1912
Arthur Hendy was the licensee of the Budgee Hotel in September 1912 and gave evidence during the inquest into the death of Robert Wright1 .
Death of Bob Wright
Inquiry by the Coroner. Evidence of Intemperance.
Out in the Cold all Night.
On Friday the Coroner, Mr. Fincham, held an inquiry into the death of Robert James Wright, which occurred at Buckaroo on Saturday morning, August 31.
Amelia Wright, wife of deceased, deposed: My husband was a laborer. At the time of his death he was 53 years of age. He was born at Mudgee. I last saw him alive on Thursday, August 29, at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I went into Mudgee leaving my husband at home. Deceased was complaining of not being well. He did not complain of any particular pains, but merely said he was not feeling well. He had been in failing health for about 12 months. He had become very weak and thin. About 12 months ago he was drinking very heavily. About that time he had convulsions due to drink. Since that time he had never been well. For about a month past, he had been drinking. During that time he was often under the influence of liquor. About a week before his death he started to drink very heavily and had continued so during all the week. About two weeks prior to this he fell and struck the back of his head on a stone. This wound bled very freely. He did not obtain medical assistance, and seemed to quite recover, except that he was paler than before. On Thursday night the deceased remained away from home all night. On Friday I sent my daughter to the Budgee Hotel to bring deceased home. He did not return with my daughter. I saw deceased on Saturday, August 31, about one o'clock, lying in an open paddock on a stretcher. He was dead then. I have seen his body since death, and there are no marks of violence upon it. Deceased had a small mark from a sore just below his right knee. The mark was there before he left home. Deceased owned no property at the time of his death. Whatever property we own is in my name, and in the names of my sons jointly. Deceased had no money or valuable upon him when he left home. Deceased had been in bed on the previous Thursday up till 10 o'clock. For a few days prior to his death I noticed a change coming over him. His health seemed failing but he was able to walk about. His life was not insured. The property he owned was made over to me and my sons about three years ago.
Dr. Nickoll deposed: I knew the deceased for 20 year. About 12 months ago I attended deceased for epileptiform convulsions. I saw him a few days before he died. Did not speak to him. He was walking across the road at Budgee. He looked very ill. That was the last time I saw him alive. Was sent for on Saturday, August 31, about 1.30. Went out to Budgee, where I saw the dead body of deceased lying on a stretcher in a paddock. Next day I examined the body in the presence of the Coroner. There were no marks of violence other than a slight abrasion below the right knee. His pupils were lamated, and as far as I could see there was nothing to indicate or suggest that any poison had been taken. From what I knew and heard I did not consider it necessary to hold a post mortem. The body was fairly well nourished. On account of his epileptic condition drinking to excess would have been a danger to him. Any alcohol at all would be likely to induce a fit. If he had lain out during last Friday night I would expect it to be failure. In my opinion death was due to exposure. Probably deceased had an epileptic seizure, followed by the sleep which usually succeeds such attacks and the severe cold that night had killed him.
Sarah Ellen Wright deposed: Am 15 years old. Reside with my mother at Buckaroo. Deceased was my father. On Thursday, August 29, I came to Mudgee with my mother. Left at 11 o'clock. Deceased was in bed. Deceased had not worked for five weeks prior to that. Got home about 6 o'clock from town. Father was not at home and did not return that night. Next morning mother sent me out to search. I went to the Budgee Hotel about 3 miles away. Saw father there. This was about noon. Spoke to father. He was not quite sober, but was not very drunk. He was at the hotel in bed. He said he would come home in about an hour: but he did not return that afternoon or night. On Saturday morning I and my mother were coming to Mudgee in a sulky. We met Mrs. Parkins, sen., about half way to Mudgee. Mrs. Parkins said, "Did Bob (deceased) get home last night ?" We said, "No," and Mrs. Parkins remarked "He was out under a tree near the Budgee Hotel about 9 o'clock last night. Fred (her son) tried to get him up, but he would not go in for him." Mother told me to go and try and find father. I walked about 1½ mile to Mr. Fred. Parkins' house, and asked Mrs. F. Parkins did she know where the deceased was. She replied, "He laid out in the cold all night. He's up there, pointing to a tree about 50 yards away. Mrs. Parkins came with me and we found the body of deceased under the tree. He was alive. I spoke, but he did not answer. He did not seem able to speak. We then called Mr. Fred. Parkins. He came and saw the deceased, and he went to Mr. Tom Underwood's for assistance. I knew father was dying. Several people remained with deceased while I went home to tell my people. Mother had gone to Mudgee. When found, deceased was lying on his back; his head had fallen back, one leg was doubled up; one boot was off, and the other partly unlaced. It seemed though he had been kicking his leg. There were no signs of a struggle. The features were calm. His hat was about a foot away. His clothing was not disarranged.
