User:Gnangarra/sandbox/James Gullan

James "Carbine" Gullan (b - died 13th June 1904)was a prominent footballer of the 1890's and early 1900's when at the age of 29 he died of accidental poisoning. Gullan felt unwell and had decided to take some castor oil a common remedy for stomach complaints at that time, it was later discovered he had accidentally taken boiler fluid a mixture of caustic soda and arsenic.

Playing Career

Gullan played for the Ballarat Football Club and for Horsham Football Club in Victoria before moving to Western Australia and playing for East Fremantle.

Death

On the Saturday 11 June 1904 two days prior his death Gullan had played for East Fremantle against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval, where East Fremantle success was attributed to presence of Gullan in the team after returning from injury. On Sunday night of the 12th Gullan was feeling unwell and decided that a dose of castor oil would help him. He immediately realised that he had taken something else with the help of his room mate they immediately used a salt water mixture he induced vomiting. Feeling better he declined his room mates offer to get a doctor. At around 4am Gullen was heard groaning and his room mate immediately sort help of a doctor. It was too late for the doctor to do anything help Gullen, he died not long after. The Fremantle police were immediately called and coroner inquest would later be held.