Alfred Simpson1
M, #10859, b. 20 January 1878, d. 9 January 1900
| Father | Alfred Simpson1 |
| Mother | Esther Louisa Field1 b. 22 Sep 1851 |
| Relationship | 2nd cousin 3 times removed of Keith Graham Bassett |
| Last Edited | 7 Oct 2021 |
| Birth* | 20 January 1878 | Hartley, NSW, Australia1 |
| Death* | 9 January 1900 | North Condobolin station, Condobolin, NSW, Australia; Struck by Lightning. A Sad Fatality. About 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon news was brought into town that a well known and promising young man named Alfred Simpson, aged 22, had but a few hours before been struck with lightning at North Condobolin homestead. Profound sorrow every where greeted the news, few indeed being able to reconcile themselves to the terrible truth of the rumor, until further inquiries were made. The deceased, who is second son of Mr. A. Simpson, of this town, was last seen alive in Condobolin a few days ago. On the morning of the fatal day he attended to his manifold duties as groom on the station with the utmost good will and heartiness, and anyone would have taken a long lease on his life. He sat down at 1 p.m. to lunch with his friends and comrades on the station, and afterwards visited one of the outhouses. It was while here that a thunderbolt struck the small wooden structure, shattering one side completely and killing the unfortunate inmate instantaneously. Alarmed for the safety of the deceased, one of the lady servants of the house who had seen the vivid flash of lightning strike something close at hand — went to the outhouse, only to find deceased dead, with his clothes smouldering. An examination of the victim showed that the lightning had evidently struck him on the left side of the head first, burning his face, heck, and arm; the calf of his left leg was also burned, while his boot was burst open as if the fell destroyer had passed right through to the floor beneath. A magisterial inquiry was after wards held, Mr. W. Maitland, J.P., in the absence of the Coroner, conducting the same. At this the following evidence was adduced: — Dr. BRACEWELL deposed: I am a duly qualified medical practitioner residing at Condobolin; I made a post mortem of the body of deceased at North Condobolin homestead; he had on the left hand side of his head his hair singed completely, several burns on the neck, left arm, and calf; his brain was exceedingly anaemic; his lungs had hypostatic congestion, the same condition in the liver and intestines; in my opinion the cause of death was a stroke of lightning. ELIZABETH BAYLISS deposed: I am a married woman and reside at North Condobolin station, as cook and laundress; I have viewed the dead body, and recognise it as that of Alfred Simpson; I last saw him alive at between 1 and 2 o'clock on 9th instant; he was then in good health and spirits; I saw Simpson go over the yard towards one of the outhouses; I saw something resembling a ball of fire fall near the house where deceased was; I expected deceased to return, but after waiting ten minutes I considered there was something wrong; Belie Howie went to the outhouse to see what was wrong; she called me and I saw him lying dead in the outhouse; his clothes were on fire; I then called the men's assistance. BELLE HOWIE also gave corroborative evidence. MAVON JOHN MAY, book and storekeeper, deposed: I have seen the body of Alfred Simpson, now lying dead at North Condobolin station; he was a groom in the employ of Mr Officer; I last saw him alive about. 1.30 p.m. in the kitchen; he was then in good health and spirits, and on friendly terms with every person on the station; I next saw him about 2.15 o'clock lying dead in an outhouse; there was thunder and lightning about in the afternoon; the outhouse in which his body was found appeared to have been struck by lightning; his head was singed, his clothes were on fire, his hat shattered, and the calf of his leg charred; he has been employed on the station about 12 months; I do not know that he had any property; he had £14 6s 8d due him in wages to-night. Constable CAHALAN and A. SIMPSON, father of deceased, also gave evidence. A verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence was recorded. The deceased was buried in the Church of England portion of the local cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. The mournful cortege moved from town at 4 p.m., and included a company of members of the Irish National Foresters' Lodge, of which society the deceased was a member. The Rev. F. J. Thompson officiated at the grave. Mr. F. W. Marlin conducted funeral arrangements.2 |
Citations
- [S1472] NSW Birth Indexes, 14112/1878 Alfred Simpson.
- [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Lachlander, Friday, January 12, 1900.