Article from The Cape Odyssey

Ella Gordon Dove Colston, commonly known as Miss Gordon, was born in Edinburgh Scotland on 18th January 1873.

She came to South Africa as a child and later became a trainer of circus horses. On her retirement from the Circus she bought the farm Karwyderskraal in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

She was extremely strong both in body and mind. No one dared go against her decisions, and it was known that she could carry a bag of mielies on her back.

She took great care of the people who worked for her, ensuring their physical and spiritual welfare. She built a school and hostel with her own hands. She was also extremely strict on Church attendance – if a mother had given birth on a Saturday, she was expected to attend Service on Sunday morning! Her horses were always well turned out, beautifully groomed and ridden only by Miss Gordon herself.

A graveyard especially for her horses, donkey and dog pays tribute to the animals that played such a great part in her life. All were buried with great dignity, wrapped in jute bags and gently laid in their graves. All farm workers were expected to attend these funerals and look sad!
Margaret Annandale

Information: Henna van.der Bergh, and Emily April of Karwyderskraal