GEORGE HENRY BECKHUSON
SUDDEN DEATH OF Mr. BECKHUSON.
A profound sensation was created on Monday in Newbury by the news that Mr. Beckhuson, who until recently has acted as deputy Town Clerk, had almost suddenly expired, while engaged at his private office. The deceased had been seen but a short time previously walking down the street, apparently in the enjoyment of his usual health, his only observation to the contrary being that he complained to Mr. Pettitt, with whom he happened to be in conversation only a few minutes previous to the fatal seizure, that he felt chilly and unable to keep warm. Almost immediately afterwards the alarming attack supervened, which will be found detailed in the evidence at the inquest as reported below.
For nearly half-a-century Mr. Beckhuson has been actively concerned in local and municipal matters in Newbury. When a young man he entered the office of the late Town Clerk (Mr. R. F. Graham), in whose service he uninterruptedly continued until that gentleman's decease, and during the later years of his life he (Mr. Beckhuson) managed for the most part his private practice, and for some time discharged the functions of Town Clerk.
After Mr. Godwin's appointment to that office, Mr. Beckhuson still acted as Deputy, the intimate knowledge of municipal matters rendering it desirable that his services should be retained to the town. He has also acted as accountant to the Town Council, an office similar to that of Deputy Treasurer. As long as the Court Leet continued he was the moving spirit of that venerable body, and would never admit that its functions were obsolete.
He was some years ago one of the officers of the Horticultural Society, and was also connected with the railway to Newbury, the Gas Company, and with other local undertakings. He held for some years the office of Proctor to the Almshouses at Donnington, the duties connected with which are to pay the inmates of the Hospital and read prayers to them, though it must be admitted that the latter duty was honoured in the breach rather than the observance.
In politics, Mr. Beckhuson was strongly Conservative, and was wont as occasion offered to express his views with a dogmatism and a somewhat cynical contempt for his opponents, which was apparently inherent in his character.
He was, as we understand, descended from a German family named Backhuizen. Ludolf Backhuizen, born at Emden in 1631, was an eminent painter, some of whose works are in the Museum at Amsterdam.
Mr. Beckhuson himself was born at Bristol, (where his father was engaged in the sugar trade) and in early life he went to the West Indies on business connected with his father’s trade. He was afterwards for some years in a solicitor’s office at Pensford, Somerset whence he removed to Newbury, as above stated.
An inquest, rendered obligatory by his sudden decease, was held on Monday evening before H. Watson, Esq., M.D., the Borough Coroner, and a jury of whom Mr. H. Seymour was foreman.
The body having been viewed, the jury returned to the Board-room at Mr. Godwin’s office, when the follow'ing evidence was taken:
Mr. H. Burke Godwin deposed - I am Town Clerk of Newbury. The deceased Mr. Beckhuson assisted me in that capacity. He came to my office this morning at about a quarter past ten, bringing me a Corporation cheque to sign. I noticed that be was perspiring a good deal and seemed in some pain. I said so and he acquiesced, saying that it had come on suddenly; it was a pain or tightness across his breast. He sat down and I asked if I should get him some brandy or anything else. He said ‘No thank you , I had a little Cherry Brandy before I came down.” He then talked and explained about the cheque. As he did not seem to mend I suggested that he should see a doctor to which he assented, and I at once sent the clerk to find one. I did not think his state was dangerous, but soon after he said he should like a little brandy. I went across to the brewery to get same, and when I got back, within about two minutes I found Mr Birch with him, and it was evident he was dying, if not dead. I need hardly add that our conversation bad been of the mast friendly kind, and without any difference or excitement.
The Foreman—The deceased I suppose did not give impression (?) to any apprehension?—Oh no.
Arthur Stillman deposed—I am a clerk to Mr. Godwin. Directly after Mr. Godwin had left to get some brandy I heard a mournful noise in Mr. Godwin's room and went there and found Mr. Beckhuson seated in a chair, breathing painfully and quickly. I asked if I could help him in any way, but he made no answer. He soon ceased making a noise, and laid his head on the back of the chair, and drew his hands towards his stomach. At this moment, Mr. Godwin came in, followed by Mr. Birch.
By the Foreman—His eyes seemed fixed in one position, and he did not seem able to speak. The noise and breathing were very dreadful.
Mr. Robert Birch deposed —I am a resident medical practitioner and saw the deceased at Mr. Godwin's office at a quarter past 11, and found the deceased seated in an arm chair, his head having fallen over the back, his face was pale and there was a cold perspiration on his forehead; be was pulseless. He gasped for breath two or three times in my presence and then ceased to breathe. There was no odour about his breath to lead me to think he had taken anything. From the evidence of the previous witness, and from what I saw of the deceased, I think it probable death was due to disease of the heart, or one of the large vessels in the neighbourhood. There was no blood from the mouth. I had not attended the deceased previously.
The Coroner said he had ascertained from his housekeeper that deceased ate a hearty breakfast ; and (?)
Mr. A. Beckhuson, a son of deceased, said his father seemed as well as ever yesterday. He had not seen him that morning, as he left home at five that morning to attend to his business. He had not heard that his father had previously suffered or had ever consulted a doctor as to disease of the heart.
The Coroner said he had not ordered a postmortem examination as he did not think such was necessary.
The jury agreed that this was not required, and at once returned a verdict that deceased had died from the " Visitation of God."
The body, under the superintendence of Mr. Salisbury, was removed to deceased's residence, and the funeral, the arrangements of which will be undertaken by Mr. Hanington, will take place to-morrow (Friday) at four o’clock at the Cemetery.
We are requested to state that friends who may wish to follow the deceased should be at the Black Boys not later than quarter to four.
Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser - Thursday 28 July 1881 |
