THE WIDHIRST SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1916, Page 8

THE WIDHIRST SENSATION.

THE INQUEST. (From Our Own Correspondent). The adjourned inquest on Francis Uhlenburg was resumed yesterday afternoon before Mr. S. Ward, J.P., actingCoroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs N. J. King (foreman), A. Moon, G. W, Mills, C. Jackson, F. G. Blake, and H. Burmester. Detective Siddells, of Wanganui, was in charge of the proceedings, and. Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, was present. The court was crowded during tho afternoon proceedings. Detective Siddells. said the case wa« surrounded with grave circumstances, and lie gave the movements of deceased on that day. Wm. Parsons, licensee Midhirst Hotel, said he knew deceased who was often in his hotel, and was addicted to drink but (lid not give way to it. Remembered Doc. 23, when deceased called between 8 and 9 a.m. He was alone, had one drink, and purchased a bottle of beer. 110 returned again between 10 and 11. John was not there at the time, but came later and purchased a 20s hamper. Deceased on his second visit purchased a bottle of whisky. Both had a drink before leaving. They were both sober, and left between 11 and 12, when they drove away. They appeared to be on good terms. Witness was not in charge all day, but deceased did not return and never saw him alive again. Deceased paid £3 off his account at the hotel on 18th, and spent some money after that day. Julia Tapp, married daughter of deceased, said her father was almost daily at her house. He was there on 23rd between 10 and 11 a.m. He had a bottle of beer which he said would be the last he would have as he would not live to see New Year, John arrived shortly after his father, and remained some time, but left before his father, who was in his usual state of health. Deceased was sober when he left, and if he had, returned to town he would have called at witness' house. When her father was reported missing witness wrs not alarmed, as she thought ho would be at Waitara, MEDICAL EVIDENCE.

Dr. Stevens said that in company with Dr. Paget he made a post-mortem of the body. Dislocation of the neck was well marked, of a dark brown color like decomposed blood. Rigidity had disappeared, and gassea had been escaping from the mouth. There was a slight abrasion on the inner part of the right kneecap, and on the right arm and hand a laceration extending from the little finger half up to the elbow. This wound went down to the bone.

After describing other wounds on the body, witness said that no fracture of the skull could be found, and apart from the results of decomposition the brain appeared normal. The right lung was adhesive to the chest wall at the apex l of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs which showed old fractures. The right side of the heart was slightly enlarged, but the valves all appeared to be normal. Tho abdominal organs were healthy. Fragments of cloth were removed from the wound, on the right arm.

By Detective Siddells: The cause of death was not drowning, but the wounds were not sufficient in themselves to cause death. Deceased could possibly have been strangled or suffocated, but may have died from shock or exposure. The wounds could not have been inflicted with a bar of iron, and witness could not say whether they were inflicted before or after death. The wound 'jn the right arm could have been caused by friction oil some hard substance. A knock down by a car would not have caused it, but being dragged nlong might have. Deceased's coat (produced) showed signs of deceased having been dragged. It was possible the wound could have been caused by friction against the rim of a wheel of any i-ehicle, as it seemed to have been a srradual rather than a sudden blow. Had seen the place where deceased was found, and was inclined to think (lie body had been put there after death. Wounds would not correspond to those caused by contact with barbed wire, and were not sufficient to prevent deceased from walking to the ditch. It was impossible for them to be caused by striking against a slump or post. There was 110 evidence of poison in the stomach. '

