Wednesday, November 27, 2024

RED WHITE & BLUE LEAD

To the east of Gulgong a new lead is reported as situated near Homer’s Paddock. It is called the Red, White and Blue and the prospects are stated to be ¼ dwt to the dish, the depth 150 feet and dry. There is little doubt but that a payable lead having for its source the rich Old Surface Hill exists in the locality and may think this is the lead. The supposed line is fully occupied and work will be at once commenced.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 177, 26 April 1873

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

KELLY

Property of John Kelly on Red Hill
Parish Map extract, Town of Gulgong, 1904
Source: Parish Maps on HLRV

John Kelly, was born in 1869 in Mudgee; died 9 April 1922 aged 53. His parents were Michael and Mary A Kelly. John Kelly married Johanna nee Malone. Johanna was born in about 1867; died 2 Feb 1941, aged 74 (NSW BDM 4708/1941). Her parents were Bartholomew and Mary Malone. 

Their children included:

  • WILLIAM - 
  • MARY - born in Cassilis (NSW BDM 2358/1897)
  • JOHN J - born in Gulgong (NSW BDM 21345/1899)

They lived on Red Hill where the Miner's Cottage still stands today.
Red Hill Miner's Cottage, 1980

Red Hill Miner's Cottage, 2022
Source: VO, 21 July 2022

Red Hill Miner's Cottage, refurbished 2023
Source: VO, 28 May 2023

Red Hill Miner's Cottage, refurbished 2023
Source: VO, 28 May 2023

NEWS ITEMS

1922 - A.H.C. GUILD
The death of Bro. John Kelly, of Mudgee, which occurred recently, at Gulgong, removes from the ranks of Mudgee branch, a member of long standing. The deceased was a tailor by trade, and enjoyed the friendship of a wide circle of friends. He leaves a wife and a grown-up family to mourn their loss. — R.I.P.
Source: The Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1942) Thu 25 May 1922 Page 20

1922 - PROBATE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES. —Probate Jurisdiction.—In the Will of JOHN KELLY late of Gulgong in the State of New South Wales Tailor deceased.—Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Probate of the last Will of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to JOHANNA KELLY the sole Executrix named in the said Will. And all persons having any claims against the Estate of the said deceased are required to send particulars thereof to the undersigned, upon whom all notices may be served. JAMES JOSEPH DOWD, Proctor for thc Executrix, Gulgong. By his Agent, R. A. MONRO-KING, Solicitor. 3 Castlereagh-street, Sydney.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Mon 24 Apr 1922 Page 11

1941 - DEATH
KELLY.—January 31, at Gulgong, Johanna, relict of the late John Kelly, beloved mother of Molly (Mrs. Laughlan), John, and Will, aged 74. R.I.P.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wed 5 Feb 1941 Page 10

1941 - Mrs. J. Kelly
THE death took place in the Gulgong District Hospital on January 31st of Mrs. Johanna Kelly, of Red Hill, Gulgong, aged 74 years. She was admitted to hospital that day and passed away in her sleep.
Deceased was a native of Shell Harbor, and was relict of the late Mr. John Kelly. She had resided in Gulgong for about 43 years. The funeral took place to the Catholic portion of the Gulgong Cemetery, the Rev. Father Foley officiating.
Two sons (John J. and William) and one daughter (Mrs. J. Laughlin, of Darlinghurst) survive. To the bereaved we extend our sincere sympathy.

Kelly headstone in Gulgong Cemetery
Source: Austcemindex

John and Johanna Kelly are buried together at the Gulgong Cemetery, Catholic portion, Row BD.

Monday, November 25, 2024

HOMER

Homer's Paddock
Source: sixmaps

Mathew Pitman Homer owned Happy Valley Farm near Gulgong.

Mathew Homer married Ellen O'Connor in Mudgee in about 1846 (NSW BDM 441/1846 V1846441 31C). Their children included:

  • ALBERT E - born in Mudgee in 1861 (NSW BDM 9795/1861)
  • MARY E - born in Mudgee in 1866 (NSW BDM 11409/1866)

Ellen died in 1871, aged 39. Mathew later married Clarissa Cooper and had 8 more children.

