's Comment. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned at Newton Abbot at the Inquest concerning the death of GEORGE SELLEY, 58, clay miner, of Kingsteignton, whose body was found in the River Teign on Sunday morning. He had been missing from his home for a fortnight. - WILLIAM SELLEY, Ideford, son, said prior to his father's disappearance he had been unwell for nine weeks, and had been unable to follow his occupation. He was a little worried because of that fact, but never threatened to take his life. - P.C. Woolland and Albert Lasker of Newton Abbot, gave evidence as to the finding of the body in the Teign close to Dolbear's Marsh. The Constable said there was £4 14s. 9d. in money on the body, but no letter or communication of any sort. - Dr D. Cromie said death was due to drowning. His opinion was that the body had been in the water for some time. Deceased had been in ill-health and witness had attended him up to his disappearance, but did not think it was a case of suicidal tendency. Deceased had told witness he was depressed and that he did not sleep well. - In returning his verdict, the Coroner (Mr E. Hutchings) said there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water and there was no evidence that he intended to take his life. In such a case it would be a shocking thing for a Coroner's Court to jump to the conclusion that deceased committed suicide. - Inspector Hannaford expressed thanks to all at Kingsteignton who joined the search party organised by the Police, and MR SELLEY also expressed thanks on behalf of the widow and family.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 January 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Accidental. Kingsteignton Clay-Worker's Death. Inquest Story. - At the Inquest at Newton Abbot on ARTHUR LEWIS DOBB, 36, clay cellarman, of Halcyon-road, who died on Thursday from injuries received in an accident while cycling at Kingsteignton, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated the driver of the waggon from blame. - Charles Edward Parrish, stoker on the waggon, said they were proceeding from Teignmouth to Trusham and when passing through Kingsteignton he saw deceased cycling along about eight or nine yards in front. As the waggon proceeded to overtake the cyclist the latter appeared to cut right across in front. He then appeared to wobble and tried to turn to the left, but failed to avoid the waggon, which struck him. Deceased was picked up about 12 ft. behind the waggon. If deceased had remained on his proper side no accident would have occurred. - William Henry Bovey, clay worker, of Kingsteignton, stated that the waggon passed him at a speed of from ten to twelve miles an hour. Witness noticed something which appeared to fall from the waggon's near side, and on going to the spot he saw it was a cyclist underneath his machine. The accident occurred about 7.25 a.m., and it was just getting light. The waggon was in the centre of the road. - Dr D. Cromie said both of deceased's legs were fractured, and it was evident that something heavy went over him. Death was due to shock and haemorrhage. - Albert Edward Shambrook, of Bishopsteignton, driver of the waggon, stated that as he was turning into the Exeter road at Kingsteignton his mate shouted to him to keep out, and he then saw the cyclist for the first time. The cyclist appeared to swerve to the right, and witness kept over to the right, thinking he would clear him, but after going on a few yards his mate shouted to him to stop, and at that moment witness felt a bump. The waggon was practically in the centre of the road. The cyclist, in his view, was between the chimney of the waggon and the door on the near side. - P.C. Woolland stated that at the time the collision occurred, according to the marks in the road, the waggon's near wheel was 14 ft. 6 ins. from its correct side, and 13 ft. 6 in. further on it was 13 ft. 9 in. from its correct side. - The Coroner observed that the accident occurred when the light was extremely tricky. It was evident that the waggon was proceeding in such a way as to leave plenty of room for the cyclist. It was possible that the waggon was nearer to the cyclist than the driver thought. The driver must have anticipated that the cyclist was going back to his proper side, for no indication was given by the cyclist that he wanted to turn right. There was no suggestion that the waggon was being driver in an improper manner. - In returning the verdict the Foreman of the Jury mentioned that the Jury found there was a flaw in the spindle of the front wheel of deceased's machine, which was probably the reason why the machine wobbled just before the accident.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 January 1929
EXMINSTER - Patient's Burns. Exminster Inquest. - At the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, yesterday, the District Coroner, Mr H. W. Gould, sitting with a Jury, conducted an Inquest on FRANCES REBECCA SIBBALD, aged 49, an inmate of the Hospital. - Dr E. C. Patterson, Assistant Medical Officer of the Hospital, gave evidence of identification. Deceased was admitted on January 14th, this year, from the Newton Abbot Workhouse. She was suffering from acute melancholia with delusions, and scratches on the shins, and three burns - one on the right wrist, one on the right elbow, and one at the root of the neck. She was exceedingly thin and in a very weak condition. On the day following her admission she developed congestion of the lungs, and on the 16th, while he was present, she died. At a post-mortem examination she was found to have pneumonia at the base of both lungs. This caused her death, which was, in his opinion, accelerated by the burns. - Mabel Elizabeth Young, attendant at the Newton Abbot Poor-law Institution, deposed that deceased was admitted there on December 31st. About 1.50 a.m. on January 4th deceased as found in her bedroom shrieking and suffering from burns. The only place where she could have sustained burns was from a fireplace in the room. - A week later SIBBALD expressed her intention of committing suicide, and, in consequence, was removed to the Devon Mental Hospital. - Dr Patterson, recalled, said deceased had made no attempt to commit suicide while at the Mental Hospital, and had, indeed, stayed in bed all the time. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 23 January 1929
EXETER - Death At Digby's. Inquest Verdict. - An Inquest was held yesterday at the City Mental Hospital concerning the death of WILLIAM HART, retired licensed victualler, who had been an inmate of the Hospital since January 13th, 1927. He was 76 years of age, and formerly lived at 2 New Buildings, Gandy-street, Exeter, where he kept a boarding-house. - MRS HOOPER, of 2 New Buildings, Exeter, said deceased was her father and formerly licensee of the Anchor Inn, Paul-street, Exeter. He left the city many years ago and became licensee of the Railway Guard Inn in Waterloo-road, London, but returned to Exeter about 13 years ago. - Frederick Pritchard, a nurse at the Hospital, said deceased had been under his charge ever since he entered the Institution. On January 16th, about 6.50 p.m., he was putting another patient to bed when William Crooke, an assistant nurse, called his attention to deceased, whom he was putting to bed. Witness assisted Crooke in undressing deceased, and saw that part of the left leg was inflamed. The inflammation might have been caused by deceased, as he had the habit of rubbing his leg with his hand while sitting in front of the fire. Witness dressed the leg, but did not inform the doctor. In his opinion the inflammation was not caused by burning as all fires were surrounded by locked guards. - Dr Williamson, Assistant Medical Officer, said his attention was drawn to deceased. On the left leg was a small blister consistent with a burn, but not necessarily caused by one. He had deceased kept in bed and gave orders for the leg to be bandaged. At 6 p.m. deceased's temperature had risen to 103.6 and witness concluded this was caused by something other than the blister. On examination it was found that pneumonia had commenced. The condition of the lungs grew worse until death occurred. Witness did not think the burn had anything to do with the pneumonia, and he had received no complaints from deceased. On a post-mortem examination he found that the pneumonia extended over the whole lower lobe of the lung. The heart was fatty, but this was not the cause of death. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, said it was curious pneumonia should have developed at the same time as the burn occurred, but in view of the evidence he did not think the Jury would have much difficulty over their verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 24 January 1929
EXETER - Fatal Fall. Exeter Woman's Death. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy City Coroner, conducted an Inquiry at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of MISS ANNE TRIGGS, 79, who resided at 7 Francis Homes, Clifton-road, Exeter, and who was found dead on Tuesday. - Mrs Doris Rebecca Taylor of 75 Buddle-lane, Exeter, niece, said she last saw deceased alive on Monday, when she appeared to be all right, but complained of feeling a little giddy after eating some Christmas pudding. She recovered, however, and was all right when witness left her. - Mrs Eve Rose Clarke of 2 Kimberley-road, Exeter, said she visited No. 1 Francis Homes, on Tuesday, and was told MISS TRIGGS had not been seen that day. Witness went to No. 7, and, as she received no reply to her call, she entered the back bedroom and found the deceased on the floor near the door, dead. Witness telephoned for the Police. - P.C. Pitkin said deceased had evidently fallen on her face. - Dr Pereira Gray said the deceased, who was a heavy woman, must have fallen forward and struck her head on the floor. Her face was greatly swollen and disfigured, and death was due to concussion of the brain. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 25 January 1929
EAST PUTFORD - Child Scalded. Kettle Falls While Grandmother's Back Was Turned. A North Devon Tragedy. - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown conducted an Inquest at Stockbridge, East Putford, on Saturday, on the body of HORACE EDWARD DEAN, aged 1 ½ years, who lived with his grandfather, WILLIAM DEAN, a labourer. - MRS BESSIE DEAN, grandmother, stated that on Thursday last she was preparing her husband's supper at about 6.30 p.m., and had her back towards the child, who was playing in the kitchen, when suddenly she heard the kettle fall. She looked round and found deceased lying in the fender, badly scalded by the hot water. She dressed the scalds with oils, and sent for Dr Betts. The doctor also dressed the scalds, which were extensive on the back of the head, neck, chest and arms. Whilst he (the doctor) was examining him the following morning, the boy had a fit and died. The cause of death was shock and extensive scalds. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," found there was no negligence on the grandparent's part.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 January 1929
EXETER - Accidental. Silverton Girl's Tragic Death. The Inquest. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict of the Jury at an Inquest held at the Courthouse, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the death of MISS GERTRUDE SKINNER, aged 18, an employee at the Silverton Paper Mills, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Thursday following an accident sustained on the railway siding connecting the mills with the main G.W.R. line. - WALTER JOHN SKINNER, an employee at the Silverton Paper Mills, said his daughter's hearing and sight were excellent. She rode a bicycle to and from work. On Thursday he heard his daughter had met with an accident and when he saw her she could not speak to him. - Frederick J. Hitchcock, Cullompton-hill, Bradninch, employed at the mills, said he was standing by a railway siding at the works at Silverton while one of the trucks was being loaded. Witness saw deceased, who was returning from dinner, go into the shed. Witness shouted "Look out" as deceased emerged from the shed, she being about six feet from the line. He did not see her again until he saw her between the buffers. He saw one buffer strike her, and the trucks then parted again and she fell to the ground. In reply to a question by Mr C. G. Gates, H.M. Inspector of Factories, witness said he was close to the truck at the time. - Douglas Sussex, High-street, Silverton, a paper loaded at the mill, gave evidence, and said he heard Hitchcock shout "Look out," but he was doubtful if deceased saw the truck moving. - Dr de Kock, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said a post-mortem examination revealed a rupture of the stomach and indicated crushing. - The Foreman asked if the shed was a recognised place for bicycles. - Arthur Conrad Reed, a director of the Company, said it was not, but there was no objection to employees leaving them there.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 January 1929
EXETER - Suicide By Gas. Exeter Land Agent's Unsound Mind. Loss Of Agencies. - The circumstances attending the death of HENRY OSMOND, land agent and surveyor, of Exeter, who was found dead in his office, Post Office-lane, the previous day, were Inquired into by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr Hamilton Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, last evening. Mr S. Ernest Crosse appeared for the relatives. - JOHN HENRY OSMOND, of 14 Howell-road, identified the body as that of his father, who, he said, was 62. He had offices at 1 Post Office-lane. The last time witness saw him alive was about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, when deceased left his house. He was not expected home again until the evening. Since August 1927 deceased had been depressed. It was then he lost a big estate for which he had been agent. In February 1923 deceased lost his wife. Deceased had been under a doctor for continual colds. The lost estate agency made a great difference to him financially. He had never heard his father threaten to commit suicide. Witness did not know where his father was from Tuesday until Thursday. Replying to Mr Crosse, witness said his father had not been the same man since his wife's death, being terribly worried over it, having lost his right hand. Owing to his losing the agency of the estate referred to, his income was considerably reduced. He also lost the agencies of other estates owing to their being broken up after the war. Deceased's health had been very bad, and he had got into a nervous state. - P.C. Pitman said that when the Police received a telephone call he visited the office. He found all the doors locked. There was a strong smell of gas, which had been turned off previously at the meter by men from the Gas Company, who were sent for. The blind was drawn of the office in which he found deceased, who was lying on his right side, with a handkerchief for a pillow. The tap from the gas fire was on, as well as one from an incandescent burner, but not lit. Deceased was dead. A search was made, but no letter or note was found. In answer to the Deputy Coroner, witness said deceased was seen by a number of persons in the City between Tuesday and Thursday. He spent a considerable period of the time at his club. The door of the office in which deceased was found was locked, and the window closed and bolted. The flap of the gas fire-place was pulled over so as to close the flue of the chimney. - Dr Pereira Gray stated that death was due to coal-gas poisoning. - The Deputy Coroner found that deceased Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 January 1929
CREDITON - Crediton Fall. Inquest On A Postman's Widow. An Open Verdict. - An Enquiry was conducted yesterday at Crediton by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy District Coroner, on MRS ANN CHAMBERLAIN, of 14 East-street, Crediton, who died on Friday following a fall in her house. - MRS ANNIE FROST, residing at the same address, identified the body as that of her mother, who was 72, and the widow of MR FREDERICK CHAMBERLAIN, a postman. Deceased's health had not been good, and she suffered from a weak heart, for which she received medical attention periodically. On Friday night, about 7.30, deceased went upstairs to go to bed, and had a hot water jar in her hand. Witness, who was in the kitchen at the time, heard her go up the stairs and then scream. Witness rushed to the bottom of the stairs, where she found the deceased lying motionless. With the help of Mr Ridge, who lived next door, witness lifted deceased on to a couch and sent for the doctor. - Corroborative evidence was given by Mr William J. Ridge, of 15 East-street. - Dr Soady, of Crediton, said he had been attending deceased for seven or eight years. She suffered from valvular disease of the heart, and witness had warned the relations she might die suddenly. He last attended deceased two months ago. He received a call about 7.30 on Friday, and arrived within a few minutes. Examination showed that the deceased was dead. There was a scalp wound at the back of the head and haemorrhage from the right ear. He should not have expected her to die so quickly from the scalp wound and considered death was due to either heart disease or to the shock of the fall. - The Deputy Coroner returned an Open Verdict, there being no evidence to show whether deceased died from a heart attack prior to the fall, or from the shock or injuries caused by the fall.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 January 1929
ST MARYCHURCH - Auctioneer's Death. - The Inquest was held relative to the death of MR ARTHUR PHILLIPS HARSANT, an auctioneer, who was found dead in his bedroom at Park-street. - P.C. Abbot spoke to finding deceased lying practically face downwards, with his head towards the foot of the bed, about 3 ½ ft. away from a gas fire, two taps of which and the main tap being turned on. The window was shut. There was no sign of a struggle and, apparently, the deceased had got out of bed and collapsed. Nothing was found indicating that the man had had suicidal tendencies. - Dr A. E. Carver said death, in his opinion, was due to coal-gas poisoning and suffocation. - A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 29 January 1929
GUILDFORD, SURREY - Exmothian's Military Funeral At Guildford. - There was an impressive scene at Compton village cemetery, near Guildford, on the occasion of the funeral of Lieut.-Colonel CHARLES DARLEY-HARVEY, D.S.O., of Polsted Manor, Compton. Deceased, who was a son of the late Col. and MRS CHARLES LACON HARVEY, of Exmouth, died in the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, as the result of injuries received in a motoring accident. A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned at the Inquest. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 30 January 1929
EXETER - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned at an Inquest at Digby's Mental Hospital yesterday concerning the death of MRS KATE JOSEPHINE GRIFFITHS, wife of CAPTAIN DAVID HERBERT GRIFFITHS, master mariner. Deceased had been an inmate of the Hospital for five years and died on Sunday. Death was due to pneumonia, preceded by a fall in which she sustained a broken leg. The Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, said everything possible had been done for deceased. The Jury expressed sympathy with CAPTAIN GRIFFITHS in his bereavement.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 February 1929
BIDEFORD - Death From A Fall. Bideford Inquest. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned by the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, at an Inquest at Bideford, yesterday afternoon, concerning the death of JESSE HARRIS, aged 91, an old-age pensioner, of Montague-place, Bideford, who died from injuries received through falling down when out walking on Wednesday. - George Short said deceased had lived with him for about three years and a half. He appeared very well and was fond of walking, but was weak in his legs. On Wednesday he went out and later witness's son told him the old gentleman had fallen down. After being examined by a doctor, deceased was taken to the Institution Infirmary and subsequently to Bideford Hospital. - Evidence was given by Mrs Mills that she saw HARRIS try to step on to the pavement. He missed his footing and fell. She obtained assistance and he was taken to Mr Short's house. - Albert Edward Short said deceased had been several times warned against walking about by himself, but he would go out. He would always walk in the middle of the road, and expected other people to get out of the way for him. - Dr R. E. Gibson said deceased had fractured his thigh and this, with the shock, was the cause of death. - The Coroner said HARRIS had a wonderful frame and must have weighed 11 stone.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 February 1929
BRIXHAM - Death through Accidental Drowning was the verdict returned at an Inquest at Brixham on SAMUEL ALWARD, skipper of the Brixham motor trawler Undine, who was drowned off Berry Head. The theory advanced was that deceased fell overboard.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 February 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Beer Fatality. Need For Children's Playing Field. Inquest Verdict. - Mr C. N. Tweed, East Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Beer yesterday concerning the death of GEORGE THOMAS RESTORICK, aged six, who was knocked down the previous day by an omnibus. - John Grater, motor mechanic, of Beer, said the Gas Company's lorry was standing opposite the Post-office. Deceased ran from under it, and the radiator of the bus caught him on the forehead and knocked him down, the rear wheel passing over his back. - The Coroner: Had the driver the slightest chance of pulling up? - Not an earthly. The driver pulled up immediately and witness picked the boy up unconscious. - William John Mizen, of Beer, employed by Mr Good, said he had driven the bus between Beer and Seaton for eight years. He saw the lorry outside the Post-office, and as he passed heard a bump, though he saw nothing. He stopped within five yards, and saw deceased being picked up. Witness reported the matter to the Police. The child must have come from under the lorry. - Dr Tonge said deceased was badly cut, and there were radiator marks on the forehead. Death was due to shock. The neck had been broken, but not low enough to cause instantaneous death. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, and exonerated the driver from blame. Expressing sympathy with the parents, the Foreman (Mr W. R. David) urged that the authorities should be asked to push forward for a playing field. Children had no playground but the streets and they usually played at the lower end where the road was narrowest. Mr David also expressed sympathy with Mr Mizen. - The Coroner and P.S. Taylor (Seaton) associated themselves with the expressions of sympathy, the former saying he would see that the Foreman's remark as to playing fields was forwarded to the right quarter.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 12 February 1929
EXETER - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest yesterday concerning the death of MRS JEANNIE GRAY WHITEHEAD, wife of MR LESLIE VICTOR WHITEHEAD of 8 First-avenue, Ladysmith-road, Exeter. She was 29 years of age, and died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 14 February 1929
EXETER - Nobody To Blame. Coroner's Jury And Exeter Policeman's Death. Bus Driver's Evidence. - After an Inquest lasting nearly three hours last night a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and no blame attached to anybody, in connection with the death of Police-Constable VICTOR GEORGE EDWARD WOOLLACOTT, of the Exeter City Police Force, who was killed by a Devon General omnibus near the St Thomas's approach to Exe Bridge on Monday night. Deceased, who was 28 years of age, was the sole support of a widowed mother. The Inquest was held at the Court House by the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, who had the assistance of a Jury. - Mr F. P. Cottey represented deceased's mother. Mr A. M. Alford the driver of the 'bus and the Devon General Omnibus Company; and Mr Newman (Deputy Town Clerk) the local Authority. The Chief Constable (Mr A. F. Nicholson) was also present. - Mr Cottey, at the outset, said he desired to call the attention of the Coroner to an editorial note which appeared in an Exeter evening newspaper on the previous evening. In his judgment, it was very unfortunate under the circumstances. He thought the Coroner would agree that it was the function of the Jury to obtain the facts concerning the reason of the death of this unfortunate Constable, and he could only ask, through the Coroner, that if the Jury had read the note to which he referred they would dismiss it from their minds. He repeated it was rather unfortunate that the matter was discussed in the way it was. - The Coroner said he had not seen the note to which Mr Cottey referred. Turning to the Jury, Mr Linford Brown said they would, of course, approach this matter entirely with an open mind. - "Active and Alert." - Inspector Edwards of the Exeter City Police Force, identified the body. He last saw deceased alive on Monday at 11 a.m. He was then in his usual good health. He had no defect in sight or hearing. He was appointed as a Constable in the City Police Force on December 4th, 1922. During his six years' service he had been regularly employed on main street duty, and had intervals of traffic duty at various points. He was an efficient traffic duty man - active and alert - and he always took a keen interest in his work. Since Monday, February 4th, his tour of duty had been from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. His first four hours of this duty were on Exe Bridge and during the second four hours he would be patrolling. On the night of the 11th he commenced duty at 6 p.m., and made his regular calls from the Police telephone box at 6.3, 6.59, and 7.59. At 9.50 on the 11th witness examined a Devon General omnibus - U.O.816. It was a 32-seater vehicle, and its unladen weight was 4 tons 19 cwt. All the wheels were fitted with pneumatic tyres. There were twin tyres on both back wheels. . The tyres were inflated and in good order, and there was no mark on the vehicle to show that it had been involved in an accident. - In answer to Mr Alford, witness said WOOLLACOTT would not be exactly fixed at the point from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Witness could not say whether deceased was wearing white cuffs. - Mr Alford: If he was not on point duty would he wear white cuffs? - Witness: He should wear them on that point from 6 to 10. - Mr Alford: He would not be rooted to one spot? - Witness: From 6 to 8 it would be busy, and after that he would regulate traffic if required. - Mr Alford: Have you ascertain that he went to a dairy, ordered a glass of hot milk, and said he would come back and take it later. - Witness: No. - Mr Alford: Will you accept it from me that such was the case? - Witness: I should not doubt it. He would stop for a refreshment interval at 10 o'clock. - Mr Alford: The accident happened about 8.30. - Witness: he might have to order it before the shop was closed. - Conductor's Evidence. - Leyshon Rhys of 17 Ashburton-road, Newton Abbot, the conductor of the 'bus, stated that, at 8.35 p.m. on the 11th inst., he was in the 'bus in Alphington-street. It was sleeting heavily and the ground was slippery. Witness was standing on the platform of the 'bus on the left of the driver. His duty was to look out on the left or near side. On this occasion there was a motor vehicle coming from Cowick-street. The 'bus slowed down to a walking pace. - The Coroner: Was the Constable in the place you have usually seen Constables on point duty? - Witness: Not exactly; he was a little further on. - The Coroner: Didn't you say in a statement that he was standing in the usual place for the traffic constable? - Witness agreed. - The Coroner: You have a perfect right to alter your mind. - Witness said that, as the 'bus approached, the Constable waved it on. Witness said to the driver, "Right on!" The driver released his brake. The Constable waved them on after appearing to have "wavered" as to whether he should beckon on the vehicle coming up Cowick-street or the 'bus. "The Constable was standing at right angles, as it were, and I saw his back as he waved us on." The 'bus had only gone a matter of about two yards at a slow pace when the driver appeared to be heading towards the Constable as if he did not see him. The lights were "none too good from the bridge." As witness noticed the 'bus heading towards the Constable, he shouted to the driver, "Look out!" The driver applied both brakes and swerved the wheels to the right. The 'bus skidded slightly and, at the same time, the Constable stepped backwards into the 'bus. - The Coroner: You say the Constable stepped back into the 'bus? - Witness: Yes. The 'bus was going to the left of the Constable, and, when witness shouted "Look out!" the driver applied his brakes and swerved to the right, the 'bus skidding. The Constable stepped back right into the 'bus. "It happened so quickly," added the witness, "That one cannot swear to the exact thing." - Fell Forward. - It also seemed to witness that the wind caught the Policeman and threw him towards the 'bus. Deceased seemed to grab with both hands at the dumb bar of the 'bus. He fell forward and the weight of the 'bus flung him on to his back. The wheels did not touch the Constable. The 'bus was pulled up within three feet. Witness helped to take WOOLLACOTT to Bond's Stores. - The Coroner: As you were coming up, was there a good light? - Witness: No; the light at the spot was not sufficient considering the width of the road, and the fact that there are four corners. Further answering the Coroner, witness said the 'bus was not fitted with a screen wiper. Both the driver and witness had clothes with which to clean the screen. The screen was last cleaned at Alphington. - The Coroner: Have any 'buses belonging to the Company screen wipers? - Witness: Not 'busses of this type, but the new ones have. - In answer to Mr Cottey, witness thought conditions would have been worse for the driver if the windscreen had been open, because he would have had the sleet in his face. - Mr Alford raised a point as to standards now being placed on Exe Bridge, and the Deputy Town Clerk, said these were not additional lamp standards, but were to do with the new automatic traffic signals. - Samuel Milford, of 6 Grant's Cottages, Sidwell-street, said he was standing at the corner of Okehampton-street. The Constable was not in the usual place for constables on point duty. He was in the space between the Cowick-street and Alphington-street tram lines. He saw the Constable wave the 'bus on. As the 'bus was coming round, the front wheels skidded, and the vehicle went right into the Constable. - The Coroner: Did the 'bus immediately come to a standstill? - Witness: Yes. The radiator of the 'bus knocked the Constable down. As he fell, his helmet came off and the Constable rolled over to his right side. - Constable's Position. - Reginald J. Worth of 33 Oak-road, St Thomas, and John Mogridge of 66 Buller-road, motor driver, gave evidence. The latter said the Constable fell practically where he was struck - between the up section tram line from Cowick-street and the down section line to Alphington-street. - Albert James Wren, of Lock Cottages, Ide, taxi driver, said he was driving towards Exeter through Cowick-street. He saw the Constable. He was standing slightly nearer Gervase-avenue than was the custom for a point duty Policeman to stand. He signalled dead against witness. Witness eased down. He saw the 'bus come out and it "sort of turned away to an angle." He could not say that it was a skid. It was a beastly night. - Bertha Kilgannon of 30 Widgery-road, a passenger in the 'bus, said the latter pulled up with a jerk. She felt it skid a bit. - Albert Edward Westcott of 62 Merrivale-road, motor mechanic, said he reached the scene soon after the accident. It looked as if the 'bus had had a bad skid, probably through the greasy road and the sudden application of brakes. Witness was asked to drive the 'bus off the tram track. - Driver's Explanation. - Ernest Lawrence of 41 Courtenay-street, Newton Abbot, the driver of the 'bus, who said he desired to give evidence, said it was a bad night -sleety and wet. Witness had four lights - headlights and sidelights. As he approached Exe Bridge, he did not see a Constable on point duty. The conductor was keeping a look-out. One minute the conductor said "Right on!" and the next he said "Look out!" Witness thought this referred to a car that was coming up Cowick-street. He swerved to the right and put the brakes on. The same moment he looked ahead, "and there was the Policeman in front of him." The Constable was struck by, as near as possible, the centre of the radiator. As witness applied the brakes the 'bus skidded. Had he seen a Constable there he would have stopped. Witness saw the headlights of the car coming up Cowick-street, and was under the impression that the conductor's remarks applied to the car. - Mr Cottey: Your candid expression of opinion is that you were looking to the left and not to the right and did not see the Constable? - Witness: Yes. It seemed that the Constable was standing with his back to the 'bus and in the shade. - By Mr Alford: The Constable was not at the usual spot at the corner, and witness concluded that there was no Constable there. He had been in the employ of the Devon General Omnibus Company for nine years, four years as a conductor and the rest as a driver. He had a clean license and had driven this 'bus for two years. The 'bus was going slowly and there was plenty of time for the Constable to get out of the way if the road had not been slippery. - By Mr Newman: The Constable was about nine paces away from the usual spot. - Dr J. A. W. Pereira Gray said death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull. - No Negligence. - The Coroner, summing up, expressed sympathy with the mother of the deceased and the Police Force in its loss. The person who had given evidence that, more or less, cleared the air was the driver of the 'bus, who gave his evidence very clearly and straightforwardly. The driver did not quite wipe out the question of the weather, but he candidly said he was worried, in a sense, by a light on his left, and turned his head that way. He was relying, to a certain extent, on the conductor to put him right, and applied his brakes. The 'bus skidded. The Coroner said he should not think any negligence could be alleged against the driver that would in any way warrant the Jury in returning a verdict that would involve him in any charge of any description. The question of the vision of a 'bus driver was very important and that vision was, to some extent, impaired on a wet night. Any suggestion the Jury might make on the subject of screen-wipers would be forwarded to the proper quarter. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added that no blame was attached to anybody. - Mr Newman expressed the regret of the local authority at the loss of a valued public servant. - The Chief Constable voiced the great regret of the Force at the death of a promising officer, who was marked for promotion and expressed sympathy with deceased's mother. - Mr Alford tendered the sympathy of the driver of the 'bus - who was greatly upset by the accident - and the Devon General Omnibus Company.

Western Times, Friday 15 February 1929
CHUDLEIGH - Chudleigh Child's Death. Mother Severely Censured By The Coroner. An Emaciated Baby. - Mr Hutchings, County Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Town Hall, Chudleigh on Tuesday, relative to the death of CECIL FRANK WHITE, the six weeks old child of CECIL WILLIAM WHITE, of Victoria-row, Chudleigh. - CECIL WILLIAM WHITE, father, said the child was born on January 3rd. Both doctor and nurse saw the child after it was born, and the latter continued to attend it for ten days. Some two or three days after the nurse had left the child was taken ill. The baby was fed on Cow and Gate Milk Food, and seemingly did well. Witness noticed something wrong on Sunday night, about 12.30, and went for the doctor. The nurse also arrived but the child died at 3.30. Witness was away at work all day, and did not notice that the child was failing. The baby was taken out by his wife and himself on the Sunday afternoon. - Nurse Coombe said she attended it for ten days, after its birth, and everything was quite satisfactory until she left. Afterwards she called two or three times, but she could not make anyone hear at the house. Witness was called on Monday morning, about 1.15 by the father, and on arriving found the child very weak and with convulsions. She immediately sent for the doctor. The child was emaciated. - Dr H. B. Walters, of Chudleigh, said a post-mortem examination revealed that the organs were perfectly healthy, but there was a little congestion at the base of the lungs. There was no food whatever in the stomach or intestines and the child weighed only 5 ½ lbs. The body was very emaciated and there were marks and sores on it. The cause of death was want of food, in other words, starvation. - In reply to questions by the Foreman of the Jury and the Coroner, witness said he could not say whether the food was fit for a child, said to have been given, but he had been told it was good. The marks and sores on the body might have been caused through want of proper attention. At a later period, witness said the emaciation was caused through insufficient food, but indigestible food would also cause it. The convulsions would also cause weakness. The child was suffering from want of sufficient nourishment. - MRS ROSE WHITE, the mother of the child, was asked by the Coroner if she would like to give evidence, but declined, crying bitterly. - Nurse Walters, Health Visitor from Newton Abbot, said when she called at the house on Friday last, the mother said the child was going on all right. - The mother was again asked if she would give evidence, but refused. - The Coroner having summed up, the Jury retired, and after 20 minutes returned a verdict that death was due to Carelessness on the part of the mother owing to ignorance, and that she was deserving of censure. - The Coroner said it was monstrous to think that a person of the mother's age should be so ignorant. The Jury had taken a merciful view of the matter, and he hoped it would be a warning to her in the future. He returned a verdict that death was due to inanition, caused by Misadventure.

Western Times, Friday 22 February 1929
LAPFORD - At the Inquest on the body of MRS M. STEEL at Lapford on Monday, Mr Stephens, Deputy County Coroner, said evidently MRS STEEL died from shock as a result of falling downstairs. He returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." Deceased was 83 years of age. The funeral took place at the Congregational Chapel burial ground on Wednesday. MRS STEEL had resided until quite recently at Blandford, where her husband, the late MR DAVID STEEL, was permanent way inspector on the Somerset and Dorset Railway. Deceased was a life-long member of the Primitive Methodists. The officiating ministers, both at the graveside and at the service in the chapel, were Rev. J. Williams (Lapford) and Rev. A. Hill (Chulmleigh). The bearers were Messrs. G. Chanter, T. Littlejohn, J. Rogers, N. Rounsefell, H. Salter, F. Sanders, J. Snell, and W. Webber. The family mourners were Mr J. Steel (son), Mrs A. Grey, Mrs Bulman and Mrs Andrews (daughters), and Messrs. A. Grey and B. Andrews (sons-in-law). 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 26 February 1929
HARTLAND - At an Inquest held at Blegberry Cottage, on FRANCIS CLAUDE BEER, aged nine months, MRS BESSIE BEER, the mother, said on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, she gave him a bottle of milk, and at 3.45 took it away, leaving him apparently all right. After attending to various duties, she returned at 4 o'clock and found him lying on his face, seemingly dead. Dr Kay was sent for and soon arrived, but could only pronounce life extinct. He made a post-mortem examination. Mr G. W. F. Brown returned a verdict of Accidental Suffocation.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 27 February 1929
EXETER - Exeter Lady's Death. Temporary Insanity. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, at an Inquest yesterday at Exeter on MRS BESSIE ANN WESTERN, aged 72, of 84 Bonhay-road, Exeter, who was found drowned in a bath on Monday. - MR JAMES WILLIAM WESTERN, civil servant, of 39 Monkswell-road, Exeter, said deceased was his mother, and the widow of MR J. T. WESTERN, a County Council accountant. Deceased seemed to be depressed at times, but was always a woman of moods. - Mrs Mary Ann Douglas, companion to deceased, said she got on well with her. Deceased became depressed at times. The previous day she mentioned she had been dreaming of her husband, and would take little food. When witness left the house she did not lock the front door, but, on returning, she found it locked, and 'phoned for the Police. - P.C. Tame stated that he entered the house by means of a ladder and found deceased, fully clothes, in the bath covered with waster. He found a boiler full of water in the scullery and wet footmarks near. It appeared to witness as though she had tried to do away with herself there. - Dr Pereira Gray attributed death to drowning.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 5 March 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Inquest. Sequel To Fall. - At an Inquest at Newton Abbot last evening concerning the death of THOMAS BRINICOMBE, 59, labourer, of 12 Union-street, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. The widow said that on Friday night she left deceased sitting in front of the fire when she went to bed. About an hour afterwards she heard him call to the dog. In order to put the dog to bed he had to go down the stairs, which were very steep. Almost immediately afterwards witness heard someone fall and the sound of glass being broken. On going to the landing she saw deceased huddled up at the bottom of the stairs. He had broken the panel of a glass door in his fall. - Dr G. M. Tanner said there were no signs of injury or disease, except that the heart was in a condition of fatty degeneration. His opinion was that death was caused by shock.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 5 March 1929
BIDEFORD - Accidental Death. Devon Farm Tragedy. - At an Inquest at Bideford Hospital last night, Mr G. W. F. Brown, Coroner, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" in respect of MR A. J. SLADE, the Newton St Petrock farmer, who was shot while rabbiting at Galsworthy Farm, Buckland Brewer, on Friday night. - It was stated in evidence that deceased asked his brother to pass the gun over the hedge. It was placed on the top and as deceased took hold of the barrel the gun went off, the full charge entering his arm. It was thought that the trigger caught in a twig.

Western Times, Friday 8 March 1929
TIVERTON - Tiverton Mystery. Pathological Examination On Woman's Body. Inquest Adjourned. Coroner And 'Wild Talk' About The Case. - Following close upon the Inquest on Wednesday into the mystery of the death of MRS ANNIE BREMNER HEALE, of Tiverton, it was decided yesterday to hold a pathological examination of the body. - Chief Constable Beynon, of Tiverton, yesterday held a conference with the two doctors who made the post-mortem examination (Drs. Perry and Ahern) and the Coroner (Mr F. R. D. Clutsom) to discuss the matter, and it was decided that the services of a pathologist should be obtained to examine the body generally instead of only those organs which had been sealed up for the purpose of examination. - Dr R. V. Solly, of Exeter, made the pathological examination at Tiverton yesterday afternoon. - The funeral, which was to have been held today, will therefore probably be postponed. - The Inquest. - The Tiverton Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, opened the Inquest on Wednesday. Deceased was found dead in her bed at her home on Monday beside her husband, WILLIAM HENRY HEALE, a retired farmer, aged 65. At the time the discovery was made the husband was lying in a serious condition. - The Inquiry lasted over two hours, and at the end of that time the mystery was as baffling as ever. - The Coroner, in opening the proceedings intimated that it would be necessary to adjourn the Inquiry in order that the husband might be able to give evidence. It was also of equal importance that the Jury should be in possession of the result of a pathologist's examination of the various organs of the deceased's stomach. - "There has," continued the Coroner, "been a lot of talk about this case - much of it wild - and I think it is desirable that we should closely investigate the matter." - The Couple Very Happy. - SARAH THORNTON, of the Island Dairy, Tiverton, sister of the dead woman, said the couple were married a month ago. MRS HEALE was 56 and had improved in health during the last two years. She was very happy and when witness saw her and her husband at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday both were in good spirits. - Lewis Lee, of 59 Chapel-street, said he went to the house to repair a burst waterpipe soon after midday on Monday, but could not get any answer. He called a second time, with the same result, and on the advice of MISS THORNTON went to see a Mr Frost, a friend of the HEALE family. - With Mr Frost, witness got through a window and made his way to the bedroom. He opened the door and saw them both lying on the bed. He said, "My God, Mr Frost, they are both death." The wife was lying on the bed and MR HEALE was lying across her half out of bed. He saw the man's eyes just flicker and he ran to the window and threw it open. There was nothing noticeable in the atmosphere of the room. Witness went for a doctor, leaving Mr Frost in the house. - In reply to the Foreman (Mr Gregory) witness said MR HEALE'S position indicated that he tried to get in or out of bed. The room was not in the least disordered. - William James Frost of 152 Chapel-street, said he had known MR HEALE for about 20 years and had always found him happy. Witness said MR HEALE'S position looked as if he had sat up in bed and becoming faint, had fallen sideways across MRS HEALE'S body. The only light in the room was a candle, and this was burnt out on the dressing-table. - Ernest Richard Webber, coachbuilder of 152 Chapel-street, said the HEALES were always agreeable and happy neighbours. There was nothing unusual about either of them. - Percy Carpenter, pastry cook, of the Retreat, said MR and MRS HEALE had tea at his house on Sunday. Neither partook of any tinned food. - Chief Constable's Statement. - Chief Constable Beynon read his report, in which he said: "I saw MRS HEALE lying in the centre of the bed, and she appeared to be dead. Lying beside her was her husband, who was alive and breathing steadily, but appeared to be ill. He was conscious. Dr Perry arrived shortly afterwards, examined MRS HEALE, and found life extinct. He advised removal of MR HEALE to Hospital, and this was effected by ambulance. MRS HEALE, from outward appearance, seemed to have a calm death. She was lying on her back with her head slightly inclined towards her husband. Her mouth was partly open, and there was a little discharge which had run down the side of her face. There was a stain of reddish colour on her nightdress over the chest. Her hands were placed alongside the body, and judging from general appearances there was nothing to his mind to indicate that there had been a struggle. MR HEALE had a bruise on the right forehead. I spoke to him, but got no reply. There was no smell of gas throughout the house. There appeared to have been a recent fire in the grate. Everything in the house seemed to be in order. There was no sign of foul play. He could not at present trace anything that would show that there was a wilful desire to cause death on the part of either party." - Pathologist's Examination Needed. - Dr Hamilton said he had made a post-mortem examination in conjunction with Dr Ahern, and read the report of both doctors, which contained the following paragraph: "There was no trace or external sign of injury. The heart was of normal size and appearance and no disease was discovered in it. As the result of examination we are unable to state the cause of death." - The Coroner: Do you think there is a case for further examination by a pathologist? - Yes. - Dr Ahern, House Surgeon at the Tiverton Hospital, said MR HEALE seemed to be suffering from loss of memory, possibly caused by shock. Apart from the rheumatism he would be fit to give evidence now. MR HEALE had made no statement and had not referred to his wife's death at all. He would be probably fit to give evidence in about two or three weeks. The bruise on the forehead was not sufficient to cause his mental condition. - Dr Perry said MRS HEALE was under treatment for practically two years, but she had got much stronger. When witness last saw her alive on February 4th she was in her usual health. There was nothing in her condition to show sudden death was likely to take place. MR HEALE, he said, when he (the doctor) arrived at the house, was alive, and physically resisted examination. Witness spoke to him, but he did not reply. When asked how he got the mark on his forehead, he had replied that he did not know. Witness thought the mark was part of MR HEALE'S general illness, and also that he would have had this illness quite apart from his wife's death. - The Inquest was adjourned for a fortnight for the result of the pathological examination and in order that MR HEALE might give evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 12 March 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Victim Of Depression. Kingsteignton Tragedy. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned by Mr E. Hutchings (District Coroner) at the Inquest at Newton Abbot last evening on JOHN VALLANCE, 43, single, of Whiteway-terrace, Kingsteignton. - The evidence showed that deceased had been in ill health and out of work for about three months, and that during the past fortnight he had appeared to be depressed. He disappeared from his lodgings on Thursday morning after breakfast, telling his landlady he thought of going to see his sister. As he did not return on Thursday night, inquiries were made at the sister's residence, but it was discovered that deceased had not called there. - Frederick William Clark, motor lorry driver, of Kingsteignton, said that on Saturday, his seven-year-old daughter, who had been picking flowers, told him she had seen a man asleep in a field. Witness did not attach any importance to the information until late that night when he heard that VALLANCE was missing. He went to the spot as described by his daughter and found the missing man. - P.C. Woolland said deceased had a wound in the throat and lying near by was a blood-stained razor, which had been identified as deceased's property. - Dr D. Cromie said death was due to shock and haemorrhage caused by the wound in the throat.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 12 March 1929
ALPHINGTON - Canal Tragedy. Inquest On Exeter Resident. Nerves And Noises. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner for the District, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" at an Inquest, held at the Double Locks Hotel, near Exeter, yesterday, on MRS SARAH SALTER HAYMAN, aged 57, wife of MR D. T. HAYMAN of 255 Monks'-road, Exeter, who was found drowned in the Exeter Canal on Sunday. - The husband gave evidence of identification, and said that at 4 o'clock on Sunday morning his wife got out of bed and went downstairs. She returned later and witness went to sleep. At six o'clock he woke and found she was not in the room. He searched for her and found the front door unlocked. She had, apparently, only put a frock over her night attire. He identified the coat and hat produced as those of deceased. His wife had been ill for some while and attended by Dr Mabel Gates. Her nerves were bad and she became very depressed at times. - Henry Knight, labourer, of the Model Lodging House, Exeter, said that about 9 o'clock on Sunday morning he saw a coat and hat on the Canal banks. His attention was then drawn to something in the water, which looked like a body. He immediately went to report the matter, and, returning, found a Police Constable standing by the body, which was on the bank. - John Clifford, an angler, of Ivy Cottage, Topsham, deposed to dragging the body to the bank by casting a spinner into the water. He was satisfied that life was extinct. - Dr Mabel Gates said she had attended the deceased for nerves, depression, severe indigestion and head noises. MRS HAYMAN had, at her suggestion, entered Wonford House as a voluntary boarder. She remained a week and then went to stay with her daughter, removing from there to her sister's residence. The body showed no marks of violence and presented the usual appearance of death by drowning.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 19 March 1929
EXETER - River Tragedy. Influenza And Notices To Quit. Exeter Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Court House, Waterbeer-street, Exeter, yesterday, on GEORGE JOHN PETHYBRIDGE of Great Duryard Cottages, who was found dead in the River Exe early yesterday morning. - MRS EMMA PETHYBRIDGE, widow, said she last saw her husband at about six o'clock yesterday morning when he left for work. He seemed cheerful and went off as usual. He had recently had an attack of influenza, received notice to leave his work, and to quit his home. These things had preyed on his mind considerably. - Charles Arthur Bartlett, 5 St Andrew's-road, Exwick, a platelayer on the Great Western Railway, said he was going towards Cowley Bridge when, near Great Duryard Cottages, he saw a sea gull perched on a sand bank. This attracted his attention and he then noticed a coat folded up on the bank, with a cap on top of it. On looking closer he saw a body lying about six feet from the bank and in about three feet of water. He dragged it out, and, with the assistance of mates, commenced artificial respiration, but all to no purpose. - Dr Sidney Gray stated death was due to drowning. He knew deceased, whom he last saw on February 8th, when he had been ill. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Death by Drowning while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 20 March 1929
TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmothian's Death. Inquest Verdict. - Mr Ernest Hutchings, Coroner, sat at the Town Hall, Teignmouth, last night to Inquire into the circumstances attending the death of THOMAS MANSON COTGRAVE, of Teign Lawn, Landscore, who was found dead in his study the previous day. - MISS LEILA SCOTT COTGRAVE, daughter, said on Monday morning just before 12 deceased told her he was going to the hairdresser. He was dressed to go out, but she did not see him leave the house. At 12.15 she went to look for him in the house and garden and in some of the rooms, but could not find him, and at 2.20 went out again to look for him. He did not go to the hairdresser's On her return home the maid told her the study door was locked from the inside. She, therefore, climbed up and looked into the study window, and saw her father crouching down near the gas fire-place. She forced the window open and got in. She took hold of her father's hand and found it was cold and his pulse was not beating. She sent for the doctor. When she entered the room there was a strong smell of gas, and an overcoat was pushed up the chimney. Her father had had influenza, but had never threatened to do any harm to himself. - Evidence was given by Annie Bevan, domestic, and Dr Norton Palmer. The latter said he had attended deceased for influenza for three weeks, which had left him depressed, but quite sane and clear. On account of deceased's age it had left him in a low condition, but he was making progress. On going to the house he found deceased lying on his back in front of the study fire, dead. The room smelt strongly of gas. The cause of death was asphyxiation by carbon and oxide gas. - The Coroner entered a verdict that deceased died of Asphyxiation by inhaling carbon and oxide gas, caused by his own act, on his own impulse when acting under a Temporary Fit of Depression.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 21 March 1929
TIVERTON - Tiverton Mystery Solved. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The Cause Of Death. A Closed Damper. - The mystery of the death of MRS ANNIE BREMNER HEALE, aged 56, of Chapel-street, Tiverton, was solved yesterday at the adjourned Inquest. The Coroner's Jury found that death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning through accidentally inhaling fumes from a coal fire. - MRS HEALE was found dead in bed on Monday week, with her husband, MR WILLIAM HENRY HEALE, unconscious beside her. MR HEALE, who is still in Hospital, was unable to attend the Inquest. - The Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, read the reports of Dr Solly, of Exeter, and Mr T. Tickle (Devon County Analyst), and said they were both definite that there was sufficient carbon monoxide in the blood to cause death. Mr Tickle's report explained that carbon monoxide could be absorbed into the blood by inhalation and was devoid of odour. - A Closed Damper. - William James Frost, of Chapel-street, was re-examined and stated that the register or damper of the fire was closed when the body was discovered and the coals in the fire were partially consumed. the fire could not be lit unless the damper was open and if it was closed there would be smoke all over the house. - Mr Rowden (a Juryman) pointed out that at the opening of the Inquest he enquired whether the damper was open or closed and was informed it was in order. The Coroner referred to the written statement of Police-Sergeant Williams, in which he stated that the damper was closed. He explained that Police evidence was taken fresh and suggested that the point had been over-looked. He did not think they had any idea that it would have produced fatal results. - The Coroner added that he had seen MR HEALE, who was much better, and perfectly sensible. He remembered nothing of the three days after he went to bed on the Sunday night, and remembered his wife lighting the fire. "I have asked him if the damper was down and he replied it must have been up because they could not have lit the fire owing to smoke." - Rumour Disposed Of. - Mrs Lucy Osmond gave evidence that the damper did not always keep open properly. When a certain wind was blowing the damper would blow down and the room became filled with smoke. She recalled that there was a wind on the night of the tragedy. Witness continued that the first MRS HEALE died of influenza and there was nothing suspicious about her death. - The Coroner, when eliciting this information, remarked that there were rumours about and it was as well to dispose of them. - Dr Hamilton, who gave evidence at the opening inquiry, said in view of his examination, and the investigation of the room since that Inquiry, he was satisfied that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas could come from the fire, and he considered the closed damper sufficient to cause it. - The Coroner: Supposing a window had been open, would that have obviated fatal results? - It might. - Have you known of any other cases? - I have read of other cases, but never in a house. I have looked up all cases I can, but they are nearly always of people going to sleep near a burnt-out kiln. - Unsuspected Cases. - He added, in answer to the Coroner, that it was conceivable similar cases had occurred without the cause of death being suspected. He had not examined MR HEALE, but from the evidence he heard he thought it possible MR HEALE was suffering from the poisoning. It was a condition which did not pass away very quickly. Very few people understood the danger from carbon monoxide. - The Coroner: In an ordinary fireplace they would not realise they could cause death by putting the damper down? - No. - Witness added that there were cases of the poisoning where the victims had regained their physical but not mental faculties. - Carbon monoxide might arise from any fire where combustion was not complete. It was present mostly when a fire was going down and was glowing. It was carbon monoxide which was fatal in the exhaust gases of motor cars. - The Coroner remarked that there might be some advantage in dampers, but he looked upon them as relics of old times, when people shut out air. A chimney shaft was one of the best methods of ventilation. The three questions the Jury had to consider were the cause of death, which was undoubtedly carbon monoxide poisoning; how the fumes arose, and he thought there would be no difficulty in attributing them to the fire; and whether the cause of the fumes was accidental. He thought it was almost absurd to suggest that any person could have deliberately put down the damper in order that poisonous fumes might arise and do injury to life. - No One To Blame. - The Jury returned their verdict after a brief deliberation and added a rider that no blame attached to anyone. - The Coroner remarked that since the war inferior coal was used, which generated more carbon monoxide. He was surprised at the experts' incisive reports, because they were generally cautious. There was the lesson to learn that they should sleep with windows open. Open-air agricultural people particularly were in the habit of sleeping with them shut.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 21 March 1929
UPLOWMAN TRAGEDY. Inquest Verdict. - An Inquest was held at Gullmore Cottage, Uplowman, yesterday, concerning the death of FRANCIS BRICE, farm labourer, aged 54, who was found hanging from the banisters on Monday. - MRS ALICE BRICE (widow) said her husband was in good health when she left him on Monday morning to go into Uplowman. On her return at 1.30 he was hanging from the banister of the staircase and was quite cold. He had been worried over their son, who was awaiting an operation in Tiverton Hospital, and was also afraid that he would be unable to pay the rent of his cottage. He had not been attended by a doctor for some time. - Frank Martin, Nethercote Farm, Willand, spoke to finding deceased hanging from the banisters; he was quite dead. - Dr Browne (Sampford Peverell) said he examined the body, and in his opinion deceased had been dead for five or six hours. The cause of death was, asphyxiation due to hanging. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Friday 22 March 1929
LYDFORD, SOMERSET - A.A. Scout's Death. Inquest On An Exeter Man In Somerset. - "That death was instantaneous through a broken neck," was the statement of Dr E. Faraker, at an Inquest held on Monday by the District Coroner, Mr W. Goode, who sat with a Jury at the Cross Keys Public House, Lydford, Somerset, on the body of ALBERT HENRY SILK, an A.A. Scout, a native of Exeter, who was killed by the roadside, as already reported. - THOMAS PATTIMORE, father-in-law, identified the body. Deceased, he said, had, during his six years of A.A. patrol work, always ridden a motor cycle combination. - Mr H. Cook, who was represented by Mr Dunstan, of Messrs. Mayo and Co., Yeovil, stated he resided at 15 Peter-street, Yeovil, and was a dentist. On Thursday last at 10.25 p.m. he was driving his car, a Morris Oxford, from Bristol to Yeovil. He remembered as he turned the corner near Babcary race-course seeing an object in the road, and a motor cycle on the grass with the light facing towards the hedge. He was then ten to fifteen yards away and turned his steering wheel around to the right and finished up in the ditch. Witness knew the corner was there. Continuing, Mr Cook said his front wheel struck an object in the road which came up to meet his car and that was all he knew about it. Witness got out of his car and saw a motor cycle combination on the grass. A body of a man lay by the side of the road. He examined the man and found he was dead. In the course of five minutes or so a motor cyclist came round the corner and witness told him to get assistance. Witness remained there until the Police and a doctor arrived. The motor cycle combination had only the head-light on which was fairly bright. The motor cycle combination was not turned over when he saw it, although he struck something. He was sure it was not the motor cycle as it was on the grass. - Dr E. Faraker, of Keinton Mandeville, stated when he reached the scene of the accident he found the body of deceased lying on top of the lid of the A.A. box. There were tools beside him. His cap was squashed down on his face. There was a cut on his forehead and his face marked with bruises. There was no fracture of his limbs. Death was due, he considered, to a broken neck which, in his opinion, caused instantaneous death. - Supt. Lintern, of Somerton, also gave evidence. - The Jury, without retiring, recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death from injuries received through being thrown from a motor cycle combination," a rider being added that some warning notice should be erected at the scene of the accident. - Mr W. J. Billings, Western Secretary of the Automobile Association, tendered to the relatives of deceased the sympathy of the A.A., remarking that the late MR SILK had been with them for six years and had always proved an excellent servant to the Association. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 25 March 1929
UPTON PYNE - Money Worries. Retired Police Officer's Suicide. Cowley Discovery. - An Inquest was held at the Three Horse Shoes Inn, Upton Pyne, on Saturday, on HUGH MASSY LOWNDES, who was found drowned under Cowley Bridge. - HENRY BARTHOLOMEW LOWNDES, of Belgium, retired Ceylon Police Inspector, said his brother was a retired inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary and 62 years of age. Witness last saw him alive on December 20th, since which deceased had written complaining about money worries. He had a pension from the Irish Constabulary. Witness came to Exeter on Friday and found a letter in which his brother said he would like to take his life and told witness to look under the second arch of Cowley Bridge. Witness immediately informed the Police. - Detective Manders, of the Exeter Police, deposed to finding the body underneath the first arch of the bridge in about 2 ft. of water. - Mrs Farley, waitress at the Elmfield Hotel, Exeter, said that at 10.30 on Thursday night a man who gave his name as H. M. LOWNDES, of Bath, came to stay at the Hotel for the night. Next morning he had breakfast, wrote a letter, and left at 10.30. He had no conversation with anyone. - The Deputy Coroner (Mr G. H. Stephens) returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 26 March 1929
LYDFORD - Dartmoor Drama. Warren House Landlord's Death. Gun And Drink. - Mr H. C. Brown, without a Jury, held an Inquest yesterday, concerning the death of WILLIAM TOOP STEPHENS, of Warren House Inn, Postbridge. - MARY ANNIE STEPHENS, widow, said about 7 p.m. on Saturday she was in the bar. Her husband had had a good meal and had taken some drink during the day. - "He was behind the counter," proceeded witness, "and I saw him take down his gun. I said 'You don't want that gun.' My son said 'It's alright, mother, it's been cleaned and is empty.' I then walked round to the other door. My husband said nothing. The gun was pointed in my direction, but I don't think deliberately. Anyhow, I pulled the door and heard a report. We had had no trouble, except that my husband had taken more drink of late. He had never threatened to take his life. We never liked to see him handle a gun when he had any drink; it made him obstinate and troublesome. I searched the house for any letters, but found none." - ALFRED STEPHENS, son, said he was in the bar and heard a report and on going behind the counter found his father lying on the floor with a gun by his side. He was dead.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 27 March 1929
COCKINGTON - Depressed. Torquay Doctor's Death: The Inquest. Coroner And Letter. - The Inquest on DR FREDERICK DURNFORD ATKINS, who was found dead in a gas-filled room at the residence of his sister, Chelston Manor, on Monday morning, was conducted at Chelston yesterday by the County Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings. - MAUDE EDGERTON ATKINS said her brother had been staying with her since October last. He had been suffering from a nervous breakdown, but when witness saw him on Sunday night he was no more depressed than usual. On the following morning she knocked at the door of his bedroom, but received no response, while a strong smell of gas was emanating from the room. When the door was broken down, deceased was found lying on the floor, apparently dead. - Dr Eric Catford said he examined deceased and found he had been dead for some hours. The taps of a gas fire in the bedroom were turned full on, the windows were shut and the chimney blocked. For some time previous to his death, deceased had been a patient of his, and had been in a depressed and apprehensive condition. - The Coroner showed witness a letter left by deceased, and asked him whether the dread expressed therein might not be the result of poor health. - Dr Catford: Yes. - The Coroner said that after hearing the evidence, he could only return a verdict of "Death from Asphyxiation from Carbon-monoxide, Self Administered whilst Temporarily Mentally Deranged," and added that that did not mean Temporarily Insane. Temporary Mental Derangement could be brought about by poor health and it was obvious that the deceased was in this state. With regard to the letter found in DR ATKINS'S bedroom, Mr Hutchings said "It was obvious that he was obsessed with this dread, which I have not made public. I will not allow these inquests to pry into the private affairs of a family. This letter can be of no interest to anyone but the relatives."

