In a previous edition, local historian Brian James introduced us to Togo, a well known man of Aboriginal descent who had lived on Windamere near Murringo between 1887 and 1900.
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The story is sourced from a booklet called ‘But what of Togo…..' by Jean Goodridge.
Over the years Jean Goodridge did a lot of research to get the information for her little booklet about Togo.
She interviewed a lot of people and compiled a great story. Jean remembers one Saturday going to town to see Togo. Saturday was always busy.
Up and down the street there were horses and sulkies, carts and the occasional car with leather hoods.
Her dad tied Nugget up to a post near the Town Hall.
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There was a commotion down the other side of the street.
Jean squeezed through the crowd to see Togo.
He was a black man.
He had real white teeth and his face shone like liquid, he rolled his eyes and acted up for the bystanders.
To lend more realism to the sounds that came from his mouth, he held both cheeks of his face between his fingers, and squeezed in and out, up and down.
He called like birds, squealed like possums and imitated local characters.
Togo passed away in December 1942 and on his Headstone are the words:
"In Memory of DPJ Togo Died 18.12.42 Erected by Citizens and Friends".
There was an Obituary in the Young Chronicle 22.12.1942 headed Daniel Joseph Patrick Togo.
Togo, the light hearted little mimic, in an A.I.F hat a few sizes two large for him, has amazed his last audience.
He succumbed to senile decay.
At Mt St Joseph’s home on Saturday morning, and his demise removes from the town a picturesque personality.
Some interesting stories about Togo follows:
From a reader:
Togo was the first person to dive from the high tower at the opening of the Young Baths.
This was later removed being too high and dangerous, but not for Togo.
Later on when learning to swim I went to the baths, with three other girls, but no matter how early we arrived, Togo would be there, swimming about literally like a fish: mostly under water.
Another thing about Togo he could make the sound of a whip crack with his tongue.
He was immaculate in his dress.
From Ted Brown:
Ted was in hospital, Togo was there also.
Togo loved to say "methylated spirits".
After a lot of trying and with some of his own dialect and laughter, he finally gave up and said “they are rubbing Brown’s back with Holy Water".
From Mr Perks:
Togo could make the sound of a circular saw from the piece of timber going through until it fell to the ground.
Also the laugh of Mr JD McKenzie who had a butcher shop in the Australian Hotel Building.
Jean produced her book on Togo in 1988 and they were sold at the Museum as well as other places.
It was thought that they were all sold but recently her family found a box of them and have donated them to the museum for sale.
- Local Historian, Brian James contributes his column every Tuesday to the Young Witness on behalf the Young Historical Society Inc.
