A Compressed Brain in the Polis Station.....

[And It Makes Me Shine]

I have just found details of the death of my 3rd Great Grandfather.
It is a strange one he died in the Hamilton Police Station from compression of the brain.

I am hoping to get to Hamilton Library and investigate some old back copies of the Hamilton Advertiser in the next couple of weeks but could anyone please help me with any details of the RCE.

Year: 1891
Registration District Number: 647
Certificate Number: 546
RCE Volume Number: 6
RCE Page Number: 54

Date Of Death 13/10/1891
Date of RCE 14/11/1891

[AndrewP]

It is a strange one he died in the Hamilton Police Station from compression of the brain.

The polisman's foot on his heid, encouraging him to help with their enquiries?

All the best,

AndrewP

[Russell]

Hi Emanday

If he had suffered a cerebral aneurysm he could initially look and sound as though he was drunk and guttered out of his skull. Drunks were always hauled off to the polis station to sleep it off and were only charged if they made a habit of getting picked up.

Sounds like poor GGGgrandfather got worse instead of better. Don't think they were as careful in keeping regular checks in those days. Nothing anyone could have done anyway.

Don't hold with AndrewP's suggestion though. Some of the old time polis had quite subtle methods of encouraging co-operation.

Just speculation so it would be good to see the explanation on the RCE.

Russell

[emanday]

Hi Emanday

If he had suffered a cerebral aneurysm he could initially look and sound as though he was drunk and guttered out of his skull. Drunks were always hauled off to the polis station to sleep it off and were only charged if they made a habit of getting picked up.

Sounds like poor GGGgrandfather got worse instead of better. Don't think they were as careful in keeping regular checks in those days. Nothing anyone could have done anyway.

Don't hold with AndrewP's suggestion though. Some of the old time polis had quite subtle methods of encouraging co-operation.

Just speculation so it would be good to see the explanation on the RCE.

Russell

S'cuse me - not discovered any of my lot having been involved with the constabulary yet

[joette]

In those days also if you found "unwell" you may have been carried into the Polis station for assistance.
One of my Mother's cousins was on his way to work when he "fell asleep" on the bus.The driver assumed he was a drunk drove the bus into Hall St.Clydebank & he was hauled off the bus & into the Cells.
It was only on further examination that it became apparent he was in fact in a "diabetic coma" He was unaware that he had diabetes & it was only the prompt attention of the Sergeant on duty(a friend of the family) who told them that the prisoner was in fact a teetotaller & his prompt removal to the Western that saved his life.

[And It Makes Me Shine]

"Sudden Deaths- At half past three o'clock yesterday morning as Constables Stewart and Ingram were patrolling in Ann Street, they found a man in a sitting posture and in an unconcious state. At first it was thought he was under the influence of liquor, but on closer inspection it was impossible to discern the the smell of liquor on him. He was conveyed to the Police Office and placed before the fire in the waiting room. Dr Loudon was early in attendance, but the man never rallied and died about eight o'clock. He was suqsequently identified as James Devine aged about 74. Deceased has evidently been in failing health for some time but was working up till five o'clock on the previous day. He spent the greater part of his life in Hamilton and was well and favourably known to builders and farmers, in whose employment he had been."

[Russell]

Thanks for getting back to us with that.

It sounds as though he was quite sympathetically treated doesn't it?

I used to work in Casualty and always found the police quite considerate about bringing in folks they felt needed checked out in the hospital. Mind you they had slightly better transport which made it easier.
And the old soul was still working!

I liked the positive comments from folk who knew and employed him.

Russell

[And It Makes Me Shine]

Completely changes the context of what you read on the death certificate. From an old rogue with his brains kicked in at the police station. To someone who worked hard right up to his last day and was well regarded by employers. The bad news is I am know addicted to old issues of local papers and will be looking into alot more deaths to see if they give any insight into other strange or untimely deaths.

[mallog]

I need to go to Angus and look up some newspapers. I found a DC for someone who fitted the bill but he had been found dead in the grounds of the Asylum in Montrose. Cause of death was found to be meningitis. I sent for the medical records and it transpired he had been found in the street the day before having fallen out a window. The police took charge of him and he was admitted to the asylum. Unfortunately there was no mention of family etc so I can't positively link him. The chap I was looking for came from the area but the family may have lived in Dundee at the time so I am hoping to find something in the papers.

Mallog

[Rab]

As you said it does make for a better understanding of what happened that a certificate. Old newspapers are great for this kind of thing. It is a real rush to find a story on a person you are looking for. It does seem to make the person more than just a name in the tree.

I've not done enough looking through old papers. It's something I really must get around to doing more.