The Ghosts of Old Geelong Gaol.

The Ghosts of Old Geelong Gaol.

Old Geelong Gaol - source: Geelong Gaol Museum

 The Old Geelong Gaol was decommissioned from service in July 1991. From its opening in 1853 until its closure the gaol saw hundreds, possibly thousands of deaths. Two of those deaths were executions, and some were murders, but there were also many suicides, accidental deaths and deaths from illness. (the Geelong Gaol was used as a hospital for Victorian criminals). I have chronicled some of those deaths in previous posts on this blog.

 Ghost stories were often told by the prisoners themselves inside the gaol. Prisoners often reported the sounds of young girls playing, whistling or singing. This coincides with the known history of the gaol. From 1865 until 1871 the East Wing was used as an Industrial School for girls. It was shut down after a royal commission revealed that its conditions were “many degrees worse than that of any other school”.

 You may remember on Haunting: Australia I captured an EVP of what sounds like a young girl saying “Spooky” after I played a prank on Rayleen near the kitchens in Geelong Gaol. That wasn’t the only odd occurrence. On the top level, there is a room that I can only describe as a double room. We were told that it was used as an exercise room for young girls. During Haunting: Australia I captured on a video a shadow person, about the height of an 11-year-old girl, on video. The image blocks the light coming into the room from outside. The footage wasn’t used in the episode as the executive producer didn’t think it was “strong enough evidence” (but some of the things I contested as evidence made it into the show – go figure!).

Cell 55: The condemned man cell, used for holding men due for executions seems to be the epicentre of this haunting, with many people reporting paranoia, cold spots, being touched, and seeing a black shadow move through this area.
 One spirit identified in this area is that of executed murderer James Murphy. Murphy has been seen in the condemned man's cell and on the hanging platform. He has also been reported as standing around the cardboard cuttings that depict his hanging.

Cell 45: This cell is considered one of the most haunted in the gaol. Past inmates claimed to have heard girls screaming from inside and outside this cell while being imprisoned there. Others have claimed being pushed by unseen forces, and even pinched while in this cell.

Cell 75: This cell is home to a spirit nicknamed “Ranga”. It is claimed Ranga is the ghost of a former paedophile. Often people report the overwhelming stench of fresh urine in this cell. One ghost hunter claimed that he was punched so hard by an invisible force in this cell, that others outside could hear the physical impact of the spectral thumping!
 It is claimed Ranga stalks people he considers weaker than himself. He preys on these people and physically attacks them. He has been seen in the cell sitting on his bed, sometimes as a forming apparition, sometimes as an imprint upon the bed.

 The Morgue is claimed to be haunted by a spirit named Mary. No one is exactly sure who Mary might be, whether she was one of the schoolgirls or a prisoner who died while giving birth in the gaol hospital above. Or even a female prisoner's suicide. Mary makes her presence known in the morgue, but she is not the only ghost haunting this section of the gaol. Another spirit in the morgue is a male, who presses his face against the glass room divider and stares at those near the autopsy table.
 there have also been reports of ghost hunters being physically pushed out of the morgue, and people leaving with bruises from un-felt altercations with spirit.

Rayleen Kable in the Geelong Gaol Kitch during Haunting: Australia 2013

The Kitchens: located on the ground floor, the kitchen is reported to be haunted by an aggressive male spirit who likes to grab women’s breasts and behinds. This spirit has been known to run its hands up women’s thighs and do a manoeuvre Donald Trump has made famous!
 This spirit also plays with women’s hair and has been known to become aggressive to males, often scratching them.

External Shower Block: This area is reported to be haunted by former prisoners that were shanked. Ian Lawman, during Haunting: Australia, claimed to have psychically picked up on one prisoner’s near-death shanking experience in this section of the gaol. Other people report feeling very uncomfortable in this section of the gaol.

