1871. (Oscar Hughan’s first child, a son named Oakley Ernest Hughan, was born in 1871)
FATAL CASUALTIES AT BOURKE.-The Bourke correspondent of the Orange journal reports
that on the morning of Sunday week it
was found that the foreman of
the steamer Jolly Miller, whose name was John Lines, had fallen overboard and was drowned. It appears
that he came on board about 2 o'clock,
and was seen by the steward to climb
up on top of the wool that was stacked
on deck and lie down. The steward cautioned him about sleeping too near the edge of the bales, and he
replied "All right." A short time after,
the steward heard a splash in
the water. He then missed Lines, but could see nothing of him, only a commotion in the
water. Every assistance was rendered that
circumstances would permit of, but was of
no avail. When day- light appeared
senior-sergeant Cleary procured four blackfellows and employed them diving to recover
the body; drags were also used by
boats, but without success.
On Monday evening, however, some blacks encamped below the town fancied they saw a body floating down
the opposite side of the stream, and
gave information to Captain Walters. That gentleman immediately dispatched a boat down the river ; but, strange to say, it no
sooner got well away when Mr. Thomas
Belcher saw the body rise out
of the water a few yards from where it was supposed to have been drowned. Suspicions of foul play were at
first entertained, but Dr. Robert's
testimony did away with all
that. A magisterial inquiry was held, and a verdict returned that deceased met with his death by
drowning. The poor fellow had only
been twenty-four days on board the Jolly
Miller. He was an Englishman, I believe
from Manchester, about 24 years of age,
and respected by all who know him.
At sundown news was brought from Mr. Flanagan's dairy that a young girl, named Selina Jane
Flanagan, twelve years of age, had
just been drowned while bathing.
It seems that two girls, nieces of Mr. Jeremiah Flanagan (late of Bathurst), his nephew, and J. W. Flanagan,
son of of Mr. J. Flanagan, went to bathe
in a billabong close to
the house. The girls, aged respectively eight and twelve years, were bathing away from the boys, when they
both got out of their depth. Their cries
for assistance soon brought the boys
to their aid, when Master W. Colless managed to save his sister Maria, but young
Flanagan was not so
fortunate, as the poor girl was drowned before assistance could reach her.
- The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 4 January 1871
(No indication that the preceding article was written by Oscar, but it was an interesting aprt of Bourke history, so I included it any way)
BOURKE ( From the Dubbo Dispatch, December 30)
In 130 hours, Mr J Becker reached Bourke, -the quickest time on the bill.
There is nothing to say very refreshing.
There is a good deal of illness about, and it is supposed the very temperate weather giving way to such frizzling days is the cause of it. Mr Henry Colless, of Tattersall's, is as bad as any body.
Mr H. V Evans has gone to the copper region, and from him I expect a good deal of interesting news.
I saw some onions yesterday grown by Mr Matthew Good, - the largest being in girth eighteen inches. I also saw some splendid Egyptian wheat, grown here without any sort of preparation.
The river keeps up, though it is falling up-wards.
Mr McNevin is busy with the shears at West Bourke.
Mr Johnson, in connection with Messrs Ogilvie, is training a band of children to sacred music. I attended at the Wesleyan Chapel a meeting of the youngsters, and was much surprised. If the parents will but see to the regular attendance of their little ones, in a few months we shall have a very delightful choir.
Weather hot as Tartarus, grass still green. No stock moving about here -Dec 17.
The Sabbath of the 18th of December will long be remembered in Bourke. Early on that morning a man named John Lines was drowned from the steamer Jolly Miller. Later in the day a man at West Bourke fell dead, and later still, the niece of Mr J Flannagan, aged thirteen years, in endeavouring to save the daughter of Mr John Colliss from a watery grave, sank only to rise a corpse The little girl was saved by her brother William.
We have had about twelve hours' fine rain, and it has put out a fire which has been burning for nearly three weeks Some Bogan blacks lighted it close to the Gundabooka mountains, and it went towards the Lachlan.
The Jolly Miller has gone down with wool.
The weather is cold and windy. Eastern mails running excellently – December 24.
-Maitland Mercury, January 5, 1871.
