An Eerie Premonition – Michael Madden

I recently started researching the death of this miner because of an entry I found in the Annual Report from the Department of Mines for 1897 which stated, that a miner called John Madden, had been killed in an accident on the Goongarrie GM. As this name was not one we had listed I started looking for him on TROVE. It turns out that the DMP report had give his first name incorrectly and he was actually called Michael “Mick Madden’.  There is an unusual story about him prior to the accident. Do you think he had a premonition of his death or was it just a coincidence?

THE GOONGARRIE FATALITY   –    PARTICULARS OF THE ACCIDENT.
Goldfields Morning Chronicle 31 Jul 1897

Metal ‘Cut out’ sculpture at Menzies depicting a mine accident.

The fatal accident which befell Michael (Mick) Madden in the Goongarrie Proprietary Gold Mining Company’s, main shaft (Boddingtons Mine), and which has given rise to complications in connection with the inquest, appears to have been a very sad business. The local correspondent of the Menzies Herald describes the affair as follows :—” For nearly two years the unfortunate fellow resided here amongst us, and was a great favourite with everyone. He was always ready with a kind word or helping hand to those in trouble. He was fond of sport, a great lover of fair play, a good workman, and a staunch comrade.

It is strange, that though the accident was beyond all human calculation, that the coming event did, as Campbell says, cast a shadow before the day. The day prior to the accident, the deceased, in company with two of his brothers and Mr. P. C. Hughes, had himself photographed for the very first time for many years. Before going to work, on a sudden impulse he told his brother Jack where he hidden his money when away at work. This secret he had kept strictly to himself up to that time. Seeing some everlasting flowers on the table at breakfast, he remarked how nice they would be to make funeral wreath of. He further expressed a wish that he might work in the underlay and not in the main shaft, as he did not like it.

Old Goongarrie Townsite 1950’s

Within an hour after entering the shaft he was taken out a battered and mangled corpse. He was only 30 years of age, and will be greatly missed, not only by his brothers, of whom there are two here, one at Bulong and one at I.O.U., but also by all those with whom he came in contact. Details of the accident, which took place on Monday, show that the men were timbering the shaft by means of a skeleton cage, and Madden, who was adjusting a centre, overbalanced and fell. He immediately gave the alarm to his brother, J. Madden, who was on the upper portion of the cage, by shouting ” Stop her ‘ Stop her ” J. Madden immediately looked down and saw the timber falling.
The Braceman then signalled the driver to haul up,and it was found that the unfortunate man had fallen to the bottom, a distance of 140 feet. Assistance was quickly at hand, and in the course of a few minutes fully 60 men were at the shaft. In the meantime Messrs. Murray and Madden proceeded to the bottom, and a shocking sight met their gaze. The corpse was lying in the water with the head almost -severed from the body. The brains were scattered about in all directions. Both of the deceased’s arms were broken, and his back was also broken in two places.”

GOONGARRIE CEMETERY

Goongarrie Cemetery, Grave of Peter Cushion.

BROUGH Emma Elizabeth d. 9 Nov 1896 age 27 -North Coolg death cert 43/1896, daughter of Jabez RAWLINGS (Baker) and Sarah GREEN, Born in Bradford England. Cause of Death Dysentery, She was married in Essendon VIC at the age of 20yrs to George BROUGH.

This may be the grave of Emma E BROUGH but it can’t be confirmed.

CUSHION Patrick (Paddy)  d. 6 Oct 1896 age 36 – North Coolg death cert 18/1897 (see large headstone above) from Brough, Ireland. It is an amazing feat of logistics to imagine getting this very large headstone and surrounds all the way from Perth. Goongarrie is an isolated spot even today, and it must have been very difficult to get it here in one piece. Died at the Goongarrie Hotel, Goongarrie

From the Coolgardie Miner 7th October 1896   –     MENZIES.
A sad accident occurred at Goongarrie yesterday. A man named Patrick Cushion was crushed between a wagon and a post and severely injured internally. Dr. Duncan, of Menzies, was wired for, and reached, the 90-Mile with all possible speed, but without avail, as Cushion sank rapidly and died last night. He was buried in the local cemetery this afternoon

Inscription on the grave of Patrick Cushion.

GRANT Mary d. 29 Mar 1899 age 3 mnths – North Coolg death cert 21/1899 daughter of Charles Grant (Ganger) and Tillie KILLEEN, Cause of death Tuberculous., Born in Kalgoorlie WA

GRENFELL William James d. 16 Nov 1918 age 66 (Wood Carter)  Coroners Verdict accidentally killed by a tank of water falling on him while carting water – North Coolg death cert 12/1918, Born Claire, S Aust

LAPSLEY Alfred Harvey d. 3 Sept 1905 age 2 1/2 – North Coolg death cert 38/1905, Cause of death Tuberculous, Son of Harry Lapsley (Carrier) and Ida GRIEGER. Born Goongarrie.

MADDEN Michael d. 26 Jul 1897 age 32 – mine accident – North Coolg death cert 55/1897 son of William Madden (deceased farmer)  and Mary nee MOLAN from Smythsdale VIC

MAJOR Beatrice Maud d. 24 Oct 1897 age 3 months – North Coolg death cert 75/1897 daughter of Thomas Fergus Major and Margaratta STEVENSON, born Goongarrie. Cause of death, Gastro Enteritis accelerated by journey. Died in Gill Street, Goongarrie.

MIERS Frederick d. 27 Jul 1916 age 47 – North Coolg death cert 12/1916
Western Argus 1st August 1916- THE LATE MR. F. J. MIERS,  The funeral took place at Goongarrie on Saturday of the late Frederick J. Miers, well known as a prospector in the district, whose death occurred on Thursday. Respected as the deceased had been for his many fine qualities and his patient bearing of constant ill-health, practically all in the township, including Mr.J.Allen, manager of the Boddington Consols, were present to pay their last respects at the graveside, the Rev. Mr.Shrews-bury officiating.

MOUNSEY George d. 5 Apr 1899 age 38 – North Coolg death cert 20/1899, Son of Johnathan and Ann SOUTHWARD, born in Sebastopol VIC , Cause of death Heart Disease, Inquest held.
Newcastle Morning Herald 13 Apr 1899:- The death In Western Australia Is announced of Mr. George Mounsey, well kuown in. mining and athletic circles at Ballarat,  Creswick and Allendale. the deceased, who was 30 years of age, leaves a widow and family.

RYAN Edward d. 4 Nov 1899 age 34 – North Coolg death cert 51/1899, cause of death Haemorrhage of the lungs,

SAUNDERS Marguerite d. 23 Jun 1897 age 19 days – North Coolg death cert 60/1897 daughter of Joseph and Alice SAUNDERS nee MCAULIFFE, born Goongarrie.Cause of death, Inflamation of lungs.

TEMPLEMAN Mary d. 20 Jul 1901 age 5  Daughter of John and Sarah Jane WARREN, born Watchem VIC.