The Years That Have Gone ( Early days in Grahamstown - South Africa)
by Jack Carruthers.
(Abt 1923)
I returned to Grahamstown after a long absence, on visiting the city of my birth many
pleasing memories are awakened by the names still in evidence of people I recognise,
directly connected with the early days. Names that will always be associated with the 1820
settlers City.
Whilst wandering around old haunts, I noticed very little change in many of the by-ways
and streets. In certain sections there seems no alteration to the town of 60 years ago.
The church square and along the main traffic way is very pleasing on the eye, especially
the upper high street, with the university building beyond the public gardens. The Albany
museum lending a special enchantment to my old Templeton's school of many a pleasant
recollection. A remarkable change around the school centre, the Victoria High &
Kingswood College are pleasing to see as are the residential homes, so different from my
boyhood days.
There seem a great deal left for the City Fathers to improve upon when compared to my
adopted home of 43 years, Salisbury. We have a well designed township, with up to date
conveniences, a water borne sewerage system, over 50 miles of tarred road and avenue,
fully electrically lighted thought. My mind takes my back to our small cottage home on the
hill not far from the Wesleyan High school, where just behind a big stone built
Skit kraal stood, kept by Mr Joseph CURRAN. He was pound master & town crier. Some of
his grandchildren are with us in Rhodesia. At this time an open glade stretched away north
wards to sugar loaf hill, the boundary point of CURRYS Kloof estate. Kingswood college now
occupies the space. Their sportsfield was then a dam of catchment water that served the
weary oxen trekking to Kingwilliamstown. At that time the wagon building trade was at its
zenith. STANTON, WEDDERBURN, BROOKSHAW and JORDAN did a big business with the north. I
remember an order for 100 wagons was sent down by my old fried Jim KEELEY (now at Mosita
British Bechuanaland) He and Alf READER were traders in that territory.
I cherish the recollections of our simple pleasures, the flying of kites, on the long
tramps to the hills. I knew every corner of interest in CURRIES Kloof, pigeon house,
Stones hill,the wool wash and often visited the railway tunnel, then in the making.
I picture many picnic spots where our youthful happiness knew no bounds.
Memories of my home was the laughter and good spirit of the evening song when my fathers
pals gathered to join in his delight.
He was full of music and sang most songs at the Caledonian gathering. He was a good
dancer, My mother and uncle James HEWITT were connected with local theatricals. There last
performance was in aid of St. Aidan's, MINGIE PRINCE and BURGES Were among his singing
friends.
I was born a stonethrow away from the 1810 memorial in August 1863 in a small cottage
situated in Smith's avenue behind the postoffice. My first school was Miss DOLD'S,
just off market square ,we were then living next door to Mr. Dave SAMPSON. The two wooden
bridges served to cross the stone paved waterway in Bathurst street. I rember the names
CLOUGH, SHEFFIELD, OLIVER, HEPBURN, WILCOX, GUEST, JOLLY, GALPIN, DINGLE, BLACKBEARD and
CLINTON.
For my first ride my father had bought me a pony, after a deal of brushing and saddling up
I ventured out in to the back yard as Dr ATHERSTONE was passing. On seeing his mount, my
pony trotted on behind following wherever the doctor went. He eventually questioned my
doing this and realising my predicament turned his horse back to my home. Another incident
was my falling in to a tannery pit somewhere near Miss DOLD's school and getting a
sound thrashing when reaching home.
When my father James CARRUTHERS started the Eastern Boot Manufacturing Works near the
cathedral, church square, my parents shifted to Hodges street. At that time DUNDAS bridge
was a narrow way with an ulgy gaping river on either side. The MURRAY'S QUAITS and
MILNES lived a bit higher up on the hillside.
My next school was St Bartholomew's church School. Our pleasures were simple games as
tops, marbles and a running base ball game that kept us fit, our master John PAYNE was a
kindly gentleman with a remarkable moustache. We were all upset to hear of his sad end
which closed the School. He had gone on holiday by sailing vessel to Durban, after some
jollification on the ship he awoke to find someone had cut off his treasured moustache, he
deliberately jumped overboard never to be seen again.
We pals became divided some going to EVANS School, I was among the first of the TEMPLETON
School boys. The Rev. R Templeton had been relieved from Trinity church work by the Rev.
JOHNSTON.
A patient kindly master who soon won the affection of every boy at School. No one could
forget his sympathetic nature and kindly given advice. We deplored his sad end his memory
will always be cherished by me and I trust the School remains a monument for all time to
carry on good work.
School sports in 1876 I held records for High & long jumps, winning several events.
Tom PARKER beat me in the quarter mile. On one of my early trips across the Zambezi, I
visited his resting place near the confluence of the Kafue and Zambezi. The fence poles he
planted for protection during the rains, had grown into large trees. I was taken on the
spot by an old Chief Nyamasook, who had served him as a guide.
Another School mate and pioneer was the late Jack NESBITT, who was our horizontal bar
performer, Walter GREATHEAD was our best at the pole jump and Alex PRINGLE the best at
pitting the weight.
Ships at Port Alfred (1876)
It was Easter time that I set out with my brother to walk the Kowie. My Dad and a friend
caught us up at Stones Hill where we had prepared tea, afterwards walking on beyond
Bathurst where we rested until daylight. On reaching Port Alfred our first sight of the
sea and sailing ships anchored in the river was really a wonderful sight to us boys. I
saved the pontoon fare by plunging in and swimming across, much to the delight of my
father and the sailors looking on.
The following day my School pal Willie SWAN drowned while endeavouring to save a capsized
boat after he had assisted his cousin to the riverside a mile or so upstream.
At a later date another School mate Percy DINGLE met the same fate........
To be continued ............