In September 1905 my dear James suffered from influenza. August and September is a time of the year when people often get the dreaded flu, even though here in Australia we are in the first month of Spring. No Influenza vaccinations back in 1905! The small article published in the Chronicle (Adelaide) state that “Influenza is the popular complaint. Mr Heneker, the oldest resident who came out to this State in 1839 is just recovering from a severe attack. The old gentleman remembers Adelaide as a little village, and the surrounding country a scrub land. He has not seen Glenelg since he landed. He is hale and hearty, though 80 years of age, and not long ago completed the contract for a school fence.”
“Chronicle (Adelaide SA: 1895-1954) Saturday 9th September, 1905 page 13.”
Being considered the “oldest resident”, [presumably of Beltana] often seems to get a mention in the newspapers of the day, whether he is appearing in court [see my previous post], or suffering from Influenza. It seems that James was healthy enough to recover, as he did not pass away until 1916. The long, busy, industrious life that James had, appears to have enabled him to live a healthy life for an 80 year old man. Good on you James. You truly were a pioneer and a man to be admired.
