Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 5 August 1873, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser

NOWENDOC.

FATAL ACCIDENT.—An accident, resulting in the
death of a young man named James McCane, occurred
at this place on the evening of Sunday the 20th July,
while attempting to cross over the river, although
the river was not flooded at the time. The party in
question made use of a small flat bottom canoe, which
he pushed out into deep water, and at the same time  
losing his balance, and upsetting the frail craft, was
at once in deep water. Being unable to swim, in a
very few seconds he disappeared, to rise no more.
This was witnessed by a few children and women,
who could render no assistance, until it was too late.
I may just mention the deceased was sober at the
time, and was well known in the neighbourhood for
his sober steady habits.

Gold digging is very slack just at this time, nothing
new found. Weather too cold and wet for prospect-
ing. About one hundred men are still at work, and
many of the diggers are busily collecting small stones,
which they believe to be diamonds. I am sorry to
say that they are not of that precious family, but the
common topaz, of various colours, and can be readily
scratched or cut with the real diamond.

Nowendoc, July 25th, 1873.