The Execution of Joseph Stagg

 

Joseph Stagg was executed at the Old Adelaide Gaol on 19 November 1840. Portable gallows were erected at the front gates of the gaol, and at 8 am, Stagg was hung in front of 700 spectators. Stagg was found guilty of murdering John Gafton at what is now Port Gawler.


Mrs Robertson, a resident near the Gawler River was approached by a man asking for a loaf of bread. He and his friends had not eaten for three days, and they were hoping for some charity. He offered her half a sovereign for the loaf. Robertson grew suspicious of Gafton and his cohorts, and at her first available opportunity, reported him and his friends to the local police constable.
Mounted police were sent to the area. They had been searching for three wanted cattle rustlers; Gafton, Fenton and Best. 
Aboriginal trackers were employed who were able to track down the men’s campsite.
The trackers had led police to a small, recently constructed hut. Inside lay the lifeless body of John Gafton. Well known to police, Gafton had recently escaped gaol. He was found to have a gunshot wound behind one of his ears. In his pocket were 11 sovereigns, but no pistol could be found in the hut.

The Coroner and two jurymen were called to the murder site to collect the body and gather evidence. A known accomplice of Gafton, Joseph Stagg was accused of the crime and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Stagg was apprehended by Constable Lomas and taken to the local police station where he was searched. In his possession were 16 pounds, several percussion caps, and paperwork that related to transactions between Stagg and Gafton regarding their recent cattle rustling.
Also in Stagg’s possession was a pistol, which was identified by Mrs Robertson as the one being in the possession of Gafton, the young man who had first begged her for the loaf of bread.

Stagg declared his innocence. All the evidence was circumstantial, but still, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to execution.
His final days were taken up with him reading the bible.
The night before his execution, he was taken to the Police Horse Barracks, to be separated from the general population, and returned the morning of his execution.

He flatly refused to confess to the crime.

Sandilands Murder: Part IV: Conviction and Release

Sandilands Murder: Part IV: Conviction and Release

Herbert Cyril Curnow - after his arrest

Mounted Constable West of the Maitland Police Station first saw Curnow at 5:30pm when he entered the police station to hand himself in.
Constable West asked Curnow if had “shot a girl named Eleanor Louise Bockmann at Sandilands this afternoon? “, Curnow replied “Yes, how is she? Is she dead?”

The constable then proceeded to tell Curnow that she was dead and asked him what he shot her with. Curnow replied that it was with a 12-gauge shotgun. The gun was now in Mr Rowe's wheat paddock.

The constable searched Curnow and found in his pocket a spent 12-gauge shotgun shell and a photo of Eleanor Bockmann. He asked Curnow if it was the shell with which he shot Bockmann, and Curnow replied “yes”.

Constable West charged Curnow with murder.

Mounted Constable Ewens, stationed at Ardrossan received a message at 4:15 pm on Friday, September 8th, requesting him to go to the Sandilands home of the Bockmann family posthaste.

When the constable arrived at the family home he found Dr Alpers sitting in a bedroom with the deceased. Dr Alpers described her wounds to him before the constable then made an inspection of the house.
He found in a bedroom a box containing 12 gauge shotgun cartridges. In the dining room, near the window was a large pool of blood. The constable followed a trail of blood from the dining room, through the kitchen and enclosed verandah, then outside for nine yards, stopping just near the rainwater tank.
The wall and chairs in the dining room were covered in small holes consistent with shotgun pellet spray.


The Constable travelled over to Rowe's farm and located the gun in a paddock. M.C. West and M.C. Ewens both travelled to the paddock the following day and recovered a number of unspent shotgun shells.

When appearing in court, Curnow seemed indifferent to what was going on around him. He was wearing football boots and a football Guernsey under a jacket and refused to speak. Members of the Bockmann family offered their evidence.
Curnow was formally committed for trial at the close of the Coronial Enquiry. The following morning Curnow was officially charged with Wilful Murder.

The trial proceeded in Adelaide. It did not take long for the jury to find Curnow guilty of murder. He was sentenced to hang, with the date chosen to be two days after Christmas in 1922. Curnow's lawyer appealed for mercy, due to his young age, but it fell on deaf ears.

Within days, supporters for Curnow pleaded for mercy for the 18-year-old. A Parliamentary enquiry proceeded, and after their investigation, Curnow's sentence was reduced to life in Yatala Prison with hard labour.

