Liverpool Journal, 7th January 1882
DEATHS AND INQUESTS
Dr John William DRAPER whose death is announced, was one of the best known scientific and philosophical writers of the age, born May 5th 1811 in St Helens, he studied chemistry, natural philosophy and medicine. At 22, in 1833 he left this country for the United States where he laboured for 50 yrs. A distinguished writer, some works still being used as text books in medical schools. His history of the American Civil War, secured him a first class reputation.
Singular case of suffocation on the Landing Stage
Inquest held on Tues by Mr Clarke ASPINALL
On the body of Patrick CALVEY, aged 46, of 31 Norfolk St, a fireman employed by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and in charge of the heating apparatus on the Landing Stage.
On Saturday deceased was found dead at the bottom of the manhole leading to the heating-room of the Prince’s Stage, death was due to suffocation from foul air.
John FURNACE, Foreman said, It was the duty of the deceased to look after the furnace in which coke was used for the purpose of generating heat in the different constructions on the two landing stages. The furnace in the Prince’s Stage was filled with a special pontoon, measured inside 10 ft by 8 ft, 10 ft high. The flue and chimney each 10 ins in diameter, height of the chimney on the stage being approx 20 ft.
The manhole was generally kept open and the deceased was in the habit of drawing a cover over the opening, as the draught required regulating. On the morning of his death, deceased informed the witness all was well in the heating-room.
On being informed of the death, witness visited the manhole and perceived a strong smell of sulphur coming from the heating-room. The damper was out but the ashpit was blocked with ashes and the draught stopped.
The deceased had been 5 yrs at the same work, it was his duty to clean the ashpit daily, the collection of ashes showed the pit had not been cleaned for about 4 days.
Mr William SIMPSON, Lessee of the Refreshment rooms of the Landing Stages, said, He went in search of the deceased on Saturday last, in order to complain about the want of heat. He could not find the deceased at that time, an hour later as he was passing the manhole he looked down, finding CALVEY lying at the bottom.
Witness called a clerk named RAILSON and a constable was called.
P.C 308 CARLTON proceeded down the manhole and drew the deceased up on a rope, the Constable complained that the gases nearly stupified him.
Dr MACPHERSON attempted to enter the heating-room after deceased death but was compelled to return half-way due to the sulphurous odours.
Jury’s verdict – Death from suffocation, owing to accumulation of gas in the chamber, were of the opinion a better form of ventilation be adopted.
Liverpool Journal, 7th January 1882
Shortly after 11am on Weds morning a collier W. CHILDERS, aged 48, employed in the Chamber Colliery, Oldham, was working in the mine when a large stone weighing a ton, fell on his head killing him instantaneously, another miner BARDSLEY working nearby had a narrow escape.
Liverpool Journal, 7th January 1882
Inquests by Mr Clarke ASPINALL
On the body of Jane GITTENS, aged 33, wife of a railway porter, living at Stanhope St. Husband states, they have been married for 11 yrs, his wife had given way to intemperate habits over the past 10 yrs. About a month ago she was left a legacy of £1000 in her father’s will, since she has drank heavily and for the past 3 wks has been confined to bed – death due to excessive drink
On Saturday on the body of Joseph WHITEHEAD, aged 63, retired ship’s steward of Berwick St. For the past 2 days deceased was unsettled in his mind. A fireman on Thurs got underneath an engine at Lime St, station and found deceased head under a “six foot, and his body a yard distant under a, “four foot”. – supposed run over by a train leaving adjoining line.
Inquests at St Helens
On the body of Ann GLEAVE, aged 54, wife of Thomas GLEAVE, Stonecutter, who committed suicide by drowning in water near Moss Bank Station on Thurs. Husband stated his wife had been in a low despondent state for some time, would drink when she could get it.
P.C RATCLIFFE stated that in Sep 1879 deceased attempted suicide and he took her into custody. The landlord of the Station Hotel noticed a strangeness in her manner on Thursday evening. She came calling for whiskey, which her husband had asked him not to give her. He refused her but she kept returning, he gave her one tot and she left. – suicide while temporary insane.
At the Mill House Inn, Sutton, on the body of Samuel HELSBY, burned in that house on Weds week. William TAYLOR stated they had both had two glasses of whiskey and he left the deceased sitting in the kitchen chair. 15 mins later Elizabeth ROSCOE smelt burning, found deceased lying on the fire with his clothes burning. Esther HELSBY his daughter said her father had suffered several fits lately – accidental death.
Inquests by Mr Clarke ASPINALL
On Thurs on the body of John SHUBOTHAM, aged 49, ex-Sheriff’s officer of 67 Ogwen St.
