Teignmouth

Inquests 1874-1909 - from the
East and South Devon
Advertiser

Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths
For the County of Devon
1874-1909
Articles taken from East and South Devon Advertiser Inquests

BISHOPSTEIGNTON - Tragic Occurrence at Bishopsteignton. - A painful occurrence has taken place at Bishopsteignton. A young woman named ANN PETHRICK, 27 years of age, a lady's maid to Mrs Huddlestone, at The Lodge, returned from London, where she had been with her mistress on Monday, the 5th inst., and on the following Tuesday she was taken ill. She went to bed, and it was supposed that she had taken cold whilst on her journey down. She refused to see a doctor, saying that "it was very cruel of them to bring a doctor when she had no wish to see one." On Wednesday and Thursday there were no signs of her getting better, and she was again advised to have medical advice, but she refused, stating that she would soon recover. On Saturday last Mrs Gates, wife of the gardener at "The Lodge", on going to a cupboard in the young woman's room, found the dead body of a male child wrapped up in a shawl. A doctor was sent form, and PETHRICK was accused of being the mother. She at first denied it, but on Sunday evening confessed to Mrs Huddlestone that she had given birth to the child. On Monday Mr Michelmore County Coroner, held an Inquest at which Mr Edwards, surgeon, gave evidence to the effect that the child was fully developed, but he could not say whether it had an independent existence, and an open verdict was returned. The matter has had a still more tragic termination than is usual in such cases, for from the time the discovery was made the unfortunate mother sank gradually, and on Tuesday she died.

NEWTON ABBOT - An Idiot Poisoned In The Workhouse. - An Inquest was held in the Board-room of the Newton Workhouse, on Monday evening, by H. Michelmore, Esq., on the body of an idiot named ELIZABETH HELMORE, a girl about 16 years of age, who died on the previous day through drinking, it is supposed, carbolic acid.

Mr John Moxey, the master of the Workhouse, said the deceased had been an inmate of the house about eleven months, and was a native of Dawlish. She was about 16 years of age, and was in the house on account of her being an idiot. Her father was a labourer. She was a complete idiot, and could not even speak. Idiots were not kept together, as the Commissioner in Lunacy said they got worse thereby. They were therefore allowed to associate with other paupers, but they were always under the charge of a nurse. The deceased was under the charge of Agnes Dobell. A female had been placed in one of the wards, and in consequence of an ailment she suffered from a very offensive smell prevailed in the room. Complaints were made, and consequently a small quantity of carbolic acid was obtained by Agnes Dobell and placed in the ward for the purpose of disinfecting. It was placed in the ward on Saturday, and on the following day (Sunday) when he returned home from chapel about one o'clock, he was told by the porter that the deceased had taken a portion of it. He instantly went to her room and found that she had died about a minute or so previously.

Susan Bartlett, nurse, said she remembered when the deceased was admitted into the house. The deceased was not violent, but very mischievous. There were five others in the ward, but only the deceased was an idiot. Agnes Dobell had charge of the ward. She used to feed the deceased, and generally to look after her. On Saturday last Rose Hellier came to her for some carbolic acid for Agnes Dobell, for the purpose of disinfecting the ward. She told her to take a little out of the jar, but she did not know how much she took. On Sunday morning about nine o'clock she went into the ward where the deceased was, but she did not see any carbolic acid there. The deceased then was walking about in the yard. She saw her in the yard again at eleven. About half-an-hour afterwards a woman called her to come to the infection ward, as the deceased had taken some of the carbolic acid that was in the jar. She went and found Dobell, Rose Hellier, the Matron and several others there. The deceased was lying on the bed. She did not appear to be in any pain and did not move. She gave her some warm water and mustard to make her sick. She drank at least three pints very readily, but she only brought up white froth. In the meantime Dr Haydon came and ordered some arrowroot to be given her. He came again about ten minutes after she expired. The deceased was always well taken care of. Agnes Dobell especially paying her always every attention. Whilst the doctor was there she examined the pot in which the carbolic acid had been placed, and found about three teaspoonfuls of the liquid still remaining; could not say how much had been removed. In answer to one of the jurymen (Mr Strike) witness said it was not usual for the inmates to take carbolic acid from the jar; it was generally served out to them. It was her duty to serve it out, and she admitted to being a little careless.

Rose Hellier, a pauper, said she was in the habit of washing out the ward which the deceased occupied; she was so engaged on Saturday last, when Mrs Dobell, the nurse, asked her to fetch some "stuff" to disinfect the ward. She went to Mrs Bartlett, who directed her to take some, and she did so and took it to Mrs Dobell. On Sunday morning she noticed the pot containing the liquid under a chair on which the deceased was sitting. Just afterwards she saw the deceased in a very distressed state. She could not walk. Did not see her drink any of the liquid, but there was not as much in it after the deceased fell sick as before.

Agnes Dobell said that when the last witness brought her the carbolic acid she placed it under a chair in the ward, because it should not be knocked over. Did not see the deceased drink any of the liquid. Hellier said she had because the deceased's lips were very white. On examining the pot she also discovered a portion of the liquid gone. In answer to Mr Rose, a Juryman, witness said Rose Hellier was subject to fits, but she was sane and was quite sure she did not give any of the liquid to the deceased. Miss Ann Mance, the Matron, was called and she stated that the deceased was very dirty in her habits, but she had every reason to believe she received every care and attention alike from Rose Hellier and Mrs Dobell. Rose Hellier was subject to fits but could be trusted. Dr Haydon said he was fetched to see the deceased just before noon on Sunday. He found her in a state of collapse, and perfectly insensible. He was told of what she was suspected to have taken, and hearing she had been made to vomit he smelled her dress which had been stained by the vomit, and he then smelled the carbolic acid very strongly. he ordered the arrowroot to be given to her to dilute the poison. He afterwards left to make up some medicine. He returned again shortly afterwards, and as he entered the room Mr Moxey said, "She is now dead." He was unable to say if a small quantity of carbolic acid would cause death. He had looked carefully over Dr Taylor's established work, and could find no mention made of carbolic acid; nor was he aware of the symptoms produced by this liquid. He had no doubt it was a poison. She was dying when he saw her first, and he left in order to prepare an emetic for her. Whilst the Coroner was summing up the evidence to the Jury, Rose Hellier, who was in the room was attacked with a fit, and had to be removed. Mr Foss thought the liquid ought not to be placed about in wards where the inmates could get at it. Disinfectant fluids were generally used in his house by being sprinkled over the floor. The Coroner thought this would hardly have answered in this case, as an offensive smell was continuously arising from one of the paupers; nor did he see any blame could be attached in the present instance to Mrs Bartlett, as the death of the girl could not be attributed to any act of hers. Had, however, anything serious occurred to Rose Hellier, who was allowed to take the liquid, a new serious feature would have been imported into the case. The

Jury, after a short consideration, returned a verdict, "That deceased poisoned herself by taking the carbolic acid whilst in a state of Unsound Mind, and recommended that greater care should be exercised in the use of the poisonous liquid in wards for the future."

