BARTON John Alexander
Copyright       David Mizen  October 2020

For a man who has a sizeable district named after him little concrete information exists. The name Barton’s Mill is often stated as deriving from the name of its ‘owner’ ‘John Alexander Barton’. Trying to trace Barton through recorded history is difficult. The surname “Barton” while not in the same category as “Smith” was relatively common in the scheme of Western Australian History. Sir Edmund Barton the would be first Prime Minister was frequently mentioned in the press during the period of ‘J. A. Barton’s’ life in Western Australia. There was also a prominent church official with name the Rev. T. Barton Spencer who crops up. In addition, there is also an unidentified J. A. Barton who appears on reported shipping passenger lists regularly and a Mr. Barton associated with Murrin Murrin. This paper will piece together what can be gleaned on John Alexander Barton of Barton’s Mill.

The Western Australian Dictionary of Biography carries the following entry:

“BARTON, John Alexander, b. 1866 d. 13.7.1908 at Bartons Mill. ?This man arr. 28.11.1887 per Massillia with his wife, or ?October 1888 (steerage) from Albany to Frem. per Victorian. Millowner Kalamunda district.” (Ericson, 1987)
 

In Memorium

"He was a fine-looking man, about 5ft. 8ins. and square built" (Harper-Nelson, 1995). From the Dictionary of Biography, it is ‘known’ that John Alexander Barton died at ‘his’ mill on the 13th July 1908. See also (Slee & Shaw, 1979, pp. 50-51). A search of the records of Births Deaths and Marriages reveals no death certificate issued in that name on or near the date given. Yet John Alexander Barton is buried in plot 10 on the eastern side of the ‘Guildford Cemetery’ Kalamunda Road.

The clue to Barton’s true identity lies on his grave head stone. The inscription reads:

" In
Loving Memory
of
John Alexander Barton
[Bruce]
Who Died July 13th 1908
Aged 42 year
At Rest"

Barton’s head stone Guildford Cemetery.
Photograph by the author

Given that there is no death certificate in the name of Barton it was necessary to trace Barton’s true identity via a different method. A search of the records of the Supreme Court located at the State Records Office reveals an entry for Letters of Administration in the name of John Alexander Bruce with the same date of death (Supreme Court of Western Australia , 1832 - 1920). A search of the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages for the surname ‘Bruce’ reveals a death certificate in the name of John Alexander Bruce. The details of the death of John Alexander Bruce correspond with the details recorded in the sources for the death of John Alexander Barton. The death certificate also records the fact that the name John Alexander Barton is in fact an alias (Registrar of Births Marriages and Deaths, 1908).

A New Narrative

An examination of the Supreme Court probate records held on microfiche by the State Records Office shows a standard form Application for Letters of Administration (an application to the Supreme Court for control of a deceased estate where a person dies without leaving a valid will) (In the Estate of John Alexander Bruce commonly known as John Alexander Barton late of Pickering Brook Timber Mill Proprietor deceased intestate, 1908). The application includes a list of assets and liabilities, the majority of the list is non contentious. The list makes clear that he was heavily insured. However, there is a hand written notation under the heading “Real Estate”. The notation starts with the word “Nil” indicating that the deceased owned no real estate (“real estate” or “real property” is the legal expression for land, in effect the form states that the deceased does not own any land). The notation continues:

“Deceased did not own a mill but worked it on commission from Millar’s Karri and Jarrah Co”

(In the Estate of John Alexander Bruce commonly known as John Alexander Barton late of Pickering Brook Timber Mill Proprietor deceased intestate, 1908).

