Farquhar Smith

Farquhar Smith died following an assault in Inverness on 13 December 1907.

A labourer was charge with culpable homicide but a verdict of not proven was returned.

The labourer was said to have assaulted Farquhar Smith in Baron Taylor's Lane, Inverness on 6 December 1907.

Farquhar Smith had been a young farm servant at Balloan in Daviot and had been to Inverness on 6 December 1907, the day of the half-yearly feeing market.

It was alleged that whilst he was in Baron Taylor's Lane that the labourer kicked him in the abdomen after which Farquhar Smith made his way back home to Daviot. However, when he reached Gask, four miles from Daviot, he collapsed.

The next day, 7 December 1907, his friends were appraised of his condition and on the Sunday, 8 December, he was conveyed to the Northern Infirmary where he gradually sank.

On the Thursday, 12 December 1907, his condition became so grave that his dying deposition was taken. He died on the Friday, 13 December.

The labourer was then arrested, but he denied having assaulted Farquhar Smith.

He was initially charged with culpable homicide, but the charge was reduced to assault but the jury found the charge not proven.