The Empire, Monday 12 January 1874
(Sydney, New South Wales)

A man named John Verran died suddenly in the Full and Plenty lodging-house, King-street, at about 10 o’clock on Saturday night. He was a native of Cornwall, and thirty years of age. He came from Victoria about two years ago, having followed there the calling of clerk in a bank. Since arriving in New South Wales he has been mining. He came to the Full and Plenty lodging-house about Christmas time, and had been ailing some days before he died. It is unlikely that an inquest will be held on the body.

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, Thursday 15 January 1874
(New South Wales)

SYDNEY CORRESPONDENCE
A man named John Verran, thirty years of age, and a native of Cornwall, died suddenly in the Full and Plenty lodging-house, King-street, on Saturday night. He came from Victoria, where he had been a clerk in a bank, two years ago, and since arriving in New South Wales had been mining. He had been ailing for some days before he died.

The Queanbeyan Age, Tuesday 3 February 1874
(New South Wales)

DEATH OF MINING CELEBRITY.—The Sydney papers lately reported the sudden death of Mr John Verran, a mining prospector some time ago well known in this and the neighbouring districts.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho