I think they were made of copper. Maggie On 26 Aug 2008, at 22:43, J. William Himmelsbach wrote: > I wonder if the child didn't die from some form of metal poisening-- > what was the halfpenny made of?? > > > > > > > "Geo." <bargeo@gmail.com> wrote: > Transcribed by Susan Bergeron. > > Geo. > > > The Carlisle Patriot Friday, February 13, 1880 > > Death from Swallowing a Halfpenny. > > An inquest was held before the Leeds coroner, on Tuesday, over the > body of Henry John THORPE, a boy of nearly six years. The boy's > grandfather said the child, who had lived with him since the death > of his father three years ago, was playing in the house with a > halfpenny. A cousin of the child's entered the room and said, "I > will have that" alluding to the coin. The deceased clutched the > halfpenny, and placing it in his mouth he swallowed it. He suffered > considerably for some time, and in November was taken to the > Infirmary, and three weeks ago he parted with the coin. Dr. > ARMISTEAD had previously attended him, but it was found impossible > to prevent the consequences of the mishap, the child dying on > Saturday morning at one o'clock. The immediate cause of death was > inflammation of the brain, and the doctor said the boy's system had > gradually wasted away till there was little left of him but skin and > bone. The verdict was died from accidental causes. > > ..... > > > "IS THE SUBJECT LINE STILL RELEVANT? > If not, PLEASE change it." > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GEN-TRIVIA-ENG-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message > > > > "IS THE SUBJECT LINE STILL RELEVANT? > If not, PLEASE change it." > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GEN-TRIVIA-ENG-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message