Archibald Watson’s life could have been so different. The eminent Professor of Anatomy is well known for his contribution to the development of anatomy and surgery in Australia. But the man described as an ‘’erratic, histrionic genius’’ was embroiled in controversy early on in his adult life when he took a trip on a blackbirdingContinue reading “From piracy to professor”
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Premier’s grave overlooks Queensland
The grave of the seventh premier of the state of Queensland lies at the highest aspect of the Thursday Island cemetery. It looks back across the waters to the rest of the state John Douglas oversaw from 1877-1879. Aged 76 when he died in 1904, the former statesman had been Government Resident and magistrate atContinue reading “Premier’s grave overlooks Queensland”
Mercy for murder on Mulgrave
1878 – James Price was reported as “barbarously murdered’’ by natives when he was killed by a group of blackbirded pearl divers in the Torres Strait. Price, 37, along with “two Malays and one Chinaman”, also crew of the pearl-shelling boat Flying Scud, lost their lives at Mulgrave Island, also known as Badu. The remainderContinue reading “Mercy for murder on Mulgrave”
Tetanus took young missionary
Teacher-missionary Mary Earl must have been a remarkable young woman. She spent three years, from 1924-1927, in the remote Mitchell River mission in the Cape York peninsula, days travel away from the comfort she had probably grown up with. She taught 70 children from various Aboriginal groups during her three years at the mission station,Continue reading “Tetanus took young missionary”
Gold mining ghost town cemetery tells of hard lives
It’s desolate and dry at Arltunga. It’s hard to see how people managed to live there, and very easy to see why they died. At 100km east of Alice Springs, even today it’s a long way from anywhere. Yet it was the first substantial European settlement in Central Australia thanks to the lure of gold.Continue reading “Gold mining ghost town cemetery tells of hard lives”
Pugilist dies after a fight
1880 – William Brown, a 29-year-old Englishman, was a well-known pugilist around Charters Towers. In the days before the Marquess of Queensberry rules were enforced by the legalization of boxing in the various colonies, watching and betting on illegal bare-knuckle fighting was a popular pastime. Brown and another fighter were arrested about four miles fromContinue reading “Pugilist dies after a fight”
Violin case causes death
Hughenden, 1926 – A newspaper carried this story about an innocent bike ride to school ending in tragedy. “Ida Harrison, aged 5½ years, only daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Harrison, of the Railway Department, met with a very sad accident on the 11th instant. “She was, with her brother, riding a bicycle to school when a violinContinue reading “Violin case causes death”
One turn of the windmill
Hughenden, 1928 – Fifty-year-old Charles John Burdekin Abbott had made sure the windmill was turned off before he climbed up to do some repairs. According to newspaper reports, he and a workboy were at his neighbour’s property Wyoming. His neighbour was in hospital, so he was doing him a favour. But a gust of windContinue reading “One turn of the windmill”
Fence the dams, the town cried
Charters Towers, 1885 – The drowning death of Nell Richards led for calls for the town’s dams to be fenced before any more children were lost. Elizabeth Ellen, known as Nell, was watching her younger sister bathe with several other children at Mr Mill’s dam at the top end of Mosman Street. Nell was onContinue reading “Fence the dams, the town cried”
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Settler’s wife burns while cooking dinner
1926 – “Harry, I am in flames,” Florence Muir cried. She had just put a pot of apples on the stove, and while walking to the table smelt something burning. She looked down and saw her dress on fire, the flames quickly growing. Her husband, Harry was having a rest as he waited for hisContinue reading “Settler’s wife burns while cooking dinner”
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Way to go Australia 