A mean slice, a kind heart

He was formidable behind a tennis ball, That mean slice tricked many a player, even though he was of short stature at about 5 ft tall.

He arrived each Christmas morning with a kitbag of presents for all seven children plus our parents.

Surprisingly there were no major accidents and no-one was injured by his tendency to fall asleep at the wheel when driving.

His Catholic faith was central to his life.

This was our Uncle Joe.

Early years

Joseph Andrew Horgan was born on 21 April, 1910, in Alma, South Australia, to Elizabeth Agnes Smyth and Andrew Joseph Horgan. He was the third child in the family, with an older sister, Honora Mary who was 5 and a brother Edward John who was not yet two.

In his early childhood, Joseph lived on the family farm near Alma, South Australia. When he was 6 years old, he began his primary education at Alma South School, the same school his mother had attended. His sister and brother were already students there. In January 1917, his sister wrote a letter to the Southern Cross newspaper, saying: "Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars."

By 1921 Joseph continued the letter writing tradition noting: “My brother and I ride to school every day. The name of the pony is Beaver. We also have a little dog named Tiny. We have a pussy; her name is Snowy; she can jump very well. We had some friends staying with us from town. They went home to-day; we feel very lonely without them. It was fun to watch the little boy ride the pony. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. I think I am going to spend some of them with my uncle. I am 11 years old and in the fourth grade at school.” At the end of 1921 it appears that he was probably transferred to St Joseph’s Convent in Hamley Bridge.

Training to be a priest

St Patrick's Seminary Manly c. 1933

Joe started at St. Columba's College in Springwood, New South Wales, in 1931 to commence his preparatory studies towards becoming a priest. In the years 1933 - 35 he was listed as living in the seminary at St. Patrick's College in Manly, New South Wales, indicating a commitment to his priestly education. Joe’s mother Elizabeth died in 1934 while he was so far from home. There is no doubt that he would have had his brothers in faith praying for her soul. He was however destined to leave the seminary and return to South Australia.

Later years

After the sale of the Alma farm, Joe relocated to Mt Barker where he worked on a dairy farm with his father Andrew. This was a short term venture and by 1942 Andrew and Joe had returned to the Horgan farm near Linwood, where his brother Eddie was now living with his young family.

In 1951, Joe experienced another profound loss with the death of his father, Andrew Joseph Horgan, at the age of 82.  At some stage, years unknown, Joe was living in Port Lincoln, working nights in the post office.

Joe moved to a farmhouse near to the Horgan family farm. It had formerly been occupied by the O’Reilly family. Miss Annie McCorquindale took on the role of Joe’s housekeeper. Joe still liked to ride to the family farm on his horse and later visited regularly in his various vehicles. The track leading into that house has now been officially named Horgan Road,

Joe in front of his brother Eddie

Annie, his housekeeper died in 1973 so Joe ate many of his meals with Eddie and Hannah's family. In 1980 he moved to the house at 1 Prescott St. Tarlee, accompanied by his faithful dog.

.

Joe Horgan on the left with his brother Eddie and Joe's ute

Senior Years

After living by himself for so long, Joe appreciated his move to Gilbert Valley Seniors Citizens home in Riverton. His nephew Maurice set up a dog kennel and seat under trees on his cousin Carmel McInerney's  block which was near the home. Joe spent a lot of time up there with his dog. On his 80th birthday Joe remarked:  "It was the best decision I  ever made to come here," much to the amusement of those nearby who had witnessed his reluctance at the time of the move.

As the years passed, Joe outlived his siblings. His sister, Mary, passed away in 1984, followed by his brother, Eddie in June 1992. 

Just three weeks after his brother’s death Joe passed away at age 82 on 27 June 1992. The friends and relatives revisited the cemetery at Navan near Riverton where Joe was laid to rest on June 30th alongside his sister Mary.

 

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Tennis in the spotlight

Mary and Ed Horgan September 1927

Tennis group at Alma, South Australia 1927

Back: Edward J Horgan, Francis J Smyth (known as Frank)

Front: Hanora Mary Horgan (known as Mary) Parker Hogan, Margaret Mary Smyth (known as Mary)

photo enhanced and colourised at MyHeritage

As the Australian Open Tennis tournament gets underway in Melbourne I find it interesting to look back at my family's days of playing tennis. From our own family albums come these two photos, both taken at Alma in September of 1927.

