Yesterday an inquest was held at the Compass Inn, Rushden, by Mr. J. C. Parker, deputy coroner, touching the death of Mary Jane Cox, aged 61, which took place yesterday at 5.30a.m. at her residence 199 High-street South, Rushden. The jurymen were Messrs H. H. Hobbs (foreman), F. Wilkins, J. Harrison, J. Litchfield, C. Dixon, J. Britten, F. Tassell, A. Groom, H. Peacock, F. Wills, G. Clayton, and F. Bayes.

Charles Cox, husband of the deceased, said: On October 28th I left my wife in the house at about 1.45. She was then putting away the dinner things. My son, aged 20, was with her. She was in her usual health. Directly after I left the house a little girl came and told me that my wife had fallen down the cellar steps. I went back at once and found my wife at the bottom of the cellar steps. She was not unconscious and told me she had

Fallen Down the Steps

which are of brick. She was putting food at the top of the steps when she fell. She would need to reach a little forward. She has never had any fainting fits or giddiness. Dr. Greenfield was sent for and has attended her ever since.

Sarah Helsdown said: I live at Mr. Cox’s. On October 28th at 1.45p.m. I was in my room. I had just had dinner. I heard the sound of a fall and screams and ran to the cellar steps. I found Mrs. Cox lying at the bottom of the cellar steps. She was badly bruised and cut about. She said “Oh! Mrs. Helsdown!” I sent for her husband and assisted to get her up the stairs. I did not hear her say that she had fallen down. I noticed she had put a plate at the top of the cellar steps.

The Injuries

Dr. Greenfield said: On October 28th I saw deceased at about 1.45p.m. She was then upstairs and was conscious but in a dazed condition. I examined her superficially. She had a very large bruise closing the right eye, the right shoulder was very much bruised and the upper arm broken, and she was suffering very much from shock. These injuries would be compatible with her having fallen downstairs. I have attended her right up to the time of her death. During the last few days she has had a great deal of sickness and diarrhoea, which made her weaker. Death may be attributed to shock consequent upon the injuries received.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”