Pony and Trap Tragedy

Bore Street, Lichfield. Image courtesy of Brownhills Bob.

On 29 December 1900 an inquest was held at the Anglesey Arms, Watling Street, Brownhills, into the death of Elizabeth Painter, who was injured in a trap accident on 1 December and died on Christmas Day at around 4:00 or 5:00 pm. The deceased was the mother of Alice Carter, wife of George Carter, about whom I blogged last time.

The Lichfield Mercury, Friday 5 January 1900, p3 col4, reported:Extract:

“Mr Frederick Jackson, who had his arm in a sling, said he had known the deceased for about 14 years, and had been in the habit of driving her to Lichfield Market in his trap for several months past. On the 1st ult. they started as usual about mid-day. Witness, his wife and deceased were in the trap. When in Bore Street, Lichfield, the horse slipped and fell on his side. Witness was thrown over the animal’s head and the other two were thrown out of the front. Witness sustained a broken wrist and other injuries, and had been attended by Dr. Maddever. Deceased complained that her wrist was sprained. Witness had his wrist set at Lichfield and deceased had her wrist bathed and bound up. The road was very slippery in Bore Street. They all returned home in the trap, which was driven by witnesses wife, who alone escaped without serious injury.”

The full article.

It seems Mrs. Painter had suffered chronic bronchitis for some years, which became acute on 23 December and she died on Christmas Day. In the opinion of Dr Walter Horton the shock of the accident had accelerated the illness.

The jury, foreman Mr. Thomas Bedford, returned a verdict of accidental death.

Where the inquest was held. Image from Memories of Old Brownhills by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington, via Brownhills Bob.

Bore Street, Lichfield, scene of tragedy, lower right. Ordnance Survey, surveyed 1900, published 1903. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.