Sussex Agricultural Express - Saturday 24 October 1891

CUCKFIELD

STRANGE DEATH OF A PAUPER.

An inquest was held on Thursday at the Cuckfield Union Workhouse the body of James Baker, 88, inmate the workhouse, who was found dead in a pond in the workhouse grounds on Tuesday night.

Evidence was given Mr. Howe, the Master of the Workhouse, who identified the body; Mrs. Hall, who heard a noise in the pond about twelve o’clock on the night in question; and by Joseph Hall and Joseph King, who got the body out, but there was no direct evidence to shew how deceased got into the water.

Two inmates of the Infirmary spoke to seeing the deceased leave the ward in the night fully dressed, but no one saw him leave the building.

The inquiry was adjourned until Monday, for the attendance of Dr. A. E. Wells, who saw the body.