Irish Mining Deaths in WA

Irish born men killed on Mine Site Accidents in Western Australia. 1892 to Present = 70 men ASHCROFT Thomas – Born Antrim, IRELAND – 27yrs – Died 14 Apr 1898 – at Hands Across the Sea GM, Kunnalling (near Coolgardie), Western Australia.  https://www.wavmm.com/listing/thomas/ BARRY Phillip – Born Bauravilla, Cork, Ireland – 56yrs – Died 28 […]

The Water Riots of 1893

In 1893 in Coolgardie, the refusal of one condenser operator to lower his price provoked an ugly street riot. Every evening men went to the condensers, taking their turn with all the others waiting for a gallon, or sometimes half a gallon, of water, according to the supplies available. For some time, Coolgardie had been […]

Robbery Under Arms by John Mitchell

 Robbery Under Arms on the Coolgardie Road In the early days of the Goldfields the escort used to leave Coolgardie every week with parcels of gold varying from £5000 to £50,000 in value. It was a common remark to hear passed by the diggers, who usually gathered to watch the gold being taken out of […]

The Atlas Chambers Coolgardie

The site of the Atlas building in Bayley Street is now occupied by Ben Prior’s garage and is used by the Coolgardie Restoration Club, and was described as ‘One of the most striking additions to the architectural features in Coolgardie in the late 1890’s.’ Built of brick with cement dressings the front of the Atlas […]

John Hindhaugh – grave tales

John Hindhaugh was born in Northumberland England in 1870, the son of William and Elizabeth Hindhaugh, and he died in Perth on the 19th Aug 1958 aged 88yrs. His ashes were scattered on the gardens at Karrakatta Cemetery. He is not known to have ever married. At the age of 14 years he canceled his […]