James Richard Beecroft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 19 Oct 1848 - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 1
Christening:
Death: 17 Sep 1905 - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
Event, The Mercury, 8 May 1883
CAUTION TO HORSE OWNERS.--As in stancing the carelessness of some-not all, be it mentioned-of those connected with purveying horse-feed, a case which came under the notice of Mr. J. R. Bee croft, farrier, of George-street, yesterday morning amply verifies. A horse was brought to his establishment suffering, apparently, from decayed or loose grinders, but upon being examined by Mr. Beecroft it was found that a packing needle to the length of at least four inches had become impacted at the root of the tongue, and which caused intense in flammation of that organ. Measures were at once taken by Mr. Beecroft to ease the, poor horse, which was a valuable one, of its troublesome.companion, and which were thoroughly successful, when it was found that the needle was imbedded to within half an inch of its length. If carelessness it be on the part of some hay and corn dealers' employes in bagging up chaff, -it is a pity the lex talionis law could not be applied to them for such cruelty to that noblest of animals-the horse. Event, The Mercury, 6 Aug 1883
SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. - A highly creditable operation was recently per- formed by Mr. J. Beocroft, of George- street, to a horse belonging to Mr. Samuel Farrell, butcher. The horse had been located at Bishopsbourne, and while there accidently obtained access to a corn crib, containing new wheat, of which it ate its fill, and shortly afterwards, it is supposed, either from this cause, or from a blow on the head, the animal became totally blind. It was with difficulty brought into town, and put into the hands of Mr. Beecroft, who has now effected a thorough cure, the animal now having perfect sight in both eyes. Event, Launceston Examiner, 17 Mar 1885
ACCIDENT TO A HORSE.-Yesterday morn- ing between eight and nine o'clock an accident happened in George-street, by which a valuable horse belonging to Dr. Pike met with so serious an injury that it is probable death will ensue. It appears the horse in question was being ridden by a young man named Powell, groom to Dr. Pike, at a slow canter, when upon arriving in front of Mr. Newey's hay and corn store, the animal shied at a heap of bags which were lying on the pathway close to the kerbstone, while at the same moment a dray and horse belonging to Bong's Brewery was coming down tie street, and the swerv- ing of the horse caused the wheel of the dray to strike it on the right hind leg, inflicting a severe fracture of the stifle bone. Mr. Beecroft, Veterinary Surgeon, George-street, was sent for, and attended the horse, but so serious did he think the fracture that he was of opinion the animal should be shot. Anxious, however, to be supported in his opinion, Mr. Bushman, Veterinary Surgeon, was called in for a consultation, who coincided with Mr. Beecroft as to the seriousness of the injury and improbability of the horse re- covering. Dr. Pike, however, anxious to do all he could to preserve the life of the animal, which apart from its pecuniary worth was a favourite of Mrs. Pike's, demurred, and remedies to reduce the fracture are being resorted to. Under any circumstances the loss is a severe one to Dr. Pike. The practice of heaped up sacks, boxes, etc., being allowed on the pathway is a most reprehensible one, as it might have caused a serious injury to the rider as well as the horse. Event, Launceston Examiner, 25 Mar 1885
LATE HORSE ACCIDENT. The horse be- longing to Dr. Pike, that had one of its hind legs broken a week ago, is recovering, though probably it will never entirely get over the effects of the injury; In connec- tion with our former notice of this case we have been requested to say that when Mr. Bushman was called in he was not aware that any one else had been consulted, and that he held no consultation with Mr. Beecroft. Event, Launceston Examiner, 11 Feb 1885
W. PROSSER V. V. M. McCREADY. Claim for damages to a horse, £28 12s 6d. Mr. G. Crosby Gilmore appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. G. T. Collins for the defen- dant. Walter Prosser deposed he was the plaintiff, and on the 16th December he was driving Messrs. Wm. and Harry Birehall to the Main Line Railway Station; when he got over the crossing of Tamar-street he saw McCready's cab coming from the Main Line Station ; it was a beautiful evening, clear and fine ; the cab was driven by Stimeon, who was in the employof McCready ; he was on his proper side when he first saw him : he then crossed over to his side ; when he got within 40 or 50 yards of him he turned to the crown of the road, and when he got within about 20 yards of him he saw him coming straight towards him; he called out "Look out where you are coming," and with that stopped; he (witness) was on his proper side, within two yards of the gutter; the accident occurred within a yard of Westcombe. street; he had not sufficient room to turn down that road, because there was a telephone post in the way; the off shaft went into his horse's off shoulder,and caused a wound; from Tamar-street to where the accident happened was 83 yards; the road was perfectly clear on each side; he could not by any possibility have avoided the collision ; he had been offered three times £25 for the horse; he was fully worth