Drowning at Heidelberg.
The Inquest.

An inquest was held on Monday at Heidelberg, on the body of Samuel Webster, late a settler in the Western Port district.

Distrirt Constable Murphy deposed, between the hours of one and two o'clock on Sunday I received information that the body of the deceased was lying by the river, when I reached the spot, I searched the pockets and found the property now produced (a watch and some silver).

Ezra Cook, son of John Cook, labourer, residing at Collingwood, deposed — About two months ago I was occupied with my father at a house overlooking the Heidelberg punt, and about four o'clock p.m., I saw a man riding a white horse go into the water at the punt, as I thought, for the purpose of crossing the river; the punt at this time was undergoing some repairs and was not plying; the water is very deep at this spot where the man went in, and it is a very dangerous place for crossing; I saw the person fall with his horse into the water, and heard him call for help; when I told Mr. Ricardo, the proprietor of the punt, of the circumstances he ran down with my father to render what assistance he could, I then saw both the horse and rider sink in the water.

John Cook, father of the last witness deposed, that on the day alluded to he ran down to assist the drowning man, and saw him holding the 'punt rope' with both hands; he cried to him to 'hold on,' till he could assist him, while he was unchaining his boat he saw the drowning man let go his hold of the rope, and lost sight of him; he assisted at a search for the body but was unsuccessful.

Sydney Ricardo, proprietor of the punt, confirmed the evidence of the two last witnesses.

Hugh Glass, storekeeper at Melbourne, deposed — I can identify the body now found, as being that of Samuel Webster, late a settler at Western Port, whom I have known for six or seven years; he left my house at Melbourne on the afternoon of the day on which he was missing — about two months since, a strict search was made for his body after he was first missed, but had been unsuccessful till now. — deceased was a very sober man, and was so when he left my house, the horse on which deceased was riding was a very awkward animal, and had not long been broken in.

The jury retuned a verdict of "accidental death."

Source: The Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser, Wed 25 Aug 1847, Page 2, Local Intelligence.