What ever happened to this incorrigible Girl, Ethel Boyakin. 1910 FRESNO.

And why would I care? Possibly because she was incorrigible and I like that.

Los Angeles Herald, Volume 37, Number 210,

29 April 1910

FRESNO. April 28. 

Ethel Boyakin, aged 16, detained In the county jail for alleged Incorrigibility, today sang herself to freedom. 

Her voice, Issuing from the bars of the jail In plaintive melody, be appealed to Assistant District Attorney Mc Cormicks that he made a plea before Judge Austin of the juvenile court to release her on parole.

Mr. McCormick stated In court that he believed the girl would win fame as a prima donna If her voice were trained.

The court complied with the request of the assistant district attorney.

The World's News Sydney, NSW: 1901  

Saturday 3 September 1910

GIRL WHO SANG HERSELF OUT OF GAOL.

A bird-like voice trilled through the bars of the county gaol at Fresno, California, U.S.A. 

Deputy District-Attorney Mc Cormick, trying a case in the adjacent court-house, heard the singing and wondered who could be the canary that was filling that grim cage with music. 

When the Court adjourned he went over to the gaol and made inquiries.

To his astonishment he learnt that the sweet singer was a girl whose imprisonment he had been urging, on the ground that she was incorrigible. 

It appears that Ethel Bayakin. 16-year old girl of Fresno, was attacked with wander-lust.

Accompanied by a girl friend of Del Ray, a near-by town, she started for San Francisco, only to land in the county gaol on the charge of incorrigibility.

She did not put up much of a defence. 

She said, she wanted to see the world.

She want's to do big things, 

she hardly knew what, 

but something bigger than she thought 

she could do in Fresno.

The stern arm of the law led her into the detention quarters of the county gaol until the mind of the law should decide just how her offence be defined and punished.

And it was Mr. M' Cormick who had prosecuted her.

This official had the girl brought before him.

What passed between the attorney and the prisoner probably will never be known, but perhaps the man of the law understood something of the nature which can sing even behind prison bars, the nature that craves for freedom, but that even restraint cannot prevent from voicing the music that is in it.

At any rate, he must have made it quite clear to the girl that so lovely a voice needs training, that work, not wander-lust, is the road to a musical career.

For she agreed that if she was given an opportunity to study, she would remain under her parents roof.

The next morning the Public Prosecutor appeared before Judge Austin, of the Juvenile Court, and stated the prisoner's case so strongly that the judge agreed to release the girl on parole.

But this was not enough. The opportunity to study, to vent in musical work the energy that had led to her escapade, must be added.

A local teacher of vocal music read about the case, and wrote to Deputy District-Attorney M' Cormick that she would like to test Miss Boyakin's voice. Again the music loving prosecutor turned from his court duties to answer the call of music.

He sent for the girl and accompanied her personally to the studio where the teacher awaited her unusual caller. Her voice stood the test, and showed remarkable range and quality. 

Arrangements were immediately made for Miss Boyakin to begin her studies, the lessons being furnished free by the enthusiastic teacher, who now hopes to send forth from Fresno a real prima donna who will someday grace the opera stage at home and abroad.

Thus did the girl sing herself out of gaol, she had no thought as she sang that her sweet voice was the open sesame to the locks of her prison.

Probably every man and woman who was ever sent to prison has thought over means to regain freedom.  

Many are the ingenious devices that have been brooded over in the silence of cells- from cutting through the walls to gulling their chaplain, from murdering the gaolers appealing to the governor for pardon- 'but few have resulted in success.

It is not the deep laid schemes of prisoners, but rather the fortuitous circumstances, the unforseen or uncalculated actions on their part or on the part of their friends, that open the doors of gaols.

***

"What happened to Ethel? did she get married have 10 kids? did she change her name? Have I missed something, there is not a lot about her on line.

So:-

This is my Ditty for the  incorrigible girls of the world, but specially this one, and I also being in the ranks of the incorrigible's, should pay homage to my forbears in incorrigibility. 

That incorrigible Girl from Fresno

Quite unsure where to go

Thought it was San Francisco

She set out to put on a big show.

She raised too many eye brows 

Created too many frown's

So off to Coventry she goes

To keep he out of the town's

With a key they locked her in

A voice in bondage,will always sing

And through the bars Freedom did bring.

That incorrigible Girl From Fresno!

I must confess I too was incarcerated at 13 turning 14 for being incorrigible, but I could neither sing or whistle, so I along with the Queens step daughter (that's what she told me) scaled the walls to freedom! 

Naturally caught the next day as Australia started out as a penal colony  and "they" know how to track you down, and I only 13-14 and unskilled in Goal breaking.

But I think my tenacity and unwillingness to be locked up impressed some one, as I was soon released, fortunately for me that was my first and last time in Coventry.

Like the players in "The moon is a harsh mistress" we must have always had a Dinkum Thinkum, here in Australia, and (some of us) are hereditary convicts who need some sort of conviction to be part of the ancestral rights, be it a driving offence eg. a ticket or being drunk on your horse, as long as you get charged fined arrested locked up, you can be of that long proud tradition one must live up to. (so it seams)

I mean who would keep the Judges, lawyers and  gaolers in work? you know "it" (some kind of law breaking) is a job and some one has to do it, other wise these poor professionals would starve from lack of work and income, that's just a fact.

I did my part and not even a thank you for any of them! and I am sure they are the last ones who wish there was 'no more law breaking' in the world, as they would also wish themselves out of existence, for what would their purpose be if they are not litigating and legislating the laws?

The moon is a harsh mistress"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Is_a_Harsh_Mistress 

Some fine Opera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXIoEl53T-I

SUBMARINE MOTOR CAR. 1913 Image.

The World's News, Sydney, NSW,

Saturday, 18 October 1913

This has nothing to do with anything except for the fact, I need one.

WW1 Letters home Molong “Express”

                                                                Western Mail Perth 16 Aug 1918



Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW.

19 August 1916

SOLDIERS' STORIES.

Sgt-Signaller Don. White, once of the Cumnock Post Office, writing from France on June 14th Mr. Jack Patterson, of Dilga, says:—

I'm still in the land of the living—due to more good luck than good management, I think I got hit for the second time a few weeks back, but fortunately each wound was slight A "Jack Johnson" lobbed in my dug-out and killed my mate, but just blew me out into the sap with a cut on my head and back, plus a hell of a shaking up. 

I was properly scared for a few days, but managed to pull myself together without going into hospital. Am quite OK now.

This France is a wet and muddy joint to be soldiering in; the trenches are full of mud and slush. And if you put your head up you're sure to be sniped, and if you bob down you get drowned, Dinkum! 

The Australians are properly established in France now. It's much easier than Gallipoli; that is to say, we do not have to endure as many hardships. Here we get good rations and plenty of water. 

Every eight days or so we get a hot bath and a change of underclothing. No such thing as having a shave, wash, and clean' your teeth in half a pint of water, and then having to go minus a drink all day on account of such extravagance.

When we first came into the trenches here Fritz tried all he knew to bluff us; but it didn't work. He used to paste us with three to four hundred 5.9 shells almost daily. Now if he tries the" dirty dog" act we return it hot and strong. I think Fritz has decided that we won't be bluffed.

I haven't run up against Joe yet. Would very much like to have a yarn with him. The other boys are still in Egypt, on the Canal. 

I did over two months on the Arabian Desert, looking for Turks; but they were very scarce. 

I see the Russians are doing some fine work. I wish we were on the move like them. 

This trench warfare is about the most monotonous game going, especially during wet weather. 

Ploughing isn't in the same street with it.

I'm expecting a week's leave to England very soon now. All the old hands are getting it. What a time I will have. I suppose you are still keen on dancing, Jack. I could do a waltz myself just now.

It would be better than squatting, in this little dugout of mine. I suppose you heard about poor old Ernie Merriman being killed. We got a terribly heavy bombardment that night. Remember me to all the boys.

***

Pte. Ern. Taylor, writing to the “Express" from the Australian Base, England, on June 19, says:-

We have shifted camp from the, land of sorrow, sand and sweaty; socks. This is a big change from the heat of Egypt, as it is very cold, and rains nearly every day. I think we have seen the sun about half-a-dozen times in three weeks. 

It is a much better camp here on Salisbury Plains than at Teb-el-Kebir. We have settled down to very solid training again.

On the way to England we had a couple of very close shaves coming through the Mediterranean Sea, through submarines. 

We were chased twice, but were doing about 17 knots, so we left them behind.

We are close to the towns of Tidworth, Ludgershall, Andover and Salisbury; but they are dead of a night—no lights anywhere. I am going to London on Friday for week-end leave. We are only 70 miles away. 

There are some very large farms here—about 5 to 10 acres a squatter has about 200 sheep.

The Australians are right in the boom here; but are called the foreigners from Horsetralia.  

Wallie Leathem came over on the boat to England with us. He belongs to the Cycling Battalion.

***

Cpl. C. Neville writes from 'France under date June 21, to his brother, Mr. F. Neville, as follows:—

Neither Uncle Walter or Cecil has joined us up yet. I don't know how they will like soldiering over this side. 

We are going, day and night, I won't be sorry when it is all over, for we have 'had a very miserable time in the trenches this last week or so, it has rained nearly every day and night, and there have been bombardments nearly every night. 

When the big shells are coming over, you are ducking down behind the trench as low as you can expecting every minute that one is coming over on to you. 

There is a place a few miles back from the firing line where we can get a bath and a change of clothes. The French women do all the washing of the clothes, so it gives us a bit of a chance to keep clean. 

It is very good after being in the firing line for about a fortnight to get back and have a good bath. 

Bert Starr is alright, Gordon is not back yet, and Paddy Reilly is alright.

***

Pte, R. Starr, son of Mr. R. Starr, of Copper Hill, writing from Egypt, on July 5, to Mr F. Neville, says:-

He had a good trip from Australia; but upon arrival in Egypt the contingent were put into isolation, and he had thus seen very little of Egypt. 

Since being released from isolation the squadron had been on mounted patrol and guard duties. 

He was camped at a place where nothing but desert could be seen, and expected to be removed about 16 miles further inland within a few days. He had not received any letters from Australia; but  a letter from Bert Starr, from Flanders, had reached him. “Old Jock (C. Neville), he says, has a couple of stripes now. I expect he has earned them. "Pte. Starr adds that he narrowly missed meeting Gordon Starr; on the same night that he arrived in Egypt Gordon left for ——(censored).

***

The Land   Sydney, NSW 16 February 1917 

Signaller W. Leathem, in a letter written from England on June22, says:—

Still alive and kicking, and things much the same as when I last wrote. All the troops in camp here were inspected by the High Commissioner for Australia (Andy Fisher) last week, and he was pleased with the state of affairs at the camp. 

The C.O. of the Cycling Corps was congratulated on the general conduct, etc., of the men. The only fault with this camp is that we are too far out of civilisation. 

The closest town is four miles away. I'm on a pretty soft job here now—instructing some of the men in signalling. I'm getting lazy on it already, and will soon forget all the drill I have learned if I don't look out. 

I struck Charlie Finch, Jack Betts and Ern Taylor on the boat coming from Egypt. Jack and Charlie are in the Field Engineers. They are in this camp and I see them every day. I think they will be moving shortly. I haven't seen Taylor since we left the boat. 

It's rotten not getting any letters or papers; we get hardly any Australian news except what we see in the English papers, and that's very little. I haven't received a single letter or paper since leaving Australia almost three months ago. 

We are being looked after well in regard to food now. At present the menu is:—Breakfast: Bacon or rice, tea and bread and jam; dinner: stew or hot meat and vegetables, bread and jam and tea; tea: bread and jam, butter, tea and cheese or potted ham. We are getting good food, and plenty of it.

