DEATH FROM LOCKJAW

SAD END OF GEORGE WRIGHT

The last of the Newbury weavers

Quite a notable Newbury personality has been removed by death this week,  by one of the saddest of ends, that of lockjaw. We refer to George Wright, who a few years ago, before the present system. of Concrete pavements was laid down, was a. familiar figure to all users of the streets, as town pavior. Like Zaccheus of old, he was a man of small stature; but in his way was a most important personage. There were other interesting associations attached to him, for although a native of Derby, he came to Newbury when a young man as a Weaver and for many years was employed in the old mills opposite the present church lads room in the London Road.  He may be said to have been the exponent of two industries which so far as Newbury is concerned, have practically passed away that is weaving an the old style of paving . Since he gave up the latter occupation he acted as hayward for the town until a short time ago, and a 12 months, since he was granted one of the weavers almshouses where he retired to spend the evening of his days. George had a large circle of friends and many other activities.. He was chapel keeper at the Presbyterian Chapel; and when the old Liberal Club was years ago, domiciled in Bartholomew St and subsequently in what was then known as little lane he acted as caretaker. He was also in great demand as a reciter of the old school at temperance and other gatherings.  He must have been possessed of a marvellous memory  for some of his recitations; like the old-fashioned sermons, were long drawn out. Only during his last illness, a, friend found him reading a book and said, "Getting up a new recitation, George ?” ' "No, he replied, I have not learnt one for 50 Years:" He had a large family, eleven in number, and teen of whom survived him.  All are doing well, several in our colonies over the seas . There surely was never a more united and happy family in Newbury, for when there was an outing such as those organised by the P.S.A. to Torquay or some other place, he would not think of going alone, but it would be George, the missus, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.  He was full of  geniality and good humour, and what a day they would all have in a simple and pleasurable way It was went out with two of his grandchildren that he met with the accident which was the cause of his death. The heart of one of the children blew ‘off an in trying to save it the pram was overturned and he fell to the ground causing an abrasion on the back of his hand That dread disease lockjaw supervened and he passed away on Monday evening last at the age of 73. Sincere sympathy is felt with the widow and "family" in their untoward bereavement.

THE INQUEST

An inquest into the circumstances of his death was held last (Wednesday) evening at the Grammar School, by the Borough Coroner (Dr. W.B. Heywood) and a jury, of whom Mr. Harry Brown was foreman.

Frank Wright, a son of the deceased, was the first witness, and stated that last Friday his father was wheeling a pram containing two of his grandchildren along the lane which leads from the Enborne-road towards First Bridge. One of the baby's hats blew off, and in trying to save it, the pram tipped up, and they all went down on the ground. His right hand was underneath the handle of the pram, and a wound was caused. Witness understood that when his father got home he washed the wound under the tap. On the following Sunday he sent for the doctor.

Dr. Hickman said he was sent for on Sunday, May 11th, to see the deceased. He had a nasty wound on the back of his right hand. But there did not seem anything out of the way about it, and was healing up nicely. On the following Thursday he again saw the wound, which appeared to be getting better.  Middle-day on Sunday, witness received a message to say that Mr. Wright was not so well. There was no pain in his arm, but he showed symptoms of lockjaw. Witness at once procured some anti-tetanic serum, which he injected early on Monday morning, but it was of no avail, and he died that evening between six and seven o'clock. He seemed to be going on so well that on Saturday previous he had made arrangements to go to Shaw to have dinner with his son. Death was due to tetanus, the germ being absorbed in the wound at the time of the accident.

The Foreman: There was no means of ascertaining the symptoms of lockjaw before the Sunday?- Dr. Hickman: No.

In answer to further questions, the doctor said the germ was prevalent in the soil, especially where horses had been. The only remedy was the injection of the anti-tetanic serum, but even then the percentage of deaths was very high indeed. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Newbury Weekly News 22 May 1913

THE LATE MR.GEORGE WRIGHT
FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE

The funeral of Mr. George Wright took place on Saturday last. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends. A service was held on the terrace in front of the house in Enborne-road, conducted by Rev. R. Newell, the Rev. F. W. Clarke also taking part. At the close f the service, the remains were borne to the Old Cemetery and laid in the grave. The Liberal Club was represented by Ald. Rankin, J.P., C.C., and Mr. Slight; the P.S.A. Brotherhood by the Rev. F.W. Clarke, Mr. Dowling, and others; the committee of the Presbyterian Chapel by Dr. Hickman and Mr. Stillman, and others; and there was a large following of personal friends and acquaintances of the deceased, both of those who accompanied the body from the house and those who joined the procession at the Cemetery gates; it gave the impression of a public funeral.

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Memorial Services were also held at the Presbyterian Chapel on Sunday, conducted by the pastor (Rev. R. Newell). In the evening the attendance was very large, and every available seat was occupied, including the quaint old family pews under the gallery. The preacher discoursed on the 84th Psalm, dwelling particularly upon the passage "A doorkeeper in the house of my God," and after Speaking of the memories and associations of places of worship by which they became to those to whom they were endeared as sacred shrines emphasised the need for greater reverence and of cultivating in the young the sense of duty to the house our fathers built to God in regular attendance and deeper interest.
He spoke of the departed as an ideal doorkeeper, whose heart was in his work, who did not perform his duties as a menial, but consecrated his time and thought to them, and gave his love with his service. He loved the Chapel and gave most of his spare time to it, cultivating the garden grounds so that they were a glorious revelation of beauty in the summer time. He was a well-read man, and by his reading and study had raised himself to be able to stand beside any of his fellows in general knowledge. In some more advanced subjects such as geology and botany, he had an intimate knowledge, and books that are never looked at by the casual reader, had been his close companions. He had been connected to the chapel for 46 years, and had performed the duties of chapel-keeper for 37 years, and so familiar was his well-known figure about the place, both Sundays and week-days, that it might well be called, as some youths on one occasion had it: "George Wright's Chapel." His pleasant face and cheery voice in the porch will be sadly missed; by his earnest interest in the cause, his care and thought for others, his kindness of heart and deep affection he had endeared himself to many hearts.

At the P.S. A., and in connection with many public gatherings in the town, he was a familiar personage, and would be missed there, but his life, though in lowly ways, had left its influence behind, and those who knew him best, and loved him, felt that to be a doorkeeper in the house of God was no mean office and service.

Mr Stillman and Mr Joseph H Hobson who kindly gave his assistance divided the duties at the organ and Mrs W J Edwell very touchingly sang " O rest in the Lord" Mr hopson accompanying.
Newbury Weekly News 29 May 1913 Not in Mrs P.