The 1900 Bushfire at Arthurs Creek

Chapter 32

Published Sep, 2010

Taking place on Monday 26 February 1900, the disastrous bushfire was described as ‘the most destructive bush fire that has ever taken place in the Yan Yean and Arthurs Creek districts’. Painting: Gippsland, Sunday night, February 20th, 1898 by John Longstaff (1861 – 1941), National Gallery of Victoria

…‘the country between Arthurs Creek and Scrubby Creek was clean swept, all the grass and fences being destroyed. The rapidity which the fire at times assumed can only be likened to ‘greased lightning’…

On Monday 26 February 1900, a disastrous bushfire swept across the Arthurs Creek district. The following account, based on contemporary reports in the Evelyn Observer, reflects the indomitable spirit of the people of the district both yesterday and today. At the time, the conflagration was described as ‘the most destructive bush fire that has ever taken place in the Yan Yean and Arthurs Creek districts’.

‘The fire was noticed burning in the mountains on Sunday. On Monday, fanned by a very strong north wind, it covered some 15 miles of country in an incredibly short space of time, reaching Councillor L.C. Brock’s place (at Doreen), when the wind shifted round to the west and drove the fire eastwards.’

‘The country between Arthurs Creek and Scrubby Creek was clean swept, all the grass and fences being destroyed. The rapidity which the fire at times assumed can only be likened to ‘greased lightning,’ and it is a miracle that lives were not lost and more houses destroyed.’

‘It is to the credit of the people of the district that they turned out in force – fully 100 persons we are informed – to do their best to beat off the fire from residences and their labours in many instances were successful.’

‘Following, we give the names of some of the people who suffered by the fire:

Messrs Howitt (Howat), Lobb, Mason, N. McPhee, C. Draper, Lodge and others, had many thousands of acres of grass consumed and miles of fencing destroyed.

Mr. Sam Smith lost everything – house, outbuildings, 50 tons of hay, and 20 pounds in money.

Mr. J.E. Steer had his fruit shed and wagon burnt, also a buggy and a number of fruit trees.

Messrs P. and M. Brennan and David and Wm. Murphy lost a quantity of grass and fruit trees.

Mrs. James Murphy (a widow with 6 children) lost everything – house (rented), furniture, outbuildings, &c., being all consumed.

Mr. Wm. Reid lost all his grass and fencing. This gentleman was driving along the road and noticing the fire, unharnessed his horse and mounted it and went to the assistance of the beaters. Before his return the fire had reached his buggy and destroyed it.

The fire passed through the Linton (Hazel Glen) cemetery, doing a lot of damage.

Mr. R Bassett suffered to the extent of 125 acres of grass being burnt and a deal of fencing.

Mr. Wm Laidlay lost between 300 and 400 acres of grass, a shed, chaff cutter, haystack, indeed everything but his house.

Mr. L. C. Brock lost a quantity of grass and fencing, and had the wind not changed the probability is that his house would have been burnt.

The change of the wind carried the fire across the creek, and Messrs Amos Harrison and D. Christian suffered to some extent, the latter’s house only being saved by strenuous exertions on the part of the beaters.’

‘In addition to the damages above enumerated, orchards at many of the places were greatly injured, the outside rows in some instances being literally roasted. Several horses and cows were unable to get away and were burnt to death, while a number of others were badly scorched.’

A visitor to ‘Charnwood’ at Arthurs Creek, after the fire, reported that the ‘house and outbuildings were nearly surrounded by fire and the adjacent creek, which was nearly dry, was looked upon as a haven of refuge if the worst came. The long row of handsome Pinus insignis and English oaks leading to the house was on fire in many places; several of these handsome specimens are quite destroyed and many others have had all their beauty and symmetry marred.’

‘In three cases the losses were particularly severe, so severe that a meeting of the neighbours was held shortly afterwards to take steps to render some assistance to the sufferers. It was decided to issue lists and collect subscriptions…In addition a concert and ball were held in the Arthurs Creek Mechanics’ Institute to supplement the subscriptions.’

Collectors for the Arthurs Creek Bush Fire Relief Fund were Mr. Wm. Murphy, Mr. David Murphy, Mr. R. Bassett and Mr. J.H. Cornfoot. 127 persons and organizations contributed to the fund.

A committee comprised of Messrs C. Draper, Chairman, L.C. Brock and C.J. Verso was appointed to distribute the fund. At a meeting held on 1 May 1900, the Hon. Secretary reported that the collections amounted to 57 pounds 4 shillings and 6 pence, proceeds of concert and ball to 6 pounds 14 shillings and 8 pence, total 63 pounds 19 shillings and 2 pence. Of this, 3 pounds 3 shillings had been given specially for Mrs. Murphy. This was deducted for her. Of the remainder, two-eighths was given to Mr. Smith and three-eighths each to Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Steer.

