As the following article states, the neglect and general poor condition of the Kanowna Cemetery, was as bad in 1924 (nearly 100 yrs ago), as it is today. The second Kanowna cemetery is visible from the main road and a short drive from Kalgoorlie. These two reasons may account for a lot of the damage as it is in a prime location to attract vandals. The rest is erosion by weather and pollution. In my 32 years in Kalgoorlie, even I have seen a marked deterioration and it is without a doubt the cemetery in the poorest condition of the many in the Goldfields. There are 57 identified remaining headstones, plaques and memorials at the moment. Not all are identified and some have been placed quite recently.
Kalgoorlie Miner 7 October 1924, page 4
The Kanowna Cemeteries. — The neglected condition of the cemeteries of Kanowna has frequently been brought. under the notice of the Government by the Kalgoorlie Roads Board, per medium of the local member, Mr. Thos Walker, M.L.A. He has been in constant communication with the Government Department concerned in his endeavor to do his best to secure money for the rehabilitation of fencing and housing and for means to provide proper attention to the graves of pioneers in the old ‘God’s Acre’ of Kanowna. Messrs. G. A. Holmes (chairman), and J. MacIver took occasion on Saturday last to direct the attention of the Minister for Public Works (Mr. A. McCallum, M.L.A.) to the desirability of improving the conditions pertaining to the Kanowna cemeteries. Mr McCallum, who lent a sympathetic ear to their requests, promised that when he returned to Perth he would look into the files concerning the whole subject in the hope of being able to do something to meet the wishes of the board.
Murdock McLEOD – died 1899 – Kanowna Cemetery
Murdock McLEOD, died 25th May 1899, 30yrs, Occ: Miner, at the Camellia Lease, South East of Kanowna, Cause: Accidental explosion of dynamite in a mine, Verdict of the Coroner, Father: Duncan McLEOD (Farmer), born Springvale VIC, In VIC 25yrs, In WA 5yrs, Buried in the Kanowna Cemetery. Headstone erected by his Cousin Duncan McLeod.
As you will see from the above collage, the slow deterioration is very evident. This particular headstone was erected in 1899 and for the first 81yrs it had held up quite well. However, the following 50 years have taken their toll. My husbands family has a relative buried in the cemetery, as there is no headstone we don’t know where he is buried. As with most of the smaller cemeteries, there is no surviving plan and it is only the location of the remaining headstones that allow us to locate some of the burials. The following is an example of a few of the other headstones:
Ethel May JONES, died 24th Feb 1900 at the White Feather Hospital (Kanowna), Spinster aged 20yrs, Cause: Enteric Fever, Father: William JONES (Mine Manager), Mother: Elizabeth Anne SYMONS, born Creswick VIC, In VIC 13yrs, In NSW 5 1/2 yrs, In WA 1 1/2yrs, Death registered by father, Buried in the Kanowna Cemetery.
Mary McGAUGHEY, died 27th Mar 1909 at Kanowna, Married woman, 33yrs, Cause: Burns and shock, 7hrs, Father: Patrick BOURKE (Merchant), Mother: Mary McCARTHY, Born Geelong VIC in 1876, In VIC 30yrs, In WA 6yrs, Married to Frank Mettams McCAUGHEY in Perth WA at age 32yrs, no children, Death registered by husband, RC, Buried in the Kanowna Cemetery.
Kalgoorlie Miner 30 March 1909, page 4
KANOWNA BURNING FATALITY
The funeral of the late Mrs F. McGaughey took place on Sunday afternoon. It was the longest cortege seen in Kanowna- for a long time. The cortege left the White Feather Hospital at 4 p.m, and proceeded to the Roman Catholic Church, where the Rev. Father Brennan conducted a short service.
At the cemetery Father Brennan performed the last rites for the dead. The pall bearers were Messrs. J. Elliott, J. Bailey, L. Fourcher, H. J. Sutton, J. Grocher, and C. Toughey. Wreaths received were many. The deceased lady, who was the wife of Mr. F. M. McCaughey, of the White Feather Castle Brewery, died from burns received on Friday evening. She was getting the dinner ready, and to make the fire burn up she threw kerosene on it. The fire blazed up immediately and enveloped her in flames. She rushed into the bedroom and tried to wrap herself in a blanket. Her screams attracted a neighbour, who, with the assistance of the brewery employees, at once smothered the flames, but not before the unfortunate woman was shockingly burnt She was conveyed to the hospital and attended to by Dr. Holland. She lingered on from half past 5 on Friday evening till 1 o’clock on Saturday morning. Mrs. McCaughey, who was highly respected, was a comparatively young woman, and her untimely death cast a gloom over the town.
Richard THWAITES, died 23rd October 1909, 55yrs, at the Lily Gold Mine, Kanowna, Occ: Miner, Cause: The result of a fall of stone at the Lily GM, a block of stone fell on him and knocked him 80ft down the pass. Verdict of the Coroner, Parents Unknown, Born: Ox Hill, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England, In WA 17yrs, Married twice, 1st time in England, name not known, 2nd time in Kalgoorlie to Elizabeth Jane REVELL in Boulder in 1899, 1 son living, age not known, 1 son deceased, Buried in the Kanowna Cemetery.
More stories to follow.
Moya Sharp
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