 There is no other property referred to in the application. This fundamentally changes the narrative in relation to the mill   see for example (Freegard, 2019) and (Slee & Shaw, 1979)). The mill did not belong to J. A. Barton, the mill was always   part of the Millar’s enterprise. The previous narrative was that Millar’s bought the mill following Barton’s death (see for   example (Slee & Shaw, 1979, p. 51).  Ownership of the mill did not change hands after the death of John Alexander Bruce.   It could not as the probate record makes clear ‘Barton’ did not own any interest in the mill. In effect Millar’s owned the   mill from the beginning. This is reinforced by the facts stated on Bruce’s death certificate. The place of death is stated as   No. 1 Saw Mill Pickering Brook”. The cause of death is recorded as “natural causes”, there was no postmortem (Registrar of   Births Marriages and Deaths, 1908). There is speculation as to the cause of death (see for example (Freegard, 2019, p.   47)). Natural causes suggest that ‘heart trouble’ was the most likely cause as head injury would have triggered an inquest   to rule out foul play or accidental death. In addition to the matters related to ownership of the mill Bruce’s death   certificate reveals he was born in Coben Victoria and that he had lived in Western Australia for 21 years. This would put   his arrival in Western Australia as some time in 1887. There does not appear to be any record of John Alexander Bruce   entering Western Australia. There is a reference to a Mr. Barton arriving at Albany on the “Kaiser 1 Hind” from Glenelg on   Wednesday the 12th May 1886 (Unknown, Town Talk, 1886, p. 2). Unfortunately, there is no initial to assist with the   identification of this Mr. Barton.

  To complicate matters a Mr. and Mrs. Barton arrive on November 26th 1887 on the R.M.S. Massilia (Unknown, Shipping   inteligence, 1887, p. 2). This agrees with the Dictionary of Biography entry noted above but the report also notes that the   ship came from Columbo. The Columbo origins of the voyage implies that the Mr. and Mrs. Barton on this vessel are from   the Untitled Kingdom. Further, this does not reconcile with the information recorded on ‘Barton’s’ death certificate which   records that he originates from the State of Victorian, meaning that the Mr. Barton who arrived on the 12th May 1886 from   Glenelg is likely to be Alexander Barton and the A. Barton living in Denmark in 1887.

  Denmark 1887

  The first record of “A. Barton” appears in The Albany Mail and King George's Sound Advertiser on the 18th June 1887   (Unknown, Jubillee Handicap, 1887, p. 2). He is listed as an entrant in several foot races, he is given a generous               'handicap’. Why he came is unknown, however Austin and Gunzburgh state:

C&E Millar established small mills at Torbay to supply sleepers for construction of the Great Southern Railway from Albany to Beverly … By about November 1888, when the GSR was nearing completion, the mill was closed and brought into Albany, the tramway was dismantled and the mill hands were sent back to Victoria.

Given Barton’s death certificate indicates he originated from Victoria it seems probable he was brought in as part of the Millar’s contingent.  Barton’s activities after 1887 are not clear. Millar’s recommenced operations at Torbay on April 29^th 1889. A railway was constructed and by 1890 2 mills were working employing fifty (50) men (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, pp. 42-43). It is probable Barton was part of this contingent. Prior to Millar’s moving to Denmark a third mill was constructed at Torbay, construction started in 1892. However, the market Millar’s identified to justify the construction of the mill, the expansion of the Albany townsite, stalled and the remaining timber markets collapsed. As a result of the collapse of the market and due to completion of other contracts Millar’s closed all Torbay mills on May 9th 1893 (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, pp. 42-43). At this point E. V. H. Keane was trying to complete his Geraldton to Perth Railway (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, pp. 222-223).

