WILLIAM NEALE

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF DROWNING

The mysterious occurrence of the evening of the 31^st January has without a doubt received its solution by the discovery on Friday last of the body of the missing man. Our readers will recollect how on the evening of the 31^st a cry of distress was heard in the vicinity of Newbury Bridge, and it was further alleged that an object was distinguished in the darkness as passing down the stream. The night was very dark, and the river was extremely high and the current swift, so that no steps could be taken at night. Next morning a man named William Neal  was reported to be missing, and every possible means was taken to obtain some clue of him.  A volunteer search party for two days dragged the river and canal in all directions; nothing, however, but an old hat was found, and this was not identified as belonging to Neal. Superstitious methods were even resorted to but without success.  For a time the subject was an absorbing topic of conversation and wonder, but fresh events crowded it out of the public mind, so that a great many became sceptical as to the cry of distress, attributing it to the moaning of the wind, or the active imagination of the two or three who gave currency to the statement. These, however, were unshaken in their allegations, and were content to reply to all doubts that were thrown on the subject that those who lived longest would know most.  In addition to which they pointed to the fact that Neal was missing and no account could be adduced for his absence. The affair was fast passing into the limbo off forgetfulness, when on Friday the report that the body had been found reopened the subject. It appears that the foreman at Greenham mills observing an object in the water at the mill head, called attention to the circumstance and a boat being obtained the object was discovered to be the body of a man. On being taken out of the water it was removed to the “White Hart” stables, where Mrs. Neal subsequently identified it as the body of her missing husband. As might be expected, the body was in a very decomposed condition, and discoloured by the action of the water. The clothes and face were coated with mud, but the identity was decided beyond a doubt by the clothes, and from the fact that two keys in the pockets were those which Neal carried in his capacity as cellarman at Messrs. Hawkins’ brewery. Deceased is said to have being carrying a watch, but nothing has been seen of it. A sum of  4s. 9d in money was found upon him, which has been handed over to the widow.

The inquest was held on Friday evening at Municipal Buildings, before Dr. Watson, J. P., Borough Coroner.

The Jury elected Mr. E. Whiter foreman, and after viewing the body the following evidence was taken:-

Mary Neal said – I live at Dothan–place. I identify the body as that of my husband. Five weeks ago last Wednesday my husband left home at twenty minutes to eight in the evening. This was his usual custom, and he did not say where he was going. I sat up for him till 25 minutes to 12, but finding that he did not return, I went to bed. I came downstairs at three o’clock to see if he had come home.  Next morning about six one of his fellow workmen came and enquired after him, and another came about eight. I got up when the first man came, and went to the Brewery, where the deceased was employed.  I made all the enquiries I could, and Mr. Nundy informed the police. When the deceased left me that night he had had some beer, but was able to take care of himself. We had no quarrel, and were on our usual terms.

The Foreman – you say he had some beer. Had he too much beer?

Witness – You don’t expect he worked at the Brewery without having some beer.

The Foreman – Was he perfectly sober?

The Coroner – No no, Mr. Foreman, the evidence says “He had had some beer.”

The Foreman – The usual quantity given to the men, I suppose.

Robert Thomas Durrant said – I am foreman at Mr. Fidler’s mill, Greenham. The stoneman called my attention yesterday when I came from dinner, and said there was something to be seen in the water at the mill-head.  We neither of us could make out what it was, and did not feel satisfied. Therefore this morning I spoke to Mr. Fidler about it. He tried to make it out, but could not do so, and called P.C. Holliday’s attention. We got a boat and found it was the body of a man. I assisted them to get it into the boat, and helped to remove it to the White Hart stables. We thought at first it was a sack with the neck tied up.

Mr. Robert Birch said – I am a registered medical practitioner. By order of the Coroner I examined the body of the deceased this afternoon in the White Hart stables. It was in an advanced state of decomposition, and coated with mud, particularly about the head. I have formed the opinion that the body has been in the water between one and two months. My reason for thinking so is that the skin was detached from the hands, the nails had not fallen off. The hair was very easily detached. I found no external marks of violence. The clothes were not disarranged, and there was no constriction round the neck. It is my opinion that the deceased met his death from drowning.

Mr. John Thomas Nundy said – I am brewing manager at Messrs. Hawkins’ brewery and knew the deceased. I saw him last on January 31^st at five minutes to six, when he appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. He was perfectly sober. He never expressed any intention of committing suicide and was about the last person I should think would do such a thing. I considered him a quiet, steady, trustworthy man, so much so that he was allowed to carry the keys of the office and yard gate about him. He has been employed by Messrs. Hawkins since December twelvemonth. As soon as I heard of the report that someone had fallen in the river I gave information to the police.

Several jurymen asked if evidence could be given showing how deceased came into the water, or to connect him with the cries of distress heard from Newbury Bridge, but the Coroner said the police had used every endeavour to obtain some such clue, but in vain. The banks had been examined, but showed no signs of a struggle. This was all the evidence he could offer them, and he left the matter in their hands.

The Jury, after retiring, returned a verdict of “Found drowned, but how the deceased came into the water there is no evidence to show.”

In answer to the Coroner, P.C. Gamble said the deceased was 42 years old.

The widow of the deceased was very much affected, and shortly after giving her evidence fainted, and was obliged to be removed from the Court.

THE ILL-FATED MAN NEALE,  whose body was found in the water Greenham-mills on Friday last, was buried on Monday at the Cemetery. An account of the proceedings at the inquest will be found on another page. Deceased was insured in Railway Passengers’ Insurance Company, of which Mr. A. Watts is agent, by the special arrangement offered to employers of labour to insure their workmen against accidents and death. In the present case the employers of Neale will, in respect of the payments made on his behalf, receive a sum of £100.

Newbury Weekly News 15 March 1883

Not in Mrs. P.    Buried on 12 March 1883 aged 42.