Henry Steadman, 1848-7/9/1875. "the vehicle was overturned"

A fatal accident happened at East Taieri on Tuesday, by which a young man named Henry Steadman lost his life. He was seated beside the driver on Mrs Steadman's coach, and when near the Saddle Hill toll-bar the vehicle was overturned by one of the horses shying. Steadman was so severely injured that he died soon after.  -Bruce Herald, 10/9/1875.

INQUEST AT EAST TAIERI.

[Br TELEGRAPH.]

(From our own Correspondent.)

Mosgiel, September 9. An inquest was held to-day, at 3 p.m., at Steadman's Junction Hotel touching the death of Henry Steadman, who died from injuries received from the coach accident near Saddle Hill toll-bar on the 7th inst. The coroner was Mr T. M. Hocken, and Mr T. K. Weldon, Commissioner of Police, was present. A jury of twelve being sworn, the following evidence was given: —

William Brosan: I am a coach-driver for Mrs Steadman between Dunedin and West Taieri. On the 7th inst. I was proceeding from Steadman's Hotel with a coach and two horses yoked, having another horse hitched to the near wheeler, and the deceased was sitting alongside of me. I started quite gently, had the horses well in hand, and the brake on. In passing the toll-bar the loose horse jibbed and lay back, and deceased struck it with a walking stick. The horse then ran in front of the wheelers, causing the horses to run close to the bank, and upsetting the coach. I was thrown clear, while the coach fell on deceased. The deceased was accustomed to drive horses. 

George Stephenson: I am a groom, and I fastened the horses to the coach on Tuesday last. The horse that was hitched was a quiet animal. I consider that if the horse had not been struck with the stick by deceased the accident would not have taken place. I told the deceased not to strike the horse. The body of the coach was upset down a bank. The deceased spoke after the accident and said he was hurt. Deceased was twenty-seven years of age and unmarried.

By a juror: I have seen this horse jibbing often. The horse had a sore shoulder. 

Mrs Steadman: The horse had sore shoulders and was sold. It had kicked the deceased a few days previous. I have had the over three years, and it was a quiet horse. 

A verdict was returned of "Death by accident," with no blame attachable to the driver.  -Evening Star, 10/9/1875.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.