Louisa Bowles

OBITUARY: Mrs Z.G.Bowles (Louisa Bowles, born Owen), of Harding. March 1936

"One of the few remaining links with the old pioneering days in the Natal Territories and Natal has been severed by the death in Harding on Monday, March 2nd, of Mrs Louisa Bowles in her 87th year.

Mrs Bowles came to South Africa from England in the s.s. "Preciala" some time in 1858, the ship taking three months from the U.K. to Durban. She was then a girl of 9 years of age, travelling with her parents, Mr & Mrs Edward Owen, of the Radnorshire family of Owen ap Owen from Glynafon and Glascombe. Mr Owen came out to join his brother-in-law, Mr John Rich, late of Tongaat, then first Bank Accountant in Durban. Mr Owen was put in charge of the Indian Immigration Department in Durban and afterwards of the General Hospital, Mrs Owen being Matron. In the surroundings of primitive Durban from 1858 to 1870 the late Mrs Bowles' young days were spent. She well remembered the sandy tracks, the thick bush and the wild life which existed where modern and greater Durban now stands. One might also say that she found some of the conditions and habits of latter day Durban and its inhabitants more trying than those of the Durban of her earlier days.

In 1870 Miss Louisa Owen married Mr Zacharia George Bowles, who at the advanced age of 95 years survives to mourn his wife's death after an unbroken partnership of 66 years. There were eleven children.

Mr and Mrs Z.G.Bowles after their marriage, journeyed into the wilds of Pondoland, where on the site of the present flourishing village of Flagstaff, Mr Bowles opened a store. Indeed Flagstaff itself derives its name from the fact that for the information of his would-be customers Mr Bowles erected a flagstaff from which on Sundays the Union Jack was flown. The flag was an intimation to all concerned that Sunday was the Lord's day. No trading would be done, but if they came the white man would speak to them about God. Let us hope Flagstaff may long follow the excellent example of Sunday observance set to the heathen in those far-off days.

Time would fail to tell of the interesting incidents of Mrs Bowles' married home among the Pondos, but two may be mentioned as illustrative of the startling nature of some of the happenings.

A "smelling-out" was in progress at an adjacent kraal. Whilst the Bowles family were seated at dinner a victim of the "smelling out" made a bid for life by dashing through the dining-room and finally going to ground in Mrs Bowles' bedroom under her bed. Having ascertained the meaning of this sudden and blood-stained apparition Mr Bowles at very considerable danger to the lives of himself and family declined to hand over the victim to vengeance, and after threatening the household with death the avengers of blood departed unsatisfied, but having made things very unpleasant for some few days.

On another occasion during the absence from home of Mrs Bowles and her family, a faction fight vigorous and sanguinary developed near the home, the contest taking place across the route by which Mrs Bowles and family were due to return. When the wagon was seen in the distance Mr Bowles solved the difficulty by approaching the combatants with a gift of tobacco and with the request that as the approaching wagon contained Mrs Bowles and family, hostilities might be suspended until the wagon was safely home. To this the contestants willingly agreed. Each side sat down and took snuff, and when the wagon and its occupants were safely home the slaughter began again with renewed vigour.

In 1900 Mr and Mrs Bowles came to Harding where their home has since been. Mrs Bowles was a loyal and devout member of the English Church, she was fond of recalling her association with Bishops Gallaway, Key and other mighty men of God. In Harding she was the oldest member of the St. James' Church Women's Guild and a regular worshipper in church until age and infirmity prevented her. [Hearts of Oak - 100 Years in Pondoland by Lyle M. Rock pages 97-98]