A Plucky Driver 

12 May 1885 Southern Argus (Goulburn)

It has been well said that heroism is not confined to any particular class.

James Dean, the driver of Cobb's coach from Adelong to Tumut, has on several occasions shown his presence of mind in cases of emergency.

On one occasion, as related by the Adelong Times a cow started suddenly from the deep shade cast by a clump of trees on the road, and caused the horses to swerve and upset the coach.

With the aid of some youths Mr. Dean got the coach righted; and, badly bruised as he was, reached his destination at the appointed time.

On another occasion the coach pitched suddenly to the "off" at the crossing place, and it was found that the "through brace"- was broken.

Dean, after ascertaining that the passengers were unhurt, set to work to fall a large tree, and selected a stick suitable for the purpose.

He bound it with ropes in its place, and reached Adelong only a quarter of an hour late.

Such readiness of resource in cases of emergency is not generally found, even among Cobb and Co.'s   drivers.

James Bean's mother, it may be remembered, was a passenger in the train which was, smashed by the Cootamundra railway accident.