Kentish Mercury, Friday 1 May 1885.

Fatal Accident.

On Wednesday evening Mr. Carttar resumed an enquiry at the "Railway Tavern," Catford, on the body of George Heath, aged 56, horse dealer, 1, Herbert Villas, Catford, who met his death from injuries received through an accident in the Greenwich Road.

At the previous examination and man named Jenkins said the deceased drove into a brick cart, was pitched on to his pony, got back with assistance, and became insensible. Dr. Mitchell also deposed that he was called to deceased on the 15th April, and found him in a state of coma, and he died at 11 o'clock the same night.

The Coroner now said that the additional evidence he had procured would give an entirely different aspect of the affair.

George Heath, a horse dealer living at Granville Cottage, Granville Park, Lewisham, second cousin of the deceased, said he saw the deceased in Messr's. Peppercorn's shop in the Broadway, Deptford, on the morning of the accident at about 10:45 o'clock. Deceased was all right then.

Henry Johnson, a labourer, of 4, The Retreat, Rushey Green, working for Mr. Heath on his farm, said he saw the deceased before the accident at the farm, when he said he would not be gone long. The trap he went away in was all right when he started. Witness saw him come back about 40 minutes after. He heard the witness Pike whistle, and came out, and saw Mr. Heath in the trap with the reins in his left hand and his right hand hanging between the trap and the wheel. Deceased appeared ill, and could not speak. Witness jumped into the trap and took the reins and drove deceased home. Pike followed on foot. Deceased did not speak a word. Witness helped him upstairs and remained till he died. The next morning witness examined the pony and trap, and founds the off step knocked off, and some paint rubbed off the wheel. The pony and harness were all right.

John White, a pensioned detective, residing and East Greenwich, said he had known the deceased 40 years. Saw him in his trap in the Greenwich Road, near Lovibond's Brewery, on the day in question. Deceased was on the near side of the road the opposite side to Lovibond's about 4 yards from the curb. Three other vehicles were just in front of him. He saw the pony swerve round towards the near pavement suddenly, and the deceased pitched forward and was thrown onto the bottom of the cart. Witness did not see a collision. It appeared to him that the deceased was trying to pass a cart on the nearside when his off wheel caught the nearside of the cart, and caused the pony to swerve round. Witness jumped up into the trap and undid deceased collar. He spoke to him, but could get no answer. Deceased recovered a little, and then Pike said he knew him, and witness and the constable Steggles told him to get into the trap and drive home with him. Deceased soon after seemed all right, or he would have sent for a doctor.

John Warsford, a carman, of Lower Tooting, in the employ of Mr. Johnson, of Wandsworth Common, builder was in front of his mate's cart. Witness was walking in the roadway. Both carts were on the near side. This witness confused the junction of the Greenwich Road and South Street with the Old Kent Road and Queen's Road, Peckham, so that this evidence was valueless, and the Coroner told him to stand back.

Thomas Carpenter, carman, of York Road, Battersea, the driver of the brick cart in question, said he saw a nam driving in the pony trap, which caught up to his cart and ran into the wheel. The two wheels interlocked, and he ran round and stopped the horses immediately. Witness and his mate put the deceased back into his former position in the trap, and the young man Pike got into the trap and drove off.

The jury after deliberating for some time in private, returned the verdict that the deceased met his death through fracture of the skull, sustained by a collision whilst driving in the Greenwich Road.

Kentish Mercury, Friday 1 May 1885.

Joseph Wilkinson, of 20, Foxbury Grove, Brockley, sweep, Edward Eades, 33, of 5, Mill Road, Lewisham plasterer, and John Mansfield, 32, of 12, Ladywell Terrace, Lewisham, were charged with being drunk, behaving in a disorderly manner, and causing a crowd to assemble at Ladywell.

Police Constable Patmore, 23 PR, said on Saturday afternoon about 5 o'clock he was called by the potman at the "Railway Tavern," Ladywell, to eject the prisoners from the house, and as they would not go away he took them into custody.

Mr. Ovenden, the landlord, said he was at the opening of the public baths at Ladywell and was sent for, and found the prisoners had been got out of the house by the police.

One of the prisoners said one of the others took a half sovereign from him.

The gaoler said they had all been at the court before, and Mr. Balguy fined them each 5s.

Kentish Mercury, Friday 14 April 1905.

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