“A painfully sudden death occurred at Hounslow. A. H----, aged nineteen, clerk, started from home to attend his duties at the office, apparently in robust health. At about eight o’clock, whilst sitting between two companions at a table, he suddenly fell forward and expired.”--_Hounslow Chronicle, December 21, 1895._
“A painful sensation was created at Leicester yesterday by the discovery that Mr. R. M----, a leading Wesleyan, had been found dead in his bed. He was apparently in excellent health when he retired, after a light supper.”--_Middlesborough Daily Gazette, December 30, 1895._
“Major Taylor held an inquest on C. N. W---- yesterday. The deceased was described as a fine healthy boy. On Sunday forenoon he was placed on his grandmother’s knee to nurse, when he fell back and expired. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned.”--_Evening Press, York, January 1, 1896._
“Yesterday, Mr. Reilly, Coroner, held an inquest on H. A. C----. It appeared that the servant, in passing his room, heard him moaning. Medical aid was procured, but he died in a few minutes. Deceased was in the enjoyment of robust health previously. Verdict: ‘Death from natural causes.’”--_Irish Times, Dublin, January 3, 1896._
“Mr. H. W---- was suddenly taken ill between five and six yesterday evening, apparently suffering from an apoplectic fit, and expired in a few minutes. Mr. W---- was a gentleman enjoying most robust health, and earlier in the afternoon was chatting genially with several of his friends. An inquest will probably not be necessary.”--_Darlington North Star, January 17, 1896._
“The City Coroner held an inquiry on Saturday at the Stanley Arms relative to the death of Alice M. A----, aged twenty-eight, who died suddenly. On Friday she seemed in good health and spirits. From an internal examination of the body Dr. Miller was of opinion that she died of syncope or failure of the heart’s action. Verdict: ‘Death from natural causes; to wit, heart-disease.’”--_Eastern Daily Press, Norwich, January 20, 1896._
Amongst other sudden deaths more recently reported are:--R. F----, of Torquay, described as “a man of exceptional physique, who had every appearance of possessing a very robust constitution.”--F. P. C---- “looked more than usually robust of late, had never been known to complain of his head, and appeared in the best of health and spirits.”--W. W----“had always appeared to enjoy good health, with the exception of a cough.”--O. P----, “beyond failing appetite, had given no indication of ill health.”--W. M----“was in his usual health, and went to bed all right.”--Mrs. T. B---- “was in the best of health, and was attending to her household duties.”--L. T----, “a powerfully-built fisherman, and most unlikely to come to such a sudden termination of life.”--M. J. M----, at East Garston. “A _post-mortem_ was made by Dr. K. and his assistant, but they were unable to find any evidence as to the cause of death. Verdict: ‘Natural causes.’”--The sudden death, while playing the pianoforte, of a girl, aged twelve, “who had never had a day’s illness in her life.”--S. G----“was quite well, and in excellent spirits.”--T. B. B---- was “a robust man, and had not been ailing.”--G. R---- was “in excellent health and spirits, and attended to his duties as usual.”--A little girl, M. B----, who appeared to be in her usual health, died very suddenly while sleeping in a cot by the side of her parents. Verdict at the inquest: “Death from natural causes.”--A. S----, aged twenty-three, a strong young fellow, who went to rest before eleven o’clock. About one o’clock the following morning he was seized with pain, became unconscious, from which he succumbed.--R. J. C----, labourer, “a fine, robust-looking man,” suddenly expired before medical aid could be procured. Verdict at inquest: “Died suddenly from natural causes.”--Mrs. R----, “who was quite well when her daughter left the room, was found dead on her return a few minutes later.”--T. H----, blacksmith, “went to bed in his usual health and spirits” in company with a comrade, who on attempting to wake him in the morning found life extinct.
