Francis was to have a short
life. It ended when he was killed by falling from horse and dragged by
saddle stirrup.
1859 Taranaki Herald, 1 January
1859, - Report of the Coroner's Inquest.
An Inquest was held at the Omata Inn
on the 25th ultimo before Dr Scaly, Coroner, and a Jury of Omata
residents, on the body of Francis Henry Newsham, aged 8 years, third son
of Mr T. Newsham of that district.
It appeared from the painful
circumstances detailed in evidence that the poor boy was fond of horses,
and was in the practice of riding whenever opportunity offered. On the
22nd some friends of the family arrived from town on horseback, and the
deceased took an opportunity of riding off on one of the horses. The
animal was shortly after met proceeding town-wards at a rapid rate, the
boy hanging by one of his feet which had fouled in the stirup leather. A
sudden check caused the affrighted animal to swerve and freed the stirrup
leather from the spring bar of the saddle, and the poor boy was picked up
insensible, and remained so to his death. The sad injuries received almost
precluded hope from the first.
The jury returned a verdict of
Accidental Death. This sad bereavement should serve as a warning against
the prevalent practice of young lads mounting strange horses without
heeding or even knowing the great danger they run by so
doing.
Francis was buried at
Waireka Cemetery, Omata on December 14th
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