John Alexander Robert Scott, 1893-4/2/1914

Obituary.

ROBERT SCOTT Aged 20 Years. 

It is with very deep regret that we are called upon to record the death in the Cromwell Hospital on Wednesday last, of one of the district’s young men, Robert Scott, who passed away after a short but serious illness. Deceased, who was a native of Central Otago, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Scott, well-known former residents of the Upper Clutha district and Bannockburn, but recently of Milton. Up till a fortnight ago deceased appeared in the best of health and was engaged in his usual occupation. When he entered the Cromwell Hospital he did not show symptoms of any serious illness, and after remaining in the institution a week, appeared to be well on the road to good health and anticipated returning to work, when a serious complaint developed, and he lapsed into unconsciousness, and from then up till his death a week later, regained consciousness only for brief intervals, the cause of death being attributed to inflammation of the brain. He was in all respects an exemplary young man, well-behaved and esteemed in all walks of life, and was exceedingly popular with a wide circle of young companions, with whom he became associated, as an active member of the football club and Territorials. The Funeral took place in the New Cemetery on Friday, a large gathering of friends and associates from far afield being present to pay their last tribute of respect. Among numerous floral tributes were wreaths from the Territorials and football club, the pall-bearers being drawn from the ranks of the same organisations. The service at the grave was conducted by Mr H. G. Gilbert, Presbyterian student. To the bereaved family and numerous relations throughout the district a widespread sympathy is extended.  -Cromwell Argus, 9/2/1914.

Cromwell New Cemetery.

Robert Falconer, 1871-3/6/1897.

CYCLING NOTES.

[“By Mud Guard.”]

It is my painful duty to have to record the sudden death of one of our club members, Mr Robert Falconer, at the age of 25. Poor Bob. — A more genial good-natured, jolly fellow never was. Always the same, and always a smile on his face. He took a great interest in cycling, and during the 10 months he has been with us, made many friends by his kind obliging disposition. Quite a gloom was cast over the place when news came in on Thursday morning, in fact, it hardly seemed creditable after seeing him in town, looking so well the afternoon before. I offer the sincere sympathy of the Vincent Cycling Club to his relatives in this sad trouble. Though gone from us, his memory will ever be green in the minds of his club mates.  -Cromwell Argus, 8/6/1897.

Accident. — A very sad accident happened at Lowburn, Cromwell, on Thursday morning. Mr Robert Falconer was working on Mr McLay's dredge, and during the dark hours of the morning he fell into the Clutha River. Particulars are very scanty. The river of course has been dragged, but to no purpose. A wire from Clyde on Saturday stated that the body had been recovered, but it was not so. Deceased was well known here, and was exceedingly popular. He was formerly manager of the Edina dredge, but left that position to go to Cromwell. What makes the fatality doubly sad is that he was to be married shortly. "Bob," by which name he was best known here, took a strong interest in athletics, and was a member of all the local clubs. He successfully piloted the Roxburgh Cycling Club through its first sports meeting a little over 12 months ago, and his resignation as secretary was received with regret. His people will have the deepest sympathy of all who knew him, and they were many.    -Otago Witness, 10/6/1897.

The body of Robert Falconer was found within a few feet of McLay's dredge (on the 8th) in shallow water. The manner of his death is quite a mystery, as he was a very good swimmer, and a few strokes would have landed him on the bank. It is surmised that he fainted after his mate showed him his injured hand (he had previously done so at the sight of blood) and struck his head somewhere and, thus being rendered unconscious, he was drowned. His death is a sad loss to the district, as although not long here, he was very popular and a great cyclist.  -Mt Benger Mail, 18/6/1897.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.

John (1848-16/12/1924) and Lizzie (1855-25/11/1895) Anderson.

Obituary.

— Another good old pioneer lately died, viz., Mr John Anderson, of Poison Creek, near Queensberry, aged 76. The late Mr Anderson came from Dumfries, and landed in Dunedin in 1866, and at once came to Queensberry to join his brother Thomas, who afterwards had the Luggate Flour Mill, and embarked on mixed farming. A few years afterwards they dissolved partnership, John taking the upper farm. In the early seventies the late Mr John Anderson married Miss Lizzie Connor from London, who was a niece of the late Henry Maidman, but she died suddenly some years afterwards, leaving him with seven of a family, who are now grown up, and parents of children. His youngest daughter Louisa remained at home. Mr Anderson had very good health till a few months back, when three of the family motored up from Dunedin and took him back with them for medical advice, and this was the first time he was in Dunedin since he landed. He had the best of advice and attention, but he died in the home of Mrs Manning, one of his daughters, and was buried in the Northern cemetery.  -Otago Witness, 13/1/1925.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.

Davies Davies, 1837-24/7/1920.

The death at Cromwell on Saturday afternoon Mr Davies Davies, in his 84th year, further reduces the rapidly thinning ranks of the sturdy pioneers and early settlers of the Dominion. The deceased was born at Christow in 1857, and sailed from Plymouth on August 4, 1856, in the ship Lord Hungerford, landing at Adelaide in November of the same year. In September, 1861, he sailed from Melbourne for New Zealand, and went to Waitahuna, where he remained some seven weeks and next took part in the famous Gabriel’s Gully rush. In March, 1862, he returned to Australia, and proceeded to the Dockland rush in New South Wales, but on hearing in November of the Hartley rush on the Molyneaux River, he again set sail for Port Chalmers, and landed in January, 1863. He proceeded to Cardrona, and then to Coal Creek, where he obtained the first right to water in that district for mining purposes. From Coal Creek he journeyed to the West Coast in 1865, then to Hamilton, and later to Mount Buster, near Naseby. His next scene of activity was Switzers where he and his party brought in a big water race, and almost “went broke” in the undertaking. Later they constructed an even bigger race at Waikaka, and from there Mr Davies went to Dunedin and worked on the Chain Hill tunnel. He took up his residence at Kawarau Gorge in 1874, and was married the same year. Here he remained until 1880, when he bought the Halfway House Hotel, and conducted that until 1889, when he disposed of the property and took up his residence in Cromwell, where he remained ever since.  -Otago Witness, 27/7/1920.

The Halfway House in Cromwell Gorge.  Hocken Library photo.

Davies Davies, HALF-WAY HOUSE, CLYDE AND CROMWELL ROAD. 

DAVIES DAVIES begs to intimate to the travelling public that he has purchased the above old established Hotel, and in Soliciting their kind support states that no effort on his part will he spared to give satisfaction. 

Only the best brands of liquors and beers kept. 

Meals at all hours. 

Chaff and oats, and all kinds of general stores kept. 

A first-class stable, and secure paddock.   -Dunstan Times, 4/2/1881.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.

Henry Patrick (1860-23/3/1974), Mary Ann (1862-23/3/1874) and Mary Ann (1868-18/9/1907) Goodger.

A good deal of sickness is prevailing in this district; the doctors have their hands full. The Hospital has 18 patients in it. This is considerably above the average. Clyde is particularly fortunate, but the places around have epidemics in their midst.

I have just heard that a daughter of Mr Goodger, of Cromwell, has died from fever, but I did not hear of what kind.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/3/1874.

Three funerals in one week is something terrible to record in a small township, but that is the bare statement of what took place in Cromwell last week. The sad bereavement sustained by Mr Goodger's family, (in the loss of the eldest son and daughter), being the first, and we may say the greatest, evoked the sympathy of the whole district, and a large assemblage gathered on Wednesday last to follow the remains to the grave, — the largest assemblage we perhaps have yet seen. The Rev. Father Mackay, of Queenstown, conducted the funeral service in a most impressive manner. On Friday another funeral took place, and on Sunday another, — that of Mr Scally's son, at which over a hundred persons attended, a large number coming from the Nevis, where Mr Scally resides.   -Cromerll Argus, 31/3/1874.

OBITUARY.

Death has caused many shocks in our midst lately, but seldom has such a gloom been cast over our quiet town as that which resulted last Thursday morning, when the sad news quickly spread that Mrs Goodger, wife of Mr James Goodger, of Cromwell, had passed away suddenly on Wednesday evening, after a very short illness, at the age of 39 years. Deceased was a native of the Colony, and born at Port Chalmers, came to Cromwell in her youth with her patents, and was practically a native of the town. Being of a quiet and unassuming nature, she was greatly admired and respected by a wide circle of friends throughout the district. Dearest amongst her numerous relations who are left to mourn her loss, is a young family of three, and to all these, and her sorrowing husband, we extend our heartfelt sympathy in their time of trouble. The funeral, a private interment, took place in the old cemetery on Friday, the Rev. Father Hunt officiating at the grave.  -Cromwell Argus, 23/9/1907.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.

James Beare, 1842-13/10/1875.

CORONER’S INQUEST.

At Stuart’s Victoria Hotel, on Friday afternoon, an official enquiry was held as to the cause of death of James Beare, miner, Nevis. Dr Corse, district coroner, presided, and Mr Thomas Fergus was chosen foreman of the jury. After viewing the body, the following evidence was taken:

Hugh Hutchinson, miner, Nevis, deposed: I have seen the body on view, and recognise it as that of James Beare. Worked in the same claim with deceased, and was so working on Wednesday, 13th inst. About three o'clock in the afternoon of that day, I left the claim for the purpose of turning the water into the hose, leaving deceased in the claim fixing the hose and clearing up. After being away six or eight minutes I returned to the claim, when I saw the wife of deceased running towards the claim screeching. On arriving at the claim I noticed there had been a fall of earth, but I could not see deceased. The fall came from half way up the face. Deceased’s wife told me he was covered up. In company with others, I endeavered to find the body, and succeeded after at least half an hour’s work. Deceased was lying in the sluice, face downwards. Life was quite extinct. The body did not appear much bruised — there were no heavy stones in the face. There was about three feet of earth on the body. From the position of the body, I am of opinion that deceased was engaged clearing the sluice of stones at the time of acciddent, and seeing the fall coming, ran, but was overtaken. The height of the slip was just above 15 or 16 feet; the face was overhanging. We did not consider the work dangerous, but still kept a look-out. We had bhave nine weeks at work in the claim.

By a jury man: The reason it took half an hour to recover the body was that a large strip of earth fell, and we did not know the exact position of the body. There were four of us engaged moving earth,

Thomas Graham deposed: Am a miner residing at Nevis. Identify the body in the next room as that of James Beare. My claim adjoins the one in which he worked. About 4 o'clock on Wednesday, 13th instant, I saw the wife of deceased running towards my claim, wringing her hands, and crying “My husband!” In less than half a minute I was on the ground, where I found last witness engaged blowing the dirt away with the hose, in search of the body. There was about a ton of stuff lying on the body from the back to the head, which we had to pick away. It was nearly thirty minutes before we got the body out. It was lying as though deceased had been caught in the act of running - face down and arms outstretched. My opinion is that deceased had been trying to pick a stone from face previous to turning the water on, and seeing the fall coming endeavored to run clear, but was caught. I consider the claim dangerous - have known at least three men to be slightly hurt in it. Deceased man, Beare was well acquainted with the nature of the ground. 

It not being considered necessary to examine any other witnesses, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased James Beare, met his death accidentally by a fall of earth in his claim at Nevis on Wednesday, 13th instant.   -Cromwell Argus, 20/10/1875.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.

John William Garrett, 1837-30/12/1869.

 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.

Cromwell Old Cemetery.