Arthur Hendy, licensee of the Budgee Hotel, deposed: Knew deceased. On Thursday, August 29, between 3 and 4 o'clock deceased came to my hotel. He was then sober. He started talking for a while and asked for a drink. About half an hour later he asked to be given a bed for the night. He had his tea and went to bed about 10.30 p.m. He was then sober. He only had two drinks that I know of. They were two whiskeys. Next morning at 7 a.m. I went to see him. He said he was alright. Left him and looked in about 11 a.m. He had no breakfast. Deceased appeared to be asleep. Later on the little girl came and about 15 minutes after that deceased got up, and asked for a drink. I refused to supply him, remarking "Your little girl is after you to go home." Deceased waited about for awhile and again asked for a drink. I said, "Well, I'll give you one if you'll go home." I gave him a drink of whiskey, and he went outside and sat down for awhile. I came out and told him to go home. He said "I will," and got up and crossed the road. That was between 3 and 4 o'clock. He never returned to the hotel again. On Saturday morning Fred Parkins shouted to me from the butcher's shop nearby, "Come here, Bob Wright's over here in the paddock." Went over, and saw deceased close to a tree, lying on his back. He was just alive. I got some brandy and water and he drank a little drop. It seemed to have no effect, and he died shortly afterwards.
By the Coroner: He had two drinks on the Thursday and one on the Friday from me. Don't remember whether he had drink in his room on the Friday. There were other men in the hotel and he may have got some from them. Did not see him under the influence of liquor on Friday.
By the police: I tried to revive him by rubbing his arms and legs with brandy, and put bottles of hot water under his leg. Also put him on a stretcher. For the past weeks prior to his death deceased had been to my hotel eight or nine times. The most drink he ever had was two drinks. Once he brought a bottle of whiskey. Deceased paid for his tea and bed and two drinks on Thursday, and had no money on the Friday. I gave him a drink on the Friday. About four or five days before I him lying on the side of the road in a gutter. He was drunk. He had come from Mudgee in a dray. Took him to the hotel and put him to bed.
Thomas Joseph Underwood laborer, deposed: On Friday afternoon, August 30 about 3 or 4 o'clock I saw deceased coming along from the direction of the Budgee Hotel towards the sliprails leading into the paddock where he was found dead. Was about 25 yards from him. He said "If you see my daughter coming up the road in a vehicle, please tell her that I've gone home.'' He then walked on through the paddock which is a short cut towards his own house. He appeared to be sober, and was walking all right. Saw him again about 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Fred Parkins came to tell me, deceased was lying under a tree. I called to Mr. Hendy and we returned to where deceased was lying. Efforts were made to revive him but without success. He was lying in a depression in the ground - a kind of gully.
The Coroner said that in view of the evidence of Miss Wright it was only proper that Mr. Parkins should be called to give evidence. He, therefore, adjourned the inquiry till Monday morning at 10 o'clock2
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1923
31 October 1923
Owner
Edward J Gossage, Budgee Budgee 1/1/20
Lessee Arthur W Clarke 1/1/20
Licensees
Arthur W Clarke 1/1/20
George John Waters 9/8/22
Stanley James Gossage 22/6/23
General
Licensee’s Address after June 30th, 1925 will be - c/o - Geo. J. Waters, c/- Miss Dawsey 456 Oxford St., Paddington, Sydney.
Deprived - Closed 31/10/233
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