John Isbill

John Isbill was found lying in Station Road in Bolton-on-Dearne with a fractured skull.

He was taken to Montagu Hospital in Mexborough, but died later the next day without regaining consciousness. He died from a fractured skull.

His clothes were rain soaked and his face covered in blood. It was unknown how he received his injuries but foul play was not suspected, although when found the money he was thought to have had on him was missing. A short distance from where he was found there was a manhole cover which it was thought he might have tripped on.

He was found by two men in the road late on the Tuesday night who did not know him. However, he was later identified and taken home. When a doctor was called he was then sent to Montagu Hospital where he died on the Wednesday morning.

When he had left home in the evening he had had between £7 to £1 on him but when he was found his purse was empty.

The day before he had drawn £7 10s for some joinery work that he had recently done and after paying £1 at home he went out at about 8pm to the Collingwood Hotel where he had several drinks, and also brought a friend a drink, leaving apparently sober at about 10pm.

He was found about 30 minutes after having left the Collingwood Hotel.

The Coroner received an anonymous letter making certain allegations but the people implicated in the letter were cleared of any involvement after they were able to give satisfactory accounts of their movements at the time.

John Isbill had been a wagon repairer and had lived at 61 Lowfield Road in Bolton-on-Dearne.