19th Century News
Newspaper articles and advertisements that offer insights into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.
Sources Used: TROVE. Images. National Library of Australia. https://trove.nla.gov.au; FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. Images. https://www.familysearch.org.
MORTGAGEE AUCTION - 4 August 1870
Pursuant to the Proviso contained in an Indenture dated the tenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty-six and made between George Larkins of Bothwell in Tasmania, Yeoman, of the one part and Henry Hopkins of Hobart Town in Tasmania, Esquire and William Rout and George Washington Walker (both since deceased) of the other part.
Notice is hereby given that default having been made in payment of the principal moneys secured by the said indenture, it is the intention of the said Henry Hopkins to cause the lands and hereditaments comprised in the said Indenture to be exposed for sale by public auction by Messieurs Brent and Westbrook of Hobart Town Auctioneers at their mart in Collins-street on Friday the twenty-sixth day of August instant, at noon, with the lands and hereditaments so to be exposed for sale are described in the said indenture, as:
(Firstly) All that Allotment or Piece of Land upon which a messuage or tenement and stable is erected and built situate in Bothwell aforesaid and bounded on a street called Dalrymple-street on the part of the east, upon an allotment now or late belonging to H. M. Cockerill on the part of the north, upon land now or late belonging to the Crown on the part of the west, and upon an allotment now or late belonging to Dr J. F. Sharland on the part of the south.
(Secondly) All that Allotment or Piece of Land with the messuage and buildings thereon erected situate lying and being in Bothwell aforesaid consisting of three acres more or less and bounded on the north by six hundred and thirteen links along Patrick-street, on the west by four hundred and ninety links along William-street, on the south by six hundred and thirteen links along High-street, and on the east by a perpendicular to Patrick-street.
(Thirdly) All that Allotment or Piece or Parcel of Land with the messuage and buildings thereon erected situate and being in the Town of Bothwell aforesaid containing one acre and twelve perches or thereabouts and bounded as follows that is to say - on the northern side by three hundred and fifty-three links along Patrick-street, on the eastern side by four hundred and thirty-four links along an allotment granted to Thomas Roadknight, on the south-west by three hundred and twelve links along that allotment, and on the west by three hundred and ninety links along an allotment by granted to the aforesaid Thomas Roadknight to Patrick-street aforesaid.
(Fourthly) All that Allotment and piece of Land with the two messuages and buildings thereon erected situate lying and being in Bothwell aforesaid and bounded in front by a line of two hundred and fifty-two links along Alexander-street commencing at the corner of that street and James-street, at the back by a straight line of one hundred and fifty-two links parallel with the said front line, on one side by a line of three hundred links along James-street aforesaid, and on the other side by a straight line of three hundred links parallel to the said last mentioned line and running along property now or late of James Macdonald.
(And Fifthly) All that Allotment of piece of Land situate and being in Bothwell aforesaid and bounded on the front or south side by one chain and seventy-five links along Alexander-street commonly called Croaker's Alley, at the back on the north side by one chain and seventy-five links along land now or late belonging to Philip Russell, on the west side by three chains and sixty-nine links along land now or late also belonging to the said Philip Russell, and on the east side by three chains and sixty-seven links along land now or late belonging to George Ibbott. Together with the four dwelling houses and premises thereon erected and built.
