Newspaper reports of inquests not only tell you something about the decease, and the cause of death, but can also include information about other people involved..

On 10th February 1885 Edward Montague, of the White Horse beer-house, Barnet, was travelling towards Barnet through St Albans with Frederick Bandy after visiting Harpenden. They went down Holywell Hill and along Sopwell Lane and at Watson's Walk Edward pulled the wrong rein. The pony cart hit the kerbstone and turned over crushing Edward, who was taken to the Wheatsheaf, St Albans. Edward's wife, Sophia Montague, visited him in the Wheatsheaf, as did the surgeon, Mr. H. Leslie Bates, who reported the  lower part of his body was paralysed,

Edward died on Sunday 15th February, and the inquest was held at St Albans Town Hall the following day. The Coroner wads Mr Brabant and the jury were Messrs A. Coles (foreman), C. Gentle, B. Pratt, H. Olney, G. Thompson, A. Maggs, H. Younger, D. Arnold, J. Walklate, F. J. Hansell, D. Melia, J. Bell and D. Pike. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."