ACCIDENT in Epsom Steeple. Death of J. P. Edwards. A regrettable accident which resulted in the death of the well known cross-country horseman James P. Edwards, occurred on Saturday in the Bush Steeplechase, run at. Epsom.
Edwards had the mount on the top weight, Mr. Justin Curr’s gelding Expeditioner, who started second favorite for the event, which attracted a field of sixteen runners. Passing the stand Expeditioner was going well in third position, a few lengths behind Londonderry and the favorite, Dominican, when at the last of the treble, almost opposite the judge’s box, he appeared to cannon with another competitor while in the act of landing, and swerving came to grief.
His rider moved slightly, as if in the act of getting out of the way of some of the other horses, when he was crashed into by Bute, who came down heavily over Expeditioner.
While P. Robertson, who rode Bute, limped away practically unhurt Edwards lay motionless beneath the struggling horses. The club’s surgeon
Dr A. F. Joyce, who witnessed the accident, at once attended the prostrate jockey, who was placed in charge of a trained nurse in the casualty room close by.
It was soon recognised by the doctor that the chances of recovery were hopeless, as Edwards in addition to suffering from concussion, had several ribs broken. and internal hemorrhage had set in. He died in about an hour. Edwards’ wife was a witness of the accident, and remained with her husband to the last.
Edwards had been riding with varying success for close on twenty years, but it was only in the last six or seven years that he came into prominence on metropolitan racecourses. Utter fearlessness characterised his whole career, and though he had probably experienced more falls than any other rider, he had nearly always escaped unhurt.
An injured shoulder was his most serious complaint prior to Saturday, and it was a common remark among sporting patrons that -’Jimmy Edwards was too used to hard knocks to get hurt.” But the end came on Saturday. Edwards frequently gave dashing displays of horsemanship, and his V.R C. and National victory on Zephuron two years ago will long be remembered.
The deceased horseman was born in the Lancefield district where his father was a school teacher, was 38 years of age; and leaves a wife and three children the youngest of whom is about ten years of age.
Under the provisions of the Workman’s Compensation Act he was insured against accident for £300 in the Queensland Insurance Company. The mishap was the first that has resulted fatally at Epsom, according to Dr Joyce, for upwards of twenty years. The body was removed to the Morgue. The remains of deceased was buried in the Brighton cemetery on Monday.
***
WORD has been received by the friends of private Roger Burton that he is at present dangerously ill.
***
THE friends of Mr E. Rogers will regret to hear that he is at present in St Pancras Hospital, Frankston, seriously ill.
***
WE are pleased to hear that Private C. Brody, who was suffering from a severe cold, and confined in the Base Hospital, is again convalescent.
***
GEO. Mitchell, the well known driver for Mr Benson, cab proprietor, Frankston, was conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital on Tuesday, suffering from a poisoned foot.
***
THE many friends of Mr Jas.Bonner will be pleased to learn that he has recovered from the illness he was suffering from, and is now able to resume his duties at the store.
***
IT is pleasing to note that the property in Frankston, which has been for the last 40 years owned by the late Mrs Cattanach, will not pass out of the hands of the family, Mr W. Cattanach, Chairman of the Water Commission, having purchased the property privately when the estate was cleared up.
***
MESSRS Coghill and Haughton will hold a large realising sale of the balance of the Woyna Estate Dromana, at Scotts Hotel, Collins St, Melbourne, on Wednesday next at 3 o’clock, by order of G. A. Wornarski Esq., comprising about 140 acres of flat and 180 acres of undulating country.
Full particulars can be obtained from the owner on the property. This is a good opportunity for those in want of land, as the owner has determined to sell and enlist.
***
MESSRS Brody and Mason will hold an extensive subdivisional sale of 25 magnificent building allotments of the Beach St. Estate Frankston this (Saturday) afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock in a marquee on the ground. Each allotment has 66ft frontage with a big depth to Finlay street.
The land is well situated, and adjacent to the local railway station. Exceptionally easy terms are offered, viz, £2 cash deposit, and the balance 10s per month without interest.
***
THE Frankston Mechanics’ Hall was packed to the doors on Wednesday evening, the occasion being the concert given by the Langwarrin Concert Party in aid of Langwarrin amusements for the soldiers.
Previous to the commencement of the concert, the Military Band, under the leadership of Sergant J.Thomas, paraded the town, and played enlivening selections, which were much appreciated.
A feature in the carrying out of the programme was the promptness with which it was carried through from start to finish, each performer being ready to take his place as soon as the former piece was finished, and a start was made at eight o’clock to the minute.
The band commenced proceedings by playing several selections in good style, after which Mr W. Finlay played the overture. This gentleman also played most of the accompaniments to the songs during the evening, and showed himself a proficient in the art of manipulating the pianoforte.
Private J. Sinclair then gave a good rendering of the song “Queen of the Earth.” “Baa-baa the Billy Goat” tickled the risible faculties of the audience, sang by a gent in costume, whose name we did not ascertain.
Private Wm. Elder gave a ragtime piece, entitled ‘Everybody rag with me,” for which an encore was demanded. Mr J Moss, in his humorous songs “I followed her everywhere” and “Let’s all go round to Mary Ann’s” was in the good graces of the audience at once, and scored a signal success.
The performers were regaled with light refreshments during the interval, provided by some of the local ladies, which were much appreciated.
***
From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 27 May, 1916
First published in the Mornington News – 24 May 2016
