George Anthony Tissington was born in 1840. He married Margaret Lee in Goulburn in 1873.
Their children included:
- George Edwin Tissington, b 1874 (NSW BDM 5430/1874) in Waterloo.
- Bertie L Tissington - b 1876 (NSW BDM 9767/1876); died 1877 in Carcoar.
- Leslie Tissington, b 1878 (NSW BDM 10778/1878); died 1878 in Carcoar.
Allotment 1B of Section 18 in the Village of Gulgong was purchased from the Crown by George Anthony Tissington for £1 in 1874. Two years earlier, Gribbles Shades & Fancy Repository was located on that land but this had been Tissington's "photographing business" in 1871, prior to her lease. While in Gulgong. Tissington lived in a "humpy" at the rear of Harry Rossiter's hotel (and across the road from Gribble's store).
Source: HLRV and Trove (see below)
Location of Gribble's store on Tissington's land, Gulgong
Source: HLRV
Tissington died in 1883 in Gladstone, Queensland.
Source: Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947) Sat 20 Jan 1883 Page 2
Margaret Tissington then married George Edward Harrison in 1883.
NEWS ITEMS
PRE-1870 - Dan Mayne's Reminiscences. A BIT ABOUT FORBES. [By G.C.J]
Dan then tells us that he knew a few golden hole men—eight or ten thousand pounders. Yet he does not seem to have known George A. Tissington, who cleared about £25,000 in twelve months. George was not unknown in Windsor just before the big rush to Gulgong, as a photographer.But let us hark back to Forbes. G.A.T. was only 19 at the time of the rush, and was employed on Mrs Strickland's station, where the gold was first discovered. He had a share in one of the best claims, and being on the top one day attending the windlass (it was just after they had got through the drift and bottomed, and had not had time to erect a whip), when a mate below sang out—"On top there try this bit of stuff, an' be pretty lively about it." George hove up the bucket of dirt, and as it came in sight a ray of sunlight struck it, and poor George nearly collapsed—for it looked all gold. However, he landed the bucket and then flopped down along side of it, quite staggered at what he he had seen. The mate below grew impatient and shouted up the shaft a volley of cuss words, which struck the ear of a passer-by, who came to the shaft and found George in a swoon. Together they hauled the mate up, and he, being a "Cousin Jack," and not overburthened with nerves, prospected the stuff—it was half gold, G.A.T. did no more hard graft, but went in for something easier. He rode a blood horse, wore high boots with silver spurs attached, and generally cut a dash. He opened saloons, started timber yards, and made things hum for twelve months, and then came the end of his purse. A little later he was lying, sick and dead broke, at the "Half-way House" on the Carcoar Bathurst road, and the landlady nursed him back to health and gave him enough money to take him to Forest Reefs. The good Samaritan, in this instance, was a Windsor woman—no less than Mrs R Drewe, mother of Messrs W G and J A Magrath, of Emu. From the Reefs G.A.T. went to Tambaroora and Hill End—and just missed it. He put in a few months at Windsor, Newtown, and Liverpool, and then was among the first to take up a claim on the famous Black Lead at Gulgong. He was a lucky fellow, despite a taste of bad luck now and then, and did pretty well in Gulgong on several leads. He went to Charters Towers (Q.) and then on to Port Darwin. In later years he photographed at Ipswich and Maryborough, at which latter place he pegged out. Poor George! he was meteoric in his movements, but never well ballasted.
PRE-1870 - OLD RECOLLECTIONS [By G.C.J. of Windsor]
Then, regarding Boston, the photographer, referred to by Mr Tebbutt. There were two brothers partners in a business in Newtown (Syd.), watchmakers and jewellers by trade, but they took on photography as well. I knew them about 1867 68, when an old friend of mine (also known in Windsor)—one G. A. Tissington—went into partnership with one of the brothers.Anyhow, Tissington practised in Windsor prior to 1870; and possibly Thomas Boston was induced to hang out his sign in the old town at Tissington's suggestion. I have several of Boston's photos by me, and they are all good, retaining their colour well, thus showing that be understood his business.
Source: Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1965) Sat 22 Sep 1906 Page 1
Macquarie Street, Dubbo, around 1871 / Thomson & Tissington
From left to right, the businesses shown in this photograph of Macquarie Street, Dubbo, between Wingewarra and Church Streets, are the Royal Hotel, Thomas Curtis (watchmaker and jeweller), Gill & Stevens (Overland Stores) and the Dubbo Flour Mills.
Source: CAROLINE SIMPSON LIBRARY & RESEARCH COLLECTION, Sydney Living Museums
1871 - ADVERTISEMENTPhotography G. A. TISSINGTON HAS OPENED his GALLERY in Queen Street, Gulgong, and is prepared to take portraits in his old style on cards, glass or new patent enamel miniatures. Lockets and Brooches. Views of claims. horses &c. Every description of picture faithfully copied. A splendid assortment of Fancy Goods on hand.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 5 - 18 March 1871
1871 - TOWN TALK
We are glad to be able to announce to our readers especially the fairer portion, that Mr. G. A. Tissington has completed his new photographic gallery and is now open for the reception of visitors and from the well known ability of the artist exhibited in the show carte's in his studio, we feel satisfied that all will have full justice done to their charms. We had seen several views of the town, and separately of several of our Hotels, and can truly say that they are really creditable specimens of this popular art. We need hardly say that so experienced an artist has fixed his scale of prices to meet the times.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 8 - 8 April 1871
1871 - [PRESENTATION]It is rumoured that the Minister for Lands, accompanied by the Colonial Architect, will visit Gulgong during the recess to choose a site for a Commissioners Office, which is to be erected at a cost not exceeding 15 pounds. Also Mr Tissington, our local photographer, is repairing views of the "little window" at Selff's, for presentation to the leading public institutions of the Colony, all illustrated papers, and our old friend Punch, as an illustration of how a goldfield - population 4,000 - one year old, is governed in the year 1871.Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 13, May 13th, 1871
1871 - Police Court - Before Plunkett and Donnell JP
Breach of Gold Fields Act Tissington v GallenSummons was for disobeying an order made by Messrs. Johnson and M'Donnell JPs, in reference to an encroachment by Gallen on an allotment of Tissington's, by which Gallen was to remove a fence he had erected on Tissington's ground, given 7 days to do so, but did not comply, fined £5.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 14, May 20th, 1871
1871 - Coroner’s Inquest
The inquest into the death of Mary Redmond, infant daughter of Mr. James Redmond of Driscoll's Hotel, Queen Street, was very touching. As this case resulted in Mr. Zimmler, a well known chemist and medical practitioner being committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter, we give the evidence in full:
Before Dr. C.E. Rowling, coroner and a jury of twelve, consisting of Messrs. Benjamin, Moses, Phillips, Samper, Murphy, Cooney, Tissington, H.J. Woods, Cavanagh, Field, Rossiter and McDonogh.
