Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953)(about) |
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Monday 24 November 1941
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HEYWOOD IS ONE HUNDRED (By "L.B." in the "Mirror.") In the year 1841 John Bell, of Scottish parentage, with his wife and family of six sons and two daugh- ters, left his property in County Fermanagh in the north of Ireland, and re-crossed the North Channel to his native shore. After a short re- union with relatives and friends in Scotland, John Bell and his family set sail from Leith in the sailing ship "Catherine Jamieson" to seek adventure.and achievement in the exploitation of the soil of a strange, new land. At South Africa, the ship's stores were replenished, and the "Catherine Jamieson" continued on and entered Australian waters after a voyage of five months. It was qn the 29th of May, 1841, that the "'Catherine Jamieson" put out from Leith and in November of the same year John Bell settled on the Mount Eckersley holding. In addition to this, he had acquired a ten mile spuare lease of land from the then New South Waes Govern- ment. Incidentally, this holding was the second property in the Wes- tern District to be held under lic- ence. Officially titled Mt. Eckers- ley, "Bell's Hill" was at that time covered in rough forest in contrast with its now stark outline, which creates a gigantic monument to the achievement of the pioneering fam- ily in whose honor it bears its local name. In those days the need for effici- ent communication and transport of supplies presented seemingly insur- mountable difficulties. One in stance of such is John Bell's journey on horseback from Mt. Eckerslcy to Melbourne. The district at that time was inhabited by blacks who, at times, were inclined to be semi-hos- tile. Willie Bell, John's son, was captured on Mt. Eckersley by blacks who took him off to their camp in heavy scrub in the vicinity of the property known locally as Low Lands. The youth made a remark- able escane by threshing his way through thorn hushes into which the blacks did not venture because of their naked bodies. In this way he gained a lead on his captors, who pursued him northwards as far as the site of Barclay's Bridge. Here he managed to turn back in the direc- tion of the homestead, which he reached in a state of exhaustion after a run of two miles. A more unfortunate incident with the blacks was experienced by Chris- tie Bell. He was out riding late in the evening and found the body of one of his stockmen who had that day been speared to death by blacks, and he was forced to spend a peril- ous night in the safety of a hut in the heart of the death-stalked for- est. Much was done to establish a friendship with the blacks and this was soon achieved, but in a remark- able way. A small black child who was found wandering in the scrub was brought to the homestead and cared for. After several days its mother approached the settlers. She was given food and shown the child, but she had no wish to take it away, andt she returned the next day with another gin for more food. The third day they were accompanied by armed warriors. All were given hospitality. They showed a re- markable interest in the welfare of the black boy, but had no wish to take him away. Black Tommy was reared to manhood and remained with the family until his death. The Bell family were great enthu- siasts in horse breeding and racing. In this way they were well ac- quainted with Adam Lindsay Gordon with whom they frequently rode in races. The notables of their horses were Gaylad, Eventide, Vandyke, Darkie and Sir Robert. Vandyke's first victory was the Great Western Steeplechase at Coleraine. Darkie figured famously in the days of the Western District Race Club which held its three days' meetings at Aps- ley. This club began as an amateur organisation, but soon claimed the attention of racing men and profes- sional jockeys, with the result that the club was soon a registered one. Many fine horsemen were to be found at these races, such as Lind- say Gordon, Cuthbert Fetherston- haugh, Billy Trainor and many others. Willie Bell was with Lind- say Gordon the day he made his fam- ous leap at Mt. Gambler. Gordon was mounted on Red Lancer. The leap was not made for a wager, and others present on that occasion were Robert Learmonth and Billy Trainor. George Bell, John's son, was one of Melbourne's first councillors. He married Mary Anne, daughter of John Batman. She had the distinc- tion of being the first white female to land in Melbourne. At the time of the landing she was eight years of age, and her mother allowed her to land before any other woman on the boat. John Bell took his last climb to the top of Mt. Eckersley only a few months before he died at the age of 101. His twin sons--Henry and Jamnes-lived to the ages of 92 and -97 respectively, and claimed to be tile oldest living twins in Australia. John Bell's wife lived to the age of 99 and in the last Great War 37 of their descendants served overseas. The present war marks the third oc- casion on which descendants have gone abroad to serve in the forces of the Mother Country. NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN LINOLEUMS & FLOOR COVER. INGS may be obtaincd at MELL- 38 Percy Street.