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident Near the Newton Railway Station. - An Inquest was held in the Board-room of the Newton Abbot Workhouse, on Friday, by Dr Gaye, on the body of WILLIAM STOCKMAN, about 40 years of age, and a single man, of St Mary Church, who was accidentally killed on the previous day by a quantity of earth falling on him whilst at work in constructing a new line of railway from Newton to Torquay. Mr Barrow, the contractor, was present, during the Enquiry

Charles John Blank, a cabman of Torquay, identified the deceased, who was his brother-in-law, as WILLIAM STOCKMAN. The deceased was at his house on Sunday last. William Rowell, labourer, of South Knighton, said, yesterday he was working with the deceased on the railway near the Newton station, filling waggons. He (witness) was engaged digging out earth from the bank in Ford cutting, and the deceased and another man were engaged filling the waggon. One of the men saw the dirt falling and he called out and all three ran away. The deceased leaving his shovel behind made an attempt to recover it, when a large lump of earth caught him in the heels and threw him down and he got embedded in earth up to his chest. The deceased died about an hour afterwards. It was about two ton of earth that fell on deceased. There was a man on the top of the bank on the look out but this earth gave way from the middle. The deceased was rather deaf, but he was aware of the earth falling as quickly as he did. he was perfectly sensible when they took him out and was able to give his name and address. Thomas Isaacs, ganger, said he was engaged walking on the top of the embankment on the look out to give an alarm in case he saw any earth giving way. he did not see the earth fall on deceased, nor did he notice any signs of earth giving way. The earth fell in a lump from about ten feet high. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

NEWTON ABBOT - An Inquest was held at the Town Hall, Newton, on Tuesday, before Mr H. Michelmore, Coroner, touching the death of JOHN WILLIAM WOTTON, aged three months, the illegitimate child of MARY WOTTON, living in Newton. The child was found dead in bed on Sunday morning. The Jury having heard the evidence of several witnesses, including a surgeon, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

TEIGNMOUTH - Fatal Accident On The river Teign - An Inquest was held on

Tuesday by Mr H. Michelmore, Coroner, on the bodies of ARTHUR FREDERIC HILTON and GEORGE CAMPBELL, two lads who were drowned by the upsetting of a boat on Sunday afternoon in the river Teign. JAMES CAMPBELL, a labourer, residing at West Teignmouth, identified one of the bodies as that of his son, and he would be 13 years of age next August. He last saw him alive on Sunday last. He left his house about two o'clock in the afternoon, saying he was going to Coombe Cellars with the boys at the Queen. On Sunday evening he was told his boy was supposed to be drowned. He was in a boat with a man named Joseph Heirs on Monday, when they picked up the body near Cole's Barn. He recognised it as that of his son. Never saw him swim but had heard him say he could swim a little. JOHN HALSTED HILTON said he was a gentleman residing at Haverstockhill, London. One of the deceased was his only son, and he lived with Mr Chapman as a billiard marker. He last saw him alive in January. Eliza Hitchcock, a young woman living at Teigngrove-terrace, Teignmouth, said; On Sunday last she was in a boat going up the river. Jane Rice, George Rich, and another little boy were in the boat. She saw a boat coming down the river with five boys in it. As the boys were changing oars the boat upset and they were all thrown into the water. She called to a man who was in a boat near them, and he got to them before they did, and when they came up he had three of the boys in his boat and another of the boys was picked up by another boat. It was a small boat the boys were in. Did not hear them calling out before the boat upset. - James Hook, a waterman, living at Globe Lane, Teignmouth, said he was in a boat with a lady and gentleman on Sunday last, going up the river about a quarter to five. He did not see the boat upset, but he heard females calling to him to save some boys. He looked around and saw what seemed to him a lot of bottles in the water. They were a good distance from him. He went to their rescue and picked up three boys. He did not see any boat. He took the three boys to a house on the shore near where the boat upset; he saw another boy swimming up the river, and he was picked up by another boat. One of the boys he picked up seemed worse than the other two. He went for Dr Lake, and he came and then the boys seemed better. The boat they were in belongs to Mr Cox. He considered it was a safe boat. Frederic Chapman said he used to live in London, but now at the Queen Hotel. He was not quite sixteen years old. He knew the two boys who were drowned. On Sunday he went to Coombe Cellars with them, and Robert Davy and George Trace. They went by boat, and he had been in the same boat before. They left Coombe Cellars about five o'clock. They had there to drink two quarts of cider, three pints of beer, and two bottles of ginger-beer. They did not drink all the beer nor all the cider. Robert Davy and George Trace were pulling when they left Coombe Cellars. They pulled about a quarter of a mile.

He and ARTHUR HILTON were going to take the oars, and they got on one side of the boat. ARTHUR HILTON fell and witness fell over him; the other three rushed to the other side of the boat thinking to balance it, but upset it and all fell into the water. Davy and Trace could swim a little; witness nor the others could not swim. They had not been doing anything in the boat, and they did not bring any liquor in the boat when they left Coombe Cellars. George Trace, living at French-street, Teignmouth, and Robert Davy, living at East Teignmouth, (the other two boys who were rescued,) corroborated the last witness's evidence. Dr Edwards said, on Sunday evening he was sent for by Mrs Chapman to see HILTON. He found him in a dying state. he died on Monday morning about half-past two o'clock, and in his opinion from exhaustion from being in the water so long. The Jury without any hesitation returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

NEWTON ABBOT - Alarming Accident On The South Devon Railway. - A Stoker Killed. An accident of a very alarming character, and which, we regret to state, has already been attended with the loss of one life, occurred between Newton and Totnes, about two o'clock on Tuesday morning. A luggage train made up mostly of empty trucks, left Newton for Plymouth, and proceeded all right till it had reached the bottom of the incline about a mile and a half from the Totnes station, when the engine "Hercules," which had only come out of the shed at Newton repaired on the previous day, unaccountably left the metals, and the trucks suddenly snapping the coupling chain from it, it ran on to the up line, where it turned over on its side, throwing the driver, Charles Daw, and the stoker, WM. STEVENS, violently out. The former was severely cut about the head, and was likewise scalded very much about the neck and shoulders by the steam from the engine. STEVENS was even more unfortunate, for although not so badly cut as the other, he fell where the boiling water poured on him, and he was so severely scalded, that he died about two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon.

