Friday, August 11, 2023

MOSES

Moses Bros. Colonial Boot & Shoe Depot, Gulgong
Source: SLNSW

The Greatest Wonder Store & American Tobacco Warehouse

Pictured: Toney Fitzgerald - 15 June 2018 
Source: Photo by John Kich

Three sons of Solomon and Deborah Moses lived in Gulgong in the 1870s. 
  • Abraham Moses - born 1835 (NSW BDM 1283/1835 V18351283 159)
  • Simeon S Moses - born 1842 (NSW BDM 227/1842 V1842227 136); married Matilda Jones in Sydney in 1872 (NSW BDM 534/1872); died in the district of Stroud in 1914 (NSW BDM 17563/1914)
  • Morris Moses - born 1844 (NSW BDM 288/1844 V1844288 136)' married Emily S A Taylor in Mudgee in 1876 (NSW BDM 3352/1876).


NEWS ITEMS

1871 - SIGNS OF PROGRESS
The advent of population has created a desire to render the various places of business more attractive in appreciation and equal to the daily increasing wants of the gold fields; hence it is that Queen Street is undergoing a rapid transformation equal, in rapidity and variety to a pantomime. Foremost among the improvements is the spacious store of Mr. Angove rapidly approaching completion which promises to be not only an ornament, but a striking proof of the energy and progressive ideas of our business residents and their desire to meet the demands of the public. Moses Brother’s, the famed owners of the ‘Greatest Wonder of the World’ clothing establishment to be found on the leading gold fields of New Zealand, New South Wales and Queensland, have a branch next to the Golden Age Hotel in which they will in a few days exhibit their usual stock of clothing etc.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 2, 25 February 1871

1871 - Gulgong
As there is at the present time much public interest evinced in the Gulgong gold-field, we have no doubt but that the following, from a local journal, will he read with interest:- Gulgong lies in a northerly direction from Mudgee, and is distant there from about eighteen miles; coaches ply thereto daily at the low charge of 2s 6d. It is also about fifty miles from Wellington, and, as near as possible, 197 miles from Grenfell, by way of Forbes, Currajong, Balthorogery, Buckenbar, and Cowell's Creek, which is the most direct route for parties going there from that place. The road is good, and well watered, with abundance of good feed.
The township of Gulgong extends about a mile in length. The stores, &c, are all of box bark — only very few iron ones are to be seen. The Mudgee district storekeepers seem to be very shy in erecting suitable business premises, but no doubt the infusion of a little Grenfell blood among them may probably rouse them from their lethargic slumber. There are nine hotels, several billiard tables, and a theatrical company, under the management of Mr. Stuart O'Brien. The assembly room, called Cogdon's, is very small, and totally unfit for a theatre, for a population ef at least 7000 people, scattered already in and around the Gulgong district. Messrs. Moses, Brothers, and William Booth and Co. are about opening large business premises, besides many other stores which are in course of erection. There are three banks on the ground— the Oriental, New South Wales, and Australian Joint Stock. The police-quarters and lockup are in the course of erection. The town already boasts of its Queen-street, Herbert-street, and little Queen-street, &c., and altogether it will assume a very attractive and imposing appearance, and adapt itself to the requirements of the immense population that is daily pouring in.
The prices of all kinds of edibles are very similar to those charged in Grenfell, with the exception of fruit and horse feed, both of which no doubt are much cheaper. The following are the retail prices charged :— Flour 24s per bag, butter 9d to 1s 3d per lb, eggs 1s to 1s 3d per dozen, cheese 6d to 9d per lb, bacon 10d, peaches 3d to 4d per dozen, grapes 2d to 4d per lb, hay (per ton) L3 to £6, corn 5s per bushel, chaff 5s 6d per cwt.

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.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 18, 17 June 1871


1871 - GULGONG HOSPITAL MEETING
...Mr. McLennan moved “That a Hospital be erected on the Gulgong goldfields”. Mr. Moses in seconding the motion, pointed out the necessity there was for a purely local Hospital. Gulgong ought to be able to support a local institution judging by its population. The motion was carried unanimously and a provi-sional committee was appointed. The following gen-tlemen were elected, Angove, Young, DeC. Browne, Driscoll, Redmond, Selman, Booth, Samper, Langdon, Ferguson, Coghlan, Deitz, McLennan, Moses, Selff, and the Chairman...
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 20, 7 July 1871

1871 - Progress Committee
A meeting was held on Wednesday last to form a Progress Committee, Mr. DeCourcy Browne in the chair, others present Moses, Angove, Coghlan, Stewart, Scully and others.
...
A meeting was held at Redmond’s Hotel on Wednesday evening last for the formation of a Progress Committee. A large number of the businessmen and several of our leading miners attended. Mr DeCourcy Browne was voted to the chair, and on behalf on the convenors explained the objects of a Progress Committee to be a local body whose duty it is to advocate all matters affecting the progress and welfare of the goldfield, and keep its wants and requirements prominently under the notice of the Government and district members. In the absence of any workable system of municipal government, such a body was an absolute necessity in every country town, and especially so on the goldfields, the policy of the goldfields management being to obtain every fraction of revenue and give nothing in return. Gulgong is a striking instance of the wretched method of governing. Mr Moses cordially approved the idea that union was strength as he thought it is Gulgong’s own faulty if it did not get what it is fairly entitled to. After some further discussion it was moved, seconded, and carried that “The Gulgong Progress Association” be formed having for its object – the progress of Gulgong.
Mr DeCourcy Browne was elected secretary. The next...
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 20, 7 July 1871

1871 - Gulgong Public Hospital
Tenders will be received up to 4pm July 25th from competent persons for the erection of the Public Hospital. Plans and specifications can been seen, on application to the Hon. Treasurer, S. Moses.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 22, 15 July 1871

1871 - Early Closing Movement
A public meeting was held at Rossiter’s Hotel last Tuesday evening to initiate a movement, object is the closing of all business places at eight o’clock every evening except Saturday. T. A. Browne P.M. presided, and gave his warm approval to the movement which would be productive of benefit to all concerned, by enabling them to have leisure for mental recreation. 
Mr. H.J. Woods moved ‘That in the opinion of this meeting the hours of labour in stores on this goldfield are excessive and should be shortened. Mr. Wilkinson second the motion, supported by Messrs. Pickering and Moses, carried unanimously. 
It was moved by Mr. Tissington -’That the following gentleman who have signified their adherence to the movement, form a committee to carry out the object of the meeting, viz., Messrs. Angove, Booth, Samper, Frost, Walker, and Bourne, with power to add to their number, seconded by Mr. Hart and carried unanimously.
Mr. Murphy [Booth & Co.] moved and Mr. Selff seconded - That a deputation of the employees in the various stores, do wait upon those storekeepers who have not yet signified their adherence to the early closing movement, requesting them to close at eight o’clock - carried unanimously.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 23, 22 July 1871

1871 - Masonic
All Brethren desirous of joining the New Lodge are requested to assemble at Mr. Selff’s Hotel on Monday evening next at 8 pm.
Business: Election of Constitution and Officers
S.S. Moses
Sec. pro. tem.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 26, 12 August 1871

1871 - Town Improvements
Building is still the leading item. Every available foot of frontage in Queen and Herbert streets is being built upon. Mr. Ambrose Kelly has contracted for the erection of a handsome hotel having a 66 feet frontage to Medley street. At the opposite corner Mr. Bernard Naughton’s new hotel is now completed and was opened last Saturday. The Commodious Theatre at the rear of Ward’s Hotel is nearly ready for occupation, and has been leased by Miss Joey Gougenheim for a period, who intends to open it with a well chosen troupe of Sydney performers. A natty fancy goods shop is being erected alongside the ‘Greatest Wonder of the World’ for Mr. Moses...
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 26, 12 August 1871

1871 - Town Improvements
A natty fancy goods shop is being erected alongside the ‘Greatest Wonder of the World’ for Mr. Moses.
[see The American Tobacco Warehouse and Fancy Goods Emporium]
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 31, 16 September 1871

1871 - Masonic Ball
The inauguration of the Abbotsford Lodge of Freema-sons took place on Tuesday last, and pursuant to no-tice, the event was celebrated buy a ball in the evening at Mr Selff's new assembly room. The room was beautifully decorated by the Misses Willoughby, whose artistic skill was the theme of constant praise by the visitors. The ball was opened at 10 o'clock by the Worshipful Master, Mr S.S. Moses, the officers and brethren in full regalia. The attendance was sufficient to comfortably fill the room, and make the danc-ing lively and pleasant. As is usual at the festive gatherings of the craft, the refreshment and supper ar-rangements were all that could be desired; the anteroom next to the ball room, was used for refreshment during the evening. The supper table was a sight to look upon, and after being heartily enjoyed, the ortho-dox programme of Masonic toasts were given by the Worshipful Master, and enthusiastically received. Dancing was kept up with spirit until five o'clock in the morning, when the company broke up, delighted with the evening so pleasantly spent, all wishing that the brethren of the Abbotsford Lodge would soon provide another treat as the one enjoyed. As the ball room is the only pretentious two storied building on the goldfield, we can say that it stood the severe test applied by the dancing of 20 couples safely, and with a vibration not greater than is the rule with wooden buildings. The Host and Hostess are deserving of the greatest praise for their complete arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the visitors, who testified their satisfaction by heartily receiving the toast of their health's at the supper tables.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 41 25 November, 1871

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 72 24 April, 1872

1872 - The Late Fire
Mrs H. DONALD AND FAMILY beg to acknowledge having received this day from SIMEON S. MOSES the following donations, which he collected on their behalf, and to return their sincere and heartfelt thanks for the practical sympathy so kindly shown to them through being burnt out by the late disastrous fire, they being almost entire strangers in the district. Mrs H. DONALD and family also return their sincere thanks to the Guardian and Argus newspapers for publishing this gratuitously.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 72 24 April, 1872

1872 - Married
On 10th instant, at the York Street Synagogue, Sydney, by the Rev. A. B. Davis, Mr. Simeon Moses of Queen Street Gulgong, son of Mr. Solomon Moses, Astor House, Cumberland Street Sydney, to Matilda Maude, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Jones of Goulbourn.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 91 29 June, 1872

1872 - Sudden Death.
It is our painful duty to record the sudden death in our midst of Dr. Warner Bubb. The unfortunate gentleman was only resident here about four months, during which time he acted as surgeon to our local Hospital. On Tuesday T.A. Browne P.M. held an enquiry at Home Rule, touching the death of this poor unfortunate gentleman which resulted in the verdict of pulmonary apoplexy. Yesterday the funeral was conducted with Masonic honours, and the beautiful and impressive service was read by Mr. S.S. Moses, WM, at the grave.
During the procession the band of the Prince of Wales Theatre played the “Death March” and other appropriate music.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 113, 14 September, 1872

1872 - Police Court - Before H. Tebbutt JP
Obscene Language – Richard Tripp, a confectioner of the Home Rule charged with using disgusting and ob-scene language in Queen Street. Constable William Foster stated he had arrested the accused charged by Mr. S. Moses, who stated he heard the accused while sitting in his parlour, he also heard him using the above language to a lady passing by. Fined £5 or three months.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 127, 2 November, 1872

1873 - Masonic Installation
At a meeting of the Abbotsford Lodge held in the Ma-sonic Hall on Monday evening when the following officers were duly installed by Brother P. G. M. W. Booth, Inspector of Provincial Lodges: Mr. S. Moses, R.W.M.; M. Moses, S.M.; R. S. Smith D. M.; J. Finnis, S.W.; C. BAKER, W.J.; C. Bird, Treasurer, L. S. Donaldson, Secretary, T.B. Scurrah S.D.; C. Powell J.D.; J. Sellman, Chaplain; E. Bunker, B.B.; J. Craig, I.G. 
The ball under the auspices of the Lodge took place last evening and was a jubilant affair, full details will appear next issue.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 144, 1 January 1873

1873 - Hospital Annual Meeting
This meeting was held at Binder’s Hall, about thirty to forty people attended. T. A. Browne in the chair.
...
Mr. S. S. Moses seconded the amendment. He objected to the report for somewhat the same reasons, and also objected to the balance sheet as not entering sufficiently into details. He questioned it correctness in a variety of ways...
Mr. Moses then moved – ‘that the balance sheet is unsatisfactory and that it be re-audited by Messrs. Allum and Stewart.’ After a lively and somewhat personal discussion , the amendment was lost 49 to 4. The discussion which we have very briefly dealt with, occupied nearly two hours.
...
Mr. Sellman then resigned the Treasurership owing to his business necissitating his living out of gulgong. Mr. Moses was appointed ot the position and promised to do his duty at all times.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 155, 8 February 1873

1873 - Hospital Meeting
A special meeting was on Monday afternoon. Present – Mr. Donaldson [chair], Messrs. Plunkett, Binder, Craigen and Browne. The Secretary stated that the object of the meeting was to consider the conduct of the Treasurer – Mr. Moses came to him on Saturday and asked him to sign a cheque for the amount to the credit of the ‘Gulgong Public Hospital’ in order that the Treasurer might place it in his own name and thus be enabled to operate upon the Hospital account by issuing cheques signed by himself instead of being countersigned by the Secretary, as provided by Rule 7 of the Hospital rules, which enacts ‘That all monies belonging to the Hospital shall be lodged in a bank, to be chosen by the Treasurer, to the credit of the “Gulgong Public Hospital.’’ All cheques to be signed by the Treasurer and Secretary.’ The Secretary refused to sign the cheque presented by the Treasurer and pointed out the rule to him. Mr. Moses said he was elected Treasurer for life and refused to recognise the rules or the Committee. On inquiry, the Secretary found that the Treasurer had £60 in hand, which he had not paid into the bank to the credit of the Hospital. He had, however, paid it into the bank and drew cheques against it in his own name, contrary to the rules. As no satisfactory explanation could be obtained from the Treasurer, the Secretary had convened this special meeting as he thought the strange course taken by the Treasurer would not be tolerated by either the Committee or subscribers. After some discussion, Mr. Plunkett moved and Mr. Craigen seconded ‘That the Committee condemn the course passed by the Treasurer’s actions and that the Secretary call a special meeting of the subscribers to consider the conduct of the Treasurer and until that meeting was held no monies be paid to the Treasurer. As Mr. Moses was away the meeting was to be held over until his return, moved by Mr. Binder and seconded by Mr. Browne.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 170, 2 April 1873

1873 - ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THE Undersigned begs to Acknowledge with thanks the sum of Seven Guineas form the Miners Own Loyal Orange Lodge, No 75, towards the Funds of the Hospital.
SIMEON S. MOSES, Hon. Treasurer
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 144, 1 January 1873

1873 - ACKNOWLEDGMENT
RECEIVED with thanks, per L. S. Donaldson, C. P. S., £7/10/- and from Messrs. Cairnes and Bird £4/6/6 to-wards Hospital Funds. The former sum contributed by Mr. James Leggatt being one half the amount of fine awarded in the case of Fitzpatrick v Moore and the latter sum being subscription received towards defraying the expenses of the Governor’s reception
SIMEON S. MOSES, Hon. Sec.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 179, 3 May 1873

1873 - Hospital Meeting held at Driscoll’s Hotel
Present Mr. Binder [in the chair] Messrs. Plunkett, Fletcher, Craigen, Browne and Moses. Previous meetings minutes read and confirmed. Secretary presented his visiting report of the Hospital for the past two months. Messrs. Moses, Craigen and Browne were appointed the Visiting Committee for May. The visiting medical officer was instructed to furnish without delay a list of drugs required to completely stock the Hospital Dispensary. Accounts amounting to £182/2/4 were passed for payment. Treasurer Moses stated the Hospital had a credit of £91/5/4. Application is to be made to the Government for subsidy available for 1873.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 180, 7 May 1873

1873 - Notice
Closing our establishments on Friday next 24th, in celebration of Her Most Gracious Majesty’s Birthday Signed :-
Simeon S. Moses: Richard Collins: Christopher Young: W. Clifton: Sun Tong Lee: Sing War: On Hing: Hunter & Co: Alexander McCulloch: Wm. Booth & Co: W. C. Smith: R. H. Robinson: Edward Purchase: Mrs. Hill: A. Myers: N. Langdon.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No. 184, 21 May 1873

1874 - [LIBEL]
An action for libel brought by Mr Abraham Moses against Mr J. B. Stormer, of the 'Gulgong Evening Argus,' has resulted in a nonsuit.

1874 - Libel Case 
At the Mudgee District Court, this morning in the case of Moses v Stormer, a verdict given in favour of plaintiff for fifty pounds. We understand the defendant intends moving for a new trial.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, April 9, 1874

1874 - Editorial 
The libel case of Mr. Abraham Moses against this paper was tried before and lost, but tried again at the late District Court and won by the Plaintiff. We have nothing to complain of but the flagrant injustice of the law. We did our duty to the public in exposing what we fairly considered a piece of contemptible trickery. The law has administered a measure of castigation to us for wounding the feelings of the man we were exposing. The plaintiff has received satisfaction for the damage so wrongly inflicted on his high public reputation. He has got his satisfaction at a cost, which, taking all circumstances into consideration, must have been rather more than slightly inconvenient to the successful litigant. It is very wrong indeed to wound the sensitive feelings of any man whom you may consider yourself justified in accusing of glaring impropriety. We were guilty of this daring offence and the law has very properly said that we must submit to the penalty of our crime. We have, therefore, to pay fifty pounds and costs—taxed costs only, however—and thus justice is satisfied, at the same time that the honourable man whom we so iniquitously attempted to bereave of his reputation, receives his pecuniary solatium.
This arrangement while it is not very hurtful to our feelings must certainly be very grateful to his. He will receive in medical jurisprudence after this and become a stout advocate at his own fireside, of the amalgamation of the professions. But it is not in this strain that we can afford either time or inclination to waste our ink or wear out our pen. Mr. Moses must be regarded as, in a pecuniary sense, about as well off as ourselves. The public is the sole gainer of the result, in whatever light it may be viewed, whether as an accusation against him on our part or a condemnation passed against him on the part of the Crown. We object more especially on public grounds to the pandering to the cupidity of barristers implied by a repetition of trials. When is the to stop? One may be taken on a frivolous suit to Mudgee, again to Bathurst, from there to Sydney and over the seas to House of Lords. The public will perceive the beauty of this bountiful provision for the support of the whole tribe of barristers and will perceive also how industry in all highly civilised communities such as our own is fleeced for the maintenance of useless presumption and parasitical idleness. A word at parting for Mr. Booth. He has always been grotesquely grand in his hostility to the proprietor of this journal for a supposed injury, now of seven years date. While we assert that this injury can not be justly imputed by Mr. Booth that we give a fig for his hostility for he is just as capable of inflicting injury on us as he is of doing good to the public. We tell him this much, however, that as a notoriously hostile witness, his opinions in the box are open to the severest criticism.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, April 11, 1874

