Back in 1998, I was in correspondence with a lady, Joanne Shumak, who I was assisting to look into the family history of her uncle, William Basham Cutmore, who, if not for a slip of fate, may be a name as familiar to the Goldfields as his famous mate Arthur Bayley.
William Basham CUTMORE – Photo Ancestry.com
W. B. Cutmore was one of the earliest prospectors on the Eastern goldfields. Several months before the discovery of Coolgardie, he and friend, Arthur Bayley, prospected the country in the vicinity of what is now known as Siberia. On their return to Southern Cross Cutmore left for Perth, and subsequently Bayley and Ford went out again, with the result that in a month or two Bayley rode into Southern Cross with the surface treasure of Bayley’s Reward Mine.
However, Bayley did not forget his old mate, for immediately after disposing of his gold, he wired to Cutmore to lose no time in getting to the new find. Cutmore was the first man to proceed out from Coolgardie, for shortly after Bayley’s discovery he prospected close to the now-famous Kalgoorlie and further out obtained a little gold at what is known as Broad Arrow. Returning to Coolgardie after a somewhat unsuccessful trip he again went out and this time was lucky enough to get over 1,200 ounces of alluvial at the 45 mile in less than three weeks.
Later on, he, in company with others, struck out into the wilderness over three hundred miles north of Coolgardie, with the result that the Little Wonder was discovered. The mine, which is still held by Cutmore and his mates, has returned them upwards of £20,000. and the miniature reef — for such it is — is still as rich as ever. The Little Wonder was discovered some time before Menzie found the locality which now bears his name. Cutmore is one of the pluckiest, if not the luckiest prospector in Australia and those who know him do not begrudge him his good fortune.
He is a magnificent bushman, his track from the Little Wonder to Southern Cross, a distance of 300 miles, show amply the evidence of his bushcraft. Some of the early prospectors say — and there is no reason to doubt them — that Cutmore, on more than one occasion divided the remaining contents of his water bag with hard pressed strangers at a time when he knew not where to get enough to wet his tongue and the precious fluid was worth about an ounce per thimbleful.
Not long after his return to Western Australia William was to marry a girl from Victoria, Margaret Madge CAPLES, in Leonora. where he first took up the hotel trade. The couple had the following six children:
Dorothy Madge born 1903 Perth WA
Hazel Mary born 1904 Leonora WA
William Basham born 1906 Leonora WA
May Margaret born 1909 Perth WA
Robert Arthur born 1913 Bridgetown WA
John Eric born 1916 born Bridgetown WA
There is a well named after him – Cutmore Well near Leonora, later changed to Doyles Well. It was here that William established his first hotel.
Location of Cutmore Well – Map by Bonzel
Blackwood Times 11 August 1933, page 5
Obituary – WILLIAM BASHAM CUTMORE
The death occurred, suddenly, at Bridgetown on Sunday morning last of Mr. William Basham Cutmore at the age of 72 years. Just a week before his death, the deceased had a bad turn but recovered within a couple of days and was about as usual. In the early hours of, Sunday morning he complained of feeling unwell and about six am rose from his bed to immediately collapse and pass away. The deceased was born in Windsor N.S.W. and came to this State in 1886 and went to the Eastern goldfields.
After leaving the mining industry, the late Mr. Cutmore turned his attention to hotel keeping and in turn held the licenses for the 4-Mile hotel (near Leonora) at Doyle’s Well, the Rosemount Hotel at North Perth and later at Bridgetown. In 1911 he took over the license of the Bridgetown Hotel which he conducted for many years. For some years he took a keen interest in public life and for 3 years was the chairman of the local Road Board. During that time deceased was always to the fore in the improvements of local conditions.
During his early manhood he was one of the leading athletes of the Commonwealth and with a team of runners from the Eastern States toured this State with great success winning many of the outstanding events for foot runners. The greatest sympathy is extended to the bereaved widow and members of the family who have lost a loving husband and father. He was a true pal to his wife and a big brother to his children. The funeral took place with a large number of district residents attending at the graveside to pay their last respects. Rev. F. Davis conducted the last rites.
William B Cutmore’s Grave in Greenbushes Cemetery – Photo Find a Grave.
Moya Sharp
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Another fabulous story !
I know and have been to Doyle’s and the Little Wonder mine. 👍✌️
Hi William Cutmore was my grandfather great to read this .