Samuel Ellis Chandler

  General Notes:

Electoral Roll: - 1903 - Warraquil, Vic. - farmer.
1914 - Baker, Vic. - farmer.

The Nhill Free Press, Tuesday, December 4, 1917.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT WARRAQUIL WEST - WELL KNOWN FARMER SHOT - MR. SAMUEL CHANDLER - THE DEADLY PEA RIFLE AGAIN.
A sensation was caused at Warraquil West on Friday when the news was circulated that Mr. Samuel E. Chandler one of the best known and most highly respected farmers in the district had died at 9 a.m. from a gun shot wound in the head. Deceased, who was recognised as an expert with firearms, being a noted shot both with the rifle and breech-loader, was in the habit of shooting at sparrows and hawks which congregate about the farm buildings, stacks, etc, and, in a shed situated about 20 yards on the south side of the private dwelling, he kept both a rifle of the Enfield pattern and also a pea rifle, the later weapon being the one which he used to pick off the sparrows and hawks.
Mrs Minerva M. Hiscock, sister of the deceased, stated that at 7 a.m. on Friday she heard the late Mr. Chandler light the fire and put on the kettle preparatory to having breakfast and he then proceeded outside to the shed here it was his habit to mend wheat bags. Mrs. Hiscock rose and prepared the breakfast and then directed her little son, aged 7 years, to go out to the shed and inform deceased that breakfast was ready. The boy returned immediately and stated that “Uncle was lying down and a gun was lying beside him.” Upon investigating Mrs. Hiscock was shocked to discover her brother lying in a pool of blood which was flowing from the nose and a wound in the head, he was then breathing and in an unconscious condition. Deceased had no family or business worries; he recently invested a large sum of money in war bonds.
Mr. Thos. Cunningham, who resides a mile away from deceased’s residence was informed and a phone message despatched to Dr. Shanasy in Nhill, who motored out to Warraquil West at top speed, but on the doctor’s arrival life was extinct. It is surmised that while deceased was mending bags he observed sparrows or a hawk near the shed and immediately gripped the pea-rifle, which was resting on a shelf about 7 feet from the ground, by the muzzle and, in the act of taking it down, he accidentally hit the bolt against a small stove which was hanging from a rafter with the result that the weapon exploded when the muzzle was directly pointing at his head. He then sank down on the bags where he was discovered by Mrs. Hiscock. The bullet punctured low down on the left temple but death was not instantaneous. The wound was scorched by the discharge from the rifle.
The police at Nhill were notified of the sad occurrence and Constable C. F. McBride, in company with Mr. J. C. Duffy, J. P. deputy-coroner, proceeded per motor to deceased’s residence and made investigations. After examining the corpse and the gun by which deceased met his death, a magisterial inquiry was held before Mr. Duffy when a verdict was returned that deceased died at Warriquil West on Friday, 30th November, from a gun shot wound in the temple, caused by the accidental discharge of a pea-rifle.
The remains were interred in the Netherby cemetery on Saturday when the funeral was very largely attended. The burial service was conducted by Rev. Pywell, Church of England Minister of Jeparit. Messrs Goldsworthy, Coles and Co. had charge of the mortuary arrangements.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Wheat Farmer.

Samuel married Jane (Jean) Hiscock, daughter of Harry Hiscock and Janet Dixon, on 5 Apr 1905 in Pyalong, Victoria Australia. (Jane (Jean) Hiscock was born on 21 Aug 1874 in Pyalong, Victoria Australia, died on 5 Apr 1914 in Dr. Shanasy's Hospital, Nhill, Victoria Australia and was buried on 7 Apr 1914 in Netherby Cemetery, Victoria Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Certificate: (277).