Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 18 November 1901, page 5


FEARFUL DEATH OF A

CLERGYMAN.

CUT TO PIECES ON THE RAILWAY.

KOROIT, Saturday.

The Rev Frederick Arthur Booth, M.A. , incumbent of St. Paul's Church of England here, was found dead this morning near the gatehouse on the railway line to Warr-nambool, about three quarters of a mile from the Koroit station. The head was fearfully smashed, the face being entirely cut off . At the inquest held today, before Mr. G.

D. M'Cormick, coroner, the evidence showed that deceased had been suffering severely from depression and insomnia for the last six months. He had been accus-tomed to take a walk every evening, and on leaving home last night his wife noticed nothing unusual. The night was very dark and Mr Booth not returing at midnight, a search was made. A verdict that the de-ceased was run over by a train, but that there was no evidence to show how the ac-cident occured, was returned. Mr Booth was 40 years of age, and was married, leav-

ing four children. Her was educated at Grenville College, Ballarat, and won the Cusack and Russell scholarships. He ob-tained the Degree of Master of Arts at the University of Melbourne, and was or-dained by Dr Thornton about 15 years ago, being vicar of Warracknabeal. Afterwards he was incumbant at Creswick, and was in-ducted vicar of Koroit four years ago.

MARYBOROUGH, Sunday

The Rev. F.A. Booth, whose mutilated body was found on the railway line at Ko-roit on Saturday, was for several years vicar of St Paul's Church, Carisbrook. At the morning service at the church today the Rev. T.P. Bennet made reference to the sad occurence. Deceased was highly respected.