Oscar Bancke, from Denmark, arrived in Blackall somewhere around 1887, and managed the chemist’s business of Mr Allan-Waters.
When Mr Allan-Waters moved to Barcaldine, Mr Bancke bought the business and set himself up as a chemist and doctor.
He flourished for years in the town, proceeded to make money by setting himself as a doctor, giving medical advice and making professional visits upon patients.
He was accused of switching prescriptions, persuading patients to try his treatments instead of the doctors’, and sending off his ‘mistakes’ to die in the hospital.
He built the first Town Hall (contractors Meacham & Leyland), privately owned, that opened in December 1892.
The Oak Street building near where the Exchange Hotel was later built, was 100 ft long including 20 ft occupied by shops in front and a 24 ft stage area, and a 56 ft auditorium. There was a supper room on the western side 40 ft by 15 ft. There was a Hapsburg piano, and a ticket office at the front door.
He profited in Barcaldine, brought land and houses in the town including the only public hall, which he built in 1892. The Town Hall was destroyed in the big street fire of 1896. He had sold it to E A Peel just prior to the fire.
By the time he left to try his fortune in Longreach, he was able to sell up two hotels and a number of other buildings as well as his practice as a chemist.
Apparently, Mr Bancke was a keen sportsman and fond of horses particularly trotters, and was seen on all race courses dressed in his eccentric sports attire.
Although advertising that he was returning to Europe in 1894, he had moved to Cairns by the end of the 1890s, setting himself up again in the same line of trade.
He died in Richmond on 16 December 1902, apparently having been in bad health for some time.
It was reported that ‘his death was accelerated by immoderate use of chloral and other narcotics‘.
In the news
Mr Bancke’s name made mention in the newspapers of the time for many reasons ranging from his ‘colourful’ character to accusations of malpractice.
Mr. Oscar Bancke indignantly denies that he took to Longreach a coat covered with huge brass buttons. ” I wish you to understand, Mr, that I wear nothing but diamonds and gold,” said Oscar to one of our reporting staff at the train. We apologise to the doctor readily for associating his name with such a common dross as brass; we’ll know better in future.
Western Champion, 9 April 1895.
The consequences of his activities were a number of court cases against him.
On Thursday, before the P.M. and Mr. Francis Cory, J.P., Julia Lowe (on behalf of Harold Lowe) charged Oscar Bancke with assault. Mr. Edford Pugh appeared for the complainant and Mr. Major for defendant. The evidence of Mrs. Lowe, Evelina Affoo, and Fanny Smith tended to show that the child had been seen running away from the direction of Mr. Bancke’s shop screaming. Mr. Bancke was seen standing in the door way with a whip or a stick in his hand. For the defence Oscar Bancke deposed: I remember Saturday, the 24th April; I do not know if I saw Mrs. Lowe’s child on that evening; I remember some children coming over on that night between 7 and 8 o’clock; they had been put out of Klugh’s store, and they gave me a turn; they rushed into the shop, sang out, and then ran away again; I hunted them out twice; the third time I could see them tearing the show cards and pictures; I had a whip handy, and when they heard me coming they ran out; I made a hit and made a noise on the floor; I did not hit the child; I had no chance. The case was dismissed. Mr. Major did not apply for costs.
Western Champion, 4 May 1897
Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine, Qld. : 1892 – 1922), Tuesday 16 November 1897, page 6
An Old Resident in Reply.
OSCAR BANCKE, Medical Hall, Longreach, writes as follows to the Editor:
DEAR SIR,-I noticed in your last issue that ” Mr. O. Bancke passed through Barcaldine on Tuesday en route to Longreach. The genial doctor is but a shadow of his former self, and as the Sydney doctors could do nothing for him, it is feared he will never regain his old good health.”
Allow me to inform you, Mr. Editor, that the Sydney doctors could do a lot for me, but the reason I returned so quick was that I found out that the Sydney doctors did not know more about my disease than myself, consequently, I could just as well go home and try to cure myself. At the present time I am improved very much, and will once more be able, on visiting Saltern Creek, and passing the bore drain, driving to town, somersault with horses, buggy, groom, wife, and the whole family, without breaking necks, legs, or even a single strap. No doubt Phil Garlick has been a bit off, but he is now fairly on the mend. To lie broken, that is a different thing altogether, that means: Sic transit gloria mundi. However, I can still use the German proverb: Noch ispolia nicht serloren. [Many of the doctor’s old friends will read the foregoing with much pleasure.-ED.]
In Cairns
