SHUT UP WITH A CORPSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8333, 3 June 1905, Page 4

SHUT UP WITH A CORPSE.

+ HUSBAND'S SINGULAR CONDUCT IN A FLAT.

Leaning on the arm of a constable and Avalking feebly, David Barnes, a clerk, entered the West London Coroner's Court on April 10, and told of the tragic death of his wife in a flat at Owen's Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens, West Kensington. He said that ten minutes after retiring on the night of Tuesday, April 3, his wife became powerless, and died shortly afterwards, sinking back into his arms. The Coroner: What did you do? — I went and lay down again. He had given some brandy to his wife when he saw her turn pale, and he took some himself. The Coroner : Have you had much since? — No. Have you had any food from Tuesday to Friday? — No. Have you had anything to drink? — I may »have had a little. Have you anything more to 6ay? — Nothing, except to apologise for the way in which they have dressed, me up. John Joshua Barnes spoke to going to the flat on Friday, April 6, and seeing the woman lying dead there. The couple had lived very happily. The coroner said that the husband had evidently suffered a dreadful shock at the death of bis wife, which had unhinged him temporarily. There was no suspicion that death had resulted from anything but natural causes. No blame could attach to the poor fellow. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.