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