Dated this third day of August 1870. Allport, Roberts & Allport, Solicitors to the Mortgagees. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8869192
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE - 27 August 1870
Messrs Brent and Westbrook report a sale held by them yesterday, at their mart, of the White Hart Inn, Bothwell, for £400, also property in the occupation of Mr Blake for £250, the remaining lots were withdrawn. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8869964
NARROW ESCAPE AT BOTHWELL - 26 August 1870
An accident occurred on the afternoon of Monday the 22nd August, within a few miles from this township, to a lad named Alfred Blake, aged 14 years, son of Mr Robert Blake, a very old resident here, which had well nigh resulted in a horrible termination. It appeared that the lad, accompanied by Mr Shaw's two sons, aged out in the bush on what is called the Lime-kilns run, kangarooing, having guns with them and the string from which Blake's powder flask was suspended when he set out having broken, he very thoughtlessly put his powder flask, which at the time contained nearly half a pound of powder, into his right hand trousers pocket, in which were a knife and some lucifer matches. Shortly after, as might naturally have been expected, whilst Blake was in the act of running, a sudden explosion took place, which blew the flask to atoms, and set the owner's clothes on fire. One of his companions, who was a dozen yards or so off, ran up and attempted to extinguish the fire by rolling Blake over on the ground; presently the other came up, and taking out his knife quickly cut off the trousers of Blake, at least all that remained of them, for a portion had been blown to "smithereens." Fortunately, and by a miracle as it were, young Blake was not so badly injured but that he was able to walk some considerable distance to his brother Charles's farm at Grantham, from whence he was brought in a cart to his father's residence on the township, where he now lies confined to bed. On examination it was found that the whole of the right leg was as black as ink from the scorching, and blistered in small patches, and he is also severely burned all round the lower part of the body. It is a remarkable circumstance that two other sons have experienced accidents from this "vile gunpowder." It is rather better than a year ago that one was accidentally shot by a companion in the bush, and had to be removed to the hospital, there being at the time no medical man here, a "hiatus" still requiring to be filled up, and "devoutly to be wished for," and the third son referred to has had either a thumb or a finger shot off. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8863639
LOST IN THE BUSH - 26 October 1870
During the past week considerable excitement was manifested in the people of Bothwell by an occurrence of the most distressing nature - the loss of a child in the bush. At 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning, 18th inst., the wife of James Williams, a shepherd on the Cluny Park Estate, missed her eldest girl, Kate, aged three years and five months, whom she had seen at play outside the house fifteen minutes previously. She called her name and looked in every direction from the house, but not seeing her, she concluded she had run after her grandmother, who had gone to a well distant some few hundred yards such; however, was not the case, as the grandmother had not seen her. Terror-stricken, the poor mother rushed wildly with an infant in her arms over the neighbouring paddocks, still calling for her little one; she heard a cry and ran to the spot whence she fancied it proceeded, but could neither see nor hear her child. Now, almost frantic, she began to realise the possibility her little darling being lost in the bush, and prudently made the circumstances known to Mrs Brown, of Cluny Park, who, with that true maternal feeling experienced only by parents, at once summoned all the farm assistants, and mounted her horse to assist in the search for the missing child. After four or five hours fruitless efforts, Mrs Brown sent a report to the Superintendent of Police at Bothwell, requesting his assistance; unfortunately, he was absent at the time, but Constable Stewart was speedily on the spot, and with the father, who had been from home all day, renewed the search; night coming on, fires were lighted in the bush, and every window in Cluny Park illuminated with a view of directing the child should she see them. The bush in the neighbourhood was traversed all night, and the child's name frequently called, but all in vain. Soon after daylight on Wednesday morning the Superintendent of Police and about twenty persons from Bothwell, amongst whom were Messrs Bowden, Ife, Hughes Jnr, Maskell Jnr &c., arrived on the ground, and a systematic search commenced, and was continued while daylight lasted, and still no trace of the lost child. Reluctantly, and with harrowed feelings, the work was discontinued until next morning. Rain set in with a cold south wind, to which the little sufferer must be exposed, shivering, starving! The feelings of the parents are only to be imagined, not described. On Thursday morning the search was resumed by about thirty other residents of the township amongst whom were Messrs Arnett, Biggs, Bowden Jnr, Kemp, Moyes &c. Notwithstanding the frequent and heavy showers, the bush was scoured in every direction of the house; all ran, as they rarely ran before, until met by messengers sent out to inform them that the child was found. The glad tidings were received with such an outburst of hurrahs that struck terror to the kangaroos abounding in the vicinity, and of course, made the leaves of surrounding eucalypti “clap their little hands in glee.” Delight was visible in every countenance, and a feeling of joy pervaded all hearts. When found, the child had lost its boots and socks; its little feet and legs were much scratched, otherwise it did not appear much worse for its exposure and want of food for 56 hours. Its little hands were full of flowers!
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8872102
ADMISSION INTO THE BOYS' HOME - 4 January 1871
Two boys named John Hastie and George Hastie, respectively ten and nine years, were brought before the Bench by their mother, Janet Hastie (recently left a widow by the suicide of her late husband, Constable Hastie, of Green Ponds), who desired that they should be admitted into the Boys’ Home, as she was unable to support them, and desired to enter service. Mr Kennerley, as one of the governors of the Home, handed in a certificate signed by the governors consenting to the admission of the boys into the institution. The younger of the two boys was sent to the Home for five years, and the elder for four years. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8865421
ACCIDENT FROM FIREARMS - 6 May 1871
A correspondent of the Mercury, writing from Bothwell, says that on Saturday last Mr James Taylor, of Thorpe, whilst out shooting in the vicinity of the Quorn; had a narrow escape of his life. He was standing on a log, and was in the act of completing the re-loading of the second barrel of his gun, when his dog suddenly rushing close by him caused him to fall, and whilst doing so both barrels exploded, and wounded him rather severely in the inner part of the left thigh, some three or four of the shots, which were double B size, entering the integuments at the lower part of the abdomen. He also received some shots in the fingers of both hands. Mr Taylor very fortunately was accompanied by one of his sons, and had his chaise cart not far off at the time ofel the accident, and after some assislance was obtained, he was conveyed to his home. Dr Oldmeadow, who is in attendance on Mr Tayor; was unable to extract the few shots that are now in the body, but he thinks that they will, by the treatment adopted, work downwards. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39681429
BOTHWELL - 6 June 1872
THE FLOODS. Tuesday, 4th June 1872, 1 p.m. A correspondent hurriedly writing to us says - "Heavy rains since last night from south and eastward; half the township streets under water. Still raining hard." Another correspondent telegraphs as follows - "7.40 p.m. The flood in the Clyde yesterday was the highest known since 1854; it spread over the lowlands like a sea. It has done immense damage to fences, gardens and the streets, which are submerged. Some families were obliged to leave their dwellings for security." https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8920982
BOTHWELL - 5 September 1872
I have taken up my pen for a more painful purpose, namely, to give you an account of a shocking accident leading to a fatal termination, which occurred here a day or two ago, and which should be a caution to mothers. A pretty looking and very intelligent child, Elizabeth Ada, aged 4 years and 8 months, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Hale of this township, whilst sitting at dinner on Wednesday last, and eating soup made from sheep's head, suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, mamma! I have swallowed a bone." The mother instantly jumped up from her seat, ran to her child, and endeavoured to extract the bone with her fingers, but not succeeding, one or two of the neighbours, as I was informed, endeavoured to do so, but without avail. The child was then brought to the house of the writer, who inflicted a rather smart slap on the back, which proving in vain, he ran upstairs to obtain a pair of scissor-handled forceps, but on his return to the child, about a minute afterwards, he was informed both by mother and child that the bone had "gone down." However, to satisfy himself, he had the child laid on the mother's knees and examined as carefully as he could the throat, but without observing any extraneous substance; the tonsils, however, seemed inflamed and swollen, and the child's voice was thick and coarse; he advised the mother to give her child a little castor oil, and both parties left. In the evening, your correspondent was requested to go and see the child, the messenger leaving word that it was supposed to have the croup. On arrival, he found the symptoms to resemble very much the characteristics of that disease as "laid down in the books," and in the absence of any medical gentleman a "Tartar Emetic" was given at once with directions to administer another in a couple of hours; sponging the throat with very hot water was resorted to, also a mustard poultice. Next morning the child was worse; there was great oppression of the chest, which heaved much, the breathing rapid and laborious, tongue dry as a bit of leather, furred brown and towards the back part of it black. Dr McDonald was telegraphed for at once; in the meantime, the usual remedies recommended in cases of croup were persisted in. The child, however, died about one o'clock the same day. I may mention that although the symptoms were such as to induce Mrs Moyes, of the Crown Inn, the mother of a large family, some of whose children had suffered seriously from croup, as also others, including myself, to be of opinion that the child was suffering from croup, in which the father concerned; yet, notwithstanding, the poor mother persisted all throughout that it was the bone, and nothing but the bone, which was the cause of all the mischief. I may remark that when I saw the child the morning of its death, it was quite sensible, and I put the following questions to it: "Do you feel the bone now?" Answer, "No." "Has it gone down? "Yes." Quite sure?" "Yes." The next day but one, I called upon the parents and obtained the consent of both to allow Dr McDonald to make a post-mortem examination of the throat, which he performed, kindly allowing me to be present, and in a few minutes proof was afforded that the mother was right after all. A flat piece of bone of triangular shape, rough-edged of course and so measuring at its sides as I afterwards found, 6-8th of an inch, was discovered lying flat against the larynx, or upper part of windpipe. Had the bone not been lying in this position, death in all probability would have ensued considerably sooner than it did, or if it been of a more irregular shape. The child was but laid on Sunday afternoon, four girls carried the coffin, and the Sunday School children, with their teachers, amongst several others, followed it to its last "little bed." The parents, especially the mother, are nearly broken-hearted at this sudden bereavement of their little one. Surely other parents will derive a lesson from this sad story, and be careful for the future of giving their children such food as soup without guarding that no insidious bones are ensconced therein. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8923582
BOTHWELL - 13 September 1872
An inquest was held at the house of George Wilby, situate at Piper's Gully, on Tuesday, the 10th September, 1872, before Alexander Reid, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable jury, of which Mr George William Ife was foreman, touching the death of Mary Wilby, aged 36 years, wife of the aforesaid George Wilby.
