Pages

Tuesday, 7 October 2025

Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.

 Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.



On the 14th of May 1901, the body of Bridget Dunn was found in Anderson’s Creek. The creek, near the property of Lambert Christie, had about 18 inches of water in it. Dunn’s legs were tied together, and her hands fastened behind her back, an obvious murder.[1]

 Bridget Dunn was a servant of Mr Lambert and Rosa Christie. She had been in the employ of the Christies for 3 and half years. Lambert Christie was born on Kangaroo Island in 1858. With his father, he operated the Kangaroo Island mail service. In 1895, Lambert purchased land surrounding Dalebrook Homestead.[2] Lambert was a member of the Morphett Vale District Council and served as Chairperson from 1904 until 1909. He laid the foundation stone for the Morphet Vale Institute extension in William Street, Morphett Vale in 1928. The farm was sold in 1932, and the land south of what is now Christie's Creek was subdivided and named Christie's Beach.[3]

Bridget Dunn was described as a cheerful young lady. In early May 1901, she visited a psychic and had her fortune told. After that time Bridget’s demeanour changed, and she became morose and low-spirited. Bridget was questioned on her noticeable change of temperament, and replied, "You don't know what the fortune-teller told me." [4]

Governess of the Christie house, Miss Naughton, last saw Dunn at 9:30 am on Wednesday. She was not reported missing until noon that day when her neglect of her usual duties was noticed. A search was conducted, and Mr O.R. Milway found her body in the creek under the bridge.
 

During an inquest, evidence was submitted that Dunn had been acting irrationally the morning of her death. She had reportedly made a fire outside and burned books, papers and old clothing. Dunn had mentioned suicide but in a joking way. The jury brought in the following verdict:  "That deceased came to her death by drowning herself while in a temporary fit of insanity, which was brought on by a hallucination after seeing a fortune-teller."[5]

  It seems to me, highly unlikely that Bridget Dunn committed suicide. How would she tie her hands behind her back before drowning herself? If she was going to take her own lie, other, easier means would have been readily available on a farm in 1901. It seems to me, and this is just my personal opinion, that someone killed Bridget Dunn, and we may never know the reason why!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025.



[1] 'A Determined Suicide.', Chronicle. (25 May 1901), p. 16.

[2] ‘History of Christies Beach,’ Professionals Christies Beach, (2013), https://christiesbeachprofessionals.com.au/2013/09/history-of-christies-beach/.

[3] Bruce Swann, ‘Christies Homestead: Treasures Wall Exhibit,’ State Library of South Australia, (2009), https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/595.

[4] 'After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', The Daily Telegraph, (20 May 1901), p. 6.

[5] 'Suicide After Seeing a Fortune-Teller.', Sunday Times, (26 May 1901), p. 8. 

No comments:

Post a Comment