FOUND DEAD IN BED.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 272, 26 November 1901, Page 3

FOUND DEAD IN BED.

On Thursday evening a man named John Odium, about 44 years of age, was found dead in his bed at Mr John Bishop’s house, Titirangi, Auckland. The cause of death not being known, the circumstances were reported to the coroner, Mr Gresham, who proceeded to the houso in the afternoon for the purpose of holding an inquest. The first witness examined was Dr J. C. Hood, who, in tho course of his evidence, said ho had made a post mortem examination of the body, and found that the cause of death was syncope, caused by the diseased condition of the heart. Daniel Foley, a laborer, who rosidod at the same houso as doeoased, said he last saw Odium, who was a carter in tho employ of Mr Levatt, contractor, alive shortly after nine o’clock on Thursday night, when both retired to bed. They shared the same room, but slept in different beds, and deceased remarked to witness that ho was not feeling well, and intended seeing a doctor next day if no better. When witness woko in tho morning (Friday) about hali-past five o’clock he saw the deceased with all his clothes on lying on the bed. Witness tried to lift him up, and found that he was quite dead. Emily Bishop, wife of John Joseph Bishop, also gave evidence. She said deceased had been boarding at the house for about six weeks. About three weeks back, he told witness that he had been engaged in lifting one of the pipes for the water supply, and had strained himself. A verdict of “ Death from heart disease ” was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.