Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of Mr. John Pateman. The tolling of the bell of St. John's Church yesterday evening announced the passing away of Mr. John Pateman, one of Mudgee's oldest towns-men. The deceased had by three years passed the allotted three score years and ten, and had been ill for some time, his condition being such as to hold out but the very faintest hope of recovery. Mr. Pateman is survived by a widow and grown up family, who will have the deep sympathy of their many friends (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 19 January 1905, page 13).

DEATH OF MR. W. PATEMAN. On Tuesday night last death took kindly generous William Pateman by the hand, and released him from many months of suffering. Mr. Pateman was 51 years of age, and was the son of Mrs. J. Pateman. He was a highly respected resident of Mudgee, unassuming, and held in the greatest esteem by all acquainted with him. He leaves a widow and eight children, four sons and four daughters. His character may be summed up briefly. He was an affectionate son, a good husband, an indulgent father. The funeral took place yesterday to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery, Ven. Archdeacon officiating (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 9 July 1908, page 14).

Death of an Old Resident MRS. CAROLINE ELIZABETH PATEMAN. The death occurred at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. James Dykes, Gladstone-street, Mudgee, yesterday afternoon, of Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Pateman, relict of the late Mr. James Pateman, aged 80 years. The deceased lady was very highly respected and esteemed, and during her long residence in the Mudgee district had made a host of friends. She had a disposition and was very charitable, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone. The cause of death was general break-up, the deceased having been ailing for about 11 months. The late Mrs Pateman was a native of Smithfield (near Parramatta) and came to Mudgee with her husband and two young children 59 years ago, when they went to Pipe-clay and opened up a bakery business there. At this time the great gold rush was on at Pipeclay. After remaining at Pipeclay for a few years they came to Mudgee, and took up their residence at a site where Messrs. Jas. Loneragan (Mudgee) Co.'s wool and skin establishment, in Mortimer Street now stands. After remaining in these premises for some time, they removed to Market Street and opened up business at a shop where Mr. W. Sheath at present resides. After remaining in the shop for 11 years they removed to Sydney for about two years and then to Smithfield (Mrs. Pateman's native town) and opened a bakery business there and remained there for about two years after which they returned to Mudgee again and opened up a bakery business opposite Mr. W. Bowen's present fruit shop. After remaining in these premises for three years they removed to premises on the corner of Church and Mortimer streets, where Mr. A. Douglas at present conducts a business, and after carrying on business for the lengthy term of 18 years they removed to the premises where , the well-known "Pateman's Bakery" business is at present conducted, under the management of deceased's daughter, Mrs. W. Gordon. The late Mr. James Pateman pre-deceased his wife by about 13 years. The deceased leaves five daughters and three sons, namely : - Mrs. Quarter (Parramatta). Mrs. Rossiter (Wellington. N.Z.) Mrs. McDarra (Sydney), Mrs. W. Gordon (Mudgee), Mrs. Jas. Dykes (Mudgee), John (Mudgee), James (Mudgee) and Sidney (Paddington). Besides the above children the deceased leaves 37 grandchildren and a great number of great-grandchildren. The funeral took place this afternoon, the remains being interred in the Church of England portion of the general cemetery. The Rev. Canon W J. Dunstan officiated at the graveside. Mr. H. Barton had charge of the mortuary arrangements (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 24 October 1918, page 16).

FOUND DEAD Tragedy at Lapstone LAST Tuesday Mr. W. R. Pateman, an ex-Mudgee man, left his work at the Mortlake gasworks and as he did not return to his home at Concord the police were notified. On Monday the authorities were informed that the body of a man had been found on the great western road, at the foot of Lapstone, and the police, upon investigation, found a letter in the dead man's clothes addressed to W. R. Pateman, of Concord, also a contribution card issued by the Labors Council and Union Secretaries' Association. Mr. Pateman, who was a returned soldier, visited Mudgee recently on holidays, and renewed the acquaintance of his many friends, among whom he was extremely popular (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 11 January 1934, page 7).