Sarah W. SHUBOTHAM, widow of deceased said her husband was formerly a wine merchant at Newcastle-under-Lyne. They had been married 10 yrs, but 5 yrs ago in consequence of intemperate habits of deceased they separated and she went to live with her mother.
3 yrs ago on the death of her mother she agreed to live with the deceased as uncle and niece, this was maintained till his death when she registered her husband as her uncle.
He had lost his job through his excess drinking and for some time past had been suffering with bronchitis, only getting up for short periods in the day due to his condition. – death due to acute congestion of the lungs.
On Monday on the body of Ernest JONES, aged 1 yrs 10 mths, child of John JONES, Labourer of 8 Hygeia St. 3 wks ago the child was scalded on the chest, he was running around the table and caught the cloth, pulling a teapot over him. He died yesterday week – accidental death.
On Sunday John TYLDESLEY, aged 25, butcher of Tyldesley, was found in a shocking mutilated state at the bottom of a coal pit, 400 yds deep. The deceased had jumped down the shaft leaving his hat and stop on the top. On Saturday he sent a note to his father, which caused injuries to be made.
At Skelmersdale yesterday Martin GANNON, a labourer working in the Arley mine of the White Moss colliery Skelmersdale, a portion of a roof fell, a stone struck the deceased on the head and killed him instantaneously
Liverpool Journal 14th Jan 1882
Deaths and inquests
On Tues Peter ASPINALL of no fixed abode, died at Bolton Union Workhouse, he had crept into a coke oven at Farnworth for shelter, he was found by a policeman and locked up, it was later found he had been literally roasted from his middle down, the flesh in some parts charred to a cinder.
On Tues am, John MORAN, aged 35, residing at Ormskirk, was working at Airley mine, White Moss Co, Skelmersdale, at 6am he was proceeding down the shaft when the rope broke, boxes ran down and caught him, killing him on the spot.
Joseph MUSKER, a joiner of Christopher St, died on Sunday at the Borough Hospital, on Dec 8th a ladder broke he was on and he fell 27ft, suffering terrible injuries.
Inquest held on Tuesday on Margaret CONNOR, aged 3mths, her mother, aged 16, lived with her brother and Stepfather in a court in Christian St and worked in a tobacco factory. The deceased was illegitimate her father being Anthony DODD, aged 18, who had paid nothing towards the support of the child. Witness found the deceased dead in bed by her side on Sunday morning. Dr CROSS of Islington stated death was due to suffocation and that in his opinion the child had not had all the attention it should have – open verdict
Inquest held at Flintshire on Weds at the Mostyn Hotel on David JENKINS, a native of Borth, Chief officer of the screw steamer NANT FRANCON of Liverpool, which arrived in the Wild Roads on Tues with a load of iron ore from Bilbao. Deceased was reversing the engine of the steam winch in the fore part of the vessel, when he got entangled in the machinery, the upper part of his body jammed between the winch ends and his head was smashed – accidental death.
Inquests at Liverpool by Mr Clarke ASPINALL
On Tues, on Anthony TYRER, aged 28, son of John TYRER Farmer of Formby, the deceased a carter lodged at Dryden St and worked on the Barque DAPHNE, lying in number 2 Herculaneum Graving Dock, he had been working with two other men O’NEILL and KEMPTON, they had been drinking on and off all day, a fight broke out between the deceased and KEMPTON, deceased left and was attempting to go ashore along the gangway when he fell headlong into the dock. He was dead when he was got out – death from fall whilst drunk
On Thurs,
On Joseph SUMMERS, aged 39, stonemason, lately worked at 3 Swan St off Falkner Sq, Catherine CROWLEY who lived with deceased said he was much addicted to drink, in consequence had lost his employment and gone to gaol for 3mths for stealing, on his release became despondent. In 1880 he was in Walton Workhouse with chronic rheumatism. He tried to return to her house on numerous occasions but she refused him, as she could not look after him anymore. On Tues evening James MOORE, carter fell over something in an entry in Tiber St. He discovered the deceased covered in blood with his throat cut – open verdict
On James WILDE, aged 43, sail-maker, of 102 Field St, Everton, on Christmas eve his ankle was crushed between a hand-cart and kerb stone on Stafford St, he managed to get to his brother’s residence and died the following Weds, from apoplexy brought on by excessive drinking. He had withdraw £20 from his savings bank prior to his injury and had spent it all on drink.