George Wilby deposed as follows: "I am the husband of the late Mary Wilby. My wife's health was usually good up to Sunday, the 8th September. She complained of pain at the blade bones occasionally. My wife did not dine with myself and others on that day. There was not room at the table, so she waited until we had done. There was Charley Allen, Samuel Ayres, John Bale, William Medhurst, John Parker and myself sat down to dinner together. After we had done, my wife and children sat down to dinner. All the persons I have mentioned as sitting down to dinner with me got up and went outside. I remained inside. I was going out when deceased caught hold of me by the arm and asked me to take her into the bedroom. When she got inside the room, she asked for a chair and said she was dying. She asked me to undo her clothes. I did so. She told me not to leave her, and I put her into bed. I never heard her speak afterwards. I remained with my wife until she died, which was at half past eleven o'clock that night. Trayton Medhurst came into the room to my assistance. Mrs Medhurst was present when my wife died. She was in the room about half an hour before she died. My wife did not appear conscious at all after she asked me to undress her. I spoke to her, but she did not answer. My wife had for her dinner some pork and parsnips and potatoes. She cooked the dinner herself. I was at home at the time the dinner was cooking. My wife made no complaint. She has been subject to pains in the heart and complained of pains in the head. Deceased took some Holloway's pills on Thursday last."
Trayton Medhurst deposed that he dined at this house (Wilby's) on Sunday last. After dinner, got up to go outside, when he heard a scream from the deceased. Afterwards went into the room where she was lying. Heard her say before I got into the room, "I am dying, I am dying, take my things off." Did not hear deceased say anything afterwards.
Jane Medhurst, wife of the last witness, deposed: "I was acquainted with the deceased, Mrs Wilby. Was sent for last Sunday night to see her, and arrived about 5 minutes to 11 o'clock. Found her propped up in bed with pillows. She was unconscious. She took no notice of me. Her husband was with her. I remained with her until she died, which was about half past 11 o'clock. Have known deceased for 10 or 11 years. She used to complain of disease of the heart, but not lately. The last time I saw deceased previous to her death was about a fortnight ago. She was not a very hearty eater."
Wallis McDonald deposed: "I am a legal qualified medical practitioner. I have this day made a post mortem examination of the body of the late Mary Wilby. Deceased came to her death from a disease of the heart, which I found much enlarged; the heart was so enlarged as to cause death.
This closed the evidence, and the jury, without hesitating, gave a verdict of died from disease of the heart, which was duly recorded, and coroner and jury, &c., started back for Bothwell as soon as possible. Wilby's place is situated in the midst of the bush, two or three miles at the back of Dennistoun; there are some saw pits in the neighbourhood, and the road to the house is that used for carting away the timber, and such a road, I for one, never care to "see the like again." From Dennistoun it was almost impossible to travel in a vehicle, except at a snail's pace without risk of an upset, owing to the steep rises, and deep ruts and holes, to say nothing of boggy places.
