Biography

Also known as Barrier Burns. John Burns, better known as "Barrier" Burns, met with an accident through falling out of a cart near the railway station. The deceased was well known in the early Coolgardie days and on the northern goldfields. He was one of the early pioneers of the Niagara and Kookynie districts. At the age of 49 years, he was one of the oldest residents of Kookynie. Up until the Friday, his injuries were not considered to be very serious and he was progressing favorably. However, spinal haemorrhage set in, which resulted in paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body. This was, shortly after, followed by heart failure. Death occurred very quickly after that. Mr Burns had no relatives in the district and for the last fifteen years had resided with Mr C. O'Neill.