During the 1800's to early 1900's there were many mines around the Bell Rock, largest being the Lady Nelson. The first claim for silver was staked in 1857
The mine failed in 1867 & was sold & changed it's name to St Arnaud Gold & Silver Mine & managed by Amos Cheale
On 12th January 1869, Amos Cheale was shot & killed by Andrew Vair outside the mine. A police search was made for Vair but he was hidden by sympathetic miners.
Vair attended Cheale's funeral, sitting up in a tree near the grave. Many of the mourners knew he was there but did not give him away. He lived in a tunnel of an abandoned mine for several months, fed by locals.
Some 15 months later, he was arrested near Adelaide, tried & hanged at the Ararat Jail in 1870
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