Letter from William James McKinney to his aunt regarding the Gundagai bushfires, 2 January 1902

MLMSS 10135

fonds

2 January 1902

9611527

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder) - 26 x 20.5 cm. - typed

William James McKinney (ca. 1873-1935) came to Australia from Ireland in 1890. He and his brother ran Nangus Station near Gundagai, and McKinney was one of the first shire councillors. On 12 January 1901 he married Effie Murray (1879-1959) in Sydney. In 1920 McKinney sold his station interests to his brother and came to Sydney. He was the director of various companies including the Linoleum Manufacturing Company of Australia.

Source: Library correspondence file.

A 3-page typed manuscript from station owner William James McKinney to his aunt providing a vivid first-hand account of the devastating bushfires that swept through Gundagai just after Christmas 1901, and the damaging impact on the land and community. The letter contains significant detail about various named people and damage to properties in the area, numbers of lost stock, descriptions of the bushfire and the aftermath of its destruction.

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years.
Copyright holder:: State Library of New South Wales
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales