Medway drowning (1869)

Post date: Mar 17, 2013 6:12:52 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph 19 June 1869.

ANOTHER DEATH IN THE RIVER MEDWAY.

Another victim has been added to the numerous deaths which have occurred recently in the river Medway. On Sunday morning last the body of Mr George Gower, musician, of Maidstone, was taken out the Medway, at spot known as the " Black hole," between Wateringbury and Teston. An inquest was accordingly held in a barn on the farm of Mr Cutbush, at Teston (where the body had been taken) on Monday afternoon last, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq. (coroner). The jury having been duly sworn, they proceeded to view the body, when the following evidence was adduced.

Joseph Sutton deposed—l live in Crundwell street, Maidstone. The deceased was my son-in-law. I saw the body this morning and recognise it at that of Mr George Gower. On Saturday last about seven o'clock in the evening, the deceased left his house in the Sandling-road, Maidstone, with the understanding that he was going to the butcher to order meat for Sunday's dinner. He did not return. The last time deceased was seen alive was on Saturday night, in the West Boro', Maidstone, as if proceeding towards the station. I went to the station and also into the Railway Tavern to make inquiries, but no intelligence could be obtained to his having been at either place.

By a juror-—Deceased had formerly partaken pretty freely of drink, but not of late. He became very sober but very low and melancholy in spirits. No domestic grievances occurred to disturb him in the least.

John Reed, labourer, a young lad about 20, stated— he was walking by the banks of the Medway between Teston and Wateringbury. Upon my arrival at spot known as the " Black-hole," I saw a hat and coat lying on the banks of the river, and took them to a police constable. I saw no one near the spot, nor observed any one in the river.

P.C. Chantler deposed—-The last witness brought me a coat and hat, stating that he had found them on the banks of the river at a spot known as the Black-hole." I proceeded to the place indicated with the drags, and after dragging for very little time, I found the body of the deceased, and with the assistance of a young man named John Crowfoot, got it out of the river. It was then about half-past ten or a quarter to eleven. The deceased was quite dead and stiff. He had no coat nor hat on. The body had apparently only been in the water a few hours. I observed no marks of violence upon him. The body was conveyed to the spot where the jury have seen it. There were no marks of violence upon his clothes. The coat found upon the bank was of blue cloth. The trowsers and vest of deceased were of black cloth. Upon searching the body I found in his trowsers pocket a comb and in the left breast pocket 1s.

By the coroner—-There were marks upon the grass close to the bank as if it had been grasped by the hand. The deceased could have slid in had he liked. The grass had grown close to the hedge and fallen over.

By a juror—l found the body about 10 or 12 feet from the bank in a direct line from where his coat was picked up. The head was towards Wateringbury and the feet towards Teston.

By the Foreman —The water was about three feet below the embankment. It is very deep there. Did not think a person would lean over to get at anything. Did not think they could reach it.

John Philpott, labourer, who assisted in dragging for the body, confirmed the testimony of P.C, Chantler.

Dr Fry, of Wateringbury, stated that intelligence of the fact of a body having been picked out of the river reached him on Monday morning. He proceeded to the spot where the body was stated to be lying. He arrived there about noon. The deceased had apparently been dead about three or four hours. He examined the body minutely, but could find no marks of violence whatever.

By a juror-—He appeared healthy. Could not tell that he had been drinking unless he made a post mortem.

Mr Joseph Sutton, re-called, stated that deceased had been very abstemious for the last six months. The deceased was very comfortable at home. He was not in the habit of drinking or stopping out of nights. Deceased was not embarrassed in circumstances.

The coroner briefly addressed the jury by stating that they had no evidence to show how the deceased came by his death in the water, no one had seen him near the spot. It would for them to consider that in returning their verdict. The jury briefly consulted and returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."