EXTRACTION

inquest. - An inquest was held by the district Coroner, on Tuesday, on the body of Mary Macdonald, aged 23 years. It appears she lived at Mount Hollowback, and was confined on Monday morning of a male child, the nurse, Agnes Fisher, officiating, but no medical man was called in. It is alleged that, through maltreatment, the umbilical cord was broken, which ended in the death of Mrs Macdonald. Drs Roche and Huston made a post mortem examination. The nurse was committed on the Coroners warrant to take her trial at the next general sessions at Ballarat. [The sessions are now on]

See Taylor, Arthur

See Barclay, James

An Inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon last, before the District Coroner (Mr W B Lees), on the body of John Magor, who died that morning from injuries sustained by a heavy mass of stone falling upon him while working in the Clunes Co.’s claim on Saturday last. A verdict was returned of "Accidental death." His funeral, which took place yesterday, was attended by upwards of 200 persons. Deceased was a member of the Society of Odd-fellows, and about 70 members followed his remains to the grave, attired in full mourning regalia.

Mamford

Infant girl

On Saturday last, at Mrs Roberts’s (late Langford’s) Store, Portuguese Flat, an inquest was held by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of the infant daughter of Rosa Mamford. The mother, a single female, was confined on Saturday morning; two married women, Mrs Simmons and Mrs Constable, were consulted; and after the child had had a hot bath ( having lived for about an hour) it appeared to be dead. Dr Roche, who was sent for, on his arrival found the child lifeless. He subsequently mad a post-mortem examination, found no marks of violence, and gave as his opinion that the child died from debility, it being a premature birth of from seven to eight months. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

See Mamford, Infant girl

inquests. - Two inquests have been held since our last publication by W B Lees, Esq, coroner of the district. The First, October 27^th, on Wm. Manning and John Jones, found dead in a water-hole at Mopoke, October 26^th. From the depositions of Wm Jones, brother of the deceased, and Wm Baldwin, mate of Manning, it appeared that both deceased were tipsy at Wallace’s store on Sunday night, October 7^th. They did not come home that evening. Next morning it was ascertained that they had got a lanthern from some Chinese, and went in the direction of the Ballarat road. They were not seen afterwards. It was supposed that they were either gone to Creswick and got on the spree, or had proceeded to Daylesford. Robt Wallace and A Domingo discovered them in the water-hole. £ 7 3s were found on the person of Manning, who has no friends in the colony. Verdict.- "found dead in a water hole in the bush at Mopoke. The jury are of the opinion that the said two men fell into the water-hole whilst in a state of intoxication about 2 weeks ago."

See Jones, Male Infant

On Sunday morning last, an Irishman, named James Marh, was brutally murdered by an Italian, Julius Le Frank. W B Lees, Esq., the district coroner, held an inquest on the body on Monday last, when Emma Lang, who saw the attack described it as follows:- About half-past seven on Sunday morning, saw the Italian and the little boy in the yard, quarrelling. The deceased went to separate them, calling the Italian a b----y rogue, and said he would strike him if he did not cease striking the boy; but deceased did not strike him. Th Italian got the pole out of the fence and struck deceased with it on the head. Deceased was sitting down milking. I called the man out of the hut and then went for my master, Mr Lewis. Believes deceased died about 12 o’clock on the same day. Gwilliam Trehearn Lewis deposed that he was called by previous witness and went to deceased. Afterwards saw Julius Le Frank at the back of the hut. He tried to get away. Caught him by the necktie. Called for a rope to secure him. He took out from his pocket a knife, and opened it behind his back; I then made a blow at him and struck him on the side of the neck. He dropped the knife and ran off in the bush. Had no horses at hand, and was occupied with deceased. Deceased was in my employ about three months, and accused twelve months. We both steady, industrious men. Deceased was about 36 years of age. Richard Brown, a legally qualified medical man at Clunes, described the injuries sustained by deceased, and that he considered the fracture of the skull was the cause of death. Other witnesses were examined, but nothing material was elicited. A verdict in accordance with evidence was returned against Julius Le Frank, for whose apprehension a warrant was issued by the coroner.

See Coad, William

The District Coroner also held an inquest at Clunes on Sunday last, on the body of a child ? Martin, who died on the previous day. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes, viz., Asphyxia, adding that the mother was not to blame.

See Fell, William

INQUESTS. - Two inquests have been held since our last publication by W B Lees, Esq, coroner of the district. …… The second inquest was held November 1^st on Richard Martin aged 30 years, who left a wife and four children. From the deposition of Joseph Berry, who was working near on Humbug Hill, on the 29^th, it appeared that deceased was in the act of undermining when a large quantity of earth, about three tons, gave way, and perfectly covered the deceased; when the body was got out, in twenty minutes afterwards, life was extinct. Dr Roche was in attendance in fifteen minutes afterwards, but the unfortunate man was dead. The jury, after having inspected the body of the deceased and the ground where the accident happened, returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence. To a collection, which was made for the family of the deceased, the former partner of the latter contributed very liberally.

