Sudden Demise of Mr Robert Wilson.

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1906, Page 2

Sudden Demise of Mr Robert Wilson.

Found Dead in Bed. Inquest this Morning. An inquest was held this morning, in connection with the reported sudden death of Mr Robert Wilson, before Mr J. M. Killen, Coroner, in the Courthouse. The jury were sworn in as follows : —A. G. Lyon, F. Wardle, A. C. Bevington, W. Dinniss, L. W. Nelson, and 11. Webb. Mr L. W. Nelson was appointed foreman of the jury. After visiting the deceased's late home, and viewing the body, the jury returned to the Courthouse for the inquiry. Dr. Hall stated that he had made a post mortem examination of the deceased's body. He had found the thorax and the left lung full of blood. He had no doubt that a blood vessel had been ruptured, but the body was so decomposed that it was not possible to determine the exact vessel, though it was probably the one at the root of the lung. Death was undoubtedly due to hemorrhage, produced by natural causes. He believed that death had been instantaneous, and that it must have occurred no later than Tuesday night. The body was well nourished, and there were no marks on it, beyond the blackness due to post mortem. The deceased had not had occasion to consult him for many years past. He believed the deceased to have been a steady, sober man. Richard Keyte, builder, Whangarei, stated that he had known the deceased for many years, and had employed him during the last three years. The deceased had last worked for him on Tuesday, September 18, putting in a full day. Sometimes he had heard the deceased complain of heartburn. On Tuesday he had eaten a good dinner, and had appeared in j his usual health when leaving work. ' A few days prior to Tuesday deceased had told witness' wife that he had been very ill in the morning, and thought he was going to die. Wilson had lived practically alone all his life, and witness had never known him to be in debt for anything. The house deceased had died in and the section surrounding it were deceased's own property. He thought it improbable that Wilson had made a will, as he could neither read or write^ and he believed that deceased had no relatives in the Colony. Deceased married in Whangarei, hut had not heard anything about his wife since they separated 12 years ago. The woman was supposed to be dead. He had expected Wilson back at wb^pa Wednesday last, but had not been surprised at his failure to return, as deceased had said that he wanted a day or two in which to attend to his own property. Wilson, who followed the occupation of gardener, was aX ways very sober, and careful of his diet. Witness knew deceased to be a thrifty man, but could not say if he kept a banking account. It. was more probable that he kept any monies in his house. Since viewing the body, in company with Dr. Hall, the witn ness had remembered a conversation with the deceased on Tuesday last^, when Wilson stated that, sometinjeS;when praying at night, the : ; worked upon him in such a waf he felt as if he was being tUrii^d^ihside out. The deceased came ' from the North of Ireland,. but the witness could not say where exactly. He had heard him speak of Belfast. James Morrice, who lived near deceased's late residence, said he had known him for six or seven years. He had heard deceased complain . of heartburn about three months ago. He had last seen the deceased alive about 6 p.m. on Tuesday last. Deceased was then standing outside his own door, and a short conversation had passed between them. Mr Hughes, who lived" alongside the witness, remarked to him on Thursday night that he had not seen the deceased all day. The witness called on Mr Wilkinson later, and they both went to the house. They first knocked at the door, and called out deceased's name, but, receiving no reply, the "witness went to deceased's bedroom windqwy lifted the sash, and looked in. He saw the body of deceased lying in bed, closed the window, and left immediately. Mr Wilkinson departed to inform the police. Witness was present when the sergeant and Mr WiK kinson arrived! entered the house with them, and saw the dead body. He thought deceased spent nearly all him money on his property. The deceased had not mentioned having any friends or relatives in the Colony. . . Harry Wilkinson, who resided near the deceased's latJe home, said he had known Wilson for many years. He last saw deceased alive about 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Deceased was then on the road, going home from work> Cn Thursday night witness was v-ited by Mr Morrice, and as a resuK inquiries put by the latter, he had gone in company with him to the deceased's home, as they were somewhat apprehensive. On arrival at the house, they found the back door locked, and then proceeded to the bedroom. Mr Morrice lifted the window sash, and the witness struck a match, and saw the body in the bed. They called deceased's name several times, but as no answer was given, they thought he must be dead. - Witness then went for the police, and returned at once with Sergeant Drake to the house. He, and the previous witness, and Sergeant Drake went into the house, and saw that the body was dead, his hands and face only being visible. The hands were not clasped, and the bedclothes were undisturbed. Sergeant Drake gave evidence of having been notified by the last witness, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, that Robert Wilson was apparently dead. He returned with Marry Wilkinson to tlie house, and found deceased lying in a natural position, but evidently quite dead. The body was cold and stiff, but there were no' marks to indicate violence. He would judge from deceased's appearance that he had died very suddenly, there being nothing to show that any struggle had taken place. After the Coroner's summing up, the jury consulted briefly, and then returned a verdict to the effect that death had occurred in accordance with the medical testimony ; that the the deceased had died at his late residence, Dundas Road (Parahaki), An Tuesday night, the cause of death bsing hemorrhage, produced by natural causes.