CARTMETICUP

Cartmeticup

Cartmeticup is a small Western Australian rural location within the local government area of Woodanilling, it is located approximately 229kms from the capital Perth covering an area of 215.325 square kilometres. Cartmeticup has a recorded population of 55 residents.

The majority of the information on this page has been sourced from the inHerit website of the
Western Australian State Heritage Council as supplied by the Shire of Woodanilling.

.

.

BOOKABUNNING SOAK

The site is a short distance east of where the Cartmeticup Church was later built – being NE of Cartmeticup Well and south of Woolkabunning Well. It is situated to the west of the farm house and is about 100 metres west of the old Bookabunning Homestead (one remaining wall is used as a tennis hit wall). All that remains is a slight depression in the ground – just to the north of a poplar tree. Remnants of a once thriving orchard are in the proximity. The name is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘Booka’ meaning cloak.

CORNELIUS FAMILY

Bookabunning Soak was selected by John Cornelius who arrived from Red Hill in South Australia in the late 1890’s. By this time his children were mostly grown up and with the help of their five sons and three daughters, the ‘Bookabunning’ farm was developed.

Tom (Tracy) Cornelius later took over the property and had a substantial orchard. Two of Tracy’s older brothers, Edward (Ted) and Harris, also had properties in the area, while Jack farmed near Boyerine until about 1935. The other brother, Marc Cornelius, [2] was killed in the Great War.

Tracy Cornelius was one of the original members of the Woodanilling Roads Board serving until 1915.

REGINALD CROSBY

Early in 1926, he leased Bookabunning to Reg Crosby (who was the only son of Frederick and Bertha Crosby) being born at Katanning in 1900. His father had come to the Great Southern as a construction worker on the railway, but liked the look of the district and decided to go on the land. He selected land from the Western Australian Land Company about a mile west of Katanning. In the meantime he had engaged in sandalwood cutting and carting with Tom Garstone who became a life long friend.

Crosby was elected to the first Katanning Road Board and later became its Chairman. He was also an originator in the formation of the Katanning Masonic Lodge (1898), Katanning Farmer’s and Settler’s Association (1894), Agricultural Society and in the construction of the Agricultural Hall. Reg Crosby enlisted when only 16 years old in the 10th Light Horse and served in the Middle East before returning in 1920. He worked about the district shearing, clearing and share farming for several years. Then in 1925 he married Mabel Fidock and in April the following year moved to ‘Bookabunning’ at the beginning of the 1929-33 depression. During this period four sons (Ross, Melville, Les and Ivan) were born. The Crosby’s were probably more fortunate than some others at this because of the well established orchard left by Cornelius.

In June 1946, Reg Crosby was elected to the Woodanilling Road Board to which he dedicated a great amount of time and devotion. Later he was to become Road Board Chairman and Shire President. In 1960, Reg and Mabel went to live in Katanning and despite poor health, Reg continued to serve on the Woodanilling Shire spending a lot of time at meetings and conferences. In 1964, Ivan took over the farm, Reg’s health was failing and in September 1964 he passed away. Ivan Crosby renamed the farm ‘Glenrose’. The original name had been taken from the Bookabunning Soak near the house.

.

PURGATORY SOAK

A land soak in sandy country situated towards the SE corner of Williams Location 76 (of 40 acres) about 5 kms NE of Boyerine Siding. Early maps show a track emanating (and southwards) from Boyerine Pool extending NE passed the soak. This also shows two other locations Williams 143 & 145 of 40 acres around the land soak on the north, west and south. The latter two locations were later incorporated into Kojonup 4527 to bring that up to a homestead block size of 160 acres.

Little evidence remains of the soak which probably is at the junction of a creek which flows from the east and a washaway running north and south. A row of stones immediately above the washaway indicated the former presence of a stone building. Towards the horizon (looking north towards Lime Lake) shows an incursion of sand into the heavier loam typical of the land around the soak. Salt seepage areas are prevalent to the west of the soak site necessitating a deep drain.

HENRY BODDINGTON

In Sept 1878 Henry Boddington applied to select a block around Purgatory Soak. At this time he was leasing land to the north and due to an incorrect survey a dispute occurred between him and neighbouring leaseholders Elijah Quartermaine (jr) and Thomas Haddleton. After his marriage to Ellen Noonan at Arthur River in 1879, Boddington’s made their home at Purgatory Soak. The following year they moved to South Wedgecarrup and, in 1902, sold this and took up a property to be known as ‘Quailerup’ where he built a substantial homestead where he lived until his death in 1928.

Before settling at Purgatory Soak, Boddington had leased land on the Hotham River in 1875 having found a reliable watering pool. This place later became known as the town of Boddington. Later owners of the land surrounding the land soak included F. Stein, a farmer of German origin who sold the property after the first World War to the War Service Board and it was allocated to Jack Cornelius originally from the Cartmeticup/Glencoe area. He married Edith White, a grand daughter of Michael Cronin of Glencoe and raised four sons on the property before the depression and the rabbit plagues of the 1930’s forced them off in 1935 carrying just a few belongings. The property, which included some light sandplain land adjoining, was purchased by Cornelius and lay abandoned until bought by the present owners Norm and Gloria Eckersley and their family in the 1940’s.

.

CARTMETICUP CHURCH

The first service was conducted by the Rev Alfred Metters from Katanning on 10 August, 1902. The celebrations were concluded on August 13 with a tea and public meeting at which the building was declared free of debt.

Even though the walls were unplastered, there was no ceiling, only a dirt floor, the seats had no backs to them and the pulpit was a galvanised iron packing case on four short legs (about a foot high), there was great rejoicing, the long felt need had been fulfilled.

The settlers of Cartmeticup whom mostly had originated from South Australia brought with them their hardworking, temperate and God fearing traditions and ideals. Their origins, their isolation and kinship had all contributed to their success in developing their virgin selections. Life was hard, but they derived their own enjoyment and fulfilment from their gatherings whether religious or social.

Men like George Jefferies were an example of the resourcefulness of this community. He was one of the main movers in the establishment and building of the Cartmeticup Church and he worked hard for this ideal. As the original secretary-treasurer he was responsible for it being free of debt when opened. He was also a local preacher of note, a strong singer, as well as giving recitations at church functions.

While it was designated a Baptist Church, many of the original members had previously belonged to other denominations – the Patterson’s had been devout Wesleyans in South Australia. On their arrival at Cartmeticup, “they had felt the need and importance of a religious service for they did not wish to deteriorate or their children to grown up as heathens” So these faithful, isolated few had conducted their early services in their home and later, sheds. The Baptists in Katanning were prepared to administer the faith to these families and accepted Marracoonda and Cartmeticup as outstations. If occasionally the Pastor from Katanning failed to turn up the breach was filled by a layman or local resident.

The Cartmeticup Church was built at a cost of £24. The builder was John Mouritz, who had arrived some two years before from South Australia. In 1903 he was elected to the Katanning Roads Board and became a strong advocate for the formation of the Woodanilling Board.

CARTMETICUP

Great Southern Herald
10 September 1919 – P2

The anniversary services of the Cartmeticup Baptist Church were held on Sunday, August 31. Mr. Clugston conducted the afternoon service, which was well attended and much appreciated. In the evening, the pastor, Rev. C. H. J. Warren, conducted the service, which was both impressive and helpful.

On Wednesday, September 1, a tea and public meeting was held, and as the weather was all that could be desired a considerable number of people assembled to partake of the good things so bountifully provided by the ladies of the church. Attendees enjoy a pleasant evening at the public meeting, which was presided over by Mr. Alex. Prosser.

The way in which the Marracoonda Baptist Choir contributed anthems, duets and solos was highly appreciated, while several other friends helped to brighten the evening with songs and recitations.

The reports of the secretary and treasurer showed that while the numbers in attendance are not so good as in former years – owing to removals – yet the church is trying to do more than minister to the needs of the immediate neighbourhood. Interest is being taken in Foreign Missions showing a wider outlook and a desire to send the Gospel to every creature.