The trucks, some on the line and about a dozen off, after the coupling chain of the engine had been broken, proceeded at least a quarter of a mile further on the line before they came to a standstill, four or five of them being smashed to pieces, and strewn all over the line. Had the accident occurred a minute before, a collision with another luggage train would have been inevitable. In fact, the up train had no sooner passed than the driver of it heard a crash, followed with a great noise, resulting from the escape of steam from the engine. Believing some thing very serious had occurred to the down train, they at once pulled up, and on going back they found the engine across the line, and the two poor fellows mentioned above, in a very pitiable condition. STEVENS, had, however, recovered his footing, and was in the act of getting over the railing alongside of the line. They were taken up, placed in the rear of the up luggage train, and taken on to Newton. At Dainton tunnel, they informed the pointsman of what had occurred, and he telegraphed on to Newton, so that by the time the train reached the station, Dr Gaye and Dr Drake were in attendance. The poor fellows were removed to the Cottage Hospital, where STEVENS lingered in great agony for about twelve hours, when death put an end to his sufferings. He was perfectly conscious up to within an hour of his death, and repeatedly inquired after his mate. The deceased was a very steady and respectable young man, and was beloved and esteemed by everyone. So serious are the injuries Dawe sustained that faint hopes are entertained of his recovery. The traffic was interrupted for several hours. The luggage and mail bags of the down early mail train had to be transferred, as had also, that of one or two of the other up and down morning trains, but the line was cleared in time for the 8.35 a.m. fast express from Plymouth to pass. Comparatively little damage was done to the engine, nor were the trucks much damaged. The cause of the engine leaving the line is a mystery; and so quickly did it turn over on its side when off the metals, that the driver had not time even to blow the alarm whistle.

THE INQUEST. - An Inquest on the body of STEVENS was held on Tuesday evening by H. Michelmore, coroner, at the Cottage Hospital. JOHN STEVENS, a labourer, working at the station, and residing at No. 22, Quay-road, said:- Deceased is my son and was 20 years of age this day. For some time past he has been working at the Newton station as a "spare fireman." He left home for the purpose of working down a special goods train. I did not see him again till about three o'clock this morning, when I saw him on the Newton station, and I accompanied him in a fly to this house. The deceased was perfectly sensible. He was in the waiting-room, and as soon as he heard my voice he called out for me. He said: "Father, do come in and take care of me before I die. I am scalded to death." I said, "You may get better my boy," and he replied, "Oh father, never." I remained with him till his death, which occurred this afternoon. He said he could not tell how the accident happened. - At this stage the Inquest was adjourned to Thursday.

The adjourned Inquest on the body of WILLIAM AUGUSTUS STEVENS was resumed on Thursday, at the Town Hall, before H. Michelmore, Esq., Coroner. John Waldron, a porter on the South Devon Railway, said he knew the deceased.

On Monday last he was in charge of a special goods train. He left Newton on Tuesday morning at 12.35 a.m., as head guard. It was his (witness's) duty to see that everything was alright before leaving Newton Station. The train consisted of 26 goods vans and carriage trucks and an engine. Charles Dawe was the driver, and the deceased was stoker. he examined the train before it left Newton both sides, and it was all right. He rode in the last vehicle. There was another guard, John Heywood, and he rode in the brake van. They stopped near the Torquay Junction to divide the train, as it was too heavy to go up Denton incline altogether. They arrived at Denton tunnel at two o'clock. The train was then united, and they proceeded down the incline, and he did not know anything had happened until his carriage passed the engine, which at the time was turned over on its side on the other line. He first felt something knock against the carriage, and he immediately put on the break. He did not hear any break whistle. As soon as he heard the guard of the up train calling to him he went back to see what was the matter. He had a lamp, and he first saw George Cole, the guard of the up goods train, and Dawe and the deceased. The front part of the goods train was off the line, but the remainder twelve or thirteen trucks remained on the line. He found the engine in a field and about 250 yards behind the train. Dawe and deceased were about a yard from the engine lying on some large stones; they were crying for help and begged that they would take their clothes off. They were frightfully injured and they were placed in the last van of the up train and taken to Newton. He considered it must have been the tender of the engine that struck his van. The lamp outside of the van was knocked off and a pane of glass in the carriage broken.

John Heywood, a porter, said he worked as second guard. The first intimation he had of the accident was by a quantity of smoke and steam rushing into his van. He immediately applied the break and as soon as the train was brought to a stand still he got out and went to the front part of the train and saw several trucks across the up line. A timber waggon in front of the rest, was tipped up across both lines. He did not at first see the engine, but heard someone calling out, and he went back and saw it upset in a field alongside of the line. He thought the steam and smoke came in his carriage as he passed the engine. He could not form any idea what caused it to run off as the line was perfectly clear. He found the buffers and the coupling chains of the front waggons torn quite off.

George Cole, a goods guard, said he was in charge of a goods train on Monday night from Plymouth to Exeter. He passed the down goods train at the foot of the Dainton incline, Totnes side. The train was divided, and he was in the after part of it. As soon as the down train had passed he heard the escape of a sudden gust of steam and jumped out of his van, but could see nothing. He was about fifty yards from the accident. He went down and first came to STEVENS, who was on his hands and knees making a terrible noise and crying for help. Dawe he found closer to the engine. The down train was 50 to 100 yards further on. He should think the train was going very fast at the time, from 25 to 30 miles an hour. They were running faster than they generally ran. Twenty miles per hour was what we were allowed to run, except special trains, which were allowed to go faster. Witness went on to Newton with the two men, and stopped at Dainton to tell the signalman to telegraph to Newton for medical aid.