On perusing the editions of digitised newspapers there are many mentions of my father Edward John Horgan and his siblings Hanora Mary and Joseph Andrew playing in tennis matches and tournaments in the nineteen twenties and thirties.

Many of the small towns in the area had tennis clubs and the results of matches were regularly published. This Horgan family were mentioned in matches between 1925 and 1936 for Alma Tennis club, Hamley Bridge Catholic club and Tarlee Catholic club. As well as playing tennis they attended Tennis balls and dances held variously to raise money for the club.

1925

"On Wednesday evening the members of the Tennis Club arranged a euchre and dance, which proved enjoyable as well as augmenting the tennis funds that are being added to with the object of laying down another asphalt court."

1925 'DISTRICT NEWS.', The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940),

16 July, p. 3. , viewed 09 Feb 2021,

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207139646

Ouch, asphalt courts - yet these were the most common tennis courts in the towns at the time. With limited rainfall in the lower north area of South Australia, lawn tennis was rarely a feasible option. Hard rolled dirt courts provided variable bounce and so skill, speed and sometimes good luck played chance with the games result.
Joseph Andrew Horgan, my father's brother was of short stature at about 4 ft 11 in. but he developed a very mean slice. Here he is playing tennis at his McInerney cousins' farm near Riverton.

Joe Horgan - tennis at Olive Farm Riverton
photo courtesy McInerney family

Other early photos shared from the McInerney family albums show the previous generation of Horgans also on the court at Olive Farm. In this one Eddie and Joe look as if they have been playing or are ready for tennis but their aunt, Kate Horgan and uncles John McInerney, Tom and Jack (John) Horgan appear dressed to be spectators rather than players.

Mid 1930s tennis group at McInerney Olive Farm, Riverton, South Australia

Standing: Tom O'Leary, Kate Horgan, John McInerney, Mr Bosch, Vin McInerney, Tom Horgan, Frank McInerney, Eddie Horgan, Jack Horgan.

Front: Bernie McInerney, Joe Horgan, Mary McInerney, Vi Doecke

1960s tennis at the farm
Some time after we moved from the old farmhouse to the new in 1959, my father built a hard packed tennis court next to the house. Here we learnt to play tennis with those heavy wooden racquets of the day. Sunday afternoons were often tennis afternoons and Uncle Joe managed to keep us running with his well placed sliced shots. Some of my siblings went on to play for the local Tarlee Tennis Club while we younger ones had the opportunity to try out for tennis teams at boarding school. My skill level however, never reached that of my father and uncle.

Other articles mentioning the tennis related activities of Mary, Eddie and Joe Horgan in the 1920s and 1930s

Alma versus the Woods club
1926 'DISTRICT NEWS.', The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940), 8 April, p. 4. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207140470

Alma versus Hamley Bridge at Stockport
1927 'TENNIS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 23 March, p. 20. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73655863

E Horgan attends the Alma Tennis Ball
1927 'ALMA TENNIS BALL.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 10 September, p. 73. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90076648

Riverton Catholic Tennis club v. Tarlee Catholic Club
1930 'S.A. CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 19 December, p. 19. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167051800

Match between Riverton (Good Shepherd) and the Tarlee (SS. John and Paul) Catholic Clubs
1931 'RIVERTON v. TARLEE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 February, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167052764

Eddie and Joe in the final of the Men's doubles
1931 'CATHOLIC TOURNAMENT AT RIVERTON.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 March, p. 22. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167053260

Eddie plays in singles and doubles
1931 'TARLEE AND RIVERTON v. MINTARO.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 April, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167053495

Joe and his first cousin Mary Smyth win the mixed doubles
1932 'CATHOLIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT AT RIVERTON.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 11 March, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167059421

An early defeat for the Horgan brothers in the men's doubles
1933 'RIVERTON TENNIS CLUB.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 24 February, p. 15. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167694429

Balaklava. — Balaklava Catholic lost to Hamley Bridge
1936 1936 'TENNIS', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 5 February, p. 9. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74158435

In the Hamley Bridge Catholic team
1936 'SEVENHILL.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 27 March, p. 7. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167077747


This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A building with memories

This sign outside the now abandoned Alma South School in South Australia holds few hints to the role it played in the life of my father and his siblings one hundred years ago.

