Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), Tuesday 19 July 1910, page 33


A PERTH HOTEL TRAGEDY. Perth, July 12. Mr. John Hearn, a well known pastoralist, of Arrino, was accident-ally killed this morning ina lift at His Majesty's Hotel, Hay street. The circumstances were as simple as they were tragic. Mr. Hearn was leaving the hotel to catch the train to his home. His luggage had been brought to the ground floor in the lift, and he was taking it out, when, by some means, the lift started suddenly to descend into the basement. The lift boy, who was standing by, tried to stop it. He failed, however, and in an in-stant Mr Hearn's head was fear-fully smashed between the top of the doorway of the lift and the hotel floor. The unfortunate, gentle-man was not killed outright, but lived only a few minutes. Dr. Seed was hastily summoned, but could do nothing but intimate that death had taken place. The deceased was the owner of a splendid pastoral property on the Midland line. and was as well es-teemed and respected as he was well known in this and other Australian States. Mr. Hearn knew the lift perfectly, and it was apparently in perfect working order, having been examined and passed a few days earlier by a Government Inspector. It would appear that: in getting his luggage out, Mr. Hearn inadver-tently shifted the lever and started the lift going. The deceased was only 45 years of age, and had been a resident in West Australia for about 15 years. His parents were large landholders in Mansfteld (Victoria), but both died since his arrival in West Aus-tralia. After some vicissitudes Mr. Hearn was appointed manager of the Nookawarra Station, on the Murchison, the property of Mr. Frank Wittenoom, and after some years there he engaged in stock deal-ing. Later on he joined the late Mr. H. M. Malhoney, then owner of Murgoo, in the purchase, of the Gabyon Station, which proved a most successful venture. When. Mr. Maloney died Mr. Hearn purchased the property right out. Failing health induced Mr. Hearn to sell Gabyon. A voyage round the world had the effect of restoring Mr. Hearn to perfect health, and he pur-chased Arrino. on the Midland line, which, he was developing and im-proving. The deceased leaves a widow and one young daughter.