Several returned soldiers were the guests of the church at tea, and at the public meeting, the pastor in a short address, thanked them for what they had done, and on behalf of the church gave them a hearty welcome home. The meeting closed with the Doxology, after which supper was handed round.

.

MANNA FLAT Church Services Site

The shed in which the services were held is about 50 metres west of the homestead. A galvanised iron roof has replaced the former straw roof. Due to the new structure, not initially being tied with cross beams, it has pushed out the walls to some degree. Remnants of sheoak pug walls on the western end are in good condition. Adjoining this section were stables, but these were demolished when a new machinery shed was constructed.

Church services in the Cartmeticup area were commenced in the home of Andrew Patterson as well as Sunday School for the children. Records show it was known as the ‘Whitelaw Gully’ Sunday School, Miss Ethel Harvey being perhaps the first teacher from April 25, 1897.

After Andrew left, William Patterson’s home was used, but as numbers grew and all the worshippers couldn’t be accommodated in the Patterson home the services were held in his straw sheds with a sewing machine for a pulpit. One such service in the barn saw a hen lay an egg on the top of the shed and it rolled down narrowly missing the minister delivering his sermon. (It appears as if this story grew from a remark by George Jefferies that the cackling of a hen after laying her egg combined with the noise emitted by the record number of babies born in 1897 made it difficult for the minister to make himself heard).

Following the completion of the Cartmeticup Church in 1902, a large frame certificate of appreciation was presented to Mr and Mrs W.G. Patterson for having services at their place for the preceding four years. William Patterson also took a keen interest in public affairs and in 1898 became a member of the Katanning Road Board for eight years and became a firm advocate of the formation of the Woodanilling Road Board of which he became a long serving member. The two original Patterson properties ‘Manna Flats’ and ‘Whitelaw Gully’ both changed hands in the late 1960’s. After the death of William Patterson 1938, ‘Manna Flats’ was farmed by his only son, Spencer until his retirement in 1967 when it was taken over by Frank Shackley and his sons, who are great grandsons of William Patterson. Later Andrew Patterson’s ‘Whitelaw Gully’ farm was purchased by the Shackley family, thus finally merging these two farms originally selected in 1893.

.

JEFFERIES VINEYARD

In 1925 George Jefferies planted vines for the production of currants and sultanas. The vineyards expanded to 11 acres as well as a number of fine fruit trees. He grew beautiful cherries and nectarines and they were much sort after from the shops in Katanning. The fruit grew well but problems were encountered with sun drying and labour requirements and costs were high so finally the project was discontinued.

The remnants of the vineyard are on the south side of current residence (cl950). A number of vines, cherry and other fruit trees remain in what was the centre of the vineyard which extended halfway to the road with the SE corner near a patch of gum trees where the site of the original well is located. The drying racks shed was located on the western end. On the northern edge (near the remnant vines and trees) stood a dehydrator. Trays of grapes were placed on three trolley frames and pushed into the dehydrator with the circulating air provided by a stationery engine. The vineyard was bulldozed in 1960.

.

GEORGE JEFFERIES

George Jefferies had arrived in 1897 from the Goldfields where he was unfortunate enough to contract typhoid fever, which was raging on the fields and claiming many lives. With the primitive medical equipment and treatment available, George very nearly lost his life. When he recovered he decided to try farming and returned to the Woodanilling area, which he passed through 12 months before on his way to the fields from Albany. After selecting his block he lived in a tent and secured his drinking water from Haddleton’s Yairibin Well. Soon after this he visited S.A. to see his parents and sweetheart. On his return he commenced building a house with the bush timber. He laid the bush logs horizontally instead of usual vertical fashion for the walls and thatched the roof with reeds from the creek.

In 1900 George Jefferies married Edith Day, who came over from South Australia. The ceremony was conducted by the Baptist minister, the Rev. William Kennedy, in his house for as yet the Katanning Baptist Church had not been completed. The house (located about 150 metres north west of the current dwelling was later superceded by a more substantial one some 200 metres to the east. While George Jefferies named his farm ‘The Morrels’ on account of the number of these trees in the vicinity, his neighbours called it ‘Possum Trot’ because of the prevalence of possums there.

.

