We regret to announce the death, under sad circumstances, of Mr. Charles Wright, of 33, Washbrook-road, Rushden, a member of a well-known family in the town. Mr. Wright was accidentally knocked down by a trolley in High-street, Rushden, on February 24th. He appeared to be recovering satisfactorily from the effects of the accident. Last week, however, very unfavourable symptoms manifested themselves, and Mr. Wright died on Saturday from lockjaw.

Mr. Wright, who was of a retiring disposition, was a gentleman of high character. Formerly he was a riveter, but retired from the staple trade many years ago. He resided for a considerable time in Queen-street (next to the Salvation Army Hall), but of recent years had lived at the junction of Washbrook-road and Oakley-road, where he had a shop. The deceased was a house agent and property owner. He was the first treasurer of the Rushden Adult School, a position he occupied for some years. In politics he was a firm Liberal; and in religious persuasion he was an Independent Wesleyan.

The Inquest

A coroner’s inquest was held at the Oakley, Wellingborough-road, Rushden, on Monday morning by Mr. J. C. Parker, deputy coroner. Mr. C. W. Barker was chosen foreman of the jury.

James Cuthbert Wright, of 27, Montague-street, Rushden, shoe-hand, said: The body viewed by the jury is that of my brother, Charles Wright. He was a retired shoe-hand and was 62 years of age. On Feb. 24th deceased received some injuries. I was called to his house and saw him at once. I have been with him since. He told me that he was coming down Queen-street to Fitzwilliam-street and saw a trolley coming down High-street. He passed over the road behind it and said he did not remember anything more until he found himself under another trolley, which was meeting the one he was behind. He was rather deaf in the right ear, but his eyesight was good. He said he did not look to the right and was deep in thought, and that if he had gone straight across, as he ought to have done, he would have been safe. He attached no blame to the driver or anyone else.

Walter Henry Ayres, Wellingborough-road, fruit salesman, said: On Monday, Feb. 24, I was driving a pair of ponies in a four-wheeled trolley from the station. I met a Midland Railway trolley just against Messrs. Page and Ladds’s shop. I first saw deceased in the middle of the road, going diagonally across the road the same way as I was. He was then about 10 yards off and I shouted out to him but he did not appear to hear me. I could not get round on one side because of the dray, nor on the other because of the path. When I could not make him hear I tried to pull up, but it was then too late. The pole between the horses knocked him down, and the wheel went on his right arm. Had I attempted to pull up when I first saw him, it is doubtful if I could have done so in time. I had 25 cwt. on the trolley, it was down hill, and I had the brake on. I took deceased home on the trolley. He did not appear much upset.

William Lewis Beetenson, solicitor’s clerk, said: On Feb. 24, about 11.45 a.m., I was in High-street, and saw deceased coming down Queen-street. I heard a shout, looked round, and saw deceased crossing High-street then; a dray was going towards the station on the left hand side of the road and a trolley was coming in the opposite direction. Deceased was walking diagonally across the road. He took no notice of the shouts, and the trolley came on and knocked him down. It was quite impossible for the trolley to pull up. Deceased appeared to walk into the trolley. He evidently did not hear the shouts at all. It was a pure accident. I picked deceased up and took him into Messrs. Page and Ladds’s shop. Deceased said it was his own fault.

Dr. Baker said: I was called to see deceased at his home on Feb. 24. I saw him about 4 o’clock. I examined him superficially and found various abrasions on the face and laceration of the elbow joint. He went on all right up to last Wednesday, and was then in bed and appeared to be tired. On Thursday he appeared the same. That night he was worse and in pain again. On Friday he showed signs of tetanus, and died on Saturday owing to tetanus, the result of the injury. There was a lot of grit in the wound, which had not healed. He blamed no one but himself.

The jury’s verdict was that deceased’s death was due to tetanus, consequent upon injuries accidentally received.

The Funeral

took place on Wednesday afternoon at the cemetery. A large number assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed. Amongst them were Messrs. John Claridge, J.P., C.C., C.G. Cunnington, B. Vorley, G. Selwood, Pennis, A. Gadsby, Mrs. T. W. C. Linnitt, and others. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. C. J. Keeler.

The mourners were Mr. Wm. Wright (brother), and Mrs. Chas. Wright (widow), Mr. and Mrs. David Wright (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. Amos Wright and Mr. Eli Wright (brothers), Mr. James Wright (brother), and Mr. Denton (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Denton (father-in-law and mother-in-law), Mr. T. W. C. Linnitt and Mr. Baxter (friends).

The wreaths, which were many and beautiful, were as follows:-

In loving memory, from his sorrowing wife and Mabel. “To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.”

In affectionate remembrance from Amos and Lizzie (brother and sister) and family. “God knows best.”

With sincere sympathy from Bob and Nellie.

In loving memory of Dad, from Mabel. “At rest.”

In ever loving memory, from William, David, James, and Mrs. Cox (brothers and sister). “Sleep on, beloved, sleep and take thy rest.”

In loving memory, from Amelia, Jenny, and May.

As a token of deepest regret, from Mrs. John and James Jaques.

With deepest sympathy, from H. S. Gates and employees.

In loving memory, from Frank, May, and family.

With deepest sympathy, from the Queen-street tenants.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Harrod.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sharpe.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. Capon and family.

With deepest sympathy, from Kate and Will, St. Margaret’s, Twickenham, Middlesex.

In affectionate remembrance, from his two nieces, Edith and Daisy.

With deepest sympathy, from Lizzie and Walter.

With deepest sympathy, from the Rev. and Mrs. T. G. Harper and family, the Manse, Wibsey.

With sincere sympathy, from Eli and Harriet (brother and sister) and family. “Gone, but not forgotten.”

The coffin bore the inscription:

CHARLES WRIGHT
Died March 15, 1913
Aged 62 years

Mr. T. Swindall made the funeral arrangements.

Mrs. Wright and daughter (Rushden) tender their sincere thanks for the kind sympathy expressed with them in their sad bereavement.