Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/572

 546 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr.E.spicer was excellently adapted for such a purpose, and the loss was Mr. Spicer's while the gain was the Province's and the individual farmer's. Mr. Spicer, however, retains to this day 70 acres of his original holding. From Edwardstown he moved his stock to the Willunga Ranges, but six months later he proceeded to Middleton, half-way between Port P211iot and Goolwa. After three years, the sheep having outgrown the run, Mr. Spicer once more moved, and drove his flocks 200 miles to the south-east, where, on the north side of Maria Creek (now called Kingston), he formed stations. On the south side was Mr. Stirling's property. This run did not turn out to be healthy. The country, to use a pastoral phrase, was "coasty," and six or eight months was enough to prove to Mr. Spicer that he must look farther afield for suitable pasture. He now spent some little time on the south bank of the Murray, and sold all his sheep. While one day riding in the bush at this place he unexpectedly came upon a camp of about 200 natives surrounding a stage about six feet high, erected on four posts, on which was the dead body of a woman in a sitting posture, roasting on a fire. The natives were displeased at the presence of a stranger, and soon indicated that he had better be off. In those days, country now setded was practically a great uninhabited territory, to travel into which required a good deal of courage, demanded very severe labor, and j)roduced numerous adventures, both exciting and depressing. Mr. Spicer was a pathfinder, or, better still, was one of those bold and sturdy colonists who paved the way for the more luxurious men who have since taken up much of the country he surmounted in the " forties." He has well earned a holiday. Mr. Spicer next purchased a run at Port Lincoln called " Poonindie," and Slocked it with sheep. He also took up about 150 square miles of country. In 1851 he sold all his station property, and took a holiday tour to England. His subsequent South Australian career has not been so exciting, albeit that it has been as useful. While in England he received news of the gold discoveries in Victoria, an eventuation which was not anticipated by the vast majority of early Australian colonists. He learned by letter from his wife that Adelaide was almost deserted of men. Twelve months after leaving, he returned to South Australia, and became a merchant of Adelaide, and here the wandering portion of his local experiences came to an end. His enterprise extended as the Province expanded and the population increased, and in course of years ramified over a large area. Year after year he passed in successful business. His early importations were large, and he also did considerable indenting. In 1893 he retired from the business, which is now carried on by his son (Mr. Edward Henry Spicer) in Adelaide, and by his brother's son (Mr. George Spicer) in London. Mr. Spicer survives to witness the present expanding proportions of a city which he knew as a group of a few rude huts. A host of memories must arise as he drives through the well-kept streets lined with large buildings, and not the least pleasing must be the reflection that he contributed to its uprising. W^hether as a wanderer in the untrodden back country, or as a city merchant, he has been as a father to South Australia, and none in the Province is more respected and esteemed.