Wateringbury man had gone whaling and to gold rush (1904)

Post date: Oct 22, 2013 7:44:33 PM

Extract from Adelaide Chronicle of 14 May 1904

A BLIND STOREKEEPER.

Mount Gambier. May 4.

Yesterday Mr. W. Walter, storekeeper,of Mount Gambier, died at the age of 74 years. The deceased had been a sufferer from rheumatism for many years,and had been totally blind for 33 years. Death was accelerated by an accident last week, resulting in a broken leg, which his medical adviser was unable to set again,owing to paralysis.

Born in Wateringbury,Kent, England, in 1829, the late Mr. Walter left that country for America when he joined a whaling expedition for four years. The deceased arrived in Australia in 1852, during the gold diggings' rush, and went to Rockhampton first, and later on to Echunga and Bendigo. After that he arrived in Adelaide, and resumed his calling as a draper in business as Ballantyne and Walter. In 1868 he came to Mount Gambier as manager for the late Mr.Crouch, of Lowan, who retired, and sold this business to Messrs. Dolomore and Rainey. Mr. Walter assumed charge of the business at Narracoorte, and while there his sight totally failed, and he became an invalid, but retained his mental faculties to the end. Some time afterwards he came to Mount Gambier, and Mrs. Walter and her son have managed the storekeeper's business. He has left a widow and one son (Mr. W. R. Walter) and one daughter (Mrs. G. F. Sorrell, of Glenelg).