Sudden Death.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 513, 2 October 1890, Page 2

Sudden Death.

MR FRASER’S FATHER EXPIRES IN A CHAIR. Yesterday morning Captain James Watson arrived from Napier, to visit his stepson, Mr Fraser, who was nearly killed by an aoeide: t on Sunday morning. Mr Fraser’s relations were very much distressed at the accident to him, and a telegram was received by Mr EL Ciavton, stating that Mr Fraser's mother an! his sister would arrive in Gisborne bv the Te Anau yesterday, and asking Mr Clayton to meet them at the steamer. But they could not got away very well, and Captain Watson himself arrived, and went to stay at Mr C ayton’a place. He was driven up to the Hospital in the morning. Mr Fraser was progressing as satisfactorily as could be expected, but his stepfather was much grieved to see him Iving 'here in that prostrate condition. The captain returned to Mr Clayton’s residence early in the afternoon, and was Bitting at easa in the front room, when about an hour afterwards someone went in to call him in for tea. As may be imagined there was a great shock to discover that the visitor was dead in ths chair. Those in the house were at once acquainted with tin dreadful news. Mr F. Clayton rode off for Dr Innes, who immediately returned wilh him, but there was no doubt that life was extinct, and all that the Doctor could do was to satisfy himself of the cause. THE DECEASED. Captain Watson was a very eteadv man, esteemed by all who knew him. He and Mrs Watson kept a store and telephone station at Havelock, Hawke's Buy. His age would be about 45 Lxt-ly hie health had been in a shattered condition, but there was nothing in his personal appearance that would give eround for fearing that he would be the victim of such a sudden death. Many Gisborne people are probably acquainted wilh him He formerly commanded the steamer Sir Donald, and at one time the ketch Three Brothers - two vessels that subsequently came to grief, the former at Tuahine Point, and the latter' on the Pouawa beach. He was a widower when he married his present wife, who was then a widow (about fifteen years or more ago) and there is a grown up family. The blow will be a terrible one to Mrs Watson and family, who must have just been rejoicing a: the prospect hald out for Mr Fraser’s reoovery. Word was despatched last night to Havelock, and it is probable that Mrs Wa’sin will be up by to-morrow morning's steamer. THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

The cause has not yet been ascertained, but heart disease is probably what the suddon death may be attributed to. From what we could ascertain last night, the unfortunate man's liver and lungs were also affected. An inquest will be held to-day. The time of the inquest has not been fixed, but Constable Reddell has instructions ■to attend 'o the matter this morning, and noon will likely be the hour chosen.