Transcript of James Stirling's

history at left, written by him

“GUNBOWER.”
Telephone 71

Born at Winchelsea Victoria in 1858 came to Queensland in 1872 just after the Franco-Prussian War.
Settled in Rockhampton district with his two brothers taking up land near where Mt Morgan now is. The Central Line terminus was then at Westwood 30 miles from Rockhampton and 11 miles from the land selected. Tried sheep but grass seed soon proved them unsuitable. Went into dairying and had teams on the roads to Clermont and Springsure. Blacks fairly numerous and bad in places. Fever and ague rather bad in that district. Then I and all hands becoming affected it was decided to sell out and go South. After inspecting many places in Victoria and N.S.W. came to the Darling Downs taking up land on Yandilla Run in 1880 and remained there all the rest of his life. There was no Pittsworth then but some years later Tyson Donnelly built an Hotel the Beauaraba after the name of the district then. It was the first building of what is now Pittsworth. Was Director of Butter factory when first built then Chairman for 3 years. Was a Member of the Jondaryan Council for some years contemporary with Charles Campbell Chas Williams James Maloney

(cont)

Gary Copp, Crocker and others assisted in the severance movement by which the Shires of Pittsworth and Millmerran were created and was among the first Members of the Pittsworth Council.
Resigned and gave up all Public work devoted a lot of time to war work until the boys returned. Was a Member of the Dingo Board for years and a Director of Stürmfels Ltd since the firms inception and Chairman for 5 years took great interest in the firms progress. Retired from active work in 1919.