Much sympathy is felt in Rushden with Mr. Robert Marriott, builder, in the loss sustained through the distressing death of his infant child. It appears that whilst the nurse was preparing the bath for the child, a boy of 14 months, named Reginald William, she turned round for a moment, and the little one, in pulling itself up by the bath, upset the contents over it. Medical aid was at once summoned, and Dr. Owen attended the sufferer, and all seemed to be going well. We regret to state, however, that the little one succumbed to the shock on Thursday afternoon, about three o’clock.

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21st November, 1902

Scalding Fatality - Inquest at Rushden

An inquest was conducted at the Queen Victoria Hotel, Rushden, on Friday evening, into the circumstances attending the death of Reginald Wm. Marriott, the infant child of Mr. Robert Marriott, builder, and contractor. Mr. J. Cairns Parker, Deputy-Coroner, conducted the enquiry, and Mr. Geo. Fountain was chosen foreman of the jury.

Mr. Marriott identified the body as that of his son, just under 14 months of age.

Edith Disher, in the employ of Mr. Marriott as nurse, said that on Tuesday evening about six o’clock she went into the nursery, carrying a bucket of boiling water. One of the children had a bottle, and she put down the bucket to take it away. The baby was on the floor by the window, some distance away from where witness put the bucket. She was only engaged with the other child a minute, but on looking round saw the bucket tipped over on its side, the contents having gone over the child. Witness picked up the child and took it down to Mrs. Marriott. When she put the bucket down she thought it was perfectly safe. The child could not walk, but had crawled to the bucket and tried to get up by it. She heard nothing till she turned round to put the water in the bath. To the juryman: The child was not undressed.

Dr. C. R. Owen deposed that he was called to the child about a quarter to six on Tuesday last. He was then in his mother’s arms downstairs, very badly scalded. Both hands and arms were scalded, also the neck and chest. He attended to its injuries, and everything that could be done was done for the child. It got gradually worse, however, and on Thursday died from the effects of the shock. The child must have first had its hands in the water. – The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” the Coroner remarking that no blame attached to anyone.