Drowned In The Don

On Wednesday, Mr. Doxey Wightman, the district coroner, held an inquiry at the Reresby Arms Hotel, relative to the circumstances attending the death of John Smith, of 53, Annerley-street, Denaby, whose body was found floating in the River Don on Monday last.

Thomas Wallis, aged 13, said that whilst walking along Occupation-road, about a quarter-past eight on Monday morning, he saw, near the wooden bridge over the river, the body of a man floating in the water. He at once gave information to a man named Roland Webster, who got the body out of the water.

Maria Smith, widow, said her husband was 53 years of age, and had been a labourer at the Cadeby pit prior to the strike, since which he had been unable to obtain work. In answer to the coroner, she said the reason he had been unable to obtain employment was that he was deaf.

Deceased had been in low spirits owing to these circumstances, and two or three days before his death had been very depressed, but she had never heard him say anything about committing suicide. On Sunday evening, about 7.30, deceased had gone for his customary stroll along the river bank. There was nothing suspicious in his actions, but he did not tell her which way he would take.

The Coroner remarked that there appeared to be no evidence that deceased had committed suicide, and as he was only insured for £5, according to the widow’s statement, there could be no suspicion of foul play in order to obtain money.

The jury returned a verdict of “Found drowned,” adding a rider to the effect that deceased had apparently fallen in accidentally.