Dr Pericles' Medical Hall,
incorporating Dr. Ramsay's consulting rooms, Gulgong
Source: SLNSW
Medical Hall of Dr John Pericles, Chemist of Herbert Street next to Daniel Pope the Bootmaker [sic, Baker]. Also Consulting Rooms of Dr Wilson Ramsay.
Source: Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (Sept 2006)
John Pericles Rodocanachis was a native of Smyrna. He married Mary Emma MB Williams in Forbes in 1868 (NSW BDM 2676/1868). Their children included:
- Mary Penilipoe C (Minnie) - born 1869 in Forbes (NSW BDM 13610/1869)
- Adelaide V - born 1870 in Bathust (NSW BDM 6650/1870)
- Arthur Leonidas R Pericles - born 1873 in Gulgong (NSW BDM 14391/1873)
- Emma FC Pericles - born 1875 in Gulgong (NSW BDM 15225/1875)
- Dagmur - born in Rylstone in 1877 (NSW BDM 20243/1877)
NEWS ITEMS
1871 - SIGN OF PROGRESS
Mr. Pericles the well-known chemist of Grenfell is erecting a neat building in the corner of Little Queen and Herbert Street in which can be procured a remedy for 'all ills that flesh is heir to’.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 2, 25 February 1871
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 3, 4 March 1871
1871 - TOWN TALK
Building is the order of the day, everyone is building everywhere. Herbert Street promises to become, if not the leading thoroughfare, at least a very busy street and far superior to Queen Street. It is wide, straight, reg-ularly built on, and running north to south, it must from the position, be the Broadway of Gulgong. It will have the best-built hotel on the field, owned by a real sport-ing landlord – Ted Tarrant. In fact it has been seized on wholly by vendors of eatables and drinkers, for it consists principally of hotels, restaurants, butchers and other suchlike purveyors. Happily there is a Medical Hall in a central position, where the services and ‘genuine drugs and chemicals’ of Dr. Pericles can be obtained at all hours of the night.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 3, 4 March 1871
1871 - TOWN TALK
The most notable sign of progress is the clearing of Herbert Street of the forest of stumps that are most eccentrically and ingeniously scattered over its bosom, and if that torturing height that just catches nocturnal pedestrian below the belt in so distressing a manner that in all cases necessitates a visit to Tarrant’s bar to imbue a “drop of sustenance” as a remedy against the possible consequences of their involuntary acrobatic feat. We fancy our old friend, Dr. Pericles, of the Medical Hall, who’s red light has been a “beacon of hope” to the stump victims, does not look at the extraction for the stumps as a profitable spec to him.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 9, 15 April 1871
1871 - POLICE COURT
Assault - Mignoth v Ince had treatment at Dr. Pericles Medial Hall. cost him 21s. Dismissed
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 12, 6 May 1871
I took the bottle containing the medicine to Mr. Pericles, Medical Hall, and inquired for Dr. Ramsay. I saw him and told him about the affair. He sealed the bottle up in my presence, and the next day, June 3rd, it was given to Sergeant O’Donnell.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 12, 17 June 1871
1871 - TOWN IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Pericles Medical Hall has been removed further down Herbert Street, a little beyond the intersection of Belmore Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 26, 12 August 1871
1871 - Commissioner Notice
The following are informed that their perspective allotments have been appraised, the amount one pound per allotment for Deed Fee payable to the Commissioner’s Office no later than Monday 30th instant at 11am.
- J Pericles
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 37, 28 October 1871
1872 - The Missing Link
On Monday last, Mr. Belinfante, booted and bespurred, left town en route for Sofala, where he expects to be nominated on Friday next as a candidate for the representative of the Western Goldfields. His body-guard consisted of only one, who was a brother professional in the curative art, Dr. Pericles – who judging by his physical development, would afford him ample ‘protection’ but as a guide in the thorny path of canvassing will not, we fear, be so effective.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 56, 28 February 1872
W.H. Pearson was taken into custody on Thursday evening as being of unsound mind. While in the lock-up he asked for a drink and while in the possession of the pannikin, he wrenched the handle off and inflicted a severe wound to his neck. Dr. Pericles sewed up the wound. Prisoner is now out of danger.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 73, 27 April 1872
1872 - POLICE COURT
Trespass - Andrew Venos and Andrew Thomas, trespass upon a claim at Home Rule. Drs. Ramsay and John Pericles gave evidence, plaintiff had been thrown from his horse on the way to Gulgong to buy tools. The name Christy was mentioned. Ordered to give the claim up.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 85, 8 June 1872
1872 - POLICE COURT
Robbery - Mary Cowper was charged with stealing 23 yards of dress piece, property of Mrs. Pericles. Detective Robert Hannan made the arrest at Home Rule. Employed by Mrs. Pericles, left to visited her mother in Mudgee, goods were found at Mrs. Gill’s, committed for trial. Dr. John Pericles identified the goods.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 108, 28 August 1872
1872 - POLICE COURT
Larceny – Maria Cooper charged with stealing at Gulgong 23 yards of lustre, 6 pairs of socks, 6 pinafores, 12 yards of trimming, the property of one John Pericles. Evidence by Detective Hannan, Dr. Pericles (while this witness was giving his evidence the prisoner fainted). Jonna Gill, mother and daughter, was taken for the prosecution and Mrs. McCallum for the defence. Verdict of guilty.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 108, 28 August 1872
1872 - NEW BUILDINGS
