Richard Mathias Madew (1874 - 1898)

Born 11 Feb 1874 in Eldorado, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 13 Nov 1898 at age 24 in Eldorado, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Richard was born in 1874. He was the son of Alexander Madew and Louisa Wellington. He passed away in 1898.

McEVOY MINING DISASTER, 1895.

TERRIBLE MINING ACCIDENT. SIX MEN BURIED AT ELDORADO. Eldorado, tbe old mining township in the Beechworth district, and which is situated in the slopes of a creek which once gave some wonderfully rich yields, was the scene of an alarming accident on Saturday last, which occurred in the M' Evoy mine.

Just about 4 o'clock what may be best described as a lagoon of sludge broke through into one of the drives, and almost before anyone was aware what had happened six of the miners were imprisoned and probably smothered within a few moments. There is a bare chance that some or all of the imprisoned men are still alive, but it is so slight that it can scarcely be regarded as a chance at all, and those in charge of the mine have abandoned all hope of effecting a rescue, though they are striving manfully to do all that is possible to effect one.

Near the end of the main drive on the night shift of Friday seven men were engaged, namely, P. Cruse, E. Collins, S. Quick, and J. Connors as face men, with R. Madew, Joseph Ferguson, and Richard Cameron as truckers. In the crosscuts running off the branch drive which intersected the main drive at a distance of 1,000ft from the shaft six other men were working. These were John Kneebone, John Edgar Crane, Frederick Bark, Charles Dawkins, James Thompson, and James Armstrong. They were working in sets of two each in crosscuts in No. 1, 2, and 3, and while Thompson and Kneebone were about 1,300ft from the mouth of the shaft, the other four were 100ft nearer. At a quarter to 4 o'clock in the morning, the "boss" of the shift, Mr. M'Pherson, went round the workings and found everything apparently right, A quarter of an hour later there was a rush of air, a deluge of slum, and within a minute or two the whole catastrophe had occurred.

But for tbe plucky conduct of Ferguson, the disastrous results, which it is feared will follow, would have included four more men. Ferguson, Cameron and Madew were trucking, and they were the first to find that the slush was rushing in, and were about to face about and save themselves, when Ferguson begged of them to try and give warning to the others. He accordingly led the way in, through the fast rising deluge of slush with the result that Cruse, Collins, Quick and Connors managed to fight their way out. Six men remained entombed, viz., John Kneebone. John Edgar Crane, Frederick Bark, Charles Dawkins, James Thompson and John Armstrong. The management at once put on relief parties, who, on Sunday, were working away in the forlorn hope of rescuing the imprisoned men.

FURTHER REPORT ON THE MCEVOY DISASTER

(Whilst this was a full report on the disaster and recovery efforts there is one paragraph that mentions the relationship of Ferguson and Madew.)

Richard Matthew Madew and Joseph Wellington Ferguson, two of the survivors of the catastrophe, are second cousins and grandsons of Captain Joseph Wellington, well known and highly respected in the Ovens District in its early days. Ferguson is 24 and Madew 20 years of age.

(Note:- It may have not been known at the time but P. Cruse may have been related also. I believe that he was Patrick Cruise who was married to Agnes Wellington, who is an aunt of Richard Madew)

THOMPSON'S BODY RECOVERED

THE ELDORADO CALAMITY. THOMPSON'S BODY RECOVERED. MADEW CONGRATULATED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR. WANGARATTA, MONDAY. The work of cleaning up the drives and crosscuts in the McEvoy mine is being vigorously pushed forward, and the face of the No. 3 crosscut, in which Thompson and Kneebone were working, was thoroughly examined last night. The spot where the slum broke through was discovered, and when it had been thoroughly re-timbered and rendered secure all danger to the relief party was practically past. Rapid work was then possible, and as fast as the engine could pull up the trucks of slum the men were ready with them.

It will be remembered that the accident happened shortly before 4 o'clock, and a few minutes before the men would have temporarily ceased their work to have their "crib." The relief party were painfully reminded of this circumstance in the No. 3 crosscut, when they found Kneebone and Thompson's coat and their "crib" buried in the slum. With the break patched up there was no danger in attacking the big boulder of clay which providentially blocked the intersection of the branch and main drives and saved the lives of the truckers and the men in the crosscuts off the main drive. A party of men was put in to do this, and, with the party in the second relief drive, there were then three sets working at once. With the accession of help the prospects of an early recovery of the bodies were strengthened, and the first definite evidence of the fact was gained when the boulder had been removed. The slum was found to have filled every crevice of the branch drive and to have settled like soft mortar. At 1 o'clock this afternoon Mr. McPherson, the shift boss, saw a boot about a yard behind the boulder and near the top of the drive. The slum was hastily loosened from round it, and then the party were horrified with the sight which confronted them. It was the body of Thompson, but it was almost unrecognisable. The face was horribly mutilated, large pieces of the skin with the whiskers adhering having been torn off. The body was dreadfully battered, and almost destitute of clothing. From the cement-like slum in which it was encased the task of removing it was one of extreme difficulty, and occupied three hours. The decomposition of the body added to the difficulties, but at last the task was completed, and the body was removed to the surface and laid out in one of the buildings which had been made ready for its reception.

The body was lying face downwards, with the feet towards the boulder, when found. It is therefore considered certain that Thompson was washed there by the run, battered as he went by the timbers of the crosscuts which were carried along with him. The news that the body had been recovered was not immediately made known, but when the townspeople became aware of it the scene at the mine was a most painful one. Below, the sensation was even more painful, but the men had to press on, and having sent Thompson's body to the surface they set to work again to clean out the slum in order to reach the other unfortunate miners. When all the bodies will be recovered can only be conjectured, but probably they will not be found until the whole of the slum-filled workings have been cleaned out. This will take days to accomplish. The directors of the mine now in Eldorado, Messrs. Dunn, Montgomery, and Wright, with Mr. Rowan, P.M., have arranged that the inquest shall be opened to-morrow.

There is a conflict of opinion here as to the bravery of Richard Madew. Though all are agreed that he gallantly seconded Ferguson in his heroic return along the flooded drives, those who are best able to judge consider that Ferguson was the real hero, and that but for him Madew would have continued the flight for safety which he had commenced when brought up standing by Ferguson's words, "No, lads, we have a chance; let us give the others a chance too." Mr. Tresize, the inspector, is of this opinion, and he consequently does not place Madew's undoubtedly useful and gallant services on the same level as those of Ferguson. His Excellency the Acting Governor (Sir John Madden) has written the following letter to Madew:-

" Government-house, July 28, 1895. " Mr. Richard Madew. "Dear Sir,-It is one of the misfortunes attending modesty that its great worth is sometimes but late found out, and it has been my regret that when writing to your noble companion, Ferguson, a few days since, I had not heard that you, too, had given our colony great reason to be proud of its people by your determination in winning safety for your fellow workmen at any peril to yourself.

"It is found sometimes with truth that children of our soil are without reverence for things deserving of it, but we can proudly and assuredly say that no people on earth can surpass them in personal courage and manhood, and in reverence for that grand spirit of loyalty which is the foundation-stone of all social grandeur. I desire to point this out in the best interest of our young people, and to convey that you, too, highly deserve the thanks and applause of Victoria for the splendid credit you have done her, and for the gratifying fact that the heroic conduct of yourself and your companion Ferguson has relieved her from having to-day to mourn the loss of many more of her useful citizens and from witnessing the distressing sorrow of their loved ones. "According you the fullest measure of thanks of all your fellow workmen, and my own regard and admiration,

"Believe me, very sincerely yours, " JOHN MADDEN. "

RECOGNITION OF BRAVERY

The court of directors of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia have made the following awards ; -

Silver Medals.

To Joseph Ferguson, of Eldorado, a miner, aged 24 years, who rescued several of his mates from probable death in the M'Evoy mine, at Eldorado, on tbe 20th July, 1895. A run of slum and drift took place in the mine. Joseph Ferguson knowing that most of the men at work were probably ignorant of their danger went back through the rising slum and gave the alarm to his mates, who by this means escaped. Other six by this time were entombed and ultimately perished.

Bronze Medals.

To Richard Madew, of Eldorado, a miner, aged 21 years, who materially assisted Joseph Ferguson in rescuing his mates from danger, as narrated in the above case.

DEATH OF M'EVOY DISASTER HERO.

BEECHWORTH, Monday. Mr. Richard Madew, aged 24, a well-known resident of Eldorado, died on Sunday night. He gained celebrity for his heroism in returning and assisting two miners during the fatal disaster at the M'Evoy mine, about three years ago. He has since been working with his father at Adelong, N.S.W., where he contracted a severe cold, which laid the foundation of the complaint from which he died. He was universally respected.

OBITUARY

DEATH:- MADEW.- On the 13th instant, at El Dorado, Richard Mathias, beloved son of Alexander Sydney and Louisa Madew, aged 23 years...Respected by all. You miners all, As you are now, so once was I: As I am now, so you will be; Therefore prepare to follow me.

Page 6:- EL DORADO (from our own correspondent) ... The funeral of our young friend, Richard M. Madew, on Tuesday, in El Dorado Cemetery, was very largely attended. Relatives and friends from all parts of the district, and several of the former from New South Wales, were present to show their regard for the departed and sympathy for the bereaved family in their sore trouble. The minister from Wangaratta being unable to be present, Mr. W. Ward read the beautiful and impressive service of the Church of England. This was followed by the singing of the pathetic hymn, "Abide with me".

One very pleasing episode in the tragedy in the McEvoy claim was the conduct of the two cousins, J. W. Ferguson and R. M. Madew; an yet they never appeared to think they had done anything out of the way. To give the alarm to the men in danger was a duty, and they did it right away, regardless of personal risk. The more largely this type of character is developed amongst our young Victorians the better for the land in which we live.

Prominent among the mourners were the manager and employees of the McEvoy mine. The wreath sent were many and beautiful. Mr. Laidler, of Wangaratta, was the undertaker, and carried out arrangements very satisfactorily.

Sources

• Victoria Birth Index:- 2179/1874.
• "Hamilton Spectator" ... Vic ... Tuesday, 23 July 1895 (p3): TERRIBLE MINING ACCIDENT.
• "Wodonga and Towong Sentinel" ... Friday, 26 July 1895. (p2): DREADFUL MINING FATALITY AT ELDORADO. (re: relationships)
• "The Argus" ... Melbourne, Vic ... Tuesday, 30 July 1895. (p5): THE ELDORADO CALAMITY.
• "The Age" ... Melbourne, Vic ... Friday, 18 October 1895. (p6): RECOGNITION OF BRAVERY.
• "The Argus" ... Melbourne, Vic ... Tuesday, 15 November 1898.(p6): DEATH OF M'EVOY DISASTER HERO.
• "The Ovens and Murray Advertiser" ... Beechworth, Vic ... Saturday, 19 November 1898. (p2): DEATH and (p6): OBITUARY.
• Victoria Death Index:- 16109/1898. (23 years)