Patrick CUMMINS [363]

  General Notes:

ó Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Sat 16 Dec 1899 Page 12 A FARMER KILLED.
A FARMER KILLED.
Patrick Cummins, farmer of Dudgerum, a well-known shire councillor was accidentally killed last night about 8 miles from Kerang. He had been attending a council meeting, and while returning, home his horse stumbled and dragged him a few yards. Death was instantaneous.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Thu 14 Dec 1899 Page 6 FATAL RIDING ACCIDENT
FATAL RIDING ACCIDENT
KERANG, Wednesday.
Mr. Patrick Cummins, a farmer and contractor, and a resident of Budgerum for the past 20 years, was killed last night while proceeding from Kerang to his home.

He was accompanied by Mr. Dennis Collins, a neighbour, and when about eight miles from Kerang Mr. Cummins' horse tripped, the rider falling. Finding that his companion could not speak, Mr. Collins got assistance, and it was then ascertained that Cummins was killed. The body was brought to Kerang, where a magisterial inquiry was held to-day by Mr. Adams, J.P., who found a verdict of accidental death.

The Kerang Times (Vic. : 1889 - 1901) Fri 15 Dec 1899 Page 2 FATAL ACCIDENT.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
Considerable regret was expressed in Kerang when if was reported on Wednesday morning that Mr Patrick Cummins the well-known farmer and contractor of Budgerum, had been killed by a fall from his horse on the previous night when returning home from the Kerang Shire Council meeting.

The deceased was much respected as a hard -working, honest man. He took a great interest in public matters in the western ridings of the shire. Physically he was a splendid specimen of robust manhood. He was kind and gentle in his disposition ; thoroughly honest in his business transactions, warmly esteemed as a neighbor and friend, and a good kind husband and father to his family.

On Wednesday afternoon a magisterial inquiry was held in Kerang by Mr Geo. Adams J.P., and the following evidence was taken : -
Mrs Mary Ann Cummins, wife of deceased, had seen the body which she identified as that of her husband, who was 54 years of age. He left his home at Budgerum on the previous day (Tuesday) to come in to Kerang on business. Denis Collins reported to her that morning (Wednesday) that he had been killed by a fall from his horse on the way home the previous night.

Denis Collins, contractor, Budgerum, had known deceased for over 20 years, and lived about three miles away from his residence. He met deceased in Kerang on the previous day, and they agreed to ride home together. They left the Kerang Hotel together about 10 p.m., and rode steadily till meeting the Mallee when deceased suggested they should push on. The horses were cantering, when witness noticed Mr Cummins' mare stumble, and apparently come down on her knees, and then he noticed she was riderless, and deceased was lying on the ground. He caught the mare and went back and called to him, but got no reply. Deceased was lying on his back. He tied the horses to the fence and went to deceased. He noticed blood about his eye. He shook him and spoke to him, but got no reply, and then saw that he was dead. Witness then got on his own horse and rode to Messrs Cullen Bros.' farm and informed them. George and John Cullen then accompanied witness to the place. Deceased had had a few drinks in the afternoon. Mr Cullen's was the last hotel they were at.

George J. Cullen, farmer at Knoranjie, testified that between midnight and 1 a.m. that morning he had been roused by the last witness, and accompanied him to the Sandhill Lake road, where he saw deceased, Patrick Cummins, lying on the road. Witness felt his pulse and found it had ceased to beat, and realised that he was dead. He came into Kerang ............................. reported the matter to the police.

John Kelly, groom at the Kerang hotel, knew deceased and identified the body. Deceased had left his horse in witness's charge on the previous day, and came for it at about 10 o'clock, when he left for home with Denis Collins. Deceased appeared to be sober and capable of looking after himself when he left, James Hancock, senior constable of police stationed at Kerang, testified that he had been called up at about 1.45 a.m. that morning by Dennis Collins and Geo. Cullen, and proceeded with them about eight miles out on the Budgerum road from Kerang. Witness saw deceased lying on the road on his back, with his bead to the west. He examined the body, and noticed blood issuing from nose, ears, and eye. His clothing was not disarranged, and there was no sign of a struggle. Witness had the body brought into Kerang, There were no suspicions circumstances, and he had no doubt deceased met his death by being thrown from his horse.

Dr. Samuel H. Seccombe, surgeon, practising at Kerang, testified that be had made a post mortem examination of the body and found deceased had sustained a fracture of the base of the skull, which had caused death.

The presiding magistrate found that deceased, Patrick Cummins, had died from fracture of the skull, caused by a fail from his horse, and gave the necessary order for the interment.

The late Mr Cummins was a native of Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, He came to Victoria 34 years ago, and battled through the vicissitudes of a pioneer life with sturdy courage and manliness. He was successful as a miner in the early days before he turned his attention to agriculture. He leaves a widow and grown up family of four sons and six daughters to mourn his sudden transition. Much sympathy is expressed throughout the district with Mrs Cummins and family in their painful bereavement. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, when his mortal remains were interred in the Kerang cemetery. The Rev. Father Murphy conducted the burial service at the grave, and the mortuary arrangements were carried out by Messrs Geo. Adams and Sons.

Patrick married Margaret Anne CRUICKSHANK [362] [MRIN: 125], daughter of James CRUICKSHANK [56] and Sarah ECCLES [55], on 27 May 1869 in Carisbrook, Vic, Australia.⁸¹⁶ (Margaret Anne CRUICKSHANK [362] was born on 25 Jan 1851 in , SA, Australia,⁸¹⁷ died on 8 May 1935 in Albert Park, Vic, Australia ⁸¹⁸ and was buried on 9 May 1935 in Fawkner, Victoria, Australia.)