FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR TARLEE.—A man named William Keen, about 33 years of age, was killed by riding against a tree on Monday, March 22. The deceased, it appeared from the evidence at the inquest, had been drinking at Forresters for several hours, and left in company with some others, taking a bottle of gin. After proceeding about three miles towards Alma he rode against a tree, knocking off the bark and completely smashing his skull and one arm. He never spoke afterwards. The inquest was held by Mr. Cole, J.P., and a Jury of 13, who returned a verdict of accidental death. The deceased has only one relative in the colony—a brother, living at Port Adelaide. The poor fellow left about sufficient money to defray his funeral expenses.
Francis Jerome O'Sullivan was born in 1892 to parents James John O'Sullivan and Hannah Hogan. He was the fifth of their six children. Unfortunately his mother died when he was only three years old.
In March 1917 when Frank was 24 he enlisted in the Australian Army. By November that year he was on his way to France where he was a gunner in the 112th battalion. In October of 1918 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left thumb and was subsequently operated on in the Palace Hospital in Gloucester where he remained for five weeks.
By March 1919 Frank had returned to Australia and was discharged in April. He returned to a farming life.
At age 43 in 1936 he married Eileen Slattery in St Michael's church in Clare. An extensive report on their wedding was detailed in the Northern Argus newspaper.[1] His bride was 15 years younger than him and they went on to have eight children.
How Tarlee Got Its Name: Mr. O'Sullivan Gives a Little History
Not of Native Derivation
Those who have interested themselves in the nomenclature of towns in various parts of Australia have always emphasized that the names of many of them were derived from old Aboriginal words. A large number of them, when scanned, leave no doubt as to their derivation, and in that connection, many people have taken the well-known town of Tarlee, 50 odd miles from Adelaide, as another example.
But, according to Mr. J. J. O'Sullivan (country organizer for the State War Loan Council), who is at present in Pirie, Tarlee was given its name in somewhat unusual circumstances, and it has nothing whatever to do with the Aborigines. To tell the story of its origin, it was necessary for Mr. O'Sullivan to go back through the years and into history.
To begin with, the O'Sullivans came out from Ireland when this State was young. The present Mr. O'Sullivan's grandfather was a classmate in Dublin of Dominic Daly, who was Governor of South Australia from 1862 to 1868. It was during his regime that O'Sullivan Grandpere took up land in what was then known as the "Far North." It was no farther north than where Tarlee now is.
The property he took up was adjacent to Cobb & Co.'s coaching station, the service then running from the railhead at Gawler, as far as Clare. There the foundations of a successful farming venture were laid by the old Dublinite.
Veteran's Story
Talking of Tarlee to a representative of "The Recorder," Mr. O'Sullivan said: "Recently I have been in conversation with Mr. John McInerney, of Thebarton, on the subject of Tarlee," he said. "He is now getting along into his nineties, but he still retains vivid recollections of the earlier days. He told me that in Governor Daly's time there was at one end of the hundred a section of land taken up by an Irishwoman named Colbert, and at the other end a famed spot known as Forrester's Crossing.
"There came a day when the Government needed a portion of Mrs. Colbert's land through which to run a road. The matter was urgent, and an agent was sent to the owner with an offer. The Government would not only purchase her land but would do her the honor of allowing her to name the hundred.
"The deal was completed, and when asked what name she had chosen, the loyal old Irishwoman said that the hundred and the town-to-be should be named 'Thralee,' her brogue pronunciation of the famous spot in Ireland. The agent was not too accurate, however, and Tarlee came into being. Mr. McInerney assured me that it was never intended that the name of the town should be so spelt."
Mr. O'Sullivan later took up land in the Kapunda district, but most of his early memories are of Tarlee. Thus he was the more interested in the reminiscences of Mr. McInerney. The veteran told him of the once-famed hostelry at Forrester's Crossing and of a stabbing affray there one night which ended in the death of the publican.
It was Patrick Buckley (who arrived in the Tarlee district in 1857) who rode across to Kapunda for the police while others held in custody the alleged assailant, a traveling bootmaker, arriving back with the constable at 4 a.m.
Sports and Show Ring
Tarlee sports, according to Mr. O'Sullivan, were the feature of the year in the "Far North," and all roads led on New Year's Day to the popular Forrester's Crossing. He recalls having seen the famed Peter Smadden win the Sheffield Handicap there. Later that pedestrian became the champion of the State.
Mr. O'Sullivan is one of the best-known judges of horses at shows in this State, for he has officiated at practically every show round the country. His first task was at Mount Gambier Show when he was 24 years of age. There is an interesting story behind his experiences in the realm of the horse, which may be made the subject of a later article.
A second opinion
Two weeks later the following article was published disputing the origin of the name
HOW TARLEE GOT ITS NAME
In "The Recorder" recently there appeared an interview with Mr. J: J. O'Sullivan (country organiser for the Staite War Loan Council), .in which he related some history in connection with the naming of the well-known town of Tarlee, The. interview was read with interest by some of the Tarlee residents, and Rev. A. E. Vogt (superintendent of Central Mission in Pirie), who visited the. town while on holidays, was called upon to take the weight of a disclaimer.
According to Mr. O'Sullivan Tarlee received its name through an error In interpreting a word sounded by an old Irish lady, who had been given the honor of naming the hundred. She said it should be. Tralee, in remembrance of the Irish district of that name, but the recording clerk thought that she had said Tarlee— and Tarlee it was ordained.
That is one theory of how the town got its title. But according, to the old residents in their explana tion to Mr. Vogt, it is an erroneous one, the real one being that the name is of native derivation.
Mr. J. 0. Taylor, of Tarlee, was Mr. Vogt's informant. He is the son of the late Mr. John Taylor, who came out from England in 1863, and settled, early in the Tarlee district, building the first house in the township. Mr. Taylor said that the name, of the town was really derived from Tar ralee-, the native name for water.
"The Recorder" now finds itself at the crossroads, so to speak. Mr. O'Sullivan quotes Mr. John McInemey. a former old resident, of the town, as his authority for the Tralee legend, and present residents of the town are quite convinced that he is wrong in his theory.
On Thursday, January 1, the annual Catholic Ball was held in the Tarlee Institute. The function was highly successful and one of the best attended for a long time, about 280 people being present. Some travelled long distances, coming from as far away as Gumeracha and Spalding. We wish to pay a tribute to the band supplying the music, the "Catherine" Orchestra, from Burra. Playing with excellent time and plenty of enthusiasm, they had the large crowd on their toes all the time. Supper music was kindly supplied by Miss Michalanney.
Novelty dances added variety to the evening's entertainment. The following were the winners of these: The "elimination" dance was won by Miss P. Connelley and Mr. Des Goecke; the statue barn dance by Miss G. Molineux and Mr. O. Vogt; lucky balloons, Mr. Kevin O'Reilly. The highlight of the evening was the colorful "streamer" dance, the winning couple being Miss Nell Connell and Mr. Kevin Fernandez.
The hall was artistically decorated with blue and white streamers fanning from the centre, where a number of colored balloons were held, to be released later in the night for the balloon dance. The ladies of the parish, under the direction of Mrs. Dunn, prepared a delicious supper. The duties of M.C. were in the capable hands of Wally Windsor, who, with his amplifying set, did a good job in keeping things on the move, while Joe Horgan acted as secretary. A very enjoyable evening was concluded when all joined together to sing "Auld Lang Syne."
The annual break-up concert and Christmas tree celebration was held ln the Tarlee Institute. Plays, dances, songs, recitations and carols were given. The children were trained by the head teacher (Mr. W. H. Kimber), Miss Kirkwood (assistant), Mrs. Kimber, and Miss Pitman (pianist). The chairman of the school committee (Mr. W. G. Branson) presented prizes to the dux of the school, John Twigden. who gained 600 marks ln the Q.C. and John Newman (Grade 6) who obtained highest marks for whole school. 95 per cent. Other prizes were also presented. Members of the school committee, Messrs. W. Branson. D. Clarke. J. Beswick. L. Tabe, and A. Hill. More than £7 was raised for the committee's fund.
