Sad Drowning Fatality Near Rushden A sad case of drowning occurred near Rushden on Monday evening last. It appears that a young man named John Hicks Langford, 18 years of age, went down to the Higham Stanch to bathe, being accompanied by a lad named Joseph Oscar Massom, son of Mr. Massom, of High-street, Rushden, where Langford had been living. On arriving at the water, both went in, Massom got out again almost directly, and whilst he was dressing he heard Langford call out, and then saw him sink. He ran at once for assistance, but before help arrived Langford was dead, and it was sometime before the body was recovered. A young man named William Dunkley and another ultimately brought it to the surface. The deceased was the son of Mrs. Langford, who formerly lived in High-street, Rushden, but who is now residing in Nottinghamshire. THE INQUEST was held in the Vestry Hall, at Rushden, on Tuesday evening, before Mr. J T. Parker, coroner and a jury of whom Mr. David Darnell was foreman, when the following evidence was adduced: Joseph Oscar Massom, a lad of Rushden, said he knew deceased, who lodged at his father’s house. Deceased was a clicker, and was 18 years of age. On the evening in question he and deceased went down to the river together Langford could swim a little. They both went into the water but witness got out very soon as it was rather cold. Whilst he was dressing he heard deceased call out “Oh” three times, and saw him sink. Langford had swam across the river and was coming back again. He had reached the side, and caught hold of some grass on the bank to pull himself out, when the grass gave way and he fell backwards. Witness at once ran to some men who were about three fields off, and they went back with him to the river. They could not see Langford. Then three other men came, and one of them went into the river, but he could not find deceased. Witness then went up to Rushden.—In answer to the Coroner, he said it was about a quarter past seven when they into the water, and there was no one else where near. George Bayes, labourer, Rushden, deposed that on Monday evening he saw the lads go down towards the river at about a quarter to seven when he was at work in a field. Soon after seven the lad Massom went to him and said Langford was drowned, and he and his mates went down to the river. They could see nothing of deceased, and they could not get to the other side as there was no bridge and neither of them could swim. They left when some other men came. P.S. Onan, Rushden, said that on Monday evening at about 8p.m. he received information that a lad had been drowned, and went down to the river. The lad Massom was there and pointed out the place where Langford went down. With assistance he got the body out. It was undressed and in about five feet of water about three yards from the bank, on the Irthlingborough side of the stream. It was about 9.20 when the body was recovered. Means were taken to restore anima¬tion for a long time, and the doctor was sent for. There were some broken reeds near by, but nothing in his hands when they got him out. Dr. Owen stated that at about 10 30 he went to the river and saw the deceased's body lying on the bank. He examined him and found he was quite dead. Means were being taken to restore animation, but they were useless. The appearance of the body was of death from drowning A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

Wellingborough News, 29th August 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins The Drowning Fatality—On Wednesday evening the funeral of the young man Langford, who was accidentally drowned in the river on Monday night, took place at the Rushden Cemetery. The deceased was followed to his last resting-place by a large number of friends and acquaintances, including a number of the members of the Albion Football Club, of which he was a member and an officer, the employees of Messrs. Cunnington Bros., where he was employed and by whom he was very much liked and respected, and also the members of the Bible Class, where he was a general favourite. The service was conducted by the Rev. F. Hird (curate-in-charge of the parish), and was of a most solemn and impressive character. The coffin was literally covered with magnificent wreaths sent by friends of the deceased.