     Image from 'The PUNCH Melbourne Vic. 9 Aug 1914 

Link to:-

WW1 Dinkum girls:http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ww1-nurses-verses-dinkum-girls-songs.html

WW1 poem MothersBoy: http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/ww1-mothers-boy-poem-written-for-molong.html

WW1 Two plucky Parsons: http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ww1-echo-from-front-poetry-and-two.html

WW1 Letters home, Wallace H Leathem:
http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/ww1-letters-home-by-wallace-henry.html

WW1. Nurses Verses, Dinkum Girls & Songs.

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW

30 Nov 1918

A NURSE'S VERSES.

While in South Africa, en route to the front, Pte. A. J. Woods, late of Boomey Road, met a nurse who is beloved by all Australian soldiers who have landed at the port where she resides, owing to her great kindness to them. 

Her name is Miss E. M. Campbell, and she has written a few verses in honor of the Australians. Pte. Woods sent a copy of these verses home, and three of them are appended:

In your ranks are men of Anzac

Who have stoushed the Hun before,

And those now passed the doctor

Who've been turned-down times galore,

What matter if they're fit or not?

They're of the Anzac breed,

Their spirit makes them mighty,

And they're “there" in England's

need ?

They're "there" to take the places

Of the strong men gone before,

They're “there," the boys of seventeen,

Who gave their age as more,

And grey-haired men of fifty

Who put their ages back

For nothing stops an Aussie

When he wants to do his whack.

And if he tells a lie or two

Because he wants to go,

D'you think Saint Peter will go crook

And “count him out," lads

No He'll reckon that square-dinkum lie

Is worth the truth in tons,

For it takes another hero “there"

To back old England's guns.

---------

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia's General Secretary sends us a history of the League, and urges that all returned soldiers should be members of this body, which has a membership of 40,000,and which was formed to conserve the interests of returned soldiers and sailors, on the principle that" Unity is Strength."

SOME OF MOLONG'S PATRIOTIC WORKER'S
Who assisted at the Red Cross Stall on Italy's Day. Left to Right: Mrs. Blackadder, Misses Tot Radnedge, Linda Burgess, Vera Dignam, Florrie Cahill, Emily Wren, Irene Radnedges (Sydney Mail, Block)

Leader Orange, NSW.

1918

THE DINKUM GIRLS

A patriotic band of young Orange ladies, who have styled themselves

'The Dinkum Girls," Is now very busy making arrangements to open the War Chest rooms on Christmas Evening, they will have real square-dinkum home-made lollies for sale orders are now being booked.

WW1 War Letters home: http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ww1-letters-home-molong-express.html

WW1 Pressi, Molong, Australia, LA TRIBUNA ILLUSTRATA.

Hi I found these images on line and I can not read french, so I was wondering if some one could tell me about these front pages.

They mention Molong Australia and that's all I can work out, seeing Wally leathem was in France and from Molong with the Newspaper, I am thinking they had something to do with it?

I think these things are on Ebay at the moment as well.

Thank you ALL for your reading my Blogg.

Nancy*

John James Leathem TRUTH HURTS, for my brother

This doc originally published 2013, Update 2016....

 

It was a month after the Royal Commission he died just about the time I got my thank-you note from the Royal Commission, I just found out 3rd December this month from a stranger on the internet after I saw images of my brother on a group Sydney history site, there he was "the street man" the aimless the hopeless, a great image for any budding photographer or artists apparently because many have taken his image thrown him a beer or two.

So this kind stranger lead me to this FB page Newtown Neighbourhood Centre which has this image

 

Below originally published Sunday 3rd November 2013

When I started my blog it was with an agenda it was not that important for me to let the world know of my family history, as I was content with my sons knowing what I had researched and hopeful we keep it this time.

Everyone has baggage I have enough to sink the titanic, the boat would not even of left the dock, it would have sunk before it set sail. 

So I am unloading my heaviest bag, I am sick of carrying it alone, I want to let it lose on the world and see what comes of it.

I don’t know what will come of it, like throwing dice they land as they will, lets hope mine are not loaded. 

Dear Johnno

No Karma is as bad as this

unborn karma took its first twist

At birth the hang man’s noose

around the neck took the first breath

“Blue Apples a babe is born

No sense no rational most gone

Oh sweet babe born to a mother and fathers despair

This karma they could no share

Mother fights it with induced bliss

Father fights it with his fists

Siblings don’t understand

they wipe you off their hands

So Johnno grows in to a man.

the body did grow But the mind did stop

So Johnno is Tick Tick tock

Can’t keep good time on a broken clock

Poor old Johnno living in a crack

Alcohol broke your back

You’re a man with a mind that did not grow old

Yet you can buy alcohol

I tell no story is a fact

Your body moved on

Your mind kicked back

and given no slack jack

The government not free of abuse

A file here a file there

Here a file there a file everywhere a file file.

Hopefully you will disappear

Go away John Doe.

We don’t know you

We don’t care

We will destroy your files in 7 years.

I have no excuse for what I have done what I could do.

Many long years or so I have been begging too

To a government that has no ears

for a shiralee who’s only possessions are tears

A breath of life,

a hard park bench at night

In the Starlight Hotel

A drunken slumber

Avoid the nightmare hell

Where Johnno in dreams does dwell

Come in alone

Go out the same.

So great your karma

So evil in intention

So peculiar your life’s detention

Trapped by bondage unseen

The scorn of many fell on you

your yoke weighed down by others sins

Undeserving un-forgiven

Go away

Become invisible be no more

you are never to knock on the door 

you will never be allowed in

suffer for your fathers sins

So I say good night to the soul

that will wonder aimlessly

Through a strife filled life

And I sleep with torment dreams of a family history

As I wake in the morning

I peep through my lashes

And my nightmares burn to ashes

The lord my soul did keep

But my brother still wonders the street.




This is a image taken by #Mervyn-Fitzhenry

True to Death. a short article. 1882.

Illustrated Sydney News NSW 

18 Feb 1882

True to Death.

RECENTLY, in the Molong district, a shepherd was found dead in the bush, his dog guarding the body, which appeared to have been there some days. 

The noble brute would allow no one to approach the body, and had to be shot before the deceased could be buried.

WW1 AN ECHO FROM THE FRONT, poetry and two Plucky Parsons in the battle-field. 1915.

                                                                                                  Image from "The Bathurts Times" 

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW

13 Nov 1915

AN ECHO FROM THE FRONT

The appended poem was written by the late Corporal (Rev.) R. R. Pittendrigh, formerly of Garra, while at the front, and was received by Mrs. Pittendrigh, from her late husband, after the cable which announced his death. 

It has been a great comfort to her, and it is herewith published in the hope that it may comfort others. 

It will be noticed how beautifully the writer applies the accompanying texts to each verse.

The poem is based on the 7th verse of Psalm 112-" He shall not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord";-and each verse has a scriptural reference, as follows:-Verse 1: Matt. XV, 26-28; verse 2.: John XIII,16-2, and Corin. IV, 17; verse 3 :Ps. XCI, 7; verse 4: Ps. 'IVI, 3,and Lam. Ill, 56-58; verse 5: 1 John IV, 39, and 1 Thess. IV, 13; verse 6 : Ps.XXI, 4, and J ohn VI, 39.

"Not afraid of evil tidings," help us

Lord in Thee to trust,

Fixed on Thy unfailing promise,

Though suspense our faith may test.

Shrinking not from any lesson,

Thou, in tender love may'st teach,

Sure, Thou knowest how to answer

prayers for those beyond our reach.

" Not afraid," because Thou lovest all

our dear ones more than we,

And the "end from the beginning"

In their life plan, Thou can'st see.

Troubles, which we would have spared

them, may be blessings in disguise

: Working out a glorious future, though

now hidden from our eyes.

“Not afraid" though war or tempest,

pestilence or fever's breath,

Threaten those united to us by a love as

strong as death ;

Covered in the day of battle, shielded:

from all evil things.

Are the souls whom Thou has sheltered

'neath the shadow of Thy wings.

“Not afraid," yet Lord, Thou, knowest,

love is strong, and faith is weak,

And our hearts too often tremble with a

dread we dare no speak ;

Only to Thyself we breathe it, knowing

Thou dost comprehend

All the fears and sad forebodings that with

faith and hope contend.

“Then, in hearkening to Thy answer,

words of comfort, peace, and rest,

Fill our hearts with sweet assurance

"God is Love, His will is best."

Should the heaviest tidings reach us, can

They ……..  “evil” be ...

If our loved ones are safe anchored,

tossed no more on life’s ……..

Shall we doubt that Thou hast given life

beyond the life we craved?

That our prayers are fully answered,

Thou eternally hast saved?

Help us trust, then, O our Father, what

soever tidings come,

That re-union will be granted, here, or in

our Heavenly Home.

                                ***

HOW HE WAS WOUNDED.

       

Two Plucky Parsons.

Writing in the "Herald," "Trooper Bluegum" describes the gallant deed which, resulted in Corporal Pittendrigh receiving the wound which caused his death.

After a brilliant charge, when the enemy were pressed back with the bayonet, a wounded Australian was discerned lying exposed some distance behind the advanced position.

It was then (says “Trooper Bluegum") that two fighting parsons came along a communication trench.

From a slight hollow they saw the wounded man, in evident agony, raise his hand, and try to move.

Chaplain Captain Gillison and Corpl. Pittendrigh decided to try to effect a rescue, though they knew a machine gun was trained on the trench, and had been warned to beware of snipers.

Mounting the parapet, they crawled along some distance towards the wounded man.

A couple of bullets zipped by, but they pushed on.

More bullets flew, and both the rescuers were wounded.

They then tried to regain the shelter of the trench, and Gillison was wounded again, but his companion managed to scramble in and had his wound attended to, but he subsequently died of haemorrhage.

Capt. Gillison was rescued from the open and taken to a field hospital, where he died, and at night, wrapped in a Union Jack, he was buried. "As with the hero of Corunna," adds the writer, "we carved not a line, we raised not a stone, but left him alone in his glory."

  

Here is a link to the article in-case any one wants to work out the missing words from the poem, I can not. 

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/101050663

The Bathurst Times NSW

4 Dec 1915

CORPORAL PITTENDRIGH.

Corporal R. H, Pittendrigh, who is reported to have died of wounds, was the son of Mr. J. R. Pittendrigh, of Garra. 

He was the first Methodist minister to enlist as a private in this State, and was a man of very fine qualities. For three years he was an evangelist in the Central Methodist Mission, and from the training institute of that mission entered the Methodist ministry 4½ years ago. 

When he en-listed Corporal Pittendrigh was second minister at Lithgow, and had served terms in Wilcannia and Gloucester. Just prior to leaving for the front he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, and married Miss Florence Ensor, who was well known as "Sister Florence" in the Central Mission.

Corporal Pittendrigh was one of the stretcher-bearers, and completely won the affection of his comrades. 

His strong personality marked him as a leader among men and his death is greatly to be lamented. 

In a letter which appeared in one of the Brisbane newspapers, Sergeant E.J. Kelleher, of the 13th Battalion, writes from the front:—

"All the parsons are heroes. Corporal Pittendrigh, who eventually joined the band, and became a stretcher-bearer, will get the D.C.M. He is a Wesleyan parson, and he went out into the hell which exists between the trenches only 100 yards apart, and amid an inferno of shrapnel and bullets brought in nine wounded men." 

Anyone who knew the deceased soldier intimately would have expected this of him.

Molong Express News 1900-1912

The Wyalong Advocate and Mining, Agricultural and Pastoral Gazette NSW

21 Nov 1900

"Advocate" Comments

We have received many very flattering comments on the Wyalong Advocate from scores –of people and the surrounding ‘newspapers,' some of which 'we acknowledged in our last issue—the most prominent being those of the Condobolin " Lachlander," and the Grenfell ‘Record’. 

We are now in receipt of another from the Molong "Express," one of the oldest and most respectable journals in the West. 

As it is out of the ordinary, we give the comment us follows:—

"Mr. George R. Porter, recently of Condobolin, where for a long time he ran the “Argus," at length wearied of that caterpillar haunted, dry, and dust demoralised district, for resolved to quit.

And he went to Wyalong, the gold field beyond Temora—another uncomfortable place.

There 'was an "Argus" published there; but that name was too reminiscent of the past for Mr. Porter (a real good, liberal minded) sort so he changed it into the Advocate, and we are glad to know he is again a full: fledged editor and proprietor. 

The Advocate is a vast improvement on the piebald sheet it has superseded, and each succeeding issue show signs of solid improvement.

Our best wishes for success are with Mr. Porter, who, we sincerely hope, has struck a payable lead which will terminate in a wealthy claim. 

Already the Advocate's circulation has reached 700 copies, and is still jumping strong."

Many thanks Molong “Express.”

***

THE CARCOAR CHRONICLE’

Friday 8 November 1901

Owing to the sudden death of the late Proprietor of this Paper on Wednesday, 30th int, it was found quite impossible to publish last week's paper. 

So we will ask the subscribers and advertisers, to deal leniently and forgive the omission.

***

The Peak Hill Express NSW

11 Nov 1904

FUNNY!

The tree year’s old son of the Peak Hill Express” editor, strayed away the other evening and was discovered at the cemetery gates some two miles from town. 

The little, chap evidently mistook the cemetery for the town—an error into which many an older person might pardonably have fallen!—

MOLONG “EXPRESS”

***

Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW

13 May 1905

THE ONLY 'FITZ.'

In a recent issue ' An Old Journalist Friend ' wrote a piece about the only Fitz ' and Molong. 

He again writes: —'Writing to you the other weak about Molong, I said ' it was a Hawkesbury lad who brought about a change in the paper in question, &c, &c.' 

   

Well, I met that man in Sydney on Friday last, looking fit for almost anything, and we talked about former days— of Windsor, of our friend, Fitz, and, naturally, about Molong, and the time he edited the ' Express.

‘The ' Express ' editor was, Dave Davies, brother of your own 'Charley,' and, singular to say, with him on the 'Express was another Windsor lad, George H. Davis, now of the Town and Country Journal.'

And, still more strange, they had both been on the 'Dubbo Liberal,' occupying the same positions — though after Dave ' left both papers, George stepped into his shoes. 

I knew they had been together at Dubbo, but it was news to me that they had also been on the ' Molong Express ' together.

I always had a liking for ' Dave ' Davies, and what is more, I always gave him his due for his dramatic recitals — which some were disposed to ignore. 

‘Dave ' is still in splendid voice — talks dramatically, and has the actor's way with him. 

He is, all the same, a journalist, and he was expecting to leave Sydney in a day or two to take charge of a paper on one of the Northern rivers— the ' Raleigh' something, I forget what. 

Anyhow, he spoke very nicely of Fitz, and assured me that our mutual friend was a coming man- not only as a journalist, but a politician, and that Molong would yet know him, not only as its leading journalist, but as member for the district.

And so mote it be.'

***

The Peak Hill EXPRESS

27 July. 1906

Political Abuse.

Mr W J Keast, of Parkes, Has taken the Molong Express to task for publishing comments on his recent abusive harangue at Peak hill. 

Our Molong contemporary said Mr Keast was a “Frothy, empty- headed individual.”

However this is how the editor of the Molong express replies to Mr Keast: -

“Our reply will be short and brief and, we hope, to the point, It is this:-

That Mr Keast's muck slinging at his personal and political enemies, both at Parkes and Peak hill, have earned him every letter of the press trouncing he has so deservedly received.

Further the few observations by Mr Keats that Peak hill paper did publish fully warrant, in our humble opinion, the caustic criticism it publishes in reply.

Anyhow, and finally, if Mr. Keast, or any other fanatical political agitator, chooses to blatantly advertise, in a most obnoxious fashion, the opinions which he rightly or wrongly holds, it is up to him to take, with the best grace possible, a dose of his own bitter medicine whenever it is served up to him.

That being the case Mr, Keast is herewith politely invited to solemnly and calmly chew the cud of reflection!

***

The Peak Hill Express NSW

21 Dec 1906

THE YOUNGEST EDITOR.

Mr Gordon Bennett, of the Condobolin Lachlander, is said to be the youngest editor of a newspaper in the State. 

Ten years ago the present editor and proprietor of the Peak Hill Express, then editing the Molong Argus, was acknowledged by the Bulletin to be the youngest editor in New South Wales.

***

Molong Argus NSW  11 June 1909

Mr. G. H. Davis, one time editor of the “Express" was in Molong yesterday.

*

There was quite a crowd on the local railway platform on Wednesday evening for the purpose of seeing Madame Melba, who passed through by the 7 o’clock train, en route from Forbes to Orange. 

Several of our youthful autograph collectors interviewed the “Queen of Song," and we understand that one can now proudly boast of having obtained her signature.

***

Molong Argus NSW 

21 Oct 1910

Correspondence.

A Ridiculous Statement.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—On Friday night last, 14th inst, preposterously ridiculous charge was publicly made against me by the manager of the " Express," C. J. V. Leathem, and but that it cast a doubt on the integrity of others besides myself, viz., the Officials of Molong post office, I would treat it with the contempt which it merits.

The charge was to the effect that I on behalf of the Argus obtained access to the “Express’’ messages. 

That is a very strong charge, implying collusion on the part of the postal officials, as without their assistance it would be impossible for me to do what I was charged with. 

No, the charge is absolutely untrue, I got no messages but those sent to the Argus, and what is more, up to 8 p.m. I did not have a telephone receiver in my band, the official in charge of the exchange kindly taking the messages in order to facilitate my writing of them out. After 8 p.m. took my messages at the bureau. 

The above, I think, shows that the foul charge leveled against me is false, and what is more, each statement I have made can tie substantiated by witnesses. 

As to the motive which prompted the charge I say nothing, leaving it to the general public to judge it in the light of their experience of the tactics adopted by the portion who made it.

G. V. WIGG. 

Goulburn Evening Penny Post NSW

14 Nov 1939

MR. G V. WIGG The death occurred at his residence, Rose Bay, on Sunday last, of Mr. Godfrey Valliant Wigg, aged 67.

The late, Mr.Wigg was a brother of Mr. Francis Wigg, headmaster at the Bourke Street Public School from about 1920 to 1932.

Mr. Wigg had resided in Sydney since about 1924, prior to which he was for several years part-owner with Mr. Dignam of the Molong Argus before it was sold to the “Express.”     

       

Mr. Wigg, who is survived by a widow, two daughters, Mollie and Helen, and one son, Frank, was buried yesterday, the funeral leaving his Rose Bay residence at 1.30 pm for thee Catholic Cemetery, Rockwood.   

***                

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW

13 Jan 1912

On Tuesday evening last, somewhat after eleven o'clock, Mr. F, Leathem discovered a fire on the ground floor of the Royal Hotel.

By some means or other a Curtin over the glass door on the Bank-street side of the building became lighted, and at the time of the discovery had charred the door, as well as catching a hold of a picture above the door, and burning the carpet.

Mr. Leathem had some difficulty in arousing the household, which had retired for the night, but the attention of someone from upstairs was attracted, and the blaze was quickly extinguished.

Had the conflagration obtained a firmer hold, there is no knowing what damage might have resulted

***

The Bathurst Times NSW 

19 Sept 1912

PERSONAL.

Mr. E. Simmons, who has been appointed editor of the ' Molong Express,' leaves to take up his new position on September 28.