FAMILY HISTORY: BOOCOCK
THE SHORT LIFE OF JOHN HIGSON
| A TRAGIC ACCIDENT: |
| John Higson was accidentally drowned in the Rochdale Canal, the following newspaper item tells the story: |
| BATHING ACCIDENT - On Monday afternoon Mr. Molesworth held an inquest at the Lamb Inn, York Street, on the body of John Higson, aged 12 years, son of John Richard Higson, saddler, who was drowned in the Heywood branch of the Rochdale Canal while bathing on Saturday afternoon. About half past three o'clock deceased entered the water along with about 40 other boys. Subsequently he was asked to come out, and said he would stop in the water a long time yet. His companions afterwards missed him and raised an alarm, and a young man named John Clydesdale passing at the time entered the water, and after diving about 17 times in a deep part of the canal brought deceased out quite dead. Clydesdale was complimented by the coroner and jury for his humane conduct. - A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned. |
| NOTES: | |
| 1: | From The Bury Times, 22 July 1876. |
| 2: | The above information was kindly provided by Joy Seamons. |