The weather here is very changeable; the snow which I mentioned in my former communication as falling on Saturday last, whilst I was writing, only lasted a few minutes and disappeared as it fell. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were quite spring days, and the trees and flowers seemed to feel the effects of it by showing forth their gay colours and leaves. Last night the wind blew tremendously, sometimes with hurricane blasts, and towards morning it was accompanied by squalls of rain. It is now blowing hard, a spice of the equinoctial gales, I suspect, and a wild appearance is exhibited all around the horizon, betokening, as a sailor might say, some "rough weather" not far off. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8922794
BOTHWELL - 5 March 1873
Our correspondent gives us the following fuller particulars of the sad accident that occurred there on Saturday afternoon last, resulting in the death of a young girl, named Lucy Jackman, aged 14, daughter of Mr and Mrs B. Jackman, old residents on this township, and nearly proving fatal to two other individuals, namely, Mrs Charles Sims and her daughter Louisa, aged 4 years, Our correspondent says: According to the evidence given at the inquest held on the body of Lucy Jackman yesterday (Monday, 3rd March), it appeared that Louisa Sims and her brother Charles, aged 6 years, were by themselves on the left bank of the river Clyde, the former amusing herself by throwing bits of sticks and pieces of tin, which were lying there, into the river, when all at once Louisa fell into the water. Her brother immediately ran to tell his mother, who hurried down with Lucy Jackman to the spot. The latter reached the river first, and, without a moment's hesitation, plunged in to rescue the little one. The water, however, was beyond her depth, and both were now helplessly struggling on the surface. Mrs Sims now rushed into the river, but found herself unable to reach the little strugglers for life. She then got a rail and held it out to them, but all of a sudden Lucy Jackman, as Mrs Sims stated in her evidence, disappeared. At this juncture, Master Edward Bowden, attracted by Mrs Sims' screams, arrived at the spot and leaped into the river, and was fortunate enough to rescue the child, and landed it safely on the bank. In his evidence he stated that he thought it was dead. The child, of course, was immediately taken to its home and every means at hand, thought of at the moment by friends and neighbours, taken to restore animation, and fortunately with success. Mr Stevens, the Inspector of Schools, was one of those who assisted with his advice. Master Bowden did not see Lucy Jackman at all until she was brought out of the river dead about an hour afterwards; her body was discovered at the bottom of the river, which at that place is about 9 or 10 feet deep, by some young men - I don't know their names - diving for her. Some instrument was then got, and the body dragged to the surface and placed on the bank. Mr Perkins stated in his evidence that from enquiries he made, and the time he himself was on the spot, the body must have been in the water from three-quarters of an hour to an hour. The poor girl, who lost her life in the endeavour to save another's, was buried yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr Ife marshalled the Sunday-school children in front of Lucy Jackman's late residence, at her parents' place, just prior to the corpse being carried to interment in the Episcopalian and Presbyterian burial ground, when a hymn was sung by the children and some others who were present, and a large concourse followed to the church and the grave. I omitted to mention that the jury, as a matter of course, based on the evidence found a verdict of accidental death from drowning but added thereto a rider that they "wished to record their high appreciation of the conduct of Master Edward Bowden in risking his own life to save the child." I may add that Mrs Sims was dreadfully grieved at the loss of Lucy Jackman, and that it was with great difficulty that her evidence could be extracted at the inquest. She had to be assisted into the inquest room, and supported, and restoratives administered whilst there during the time of her examination. Her little girl is all right again. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8925439
BOTHWELL - 19 April 1873
This place, the usual monotony of which has been somewhat disturbed of late by the advent of sundry visitors to it, on piscatorial pleasure bent, has within the last few days been gay beyond expectation, caused by the arrival of no end of visitors from far and near in all sorts of vehicles, from the dashing four in hand down to the humble but useful van, for the purpose of attending a grand ball, arranged to take place in the public entertainment room on Monday evening, the 14th inst. This was a return ball to the ladies and gentlemen of Bothwell, the promoters (speaking by the card) being Messrs Norman, Cameron, James, A. Gunn, Henry Dobson, and John Macfarlane. These gentlemen, in addition, had also invited a number of their friends and acquaintances in Hobart Town and other localities. Amongst those who put in an appearance with the Hon. the Attorney-General and Mrs Jackson, Walter Gellibrand, Esq., M.L.C., T. Gorringe, Esq., Warden at Green Ponds, Worseley, Esq., of Victoria, the latter of whom drove his four chestnuts. Mr Gunn drove up four greys, each carriage being well filled, principally with fair occupants. The ballroom was tastefully decorated with flags, &c., the company began to assemble about nine o'clock, and shortly after, what with the elegant and diversified costumes of the ladies added to their own bright charms, the room presented a most gay and enlivening appearance. Mr Dentith conducted the musical department, and Mr Allen furnished the supper and other refreshments. Dancing was kept up until near daylight next morning, when the company dispersed, well satisfied with their evening's or rather night’s amusement, all pronouncing the ball to have been a great success.
