Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 22 Jul 1931
Page 7 Column 6
TAUNTON WAITER'S DEATH.
BODY FOUND IN CANAL.
WORRIED OVER CABBAGE EPISODE.
Great regret was expressed in Taunton on Sunday evening when it became known that the lifeless body of Wm. Frank PRING had been taken from the Great Western Canal.
The deceased, who was 66 years of age, was at one time licensee of the Saracen's Head Hotel, High-street, but of late he had been employed as a waiter, and in this capacity he was exceedingly well-known, having assisted the caterer on the County Cricket Grounds at Taunton, Bath, and Weston-super-Mare. He was also waiter to the Judge when on circuit at the Assize at Taunton, and to the magistrates at Quarter Sessions. He had also held the position of sexton at St. George's Church, Wilton, and was well-known as a porter at furniture sales.
Deceased left his home at 15, Wilton-street on Sunday, shortly after noon, to go for a walk, as was his usual custom. He met a friend, whom he left at 3 o'clock, and from then he was not seen again, his body being discovered later in the Canal.
THE INQUEST
was held at the Ring of Bells Inn on Monday evening by Mr. Geoffrey P. CLARKE, Coroner for West Somerset, P.C. STONE being Coroner's officer.
Mary Elizabeth Maud PRING, widow of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. She said that about three months ago there was a little episode about some cabbages, and her husband had been worried and depressed about this ever since, and had said, “Don't be surprised if I never come home again.” On Sunday he left home between 12 (noon) and 1 pm. During the morning he had been very quiet. He usually came home to dinner about 2 p.m., but on Sunday he did not return as usual. Her daughter agreed that the notes produced were in deceased's handwriting.
David HARTNELL, dealer, of Coal Orchard, Taunton, stated that at about 1.30 pm. he saw deceased in an hotel, and they had a drink together, leaving at 2 o'clock. Deceased accompanied witness to his house, and made arrangements to go with witness to Wellington, haymaking, on the following day. Deceased left the house about 3 p.m., saying he would see witness again “by and by.” He appeared to be in better spirits than usual. Once or twice witness thought deceased had been “down in the dumps.”
BROKEN HEARTED.
Walter MATRAVERS, steel turner, of 3, Obridge, Taunton, stated that on Sunday evening at 6.10 p.m. witness was sitting on the Canal bridge with his brother. Some young men and girls ran past and shouted that a man was in the canal. Witness went to the railway bridge over the canal, and saw a body lying in the water, face downwards. The water was between 3ft. and 4ft. deep at the spot. The feet were resting on the bottom of the canal, and the head and a portion of the back were above water. It was seldom anyone passed the spot between 5 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Witness found a coat and walking stick on the bank. A note was pinned to the coat. Witness and his brother removed the body from the water, and informed the police.
P.C. STONE stated that he went to Obridge at about 6.30 p.m., and found the body of deceased on the bank, with his coat over him. A note was pined to the coat, and a second note was found in the inside pocket of the coat. Witness had the body conveyed to the mortuary.
Dr. Godfrey CARTER said he had made a post-mortem examination, and found the cause of death to be drowning. There were several marks on the right temple as though it had grazed against some hard substance whilst in motion.
The Coroner observed that in one of the notes deceased said he was broken hearted; he (the Coroner) did not propose to read the contents of the letter. The note pinned to the coat said “in the water,” and was obviously written at the last moment. Whether the long document was written then or at an earlier date it was difficult to say. Deceased was probably not of sound mind when he entered the water, and he would therefore return a verdict that he drowned himself whilst of unsound mind. In expressing sympathy with the relatives. Mr. CLARKE said he had known the deceased for several years, and was sorry to think he had such a tragic ending to his life.