SUDDEN DEATH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXI, Issue 1041, 6 July 1894, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH.

♦ An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Edward Clark, who was found dead in his tent on Sunday, was held before Dr Smith, J.P., and a jury of six at Stirling on Monday. The jury consisted of Messrs Jas. Parker, H. Andrews, J, Stephen, W. S. Pillans, M. M'Kinlay, and E. E. Boyd. The following were the chief facts adduced : — John Watt said he last saiv deceased alive on Wednesday evening, June 27, when he came to witness's place for .milk. Witness bid him good evening in passing, and he seemed to be in his usual health. On Sunday, July 1, James Coats came and told witness he thought Clark was lying dead in his tent. On their going to the tent they found him quite dead, lying on his back in bed with his hands towards his side. The left sleeve of his coat was off, and the trousers were off his left leg. Both stockings were off. The tea was all laid on the table, and the tea infused in the billy. Deceased used to complain of dizziness in the head. Deceased always used to come to witness's place for milk, but witness was not astonished at his not coming for several days, as he heard he was working at Ford's. James Coats went to call on deceased on Sunday morning, but getting no answer to the door he went inside and found deceased apparently dead as described by last witness. Witness last saw deceased alive on Thursday, when he told witness's wife he was not feeling very well. Deceased was an Irishman, and about 75 years of age, 30 of which he had spent in. the Colony. Constable ' Christie gave evidence as to finding the body as described on Sunday afternoon. On examining the body he found one of the feet had been badly burnt. There were no other marks on the body,

Dr Thomson said he had made an external i examination of the body. There were no i marks of violence, but the right foot was | badly burnt. He should say the man had been dead two or three days, and believed death was due to natural clauses, probably disease of the heart accelerated by the shock of the burn, the toes being partly charred. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.