| Death* | James Newton Graves died on 9 February 1885 at Drumborg, VictoriaG; FATAL ACCIDENT at DRUMBORG. As we went to bed in our last issue, quite a gloom was cast over Heywood and Drum- borg on Monday last by the distressing news that a young man named Newton Graves had been killed at the latter place by a tree falling upon him. We now supply such additional particulars as have been furnished to us. Immediately on receipt of the intelli- gence Constable Hanlon telegraphed to the coroner, and from him received instruc- tions to hold a magisterial enquiry, no post-mortem being considered necessary. Mr. M. Cameron, J.P., held an inquiry on Tuesday at Drumborg into the circum- stances attending the death of James New- ton Graves, when the following evidence was given by George E. Graves, brother of the deceased, and others: James Newton Graves, aged 25 years , and ten months, unmarried,was the second son of George Graves, saw-mill proprietor and farmer, of Daylesford and Mt. Pros- pect, the latter being his place of residence. At the time of the accident deceased and a farm-servant named Clark were chopping down a tree which overhung the stockyard; also standing with them were George Graves and a boy named Aitken. As be- fore stated the tree overhung the yard, and to prevent it falling on and smashing the fence they endeaveared, by means of skids, to turn it off so as to fall clear. Whilst engaged in doing this Clarke noticed the tree was about to fall, and after calling out, " Look out, the tree is coming" ran to a safe distance. G. Graves ran towards the butt of the tree, as the safest place, expect- ing his brother Newton to follow him, but on looking round be saw him stagger back towards, the tree at the same time appearing to follow him-falling in a lateral direction instead of straight down. He at once ran and caught him in his arms, but was horror- struck to see blood pouring from the ears, mouth and nose of deceased. A messenger was at once despatched to Heywood to telegraph for Dr. Brewer, but the young man must have expired before the telegram left Heywood, as he never spoke after being struck, and died within a quarter-of an-hour. Dr. Brewer came as far as Hey- wood, but of course it was useless him proceeding when informed that the young man was dead. The tree struck the de- ceased between the back of the neck and ' the skull, and must have broken the spine. The deceased had only been in Heywood a week, having come down to do some neces- sary work, his place of permanent residence having been with his parents at Mount Prospect. He came down by the night train on Tuesday previous, and by a strange coincidence his lifeless remains travelled back again by the night train on Tuesday, exactly a week after. Deceased was taken as far as Creswick by rail, that being the nearest station to Mt Prospect. Just to show by what slight events great misfor- tunes sometimes happen, it may be men- tioned that instead of deceased his father had intended to come to Heywood, but happening to get his thumb hurt in some agricultural implement had to go to the doctor and was unable to come. Poor Newton Graves came as his father's sub- stitute, never to return alive. Deceased, although, as before stated, not permanently residing at Drumborg, was well known both there and at Heywood, and was highly respected by all who knew him as a straightforward, sober, and indus- trious young man, and much sympathy is expressed for his parents, who had great trouble in rearing him when young, but were looking forward to be rewarded for their trouble, as at the time of his death he was a fine strapping man, standing about 5ft. 10in. In Portland, although known only to a few, he was none the less esteemed by those who had that pleasure, for the qualities enumerated above, and his untimely death leaves a gap in some circles that will not be easily filled.1,2 |