A pensive-looking young man sits for the photographer at Brisbane Gaol. It’s the 28th of October 1890, and the man, listed as W.T. Boyce, born 1867, has been convicted of horse stealing at Charters Towers. He will spend a year at Saint Helena Island. That’s enough to make anyone melancholy. The report of his convictionContinue reading “The Meaning of a Name”
Category Archives: Brisbane Gaol
A Desperate Breakout Attempt
Brisbane, 1853 In 1853, the Brisbane gaol was located at the old Convict Female Factory in Queen Street (where the Post Office is today). Those in charge of the settlement decided that perhaps it was not ideal to have the lady prisoners in such proximity to the gentleman prisoners, lest improprieties should arise, and theContinue reading “A Desperate Breakout Attempt”
A Good Talking-To.
Judges and Magistrates still have faith in the human spirit. They look at certain defendants, and see something that makes them believe that a kindly intervention early on might just change the defendant’s life. I’ve heard a Magistrate tell a weeping girl, terrified of her parents finding out about an offence, “They might be angryContinue reading “A Good Talking-To.”
The Most Despised Woman in Old Brisbane Town.
In October 1851, Jane Ellis was the most despised woman in Brisbane. At her first Court appearance, crowds of angry citizens jostled for a seat in the public gallery, and when she was released on bail, Mrs Ellis had to be escorted through the hissing throng by two policemen. Mrs Ellis was the wife ofContinue reading “The Most Despised Woman in Old Brisbane Town.”
James Duffy – Crime and Misfortune
Inmate No. 3 of the Proserpine. The Proserpine Reformatory couldn’t reform James Duffy. Unfortunately, nothing could. The son of a colourful ticket of leave man, young James led a life of petty crime and misadventure. James was born in Brisbane on 22 July at 1856, the third son of Timothy Duffy and Catherine Fahey. HisContinue reading “James Duffy – Crime and Misfortune”
February 11, 1850 – Circuit Court proclaimed.
Moreton Bay had been open for free settlement for eight years, and had a Police Magistrate in the august person of Captain John Clements Wickham, RN. In the absence of a higher court sitting at Brisbane, and indeed a serviceable gaol, those charged with indictable offences were shipped to Sydney for District and Supreme CourtContinue reading “February 11, 1850 – Circuit Court proclaimed.”
February 5, 1867 – the hold up of the Banana Mail.
Was he a desperado who terrorised the country town of Gayndah with his mad highwayman antics, or just a nervous, hungry German chap who couldn’t get a job? And how did you spell his name? How desperate would you have to be to rob the mail at Banana? IT appears that another knight of the roadsContinue reading “February 5, 1867 – the hold up of the Banana Mail.”
February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death
In January 1862, near Ipswich, a woman named Mrs Jane Rae was assaulted, probably sexually, on the banks of the river, as she did the family wash. When her grown son came to her aid, she stated that a number of indigenous men had been responsible, although none were about when he found her. SheContinue reading “February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death”
February 3, 1849 – Brisbane prison completed.
Well, that’s accurate in a way. Work was completed on the renovations to the old Female Factory in Queen Street on February 3, 1849. The authorities in Sydney Town felt that an inexpensive repair to an existing building would be better than a fancy new gaol for Moreton Bay. The Female Factory had been largelyContinue reading “February 3, 1849 – Brisbane prison completed.”
The Wild Scotchman’s Life after Crime
James Alpin McPherson’s criminal career came to an end at Gin Gin on 30 March 1866, when a group of local men recognised him and arranged an impromptu posse. They had the advantage of being better horsemen and shots than the police. The Maryborough Chronicle described his capture: “A man answering to his description hadContinue reading “The Wild Scotchman’s Life after Crime”
Moreton Bay and More 