Pat gave me permission to post following: As a matter of interest, I am attaching a transcript from the Barnsley Chronicle about the Inquest held following the sudden death of my Great Grandfather, as I feel it is so descriptive written in the quaint language of the day, and gives an excellent thumbnail picture of my Great Grandfather. Kind Regards Pat <patsmith21@ukonline.co.uk> ______________________________________________________ Transcript of Barnsley Chronicle dated 7th August 1897 SUDDEN DEATH OF MR CHARLES SHAW, BARNSLEY The death of Mr Charles Shaw, landlord of the Trafalgar Hotel, took place on Monday morning last, very suddenly. Deceased had kept the Trafalgar Hotel for a quarter of a century. He had been always a genial host, he had conducted his house in an irreproachable manner, he was widely known amongst all classes of people, though he never aspired to any public office, and, esteemed by a wide circle of friends, his demise will be greatly regretted. He has spent most of his time about his home, but when in health was fond of pigeon shooting and other sports, and not seldom, under the soubriquet of “Rosebery,” took part in many of the legers and sweepstakes taking place in the district. For sometime past however he had not been nearly so strong as he looked. Some three years ago, or thereabouts, whilst driving through Cannon Hall Park, his horse took fright, and an accident occurred, by which one shoulder and one ankle were dislocated, and he received a severe shock. The injury to the bones was got over in due course, but the shock to the system proved a more serious difficulty. He became subject to vertigo and sickness and lost his appetite, so that though he looked well and attended to business, he had not been really strong. For the last fortnight or so he had been ailing. On Sunday he remained in bed until the afternoon, and when he arose was unable to eat. He retired about half past ten o’clock, and at a quarter past six on Monday morning threw his keys from the bedroom window to the barman as usual. It was his last effort. Mrs Shaw was visiting friends at a distant, he slept alone. His daughter visited his room about nine o’clock, and found him lying as in a pleasant sleep: a smile was on his lips. She scarcely realised he was dead. Mr Maitland held an inquest on Tuesday evening, and Miss SHAW in her evidence told the story of deceased’s condition much as it is recapitulated above. He was last attended by Dr. Horne about a year ago, she said, but lately had been taking a mixture prepared by Hollingsworth Bros., chemist, New-street. He took little or no drink, but suffered frequently from diarrhoea – not fainting – and sickness. A fortnight ago he spent some days at Harrogate, and seemed to derive benefit. He was always cheerful, and though he was worse on Sunday he declined to allow any doctor to be fetched. When she found him dead in bed Dr. Ernest Blackburn was fetched, but he said nothing as to the cause of death. –JAMES HINCHLIFFE, barman, said deceased appeared to be just as usual when he threw the keys to witness at a quarter to six on Monday morning, and MARTHA HART, widow, who laid out the body, said it was without blemish.—The Coroner said it would seem that the shock and the accident had affected deceased’s heart, that he was a big man and would fall heavily. – A verdict of “Found dead in bed from natural causes” was returned.