South Yorkshire Times, January 10, 1902

Wombwell Man’s Fatal Spree.

The death occurred in the cells attached to the Barnsley Police Station on Thursday evening week of Joseph Wallwork, (33), miner, formerly of 78, Wombwell Main.

Deceased was found on Market Hill very drunk, and using obscene language, by P.s. Darrington. The officer told him to go away, and he attempted to do so, but had only proceeded about three yards when he fell. The officer took him into custody, and with the assistance of a man named Dalton, got him to the lock-up. He was seen alive at seven o’clock by the officer in charge of the station, but twenty minutes later he was dead.

An inquest was held on Friday before Mr. Maitland, coroner.

Dr. Blackburn had made a post-‘mortem examination of deceased’s body, and on his evidence, the jury returned a verdict that deceased died from acute congestion of the lungs and heart failure, brought on by excessive drinking. The jury also stated that they were satisfied the police had done all they could in the matter, and were in no way to blame for the deceased’s death.