Story - William James Barrows

Stories of William James Barrows


Social and Presentation (Border Watch, 25th Sep 1907)

On Monday evening the members of the Mount Gambier Methodist choir assembled by invitation at the residence of Mrs. J. Grove, to tender a complimentary social to two of their number - Mr. W. Barrows, jun., and Miss B. Hurrell - who were shortly to be married. Music and social intercourse filled in a few hours, and the genial hostess then supplied her guests with supper. During a break in the proceedings, Mr. J. C. Dunning, on behalf of the choir members, presented Mr. Barrows and his intended with a joint keepsake in the form of a handsome silver egg cruet. In doing so Mr. Dunning, who was for many years conductor of the choir, paid a warm tribute to the valued and consistent service rendered by Mr. Barrows and Miss Hurrell, both in assisting to lead the musical services on Sundays, and in responding willingly whenever a demand was made for solo numbers.

He expressed a hope that, not withstanding their approaching marriage they would long continue to take a prominent part in church life at Mount Gambier. Mr. A. A. Haddy responded on their behalf.

WEDDING Barrows - Hurrell. (Border Watch, Sat 5th October 1907)

A quiet wedding took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Wilson, North Terrace, Mount Gambier, on Wednesday afternoon when Mr. W. Barrows, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W Barrows, of Pine Hill, Penola road, and Miss Alice Beatrice Hurrell, Mount Gambier, were united in matrimony. The ceremony was performed in the drawing-room, and the Rev. W. B. Mather was the celebrant. The bride who was given away by Mr W. Wilson, was tastefully gowned in ivory crystal silk, richly trimmed with lace and insertion, and she wore a wreath of natural orange blossom, and an embroided veil. She was attended by Miss. Vera Foster as bridesmaid who was attired in a pink silk muslin, trimmed with Valenciennes lace, and a picture hat to match. She wore a gold dagger, set with pearls, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr. Barrows was attended by Mr. Gilbert Cobbledick as best man. At the conclusion of the ceremony, 'The Wedding March' was played by Miss Amelia G. Higgs. An adjournment was then made to the dining-room where about 40, mostly relations, sat down to an excellent breakfast. The usual toasts were proposed and honoured. The young couple were the recipients of many congratulatory telegrams from friends, and left the same evening by rail, en route for Port Victor, where they will spend the honeymoon. The brides going away dress was a navy blue coat and skirt and cream hat.

The bridegroom's present to the bride was a gold chain and star pendant set with pearls.

A bachelor, farmer, he married at age 36, to Alice Beatrice Mary HURRELL age 24, spinster, dressmaker, on Wednesday Oct 2nd 1907, in the private house of Mr William Wilson, Mt Gambier, in the presence of Mr G G Cobbledick, farmer, Mt Gambier and E V I Foster, shop assistant, Mt Gambier by Rev W Benson Mather.

 

Methodist Anniversary (Border Watch, 21st Sep 1907)

The Methodist church at Kalangadoo has been erected for a year and Sunday last was it's first anniversary. To celebrate the event special services were conducted - afternoon and evening - by the Rev. W. Benson Mather of Mount Gambier. The church was well filled on both occasions, and a special music service was carried out, to which the Misses Mather contributed several duets. On Wednesday the anniversary was further celebrated by a public tea and concert. For the convenience of visitors a special train was run from Mount Gambier in the afternoon and between 40 and fifty persons took advantage of the opportunity for an outing.

The tea was laid out in the church, and was largely attended. The concert in the evening was held in the Public Hall. A capital programme was submitted to a large audience, many of the performers being members of the Mount Gambier Methodist choir. The programme was as follows:-

Overture, Misses Higgs : song 'Questions,' Miss W. Palamountain : song, 'The Swallows,' Mrs. Grove (encored) : song 'Will o' the wisp,' Mr. W. Barrows (encored) : duet, 'The lily and the rose,' Misses C. and D. Mather : recitative 'The Jester,' Miss A. C. Habner : song 'Shadows,' Mr. E. J. Hammell (encored) : song 'Somebody's sweetheart, I want to be,' Miss M. Higgs (encored) : pianoforte solo, Miss I. Kemp (encored) : Violin solo, Miss D. Mather : coon song, ' Sadie' say you won't say no,' Miss B. Hurrell : duet, 'In the dusk of the twilight,' Misses Higgs and Palamountain : song, 'Flight of ages,' Mr. W. Barrows : song, 'O, dry those tears,' Mrs. Grove : recitation, 'The Unsolved Problem,' etc.

History written by W.J.Barrows in 1958 at 87 years.

W. J. Barrows born 19-5-1871 at Mingbool. The family used to drive a horse in spring cart to Church, about eleven miles through swamps and very rough road. A few years later we shifted to Torrensdale. I can just remember Dad playing a flute to help the singing in the very small Church. [The Church built by T. Atkin at Holdings gateway.]

After leaving there we shifted to Penola Rd and lived in a small house while building a bigger one in 1879.

There were four sisters older than me. The five of us went to Sunday School at the home of Mrs. Fidler until we were old enough to attend the town Sunday School which at that time was under the Church. I remember seeing from the front of the Church, the last of the Aborigines Camp on what is now the Catholic property.

We kids all started school at Sutton Town, one and a half miles away, Mr & Mrs Cadwallader were the teachers. We took six-pence every Monday morning to help pay the teachers. A few years later we went to the Town School, a seven mile walk each day. My sisters all joined the Choir when old enough, and stuck to it until they were married. I started about 1887 and put in about 40 years. All but one of us did our share of solo work.

In 1907 I married one of the Choir girls and when the family started to come she found she had other duties and left the Choir. She has done her share of Church work and is still going strong at 75. She made a good job of bringing up our family of three, Laurie, Olga and Bryce and they all joined up the choir and Bryce is still there (1958), so there has been a Barrows in the Choir for about 80 years.

In 1879 the railway to Beachport was opened and Mother took one of us to Adelaide by boat from Beachport & back.

I finished school at 13 years and started ploughing the same year, when almost too small to harness the horses which were fed 5 A.M. & 9 P.M. and walking over a hundred miles a week. We had some fine horses & bred several stallions. When a foal was expected I often got up 2 or 3 times a night to see every thing was O.K.

When the first cheese factory started I carted milk 5 miles receiving 2.5 pence a gallon. We had 600 sheep in 1914 drought year, the ewes got so poor that they could not feed the lambs, only about 120 lambs lived and just as they were well, dogs came in one night and killed 90 of them, I put out poison next day and picked up 24 dead dogs. Later I started a Border Leicester stud of 12 ewes and 1 ram, eleven of the ewes had twins, the other had one, quite a good job, a few years later I tried Rylands with not so good results but with better export lambs. In early 1890 I put in a paddock of wheat, which was not a success. We had a very good cow which gave six gallons of milk a day when fresh in. We used to make 24 lbs. of butter a week worth 4.5 pence a pound. I sold this cow for 50 pounds when others were only bringing 5 or 6 pounds.

Before superphosphate came, I used to broadcast the wheat by hand, carrying about 40 lbs. on ploughed ground and sowing up to 40 acres a day was mighty hard work and carting 4 bushel bags (240 lbs.) [100 kg] was quite enough for me.

In 1893 with my brother-in-law Jim Parkes, we took a boat trip from Murray Bridge to Mildura and back with a load of wool, then down to the lakes for another load. I then went on to Adelaide, then train to Moonta and went down copper mine, which was working at that time. In 1896 I bought a bike and went with the same pal, took a 1200 mile ride through Victoria to Albury, Melbourne, Portland, Apsley & home, the last day doing 120 miles, I arrived home as fat as a wooden match but none the worse.

I was brought up to know the value of money, and not to spend 6 pence where 5 pence would do. I was told to take care of the pennies and the pounds would take care of themselves. I still keep saving and giving it away.

W J B & A B M had golden wedding on Oct 2 1957 with all families present, Laurie & Estelle with 3 boys & 3 girls, Olga & Mac with two boys, & Jean & Bryce with 2 boys & 3 girls.

 

He died 26 Nov 1963 at Mt Gambier, SA, Australia, at age 92.
Mt Gambier Cemetry Record book - bd. 26-11-1963, 92 years;
buried 26 Nov 1963 at Mt Gambier, SA, Australia.