...
Rossiter and Frazer have completed their extensive addition to their new hotel, and now ready to accommodate the public in any numbers at the shortest notice. Mr. Tissington, the photographer has erected a natty gallery opposite Rossiter’s.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 18 SATURDAY June 17th, 1871
1871 - [PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS]
There are the usual amount of other stores; but these are the principal; and in the same street Messrs. Sippel, Brothers have a tobacconist's shop on a very creditable scale; while Mr. Tissington does the photographing business in a manner to gain a good share of support.
1871 - TOWN PHOTOGRAPHSGeorge A. Tissington and Cam Baker are taking a series of photos of the Gulgong streets before it enters upon a more ornamental era of its existence. Copies of the various pictures can be had at the studio of Mr. Tissington in Queen Street or Mr. Baker at the corner and Belmore and Herbert.Source: Gulgong Gurdian, Issue No 25, 5 August 1871
1872 - THE HOSPITAL FUNDSir, – I see that some discussion has arisen as to the best way of raising funds for the Hospital. I would suggest weekly concerts, and am willing to assist in carrying out this idea if others will join me. During the Winter months these weekly gathering would be well patronised, I believe. No doubt those of our publicans who have suitable rooms would allow them to be used free for so good a cause, as the extra patronage they would receive would compensate them. I shall be only too glad to co-operate with any person who may desire to carry out my idea to any practical issue. I am yours Sir, G. A. TISSINGTONSource: Gulgong Guardian - Issue No. 81 25th May, 1872
1872 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
Tissington & Co. Office Herbert St. next to Barnes Chemist.
Source: Gulgong Guardian. Issue No 84, 5 June 1872
1872 - [CHARTERS TOWERS]
WANTED, a legally qualified MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, for the Towers Hospital. Salary, £150 per annum, with a right to private practice. Immediate application necessary, with references. A splendid opening.G. A. TISSINGTON,Secretary.Charters Towers,November 6, 1872.
1873 - MARRIAGES.On the 18th March, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Goulbum, by the Rev. W. Kelynack, George, second son of the late Anthony Tissington, of Matlock, Derbyshire, England, to Marguerite, second daughter of Mrs Edwin Lee, of Milson's Point, North Shore, Sydney.
Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Sat 12 Apr 1873 Page 2
1873 - The Royal MintThe Royal Mint Reef is a 10-acre lease, occupied by Messrs. Tissington and party, situate about two miles from Gulgong, on the Old Gulgong line of reef, and adjoining the Louisiana, the property of Bennett and party. It lies about a quarter of a mile south of Lyons's farm, the road only dividing it from the farm. This lease has been prospected steadily from February of last year, and there is now every prospect of the party being amply rewarded for their energy, as they have struck several highly auriferous veins of decomposed quartz, containing large quantities of pyrites, being very similar to the famous Wentworth lode. The gold is plainly visible to the naked eye in three distinct veins, and is so thick that it can be seen at a considerable distance. The party at present are working in an open paddock, having been necessitated to work in this manner in consequence of the heavy rains. The veins at present working are at a depth of from 12 to 18 feet. The party intend, however, as soon as they have had a trial crushing, sinking a main shaft a few yards further up the hill side, which will probably catch the main vein, or lode, at about 60 feet. Were there a small battery on the ground they could crush all before them. There have been some very heavy finds at various times on this lease, as much as 2 ounces to the dish. Both the sandstone and slate carries gold all through, and the present party are confident of every success.
1873 - REEFINGThere is evidently a disposition on the part of speculators to secure by means of leases as much of the reefing portion of the district as possible. In time, when alluvial mining shows signs of decay, I have no doubt many of these leases will become valuable property. A great deal of fault is found, and as I think with just reason, because the surveys are not completed, the leases granted, and the labour conditions insisted upon. The most interesting item of reefing news is that, on Saturday last a pretty substantial gold-bearing leader was struck in what is known as Tissington and Benjaman's lease beyond the Old Gulgong. This is a ten-acre lease, and they have been, for several months past, following down a lode, some portion of which is known to be very good. They have about 38 tons of stone already raised, and sanguine expectations are entertained that the leader found on Saturday will conduct the owners to a solid and well defined reef.
1873 - PHOTOGRAPHY.We learn that the photographic capabilities of the town will be shortly supplemented by Mr. G. A. Tissington, who intends opening a studio in Fitzmaurice-street, next the Australian Hotel. Among a variety of photographic pictures, Mr. Tissington has a well-executed portrait of "Mormon," the well-known racer, possessing a large number of admirers in this district.
1874 - PHOTOGRAPHY.
Wanted, a first-class OPERATOR; also a PRINTER. Apply to G. A. Tissington (late Pickering), 616, Brickfield-hill.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Fri 26 Jun 1874 Page 8
1874 - TISSINGTON—Sept. 9, Waterloo, Mrs. G. A. Tissington, of a son.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Fri 25 Sep 1874 Page 7
1874 - TISSINGTON.—September 9, at her residence, 38, St. George's Parade, Elizabeth-street, Waterloo, the wife of George A. Tissington, of a son.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 12 Sep 1874 Page 1
1878 - The Frisco Photo Company took over the premises of Biggingee Sorabjee Poochee in March 1878 with George Anthony Tissington as the manager. The studio moved to Ellenborough Street, Ipswich and there Tissington employed F.A. Whitehead who took over the studio in 1883.Source: Ipswich Libraries
1878 - ADVERTISEMENT
WANTED tho public of Ipswich to Knowthat the 'Frisco Photo. Company willshortly OPEN their Magnificent Studio atIpswich. G. A. TISSINGTON, Manager.
1878 - PREMISESWe paid a visit yesterday to the photographic studio of Mr. G. A. Tissington (representative of the 'Frisco Photo Company), who has recently taken up his residence amongst us, and is now following his art in the premises lately occupied by Mr. B. S. Pochee. There is an air of comfort and neatness about the studio which is quite enticing. We were shown several samples of what Mr. Tissington can do in the way of photographing, and amongst them are some of the best cartes de-visite and views we have yet seen in the colony. Several of the principal public buildings of Brisbane are capitally taken, and some views photographed when the artist was in Townsville are true to nature. As we might have expected at this warlike period of the world's history, when a martial spirit seems to animate most people, some of our volunteers, in full regimentals, have been paying Mr. Tissington a visit, and several familiar faces are to be seen in his studio photographed as true as life. The quality, to say nothing of the cheapness, of the cartes de-visite taken by Mr. Tissington should secure for him a very liberal patronage. At any rate, we advise those who would like to "see themselves as others see them" to give the 'Frisco Company's representative a call.
