Cudgegong Valley History Project

INQUESTS. FATAL LIFT ACCIDENT? An inquest was held at the Lloyd Hotel, George street North, on Saturday, before the City Coroner, into the cause of death of Henry Walter Wentworth White l8, who died from injuries on Friday caused by falling a distance of 40ft from a goods lift at Farmer and Co. Limited, Pitt street. Dr. C. E. Corlette said he examined the body and found a fracture of the left leg, a wound at the bend of the left elbow, compound comminuted fracture of the lower jaw, blood issuing from the ears and from the nose, indicating fracture of the base of the skull. The cause of death in his opinion was fracture of the skull. George White, lift driver at Farmer and Co. Limited, said he lived at Forest-road, Hurstville. Deceased was his ber and was born at RyIstone. Deceased resided with witness, and was employed at Farmer and Co. Limited, as a messenger. Deceased had been there 10 months, and was well accustomed to the lifts. Witness knew the goods lift, which was used every day by the employees. Thomas Flynn said it was part of his, duty to work the goods lift at Farmer and Co., Limited, at the Market street entrance. He was in charge of the lift on Friday, and the deceased entered it on the ground floor. Two girl employees got on at No 1 floor. They all said they wanted to go to the top floor. As the lift was ascending the deceased attempted to jump on to the fourth floor, but missed his footing and fell to the bottom of the lift, a distance of about 40ft. Witness had no idea that he was going to get out. The lift reached the top floor safely. Witness was driving the lift at the usual pace. He had been working the lift for two years without mishap. Witness left the lift at the top floor and went down to deceased, whom, with assistance, he got out. A doctor was sent for and pronounced him dead. It was a goods lift without any doors, but only one side of the lift was open. The deceased appeared to get frightened. Charles Glynn, an employee at Farmer and Co., Limited, said that on Friday he was ascending in the lift with the deceased, who attempted to get out at each floor. Deceased appeared to be panic stricken. At the fourth floor deceased attempted to get out and was knocked down on to the floor of the lift. Witness did not advise deceased not to attempt to get out. After the lift left the first floor it went at an unwanted pace. At the fourth floor the deceased jumped out he clutched at the protection, and was knocked down on his stomach. He was balanced on the edge of the lift, clutching at the rope. His right hand and right leg were the last to leave the lift. Further evidence was given. A verdict was returned to the effect that the deceased died from injuries accidentally received through attempting to alight from the lift whilst it was ascending. Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 16 June 1902, p. 9. Inquest Henry Walter Wentworth White

Deaths. WHITE - June 13, accidentally, by a fall from a lift at Messrs. Farmer and Co's., Henry Walter Wentworth (Wentie), second son of H. K and M. L. White, of Hurstville, aged 18 years. "Ye know not what a day may bring forth." Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 17 June 1902, p. 1. Death Henry Walter Wentworth White

