Body in the Creek

In June 1881 a local resident found a body in the creek.

Details
As reported in the Ballarat Star, 16 June 1881: "SUPPOSED CASE OF SUICIDE. It was reported to Mr Thomson, P.M., yesterday, by Constable Doyle, of the Redan police station, that a dead body had been found in a creek off Hill street, Redan. It would appear that yesterday morning, about 8 o’clock, as Mr Greenhalgh, whilst walking in hia garden, saw the body of a man lying in the creek, which skirts his premises and he at once informed the police of the matter. The body was recognised as being that of a miner named James Fuller, aged about forty years of age, and who, until Thursday, had been employed at the claim of the Smith’s Freehold United Mining Company. The deceased has been recently residing with his brother-in-law, Mr Charles Penny, of 138 Raglan street, South Redan, who left him last night about 12 o’clock, at the fireside, apparently in the enjoyment of good health, and in fine spirits. He was not afterwards seen until the body was recovered from the creek yesterday morning. There were no external marks of violence whatever on the body, and death is therefore supposed to have resulted from drowning. It is stated that ever since the wife of deceased died about two months ago, he has been in very low spirits, and exhibited symptoms of mental depression. By the loss of his wife the care of five motherless children had devolved upon him, but the mother of the deceased thinking to assist him in what ever way she could, had taken charge of the young family, and removed them to Smythesdale. The regret at having to part from his children, added to the loss of his wife and his own-illness, caused him, it is supposed, to make away with himself. Fuller originally came from Ringwood, and has been a member of the Miners' Association since, its organisation. The body at present lies at the Western Ocean hotel, Skipton street, awaiting an enquiry, which will take place this morning."

An enquiry the following day was unable to determine if Fuller's death was deliberate or accidental: SUPPOSED SUICIDE. An enquiry into the cause of the death of the miner James Fuller, whose body was found in a creek off Hill street, Redan, on Wednesday morning, was held by Mr Thomson, P.M., yesterday afternoon. Dr Bradford, who made a post-mortem examination, deposed that the cause of death was asphyxia, from drowning.

Charles Pinney, the deceased's brother-in-law, deposed that he last saw him sitting by the fireside in his house in Raglan street at midnight on the 14th instant. He requested him to go to bed, and then went to bed himself. On rising at about half-six in the morning he found the door unlocked. About ten minutes afterwards his wife went into the deceased's room, and not finding him there, asked witness where "Jim" was? He replied he did not know, and then searched fer him, but could find no trace of him. He then went towards the police station to give information, and was met by a man named Pierce, who told him that deceased was in the creek behind Greenhalgh's, On proceeding to the creek with several friends, they found the body. They pulled it out and laid it on the bank. Life was extinct. The death of deceased's wife about two months ago had greatly preyed on his mind, and he had since shown signs of melancholia. During the last two months deceased had had several fainting fits.

Deborah Pinney, wife of the last witness, gave corroborative evidence, and stated that on Sunday last, whilst sitting by the fire, deceased said to her—"Nobody knows what I feel; I feel as if I could do away with myself." Witness replied, "Think of your children," when he jumped up, seized her by the hand, and said, " That's what I do think of; that's what is preying on my mind." Deceased was always devoted to his wife and children. Ralph Greenhalgh, a tanner and currier, deposed to having found the body of the deceased in the creek at about seven o'clock on Wednesday morning, when he sent for Constable Doyle. Constable Doyle's evidence went to show that the deceased must have walked up the creek to the spot where he was found. The police magistrate retained a verdict to the effect that the deceased died of asphyxia from drowning, but there was not sufficient evidence to show whether he was drowned accidentally or by his own act.