Geraldton

The Western Mail reports D.M. McKenzie departed Perth for Geraldton on September 11th 1894 on the SS Sultan. The same report indicates A. Barton follows him on the 13th September on the SS Waroonga (Unknown, Port of Fremantle, 1894, p. 25). There does not appear to be any reason why timber mill workers would be heading to Geraldton. Austin and Gunzburgh point out that E. V. H. Keane was in the final phases of construction of the Geraldton Railway (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, p. 222), this would require labor, it seems probable that both Barton and McKenzie worked on the final stages of construction of the Geraldton railway.  However, there are dealings between E. V. H. Keane and Baxter and Prince, railway contractors and sometime timber merchants with respect to the locomotives ‘Deane’ and ‘Keane’ in mid1895. The ‘Deane’ was transferred to Baxter and Prince’s ‘new’ mill in Donnybrook (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, p. 223). It is possible that Barton and possibly McKenzie were acting as agents for Baxter and Prince assisting Keane. Both “McKenzie” and “Barton” reappear in Donnybrook in 1897.

Donnybrook

Baxter and Price purchased the former J.C. Port mill at Donnybrook in January 1896 (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, p. 139). Whether Barton was working for Baxter and Prince prior to the purchase of the Donnybrook mill is not known. Barton appears (literally) in February 1897 in the skit ”the Wig Makers” and as “Mr. Jons” in “Slocums Dog” a production in the aid of Mr. John Kelly (Unknown, Donnybrook Agricultural Hall, 1897). Mr. John Kelly, being injured, was unable to work. It was judged he was in need of further financial support, consequently, Mr. Twomey the mill manager organized a second fundraising concert in his aid (Unknown, Local and General, 1897, p. 3). Also performing was Mr J. Patterson.

Barton and McKenzie are reported in Albany in March 1897 departing Albany for England on the R.M.S. Massillia (Unknown, Shipping Notes, 1897), this report is problematic, it is more likely they disembarked at Albany. However; the report raises the issue as to Barton’s location.

The next reference is June 1897 as a member of the organizing committee for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The other members were:

“Messrs W.J. Ecclestone (President of the Central Preston Progress Association), J. S. Parkes (President West Australian Axemen's Association), T. Twomey, sen., and James Kelly (Vice-Presidents of the West Australian Axmen's Association), J. L. Bentley (Chairman of the Preston Roads Board), W. A Logan, J, Trigwell, V. C. Mitchell, J. Thomson, H. G. Hinde, J. Perkins, J. Fraser, H. Cunningham, and A. Barton, Mr. W. A. Logan was elected Hon. Secretary and Mr. W. J. Ecclestone was elected Hon. Treasurer.

At this point James (Jas) Kelly is the “outside foreman” for Baxter and Prince (Unkonwn, 1897).

Barton’s location is confirmed in late July 1897 when he won first prize for his appearance as “drum major” at a fancy-dress ball to raise money for a colleague killed in a horse-riding accident. Mr. McKenzie is also report to be attending (Unknown, Donnybrook, 1897). The following advertisement was placed in November 1897:

                ANCHOR AND HOPE SPORTS

To be held on the old ground on

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27th, 1897.

Patron— Sir John Forrest, P.C., K.C.M.G.

President— Hon H. W. Venn, M.L.A.

Vice-Presidents— Messrs T Hayward and H J Yelverton, J's.P., 11 Forrest, G Baxter, H W Smith,
                     W N Hedges, Jas Port and S J Cusack.

Committee — Messrs J Forrest and H Brockman. J's. P., J Thomson, M Thomson, Hadlow (2),
                     J L Richmond, J L Bentley, H G Hinde, Jas McDonald, J Trigwell, Jas Kelly, H V Smith, J Quirk,
                     V C Mitchell, Hugh Brockman, G Dalton, W A Logan, A Barton, Leslie and Libbern.

Handicappers— Mr. E Woodrow (running); Messrs. A Barton and W A Logan (chopping.)
                  (Ecclestone, 1897, p. 2)

The committee patrons include 2 of the biggest names in politics of the day, the Premier John Forrest and the developmentalist H.W. Venn, the member for Wellington. The committee also includes a number of major operators in the timber industry H.J. Yelverton, G. Baxter and Jas. Port. The implication being that by this time Barton was a known name in the timber industry. If Barton had political aspirations this would have been a good base to work from. Barton appears to have been associated with the Anchor Hope Sports day through to 1899 where he is described as being a capable starter (Unknown, Anchor and Hope Sports, 1899, p. 3). There are no further reports of the sports day after 1899.

Following the 1897 activities of the committee there was a garden party at Government House “A. Barton” was in attendance (Unknown, Garden Party at Government House, 1897). The Governors garden party being a good opportunity to begin to build a political base. It appears Barton leaves Perth via the SS Innamincka on December 31 1887 (Unknown, Shipping, 1898, p. 8).  However, there are a number of reports of ‘A. Barton’ being on other vessels in the days after the date cited, it is not clear which Barton is referred to in these reports. In any event it appears Barton was in Donnybrook shortly after the report of his departure from Fremantle.

In February 1898 Mr. A. Barton is recorded as the foreman at Baxter and Price’s Mill Donnybrook (Unknown, Valedictory to Mr Kelly, 1898, p. 3). In April 1898 Barton appears as ‘host’ and in a number of skits in a fundraising concert to raise money for the Catholic Church, also appearing was “Mr. McKenzie” (Unknown, Concert at Donnybrook, 1898, p. 3).

Barton appears to be something of a cricket enthusiast (Unknown, Cricket, 1898, p. 3). Based on the report it might be said he was a useful rather than a talented player. At some time in this period Barton meet Alice Osborne.

There is an entry in the historical register of Births Deaths and Marriages in the name of John Alexander Bruce marring Alice Mary Osborne in Busselton in 1900 registration No 1624 (Registrar Births Deaths and Marriages, 2020). This corresponds with information set out in Bruce’s death certificate.

Cricket reappears on the agenda in January 1901. Set out below is the report and score card for the match:

        ” Bridgetown v, Newlands Imperials"

A match was played at Bridgetown on the 27th December, between a team selected from the Bridgetown Cricket Club and one from the Newlands Imperial Cricket Club, resulting in a victory for the latter. The following are the scores: —

Bridgetown. — First Innings.

E W Ellis, b Prain ... ...                     0

W Blechynden, c Birch b Prain            2         R C Williams, b Lightly ...                15

WAG Walter, c Greig, b Lightly           9

J Callander, b Lightly ... ...                0

F H Maslin; c Greig, b Bradshaw       12

J Smith, b Bash                               0

C Hales, not out ...                          5

H W Leonard, b Bash ... ...               0

P Daw, b Bash ...                            0

C H Blechynden, c Teidler, b Lightly ..7

Sundries ... ... ...            5

Total               ...        55

              Bridgetown. - Second Innings

E W Ellis, b Bash ... ...                        3

J Smith, c Prain, b Bash                        5

J W Blechynden, l.b.w  b Prain...          11

R C Williams, c and b Prain                   2

WAG Walter, c and b Bradshaw            24

F H Maslin, b Murdock                         26

J Callander, c Bradshaw, b Murdock        4

C Hales, b Bash                                  8

H W Leonard, b Bash                           8

C H Blechynden, b Bash                      15

P Daw, not out                                   3

Sundries                          7

Total                           116

Newlands. —First Innings.

J Birch, not out ... ... ...                    23

W Lightly, l.b.w. ... ... ...                    4

Prain, b C H Blechynden ...                10

Bash, c Smith, b J W Blechynden          3

Greig, b C H Blechynden ...                  3

Barton, b C H Blechynden ..                 0

Bradshaw, c Hales, b J W Blechynden    0

E Lightly, s Walter, b Blechynden         0

Fiedler, b C H Blechynden ..                 0

Murdock, b C H Blechynden                  0

Clifford, thrown out ... ...                    0

Sundries ... ... ... .              2

Total                              45

Newlands - Second Innings.

Birch, run out ... ... ...                            9

W Lightly, c Walter, b Ellis                    38

Prain, c C H Blechynden b J W Blechynden 3

F Bash, b C H Blechynden ...                   7

A Greig, c R C Williams,b C H Blechynden 3

A. Barton, b J W Blechynden                   0

J Bradshaw, b Williams ... ...                15

E Lightly, c Walter, b Blechynden           33

P Fielder, run out                                 10

J Murdock, c Ellis, b Blechynden               6

J Clifford, not out                                 10

Sundries                                  4

Total                                    138

(Unknown, Bridgetown v Newlands Imperials, 1901, p. 3)

It is interesting to note the surname Lightly. It seems probable that this is the same Lightly family who are latter associated with the Pickering Brook Saw Mill.

Mr. A. Barton is then recorded at the 1901 Denmark Spring Show having gifted the first prize for the “table bouquet” competition (Unknown, Denmark Spring Show, 1901, p. 3). The next appearance appears to be as “starter” at Denmark Athletic Sports Boxing Day Meet (Unknown, Denmark Athletic Sports - Boxing Day Meeting, 1901, p. 4).

It was previously noted that Barton was Foreman at Baxter and Price’s Donnybrook Mill, although the Post Office directory for 1901 records that he was Baxter and Prince’s Manager. The directory for the years 1899 and 1900 both refers to Alex Burton as manager for Baxter and Prince this appears to be a typographic error and Burton and Barton are one and the same person. There is nothing overt to indicate where Barton stood politically.  Baxter and Prince were early adopters of the 8-hour day (Unknown, The Upper Preston jarrah Sawmills, 1901), the 8-hour working day being one of the union movements landmark achievements’. The West Australian reports:

Five years ago, the working day was reduced by one hour, and since that time the nine hours day has been adhered to. The adverse opinions expressed at the time concerning such reduction not having been verified. Mr. G. Baxter and those associated with him carefully considered the possibility of still further reduction. The pros and cons. having been carefully weighed, such a step was believed to be consonant with the interests of all concerned, and no time was lost in putting the scheme into execution. Therefore, on the 24th of April last the mill whistles on the Upper Preston timber leases sounded the "reveille" at 8 a.m. for the first time in the history of the West Australian jarrah industry and the day's labour began and ended at the same time as that of the great trade associations of Australia.

 The report continues:

Both parties are satisfied that the innovation has been attended by the most satisfactory results - on the one hand concentrated labour and shorter and more comfortable working hours, and on the other a sustained, if not augmented, output. It was not to be expected that those who benefited most by the change would allow the opportunity to pass without marking the occasion in a suitable manner. The employees therefore arranged that an address, a presentation, and a social should be tendered to Mr. G. Baxter, to show their appreciation of that gentleman's efforts on their behalf. The function was fixed for the 15th inst., and due preparations were made, all the men joining most heartily in an attempt to make the occasion as auspicious as possible, with the happy result now to be chronicled. Saturday was a gala day at Baxter's sawmills. Many ladies and gentlemen from Donnybrook and Newlands attended. After tea an adjournment was made to a large new building intended for a chaff-house where the dancing took place. This building had been effectively decorated for the occasion, and here eighty or ninety people assembled. About 8 o'clock dancing commenced. Among the ladies present were Mesdames Baxter, Harrison, Plewright, Shiels, Barton, Taylor, Warner, Kelly, Middleton; Haynes, Patterson, Bradshaw, Sexton, Scanlon, and Lockhart, and the Misses Harrison, Rothwell, Wright, and E. Wright. At 10 o'clock a table was brought into the room, and on it were placed a large dining room clock (presented to Mrs. Baxter), the address, and a gold medal presented to Mr. Baxter. Mr. J. M. Plewright was deputed to make the presentation. He said that the occasion was a most memorable one. The object was to mark the appreciation which all those employed on the mill felt with regard to Mr. Baxter's action in reducing the day's working hours from nine to eight. Mr. Baxter's 'action was purely voluntary. No petition had been presented to shorten the hours of work, no stress had been applied, and the action was to be more appreciated on that account. (Cheers.). (Unknown, The Upper Preston jarrah Sawmills, 1901, p. 7).

It is evident that Baxter and Price’s upper management were of a progressive mindset. There is no direct refence to the presence of a trade union negotiator. However, the adoption and implementation of the 8-hour day suggests a collective mindset which is indicative of Labor politics. It is interesting to note that after Baxter’s decision to adopt the 8-hour day the central actors in this situation seem to be the wives of the upper managers. This then raises the question as to what roll Alice Barton played in the resolution and adoption of what is a very significant business decision.

In the collation of material for this paper there are some names which appear a number of times. At this point the Kelly’s reappear.

Denmark

The date Barton leaves Baxter and Price’s Donnybrook operation is not recorded. There is no mention of Barton in the 1902 Post Office Directory. The next mention of the Barton’s occurs in Denmark. The Denmark Mill was part of the Millar’s operation (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008, pp. 45-48). In early 1902 Mrs. A, Barton attends Denmark’s Fancy Dress Ball in a “black silk evening dress” (Unknown, Fancy dress ball at Denmark, 1902, p. 4). Barton plays for the Denmark cricket team again in April 1902, it is reported that in essence Denmark lost as they “did not have bags or fishing nets for fielding purposes” (Unknown, Denmark News, 1902).  Barton acquitted himself rather better with the ball taking 2 wickets but scoring only 3 with the bat in 2 innings (3 and 0). It is also reported:

           “The two teams attended a banquet the preceding Saturday evening at the Federal House.

Forty sat down to one of the best spreads ever given at Denmark and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. The toast list was rather a lengthy one and included :- "The Visiting Team," proposed by Mr. H. T. Todd ; "the Press," by Mr. A. Ross ; " Sport in Denmark," by Mr. Carnegie ; and "Mr. and Mrs. Henderson," by Mr. Ramstetter, Songs were well rendered by Messrs Wright, Wimbridge, Waller, Dobson, A. Ross and others, while Messrs Barney Smith and Nick Anderson attended to the liquid wants of the company with zest.” (Unknown, Denmark News, 1902, p. 4).

In 1903 there is mention of Mr. and Mrs. A. Barton and child arriving on the P & O India from London on the 28^th January (Unknown, 1903, p. 4). The entry does not make clear whether Mr. and Mrs. Barton boarded at Albany and disembarked at Perth or whether they were in fact retuning from London. Given Millar’s were in the process of transferring their head office to London around this time it is possible the Barton’s went to London as part of Millar’s reorganization. The 1903 Post Office Directory (Wise's, 1903) records Barton as foreman in Denmark presumably for Millar’s. By May 1903 Barton is present for what was reported as the mill closing celebration for Millar’s Denmark No. 1 mill (Unknown, Parting at Denmark, 1903, p. 3). If the Denmark No. 1 mill did close the closure was not permanent, Austin and Gunzburg note the final closure of the mill occurred towards the end of March 1905 (Austin & Gunzburg, 2008).

There does not appear to be any further mentions of Mr. A. Barton however in November of 1903  Mrs. Barton wins a number of prizes, in the first instance for her scones, in the second instance for her breakfast rolls and finally for her plumb pudding (Unknown, Denmark Spring Fair, 1903, p. 5). There is a shipping report that A. Barton and infant board the SS Persic on the 18^th December 1903 bound for the eastern states (unknown, 1903). Following this report there are no further references to the Barton’s the lower South West in news media. Barton is listed in the Western Australian Post Office Directory as residing in Denmark through to 1905 (Wise's, 1905). The next reference to them is at Canning Mills. It appears that Millar’s moved Barton to Canning Mills to sort out the mess they found themselves in at that site.

Canning Mills

McNamara records the memoirs of William Kessell. Kessell appear to be Barton’s predecessor as Mill Foreman at Canning Mills (Wise's, 1907). Kessell states Barton was foreman at Canning Mills at the end of the1907 strike. He notes that following the closure of Canning Mills Barton operated a small mill in the general direction of the present area now known as Barton’s Mill. McNamara also states that Millar’s shut down Canning Mills and “moved lock stock and barrel along the spur line towards Barton’s” sometime after1907 (1953). Lands and Surveys Department map 1/80 (Barry F. Johnson Surveyor General, N.D.) (see section below) shows a spur line emanating from an area bounded by location 265 and location 206 (latter Pickering Brook Junction) proceeding in the direction of location 446 through location 269, as it crosses location 269 it splits, a short spur line proceeding towards what is now the Forrest Road Patterson Road junction. The ‘main line’ proceeds around the edge of location 446 and terminates a short way down what is now Holdroyd Road.
 

Section of Lands Department map 1/80 cons5386 item 0001 Sourced from State Records Office
 

The first verifiable trace of Barton in Pickering Brook appears in June 1907, “A. Barton” calls for bullock teams at Pickering Brook (Barton, 1907).This corresponds with the account attributed by McNamara to William Kessell (1953). It also matches the account provided by W.C. Thomas who states “Alec Barton built the first mill at the back of Carilla Hall, on the Canning railway, just prior to the one big strike in the timber industry in the West, in 1907…” (Thomas, 1939, p. 12).

There is an issue with all of these accounts. In November 1906 advertisements for mill hands and haulers in the name of J. Patterson of Pickering Brook Sawmill appear (1906), the advertisement is run again in March 1907 (Patterson, Team wanted, 1907). Advertisements in Patterson’s name cease mid-1907and the advertisement in Barton’s name referred to above appears. Patterson’s appearance can be reconciled by deconstructing the account of Thomas and McNamara.

McNamara’s account puts Barton at Canning Mills “at the end of the Strike” (1953), in all likelihood Barton was present late 1905 or early 1906. This proposition arises from the account put by Thomas, that the mill was built prior to the strike (1939). The strike occurred in March 1907 (McNamara, 1953), Patterson was the first operator of the No. 1 Mill Pickering Brook (Bechelli, 2020) and the first advertisement for Paterson in Pickering Brook appears November 1906 (1906). The conclusion is that Barton was foreman in charge of the dismantling and relocation of Canning Mill. Barton could not be in two places at once, when the No. 1 Mill was operational Patterson was appointed to operate it. Barton remained at Canning Mill to finish the shutdown. In McNamara’s (1953) account the whole of the Canning Mills operation was moved to Pickering Brook. There were 2 mills at Canning Mill, it seems likely that the second mill was relocated to become the No. 4 Mill referred to by Slee and Shaw (1979, p. 51).

Locating the precise position of Barton’s first mill (Millar’s No. 1) as described by McNamara and Thomas is problematic, Slee puts the position regarding the mills as follows:

“Mr. Joe Brown whose father was Johnny Brown the teamster, said in 1978 that in his time No. 1 (at Carilla) and
No. 4 (in the Kingsmill Road area) were true saw mills. There were other “mills” numbered from one to six which were in fact log landings [a ‘station’ at which logs were loaded on to the train]. “(1979, p. 51).
 

"BARTON'S MILL"           #1
 

"BARTON'S MILL"           #2
 

If Slee’s understanding of Joe Browns statement is that the No. 1 mill was situated in what was the town site of Carilla then there is a conflict with Barton’s death certificate which states that the No. 1 Mill was in Pickering Brook. Local repute puts the mill near location 269 near what is now the Pickering Brook Primary School. This accords with the description put by Thomas. The implication is that the spur line shown on map 1/80 is the line running into the No. 1 Mill.

‘John Alexander Barton’ died on the 13^th July 1908, as noted above he is buried in Guildford Cemetery. The immediate family are listed as the chief mourners also included are “Mr. and Mrs. Shields, Mr. J Osborne, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, and Mr. Lightly”. The pall bearers are listed as “W. Hewison, M. Fitzgerald, S. Smaile and T. Romaro”. The listed attendees are “Messrs. A. Munro (Millar’s Karri and Jarrah Co.), G. H. Orchard. C. Haines, Mr. and Mrs Ball, Mrs. J. and the Misses Kelly, Mrs. Davis” [wife of M.C. Davis?](Unknown, Untitled, 1908).

Sometime in 1909 or early 1910 Mrs. Barton remarried and became Mrs William Thomas, she had three more children, Will, Ron and Gwen. The family then farmed at Korbel. The pall bearer, Mr. Hewison, was Alexander Barton's friend and mill tally-clerk(Harper-Nelson, 1995, p. 2).

Barton was survived by his wife, Alice Mary Bruce and three children, the names of the children as recorded on the death certificate are:

Kenneth Robert Alexander

It appears that Kenneth completed his Junior Certificate in December 1920 having completed English (1), History (8), Chemistry (11), Physics (12) at Perth Modern School(Unknown, The University Leaving Certificate , 1919). Harper-Nelson states he then went into the Surveyor General’s Department(1995, p. 2). He later became Assistant Surveyor General for Malaya(Unknown, Local Chit Chat, 1947). There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that he was a civilian Prisoner of War at Changi Prison and was involved in the recovery of the bodies of Australian Service men, the construction of the major war graves in South East Asia and the internment of Australian War dead in those cemeteries.

Ken married Charlotte Campbell on the 4^th April 1928 at St Andrews Church Perth(Unknown, Womans World, 1928). They had a daughter on 9^th November 1929, the notice records that the child was born at the Malacca Straights Settlement (Unknown, Births, 1929, p. 1). Ken returned to Western Australia in 1947 for a holiday with his wife and daughter Katherine (Unknown, 1947). This appears to coincide with the close of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. He appears to have been using the surname Barton-Bruce. The family stayed with John Diggins of Bridgetown(Unknown, 1947, p. 12).

Jessie Eliza

It appears that Jessie attended Perth College Mount Lawley and attained her Junior Certificate. The list of graduates is difficult to read but it appears that she graduated having completed English (1), Geography (7), Biology (9) and Geology (12). It appears she then went to Teachers College. 

Jessie E Bruce married Harrie SW Massey at the Perth Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in 1928 (Registrar Births Deaths and Marriages, 2020). The circumstances are set out in Masseys Royal Society biography: -

“Massey attended the meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science held in Perth in August 1925. He told me how he was attracted by the exquisite beauty of a girl seated alone in the hotel where he stayed and how he shyly introduced himself. The girl was Jessica Elizabeth[sic] Bruce, who had just moved into teaching. Harrie described the courtship that followed as idyllic, the happiest period in his life. They were married while Harrie was still an undergraduate, and had one daughter, Pamela Lois. It was obvious to all who knew them that they remained an utterly devoted couple. Harrie told me that Jessica encouraged him in making the change from chemistry to physics and always participated in major decisions. He acknowledged that without her much of the drive in his work would have been lacking. She shared his love of travel. Domestically she helped passively by accepting with patience the heavy demands his work often made on his time and actively by her companionship and by being a good manager and natural cook. Jessica it was who planned their beautiful final home and garden in Esher near London. It is called Kalamunda, the aboriginal name of an area in Western Australia in which she once lived. There are several tall eucalyptus trees in that Surrey garden.” (Royal Society, 1984).”

Jeane Lois

On August 3^rd 1929 Lois married John Charles Forster at St Georges Cathedral Perth(Unknown, Marriages, 1929).

Lois Stone (nee Lois Barton Bruce) died on the 14th July 1950 leaving three daughters Rosemary Dorothy and Judy(Unknown, Deaths, 1950).

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:           Article:     David Mizen   

Images:            1, 2    Price Family Collection

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008-2020