Western Times, Thursday 28 March 1929
CHARDSTOCK (DORSET) - East Devon Farmer Suffocated In A Bog. - The sad circumstances under which a young farmer, named HENRY BAGWELL, of Hook Farm, Chardstock, met his death yesterday were investigated by the Deputy Coroner for East Devon, Mr P. Dunning, this morning. - It appears that deceased, who was 33 years of age, whilst engaged in hedging operations in an orchard was seized with a fainting fit and fell face foremost into a bog. He was found later by his wife, who called for assistance, which was given by two Chard men who happened to be passing along the road near by. Life was extinct when the body was drawn from the bog. - A Chard doctor, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to suffocation, and the Coroner returned a verdict accordingly, expressing sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Times, Thursday 28 March 1929
EXETER - Did The Lift Creep Up. Fatal Accident At An Exeter brewery. The Inquest Story. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest conducted by Mr H. Linford Brown at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, relative to the death of NORMAN HENRY SMALE, 38, of 7 Northernhay-street, Exeter. Deceased, who was a foreman at the St Anne's Well Brewery, Exeter, met his death on Monday evening through falling through a lift aperture at the Brewery. - Mr G. H. Stephens appeared on behalf of the widow, and the Brewery was represented by Mr L. W. Thomas. Mr C . G. Gates, Inspector of Factories, was present and the Inquiry was held with the aid of a Jury. - Evidence of identification was given by AMY ANNIE SMALE, the widow, who stated that the deceased's sight and hearing were splendid. - Frank Trimble, a director of the brewery, explained that the deceased had been employed in various departments of the Company since 1910. Part of his duties consisted of the loading and unloading of bottles, and the goods were hoisted and lowered by means of a steam-driven lift. - Questioned in regard to the lift, witness said this contained the usual protection. There was a bar across the opening and that was an absolute fixture. The lift had been in existence about 30 years, and had been used daily. - Replying to Mr Gates, witness said he had never known the lift to creep away from a particular floor, although he knew it was possible for such a lift to do so. He agreed that if the operator did not leave the starting rope in the right position there might be a tendency to creep. - Chas. George Brookes, 54 Lower North street, stoker at the brewery, stated that he was on the middle floor when the accident happened. He saw the deceased, walking backwards, make for the lift, get underneath the bar and actually disappear. A few minutes previously witness and deceased left the lift together and it was absolutely stationary then. - The Coroner: What lights are there on each side of the lift? - One on each side. - Do they shine into the lift? - No. - Answering Mr Stephens, witness said he had previously seen deceased walk backwards when taking crates towards the lift. He was unable to account for the lift moving. - The Coroner: Was anyone in charge of the lift? - No. There was no one, barring deceased and myself who could have touched the lift. - By Mr Thomas: There was a light which reflected into the lift from the rear. - Alfred Bertie Lee, employed in the bottling department, related how he found deceased in the cellar. He was lying on his right side and was unconscious. - Witness knew the lift quite well and could only once remember it having gone wrong previously. That was about three years ago, when it started creeping from the top floor. He informed the fitter at the time but could not say if it was reported to anyone in authority. - Watson Augustus Gardner, 19 Saxon-road, Heavitree, engineer to the brewery, said he greased the lift at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. - Explaining the working of the lift, witness said it was driven by a steam engine. Attached to it were two chains, one of which was pulled for the purpose of ascent and one for descent. A chain had to be pulled in order to stop the lift, and this would remove the belt from the driving pulley. With regard to the fatality under review, it seemed to him that the belt was not properly pulled off the pulley, and in his opinion this was due to a defect in actually working the lift. - The extent of deceased's injuries was given by Dr C. Charleson, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, who said the deceased was suffering from a fractured skull and haemorrhage. He died about an hour after admission to the Hospital. - It subsequently transpired that the previous mishap in the working of the lift was due to a jam, and on that account there had been an alteration in the type of guides used. - On behalf of the employers, Mr Thomas expressed sympathy with the widow and relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 1 April 1929
TIVERTON - Just Too Late. Rail Tragedy At Tiverton Junction. Inquest Evidence. - Evidence given at the Inquest on Saturday on RICHARD GEYRE DUNN, aged 54, railwayman, Station Cottages, Tiverton Junction, showed that in response to a mate's shout he tried to jump clear of an up express train, but was just too late to escape being struck by the engine. Deceased was standing at the end of the sleepers with his back to the express and was unaware of its approach. Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury investigated the fatality at the Assembly Room. - FRANK GILLETT, 54 Park-street, Willand, said that deceased, his son-in-law, had good sight and hearing. - Alfred John Cornell, Wellington District signal lampman, whose area includes Tiverton Junction, told the Jury that deceased assisted him on Thursday for the first time. They were in the lamp room, and witness told deceased to take two lamps and put them into two ground discs near the main line. Witness saw him put in one lamp, but not the other. - William Alfred Smart, Tiverton Junction, district linesman's assistant, said he was standing on the up platform and had a clear view of the line. He saw deceased standing on the end of the sleepers with his back to the up line. Witness was expecting an up express, and had left his work on the line. He saw the train approaching, and, seeing DUNN was in danger, shouted. Deceased seemed to have heard, for he tried to spring out of the way. The engine, however, caught him. Witness saw him fall and roll round and the train hit him again. Witness went to the spot and found the man dead. He should have expected deceased to have heard the express, but his attention seemed drawn in another direction. It was possible that the blowing off of steam by the Culm Valley engine deadened the sound of the express. - Dr E. F. M. Alleyne (Cullompton) described deceased's terrible injuries and added that death was instantaneous. - The Coroner said that deceased probably failed to realise that he was in a dangerous spot, or that a fast train was expected. "However, we find these things happen to people most familiar with the line," he added. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 4 April 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Ipplepen Tragedy. Moreton Man's Death. - An Inquest was held at Newton Abbot by Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, into the circumstances attending the death of GEORGE THOMAS HILL, 45, rabbit trapper, a native of Moretonhampstead. Deceased, who it was stated in evidence had been drinking heavily lately, was found hanging by a rope from a beam in a linhay on Bulleigh Barton Farm, Ipplepen, by a taxi driver named Goddard. - Mr J. R. Hatfield said that death was due to asphyxia caused by hanging. - P.C. Searle said nothing was found upon the body to show any cause for the tragedy. - A verdict of "Suicide by Hanging while Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 4 April 1929
EXMINSTER - Ilfracombe Man's Death. Exminster Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Devon Mental Hospital, Exminster, yesterday, concerning the death of STANLEY JOHN COATS, journalist, 31, who died on Monday. - The widow, MRS HILDA COATS, of Slade-road, Ilfracombe, said her husband lived with her until December 11th, when he was taken to the Tyrrell Hospital, Ilfracombe, as he had attempted to take his life. Later he was removed to the Devon Mental Hospital. When she had seen him there he had obviously been suffering mentally. - Dr Bainbridge, Assistant Medical Officer at the Hospital, said when admitted deceased was in a poorly-nourished state and suffering from a wound in the throat. He was also bloodless. His wounds healed, but his mental condition did not improve and he was very depressed. On March 22nd he collapsed and his temperature rose. Witness had made a post-mortem examination and found the lower bowel to be inflamed. Death, in his opinion, was caused by acute bowel trouble and dysentery. He did not associate the wounded throat with his death. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Friday 5 April 1929
TOTNES - Bittaford. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," was returned at an Inquest held at Totnes, on Saturday by Mr E. Hutchings, on JOHN COSTELLO, aged forty-eight, who was found hanging from a tree. It was stated that deceased was, at one time, a patient at the Mental Hospital at Bittaford.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 April 1929
EXETER - Head In Oven. Inquest On A Young Exonian. Financial Stress. - "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was the verdict at an Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on WALTER E. BEER, aged 29, of 23 Robert's-road, who was found dead at his home on Thursday with his head in a gas oven. - JAMES BEER, deceased's father, said he last saw his son alive on Sunday. He had been working for about 15 months, but before that he had been out of work for some time. He had been married for seven years. He heard that inquiries were being made about his son, and went round to Roberts-road to see what there was in them. He scaled the garden wall and then noticed that the blind of the kitchen window was down. The back door was not locked, but an old mackintosh had been put against it. He went in and found his son lying on the floor, dead, with his head in the gas oven. His head was on a small pillow and gas was still escaping. Witness could give no explanation why his son had committed the act. A letter was lying on a table addressed to deceased's wife. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown: He says in the letter, "I don't see any other way out of it." Do you not think this might refer to some financial difficulty? - Witness said he did not know of anything else that it might be. - Oswald Smith, of 812 South-street, house furnisher, stated deceased had been employed by him as a salesman-collector, but left a month ago. When witness sold his Exmouth branch he had to cut down expenses and his staff. Shortly after deceased left witness wrote that he wished to see him. When witness had examined his books he found something was seriously wrong. Deceased might have gathered from the letter that something was wrong with the books. The discrepancies in the books might have been going on for some time, but witness had not noticed anything wrong when BEER left; in fact, he had given him a testimonial. - W. T. G. Whitehead, managing director of Messrs. Whitehead Ltd., South-street, Exeter, stated that deceased had been in his employ for a month. His work was all that could be desired, and he received £2 per week and commission. When witness last saw him deceased seemed quite well. - The Deputy Coroner recalled deceased's father, who stated he had no idea of his son's financial difficulties. - Dr W. Conway Gent, of Southernhay and Magdalen-road, stated that he was called to Roberts-road, where he saw BEER lying in the scullery. He had been dead for some time, as his extremities were cold. Death was due to asphyxia, caused by coal-gas poison. - The Deputy Coroner, in returning his verdict, stated that deceased, apparently could not face the consequence of his previous action, and was, temporarily at least, of Unsound Mind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 April 1929
IPPLEPEN - Ipplepen Tragedy. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, has held an Inquest concerning the death of MRS ANNIE BARKER, of Weekaborough Farm, Ipplepen. - JOSEPH BARKER said his wife had been in indifferent health. About 5.30 a.m. he found her in a trough in the yard with her head over the end. She was in night attire and her face was blue. - Dr Chapman, of Totnes, said deceased had had a complete nervous breakdown, after nursing her daughter. In his opinion death was caused by shock through immersion. He had intended putting her under restraint in consequence of the previous day's happening. - The Coroner said there was no doubt the woman intended to end her life, but death supervened before her purpose was carried out. He returned a verdict that death was due to shock and exposure.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 9 April 1929
WHIMPLE - Whimple Fatality. Story Of Carpenter's Death At Whiteway's Cider Factory. Peril Of Shafting. - At the Victory Hall, Whimple, yesterday afternoon, the East Devon Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, with the assistance of a Jury, held an Inquest on WILLIAM MILLS, aged 30, carpenter, of Dog Village, Broadclyst, who met his death at Messrs. Whiteway's cider factory, at Whimple, on Saturday morning, by falling on the shafting of machinery. - Mr C. G. Gates, Inspector of Factories for the Exeter district, was present. Inspector Dart represented the Police; the widow as represented by Mr M. J. McGahey; Messrs. Whiteway and Co., by Mr W. S. Simey (Messrs. Ford, Harris and Ford, Exeter); and the Insurance Company by Mr F. P. Cottey. - Evidence of identification was given by SAMUEL PERCY MILLS, brother of the deceased, who said he was called to the cider factory on Saturday morning where he saw his brother - who was a carpenter at the factory - dead. - Percy Gard, an employee of Messrs. Whiteway and Co., said that at about 8.20 a.m. on Saturday he was engaged in work in the pumice room. He heard a noise in the direction of the ceiling. On going up some steps he saw deceased on the shafting with his head towards the wheel. His legs were across the shafting, which was revolving. Witness could not remove deceased, and he went to the engineer - Jack Aplin. - Removing Tiles. - Ernest Palfreman, foreman carpenter employed by Messrs. Whiteway, said that he instructed the deceased that part of the roof around the escape from the old sweet boiler had to be removed. This meant taking off the tiles, lead work and gutter boards around the old shaft. Deceased got a barrel with a piece of plank on the top to stand on. Witness returned about 7.55, by which time deceased had removed some tiles from the inside of the building. He had cleared an opening between the rafters by cutting away a piece of batten. MILLS was in a normal condition of health. The shafting was in motion. - By Mr Gates: They were doing this job by the instructions of Mr Whiteway. - By Mr McGahey: Previous work to the new escape had been done while the machinery was stopped. There was not a good deal of room for deceased to work in. The shafting had started working again on Friday after about a month's stoppage. - Mr McGahey: Don't you appreciate a grave mistake was made to put a man to work in a spot so close to moving shafting? - Witness said in his opinion the shafting should have been stopped. It did not cross witness's mind at the time. - By Mr Simey: Deceased was working clear of the shafting - the barrel would have been about 5 ft. away from it. Deceased made no complaint about working under the prevailing conditions. - Inspector Dart: Don't you think it would have been advisable to have had somebody to help him? - Witness said he proposed to help MILLS after breakfast, but at the time he had other work to do. - Mr McGahey: If you had been there you could have taken the tiles away from him as he removed them? - Witness: Yes. - John Aplin, engineer at the cider factory, stated that he was walking from the higher to the lower engine house when his attention was attracted by a noise, which he thought was due to a broken belt. Witness stopped the shafting. He then met Gard and the latter said, "Somebody is tangled up in the shafting." Witness hurried to the scene and found MILLS dead. He did not know deceased was working there. - By the Coroner: Had witness known deceased was working there, it was doubtful whether he would have stopped the machinery. "You could pass there 100 times in safety," he said. He did not know if anybody had done such work before with the shafting in motion. - The Factory Act. - Mr Gates: Do you know it is illegal to approach shafting unless it is slowed down or stopped? - Witness: No. - Witness agreed it would have been much safer if the shafting had been shut off. - By Mr McGahey: In order to pile up the tiles, as he did, MILLS must have stepped over or leaned over the shafting. The latter made 220 revolutions a minute. - The shafting, said witness, in answer to Mr Simey, had been still for between a fortnight and a month. - Herbert White, works manager for Messrs. Whiteway and Co., stated that he was at the other end of the factory. He noticed that the shafting was slowing down. He went to the engine-room and on the way met the engineer, who informed him of the accident. He went upstairs and saw MILLS lying across the shafting, apparently dead. Witness did not know anybody was working there. - The Coroner: Had you known it, would you have allowed the machinery to have been worked? - Witness: With reasonable care, I consider the place would have been all right to work in. - The Coroner: Are you acquainted with the Factory Act? - Witness: I believe I am. - Don't you know it was necessary to have this moving shafting guarded? - The factory shafting has been guarded as far as we have been instructed to have it guarded. - The shafting was not guarded in that particular spot? - Because we have not been instructed to guard it at that spot by the Factory Inspector. - Was the Factory Inspector informed of these contemplated alterations? - Not to my knowledge. - Would you consider it desirable to inform the Factory Inspector? - If anything very great was to be done no doubt it would be desirable, but for small alterations of this kind I don't consider it was necessary. - Witness, in answer to Mr McGahey, said he did not consider the shafting needed to be guarded at the spot if reasonable care was shown. - A Lapse Of Memory. - The Coroner: Was deceased a careful workman? - Witness: Very, and a very reliable man. - Mr Gates: I think you told me, the last time I was at the factory, that nobody was ever employed in the space behind the shafting? - Witness: As far as I knew at the time. - Mr McGahey: Who was really responsible for sending this man to work there? Who gave the order to Palfreman? - Witness: Mr Whiteway. - Witness said that had he known deceased had been working there he would have taken precautions, but he did not know that he should have stopped the machinery. - Mr McGahey: What precautions would you have taken? - I should have told him to be careful of the shafting and not step inside the girder. - Mr McGahey: His common-sense would have told him that? - Probably. - Don't you think you ought to have had the shafting stopped? - Had I known, I might have consulted with Mr Whiteway on the matter. Witness said he had received no complaint from MILLS or Palfreman as to working at the spot. - Herbert Lionel Whiteway said he had previously given instructions to Palfreman in regard to the work. The machinery had been stopped for a considerable period. "I had forgotten it on Saturday morning," said Mr Whiteway. "It was a lapse of memory on my part. Under no circumstances should I have allowed a man to go up there had I known the shafting had been working." - Mr McGahey: That is very frank. - Dr Henry Case, of Talaton, described deceased's terrible injuries and said death must have been instantaneous. - P.C. Barnacott also gave evidence. - The Coroner having summed up, the Jury retired to consider the verdict. On their return the Foreman said they considered it was a pure Accident. - The Coroner: You don't attach any blame to any person? - The Foreman: No. - Mr Simey, on behalf of the firm, expressed sympathy with the widow and family of the deceased, and read a letter from Mr Henry Whiteway in which the latter testified to his distress at the fatality. - The Coroner and Jury concurred. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Coroner expressed a hope that steps would be taken to prevent the possibility of the repetition of such an occurrence. - Mr Simey, on behalf of Messrs. Whiteway and Co., assured the Coroner that this would be done.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 9 April 1929
EXETER - 'Bus Tragedy. Inquest On Exmouth Conductor. "Accidental Death." - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Exeter Coroner, with the assistance of a Jury, Inquired yesterday into the circumstances surrounding the death of ARTHUR JOHN HODGE, aged 19, of Littleham, a Devon General Omnibus Company's conductor, who was crushed between an electric switch-box and a 'bus being backed out of the Company garage in Blackboy-road, Exeter, on Friday. Mr J. A. Martin was Foreman of the Jury. Mr A. Martin Alford (Messrs. Dunn and Baker, Exeter) represented Mr D. Campbell (Managing Director of the Devon General Company) and the driver of the 'bus. - HENRY EDWARD HODGE, labourer, of Littleham, father, gave evidence of identification and added that his son had been temporarily residing at Sidmouth. Deceased told witness that the 'bus came towards him and he shouted "Stop," but the driver did not hear him. - Albert Pitman, carpenter, 19 Hamlyn's-lane, Exeter, deposed to seeing the deceased giving directions to the driver backing the 'bus out of the garage and walking backwards himself at the same time. Deceased evidently did not appreciate he was so near one of the electric switch boxes on the opposite pavement, as when he went to step back his foot was obstructed by the switch-box. The 'bus was still backing, and deceased put up his hands as if to keep off the 'bus. The vehicle caught HODGE, who, after walking a few paces, collapsed. - Mark Salter, 23 Regent's-square, Exeter, a 'bus driver in the employ of the Devon General Omnibus Company, spoke to seeing the 'bus being backed out of the garage and hearing deceased giving directions to the driver. He did not see the conductor and did not know anything was amiss until he heard the 'bus bump. He then saw the deceased come from behind the 'bus, and in a crouching position drop into the roadway. It was not usual for a conductor to be immediately behind a 'bus and witness thought deceased must have run from one side of the 'bus to the other. - By Mr Alford: The lights of the 'bus were showing at the time. - P.C. J. H. Gregory deposed to finding a dent mark on the 'bus, and 'bus paint marks on the electric switch box. - Dr Charleston, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, stated death was due to shock, supervening on a torn intestine, internal haemorrhage and congestion of the lungs. - Horace Edward Vernon Cody of 7 Arcot Park, Sidmouth, the driver of the 'bus, who elected to give evidence, stated he was backing the 'bus out prior to going to the 'bus station. Deceased was assisting. He could not see deceased, but heard him shouting directions. When he had got the 'bus about three parts way round he felt a bump. He was relying all the time on the directions shouted by the conductor. He had driven the particular 'bus about four days and had driven other 'buses about six months. - By Mr Alford: Witness had been driving as a chauffeur for about three years. He thought the switch-box was in a dangerous position. He did not hear deceased shout to him to stop. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding suggestions to the effect that the electric switch-box should be removed from its present position and that the 'bus backing arrangements should be under the supervision of an experienced employee; exonerated the driver from blame, and expressed sympathy with the deceased's parents. The Deputy Coroner and Mr Alford, on behalf of the Company, the Managing Director, and the driver of the 'bus, concurred with the last sentiment. The Deputy Coroner added that he would forward the Jury's suggestion regarding the position of the switch-box to the proper authority.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 10 April 1929
EXETER - Caught A Packet. Dying Man's Opinion: Nobody's Fault. Exeter Collision. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner for Exeter, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on REGINALD JOHN BROOKS, aged 28, of Higher Huxham, Stoke Canon, a bricklayer, who was killed through a motor-cycle collision at the junction of Barrack-road and Magdalen-road, Exeter, on Sunday. - THOMAS BROOKS stated that his brother went to Starcross. He saw him at the Hospital on Sunday, when he spoke for a minute and said: "I have caught a packet. It was not my fault. I was not going very fast. It was nobody's fault, it was a proper accident. Nobody could help it." - James Skinner, of Starcross, said he was riding pillion with the deceased. They were proceeding from the top of Barrack-road to Polsloe-road. Deceased sounded the horn of the cycle several times, and was going slow. Another motor cyclist was on them in two seconds. BROOKS'S machine was struck by the engine and deceased and himself were knocked into the road. He should say the cycle that struck deceased's was going too fast on a cross-road. At the time of the accident witness did not blame the rider of the other machine. - Frederick Tibbey, of Parr-street, said he was walking towards Barrack-road. Deceased was riding slowly and on his proper side. As BROOKS was crossing the road another cyclist came from Heavitree, but witness could not say what pace he was travelling. He should not think either of the cyclists was going fast. - Harry Yeo, a carpenter, of Clyst St Mary, stated that he was riding a cycle with his son on the pillion. - He approached the top of Barrack-road at about 10 to 15 miles an hour and sounded his horn. He saw deceased's cycle come out of Barrack-road and they almost simultaneously crashed. - Witness did not hear deceased sound his hooter. He was able to ride his cycle home after the accident. - Percy Yeo, who was riding with the last witness, said his father was going at 12 to 15 miles an hour. Deceased's cycle bashed into theirs. The crash was so sudden that it was difficult to say what happened. - The Deputy Coroner stated that owing to a misunderstanding the doctor in the case was not present and the Inquest would be adjourned until this afternoon to enable him to give evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 11 April 1929
BICKINGTON - At the Inquest at Bickington concerning the death of THOMAS HOBBS, aged 85, who slipped from his chair during breakfast and died before the arrival of a doctor, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by Mr G. W. F. Brown.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 11 April 1929
BICKINGTON - At the Inquest at Chipley, near Bickington, yesterday, on GEORGE ELIAS CORNISH, 31, insurance agent, of Chipley Cottages, the widow stated that deceased had been somewhat worried, but not in connection with his business. On Tuesday morning he said he was going on his usual insurance round, but about twenty minutes later witness noticed that his cycle was still outside the gate. She went down the garden, and saw her husband lying in the lavatory, his throat being cut. P.C. Tolley said he found an open razor near the body. A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 11 April 1929
EXETER - Exeter Crash. Inquest Concluded On Motor Cyclist. Rule Of The Road. - The adjourned Inquest on REGINALD JOHN BROOKS, of Higher Huxham, Stoke Canon, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on Sunday last, following a motor-cycle collision with Harry Yeo, of Clyst St Mary, at the junction of Barrack-lane and Magdalen-road, Exeter, was conducted by Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. - MR T. BROOKS, brother of deceased, asked Mr Yeo if he, by any chance, had lost control of his machine when the accident occurred. Mr Yeo replied that he did not think so. - MR BROOKS also asked if Mr Yeo, who had stated at previous proceedings that he was travelling at about 12 to 15 miles per hour in second gear, thought his machine could accomplish this. Mr Yeo replied that he might have been in bottom gear, but was not sure. - Dr Charleston, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said that when deceased was admitted it was found an immediate operation was necessary. He died very early on Monday from a torn right kidney, haemorrhage and shock. The kidney was apparently torn as the result of a recent blow low down in the back and seemed to have been quite sound before the accident. - The Deputy Coroner stated that deceased had said, while in Hospital, that no one was to blame, and that the collision was quite accidental. It was a well-known rule that users of the main road expected those coming from side roads to await for them, and most side-road users were careful to observe this. Yeo had, upon the evidence, been very careful in emerging from a side road, and in his (the Coroner's) opinion there had been no culpable or criminal negligence on either part. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with no blame attaching to anyone.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 12 April 1929
TOTNES - "I'm Fed Up." Sequel To Attack On Devon Farmer's Daughter. Inquest Story. - Mr G. E. Windeatt, Deputy Coroner conducted an Inquiry at Totnes Guildhall on Tuesday concerning the death on Tuesday of the farmhouse tragedy victim, ALFRED GEORGE RICKETTS. - Evidence of identification was given by his father, JOHN CHARLES RICKETTS, farm labourer, of Ermington, who said deceased was 25 years of age. He had no troubles so far as he knew, and had never threatened to take his life. - Dr R. Howarth said death was due to strangulation by hanging. - Mr C. T. Hill, farmer, of Windmill Down Farm, Totnes, said about a month ago his wife told him that his daughter was nervous about deceased, and they never left her alone in the house. Witness spoke to RICKETTS, who became abusive and he told him to leave the premises. Deceased afterwards apologised and asked to be kept on, and he (witness) agreed provided he behaved himself. Deceased went home to Ermington on Sunday. On the following morning RICKETTS helped to milk the cows, and witness left with the milk for Totnes. He left his daughter to separate the surplus milk. He had a message while in Totnes and returned home to find his daughter had been shot. - Mrs Hill detailed the events of Monday morning and said the deceased paid attention to her daughter, which she resented. When she asked RICKETTS what he had done he replied that he was going to do himself in. She told him not to be a fool and slammed the bedroom door in his face and bolted it. Her daughter told her RICKETTS had shot her. - P.S. Marshall said he rendered first-aid to Miss Hill before she was removed to the Hospital. He deposed to finding the body of RICKETTS in the stable hanging to a beam. He was dead. On him was a letter addressed to his father as follows:- "Good-bye all; forgive me what I have done. I'm fed up, but I loved Winnie. I don't know what made me do it. Good-bye all. From A. G. RICKETTS." - The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Times, Friday 12 April 1929
SIDMOUTH - Stroke Or Giddiness. Farmer's Fatal Fall At Salcombe Regis. - The District Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, held an Inquest at the Sidmouth Police Station on Saturday relative to the death of MR FRANK TEDBURY, aged 62 years, who died on Friday morning last following a fall the previous evening. - Albert William Churchill, farmer, Sidbury, said he had occasion to call on MR TEDBURY on Thursday afternoon. They did various work and on deceased declaring his intention of getting some hay from a loft, witness saw him fix a ladder so that he could reach the hay. Witness moved away and the next thing he heard was a heavy thud. Returning he found deceased on the floor unconscious. Witness at once sent for assistance. - Dr Charles W. Grant-Wilson stated that when he visited deceased, in response to an urgent call, he found him deeply unconscious. Knowing that deceased had suffered considerably from giddiness and from a weak heart, his theory was that deceased had either been seized with a stroke or overcome with giddiness when in the act of mounting the ladder. It was obvious that he made no effort to break his fall from the position in which he lay. Death was actually due to fracture of the base of the skull. - The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and expressed sympathy with the family and relatives. - The sad death of MR TEDBURY has cast quite a gloom over Sidmouth and the neighbouring parishes, where he was well-known and highly respected. A typical Devonshire farmer, hard working and progressive, he successfully carried on an extensive business at Sidmouth and also farmed at Salcombe Regis. He was an active and valued member of the executive of the local Agricultural Association, and a keen sportsman. In his younger days he was an enthusiastic Rugby footballer, regularly taking part in the club's fixtures. He was an old Volunteer, an excellent shot and was a member of the Sid Valley Lodge of the R.A.O.B. 

Western Times, Friday 12 April 1929
GREAT TORRINGTON - Old Lady's Fatal Fall Downstairs At Torrington. - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, held an Inquest at Torrington, Monday, on the body of MRS LYDIA MARY AGNES WEBB, a widow, aged 78. - Dr Mortimer (Torrington) stated that deceased, his mother-in-law, had resided with him for about six or seven years. She was suffering from advanced old age, and loss of memory. On the 30th of last month, he and his wife, after retiring for the night, heard a noise outside their door, and going out he saw deceased half way down the stairs in a huddled up position. She had evidently fallen, and there were two wounds at the back of her head. With help he got her back to her room and sent for Dr Killard Leavey, who attended her until her death, on the 6th of April. Deceased was unable to say why she got out and what she was doing. - Dr Killard Leavey said death was due to heart failure, following shock, as a result of a fall. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 16 April 1929
ALPHINGTON - "Had Enough." Pathetic Note Left By Young Exonian. Canal Tragedy. - "To stop in this world any longer, fit for nothing, not me - I have had enough this last three years, and life is not worth living; but don't worry, mother, as you have been one of the best, and I always had a very good home. I know all I am doing. If this has not been different than nerves I have been mistaken. It's been misery day and night, and this will end it all. - FRED." - This was the note found in a coat pocket of FREDERICK WILLIAM BAKER, 27 years, of 51 Northernhay-street, Exeter, who was found drowned in the Canal on Sunday. - The Inquest was conducted at the Double Locks Hotel yesterday by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens.. - HENRY BAKER said his brother had suffered greatly from nerves and insomnia, and had been under the care of Dr Kingdon Frost. - The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," and expressed sympathy with the family.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 19 April 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Burns. Chagford Servant's Death. - An Inquest has been held at Newton Abbot, on the death of EVELYN PORTER, 17, chambermaid at the Globe Hotel, Chagford, who died at the Newton Abbot Infirmary. - Olive Dunbull, of Stonehouse, formerly employed at the Globe Hotel, said that on January 2nd deceased was reading a paper with her back to the fire in the kitchen. Witness went into the next room and shortly afterwards deceased rushed through the passage in flames. - William Leeson, Manager of the Hotel, said he heard screams, and noticed deceased, whose clothes were in flames, running into the yard. He secured a rug, wrapped it round her and sent for a doctor and nurse. - Dr J. J. Scrase said death was caused by blood poisoning due to the ulceration of the skin which resulted from the burns. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 19 April 1929
PINHOE - Fall From Lorry. Cardiff Man's Fatal Mishap Near Pinhoe. - A neglected warning about riding in a dangerous position on lorries and its fatal consequences figured at the Inquest held by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, at Pinhoe yesterday on THOMAS GEORGE OLIVER, 48, of 11 Mill Lane, Cardiff, who fell from a lorry when coming from the Honiton-road. - Evan John Morgan of 23 Llanarth-street, Newport, at present staying at Honiton, said he and OLIVER came from Cardiff last Monday to work on cable-laying from Honiton to Exeter for a Newport firm of contractors. On Wednesday morning they accompanied a lorry to fetch pipes from Pinhoe railway station, and were returning from the Honiton-road for a second load when at a bend deceased, who was sitting on the near side with his back to the road, fell backwards. The driver, Ernest William Carlyle, stopped within ten yards. Deceased lay on the road apparently dead. At the time of the accident the lorry was travelling at between seven and eight miles an hour. He considered the position in which deceased sat on the lorry was dangerous. Deceased had sat in the same way many times and witness had often done so. After the accident he saw the tail board in the road. It was fastened when they started, but had worked loose. He had known it come off several times before. He believed the lorry wheel passed over deceased, and that would cause the tail board to come off. - Albert Dicker, an Automobile Association patrol, stationed at Moor Lane, near the junction of Honiton-road with the Sandrock-road, leading to Pinhoe, said he saw the lorry lift, which indicated to him that the wheels had passed over deceased. - The driver of the lorry stated that he had warned deceased of the danger of riding on the side. - William J. King, Newport, foreman for the firm, said he had warned several men for the same reason and had warned deceased several times. - Dr V. F. Farr, Pinhoe, said on reaching the scene of the accident he found the St John Ambulance from Exeter had arrived. Deceased was lying on a stretcher dead. He was severely injured about the body. Chest injury was caused by a wheel of the lorry passing over him. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Friday 19 April 1929
NORTHAM - Inquest On An Appledore Grocer. - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, last evening held an Inquest at Appledore on EDGAR KELLY, a grocer, of that place, aged 44. Deceased had served in Salonika and contracted malaria. - Lewis Henry Uglow, proprietor of the Champion of Wales Inn, said deceased had been in the habit of having his meals there since Christmas. On Saturday night shortly after he had left the house it was found he had fallen down. He had a bruise on his forehead and was rather dazed. He was taken indoors, but refused to see a doctor. The next day he was taken with a bad heart attack and witness sent for a doctor on his own initiative. Deceased died on Wednesday morning. - Dr A. W. Valentine said death was due to heart failure caused by alcoholic poisoning. Deceased's people, he knew, had done everything they could to help him. - The Coroner described the case as a particularly sad one, and returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 24 April 1929
TIVERTON - Badly Scalded. Tiverton Boy's Death In Hospital. Coroner And Baths. - At the Inquest at Tiverton last night concerning the death of RAYMOND WILLIAM GLIDDON, the eight-year-old son of P.C. GLIDDON of 31 Council-gardens, who died in the Hospital on Monday, the Coroner (Mr F. R. D. Clutsom) returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - P.C. GLIDDON said deceased was bathing and called for more hot water, which had to be dipped from the copper as there was no tap or hot water pipe. Witness's sister, MRS BESSIE GOLLOP, went to comply with the request, and witness heard screams. He found that the boy had been badly scalded, and applied oil, later taking him to the Hospital. - The Coroner read the evidence of MRS GOLLOP, who said that while her back was turned to dip the water from the copper the boy shifted his position in the bath. She turned round and saw him, but could not say what actually happened. The boy's head might have touched the bowl. The water went over his neck and back. - Dr G. Lowe said death was due to toxaemia following extensive scalding. Over one-third of the child's body was severely scalded. - The Coroner said he thought it was a dangerous practice to pour hot water into a bath when there was someone in it. There was excuse in this case owing to the absence of a hot water pipe. He was told that all local Council houses were without hot water pipes. It was a very small matter of five to seven feet of piping, and it would be desirable if hot water was laid on.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 25 April 1929
SIDMOUTH - Road Crash. Inquiry Into East Devon Tragedy. Witness's Statements. - At the Inquest opened by the East Devon Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, on WILLIAM FREDERICK COLES, of Sidbury, who died in Sidmouth Cottage Hospital from injuries received in a motor cycling accident on the Sidbury-Harcombe-road, and by which a pedestrian, Gilbert Pile, of Salcombe Regis, was badly injured (a brief report of which appeared yesterday) evidence was given by Arthur William Braddick, baker's rounds-man, of Sidbury, to the effect that he was going in the direction of Harcombe, from Sidbury, when he saw a man, who he later learned was Pile, sitting in the hedge with his head between his hands. Witness spoke to him three times and at last Pile said he knew nothing of what had happened. A little farther along the road witness found COLES with his machine on top of him. The bicycle was pointing towards Sidbury, but the cyclist was facing the opposite direction. - The Coroner: Do you know William Frank Lockyer? - Witness: Yes, he was not there. - Witness added that it was a bright moon-light night, but there were shadows under the trees. - William Frank Lockyer, 16, carpenter's apprentice, said he left Sidbury Working Men's Club at 10 o'clock on the pillion of COLES'S machine. When near Sidbury cemetery COLES said, "There's a fellow in front and he is wobbling." - The Coroner: Did you see anybody in front? - Witness: I saw a fellow. - Was he wobbling? - Yes. - How much? - From one side of the road to the other. - Do you mean he was staggering? - Yes. - Do you remember the impact with this man? - I heard a smash, that's all. - How did you get home? - I don't know. - Witness added that he had been with COLES from 8 o'clock till 10 that evening and COLES had not had anything to drink. - Richard James Skinner, a farmer, at Deepway, said he was in Pile's company at the Royal Oak, Sidbury, from about 9 o'clock until 9.30. During that time Pile was perfectly sober, and witness only saw him take two glasses of beer. - Dr W. S. Campbell of Sidmouth, said COLES had a bad scalp wound and there was injury to the brain. Questioned by the Coroner about Lockyer, the doctor said Lockyer's story was compatible with what might have happened to anyone sustaining a severe blow on the head. A man could walk a great distance and be quite oblivious to his surroundings. The witness added that Pile was suffering from a blow on the back of the head, and from brain injury. He was, however, likely to recover. He did not see Pile until the morning after the smash. There was no evidence then that he had been drinking. - The Coroner, in view of the suggestion concerning Pile, decided to allow him an opportunity of giving evidence, and adjourned the Inquest for three weeks.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 25 April 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Rail Disaster. Inquest Opened At Newton And Adjourned. Coroner's Sympathy. - At the Town Hall, Newton Abbot, yesterday afternoon, the South Devon Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings, opened his Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of EDGAR GEORGE YABSLEY, aged 53, of 14 Forde-road, Newton Abbot, a crane driver, employed by the Great Western Railway, who was killed as the result of Tuesday's crash at Aller Junction. Those present were Messrs. Percival W. Pine (solicitor to the Great Western Railway), J. Gregory (Organising Secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, Cardiff), G. W. Brown (Organising Secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, Bristol), and Inspector Hannaford (County Constabulary). Mr L. Coombes was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The Coroner said before opening the Inquiry he wished to express on behalf of himself and those present - indeed on behalf of the whole town, so intimately connected with the railway works - his deep sympathy with the relatives in the circumstances of MR YABSLEY'S tragic and unfortunate death. - Messrs. Pine, Gregory and Brown joined in the Coroner's expression, Mr Gregory saying that but for the fact that everybody seemed to have done their best they might have had a worse tragedy. - The Coroner intimated that he only proposed to take formal evidence of identification that day. - ALFRED EDGAR YABSLEY of 45 Forde-road, bricklayer, identified the body as that of his father. So far as he could remember he had been employed by the Great Western Railway Company for 25 years. - The Inquest was adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2nd.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 1 May 1929
BICKINGTON - A Child's Death. Bickington Inquest. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, the North Devon Coroner, conducted the adjourned Inquest on the nine-months-old child of CLARA ANNIE COATES at Bickington last night. The adjournment was made for the stomach and organs to be analysed. The Coroner said he had had a report from the County Analyst that he could find no traces of foreign substance. His verdict, therefore, would be one of "Asphyxia from Convulsions."

