Grave of Engineer, David Wallace
On Saturday, February 6, 1909, the paddle steamer 'Victoria' was moored not far from the Custom's House, which (after Federation) had become the farmhouse of the Stoeckel family. The 'Victoria', owned by Captain Wallace of Goolwa and his son David, who was engineer, had been charted by the Government as a base for the survey party engaged in marking out the states' boundaries. It was a hot summer day and the surveyors were working some miles out in the scrub. Captain Wallace had crossed the river intending to get a horse from Mr Fred Stoeckel, and ride through to Renmark in company with Mr Williams, the second assistant surveyor. David Wallace, the skipper's son, rowed across the river at 10 am with a package for his father, then rowed back to the paddle steamer, where he had a drink of water and retired to his cabin. About 10 minutes later, the ship's cook, Mr Sellars, the only man on board the 'Victoria', apart from David Wallace, heard the report of a gun and, running around the deck, he found smoke pouring from Wallace's cabin. He called out and, when there was no answer, he pushed open the door where a shocking sight greeted him. His friend, to whom he was deeply attached, was in his death throes on the floor with blood pouring from his head, "which was much mutilated in a manner beyond description".
Captain Wallace shortly returned to the boat having been unable to obtain a horse from Mr Louis Stoeckel, who was away from his farm. After being told the news of his son's death, those on board would not allow him to see the body.
Enhance your trail experience, for more information about South Australian trails including bike, walking, scuba and horse trails go the the SA Trails website: www.southaustraliantrails.com Coroner Taylor recorded "the deceased had come to his death by self inflicted gunshot while in a state of severe mental despondency". Evidence showed that both he and his father had been in a state of agitation since the arrival of the mail, a few days previous. Wallace, the deceased, usually a kindly and genial man, had been greatly distressed and morose since receiving the mail, which, subsequent to the coronal inquiry, was shown to contain details of "some trifling monetary embarrassment which caused the depression". Once the inquiry was complete it was decide to inter the body in a grave on the riverbank above the boat. Wallace's father acquiesced to this arrangement and a coffin was made from timber, procured by Mr Stuart from Chowilla Station.
The service was read by the Coroner, Harry Samuel Taylor, who "by request, spoke a few words expressing confidence in the loving and merciful judgment of the Heavenly Father". Mr Stuart undertook to have a decent railing erected around the grave, by his survey team, "who were all much attached to the deceased and all greatly saddened at the tragic ending of his life". David Wallace was about 40 years old when he died, leaving a wife and two children who were living at Goolwa.
Acknowledgement: Information taken from Pioneer Graves of the Murray Valley
