Much debate went on during the early years of Beechworth abou what happened to the Golden shoes which were put on Mr. Cameron's horse. The horse was shod at what in Beechworth is now the Golden Horseshoe monument (between B/worth and Woolshed) and then the procession continued on into town. I have an interview given by my GG, Hiram Crawford which tells what did happen to the shoes. I believe it anyway. Hiram at the time was one of the miners at Woolshed. "Mr. Crawford was present on the occasion of the election of Mr. Cameron as the first member of Parliament for the Beechworth district, and was one of those who contributed to the fund for that purpose and for the making of the now celebrated golden shoes for the horse which Mr. Cameron rode in the procession which was formed on the occasion of his return. It has been repeatedly stated that the shoes were borrowed from a circus proprietor known as Tinker Brown, who happened to be in Beechworth at that time, and this story is supported by Mr. McAlister of Golburn in a book of reminiscences published in October of last year, who stated that the shoes were made of brass by a local blacksmith. Mr. Crawford says emphatically that the shoes were made of solid gold, a full set, about the size of slippers. They were made by Mr. Tozer, a jeweller on the creek near Mr. Clarke's hotel. The suggestion to make and use the golden shoes came from Mr. M. O'Neil still living at North Wa! ngaratta, who was amongst the spectators when Mr. Cameron was elected, and who shouted "Begorra, we'll shoe his horse with gold!". The procession of mounted diggers rode from the Woolshed to Beechworth, Mr. Cameron riding a black horse, for which he had given £50. When they reached the town and the ceremony was over, the shoes were taken off the horse and lodged in the Bank of New South Wales. Mr. Crawford states emphatically that Mr. Bigelow (Bright) and Mr. J. Strickland and Mr. Andrew Black (of Chiltern) will bear out this statement." This interview was given in 1908. Does anyone know of the book referred to Mr. McAlister of Golburn in a book of reminiscences published in October of last year, so that would have made the book published in 1907. I wonder if Tozer the jeweller made gg's beautiful pin Isaw in the States and came back and raved about! Sadly, it is still in the States. This stunning piece of jewellery depicts HIram at his camp with all his equipment. Denise