INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2646, 29 September 1882, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquiry touching the death of A. M. Symon* (the circumstances attending which appeared in our issue of yesterday) waa held at the Hospital at eleven o’clock this morning, before Dr," Coward, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr Alfred Gee waa chosen foreman. After viewing the body, tho following evidence waa adduced : H. W. Cutaway, proprietor of the Kendal Boarding House, Peterborough street, deposed—That the deceased came to his house on Sunday night last, and slept there each night till the time of his death. On Wednesday afternoon, about four o’clock, deceased came in and told Mrs Ottaway ho wished to settle up for what ho had had. Having paid, he went out, returning again in the evening, and went to his room. Ho came out again, and asked for a piece of candle, from which time he was not seen till a little before one o’olook o.j Thursday (tho next day). The servants had knocked at his door at intervals during the morning, but failed to get a reply, and they told witness that they thought |something was wrong, at the door was looked. Witness prooured a ladder and got in at the window, and found deceased in an insensible state, and foaming at the mouth. Ho was lying on his right side, partially dressed. Within five minutes afterwards Dr, Brittin, who had been sent for, arrived. Dr. Townend also came, and it was determined by them to send deceased to the Hospital. He was taken from Kendal House at about ten minutes past 1 o’olook to that institution. Witness heard nothing unusual during the night. Deceased had been drinking slightly, but nothing to prevent his walking about. He said that his name was Symons, and he was a gentleman. By the Foreman —He was removed to the Hospital in a four-wheeled oab. Constable Rosooe deposed that whilst on duty in Victoria street on Thursday afternoon he was informed by Dr. Brittin that a man residing at Mr Ottaway’s boarding house in Peterborough street had taken two ounces of laudanum, showing witness the bottle (produced). He then went to Ottaway’s house, and in an upstairs bedroom, found the deceased in an insensible condition, his eyes partially closed. He was partly dressed; his boots w< re off. Mr Ottaway told witness that tho had ordered his removal to the Hospital, whither ho was taken in a cab by the witness. By a Juror —Ho had no necktie on. B. B. Bcbinson, resident medical officer at tho Hospital, deposed that deceased was admitted to the Hospital at 1.30 pm. on Thursday in a comatose state, evidently suffering from the effects of narcotic poisoning. The usual treatment was applied for about an hour and a half, and at about a quarter to three he was bo roused as to walk about with support, when he suddenly fell, and died in a moment, at three o’olook. By the Foreman—As to h ; s removal to tho Hospital, taking him in the oab would do no harm 5 on the contrary, rather good, as it would rouse him, and besides it was better, seeing that all tho appliances were at hand in that institution.

By the Coroner —Had made a post mortem examination this (morning. All the organs wore healthy, and ho was a well nourished man. Is his opinion death resulted from poisoning by laudanum. John Bell Maudall, assistant to Mr W. P. Townend, a registered pharmaceutical chemist, deposed that on Wednesday between three and four o’clock the deceased bought 2oz. of laudanum at Mr Townend’* shop, which was given :n the bottle produced He said it was needed to procure sleep, and he was in the habit of taking about forty drops. Deceased then signed the book, stating it was required for medicinal purposes. He was perfectly sober at the time. He had bought some on the previous Monday. He had no appearance of drink at either time. By the Sergeant—lt is usual to sell 2or. at one time.

James Goodbrand deposed that he is a cook, and recognised the deceased, who is also a cook, and had worked with witness at the Agricultural College, Lincoln. He was temperate, and told witness at Lincoln that ho was in the habit of taking laudanum to obtain sleep. Deceased was in the habit of soldering tins, &c., for which he bed used spirits of salts (as per bottle produced.) He arrived in town on Saturday from the Bangor Station. On Wednesday, at 7in the morning, he met witness, and told him he could get no sleep, and was going to get some laudanum to induce it. Since then he had not seen him until now. By the Foreman—Deceased was of a cheerful habit, end not at all likely to commit suicide. This was all the evidence. The jury returned a verdict to the effect — “ That deceased had died from the effects of an overdose of laudanum, taken medicinally.