The body of a young man named Arthur Inglesby, aged 17, whose parents reside at Rushden, was recovered from the River Nene near Irchester on Saturday.

Mr. J. T. Parker (Coroner) held an inquest on the body at Wellingborough Workhouse on Monday morning.

The father of deceased, William Inglesby, baker, Rushden, said he could not identify deceased by his features, but by his right shoulder, which was smaller than the other. He was 17 years of age, and lodged in Wellingborough. He was a journeyman butcher. Witness last saw him alive last Monday, when he seemed quite in his usual health and cheerful. He had paralysis of the right shoulder when he was younger, but he had had no troubles lately, and witness had never heard him threaten his life. He could not swim, to witness’s knowledge.

Florence Jackson, 160, Albert-road, Wellingborough, said that deceased had for the past 12 months lodged at her adopted mother’s house. She last saw the deceased alive on Tuesday morning, before she went to work. He answered her when she said “Good morning” and seemed quite the same as usual. He had a white waistcoat on that morning, and that was unusual when he went to work. He had not appeared gloomy or depressed lately. She heard him say about five weeks ago that he would go and jump in the river, but witness only took it as a joke. He said at that time that his father had “been on to him.” When he came from home at Rushden on Monday last he said his father had been getting on to him about drink. He was in no money trouble that witness knew of.

The father of the deceased, recalled, said he had talked to deceased about drinking too much, but he said nothing last Sunday or Monday.

Robert Plowman, 10, Wood-street, Wellingborough, said he knew deceased well. He saw him in the meadows by the river leading to Irchester last Tuesday. He was leaning on the rail of one of the footbridges near the L. and N.W. Railway bridge, looking into the water. Witness said to him, “Now don’t go in there; you’ll find it wet.” Deceased smiled but said nothing about it. Deceased helped witness to count some cattle, and then said he was waiting for some fellows with whom he was going fishing, who were to meet him at 10 a.m. Witness left him at the Black Bridge, and when he got to the Mill deceased was still there looking into the water. Deceased seemed in uncommonly good spirits, and said he had a holiday until Friday.

Dr. Hollis, who examined the body on Saturday evening, said that deceased had been in the water not less than 72 hours, and not more than 96 hours. The appearance of the body was consistent with drowning.

Fredk. Easton, working at Rushden, said he was walking to Wellingborough, where he spent his week-ends, on Saturday last, and he saw the body of the deceased in the river between the railway bridge and the wooden bridge.

P.C. Griffin said the received information of the discovery of the body about 2.15 p.m. on Saturday. It was floating in the middle of the stream. There were no marks of a struggle or violence. There was a bill for a small amount in his pocket, and also a bunch of keys, but no money. He was expected at work on Tuesday. Witness had seen the deceased the worse for drink several times lately.

Verdict, “Suicide whilst temporarily insane.”