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Butler Cole Smyth (1865–1886)

We regret to have to report the death by drowning of Mr. Butler Cole Smyth, age twenty-two years, the youngest son of Mr. C. A. Smyth, the well-known barrister. The deceased gentleman left Melbourne on Friday on a holiday tour through Gippsland. He stopped at Woorong on Saturday, and while bathing in the Mitchell River, yesterday morning, with several other gentlemen, he was drowned. It is supposed that he caught the cramp, as he was a splendid swimmer. The body was recovered about three hours afterwards, and will be forwarded to Melbourne this morning. On the intelligence reaching town, Mr. Smyth endeavoured to engage a special train to convey him to the scene of the accident, but was unable to obtain one.

Original publication

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • funeral, Age (Melbourne), 21 December 1886, p 8

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Citation details

'Smyth, Butler Cole (1865–1886)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/smyth-butler-cole-24338/text33080, accessed 27 June 2025.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2025

Life Summary [details]

Birth

15 January, 1865
Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Death

19 December, 1886 (aged 21)
Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

drowned

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.