Story Two Little Boys

Two Little Boys

By Edna Jarvis.

These two lads, Harry and William, were the sons of Harry Bartlett (Snr.) and Eliza (Sarah) nee Thompson. Harry was born in 1904 after four girls had been born to his parents. The next child was another son, Frank, who only lived barely two years.
William (Bill, or Willie as he was known) was born in 1910. One more daughter was born later on. They were all raised on a farm at Alma, and walked a mile of more to school, along with other children of the district and of that era. Gold mining was declining in the district, but the Bartlett’s had already established a mixed farm many years before.
When Harry and Bill were considered old enough they were taken from school to help their father farming and cut firewood. The age considered old enough, was twelve years!
For many years the wood they cut was supplied for the boilers at the Maryborough Knitting Mill. They were also noted for gentle giant working horse teams among the farmers of the district. No tractors in those days. Each boy married, and raised four children apiece, enlarging the farm as they could afford. Upon the death of their father in 1948, they each had a substantial farm. Sadly, at a time to see the fruit of their labours begin,
Harry was taken by Leukemia in 1955 (aged 51) and Bill died of a heart attack in 1959 (aged 49).
Four of the five sisters lived into their seventies. They have a lot of descendants in this district to carry on the name however.

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