A very neat surgery has been erected by Dr Pericles in Herbert Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 116, 25 September 1872
RODOCANACHIS John Pericles from Smyrna, 25 November 1873
Source: Naturalization Index 1834-1903 Item No: [4/1202] | Page No: 141 | Reel No: 130
1873 - POLICE COURT
Obscene Language – Eliza Bradbury and Eliza Blackie charged by Dr. Pericles with using disgusting language in Herbert Street. Mr. Robinson appeared for the prisoners, appealed to the Bench, said his clients had been locked up all night, were now penitent for the offence they had committed, fined 5/-.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 146, 25 September 1873
Expenses Working Claim - William Prothero summoned, in respect to an account about No 3. Block Caledonian Lead. Thomas Webster, Charles Vincent, John Pericles, J. D. Williams and J. Williams, also complainants. Verdict for complainants.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 2, 1874
1874 - WARDEN'S COURT
Tuesday’s Warden Court. Of very little interest except to the parties concerned. John Pericles and John Hill obtained a full share each in a block claim, Eureka Rush.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, October 8, 1874
1874 - POLICE COURT
Assault - Daniel Pope charged with assaulting James Leggatt They were counter suing each other over goods supplied. Sgt Keenan made the arrest, James Daveron Bailiff gave evidence, as did Dr Pericles, Luke Costoe, Leggatt and Pope. Fined 2 pounds, professional costs 20/-, in default 2 months gaol.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, December 26, 1874
1875 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
Manchester Unity I O O F - No 83 Gulgong - Drs Newton and Pericles are Medical Offer’s for the above lodge, consulting rooms at the MEDICAL HALL next door to Mr C Bird, Chemist.
F W RUSSELL - Secretary
F W RUSSELL - Secretary
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, February 6, 1875
1875 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
Sons of Temperance - Gulgong - Drs Newton and Pericles have been elected as Medical Advisers to the above Order. A J HOLLIBONE G S
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, February 11, 1875
1875 - Court of Requests Before PM and L S Donaldson
1875 - Court of Request
Pericles v Hollebone for the Sons of Temperance RemandedSource: Gulgong Evening Argus, May 8, 1875
Newton and Pericles v Hollebone The plaintiff sought to recover for services practitioners, rendered to members of the Gulgong Division of the Sons of Temperance, under verbal contract.
John Pericles deposed: I am a medical practitioner residing at Gulgong: Dr Newton and myself were elected medical officers of the Sons of Temperance, I commenced on February 15th and continued since, we were to be paid sixpence half-penny per week from each member with three months agreement and a notice of one month upon either side when the contract should be brought to a conclusion. I have been in partnership with Dr Newton since February 15th. Dr Pericles continued: I attended eight patients, members of the Division; some of them I visited many times. I attended none after march 13th, but was ready to do so if they called me.
Mr Hollibone, deposed: I am secretary of the Division, at a meeting on February 14, it was arranged that Dr Newton was to take up residence in Gulgong and in the mean time Dr Pericles was to act as surgeon, a letter received from Dr Newton dated February 17th, was received stating that he could not come to reside at Gulgong was read, gave notice to Pericles that his services were not required and after offered to pay him for one moths services. There was a verbal agreement that if Dr Newton came to Gulong a months notice was to be given, no complaints were made with Dr Pericles in regard to treatment, all appeared satisfied.
Mr Swan deposed: Gave the same evidence as to the agreement.
A judgement was given against the defendants for 5 pounds 12 shillings and court costs.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, May 27, 1875
1875 - STAR LEAD
There are four claims being worked on the Star Lead besides that of Court and party. The sinking is about 60 feet and the ground is about midway between the old Surface Hill and the original prospecting claim of Con the Greek. John Pericles, John Henry [two shares] and John Robertson have applied for a lease of four acres on the Star Lead adjoining the block claim now being worked by Henry and party.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, July 6, 1875
The following leases have been approved:-
- John Pericles and others, Star Lead, Gulgong;
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, December 18, 1875
1875 - GOLD LEASE REGISTER
Place: Gulgong 85, June 1875Source: Gold (auriferous) Lease Registers 1874-1953 Series: 10095 | Item No: [7/3129] | Reel No: 0 |
1876 - Gold Mining Leases
Mining Leases the following lease have been declared void for failing to execute and take delivery of same:
- John Pericles and others Star Lead;
1876 - Accident to Mr McCulloch
This occurred when about four miles from Ilford when a laden coach was descending a hill with a sharp turn in Petticoat Lane, through some neglect the horses bolted and could not be pulled in, the axle broke and in some miraculous manner the horses stopped without capsizing the buggy. Mr McCulloch of Gulgong was thrown over the near front wheel and left insensible, sustaining severe contusions and a deep scalp wound, besides other cuts. The accident occurred about a mile from Mr P Callaghan’s. Mr McCulloch has now rapidly recovering from his injuries under the hands of Dr Pericles.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, Junly 22, 1876
1907 - DEATH
Gulgong and Rylstone old hands will remember Dr. Pericles, who for a time practised his profession in each of those places. Sydney papers announce his death at the age of 72 years, which occurred on the 14th instant.
