Bridget Lee, (1888-12/101890). "such a good girl"

A child two years old named Bridget Lee was admitted to the hospital on Saturday last from the neighborhood of St. Kilda suffering from a severe scalding, received through falling into a vessel containing hot water. The misadventure terminated fatally, the child dying at half-past nine o'clock last night. An inquest will probably be held.  -Evening Star, 13/10/1890.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held by Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (of whom Thomas Corbin was chosen foreman), this morning, at the hospital on the body of the child Bridget Lee, who died on Sunday night. 

Honora Casey gave evidence that she was the mother of the child, and lived near the Carisbrook Grounds. On Saturday last witness put on the fire an oblong five-gallon boiler to heat some water. She did not think it boiled when she took it off the fire and placed it on the floor of the kitchen. The lid was off, and there were three children in the house — deceased and two others, aged ten and seven years. Witness went out having them all in the kitchen. She was told that Bridget had been such a good girl. Witness looked round at the child, who at the same time turned to look at the girl who had been praising her and fell back into the boiler of water. Witness lifted the child out at once, and tried to get her clothes off, but could not. She then put her in a tub in which there was some cold water to cool her, and then took the clothes off.

Witness then got some baking soda, and, making a lotion of it, dipped a handkerchief in it and wrapped it round the body. She saw scalds, but should not think they were deep. After sending to Mrs Mitchell for more baking soda witness took the child to the hospital. 

Ellen Mitchell gave evidence as to seeing the child much scalded, and as to advising last witness to take it to the hospital. Mrs Casey appeared very much excited and distressed, and was apparently very fond of the child, which she looked after well, so far as witness over saw. 

Dr Copland, resident surgeon at the hospital, deposed that the child when brought in was badly scalded about the trunk and limbs, chiefly near the back and side. On Sunday night, about seven o’clock, she became much worse, and died about half-past nine. The cause of death was shock occasioned by the scalds. The child had already been attended to when brought to him. 

A verdict of “Death from accidental scalding” was returned.  -Evening Star, 14/10/1890.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.