On Tuesday the whole of the visitors and others attended a picnic at the Falls, to which they had been invited by the ladies of Bothwell, a committee of whom had undertaken to provide the requisite refreshments. A large booth was erected near to the Falls, provided with long tables and seats, and sundry banners and other flags floated from the top of long poles erected adjacent thereto. The tables were loaded with abundance of viands of all sorts, solid and light, including magnificent grapes, and there was no lack of drinkables to quench the thirst or “tickle the palate.” The tables were not sufficiently large for the whole company to sit down at one time, but I think there could not have been much less than a hundred and twenty in the first batch. As to amusements, the materials for croquet were there, which some made use of; some examined the Falls and surrounding landscape, whilst others chatted and walked about taking an occasional glimpse at their neighbours, and no doubt surveying the whole scene, which, from the number of people assembled, their diversity of appearance and dress, flags flying, &c., really formed a most interesting scene, such as had never occurred in Bothwell before. The game of archery would have been played, but it so happened that although all other requisites were there, strings could not be found strong enough to hold their bows.
But the most exciting amusement of the day was a steeplechase to be run near the spot over some panels of stiff post and rail fencing erected for the occasion: the course a mile long, and distance twice round; the prize being a handsome hunting or riding whip, whichever the winner thought proper to select the same to be presented by the hand of a fair lady at the public entertainment to take place that evening. This affair was most exciting and drew out most of the township people as well as others so that altogether there could not have been less than 300 people on the ground. The race, although fixed for 3 pm, did not come off until nearly 4 o'clock. Mr Gallagher lent his stables and barn for saddling purposes, and at the time last mentioned five horses, their riders in regular racing costume, arrived at the starting point. They were Tomboy ridden by Walter Langdon, Miss Montacute by William Langdon, Loophole by Sydney Page, Fizzer by James Lord, and Desdemona by Alfred Ibbott. The result was as follows: Desdemona -1. Miss Montacute - 2. Fizzer - 3. Loophole - 4. Tomboy - 5. There was a fair start, and Desdemona made the first leap and kept the lead all throughout; none of the other horses getting near her until towards the last, when Miss Montacute pulled up to within a few lengths behind her, but never drew closer. Desdemona was therefore declared the winner. It was anticipated by some that the race would be won by Fizzer, his rider, Mr James Lord, being alleged to be the best horseman in the colony; however fate decreed otherwise. Mr Alfred Ibbott was warmly congratulated after the race by several of his friends. In the evening at the public entertainment in which several ladies and gentlemen from town took part, the room being crowded, Mrs A. Reid presented the promised whip (a present from the ladies of Bothwell to Mr Alfred Ibbott, upon the stage, accompanying the same with certain complimentary remarks as to his gallantry, &c., to which Mr A. Ibbott appropriately responded. After the public entertainment was over, the forms were removed, the room swept, and the ladies and gentlemen, as previously arranged, set to dancing again and kept it up until morning. Shortly after, the visitors began to take their departure homewards, and the town, at this time late in the day, has resumed its usual practice dullness. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8917036
BOTHWELL - 21 December 1874
Tidings have been received by last mail that Mr Robert Barr, J.P., now of 103 George-street, Edinburgh, Scotland, but for many years a resident in the Bothwell district, where he was always highly respected for his upright conduct and unpresuming and gentlemanly demeanour towards all classes, has made the handsome donation of £500 towards the endowment of the Presbyterian Church at Bothwell. Mr Barr is still a large landholder in the Bothwell district. The name of the estate is "Fordell," situate about five miles from the township, and adjoining the Dennistoun estate. Whilst living on his property here, Mr Barr had a very narrow escape of his life. He was sitting at table reading, when the notorious bushrangers Jones, Platt, and Moore made their appearance. Jones, pointing his gun at Mr Barr's head, called upon him not to stir. Mr Barr, taken by surprise at the unexpected and peremptory order, just lifted his head from off his book, when off went Jones' gun, the ball from which passed close to Mr Barr's head. Jones afterwards declared that the gun was fired accidentally. Mr Barr was, when a young man, in the Commissariat Department attached to the army, during the Peninsular War, and entered Paris with the British army in 1914. During the Battle of Waterloo, he was quartered at Antwerp, and I have heard him speak of the state of excitement that prevailed during that fearful gigantic contest, especially when a number of the Belgian Cavalry came galloping into the town, crying out that all was lost, and that the French were done at their heels. Mr Barr further told me, however, that the Governor had, just prior to the battle, received instructions from Lord Wellington not to pay attention to anything he might hear, unless it came direct from himself - that he hoped all would go well - and to keep everything as quiet as possible. In reference to Mr Barr's gift, it has to be added that Messrs A. McDowall, A. Reid, and Russell Young (solicitor) are appointed trustees for the endowment fund. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8934150