A Haunting at the Star Theatre

 145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton.

 

     A Methodist Free Church was built at 143 Sir Donald Bradman Drive in 1857. It became a Baptist Church in 1861. On the lot next door, a tin shed was built in 1923 as the Soldiers Memorial Institute. This was replaced in 1928 with a stone and brick building. During the 1930s, the institute was used for roller skating and dancing. In a precursor to night cricket, in 1936, the Hilton Institute became home to ‘Electric Light Cricket’, which was invented at Cowandilla by Alf Stone in 1933.[1] Matches were played indoors under electric lighting. Electric Light Cricket became a competitive sport in the area, which included multiple clubs using institutes and RSL Halls as their ‘home ground.’  In 1937, extensions to the Institute were completed – this included a ladies' retiring room and the projection room. The building became the Lyric Theatre and later the Windsor Theatre.
 In 1956, further additions were made to the building, allowing a larger audience to attend. For a short time, the theatre was known as the Star Theatre.
 In 1962, John Edmund and Donald Grey leased the building and turned it into a live theatre, renaming it Theatre 62.  In 1970, the Soldiers Memorial Institute was disbanded, and the library, which was still housed in the building, was removed by the Council.
 In 1981, the former church next door was purchased, and the two buildings were joined together. The complex was then known as Theatre 62. The Chapel was utilised as a youth centre by Carclew. The building was refurbished by the West Torrens Council in 1992. In 1993, Mighty Good Entertainment invested in the partnership that leased the building, and in 1999, it was decided to rename the complex Star Theatres.

 In 2015, West Torrens Council voted to retain the theatre and upgrade the building. Mighty Good Productions has been in the building for 30-plus years. The venue boasts patronage of over 80 thousand visitors a year.

 

  According to local legend, a former director of the theatre committed suicide by hanging himself in the access ladder doorway in the 1950s. Another former director of the theatre, Bob Jessop, claims to have witnessed a spectre in the building. Jessop claims that he was locking up the theatre one night when he witnessed the silhouette of a person step off the stage and into the wings. He went to see who it was, but could not find anyone. Jessop also claims that an invisible presence was often felt in the building by him and others. The ghost’s presence was always stronger when there were children present. It could also unplug the lighting.
  Another former director of the theatre, Barb Messenger, claimed that the ghost had particular tastes in theatre productions. It did not like period pieces and would cause disturbances to interrupt shows.
An incident occurred when ABC presenter John Ovendon was present in the foyer. Allegedly, a glass vase flew off a table and across the room with no living person near it!
Another incident involved Nicholas Upholske. There was repeated pounding on a rear door, but when it was opened, no one was there. Mr Upholske waited for the pounding to start again with his hand on the door lock. As soon as it began again, he swung the door open, expecting to see the culprit, but no one was there! It is not known who the ghost may be. Paranormal events continue to this day…[2]

(C) 2026 Allen Tiller
The Haunt of Adelaide

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[1] Daniel Keane, ‘ Electric Light cricket: The game Adelaide’s Alf Stone invented 85 years before the first day-night Test.’, ABC News, (2015), https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/electric-light-cricket-invented-by-adelaide-digger/6972582.

[2] Gordon de L. Marshall, Ghosts and Hauntings of South Australia, (2012), pp.71-2.

 A Haunting at the Gawler Railway Station

 Is the Gawler Railway Station haunted?  Recently, I have had reports of a spectre haunting the Gawler Railway Station. The first railway station was built here in 1857. The first train arrived on 5 October 1857 and was described in the Register as a ‘train of 13 first and second class carriages, plus three to four open carriages carrying approximately 900 passengers. The carriages were profusely decorated with flags and banners, and the engine was garlanded with flowers'.
  The train departed at 9:15 am, accompanied by the strains of the National Anthem, and reached Salisbury by 10:00 am, arriving at Gawler at 10:50 am.

  The 1857-built railway station was demolished, and a new one was built in 1879. The new station featured a booking office, waiting, refreshments, ladies' rooms, and station master and luggage departments.

The following is a historical sample of some of the deaths that have occurred at the historic railway station.

  In 1875, Station Porter Charles Woods died at the station after suffering a fit and falling from a train carriage onto the rails and stones below.[1]   In 1896, Porter, Donald McAuley tried to jump from the platform onto a moving engine – something he had successfully performed many times before. This time, McAuley slipped and went under the train. His right leg was instantly amputated by a train wheel, while his left leg was shattered at the ankle. Despite medical treatment, McAuley died just a few days later.[2]
 In 1893, the Broken Hill express was leaving Gawler, with Guard Peter Power standing on the footboard of the breakvan. As the train left the platform, Power was struck by a water column, causing him to lose balance and fall under the last wheels of the carriage. His legs were almost severed at the ankles. Power was taken to the Adelaide Hospital by train, but expired the following day.[3]  In 1911, George White, an engine driver, died suddenly at the Gawler Station. White was sitting on a seat talking to a fellow employee when he suddenly leaned back and died.[4]

  The reported ghost is often seen sitting on the benches of the station. From the description given, it appears to be male and dressed in an older style suit. The entire apparition is grey in colour and stares south, as if waiting for the train to arrive. It is now known who the apparition was in life.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2026

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[1] 'ACCIDENTAL DEATH AT GAWLER.', The Express and Telegraph, (15 December 1875), p. 2.

[2] 'Accident at the Railway Station.', Bunyip, (30 October 1896), p. 3.

[3] 'Fatal Accident at the Gawler Railway Station.', Bunyip, (4 August 1893), p. 2.

[4] 'SUDDEN DEATH.', The Register, (18 January 1911), p. 5. 

 Lost Hotels: Black Horse Hotel, Leigh Street, Adelaide.

 

1926: Leigh Street, Adelaide. SLSA [B 3424]

 The Black Horse Hotel was located on Leigh Street, about halfway between Hindley and Currie Streets. The hotel opened in 1841 as the Foresters Inn and was renamed the Black Horse Inn two years later. It was built by Mr Whyles in 1841, who came to South Australia via Tasmania.[1] During the 1870s, the hotel was known as a place for musicians and actors to congregate.[2]

 In 1897, The Black Horse Inn was at the centre of a smallpox scare in Adelaide. An outbreak of smallpox among passengers onboard the ship Ninevah led to a call for those passengers to report to doctors. Some of the passengers had transferred to another ship heading to Western Australia, and two passengers were missing, Fleming and McPherson. A search in Adelaide was called. The two men were later captured in Port Adelaide by Detective Segerlind when he noticed them walking by the police station.
 The two men had purchased tickets to travel to Western Australia on the Buninyong, using the aliases William Haig and Robert Thompson. Upon their arrest, it was found they had stayed in the Black Horse Inn, which led to staff and patrons being assessed for smallpox. Meanwhile, the two culprits were shipped off to the Torrens Island Quarantine Station for observation.[3]

 

In November 1898, George Sutherland was brought before the courts accused of stealing jewellery to the value of 30 pounds from Jane Bristow at the Black Horse Hotel.[4] Sutherland, who also went by the alias H. Williams was well known to Adelaide police for stealing watches. He was brought before the courts in October 1899, and found guilty, receiving six years imprisonment with hard labour at Yatala Gaol.[5]
 Jane Bristow was the licensee of the hotel at the time of the theft. She had left her bedroom door unlocked, which was not her usual routine, and noticed her belongings missing later that day. Sutherland was arrested in Sydney and sent back to Adelaide for trial. He admitted to stealing the items and selling them in Melbourne.[6]

  It was alleged in 1905 that a fisherman named J. Nelson was accosted at the Inn. Nelson had worked on one of Daw’s fishing cutters and had travelled to Adelaide from Port Adelaide to sell some fish. He received his payment and was readying to leave for Port Adelaide when two men approached him outside the Black Horse Inn asking for a match. Nelson lit their cigarette, and the men invited him inside for a drink, which he refused. The two men hustled Nelson into the bar and ordered three drinks. One of the men then put Nelson in a headlock while the other rifled through his pockets, stealing a cheque for £9 10s, a £5 note, five sovereigns and some loose silver. The men then ran off into Leigh Street, leaving Nelson in the hotel.[7]