that to him. To Mr. Collins-It was twenty minutes past eight o'clock when the accident occurred; he never tried to pass the defendant's car on the wrong side; he was driving at the rate of six miles an hour: he purchased the horse from Mr. Henry Field about five years ago for £12. Re-examined-He broke in the horse him- self. Harry Ward Birchall deposed that he re- membered the evening of the 16th December; he was a passenger in Prosser's car; he was driving him to the Main Line Railway station: soon after passing Tamar-street he heard Prosser call out; he then pulled up as far as he could on the left hand side until the two wheels of the car and the whole of the horse were in the gutter; on looking out he saw that a collision had taken place with another car; Prosser blamed the other carman, but he did not answer; it was a clear, light evening; the place was close to Gasworks-lane; Presser said if it had been a yard nearer he could have driven down the lane ; before leaving the station Prosser asked him to look at the wound on the right shoulder of the horse; there was no act what ever that would make him infer Prosser was negligent in driving. To Mr. Collins-It was a wagonette; before the collision he saw the car advancing which came into collision; it was in the middle of the road; up to the time of the collision he only saw the car in the position of the centre of the road ; just before the collision the cab he was in drew off to the left; he did not get out of the car after the accident took place. James Beecroft deposed he was a veterinary surgeon, and attended a horse belonging to the plaintiff which had a wound ; he remembered Stimson, the driver of the cab. saying subse- quently that he had no boss, as he had left, for he was not going to swear false for anyone ; the value of the horse in his estimation was £25; Prosser was a very careful driver. Nicholas Gilbert deposed he was coachman for Mrs. Reed, Mount Pleasant, and had known Presser for 10 years as a careful driver; he thought Stimson an improper person to have charge of a horse and trap. Charles Rowbotham deposed that he knew Stimson as the driver of McCready's cab; Stimson had been in his employ, but he dis- charged him for reckless driving. Charles Stephenson deposed that he knew the horse Prosser lost, and had offered him £20 and £25 for it. To Mr. Collins-He offered him £25 some three months since; be had driven the horse as far as Rosevear's and back. William Kilby deposed that he had been on the box with Prosser, and he was capable of taking the reins with anyone in Launceston. This closed the case for the plaintiff, and Mr. Collins, after a few remarks to the jury, called William Stimson, who deposed that he was in the employ of Mr. McCready, driving a car for him ; a collision took place between his car and Prosser's; he was coming from the Main Line Railway Station on the right side, and Prosser was coming down on the wrong side until within about 30 yards of the meeting ; he then pulled off to go to the middle of the road, so as not to detain Prosser, who was in haste to catch the train; as soon as he pulled off, Prosser pulled off too towards the centre of the road; the (witness) was going to pull off to his right ride, when the off shaft of his cab struck the off shoulder of Prosser's horse; Prosser's car was on the wrong side. To Mr. Gilmore-He did not hear Presser call out " You are on your wrong side." To Mr. Collins-The accident took place through the two cars crossing. This closed the case for the defence, and the counsel on each side having addressed the jury, his Honor briefly summed up, and the jury after a short retirement returned a verdict for the plaintiff fer £23 8s 6d. Mr. G. T. Collins applied on behalf of the defendant that the amount might be paid by weekly instalments, as his client was very poor. Mr. Gilmore said execution would have to go. He understood that the defendant had sold his old car and bought a new one. If there was any evidence to show that he was really in straitened circumstances it was not his desire to proceed to extremities. His Honor said it would he better to reserve the point and get his affidavit as to circumstances. Event, The Mercury, 18 May 1885
Saturday. Event, Launceston Examiner, 16 Nov 1885
At tho Police Court this morning an old man named William Adams, more familarly known to habituιs of the Coffee Palace as " Old Items," was charged by Superinten- dent Coultor with having cruelly ill-treated two cats, by having choked one with his hands, and caused tho death of the other by hitting it with a spade, on the 11 til inst. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Charles Botts, a lad of about 13, who gave his evi- dence In a remarkably clear and truthful manner, deposed that he was an apprentice to Mr. Beecroft, the farrier, and on Monday last he saw the defenant, who was em- ployed at Mr. Sutton's Coffee Palace, in the yard of the palace. Saw him choke a yellow cat with his hands. One of the laundry women called out, "Items, do no more, now-you have done enough." Defendant then took a shovel and struck another cat, a black and white one, on the side of the head, but he could not say whether the blow killed the cat. In answer to the prisoner, witness said that he saw what took place through a slightly open window, and had to stand on a bench to look out. Archibald Robertson, also em- ployed at Mr. Beocroft's, gave similar testi- mony, and added that he believed the cats were dead in the yard.
Tho defendant : Oh, If the cats are dead why did you not bring them up to the Court ? Tho cats are alive, sir, I fed them this morning myself. It would be different if they were anybody else's cats, but they are my own. I bred and born them since I have been at the Palace.
Emma Barnes deposed that she was in Mr. Sutton's service, and defendant was em-ployed at the Coffeo Palace as boots. Last Monday she saw him choke a cat, and told him that he had better leave the cats alone, but he had been drinking and took no notice of her. Ho choked one to death, and struck tho other on the head with the flat part of a spade. She could not say whether he struck a second blow, or whether that cat was killed, as she then went back to her, work in the laundry.
In his defence the defendant said the cats were his, and that they were not dead. They had annoyed him by going into his bedroom.
The Bench found the defendant guilty of cruelty to animals, and imposed a fine of 15s. and costs, or a week's imprisonment in default of payment.
LAUNCESTON POLICE COURT. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14. Before Mr. V. Whitfeld, J.P. HORSE AT LARGE.-James Beecroft pleaded guilty to having allowed a horse, his property, to be at large, and was fined 5s and costs 7s 6d. (Here Mr. B. P. Farrelly, J.P., took his seat on the Bench.) Event, Launceston Examiner, 9 Jul 1886
A SAD CASE.-Yesterday morning a sad case came before the Launceston Police Court, in which a little boy named Henry Ballard, aged 11 years, whose height did not reach above the dock, was charged with having stolen three rasps the pro- perty of Mr. James Beecroft, of Laun- ceston, on Tuesday last. Supt. Coulter, in explaining the case, said as the lad was very young he did not wish to press the charge, and as the child's father had pro- mised to severely chastise him for the offence committed, he would ask for his discharge. Mr. G. A. Kemp, the Acting Police Magistrate, said it was shocking to see a lad in such a position, and after severely admonishing him, he ordered that he be discharged. Event, Launceston Examiner, 31 Dec 1888
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. A DISCLAIMER. Sir,-As Mr. Hortle's letter in to-day's issue might convey an erroneous impres- sion, I slould be glad if you could find space for this. Mr. Cooke and myself being the only veterinaries practising in this town, the public might naturally conclude that the person who "claimed to have some ex- perience" is myself. I have had many cases of poll-evil under my care, and , with the exception of one some three years ago, when the disease had been allowed to run on for two years, have always been suc- cessful with them ; but it is 12 months or more since the last passed through my hands.-Yours, etc., Dec. 29. J. R. Beecroft. Event, Launceston Examiner, 3 Dec 1889
AT the City Police Court yesterday, Mossr 0. W. W. Wtorhouse, P.M., and G. Horne,. J.P., presided. One drunkard was fined 10s, with the usual alternative in default.-James Beecroft was fined 5s and costs, for having permitted a horse, his property, to be at large on the Windmill Hill. Event, Lauceston Examiner, 12 Mar 1890
COURT OF REQUESTS. O0 JURISDICTION. Tuesday March, 11. Before Mr Commissioner Waterhouse. ISAAC W. CHURCH v. W. L. HARWOOD - This was a claim for £10 10s for the loss of a horse. Mr A. H. Davis appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr E. G. Miller for the defendant. Jury-Messrs W. R. Marsh, C. Dodg- shun, and W. A. Dowling. The evidence for the plaintiff was to the effect that on January 17 last the defen- dant, who was a constable of the Selby police, borrowed a horse from the plaintiff, the animal was strongly built and in perfectly good health when he was lent; he was what was termed a "roarer," but was a handy horse for ploughing, etc.; between five and six o'clock on the morn- ing following the date on which the defen- dant had borrowed the horse the plaintiff found him in his yard dead; the horse had evidently died from the effects of an over dose of water; the horse had actually been sold shortly before his death for £7, but the plaintiff valued him at £1 or £1 10s more. Shortly after the horse died it was "given to the pigs" for some time, and subsequently buried. For the defence it was contended there was no evidence to show the horse's death had been caused by any act of negligence on the part of the defendant. Mr Miller, therefore, submitted there was no evidence to go to the jury to entitle the plantiff to a verdict. The Commissioner intimated he would not feel justified in withdrawing the case from the jury. The evidence of the defendant was to effect that he took proper care of the horse, knowing it was somewhat touched in the wind. James Beecroft, veterinary surgeon, deposed that from what he had heard of the horse's condition it was in his opinion liable to drop dead at any moment; if the testimony of the defendant was correct, witness did not think it probable the horse died from the effects of being over watered. Both counsel having addressed the Court the Commissioner summed up, and the jury brought in a verdict for the defendant. Event, Launceston Enquirer, 12 May 1890
Veterinary and Shoeing Establish- Event, Launceston Examiner, 30 Mar 1894
ments.
BEECROFT, J. R., Brisbane-street.
A PECULIAR case of what might be termed equine dental malformation was success- fully treated yesterday by Mr J. R. Bee- croft, of this city, who has been well known in Northern Tasmania as an authority on diseases of the horse for upwards of a quarter of a century. A six-year-old draught mare, owned by Mr W. Murray, of East Tamar, had, it appears, been suffer ing for a considerable time past from her teeth. The upper molars projected about an inch and a-half below the other teeth, the consequence being that the mare could not close her jaws properly. As a result she was simply starving to death through being unable to masticate her food. Mr Beecroft was called in, and at first en- deavoured to saw off portions of the two gigantic molars responsible for the animal's bad state of health. The attempt, how ever, did not prove successful, so it was decided to extract the teeth. This was a decidedly ticklish job, and the mare was placed under the influence of chloroform whilst the operation was carried out. The offending teeth were successfully extracted, and ac- cording to latest accounts the equine patient was progressing favourably. The molars, which a representative of this office had an opportunity of viewing, are certainly gigantic in their proportions. They measure about 3in each, and together weigh about 90z. Fully half the side of one is worn away through constant friction with the neighbouring tooth on the lower jaw. Mr Beecroft states that in all his years of experience with horses he has never met with a similar case in connection with a six-year-old animal. The teeth, which are certainly curiosities in their way, will be presented to the Victoria Museum. Event, Launceston Examiner, 21 Jun 1894
QUICK RECOVERY.--It will be remem- bered that early on Sunday morning, the 3rd inst., a fire broke out in a stable at the rear of the residence of Mrs George Wey mouth, Upper Elizabeth-street, by which a horse was severely burnt. The animal was put under the treatment of Mr J. R. Beecroft, whose skill has been well tested, and the horse is fast recovering from the severe burning it received. The horse was on the point of being shot at the time of the fire, but on examination by Mr Bee- croft it was found that it was not neces- sary to destroy the animal. The horse eats well, and is progressing favourably. Event, Launceston Examiner, 15 Dec 1897
SPORTING. Tattersall's Race Club elsewhere issue a preliminary announcement with regard to its next race meeting, which takes place at Elphin on Christmas afternoon, and for which the St. Joseph's Band has been engaged. The programme will be issued during the week. An unfortunate accident happened yesterday morhning to Mr. "H. Jenning's" four-year-old racing mare, Lorna, by Mozart-Lorna Doone. The mare was turned out in a paddock, and took a smart gallop, when she fell, sustaining a compound fracture of the humerus bone Mr. J. R. Beecroft, veterinary surgeon, of Brisbane-street, was summoned, but he was compelled to destroy the horse, the injuries being of such a serious nature. A valuable horse belonging to Mr. C. Whittle, of Newsteald, also met with a painful accident. It attempted to jump a fence, when a pointed picket entered its abdomen. Mr. Beecroft was called in, and attended the animal, which he hopes to pull through. Event, Launceston Examiner, 11 Jan 1899
Fatal Accident to a Horse.-Yester day morning a horse belonging to Mr. R. Jones was being driven from Hill side Crescent into Bourke-street with a parcel-cart loaded with fruit, when it stumbled and fell. It sustained a deep cut in the chest and lacerations on the legs. Mr. Beecroft, veterinary surgeon, attended to the injuries, but they proved of so severe a nature that the horse had to be destroyed. Event, Launceston Examiner, 17 Mar 1900
FOR SALE, CHEAP-That Splendidly Situated Property in Brisbane-street occupied by Mr. Beecroft. Good frontage and big depth. This is a chance that seldom occurs of securing central property. Apply, A. MONAGHAN. Event, Lauceston Examiner, 29 Dec 1900
FOR SALE-Property next Dr. Par dey's, Brisbane-st., occupied by Bee croft. Good spec. Apply A. Monaghan. Event, Examiner, 16 Jan 1901
VETERINARY NOTICE. Obituary, The Mercury, 1 Jan 1906
MR. J. R. BEECROFT,
30 BRISBANE-STREET EAST,
VETERINARY SURGEON,
Will Visit SCOTTSDALE
Professionally on TUESDAY, Jan. 22.
ADDRESS: FLEMING'S HOTEL.
OBITUARY
...
Beecroft, James Richard, Veterinary Surgeon, at Launceston, Sept. 17, 1905, aged 58.
...
Parents
Father: William Beecroft
Mother: Mary Cosgrove
Spouses and Children
1. *Sarah Ann Cole 1
Marriage: 22 Jun 1871 - Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 1
Status:
Sources
1. LDS - IGI Index (familysearch.org).