  • MAY MIRIAM - born 1877 (NSW BDM 16004/1877)
  • CHARLES P - born 1878 (NSW BDM 17099/1878)
  • FREDERICK GEORGE - born 1880 (NSW BDM 18990/1880)
  • MATTHEW EARNEST - born 1881 (NSW BDM 21368/1881)
  • JOSEPH M - born 1883 (NSW BDM 24022/1883)
  • MERCY - born 1884 (NSW BDM 25770/1884)
  • HANNAH J - born 1886 (NSW BDM 4901/1886)
  • RUBY K - born 1890 (NSW BDM 15014/1890)
  • ANNIE G P - born 1895 (NSW BDM 12980/1895)

NEWS ITEMS

1871 - Gulgong Market
A quarter interest in Homer's paddock sold at the rate of £200 full share. 
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 20, 1 July 1871

1871 - DEATH
Died - Ellen , wife of Matthew Homer, 27 November, at their residence at Happy Valley Farm, aged 39.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 42, 2 December 1871

1871 - [ADVERTISING]
To Confectioners, Fruiterers, & Others - PICNIC – HOMER’S PADDOCK - New Year’s Day - H. A. Swan has received instructions from the picnic committee, in connection with the Sons of Temperance, to sell by public auctions, at Cameron’s Crystal Fountain, Herbert Street on Wednesday next, 20th December, at 3 o’clock, pm, sharp. One Grand, and six other refreshment stalls, for the above Picnic to take place in Homer’s Paddock, on New Year’s Day.
Plan on view with terms and conditions at Sale.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 44, 16 December 1871

1872 - [CRICKET]
Cricket Club has now chosen Homer's paddock for their cricket match against Dubbo.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 49, 20 January 1872

1872 - ANNIVERSARY DAY
Cricket Match AND ATHLETIC SPORTS AT HOMERS PADDOCK - DUBBO V GULGONG
BOOTHS, STALLS &c. JONES & CO. have received instructions from the Committee, to sell by Public Auction, at Con Driscoll’s Warburton Hotel, on SATURDAY next, at 2 o’clock,
2 Publican’s Booths
6 Fruit Stalls
No persons allowed to bid for the Publican’s Booths unless subscribers of I quinea to the Club Funds. Terms Cash
N.B. – Sale to take place positively at 2 o’clock JONES & CO. Auctioneers - Opposite the bank of N.S.W. Herbert Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 49, 20 January 1872

1872 - St. Patrick’s Day.
The natives of the Emerald Isle shall celebrated the nativity of their patron saint, with a sports day at Homer’s paddock and a ball a night, as profits will go to the hospital it is hoped there will be a monster attendance.
A meeting will be held at Tarrant’s Hotel on Monday evening next to perfect the arrangements for the celebration of the day.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 52, 10 February 1872

1872 - St. Patrick’s Day
The programme of sports at Homer’s Paddock, has been adopted, and will appear in Saturday’s issue. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Commissioner Browne for granting the use of the Court House for a ball in the evening; also to the Guardian & Argus for their generous offer of advertising. A splendid band will be engaged for the evening, and as the whole of the surplus funds raised will be handed over to the hospital, we believe that the public will attend en masse. May the committee succeed brilliantly in there efforts for so good a cause as the relief of the and suffering of this populous goldfield.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 54, 21 February 1872

1872 - St. Patrick’s day Sports.
In our advertising columns will be found the outline of the programme of sports decided upon by the committee to come off on St Patrick's Day, or rather the day after, as the holiday falls upon Sunday this year. Mr Homer, with his usual kindness, has granted the use of his paddock for the sports. It will be noticed that one of the prizes is a "District Champion Race," which attracted a large attendance on the Prince of Wales birthday sports, when it was first run for. And as the running ground for this race will be so chosen that everyone will be able to see the race from start to finish, and also enable the competitors to "put on stream" without danger of an upset, we have no doubt but that the attendants will be as numerous as when this race was inaugurated in November last. As the surplus funds will go to the hospital, we need hardly remind everybody that the more numerous the attendance the larger the balances will be in aid of this useful charity.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 57, 2 March 1872

1872 - Easter Monday
Sports! Sports! - Grand Cricket Match - Hill End v Gulgong - In Homer’s Paddock
C.L. Morris has received instructions from the committee to sell at Driscoll’s Warburton Hotel on Wednesday, March 27 at 4pm - The right of 2 Publican’s Booths, 6 Fruit Stalls for the Cricket Match Hill End v Gulgong, in Homer’s Paddock on Easter Monday.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 63, 23 March 1872

1872 - The Pound
Mr. Denis Driscoll the newly appointed pound keeper, is proceeding rapidly with the erection of his pound yards. The site is near Homer’s farm on the left side of the road to Canadian. They will be ready in a few days, when we hope that at least two hundred of the ownerless goats that are on the prowl day and night, eating up like locusts every thing that is green, will be the first stock that he will receive. It is a pity that vagrant dogs cannot be impounded, if they could, we reckon that the billet of the Pound Keeper would be equal in income of that of a Minister of the Crown and quite as comfortable. We would then see J.P.’s competing for the post, as we once saw one pursuing the united occupation of small debts bailiff and water carrier.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 72, 24 April 1872

1872 - Reward
Lost horse - William Kitchen - near Homer’s Farm, Happy Valley.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 86, 12 June 1872

1872 - Notice
The undersigned has a Good Secure Paddock for Horses, at a charge of 1/-. per week. Single night 3d. Payment in advance in all cases. Gate locked at sundown. MATTHEW HOMER, Happy Valley
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 93, 6 July 1872

1872 - [MINING]
On Monday another quartz find was made near the Old Surface Hill; a leader carrying rich stone was found between the Hill and Homers farm fence, with every appearance of thickening. The new lead now being worked at the south end of the Happy Valley Lead has evidently headed from the hill, which is, in the opinion of many, at least equal to the famous Red Hill.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 112, 11 September 1872

1872 - [MINING]
There is nothing new to report from the various other workings, except that in a block claim in the new ground opened at the south end of the Happy Valley a handsome 14 ounce nugget was found. Several small pieces have been previously found in the locality; but this "big 'un" has led to a number of claims being occupied parallel to Homer's farm fence.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 125, 26 October 1872

1872 - Athletic Sports Fete
The programme is in our advertising column. The prizes will be worth competing for and we hope to see large entries in every event. The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup we are sure will attract a large field and as it is a handicap there will be a chance for the fastest to the slowest. The lessees of the Prince of Wales have with kind liberality added two guineas to the prize. The sports will be held at Homer’s paddock and as the paddock is private property all persons not authorized to be on the ground will be trespassers and treated accordingly. A splendid band will be provided so those desiring to enjoy will be catered for. The storekeepers are being asked to close on that afternoon and the patronage of the Sons of Temperance, Odd Fellows and other kindred societies are also being in-vited to attend, so with the co-operation of the public the hospital will nett a respectable sum. Four hundred pounds must be raised by the end of the year to enable the full amount for the subsidy voted by the Parliament being claimed, knowing this we are certain that all will unite to make the fete a monster success.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 126, 30 October 1872

1872 - Boxing Day Sports 
The sports that have been arranged by the joint committees of the School of Arts and Sons of Temperance promise to be most attractive. As many hands make light work, the programme will contain many novel amusements which the numerous committee will be able to efficiently superintend.
As is usual at Christmas time, there will be Punch’s pony, who will require an accomplished horseman to ride him. Climbing the greasy pole, catching the slippery pig, popular games of tilting the ring, swings, merry-go-rounds, croquet, football and many more to numerable to mention.
Mr. Homer, with characteristic liberality has given one pound to each committee out of the five pounds he is to receive for the use of his ground.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 133, 23 November 1872

