Children of Clara and Frederick James Alfred Berry

Inquests

(Before MR. H.B. SEWELL, Deputy-Coroner.)

A FATAL DOSE OF LAUDANUM.

At Deptford Congregational Hall, on Saturday, on the body of Frederick Butler Berry, aged 22, a railway engine driver, son of Mr. Frederick Butler Berry, landlord of the Cape of Good Hope, 54, King-street, Deptford. He suddenly became unconscious, and died on Friday.—The father said that he did not know that his son was in the habit of taking laudanum until after his death. He went to Burmah at the beginning of the year in search of work, and returned in July in bad health. He had been attending Charing Cross Hospital.—The mother of deceased said that he attended the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, and was seen by three doctors, who, he said, after making an examination, shook their heads. He took medicine. On Wednesday evening he told her that he would not be able to get any sleep that night, and sent his brother for some laudanum. She did not know that he [had] taken any before. He asked witness if he went to sleep not to wake him, as he was so tired. He had never threatened suicide. He had complained of his heart.—Charles Berry, a brother, said that he purchased the laudanum—two penny-worth—at the shop of Henry Squire, Ltd., 189, High-street, Deptford. The assistant who served him told him not to give deceased any more that day, else he would not last the night.—John Maurice Munro, M.P.S., the assistant at Messrs. Squire's, said that he knew deceased, who had occasionally purchased laudanum for sleeplessness. He had instructed deceased to take 25 drops as a dose. He had purchased two pennyworth of laudanum about every two days for the last three months. It was true that when he served deceased's brother he cautioned him, as he had supplied deceased before that day. He did not want to serve him, but the brother urged him to do so and he complied with the request. Deceased was quite alive to the action of laudanum. Witness had known a person to take 4 ozs. of laudanum in twenty-four hours. Witness only had about two other laudanum customers.—Dr. David Dunn Stewart, of 92, Union-road, Rotherhithe, said that death was due to an overdose of laudanum. Deceased, whom he had attended, was cheerful and looked forward to going back to India.—The jury returned a verdict of "Death from misadventure."

HE THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE.

James Smith, aged 27, of Jubilee-cottages. High Barnet, was charged with stealing a watch and chain belonging to William Mutimer, of 19, Bestwood-street, Deptford. Prosecutor stated that on Monday morning he was in the Cape of Good Hope public-house in New King-street, Deptford. Prisoner, a perfect stranger, and others were also there. He afterwards missed his watch and chain, but they were returned to him next morning by a man unknown to him. Charles Berry, barman, said that he saw prisoner take the watch and chain out of prosecutor's pocket, but thought it was done for a lark. Inspector Mitchell asked for a remand, which was granted.

COMPLIMENTED BY CORONER.

For diving into the Grand Surrey Canal in an effort to rescue Rose Styles, aged five, Charles Berry and Archibald Tudenham were complimented by the Deptford Coroner.