 

  The hotel proprietor, Mr M. Whelan wrote to the Advertiser to dispute the Nelson story. Whelan claimed the story was untrue and may have a damaging effect on the reputation of his establishment. He wrote,

On Friday afternoon in answering the bell from a parlor, which is situated a long distance from the bar—there being a long dining-room intervening—this parlor is entered from a side door off the right-of-way on the northern end of the hotel. I supplied one round of drinks, and no more, to four men (all of whom were perfect strangers to me), and in about five minutes afterwards the man, who I presume is Nelson, came into the bar and said he was robbed by those men in his company.
 He was somewhat excited and wanted' to know who the men were. I told him they were strangers to me, as was also himself, and advised him to interview the police. This is all I know of the case, and I consider I am entitled to an apology from your informant.

It is not a nice thing to have it said that a man was robbed in a public bar; it would give the public an impression that the Landlord was a consenting party. I may also state that I heard no noise whatever in the parlor, it being such a distance from the bar.

M. WHELAN,

Black Horse Hotel,

Leigh-street, Adelaide.[8]

 

  When Whelan was the publican at the Black Horse Inn, the property was owned by the Anglican Church, whose head office was directly across the road.[9] In 1906, Newton, McLaren Ltd. purchased the property. They traded under the name J.A. Newton and Co.  In 1921, J.A. Newton made the first radio receiver for commercial sale in South Australia.[10]  In 1907 the old hotel was demolished to make way for a new warehouse.[11]

 

  By the 1930s, the property was occupied by the S.A. Paper Bag Company.[12] Today, the building is known as Aston House, located at 15 Light Street. It contains a variety of shop fronts. The building was significantly renovated by the Ginos Group in 2010 to provide ground-floor retail space and two levels of office accommodation.[13]

 

 Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

 

 

Visit the State Library of South Australia to view more photos of South Australia

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[1] 'Correspondence.', The Advertiser, (4 April 1907), p. 6.

[2] 'Bits for Boniface.', Quiz, (18 January 1907), p. 8. 

[3] 'Two Men Quarantined At Torrens Island.', Evening Journal, (11 February 1897), p. 3. 

[4] 'An Adelaide Robbery.', The Advertiser, (15 July 1899), p. 8.

[5] 'The Criminal Sittings.', The Express and Telegraph, (11 October 1899), p. 3.

[6] 'Police Court-Adelaide.', Chronicle, (12 August 1899), p. 15. 

[7] ‘Garrotted in a Hotel.’ The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times’, (10 August 1905), p. 3.

[8] 'To The Editor.', The Narracoorte Herald, (15 August 1905), p. 2. 

[9] 'Our Notebook.', The Journal, (27 May 1916), p. 12.

[10] 'Passing By', News, (29 March 1951), p. 12.

[11] 'Topical Trifles.', Gadfly, (15 May 1907), p. 6.

[12] 'Death of Mr Robert Gillies', Border Chronicle, (30 June 1939), p. 3.

[13] ’15 Leigh Street.’, Ginos Group, (2025), https://ginosgroup.com.au/properties/leigh-street/. 

 Hallowe’en in Gawler.

 

   In 1894, the Gawler Branch of the South Australian Caledonian Society held its Hallowe’en function in Gawler’s Town Hall. Over 100 people were present, with proceedings opened by a bagpipe recital by honorary Gawler pipers, D. Garland and J Harris.
 The Gawler Chief of the society, Professor Lowrie, made an opening speech before the dance floor was opened to the crowd. Several Scottish country dances were engaged in, before pianoforte recitals by Misses McDonald and Barnet were performed. Scottish pies and short breads were served to the crowd, who danced late into the following morning. Before the gathered guests departed, they broke into a raucous version of Auld Lang Syne.[1]

 

  In 1954, the Gawler Caledonian Society celebrated Hallowe’en at the Gawler South Hall. In attendance were Norman and Mrs Campbell, Chief of the Royal Caledonian Society, Gawler Mayor Mr E.C. Goodger and acting Mayoress, Mrs E.H. Lawrence, the Chairman of the Mudla Wirra District Council, Mr and Mrs R.L. Haydon and Mr C Martin.
 The hall was decorated with black cats, witches, ghosts and other traditional Hallowe’en decorations. The Royal Caledonian Pipe Band played for the gathered guests, and Miss Heather McIntosh gave a demonstration of dance. Songs were then presented by Mr Sandy McDougal, Mrs P Beveridge, Miss Shirley Davidson, Walter Ried, Ron Tuckwell and Steve Cho.
Games were played, with ‘dookin’ for apples’ causing great amusement among the crowd. ‘Bun on a string’ was also a crowd favourite.[2]

 Mr Hedley Thomas filmed the event, and it is for this reason I am writing this post – if anyone knows where that footage might be, please let me know, as it would be a worthy contribution to the Gawler Heritage Centre's collection!

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2025

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[1] 'S. A. Caledonian Society.', Bunyip, (2 November 1894), p. 2.

[2] 'Pipers Present at Gawler Hallowe'en.', Bunyip, (29 October 1954), p. 1.

 William Williams and the Missing Christmas Day Goose!

  In 1845 William Williams a 37-year-old brickies labourer was charged with theft for stealing a goose, the property of hairdresser, Alfred Cooper. Williams saw the goose being cooked at Birrell’s bakery on Rundle Street.  He decided he would like to eat it and stole it.

  He then took it to the house of Henry Brooks, a bricklayer. The men and some friends dined on the goose. Cooper, missing his prized goose, suspected that Williams may have stolen it. He arrived at Brooks's house and caught the men eating it, then went to find a police officer.  Williams knew he was in trouble, and asked Brooks for a loan of 5s 6d. – enough to pay for the goose.

  The South Australian newspaper reported that Cooper “came in and saw his goose in the hands of the Philistines. He then got a policeman, who took Williams into custody”.[1] Williams offered the money he had borrowed from Brooks for a goose, but Cooper declined, and Williams was arrested and taken to the police station where he was committed for trial.

  At court the following day Birrell was asked to give testimony. He stated that on Christmas Day Williams came into his shop and asked for a light for his pipe. He went through the shop into the kitchen to get a light. On his way there, he passed through a small room where he saw Birrell’s wife stuffing a goose. Williams stated he would like to dine on the goose, as he was, ‘out for a spree’. The goose was taken into the kitchen to be baked. Williams left Birrell’s and went to the adjoining house, owned by Brooks.
 Mrs Cooper came to the shop to get her cooked Christmas goose but returned home without it. So, Mr Cooper and his wife went to Birrell’s to find their goose. They then stopped at Brooks's house and witnessed Williams and other men eating a goose.
 The men dining denied stealing the goose, but after Cooper called the police, Brooks and his wife admitted that Williams had brought the goose to their house. Williams had then offered Cooper double the value of the goose so he would not press charges against him.

 

James Birrell, the baker, stated to the court that Cooper came to his house seeking a Christmas goose but got none. He told Cooper there were more geese than one -"two gooses" - and that Williams had taken one away on a plate; leaving the tin in which it was brought behind. There was nothing else missing but the goose.
Williams and Brooks came in together whilst he was drawing the baking, and saying the goose was what he wanted, it was handed up to him.

Henry Brooks stated to the court that he went to Birrell's for his dinner and was followed by Williams. He assisted Mr Birrell in taking out the dinners, and when he left with his dinner Williams had left the shop. Afterwards, Williams came to his house with a goose on a plate and stated he had bought it overnight for six shillings. They ate the goose together. When Cooper came with the police, Williams called him into the next room, told him he had got into trouble about goose stealing, and borrowed some money from him to try to arrange payment for the goose and avoid gaol. Instead, he was then taken to the station-house.

