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Archiver > AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT > 2002-12 > 1040264938


From: "Daryl Crabtree" <>
Subject: [AUS-VIC-West] WEST WIMMERA MAIL
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 06:52:22 +1100


October 30, 1914
Fire At Tooan
What may be described as an ancient landmark--- locally speaking--- has
disappeared from the landscape at Tooan. Fire is a dreadful enemy, its
enveloping tongues seem to revel in its pitiless work of reducing to ashes
the dear old home.
Helpless and filled with remorse the octogenarian stands by watching the
home with its lifetime associations and treasures, disappear.
These remarks seem to us to aptly apply to the burning of Mrs. Donald
McRAE'S residence at Tooan on Sunday morning. The original portion of the
dwelling was erected thirty eight years ago by the late Mr. Donald McRAE.
At about 8 o'clock on Sunday morning Mrs. McRAE was in bed, and occupying
the same room, was a nephew, the six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. SCOTT.
The boy was playing with matches, and the flame of one set fire to a
curtain. The flames quickly spread beyond control.
Mrs. SCOTT, Miss LIGHT and an immigrant employed on the place, were
attracted by screams, and they arrived not a moment to soon, for just as
Mrs. McRAE had been got to a place of safety the roof fell in. The fire
spread with such rapidity that nothing was saved, excepting a clock. Mrs.
McRAE suffered seriously from shock.
The building was insured for £200, but this amount does not nearly represent
the loss, £200 having been spent not long ago in the erection of two rooms.

Daryl Crabtree
Gladstone
Qld
www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/goroke/





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