From a Correspondent to the Empire, Sydney June 9, 1863. On Sunday morning, June 7, a sad and fatal accident occurred through the upsetting of the Lachlan coach in Sandy Creek, 25 miles from Young, by which a poor woman by the name of Mrs Alexander, was drowned. It appears that the coach, which left Young at 2am Sunday morning, and had great difficulty crossing the many creeks which intersect the Lachlan Road, owing to their being flooded by the deluge of rain which fell on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Having arrived at Sandy Creek, the driver, after some consideration with the passengers decided to cross it. The force of the stream carried the coach below the usual crossing place.
This resulted in the coach being upset and the passengers precipitated into the water. The passengers were Mrs Alexander, Mr William Spicer, Mr Geoffrey of Yass, and Mr Joseph Windred of Lachlan. The driver and Mr Godfrey got safely to the Forbes side of the creek.
Mr Spicer, who cannot swim after much struggling reached the bank exhausted. Mr Windred, who is a strong swimmer, struggled hard to save Mrs Alexander. He was seen bearing her up far down the stream, endeavouring to gain the bank. Having missed a tree that he tried to catch, and also a log, and having a heavy poncho on, he was quite exhausted, and was compelled to let go his hold. The poor woman's last words to Windred were, Oh! My poor children. One part of the coach was picked up a mile below where it was upset, jammed against a fence. The mail bags and most of the luggage is caught between logs in the creek, and cannot be recovered until the water falls. Some steps ought to be taken by the government to bridge the many creeks on this road. Mr William Spicer had arrived here (Young) on Thursday evening, quietly, per Yass coach. He declined having any demonstration to welcome him.
A deputation of traders and miners waited on him, inviting him to a public dinner, but he, while warmly thanking them, declined it, being ,as he said determined by his conduct to give lie to the unmanly and slanderous attacks on his character. He had been warmly by all classes since his arrival among us, and all deeply sympathise with him for the loss of his liberty. The Honourable Charles Cowper (Premier of NSW) would have gained some little credit if he had liberated him when the unanimous petition of the colony was presented last October, but now they do not thank him.
Mr Spicer left for the Lachlan on Sunday morning last narrowly escaping being drowned at Sandy Creek. The three days of racing passed off very quietly, although the sport was very fair, and the attendances pretty numerous, yet the scarcity of money threw a damper on that hilarious spirit so necessary to enjoy a race meeting.
Sir Frederick Pottinger, as usual, created much amusement by appearing on the racecourse with blankets strapped before him on the saddle, a quart pot, a pair of hobbles, and a pair of handcuffs, being artistically arranged with other parts of the saddle. His Man Friday, in the shape of a black tracker, followed him. Mining matters are brightening up. The back Creek Rush is progressing steadily, and the new rush near Duffer Gully wears a very likely appearance. Upwards of 1500 men were on the ground yesterday.
Footnote: Mr Spicer, one of the leaders of the Lambing Flat Rioters, who had been sentenced to two years goal for his part in the riots, had just been released from Berrima Goal and was returning home to Forbes.
A petition for his release had been taken up at Forbes, but the government refused to assent to it. Joseph Windred in 1861 had been the licensee of the Sportsman's Arms at Tipperary Gully and then at Chance Gully. He moved to Forbes and then to Orange where he had the Royal Hotel in Byng Street. He became a cattle buyer and auctioneer and erected saleyards at Orange. He was a prominent alderman and was mayor of Orange on two occasions.
Sir Frederick Pottinger was the son of distinguished soldier andDiplomat, Henry Pottinger, Bart., and inherited the title. On October 1, 1861 he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Southern Mounted Patrol stationed at Burrangong.
- Historian Brian James contributes his column each Tuesday to the Young Witness for publication on behalf the Young Historical Society Inc.