Gaurav Tiwari's full-spectrum "Gaol Gaurd" photograph 2013

 Centre-Circle: This is the section of the gaol where the prisoner's guard box is located. It is designed to be able to see clearly down all four wings of the gaol. During a meeting before filming Haunting: Australia, I noticed a man on the third level looking over the railings down at the team. He was dressed in dark blue, but his facial features were indistinguishable. Later, during an interview, while I was on camera, I heard footsteps walking along the gangway above me. The footsteps caught on camera, come along a level above then walk down the stairs right where I was being interviewed.
 This is also the section of the gaol where Gaurav Tiwari caught his full-spectrum photograph of the ghost of a gaol guard. The guard appears to be standing near the staircase looking toward the moan entry of the gaol. What many sceptics of the photo don’t realise is that, on the night, Gaurav and I tried to recreate and debunk the image. I stood in the place where the image is in the photo, and we measured height, circumference etc, to conclude that the image would’ve been at least a foot taller than me (I’m 183 cm – 6 foot) and its appearance seemed ‘stretched out’.
 If you look really closely at Gaurav’s photo you might also notice something else a little odd. The knees of the spirit appear to bend backwards!

Visit the old Geelong Gaol Museum: https://www.facebook.com/geelonggaolmuseum/

Or Geelong Gaol Ghost Tours: https://twistedhistory.net.au/tour/geelong-gaol-ghost-tour/

Allen Tiller © 2019

Cite this article: 

Tiller, A, The Ghosts of Old Geelong Gaol, Eidolon Paranormal Blog, (2019), 

The Demise of John Hassett – Geelong Gaol

The Demise of John Hassett – Geelong Gaol

John Hassett, c. 1890.
PROV, VPRS 515/P0 Central Register of Male Prisoners, Unit 42, Folio 490

 Early in the morning on 25 August 1889, it was alleged that Frances De Veilles and John Hassett attacked Constable Albert Earnest Vizard, with the intent to murder him at Lygon Street, Carlton. They beat the policeman with a leather belt that had a large heavy belt buckle attached to it. When the officer fell to the ground, they kicked him relentlessly.

The attack was witnessed by Patrick Bailey, who grabbed a large stick and beat the assailants away from the police officer. Vizard, who had only been with the police force for a year, was so badly wounded from the assault that he had to retire from the workforce.

 Francis De Veilles was arrested a few days later at Kilmore. He was charged and sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Hassett was arrested a couple of weeks later, and also sentenced to death, and then commuted to life imprisonment – except, Hassett may not have been De Veilles accomplice, but an innocent man found guilty on circumstantial evidence.

 During their court case, it was never inferred in one instance that the two men knew each other, nor did either man state they knew each other. Hassett had wounds on his head, that the prosecution alleged were from the beating given by Bailey, but the chemist who was bought in as a witness to identify Vizard's assailant, stated in court, that he was not sure that Hassett was the correct person as the gentleman he had treated had a much thicker and heavier moustache and beard.

  Whether Hassett was guilty or not, he was sentenced to gaol. He appealed four times to the powers that be to be released, but all his efforts failed. Hassett had been a model prisoner and was soon appointed Assistant to the Dispenser, which gave him extra privileges. He had come to Geelong Gaol from Pentridge Gaol in August 1898, suffering from heart disease. (Geelong Gaol at this time was used to house sick or injured inmates from other gaols in Victoria).

  On the 6th of December 1901, Hassett ran into the Geelong Gaol barber shop which sat across the hall from the Gaol Dispensary. He was crying and asked fellow prisoner, and barber, John Corrigan, to say goodbye to his mother for him. Hassett then ran into the Dispensary and smashed open a large medicine chest.
 Corrigan shouted to a guard named Barnes and both men followed Hassett into the Dispensary. Hassett was drinking from a large bottle. When he saw the two men, he pulled from under his sock a large lance and threatened “rip up” anyone who tried to approach him.

 The effects of the medicines he had swallowed soon consumed Hassett, and he fell to the ground. A stomach pump was applied, but he died just a few hours later. It was later revealed during an inquest that the poison Hassett had consumed contained tinctures of belladonna, opium, digitalis, aconite, and liquid strychnine.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Bibliography

'THE GEELONG GAOL.', The Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette, (10 December 1901), p. 2.

