Mallala Museum - Hidden Secrets

<start transcript>

In 1877, the Mallala Milling Company was floated with a capital investment of ten thousand pounds. A site in the township was chosen and James Martin and Co of Gawler were contracted to build all the machinery and carpentry for the new Mallala Mill.
The foundation stone was laid on 26 July 1878 by Miss M.A. Chivell, who was presented with a silver trowel for her efforts.[1]

The Mill was opened by Mr W. Cavanagh M.P. on Tuesday 18 March 1879.

The completed building was three stories tall, built from hammer-dressed limestone, with brick quoins and cement dressings.  At the rear was a shed that contained a Cornish boiler manufactured at James Martin and Co in Gawler. The boiler drove a horizontal engine of 22 horsepower, with a flywheel weighing three tons.
 The mill consisted of three pairs of French burr stones, each being 3 feet and 8 inches in diameter.[2]

On 31 August 1880, just after 12 noon, the boiler at the Mallala Mill exploded. Mr Armfield, the Mills engineer had just been to check on the boiler and returned to the engine room when the accident happened. The boiler exploded, blowing down half of the boiler-house walls and bursting numerous pipes. The explosion blew the roof of the engine and boiler room houses and shattered the base of the chimney stack. Luckily, no one lost their lives, as most workers had gone to lunch, however, Mr Armfield received some head injuries from flying debris

When the mill closed, the inner workings, the steam engine and grinder were removed and used at the Blyth Mill.[3] Mathew Henry East held the title in 1909, and in 1933, East Brothers and Co took possession

In 1947 the 50-foot-tall chimney, made from over 6000 bricks, that had been built in 1878 was demolished. It had been declared unsafe and a risk to the buildings nearby

The Mallala and Districts Historical committee was formed in 1968, and in 1970, the Adelaide Plains Council bought Mallala Flour Mill to be used as a museum. The museum holds a comprehensive military display of local involvement, farming machinery, an REO Speedwagon Fire Engine, displays of old typewriters, toys, blacksmith forge, and Mr Temby’s penny-farthing, which was ridden in the Adelaide Xmas Pageant by Lance Tiller. The Long Plains Schoolroom has many displays, and recently, in 2021, a new upstairs gallery was opened and dedicated to long term volunteer, the late Margaret Tiller.

The Mallala Museum is considered one of the finest local heritage museums in South Australia. It is open every Sunday afternoon from 2pm until 4:30pm and is run by volunteers. <end transcript>

© 2021 Allen Tiller


[1] 'Laying the Foundation Stone of Mallala Flour Mill', Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser, (6 August 1878), p. 4.

[2] 'Opening of the Mallala Mill.', South Australian Register, (20 March 1879), p. 1.

[3] 1947 'Out Among The People', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 15 April, p. 4. , viewed 14 Aug 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30522934

  The Murder of James Curran.

 

Grave of James Curran - SLSA [B 28120]

  James Curran worked at Minnipa on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. He was employed by the Hydraulic Engineers Department, working on constructing a holding tank for the Tod River water scheme in 1927.
 On Sunday morning, 30 January 1927, Curran had a drink of coffee before breakfast and became ill.
 Before he died and in throes of agony, Curran spoke to the foreman, H.E. Scott. He gave the address of his daughter at Warrnambool, but before he got to speak his son’s address, he died.^[1]

  It was believed that poison had been put with sugar that Curran had used to sweeten his coffee. Police constables Hann and Cain investigated. They found that a cook from the construction camp had suicided six months earlier and that recently two pigs, who had eaten scraps from the camp dinner, had also died. Further investigation was sought.

  An inquest was held under the watch of Dr McCarthy of Wudinna, ordered by Coroner A.G. Collyer-Braham.
 At the inquest, Charles Jones, the assistant cook gave evidence of the morning of Curran’s death. He said that at 7:30 am Curran came into the kitchen with a pannikin. Jones put coffee and sugar in it. Curran remarked to Jones, “What did you out in this? You are always putting jokes upon me.”
 Jones replied that he hadn’t put anything in it. Curran asked him to taste it, so he took a teaspoon full, which Jones thought tasted bitter.
 Curran threw out his coffee and was poured a new one. A short while after drinking it, he shouted “I am poisoned!”^[2]

 Another witness, Walter Rowe, a Deputy Government Analyst, stated that he examined the 3 oz. of sugar in the container. In it, he found a ½ grain of strychnine. There was no poison in the sugar bag in the storeroom. He also examined Curran’s liver and kidneys and found enough of the poison present to deliver the fatal blow.

