The Westmorland Gazette 03 January 1863 Westmorland Gazette 03 Jan 1863/Drowning in the Gretna

Westmorland Gazette 03 Jan 1863/Drowning in the Gretna

A MAN DROWNED IN THE GRETA ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT On Saturday an inquest was held at the Royal Oak Hotel, Keswick, on the body of William Addison, aged sixty-four, a stonemason, living in Wren's Lane. Henry Bennet, a timber merchant, stated that he saw the deceased in Postlethwaite's beershop, near High Hill tollgate, on the night of Christmas day, and was in his company for half-an-hour. At half-past nine witness persuaded Addison to go home, and accompanied him about sixty yards on his way. It was dark but the reflection of the lamps on Keswick Bridge could be seen. The deceased was not sober, but appeared capable of taking care of himself. The last words he said to witness were " My good lad, good night." They shook hands and parted. - John Abbott, stonemason, of Thornthwaite, said that one Friday morning about eight o'clock he saw the deceased in the river Greta, half-way across the stream opposite Howrah Gate. He was lying on the gravel heap in seven inches of water, his head down the stream and his feet up. There was a little scar on his right hand, and a scratch on his face. The deceased was short-sighted, and never was active on his feet . Inspector Roney deposed that he had examined the body. There was a scratch or two in the face, but no indication of violence. Addison had taken two pints and a half of ale at the beershop. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased had accidentally walked into the river, and thereby come to his death.