But, Curnow's story doesn’t end there. In 1935, after many petitions to the Government on his behalf, prison officials decided to release Curnow. He was released from Yatala Stockade in February 1935 and sent to live in Melbourne with his family.
After that, the trail left by Curnow becomes harder to follow…reports are inconsistent, with some saying he died that year, others say he may have changed his name and lived out his life in Victoria.


Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

References:
1922 'DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW: 1888 - 1954), 23 December, p. 2. (SPORTING EDITION), viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45592974

1922 'DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED', Kalgoorlie Miner (WA: 1895 - 1950), 23 December, p. 4. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93227794

1922 'DEATH SENTENCE.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 30 November, p. 8. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20586995

1922 'MAITLAND TRAGEDY.', The Register (Adelaide, SA: 1901 - 1929), 12 September, p. 9. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64133604

1922 'THE MAITLAND MURDER.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931), 30 November, p. 8. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49131151

1922 'YOUTH GUILTY OF MURDER.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 30 November, p. 9. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1858876

1935 'Little Danger From Released Murderers', The Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912 - 1954), 16 March, p. 2. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58858507

South Australia Police Gazette Indexes, 1862-1947. Ridgehaven, South Australia: Gould Genealogy and History, 2009.

South Australia Police Gazette Indexes, 1862-1947. Ridgehaven, South Australia: Gould Genealogy and History, 2009. AU5103-1922 SA Police Gazette 1922

South Australia Police Gazette Indexes, 1862-1947. Ridgehaven, South Australia: Gould Genealogy and History, 2009. AU5103-1935 SA Police Gazette 1935

    

Bridgewater Beauty Killing Pt 2: 
The Trial of William Ephraim Peter Haines

William Ephraim Peter Haines, a 25-year-old labourer, followed his beloved Devina Schmidt to a Bridgewater park, in the Adelaide Hills. Here, he murdered her in cold blood. He then shot himself in the head, before trying to save the life of his now, almost dead victim.

 Haines was brought before the South Australian justice system, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of the popular 18-year-old Devina Nellie Schmidt

Court proceedings began with Mr R. R. Chamberlain appearing for the Crown and Mr. L. M. S. Hogan for the accused.

The first incident to be brought before the court was an encounter between Mr Haines and Miss Schmidt at James Place, Adelaide on October 3^rd. Miss Schmidt was with Mr Clark when Mr Haines approached them. Haines asked Miss Schmidt to accompany him, but she refused. Mr Haines then put his hand in his pocket, and remarked “Well, I will shoot, you know”.
 In the second incident, also on the 3^rd, Mr Haines stopped Miss Schmidt and Mr Clark and said, “I will get you, you #$@#, I will come up for you this afternoon!”

Mr Clark was then questioned by Mr Hogan about his relationship with Miss Schmidt.

Mr. Hogan:  “As far as you were concerned, she was your girlfriend? “

Clark: “Yes. I have known Miss Schmidt for about three years”

Haines had visited Adelaide in April 1927, and on occasion had visited Miss Schmidt’s family home.

Mr. Hogan: “You were very friendly with the mother and father?”

Clark: “Yes.”

Mr. Hogan: “And they were anxious you should be friendly with their daughter?”

Clark: “Yes.”

Mr. Hogan: “And you never heard Haines's name mentioned in the home?”

Clark: “No.”

His Honour: “did you regard yourself as the young lady's sweetheart?”

Clark:  “Yes.”

Mr. Hogan: “From what you heard at the home, what was the parents' attitude towards Haines?”

Clark: “They did not want her to have anything to do with him.”

Mr. Hogan: “The mother was very bitter, I think?”

Clark:  “Yes.”

Mr. Hogan: “And the father something the same?”

Clark: “Yes.”

Mr Hogan: “You did not care whether Haines went to Bridgewater?”

Clark: “Yes.”

His Honour – “Why?

Clark:  “Because I knew he would not be there for any good.”

