Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of Mr. W. Thompson. News was received in Mudgee this morning of the death at Widden of Mr. W. Thompson, sen., one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district. The deceased had reached a ripe old age and is survived by his sons Messrs. William, John, James, Alfred and Joseph Thompson, and by his three daughters Mrs. J. T. Frost, of Rylstone, and Mrs. C. Tailby and Mrs. Dickenson, of Sydney. Mudgee Guardian, Friday 7 July 1899, p. 11. Obituary William Thompson

Headstone reads: In loving memory of William B Thompson Beloved husband to Elizabeth Thompson Who died 4th July 1899 Aged 79 years [With Elizabeth Thompson]

SAD DEATH. A very sad case of lock jaw resulted in the death of Mr. Will. Frost, eldest son of Mr. John Frost, of Nulla Mountain, on Friday last. The particulars of the case are very distressing. For some time deceased had been working out on the Widden Ranges, off Nulla Mountain, with his ber suckering, and about a week prior to his death, he ran a splinter in his forefinger to a considerable depth, but immediately pulled it out and dressed the finger. After a few days it seemed apparently well, but about 12 o'clock last Wednesday night he felt uneasy and symptoms of lock jaw made themselves felt in the unfortunate young fellow, who decided there and then to make for his home on Nulla Mountain, some 12 miles distant, preparing to make the journey on foot with his ber; rather than waste time looking in the darkness for their horses. They accomplished the journey, but the symptoms were making themselves very painful. With all speed he was hurried to Rylstone, arriving there on Thursday. Dr. Hansard was called in, but from the first held out not the slightest hope of recovery. The deceased became unconscious on Friday and remained so till his death late on that day. The deceased would have been 43 years of age on the 18th of this month. He was a plain, unassuming man, and well liked by all who knew him, and his untimely and sad end cast quite a gloom among the family acquaintances. To the relatives and friends much sympathy and condolence has been extended in their hour of trouble. The burial was conducted on Sunday morning, the remains being followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends, being interred in the Church of England portion of the local cemetery, the Rev. Chivers officiating (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 12 May 1910, page 22).

DEATH OF JAMES THOMPSON.

The death of Mr. James Thompson, the famous horse-breeder, is reported, and came as a great shock and a surprise to even his most intimate friends. Last week Mr. Thompson went for a motor trip along the northern and western lines, and at Medlow he was seized with a painful heart trouble, which compelled him to remain until Friday last on the Mountains. He returned to his home at Strathfield on Friday evening, and under medical care made, apparent, rapid progress. On Monday evening, he was visited by his great friend, Mr. John Inglis, who found him cheerful and optimistic. He signified his intention of going to the races during the week, but next morning he was dead. The cause was heart failure. Mr. Thompson was a man of great natural strength, and apparently in the enjoyment of robust health. He led an active bush life for many years. He was born in the Rylstone district, and was one of a stout-hearted band of brothers who transformed the greater part of Widden Valley from a densely-timbered country to a fair pastoral paradise. Mr. Thompson was always a first-class judge of cattle and horses. As a reward for his judgment in the purchase of a large draft of stock many years ago, the late Hon. E. K. Cox presented him with a thoroughbred filly, by Yattendon. She was afterwards known as Keepsake, and her descendants materially helped to establish Mr. Thompson as a horse breeder. About 18 years ago Mr. James Thompson and his brother Alfred purchased Lochiel at a high figure. This was the turning point of his career as a breeder, for Lochiel, was an immense success as a stallion. In time Grafton came to Widden later to help the old son of Prince Charlie in the work. This was another lucky hit. The progeny of Lochiel and Grafton have made the name of Thompson a household word all over sporting Australia. Less than a year back Mr. Thompson retired from active service, and handed the management of the stud over to his sons, intending to enjoy the balance of his days, at his ease.

Death of Mr. James Thompson. At Homebush yesterday morning the death occurred of Mr. James Thompson, one of Aus tralia's leading breeders of thoroughbred stock. Mr. Thompson started breeding at Oakleigh, near Widden, and later extended his operations to Woodlawn (near Rylstone) and Wingarra (near Bylong), and was interested in the three places up to the time of his death. Lochiel was the first stallion owned by Mr. Thompson to make a name at the stud, and after the latter came Grafton, whom, as well as Ayr Laddie, Sylvanite, Royal Artillery, and Petrillo, he and his sons used this season, though they only had the last-mentioned horse on lease. Mr. Thompson's stud of mares was probably the largest in Australia, and it may be mentioned that at the recent sales he and his sons were represented by no less than 63 yearlings. Mr. Thompson bred many of the best horses seen on the Australian Turf of recent years, but owing to lack of space in this week's issue, I am only able to refer briefly to the deceased gentleman's association with horse-breeding in this State.

DEATH OF MR. JAMES THOMPSON

Mr. James Thompson, owner of the famous Widden thoroughbred stud, succumbed (suddenly to heart disease last Tuesday morning at his residence at Strathfield. The deceased horse breeder was always regarded by his friends as being a particularly robust man and his death therefore came as a great shock. He was 61 years of age, but seemed to carry his years lightly. He was a good-living man, genial and temperate, and he had a big host of friends in the racing world and amongst pastoralists. It is not often that dreams are acknowledged as having any significance in regard to coming events, but a well known Rylstone man mentioned a few days before Mr. Thompson's death that he had dreamt that the Widden stud muster was dead, and the dream seemed to have troubled the dreamer a good deal. Of course, it was not recalled to Mr. Thompson.

JAMES THOMPSON.

The unexpected death of Mr. James Thompson was the most discussed topic at the races on Wednesday, and very general regret was expressed at the loss of such a worthy citizen. Mr. Thompson was buried on Wednesday afternoon. Had the interment taken place a day previous, or a day later, there would have been a large assemblage of sportsmen to pay their last respects to the old studmaster, who was well liked by all who knew him, for his friendships were not lightly made, or lightly broken. Mr. Thompson was an exceptionally levelheaded man, whose honesty of purpose equalled his undoubted courage and capacity for work. He possessed the faculty for minding his own business, and this, with other simple virtues, combined to make him a notable man, who would have succeeded in any walk of life. Nature endowed him with gifts that enabled him to win fame in the management and judgment of stock, and his studs at Widden and Wingarra stand as monuments to his energy and capacity. The stud of thoroughbreds now owned by his sons began in a very humble fashion with one mare. Today the firm owns the largest collection of thoroughbred mares in Australia, and, in addition, James Thompson's brothers, William, John, and Joseph, are large owners, as are his nephews, W. B., C. L., and Alfred Thompson, who all started with mares bred by James Thompson. As I mentioned last week, Lochiel was the first touchstone of success, then came Grafton, a wonderful stallion, who is now supported by Ayr Laddie and Royal Artillery, while next door to them, at Widden proper, J. and W. Thompson keep Maltster, whose phenomenal success as a stallion has brought his owners into high prominence as breeders. Since J. and W. Thompson dissolved partnership in all their horses except Maltster, John Thompson and his son Alfred have purchased Linacre. These stallions are used by the family under some special arrangement, which is one of the reasons of the success of the Thompsons as breeders, for, if a mare is unsuitable for one horse, she goes to one that is considered the right mate for her. All this was inaugurated by James Thompson, who looked the strongest of all his family, yet he was taken with hardly a sign or warning. Comparatively recently Mr. Thompson was medically examined, and pronounced as sound as a bell. Never a moment's sickness worried him until his heart refused its office at Mellow, after a long motor trip with Messrs. J. N. Hart and John Brown. Of all the horses, great or mean, that have been through his hands, Mr. Thompson loved Lochiel the best. The horse was the apple of the studmaster's eye, and great was the shock when, in seeming good health, this famous son of Prince Charlie ripped out into his paddock one bright morning for his gallop, and before he had gone many paces dropped dead with hardly a kick. Mr. Thompson used to say he was glad to think the old horse went that way, without a pain, and it is a curious coincidence that his own ending was somewhat similar.

DEATH OF MR. J. THOMPSON. Mr. John Thompson, the owner of Widden Stud and part owner of the premier stallion, Maltster, died yesterday in a Sydney private hospital. Mr. Thompson carne down for the races on Friday, but was taken ill that evening with hemorrhage of the brain, and was at once removed to a hospital. He never regained consciousness. Deceased was 70 years of age. Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 8 October 1914, p. 8. Death John Thompson

STUD BREEDER DEAD Mr. J. Thompson of Widden, Sydney, Thursday. Mr. John Thompson, owner of the Widden Stud, died yesterday, aged 70. Gundagai Times, Friday 9 October 1914, p. 4. Death John Thompson

Death Notice DICKINSON. February 15, 1926, at her residence, "Koyong," Pennant Hills, Alice Faith, dearly beloved wife of J. R. Dickinson. Sun, Tuesday 16 February 1926, p. 10. Death Notice Alice Faith Dickinson

Funeral Dickinson. - The friends and relatives of Mr. J. R. Dickinson are kindly invited to attend the funeral of his dearly beloved wife, Alice Faith, to leave “Koyong,” The Crescent, Pennant Hills, tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, at 9.45, for the Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood. Wm. Metcalfe and Co., Parramatta. Telephone UW8839. Sun, Tuesday 16 February 1926, p. 10. Funeral Notice Alice Faith Dickinson

OBITUARY Mr. Alfred Thompson, one of the founders of Widden Stud, died at his home, Marrickville, Sydney, on Friday the age of 72 years. The funeral took place on Saturday, at Rookwood Cemetery. The deceased is survived by his widow and three daughters (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, Tuesday 24 July 1928, page 4).

DEATHS FROST. - April 4, 1933, at his residence, 46 Middle Head-road, Mosman, John Thomas, dearly-loved husband of Mary Ann Frost (Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 5 April 1933, page 12).