Richard and Bridget McLelland's hut near the headwaters of the north branch of the Diamond Creek (Arthurs Creek), was burnt in the disastrous bush fires of Black Thursday, February 6, 1851, with the tragic loss of Bridget and the couple's five children. Image engraved by F. A. Sleap. Credit State Library of Victoria
Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute Hall and Free Library. Photo by Bruce G. Draper, 2012

Got a question or some interesting facts?  Leave a comment and we’ll reply.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Research Tools

Click here for links and descriptions that may be helpful for those doing their own research, or for those who simply want to know more about some of the topics touched on in Up the Creek Victoria

Topics:

Abbey FamilyAirey FamilyAlfred DeakinAllen FamilyAllwood StationAlma Shanahan (1923-2015)A Mountain Muster by Ian StapletonApologies & Appendages by Ian StapletonApted FamilyArdchattan StationArthurs Creek CemeteryArthurs Creek Cemetery: a History (Revised Edition) by Lindsay MannArthurs Creek Cricket ClubArthurs Creek Football ClubArthurs Creek Fruit GrowersArthurs Creek Mechanics Institute at a GlanceArthurs Creek Mechanics Institute by Bruce G. DraperArthurs Creek Mechanics Institute HallArthurs Creek Methodist ChurchArthurs Creek Post OfficeArthurs Creek Primary SchoolArthurs Creek Rifle ClubArthurs Creek Uniting ChurchAtkinson FamilyAustralian Garden History SocietyBarr FamilyBarton Hill StationBassett FamilyBatman TreatyBear's CastleBear FamilyBegoniasBoadle FamilyBoer warBraeside StationBrain FamilyBrennan FamilyBrock FamilyBushranger BurkeCharnwood StationChristian FamilyChurch of the Irish MartyrsClarke FamilyCleir Hills StationCorr FamilyCraigie Lee StationDeep CreekDishleigh StationDoctors Gully RoadDoreen VillageDraper FamilyDuffy Land ActDunolly Scent FarmEarly BlacksmithsEllis Cottage Historical Precinct by Nillumbik Historical Society on WikinorthiaEltham District Historical SocietyFay Thomas Collection by Yarra Plenty Regional LibraryFernvale StationFlintoff FamilyFrank Dalby DavisonFriends of Burnley GardensFrom Drovers To Daisy-Pickers by Ian StapletonFrom Fraser's To Freezeout by Ian StapletonFrom Laggan To Arthur’s Creek by Ross McDonaldFruit Cool StoresGillian FamilyGlen Ard StationGlenburn StationGlen Donald StationGray FamilyGreen FamilyGrimshaw FamilyHairy-Chested History by Ian StapletonHall FamilyHazel Glen CemeteryHazelglen HallHazel Glen SchoolHazel Glen StationHazel Glen Wesleyan ChurchHealey FamilyHeidelberg Historical SocietyHenry ArthurHerbert FamilyHeyfield GippslandHickey FamilyHickey’s CornerHowitt FamilyHulme FamilyHurrey FamilyHurst FamilyJohn LoxtonKenneth JackKirkliston StationLaidlay FamilyLang Fauld StationLeon Saper (1928-2005)Linton CemeteryLinton FamilyLinton Grange StationLobb FamilyLobbs HillLodgeLodge FamilyMacfarlane FamilyMacmillan FamilyMacpherson FamilyMann FamilyMcDonald FamilyMcKay FamilyMcKimmie FamilyMcLelland FamilyMills FamilyMountain Rescue 1944Murdie FamilyMurphy's CreekMurphy FamilyMuseums Victoria CollectionsNillumbikNillumbik Heritage GuideNillumbik Historical SocietyNillumbik Reconciliation GroupOf Pioneers & Perseverance by Ian StapletonPeter Laycock (1927-2009)Pine Hill StationPioneers and Painters: One hundred years of Eltham and Its Shire by Alan MarshallPlenty RiverPresswell FamilyPublic Records Office VictoriaRAAF Base East SaleReid FamilyRobert (Bob) Mair (1943- )Ronald FamilyRoyal Historical Society of VictoriaRoyal Horticultural Society of VictoriaRunning CreekRussell FamilyRyder FamilyRyders Flat ReserveSchultz FamilyScrubby CreekSeeds of Yesterday : the Fruit of Tomorrow by Pam GoodeyShire of Nillumbik Local Historical SocietiesSlabon FamilySmith FamilyState Library VictoriaSteer FamilyStewart's PondsStewart FamilyStubley FamilyThe Andrew Ross MuseumThe Last Cry by Mick WoiwodThe Melbourne Book written by Clive Turnbull ; drawings by Kenneth JackThomas FamilyTregowan StationTroveUnderwood FamilyUp the Creek : Early Days in the Arthurs Creek District by Bruce G. DraperVersdale StationVerso FamilyVictorian CollectionsVictorian Collections Eltham District Historical SocietyWaitui StationWeatherbeaten Wisdom by Ian StapletonWhittlesea Agricultural SocietyWhittlesea ShowWikinorthiaWild Horses BrumbiesWilliam Jock FraterWinter Majetin AppleYan Yean : A History by Dianne EdwardsYan Yean Primary SchoolYan Yean ReservoirYarra Plenty Local HistoryYarra Plenty Regional Library