Joseph Chadwick Eyewitness Account

• Place: Oldham
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Hatter

Testified during the Lees Inquest. Witnessed the post-mortem examination of John Lees, performed by Dr Cox. States that Cox claimed Lees injuries were the cause of death.

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JOSEPH CHADWICK, a Constable, called in, sworn, and examined by the
CORONER.
A Juror — (Addressing the Coroner)—
Sir, I understood that you ordered no person to be in the room, who was to be examined as a witness; but Mr. Chadwick has been in the Court all day, and you are now going to examine him.
The Coroner— He has been attending me, as was his duty.

The Witness examined by the CORONER.
Q. What is your business?
A. I am a hatter.
Q. Where do you live?
A. At Oldham.
Q. Were you present when Mr. Cox opened the body of the deceased?
A. Yes.
Q. Was any other person present at that time?
A. Yes, James Cleggs.
Q. Tell us what Mr. Cox said, respecting the cause of Mr. Lees' death?
A. Mr. Cox first made a long incision; he wanted to see if he died of a wound in his
side.
Mr. Harmer—(to the Coroner)— Surely, Sir, this is not evidence. Mr. Cox has already
told us what he did, and the observations he made. Do not let us have the evidence
of surgical examinations given by this man, who cannot be so capable to give evidence on the subject as a medical gentleman.
The Coroner— I am of opinion that it is evidence.
Mr. Harmer— What, Sir! is he to be allowed to state even the operations of Mr. Cox's
mind? He tells you Mr. Cox opened the body because he wanted to see something: how is it possible he should know Mr. Cox's object?
The Coroner —(to the Witness)— Did Mr. Cox say any thing respecting the
deceased?
A. Yes, he said, “I see the cause of his death;" and when James Cleggs asked what
it w
as? he said, it was from injuries he had received.
Q. Was that all he said relative to, or as accounting for, the cause of the death?
A. Yes.
Q. Did Mr. Cox say any thing concerning the cut on his elbow?
A. He said, that was not the cause of his death; it
was the out
ward bruises that were
the cause of his death.
Q. Did he not say, that if blood had been taken from him, he would have recovered?
A. He said, if proper means had been taken, he probably might have recovered; but
he could not say that he would h
ave re
covered.
A Juror —(to the Witness)—Do you recollect any message being sent down to the
parents?
A. No, I don't.

Examined by Mr. HARMER.
Q. Do you not recollect a message being sent to the parents after the body had been
examined?
A. No, I do not.
Q. With whom have you conversed on the subject of the evidence you were to give?
A. I have not talked to any body.
Q. How then was it known what you could prove? Who told you, what you were to
come here for?
A. Nobody told me, only one of the Jury.
Mr. Harmer.— Then I take leave to say, that such Juryman has acted very
indiscreetly and improperly; he ought not to converse out of Court with any witness
on the subject of his evidence.
A Juror— What I said was in Court, just when the witness entered.
Mr. Harmer—(to the Juror who spoke)—Still, Sir, any private communication in Court between a witness and the Jury is improper. The Court, and every one present, ought to hear what passes.
The Juror— You might have heard if you would. I spoke loud enough.
Mr. Harmer— I certainly did not hear; or I should not have presumed to offer an
observation on the subject.
The Coroner— Well, let us proceed.

Examination of the Witness resumed by Mr. HARMER.
Q. Who employed Mr. Cox?
A. I don't know.
Q. How happened it that he came t
o examine the body? As you were the constable,
surely you can tell us?
A. No, I can't. I met my father and Mr. Cox on the road, and my father asked me to
go with Mr. Cox to Lees'.
Q. Then, after Mr. Cox had examined the body of the deceased, he said he ha
d died
of the injuries he had received?
A. Yes.
Q. And that he could not say that bleeding would have preserved his life?
A. Yes, he could not say whether he would have lived or not.
A Juror —(To the Witness)— What impression did the sight of the body leave on your
mind as to the cause of his death?
A. I thought his death was occasioned by pressure, and not from any external bruises.
[The Witness withdrew.]

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