Distressing1 Case of Sudden Death.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2627, 9 June 1877, Page 2

Distressing 1 Case of Sudden Death.

A very distressing case of sudden death occurred at any early hour this morning, the wife of Mr James Stewart haying been found by her husband at half-past eight o'clock quite dead. Dr Perston was palled at once. An inquest was held on the body this afternoon, when the particulars were elicited as given below.

Ths Incniest.

, An inquest on the body was held at the deceased's residence at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon before Dr Kilgour (Coroner) and the following jury:—Messrs James, Harcourl, McCabe, Pearce, Sims, Whiter house, Vidnl, McCormick, Pennell, McDowell, Smith and Bawden. After

the jury had been sworn in and Mr Sims elected foreman, the ju'rj proceeded to view the body. The following- evidence was then taken :■— .

• James Stewart, sworn, djposed—l am a miner residing at Grahatrstown. I am the husband of the deceased, and hare been married about 5^ yesrs. She was about 35 years old. Durinj my married life she enjoyed good health, but frequently complained of a pain in her cheat. I and the deceased went to bed last night at about 10 o'clock, and the second eldest cHld, who is abont 2 years old, slept with us. I lay it the outside of the lad, the deceased nest me and the child next the wall. Befoie going to bed she appeared to be low spirited and not the same >s usual. I perceived this chauge and asked her several times what was the matter, but she did not answer. I went to sleep shortly after I went to bed, and awakened at about midnight by the child. It was sick and vomiting. I reached over the deceased aud lifted the child over to me. The child was sick again, and when it ceased I put it between the deceased aud me.- During this time I did not speak to the deceased, for she was asleep. I know that because I heard her breathing. She was lying on her right side with her face from me. After I got the child settled, I went to sleep and did not again awake till I was awakened by the milkman at the front door. When I got up the deceased and the child were lying the same as I saw them at twelve o'clock. I don't think she was lying on her face. I went down stairs, and after taking the milk in I returned to the bedrooadttd gave the children something to drmk. There was another child sleeping in the room in a cot. I then sat on the bed reading the paper, and the child in the bed began calling for his mother, and not hearing her speak I attempted to waken her, and on putting my hand on her I found she was dead. Her mouth was not buried in the pillows. A Mrs Eodgers sleeps in the next room, and I called out to her, and she came immediately. I did not move the body before she came, nor did I before Dr O'Flaherty came. lam not a very heavy sleeper, and was not aroused all through the night except the once by the child. The deceased was not awoke by my moving the child. She was a heavy sleeper. During my married life she has had fainting fits once or twice. We have always lived on good terms together.

By the Foreman—l lit a candle at twelve^ o'clock and there was nothing unusual about her then; She has hot lately been in the habit of taking fits as far as I know."

By. Mr Bullen—The body was cold when I felt it.

By the Foreman—lt is a good while since she has bad medical advice.

By a juror—Deceased had tea and her? rings for supper, and J believe she had some bread and cheese afterwards, just before she went to bed.

Sarah. Bodgers, sworn, deposed—For a week or so I hare been on a visit to Mr and Mrs Stewart's, and occupied the next bedroom to deceased and her. husband. There is only a boarded partition between the two rooms. I went to my room at about half* past nine last night. While I was undressing the deceased came into my room. She then seemed quite well and in her usual spirits/ She offered to sleep with me for fear I should be lonesome. I told her that I did not feel lonesome, and she bid me good night, shook hands with me and went away. lam not a heavy sleeper. I heard the last witness attending to the sick child through the night. I heard nothing more till this morning, when I was awakened by the milkman knocking at the door. X had not left the room then. I heard the last witness get up, go down stairs and come back again. I got up shortly after to light the fire, and after I had been down about 20 minutes Mr Stewart called to me that deceased was dead. I went to the bedroom and saw her lying on the bed. I put my hand-on. her arm and found it was quite cold. She was lying with her face towards the wall. I could not say if her mouth and nose were clear of the pillow. There was no appearance of there I having been a struggle. I did not more I the body before Dr O'Flaherty came. I ! have been staying here for a week, and deceased has never complained.' of being unwell. We had some supper before going to bed last night, that was before Mr Stewart came in. The. deceased ate bread and cheese. She hr.d nothing to drink. By a Juror—Deceased had not always been in the habit of coming into my room before going to bed. The Jury returned a verdict of " Death from Natural Causes.!' .