J. Wright, Esq., superintendent of the Locomotive Department, stated that STEVENS had been in their employ since January 6th, 1873. He had been engaged on an engine nearly the whole of the time as spare fireman. It was his duty therefore to go with special goods, or to take another's place if required. He was a steady man and very good stoker. They never employed a stoker under 19 years of age. He considered STEVENS quite capable of being stoker.

C. E. Compton, Esq., traffic superintendent, said he first heard of the occurrence about five o'clock on Tuesday morning. He went at once to the scene of the accident, and found the train as described by the previous witnesses. The truck was in the field with the engine. The permanent way was torn up for about a quarter of a mile, but whether done by the engine or trucks he could not say. The line, however, was not so much damaged as he expected. The same timber and rails were used again. He could not discover anything to account for the accident. The speed of a goods train was not allowed to exceed 20 miles an hour, and this regulation was set out in the book of rules, copies of which all drivers and stokers were supplied with. Where he found the first mark on the permanent way there was a curve. The speed was limited to 20 miles an hour for safety, because if running at a greater speed a luggage train would be more likely to leave the rails. Mr J. J. Drake, surgeon, said the deceased was received into the hospital about three o'clock on Tuesday morning. He first saw him at the station, but did not examine him there. He saw he was burnt about the hands, and had him removed with Dawe as quickly as possible to the hospital, where he examined them with Dr Gaye. He found the deceased burnt all over, in fact, his skin came off with his clothes. He died on the same day about two o'clock from the effects of the burns and scalds. John Waldron was recalled, who said the truck that was in the field was next to the engine.

The Coroner in summing up pointed out that at the time of the down goods passing Cole's van something was off the line. It seemed to him it must have been a truck, for he could not conceive that the engine driver or stoker could have gone the distance referred to by Mr Compton without knowing something was wrong if the engine had been off the line. If the poor fellows were running the train at a greater speed than allowed by the regulation, and thus causing the accident they alone were only to blame for it. This mystery could not be solved at present as the other poor fellow Dawe was still very ill and he feared he would die. The Jury after a short consultation returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They gave their fees to the Cottage Hospital.

TEIGNMOUTH - Found Drowned. A man, whose name at present is unknown, was found drowned on Monday near the Warren. Mary Tarr, the keeper of some bathing machines near the spot first saw the deceased, and, calling Joseph Wright's (a packer) attention to it, he took the body out of the water. He was sadly knocked about the face and head, but Mr A. Baker, who examined the body, was of opinion these injuries were caused after death. Mr Baker was also of opinion deceased came to his death by drowning. The deceased had no coat or hat on, and on his shirt was marked the name Bryce, and in his pocket he had 1s. 6d. and a black stud. An Inquest has been held and a verdict of "Found Drowned" returned. Up to the time when the Inquest was held on the body the name of the deceased was unknown. It has since been ascertained that the deceased was called GEORGE MORTIMER. He was a native of Teignmouth, and n the day when he met his death, he left home for the purpose of going to Exmouth. As there was a precipice near where the body of the deceased was found, it is supposed MORTIMER accidentally fell off, and thus met with his death. He has a wife in service at Torquay.

TEIGNMOUTH - Five Persons Dead At Teignmouth. The Boatman Committed For Manslaughter. - Considerable consternation was occasioned at Teignmouth, about noon on Saturday, by a report being circulated that five persons (four young women and a young man) had been drowned within a few yards of the beach, opposite the mouth of the railway tunnel, near East Teignmouth Church, by the upsetting of a boat. The report we regret to say, proved too true. Teignmouth and Dawlish just at this time of the year are places of great resorts for excursionists. On Saturday last an excursion ran for the employees at Messrs. Robinson, printers, &c. of Bristol. Nearly 200 persons, most of them being females, comprised the party. Some got out at Dawlish, and others at Teignmouth. Among those who got out at the former place were AGNES SAUNDERS, EMILY LLEWELLYN, LILLY BOWRING, ELIZA BOVEY and WALTER LOVELL. After a while they fell in company with some young men, and then it was agreed that they should take a boat and row to Teignmouth. It was a beautiful day, the sun shone brightly, and very little wind was astir, but such as there was blew from the East, which generally created a deal of surf along the coast between Dawlish and Teignmouth. they engaged a boat of a man named Payne, not be any manner an experienced boatman, and he agreed to take ten of them to Teignmouth at 6d. a head. The boat only measured 14 ft. by 5ft. so that it was well filled. Payne assuring them it was perfectly safe, they went. They proceeded all right till after passing the [portion of paper ripped] .. The occupants it would seem became uneasy, and what with their moving about and the surf, the boat upset, and they were thrown into the water. The poor females, not one of them over 20 years of age, struggled desperately for their lives. They seized hold of each other, but only to render their deaths the more certain, for not one of the females could swim. One of them laid hold of the boatman who said he had to shake her off to save his own life. Thus all four of the females were drowned, and the young man WALTER LOVELL. The others swam to shore. Unfortunately, there was no boat at hand to go to their assistance. Efforts were made by some of those on shore to save those who were drowned, but unfortunately they were not sufficiently timely. All the bodies were recovered within twenty minutes after the boat upset, but although every effort was made by Dr Lake, the Rev. Mr Deshon, and others to restore animation, it was of no avail. The whole of the young girls were described as being very handsome. One of them was about to be married, and it is reported that her intended not having been able to come with her sent a companion of his, the young man who was drowned with them. The bodies were removed to the Teignmouth Infirmary, where Mr H. Michelmore, Coroner, held an Inquest on them. After hearing the witnesses the Coroner committed Payne for trial on charge of Manslaughter. Bail was accepted.

