SUDDEN DEATH.

Evening Star, Issue 7773, 19 November 1888, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH.

Edward Johnson, an old man residing in Elm row, died rather suddenly on Saturday afternoon, presumably from heart disease. He had been employed by Messrs Findlay and Co. at their timber yards, but had been compelled to leave that employment through ill-health, and was at the time of his death an out-patient of the Duncdin Hospital. Under the circumstances Mr Carew deemed an inquiry necessary, and an inquest was accordingly held at the Police Court this morning, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr Gerald Eager was chosen foreman. Sergeant Gearin conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. Sarah Taylor, a married woman residing in Elm row, said she knew deceased for more than four years. He was employed at Findlay's timber yards some two years, but had to leave that employment through sickness and old age. His wife died suddenly about nine months ago, and since that time he had lived by himself in his house. Witness used to keep the house clean for him. He had no relatives in the colony. On Saturday last witness visited deceased's house about nine o'clock in the morning, and he seemed to be in good health, and to eat his usual breakfast. He complained a little to witness about a pain in his left side. Witness left the house at eleven o'clock, and returned at one o'clock, and had dinner with him. She noticed no difference in his manner while she was there. Witness left, promising to return as soon as possible, and upon going back to the house saw him washing up the dishes. He had placed one cup on the shelf, and was washing a saucer, when he cried "Oh Lord, Sarah !" Witness assisted him to a sofa. When he turned round and cried out his eyes were rolling, and he foamed at the mouth when she placed him on the sofa, but never spoke again. She informed a neighbor—a Mrs Tabarfc—-that Johnson was dying, and the former came inside deceased's house. She Bent for Dr Fergusson, who arrived about 111 hour afterwards. Decwtaid had been an out-patient of the Duncdin Hospital for about ten monthu. Ho had in hit! possession ii bottle of medicine, but deceased never

informed witness where he obtained it. Deceased was a native of England, and was about seventy-four years of age. Dr A. Fergusson deposed that on Saturday afternoon he was called to see deceased about half-past two, and reached the house at a quarter to three. Deceased was lying on tl.e sofa. Judging by his mode of death, and ttie nature of his previous ailment, witness presumed that deceased died front heart disease. The body was well nourished, arid appeared to have received the necessary amount of sustenance. Jane Tabart, who resides near deceased's house, said that she was well acquainted with him, and had noticed that his health was giving wiy. Deceased liad complained of a pain in "his left side. On Saturday afternoon she was called in, and saw doceased, lying on the sofa. He was breathing when she entered, but died about five minutes after her arrival, and a few minutes before the doctor arrived. „

Sergeant Gearin stated that at 3.45 on Saturday afternoon he went to the house of deceased and found him dead. He searched his clothes and effects, and found Lb' in cash and a post office savings bank book, which showed that the amount lying to his credit was about L 34. Deceased owned the house which he occupied and the effects found therein. Witness had known deceased since last February, and in the course of a conversation which witness once had with him he stated that he had been compelled through ill-health to leave his work at Find lay's timber yards. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from natural causes.