Drydens Find

Edward Dryden
B: Kyneton ,Victoria 1882.
Son of John Dryden and Mary McLeod.

In 1937 Edward (Ned) Dryden staked a new claim north east of Coolgardie. The West Australian newspaper reported on this event on two seperate occassion. the article stated that there were 100 men  on the place with 25 - 30 dryblowers. Ned put down a shaft 15ft - 20ft and had several holes nearby. The Mines Inspector reported in March that some alluvial gold was being found and a several pieces the largest to date being 27dwt.

MINES AND METALS

DRYDEN'S FIND.

Senior Mines Inspector's Report.


In his report on Dryden's new find
near Coolgardie, which he inspected to
wards the end of last month, the Senior
Inspector of Mines (Mr. A. W. Winzar)
states:-'"The find is situated approxia
mately one and half miles north from
a point in the pipe line, three miles
west of Mungari and can be located on
Plate I, Bulletin 56 of the Geological
Survey, being roughly three-quarters of
a. mile south of hill marked HK2. The
country is covered with the usual secondary growth
of gum saplings. N. Dryden
and his mate have been working a small
leader of their prospecting area and
have a potfew holes and one shaft about
15ft. deep. About 150ft. west of these
holes, they have dryblown a patch and
obtained a few specimens showing
rounded gold adhering to quartz and
Ironstone. The boundary of their area is
another 150ft. west of this patch. On
this boundary,and further west for, about
half a mile, dryblowers are working, and
have, up to date, got 20oz. of alluvial,
the biggest piece being 27dwt. and ranging down
to fine specks. A 12dwt. piece
was found while I was there. The run
Is in fairly flat. country and the gold
bearing material from 121n. to 24in. deep
and tails out west. The men working on
the lower end are getting nothing. There
is much quartz rubble about the locality
with odd reefs in which the stone showing is
not attractive looking. Not much
can be seen -but the country rock is nice
looking greenstone and suitable for. prospecting.
About 100 men are on the place with 30 dryblowers."
(TheWest Australian (Perth, WA : 1879-1954), Monday 29 March 1937, page 3)

Eucalyptus Poisons Mary

Mary Dryden nee McLeod
Born: 1846, Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Died: 1.13.1831. Perth, Western Australia
Buried: Karrakatta Cemetery
Married: 10 Jun 1864, Carlsrhue, Victoria to John Dryden.
Children: 14 - Ann, Margaret, Emma, Mary, Thomas, Sarah Jane, Annabella, Robert, Charlotte, Alexander, William Edward, Enerst, Susan and Elizabeth.

The following three excerpts from the "The West Ausrtralian Newspaper" tell the story of the shocking last days of Mary Dyden nee Mc Leod's life.

OVERDOSE OF EUCALYPTUS.
Mrs. Mary Dryden (85). of Lancaster street, Victoria Park, swallowed an over dose of eucalyptus on Saturday night, and when she -was brought to the Perth Hospital her name was placed on the danger list. She took the eucalyptus in order to obtain relief from a cold.
"The West Australia, 30 NOV 1931"

Little change was reported in the condition of Mary Dryden (85), of Lancaster street, Victoria Park, who was admitted to the Perth Hospital last Saturday night suffering from the effects of having acci dentally swallowed an overdose of eucalyptus. The names of the three victims are still on the danger list.
"The West Australia, 1DEC 1931"

OVERDOSE OF EUCALYPTUS.
Mary Dryden (85), of Lancaster-street, Victoria Park, who was admitted to the Perth Hospital last Saturday night, suffering from the effects of having accidentally swallowed an overdose of eucalyptus, died early- yesterday morning.
"The West Australia, 2DEC 1931"

DRYDEN.- On; December 1, 1931 at the Perth Hospital, Mary, dearly beloved wife of the late John Dryden, loving mother of Annie, Margaret, Emma, Sarah, Robert, Charlotte, Mary, Alexander, William, Edward, Ernest, Susan and Elizabeth; aged; 85 years.
"The West Australia, 2DEC 1931"