The Gibson Boys

THE DEATH OF MR J. B GIBSON.
THE INQUEST.
VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

The adjourned inquest upon the body of the late Mr James B. Gibson, who met his death through a buggy accident on Tuesday last, was held on Thursday morning before Mr J. W. Kirwan, J.P. John Conroy, foreman of the Brown Hill Extended mine, deposed that at about 10 o’clock on the day in question he was going home on a bicycle along the old Brown Hill road. He heard a noise behind him, and on looking round saw a horse and buggy coming at a rapid pace. As the turn-out passed him he noticed that the driver was holding the horse in hand, and heard him call out ” Whoa!” After going a few yards past him the horse turned off the road onto a sidetrack or bicycle pad, where one of the wheels of the buggy came into contact with the stump of an old tree. This tilted the buggy over on one side, and it ran along thus for about 5 yards. One of the wheels then came into contact with another stump, causing the vehicle to right itself. The result, however, was that the driver was thrown forcibly at a distance of about 5 yards from the buggy. In falling the man seemed to turn a somersault., and he fell with his feet facing the buggy.

Witness and another man went to the assistance of the sufferer, who was at first unconscious. Subsequently, in reply to questions, the man said he was suffering pains all over his body, and that he was trying to remember where he was going. A buggy afterward came along and conveyed the injured man to town.

Argus Melbourne 10 July 1897, page 10

THE FUNERAL. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon. At 3 o’clock the cortege, which was exceedingly long, left the Government Hospital. At the head of the mournful procession were over 30 employes of the Octagon Explorers, to which company Mr. Gibson was an acting-consulting engineer at the time of his death. Captain Sprague also walked with the men. In the mourning coach were Mr. Samuel Gibson, brother of the deceased, and Mr Wallace Brownlow. About 50 vehicles followed Seeing the great number of people at the grave it was impossible to procure anything like a complete list. The coffin was borne to the grave by Messrs Wallace Brownlow. N. Harper. G. K. Donaldson, and K. Newton.
With slow and measured tread they sorrowfully marched along The immediate follower was Mr Samuel Gibson, brother of the deceased. In close order came a vast concourse of people, who were anxious to pay the last tribute to the memory of a gentleman who had, while associated with them, earned a priceless reputation for honesty and nobleness of character. It is a strange coincidence that about five or six weeks ago the deceased met with a buggy accident within half a mile of the spot where yesterday he received the injuries which ended his life.

Samuel Patterson Gibson also a miner, died of Pneumonia 1899. 

Kalgoorlie Miner 8 July 1899, page 4

Death of Mr. Robert Gibson, The flags at Hannans Club and various other places in Kalgoorlie were flying at half-mast on Wednesday upon receipt of the news in Kalgoorlie that Mr. Robert Gibson, the well-known mining identity, had died that morning in Melbourne. The deceased gentleman underwent a surgical operation, some two months ago, for the removal of cancerous growth in his side, and made what appeared to the surgeons to be a splendid recovery. He was enabled to leave the private hospital after the operation but was compelled once more to become an inmate of that institution some time afterward.
It was then seen that the malignant growth must, from the rapidity of its spread, prove fatal within the course of a few weeks. The late Mr. Gibson was a prominent figure in mining and sporting circles at Broken Hill and upon the Goldfields of West Australia. He had at different times managed several important mining ventures. His last charge in the Kalgoorlie district was in connection with the Ivanhoe mine just before that property was handed over to the Ivanhoe Gold Corporation, its present owners. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Hannans Club, and also of the Kalgoorlie Racing Club. Latterly, he was a resident member of the Athenaeum Club in Melbourne.
The late Mr. Gibson was one of the best-liked of the mining men of prominence in West Australia. He had participated in the varying fortunes of the goldfields of this State since the year 1803 when he commenced his West Australian career in connection with the operations of the Octagon Syndicate upon the Murchison fields. That far-famed organisation was the original holder of the Day Dawn mine, which eventually became known as the Great Fingall.
The deceased gentleman devoted his attention in late years almost, exclusively to mining speculation, and experienced the ups and downs of fortune. However, prior to his settling in Melbourne, he made a considerable sum out of shares in the Golden Pole mine, of which le was one of the purchasers from the prospectors. In every mining camp and rush in West Australia “Bob” Gibson was widely known and esteemed. His early death will be widely lamented throughout the goldfields of the State. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that two of his brothers are buried in the Kalgoorlie General Cemetery.