History with Brian James: Story of Charlie Krebs | Part 2

Not only that, but Mr Krebs had a way with those under him. Industrious himself, he expected the like in others. The ratepayers have never had to worry about drones in the hive with him in charge.

The son of the late Mr Frank Krebs, who died in 1913, Charlie Krebs was born at Back Creek, Young on April 13, 1884. Mr Krebs snr. had followed various gold rushes until arriving here in '81, in time for the riots. He saw hundreds of fleeting Chinamen go past his place at Back Creek, going towards Currawong, where they were sheltered by the late Mr James Roberts.

Mr Krebs snr decided to settle down at Young, thus acknowingly making a considerable contribution to the history of the future. At one time he had an interest in that claim which subsequently became known as the Chinamen's Dam.

The boy, Charlie, had only 10 months' schooling, attending the Catholic School (where the convent is now) under the tutorship of Mr Molloy.

As far as he knows, only two fellow-pupils of those old days were are still alive; they are Mr John Maroney, of Randwick and Mr William Burke, of Young. Mr Tierney, later Inspector of Schools, and the father of the late ex-Ald. Luke Tierney, succeeded Mr Molloy at the school, after Mr Krebs had left.

When Charlie Krebs was 12 years of age, he went into a hay and corn store in Wombat Street to assist the late Mr James McCarthur, the father of Willaim McArthur, today a chemist at Auburn. Mr McArthur, like many another man in those days, did not appear to trust the banks overmuch, and kept amounts of as much as 500 pounds under loose flooring board.

Into this hoard would go the day's takings, and out of it would come as much as 50 pounds at a time to finance hawkers and others on buying expeditions into the country for skins, wool and produce. There was never a penny lost.

In those days, Wombat Street was quite a shopping thoroughfare. Where Beggs' blacksmiths shop is today was a big grocery store, and on the opposite side were cool drink and confectionary shops.