THE LATE ARTHUR LOITERTON
THE INQUEST.
The inquiry by Mr. T. P. MacMahon in connection with the drowning of Mr. Loiterton was conducted on Monday. And the facts elicited differ somewhat from the version as given by us on Monday. The evidence was as follows:
Mrs. Alma Ellen Loiterton, widow of deceased, deposed: I last saw my husband alive about 2.30 on Saturday. He left home in company with his sons, Wallace, 14, and Lindsay, aged 12. He said to tbcm, "Come on, we will shoot some rabbits!" One of the boys took a pea rifle, and the deceased took his gun. The next I knew was when Mr. Ernest Corby came to my house, about 6, and said there was an accident. He said it came through the 'phone that Mr. Loiterton was drowned. Saw the body brought to my home subsequently, about 1 o'clock on Sunday morning. Have lived on the best of terms with him. He was perfectly sober at the time he left home. He was a healthy man, and did not suffer from cramps.
Wallace Loiterton deposed: We went to Mr. O'Dea's place first, and then to Davidson's horse-shoe dam. Father was carrying a shot gun, and I a rifle. Father shot two ducks. I took my boots off, and got one. Father walked down the dam after two more ducks that he saw fly away. Whilst he was away I tried to get the other duck we left in the water. Father shot the other two, and came back to where I was trying to get the duck out of the water. I saw him take off his clothes. He said, "I am going in after the duck." I said, "Don't.'' He made no reply, but went in. He got to where the duck was, and was swimining, and shoving it in front of him. He was fifteen or eighteen yards from the bank, and was swimming to the far end of the dam. I heard him say, "get a stick." I ran and got a stick. It was only a short one. I threw it in to see if he could get hold of it. He sank. I got a longer stick then, and went in up to my neck to see if I could reach him. He came up, but I could not reach him. He went down again. I went under the water myself, and when I came up I could not see my father. I told my brother to run O'Dea's, but I called him back and went to Davidson's. Mr. Davidson was not at home, but a man was there, and he got on a horse, and rode in front of me to the dam. When we got there he said it was no use one man trying to do anything, and the best thing I could do was to go to O'Dea's, and get him to 'phone to the police. I and my brother went to O'Dea's. He was out. Mrs. O 'Dea 'phoned Roberts. I and Douglas O 'Dea then went and got father's horse, where we left it in the lane. Mother came to O'Dea's. Father was a good swimmer. I thought he could easily swim out. He did not say that anything was wrong with him when he called out, but appeared to be trying to swim. I did not see his hands. He did not appear able to use them. It was about 4.30 when father was drowned.
William Corby, farmer, Jindalee, deposed to going to the dam. Five others were there. I tried with a rope and stick to drag the dam, but without effect. The police came with a grappling iron and ropes. I pulled the body out about midnight. It was naked. His knees were bent, and arms doubled up as if cramped. The body was in ten or twelve feet of water. A fair swimmer could get out of the dam.
Sergeant Stutchbury corroborated about the body being pulled out. His arms were across his chest as if cramped, and the knees drawn up. I am of opinion he was cramped.
A finding of "accidental" was returned.
|
AUSIGEN - Family History
1873 - 1917 (44 years)
