Oatlands Gaol - Tasmania

The largest building remaining in the former Oatlands Military Precinct, the Oatlands Gaol opened in 1837.[1] The gaol was built to hold 300 inmates and was the ‘only regional gaol in the colony where executions were commonplace.’[2] Oatlands Gaol was designed by Colonial Architect, John Lee Archer and was erected between 1834 and 1836.[3]

The gaol held female and male prisoners and was the largest gaol complex outside of Hobart and Launceston.[4] It was the only regional gaol in Tasmania to have its own Supreme Court House attached.[5]

The Oatlands Gaol operated for 26 years, being decommissioned in 1863. It then became a municipal gaol.




18 men were hung at Oatlands Gaol between 1844 and 1860.

• Alexander Reid - 24 April 1844 – Hanged at Oatlands for shooting and wounding Constable Murray.[6]
  
  
•  Thomas Marshall – 24 April 1844 – Hanged at Oatlands for the murder of Ben Smith.[7]
  
  
• Richard Jackson - 1 May 1845 - Hanged at Oatlands for the rape of Elizabeth Davis.[8]
  
  
• John Phillips – 4 February 1846 – Hanged at Oatlands for setting fire to the magistrate's oat stacks following a conviction for sly grog selling.[9]
  
  
•  James Sullivan – 9 May 1848 – Hanged at Oatlands for the attempted murder of Constable James Kelly at Swanston, near Andover.[10]
  
  
• Patrick Shea – 9 May 1848 – Hanged at Oatlands for the attempted murder of Constable James Kelly at Swanston.[11]
  
  
• James McGough – 9 May 1848 – Hanged at Oatlands for the attempted murder of Constable James Kelly at Swanston.[12]
  
  
• John Shale – 9 May 1848 - Hanged at Oatlands for wounding John Connell with intent to murder.[13]
  
  
• Thomas Smith – 4 August 1848 – Hanged at Oatlands for stabbing with intent to murder Constable Clough at Jericho.[14]
  
  
• Jeremiah Maher – 4 August 1848 – Hanged at Oatlands for stabbing with intent to murder Constable Clough at Jericho.[15]
  
  
• William Henry Stevens - 25 April 1851 - Convict. Hanged at Oatlands for Assaulting James Moore, being armed with a gun on the high road between Antill Ponds
• and Tunbridge.[16]
  
  
• George Mackie – 21 July 1851 – Hanged at Oatlands for the murder of Thomas Gilbert at Waters Meeting, near Cranbrook.[17]
  
  
•  John Crisp – 27 October 1851 – Hanged at Oatlands for Wounding with Intent Constable William Donohoo at Swansea.[18]
  
  
• William Henry Stephens – 25 April 1851 – Hanged at Oatlands for the attempted murder of Thomas Moore at Antill Ponds.
  
  
• Patrick McMahon – 28 October 1852 – Hanged at Oatlands for rape of a child.
  
  
• Michael Casey – 5 August 1856 – Hanged at Oatlands for the attempted murder of John Hewitt at Falmouth.
  
  
• Abraham Munday – 27 October 1857 – Hanged at Oatlands for attempted murder by poison of George White at Courland Bay.
  
  
•  Richard "Long Mick" Ennis – 27 October 1857 – Hanged at Oatlands for the murder of George Sturgeon at Kitty's Corner, near Antill Ponds.
  
  
•  John Vigors – 31 January 1860 – Hanged at Oatlands for Shooting with Intent at John Baker at Ellerslie.[19]

For more information on Oatlands please visit Southern Midlands Council's website here: https://www.southernmidlands.tas.gov.au/oatlands-gaol/

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2022

[1] Brad Williams, ‘Oatlands Gaol Historical Study and Archaeological Survey’, Southern Midlands Council, (2004), p. 9, https://www.southernmidlands.tas.gov.au/assets/southernmidlands_williams_arch_survey_2004.pdf.