1872 - BOXING DAY PICNIC
To Keepers of Restaurants and Others - PLUNKETT & CO. - Have received instructions from the Joint Committee of the Gulgong School of Arts and the Sons of Temperance to sell by auction the following:
THE RIGHTS to ERECT SEVEN REFRESHMENT BOOTHS, FOUR FRUIT STALLS and ONE SWING BOAT At HOMER’S PADDOCK on the occasion of the MONSTER PICNIC TO BE HELD ON 26th DECEMBER - Terms CASH
The Committee reserve the right to order off the Ground person found vending Intoxicating Drinks - A Plan of the Ground on view at the Office of the Auctioneers.
HOMER’S PADDOCK - Boxing Day Monster Picnic - BY THE JOINT SOCIETIES - THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE And THE SCHOOL OF ARTS
Amusement for all — the Old, the Young, the Grave and the Gay - IMMENSE ATTRACTIONS!
Large Dancing Saloon - 70 feet by 20 feet boarded floor - BOAT SWINGS FOR LADIES.
The procession will start punctually on THURSDAY, December 26th, from the Temperance Hall, Herbert Street, at 10 o’clock, headed by the GULGONG BRASS BAND, under the management of Messrs. SHARP and SAYERS.
Sports to Commence Punctually at 11 o’clock.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 137, 7 December 1872

Saturday, November 23, 2024

1919 CONVENT BALL

Gulgong Convent Ball, 1919
Source: Kevin Varney

Front row, centre: James David Gormly (elderly gentleman) with his daughter Linda Memes (her husband was killed the previous year at Villers Bretineaux)
Front row, far right: Ursula Gormly and Reginald Walter Hawkins, both from Mudgee. 

1919 - ANNUAL CONVENT BALL.
The annual ball in aid of All Hallows Convent, Gulgong, took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday night week last. The function was the first, of its kind to be held on a big scale this season, and the success that crowned the efforts of the promoters can be described as brilliant. The ball was well organised, and everything went off with a good swing. The Rev. Father E. P. O'Donnell, P.P., and the Rev. Father D. M. O'Reilly were responsible for the organisation of the function, and they were ably assisted by a large number of local parishioners.
Among the visitors present were many from Mudgee, Cullenbone, Cassilis, Tallawang and Tooraweenah. The credit for the decoration is due to Mr. Gus Gallagher, who worked untiringly in order to produce a pleasant picture. The supper arrangements were well carried out under the supervision of Mrs. B. J. Naughton, who was capably assisted by Mesdames J. Judge, P. Flood, H. Hogden, L. C. Naughton, Gilagali, J. Spears, T. Ryan, Docwra, Blanch, and Miss M. Loneragan.
The dresses worn by the ladies were very pretty, and a large number of fancy costumes were worn. Among the dresses were noticed the following: — Miss Flood, France; Miss Walls, France; Miss Saunders, Bird of Paradise; Miss D. Nowlands, Champagne; Miss G. Whitton, Good Duck; Miss Hogan, Gipsy; Miss Byfield, pink crepe de chine; Miss Egan, orange crepe de chine; Miss Dover, floral voile; Miss Barden, white net; Miss Spears, white satin; Miss Spradbrow, white satin; Miss U. Gormly, white net; Miss Gormly, pink net; Miss M. Norris, ninon; Miss E. Norris, cream ninon; Miss Sawyers (Mudgee), heliotrope ninon over white satin; Miss Milson (Mudgee), cream ninon over green satin; Miss Tarrant (Mudgee), white ninon over satin; Mrs. Willis, white net; Mrs. Stanwix (Tooraweenah), pink crepe de chine; Mrs. Greenswood, blue crepe; Mrs. McGowen, greye crepe de chine; Mrs. A. L. Mahon, crepe de chine.
The Rev. Fathers O'Donnell and O'Reilly are to be congratulated on the magnificent manner in which they carried out the duties of organising the ball, which was proclaimed to have been one of the most enjoyable held here for many years.
JUVENILE BALL.
On Wednesday week a Juvenile ball was held in the Town Hall. There was a large attendance, particularly of youngsters, who spent a most enjoyable time. The supper arrangements were well carried out by the ladies. The fancy dresses worn were: Miss C. Naughton, Scotch Lassie; Miss M. Naughton, Colleen Bawn; Miss E. Nowland, America: Miss W. Spears, Folly; Master J. Wilson, Jester; Master D. Wilson, Folly; Master G. Leeson, France; Master Ryan, Highlander; Master L. Reddish, Fairy.
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Thu 24 Jul 1919 Page 32

Friday, November 22, 2024

WAIT-A-WHILE

The new [race] course is situated on the Wait-a-While, close to the shaft which supplies Gulgong with water


SPORTING GREATS

1871 - PRIZE FIGHT.
There was a prize fight this morning, near Gulgong, between Fred Jackson (brother of the champion) and Larry Foley, for £25 a-side. The scene of this interest ing encounter, about which there has been much talk in sporting circles during the past week, was at Rapp's Gully, a gold working, about four miles from Gulgoug, on the Mudgee-road. Long before sunrise horsemen and pedestrians were to be seen wending their way to the spot selected, which was kept secret from the police by every precaution.
At sunrise there were about one hundred on the spot, where a good ring had already bean made. Alf. Jackson, the champion ot New South Wales, acted as second to his brother, and Charley Kelly was right hand man to Foley. The combatants stripped finely, and it was thought that Jackson displayed much the best muscle and general condition. He is certainly a heavier man than Foley. Foley won the toss for corner, and, after shaking hands, the contest commenced by Jackson making a feint and missed, when Foley caught him with a heavy lunge in the stomach.
Round succceded round, until thirteen had been fought, during which Foley was beat every time. The sponge was then thrown in, Jackson was cut over the eye, and blackened about the body. It was considered an easy victory for Foley. It said that the police were very active in their efforts to discover the rendezvous, but the precautions hadbeen so perfect, they were baffled.
Source:  Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Sat 25 Nov 1871 Page 4

1900 - [MATCHES REMEMBERED]
The Marquis of Queensbury Rules, for the governing of glove contests, were not known in Gulgong, at least, at the remote period. The old British Prize Ring Rules were still in existence, and under these rules all little differences were settled quick and lively. There were many mills brought off on the "rush," but I think the first of any remote was that between Ned Pearce, better known under the sobriquet of "The Straight-haired Native," and "Kirby." The ring was pitched at the foot of Billy Goat Hill, and the battle a lively one from start to finish, ended in a draw. The men were known to be evenly matched. The betting at the start was even money and take your choice. And even the betting continued till the end of the battle, which was proclaimed a draw. Each party was thoroughly satisfied that their hero had done his best.
But, probably the most memorable encounter that ever took place in this district, and the one that created the most interest, was that between Larry Foley and Jackson. It was only for a tenner a-side. But it was well-known that Larry was giving his opponent many stone in weight and many inches in height and reach. It was, besides, an open secret that the stakes were only a secondary consideration. It was said that nationality played a very prominent part in the matter. The green — Foley's color — came out on top after 10 rounds had been fought. I don't think, from start to finish, the result was ever, in doubt, bar accident, as the clever Larry had his opponent's measure in the first round.
Then came the first glove fight that I ever remember to have witnessed. It was brought off at the Shamrock Theatre, Home Rule. The Mediators were "Black Alick," of Victoria, and "Parramatta street" Kelly, and the stakes £10 a side. The exhibition was a clever one, when Kelly won. The Sydney native was handled by no less a pugilistic light than Joe Kitchen, who, in his day, had no equal at his weight; while the wily Mick Cunningham did the needful for Alick.

But no exhibition of any kind ever drew like the first athletic sports held in Gulgong. Such a concourse of people as were assembled on the grounds on that occasion it would be impossible to get together now — at even a church meeting. And athletes were to the fore from all parts of the colony. Joe Yeomans, who was at his best just about that time, won the half-mile race, and also the running high jump, clearing the bar at 5ft 10in. There was a £30 handicap, which created no end of interest. This event was won by poor Sam Robinson, who died at Gulgong, all too soon, at the early age of 22 years. 

