This week we have a guest blogger, Robert Baugh. He has sent me this story which is taken from his recently released book Kanowna’s story from right back to right now and includes the Baugh family. Full details of the book are given at the end of the story. I have a copy myself and it is excellent!
‘Mining has always been dangerous work and accidents in mines were and still are all too common. Falls of earth, blasting mishaps, equipment failures and physical falls accounted for countless injuries and many deaths, and in this aspect Kanowna, 18km north east of Kalgoorlie, was no different to any other mining town.
Inscriptions on Kanowna’s cemetery tombstones tell of scores of miners killed in accidents but an untold number of others who managed to survive their injuries were left maimed and incapacitated for the rest of their lives.
Perhaps because of the harsh conditions under which the miners were living and working there seemed to be a greater appreciation and awareness of other people’s predicaments and with this came a level of community spirit not so often echoed today. Charity was freely offered and willingly shared and in this matter, there was no telling when or under what circumstances such assistance would be needed.
One Kanowna miner achieved heroic status when he attempted to save the life of a fellow miner during 1897.
‘Alfred Hole, a twenty eight year old miner employed on one of the Fitzroy Cement leads had been working below the surface, setting and firing charges and was being hauled to the surface by his workmates, Charles Hicks and James Lynch, when he lost his grip and plunged 40’ (14m) to the bottom of the shaft with the charges set to explode.’ (Daily News, 6 November 1897, p. 3)
Without hesitation, Hicks took hold of the rope and hand over hand descended the shaft where he discovered his mate stretched out on his back groaning in pain. Hicks bent down to check on his condition just as one of the shots exploded. The blast shock threw Hicks aside, scorching his back and legs while the fumes and dust temporarily overwhelmed him. ‘Despite his predicament Hicks managed to reach the rope and soon willing hands had pulled both miners to the surface. Sadly, Hole had not survived but Hicks soon recovered from his ordeal. Luckily, the second charge had been extinguished when Hole had fallen across the lighted fuse.’(Kalgoorlie Western Argus, 11 November 1897, p.10)
At the inquest which followed, witnesses spoke in glowing terms of Hicks’ bravery and it was recommended that the ‘details of the incident be forwarded to the Royal Humane Society in Melbourne. Mr George McNaboe JP, the acting coroner in the inquiry into the incident, heartily endorsed this recommendation and energetically set about having the courageous act recognized.’ (Kalgoorlie Miner, 5 May 1898, p. 8)
Months later when McNaboe was visiting Melbourne on business, he was informed:- ‘Hicks would receive a silver medal as it was the rule that gold medals were only presented if a rescuer was successful in saving a life. At length, after it had been pointed out that it was through no fault of Hicks that his mate was not alive when rescued, the Society decided to award Hicks the Clarke Gold Medal for the bravest act of the year for 1897.’(Melbourne Argus, 21 July 1899, p.5)
Kanowna Deep Leads
Such acts of heroism were not everyday events, but the townsfolk of Kanowna were quick to show their own caring side for fellows when they perceived the need. Acts of generosity were common place, especially when unfortunate townsfolk experienced financial hardship, accidents at work or any other misfortune not of their own making. Passing the hat around was just one way for the people to express their compassionate side.
On 30 November 1897, an article appeared in the Kalgoorlie Miner under the headline; ‘Kanowna: Hick’s Testimonial Fund’ which announced that £40/7/6 (equivalent to $5 106) had been raised by the townspeople of Kanowna and others, for Charles Hicks, in recognition of his brave act.
In a footnote to this story, the previous year’s Royal Humane Society’s Clarke Gold Medal had also been awarded to an eastern goldfield’s miner when Boulder man, Maurice Doody became the state’s first ever recipient of the prestigious award for performing a very similar act of bravery. (Kalgoorlie Western Argus, 6 October 1898, p.28).
More of Kanowna’s story can be read in Wealth for the Willing: The Story of Kanowna, a new book by Robert Baugh published in November 2016, which tells Kanowna’s story from right back to right now.
Copies may be purchased locally from the Kalgoorlie Boulder Visitors Centre and the WA Museum in Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie.
If you would like to have a copy posted to you, you can contact the author direct at:- willettonbob@hotmail.com
Moya Sharp
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that is a fantastic an very brave story, and that is a true mateship act