Robert Barton Beecroft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1850
Christening:
Death: 10 Sep 1878 - Adelaide, , Australia
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Event, South Australian Register, 29 Aug 1878
POLICE COURTS.• Death, 12 Sep 1878
Adelaide: Wednesday, August 23. (Before Mr. S. Beddome, P.M.)
Robert Barton Beecroft, Catherine Tyn?? Matuda Willis, and Ellen Evans were each fined 10s. for drunkenness.
The South Australian Advertiser• Death, 5 Oct 1878
An inquest was held at the Old Queen's Arms, Wright-street, on Wednesday morning, September 11, by the City Coroner, on the body of Robert Barton Beecroft, soapmaker, in the employ of Messrs. W. H. Burford & Sons, who died through suffocation by gas on the day pre- viously. Mr. James Anderson was chosen Fore- man of the Jury. It appeared from the evi- dence that the deceased was lodging with Joseph Colwill, of Stamford-street. On the night of Saturday, September 7, he went home about 11 o'clock, going straight to his bedroom. Colwill stated that he seemed by the noise he made to have been drinking. On his not putting in an appearance on the following morning the land- lord entered his room and found him in a state of insensibility, which he thought was death, as there was a very strong smell of gas in the room. After vainly trying to bring him to consciousness Colwill sent for Dr. Hawkins, who when he arrived found the deceased perfectly insensible, his countenance livid, no pulse distinguishable at the wrist, and his breathing scarcely perceptible. The doctor had him moved at once out into the open air, and dashed cold water into his face. He then sent for a battery and galvanised him, remaining with him till the breathing became established. During Sunday night the deceased had some convulsive seisures, but till the time of his death he was perfectly unconscious and unable to swallow, although all remedies were used. The doctor had some hope when he first saw the deceased that on his breathing returning he would become conscious; but there was no doubt that from the long time he was exposed to the suffocating effect of the gas, and with the effects of the drink, congestion of the brain occurred, which would lead to effusion, the cause of death. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. They also wished "to call the attention of householders generally to the desirability of turning off their gas-meter at night, which would prevent the possibility of such an accident as the present case occurring."
The South Australian Advertiser• Event, South Australian Register, 12 Jul 1879
R. B. Beecroft, a fancy soapmaker, met his death under peculiar circumstances. He retired to his room under the influence of liquor, and was suffocated by the fumes of escaping gas.
Mortuary Returns
Robert Barton Beecroft
Sept 11
28 years; 5ft 7 in. high; dark complexion, dark moustache and goatee.
Died at the residence of Joseph Colwell of Stamford-street, Adelaide.
Inquest held and a verdict of "died from effusion of the brain from inhalling gas whilst under the influence of drink." Was a soapmaker by trade. An Englishman.