Prentice James HUGHES [169]

  General Notes:

1887 SA Birth 400/388 HUGHES Prentice, Walter Stephen HUGHES, Ada Ellinor PROSSER, Frome
1902 WA Death Hughes Prentice James 14 Walter Stephen Prosser Ada Ellenor Stirling North South Australia 2713 1902

The West Australian (Perth) Friday 21 March 1902
A MIDLAND JUNCTION FATALITY.
A LAD DROWNED IN THE SWAN,
A drowning accident is reported from Midland Junction. On Wednesday afternoon a lad named Prentice James Hughes, the sole support of his widowed mother, left his home at Midland Junction to visit a friend named Johnson, living on the Guildford side of the River Swan. As he had not returned home at 10 o'clock that evening, his mother becoming alarmed, went to Mr. Johnson's house to inquire for her son, but learned there that the boy had not been there that day. Mrs. Hughes then reported the matter to the Midland Junction police and Police-constables Anderson and Lynch were instructed to search for the lad. As it was feared that young Hughes might have been drowned while crossing the Swan, search was made there yesterday morning. About 12ft. from the bank, on the Midland Junction side of the river, the body was noticed, and P.C. Anderson, after divesting himself of his clothing, went into the river and brought the body to the shore. It is presumed that the lad had attempted to swim the river instead of going round by the road, and that before doing so he had made a bundle of his clothes, and with a piece of string tied it on to the back of his neck. The bundle, however seems to have slipped round, and the string became caught in his mouth hampering his movements, with fatal effect. When P.C. Anderson recovered the body, the bundle which was composed of coat, trousers, shirts and boots, was found at the end of the string, which was still tied to his neck. The body was subsequently examined by Dr. Stewart at Midland Junction who reported to the Coroner at Guildford that there was abundant evidence to show that the death of the lad was due to accidental drowning and the Coroner it is stated has accordingly decided that an inquest is unnecessary. Much sympathy is felt for the lad's mother, who is now left with the sole care of four younger children.

The Register (Adelaide) Friday 21 March 1902
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
The body of a lad named Prentice Hughes was found on the banks of the Swan River, near Midland Junction, this morning, with his clothes tied round his neck. The assumption is that the lad had attempted to swim the stream, and failed.

The Argus (Melbourne) Friday 21 March 1902
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
PERTH, Thursday.
The dead body of a lad named Prentice Hughes was found on the banks of the Swan River near Midland Junction this morning. His clothes were tied round his neck, and the assumption is that the lad attempted to swim the stream and failed.

The Maintland Weekly (NSW) Saturday 29 March 1902
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
The body of a lad named Prentice Hughes was found on the banks of the Swan River, near Midland Junction (W.A.) on Thursday. As clothes were tied round the neck, the assumption is that the lad attempted to swim the stream and failed.