The death of Alexander McKinlay

The first reference to any burial was that of the ill fated founder of the town, Alex McKINLAY. He had been up to the Border Inn in company with a Thomas SHORT. The Inn at that time was kept by a Mr. MUNRO. It was in the spring of 1846, and following heavy winter rains, the Boiling Down Swamp was full of water. McKINLAY and SHORT had a flock of sheep running on the Strathdownie Run. Despite the entreaties of his companion, McKinlay was determined to ride through the swamp, although his companion rode around it. Half way through the swamp the horse began to flounder, and unseating McKINLAY, kicked him on the head, striking him heavily, and it seems the kick from the horse's hoof, not drowning, caused McKINLAY's death. When Mr SHORT returned to the Glenelg Inn to acquaint Mrs McKINLAY with the sad news, a boat and search party was sent from Casterton, and McKINLAY's body was not found till two days after the accident.

He was buried on the banks of the Glenelg, where the McPHERSONs formerly lived and afterwards at ROSS's Garden. Mrs W. McPHERSON vividly recalls in her diary that she could well remember having seen the white paling fence around the grave on the river bank. (ROSS's Garden was close to the site of the present pre-school centre.)