The Newbury Weekly News 3 August 1882
SUDDEN DEATH OF
MR WALTER BERKELEY WILSON
Scarcely any event in Newbury of recent occurrence has produced a more profound impression, or evoked a more universal sympathy, than the sudden removal of Mr Walter Berkeley Wilson, which occurred during last Friday night. Having been engaged in his business on the previous evening, when he appeared in his usual good health, the announcement on Saturday morning that he was no more, was at first received with incredulity, but the distressing news unhappily proved too true. As will be seen by the report of the inquest subjoined, the medical authorities have been at a loss to suggest a sufficient cause for the mournful occurrence, and the jury before whom the evidence was laid, were thus led to record their verdict in the general yet appropriate phraseology employed on such occasions. Mr Wilson, who at the time of his death was 32 years of age, and therefore in the prime of manhood, was remarkably active in his habits, and showed no little ability in the extensive and important business which latterly had largely devolved on his, and which the family name has within living memory been associated. He also took a great interest in town and local matters generally. At the time of his death he was Worshipful Master of the local lodge of Freemasons, a fact evidencing the high regard in which he was held by the members of his craft, and in this he has distinguished himself in such a way as to elicit eulogy. As a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade from the commencement, and junior sergeant, he had shown himself remarkably active. He was “Past Grand” in the Order of Oddfellows (Jack of Newbury Lodge) and had attended with members of that body the service at the Parish Church on the preceding Sunday. He was a member of the Conservative Working Men's Association, and formerly a Rifle Volunteer. He took a great delight in all kinds of sport, was an excellent horseman, possessed of great nerve, and a favourite in the hunting field. Indeed he had a great love for riding and took delight in horses, and as an amateur jockey he was unequalled. Some of his friends though that the abstemiousness he practised with a view to keep down his weight, may have been a contributing cause to his untimely death. Personally he was of a genial disposition, courteous and affable to all with whom he came into contact, and with children an especial favourite so that the mournful impression produced by the sad intelligence of his death, has been heightened in no small degree by the genuine regret which has on all hands been felt at his untimely removal.
THE INQUEST
was held at the “Jack” Hotel, at six o'clock on Saturday evening, before H. Watson, Esq., M.D., J.P., the Borough Coroner.
The jury having been sworn, elected Mr. F.F. Somerset as their foreman. Before, however, proceeding to inspect the body.
The coroner said he was quite sure that he was expressing the regret of all present, at having to meet for the melancholy purpose of investigating the sudden death of their young townsman, Mr W.B. Wilson. The deceased, as they all knew, was apparently in the prime of life, and from his habits and position he gave promise of a long and useful career. He had enjoyed apparently excellent health, and gone to bed the previous night perfectly well. He should call before them the gentleman who saw him last alive, and his brother, Mr Brice Wilson, who found him dead: and Dr Ryott, who was the first medical man who arrived, and who had conducted the post mortem examination at his (the Coroner's) instructions, in order that the matter might be the more clearly solved.
The jury having returned, the following evidence was taken:-
MR JOHN ANNANDALE JOHNSTON said,- The deceased had arranged to go out to a supper with me last night at my aunt's house in Gloucester-road, West-fields. When I was in Gloucester-road he overtook me at about five or ten minutes to nine, We chatted with Sergt. Robinson for a few minutes, and then went on to the house. When supper was ready in an adjoining room to where we were sitting, the deceased would not have any. I said “Come in with us then?” but he said “No, I will wait here and have a cigarette,” which he did. I did not take any notice of this because he generally spent his Sundays with me and rarely touches any supper. When we came back from supper he seemed quiet, and I asked if he were unwell. He said he was all right, but he was very tired. My wife came in and said, “Walter, are you not well, you did not have any supper?” He said “God bless you missus; don't worry yourself about me; I'm all right.” A French lady lives next door, and, hearing her talk, he asked that he might be introduced. She then came in and they chatted together in French, the deceased seeming as lively as ever I have seen him. All he had was one wine-glass-full of Scotch whiskey in water, and several cigarettes. We walked home together and I wished him “Good night” at the door at about half-past eleven. I never remember seeing him in better spirits.
