The Brisbane Courier, Monday 3 August 1925
(Queensland)

OBITUARY
One of the first settlers of the Crow’s Nest district, in the person of Mr. William Luke Mitchell, passed away at Brisbane on July 21, at the age of 94. Deceased was born in Cornwall in the year 1831, and first visited Australia in the ‘50’s. The ship in which he travelled was filled with men going to the newly discovered gold fields in Victoria. His ship carried guns, and on nearing Melbourne a salute was fired. This greatly alarmed the inhabitants of the city, who thought a Russian warship was about to attack them. Melbourne had been almost deserted for some months prior to the late Mr. Mitchell’s arrival, practically every male having rushed to the diggings. After a short stay in the city he went to the diggings, and was fairly lucky, but it was not long before he returned to England and bought a soft goods business in Cornwall. Ill-health at last compelled him to seek a warmer clime, and in the year 1874 he, in company with his two sons, came to Australia. His wife and one daughter followed him two years later, while one daughter, who was already married, remained in the Old Country. Immediately upon his arrival he selected land at the Old Woman’s Hut, about three miles from where the town of Crow’s Nest now stands. Part of the late Mr. Mitchell’s selection is now owned by Mr. R. Middleton. Deceased’s son John took up a selection adjoining his father’s. John Mitchell still owns his block, and is, after many years’ absence, again residing on the old homestead. Until the year 1883 deceased raised sheep, but dingoes were such a menace that he was compelled to give up this line. He then took to cattle raising and agriculture. In the year 1885 he made a trip to England, and when he returned he brought with him the most up-to-date farm machinery procurable at that time. In common with the other old settlers, the late Mr. Mitchell suffered heavily through droughts, bush fires, and floods. In the year 1893 he contested the Aubigny seat in the Liberal cause, but was defeated. He suffered the loss of his wife, who was killed, at the age of 67, by a falling tree, in the year 1896. Shortly afterwards the late Mr. Mitchell opened a general store in a building on the site of the present Crow’s Nest post office, which he carried on until 1903. He then went to Brisbane, and later married a widow (Mrs. Bashford), who is still alive. Deceased is survived by two sons, two daughters, twenty-five grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho