Reading about the inquests into the deaths of various people in the 19th century, can be a fascinating, though sobering affair.
It is important for us today to glean how an inquest worked, and which witnesses were called to testify.
It is also an intriguing to glimpse ordinary people who found themselves caught up in events over which they had no control, such as in the following case, which appeared in The South London Observer on Saturday the 2nd of December, 1905:-
THE DEATH OF JAMES PULLINGER
On Tuesday at Camberwell Mr. G. P. Wyatt held an inquiry concerning the death of Albert James Pullinger, aged 33 years, a tiler’s labourer, living at 151, Hill Street, Peckham.
Florence, James Pullinger, the widow, stated that on Tuesday, the 14th ult, the deceased came home from work and said that he had slipped off a marble counter and hurt his side.
A doctor was called in, and he subsequently ordered his removal to the Infirmary, where he died last Thursday.
QUESTIONING BY THE CORONER
The Coroner:- “But hadn’t he been mixed up in a fight?”
Witness:- “No.”
The Coroner:- “How about Saturday the 11th ult.?”
Witness:- “We went into a public house to have a glass of ale, some woman picked up the deceased’s change. I spoke to her about it and she clawed hold of my hair, the barman then jumped over the bar and cleared us all out.”
The Coroner:- “I am informed that it was a general fight?
Witness:- “Oh no.”
WHY GO TO A PUBLIC HOUSE?
The Coroner:- “What did you wan to go into the public house at all for on Saturday night?
Witness:- “Most people do when they have done their work.”
The Coroner:- “I am sorry to hear it.”
THEY WERE LOCKED UP
Witness:- “My husband and self got locked up.”
The Coroner:- “Why? because someone had stolen your change?”
Witness:- “Yes, and the people who took the change were allowed to go.”
CHARGED WITH FIGHTING
The Coroner:- ” There was no fighting whatever? Only a gentle remonstrance?”
Witness:- “We were charged with fighting, but we were not doing so.”
The Coroner:- How did you get on?
Witness:- “We were bailed out and I had to appear before the magistrate on the Monday morning. My husband was fined and I was let off.”
THE SISTER’S EVIDENCE
Anne Caroline Buckle, sister of the last witness. of 151, Hill Street, Peckham, stated that she was with them in the Red Cow on the Saturday night. It woul be about 11 o’clock.
The woman who picked up the change struck the last witness who spoke to her about it.
They were all put outside. and a police constable locked up the deceased and his wife for nothing at all.
CONSTABLE ELMS’S EVIDENCE
P. C. Elms, 312 P, stated that he was on duty in High Street, Peckham, when he heeard a police whistle.
He ran to the spot, and, outside the Red Cow, he saw a mob collected, in the centre of which he found the deceased and his wife fighting with another man and woman.
He told them to clear off, but the deceased refused to go, and said that he was going to see it out.
The witness then took them into custody.
At the Police Court the deceased pleaded guilty.
Mrs. Buckle:- “Yes, because you told him to do so.
A WORKMATE’S TESTIMONY
George Thomas Bradshaw, of 84 Dennett’s Toad, Peckham, stated that he was working with the deceased when he fell.
He did not appear to be very hurt, and was able to continue with his work.
He was polishing the walls which were tiled.
THE DOCTOR’S EVIDENCE
Dr. W. J C Keats, medical officer at Camberwell Infirmary, stated that deceased, on admission, was sufferring from delirium and pneumonia.
He died the following day.
The cause of death was syncope from pneumonia accelerated by the fall.
THE VERDICT
The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”