The Tumut and Adelong Times 24 Mar 1931
BITUARY MR STEPHEN EDWARD WHITE Quite a gloom was cast over the town and district when word was passed around that Mr. Steve White, of "Dinyah," Cootamundra, died. He underwent a serious operation on Monday, at "Clarmore,'' Darlinghurst, and came out of it well, but subsequently a hemorrhage set in. Relatives and friends were called to the bedside. Telephone enquiries made friends feel very uneasy about the chances of recovery. Then, following an encouraging bulletin as to a slight improvement, came word of a relapse, and at 930 on Wednesday night the end came. A more popular man than "good old Steve White'' these districts has never known. Deceased was born 66 years ago, at "Merribdndinyah," a few miles out from Bethungra. He was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Steve White, pioneers of that property, and the younger Steve afterwards acquired the place. He married Miss Nellie Hubbard, then a resident of Gundagai, who survives him. There was no family, but on the death of his brother Joe, the latter's three daughters, Misses Harrie, Laurie and Bay, lived with Mr and Mrs Steve White. They are now, respectively, Mrs Allan Scott, Cootamundra ; Mrs Eric Smith, Bethungra; and Mrs. Geoff. Hooper, Ironbong — all, in turn, on the land. Selling "Merribindinyah," deceased made a tour of the world, with Mrs White, and two of the girls, and, on returning, tried to adopt the seaside life, living at Kirribilli; but there was ever the urge to go back on the land, so he returned to the old district, bought from the late Mr R. Withycombe, "O.K.," four miles out from Cootamundra, on the Kilrush road, and re-named it "Bindinyah." He sold this property to Dr. Finley, of Temora, and next bought, only 18 months ago, "Rose Farm,'' 3 miles on the opposite side of Cootamundra, from the estate of the late Mr Skamp, and originally selected by the late founder of the Corby family in the Cootamundra district. Mr White turned "Rose Farm" into 'Dinyah,' had the home re-designed, and decided that the only other change he could make would be to a place to be named "Yah.'' However, any further future plans were cut off by the untimely end on Wednesday last. It would be hard to find words to adequately pay tribute to his interesting personality and lovable disposition. Everyone liked him; everyone loved to meet him ; no one ever got tired of talking to him. If a few gathered together, and "S.W." was there, he was the life of the party, with his droll humor, and an inimitable style of expressing it. "What a kindly world it would be,'' remarked a dear old life-long friend, "if there were a lot of Steve Whites in it!'' And that in itself speaks volumes. Two inseparable mates were Messrs Steve White and Mat. Sawyer. It was so from boyhood days, when they each lived either side of the village of Bethungra; and one of those to be at his bedside at the last was Mr Sawyer. Both very fond of the turf, they raced horses together, and were associated in the clubs. Mr. White was on the Cootamundra Turf Club for many years, always on the Picnic Race Committee, and for many years a committeeman of the S.D. R.A. He was a member of the A.J.C. and M.T.C. One of deceased's fine horses, Aldrie, was lent to the Prince whilst in Sydney. He was a regular visitor to Tumut with his horses. Mr. and Mrs Steve White sr. were buried in the Anglican cemetery at Mitta, alongside the church of which the younger Steve was a churchwarden for 20 years. The Whites practically built that church. A brother, Joe, and also Joe's son Bob, are burled there ; also his brother Reg, and his sister Annie (Mrs Cowley). And that is where the remains of the subject of this obituary were laid to rest. Despite inches of rain, the attendance at the funeral was very large, indeed — a great manifestation of appreciation of a departed friend, and token of sympathy with the griefstricken ones. Two brothers survive, Mr. Jack White, of "Grose Vale," Richmond, and Mr. Aub. White, Goulburn, whilst sisters are Mrs Charles Attwood, Sydney; Mrs Hast. Beveridge, of Sydney; Mrs Alec McDonald, Goulburn; Mrs J. Large, Cootamundra; and Mrs Malacharane, Sydney. One sister, Mrs Plunkett, died in Queensland. Mr. Clare Levett, of Bombowlee, is an uncle of deceased. |