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held at the Newton Cottage

Hospital on Monday last, by H. Michelmore, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JAMES TOWNSEND, who died at the above institution on the previous day from injuries he received through having his left arm frightfully mangled in a bark mill, at the works of Messrs. Vicary and Sons, tanners, on Friday the 17th of July. JOSEPH TOWNSEND said he was fireman to the engine that drove the machine deceased was caught in. Deceased was 55 years of age. He had worked there 15 years. On the day in question as soon as he (witness) had put the engine to work, after dinner, he heard the men calling out to stop the engine. He had left the engine and gone to the fire-place. He went directly and stopped it. He had to go about ten or twelve feet. He heard the men say that a man had got his arm in the bark mill. He went and saw that it was his brother. When he saw him his left arm was in the mill, torn abroad. There was a leather strap by which he could throw off the power on the working wheel and stop the mill instantly. Deceased had since the accident told witness that if his right arm had been caught instead of his left he could have stopped the working of the machine himself. The reason deceased assigned for getting his hand in the mill was that a piece of bark he had in his hand broke whilst he was turning round speaking to the other man who was there, and his hand slipped in. He had been accustomed t the mill for 12 or 14 years. John Smith said he worked for Messrs. Vicary and Sons, and on the day in question he was working near the deceased carrying away the bark that was ground. He was almost close at the time the accident happened. All at once he heard deceased cry out "Oh my arm." He immediately turned off the mill and went to the enginehouse. Did not see any one try to pull him back before he turned off the mill. The engine was stopped and Mr Haydon, smith, was sent for to take the mill abroad. No one attempted to take him out before the mill was taken abroad. William Waldrond said he helped with Mr Haydon to take deceased out of the mill. Mr J. Vicary, junr., said he was one of the partners of the firm of Messrs. Vicary and Sons. The deceased had worked for them for many years. He was a very steady man. The mill where the accident happened was a bark mill. He had long been employed at the work of grinding bark. The mill was worked by an engine, but there was a lever on the left hand side to stop it instantly if required. On the 17th he came up the yard, and the first thing he saw was deceased's arm in the mill. He ordered him to be taken to the hospital, and he was at once taken there. Mr J. J. Drake, surgeon, said on the 17th he was sent for to go to Messrs. Vicary and Sons' yard. He went at once and saw the deceased with his arm in the mill. He saw it taken out and superintended his removal to the hospital. He died on Sunday morning about four o'clock from the injuries received. He had no hopes of his recovery from the first. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and gave their fees in aid of the Hospital fund.

NEWTON ABBOT - Drowned In The Teign. - A painful case of drowning occurred in the Teign on Saturday last. The poor victim was called WM. HENRY HAYDON, between 12 and 13 years of age, the younger son of MR HAYDON, of East-street, in this town. The deceased, it would seem, had been sent on an errand, but before returning home again he went down to the New Quays to bathe. Being low tide at the time he got into the water about twenty yards below the railway bridge, and by a little swimming managed to cross the river, where he remained for awhile. On being told by one or two other boys, about his own age, who were bathing just above him, that the tide was rising fast, he attempted to return. He walked across as far as possible, and then commenced to swim, but he had only proceeded a few yards when he shewed signs of distress and cried for "help." A couple of lads went to his assistance, but they were unable to rescue him and the poor fellow was drowned. Thus another life has been sacrificed for the want of a proper bathing place. The Inquest on the body was held by Dr Gaye, Deputy Coroner, at the Cottage Hospital, on Monday last. Mr Hatchwell was the Foreman of the Jury.

The following evidence was adduced:-

MR WILLIAM HAYDON said he was a smith, and the deceased was his son. He saw him alive about an hour and a quarter before his death. He was then with him at his shop in Newton Bushel. He left to go with a cousin of his to Ilsington. He could not say how far he went. Just afterwards, about seven o'clock, he heard from a boy called Rowden, that he was drowned. Frank Gough, a very intelligent lad of 15, a carter, residing in Exeter-road, said he knew the deceased. He met him on Saturday, about half-past six, going down to the water to bathe. He (witness) went with him and some other boys to the Teignmouth railway bridge. It was below the bridge. We bathed closed together. He went in half-a-gun-shot below me. Deceased undressed on the Newton side, and he (witness) went the other side. The tide was running up at the time. He (witness) had frequently bathed there. The water was deep at the time on the Newton side, and he got across the river and was returning again when the tide was running up fast. His attention was called by a man named Gribble, who was on the bank on the Newton side. Gribble was close to him. Gribble called to him, and said deceased was drowning and he called to him to save him. He (witness) was a gun-shot from him at the time. He jumped into the water after him, when he was drifting up with the tide. He got in where he was and caught him by the hair of the head, when deceased caught hold of him by the legs and he was obliged to let him go again. He was then only seven or eight feet from the bank. The man Gribble was on the bank at the time, and close to them. Gribble did not attempt to get them out, nor attempt to save the deceased. He (witness) swam back again on the Kingsteignton side. He did not see the deceased afterwards. There were four other boys there, and a lighterman besides Gribble. Gribble had a long pole in his hand, but he did not make any use of it; had he done so he might have saved the deceased. Thomas Gribble, labourer, of Highweek-street, Highweek, said he walked across on the evening in question from hackney side to Newton side of the river, flukeing. The pole he had was between seven and eight feet in length. When he got up to the Quay he saw five boys bathing. Just before he came up he saw a boy called Ford swim across, and was putting on his shirt. Rice he saw dive off. He heard Ford say, "HAYDON, you had better make haste or else you can't come across." Ford had to swim across. Ford asked him if he could swim, and deceased said he could swim a little. Just after he (witness) got across the rails he looked around to see the boys swim across. He saw the deceased walk into the middle of the river, and when up to his shoulders he commenced swimming, and swam nine or ten feet. While looking at him the deceased sang out "Help me." HAYDON went down farther than Ford to cross. He thought the boy was at play, and he (witness) stood still. Ford called to the boys on the other side of the river to help the deceased. Ford took off his clothes and jumped out to him. He made several attempts to catch him before Gough came out, but in the meantime the deceased had drifted up to where the water was much deeper. Both made attempts to catch deceased. he told them to catch the deceased by the hair. Gough then caught him by the hair, and then he saw both go down, and then come up again, and Gough let him go, and deceased sank. He (witness) called to a man above to take down a boat. He (witness) could not swim. He got down close to the water's edge with a pole, and would have thrown it out, only he was afraid of striking them. He (witness) was six feet high. He afterwards went up to the boat-house and said a boy was drowned, and afterwards launched a boat and went down in search of the deceased. Witness afterwards stated, in reply to a Juryman, that he did not go into the water at all, as he thought it was of no use. The pole he had was not long enough to reach the deceased. He was there till about eleven o'clock searching for the body.

