Carlisle Patriot, 16 Oct 1824 - Coroner's Inquest (1)

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Saturday 16 Oct 1824 (p. 3, col. 3-4)

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquisition was held on Tuesday last, at the Globe Inn, in Caldewgate, near this City, before Richard LOWRY, Esq. Coroner, in view of the body of John GRAHAM, slater, who died in consequence of injury sustained on the race-course, during the late Carlisle Races. About half-past two o'clock, the whole of the evidence of the witnesses who had then been summoned and appeared before the Coroner having been gone through, he, in compliance with the wish of the Jury, and in order to satisfy the friends of the deceased, adjourned the further proceedings until seven o'clock in the evening, at which hour the Jury having again met, and been called over by the Coroner, he proceeded to the examination of some additional evidence. We subjoin the substance of the testimony:—

John Mc.CARTY, of the city of Carlisle, hatter, sworn. He said, that on the 29th of Sept. last he went upon Carlisle race-course to see the races. Four horses were running for a sweepstakes. Almost immediately after the horses had passed the distance-post, George ISMAY, of Botchergate, Carlisle, butcher, came galloping after them as fast as he could. About ten minutes afterwards informant saw the deceased supported by two men whom he did not know, and was told that a man had rode over the deceased, but they did not mention who it was. He did not see the deceased rode over by any person, and only speaks from information. The deceased has been confined to his house ever since, and died last night about six o'clock. Informant has no doubt that he died of the injury he sustained on the race-course. He saw no person but George ISMAY galloping after the horses.

Richard GILMOOR, of Damside, in the parish of St. Mary, Carlisle, hatter, sworn. He was on Carlisle race-course on the 29th of Sept. last, and saw a three-guinea sweepstakes run for. Four horses started for the stakes, and shortly after they had passed the distance-post, informant saw George ISMAY come up in a quick gallop behind the race horses. They were going the last time round. About five minutes afterwards he saw a crowd collected near the ending-post, in consequence of which he and the last witness went up to see what was the matter, and when they reached the spot, they observed the deceased lying on the ground upon his back, and two men were raising up his head: the deceased appeared to be nearly lifeless. He and last witness then inquired how it had happened, when they were informed that a man had rode over him, but did not say who it was, nor does he know the person who gave the information.

John ATKINSON, of the city of Carlisle, joiner, sworn. He said he was on the race-course on the 29th of Sept. and saw the race before mentioned. After the racers had nearly reached the ending-post the last time round, he saw ISMAY galloping up the course, between the distance and ending posts, and at the distance of about 150 yards he saw ISMAY's horse fall with him, upon which he made directly towards the place, when he saw the deceased lying upon his back, who appeared to be nearly lifeless. Informant was told by one Joseph SMITH that ISMAY had rode over the deceased, whereupon he got some rum and water which was put into his mouth, and in a short time he came a little about, but still appeared to be very ill. Informant and some others then took him into a tent, when he became a little more collected, and complained of his right arm, but made no further observation.

Joseph SMITH, of the city of Carlisle, hairdresser, sworn. He told John ATKINSON that George ISMAY had rode over the deceased; but he had his information only from general rumour, and not from any knowledge of his own, as he was not upon the spot at the time the accident happened; nor did he see ISMAY upon the race course at the time this accident occurred, informant being in a tent at the time, drinking a glass of spirit with some of his companions.

William THOM, of the City of Carlisle, surgeon, sworn. He said he visited the deceased the evening he met with his accident. He appeared very feeble and sickly, and complained chiefly of his arms and right leg, which induced informant to examine his body, when he found his two collar bones dislocated, and a slight bruise on the lower part of the back, inclining to the right side, and a total loss of motion in the right leg and thigh, with the motion of the left greatly impaired. In consequence of these appearances informant applied first leeches and then a blister to the deceased's back, on the following day, and reduced the dislocation in the collar bones the same evening, and afterwards applied plasters and bandages thereto. There was a complete paralysis in the bladder, and informant extracted the urine from his bladder every day during his lifetime, and also administered the necessary opening medicines: he died yesterday afternoon. Informant and Dr. BARNES this day proceeded to examine the body; and having inspected the lower part of the spine where the bruises were received, and finding no sufficient cause of death there, they proceeded to open the belly, when they found the bowels considerably inflamed and diseased in several parts, which, informant has little doubt, were sufficient to produce death, although less in degree than is usually found in persons who die of that disease. Various causes, such as cold, damps, or irregularity of living, as well as external injury, might produce the above disease; but no marks of external injury were found on the belly.

John LITTLE, of Shaddongate, in the parish of Saint Mary, Carlisle, bleacher, sworn. He said he was on Carlisle race course on the 29th of September last, and saw the race for the three-guinea stakes: he was standing on the outside of the ropes, between the distance and ending post. After the race horses had passed informant, George ISMAY came galloping up on a brown horse, and galloped through the crowd; and when he had got a dozen or a score of yards from where informant was standing, he saw some persons knocked down by the horse rushing through the crowd; but informant could not distinguish who they were until he went up to the spot, when he observed the deceased lying upon his back apparently dead. The horse, at the same time, fell with ISMAY, about six or seven yards beyond where the deceased was lying; but informant cannot say that he saw the horse touch any of those who fell, though he believes their fall was occasioned by the horse rushing through the crowd in the manner before described. Informant cannot say whether the injury which the deceased received was occasioned by being rode over by the horse which ISMAY was riding; but could perceive no other cause, as there was no other horse there at the time but the one which ISMAY was riding; and when informant went where GRAHAM was lying, the general cry was, that ISMAY had rode over him.