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Newspaper-Articles

• 11 Jul 1946: Mrs. Bertha Agnes Fisher On Tuesday last the death occurred of Mrs. Bertha Agnes Fisher at the Yass District Hospital following the results of injuries from burns. She was 54 years old.
  The deceased was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Goldberg, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Carrol, of Childowla. She lived most of her life in Melbourne.
  On June 18 the late Mrs. Fisher, who was residing at her Aunts, Misses Carrol, was filling a lamp near a fire when her clothes caught alight. She was treated by the Yass Ambuance Officer and admitted to the hospital in a serious condition. Despite the utmost attention, she passed away on Tuesday night last. The Funeral took place from St. Augustine's Church yesterday afternoon. The Rev. Father McPhillip officiated at the church and graveside. The arrangements were in charge of Mr. B. J. Delaney.
  Floral tributes were sent by Aunties; Uncle and Sam Carrol; Uncles James Carrol; Uncle and Aunty, Mr. and Mrs. George Cook; Jack Carrol; Owen and Kevin Ryan and Family; Gus, May and Family; The Cooke Bros. and Families; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Cooke and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cooke; All at Ferndale; F. Richards; Mr. and Mrs. F. Macarthy and Des.⁸
• 25 Jul 1946: Accidental Death Verdict. SLEEVE CAUGHT FIRE.
  The District Coroner (Mr. E. A. Hickey), held an inquest at the Yass Courthouse on Monday last, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death at Yass hospital on July 9 of Mrs. Bertha Agnes Fisher, whose clothing caught fire while dusting a room at her aunt's residence, Bookham.
  A verdict that the burns which caused the fatality were accidently received while deceased was cleaning a lamp was found. Sgt. E. A. Shipway appeared to assist the coroner.
  Dr. Peggy Anderson, who was acting as locum tenens for Dr. R. J. English, stated that the deceased was taken to her surgery on the afternoon of the tragedy, suffering from extensive burns to the body and limbs, and from shock. After treatment for shock Mrs. Fisher was admitted to the Yass District Hospital.
  Witness described the severe injuries from burns. The deceased was very restless due to shock, but after treatment her condition improved. After three or four days she was sleeping well and taking nourishment. At no time did she refer to suicide in witness' hearing. A fortnight after her admission, her condition deteriorated, and, following a severe vomiting attack on the night of July 8 she passed away on the following day. In the Doctor's opinion the distribution of the burns was consistent with the clothes catching alight.
  Cleaning A Lamp
  Mrs. Catherine Telfer, of Bookham, said she was the aunt of the deceased, who was 54 years of age and also a native of Bookham. She had been living apart from her husband for many years but the witness had no idea where the husband resided.
  On the day of the fire deceased was in the front room of their home where there was a good fire. She was tidying the room, and had a kerosene-soaked cloth to clean the lamp. Witness was in the kitchen when she heard her niece screaming. She ran out and saw deceased running with her clothes on fire. Witness' sister wrapped her apron around her but she continued to run, and witness put a bag around deceased and put out the flames. Deceased said she had been cleaning the lamp when her sleeve caught fire and then her dress.
  Deceased was of a bright, happy disposition, but was not of robust health. She had not been well, and was spending a holiday with them. She had been a patient at the Yass hospital recently suffering from ulcerated stomach.
  Samuel Dale Carroll, grazier, of Bookham, told the Court that Mrs. Fisher was his cousin, and had been spending a holiday at his home. Usually she resided at St. Kilda. She had no family. He had assisted in subduing the flames burning the clothes of his cousin who had told him that when she noticed the flames; she got frightened, and ran outside.
  The deceased had suffered a stroke which had affected her memory although she had a happy disposition. She was of temperate habits and was a non-smoker. Her life was not insured, and, as far as he knew, she had no property.
  Ran Out of House
  Sgt. A. E. M. Shipway gave corroborative evidence regarding the events leading to the admission of the deceased to Yass hospital. He was of the opinion that Mrs. Fisher lost her self-possession when she saw the flames and rushed outside in the wind. There was no suggestion of foul play.
  Enquiries show that deceased was in the front room where a good fire was burning in an open fire place. She was tidying the place up and cleaning the keroeene lamp with a kerosene rag and also with newspaper, and throwing the rag and paper into the fire. It is surmised that her sleeve caught fire and deceased tried to extinguish the flames but could not do so. She became excited and ran out of the house into the wind to where one of her aunts were, the latter tried to extinguish the flames with an apron, deceased ran around the house screaming and was met by the other aunt who had been in the kitchen; this aunt wrapped a bag around her and put the flames out. Enquiries show that deceased was on very good terms with her aunts and cousin and that she was well cared for and had everything she desired in the way of comfort.⁹
• 5 Aug 1946: RETURN THANKS. THE RELATIVES of the late Mrs. Bertha Agnes Fisher sincerely wish to thank all kind friends for letters of sympathy and floral tributes in their sad hereavement, also Dr. Anderson, Matron and Nursing Staff for kindness and sympathy, and Mrs. Armour for use of her home, and Mrs. Gus Kelly and family for attending and sending phone messages promptly. Will all please accept this as personal thanks.¹⁰