Biography

Father of NJ O'Keefe, of the Grand Hotel, Mr O'Keefe left Kookynie for an alluvial rush at Tampa but nothing further was heard of him. It was surmised that he must gave gone onto the wrong track. All day, Constable Conway, assisted by a black tracker, scouted the country between but failed to find any trace of the missing man. A large party started out early the next morning. Eventually, Constable Dunkley and a black tracker found the body 20 miles from Kookynie and 15 miles east of Tampa. O'Keefe had placed his coat under his head but otherwise was fully clothed. His end was apparently peaceful but he suffered greatly from thirst during the terrible hot weather. The only thing drinkable he took with him was a bottle of ginger beer. His death was hastened by exhaustion and exposure. His death was certified in writing by George Natt, Undertaker, Kookynie. The deceased had lived in Tasmania for 54 years before arriving in Western Australia. His wife died Tasmania, 23 November 1887, aged 43 years.