PETERSFlELD.—DISTRESSING DEATH OF A MILLER.—On Tuesday died at Steep Mill, near this town. Mr. Benjamin Knight, which distressing event has cast throughout the neighbourhood, in which he was well known and respected, much regret for his untimely fate, as well as sorrow for the irreparable loss sustained by his bereaved wife and eight children, the cause of death being of a strange and painful character. It appears that on Saturday, the 6th instant, from the heavy rain and melted snow, the two large well ponds which supplies the mill below became almost suddenly filled to such an extent and weight of water as to prevent the deceased from stopping the same, as usual, by himself, which, however, he afterwards accomplished with assistance. Upon this being effected Mr. Knight, perceiving blood on one of his fingers, proceeding from a small scratch, occasioned by the cogwork of one of the wheels while in motion, thoughtlessly applied some of the thick oil or grease, in the brass socket of the same, to stop tbe bleeding. This passed on till Wednesday, the 7th instant, when the deceased attended Petersfield market, where, having transacted his business as usual, returned to his home, without complaining, but soon after pain came on, which increased during the night, and on Thursday morning deceased proceeded to Petersfield and obtained medical assistance from Dr. Leachman, under whose able treatment he continued; but still getting worse, further medical advice was called in, which was, unfortunately, of no avail, as the deadly poison had taken too strong a hold upon the system for relief. Early on Tuesday morning the unfortunate man ceased to exist, after the most painful suffering since the preceding Thursday, being seventeen days since the application of the poisonous grease.
Ancestry shows the Burial Register for Benjamin Knight age 48 years at Steep
