Cudgegong Valley History Project

MUDGEE. (from our correspondent ) Another of the few remaining pioneers of the district has passed away in the person of Mr. Evan Richards, father of the member for Mudgee. It may be said of the deceased that he never left an enemy behind. Although a Protestant, he counted amongst his best friends members of the Catholic community, many of whom came miles to attend the funeral, one coming from Wollar (40 miles) and another from Gulgong (20 miles). Monsignor O'Donovan also paid his last respects to the memory of the deceased gentleman by his presence at the funeral. In his demise Mudgee lost a man whose charitable and broadminded spirit caused him to be loved and respected by everybody. (Freeman's Journal, Saturday 12 August 1899, page 22).

DEATH OF MR. E. RICHARDS, SEN. MUDGEE, Tuesday. - Last night Mr. Evan Richards, father of Mr. E. Richards, M.L.A., died at the age of 78 years. Deceased had been for 50 years a resident of the district. When he first arrived in the colony he was connected with the old St . Jame's School, but was subsequently selected by the late Archdeacon Gunther to open St. John's School, in Mudgee. He afterwards joined the Civil Service, from which he retired. He leaves a widow well provided for. In early politics deceased was a prominent factor locally, having fought in all the principal battles side by side with the late Dan. Cassin, and he took an active part in the first election under Responsible Government (Evening News, Wednesday 26 July 1899, page 3).

Death of Mrs. Richards. At a Ripe Old Age On Tuesday last, the Angel of Death claimed one of Mudgee's oldest identities in the person of Mrs. Evan Richards, relict of the late Mr. Evan Richards. The deceased lady had attained the ripe old age of 72 years at the time of her demise, and was one of the good old stock whose activity and vitality were wonderful to behold at such an advanced age. Mudgee has been the good old lady's home for over 50 years, and though only surviving her late widely-respected husband by two years, she lived to see all the members of her family - a large one - married, and comfortably settled in life, which is so pleasing to a mother. The deceased lady's end was sudden and unexpected, and it came as a shock to her family and friends. She had been suffering from an ailment of the foot, but nothing serious was anticipated, although confined to her bed. On Tuesday however, the end came, when she was conversing with members of her family, who were gathered at the bedside after dinner. The late Mrs. Richards was plain and unassuming in manner, and many acts of charity performed by her in a quiet and unostentatious fashion, have been revealed now that she is no more, and shows that in life she carried out the precept, "Help thy neighbor as thyself." The deceased's family are Mrs. Moore, of Sydney; Mrs. Town (now in England), Mrs. Wells, Mrs. Deane, Mrs. Leslie, and Mr. Edwin Richards, M.L.A., Mr. David Richards, and Mr. Evan Richards, and they are left to mourn her loss, and to them we extend our heartfelt sympathy. The funeral was largely attended, and one vehicle contained quite a number of deceased's old and intimate lady friends, who came to pay their last respects to their old friend. The coffin was covered with a large number of beautiful floral tributes, in the shape of wreaths and crosses, one being sent from Parliament House, Sydney. The remains were interred in the Primitive Methodist portion of the cemetery on Wednesday, the Rev. J. H. Lewin, assisted by the Mr. F. Walkden-Brown, officiating at the grave. On Sunday morning next a memorial service will be conducted in the Primitive Methodist Church by the Rev. J. H. Lewin (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 16 May 1901, page 12).

The Latest Wedding. HART - WELLS. At the residence of the bride's parents, "Lauralla," on Thursday last, Mr. John Sullivan Hart, licensed surveyer, Loutoika, Fiji, third son of Mr. J. Shadrack Hart, of "Irton," Petersham, was married to Miss Edith Wells, eldest daughter of Mr. H. E. A. Wells, Mudgee. The wedding was a quiet one, owing to a recent bereavement, and was confined to the relatives of both families. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful dress of white Brussels net over glace silk, trimmed with point lace. She also wore an embroidered tulle veil, arranged over a coronet of orange blossoms, and carried a shower bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss Elsie Wells, sister of the bride, and Miss Emmie Sullivan, of Petersham, cousin of the bridegroom. Their dresses were of creme voile, over terracotta silk, and each wore gold bangles, and carried bouquets of pink hyacinths, with pink streamers, also the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. Percy Shadrack Hart, of West Australia, bRother of the bridegroom, acted as best man, and Mr. P. G. Wells as groomsman. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Archdeacon Dunstan. The guests were entertained after the ceremony, and, later on, the happy couple left by train to Mt. Victoria, en route for Jenolan caves, where the honeymoon will be spent, and will leave for their home in Fiji by the "Pilbarra" early in October. The bride's travelling dress was a smart tailor-made costume of blue serge, and a blue hat trimmed with French goffered silk. The wedding presents were numerous and handsome, and were displayed in the hall, and will be conspicuous in the new home of the bride. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 11 September 1905, p. 2. Wedding Hart and Wells