Ellen Birrell, wife of Mr Birrell, deposed that Williams asked for one of the two geese, and took one away. A girl came and fetched the other goose. When the police arrived, she recalled Williams saying to Cooper, “I will pay you any amount you like rather than go the office.”

  The Defence argues that there had been no proof that the prisoner had taken, nor stolen the goose. Identification of the thief was insufficient.  The defence continues, ‘Mr Birrell had stated there were ‘two gooses’ at most it was only a "spree" and having seen Mrs Cooper stuffing a goose, he perhaps thought he might as well stuff it too, only in a different manner; he was sorry Mr Cooper should have been prevented dining off the goose, and also that he should have been such a goose us to lose it: it was at most only a case for the Resident Magistrate.
  Mr Cooper then argued that if Mr Fisher, the defence lawyer had lost his Christmas dinner, just as it was cooked, and he was ready to eat it, he would not have made so light of it.
  Mr Fisher then replied, “By no means! he was sorry for both him and Mrs Cooper; and would further say that if she could dress geese as well as he could hairs, they must be a very clever couple.
  The Magistrate said, he feared it would prove a serious "spree" for Williams, as he should commit him to take his trial, though he would admit him to bail.[2]

 On Monday, March 9, 1846, Mr Williams faced trial for ‘Stealing a ready cooked goose, value 5s., the property of Alfred Cooper, on 25th December 1845, at Adelaide.” A handwritten note on the side of the record indicates that Williams was found Not Guilty.[3]

 

© 2024 Allen Tiller

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[1] 'DEC. 26.', South Australian, (30 December 1845), p. 3.

[2] 'Law And Police Courts. Police Commissioner's Court.', Adelaide Observer, (27 December 1845), p. 6.

[3] GRS 12820 Criminal record books, Supreme Court of South Australia

 GREAT FIRE IN RUNDLE-STREET. 1879

For the size of the city Adelaide has been comparatively free from the "fire demon" for a very long time. The hot weather of the past week has however brought with it a larger number of fires than has ever occurred during a like period since the colony has existed.

The subject of our illustration was the largest fire we have ever had here. It began soon after 9 o'clock on the evening of February 5th, and before it was got under (at about 11 o'clock) no fewer than three shops and premises were completely gutted. The names of the persons whose premises were entirely destroyed were L. Veroli (insured), Mr. Barry (not insured), Mr. Haylock (not insured). Besides these the adjoining premises of Messrs. Jamieson, Lyons, and the E.S. & A.C. Bank, were all considerably damaged both by fire and water.
  We believe that fully £10,000 worth of damage was done. The thoroughfare was completely blockaded for several hours by a mass of people, and there could not have been less than 10,000 persons present. A great part of the salvage goods were stolen, whilst the furniture and personal effects were more damaged by being tumbled about the streets than by any other cause.

Mr. Richard Vaughan is the proprietor of the whole of the buildings, but we believe he will not lose anything, being fully insured. At the inquest nothing was elicited to show how the fire originated, and we suppose it will therefore for ever remain a mystery.

Besides the large fire, there has been several others during the past few days, at the King of Hanover stables, at Kent Town, in Hindley-street, and lastly at the Adelaide Photographic Company's in King William-street. Altogether, Adelaide has had enough fires to last a long time, and we sincerely hope it will be a long time ere we have to chronicle so disastrous a fire as is depicted on our front page. It is from a sketch taken on the spot.

 

'Our Illustrations', The Illustrated Adelaide News, (1 February 1879), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224815211

Ghostly Gawler - History Month Presentation 2021

 

Ghostly Gawler

As part of the South Australia History Festival, paranormal historian Allen Tiller presented a talk on ghosts, hauntings and other paranormal events in the Town of Gawler for the Gawler History Team. 

Glenelg Riot – January 1984 – part two.

 Glenelg Riot 

– January 1984 – part two.

 

On Tuesday, January 24, 1984, just two days after the Glenelg riots, thieves broke into the explosives magazine of Quarry’s Industries ltd at Hillbank, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Using oxy-acetylene equipment, they cut through the hinges and padlocks on the building between 5pm and 8pm that evening.
The thieves stole four cases of gelignite, around 64 sticks of the volatile explosive, and detonators.
Elizabeth CIB attended the scene and found a handwritten note which read, "Thank you, now watch out cops at Glenelg."
A direct threat to the police station and star force officers that attended the riots on January 22nd.[1]

Rioters overturning a car at Glenelg in 1984.

researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2023

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[1] 'Gelignite thieves' threat taken seriously by police', The Canberra Times, (26 January 1984), p. 6. 

 The Haunting of Euke House

Euke House was built on land subdivided from Mahoney’s Paddock and another allegedly haunted house, Yenda, in Gawler.

The land was bought at auction by the farrier, William Wilson Smith in 1874. In 1875, Smith sold the land to the auctioneer who had sold it to him, Mr John Wilkinson.
Wilkinson is assumed to have built the house between 1875 and 1879. Wilkinson sold the property to Joseph Wilcox junior and William Roe Lewis in June 1879, it was sold again two months later to John Frederick May who was in a business partnership with his brother Alfred at iconic Gawler business the May Brothers. May leased the house to Edward Luca who bought the property in May 1894.

 The property changed hands many more times, before becoming the home and medical surgery of Dr Gemmel Wilson Tassie in the 1960s until 1971 – and it is during this period that the alleged haunting began.

A cleaner in the home in the 1980s noticed that after she made the bed, the mattress would compress as if someone had just sat down. She noted sweet fragrances, in one bedroom, and every now and then, things would move around, she would walk in, place her cleaning items on a table, and a few seconds later, they would be on the other side of the room on a dresser. She never saw the spirits of the house, but claimed she felt that one room was haunted by a former doctor, another a former patient and that another spirit was a 'youngish' girl…could the girl be Gracie or Anna from Yenda?

 This information was drawn from my talk for the Gawler History Team in 2021. You can watch the entire presentation via the video link below:

© 2022 Allen Tiller

 Ghost Plane at Hawker

 

DH-82A Tiger Moth - photo courtesy of Temora Aviation Museum

Mounted Constable L.F. Butcher of Hawker received several enquiries on Friday 26 August 1948 regarding a low flying Tiger Moth biplane that was seen at 8:15am, then disappeared!

 Railway workers witnessed the plane flying low near the township when it suddenly disappeared into a hillside. Afraid there had been a crash, they alerted the local authorities.

Enquiries to the Civil Aviation Department found that all planes from as far away as Broken Hill, Whyalla and Albany were checked, and none matched the plane, nor its flight path. M.C. Butcher enquired with locals in the area, and no one had seen, nor heard the aircraft flying in the vicinity of Hawker.^[1]

M.C. Butcher stated in the newspapers "It's a complete mystery."

 The authorities would not believe a ghost plane could ever fly in our skies, so launched an investigation. It was widely rumoured that either a Tiger Moth or Puss Moth had been seen illegally flying somewhere near Beltana, South Australia. However, Mr A.V. Lauchland, an officer in charge of the Parafield Airport stated that there was no way the unregistered pilot could buy aviation fuel without a current registration. The Civil Aviation Department investigated through the Disposals Commission on the sales of light planes in the state.^[2]

 238 km's south of Hawker, at Clare, Meggitt’s Ltd. was using a Tiger Moth to crop dust with DDT, in fields around the Clare region. The same planes were being used in Queensland and New South Wales for the same purpose.^[3]
 So perhaps, one of the Tiger Moths had made its way to Hawker as well?

 It was never determined if the Tiger Moth seen at Hawker was a ghost plane or an illegal pilot. However, a similar style of plane was once flown over the skies of Kapunda by my Great uncle. Long after his death, and the plane being sold and removed from the area, a phantom Tiger Moth has been seen silently flying over the township from time to time…

 

Researched and Written by Allen Tiller © 2022

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[1] '"Ghost" plane in north', News, (27 Aug 1948), p. 1., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129908639.

[2] 'Is 'phantom' plane unregistered?', News, (28 Aug 1948), p. 1., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129899109.

[3] 'Linseed Dusting in Clare District by Aeroplane', Northern Argus, (18 Nov 1948), p. 7., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97816206.

 The Burton Incident

 

 In 1927, the township of Burton was described by many as a hamlet on the road to Virginia from Salisbury. At the time, it had few houses, and a small school run by Miss Violet Handley.^[1]
 

 On Friday 2 December 1927, Harry Bruce McDowell of Alberton, arrived at the Burton school early in the morning in a taxi. He found Miss Handley and entered the schoolroom, where they had a short conversation. He then left the room. Fearing the situation would escalate further, Handley dismissed the class, except for one strong lad. McDowell came back into the room and pushed Handley into a corner where he hit her repeatedly. He then pulled a revolver from his pocket and screamed at her, “I’ll shoot you and your mother as well!”^[2]

 Handley pleaded to McDowell to be sensible and promised him she would meet him that evening to discuss matters. She gradually got up, and still talking to McDowell, led him outside to the taxi he had arrived in. She pleaded with the driver for assistance, as it looked as though McDowell was not going to leave. The taxi driver convinced McDowell to leave, and they left again for Adelaide.

 Miss Handley, fearing that McDowell would return that day, posted some of her male students outside the school to keep watch for McDowell. Just after midday, he returned, asking the taxi driver to park further from the school.
 One of the students alerted Miss Handley. Another student ran to a nearby farm to get help. Miss Handley ran from the school and locked herself in a room of the nearby Methodist Church.

 Farmers, Mr White, and Mr Barcroft rode to the school on their horses, there they found McDowell outside the room Handley had locked herself in. He had in his hand a loaded revolver. Barcroft, disarmed McDowell, taking his revolver.
 The police were notified, and Mounted-Constable T.H. Northridge of Salisbury arrived. He took the loaded revolver and a packet of bullets found in McDowell’s coat. He then charged him for threatening to shoot Miss Handley.^[3]

The case came before the Salisbury courts, where it was alleged that Miss Handley and Mr McDowell were long term friends. It was alleged Miss Handley’s mother had influenced her daughter to end the friendship, and therefore McDowell had become enraged.
 Harry Bruce McDowell was charged with ‘unlawfully and maliciously threatening to shoot Violet Amelia Handley, schoolteacher, at Burton.’^[4]

 The case was to be presented before Magistrates W.H. Neal and J. McGlashan. The prosecution read the charges, and as soon as they had finished, Miss Handley spoke; stating she had no intention of proceeding with the serious charges presented to the court, on that she withdrew, substituting instead, with a less serious charge of common assault.

 She then presented that the accused had arrived at the school and grabbed her, then tried to kiss her. She had resisted.
McDowell in his evidence offered that he was extremely drunk at the time, and had no intention of harming Miss Handley.

 The Bench inflicted a fine of £3, and costs, £8 7/6 in all.^[5]

Mr McGlashan, the presiding justice, said the case was the most unsatisfactory that he had ever had to deal with.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2022

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[1] 'Threatened To Shoot.', The Kadina and Wallaroo Times, (3 Dec 1927), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110144809.

[2] "I'll Shoot You and Your Mother."', The Advertiser, (3 Dec 1927), p. 18., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47436245.

[3] "I'll Shoot You and Your Mother."', Chronicle, (10 Dec 1927), p. 68., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90090424.

[4] 'Alleged Threat.', The Advertiser, (5 December 1927), p. 17., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47436690.

[5] 'SCHOOL SENSATION.', The Register, (5 Dec 1927), p. 9. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54934981.

 The Ghost of Edmund Bowman.

