Jabez Hill (1876 - 1931)

THE NORTHERN STAR, Friday 24 July 1931.

BODY IN SCRUB. LISMORE INQUEST.

Conducting an inquest at Lismore yesterday into the death of JABEZ HILL (53), whose decomposed body was found in thick lantana on the Wyrallah Road Reserve, near Lismore, on July 19, the District Coroner, Mr E A Mahony, found that on or about May 29, Hill died from the effects of a bullet wound wilfully self inflicted. Jane Hill, of South Lismore, told the Coroner that she last saw her husband on May 29 at 5 pm. He said he was going back to Timm's place at Marom Creek, where he had been working. That day she had been with him to a Lismore solicitor's office in connection with buying a house property, which was being purchased. The vendor had "closed" and she and her husband were unable to meet the payments. Hill had been worrying about being dismissed from a previous job he had held and about losing the home. They had not quarrelled, and she had not known him to drink. He was of a quiet disposition. In addition to £17 10s received from Timms, her husband had other money with a firm of solicitors. She did not know he had a pea rifle, but Hill was alleged to have told his son, "One day I will clear out to blazes and no one will know where I am." Sgt E E Hill described the position in which the body was found, stating that the butt of the rifle was near the left foot and the muzzle was inclined towards the same direction as the head. A discharged .22 calibre shell was found in the breech. A sum of £14 3s 7½d was found in the clothing, also a watch and chain, a razor, a pair of spectacles and cartridges. It was Archibald G McInnes, a resident of East Lismore, who notified the police that the body had been found. Three boys had been roaming around the reserve, he said, and one of them saw a man lying down and ran away. Witness's son told him this, and McInnes went to the spot next day.

THE NORTHERN STAR, Monday 20 July 1931

MYSTERY CLEARED - DECOMPOSED BODY FOUND

The discovery of his decomposed body in thick lantana on the Wyrallah road reserve yesterday morning, has solved the mysterious disappearance two months ago of Mr. Jabez Hill (54), of South Lismore. A pea rifle, which contained a discharged shell, was found alongside the body. Mr. Hill was last seen alive when he left his place of employment at Marom Creek to come to Lismore about two months ago. His whereabouts after his visit to Lismore were unknown, even to his relatives. Only clothing and articles found in the pockets led to his identification by the widow, after preparations had been made for the burial yesterday afternoon. Three boys were roaming the hill on Saturday afternoon and observed what appeared to be a man lying asleep under the lantana 200 yards from the roadway. Mentioning the incident on their return home, Mr. A. Mclnnes, a resident of East Lismore, accompanied them to the spot yesterday morning and made the discovery. The police were communicated with, and Sergts. A.E. Pye and E.E. Hill accompanied by the district coroner (Mr. E.A. Mahony) and Dr. Bluett, visited the spot. An order was given for burial and the body was taken to the cemetery. Inquiries were made and later Mrs. Jane Hill, of 109 Union street, identified the remains as those of her husband, identification being established by the clothing and articles found in the pockets of his clothes. In addition to a widow, a family of four sons survive. The funeral will take place this afternoon and an inquest will be held.