The Star, Saturday 21 March 1863
(Ballarat, Victoria, Australia)

On Friday, at the Soldiers’ Hill Hotel, Ballarat, Dr Clendinning held an inquest on the body of John Higgins, whose death, according to the evidence and the verdict of the jury, took place on the day previous at the Soldiers’ Hill Hotel, and was caused by apoplexy of the brain and lungs, from injuries received by a car having accidentally gone over him on Tuesday, in Mair street, Ballarat.
Samuel Walker, sharebroker, deposed that on Tuesday the deceased accompanied him in a car to call on some voters for the election that day taking place for a member for the Legislative Council. They called on several voters, and lastly on Thomas Whatley, of the Market square Hotel. The deceased got into the cab to proceed to the polling place at the Mechanics’ Institute. They proceeded down Mair street, and after passing Armstrong street, the deceased’s hat was blown off. He was sitting in front with the driver. Before the driver could stop the horses, the deceased jumped off the step of the car, and in doing so, fell down (as witness believed) on his back. The car was then stopped, and witness got off, also Mr Whatley. They found the deceased lying on his back, with his arms stretched out. They then carried him into the Haymarket Hotel. Witness instantly procured the assistance of Dr Bunce, who prescribed for the deceased. He was thirty years of age, a carpenter by trade, and a native of Cornwall. His father’s name was Phillip Higgins, and his mother’s Anne Bowden. The car was going at a fast trot, and the deceased was not perfectly sober. The driver was quite sober, and as the poll was nearly over, the deceased was urging him to drive quickly.
Charles Patterson, owner and driver of car No. 28, deposed that he was employed by Mr Griffith’s agent to bring voters to the poll. When the deceased put his foot on the step, witness desired him to wait till he had pulled the two horses up. Witness could not say whether the deceased slipped off, or the wheel struck him, but felt that the wheel of the car went over something. The deceased was excited from his business then in hand, and was in drink.
John McPhail, miner, deposed to having, at Mrs Higgins’ request, gone with Mr Dixon of the Haymarket Hotel, to bring her husband home. Witness found the deceased lying on a sofa. He said he could not go home on account of pain in his left side. At the same time witness saw his right ear was covered with blood. Witness got a car, and with assistance took the deceased home. Dr Bunce was succeeded by Dr Nicholson, who attended upon the deceased till his death, which took place about nine o’clock p.m. on Thursday.
Richard Bunce, surgeon, deposed that he found the deceased suffering from partial concussion of the brain, with a lacerated wound on the side of the head above the right ear, which partially detached the upper third of the ear. Witness washed and dressed the wound. Deceased was partially sensible and did not wish to be removed to his own place.
George Nicholeon, surgeon, deposed that when he was called in to attend upon the deceased he found him in his own bed. There was extensive ecchymosis at the angle of the left ribs, with fracture of several ribs. The usual bandages were applied. Next day the symptoms in the head and chest were considerably aggravated. He was then suffering from congestion of the brain. Subsequently witness had reason to think recovery hopeless. The deceased gradually sank and died. The deceased had been suffering from jaundice for some time.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho