John Sutherland, better known as the ‘Duke of Sutherland’, died on the 26th of February 1895 in his own camp at Nannine, in the Meekatharra district. His age was not known. He was a miner who was shot dead by an old friend, Henry Augustus Muller, who then killed himself. Both men were old identities […]
The Men Who Passed Through – Part 1
Western Mail – Perth 24 October 1940, page 9 OLD PEAK HILL By Suter Abis, Inglewood. Dear Non-Com. Many moons ago I wrote several articles on “Old Peak Hill,” but a flood of correspondence of a similar nature from other pens about other parts put me out of action. As there is a lull in […]
Jules Gascard – pioneer profile
In the days before the motor vehicle and on the eve of the arrival of railway travel the horse and the camel ruled the transport business. Jules Samuel Gascard was one businessman who was at the forefront of this booming trade. Cue 1896 – Jules Gascard’s Livery stables are the largest in the colony and […]
The Story of the Murchison – part 2
Following on from the first part of this tale from earlier in the year: The Story of the Murchison Part 1 Extract from a paper prepared by F Bateson and read to the WA Historical Society on the 25 October 1946. Early in 1895, I (Frederick W Bateson) was offered a position at the Star […]
The Story of the Murchison – Part 1
As told by the nephew of the Late J C Peterkin, also called J C Peterkin, in Perth, March 1946. About the years 1889-1890, Gilles MacPherson and J C Peterkin met in Perth. Both were old Kimberley and Queensland prospectors, they had known each other for a long time but had never actually worked together. […]





