Worthing Gazette 2nd September 1908
"Surprising Discovery in Milton Road"
Domestic Servant's Hoard. Her Great Aversion to Doctors. Death from Cancer.
More ample particulars were forthcoming on Thursday of the remarkable discovery at West Worthing and briefly reported in our last issue. The circumstances were made public after a visit paid to a house in Milton Road by PC Gilbert, when a case of sudden death had been reported to Superintendent Bridger in the capacity of Coroner's Officer. The deceased was an elderly woman named Wilson who was until recently in service in Heene Terrace. Gilbert examined her possessions in her bedroom and was astonished to find bank notes. coins and a Post Office Deposit Book representing a total of nearly £500. A curious circumstance was that the money was contained in no fewer than six purses which were thrust into stockings and made into small parcels. This hoard was exhibited to the Coroner and Jury at the inquest held on Thursday afternoon.
This enquiry took place at the Central Fire Station in High Street, but the jury first assembled at the mortuary in the Corporation yard where the body lay. The first of several witnesses that were examined was Mrs Emma Wilson wife of William Wasey Wilson a railway guard of 1 Harewood Terrace, Weymouth Street, Watford, Herts. who deposed that the body was that of her husband's half-sister Elizabeth Jane Wilson. At the time of her death, deceased was living with Mrs Potten at Linden Cottage. Deceased who was seventy-two years of age was formerly a domestic servant. It was some six or seven years since witness last saw her, but she had heard from her frequently. Once or twice she had asked witness to make a home for her.
Miss Evelyn Grace Hollway of 12 Heene Terrace, stated that the deceased lived with witnesses' father and mother for more than twenty years. She came as maid-attendant to her aunt and continued there as a kind of upper servant. Although she was apparently in bad health, for the past nine months they had tried to persuade her to see a doctor. It was only on questioned she would admit to not being well. She left because Mrs Hollway thought she was too ill to continue. Mr H J Millbank-Smith stated that he had not previously attended the deceased. He was called to the house on Tuesday morning and found her halfway out of bed with her head on the pillow. On the following day, he made a post-mortem examination and found a very large cancer. Death was directly due to syncope-heart failure.
The Coroner commented on the fact that some people very much objected to seeing a doctor. The formal verdict of the Jury was that death was due to sudden heart failure resulting from cancer. Miss Hollway explained that her mother insisted upon the deceased seeing Dr Harrison on one occasion but she would not allow him to examine her in any way.
PC Gilbert was then examined as a supplementary witness. He produced a leather handbag containing six purses, some old stockings and a considerable amount of money. He stated that after the doctor left, he went to the house, searched the room and in a large bag he found a purse containing forty-two sovereigns. In another purse was 16s and 8d and with other amounts, the total amounts in the purses was £167 16s 8d. There was £200 in Bank of England notes, and a Post Office Savings Book showing £110 12s, The total amount of money found in the room was £478 8s 6d.
This concluded the inquiry, the Jury having already reached their verdict. Mrs Wilson asked to be allowed to publicly thank Mrs Hollway and Mrs Potten for their kindness to the deceased.