Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 185, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1911 — ANCIENT OFFICE OF CORONER [ARTICLE]

ANCIENT OFFICE OF CORONER

In Former Times Powers of This Official Were Many and of Importance. It has been supposed, and legal historians haye told us, that the office of coroner was originally Instituted by King Alfred with that of the sheriff, both being designed to aid in keeping the peace whenthe earls gave up the wardships of the county. The legal historians are wrong, according to Dr. -F. J. Waldo of the British Medico-Le-gal Society, who has traced the history of the coroner and his ancient office as far back as the year 11M. In early days the eoroner had a wider and more general Jurisdiction than he now enjoys. Coroners were wont to “hold their views” not only upon eaths where an Investigation was considered necessary, but also upon various serious crimes which were treated as occasions for the raising of revenue for the Crown. The mission of the coroner to the state was not alone to Investigate crimes and bring felons to justice. He superintended the forfeiture of money and personal property by criminals to the Crown, for the recording of which he responsible. These forfeitures were not confined. In cases of violence and death, to the property of the person who could be held directly responsible, but included ammals and Instruments to which loss of human life under any circumstances might be traceable.