See Ronalds, A

See Gardiner, Eliza

See Jones, Male Infant

See Mathewson, Mary Anne

Inquest. - An inquest was held at the Ascot Hotel, on Wednesday, the 12^th instant, on the body of Mary Anne Mathewson, aged two years. Anne Mathewson, mother of deceased, stated that she was not married; that the deceased was running about on Sunday night last, and that on Monday she was very ill. She brought deceased in to Dr Daniel, and got his advice on the subject. She then came home. The deceased died in her arms about six o’clock, the same evening. John McDougall, teacher of the Ascot school, stated that the mother of deceased had been in his employ for the last five weeks, and that during that time her behaviour was good, and that she was very attentive to the deceased. Dr Daniel stated that the deceased had been brought in to him for to see her, on June 10^th, and that she had died the same day at Ascot. He had made a post mortem examination of the deceased, and found no external marks of violence. The lungs and other organs were healthy. On examining the throat, he saw a false membrane extending down to the opening of the lungs, from the tonsils to the glottis and epiglottis, which he considered to have been caused by diphtheria, and that the child died from the effects. Verdict - That the child died from diphtheria.

See Pietro, Serino

See Pietro, Serino

See Stoddart, Samuel

See Ogilvie, George

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

See Unknown Chinaman

An inquest was held by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of Roderick McDonald, at Bullarook, on the 8^th inst. The deceased had been to Ballarat on the day of his death, and after returning he suddenly fell ill and became almost insensible. He was carried into the house, and about twenty minutes after expired. The deceased had been addicted to drink, but for six months previous to death (according to his wife’s testimony) he had not given way to it. After hearing evidence adduced, the jury returned the following verdict, viz., "That the deceased died from pulmonary consumption, accelerated by fatigue." Dr Daniel made the post mortem examination.

See Mathewson, Mary Anne

See Brown, Isabella.

An inquest was held on Sunday last, at Tasmanian Rush, Stony Rises, by W B Lees, Esq., our District Coroner, on the body of Francis McKay, who was drowned in a water hole. The evidence went to show that the deceased had been drinking for the previous week, and on Friday last was seen by some men to visit a water-hole in the creek. These parties subsequently left the rush, and there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the hole. He was taken out about half an hour afterwards, quite dead. Verdict - "That the deceased, Francis McKay, was found dead in a water-hole on the Tasmanian Rush, the jury being of the opinion that he was labouring under insanity caused by intemperance."

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

See Barclay, James

See Parker, Matilda

See Parker, Matilda

See Knipe, James

See Taylor, Arthur

See Murray, Frederick

Inquest.- An inquiry into the death of Robert Mitchell, aged 45, who died yesterday se’nnight, was held before the District Coroner. Dr Roche made the post mortem, and ascribed death to disease of the heart and intemperance. Verdict accordingly.

See Barclay, James

See Mooney, Infant

We learn from yesterday’s Star that on Wednesday, at Ballarat, Dr Clendinning held an inquest on the body of an infant child, whose death, according to the evidence, and verdict of the jury, took place in the month of December last, at the Black Hill, Burrumbeet, the death being wilfully caused by his mother Anne Mooney. It is expected that the mother will be formally committed for trial under the coroner’s warrant.

See Jones, Male Infant

See Jones, Male Infant

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

Child Drowned.- On Tuesday afternoon Mr W B Lees (District Coroner) held and inquest on the body of Julius H Moritz, a boy aged two years and a half, who was found drowned in a waterhole near the Roman Catholic Chapel, about half-past six o’clock the previous evening. The deceased child’s parents having given evidence, Dr Warren, who was immediately sent for, stated that on his arrival, life was extinct. The Coroner, in summing up, recommended the jury to bring under the notice of the Municipal Council the danger which existed in leaving holes unfilled in the heart of the Municipality. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was recorded.

See Schimmel, John

See Campbell, Duncan

See Murphy, John

The District Coroner (W B Lees, Esq.) has held two inquests since our last, viz., on Sunday last and yesterday.

That of Sunday the jury sat at Peel’s Hotel, Bullarook, on the body of John Murphy, aged 30. Catherine Murphy deposed that the deceased was her husband. That he was ill for the last two years, and had been in the Ballarat Hospital and discharged.

