A new reefing country, manly miles in extent, has been discovered about one hundred miles from Townsville. It is reported to be very rich, and a rush has taken place from Ravenswood. Lumps of quartz richly impregnated with gold, and 120 ounces of gold, have been lodged in the bank at Ravenswood. More than one hundred prospecting claims have been taken up. The place is named “Charters Towers.” A rush from the South is anticipated.
The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864-1933), Tuesday 20 February 1872, page 2.
The very early years of Charters Towers were tough. The area experienced a “rush” of prospectors without the infrastructure to support the sudden rise in population. Miners developed a feverish sickness, and supplies of food were so scarce that an enterprising butcher raised his prices once too often, and a full-scale riot ensued.
A gentleman, who arrived from the northern gold-fields by the “Lord Ashley,” informs that sickness has been very prevalent at Charters Towers for some time past. Twenty miners died in one week lately, and eight has been the weekly average of mortality for some months. The high rate is chiefly attributed to the intemperate habits of the miners, combined with a very hot summer and a want of nutritious food.
Rockhampton Bulletin (Qld.: 1871-1878), Monday 13 January 1872, page 2.
It appears that Messrs. Symes and Trevethan raised the price of meat, without notice, from fourpence to six-pence per pound, whereupon from 500 to 600 diggers assembled, and pulled down the whole of the building. Three of the ringleaders were arrested, and on Trevethan proceeding to give evidence at the Court-house, armed with a revolver, he was attacked with bottles and stones, &c, and was severely wounded, whereupon he fired three shots. The whole of the available police, under the command of Messrs. Clohesy and Bishop, were present, and were it not for their efforts, Trevethan would have been ‘lynched’ on the spot. They, however, succeeded in rescuing him. The case will again come on for hearing to-day. The populace is in a very excited state, and further disturbances are anticipated.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), Monday 4 November 1872, page 2
In less than a decade, the diggings had produced enough capital to create a busy and prosperous town.
“The World”
Charters Towers had become so successful in the late 1880s that a Stock Exchange was set up in the town. During the gold rush years, the population hovered around 27,000 people. It was nicknamed “The World.”
Australian (Brisbane, Qld.: 1878 – 1888), Saturday 31 January 1880, page 21
Header image: Hobson’s Foundry in Charters Towers, 1891.
All images are from the digital collection of the State Library of Queensland, and are out of copyright. AI colourisation by Copilot.
Other information about the town in the early year: Wikipedia.
Moreton Bay and More 