1878 - ADVERTISEMENTPORTRAITS.WE GUARANTEE a First-class PORTRAIT for2s. 6d.; extra Copies, 1s. each. All sortsof Photographs, &c., COPIED, ENLARGED up toLife Size, or REDUCED to fit the smallest Locket.CHILDREN, RACEHORSES, &c., taken by a new instantaneous Process. VIEWS, HOUSES, &c., taken withina radius of Ten Miles.Frisco PHOTO Co. (LATE POOCHEE.)STUDIO, IPSWICH.G. A. TISSINGTON.Manager.
Source: Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908) Tue 2 Apr 1878 Page 2
Trademark of Frisco Photo Co. between 1878 and 1882
Source: Ipswich Libraries
1878 - IPSWICH AND WEST MORETON AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.A special prize was also awarded to G. Tissington, of the 'Frisco. Photo. Company, for an excellent collection of plain and tinted photographs.
1879 - ADVERTISEMENT
THE 'FRISCO PHOTO. COMPANY.—This Company will close their Dalby Branch on Thursday next. Mr. Tissington, the manager, informs us that he expects to be round this way again in March, and we are sure that he will be welcome, and we hope that the Company will be as liberally patronised wherever they go, as they have been at Dalby.—ADVT.
Source: Dalby Herald and Western Queensland Advertiser (Qld. : 1866 - 1879) Sat 26 Jul 1879 Page 2
1879 - Another Accident.Mr. Tissington the manager of the 'Frisco Photo Company informs us of an awkward accident which befel him on his way from Surat on Tuesday last. In company with his assistant Mr. P. Alexander, he was driving a waggonette, containing the professional plant of the Company, and when near Warroo, the king-bolt broke which caused the fore carriage to drop, and the whole concern toppled over, burying them in a general wreck. So violent was the concussion that the body of the trap was smashed up, but the horses were fortunately quiet, and were kept under the control of the driver. The damage done to the property was considerable, but luckily for the occupants they escaped with nothing more serious than a few bruises, and after some little difficulty in waking the necessary temporary repairs, came on their way rejoicing under the consolation that bad as it was it might have been very much worse.
1879 - PHOTOGRAPHY.We have been favored by Mr. Tissington of the 'Frisco Photo Company with an opportunity of inspecting some of the portraits taken by him since his arrival in St. George. The likenesses are very good throughout, and in some cases the pose and expression are excellent, speaking highly for the ability of the artist, who has a greater difficulty to contend with in this shape than in any other. The mechanical ability required to take a photograph is small in comparison with the knowledge required of how to get a successful picture ; namely, how to choose the most suitable position for each sitter, and how to create and catch the most favorable expression. People with the very best intentions put on more than an ordinary amount of "side" under the operation, and the successful artist takes advantage of this very human weakness, and handles his sitters with judgment, where the mere operator who forces them into a chair as if for the purpose of extracting a back tooth and then jams a hideous instrument of torture called a "rest" into the most sensitive portion of their anatomy, usually succeeds in exciting their most combative instincts, and producing a picture suggestive of Cain in bit worst time. Mr. Tissington's work denotes the class to which he belongs, and his pictures is addition to being well taken, are mounted and finished with unusual neatness. We advise our readers to go and see for themselves.Source: The St. George Standard and Balonne Advertiser (Qld. : 1878 - 1879; 1902 - 1904) Sat 15 Nov 1879 Page 2
1878 - Photography—Wonderful Disclosures. (From the Ipswich Observer.)
IN this wonderful age of discoveries and inventions such as the telephone, microphone, teleport, &c., &c., we are prepared to be astonished at nothing, no matter how wonderful; but we must say that we were astounded at some photographs shown us by Mr. G. A. Tissington, the manager of the Frisco Photo Company, at his studio. We attended there at his particular request, to see something that would astound us, as he asserted, in spite of us assuring him that nothing in the world would surprise us unless that Mr. J. M. T. should get elected for Ipswich. We were well aware that Mr. Tissington had produced some wonderful feats in photography—for instance, taking a race horse going over a hurdle, photographing from the retina of the eye of a dead animal what it fixed its eyes on just before it expired. For instance he picked up a pigeon that fell dead suddenly in front of his studio; wondering at the cause of death, he got a photograph of the retina of the eye, and there was a boy, the son of Mr. ———, in the act of discharging a catapult. The next he showed us was the photograph from the retina of a bullock's eye. We instantly recognised it as Mr.———'s slaughter man. He was in the act of striking the animal, and that was the last object it saw. All those and a score of other things were wonderful enough, and have been done before by others; but we were certainly not prepared for anything more wonderful till we went into his sanctum. There he showed us half of a petrified black-fellow's skull. It was in no way disfigured, but appeared as of solid flint. It was found when sinking a deep shaft for water on the Darling Downs about two hundred and thirty feet from the surface, embedded in solid rock. The most distinguished geologists say that it must have been there at least five thousand years, or perhaps a few thousand more. The other half he had soaking in a solution of fluroic hydrochloric, citric, and other acids; acting on this flinty mass it turned it into a substance like gelatine. Taking the eye out, it was carefully brushed, over with a diluted solution of bichloride of mercury and bisulphide of carbon, when it resembled one of those artificial eyes that are sold, only it was more life-like. He showed us photographs that he had already taken from it, and neither of them were the same. The first he showed, us—and it was the first he took being on the top surface of the eye, and consequently the last object the black fellow's eye rested on before his death—was a scene of the battle-field, and in the foreground was a savage-looking individual of gigantic proportions, with rage in his countenance, making a desperate blow with a two-handed sword apparently at the blackfellow's wrists. It was quite evident it did not strike his skull, or else it would have shown the mark in it. There were no marks save two deep cuts that had grown together in life. There were numbers of figures in the back ground engaged in warfare, and they appeared of the Maori type engaged with aboriginals. The next we were shown was a group of blackfellows sitting on stretchers, with small fires around, and black gins in fancy costumes. These warriors appeared as if assembled in council. We would not credit these were taken in the way Mr. Tissington described, and expressed a wish to see one taken in the same way, for our own satisfaction, as journalists. Mr. Tissington immediately said he was glad that we made the request, and that he would only be too proud to show us the same as he had brushed the eye over with the bichloride of mercury and the bisulphide of carbon, which removed an almost imperceptible film, and each time that was removed gave something fresh to the view, thereby proving beyond a possible doubt that anything that strikes the retina of the eye remains there all a person's life time, but it is constantly covered over and prepared to receive fresh impressions, and so this goes on from infancy to death. He told us that he had not the least idea of what would be the result of the photograph he was about to take, for you cannot discern anything on the eye to give you the faintest idea of what the picture will be. Inviting us to watch him closely and carefully all through the operations, we availed ourselves of his invitation, and watched everything most narrowly, from the thorough cleaning of the plate (which he put in strong, nitric-acid at our request) to the production of the picture. The picture that was produced from the retina of the petrified blackfellow's eye this time was a view of a lot of agricultural country. They had curiously shaped ploughs, drawn by animals long and low like alligators, only a deal larger and stronger. There were also a great many at work pulling down gigantic trees, that may account for the large plains out West. There were also numerous houses and fences showing that at one time the natives were in a high state of civilization. Mr. Tissington wanted to take another, but we had been so surprised and so long in studying this that the time had slipped by, and it was coming on dark, which prevented him from doing so; but he invited us to go again earlier in the day, when we would have more time to see plates struck off, and no doubt that amongst them there would be some strange sights, looking back at thousands of years and seeing them pourtrayed as yesterday. We then prepared to take our leave, perfectly satisfied—astounded at what we saw. We certainly could not have believed it unless we had seen it, when Mr. T. said he had something more wonderful. He had got the drum of this same blackfellow's ear and photographed it, and got a lot of characters like Chinese. We examined them; some were bold and distinct, others faint, but all plain. We then got a Chinaman to try and rend them. He said he did not know them, but they were all the same as "welly old books along King of China, and that wise man in China read it." He could only make out two words, and they were, "Die traitor!" We did not know what to say or what to think, but the teleport is not new after that. Again thanking Mr. Tissington for the courtesy he had shown us, and promising a call again at an early date we left, satisfied that there is more in the earth than we dream of.Source: The Singleton Argus and Upper Hunter General Advocate (NSW : 1874 - 1880) Wed 18 Dec 1878 Page 6
1980 - SOME WORKSMr. G. A. Tissington, the local representative of the 'Frisco Photo. Company, has shown us a photographed group of the eight policemen who took part in the encounter at Wantabadery with "Moonlight" and his confreres. The likenesses of the whole of the men seem to be faithfully taken, and each of them can be easily recognised. We have also received a cabinet sized portrait comprising a group of some of the principal public buildings in Ipswich—viz., the Bank of Australasia, the School of Arts, the Post and Telegraph Offices, and the Queensland National Bank. These are capitally taken, and reflect the greatest credit upon Mr. Tissington's artistic abilities. Every feature of the structures are clearly depicted, even to the very lettering which reveal the names of the first two buildings in the groupe. Both portraits ought to find a place in every album.
North Brisbane School of Arts Building, ca. 1877. Tissington, G. A.
Source: State Library of Queensland
1880 - GATTON RACE CLUB MEETING....Mr. Tissington, the energetic manager of the 'Frisco Photo. Company, was on the ground with his apparatus, and took a few groups.
1880 - Photography.Having in their establish ment all the recently invented appliances in connection with the photographic art, the 'Frisco Photo Company are now prepared to take Cartes-de-visite, Vignettes, Cabinet Portraits, &c., in a style second to no other establishment in the colonies, at the most moderate rates. They, have also a most unique and admirably appointed travelling apparatus, which enables them to take views, groups, buildings, &c, &c, at any distance from town. Branch office, next School of Arts; G. A. Tissington, manager.— ADVT
1880 - THE PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPUTE.
To the Editor.SIR, — By this evening's Darling Downs Gazelle I see the Toowoomba Municipal Council have received a letter from Mr. Martin Roggenkamp, photographic artist, complaining that another photographer has erected a studio in the township of Toowoomba ; and that gallery was erected by permission of the acting-Mayor. One of the aldermen thought it unfair that a stranger should have any of the loaves and fishes; another said that at the end of the month he must leave, but did not say which gate he was to go out by; but anyhow, it was decided that he was a stranger, and that he should be hounded out. How Alderman Geddes makes out that it is unfair to Mr. M. Roggenkamp for another photographer to start in town because he is paying high rent and rates, I do not know. I suppose that he thinks the premises that he occupies are worth the rent that he pays the owner. So do I for the rent I pay, and both places are assessed and taxes paid on them. And so I must leave at the end of the month, an outcast and a wanderer on the face of the earth, till I find a town that does not possess a Roggenkamp, a Geddes, and a Taylor, and there, if I am so fortunate as to find one, I may pitch my camp. But does there not seem something paltry for one professional to try to hunt another out of the town No, sir, the Frisco Photo Company will not leave at the end of the month. At that time you will see the stars and stripes proudly floating over their studio, laughing to scorn the miserable attempt to stamp them out, and from henceforth the Frisco Photo Company will be a permanent and established fact in Toowoomba with G. A. Tissington, Manager. April 6.
1880 - THE 'Frisco Photo CompanyBEG to announce their REMOVAL to more Extensive and Convenient PREMISES, situated above the School of Arts and opposite Gill's Hotel. They are now turning out their beautiful Enamelled Embossed Satin-finished PORTRAITS in the first style of Art, either splendidly Colored for Miniatures or enlarged to Life-size. Having a first-class SET of DALLMYER'S rapid view Lenses, they are enabled to execute perfect views of Houses, Live Stock, Tombstones, &c., &c., AT THE MOST SEASONABLE PRICES.G. A. TISSINGTON, Manager.Toowoomba, 24th April, 1880.
1880 - THE 'FRISCO PHOTO. COMPANY.We understand that the travelling branch of this company is now in Allora. Mr. Tissington, the Manager, has sent us a few specimens of his art—views, groups, and portraits—which we can truthfully pronounce excellent. Those of our Allora friends who wish to "preserve the shadow" cannot do better than avail themselves of the presence of the company's representative.Source: Warwick Argus (Qld. : 1879 - 1901) Sat 5 Jun 1880 Page 2
1881 - Photograph of the New Toowoomba Hospital,We beg to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. Tissington, of the 'Frisco Photo. Company, of a splendid large-sized photograph of the new Toowoomba hospital. The building is now rapidly approaching completion, and the photograph before us brings out the details of the architectural design with fine effect. The new Toowoomba hospital, built on an elevated position, is one of the finest buildings in the colony out of Brisbane, and a copy of the splendid photograph taken by Mr. Tissington should be secured by every resident.
