- ?b?Death Was Due to Asphyxiation.
?/b?One of the saddest enquiries that has ever come before a coronor's jury in this city was the inquest yesterday on the bodies of Mrs. Thomas Bryson, of Fort Coulonge near Ottawa, and her 11-year -old granddaughter. The deceased and her grnd-child arrived in the city on Monday evening and at once went to the residence of Mrs. White, 388 Mountain street, where they had been expected as guests. At 11 o'clock in the evening both retired, and when morning came they were dead. Investigation at the inquest showed that the deaths were due to asphyxiation through a leaking gas cock. The evidence showed that the cock was loose and turned completely around, and the presumption was that the deceased lady, after turning the gas off, had turned it on again. The Jury decided that the deaths were purely accidental, and returned a vertict to that effect, with no blame attached to the residents of the house. the deceased is a relative of Hon. George Bryson, and of Mr. John Bryson, M.P for Pontiac.
?b?Jane Fumerton & Robina Bryson Obituary
?/b?Sad Fate of Mrs Thos Bryson and Granddaughter.
The bodies of Mrs Thomas Bryson and her grandchild, of Fort Coulonge, who were asphyxiated in Montreal last Monday night were taken to Fort Coulonge for interment.
The story of how Mrs. Bryson and her grandchild met their death is peculiarly sad. Mrs. Bryson who is 60 years of age, with her grandchild, 11 years old, were visiting a friend, Mrs. White at 388 Mountain street, Montreal. Mrs Bryson, when she retired about 11 o'clock, was in the best of health and spirits. In order to prevent any accident, Mrs. White went to Mrs Bryson's room and showed her how to turn off the gas. This was the last time Mrs. Bryson was seen alive. At 6 o'clock next morning Mrs. White and her daughter prepared breakfast, expecting that their guests would be down about 7 o'clock. Leaving her daughter and her son, Mr. R. White, of the Royal Electric Co. to wait breakfast for Mrs. Bryson and her grandchild, Mrs. White left the house for half an hour to make some small purchases. When she returned shortly after 7 o'clock she was told by her daughter that Mrs. Bryson and her grandchild were still in their room. "Well, they must be tired and we shall let them sleep a little longer," replied Mrs. White. The time wore on, yet not a sound was heard from Mrs. Bryson's room. Finally, a little after 8 o'clock, Mrs. White went up to the room, knocked at the door several times and called her friend's name but got no response. Her fears were then aroused and she called to her son and daughter to come and see if anything was wrong. Mr. White opened the door in great agitation and rushed into the room, followed by his mother and sister. The room was full of gas, which for an instant made them draw back half choked. A heartrending picture met their view. Lying on the bed, dead, were Mrs. Bryson and her grandchild. The little one's head lay on her grandmother's arm in a restful manner; she looked just as if asleep. Mrs. White ran over to the bedside, took the little one's hand and Mrs. Bryson's in her own, and then cried out in terrified tones, "They are cold. They are both dead." Mr. White ran at once for Dr. Cameron, but medical aid could do nothing. The doctor examined the room and found that the gas had not altogether been turned off. An inquest was held and the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death. Investigations showed that the deaths were due to a leaking gas cock which was loose and had been turned completely around. It is supposed old Mrs. Bryson turned the gas off and then accidently turned it on again. The late Mrs. Bryson is mother-in-law of Mr John Bryson, M.P., and the child his only daughter. The child was about eleven years of age, and very active. Her mother died about a year ago.
The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Bryson evincing the deep sympathy felt for the family in their double bereavement.
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