JOSEPH SMITH

SUDDEN DEATH OF “BRISTOL BILL”

INQUEST AT NEWBURY

The Borough Coroner, Dr. Henry Watson, J.P., held an inquest on Saturday evening at Newbury Police Court, into the death of Joseph Smith, a hawker, who had lived at the “Steamer” Lodging-house for the last six or seven years, and who was well-known throughout the neighbourhood. The evidence presented no difficulty. The deceased had felt unwell. He had told the relieving officer (Mr. Rawlins) the previous day that he was going to see the doctor the next day. Death, however, intervened, as after taking a cup of tea he fell forward from his chair and died.

Smith travelled the district round Newbury, and was a hawker of the old type, that railways and better communication have rendered nearly extinct. The box, which he carried over his shoulder, was filled with small necessaries. In which he did a precarious trade. He was almost alone in the world, a sister and brother living at Highclere and Burghclere. He was known as “Bristol Bill,” having spent a great portion of his life in that city, which from his conversation and reverence for the place, he evidently regarded as the hub of the universe, and gained him the nickname. The jury of which Mr. H. Hopton was foreman, had no difficulty in returning a verdict of death from heart disease.

The evidence taken was as follows:

Mrs Ann Mitchell, wife of James Mitchell, the licensee of the “Steamer,” identified the body as that of Joseph Smith. He had been lodging at the “Steamer” off and on for the last six or seven years. He was a pedlar, and was a steady quiet man, but at times took too much to drink. He was not a hard drinker, and had not been drunk lately, if he got any drink it was at some other house. He had complained of his heart and said it was wrong. She never heard that he consulted any doctor or had any medicine. Last (Friday) night he went to bed as usual, and when he came down in the morning he complained of his breath being so short. He had a cup of tea about seven o'clock. He sat down in the kitchen, and that was the last time she saw him alive, as she was busy in the house.

Charles Lane, a labourer, lodging at the “Steamer,” said he knew the deceased seven or eight years, and had worked with him in the harvest field. The deceased was steady, but was away all day. Witness, who got up shortly after eight, found him sitting in the kitchen, and he said he felt rather rough. Suddenly he said “Lane,” and rolled sideways. Witness held him up, but he fell over again, almost into the fire. Witness again caught him and he died at once. He placed him on the floor and called the landlady, but deceased had passed away before she got there.

Mr. Richard Hickman, surgeon, said he was sent for at half-past eight to the “Steamer,” and found deceased lying on the ground quite dead. He made a superficial examination. From what he was told at the “Steamer,” also from the condition of the deceased, he had no doubt that heart disease was the cause of his death.

Newbury Weekly News 24 January 1907

Not in Mrs P.

Buried 22 January 1907 aged 62

Book 1899 p. 131 no. 8246