In the course of my family history work in 1978, I transcribed some diaries written between 1851 and 1857 by my wife's great great grandfather, Edwin Francis Peters. In discussion with Dave on this list, at Maryborough last Sunday, I mentioned an accident that had happened to Edwin's brother Walter Thomas Peters, at Sandy Creek (now Tarnagulla). Since this is Dave's particular area of interest, I thought that I might extract the relevant entries for him. As I typed, I thought it might be of wider interest to the list, and so I post it here. It gives a small insight into life on one part of the diggings in 1857. It was mighty tough! Descriptions of surgical and medical treatment received in Bendigo hospital is stomach turning. Now read on! In 1857, Walter suffered an accident while preparing for blasting. Here is a quotation from my 1978 transcription of his bother's diaries. The relevant first entry is the 1st March 1857, on Poverty Reef: " 2nd Mon. About noon while Walter was charging a blast, it fired, and Walter received a great portion of powder in his face. A stone struck him above the chin, cutting a hole through the flesh, shattering the lower jaw into 2 pieces and carrying away 3 teeth. It is very much swollen & Doctor has been from Donolly [sic] and set the jaw. He scarcely murmurs though suffering. I went over [to] Donolly about midnight for leeches and got back just as the day was breaking. 3rd Tues. The Doctor has been to reset his jaw and I went over to Donolly after medicine and back by 11 P.M. Weather threatening. 4th Wed. Most persons on the reef are very kind and volunteer their service. Albert Summers takes watch & watch with me. Poor little Charlotte (1) feels it very much. 5th Thurs. The Doctor paid another visit this morning and before leaving asked for his fee which, though it looked rather mean on his part, I squared up with him directly rather than have any words with him. He appeared to be a little frightened so we immediately consulted what was best to do, concluding that, should there be no change today for the better, we take him to Bendigo where he can get proper medical treatment. Wilson (who keeps a restaurant) lent me his horse and trap to fetch Elisabeth (2) to see him before he went. I started and when I got to Bet Bet found she had gone fully 2 hours, she having gone another road. After one hour's rest at Mr Harse's proceeded back and when I got home preparations were making for being off as soon as possible. Having hired a spring cart and horse, made all ready, and got on the road about 1/2 past 12 A.M. Messrs King & Baker kindly volunteering to go with us. 6th Fri. The day broke when we got about half way on our journey; after a slow and tedious travel arrived in Bendigo at noon, a distance of some 30 or 32 miles, having been nearly 12 hours on the road. Walter was duly entered and operated on in the presence of 4 doctors by Doctor Smith, who, though at the time was considerably on in liquor. He tore the loose pieces of the jaw, prizing and tearing piece after piece. He is highly praised as a clever and skilful Doctor. Walter suffered much, but bore it with extreme patience and scarcely murmured. Warm. 7th Sat. Walter's face is being painful. Bendigo is so much altered since I last saw it, which is nearly 5 years ago, that I could scarcely recognize the place. Building is going on and trade brisk; 2 papers published daily. Great praise is due to the citizens for the spirit they have shown. 8th Sun. The day has been remarkably warm, with high hot winds. I have been staying with Walter the greater part of the day, keeping the flies away from him. During the morning I took out of the wounds upwards of a score of maggots, the sight was truly horrifying; towards night he was pretty free of them and became greatly relieved. After leaving him I had just time to go to the Wesleyan Chapel evening service . . . . 10th Tues. .... The Whipstick diggins [sic] seems to be the favourite spot for the winter, 10 miles distant. Two accidents occurred here yesterday which proved mortally - one Chinaman from a pistol going off accidentally, the other an Englishman by the name of John Lowe, from the kick of a horse, breaking 5 ribs which brought mortification. A jury was held today. Walter is improving though still in much pain. Warm again. Full moon tonight. ........ 13th Fri. I had a short conversation with Doctor Jordan, the house-surgeon at the Hospital, and it is his opinion of Walter that the left eye there is hopes but as to the right it is forever insensible to the light of the sun. What a misfortune to be deprived of one of the greatest blessings that is enjoyed by man. I am getting every little thing which may be useful to Walter against my leaving tomorrow for Sandy Creek. Beautiful weather with delightful southerly breezes.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edwin Peters returned to Bendigo on the 28th March, arriving about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The diary for that day continues: "... We made for the Hospital as soon as possible to see Walter. The face is almost healed up, but the eyes to our consternation and sorrow, the left is entirely gone, while the right is so much swollen, the lens coming out in the form of a ... [indecipherable] leaving not the least hope of ever recovering sight again; what a misfortune; what a loss at his age to lose one of the greatest links to man's earthly happiness or pleasure; in the spring of manhood and acitve mind like his by one stroke to be, yes forever, blind. We must not murmur against the Divine Will, for surely he works all for our good. 29th Sun. .... Last... [indecipherable] was the best Walter has past since the misfortune happenbed. Without scarce a murmur he resigns himself to the will of the All Wise One, whose wisdom is past finding out...." The entry for 27th April reads, in part: 27th Mon. . . . Poor Walter returned to us this evening in company with David Hall. Blind! Blind Walter; thank God his intellect is not impaired we may yet live together in happiness which, by the help of the Eternal Being, who has promised never to forsake the fatherless and those who trust in Him, peace and love to be the theme of our every heart. ____________________________________________________________ (1) Charlotte Peters was his sister, aged 12. She had been left by their mother who returned to Wales. She first married Edward Rosman who is buried in Tarnagulla and then she married James Pearce. She had no children and she is buried in the Carisbrook cemetery. (2) Elizabeth Harse, nee Peters, was his recently married sister. Her husband was Henry Harse and both are buried at Carisbrook. She was 26 at the time of the accident. Edwin Peters eventually married her husband's sister, Eliza Harse.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sad but informative story. Thank you Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 6:29:20 PM, you wrote: t> In the course of my family history work in 1978, I transcribed some diaries t> written between 1851 and 1857 ........ I mentioned an accident that had happened to Edwin's brother Walter t> Thomas Peters, at Sandy Creek (now Tarnagulla). -- Best regards, Julie from Cairns mailto:tropikkal@mytown.net.au