Conisborough Drowning Case Inquest – False Rumours

October 1896

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 2, 1896

The Conisborough Drowning Case Inquest.
False Rumours.

Yesterday an inquest was held at the Castle Inn, Conisborough, by F. F Nicholson (Coroner). on the body of George William Sampson, who was drowned in the river weir whilst boating on September 25, and whose body was rescued on Wednesday, Mr G. Booth was foreman of the jury, which was composed of Messrs Gillott Fern, Price, Saville, Booth, Dufton, Meggitt, Marshall, Martin, Medley, Fowler and Moody. Mr Duke, Mexborough, attended on behalf of the navigation company.

Sydney Mountjoy said he was a wood turner, and resided in Spring Grove, Conisborough. He knew the deceased very well. He was a grinder, and he was 24 years of age. On Friday, September 25, he and deceased were rowing in a boat. They were both rowing with one oar each; they had no one to steer. They went towards the weir, a lot of water was coming over the wash at the time and they was a very strong current which drew the boat in. They tried to pull out but the boat went sideways and began to fill with water. They both leapt out of the boat and he “witness” began to swim towards the shore. He did not think diseased could swim. After he had gone a little way he turned around and went to the assistance of deceased, who got hold of witness by the collar, and they both went off together.

When they came up they both got hold of the boat, but it turned upside down, taking deceased with it. Witness was then very exhausted, and he swum away to save himself. He had to swim 100 yards to land; he could not land at the 30 yard side on account of the wall. When he got on the bank he looked back but could not see anything of deceased. He saw the body recovered yesterday (Wednesday) and identified it as deceased.

Frank Nicholson, miner at Denaby Main, said he, on Wednesday morning, along with his brother, were walking along the waterside, when they saw the body floating near the side, face downwards. He went and gave information to the police. Deceased had all his clothes on, and his coat was over his head.

John Alfred Carr, wood turner, Conisborough, said he was close to the side of the weir at the time of the accident. The current drew the boat in and turned it half over, and filled it with water. He saw them both jump out, and he then ran off to send a boat to help them. He afterwards saw Mountjoy swimming up the river and he went to help to get him out. He never saw deceased afterwards.

By the Coroner: Mountjoy did everything he possibly could to save deceased.

The Coroner said he could not see anything of it but an accident. These men had been very foolish indeed to go so near the wash, but at the same time he must complement Mountjoy on the manner in which he had endeavoured to save his friend. He thought he deserved the greatest credit for what he had done.

Mr Moody (one of the journeymen), said now they were there he would like, though the press, to have the rumours that had been circulated through the town, respecting the young man Mountjoy cleared up, he considered that Mountjoy had done his best to save the unfortunate young fellow, and he thought his fellow journeymen would agree with him there.

The Foreman: I think we all are of the same opinion, and that the rumours are false.

The Coroner (to Mountjoy): You have probably heard the rumours that are going round the town; is there any truth in them?

Mountjoy: no. Sir; they are all false. I am sorry to say some of the rumours have been circulated by the deceased’s own father, and it is not pleasant for me.

The Coroner: Never mind that now; rumours will get about, (to the father of the deceased): have you any evidence to give? No sir.

You are quite at liberty to give evidence if you wish. Have you heard these rumours? Yes, sir.

After the evidence you have heard today, do you believe them? – No, sir.

A verdict of “accidentally drowned” was returned.