Stanthorpe in 1888

The Jibbenbar State Arsenic Mine was established in 1918 to produce pentoxide to control prickly pear. Photos courtesy of Queensland Mines Department.

The following is an excerpt from ‘They Came to a Plateau’ (1972) by Jean Harslett and Mervyn Royle.

(SUBHEAD)

Tin

Some ground proved very hard to work and stampers, each with 350lbs crushing weight, were used on gravels and cements at Ruby Ck,. at the Planet Co. and Capt. Pascoe’s claim.

The crushed stone was then returned to the boxes.

Notice was given from time to time of special trains departing from Ipswich at daylight for Warwick carrying explosives for the mines.

Whilst on the subject of explosives,

on one occasion someone threw a plug of dynamite into a boiler at at Allison’s mine.

Detectives were brought from Brisbane in haste, bud did not trace the culprit.

Two local wags, Rubie and Battersby, knew an old cow came nightly to the miners camp for potato and pumpkin peelings, so in wholesome fun, they tied and packed tighlty a pair of blucher boots on to the hind legs of the cow.

The detectives found “tracks” everywhere and spent several days trying to follow them, little suspecting the entertainment they were providing.