SUDDEN DEATH OF MR DAVID STRACHAN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12678, 14 December 1905, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR DAVID STRACHAN.

HIS BODY FOUND IN A CREEK

Quite a shock was experienced in town last evening, when it became known that Mr David Sfoachan, of " Lornty," No. 3 (Line, had passed away under distressing circumstances. About 7.30 the police were notified by telephone that Air Strachan's body had been found in a creek and 'Inspector Kiely, Sergt. Norwood, and Constable Fitzpatrick, with Dr Innes, at once went out to the scene of the accident. The facts of the sad occurrence are to the following effect:—Mr Strachan and a farm hand, named Martin Lampshear, who had been employed at Lornty for years, were engaged yesterday repairing the wall of a dam aibout a chain from the dwelling house. As they did neb return for tea Miss Straohan became alarmed, and went down to the creek, where she saw her father's hat floating in the water. She went to her brother's place, and got a, workman named Alex. McNichol to search for the body. He secui'ed a fishhook to a. pole, and at about 5.30 succeeded in recovering Mr Strachan's body. From the time the deceased and his servant returned to work^aiterjujnch, nothing has been of LamjJi^fii;Sart"~" lKH:il' hat and his waistcoat, witte a watch and chain in, a pocket, were foifnd alongside where the man had Deeiifljvorking. ( It is thought thaft Mr Strach'in was seized by apoplexy and fell into the water.'and that Lampsliear, in trying to rescue^ 'him, lost Tijs life." The night w^s^versT dark and rainy, and it was impossible to make a thorough search. Sergt. Norwood and Constable tFitzpatrick therefore remained at Lornty in order to resume the search early this morning. The late Mr Strsaclian was 87 yea.rs of age, and was one of the oldest and most respected settlers in the district, and the hew^s of his sad death will b© received with deep regret by th© wihole community. Having been a man of. an active disposition, Mr Strachan found pleasure, when his health permitted ,in working about his faarm, and he was yesterday engaged at his hobby when he met his untimely end.