A History of the North Kapunda Hotel: The First 100 Years

 A History of the North Kapunda Hotel:
 The First 100 Years
– by Allen Tiller

  Built in 1848 by the North Kapunda Mining Company, the North Kapunda Arms Hotel opened to the public in 1849. The original building was a single-story hotel with a double-storey accommodation wing for miners and travellers on Franklin Street (now Crase Street). The accommodation building still stands today and is the oldest original structure of the building.

  John Bickford was the first publican of the North Kapunda Arms Hotel, the first licensed hotel in Kapunda. It narrowly beat out James Whittaker at the Sir John Franklin Hotel on Main Street by one week.

  The North Kapunda Hotel, as it is known today, is an icon in the town and has featured in many of its notable historic occasions, including the reading of the Riot Act in 1893 by Corporeal Hugh Gray Queale during local political upheaval.

  This book investigates the building's first 100 years of history, including the many publicans who worked and lived in it and their families, the 1866 reconstruction, the Bachelor’s Hall, Crase’s Assembly Rooms, and the many clubs, foundations, societies, and religious groups that used the hotel as their base of operations.

Available here: https://amzn.asia/d/6HJxVrD

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James Crase

James Crase was born in Penryn, Cornwall (UK) in 1819 to George and Elizabeth Crase (nee Harris).^[1] James also had two brothers and two sisters; Mary Ann (1802 - 1823), Henry (1826 - 1868), Elizabeth (1826 – 1902) and Thomas (1831 - 1844).^[2] James was baptised at St Gluvias Church on the 28th of February 1819 in the Parish of St Gluvias Cornwall.^[3]

  George Crase worked as a butcher, a trade in which his son, James would later follow.^[4]

  James emigrated to Australia on board the Waterloo. The vessel left London on 13 June 1840, stopping at Falmouth on 5 July 1840. It then sailed under Captain George Robinson, arriving at Port Adelaide on 8 November 1840.^[5]

  James returned to Cornwall to marry Mary Ann Vivian Moyle, on the 3 May 1847, at Camborne, Cornwall. James’s occupation was listed as “miner”, whilst Mary’s was listed as a “spinster”. They were married by Father Banns, with the ceremony witnessed by Thomas Bawden and John Duckham.^[6]

 Mr Crase first worked in Port Adelaide building embankments that helped keep the seawater out of the township. He later lived in Kensington, and eventually moved to Allen’s Creek near Kapunda. In 1847 he worked as a miner at the Allen’s Creek Mine, from which he saved enough money to open his own business in Kapunda, a butcher and slaughterhouse.
 Crase opened a butcher store in Hill Street, where the information centre stands today. He worked as a butcher, but also as a stock dealer and wheat trader. He soon had enough money to invest in a farm on Clare Road, on which he would sometimes host sporting or social events.

Crase left Kapunda for the Victorian goldfields during the gold rush of 1852. It is thought this may have been where the money came from that later allowed him to improve his hotel and invest heavily in other areas of the town. He travelled to Melbourne from Adelaide on board the barque, Dreadnought, in September in 1852.^[7]  Crase returned to Adelaide, from Melbourne on the steamer, 'Cleopatra' on the 8 May 1853, returning from the Victorian Gold Fields.^[8]

 

Upon returning from the Victorian Goldfields, now flush with cash, Crase renewed his slaughtering licence, which was first granted in 1851, and re-granted in July 1853.^[9] James’ address was listed as Section 1401, at North Kapunda.^[10]

In 1854, James Crase purchased the North Kapunda Arms Hotel, which he would own for around 22 years. In 1865, Crase invested huge sums of money into his hotel, and rebuilt it in 1865, in readiness for a royal visit from Prince Alfred.
 James Crase served on Kapunda’s first council as the elected member of East Ward.

Crase was heavily involved in local goings-on and was a founding member of the local branch of the Oddfellows (M.U.) and the Foresters Lodge.

