See also: Golden Age Hotel
Joseph Deitz, a German, at the age of 21, travelled to Australia as an assisted immigrant on the David McIver in 1853.
Source: Assisted Immigrants Index 1839-1896 Copy: Reel 2136, [4/4791]; Reel 2464, [4/4931]Joseph Deitz married Elizabeth Jane O'Reilly in Mudgee in 1862 (NSW BDM 2440/1862). Their children included:
- Charles W - born 1863 (NSW BDM 10390/1863); died 1 April 1913 in Kurri Kurri NSW (Austcemindex)
- Reilly R - born 1866 (NSW BDM 11393/1866); died 1866 (NSW BDM 5354/1866)
- Elizabeth R - born 1868 (NSW BDM 12738/1868); died 1871 (NSW BDM 4467/1871)
- Joseph Reilly - born 1871 (NSW BDM 13566/1871); died 1871 (NSW BDM 4581/1871)
- Ingram JJ - born 1872 (NSW BDM 13623/1872); died 1942 in Goulburn (NSW BDM 17749/1942)
- Sarah Elizabeth - born 1874 (NSW BDM 14889/1874); married Charles Henry Wood Holloway; died 8 Dec 1945 in Parramatta (NSW BDM 26919/1944); buried Goulburn.
Joseph Deitz built the Golden Age Hotel in Queen Street, Gulgong in December 1870. Deitz was connected to the party that found the first gold on Red Hill, Gulgong but was not present during the find*. In July 1871 he sold his Gulgong Hotel to Paul Harford from Mudgee and erected a new hotel at Canadian Lead, the United States Hotel.
[* A letter from Deitz to the Mercantile Advertiser (date unknown) gives a different account of this story. See 1933 Mudgee Guardian (below).]
Joseph Deitz died 30 March 1895 (NSW BDM 6548/1895) and is buried at Old Temora Cemetery, Anglican, Row J, Plot 1930 (Findagrave). Elizabeth Jane Deitz died in Burwood on 27 May 1889 (NSW BDM 2876/1889).
NEWS ITEMS
1871 - [NATURALIZATION]
Francis Joseph Deitz of Germany became naturalized in New South Wales on 23 May 1871.
Source: Naturalization Index 1834-1903 Item No: [4/1202] | Page No: 118 | Reel No: 130
1871 - LOST and FOUND
On Tuesday evening the town was startled by the stentorian announcement of our Champion Bellman, that the eight year old son [Charles] of Mr. Joseph Deitz of the Golden Age Hotel, was lost.
Within with an hour a large search party was organised and a systematic search was made in all directions but without avail. About midnight when the search was about being discontinued until daylight, the youngster coolly walked into the hotel. In reply to questions put to him by his anxious parents, he said, ‘That having gone to Ashton’s Circus without their knowledge, he planted himself under Mr. Angove’s store, fearing he would be chastised. Becoming afraid he thought better to come out and run the risk of punishment, than remain under the store all night. A resolve that relieved the anxiety of everybody very much and created a laugh at the fresh of the youngster.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 2, February 25, 1871.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 2, February 25, 1871.
1871 - MINING REPORT
1871 - TURF CLUBSource: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 6, March 25, 1871.
1871 - MINING REPORT
1871 - MINING REPORT
1871 - Letters to the Editor - THE RED HILL FINDS.
The Red Hill, the scene of the first discovery of payable gold on Gulgong, and on which is situated the original prospecting claim of Deitz & Party, has been the 'centre of attraction during the week', consequence on the rich find in the prospecting claim, consisting of a small quartz leader thickly impregnated with gold, one dish of which yielded 70 ozs. More than 200 ozs., has been obtained since Monday last, a streak of luck no doubt very welcome. To show the pure 'luck' there is in gold mining, a share in this claim was last week sold for ten pounds, and we doubt if 70 times that figure would now be accepted.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 5, March 13, 1871.
1871 - TURF CLUB
A meeting was held at Deitz’s Golden Age Hotel to initiate the preliminary steps for at the formation of a Turf Club. About a dozen put in an appearance and went heartily into business. It was decided that the club should be called the ‘GULGONG TURF CLUB’ and the yearly subscription to be one guinea. All present enrolled themselves and it was duly carried that an active canvass for members be made and a general meeting be convened for Monday evening next at 8p.m. at Con Driscoll’s, Warburton Hotel, to appoint the necessary club officers and arrange a liberal programme for a two days meeting to be held on the first weekend in June, so as to induce owners of horses engaged in the Mudgee races during May to put in an appearance. From the liberal subscriptions promised it is more than probable that our June meeting will in its prizes create a slight sensation in the sporting world.
On the Red Hill, the greatest activity prevails, the pro-specting claim of Deitz and party, still yields good returns from the golden quartz leader recently found. A payable prospect has also been found in the unworked alluvial ground in the claim. Half a dozen claims have been taken up, and being sunk upon for similar leaders to Deitz and party, and in fact the whole hill is now been systematically tested for gold.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 7, April 1st, 1871.
1871 - MINING REPORT
The original prospecting claim of Gulgong, Deitz and Party, on the Red Hill, have again struck a rich patch in quartz leader, which will yield about 140 ozs. These patches being in a manner unexpected, serve to keep this famous hill prominently before the public, and the prospecting claim particularly. Shares in almost any claim on the hill are readily sold at remunerative prices.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 10, April 22nd, 1871.
Sir, In perusing the columns of your widely circulated journal I was greatly surprised at noticing the following mining report. It ran thus:-
'The original prospecting claim at Gulgong - Deitz and party - on the Red Hill, have again struck a rich patch in a quartz leader, which will yield about 140 ounces. These patches being in a manner unexpected, serve to keep this famous hill prominently before the public, and the prospecting claim particularly'.
Now, Mr. Editor, I presume your information is derived from an unreliable source; the above report would be inserted into the leading journals of the colony, and as a consequence, diggers reading it, perhaps some hundreds of miles away, would sacrifice a good show to come here. Now, sir, if you had said pound sterling instead of ounces of gold, it would have been nearer the truth. Trusting I have not taken up to much of your valuable space.
I remain, yours &c.,J.T. SAUNDERS,
The original prospector of Gulgong
Red Hill Hotel,
March 3, 1871.
[We always endeavour not to exaggerate the finds of this rich hill, but if shareholders will not furnish the particulars we have no other resource than to obtain them in the most reliable manner we can. We hardly think any miners will sacrifice a good show to come here for the Red Hill – Ed G. G.]
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 12, May 6th, 1871.Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 11, April 29th, 1871.
Tenders
OLD GULGONG REEF
For shaft Sinking
Tenders will be opened on June 5,
addressed to H. Thurston,
Deitz's Golden Age Hotel, Gulgong.
1871 - Police Court
Abusive Language - Joseph Deitz summoned by A.B. Ferrie, with using abusive and insulting language to him, within hearing of person on a public street, on an allotment having a frontage to Herbert Street. The evidence of the complaint and George Hardy being taken, Dr. Belinfante appeared for the defendant, held that the case must be dismissed, as the place was not a public place within the meaning of the Act. sec. 6 of the Vagrant Act. Fined £8 and 7s costs or 3 months imprisonment in default. Dr. Belinfante immediately gave notice of appeal to the Quarter Sessions.
[The decision in this case is an extraordinary one. Contrary to all law and precedent, we will deal with it in our next edition – Ed. G.G.]
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 33, September 30, 1871.1872 - SHARE AUCTION
Saunders and Deitz have a prospectors claim on Red Hill, auctioning one full share on Tuesdays 16th January...
To Miners Speculators and Others: Messrs. Plunkett and Co. have received instructions to sell by auction at their office, Queen Street Gulgong at 2pm on Tuesday 16 inst. One full share in the Prospector’s claim Red Hill known as Saunders and Deitz’s.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 48, January 13, 1872.We visited the Canadian township on Monday, and were truly surprised at the development in the building line that has taken place. There are seven public houses in full swing, including our old friends,
Featherston and John Denison of the Black Lead, Joe Deitz late of the Golden Age Hotel, Queen Street, had just obtained his license for by far the best hotel in the township, in fact there are very few houses on Gulgong to surpass it, in material, finish, extent or accommodation.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 78, 15 May 1872.
Joseph Deitz now at the ‘The United States Hotel’ at Canadian Lead, formerly of the Gold[en] Age Hotel in Queen Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 84, 5 June 1872.
1872 - Town Talk – Saunders & Deitz
Scant justice has been done to Messrs Deitz and Saunders, the discoverers of this goldfield, by Parliament. They have been granted the paltry sum of £300 as a reward, after a year’s correspondence and interviewing with Minister’s and M.P.s! If the three hundred had been three thousand, the reward would have been more appropriate. In Victoria I find that the prospectors of any small rush receive as much, in addition to a prospecting claim as big as a farm. For even this small sum the prospectors are materially indebted to Mr. Innes, who was of the opinion that another figure should be added to the amount.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 105, August 17, 18721872 - The Real Prospectors of Gulgong
[to the Editor of the Gulgong Guardian]
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 106, August 21, 1872
Sir - In your issue of Saturday your amusing contributor, ‘Photo’ very sensibly criticizes the meanness of the Legislature, as shown by the paltry reward given Messrs. Deitz and Saunders for the discovery of this immense goldfield. While I agree with ‘Photo’ that it would have been more just to have made the £300 ten times that amount, I feel compelled as an act of injustice to one, who is the real discoverer of the goldfield, to state his claim to the title.
Before Gulgong was reported publicly as a goldfield, Mr. Saunders was at Biraganbil during the shearing season. One wet day when there were no sheep fit for shearing, a shepherd named Irvine, told Saunders that may years ago he found gold on several hills where Gulgong is now, and at Saunders request they both rode out, and Irvine showed Saunders the place. Shortly afterwards Saunders began to prospect the likely spots; which resulted in the Old Surface Hill nears Homer’s farm, being found, and after it the now famous Red Hill. It will thus be seen that the shepherd Irvine is entitled to at least an equal share of the honour and profit of the discovery of Gulgong with Mr. Saunders, and more than Mr. Deitz who was not with Mr. Saunders when he found the gold, but somewhere near Mudgee, though at the time they were mates.
In my way of thinking Irvine is the real gold finder; but he is only a shepherd, and a man not inclined to push himself forward – his just claim to a share in the reward has never recognised. Mr. George Rouse of Biraganbil can verify what I have stated to be true.
While disclaiming any desire to deprive either Mr. Saunders or Mr. Deitz of any honour or profit of the discovery of Gulgong, I feel it only just to Irvine that his share in the discovery should be placed on record.
Yours Obediently, JUMBUCK.1872 - A Rich Find
Early on Saturday the news spread about a rich quartz lode had been struck on the Red Hill. On enquiry we found that Sutcliffe and party had at a depth of 45 feet struck the wonderfully rich lode that was some months ago pricked in the prospectors claim – Deitz and Co. – and yielded so high. From the dish full of the lode shown us we hardly think that Tambaroora could surpass it in richness. Every specimen we handled was at the least one-half gold. About half a ton of the stone has been taken out and is esti-mated to yield at least 500 ozs of gold. The shaft is within a very few feet of the southern boundary of the Leased Claim Cos. and the old Golden Hill Co. The scrip of both Companies, ought to improved by this find. The Leased Claims Co. – which includes the original prospecting claim of Deitz and Co., and four ordinary quartz claims – measures 753 feet long the supposed line of this lode, which to a certainty much exist in it. The main shaft of the company is now down over 100 feet, and work is being vigorously carried on by the contractors. This find has revived the hopes of many who cling to the idea that the old Hill will start a second era of prosperity for Gulgong, when quartz mining will take a prominent place as a branch of mining.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 112, September 11, 1872
1872 - BIRTH
On the 9th instant at her residence, Canadian, the wife of Joseph Deitz a son [Ingram]. Both are doing well.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 123, 19 October 1872.
1873 - POLICE COURT
False Pretences - Frederick William Winshiemer on remand, charged with obtaining £12 from William Craigen, who gave evidence that he had known the prisoner a short time, who came to him and said he knew where there was a silver lode, which was a ruse, consulted with his partner Mr. J. Deitz, who met the prisoner at the White Hart Hotel, Murrunundi, after the run around prisoner told Deitz that the silver was from the Hulf Gottes tunnel. Bench said there was not enough evidence to convict, case dismissed.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 155, 8 February 1873
1874 - BIRTH
1875 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
DEITZ - On Saturday, morning the 26th instant, at the Canadian, the wife of Mr. Joseph Deitz of a daughter [Sarah Elizabeth]. Both doing well.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 29 September 1874.
1874 - Police Court
Only trivial matters this day, one drunk and one obscene language both men, cautioned. On Thursday Mrs Beck charge that she did steal a fowl from Joseph Deitz, lots of evidence, case dismissed.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, April 7, 1874 1874 - Good Luck
Deitz and party in block off Nos. 10 and 11 Home Rule Lead, bottomed on their shaft yesterday at a depth of 164 feet, and there was 2 ½ washdirt and obtained from ½ to 4 pennyweight to the dish; the gold is fine but weighing heavy. There was a great rush to the locality when the prospects were heard. The claim has been christened ‘What do you think of it.’
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, November 3, 1874
1875 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
To Carriers and others - Wanted BULLOCK or HORSE TEAMS to take large quantities of Copper Ore from near Gillies on the Wellington Road to the Icely Smelting works. For further particulars apply to JOSEPH DEITZ or WILLIAM PAUL Canadian - J. Dietz - Pro Balara Co.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, 11 February 1875
1933 - WHO WAS IT? Discoverer of Gold Gulgong District
In recent years in Gulgong, in fact for many years past, credit has been given to the late Mr Thomas Saunders for being the first person to discover gold in Gulgong in the early seventies. Deceased was known as Gulgong's 'Grand Old Man.'
Writing in the defunct 'Gulgong Mercantile Advertiser,' which was the first newspaper printed and published in Gulgong, Mr J. Deitz made a claim. Mr Deitz's letter reads:
''As it appears there is some misunderstanding with respect to the first discovery of gold in Gulgong.I have to request you will favor me with a space in your widely-circulated journal so that the public may no longer remain in doubt on the subject. The first payable gold found at Gulgong was by J. Deitz, J. Holland, and J. Lehne, and a prospecting claim was granted in August, 1868, for the old Gulgong reef. In January, 1870, Mr T. J. Saunders came to Gulgong; I then joined him and we tried to prospect the old surface hill at the back of where Homer's paddock is now situated, but on account of the scarcity of water we had to abandon it. We got a prospect of 1½dwts. to the dish and resolved to give it another trial at some more convenient time. We then went to Magpie Gulley, and there sunk several holes on false bottoms, but met with nothing to pay. On the Saturday afternoon there came a heavy thunderstorm, and on the following day we went to the old prospecting claim and tried several dishes, from which we obtained nearly two dwts., there being water from the rain of the preceding day. The next day we took a load of dirt, which, upon being washed yielded 1oz. 1dwt, 18grs. On or about the 24th February we reported the matter to the police magistrate of Mudgee and obtained a prospecting claim. We sent T. Saunders and Mr Bullock to work the claim; after working out this patch, which yielded somewhere about 30 ozs on the 6th April I and the two Saunders in company found gold on the Red Hill; two days afterwards I went to Mudgee and the two Saunders and Bullock found 14ozs. 9dwt. gold. On the 14th April we reported the discovery to Sergeant O'Donnell and obtained our prospecting claim.I therefore believe in common justice I have made out a case to be the first discovererer of gold at Gulgong."
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 11 May 1933 Page 12
Deitz headstone, Temora
Source: Austcemindex