FUNERALS FROST. The relatives and Friends of Mrs Mary Ann Frost and Family are invited to attend the Funeral of her beloved HUSBAND and their FATHER John Thomas to leave his late residence, 46 Middle Head-road. Mosman, THIS DAY, at 2 p.m., for Church of England Cemetery, Northern Suburbs. T. J. ANDREWS, Funeral Director, 04-08 Walker-street, North Sydney. 'Phones, L2873 and X3033. FROST.-The Friends of Mr. W. J. FROST, of Mosman are Invited to attend the Funeral of his beloved FATHER, John Thomas; to leave his late residence, 40 Middle Head-road, Mosman, THIS DAY at 2 p.m., for Church of England Cemetery, Northern Suburbs. FROST.-The Friends of Mrs. W. J. CHANDLER are Invited to attend the Funeral of her beloved FATHER, John Thomas; to leave his late residence, 46 Middle Head-road, Mosman, THIS DAY, at 2 p.m., for Church of England Cemetery, Northern Suburbs. (Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 5 April 1933, page 11).

THE MUSWELLBROOK CHRONICLE. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1939. DEATH. MR JOSEPH CHRISTIE THOMPSON. The death at Brentwood Hospital early on Saturday morning last of Mr. Joseph Christie Thompson, at the age of 75 years, has removed another member of a family known throughout Australia for a long association with the Australian turf. The late Mr. Thompson was the youngest son of a family of 13, all the sons having been engaged in the breeding of horsey many of which achieved distinction on tracks in all States. Deceased was a ber of Mr. William Thompson, studmaster of "Yarraman Park,'' Scone, who celebrated his 90th birth day on Sunday last. Deceased is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Tailby (nee Miss Elizabeth Thompson) of Stanmore. The late Mr. Thompson took ill about two weeks ago, and was admitted to Brentwood Hospital for treatment. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Barber Thompson, of Widden, deceased was born at Nulla Mountain, in the Rylestone district, and came to Muswellbrook 40 years ago, and had resided at "Loch Maree," Mitchell-street, for 34 years. In his early years of residence here he made periodical visits to old friends in the Rylestone, Widden and Denman districts, always ending up his holidays on short visits to Mr. Harold Simpson (Jerry's Plains) and Mr. W. and Mr. E. Ireland, friends of many years' standing. In addition to his interests as a studmaster, the late Mr. Thompson associated himself with many town movements. He served in the Municipal Council as an alderman when Mr. Fleming was Mayor, and was a member of the School of Arts for many years. He was a foundation member of the Bowling Club, and a member of the green and pavilion committees, and had taken part in Country Week games as a member of the local team. The late Mr. Thompson achieved considerable success as a horse-breeder. His favorite horse was "Loch Maree," after which his home was named, and an oil painting of the horse was one of Mr. Thompson's treasures. The top price realised for one yearling was 1500 guineas. Many of the yearlings sold by him afterwards became leading performers. One horse bred by the late Mr. Thompson is Urangarra, who performed with considerable success on the Sydney and Melbourne tracks. Another successful performer is Miss June, now on lease and racing in Queensland. The late Mr. Thompson was always a great supporter of the returned soldiers, and until recently had rarely missed a function held under the auspices of the local Returned Soldiers' Club. The remains were interred in the Church of England cemetery at Jerry 's Plains on Saturday last, following a service conducted by the Rev. H. Hampden-Hobart, at St. Alban's Muswellbrook. A large number of mourners followed the hearse on its journey to Jerry's Plains, and the gathering included representatives of all sections of the community, the Bowling Club being represented by Mr. E. W. Shaw (president) and the School of Arts committee by Mr. A. B. Vincer. The Rev. F. W. Rush (Rector of Jerry's Plains) officiated at the graveside. Floral tributes were received from the following: - Miss E. Thompson; Mrs. A. E. Thompson and family; Mr. and Mrs. T. Clendinning and boys; Kiss and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Turnbull and family; Miss Daisy Frost; Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Brown; Mr. and Mrs. N. Simpson; Mr. and Mrs. T. Howard and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Smith and Lester; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Lowe; Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Clarke; Cecil Frost; Robert, Walter and Archie Frost and families; Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Parkinson and Clifford; Muswellbrook Bowling Club; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Brayley and family; Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge; Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Tindale; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Beynon and family; Mr. W. J. Frost and sisters; Mr. and Mrs. Ireland; Mr. William Thompson; Mrs. Tailby and boys; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ireland and daughters; Muswellbrook Ladies' Bowling Club; Miss Clare Forrest; Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Wallace; Mrs. Gibb and son; Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Thompson; Mr. A. W. Thompson and family; Mrs. K. Sullivan and Mrs. Ware; Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Robinson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Simpson and boys; Mr. and Mrs. H. S, Thompson (Muswellbrook Chronicle, Tuesday 9 May 1939, page 3).