A Haunting at Belalie North, South Australia.

 

Belalie North is famous as the birthplace of R.M. Williams. It was a town that sprang up when the train line from Peterborough (then Petersburg) to Jamestown was built. It was at the time, the highest train station above sea level in South Australia, which made it hard for steam engines to climb the steep hills. The line was eventually re-routed around Belalie, and the town went into decline.

All that stands today is the ruins of the former general store and the entrance pillars to the town which contain a memorial to local men lost in World War One.[1]

It has long been rumoured that Belalie is haunted. Legend tells of two brothers who fell in love with the same woman. During a heated argument, it is alleged one brother shot and killed the other. Once a year, on the day of the murder, the ghost of the brother, it is said, can be seen standing where he was killed. In a rage, he stands on the road and shouts, ‘I’ll kill you, you bastard!!”

 

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2024

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[1] ‘Belalie North,’ Australia For Everyone, (2017), https://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/files/sa-midnorth/peterborough.html

The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 3: Peppi the ghost

 The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – 

Part 3: Peppi the Ghost.

Stanley Grammar School 1897 [SLSA: B 16781]

There are always local legends about buildings that become derelict in small country towns, the former Stanley Grammar School is no exception. It is claimed that the stairway that allowed boys access to the male dormitory on the first floor, was narrow and very steep.
Legend states that one small boy either fell or was pushed down the staircase, dying from his injuries (there is no record I can find for this). It is alleged this boy, dubbed ‘Peppi’ haunts the old school.

There have been claims by witnesses to Peppi’s haunting of hearing a small boy crying out in pain, sometimes he calls for help, sounding as if he is in great pain. Other witnesses state that the cry for help is more of a plea, than one of pain, like Peppi is lost, or alone, and pleading for someone to help him. One former owner of the building claimed to have heard Peppi but never saw the ghost.
 

According to Geraldine Pearce, in the book, Ghosts and Hauntings of South Australia, by Gordon de L. Marshall, the only witness to sight Peppi is Michelle Dohnt, who, ‘thought she saw the vague outline of a small boy at the dormitory window.’[1]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024.

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[1] Gordon de L. Marshall, ' WATERVALE: Stanley Grammar School,' Ghosts and Hauntings of South Australia, (2012) p. 288.

The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 2: Family History

 The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – 

Part 2: Family History

 

Joseph Stear Carlyon Cole, 1895 [SLSA B 12272]

    Joseph Stear Carlyon Cole was born in Exeter, Devon, England in 1832.[1] He emigrated to Penwortham, South Australia in 1857. He taught at the Auburn Public School and worked as a clerk at the local district court; was secretary for the Independent Order of Oddfellows; was a correspondent for the South Australian Register newspaper; and curator for a local cemetery.
 In 1861, Cole was headmaster at the Pulteney Street School in Adelaide. He left to open his own school at Watervale.[2]

Hannah Cole nee Peacock

   Cole married Hannah Peacock in Adelaide, in November 1862. Together they had five daughters and one son; Florence (1863-1936), Ada (1865 – 1890), Jessie (1867 – 1949), Alice (1868 – 1934), Clement, (1871-1931), Mable (1865-1905). Joseph Coles retired in 1904 but remained on the property until his death on 15 October 1916 at the age of 85. He was buried at St Mark’s Cemetery, Penwortham.[3] Hannah died in August 1928.[4] Hannah was buried with Joseph, and their son, Clement, was later buried with his parents. Jessie and Alice Cole are buried together at Penwortham Cemetery.

 

Next week: The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 3: Peppi the Ghost.

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024.

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[1] Jean V. Moyle, 'Cole, Joseph Stear Carlyon (1832–1916)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, ANU, (1981).

[2] Ibid.

[3] 'Family Notices', The Register, (17 October 1916), p. 2.

[4] 'MRS. COLE.', Chronicle, (8 September 1928), p. 22.

The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 1: History

 The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – 

Part 1: History

 

Old Stanley Grammar School, Watervale c. 1975 [SLSA: B 31688]

The construction of the Stanley Grammar School began in 1863. The school was built by its founder, Joseph Cole. Cole founded his school in 1858, teaching from the Watervale Bible Christian Chapel. A new public school opened in Watervale in 1859 where Cole also taught.|
Cole purchased land between the school and Commercial Street on which he built a four-room private school building. In 1867, the school officially adopted Stanley Grammar School as its name. The school operated as a boarding house for boys, who were schooled there, with girls allowed access to schooling during the day. The school had a 30-acre recreation area that featured a gymnasium.[1]
 In 1871, the school was extended, with a second story, new ground-floor rooms, and further dormitories. Lessons taught included practical mathematics, Logarithms, chemistry, assaying, surveying, linear and perspective drawing, brokerage, bookkeeping, typewriting, drawing theodolite and chain surveying, music, and field subjects.

Miss Susan Roach was an assistant teacher of Mr Cole. In every room was a list of rules and regulations of the school, which were sacrosanct, and woe to those who disobeyed. Coles taught his students to read parliamentary newspapers so that they could be informed about politics when it became their time to vote. He also encouraged his students to uphold moral standards when students went home to their own districts; that a man would be judged by their actions, conduct and manner.[2] Many of his students went on to be important people in South Australia, including; Sir David Gordon, Dr William Torr, Sir John Duncan, Sir Frederick Young, H C Mengeson, J Harmer, Dr W Jethro Brown and Emile Sobels.[3]

Mr A.H.  Wehrmann recalled in The Recorder newspaper in 1949, that two school mottos were hung in the classroom. The first, ‘Let the boy learn so he may be able to teach,’ and the second, ‘Learning is wealth to the poor and an ornament to the rich.’[4]

Stanley Grammar School 1880 [SLSA: B 12274]

The building lay empty for 30 years, Cole’s daughter, Jessie, lived in the family house built next door until her death in 1949. After her passing the family belongings and property were sold at auction.[5]
the building has been utilised by the Girl Guides, by artists, by numerous owners who wanted to restore it, but it fell into disrepair. One potential buyer wanted to demolish it and use the stone in other projects. In the 1980s, it was The Three Roses Restaurant. The building was sold to Adelaide heart surgeon, Dr John Knight, who restored it to its former beauty. The property was sold to Denise and Frank Kluss in 2007, who now offer the site as a deluxe boutique accommodation.

Next week: The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 2: Family History

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024.

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[1] 'Old Stanley Grammar School at Watervale', Northern Argus, (28 April 1949), p. 1.

[2] 'Early Teaching In Watervale', Chronicle, (29 April 1948), p. 32.

[3] Lantana, ‘History,’ Stanley Grammar Country House, (2023), https://www.oldstanleygrammar.com.au/history/.

[4] 'MR. OSBORNE'S MEMORIES', Recorder, (10 October 1949), p. 3. 

[5] 'Old Stanley Grammar School at Watervale', Northern Argus, (28 April 1949), p. 1.

 The Bent Tree Haunting - Watervale

 

On the Horrocks Highway, between Leasingham and Watervale there once stood a landmark, a bent tree, which marks the spot of a tragic accident.

 Andrew Sands came to Australia on board the passenger ship Epaminondas, arriving at Port Adelaide on 2^nd August 1852. Andrew was a 30-year-old Scottish-born Miner, his wife, Margaret was 28, they had (at the time) three children, David, aged 8, James, aged 4; and 1-year-old Margaret.[1] The couple had one South Australian-born child, Archibald in March 1866.

 

On Tuesday 2^nd February 1869, Andrew Sands was thrown from his horse during a thunderstorm, near the Bent Tree, a local landmark at the time. Sands was found and taken to the Auburn Hotel, where he was attended by Doctor Wall. He was diagnosed with a severe concussion of the brain.
 On 4 February 1869, Andrew Sands died. Sands had a fractured skull, and his brain had swelled, eventually killing him. He was buried the following day 5^th of February 1869, in the Auburn Cemetery, overseen by Reverend Crawford.[2]

Since his untimely death, a local legend states that on moonlit nights, the exact spot where he came off his horse, the ghost of Andrew Sands appears.  Before the time of motor cars, it was claimed that Sand's ghost would try and stop passersby. He walks with his arms out, pleading for a lift. Horses would rear up at the sight of the ghost, bolting, and often throwing their rider to the ground, just as Sands horse had done many years before.

Sand's ghost is not seen as much these days. As cars speed by on the Horrocks Highway, but every now and then, a report of an oddly dressed man, arms outstretched, as if pleading, begging for someone to stop and save him, is seen…

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024

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[1] Robert Janmaat, ‘Epaminondas’, The Ships List, SA Passenger Lists, 1847-1886, (2008), https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1852.shtml.

[2] 'AUBURN.', Kapunda Herald and Northern Intelligencer, (5 February 1869), p. 3.

 A Ghost Named Clark.

 

Kadina 1933 {SLSA B 8738}

 In August 1880, Kadina on the Yorke Peninsula was haunted by a ghost. The ghost was seen in the evenings. It purposefully scared women and children, jumping out from behind trees, and around corners.

 One evening, Foot Constable Murray of the Kadina police patrolled the streets. He spotted the ghost as it floated through the town and followed it. He approached the ghost, and grabbed it, expecting to pass through it - as you do – but the ghost was solid. He unmasked the Kadina spectre, a man in a white bedsheet, and took him to the police station! FC Murray may have been South Australia’s first ‘ghostbuster!’

Hosiah Clark was charged by Foot Constable Murray with ‘unlawful use of a disguise to frighten women and children.’[1] Clark was deemed idle and disorderly, he was sentenced to pay 15s for his crime and serve fourteen days in the Wallaroo Gaol.[2]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024

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[1] 'POLICE COURT—KADINA.', The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal, (18 August 1880), p. 3.

[2] 'NEWS OF THE MONTH.', The Illustrated Adelaide News, (1 September 1880), p. 1. 

 Port River Sunfish

 In 1903, the Adelaide Observer reported that Mr Seymour Bagot and a small party of young men were fishing in the Port River. (The Observer, in 1908, reported the incident happened at Schnapper Point).[1] Bagot noticed a fish floating lazily on the surface of the water with a fin protruding, he described it as looking ‘like a shark.’
Bagot reported the incident to the journalist stating,

‘I picked up my gun and fired at it twice in quick succession. It immediately dived, and I headed the launch for the shore. For a time, I lost sight of the queer fish, but it found us shortly afterwards and nearly capsized the boat. Our propellor struck it once of twice; and then I shot again, and this time managed to hit it in a vital part. The chase and kill were more exciting than any shark could possibly have given.’[2]

 The fish was 7 feet 2 inches (2.1 meters) in length; 9 feet 2 inches (2.8 meters) in girth, and length round, 18 feet (5.4 meters).  Each of its two fins measured 3 feet 1 inch (0.94 meters). The distance from the top fin to the bottom was 9 feet 6 inches (2.92 meters). The fish weighed 15 cwt (762 kg).[3]

The fish an Ocean Sunfish (also known as a Mola mola) can weigh between 250 to 2000Kg. They can grow to at least 3.3 meters and as large as 4 meters in size. According to the Australian museum, there are five species of Sunfish found in Australian waters; the Hoodwinker Sunfish - Mola tecta, the Giant Sunfish - Mola alexandrini, the Ocean Sunfish - Mola mola, Slender Sunfish - Ranzania laevis, and the Point-tailed Sunfish, Masturus lanceolatus.[4]

The fish was donated to the South Australian Museum. The Register newspaper reported in December 1903 that,

 ‘Very shortly the enormous sunfish captured in the Port River by Mr. Seymour Bagot, will be added to the collection. This example and a mute swan (one of a number given to the Botanical Gardens by the late Queen Victoria) are now receiving the finishing touches.’[5]

The sunfish caught be Seymour Bagot was on display in the South Australian for many years. Although it doesn’t mention Bagot’s Sunfish, this article, written by Dan Monceaux for the Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc., records modern captures of the Sun fish in South Australia: http://mlssa.org.au/2014/08/09/sunfish-sightings-in-south-australia/



Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024




[1] 'GENERAL NEWS.', Observer, (26 September 1908), p. 35.

[2] 'A SEA MONSTER.', Adelaide Observer, (18 July 1903), p. 24.

[3] 'A SEA MONSTER.', The Capricornian, (25 July 1903), p. 46.

[4] Kerryn Parkinson, Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758), Australian Museum, (2021), https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/ocean-sunfish-mola-mola/.

[5] 'ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM.', The Register, (22 December 1903), p. 4.