Robbery Under Arms on the Coolgardie Road In the early days of the Goldfields, the escort used to leave Coolgardie every week with parcels of gold varying from £5000 to £50,000 in value. It was a common remark to hear passed by the diggers, who usually gathered to watch the gold being taken out of […]
The Secret Life of Major Pelly – Gentleman of the Road
Four years after the establishment of the Department of Mines in 1894, it bore little resemblance to the tiny Mining Branch which had started operation within the Department of Lands and Surveys in Perth Western Australia. Mr. Patrick Pelly, a clerk with the Department, was remembered as a reserved, courteous and obliging old fellow; however, […]
Why ‘Black Bob’ Left Ben Hall’s Gang
You may not know, but in the Coolgardie Cemetery lies the son of one of the ‘Supposed’ members of Ben Hall’s bushranger gang. His name is William HASSELL – buried 24 Jan 1898, aged 34 years, died at Coolgardie Hospital, Cause: Enteric Fever, Father: William Thomas ‘Black Bob’ HASSELL, Mother: Julia LALOR, Born: Ballarat East, Victoria, […]
Robbery Under Arms – by John Marshall
Robbery Under Arms on the Coolgardie Road In the early days of the Goldfields the escort used to leave Coolgardie every week with parcels of gold varying from £5000 to £50,000 in value. It was a common remark to hear passed by the diggers, who usually gathered to watch the gold being taken out of […]