MySource:Kerbent/Camberwell and Peckham Times

Camberwell and Peckham Times', Issue Saturday November 2nd 1907

Walworth Labourer's Shocking Death

'Coroner and Saucy Witness'

On Tuesday Mr G.P. Wyatt held an inquest at Newington the body of Thomas John Ellis, aged 59 years, a labourer, lately living at 3 Groschen St, Walworth.

Mary Ann Ellis, the widow, said that she last saw the deceased alive at nine o'clock on Monday morning when he left home to go hawking rabbits with a friend. He was like a lot more, he was fond of a drop. Witness went out washing and charing to keep the home going.

Charles Lane of 31, Picton Street, Camberwell, said that the deceased met him at midday on Saturday and went with him hawking rabbits. Witness left him shortly before eight o'clock that night at the British Queen, Picton Street. Deceased then said he was going home.

The Coroner: Was he sober? - Well, he had had some; he had had a drop when I met him at 12 o'clock.

The Coroner: Where did he get the money from? - I treated him.

The Coroner: And yet he had had enough, when you met him at 12 o'clock? - He liked it.

The Coroner: Yes, but it acted as poison. You would not have given him carbolic acid if he had asked for it, - I suppose.

PC Hunt, 427L, stated that at 20 minutes to nine o'clock on Saturday night he found the deceased lying on the footway in the Avenue Road, Camberwell. As he was unable to stand witness sent for the ambulance and conveyed him to the Carter Street Police Station. The divisional surgeon was sent for who certified the deceased was drunk. He was placed in a special cell and watched. At a quarter past ten o'clock a change was noticed in him, the doctor was again sent for, who ordered his removal to the Infirmary.

Dr J.F. Williams, Medical Superintendent at Newington Workhouse, stated that deceased on admission was unconscious in which condition he remained until his death the following morning. Witness had made a post mortem examination which showed that death was due to compression of the brain consequent upon a fractured skull.

After the doctor had given his evidence, a brother of the deceased, who evidently had been imbibing too frequently, said he had something to say.

The Coroner: What is it? - Well, deceased was thrown into a cell like a dog and left in a dying state two hours before a doctor was called.

The Coroner: Nothing of the sort, you have heard the evidence. - I want to know where sympathy comes in.

The Coroner: He should not get drunk, people who do this kind of thing are liable to that sort of treatment - I say he was thrown into the cell like a dog.

The Coroner: You will come to the same end if you do not mind. - Thank you, so will both of us. Witness (sarcastically): I suppose you never get drunk.

The Coroner: No. - Well, it would do you good, if you ever do; you watch it and see how they serve you.

The Coroner: I trust your hopes will never be realised. - They'll treat you like a dog.

The Coroner: But dogs don't get drunk. - All right, the first time I meet you out we'll get drunk together, then you will see how they treat you.

The Coroner: I do not think so, thank you! (Laughter)

Another man who said he was a son here said that this is no laughing matter, deceased was a very well known in Camberwell.

The Coroner: Yes, I am told, as a champion beer drinker. He used to drink against time. - That is what you say.

The Coroner's Officer to Witness: You told me so yourself. - You great fat official you ought to apologise for the way you spoke to the last witness.

A Juror: I heard that deceased drank 12 half pints while Big Ben was striking 12.

The matter then dropped and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death through a fall in the street".