DEATH
BROWN - On September 25, 1921, at Akatore (result of an accident), Alexander Brown, farmer, Akatore, beloved husband of Mary Purvis, aged 69 years. Deeply mourned.

FATAL ACCIDENT BRUCE COUNTY SURFACEMAN KILLED A distressing accident, unfortunately attended with fatal results, occurred in the Raurekau district, near Milton, last Thursday afternoon. A man named Alexander Brown, aged 69 years, who combines the duties of surfaceman with his farming operations, was engaged working for the Bruce County Council on a quarry face, when he fell over and landed on a crowbar, which penetrated his right side. He also sustained other injuries. Despite his serious injuries Mr Brown had evidently walked about three-quarters of a mile towards home, when he was overcome through loss of blood, and fell on the roadside, where the body was discovered at a later hour by a resident of the district (Mr Wm. Hutton). Life was then extinct. Dr Reid was summoned, and the body was removed to the Courthouse, Milton, pending the inquest. The inquest was opened at Milton Courthouse on Friday evening, before Mr H. J. Dickson, SM., as coroner. Formal evidence of identification was given by one of deceased's sons, Archibald, after which the inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed later. The late Mr Brown was a native of Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, where he was born in 1855, and in his childhood days, accompanied his parents to New Zealand, when they emigrated in the Ship Alpine, which arrived at Port Chalmers in 1858. The family took up residence for a few years in Dunedin, and then removed in the early '60's to Tokomairiro, and resided in Springfield district, in the vicinity of the Anglican Church Cemetery. The family later removed to Akatore, where Mr Brown married Miss Mary Purvis, daughter of another old-settler family in Akatore district, entered into farming operations, and they have resided on their original holding since entering into possession. In conjunction with his farming work deceased gentleman had been employed for a period of over twenty years as a surfaceman in Akatore district by the Buce County Council. He was possessed of a happy, cheerful disposition and was highly esteemed by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The sympathy of the district is extended to the bereaved widow and family in the sad loss which they have sustained. Of a total family of fifteen children, there are twelve surviving members, viz., Mrs C. Martin (Palmerston South), Mrs C Roulston (Owaka), Mrs M. Peevers (Otekaike), Miss's Janet, Margaret, Agnes, Ada, Rose, Isabella (all residing at home or Milton district), also Archibald (Waiwera South), Alexander and Robert (Wairuna). Two sons were killed within a few days of each other at the Somme Battle in September-October, 1918. The funeral took place at Tokomairiro Cemetery yesterday afternoon, where a large concourse of mourners attended to pay tribute of respect to the memory of an estimable citizen. The service at both house and graveside was conducted by Mr A. Simmonds, Minister at Milburn Presbyterian Church.

TOWARDS HELP INJURED MAN DIES BY ROADSIDE The Superintendent of Police has been advise that Alexander Brown (69), a road contractor, of Raurekau (Near Milton), was found dead by the side of the road yesterday afternoon, with a severe wound in the right side and a broken nose. The deceased, who was working at the quarry by himself, evidently had fallen on a crowbar in the course of his work, an instrument of this nature being found at the quarry, one end covered with blood. The old and wounded man had presumably set out to crawl to help after the accident, and he had covered a mile and a half before dying. The coroner has been informed. (Copied from the Bruce Herald original)
Family story has it that he was found by his daughter Rose.