An inquest was held at the Vestry-hall, Rushden, on Monday on the body of Edith Baxter Gadsby, aged 6, daughter of Mrs. Byford (wife of Stephen Byford, of Cromwell-road, Rushden). Mr. Hobbs was foreman of the jury. One of the jurors did not arrive at the proper time, and after waiting ten minutes the police officer called in another man to take his place.

Mrs. Byford deposed: Last Friday deceased went to school in her usual health and when she returned she complained of her head aching. She was subject to severe bilious attacks. She did not go to school in the afternoon and at 8 p.m. she went to bed. I attended to her many times during the night, and on Saturday she got up at 9 a.m. During the morning she continued to complain of head ache. Then after dinner she was very restless and I took her to bed. She became worse and I sent for the doctor, which I had not done earlier as I thought it was simply one of her bilious attacks. The child died at 2.30.

Mrs. Seamarks, a neighbour, said I was called in to see the child in the afternoon and found she was very black. I saw she was dying. Everything that could be done for her had evidently been done.

Dr. Baker deposed: I was sent for on Saturday to see the child but was away. I saw the body about 20 hours after death. The body was well nourished and there were no marks of violence. I conclude the child died from congestion of the brain. She had had a cold a few days before, which would account for the congestion.

Verdict, “Death from natural causes”.