MR BRICE WILSON deposed- I am the brother of the deceased. I last saw him alive at 6.30 pm on Friday night. He was then working in my father's shop in his usual manner. He had not complained to any of his family of being unwell, nor has he had any medical attendance within the last six weeks. When I reached home at 11.45, I found that the deceased was gone to bed. I got up this morning about 8.20, and finding that he had not breakfasted, I went to his room and found him dead in his bed. He was lying on his back, with his arms in an easy position. The clothes were not disordered. There was no blood or vomit. I then went to my father, who was sitting alone at breakfast. After my father and myself had looked at the body I sent for Mr Palmer and went myself for Dr Ryott. The latter arrived first and pronounced life to have been extinct for some considerable time, although the body was still partially warm.
By a Juror- He had not complained during the day.
Dr Ryott deposed- A few minutes after half-past eight this morning Mr Brice Wilson requested my attendance at his father's house, as he thought his brother was dead. I went and found him dead. The forehead was cold, and the hands were nearly cold and out of bed. The body was warm and the feet were fairly warm. His pupils were dilated; his ears were blue, and the legs, especially towards the inner part, were getting purple. There was no symptom of vomiting; the expression was perfectly placid. He was lying in a natural position, little inclining to the left. The bed clothes seemed not to have been touched. I looked into the inside of his mouth and there was no discolouration, nor was there any smell. There was no mark of violence over the body. By order of the Coroner, this afternoon at half-past two, in company with Mr Birch and Mr Palmer (deceased's medical attendant), I made a post mortem examination. There were no pleuritic adhesion; the lungs were perfectly free and sound. Opening the bag of the heart, I found it perfectly sound, there was no effusion. The valves of the heart were perfectly sound; the heart was larger than usual, weighing 13 ¾ ounces. The muscular tissue of the heart was perfectly good. The stomach was quite empty; no mucus of any sort and no smell. The bladder was contracted, otherwise healthy; the kidneys were somewhat larger than they ought to be and congested, but the tissue was healthy. The larynx was taken out, and we could get our fingers right through it. He therefore could not have died of suffocation. The brain tissue and membranes were perfectly healthy, and there was no effusion of blood or serum into the ventricles of the brain. The intestines also were healthy. From that post mortem I can give no opinion as to the real cause of death, and that is the opinion of Mr Palmer and Mr Birch. We want facts, and we have none.
THE FOREMAN – I think we should have his medical attendant here.
THE CORONER- If you wish it I will summon him, but Mr B. Wilson has told you that he has not been attended lately.
DR RYOTT- I am going into theory and leaving facts when I say that the deceased had been getting tired and weak lately, and then smoking cigarettes on an empty stomach he may have fainted and passed away in his sleep. There was no appearance of a struggle nor convulsion.
THE CORONER- Dr Ryott's evidence leaves us in a difficulty. We shall only be able to make a verdict on theory.
MR STRADLING- Will that be consistent with the medical evidence?
In answer to the Coroner, Mr BRICE WILSON said the deceased had enjoyed a hearty dinner. He had been playing lawn tennis several nights lately, and had wearied several good players, which he could not have done had he been weak.
THE CORONER said looking at the age and general habits of life of the deceased it was very unusual for a young man to be found dead under such circumstances.
DR RYOTT – Most unusual.
THE CORONER- In all my experience I do not recollect such a case. Three medical gentlemen have examined the body and can detect nothing.
THE CORONER – will you tell me, Dr Ryott, if you all agree as to the result of the post mortem examination?
DR RYOTT- Certainly, Mr Coroner, we all agreed.
MR STRADLING- Is it a usual thing for a person to die in a fainting fit?
THE CORONER – Not so young. I can only direct you to bring in a verdict of “Death from syncope or fainting”.
DR RYOTT – That is the only conclusion we can come to. I think you might return the somewhat old-fashioned verdict of “Died by the visitation of God.”
MR J. ELLIOTT though that the better verdict where they had nothing absolutely definite to guide them would be “Died by visitation of God.”
THE CORONER remarked that this was an almost obsolete form of verdict; besides which every death was in a sense a visitation from God.
THE FOREMAN – Are the medical men satisfied?
DR RYOTT – We have carefully examined every symptom and and we can think of nothing that would cause his death, with the exception of fainting whilst asleep, and death intervening before he could rally.
THE FOREMAN – Don't you think “Death from the visitation of God” better?
MR W. T, TOMS suggested “Found dead,” as the medical evidence failed to show definitely how deceased came by his death.
