| Notes |
- Geraldton Express Wednesday 10 November 1915, page 3
Death of an Old Colonist.
On Friday last, at Mullewa, the death of an old resident of the district and an early colonist in the person of Mr. Isaac Barns Wheelock, occured suddenly and under sad circumstances, at the age of 75 years.
Deceased had been camping with his son James at Cauna, on the Wongan Hills line, and on Friday morning whilst his son was after the horses the father prepared a breakfast consisting of fried onions and Potatoes.
On the son return, both partook of the meal the father remarking that the onion had a bitter taste. A little later he complained of feeling ill and was seized with vomiting. The son also commenced to develop similar symptoms whilst a dog, who had eaten the remains of the break fast displayed signs of poisoning.
Mr. Wheelock. sen expressed an opinion that he had been poisoned as his legs were stiffening. His son administered an emetic which how ever had no effect and the old gentleman passed away shortly afterwards.
His son hastened to the nearest siding and caught the Perth train to Mullewa where he reported the occurence to PC McArthur who accompanied by PC Jacobs drove out to the camp. Their investigations showed that Mr Wheelock had died without a struggle.
They took possession of the cooking utensils and a rusty old tin containing fat which it is assumed had in some way become contaminated with a corrosive poison, as it is thought that at some time it may have been used for holding poison.
A packet of ant exterminator was found amongst deceased's belongings. The facts of the case were reported to the acting Coroner who decided that in the absence of any suspicious circumstances an inquest was unecessary. The body was removed to Mullewa, where the burial took place on Saturday. [1]
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1842 - 1915 (73 years)