1874 - Mudgee Court
We extracted the following report of the case tried at the last sitting of the above court.
Libel
A Moses v J. B. Stormer—this was an action to recover two hundred pounds for an alleged libel published in the Gulgong Evening Argus, 1st December 1873 as follows:-
‘There are various ways of doing business, depending much upon the intellectual and moral worth of the parties engaged. Some way are honest, some are dishonest and others are queer, while some again maybe be pronounced shady, the indistinct and perishable hue. I go round advertising my own goods in an indirect way by speaking contemptuously of the goods of others, although I have in my heart that the latter are vastly superior both in quality and price to my own. I sample a rival’s hogshead of spirits for instance and rush to the door as if I were poisoned, exclaiming with all grimace of a Red Indian ‘Ugh’ poison by the sacred Talmud. Where in the name of Moses did you get that rubbish? I’d rather give 30 shillings for my spirits than fifteen bob for that!’
A certain person in this town of the wine and spirit persuasion does his business in this style. It is very uncharitable to say the least and very contemptible. But the dodge is very transparent. In the town and on the leads beyond it, this sly dispenser of poison, for his is none of the best, being watered and fired on the premises, prosecutes his nefarious calling, endeavouring to extort an order by maligning his honest rivals. But, as I said before, the dodge won’t work; and I would recommend him to go to Currajong and try his little game there, where he is not T. W. K. 
As for another member of the family, who has been branded already, he had better make tracks to Goulburn and invest in a pub. He is better fitted for the bar than the bench, I know and so say all of us.’

Dr. Belinfante instructed by Mr. Johnson appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Isaacs instructed by Mr. Dunn for the defendant. The plaintiff was examined by Dr. Belinfante and pointed out certain portions of this article which he believed referred to him and Messrs. Plunkett, Booth and Selff also gave evidence to the effect that they believed that the plaintiff was libelled by certain portions of the publication.All the witnesses were cross examined by Mr. Isaacs at considerable length.
Mr. Isaacs said he would not on consideration, call any evidence for the defence. It had been stated by the counsel for the plaintiff that a custom of making innuendos that had risen in that Court, but it was justifiable to do so under certain circumstances, innuendos being most important. 
[The retract from the Argus containing the alleged libel was here read by the learned counsel, sentence by sentence, who commented upon each seriatim.]
The plaint in this case must have drawn up by a self-centred, nervously-irritable and intellectually weak person, not by a professional man, and the innuendoes set forth in it were absurd. Plaintiff had never been put into the witness box to swear that the word alleged to be libellous justified the innuendos set forth in the plaint, and if he [plaintiff] had any regard for an oath, he could not swear. Because the Talmud was referred to, the plaintiff had selected himself from among the whole of the Jewish race as the person to whom it referred. He is the definite articles of humanity and in the maelstrom of his all-absorbing vanity had applied it to himself. Because the words ‘holy Moses’ had been used, where were as common as the celebrated Anglo-Saxon expletive beginning with a d---,], plaintiff had graciously chosen to say that they referred to him. He could only say that there was but one word in the English language strong enough to characterise such an assumption; that word he could not use in Court, but it consisted of three letters, began with an l and ended with an e. Not even a real Red Indian could seem offended by the reference to a “Red Indian” which the paragraph in the Argus contained; and bit even the great Moses himself, the statesman, poet philosopher and prophet could feel that the term ‘holy Moses’ contained any reproach, let alone the plaintiff in that case. Why the fact was that Moses’s were as plentiful as noses, and why should the slander refer especially to Abraham Moses the plaintiff.
His Honor summing up felt that the innuendos did refer to the plaintiff and assessed the damage at fifty pounds and with expenses for five witnesses.
Dr. Belinfante applied for an increased fee which his Honor granted.
Mr. Isaacs then gave notice of his intention to move for a new trial.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, April 11, 1874
 
1874 - Notice
I have this day disposed of my business as a Clothier and Boot and Shoe Manufacturer to my brother, Abraham Moses, who will receive all debts to me and liquidate all liabilities.
SIMEON S. MOSES, Queen Street, Gulgong.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, July 21, 1874
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