Thomas John Barrett, master mariner, but who had lately been an inmate of the Newton Union, said he recovered the body of the deceased about half-past three on the following morning, and he was taken to the house of his parents. Dr Gaye, in summing up the evidence, spoke in very high terms of the courage displayed by Gough and the other boy, and regretted that Gribble had not made a greater effort than he did, as then he might have saved the life of the deceased. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death by Drowning," and recommended Dr Gaye to communicate with the Local Board authorities with a view of their providing a suitable place where men and boys could bathe. The following lines were written by a brother of the deceased (a year or two his senior), a few hours after the sad accident:- Death of My Brother.

Death has been here and borne away

My brother from my side;

Young as he was, he had to go, Beneath the ebbing tide.

He went away without consent,

Alone to take a bathe;

Down, down he sank, and ne'er returned, But found a watery grave.

A search was made but all in vain - For hours the search went on,

And anxious looks, and thoughts unknown Were felt by every one.

At length as day began to dawn,

And light broke o'er the wave, His lifeless body was found, and Some consolation gave.

Weep not for him my parents dear,

And sister do not grieve;

In heaven we all shall meet again,

And there for ever live. T.H.

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident On The South Devon Railway. - An Inquest was held at the Town Hall, on Wednesday, by H. Michelmore, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN PARNELL, a navvy, who was accidentally killed on the previous day by a quantity of earth falling on him, while engaged in some excavations near the Torquay junction for the purpose of laying down a second line of railway between Newton and Torquay. The body of deceased, at the instance of Sergt. Nicholls, was removed to the Newton Workhouse. Following is the substance of the evidence adduced:- RICHARD PARNELL, a labourer, of Bridgetown, Totnes, identified the deceased as his son. He was 24 years of age, and had been working on the railway. George Perrin said he worked for Mr Barrow, contractor. Yesterday he was working with the deceased. About ten minutes after two o'clock the deceased was engaged undermining an embankment, and had dug about two feet under. He (witness) was about to relieve him, when the earth fell - in fact was about to take the pick from him. The embankment was about eight or nine feet where the deceased was undermining. About three yards of earth fell, and the deceased was embedded about six or seven inches under it. They were not working piece work, but by the day. It was usual to undermine the earth as they did on this occasion. He (witness) saw the earth fall on the deceased, and noticing where his head was covered he called to some other men, who commenced to remove the earth from the place first. They found the deceased lying on his right side, with his head turned back and face downwards. He heard him groan once when the earth first fell on him. They got the deceased out in about three minutes, but he was dead then. Wm. Taverner and Samuel Honeywill were also examined. The latter said he was on the top of the bank watching to give warning to the men working under if he saw any signs of a slip. He did not, however, notice anything wrong until the "muck" fell. he was close by where the slip occurred. he did not know anyone was buried until he heard someone calling out, and he then jumped down and assisted in getting the deceased out. Thomas Isaacs said he was the ganger. The deceased had worked under him about six months. He was a very good workman. He had often cautioned the men not to go too far under, but they never appeared to be afraid. Mr Barrow said he was there about twenty minutes before the accident occurred, and he then cautioned the men about getting too far in under. At the time, however, he did not consider there was any danger. He merely passed the remark, as he was in the habit of doing, for the sake of keeping the men on their guard. The deceased was a very steady man and an excellent workman. Dr Gaye said he saw the deceased just after the accident occurred. Several of the ribs on the deceased's left side were broken in; he had also received other injuries, and he appeared to have suffered from great compression over the breast. The injuries he could detect were quite sufficient to cause death. The Coroner, in summing up, adverted to the melancholy fact that this was the second accident that had occurred under similar circumstances, but as the deceased in the present instance incurred the danger of his own accord, he did not see any other party was to blame. At the same time he strongly pointed out the necessity of greater precaution being taken by those engaged in the works if they wished to prevent similar painful accidents occurring. The Jury, of which Mr Drew was the foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident At The Newton Station. - An accident which proved fatal, happened to a lad named RICHARD JOHN PARSONS, 15 years of age, at the Newton goods station, on Thursday night about 11 o'clock. Deceased has worked at the works for several years, and about six or seven months ago was engaged as stoker on the Pilet engine at the station. On Thursday night he went to work about six o'clock, and about eleven o'clock he got off the engine to go to the goods shed to get some food which had been brought for him. He passed in front of the engine, and the driver not being aware of it, drove on and the engine passed over his body, mangling the left arm and leg and the lower part of the bowels in a frightful manner. He was taken up and conveyed to the Newton Cottage Hospital where he died about a quarter of an hour after being admitted. Dr Gaye who was in attendance gave no hopes of his recovery from the first. Deceased was a respectable lad and was respected by his fellow workmen. The

Inquest on the body of the deceased was held yesterday afternoon at the Cottage Hospital, by H. Michelmore, Esq., Coroner, when the following evidence was adduced.

HENRY PARSONS, father of the deceased, a labourer working on the railway, said his son was brought home to his house about half-past ten, and he was told that the engine had run over him. His son was on night duty on the little engine called Weasel, that runs about the yard, and was acting as stoker. After witness returned from work he called his son (who was in bed), in order that he might get ready for his work at six o'clock. Dr Gaye and his assistant saw the deceased at witness's house and by their decision he was removed to the Hospital and died just after his admittance. James Pulman, of Newton Abbot, said his proper occupation was fireman for the Railway Company. He was working with the deceased at the time, who was witnesses mate. They went on duty at six o'clock, witness having charge of the engine, and deceased acted as fireman. About five minutes to ten they were going back towards the goods station, when Warren (the foreman of porters) was on the footplate, and said "You must go steady back as the short points are not right," and witness then told the deceased to stop the engine, which he did. He then said he thought he would go and get something to eat, when witness said "all right my son," and deceased got off the engine to go to the cabin in the engine shed. It was very dark at the time. Just as deceased got down Warren showed the signal light for witness to come back and he eased off the break and backed the engine. Warren was then at the short points. As the engine was going back witness felt it go over something, and witness and Warren went back with their lamps and found that it had passed over deceased. Witness took up deceased under the arms and said to him "Why JACK, how came you to do it?" and he said "Holloa Jimmy, am I dead or am I dying," and he never spoke afterwards. Some other men took him away. The engine had only travelled about the length of the table before witness felt it go over deceased. He got off the engine the same side as the engine shed and need not to have crossed the line to go there. Dr H. Gaye said he was called shortly after ten to see the deceased at his father's house, and found him lying on the floor in an unconscious state. He was very much injured and bleeding very much from severe wounds on the left elbow joint, and the left ankle joint. Witness stopped the bleeding from the arm and rallied him with the assistance of hot brandy and hot tea, and then had him brought to the Hospital. Witness thought there might be some slight hopes, but deceased died with a few minutes after admission. On examination of the body after death he found other serious injuries. James Warren, porter, corroborated Pulman's evidence. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and exonerated both Pulman and Warren from all blame. The coroner entirely concurred with the verdict. The Jury gave their fees to the Hospital.