That Mr Coates saw him several times since, and the last time a week previous to his death, and ordered medicine for him, but he did not get any of it. That he was very poor and principally supported by his friends. - Dr Roche made a post mortem, and stated the cause off death to be pleuritis, remarking that if the deceased had been attended by a medical man he would in all likelihood have recovered. - Mr Coates deposed that he saw the deceased a few days previous to his death, but that he was not attending him professionally. Is not a qualified surgeon. - The Coroner then summed up, stating that as none of the medicine left by Mr Coates was given to deceased, no blame could be attached to him on this occasion, and advised the jury to bring in a verdict according to the medical evidence. - Verdict accordingly.

See Reekie, George

Fatal Accident - An inquest was held at Minster’s Hotel, Smeaton, on Friday last, upon the body of Frederick Murray, aged 28 years, who was killed near Smeaton, on the previous day. I appears that three bullock-drivers were on their way to Smeaton, two being drunk and the other sober. The deceased was very drunk, and he was supposed to have fallen off the dray. Dr Roche made a post-mortem examination, and stated the cause of death to be dislocation and fracture of the upper portion of the spine. Verdict accordingly.

See Naples, Infant

Shocking death of an infant.- On Friday last, during the temporary absence of the servant, an infant child of Mr Naples, of Bullarook, fell into a boiler of water which was just taken of the fire, and incautiously placed upon the kitchen floor. Dr Roche was sent for and applied the usual remedies, but the child died early next morning, about twenty minutes before the arrival of the mother, who was absent at Ballarat. No blame was attributed to the servant. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

See Fell, Edward Thomas

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

See Barclay, James

See Soderberg, Carl

See Dean, Elizabeth

See Barclay, James

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

An inquest was held yesterday, at Mount Prospect, by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of George Ogilvie, 61 years of age, found dead in the bush on Wednesday morning by Mr James Sutherland, who, with Duncan McColl, took deceased into a house, and gave information to the police. From the evidence, it appeared that deceased had not done any work for a long time, - he used to get meals at the different farms, and was very much given to drink. He was last seen alive on Tuesday morning, the 26^th instant. Constable Gorman found on Deceased one £1 note, and at his hut a bag containing documents, letters, &c. Dr Beatty made the post mortem examination, and the jury returned the following verdict. - "Found dead, on November 27^th at Mt Prospect. The jury are of the opinion that the deceased died of concussion of the brain, caused by a fall on November 26^th."

See Davis, Charles

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

See Fong Pui

W B Lees, Esq., Our District Coroner, held an inquest yesterday at Mr Orr’s farmhouse, Glengower, on the body of his daughter, Christina, a child 18 months old. About a week ago the child drank some scalding tea. Dr Beatty, of Clunes, attended the sufferer, and was succeeded by Dr Brown, who, however only saw the child once, and it died the following morning. Dr Bunce made a post mortem examination, and stated that no blame could be attached to the medical attendant. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned. The jury strongly commented on the conduct of Dr Brown in declining to certify the cause of death, thus rendering the inquest necessary. The Coroner concurred.

See Orr, Christina

See Ryan, Patrick

On Saturday last an inquest was held at Portuguese Flat by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of Ox Sue, a Chinaman, aged 38 years, who was found dead on Friday. From the evidence of Ah Tap, a Chinese storekeeper, it appeared that deceased had been complaining for six months, but had always been working. On Friday he found deceased in bed, crying out very badly, and wanting a doctor. There being no money in the house the doctor was not sent for. He saw him again at six o’clock in the evening, dead. Hannie Kaye, the Chinese interpreter, to whom the circumstance was communicated, gave information the police. It was ascertained that the deceased had been in the colony of Victoria for eight years, had a wife and a daughter 20 years of age left in China, and was addicted to smoking opium to excess. No property was found on his person nor in his tent. Dr Roche, who made the post mortem examination, observed no marks of violence. He found an extensive tubercular disease, and both lungs full of abscesses, containing a considerable quantity of purulent matter. Deceased was in last stages of pulmonary consumption. The verdict of the jury was in accordance with the medical evidence, with the rider, "the death of the deceased was accelerated by exposure to cold, and want of medical treatment."

See Parker, Matilda

See Parker, Matilda

Inquest.- On the same day (Sunday) an inquest was held before W B Lees, Esq, Coroner, on the body of Maria Parker, aged 45. The poor creature had been one of the unfortunate class. Deserted and despised by her associate, she was found by the police in a fearful state of destitution and bedridden a far back as July last, at which time funds were raised for her relief, and a neighborly widow undertook to care for the poor creature. But little, if any further, knowledge of her has since come before the Clunes people. At the inquest, the medical gentleman stated that her body was diseased from head to foot. The verdict was that death was cause by diseased brain and womb. [an instance of what may come to a poor wretch in Victoria, and a caution to those who need it.]