'THE SUICIDE IN GEELONG GAOL.', The Age, (9 December 1901), p. 6.

'IN GEELONG GAOL.', The Herald, (7 December 1901), p. 4.

'GEELONG GAOL SUICIDE.', Geelong Advertiser, (10 December 1901), p. 4.

1901 'GEELONG GAOL SUICIDE.', The Argus, 9 December, p. 5

'CAPTURE OF AN ARMED CRIMINAL', The Argus, (28 August 1889), p. 8.

The Demise of Thomas Pengilley – Old Geelong Gaol

The Demise of Thomas Pengilley – Old Geelong Gaol

 

Main Street Birregurra 1907 - Royal Mail Hotel

 Thomas Pengilley had been a successful prospector in Victoria. In 1855 he established the firm of Pengilley and Childs, general storekeepers in Mercer Street, Geelong. He later had business’ at Morrison and Stieglitz gold diggings, before buying a hotel at Sebastopol near Ballarat

In 1880, Thomas Pengilley was the publican at the Royal Mail Hotel, Birregurra, in which he lived with his wife and young family. The 47-year-old publican had become unhinged, and over a four-year period had begun to attack his wife making her feel unsafe in her own home.

 
 Mrs Pengilley, afraid for her children contacted the local police and had Thomas detained. He was sent to the Kew Lunatic Asylum. Pengilley spent time in and out of Kew over a span of a few years. His erratic and unpredictable behaviour caused problems for the hotel’s income. Often Pengilley would become unfriendly and hostile toward patrons, causing his wife to shut the doors.

 Eventually, Mrs Pengilley had enough and being abused by her husband and had him arrested. He was taken to the Birregurra Police Court where he was charged to keep the peace with his wife for six months. Pengilley could not meet the requirements of the securities of his sentence and was instead sent to Geelong Gaol to serve a short term.

Pengilley was placed in a cell away from other inmates. He arranged to have his meals provided by an outside source.
 On the night of his death, a warder brought him a glass of water around 6pm. The Warder noticed that Pengilley was morose and slightly unhinged. He left him be and returned at 9pm. The warder pushed the cell door open and discovered Pengilley had hung himself by tying a valise strap around his neck and attaching it to a gas bracket above the door, hanging himself.

 It is believed that Pengilley became addicted to hard liquor, which eventually led to him physically and mentally abusing his wife and family. That alcoholism also led to his insanity and eventual suicide.

Yarra Ben Asylum - Victoria

 The tragedy of the Pengilleys does not end there. Thomas's oldest son, Thomas junior was accused in 1889 of not paying maintenance of a child he had had out of wedlock. In the same year, Thomas, like his father before him, found himself admitted to Kew Lunatic Asylum.
 In 1890, Thomas Jr. Was formally charged with deserting his child. The child’s mother, Phillis Labatt stated in court that Pengilley had fled to Broken Hill, she also stated that he was a frequent resident of the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. Pengilley died at the age of 38 in 1899.

Victoria Police Gazette - May 21 1890

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2019

Bibliography:

'BIRREGURRA NEWS.', Geelong Advertiser, (2 September 1889), p. 3.

'BIRREGURRA.',The Colac Herald, (11 July 1882), p. 3.

'Family Notices', The Argus, (9 October 1899), p. 1.

'Family Notices', Geelong Advertiser, (6 February 1880), p. 2.

'GEELONG.', The Age, (5 February 1880), p. 3.

'POLICE COURT.', Geelong Advertiser, (9 November 1889), p. 4.

'SUICIDE IN THE GEELONG GAOL.', The Ballarat Courier, (6 February 1880), p. 3.

'TOWN TALK.', Geelong Advertiser, (23 May 1890), p. 2.

Victoria, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1855, 1864-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
Original data: Victoria Police Gazette Indexes. CD-ROM. Ridgehaven, South Australia: Gould Genealogy and History, 2009.

Old Geelong Gaol (part 7): Thomas Menard – Murderer.

Old Geelong Gaol (part 7): Thomas Menard – Murderer.

Two Warrnambool quarrymen, under the employ of Mr JH Evans, got into an argument over the American Civil War.  It was 1865, and the American civil war between the North and the South had just ended in May. The two workers, James Sweeney, and US-born Thomas Menard, known locally as 'Yankee Tom', argued incessantly, almost coming to blows, until the fight was broken up.

 After their shift, the men returned to their lodgings. Menard was heard telling his bunkmates that the day's argument wasn’t over, and there would be worse to come. That night, as all the men lay in their beds in the shared bunkhouse, Menard arose and unloaded a six-shot revolver into Sweeney’s bunk.[1]

 Menard hastily escaped as the men panicked. He was later arrested near Beechworth.[2]

Sweeney languished in pain and remained alive after the shooting. He had a flesh wound on his upper abdomen on the left-hand side, another wound between his naval and his ribs on the same side, and one a little higher up where the bullet had gone between his ribs and lodged in his armpit.[3] Sweeney also had a bullet lodged in his arm. He lingered on for two more days in the hospital but eventually died due to a bullet lodged in his liver, dying on June 12 from his wounds.

Thomas Menard was also known by his other alias’ ‘Yankee Tom’ and ‘Thomas Barrett’. He was brought up on remand from Beechworth, via Melbourne for the murder of James Sweeney on June 10th, 1865. Menard was put on trial, with witnesses John Haw stating he had seen the whole event. When questioned, Menard showed no contrition and stated he would do the same again. He was duly convicted of murder and sentenced to death.[4]
 Thomas Menard was born in Louisiana, USA, emigrating to Australia in 1855. He was described as 28 years of age, five feet five inches tall, with brown hair, grey eyes and a medium build.

 Menard was given ample opportunity to confess his guilt in gaol. At first, he refused counsel from gaol-appointed priests, but the day before his execution changed his mind. [5]  Up until that point though, Menard had repeated that his actions were justified, that Sweeney got what he deserved and that he, would do the same again knowing his own outcome.

 The day before his execution, Menard’s views changed, and he admitted his guilt and sorrow for what he had committed, stating that he knew he deserved what was coming for him. Menard began to pray with the priests.

 A rosebud was given to Menard, of which he requested that it be placed in his coffin and buried with him.

 The hangman entered Menards cell before 10am on 28 October 1865. Menard appeared emotionless and allowed the hangman to go about his business pinioning Menards arms. At 10am, led by the Governor of the Gaol, Menard was led to the gallows. He was paraded in front of the Gaol Governor, Chaplains, Surgeons and Officers, and around 40 members of the public.[6]

  Menard stood on the trap door, over his head a small white cap was placed that partially covered his face. In his hand, he held a prayer he had written. The noose was placed over his head, and Rev Strickland read out a burial service. Menard made no sounds or movements. At the conclusion of Rev. Strickland’s sermon, the hangman lowered the cloth other Menard's face shook his hand and said a few words to him. Menard did not speak but nodded in recognition. The order was given, and the hangman released the lever. Menard dropped to his death, his handwritten note dropping from his hand. He was allowed to hang for 15 minutes before a doctor checked for signs of life.

The letter Menard was holding when he was executed stated (in his spelling):

“I stand this Day of Our Lord before his grace. I knew a man the name of Sweeny.

The first or second day he insulted me on the work. I never spoke. A day or two after I had sivel  word with King, which we settled. Was good friends after. The next morning Sweeny asked me where was I rered, what makes you let the Shelbag say any thing, why don't you strike him. I don't like quarrelling. This time anything Swny told me to do I dun it, and gave him anything he wanted as a neighbor. He commenced growling, I then went to another place; the foreman called me down to help him. I dun so. Swny came over and turned back sayd Yankee, I will kick your— I do not allow Irish to kick. Do it. He got in vilant rage, going to strike. I stoped him. I looked at him, sayd I will give you a cause. I will have, them arms of yours when I go home. If you do you will never harm no more. This saild his death. Have I dan wright or evil. God forgive me. Was he (illegible) Duck Yafrican he wd never be shot. That he was Irish he cryd for mercy. I could give no quarters knowing his wrongs. His mate grond fearfull. Could give no assistance with his life lost. I can't say I am sorry. God forgive me. With you all I lave the old world its troubles blesd. I go along to the new one. Farewell, I do not wish to say any more. The secrets of my heart go to the grave with me."

 THOMAS MENARD.

Thomas Menard was interred in the Geelong Gaol grounds with the letter, he had written and the rosebud he had been given inside his coffin.

A death mask was made of Thomas Menard which is on display in the gaol.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

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[1] 'INCIDENTS OF THE MONTH.', Geelong Advertiser, (25 October 1865), p. 2.

[2] 'INCIDENTS OF THE MONTH.', Geelong Advertiser, (25 October 1865), p. 2.

[3] 'THE LATE MURDER IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.', The Australasian, (12 August 1865), p. 7.

[4] 'VICTORIA.', Launceston Examiner, (19 October 1865), p. 3.

[5] 'EXECUTION OF MENARD AT THE GEELONG GAOL.', Border Watch, (11 November 1865), p. 1.

[6] 'EXECUTION OF THOMAS MENARD, ALIAS YANKEE TOM.', The Australian News for Home Readers, (25 November 1865), p. 6.

Old Geelong Gaol (part 6): James Murphy – Murderer

Old Geelong Gaol (part 6): James Murphy – Murderer

Former Warrnambool Police station, cells and courthouse complex

 

James Murphy pleaded Not Guilty to the charge of murdering Daniel O'Boyle, a police constable, at Warrnambool, on August 4, 1863. Murphy was accused of lighting a fire in the Warrnambool Courthouse in an effort to escape prison. Murphy struck Police Constable, Daniel O’Boyle in the back of the head with a hammer, killing him.

Murphy, an old soldier who had served in the Afghan wars, had been placed in the gaol cells at Warrnambool, which was a small complex that also housed a courthouse. He was awaiting trial for stealing horses in the district. It was the job of the prisoners to aid the police in cleaning the courthouse and other sections of the complex. On this day, Constable O’Boyle escorted Murphy to the courthouse where they were going to clean the room of the Clerk of Petty Sessions. As Constable O’Boyle leaned down to light a fire, Murphy took the opportunity to strike him in the back of the head with a hammer. Murphy had stolen the hammer from a local stonemason who was repairing a wall in the courtyard. 

Murphy made his escape, casually walking back through the courtyard towards the gaols. With no one on duty, he was able to walk out the front door. O’Boyle’s body was only discovered sometime later when a worker went into the searching for a ladder.
 27-year-old O’Boyle died 22 hours after the attack.

A search party of police, volunteers and townsfolk scoured the town for Murphy, but he was not to be found. In the next few days telegraphs dispatched were sent to towns around Victoria, with a description of Murphy.
 Murphy was arrested in Melbourne and sent to Geelong Gaol for holding until his trial.

It took a jury just 15 minutes on October 21, 1863, to find Murphy guilty of murder. Murphy was asked if he had anything to say about being found guilty, and he replied: “I throw myself, gentlemen, on your mercy. I have a wife and five children, and I have been in a long time in the colony. There was a row, your Honour, between myself and the constable, and he struck me in two places on my head.”

 The Judge replied that his objections had been raised by his counsel, but that as he was detained, and struck O’Boyle when he was not looking, it could not be considered manslaughter, but murder. Despite more pleas from Murphy that the murder was an accident, the Judge ruled with the jury and sentenced Murphy to death by hanging.

