Burke & Wills 107: King's return - Burke and Wills Expedition (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
John King, who Wills' father suggested would have preferred returning to Melbourne "at least unostentatiously, if not in sackcloth and ashes", was instead met at the train station by a huge crowd. One newspaper's account: "The arrival of the train was hailed with vociferous cheering. The carriage in which King was a passenger was at once recognised by its being decorated with flags. Such was the 'rush' to see King that it was some time before the porters could reach he carriage door, and when they had reached it they experienced considerable difficulty in getting the door opened." King was escorted to an open carriage, which was followed and mobbed thoughout its course along Collins and William streets to Government House.
"King was assisted upstairs, for though he looked very healthy and robust, he was scarcely able to stand. He was taken into the room adjoining the Chief Secretary's office, where he was shortly afterwards joined by his sister. In a few minutes the approaches to Government House, the lobbies, stairs and landing were impassably crowded, so that it was necessary for the police to clear a passage for His Excellency from his own office to that of the Chief Secretary. The excitement was almost too much for the poor fellow, and it was thought advisable to get him away as speedily and as privately as possible to St Kilda, where his sister resides."
King died nine years later, aged 31. He too is buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.
