Tommy King and ‘The Miners Dream’

THE MINERS DREAM
The Southern Cross Times 9th May 1914

The old identities expressed deep and sincere regret yesterday when word came into town that old Tommy King had been killed at Parker’s Range, for Tommy was one of the pioneers of 1887 and 1888. For over 28 years the deceased maintained that he had a rich gold find divulged to him in a dream. His dream was so vivid that he returned here again and again with the object of locating the dream find. Some years ago, Mick Hoffman got some good prospects near the place that old Tom had been dreaming about, and together they applied for a gold mining lease. It was rather appropriate that they called it ‘The Miners Dream’.

Unfortunately, after some work had been done, the values were cut out, and again the scenes of old Tommy’s dream was abandoned, and he went back on wages again and worked until the dream haunted him once more. As soon as funds permitted he got old Tommy Smart—another old 1888. man to join him, and when both were old and feeble fortune smiled on them and the spot that had disturbed their pioneer’s sleep was hit upon. The ‘Miner’s Dream lease was again applied for and the two old ’88 battlers made enough money to give them that joyful feeling of independence that gladdens the hearts cf the members of the ‘old brigade’. All was going smoothly and well with the dreamer and his mate until Thursday last when word came to town that the workings of the Miner’s Dream had collapsed and that poor old Tommy King ‘the dreamer’ had been suffocated……….

Yesterday a jury viewed his remains, and today an inquest will be held, but old Tom, his good and bad qualities, will be buried forever and the dream that came true will no longer trouble him. Had all been divulged in that fatal dream, how. different things might have been. May Tom’s soul know more rest than his fragile body knew is our fervent wish.

KING Tommy Killed Parkers Range 5 May 1914 age 65

Tommy King, Southern Cross Pioneer Cemetery.Southern Cross Times 23rd May 1914

Tommy King’s Funeral. – At the funeral of old Tommy King the road to the cemetery was in such a state the cortege lost itself and had to cut across the bush to make their destination.

One would imagine with rates received from this part it would not be too much to ask the Roads Board to place a fingerpost behind the Mountain Queen directing the way to God’s acre. If they are unable to make a decent road for us to travel when we are paying the last tribute to our dear parted ones, the least we can ask is that directions be posted to avoid the unpleasant contretemps of last Saturday. Again we have to chronicle the passing away of one more of the “old brigade.” that old brigade to whom Westralia owes so much, the pioneers of the mining industry. It seems almost a paradox that those hardy veterans who blazed the track, along which progress and prosperity followed, should almost invariably in the gloaming of their day, meet with the frowns instead of the smiles of fortune. Even the town with all to thank them for, look askance on the old warriors. God’s peace to you, the track blazers.
Though the town in its pride may despise you,
Tho’ its people your ways may condemn.
Your country who judges will prize you.
Tis’ to you she has looked, not to them,

For where progress encounters resistance.
Her far away outposts you keep.

Knowing nought of the joys of existence,
Whilst sowing that others may reap.
Who among the prospectors of the South Yilgarn but did not know Tommy King, the battler of the battlers, eccentric, for who has had the hardship of prospecting with the environs and the ever dreary expectancy of the bushland but becomes eccentric. But with a man of sterling integrity, always remembering a kindness, never forgetting a friend, never forgetting his manhood and with that sturdy independence incidental to the members of the track blazers. Never looking for wages as long as he had enough to satisfy his everyday wants, always looking for that chimerical fortune, which alas! so seldom comes, satisfied he was doing his best. God rest his soul. He had carried the pioneer’s burden north, south, and the east, and the west unknown to his spirit that reward life brings with its Yuletide of rest, struggling ever that theme coming after who knew not the cares he had known in
idleness, joy, song, and laughter, should reap of the seed he had sown.
NOTE: Tommy’s full name was – Thomas Christopher Nunn KING

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