Western Times, Friday 3 Mary 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Devon Rail Tragedy. Cause Of The Recent Newton Collision. Signalman's Story. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, who sat with a Jury, of which Mr Leonard Coombe was Foreman, at Newton yesterday, resumed the Inquest on EDGAR GEORGE YABSLEY, aged 53, of No. 14 Forde-road, Newton Abbot, who was killed in the railway smash at Aller on Tuesday, April 23rd. - Colonel A. C. Trench, the Ministry of Transport Inspector who conducted last Monday's official inquiry into the collision, was present. Mr Percival W. Pine, solicitor, represented the Great Western Railway and Mr G. F. Brown attended on behalf of the relatives of deceased, Signalman Saffin and other witnesses. - Mr Hutchings stated that he was fortunate in having the assistance of Colonel Trench as an assessor, and he would answer any technical questions. - Richard Rogers, of Laira, Plymouth, the driver of the goods train, describing the collision, said he halted his train at the stopway at Aller Junction for the guard to take off the brakes, an operation that took five or six minutes. "Just as we were moving we had a terrible brash at the end of the train, and we were pushed a distance of about twenty wagons. The train had broken in two." Witness could see the steam of the engine of the oncoming passenger train, but this conveyed nothing to his mind, as he thought it would go by on the relief line. - Train A Bit Late. - Replying to questions, witness said the normal time his train was due at Aller was 8.1 a.m., but they were a bit late that morning, and he timed their arrival at 8.26 a.m. Witness said the passenger train frequently passed the goods on the relief line. - Ernest Ellis, of Somerford-terrace, Laira, Plymouth, driver of the goods, spoke of his effort to secure warning detonators to place on the line after the accident. He also stated that his train should be at Newton Abbot before the passenger train was off Totnes. - Driver's Face Bandaged. - Albert Viney, residing at Penzance, the driver of the passenger train, was still heavily bandaged on the left eye when he appeared to give his evidence. He said his train left Totnes at 8.17 a.m. They were delayed at Ashburton Junction for six minutes waiting for the "line clear." - At Dainton they were checked again by the distant signal, but on reaching the home signal all was clear. - The Coroner: That means that the signalman at Aller had communicated with Dainton? - Yes. - The Crash. - Continuing, witness said the signalman was waving to him to stop, and he applied his brakes. "I then saw the guard's van of the train in front of me on my line. It was between 60 or 70 yards away and I was travelling at 45 miles per hour. I was knocked up against the fire box and on to the coal in the tender. I looked for my mate and found him on the ground by the line. I then ran to the signal box and the signalman said: "I am sorry, old man. It was my fault." I went back to see if the boiler was all right and then I was attended to by a young lady. - "Why did you go to the signal box?" asked the Coroner. - Witness: To see if everything was all right with the other lines. - Witness, having further stated that his brakes were in order, Col. Trench informed the Jury that the accepted rough calculation of what a vacuum brake in proper order ought to do, was that when travelling at 45 miles per hour, a train should be able to pull up in between 300 and 350 yards with the full application of the brakes. - Signalman's Frantic Hand Waving. - Arthur Edwin Carravick, Mount Pleasant, Newton Abbot, engine man for 29 years, said he was riding as a passenger on the train from Plymouth, sitting in the third compartment of the second carriage. He saw a signalman waving his hands excitedly, and he was about to get up to look out of the window when the impact occurred. - Witness got to the guard's van of the goods train and there found YABSLEY, who was lying on his back on the floor of the van unconscious. - Signalman's Evidence. - Victor Ward, of Lime Tree Walk, Newton Abbot, gave similar evidence. - John Saffin, 25 Lime Tree Walk, Newton Abbot, district relief signalman, said he had an absolutely clean record in the company's service. On the morning of April 23rd he came on duty with the Aller signal box at 6 a.m. to work until 2 p.m. He had done a similar duty the previous day. Whilst on duty in the box he gave "Line clear" to Kingskerswell signal box on the Torquay branch for the 8.10 a.m. ex-Paignton train at 8.27 a.m. He would be anticipating the "train entering section signal" within about five minutes, and at that time he was to have the goods train coming down the Plymouth line from Dainton. The 7.10 a.m. passenger train from Plymouth was timed to reach Newton at 8.32 and the 8.10 ex-Paignton at 8.34. This meant that normally the Plymouth train would pass his box a few minutes before the Paignton train. "I gave 'Line clear' to Paignton signal box on the Plymouth line at 8.32 for the passenger train, having already given 'Train out section signal' for the goods. I received the 'Train entering section signal' from Dainton for the passenger train from Plymouth at 8.34. At the same time I received the same kind of signal for the ex-Paignton passenger train from Kingskerswell. - "I was dealing with three up trains at the same time and asked the Newton Abbot West signal box if he could allow the Plymouth passenger train to be turned from the up main to the up relief line after the goods had turned clear and to follow the ex-Paignton train. I was told I could do this. At that time it was my intention to hold the Plymouth passenger train at the outer home signal and to pull off the up release starting signal, the branch signal, inner and outer home, and branch distant in order to allow the 8.10 from Paignton to go along the relief line. I had, in fact, pulled off the up relief starting signal, but I cannot recollect the pulling of the levers following that." - The Coroner: What is the meaning of that? - Mr Brown: He should have pulled the branch inner home, outer home and distant signals, but after the accident he found he must have pulled the levers for the main line. The shock has apparently prevented him remembering his levers. - Witness agreed that he must have pulled the main line signals by mistake, the result of which would be that the Plymouth train would collide with the goods. - Mr Brown: When did you realise your mistake? - When the Plymouth passenger train was passing my inner home signal. - The Coroner: You have said from the first and you say now that this occurred by reason of your mistake? - I admit it. - The Foreman: Did you have too much to do in the box? - No. - Witness added that he had done railway duty in the box before, and was intimately acquainted with it. - The Coroner: Were you feeling quite well on this morning? - Yes. - There was nothing at all worrying you? - Nothing. - You cannot offer any explanation to the Jury as to anything that might have caused you to make a mistake? - I should like to be able to, but I can't. - A Juror: Do you find that the shifting of the relief line at Newton Abbot to Aller, which was done some time ago, complicates matters? - It has speeded up and avoids delays. - Is it not better that this junction should be at Newton Abbot rather than at Aller? - The Coroner did not consider this question should be put to the witness, but rather to an official of the Company. - Inspector Hamilton stated that the reason the Company altered the junction at Aller was to facilitate the working of the trains, to prevent delays at Newton Abbot and to take a certain amount of work off Newton signal box. If it were not for the junction at Aller it would mean passenger trains would have to wait behind goods trains. - Questioned as to Saffin's ability, Inspector Hamilton said he was awarded a gratuity in 1924 for a safety device in regard to signals. He was thoroughly reliable and trustworthy and had an excellent character. - Dr R. F. Higgin said death was due to shock. - Police Constable Edgecome said the Police received a telephone message of the collision at 8.53 a.m. Deceased was pinned on the floor of the guard's van under lumps of ironwork. - Verdict of Misadventure. - Summing up, Mr Hutchings said there was only one of two verdicts the Jury could return, either manslaughter or misadventure. Nobody could have given his evidence more straightforwardly than the signalman, who admitted frankly that he was the cause of this man's death. The plain unvarnished truth was that he forgot. He had not attempted to say blame rested on anybody but himself. Mr Hutchings also pointed out that there was no evidence that Saffin was not attending to his duty, but merely that owing to the frailty of human nature he suddenly forgot. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Misadventure" with which the Coroner said he concurred. - The Foreman said the Jury was pleased with the way in which the signalman had given his evidence, and expressed sympathy with the relatives. They also congratulated the Police and ambulance men on the way they did their work. - Largely-Attended Funeral of MR EDGAR YABSLEY - The widespread sympathy amongst Newton Abbot townspeople with the relatives of EDGAR YABSLEY, the victim of the railway smash at Aller Junction last week, was evidenced at the funeral on Saturday. - A large number of people gathered in the vicinity of his home, 14 Forde-road, Newton Abbot, and also lined the road to Wolborough Churchyard, where the interment took place. The church was filled to overflowing and there was a crowd in the churchyard. Floral tributes were so many that they had to be conveyed in the funeral procession on a lorry which preceded the hearse. About 40 railway employees walked in front of the cortege. Rev. C. A. W. Russell, Rector of Wolborough, officiated at the service. - The principal mourners were the widow, Messrs. Alfred and Edwin Yabsley (sons), Miss Edith Yabsley (daughter), Mr Edward Yabsley (brother), Miss Mary Yabsley (sister), Mrs Phillips, Mrs Furze, Mrs Noyce, Mrs F. Noyce (sisters-in-law), Messrs. Phillips, Noyce, F. Noyce and Furze (brothers-in-law), Mrs A. Yabsley (daughter-in-law), Will, Frank and Edwin (nephews), Mrs Bearn and Mrs Field (aunts), Mr and Mrs Harris, Mrs Stevens, Mrs Harry and Mrs Best, Mr N. Field, Mr H. Field, Mr F. Field (cousins), and Sergt. L. Yabsley (nephew). 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 10 May 1929
TIVERTON - A verdict of Accidental Death was returned by the Jury at the Inquest at Tiverton last night concerning the death of THOMAS SHARLAND, of Rix Cottages, Halberton, who died in the Tiverton Hospital as a result of a fall from his waggon last Friday, the wheels going over him.

Western Times, Friday 10 May 1929
CHAGFORD - Inquest At Chagford. - Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest on Wednesday, at Stinhall Farm, relative to the death of MR GUSTIFF ELLIS, aged 49, a farmer, single. Evidence showed that on Monday, about 7.30 p.m., deceased left the farm on horse-back to fetch cows from the Stinhall Down. Shortly after his sister heard calls for help and saw her brother crawling towards home on his hands and knees. She learned from deceased that the horse buck-jumped and fell on him. He was assisted to his home and Dr Bruce, of Chagford, was soon in attendance and remained until 10.30., when death took place. Medical evidence showed that death was due to shock caused by internal injuries. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was found.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 13 May 1929
TOPSHAM - Death After Operation. Topsham Tragedy. - The death of a 15-month-old Topsham child at the conclusion of an operation was Inquired into by Mr Deputy Coroner Stephens and a Jury on Saturday. Dr Worsley had operated on DOREEN TROUT, daughter of a seaman, at her grandmother's house in Station-road, for removal of a growth on the breast which it was feared might spread and he had just inserted the last stitch when the baby collapsed and died. - Dr G. Pitt, Senior House Surgeon at Exeter Hospital, said he administered a mixture of two parts chloroform and one part ether. - Dr Solly, who made a post-mortem, said the only abnormality in the child was an enlarged thymus gland, which would render the patient liable to collapse after an anaesthetic. It was a condition which could only be discovered after the chest wall had been removed. - The Jury, of which Mr E. J. Willing was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure," and joined the Coroner in expressing sympathy with the parents.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 14 May 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - "This is an extraordinary case. Here is a man in good health who was not worried or depressed, and who leaves his home, and is found shortly afterwards in a brook under a small bridge. It looks from the evidence as though he got there himself, but I am not justified in jumping to conclusions, and the only possible verdict I can return is that he was Found Drowned." - In these words Mr E. Hutchings concluded an Inquest at Newton Abbot last evening concerning the death of WILLIAM WEBBER, 66, farm labourer, of Teigngrace, who was missed on Saturday morning and later found lying in a brook in about 16 inches of water.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 14 May 1929
EXETER - Fatal Scratch. Sampford Peverell Doctor's Gardening Injury. Inquest Story. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, touching the death of DR WILLIAM MITCHELL BROWNE, of Sampford Peverell, who died in an Exeter nursing home on Friday. - TERENCE MITCHELL BROWNE, son of deceased, said that he was employed by Messrs. Rootes, of London. A week prior to his father's death he went home to Sampford Peverell, where he heard his father had been removed to Exeter on April 14th suffering from a poisoned arm. He understood that the poisoning was the result of a scratch on the hand received while gardening. - William Henry Norrish, company director, of Merrymead, Sampford Peverell, said that on April 8th, DR BROWNE came to his house at 7 p.m. to arrange about playing tennis the following day. He noticed a bandage on DR BROWNE'S right hand, and deceased explained that he received a small scratch while gardening and that it was rather swollen. On the application of hot fomentations the swelling and the pain had gone and the deceased thought he would be quite fit to play tennis the next day. The next morning DR BROWNE had to cancel arrangements and remain in bed all day. When witness saw him later the swelling had spread to the arm and shoulder. In answer to the Coroner, Mr Norrish said that gardening was deceased's hobby. - Dr Norman Lock, of Exeter, gave evidence of accompanying Dr Laidlaw to Sampford Peverell on April 14th. DR BROWNE'S right shoulder was very painful and swollen. DR BROWNE showed him a healed sore on the right hand, and said he had received a scratch while gardening. Deceased was immediately removed to an Exeter Nursing Home, where he was under witness's care. He died there on May 10th as the result of septicaemia, which could be connected directly with the scratch on the hand. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Misadventure, following Septicaemia, due to deceased scratching his hand on some date prior to April 8th."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 15 May 1929
BRATTON FLEMING - Hanging Tragedy. Bratton Fleming Inquest. - An Inquest was held at Bratton Fleming the day before yesterday, on THOMAS BAKER, retired farmer, aged 77, who was found on Saturday hanging in the coal cellar of his home at Bratton Fleming. John Alexandra said he went to BAKER'S house to deliver coal, and found deceased hanging from the roof of the cellar by a rope. He had, apparently, been dead several hours. Mrs Yendell spoke to calling on BAKER on Friday evening and asking him if he wanted anything. BAKER replied that he did not. Miss Alice Mitchell said she was BAKER'S housekeeper, but went to her home for a week's holiday on Friday. BAKER seemed all right when she left. Dr Manning said the cause of death was suffocation, due to hanging. A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 16 May 1929
EXETER - Exonian's Death. Knocked Down By Cyclist. - An Inquest was opened at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on ADA HARRIS, aged 47, of 6 Market-street, who was knocked down by Mr Stanley Ford, riding a motor cycle, in Fore-street, on Sunday evening. - Alfred Heywood, of Bristol, identified the body. He said deceased carried on business as a refreshment caterer and was single. Her parents were dead. - Mr Alford, who appeared for Mr Ford, said his client would not leave the Hospital for two or three days. - The Inquiry was adjourned for a week.

Western Times, Friday 17 May 1929
SIDMOUTH - Sidbury Fatality. Witness Who Refuted Allegations Of Insobriety. "Accidental Death" Verdict. - The resumed Inquest into the death of WILLIAM FREDERICK COLES, who was killed in a motor-cycle accident on the Sidbury-road, on April 20th last, was held at the Sidmouth Police Station, on Tuesday. - Mr J. Frederick Orchard, solicitor, watched the proceedings on behalf of Gilbert Pile, who was too unwell to attend the last Enquiry, but who was now present. - William Lockyer, who said at the previous hearing that Pile was staggering in the road just before the motor bike struck him, adhered to his evidence. - Cross-examined by Mr Orchard, witness said he had ridden pillion several times. Sometimes COLES, the deceased rider, took two pillion riders. Witness would not agree that deceased was driving fast, and the fact that the bicycle was dragged 47 feet after the impact did not strike him as curious. - Witness did not know anything about motor bikes. He agreed that at the scene of the accident the road was nice and flat and acceptable for good running. - Answering a Juror as to what witness meant when he said at the previous hearing that Pile was all over the road, witness replied: "I don't know, and I can't show you." - The Coroner: Do you still say Pile was staggering? - "Yes." - The Coroner: Do you mean by staggering that Pile was trying to avoid the bicycle? - That might be so. - Further questioned by Mr Orchard, Lockyer said he did not hear any horn sounded. - Nellie Lockyer, mother of the last witness, described how she found her son in bed on Sunday morning, fully dressed, partly unconscious and covered with blood. He had walked home in an unconscious state and could remember no details of the accident. - Lockyer, recalled by Mr Orchard, said he was not aware that COLES, the deceased rider, had used his machine on Salcombe Hill to practice dirt track riding, but he did know it was a very powerful bike, capable of great speed. - Gilbert John Pile, agriculturist, of Salcombe Regis, said on Saturday, April 20th, he had occasion to visit Sidbury on business at the Royal Oak Hotel, he had three half pints of home brewed beer and purchased a bottle of oatmeal stout to take home. When he left for Salcombe Regis he was perfectly sober, and walked at a brisk pace, hoping to reach home by 10.30 p.m. Nearing the Sidbury Cemetery gates, and walking well on the left of the road he heard the sound of a motor bike. It was just momentary. He was then struck on the right side and remembered nothing more until Monday morning. He was prepared to swear that he was not staggering previous to the accident, nor did he jump. He was walking quite straight. He had had nothing to drink except the beer mentioned. All his injuries were on the right side, his left side being untouched. He was too close to the hedge for the bicycle to pass on the left side. - Mr Orchard said that so much talk had been made in the town as to Pile's condition at the time of the accident that he was bound to clear his character. - Dr Evans, of Sidbury, said that Pile was perfectly sober when he attended him shortly after the accident. He was suffering from concussion and vomited - a common symptom - and the vomit showed no signs of alcohol. - The Coroner agreed that it was fair that Pile should have been given a chance to clear his character. There certainly had been a suggestion that he was not sober. But evidence of insobriety could not be found. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with no blame attaching to anyone, and that Pile was absolutely sober. - The Coroner: With that verdict I quite concur.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 17 May 1929
YEOVIL, SOMERSET - Chagford Man's Death. Yeovil Accident. - The Coroner for South East Somerset, Mr F. Rutter, held an Inquiry at Yeovil Town Hall, into the death of HAROLD WILLIAM FARRANT, a commercial traveller, of The Square, Chagford, who died in Yeovil and District Hospital on Saturday. Relatives of the deceased man were represented by Mr G. D. Roberts, barrister-at-law (instructed by Mr F. P. Cottey, of Exeter) and Messrs. Alpin and Barrett by Mr F. S. Boxall. Mr J. Hyde was Foreman of the Jury. - Deceased was seen on the running board of his car (which was standing in Middle-street) when the Aplin and Barrett and other lorries were passing, and was afterwards found on the ground. - The Jury retired and on their return the Coroner stated they found it was an unfortunate accident, in which MR FARRANT was negligence in leaving his car without taking due care. - Mr Roberts: They have not expressed any opinion with regard to the right of Aplin and Barrett's lorry driver to go so close as to knock off the mirror of MR FARRANT'S car? - The Coroner: Except that the whole thing was an unfortunate accident, they have not expressed an opinion one way or the other.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 20 May 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Sequel To A Tiff. Newton Abbot Man Found Drowned. Coroner's Comment. - A tiff between a girl of 18 and a youth of 20 was related at an Inquest at Newton Abbot on Saturday night concerning the death of IVOR RODEN JOHNSON, carpenter, of Newton Abbot, whose body was found in the Stover canal lock on Friday afternoon. - Muriel Mary Gill, 18, of Hillman's-road, Newton Abbot, said she had been walking out with deceased for three years. On Thursday they walked towards the canal, but had a tiff as to which way they should go, and eventually witness left deceased and walked along the towpath, afterwards sitting down under a tree. She expected deceased to follow her, but he did not do so. Subsequently she returned to the canal lock, but did not see him and went home. - GEORGE JOHNSON, deceased's father, said his son was of a jovial disposition and not likely to become unbalanced. He believed he slipped while crossing the lock. His son could not swim. - The Coroner, returning a verdict of "Found Drowned," said there was no suggestion that deceased desired or attempted to take his own life. The facts were consistent with the contention that in crossing the lock by the gate he slipped and fell into the water. The incident referred to by Miss Gill was too trivial for words. The young lady had given her evidence clearly and straightforwardly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 22 May 1929
EXETER - Fatal Play. Truck Overturns At Monkton. Inquest On Child. - An Inquest was held at Exeter, yesterday, by Mr H. Linford Brown, on JOYCE MARY PHELPS, aged 7, of The Kennels, Monkton, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday from injuries sustained through falling off a truck while at play with some other children at Monkton. - CAROLINE PHELPS said her husband was kennelman to the Otter Vale Beagles. She found her daughter in a lane, after having been told by another child that she had fallen. - Olive Marks, aged 16, of Honiton, who was the eldest child at play at the time of the accident, said she was with three others. A truck was taken to the lane from a field, and the four rode down a hill. They had been down several times before. Witness sat on the front and JOYCE between the two others. The truck was on two wheels; the right wheel ran into the hedge and tipped over. They scrambled off as best they could, but JOYCE was on it when it turned over, and was thrown into the road. - Corroborative evidence was given by Lydia Marks. - Dr Charleson, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said death was due to meningitis, owing to a fractured skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." The Foreman added that the Jury considered the trucks should be removed from the field as soon as possible.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 23 May 1929
EXETER - Accidental. How A Pedestrian Was Killed At Exeter. Inquest Evidence. - An Inquest was resumed at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on ADA HARRIS, aged 47, of 6 Market-street, Exeter, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital following injuries received when she was knocked down in Fore-street, Exeter, by a motor cycle ridden by Stanley Ford, of the Barnfield, Exeter. The Inquiry was adjourned from the previous Wednesday, as Mr Ford was still in Hospital. The Coroner was Mr H. Linford Brown, and he sat with a Jury. Mr A. Martin Alford appeared on behalf of Mr Ford. - William Heywood, 5 Turk's Head-court, St Thomas, a dairy roundsman, said he was riding a motor cycle down Fore-street, on Sunday night (May 12th). He stopped to take up a passenger. While he was stopped a motor cyclist came up Fore-street Hill on its correct side. The cycle had a light, but he heard no hooter sounded. He saw deceased step off the footpath right in front of the motor cyclist, who was going at quite a reasonable pace. The handlebars of the motor cycle appeared to catch deceased in the back. Witness added that he immediately went to get the ambulance. - Replying to Mr Alford, witness said there was nothing the rider could have done to avoid the accident. - By the Foreman: He did not see four men in the road around whom the motor cyclist rode before the woman was knocked down. - Harold Frederick Francis Endicott, 26, Parkhouse-road, St Thomas, said he saw deceased walking on the edge of the path. She appeared to be in a hurry, and struck one of his companions on the arm. She said she was sorry, went about two paces, and then commenced to cross the road. He saw no one else in the road. The motor cyclist appeared to him to be going at a reasonable pace. Deceased reached the middle of the tram lines, realised that the motor bicycle was coming, hesitated and stopped. The driver, seeing her stop, tried to avoid her in every way he could. In trying to avoid her he thought the motor cycle skidded on the tram track and so struck her. She was struck in the middle of the back by the handlebars and thrown forward on her head. He did not hear the hooter sounded, but could not say it was not. - Replying to Mr Alford, witness said he thought that if the lady had exercised a little more caution in crossing the road the accident would have been avoided. - Replying to the Foreman, witness said deceased was not forced into the road off the footpath. - Eleanor Doreen Gill, 92 Barton-road, who was riding pillion on the motor cycle, said she saw the lady on the pavement. She got off the pavement without looking either way and went to cross the road. Mr Ford sounded his horn twice. The lady glanced up the street, then appeared to realise the motor cycle was behind her and stopped. She went on and Mr Ford swerved to the right to avoid her, but it was impossible. - "Had he gone to the left, would he not have passed her?" asked the Coroner. - "No, he could not have avoided her," replied witness, who added, in reply to a further question, that they had been riding all day. - Replying to Mr Alford, witness said she had been staying the weekend with Mr Ford's mother. On the Sunday morning they went to Haldon and in the afternoon to Dawlish. They got back about 6.30 and about 9 p.m. she was motored to her home to tell her mother she was staying with Mrs Ford over the night. Had the lady stayed still when she stopped there would have been no accident. Witness was made an out-patient at the Hospital and Mr Ford an in-patient. - Stanley Gordon Ford, Fordlands, Barnfield-road, Exeter, said he wished to give evidence. He said he had been riding a motor bicycle for twelve months, but had driven a car previously. He came up the hill on his proper side and changed to top gear at St Olave's Church, a very short distance from the spot where the accident occurred. He did not see the lady until she stepped off the footpath. He swerved into the tramlines when the lady stepped into the road. She stopped and then appeared to run rather than walk. He was a few feet from her when she stepped off. He remembered nothing about the actual collision. His general experience was that when pedestrians saw a car and stopped, they ran backwards. That was why he swerved to the right rather than to the left. In this case she did the opposite. - Replying to a Juryman, witness said he could not say that deceased stepped off the path because of four young men taking up all the pavement. - In reply to one of the Jury, witness said the fact that he had a pillion rider would make no difference to his control of the machine. With a pillion rider his experience was that when going over a certain speed it made for more control. Below 20 miles it made no difference whatever. - Replying to the Foreman, witness said Miss Gill was an experienced pillion rider, and thus her presence made no difference when she swerved. - The Foreman: She would not swerve with you? - Witness: Yes. - The Foreman: I don't think so. - Witness: It was not a drastic swerve, just a simple one. - Dr Pitts, Senior House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said when admitted the deceased was unconscious and suffering from concussion. She did not recover consciousness and as a fracture of the skull was suspected, an operation was performed. It was found there was a fracture of the left side of the skull and internal bleeding. That was the cause of death. - The Coroner said there was no evidence of negligence on Ford's part. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - On behalf of his client, Mr Alford expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. Mr Ford was in Hospital for some time with injuries to the head and had been very ill. He felt the fatal termination of the accident very much.

Western Times, Friday 24 May 1929
SAMPFORD PEVERELL - Unavoidable Collision. Jury's Riders At Sampford Peverell Inquest. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Jury at the Inquest held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, at Sampford Peverell, on RALPH LINDSAY HART CROCKER, aged 18, of Middle Beer, Uplowman, who was killed on Whit Monday when his bicycle came into collision with a motor car at Batten's Cross, on the Halberton-Sampford Peverell road. - Evidence showed that the deceased emerged from a side road in front of a car driven by Charles Loewi, of 960 Finchley-road, London, an assistant buyer, who was driving at about 20 m.p.h. A collision was unavoidable, and the deceased was carried 31 yards from the point of impact. - Medical evidence proved that death was due to a broken neck and that it was caused by the impact. - The Coroner remarked that this evidence made the fact that deceased was carried 31 yards immaterial. - The Jury added two riders to their verdict: "We consider that the driver lost control of the car after the accident, or should have pulled up in much less than 31 yards; also that attention of the authorities should be drawn to the cross-roads, which are the most dangerous in the district, and that immediate steps be taken to improve the corners, such developments having been recommended by both the Halberton and Sampford Peverell Parish Councils. - It was stated that Batten's Cross had been the scene of several previous accidents. - Mr A Martin Alford (Exeter) appeared on behalf of the driver.

Western Times, Friday 24 May 1929
PETROCKSTOW - Killed By A Tree. Inquest On North Devon Woodman. Colleague's Story. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, the North Devon Coroner, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest at Petrockstow last evening on WILLIAM SLADE, aged 57, a woodman of that village, who was killed whilst engaged in felling trees on Wednesday on Lord Clinton's estate. - William Trace said that he with deceased was engaged at Hartley Wood, Buckland Filleigh, in felling two trees, which had apparently some time previous fallen against another one. The trees were sawn off at the bottom and with a crooked stick he and deceased intended to get them down. Just as deceased got to the trees they both suddenly gave way together on their own accord. SLADE stepped back to avoid one and in his (witness's) opinion he hardly realised the other tree was coming and this struck him on the head and crushed him to the ground. Witness shouted to some other men in the wood, and in less than five minutes deceased was extricated. He breathed a little, but not much. Had the trees given way a few seconds before or a few seconds later there would have been no accident, said witness. - Dr Mitchell, of Hatherleigh, said deceased's head was crushed, the jaw fractured, and death was due to a fractured skull. - Evidence of identification was given by ELIZABETH SLADE, wife of deceased.

Western Times, Friday 24 May 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Abbot Drowning Fatality. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, at Newton Abbot yesterday, investigated the circumstances of the third drowning fatality in the district within a fortnight, when he recorded a verdict of "Found Drowned" in connection with the death of HENRY WALTER TAYLOR, aged 63, a rag and bone dealer, whose body was discovered in the Stover Canal on Wednesday, after he had been missing from his lodgings in Wolborough-street since May 13. - Alfred Furze, a fellow lodger, said he saw TAYLOR on the morning of May 13 at the 'bus shelter in the Newton Abbot market place and he appeared to be quite as usual. - Wm. Smale, clay worker, of Broadlands-avenue, Newton Abbot, said he was towing a barge and saw the body in the water. - Dr J. J. Brown attributed death to drowning. From the appearance of the body it had been in the waster about a week. - P.C. Foley said in addition to other articles found in the clothes, there was a 10s. Treasury note and 13s. in silver.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 24 May 1929
HONITON - An Open Verdict was brought in by the East Devon Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, sitting without a Jury, at an Inquest yesterday on LEWIS JOHN LAKE, whose body was found in the River Otter, near the town. Dr Gill said he had been attending deceased for valvular disease of the heart. He could find no signs usually present in death from drowning. In his opinion death was due to heart failure.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 May 1929
PAIGNTON - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded at an Inquest at Paignton concerning the death of MRS JANE B. CLARKE, (77) of Manor Gardens, Preston, Paignton, who died following a fall at St David's Station, Exeter.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 29 May 1929
EXETER - Exonian's Death. Crash Into Pony And Trap. A Lapford Hedge. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned by the Jury at an Inquest which Mr H. Linford Brown conducted at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on HARRY CLIFT, age 24, who was fatally injured in an accident between his motor cycle and a horse and trap at Stopgate Cross, near Lapford, on Saturday. - HARRY CLIFT, deceased's father, 45 Priory-road, Exeter, said his son was employed as a chemist's dispenser at Bideford, and came home some weekends. He had ridden a motor cycle for four years and was reckoned to be a careful driver. His sight and hearing were good. - P.C. Alan White, Lapford, said he went to Stopgate Cross, on the main Exeter-Torrington road at 10.10 p.m. on Saturday, and saw that an accident had happened. Deceased was lying by the side of the road bleeding profusely from his face and side of the head. A horse and trap had come out of a lane from Zeal Monachorum, and the trap was lying overturned in a dyke by the side of the road. The main road was 17 ft. 6 in. wide at this spot. The motor cyclist had 257 yards clear vision before getting to the cross-roads, but anyone coming out of the Zeal Monachorum lane was prevented from seeing anything on the main road by a high hedge. - Sydney Rice, Park View, Lapford, driver of the trap, said he had a passenger, Mr Partridge, in the trap. He had no lights at the time, as they were not required. He was prevented from seeing on the main road by the high hedge, and, although he exercised due caution, deceased had hit the pony before witness even saw him. He heard no warning of deceased's approach. Mr Partridge sustained a broken wrist and other injuries, but witness was unhurt. - Examined by Mr W. G. G. Seager, of Crediton (who was acting on his behalf), witness said that the noise made by the cart was great. - Mr Howard, of Stopgate Cottage, said that deceased did not blow his horn when approaching the cross-roads. - Dr Pitt, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in which deceased died on Sunday, said that death was due to extensive fracture of the base of the skull and laceration of the brain. - The Jury added a rider that the hedge at the spot ought to be cut down, and expressed sympathy with the relatives in their bereavement. Mr W. G. Seager associated himself with this.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 29 May 1929
ASHBURTON - Sailor's Death. Cycling Accident At Ashburton. Fast Speed. - Mr Ernest Hutchings, District Coroner, has held an Inquiry at the Town Hall, Ashburton, into the death of BERNARD RICHARD SCARLETT, aged 24 years, a sailor of H.M.S. Eagle, who lost his life as the result of a motor cycle accident at Ashburton last Friday. - Kenneth Charles Ogilvie, A.B., of H.M.S. Eagle, gave evidence of identification and stated that deceased was an experienced motor cyclist. - Arthur Percy Turle, of Boscombe, at present staying at the Anchor Cafe, Ashburton, stated that deceased arrived at the Cafe at about 5.20 p.m. on Friday, and left for Plymouth about 8.40 p.m. Witness had known him about six weeks. He had been to the cafe about five or six times during that period. He was quite normal when he left. Witness understood he had to be on board his ship at 7 a.m. the following morning. - William French, of Mitchelmore, Holne, stated he was driving a motor lorry up West-street, Ashburton, on Friday, about 8.45 p.m. A motor cyclist passed him by Hillcrest at a very fast speed. A little later on he saw him lying in the road. Witness stayed by him until the arrival of the Police. There was no other traffic on the road at the time. - Gladys Gertrude Pitts, of Ashburton, said that she, with her sister and a friend, were walking towards Ashburton about 8.45 p.m. on Friday, and saw a sailor on a motor cycle, on the bend by the Kingsley Hotel, travelling towards Buckfastleigh at a very fast rate. She passed a remark to her sister about the rate he was going. Just after he passed they heard a crash, and, looking round, saw the cycle skidding across the road. They ran back and found the cyclist lying in the road. Witness lifted him up, and her sister and friend went for the Police. Witness stayed until Dr Ellis arrived. Deceased was not conscious during the time witness was there. - P.C. Gould of Ashburton, stated that he was called to the scene of the accident at 8.45 p.m. He found deceased lying unconscious in the entrance to Waverley Hall, being attended to by Dr Ellis. The doctor asked witness to fetch the ambulance, and on his return the doctor informed him that life was extinct. Witness described marks he found on the road and an adjoining wall and damage to the motor cycle, and stated he prepared the sketch of the site, produced. The Coroner complimented witness on the sketch, which he said had been of great assistance to him and to the Jury. - Dr E. A. Ellis, of Ashburton, described the injuries to deceased, which consisted of a severe fracture of the left side of the skull, together with severe injury to the left foot and other minor injuries. The fractured skull undoubtedly caused death, and nothing could be done for deceased from the first. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner and Jury expressing sympathy with the relatives. Mr Edgar Bowden (Plymouth ) associated himself with the expression of sympathy on behalf of the Admiralty, as also did an officer from the ship on behalf of the captain, officers and ship's company.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 30 May 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Plymouth Man's Death. Inquest Opened. - The Inquest was opened at Newton Abbot yesterday concerning the death of FREDERICK GRIFFITHS WARREN, 35, a Great Western Railway porter, of Wordsworth-road, Plymouth, who died in the local Hospital on Monday following injuries received in an accident near Drum Bridges, about a month previous. Late at night deceased, in company with two other men, were walking along when deceased came into collision with a car driven by Mr G. Hunter, of Manor-road, Camborne. He sustained a compound fracture of the right leg and a broken wrist, and was conveyed to the Newton Hospital. Evidence of identification having been given, the Coroner adjourned the Inquiry until Monday next at 3 p.m.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 4 June 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Road Accident. Plymouth Man's Death From Injuries. Inquest Verdict. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Newton Abbot last evening on FREDERICK GRIFFITHS WARREN, 35, G.W.R. porter, of Wordsworth-road, Plymouth, who died from injuries received in an accident on the Plymouth-Exeter road on April 20th. - FRANK WARREN, of Brownhill, Heathfield, brother of deceased, stated that just after 10 o'clock at night they were walking with a Mr Harwood in the direction of Heathfield, having left the Star Inn at Liverton. They were at the Star Inn for nearly two hours and had three pints of beer each. They were walking abreast and discussing politics when there was a rush and a thud, and witness saw his brother was missing. A car flashed past and witness ran after it shouting "Stop, you have got my brother." Deceased was badly injured and was taken to the Newton Abbot Hospital. - Replying to questions witness denied that he was under the influence of drink at the time. He did not hear any horn sounded, neither did he hear the car coming behind them. They did not notice any reflection of the lights of the car. - Harry Harwood, also of Heathfield, made a similar statement. - Charles Beer, of Liverton, said he saw the car involved in the accident some distance before the collision occurred. It had two lights and was travelling at from 25 to 30 miles per hour. William Lang, who was with Beer, gave corroborative evidence. - P.C. Cole said the skid marks showed clearly that the car swerved to the off-side in order to avoid something. The near wheel skid marks were 13 feet from the edge of the near pavement. The car was 9 ft. 6 in. from the near foot-path and there was a pool of blood 28 feet from the rear of the car. He was of opinion that the first witness (WARREN) was slightly under the influence of drink. - Geoffrey Frederick Collymore Hunter of Camborne, driver of the car, said he saw the three men when 20 yards behind them and sounded his hooter. The men were occupying about ten feet of the road. He was just passing when the outside man stepped across the road. He swerved to try to avoid him, but hit him with the near side wing. With the force of the impact the lights went out, the windscreen was shattered and his hand was knocked from the steering wheel. At the time he was under the impression that the man was drunk, and he still had that impression. The men took no notice of the warning which he gave. - Dr J. J. Brown said deceased sustained a compound fracture of both bones of the right leg. The wound became septic and they amputated in the hope of arresting the blood poisoning. Deceased's condition, however, became worse, and death took place from exhaustion following septicaemia, due to the compound fracture of the leg. - Sister Grimes, of Newton Abbot Hospital, said she formed the opinion that the condition of the first witness after the accident was due to shock more than anything else.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 5 June 1929
EXETER - Crediton Crash. Northtawton Man's Death In Hospital. Inquest Verdict. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest conducted at Exeter yesterday by the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, sitting with a Jury, concerning the death of FREDERICK L. J. CROCKER (23), mason's labourer, of Lakeway, Northtawton, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from injuries received in a collision on Saturday at Barnstaple Cross, Crediton. - He was married with one son. WILLIAM JOHN CROCKER, of Bow, identified the body as that of his son, whom he last saw at midday on Saturday, when he started for Exeter, presumably to see the dirt track racing. - Bernard Thomas Jenkins, of Yearlstone, Tiverton, said he was driving a motor-car from Thorverton to Copplestone via Shobrooke. The bend from the Shobrooke-road into the main road was very bad, there being no visibility for some distance. Witness slowed up on taking the bend, and had straightened up when a motor-cyclist dashed into the radiator as near the middle as one could get it. Witness was on the left-hand side of the road, and did not think deceased saw him. Witness pulled up immediately after the accident occurred and backed. Deceased was thrown on to the radiator cap, and his machine rebounded for some distance. Witness had been driving for 15 years and did what he could to the best of his judgment. - In answer to the Foreman (Mr F. Parr), witness said he sounded his horn, but heard no reply. - P.C. Treloar, of Crediton, gave formal evidence, and said the car marks showed it was 4 ft. 6 in. from its left-hand side of the road. There was no view of the main road from the Shobrooke-road for 200 yards. - The Coroner remarked that in that case the corner had nothing to do with the accident. - Cyril John Luxton, living at Barnstaple Cross, said the cyclist was near the middle of the road. - Dr Charleson, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was unconscious when admitted and suffering from cerebral haemorrhage and a fractured thigh. He died an hour after admission without regaining consciousness. - The Coroner said the pillion rider was also injured, and was at present in the Crediton Hospital, where he was likely to remain for some time. From the evidence it seemed clear that there was no negligence on the part of the driver of the car. - In returning their verdict the Jury expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 5 June 1929
TOTNES - Collision Sequel. Torquay Man's Death. - At Totnes Guildhall yesterday afternoon the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. E. Windeatt, sat with a Jury to Inquire into the circumstances concerning the death of WILLIAM WALTER JAMES AUSTIN, jeweller, of 24 Victoria-road, Ellacombe, Torquay, a motor cyclist, who was fatally injured as the result of a collision on the Totnes-Paignton road on Sunday afternoon. - The Jury, of which Mr A. Wheatley was Foreman, returned a verdict that deceased died from a fracture of the skull, a\s the result of accidentally colliding with a 'bus. They expressed sympathy with the relatives, and exonerated the drivers of the motor car and 'bus. They recommended that the road be widened and that, at least, the corner about 70 yards from Highlands should be taken off. - The Deputy Coroner said he would forward the recommendation to the proper quarter. - A representative of the Western National 'Bus Co., expressed their sympathy with the bereaved relatives and MR AUSTIN thanked him and the Jury for their expression.

Western Times, Friday 7 June 1929
EXMOUTH - Sudden Delirium. Death Of A Well-Known Boatman At Exmouth. - Mr C. N. Tweed, Coroner, conducted an Inquest relative to the death of MR SAMUEL WILLIAM TOBY, the boatman of 7 Albion-street, Exmouth, who was found in his bedroom on Saturday night with his throat cut. - MRS BERTHA TOBY, wife of the deceased, said her husband complained of feeling unwell on Tuesday and went to bed earlier than usual. He complained of pains in his head and throat. On Thursday she called in Dr McPherson. On Saturday she stayed with her husband nearly all day and in the evening left him to get a loaf of bread, telling him she would only be away two or three minutes. She returned within five minutes and thought she heard her husband choking. She went upstairs and found him on the bed in another room. From what she saw she thought he had cut his throat. Her husband had never threatened to take his life. Before she left him he asked for a piece of paper and pencil, which she gave him, as he said he was going to make his will. - P.C. Buckingham said he discovered a razor by the man's side, also a piece of paper on which was written:" All I have got belonging to me must be sold and divided as was meant to be between my wife and children." - Dr McPherson said deceased had a very severe sore throat of rather a sceptic nature. He also developed erysipelas. He was worried and distressed over his condition but did not say or do anything to suggest he was abnormally depressed. It was possible he became delirious and in that state took his life. - The Coroner said deceased had got it on his mind somehow or other that he thought that he was going to die because he expressed a wish to make his will. He found that TOBY Committed Suicide by cutting his throat with a razor during a sudden attack of Delirium.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 June 1929
TIVERTON - Child's Fatal Scalds. Tiverton Inquest. - "Accidental Death from Scalds" was the verdict returned at an Inquest at Tiverton last night, concerning the death of REGINALD GEORGE CROOK, the 12-month-old child of MR and MRS HAROLD GEORGE CROOK of 2 Little Silver, Tiverton, who died in the local Hospital the previous afternoon. - MRS BEATRICE ENA CROOK, the mother, said that at 7.30 a.m. on May 22nd she left a bowl half full of hot water on a chair in readiness to wash the child. While she turned away to get a jug for the milk boy the deceased, who was standing near the chair, tilted the bowl and spilt some of the water over his chest and neck. The bowl was not tipped right over. - Mrs Broom, a neighbour, said that she applied oils and wrapped the child up. - Dr Nicholson told the Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, that, although the child made some progress in Hospital, septic poisoning became established in the wound and caused death. - The Coroner emphasised the danger of leaving hot water within the reach of children.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 June 1929
EXETER - Wembworthy Accident. Inquest Opened On Victim. - An Inquest was opened at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, concerning the death of MARY DART, aged five years, who was struck by a motor car at Wembworthy, on Tuesday, and died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital without regaining consciousness. - ELIZA DART, wife of a farm labourer, identified the body as that of her daughter. The Inquest was adjourned until Thursday to enable the evidence to be completed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 11 June 1929
DREWSTEIGNTON - Inquest On Victim Of Whiddon Down Crash. Dangerous Corner. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict of the Jury at the Inquiry conducted by Mr H. C. Brown at Whiddon Down, yesterday. into the death of JAMES WALTER BRADING, motor mechanic, of 2 Albion-street, Exeter, who was involved in a motor-cycling smash at Whiddon Down, on the main Exeter-Okehampton road, on Sunday afternoon. Mr H. W. Perryman was Foreman of the Jury, and Mr W. G. G. Seager (Messrs. Dunn and Baker, Exeter) represented the deceased's relatives. - WILLIAM VALENTINE, brother-in-law, of Allerhayes, Hele, near Exeter, said deceased was married with three children. - Dr Wright, Okehampton, described the deceased's injuries, which included fractures of the skull and legs. Death must have been instantaneous. - Frederick Ching, motor salesman, 45 Manston-road, Exeter, stated that after ascending the hill leading out of Whiddon Down on the Okehampton side of the village on Sunday afternoon he saw the deceased approaching on the wrong side of the road and another motor-cyclist behind him on the proper side. Deceased was travelling at a tremendous speed, and was, apparently, unable to rectify his position. Witness applied his brakes, but the cyclist crashed between the front of witness's car and the near hedge, and caused the rear wheels of the car to skid across the road. Witness and his wife got out to render assistance, and found deceased lying on the roadway. Witness was driving at between 15 and 20 miles an hour. The near wing and the running board of the car were ripped off, and the back axle damaged. - Handlebars Locked. - By Mr Seager: Witness could not say whether the deceased was trying to pass the other motor cyclist. His car was practically at a standstill when the crash occurred. There was plenty of room for a car to have passed witness's car on its proper side. - Francis Richard Rickard, Yeolm Bridge, Launceston, said he was travelling to Exeter on Sunday afternoon and near the scene of the accident a motor-cyclist (the deceased) passed. Witness was travelling at about 30 miles an hour. It seemed as if deceased's handlebars had become locked, as he was going towards the right-hand side, and went straight into the car. Witness threw his machine into the hedge and ran towards the spot to see if he could render assistance. - The Coroner: In your opinion was it the speed at which this man was travelling that prevented him from pulling up? - Witness: I could not say whether it was that or whether there was something wrong with his machine. I should think it was as much a lock in the machine as the speed he was travelling. - It might have been something wrong with his cycle? - Yes; or he might have lost control. - Witness, replying to P.S. Morrish, said the sound of the exhaust of deceased's machine at the time of the impact gave him the impression that the throttle was still full open. - Edward Rawle, Moretonhampstead, said he was near the spot and when the two motor-cyclists passed him they were going not less than 50 miles an hour. - The Coroner: Mr Rickard came back to report an accident? - Witness: Which we anticipated. - You are not suggesting there was any racing? - They were running abreast. They were more or less crouching, and gave the impression of being "all out." - George Goss, Higher Whiddon Down, also gave evidence. - The Jury found that no blame attached to anyone. They suggested that the attention of the County Council should be drawn to the dangerous condition of the road at that point. Three or four serious accidents had occurred there during the last year or two. He was also desired to express the Jury's sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. The Coroner concurred. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 13 June 1929
HOLCOMBE BURNELL - Longdown Rail Tragedy. A Cocoanut Plantation In New Guinea. Strange Outburst. - Mystery still surrounds the railway tragedy which was brought to light on Monday by the finding of the mutilated body of TOM F. RUTHERFORD in the Perridge tunnel. A certain amount of light was thrown on the matter at the Inquest conducted yesterday at Longdown Railway Station by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, who was assisted by a Jury, of which Mr S. C. Baker was Foreman. District Inspector Havill represented the G.W.R. - Frederick Henry Forward, of Halsdon House, Exmouth, who described himself as a mining engineer, said he was introduced to the deceased about three weeks ago at Lympstone. He was told that he was called RUTHERFORD, and gathered that his name was TOM. Deceased said he had a cocoanut plantation in New Guinea. He spent a lot of money at Lympstone. On Sunday, the 2nd, deceased asked witness if he knew where he could spend a quiet holiday in Cornwall. Witness recommended him to stay with Mrs Hooper at Yellam Farm, Chagford, and they went there in witness's car on the following day to make inquiries. At deceased's request, witness consented to stay at Chagford for a fortnight. - "I Can't Stand It." - They went there on Friday, and arranged to share as sitting-room. Deceased appeared to be perfectly happy. - During lunch on Monday he suddenly dropped his knife and fork and said to witness, "I can't stand it any longer." He then said he was going to commit suicide, but told witness not to worry, as he would write him a letter saying he was going away for two or three days. - The outburst came as a thunderbolt to witness, who advised deceased to go to bed, which he did. When he got upstairs he apologised for breaking down and said he would like to talk it over at tea time, and "get something off his chest." Witness arranged to call him at tea time. The deceased did not go down to tea, and witness took up a cup of tea. He found that deceased had gone. Subsequently he found a letter on the mantelpiece: "Dear Forward, I have been called away for a few days but will rejoin you shortly - TOM F. RUTHERFORD." - Mr Forward recalled that while at Lympstone the deceased questioned him as to whether he had ever told him his trouble. Witness thought he was under the influence of drink at the time and humoured him by saying, "Yes, it's perfectly rotten." - The Coroner: Was there anything to lead you to think that he had come to the end of his tether? - Witness: He borrowed 50s. from me on Monday and said he was expecting to receive some money that day. - Frank Dimond Richards of 13 Buddle-park, Exeter, driver on the G.W.R., said he drove the 9.40 - the last train from Exeter. About three parts of the way through the Perridge tunnel, the train went over an obstacle, and he reported an obstruction at Longdown Station. He examined the leading coach and found a piece of rag on the sand pipe. - Harry Brimblecombe, Stationmaster at Longdown, and living at Culver Lodge, said he went into the tunnel a short way and found a half-pint whiskey bottle, some spent matches and loose tobacco. About 30 yards further on witness found a man's hat in the middle of the road, and then his head. Seven feet beyond that was the body. Witness informed the Police. The body was lying on the stomach with feet against the wall of the tunnel and the top part of the trunk was resting against the rail, indicating that the deceased had rested his head on the rail. - Dr C. N. Lovely said he had examined the body and found no marks of injury, but the head was severed completely. 

Western Times, Friday 14 June 1929
EXETER - Wembworthy Fatality. Inquest On Little Girl Who Was Struck By Motor Car. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury, resumed at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, the Inquest relative to the death of MARY DART, aged five years, of Putford Cottages, Wembworthy, who was struck by a car near her home, on June 4th, and subsequently died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital without regaining consciousness. The Inquest had been adjourned after formal evidence. - Mr McGahey (Messrs. Dunn and Baker) appeared for the driver of the car, and Mr Crosse was present on behalf of the parents of the child. - MRS ELIZA DART, the mother, said after the deceased had gone out to meet her father she next saw her sister-in-law running by the window. She had heard no sound of a car. She followed and saw her child lying in the road, two feet from the right hand hedge. There was a motor car some distance down the road and the driver was looking out of the window. "I picked up the child with the blood dropping off, and took her indoors and threw some water over her as I thought she was dead." The driver and his passenger subsequently came in and he offered to fetch a doctor. He later came back with a nurse and witness then sent for another doctor from Chulmleigh. He arrived between quarter and half-past seven and immediately ordered the child to Hospital. - In answer to the Foreman of the Jury, witness said the child's hearing was very good. - Evelyn Parkhouse, of Wembworthy, a near neighbour of the previous witness, described how she ran into the road and found the child lying on the right side. - Police Constable Hawkins, stationed at Winkleigh, produced a sketched plan of the scene. At a spot about 22 feet from the corner bank the brake marks started. The space between the edge of the gutter and the brake marks was about two feet, and the car was as near as possible on its correct side. - The Coroner: Can a child coming down from the path see anything to the left? - I should say not until it gets into the road. - In answer to Mr McGahey the Constable said he considered the driver had pulled up as quickly as possible. - Mrs Ethel Beardon, of the Osborne Hotel, Exeter, a passenger in the car, said she was sitting in the back of the vehicle, which was conveying her to Eggesford Station to catch the 6.16 train. The hooter was sounded as they approached the scene of the accident, but the child ran out in front. Witness was holding a picture in front of her and did not see the child struck. She said to the driver, "Bernard, I believe we have got the child under the car," as she felt a jerk. He replied, "No; have I really," and stopped immediately. - The Coroner: If you could see the child before the car struck her, the driver could have also? - Yes, sir. - The car was being driven very slowly because of the hill, and there was nothing to distract the driver's attention. In witness's opinion, he was very clever in what he did under the circumstances. - Bernard Sanders, the driver of the car, elected to give evidence, and said they left Winkleigh for Eggesford Station at 5.30 p.m.. They first went to Hollacombe to pick up luggage, but did not stop there long. He had slowed down to about ten miles per hour for the hill. He thought he had missed the child. He first saw her about two paces in front and he immediately locked his brakes and swerved to the right. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," exonerating the driver from blame. Sympathy was expressed with the relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 14 June 1929
WOOLFARDISWORTHY - Farm Tragedy. Woolfardisworthy Inquest. - "Death by Misadventure" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held by Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, at Brindifield Farm, Woolfardisworthy, concerning the death of MISS LUCY HAMMETT, aged 21, who was found dead in a pond at Brindifield Farm on Friday. - JOHN HAMMETT, father, gave evidence of identification and said his daughter's health had always been good. - Fred Sharland, farm labourer, said when he returned to the farm at 4.30 deceased was not in the house. He went to look for her and found her lying in the pond. Witness recovered the body, but deceased was dead. Close to the water was a hen's nest with three eggs in it. - Dr Price, of Witheridge, said the body presented the usual appearance of death by drowning. - In recording his verdict the Coroner thought it was likely deceased fell into the pond while trying to get at the eggs.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 18 June 1929
DAWLISH - Starcross Fatality. Inquest Adjourned. - The Deputy District Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, sitting with a Jury, opened an Inquest at the Assembly Rooms, Starcross, yesterday afternoon, on ALBERT EDWARD HOBBS, of 70 Belmont-road, Exeter, who was killed as the result of a motor-cycle accident at Cofton on Friday evening. - Mr W. W. Hubber was elected Foreman of the Jury, while Sergeant Lynn, of Dawlish, represented the Police. - The Deputy Coroner said MR HOBBS, when riding a motor cycle with a pillion passenger, met his death through running into a wall. The pillion rider was injured in the crash, and was at present in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. He (Mr Stephens) could not, therefore, conclude the Inquest that day, and after evidence of identification had been given he proposed to adjourn. - JOHN THOMAS HOBBS, 37 Willey's-avenue, identified the body as that of his brother, aged 27, a motor driver, employed by Messrs. Turner, wholesale fruiterers, of Exeter. He had not seen deceased for several days prior to the accident. Deceased was a motor driver in the Army just after the war ended and had driven ever since. The machine he was riding on the night of the accident was a B.S.A., 4.93 h.p. - a fast bicycle. Deceased had only had it for eight days, but would not let anyone ride on the pillion until he had completed 500 miles. Deceased's sight was good, and he was used to riding motor bicycles. - The Deputy Coroner said he had had an intimation from the House Surgeon at the Hospital that the pillion rider - William Bellamy, of 4 Toby's-place, Lower North-street, Exeter - might be able to attend the Inquest in a week's time. He would, therefore, adjourn the Inquiry until 2.30 on Thursday, June 27th. He expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 20 June 1929
TIVERTON - Coroner's Moral. Dangers Of Driving In Narrow Roads. Tiverton Inquest. - "The moral is that on a narrow road, whether one is driving a motor car or motor cycle, you should go at such a pace that when you do see anything in front of you, you should be able to pull up." This remark was made by the Tiverton Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, at an Inquest at Tiverton last night on FREDERICK SCORSE, aged 16, of Ash Thomas, who died following a collision between his motor cycle and a lorry on the Butterleigh-Brithembottom road on Sunday morning. Mr Clutsom also said there were not so many accidents on a crowded road as on a little-used road, drivers on the latter assuming that there was no other traffic. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury exonerating the lorry driver from blame. Mr A. Martin Alford appeared for the driver of the lorry and his employers, the Wilts, United Dairies Company. - P.C. Mudge said where the collision occurred, the road was 9 ft. 3 in. wide, and the cyclist had only 3 ft. 3 in. in which to pass, the handle-bars on his machine measuring 2 ft. 9 ins. The lorry was as tight to the hedge as it could go on its proper side. The driver could see about 37 paces and the motor cyclist about 27 paces. He did not think the road was particularly dangerous, but it was narrow and winding. - P.S. Kellaway produced a piece of wood knocked from the lorry and said it would appear that the handlebars of the cycle passed over the mudguard of the lorry, striking the bodywork, knocking out the piece of wood. - The Coroner: The deduction from that is that he was travelling at a considerable pace? - Witness: That is my opinion, sir. - Dr Lowe, of Tiverton, said death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. Deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from concussion, a penetrating wound through the jaw, and abrasions to the shoulder. He died next day. - JOHN SCORSE, father of deceased, said his son was a baker's assistant and had ridden the motor cycle to his work about three times. He had ridden a motor cycle since April, was a steady rider, and on the occasion of the accident had no reason to go fast. He knew the road well. - Christopher Board, aged 20, of Millhayes, Hemyock, said the lorry was a Ford, and he had driven for two years. The motor cycle was going fairly fast, and on seeing it he put on his brakes and pulled into the hedge, realising that there was not room to pass. The cycle struck the lorry after it had stopped, deceased driving too fast to pull up. Witness was travelling about 12 m.p.h. - Mr Alford: Do you think deceased saw you had stopped? - Witness: I cannot say; I think he lost his head. Witness added that he saw deceased wobbling.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 20 June 1929
EXETER - Dead Baby. Inquest Adjourned At Exeter. Whipton Discovery. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, opened an Inquest at Exeter yesterday on the body of a female infant child. - ALBERT ALLEN, a shop porter, 13 Beacon-lane, Whipton, stated that his daughter, MARY MARJORIE ALLEN, aged 17, a domestic servant, had been attended by Dr J. Pereira Gray for rheumatism. At 5 a.m. on Tuesday she called her mother saying she was feeling ill. The mother went downstairs with her, but returned to bed shortly afterwards. Being again called by the daughter, both witness and his wife went to the kitchen, where they found the girl, who appeared to be in a daze. She was put to bed. Witness made a search and found the body of a newly-born female child under the bridge on the bed of the stream which runs by the side of Beacon-lane. - Dr J. Pereira Gray stated he had made a post-mortem examination and in his opinion the child had had a separate existence. - The Coroner informed the Jury that he intended to adjourn the Inquest at this juncture in order that an analysis of the contents of the infant's stomach could be made, and to enable the mother to attend. The Inquest will be resumed on July 15th.

Western Times, Friday 21 June 1929
EXMOUTH - Withycombe Cliff Tragedy. Story Told At The Inquest Yesterday. - The Inquest on the lad CYRIL ALBERT KETTLE, 15 years old, son of MR and MRS H. KETTLE, of Withycombe, who was found lying dead on the beach at the eastern end of Exmouth on Tuesday evening, after falling 150 feet from the top of the cliff, was held at Exmouth yesterday. - Deceased, with four other lads from Withycombe village, had cycled to Littleham Cove for the purpose of having a bathe. They stayed in the water for a quarter of an hour, and after dressing went on the top of the cliffs with the object of returning home. Their attention, however, was attracted by a shoal of porpoises playing in the water and KETTLE lingered behind the others. All at once his companions, who were leaving the spot, heard the sound of what one described as "of a rumble, like clay falling." They were amazed to find that KETTLE had disappeared and on descending to the beach found him lying on some rocks with his head terribly battered. - HARRY KETTLE, father of the deceased, said it was the first time his son had been out for a bathe this year. - Fredk. Locke and Reginald Franks, two of the companions of the deceased, said the latter was about a couple of yards behind them, the others being in front. They did not hear the deceased shout and were not skylarking. Their attention was just called by a rumbling noise and on looking round they found that KETTLE had fallen over the cliff. - The Coroner decided that deceased died from a fractured skull Accidentally sustained by falling over the cliff. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 24 June 1929
TIVERTON - Wrong Side. Tragedy Near Dulverton. - An Inquest was held at Tiverton Hospital on Saturday, on ERICK SAMUEL GEORGE CARTER, aged 14, of East Anstey, who died in the Institution from injuries sustained in a collision between his bicycle and a motor lorry, near Marsh Bridge, Dulverton, on Wednesday. - Glyndwr Frederick Spencer, of East Anstey, said he cycled to Marsh Bridge from work; deceased followed on his cycle. They descended a steep hill leading on to the Dulverton road, and witness had to pass in front of a motor lorry near the corner to gain his proper side. Just afterwards he heard a crash. - William Charles Evans, of Dulverton, said he was driving his lorry at about four miles an hour, because of the potholes, near Marsh Bridge, and was on his proper side in readiness to take a turning to the right. The previous witness passed all right, but deceased came along at a tremendous pace after descending the hill and collided with witness's lorry on his wrong side of the road. If deceased had kept on his proper side witness could have seen him for about 500 yards. As it was witness could not see him until he was practically on him, and, seeing the front wheel of the cycle wobble, witness pulled up immediately. - Dr Hamilton described deceased's injuries, which were principally on his left side. Operative treatment was necessary, and as the spleen was beyond repair it had to be removed. Death was due to the injured spleen and shock. - The Coroner, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, said the medical evidence confirmed the lorry drivers testimony. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict, and the Jury exonerated the lorry driver from blame.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 25 June 1929
EXETER - Exonian's Death. Sequel To Exeter Street Accident. Fatal Hesitation. - The Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, sitting with a Jury, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the death of ADA BOND, of 52 Preston-street, Exeter, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from injuries received when knocked down by a motor cyclist in Alphington-street on June 18th. - WILLIAM BOND, the husband, said his wife had good sight and hearing. On June 18th she went out to buy flowers at a nursery, and when he last saw her she was in her usual state of health. - Edwin Charles Mardon of 6 Baker's-court, Sidwell-street, Exeter, said he was riding a motor-cycle along Alphington-street at about 11 a.m. When opposite Pike's Garage he saw MRS BOND step off the path on the opposite side of the road, about ten yards in front of him. Another motor cyclist was coming towards him on the other side of the road. As witness bore out to turn into Smale's Garage he saw MRS BOND hesitate in front of the other cyclist, step back and then go forward again. She was hit, and fell on her face. The other cyclist was going at a moderate pace. - George Hartland Mundy, 20 Alphington-street, said he was standing outside Osborne's shop, and had a clear view of the accident. A lorry was standing on the opposite side of the road outside Messrs. Wilcock's warehouse. He saw a youth on a motor cycle coming down Alphington-street and as he was passing the back of the lorry MRS BOND stepped out in front. She hesitated and stepped back and then forward again, right into the cyclist's path, and was knocked down The youth's speed was moderate. - James William Cunningham, 1 Brunswick-street, Exeter, gave evidence of picking MRS BOND up and trying to revive her. As he was giving her water, blood came out of her mouth and he summoned the ambulance. - Gordon Cupper, aged 15 ½ of Ivy Cottage, Alphington, the motor cyclist involved, said he was on his way home at a moderate speed. He suddenly saw MRS BOND step out in front of the lorry. He eased up to let her pass, but she stepped back and he went on again. As she went forward again, however, his elbow struck the basket she was carrying and she fell on her face. - Dr Charleston, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said MRS BOND was admitted at 11.30 on the 18th. She was suffering from concussion of the brain and possibly a fractured skull. She remained unconscious all the while. Pneumonia set in and she died on the 21st. The direct cause of death was pneumonia, following on concussion of the brain. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death due to Misadventure." - On behalf of Cupper, an uncle from London expressed sympathy with the relatives of MRS BOND.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 26 June 1929
THURLESTONE - At an Inquest at Thurlestone concerning the death of ROBERT HENRY ROGERS, journeyman mason, of Kingsbridge, who was found with his throat cut, at Lower Down, a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 28 June 1929
HOLCOMBE ROGUS - Quarry Fatality. Killed By Falling Stone At Holcombe Rogus. - Mr G. H. Stephens, Deputy Coroner, sat with a Jury at an Inquest at Holcombe Rogus, on Monday, relative to the death of WALTER HOWE, aged 65 years, quarryman, who was killed by falling stone at Pondground Quarry, Holcombe Rogus, on Friday. Mr G. P. Clarke represented the owner of the quarry and Mr R. King, of St Austell, Inspector of Mines, was also present at the Inquest. - HERBERT JOHN HOWE, of Greenham, Wellington, said he was the occupier and manager of the quarry and his father was in his employ. On Friday his father was in charge of a gang and called his attention to a place where he proposed to drill in preparation for blasting. Witness gave his approval, and as MR HOWE had been working in the quarry for four years, and was accustomed to blasting operations, witness did not give any special instruction. - In reply to Mr King, witness said his father was drilling at the bottom of the rock to get stone down from the top. - Mr King: Was it the usual practice of getting down stone? - Yes, throughout the district. - In reply to Mr Clarke, witness said that in quarries workers usually had a warning of six, 12 and even 24 hours before stone fell, but on this occasions tone fell without warning. - Walter Robert Pike, quarryman, said he was in MR HOWE'S gang on Friday. The rock was blasted at 2 o'clock on Friday, but at 5.20 there was no movement of stone and deceased asked witness to keep a look-out while he went with a bar to the spot where they had blasted. MR HOWE tried to move the stone for about two minutes and witness then saw the stone fall and kill HOWE instantaneously. He had never before seen stone fall without a warning. It had always broken away gradually. About a ton of stone fell. - Mr Clarke: You are satisfied that it was a pure accident? - Yes. - The Coroner said the fatality was particularly sad, in view of the fact that the man was employed at his son's quarry. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 28 June 1929
DAWLISH - Cockwood Fatality. Jury's Rider On A Dangerous Corner. Road Mistaken. - The Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, resumed an Inquest at the Assembly Rooms, Starcross, yesterday, on ALBERT EDWARD HOBBS, aged 27, of 20 Belmont-road, Exeter, who was killed while riding a motor-cycle, with a pillion passenger, at Cockwood, on June 14th. Mr W. W. Hubber was Foreman of the Jury, and Sergt. Lynn represented the Police. - Dr H., H. Iles said he found deceased lying by the side of the road. He was living, but the front of his skull was smashed in. There was also a fracture at the base of the skull. The injured man only lived 10 or 15 minutes after witness's arrival. - William Hy. Bellemy, 4 Toby's Buildings, Lower North-street, Exeter, general labourer, said he went to Dawlish with HOBBS and rode as pillion passenger. They left Dawlish to come back at 10 o'clock. Deceased was then sober and their speed was moderate. When they passed Cockwood they had not lit up. Witness remembered coming along the main road into the village, but nothing after that. Deceased changed down to pass the cross-roads, but witness could not recall the bicycle striking the wall. - Witness, in answer to deceased's brother, said he had very little experience of pillion riding. - William Frank Vickery, Southbrook Lodge, Cockwood, said that about 10.15 he was in his house listening to the wireless, when he heard what he thought to be a motor crash. He ran into the road, and at the corner of Beach-road saw two figures lying on the highway, with a motor cycle several yards ahead of them. It was between the lights at the time, and, in his opinion, lamps of vehicles should have been lit. HOBBS was about three yards ahead of Bellemy, with the bicycle eight to ten yards ahead again. - By the Jury: He considered the corner one of the most dangerous in the neighbourhood, and the shadows cast by the trees on the night of the accident made the fence and hedge look very much like the road. - P.C. Sheppard said he had examined the road. He found a brake pressure mark on the carriage way and there was a scar where the near foot rest of the cycle had struck the stonework of the wall at the corner. That mark was 99 ft. from where he found the pillion rider, and the cycle was 42 ft. farther on. The width of the road where the cycle struck was 32 ft. 6in. - By the Foreman: There was a short steep incline from where the cycle struck the wall to where the men were found. - The Deputy Coroner said it was evident that deceased, coming round the slight bend from Dawlish, mistook the road for some reason and ran into the wall. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider that the local authority should be asked to widen the corner and take down the trees. - Mr G. Coombes (a member of the Jury) expressed a hope that the rider would be pressed. The corner was dangerous for local people, and infinitely more so for strangers. - The Deputy Coroner promised to make representations to the proper quarter. 

Western Times, Friday 28 June 1929
ASHBURTON - Buckfastleigh Motor Fatality. - W. C. HARRINGTON MARSDEN, aged 46, of Brixton, London, died in Ashburton Hospital from injuries received in a motor collision at Buckfastleigh on Saturday. He was standing at the rear of a motor van of which he was in charge, belonging to Mr A. W. Matagard of Thornton Heath, when another van, belonging to the same firm, collided with the vehicle and he was severely crushed. - The Inquest was opened by Mr E. Hutchings, County Coroner, on Monday, and adjourned.

Western Times, Friday 28 June 1929
ASHBURTON - Ashburton Fatality. Remarkable Evidence At The Inquest. Allegations Of Drunkenness. - Remarkable evidence was given at the resumed Inquest at Ashburton yesterday on BILLIE CHARLES HARRINGTON MARSDEN, aged 42, of 14 Holland-road, Brixton, London. - MARSDEN was killed last Saturday when he was crushed between the lorry he was driving and another lorry belonging to his employers, Messrs. A. W. Meteyard, Langdale-road, Thornton Heath, S.E. - The second lorry was driven by Clifford Ridley, Birchanger-road, Woodside Green, London, who was exonerated from blame. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, conducted the Inquiry and Mr R. J. McGahey represented the employer and Col. R. E. Tucker the widow. - Cecil Albert Jackson, King-street, Newton Abbot, said he was driving a car from Wrangaton to Paignton and passed a lorry between South Brent and Marley Head. It was being driven in a proper fashion. Shortly afterwards he came up to another lorry which he endeavoured to pass, but the driver pulled out into the middle of the road and would not let him go by. The lorry "wobbled" all over the road, but eventually after about a mile, witness passed it where the road was wider. In passing witness looked at the driver of the lorry who seemed to be drunk, rolling about the cab. There was somebody with him in the cab. - "I made up my mind to report the matter," added witness, "and at Buckfastleigh I informed a Constable whom I met in the street. He accompanied me to the main road. I drove him in my car and approaching the Half Moon Inn near Ashburton saw the lorry pull up. We stopped some yards away and saw the driver get out and walk to the rear of the lorry. Another lorry appeared and was pulling up, and the next thing I heard was a crash and I saw the man fall to the ground. When I got there the man was lying between the two lorries obviously seriously injured." - The Coroner: Assuming the second lorry to pull up was in fact the first lorry you passed on the road, was there anything to complain of in the way it was being driven? - Witness: Nothing whatever. - Col. Tucker: What makes you come to the conclusion that the driver of the second lorry was drunk? - The erratic way in which the lorry was driven. - Gerald Swain Pincent, The Nook, Tarraway Road, Paignton, who was with the previous witness, gave similar evidence. The second lorry they passed was being driven very dangerously.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 June 1929
PAIGNTON - Bather's Fatal Cramp. Paignton Inquest. - At an Inquest at Paignton concerning the death of THOMAS HUTCHINGS, 16, of Totnes-road, Paignton, who was drowned after diving off a raft, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The evidence showed that deceased was seized with cramp.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 2 July 1929
EXETER - Motor Van Fatality. Exeter Inquest. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, opened an Inquest at the Exeter Court House yesterday, on HORACE HANNAFORD, aged 21, of 34 West-street, Exeter. Following evidence of identification by the deceased's mother, the Inquiry was adjourned until today week. HANNAFORD died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, yesterday, following injuries through being run over by a motor van. Mr M. J. McGahey appeared for MRS HANNAFORD. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 3 July 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Seaton Cliff Fatality. Young Woman And Lure Of Seagull's Nest. Gossips Rebuked. - That she was probably looking at a gull's nest in the cliff when she fell to her death was the opinion expressed at an Inquest at Seaton last evening on BARBARA MARY KIRKMAN, aged 19, resident assistant-matron at Ryall's Court School, Seaton, whose body was recovered half-way up White Cliff, between Seaton and Beer, on Monday afternoon, after she had been missing from the school since about midday on Sunday. Deceased, it was stated, was keenly interested in nature study, and had told companions that she meant to have a look at the gulls nest one day. The Inquiry was conducted by the East Devon Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed. - Evidence of identification was given by Dr A. M. A. James, principal of Ryall's Court School, who said deceased, the daughter of DR KIRKMAN, of Staplehurst, Kent and formerly of Seaton, was assistant-matron at the school, which she entered in 1923 as a pupil. On Sunday, June 30th, she was present at the school service in the morning and that was the last time witness saw her alive. She was expected to be present at lunch at 1 o'clock, and also to be on duty in the afternoon. Deceased, however, did not put in an appearance at lunch. As she was very punctilious and conscientious about her duties and in the matter of being punctual, witness became anxious. At 2.15 witness and three of the resident mistresses went out to search for the deceased, and he went to Couch-hill, where he knew deceased was fond of going for a walk. They were unsuccessful and about 5 o'clock he reported to the Police that MISS KIRKMAN was missing. He also went to the Post Office and rang up her parents at Staplehurst. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said deceased had friends in Seaton. Mistresses of the school visited some of them and witness visited others to inquire if they had seen MISS KIRKMAN. - The Coroner: It seems to me that you must have anticipated something serious at an early period, because you took the serious step of ringing up the parents as early as 5 o'clock. - Witness: I felt responsible for her, and, knowing her absolute conscientiousness to duty, and that she had missed two meals, I thought it my duty to inform her father. Tea was at 4.30. Witness, further answering the Coroner, said a search was continued until one o'clock next morning without success, and was resumed at day-break. - The Coroner: Were you informed that Captain Maitland had found her body under Beer Cliffs? - Witness: Yes, in the afternoon of Monday. He (Dr James) broke the sad news to DR and MRS KIRKMAN, who were then in Seaton, and proceeded to the cliff, where he assisted the Police and Coastguards to remove the body from the cliff to the mortuary. - The Coroner: Whereabouts was the body lying? - Witness: I climbed the cliff about 50 ft. and saw the body lying behind the bushes. The spot was about 150 ft. below the top of the cliff and 50 ft. above sea level. - The Coroner: What else did you see? - Shoe Torn Off. - Witness: I saw her hat lying about 25 ft. above the body in the undergrowth. Her hat had not been pinned to her hair. - The Coroner: Can you form any opinion as to how she had fallen? - Witness: I formed the opinion that she fell from the top of the cliff. I am under the impression that she was looking into a gull's nest situate just below the top of the cliff; that she slipped and fell perpendicularly 50 ft.; she stretched out her right hand to save herself and fractured her right collarbone. Witness was of opinion that the deceased fell head first, and that the fall caused dislocation of the bones of the neck, resulting in instantaneous death. Deceased then rolled another 100 ft. through the brambles and undergrowth, thus causing abrasions and bruises to her forehead, face and knees and scratches on her hands. Her right shoe probably caught in some brambles and was torn off. The belt of her mackintosh, similarly caught, was also torn off. The shoe and the belt were discovered by Mr Head when he, at the request of witness, climbed the cliff to recover the deceased's hat. MISS KIRKMAN was a very cheerful, happy girl and was normal, both mentally and physically. - The Coroner: So far as you know, had she any trouble of any kind on her mind? - Witness: None whatever. Dr James added that deceased, as a pupil, was very keen on nature study. He thought that at the time of the fatality, she was probably looking at the gull's nest. - Capt. H. A. Maitland, of Seahill House, Seaton, spoke to joining in the search and to finding the dead body on Monday afternoon. He saw a leg projecting from a small bush, went down and found the body of MISS KIRKMAN. The spot was about equi-distant from Beer and Seaton. - P.S. Taylor: It is about 50 yards towards Beer from the Point. - Capt. Maitland said the body would have rolled on to the beach had it not been stopped by a bush. - The Coroner: Are there any railings there? - P.S. Taylor: There are no railings where we consider she went over. - Capt. Maitland: There are railings in parts and warning notices. - William Henry Head, of Wessiter, Seaton, gave similar evidence in regard to the search and the finding of the body. - Elspeth Mary Marshall, a resident mistress at Ryall's Court School, said she had known deceased for nearly four years. After the school service on Sunday morning witness was going along a landing in the school, and saw MISS KIRKMAN dressed ready to go out. Witness said, "Are you going out?" and she replied, "Yes." She spoke quite cheerfully. Witness, in answer to the Coroner, said she had never heard MISS KIRKMAN threaten to take her life. - "You Will Break Your Neck." - Doreen Freeth, resident-assistant mistress at Ryall's Court, said she had known deceased about six weeks. Three weeks or a month ago witness went out for a walk with deceased and a Miss Geary. On the cliffs between Seaton and Beer deceased mentioned there was a bird's nest just below, and said she was going to have a look at it one day. Miss Geary said, "Don't do that; you will break your neck." Deceased just laughed, and they walked on. Witness thought the conversation occurred near the place where the body was found. - Dr E. H. Walker, of Seaton, said he had made a post-mortem examination. The right collar-bone was broken and the neck dislocated. There were several abrasions on the hands, knees, and shoulders. Death, in his opinion, was instantaneous, in consequence of the dislocation of the neck. The deceased was virgo intacta. - P.S. Taylor gave details of the search, in which the Vicar of Seaton and Boy Scouts took part. The earth at the top of the cliff, underneath which the body was found, had been disturbed and just below this was a gull's nest. - The Coroner: You handed me a slip of paper indicating that there had been some talk. Was there any talk before the death? - Witness said there had been no talk before the fatality, but he thought it as well that the matter should be cleared up. - The Coroner, summing up, said it was a very pathetic case. He was satisfied from the evidence that any suggestion of suicide could be definitely ruled out, and that deceased met her death accidentally. "The doctor's evidence," he added "disposes, I hope for all time, of any scurrilous talk there might have been about her. She was a perfectly virtuous girl, and it seems terrible that people should make suggestions of that kind." A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - Mr C. C. Gould on behalf of the townspeople of Seaton, P.S. Taylor, Dr Walker, Dr James and the Coroner expressed sympathy with the deceased's parents. - The Coroner (to Mr Gould, who is Chairman of the Seaton Urban Council): I suppose you are satisfied with the sufficiency of the warning notices? - Mr Gould: As far as I know. - It was stated that the grass was slippery on the day of the fatality owing to rain.

Western Times, Friday 5 July 1929
EXETER - Elderly Exonian's Death. Worried At Having To Leave His Employment. - An Inquest was conducted at the Court House, Exeter, by Mr Hamilton Brown, Deputy Coroner, relative to the death of CHARLES WOODBRIDGE, of 19 Buller-road, Exeter, who was found drowned in the river Exe on Wednesday morning. - WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, compositor, of 19 Buller-road, St Thomas, said deceased, who was 70 years of age, was employed by Messrs. J. L. Thomas until last year. He had been in fair health, but had been worrying about having to leave the Company. Deceased retired about 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening and witness took him up a cup of cocoa. He seemed in fairly good spirits. He had been attended by :Dr Watkins for nervous trouble. - About five o'clock the next morning witness heard deceased go downstairs, but did not attach much importance to the fact that his father was up at that time, as he used to get up several times during the night. Witness got up at 8 o'clock the next morning, and found a note on the kitchen table, which stated that deceased had "gone out to finish things." - Det.-Constable W. Manders, of the City Police, stated that he went about 10 a.m. to a field opposite St David's Station, where he found a man's coat and cap lying on the bank of the river, and footprints leading from the clothing down to the water. The river was dragged and the body was recovered about eight yards from the bank, in about 8 ft. of water. The body was fully clothed except for the jacket, and was quite cold. - Dr Pereira Gray, of Northernhay Place, Exeter, said he was called to Exwick fields on Wednesday morning, where he saw WOODBRIDGE, who was dead. From the wording of the note which had been left by him the doctor concluded that deceased was in ill-health at the time, and was worried about something. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 9 July 1929
EXMOUTH - Tragic Visit. Daughters' Shock On Return From Churchyard. Exmouth Inquest. - The story of two daughters who returned from a visit to their mother's grave to find their father suffering from self-inflicted wounds in the abdomen and throat, was unfolded to the Coroner for East Devon, Mr Cyril N. Tweed, at an Exmouth Inquest yesterday. - FRANCIS JOHN DEEM, labourer, of Littleham, said his father, EDWARD DART DEEM, was 73 years of age, and a jobbing gardening. Witness was present when his father died at Exmouth Cottage Hospital at 4.5 on Saturday morning. He had previously seen his father between 6.30 and 7 a.m. on Friday, when he passed deceased's home on his way to work. Deceased was then about the same as usual. He had been depressed for a long time, but witness noticed nothing peculiar about him on this occasion, and had never heard him threaten to take his life. Deceased had a slight stroke about three years ago, and had since been ill and had done no work. He had no financial or other troubles. - ROWENA SNOW, widow, a daughter of deceased, said she had been looking after her father. Her sister, MRS RICHARDS, paid a visit on Friday and brought some pastry. Deceased liked it and had two or three pieces in the middle of the day, and some more during the afternoon. ~They sat talking for some time and witness left with her sister just after 4 p.m. to visit their mother's grave in the adjoining churchyard at Littleham. Deceased almost constantly complained of pain in the chest, but did not say anything about it on this occasion. He complained during the morning, before he took the pastry, but they were afterwards talking about various things, and witness supposed he forgot the pain. He used to lie down at all sorts of times during the day, and witness was not surprised that he was lying down on the sofa during the afternoon. Deceased seemed all right, and her sister and herself, when they left for the churchyard, had no reason to think he was going to commit suicide. - They were frightened when they returned just after 5 o'clock and saw what had happened. Deceased always shaved himself, but sometimes went for a week without shaving. When witness returned from the churchyard she saw her father lying on his right side on the floor of the back kitchen. She said to him, "Whatever has happened?" and he replied, "I wanted to let the pain out." Her brother, JOHN, was coming in at the gate and he telephoned for the doctor, who came in a few minutes. Deceased's nerves had been in a bad state since he had the stroke. - Dr Ramsey Martyn Richards said that at 5.10 p.m. on Friday he was called to Littleham to see deceased, and found him lying on the floor in a back room suffering from a wound in the abdomen and another in the throat. On the table above him was a blood-stained razor. Witness had deceased removed to Exmouth Cottage Hospital, but his condition proved to be too bad to undergo an operation. Deceased came under the care of witness on March 31st, and witness then found he had been suffering from neurasthenia for some years. He also had a chronic gastric condition that caused him a good deal of trouble, and he complained of his head. In reply to the Coroner, witness said deceased's mental condition was only such as would be usual in a neurasthenic. The cause of death was shock, following the wounds. There had probably been an exacerbation of the pain; which mentally and temporarily unbalanced deceased, and the pastry might have had something to do with it. - The Coroner commented there was only one verdict he could return - that deceased Committed Suicide while not in normal condition of mind. It was quite clear the wounds were intentionally inflicted, while the remark deceased passed to his daughter justified the conclusion that he was in an abnormal condition.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 10 July 1929
EXMOUTH - That the depression which caused HENRY GILES PYLE, an old Exmouth boatman, to take his life was probably due to the fact that another old resident had committed suicide was a theory advanced by Dr D. L. H. Moore at an Inquest held in Exmouth Court House last evening by Mr B. R. Dunning, Deputy Coroner. A verdict that deceased Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind was returned.

EXETER - The Inquest on the unidentified man found dying in Ridon-lane, near Topsham, on Monday, was opened at Exeter yesterday by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown. It was stated that the clothing contained a pension book bearing the name of RICHARD WOOLRIDGE, showing that he had a pension of 16s. a week last issued at Exeter on July 3rd. The Inquiry was adjourned until Thursday week.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 10 July 1929
EXETER - Misadventure. Exonian's Death Caused By Hayfork Handle. Accident Sequel. - A hayfork handle projecting from a waggon in South-street, Exeter, was found to be the cause of the death of HORACE HANNAFORD, 21, of 34 West-street, who died in the Hospital on July 1st, following an accident in South-street, two days before. A verdict of "Misadventure" was returned at the Inquest conducted yesterday, by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown. Mr M. J. McGahey appeared for relatives and the drivers of the van and waggon concerned were respectively represented by Mr S. E. Crosse and Mr F. P. Cottey. - John Cobley, Trinity-street, said he saw a waggon pulled up. Protruding about three or four feet from a bundle of hay on the waggon was a pitchfork handle. It was about five feet above the road, and witness told the driver to "put that in, or else it will poke someone's eye out." - Mrs Eliza Stone, of Trinity-place, said she also warned the driver, who replied, "All right." Witness saw deceased approaching on a cycle. He ducked his head on seeing the fork, seemed to lose his balance and fell against an approaching car. Witness thought there would have been room to pass if the fork had not protruded. - Leslie John Havill of 54 Monks-road, said he was driving a van and saw deceased lean backwards and sideways to avoid the fork, which struck his head. Witness heard him crash into the side of the van. - The driver of the waggon, Arthur Brealy, of 12 Friars'-gate, employed by Messrs. Horwill, of Smythen-street, said the fork was in a bundle of hay in the middle of the waggon. Witness first knew it was over the side of the waggon when the lady spoke to him. He was carrying a bag of chaff, and after taking it into a shop returned to the waggon. - Medical evidence attributed death to a blow on the head. - The Coroner said there was no evidence of culpable negligence.

Western Times, Friday 12 July 1929
SIDMOUTH - Swallowed A Denture. Lady Companion's Unusual Death At Sidmouth. - Sitting without a Jury, Mr C. N. Tweed, Coroner, held an Inquest at Sidmouth, on Saturday, Enquiring into the cause of death of MISS ELIZABETH R. FRANCIS, a lady companion to Miss Chalmers, of P:eak-road. - Richard Frederick Skinner said he found the body in Cunningham's lane, on Thursday last, and immediately telephoned for the Police and a doctor. - Florence Elizabeth Chalmers said deceased had been her companion for 21 years. She was 55 years of age and as far as witness knew, she had never been under a doctor, as her health was perfect. She was of a most happy disposition, - "as radiant as a child." - Dr Ralph Godfrey Michelmore said he had made a post mortem examination, and found no evidence of disease. Examination proved that there had been some failure to the right side of the heart, obviously due to suffocation. He subsequently found in the throat, a lower denture, which he first noticed was missing from the mouth. His contention was that deceased had coughed, swallowed the denture, and so brought about suffocation. - The Coroner observed it was an unusual case, and returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Times, Friday 12 July 1929
BROADCLYST - Tragedy On The Line. Broadclyst Man Struck By Train. Verdict: "Accidental Death." - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest conducted at Broadclyst last evening on SAMUEL HAWKINS, aged 40, of Rockbeare, who was knocked down and killed instantaneously by a train when he attempted to cross the railway line near Cranniford Crossing, Broadclyst, on Tuesday afternoon. - The Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, sat with a Jury, of which Mr J. Wills was elected Foreman. - SIDNEY GEORGE HAWKINS, of Rockbeare, a brother, said deceased had been employed for the past six weeks by Mr Frank Patten, of Southbrook Farm. He had nothing, as far as witness knew, to worry him and apart from slight deafness was physically fit. - William Stamp, of Rockbeare, a fellow employee of deceased, said he last saw him alive when he (deceased) returned from having his dinner. His work consisted of cutting thistles in a field on the opposite side of the railway line and he left the farm shortly after 2 o'clock to resume his work. The proper way to get to the field was by the road and under the railway bridge. Deceased had used that route the same morning and he said nothing to witness about using any other. He would save little, if any, time by crossing the railway line. Witness, turned to take up his own work, but within a quarter of an hour of deceased's departure he was called by a ganger on the line, who had seen a body. In company with Mr Ptten witness made his way to the spot, where he was shown a body, which he recognised as that of deceased. - The driver of the train, Frederick George Warren, 14 Monks-road, Exeter, employed by the Southern Railway Company, said he was travelling from Salisbury to Exeter, being due in Exeter at 2.22 p.m. His train was running to time. When he was close to Cranniford Crossing, he saw a workman emerge from the left of the track. He was apparently about to cross the line and witness immediately sounded a series of loud whistles. The man, however, stepped on the metals, but becoming aware of the approach of the train, he attempted to retrace his steps, but was knocked down. On seeing what had happened, witness decided that no useful purpose would be served by halting his train at the spot, but he stopped at Cranniford Level Crossing and informed the keeper. His speed at the time was from 65 to 70 miles per hour. - In answer to a Juror, witness estimated that deceased was fifty yards away when he first saw him. "If he had heard my first whistle he would never have stepped on the line," he added. "I was whistling until I struck him." - Samuel Harding, of Broadclyst, a ganger working near the scene of the accident, described how he heard train whistles shortly after 2 o'clock, and the driver of a goods train who had seen the body shouted to him as he passed. Witness proceeded along the line and found the dead body of a man lying on the embankment. - Dr Farr, of Pinhoe, said the back portion of the vault of the skull was completely knocked off, and the whole of the brain had been driven out. Other parts of the body were scattered. Death must have been instantaneous. - Addressing the Jury, the Coroner remarked that in his view everything pointed to an accident. - A verdict as stated above was returned, the driver of the train being exonerated from all blame. Sympathy was expressed with the widow, to whom the Jury returned their fees.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 16 July 1929
EXETER - Baby's Death. Found In A Brook At Whipton (Exeter). Inquest Verdict. - Mr H. Linford Brown, City Coroner, sitting with a Jury, resumed the Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on the body of an unnamed female child which was found in a brook at Whipton on June 18th. At the previous hearing, ALBERT ALLEN, a shop porter, of 13 Beacon-lane, Whipton, said after finding his daughter, MARY MARJORY ALLEN, in a daze at 5 a.m. on June 18th, he made a search in the vicinity of the house, and found the body of a newly-born female child under the bridge on the bed of the stream which runs by the side of Beacon-lane. - Yesterday the girl was represented by Mr F. W. Lias (solicitor, of Exmouth), and in answer to him, ALLEN said he and his family had been in the habit of depositing rubbish in the brook. - MRS EMILY ALLEN, wife of the lat witness, said she had a daughter named MARY MARJORY ALLEN, aged 18, in service as a domestic servant. Since her last situation, which she left in April, she had been home, and witness understood she left her work because of rheumatism, for which she had been treated by Dr P. Gray. She had never told witness she was pregnant, and witness had no suspicion that she was so. About 5 o'clock on the morning of June 18th, MARY came to the door of her bedroom, and witness went downstairs with her and made a cup of tea. After drinking this she said she felt better, and witness left her in the lavatory. When witness had been upstairs something less than ten minutes her daughter called to her to come quickly and on going downstairs she found MARY in a dazed condition. She did not know a bit what was going on. Witness called her husband, and he went out of the house and subsequently returned with the body of a baby. It was quite cold and dead. Witness put her daughter to bed and sent for a doctor. - By Mr Lias: Her daughter had been treated for anaemia. - Mr Thomas Tickle, County Analyst, said brown flecks in liquid sent to him was river mud without any doubt. - By the Coroner: The water could not have come from a lavatory cistern. - Medical Evidence. - Dr Pereira Gray said the body was that of a fully-developed female child, weighing 6lb. 10 ½ ozs. In a post-mortem examination he found that the lungs had been fully expanded. In his opinion drowning was the cause of death. He had seen the girl on several occasions for many things. He had known her almost from her birth and had attended her for rheumatism of the back in June 1928, and again in May 1929. On May 9th he told the girl to come to see him with her mother, but she said she was sure she was all right. - By the Foreman of the Jury: He did not think any preparation had been made for the coming of the child. The girl stoutly denied that anything was the matter with her and it was a very difficult thing to put to an unmarried girl. - By Mr Lias: He believed the girl honestly thought she was all right. Witness did not think the child was killed by falling on a concrete floor, although it was possible. It was not possible for the child to have absorbed mud and water into the stomach, if it were dead when put into the water. If the baby had been merely stunned and thrown into the water, it would have given a gasp and taken in the mud and water. - Mr Lias: Supposing you and I are in the habit of throwing rubbish into the brook; if we had a strong mental strain, and we have something we want to get rid of quickly, don't you think, subconsciously, we might make for the brook? - Witness: That is a very far-fetched thing indeed. The doctor added that apparently the girl did not know she was pregnant, and the first intimation she got was that the child was born. He thought the baby was disposed of, and the girl thought the whole thing was over when the after-birth came and terrified her. - Mr Lias pointed out that the child could not have been concealed in a brook with only six inches of water Dr Richard P. Gray said he was told there had been a still birth and he examined the body of the child. The spot where the body was found was about half-way under the bridge, and could not be seen by anyone passing over it. He saw the child's mother, who was in a dazed state. She did not answer his questions for some time, but presently said she felt a little better. She seemed to be recovering from a state of mind in which she did not know what she was doing. - By Mr Lias: He found no external marks of violence on the child's body. - P.C. Pitkin said he was called to Beacon-lane at 11 a.m. on June 18th. He made an examination of the lane, and found No. 13 was the end house of a crescent. The bridge over the brook was 80 yards from the main road and almost opposite the home of the ALLEN'S. There were blood marks visible on the bridge and on the concrete steps leading from the lane into the road. - Dr J. Pereira Gray said in his opinion the child had not lived for more than five minutes. - The Girl's Story. - MARY MARJORY ALLEN said she would like to give evidence. She said she was 18 on July 4th. On June 18th she awoke about 5 a.m. feeling unwell and her mother gave her a cup of tea. When her mother returned to bed witness went to the lavatory and a baby was born there. It made no noise and did not move. After the baby was born the next thing she remembered was that she was in bed. - The Coroner said the Jury had to decide whether anyone was guilty of any wilful act of putting the child into the brook, and whether the person who did the act was conscious of it. Mr Brown read the first section of the Infanticide Act of 1922, which he said created a new offence in place of murder where a mother was charged with killing her child, not having fully recovered from the effect of the birth. To be guilty of infanticide there must be some wilful act on the part of the woman. The Jury had to consider if the girl wilfully put the child into the water and drowned it, thereby causing its death and being guilty of infanticide, or whether she simply took the child and left it there, not knowing what she was doing, or whether it was alive or dead. If they thought that, it was a question of misadventure. - After a short consultation the :Foreman announced: "We find this unnamed child met its death through Misadventure," and a verdict was entered accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 18 July 1929
KILMINGTON - The Death Button. Quarry Engine-Driver Whirled Round On Shafting. Inquest At Kilmington. - How a button probably cost a man his life was described at an Inquest yesterday at Gammons-hill Farm, Kilmington, on JOHN MELHUISH, 39, a married man with three children, of Brotherlands Cottage, Seaton Junction, who died as a result of terrible injuries resulting from his being caught in the shafting at Gammons-hill quarry, Kilmington, where he was employed by the Devon County Council as the driver of a 50 h.p. oil engine used in connection with a tar macadam mixing machine. Evidence showed that the victim's clothes were torn from him, leaving only his boots and socks and when the clothes were moved from the shafting a button on a sleeve of his Dungaree overalls was found wedged in a groove or key-way of the shafting. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and no blame was attached to anybody. - The Coroner for East Devon, Mr C. N. Tweed, conducted the Inquiry, and Mr Henry Hurford was Foreman of the Jury. - Mr C. T. Chevallier, Assistant Solicitor to the :County Council, Mr C. G. Gates (Factory Inspector for the Exeter District), and Mr C. Saunders, (solicitor for the relatives) watched the proceedings. - Evidence of identification was given by CHARLES GEAR MELHUISH, 15 Fernham-road, Chard, brother of the deceased. - George Symes, 2 Bulford-terrace, Kilmington, said he was foreman at Gammon's-hill Quarry, which belonged to the Devon County Council. About 12.30 p.m. on the 15th inst., he was working on top of the macadam machine, outside the engine-shed, when he heard a shout from the shed. Witness took the shortest cut to the shed, and on entering the door of the latter, he saw MELHUISH revolving with the shafting driven by the engine. It took witness only about two seconds to turn off the oil from the engine, but, before the latter actually stopped, the man dropped down from the shafting. All his wearing apparel had been ripped off him, with the exception of his boots and socks, his clothes being wound round the shafting. - Answering the Coroner, witness said the oil engine ran at approximately 160 or 170 revolutions per minute. The engine and shafting were properly guarded. - The Coroner: From the position in which you found him what do you think happened? - Witness: I cannot say what he was doing. The only thing I can say is that I saw him drop. I immediately sent for a doctor, who arrived within about five minutes. There was nobody in the engine-shed when the accident occurred. - The Coroner: What was he supposed to be doing? - Witness: I don't know. I could not see into the engine-shed from where I was working. Witness said deceased's instructions were to do nothing inside the railings or guard when the engine was running. His instructions were to oil and clean the engine and shafting when it was stationary, or, alternatively, to do a job, if necessary, outside the engine-shed. - The Coroner: He was supposed to clean and oil the engine? - Witness: When the engine was not running. - The Coroner: Had he ever been warned not to do anything to the engine when it was working? - Witness: I tell all drivers not to touch any part of the engine unless it is properly guarded. - Must he have been inside the guard? - I cannot say. - Have you ever known him clean the shafting with emery paper? - I have never seen him do so when the engine was running. Had I seen him doing so I should have stopped it immediately. - You would consider it a dangerous thing to do when the engine was running? - Yes, and I should have to report it to the District Surveyor because it would be against the rules of the quarry. - The Quarry Rules. - At the request of the Coroner the rules of the quarry were fetched. - The Coroner: I see Rule 42 says, "The machinery shall not be cleaned while in motion." As far as you know, Rule 42 has not been contravened while you have been foreman? - Not as far as I am aware. - Witness, answering other questions, said deceased had been an engine-driver, to witness's knowledge, for six years, and had been in that capacity at the quarry for about seven weeks. Witness had every confidence in the man. The guard was from 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. away from the shaft. Deceased was inside the shafting as he fell. - Mr Gates: Seeing that the fencing is 3 ft. away from the shafting must not the man have been inside to get caught on it? - I can hardly say, but I think it would be almost impossible for any man to reach over that distance to do any work. - By P.S. Conbeer: A piece of emery paper was picked up from the floor after deceased had been removed to the Axminster Cottage Hospital. - Mr Saunders: Had you given him any special instructions just before you heard the scream? - None whatever. Witness added that he had "drummed it into his head" from the start that he was not to do anything to the machinery when it was running. - Mr Saunders: Supposing he had emery paper in one of his pockets, you would not be surprised for it to have been thrown out when his clothes was ripped off? You don't suggest he was using emery paper at the time? - I did not see. - Archibald Edward Cole, District Surveyor under the Devon County Council, said he called at the quarry every day. The rules were exhibited in the centre of the engine-shed. When deceased was appointed engine-driver at the quarry an instructor was sent from the manufacturers - Messrs. Fielding and Plate - to initiate him into the working of the engine, which was an oil engine of 50 horse-power, because MELHUISH had not had experience of that type of engine before. He had, however, been an engine-driver for the County Council for some years, and was an excellent man - one of the Council's best drivers, in fact. He was intelligent and thoroughly understood the engine. - The Coroner: Are you satisfied the engine is sufficiently guarded? - Yes. - Witness said he did not think a man could touch the shafting from outside the guard unless he stood on the rail and leaned over. MELHUISH was not a tall man. - The Coroner: Can you throw any light on what happened at all? - I would not like to state definitely what he was doing. There is a possibility that he did reach over from the outside and was caught, but he may have been inside. If he was inside - although it was contrary to orders - it would have been through keenness to do his work well. Witness added that the engine had only been started about 15 minutes, so there was no need for any oiling to be done. The instructions were that nothing was to be done when the machinery was in motion. - P.C. Stanning, of Axminster, said that at about 12.50 p.m., in consequence of a message, he went to the quarry and took a stretcher with him. On arrival he found deceased, badly injured, lying underneath the shafting. First-aid had been rendered and Dr Padbury had been sent for. The doctor, when he arrived, gave an injection of morphia and MELHUISH was conveyed to the Axminster Cottage Hospital. Witness returned to the engine shed with P.S. Conbeer and others. The whole of deceased's clothing was wound round the shafting and was torn to shreds. - A button on the cuff of the left sleeve of the Dungaree overalls was caught in the end of the key seat or key way, which was a kind of groove on the shafting. - First-Aid Rendered. - The centre of the shafting was 4 ft. 10 in. in height from the ground, and the guard was a little over 3 ft. 6 in. from the shafting. The top guard rail would be about 4 ft. 7 in. from the ground, and the bottom guard rail 2 ft. 3 in. from the ground. Underneath the shafting on the ground was a piece of emery paper. - Answering questions, witness said he was satisfied the button was on the left sleeve. - Mr Saunders: It would be unlikely for a right-handed man to be using emery paper with his left hand? - Witness: It seems unnatural, it is true. - CHARLES MELHUISH, recalled, said his brother was a right-handed man. - George Symes, also recalled, said the guard rail was bent upwards. - Dr G. J. Padbury, of Axminster, spoke to finding MELHUISH lying on the floor of the engine shed and covered up. His left leg was badly broken and the other dislocated. First-aid had been efficiently rendered and the man had a tourniquet on his left leg. There was a pool of blood under him. Witness understood from the telephone message that the man was badly cut. He had no morphia with him, but quickly got some and injected it into MELHUISH's CHEST. MELHUISH was conscious, but in a collapsed state. - The Coroner: Would you expect him to have been conscious if he had been whirled round? - Witness: Yes, because his head was not injured. I think he was injured in the chest, but I cannot be certain of that. If we had moved him at once we should have killed him. I did not want him to die like a dog in a ditch. Throughout the whole thing the men at the quarry behaved very well to him. I think somebody has suggested he did not have everything done for him that might have been done. Witness said when the man arrived at the Hospital he was not in a fit condition to have anything done; an operation was out of the question. The two other medical officers at the Hospital also saw him. Death was due to shock following a fracture of the left leg and dislocation of the right foot. - Mr Saunders: The doctor said he had heard reports that the man had been neglected. I should like to say that nothing of this sort emanated from the relatives. - Dr Padbury: I did not suggest that. It was in Axminster town. - George Symes, recalled, said, in answer to the Foreman, that deceased did not say how the accident was caused. Witness did not ask him because his anxiety was to do all he could for him. - Mr Chevallier: You thought it was more important to try and save his life? - Witness: Yes. When I was in the Hospital MELHUISH said, "George you have done all you can for me." - The Coroner, summing up, said everything possible was done for the unfortunate man. Symes realised that the most important thing to do was to try and save the man's life, if possible, rather than to ascertain at that time how the accident happened. The Jury had to decide whether all due precautions had been taken by the owners of the quarry so as to render these accidents difficult and not likely to happen. The rules of the quarry had been produced, and it was quite clear that it was against the rules to clean the engine or shafting when the machinery was in motion. Mr Saunders had suggested that the emery paper might have been in the man's pocket, and was not in use at the time. It was for the Jury to consider whether the accident could have possibly occurred unless the deceased was exceeding his instructions in some way. It was difficult to understand why the deceased should exceed his instructions, seeing that he was an engine-man of considerable knowledge. "I think you will agree," said the Coroner, "that the deceased did receive the best attention from everybody concerned." - The Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." The Foreman said: "We cannot, from the evidence, attribute the accident to any specific cause." - The Coroner: You don't find any negligence on the part of the persons concerned? - Mr Saunders: Or anybody? - The Foreman: No. - The Coroner: I entirely concur. - Mr Chevallier, expressing the sympathy of the County Council with the relatives of deceased, said the Council had over 2,000 men in its employ and this was only the second fatal accident for a good many years. Deceased was a very valuable workman. - The Coroner associated himself with the expression of sympathy. It was an extremely sad case. - Mr Saunders expressed the gratitude of the widow and relatives for the sympathy shown and for all that had been done for the deceased. - MR SIDNEY MELHUISH, uncle of the deceased, also expressed appreciation of the kindness of the quarrymen, the doctors, and all at the Axminster Cottage Hospital.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1929
EXETER - Found Unconscious On Heap Of Stones Near Exeter. - The tragic death of a homeless ex-serviceman, who used to wander from town to town selling lavender, occupied the attention of the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, at Exeter yesterday (Thursday, when he held an Inquest on RICHARD WOOLRIDGE, who died at the St Thomas Poor Law Infirmary on July 6th. He was discovered lying unconscious on a heap of granite chippings near the petrol station at the junction of Rydon Lane and Topsham-road, and was removed by ambulance to the St Thomas Institution. He died the same day without recovering consciousness. A post mortem examination conducted by Dr L. P. Black, Medical Officer to St Thomas Rural District Council, showed that there was no food in deceased's stomach. - The Coroner: He would have had nothing to eat since the day before? - No. - P.C. Pittkin, of the Exeter City Police, stated that in order to ascertain deceased's identity, inquiries were made of the Chief Constable of Peterborough. He stated that WOOLRIDGE first stayed in Peterborough six years ago, in a common lodging house. The British Legion had no knowledge of his family connections. Three months ago he was medically attended for chronic tuberculosis. - P.C. Pittkin stated that a further report received through the Metropolitan Police from the Ministry of Pensions Offices, Acton, London, stated that WOOLRIDGE was a pensioner from the Cheshire Regiment and when discharged from the army in 1919 gave the address of 100 Scarletwill-street, Northampton. Since leaving the service he had lived apart from his wife. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Bathe. Highweek Man Drowned In Stover Canal. Companion's Story. - "I am quite satisfied that in the circumstances everything possible was done," commented the Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings, at a Newton Abbot Inquest on Monday, on FREDERICK LAWRENCE HANNAFORD, aged 20, of Hele Park Cottage, Highweek, who was drowned in the Stover Canal on Saturday. - "Accidental Death" was recorded. - Evidence of identification was given by ARCHIBALD JOHN HANNAFORD, Hele Park Cottage, Highweek, the father, who stated that his son had a "fairly hearty meal" after arriving home from work at 12.30 p.m. He was accustomed to bathe in the canal and could swim. - Heard Splashing Of Water. - Kenneth James Horwell, of Highweek Village, said he met HANNAFORD about 3 p.m. and they cycled to the Stover Canal near the Teign bridge crossing - a distance of about a mile. They sat down for a little while before undressing. Then HANNAFORD stepped into the water, stating he was going to swim across to the other side of the canal. He commenced to do so and for a time witness's attention was attracted to something else, and then he heard a splashing of water, and could only see the top of HANNAFORD'S head. Witness swam towards him, but before he could reach him, he sank. Witness, when he found he could not help him, ran to a level crossing attendant named Marsh, who said he could not come as there was a train almost on the level crossing, telling witness to go to a hayfield, where he informed some men. Witness returned to the canal with a barge pole and eventually the body was recovered. - The Coroner: Where do you usually bathe? - I go to Torquay. - The Coroner: That is a long way. If you did bathe in Newton Abbot where would you go? - If I couldn't swim, further up the canal. - Witness added that he and HANNAFORD were the only two bathing at that particular spot. - Artificial Respiration. - Dr I. T. Barling, of Newton Abbot, said when he saw HANNAFORD on the canal banks at 4.25 he was receiving artificial respiration in a very efficient manner from two Constables - P.C.'s Carpenter and Woolland. This was carried on until 5.10 when witness came to the opinion that he was dead, the cause of death being drowning. - Harold M. Stark, Teigngrace, said he was haymaking when he heard Horwell shouting that there was a boy drowning, and he ran to the spot, where, with the aid of the barge pole, he eventually found HANNAFORD and artificial respiration was started immediately. - Witness added that owing to the colour of the water it was impossible to see anything. - Inspector Hannaford said Marsh was in charge of the signal box of the level crossing and had one arm practically useless, which accounted for his not going to the spot. - As stated, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1929
EXETER - Ottery Man's Death. Motor Cycle Collides With Tree Trunk. Inquest Story. - An Inquest was conducted by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Hamilton Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, touching the death of WILLIAM BRAMWELL SPARKES, of 2 Jesu-street, Ottery St Mary, who met his death as a result of a motor cycle accident on the Whimple road at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday last. - RALPH THOMAS SPARKES, of Mill-street, Ottery, brother of deceased, gave evidence of identification. His brother was an experienced motor cyclist, having ridden for the past seven or eight years. On Saturday he had ridden from Ottery to Seaton and from Seaton to Exeter and was returning to Ottery. - In answer to the Coroner witness said his brother was a steady man. - The Coroner: Do you know whether he had a reputation of riding fast? - Witness: I have never ridden with him. - Further replying, witness said they said his brother used to ride fast sometimes. - "But," he added, "They say that about everyone." His brother had not said he did so - at least not to witness. - Clifford J. Gormley, a passenger in a car proceeding from Exeter to Rockbeare, described how, when stopping at Rockbeare to lower the hood the driver said to him, "Look, there's a man in the ditch." "I got out," continued witness, " and went over to the man and felt his pulse. It was just beating. He was covered in mud. - Answering the Coroner, witness said he did not remember seeing a tree trunk immediately in front of deceased. He should imagine he had struck the hedge and turned right round. - Basil Johnson Hogg of "Hillside," Rotten Row, Lewes, said he was coming towards Exeter on a motor cycle, and was on his left side. - The Coroner: If deceased had come from Exeter he must have been on his wrong side? - Witness: Yes. - He (witness) paced out the distance from the commencement of the skid marks and when measured later proved to be about 100 yards. The machine was in top gear, the damage being chiefly confined to the front forks. The damage could have been caused by contact with the hedge. - Evidence was also given by John Dillon Frood, who was accompanying the last two witnesses, and P.C. Mildon, of Ottery St Mary. The latter said he found deceased on the offside of the road, unconscious, with severe head injuries. Deceased had collided with a tree trunk six feet from the ground. His skid marks extended 275 feet back towards Exeter, ten feet from the near side hedge. This was practically in the centre of the road. There were also skid marks for 45 feet over the grass beside the roadway. Deceased was only just alive when he saw him. - John Wood, of Little Silver, St David's, Exeter, a sergeant in the St John Ambulance, said deceased was alive when placed in the ambulance, but was dead on arrival at the Hospital. - Dr Pereira Gray, who examined the body at the Mortuary, described the terrible nature of the injuries. Death resulted from a fractured skull. - The Foreman of the Jury asked the reason two hours had elapsed before deceased was removed. - Sergt. Wood, recalled, said the ambulance had been out on two cases in the city - a man in a fit at Port Royal and to a man who had fallen from a char-a-banc in Queen-street. The first 'phone message was from Honiton Clyst, stating that the man was killed, but a second stated he was still alive. As soon as they were informed the ambulance men left Exeter at 9.30, arriving at the scene of the accident 12 minutes later. - Sergt. Arnold corroborated this and a Police record of telephone calls was also produced in support. - The Jury expressed satisfaction at that explanation and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Sergt. Arnold of the Exeter St John Ambulance Brigade, wishes the "Western Times" to make know the regret felt that any delay should have been caused, but points out that they were engaged on two cases at the time, and there is only one ambulance in commission on the road at present.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1929
SOUTH BRENT - Old Lady's Fatal Fall At South Brent. - At the ripe age of 84, MRS MARY JANE COLLINS, of Nelson-terrace, South Brent, died under tragic circumstances, on Saturday, succumbing to injuries sustained in an accident. At the Inquest held on Monday by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. E. Windeatt, Aubrey Andrews, in the employ of Mr A. E. Winzer, said he was backing his motor van out of the Royal Oak Garage on the 19th June. The car was not in gear and was proceeding very cautiously. As he emerged he saw a woman lying across the pathway near the car, which could not have touched her. Mr Amos Catt said he saw the deceased on the pavement walking in the direction of the car which was in motion. In his opinion she slipped on the rough pavement in making a sudden stop to avoid the van. - Dr F. W. Style, of South Brent, said in his opinion, death was due to cerebro-haemorrhage following shock resulting from the fall. A verdict was returned accordingly. MRS COLLINS was the widow of MR THOMAS COLLINS, coachbuilder, Plymouth, who died nearly fifty years ago.

Western Times, Friday 19 July 1929
EXETER - Coal Miner's Death. Knocked Down By Motor-Car Near Kennford. Inquest Story. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, sitting with a Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, on ARTHUR SMITH, coal miner, of no fixed abode, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital from injuries received in a motor car accident at Telegraph Hill, near Kennford, on Monday morning. - Mr M. J. McGahey (Exeter) appeared on behalf of the driver of the car, John Cedric Buttress, bank cashier, of Richmond, London. - Herbert Watson, coal miner, of no fixed abode, gave evidence of identification and said he understood the deceased, with whom he had been on tramp for about three weeks, was a native of Newcastle. On the day in question they were travelling towards Haldon on opposite sides of the road. Witness, who was walking on a path on the right hand side, saw a motor cycle combination pass and a hat worn by a lady passenger blew off and fell in the middle of the road. Deceased stepped out to pick it up, and at the same moment witness saw a motor car approaching and shouted to his companion, "Mind this car coming, ARTHUR." Deceased had his back to the approaching vehicle, and when eventually he did turn round it was practically on him. He remained motionless, flabbergasted, and the car swerved towards the pavement. Deceased was struck by the left wing and was thrown up against the windscreen, smashing it. - Witness estimated that when he first saw the car it was from 20 to 30 yards away. Its speed did not strike him as fast. The driver sounded his horn after he (witness) had shouted to deceased. - In answer to Mr McGahey, witness expressed the opinion that no blame could be attached to the driver. He had done everything in his power to avoid an accident. - Eva Macksweeney, of no fixed address, an eye witness of the accident, did not at the time think there was any danger in picking up the hat. When deceased saw the car he still had a chance to escape, but hesitated. - Mr Buttress described how deceased emerged from the offside of the road 20 to 30 yards from him, witness then having slowed down as he intended to retrieve the hat himself. Deceased gave the impression that he was going to retrace his steps, but apparently changed his mind. Witness spun the steering wheel round, but the man was hit by the wing. Mr Buttress explained that by swerving to the right, he would have collided with oncoming traffic. His speed at the time was not more than 15 miles per hour. - Medical evidence showed that deceased when admitted to Hospital was suffering from concussion and a bruise on the skull. Death was due to cerebral contusion. - A verdict as stated above was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 July 1929
TEIGNMOUTH - Fatal Teignmouth Fall. - At an Inquest at Teignmouth yesterday concerning the death of MRS SARAH M. FINCH, widow, of 20 Salisbury-terrace, Teignmouth, Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, recorded a verdict that "Death was due to cerebral haemorrhage and shock, caused by falling downstairs."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 23 July 1929
EXETER - Exeter Crash. Speed Causes Heavitree Man's Death. Dramatic Moments. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Exeter last night on JOHN SCOTT BUBEAR, aged 54, Normandy-road, Heavitree, who succumbed to injuries received in a motor cycling accident on Saturday. Mr H. L. Brown, Deputy City Coroner, had the assistance of a Jury. - Frederick Hodges, of 7 Albion-place, motor mechanic, said he was on the pillion as deceased drove through Hamlyn-lane. The first intimation he had of danger was when he looked at deceased's face, which was chalk-white. It was as though something had seized him. He could not move deceased's arms and said "Shut off the levers," but got no reply. Witness saw that the machine was making for a wall, and succeeded in partially dragging it round by putting his foot on the ground. - The Foreman pressed for an estimate of the speed, and witness replied that they were going about 50 miles an hour down Hamlyn-lane, but that would have decreased considerably at the bend. - P.C. Gribble said the garden wall and iron railings outside No. 5 South Lawn-terrace were knocked down. - Dr T. F. Kanaar, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said death was due to fracture of the base of the skull and cerebral haemorrhage. Questioned by the Coroner, witness suggested that the speed was the cause of deceased's arms being immovable. - In returning the verdict, the Foreman said the Jury thought deceased was going at an excessive speed. They were of opinion there should be a speed limit in Hamlyn-lane. The Foreman expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Western Times, Friday 26 July 1929
HUNTSHAW - Death From The Effects Of A Fall At Huntshaw. - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest held at Huntshaw on Monday on LOUISA MAY JEFFERY, aged 75, of Huntshaw Water. Evidence was given that deceased slipped and fractured her thigh on October 20th last and was bed-ridden ever since, death taking place on Sunday last.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 26 July 1929
EXMOUTH - Open Verdict. Coroner's Views On Exmouth Cliff Tragedy. An Early Walk. - "While it is within the bounds of possibility that deceased did fall over the cliffs accidentally, I am not prepared to rule out the possibility of suicide," declared Mr Cyril N. Tweed (Coroner for East Devon), in recording an Open Verdict at the Inquest on MRS ADELINA BASIOLI, held at Exmouth Court House yesterday. During the course of the proceedings the Coroner and Inspector Dart pressed questions with regard to a suggested dispute between husband and wife over the care of their infant child, but the replies were a complete denial of the suggestion. - STEPHEN BASIOLI, husband of deceased, a restaurant proprietor of 17 High-street, Exmouth, said his wife left home at about 6.45 on Wednesday morning. She usually made a cup of tea before going out for her morning walk, but on this occasion said she would not put on the water to make the tea, as she would be back soon. She took the dog with her. Witness, in reply to the Coroner, said deceased used to go out before breakfast on at least five days out of six. - The Coroner: Did she generally start so early? - MR BASIOLI: Not quite. She generally goes out about seven, but as she wanted to be back early, in order to go and see a doctor, it did not seem at all unusual. - The Dog's Return. - Witness added that he got on with his work and at about 8.30 or 9 o'clock he began to think it was time she returned. The dog came back about 9 o'clock and that made him begin to feel a bit uneasy, for the dog had red clay on his feet, and his back was dirty. As the dog had two puppies at home, however, witness thought he had left MRS BASIOLI in order to come home to the puppies. When his wife did not return by 9.30, witness began to wander about looking for her. He made several inquiries, and close upon 10 o'clock decided to go towards the cliffs, as that was her favourite walk. Taking the dog, he went by bus to Orcombe Point, and then walked over the cliffs as far as the tin hut, but could see nothing of her. On his return, he was advised to go to the Police, but did not like to go down and make a fuss. He subsequently went to the Police, and while talking to Inspector Dart somebody 'phoned through to say the body of a woman had been found under the cliffs. - The Coroner: Have you ever heard her threaten to commit suicide? - Witness: Not to commit suicide; but a month ago, or perhaps more, she said she was tired of living and was very depressed. She was under the care of Dr Walker, who gave her some tonic, and she went on a visit to her mother to recover herself. She had been much brighter lately and witness did not believe she did anything wilfully. There was nothing abnormal in her manner, and during the last four nights she had been particularly bright. There was not a bit of domestic trouble; they were happy and loved one another dearly. MRS BASIOLI was depressed after the birth of her child in January, when she found she was unable to look after it. - Dr Walker suggested that deceased might have left the path and had an attack of vertigo on the edge of the cliff.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 29 July 1929
CREDITON - Crediton Suicide. Strychnine Poisoning. - A verdict that death was due to Suicide while of Unsound Mind was returned at an Inquest held on Saturday by the Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, on FREDERICK GEORGE FRIEND, of Eastacott Farm, Crediton. - FREDERICK FRIEND said deceased was his father and was 68. He was a retired farmer and was living with witness. Although he enjoyed good physical health, he suffered mentally and two years ago became a patient at Wonford House for six months, being later removed to the Exeter Mental Hospital, where he remained until July 1928. He still suffered mentally, but witness had not been nervous of him lately and his condition seemed to have improved. He had said that he wished he was "out of this life." In June strychnine was purchased to keep down the birds in the garden and witness kept it in his desk, which was unlocked. His father knew it was in the house and where it was kept. On Friday he was told that his father was dead after taking poison and found that the packet of strychnine was tampered with and a part of the paper in which it was wrapped was discovered near the deceased. - William Drew and William John Smith, employees of the previous witness, gave evidence of seeing deceased lying groaning in the granary before he died. The former said deceased told him that he had taken poison and was dying. - Dr Soady, of Crediton, said the description given by the witnesses was consistent with strychnine poisoning, which was a quick and painful death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 29 July 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Cliff Tragedy. Seaton Child Unwatched For Few Moments. Rescuers Lowered 150 Ft. - The East Devon Coroner, Mr C. N. Tweed, held an Inquest at Seaton on Saturday evening concerning the death of ARNOLD SYDNEY JAMES HARRISON, aged 3, of No. 3 Manor Cottages, Seaton, who fell over Haven Cliff, Axmouth, the previous day. Evidence of identification was given by the father, Leading-Seaman R. A. HARRISON, who said he went to Haven Cliff with his wife and three children (including deceased) for a picnic. They had tea and later played games. Deceased was playing about and witness shouted to him and told him not to go too near the edge of the cliff. At that moment witness's attention was drawn to several people returning from the Landslip and for a short time his eyes were taken off the boy. On looking round he saw something disappearing over the cliff. He ran to the edge and saw deceased rolling down. Leaving his wife in charge of some people, he ran to the Coastguard Station for help. Assistance was immediately forthcoming, men were lowered over the cliff and the body was brought to the top. It was the first time the family had been to Haven Cliff. - Walter George Hutchings, Coastguard, who was lowered down the cliff, said the body was about 150 feet from the top of the cliff, which was, approximately 300 feet high. - Frank Humphrey, golf professional, who also went down, gave corroborative evidence. - Dr Smart said death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull and must have been instantaneous. - The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" said it was a pathetic case, and, although he did not wish to harrow the feelings of the parents, it showed the danger of allowing small children to play near the edge of the cliff. He paid tribute to the splendid work done by the Coastguards and Mr Humphreys, and sympathised with the parents in their loss. - P.S. Taylor on behalf of the Police, associated himself with the Coroner's remarks.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 30 July 1929
EXETER - Bathing Fatality. Exeter Lad Disregards Mother's Warning. Dangerous Current. - Circumstances attending the death of HENRY HERBERT HAYDON, aged 14, of Bartholomew-street West, who was drowned while bathing in the river Exe near the Head Weir fenders, on Saturday, were Inquired into yesterday by Mr G. H. Stephens, on behalf of the City Coroner. - WILLIAM HENRY HAYDON said he heard his wife tell his son, when he left the house, that he was not to bathe. Deceased said he was going to the Bathing Place to return a towel he took by mistake when he bathed in the morning. Last Friday deceased had a certificate from the Education Authority for swimming 25 yards. Witness told his son on Thursday that the river was dangerous for bathing, and that he was to go in the water at the Bathing Place. The body was found about ten yards from where gravel was taken from the river. - Dr Pereira Gray stated that death was due to drowning. - George Maddocks, of Cricklepit-lane, a schoolmate of HAYDON, stated that he also had an Education Authority's certificate for swimming. He was bathing with deceased near Head Weir. Witness heard HAYDON'S mother say he was not to bathe. Witness had bathed in the afternoon. In the evening they walked in the water, and HAYDON said he was going to swim across the river to the other side. Witness went first and got across all right. He then saw HAYDON in the middle of the river and heard him calling "Help." Deceased was out of his depth. Witness did not find any difficulty in crossing. Both had bathed at the place before, but HAYDON had never attempted to cross the river. Witness swam back to deceased and caught hold of his arm and held him up for about half a minute. Then HAYDON'S weight pulled him under water. Witness let go and shouted for help. He had seen HAYDON swim out of his depth at the Baths. - Albert Coleman, of North-street, said deceased gave him the impression he was starting to learn to swim. He watched him as he tried to cross the river. When about three-parts over he saw HAYDON struggle and go under once. Witness was on the weir and dived into the water after taking off his coat. Witness endeavoured to swim under the water but could not because of his clothes. - Stanley Crocker of Exe-street, said he heard someone shouting and saw the last witness take off his coat. Witness went into the waster with his clothes on. Where deceased was last seen the water was about 12 ft. deep. Coleman and himself swam about, but the body did not rise. - Frank Hutchings, Old Vicarage-road, the Superintendent at the Head Weir Bathing Place, stated that the body was recovered about 10 ft. from the fenders near the leat. In the ordinary way there was a strong current, which would be inclined to drag a body down. He was surprised that Maddocks was able to swim against it. Witness dived twice and found deceased with his head in the weeds. There was a strong under-current and the water was dangerous for anyone who was not a good swimmer. The place was frequently used for boys bathing. Sometimes he had seen children in the water with water wings. - P.S. Bradford said there was no water going over the weir. The body was in the water for about an hour and a half. - The Acting Coroner returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure." He said the lad unfortunately disregarded the instructions of his mother. Water had a fascination for some people and when deceased got to the Weir he could not resist having a bathe. He was satisfied that everything was done to save the lad's life, and he complimented witnesses on the risks they took, especially the younger ones. The current was strong at the place, and it appeared that deceased was helpless against it. He expressed sympathy with the parents. - Deceased's father thanked the witnesses for their efforts to save his boy.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 31 July 1929
EXETER - Cyclist And Car. Thorverton Fatality Investigated. What Eye-Witness Saw. - An Inquest was conducted at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, by Mr G. H. Stephens, on WILLIAM MICHAEL JASPER, of Thorverton, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday as the result of injuries sustained in an accident at Chapel Corner, Thorverton, in the evening of the same day. - HERBERT JASPER, of Thorverton, labourer, identified the body as that of his brother, who was also a labourer. When he last saw his brother on Saturday he was going to Crediton for a battery for a wireless set. He should have returned home before going to work, but witness did not see him again until he was brought home in a car, driven by a Mr Searle. Later in the evening his brother was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. During the time he was in the house, his brother was conscious, and talked to him (witness), but could give no explanation of the accident. Deceased's sight was good, but he was rather deaf in one ear. In reply to a question by Mr McGahey (appearing for the driver of the car), witness said his brother was badly injured in an accident some time before and this might account for his deafness. Witness saw his brother walk from the car to the house and it came as a great surprise to all to know that he had died. - Frank Kelly, farmer, of Old Lynch Farm, Thorverton, said deceased was in his employ and in the evening of the accident did not come in to do the milking as usual. Witness was standing at Chapel Corner, near Thorverton, at about 2.30, when he saw a car approaching from Thorverton. He watched the car, which was travelling very slowly. The driver of the car sounded his horn when about 20 yards from the cross-roads at Chapel Corner. Witness heard a bicycle bell sounding in the opposite direction. As the motorist and cyclist, who was deceased, were hidden from each other by high hedges, witness tried to warn them, but had no time to do so. He did not think that either party could have avoided the accident, as the cyclist was going rather too fast for safety at that particular corner, and would be very close to the car before he could see it. As the cyclist rounded the corner he was making straight for the centre of the car. He tried to pass, but there was no room. The motorist also turned the nose of his car a little to the left. Witness could not quite say how the collision occurred, but he saw the cyclist fall from his machine. When witness went to the scene it was obvious that the cyclist had been struck in the face and forehead. Deceased told him he had not had room to pass, and that he had "hit his poor mouth." The rear wing of the car was damaged. Deceased might have avoided the accident had he been travelling slower. In reply to a question by Mr McGahey, witness said he could attach no blame at all to the driver of the car. - Dr Kanaar, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, stated that when he examined deceased on Saturday evening he was unconscious and suffering from concussion and cerebral haemorrhage, and died shortly after admission. Death was caused by laceration of the brain, but there was no evidence of the skull being fractured. He could not say that the previous accident had accelerated death. - William Wallace Casley, of Bradninch, the driver of the car, said he had with him his father-in-law, who was holding a sheep. He was not going fast and sounded his horn. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with no blame attached to the driver of the car. Mr McGahey, on behalf of the driver of the car, extended his sympathy to the relatives of deceased.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 31 July 1929
COLATON RALEIGH - Tragic Impulse. Cook's Delusion Has a Terrible Sequel. Determined Suicide. - A case described as "a very determined suicide" was investigated by the Coroner for East Devon, Mr Cyril N. Tweed, at Woodbury Warren, a lonely house on the Colaton Raleigh side of Woodbury Castle, yesterday. The victim was MRS CAROLINE LEAH OVERTON, 45, cook-housekeeper in the employ of Miss Mellor, of Woodbury Warren, and she was found on the previous day in her bedroom, bleeding profusely from terrible wounds in the throat and left arm. - FRANCIS ROBERT OVERTON, gardener at Woodbury Warren, and husband of deceased, told the Coroner that when he was called to the bedroom he found his wife sitting in a chair, and still alive. He tried to stop the bleeding, but deceased died just before the doctor came. She was labouring under a delusion that she had to leave the employment of Miss Mellor, and felt she was under a cloud because additional help had to be called in, as she had not been in good health. - The Coroner produced some letters, which MR OVERTON said were written by his wife on Sunday afternoon, one being addressed to his mother, and one to deceased's brother. There was nothing peculiar in the fact that the letters were only partially written, as deceased used to start a letter, and continue it "between whiles." The letters referred to the fact that she was going on a holiday on Friday. - A Delusion. - Witness, in reply to P.S. Holman, said there had been no suggestion that his wife and himself should leave. It was entirely a delusion, for which he could not account. - Martha Carder, widow, said she was in the temporary employ of Miss Mellor and helped deceased in her household duties. Deceased was quite normal on Monday, and said nothing out of the ordinary. At about ten minutes past eleven in the morning, deceased said, "Now I am going to my room." This did not surprise witness, as MRS OVERTON was in the habit of lying down in the afternoon, and, as witness was going home in the afternoon, she thought deceased was going to take her rest before witness went away. At about 12.15 witness went to ask deceased a question about luncheon, and then found her sitting in a chair, covered with blood. Witness did not go inside the room, but called MR OVERTON, and then helped him to lay deceased down. Witness had never heard deceased threaten to take her life, and had no suspicion that she had such an intention. She was not unusually depressed, and when witness asked her in the morning if she felt better, she said, "Yes; and I shall be much better when I come back from my holiday." - Miss Juliet Vivienne Mellor said deceased had been in her employ as cook-housekeeper since June 1920. At about 10.20 on Monday morning she spoke to deceased about luncheon, and noticed nothing abnormal. She had no reason to think deceased was unhappy, although she knew deceased was very depressed and unlike herself a week previously. She was usually bright and cheerful. - P.C. Oaff, of Woodbury, said he was called to Woodbury Warren, and found deceased lying on the floor of the bedroom. There was a pen-knife on the dresser and a table-knife in the window, both covered with blood. Witness searched deceased's clothing and also the bedroom, but could find no trace of a note. He subsequently found the two letters produced on a writing pad in the kitchen. - MR OVERTON, in reply to the Coroner, said that in their eleven years of married life his wife and himself had never had a cross word. - Absence Of Motive. - Dr S. C. Darbyshire, of Woodbury, said he found MRS OVERTON lying dead on the floor and saturated with blood. There was a lacerated wound in the left arm, the brachial artery being completely severed, which was in itself sufficient to cause death. There was also a wound in the throat, the trachea being completely cut through. The wounds might well have been made with a pocket knife. Two years ago deceased went to London for a severe operation in her thyroid gland, from which she had completely recovered. Witness attended her a week ago, when she was depressed, but not markedly so, while on Friday she was much better and very cheerful - quite a different person. - The Coroner commented there could only be one verdict, for it was quite obviously the wounds were self-inflicted, and it was a case of very determined suicide. It was very strange she should have committed suicide, because such a thing was very far from her thoughts. She wrote letters on the previous day relating to a holiday she was contemplating, but she appeared to have awakened in the morning with a delusion that she was being given notice to quit. That delusion preyed on her mind, and for the time being he had no doubt she was insane. There was no previous history of insanity, and it was a case of sudden insane impulse that caused her to commit suicide. She appeared to have been kindly treated, and there was a complete absence of motive, so far as the evidence went.

Western Times, Friday 2 August 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Suicide At Seaton. The Sad End Of An Axmouth Man. - Yesterday Mr C. N. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest at the Town Hall, Seaton, concerning the death of FREDERICK CORNWELL OWEN, aged 46, of Axmouth, who was found dead on a seat on the Eastern Esplanade, Seaton, on Tuesday morning. - MR H. RHYS OWEN, brother to deceased, and residing at Axmouth, identified the body. He last saw deceased on Monday morning when he came to his (witness's) bedroom, about 5 o'clock, took out a cigarette and sat by the side of the bed. Deceased left the room and witness dropped off to sleep. His sister later informed witness that their brother had left the house between 7 and 8 o'clock. It was not unusual for deceased to stay away all day, but as he had not returned by 10 o'clock the same night, witness went to look for him. The search proved unsuccessful and information was given to the Police. Deceased had been in Canada for twenty years save for a period of service in the Army during the war. He came to England about three months ago, a doctor in Canada telling him he would be better off in England. Another reason why deceased came to England was to see his mother. Deceased had suffered very much from wounds received in the war. - Leslie John Lorton, in the employ of Mr Quicke, chemist, said about 5 p.m. on Monday, deceased came to the shop and asked for some carbolic acid, saying his mother had died and they wanted the acid for disinfecting purposes. He supplied him with it. He then asked for some cyanide of potassium, saying he required it for use in photography, as he had done in Canada. Deceased, being well-known, was supplied with it. - Sergt. Taylor said about 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, MR OWEN (deceased's brother) came to the Police Station at Seaton and said his brother was missing. Witness made a search but without success. Eventually deceased was found dead sitting on a seat on the Eastern Esplanade, Seaton. - Dr A. H. Smart said death was due to poisoning by cyanide of potassium, and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 2 August 1929
EXETER - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned at an Inquest at Exeter, yesterday, by Mr G. H. Stephens, concerning the death of FRANCIS HODGE, 69, of 49 Monkswell-road, Exeter, who was found dead beside his bed with a cord tied round his neck. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 5 August 1929
EXMOUTH - Inquest Sensation. Remarkable Preludes To Exmouth Mystery Smash. Roadside Fights. - Remarkable revelations were made at the Inquest on PERCY DOUGLAS TOOZE, leading seaman, R.N., aged 27, who succumbed to injuries received in a motor cycle smash at Exmouth on Thursday night. Mr B. R. Dunning, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, conducted the Inquiry at Exmouth Court House on Saturday evening and Mr James Rattenbury was Foreman of the Jury. A Royal Naval engine-room artificer stated that the deceased and his companion, Harold Soper, had had a previous spill at Littleham village, after which they quarrelled and fought with him. Witnesses also stated that deceased and his companion were under the influence of drink. The Inquest was adjourned for two months to secure the attendance of Soper, who is lying in Exmouth Cottage Hospital with injuries to his left collar-bone and kneecap. - ALFRED TOOZE, thatcher, of Littleham, father of deceased, said his son had been home for a month on leave, which expired that day. During Thursday he had been cleaning his motor cycle. Harold Soper came to the house just before 7 p.m., to fetch witness's daughter, but deceased wanted to go for a ride and left with Soper between eight and half-past. They said they were going to Countess Weir for a ride. Deceased was riding the cycle when they left, with Soper on the pillion. Witness advised his son not to drive the cycle, as it was bigger than his own. Deceased had ridden a motor cycle for four years. He had had a meal about 6 o'clock and was sober when he left. He had had nothing to drink all day. Witness was subsequently informed of the accident. - The Discovery. - Thomas Stone, a London pastrycook, staying at Wotton Cottage, Lympstone, said he was returning from Sidmouth on Thursday evening and on passing down the Salterton-road, on a bend near the Exmouth Cottage Hospital, he saw two bodies, one on the footpath, and the other in the road. A motor cycle was lying on the edge of the footpath, between the two men. There was no light on the motor cycle and the engine was running until witness had stopped the engine of his motor cycle, when the other engine also stopped. One man, whom he afterwards found to be Harold Soper, and who appeared to be the driver, was sitting up in a semi-conscious condition and when witness spoke to him he replied, "Is PERCE all right. Are you all right, PERCE?" Witness then said he would have to get help and Soper replied, "Do something, Bill; shout, Bill." The other man was lying on his back in the road, about 2 ft. over the footpath, and did not speak. Witness felt his pulse, which was weak and intermittent. He then went on into Rolle-street and informed P.C. Crook, at whose request he summoned the motor ambulance. Replying to the Foreman, witness said the accident occurred opposite the Rugby football ground and only ten yards from a street lamp, which was lighted. Anyone could see the footpath. - William Bonstow, fishmonger, of Exmouth, said that just after 11 p.m. he was driving a motor van from Exmouth to Littleham-cross, and was accompanied by his wife. As he was passing Buckingham Lodge he saw two bodies on the ground, with a motor bicycle. He stopped immediately and instructed his wife to go to Chippenham House and 'phone for the ambulance, while witness called up Dr Martyn, who lived at Buckingham Lodge. Witness then went to the Cottage Hospital, about 120 yards away, but found there were no stretchers. Going back to the scene of the accident, he found that Police Officers and the motor ambulance had arrived. - Dr Reginald Martyn, retired surgeon, said he was called just after 11 p.m. on Thursday and found two men and a motor-cycle lying outside the house. Both men were completely unconscious and one man had been bleeding, but was not bleeding at that moment. He stood by them until the Police and the ambulance came and removed them. He disagreed with the witness Stone that the accident occurred on a bend. The road was as straight as a line, and when he came out the light of the motor-cycle was burning. In reply to the Foreman, witness said the road was as straight as a dart from Coonoor to the tennis ground and the accident occurred in the middle of the straight run. - A Skid Mark. - P.C. Crook said that on receiving information from Stone he cycled to the scene of the accident and saw a damaged Triumph motor cycle lying completely across the pavement. The rear wheel of the cycle was 4 ft. from the wall of Buckingham Lodge, and the front wheel close to the edge of the pavement. Deceased was lying about 2 ft. from the edge of the pavement, and was on his back, with his head in a pool of blood. He unconscious. Harold Soper was lying on the pavement, inside the motor cycle close to the all of Buckingham Lodge, and he also was unconscious. Dr Martyn was in attendance and rendered assistance until the ambulance arrived with P.C's Doney and Searle, when the men were removed to the Cottage Hospital. The front wheel of the motor cycle was badly buckled to the left and the left control, footrest and headlamp were also damaged. The acetylene lamp was burning, but giving a very poor light. There were trees on the opposite side of the road, and a street lamp about 20 ft. from where the cycle was lying. Witness was quite sure the light was burning, as he afterwards blew it out. The machine was in top gear and the brakes were in order. The road was 29 ft. wide, and the pavement 9 ft. 3 in. On the following morning witness examined the spot in daylight and then found a skid-mark 5 ft. in length and 3 ft. from the edge of the pavement. In an oblique line from this was a faint tyre mark over the grass at the edge of the pavement and this was in an oblique line to the brick pillar of the entrance gate of Buckingham Lodge. Some of the brickwork of the pillar was chipped off and there was a piece of glass near it. The height of the pavement was about 10 in., and the edge was overgrown with grass, so that anyone coming along would not know whether the edge was 10 in. or 2 in. high. A tuft of grass was torn from the edge some distance on the Exmouth side of the skid-mark, where, apparently, the footrest caught it. There was a very slight "S" bend in the road. In reply to the Foreman, witness said the indications were that the motor cycle was proceeding from Exmouth in the direction of Littleham. - A Hopeless Case. - Dr R. S. Thomas said he was called to the Cottage Hospital about 11.30 p.m. and found deceased suffering from a fractured skull. He died at 11.45 a.m. on the following day. It was a hopeless case from the first, and witness was surprised that deceased lived more than an hour. Harold Soper had sustained a broken left collar-bone and left kneecap, and would be in Hospital for at least two months. He, probably, would not be fit to be carried into Court to give evidence for at least six weeks. - Unpleasant Incidents. - Charles Fairclough, a Royal Navy engine-room artificer, said he was walking between Littleham and Exmouth on Thursday between 10 and 11 p.m. It was a dark night, but there was no rain. Near Littleham village a motor cycle flashed past him. It approached from the opposite direction, and after it had passed he heard a crash, and went back to see if he could give assistance. He then saw deceased and a man who said he was the driver. Deceased told witness he was in the Navy and that his name was TOOZE. The two men had righted themselves and were standing in the road. Witness asked them if they were all right, and they replied "Yes." There was then a little altercation and a quarrel ensued, due to some Service grievance deceased had. Witness told TOOZE he did not want to know anything about it, but TOOZE was prompted by Soper. Witness also told TOOZE he had come precious near to knocking him down, and the two men resented that. They wanted to get to blows with witness and were then prompting each other. Fairclough at this juncture pointed to a number of scratches on his face and said they were the result of his acting in self-defence. - The Deputy Coroner: They are not bruises; they appear to be scratches. - Fairclough: Yes; we came into a clinch and instead of the fellow breaking away he hung on and clawed my face. We tumbled over in the hedge. - What do you think caused this sudden desire to fight with you? - I suppose he saw I was in uniform and he was in mufti, and thought he would have an advantage, seeing I did not know him. - Do you think they had been drinking? - I thought they had. - Fairclough said a man came and stopped the fight. Witness then got away, but the two men came along and started again. Another man then stopped the fight and witness got away again. He heard them coming along again and took shelter in a garden near the Cranford Hotel. He remained in the garden about an hour and a half, during which time he heard what he thought was the motor cycle. He subsequently got a lift into Exmouth. Replying to the Foreman, witness said the first meeting was on the corner of the road near Littleham churchyard and the second near the railway arch. The cause of the trouble was that deceased probably had a grudge against the uniform or witness's rating. - Witness, at the request of the Deputy Coroner, left the Court and inspected the damaged motor cycle. He said that, so far as he could see, it was a similar motor cycle to that which he saw at Littleham. He added that he was a stranger to Littleham, and had never before seen deceased. - Anonymous Witnesses. - The Deputy Coroner said there were two ladies present at the altercations and for the time he would allow them to be anonymous. - The first lady said the motor cycle passed close to them, and, after Fairclough went back, Soper asked deceased to hold the cycle while he got at Fairclough. After the second altercation witness stayed behind while the other lady went on with Fairclough. Soper then came running behind and asked witness where Fairclough had gone, but witness replied that she did not know, and told him to go back. She afterwards came up with the other two, who were standing in a gateway. They decided to separate and witness and her friend walked back towards Littleham, while Fairclough went on towards Exmouth. The men on the motor cycle passed witness and her friend, and were then going in the direction of the Cranford Hotel. They were travelling at a fair speed. Witness informed the Foreman that she thought the two men had been drinking. She said she could smell it, and Soper actually admitted he was drunk. - The Foreman: In your opinion, were they drunk? - Witness: I should say so. - Wilfred Searle, labourer 2 Capel-lane, Littleham, said that from his bedroom window, at about 10.30 p.m., he heard a squabble at the corner of the road near the new entrance to the churchyard. He ran out and parted Soper and Fairclough, who were in a clinch. Having let Fairclough get away , he went indoors again. - The Deputy Coroner: Do you think they had been drinking? - Witness: I daresay Soper had had a drink. - Inspector Dart: Did you ask Soper not to ride the bicycle? - Witness: I don't think I did. - Was he in such a condition that he should not ride a bicycle? - No; I don't think he was in such a condition as that. - The Second Fight. - The other anonymous lady corroborated the statements of her companion. Asked by the Deputy Coroner how she knew it was Soper holding the bicycle, she said Soper was the taller of the two. He was a fair man and TOOZE was short and dark. TOOZE held the bicycle the first time, but the second time both men went for Fairclough. - Fairclough, recalled, said both men were unknown to him, but when TOOZE said he was in the Navy witness asked him his name, which TOOZE gave. - Edgar Buller Grant, Railway Cottages, Littleham, said he was in his garden, which was about 200 yards from Searle's house, when he heard sounds in the road, and on going out found two men fighting with a Naval man. A motor cycle was lying in the brambles at the side of the road. Witness parted the men. TOOZE and Soper might have had a drink, but they were not drunk. Witness held Soper by the coat, but he slipped off his mackintosh, leaving it in witness's hand, and ran after the Naval man. TOOZE remained with witness, and asked, "Where has he gone?" Witness replied, "He has gone after that chap, but he won't catch him, and he will be back in a minute or two." Soper came back, put on his mackintosh, got on the machine and TOOZE jumped on the back. They went off after the Naval man, in the direction of Exmouth. The two ladies returned at exactly 11 o'clock. Witness informed inspector Dart he advised the two men to go towards Littleham. They were quarrelsome, but did not attempt to strike witness when he interfered. He considered they were capable of riding the motor cycle. - Fairclough, recalled for the second time, said he reached Exmouth at about 1.45 next morning. Mr A. S. Putt, a Juryman, said he had been to Littleham for relatives of deceased and on his return found Fairclough walking towards Exmouth and gave him a lift to the bottom of Albion-street. - In reply to the Foreman, Fairclough said that when he reached Exmouth he saw P.C. Doney, but did not make a complaint about being assaulted. - The Deputy Coroner, after consulting the witnesses, decided to adjourn the Inquest to Monday, September 30th, at 5 p.m., for the attendance of Harold Soper. The two anonymous ladies, who said they would then be in the North of England, were informed they would, probably, have to return.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 8 August 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - A Fatal Skid. Kingsteignton Cyclist Dies From Injuries. Inquest Verdict. - The Inquest was held at Newton Abbot last evening concerning the death of PHILIP WESTCOTT, 21, of Clifford-street, Kingsteignton, who died in Newton Abbot Hospital on Monday afternoon, following an accident while riding a bicycle. - Robert Phillips, of Back-road, Newton Abbot, said deceased met him on Monday morning and asked to be allowed to ride a new "racer" machine which witness had purchased. Witness allowed him to do so, and warned him to be careful of the fixed wheel. - Garnet Willcocks, of Linden-terrace, Newton Abbot, said he was riding a cycle on the Totnes-road, near Baker's Park, when he saw deceased, who was cycling steadily, coming towards him close in to the kerb. All at once he skidded, his machine struck the kerbing and he fell sideways on to the kerb. Witness considered that the road at the spot was in a dangerous condition for a cyclist; it was pitty and rough. - Dr G. M. Tanner said that death was due to haemorrhage, caused by a fracture of the skull. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and sympathy was expressed with the relatives by the Coroner and members of the Jury.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 8 August 1929
ALPHINGTON - Suicide In Canal. Blackawton Woman's Grief For Husband. Exeter Inquiry. - "If you should hear of my body, do not bring it back to Blackawton," was the pathetic message left by MRS HELEN LUSCOMBE, of Blackawton, whose body was recovered from the Exeter Canal on Tuesday. An Inquest was held at Double Locks Hotel yesterday, by the Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, who remarked that it was evident, from the pathetic letters deceased had written, that she intended to commit suicide, but not near home. A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was recorded. - BERTIE WALLACE PACK, steam thresher operator, of Blackawton, brother of the deceased, identified the body by marks and the clothes. He said his sister was 38, and lost her husband twelve months ago. She had a boy and a girl, and lived with witness's father and mother at Blackawton. She was in good health, but had seemed depressed since her husband's death, and complained of sleeplessness and pains in the head. Witness's mother told him that deceased had threatened to take her life. She was missed from home last Thursday, and letters to her children and parents were found on her dressing table. In these she said she intended taking her life. He communicated with the Police. - Frederick William Hannaford, labourer, of Exe Island, said he saw the body floating in the middle of the Canal on going to his work at Countess Wear, and retrieved it with a grappling iron after informing the Police. - Dr Hudson said the body had the appearance of death by drowning and had been in the water for some days.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 14 August 1929
EXETER - Tablets. Narcotic Poison Believed To Be Cause Of Death. A Honiton Case. - The circumstances surround the death of ALBERT ERNEST READHEAD, 44, Queen-street, Honiton, a sawyer, were not cleared up at the Inquest held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, and the Inquest was adjourned for three weeks to enable the organs of the body to be analysed. It is presumed the man took a large number of tablets which a doctor had prescribed, and of which only one should be taken a day. A post-mortem disclosed that he was suffering from narcotic poisoning. - The body was identified by ERNEST MAY, a railway checker of 17 Oakfield-road, Exeter, as that of his brother-in-law. From witness's recent knowledge his brother-in-law appeared normal. He had heard deceased suffered from fits. He was deaf. - The widow said they had been married for 15 years. Her husband was in the Army for 15 months, but was discharged on account of valvular disease of the heart. He had worked as a sawyer until Christmas, when he gave up on account of ill-health, being under Dr Steele-Perkins, who prescribed some tablets for epileptic fits. He had enough in the house at a time to last three months. They were in a box and kept on the top of a cupboard in the kitchen. He had given up taking them just before Christmas, but she did not know when he fetched the last lot from the chemist. There was about half a box left she should think. After Christmas he went under Dr Hope Gill, who tried him with medicine first. He had been under that doctor's care up to the present, and had tablets from him on and off, the last lot being on Wednesday last. He had six in a box and took one on the Wednesday and one each on the following two days. There was one left in the box then, but she did not know what became of the other two. He had to take one a day at night. On the Saturday he was rather cheerful until after breakfast. - Suffering From Delusions. - Later he became depressed and started crying. He said he was very depressed and miserable. He added that he was so thirsty and asked her to give him a drink. She half filled a cup with boiling water, took it into the kitchen and filled it up with new milk. She left it for him and went on with her work. Later she returned to the kitchen, and then he had the delusion, as he had before, that she was watching the other men. He had had those delusions for about three months. They had a conversation and then he sat in a chair and lit a cigarette. Later he dozed off to sleep. He did not wake up, and as he was slightly foaming at the mouth she sent for the doctor, who injected something into his arm and remarked that he thought her husband had taken a drug. She showed him the box of tablets and the doctor said he had probably taken two of them and would sleep for two or three hours, but if he did not come round in that time she had better call him again. She sent for the doctor again as her husband had not moved, and he was ordered to Hospital. She had since searched for the first box of tablets, but could not find it. She found one tablet on the floor, which she was positive was one of the first prescription. Her husband would have to stand on a chair to reach the tablets, but he could easily do that without her knowing while she was in the back kitchen. He could have taken them after she fetched the drink, but she heard no chair. He did not appear drowsy when he asked for the drink. There was a fire in the kitchen, into which he could have put the box. During the last three months he had said if he could make a good job of it he would cut his throat, or if he could get something to make him sleep off he would do so. He worried because he had so little money coming in, saying it was not like old times. - Poison Diagnosed. - Dr P. H. Fox, House Physician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted last Saturday evening. He was unconscious and in a serious condition then. He died on the Sunday evening. Witness was told of the likelihood of poison. He was present at the post-mortem, which confirmed his diagnosis that the man died of some kind of narcotic poison. - The Deputy Coroner said he would adjourn the Inquest until the result of the analysis of the organs was known. In the meantime he would have inquiries made at Honiton, as the chemist could probably tell them the doctor's prescription and say when he supplied the tablets. The Inquest was adjourned until 5.30 on September 3rd.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 14 August 1929
BIRKENHEAD, CHESHIRE - Scout's Death. Appledore Lad's End At Birkenhead. Appendicitis. - A sad incident in connection with the Jamboree camp at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, was the sudden death, during the weekend, from peritonitis, of Scout THOMAS STEVENS, 15 years of age, whose home is at Appledore, North Devon. The father of the deceased is a ship's carpenter now at sea on a voyage to Australia, and his mother was naturally greatly distressed when the news of her son's death reached her at her home in Bute-street, Appledore, particularly as deceased had just previously written a letter to her saying he expected to be home on Tuesday, and that all was well with him. THOMAS, who was a member of the 16th North Devon troop, Appledore, went to the Jamboree with a detachment of 21 Scouts from North Devon, under Assistant Scoutmaster Cox, of Bideford, and was attached to the Peewit, Barnstaple patrol, under Patrol Leader S. Rottenbury, of Barnstaple. At the funeral at Appledore today there will be a parade of local Scouts. - At the Inquest at Birkenhead yesterday Commissioner Green said deceased first complained of feeling ill on the 8th, and was seen by the camp doctor. Two days later he was removed to Birkenhead Hospital. - Dr Connolley, House Surgeon, said deceased was in a state of collapse when admitted and an operation was essential, although his heart was in a bad state. While the anaesthetic was being administered he stopped breathing twice, and again before the operation was commenced. An injection was given and the heart massaged, but without success. A post-mortem showed that death was due to peritonitis caused by a perforated appendix, and had been accelerated by the anaesthetic. - The Coroner found accordingly, adding that no blame attached to the doctors.

Western Times, Friday 16 August 1929
WELLINGTON, SOMERSET - Jury's Open Verdict. Inquest On An Axminster Evangelist. Motor Cycle Fatality. - The West Somerset Coroner, Mr Geoffrey P. Clarke, and a Jury, at the White Ball Inn, near Wellington, Monday, after an Inquiry lasting over three hours, returned an Open Verdict on SIDNEY VIVIEN, the well-known West Country Evangelist, of Mount Pleasant, Churchill, Axminster, who was killed near the White Ball Inn, on Saturday night, when his motor cycle came into collision with a car driven by Mr C. A. Miles, of Ombersley-road, Newport, Mon., at the junction of the old main road and a new strip of road leading down to Beam Bridge, and which was only recently opened. - The medical evidence showed that death was due to haemorrhage from rupture of the heart. Both sides of the chest were crushed to powder. A penetrating wound in the upper part of the chest was sufficient to cause death within two minutes. - Charles Albert Miles said he had been driving behind a second car for several miles at about 25 to 28 miles per hour. At the top of the hill witness looked to see if the road was clear. The motor cyclist appeared and seemed to have his head down over the handlebars. He came straight into the front of witness's car, knocking the steering wheel out of his hand and causing the car to swing into the kerb. The cyclist then crumpled up and witness applied both brakes with such force that the foot brake cable gave out. - The Coroner: Did you pull out from behind another car? - Yes, about three feet to get a view of the road, but I had no intention of passing. - Witness added it was twilight and he did not see the cyclist until he was right on the car. Witness had no chance of doing anything to avoid an accident. It all happened in a flash. Corroborative evidence was given by John Benjamin King, of Weston-super-Mare, who was driving with the last witness. - In returning their verdict, the Jury added that they did not consider there was sufficient evidence to show the degree of responsibility attaching to the driver of the car. They suggested that the Police should make further inquiries and endeavour to obtain fresh evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 August 1929
EXMOUTH - Bus Tragedy. Fiancée's Fatal Farewell At Exmouth. - At Exmouth, yesterday, an Inquest was conducted by Mr Cyril N. Tweed, with a Jury, on MISS EVA FRANCES TRUMAN, aged 19, who was killed on Wednesday. Mr Ernest Morey was Foreman of the Jury. - Stewart William Board, 32, Egremont-road, driver of a blue bus owned by Mr Abbot, said he was driving in the Exeter direction in Exeter-road on Wednesday and picked up deceased, who was his young lady. He stopped to drop her at Lawn-road. "The next thing I knew, " he said, "was that a Devon General 'bus was almost level. I shouted to her to 'mind the bus'; it was all done in about five seconds." - The Devon General bus pulled up very smartly, owing to the comparatively slow speed at which it was travelling. - Lilian M. Radford, of Withycombe village, said she saw MISS TRUMAN step into the road at the back of the blue bus and the Devon General bus go right over her. - Miss L. Jefferies, of Exeter-road, said deceased appeared to be saying good-bye to the driver of Abbott's bus. - Frederick Taylor, the driver of the Devon General bus, said he had passed under the railway bridge when he looked at his speed indicator, which registered 10 miles an hour. As he was passing the other bus, which had stopped, he felt a bump. He stopped as quickly as he could. - By Mr A. M. Alford (for the Devon General Company): He had had 16 years' driving experience and his license was perfectly clean. He had had no previous accidents. - Dr G. F. C. Walter said he saw deceased within three minutes of the accident. Death was caused by a fractured skull and must have been almost instantaneous. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the driver of the Devon General Bus was exonerated from blame. Sympathy with the deceased's relatives was expressed by Mr Alford on behalf of the driver of the bus and the staff of the Devon General Company, and by the Coroner and Jury.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 19 August 1929
OTTERTON - Otterton Tragedy. Man's Decomposed Body Found In Cornfield. Mystery Solved. - The body of WALTER EDWIN PILE, a labourer, living with his sister at the Green, Otterton, was discovered on Thursday in a field between Otterton and East Budleigh by a man about to cut corn. The body was in a very decomposed condition and near by was a razor. - An Inquiry into the circumstances was conducted by the District Coroner, Mr Cyril N. Tweed, on Saturday. - Evidence was given to the effect that PILE had been out of work for some time. He left his home on July 30th, but as he had previously gone away and returned no misgiving was felt by his sister until August 9th, when she communicated with the Police. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 22 August 1929
EXETER - Okehampton Accident. Inquest At Exeter. - An Inquest was held at Exeter last evening by Mr W. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM HENRY PIKE, aged 76, an old-age pensioner, of Southcott Cottage, Okehampton, a farm labourer, who fell off a shaft of a cart at Okehampton. - EDITH PIPER, daughter of the deceased, said her father had not worked for several years. Some time ago he met with an accident and fractured a leg in three places. In July her father told her he had again fallen off a cart. He was removed to the Hospital at Exeter. - Jas. Sergeant, farmer, of Middle Southcott Farm, Okehampton, stated that he had been friendly with deceased for the last 12 months and he was in the habit of coming to his farm. On July 3rd PIKE was riding on a shaft of a cart, which contained wood, when the horse plunged and then made a rush. Deceased fell off, but was too near the hedge to be clear of the cart and one of the wheels went over a leg. - Donald F. Kanaar, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted suffering from a compound fracture of the right tibia, and died three days ago. Before death the leg was amputated. Death was caused because of heart failure and bronchitis, caused by the fracture and due to his being confined to bed. The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," heart failure and bronchitis being contributory factors.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 27 August 1929
CHUDLEIGH - The Haldon Crash. Inquest Opened. - An Inquiry was opened by Mr Ernest Hutchings, District Coroner, at the Town Hall, Chudleigh, yesterday, into the death of LEONARD CLAUD JONES, of Portland-square, Plymouth, who was killed when his motor cycle ran into the back of a car on Haldon on Saturday night. - The body was identified by the father, CLAUD CROSSEMAN JONES, Portland-square, Plymouth, who said his son was aged 17 years and 9 months. - Medical evidence was given by Gwen Jane Brook, locum tenens for Dr Walters, of Chudleigh, who said the young man was brought to the surgery at 10 p.m. on Saturday, but had died on the way there. The injuries were a fracture of the skull, which caused death and a fracture of the left leg. The Inquest was adjourned until Monday next at 3 p.m. - Roy Gordon, of 39 Portland-square, Plymouth, who is lying at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, as a result of the accident, is progressing as well as can be expected.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 27 August 1929
EXETER - Matford-Hill Crash. Inquest Opened. - At the Court House, Exeter, last evening, the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, who had the assistance of a Jury, opened an Inquest on BERTIE ERNEST WILLIAM MAY, aged 29, of 26 Isca-road, Exeter, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Friday night from injuries received a short time previously at Matford-hill, between Alphington and Exminster, when his motor cycle crashed head-one into a motor car driven by Mr Huxtable of Whitestone, which, like two cars in front of it which deceased had passed, was going in the opposite direction on its proper side. Deceased's fiancee, Miss M. C. Mears of 22 Victoria-place, Exmouth, who was riding pillion on the motor-cycle, was badly injured and the Inquest was adjourned for two months pending her recovery. - Evidence of identification was given by GEORGE MAY, of 44 Willey's-avenue, Exeter, who said deceased, a fireman on the Great Western Railway, was his nephew. He enjoyed good health. He had had a motor cycle for twelve months and recently used it on his holiday. - ETHEL BEATRICE MAY, sister of deceased, said the latter called at her house about 7 o'clock last Friday. Miss Mears was there, and, with deceased, subsequently went off on the motor cycle. Her brother had not been riding the machine since the first or second week in July; he had, she thought, got a bit tired of it for the time being. He had had no accident before. - Dr P. H. Fox, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted on Friday evening, about 9 o'clock. He was unconscious and had severe injuries to his legs and an arm. He died soon after admission from shock, attendant upon the injuries. In answer to the Coroner, Dr Fox said it would be at least two months before Miss Mears would be fit to give evidence. - The Deputy Coroner adjourned the Inquiry until 3 p.m. on October 28th for the attendance of Miss Mears.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 30 August 1929
EXETER - Cut To Pieces. Inquest Story Of Exeter Rail Tragedy. Accidental Death. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned at the Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on ERNEST LATES MEADOWCROFT, aged 60, of Plymouth, who was killed by a train at St David's Station on Wednesday night. The Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, sat with a Jury. Deceased lived at 13 Caroline-place, Stonehouse and had intended to give up his business as a draper at 68 and 69 Union-street, Plymouth, the premises having been acquired for a bank. District Inspector Vernon represented the Traffic Department and Inspector Cook the Locomotive Department of the G.W.R. - WILFRED CRANG, of the Grosvenor Hotel, Ilfracombe, who identified the body, said his brother-in-law, whom he last saw about two months ago, had not enjoyed good health for two or three years, having suffered from blood pressure and heart trouble. He was about to give up his business and as far as witness knew, was in affluent circumstances. Last Tuesday he went to stay with a cousin at Southmolton for a change. Witness understood that he intended staying until Friday, and he must have suddenly decided to return. - He was not aware that deceased had correspondence recalling him, and had telegraphed to him to stay. - Walter Joseph Stapley of 10 Eagle-cottages, Bonhay-road, Exeter, a postal employee, said he was standing on the edge of the platform at St David's Station, waiting for a train from Paddington. Witness was talking to a porter and as the train approached he saw deceased on the metals about 40 yards away. Witness did not think there had been anyone standing on the platform near the deceased, who appeared to fall on his feet, his body crouched against the platform. - The Coroner: Could you help us as to whether he fell off or stepped off? - Witness: I could not say. When witness ran to the spot deceased was in the centre of the track cut to pieces. - Answering the Foreman of the Jury, witness said he thought the man made an effort to regain the platform. - William Edward Northcott, a porter, of 15 Telford-road, said he saw deceased sitting on a seat on No. 1 platform with a leather bag in his hand. Later witness saw him go to the edge of the platform. The next witness saw of deceased was as the wheels of the tender were passing over his chest. There was nothing abnormal about the man's appearance while waiting. - Cecil Charles Shute of 7 Cleveland-street, a shunter, said he was about 40 yards from where deceased stood on the edge of the platform. - He saw him stagger and fall when the train was only four yards away. He appeared to try to put his hands on the platform to get back again, but had not time. - In reply to the Foreman, witness emphasised that the deceased did not jump but appeared to stagger off the edge. - Dr Pereira Gray stated that the chest of deceased was completely crushed and was the primary cause of death. - The face was destroyed and the bones of all the limbs were broken. It was quite possible, in his opinion, that deceased became giddy through watching the train sway in, after waiting some time for it. - It was common for blood pressure to produce giddiness and witness thought it an accident. - In his summing up, the Coroner said there was no apparent reason for deceased to harm himself. The evidence pointed to an accidental fall. - The Jury returned the verdict after a brief deliberation, and expressed sympathy with the widow and MR CRANG.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 3 September 1929
CHUDLEIGH - Haldon Tragedy. Coroner And Allegations Of Inhuman Conduct. Jury's Verdict And Opinion. - Yesterday, at Chudleigh, the South Devon District Coroner, Mr Ernest Hutchings, resumed the Inquest on LEONARD CLAUD JONES, aged 17, of 11 Portland-square, Plymouth, who was killed while riding a motor cycle on Haldon on Saturday, August 24th. Mr T. J. W. Templeman, of Exeter, represented Mr W. T. Finch, of Princetown, with whose stationary car JONES collided. Inspector Willcocks, of Teignmouth, represented the Police. - John Samuel Edward Roy Scoble, 20, Portland-square, Plymouth, tram conductor, said on Saturday, August 24th, he left Exeter in a motor car about 8.45 p.m., intending to go to Plymouth. Deceased had been with witness in Exeter during the day. He was riding a motor cycle, and had a boy called Roy Gorwyn with him as pillion passenger. For some time after leaving the city the motor cycle kept just in front of the car until reaching Kennford, where a halt was called. Witness filled the generator of deceased's acetylene lamp and the burner gave a bright light. The motor cycle went on ahead of the car and the next thing that attracted his attention was a shout of "Stop, there has been a terrible accident." Before they had time to pull up the bonnet of their car was in line with the rear of another car standing on the near side of the road. By the lights of the car he saw two bodies lying in the road with a motor bicycle on top of them. He afterwards discovered the figures to be those of deceased and his companion. He heard a woman say: "We have been standing here for about an hour trying to get lights and the poor boys dashed into the back of us." Witness removed the cycle from the bodies and one was taken to Exeter and the other (LEONARD JONES) to Chudleigh. - By Mr Templeman: He did not think the lady said they were trying to get headlights. - Thomas George Gorwyn, builder, 39 Portland-square, Plymouth, said he was driving the car in which the last witness was riding. He was sure the headlight of the motor bicycle would not give a beam for more than 2 yards. Witness saw nothing of the car in front. He had just come around the bend at the top of Haldon Hill, and his headlights had not reached the road directly in front. - When told by the :Coroner the line of vision was about 250 yards, witness expressed surprise, but said in any case he did not see the car until he pulled up. - By the Jury: It was a dark night, but there was no fog. His own speed was not more than 25 miles. - "It's My Own Boy." - In answer to the :Coroner, witness agreed that the headlights should have picked up the car ahead. He pointed out, however, that the stationary car was a black one and against the dark road it might be hard to distinguish. He was quite sure the stationary car had no lights, as he made a point of looking. Witness saw no one at the spot except a lady, and he asked why no one was about and why the boys had been left lying there, as they had been for four or five minutes. He did not expect the lady to attend to them, but he would have expected a man to have done so. All he could remember saying to the lady was: "My God, it's my own boy." JONES was a good and skilful rider. - By Mr Templeman: He did not agree that the accident could only have occurred a few seconds before he arrived on the scene having regard to the state of the road. Witness considered the boys must have been on the road for at least five minutes. - By Inspector Willcocks: The stationary car was well on its correct side of the road. In reply to Mr Hutchings, witness agreed that deceased should have seen the car on the road ahead. He said he did not impute any blame to the car, but what made him feel sore was to learn that there was a man on the scene and that he did not attend to the boys. - Addressing the Jury, the Coroner said this witness had the impression that the boys were lying there for four or five minutes before they were attended to, and that there were one or two men standing near the car. If that were true, it would be the most callous and inhuman conduct they could imagine, but in that Court they did not pass an opinion until they had heard both sides. It might be that witness was mistaken, and he asked the Jury to keep their minds clear on this point. - Mr Templeman: Would you be surprised to know that Mr Finch was standing in the road at the time of the accident and actually shouted to the boys? - Witness: Then why didn't he attend to the boys? When I was stopped I had to reverse the car, jump out and take the bicycle off the boys, and no one assisted me. It all took time. - Mr Templeman: There was no light until you arrived. - Witness: Light or no, he could have stooped down and tried to do something. - Car Driver's Story. - Peter Francis Jackson, 44, Mansfield-road, Exeter, 'bus driver on the date of the accident, said he was driving a 'bus from Plymouth to Exeter. When passing over Haldon, a gentleman whom he believed to be Mr Finch stopped him and told him there had been an accident. When he got to the scene of the accident, the two boys were lying in the road. Two men were attending to one of them. Witness examined the lights of the stationary car and found that the battery had not been charged. When switched on, the lights came on for a short while and then went out. - P.C. Perryman said that the driver of the stationary car told him there was a rear light on his vehicle. The width of the road was 24 ft., and the line of vision to the scene coming from the direction of Exeter, 250 yards. The luggage carrier of the car had been struck almost in the centre. There were no brake marks at all and it appeared that deceased had crashed into the car at whatever speed it was travelling at the time. - Wm. Thomas Finch, of The Square, Princetown, car driver, said on the date in question he was driving a Buick car from Exeter to Princetown. He stopped on Haldon because the headlights were not working properly. One was out and the other dim. Examination revealed that the self-starter had stuck and was wasting the battery. While he was busy with the switch-board with his father looking on, he heard him shout "Stop! stop!" and after feeling a crash, saw a motor bicycle falling over. His father went to stop a car that was coming from Exeter. - The Coroner: How long was it after the accident that you saw the lights of the other car? - Witness: About four or five minutes. - The Coroner: Then what was done in the meantime? - Witness: My uncle went to the boys, and undid the shirt and collar of one because I saw him with my own eyes. - When the other car arrived a lady said: "Why, it's my own boy," and when the man came up, they took their own son away. They left the other in the road, and it was a quarter of an hour before anybody took him away." - Witness added that his rear light was burning all right at the time of the accident. He had not been stationary for more than ten minutes when the accident occurred. - Mr Templeman: Do you mean you stood in the road for four or five minutes doing nothing, or do you mean it was four or five minutes in your estimation before the other car came up. - Witness: Somebody was attending to the boys. - Robert Walter Finch, postman, father of the last witness, said he was a passenger in his son's car. As the latter was examining the switch-board, he looked up the road and saw a motor cycle approaching. As it was rather close and going at a fast pace, he shouted to it to stop. It did not do so, but crashed into the back of the car. He was going across to the bodies when he saw another car approaching and he went to warn them. - "Second Car ..... Came Immediately." - The second car appeared on the scene immediately after the accident. - It stopped within a few inches of his son's car and two people got from it and went to where witness's brother was attending to the injured boys. - The Coroner told the Jury that Mr Gorvyn's son, who was riding pillion with deceased, was in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and was not in a fit state to attend. If they considered they would like to have his evidence, then he must adjourn the Inquiry until such time as he was well enough to appear and give it. - The Foreman said it might be that deceased was looking round talking to the pillion rider. - The Coroner said that was a very pertinent point, and at his suggestion the Jury retired to consider whether they would like to hear the boy or not. Subsequently the Foreman announced that the majority of the Jury did not think the evidence was necessary. - The Coroner , summing up, said it had been suggested that some sort of blame attached to the driver of the stationary car, because he was by the side of the road with no tail light. Assuming that was so, the Jury must ask themselves if he could be held in any way responsible for what followed. Supposing it had been a cow or a pedestrian. There was a conflict of evidence as to whether or not the red light was on. - Coroner's Comments. - The serious suggestion had been made that two people acted callously in leaving these two boys lying in the road without going to their assistance. He could only say that was the sort of charge which should not be made lightly. Fortunately in one way they knew that if all the doctors in the world had been at the spot they could not have done anything for the poor lad who died. They had heard the evidence, and if they came to the conclusion that two men who knew that two other men had crashed into their car, and were most seriously injured, did nothing, they would come to the conclusion that the men were guilty of the most inhuman conduct. - Mr Gorwyn had stated he saw no men there at all, and that he was the first that came to the assistance of these people. On the other hand they had got the evidence of the driver and his father. Might it not be that people used figures of speech about the time that really elapsed there? They should remember that the car and cycle were together at Kennford, and the accident occurred perhaps two miles away. How fast must the motor cyclist have been going if he started just in front of the car, and got to the scene of the accident four or five minutes before it? He must have been travelling. Then Mr Gorwyn said he missed a turning, but if he did so it would only be the waste of a few yards. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and attached no blame to the driver of the stationary car.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 4 September 1929
EXETER - Honiton Suicide. Phenylethyl Barbituric Acid. Sawyer's Overdose. - That he Committed Suicide while of Unsound Mind by taking an overdose of tablets containing phenylethyl barbituric acid was the verdict returned by the Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, at the adjourned Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, on ALBERT ERNEST READHEAD, 44, of Queen-street, Honiton, a sawyer, who died on August 11th at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, to which Institution he was admitted in an unconscious condition. - Epileptic Fits. - Evidence given at the opening of the Inquiry was to the effect that deceased suffered from epileptic fits. The widow said he gave up work at Christmas on account of ill-health, being under Dr Steele-Perkins, who prescribed some tablets for the fits. He had enough in the house at a time to last three months. They were in a box and kept on the top of a cupboard in the kitchen. He had given up taking them just before Christmas, but the widow did not know when he fetched the last lot from the chemist. There was about half a box left she should think. After Christmas he went under Dr Hope Gill, who tried him with medicine first. He had been under that doctor's care up to the present, and had tablets from him on and off, the last lot being on the Wednesday. He had six in a box, and took one on the Wednesday and one each on the following two days. There was one left in the box then, but she did not know what became of the other two. He had to take one a day at night. On the Saturday he was rather cheerful until after breakfast. Later he became depressed and started crying. He said he was thirsty and asked her to give him a drink. She half filled a cup with boiling water, took it into the kitchen and filled it up with new milk. She left it for him and went on with her work. Later she returned to the kitchen and then he had the delusion, as he had before, that she was watching for other men. - Foaming At The Mouth. - He had had those delusions for about three months. They had a conversation, and then he sat in a chair and lit a cigarette. Later he dozed off to sleep. He did not wake up and as he was slightly foaming at the mouth she sent for the doctor, who injected something into his arm, and remarked that he thought her husband had taken a drug. She showed him the box of tablets and the doctor said he had probably taken two or them and would sleep for two or three hours, but if he did not come round in that time she had better call him again. She sent for the doctor again as her husband had not moved, and he was ordered to Hospital. She had since searched for the first box of tablets, but could not find it. She found one tablet on the floor, which she was positive was one of the first prescription. Her husband would have to stand on a chair to reach the tablets, but he could easily do that without her knowing while she was in the back kitchen. He could have taken them after she fetched the drink, but she heard no chair. He did not appear drowsy when he asked for the drink. There was a fire in the kitchen into which he could have put the box. During the last three months he had said if he could make a good job of it he would cut his throat, or if he could get something to make him sleep off he would do so. The Inquest was adjourned for the purpose of enabling the contents of the stomach to be analysed. - Removal To Hospital. - Last evening Dr T. S. McManus said he was acting as locum tenens for Dr Hope-Gill, of Honiton, when, on August 10th, he received a message about 2 p.m. to go to 44 Queen-street, Honiton, the home of the deceased. The latter was sitting in a chair unconscious. - The Deputy Coroner: His condition suggested to you he was drugged? - Witness: Yes, in conjunction with the wife's statement about the lost tablets. - She only told you of Dr Hope-Gill's prescription at that time? - Yes. - And she told you two tablets were missing? - Two or three. - They should have been in the box she showed you? - Yes. - She did not tell you about any tablets prescribed by Dr Steele-Perkins? - No. - Quite naturally she would not, because that prescription was given to her last Christmas, and have passed out of her mind? - I should think so. - Witness said he treated the man for having taken the two or three tablets that were said to be missing, said he would return later, and asked that a watch should be kept on his condition. Witness returned between 5 and 6 p.m., when he found the man in practically the same condition, and ordered his removal to the Hospital. Witness identified a prescription by Dr Hope-Gill, and said an overdose of the medicine produced would not cause any trouble. There was no narcotic in it. - The Deputy Coroner said the report of the Public Analyst, Mr T. Tickle, was to the effect that the body contained a total of not less than 20 grains of phenylethyl barbituric acid. Witness said he considered 20 grains of this would be a fatal dose. - "A Long Sleep." - The Deputy Coroner: There is the wife's evidence that there was a box left on the top of a cupboard. - Beatrice May Skinner, married, of 10 Queen-street, Honiton, said that on August 10th, about 10.45 a.m. she called on the READHEADS and deceased was then taking some medicine from a bottle. She went over again about 12.30. He was then sitting in an armchair. He was sleepy. - By the Deputy Coroner: Witness remembered him saying he wished he could have a long sleep and know he was going to be dead by five o'clock. It brightened him when anybody went in to see him. - The Deputy Coroner: He was talking about his wife "looking out of the door"; you thought he was suffering from delusions? - Yes. - MRS READHEAD, widow, said she had searched for the box of tablets but had not found it. - The Deputy Coroner: There was every opportunity for him to put the box in the fire. Deceased took the medicine that was in the bottle before he had his breakfast. He rose late. - Coroner's Officer Pitkin produced the Analyst's report, which stated that there were indications that the body contained a total of not less than 20 grains of phenylethyl barbituric acid. The verdict was as stated above.

Western Times, Friday 6 September 1929
ISLE OF MAN - Crediton Lad's Funeral In Isle Of Man. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest on JOHN VICTOR BUCHANAN ARSCOTT, only child of MR BERTIE J. ARSCOTT, of Ramsey, Isle of Man, an accountant at Ramsey, who was knocked down by a motor cycle and combination. Deceased was the grandchild of MR J. ARSCOTT, of Edgell Villa, Crediton. The funeral took place on Monday and was largely attended. The first part of the burial office was taken in Christ Church Dhoon, when the service was conducted by the Rev. R. Ferguson and Rev. H. Maddrell. Psalm 39 was chanted and two hymns were sung, the organist and choir being present. The chief mourners were Mr and Mrs B. J. Arscott (father and mother), Mr and Mrs D. Buchanan, Liverpool (grandfather and grandmother). Representatives from nearly every house in the district were present. Among the large number of wreaths, those of the family were from Mam and Dad; Grandma and Grandpa Buchanan (Liverpool); Grandpa Arscott (Crediton); Uncle Leslie (Crediton), Auntie Vera and Uncle Gil (London); Uncle Percy (London); Auntie Polly and Uncle Jim (Crediton); Auntie Edie (Crediton).

Western Times, Friday 6 September 1929
AXMINSTER - Axminster Orphan's Death. Conflicting Evidence At Inquest. Motor Car On Pavement. - The story of how KATHLEEN MAUD YOUNG, an eleven-year-old orphan, living with her grandfather, MR T. J. YOUNG, a quarry labourer, of Burnt House, North-street, Axminster, was knocked down by a motor car while walking on the pavement in Lyme-street, Axminster, on her way home from school just after noon on Wednesday, was told to the Deputy Coroner, Mr B. R. Dunning, at the Inquest held at Axminster last evening. The child was removed to Axminster Hospital and died in the evening. - MRS ELIZABETH YOUNG, grandmother, of Burnt House, North-street, Axminster, said deceased went out at half-past eight on Wednesday morning. Witness was later informed that she had been knocked down by a motor car and taken to Axminster Hospital. Witness visited her and asked how the accident happened. She said she did not remember, but said she was walking on the pavement at the time. - Stephen Hughes, a clerk, staying at Axminster, said he was coming down Lyme-street about ten minutes past twelve on Wednesday morning, when he saw a motor car pass him at a speed of between five to ten miles per hour. In the middle of the street was a stationary cart. A motor van was about to pass the stationary vehicle, and the driver of the motor car swerving, mounted the pavement and the car struck the child. - William Taylor, retired jockey of 2 Park Lane, Salisbury, the driver of the car which knocked the deceased down, expressed at the outset his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. He explained that he had sent a written statement to the Police when he returned to Salisbury and, proceeding to Axminster as soon as possible after hearing of the death of the child, had had no opportunity of consulting a solicitor. - He went on to state that about noon on Wednesday he was driving down Lyme-street a car in which he was conveying an invalid to Exeter. On his right was a stationary van. For some distance he had a clear view, but when he got to the stationary vehicle, a motor van approached from behind and witness served to the left to avoid it. - The Coroner: How close were you to the stationary van when you saw the approaching vehicle? - About 20 feet. - Proceeding, witness said he was not aware that he had mounted the pavement, but it was quite probable that he did so. Witness missed one or two children. One little girl suddenly served away from a little boy. Witness did not suggest that they were playing games, but it appeared as though they were. Suddenly the girl moved towards the witness's car as though she was trying to avoid the boy. The point of the near front wing of witness's car caught the child. "I really think that if the little girl had kept a continuous straight path I should have avoided her," added the witness. - Proceeding, he said he stopped the car and went back to the child, who was in the road near the pavement. She was quite conscious and talked about her mother. Witness was going between five or six miles per hour at the time of the accident because there was a lot of traffic in the street. - The Deputy Coroner asked why, if he were only travelling at five or six miles per hour, he was not able to stop within a few feet without going on to the pavement. - Witness replied: I turned so abruptly. - There was a moment when you realised that you must pull up. When you saw the van coming out from behind the stationary car, what was going on in your mind? What did you do? - I immediately turned to avoid the car. - By an error of judgment you turned too far and mounted the pavement? - That is quite possible. - Witness, replying to further questions, said he had been driving six or seven years. Children were skipping about at the time. - By the Foreman (Mr E. Webber): There was not sufficient room for the car going up the hill to pass. The driver of the van was cutting-in behind the stationary vehicle. - Conrad William Henry Perham, of Smallridge, Axminster, driver of the van which was proceeding up Lyme-street at the time of the accident, said he came into that thoroughfare from South-street and stopped at a shop after he had turned the corner. He restarted and got past a stationary van as a car came down the hill at a medium pace and passed in the ordinary way. A lady shrieked on the other side. Witness saw nothing of the accident until the lady shrieked. - Stanley Edward Whitefield, of Wheatley Crescent, Taunton, who was standing outside Messrs. Stockers at the time of the accident, said it flashed across his mind what was going to happen. Children at the time were walking down the street. - The Deputy Coroner: What made you think there was going to be an accident before it occurred? - Witness replied that at the time children were on the path. The end of the moving van was at the front of the stationary car after it had passed. The driver of the car and the driver of the van could have seen each other some distance away. The car at the time was travelling approximately at about eight miles per hour. - Dr A. L. Crockford, of Axminster, who examined the child at the Cottage Hospital after the accident, attributed death to shock and haemorrhage. - Reviewing the evidence at some length, the Deputy Coroner said an error of judgment did not necessarily mean that he was guilty of manslaughter. - The Jury retired and on returning the Foreman said they wished to have more enlightenment concerning the stationary vehicle said to have been in the street at the time of the accident. - P.C. Downing said he did not notice any stationary vehicle. - Perham, recalled, said he did not know whether he passed a stationary var. There were a lot of people talking on the pavement. - Taylor, recalled, averred that there was a stationary vehicle in the street and it was a motor van. - Hughes, recalled, stated that there was a stationary vehicle standing about half way up the street. - Stanley Whitfield was also positive that there was a stationary vehicle there. - The Jury, following another retirement, recorded an Open Verdict.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 September 1929
EXETER - Cyclists Death. Inquiry Into The Topsham-Road Case. - The Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday on a motor-cyclist who died as the result of injuries sustained on the Topsham-road, near Countess Wear, on Wednesday. The Inquest was on DAVID TRIPPIER, aged 21, of 80 Holloway-street, who was found lying in the road with his motor-cycle near him. - Violet Jevins stated that deceased had ridden a motor-cycle for about six months. His hearing and sight were good. - Alfred Richards of Heavitree, stated that, when riding his motor-cycle on the Topsham-road he saw deceased lying near Countess Wear Cottages. He was on the left of the road and unconscious. The cycle was beside him. Witness had come from Topsham and passed little traffic. He did not remember any cars passing him. - Vincent Parker, R.A.C., of Countess Wear, said two ladies in a car told him there was a cyclist lying in the road. When witness arrived at the spot deceased was being attended to by others. There was very little traffic on the road; in fact, it was very quiet indeed. - P.C. Wakeley said TRIPPIER would not be directly facing the sun when riding. - There were no skid marks, but signs of a foot rest having ripped the surface of the road for about 24 feet. There was also evidence of an exhaust firing. - The near foot rest was broken off, but there was no other damage to the machine. There was no evidence of a collision. After the accident the cycle was ridden away. - Vincent Parker, recalled, said he had seen deceased riding several times. - Deceased had a habit of looking back to his exhaust pipe. If he did so before the accident it might have caused the machine to swerve. - Percy Hamilton Fox said deceased was suffering from head injuries. There was a large fracture of the back of the skull, consistent with having fallen from a motor-cycle. - The Deputy Coroner said there was no damage to the off-side of the machine, which seemed to rule out the idea that there was a collision. The accident might have been caused by the slight camber in the road, and was almost certain to have been due to something associated with the riding of the machine. - Violet Jevins, recalled, stated that deceased was not subject to fits. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," the cause being unknown.

EXETER - Cyclists Death. Inquiry Into Another Topsham-Road Case. - The Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday on a motor-cyclist who died as the result of injuries sustained on the Topsham-road, near Countess Wear, on Wednesday. The Inquest was on DONALD SMALLRIDGE of Dinham-road, who was found near the same place as Trippier late on Wednesday night. - WILFRED SERCOMBE identified the body as that of his nephew, who was a lorry driver and 18 years of age. SMALLRIDGE had been riding a motor-cycle about two years. Witness did not know why deceased should be going in the direction of Topsham at 10.45 p.m. - Percy Towill, of Topsham, said deceased was in the road near the Countess Wear lane. SMALLRIDGE passed him at just over 30 miles an hour. - The machine deceased was riding could go 60 or 70 miles an hour. After SMALLRIDGE had passed, witness made an effort to catch him up. Deceased appeared to open up and the cycle immediately got out of control. It appeared to strike a pot-hole and progress developed into a wobble for several yards. - SMALLRIDGE fell under the cycle. According to the condition of the road there should not have been danger in riding fast. Deceased might have been trying his machine after cleaning it. The cycle was perfect. He had examined the road since and there was no sign of a pot-hole. - George Heriot Pitt, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was conscious when admitted. He was suffering from injuries to the head and died three or four hours later. Death was due to fracture of the base of the skull and haemorrhage. - The Deputy Coroner said that, for some reason, the machine got into a wobble. Unfortunately, similar accidents were taking place all over the country. - A verdict of "Accidental Death, due to an uncontrollable wobble," was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 September 1929
EXETER - At an Inquest on MRS HARRIET MITCHELL, of Colleton-row, Exeter, the Deputy Coroner found that death was due to a fracture of the skull following a fall.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 9 September 1929
HAMPSTEAD, LONDON - Suicide's Varied Life. Berrynarbor Associations. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned at an Inquest at Hampstead, concerning the death of WILLIAM FORBES GROVE-PRICE, whose address was given as Henton-hill, Berrynarbor. He was found shot on Hampstead Heath. In evidence, a brother said deceased had been a rubber planter in the Malay States and on the West Coast of Africa, a fruit farmer in the United States of America, and had owned a tobacconist's shop. He also had been left a fortune by his mother, and had gained a commission in the war. - MRS LORNA GROVE-PRICE of Berrynarbor, wife of the dead man, said they had been married for six years. Since 1927 he had had no occupation and had apparently been living on his capital. She last saw him in September 1928, at Exeter, and last heard from him in July from Perth, Australia. On his return from Australia her husband did not return to her because he had come to the end of his resources and would not face her.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 10 September 1929
TORQUAY - Jump From Window. Fatal Sudden Impulse At Torquay. SIR H. GOLLANCZ'S Loss. - An Inquest was held at Torquay yesterday on the body of MR LEONARD GOLLANCZ, 35, son of SIR HERMANN and LADY GOLLANCZ, who died in Hospital following a fall from a Hotel window. - A chambermaid said she saw MR GOLLANECZ climb on to the window sill and jump out. - The Coroner said it was very difficult to describe these things. It was probably a sudden impulse caused by nervous strain. - The verdict was "Suicide during a moment of mental lapse." - PROF. SIR HERMANN GOLLANCZ, a Rabbi of the Jewish Church, is Professor of Hebrew at University College, London. His younger brother is SIR ISRAEL GOLLANCZ, University Professor of English Language and Literature at King's College, London and LEOFRIC, lecturer in Old English at University College, Exeter.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 11 September 1929
EXETER - "Hold My Hand." Tragic Statement Read At Exeter Inquest. Child Drowned. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy City Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at the Court House, Exeter, concerning the death of KATHLEEN MARY GEORGINA HOLMES, 4 ½ of 19 Melbourne-street, who fell off the Quay at Exeter on Monday and was drowned. - FRANK HOLMES, father, said the child had been accustomed to play on the Quay, and on Monday night his wife went out and deceased went to the Quay with a boy friend. - Reginald Green of 56 West-street, said that after telephoning for help he dragged a spot in the river pointed out by a little boy with a pole close enough to the bank owing to a lot of rubbish lying beside it. - James Westcott, of 35 West-street, a Council employee, said he was attracted to the spot by shouting. He obtained a small pair of grappling irons and recovered the body after six casts. - P.C. Collins spoke to applying artificial respiration in company with P.C. Dooling until the arrival of the doctor. There was nothing, added witness, to prevent a person falling into the water. A few feet from the edge were some rails, which rendered that part of the Quay very dangerous. - Dr Pereira Gray said life was extinct when he arrived. The body bore the usual appearance of death by drowning. - Detective-Constable Pittkin read a statement taken from William Eyles, 3, of 49 Holloway-street, as follows: "I was playing engines with KATHLEEN on the lines and spinning tops. She was near the water and facing it. She whipped the top, which fell into the water and then fell after it. She came up and said, 'Hold my hand,' and then went under. I looked after her, but didn't see her, so I ran and told her mother." Witness added that the child was quite intelligent. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Drowning through falling into the river."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 16 September 1929
EXETER - The Pinhoe Tragedy. Inquest Adjourned. - The Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, opened an Inquest on Saturday at the Court House, Exeter, on PETER ERNEST SEWARD, aged five of 2 Park-lane, Pinhoe, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on Thursday from injuries sustained through being knocked down by a motor car at Pinhoe on Thursday last. - ERNEST WILLIAM SEWARD, general warehouseman, identified the body as that of his son. Deceased attended Pinhoe School, and had to cross the main road. He was a normal child and his sight and hearing were good. About three months ago, however, he had a temporary affection of the ears. - It was stated that the driver of the car had proceeded to Cornwall and the Inquest was adjourned until tomorrow at 4 o'clock. - Mr T. J. Templeman was present on behalf of the parents of the deceased.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 16 September 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Washing Tragedy. Seaton Inquest. - An Inquest was held at the Town Hall, Seaton, on Saturday, on the son of MR BERTRAM and MRS BILLOWS, aged one year and ten months, of Sidmouth-street, Seaton. The mother said that on Thursday she was doing some washing and emptied a boiler of clothes into a bath on the floor. With her mother she turned to get another bath of cold water. The child ran towards the bath, slipped and fell backwards into the bath of boiling clothes and water. She immediately got him out, took off his clothes, applied olive oil, and sent for the nurse and doctor. MRS ELLEN LOARIDGE, mother of MRS BILLOWS, corroborated. The Deputy Coroner, Mr Dunning: What depth was the bath? - MRS BILLOWS: About 10 in., to a foot high. Dr A. J. Smart said he found burns on the back and inner side of the arms with a considerable degree of shock. The next day the child was worse and had convulsions due to shock. Everything had been done by the mother and grandmother before he arrived. "Death due to Convulsions and Shock, caused by Burns," was the verdict returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 18 September 1929
EXETER - Pinhoe Tragedy. Coroner And Dangers Of The School Entrance. Jury's Rider. - The view that the dangerous portion of the road should be seen to by the school authorities or the authorities concerned was expressed by the Jury in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" at the adjourned Inquest at Exeter yesterday on PETER ERNEST SEWARD, 5, of 2 Park-lane, Pinhoe, who was knocked down by a car when crossing the road on his way home from school on Thursday. - William Charles Harris, painter, of 4 Southland-terrace, Pinhoe, said he was at work opposite the school when a heard a cry and looking round, saw a little boy falling to the ground, having, apparently, been knocked by the off-side of a motor-car that was passing. Witness picked up the child, who was taken to a doctor in the car within five minutes. Witness picked up a pair of child's braces where the impact appeared to have occurred. - Cross-examined by Mr T. J. W. Templeman (for the parents): Witness said the car pulled up in its own length. - P.C. Potter said there was a dent and a mark on the road extending a foot or fifteen inches, as though something had struck the road and been dragged along it. - By the Deputy Coroner (Mr H. Linford Brown): There was no path outside the school. The hedge belonged to the school authorities. There was plenty of room for a path to be made. A child could not see the road until it was outside the school gates. - The Deputy Coroner: Any danger to a child going to the village could be obviated by a path on the school side? - Witness: Yes. - "Fissures In All Directions." - Witness said there was a warning sign 82 yards from the school gates. Witness read a statement by Violet Allan, of Pinhoe (who was waiting outside the school), in which she said she saw deceased hit by a car, and looked away, as it shocked her. The child was being picked up when she looked again. She heard no sound of impact and estimated the car's speed as moderate. - Harry Greenwood, father of the driver, of 295 Lee-road, Gainsborough, said they were driving about 15 miles an hour. He saw the child on the mudguard trying to turn. - Frank Greenwood, bank clerk, of Ventnor, Isle of Wight, said he had driven from Clayhidon on that day. He saw a number of children on his off-side at Pinhoe, but did not know a school was there. He noticed a child about 20 yards away, but showing no inclination to cross. When nearly level the child dashed across the road, and was caught by the off-side mud-guard, carried on to the lamp and thrown back on the road between the wheels. Witness did not think the wheels went over the child. - He could do nothing to avert an accident. - Dr Pitt, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the child was operated upon soon after admittance, but died later. The skull was severely fractured and there were "fissures in all directions." - The Deputy Coroner, in summing up, said it was not at all a good part of the road - it was only 21 feet wide and had no path on the school side. "It is a very indifferent school entrance and exit. Child cannot see up or down ..... I think all the children going out of that school in that direction are in danger of being knocked down by cars," he added. - Mr F. P. Cottey expressed the sympathy of the driver to the parents. P.C. Potter associated himself with the sentiment on behalf of the Deputy Chief Constable.

Western Times, Friday 20 September 1929
SOUTH MOLTON - Death On Holiday. Boy's Leg Caught In Cutting Machine. South Molton Fatality. - The sad story of how an eight-year-old boy while spending a holiday with his aunt, MRS STOLEY, North Hill Farm, South Molton, ran in front of a machine while it was cutting rough grass and died from injuries received to one of his legs, was unfolded at an Inquest held yesterday by the North Devon Coroner, Mr Geo. Brown, at the Cottage Hospital, South Molton, where the child was conveyed immediately after the accident on Sept. 5th, and where he died on Wednesday morning. - The deceased was ROBERT HANCOCK, son of MR ROBERT HANCOCK, manufacturers' agent, of No. 9 Mount Beacon, Bath. - The accident was described by MR ROBERT STOLEY, cousin, who was driving the machine at the time. He said he shouted to the horse pulling the machine as the animal was not going very well. Deceased ran from behind the machine, unobserved by witness, evidently with the intention of striking the horse. Witness pulled up almost instantly but one of the boy's legs was caught in the end of the knives of the machine. Medical aid was at once summoned and the lad was taken to the Hospital. - MR STOLEY added that the accident occurred soon after he had commenced cutting. The boy had been with him before and had had everything explained to him regarding the working of the machine. - Dr Reynolds, locum tenens for Dr Seal, of South Molton, who treated the injury immediately after the accident, and who attended the lad regularly afterwards, said deceased had a lacerated wound on the left calf and some small arteries had been severed, but there was not much haemorrhage at the time. The same day, at the Hospital, the wound was repaired under an anaesthetic. The boy progressed well until the 9th when he had a secondary haemorrhage. He was also present at an anaesthetic given by Dr Mortimer. Portions of the damaged muscle started coming from the wound but the lad continued moderately well until Monday night last when he had another slight haemorrhage. When the wound was dressed the following day there was no bleeding and the lad appeared to be going on satisfactory. Early on Wednesday morning witness was called as the boy had had a secondary haemorrhage and witness co-operated with Dr Mortimer, but the boy died during the afternoon. The cause of death was secondary haemorrhage due to milk poison in the wound. - "Ought that to have taken place as you were both quickly on the spot and dressed the wound?" asked the Coroner. - Witness: You have no control over it if there is infection like that in the wound. - Dr Reynolds remarked that it was a very common occurrence during the wear, no matter how soon the wounds were attended to. - He mentioned that one of the bones in the boy's leg was cut right through. - The Matron at the Hospital, Mrs Tudball, said the child received every attention possible to give him, and the relatives present expressed their satisfaction that this was so, while the Coroner in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" also concurred.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 September 1929
TOTNES - Killed On Line. Evidence At Inquest On CAPTAIN BONE. The Verdict. - The Inquest on CAPT. ARCHIBALD FREDERICK BONE, retired Indian Army, who was killed by an engine on the G.W. Railway, between Totnes and Tigley signal box, on Thursday, resulted in a verdict of "Suicide while of Temporarily Unsound Mind." - William Harold Foss, of Tennaton Farm, Diptford, a farmer, with whom deceased had been residing, stated CAPT. BONE was in pretty good health except for what seemed like an apoplectic fit occasionally. He was very reserved. He always left the farm to cycle to Brent each morning to fetch his papers at about 10 a.m., getting back usually in time for lunch. Deceased did not have any delusions, but at times was very vacant. On Thursday morning witness said to him, "You're off early this morning CAPTAIN," to which CAPT. BONE replied, "Yes." Witness afterwards found that he had not had his breakfast, which was a very unusual occurrence. Witness was almost certain deceased did not have any financial worries. CAPT. BONE had a wife living, but she was in a mental institution. When deceased received his pay he usually had drink. - Leonard George Courtier, of 57 Addison-road, Milber, Newton Abbot, engine driver, stated that he was driving an engine from Rattery to Totnes, running tender first. He came to Bighill Bridge and something caught his eye on his left-hand side under the bridge. Although he did not feel any bump, he stopped the engine, got off and found the body of a man. - P.C. Sanders deposed to removing the body and added there was no highway to the spot where CAPT. BONE was found; there was a beaten path. The bridge was an accommodation one to farmers, and led to other fields. He could find no trace of a bicycle and there were no wheel marks to indicate that a bicycle had been there at all.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 September 1929
CHARDSTOCK (DORSET) - Hanging From Tree. Ex-Service Man's End At Chardstock. Gruesome Find. - GEORGE J. PRINCE (47), who had been missing since Monday from Chard, was found hanging from a tree on Burridge Farm, Chardstock. - Deceased went for a walk on Monday morning and when they were returning PRINCE told his companion to go on in front and he would follow later, but he did not appear. - What was described as a trail of half-pennies was discovered near the scene, but inquiries showed that the trail, consisting of eight half-pennies and one farthing, had been placed there some days before by a local lady of charitable inclination, and were intended as a surprise for local children. They had nothing to do with the tragedy. - At the Inquest yesterday, Mr S. Hawker, of Silver-street, Chard, said he had known deceased for over 20 years and he was a native of Combe St Nicholas. He was a moulder by trade. On Monday PRINCE complained of feeling unwell, but appeared to be of sound mind. He was an ex-Service man, single and had lived apart from any of his relatives for several years. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was recorded by the Coroner for East Devon, Mr C. N. Tweed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 24 September 1929
LEICESTER - Fatal Wobble. How Torquay Speedway Man Met His Death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at Leicester, yesterday, on ROY SIMS REEVES, 22, of Torquay, dirt track rider, who was killed at Melton-road Speedway, Leicester, on Saturday. - The widow said her husband had ridden on tracks at Exeter, Cardiff, London and other places. On September 14th he damaged his machine, and had since been riding a borrowed one. She was present at the Speedway on Saturday and saw her husband ride in the first heat of the scratch race. He crashed at the top bend on the second lap. The rider immediately behind managed to avoid him, but the third man struck him just as he was rising from the ground. - "I was not informed of his death," said witness, bursting into tears, "until later in the evening, but I knew." - MRS SIMS REEVES added that in August, 1928, when riding at Wimbledon, her husband broke a leg. - It was stated that REEVES was a daring speedman, and also a skilful trick rider. - The Track Manager said that REEVES got into a wobble through over-broadsiding.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 25 September 1929
EXETER - Child's Death. Tragic Occurrence At Broadclyst. Coroner's Verdict. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy City Coroner, held an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the death of THOMAS CHARLES TAPLEY, aged 21 months, of Broadclyst. EDWIN TAPLEY, of High Burraton, Broadclyst, father, said deceased was one of twins and quite healthy. Witness was told the child picked up an apple from an orchard and began eating it. He was playing with other children with a piece of the apple slipped down his throat. Witness's wife endeavoured to move the obstruction with grease. The child was later taken to a local doctor, who ordered his removal to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - Dr Pitt, House Surgeon at the Hospital said the child on admission was suffering from an obstruction in the air inlet at the top of the lungs. He telephoned for Dr Carroll, of St Thomas, as it was a specialist's job. The child went to sleep while waiting for Dr Carroll. Witness received an urgent call from the Sister, and ran along to the surgery, but the child was dead. Witness opened a passage but the child made no voluntary effort at respiration. It was probable that the child suddenly choked through shifting its position. - A verdict was returned that death was due to asphyxia, caused by a piece of apple being lodged in the throat.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 25 September 1929
EXETER - Gas Poisoning. Young Exonian's Tragic Death. Inquest Story. - The Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, with regard to the death of EDWIN JOHN TUCKETT, a 20-year-old decorator, of 25 Monkswell-road, Exeter, who was found dead at his home on Monday evening with his head in a gas oven. - REGINALD HARRY TUCKETT, a brother, said deceased enjoyed good health, although he remained home one day last week when feeling bilious. Witness had attended the funeral of an uncle on Monday afternoon, but his brother did not go, as he was working. Deceased was a very deep thinker. - MARJORIE TUCKETT, aged 15, said on returning from school she found her brother lying on the scullery floor with his head in the oven. The taps were turned on, and her brother had supported his head on some pillows. She dragged him out and went for Mr Goulding, a neighbour. - William Goulding, of 23 Monkswell-road, said after taking deceased out into the back yard he fetched a Constable. Life seemed to be extinct when he first saw deceased. - John Steer, of 4 Ebenezer-court, Paris-street, Exeter, a workmate, said that when he went to deceased's home at 2 o'clock to pack gear on a motor-cycle to go out on a job TUCKETT complained of having a bilious attack and said he would not work that afternoon. He mentioned that his uncle was being buried that afternoon. About two months previously, when the uncle had been ill, deceased said that his uncle was the only person who really understood him. - Dr Pereira Gray said death was due to asphyxiation following gas poisoning. - The Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" said that deceased, a quiet, studious fellow, was evidently more affected by the death of his uncle than the rest of the family realised. He expressed sympathy with the relatives of deceased.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 25 September 1929
SEATON AND BEER - Broken Skull. Seaton Artist's Ride Home After Accident. Unusual Case. - An Inquest was held yesterday at No. 1 Westcliff-terrace, Seaton, by Mr C. N. Tweed, sitting with a Jury, of which Mr T. Foot was Foreman, concerning the death of MR SYDNEY THOMAS SLADE, artist, who died from injuries received through falling from a motor-cycle on the Honiton-road. - MISS MILDRED SLADE said her father went to Honiton on his motor-cycle on Saturday, leaving home about 11 a.m., and returning about 2 p.m. She noticed that his face was grazed, and asked him the cause of it. He replied that he had had a spill going down a hill in avoiding some cattle. She bathed his forehead and he said he would like down as he felt sick. Later witness sent for Dr Smart. Replying to the Coroner, witness said her father seemed quite normal in his conversation. She last saw her father conscious on Saturday night and on Sunday she thought he was sleeping, but the doctor told her he was unconscious. - Dennis Baily, of Northleigh, said he was driving bullocks on the Honiton road and saw deceased coming towards him at Marlpit Gate. He swerved to the right and was thrown. Witness asked him if he was all right and he replied that he was and continued his journey on his machine. - Harry Trim, solicitor's clerk, said deceased called at their offices and asked to wash his hands as he had had a spill. - Dr H. J. Smart said when he saw deceased he had signs of severe concussion, but was able to describe the accident. He gave him medicine to prevent him being sick and called again on Sunday, when he found him unconscious. He considered he had a fracture at the base of the skull. - The Coroner: Would you expect him to talk normally with that? - Witness: It does happen at times, but is unusual. - The Coroner remarked that it was a long time between deceased's departure from Honiton and his arrival at Seaton, and he was wondering whether he met with a second accident. - Dr Smart said MR SLADE might have lost his memory or rested on the way. - MISS SLADE said her father had some moss in his pockets when he arrived home and perhaps the delay occurred in picking that. - The Coroner, in summing up, said deceased had made very light of the accident. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and sympathy was expressed with the family.

Western Times, Friday 27 September 1929
TAVISTOCK - Thrown Through Windscreen. A Plymouth Motor Cyclist Dies In Hospital. The Mayor Of Launceston Escapes Injury. - A motor cycle collided with a motor car about a mile on the Postbridge side of Two Bridges, Princetown on Sunday. The car was being driven by Mr Edward Hicks, Mayor of Launceston, who was accompanied by Mrs Hicks. On the motor cycle were MR F. W. FIELDING and Miss Margaret Price (riding pillion), both of Plymouth. MR FIELDING was thrown through the windscreen of the car and sustained a compound fracture of the right leg, a laceration of the left knee and a badly cut face. He died in Tavistock Hospital on Monday night. Miss Price, who was thrown over the windscreen of the car, was cut under one of her arms. the cycle was smashed. Mrs Hicks sustained head injuries. Mr Hicks was not injured and was able to drive the injured cyclists to Tavistock Hospital. - The Inquest on MR FIELDING was opened by the District Coroner, Mr A. Kenneth Johnstone, at Tavistock, on Tuesday. Evidence of identification only was taken, and the Inquiry was adjourned until next Thursday. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 1 October 1929
EXETER - Killed By Nut. Sherborne Boy's Mishap At Football Match. Exeter Inquest. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy City Coroner, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday afternoon, on VICTOR JAMES PIKE, aged 10, of 119 Bradford-road, Sherborne, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday through having swallowed a hazel nut. - MISS GERTRUDE ETHEL PIKE, sister of the boy, identified the body. Deceased had always enjoyed good health. On September 21st her brother went to a football match and, on returning home, said he had swallowed a hedgenut while trying to crack it. He remained in bed on Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday, as breathing was difficult, a doctor was summoned. On Friday he was ordered to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - Dr Kanaar, House Surgeon of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the boy was X-rayed on Saturday, but the nut itself could not be seen. An operation was performed at 2.30 p.m. He died 10 minutes after going back to the ward. The cause of death was destruction of the mucous membrane of the left lung, accelerated by the operation. - Mr Robert Worthington, Hon. Throat Surgeon at the Hospital, described how he tried to locate the nut by the use of a bronchus tube, but failed. The post mortem showed that a nut had been lodged in the windpipe. Death, in his opinion, was due to bronchial pneumonia set up by the presence of a foreign body. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 1 October 1929
EXMOUTH - Accidental Death. Jury's Finding In Exmouth Motor Smash. Harold Soper's Story. - The Inquest on DOUGLAS PERCY TOOZE, R.N., of Littleham, who was involved in a motor cycle crash on the Salterton-road in August, was concluded last night. Mr R. McGahey represented Harold Soper and the father of deceased. Mr F. P. Cottey held a watching brief. The proceedings attracted a fair number of the general public. - Charles Edward Fairclough was recalled for cross-examination by Mr McGahey. He said he met the men about 10.30 p.m., but did not shout to them as they went by. It was not due to his shouting they had a side-slip. After they had passed he heard a crash, and went back about 150 yards, and asked if they were all right. TOOZE began to air some Service grievances, and then started to fight witness. Soper did not come between them. In the scuffle witness hit Soper in the face. The second fight occurred after TOOZE spoke to witness, and Soper then came along and said something to the effect that "If you want to fight anyone you had better fight me." Witness had not hit TOOZE, and he acted the whole time in self-defence. He got away from the men eventually at about 10.45 p.m., and after hiding in the neighbourhood of the Cranford Hotel, reached Exmouth at 2.45 a.m. - Mr McGahey: Do you suggest either of these men were so drunk they could not control a motor cycle? - Witness: I do not suggest that; I only suggest they had been drinking. - Were they so drunk as not to be able to drive the machine? - Witness, after some hesitation, said it was difficult for an ordinary person to decide. In reply to the Foreman, witness said in his opinion the men were fit to drive the motor cycle, but the question was whether they would take risks they would not have taken otherwise. - Edgar Robert Buller Grant said that after stopping the second fight he picked up the motor cycle, which was facing Exmouth, and turned it towards Littleham. Soper then returned, got on the motor cycle, and turned it towards Exmouth, and rode off with TOOZE on the back. He drove in perfectly normal manner, and witness considered he was fit to drive the cycle. - Soper's Story. - Soper then went into the witness-box. He said he called for MISS TOOZE with whom he was keeping company, at about 7.15 p.m. on August 1st. He stayed some time, went round the garden, and, on coming back to the house, met deceased, who was working at the back of the house on his motor cycle. Deceased then asked witness to go with him to Countess Wear, as he wanted to see a friend before he went off leave. Witness agreed to go and it was 8.30 exactly as they passed Littleham Church. TOOZE, who was riding the cycle, with witness on the back, then said it was too late to go to Countess Wear, so agreed to go around Woodbury Common for a ride. They came back to Withycombe and called at the Holly Tree Inn, where they had a game of darts and one drink of Burton. Mr Stocker then took them around the back and showed them his brewery. The left at 9.10 p.m. Witness then rode the bicycle and they then went to the pier and stayed a little while, afterwards going for a ride across the sea front to Orcombe Point. They then came back to the Heavitree Arms, where they had two drinks. Witness's was beer and TOOZE had whisky and peppermint. They left there at about 10 o'clock, TOOZE riding the cycle, and witness riding behind. They went across the front and up the Salterton-road to go home. - When they were about 500 yards from TOOZE'S house, continued Soper, they passed three people walking back - two girls and a chap. As they passed, one of them shouted. TOOZE pulled up quickly, which caused the bicycle to skid on to its side. - The Deputy Coroner: Did it turn over? - Witness: Yes. The chap, he added, came back to them and asked if they were hurt. They said "No," and asked him what he shouted for. He said they nearly knocked him down, or drove into him. An argument started between TOOZE and the man, and witness believed it was over a naval grievance. TOOZE told the man he need not swank, as he also was in the Navy and then gave his name to the man. Witness saw they were getting nasty and on the point of hitting one another, so he interfered. As he interfered he had a blow in the face from the sailor and then struck him back. Then they got into a clinch. - Mr McGahey: Why did you interfere? - Witness: I wanted to take my friend's part. Soper added that when they came up to the Navy man the second time TOOZE jumped off and went to speak to him. Witness was then riding the bicycle and TOOZE on behind. TOOZE went up to the Navy man, and the next thing witness knew was that TOOZE was holding his face, the sailor having struck him in the face. - Witness, after a number of questions, said he did not know Fairclough, but now recognised him as the Navy man concerned. After the fight, he added, TOOZE said they had better not go home in case his mother saw they had been fighting, so they rode around the sea front to pass the time away until his mother would be in bed. - The Accident. - Soper added that he remembered passing some cars as they went up Salterton-road, and one had just passed before the accident, but he remembered nothing about the accident. TOOZE was driving in top gear, and quite normally; he thought about 25 miles an hour. The lamp was burning and giving a good light. He had no idea what caused the accident. - The Deputy Coroner: We have heard of three drinks during the evening. Had either of you had anything to drink during the day? - Nothing during the day. TOOZE was working on his motor cycle all day and had not been out. - What is the first thing you remember after the accident? - I was in the Hospital. - Was TOOZE an experienced motor cyclist? - Yes; he has had a motor cycle three or four years and had ridden it a lot. - Edward Metcalfe, licensee of the Heavitree Arms, High-street, Exmouth, called by Mr McGahey, said the two men, whom he knew, came to his house between 9.35 and 9.40 p.m. on August 1st and left at about 10 o'clock. TOOZE had two small whiskeys and peppermints. Soper had two glasses of Burton. In witness's opinion, both were perfectly sober when they left, and he could not tell they had had anything more than they drank in his house. As they left both said "Good night," and TOOZE added, "I will see you tomorrow before I go away," as his leave was up. - The Deputy Coroner having addressed the Jury, the Foreman, after a brief retirement, said the Jury had agreed to a verdict of "Accidental Death," and that there was no evidence to show how the accident occurred.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 2 October 1929
EAST BUDLEIGH - Salterton Suicide. Identification Of Body Found In Wood. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Of Unsound Mind" was returned by Mr R. B. Dunning, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, yesterday, at an Inquest held at the Parish Hall, Budleigh Salterton, concerning the death of JAMES HAYWOOD, whose decomposed body was found hanging in a fir plantation near Budleigh Salterton Golf Links. - Mrs Emma Lavis, 22 Camperdown Road, Exmouth, widow, said the deceased had lodged with her for about twelve months. She last saw him alive on the morning of August 29th, when he left the house without saying anything. She had given him notice to leave, as she required the room he occupied. He had been rather depressed for some time, but had never threatened to commit suicide. Witness considered that he was in financial difficulties. - Replying to Inspector Dart, witness said she did not report the man's disappearance to the Police because his brother did not consider the matter worth it; deceased had acted in a similar manner before. - Frank Hook, Lawn Road, said he had known deceased for about twelve months, but he had never spoken to witness of his financial position. - FRANK HAYWOOD, of Wells, brother of deceased, said that one time he owned a milk business, but for twelve months preceding his death was unemployed. Witness identified a letter found at his brother's lodgings, written apparently to witness. In this deceased said¨ "I have not been feeling very well lately. When I go out walking I come over all giddy in the head." - E. F. Burch, Egremont Road, Exmouth, described the finding of the body, which was hanging from a tree-stump. Evidence was also given by P.S. Holman, who said there was no sign of a struggle, and no injuries had been sustained.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 2 October 1929
EXETER - "Suicide." Exeter Octogenarian's Death. - The Inquiry into the circumstances of the death of WILLIAM JAMES MARTIN TOMS, 85, of 3 Faulkner's Place, Magdalen-street, Exeter, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, to which he was admitted with wounds in his throat on Sunday, resulted in a verdict of "Suicide" being returned by the Deputy Exeter Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, yesterday. The Deputy Coroner added there was not sufficient evidence to determine the state of deceased's mind. - Evidence was given to show that deceased had grieved over the death of a grand-daughter a fortnight ago, and that on Sunday night he was discovered in his bedroom with throat wounds. A razor was found between some cushions.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 4 October 1929
ROSEASH - Roseash Lady's Death. Hunting Field Tragedy. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned yesterday by the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, at an Inquest concerning the death of MISS ELEANOR TEMPERLEY HARLE, aged 39, of Woodhill, Roseash, who was thrown and killed while out with the Dulverton Foxhounds at Batsworthy Moor, Roseash, the previous day. - Mrs Mary Hancock, wife of the Joint Master, gave evidence, and said in her opinion the pony must have got on the top of the bank, caught its hoof in the blackthorn binder (which was broken) and "pecked," or jerked, so that deceased fell forward on her head. There were no marks on the pony to suggest it had fallen. - Dr G. Lowe (Tiverton) said death was caused by a fracture of the neck.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 October 1929
TORQUAY - Coroner And Bus Driver. Torquay Inquest. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Torquay concerning the death of BENJAMIN JOHN EASTERBROOK, aged 48 years, Army pensioner, who died in the Torbay Hospital. He was knocked down while crossing the street by a Devon General omnibus, driven by Patrick Coyle. The Coroner said the driver of the bus was driving in a proper manner, and acted with commendable promptitude when he saw the man.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 8 October 1929
EXETER - Bus Driver Exonerated. Broadclyst Child Runs Into Roadway. Inquest Evidence. - At the Court House, Exeter, last evening, the Deputy Coroner for Exeter, Mr H. Linford Brown, held an Inquest on GILBERT SAMUEL SPILLER, aged three, of New Buildings, Broadclyst, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday from injuries received when he was knocked down on Friday night by a long-distance 'bus. The Deputy Coroner had the assistance of a Jury. - Mr M. J. McGahey watched the proceedings on behalf of Arthur Powell of 32 Nicholas-road, St Mark's, Bristol, the driver of the 'bus. - ETHEL SPILLER, mother of the child, said her husband, JAMES SPILLER, was a labourer. New Buildings, Broadclyst, were on the main road. She did not know until after the accident that the child was playing near the roadway. - William Harris, corn merchant, of Meadowhayes, Broadclyst, said on Friday, about 7 p.m., he was near Broadclyst Post Office, when he saw three little boys playing on the footpath just outside New Buildings. Witness saw a motor 'bus come along in the direction of Exeter. He heard the hooter of the 'bus sounded. The 'bus stopped suddenly. Witness went to the spot and found the little boy lying in the road. His head was about a foot from the pavement. The 'bus conductor picked him up. When witness previously passed the children two of them (including deceased ) were sitting on the path apparently cracking nuts. Witness did not actually see the boy struck. The 'bus was going at a moderate pace and there was no question of the driver attempting to over-take any other vehicle. - Gladys Reed, of New Buildings, Broadclyst, said she was walking on the footpath towards New Buildings. She saw two little boys on the footpath. When the 'bus was nearly up to him, within a few feet, one of the children went into the road. The 'bus was on its correct side. The hooter of the 'bus was sounded as it came around the corner. The driver pulled up as quickly as he could. The vehicle was not going fast. The child was struck by one of the rear wheels, and appeared to be "turned over and over" and thrown against the kerb. - Twisted Boot. - By Mr McGahey: The child did not run off the pavement until the 'bus was nearly parallel to him. - P.C. Palmer produced a sketch of the scene of the accident and also the child's left boot. the latter was twisted and had a graze on the side, similar to that which would be caused by a tyre. - Arthur Powell, who elected to give evidence, said he drove for a Bristol firm. On Friday last he was driving a Leyland-Lioness 'bus from London to Paignton. He knew the road well, having been on it about three months. As he came round the bend at Broadclyst and entered the straight road, he saw two children playing on the pavement. As he was practically abreast of the children, one of them ran into the road. Witness was not sure whether he had struck the child. He applied his brakes and pulled up. The conductor picked up the child. Witness did not think at the time that the child was seriously hurt. He had slowed down to pass a Devon General 'bus. He could not give an estimate of his speed, but through a village he always travelled at a moderate pace. - In answer to Mr McGahey, witness said his vehicle was about two feet from the kerb. There was no element of danger as far as he could see. The deceased had his back to witness as the 'bus approached./ - Dr F. Kanaar, of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital on Friday at 7.30 p.m. He was unconscious and died at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday. The child was suffering from concussion. A post-mortem examination revealed an extensive fracture of the vault of the skull and lacerations, especially to the right half of the brain. The injuries were most likely to have been caused by the child striking the road. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver from any blame. - Mr McGahey expressed the sympathy of the driver with the parents of the child, a sentiment in which the Jury joined.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 10 October 1929
BROADCLYST - Great Risk. Young Blacksmith's Fate At Rockbeare. Leaving Moving Bus. - "He took a very great risk," said the Deputy District Coroner, Mr G. H. Stephens, at an Inquest at Hillside Cottage, Broadclyst, yesterday, on SAMUEL JAMES LAKE, of Burrington, who was fatally injured at Rockbeare, on Monday, after alighting from a bus while it was in motion. "It is risky business jumping from a vehicle travelling very slowly, but to jump from one travelling at 12 to 15 miles per hour is very dangerous indeed." - Mr T. J. W. Templeman, of Messrs. Dunn and Baker, Exeter, represented the Devon General Omnibus Company. - SAMUEL LAKE, carpenter, Burrington, father of deceased, stated that his son, who was a blacksmith, employed by Mr Gooding, of Rockbeare, lived at home with him. He was 22 years of age. On Monday morning deceased left Tiverton, where he had been staying for the weekend with his sister, to go to work. - Arthur Pratt, of Hillside Cottage, Broadclyst, said that at about 9.45 on Monday he saw deceased standing on the steps of a Devon General Bus which was travelling from Exeter. The bus had slowed down to take a corner, and was travelling at about 12 m.p.h. Deceased jumped off before the bus stopped, with his face towards the rear. As his left foot touched the ground he wheeled around to his left against the side of the bus. Witness then saw the bus lift as if it had passed over him. He ran towards the bus and found deceased lying face downwards on the road with his head towards the centre. When witness reached him he turned right over on his back. - "He was living when I reached him, and looked into my face and said, "Oh! oh Mr Pratt! Oh my God." - Witness then fetched assistance and went for a doctor. - Witness, in reply to Mr Templeman, said that the driver had no indication that deceased was about to get off. - Miss Evelyn Fildew. of 86 Old Tiverton-road, Exeter, stated that she was in the bus when the accident occurred. Just before deceased alighted he spoke to the driver, but witness could not hear what he said. Deceased then got up and again spoke to the driver. He got on the steps, and, facing the rear of the bus, deliberately stepped off. Witness saw nothing more, but felt a bump and guessed that something had happened to deceased. As far as witness could see, the driver could have done nothing to avoid the accident. - Witness, in reply to a Juryman, said deceased did not seem to be ill in any way. - Harry George Woollcott of 23 Silver-street, Ottery St Mary, driver of the bus, said that 200 yards from the blacksmith's shop deceased got up and reminded him that he wanted to be set down at the shop. Witness was going at about 15 m.p.h., and would not have needed to commence to pull up until he was within 20 yards of the shop. Witness was looking straight ahead, and had no idea that deceased had left him until he felt the bump. The bus did not lurch in any way that might have thrown deceased from the steps. Witness thought that while deceased was talking to him he looked very pale. - Ernest Frederick Faulkner, 35, Mill-street, Ottery St Mary, conductor, stated that, just before the accident, he was standing behind the deceased. Witness did not notice deceased go down the steps. He felt the bump almost immediately after he saw deceased conversing with the driver. Had witness noticed the deceased going down the steps he would have tried to stop him. - Dr A. Glenn, of Pinhoe, stated that deceased had a considerable amount of fluid, probably blood, in his stomach, which might have been caused by a wheel going over him. The actual cause of death was internal haemorrhage. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death by Misadventure. " - On behalf of the Devon General Omnibus Company, Mr Templeman expressed sympathy with deceased's parents.

Western Times, Friday 11 October 1929
TORQUAY - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at Torquay, Tuesday, on DENNIS WILLIAM BRADFORD MIDDLEWICK, 49, a mason's labourer, who died in the Hospital from injuries sustained when he stepped off the pavement at St Marychurch and was struck by the wing of a passing 'bus. The driver of the vehicle was exonerated from blame.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 11 October 1929
BOVEY TRACEY - Prussic acid was said to have been the cause of death of REGINALD BLACK, 28, a dental mechanic, found dead in his employer's workshop. The Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings, said deceased had worried over a matter which he would not mention. He returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 15 October 1929
EXETER - The Pocombe Crash. Inquest Adjourned. - Sitting with a Jury, the Deputy Exeter Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, opened an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, on REGINALD FRANK BEER, aged 25, of Cutteridge Cottage, Ide, who (as exclusively announced in yesterday's "Gazette") died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital early the same morning from injuries received as a result of being knocked down by a motor cyclist when walking near Pocombe Bridge on Sunday evening. Mr S. Ernest Crosse appeared for the parents of deceased, and Mr Twiggs was elected Foreman of the Jury. - ALBERT BEER, the deceased's father, gave evidence of identification. He said his son was employed as a carter by Mr French, corn merchant, of St Thomas's. - The Deputy Coroner, at this stage, adjourned the Inquiry until November 12th at 4 p.m. He said one of the two men on the motor cycle was lying seriously ill at the Hospital and it would be at least a month before he could attend and give evidence. It was not yet even known who was the driver.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 15 October 1929
TAVISTOCK - Tavistock Tragedy. Inquest Verdict. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned yesterday by Mr A. K. G. Johnstone, County Coroner, at an Inquest at Tavistock concerning the death of ELIZA ANN MONAHAN, who disappeared from the home of her sister, at Tavistock, on the night of October 5th, when there was a heavy storm. The body, unclothed except for shoes and stockings, was found in the river Tavy at Bere Ferrers, ten miles away. - George Hill, quarryman, said that deceased, who was 54 years of age, had been separated from her husband for 33 years, and was living with him. They visited her sister's house and had some ale. Deceased went out and he did not see her again. He made a search and informed the Police. - "It has been said that you objected to her going out to work. Is that so?" asked the Coroner. - Witness replied in the negative, and further denied that he had said that if she was going out to work he was going to stop at home and stay in bed. They had had no quarrel about that. - Mary Ann Spear, sister, said that deceased was perfectly sober when she visited her. - "But you stated to the Police that when she went to you house she was under the influence of drink," said the Coroner. - "I thought she was from her talk," replied witness, who, after some hesitation, confirmed the opinion she had given to the Police.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 18 October 1929
EXETER - Blood Poisoning. South Devon Farm Injury. - The Deputy Exeter Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, has conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, on WILLIAM HOSKIN, aged 48, single, a farm labourer, of East Hayes, Cullompton, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday from blood poisoning. - MISS A. P. HOSKIN, a sister of deceased, gave evidence of identification. Up to quite recently he had been living with her, doing odd jobs, but left to go to a farm near Buckfastleigh. When he left Cullompton he was in perfect health, so far as she knew. She had heard that some years ago he suffered from blood poisoning, but he was then treated at home. Her brother was a healthy and strong man. - Mrs E. F. Andrews, Zempson Farm, South Brent, said the farm was actually in the parish of Dean Prior, near Buckfastleigh. Deceased entered her employ on October 2nd as a farm labourer. He then appeared in good health, but on the 3rd tried to move a stone in a stream, and injured the forefinger of his left hand. It was a mere scratch, and he made no complaint until the evening of the 5th when he said his finger was bad and he had not felt up to much all day. The next day, on her advice, he showed the finger to a doctor and treatment was then prescribed for it. On October 7th he felt much better, but on the 8th deceased said he thought he had influenza, and she told him to stay in bed. This he did, and she sent for the doctor, who saw him once that day and twice the next. On October 10th he was removed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. - Dr F. D. Kanaar said deceased was admitted suffering from blood poisoning. He was then seriously ill, and died early on Sunday morning. The poisoning , so far as he could ascertain, was due to the injury to the finger. - A verdict of "Death from Misadventure" was returned. [Note: Exeter & Plymouth Gazette, Thurs. 24 October 1929 - In our report of the Inquest concerning the death of WILLIAM HOSKIN, of East Hayes, Cullompton, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, deceased should have been described as a farm manager.]

Western Times, Friday 18 October 1929
IPPLEPEN - Head Blown To Pieces. Ipplepen Man Who Worried Over Being Out Of Work. - It was stated at the Inquest at Ipplepen on Monday on THOMAS EDWARD ROGERS, aged 53, a labourer employed at Greenhill Farm, Ipplepen, who was found shot dead in an orchard on Monday, that he probably worried over the fact that he would be out of work at the end of the week. - Mr G. Windeatt, Deputy Coroner, recording a verdict of "Suicide while of Temporarily Unsound Mind," said he had known deceased since his boyhood days, and he had always been cheerful, but had apparently worried lately as he was going to be out of work. - A nephew, WILLIAM JORDAN ROGERS, of Liverton, said his uncle appeared quite normal when he last saw him, and Mark Hopkins Moore, farmer, of Ipplepen, said ROGERS was always cheerful, but no doubt worried when he knew that he was going to lose his job. - Jessie Anne Savery, of Greenhill Farm, who had employed ROGERS for the past four years, said she heard him walking about at 5.30 a.m. on Monday. She went downstairs and, finding the cows were not in, went to the cowshed and found that ROGERS' gun was missing. She discovered deceased in the orchard, lying back against some logs of wood. She thought that the fact that she was giving up farming at the end of the week, which consequently meant that ROGERS would have to leave, might have worried him, but he never mentioned anything with regard to taking his life. - Dr Sealy said ROGERS' head was blown to pieces. It appeared that he placed the gun between his legs with the muzzle against his throat and released the trigger with his feet.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 18 October 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - The death of GEORGE HOOK, 74, a boatman, formerly of Coombe Cellars, who was found wandering near Stokeinteignhead with a broken arm, was said at an Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday to have been due to gangrene. Mr Riggs, of Stokeinteignhead, who attended the man and sent him to Newton in a car, was thanked by the Coroner and Police.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 18 October 1929
EXETER - Exeter Inquest. Wonford Woman's Death. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Exeter Coroner, conducted an Inquest yesterday on SARAH STONEMAN, aged 46, of 28 Morgan's-buildings, Wonford, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Tuesday following an operation. WILLIAM HENRY STONEMAN, husband, identified the body. Some years ago his wife had an operation, but was all right up to Monday, when she stayed in bed because of pain. The next day she was removed to the Hospital. Mr Pitt, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted at 1.45 p.m. on Tuesday in a critical condition suffering from hernia. After examination it was decided to operate at 2.30. The operation was concluded and she was taken back to the word, where she died at 9.40 without fully regaining consciousness. The immediate cause of death was shock following the operation for strangulated hernia. A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 October 1929
EXETER - Fatal Skid. Exeter Lad's Bicycle Caught In Tramline. Inquest Story. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held at Exeter yesterday on ALFRED SYLVANUS FEWINS, aged 14, of 32 Russell-street, Exeter, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital as the result of head injuries caused by falling from his bicycle on Wednesday. - The mother (a widow) who identified the body, said her husband was killed in the war. Her son started work in the holidays with Mrs M. E. Hoare, 121 Old Tiverton-road, a provision dealer. He had no bicycle of his own, but had ridden on those of other lads. She knew he had to ride a bicycle in the course of his employment delivering goods. The accident occurred on Wednesday morning and he died in Hospital at 10.45 on Thursday night. - P.C. Brown said FEWINS and another boy passed him in Blackboy-road. FEWINS was riding between the tram lines and the other boy was riding on FEWINS'S near side. FEWINS crossed from the loop line to the single line and the front wheel of his cycle caught in one of the tram lines. The boy was thrown over the handlebar, his head striking the ground. He was unconscious when reached by witness, who, with assistance, got him into a motor car and removed him to Hospital. He was riding at quite a moderate speed, and there was nothing reckless in his manner. The bicycle was in excellent order. - Mr J. H. Pitt, House Surgeon, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said FEWINS was unconscious when admitted. There were bruises on both temples and a small cut over the bridge of the nose. He was suffering from concussion. He became worse on Thursday and died at 10.45 the same evening. Death was due to laceration of the brain, which was consistent with a fall from a bicycle. - The Jury, in returning their verdict, expressed sympathy with the lad's widowed mother. Mr F. P. Cottey, who represented the lad's employer, associated himself with this and said Mrs Hoare felt the accident very acutely.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 24 October 1929
COLYTON - Farmer's Worries. Unhappy At Home And About To Change Farms. Distressing Colyton Case. - A sad case of domestic unhappiness was unfolded to the Deputy Coroner for East Devon, Mr B. R. Dunning, who held an Inquest at Hamberhayne Farm, near Colyton, yesterday morning, on the occupier of the farm, PERCIVAL WILLIAM MILLER, aged 49, who was found shot in a hay shed the previous morning. It was revealed in evidence that deceased's second wife had signified her intention of leaving him, and that he had also worried about changing farms. - Evidence of identification was given by the widow, ELIZABETH JANE MILLER, who said she last saw her husband alive at 2 o'clock in the morning of Tuesday. He did not go to bed and witness left him sitting in an arm chair in the kitchen. She went upstairs but did not get into bed because her husband said he would not go to bed. - The Deputy Coroner: Was there any difference of opinion? - Witness: He knew I was leaving him. - Why were you leaving your husband? - I was very unhappy here. - Why? - We did not get on together; my husband, the children by his first wife, and I. - When were you leaving him? - I was leaving him yesterday (Tuesday). - Do you suggest that you were on one side and your husband and children on the other? - Yes. - How long had you been married? - Twelve months last February. - Had you ever threatened to leave him before? - I have left him before; I went on a Friday and came back on the following Wednesday. - That was not very long; who asked you to come back? - He came and fetched me back. - When did the differences start? - About three months after we were married. - What was the nature of the differences? - I was not allowed to be mistress in the home. - You felt that, as his wife, you should have control of the house? - He promised I should have. - How was it that promise was not fulfilled? - I don't know. - Did you keep on impressing this upon him? - Yes. - You were on speaking terms; for instance; you did not sit through the whole of a meal and not speak? - Sometimes we did, but not very often. - Were there any differences about money? - I was kept very short of money. - Who took the money from the dairy? - MR MILLER. - Who took the money for the eggs? - MR MILLER. - Were the quarrels worse than usual on Monday? - No. - Night Before The Tragedy. - You had expressed your intention of leaving him soon; in fact, you had named the day? - Yes; I was going home to my mother's on Thursday. - Witness stated that on Monday evening they were sitting in the kitchen - her husband, his daughter, a young man working there, MR MILLER'S nephew, and herself. - The Deputy Coroner: What about his son? - Witness: He came in about 9 o'clock. - Continuing, witness said her brother called at the farm and she went out to him. He called to know what day she was going home. - The Deputy Coroner: What time did deceased's daughter and the young man who was staying here go to bed? - About 9.30. - What time did you go upstairs? - About 10.30. - What happened between 9.30 and 10.30? - Witness said the deceased was reading a newspaper. She came downstairs after about half an hour and asked him if he was going to bed. He said he would be up in a few minutes. Witness went up to bed again for another half an hour. She then came down and repeated the question. Deceased said he was not going to bed. - He put on his hat and coat and went out into a field. Witness followed him in her nightdress. She went around the field with him, but he did not say anything. - Deceased returned to the house and again sat in the chair. He had said that night that he was tired of everything and wanted to finish everything. He had made threats of this nature before. Witness went to her brother, who lived about 20 minutes' walk away and told him that, instead of coming home on Thursday, she would do so on the following day (Tuesday). When she returned she found her husband in the chair. It was then he said he was not going to bed that night. Witness finally went upstairs, but did not get into bed. In the morning she came downstairs about 7 o'clock. The fire was lighted. Witness thought her husband was doing his usual work. She did not see him in the morning as a rule until he had done his milking. Subsequently, the young man who worked there came in and said he had bad news - that MR MILLER was lying dead, shot, in the hay shed. - By P.S. Taylor: Her husband usually kept the gun in the corner of the kitchen, but she had not seen it there for some time. - Daughter's Evidence. - HARRIET EVELYN MILLER, aged 17, daughter of the deceased, referring to the night before the tragedy, said her stepmother's brother called and asked for her father. They were outside some time and she heard talking as if they were arguing. Her father came in shaking with the cold. She asked him if he was going to warm himself, and he replied that "he had had enough warming." He was upset. Witness went to bed about 9.30. She did not undress but lay on the bed. - The Deputy Coroner: What were the family relations during the past 12 months? - Witness: We didn't agree. - Yourself and your father on one side and your stepmother on the other? - Witness showed hesitation in answering questions in regard to the differences. - P.S. Taylor: What is about the housekeeping? - Yes; if I did anything my stepmother would always come and look and say it was wrong. - The Deputy Coroner: Did you resent your stepmother's presence in the home? - I only used to do what my father told me. - He did not tell you to resent her presence, I suppose? - No. - Lately had your father been depressed more than usual? - Witness replied to the effect that her father was often depressed. - Was your father doing all right here? - He always said he was not and he was leaving this farm next March. - Perhaps that worried him? - He said he did not care about going; he was going to Beer. - By P.S. Taylor: Witness had heard her father threaten to commit suicide, but she never thought he meant it. - Samuel Letten, of Staycraft Cottage, Colyton, said he had worked for the deceased for about four years. Witness found him in the hay shed dead. A gun was resting on the floor. The muzzle was between deceased's knees and pointing towards his chest. - The Deputy Coroner: Was he a cheerful man? - Witness: Yes, "fairish." He heard deceased threaten to commit suicide on one occasion. It was a long time ago and witness did not take him seriously. - Ernest George Bastable, baker, and confectioner, of Colyton, said he had heard deceased threaten to commit suicide on several occasions, the last time being Saturday. Witness saw him in the farmyard then, and asked him how he was getting on. Deceased said "it was not any better." He asked witness, "why he could not be master in his own house." - The Deputy Coroner: You could not tell him that? - Witness: I have told him before how to be master; he said he was tired of it all. - Do you know what was worrying him? - There was the worry of the home and there was the worry of going out of one farm into another, which is a worry for any man. - MRS MILLER'S Brother. - WILLIAM ROBERT NEWTON, of Gittishayne, Colyton, brother of MRS MILLER, said he called at Hamberhayne on Monday evening. He went there to find out what time his sister was coming home on Thursday. Deceased wanted to know what they intended to do. - The Deputy Coroner: He wanted your opinion as to whether your sister was doing right? - Witness: I asked him if he thought he was doing right by treating her as she had been treated. - What was all this about? - I don't think the daughter and my sister could get on. - The Deputy Coroner: So I had gathered. - Witness added that the daughter wanted to be mistress of the house "and keep his sister as a dog." He was at the farm on Monday night from half to three-quarters of an hour. - The Deputy Coroner: What else happened? - Witness: I told him he had taken his cream to my sister's for three years, but he should not do so any more, and that I would e up on Thursday to fetch my sister. - Did you discuss any terms of separation? - I said my sister could come home and go on the parish, "and they might make him (deceased) pay for it." Witness added that he did not wasn't deceased's daughter down to his place any more because they could not believe what she said. - P.S. Taylor: Have you told anybody you came out here on Monday night and gave the deceased a good dressing-down? - Witness: No. - Dr McMorland described deceased's injuries. The wound could have been self-inflicted and death was instantaneous. - P.C. Beare deposed that one barrel of the gun had been discharged; there was a live cartridge in the other barrel. In one of deceased's pockets was a note addressed "To my dear children." - The Deputy Coroner, summing up, said evidence was very clear as to the cause of death, but not quite so clear as to the more remote circumstances leading up to it. In the first place, deceased seemed to have been worried by the prospect of leaving the farm next Lady-day, and secondly - and this no doubt was the more serious worry - by differences with his wife, who had left him once and was going to leave him again in a day or so. It was impossible for him (the Deputy Coroner) to say who was responsible for these differences, which might have been magnified and probably were by the deceased, who no doubt was not in a very stable mental condition. Deceased seemed to have expressed his intention to commit suicide to one or two people. In a note which he left he asked his children to forgive him for what he was doing, but he could not stand it any longer. "By that," said the Deputy Coroner, "I suppose he meant the troubles, real or imaginary, which he felt were too much to bear. He asks his son, ALLAN, to take care of his sister for their mother's sake and go right away from this part of the country. He also refers to his will." - The verdict was "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 24 October 1929
EXETER - The Pocombe Crash. A Second Victim. - Mr H. Linford Brown, Deputy Coroner, sitting with a Jury, opened an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, on STANLEY CLIFFORD CARTHEW, of Willey's-cottages, Sticklepath, near Okehampton, who died yesterday in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, from injuries received in an accident at Pocombe-bridge, on Sunday, the 13th inst., when a motor cycle collided with a pedestrian. - WILLIAM CHARLES CARTHEW, busman, of Pollybrook-cottages, Woodbury, identified the body as that of his brother. Deceased was a motor engineer, aged 21, but did not own a motor cycle. - The Deputy Coroner adjourned the Inquest until 3.30 on November 12th, when the adjourned Inquest on Reginald Beer, another victim of the accident, will be resumed.

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1929
DREWSTEIGNTON - At an Inquest conducted by Mr H. C. Brown on the body of MISS JESSIE AGNES MORTIMORE, aged 26 years, of Venton Farm, Drewsteignton, who was found drowned in Bradmere Pool, her brother said that when he and his brothers left the farm at midday on Tuesday to dig potatoes, his sister appeared to be in her usual state of health. On his return he found tea laid, but his sister was not in the house. When she did not put in an appearance he made inquiries, but as he could not find her he informed the Police. She had seemed a bit depressed about a fortnight ago, but had never threatened to take her life. She had been under treatment for a nervous breakdown. - Mrs Allen Maud Drew, of Venton, said that when she called at the farm on Tuesday afternoon for some cream she saw MISS MORTIMORE. She seemed to be in a bit of a hurry and said she was not feeling well and was miserable and did not want to be there. She appeared very nervy and strange. At times she was very miserable and took no interest in things. - Constable Godfrey said he found the woman's body floating in Bradmere Pool on Wednesday morning, and Dr Purves, of Chagford, said death was due to drowning. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned. - The funeral took place in the Drewsteignton Churchyard on Sunday, the Rector (Rev. A. R. Welldon Peek) officiating. The principal mourners were the brothers and sisters and other relatives. There were many beautiful floral tributes. Deceased was carried to her last resting place, a distance of over three miles, there being over 100 men present, who reverently relieved each other at regular intervals during the journey. It was one of the most largely attended funerals seen at Drewsteignton for a considerable time.

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1929
DAWLISH - Dawlish Leat Mystery. Open Verdict At Inquest On A Naval Reservist. - "Found Drowned" was the verdict recorded by Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner, at Dawlish, on Tuesday, at the Inquiry into the death of ELLIOTT LYDDON CROSS, age 52, a labourer, whose body was found in the Mill Leat on Sunday. - Evidence of identification was given by a sister, SOPHIA JANE CROSS, of Woodbury, who said she had not seen or heard from her brother for 10 years. He was invalided out of the Navy during the War. - Henry Charles Widger, market gardener, Barton Gardens, Dawlish, said he found the body in about five feet of water. - Frederick Carter, High-street, Dawlish, said CROSS had lodged with him for about two months, during the whole of which he was in work, except for the first week. CROSS was asked to leave and he did so on Saturday. On many occasions CROSS described himself as a "fraud" and an "imposter," and said he would do away with himself, but witness took no notice as it was said so often. Before leaving CROSS said he had obtained some medicine from a doctor, who told him he was drinking too much and starving himself. - Dr F. J. H. Cann said death was due to drowning. - Constable Thomas said in the clothing there were three £1 notes and a half a crown, but no letters.

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1929
OTTERY ST MARY - Roadman Killed Near Home. Inquest On An Elderly Fairmile Man. Jury's Fees To The Widow. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned at an Inquest at Fairmile, near Ottery St Mary on Saturday on THOMAS SYERS, a roadman, aged 72, of Fairmile, who died as the result of a motor accident outside his home near Fairmile on Friday night. - John Allan Titterton, of Norhayes, Honiton, said he was driving his car from Honiton to Exeter, accompanied by Dr John Scott. He was proceeding up Fairmile Hill at about 25 miles an hour. A car was coming in the opposite direction. He slowed up to pass it and when practically level with it suddenly observed SYERS, who appeared to be standing about six feet from his car. Witness stood on the brake and swerved to the off-side toward the other car, but apparently hit the man over with the left-hand headlamp. Some part of the car passed over him. Witness pulled up in about a length." - His passenger, Dr John Scott, summoned help from a nearby cottage, which eventually proved to be SYERS' home. Another doctor was sent for. - Police Sergeant Wonnacott produced a mangold in two pieces and witness agreed that one piece had been found on the near side of the car and the other piece on the far side of the road. He imagined it had been cut in two by his number plate, which was only six inches off the ground. - Dr John Marshall Scott, of Southernhay West, Exeter, said SYERS died about ten minutes before the arrival of another doctor. - Constable Milton, Ottery St Mary, said he found the near side headlamp of Titterton's car bent backwards and the near side lamp broken off. He subsequently found in the road footmarks of a man who was apparently crossing the road to the house. The footmarks ceased about six feet from the near side. - Medical evidence showed that deceased died of a fracture of the base of the skull. - In returning their verdict, the Jury intimated that no one was to blame. The Foreman of the Jury, Mr Baker, expressed sympathy with the widow, to whom the Jurymen's and witnesses' fees were handed.

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1929
CHAGFORD - A Chagford Woman Who Drank Crude Carbolic Acid. - At an Inquest at Chagford on Sunday, on MRS LUCY HOLMES, widow, of the Square, Chagford, a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned. Deceased was the previous day found lying dead on her bed and by her side was an empty bottle which had contained carbolic acid. Dr Brice (Chagford) aid death was due to drinking crude carbolic acid. 

Western Times, Friday 25 October 1929
READING, BERKSHIRE - Allhallows Master's Death. Found Dying On The Line At Reading. An Open Verdict. "No Suggestion Of Suicide" Says Coroner. - Returning an Open Verdict at the Inquest on MR GEORGE HENRY GILLETTE, 39, an assistant master at Allhallows School, Honiton, who was found lying between the lines near Reading West Junction on October 7th by a signalman, the Reading Coroner, Mr J. L. Martin, said deceased was found dying on the railway line, but how he came to be there seemed obscure and mysterious. - "There does not seem to be any suggestion of suicide," said the Coroner to the Jury. "I think you will be wise to return an Open Verdict." - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead on the Great Western Railway." - Deceased was travelling in a Reading-going train. He was severely injured and died by the side of the railway four minutes after he was discovered. - The Rev. Arthur L. Watson, Vicar of Aldworth, Berks, said he had known the deceased for a number of years. Witness knew of nothing which would cause deceased to take his life. - Dr J. A. White said the deceased received severe injures - head and bodily. Death was due to laceration of the brain, following fractured skull. Death must have been instantaneous. The injuries were consistent with deceased having fallen from a train. - "Going To See His Sister." - Mr Frederick John Middlemist, headmaster of All Hallows School, said deceased had been at the school for sixteen years. Witness said he saw deceased on October 7th at Taunton Station. Witness added "He was going to Aldworth to see his sister before going to London for an operation. He was suffering septic tonsils, which caused a certain amount of deafness and I advised him to have the operation. When I said good-bye to him at Taunton he appeared to be normal and everything seemed to be all right. He was a very temperate man." - The Coroner: Was there any money or love trouble? - Witness: None. - Was everything all right at school? - Yes, he was a very competent master and was loved by the boys. - Did you ever hear him say anything about suicide? - Never. - Signalman's Discovery. - George Nicholls, a signalman at Reading West Junction, said he saw the body of a man lying between the up and down relief line soon after five o'clock on the evening of the 7th. He lived four minutes after witness found him. He was unconscious, lying on his back. A ticket to Goring was in deceased's pocket and apparently he came off a train which passed a few seconds before. Later his suitcase, hat and stick were found in a carriage of that train at Goring. - Witness said he found deceased's glasses, smashed, ten yards away from the body. - Fred Victor Pugh, a porter, who examined the train at Goring, said the door of the compartment in which he found deceased's belongings was shut. the window as wide open and the glass was broken and splintered as if it had received a blow. It was a corridor train. - Coroner: Were there any signs of a struggle? - Witness: No, but on the floor were boot marks as if someone had shuffled their feet in an agitated manner. - A Juryman asked if money or anything else was missing from deceased's pockets and Police Sergt. Andrews said everything was in order.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 November 1929
CHUDLEIGH - Chudleigh Tragedy. Coroner And A Ton-Ton Runaway Load. - At the Inquest at Chudleigh yesterday on WILLIAM HUMPHREYS, 54, of Old Exeter-street, Chudleigh, it was said he was motor-cycling up the hill from the Station when a runaway London motor lorry knocked him over. - Dorothy White, of Palace Farm, said the lorry first struck one of a herd of cows she was driving. - Charles Stevens, of London, the driver's mate, said that coming down Haldon he noticed a smell as of burning brakes. After passing the cows neither of the brakes appeared to function and the lorry gained speed. - Harry Taylor, the driver, said he left Bristol at 5 p.m. on Tuesday for Brixham with a ten-ton load, which was usual for that type of vehicle. The brakes gave out on Station-hill. - The Coroner: How you got 15 tons down that hill upright is more than I can understand. - Witness: It was a terrifying experience. I am more sorry than I can say. - Mr F. A. Townsend, of Balls Ltd., Newton Abbot, said he found the brakes burned out. He had never known a lorry of that type take a load of 10 tons. - The Coroner, in adjourning the Inquest said if it were a fact that the driver was sent over the country with a lorry carrying a cargo which his employers must have known involved a risk, the matter was a serious one.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 November 1929
AXMINSTER - Mystery Of The Line. Inquest On Man Killed At Axminster. Harrow Associations. - Other than an unemployment insurance card, stamped for two weeks in July, and bearing the name of CHARLES VICKERS of 42 Crown-street, Harrow, nothing giving proof of identity was found on the body of a man killed on the Southern Railway, at Axminster. An Inquest was conducted at the Axminster Poor-law Institution yesterday morning by the Deputy Coroner for East Devon, Mr B. R. Dunning, who had the assistance of a Jury, with Mr J. N. Webster as Foreman. The Jury was unable to say whether the man met his death by accident or committed suicide. - The Southern Railway Company was represented by Inspector Layton and Permanent-Way Inspector T. Coombes, of Exeter, and Detective Smith, of Yeovil Junction. - William Edward Sweetland, a ganger in the employ of the Southern Railway Company, said that at about 8.20 a.m. the previous day, something like half a mile west of Axminster Railway Station, he found the body of a man on the railway. It was lying against the up rails, and the head was facing towards Axminster Station. About seven yards from where the body was lying witness saw some spots of blood on sleepers. It was likely that an up train killed the man. The body was cold. Deceased's hat was about seven yards and his left boot about another eleven yards away. The nearest roadway was about 100 yards distant. Witness reported the matter to an Inspector, and the Police were communicated with. The last up train before the discovery passed the spot about three minutes after eight, and the last down train about 7.57 a.m. - The Injuries. - P.C. Stanning deposed to visiting the spot about 9 a.m. The body was lying as described by the previous witness. Deceased had sustained extensive injuries to the left side of his face and head, the skull was smashed, and the left forearm and both legs were fractured. From the point where he was first struck deceased was carried about seven yards; his left boot was ripped off and carried about another eleven yards. A search of the clothing revealed an unemployment card made out in the name of CHARLES VICKERS of 42 Crown-street, Harrow. The serial number was 28186, and the local office was given as Doncaster. The card was stamped for two weeks in July this year. There was a health insurance card similarly stamped; also a pawn ticket made out at Stoke Newington, but the writing on this was not plain. A tobacco tin contained a paper advertising the firm of Gough Bros., tree-fellers, of 114 Hines-road, Harrow. - By P.S. Conbeer: It appeared from the condition of the left arm that deceased was lying on the metals - or, at least, his arm was across it - when struck. Deceased was seen in Axminster the previous evening, between 4 and 5 o'clock, but the Police did not know where he slept the night. A report had been sent to the Harrow Police. - The Deputy Coroner, summing up, said inquiries had been made whether any engine bore traces of having struck a man, but none had been found. It was possible that deceased might have been crossing the line from the cricket field to get to the plate-layers' hut for some purpose. The only evidence bearing on the possibility of suicide - and that was very slight - was that the left arm was so badly injured that it was probable one of the wheels of the engine actually passed over it. It was possible that the man was crossing the line when struck by the engine, knocked down, and that one of the wheels passed over his arm. - The Jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence to prove whether death was accidental or due to suicide, but that deceased was CHARLES VICKERS, late of 42 Crown-street, Harrow, about 60 years of age and apparently unemployed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 5 November 1929
TAVISTOCK - Plymouth Man's Death. Dartmoor Motor Fatality. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" with no blame attributable to the Mayor of Launceston, was returned at an Inquest yesterday, at Tavistock, concerning the death of FREDERICK WILLIAM FIELDING, 24, insurance inspector, of Plymouth. The Mayor was driving across Dartmoor when a collision took place between his car and a motor cycle driven by deceased, who was hurled through the windscreen and died later in Hospital from a ruptured lung.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 6 November 1929
SIDMOUTH - "It Went - Oh, God!" Dramatic Evidence At Sidmouth Inquest. Jury's Rider. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest conducted by the Deputy Coroner for East Devon, Mr B. R. Dunning, at Sidmouth Police Station, yesterday, on HAROLD LESLIE HEARD, 20, whose parents live at 93 Clifton-street, Exeter, who was fatally injured while being shown the working of a humane killer. The Jury added a rider to the effect that the ammunition should be kept separately from the gun by a responsible person. - Evidence of identification was given by PERCIVAL EDWARD HEARD, a brother. - Charles Alfred Taylor, of 2 Denleigh-terrace, Sidmouth, who was in a state of collapse while giving evidence, said he was employed by Messrs. Selley, Bros., butchers, of Fore-street. He called for deceased at his lodgings, 4 Sidbrook-cottages, at 7.30 a.m. on Monday, and together they drove in three fat bullocks from a field. One they left at Mr F. Holmes', by whom deceased was employed, and the other two they drove to the slaughter-house of Messrs. Selley. HEARD went into the slaughter-house and picked up a sheep gun which was kept in a box. Deceased then noticed a humane killer and asked if it were a new one. Witness replied "No, it has been cleaned," and picked it up for a moment to look at. Deceased had the sheep killer in his hand, pulled the trigger, and said "It won't work. How does it work?" - "I put it up against him and tried it," continued witness, "and it went - Oh, God!" - Deceased "walked about" and then said, "It's gone through me!" He walked across to the kitchen and witness put the gun down somewhere and followed. Deceased collapsed slowly on his right side in the kitchen and looked at witness, but did not say anything. - The housekeeper was in the kitchen and rushed for Mr Selley. Replying to the Deputy Coroner, witness said he was accustomed to the gun and had slaughtered animals with it. It had a safety-catch but it was difficult at a glance to see if it was loaded. He last used the gun on Monday week. He never loaded the gun until he wanted to use it. He did not know it was loaded. He could not explain why the gun did not explode the first time, but deceased might have done something while witness walked across the look at the other killer. - Florence Elsie Vincent, housekeeper to Mr Selley, said she thought the two were fooling when she first saw them. HEARD was saying, "It's gone through me," and they went into the kitchen. Witness called Mr Selley and, on returning, saw deceased sink to the floor. She knew the lads were the best of chums. - Frederick Theodore Selley, of Messrs. Selley Bros., said he found deceased lying on his side. Witness saw he was badly hurt and fetched Superintendent Irish, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who 'phoned for a doctor. It was difficult to see when either of the killers used was loaded. Both Taylor and Spurway, the other slaughtermen, were accustomed to the killers. Witness had not the faintest idea how the killer came to be loaded at the time of the accident. - Arthur William Irish said he found deceased unconscious and groaning. Witness discovered a bullet mark which appeared to be over the heart. - Wallace Spurway, of 6 Pathwhorlands, Sidmouth, employed by Mr Selley for five years, stated that he last used the sheep gun on Wednesday, when Taylor was with him. Witness put the gun back in its place unloaded, and had not touched it since. He had never found it loaded when he used it. Questioned by Inspector Dart, witness said three sizes of cartridges were used in the gun for different animals, but only one cartridge at a time could be used. It was impossible for a cartridge to be put in and forgotten. It was usual to leave the empty case in the breech, and this would have to be taken out before re-loading. - P.C. Knowles produced the fatal pistol and the coat deceased was wearing. - Dr W. S. Campbell said deceased was dead when he arrived. There was a bullet mark on the left breast and the charge had, apparently, severed a large blood vessel. - The Deputy Coroner, summing up, said Taylor did an incredibly foolish thing; not only did he pull the trigger, but, knowing how to use the weapon, actually pressed the muzzle against his friend's chest without ascertaining whether it would go off. - After the verdict had been given, the Deputy Coroner said the Jury had not seen fit to comment on Taylor's action, but he thought it would be a lesson that would last all his life. Who did load the gun they would never find out. - The Deputy Coroner and the Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 14 November 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Structure Collapses. Newton Labourer's Death. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Newton Abbot on FREDERICK WALTER WYATT, 19, labourer, of Broadlands-avenue, Newton Abbot. Evidence showed that deceased was helping to fix girders in connection with the erection of a travelling crane at the West of England Sawmills, Newton Abbot, when, during a particularly strong gust of wind, the whole structure collapsed, and deceased was pinned underneath. Dr J. J. Scrase deposed that death was due to a fracture of the spine in the region of the neck. The Deputy Coroner said it seemed from the evidence that the work was being carried on in a proper manner. By an accident the chain became uncoupled, and what at that time was a fixture became a dangerous structure, and, unfortunately fell, owing to a strong gust of wind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 14 November 1929
EAST BUDLEIGH - A Mystery. Young Woman's Death At East Budleigh. Inquest Adjourned. - "The organs appeared healthy, but the whole body was in a peculiar condition," said Dr H. F. Semple, of Budleigh Salterton, when giving evidence yesterday at an Inquest on IRIS MAUD CHARLOTTE SMALL, 21, single, of East Budleigh. Mr G. F. Stephens, of Exeter, the Acting-Coroner, adjourned the Inquest for three weeks for an examination of the organs. - WALTER JAMES SMALL, labourer, East Budleigh, identified the body as that of his niece, daughter of HENRY JOHN SMALL, bricklayer, of Middle-street, East Budleigh, who had been living with him for the past 18 months for the purpose of looking after his wife, who was an invalid. Deceased had always been high-spirited and jolly until about six weeks or two months ago, when she told his wife she was not feeling very well. His wife advised her to see Dr Semple, which she did, receiving some medicine. She visited Dr Semple regularly up to last Saturday, when she received some pills. She took a pill after a meal on Saturday and after dinner on Sunday. The dinner was the last meal of which she partook, her appetite failing completely. She was keeping company with a young man, and during Sunday afternoon ate some sweets he brought to her. She spent a very restless night, called witness about midnight and told him she had an awful pain in her back. It was the first time she had complained of pain. Witness thought she had a cold and told her he would put on some extra bedding and a hot-water bottle, which he did. "She then went very quiet," he continued, "and told me to go to bed." About an hour or more later she called him again, and said she still had the pain and felt sick. She was sick and just after 5 o'clock, as she did not show any improvement, he got on the telephone to the doctor. The doctor arrived shortly afterwards, examined her, and promised to send her some more medicine. A little time before she died spots were noticed on her face. He sent word of this to the doctor. She died, as far as he knew, about 10 o'clock on Monday morning. Deceased did not confide in him very much, but he knew she was suffering from something, although she did not say what it was. "I suppose she was the brightest girl in the village," he concluded. - Doctor's Evidence. - Dr H. F. Semple, of Budleigh Salterton, said the deceased had been coming to him for the past few weeks suffering, apparently, from anaemia. He gave her bottles of medicine containing iron salts. He did not think there was anything wrong with the girl, and she was in perfectly good health. He was called on Monday morning, and, noticing there was no change in her condition, gave her pills containing iron. Witness was again called to see the girl on Monday morning about 7 o'clock. He went immediately and saw she was semi-delirious, but conscious. He was informed by her uncle that she had been delirious during the night, and had experienced pain in her back, and he then noticed several other symptoms. She was slightly feverish, and suffering from a dark rash about her body and legs. During the process of examining her he began to suspect her condition. He prescribed for her. About 9 o'clock the same morning Mrs Palmer called for the medicine and told him that the rash had come out on deceased's face, and that her head was getting discoloured. He had a message not long after to the effect that the girl was dying. He went immediately, and found the girl dead when he arrived. He could not then say what was the cause of death; the symptoms were unusual, and the girl had died so suddenly. He made a post-mortem examination, assisted by Dr Solly, of Exeter. The body was blue all over, and the change was so sudden that he was unable to account for it. As a result of the autopsy they found all the organs were healthy, but the whole body was in a peculiar condition. The stomach and its contents, with other organs and samples of blood, had been sent to be analysed. - The Inquest was adjourned to December 4th.

