Highlands History | Michael Morris felled by tree in 1891

The deceased was Michael William Morris, the son of John Morris of Woodlands, a property situated south of Mittagong on the Berrima Road, just past the Wombeyan Caves turn-off. The lad had attended Sunday Mass at Mittagong's Catholic Church.

The Bowral Free Press of July 15, 1891 reported the accident as follows: "A melancholy tale has to be told of the boisterous weather on Sunday morning last and which we regret to say has brought sorrow and bereavement to the home of a well-known and well respected family in this district. In the pride of health and strength, buoyant with youth and hope, this poor lad was struck down with terrible suddenness while returning from the House of God."

"Immediately after Mass, between 10 and 11 o'clock, he started on horseback for home. He rode along the Berrima Road quite regardless of the terrible violence of the wind, and with no thought of danger in his young heart, his only desire being to reach home, but this was not to be, for as he was approaching the ironworks, a tree crashed down with terrible suddenness on top of boy and horse. No warning had he, no chance of escape. It takes some time to relate these terrible occurrences, but unfortunately they take place very quickly.

"The tree was blown up by the roots, and as it fell across the road one of the limbs struck young Morris, inflicting terrible injuries, while the main portion of the tree fell right on the horse, killing him instantly. The accident was witnessed by Mrs Loseby, who was at her son's place, and she at once ran and told her son, John W Loseby, that an accident had occurred.

"With that kindness and willingness to render assistance which is characteristic of the family, Loseby quickly went to the spot, which was about 300 yards from his house, and there found the boy lying alongside the horse, while the poor animal was pinned to the ground by the tree. He thought the boy was dead, as he noticed that blood had flowed from a wound on the head and from his nose and that it had run about six feet along the road."

"To carry the body to the nearest hotel was Loseby's first thought and the boy was carefully and tenderly lifted. It was then discovered that, although unconscious, he was still alive. Loseby at once called out to his mother to go for a doctor, which she quickly did, while he with every possible tenderness carried the sufferer to Kingham's Coach and Horses Hotel."

Dr Smythe arrived soon after and found that the boy was suffering from a serious fracture of the skull and other injuries. He held out no hopes for the poor boy's recovery and less than an hour later young Michael passed away. After death it was found that in addition to the fracture of the skull, the boy's arm was also broken and there were many other severe injuries about the body and head.

The BFP's report continued that "the news of the terrible occurrence was quickly spread about, and on all sides genuine sorrow was expressed. Among the first to hear of the accident was Thomas Morris, of the Exchange Hotel, and he told the police, little thinking at the time that it was his brother's son that had been so suddenly killed. During the day residents of Bowral and Mittagong visited the scene of the accident. Those who did so saw nothing more than a horse lying dead under the tree, and the life's blood of poor young Morris, but it conveyed some idea of the fearful suddenness of the event. The tree fell across the horse's loins and broke both hind legs."

"A magisterial enquiry was held at the Coach and Horses Hotel, Mittagong, on the Monday evening, before Mr H Childs, JP, when evidence similar to the above facts was elicited, and a verdict returned that the deceased was accidentally killed by a falling tree on the main road at Mittagong."

On the Tuesday morning the funeral and a special service for Michael William Morris took place at the Catholic Church, Mittagong. This building, opened in 1889, remains in service today.

The cortege then progressed to Berrima, with a large number of relatives and sympathising friends taking part in the sad procession.