27 May 2020

More research

This is the article from the Lancefield Examiner, April 1873 referring to the accident that utlimately caused the death of James Allan.
My mother's cousin originally found the article at the State Library of Victoria on the microfiche, but didn't cite the article. It is not digitised on Trove. I could go into the State Library when it reopens and check the microfiche, but I can't see it. So, with some detective work, with the article I published yesterday following this one, and with the same tone, I've made an educated guess that this is also from the Lancefield Examiner. Please note, it is typed from the article - mistakes are as written originally.


“During the week a complete chapter of accidents can be recorded. In addition to the two recorded elsewhere it becomes our painful duty to report the occurrence of a very serious and painful injury to Mr. James Allan of Monegeetta. On Tuesday last Mr. Allan, accompanied by a friend, was proceeding with the waggon and team of bullocks to Mr. Scott’s Mill for a load of timber. Both were riding on the waggon, but when at the top off the hill close to the mill, Mr. Patelo got off to fix the break. After fixing it he jumped upon the fore carriage to ride as before. He had hardly been in his place a moment when the king bolt came out, and the fore part of the carriage immediately came to the ground, crushing Mr. Allan’s legs beneath its weight. The bullocks, freed from the drag of the hind carriage and without break, immediately started at a run down the hill, dragging Mr. Allan with them. They were eventually brought up by running against a stump, and assistance was quickly rendered in extricating Mr Allan from his perilous position. When he was released he was at once conveyed to Mr. Scott’s house, and medical aid at once sent form. On examination, Dr. Phipps found that a compound comminuted fracture of the bone of the right thigh had been sustained. As the case was serious, it was determined to send the patient to the Melbourne Hospital without delay. He was accordingly sent to Riddell’s Creek, and thence to Melbourne by the mixed train. Mrs. Allan was fortunately tim time to meet the train at the Lancefield Road, and to accompany her husband on his painful journey. There are few people in this district who are held in greater respect and esteem than Mr. Allan, and the sad occurence has spread a feeling of gloom over a wide circle of sympathising friends.”
Lancefield Examiner April 1873

26 May 2020

I'm working on a piece for an end of semester assignment in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Writing at Deakin University, and am teasing out the accident that killed my 3x great grandfather, James Allan.
Here is the newspaper article describing his injuries and funeral.


Last week we had to report the occurrence of a very sad accident which befell Mr James Allan of Monegeetta, and in consequence of which he had to be conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital. This week, it is our melancholy duty to record Mr Allan’s death. The sad event took place about 3 o’clock on Wednesday, 9th inst. The shock to the system caused by the frightful nature of the injuries received was such that he never rallied sufficiently to allow of amputation to be performed. He gradually sank, and at the time above mentioned, passed quietly away. He was sensible to the last, and was able to converse with his wife, brother, and other members of his family, up to within a short time of his death. The remains were conveyed on Thursday last to the Lancefield Road Hotel, the residence of Mr George Jeans, son-in-law of deceased. The funeral took place on Good Friday, the procession being one of the longest ever seen in this district, reaching the entire length of the Main Street, Romsey. The day being a holiday enabled a great many to attend, and thus testify in some measure to the respect in which Mr Allan was universally held by all who knew him. Indeed the sad event, and the shockingly sudden manner of its occurrence, has cast quite a gloom over the entire district…As me remarked last week, there are few people in this district held in higher esteem than as the late Mr Allan. His unsullied reputation as a man of the strictest integrity in all business transactions, his never-failing good humour, and Christian kindness, served to command the respect and highest appreciation of all who knew him. His death may be said in some respect to be a public loss, for the district cannot spare many such men…Mr Allan was only 42 years of age at the time of his melancholy death.
Lancefield Examiner, 10 April 1873

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