Fashionable Evening Wedding FRANCIS - WELLS. An evening wedding took place in Sydney on Tuesday, 28th May last, when Mr. Egbert Dunkerton Francis, of Tavan, Fiji, was married to Laura Louise (Elsie), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. A. Wells, of Lauraville, Mudgee. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Wallace Deane, M.A., of Fiji, cousin of the bride. Mr. Chas. Lamb, of Fiji, acted as best man, while Miss Sylvia Francis, of Brisbane, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid. The bride was given away by her father. She was dressed in a beautiful soft white satin dress, veiled with crepe ninon, with pearl edging to tunic. The square train fell from a Madame Butterfly bow at the back. She wore a plain tulle veil and wreath of orange blossoms, and carried a shower bouquet. She also wore a magnificent gold necklet of Australian stones, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaid was dressed in white crepe de chine. She wore a Juliet cap, and carried a shower bouquet, and also wore a gold necklet of tourmalines, the gift of the bridegroom. The wedding breakfast was held at the Hotel Wentworth, Wynyard Square, where about 60 guests sat down, including the parents of the bride and bridegroom, and visitors from all parts of the State, Brisbane, and Fiji. The Wentworth string orchestral band played suit-able selections during the evening. The health of the contracting parties was duly honored. They then went by motor to the Australia Hotel, and afterwards embarked by the steamship, "Malieno," for Auckland (New Zealand), where the honeymoon will be spent. After visiting the beauty spots of New Zealand, they will travel by Tonga and Samoa, to their home at Fiji. The bride's travelling costume was a Tussore coat and skirt, trimmed with scarlet hat to match. The wedding presents were numerous and costly, including cheques from Brisbane, Victoria, and Fiji. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 6 June 1912, p. 22. Wedding Francis and Wells

Mr. H. E. A. Wells. Death in Mudgee. Mr. H. E. A. Wells, one of the oldest and best-known men in this district, died in Mudgee on Friday last, and was buried in the local cemetery yesterday. The old gentleman had been ill for a considerable time, he having sustained a paralytic stroke which sent him to his bed many months ago. Despite all that could be done, he gradually sank and passed away. Deceased was one of the most capable men in the North-West, and was universally respected. He leaves a wife and family to mourn. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 12 June 1916, p. 2. Obituary Henry Wells

