SUDDEN DEATH OF BLIND MAN AT NEWBURY.
On Saturday Dr. Watson, the Newbury Coroner,held an inquiry the Lecture Hall into the circumstances attending the death of man named Jas. Powers, aged 46, living in Jack-street, which occurred early that morning. Powers was well-known in the town and district, being totally blind. He obtained his livelihood, which would appear to have bean rather precarious, by selling tea, which he delivered at his customers' residences, being led about by a lad. Powers' wife is helpless invalid with two children. The following evidence was called :—
Agnes Mary Powers identified the body as that her father, who had been totally blind for ten years. He appeared to be very well on the previous day, and had been about his business as usual. He had, however, complained of breathlessness during the week. He went bed as usual, and at half-past five that morning she heard him groaning. He could not speak at all. Witness could not make him swallow brandy. She knocked for their next door neighbour, who came in, but her father was then dead. He had had bread, cold pork, and beer for supper. He had had no advice for some years.


Mrs. Annie Seymour, a neighbour, deposed that she was called that morning, and went for Dr. Wyllie.
Dr. R. Gill Wyllie of Northbrook-street, said that when he arrived death had occurred. Witness had no hesitation in saying that death was due to heart failure. The supper might have aggravated his heart trouble. The Coroner expressed sincere sympathy with the wife and family of the deceased man, whom he had known for many years.
The Jury agreed with the medical evidence, and returned a verdict that death was due to failure of the heart's action. Powers was insured, but Jury were desirous of handing their fees to the widow, a course which was adopted by the witness (Mrs. Seymour) and also by the Coroner.
Reading Mercury 8th December, 1903