1881 - PHOTOGRAPHY EXTRAORDINARY. [COMMUNICATED.]The most wonderful of the many wonderful things in connection with photography has just been discovered by Mr. Joseph Fletcher, the eminent photographer and electrician of London. He has discovered the means of talking photographs by electricity, no matter what distance the person or object may be from the operator. He has been for some considerable time working at the process, and now his efforts have been crowned with success, and he has secured patents for the process in England, Australia, and America, as well as in all the different countries of Europe. His mode of proceeding was as follows:—He placed his sitter in a susmer-house at the bottomn of his garden; the operator then focussed the sitter. There was an electric wire attached to the camera, and at a distance of fifty yards away the other end of the wire was in contact with an extremely sensitive plate. Connection was formed, and the portrait was taken instantaneously by electricity. The sitting was only for a fraction of a second. Having succeeded so well, he then extended his operations, and featured a man standing at a mark; then another galloped past on horseback, and as he passed the mark the connection was formed, and a first-class photograph of the man and horse was secured. Desiring to give it a more severe test before going to the expense of patenting it, as that would involve a considerable outlay, he sent an operator to some races that were to take place twenty-three miles away, and having been granted the use of one of the telegraph wires by the Telegraph Company, they were soon at their post. The assistant-operator hied himself in a position where he could obtain a good view, and as the horses went flying past the connection was formed, and the result was a magnificent photograph, showing the horses straining every nerve, and their legs in every conceivable position—quite difficult to anything we see in painting. So sharp was the photo, that even the stitches in the bridle could be seen plainly, as well as the holes in the cheek-straps. Satisfied with the success of his labours, he then patented them as aforesaid, and opened branches in different parts of the world. One will shortly be opened in George-street, Sydney, and another will be opened in Brisbane in charge of Mr. G. A. Tissington, of the 'Frisco Photo. Company. Some well-known ladies and gentlemen in Sydney have sat privately for their portraits, amongst them being some titled persons, and their portraits have been flashed home along the electric wire, whilst a number have been received from home, amongst them those of several royal personages. The delicacy of those photographs has never been equalled, far surpassing the daguerreotype, and the charge far more reasonable than one would expect. Certainly they only occupy the cable for the fraction of a second, and no doubt in time will become cheaper. Five pounds per dozen, we believe, is the price intended to be charged, but it will be considerably lower when the company lay, as they contemplate doing in conjunction with the associated press, a cable of their own. A person will then be able to sit and have his or her portrait taken in Australia, and your friends can receive a dozen next day in England, finished off and coloured by the new process of taking photographs in their natural colours. Truly this is an age of wonders.
Source: Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908) Tue 12 Jul 1881 Page 3
1881 - THE ROSEWOOD SHOW.The fourth annual show of the Rosewood Farmers' Club took place yesterday at that society's exhibition grounds, near the railway station, at the thriving and rising township of Rosewood. ...The ubiquitous Tissington, the itinerant manager of the 'Frisco Photo. Company, of course, was there, prepared to "take" anything, though he is an honest man. He photographed some animals and groups with his instantaneous apparatus.
Source: Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908) Sat 6 Aug 1881 Page 4
1882 - ADVERTISING
Positively the last week of the 'Frisco Photo Company. Portraits, reduced to 10s. per dozen.
—G. A. TISSINGTON, Manager.
Source: Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Qld. : 1875 - 1948) Wed 11 Jan 1882 Page 2
1882 - [EXTENSION]
ATTENTION is directed to the announcement made by the 'Frisco Photo Company to the effect that they purpose keeping open their studio in Wyndham-street, near the Oddfellows' Hall, for a fortnight longer.
Source: Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Qld. : 1875 - 1948) Wed 25 Jan 1882 Page 2
1882 - [CLOSURE]
The 'Frisco Photo Company will close positively in fourteen days. Portraits 10s, per dozen.
G. A. Tissington, Manager.
1882 - PHOTOGRAPHY.THE 'FRISCO PHOTO CO. having bought the Business, Book Debts, Negatives, &c., &c., of Mr. Wilder, request all Orders or Communications to be addressed to them concerning Photographs, and beg to inform the public they are now taking PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE PATENT ELECTRIC PROCESS. Children taken in one moment. The 'FRISCO PHOTO Co. gained the highest Awards for Class of Photograph exhibited at the Melbourne Exhibition. Photographers to his Grace the Duke of Manchester. Miss Kennedy (Government House) says :—"The Photograph does great credit to Mr. Tissington's skill as an Artist." The 'FRISCO COMPANY are Photographers for the Southern and Western Railways.THE 'FRISCO PHOTO COMPANY.Adjoining the Argus Office.
1882 - [AN ACCIDENT]THE Queensland Times states that an accident of a rather peculiar nature happened to Mr. F. Whitehead at the 'Frisco Photo Company's studio, in Ellenborough-street, on the 11th instant. Hearing the sound of cracking glass on one of the shelves, he turned round to see what was the cause. As he did so a bottle containing strong liquid ammonia suddenly fell on to a lower shelf, and the stopper having been violently forced out, some of the bottle's contents were dashed in his face. The sensation caused was a very painful one, and Mr. Whitehead was nearly deprived of sight—in fact, the medical gentleman who attended him says that he narrowly escaped being rendered totally blind. As it is, how ever, he will fortunately, probably be able in in a few weeks to attend to business again. From a letter received here by Mr. Tissington, the Rockhampton manager of the Company, we learn that Mr. Whitehead is progressing as favourably as might be expected.
Source: Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954) Tue 18 Apr 1882 Page 2
1882 - [DRAWINGS]AN opportunity was afforded us on Thursday, by Mr. G. A. Tissington (Frisco Photo. Company), to inspect half a dozen drawings in sepia. They were the work of an artist, whose name we have learned is Mr. Percy Dodgson. The drawings represent various landscapes on the Tooloombah Estate (Mr. O. C. J. Beardmore's). The first showed a black's camp on the side of a knoll, and with the homestead in the back ground. Another gives a front view of the house and farm buildings. These are pleasantly situated on the side of a range. Another represents some of the splendid Tooloombah paddocks, with mustering ards in the centre, and behind which rises a tree-crowned slope, with bare peaks in the background. A fourth is a view of the creek running below the homestead. A mob of cattle are in the act of coming down to water. The fifth is a landscape on the other side of the house, and here the cattle are basking lazily under the shady clump of trees in the foreground to the right. The sixth, is in our opinion the best. It is an excellent drawing of one of the turnings in the creek with trees on either bank. In the foreground, cattle are standing in the small stream of water in the bed of the creek, whilst others are gingerly making their way down the steep bank on the right. These artistic efforts—they are more than mere sketches—have been, consigned to Mr. Tissington's care in order that he may photograph them, but for a day or two they will be on view in his establishment.Source: The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1875 - 1929) Sat 22 Apr 1882 Page 10
1883 - [DEATH]
From a private letter which was shown to us yesterday, we regret to learn that Mr. G. A. Tissington, manager of the 'Frisco Photo. Company, died recently in Gladstone. No further information was given concerning his death; but for some considerable time he has been suffering from liver complaint, and looked very ill indeed. He leaves a wife and a son about eight years of age, both of whom, we believe, are residing in Sydney.
Source: Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908) Thu 18 Jan 1883 Page 3
1883 - Death.TISSINGTON.—On the 15th January, at the Metropolitan Hotel, Gladstone, George Anthony Tissington, late of the 'Frisco Photo. Company.
Source: Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947) Sat 20 Jan 1883 Page 2
1883 - Death of a Toowoomba Resident.We are sorry to learn from a contemporary that Mr. G. A. Tissington, the manager of the Frisco Photo Company, has died at Gladstone. He is supposed to have been suffering from consumption for some time past. Mr. Tissington was well known in Toowoomba, having been in business here some few years ago. He leaves a widow and only child a boy eight years of age, who were in Sydney at the time of his decease.
1883 - DEATHWE (Observer) regret to have to record the death of Mr. George Anthony Tissington, the late manager of the 'Frisco Photo. Company. The principal object of the deceased in visiting Gladstone was to benefit his health, which had been very precarious for some time. After his arrival here he appeared to get a little relief, but during the past fortnight he suffered from a severe attack of debility, and breathed his last on Monday evening between six and seven o'clock. Deceased was well known all over the colony in connection with the 'Frisco Photo. Company. He leaves a wife and child to mourn their loss.
1883 - HARRISON—TISSINGTON.November 1, at St. Paul's Church, Cleveland-street, Redfern, by the Rev. Canon Stephen, M.A., George Edward Harrison, eldest son of the late Edward Harrison, Esq., of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England, to Margarette, widow of the late G. A. Tissington, Esq., of Queensland.Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 17 Nov 1883 Page 40
1905 - About an Old Photographer. REMINISCENT OF THIRTY YEARS AND MORE AGO. (By G.C.J.)Before me lies an old photograph—faded, but fairly distinct. It represents Ipswich's first railway station, and, by the look of it, the old structure was of wood and iron-something in the style of the old station at Redfern, though better if anything. The man who "took" that photograph resided in Ipswich for some years, and old hands, as they read these lines, may remember him. He was an eccentric card, though a good enough fellow when you got to know him. I knew him long before he came to Ipswich. I have often told the story of his great stroke of luck at Forbes, though, in doing so, I have called him by a pet name—"Jemsty." Why I gave my old friend that cognomon I cannot say, perhaps it was because what I wrote was supposed to be fiction—but it was true.He is dead now, and it cannot matter—not to him, anyway—what I write, though there may be others who'd object to my screed. However, my troubles on that accoumt are small, for I write of the man as I knew him long ago, and I am not a false witness.Jemsty's colonial career began on the Lachlan as a jackeroo, or something on Mrs. Strickland's station. He was only 19, and a smart, well-set-up, handsome young fellow. He had plenty of brains, but his school-days had been few in number. That was no drawback to him, however when gold was struck on the old Eureka lead and he was one of the lucky ones. He has often told me the story of how they found the gold in his claim, and the effect it had upon him. It was in this way: Jemsty was lazying on top one day—for he'd never go below—-when one of his mates, a "Cousin Jack," sang out. "On top, there! El thee aren't asleep send that there bucket down, will 'ee?" The claim was wet and their buckets were oil-cans. Jemsty lowered the bucket, and was about to haul it up again, when his mate sang out "Try this bit o' stoof, and be ----- to 'ee!" Jemsty hauled the bucket to the top—110ft. It was a bright, sunny day, and the glittering rays of the morning rain fell up on the bucket. It seemed all ablaze, and Jemsty, making a supreme effort, landed the bucket, and then collapsed, but was recalled to his senses by his irate mate roaring up the shaft: "Rest thee asleep again? What's in her? Let's know purty quick!" Jemsty crawled to the shaft, held his head over the gulf, and feebly sang out, "Come up!" Then he sat down and "acted the goat," for he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Cousin Jack" was made of a different Ilire.He came up, pitched half the stuff into a dish, and patted it out: the first half bucket yielded I forget how many ounces, but the gold covered the bottom of the dish, and was half way up the bevelled side when held inclined. The next half was even better. They had struck a "jeweller's shop" after their months of dabbling, and sinking in sand and water, and the Eureka was famous. Jemsty worked no more from that day, not at mining, anyway; he thought he had a good head-piece, and he laid himself out to do great things; but he over-estimated his own powers. His claim—or his share of it—gave him £25,000. His other ventures (his timber-yards, his pubs, his saloons, his livery stables, his high boots and his blood horses gave him nothing—-they did just the other thing—and in less than 12 months Jemsty was "padding the hoof" towards Orange, intending to stick in at the Forest reefs. But it was not to be, for he was stricken down with fever at the "half-way house" on the Carcoar-road, and there nursed back to health by the landlady—an old friend of the writer's, at Windsor, Mitchell's Creek and elsewhere. This good lady did more: she gave him some money, and set him on his legs again, for he had arrived at her house penniless.Jemsty did a turn at the reefs, then tried old Tambaroora (at that time, Louis Beyer and Holtermann were pegging away at what was to be, a few months later, the surprise of the world, and they were grafting on "spuds and paint." But that sort of thing was not good enough for Jemsty, he still believed in brains, and that luck would come to him again.He drifted to Sydney, where he picked up the rudiments of photography from the brothers Boston, of Newtown, one of whom was burnt out in a big fire at Windsor in 1884, or thereabouts. Jemsty rusticated in Windsor for a while, improving himself in the acting art and other things. Then he sojourned with me at Liverpool for a few months, following his newly-acquired calling, lecturing, and displaying magic lantern views of North Queensland, whither he had been, he said, though I cannot very well say when. Anyhow, he was full up about the Gulf and Bourke Island, where, he said, he had land; and he told me some queer stories of his adventures with the aborigines, whom he fought on several occasions, single-handed.He prevailed upon me to draw in black and white sketches of his several combats. His descriptions were good—lucid and picturesque—and I managed to please him. My sketches he transferred to slides and coloured them. Then he gave magic-lantern entertainments and lectures, and I could never fairly decide in may own mind whether the lecture or the views were the worst part of the show.From Liverpool Jemsty went to Gulgong—then in its first blush—and managed to get shares in Nos. 21 and 22 Black Lead. Jemsty's policy was never to work while others could be got to do it for him; thus he gave away half-a share in each claim, and so, when the shafts were put down through the basalt and bottomed on gold, he got a full share (half from each claim) of gold free of all cost. This was Jemsty's line of policy all the time he was on Gulgong, and wonderfully well he succeeded—not so much on Black Lead as in Rouse's and Lowe's paddocks and other outlying leads.Jemsty was keen on town allotments, and, being an early bird, he picked up early worms, and made a good bit of money selling bits of the allotments he had taken up under his miner's right and business license. He had a nice little shop in Queen-street, which he stocked with jewellery (both good and bad), fancy goods, musical instruments, and tobacco and also carried on his photography. But he was too erratic for business, and had no heart to meet reverses. Jolly as a sand-boy so long as the tide was with him, but not the man to "pull against the stream," I have known him to sell £50 worth of jewellery one day and the next he'd shut up shop and ride out to a rush 20 miles distant, and during his absence people would come for their portraits (yet unfinished) or to purchase jewellery and other things.There was a general election while we were at Gulgong, and we miners had put up a very popular man named Plunkett, an ex-grazier and formerly a J.P. Jemsty and I were on Plunkett's committee, and my friend was most enthusiastic in his advocacy of the ex-squatter. The other candidate was Dr. Belinfante, a Belgian by birth, a doctor of medicine and barrister by profession; he was also a hot-headed radical, and at war with the Warden, T. A. Browne (Rolf Boldrewood). Plunkett's return seemed safe—so we all thought; but the old adage "Never count your chickens till they are hatched" was finely illustrated in this case, for lo! who should appear in Gulgong as a candidate but Davy Buchanan, Sydney's great declaimer in those days. Strange to say, Davy was backed by the Irishman—albeit Plunkett was an Irishman and a Roman Catholic—and in he (Davy) went, flying. After the election Jemsty let me into a secret. He it was who wrote to Buchanan to come up to Gulgong, promising him a big victory. When I rounded upon him for his treachery his reply was: "I wanted to see some fun, and there was no chance of any between Plunkett and Belinfante."Then came news of big finds of gold at Charters Towers, and Jemsty was at once on the "qui vive." He sold his shares, his leases—nearly everything he had, save a small interest in a reef I was working, and to which we gave the grandiloquent title of "The Royal Mint."Alas! It was not my luck to find it worthy of its name. Anyway, Jemsty went to the Towers, and, later on, to Port Darwin, returning therefrom pretty well a broker, and ill with fever and ague. I happened to be in Sydney at the time—having just wound up the Royal Mint—and, happily, was able to give him a cheque for his share of the last crashing, which lay in the Oriental Bank, Gulgong. I might spin a long yarn about the ups and downs of that claim, and the many strange happenings, both to myself and Jemsty, only that I fear to trench so far upon the editor's space. The next thing I heard was of Jemsty's marriage, and of his going on tour (photographing his way) in the Southern part of the colony: and I heard from him at various places—Albury, Wagga, Adelong, and Goulburn. Later on I saw him in Sydney—also his wife; then he came up this way, and, though I heard from him, I never again saw his handsome "phiz".It was while he was in Ipswich that Jemsty made a wonderful discovery; he was always making discoveries of some sort, particularly in photography. In my opinion he was never a good photographer, but he was, nevertheless, a bold experimenter, and much fun we used to have over his experiments—his coffee and port-wine processes, and so on. But here, in Ipswich, Jemsty found something worthy of his metal—or, say, of his peculiar mentality—for he discovered, in a most extraordinary manner (by photography, too), something about the grandeur, prowess, and civilisation of our aboriginal brothers. Jemsty's discovery appeared in the columns of the local paper—must have been the "Queensland Times"—which I can only quote from memory. It was to this effect:"A well-known local photographer has had an opportunity of testing the reliability of certain alleged discoveries by servants in Europe—viz., that lasting impressions are left on the retina of a dying man's eye—thus enabling the authorities to discover, by expert aid, how murders have been committed, and by whom. Someone recently unearthed a skull (where it was not stated), said to be that of a blackfellow. It was brought to our local artist, who discovered that the eyes were full and firm; in fact, had become as hard as glass, and looked quite natural. There upon he brought his powerful lens to bear upon the dead optic, and lo! much to his amazement, there appeared upon the plate the picture of a great battle, in which the contending warriors on both sides were both of great size and might; they were mounted on powerful chargers, and were encased in armour of splendid workmanship, having, casques upon their heads. Their arms were spears, double-handled swords, powerful bows, and spear-headed arrows.The horses were splendidly caparisoned, and saddles with stirrups can be plainly seen. The picture, as shown by our townsman, is a wonderful revelation, and establishes at once the fact that our black brethren, notwithstanding their present degradation, were once men of might and highly civilised. The picture is so clear and distinct that hosts can be seen—so many that the eye cannot count, and the imagination is staggered on beholding it. Copies of this wonderfully unique picture may be obtained from ------."I laughed when I read it; it was Jemsty all over. Of course, the paragraph was an "ad.," and the yarn his concoction. It is just possible that among my piles of memoranda and newspaper clippings I may find the original, but they are afar off. The above will suffice to show what an imaginative inventive "cuss" was my old friend Jemsty—who, by-the-bye, was known in Gulgong as "Tiss," whose initials were "G.A.T.," and who must have been known in Ipswich by his full name. What was it? And how many are there in Ipswich to-day who remember it?
1908 - Further Impressions of Queensland. By G.C.J. (Continued.)
I could see no reason why such a centrally-situated ground should be closed—provided, of course, that interments were made on safe lines—and, as a rule, cemetery trusts will not go to the expense and trouble of burying the dead decently. I regret now that I did not walk out to the general cemetery—if only to satisfy myself that the grave of an old friend was marked by stone in some way—and that someone beside myself remembered him. As my old friend was not unknown in Windsor thirty eight years ago, I may refer to a few incidents in his life—for though short was lively enough. When I went to Queensland something over two years ago, I had with me a few photographs of the town and district, taken by this friend many years ago; as also, a very good likeness of himself. These I showed to the manager of the "Qeensland Times" (Ipswich), and he recognised both the man and the views—and related to me the circumstance of my old friend coming to Ipswich and asking his advice about starting as a photographer. Mr. Stephenson showed me my old friend's first studio, and told me that Mr. Whitehead, down the street, had learned the art from him. I wrote a bit about the early days of the Lachlan and Gulgong goldfields—introducing my old friend in the narrative—and this appeared in the "Queensland Times" the following week. Then I called upon Mr. Whitehead; showed him the old photo and the name of the artist on the back.
