The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 10 January 1879
(New South Wales)

A peculiarly painful case of death from exhaustion (says the Wagga Express) occurred on the night of the 2nd instant, at Murphy’s Jerra Jerra Hotel. On the day in question the Albury coach passed a man lying on the road unconscious, and evidently suffering from want of water. He was placed in the vehicle and taken to Jerra Jerra, where he died that night. A magisterial inquiry was held before Mr. Burns, J.P. We learn that the name of the deceased was Richard Vincent. He was about 35 years of age and a native of Cornwall, England, having come to this colony in the steamer Aconcagua, only about a fortnight ago. He arrived in Wagga penniless on his way to Ballarat, where he anticipated getting employment. In England he had been superintendent of a farm. He saw Archdeacon Pownall in Wagga, and appeared of a particularly reticent disposition, especially as regards his pecuniary circumstances. The Archdeacon, however, ascertained that his letters of introduction were unexceptionable and that he was in want, assisted him, giving him in addition a letter to the Rev. Mr. Acocks, of Albury. He left Wagga Wagga on New Year’s Day, and stopped that night at Pentland’s Hotel on the Albury Road, where he was most hospitably received, and payment was declined. He left in the morning, and it would seem, struck into the bush for the railway line, the direction of which he had been informed of. Nothing more was heard of him until the coach came by, and found him in the condition abovenamed. Mr Pilcher, who was upon the coach, initiated a subscription for him, and further became responsible to the hotelkeeper at Jerra Jerra for any expenses that might be incurred. The good feeling, that was manifested, was, however, vainly exercised for the saving of the unfortunate man’s life, as he expired shortly after his arrival at Jerra Jerra.

The Morning Bulletin, Friday 24 January 1879
(Rockhampton, Queensland)

A SAD END
(From the Wagga Wagga Advertiser, Jany 8.)
A lamentable story has been related to us regarding the death of a young man who but lately arrived in the colony. The deceased was named Robert Vincent, and came to Sydney a few months ago. He was respectably connected in England, and brought letters of introduction from clergymen and others to residents in New South Wales. He has also, we believe, connections at Ballarat, and it was with the object of joining his relatives he came to Australia. His inexperience in travel led him to select Sydney as the port nearest his destination. After spending a short time in the metropolis, he found his means were rapidly dwindling away, and being unable to obtain suitable employment, he resolved to proceed overland to Ballarat. He arrived in Wagga on or about the 30th December last, for on that day he called on the Ven. Archdeacon Pownall. He stated to the archdeacon that he came to the colony in the s.s. Aconcagua, his desire being to obtain employment as a farm superintendent, an occupation which he was engaged in at home. His letters of introduction, the archdeacon says, were unexceptionable. The deceased explained to the rev. gentleman his circumstances, and asked his advice regarding obtaining employment of any kind he was suited to undertake. He was then totally destitute of money, and appeared to be suffering from want of food. With his customary kindness the archdeacon kindly gave the wayfarer some pecuniary assistance, and advised him to call upon two or three persons in town who might possibly require his services. He was, however, unsuccessful in getting work. On the following day the archdeacon again saw him, and Vincent told him that he would proceed to Albury, as he might get something to do on the railway line now in course of construction. He carried out that intention, and apparently started on that day. The following letter explains his melancholy fate after leaving Wagga:—
 
"Jerra, Jerra, near Cookardina, January 4, 1878 [sic].—Rev. Sir,—I take the liberty to trouble you with an inquiry respecting the understated business, and particularly request the favour of an early reply. I held a magisterial inquiry to-day at Murphy’s Hotel here regarding the death of a man named R. Vincent, who was picked up on the afternoon of Thursday, the 2nd inst., in a helpless state by the Albury mail driver at a place about seven miles from here, known as ‘Paper Forest.’ The driver and passengers showed him every kindness, and, like good Samaritans, when they left him in charge of the landlord took care to pay his expenses, with an injunction to take care of him, and this, I believe, was done; but the poor man was all but speechless, and died the same evening about ten o’clock. When picked up he gave the coachman to understand he had been without food or water for a week, from Thursday to Thursday. He was about 300 yards from a dam where there was plenty of water, but did not know of it. Amongst the few things in his possession was a pretty large-sized memorandum book, containing amongst other writings a letter written in pencil by you, addressed to the Rev. Mr. Acocks, Albury and dated the 31st December. I cannot reconcile this with his alleged statement of having been without food so long. Neither can I imagine anyone perishing on the side of the road between this and Wagga Wagga from hunger. Whatever may be the faults of bush people, allowing anyone to starve is not one of them, and there are several houses on the road where almost any one who spoke reasonably would be relieved at once. There are no marks of violence on the body, and I did not consider myself warranted in having a post-mortem examination. From entries in this book he appears to have been destitute and starving in Wagga Wagga before he left. Still I am unwilling, without some further inquiry, to express an opinion that he was ‘starved to death.’ Will you kindly tell me anything you know of him.—I have the honour to be, rev. sir, your obedient servant, JOHN BURNS, J.P., magistrate conducting the inquiry. The Rev. Archdeacon Pownall, Church of England, Wagga Wagga."
 
The place where deceased was picked up is between Mangoplah and Jerra Jerra, and when once discovered, we learn that everything was done to restore him by the coach-driver and passengers. On arrival at the hotel he was given in charge of the landlord, who had strict injunctions to attend to all his wants. He appeared to be in a frightful condition, suffering from both hunger and thirst. His tongue was protruding, and he had all the appearances of having been subject to severe privations. Notwithstanding all the care lavished on him by the people of the hotel, he never rallied, and died at ten o’clock the same night. From the archdeacon’s interviews with the deceased, he would judge him to be an intelligent, modest, and reserved young man, who would rather almost die of starvation than beg for his bread. To his want of knowledge of bush travelling, the unfortunate young man’s death may be ascribed. We believe Vincent was a married man, and leaves a wife and family in England to mourn their loss.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho