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Alfred Eugen Muecke (1868–1886)

A telegram was received on Friday morning, January 15, from Mr. William Robertson, of Chowilla Station, River Murray, stating that Master Tom Cave (eldest son of Mr. W. R. Cave) and Master Alfred Muecke (second son of Mr. H. C. E. Muecke) had been drowned in the Murray while bathing. They were spending their holidays at Chowilla. Master Cave was a fine, strong lad, fond of all kinds of manly sports. He was a scholar at St. Peter's. Master Muecke, who was about 16 years of age, was a pupil at Prince Alfred College, and passed with credit at the recent University examinations. As to how they got drowned we have been informed that the boys went to the river in the morning for a bathe and no one saw the fatal termination. The clothes of Master Cave were found opposite a deep hole, and those of his companion a little distance off, opposite a shallow part of the river. It is known that neither of the boys could swim much, if at all. The body of Master Cave was found in the hole opposite his clothes, black divers being employed in the search. The body of Master Muecke was found some distance down the river, and it is believed that the drags had touched and turned it over several times. A black boy watching from the bank saw bubbles rising, and then the body was seen near the surface. Immediately afterwards the boat came up, and the bodies were placed on board. It is not thought that the boys came together in their struggles, as there were no indications in the appearance of the bodies, but it is thought likely that Mister Muecke got out of his depth in going towards Master Cave. The bodies of Masters Cave and Muecke, who were drowned at Chowilla, were brought down by steamer and special train by their fathers. The funeral took place at the North road Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Owing to the peculiarly sad circumstances of their death there was a large number present at the grave, notwithstanding that in accordance with the desires of the parents the funeral was unadvertised. The hearses left Mr. Muecke's residence. That containing Master Cave's body was followed by his hunter — The Moose. There were no mourning coaches. Amongst those who followed were Mr. W. R. Cave and two sons, and Mr. H. C. E. Muecke and five sons (fathers and brothers of the lads), Messrs. W. Palmer, J. and F. C. Howard, G. and C. H. Warren, W. Clark, H. Cave, C. E. Rawlings, J. J. and J. L. Simpson, W. E. Slade, J. F. Terrell, W. Warren, E. C. C. and A. J. Randall, W. Robertson, Dr. Muecke, Messrs. Le Page, F. Basedow, M.P., Witt, J. H. Weidenhbfer, C. L. and — Meyer, and A. Tilemann, Hons. W. D, Glyde, M.L.C., and M. Salom, M.L.C., Drs. Stirling, M.P., Symons, and Korf, Messrs. S. D. Glyde, M.P., S. Wakefleld, A. and J. B. Jones, A. Pendleton, G. Denton, A. J. Bartlett, W. Gibb, C. Downer, F. B. Burden, W. C. Harrison, A. P. Hall, J. Kirker, and the employees of Messrs. W. R. Cave & Co. and H. C. E. Muecke & Co. The Revs. F. Williams, M.A., and D. Paton, M.A., B.D., officiated. At the close of the service the Anglican Bishop of Adelaide (Dr. Kennion) gave a telling address.

Original publication

Additional Resources

  • funeral, South Australian Weekly Chronicle, 23 January 1886, p 6

Citation details

'Muecke, Alfred Eugen (1868–1886)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/muecke-alfred-eugen-16995/text28865, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

13 September, 1868
Yatala, South Australia, Australia

Death

15 January, 1886 (aged 17)
Renmark, South Australia, Australia

Cause of Death

drowned

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Education