FOUND DROWNED

______________________

BARNSLEY MAN'S FATE

______________________

A verdict of "found drowned" was re-
turned at the inquest held by Mr C J
Haworth, District Coroner at the West
Riding Courthouse, Barnsley on Tuesday
concerning the death of John Masters, 60,
whose body had been discovered the Saturday
morning in the Aire and Calder Canal.

Thomas Masters, coal merchant and
removal contractor, 25 Sackville Street,
Barnsley said deceased was his brother and
up to five years ago worked as a miner at
Askern Main. Later he had followed
no settled occupation, but had been doing a
little gambling and drinking. Deceased's
wife and family lived in Sunderland and
recently deceased had ????

For a week he had stayed at the home of
witness and left last Friday morning
to go to the Midland Station with ????

He was expected back for dinner but he
never returned. He enjoyed good health
and had never threatened to take his life.
When he left the house he had probably not
more than two or three shillings in the
pocket. The only trouble he had known
deceased had was being away from his wife
and family.

Patrick Higgins, 5 Grahams Yard, Old Town,
???? to finding the body at 6:25
a.m. in the canal near what is known as
the "32 steps". Deceased was fully
clothed and with assistance witness got the
body to the bank.

Edwin Masters, motor driver, said
deceased left him at the Midland Goods Yard
at 11:45 on Friday morning saying that he
was going to get some plants for a friend.
He did not appear depressed at that time
and he was expected to be back for dinner.
Subsequently witness heard of him having
been seen on the stalls in the Market Place
at twenty minutes past twelve.