Dr. Paget, who assisted at the postmortem examination with Dr. Stevens, save corroborative evidence. John Uhlenberg, the eldest son of the deceased, deposed that 011 the morning of December 23 he and his father took their milk to the Midhirst factory. The deceased left him at the factory and walked towards the township. Witness Went home and after breakfast he drove into Midhirst for the purpose of bringing his father home. When he reached Midhirst he le|t the gig at the hotel where he had one drink, Ho then went to Mrs. Tapp's place, and met fns father coming out. His father went towards the hotel, and presently returned with a bottle of beer. They both remained at Tapp's for some time, and they drank some beer. Later they went back -to tlie hotel, and at this time the condition of his father was "half and lialT." Witness then purchased a hamper containing beer and spirits, and his father bought a bottle of whisky, after which they both drove home, taking the liquor with them. At this time his father "was pretty full with drink." On reaching home the deceased took more liquor. Deceased was in a very bad temper, as ho always was when he had taken liquor. Joseph, witness' brother, came to the house in the afternoon, and "was very drunk." When Joe arrived he rode his horse on to the verandah and thsn tried to ride into the kitchen, but the deceased stopped him. The deceased was angry with Joe, and angry words passed between them. Witness did not hear what they said and he did not see blows exchanged between them, but blows may have been exchanged. Deceased presently got up to go away, saying, "I ajn going off for the police." Joe then went to rest and the last witness saw of him was aboiit eight o'clock, when they both went to sleep. The deceased did not return next day, and later witness informed tjhe police lie was missing. i Joseph Uhlenberg, brother of the previous witness, deposed that he arrived at the farm from his brother-in-lato'a place about 1.45 p.m. 011 the 23rd. Witness, who was slightly under the 1 influence, found his father sitting 011 jtlie back verandah and his brother John sitting in the whare. Witness rodij 011 the back verandah and tried to enter: the kitchen door, when his father rosii to his feet and grabbed the reins, savring. "Don't try to ride the horse inside." John then came and took the ijorse away. Witness and deceased (were together about 20 minutes talking about horses. During that time there were no disputes and no blows were struck. Deceased was pretty well drunk, Witness did not hear his father say that he was going for the police and [witness had given him no cause to say so. He heard deceased say that he was going to Midhirst and saw him aoing to

get his coat. Witness then went to John's whare. Witness and deceased had had rows but never had come to blows. Witness' wife returned about 3 p.m., and after witness had liad a cup of tea, ho lay down until 5.15 p.m. when ho milked tho cows. Ho retired about 8 p.m. and got up next morning at 5. He did not seo deceased after ho went to get his coat and could not oiler any suggestion as to how ho came by his death. Ho would swear that he had never had a fight with, nor had he struck his father in Ms life. Deceased was inclined to be quarrelsome when in drink. He did not think deceased was hurt when he grabbed the reins. Pearl Uhlenberg, wife of the previous witness deposed that she had kept house for deceased and his son John during the last four months. Deceased often came home drunk and was frequently very disagreeable and used to quarrel with the boys. On the 23rd John and deceased went to the factory together the former returned by himself but later went with the gig and returned about noon with deceased, who seemed half drunk and had a bottle in his pocket. Deceased would not have any dinner and seemed more drunk afterwards. About 2.15 witness went to visit lier grandmother, returning about 3 p.m. From this point her evidence was corroborative ol her husband, I whom she stated did not leave the house that night. She did not think deceased's absence strange as he often stayed away one or two nights at his daughter's. She had seen quarrels between him and the boys, but no blows. David Blanciiard, fanner and neighbor of deceased deposed that when returning from New Plymouth by the 2.47 train he caught a glimpse of deceased standing on the Manganui bridge on the Main Koad. Deceased was a harmless man who never had a row with any one and was always on the roads. Constable McCowern gave evidence of having carefully searched the locality where the body was found. Twentyeight feet away he discovered an iron bridge bolt produced. By the appearance of the grass he was satisfied that it had been laying there only a few days. A number of bolts were lying some distance away and all but one were embedded in the grass. He had made exhaustive inquiries but could not find tliat deceased had been seen after 3 p.m. on the 23rd. Jb'rita lvleeman, manager of the Midhurst Dairy Company gave evidence as to the discovery of tho body. He also deposed that on the 23rd inst he left the Waipuku creamery for Midhirst shortly alter the train had passed and saw nothing of deceased or anyone else. Sergeant Dale deposed that he had carefully examined the locality before removing ithe body and could lind no signs of any struggle. The jury returned a verdict that deceased was found dead, but tlfat there was not sufficient evidence to show how lie met his death.