NEGLECT BY A FATHER AT SIDMOUTH

At the Ottery Petty Sessions yesterday, before Colonel Darnall (in the chair) and Mr. J.M. Miller, William Henry Piper, a fisherman, of Sidmouth, was summoned for neglecting his two children, Nelly and Annie Louisa, in a manner likely to cause injury to their health, between the dates of September 9 and October 30. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Orchard (Sidmouth) prosecuted on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., and observed that the case was a very bad one. The defendant's wife had absconded and left him with four children, whom he had systematically, daily and hourly, neglected. Two children were subsequently taken away from him, and he was left with the two in respect of whom he was summoned. [The children taken away were Ginnie and Gertrude.]

SIDMOUTH MAN'S DEATH.

TOWN WITHOUT A RELIEVING OFFICER.

An inquest was held at Sidmouth yesterday afternoon on William Henry Piper aged 49 years.—The coroner (Dr. Tweed) explained that the inquest was held as the relatives wished for a post-mortem.—Mrs. Mary Jane Riggs said her father came home on Friday about 2 p.m., and complained of being in dreadful pain. She sent for medical assistance. Her sister went to Mr. Bingley Pullin about three o'clock, but he was out, so she went on to Dr. Bird's, but he was also out. She then went home again, and sent a young man to Dr. Colclough, who said he could not come because of another appointment. Dr. De Deane was then sent for, and he came at once. He ordered her father to bed and prescribed for him. About six o'clock she sent again to Mr. Bingley Pullin. He inquired if her father was in any club, and that if not, she must apply for an order before he could come as the parish doctor. The next morning she went to the assistant overseer (Mr. Newton) who was out. She then went to Mr. H.M. Selick (one of the overseers) for an order. He advised her to go to Ottery, to the relieving officer for it. She proceeded there and procured it, returning by the 2.20 train, and delivered it to Mr. Bingley Pullin's servant on the way home, leaving a message asking him to come as soon as possible. She sent for him again at 4.50, and he came at once.—Mr. Bingley Pullin said he saw Piper about 5.30, and considered that death had taken place within a minute of his arrival. On Friday Annie Piper called on him about six o'clock, saying her father was ill, and had been seen by Dr. De Deane. He asked her to find out if her father was in any club, because he was too busy to take a private cure. He heard nothing further until Saturday evening, about 4.45, when he went to the house. The whole of the delay was due to the fact that there was no relieving officer in Sidmouth, which was a scandalous shame. If the woman had come back on Friday night, and said her father was in great pain, he should not have hesitated to have gone, even if she had not an order.—Mr. A.C. Bird, who made the post-mortem, gave evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes," adding that it was desirable that overseers should know it was their duty to grant an order if required, and not compel people to go to Ottery to obtain it.—The jury (Mr. J.T. Clark, foreman) gave their fees to the relatives.

INQUEST AT SIDMOUTH.

THE INQUIRY ASKED FOR.

An inquest was held at the Cottage Hospital yesterday touching the death of William Henry Piper, who died rather suddenly on Saturday. Mr J.T. Clark was foreman of the jury. Dr. E.R. Tweed (Coroner) said the inquiry was held at the request of relatives, which was a very unusual thing. Charles Wallis Piper (brother) said deceased ws 49 years of age. He last saw him alive about 2½ years since. On Saturday he received a telegram that his brother was dead. Mary Jane Riggs (daughter) said deceased came to her home on Friday, and complained of being ill. Deceased lay down on the couch, and she went to fetch a doctor. Dr. B.G. Pullin was out, and she went to Dr. De Denne, who visited the deceased. Witness again sent for Dr. Pullin, and was told to get an order for medical attendance. The Overseers were applied to, but they could not give one. On Saturday witness went to Ottery St. Mary and got one from the Registrar, and took it to Dr. Pullin just after 2 o'clock. The doctor came at about half past 4. It was her wish to have an inquiry, as she did not know the cause of death. Deceased had been fairly temperate lately, but had previously drank a good deal. Mrs. West (daughter) said deceased lived with her. He had been fairly temperate lately. Deceased left her home at about 10 o'clock on Friday morning to go to the rocks picking mussels. Witness was sent for in the afternoon by her sister, Mrs. Riggs, and she found her father in great pain. She went for Dr. Pullin, who was not at home. She then went for Dr. De Denne. Dir Bird said he had made a post-mortem. He found the heart normal, but the liver and kidneys were enlarged and fatty, and the stomach dilated, with a little fluid in it. Dr. B.G. Pullin said he saw deceased at about 5.30 on Saturday. When he arrived deceased was in extremis. He had been most intemperate. The answer he gave to Annie Piper was that if the deceased was not in a Club she must get an order. The Coroner said a lot had been said of the affair, and he thought from Dr. Bird he would have an independent opinion of the cause of death. Dr. Bird said the cause of death was the serious condition of the liver, which brought on vomiting. The jury gave their verdict accordingly.