Edward John Horgan and his sister Honora Mary were enrolled at this little one room school on the 28th April 1914. He was 5 yrs 11 months old and she was 7 yrs 4 months. The school register shows that neither had attended school before and that they lived three miles away. The distance from the school probably explains why Honora Mary had not started at a younger age. Now there were two children of school age, transport would be found for them.

This extract from the Alma South school register held at State Records SA details their birth dates, father’s occupation and shows they both started in J, the first grade in the school. Eddie completed Junior in 1915 while his elder sister moved up a grade.



This photo shows Eddie with his sister outside the school on their horse Beaver, accompanied by local children Lindsay McKenzie and Beryl Watts on the other two horses. There is no saddle on Beaver so a slow and steady progress would have been the order of the day. There were only 23 children on the register in 1914 with the average daily attendance shown as 16. As many would have ridden horses to school, one can only imagine the reluctance of some to set out on cold, wet mornings.


To find out more about school days at Alma South I turned to Trove where Nora Mary, as she liked to be known then, wrote in 1916:
We had Australia Day in Alma on July 26. The Alma South school children were dressed up to represent different nations. I was an Irish girl. …(she continues) I am in the second class at school. The teacher's name is Miss Dubois. (1)
Ellen M J DuBois had been appointed to Alma South school in 1911 and had commenced there in April of that year. She was still there in 1928.

At the beginning of 1917 the youngest Horgan child, Joseph, was enrolled at the school at the age of 6 years 9 months. I wonder if the three of them shared the ride on Beaver or if they took turns and walked some of the way.

In February of 1917 Nora Mary wrote of school days again to the Southern Cross newspaper:
We are busy at school knitting for soldiers. Both of us passed. Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars. (2)

In April of 1918 a report on a school picnic for children’s day held jointly with the Alma North and Salter Springs schools, describes a variety of activities. Miss Du Bois had obviously done a good job managing to get a group of youngsters entwined in a Maypole dance.

At the end of this report it is noted:
An accident to Mr. and Mrs. Horgan's young son, who fell heavily in one of the races, marred the afternoon's proceedings. It was found that he had sustained a slight fracture of the collarbone. (3)

Whether this was Joe or Eddie is not known but it certainly would have been a painful ride home in the buggy over rough roads. Many of the dirt roads in the locale of their old home can still provide a somewhat bumpy ride in 2016. Several school picnics and gatherings were recorded in the papers of the times.

Another glance of life at school is provided by Nora Mary in November of 1918.

Our examination will be next month. I hope to pass into the VII. Grade. Isn't it lovely to think that the war is over at last? A lady came to our school on Wednesday to teach us how to spin wool. We will have five weeks' holiday at Christmas time. We have had three days' holiday this week in honour of peace. (4)
She spent another two years at the school passing what was known as the Qualifying Certificate at the end of Grade Seven in 1920. Eddie and Joe were still recorded as attending Alma South in 1921. There were only twenty-six to thirty children attending the school in those years between 1914 and 1921.

The school register I examined was used from 1883 until December 1921. The instructions for filling it in included a note at the bottom of the first page that read:

Should a new register be required before the old one is finished, it may be obtained with the permission of the Inspector on payment of 2s.6d.

This was written before 1883 when this register of pupils was commenced. One hopes the teacher did not have to pay for a new register 39 years later! State Archives notes that the location of admission registers for the school at Alma South after this date is unknown. (5)

Alma South School – September 2016

It is sad to see the state of the building now as time and weather wreak their damage. I would like to think that my father and his siblings had fond memories of this small school and the friends made therein.

View from outside – September 2016

Entry via the porch - inside the building the remains of a chalkboard adorn one wall. The roof timbers appear to be in good condition.

View of the side of school building showing significant deterioration

An interesting article in Weekend Notes has more information on Alma and Salter Springs as well as some other small towns in this region of South Australia.