On Tuesday On Margaret CLAREY, aged 40, wife of Patrick CLAREY a dock labourer of 11 Pinnington Place, Mile End. Deceased was left in the house at 6pm a paraffin lamp was on the table, at 8pm two lodgers in the house heard screams and found the deceased with her clothes on fire on the floor. She said she had tried to fill the lamp whilst it was still lit. The lamp was on the floor broken, flames from the oil blazed nearly as high as the ceiling. She was removed to the Northern Hospital but died the next day – accidental death.
An inquest was held at Accrington on James BUTTERWORTH, aged 14, who was killed by a fall from the roof at the Baxenden Coal pit on the previous Thurs. The jenny had broken down and when the lad was pushing an empty wagon a stone fell on him – accidental death.
On Tues, Coroner T. W. BARKER held an inquest on 7mth old infant of Paul CAVADINO, a joiner of Nimrod St. The mother a well-dressed woman of about 30yrs was taken to drinking, she was the worse for drink on Saturday night and lay down dressed on the bed, the infant beside her. Her husband went to sleep on the sofa and was woken at 2am by a scream from his wife. The child was dead in her arms. Husband’s mother who was called in at the time, said the mother was then stupid with drink – cause of death suffocation due to overlaying, coroner severely censured and cautioned the mother.
Liverpool Journal, 21th January 1882
Inguests by Mr Clarke ASPINALL
Tuesday on the body of Charles BIRTLES, aged 42, who lived with his wife at, 20 Newbie St, Belmont Rd, and took charge of the unoccupied property in the terrace. Deceased was not a steady man, for 2wks had been acting strange. His wife heard him, yesterday week, praying to the Lord to take him away.
He went out on Saturday without a word. At 4pm his little daughter drew his wife’s attention to house number 2, saying her father was hanging there. Mrs BIRTLES found her husband hanging from a hook in the kitchen – suicide whilst under temporary mental derangement.
Tuesday on the body of Eda LEGEAR, aged 2, daughter of John LEGEAR, a labourer, nine weeks ago the child had been deserted by its mother and was being cared for by Catherine KRESTER, a married woman of 4 Marybone.
2 wks ago Mrs KRESTER left the house to take her husband his dinner, she left the child on the bed and was gone 20mins. On her return the child shouted her and she found the room in flames, a table and cloth, also the chair with the child sitting on it. The child was taken to the Northern Hospital and died on Sunday morning – accidental death.
At St Helens
Suicide on Tuesday , Henry THOMPSON, aged 16, who resides at a back house off Merton Bank Lane, and had worked for a short while as a detaller at Laffak-Garswood Colliery.
He had overslept himself in the morning and did not go into work, played around all day, he had words with his mother on him leaving a hammer on the floor, which a child picked up and threw at another.
His mother was sat at the bottom of the stairs mending a shirt, when the deceased passed her and went to the bedroom. 10 mins later she found him hanging from a tall wooden bedpost with a strap round his neck. She screamed for a neighbour who helped to get him down, and they tried to resuscitate him without success. There will be an inquest.
DEATHS
Yesterday while the schooner HARVEST MAID, from Maryport was being towed up the river, the master dropped down dead, it is supposed of heart disease.
Mr J. Barwise DUTTON a member of the Chester Town Council, died at his residence, Hough Green, on Tuesday morning, he was a prominent member of the Conservative Party and represented St Mary’s ward for many years. He was a wine and spirits merchant and carried on a large business in Chester, whilst he also owned extensive property in Runcorn.
The sudden death is announced of Rev J. WILLIAMS, Tyn-y-Coed, Llandrillo, Corwen, Calvanistic Methodist Minister, which took place yesterday in the waiting-room of the Darwen station of the London and North Western Railway. The inquest will be held today. Cause of death heart disease.
Death announced of Rev A. WHISHAW, aged 59, at his residence Parkfield Rd, Sephton Park on Monday morning. Cause of death was Rheumatic Fever, but he had been ill for some time and was unable to attend his ministrations at the School of the Blind. He had formerly ministered at Leighton Buzzard and Chipping Norton, in his early days was a private tutor one of his pupils being Charles Stewart PARNELL.
He was a linguist, being born at St Petersburg and his father was a prominent merchant in the Russian capital. He married three times and leaves many children.
Liverpool Journal, Jan 28th 1882
Deaths and inquests
On Monday morning and inquest was held at the Knowsley Arms, Bootle on the body of John WIGNALL, aged 29, Capt of the schooner HARVEST MAID, now lying in the Alexandra Dock. Deceased had complained on the 20th inst of pains in the head, when the vessel was in the river opposite the Crosby Lightship. He died almost immediately - natural causes
Whilst a man named William, WALTHAM, who resided in a court off Clay St, was working the break of a steam hoist in the jigger loft of a warehouse in Atlas St, belonging to his employees, The Warehouse Co Ltd, on Saturday, he got caught up in the rope and was drawn around the shaft at a rapid rate. The engine was at once stopped and the rope cut, he was badly crushed and was taken to the Northern Hospital, where he died almost immediately.
