BODIES IN BOX FOR SIXTH YEARS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 6

BODIES IN BOX FOR SIXTH YEARS

SECRET OF DEAD WOlu.v An open verdict was reU..... .. oy Mr. G. W. W. Surridgo, uw nchester City Coroner, at the inquest of the skeletons of two children found in a black tin box in a House in Deramorc Struct, Moss Side, Manchester, after the occupier, Mrs. Jane Shaw, aged 84, died from shock following a fall down stairs. On the outside of the box was a copy of the song. “The Last Rose of Summer,” and Police Sergeant Grabtree, who found the skeletons, said they were wrapped in old clothes and mummified. Ho thought they were about 60 years old. Mr. John Sutton, of Fallowfield, Manchester, said he had known Mrs. Shaw for 60 years. He first knew her as a servant at Hcald Green, Manchester, and later she lived with m-i uncle at Ratnsden as his housekeeper.

In 1868 she was supposed to have had a child, and another in the following year. She was not married at the time. Mr. Sutton added: “She told my mother that those children were put out to nurse, and later were sent to a boarding-school. Whether this was true or not I do not know. From what she used to tell my mother they lived .to grow up.” Mr. Sutton said that Mrs. Shaw was married in .1874 or 187 5. Her husband died 21. years ago. Mr. Sutton -handed in a letter he had received from a former servant of Mrs. .Shaw, who signed herself ' "Maggie.” and who now lived in Manchester. It read; “About the box. She had - a box with her that was carefully guarded. One day, when she was away, I was curious to see what she had got. I tried to open it, but failed.”’ Dr. E. Hughes said the children had died at or shortly after birth. Mr. G. W. W. Surridge, in returning his verdict, said that the children might have been those of Mrs. Shaw, which she said had been put out to nurse,. They might have died perfectly natural deaths, and he was going to suggest that they did not.