Billiards had its votaries here also, and amongst the number of finished cueists could be mentioned such masters of the art as Weston, Tom Nightingale, Billy Lancaster, and Billy Edmonds, who when at his top had probably no superior in Australia. The last I heard of him was some years ago, when marking in Brisbane.

ANNIE LYONS

Annie Lyons
Source: Mudgee Guardian, 18 August 1971, p 4

Annie Lyons was the daughter of a Swiss immigrant, Peter Jago/Jager/Jeger. Her father married Emily Cooper from Campbelltown in Gulgong in 1875 (NSW BDM 3252/1875). Annie was born in 1877, one of 14 children (NSW BDM 15990/1877).

In 1894, Annie married Alfred J Lyons in Gulgong (NSW BDM 3988/1894). They had 10 children.

In 1971, at the age of 94,  Annie Lyons was interviewed about the early days by Frank Halloran of the Mudgee Guardian. This is the resulting article.

NEWS ITEMS

1971 - Mrs Annie Lyons, aged 94, recalls tale of the legless ghost
(By Frank Halloran)

Spend an hour talking to Mrs Annie Lyons of Gulgong, and you come away with a piece of birthday cake, all the ingredients for a good novel and … the feeling of inadequacy.

Mrs Lyons is just 94. She had her birthday on July 31, 1971 and all the living members of her family were there to celebrate the occasion with her.

She has always lived in “Goolgong”. That’s the way the old hands still say that name. In fact, as far as most people would think, she has led a very sheltered life – gone to bed early “we had to be in bed by 8 o’clock when we were kids.”

“I had a wonderful husband – very happy, and we had five girls and five boys”.

Some people would think the world had passed her by, she had never been much further than Gulgong. But Mrs Lyons has experienced a very full life, she has that quiet dignity…[missing text]... not only a bush town, where the young Annie Jago grew up.

It was the scene of one of the last big, gold rushes of New South Wales, where people from all nations under the sun came in search of their fortune.

“My father came from Switzerland to the Goldrush: Peter Jago was his name, and my mother came from Campbelltown. In those days, there were no, what you call now, Australians, everyone was a foreigner of some sort. The buildings were made of stringy bark. You know there used to be an old bark school house up there in Mayne Street, where Keith Paul’s office is [103-105 Mayne Street], where my husband Alf went to school.

Further along there was a watch maker. As the children came out of school they pushed their noses up against the windows. He would come out and clear the children away. “Let the watches see the people” he used to say.

11 O’CLOCK AND ALL’S WELL

Mrs. Lyons went to the old public school in Belmore Street sited just opposite the present primary school. Mr. Stokes was the headmaster, there was a Miss Dobbs, a Miss Smith and a Miss Woolley at the school. Near there lived Jack Paradise, they used to call him that or Jack the Watchman. He used to go around and light up the lamps at dusk. I can still hear him going around the town calling out the time. You would hear him calling out through the night. “It’s 11 o’clock and all’s well!”
He never married. He used to have a big gold watch and we used to tease him and call out “What’s the time Jack?”.

PRETTY STONES

You know they’ve got some wrong yarns going about the goldrush. The blacks found the first big lot of gold. There were a lot of black people settled out near Ulan. They used to come in and get blankets the Government gave them. They’d want water, tobacco and things like that. Some of the people said, look Jackie you dig a hole down there on the flat and you’ll get plenty of water. They came back to the business people and said “We never found any water, but you come and see the pretty stones we find.”
Of course, this was a different story. “We’re going to give you plenty of tobacco, we’ll work it for you and you’ll have as much water as you want”. Oh yes, from then on they were very good to the blacks. That’s why they call it Black Lead, the richest lead of them all.

[There could be some truth to the discovery of gold in this area by Aboriginal people as described above. An 1871 paper described the most easterly of block claims on the Black Lead as "locally celebrated as the Darkies' claim".
  •  
  • Evening News Sat 4 Feb 1871 Page 4However, in an 1870 news piece, the name was said to have derived from "the colour of a thick layer of black deposit that overlays the auriferous strata".]

    Gold? I’ve seen more gold that anyone here in Gulgong. Pints of it. As a little girl my father used to take me down to Tippin’s Dam. Mr Tippin’s had two big puddling machines. I saw all the gold taken off before it would go up to the bank. He had two horses there shod with gold. No, not really, only the nails in the horse shoe were of gold, they had plated the top of the nails. 

    My father found a good big lot of gold in Morrissey’s paddock, you know out there along the Canadian road. We went out there to live; my father put a house up out there for a while. He got £300 out of it. Lot of money. With him were Jack Lyons, Frank Egan, Jack Leonard. I remember coming into town with Mrs Jack Lyons in a spring cart with the pannikins filled with gold. They were always frightened of being robbed. Anyone would know we had gold, for they’d see the wash up. You’d hear a lot about hold ups and bushrangers but I never knew any.

    The big names I remember hearing about were out at Belinfante. Angel and Thurston were, and shot the shopkeeper. He’s buried down at the cemetery, and the one who shot him are buried there also. It was away from the other graves; anyone who got shot or anything like that, they would bury them in a separate place.

    You know the first cemetery was up there opposite, I think, Anzac Park. They built on the old cemetery. I don’t think it was right, do you?

    There used to be a lot of talk about ghosts in those days. They reckon the ghost of Stewart, who was shot, was seen around. A girl I know worked at Guntawang. Some of her friends dressed up. She was in the hospital for days. That’s what they used to do in those days. I don’t believe in ghost stories but a lot of people did.

    DANCING GHOST WITH NO FEET

    That’s what they used to do in those days, frighten people with ghost stories. Do you know about the ghost down there on the Black Lead? Ted Lyons swears he often saw the ghost down there. It is a young girl, dressed in grey, she has no feet but seems to be dancing around. The story is that a young girl coming back from a dance fell into one of the mine shafts and was never found. She might have been pushed down the hole. You don’t know really what happened. Ted Lyons used to tell us how he looked behind him one night and there he saw this ghost, she had no legs.

    HOW THEY GOT THEIR BOYFRIENDS

    They used to dance down at the flat and play rounders.  Oh yes, that's why they call it Happy Valley*. Do you want to know a joke about Gulgong women, how they got their husbands? How did you get married so young, people would say? Father made sure we didn’t go around to the dance halls. Well, I’ll tell you how the girls got their boy friends, down on Happy Valley.

     [The name "Happy Valley" was in use in 1871, so this can't be the origin story.]

    IT CAME TO A WEDDING

    “They would make a clearing, put some sand down and we would play rounders. That’s how we did it! Peter Reddish would want to meet Bertie Glazier. Some of his mates would say, we’ll get Bertie to come over and play rounders. Afterwards, he would say, "Bertie, I will take you home" – and then he was asked for tea … That’s how we all got our husbands. Old Jim Cross and Mary Anne, Jim had to take her home, it came to a wedding. 

    Besides rounders, there would be the old quadrilles. I can still see Jack Sweeney every Sunday down in front of our place. All the young people would come from the town. We would dance the Jolly Miller, the someone would miss out and be “Oh what a duffer in the ring!”. After the rounders we would have a camp fire and singing and dancing. That’s how all the young people got their husbands and wives. “I got my husband playing rounders,” Mrs Lyons said as she fingered her gold wedding ring.

    FOUND GOLD IN TREE

    It’s 18 carat gold, my wedding ring. I’m told it came from the Helvetia. Mr McCullock had it made into a wedding ring. I’ve told my family to leave it one me when I go. It came from the ground and back to the ground it will go.

    We knew a lot about Henry Lawson but didn’t know him – Tom Saunders, everyone knew him. Oh there was great excitement, when Harry Upham (Tommy Upham’s relative) found gold in the fork of a tree, while he was out ring barking. People didn’t believe him, but he swore he found it there, got about £500 for it. Someone must have planted it. Like the time Peter Reddish found a nugget down just past the railway. He was pretty badly off at the time. It paid all his bills. 

    The miners used to look a pretty lot when they would come to town. They wore white trousers and red sashes around their waists. Some of the first miners I remember were Long Bill Capewell they use to call him, and Billy Hutton and Mr Lanfranc and Mr Casben.

    I only know three people in Gulgong now who went to school with me. Mr Harry Snelson, his sister Martha, Matron Snelson was at the Gulgong Hospital for many years. There’s Mr Harry Gudgeon too. Mr Snelson’s father used to make wine and sell it for only a shilling a bottle. He was with Mr Bucholtz and they were on the Helvetia.

    GAVE JIMMY GOVERNOR A SADDLE

    The Governors, I remember them well. Jimmy, Joe and their sister who worked for Sgt Steele. I remember Jimmy, he had such a temper. There was a drought on and no water in the tanks at school. We all had to bring bottles of water and the girls used to go and drink theirs.
    My father was always good to them. Jimmy was going to get married to a Page girl. Someone lent him a horse, but he couldn’t get a saddle. “I only want it for an hour or so this afternoon”, he said. “Alright, I said and gave him the saddle”.
    When everyone around was frightened to death of them after they killed the Mawby family, we never were. There were people who looked down on the Page girl and gave her a terrible time.
    “Fancy going and marrying a black fellow” they would say. They had a terrible set on a doctor here who said this about them, but not my father.

    After my father came here and the diggings were worked out, he started working on the side roads in the town. He made White Street. At first it was only a raked up bit of dirt, but my father did a good job, charged the right price and had plenty of work.

    LET THE TOFFS FIGHT THE WAR

    “My father came from a country where they didn’t believe in wars”. Mrs Lyons lost her son in the World War I and cherished pictures of him as a baby in her arms and as a young man. “War is a terrible thing” she said. “Killed all our young men. My father used to say, all wars were put on by the rich man. Let the toffs go and fight it out, not the poor working boys. If the rich man had to go to war, then there wouldn’t be any more wars, they’d be walking hand in hand,” he used to say.

    “I remember all the things that used to happen in those days. There’s the quadrilles”. Jimmy the Messer used to have the hall and there’d be Jim on the concertina. Tommy Britt would be the best singer we ever had here. He was wonderful. He sang the sad songs and the jolly ones too. We’d have singalongs and recitations. People used to say about Tom, he should have gone on the stage. He used to sing with all the people who would come here then. He used to sing those Irish songs, some were terrible sad. There was the Luggage Van Ahead … he would make you cry he sang it so well. He would sing the “Wild Colonial Boy” and he could recite and change his voice. I wanted them to play the “Wild Colonial Boy” for my birthday, but they don’t play requests, they say. I used to see him going off on his cart in later days and think what a good singer he was, and people have forgotten all that.

    There was Ted Flood – he use to drive the coach and take us out to Belinfante for a picnic…

    I remember a man came around once selling photographs for 1/-. One was of Mr Loneragan, the grandfather of the Loneragans now. He bought the first goods up over the mountains on a bullock wagon. There were some wonderful photos. I wanted to keep them but my family were cleaning up and they burned them. I was broken hearted when I found they were burned. They were such a novelty and I would have been able to show them to you.

    I could tell you about the shops in the town, about Mr Young, they had Loneragan’s first; the pubs; the Horse and Jockey and Cicognani’s Hotel, Shannons also had a pub, Sharman had a butcher shop – Blanch had another butcher’s shop and how we used to walk up to Billy Goat Hill.

    But there was no need for the photographs, all the ghosts of the bygone days were present with Mrs. Lyons-- 

    We had to go. But not before Mrs Lyons called out to her daughter (Mrs Aub Stanton) to cut a piece of one of her four birthday cakes.

    “Would you say for me, Mrs Annie Lyons of Lynne Street, (everyone knows me of Lynne Street, I still go over there when I want to) thank all my friends for their cards and wires for my birthday,” she said. 

    Source: Mudgee Guardian, 18 August 1971, p 4