Cudgegong Valley History Project

Obituary

The sad news of Miss Blanche Carr's death came as a shock to her many friends. The deceased, who was only 19 years of age, passed away at Gulgong on the 2nd inst., the cause of death being pneumonia. Her remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Ulan cemetery on Thursday. The funeral procession arrived from Gulgong at 2 p.m., and a short service was held in the church. Mr. G. Carr, father of deceased, arrived from Gilgandra just as the funeral reached the cemetery. The meeting, indeed, was sad. Mr. and Mrs. Carr and family are assured that they have the warmest sympathy of their Ulan friends. Archdeacon Geer conducted the service.

Died in Gulgong.

Mr. George Carr. Another old and highly respected resident of the district, in the person of Mr. George Carr, of Murragamba, Ulan, has taken the long trail across the abyss of death. Deceased had been very unwell for some considerable time, and was under the care of the doctor on several occasions during recent years. He was born on the Goulburn River in 1848, and five years later his parents removed to Wilpinjong, where he and his brothers subsequently became shepherds for Mr. Tindale. It was a hard and strenuous life in those early days. There were numbers of blacks about, and the tribes wandered at their own free will. The Carr boys were at times left in the solo charge of one of the faithful lubras. By the time he was twelve George was able to assist his father to put in four acres of wheat and to cut it with the almost obsolete reaping hook. The seed was thrashed out by means of a flail. Each family had to grind its own flour, and the brown bread thus produced formed their staple food. Mobs of wild cattle roamed about and when the larder was low a raid was made on them. When a few wiry steeds were wanted the neighbours gathered round and yarded a mob of brumbies, from which they made their pick. When the flour gave out young Carr and his brothers would go to Mudgee, Muswellbrook, or even Maitland for it. Upon one occasion he saw the Hunter in flood, and was held up for weeks owing to the country being under water. He sometimes took down loads of wool and returned with food supplies. In due course Mr. Carr became a pit sawyer, in company with Mr. Archer, and made Miss Jane Archer his wife in 1875. He continued to work with Mr. Archer until he took up a selection on Murragamba Creek, where he resided until his death. In 1892 he was successfully operated on by Dr. McCormick for hydatids. His last illness began about eleven months ago, and the best medical skill was sought, but he never recovered. The end came in Gulgong on Thursday. The remains were conveyed to Ulan for interment, the service at the graveside being conducted by the Rev. H. Woodger. He leaves a widow and nine children, viz., Annie, Elizabeth, William, Victor, Viva, and Daphne, of Murragamba, Henry (Hillston), and Arthur (Upper Botobolar).