Fuller's Fatal Fall

Didcot Bullocky Dies

An accident attended with a fatal result occurred in Adelaide Street on Wednesday evening and was the subject of an enquiry held in the Courthouse by the Police Magistrate yesterday.

By the evidence tendered it appeared that at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, William Fuller, carrier of Didcot, was loading his bullock dray opposite Mr. Jonathan Murray's store, when his father, Frederick Fuller, aged 66, suddenly fell off the dray into the street.

Although sustaining no apparent bodily injuries, the old man appeared stupefied by the fall and was forthwith carried insensible into the Australian Hotel nearby and laid upon the sofa.

The evidence of William Fuller and Hans Jocumsen landlord of the hotel showed that the latter promised to look after the sufferer while William Fuller attended to his bullock-team and proceeded to camp at Ululah.

On his returning to the hotel at 8 o'clock, Fuller senior was still on the sofa apparently asleep.

William Fuller thought his sleep was the result of a couple of drinks and the condition of his father was not of a serious nature requiring medical attention; so in consultation with Jocumsen he decided no to disturb the old man, who was then covered up with a blanket and left for the night.

Doctor Blames Brain Concussion

At 7 o'clock next morning, Jocumsen noticed that Frederick Fuller had not moved and half an hour later he observed that death had superveued.

William Fuller who explained that he had to protect his loading during the night was then communicated with and was surprised to learn that his father was dead.

Dr. O'Connor gave evidence stating from what he heard in Court he believed death was caused by concussion of the brain and that if proper attention had been afforded fatal results might have been averted.

Inhuman Behavior

His Worship commented in severe terms on the conduct of William Fuller and the landlord Jocumsen for allowing the man to remain insensible all the evening and night without attention or medical aid.

The deceased Frederick Fuller was an old resident at Mount Perry and was recently lost in the bush in the vicinity of Degilbo for about a fortnight.

Source: Maryborough Chronicle - Friday June 4, 1886