AGRICULTURE

1907 - Over Old Leads. BY COTSWOLD.
II. GULGONG TO THE TALBRAGAR.

Up to the opening of the railway from Coonamble to Dubbo, practically all the traffic from the Castlereagh came to Mudgee, and still a very large portion of the Merrygoen and Mundooran traffic comes that way, though the latter is but 20 miles from Gilgandra, and is 73 from Mudgee. The advantages are a good road and very great saving in railway freights.

Local opinion seems to be that the Mudgee and Gulgong people were negligent of their best interests when the Dubbo to Coonamble railway was put through. With the construction of the Mudgee-Dunedoo railway, however, much of the intervening country will be well served. This line does not follow the main road, but runs some distance to the north-east, and advisedly so, as the good agricultural country is better tapped thereby. Gulgong itself lies to the north-east of the main Castlereagh to Mudgee road.

If the road from Mudgee to Gulgong lies through patchy country, that from Gulgong to Cobborah is still more so. Running west to join the main road some very fair agricultural land is met with, mostly held in small farms, many acquired from the Rouse family during comparatively recent years. Here the cultivation is, on the whole, pretty good, and on some farms intelligent, methodical working is strongly in evidence. Amongst the farms near the town are those of Messrs. Sloman, Smith, Cooney, W. Watt, Jackson, and Graham. These farms do not, however, by any means comprise all the good agricultural land.

Reedy, or Wyaldra, Creek may be crossed just after joining the main road, or by an earlier turning to the right, which eventually leads on to Tallewang, Dunedoo, Denison Town, Leadville, Coolah, etc. The creek, which has a very deep and wide channel, flows strongly only after heavy rains, but the amount of gravel in the bed indicates an undercurrent. After crossing, the quality of the land on the right hand perceptibly deteriorates, and what can be seen from the road is mostly suitable for grazing purposes. Mrs. Docwra and Mr. Stahl are holders of land hereabouts.

Farther on, at Tallewang, there are, however, a number of farmers who go in for cultivation with success. In most seasons, though the present one is far from being favorable.

THRIFTY FARMERS.

On the left hand, sloping up from Wyaldra Creek, however, is some very fair farming land indeed, mostly acquired from the Rouse family, and held by such persevering farmers as the brothers Campbell, Mr. Croome, etc. One Mr. Campbell has been a considerable experimenter with different varieties of wheat, no fewer than seven having been tried on sufficient scale to practically demonstrate their suitability to the district and current methods of cultivation. The popular Purple Straw has been found to do well upon the whole, while White Lammas has yielded but 12 bushels to the acre alongside of Steinwedel with 27 bushels under identical treatment and in exactly similar soil. The latter has generally been found to be ahead of Purple Straw by about five bushels, and as much as 50 bushels per acre have been obtained from a small area (12 acres). Other varieties tried have been Trilby, John Brown, Plover, and Schneider, the two latter having yielded very good results.

Mr. Croome has 560 acres, which was purchased when in a ringbarked state some six years ago. One hundred acres are under crop, principally for hay, as chaff is a profitable product. A little maize is grown, principally for home consumption. Mr. Croome's land runs right down to the creek, at the crossing of the main road, where is a small settlement and the Beryl school. Near by are one or two market gardens, prettily situated at the foot of rugged hills.

THE COBBORAH-ROAD.

On the Cobborah-road, when Reedy Creek is passed, most of the good country is left behind so far as the immediate roadside is concerned. The exceptions are at Goodiman, where Mr. O'Connell has a large holding and some cultivation; at Haley's, where new land is being brought into cultivation, and ring barking is going on; and at Faulkner's (Lackey Creek). Spring Ridge, the property of Mr. Niven, is a large holding, a very great area of which has been cleared at what must have been a very heavy cost. It lies between Goodiman and Lackey Creek. The country consists chiefly of steep ridges, with little depth of soil, but affording useful grazing ground for sheep and cattle. The picturesque and substantial roadside hotel here illustrated is located on this property. Though the country passed through is at places very steep and hilly, the road has been very well surveyed, and neither rises nor falls to any very considerable extent.

After passing Faulkner's, the country is heavily timbered, but no agricultural land is met with until one nears the Talbragar, a few miles from  Cobborah. But at a little distance on either side is sterling good agricultural land, that on the west being on Sandy Creek, which runs into the Talbragar a few miles below Cobborah, while that on the right is undulating, with a few small stony ridges. It is here, about 12 miles from Cobborah, that the Stringybark alluvial goldfield is situated, and the adjoining country is known as Tucklan.

GOOD COUNTRY.

In this bit of back country is some of the most pleasing agricultural land that it has been the lot of the writer to see. The average elevation is some 1500ft, and the rainfall about 27in, which, notwithstanding recent seasons, is generally fairly regular. The few ridges, and some timber which has been left, must assist in protecting the country from the westerly winds. Wherever one turns the useful kurrajong is to be found, and though the shapely heads of the trees evidence the recourse which has been had to them of late for fodder, this does not in any way take from the productiveness of the country in general.

Isolated from the railway, and with rough travelling tracks until the main roads are reached, productive farms are met with one after another, some of which have been occupied for many years. This country will be well served by the Mudgee Dunedoo railway when completed.

One of the older farmers, in this district is Mr. R. Ballard, of Park View, a resident of some 20 years. When he first started operations his whole capital amounted to an exceedingly small sum, but it does not appear that he has any reason to repent of his energy and perseverance. He holds upwards of 1400 acres of conditional purchase and conditional lease land, runs 1300 sheep, and crops from 100 to 200 acres each year. As showing the productivity of the land, he considers 20 bushels to the acre a rather poor crop, and has obtained an average for the year of 39 bushels, although, through delay in getting the strippers to work, a considerable loss was sustained through shedding. As illustrating his sound methods of farming, the present dry season has found him well prepared, and between hay and the carefully-preserved kurrajongs, it must be a lengthy drought indeed which will result in losses of his stock.

Source; Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Wed 6 Nov 1907 Page 34

TALLAWANG HOTEL

NEWS ITEMS

1878 - ALLEGED MURDER NEAR GULGONG. FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

On Saturday last our townspeople were thrown into a state of excitement by the report that a horrible murder had been committed at Tallewang. Senior-constable Richard Henry Oliver, with constable Goodyer, were at once dispatched to the scene of the tragedy, and found an old man named John Goodwin lying dead at Peterson's Hotel. They at once made every effort to trace out all matters concerning the sad affair, and every credit is due to constable Oliver for the manner in which he has carried on the inquiry. On Sunday despite the boisterous state of the weather, Mr J. T. Plunkett J. P. accompanied by Mr Wilson Ramsay, M D., proceeded to the spot for the purpose of holding a magisterial inquiry which resulted in the arrest of Peter Anderson a Swede, charged with the offence.

On Monday Peter Anderson was brought up at the Police Court on the charges of having murdered one John Goodwin by striking him upon the head with a paling at Tallewang, on the night of Friday, February 8. The case was heard before Mr. T. Browne, P M , and Mr J. F. Plunkett, J. P. 

Richard Henry Oliver, senior constable, stationed at Home Rule sworn, said: By virtue of a warrant issued by Mr J. F. Plunkett, J.P., I arrested the prisoner Peter Anderson now before the Court, charging him with killing at Tallewang, on the 8th instant one John Goodwin; I read the warrant to the prisoner, and in reply he said, "God help me". 

On Saturday John Peterson, landlord of the Tallewang Hotel, informed me that a man named John Goodwin had got his skull fractured at his hotel; I at once proceeded to the place and found the man dead with a deep long wound upon the side of his head, I searched deceased and found some few articles upon him. There was a quantity of blood upon his clothes; I saw the prisoner and asked him what he knew about it he replied "No one killed him, he killed himself, and I will show you where he took the paling from to do it;" he showed me a place about 50 yards from the road where a paling had been pulled off. I then cautioned him, and prisoner said "We had a row, I am sorry for the poor fellow;" a coat was upon the fence which prisoner said belonged to deceased; about 58 yards from this place I found a pool of blood upon the road the paling was close to the spot; I examined prisoner's clothes,

the front of his shirt and sleeves were stained with blood. There was a Chinese hawker camped about three paces from the scene of the occurrence.

Mary Peterson deposed: I am the wife of John Peterson, landlord of the hotel; on Friday night prisoner and deceased had a quarrel; prisoner knocked deceased down, and was going to kick him; I called my husband, who parted them and scolded prisoner for trying to ill-use an old man; I persuaded the old man to go to his camp; he left by the front door, and prisoner was then in the dining-room. I closed the front door, so that deceased should not see the light and return; a few minutes after I heard a cooey, and

thought it was deceased voice; I opened the bar door, and saw my husband coming from the stable with a light, which went out; he said, "I heard an unnatural groan and must see what it is;" we lighted the candle, and I saw prisoner standing at the extreme end of the verandah; to get to this place prisoner must have gone by the back of the house; I watched my husband, who called for help, saying the old man was in a pool of blood; I got some water to bathe deceased, and called the Chinaman and prisoner to come to the injured man's assistance; they came without delay, and carried him to our place; I gave deceased some brandy, and attended to him, but he never spoke; my husband exclaimed, "Why, his head is knocked in;" I bandaged his head; while doing so prisoner said, in a joking way "He'll be all right;" my husband, Taylor, and myself retired to wash off the dirt upon us, leaving deceased, the prisoner and my son in the dining-room when we returned prisoner said we ought to have a good "shaunty" or song on the occasion; I checked him, and said, "The man is dying;" he laughed and said it was all nonsense; prisoner left and went to bed, and I did not see him till next morning, when he said he had had a fine sleep; Goodwin died at ten minutes to 8 on Saturday morning, a man named Taylor was watching him, and said "He is gone;" prisoner replied, "Then he must have killed himself."

John Peterson corroborated the evidence of the former witness but said also: When I left to go to the stable prisoner was in the dining-room, and in coming from the stable I heard a heavy groan; a cry like one in distress, I thought someone was hurt and went down the road and found deceased in a pool of blood; I called to my wife and others for help there was a hole in the man's head; while deceased was on the ground, prisoner said he must have killed himself; there was a large paling lying near deceased's feet; we carried deceased to the hotel and laid him upon the sofa; prisoner and deceased had a quarrel,

but I do not know what was the origin of it; I heard no threats made.

Wilson Ramsay, M.D., stated: Yesterday I made a post mortem examination on of the body of deceased, which I found in the forage room at Peterson's Hotel, Tallewang; I found a jagged wound upon the left side of the head penetrating through the skull and down to the scalp; I found a fracture four inches in length of the left parietal bone with a laceration of the middle melingeal artery of the dura mater which was the cause of death; the paling produced would cause such a wound; the paling has marks of blood and some grey hairs upon it; I calculate the age of deceased to have been between 50 and 55 years; there were no marks of violence upon the body; I heard the prisoner say deceased did it himself; the wound inflicted could in no way have been self-inflicted.

Thomas Alfred Peterson, son of John Peterson, said: On Friday night I slept in the dining-room and recollect Goodwin being carried into the room; my mother, father, and Taylor left to wash themselves, leaving the prisoner with deceased; prisoner put his hands into deceased's waist coat pocket and took out a knife and some tobacco, which he put upon the table; he then put his hands into deceased's trousers pocket and took out a purse, and I heard some money rattle; he put the purse into his own pocket; after the quarrel deceased left by the front door, and the prisoner went out by the back; I could see all that took place; prisoner had a lighted candle.

Margaret Kelly landlady of Kelly's Hotel, Gulgong, gave evidence showing that deceased stopped at her house ten days, during which time she had the care of two £5 notes which belonged to him, after settling up with her and purchasing articles for his own use, he left as servant to her son and his mates who were traveling, taking with him £6 and some silver; arriving at Tallewang, they were overtaken by the storm, and her son, James Kelly, with Samuel Wright and Thomas Connor, returned for forage and remained in the hotel until Mr Peterson informed them on Saturday of the tragedy; during their absence Goodwin was left in charge of the horses, drays, and camp.

