KEMPSEY has had its share of natural disasters over the years, principally floods, however two unwelcome events of a different kind were to occur in 1907 - the coming of the bubonic plague to Kempsey, and a fire which destroyed a substantial part of the western side of Smith St, the town's commercial centre.
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Kempsey in 1907 had a population of around 3000 with another 8000 people living in villages including Frederickton, Jerseyville (including Arakoon), and Gladstone.
At Christmas 1906, Kempsey tradesmen reported a large number of country people particularly from the Lower Macleay shopping there and the returns were well above normal. Apart from this prosperous start to the New Year however there would be a darker side.
On the morning of Tuesday January 29, Jim Russell died of a pneumonia-like disease after working at his brother-in-law James Maclean's produce store in Clyde St.
Doctor Woolnough diagnosed bubonic plague, the disease having been carried to Kempsey by rats on coastal steamers.
The produce store was fenced off and a sanitary inspector and a force of workmen including rat catchers began a huge clean up of Central Kempsey.
At 3.30am on Thursday January 31, a fire began in the Macleay Chronicle office towards the southern end of Smith St on the western side.
Despite the efforts of the Fire Brigade, business owners and residents, 15 buildings between Kinghorn's drapery store and the Methodist Church were destroyed.
Premises destroyed included TG Savage's three-storey shop and residence, the Chronicle office, the boot shop of John Emerton, EA Watson's Pharmacy, Connelly's Stationery establishment and George Bond's store.
Twelve-year-old Marjorie Hart was the daughter of the manager of the Commercial Bank on the corner of Smith and Belgrave streets and was staying with friends in East Kempsey the night the fire began.
Writing 50 years later, she left this remarkable account of the fire: "About 3 o'clock on a [Thursday] morning I heard the sound of galloping hooves and a man's voice yelling 'Kempsey is on fire' one look out of the window and the awful red glow in the sky filled me with fear for my Father..."
Running to the bridge, Marjorie described the scene from there: "The Bank was secure and EG Kinghorns shop next door. Beyond that, right down to [Bryson's] shop at the far corner, the whole street was alight. Heat, fear, and I've no doubt numerous people kept me from venturing any further than the railings at the end of the Bridge. It was an awesome sight to see the dwelling parts above the shops catch fire - iron bedsteads bent inwards at each end and collapsed - glass in wardrobes cracked and exploded, other furniture blazed up for a moment and collapsed - now and then paint, kerosene and methylated spirit burnt up with a roar.
"Watson's Chemists shop also provided some fine fireworks and all the time the awful roar and crackling was almost deafening. After some time I found my Father."
Her father was safe and well. The business premises in Smith St were rebuilt in due course, with bricks and mortar now the favoured materials.
A further three people were to die in Kempsey that year before the plague was contained, including Matron Gulliford of the Kempsey District Hospital, Bridget Maclean (the wife of James Maclean) and her 11-year-old daughter Rachel. Matron Gulliford had become infected while caring for young Rachel.
