A Rushden Mother’s Sad Death
Loss of Son Causes Great Grief – End of a Lonely Life

A sad ending of a Rushden mother’s life became know yesterday soon after 11a.m., when residents in Orchard-place missed one of their neighbours, Mrs Betsy Ann Miller, of 6 Orchard-place, from her domestic duties. Mr H Bates, fish and chip saloon proprietor, a brother of Mrs Miller, was called. As there was no answer to knocks, Mr B V Page, of 1 Orchard-place, procured a ladder, and Mrs Miller’s son (Mr Walter Miller) and Mr Page entered the house through a bedroom window. They received a great shock on entering Mrs Miller’s bedroom. The poor lady lay partly on the bed and partly on the floor, as if she had died in trying to get out of bed.

Dr Muriset was summoned, but he could do no more than certify that death had occurred. P.C. Mann was called in, and Inspector Knight also visited the house. The Coroner was informed, but he decided that an inquest was not necessary. Mrs Miller was 59 years of age.

Mrs Miller had been a widow and in occupation of the same house for over 20 years. During the war the only son left to look after her was taken into the Army in spite of strong representations made on her behalf to be allowed to keep him at home. Mrs Miller became very much depressed, and she had a foreboding that she would receive a telegram to tell her of her son’s death. In fact, she used to speak of it as a certainty. Her son died of wounds and a telegram was sent to her to inform her of the fact. The grief so much affected Mrs Miller that she refused to have anyone stay with her. With the aid of a war pension and help from her other son, Mr Walter Miller, Mrs Miller managed to keep herself and used to cook dinner for a neighbour. Everything in her house was spotlessly clean. She was known as a very hard-working woman.

On Wednesday Mrs Miller had presumably been in her usual health, as nothing uncommon was noticed about her by the neighbours. Her absence yesterday led to inquiries, with the sad result.