INQUEST.
An inquest on the body of James Brown, fanner, of Gimmerburn, who died at Naseby on Thursday last, was held at the Courthouse yesterday afternoon before N. P. Hjorsing, Esq., J.P., and a jury of whom Mr. B. Gordon was foreman.
The first witness called was Neil Brown, who deposed that the deceased was his brother, and was 28 years of age. Witness last saw him at Eweburn on Wednesday, wheu he said he was going to Naseby.
G. A. Chapman, farmer, Eweburn, deposed that he was in deceased's company at intervals on the evening of Wednesday, 14th inst. At six or seven minutes past 10 witness accompanied the deceased to Mr. Inder's stable, where his horse was, and advised him not to attempt going home that night but to wait till next morning, as it was very dark and wet. Brown, however, answered to the effect that he was well used to travelling in such weather, and bidding witness "Good night" rode off. In witness's opinion the deceased was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.
Samuel G. Inder, butcher, deposed: About half-past six or seven o'clock on Thursday morning he was driving cattle to the show ground, which was known as the racecourse reserve, and when near the upper corner of the paddock he saw a man lying on the gronnd on the other side of the fence, face downward. On reaching the body he found it to be that of the deceased, who was breathing but was unconscious. With the assistance of his man the body was placed in a spring cart which was going along the road, aud conveyed to Dr. Jeffrey's private residence. The doctor advised witness to take the deceased to the Hospital. This he did, and waited there for about 20 minutes or half-an-hour, when he left. He shortly afterwards met the doctor on his way to the Hospital, and he agreed that it would be advisable to send for the deceased's relatives, although he did not think it would prove serious. Witness's opinion of the manner in which the accident was met with was as follows: Deceased was probably riding along the road when the horse turned on to the old road without his knowledge, the night being extremely dark. The animal on reaching the barb wire fence, which crossed the old road about two chains from the main road, most likely made a bound and got over the fence, throwing the deceased to the ground. He afterwards saw the horse inside the paddock. Witness considered the matter purely an accident. He had known the deceased for eight years.
James Graham Jeffreys, a duly qualified and registered medical practitioner residing at Naseby, deposed: The deceased, James Brown, was brought to his residence about half-past seven o'clock on Thursday morning, loth inst. He was unconscious, and witness recommended his removal to the Hospital. He then dressed and went over to the Hospital and examined the deceased. He found no marks on the body, with the exception of a bruise over the left eye, which could have been caused by a fall from a horse. The deceased was suffering from concussion of the brain, and remained quite unconscious until his death, which took place about 6 p.m. It was impossible to say how long the deceased had been unconscious, but judging from tlie state of his clothes, which were not wet through but merely moist, witness thought he had not lain outside all night.
Sergeant Conn stated that he had been unable to find any person who had seen deceased after he left the town, and there could be no doubt that he had ridden straight on till the time of the accident.
The verdict of the jury was to the effect that deceased died from concussion of the brain, caused by falling from his horse. They added the following rider: That the Comity Council be requested to erect a wall of scrub or other material at the junction of the old and new roads, to prevent future accidents. -Mount Ida Chronicle, 17/1/1891.
Local and General
The funeral of the late Mr James Brown, of Gimmerburn, took place on Sunday last and was numerously attended, settlers from all parts of the district being present, wishing to testify to the esteem in, which the unfortunate young man was held. The Rev. J. McCosh Smith conducted the burial service in an impressive manner, and referred to the fact that the widowed mother has now lost six sons. -Mt Ida Chronicle, 22/1/1891.
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