EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF DROWNING.

Evening Star, Issue 4268, 31 October 1876, Page 1

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF DROWNING.

4. T£i?- que £ commeriwsd on detour 8. at Dublin, South Australia, to, inqmrelnto the circunwtances connect withtheleattt of Janeßaker, a girl about age, who was found in mises of a farmer named John H. Hubert, near Dublin, on the morning of Monday. October 2. The evidenwTofthe prLSi Y r*? o*** 0 *** as follows by the «&o£th Australian Register':— ****** John Henry Hubert: I was in bed vaster, day morning about twenty minutes after sunrise. Heard one of the lads call out that a girl had jumped into a tank. I said, trood gracious! see if you can get hold of something to keep her above water till I come out." I slipped on my trousers and boots and went out directly. Both boys had stacks and were poking about in the water. They had a long stick, which I took away from them and tried to feel the body, but could not bring it to the surface. ijrot a hook and tied it on, and then brought harto the top of the water. The part of the drew to which the hook fastened gave way, and the body dropped again. Tried again; brought her to the surface of the water, but could not bring her up. Sent for assistance, and kept her head out of the water. While I held the body two of Mr Martin's sons came up and helped me to take the body out. Will swear a rope was not put round her neck to pull her out. I did not suggest using the rope for pulling out the body/Did not attempt to resuscitate life. Have known the deceased about three years. Got her from the Destitute Asylum. She has been in my service as general servant until nine. weeks ago. Was to give her 5b per week. Discharged her, but she came back again. There was no agreement the second time she came back. She gave birth to a child about ten months after the second engagement. Don't know anything about the father of the child. I did cohabit with her, and we always lived on good terms. Advertised for a wife last year and this year x the last time about three months ago. Obtained a wife through advertising. The deceased remained about two days after I brought my wife to Dublin. Did not send her away. Did not want her to stay. My wife and deceased had no quarrel. If ever said that 1 would put the contents of a revolver into her if she did not be off. Offered her some money, but she would not take it. Did not know how much—a note and a handful of silver. She never grubbed roots or ploughed, but she harrowed my crops for two years. She did all the domestic work, and was hard-working and industrious. Have acted towards her like a gentleman. The money I offered her waa ' in exoess of what I owed her. Did not offer to make her any compensation for ruining her character. Was doubtful about her sanity. The jury returned the following verdict* —"We are of opinion that the deceased, Jane Baker, was founddrowmed in a ♦ai*** at Mr Hubert's, but there is not sufficient evidence far show now. 1 We append the following riders—* That the conduct off Hubert in this affair was both disgraceful and unmanly, and deserves the utmost contempt of the community; andwe also censure him for not adopting means to restore life to the body.'"