John Sutherland, better known as the ‘Duke of Sutherland’, died on the 26th of February 1895 in his own camp at Nannine, in the Meekatharra district. His age was not known. He was a miner who was shot dead by an old friend, Henry Augustus Muller, who then killed himself. Both men were old identities […]
The Healthy Ways of the Goldfields by Amanda Lovitt
Dr. Edward Willis WAY was born in England on 6th October 1846. He travelled to South Australia with his family as a small child, arriving on 14th November 1850. Dr. E Willis Way as he was commonly referred to, studied at both Guys’ Hospital London and the University of Edinburgh. He was involved in a […]
The Old Cemetery at Meekatharra-
Wiluna Chronicle and East Murchison Advocate – 30 May 1925, page 5 The Old Cemetery Mekatharra. A few old graves; we almost weep For the forgotten here who lie In their oblivion: which doth keep Their earth-born memories and we sigh. The common lot of millions, dead As the wide wild drought-stricken bush, The weird […]
The Torpey Girls in Australia-
I was recently sent a fascinating story by David Howell about his relatives the ‘Torpey Girls’. He has kindly allowed me to share part of their story with you. It was researched by himself and Bosco Ryan, my cousin and his cousin Ed O’Dea. The story begins with John Torpey from Ballyvouden, Kilteely, Co. Limerick […]
Typhoid : digging for ended in digging a grave
‘Typhoid Fever’ Many lives on the waterless goldfields of Western Australia were lost, not only from thirst but also from Typhoid Fever. In the 1890s, Typhoid was endemic throughout Australia. It struck at Perth, Western Australia’s capital itself, then in established outlying centres such as Northam and at temporary townships on the road to the […]