PERSONAL SKETCH OF MRS WALTER EDGAR
DEATH:Edgar - On 24 November 1918, at "Woodacres", Grace Murray, widow of the late Walter Edgar. Aged 92 years and 10 weeks. A patient sufferer at rest.
Funeral Notice - Edgar - The Funeral of the late Mrs Grace Murray Edgar, relect of the late Walter Edgar, of "Woodacres", Chetwynd, will leave her late residence, "Woodacres", on Thursday, November 26, at 10.00am. for the Tarrayoukyan Cemetery.
W. J. Peden, Undertaker
The many friends in this and surrounding districts of Mrs Walter Edgar, of "Woodacres", will learn with much sorrow that she died on Sunday, 24 November, at 2 o'clock, at the advanced age of 92 years, after having been a patient sufferer through failing health for a considerable time past. A few weeks ago it was realised by her sorrowing sons and daughters that her end was near, her condition having been growing gradually weaker, accompanied by frequent serious attacks. Fortunately, she suffered comparatively little pain, and she maintained a cheerful disposition to the end, her mental faculties being unimpaired and her spiritual condition that of a sweet and patient Christian, who had suffered for ten years the incapacity caused by an accident, and learned during that time to be happy in spite of her disabilities.
The following members of the family were with their mother to the last:- Mrs R. Mathieson, Casterton; Mrs A. G. Stewart, Lyne; Miss Mary, Miss Agnes, Mr Walter and Mr Robert Edgar, "Woodacres". Mr Alex Edgar and Mrs Grant, who are in Western Australia, were the only members of the family who were absent. Her end was peace.
The funeral of the late Mrs Walter Edgar, of "Woodacres", took place last Tuesday, when a large number of personal friends and admirers of the Deceased lady paid a last tribute of respect to her memory by forming in procession to the Tarrayoukyan Cemetery.
The Rev. John Meers, Minister of Scots' Church, Casterton, conducted a service at the home as well as at the graveside, and a feeling of genuine sorrow was manifested by all present, for it was felt that a true-hearted friend of all classes had passed away, leaving behind a memory of one who played her part as a devout and practical Christian. The pall-bearers were:- Mr W. Heath, Mr Joseph Riddock, Mr Donald McDonald, Mr John Waters, Mr Thomas Waters and Mr W.D. Davis.
Personal Sketch: Mrs Walter Edgar, whose maiden name was Grace Murray Williamson, was born in Inverness, Scotland, on 11 September 1826, and was, therefore, 92 years of age on the corresponding date of the present year. With her husband and three children she came to Australia in 1853, an early days time when railways were little known in the part of Scotland where she was brought up, and when such means of locomotion were not known in western Victoria, in which district she arrived almost as soon as the family landed at Portland. As she never left her immediate home surroundings - being a devoted and thoroughly domestic house-wife - she lived to the ripe old age mentioned without ever having seen a railwat train. And she never evinced a wish to see one, or to visit Casterton or surrounding towns where she could easily have gratified her curiosity had she so desired.
She was not, however, unconcerned in regard to the events of the day, for she was alert and interested in the affairs of life both at home and abroad, and, possessing a very retentive memory, together with a bright and cheerful disposition, she was always ready with an anecdote of past experiences or some thoughtful comment on current affairs. Some of the occurrances of those far-back days, even in this peaceful western region, were stirring in their character, and many friends of the Deceased lady will be able to recall vivid stories of bush life and station adventures that had come under how own observation.
On disembarking at Portland, Mr and Mrs Edgar and children proceeded direct to Pine Hills, where Mr Edgar's brother, David, had a fine station property. Remaining there for some years they proceeded, in 1870, to Tallangower, and soon after the eldest son, John, struck out for himself, going to North-west Australia, where a few years later a large tract of cattle country was secured in the deGrey district. Accompanying John Edgar was Mr McKenzie Grant, who subsequently married Miss Edgar, and she accompanied her husband to the new homeland in the far remote locality named.
Alex Edgar, the second son, joined the party soon afterwards, and together the North-west section of the Edgar family worked the station with considerable success for many years. Mr Alex Edgar and Mrs Grant are still in Western Australia, John and Mr Grant having died over there, the property being sold subsequently.
Forty four years ago Mr and Mrs Walter Edgar (the auld folk) took up that fine piece of country near Chetwynd, known as "Woodacres", where the late Mrs Edgar and two sons and two daughters (Walter, Robert, Mary and Agnes) have resided ever since. It was during her long residence here with her family that the subject of this sketch proved herself to be, as described by an old friend of the family, "an ideal helpmate and a wise and devoted mother, with a most placid and contented disposition, making the best of many discomforts inSeptemberarable from the early days." Continuing this heart-felt eulogy of a lady whom to know was to admire and love, our informant says - "Although for over 30 years a great sufferer from rheumatism, she never complained. The most she would admit when asked if she were not suffering a good deal would be, "Och! yes; but what is the use of complaining, making others miserable as well as yourself?" She was a true friend to all with whom she came in contact; one who could give, not only good counsel, but a better example. her home life and family were her source of happiness, which she enjoyed to a greater extent than most people, notwithstanding her long suffering from rheumatism."
Mrs Edgar's whole life at "Woodacres", as it had been at Pine Hills, was one long continued devotion to husband, family, and home, an as already stated, she kept within the restricted domain of her own district, although her circumstances of life were such that she might have, had she wished it, enjoyed all the luxuries of travel. She was content in her own sphere, and it was as sweet and pure as the home described by Burns in the poem -
"A Cotter's Saturday Night"
"From scenes like these, old Scotia's grandeur springs,
That makes her lov'd at home, rever'd abroad."
It was a true Scotch home in far-away Australia and the hospitalities for which the Scotch people have long been famed were liberally dispensed at "Woodacres" over many years, the host and hostess being kindly and genial to a large circle of friends. But, as our informant so eloquently says "A great blank was left at "Woodacres" when, about 22 years ago, Mr Edgar died. His demise was mourned by many friends, and a devoted widow and family were overwhelmed with grief. The widow, however, maintained a quiet dignity of demeanour, even in her deep sorrow, her Scotch imperturbability having stood her in good stead at a time when all her philosophy was needed, not only in the hour of her bereavement, but for many years afterwards, during which she was a constant sufferer from rheumatics, as well as from the result of an accident which produced a broken thigh. This mishap occurred about ten years ago, and at her then advanced age, members of the family were very anxious as to the effect it would have upon her heath. She was the least perturbed of all.
A message was sent to Casterton for a dOctoberor to come, and while awaiting his arrival the sufferer was quite calm, falling peacefully asleep as if nothing had happened. One of the sons reMarked at the time "If mother knew she was to be shot tomorrow she would not complain or get excited." When the dOctoberor examined the broken limb he did not think the bone would knit, owing to the patient's advanced age. But it did, although out of place, consequently she was never able to use her leg again. Although confined to her bed, says our informant, "she never complained, but was always thankful she was "so well attended to and had no pain" as she expressed it. One could not look on her contented face without being the better for the sight and the example. She had a large share of happiness, a portion of which was occasioned by the love and care of her family, especially of Miss Edgar, who devoted her life to her mother's latter years, while those living at a distance paid her frequent visits. Mrs Edgar in her 93rd year still took a keen interest in all her neighbour's welfare, and was a living monument as to what a contented mind could do for one's mental and physical health.