BOURKE ( From the Correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch)
Christmas is over, and, as far as numbers of people are concerned, Bourke was more happy than usual on such occasions. There were races, and a finer lot of hacks it would be difficult to meet; I was agreeably surprised at their goodly number, for I have thought of late that horse flesh was sadly out of tune. The Maiden Plate was taken by Sam Davis, without much muscular exertion. Mr. W. Bell took the prize for heavy weights ; and Mr. Henry Bobart's creamy pony pulled off the small-sized premium. There were other races of less interest, and all concerned seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves.
But what was of more interest with the sober thinking portion of the community was the Wesleyan picnic. About eleven o'clock, headed by their clergyman (the Rev. R Johnston) and Mr. H. Hiller, who takes a praiseworthy interest in the welfare of the children, a band of some forty children, -with banners and small flags, marched through the town to the Sandhill, a mile up the river, where a most generous banquet was provided by the following ladies:- Mesdames Nancarrow, Smith, Peters, Harris, Meadows and Beasley. The day was spent in such pastimes as kiss-in-the-ring, rounders, cricket, &c., &c., &c.But what astonished me was the utter apathy of most of the youngsters in learning any new game. They appeared to have not the slightest desire to learn anything they were ignorant of. I trust this does not extend to the school-room.
In speaking of schools, I am glad that there is a visible improvement among the learners. The Rev. Mr. Davern and assistant are doing well.
This is the first school picnic Bourke has seen, and it is to be hoped it is not the last. .
Mr. McNevin's sheep are to be finished at Fort Bourke (O'Shanassy's), the Milroy run declining to accommodate the sheep if more than 10,000.
The body of a man was found five miles below the township, in a billabong, drowned it is supposed when the river was at its height.
And now I must say a few words of an evil which, if not checked, will become a curse not easily banished. I allude to the Bathurst burr, which is spreading alarmingly. It is a wonder that people, knowing the penalty incurred, do not move in its destruction. At any rate should this pest get the upper hand they can't say it was for want of warning. Another fire was seen to the east of Bourke, last night, and if great care be not taken we shall be afflicted with conflagrations this year.
The steamer Wentworth has gone upward. The river is falling six inches per day. Health of the place better.-December 31.
-Maitland Mercury, January 12, 1871.
BOURKE ( From the Dubbo Dispatch correspondent)
The Telegraph steamer (Captain Johnston) has gone downward, after leaving a small cargo for Ross and Co. The Maranoa and Jolly Miller are expected daily. The Goolwa, Captain Morris, is doing desirable work up and down the river. The Wentworth, heavily wool laden, went down on Tuesday. The river is fast going seaward.
The weather is delightful, but, no doubt, the anti-saltbushers would call it hot. Melons and grapes are plentiful, and will be cheap by and bye. Mr Horsfall s vinery is really abundantly laden with the generous fruit. The Commodore’s garden, likewise, boasts the luscious clusters.
The health of the place is improving, but there is much sickness still. Mr B Jones is stricken down, and Mr O’Shanassy is just recovering from a severe attack.
The Bogan is again rising fast.
At Cunnamulla (Cobb and Co s) cattle have been inoculated. That pleuro-pneumonia is about there is no question, but to no serious extent at present.
Mr De Milhau, the postal inspector, has visited Bourke, and there can be no doubt his visit will be attended with good results.
Mr Evans, Government surveyor, has returned from the copper field, whither he has been surveying the lots chosen by the selectors. His report to me is very favourable. He says the reef lies about eighty miles from Gundabooka, bearing S 15 deg E, through a good deal of scrub. The country is well timbered, pine to the south being plentiful . There is no water, but capital sheds. The reef itself is fifty yards long by about twelve feet wide, and as they go down, the ore becomes richer. Some which was smelted in a rode manner gave 40 per cent, but was of course far richer .The color of the ore is a rich brown, very dense, with particles of blue and green intermixed. A company will probably be formed in Bourke, and actual work commenced about March.
As I write, there is a terrific storm of lightning, thunder, and rain.
The sheep are suffering intensely from grass seed, many of them are totally blind
- January 7.
- -Maitland Mercury, January 21, 1871.
BOURKE (from the correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch).
The weather has been most oppressive, though the thermometer is never over 107°.
There is much suffering from colds. The attacks are very severe, and show no respect for age or position.
There has been some refreshing rain, and the clouds portend more. A great thunderstorm would do much towards taking away the illness of the place.
