1906 - OBITUARY. Miss Johanna O'Brien.
On Thursday week Miss Johanna O'Brien, youngest daughter of Mr. Thos. O'Brien, ex-second-class sergeant of police, who was on a visit to Muswellbrook, was burned to death. Her father and her uncle (Mr. W. C. O'Brien, of Annandale), were with her in her last moments, having been wired for to Sydney. The Rev. Father Ahearn and the Sisters of Mercy attended her during her short illness. Father Ahearn, who officiated at the grave, made touching remarks when referring to the good preparations the deceased had made for death.
Much sympathy is expressed with Mr. O'Brien and family in their very sad bereavement The deceased lady, was interred in St, James' Cemetery, Muswellbrook, the funeral being largely attended. The late Miss O'Brien was born at Hargraves, near Mudgee, in 1879, and she leaves four brothers and two sisters, some of whom are in the Public Service of this and neighbouring States.— RIP
ON Thursday morning last, a young woman, 26 years of age, named Johanna O'Brien, was so severely burned at Mr Carter's residence, Piercefield, about 10 miles from Muswellbrook, that death ensued from the effects thereof on Sunday afternoon in the local Hospital. It appears deceased came to this district about a fortnight ago and entered the employment of Mr Thompson, of Inglewood; but owing to defective eyesight she was unable to carry out the duties required of her. She then came to Muswellbrook, and through the agency of the Misses Carrol secured engagement withMr Carter (who is dairying on the Piercefield Estate, on the share system) whither she proceeded on Tuesday last.
On Thursday morning, whilst engaged in the kitchen, by some means her dress caught fire. On discovering this she rushed out of the kitchen and into the house, Mrs Carter, who was in the house, hastened to procure a bucket of water, dashed it over the unfortunate young woman and quenched the flames. But she was very seriously burned over almost the whole of her body—-her breast being the only portion to escape. With the assistance of Mrs Harris, the nearest neighbour, the sufferer was covered with flour and wrapped in a blanket. A cart was procured, in which she was placed and made as comfortable as possible and conveyed to the local hospital by two sons of Mr Carter, the latter gentleman being absent from home that morning.
Everything possible was done to relieve the patient's sufferings at the hospital, but small hope was entertained of her recovery from the first. Deceased lingered till 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and was concious up till within half an hour of her death.
The father, who was wired for immediately after the accident, was present when the end came. He was an ex second class Sergeant of Police, having been pensioned off some five years ago. The mother of deceased died when the latter was 13 months old.
Deceased had for years suffered with her eyes, and had undergone several operations. She was placed in a convent some time ago, but refused to remain there, and, answering an advertisement, secured the situation with Mr Thompson. The Coroner was informed of the death, but decided to dispense with an inquest. Dr Halcomb, who attended the sufferer in the Hospital, certified that the primary cause of death was exhaustion, and the second cause the burns.
The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the body being laid to rest in the local R.C. cemetery, after first being conveyed to the church, and the usual prayers were read at the grave side.
MUSWELLBROOK LETTER (From our Representative.)
THE LATE MISS O'BRIEN.
THE LATE MISS O'BRIEN.
The funeral of the late Miss J. O'Brien, whose sad death was reported in the 'Mercury' on Monday, took place on the afternoon of the 19th. The remains of the deceased girl were taken from the Hospital to St. James' Church where the customary prayers for the dead were recited by the Rev Father Ahearne. The interment took place in the Catholic Cemetery, where Father Ahearne again officiated. The father of the deceased, and her uncle (both [sic] from Annandale), were present; at the funeral, which was also attended by a number of local residents who desired to show the sorrowing relatives that, though strangers to Muswellbrook, they were fully sympathised with in their affliction. The bereaved parent, Mr. O'Brien, formerly a leading member of the police force, expressed himself as very grateful for the consideration shown him by everyone whom ho had met in Muswellbrook.
It was at the residence of Mr Carter, of Piercefield, the late Miss O'Brien was residing when she met with ths burning accident, and not at Rouchel, as previously stated.
