Frank Treloar wrote in 20 March 1929:
The first flour mill erected north of Gawler was built by a Mr. Berry at Penwortham in 1856 and he afterwards took a Mr. Medcalf into partnership.
I remember going as a small boy with my father to have our few bags of wheat gristed soon after its opening.
That wheat was grown on what today is the Springvale vineyard property at Watervale (which my parents selected in 1852) and was reaped with sickle, threshed out with a flail and afterwards cleaned with a sieve.
The first stripper and winnower in the district were introduced by father in 1857.
2 October 1858, page 2 : PENWORTHAM.
This is the oldest and first established village north of Gawler, situated in a delightful valley, ornamented by stately gums, abounding in excellent water and stone for building purposes unrivalled in the colony...
The steam flour mill is in full work, its enterprising owner, Mr. John Berry, having lately erected an elegant stone dwelling-house on the allotments.
After the mill was working a short time, Mr. John Roach purchased Mr. Berry's interest and later on acquired Mr. Medcalf's.
After that he worked it successfully until it was burned down in the middle seventies.
In order to ascertain if possible the origin of the fire an inquest was held on Saturday afternoon, when Mr. J. Roe, J.P., acted as coroner, and Mr. H. Lower was chosen foreman of the jury.
Charles Kimber, (who took over the Clare flour mill in 1864) sworn, said—I was passing the mill on my way from Watervale to Clare at a quarter past 10 on Friday night. Saw smoke and fire issuing from the building.
I hastened to the house and knocked.
Saw Mrs. Roach and told her the mill was on fire. Three teams were camped nearly opposite the mill. They were the Carrying Company's waggons. I knew one of the men. They were standing beside the waggons. I called on them to render assistance.
I passed through the village and alarmed the people and then returned. When I saw the fire first it was confined to the wheat-store, but on coming back I saw that it had extended to the mill.
The neighbors were making an effort to save the books and anything they could get out, and also preventing the fire from spreading, as they saw it was impossible to save the mill.
By a juror—Saw no one about but the three men at their waggons. The men could not see the fire from where they were.
George Williams, miller, Penwortham; said—I knew nothing about the fire until! I was called at about half past 10. Left the mill at 20 minutes past 6 that evening.
All was right then the same as usual. The fire was in the mill as well as the store-room when I saw it.
My house is about 400 yards from the mill. Cannot imagine how the fire could have originated. There were only a few empty bags and some bran in the store-room. The mill is locked at night, and no strangers could get in.
Mr, Roach's son was in the mill when I left.
John Roach, jun., said—I am 17 years of age, and am bookkeeper for my father, and foreman when he is absent. Some waggons with wheat came to the mill, but as it was past 6 o'clock I would not let them unload. Gave them some bran.
At 8 o'clock I went to the office to settle an account with a person and on leaving locked the door.
My brother went to the mill afterwards to give out a parcel. He brought the lighted candle into the room where I was and then extinguished it. I have no idea whatever as to how the fire originated. I have no suspicion of any one.
By the foreman—Saw no one about. The office was not locked, and the window was open. Any one could go from the office into the store-room. Some of the books were saved.
Thomas Roach, sworn, said—I am 12 years of age. Went to the mill on Friday night to give out a parcel to a person. My brother was in bed then. I saw no fire in the mill. Took care of the light I had, and put it out when I reached the house. I was I the last person in the mill. I did not see anyone about, and have no idea how the fire could have originated. Have no suspicion of any one.
John Roach, sen., who had just returned from the Burra, in answer to the coroner, I said the premises were insured, that is the mill and the machinery, but not to the full value.
By [a question from] a juror—I do not think that anyone would do me any injury. I have no suspicion. Was away from home at the time of the fire.
After some deliberation the jury returned the following verdict, "That the fire in question originated from some cause unknown."
Mr Roach built the present mill in Burra which he worked until his death after which the family carried on for several years, it was then leased by Messrs Norman and Co.
See also:
Clare Museum | A Clare disaster: Fire at the Flour Mill
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