Death of a Pioneer. Late Mr. H. E A. Wells On Thursday evening last one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district, in the person of Mr. Henry Edward Alexander Wells, died at his residence, Lewis-street, at the age of 66 years. Deceased had been very unwell for a long period. About 18 months ago he was suddenly stricken down with a paralytic stroke, and, although he rallied at times, still nothing that medical care or careful nursing could do enabled him to shake off the effects. Of late months he was bedridden, and gradually grew more and more feeble, till at last death supervened and he passed away, mourned by the whole district. The deceased was born in Castlereagh-street, Sydney. He was the son of the late Mr. William Henry Wells, who was for years a prominent member of the State Survey Department, and whose name is perpetuated in the parish of Wells (Rylstone), and William Henry Street, and Wells Street, Sydney. His father was one of the best known Government officers in the State, and, in his spare time, devoted his attention to the compilation of a New South Wales "Gazeteer," the manuscript of which was, after many years, purchased by the State Government, and is now lodged in the State Museum. The late Mr. H. E. A. Wells was educated at St. James' School, and at Kane's Academy, Sydney. The latter institution was one of the foremost schools of its day, and taught some boys who afterwards became famous in the annals of the Commonwealth. On leaving school he entered the office of Messrs. Want, Johnson, and Want, who, at that time, was one of the biggest firms in the metropolis. Here he received a thorough grounding in law, which stood him in good stead in later life. On reaching the age of 20 years he came to Mudgee, and took up a position as clerk in the office of Messrs. Brodribb and Clarke, who practiced their profession in the offices later on occupied by the junior member of the firm (the late Mr. Edward Clarke), and which are now occupied by Mr. H. J. McPhenson. This position had become vacant owing to the death of the occupant, Mr. Bayliss Ramsay (son of the late Dr. Ramsay, and a ber of Mrs. Herbert Lowe, of Goree), who was thrown from a horse and killed. Two years after reaching Mudgee Mr. Wells married a sister of Mr. Edwin Richard, ex-M.L.A. for Mudgee and now proprietor of the Rylstone "Express," and Mrs. F. Leslie, of Mudgee. This lady's father was the first school teacher chosen by the late Ven. Archdeacon Gunther for the old St. John's Denominational School, which had some brilliant teachers, and yet more brilliant scholars. After some years spent in the legal profession, Mr. Wells about 35 years ago, forsook it, and turned his energies into land dealing and general auctioneering. He read up the land laws, and soon became recognised as one of the leading authorities on land matters in New South Wales. In the settlement of the Mudgee district he took a leading part, and knew the history of almost every one of the old estates for many miles around. In this connection his knowledge of law stood him in good stead. Not one of his articles has ever been found faulty in construction, while the cases he had before the Land Appeal Court were so lucidly and carefully prepared that he invariably won them. Such a leading authority as Mr. George Briner, M.L.A., once took a case for deceased, and remarked at its conclusion that the preparation of the case was so thorough and comprehensive that success was absolutely assured. Old hands will recall the big case of James Dixon Little and the A.J.S. Bank, the hearing of which occupied several days. The late Sir Frederick Darley was the counsel for the bank, he being instructed by the late Mr. Edward Clarke, who had Mr. Wells to assist him. The plaintiff was represented by the late Mr. "Jack" Want, instructed by Mr. Geo. Davidson, of Mudgee. The case was keenly fought out, but it was a point suggested by Mr. Wells in reference to a cheque that gained the day for the bank. The deceased started business first in premises in Lewis-street, near the Royal Hotel, and built up a large connection by keen business acumen and fair dealing. Some years later he purchased premises which stood on the site which his market has occupied for years past. This was at one time the Mudgee Post Office and Town Hall, and was two stories high. A quarter of a century ago a big fire gutted the building, and Mr. Wells bought the destroyed place, rebuilt it, and started business therein. He had an abiding faith in the future of this town and district, and dealt extensively in properties. He owned a number of residences and business places, including the Miners' Arms and Railway Hotels, and the Mudgee Motor Garage at the time of his death. The late Mr. Wells always took a keen interest in public matters, For a time he was a councillor of the Meroo Shire. Just prior to the last State election he was appointed returning officer for the electorate of Mudgee, vice Mr. A. S. Tuckerman. He conducted the last elections, but, shortly afterwards, was stricken down with paralysis, and had to resign his post. He was one of the oldest trustees of the Mudgee Race Course, and, in politics, was a leading organiser for the late Mr. A. G. Taylor, M.L.A., and Mr. W. C. Wall, M.L.A. His great organising capacity gained his man the victory, on almost all occasions. Hundreds of people have been freely assisted with advice by the deceased. His advice was always sound. He was generous in assisting charitable objects, many of those in necessitous circumstances being quietly and unobstentatiously helped in time of trouble. He was a great believer in building societies, and was a director of several during his lifetime. Besides a sorrowing widow, the following children are left to mourn: Mrs. Hairt (Fiji), Mrs. Francis (Fiji), Mrs. Harold Hardwick (Mudgee), Mrs. T. Nicolls (Cremorne, Sydney), Mr. P. G. Wells (Mudgee), and Mr. V. H. Wells (Justice Department, Sydney). The remains were laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the Mudgee Cemetery on Sunday last, the Rev. W. J. Dunstan officiating at the graveside. The funeral cortege was very large, being headed by members of the Mudgee Friendly Societies Association, including the Oddfellows, of which lodge he was a member for 45 years, and the alderman of the Mudgee Council, who were the pall-bearers To the sorrowing family and relatives we extend our sympathy. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 15 June 1916, p. 12. Obituary Henry Wells