Family Histories
Family Histories
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BELL Arthur James Arthur was the son of James and Sarah Bell. Arthur and Mary Bell were true pioneers on the farm at“Nightwell” south of Borden in W.A.The walls of their home were made of flour bags sewn together, doubled and white washed. Mother had already had Myrtle and Ruby and Clarence and I was born there. On one occasion while mother was bathing a child in a tub on the floor, a snake came under the hession, slithered around them and went out the other side. Mother said she just sat and froze. They had a bull and the flapping of the hessian around the toilet would attract his attention and he would charge at it. It was a continual job re-erecting it. Uncle Frank goes one better and says the bull charged through the house and came out the door with a double bed on his back! Believe it or not! We had a lot of trouble with that bull and eventually it had to be destroyed but not before it had attacked Father while he was out riding his horse. As luck had it Father was able to grab a branch of a tree and climb to safety but the horse returned home gored. A search was made but Father wasn’t found until the morning still up the tree and with the bull still keeping guard.
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On another occasion Father had to go to Borden to see his parents and get the groceries. He left Uncle Frank (then about 15 years old) with mother and the children. Food got low and father came home just in time to find Frank ready to slaughter his prize ram. The farm “Nightwell” was named after a well found a few miles away from the homestead. Apparently every night it would fill up with an unlimited supply of water and it was just impossible to bail it out although at the end of the day it will be dry – quite a mystery. The water was pure and we relied on the well for drinking and washing water. Once a week Mother with cart loaded with kids, dirty washing, clothes line, pegs and a tank and would go to the well and spend the day there. When we returned we would have clean washing and water for the week. I guess we all had a bath as well. One of my fondest memories of our childhood at Gnowangerup was singing around the organ and Father playing and harmonising with us. We would sing our hearts out, something we never tired off. Happy days indeed. |
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FAMILY OF SARAH MARGARET NOURSE & JAMES BELL #2
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References: Article: Grace Dingle
Image:
Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024 |
