Cudgegong Valley History Project

DEATHS: JONES.- May 23, at Fernside, Rylstone, Isabella Jane Jones, of Walgett (Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, Saturday 2 June 1894, page 1141).

IN MEMORIAM. JONES - In loving memory of our dearly beloved and eldest daughter, Isabella Jane who died at her parents residence Fernside, Rylstone, on May 23rd 1894 (Maitland Daily Mercury, Thursday 23 May 1895, page 1).

DEATH AT RYLSTONE. Just as we were going to press we learned that Mrs. Jones, wife of Mr. D. M. Jones, passed away at her residence, "Fernside," near Rylstone, yesterday. Deceased was 69 years of age, and leaves a large family of grown-up sons and daughters. Deceased resided with her husband in the Walgett district for many years. To the bereaved family we extend our sincere sympathy (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 12 August 1909, page 14, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157682153).

DIED IN SYDNEY. There died last week at Balmain, Mr. David Morgan Jones, owner "Fernside'' station, near Rylstone. His name was well-known throughout the north-west, he having resided in Walgett for 30 or 40 years. He was the father of Mr. W. R. Jones, of Rylstone. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 12 February 1912, p. 3. Death David Morgan Jones

Death of Mr D. M. Jones. Sixty Years Pioneer. The death of Mr. D. M. Jones, of Fernside, occurred at his city residence at East Balmain at 5 p.m. on 8th February, after an illness of eight months. He took ill early in May, 1911, and during his long illness he bore up bravely with all the fortitude human energy could muster. He was confined to his residence the whole time, and despite every care and constant medical attention, the brave old man who had battled with all the perils and vicissitudes of an early pioneers life, gradually weakened, and the excessive heat of the last few weeks proved too much for the weakened and frail frame to withstand, and he passed peacefully away in the bosom of his family, as above stated. His remains were brought to Rylstone, and after lying in the local Church of England, where service was held over the body, the remains were interred in the family plot in the Rylstone cemetery, the Rev. Chivers officiating. The deceased was born in London in 1839. He came to the colony with his father and mother, a ber and sister in the ship "Blackheath," and landed at Port Phillip on St. Patrick's Day, 1852. His father, who was a guard in the employ of the Bank of England, took the precaution to bring a house out with him, and this he erected in eramton Street, Richmond. The family soon broke up after coming to the colony, through the death of their father, and at 14 years of age, the late Mr. Jones set out to carve his destiny in the world. Victoria was in a very primitive state in 1852, and the trials of a lad of 14 can be well imagined, but the indomitable pluck and perseverance, which stood to him so well in after years, early asserted itself, for after being buffeted about from pillar to post in his efforts to earn a crust to keep the home together, he decided to take to the country, finding service with the late Sir Terence Aubrey Murray on his Moruya cattle station, with whom he worked for four years. After this he served on many others. In 1858 he returned to his family and gave up his earnings to his widowed mother, and started out with his swag on his back for Sydney, and after taking several jobs on the way, he landed in Sydney in May, 1858, where he was engaged with Mr. John Gill, a large mail contractor in the North-west. Whilst in his employ he had an unique experience amongst horses, and by such was enabled to overcome much difficulty. His employer finally gave up the mails, and he had so much admiration for the deceased that he presented him with all the mail contracts that he held which ranged from Mungundi to Fort Bourke. He had visitations of drought, flood and fire, and during the period of 10 years in which he held the contracts himself he had severe losses, at one time losing 300 horses, and having all his mails cancelled, but upon the Government finding that the failure was due to drought a full refund was made. In those days cattle duffing and horse stealing was rampant, and the mailman saw much that to breathe a word about meant death, swift and sure. Many a man paid the penalty in those days for letting his tongue loose, and often the deceased carried his life in his hands. He had one experience with bushrangers. He was bringing the result of a Bourke land sale to Walgett, and when within 50 miles of the town, and just as he had started to cross the Castlereagh, which was in flood at the time, in a punt piloted by a gin, with his horse leading behind, four horsemen, known as Scrammy Jimmy's mob, came into sight, but before they could get near he had crossed safely, and sinking the punt, he mounted and set sail for Walgett, with the bushrangers, who had swam the river, in hot pursuit. Being a good bushman he slipped the bushrangers and landed the mail to John Hoath, then postmaster at Walgett, and who still lives at that place. He reported the occurrence and the presence of the horsemen. Next day Harry Lillyman, the Narrabri mailman, who had to convey the same mail to Narrabri, was found bound and gagged to a tree, and the mails missing, a few miles out of Walgett. In 1872 the deceased took on hotel keeping, having previously married a Miss Crois, of Singleton. "The Telegraph," as his hotel was called, was the second one opened in Walgett. For nine years he ran the hotel with infinite success, having with it the local pound in which he held what are now historical mobs of cattle. He took an active interest in the town's welfare, and was the selector's friend. He, in conjunction with Mr. G. H. Cohen (now of the "Mudgee Guardian"), started the Walgett "Mail," the first paper published at Walgett, and another notable event was the opening up of the road that is now the main road between Coonamble and Walgett. All the squatting interest, which in those days was all powerful, were opposed to the new road, but by Herculean efforts the deceased triumphed, and Mr. McMaster, now President of the Western District Land Board, surveyed and declared it open. As the Walgett correspondent of the Maitland "Mercury," he formulated and carried right into the heart of squatter-dom the free selector's cause, and his letters were a household treasure. His advocacy of Walgett's right to railway connection with Narrabri demonstrated him as an able journalist and penman. In 1881 he relinquished the hotel business and purchased Gamally Station, then of 50,000 acres. He held the station for two years, and sold out well in a good season. He subsequently lived at Melbourne and Sydney, and in 1886 returned to Walgett, acquiring a small station - "Trielmon - on the Castlereagh River, where good luck again attended him. In 1898 he retired from the Northwest altogether, purchasing the Fernside Estate in the Rylstone district, where he and his family have resided since. He had acquired considerable city property, and in all his transactions he brought to bear a shrewd tactful dealing which yielded splendid results. On 11th August, 1909, he lost his wife, the partner of all his joy and sorrow and a noble woman in all respects. From this blow he never recovered, but lost all interest in the world, and gradually retired a broken-hearted man, and his state of health was easily susceptible to invasion of senile weakness. An abstemious man, full of reserve, brooking no dictation, and with plenty of faith in his resource to overcome difficulty, he had by thrift and industry, accumulated a tidy fortune, which his family inherit, all being comfortably provided for. He is survived by nine children, three girls (Miss E. Jones, Miss McDowell, of Sydney, and Mrs. A. Caughell, of Nevada, America), and six boys, Arthur, Ernest, William, Walter, Alfred, and Lewis. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 15 February 1912, p. 22. Death Mr D M Jones

GRAZIER'S DEATH A well-known western grazier, Mr. William Robert Jones, or Fernside Station, Rylstone district, died suddenly yesterday at his residence at Selbourne-street, Burwood. Deceased was prominent In public affairs in the Mudgee district for more than 35 years. He was president of Rylstone Shire for two years, and a councillor for a long term. He was also known as a cricketer throughout the west, .and was identified with both Rylstone and Mudgee Agricultural Societies. A widow survives. The funeral will take place at Rookwood Cemetery tomorrow. Evening News, Monday 17 September 1928, p. 5. William Robert Jones Obituary

Sad News

DEATH OF MR. W. R. JONES WELL KNOWN RYLSTONE MAN WHOLE DISTRICT PROFOUNDLY SHOCKED Just as the Guardian was going to press a wire came to hand notifying the death of Mr. W. R. Jones, formerly owner of Fernside Station, Rylstone. The news will come, as it has to the proprietors of the Guardian, as profound shock to the many friends of the deceased gentleman in the Rylstone and Mudgee districts. For many years Mr. Jones was a prolific and valued contributor to the Guardian, and when residing at Rylstone acted as correspondent for that district. For the past twelve months he resided in the city, and during that time his "Sydney Notes" were always looked forward to eagerly. Of late, Mr. Jones had not been in the best of health, but about a fortnight ago when on a visit to Mudgee, he declared that he was "beginning to feel fit again." Universal sympathy in which the Guardian sincerely joins, goes out to the bereaved widow. Further particulars of the sad death will be published in our next issue. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 17 September 1928, p. 2. William Jones Death

