Bowles, Elvina 1915 November 5th
Sad Discovery in a Kitchen
The City Coroner (Mr S Buchanan Smith) held an inquest on Saturday evening at the Council Chamber concerning the death of Miss Elvina Julia Bowles, who was found dead in the kitchen of her house the same morning.
Mr F Highman was chosen foreman of the jury.
Charles Cuff, grocer’s manager, of 2, Milford Street, said that Miss Bowles was his second cousin, and he was her nearest relative, except a sister who lived in France. All her other relatives were dead. She resided alone at 2, Clifton Row, West Street, and was 76 years old last April. She usually enjoyed good health. He last saw her on Monday evening when he called at her house and she seemed quite well. He was her executor.
Augusta Bishop, wife of Thomas Bishop, of 5, Clifton Row, said she had known Miss Bowles for the last 20 years. On Friday morning at about 10 o’clock when she was getting her dust bin out into the road Miss Bowles assisted her to do it and seemed very well. Witness saw her again at her door at about 4 o’clock. The next morning at about 9 o’clock one of the neighbours told her that Miss Bowles’ wash house door had been open since 5 o’clock, so witness went to see if anything was the matter. She was going to the stair door when she saw Miss Bowles lying on the kitchen floor on her right side. She called to her twice but got no answer, and she then sent for the police.
Dr Kempe said he was called to the house that morning, and found that the woman had been dead from 14 to 16 hours. There were no marks of violence of any kind on the body and she had probably had an apoplectic fit.
The jury, who returned a verdict of “Death from Natural Causes,” gave their fees to the Red Cross Society.
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 