From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 20 March, 1872. 1d.

A MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE

An inquest was held on Wednesday afternoon, at the "Sportsman Inn," St. Lawrence, before  T. T. Delasaux, Esq., County Coroner, and a Jury, of whom Mr. Robert Powell was foreman, on the body of Herbert Gillow, aged 32 years, who resided at Minster, and who was found lying in a ditch near the "Sportsman Inn," about six o'clock the same morning.

Edward Bax, shepherd, living at St. Lawrence, deposed: About six o'clock this morning I was looking my sheep round a dyke in the parish of St. Lawrence, when I saw the deceased lying in a ditch. I obtained the assistance of a constable, and we then took him out of the ditch. He was lying on his stomach, and when taken out he was quite dead. The top of his head was just covered by water, and I believe death was caused by suffocation. When the deceased was taken out of the ditch I recognised deceased as Herbert Gillow. Deceased was dead when I first saw him.

Several questions were put to this witness by the jury, and from his answers it appeared that when he first saw the body he did not ascertain whether or not life was extinct. Bax, however, said he was positive that the deceased was dead, but he also stated that one of the reasons for not touching the body was that he was afraid if the deceased had been known to have had any money about him, and if nothing had been found upon him when he was searched, people might have said he had taken it.

P.C. Hogwood, stationed at St. Lawrence, deposed: This morning I received information that the body of a person had been found in the marshes near the "Sportsman." I proceeded to the spot and I found that the body was quite cold and stiff. Deceased had evidently been dead for some hours. I searched him, and found upon him 2½d. in coppers and a latch key. His cap was in his right hand pocket. He had two white pocket-handkerchiefs.

B. Nash, gardener, Minster, deposed: I knew the deceased, and I last saw him alive at about five o'clock last evening. He was in very good spirits, and appeared as usual. He paid me 2s. I noticed he had some gold and silver mixed in a small purse. I saw a sovereign and a half and some silver.

Ruth White, cook at the deceased house in the parish of Minster, deposed: I am in the service of deceased's sister's, and the deceased lived there with them. I have been cook in the establishment for about two years and eight months. About half-past nine last night, defendant went out, and he asked his sister to put the latch up, so he might be able to open the door with his key. His sister did so. It was unusual for him to go out at that time. He was always very quiet, and last evening he appeared to be about as usual.

James Lane, gardener to B. Sicklemore, Esq., of Cleve, Minkton, deposed that he last saw the deceased alive about nine o'clock on the previous night at the "Mount Pleasant Inn." he was perfectly sober but appeared dull, and he hardly spoke to anyone.

The Coroner briefly summed up the case, and suggested to the jury that the safest thing for them to do would be to return an open verdict.

The Jury accordingly returned a verdict if "Found Drowned."