On Tuesday last, by the directions of Mr W B Lees, the District Coroner, a girl seven years of age, was exhumed at the Smeaton cemetery and, at the Three Castles Hotel an inquest was subsequently held, which extended over Wednesday. Fuller particulars will be found in another part of our columns. The Coroner considering the verdict of the jury in conjunction with the evidence tantamount to a charge of manslaughter, committed Mr C W Coates to take his trial at the next Ballarat Circuit Court, the 13^th October. Bail was allowed, defendant £ 100 and two sureties of £ 50 each. ….

Exhumation of a body, and two days inquest at Smeaton.

Some excitement prevailed on Smeaton for a few days, news having spread that by direction of the District Coroner, Mr W B Lees, instructions had been received to exhume the body of Matilda Parker, a girl seven years of age, the daughter of Mr Parker, a farmer. Deceased, who died on Saturday, was interred on Monday under the certificate of Mr Allison, the Deputy Registrar at Kingston, who, on his part had received the medical certificate of Mr C W Coates, signing himself a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, and stating that the girl had died of pneumonia. On Tuesday the body was exhumed under the superintendence of the police, and removed to Minster’s Three Castles Hotel, Smeaton, where the inquest, which lasted two days was held.

First Day, Tuesday, September 23.

The following witnesses were called :-

Margaret Parker sworn: The deceased is my daughter. On Thursday last she took ill with a cold, and coughed very badly. My other two children had a similar cough. On Thursday morning I gave to deceased a teaspoonful of magnesia, but it did not act on the bowels. On Friday I gave her about 2 tablespoons of castor oil, which acted on the bowels about twenty minutes after. I put deceased to bed on Friday evaening last about half-past five o’clock. Deceased was very restless the whole night. I sent for Mr McMaster and his wife to come and see deceased. Mr and Mrs McMaster remained with me until Mr Coates came. It was then about seven o’clock on Saturday morning. Mr Coates then put a mustard plaster on the chest of decease. After the mustard came off he put a bran poultice on, then bled deceased from the arm. I produce the basin that held the blood; it was an inch from the top of being full, Mr Coates remained with deceased for about two hours. Deceased died about 9.30 on Saturday morning last. Deceased told me, about an hour before her death, that she was dying. She said her chest was very sore, but did not complain of any particular pain. Mrs McMaster remained with me until deceased died. Mr Coates, when he came first, put his hand on the chest of deceased, and said she had inflammation of the lungs. I did not see him put his head to the chest of the deceased. He might have done so without my observing him. He did not examine deceased with any instrument. I was perfectly sober on the morning of the death of the deceased. Mr Coates was quite sober. My husband, who is a farmer, was from home when deceased took ill. He came home about seven o’clock on Saturday morning last, and saw deceased. He went up to Mr Coates for the medicine prescribed; before he came back the deceased was dead. Deceased never had any medicine from Mr Coates. I did not consider deceased very ill until within a few hours of her death. She was going about on Friday last as usual. Deceased never had any sickness before last Thursday. I have been married about thirteen years to James Parker. I have had six children - the deceased is the fourth I have lost. I gave deceased every attention I could. When I sent for Mr Coates I thought he was a doctor. He has attended me before. I have not paid him for the attendance on deceased. Deceased was born at Kingston. My husband did not tell me where obtained the certificate of Burial. He is from home; he left here this afternoon. My other children died when they were infants.

John Roberts sworn: Am a mounted constable stationed at Smeaton. On Saturday last, about one p.m.. received information that the deceased died suddenly. I went to the house of Mr Parker, the father of the deceased. I there saw Mrs Parker, who showed me the deceased, and told me Dr Coates, of Kingston had seen deceased. She did not know the cause of death. I then called on Dr Coates, and asked him if he had been attending the decease; he said yes, I then told him that she was dead. I asked him the cause of death, and he told me that it was inflammation of the lungs. I told him that I had come to see if it was necessary to report it to the Coroner. Dr Coates then said there was no necessity, but that he was going to the house, I went with Mr Coates to Parkers house. I asked them if they had any objection to an inquest, and they said, with Dr Coates, that there was no necessity, I then left. I only came to Smeaton the day before, and did not know but that Mr Coates was a legally qualified medical man.