[2] Ibid., p. 2.

[3] Barry and Eleanor Bjorksten, ‘Oatlands Gaol Remedial Works Report.’, Southern Midlands Council, (2004), p. 11, https://www.southernmidlands.tas.gov.au/assets/southernmidlands_bjorksten_2004.pdf.

[4] Williams, ‘Oatlands Gaol Historical Study and Archaeological Survey’, p. 9.

[5] Brad Williams, ‘Oatlands Gaol Interpretation Plan.’, Southern Midlands Council, (2011), p. 4, https://www.southernmidlands.tas.gov.au/assets/southernmidlands_gaol_interps_plan.pdf.

[6] 'Execution at Oatlands.’, The Courier, (26 April 1844), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2951132.

[7] Ibid.

[8] 'Oatlands Assizes.', The Courier, (8 April 1845), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2948998.

[9] 'Oatlands Assizes.', The Courier, (17 January 1846), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2946459.

[10] 'Domestic Intelligence.', Colonial Times, (12 May 1848), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8762811.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] 'Domestic Intelligence.', Colonial Times, (8 August 1848), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8763241.

[15] Ibid.

[16] 'Oatlands.', The Courier, (30 April 1851), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article296097.

[17] 'Execution at Oatlands.', The Cornwall Chronicle, (26 July 1851), p. 468., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65574090.

[18] 'Executions.', The Tasmanian Colonist, (27 October 1851), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226525096.

[19] 'Execution and Confession of Vigors at Oatlands.', Launceston Examiner, (2 February 1860), p. 3. (AFTERNOON), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38999069.

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.

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

---

[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 5): Owen McQueeney – Murderer

Old Geelong Gaol (part 5): Owen McQueeney – Murderer

  In 1858 Owen McQueeney (sometimes spelled McQueeny or Queeny) was accused of killing Elizabeth Lowe at “Green Tent” near Ballarat. Green Tent, where ‘Green Tent Road’ near Meredith in Victoria gets its name, was a small structure that served as a shop and tavern to local gold fields.
  The Green Tent was owned by Mrs Elizabeth Lowe (nee Matheson), who with her husband had established a travelling shop. Her husband had left one day to buy a horse and cart and never returned. Mrs Lowe decided to stay where she was and set up the Green Tent as her shop. She made a lot of money very quickly and was able to purchase a pair of jade earrings that she wore daily which proclaimed her success in business.

  McQueeney was an Irish man, with an imposing disposition and a cataract in one eye, giving him a fearsome look. McQueeney had spent two years in prison for stealing horses and claimed he had come to the gold fields to find some missing bullocks. He leered at the shop owner, Mrs Lowe as he explained his fake story of seeking lost bullocks. The following day he returned and spent the entire day at Green Tent drinking. McQueeney began to visit the Green Tent daily, with locals noting Mrs Lowe’s fear of the man.


  One day, local Revenue Officer, Joseph Smith arrived at the tent, and noticed swirling smoke from the chimney, went inside expecting to be greeted by staff or other visitors, only to find no one inside. Smith decided to wait for Mrs Lowe, thinking she had gone running an errand. He became suspicious when a strange smell came from the chimneys. He went to check and found Mrs Lowe sprawled across the floor, her hair lying in the fire. Smith noticed a gunshot wound, where a bullet had penetrated her eye, and instantly called for help. He rolled Mrs Lowe over and found underneath her body her 2-month-old son, uninjured. He ordered a man nearby to get to the telegraph station and report to the Geelong and Ballarat police that a murder had occurred.


 A local aboriginal tracker came to Smith and showed him tracks leaving the hut. McQueeney had very large feet, which made him easily tracked. A witness spotted him near Meredith, carrying a very large swag. McQueeney was next reported by a local salesperson named Gallagher, near Geelong who he had sold all his tea too. Gallagher stated that McQueeney had sold him the teas because his mother had; “sickened him of it when he was a youngster in England”. This fact would eventually be his undoing.

Trooper McIntyre visited Mrs Adam's boarding house in Geelong. He asked Mrs Adams; “Have you in your establishment a man with one eye that does not like tea?”
Mrs Adams, suspicious of the policeman asked why he needed to know, to which he replied “ murder!”.
Mrs Adams, taken aback by the claim stated: “There’s a cove at my place with a shield over one eye, and only this morning Nellie remarked that he never drank tea.”
Trooper McIntyre arrested McQueeney, earning himself a promotion.


 The police, despite all the evidence they had collected against McQueeney, seemed non-plussed about prosecuting him, putting him in gaol while waiting for more evidence to be procured. McQueeney himself provided the last bit of evidence needed to place him squarely as the murderer.
While in gaol, McQueeney confided in another prisoner who was soon to be released and offered him a pair of jade earrings, telling him to sell them for tobacco, and to get it into the gaol. Instead of following McQueeney’s orders, the prisoner reported the earrings to the Gaoler.

During the trial inquest, Mrs Lowe’s body was exhumed from her grave at Meredith, where it was shown her well-known earrings had been torn from her ears. During his trial on October 9 1858, McQueeney was called to the stand, where he verbally abused all the witnesses, the judge and everyone else in earshot and asked ridiculous questions in what appeared to be a plight to be declared insane.

The sentencing Judge, Mr Justice Williams led proceedings. After all the evidence was submitted, it took the jury just ten minutes to reach their guilty verdict. McQueeney was sentenced to death by hanging.


At 7:30 am on 20 October 1858, McQueeney was taken from his cell by the Governor and hangman. His shackles were removed, and his arms pinioned. Catholic Priest, Father O’Brien read McQueeney his last rites. At 8am, the Sherriff demanded the body of McQueeney and then led the procession to the gallows. McQueeney proclaimed his innocence with every step. Once at the gallows, he claimed he was been manhandled excessively, and ironically, claimed the noose was too tight.
At 8:05am, the pin was pulled, and McQueeney was hung at Gallow’s Flat.[1]

There are claims that after the death of McQueeney, an unusual request was received by the Sherriff. About an hour or so after the execution, a crippled woman sought permission to have her hands “streaked over” by the hands of the dead murderer in the hope of curing her disease!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Sources:

'GEELONG.', The Argus, (21 October 1858), p. 5.

'GEELONG.', Bendigo Advertiser, (26 July 1858), p. 3.

1858: Owen McQueeney, Green Tent Murderer, ExecutedToday.com (2014), http://www.executedtoday.com/2014/10/20/1858-owen-mcqueeney-green-tent-murderer/

'The Case of the Man Who was Hanged by an Eye', The World's News, (13 October 1937), p. 10.

1858 'THE GREEN TENT MURDER.', The Age, (7 August 1858), p. 5.

'SOCIAL.', The Age, (16 October 1858), p. 5.

Mitchell, Jo, ‘Making tracks - all roads lead to the Green Tent’, Barwon Blog, (29 October 2015), http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com/2015/10/

'THE MURDER AT THE GREEN TENT.', The Argus, (27 July 1858), p. 6.

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[1] 'GEELONG.', The Argus, (21 October 1858), p. 5.

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.

The Death of Elisa Lam

The Death of Elisa Lam

In February 2013, a 21-year-old Canadian tourist, Elisa Lam, was found dead, floating in the water supply tank on top of the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles.

Ms Lam was visiting Los Angeles from Vancouver, Canada. She was last seen on January 31^st in “The Last Bookshop” a small store not far from the hotel. Ms Lam was in the shop buying books and records for her family back in Canada, and from the conversation she had with the store clerk, it was obvious Ms Lam was planning on travelling further around the USA in coming months.

Guests at the Cecil hotel began complaining early in February 2013 about the drinking water in the hotel being “dark” or “black”, tasting and smelling funny, and about the lack of water pressure.

On February 19^th, the Cecil Hotel sent a maintenance worker into the rooftop tanks to find out where the problem originated.

The worker came across the decomposing body of a naked young woman in a tank, Elisa Lam.

Things then got strange.

The Hotel issued a statement to all its guests to vacate the premises immediately. Which they did, some were interviewed on their way out of the building, saying they thought the water had tasted sickly sweet and was often black, but if you left the tap running long enough, it would turn clear and was drinkable.

Tests were down to establish that no bacteria had grown within the water tank, which is highly unusual considering the number of bacteria inside a decomposing body in a dark cold water environment.

The County stated that the Chlorine pumped through the water system stopped the bacteria growing...but it didn’t stop the black liquid when the taps turned on

Even more bizarre was a short security video that surfaced of Elisa in a hotel elevator acting erratically. In the video Ms Lam can clearly be seen hiding from someone, then talking animatedly to someone of the camera, reacting as though someone had stepped inside the elevator with her, and also pushing all the elevator buttons, before, she suddenly moves away from the elevator and isn't seen again,

Whom, or what was she reacting too?

The LAPD and Coroners office were very reluctant to release finding on Ms Lam's body and toxicology reports, stalling the media at every opportunity, until an almost total media blackout occurred.

The Coroner then stated the autopsy reports would be released on May 16^th, only to stall again until June. Then a statement was made saying that Ms Lam's death had been accidental and that no drugs of any kind showed up in her toxicology report, and that “Bipolar” disorder was the culprit.

Ms Lam was found with no drugs in her system.

Ms Lam passed through numerous locked doors and a security-alarmed section of the Cecil Hotel

Ms Lam was found naked.

Ms Lam had no signs of trauma, or struggle on her body.

Ms Lam had suffered from depression previously, as stated on her blog - http://etherfields.blogspot.hk/ - and it is very possible that her depression, that became bipolar led her to a state of schizophrenic hallucination, which in turn led her to the act in the erratic way the video footage shows...but things get a little weirder.

A YouTube user recently claimed that the Elisa Lam CCTV footage had been slowed down and possibly edited. He makes a case that the tape was tampered with and that we have not yet seen the full extent of Elisa Lam’s final video appearance.
Another twist that has come forth to the case is that of a “False Flag” attack of biological weaponry that happened at the same time Ms Lam was found dead. An outbreak of Tuberculosis, reportedly affecting 4, 500 people hit Los Angeles, the most bizarre thing though, the TB test used to diagnose patients during this outbreak was known as LAM ELISA TEST ( http://www.cli-online.com/featured-articles/lam-antigen-testing-an-effective-rule-in-test-for-tbhiv-co-infection/)

Also, the Cecil Hotel was the very hotel that serial killer Richard Ramirez, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ramirez) better known as “The Night Stalker” (1985) and lesser-known Austrian killer Jack Unterwager (1991) had lived in while committing atrocities across Los Angeles.

It was also the last place that Elizabeth Short, aka “The Black Dahlia” was seen before her vicious and brutal murder in 1947

With all the twists and turns, co-incidents, cover-up and false lag allegations, one thing remains constant through the whole story, Elisa Lam lost her life. Whether it was drugs, a conspiracy, mental illness, possession from ghosts or demons, Ms Lam suffered a horrible end to a very young life. May she find peace where ever she is now.

After these horrific events, the Cecil Hotel was rebranded “Stay on Main” and is considered one of the most haunted hotels in Los Angeles.


© 2014 – Allen Tiller
www.Eidolonparanormal.com.au
www.AllenTiller.com.au



More reading:
https://archive.4plebs.org/x/thread/14059932/
http://lizadidit.com/
http://www.mmrp.org/projects/clinical-trials/diagnostics-medical-devices/rapid-antigen-detection.html
http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/163050/3_seriously_creepy_circumstances_surrounding
http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265921