The next witness was Jack Rickard, who gave evidence of the shooting. While Rickard and Haines were carrying Miss Schmidt’s body to the car, Haines reportedly said “Her people drove me too it. She loved me, but they said I was too old for her, and she would not go against them”

Another witness cross-examined by Mr Hogan, Albert Powell of Thebarton, described seeing Haines shoot the girl, then kneeling beside her body, placing the gun against her temple and firing again, only to hear the gun “click” as it was out of bullets.
Haines then stated to Powell as Mounted Constable Gumley arrived “I am the man you are looking for. I am the man who did it. I shot her with a revolver. I went mad. I was jealous of her. Her people drove me to it. I wish I had ended myself. The poor girl is happy now”.
 A packet of 38 bullets was found in Mr Haines's pocket – six bullet wounds were found in Miss Schmidt’s head

(From “The Register” Newspaper Friday 18 Nov 1927 )
Mounted Constable Walter James Gumley, of Stirling West, deposed having heard the accused say, "I'm the man you are looking for.  I did it." The witness said, "Where is the revolver," and Powell produced it.  The witness then cautioned the accused and asked him if he had shot the girl.  He replied, "Yes, I went mad." Asked why he shot her, he replied, "I was jealous. Her people drove me to it." Subsequently he searched the accused and found the cartridges (produced) corresponding to the shells found in the revolver.

Next Week on The Haunts of Adelaide,”

  Bridgewater Beauty Killing Pt 3: Through The Eyes of a Murderer”:  Haines chilling recount of the murder of Devina Schmidt

The Execution of William Henry Feast

The Execution of William Henry Feast

In 1955, the battered, beaten and bloodied body of Unice Flora Gwynne, aged 78, a widow, was found partially hidden in a mangrove swamp near Port Adelaide. Half of her clothing had been removed and she had been “criminally assaulted”

Police started to investigate the matter, and it did not take them long to become suspicious of one William Henry Feast, a 42-year-old Wharf Labourer, but William had skipped town and headed to Victoria.

Mr Feast was eventually hunted down, the brutality of his crime to an old woman earned him no reprieve from the criminal element of the State of Victoria, and Police eventually caught up with, and arrested him.

On January 2^nd, South Australian Police sent over Detective Sergeant E. Canney, a Police Escort to accompany Mr Feast back to Adelaide to face his murder charge in courts. There was a slight hitch in the plan, which made national news at the time, Two major Australian airlines, TAA and ANA, would not allow Mr Feast nor his Police Escort to board their flights on the ground that their paying passengers would be safe, and be somewhat endangered by having this man on their flight. Feast was eventually brought back to Adelaide via the train service.

Feast was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to hang in Adelaide Gaol, his execution by hanging took place on March 23^rd 1956

© 2007 - 2014 Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au

www.allentiller.com.au

Michael Magee – Adelaide's First Execution

Michael Magee – Adelaide's First Execution

May 2^nd 1838, the City of Adelaide was abuzz with the excitement of a predetermined death!

 In the parklands, just below the junction of Mills and Strangways Terrace, Adelaide’s first makeshift gallows, an old tree, was silently standing, waiting for a convict, to publicly lose his life for his crimes.

Michael Magee was an Irish born immigrant aged 25 years old when he was found guilty of his crime of willingly attempting to kill a man. That man was Mr Samuel Smart, the colony Sheriff.

Mr Smart had been sitting in his office on March 22^nd 1838, busily writing reports, when two men, Magee, and another fellow named Morgan, burst through the door. Magee levelled a gun at Mr Smarts head, and without flinching fired. Magee, however, was not a good shot, and the bullet only nicked his ear and seared a line across his cheek.

Before Mr Smart had praised the Lord for his luck, his reflexes kicked in, and he stood and grabbed Magee's still hot gun from his hands, the men had a scuffle, and the two villains escaped – but not for long.

The alarm was raised, and Magee and Morgan were dually captured, tried, convicted and sentenced, in almost record time.

Morgan was sentenced to “Transportation for Life” and Magee to capital execution.

There was much fuss in Adelaide at the sentence of Magee, no-one had been executed in the colony up until this point, and there was no State-appointed “ Jack Ketch”(a name used during the period for the masked executioner)

The job of executioner was advertised for 5 pounds, and no-one came forward, it soon blew out to 20 pounds, and still, no-one came forward. It was at this point that the State charter was checked and it was pointed out that the Colony Sheriff if no other persons could be appointed, would have to carry out the ghastly deed. In this particular case, the Sheriff carrying out such a task on the person who had assailed him would have been unseemly.

On the morning of the execution, a large crowd had gathered at the aforementioned location, everyone was uncertain of who would be executing Magee.

A horse and cart were soon seen coming towards the tree, on the back a coffin, and sitting on top, Magee and a man dressed in an executioner mask, which barely hid his identity.

Magee remained staunch throughout the reading of his crime and the public display of his own death.

