From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 31 March, 1900. 1d.

SUDDEN DEATH AT DEAL

Dr. Hardman held an inquest at the "Windsor Castle Inn" on Monday, touching the death of George Long, aged 76, which occurred suddenly that morning. The following comprised the jury: Messrs. T. W. baker (foreman), J. Page, N. Fletcher, W. Bent, F. Dewell, W. Hedger, A. E. Chard, W. R. Southey, I. G. Hayward, T. Jennings, J. Sands and N. Upton.

The Coroner said it was one of those cases in which there was really nothing to inquire into, but the death was very sudden, and in consequence of the doctor's inability to give any opinion as to the actual cause of death, it was necessary to hold this inquest. There was really nothing for the jury to do.

The body having been viewed, Dr. Roberts deposed that about 8.30 that morning he was called to the deceased at No. 35, Wellington Road. Death had taken place within a very short time of his arrival. He could not find anything, from his examination, to account for death, but there was nothing inconsistent with death from some natural cause. He attended deceased six years ago, when he was suffering from a slight seizure - cerebral hemorrhage - and then noticed that his heart was exceedingly weak. Four years ago he attended him for bronchitis. There was then some complication. This enabled him to form some opinion as to the cause of death. He thought his heart was seized quite suddenly that morning. He was always a very pale, sparse man, just the man one would associate with a weak heart. The probably cause of death was heart failure.

Mrs. Williamson stated that the deceased had lodged with her at 35, Wellington Road, a great number of years. He had got a little more feeble lately, not feeling very well sometimes, but nothing further, and he did not get worse. He could not walk so far as he had done. He had not got up to breakfast since Dr. Roberts attended him in his illness. He went to bed at nine o'clock, and at half-past six that morning witness heard a cough. She took his breakfast up at eight o'clock, and found him lying on the bed. She had knocked at the door, and getting no answer, opened it, and found him dead. he was lying quite composed.

Mr. R. C. Long identified the body as that of his uncle, George Long, who would have been 76 years of age next month. He was a boot-closer by trade. On Sunday, at half-past one, he left witness' house to go home. He had noticed the deceased, who had not worked for five years, had been failing very much of late.

A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned.