Something of History

Abstract

History is extremely vexatious because it's so biased by the chronicler of the information, and their diligence or otherwise. In this documentation we will attempt to flesh out with foolish conjecture what might have been the case and the circumstances of actions where they appear to be sparse or bare bones with some missing.

The time line was supposed to begin from 1871, the supposed naming of Cassilis. However, Howard mentioned an 1851 gold rush in his http://cassilis-history-stories.blogspot.com/2012/04/cassilis-victoria.html?showComment=1335998048349#c1853445486840983207 

This had me chasing up the newspapers of the time in Australia at least to see if I could get some evidence of it. One would imagine that there would be something? But nothing for Cassilis Victoria was found for that date, but it was found for Cassilis NSW, which was established and recognised much earlier than our Cassilis in Victoria.

So we begin at 1851.

It was reported that gold was found in Cassilis NSW:

[quote: Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer. Previous issue Saturday 7 June 1851 Page 2 ]

ANOTHER ALLEGED GOLD DISCOVERY - A gentleman who arrived in town from Cassilis on Thursday has shown us a sample of gold mixed with quartz, and which appears to be the matrix. It is a beautiful rich colour, and is pronounced by competent judges to be the REAL THING. The quantity shown us was small, but the party assures that there is dray loads of it to be had near Cassilis, where the sample was taken from. Several of our neighbours are out gold hunting about this district; we wish them every success.

-Ibid.

[end quote]
Article identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59772628

Page identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5434485

APA citation

MINING INTELLIGENCE. (1851, June 7). Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 - 1860), p. 2. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59772628

MLA citation

"MINING INTELLIGENCE." Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 - 1860) 7 Jun 1851: 2. Web. 18 Apr 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59772628>.

2.1 This also:

[quote: The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Previous issue Saturday 14 June 1851 Page 2]

The Search for Gold. - We are still without any positive information that gold in quantity has been found in this district, but intelligence, apparently authentic, has been received by letters, that gold has been found near Cassilis, the locale being stated to be some seven or eight miles from that township, on the western slope of the Dividing Range (at that point a comparatively gentle and rounded chain of hills), on the head of the Talbragar Creek, which flows into the Coolaburragundy River, a tributary of the Macquarie. Several small samples of gravel and stones have been brought into Maitland during the week, but all have been condemned as containing no gold. A letter will be found in another column respecting supposed discoveries near Dungog.

An active search is now going on throughout the district, which will, we hope, prove successful, and the more places the better. Mr. Isaac Gorrick and a party, and Mr. James Solomon and a party, left town several days since, separately, to visit special localities first, and if there unsuccessful, to be determined by circumstances how far they would prosecute the search. Other parties are also out, including, we are informed, one which consists entirely of California diggers.

[end quote]
Article identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article682532

Page identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page126968

APA citation
COMMERCIAL AND MARKETS. (1851, June 14). The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), p. 2. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article682532

MLA citation
"COMMERCIAL AND MARKETS." The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) 14 Jun 1851: 2. Web. 18 Apr 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article682532>.

This was reported at least around June in 1851, so maybe Howard's reference in the comments refers to this not the gold found in or around Cassilis Victoria?

I haven't found any reference to Cassilis, Victoria, much less any gold found there. I suppose that if it's true, and John Kennedy only named Cassilis in 1871, there would be no reference to it in 1851?

1898

1 January 1898

Cassilis and Brookville (Vic), formerly known as Long Gully and Sheepstation Creek, are situated ten and twenty miles respectively from Omeo in a south-easterly direction, and are now a scene of unusual activity. Mining is the only industry. Twenty-three years ago Mr. P. F. Forsyth came into the district, and was the pioneer of quartz mining, prior to which only a little alluvial had been done. He was successful in finding a reef that promised to pay the expense of a battery, and as plenty of water was available, he erected the first in the district, on the present site of Gum Forest. One of our illustrations shows this battery, Mr. Forsyth being the centre figure in the foreground.

He had since sold the battery to a syndicate, who crush for the public, and it is constantly employed. Four years ago. G. W. Forsyth, a son of the pioneer, discovered the Highland Chief Mine. He took out three crushings, totalling 30 tons, which yielded 6oz per ton. He sold out to Mr. Dickens, who struck better gold, and got 13oz per ton from 45 tons, and a further crushing of 38 tons yielded over 8oz per ton. The present owners, an English company, are now erecting am extensive cyanide plant and battery. The prospects are most encouraging. They have over 1000 tons of quartz ready "for crushing as soon as the battery is completed.

The Highland Chief is situated one and a half mile from Brookville, and is the mainstay of the place, employing sixty men. Several good lines of reef are near. The Janmayme has averaged l½oz gold for 500 tons. The stone is very easy to get, and the mine is under offer to Mr. C. R. Pender; a mining speculator, who is putting in 500ft of a tunnel, with a view to purchase.

The Try Again, Williams and party, on the same line of reef, and which has averaged 2oz per ton, will be included in the purchase. The Central Wombat, Shelton's Perseverance, and Richmond's are all on payable gold. The township of Brookville is insignificant, and presents a very deserted appearance, as nearly all the men live at the mines. The country is very rough, and being at a high altitude, snow is not unusual. The timber is very heavy; the gulleys full of sassafras and fern-trees. Cassilis is much lower, and being older, has a larger population.

The Warden is the principal mine, and connected with its battery is a
chlorination plant, which is being further enlarged. South of the Warden Ryan Brothers have a very good property, which, has given excellent yields the last six years.

The Cassilis Gold Mining Company, on Morning Star Hill http://www.msgold.com.au/about-mco/history/morning-star-goldmine (This is now at Woods Point. Did it start life at Cassilis?) are now putting up a battery and chlorination plant, having recently crushed 40 tons for a result of l62oz. An excellent future is anticipated, as the reef is 6ft wide at a depth of 60ft from the surface, and as soon as the battery is completed dividends may be expected.

1.-Pack Team of Horses and Mules, Cassilis. 2.-Highland Chief Mine, Brookville. 3.-Miners Crossing the Nicholson River on a Wire. 4-The Warden Battery and Chlorination Works, Cassilis. 5.-First Battery Erected in the Cassilis District. 6.-Fern Gully, Brookville. 7.-Miners' Hut, Brookville.