Newbury Weekly News

Dated 30^th October 1873

SIXTEEN DAYS IN THE KENNETT

On Monday evening an inquest was held at the Council Chamber, before Mr. T. H. Hawkins, Esq., Borough Coroner, on the body of George Dance, aged 63, of Trafalgar-place. The following were empanelled on the day:- Mr. Hussey, (foreman), Messrs. J. Hamlen, H. J. Smith, T. Fidler, A. Jackson, G. J. Cosburn, R. Goddard, J. Sims, T. Willis, R. Dennis, P. Mortimer, Joshua Smith.

After viewing the body, which lay in Messrs. Raynbird’s Stores, in the Wharf, the following evidence was taken:- William Nicks, boatman, living in Newbury, said that at half-past twelve to-day he was steering a boat which had come from Kintbury. When near the crane he saw the body of a man in the water, and called to some sawyers as he could not reach it.

P. C. Tegg said that whilst on duty he heard of a man being turned up by a barge, and went directly to the Wharf, got a punt, and saw the deceased in a standing position going down steadily with the current. Got him out, and there were long weeds round his neck. Could see no marks of injury, but it appeared as if the eyes and ears had been eaten. He had no hat, and apparel as if he had been a long time in the water. Remarked to Copas, who was with him, that he thought it was Dance. Found upon him an old comb, gimlet, knife, and three keys, the large one fitting the lock of Dance’s house in Trafalgar-place, another fitting a lock on Mr. Goddard’s shed in the Pig Market, for whom he had been working. Mrs. Dance had been away from home, and when she returned, borrowed a key to get into the house. Dance’s disappearance had been reported on the 18^th inst., and witness had looked along the water, but did not drag it.

Mrs. Dance deposed that she had not seen the body, as she was not very strong. She heard from her neighbours that her husband was missing, and came down last Wednesday from London, where she had been on a visit to her daughter. Heard nothing of her husband till to-day. Her husband, she regretted to say, was a drinking man. Some eight years ago he had delirium tremens, and was strapped down on his bed. Since then he had been funny, and would hold his head, and say he could not tell how he felt. Went to London at his repeated request to see her daughter. Before going she begged him to keep away from the drink. Was last seen by the neighbours on the 16^th inst. She thought he was gone to seek work.

Supt. Goddard said that when it was first reported to him he visited the deceased’s house, which was locked, but got in through the window. Could find no one there, and learned that the deceased had told neighbours he should go to London.

When Mrs. Dance came back she still held the opinion that he had gone in search of work; but on Saturday he sent two men to search the stream, and had nothing been heard to-day should have dragged the waters. He had since heard that the deceased was very drunk on the day he was missed, and was last seen on the water bridge.

Verdict- “Found drowned.” The jury handed their fees over to the widow, which was further supplemented by a donation from the Coroner.