Charles William Coates sworn: Am a Surgeon. I qualified in the Royal College of Surgeons, London. I am not registered in Victoria. I have made application to the Medical Board, and expect to be qualified in Victoria about January next, as I expect my diploma out from England by that time. I practise at Kingston as a surgeon. On Saturday morning last, about five o’clock, I was called upon by a man, who brought a note requesting me to attend to deceased. About two hours after, I saw deceased. I had to wait at home, as a man was coming to medicine, or I should have seen deceased sooner. I found deceased in a very high state of fever, with great difficulty of breathing. I think the mother of deceased told me that deceased had been ill for the last four days. I told her that deceased was in great danger. I ordered a mustard plaster to the breast; it did not appear to give her any relief. It remained on about twenty minutes. I found her still getting worse. She was sinking, and had difficulty breathing. I had no leeches, but took about three ounces of blood from her arm. I saw from the blood that there was a great deal of inflammation. I ordered a bran poultice to be put over the whole of the abdomen. I then asked the father of deceased to go with me for some medicine. I was told she died before her father got back. I treated deceased for inflammation of the lungs. I did not sound deceased for inflammation of the lungs. I did not sound deceased, but examined her with my hand. I never attended deceased before. Mrs Parker was quite sober on Saturday morning last. The constable stationed at Smeaton came to me on Saturday afternoon last to ask me about the death of deceased. I did not know deceased was dead then. I told the constable that I did not know that it was necessary an inquest should be held, but that if the parents wished it I had no objection. I believe the deceased was labouring under the last stage of pneumonia. I found a burning heat on the chest; she was hotter there than in any other part of the body. I put my ear to the chest of decease, and considered that she was laboring from inflammation of the lungs. I examined the throat and found no disease there. I prescribed a fever mixture and two grains of calomel, with a quarter grain of James’ powder. Deceased was dead before the father got back with the medicine. Deceased did not complain of her head when I saw her, I found she had no difficulty in swallowing. When I first saw deceased her pulse was about 130; it was about 98 when I left her. Deceased was much better after being bled, and spoke several times. She spoke very little during the time I was there. I believe she was sensible during the time I saw her. I qualified as surgeon in London in 1839. I have been practising medicine for the last seven years. I gave a certificate of the death of deceased, stating that she died from pneumonia; I then signed myself a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London.

Dr Roche sworn: Am a legally qualified medical practitioner, residing on Creswick . I have, this day, at the request of the coroner, made a post mortem examination of the body of deceased. I found no external marks of violence on the body of deceased. In opening the abdomen I found the viscera healthy. On opening the thorax I found the heart and lungs healthy. On examining the windpipe I found inflammation of the larynx and portion of the trachea. On opening the head I found congestion of the brain and its membranes. I state that there could not have been inflammation of the lungs of deceased a few days previous to her death. I would have seen it in the body after death. The lungs were perfectly crepitant, and unobstructed throughout their entire structure. I believe that if deceased was sinking, as Mr Coates states, bleeding was calculated to bring on the death of deceased. I believe deceased firs laboured under inflammation of the windpipe, laryngitis, producing congestion of the brain. I believe deceased died from want of medical attendance.

John McMaster, schoolmaster, sworn: Deceased attended my school until Tuesday last. She appeared well then. Mrs Parker was perfectly sober on the morning of the death of deceased. I advised Mr Coates being sent for.

It being eight p.m. the jury expressed a wish to hear the opinion on another medical man. The Coroner then adjourned the inquest till the following day (Wednesday).

Second Day, Wednesday, September 24.

The inquest was resumed at the same place, and the first witness called was.

Dr J H Steel, who, on being sworn, deposed as follows:- I reside on Creswick, and am a legally qualified medical practitioner. I have, this day, examined the body of deceased. I found the body in a state of post mortem rigidity. The chest was much contracted. The limbs were well nourished. The brain was slightly congested. The windpipe highly congested. Both lungs were crepitant; the left lung was shrunk and much congested over its whole extent. The right lung was congested posteriorily and inferiorily. The heart was healthy. The congestion of the lungs might have taken place after death. I cannot say that deceased had congestion of the lungs during her life time. I cannot say what the cause of death was on account of the state that the body was in. The congestion of the lungs might have taken place since yesterday. I have heard the statement of Mr Coates, and consider that his taking three ounces of blood from the arm of deceased accelerated the death of deceased. I believe deceased had congestion of the windpipe before her death. I likewise consider the brain was congested before the death of deceased. I found the left lung lying about four ounces of liquid blood in the left side. The body had been opened yesterday before I saw it. Deceased could not have been in the last stage of pneumonia. In the last stage of pneumonia bleeding is never resorted to.

Dr Roche was then recalled and sworn, and supplemented yesterday’s evidence by the following statement :- I have viewed the body of deceased this day, Wednesday, and state the congested appearance of the lungs as stated by Dr Steel was caused by post mortem changes. Yesterday I found shreds of lymph in the windpipe, which were not seen this day.

