J is for Journey to the Golden West

 

John Ebbott's Coolgardie Adventure

This post continues the fascinating story of my great-great-grandfather, John Ebbott, whose journey to India I described in my previous A to Z Challenge post "I is for India". After his return from that disappointing venture, he soon set his sights on another frontier—the goldfields of Western Australia.

Recovery After India

After John Ebbott returned from India in May 1893, he didn't remain in Castlemaine for long. The Mount Alexander Mail reported that he had suffered during his time abroad but was recovering:

"Mr Ebbott... returned to Castlemaine on Saturday. He looks tolerably well, though he had been a sufferer from fever when living in the jungle. The florid [exaggerated or embellished] account circulated of the rich gold field to which he journeyed proved to be fallacious..."

— Mount Alexander Mail, 8 May 1893

Coolgardie Prospects

Despite the disappointment of his Indian venture and the toll it took on his health, John remained resilient. His experience managing mines like the Garfield Company at Chewton had prepared him to face setbacks head-on. It wasn't long before new opportunities presented themselves.

"Mr. J. Ebbott, who for many years was mining manager of the Garfield Company at Chewton, will leave to-morrow for Western Australia to conduct operations on the goldfields there for a Bendigo syndicate." — The Argus, 25 August 1893

This time, the destination would be Coolgardie, Western Australia—a nascent gold field that promised more than India had delivered. By November, the syndicate received promising news:

"The Bendigo syndicate which sent Messrs. Ebbott and Lawrie, two well known mining managers, to Coolgardie, have received intimation that the delegates named have secured a claim six miles from Coolgardie. Mr. Ebbott leaves Perth on the 24th inst., bringing specimens taken from the outcrop and lower on the lode for treatment in Bendigo." — The Age, 22 November 1893

This claim marked a turning point for John and his colleague Henry Lawrie. Their efforts in Coolgardie not only validated their expertise but also signaled a promising future for their syndicate in Western Australia's burgeoning goldfields.

The Long Journey

Sea Travel

So John’s journey began:

"Under instructions from a Bendigo syndicate Mr Lawry and myself took passage in the mail boat Victoria, belonging to the P. & O. Company's line of steamships. We left Port Melbourne on Saturday the 16th September, and arrived at Albany on Saturday, the 2nd day of September." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

John Ebbott's journey to Coolgardie was meticulously documented in a letter he wrote to his brother back home, which was later published in local newspapers. This account not only captured the challenges and beauty of his travels but also served as a way to share his experiences with a wider audience—perhaps akin to a modern social media post. In his own words, John's account captures both his humour and resilience during this leg of his journey. Like many ocean travellers of the time, he wryly noted the challenges of sea travel:

"Like the general run of ordinary mortals, we had to submit to the usual experience incidental to a trip on the briny; we bowed, however, to the inevitable with as good grace as possible." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Albany Arrival

Upon arriving in Albany, John and his travelling companion Mr. Lawry faced their first challenge—determining the best route inland to the goldfields:

"The people of Albany were very anxious to do business in the way of providing outfit and provision for the road, and giving advice about the various tracks to the field... We think the advice we generally got about the best way to Coolgardie was somewhat coloured

[influenced or biased] by local trade interests." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Navigating local advice proved tricky; while helpful on the surface, much of it seemed influenced by business interests rather than impartial guidance. After careful consideration of the conflicting recommendations, they chose a route and continued their journey:

"We decided in favour of the Narrogin, which place we reached after a train ride of about eight hours." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Australian Wilderness

What struck John most about the journey wasn't the hardships, though there were many, but the unexpected beauty of the Western Australian landscape. Amidst the challenges of overland travel, boggy terrain and limited water supplies, John found himself captivated by Western Australia's unique beauty.

"The traveller on this line cannot fail to notice that he is surrounded with novelties on all sides, novelties in swamp, sand, rock and timber, whilst the floral display is simply bewildering. I had seen some very beautiful things in India, but as we rode along that narrow gauge line to Narrogin, and afterwards travelled over the many sand plains which lie between Narrogin and Southern Cross, I felt that West Australia must take the cake." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

The vast, unfamiliar landscape evoked contradictory emotions. John marvelled at nature's compensation for the harsh terrain:

"If Nature had apparently withheld some desirable things, there was the presence of the compensating principle in loveliest tints, hues, and colours, now magnificent, now too delicate for satisfactory description. One looks around in delighted bewilderment at the captivating glory of bud and bloom; the scene is unique." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Yet this beauty came with significant challenges:

"Alas, that a land so extraordinarily favoured in this should be so marred by the lack of the most precious essential in life, viz., water; yet such is the fact; there are many lakes, but they are salt." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

The remainder of their journey was arduous. They left Narrogin with others bound for the goldfields:

"We left Narrogin on the afternoon of Thursday, the 7th September, in company with four others, who like ourselves, were going to see what Coolgardie was like." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Progress was slow and challenging:

"The boggy nature of the flat country made things unpleasant and tedious for the teams, and unloading and loading made things slow and wearying for ourselves, but, as grumbling would not help matters in the least, we buckled to and trudged along and reached Southern Cross on 22nd September, being so far sixteen days on the journey." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

From there, as John recorded, they made their final push:

"We now pushed on towards the centre of attraction as fast as we could, covering the balance of the journey, viz., 120 miles, in five days." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

Discovery at Coolgardie

When they finally reached Coolgardie, fortune smiled upon them. Coolgardie offered not just opportunity but camaraderie among fellow miners. Upon arrival, John connected with J.W. Begelhole—a notable figure in Bayley's Reward mine—who welcomed him warmly.

"We were fortunate in arriving at Coolgardie to meet Mr. J. W. Begelhole, the noted manager in Bayley's Reward mine, and received from him a very cordial invitation to take up our quarter with him. You may be sure we were not slow in accepting this evidence of kind hospitality and friendship." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

The following day brought a sight that would cement John's belief in Coolgardie's potential:

"We were shown through the mine next day, and the sight we saw will neve be forgotten. It totally eclipsed anything and everything we had seen in gold mining; truly, this mine is a marvellous phenomenon." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

His professional assessment was enthusiastic:

"After a few days of investigation around Bayley's, we came to the conclusion that the precious metal would be found along the line of reef, both north and south, and the more one explores this belt of country the more will he see to strengthen the conviction that the Coolgardie goldfield is not a mere flash in the pan, but will become in the near future a big gold producing district." — Mount Alexander Mail, 25 December 1893

A New Beginning

By January 1894, John's confidence in the region had led to the formation of the Bendigo and Coolgardie Proprietary Company. The company registration listed John as a substantial shareholder, with his colleague remaining in Coolgardie:

"John Ebbott, Chewton, mine manager 870 [shares] Henry Lawry, Coolgardie, W. A., mine Manager ... 800 [shares]" — The Bendigo Independent, 19 January 1894

John was soon appointed manager of the company, and by March 1894, he was actively developing the operation:

"Mr. John Ebbott, the manager of the Bendigo-Coolgardie Proprietary Company, has returned to Western Australia from Melbourne where he has been purchasing machinery for working the company's property. He has secured a 15-head stamper battery, which is at present being unloaded from the s.s. Waroonga." — Western Mail, 31 March 1894

The company's property was "situated about seven miles from Coolgardie, on the way to Mount Burgee," precisely where John and Henry had staked their initial claim.

Resignation

For nearly a year, John managed the company's operations, bringing his extensive experience to bear on the challenging conditions of Western Australia. But in January 1895, newspapers reported:

"Mr. J. Ebbott has resigned the position of manager of the Bendigo Coolgardie Company, the half yearly meeting of which will be held tomorrow." — The Age, 29 January 1895

His departure was not taken lightly. At the half-yearly meeting, one company member expressed regret:

"The only thing he was sorry about was that the manager had sent in his resignation. He did not know where they could get a man like John Ebbott in Victoria. What he had done in Western Australia was very creditable. He dreaded what might happen if Mr Ebbott persisted in his resignation. He was a practical miner in every way." — The Bendigo Independent, 30 January 1895

Though his departure marked an end to this chapter of his mining career, John's contributions left an indelible mark on those who worked alongside him. His expertise and leadership were widely praised during his tenure. What prompted John's resignation remains a mystery in the historical record. Perhaps the harsh conditions of Western Australia had taken their toll, or new opportunities beckoned elsewhere. Whatever the reason, his journey to Coolgardie represented another chapter in his life as a mining professional—one defined by adventure, discovery, and the pursuit of golden opportunities.

📅 Mini Timeline: John Ebbott’s Coolgardie Ventures, 1893–1895

• Feb 1893 – Returns from India after managing a mine and suffering jungle fever¹

• May 1893 – Back in Castlemaine, deliberates new mining offers²

• Aug 1893 – Announces plans to inspect WA goldfields for a syndicate³

• Sep 1893 – Arrives in Albany, then travels overland to Coolgardie⁴

• Oct 1893 – Sends enthusiastic reports on Coolgardie prospects⁵

• Nov 1893 – Syndicate secures lease near Coolgardie; Ebbott returns to Bendigo with gold specimens⁶

• Dec 1893 – Ebbott presents findings; two companies are formed⁷

• Jan 1894 – Final call for share applications in Ebbott & Lawry Co.⁸

• Mar 1894 – Returns to WA with machinery via steamer Waroonga⁹

• May 1894 – Work on leases continues despite challenges with water¹⁰

• Oct 1894 – Invites tenders for brickmaking at the mine¹¹

• Nov 1894 – Site visit confirms progress; battery installation planned¹²

• Jan 1895 – Resigns from company management; praised for his contributions¹³

---

This post is part of my A to Z Challenge series on family migration stories. John Ebbott's journey from Victoria to Western Australia represents just one of many migrations that shaped our family history, as our ancestors moved across continents and countries in search of opportunity and better lives.

---

🔎 References

1 MINING INTELLIGENCE. (1893, February 13). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855–1918), p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88609161
[Explanation: Return from India – After contracting jungle fever while managing a mine, Ebbott returned to Victoria, appearing recovered but disinclined to return to India.]

2 ITEMS OF NEWS. (1893, May 8). Mount Alexander Mail (Vic. : 1854–1917), p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198247569
[Explanation: Castlemaine Homecoming – Reports highlight Ebbott's disappointment with India's over-hyped goldfields and indecision about future prospects.]

3 CASTLEMAINE. (1893, August 25). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848–1957), p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8684323
[Explanation: Coolgardie Bound – Prepares to leave for WA to assess new goldfields as part of a Bendigo syndicate.]

4 A VISIT TO COOLGARDIE. (1893, December 25). Mount Alexander Mail (Vic. : 1854–1917), p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198250250
[Explanation: Arrival and Overland Journey – Ebbott details the trek to Coolgardie via Narrogin and Southern Cross.]

5 EXPERTS' REPORT ON COOLGARDIE. (1893, October 23). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854–1954), p. 5. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197190698
[Explanation: Struck Gold (Metaphorically) – Ebbott sends glowing reports of Coolgardie’s gold reefing prospects.]

6 MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. (1893, November 22). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854–1954), p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197191187
[Explanation: Secures a Lease – Syndicate acquires claim; Ebbott brings gold specimens back to Bendigo.]

7 MISCELLANEOUS. (1893, December 11). Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891–1918), p. 4. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174519716
[Explanation: Company Formation – Two new companies are formed with Ebbott leading operations.]

8 Advertising. (1894, January 13). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848–1957), p. 7. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8723767
[Explanation: Public Share Offer Closes – Public interest leads to closing of applications for shares.]

9 THE BENDIGO-COOLGARDIE PROPRIETARY COMPANY. (1894, March 31). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885–1954), p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33105701
[Explanation: Back to Coolgardie – Ebbott returns with a 15-head stamper battery to commence operations.]

10 THE MINING REVIVAL. (1894, May 9). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855–1918), p. 4. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88945743
[Explanation: Operations Begin – Despite water shortages, early mining activity on the leases commences.]

11 Advertising. (1894, October 6). Coolgardie Miner (WA : 1894–1911), p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216257542
[Explanation: Brickmaking Tender – John invites tenders for brickmaking, indicating permanent infrastructure plans.]

12 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN GOLDFIELDS. (1894, November 17). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855–1918), p. 5. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88936817
[Explanation: Mine Inspection Praise – A site visit confirms progress and enthusiasm for the field.]

13 BENDIGO AND COOLGARDIE COMPANY. (1895, January 30). Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891–1918), p. 4. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194364566
[Explanation: Resignation & Recognition – Ebbott resigns; praised as a skilled and creditable mining manager.]

---

Glossary of Historical Mining and Colonial Terms

• 15-head stamper battery: A gold processing machine consisting of 15 heavy metal stamps (weights) that rise and fall in sequence to crush gold-bearing ore into fine material, allowing the gold to be separated and collected.

• P. & O. Company: The Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, a prominent British shipping line founded in 1837 that operated passenger and mail services connecting the British Empire.

• Bayley's Reward mine: The first major gold discovery at Coolgardie in 1892 by Arthur Bayley and William Ford, which triggered the Western Australian gold rush and put Coolgardie on the map.

• Flash in the pan: A mining expression originating from when gold prospectors would see a glint of gold in their pan that disappeared upon washing, now meaning a brief, isolated success that doesn't lead to sustained results.

• Jungle fever: A term commonly used in the colonial era for malaria or other serious tropical diseases characterised by recurring fevers, often contracted in remote jungle areas.

• Syndicate: A group of investors who pool their resources to fund mining ventures, sharing both the substantial costs and potential profits of gold exploration and development.

• Line of reef: A geological formation of gold-bearing quartz that runs in a continuous line through rock strata, typically followed by miners as a vein of potential gold deposits.

• Mount Burgee: A geographical location near Coolgardie in Western Australia, significant as a landmark for gold prospectors in the 1890s.

• Half yearly meeting: A formal gathering of mining company shareholders and directors held twice yearly to discuss operations, finances, and future plans—a critical governance practice in 19th century mining corporations.

• Brickmaking at the mine: An essential activity for constructing permanent structures at mining sites, including foundations for heavy machinery, chimneys for steam engines, and buildings for processing operations.

• Garfield Company at Chewton: A significant gold mining operation near Castlemaine, Victoria, where John Ebbott worked as manager before his international ventures.

• Narrogin and Southern Cross: Key towns along the route from Albany to Coolgardie during the gold rush era. Southern Cross (about 370 km east of Perth) was particularly important as the last major settlement before Coolgardie.