Thomas Hosking PEARCE

   Research Notes:

Thomas Hosking Pearce of Moonta Mines died aged 49 years.

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" SUICIDE NEAR MOONTA.

Moontai— As Messrs; E, Water and A. E. Bray were driving from town to their work at the farm of Mr. Waters at Nalyappa, between 4 and 5 a.m. on Monday, they saw a man lying on the bank of a dam, about half a mile from Moonta. A closer investigation revealed that fact that it was the dead body of Thomas Hosking Pearce, of Moonta Mines. He held a double-barrelled small ore gun between his legs, with the muzzle pointing to his head. Blood was flowing from a gunshot wound in the forehead. They reported the matter to the police. Sergeant McCarthy went out with them and brought the body into the police station. Enquiries elicited that Pearce, who was 49 years of age, had lived with his mother (Mrs. E. Pearce) since the death of his wife. He had been working on Mr. Stock's farm at North Yelta carting hay. His workmates stated that he had been acting very strangely since Friday. His mother, and other relatives also testified to his strangeness in the home. He was an exceptionally quiet and reserved man. Mr. T. H. Cock deemed an inquest unnecessary. Mr. Pearce leaves a son and daughter." ^{3 4 5}

   Marriage Information:

Thomas married Lizzie TRAINOR, daughter of Patrick TRAINOR and Unknown, on 6 May 1896 in Catholic Presbytery, Kadina, S.A., Australia ¹. (Lizzie TRAINOR was born about 1872.)

   Marriage Notes:

Thomas Hosking Pearce, single, 22, son of John Pearce, and
Lizzie Trainor, single, 24, daughter of Patrick Trainor

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Not sure if the son and daughter (born in Broken Hill) belong to this Thomas H. Pearce and Elizabeth. Thomas' death notice indicates a son and a daughter; however, no record (under the spelling Pearce) can be found for these children in the South Australia Registrar. Thomas' death was also reported in the Barrier Miner (a Broken Hill paper).