The jury after having retired, brought in the following verdict :- "Deceased died at Smeaton, on the 20^th September, from congestion of the brain, brought on by inflammation of the windpipe, and that the death of deceased was accelerated by the treatment of Charles William Coates. The following rider was added :- "The jury request the coroner to take immediate steps to have the New Medical Bill carried out, as they consider it dangerous to the public that men should practice medicine without a proper qualification."

The Coroner, in reference to the rider, said that he could take no action in the matter, it being out of his province. Any man could lay information, and then the charge would be investigated. He then read the clause bearing on the subject, viz. - "Any Man assuming the title of physician, surgeon, or nay other title in medicine is liable to be taken up an information, and to be fined in a sum not exceeding £ 50." He then informed the jury that the evidence given in this case, in conjunction with their verdict, was tantamount to a charge of manslaughter. He therefore committed Charles William Coates to take his trial at the next Circuit Court, Ballarat, on the 13^th of October.

The defendant was then given custody, and proceeded on horseback to Creswick.

On his arrival in Creswick Mr Coates was allowed bail, himself in £ 100 and two sureties of £ 50 each.

On Friday last, W B Lees, Esq., the District Coroner, held an inquest at Johnson’s Restaurant, Ballarat Road, on the body of James Parratt, a miner, who was killed in a drive on Portuguese Flat, by a fall of earth caused by the timber giving way. It appeared in evidence that his mate was unsuccessful in his attempt to extricate him, and when, with assistance of other persons, he was taken out, life was extinct. The misfortune was purely accidental, and a verdict was accordingly returned.

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

See Carter, Mr

See Cribbins, Frederick

See Felstead, Edward

See Peterson, Theodore Jacob

An inquest was held on Wednesday last, at the American Hotel, by Mr W B Lees, the district corner, on the body of Theodore Jacob Peterson, aged five weeks and two days, who died at Bullarook on the 2^nd instant. Charles Peterson, the father of the child, deposed that it had never been in a healthy state, and that he had not been in a position to obtain the services of a doctor. Theodore Gottliebson gave additional evidence. Dr Roche made a post mortem examination, and found neither signs of violence nor evidence of actual disease in any of the organs, but defective nutriment. The jury returned a verdict of death from debility.

See Thomas, William

An inquest was held yesterday by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, at the hotel at Mt Prospect, of the body of Serino Pietro, an Italian, aged 19, who met with his death from the fall from a horse. Angus Polson, a farmer at Bullarook, gave evidence that on Sunday last he was drinking in company with the deceased and another man. When on his road to Smeaton and whilst riding ahead heard a noise, and looking round saw two men on the ground, and the horses running away he failed to catch them. On his return found one of the two men laughing, and deceased lying on the ground, his face downward. A doctor was sent for from Daylesford, but deceased died before he arrived. William May, a boy nine years of age, saw two men falling off their horses, one of whom got up again. Andrew May, the father of the boy, partly corroborated his son’s evidence. It appeared that neither of the surviving men had sticks or whips, and that all three were very friendly; there was no quarrel. Verdict - Deceased met with his death from falling off his horse while in a state of intoxication.

Christiane

See Jones, Male Infant

See Brown, Isabella

See Pietro, Serino

An inquest was held on Wednesday last at Rosekilly’s British Hotel, by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of Leah Postlethwaite, aged three weeks. From the evidence, it appeared that deceased, who had a slight cold when put to bed the evening previous, was the following morning found dead by the mother. It was a seven months’ child, the parents having been married only eight months. There was no medical attendance. Mrs Iles and Dr Daniel gave evidence. The latter, on affirmation, stated that when called at six o’clock in the morning he found the child dead. He made the post mortem examination. There were no marks of violence. He found that the child died from exhaustion, brought on by jaundice. The jury gave a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

See Ah Fie

An inquest was held on Tuesday last at Griffith’s store, Frenchman’s Gully, by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, on the body of Charles Henry Praetz, thirteen months old, who died on Monday last. From the evidence of the father it appeared that the child, having been taken ill, two powders were obtained by Mrs William’s advice, from Mr Edwards, the chemist, one of which was given to the child, who expired an hour afterwards. Dr Beatty, who made the post mortem examination, deposed that he found the brain much congested, and some dark fluid on the base of the brain. The right lung was healthy, the left lung in a state of scrofulous disease. There was a quantity of dark venous blood in the aorta. The heart was healthy. There was some food in the stomach. The mucous membrane of the stomach was slightly inflamed; the other portion of the body healthy. Deceased, in his opinion, died from congestion of the brain. The powders which deceased got could not have hurt him. If there had been proper medical attendance the life of the child might have been saved. The jury returned a verdict in keeping with the medical evidence.

