Was this the Wheeler?

Springsure – Does this fallen, eroding gravestone honour the man after whom the Capricorn Coast’s controversial Mt Wheeler was named?

Now known as Gai-i, the popular narrative for a long time was that the mount was named after cruel Native Police inspector Frederick Wheeler, who was allegedly involved in a massacre of local Darumbul people.

It is now broadly accepted that it was named after John George Wheeler, a gold commissioner who worked in the area during the 1860s.

Historic gazettes show that the John George Wheeler who worked as the Peak Downs gold commissioner went on to become a magistrate of that territory.

The John Wheeler who lies buried underneath this gravestone at the Springsure cemetery was a journalist who went on to work in government service.

He was a Clerk of the Petty Sessions when he died in 1867, aged 40.

Either way, this John George Wheeler was instrumental in fundraising for the central Queensland town of Springsure’s first hospital.

Springsure’s hospital circa 1875. Image State LIbrary of Queensland.

Unfortunately, he died on the day the hospital work was completed, so never got to experience its life-saving benefits.

He inspected the new building on September 17, and then attended a funeral.

“On his return he partook of his dinner, after which he went to his room, and laid down upon his bed with his clothes on as if to have a nap,’’ reported the Queenslander.

He was found dead the next morning.

“From the position he was lying in it would appear that he must have breathed his last without a struggle and without the slightest warning, during sleep.’’
The Queenslander

An inquiry found he died of heart disease.

Earlier in his adult life, Wheeler had been a journalist, having covered the Ballarat riots while working as a special correspondent for a Geelong journal at the time.

He later worked for the Courier and then the North Australian.