The event was huge an era before movies, television and the internet, and most of Adelaide, including women and children, had come to watch, but no-one could foresee what was about to unfold before their very eyes.

Magee, standing before the throngs of people, confessed his guilt to the amassed audience, but vehemently denied being an escaped convict, an accusation levelled against him at trial.

He stood on the card, hands tied together and a cap placed over his head. The executioner came forward and passed Magee's head through the hemp rope noose, which had been hung from the old tree.

The executioner whipped the horses to drive forward, leaving the convicted criminal hanging to his death – but things got drastically out of hand, the knot which was supposed be under Magee's ear, had somehow slipped under his chin.
 Magee flailed wildly in the air. In his desperate attempts to save himself, his hands broke free of the rope that bound them, and he grabbed the noose rope and pulled himself up to release the strain on his neck, all the while screaming for mercy.

The Hangman returned and grabbed the flailing legs of Magee, using his own weight to pull the hanging man down and tightening the noose, breaking Magee's neck in the process...

Magee suffered greatly during his execution, and became the talk of the colony, for many many years afterwards people pointed out to visitors to Adelaide, the tree upon which Magee had been hung, and told the horrific story of his demise...

A hand-drawn picture of the hanging:

http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=3224&mode=singleImage

© 2007 - 2014 Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au

www.allentiller.com.au

 have no usage restrictions implied.

Bushrangers of South Australia

Bushranger's of South Australia

George Hughes, Henry Curran and James Fox were the scourge of the South Australian colony back in 1839 – 1840. These three lawless men committed countless crimes, from Crafers to Gawler, and will be forever remembered as Bushrangers.

Crafers Hotel 1840's

The three men were notorious in their time, and struck fear into the hearts of men and women in South Australia, on one occasion they “stuck up” Mincalta house , just outside Gawler, a building on the Estate of Kingsford House, which was made famous on “McLeod's Daughters”, An Australian Television show.

Long before their life of crime in South Australia, these men were well-known criminals. George Hughes was sent to Australia after a crime spree in the South-West English county of Gloucestershire. His brother was hung for his crimes, whilst George was sent to New South Wales as a convict.

Hughes and Curran met whilst convicts in New South Wales, and made their escape in 1839, they spent months crossing the harsh country, still shackled in chains, to make it to South Australia. Somewhere along the way, they met James Fox, and not long after committed the aforementioned crime outside Gawler, and then held up a sheep station close by.

The three men held up Mina Pffender, the Station Managers wife, demanding supplies and money, Mina refused to give over anything to the three men, and fearing for her life, escaped. One of the men shot at her as she ran, but missed. Mina made it to safety and raised the alarm, but the local constabulary was far too late, and the three men were long gone

The men made their way towards Mount Crawford, camping along the way, they took target practice sessions, peppering a tree with sprays of bullets from their guns, which in turn led the local police to issue a report, and some smart constable to put two and two together as too who had used so many precious bullets.

The men made their way to Crafers in the Adelaide Hills and were eventually caught by the police there, drunk in a local hotel.

The three men were charged with numerous crimes, including theft and armed robbery, Hughes and Curran were also charged with Rape, a crime that could see a man hung in Australia at the time.

The three men were brought up on charges, and somewhat of a media circus ensued, little Adelaide, at the time, had seen nothing like this before.

The Adelaide Gaol Governor, Mr Ashton, released a statement to the local newspaper “The Adelaide Chronicle” which held a list of prisoners for trial on the 4th of March 1840, included was the charges against Hughes, Curran and Fox.

In the article, it claimed the three men had stolen a “coat, a waist-coat and several articles of clothing.  Value five pounds, the property of Michael Pffender, with the intention of murdering her, on the 26th January 1840.  Also for stealing from the tent of Julius Fielder, on the 28th January 1840, 20 lbs. of flour, 6 lbs. pork, 4 lbs. sugar, 1 lb tea, 5 in notes some power and shot, a double-barrelled gun, a pistol etc., the property of the said Julius Fielder.  Also for stealing from the tent of Mr Jones, a gun, his property, value ₤5.”

The South Australian Register, another local newspaper of the time also ran a story on the case, which was much longer and featured evidence brought against the men by Pffender family, of which the three men had robbed. - the story ran on March 7th 1840 and can be found on National Libraries Trove website

The three men were found guilty, but Fox, who had shown some signs of remorse, was given a lighter, merciful sentence of life in prison. Hughes and Curran though were to be hung in a public execution.

Justice was quick in those days, and the 4th hanging of men in South Australia was to be done on March 16th 1840, in front of the States first Police Barracks, publicly.

Even though he knew he was about to die, Hughes callousness and bravado reigned, turning an already grotesque public display into an even more repulsive event.

He asked for some tobacco and pipe so he could have his last smoke, already tied around the arms, and about to be walked up to the steps to the noose, he suddenly lunged forward and rushed the stairs of the scaffold and ran at the executioner's assistants who were readying the noose.

Hughes was restrained by two men as he kicked and protested.

Curran, in a much more solemn mood with his death fast approaching, stared into the gathered crowd.

The noose was put over their heads, and as the switch was pushed and the men began to fall, Hughes, defiant to the last, caught his boot on the edge of the scaffold – only to have it kicked off by the Colonial Chaplain.

Thus ended the lives of two of South Australia's Bushrangers...

Further reading:

http://www.barossaherald.com.au/story/252956/historic-kingsfords-new-chapter/

http://books.google.com.au/books/about/History_of_Gawler_1837_to_1908.html?id=htQNAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y

Crafers Hotel

http://www.crafersinn.com.au/history/  

© 2013 Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au

All content on “Eidolon Paranormal & The Haunts of Adelaide” sites, blog and corresponding media pages (eg Facebook, twitter etc) is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any means or process without the written permission of the author. © 2012, 2013

All photos remain the property of their respective copyright owners and are displayed here for the purpose of education, research and review under the copyright act "fair usage" clause.

Some photos used here on this site are sourced from The State Library of South Australia, and The National Library of Australia and http://www.gawler.nowandthen.net.au - all photos are out of copyright and have no usage restrictions implied.

Ghosts of the South Coast: Mount Gambier Gaol Part 2

Ghost of the South Coast

Old Mount Gambier Gaol

Part 2

Last week we looked into a little of the history of the gaol and ended our blog with some brief insight to the crimes of two of the men executed there, this week we look into the last execution at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol, that of William Nugent a.k.a. Robert Johnson, a man who killed a State Trooper, and paid with his own life.

The last man to be executed in Mount Gambier Gaol happened on the 18^th of November 1881. William Nugent a.k.a. Robert Johnson had been apprehended for supplying liquor to the Aboriginals at Wellington.

Trooper Pearce had stopped Nugent and insisted he follows him back to Kingston, of which Nugent agreed and began to follow with his three horses in tow.

Nugent knew he was in trouble, the three horses were stolen! He asked the trooper if he could stop for a while, and they did so, but the trooper insisted he remount his horse and get on with the journey, Nugent agreed, as the Trooper began to remount his horse he turned his back on Nugent.

Nugent didn’t hesitate, pulled a knife from his boot and stabbed Trooper Pearce, severely wounding the officer. Nugent fled with his three horses, with the notion of crossing the border into Victoria.

Trooper Pearce, a 24-year-old young man, who had only two years earlier applied to become a Minister of the Wesleyan Church. Pearce was found on the side of the road by passers-by, of which one road into Kingston to find the Sergeant.

The Sergeant sent the injured Trooper back into town by horse and cart, and then, with two other Troopers set off to find Nugent, which they did very easily as Nugent was slowed down by his three horses in tow.

Nugent was arrested and sent to Mount Gambier Gaol.

Trooper Pearce had identified Nugent as his attacker, three days later, whilst sitting in his bed, with his Mother and Father sitting next to him, the 24-year-old died of his wounds.

It was said by Nugent that whilst in his cell, he suddenly felt as though someone was next to him. He distinctly heard the voice of Trooper Pearce say “ I came to tell you I hold no grudge against you Will Nugent, no doubt others will, but I do not”.

Like all three men Executed, William Nugent was buried within the Gaols walls, as the law stated during that time, although it is not known exactly where the men are buried no, it is though one may be behind cell 21, where Karen and I stayed, and the other two may be in, or nearer the courtyard where they were hung.

During our time inside the Gaol, the lovely concierge told us a few spooky ghost tales, of noises in the gaol and unusual happenings, it would seem cell four in the men's section, and the condemned mans cells seem to be most active with strange goings on, but also, a lady in white has been seen walking through the courtyard between the dining room and cells, no-one is sure who she is, but she could be one of the women who was imprisoned with her children in tow, as was normal at the time, or she could be a woman who gave birth inside the gaol, as records indicate did happen!  

© 2013 Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au

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