SHIPTON.

Fatal Accident.- An inquest was held on Thursday last, before F. Westell, Esq. Coroner, on the body of Edwin Jones, of Bleddington, platelayer's ganger. Deceased was last seen alive at Shipton on the Tuesday preceding the inquiry by Richard Pratley, to whom he stated that he was going to the Junction, and then to Bleddington. Deceased had apparently had some beer but seemed quite capable of taking care of himself.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed by a railway train passing over his body.

SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD.

DEATH OF THE OLDEST INHABITANT.

By the death of Richard Pratley, on Saturday, Shipton-under-Wychwood loses its oldest inhabitant at the ripe age of 92. Deceased was well known in the neighbourhood, and in the "old days" acted as parish constable. Deceased was an early riser to the end and on the day of his death had risen and had his breakfast before half-past seven. He suffered from chronic rheumatism, but otherwise appeared to be fairly strong. Death was apparently caused by an attack of syncope brought on by a fit of coughing, and was unexpected, as he seemed in his usual health on Saturday morning.

An inquest on the body was held at the Red Horse Hotel on Monday afternoon, before Mr. R.F. Cuthbert, deputy-coroner, the foreman of the jury being the Rev. W. Collingwood Carter.- Jane Dagleish, widow, living at Shipton, said the deceased was her father and was 92 years of age. Witness had lived with deceased for some years, and last saw him alive about half-past seven on Saturday morning. He then appeared to be in his usual health, but had been somewhat poorly during the last week. Witness returned home at ten minutes to four, and found deceased bending forward in his chair. She tried to awaken him, but found that he was dead.- Elizabth Longshaw said she knew the deceased very well. She was in the habit of looking after him when his daughter was away. About eleven on Saturday morning she put his dinner ready and asked him if she should come in and see him in the afternoon, and he replied, "Indeed not, I do not see why you should." He seemed a little more poorly than usual, but did not seem much different to his usual self. At about four o'clock withness was called by deceased's daughter, and found the old man dead.- Dr. Jacobsen said he had attended deceased several times since early last year, when he treated him for chronic rheumatism. He had made an external examination of the body that morning, but found no signs of violence. From the appearance of the face and the position in which he was found, witness thought he had a slight fit of coughing which produced a rush of blood to the head, causing unconsciousness and syncope. He was of opinion that death was due to syncope.- The jury returned a verdict accordingly.