As I was writing my last report, the place was startled by a most terrible lightning flash, and the clock in my office just above my head was deprived of action as by a blow.
The water of the river is falling fast, and the punt is again at work in the township.
The Princess Royal is again up with cargo for Ross and Co. The Goolwa goes upward.
I am truly sorry to report the total destruction of a very large portion of our growing garden crops by diminutive grasshoppers, which literally swarm the place, penetrating even to our beds. I visited Mr. Horsfall's garden, and without I had seen the devastation I could not have believed it possible so insignificant an agent could work such evil. Beds of cabbages were actually cleared from view in a period of thirty minutes. This seems flowery language, but it is true. Mr. H. left seven beds of fine thriving cabbage to procure sulphur from the town, and on his return there was nothing but the bare stalks of the plants. Carrots, celery, rhubarb, mint, onions, and in fact nothing is neglected. They have also attacked the trees, stripping them of leaves two and three feet from the ground, eating into the wood itself. The orange and fig seems to be the favourite food among the trees. The vines too have suffered much, even the dusters of the grape falling a prey. The grape itself is not eaten, but the stem is, and the ripe fruit falls in thousands. Sulphur has been burned to no purpose, and men are employed threshing the gardens with boughs. For two nights this system has been kept up, but to little avail. Mr. Horsfall having the finest garden in the district, and having gone to very great expense, feels this visitation severely. Parts of the garden, which but a few days ago promised rich recompense, are now as though feet of flame had trampled over it.
As I am writing, the weather is again cool, river falling fast, but another fresh is coming down.
The down river mail has extended time, and we hope it may come punctually now. All the other mails faithfully perform their work.
Plenty of potatoes at 16s. per cwt. -January 14
-Maitland Mercury, January 26, 1871.
The Bourke correspondent of the Dispatch is truly sorry to report the total destruction of a very large portion of the growing garden crops by diminutive grasshoppers which literally swarm the place, penetrating even to our beds. I visited, he says, Mr. Horsfall’s garden, and without I had seen the devastation I could not have believed it possible so insignificant an agent could work such evil. Beds of cabbages were actually cleared from view in a period of thirty minutes. Mr. Horsfall left seven beds of fine thriving cabbage to procure sulphur from the town, and on his return there was nothing but the bare stalks of the plants. Carrots, celery, rhubarb, mint, onions, and in fact nothing is neglected. They have also attacked the trees, stripping them of leaves two and three feet from the ground, eating to the wood itself. The orange and fig seem to have been the favourite food among the trees. The vines too have suffered much, even the clusters of the grape falling a prey. Tho grape itself is not eaten, but the stem is, and the ripe fruit falls in thousands. Sulphur has been burned to no purpose, and men are employed threshing the gardens with boughs. For two nights this system has been kept up but to little avail. Mr. Horsfall having the finest garden in the district, and having gone to very great expense, feels this visitation severely. Parts of the garden, which but a few days ago promised rich recompense, are now as though feet of flame had trampled over it.
- Town & Country, January 28, 1871.
.
BOURKE ( from the correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch)
The annual public meeting of the subscribers to the Bourke Hospital was held at the Court House on the 23rd January. A. 0. Grant, Esq., P.M., in the chair. The following officers were elected for 1871 :-Secretary, Mr. Beazly ; treasurer, Mr. D. A. Byrne ; committee, Messrs. Adolph, J. Becker, Davis, Grant, Ogilvie, and Wallace. The secretary's report showed that the institution was in a very flourishing condition, especially in a financial point of view-an old debt of £60 having been cleared off, and the current expenses fully met. To obtain the Government grant-£275-£145 is still required, and the committee hope the subscribers will continue to render the pecuniary aid that is necessary. During the year 45 patients have been under medical treatment-6 of whom have died (these were in an advanced state of disease when admitted), 8 remain in the Hospital, 28 have been discharged, and 3 incurables sent to Adelaide. The treasurer's account for 1870 showed receipts to be £624, and disbursements £600, leaving a balance of £23 to the credit of the funds. From the large amount of good the Hospital is the means of doing, it has a strong claim upon all inhabitants of the Bourke district for support, and the committee trust their appeal will be liberally responded to.
-Maitland Mercury, February 9, 1871.
