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James GROUT & Frances Ann
OWDEN married in
England in 1827 and their descendants settled around
Maryborough, Queensland.
Their son, James
Edward GROUT (b 1862)
was a well-known figure in the old township of Musket Flat,
Queensland. As a lad he delivered the mails to and from
Musket Flat to Glenbar, Gigoomgan, Teebar and other stations.
He was found dead at the stockyard gate on his property at
Musket Flat on 29 May 1937. An inquest was held into his
death and the following is a statement by his son, James
Robert Grout
"I am a Grazier residing
at Musket Flat. James Edward Grout, now deceased was my
father. He lived with me at Musket Flat. I remember Saturday
29 May 1937 . The deceased had his breakfast in the usual way
and stated his intention of going out in bush to get the
pyebald pony mare and foal. I told him not to leave the place
on his own and to wait until the following day when a man
named Jack Wilson, a teamster living closeby, would go with
him. He agreed to remain at the homestead and not bother any
further about the pony. He had his lunch with us at about 1pm
on the 29 May 1937 and he ate a good meal and made no
complaint about feeling ill . I last saw him alive about 2pm
on the 29 May 1937. I then went some distance away
ringbarking timber. Before leaving I told the deceased to
stay at the house and to get the cows later for my wife to
milk and he said he would. About 5pm I was returning from
work and when near the homestead I saw the pyebald pony
stallion which the deceased always rode galloping about with
a saddle and bridle on it with other horses. I immediately
formed the opinion that the deceased must have gone after the
pyebald pony mare and was thrown in the bush. Jack Wilson
went after the pony with the saddle and bridle on it and it
caught my horse which was in a small paddock and I run the
cows in for my wife and then went through the stock yards for
the purpose of looking for my father. I there saw my father (deceased)
lying on his back with his arms outstretched about 4 yards
from the stockyard gate. I immediately got off my horse and
felt the body and I was satisfied that life was extinct. In
my opinion the body had been there for about 2 hours. I would
say it was about 5:30pm when I found the body. In the
meantime Jack Wilson had gone out in the bush to look for the
deceased. Frank Ellis then came along and he felt the body
and he told me that my father was dead. We have a pay
telephone line installed and I immediately telephoned Mr
Irons and I requested him to telephone the Police and the
Ambulance to advise of the death. Mr Irons subsequently
advised me that the Police would be out and that Mr Kirk
"Undertaker" would also arrive. About 9pm on the 29th
of May 1937 Mr Kirk and Constable Lynam arrived at Musket
Flat and Constable Lynam made an inspection in the vicinity
of where the body was found with the aid of a torch and also
of the body and subsequently conveyed the body to Maryborough.
At 11:30am on the 31st May 1937, the body was buried at the
Maryborough Cemetery. The deceased was 75 years of age, born
at Maryborough on the 8 April, 1862 and had resided at Musket
Flats since the time he was 2 weeks old. In the early days he
followed the occupation of Blacksmith and in later years he
was horse breeding. He was last attended by a doctor about 14
months ago when he had an accident and was treated for
fractured ribs. Apart from that he had not been attended by a
doctor for any other sickness. Deceased had never in his life
complained to myself or my wife of feeling ill. He had never
mentioned that he had difficulty in breathing or ever
complained of pains in the chest.
I am perfectly satisfied that
there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death .
I have been informed that a Post Mortum examination revealed
that the cause of death was heart failure and I have no
reason to beleive that he was injured by the Pyebald pony
found with a saddle and bridle on it. As far as I know, I was
the last person to see the deceased alive, my mother was at
the Homestead all the day on the 29 th of May but she did not
see him after he had lunch.
| VALE -
JAMES EDWARD GROUT Alas - Now Jimmy Grout's gone
West,
One of the Old Brigade,
A White man of the very Best,
That well life's game has played.
His years were many and he died,
In harness at the end.
Of Musket Flat he was the pride
- A true and trusted friend.
Straight as a die in sun or rain,
His word was aye his bond.
He leaves this world without a stain,
To join the Great Beyond.
A noted horseman of this day,
With heart and courage high,
He leaves behind throughout Wide Bay
A name that ne'er will die.
His famous horses of the past,
Are but a memory now,
The Toff and Archer, Stockman fast,
Were champions all allow.
May sweet and peaceful be his rest,
All free from care and doubt .
He lived his life and stood the test,
Great-hearted "Jimmy Grout"
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"Bannerman"
Maryborough 7/6/37
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