CARTMETICUP SCHOOL

Anniversary March 1909
Cartmeticup School

The site is bounded by the original block selections of W.H. Hobart (N & S), G. I. Spencer (N & E), M.J. Bradbury (SE) and R.E .Black (West), being on the adjoining west block to where G.I. Spencer built his homestead.

The first teacher was Elizabeth Darby, elder daughter of the local family, who walked to school each day with her younger brothers and sister. She later married the local Baptist minister, Pastor Woods and was succeeded at Cartmeticup School in turn by Mrs Hardy, Mrs Hanrahan, Misses Maley, Sweeney, Smith, Higgins, Boan and Wilson. Continue reading

GEORGE SAMUEL PATTERSON

George Samuel Patterson was born at Hamley Bridge, S.A., the fourth child for Joseph and Polly Patterson. George and his family moved from South Australia to Cartmeticup around 1900. When George originally took on land at Redhills in 1909, the land had to be in his father’s name as he was still only 16 years old.

In 1916, he enlisted to fight in WW1 and was drafted to the 44^th Battalion.  His time on the battle front was cut short in France, when he sustained severe wounds to his chest. After a short convalescence in England George returned to Australia, where he was duly discharged. It was thought to be a practically complete recovery.

After the war, he launched out on his own, farming at “Redhills”,  which is still being run today by his grandson and wife, Michael and Wyn. After making steady progress on the farm, he met with misfortune when his new home was burnt to the ground. Sympathetic friends of the district offered to assist him, as the house had not been insured. But George, not one to accept charity, intimated that the loss was his own concern and did not require help. A new house was built from bricks made on the farm in 1921 and is still the residence at Redhills today. A short time later, George met and married Holly Noble, a young lady from Kalgoorlie, who had come to Katanning to work at Richardson & Co.  Holly had met the Richardson family in Kalgoorlie and they had invited her to come down and work in their store.  George proposed to Holly at their second meeting. More

.

CRANEFORD HOMESTEAD

Craneford Homestead was a large stone house built in 1907 by a Mr Smith from Moojebing who erected a lot of houses in that area. The roof has three hips. Over the years it has been extensively modified and modernised. It is set on a granite rise with plentiful access to stone building material. It is about 1.5 km north west of Cartmeticup Well and probably this was the source of water initially. Henry Brown’s Cartmeticup Well selection was incorporated into Craneford after Brown’s death in 1917.

The building is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its association with pioneering families. The building is a fine example of the style, construction methods and use of building materials in this period.

OLIVER CRANE

On Christmas Day 1895, Oliver Crane (a bachelor), arrived from Angaston, SA at his sister Susan’s, en-route to the Goldfields. He was urged to stay in the district. The next year he acquired land joining his brother-in-law Andrew Patterson on the south boundary.

Soon after his arrival, he confided in the newcomer George Jefferies – “I am going to keep sheep and I am going to get married“. These were two decisions in which Jefferies believed Crane acted wisely.

In order to run sheep, he had to overcome the water problem experienced by him and the other settlers. He was the first in the district to use a scoop for dam sinking. This was done by using a heavy single furrow plough to loosen the soil and an earth scoop operated by a man on the handles to fill and empty it. As it was common to strike rock or tree stump this was quite a hazardous job as George Jefferies found out when helping with the scooping. A crack under the jaw from one of the handles, he never forgot.

It was not long before Crane procured a small flock of sheep from al local source and later imported more from South Australia. Included in these were a consignment of Lincoln rams and Merino ewes in November 1908. For a time he kept a small Lincoln flock, but disposed of them to breed more stud Merino’s, the prefix being Craneford Stud which he successfully ran until he was forced through ill health to have a dispersal sale in 1926. At the sale he sold all his stud sheep and farm machinery.

His flock was founded on Murray blood from SA and was the first Merino stud in the district. Another first for Oliver Crane was the purchase in 1912 of the first motor car in the district, a Maxwell with the headlights operating on presto gas from a metal bottle.

After Oliver Crane’s retirement in 1926, the original property Craneford, was taken over by his youngest son, Arthur, who married Mabel, daughter of George and Edith Jefferies, and later by his youngest son, Kevin. Oliver’s eldest son, Charles, continued farming part of the property further north west which included the old Oaklands selection of H Mouritz. The other son, Walter, farmed at Moojebing for a time before shifting to Bencubbin. When Oliver Crane died at Nedlands in May 1932, he left an estate valued at approximately 11,000 pounds. His wife, Amy, had pre-deceased him 10 years before.

.

WOOLKABUNNING WELL

Woolkabunning Well is situated in the NE of the Shire. It is located next to a creek about 150 metres east of Harvey Road. It is set amongst regrowth bulloaks at a bend in the creek. The well is lined with stone and has about a two metre diameter. Alongside it on the downstream side is the remnants of what appears to be a rectangular area bordered by timber upright slabs of jam up to a foot in width. The size of the rectangle could be five metres across and ten metres long and parallel with creek. There is considerable evidence of salinity when inspected in the spring of 1998.

HENRY QUARTERMAINE

An Aboriginal water hole, Woolkabunning Well was a prime source of water for those shepherding Henry Quartermaine’s sheep on his pastoral lease taken out here in 1873. In addition, Henry Quartermaine had another lease ten kms to the south east (centred on Minackling Swamp) and one near Bokaring Water Hole. Like his elder brother Alfred, Henry was also interested in the exploitation of sandalwood and in late 1879 took out huge pastoral leases north east of Nippering with sandalwood still being plentiful in these parts.

An example of the difficulties facing those involved in land selection and recording thereof are letters Henry Quartermaine wrote to the Commissioner of Lands:

Yongup, May 1, 1874 “Last November I applied for a special occupation lease of 100 acres and being deceived by a native who took me to the water hole, gave a wrong name instead of Mimmacidling it ought to be Woolkabunning. 1 should be very thankful if you will have the name altered on my application.”

Yongup, April 26 1875 “My 40 acres block is 6-7 miles from Mr Andrews, there is Haddleton between me and Andrews. My place is about six miles to the west of north of Haddleton’s Coompatine as near as I can tell, I am not near Andrews. I would be very thankful to you if the surveyor could run it out now as he is up this way as I would like to start my fencing this winter.“

RICHARD SHACKLEY

In 1898, Richard and Emily Shackley from the Owen area in South Australia settled at Woolkabunning Well. The well was enlarged by the Government as part of a water supply scheme with wells being about five miles apart on the sandalwood routes. However, Woolkabunning Well was never a good supply.

The Shackley family lived here for a short time before moving with their four surviving children to land they selected on the east side of the junction of the Harvey and Cartmeticup Roads.

ALF NEWBEY

The Woolkabunning block was sold to Alf Newbey in 1911. His farm became known as ‘Alton Park’ and comprised land previously held by the Shackley and Harvey families. Alf Newbey was an enthusiastic sheep man and established a Peppin blood merino stud and was a pioneer in the field of sheep breeding. The terrible fire of February 11, 1925 burnt out Newbey along with about a dozen neighbours and ruined him financially.

ARTHUR GARRITY

The following month he offered his farm and the surviving stud sheep for sale. Arthur Garrity from Broomehill purchased ‘Alton Park’. The Newbey family moved to a Broomehill farming property for a time and then established themselves as machinery dealers in Katanning. Arthur was the son of Patrick Garrity and had extensive interests in the Broomehill district prior to his death in 1932.

Patrick’s marriage to Mary Jane Haddleton in 1889 was celebrated at ‘Coompatine’ by Father Chmelicek of Kojonup. His father (also Patrick) and Uncle (John) were pioneers of the Eticup area after their arrival in the early 1860’s. Arthur Garrity was regarded as a very efficient farmer and continued working the property until the mid 1940’s when he moved to Katanning where he died soon after. His son, Allan, continued farming the property until his sudden death in 1964. Today Lance and Joy (Garrity’s widow) Smith and family run the property.

.

YAIRIBIN WELL

Yairibin Well is situated near a creek which flows to the SE. The well was lined with stone and sunk to a depth of 16 feet. The good quality water came right to the surface so no windlass was needed. In recent years it has been filled with sand washed down the creek and would possibly be too saline for drinking. A group of marri trees east of the well were grown from seed that Tom Haddleton brought back with him on his early travels, possibly on his shepherding treks to the Blackwood River. A plaque marks the site some 30 metres east of the well site which is now in a creek. It is a large damp saline area covered with rushes. This is about 100 metres NW of the Yairibin homestead site.

The site is significant in the development of the pastoral and agricultural industries and for its association with pioneering families. It is also very significant in the early goldfields days and with the various names of the nearby railway centre.

THOMAS HADDLETON

Forty acres of land surrounding the well was taken up by Thomas Haddleton in 1870 who, in 1863, had taken up land at Coompatine to the south. Haddleton took out a pastoral lease in the area in 1865 and by securing the main water holes in the vicinity was able to extend his leases to take in areas previously held by William Andrews.

The Yairibin site was selected because of its abundance of water and, in dry years, water was carted to Coompatine. It was here that Thomas Haddleton made his home after his marriage to Alice McKenna in 1866. They had a family of 13 children of whom the first born, Thomas (Tom) in 1867, and Arthur (born 1887) were to be closely associated with Yairibin.

When Thomas Haddleton (snr) died at ‘Coompatine’ in July 1903, he left an estate totalling nearly 3000 pounds. ‘Coompatine’ was divided equally between William and Job, while Charles was left a 40 acre block near his farm at Woodanilling and Arthur 40 acres at ‘Yairabin’ plus conditional purchase blocks here totalling 302 acres.

Tom was not a major beneficiary of his father’s will and in his earlier days was not content to settle on the farm. He built a house of mallet rails and mud pug near the creek at ‘Yairabin’ and lived here in between trips to the Goldfields, shearing and working in the district. His success in finding a path to the fields brought Katanning to the fore as a starting point for the diggers arriving by boat at Albany from the Eastern States.

It was reported:
“The war of the routes – has now been waged in amicable rivalry by various towns on The Great Southern Railway. “Pingelly and Narrogin opened the ball and Katanning followed suit soon after, trusting the important task of making a track to Mr Michael Cronin and party.

Owing to the very partial success of the undertaking, Katanning has been heavily handicapped as a starting place, the more so since the successful issue of Messrs Holland, Krakouer and party from Broomehill at a recent date – Katanning is indebted to Mr T.E. Haddleton who has been twice to Coolgardie and back with good loads and to whose practical bushmanship and careful observation is due the excellence of the road indicated.

“On the last occasion of his return, Mr Haddleton came down on horseback taking eight days for the trip and the outcome of his journey is that within a few days about 11 teams including his own, will be on the road to the field, each team having ample accommodation for passengers’ luggage.”

Haddleton’s route was Katanning to ‘Yariabin’ (11 miles, permanent water), Bullimullin Tank (14 miles, permanent water), ‘Wheatfield’ (4 miles) and to 8 miles beyond ‘Bunkin’ (permanent water), ‘Dooradine’ (eight miles), ‘Dongolocking’ (nine miles), ‘Dingarrin’ (five miles) and 10 miles to W Smith’s, ‘Treasurin’ (nine miles), ‘Jeelikin’ (18 miles), then to the longest stage of the journey, 30 miles to ‘Tampin’ and 12 miles to Waddering Well which lands the traveller on the Pingelly Road to Southern Cross. “One of the main advantages of the route is that at ‘Tampin’, 98 miles from Southern Cross, any reasonable supply of chaff may be obtained by teamsters at a price little more than 50 per cent of the Cross prices.”

In the early wheat carting days with horse and dray, farmers from north east of ‘Yairabin’ would camp at the well. Among these were the Dawson and the James’ teams. The abundance of water at ‘Yairabin’ ensured that the Haddletons had plenty of callers during the dry seasons. As many as 30 carts a day would come to get water. When it was deemed necessary to change the name of the local siding, Round Pool, due to the confusion caused by the similarity to Round Swamp (Tenterden), it became known as ‘Yaribin’ for some time before the name Woodanilling was finally adopted.

Return to WOODANILLING Page
Return to HOME Page