Barbara Blain was buried at nearby Gunbar cemetery and an inquest into her death was subsequently held. James Blain apparently stated that when he found his wife she "looked like a black stump" (possibly as part of his evidence at the inquest). A watering place near where the tragedy occurred – roughly halfway between Gunbar and the village of Merriwagga – became known as Black Stump Tank.
Barbara Blain's burial in a nearby cemetery led to an investigation into her death. James Blain stated that when he found his wife she appeared black, possibly referring to the stump of a tree or a dark coloration (possibly as part of his evidence presented at the inquiry). A watering place near the site of the incident – roughly equidistant from Gunbar and Merriwagga village – gained the name Black Stump Tank.