Extract from the Morning Express of Wednesday, November 5th, 1929
Sir James Lubbock on Shack Poison Drama
“Accidental Death” Verdict
Coroner’s Warning Words to Parents
Startling evidence was given today at the resumed inquest at Manaton on the body of George Harrison, 56 years old, of 15, Whittington Terrace, Bayswater, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the lonely cottage known as The Shack, on Saturday, October 19th.
At the previous sitting of the coroner’s jury, evidence was given by the well-known artist, Mr. Harwood Lathom, of his finding of the body on returning with Mr. John Munting, author of I to Hercules , from a brief visit to London. Mr. Lathom, who had been spending his holiday alone in The Shack with Mr. Harrison, described the curious bachelor life led by the deceased at The Shack, and his habit of cooking and eating unconventional dishes of hedgehogs, mushrooms and other natural objects.
Home Office Expert and “Deadly Fungus”
Sir James Lubbock, the Home Office Analyst, was the first witness to be called at the resumed inquest. He stated that he had made an analysis of the contents of the stomach and other organs of the deceased, together with vomited matter obtained from the bedclothes and elsewhere. He had also analysed the remains of a dish of mushrooms and other articles of diet found on the table.