BOURKE (from the correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch)
It is now striving hard, as it has been doing for a day or two (I mean the weather) to get up & storm, and it is much needed, for the heat is something intolerable, and the fierce unblenching sword-like smiting of fervent rays, but a deadly clammy prostrating steaming, which would answer admirably for jockeys with super- abundant flesh, I have no sort of doubt. There must have been much rain high up the river, and just now the thunder roars, the heavens have opened the floodgates of the rain, and that the liquid blessing may continue is the prayer of all.
A sale of town lots took place on Monday. Lots were disposed of in the town proper-one purchased by Mr. W. W. Davis realised £100 the half-acre; the sum taken was £169. The site of the gaol is now sensibly fixed at the western end of the town: and as the material is now on its way up from Adelaide, we may soon expect a commodious public residence for the refractory disposed.
Some time ago I mentioned the departure of Mrs. James Foott, a lady who did so much for our children; but although absent she still has their welfare at heart. A large parcel of very nicely bound books have been sent from her as presents to her young friends. They have been given out by Mrs. R.M Hughes, and are much prized.
The Maranoa, with the Goolwa, goes down in a day or two. They take 500 bales of wool, the last I think of this year's clip The Maranoa discharged a full cargo, chiefly for Ross and Co.
The river is again rising.
I fancy if the Sydney people could see the vast quantity of merchandise which comes from and goes to the sister colonies from this district, something would be done to render Sydney the place of business transactions.
I am sorry to say that Mrs Thomas Reynolds, on her way from Cunnamulla, has met with, I am afraid, a very serious accident, her husband's waggon passing over her. The extent of the injury and the cause of the mishap I have been unable to glean, but it is feared the poor woman is badly hurt.
It rained nearly all last night, and still the weather is very warm
Business is not as dull as it has been, and when the public buildings, with those of Ross and Co., are commenced, we shall be quite lively.
The mails are running well. Hoodsville route started on the 1st. This makes twenty eight mails in and out of Bourke during the fortnight. -Feb 4
The weather is warm enough for a Salamander, although we have had rains. The grass is again green, but the gardens, even to the trees, are naked as a Cupid. The river is still falling, but we expect other steamers. - Feb. 12.
-Maitland Mercury, February 25, 1871.
.
BOURKE (from the correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch)
The steamer Maranoa has arrived with a great part of the gaol plant, and cargo for Ross and Co.
The weather is punishingly hot, though the grass is green.
The steamer Albury is expected daily.
The new post office will be commenced directly, and when finished will be an ornament to the town. All the mails running well.
Several cases have been tried at the police office, but none of sufficient interest to your readers.
-Maitland Mercury, March 9, 1871.
BOURKE (From the Correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch.)
The weather is delicious. The river has risen a little and is now at a pause. The Providence, Steamer, has arrived, and is doing a fine retail trade.
Among our arrivals is the person of Mr. Melville, solicitor. Mr. Becker has left for Sydney, also Mr Bradley and Miss Foott. It is rather too bad for us to lose any of our lady residents.
I am glad that a second butcher is to hang out his banner on the outer walls. Competition is always for the good of the many. We have had a swimming match for £10; distance about three miles down the stream. The swimmers were Messrs. Higgings and Curry. There was a great deal of interest taken in the affair, and some money exchanged on the result. About 4 p.m. the men started from a boat engaged to follow them, and each plunged off with a determined will, both swimming strongly and well. There was little difference in their respective places; Curry won by a little more than a yard. Higgins it was thought would have won the money, but cramps caused him to lose a little ground, or water, a short distance from home. Time, 43 min. 10 sec. They are to swim again. Mr H Bobart acted as judge. We have had several races both with quadrupeds and bipeds, but, as the time has been equalled in Sydney, we need say no more.
Our annual races are on the 11th and 12th May, and from the amount of money, nearly £400, and the general excellent management of the programme, we ought to have the most successful meet ever seen in Bourke. There was a meeting at Tattersall's on Thursday, when, among other things, it was decided that a Steeplechase be added to the bill-thus we have a Maiden Plate of £40, Squatters' Purse of £25, Central Australian Stakes of £75, Prince of Wales Stakes of £20, Steeplechase of £50, Ladies Purse of £30, Forced Handicap of £l5, and Consolation Stakes of £l5. Pretty fair for the Desert Town in the Salt Scrub. There will, I prophecy, be no cause for complaint, as every care has been taken by very competent persons to make all A1 at Lloyd’s.
At the Police Court before the Police Magistrate, and Messrs Hughes, Byrne, Becker, and O’Shannassey, John Tim, William Thomas, and Thomas Dillon were committed for trial, at the next Bourke Quarter Sessions, for robbery on a man named John Smith, at Nancarrow s Inn.
The Princess Royal expected very soon. Potatoes selling at 8s per 100 lb. Paroo in a state of flood -March 5
Information reached Bourke a day or two ago that a murder had probably been perpetrated at the Lake, twenty eight miles from this place. The missing man was seen by the informant to go into the bush with a bridle after being knocked down with a hammer and otherwise ill treated, and was followed by Keating, the man in charge, who is remanded for evidence. Senior sergeant Cleary, on learning the particulars, started at once for the scene of the supposed tragedy, and secured the suspected. Up to now no tidings have been heard of the missing man, Stockin. The police are in movement, and they will not fail to do all that intelligence and energy may do to solve this apparently dark riddle.
The body of a man named G. Ford has been reported lying dead a few miles north from Bourke. Senior sergeant Cleary has gone out.
The Queensland revenue officers are at the Border, and one team, I hear, has been seized, at any rate they have instructions to act promptly. This is a pretty state for our store keepers to find themselves in. The simple fact is, what with the duties of our own colony and those of Queensland, export trade may now be said to be in its grave.
I have just been favoured by Mr. H. Bobart with the following melancholy record found by Jack, a blackfellow, coming in from Mr. J. E. Kelly's, Warrego country, and which was written in a pocket book, and hung up in a tree close to the mournful remains of the wretched sufferer. You will observe how minutely the dying man notes the circumstance of his fatal mistake and awful position. And it is strange there are no dates. Salmon's team left Bourke on the 30th January last. The faithful black who brought in the information to the police, and who deserves to be rewarded, says that "There is no head—no shirt—and that he was cobborn frightened." The black was journeying through the bush, or this fearful event, like many others, would have lain unrecorded :—"George Ford—Lost in the bush three days without water. I think I shall hang myself to-night if it don't rain ; it looks likely to rain, at present it is very hot, I think it far better to die at once, than to lie at the mercy of the crows and ants,—too weak to keep them off. I may thank my own foolishness for the present state of affairs; I left Bourke and put up for the night at Lunn's Inn, left there at daybreak, and went past the Warrego Road, where Salmon's teams were camped, when I struck out for the Warrego Road, and crossed it, thinking it an outside river road, thought I could make the Warrego by keeping a N W course, lost my horse the first night, and now I am sure to perish before I can pull water, without it rains, then I would try. I can only just walk now, so it would be only follow to try without rain. I leave 10 one pound (£1) notes, and nine shillings in silver, one new pair of boots, two shirts, two pair pants, and the dark bay cob, branded A over N near shoulder." March 11
-Maitland Mercury, March 23, 1871.
BOURKE (From Correspondent of the Dubbo Dispatch.)
It has been quietly raining these two days, and there is a likelihood of more.
The races on St. Patrick's Day were wonderfully well contested, some of them being the most exciting events ever seen here. The course was heavy, but the enthusiasm was loud and prolonged. Today they are at it again.
The river is very low, and it is feared the gaol plant may be kept back.
Per telegram: The Beemery cattle, which went from Thuralagoona, in charge of Fletcher Smith, fetched splendid prices-£8 and £7 which considering the number (close upon 500) must be most satisfactory to all concerned.
The Mechanics' Institute is now under weigh. Mr. Beazley, of the Commercial Bank, has been elected treasurer, and Mr. G. Dole secretary. This institute, if managed well, should benefit the place largely.
Dr. Roberts' blackfellow Paddy, not content with liberal pay and comfortable quarters in Bourke; played truant to Cunnamulla, and paid for his frolic with his life. He belonged to the Murray, and was a very valuable servant.
From all directions the most cheering accounts come in of the magnificent state of the grass.
It is a grievous sin that so many million of tons are lying unused.
A grand ball was held on the night of the 17th at Harris's Assembly Rooms. It was very
well attended.
The police have returned, having buried the mournful remains of poor Ford; the head could
not be found.
All the mails are running punctually to time. - March l8.
-Maitland Mercury, March 30, 1871.
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