Another sailor on shore in Brisbane in August 1875 was John E. Fincham, aged 20. He was however without a ship and working at a city club as a boot-black. Given that his offence was stealing a coat, it seems appropriate that the unhappy young man is virtually swallowed by the prison jacket.
Stealing a Coat. — J. E. Fincham, who described himself as a midshipman, but who has lately been filling the shining position of ‘boots’ at the Union Club, has acquired a bad habit; in other words, he took the Club cook’s old coat, which he gave as a first mortgage to a capitalist in Albert-street, in consideration of an advance of two shillings. As he had omitted to take the necessary preliminary step of asking the cook to be a party to the transaction, the Bench called upon him to find further security (personal) for fourteen days.
James Duffy, a local born and bred, was also an inept thief. In his Brisbane Gaol photo, he is tousle-haired, and wears the larrikin ‘flash’ clothing of the time – including a hat and white cravat.
Mr Duffy paid a call on Mr and Mrs Otie one afternoon. By accident or design, Duffy arrived hours before Mr Otie was due home. Mrs Otie, a pleasant hostess, went to the spring to get her guest some water, unwisely leaving her purse on the mantelpiece. After pleasantries, Mrs Otie checked her purse. £1 pound was gone, and Duffy was getting away.
Mrs Otie ran after him and called him a thief. He replied that he only had 3 shillings and showed her his wallet. A neighbour happened to overhear the exchange and gave evidence for the prosecution when Duffy was arrested.
The Bench gave him 6 months hard labour in prison, something he was reasonably familiar with, having been convicted of larceny five years before. At least this time, they had the photographer, in front of whom he could model his Byronic curls and flashy cravat.
SOURCES:
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.: 1872 – 1947), Saturday 1 May 1875, page 2
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.: 1872 – 1947), Wednesday 25 August 1875, page 2
Queensland State Archives Series ID 3693, Photographic Records, Descriptions and Criminal Histories of Prisoners – (Males and Females) [HM Gaol, Brisbane, later HM Prison (Boggo Road), Brisbane]
Moreton Bay and More 