Tuesday, 4 August 2026

Hitchhiker ghost between Burra and Morgan

 Hitchhiker ghost between Burra and Morgan



Recently, a witness has come forward claiming to have encountered a hitchhiking female ghost on Goyder Highway between Burra and Morgan. The entity is described only as a female in a white dress.

 Unrelated to the ghostly encounter, the ‘ghost town’ of Florieton once stood near here. And the murder of Mareek Singh occurred nearby. In 1899, Frank Ward was arrested for murder, accused of having in his possession items belonging to Mareek Singh, who had been found buried in a shallow grave near a camp.[1]
It was proven during an inquest held at Mount Mary that Mr Singh had been killed by a strike to the head, and then his head had been decapitated. Coroner, Dr Ramsey Smith, removed the head from the gravesite and took it as evidence to the hearing against Ward.[2]

Ward was found guilty of murder and forced to serve time at the Adelaide Gaol. His release date, ‘at the pleasure of the Governor, for "having murdered the Indian Hawker at Mount Mary on February 21st.
Shortly after arriving at the Adelaide Gaol, Ward tried to commit suicide. This led to him being described as ‘insane’ and serving his sentence at the Parkside Lunatic Asylum.[3]


 written by Allen Tiller © 2026 www.AllenTiller.com.au



[1] 'THE INQUEST', South Australian Register, (25 February 1899), p. 5.

[2] 'THE MOUNT MARY TRAGEDY.', The Express and Telegraph (20 February 1899), p. 2.

[3] 'THE MURDERER WARD.', Adelaide Observer, (2 September 1899), p. 29.