The Palace of Wonders – Adelaide Arcade Waxworks

The Palace of Wonders – Adelaide Arcade Waxworks

Discovering the location and any information about the waxworks that were once housed inside the Adelaide Arcade has been a labour of love for me over the past few years. I first discovered a little information about the waxworks when researching the death of Sydney Byron Kennedy, and the subsequent aftermath that followed.

 The Kennedys lived in the upstairs section of shop 11 (now The Manhattan Drycleaners) and worked from a shop on the ground floor, showcasing their style of psychic offerings and phrenology. The Kennedys were not the perfect couple, and Michael soon absconded to Tasmania, leaving Bridget Kennedy distraught.
Bridget sent a private detective to retrieve her son, who returned without him, but with the location of where to find him. Only a month later, young Sydney would be found dead inside the living room of the Arcade residence, and seven months later, in August 1902, Bridget Kennedy would also be found dead in the Adelaide Parklands (you can read about the case in greater detail here: http://hauntedadelaide.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/adelaide-arcade-part-four-madame-kennedy.html)

The first advertisements for the Arcade Waxworks (sometimes referred to in the newspapers as "Kennedy’s Waxworks”) appear in local newspapers in December 1901. In The City of Adelaide: A Thematic History, (McDougall and Vines 2006), on page 104, it states that the waxworks were positioned in the basement.

 This would make sense, as the Kennedys lived on the top floor and held their psychic productions on the ground floor, so most likely utilised the basement for other purposes. It being cooler and out of sight from onlookers who didn’t want to pay made it the prime location for it to be housed.

After his scandalous affair and the death of his wife and child, Michael Kennedy returned to the Arcade and ran the waxworks, which had become a major attraction in the city. 

In a weird coincidence of the macabre, the Adelaide Wax Works, inside the Adelaide Arcade, in 1904 featured a wax effigy of convicted murderer Thomas Horton. Thomas Horton killed his wife, Frances Horton at the Rundle Street (Mall) end of the Adelaide Arcade on February 27^th, 1904.
Thomas was hanged for his crime in the Adelaide Gaol on May 12^th, 1904, when justice was much swifter and more brutal than today’s standards.[1]

Professor Michael Kennedy ran the Arcade Waxworks until he died in 1908. The waxworks were then taken over by a lady, also a psychic, named Madame Phyllis.

Madame Phyllis had 75 wax figures displayed in her version of the waxworks, so one would think that possibly, the collection was now housed on the ground floor and in the basement.
When a guest would arrive at the waxworks, a tour guide would show the guest around the displays and give a detailed explanation of the real person’s life and why they had been chosen by Madame Phyllis to be put on display.
Notable waxworks from this period included Queen Victoria, Sir Hector McDonald, Ned Kelly and his sister Kate.

After Madame Phyllis, the next owner appears to be Mrs Brown. In a 1935 article printed in the local News, retiring caretaker of 50 years (who took over after the death of Francis Cluney), Mr Jonah Benjamin, stated of Mrs Brown:

"She was a queer old soul, some people didn't like her. She was hardy and independent, but she had a good heart and many a time I have seen her walk out of her works and give some poor fellow a couple of shillings to go on with."[2]

I believe the next owner, Mr A. Netter, either bought the waxworks or leased it from Mrs Brown in 1941, but at this stage in my research, this is hard to confirm.
In 1942, a visiting group of soldiers to the Adelaide Arcade Waxworks stole a full-sized effigy of Adolf Hitler.[3]

In 1953, the waxworks were removed from the arcade, but they didn’t go without a fight! As Mr Yeend, a carpenter, was removing the lifelike figures, one fell forward and pinned him to the floor; in the wax effigy's hand was a sharp blade, which landed on Mr Yeend’s throat – as it turned out, the effigy was one of a murderer. Mr Yeend survived, with an incredible story to tell his grandchildren![4]

Believe it or not, this is probably one of the local, former Adelaide attractions I am most often asked about by news reporters, as there is so little information available about it in local history archives.

I am keen to continue researching this fascinating attraction in the Adelaide Arcade, and would love to know what became of the waxwork effigies, and if any still survive. If you have any information about the former waxworks, or a photo, please get in touch.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2017

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Bibiliography

1905 'Advertising', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 3 March, p. 2. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5039998

1908 'AMUSEMENTS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 10 September, p. 14. , viewed 28 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5181306

1909 'AMUSEMENTS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 3 March, p. 11. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5178688

1909, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 3 March, p. 3. (4 o'clock.), viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page23039181 (Madame Phyllis photo)

1917 'WAXWORKS', Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924), 2 January, p. 8. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105384205

1935 'CARETAKER HAS WATCHED CITY ARCADE FOR 50 YEARS', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), 4 April, p. 11. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128824259

1942 '"HITLER" VANISHES', Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), 23 May, p. 2. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75890802

1953 'S.A. Waxworks Dismantled', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 31 July, p. 3. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48272067

Find A Grave, 2012, Thomas Horton, Find a Grave, viewed 18 Sept 2017, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90947852\

McDougall and Vines 2006, The City of Adelaide : a thematic history, page 104, McDougall & Vines, Norwood, S. Aust

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[1] Find A Grave, 2012, Thomas Horton, Find a Grave, viewed 18 Sept 2017, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90947852

[2] 1935 'CARETAKER HAS WATCHED CITY ARCADE FOR 50 YEARS', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), 4 April, p. 11. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128824259

[3] 1942 '"HITLER" VANISHES', Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), 23 May, p. 2. , viewed 18 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75890802

[4] 1953 'S.A. Waxworks Dismantled', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 31 July, p. 3. , viewed 28 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48272067

Adelaide Arcade: Part Six: Horton Hears His Punishment

The Adelaide ArcadePart Six:Horton Hears His Punishment

In our previous entry, we visited the horrible torture one human-being can inflict upon another, this week we look into the consequences of that action.

