From 'The Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian'
Saturday, February 18th 1922
POISONED BY COAL GAS
Halifax Woman's Suicide
The death of Mrs Susan McDanielson of 72, Crossley-terrace, was inquired into by the Coroner this morning.
John Wm McDanielson, deceased's husband, stated that she had been attended by Dr Wayte for heart disease. She had been subject to very bad headaches, and had been depressed for a few weeks. Witness left home yesterday at about 7.45 in the morning to go to work as a concretor's labourer. he returned at 4.45 and found the door locked. On unlocking it, he found deceased lying on a couch. There was a smell of gas in the room, and he found a pipe attached to a bracket lying on a table near by her. The gas was turned on. Witness said he turned it off and went for a neighbour. Dr Wayte was sent for, and, arriving a few minutes later, he pronounced life extinct. There was nothing covering deceased's head.
Mrs Annie Chilcott, a neighbour, said she saw deceased yesterday between 11.30 and 12.45 midday. She seemed depressed but had been so for some time past. She had been unwell ever since the fire at Union Mills recently. Otherwise, witnesses noticed nothing unusual.
A verdict was returned that deceased poisoned herself with coal-gas.
From 'The Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian'
Thursday, April 10th 1924
AN OLD MAN'S FALL
Death accelerated by Shock
An inquest was conducted by Coroner E W Norris at St Luke's Hospital this morning on Jno. Wm. McDanielson (72), 72 Crossley-terrace, Pellon-lane. On March 23 he fell in the garden cutting his left eye and a doctor on being summoned advised his removal to Hospital. He had been in feeble health for two years.
Jane Wilby, 38, Prospect-street, New-bank, daughter, said deceased lived alone and had worked up to Christmas. He had a fall in the garden a fortnight ago last Sunday. She heard about it the same night, and she went and found him in bed. He told witness he had had a fall when taking his washing to his stepson's. He did not say whether he had turned dizzy. Dr Pollard was called in on Monday morning and he advised his removal to hospital. He had been getting feeble for about two years. He had fallen in the house the same day as the fall in the garden.
Thos Fred Kenyon, 74, Crossley-terrace, said he had known the deceased for a long time and had noticed during the last few weeks that he was getting a bit feeble. On March 23, the day of the fall, he went into deceased's house. The latter was having a cut over his left eye attended to, and said he had had one or two falls that day.
Dr T Lloyd-Dodd, St Luke's Hospital, said deceased was admitted on March 25 suffering from senile decay and shock. He had a cut on the left eyebrow, abrasions on the left knee and leg, and a bruise on his right cheek. He was in a very weak condition and was semi-conscious for five days before he died. He died on Wednesday morning from senile decay accelerated by shock.
A verdict was retuned that death was due to senile decay accelerated by shock from an accidental fall.
