INQUEST.
On Friday last an inquest was held before Vincent Pyke, Esq., District Coroner, on the body of John William Garrett, who had met his death the preceding evening through a fall from his horse, while riding from Cromwell to the Lowburn.
The following evidence was taken:
Thomas Logan, sworn, deposed: I am a miner, and was one of the partners of deceased. We have been partners for about four years. I last saw him alive on Thursday evening, at about nine o'clock. He was then starting from Goodger's stables. I spoke to him. He appeared to be in good spirits, and was perfectly sober. He said he was going to the Lowburn. That was the last time I saw him alive. I saw his body when it was brought into Cromwell two or three hours afterwards. I was told that he had been killed by a fall from his horse. He had no relations in Otago. His father and mother are living at Chelsea, in England, and he has an uncle in Melbourne. I know this from deceased having told me so when alive. — [Mr Logan was deeply affected while giving the latter portion of his evidence.]
George Barclay, sworn, said: I am in business at Logantown, Bendigo Gully. I started from Marsh's hotel, Cromwell, on horseback, for my place, about nine o'clock on Thursday evening. On going up Melinore-streot, I overtook Mr Garrett, who was also on horseback. As he was going in the same direction, we rode together, and conversed with each other. He told me not to talk loud, as it might make his horse start off. He appeared to be perfectly sober, and was in good spirits. We were not riding quickly — only about six miles an hour. On crossing the Westmoreland Co's race he said, "Look out, as I can't see." The night was very dark. We rode on till we reached the corner of Johnston's farm. I was then a little in advance — about twenty feet or so. I then heard a splash. I jumped off my horse, and called "Garrett, Garrett!" but got no answer. I saw his horse rise from the ground, and proceeded to the spot, when I found deceased lying on his back. I called to him, but he never spoke a word. He was groaning, and there was a gurgling sound in his throat. I wetted my handkerchief, and bathed his forehead. I then coo-eed loudly for assistance. In about a quarter of an hour, a man named De Bettencor arrived on the ground. He was driving a cart. We lifted Garrett into the cart, and just then a mate of De Bettencor, named Arkell, came up. We all got into the cart, and hurried on to Cromwell. We brought the body to Kidd's hotel. I have seen the body on view. It is the body of John William Garrett.
Boaventnra de Bettencor, sworn, deposed: Am a miner, and reside at Five-mile Creek. Was travelling along the road between my place and Cromwell on Thursday night. I passed Perriam's about ten o'clock. Shortly afterwards I heard a coo-ee. In a short time I reached the place where the coo-ee came from, and found last witness bathing the forehead of some one on the ground, whom I recognised to be Mr Garrett. I have known him for seven years. He was lying on his back, and there was a gurgling sound in his throat. We lifted him into my cart, and brought him to Kidd's Hotel, Cromwell. He did not show any signs of life on the road.
John Arkell, being sworn, gave evidence similar to that of the last witness; and also deposed that on nearing Cromwell he left the cart, and went for Dr Corse, who was in attendance when the body arrived.
Sergeant Cassells, sworn, deposed to having received information of the accident, when he proceeded to Kidd's Hotel, where the body was lying, and took possession of the property of deceased. Dr Corse also handed him some property belonging to deceased, which he had taken possession of prior to my arrival. He also deposed to having proceeded to the scene of the accident on the following morning, where he found a hat belonging to deceased.
Dr Corse, sworn, deposed: I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, and reside at Cromwell. I was called upon on Thursday night by the witness Arkell, who informed me that Mr Garrett had met with an accident. I was in attendance at Kidd's Hotel on the arrival of the cart containing deceased, and made a preliminary examination. I found life quite extinct. I examined the spinal column, and found that there had been a fracture of the cervical vertebra. The body was much discoloured, caused by compression such as would result from a horse falling upon anyone. There was great effusion of blood from the nostrils, and a quantity of frothy mucus at the mouth. The cause of death was the severance of the cervical vertebra. It was broken in two places. The third and fourth vertebrae were broken. I took charge of some property which was on the person of deceased. This I subsequently handed to Sergt. Cassels. I am of opinion that the horse must have stumbled and thrown deceased on his head, as it would require some such shock to sever the vertebrae I have mentioned.
This concluded the evidence; and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death, caused by a fall from his horse." -Cromwell Argus, 5/1/1870.
Notes from the Metropolis
No. II - On Spirits (excerpt)
The Cromwellian mind will be more interested in what I am about to relate, as the person whose spirit next appeared was well known to many in your district — I allude to Mr J. W. Garrett. Through the medium, I asked several questions, to all of which answers more or less satisfactory were returned. For instance, he (the medium, or the spirit through the medium’s agency) wrote the names of the two songs which Garrett sang at the concert held a few evenings prior to his death. I particularly asked the little lad who acted as medium whether he knew anything about Garrett — whether he knew that he had sang at a concert shortly before his death, &c.; and he distinctly assured me that he was not aware that he had done so. I then asked the question, and the answer was correctly given, as I have stated. In reply to a question of mine, as to whether Garrett knew who it was that came to his assistance immediately after the accident, a negative reply was returned. A desire was expressed by the spirit through the medium that the following inscription, and it only, should be written on the headstone to be erected over his grave: "John William Garrett. Aged 26.” Several other questions were asked and answered, but the above will serve as example of the questions and answers. We were then favoured with a visit from the spirits of several other departed human beings, of both sexes, some known to the company assembled, and some complete strangers to us all. One of the most noticeable of these was a foreign lady, of a very persistent nature, who ultimately took possession of the table, and positively declined to give it up to any other spirit. As the spirit of this foreign female was very ignorant, she having been a totally uneducated person, no further communication could be had. She was, however, remarkably fond of waltzing, and of a very jolly temperament altogether; so in order to gratify the spirit of this jovial jade a waltz was played on a musical Instrument, and the table waltzed round the room in a most comical manner. Further communication with the spirits being thus interrupted in consequence of the obstinacy displayed by this waltz-loving female, the company adjourned sine die. In conclusion, I would just remark that if any of your Cromwell readers have any desire to test these manifestations for themselves, I have no doubt that any of the Dunedin mediums will be happy to inform them of the most approved mode of procedure. At the same time I cannot see any good that would be derived by prosecuting any further inquiries on the subject; and, judging from the effect that the "beautiful new faith” has had on acquaintances of mine, I should say "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.”
Arcanum. -Cromwell Argus, 6/7/1870.
LYING SPIRITS.
To the Editor of the “ Dunstan Times.”
Sir, — I notice a disgusting article in an up-country sheet touching spiritualistic mediums, in which the spirit of our late fellow townsman, Mr. John William Garrett, is profanely said to have been raised, and made to talk nonsense at some Dunedin “seance.” It is a pity that the dead cannot be allowed to remain at rest, and it is very provoking moreover to find that the spirits alleged to be evoked are lying spirits. The spirit of J. W. Garrett, for instance, is strangely enough it would seem, ignorant of the fact that a tombstone has long since been erected over his grave; for he is made to express a wish prospectively on the subject. How this “new and beautiful faith” constantly betrays its true origin as an emanation from the regions of falsehood!
I am, &c., ANTI-HUMBUG.
Cromwell, July 5, 1870. -Dunstan Times, 8/7/1870.
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