COMBEINTEIGNHEAD - Inquest at Coombe Cellar. - An Inquest was held on Monday morning, by Mr H. Michelmore, Coroner, touching the death of SAMUEL

PHILLIPS, the bargeman who was drowned in the River Teign on the 8th of January. The first witness called was WILLIAM PHILLIPS, a carriage examiner at Newton, who deposed that he was the brother of the deceased. He saw the body of the deceased on Sunday. It was his brother who had been missing since Friday the 8th of January. On that evening he was informed that the deceased had been drowned in the Teign. He had no reason to think that anybody had any spite against the deceased. The deceased was 38 years of age last May, and has left a widow and six children. - Nicholas Walke, a Rural messenger, at the Newton Post Office, said he heard deceased was lost and had searched for him several times. On Saturday about four o'clock he was fishing with a spear for flukes. he was dragging along the spear in the river when it caught hold of the heel of a boot he then saw the body of a man. He got assistance and took up the body and brought it to Coombe Cellars. The distance was about 200 yards. Henry Joslin said he was a bargeman in the employ of Messrs. Watts and Co., and lived at Kingsteignton. He knew the deceased. He had worked with him in the same barge for six years. They were together on Friday the 8th of January and walked to Teignmouth from

Kingsteignton to bring the barge to Newton with a load of coals. They left Teignmouth about half past three with the tide. The deceased and witness were both sober. There were two other men in the barge, named Thomas Harris and James Follett, who were also sober. They sailed up as far as Buckland Point where the wind died away. Follett then took the deceased's pole and pushed the barge for about 200 or 300 yards and it being very dark Follett fell over the side of the barge, when PHILLIPS (deceased) went into the boat and caught Follett. They then went on again and when they came to Ford Sluice, Harris took Follet in the boat and put him ashore so that he might walk home. They still had the sail up and whilst Harris and Follet were away the deceased fell overboard. The deceased was not pushing but was standing about two yards from witness, when he fell over backwards. - John Frost was in another barge just behind them and they had all been talking just before. It is the habit of keeping the pole between the legs when they have the sail up and not in their hands. They must keep it in the water as a sudden gust of wind would turn the lighter and then if the pole was on the deck the barge would be ashore whilst they were getting the pole out. Witness could not say if PHILLIPS had been keeping his pole in the way. Frost got in his boat in a minute but he nor witness could not see anything of PHILLIPS. Witness saw him throw up his hand once and that was all; he did not hear him speak. They searched there quite an hour but could not find him. They went home and after the tide was gone back they returned and searched for several hours but to no purpose. Nothing fell from the mast to knock the deceased. He fell overboard about half-past seven when it was very dark. The deceased was not given to drink. - The Coroner, in summing up, advised bargemen in future to keep the pole in their hands, as the least jerk when it was in the water would be enough to throw them overboard, as might have been the case in this instance, although there was no evidence to show it. If that were not so deceased must have had a fit or something must have knocked him over. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death and gave their fees to the widow. Mr Walke also said that he had been informed that there was £1 reward offered by the deceased's employers, for finding the body, which if it was so, he would hand over to the widow.

KINGSTEIGNTON - Fatal Accident At Kingsteignton. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday evening at the Cottage Hospital, East-street, by Dr H. Gaye, Deputy Coroner, on the body of JAMES GIDLEY, who died that morning from injuries received by the falling of a tree on him in a copse at Kingsteignton on the previous Friday. Ann Smerdon, of Ashburton, identified the body of the deceased. He was her son-in-law, and was 39 years of age. - Samuel Stawell Dicker, carpenter of Highweek, said the deceased was in his employ. On Friday last he was working with him in Pinsent's copse in the parish of Kingsteignton, felling timber. The deceased had been a patient at the Cottage Hospital. On Friday last he came to him and said he was much better, and thought he could do a little work. He (witness) then told him he could go and help him in felling timber. About one o'clock the deceased was engaged pairing a tree that was felled, and he (witness) was engaged felling another tree close by. When the tree was about to fall he called out to the deceased, who was about sixty feet off, "JAMES, look sharp the tree will be down in a minute or two," and he replied "All right master." The tree fell directly afterwards and on looking around he found the deceased missing, and he called out "Where is poor JIM? He must be under the tree." He then saw him under the branches of the tree. The trunk of the tree was broken in two places, before and beyond him. he did not see the deceased when the tree was falling, and he therefore considered he must have walked towards it when it was falling. The deceased was insensible but just after they took him out he revived a little and said "what's the matter? what's the matter" He and another man who was there, then placed the deceased in a cart and took him to the Cottage Hospital giving him some brandy at Kingsteignton. The deceased had been accustomed to felling timber and had been felling timber and had been his employ about 4 years. - R. Northmore, labourer, of East St., who was working with the deceased and the last witness on the day in question confirmed foregoing evidence. he added that no one was on the look out at the time the tree fell but every one was supposed to look after himself. He saw the deceased walking towards the tree when it fell. He did not call out to him because he had not got the "chance." - Dr Drake said he attended the deceased at the Cottage Hospital about half past three o'clock on Friday afternoon. He was perfectly sensible but he could not feel nor move the lower part of his body. He remained in that state up to the time of his death which occurred just after three o'clock that (Wednesday) morning. The cause of death was a fracture of the spine. The deceased in answer to a question he put to him said he was unable to account for the accident. The Deputy Coroner having briefly summed up the evidence the Jury consulted. The foreman (Mr H. Hatchwell) said they were of opinion that deceased came to his death accidentally but that there was not the timely notice given of the falling of the tree by Dicker which there ought to have been. - Mr Heaward (one of the Jury) said he did not agree with the verdict for he believed sufficient timely notice was given. - Mr Stitson (another Juryman) said he agreed with Mr Heaward. - Dr Gaye: You think there was proper caution. Mr Heaward: I do. - The Foreman again consulted with the Jury but the majority having regard to the fact that the deceased was working within the radius of the tree Dicker and others were felling, still adhered to their former verdict. Dr Gaye then entered a verdict of Accidental Death, and told dicker that most of the Jurymen considered he did not exercise so much precaution as he ought to have done. Dicker: If any of the Jurymen had been there they would not have done differently. I have "drawed" more timber than anybody here. The Jury afterwards presented their fees through Sergeant Nicholls, to the Cottage Hospital.