See Ah Yeh

See Haylock, John

William Edward

See Carter, Mr

See Fum Wagh

An inquest was held on Sunday last at Scarsdale on the body of William Raffle, the unfortunate miner who was shut up in a drive in the Washington Claim by the ground falling in on Thursday afternoon. The deceased and a wages man named Hodgson were at work in a drive 180 feet long, about 100 feet of the drive

being too shallow. The commenced by gradually cutting the bottom of the drive, commencing at nothing, and where the accident happened they had cut it 16 inches deeper that its former level, timbering afresh as they went along. The poor fellow must have been literally looking death in the face, as he was heard praying and asking for water. The shareholders in the company, amongst whom is a brother of the deceased, displayed great energy in their attempts to rescue him, but the body was not recovered until four o’clock on Sunday morning, when life was quite extinct. - Star

See Davis, Elizabeth

Inquest at Dean.

An inquest was held by Mr W B Lees, the district coroner, at Dean, on Wednesday, on the body of George Reekie, aged forty years, a native of Ireland, who shot himself on the 22^nd

William Hill, brother-in-law - "Deposed deceased formerly kept an hotel in Geelong and then at Meredith, and for some months past has been farming at Dean. Deceased had a bill to meet and hardly enough to do so. This seemed to trouble him very much. He had arranged with me to go to Geelong ton the 22^nd October. I was to go as far as Ballarat with him. About five o’clock in the morning of the 22^nd deceased got up and went out while I was in bed. My wife heard a scream a few minutes after I was dressing, when Walker and Murphy came and told me deceased had shot himself. Went out with them and found deceased lying on the ground a few hundred yards off, with his gun tied up to a tree and his handkerchief to the trigger. Deceased was then bleeding. Got him carried to the nearest tent. Examined, and saw that he had been shot. Asked him who did it. Said he had done so himself, on account of the bill he had to meet. Lived till about one o’clock same day. Dr Daniel attended him; had no hopes of him. Made a post mortem examination, and found the charge had entered below the sixth rib, near the sternum and came out near the spine on the right side. The middle and lower lobe were quite shattered to pieces. The ribs very much injured. Had fatty disease of the heart and enlargement of the liver, showing that he had been in the habit of drinking spirits to excess. The gunshot wound was the cause of death.

Stephen Walker and Patrick Murphy gave similar evidence to that of William Hill. Deceased had been in the habit of drinking to excess, but not of late. The gun was charged with sot and mus have been close to deceased, as the wound was more like that of a ball than of shot. Deceased was sensible until death, and acknowledged having shot himself. Deceased’s wife died about three years ago; left no children. Verdict - Died on 22ndt October from a gunshot wound inflicted by himself, while labouring under a temporary fit of insanity.

See Ah Tim

Reynolds

Robert

An extraordinary case of sudden death occurred on Thursday evening. A man named Robert Reynolds, a compositor in the office of the Amherst and Back Creek Advertiser, left his work a little before ten o’clock, and went to a house on the opposite side of the street, where he was in the habit of taking his meals. When there, he began to feel unwell, and took some vinegar to induce vomiting, and this failing to afford the desired relief, Dr Bourne was called in to attend him. As soon as the doctor had felt his pulse, he told the patient if he had anything to say, or any affairs to settle, he must make haste, as he had only a few minutes to live. The dying man, whose breathing was momentarily becoming fainter, gasped forth, "send for Knewstub." One of the bystanders at once fetched Mr Knewstub, who is the manager of the printing office where deceased was working, but before that gentleman could get across the street, the poor sufferer had breathed his last. An inquest was held by Dr Laidman, on Friday, when it appeared that deceased had died on an abscess in the chest, the bursting of which had caused suffocation. - Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser

See Green, Anthony

child drowned.- Ellen Richards, a child sixteen weeks old, was last week playing near her parent’s tent, Petticoat Lane, when she was suddenly missed, and , after an absence of ten minutes, search was made, and her body discovered floating in the creek. Life was, however, extinct. An inquest was afterwards held by the district coroner, when a verdict of "Accidental Death was returned."

See Ryan, Patrick

Inquests. - An inquiry into the death of the infant son of Mrs Roberts, Back Creek, was held on Monday last, before the District Coroner. The result was that the child had died from convulsions brought on by severe cough. Verdict, "Natural death."

See Mamford, Infant girl

See Roberts, Infant

See Robertson, Female Infant

See Robertson, Female Infant

See Lawrence, Samuel

On Tuesday last, at Shoemack’s Bridge Inn, Long Point, an inquest was held by Mr W B Lees, the District Coroner, on the body of the infant daughter of Angus and Annie Robertson, who died after half an hour’s existence. The child had been weakly from birth. Dr Roche made the post mortem examination and gave evidence. Several other witnesses were examined. Verdict - Deceased died from congestion of the lungs.

See Coad, William

See Fawcett, Thos

See Fell, William

See Heather, Alfred

See Taylor, charles

See Wilton, Sarah

See Ah Fie

See Ah Tigh

See Besemeres, female infant

See Broome, Wm Humphrey

See Chew Ling

See Cummins, Ellen Susanna

See Davis, Charles

See Delaney, Margaret

See Ellete, Mary

See Filling, John Henry

See Fong Pui

See Haylock, John

See Jones, Male Infant

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

See Macdonald, Mary

See Mamford, Infant girl

See Martin, Richard

See Mitchell, Robert

See Murray, Frederick

See Naples, Infant

See Parker, Matilda

See Peterson, Theodore Jacob

See Robertson, Female Infant

See Rogers, Mary Anne

See Ryan, Patrick

See Ryan, Patrick

See Smith, James

See Spence, Wm

See Tu Shen

See Carter, Mr

See Hooper, George

See Lawrence, Samuel

INQUEST: - An Inquest was held on the 28^th inst., at Anderson’s saw-mills, Bullarook, on Mary Anne Rogers, aged 72, who died two days previously. Dr Roche made the post mortem, and ascribed death to pleuritis. Verdict accordingly.

Dr Glendinning held an inquest on Monday, on the remains of Mr A Ronalds, late a nurseryman residing at the Swamp, who expired suddenly early on the same morning. The evidence showed that he had gone to bed at ten o’clock the previous evening in his usual health, and awoke about four o’clock, and again at five when he spoke to Mrs Ronalds, but immediately after he commenced snoring and did not answer when he was roused. Assistance was immediately sent for, but he died immediately. The jury returned a verdict of death from apoplexy in accordance with the medical evidence.

The late Mr Ronalds, whose death is recorded in the above paragraph, was an old resident on the gold-fields, having lived under the Adelaide Hill, Forest Creek, in Dec. 1851, whence he removed to Eagle Hawk in 1852, and thence to Bendigo itself. He subsequently became a resident on Creswick, and settled down on Ballarat in 1853. The deceased was the first to start the surfacing west of and near to the Ballarat Cemetery, with which he persevered until a rush surrounded him, depriving him of some really good ground, almost within his grasp. Mr Ronalds shortly after purchased the land for that nursery which he cultivated with so much taste and skill, and produce of which met with encomiums at the recent Ballarat Show. The deceased gentleman possessed considerable and varied talent, combined with indomitable perseverance. As a proof, he was a self-taught engraver, copper-plate printer, medallist, and lithographer. As an ardent lover of his adopted country, and conceiving that the separation of Victoria from New South Wales deserved some permanent record, he designed and struck a medal commemorative of the event. One of the medals is now in our possession. But the people of Geelong were not so enthusiastic as the artist, who used to say that he gave away nineteen medals in order to sell the twentieth. In the old country, Mr Ronalds was an ardent follower of Izaak Walton. His work on Fly Fishing (published by Longman & Co) still maintains its ground, and for some years the profits from its sale, he said, averaged £ 50 per annum. Lucky author! The deceased gentleman, who was twice married, has left a large family to deplore their loss. Mr Ronalds was closely related to the celebrated Martineau family.

Ballarat Star - Tuesday

See Ronalds, A

See Barclay, James

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

See Loo Ching, Fung Laned

See Stevenson, Eliza

Another inquest was held, before the same coroner, at the Star Hotel, Slaughteryard Hill, on Wednesday, on the body of Patrick Ryan, who was found dead, with a bag of flour and a dray lying upon him.

David Owen deposed that he was, on Tuesday evening last, between six and seven o’clock , returning home, and about 200 yards from his tent saw deceased lying partly under a dray which was upset. The horse was lying on the ground. Called his mates, and with their assistance righted the horse and dray, took deceased from beneath a bag of flour. His mate John Canton, went for the police.

John Canton confirmed the previous testimony, and added that deceased was lying under the cart, with his legs under the horse, and a bag of flour on his head, with his face towards the ground. Believe he was dead, as he was quite black in the face. Put deceased by the side of the road, and then went for the police. Could only account for the accident by supposing that deceased had been driving furiously.

John Corbitt, mounted constable, deposed - I was fetched to the place of the accident. Found a quantity of crockery on the ground. Found on the body a wedding ring, 5s 6d, a purse with some bills, and some other articles. Found some goods with the dray, which were delivered to the owner, Mr Robert Richardson, in whose employ the deceased was. Deceased smelt strongly of drink.

Dr Roche stated that he made a post mortem examination. Deceased was bruised about the chest, loins, and head, with a depressed fracture of the skull.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death