DEATH BY DROWNING OF MR JOHN B. LUSCOMBE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 104, 7 November 1871, Page 5

DEATH BY DROWNING OF MR JOHN B. LUSCOMBE.

A most melancholy and painful sensation was created in the town of Cromwell and throughout the entire district when it became known on Sunday morning that the lifeless body of Mr John B. Luscombe had been found in the All Nations water-race at Quartzville late on the previous evening. The deceased was about 37 years of age, and was a native of the town of Chudleigh, in Devonshire. He had been resident in the district about nine years, and by his manly character and remarkable social and convivial qualities had endeared himself to all with whom he came into contact. The sudden and peculiar manner of his death gave additional force to the blow which his many friends experienced upon hearing of his sad and untimely end. Among working miners there are many men of superior abilities, of great moral worth, and possessed of characteristics which would adorn any station of life. The deceased, whose departure from amongst ns we now both chronicle and deplore, possessed, in an eminent degree, many of the qualities to which we have referred. As a husband, a father, and a friend, his reputation was irreproachable. Am mg his fellow-miners, “Johnny Luscombe” was most popular. What renders his untimely end more deplorable is that he leaves behind him a widow and live children, —one an infant, only a few weeks old, —to mourn their irreparable loss. Tiie facts of the case, so far as wo have been able to gather them, are these ;—The deceased, whose claim and house are on the Five-Mile Creek, rode- into Cromwell on Saturday afternoon last to transact same business. He was met by numerous friends and acquaintances, and appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. He left this town about 5.30 p.m. on horseback, having just had the animal shod at Lindsay’s Farriery. Ho reached M‘Coimick's Garrick Range Hotel safely, between 7 and 8 o’c'otk in the evening, put his horse in the stable, and remained there some time. About 9.30 p.m., he remarked that lie would go and see Mr and Mrs Lawrence (who live acxss the road). This he did, and after a short stay left; their house, apparently with the intention of g ling back to M‘Cormlck’s. Mrs Lawrence warned him to “ Look out for' the race,” and offered to show him a light, w .iith he declined, replying that he was “ All rig it.” He then wont in the direction o; the place where ho, hut a few moments after.varcs, met Ids untimely death. From the tr ices iolt on the spat at which deceased fell in, it appears that ho must have stumhl id into ihe race ; his head coming into contact with a stone, or hard gravel, ho was prob ib.y stunned ; and, although there was but little water in the race at the time, there was s.ifliciout to suffocate a man who was stunned and impacted therein. He is supposed to have fallen in close to the end of Lawrence’s house; bat, as the water accumulated, his body seems to have been carried down about 30 yards to an angle in front of 41‘Connick’s Hotel. Mr M‘Comick had occasion, about 11 o’clock p.m., to go to the race for some water, and then he observed that the water was overflowing the road. Upon examination, the lifeless form of poor Luscombe was found in the race; it was speedily lifted out, and taken t> the Hotel, id very exertion was made to restore animation ; but without success. Li e had probably been extinct for an hour and a half. Information was at once sent in to the police in Cromwell.

Dr Corse went out on Sunday, and found the parietal bones depressed, in such a manner as would result from a person fal ing forward suddenly on to a hard substance. Such a depression of the parietal bones is, Dr Corse considers, sufficient to account for death. To this must, however, be added the fact that the body so obstructed the flow of water in the race as to cause su Helen t to accumulate to finish the sad business by drowning. The late Mr Luscombe’s vocal abilities were above the average, and on many occasions he sang at Popular Concerts, —being a great favourite. A pathetic incident has beenieJated to us : —On Saturday afternoon, he called on his friend Dr Corse, and before he left sang one of his .favourite songs, “Say a kind word when you can.” Tiie late Mr Aarrett similarly sang a favourite ballad, “Then you’d remember me,” very shortly before his violent death. Those of our readers who knew the deceased will recognise a peeuliar pathos in the incident, of his gaily singing a parting song at a friend’s nouse, when unconscious that hit end was f:o near. Everyone who knew lain will, however, readily accord him the kindest of kind kind words, and cherish his memory for many a day.

Tiic inquest wn held, tq-cUy, before iro District ojronor (Vincent >q. 0, when evidence was given which agrees* &>. <£io n».nrf particulars, with the above outline. The jury returned a verdict ox if Aecfdeafcal Death by Drowning." ' The funeral takes place this afternoon.’