The discovery of gold that led in turn to Golden Valley, Southern Cross, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie and Western Australia becoming a member of the Federation is a story seldom told. This is an extract from ‘Sand and Stone Vol 1’ by Kevin Moran as follows: –
The Syndicate who Discovered the Eastern Goldfields Oct 1887.
On Mujakine station, Mrs Jane Glass discovered a drowned possum in her well. Her son Alex decided to clean the well out and deepen it. As he scraped the mud into the bucket, his mother hauled it up and emptied it. The glint of gold caught her eye and the nugget was revealed. Gold was in everyone’s mind because of the discoveries in the Kimberley in 1881, and the unsuccessful prospecting for gold in the South West. The Government offered a reward for the discovery of a payable Goldfield near Perth, so when the gold was discovered in the mud, Charles Glass Snr and his wife drove to Perth to have their find verified. Mrs Glass took pleasure in showing it to her many relatives along the way, exhorting the youngsters to remember how their great aunt had found it, but it was her husband Charles Glass (as you can see from the above photo collage) , who later received one hundred pounds for discovery of gold on his property.
There are moments that change history and for the Colony of Western Australia and the future Federation the keen eyes of Jane Mary Glass provided such a momentous occasion. If Jane Glass had not discovered the gold nugget the prospectors would not have come and the t’Othersiders would not have arrived to campaign for entry to the Federation and Western Australia would have remained a separate state/country.
Gold would have been discovered on the Eastern Goldfields in due course but not in time to bring those from the East who successfully campaigned against their host’s wishes.
“The confirmation of the gold discovery by Jane Glass resulted in syndicates being formed. On 5th July 1887, a prospecting syndicate represented by Dick Greaves, Ted Payne and Harry Anstey left Perth. When they arrived at Mangowine they received a warm welcome. Another rival party led by Bernard Colreavy, H. Fraser and two others arrived on the scene soon after, having already been prospecting.
Golden Valley Stamp Battery
Alexander Glass, who was with his mother when she found the gold nugget enjoyed the excitement. Jane and Charles Adams’ own large family, Miss Spencer, the governess and the gathering throng of visitors made a large assembly for this far Eastern run. Happy to see so many to enliven their isolation, the Adams made them welcome and an accordion provided music for singing and dancing until late.
The following day a Mr Bob Rowles and his wife arrived to work at Mangowine Station. With so many people present a holiday was declared, games were played concluding with a game of cricket and an exhibition of spear and boomerang throwing by Aborigines. The festivities continued into the night with more singing and dancing.”
The Golden West and How it was Discovered
Proclamation of Golden Valley Goldfield (named for the Golden Wattle that grows there) was proclaimed a Goldfield on 1st October 1888
“The Fields were now so extended they could not be administered from Perth and on 11th October 1888, “A. Thompson Esq Warden left York at 10am en route to Yilgarn Goldfields – in wagonette and horses Mellon and Fire Tail. Accompanied by F. Compton Surveyor and also Nat Abraham.”
They took up their positions at Golden Valley under a bush timber frame covered by a tarpaulin, and Golden Valley prospectors were provided with local bureaucratic necessities. Golden Valley also gained a Police camp. On 26th December 1888, Sergeant Connell and his Native Assistant, “Left Station at 101 /2 am accompanying Police Party to Golden Valley where a Station is to be formed on Gold Fields.”Constables Grant and Buckley, “Left Station at 10 1/2 am in route to Golden Valley. Transferred to do duty at Goldfields,” and it is noted Constable Grant was issued one pair of handcuffs No. 6 with key for use at Golden Valley.” The police on 27th May 1889 left Golden Valley to set up their new camp at Southern Cross. Other officials did the same.
This story credits Greaves as the original discoverer of Golden Valley:- http://bit.ly/1Sbe8TD
If you would like to read more about this fascinating period of the History of Western Australia I would recommend the publications in this article, all available from Hesperian Press:
And so the story begins: –
Moya Sharp
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