RICHARD MILLS

SAD CASE OF SUDDEN DEATH

 An inquest was held in the Board Room of the Newbury Union Workhouse on Saturday afternoon. Before H. Watson, Esq. M.D., Borough Coroner and a jury consisting of Messrs. G.J. Cox (foreman), J. Baverstock, W.J. Arnold, D. Soper, G. Povey, R. Hamblin, F. Heath, J. Ayres, W. Turner, J. Geater, and W. Floyd, upon the body of Richard Mills, who met with his death as shown by the following evidence.- Mr. Draper, relieving officer, of Thatcham, deposed that on Thursday night last, at nine o'clock, Mr. Allsop of Midgham, went to him saying that a man had been found in the ditch by the side of the road near his house, and asking what had better be done with him. Witness at once went for Dr. Lyon, requesting him to go with Mr. Allen to see the man. Witness procured a conveyance and followed. When he got there he found him in a meal-house at Midgham-farm before a good fire and in a crouching position on his hands and knees. The doctor giving the opinion that he was fit to be removed, with the assistance of two others he got him into the fly and brought him to Thatcham where the doctor again examined him, and he said he was much revived. Dr. Lyon leaving them at Thatcham, they came on to Newbury, calling on Mr. Birch on the way to the Infirmary. He examined him and prepared some medicine, and gave witness directions for the nurse. On arriving at the Union, the patient was again offered brandy but it was declined. Witness called the porter and in about five minutes he came, and witness told him that he had sent the fly round with a man in it, and the porter went round to the gates, but came back immediately to say that the man was dead. The deceased had stated that his name was Richard Mills, that he was 66 years of age, and that he had come that day three miles this side of Reading, and that he belonged to the parish of Ham.

William Hawked, porter to the Newbury Union Workhouse, said that asst about 11.40 on Thursday evening Mr. Draper called him up saying that he had with him a man who was very ill. He went and got the keys and on going to the cab asked the man what was the matter with him, and receiving no answer touched him on the knee, but he did not move. He held a light to his face and then found that he was dead.

Charles Claridge, carter to Mr. Allsop, of Midgham, deposed to finding the deceased on Thursday evening about a quarter past seven. He was lying by the gate close to Mr. Allsop's house at Midgham. He was crouched on his hands and knees and said he wanted a place to lie down, and that he was very ill. By Mr. Allsop's directions he was taken into the mealhouse where a fire was made and everything done to make him comfortable. Mr. Allsop got some brandy and water and arrowroot and brandy, which seemed to revive him.

Mr. R. Birch, surgeon, said he made a post-mortem, examination and found that he was a fairly nourished man. Detected some gall stones, and he was of the opinion that these caused ulceration and perforation of the intestines, and so caused death.

The Coroner in summing up thought that everything had been done for the deceased, and that any how he would have died wherever he was. A man with gall stones could not live any length of time.

The jury expressed their opinion that everything possible had been done for the unfortunate man, and returned a verdict that he died from natural causes.

Newbury Weekly News 6 May 1880

Not in Mrs P.

Burial Register says MILES. Could be either. B ut free BMD gives Mills

Buried 3 May 1880 aged 66 from Newbury (Union). Book 1868 no. 4111

MILLS   -  April 30, at the Union Workhouse, Newbury,  Richard Mills, aged 56

An identical entry in the Newbury Union Workhouse death records records Richard Mills age 66 from Midgam died 29th of April 1880