James Murphy was executed inside the Geelong Gaol on the newly constructed gallows. He was the first man hung inside the gaol. The Mayor of Geelong, the Sherriff, Dr Reid, Dr Pincott and Dr Macking, as well as 30 other people, were present for the execution. 100 people had gathered outside the gaol, hoping for a glimpse of the execution.

 Murphy was given last rites by Catholic Priest, Rev Clampet. Clampet had spent the night previous with Murphy offering prayer and solace to the convicted murderer.
 An executioner was sent to Geelong from Melbourne, who recognised Murphy as a former friend from their time in Tasmania. The two men greeted each other, with the executioner driven to tears. He soon composed himself and got to the job at hand.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Other Sources:

'THE EXECUTION OF JAMES MURPHY.', Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, 12 November 1863, p. 3.

'BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.', Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser, (23 October 1863), p. 2.

'MURDER AT THE WARRNAMBOOL COURT HOUSE; ESCAPE OF THE MURDERER.', Geelong Advertiser, (11 August 1863), p. 3.

'Table Talk.', Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser, (20 August 1863), p. 3.

 'ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.', Leader, (8 August 1863), p. 3.

'MURPHY THE MURDERER.', The Herald, (14 August 1863), p. 3.

'THE WARRNAMBOOL MURDER.', Leader, (24 October 1863), p. 4.

'MISCELLANEOUS.', Geelong Advertiser, (25 November 1863), p. 3.

'THE EXECUTION OF JAMES MURPHY', Geelong Advertiser, (7 November 1863), p. 3.

Old Geelong Gaol (part 3): George Roberts – Murderer

Old Geelong Gaol (part 3): George Roberts – Murderer

Geelong Gaol cell block - photo: Allen Tiller 2013

George Roberts was a 28-year-old man, who had arrived in Melbourne just six months prior to his conviction. He had found work at Native Creek on the cattle and stock station of Dr Hope.

 George Kelly was a shepherd who lived in a small hut on the Hope property about two miles from the homestead. Prior to living in the hut, he worked and lived alongside Robert’s doing different jobs around the homestead. Since the time that Roberts was employed, he had begun to notice objects go missing, clothing, a small box with some gold in it, and a bag.
 On the 4^th of August, Kelly gave Roberts a cheque and asked him to buy some goods for him from town. Roberts left the goods outside the hut as Kelly was off working. When Kelly next saw Roberts, he asked him for the balance of the cheque, which Roberts said he had not received.
 On Sunday the 6^th of August, Kelly left a half kettle of tea on his stove as he went out to church. When he returned, he found someone had been in his hut and thought it must’ve been Roberts who had agreed to bring him the balance of the cheque.
 Kelly noticed his half-full kettle had been emptied and refilled with clean water. He drank a gill of water (1 gill= ½ cup) from the kettle and immediately his throat began to burn. Kelly, throat burning, and now in incredible pain, looked inside the kettle where he could see some white powder resting in the bottom. He left the hut and ran towards the homestead but collapsed in agony about halfway there.
 A passing bullock-driver noticed Kelly laying on the ground and went to assist him. A doctor was called, and Kelly was taken to the homestead. On the way there, Roberts appeared and offered Kelly an emetic. Kelly asked what he had put in the kettle, to which Roberts replied “nothing”.  Roberts offered Kelly a glass of water, poured from the same kettle that he drank poison from, Kelly flatly refused to drink it. Roberts insisted he had washed the kettle out, but Kelly said he would never drink from it again.
 

An inquest was held which revealed evidence of arsenic being found in a box under Robert's bed. The box was one stolen from Kelly months before that contained his gold and a small bag. A nine-year witness was called to give evidence, in which he stated he had watched Roberts pour a white powder into Kelly’s kettle and stir it with a knife.
 It took a jury just ten minutes to decide Roberts was guilty of poisoning with intent to murder. George Roberts was sentenced to death by hanging.

