The Tumut and Adelong Times 21 Apr 1931
OBITUARY MR. ROBERT LOWTHER.. There died, at the Tumut and District Hospital on Thursday last, Mr. Robert Lowther, a native of the Tumut district, at the age of 77 years. Deceased was the second eldest son of the late Robert Lowther, who hailed from the North of England, his mother being a Scotchwoman. His parents owned Shaking Bog run at the time of deceased's birth, the station comprising 100 miles of country, which ran 2800 cattle, 50 thoroughbred horses-of the very best, and sheep. The writer of this obituary had many an hour's chat with Robert jr. He was a well-read, enlightened man, and loved at times to hark back to his heydays. After receiving his early education from an old gentleman tutor employed on the station, 'Bob' spent several years on the station. It was in the very early, days of the goldfield rushes, and many miners and fossickers were moving about the run. Cattle stealing was rampant, and so heavy was the toll on his herd that MrLowther sr. decided to endeavor to discover the thiefs, and devised a scheme for capturing them. He had constructed 'sleeping boxes' in which one out of the station hands each night slept until at last the gang was caught redhanded. But with his big heart and desire to punish no man severely, he forgave them and refrained from taking salutary proceedings. This, however, served as ' a check to wholesale depredations afterwards. At that time the hands employed included blacksmith, gardener, butcher, dairymen, stockmen, boundary riders and agriculturists, etc, everything required that could be produced from the soil being grown, and the wheat, besides, was ground into flour. Butter, eggs, flour, beef, mutton, etc, were supplied to the miners and others. Mrs Lowther was a woman beloved of all with whom she came in contact. Later on in life, 'Bob' travelled the 'States as a shearer, and then took on racehorse training and racing, bringing out such wellknown performers at Nimrod, Wild Harry and Go Well, which he raced all about Riverina and the South Coast, winning many valuable prizes. He remained 25 years on Monaro. As years passed on he took to goldmining, and his last act was the sale of his show at Wee Jasper, to father and son from Parkes, just a few weeks before his demise. He was a straight and honest man in all his transactions, and while he had a pound in his pocket he would share it with any impecunious or needy friend. He was a bachelor. He leaves behind four brothers (James, John, Harry and Charlie, the elder -one William predeceasing him) and four sisters (Mrs E. Clemson, Simpson.st, Tumut, Mrs Robt Piper, Mrs Jas Kell, 'Harmony Hall,' Lacmulac, and Miss Annie Lowther). The funeral took place on Friday last, the remains being interred in . the Church of England portion of the New Cemeter. Rev. F. W. Rettie, Rector of All Saints, officiating at the grave, and Mr C. W . Burt carrying out tile mortuary duties. .The casket-bearers were Messrs John, Harry and Char lie Lowther (brothers), Stanley Kell (nephew), D. L. Herlihy and W. T. Webb. The day of his funeral was the birthday of his late father. |