Josiah 'tite' Smith (General)

by kdc650 , Saturday, April 02, 2011, 20:55 (4988 days ago)

A friend sent me this article and I'm trying to find the original source.

* The Forester, 27 February 1998, page not known.

100 years ago. . .
CINDERFORD
CURIOUS FATALITY. - A curious fatality occurred here on Monday evening by which one man lost his life and another was in jeopardy for some time.
It appears two brothers named Josiah and Mark Smith were proceeding home about 8 p.m., and in walking down Ash Road towards the Tin Works, across the green, fell into a rivulet of water only a few inches deep. So helpless were the two that after struggling for some time they were unable to extricate themselves. Mark held his brother and kept his head up, calling for help.
After a little time a woman named Hampton, living near the Tin Works, passed and ran for her husband, who immediately secured assistance, and both the unfortunate men were assisted home in a cart. Josiah was so far gone, and insensible from the cold and exposure, that he never spoke again, and died a few minutes after being taken into his house. The other brother, who is nearly 70 years of age, recovered, but is very much upset.
The deceased, who will be better known as 'Tite Neptune', for a number of years lived in a cottage near the Old Nelson Colliery, and was accustomed to play the fiddle on Saturday evenings at one or two public houses in the neighbourhood. 'Tite' was a quiet, inoffensive man, and was well known in the Forest.
He leaves a widow and one daughter, about 18 years of age, the latter, unfortunately, being blind. The other members of his family are grown up, two sons being in America. Deceased was between 60 and 70 years of age.
The inquest, which will be heard at the Swan Inn, Brierley, will no doubt, bring to light other particulars of the fatality.

In fact, the death occurred earlier, and he was buried at Drybrook on 10 December 1897.

Any ideas how to proceed, or an alert to other potential sources, would be greatly appreciated.

Keith Chandler