More dangers on goldfields

[Gaz&Al]

I was told yesterday that if you find spoons on the goldfields that they use to use them to mix the cyanide and they then threw them away
Not sure if this is true but if you do find one be careful .
If anyone would like to confirm or add to this that would be helpful.
Cheers
Gary

 

[jamie]

Interesting, wouldn't mind hearing more about this

 

[RM Outback]

I'm curious not saying it didn't take place but I can't put my doubt to rest. When simple necessities weren't so easy to come by (cost /readily available) I can't see the sense in it being done. Let alone the dangers posed to children picking them up and playing with the discarded ones. Surely the common miner / residents would have had some knowledge of the dangers and exercised common sense, then maybe not. The power of stupidity to earn a dollar hasn't changed much if any when it comes to some I suppose. Good post Gaz&Al, never would have given a spoon credibility of being so dangerous thanks for sharing.

 

[AtomRat]

Bleach is a simple way to rid of cyanide, I recon they would have had that around at times or even the salt ( sodium or potassium hypochlorate ) which may have been used, though I've never read such a thing.

In early 1900s, a miner contributed to the beginning of production to the first world wide distribution sales of the well known liquid bleach, Clorox

 

[ColinD]

It is interesting to note though that you do find more spoons than other cutlery. I have found a couple of forks but a lot more spoons.

 

[AtomRat]

It is interesting to note though that you do find more spoons than other cutlery. I have found a couple of forks but a lot more spoons.

Yep lol

 

[Nightjar]

In AR's photo the fork is distorted, have always pondered about this when most forks found are like this?
Has the old timer thrown the fork away because he bent the forks?
What did they use the fork for?
Surely the meat they ate wasn't that tough?