CORONER'S INQUEST.
Mr D. MacKellar, J.P., and a jury, of which Mr Cogan was foreman, held an enquiry on Saturday, at Bendigo, into the cause of death of Charles Lawson. The following evidence was taken:
John Langham, sworn, deposed that he was a miner living at Bendigo. Had known the deceased for two days. First met him at the store of Charles O'Donnell, where witness was waiting for meat. Went with him to O'Donnell's slaughter-yard, about 150 yards from the store. O'Donnell had killed a bullock, and left witness and deceased at the yard to hoist it. While doing so the rope went wrong, and the deceased went up to shift it, using the dray, which was close at hand, to assist himself in getting up. He fell off the dray on to the top rail of the stockyard, and in falling struck his side on the rail, and afterwards pitched on his head on the ground. Witness went for O'Donnell's assistance, but the latter took no notice at first. Then went to look at deceased again, and thought he was dead. Went for O'Donnell a second time, and he came and said Lawson was dead. They then, with another man, carried deceased to a bedroom and laid him on a bed. Witness then rode to Cromwell and reported the matter to the police. Deceased had been at O'Donnell's before witness, and he was sober. Witness had no spirituous liquor at O'Donnell's. Thought the accident took place about three o'clock on Friday afternoon.
To the Police and Coroner witness replied: I was on good terms with deceased, having only known him the time I was waiting on meat. I had no beer at O'Donnell's during the day, nor had the deceased to my knowledge.
Charles O'Donnell, storekeeper, Bendigo Gully, sworn, deposed that he had known the deceased for four or five years. Was the previous day driving cattle to the yard, and deceased assisted to put them in. Believed deceased was at his place for the purpose of purchasing goods. John Langham was with him. Both assisted witness, who killed a bullock and dressed it ready for hoisting. Was called away, and left deceased to hoist the bullock. While in the store, Langham came in and said Lawson had fallen down. Went immediately to the yard and on seeing Lawson found he was dead. Was so put about that he could not recollect who carried deceased into the house. Did not think that Langham called him twice before he went to see Lawson. Deceased had no spirits or beer to his knowledge on the day of the accident, and was perfectly sober. Langham had none either, and the two men appeared to be on very good terms. Had no reason to think that they quarreled in any way. Deceased had a claim, but no property of any value. He owed witness nothing.
Dr Stacpoole deposed that he had examined the body of deceased. Found all the organs healthy. The neck was broken at the fourth vertebra. There were some slight contusions on the top of the head. Thought death was caused by the fracture of the vertebral column.
Frederick Abelstead, miner, Bendigo, sworn, said that he had known deceased for nearly 26 years. He was about 52 years of age, and was a native of Norway. He was a widower, and witness believed left three daughters — one residing in Liverpool, and two in some part of Ireland. Was not aware that deceased had property of any value. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." -Cromwell Argus, 16/6/1885.
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