The Tumut and Adelong Times 19 Apr 1907
DEATH OF MR. ALEX. McGRUER. We briefly referred in our last issue to the above melancholy event, and we are sure the sad news was read with very much regret by every person in this district who had the privilege of an acquaintanceship with the model citizen that he proved himself to be during the many years he resided amongst us. The death is all the more distressing to his devoted widow, relatives and friends from the fact that no warning was given of the approaching end prior to unconsciousness setting in following an attack of paralysis of the brain which occurred about the middle of last month. He, it appears, was intent on visiting a district to which the train branched off at Narandera, and on reaching there he found that he was too late to pursue his journey. This was undoubtedly a cause of much annoyance to him, for if he made a promise to do anything, or to be at any place at a particular time, he allowed nothing to hinder him from his purpose. Being also of an over sensitive nature, he must have become very much excited. A policeman on the platform at Narandera noticed the stranger lying in the waiting-room, and procured assistance to remove him to an hotel, where medical attention was soon available. An examination of the luggage he had with him revealed his identity, also his Sydney address and a message was sent to Mrs. McGruer apprising her of what had happened. The distressed lady came along per first train to Narrandera, and had her husband taken to his home at Dulwich Hill, near Sydney, but she was unable to learn anything from him, for he was then in a semiconscious and dazed state, and could not remember anything. His mission was to take back to Sydney with him a little niece, whom he thought he had obtained, and he couldn't understand what had become of her. About a week after returning home the effect of the attack seemed to be passing away, and Mr. McGruer was able to leave his bed, walk about, and converse fairly freely. His brother Paul, when calling on him on the Thursday before death ensued, found that the patient was in good spirits, showing signs of a complete recovery. On the following Saturday, however, symptoms of a relapse occurred, and on Sunday the end came, bringing intense grief, and affliction to the affectionate wife and the devoted neice, Miss Ethel McGruer, who bore the affection of a daughter to her uncle, and had lived in the house with the happy couple from a short time after they took their departure from Bruugle, four years ago. We remember having been present at the hearty send-off accorded by the Brungle residents prior to their leaving there, which took place at Mr. Hubbard's residence, on the 31st of January, 1903, when a beautifully illuminated address was presented to Mr. McGruer, and several old residents of the district expressed sentiments which went to show that one of their most admired fellow citizens, with his amiable wife, was about to leave them. Mr. Clout said that he felt that a difficulty would be experienced in getting along without such old friends and excellent counsellors as Mr. and Mrs. McGruer had proved themselves to be, and his acquaintanceship with them dated back some 36 or 37 years. Mr. McGruer in acknowledging compliments paid to him, said he had been a resident of the place for 40 years, and had enjoyed a happy married life extending over 28 years. The late Mr McGruer arrived in Sydney, per the sailing ship Annie Wilson, three weeks before Christmas of 1859, being accompanied by his brother, Mr. Donald McGruer, and on board the same boat were Messrs. J. Beale, H. Walker, Mrs. Cussen, Mrs. P. Arantz, and the late Mr. Thomas Howe, of these districts. The brothers McGruer went in for mining pursuits at Adelong at first, and followed that occupation for some time, until they had got together a sufficient amount of the precious treasure to enable them to purchase the grand holding at Brungle, consisting of rich river flats and good pastoral country, with an extensive frontage to the Tumut River. Being shrewd and careful men, with capability of making themselves well acquainted with the new line of life they took up, that of pastoralists, they quickly amassed wealth in the pursuit, and they remained together until Mr. A. B. Triggs, with a tempting offer, caused the object of our obituary notice to take life easy, as he then could well afford to do. Accordingly arrangements were made with Mr. Triggs to lease the property, which was taken control of by Mr. D. McGruer, who bought out his brother's interest. The retirement from such a healthy district as ours is to take up an abode in a smoke begrimed city atmosphere was looked upon with grave forebodings by Mr. McGruer's friends, but he appeared to be so robust and strong, with the fullest of activity, that he paid no heed to suggestions to the contrary of what he had decided upon, to enjoy a rest in one of the suburbs of Sydney, and possibly such had little or nothing to do with bringing about the attack that ended fatally. After going to Sydney Mr. McGruer rented a residence, where he remained until he could obtain a home in accordance with his desire, and he found it in the very comfortable, substantially built, and roomy abode he purchased at Dulwich Hill. It is situated on a splendid elevation, and from the verandah a magnificent view of Sydney and all surroundings is obtainable, the city seeming to be quite in a hollow as seen from the eminence occupied by Mr. McGruer up to the time of his death, and which will doubtless form a home for the widow, and her companion, better comforts being available there than in any other of the suburbs we have inspected. In conversing with the sterling friend we ever found Mr. McGruer to be, when on a visit to his hospitable homestead, last October, we were pleased to find our old townsman in the best of health, and he took great pride in showing the writer of this article around the premises and the locality in which they are situated, also in pointing out contemplated improvements that were about to be made in the suburb. He likewise showed us a very large number of new buildings that had bean erected at Dulwich Hill during the short time he had resided there, indicating that the place was going ahead well and was destined to become the principal suburb of the city. Deceased was a most enthusiastic member of the Masonic Lodge, and was amongst the founders of the Tumut Unity, in which he had many times acted as Worshipful Master and Installing Master. He was one of the best ritualists to be found up-country, as evidenced from the fact that, on joining the important branch of the order at Dulwich Hill, he was frequently appealed to to take up workings in the lodge, and the masterly way he handled subjects he consented to deal with, also the respect shown to him by leading members of the lodge, proved that he was possessed of exceptional talents. As a devout member of the Presbyterian Church he showed an exemplary character, and he was thoroughly consistent in following up the tenets of Christianity. No seeker after hospitality or business on the Sabbath-day received quarter at the residonce of Mr. and Mrs. McGruer, and the departed one was always frank enough to let people know that his feelings were directly opposed to treating that one day of the week as otherwise than one for rest and christian worship. His liberality in supporting his church was proverbial, and a severe loss was felt, we know, by his departure from this district. He was an ardent member of the Brungle Progress Committee, and was always to the fore in advocating anything that tended towards the advancement of the district. He was, indeed, a model citizen, and his perfect character won for him admirers from every class and creed in the community. All is now at an end, and a true patriot has gone to his rest, but, we are sure that his memory will linger for ages with people who knew the good qualities he was possessed of. His age at time of death was 71 years. The funeral took place on Tuesday last, and by his request prior to death was of a very private nature. |