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1. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 September, p. 18. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166422061 2. 1917 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 9 February, p. 6. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166980769
3. 1918 'THE COUNTRY.', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 23 April, p. 6. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60351597
4. 1918 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 22 November, p. 15. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166988853
5. GRS/13020 Admission Register, Alma South School, 1883 -1921 State Records of South Australia, viewed 2 Sept 2016

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This post first appeared on http://earlieryears.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-building-with-memories.html

A child writes letters

The Children's Page

Through the eyes of children we can glean snippets of the lives of our forebears. Many newspapers and magazines have had children's sections where young people were encouraged to write about their lives and contribute to the publication. The Southern Cross paper in South Australia was no exception starting out with a children's corner in its early editions.

In a Children's Corner of the 21 September, 1894 edition, Mrs A. M. Ryan  of the Catholic Book depot in Gawler Place under the nom de plume "Aunt Eily"(1) suggested children write to her (2)
By March 1895 the children's corner had become St Vincent's Juvenile Club and all children were treated as cousins, with "Aunt Eily" referring to them as nieces and nephews. The club was open to all young people from the age of 5 - 18.  "Cousin Rosaleen" - Josephine Moroney succeeded her in 1908 and edited the children's page until her death in April 1922 .

Membership cards were issued, competitions run to encourage fundraising for the orphanage at Goodwood and later that at Largs Bay. Letters were answered with positive comments and encouragement. Saints' stories, tales from scripture and moral exhortations were interspersed with letters, poems, jokes and riddles. All monetary donations were acknowledged but not all letters could be published.

In 1922 the children's section of the paper became The Sunshine Club conducted by "Wattle Blossom" (3) This change also brought about a change in membership, with age restricted to 6 -16. By  May 1943 when "Wattle Blossom" handed over the reins to Maureen the name had reverted to The Children's Page. In January of 1946 it had been renamed The Five Stars Club under the leadership of Felicity. (4)

Letters from the farm at Alma 1916 - 1923

My aunt, Honora Mary Horgan was born at Alma in South Australia to Elizabeth Agnes (Smyth) and husband Andrew Joseph Horgan on the 4th December 1906. Her younger brothers were Edward John, (my father) born May 30th, 1908 and Joseph Andrew, born April 21st, 1910. 

Here we see her writing to the Southern Cross Children's Pages as she collects money for orphans housed at Goodwood. The letters below provide glimpses of a child's life on a farm between 1916 and 1923. The last ones included are from Joseph. There do not appear to be any letters from (my father) Eddie.

Alma, May 2. 1916
Dear Cousin—I have never written to you before. I hope you will accept me as a new cousin. I am nine years and five months old. We have a pet dove - it comes inside, and we give it crumbs to eat - and a young puppy. We can put our hand into his mouth, and he will not bite. I have two brothers, their names are Eddie and Joseph. I enclose 1/ for orphans.
I hope you and the orphans are well.
NORA MARY HORGAN. (5)

Alma, August 17, 1916.
Dear Cousin Rosaleen—It is a long time since I wrote to you, you must be forgetting me. We had Australia Day in Alma on July 26. The Alma South school children were dressed up to represent different nations. I was an Irish girl. We are feeding five calves. They eat hay or chaff. We have a little foal; its mother's name is Rose. He runs about quite happy.

I read the Children's Page every week, and like the letters very much. We have some pigs. Two of them get out and the dog bites them, and they stay away for a while. I am in the second class at school. The teacher's name is Miss Dubois. We live two miles from the school. We drive seven miles to Mass every Sunday. We are having a week's holiday soon. I am going down to Salisbury to my uncle's for it. I went to my grandma's at Linwood last holiday. I have a cousin at Loreta Convent. She is going for an exam, this month. Please ask the little orphans to say a prayer that she may pass. I am sending 6d. for orphans and a penny for membership card, which I received, and like it.
With love from
NORA MARY HORGAN. (6)

[The grandmother mentioned is Hanorah Horgan (born O'Leary) aged 76 in 1916, living on the farm at Linwood where Andrew Joseph Horgan was born.]