POISON Self-Administered MAN FOUND AT KNAPSACK That William Richard Pateman (28), died from strychnine poisoning self administered whilst temporarily mentally deranged, in the scrub bordering the Great Western Road, near Knapsack Bridge, was the verdict of the district coroner, Mr Arthur Judges, at an inquest held at Penrith Court House on Wednesday. Dr. Higgins stated that about 7 p.m. on 8th inst, accompanied by the coroner and a member of the police force, he journeyed by car for a distance of about five miles along the Great Western Road toward Glenbrook. Then they proceeded with the sergeant of police about 30 yards into the scrub. Lying on the ground was the body of a fully dressed man. He was well dressed. Sergeant Payne examined the clothing in witness's presence, and found a small tin branded "poison, pure strychnine." When it was opened he found that it contained white chrystalised salts. He also saw the sergeant extract sundrv papers, and beside the body was a cup and a large flask containing white fluid and branded "Orlando Conto Light Port." There, were minor marks on the back of the hand that could have been caused by the hands fighting a rock nearby. Assuming that the tin was full of strychnine, there would have been enough in it to kill fully 400 people, the fatal dose of pure strychnine being half to two grains. If deceased had taken about five grains it would have killed him in less than half an hour. Taking everything into consideration there seemed very little doubt that deceased had committed suicide by taking a poisonous dose of crystal, and had placed himself in a comfortable position on his back before doing so. John Herbert Watts, a railway fireman, residing at 18 King Street, Lithgow, stated that he visited the Nepean District Hospital morgue on 9th inst and there saw the body of his ber-in-law, William Richard Pateman. Witness had known deceased for about 30 years, His demeanour and disposition were those of a very quiet man, always cheerful and fond of sport. Witness last saw him alive on 30th December last, at Lithgow for about two minutes, as he was passing through to his home. Deceased appeared to be cheerful. Witnesses ber, George Andrew Watts, who was employed at the Mortlake gas works, informed witness that on 2nd inst he spoke a few words with deceased, asking him how he enjoyed his holiday and inquiring about his sister's health. Witness's ber said that deceased left his bag in a locker when he left for home, which was an unusual thing for him to do. Sergeant Payne, Penrith, gave evidence as to examining the clothing, as referred to in the doctor's evidence. The Sergeant said that he also found sundry papers and an envelope addressed W.R. Pateman, 38 Links Avenue, Concord, and besido the body he found a handless cup which contained white crystals or a white powder and a large flask containing a small quantity of white fluid and branded "Orlando Conto White Port." Deceased appeared to have died peacefully. George Ernest Bunyan, butcher, Emu Plains, stated that about 6 p.m. on 8th inst, he met a young man named Abbott who informed him that he had found a bicycle at the foot of the Mountains a few yards off the Great Western Road in some ferns; he also said that he smelt a bad odour and that he had certain suspicions. Witness immediately accompanied Abbott to where the bicycle was standing and proceeded into the scrub. After walking about 30 yards witness found the body of a man fully clothed, even to the hat, lying on it's back in some scrub. Witness informed the police. Gladys May Pateman, widow of deceased, living at 38 Links Avenue,Concord, stated that deceased left home, between 6.30 and 6.45 a.m on 2nd inst. to go to his work at the Gas Works, Mortlake, where he had been employed about 11 months. Deceased appeared to be in his usual cheerful mood, said Mrs. Pateman and when leaving ho kissed me. and said, 'Isn't it lovely to have you back home and to have you here when I come home to-night. This remark was passed by deceased evidently as a result of my returning home on the Saturday previous from holidays, and when closing the door he farewelled me by saying good-bye. He also requested me to purchase some plants and to inquire if there were any 500 parties taking place on the following Saturday night. My husband was a native of Mudgee and was 38 years of age. He was a returned soldier, but had not suffered from ill-effects as a result of his experience. Deceased was generally due to arrive home from his work at about 5.30 p.m. On 2nd inst he did not do so, and about ten to eight on the following morning I made inquiries at the Mortlake Gas Works and ascertained that my husband had censed work the previous evening at about 5 p.m., and had not been seen or heard of at the works after. Deceased was seen about 6 o'clock in the vicinity of his home by an employee at the Gas Works, and on the following day, Wednesday, he was seen at Concord West by a friend. I immediately instituted inquiries and searched, and placed the matter in the hands of the police. I never saw my husband any more or heard of him until I identified the body at Nepean District Hospital morgue on 9th inst. My husband was a very temperate man, and I know of no reason whatever why he should take his life. We lived very happily together. On 2nd inst, whilst at work, one of the workmen at the Gas Works observed the deceased standing with his head bent, and he inquired of deceased if there was anything wrong, and deceased replied that he was a bit tired of the holiday. Deceased had spent the holiday at Mudgee and returned to his home on 30th December. On the Monday he played tennis all day and appeared to be in his usual good mood. He had not complained of ill-health. My husband did complain to me that he had been struck on the head with a hook at the works. When I inquired if he suffered any ill effects he just, laughed it off and said that he was all right (Nepean Times, Saturday 20 January 1934, page 1).

DEATH: PATEMAN. Stanley Clarence. - September 18, 1973, at R.C.H., Concord, of 12 Napoleon Street, Riverwood, formerly of Rooty Hill, also Mudgee, loved husband of Grace (deceased), loving father and father-in-law of Connie. Ethel and Fred, Frances and Harry, Stan and Irene, loved grandfather and great-grandfather of their families. In his 76th year. For funeral particulars see Friday's "Herald." (Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday, September 20, 1973, p. 42).

September 20, 1973, p. 42).FUNERALS: PATEMAN. - The relatives and friends of the late STANLEY CLARENCE PATEMAN are Invited to attend his funeral, to leave St. Alban's Church of England, Rooty Hill Road. Rooty Hill tomorrow (Saturday)after service commencing at 10.30 a.m., for Pine Grove Crematorium, Eastern Creek (Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, September 21, 1973, p. 32).