STARVING MAN’S MONEY

Evening Star, Issue 20019, 9 November 1928, Page 4

STARVING MAN’S MONEY

SCHOLAR AND RECLUSE NBABTA' £2O UNDER PILLOW. 'Rho death through starvation of a classical scholar who had lived alone, and whose passbook showed that ho had £3OO on deposit, was investigated recently at Hampstead. The man, Reginald Joseph Webb was fifty-eight years of age. , Edward Egbert Organ Webb, a brother, said that ha last saw the dead man five or six years ago on Ins departure from Bristol. He was then suffering from depression, which witness attributed to loneliness. His brother lived by himself, and devoted himself I to the study of Latin and Greek authors. He was of sober and careful habits, of the old Puritan stamp. _ Ho had never threatened to take his life or said that he was tired of it—in fact, he clung to life. . Mrs Amv Arabella Brook, a Bister, said that 'her brother did not want to have anything to do with nis family* and she discovered his address through his newsagent. . , , , Other evidence was given that Webb seldom spoke to anyone. As he did not respond to calls the door of his room was forced open, and he was found a in bed, unanle to speak. A con* 9, on making a search of the room, found food in a cupboard and sixteen, £ll notes, two 10s notes ,32s in silver, and 9s in bronze undei* tab man’s pillow. It was also stated that, there was 'discovered a bank passbook which showed a deposit of over £3OO. Medical evidence 'was to the enac* that Webb was extremely emaciated, and death was due to cardiac failure and peritonitis due to starvation. Ine coroner returned a verdict, according!,. •