August 22, 1919 A SUDDEN DEATH The death under tragic circumstances of Mr Johann Edward HAHN, eldest son of the late Mr W. HAHN, of Natimuk, occurred at the residence of Mr W. WERNER, Walmer, on Friday morning last. The cause of death is outlined in the following report of the inquest given in the "Wimmera Star." An inquest was held at Walmer on Friday morning, before the coroner (Mr E. HARRISON P.M.) , concerning the death of Johann Edward HAHN, whose body was found in some chaff the same morning. Johann Wilhelm WERNER, farmer, residing at Walmer, said that the deceased, who was his nephew, had been employed by him as a farm labourer. He last saw him alive at 8.30 pm on Thursday, when he appeared to be in a good state of health. He did not complain of any illness nor had he so complained of late. The deceased was 20 years of age on March 14 last. He had worked for the witness for six years. His health had been good but for epileptic fits. The last occasion on which he had a fit was about a month or six weeks ago. It was in consequence of such fits that a doctor attended him. The witness found the body of the deceased in the chaff house, lying face down. The usual time for feeding the horses was 5.30 or 6 o'clock, but the deceased would not be up at the earlier hour. The horses were in the stable, but as far as he knew they had not been fed. It was customary to fill the loose chaff into a bag and tip into the feed bins. When he found the body, there was a bag beside it, in which there was a little chaff. The deceased's parents were dead. The deceased was born at Natimuk, his father's name being Johann Frederick Wilhelm HAHN and his mother's maiden name Maria Martha WERNER. He received the following document from Dr G.R. FELSTEAD that morning. I hereby certify that for several months I attended Johann Edward HAHN for epilepsy, and that he was subject to frequent fits. I last saw him in March, 1918. It has been reported to me this morning that he was found dead. In my opinion the cause of death is probably epilepsy, with asphyxiation ensuing on an epileptic fit. Sergeant James TOBIN said that at 8.40 o'clock that morning the previous witness informed him that his nephew had died suddenly, his body having been found in the chaff house. The witness proceeded to Walmer and examined the body. There were no marks of violence. The coroner returned a verdict that the deceased died on August 15 from being accidentally suffocated by falling face downwards into some chaff, in an epileptic fit. The funeral on Sunday afternoon was largely attended. The deceased was a hard working, good living young man. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. J.F. NOACK Daryl Crabtree Gladstone Qld www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/ .