Harrogate Herald - 12th July 1882

With very great regret we have to record the sad death of Mr J H Hirst, architect, of Avonhirst and Bristol, who was well-known in Harrogate as the designer of several of the noblest erections in the town. Amongst a large number of edifices owing their existence to his creative skill, Mr Hirst designed Victoria Park, and gained the premium for the best design of West End Park; was architect of St Peter's Church, Prospect and Cambridge Crescents, the new portion of the Crown Hotel, the handsome block of brick and stone buildings on the south side of James Street, Cleveden and adjoining houses in Victoria Park, the Crown Buildings in Cheltenham Square, the Pump Room and Rink, Montpelier Gardens, and other handsome buildings that adorn Harrogate. He was engaged in preparing designs for new buildings in James Street, for the Messrs Carter, and had despatched preliminary sketches to Harrogate only a day before his sudden death.
Mrs Hirst and a portion of the family were absent from home on Wednesday, and, Mr Hirst remained in his study, where he was frequently engaged till a late hour, after his sons and servant had retired to rest. How late he sat they had no means of knowing. On the following (Thursday) morning, about seven o'clock, the housemaid, on coming down stairs, found the unfortunate gentleman lying at the foot of the staircase. She immediately gave alarm, and Mr Hirst's sons and his brother-in-law, Mr G W Edwards, who resides in an adjoining villa, were quickly in attendance, as also was Dr Marshall, the family physician. The latter gentleman found that Mr Hirst had been dead some time, death having resulted from dislocation of the neck.
Mr Hirst was 56 years of age, and has been in weak health for some time past. He was in extensive practice in Bristol, being identified with many of the principal improvements of that city and neighbourhood. He leaves a widow and several sons and daughters, as well as a host of attached friends, to mourn his loss.
Dr E M Grace, coroner for West Gloucestershire, held an inquest upon the body, on Friday, at the deceased's residence, Avonhirst.
Eliza Bowyer, domestic servant, deposed that she last saw her master alive at 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, when she was retiring to rest. Deceased then complained that he felt a little faint. At 7 o'clock on Thursday morning, when she came down she found Mr Hirst lying at the foot of the stairs, and called the gardener. Her master had been in the habit of rising early and walking about the house; and she heard him walking early that morning.
Samuel Sellick, gardener at the house, said that the last witness called to him from a bedroom window just before seven on Thursday morning. He found deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs, with his head downwards. His hand was cold, and his pulse had ceased to beat. The body was not removed till Dr Marshall's arrival.
Dr Henry Marshall stated that he was called to Avonhirst shortly before 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, and arrived a quarter of an hour later. The body was still laying at the foot of the stairs, head downwards. The hands were cold but the body still warm. Obviously death had occurred some hours earlier, and rigor mortis had set in. the body was fully dressed, and apparently deceased had gone to bed that night. In the afternoon he examined the neck, and ascertained that there was a dislocation between two of the upper vertebrae. A general examination of the body revealed no marks of any injuries or wounds, and witness felt quite satisfied that Mr Hirst fell down the stairs while walking about, and that dislocation was the cause of death. He had every reason to believe that death was practically instantaneous - in a few moments. That would account for his not moving.
The jury at once expressed themselves satisfied, and returned a verdict of "Accidental death by falling down stairs".