A Tribute to the Incredible Life of Service to the Public of Warrentinna
Black Louie is the man. He is credited with discovering the Warrentinna Goldfield. The historical records show he uncovered the existence of some previously undiscovered gold at the location of Pearce’s reef. Although it is unclear, due to his modesty, why the mine was not named after himself, and instead named after the great philanthropist and local publican to whom he was indebted.
At around the time of this discovery the North Brother’s Home Water Race was being constructed, and, because of the proximity of the Pearce’s mineshaft to the said water race, it is hypothesised that Louey may have been involved in that construction from Fenckers Creek to Derby.
As a salute to the power of the press, this man of mystery has been variously dubbed as Louis, Louie or Louey. This seems to be an attempt to disguise his real name which might be Augustus Littlejohn or Louis Augustus or some other combination of possible misunderstanding by the diligent 19th century press.
Louie resided in the district for about 25 years and in 1909 was living in Warrentinna in his very own hut in rough country with the fortune he had amassed from the gold fields.
It is said that after Louis visited a friend’s place. He was returning home, and took ill. Whether his health was the reason for leaving his friend, or something he ate upset him, is not known. Neither is the direction of his travel, and whether the water race was complicit in his journey or his sickness. Although it is known that Warrentinna Road was closely involved.
Fearing for his life, Black Louey did not trust Warrentinna Road. He did not sit, waiting to hail the assistance of a passing vagabond. Instead Louis took shelter behind a tree in a hollow log about 200 yards away from Warrentinna Road. It was a Tuesday, and his evasive action may have contributed to his demise, because he was not alive when found.
Local survivalists have questioned this strategy, and debated how long one could live in a hollow log without food and water. Others have wondered why Louey took no action to assist the police to find him, and suggested that the illness was a ruse to evade discovery by persons who did not have the best intentions for the old man. Without knowing Louey’s situation the debate rages.
A local botanist has observed that it is unlikely that such a large and sumptuous hollow log could exist to entice anyone to take shelter. Even in inclement weather. This has lead to speculation that Louey may have been devoured by leeches.
The evidence to support this theory is that Black Louey may not have been black. He was described a coloured man from Mauritius. Cold and after losing copious amounts of blood his skin would have taken on a blue hue. The fact is that this coloured man was blue and the Black moniker was merely the usual ironic nickname bestowed by larrikin Australian humourists. As hilarious as people with red hair being called Bluey or blue heelers not wearing shoes that feature display blue heels.
A Rebel etymologist has agreed pointing out that B. Louis is simply as mispronunciation of Bluey as far as he is concerned, because these days it is not OK to accuse anyone of being black. Let alone calling them Black. Or worse still observing such a stark difference in skin tone.
Unfortunately the survivalists are united in their disagreement as to whether the colour of one’s skin is a significant contributor to surviving in a cold hollow log. So the conundrum of whether Louey was playing Patience in the log, hiding from debt collectors remains unsolved. Indeed it is not known whether Louis had a pack of cards to while away his sojourn in the damp gloomy enclosure.
Instead it is reported that the gravest fears were entertained for his safety, and Louey was reported missing, by persons unknown. After three weeks Louie was found, and a crude forensic analysis judged he had been dead for about two weeks.
An inquest was held at Branxholm, and a verdict of “found dead” was recorded, in honour of Louie’s contribution to the development of Warrentinna as a major gold mining region. However the location of his remains and treasure was not revealed. Perhaps his grave was stolen from the Branxholm cemetery; which has no record of the man unless he was using another alias.
The local historical expert is baffled. It is a profound mystery as to how it was known that Louey was sick without knowing the nature of the ailment, why Louey was merely reported missing without concern for his alleged sickness, and the exact involvement of Warrentinna Road and the North Brother’s Home Water Race.
The Black Louie Memorial Trail is being developed in honour of the last meander of a great founding father of Warrentinna.
Written on behalf of the reported facts by Norm de Plumette