Sudden Death

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 801, 9 May 1876, Page 5

Sudden Death

An inquest was held at the Mihon Hotel yesterday, before Mr J. P. Maitland, District Coroner, on the body of James Black, who died suddenly on the 6th inst. Mr Fred. Bastings was appointed foreman of the jury. The following evidence was heard :— • John T. Patterson, deposed — I am a farmer, residing near Table Hill, Canada Bush. I have seen the body of the deceased man, and I recognise it as the body of James Black I laat saw him alive on Saturday, the 6th inst., at Mr Finch's farm, Tokomairiro. This was at about a quarter past three o'clock in the afternoon. The deceased had been driving the engiae up to about three o'clock. At about half-past two o'clock the same afternoon, I saw the deceased vomiting. He got worse up to about three o'clock. He told me he was very bad, and would have to leave. I then saw him go into Mr Finch's barn, and soon afterwards I noticed him at the engine. He then left, aud this was tfce

last I saw of him. He went in the direction of the township. William Chapman deposed — I am a settler, residing at Milton. I have seen the body of the deceased. I remember the evening of Saturday, the 6th of May. At about seven o'clock in the evening I waa walking along the main road, in the direction of the Gorge. In returning, I noticed some object by the roadside. I satisfied myself that the object was a-man lying down. This was about a mile from the township. I did not go near, as I fancied it might he some one who had taken too much drink. On Sunday I heard that the body of a man had been found at the place I have indicated. I felt a painful regret that I had not taken more notice of the object I saw on the previous night, and at once communicated with the police. Jane Denham deposed— l am a married woman, and live at Tokomairiro. I remember Sunday, the 7th inst. I was standing at my gate, talking to a female neighbor. I live on the main road, not far from the Royal Oak Hotel. TWO men, driving some sbeep, passed me, and when they had passed me, I noticed that the sheep shied at some object by the roadside. This was about eight o'clock in the morning. The first shepherd went to the side of the road to see what had frightened the sheep. He turned round and beckoned to the other man, pointing to the object. They then called to me and my neighbor. We both ran. to the place. My friend was afraid, but I went on with one of the shepherds, until we came to the body of a man on his knees, with his face buried in the grass. The body appeared to be quite lifeless, and I should think bad been dead for some time. The body was partly undressed when we first saw it. The shepherd covered it up, and asked me to remain there until some one else came. I did so. I remained there until the police; came. I did not know the deceased man. Sergeant Smyth stated that on Sunday morning he received information that the body of the deceased had been discovered on the Main Road. He went to the spot, accompanied by Constable White, and found the body as described by the last witness. The deceased man's watch had stopped at twenty minutes past three o'clock. Between thirteen and fourteen shillings were found in his pockets. He had known the deceased personally, and recognised the body. Francis M'Bean Stewart deposed— lama duly qualified practitioner, and reside at Milton. I have made a post mortem examination of the body of James Black. I knew him slightly. Hearing that the deceased had been suffering from disease of the kidneys or liver, I examined those organs first. They were in the diseased condition known as " waxy." Not finding in them any cause for sudden death, I examined the chest; and found a large quantity of fluid in the right cavity, with a large quantity of coagulated blood, showing that a rupture of some vessel had taken place. On further examination I found that the deceased had been suffering from a large aneurism of the descending aorta, and that a rupture had taken place. This was the immediate cause of death. The aneurism must have been in existence for several years. The Coroner remarked that the evidence with regard to the cause of death was perfectly clear. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from natural causes.