Edmund Gartside

Edmund Gartside (1832-1890) was found drowned in a Redan quarry.

History
Edmund Gartside was born in Lancashire in 1832, the son of Margaret and John Gartside. He married Ellen McCoy in Victoria in 1855. A daughter, Sarah Ann, was born on 29 January 1862.

His wife Ellen died in April 1881: "THE Friends of Mr EDMUND GARTSIDE are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late beloved wife to the place of interment, the Buninyong Cemetery. The funeral to move from his residence, 100 Errard street south, This Day (Monday), the 4th inst., at half-past 12 o’clock p.m. F. ATKINS, Undertaker, Dawson street."

Gartside remarried Emma Preston in 1885.

Gartside had been missing for several weeks when his body was found in the Redan quarries in September 1890: "It will be remembered that on Thursday night, 21st August, a Mr Edmund Gartside, residing at 100 Errard street, was reported as missing from his home. Mr Gartside left home shortly after 7 o’clock on that evening, stating his intention of taking a walk. As he did not return, however, fears were entertained for his safety, as his manner was thought to be somewhat peculiar, and he had left his watch and pipe at home. Nothing further was heard of the missing man, notwithstanding the enquiries made by the police, until Saturday, when a Mr Bowden, a miner, passing a quarry hole near Pleasant street, Redan, noticed the body of a man floating on the surface of the water."

"This morning a butcher's dealer named Edwd. Gartside, aged 58 years, was found drowned in a quarry hole in the neighborhood of Pleasant Street, Ballarat West. Deceased had been missing for three weeks. His hands were found in his trousers pockets, and it is presumed that he walking leisurely along on the night he was missed and stumbled into the hole, which is said to be not properly protected. Not long ago another man was drowned in the same excavation. At the inquest to day a verdict of accidental death was returned."

"The deceased had on an overcoat, in the pockets of which both his hands were placed. He appeared to have walked over the bank of the quarry and fallen into the water. It may be mentioned that this is the second case of drowning that has occurred in the same quarry hole, which is said to be in all unprotected state."

One month after his death, his house and goods were put up for sale by his daughter: "Brokenshire and Coltman are announced to sell to-day at 12 0 clock on the premises No 100 Errard street south, a comfortable five roomed house, outbuildings, and large allotment. The rooms are all of a good size, and in splendid order roofed with iron. Also a assortment of household furniture and effects, comprising h.h. couch, table, chiffonier, fender and irons, pictures, chest of drawers, washstand and ware, wheelbarrow, and sundries. The whole are for sale without reserve by order of the administratrix, in the estate of the late Mr Edmund Gartside"