 

Mary Crase, who was well known, and much loved across South Australia, died in November 1884, which dramatically changed James’ life.^[11]  He retired from work in 1890 and moved to Dulwich to live with his daughter. James Crase died on 8 May 1905 at Dulwich, he was 85 years old. He was buried the following day at the Clare Road Cemetery alongside his wife, Mary.^[12]

A memorial for Mary from her daughters: "In loving memory of father and mother, who died May 8, 1905, and November 9, 1884. Not forgotten. —inserted by loving daughters, Mary, Lizzie, and Nellie." ^[13]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2018

Thanks to Jacki Williams for the link to a photo of Mr James Crase - obtained from the State Library of South Australia: [B 76601] - https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+76601

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[1] "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:SGJX-BDF : accessed 12 September 2018), entry for James /Crase/; file (2:2:2:MMSM-GYN), submitted 4 May 2011.

[2] James Crase in household of George Crase, Camborne, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

[3] Gill Hart and Bill O’Reilly, ‘James Crase’, Cornwall OPC Database, (2021), http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org/search-database/more-info/?t=baptisms&id=2053023.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Diane Cummings, Waterloo 1840, State Library of South Australia, (2017), https://bound-for-south-australia.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/1840Waterloo.htm.; 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', Adelaide Chronicle and South Australian Literary Record, (11 November 1840), p. 3.

[6] http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org/search-database/more-info/?t=marriages&id=1045477.

[7] 1852 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 30 September, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38459800.

[8] 1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 11 May, p. 3., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38462630.

[9] 1853 'BENCH OF MAGISTRATES.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 5 July, p. 3., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48548113.

[10] 1851 'BENCH OF MAGISTRATES.', Adelaide Observer (SA: 1843 - 1904), 13 September, p. 8., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165042820.

[11] 1884 'Family Notices', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 11 November, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106579948.

[12] "THE LATE MR. JAMES CRASE." Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951) 12 May 1905: 5. Web. 13 Sep 2018 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108433836>.

[13] 1884 'Family Notices', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 10 November, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43807190.

Kapunda People: Henry Fairclough

Henry Fairclough

1911 'Advertising', Kapunda Herald 1 September, p. 3.

Mr Fairclough was born in Liverpool England in 1849. His family moved to Norwood, South Australia in 1850. As a youth, young Henry attended school at “Holdsworth School” in Norwood and also learned to be a caterer, later, he learned the trade of ironmongery as an apprentice of F. & S.Sach, who were located in Adelaide on the corner of Gawler Place and Rundle Street.

In the younger years of his adult life, he moved to New Zealand, and then later to the north coast of New South Wales.

Upon his return to South Australia he moved to Georgetown to work in the local hotel, and eventually fell in love, and married the sister of the publican. Soon he became a farmer near Moonta, but farming was dirty work with long hours, so he uprooted his family and moved to Kapunda.

Mr Fairclough had The North Kapunda hotel for 14 years and earned for himself a reputation for quality, unfailing courtesy and upholding the establishment to the strictest details of the licensing laws.

In 1903 Mrs Fairclough (nee Kewson) suffered a nasty injury when the cork in a bottle of aerated water she was trying to open, popped suddenly and hit her eye. The injury was so severe that she eventually lost her sight in her left eye.

In 1912 Mr Fairclough became very ill, and by November of that year, he had been confined to his bed as his sickness grew steadily worse. His liver was in failure, and his days, unfortunately, were numbered.

On Monday the 17th of November 1912, Henry Fairclough lost his battle with illness and passed away in the Kapunda hospital.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2012

Bibliography

1912 'OBITUARY.', Observer (Adelaide, SA: 1905 - 1931), 30 November, p. 41. , viewed 16 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163087430

1912 'Family Notices', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 22 November, p. 4. , viewed 16 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108342497

1903 'HAY-CUTTING.', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 13 November, p. 5. , viewed 16 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110277272

Kapunda's First International Celebrity - Mickey Pynn

Kapunda's First International Celebrity - Mickey Pynn

Mickey Pynn - SLSA: B57230

The Australian Tom Thumb – Mickey Pynn

 In 1870, travelling circus and sideshows were one of the main forms of entertainment for the citizens of the world, including those who lived in rural South Australia.

 We in South Australia would often gather together to watch the entertaining magic shows of Mr Vertelli or a passing circus, but every so often we would be gifted with the presence of an international act, such as “General Tom Thumb” (real name: Charles Sherwood Stratton ) from the USA, who had just come from successful live shows in England.

 General Tom Thumb had achieved international stardom as a sideshow act for P.T. Barnum, Circus Pioneer throughout the US and Europe, and came to Australia to perform, including Kapunda.

 It was his exclusive trip and sideshow act in Kapunda that brought Kapunda local lad, Mickey Pynn to the forefront, and made him Kapunda's first international celebrity.

Mickey Pynn lived with his family just south of Kapunda, where the hill rises near the Greenock road turn of. The House still stands today and is occupied.

 A family member, or perhaps a family friend seeing an opportunity to make some money from Mickey's condition, held an “exhibition” of Mickey in The Miners Arms Hotel, owned by William Tremaine (My own Great-Great Grandfather).

 The exhibition caught the attention of General Tom thumb who asked to meet young Mickey and was astounded that he was almost a full two inches shorter than him.

 This led to Mickey being hired by the company that the U.S. Tom's thumb had established (a very lucrative company, that would eventually bail out P.T. Barnum when financial strife almost collapsed his circus empire). Mickey would soon be travelling the world as a Circus midget and sometimes sideshow act under various names including “The Afghan Dwarf” and “The Australian Tom Thumb”, but this did not stop him from performing here in South Australia, nor in Kapunda.

In fact, “The Australian Tom Thumb” performed on occasion with his good friend John Morcom, better known as Magician “Vertelli”

 In an early career show that starred Mickey and Vertelli in The North Kapunda Hotel, it was written by a newspaper correspondent in the Kapunda Herald and Northern Intelligencer (March 3rd, 1871) the following:

"The diminutive Tom Thumb is a pleasing simple little fellow, whose greatest feat is to scratch his head like a bear with his toes his knees being kept straight during this interesting operation. He is said to be 17 years of age, not deformed, rather of a serious turn of mind, and has a look of great gravity previous to turning a somersault. If the Signor could induce a beard and whisker to grow, be would be a decided hit, and might put. "the General" into the shade—being some inches shorter."

 It is written elsewhere that Mickey's life contained many ups and downs over the years, but it would seem he often struggled with his inner demons, and took to drink, as attested in the following two stories in Sydney newspaper The Evening News in 1906, the stories being published only months apart:

Evening News: Sydney: Monday 3 September 1906

DWARF IN COURT.

'What has he been, doing?' asked Mr Smithers, S.M., at the Central Police Court this moraine. The magistrate's query had reference to Michael Pynn, 53, described on the sheet as an acrobatic dwarf. The offence against him was that of being drunk and disorderly on Saturday evening in George-street. 'He was running after women, and catching hold of them' said the sergeant, looking severely at the little man in the dock. 'He has been locked up since Saturday.' ''He was here on Saturday morning for being drunk,' said a policeman.

Solicitor: He should be let off with half the usual fine your Worship”

 ' The dwarf, who stood a little over 3ft high, was fined 5s."

Evening News - Sydney Wednesday 31 October 1906

A SMALL OFFENDER.

"The name of Michael Pynn was called at the Central Police Court this morning, and a man of 57 years, but of diminutive stature, answered the call. He was so little that his head did not reach to within 2ft of the top of the dock rail.

 Pynn looked between the rail at the magistrate, and in a loud tone pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk in Castlereagh street.

'He has been coming here frequently, lately, saw police prosecutor Davis. 'He goes about the street, and 'shapes' up -to men 6ft high, twice his own height. A short sojourn in gaol would do him good and keep him from giving way entirely to drink.'  Pynn, it was ascertained, sometimes gives the police trouble, and on Tuesday it needed the united forces of Constables Lambert and Hardiman to convey, him to the lock-up. A fine of 20s, or 14 days, was imposed."

Mickey Pynn 1880 - Photo source unknown. Though to have been taken
 in the North Kapunda Hotel.

 In his later years, Mickey retired to Sydney where he saw out his last days, firstly in Lidcombe in a men’s home, where it was reported his “appetite is vigorous, though rheumatism affected his walk”.

 Soon he moved to a different home in Liverpool, one with immaculate gardens, and better conditions for this once sought-after entertainer. Attendants of the Men's Home spoke well of Mickey saying “He was always ready to do what little he could about the place, and amuse the other inmates with his "double jointed" tricks”

 Kapunda's first international celebrity, Mickey “The Australian Tom Thumb” Pynn passed away on the 22 of June 1929 in Sydney NSW.

First Published on The Haunts of Adelaide - Tuesday, 14 February 2017
© 2018-2018 Allen Tiller

The Legacy of Sir Sidney Kidman

The Legacy of Sir Sidney Kidman

Sidney Kidman (and an unknown man) at the back
of the North Kapunda Hotel

Tomorrow, (September 2nd) is the anniversary of the death of Sir Sidney Kidman (1857). Once Australia's wealthiest man, and largest property owner, who conducted the worlds largest horse sales at the rear of the North Kapunda Hotel.

It is said Kidman never swore and instead would say "Jolly Tinkers" in the place of swear words.

I thought it prudent to share some of the charities that Sir Sidney and Lady Isabel Kidman distributed their wealth too over their lifetimes, and after Sir Kidman's Death'.

May their legacy inspire, and their memory live on...

Upon the anniversary of the death of Sir Sidney Kidman, here is a list of the benefactors of his generosity, in life, and also in death
During the First World War, Sir Kidman donated 3 Ambulances, 2 Fighter Planes, 200 Horses, wool and meat for the Australian troops. He also promised all his workers who served, a job upon their return. His donations also extended to wives who lost their husband in war paying them a small fund of money to help cover costs of raising families without a father.

The Will of Sir Sidney Kidman

Donations were made to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross – and also the Royal Flying Doctors.
The Kidmans also donated their house and estate in Kapunda, “Eringa” to the education department in 1920 – to this day the grounds are still the Kapunda High School, with the old Manse the front office.

From Sir Kidman's Last Will and Testament:
£500 Salvation Army Adelaide
£500 Home for Incurables, Fullarton
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $45,000 today)
£250 Minda Home
£250 Adelaide's Children Hospital
£250 The Institution for the Blind – Brighton
£250 The Protestant Children's Home
£250 The Royal Institute for the Blind at North Adelaide
£250 The Australian Inland Mission
£250 The Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers Fund
£250 The Queens Maternity Home
£250 The Adelaide Hospital
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $22,792.68 today)
£150 Methodist Children’s Home at Magill
£150 The Angorichina Hospital for Tubercular Soldiers.
£150 The Adelaide Central Mission
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about 13,675.61 today)
£100 Kapunda Congregational Church
£100 The Kapunda Hospital
£100 The Orphan Home at Mitcham
£100 The Courthouse for Invalid children and Aged People
(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $9,117.07today)
£15,000 was distributed between old employees of Sir Kidman

(Adjusted for inflation this is equivalent to about $1,367,560.85 today)

Written by Allen Tiller © 2017

First published 1 September 2015

Revised March 23rd 2017

First published on The Haunts of Adelaide:

http://hauntedadelaide.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/the-legacy-of-sir-Sidney-Kidman.html

Calculations made via: http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html

“Haig” The War Tank

“Haig” The War Tank

 

On Tuesday the 16^th of April 1918 Kapundites came out in their droves to see a real-life Army tank in their town,
 As part of a national tour, the Government’s “War Loan Tank” arrived to much fanfare in Kapunda in the early evening. It was met at the southern end of town by the Mayor, Mr Jeff’s along with a procession of school children arranged by teacher Mr Murphy.

The War Tank was in the control of Lieutenant Colley, who, at the corner of Thompson's gave a rousing speech outlining the Australian war effort overseas, and how the people back home can contribute.

 The Kapunda Town Band played from the balcony of the North Kapunda Hotel whilst the tank was driven to Mr Thompson corner (Where the town information centre sits today on the corner of Hill and Main Street).
 The Commonwealth Bank provided two escorts who travelled with the tank to collect donations from the townsfolk to support the war effort overseas.
 Townsfolk and business were very generous with their donations, by the end of the evening £1.700 had been raised, with a promise by Mr Shannon to the Mayor that he would raise it to an even £2,000.
 The Sir John Franklin Lodge, I.O.OF. M.U. donated £700, and £300 from the Salem Tent No. 8 Rechabites.

The township of Kapunda had already raised £ 30, 000 by 1918, plus Sir Sidney Kidman had given £50,500 of his own money, as well as donating wool, meat, 200 horses, 2 planes and 3 ambulances (the townsfolk of Kapunda also raised enough money for one more ambulance).

(Kidman also guaranteed the jobs of his workers who went away to war, and gave monetary assistance to the families of his employees who lost their father, husband or son overseas in battle.)

 The tank later returned to Kapunda in October of the same year for the seventh war loan tour. Then headed off to Angaston in the Barossa Valley the next day to continue its money-raising endeavour. By the end of its second visit, the townsfolk of Kapunda had donated £11,000

The photo above is from The State Library of South Australia [PRG 280/1/17/384], part of the Searcy Collection. It shows the war tank “Haig” out front of Thompson building (with what is now The Professionals in the background). On the tank are Lieutenant Colley and the Mayor on-board. In front is Mr Kidman’s 35hp Overland Tourer, registration number 4926

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

www.allentiller.com.au

£ = Australian Pounds – a pre-decimal currency.

1918 'Kapunda Herald', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 11 October, p. 2. , viewed 21 Mar 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108282426

1918 'Kapunda herald', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 19 April, p. 2. , viewed 21 Mar 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108280471

The Kapunda Royal Visit: 1867

The Kapunda Royal Visit

In 1867, Kapunda was graced with a Royal visit from the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred,

Queen Victoria's second son.

 Whilst in South Australia on a Royal Tour, Prince Alfred made a visit to Kapunda on November 6^th, coming to Kapunda via train direct from Adelaide Station.

Once the Prince arrived at Kapunda Train Station, which had been adorned with pine branches and fronds (as had much of the town, simple decorations for simpler times), The Prince was whisked into an awaiting carriage.

The Prince's ornamental carriage made its way towards the centre of town, surrounded by soldiers, and a large crowd of cheering and adoring Royal fans, keen to get a glimpse of the Prince.

 Throughout the town, large Union Jack flags waved next to large banners with the words "Welcome to our Sailor Prince” written across them, also around the town were family crests and the flag of St George.

Prince Alfred was taken via carriage to Mr Crase's newly refurbished North Kapunda Hotel. After a tour of the hotel from top to bottom, the Prince retired briefly to a sitting room upstairs carefully prepared for his arrival.

 Not long after, a banquet held in his honour commenced in the rear ballroom (now demolished) of the hotel. Amongst the many dishes served was one dish usually reserved for the dining room of the Queen, and only served within the walls of the Palace. The Prince was very curious about this and asked for the cook to brought to him for questioning.

  The Prince questioned the cook on his preparation of the meal, asking how he knew the recipe. The cook informed the Prince, that he had indeed been the Queen's personal chef previous to arriving in Australia, and now cooked and served in The North Kapunda Hotel. Upon hearing of the Royal Tour, he had become excited, and prepared the specialty Royal meal in the Prince's honour, to make him feel a little more like he was at home.

 After a number of hearty speeches by town dignitaries, the Prince and Mr Crase himself, and three cheers of “Hoorruh”, Prince Alfred made his way back to the Kapunda Railway Station, where he boarded the Royal Train and made his way back to Adelaide continuing his tour of the country.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller