The grave of the victim of the unsolved Bardoc murder is on the bank of the creek leading down from Lindsay’s Soak which is crossed by the road from the Dark Horse (mine) to the Bellvue (mine) about three miles east of Grants Patch. The fenced grave is on the North bank of the creek a couple of hundred yards on the eastern side of the road. The location is about 10 miles from Bardoc but because it was reported there it was consequently referred to as ‘The Bardoc Murder’. The victim was never identified or a culprit found.
In September 1894, three men, Messers Mullard, Mogford and Clazier were on route to Bardoc from Balgarrie (42 mile dam area). As they approached the area of the grave a man came hurrying towards them from an adjacent high point, intercepted them and inquired where they were going. The man engaged the part in conversation and advised them to go a short distance to the north where there were some prospectors looking for gold.
The party followed the mans directions, searched till darkness set in and then camped having found no sign of the men or diggings. Next morning after further searching they decided to ask the man why he had put them on a false trail so they went to the place they had met him the previous afternoon. They found no sign of him but found a freshly filled hole. On investigation they were shocked to find the body of a man who’s head had been battered with a pick. As they were on their way to Bardoc they continued on with their journey and reported the matter on arrival there.
The description of the man who had spoken to the travellers was, tall, well built, athletic and with a military bearing, dark complexion, English but possibly of foreign extraction. This description fitted many men on the Goldfields at this time and several men were detained for questioning, however, all were consequently released.
Police reports of the time said that trooper Walsh had brought in another suspect on the 24th October 1894.
Trooper Walsh may have been John Joseph Walsh who, with Detective Pitman, were the victims of the brutal illicit gold stealing murders some years later. At the time of the murder feeling was high amongst the men on the Goldfields that greater publicity was not given of the description of the murdered man. It was evident at the inquest that the murdered man had undergone extensive surgery to his back and to his male organ. It was claimed that
identification could have been established as a consequence of this knowledge.
identification could have been established as a consequence of this knowledge.
Footnote: MIELL Isaac Robert died 11 Sep 1894 age 49 buried at Grants Patch near Bardoc : possibly the Bardoc Murder victim.
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Moya Sharp
Owner at Outback Family History
My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
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He was my great grandfather Isaac Miell Thank you for your research We were in contact with Tess Thompson several years ago I have more information of his past in UK and up until he left for Coolgardie Would like to get his miners rights number as Paddy Hannan is recorded Have a great day Bill Miell
As it turns out, WA State Library has that very record on their website display….you can see the record page here –> http://cms.slwa.wa.gov.au/dead_reckoning/government_archival_records/k-o/miners_rights_-and-_leases
AND the actual photo of the record here —>> http://cms.slwa.wa.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/24399/001281d320.jpg
Just to add to my last post…..you will find a brilliantly informative entry on Paddy Hannan’s miner’s rights and his gold discovery here —>> http://www.rolian.net/learning_federation/4926.html
Happy reading!!