Man at grave of Gussie Russell, Gulgong Cemetery
Source: Cheryl Moore, from an album of her grandfather, Ernest Raymond Davidson
1915 - A Gulgong Fatality.
A wave of profound sadness passed over Gulgong on Tuesday afternoon, when it became known that Master Gus Russell, second son of Mr. Charles Russell, of the Commercial Hotel, had lost his life in consequence of a gun accident (reports the "Advertiser)". It appears that deceased came into the dining room at about twenty five minutes to two and spoke to his mother. He passed into his bedroom and in about five minutes his parents were startled by the report of a gun. Mr. Russell rushed into the room and found his son lying across a tin trunk with the top of his head blown off. With the help of Mr. Hawden, who happened to be present at the time, he lifted the unconscious lad on to the bed and summoned medical aid. Dr. Lees was quickly on the scene but found that nothing could be done, and death took place in about half an hour.
Sergeant Bleechmore also arrived and found a screw and the hammer of the gun lying on the floor. It can only be surmised that deceased had picked up the gun to examine it, when by some means he caused it to explode with such direful results. He had never handled the gun before.
The deceased lad was a marked favorite with all. During his school career (only ended at Xmas) he was a universal favorite. He excelled not only at his lessons but sport as well. At the last distribution of prizes his name was called out frequently for high marks of distinction in his studies, while upon different occasions the vote of his playmates has been that he was the most popular boy in the school. Just recently he had been admitted to the office of Mr. F. S. Stacy, as a clerk, and was already
proving himself an apt pupil.
Source: Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 - 1945) Fri 19 Feb 1915 Page 4
A wave of profound sadness passed over Gulgong on Tuesday afternoon, when it became known that Master Gus Russell, second son of Mr. Charles Russell, of the Commercial Hotel, had lost his life in consequence of a gun accident (reports the "Advertiser)". It appears that deceased came into the dining room at about twenty five minutes to two and spoke to his mother. He passed into his bedroom and in about five minutes his parents were startled by the report of a gun. Mr. Russell rushed into the room and found his son lying across a tin trunk with the top of his head blown off. With the help of Mr. Hawden, who happened to be present at the time, he lifted the unconscious lad on to the bed and summoned medical aid. Dr. Lees was quickly on the scene but found that nothing could be done, and death took place in about half an hour.
Sergeant Bleechmore also arrived and found a screw and the hammer of the gun lying on the floor. It can only be surmised that deceased had picked up the gun to examine it, when by some means he caused it to explode with such direful results. He had never handled the gun before.
The deceased lad was a marked favorite with all. During his school career (only ended at Xmas) he was a universal favorite. He excelled not only at his lessons but sport as well. At the last distribution of prizes his name was called out frequently for high marks of distinction in his studies, while upon different occasions the vote of his playmates has been that he was the most popular boy in the school. Just recently he had been admitted to the office of Mr. F. S. Stacy, as a clerk, and was already
proving himself an apt pupil.
Source: Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 - 1945) Fri 19 Feb 1915 Page 4
1915 - SKETCH BY THE LATE GUS. RUSSELL
The above drawing was made by Charles Augustus Russell, who met his death at Gulgong from the effects of a gunshot wound accidentally caused, some weeks ago. Deceased was a little over 16 years of age, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Russell, of the Commercial Hotel, Gulgong. The drawing was found in one of the boy's pockets, and for one of his age is of exceptional merit. Day in and day out we read of losses sustained by parents in the deaths of their children. A mother's love, or a father's tender feeling for a child is more emphasised when the grim death has visited the household. When Charles Augustus Russell met with his untimely death some weeks back, the whole community mourned. Young "Gus" was loved by all, not by a few. Members of the community appreciated the lad's company, for his discourse was at all time enjoyable. How many youngsters of this day are so esteemed by the community? "Gus" Russell stood out, and he was bound to attract notice. At the time of his death he was 16 years and 3 months old. As a pupil at the Gulgong Public School he was very highly thought of, both by his teachers and his school companions. In his studies he displayed marked ability. Eagerness to learn was his chief characteristic when at school, and his teachers were not slow to observe that he was their smartest pupil. He was at the head of the school, leading over 200 pupils. This alone was practical evidence of the boy's ability. He was thoroughly scrupulous, and always showed marked deference to those older than himself. He won many school prizes, and gained a gold medal for the best behaved boy in the schools of the Gulgong district. There were 16 schools represented in the contest. The townspeople presented a medal, and ''Gus" Russell won it. Mr. F. S. Stacy gave a guinea for the most unselfish boy and "Gus" Russell won it.
Mr. A. E. Brigden presented 10/ to the boy who brought the most credit to the school, and again "Gus" Russell won. Mr. R. Thame presented the silver watch and chain, and "Gus" Russell was the boy to wear it. This shows how popular the boy was. The prize presented by Mr. Stacy was awarded by ballot. Alter nine years at school he left at the last Christmas vacation to enter Mr. Stacy's office, with a view to eventually studying for the Bar. His employed was very proud of him, and from the start he gave promise of a very successful career. "Gus" was very fond of music, and only a few weeks before his tragic end he joined the Gulgong Brass Band and attended his first practice a few nights before his death. Mr. and Mrs. C. Russell were in receipt of letters and telegrams from all parts of the Commonwealth, condoling with them in their sad and irreparable loss. Three hundred and fourteen acknowledgments were posted at Gulgong to sympathisers. We take extracts from two letters. The first is from an influential Mudgee body: —
"The lad was personally known to many of our members as a bright, intelligent, and genial son, with every promise of nothing but a long, successful, and useful career in front of him."
Mr. A. P. Lambert, for many years principal at the Gulgong School, but now of Otford, wrote —
"I would that words of mine could in any way soften the awful blow to you and your good wife. The loss of your bright and clever boy just at the dawn of his career is so inexpressably sad that not one but those who experienced like affliction can fully and truly realise your profound grief".
An inquest was held at the Gulgong Court House on Tuesday into the death of Charles Augustus Russell.
Sergeant Bleechmore, in his evidence, stated that when he went to deceased's bedroom off the public dining room, he saw deceased lying on the bed. The top of his head was covered in bandages, which were saturated with blood. There was also blood on the pillow of the bed, and the wall showed spots of blood. The gun produced is the one which was in the room. It had no hammer on it, and he also found an empty cartridge recently discharged.
On the floor of the room he found the hammer of a gun, which fitted the gun produced. He also found a screw on the floor, which did not fit the gun, as it was too small.
Charles Augustus Russell proprietor of the Commercial Hotel and father of deceased, said that he saw his son going to his room from the back at 1.35 p.m. He called out to him, "Come and have a chat, Gus., before you go back to the office." The boy could not have heard him, as he made no reply. After about seven minutes he heard a report which he thought was from a gun. He rushed into the boy's room, and found him lying head down across a tin trunk. The gun was lying across the doorway. Witness had never seen the gun before.
Frederick William Russell, brother of the deceased said that the gun was a borrowed one. It was borrowed about two months ago, and had been in the room ever since. It was in pieces. There was no screw in it. He did not know anything about the screw produced. The gun was in good order when he borrowed it. The gun was on the bottom shelf of the wardrobe. There were several cartridges in the room. The deceased was in his usual state of health when he saw him about a quarter to eight in the morning. Deceased had never used the shot gun before, but had frequently shot with a pea-rifle.
Archibald White, certificated conveyancer in the employ of Fitzroy Stacy, solicitor, Gulgong, said that deceased was in the same office, and his manner was always pleasant and cheerful.
Dr. J. J. Lees gave evidence to the effect that at 2 o'clock on Monday he was called to the Commercial Hotel. He there saw deceased on the bed in an unconscious condition. He was alive, but there was about two-thirds or thereabouts of his skull from the forehead to the back torn away. He rendered what aid he could to the boy, who expired in about half an hour from the time he arrived on the scene. From the position of the gun he would say that the shooting was accidental.
The P.M. gave a verdict that deceased met his death from being shot by accident, self inflicted, on the day of Monday, 15th instant.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Charles Augustus Russell moved from his parents' residence on Tuesday afternoon. Members of the Brass Band, of which deceased was a member, marched, as did Messrs. Thame, Lynch, Naughton, Woodcock, Saunders and Woolly, hotelkeepers of Gulgong, and about 200 boys and girls from the Gulgong Public School, under Mr Lewis (Headmaster). Mr. Hansell and Miss Thompson also marched. All the girls wore black sashes. Nearly every business place in Gulgong was draped out of sympathy for deceased's people. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs C. A. Russell (parents), Fred. (brother), Myra (Sydney), Cora, Freida and Nellie (sisters). The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the general cemetery, Rev. H. Woodger reading the last sad rites. Mr. G, Dando had charge of the funeral arrangements. Floral tributes were received from many friends.
Source: Australian Cemeteries Index
