Paynesville is located 77 km east of Mount Magnet, Western Australia
Tom Payne 1906
Gold was discovered in this area in early 1898 by Tom Payne and Arthur Waldeck, and by April 1898 the place had been inspected by a surveyor and a plan of subdivision prepared. It was at first referred to as ‘Paynton’, and ‘East Mount Magnet’ and some records record the locality as “Fords” after another prospector.
By April 1899 local prospectors were using the name Paynesville, and it was with this name that the townsite was gazetted in 1900. It is believed to be named after Tom Payne. The railway from Mount Magnet to Black Range, passing through Paynesville, was opened in 1910.
Paynesville Town Map
Paynesville Cemetery – Reserve 6674
There are only five burials in the Paynesville Cemetery and only one headstone. As you will see from the rocky ground around it, the grave digging must have been very hard work.
The only memorial is an impressive one and is that of Ernest Harbordt.
Ernest Anton HARBORDT – 24yrs, died 11 Feb 1899, at his gold mining lease 416, Paynesville east of Mt Magnet. Buried by Walter Missingham, in the presence of Thomas Duncan and James F Ryan. Death certified by his friend, Archibald Morton. He was a single miner who had been in Western Australia for 3 years. he was the second son of Anton and Annie Harbordt. The verdict of the Coroners enquiry, was that the deceased came to his death from a blow on the head caused by a rock fall in the water shaft being sunk on the Lady Maud Lease, buried Paynesville Cemetery.
Grave Surround of Ernest Harbordt – photo by Paul Tonkin
Memorial to Ernest Harbordt – photo by Paul Tonkin
Mount Magnet Miner and Lennonville Leader 9 September 1899
Ernest Bruno EIFFLER –74yrs, died 27 Dec 1915, buried at Paynesville by A Johns, witnessed by H Nicholl and
J Graham. he was a carpenter who died of natural causes, born Gorlitz, Prussia, Germany, Father: Carl Ernst Ferdinand EIFFLER, Mother: Christiana Charlotte KARUSE, He married Mary Agnes HEAYNEY in Melbourne VIC at the age of 32yrs Their children at the time of his death were, Matilda 40yrs, Selina Bertha 39yrs, Bruno Ernst 37yrs, Anna Charlotte 36yrs and Minnie age 33yrs, buried Paynesville Cemetery.
Robert MILLIGAN – c 60yrs died 18 Mar 1928, buried at Paynesville by police constable J Markey from Sandstone, witnessed by A G Moses. he was from Victoria. A prospector who died of a gunshot wound in the head. He was found dead in his camp at Paynesville with part of his head blown away. A rifle was found lying on the bed beside him. Suicide, Verdict of the Coroner, buried Paynesville Cemetery.
Robert Milligan – Magnet Mirror and Murchison Reflector 22 March 1928, page 2
Timothy O’REGAN – 33yrs, died 27 Mar 1901, at the Surprise Lease, Paynesville GM, Paynesville, buried by Arthur Otto Peck. Wittnesed by John O’Regan and Thomas Payne. A miner, whos death came about by the breaking of a rope which caused a bucket to fall down the mine shaft upon him, born at Kinsale, Ireland – Father: James O’Regan (Farmer), Mother: Elizabeth KELLY, buried Paynesville Cemetery. Mine Death: www.wavmm.com
West Australian – Perth – 29 March 1901, page 5 Incorrect stated as Timothy RYAN
James Melville Gardiner TORRANCE – 55yrs, died 14 Apr 1935 aged at the Paynesville Hotel, buried at Paynesville by E S Moses, witnessed by police constable W W Hearn. he was a gardener who died of natural causes, supposed heart failure, born in Edinburgh, Scotland and had lived in WA for over 20yrs, Father: William Watson TORRANCE, Mother: Catherine Gardener MACK, buried Paynesville Cemetery.
TORRANCE – Geraldton Guardian and Express 25 April 1935, page 4
Ref:- More Lonely Graves of Western Australia by Yvonne and Kevin Coate
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