George Roberts took sacraments on the morning of his execution. Of his affairs after his death, or contacting his family, he made no decisions.  Roberts walked firmly to the gallows. There he spoke to the hangman and the Gaol Governor, confessing his crimes.
 The bolt was pulled at 8am, and he fell to his death alongside John Gunn who had also been found guilty of murder and convicted to hang.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Other Sources:

'CROWDED OUT.', Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, (10 November 1854), p. 4.

'DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus, (28 August 1854), p. 5.

Executed – Victoria, Geni.com, (2019), https://www.geni.com/projects/Executed-Victoria/49212

'GEELONG CIRCUIT COURT.', Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, (30 October 1854), p. 7.

'GEELONG CIRCUIT COURT.', The Argus, (30 October 1854), p. 5.

'GEELONG CRIMINAL COURT.', The Sydney Morning Herald, (7 November 1854), p. 3.

'THE NEW CONVICT BILL.', Mount Alexander Mail, (3 November 1854), p. 3.

'GEELONG SUMMARY FOR ENGLAND.', The Argus, (23 November 1854), p. 6.

Old Geelong Gaol (part 2): John ‘Crankie’ Gunn – Murderer

Old Geelong Gaol (part 2): John ‘Crankie’ Gunn – Murder

George Roberts and John Gunn were the first two convicted murderers executed at Geelong. They faced their execution on 9 November 1854. The men were executed on portable gallows at Gallow’s Flat in a public execution that drew a crowd of around 2000 people.[1]

John Gunn was from Inverness shire, Scotland, and before coming to Australia was a convicted criminal, who escaped gaol during a Church service. In 1814, he had been brought before the courts for shooting a man in Melbourne but was acquitted upon insufficient evidence.

 John Gunn was thought by friends to be an impolite, reckless or insane man, which earned him the nickname “Crankie Gunn”.

At 1pm on 11 August 1854, Gunn went to the house of Charlotte Newman to ask about some washing. At around 4pm the same day, Gunn returned with a man named Nolan, both appeared to have been drinking. The men entered the house, followed by Samuel Harris. Gunn started an argument with Newman, then slapped her. He went outside and Nolan followed, trying to calm him down. Gunn started smashing Newman’s windows, so Harris tried to stop him. Gunn, drunk and angry left the house stating he would be back with something to end the argument and anyone that interfered with him.

 Gunn returned a little later with a 6-shot revolver and a cane with a hidden sword inside. Gunn beat on Newman’s door, so Harris went outside to settle him down. The two men got into a scuffle. Newman heard Harris scream “Murder!” and ran outside to see what was happening.
 Gunn was leaning over Harris who was on his knees. Newman ran over to him, only to have Gunn throw her onto the ground and try and stab her with the cane-sword. Nolan rescued Newman, as Gunn left to go back to his own house, just metres down the road.
 Harris was dead.

An inquest into the death of Harris revealed that Gunn’s sword had gone through Harris’ left side, through his stomach, pancreas and then into his heart. A coroner stated Harris could not have lived more than 10 minutes after his wounds.

  Gunn, a 60-year-old Scottish-man, who had lived in Victoria for around 15 years, stated he would like his farm spilt equally amongst his heirs after his death. The night before the execution, he prayed alongside a Scottish Presbyterian Minister and a Gaelic Minister in his cell.

 Gunn walked to the gallows, and wanted to speak before his execution, proclaiming his innocence, but was not allowed. The bolt was pulled at 8am, and Gunn fell through the trap door to his death.

I’ll be hosting two paranormal investigation nights at Old Geelong Gaol in late August 2019. Find the details here: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=509130&

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Other Sources:

'DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus, (28 August 1854), p. 5.

Executed – Victoria, Geni.com, (2019), https://www.geni.com/projects/Executed-Victoria/49212

'GEELONG CIRCUIT COURT.', Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, (30 October 1854), p. 7.

'GEELONG CIRCUIT COURT.', The Argus, (30 October 1854), p. 5.

'GEELONG CRIMINAL COURT.', The Sydney Morning Herald, (7 November 1854), p. 3.

'THE NEW CONVICT BILL.', Mount Alexander Mail, (3 November 1854), p. 3.

'CROWDED OUT.', Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, (10 November 1854), p. 4.

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[1] 'GEELONG.', The Age (13 November 1854), p. 5.

Old Geelong Gaol (HM Prison Geelong) (part 1)

Old Geelong Gaol (HM Prison Geelong)
Part 1

 Geelong Gaol was built in sections over a period from 1849 until 1864. It was built with locally sourced bluestone, volcanic rock and brick. Its design is based on English gaol, Pentonville Prison in north London. The building appears as a large cross from above (cruciform). 
  The east and west wings served as cell blocks for prisoners, with the north wing serving as an administration wing. The southern wing of Geelong Gaol served as a Kitchen on the lower floor, a tailoring workshop and a hospital as well as a toilet block. A shower block was later added on the east wing of the cell blocks.
 The gaol was built with convict labour, with convicts being housed on floating prison barges on Corio Bay.

An 1850 Argus newspaper article made note of the cost of staff for the gaol proposed for the year 1851:

·         A Gaoler (Governor) at 125 pounds per year.
·         A Surgeon at 40 pounds per year.
·         A visiting Justice at 40 pounds per year.
·         Two Chaplains at 20 pounds each per year.
·         A Matron at 25 pounds per year.
·         A Clerk at 84 pounds per year.
·         A Superintendent of treadmills at 3 shillings 6 pence per diem.
·         Four Turnkeys at 3 shillings and 6 pence per diem.
·         One female Turnkey at 2 shillings and 3 pence per diem. [1]

The first appointed ’Keeper’ of the Gaol was Sergeant Ashley, of the State’s Detective Force announced in January 1851.[2]

The gaol was used for various purposes over the years:

·         In 1853, the gaol received its first occupant.
·         1853 until 1865 the building was used as a gaol for convicts
·         1865 until 1872 the building was used as an industrial school for girls (street kids) housing 180 children aged 9 to 16 who were abandoned during the gold rush.
·         From 1877 – 1940 it was a hospital gaol
·         From 1940 until 1947 it was an Australian army detention centre.
·         From 1947 until 1958 it returned to being used as a gaol hospital
·         From 1958 until its closure in 1991 it was used as a training prison, retraining the state’s worst prisoners.
·         1998 - 2019, the Geelong Gaol has housed Rotary International, and Lazarus Community Centre (from 2016)
·         2018 the site was purchased by Montgomery International who are going to re-develop the site in a heritage-appropriate manner.

 

Geelong Gaol Cell Block - photo: Allen Tiller

The Geelong Gaol cells never contained heating, cooling or any plumbing. Prisoners were forced to use buckets for toilets, emptying them every morning.

 There were six executions at the Geelong Gaol, most of which happened outside the gaol at Gallows Flat. Gallows flat was approximately 200 meters down the road from the gaol where present-day St Mary's Hall sits (162-190 Myers Road) it sat between Myers Road and Little Ryrie Street.[3]

EXECUTIONS:

·         1854: George Roberts (16 December); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1854: John Gunn (9 November); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1856: James Ross (22 April); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1858: Owen McQueeny (20 October); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1863: James Murphy (6 November), murder. Permanent Gallows inside the gaol.
·         1865: Thomas Menard (28 October), murder. Permanent Gallows inside the gaol.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2019

Other Sources:

The Old Geelong Gaol, Intown, (2018) https://www.intown.com.au/locals/geelong/attractions/geelong_gaol.htm

Former Geelong Gaol, Heritage Council Victoria, (21 February 1997), https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/539

Exciting vision for Geelong Gaol revealed, City of Greater Geelong, (27 July 2018), https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/news/item/8d5f3a6a93a67b2.aspx

[1] 'Domestic Intelligence.', The Argus, (18 July 1850), p. 2.
[2] 'LOCAL INTELLIGENCE', The Melbourne Daily News, (30 January 1851), p. 2.
[3] 'TOWN TALK.', Geelong Advertiser, (30 November 1898), p. 2.