From Western Post, 6 July 1861: HARGRAVES From our Correspondent. July 3..Miraculous Escape - As a young woman named PARKER was engaged in her domestic affairs in cooking, her dress caught on fire, but was fortunately put out by a person standing by. A little oil was applied to the injured parts, and the patient is recovering. RYALSTONE From our Correspondent Shocking Accident - On Sunday afternoon last a man named Thomas BEANS and two boys named TRAIN went out to shoot wallabies. When they were returning home they had to descend a very steep mounting; while doing so, the younger of the two boys slipped down, and his brother, who was behind carrying the gun, slipped also; while bother were down, the gun, which was an old flint one, went off, inflicting an frightful wound on the knee of the younger boy, smashing the knee cap and thigh bone to pieces. Medical assistance was at once procured, and when the doctor arrived he pronounced immediate amputation necessary, as there was not the slightest probability of saving the limb. Accordingly on Wednesday morning Mr WESTON, surgeon, Rylstone, assisted by Dr KING from Mudgee, amputated the limb just above the knee.. I am happy to add that the little sufferer (who is only eight years of age), is doing as well as can be expected. N.B. All care has been taken to transcribe the above accurately, however errors may have been inadvertently made. Spelling of names/places should be as appears in original. Transcribed from microfilm available from the State Library. Annette Piper Coolah NSW