Western Times, Friday 15 November 1929
EXETER - Schoolboy's Death. Sequel To Fall In Playground At Rockbeare. Inquest Story. No Blame Attached To Anyone. - Mr Gilbert Stephens, Deputy Coroner, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death", at an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, on Tuesday, on KENNETH CHARLES CLAPP, who died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, on Monday, as the result of injuries received from an accident at the Rockbeare Village School on September 23rd. - CHARLES FREDERICK CLAPP, a labourer, employed by the Southern Railway, and residing at Rockbeare, identified the body as that of his son. He stated that deceased was 5 years of age and up to the time of the accident attended the village school. On the 23rd of September last the boy met with an accident, while at the school, and was taken to the Hospital. Witness understood he had fallen against a brick wall. He was not detained at the Institution, but made an out-patient. The wound was dressed periodically by the District Nurse. About a week after witness took him back to the Hospital, because of sceptic trouble in the wound. He was not detained. As the boy was apparently making no progress, Dr Case, of Talaton, was called in on October 15th, and attended deceased several times. Last Wednesday he saw him again and on Friday he advised his removal to the Hospital, as witness was not satisfied with his son's condition. The boy was admitted to the Hospital on Friday evening and detained. He passed away on Monday morning. - Dr Herbert Kaitz, House Physician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, stated that he first saw deceased on the Friday night he was admitted. He was suffering from bronchitis on the right side of the chest and looked ill. Witness had him removed to the Observation Ward. He examined the wound on the forehead, but nothing was visible except an old scar. In the evening, on visiting him in the ward, witness discovered a slight weakness on the face. He did not attribute this to the accident at the time, and it was not until Sunday that he noticed that the weakness had increased. On making an examination, witness came to the conclusion that the boy was suffering from a cerebral abscess, which he suspected as resulting from the accident. He considered an operation necessary, and this was performed early on Monday morning. As the result of the operation a diseased bone was found beneath the scar. It was not visible before the operation. The bronchial trouble was not the result of the accident, but due to excessive weakness through lying in bed for so long a period. The signs of an abscess such as this was extremely difficult to discover. - Sylvia Endacott, aged 14 years, of Rockbeare, stated on Monday, September 23rd, she was playing in the school grounds, and deceased was also playing there with a number of other boys. He was at one end of the playground and was about to run to the other end, when he stumbled over a brick which was lying near the wall. Witness saw him fall, his head coming into contact with a brick pillar, jutting out from the wall. Deceased was picked up by Fred Whackley, one of the boys. His head was bleeding. The schoolmistress was informed, and the boy was removed. No one was near him when he fell. - Albert Gordon Smith, aged 14 years, of Rockbeare, said deceased was stunned by his fall, but only bleeding a little from the forehead. - In returning the verdict, the Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives and added the affair was a pure accident, no blame being attached to anyone.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 20 November 1929
CHUDLEIGH - Lorry Driver Commended. Coroner And Chudleigh Tragedy. Resumed Inquest. - Mr E. Hutchings, Coroner for South Devon, resumed the Inquest at Chudleigh yesterday concerning the death of WILLIAM HENRY CHARLES HUMPHREYS of 44 Old Exeter-road, Chudleigh, who died from injuries sustained when a runaway lorry crashed into his motor cycle on Station-hill on October 30th. After retiring for 20 minutes the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and added a rider: - That they considered the accident occurred through the failure of the brakes of the lorry, caused by excessive over-loading, due to negligence on the part of the company, and that the driver was to be commended for the manner in which he acted under the circumstances. - Mr E. Lloyd (Harold Michelmore and Company, Newton Abbot) represented the widow and Mr Mayburne M. Pearse (Plymouth) appeared for Messrs. Goodchild, of London, owners of the lorry. Superintendent Willcocks watched the proceedings on behalf of the Police. - Henry Taylor, garage proprietor, of Chudleigh, said he examined the lorry with Mr Townsend. It was designed to carry six ton two cwt., and it was a great risk to load the lorry with ten tons for a long journey, and might account for the brakes giving out. - P.C. Cotland produced a consignment note certifying that the lorry was carrying ten tons of oxide to Brixham. - Albert Stanley Simmons, employed by Messrs. Goodchild, as engineer, said he prepared the lorry for the journey to Devonshire, and it was in perfect running order. He did not do anything to the brakes, but examined them after the lorry was loaded with just over five tons of goods. About four days before the lorry left London the footbrake was re-lined. During the four days the lorry went to Birmingham and back, after which witness adjusted the brakes. - In reply to the Coroner witness said he would have sanctioned the lorry being loaded with ten tons. He considered it was capable of carrying 14 tons. The original driver of the lorry was changed on the route as he was taken ill, and the new driver was instructed to pick up a load at Bristol, but was not told what the weight was. - The Coroner at this point read an extract from a letter from Leyland Motors, Ltd., stating that the legal load of the lorry was six tons two cwt. - Mr Lloyd: Your company allows lorries to go about the country not knowing how much they will be called upon to take? - Witness: It has worked all right in practice. - Superintendent Willcocks pointed out that the axle weights which were painted on the sides of lorries were for the information of those concerned in loading them. - John E. L. Beare and Alfred Parker, service superintendent and automobile engineer at Leyland Motors, Ltd., gave evidence that the brakes were not effective and that the overloading must have seriously affected the safety of the vehicle. - Harry Taylor, the driver, re-examined, said that lorries were often loaded with more than they were supposed to carry. - In summing up, the Coroner said if it were true that a lorry built to carry six tons was sent about the country carrying ten tons then it was time that such a practice was stopped - and stopped sharply. The evidence showed that the driver was driving carefully but he was a stranger to Devon. - "The more I think of what happened, the more I am amazed," added Mr Hutchings, "that he could take a runaway lorry down that hill, passing eight cows, two motor cars and several pedestrians and cyclists, without killing more people." - He thought that Taylor acted with commendable pluck and skill, and he hoped that his employers would remember it. The evidence given on behalf of Messrs. Goodchild was not so satisfactory as might have been expected. If there was a question of negligence it came under the category of civil and not criminal negligence.

Western Times, Friday 22 November 1929
EXETER - Pocombe Bridge Fatality. Deaths Of Motor Cyclist And Pedestrian. Resumed Inquest. - At the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, the Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, and a Jury resumed the Inquest on REGINALD FRANK BEER, aged 25, of Alphington, and STANLEY CLIFFORD CARTHEW, aged 21, of Sticklepath, the victims of a motor cycle accident near Pocombe Bridge. - Albert Beer, of Cutteridge Cottage, Ide, said he was in his house on the night of the accident when he heard a motor cycle stop in an unusual manner. The two deceased were brought into the cottage, together with a man named Woods, who could hardly walk. Witness went into the road and saw, by marks, where the accident had occurred. The cycle had skidded for several yards. - Replying to the Foreman of the Jury, witness said he did not consider the accident was caused by the skidding of the cycle. - Leslie West, Prospect Cottage, Ide, said on Sunday, October 13th, he went for a long walk with BEER. They had reached Cutteridge Cottage on their return when witness heard a motor cycle coming. The road was lighted up for some distance ahead by the lamps. The machine hit BEER and carried him along for 45 feet. BEER and CARTHEW were rendered unconscious. After the accident Woods said to witness, "Why did you not keep in out of the way>" Witness replied that they were in out of the way. - STANLEY CHARLES BEER, brother of one of the deceased, said he was sitting in Cutteridge Cottage just before 10 o'clock when he heard a crash. He immediately went out and saw a motor cycle lying in the road on its correct side. Two men were lying on the ground and Wood had just risen to his feet. - P.C. Redwood said at the spot where the accident happened, there were a small ditch, and a four feet grass margin. The distance from the supposed point of impact to where the motor cycle came to rest was 43 ft. Witness later saw the driver of the cycle at the Travellers' Rest Inn, and he said, "They were skylarking about in the road, and I was only going about 15 miles per hour. - In answer to a Juror, witness said the grass margin was not usually used a s a footpath. - William John Woods, of Townsend House, South Zeal, a mason's labourer, said he had driven CARTHEW into Exeter on his motor cycle, but the latter drove when they left for the return journey. - In answer to Mr S. E. Crosse (who appeared for the father of the deceased, BEER) witness said he could not remember telling the Constable that he was in charge of the cycle. - Mr Crosse: Such a statement would imply that you were driving? - I do not remember saying that. - Miss Gwendoline Mary Wyatt of Exeter, stated that CARTHEW was driving the cycle when he left Exeter in company with Woods. - Dr Pitt, House Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said BEER, was admitted with serious head injuries. He gradually became comatose and passed away on the morning following the accident, death being due to laceration of the brain. CARTHEW, who passed away on October 23rd, was suffering from bruises on the face and internal bleeding. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and attached no blame to anyone.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 November 1929
EXETER - The death of MR THOMAS JAMES MADGE, aged 76, of 20 New North-road, Exeter, following a fall down steps at the rear of his house on Thursday, was the subject of an inquest conducted yesterday by the Deputy City Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown. Dr W. T. Ord said deceased apparently struck his head in falling and death was due to concussion and shock. A verdict accordingly was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 26 November 1929
EXETER - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest at Exeter concerning the death of the infant male child of MR and MRS STANLEY HAROLD SERLE, of Manston Lodge, Manston-terrace, Exeter. 

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 28 November 1929
TALATON - Petrol Dangers. Coroner And Case Of "Incredible Foolishness." Talaton Fatality. - "It seems to me somewhat undesirable to keep a motor cycle in the back kitchen, which is one of the only two available rooms downstairs," commented Mr B. R. Dunning (the East Devon Coroner) at an Inquest held at 1 Lashbrook-road, Talaton, yesterday, on REGINALD THOMAS WEST, aged 3 years and 11 months, who died as a result of burns sustained at that address last Friday. - MABEL WEST, the mother, said Reginald Saunders, the owner of the motor-cycle, returned home about five o'clock on Friday night and stored the machine in the back kitchen, where it was always kept. Saunders about 6.30 let the petrol out of the tank because it was leaking and put it in another receptacle aside. Witness stood watching with two children. Saunders was trying to lift the tank from the frame while holding an acetylene cycle lamp. There was an explosion and a flash of flame. Witness caught hold of deceased, and Saunders seized the eldest child and went into the parlour. The children's legs and Saunders's face were burnt, while witness had her hair singed. Dr Case was telephoned for, and on arrival dressed the burns on the children's legs. Deceased spent a fairly good night and was kept in bed on succeeding days. On Sunday night he was restless and died on Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. - Reginald William Saunders, a steamroller driver, employed at Exeter, said he smelt petrol, and on examination found a leak in the tank of the motor cycle just above the cylinder head. He let the petrol out into a bath and stood it in a corner. MRS WEST and the two children entered the back kitchen while he was dismantling the tank. When the explosion occurred, MRS WEST was standing in the rear and the two children were by the front wheel of the machine. He was working by the light of a globe lamp and an acetylene cycle lamp, which he held in his right hand. He had kept the machine in the back kitchen since he had been lodging in the house and had repaired the cycle there as that was the only place available. - The Coroner: Have you ever used a naked light? - Witness: I did not regard the lamp as a naked light like a candle. - You know a lamp cannot burn without air? - Yes. - Well, then, you knew that where the air could go so could the petrol vapour? - I suppose so. - The Coroner said it was the same as looking for a gas leak with a candle light. - P.C. Walters (Whimple) gave formal evidence. - Christine M. B. Case, M.D., said she dressed the burns on the legs and behind the knees of both children. Deceased had also a slight burn on the left cheek. Deceased was fairly well the following day. The burns were superficial, but there was always a good deal of shock when children were burnt. On Sunday deceased appeared to be about the same. On Monday morning MRS WEST told witness deceased had been in convulsions. That would indicate inflammation of the kidneys. He became worse, and witness ordered a nurse for special treatment. Early on Tuesday morning witness was again called, and found the deceased was dying. Death was due to shock, convulsions and inflammation of the kidneys, attributable to the burns. - The Coroner commented on the incredible foolishness of Saunders's action. He knew the tank was leaking; what dangerous stuff petrol was; that the petrol was in process of vaporisation; and that there were two small children in a small room. He not only endeavoured to effect repairs on a leaking tank while there was an uncovered bowl of petrol, but actually held a lighted lamp to the tank. "I hope," said the Coroner, "that he regrets very much the direct result of his action, namely - the death of this little child." - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded.

Western Times, Friday 29 November 1929
PINHOE - Pinhoe Suicide. Traveller Out Of Work And Depressed. His Last Letter. - The circumstances relating to the death of MR JOHN NORMAN GIBSON of 2 Park-lane, Pinhoe, who died at his residence on Sunday evening, from the effects of coal-gas poisoning, through placing his head in a gas oven, were Inquired into at an Inquest at the Pinhoe School, on Monday, by Mr Gilbert H. Stephens, the Deputy Coroner. - Ernest William Seward, of 2 Park-lane, Pinhoe, warehouseman, identified the body as that of JOHN NORMAN GIBSON, who had resided with witness for the past two months. He was a distant relative of witness. Before coming to Pinhoe, deceased resided at Camborne, and was a commercial traveller for a London house. He left Camborne through giving up the post. Since then he had been out of a job. He was in normal health, but at times complained of neuralgia, which always seemed to come when deceased's worry was greatest. His wife was staying with witness up to a fortnight ago, when she left with her two children to go to her mother in Blackpool. Deceased had run up several bills before coming to Pinhoe and had tried in vain to get a situation. He showed signs of depression, at times, and had said that he could not get a post, and did not know what to do. - On Sunday witness left home about 12 noon, deceased being alone in the house. He asked what time he (witness) would return and he told him between 5 and 6 p.m. Witness returned at 7.20 p.m. When he opened the door he saw there were no fires or lights. He opened the kitchen door and found deceased lying on the floor, his head being in the gas oven with the gas fully turned on. Witness touched him and though he was quite warm and witness thought he was dead he pulled him into the hall to give him fresh air and then phoned for the doctor. In the meantime artificial respiration was applied without success. Deceased left a message addressed to Mr Seward on the dining-table, which read: "Dear Bill, - Sorry to cause you all this trouble after your kindness - GIB." - Deceased told witness that he had tried to take his life while at Camborne. He was depressed because he could not provide for his wife and family. - Dr Archibald Glen, of Pinhoe, said death was due to coal-gas poisoning. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind," and expressed sympathy with the widow and Mr Seward.

Western Times, Friday 29 November 1929
TIVERTON - Woman's Fatal Side Step At Tiverton Junction. - Evidence given at an Inquest at Tiverton last night on MRS EMILY DART, aged 63, of Bradfield, Cullompton, showed that when confronted by Albert Roberts, a cyclist descending a hill at Tiverton Junction, on Monday night, she side stepped the same way as he swerved, was knocked down, and sustained a fractured skull which caused her death. - Roberts stated that he was on his proper side of the road and did not see deceased until her shiny rubber boots showed up a few yards off in the light of a lamp. MRS DART was walking up the hill on her right hand side. - Witnesses who saw Roberts cycling down the hill, described his speed as reasonable and said he sounded his bell. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Jury exonerating the cyclist from blame.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 29 November 1929
HEMYOCK - "Found Drowned" was the verdict at an Inquest on FRANCIS LOWMAN, only child of MR and MRS F. LOWMAN, of Culm Davy, whose body was recovered from a stream where he had gone to play with a toy boat.

Western Times, Friday 29 November 1929
AXMOUTH - Washed Ashore. Missing Salterton Man's Body Found. Open Verdict At Inquest. - Mr B. R. Dunning, Deputy Coroner for East Devon, held an Inquest at the schoolroom, Axmouth, Tuesday, on a body found washed ashore near the landslip, in the parish of Axmouth on Monday afternoon. - Elizabeth Mary Gapper stated that about 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon she was walking along the beach from Charton Bay and when near the cottage she saw the body of a man on the rocks. She came to the conclusion he was dead and reported the matter at the Coastguard Station, Seaton. - By the Coroner: The place the body was found was in Devonshire and not Dorset. - RICHARD BEST, 7 Maderia Villas, Exmouth, motor mechanic, stated that by the clothing he identified the body as that of EDWIN OLIVER BERRY, age 38, of No. 3 Coastguard Cottages, Budleigh Salterton, who since the war had been a painter. Deceased, who had been missing from his home for a month, was his brother-in-law. He last saw him alive two days before he disappeared. He was in no financial trouble, but had been in Exminster Mental Hospital and was worried because he was unable to work. - By the Coroner: Deceased was in the Institution about two or three months and left two or three weeks before he disappeared. He had a wife and three children. He was strong and healthy before the war, was in the battle of Jutland and suffered from shell shock. - CALEB VINNICOMBE, carpenter of Red House, Budleigh Salterton, another brother-in-law of deceased, also identified the body by the boot and body belt as that of EDWIN OLIVER BERRY. He last saw deceased alive about a fortnight before he disappeared. He was then working. Within a few days deceased's wife went to see his employer and asked if her husband's work could be kept open for him, as he was depressed. His employer said he would keep the job open. Deceased was due to report to the Medical Superintendent at Exminster Institution two days after he disappeared. - P.C. Martin, Seaton, deposed to recovering the body, together with P.S. Wonnacott and other helpers. It was in a very decomposed condition. - Dr E. H. Walker, Seaton, stated that he thought the body had been in the sea about a month. It was impossible to say the cause of death. - The Coroner said although some of the evidence pointed to suicide, he should return an Open Verdict, as there was no evidence to show how the deceased came into the water, or how death came about.

Western Times, Friday 29 November 1929
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Rail Tragedy. Linesman Run Over By A Goods Train. The Inquest Story. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at the Inquest held by Mr G. Windeatt, Deputy Coroner, at Newton Abbot on Monday on ELIAS JAMES PENNY, aged 59, of Albert-road, Newton Abbot, a G.W.R. assistant linesman, who was killed on Saturday night by a goods train near the Newton Abbot Station. - Walter George Mitchell, Silverwood-avenue, Newton Abbot, signalman, said he went on duty in the west box about 10 p.m. A locking bar of one of the facing points in the through road had gone wrong, and could not be moved. PENNY, who was sent for specially to attend to it, was just leaving the signal box. The points were about 63 yards from the box, and PENNY returned within five minutes, and asked to be lent a macintosh, as it was raining heavily. PENNY went back to the points and then shouted to witness to endeavour to move the bar, but he could not do so. There was a coal train proceeding towards the direction of Torquay, but the home signal was at danger, and brought the train almost to a standstill about 16 yards away from the points. The train was not pulled up because PENNY was working there, but because the train had to wait for a banking engine to assist it to Dainton. - The Coroner - If traffic could get through without using these pointes, why was it necessary to have the man working on them then? - Witness: They are important for night traffic, and it was essential for them to be attended to. - Witness put the signal to "clear" after having seen PENNY standing away from the points. It was PENNY'S duty to look out for r oncoming trains. At the time witness was also engaged with five other trains. He heard PENNY shouting "Whoa," and rushed to the window, but by then the train had stopped. The points were eventually made right by PENNY'S mate. Before this, trains could only have passed going in one direction. - Mr Gregory (A.S.L.E. & F., representing the driver and fireman of the train): Is it a regulation that any man working on the line has to provide for his own safety? - Witness: Yes. - If you are not informed of a particular danger, then you are not responsible? - No. - How many lever movements would you have in eight hours? - An average of 400 an hour. - Herbert Sidney Furze, Summerlands-street, Newton Abbot, gave evidence of seeing PENNY at work on the points a few moments before the accident. - Cecil Richards, of Plymouth, the engine-driver, who was proceeding from Newton Abbot to Laira, said he had slowed down to five miles an hour when the danger signal was taken off. After passing the signal he felt something unusual under the wheel, and applied the brake. The train stopped within 100 to 120 feet. He saw nothing on the line. - Dr William Howells said that death must have been instantaneous. The body was terribly injured, and the train must have passed over it. - The verdict of "Accidental Death" was accompanied by an expression of the view that nobody was to blame. Sympathy was expressed with the widow and family.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 4 December 1929
PAIGNTON - Priest Found Drowned. Paignton Inquest. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned at an Inquest held at Paignton concerning the death of the REV. J. PERRY, Roman Catholic priest, of Arcadia, Marine Gardens, Paignton. His body was found on the sands at Preston, Paignton, on Saturday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 5 December 1929
EAST BUDLEIGH - Unknown Germ. Pathological Puzzle At East Budleigh. Young Woman's Death. - The revelation that the death of a young woman was due to the action of an unknown germ was made at East Budleigh yesterday when Mr T. H. Stephens resumed the inquiry into the death of IRIS MAUD CHARLOTTE SMALL, aged 21, daughter of MR and MS H. SMALL, of East Budleigh. Evidence given at the opening of the proceedings a month ago showed that deceased was taken ill on a Sunday evening, and died the following morning. The Inquest was adjourned for the purpose of submitting certain organs to analysis. - The Coroner yesterday read a report from Mr T. Tickle, the County Analyst, who stated he had examined the viscera analytically, with special reference to the presence of poison, but had found none. He had also examined pills and chocolates handed to him by P.S. Holman. The pills consisted of ferrous-carbonate, and neither pills nor chocolates contained any noxious ingredient. - Dr H. F. Semple, of Budleigh Salterton, recalled by the Coroner, said Dr Solly, of Exeter, had examined the organs of the body and found nothing except some unidentified germ. He was of opinion death was due to toxic poisoning, caused by this germ. It was not one of the common germs; it had no name, and Dr Solly could not identify it. - The Coroner: The result of that is that death was due to natural causes? - Dr Semple, in reply, said that, having regard to the condition of deceased, the germ would be easily absorbed. - The Coroner, in summing up, said the case was a difficult one, having regard to the discoloration of the body after death, and the suggestion that there was some poisoning. The result of the analysis showed there was no such poisoning, and he thought death was due, as Dr Semple had said, to an unidentified germ. Under those circumstances he thought the Jury could return a verdict of death from natural causes. - The Jury agreed with the Coroner, who expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 9 December 1929
TIVERTON - Cyclist And Lorry. Tiverton Inquest Fails To Clear Up Some Points. Uplowman Man's Death. - Mr F. R. D. Clutsom and a Jury sat for nearly two hours at Tiverton Hospital, on Saturday night, Inquiring into the death of JOHN HENRY GIDNEY, 47, stud groom, of Uplowman, who died from injuries sustained through his motor cycle colliding with a steam wagon at the new bye-pass road at Willand, last Wednesday evening. The ultimate finding was "Accidental Death," and the Jury exonerated the driver and stoker of the waggon, but no evidence was forthcoming to explain why deceased suddenly came across the road from his correct side and so met the waggon. - Both vehicles were well lighted, going at a moderate pace, and on their correct side, observed the Coroner, and it was a mystery why they should have collided in one of the widest and straightest roads in the district. - FREDERICK JOHN GIDNEY said his father had been accustomed to riding a motor cycle for about a year, and had good sight, hearing, and general health. - Charles George Davey, driver of the steam lorry, said that he was returning from Wiveliscombe to Cullompton at 5.45 p.m. on Wednesday. Going along the main road at Willand he saw a motor cycle coming towards him, and about 200 yards away. When 10 or 12 yards off, the motor cyclist came right across the road and hit the lorry. Both vehicles were on their correct sides, the steam waggon travelling at about 7 miles an hour, and the motor cycle at 25-30 miles an hour. Witness had oil side lights and an acetylene headlight on the middle of the lorry, but the latter had no reflector, and never dazzled. - Ernest Wright, the stoker, said there were no potholes or stones in the road. - Mrs Drewe, landlady of the Railway Hotel, Cullompton, whom deceased left about 15 minutes before the accident, said GIDNEY was quite sober. This was confirmed by James [faded], employed at the Hotel, who gave deceased some carbide because his light would not burn when first tried. - Dr Rowe, of Tiverton, gave evidence of the very grave injuries. Two ribs on the left side were fractured, the liver was ruptured, pericardium torn, and the left lung punctured. The cause of death was the injured pericardium. Witness thought the injuries, which were exceptionally severe, must have been caused by a very heavy blow. He did not think a wheel went over deceased, because there were no marks on him. - P.S. Kellaway said the road was over 20 feet wide. On the off-side of the steam waggon, on a rounded tin front, were two dents, one larger than the other. His theory was that the large mark was caused by deceased's shoulder and the smaller one by his head. The front part of the cycle was smashed, and the front tyre was burst. - The Jury raised the question whether the tyre burst before the impact and set up a wobble. - P.S. Kellaway said that, in his opinion, the burst tyre resulted from the impact, as the tyre was torn off.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 11 December 1929
TEIGNMOUTH - "Pure Accident." Coroner's Jury And Death Of MRS BOLES. Teignmouth Fatality. - The District Coroner, Mr Ernest Hutchings, held an Inquest at the Town Hall, Teignmouth, last night, relative to the death of MRS FLORENCE LUCEY BOLES, aged 77, widow of CANON BOLES, who resided at Swineshead Cottage, Dawlish-road, and who died in the local Hospital on Sunday morning from injuries received in a motor accident near her home the previous evening. Mr C. M. Scott represented Commander Harvey, the driver of the car, and Inspector Willcocks watched the proceedings on behalf of the Police. Mr S. F. Bartlett was elected Foreman of the Jury. - Major Humphrey R. Jordan, Charlton Hoarethorne, Somerset, identified the body. He believed deceased to have good sight and hearing for a person of her age. - William Henry Hayman, the Castle Inn, Holcombe, said on Saturday, about 5.20 he was walking in Dawlish-road, Teignmouth, with his brother. A two-seater car passed them going slowly up the hill, and subsequently they noticed it had stopped on the correct side of the road at a bend. When within 20 or 30 yards of it, it started to run backwards. It swerved across the road and crashed into the wall on the off side going up the hill. They had noticed MRS BOLES coming down the hill on the path, and on going back to the car they saw the lady on the ground between the rear wheels and the wall. Another lady and gentleman did all they could for her. The road at this point was dark. - By Mr Scott: The driver was out of the car, which ran in near the entrance to the Clintons. This was the steepest part of the hill. - Reginald James Hayman, who was with his brother (the last witness), gave corroborative evidence. - Louis John Davies, Derncleugh Lodge, Holcombe, said he was walking down the hill with his wife when he saw a stationary car in the road about 100 yards away. Then he saw the car vanish, and on proceeding further down the road found it in the gateway of the Clintons, with its back to the wall. He recognised MRS BOLES. She was on the pavement and the last witness was trying to raise her up. She said that her leg was broken, and he laid her back on cushions. He supported her until the doctor arrived. - The Coroner: Did she say anything to you? - Witness: Very plaintively she said, "Well, I was in the pavement." She told us all about the letters and parcel she had got, and was quite conscious. - By Mr Scott: The driver of the car did all that he possibly could. The nearest street lamp was not alight. - Car Owner's Evidence. - Comdr. Cecil Russell Haymes Harvey, R.N., retired, 5 Haldon-terrace, Dawlish, said he was the owner of a two-seater Morris-Cowley. It was fitted with two-=wheel hand and foot brakes. He had been driving a car for eight years, and had a clean license. On Saturday he was driving from Teignmouth to Dawlish, when going up the hill just out of Teignmouth, a car coming in the opposite direction dazzled him. The lights were right across his path, and in intending to slow down he stopped dead. He applied his hand brake and got out to restart the engine, his self-starter being out of action. As he commenced to wind, the car started running backwards. He ran after it, but only caught it as the crash came. Before this he had seen a figure on the pavement going down the hill, and he shouted "Look out," but did not know whether or not this was heard. The car was overhauled in July, and he had had no trouble with the brakes. - The Coroner suggested to witness that the only explanation could be that the brake was not fully applied and the Commander agreed that it might have slipped after he had got out. - Inspector Willcocks said tests had been made on the hill, and the brake linings of the car had been found to be perfect. - Answering the Inspector, witness said he did not remember the officer calling his attention to the fact that the hand brake would not rest securely in the slot to which it was placed unless a small lever, which should have worked by a spring, was pushed down with the hand. - The Inspector subsequently said he was not complaining of the brake linings, but of the fittings. - At this juncture, the Inquest was adjourned while the Jury inspected the car. - Replying to the Foreman of the Jury, the Commander said he had had the car for three years, and he had never had trouble with it before. - Mr Bartlett said the brake had undoubtedly been slipping for some time. - Dr D. Ross Kilpatrick said he saw MRS BOLES about five minutes after the accident. She was perfectly conscious and complained of her leg. She was taken in the ambulance to the Hospital, where it was found she had a fractured left thigh and other injuries. She remained fairly well until about three in the morning, when she collapsed and died. Death was due to shock from injuries received. - The doctor then asked to be allowed to make a statement, and on permission being given, he said there had been considerable adverse criticism of the ambulance in connection with this accident. He wished to say any delay there was not caused by the ambulance but by the inefficient messages sent down. He thought the Inspector would bear him out in this. - Inspector Willcocks endorsed the remarks made. As soon as a message was received the Police took steps to get the ambulance on the way immediately. - After a retirement, the Jury found that deceased met her death as the result of a pure accident, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - The Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives, and the Jury concurred.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Thursday 12 December 1929
EXETER - Gale Tragedy. Inquiry Into MISS COLEBY'S Death At Exeter. Pathetic Details. - "I am sure that not only I, but the whole city will sympathise with the relatives of MISS COLEBY," said Mr H. Linford Brown, the Deputy City Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest on MISS BARBARA KATE COLEBY, held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday. - Evidence of identification was given by her uncle, MR A. MARTIN ALFORD, of Castle House, Exeter. He said deceased was his wife's niece, and lived with her parents at 70 Velwell-road, Exeter. She was 17 years of age in April last, and attended the Maynard School, Exeter. He last saw her alive on the Sunday previous to the day (December 8) of her disappearance. She was in her usual health at the time. - MR ARTHUR ROBERT COLEBY, of 70 Velwell-road, Exeter, insurance manager, said he last saw his daughter alive at three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, December 8th. She went out at about four o'clock, but her brother saw her in Elm Grove-road just afterwards, so he thought she must have returned to the house and gone out the back way to see a wall that had been broken down by the recent storm. The spot where she was found was not far from the house, and in normal weather she would often go for a walk in the near-by fields. - Albert Henry Savery, cattle dealer, of 90 Hoopern-street, Exeter, said he was in Eastman's field, on the Streatham Hall Estate, at 9.30 on Tuesday morning with a man named Smith. When they got to the lower portion of the field they saw there were some trees down. They would have been in the field on Monday morning if it had not been raining, as they knew there were some trees down. Witness continued: - "I was at the bottom of the field, turning my horse around, when I saw something black protruding from under a fallen tree. I turned to Smith and said, 'Whatever is that under the tree? I think it is a woman.'" - They found that the tree, which was a fair-sized elm, with a number of branches, was lying across MISS COLEBY'S stomach. The tree had been uprooted. Witness added that between 4 and 5 o'clock on Sunday evening he saw a girl, whom he now knew to be MISS COLEBY, walking along the Prince of Wales-road. It was just beginning to rain at the time, and the girl seemed to be hesitating whether she should go up the road or turn back again. Eastman's Field, where her body was found, was between her home and where witness saw her on the Prince of Wales-road. In his opinion, a strong wind rose, and she looked across to the barracks, and saw the elms swaying above the path through Hoopern Fields from the road, and decided to go down the field to cut off the wind - a thing ninety-nine people out of a hundred would have done. It would have been just light enough for her to see her way home at the time of the accident. By Mr Alford: He did not know MISS COLEBY'S name, but he had seen her on many summer mornings reading a book near the very spot where her body was found. - P.S. Pitkin said that at 9.45 on Tuesday morning he saw MISS COLEBY'S body lying underneath an elm in Eastman's field, at the back of the gardens of Thornlea. The tree was 55 feet long and two feet in diameter. The roots were growing in a culvert, and the tree had evidently been blown down in the recent storm. The girl was lying underneath the trunk, about 45 feet from the bottom, with her face downwards, and her legs twisted up underneath her, and her head resting on her right forearm. He thought she must have tried to cross the culvert go get home by standing on another tree which had fallen. - Dr Pereira Gray said he found the spinal column broken; her right thigh-bone was also fractured. - The Deputy Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - The funeral service will take place at St David's Church at 3 o'clock tomorrow, and the interment will follow at Exwick-road Cemetery.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 13 December 1929
TORQUAY - Torquay Suicide. Pathetic Note. - "Just to wish you good-bye and to thank you for your great kindness to me when I was ill." This note was left by MISS LOUISE CHARLOTTE FULLER, a nurse, to her mistress, Mrs J. R. Skella, of Torquay. Deceased's body was found on the beach at Peak Tor, Torquay, on Friday, and at the Inquest a verdict of "Suicide by Drowning while not in her right Mind" as returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 December 1929
EXETER - Death In Gas-Filled Room. Inquest Story Of Exeter Tragedy. Blankets And Tube. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" at the Inquest held at the Court House, Exeter, yesterday, concerning the death of ALEXANDER MCDONALD, jobbing gardener, aged 67, of 26 St Sidwell's-avenue, Exeter. MCDONALD was found dead in his armchair in a gas-filled room on Thursday. - The body was identified by FREDERICK GEORGE MCDONALD, of the Princess Alexandra Inn, Exeter, who said he did not think his father had any financial worries. He identified a note as in his father's handwriting. - The Deputy Coroner observed that in the note the deceased said no one was to blame and that he had no business worries. He complained of nerves and lack of sleep. - Witness stated that his father told him he had not slept very well lately, and that he could not relish his food. He had also complained of indigestion. He seemed all right when witness saw him the day before he was found dead. - Bertie Radmore, who with his wife were sub-tenants of MCDONALD, said when he last saw deceased, about dinner-time on Thursday, he appeared all right, and witness's wife heard him about during the afternoon. When witness returned home about 4.50 he found the door key belonging to MCDONALD under the mat. Witness smelt no gas then, but when he put a penny in the meter there was a smell. He called a neighbour, and they investigated. The door of deceased's room was not locked, but when it was opened the room smelt of gas. The room was in darkness, and deceased was sitting in an armchair behind the door. He was back from the gas fire, but a rubber tube was attached to the gas fire, and deceased had a couple of blankets over his head. The body was lukewarm, but the man was dead. Subsequently witness saw the note produced on the table. Witness turned off the gas and phoned for Dr Dodd. - P.C. Stone said deceased, whose body had been removed to the bathroom, was dead when he arrived. - Dr E. J. Dodd considered deceased had been dead over an hour when he arrived. Death was due to asphyxia, caused by coal-gas poisoning.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Monday 16 December 1929
TOPSHAM - Widow's Death. Suffocated In Fainting Fit At Topsham. Head Over Bed Rail. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an Inquest held at Topsham on Saturday on SARAH ANN COOKSLEY, a widow, aged 80, who was found dead in her bedroom. The lady was identified by GEORGE CHARLES COOKSLEY, of Fore-street, Topsham, son of the deceased. - Mrs M. A. Newman, of Follett-road, said deceased had resided with her for over seven years. As was her custom, she took deceased a cup of tea on Thursday morning. MRS COOKSLEY appeared all right then, but about twenty minutes to eleven, as deceased seemed very quiet, she went up to see if she were still in bed. She looked into the room, and noticing that the bed was "all shook up," concluded MRS COOKSLEY had gone out. As she had not returned at 5.30 witness went to MRS COOKSLEY'S daughter, and, finding that deceased had not been there, returned with MRS COOKSLEY, junr., and searched the room. They discovered MRS COOKSLEY lying on the floor completely hidden behind some boxes, with her head resting on the rail of the bed. - Dr B. D. Underwood said deceased's head was hanging from the lower cross-bar of the bed, with the bar partially embedded in the neck. He immediately moved her from the floor to the bed and found that she had been dead for probably six or seven hours. From the position in which he found her he came to the conclusion that she had a fainting attack and, in her unconscious condition, could make no effort to release her head from the rail, suffocation ensued. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr G. F. Stephens, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and expressed sympathy with the relatives and Mrs Newman.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 17 December 1929
LYMPSTONE - Undesirable. East Devon Coroner And A Toy Balloon. Lympstone Boy's Death. - "It seems to me it is undesirable for children to have access to this kind of thing," said Mr Cyril N. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, at Lympstone, yesterday, when referring to a toy balloon, attached to a tube of liquorice, which caused the death of HERBERT GODFREY PARKER, the six-year-old son of MR ARTHUR EDGAR PARKER, fisherman, of 3 Harefield Cottages. - The child, it was stated, had removed the liquorice and accidentally swallowed the balloon while attempting to inflate it. The Coroner commented that, even if the balloon had not been removed, it seemed to him there was a tendency for a child, while sucking the piece of liquorice, to suck in the balloon. "Personally," he added, "I think it a very undesirable form of toy, and I hope the seller of these sticks of liquorice with balloons attached will send them back to the makers, and explain what has happened." - P.C. Harding said the shopkeeper did not know the name of the makers. On each of the balloons was a representation of a well-known football-player. - The Coroner said in that case the retailer could send the goods back to the wholesaler. - A Hare Lip. - The father, who gave evidence of identification, said the child was brought home at 12.30 p.m. on Friday by Mr Albert Ware. His daughter, VIOLET, who had accompanied the boy from school, told witness the child had swallowed a toy balloon. Witness rushed out and took the boy, who was then dead, from Mr Ware. His daughter had called for the doctor before she came home. Deceased was quite normal, except that he had a hare lip. He had had similar balloons before and had tried to blow them up, but could not do so, probably on account of his hare lip. On one or two occasions he had had a little trouble when swallowing his food, but he had got over it. - VIOLET PARKER, aged 15, said she went to the school to meet her brother, and then took him to Mr Cobley's shop and bought him a toy balloon with a stick of liquorice on it. After taking the balloon off, he ate the liquorice, and then tried to blow up the balloon. He was running along in front of witness, when she saw him waving his arms and stamping his feet, and she knew what had happened, because he usually did that when he choked. She had frequently seen him choking at home, and she guessed he had swallowed the balloon, though he was not able to say anything. 'She picked him up and carried him to Dr Sydenham's surgery, but the doctor was not there, so she carried the boy as far as the railway arch, where Mr Ware met her and carried the boy home. Replying to the Coroner, witness said her brother seemed to die before she got to the surgery. She put her finger down his throat to try and get at the balloon. - Dr G. M. Sydenham, of Exmouth, said that on Friday he was visiting in Lympstone when a little girl told him a boy had swallowed a toy balloon. He tried artificial respiration, but there was no attempt to breathe and the boy was evidently dead when he arrived. He found deceased had a hare lip, which had been operated upon, and the scar would cause a certain amount of stiffness about the lip. Deceased also had a cleft palate, which had not been operated upon, and the loss of the palate would encourage the suction of anything into the windpipe. What he thought happened was that the child first of all was blowing, and making a great expiratory effort, and then gasped to recover his breathe. The absence of the palate would then encourage the balloon to be sucked in and carried beyond the child's control. In the case of an ordinary child the palate would help to grip the article. The balloon evidently completely blocked the air passage, causing very sudden death from asphyxia, while the waving of the arms and stamping was an involuntary attempt to cause forced breathing. Dr Sydenham added that he could not have said what was the cause of death had he not heard the story, but, taken in conjunction with the details, there was absolutely no doubt. - The Coroner said it was a most unfortunate occurrence, but he had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that asphyxia was the actual cause of death. He expressed sympathy with the parents, and commented that VIOLET PARKER had given her evidence extremely well.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 December 1929
EXETER - Exeter Tragedy. "Unsound Mind" Verdict. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr H. Linford Brown, conducted an Inquest at the Court House, Exeter, last evening, on MRS ADA BEATRICE DYER, aged 57, of 17 Magdalen-road, Exeter, whose body was recovered from the Exe near Trew's Weir Paper Mill, Exeter, on Wednesday. - AMY DYER, 17 Magdalen-road, Exeter, mother, stated that her daughter had been very depressed for over six months, and had received medical attention for her nerves. - Thomas Cores, 34, Summerland-street, Exeter, a machinist at Trew's Weir Paper Mill, spoke to recovering the body and added that a shawl was wrapped round deceased's head in place of a hat. - Dr Pereira Gray, jun., attributed death to drowning. - The Deputy Coroner recorded a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 December 1929
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, SURREY - Sad Tragedy. Exonian's Grandson Killed. - A particularly sad accident is reported from Kingston-on-Thames, and it is one which has thrown the home of a well-known Exonian into mourning. We refer to MR WILLIAM COOPER, of Rutherford House, St Thomas, who was for many years the Secretary of the Devon and Exeter Constitutional Newspaper Co., Ltd., and in his day was a very successful exponent of the art of rifle shooting. - One of MR COOPER'S daughters - MRS ADAMS - lives at Kingston-on-Thames. She had two children - a daughter and a son. The latter, known among his playmates as "BILLY," was 6 ½ years of age, and a bright and merry little fellow. He was returning from school on Tuesday afternoon about 4 o'clock, when he stopped to stalk to a little girl friend on the edge of the pavement in Park-road, Kingston. he then ran across the road towards his home, when he was knocked down by a lorry. The vehicle passed over one of his feet, and the back wheel smashed one of his arms to pieces. He was taken to the Hospital, and remained conscious up to the time of his death, which followed on Wednesday afternoon. An Inquest was held yesterday and the funeral takes place today. - Considerable sympathy will be expressed by the many friends of MRS ADAMS in Kingston and in Exeter, where she is so well known and also with MR COOPER, in their great bereavement.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 December 1929
TIVERTON - Almshouse Fatality. Inquest On Aged Tiverton Victim. Coroner's Suggestion. - At Tiverton Hospital last night, Mr F. R. D. Clutsom, Borough Coroner, sitting without a Jury, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" in the case of HENRY TUCKER, aged 77, who, on Christmas Eve, was found dead in his ground floor room at Walrond's Almshouses. - Evidence was given by relatives that they called earlier in the day and found front and back doors locked, but a neighbour said he had seen TUCKER that morning and so they felt no alarm until at 4.30 p.m. it was ascertained that the key was inside. The neighbour admitted in evidence that he might have been mistaken as to that particular morning. When the door was forced the room was found to be full of smoke, and the bedding and floor under the bed were smouldering. TUCKER was lying dead - his feet towards the bed and his head towards the fireplace. - Dr Stevenson said death had taken place from eight to twelve hours. TUCKER had been medically attended for cardiac disease and witness thought he had a heart attack and let fall a lighted candle he was carrying. While death was primarily due to heart failure, it was probably accelerated by burns to the left leg, hand and elbow. - In returning a verdict of Accidental Death, the Coroner suggested that the Trustees or some philanthropic person might arrange for someone to visit the old people in the almshouses daily and, without being a busybody, make it his business to see that the inmates were all right and that there were no locked doors with somebody inside. That might have made no particular difference in this case, however. Some years ago, in another almshouse fatality case at Tiverton, he was rather shocked at the inflammable material on the premises, but that did not apply to the Walrond Almshouses.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Tuesday 31 December 1929 NEWTON ABBOT - About a month ago a serious collision occurred near the fountain between a motor cycle, ridden by MR LEWIS REGINALD HOLWILL, and a motor car, driven by Miss M. F. Hewlett, of Hermoda Nursing Home, Teignmouth. The motor cyclist, a resident of the village of Kingsteignton, and a son of MR and MRS THOMAS HOLWILL, sustained a broken leg, and was removed to the Newton Hospital, where he died on Thursday. He was only 17. The Coroner opened the Inquest at the Newton Town Hall on Friday morning. Only evidence of identification was given by the father, and the Inquiry was adjourned until Friday afternoon.