The Late W. R. Jones

PASSING OF A FINE CHARACTER. SYMPATHY FOR SORROWING WIDOW. By the passing of William Robert Jones, very many people in the Rylstone and Mudgee districts have lost one of their most valued friends. As briefly stated in Monday's issue deceased passed away suddenly on Sunday. It appears that he was preparing for a game of tennis, but was evidently seized with a sudden illness while in the garden at his home, where he was found dead reclining under a tree. The late Mr Jones, until his departure for Sydney a couple of years ago, Presided on his well-improved estate at Fernside, Rylstone. A man of fine personality, he naturally attracted and held the esteem of all classes of the community, and, being gifted with more than average intelligence, he played no small part in every movement calculated to advance the interests of the district in lived and of which he was such a staunch supporter. Local Government matters interested him, and he served with conspicuous ability in the Rylstone Shire Council, where his opinions were always respected by his colleagues. Many other organisations also had the benefit of his valuable advice, and altogether the part he played in the district's advancement cannot be too highly commended. He was also prominent in sporting circles, and dearly loved a good horse. But perhaps it was in the cricket field that he will be best remembered. In the days when the grand old game boomed in the district, and when teams thought nothing of travelling considerable distances to meet one another in friendly rivalry, he was a power to be reckoned with. Gifted with a splendid physique and possessing ability above the average, he played an important part in making his club one of the most powerful in the district. His fast bowling was always to be respected, while in other departments of the game he was regarded as a particularly able exponent. Many an old comrade will mourn his passing. Being a man of vigorous intellect, politics naturally attracted him, and he expressed his opinions fearlessly on the leading questions of the day. He wielded a facile pen, and over a long period of years his contributions were a feature of the Guardian. Even after retiring into private life in the metropolis he continued to write forcibly on various matters of interest, and his opinions always commanded respect. He dearly loved a spiritual controversy, and at all times was willing to cross swords with other correspondents; but always without rancor, or indulging in personalities, or vindictiveness. We sincerely regret his lamented death, and extend deepest sympathy to his sorrowing widow, also to his brother, Mr B. Jones, of Rylstone. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 20 September 1928, p. 29. William Jones Obituary

MR. W. R. JONES.

Mr. William Robert Jones, of well known western pastoralist, died at his residence, at Selbourne-street, Burwood, on Sunday. He was a native of Walgett, and was 55 years of age. He was associated with the Fernside station, near Rylstone, for 37 years, and was the owner for the past 14 years. He took a keen interest in local public affairs, and was a councillor of the Rylstone Shire Council for some years. He was also a member of the Rylstone District Pastures Protection Board, a member of the Rylstone Agricultural Society, and of the R.A.S. In his younger days he was well known as a cricketer, his left-hand bowling being a feature of the matches in the western districts. He was also interested in the work or Rylstone Church of England for more than 30 years. Mrs. Jones survives him. The funeral will take place at Rookwood Cemetery to-day. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 18 September 1928, page 15. William Jones Obituary

DEATH MR ERNEST JONES Mr Ernest Jones, a highly esteemed member of a favorably known old Rylstone family, died in the Rylstone District Hospital on Friday last. The deceased, who was 65 years of age, had been an inmate of the institution for over 6 months, suffering from an incurable complaint, and the end was not unexpected. The late Mr Jones was of a genial and generous disposition, and was popular with a wide circle of friends throughout the district. He was the second eldest son of the late Mr D. M. Jones, who owned "Fernside" and "The Wheelbarrow" properties outside of Rylstone some years ago, and a brother of the late Mr W. R. Jones, a well-known contributor to the "Mudgee Guardian" up till the time of his sudden death a few years ago. Another brother was the late Mr Alf. Jones, who died during the pneumonic-influenza outbreak in 1916. The remains were interred in the C. of E. portion of Rylstone cemetery on Friday last. Rev. W. Mathers officiating. Surviving members of the family are Messrs Walter Jones and Lou Jones, both of Sydney (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 13 October 1932, page 6).

OLD MAN'S DEATH. Chimney Fell On Him. SYDNEY, Friday. While Arthur David Jones (77), was searching for firewood at a house which was being demolished, silt Oatley, the chimney suddenly fell on him causing severe internal injuries, which resulted in his death last night. Riverine Grazier , Friday 19 August 1938, p. 3. Death Arthur David Jones

CHIMNEY KILLS MAN. According to evidence given before the City Coroner, Mr Oram, yesterday, Arthur David Jones, 77. an old-age pensioner, of Oatley Avenue, Oatley, who was fatally injured when a chimney collapsed at a house being demolished in Woronora Avenue, Oatley, had said before his death that it was his own fault he told several persons including his wife, that he had been given permission to gather firewood from the house as it was being demolished, and that no one was to blame but himself for the collapse of the chimney. A finding of accidental death was recorded. Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 30 August 1938, p. 6. Coronial enquiry Arthur David Jones

DEATHS: JONES.-January 19, 1939, at his residence, 4 Union Street, Arncliffe, Walter Norman Jones, formerly of Fernside, Rylstone, dearly loved husband of Daisy Leonine, and dear father of Lionel, Norman, and Bremler, aged 61 years (Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 20 January 1939, page 10).