Ashton Reporter - Saturday, 5 February 1881

THE SUDDEN DEATH OF AN ASHTON INNKEEPER - THE INQUEST

On Saturday forenoon Mr. F. Price, coroner, held an inquest at the Sycamore Inn, Cockbrook, on the body of Mr. Samuel Hadfield, the landlord, who was found dead in bed under circumstances already reported.

The Sycamore Inn, Cockbrook

The following evidence was given:-

Sarah Jane Hadfield said : The deceased was my husband, with whom I lived at the Sycamore Inn, No2 Stalybridge Road, Cockbrook. He had no other occupation except that of an innkeeper. He was 37 years of age. He had been of intemperate habits ever since and before I was married to him six years ago. His health has been injuriously affected by drink. Fifteen months ago he ruptured an internal blood-vessel, and lost a great deal of blood. He was then attended by Dr. Gardiner, and was under the doctor’s treatment about ten days. Dr. Gardiner said it was the result of drinking. He has continued his habits of intemperance up to his death. He generally drank whisky since his last illness, but he used to have seven or eight different sorts in a day. On Tuesday he was the worse for drink, and slept in a room by himself. He remained in bed, and would not have any solid food. He seemed sensible, and was not at all delirious. I had occasion to go to Denton that day and I left home at four o’clock in the afternoon. I spoke to him before I went. I returned about nine o’clock, and I sent my stepdaughter Miriam upstairs for an apron. I went upstairs directly afterwards to see him. I went to the bedside and spoke to him. He did not answer me, and I took the light near him, and found him, as I believe now dead; but I was not certain of it at the time. I called a man named Thorpe, who was in the kitchen, to go and look at him. He went and said my husband was dead. I think he has died from excessive drinking and general weakness of body. He has not taken as much food as a healthy man ought to have eaten.

Miriam Hadfield said : I am ten years of age, and the daughter of the deceased. He was in the habit of taking a deal of drink. On Tuesday he had not as much drink as usual. He went to bed about half-past ten o’clock. He did not get up on the Wednesday, because he said he was poorly all over. I do not know why a doctor was sent for. I saw my mother take him some tea at dinner time with whisky in, and he drank some of it. About nine o’clock at night, before my mother came home, I went upstairs to see him. I asked him what he would have, and at his request I warmed a gill of beer and took it to him. He drank about three parts of the beer. I left him, and my mother came home immediately afterwards. I then went into his room and fetched an apron, and my mother also went upstairs to see him and immediately afterwards the servant told me my father was dead.

William Thorpe said : I live at Higham Fold and am a spinner. On Wednesday night last I called at this home about a quarter past eight o’clock. I sat in the kitchen. Mrs. Hadfield came in about nine o’clock dressed as if from a journey. She took a light and went upstairs with the servant. Directly afterwards the servant came down again and asked me to go and look at the deceased. I went and saw him lying on his right side. He was dead, but the body was warm, and I do not think he could have been dead more than two minutes. I had seen the daughter warming some beer in the kitchen and she took it up stairs. I saw him on Tuesday night, and he was very drunk.

The Coroner said it would appear that the deceased had been of intemperate habits, according to the wife’s statement for about seven years. His death was extremely sudden, and the question was whether the jury could come to any other conclusion than that he died from the effects of excessive drinking.

A Juryman said the deceased was seldom to be seen sober. A Juryman said he had heard that deceased and his wife had been in the habit of quarrelling, and that she threw jugs at him. A Juror : Has no medical man been called to examine the body since he died? The Coroner said there had been no one called in except Dr. Gardiner after death, and his remark was that it was only what might be expected, and from his habits it was surprising that he lived so long.

Mrs. Hadfield was called into the room. The coroner : It has been said that you and the deceased had frequent quarrels about his intemperate habits? We have had quarrels, but we soon became friends again. - It is said that during those quarrels you threw jugs at him? Nothing of the sort. - If there is any rumour to that effect it is untrue? Yes, - You simply quarreled in words, and it did not come to blows? No. - If anyone says you were in the habit of throwing jugs at your husband it is untrue? It is. - Such is the rumour and it is unfortunate that it should have gone forth if it is untrue. This is the only opportunity you can have of denying the rumour. - It is not true. - Mrs. Hadfield withdrew.

A Juryman said he called at the house about a month ago, and he saw the deceased’s mouth bleeding. He asked what had been the matter, and he was told that deceased and the servant, or barmaid, had been fighting together. The servant told someone to go to the master and tell him to give up every penny in his pocket, and if he did not turn up the money she would take the poker and make him. He (the Juryman) thought it was rather curious.

A Juror said there was not the slightest doubt they quarreled about deceased’s intemperate habits, and might have exchanged blows without inflicting any bodily injury, sufficient to cause death.

A Juror said he was told that deceased was seen with blood trickling down the back of his head a week last Friday.

The Coroner asked the jurors why they did not put these questions to Mrs. Hadfield whilst she was in the room. Had the body been examined?

Constable Kneale : Only by the woman that laid him out.

The Coroner : Is she here ?

Constable Kneale : No, but she can be brought in a few minutes.

A juror thought the injuries mentioned could be accounted for. Deceased was always very unsteady when in drink, and had on several occasions fallen into the fireplace, and also off the stool on which he might be sitting. He had seen Mr. Hadfield with black eyes.

A juror asked how long it was since Mrs. Hadfield threw a pint pitcher in the deceased’s face?

The Coroner : I suppose that is another rumour, and rumours don’t get any less by travelling. If there is any serious ground for supporting that any act of violence has been committed by any person which is likely to cause death, the proper course will be to adjourn the inquiry, and have a post mortem examination.

Several jurymen expressed the opinion that Mr. Hadfield’s death was caused by excessive drinking, and a verdict to that effect was returned.

The above transcript is a verbatim account taken from the newspaper article as described. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are as published. Relevant photographs have been added.