Fire Devastates Gocup and Surroundings

6 January 1905 Adelong and Tumut Express and Tumbarumba Post

No reporters picturing can describe the effects of the devastation at Gocup.

Apart from the disasters reported in the last issue of the "Tumut Advocate," published at this office, there are other serious happenings.

A family named White, the head of which was engaged in rabbit trapping, lost their all, including their savings, waggon, two horses and wearing apparel.

A local collection was raised for their relief, the Mayor (Ald. J. E. Madigan) collecting £2 5s, which was handed over on Wednesday.

They were absolutely destitute and are remaining in the police paddock under a tent. This is the only case reported to the police requiring immediate action for assistance, though others are in sore straits.

Besides the heavy losses of homes and stock already reported, other statements are in our hands.

One of the greatest sufferers in this locality is Mr. E. Brennan, of Eurobin, whose estate was scoured by the devastating elements.

Grass was a mere circumstance compared with the destruction of buildings, stock perished, and the throwing open of his run.

The old homestead, where the Misses Brennan resided, passed away with the conflagration, together with the perishing of several hundred of his well-bred sheep, fencing, woolshed, yards and buildings.

Mr. Chas. Duffy had his home and all contents levelled, as also did Mrs. Ballard.

The former had two valuable horses fall victims.

Mr. E. Stockwell, after a hard struggle in saving his dwelling, found that everything else had gone with the fleeting visitant. Pig styes, sheep yards, oat crops, 500 bushels of corn, and 40 sheep were included in the losses. The property was owned by Mr. Wm. Percival, of Bombowlee.

Twelve acres of wheat and a quantity of grass were taken from Mr. M. Donoghue.

Mr. Jno. Egan (of Snowball) states that although his grass and fencing were devoured, he does not anticipate any loss of stock. His woolshed and all out-buildings, fine orchard, &c, are gone.

Mr. S. Gordon had a quan-tity of grass and fencing carried away, but no stock were destroyed.

Mr. D. McDonald saved the pasturage on the flats, and his other country was not much affected.