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the family of james belcher of waterford, ireland - University of ...

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74 APPENDIX C. THE STORY OF THE FLOOD<br />

Drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon<br />

Dr. Preshaw, <strong>the</strong> Coroner, held an inquest, at<br />

Gaffney’sHotel, Guildfordon<strong>the</strong>body<strong>of</strong>JohnBelcher,<br />

aged 40, a married man and a miner, who was found<br />

drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon, on <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 7th<br />

inst. Deceased ’s wife stated that her husband left his<br />

home in Shicer Gully on Saturday afternoon, with his<br />

mate, it being <strong>the</strong>ir intention to divide some gold: he<br />

was <strong>the</strong>n sober. Benjamin Alexander found <strong>the</strong> body<br />

in <strong>the</strong> river, it had been stopped by a stake: he called<br />

William Watts and a man named Fox, to his assistance,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> body was got out and recognised as<br />

that <strong>of</strong> John Belcher. Michael Griest, a miner had<br />

seen deceased in Kangaroo after <strong>the</strong> termination o<br />

<strong>the</strong> poll for <strong>the</strong> Mining Board election: he was not<br />

<strong>the</strong>n sober, but started for home alone. The most important<br />

evidence was that <strong>of</strong> Edwin Fox, a carter, residing<br />

close to <strong>the</strong> river, where deceased fell in. This<br />

witness said :- “ On Saturday night about 7 p.m.,<br />

when <strong>the</strong> river was very high from <strong>the</strong> rains, I heard<br />

a man cry out ’Can I get ver ?”’. I replied, “No” I<br />

could not see him, it being dark; I had a light, but<br />

saw none on <strong>the</strong> opposite side, from whence <strong>the</strong> voice<br />

came.. I heard a plunge into <strong>the</strong> river afterwards. I<br />

cried out, but got no answer. There had been a small<br />

bridge a little lower than <strong>the</strong> place where I heard <strong>the</strong><br />

voice, but <strong>the</strong> flood had carried it away. The place<br />

was not in <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> deceased’s house. The<br />

stream was very strong, so that I could do nothing.<br />

I think he had been drunk” Ano<strong>the</strong>r witness named,<br />

Samuel Nash, said he heard deceased ask Fox if he<br />

could cross. Fox replied: ’No” on which deceased<br />

said, “Well , I must cross, so here goes” A splash was<br />

heard in <strong>the</strong> darkness, nothing more. The medical<br />

testimony(byDrJohnO’Neill) showedthatdeceased<br />

hadbeendrowned, <strong>the</strong>rewerenomarks<strong>of</strong>violenceon<br />

his person. After due deliberation, <strong>the</strong> jury returned<br />

a verdict <strong>of</strong> “Found Drowned” adding that <strong>the</strong>y believed<br />

deceased got into <strong>the</strong> Loddon while under <strong>the</strong><br />

influence <strong>of</strong> drink.

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