From Western Post 26 January 1861: FATAL ACCIDENT On Thursday, Dr KING, the coroner for this district, held an inquest at the house at the end of Market-street, lately occupied by Mrs VILES, on the body of James AUSTIN, who was killed by being thrown from his horse. From the evidence it appeared that AUSTIN had in the morning attended the Court-house for the purpose of answering a charge preferred against him for illegally mining for gold on private land. He remained in Mudgee till near sundown, when he in company with a friend of the name of PHILLIPS proceeded towards home. On reaching the Sydney road PHILLIPS got rather ahead, and on turning round found AUSTIN lying on the ground; he immediately dismounted, and finding deceased had a severe injury on his head, rode back to Mudgee for medical aid. He returned with Dr. CUTTING, but too late to afford any assistance, the unfortunate man having breathed his last. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death occasioned by falling from a horse". We are sorry to hear t! hat AUSTIN has left a large family who, we fear, are totally unprovided for. ***END*** Annette Piper Please note: Every effort has been to transcribe the above information correctly, however errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling of surnames/places as appears in original.