Death of Mrs Tailby, (Catherine Timmins) Probably the oldest resident of the district. In the death of Mrs Tailby probably the district loses its oldest inhabitant, she having arrived in the district in 1835-70 years ago. Her death, which took place 16-9-1905 at her residence, Rylstone, was due to senile decay,but the end was very sudden. She awoke on Saturday morning at 4 o'clock when her grand-daughter, Miss Tailby, saw she was in pain at 6 o'clock. Mr George Tailby her son went for the doctor, but before he had returned she had breathed her last. She quietly stepped over the border line with no rude shock, as gently almost as an infant goes to slumber. It might truly be said the candle burnt to it's socket and the flame gently died away. The deceased lady would have been 86 years of age in December, and belongs to a long lived family. Her mother lived to 100, and one of her botherers is 96, and another over 90, and like Mrs Tailby, saw very little sickness. Mrs Tailby was a native of Richmond, as was also her husband, whom she survived 25 years. Old hands about that place will remember the brotherer last referred to, Jack Timmins, the drover with his famous dogs who would do more than a dozen men. Mr and Mrs Tailby came to the district shortly after their marriage and lived at Rockville, now the property of Mr George McQuiggin. In 1854 they took up Fernside and also purchased what was then known as Willow Glen, a grant to Captain Chevelle. The district was at that time known as "Narrangra", a black's name signifying "no grass,"having got that name from the fact that it was part of a cattle run at Marsdens, and the black herdsmen used to keep the stock around the part they knew until it was eaten very bare. Mrs Tailby was noted for her attention to the sick of the district. No call for kindness ever passed her unheeded, and she would ride at all hours and over bad roads and bush to give assistance. Many a man and woman in the district now getting on the shady side of life, were first clothed by the lady who has now gone to her rest. In church matters Mr and Mrs Tailby took a prominent part, and the Anglican and Methodist Churches in the olden days owe a great deal to them. Divine service was frequently held at their home. Mr Tailby paid a considerable sum at the completion of the Anglican Church, which was subsequently refunded to him as funds became available. The home at Fernside represented a phase in pastoral life that does not now exist-at least only in the back country if at all. Mr Tailby had sheep and cattle stations at Coonamble, the latter being Gallargumbone and the former Merri-Merri station, now owned by Mr Peacock, one of our most wealthy squatters. Fernside (then Willow Glen,) was acquired as a shearing depot, it being a common thing in those days to travel sheep where there was more convenience for carriers, and where the sheep could be washed away from the cattle. The Cudgegong (which all old hands say has much changed in character) was very suitable for the purpose, being a chain of very long ponds. The wool was washed on the sheep's back and shorn, and the sheep again traveled back to Coonamble as they came. About 7,000 sheep were brought down each year in this way, though the number reached as high as 9,000. Mr Tailby was the first white man to settle at Gallargambone, but he considered the climate unsuitable to live in, so fixed his home at Rylstone. It is worth mentioning that in those days Mr Tailby was never interfered by the lawless bushranging characters who were too common at that time. This is attributed to the fact that Mr Tailby would never have an "assigned" servant - that the system being productive of so much cruelty. The deceased lady left 4 sons and 9 daughters, 42 surviving grand-children, and 29 great-grand-children. Most of the family are married and left the district. One daughter married Mr W. W. Armstrong, so well known as C.P.S. here for a number of years, and another married Mr H.K. White the local chemist at the time. Mrs Tailby died full of days and honor, and very much of the "sting of death" is removed, but there is always avoid, where the "pale horse and his rider" takes away a loved one. As many as possible of the family were present to show the last token of love, and many residents attended the funeral on Monday. We add ours to the many expressions of sympathy for those who miss a dear familiar face now gone. Rylstone Express, 22 September, 1905. Obituary Mrs Tailby

DEATH OF MRS TAILBY, sen. Our Rylstone correspondent writes:- "I regret to report the death of Mrs. Tailby, sen., of this town. The deceased was the relict of the late George Tailby, and was one of the oldest residents of this district. Some 30 odd years ago Mr. and Mrs. Tailby settled on "Fernside", and reared a large and respected family, and up till 10 years ago occupied that estate, and at Mr. Tailby's death the family removed to Rylstone, where the lady died. Up to two years ago, deceased was an active woman, but old age and infirmity eventually came, and she became bedridden, and on Saturday morning last, at 6 o'clock, after a long illness, she passed away to that "bourne from whence no traveller ever returns." Deceased was 86 years of age at the time of her death, leaves a family of six daughters and one son to mourn their loss, and to them I tender my most sincere sympathy in their sad affliction. The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Rylstone cemetery on Monday afternoon, the Rev. F. J. Harris officiating at the grave. [Deceased was the mother of Mrs. Thurston, of Mudgee. - Ed. "G."] Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 21 September 1905, p. 13. Obituary Catherine Tailby

Death

TAILBY.- September 16, 1905, at her residence, Richmond Cottage. Catherine, relict of the late George Tailby, of Fernside near Rylstone, In her 86th year. Australian Star, Saturday 14 October 1905, p. 6. Catherine Tailby Death

Headstone reads:
In loving memory
of
George Tailby
Who died 17th June 1880
Aged 74 years
And also of
Catherine Tailby
Relict of the above
Who died 16th Sep 1905
Aged 86 years
Until the day break

DEATHS. WHITE - September 4 at the Eastwood Pharmacy, after many years of painful suffering, Maria Louise, dearly beloved wife of Henry K. White, aged 62 years. At rest. Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 8 September 1915, p. 10. Death Notice Maria Louise White

DEATHS. WHITE - November 18, Henry Kirke White, chemist, late Rylstone, beloved father Mabel, George, Alice, Olive, and Gordon, in his 79th year. Interred privately 19th , Woronora Cemetery. At rest. Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 21 November 1923, p. 12. Death notice Henry Kirke White