CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 827, 20 June 1871, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Monday.

On Saturday last I informed you that great fears were entertained for the safety of the man Thomas O'Hagan, who was missing from his residence at Woodpecker Bay, Brighton. I am sorry to say that the worst fears have been realised, a3 he was found drowned on Saturday morning last in Fox's river, about four or five miles from the township. He was traced to the river on the first day of the search, and it was the opinion of his mates that he was drowned, but they did not wish to make this idea prevalent, in order not to dishearten the parties that were searching in the bush for him. However, his hat was found on Friday last on the bank of the river, a short distance below where his body was found. The river was dragged on Friday, even the hole where he was found, but in consequence of not having the proper appliances the body was passed. On Saturday morning a drag having been made, deceased was found after a short search, and carried into Brighton, where the body was laid in a room belonging to the Hibernia Society, deceased having been Vice-President of the newlyformed branch in Brighton. The funeral took place on Sunday at two o'clock, and was numerously attended by all parties, who deeply expressed their sympathy for the fate of deceased, who from his quiet and unassuming manners, his truth, honesty, and intrinsic worth, was a general favourite. In fact, I have never seen commiseration or sorrow more unanimously felt and depicted. The funeral cortege formed in the street at two o'clock. The deceased was buried with all the honors of the Hibernian Society. The coffin, upon which was placed deceased's regalia, was carried by eight members, who, as well as all the other brethren, wore their mourning regab'a. The Society, to the number of about fifty, marched in front of the coffin, and upon the procession arriving at the Catholic Church, they opened in two lines to receive the body, and it having passed through, they closed again and followed the body into the Church, where Father "Walsh received it, and read the funeral service. The procession again formed the aatne as before, and marched to the grave, the bells of both churches all the time tolling at intervals. At the grave the funeral service was again read. After the body was buried, the procession returned. About thirty members of the Hibernian Society attended from Charleston, besides others. Deceased was a native of Ballyboughal, near Swords, County Dublin, Ireland, and was twenty-nine years of age. Too much praise cannot be given to the manly and generous spirit that actuated all classes since he was missed, as on Monday night Sutherland, Sheedy, and others had not returned from the bush, and all seemed never to weary in searching for him. I have been requested also to acknowledge the promptitude with which Mr Broa'l acted in the matter of the inquest. He was in Westport on Saturday last when he heard of the body being found, and, although the weather was very inclement, he rode through to Brighton, arriving there and holding the inquest at nine p.m. Had he not held it on Saturday, could not have taken place until Monday, which would have delayed the funeral, and have caused great inconvenience. A public meeting was held on Saturday evening at the Shamrock Hotel, for the purpose of raising funds to defray the expenses of the Irish political prisoners, who have landed in this colony. Mr P. S. Dempsey was voted to the chair, and explained the business of the meeting. A committee was formed to collect, and a subscription was opened in the room, when the sum of twentythree pounds was handed in.

INQUEST. Mr Broad held an inquest at Slattery'a Hotel, Brighton, on Saturday last, about 9 p.m., on the remains of Thomas O'Hagan. The following jury were sworn : Alexander Roulston (foreman), Michael O'Brien, James Patterson, Jas. Young, Omer Cook, Q-eorge A. Taylor, Robert Searight, Michael Q-. Green, Arthur Kirk, Eneas Benjamin, John Eennell, Cornelius Noonan.

Alexander Currie, sworn : I have seen the body shown to the jury, it is the body of Thomas O'Hagan. He was a mate of mine. He was about 28 years old. He said he came from near Dublin. Last Monday morning, about daylight, I saw him in the hut; that was the last time I saw him alive ; he said he was going into the bush to see about bringing in a supply of water. He said he would make his way into Fox's river through the range. He said if he was not back that night " I suppose you will go to look for me." I said " no, if you are going that journey I shall not expect you back until next day, and if you are not back then I will go to look for you." I cautioned him to take plenty of provisions with him. He took a billhook with him. He also took bread, cheese, and butter—sufficient provision to last two days. He did not return that night, nor the next day, and then we went out to look for him, that was on the Wednesday. "We traced his tracks where he had cut the snpplejacks into Fox's river. We made up our mind he was lost in tho river. Dugald Mathieson and John Walsh accompanied me. On the following day, Thursday, we went out again, a large number of

people were also out that day searching, and we traced the track more partica! larly into Fox's river, where we loet all traces, and returned home on Friday, About 8 o'clock this morning I saw the body of deceased lying on the bank »f Fox's river. A number of persons were there at the time. Thomas O'Hagau was quite dead then. I believe deceased was lost on Monday night last as there were no traces of his having camped out.

James M'Neill, sworn: I know the body (the subject of this inquest and shown to the jury) it is the body of Thomas O'Hagan. I heard on Thurg. ' day morning that he was lost, and I went to assist in searching for him. I was unsuccessful until this mornin» About from 8 to 10 o'clock this man. ing I was up Fox's river, some persona pointed out the track of some one leading towards the river. "We had a boat and a line and a grappling hook. James Collison threw the grapple into the river. I took the end orthe line and went down stream, I pulled it about 10 feet when I found that it had caught something; I pulled in and brought the body of deceased Thomas O'Hagan to the surface. Edward Carroll also gave evidence relative to the finding of the body. The Coroner addressed the jury and made some remarks in compliment to the manner in which all classes had turned out, and the patient and pains, taking search that had been made in the face of much danger, hardship, and privation. The jury found a verdict of accidental death.