Accidents and Fatalities
William Mee, a settler in the Chatton district, was thrown from his horse, receiving fatal injuries. -Evening Star, 14/7/1890.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE friends of the late WILLIAM MEE are invited to atteud his FUNERAL, which will leave his residence at 11 o'clock ou WEDNESDAY, 16th inst., passing through Gore by way of Stoney Creek at 2 p.m.
A. C. JOHNSTON, Undertaker. -Mataura Ensign, 15/7/1890.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT STONEY CREEK.
MR WILLIAM MEE KILLED.
About 830 on Saturday night news was received in Gore that Mr William Mee, a well-known and respected settler in the Chatton district, had been killed by a fall from his horse, and the circulation of the news occasioned wide spread sorrow amongst the many friends in Gore of the deceased. The facts of the case will be gathered from the evidence given by witnesses before the Acting-Coroner, Mr Thomas Green, who conducted
THE INQUEST at Mr Carroll's Hotel, Otama Bridge, yesterday.
The following jury were sworn in: — Messrs T. R. Carroll (foreman), A. Wayte, L. Pope, G. W. Wood, R. Fortune, and G. Dickson.
Samuel Mee deposed that he was a farmer residing near Riversdale and identified the body as that of Wm. Mee, his first cousin. Last saw him on the 8th inst. Knew the horse, which was quiet, but hard to mount, but did not consider him dangerous. Deceased was a sober man, and never saw him drunk, although he took drink occasionally. He had resided at Chatton for about 12 years. Did not know if he left a will, but he had spoken about making one.
To a Juror: His age was about 46, and he belonged to the English Church.
Sarah Carroll: Remembered last Saturday night. Deceased called at the hotel about 8 p.m, in company with Thomas Graham. He asked for drink and called for A. Mclntyre the groom to join them. Stayed about ten minutes, then said "Good night" and left. The horses were tied to a post in front of the house. Deceased called to McIntyre and asked him to hold his horse while he mounted. McIntyre went out and witness heard Mee say "Stick to him." Was inside but heard quite distinctly a crashing noise. Went out and saw Mee lying near the hall door, insensible. Then went inside and asked her sister to telegraph to Gore for a doctor. Deceased never moved afterwards. There was no one about at the time but McIntyre, Graham and herself. Deceased was quite sober when he came to the hotel.
To a Juror: Deceased had two drinks.
A. McIntyre, a joiner, was in the hotel when Mee and Graham arrived about 8 o'olock. Was speaking to them in the bar. I stayed about ten minutes. Their horses were tied up at the front. Mr Mee's was a grey gelding. Did not go out with them, but after they had been out a short time Mee called and asked him to hold his horse while he got on. Took hold of the horse's head and deceased tried to mount, but the horse ran back to the verandah. Deceased took his foot out of the stirrup and said he would take the horse further away. He then asked me to take hold of him again and stick to him. I said, "All right, I will, stick to him." Deceased again tried to to mount, but directly he put his foot in the stirrup the horse ran back and attempted to rear. I held him down, but he ran into window of the hall which broke, and ran along the iron fence and kept plunging. I had to let go of the horse's head, and was thrown down. When I got up saw deceased was lying on the ground with his head bent under him. I put my hand under his head to lift him up, but he never spoke. Threw water on bim to revive him but it was no use. T then carried him into the house. Deceased was perfectly sober and was speaking to me about putting an addition to his house.
To a juror: Put brandy in his nostrils in order to revive him. Have known deceased for a long time and never knew him the worse for liquor. Have seen horses held before while mounting. The animal uapeared to be restless and wanting to get away.
T. Graham, a farmer at Wendon, corroborated former witness's evidence and said he accompanied deceased to Stoney Creek, where they stayed for 15 or 20 minutes. After going out of the hotel witness mounted his horse and deceased then attempted to mount, as described by previous witness. When witness heard the glass breaking he got off his horse and went in the direction of the noise. He found deceased lying on the ground in a half sitting posture with his head hanging down, McIntyre was a few feet away apparently stunned. McIntyre was sober. Attempted to lift Mee up, but he never spoke and appeared to be dead. Tried to revive him and carried him into the house. Noticed nothing peculiar in Mee's manner on his way from Gore.
To a juror: After we got a light I noticed some blood about McIntyre, who was lying stunned, but none about deceased.
Dr Low deposed: Received a telegram from Stoney Creek to come at once on Saturday night about half-past eight. When I arrived saw body of deceased who had been dead some time. The cause of death was dislocation of the vertebrae of the neck. Death would be instantaneous. From the evidence I conclude the deceased fell backwards on his head and so caused the injury.
Constable Fretwell deposed: On Saturday evening, about nine o'clock, I was told by the telegraphist at Gore that Mrs Carroll, of Stoney Creek, wished to speak to me through the telephone. From what she told me I saw Dr Low and proceeded with him to Stoney Creek. On arriving at the hotel I found the body of W. Mee lying on a couch in the sitting room. After Dr Low had examined him and pronounced him dead I searched the body and found a silver English lever watch, ninepence in cash, a receipt for thrashing, a steel curb chain, an old purse and a private letter. Examined the scene of the acpident and found the hat of deceased, also various marks of horse's feet as if there had been a struggle with the horse. From what I saw and heard I came to the conclusion that deceased had been thrown from his horse and killed. Have been acquainted with deceased for about nine years and always found him a respeotable and sober man. He was an old settler in the district. Have no reason to suspect but that deceased's death was purely accidental. Have known McIntyre (witness) for 10 or 12 years and have found him to be a respectable and sober man.
The jury brought in the following verdict: — "From the evidence adduced the jury are of opinion that the deceased, William Mee, met his death accidentally while attempting to mount his horse (which was very restive) at Otama Bridge on the 12th July, 1890, there being no blame attached to any person." Senior Constable Fretwell conducted the case for the police. -Mataura Ensign, 15/7/1890.
IN MEMORIAM.
THE LATE WILLIAM MEE.
O! sting of death, so cold, so cruel, Is thy keen and piercing dart
Causing bitter tears of sorrow, Leaving anguish in the heart.
Gone from us in manhood's blossom, In the summer of his life,
Angels bore his soul to glory from a world of sin and strife
Noble, true and well beloved Was this loved one gone to rest,
And to-day he's happy, happy Dwelling 'mongst God's chosen blest,
Sadly weeps the sorrowed widow, For her dear one passed away;
God had called him home to glory Here no longer could he stay.
His chair is vacant at the hearth Where loved ones round him played,
Their happy smiles are changed to tears Their youthful hearts dismayed.
God upholds the sore afflicted, Smiles upon them from above,
sheltered by the wings of angels, Protected by His holy love.
Weep not, friends God's holy mandate Every mortal must obey,
When the hour of death approaching, None one moment can delay.
Let us then be ever watchful for the signal from on high,
Always ready, always waiting — Sinner, be prepared to die
ROBERT MACKENZIE. Otama, 17th July, 1890. -Mataura Ensign, 18/7/1890.
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