William Taylor, sworn: I am a labourer in Mr Peterson's employ; I have known the prisoner since Christmas; on Friday, I went to bed early, and Peterson and the man killed came for a bag of hay; I gave it, but it was not taken away; deceased asked Peterson to let him sleep in the forage room; late at night they both came to the stable. Peterson asked me about the horses and they left; I heard a voice say, "I must die, and will die before tomorrow;" I think it was the deceased's voice; I never heard the words

"or have revenge " some time afterwards I was awoken by Peterson, who told me the old man was dying; I got up and saw deceased lying upon the sofa; myself and Peterson picked up the paling. By prisoner: Did you hear me say, "Cut the — throat." Witness: "Yes." Prisoner: "God help you."

Jimmy Chong, a Chinese hawker, gave evidence of his camping near the deceased, and being awakened by Mrs. Peterson to assist in removing the body. John Peterson recalled, denied the statement of Taylor,

relative to the deceased going with him to the stable. Samuel Wright, one of the travelling party, gave

evidence to the fact of leaving deceased in charge of the camp, and himself and mates returning to Gulgong; did not know what money deceased possessed.

Mr Peterson recalled: Did not hear Taylor say "The old man will die," or the prisoner say, "Cut his —

throat." At this stage, a stop was put to the proceedings, for upon the Bench wishing to recall Peterson, junior, sergeant Keenan said he had given him permission to go to Tallewang, in the morning, and had sent constable Goodyer to fetch him. Sergeant Keenan asked for a remand for a few hours. Mr. J. F. Plunkett censured the police officer for giving a witness permission to leave without first consulting the

magistrates, and then adjourned the Court till Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, Alfred Peterson, recalled, stated: Prisoner said to cut deceased's — throat; Blanchard said, "Hush, the man will die." Martin Blanchard gave evidence similar to that given by the previous witness, and stated that prisoner was left with deceased; witness kept watch all night; deceased died at

8 o'clock on Saturday morning. The usual caution was given from the Bench to the prisoner, who reserved his defence, and he was then committed to take his trial at the Mudgee Circuit Court, to open April 12, on a charge of wilful murder.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Mon 18 Feb 1878 Page 3

FEBRUARY - GULGONG. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

ONE of those scenes which are public insults, as well as desecration of the Sabbath, occurred in this district on the afternoon of Sunday last, viz., the escorting of the supposed murderer of John Goodwin from Tallawang to Gulgong.

In a tray buggy, the horse being driven by the undertaker, who was accompanied upon the seat by a lady witness, the coffin, containing the body of the murdered man, was carried, and upon it were seated the constable in charge and the supposed murderer. Accompanying the buggy were one mounted sergeant, a trooper, and three residents of Tallawang. Upon arriving at the camp the prisoner was safely lodged in the lockup, while the buggy and its attendants proceeded to the Necropolis for the interment of the poor remnants of humanity. No doubt the officers in charge did their best under the circumstances. The day was frightfully stormy, and heavy rain falling, and they were without any proper means of transit; but whatever might have been done upon the road through the bush, there was no necessity to insult the inhabitants of the town by such an exhibition. The troopers could have escorted the prisoner, allowing the undertaker to proceed to the cemetery. No doubt the officers were glad to get to their quarters, being as they were wet to the skin; but the very notion of a murderer, or a supposed murderer, sitting upon the coffin of his victim, and riding some eight miles in that position, seems horrible to contemplate.

Source: 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 21 Feb 1878 Page 7

1901 - TALLAWANG

The application of G Cohen for a renewal of the license of the Tallawang Hotel was opposed by police. The bench granted the application, licensee to make extensive additions within four months.

Source: The Gulgong Advertiser, January 11 1901

Mr G Cohen, the popular boniface of the Tallawang Hotel, will hold a monster day’s races on Easter Monday. Everything is to be run on the straight.

Source: The Gulgong Advertiser, April 5 1901

AN EFFIGY—There is hung upon a tree near the Tallawang Hotel an effigy of a local resident. Practical jokes of this description are only calculated to scare passing horses and to breed ill-feeling between neighbours.

Source: The Gulgong Advertiser, May 31 1901

Mr G Cohen’s Hotel is now an ornament to the city of Tallawang, the repairs at the hand of contractor Pyne.

Source: The Gulgong Advertiser, June 7 1901