Miscellaneous, page 2

Hair from camels used on the expedition

Portion of tree under which Burke was buried

Piece of bark from 'Dig tree' at Cooper's Creek

Julia Mathews

Wood-engraving
Pictures Collection

Julia Mathews was a 15-year old actress who toured Beechworth in 1854 while Burke was a police officer there. Burke fell in love with her, followed her on tour, offered to marry her and attempted to win over her mother - with little success. Six years later he was still in love and, before departing on the Victorian Exploring Expedition, made at least one will which left everything to Julia. Even on the journey, the Secretary of the Exploration Committee was sending Burke notes about 'you know who', as if they were a couple of schoolboys.

This engraving of Julia Mathews appeared in the Illustrated Sydney News, 23 September 1864. 

'Love glove'

Australian Manuscripts Collection, MS 13359
Single glove, supposedly a gift from Julia Mathews to William Wills

In 1999 the State Library of Victoria purchased a small collection of objects, photographs and documents from descendants of the Wills family, which included a 19th century lady's leather glove, said to have been one of a pair given by Julia Mathews to the two departing explorers. This story begs several questions -  if Julia was sweet on Burke, why would she give a keepsake to Wills? When the expedition left Melbourne, Wills was merely a humble navigator, not the second-in-command, which he only became after Landells' resignation at Menindie.

Samuel Smith, aged 92 years

Undated
Pictures Collection, H41415

Samuel Smith was the youngest member of Burke and Wills expedition.