NEGLECT BY A FATHER AT SIDMOUTH

At the Ottery Petty Sessions yesterday, before Colonel Darnall (in the chair) and Mr. J.M. Miller, William Henry Piper, a fisherman, of Sidmouth, was summoned for neglecting his two children, Nelly and Annie Louisa, in a manner likely to cause injury to their health, between the dates of September 9 and October 30. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Orchard (Sidmouth) prosecuted on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., and observed that the case was a very bad one. The defendant's wife had absconded and left him with four children, whom he had systematically, daily and hourly, neglected. Two children were subsequently taken away from him, and he was left with the two in respect of whom he was summoned. On the 11th September an Inspector of the Society visited the defendant's house and left him a paper warning him as to his future conduct. The defendant was in the habit of leaving his house in the morning and remaining away all day, and it was habitual intoxication on his part that had been the cause of all the mischief. The children were visited by Inspector Whetham, of the N.S.P.C.C., and taken to the Society's Home at Exeter. Inspector Whetham stated that he found the children in a very filthy condition. Their heads were infested with vermin. The bedroom was in a dirty condition, the bedclothing especially being in a very dirty state. Witness went in search of the defendant, and found him in a public-house. He asked him his reason for neglecting his children, and he replied that he could not be out and home at the same time. As witness was taking the children away they met the defendant. He asked where the children were going, and witness told him he was taking them to the Home at Exeter. Defendant then asked the girl who she would rather go with, and she replied, "Him," meaning the Inspector. P.C. Flanders corroborated. He had frequently seen the defendant returning home in an intoxicated condition after 11 p.m. Mrs. Elizabeth Churchill, a neighbour, who appeared on subpœna, said that defendant left the children in the house all day without anyone to look after them. The Chairman remarked that the evidence showed that defendant had neglected his children in a shameful manner. It seemed shocking that the two little girls should be left to themselves all day long without anyone to look after them. The defendant would go to gaol for three months with hard labour.

Inspector Whetham, of the N.S.P.C.C., applied at Ottery Sessions yesterday that the custody of two children, who were at present in the Society's Shelter, at Exeter, and named Nelly and Annie Piper, aged 6 and 9 respectively, might be transferred to Mrs. Ellen Gray, of Sidmouth. The Inspector remarked that the father of the children had been convicted, and the two children referred to were unprovided for by the parents. The application was granted until the children attained the age of 16 years.

William Henry Piper, labourer, of Sidmouth, was summoned at the Ottery St. Mary Petty Sessions on Tuesday for not contributing to the maintenance of his two children. Mr. Orchard said the Magistrates would remember that at the last Court the defendant promised to pay the arrears of the maintenance orders in these cases. The amount was £22 17s, which had been increased since the adjournment to £24 17s. At the last Court Piper told Inspector Whetham, of Exeter, who appeared on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, that he would pay the costs of the prosecution and £1 a week towards the arrears out of a portion of the money he would shortly receive as a Naval Reserve man. He had kept the promise to the extent of paying 10s. Under the circumstances the Society pressed for a severe penalty. It was a monstrous thing that a man should be able to first ill-treat his children and then escape the responsibility of assisting in their maintenance. Defendant, who did not appear, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment in each case, the sentences to run concurrently.

Nellie West, chambermaid, spoke to seeing some cretonne cuttings and "something else which she thought was rubbish on the sideboard" in the corridor on November 26th. She took it to the back stairs and threw it in the rubbish box.

NEGLECT BY A FATHER AT SIDMOUTH

At the Ottery Petty Sessions yesterday, before Colonel Darnall (in the chair) and Mr. J.M. Miller, William Henry Piper, a fisherman, of Sidmouth, was summoned for neglecting his two children, Nelly and Annie Louisa, in a manner likely to cause injury to their health, between the dates of September 9 and October 30. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Orchard (Sidmouth) prosecuted on behalf of the N.S.P.C.C., and observed that the case was a very bad one. The defendant's wife had absconded and left him with four children, whom he had systematically, daily and hourly, neglected. Two children were subsequently taken away from him, and he was left with the two in respect of whom he was summoned. [The children taken away were Ginnie and Gertrude.]

NEGLECT BY A FATHER AT SIDMOUTH

At the Ottery Petty Sessions yesterday, before Colonel Darnall (in the chair) and Mr. J.M. Miller, William Henry Piper, a fisherman, of Sidmouth, was summoned for neglecting his two children, Nelly and Annie Louisa, in a manner likely to cause injury to their health, between the dates of September 9 and October 30. [see full coverage under Nellie, above]

Inspector Whetham, of the N.S.P.C.C., applied at Ottery Sessions yesterday that the custody of two children, who were at present in the Society's Shelter, at Exeter, and named Nelly and Annie Piper, aged 6 and 9 respectively, might be transferred to Mrs. Ellen Gray, of Sidmouth. The Inspector remarked that the father of the children had been convicted, and the two children referred to were unprovided for by the parents. The application was granted until the children attained the age of 16 years.

William Henry Piper sentenced to three months' imprisonment for not contributing to the maintenance of his children, the sentences to run concurrently. [full report above, under Nellie]