A telegraph was received at Cue from Burnakurra, stating that a trucker who was employed at the Wha GM at Errolls was killed. It also stated that the body was buried at Errolls and that no inquest was opened. The newspaper three days later reported – “In the circumstances, it will be necessary, in order that the jury may view the body, to exhume the remains. The actions of those responsible for the premature burial is wholly inexplicable, in view of the fact that a police officer is stationed at Barrambie, a few miles distance”.
Norseman Times 29 May 1908, page 2
It appeared the fatality was preceded by a very peculiar combination of circumstances. Smith, had a contract for hauling dirt from an open cut, which was completed on the day previous to his death. He however, at the request of the management, agreed to work another shift, and should, in the ordinary course, have gone to work at two o’clock, the usual hour, and ceasing at 10 p.m. For some reason however, he was unable to commence until two hours later, when his attention was drawn to the fretting of the ground by some Italians. Smith continued working, and at 11 p.m. about two hundred tons of earth fell away. Smith was killed, also his horse pulling the trucks, and his dog. Had Smith been able to commence work at the usual time, he would have knocked off at 10 p.m., an hour prior to the accident. It is thought the fall was due to the recent heavy rains percolating the ground.
Errolls near Sandstone-Frederick SMITH Photo by Tricia and Ian James 2006 (Flowers by Nature)
Frederick William Smith died 21 May 1908 aged 33yrs at the Wha Gold Mine at Errolls in the Sandstone district. – buried at Errolls by John Pooley. Witnesses present at the burial were Charles H Driver and John Looney. Death certified by Howard Bryden Smith (brother of the deceased) at Barrambie. Smith was a miner who was accidentally killed by a fall of earth at the Wha Goldmine. Born at Fords, South Australia – son of Isabella (nee Graham) and James Neilson Smith (Farmer). At the inquest, a verdict of accidental death was returned with no blame attached to any person.
Note:- Steve Rogers (Author of ‘No Sign of the Time) told that many years later in the mine in which Smith was killed, Bluey Woinar (who is my husband’s Great Uncle) from Menzies, had found a revolver under a mass of quartz with one shot fired and five bullets still in the gun. So doubts arise as to whether Smith was killed by a bullet or the quartz fall. It is thought that he may have been buried alive and had taken his own life rather than slowly perish. In recent years Steve Rogers cleared up the gravesite and repaired the headstone.
NOTE: Errolls is sometimes referred to as Errols. It is along the Meekatharra Sandstone road.
Moya Sharp
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