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JAMES
Elsie May James
Don Congregational Cemetery
Died 19th Dec. 1891
Age 5 months
Daughter of Clara Smith
A child aged 5 months died somewhat suddenly at Don on Saturday. The mother Clara Smith was away at the time and the child was left at Mr. Dalton’s. An inquest was held at the Don Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr. Coroner Maxwell. The following jury were empanelled: – Messrs E. J. Nichols (foreman), Mark Stewart, W. Whisker, W. Page, G. S. Nash, James Cole, and W. Mead. – Sub-Inspector Cole conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Emma Dalton, wife of John Dalton, labourer, Don, stated that she had viewed the body, which was Clara Smith’s child. She was her sister, and was unmarried. The child was born at witness’ house on July 7, and the mother left for the Launceston Hospital, when the child was seven weeks old, leaving the child in witness’ care. The mother said she would come to see about it as soon as she could, but she had not done so. The child was always a small, thin one, and never appeared to thrive. It took no food from 11 o’ clock on Friday morning till it died. Witness did not seek medical advice, but gave it soothing powders. It died on Saturday. Dr. J. W. Payne stated that he had made a post mortem examination of the body. It weighed 61/4 lbs. Found the right lung inflamed, and the brain very much congested. The immediate cause of death was convulsions, due to the inflamed lung.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
The North West Post 24th December 1891.