 

Edmund Bowman SLSA: [B 6912/ G6]

  Edmund Bowman, a wealthy pastoralist died on his property Werocata Estate near Balaklava in 1866. Bowman had walked out on an incomplete bridge, become unstable and plunged into the Wakefield River below, where he drowned.
 It is believed that in late August, near the date, that Bowman drowned, his calls for help can be heard. The calls fade into the sound of gurgles as he drowns, and then the area falls into an eerie silence.
Other people have witnessed Edward sitting on rocks near the pool, appearing to either be fishing or on some occasions in quiet reflection.[1]

  Edmund Bowman is associated with two other allegedly haunted locations in South Australia. Barton Vale House at Enfield (You can read more about this building and its hauntings in my 2020 book The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition), completed in 1852.[2]

 The other location associated with the Bowmans is Martindale Hall at Mintaro near Clare, which was built by Edmund Bowman Junior in 1879.[3]

The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition (2020) Buy it by clicking here:

Haunted Adelaide (2021) Buy it by clicking here

© 2021 Allen Tiller

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[1] Gordon de L. Marshall, ‘Ghosts and Hauntings of South Australia’, (Jannali, NSW, 2012), pp. 150-51.

[2] SA Heritage Places Database ‘Barton Vale House’, http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=1747

[3] Martindale Hall, Martindale Hall Historic Museum, (2021), https://www.martindalehall-mintaro.com.au/.

 Shot of Spirits: Episode 9: Exeter Hotel Adelaide. S.A.

“On 18 November 1970 the body of the hotel’s owner, Mrs Joy Josephs, was found in the kitchen and a 30-year-old man trialled and sentenced for her murder. Years later, screams, sighs and a female voice of no known source are often reported as coming from the kitchen by hotel staff. “The Exeter’s reported paranormal occurrences predate Mrs Josephs’ murder, but she’s thought to be behind almost all the spooky goings-on alleged in the hotel today. “Disembodied footsteps and voices are frequently heard throughout all levels of the hotel, while the most often reported phenomena happen near the upstairs hallway where her bedroom used to be situated. “Another common disturbance is the moving of objects - often staff will place an item on a kitchen bench, only to find it’s been moved moments later!”

Read more about this haunting in The Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Haunts-Adelaide-History-Mystery-Paranormal/dp/B08JLQLLC5

Shot of Spirits: Episode 8: Estcourt House, Grange S.A

 Shot of Spirits: Ep.8: Estcourt House, Grange S.A.

Estcourt House was built at Grange (now Tennyson) in 1883 by Frederick and Rosa Bucknall, the house getting its name from Fred’s middle name ‘Estcourt’. Frederick had married into money, Rosa’s was the widow of beer baron Henry Haussen. 

Within 3 years Fred and Rosa were facing bankruptcy and had to sell. The AMP bought the house in 1886. In 1892, the James Brown Memorial Trust bought the house and set itself up to help disabled people. 

In 1931, the home became a TB and polio treatment centre for children run by the Salvation Army.

 In 1978, the State Government bought the house making it part of the Strathmont Centre. It is now privately owned. Estcourt House has long been alleged to be haunted, but what old house isn't?

 Are there ghosts within its walls? watch to find out... 

Read more about this haunting in the Haunts of Adelaide: Revised Edition https://www.amazon.com.au/Haunts-Adelaide-History-Mystery-Paranormal/dp/B08JLQLLC5

Allen Tiller at the Gawler Library 27 May 2021

 

Allen Tiller at the Gawler Library

Thursday 27th May

6:30 pm

Join Allen Tiller, one of Australia’s leading paranormal historian’s, as he introduces you to The Haunts of Adelaide.

About this Event

This second edition of The Haunts of Adelaide has been completely rewritten with extra historical facts, footnoting, an index, more photos, and most importantly, more ghost stories!

Allen will be discussing some of Adelaide’s most haunted locations and the history behind the buildings, the people, the urban legends and the ghosts that haunt Adelaide and its suburbs.

Allen was the recipient of the History Council of South Australia’s Emerging Historian of the Year Award 2017, and has also featured on the paranormal reality television show Haunting: Australia. He is a respected historian, paranormal researcher, author, poet, and the founder of Eidolon Paranormal, S.A. Paranormal, and The Haunts of Adelaide.

Allen will have books available for sale on the night.

BOOK HERE