More witnesses were called, and a suspect pointed at. Frank Styrmin recalled that he had handed a bottle of strychnine to a man named Schultz who was with Carl Bystedt. A suspect had been found.

 

Based on circumstantial evidence, Carl Eugene Elwing Bystedt was committed for murder.^[3] Coroner A.G. Collyer-Braham stated that the evidence against Bystedt was strong. He commended Detectives Slade and Golds on their investigation into the case and their collection of evidence, which met with difficult circumstances due to a large portion of the workers at the camp being foreigners whose first language was not English.
Coroner Collyer-Braham stated,

“That James Curran came to his death on January 30 at mess camp at Minnipa through strychnine poisoning, after having drunk a cup of coffee, in which was mixed sugar containing strychnine.' He stated that the evidence against Bystedt was so strong that he must face the jury at the next sitting of the Criminal Court.”^[4]

 Bystedt was taken to Adelaide to face charges. The South Australian Crown Solicitor, A.J. Hannan, investigated the case and decided that there was barely any evidence that pointed toward Bystedt being the murderer.^[5] As there was no case, Bysted walked a free man.^[6]

 

James Curran is buried in the Minnipa cemetery.

© 2021 Allen Tiller.

[1] 'Poisoning Case at Minnipa.', West Coast Sentinel, (4 February 1927), p. 1., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168243416.

[2] 'Minnipa Inquest.', The Register, (23 February 1927), p. 15., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54886406.

[3] 'Minnipa Tragedy', Barrier Miner, (24 February 1927), p. 4., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45981347.

[4] 'Minnipa Tragedy.', The Register, (25 February 1927), p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54884520.

[5] 'No Indictment.', The Armidale Chronicle, (9 April 1927), p. 6., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188070777.

[6] 'Minippa Tragedy.', Recorder, (8 April 1927), p. 1., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95872984.

 The 1855 Macclesfield Murder.

 

Davenport Arms Hotel 1921 – SLSA [B 34161] 

 On Monday 24 September 1885, an inquest was held at the Davenport Arms, Macclesfield after the murder of a local man named James Spencer.
 On the Friday prior, locals witnessed Spencer dressed in his best clothing at about 7pm in the evening, after he voted in a local election. He was seen to return to his small home about three-quarters of a mile from the town.

Spencer lived by himself. A neighbour, Mr Crick, noted that no smoke left his chimney on Saturday and Sunday; something that in 1855, would have been a regular occurrence anytime someone cooked, or even wanted to boil the kettle, being as there was no electricity or modern conveniences.
  Crick went over to check on his neighbour and found the old man had been murdered.

The police were called immediately, and upon inspection, locked the door of the house so any potential evidence would not be corrupted. The police then informed the local magistrate and then investigated the home.

At the inquest, it was revealed that Spencer had been stabbed twice in the chest, and three times in his side. He had been left to bleed out. Spencer’s blood covered his body and much of the interior of the hut. Near his body was a washbasin filled with water, where the murderer had washed his hands.^[1]

 

  After the announcement of his murder in local media, a story was published in the South Australian Register about Spencer’s life by his former employer. It was revealed that Spencer was a ‘ticket-of-leave’ man, a former prisoner at Tasmania, sent from Oxfordshire, England.
 Spencer had lived in poverty in his younger days, and worked as a chimney sweep.
Spencer had a grand idea one day. He decided to descend into a house through the chimney and rob it. On his way back up he got stuck in the chimney. He tried to escape but wedged himself tighter, he had no choice but to call for help. When help did arrive, a large section of the brickwork had to be removed to free him. His loot was discovered, and he was arrested, sentenced, and sent to Van Diemen’s Land.

 The author of the description did not know what Spencer was like, nor how long he served during his time in Tasmania’s gaols. However, he stated that Spencer had,

 “Sacred veneration for what he termed his word of honour. His word was literally his bond, and his integrity in fulfilling his encasements was unimpeachable, he was a man of a charitable disposition, and was ever ready, as far as his scanty means would admit, to assist those who were in need, while with scrupulous pertinacity he would avoid incurring an obligation himself.”^[2]

 

It was also written that Spencer was not keen on socialising. He kept few friends, never married, and kept to himself as much as possible.

 The author of the letter addressing the character of Spencer was Mr E. Holthouse, of South Terrace Adelaide. He went on to describe that he had recently employed Spencer as a log splitter. He stated that Spencer was physically strong and that he believed the person in the hut had been caught by Spencer, who tried to stop the infiltrator from robbing him, resulting in his murder.

 The police never found the murderer, and in a statement published in the Adelaide Observer, the South Australian Police Commissioner of the day said: "society is unable to avenge the death of one who had almost entirely withdrawn himself from her circle."
 A curious statement, that may hint at the possibility the police were not going to waste their time on an ex-convict’s death.^[3]

 After the inquest, the jury returned the following verdict of: “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.' The deceased was a single man, about 50 years of age, and followed the occupation of a splitter.”^[4]

Spencer’s belongings and property were sold in January 1856 at auction.^[5]

© 2021 Allen Tiller


[1] 'Declarations.', South Australian Register, (28 September 1855), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49294447.

[2] 'The Macclesfield Murder.', South Australian Register, 95 October 1855), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49298678.

[3] 'The Police Report.', Adelaide Observer, (17 November 1855), p. 6., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158100707.

[4] 'No title', South Australian Register, (26 September 1855), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49298367.

[5] 'Advertising', Adelaide Times, (29 December 1855), p. 4., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207076731.

 Peter’s Ghost

 

Peter’s ghost is also alleged to haunt the Owen Road/ Aerodrome Road between four miles between Mallala and Owen. He is seen walking along the side of the road and sometimes hitchhikes.

It is thought the spirit is that of Peter Denis Kierse, a 19-year-old RAAF Leading Aircraftman (LAC), who was killed while on duty obtaining sand for operations at the Mallala Airbase.

According to the Mallala Now and Then website, “They were travelling in the open back of a three-ton tender. While travelling along Owen Road, the truck moved from the left-hand side of the road to the centre and passed over a rise, giving a sharp jolt and causing LAC Kierse to lose balance. He fell from the truck and was fatally injured.”^[1]

 

Have you experienced this haunting? I would love to hear your story. Contact me at eidolon@live.com.au.

© Allen Tiller 2021

---

[1] RAAF No. 6 Service Flight Training School Fatalities, Mallala Now and Then, (2021), https://www.mallala.nowandthen.net.au/RAAF_No._6_Service_Flight_Training_School_Fatalities

 The Ghost of Edmund Bowman.

 

Edmund Bowman SLSA: [B 6912/ G6]

  Edmund Bowman, a wealthy pastoralist died on his property Werocata Estate near Balaklava in 1866. Bowman had walked out on an incomplete bridge, become unstable and plunged into the Wakefield River below, where he drowned.
 It is believed that in late August, near the date, that Bowman drowned, his calls for help can be heard. The calls fade into the sound of gurgles as he drowns, and then the area falls into an eerie silence.
Other people have witnessed Edward sitting on rocks near the pool, appearing to either be fishing or on some occasions in quiet reflection.[1]

  Edmund Bowman is associated with two other allegedly haunted locations in South Australia. Barton Vale House at Enfield (You can read more about this building and its hauntings in my 2020 book The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition), completed in 1852.[2]

 The other location associated with the Bowmans is Martindale Hall at Mintaro near Clare, which was built by Edmund Bowman Junior in 1879.[3]

The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition (2020) Buy it by clicking here:

Haunted Adelaide (2021) Buy it by clicking here

© 2021 Allen Tiller

---

[1] Gordon de L. Marshall, ‘Ghosts and Hauntings of South Australia’, (Jannali, NSW, 2012), pp. 150-51.

[2] SA Heritage Places Database ‘Barton Vale House’, http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1747

[3] Martindale Hall, Martindale Hall Historic Museum, (2021), https://www.martindalehall-mintaro.com.au/.

 

The Haunting of the Macclesfield Hotel

  The Macclesfield Hotel was built in 1841, with a second storey built in 1882.[1] The first publican was Matthew Linn junior in 1855.[2] This hotel was the second built in the town. There are numerous outbuildings on the property, including old stables.[3]


  In 2015, the then licensee, Mary Rhode, was interviewed by the media and alleged a woman named Rosemary was pushed down the stairs of the hotel, breaking her neck. It was alleged that a psychic visited the hotel and spoke to the spirit, with the spirit claiming that her murder was covered up by local police.[4]

  Rhode claimed, “She was pushed down the stairs and broke her neck. It must have been over 100 years ago. The pub was built in 1841 and the second level was built in 1875. She was having an argument with a man who wanted her to make money for him. She told him that she wasn't that sort of girl and so he pushed her.”
“She was really angry. She said he got away with it because he knew the coppers. The person who did the clearing for me was telling me she was so happy because she hadn't spoken to anyone for so long – she was angry and all alone.”[5]

Rhode also claimed that another psychic, who visited later and knew nothing of the pub, also experienced the ghost on the stairs. Currently, there is no proof of the alleged murder in the hotel.

Another ghost believed to haunt the building is a matronly lady. It is claimed this lady has attempted to push people down the stairs!

Macclesfield Hotel - SLSA [B 31754]

 
© 2021 Allen Tiller

---

[1] Macclesfield Hotel, Macclesfield Community History, (2015), https://www.macclesfieldhistory.com.au/macclesfield-hotel.html.

[2] JL Bob Hoad, Hotels and Publicans in South Australia, (1984), pp. 352-53.

[3] Anna Pope, DC Mount Barker Heritage Survey Part 4, (2004), p. 174., https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/heritage-surveys/2-Mount-Barker-Heritage-Survey-2004-Part-4.pdf.

[4] Madison White, Adelaide Hills Ghost Stories, (2015), https://madisonwhiteportfolio.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/adelaide-hills-ghost-stories.pdf.

[5] Madison White, Adelaide Hills Ghost Stories, (2015), https://madisonwhiteportfolio.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/adelaide-hills-ghost-stories.pdf.

 

Adelaide Hills UFO Battle

On Thursday, the 7th of February 1980, at 9:30pm, 10-year-old Phil Tindale and his twin brother Rob witnessed what they believed to be two UFOS battling for supremacy over the skies of Aldgate in the Adelaide Hills.

The two boys watched in disbelief from their bedroom window as a yellow object and a red object fought in the skies above Stirling. The two ten-year-old boys claimed they watched the objects fight for a good fifteen minutes.[1]
 The alarmed brothers woke their parents, but they told them to go back to bed. The following day, the boy's grandmother found a story in the local paper reporting on Daryl Browne, who had seen a similar-sounding incident in the sky.[2]

Daryl Browne, a twenty-one-year-old farmhand, witnessed a yellow object in the sky. The object crashed into the ground nearby. He went to investigate the crash and found the object that he described as “a crescent-shaped 8-metre diameter, speed boat-shaped, yellow, half-moon thing.” He ran back to the house and called the police. By the time the police arrived, the object had disappeared.
 Browne was interviewed by UFO Research South Australia the next day and showed them the crash site. The UFO researchers discovered a 40-metre-high pine tree that had a big section of its trunk demolished, as if from an impact.

 
  Multiple government agencies and UFO clubs travelled to the crash site at Glenalta Stud on the Old Gully Road at Stirling. Browne was interviewed so many times that during a final interview, he stated, if he ever encountered anything like this again, he wouldn’t bother reporting it because of all the attention he received. He also stated he did not believe in UFOs.

© 2021 Allen Tiller

---

[1] Paula Ahillon, Two brothers say they're SURE they witnessed two UFOs 'battle' in the skies above the Australian Outback before one made an 'emergency landing' and crashed into a tree, Daily Mail Australia, (20 October 2019), https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7593141/Two-brothers-say-theyre-SURE-witnessed-two-UFOs-battle-skies-Sterling.html.

[2] Frank Chung, South Australian brothers say they witnessed two UFOs in ‘conflict’ before 1980 Stirling crash, (21 October 2019),  https://www.ntnews.com.au/technology/science/south-australian-brothers-say-they-witnessed-two-ufos-in-conflict-before-1980-stirling-crash/news-story/c752b6a3ef019990819d87fb72b7bd62?fbclid=IwAR0wwwEBU72HxcDnQQ0Kljk6M4OyQmUJkEK7hVP3K-bq_erNXTFBPsn8Zus.