Inquests before Mr C. ASPINALL
On Tuesday
On the body of James CORCORAN aged 4, child of Catherine CORCORAN of 6 house, 24 Court, Darnley St. At 2pm on Friday last the child was left alone while the mother went out to make a few purchases. On her return she saw the child on the front step, surrounded by people taking off his clothes which were on fire. He was taken to the Southern Hospital and died the same night - accidental death.
On the body of Thomas DOREY, aged 2, child of James DOREY, Labourer of 89 Pugin St. On Friday morning the child was in the kitchen, alone, when his nightdress caught fire, he died the same night - accidental death.
On the body of Emily HEMSWORTH, aged 3, child of Albert HEMSWORTH, Ship’s steward, of 159 Wellington Rd, Toxteth Park. The child slept in a cot in the same room as her mother. The mother looked in the cot on Saturday morning and found the child’s mouth and hands covered in phosphorous from matches, and matches were found on the floor by the cot. The mother sponged the child’s mouth and hands and took her to bed. Later in the day the child was sick, she was given milk which made her sick and later became drowsy. A Doctor was called but the child died later. - death from phosphorous poisoning.
On Wednesday
On the death of John CONNOLLY, aged 27, dock labourer, single, who lodged in a court off Burlington St. Deceased could earn £2-£3 a week when he felt like work, he paid 12s week board and lodging. He was a very intemperate man and would drink for 4 and 5 weeks together and always on a Saturday and Sunday. Last week he was drinking hard and on Tuesday complained of pains in the head, soon after he was jumping about the house and throwing himself down, he died the same day after becoming insensible - death due to convulsions from excessive drink.
On Sunday morning a man aged about 55 was found dead in the Mersey near the Runcorn Railway Bridge, by William CLUCAS, Ship’s carpenter. The deceased clothes appeared that of a labourer. 7s was found on him. He had been seen on Saturday night visiting several public houses and Mr IMISON’S Pawn shop, where he asked what time there was a train for Liverpool. At 11pm that night James NEWALL was passing the spot and heard a splash, he called out but got no answer.
An inquest was held on the body of Mary Ann HARRISON, aged 48, a married woman who lived by herself in a cellar in Robsart St. The deceased had lived with family but they had left due to her drinking habits, her son left 2 weeks ago. The deceased was last seen entering the cellar on Saturday night, she was later heard talking loudly. The rent collector called on Monday and again on Tuesday and got no answer. The police broke into the cellar and found the deceased dead behind the door in her night clothes. A great part of the floor in the back cellar was burnt through and fallen in, the fire was out due to the lack of ventilation. Dr ORR stated death was due to suffocation.
On Wednesday evening John LANCELEY a market gardener of Clotton, Tarporley, was taking home a load of coals from Tattonhall Station, near Chester and when descending a steep hill the harness broke, he was run over be the load and died soon after.
Liverpool Journal, Apr 8th 1882
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE CITY OF ROME.
Tues, inquest by Mr DRIFFIELD, at the Knowsley Arms, Bootle, on Joseph FAGASSAE, Mechanic employed by Messer's ROSSO, found lying in the hold insensible, supposed to have fallen down a hattchway some 17ft, when other men were leaving at 10-pm, died at Bootle Hospital, verdict accidental death
Liverpool Journal, Saturday, April 15th 1882
The inquest on the body of Peter MC KEOWN of 6 Chadwell St, Liverpool, who was suffocated during a fire on board the Inman Steamer, CITY OF ROME, was held at the Knowsley Arms, Bootle, before Mr DRIFFIELD, County Coroner.
It appeared the deceased was a workman in the employ of Messer's ROLLO and Sons, boilermakers and engineers. He had been at work with others on the boilers of the City of Rome, which was to sail on Thursday, and Messer's ROLLO'S men did not cease work till about one in the morning. Near that time it was found a fire had broken out in the forward steerage, where joiners had been at work fitting berths. Messer's ROLLO'S men had no business in that part of the ship, but deceased, seemed to have gone down out of curiosity. He had spoken to one of his fellow workmen about one and after that was not seen till half an hour later, when he was found lying on his face insensible where the fire occured.
He was taken to Bootle Borough Hospital but died almost immediately. The Jury returned a verdict of accidentally suffocated.
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