With painful suddenness, William Dugan, aged 70 years, a commercial traveller, died at Rushden on Monday afternoon. The deceased gentleman represented the Island Spinning Co., Lisburn, Ireland, and had visited several business places in the town in the morning. According to his custom when in Rushden, he adjourned to the Wagon and Horses for his midday meal, when he appeared in the best of health, and sat down to the table with Host Hobbs and others. He conversed freely, and was in the best of spirits; but while in the act of raising the fork to his mouth he fell back in his chair unconscious and expired almost immediately. Dr. Baker was summoned, but deceased was beyond human aid.

An inquest was held on Tuesday, at the Waggon and Horses Inn, Rushden, before Mr. J. C. Parker (deputy coroner). Mr. G. H. Skinner was chosen foreman of the jury.

Hy. Graham, of Belfast, identified the deceased, who lived at Holly Wood, County down, Ireland. He was 69 years of age, and cousin to witness. Deceased left home about three weeks ago to on his usual round. Witness was very familiar with the deceased. Years ago deceased was threatened with apoplexy, and was medically attended. Latterly he had complained of numbness in his right leg and giddiness in the head; otherwise he enjoyed good health.

Harry Hobbs, landlord of the Wagon and Horses, said he had known deceased for seven years, during which time he stayed at witness’s house when visiting Rushden. He arrived at 10.45 on Monday morning, but did not complain of being unwell. They dined at one o’clock. Deceased ate his soup, and then witness cut for him from the joint. He had taken about three mouths-full when his hands dropped and he made a gurgling sound. Witness at once moved him to an armchair, but he expired almost immediately in witness’s arms. Deceased had always been of a jolly disposition, and had never complained. – By the Foreman: The only thing that deceased had to drink that morning was a sloe gin.

Dr. H. Baker, of Rushden, deposed to being called to the deceased, and finding him dead in Mr. Hobb’s arms. He had him removed and examined. The immediate cause of death was heart failure. There was no suspicion of anything having got in the deceased’s gullet. – By the Foreman: Deceased’s heart was not necessarily diseased.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from heart failure.