Alma, November 15. 1916
Dear Cousin Rosaleen—I have been for my holiday since I last wrote to you. I enjoyed myself very much. Aunty took me to town one day. I am sending my card back to you. I have £1 1/ on it. We have six little white pigs and two black ones. We are milking seven cows, and have two calves. We sold the rest. It has been, cold and wet here for over a week. It is rough, today. This is a short letter, but I have no more news to tell now.
From your loving cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (7)

Alma, January 29.1917

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—Our holidays are over. I was away for three weeks. I enjoyed myself well. We are having a holiday to-day because it is Foundation Day. On Christmas Day I raffled a cake and got 3/, which I am sending in stamps for the orphans. We are busy at school knitting for soldiers. Both of us passed. Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars. I enclose 3/ for orphans.

I am, your fond cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (8)

Alma, November 15. 1918

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—I am returning my card with two pounds two shillings and sixpence on it. I had hard work to collect it because there are so many other collections for other things. I hope it will be a little help for the orphans. I sold some papers and my father gave me some old iron to sell, and I also sold some lollies, and out of them all I made over eight shillings to help with my card. I hope the fete will be a great success. Our examination will be next month. I hope to pass into the VII. Grade.

Isn't it lovely to think that the war is over at last? A lady came to our school on Wednesday to teach us how to spin wool. We will have five weeks' holiday at Christmas time. We have had three days' holiday this week in honour of peace. The foxes are very plentiful about here now. They have taken a great number of poultry from people around here lately. They took some of our turkeys. They are going to start a Catholic library in Hamley Bridge. I am going to join it when it is opened, as I like reading very much.
I remain,
your loving cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (9)

H. Mary Horgan 1906-1984
Photograph from the collection of Joseph Andrew Horgan 

Hanora Mary Horgan joined The Sisters of St Joseph as Sister Margarette. Later in life she spent some time in Glenside Hospital and then lived at "The Pines" at Plympton, a convent run by the Good Shepherd nuns. When I visited her there as a young child with my parents  I remember her as a kindly lady who always gave us a prayer card as a gift. She died at age 77 on May 2nd, 1984 and is buried in the Navan Catholic Cemetery, Riverton alongside her parents and brothers.

*************

In 1921 Joseph Andrew Horgan continued the letter writing tradition.

Alma, November. 21. 1921

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—This is my first letter to you. I hope you will accept me as a new Cousin. I have already collected £2 1/. I have taken my sister's card, as she is at the Convent. My brother and I ride to school every day. The name of the pony is Beaver. We also have a little dog named Tiny. We have a pussy; her name is Snowy; she can jump very well. We had some friends staying with us from town. They went home to-day; we feel very lonely without them. It was fun to watch the little boy ride the pony. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. I think I am going to spend some of them with my uncle. I am 11 years old and in the fourth grade at school. I hope the fete will be a big success and make a lot of money. I enclose a penny for membership card.

I am, your new Cousin,
JOSEPH HORGAN. (10)

 Alma, January 1923

Dear Wattle Blossom,
My brother and I ride to school on a little pony named Beaver. I have not written to you before, but I am now wishing for a membership card. I am glad the Orphanage fete was such a success. Our cat has three kittens, Darkey, Sandy and Spotty.We are reading a book entitled "The Little Black Princess." Have you ever read it?. I did not have the pleasure of being at the Pilgrimage, but prayed for the great success of it. I am enclosing threepence for membership card. I hope you and the Orphans will have a Happy New Year.
I am your new Clubmate
JOSEPH HORGAN. (11)

These letters provide a glimpse into the childhood life of my father and his siblings. The tradition of writing to the children's pages was continued in to my generation. The story of our Uncle Joe is for another day.

1. 1917 'Death of Mrs. A, M, Ryan.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 10 August, p. 7, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166983129
2. 1894 'Children's Corner.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 21 September, p. 5, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165889710
3.1939 'CHILDREN'S PAGE...', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 28 July, p. 24, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167761478
4. 1946 'CHILDREN'S PAGE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 18 January, p. 11, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167710105
5. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 June, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166420853
6. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 September, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166422061
7. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 8 December, p. 6, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166423305
8. 1917 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 9 February, p. 6, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166980769
9. 1918 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 22 November, p. 15, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166988853
10. 1921 'The Children's Page.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 December, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167024742
11. 1923 'The Children's Page.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 26 January, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167738712