"O, yes I knew him well—in fact, I was apprenticed to him. . . By the bye, I see someone has been writing about him in the "Q T."— could it have been you?"Others, too, remembered the man; he was a handsome, well set up, gentlemanly fellow in appearance, and one not likely to be forgotten when once known—yet none of them seemed to know where he went to from Ipswich, or that he was dead; and were surprised when I told them that he died at Maryborough.George A. Tissington was taking photographs—in an amateurish kind of way—in Windsor in 1869; and in 1870 went off to the big rush at Gulgong, where he held claims, or shares in claims, on the Black Lead, Rouse's Paddock, Lowe's Paddock, the Red Hill Royal Mint and other leads, and when he sold out all his interests went to Charters Towers—then in its first harvest; Tissington was one of the lucky ones at the Lachlan (ten years earlier); and from a rouse-about on Mr. Strickland's station became a bloated capitalist worth £25,000.
I have told the story of George's uprising from obscurity to wealth elsewhere, under the title of "Mad Jemsty"—which, probably your many readers may have seen; so that much I will pass over.
1915 - THE LATE HARRY MORTLOCK. MORE OLD TIME REMINISCENCES."Some old time reminiscences" in the "Mercury'' of the 24th February recalls to my memory incidents of the long-ago, when the late "Harry" Mortlock and I often met in George A. Tissington's humpy at the rear of Harry Rossiter's hotel, Queen-street (now Mayne-street) Gulgong. Forty-four years is a long span of life to look back upon, but in the early seventies Gulgong was a lively place—in fact, as many used to say, the "hub of the universe." And in those roystering days, in golden Gulgong, I first met Harry Mortlock. He was an earlier bird than I, and consequently picked up an earlier worm, in the shape of a fairly good claim on the famous Black Lead. No. 22, I think, was Harry's claim; my friend, Tissington, was in No. 21, and had I not been dilatory in responding to his call, I might have been in with him—or, at any rate, in No. 22. One of Harry's mates was a man named Aspinall, a much older man than Harry, and an old Lachlander. He and Tissington were pals there, when "Tiss" was a "golden-hole man"—and he generally was that, no matter how quickly his golden gains left him. Aspinall, I fancy, had a spell at Grenfell before coming to Gulgong—as, indeed, had many of Gulgong's early birds. Anyhow, quite a crowd of them used to meet in Tissington's domicile of an evening to yarn, play whist, or euchre, and discuss the probabilities of this lead and that—and they were but few in number then: Adam's, Black and Red Hill. The famous Happy Valley, Caledonian, Rouse's Paddock, Star, Britannia, Red White and Blue, and the Four-mile were to follow shortly afterwards, and, at a later period, many others too numerous to mention here.Aspinall and Mortlock were also partners in a billiard saloon—and the former also had a shaving and hair-cutting saloon, though neither of them were professionals. I think they, or Aspinall did, employed a tonsorial artist with curly hair and a musical voice, such a one might have been, and probably was, Scurrah, famed for his manipulation of the razor, and shears, as, also, for his songs, "Does Yer Want ter Buy a Dawg?" and "Mein Fader had a Brewery."Ah, me! when I think of those strenuous times I fancy I am young again! And what a jolly crowd we were in the old hump. Let's see: there were six of us domiciled there—and there were bunks for three—the other three dossed on the floor, and made themselves as comfortable as they could—or, as the fleas would let them. There were "Tiss" himself (original owner of the block upon which the hotel was built, leaving enough land for himself, upon which to build a photographer's studio, with a frontage to the main street, and which some of us put up later on), photographer, speculator, jeweller and fancy goods merchant; Ralph Robey, ex-banker; Dumar, a budding actor, and once upon a time an officer in the New Zealand militia; but though Dumar took minor parts at Johnny Cogdon's theatre o' nights he sold boots by day in John Hunter's boot shop, just down Herbert-street from the corner; Anthony Tissington (G. A. T.'s cousin), a Welshman and a mining engineer—also a very pragmatical and belligent customer when he had "one or two in"—and the tipple in those days was generally Dunville's Irish—locally known as "Blue-wire, Mrs. Selff, or Mrs. Augone!" as the case might be; a young chap from Windsor, up for experience, and myself, miner, scribbler, and handy-man generally.Our visitors were invariably Jem (I think his front name was James) Aspinall, Harry Mortlock, Alick Thompson, comedian, whist player par excellence, and an all-round good fellow. Years ago I had a whisky with Alick in Windsor, in which town he played for a few nights with a travelling company; and later on we had Cam Baker, photographer and artist in oils; Charlie Bird ("the man with the big ear") chemist, etc., and occasionally we had Fred De Courcey Browne, editor of the "Gulgong Guardian."And where are they all now? Que pensez? Though one cannot say where they are now, one can say where some of them died, or where they are now in the flesh. G.A.T. died at Maryborough (Q.), many years ago, and I looked in vain for his grave in the two cemeteries there some six or seven years ago. De Courcey Browne lies out by the sad sea waves at Waverley. I saw him buried in the sand. Cam. Baker, I believe, is still alive; also the Hawkesbury man. Alex. Thompson, Aspinall, and now Mortlock, are non est. Of Robey and Dumar I know nothing. They have vanished—just as Harry Mortlock did, that is, to my ken, in 1872, for I always understood that he did go to England. I have often seen the name in the "Mercury," but never, for one moment, dreamt that it was my old acquaintance. Another miss, I may say, for I have been in Lithgow several times during the last sixteen years, and had I known that Harry was a resident I should have looked him up. Too late now. By the way, Haberfield seems to be a favorite haven of rest for old Gulgongites. I have known several who have lived and died there. Among the living, are old Bill Selff (Gulgong's earliest publican) and Mark Smith, builder and contractor, whose camping place is called "Mortlock"—though I imagine the name comes from Mortlock-on-the-Thames, and not from the, deceased Harry. I see the late "Harry" Mortlock was only 67 at his death—quite a young man! Bill Selff is 83, as I am told, but doesn't look as old. Mark Smith is going on for 70, and I am climbing up to 80. So it seems that roughing it, the excitement of daily and nightly calls of "Rush ho!" bad water, dust, fleas, and complaints incidental to these plagues, affected some, of us but little. Perhaps the "Blue-wire" aforesaid had something to do with it, for old Bill declared in court, upon one occasion that he often swallowed 50 nips before noon. Be that as it may, I know that many a life was saved by a judicious use of Dunville, or good Hennessy's during the time.I was on Gulgong; and I also know of several deaths occurring owing to fever, and English cholera stricken ones refusing (for conscience sake) to drink the "poison.'' And now I have done. Quiescam.G.C.J.
Source: Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954) Fri 19 Mar 1915 Page 6