In our last post, we published a letter Mrs Horton had written, and asked her friend to keep hold of in case anything disastrous happened to her, In it, she speaks of Mr Horton raping and beating her, and accusing her of adultery and prostitution.
During the post-mortem upon Florence Horton's body, Dr A.F. Lynch discovered that Florence had been suffering from “Certain physical conditions” and would, therefore, have been unable to “fulfil the active duties of married life”. It would appear that Mrs Horton suffered from a venereal disease for rather some time and the condition of her genitals would have made sexual intercourse almost impossible for her. (as reported in The Advertiser Friday, April 15^th 1904)

Dr Lynch also surmised that Mrs Horton was shot three times through the back, a bullet was lodged in each of her breasts and another went through her heart. It was this last shot, through her heart, that took her life.

Thomas Horton, if you remember, ran after shooting his wife in Rundle Street and was presumed dead for some time. A rumour had spread that he committed suicide in the River Torrens. This was, of course, untrue, and eventually, he was caught near Bridgewater by Mounted-Constable Schumann.

Mr Horton was heading for Murray Bridge and was found with a loaded five chambered revolver as well as copious amounts of ammunition, milk and biscuits.

On Tuesday the first of March 1904, Mr Thomas Horton was brought before the Police Court. A large crowd had gathered outside the Court. It was deemed, the following day, that Mr Horton did indeed have a case to answer and was remanded at Adelaide Gaol until his trial could begin later in March 1904.

On March 3^rd Thomas Horton was officially charged, the following was reported in The Advertiser on said date:

“ The jury, after a short retirement brought in the following verdict:—"That the deceased, Florence Eugena Horton, came to her death by a pistol shot wilfully inflicted by her husband, Thomas Horton."

In the time between his remand and trial Horton attempted to escape the Adelaide Gaol as reported in Barrier Minor ( Tuesday 22^nd March 1904 page 1):

Adelaide: Monday Afternoon.
Thomas Horton, awaiting trial at the next criminal sitting for the alleged murder of his wife, made an attempt to escape from the Adelaide Gaol yesterday- Between 1 and 2 o'clock the warder noticed him on the roof of the prison. As soon as he was observed Horton was asked to descend and, knowing that the warders were armed, he readily responded to the Invitation, and was soon safely under lock and key.

On the 14^th of April 1904 Thomas Horton faced a jury of his peers, pleading “not guilty” and, after all, witnesses and evidence was presented, was found guilty of charges brought against him.

Horton also tried to use the “insanity” defence but was found of sound mind by Dr Cleland, resident medical officer of the Parkside Lunatic Asylum.

Thomas was sentenced to Death by Hanging for the murder of his wife, Florence Horton.
An appeal was lodged for life imprisonment, but the attempt was unsuccessful. A special Cabinet meeting was held on the 6^th of May that sealed Mr Horton's fate. He was to be hung at Adelaide Gaol on the 12 of May 1904 ( Read here for complete court proceedings http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4961688?searchTerm=Thomas%20horton%20&searchLimits=l-decade=190|||l-year=1904|||l-title=34|||l-month=04) )

In the short time between his sentencing and his death, the Prison Chaplain, spent a considerable amount of time with Horton, a man he considered intellectually weak with no knowledge of the Bible, something which, at the time, was an indication of not being educated as Bible Studies were then a part of a child's education.
In the last few days before his death, Thomas Horton, who was illiterate, dictated some letters be sent to friends and relatives

Hangman's Noose in Adelaide Gaol Museum
photo ©2012 Allen Tiller

Here is one of Thomas Horton's final letters, to a former employer in London:
Dear Messrs. Hamley:
I thought that I would just drop you a line to tell you of my misfortune. Since I left London, I have had varied luck. The first thing on landing at Adelaide I was greeted with the news of my wife's death, which took place two days before. A few months after I married again, and then my troubles commenced afresh.
My second marriage was in every way a complete failure. I had no idea what sort of a woman I was taking for my wife. Everything that I could do to try and live with her in happiness was futile. She so worried me that I hardly knew what I was doing. She left me after we had been married 3-1/2 months and went home to her people. Had she been satisfied and contented with leaving me, all would have been well, but unfortunately for me, such was not the case.
She used to carry on with other men and one Saturday night I met her in the street. I got wild and shot her dead. You may quite imagine my position then. I, of course, was put on trial and the jury brought in a verdict against me. So tomorrow, the 12th, I die. I do not think that I have any more to write about, so will thank you in anticipation and wishing you all success and a long farewell, I am,
Yours Sincerely, T. Horton.

Thomas Horton was executed at 9am on the 12^th of May in Adelaide Gaols “New building” the permanent gallows of A-Wing. It was reported in the local media that Horton didn’t look around as he was walked to the Gallows, that he kept his eyes looking at the window straight across from him. One can only wonder what went through his head in his final moments.
Horton's body was buried in the Gaols courtyard and marked 14 TH

Florence Horton was buried in West Terrace cemetery on the 1^st of March 1904. Her funeral was well attended by family and friends. Her only child, daughter “Tottie” was raised by Florrie's parents, Philip and Miriam Lovell

Adelaide Gaol, Where Horton was hung
photo by Allen Tiller © 2012

There is a good chance that Florence, who died in the tobacco shop in Adelaide Arcades Rundle street facade could be haunting the location of her tragic death, much paranormal activity has been reported in the Arcade, including that of a young lady seen in the area where Florence was murdered, is it her? Well, that we don’t know, but what we do know is that is the end of our Adelaide Arcade series....for now

© 2012 The Haunts of Adelaide

written and researched by

Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au