The tragic death of a Rushden man was inquired into at an inquest in the Council Buildings, Rushden, on Saturday afternoon.

The evidence showed that Mr. Frederick Sturgen, aged 70, of 8, Pratt-road, who was formerly a farm labourer, but who of recent years had not followed any regular occupation by reason of increasing infirmities, was found drowned in a small and generally shallow pond in the Newton-road allotments. In addition to his wife and two sons, there lived with him until four weeks ago a grandson whom deceased had brought up from childhood. This grandson recently enlisted, and this fact has caused Sturgen a good deal of worry. On Friday morning deceased went out, and as he did not return in the evening a search was made for him. Late on Friday night P. S. Brumby found the body of Sturgen lying dead in the pond, as stated. Deceased had left home in the morning and the fact that he did not return gave rise to no uneasiness at first for it was expected that he had gone to a daughter’s house in another part of the town, and it was not until late that fears were entertained.

The Inquest

was held on Saturday afternoon at the Council Buildings, before Mr. J. T. Parker, Coroner.

Elizabeth Underwood, wife of Ernest Underwood, shoe finisher, said: On Friday at 8 30a.m. deceased, my father, who lived next door, looked in my window and nodded as he passed in his usual way. Afterwards he came into the house where I was dressing the child. I said “Hello Grandpa!” and he went out without saying anything. I did not see him again. In the evening he did not come home. About three weeks ago his grandson, whom he had brought up from a child, went away and enlisted, and this preyed upon my father’s mind. It worried him a good deal, and he sometimes said he could not sleep because of it. Deceased health was fairly good, and I know of no troubles he had except the grandson going away. Deceased had been a farm labourer, and had an old age pension. Two sons lived at home as lodgers, and he had no financial troubles. I know of no reason he had for being on the allotments, where the body was found.

P.S. Geo. W. Brumby said: Deceased was reported to me on Friday at 10 p.m. as missing. I searched a pond in the allotment field near Newton-road. There is a public path 20 yards away. I found the body lying face downwards. The water was about one foot deep where the head was, the legs being nearer the middle of the pond, in about 4 feet of water. I could not see any marks near the pond, the grass there being long. I found his walking stick which looked as if it had been hidden. His hat was in the water. There was no clothing on the bank. I found in his pocket a purse containing 4s 4d.

Dr. Greenfield deposed: I knew deceased by sight, but had not attended him. I have examined the body. There was a slight bruise on the right hand, but no other marks. Death was due to drowning.

Mr. G. Bayes (a juror) said deceased had always been a highly respected man.

A verdict of “Found Drowned” was returned, the jury being of the opinion that there was no evidence as to how deceased got into the water.

The Funeral

took place on Monday at 3 p.m. at the Rushden Cemetery, the Rector (Ven. A. Kitchin) officiating. The mourners were:-

Mrs. Sturgen (widow) and Mr. Charles Sturgen (son).

Mr. Geo. Srurgen (son) and Mrs. E. Underwood (daughter).

Mr. Arthur Sturgen (son) and Mrs. West (daughter).

Mr. E. Underwood (son-in-law) and Mr. Albert Sturgen (grandson).

The eldest son of the deceased, Mr. Albert Sturgen, is in America.

The coffin bore the inscription: “Frederick Sturgen, died January 24, 1913, aged 70 years.” Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin were the undertakers.

The floral tributes bore the following inscriptions:-

A large artificial wreath, “In Loving memory from his sorrowing wife and family.”

A spray of flowers from a friend.

“In loving memory of dear grandfather, from Daisy, Violet, and little Ivy;

Though lonesome in thy dismal grave,

Where thou art laid to sleep,

Dear granddad, we can do no more

Than place a floral wreath.”

“Until the day break,” in loving memory of dear uncle, from his nephew and niece at Wellingborough.

Mrs. Sturgen and the family desire to express their thanks to the many kind friends for their sympathy with them in their sad bereavement.