IPPLEPEN - Committal for Manslaughter of a Woman at Ipplepen. - An Inquest was held at the Wellington Inn, Ipplepen, on Monday afternoon by Mr Michelmore, Coroner, on the body of MRS MARY ANN SKINNER, who kept a beer-house at Pimlico, Torquay, and whose death occurred on Saturday evening under the following circumstances. - Mrs Susannah Howe Seymour, said she was the wife of John Rock Seymour and lived at Blackstone, Ipplepen. MRS SKINNER was her brother's widow. Since her brother's death the deceased had kept a public-house at Torquay. She was 49 years of age. Witness last saw her alive on Saturday night, the 10th, on the road. They had come from Torquay, having left there together about eight or half-past eight in a cab, driven by a man she had since heard was called Inch. Deceased sent John Brickwood to engage the cab. They had got to the Ipplepen side of Bulleigh Barton before anything happened, when the cabman got off his seat and came to the door of the cab with his lamp in his hand, and said "I won't go any further, as I have to meet a gentleman by the eleven o'clock express at Torquay." He also said "I was only hired to come as far as Bulleigh." Witness said, "You were hired to come by Bulleigh, as then you would have a straight road to go." He said "I shall not go any further, as I have to meet a gentleman by the express train, and I shall gain a sovereign." Witness said, "Nonsense, it is all down hill; we will give you 2s. more, and that will make 9s. you will receive." He still said, "I will not go." MRS SKINNER said, "We have two baskets, and I should like for you to go on." Deceased was very loath to come out of the cab. The driver again refused, and would not go on; he opened the door and said "You must come out." Witness was the first to do so. After deceased got out she paid him 7s. as agreed upon. A man was passing, and offered to help them along with what they had, to Ipplepen. Deceased did not appear ill, and was very cheerful during the evening. When she paid the driver she told him he would not gain anything by his conduct. When they got out of the cab she opened an umbrella as it was raining a little, but they had not walked more than about twenty paces before she complained. The man carried one of the baskets and the witness the other. When they had gone the distance mentioned the deceased said "Oh, dear me Susan, I feel my heart. Stop, I cannot go on; don't go so fast." It was quite dark, but witness did not know the exact time. Deceased rested on witnesses shoulder, and witness looked back and still saw the light of the cab, which had not then left. Deceased rested for about a minute or two, and walked on a few steps, when she again rested, and said her legs were giving away under her. They still saw the light of the cab, which witness referred to. They went on a little further, and deceased said, "My dear children, my dear children." Deceased caught hold of witness's arm saying her legs were giving away, and she wanted to lay along the road, but afterwards asked to be allowed to sit on one of the baskets. Witness and the man got deceased in the hedge, and laid her on their shawls. The man left to go to Mr Luscombe's for a horse and trap. Deceased said she was spitting blood, but that was not so. Before he went away he told her his name was Lee, and after he went away two other men came along the road. She called to them and they came over. Deceased did not speak afterwards. One of these men, Mr Berry, felt her pulse and went back to his companion Mr Fox. Mr Berry again came over and examined her. Before leaving Torquay deceased sent for two bottles of wine, and witness, with a knife, drew the cork of one, and let her sip some wine, but she could not drink the second time. Lee was not away long in fact returned before she expected him. Mr Berry and Mr Fox remained until Lee returned, and with him Mr Luscombe came with his cart. He took a light, and going to deceased said she was quite dead. She was put into the cart and brought to witness's house, Blackstone, Ipplepen. Deceased had been very well lately, but some time back was very unwell, although witness had never heard her complain of her heart until after leaving the cab. Deceased intended to have staid with witness for a few days. - By a Juryman: The cabman asked them to get out at Budleigh Barton, but on their requesting him he took them to the top of the hill, a short distance further on. - John Brickwood, a fisherman, residing at Torquay, deposed to hiring the cabman, Inch. Nothing was said about only going so far as Bulleigh Barton, and this evidence was corroborated by a man named John Nias. Mr Henry Manley, surgeon, Ipplepen, said he had that morning, in pursuance of the Coroner's warrant, made a post mortem examination. In consequence of his first impression, that she died from asthentic apoplexy, he was induced to believe this was dependent upon heart disease. He looked at her general appearance and found her exceedingly fat and bloated, and there had evidently been some frothing from the mouth. The features were pale, and marked with blue, shewing congestion of the whole venous system. Having detailed the result of his examination, the witness said there had evidently been a latent disease of the heart, which deceased had not suffered from possibly for some time, but any excitement, or common emotion of mind, either joy, fear, or sorrow, would produce such a spasm of the heart, as would render the lungs incapable to carry on the circulation, and lead to congestion of the brain, which would produce the same symptoms as breaking a blood-vessel on the brain itself, and would cause sudden death. He considered that death resulted from congestion of the brain, caused by a spasm of the heart, produced by excitement. The simple act of walking might have caused it. He did not consider the deceased would have been a long-life woman under any circumstances, but her death was accelerated by some excitement. - The Coroner here called James Inch, and as he had not been in the room, read over the depositions to him. The Coroner then cautioned Inch in the usual way and asked him if he wished to make any statement, James Inch was then sworn and gave evidence to the effect that he was only engaged to go to Bulleigh Barton. The Coroner briefly summed up, and the Jury, after half-an-hour's consultation returned the following verdict: "That the cause of death was spasmodic affection of the heart produced by excitement, which was caused by the deceased being left in the road; and they also found that Inch, the cabman, contracted to take the party to Ipplepen and failed to do so." - The Coroner said that the effect of this was a verdict of Manslaughter against Inch, and ordered him to be taken into custody by Sergeant Nicholls, the Coroner afterwards committing Inch for trial at the next Assizes. The Enquiry lasted over five hours.