The Jury retired, and after deliberation returned, the FOREMAN saying – We find a verdict of “Died from the visitation of God.”” At the same time we wish to express our sympathy with the family in this painful occurrence. The deceased was known to most of us as a promising young man, and would have been an ornament and a credit to our town. It is equally painful for us to meet under such serious circumstances.
The Jury having signed the “inquisition,” were thanked by the Coroner, and the inquiry terminated.
THE FUNERAL
took place yesterday afternoon, and was conducted with Fire Brigade and Masonic honours. This indeed was the first fireman's funeral which has taken place in Newbury. The order of the procession was as follows:
Oddfellows to the number of 160 two and two, wearing the mourning of the order
The Freemasons wearing masonic mourning
Two directors of ceremonies, Bros. Knight and H.S. Hannington
Members of any lodges except the “Lodge of Hope” two and two
Members of the “Lodge of Hope”in the following order:
Entered Apprentices and Fellow Craft Masons,
two and two.
Bros. Fidler and Johnston, stewards.
Bro. Montagu H.C. Palmer, I. G.
Bro. Belcher, S.D., and Bro. Chapman, J.D.
Bro. Burns, treasurer. Bro Marychurch, secretary.
Bro, Walter T. Toms, S.W., and Bro. Plenty, J.W.
Volume of the Sacred Law, borne by Bro. G.J. Cosborn.
The Chaplain of the Lodge,
Bro. The Rev. J. Atkins, LL.B.
Past Masters, two and two.
Immediate Past-Master, Bro. F.H. Lyon.
Mr D.R. Jones and Mr. Ald. Adey.
THE BODY
borne on the Fire Engine, drawn by four grey horses, the Coffin, without pall, but covered with fifteen wreaths of beautiful and costly flowers, sent by sympathising friends.
The Firemen walking on each side of the Fire Engine, wearing crape bands round their helmets.
Mourning coach containing
Mr and Mrs WILSON
Miss WILSON, Miss F. WILSON, and Mr BRICE WILSON
Workmen to the number of 30 and upwards, in the
employ of Mr Wilson at his establishment in Northbrook
Street, and also his farms at Shaw.
A number of personal friends and tradesmen
including Ald. Absalom, Mr Councillor Money, Mr Charles Jackson etc.
The route from Northbrook Street to the Cemetery was lined by hundreds of persons, and shutters were raised or blinds drawn throughout. On arriving at the gates the body was removed from the Fire Engine and borne to the Chapel on the shoulders of six firemen, the Oddfellows and Freemasons forming a line on either side. The service here was conducted by the Rev. J. Atkins, chaplain to the Freemasons, and at the grave by the Hon. and Rev. J.H. Nelson, rector of Shaw.
After the mourners had left the grave, the work people then came and took a last farewell of the coffin which enclosed the remains of their late young master. The Masons then passed round in proper order, the Intermediate Past Master leading, each one dropping a sprig of acacia on the coffin. The reverse order to going was adopted in return. The Freemasons and Oddfellows returned to the Council Chamber where the Mayor had provided light refreshment. Notwithstanding the vast concourse of people, the utmost solemnity prevailed, and all the arrangements connected with the procession were carried out with quiet exactitude. A muffled peal was rung before the funeral, and a half-muffled peal afterwards.
The Rev. W.B. Banting preaching at the Parish Church on Sunday morning, at the conclusion of his sermon, said “In the midst of life we are in death.” Has not God shewn us that during the last few days, nay, during the last few hours. One of our own selves, whose life might have been long and useful, has been taken from our midst. We all knew him, and we stand aghast at this awful visitation of God; but while we grieve for the loss of our brother and sympathise with the father, mother, brother and sisters he has left behind, we cannot but be reminded how true the words often are “In the midst of life we are in death.” God grant that we may so believe the blessed truths that he has revealed to us that we may so cling to our Saviour, and be so prepared to stand before God whenever he thinks to call us.
The Rector, in the course of his sermon in the evening, said he could hardly help speaking about the trouble and affliction without referring to that terrible visitation of God, with which they had been brought face to face in this parish so very recently. To look around that large congregation with so many who were drawing to the close of their three score and ten; so many whose grey locks bore witness that the sap of life was drying up; so many who knew with that mysterious consciousness that could not be put into words, that they were going to their long home; and yet who would have thought that amongst all these, that the one who had been stricken down should have been one in the fullness and pride of his manhood. While they sorrowed with deep sympathy in the awful bereavement of their neighbours and friends, would they not take to themselves the awful warning with which God had spoken to them.
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