Alex Cowie

From Hotels of Ballarat
Alex Cowie
Born 1827
Died December 1902
Wheeler's Bridge (Lawrence).
Occupation Publican
Years active 1882-1897
Known for Royal Hotel
Home town Wheeler's Bridge
Spouse(s) Jane Colouhoun
Children Alexander Cowie (1872-1897)

Alex Cowie was a publican in Wheeler's Bridge, <1882>.

History[edit | edit source]

Alex Cowie was born c.1827.[1] He married Jane Colouhoun. They had children, including:

  • Alexander, born 1872, Sebastopol[2], died 31 July 1897, Wheeler's Bridge.[3]

Cowie held the license for the Royal Hotel (aka "Cowie's Hotel"), at Wheeler's Bridge (now Lawrence). The hotel opened in June 1882:

Mr A. Cowie, of Wheeler’s Bridge, has obtained his hotel at last, and a great number of people are very glad indeed to find that he has got it, as they are old residents here, and have many friends in this place.[4]

His license was renewed in December 1882.[5] In April 1893 he was elected to the Ballarat Licensed Victuallers' Association.[6]

In April 1885 his wife was named as the holder of the license when she took court action for assault against the neighbouring publican.[7]

The hotel building was burnt down in September 1892 and later rebuilt:

Last evening the Royal Hotel, at Wheeler's-bridge, about 4 miles from here, was with its contents destroyed by fire. The hotel, owned by Mrs. Jane Cowie was insured In the Victoria Company for £490, but this will not nearly cover the loss, which is estimated at £1000. The fire originated through a burning log rolling out of the fireplace.[8]
All the family placed their earnings together. The hotel originally cost £600. Five years ago it was burnt down and rebuilt at a cost of £1000.[1]

Death of son[edit | edit source]

Cowie's son Alexander was killed in a mining accident on 31 July 1897[3]:

SHOCKING MINING ACCIDENT. FATATLITY AT THE BERRY CONSOLS EXTENDED. THE EFFECTS OF FOUL GASES. A distressing fatality, the result of the presence of foul air in one of the drives, occurred on Saturday morning at the Berry Consols Extended Company's mine, Allendale, the victim being a young man named Alexander Cowie, who was employed at the mine as a trucker. Cowie went to work at midnight on Friday in the main east level, trucking from the No. 1 shoot. This shoot is of the kind known as a double decker, being opened out at two levels, customary to keep a light burning at the top of each opening to the shoot. The captain of the shift, Jonah Ward visited the place at 1 o clock and all was well then. He gave deceased certain instructions and left for other parts of the mine. He returned at half-past 4 and renewed the candles and left again. Returning half an hour later and finding the deceased absent from the shoot, Ward visited the north branch drive and enquired of other truckers whether he had been seen. They had not seen him since "crib time,” and accordingly a search was made with the result that the unfortunate young fellow was found in the No. 3 shoot, 300 feet further east, lying over the end of a truck, dead. The cause of his death was quickly apparent to the shift captain and four trackers who found him for the air in that portion of the mine was foul, and they themselves ran considerable risk of being overpowered by the noxious gases whilst taking the body back to the shaft. It is assumed that whilst engaged in his ordinary work Cowie’e candle became extinguished, and mistaking the way to the shaft he pushed the truck in the opposite direction, and becoming overpowered by the foul air at the extreme back of the level, he was unable to return or raise the alarm and was asphyxiated. At the spot where the body was found no work had been done since Thursday afternoon, in consequence of the bad air. The mine at that point is ventilated by eight-inch air pipes but when the miners were withdrawn from the face the air was cut off so as to allow more air to the other workings. The deceased was a single man, 24 years of age and lived with his mother, Mrs Cowie, proprietress of the Royal hotel at Wheeler’s Bridge. He had been employed at the mine for about 10 months, and was regarded as having a thorough knowledge of the workings and general condition of the claim.[9]

The inquest was held at the hotel:

DISPUTE AT THE INQUEST. MINING INSPECTOR AND CORONER AT ISSUE. - ALLANDALE, Sunday. A magisterial inquiry was held this after noon at Cowie's Hotel, Wheeler's-bridge, touching the death of Alex. Cowie, in the Berry Consols Extended mine. Mr. David M'Grath, J.P., acted in the absence of the coroner. John English, manager of the mine, and Jonah Ward, captain of the shift, John Mather, Thomas Wilkins and Samuel Jones gave evidence. In summing up the acting coroner referred to the absence of individual warning against entering the foul air part of the mine, and said that the captain of the shift had placed reliance upon a collective warning; but it seemed apparent that the deceased had intended going to the shaft, but unfortunately had taken an opposite course. The jury returned a verdict that death had resulted from foul air, and no blame was attachable to anyone in the circumstances.
During the examination of Jonah Ward, captain of the shift, by Mr. Agnew, inspector of mines, the witness, in reply to a question, said he had not individually warned deceased against going into the part of the drive affected with foul air. The acting coroner asked the witness if he had done so collectively, whereupon Inspector Agnew said he would not allow the witness to be taken out of his hands while under examination. Mr. M'Grath replied that the question simply suggested itself to him. Mr. Agnew replied that the acting coroner could have deferred his suggestion till the examination was completed, and that in the circumstances he would withdraw. Mr. M'Grath expressed regret that he should have intruded upon Mr. Agnew, and would ask a similar question later on. Mr. Agnew, however, at once rose, declined to ask further questions and left the room; but shortly after Mr. Agnew returned and took his seat as a spectator. Upon the captain of the shift being again questioned as to whether he had warned the deceased personally, and his reply being in the negative; Mr. Agnew ejaculated, "If you had there would probably have been no inquest to day." The acting coroner said he would not allow Inspector Agnew to express any such opinion. Mr. Agnew replied, "I will furnish my report to the Mines department," and he then finally retired. In summing up the acting coroner regretted the absence of the inspector of mines, as his evidence would have been of service, but he had distinctly refused to tender it.[10]

In October 1897 the newspaper retracted an earlier story:

The announcement that Mr Tuthill, solicitor for Mrs Cowie, of Wheeler’s bridge, had issued a writ claiming £1000 damages from the Berry Consols Company, for the death of her son some time ago, is incorrect. Mr Tuthill wrote asking for the name of the solicitors, and Mr Peacock, the legal manager, referred him to Messrs Mitchell, Nevett and Robinson, but nothing further has been heard of the matter.[11]

The case was taken to trial in July 1898 with the parents suing the ming company for £1000 damages:

In the statement of claims it was set forth that the said Alexander, the younger, was found dead in a drive in the defendant’s said mine on the 31st July, 1897, and that the cause of death was asphyxia, the result of foul air in the defendants’ said mine. It was further alleged that the defendant company had been guilty negligence owing to the ventilation of the mine being insufficient, there not being sufficient lights; that no proper care and supervision was exercised over the men working; that the deceased was not warned that foul air was present in the mine, although the defendants knew the fact; that the drive and shoots in which foul air was present were not protected or barricaded; that the defendants did not observe the rules in the mine required by the Mines Act 1890.
Mrs Jane Cowie, formerly licensee of the Wheeler’s Bridge hotel, said she was the mother of the deceased. Her son was 24 years of age, and up to the time of his death enjoyed good health. The deceased received 33s per week, and be handed her the whole of his wages every fortnight. She supplied him with pocket money, which did not average more than 2s 6d per week.[1]

Death[edit | edit source]

Cowie died at Wheeler's Bridge in December 1902:

COWIE.—The Friends of the late Mr Alexander Cowie, of Wheeler’s Bridge, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery. The funeral will leave the residence of his daughter, Mrs J. Mounsey, at 10 o’clock This Day (Monday). A. PASCO and SONS, Undertakers, Creswick.[12]
OBITUARY NOTICES. The funeral of Mr Alexander Cowie of Wheeler’s Bridge, took place yesterday afternoon at the Ballarat Old Cemetery, and was well attended. Messrs. Wm. Thomas, J. Dellina, H. Rowlands, W. Mason, W. Sharp, and H. Grant acted as coffin-bearers. The Rev. C. Robinson officiated at the graveside. Messrs. A. Pasco and Sons, of Creswick, were the undertakers.[13]


See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1898 'COWIE V. THE BERRY CONSOLS EXTENDED COMPANY.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 20 June, p. 3. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215225706
  2. Australian Birth Index, Victoria, 1882, Ref. No. 10519
  3. 3.0 3.1 Cowie, Alexander, Public Record Office Victoria; North Melbourne, Victoria; Victorian Wills, Probate and Administration Records 1841-1925; Series: VPRS 7591
  4. 1882 'ALLANDALE.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 5 June, p. 3. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202122255
  5. 1882 'CLUNES LICENSING COURT.', The Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1869 - 1883; 1914 - 1918), 14 December, p. 4. , viewed 17 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article250130951
  6. 1883 'BALLARAT DISTRICT LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASSOCIATION.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 19 April, p. 4. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202503872
  7. 1885 'NEWS AND NOTES.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 30 April, p. 2. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207636411
  8. 1893 'COUNTRY NEWS.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 22 September, p. 6. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197183466
  9. 1897 'SHOCKING MINING ACCI-DENT.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 2 August, p. 3. , viewed 12 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215314630
  10. 1897 'DISPUTE AT THE INQUEST.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 2 August, p. 5. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190649003
  11. 1897 'CRESWICK.', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 19 October, p. 1. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215318723
  12. 1902 'Family Notices', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 29 December, p. 5. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208367427
  13. 1902 'OBITUARY NOTICES', The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), 30 December, p. 6. , viewed 18 May 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208367626

External links[edit | edit source]