Quirindi family traces grave of relative John Thomas Bridge who perished on trip 130 years ago

Members of a Quirindi family made a nostalgic journey this year to northern Queensland to pay their respects to a family member who perished on a trip 130 years ago.

John Thomas Bridge, a 41-year-old father of eight, died a painful death - from what was suspected to be a bout of pneumonia - under  a wagon at Lucky Downs station near Greenvale north of Charters Towers on November 29, 1887.

Rather ironically the spot where John took his final breath was called Lucky Creek.

John had made the long trek north from Quirindi with his eldest son, William, 15, and a man called Henry George to dispose of horses and gear he had accumulated around the Quirindi district and in particular the Quipolly Valley as a respected general carrier in the 1870s and 1880s.

William was the first white child born in the Quirindi district.

John was making the trip with 24 draught horses, three wagons and horse gear to sell in a bid to get money to buy more land in the Quirindi area to set up his family’s future.

Accompanying the 24 draught horses for sale were five riding horses which were to bring the trio back home after the sales.

The reasoning to make such a long trip by horse power – a round trip of some 4000 miles - was it would be suitably rewarded because people who had struck it lucky on the goldfields would be cashed up and prepared to pay more handsome amounts for the horses and gear than he would have received back home.

Family members believe on the long trek to Greenvale John had performed work along the way to help meet expenses.

While the story of the demise of John Bridge at such a lonely outpost was passed onto other family members of the Atkinson family who has owned the 150, 000 acres Lucky Downs property since it was first settled by white man, his final resting place became a mystery as time wore on.

But one such inquiry about the possible grave site several years ago hit paydirt.

One of Lucky Downs station aboriginal workers knew exactly where the grave site was and a subsequent memorial was placed there to honour John.

All this news inspired John’s great grandsons Lionel, his brother Dennis, their wives Gwen and Lesley and cousin Gary Roworth - all from Quirindi district - to pay their personal respect with a visit to the lonely grave site which they achieved in July of this year.

Gary Roworth said the experience had been ‘‘very fulfilling and something to be very proud of’’.

A visitors book which was at the grave site had disappeared before his party had got there but they had replaced it while they were there.

One of the touching aspects of John Bridge’s death all those years ago was the consideration, compassion and thoughtfulness displayed by policeman George Warby, who was with John when he died and helped organise his funeral.

A sub inspector of police, Warby broke the news by letter to John’s wife Sarah and his seven other children who were living in the Quipolly Valley at the time.

Dear Mrs Bridge,

It is with feelings of regret that I take up my pen to relate to you the particulars of the last moments, and extremely sad end of your poor departed husband.

On Friday, 26th last I met Henry George, who informed me that his master Mr. Bridge was camped at a place called Lucky Creek, seriously ill, suffering from a several cold.

I was travelling past where Mr. Bridge was camped, who informed, so I called and found him as George stated. I questioned him and he informed me that a week previously he was at the Clarke River Telegraph Station the day being hot, and he got overheated, and a heavy storm of rain falling wet him thoroughly. The next day he felt very ill and continued so, getting daily weaker and weaker. I examined him and found from his answers, that he was suffering from acute inflammation of the lungs, and I spoke to him about his affairs telling him that I thought it would be very advisable for him to allow me to draw up his will which would save his people a deal of trouble if anything happened to him, but I very much regret to say I could not persuade him, as he did not think he was so ill, and said he would get it attended to as soon as he got to Georgetown, where he proposed going in a few days for medical treatment.

I returned last night at about 4pm and went to see how Mr. Bridge was progressing, he seemed very weak and could hardly speak, your poor little son and George were with him and I found that he was going fast. I saw him several times, until past midnight, during which time I may say he was dying, being bathed in a cold perspiration and delirious. In fact from sundown he lost his reason, but still he constantly called for you and his son, he, poor man could not rest a moment but kept moving about and shifting his position until about ten minutes to 4am when he quietly passed away without even regaining consciousness, or ever having expressed any word that would lead anyone to surmise that he had any idea that the hand of death was upon him and that before the sunrise he would be called home to his maker.

I saw him a few moments after death and closed his eyes and mouth and assisted George to straighten his limbs and rendered to his appearance as composed as possible. Several men were camped in the vicinity, so we had a decent grave dug and having sown his body in a pair of blankets and again in his hammock, we carried his body to the final resting place and deposited his remains. There were eleven of us present at the grave, including your son and George.

I read The Church of England Burial Service and we did all in our united power to where the sad burial occurred. I have also promised your son to report the matter fully to the Police Magistrate and the Curator of Intestate Estate, who will communicate fully with you.

I have taken an inventory of your husbands effects as given to me by your son and George.

The inventory consists of 25 draught horses - 5 saddle horses, 3 wagons, 25 sets of harness, 3 tarpaulins etc. I have not seen the horses, but hear they are first class and worth a deal of money. The wagons etc. are also good, there is I regret to say little chance of selling the above in these parts, only at a great sacrifice. I would therefore advise you, after your affairs in these parts are settled up, not to attempt to sacrifice your valuable property, but think as carriage days will favour these parts to Georgetown and Croydon that it would be far better to make some arrangement to work the teams until and opportunity occurs to dispose of the same at a reasonable price.

Your son seems to be a good sensible boy and George seems a most trustworthy and reliable man, who would I feel certain study your best interests and do his utmost on your behalf.

I have taken a pencil sketch of the last resting place of your poor husband, and promised your son to complete a little sketch of the place and forward it on to you, which I shall do at an early date. If will be a small memento for you and a reminder for your son of the place where he experienced his first bitter grief, and buried as George informs me one of the kindest of fathers and best of husbands. I have done all in my power for your son and shall also see the Magistrate of Police and explain your position to him.

I shall furthermore be most happy to furnish you with any advice or information you may require and have promised your son to get your affairs settled as soon as possible, I also told him that I would also send you a letter to let you know fully respecting his father’s sad end.

I can assure you I feel kindly the sadness of the terrible situation and the first cause of the bitter grief of your poor boy so far from his house away in the wilds of the extreme North.

The poor little fellow seems to value the friendship and companionship of George who seems like a brother to him, again sympathising with your in your sad affliction.

Yours very truly, 

George Warby,

Sub-Inspector of Police