The 1888 Tragedy at Semaphore.

 

In 1888, the newspapers of the day were scathing of 20-year-old Susan Schmidt, who on February 8th, had ridden on the footboard of a train carriage travelling to Semaphore. As the train crossed the points, it shook, dislodging Susan and throwing her under the train where she was crushed to death.^[1]

It came to light that Susan and a friend, Emma Fitts, had left Susan's parents’ house in the evening, and walked to Port Adelaide. They saw a friend off at Alberton station, then walked back to Exeter station, when the Semaphore bound train arrived. Rather than walk, they hopped onto the steps of the train from the opposite side of the platform. William Uden, travelling in the train, told the girls they had better get off the train, but they ignored him. As the train entered Semaphore station and crossed the points, it made a slight jump, dislodging Susan, who was flung under the train.

Porter, Charles White, who was on his way to the points, saw the train give a little jump and heard someone yell out from under the train. He was first to see Susan on the rails and went immediately for a doctor. When the train stopped at Semaphore, the guard William Swann, saw the danger lights lit up at the points by White and could see Susan lying around 100 yards from the train.

There was little compassion in South Australia’s media of the day. The South Australian Register wrote, ‘Susan Schmidt was run over and killed by the Semaphore train on February 8, owing to her recklessness in unlawfully riding on the footboard of the carriage.’^[2]

The Evening Journal stated, ‘A Sad Death from Recklessness – It must be a painful reflection for the parents of the poor girl, Susan Schmidt, who was run over and killed by the Semaphore train…’[3]

The Port Augusta Dispatch wrote, ‘Susan Schmidt tried to ride on the step of a Semaphore railway carriage last Wednesday. Verdict – nobody but herself to blame.’^[4]

Susan's body was transported to the Port Hospital where Dr Toil examined her, before placing her dead body in the morgue.^[5] Susan's lower body had been ‘completely crushed.’^[6]

An inquest into the death occurred at the Port Admiral Hotel on February 9, 1888, overseen by Coroner T. Ward. J.P.  Susan’s father Bennett Schmidt gave evidence at the inquest, stating,

She was 20 years of age last September. Last saw her alive about half-past 7 on Wednesday evening in company, with., two friends. They left his place and went in the direction of the Semaphore-road. Was awakened about a quarter past 10 by Mr. Warn, who told him of the accident. Directly saw it was his daughter that had been run over. She asked him to lift her up, and repeated the question in the train. She never told him how the accident occurred. Never knew deceased to be reckless.^[7]

 

The jury returned a verdict that ‘the deceased met her death by being run over by the Semaphore train, the accident is caused by her attempting to ride on the step of the carriage and added a rider that no blame was attached to anybody. ^[8]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller  © 2024

[1] 'Latest News.', Evening Journal, (9 February 1888), p. 2. (SECOND EDITION).
[2] 'ABSTRACT OF NEWS.', South Australian Register, (13 February 1888), p. 7.
[3] 'S.A. SWIMMING CLUB.', Evening Journal, (10 February 1888), p. 3. (SECOND EDITION).
[4] 'Grape Shot.', The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle, (14 February 1888), p. 2.
[5] 'Latest News.', Evening Journal, (9 February 1888), p. 2. (SECOND EDITION).
[6] Ibid.
[7] 'CORONERS' INQUESTS.', South Australian Register, (10 February 1888), p. 7.
[8] Ibid.

"Don't Move, or You're Dead!" - The Abduction of Monica Schiller

"Don't Move, or you're Dead!"

The Abduction of Monica Schiller

  Cadell Training Centre is a low-level, minimum-security prison located 180 kilometres north of Adelaide. The Training Centre houses low-level criminals who aren't deemed to be a security risk.
It has long been a practice to allow prisoners out from time to time, for a walk, or to do a spot of fishing on the Murray River. The gaol has always installed trust in its prisoners, but that changed on the 13th of September 1970.

Three men, Terrence Haley, Raymond Gunning, and Andrew Brooks had been released from the centre shortly after 2 pm for a walk. The men decided to abscond. They hatched a plan to escape South Australia and drive to Darwin in the Northern Territory. The men walked about 8 miles through paddocks and scrubland and arrived at the farmhouse of the Schiller family home in Murkbo, on the Upper Murray about 3pm.

At the farmhouse was 21-year-old Monica Schiller, her Father (Adolph) "Artie" her mother, Myrtle, Grandmother, Amanda Zeigler (who was in her late 70's and asleep in an outside cottage), and Monica's boyfriend, Graham Smith.

The prisoners took the family hostage and ransacked their farmhouse for anything they could find to aid them on their journey north. They stole money, food, water, guns, ammunition and some of Monica's dresses. Then they isolated the family in separate rooms, tying them on chairs and binding their hands and feet together. Artie struggled, and in his attempts to escape received two hefty blows to the back of his head.

The three men took Monica outside. Her Grandmother, who had been asleep in the cottage, woke and saw what was going on. She tried to help, only to be given some food and water and locked inside the cottage out of the way.
The three escapees fled the scene at about 5pm in the Schiller family car.
Artie managed to escape his ropes just after the men left, untied his family, and then headed 7 miles into town on foot. Artie went to the Post Office where his Sister-in-law worked the telephone exchange and asked her to call the police.


The three prisoners first headed south to Semaphore, where they stole another car, then headed north again up to the Birdsville track. In Adelaide, Detective Sergeant, Bob “Ugger” Giles and some Adelaide journalists charted a flight to head in the direction the kidnappers had gone. As the plane approached the three escapees, they fired shots at it, hoping to bring it down.
The plane landed well ahead of the men, and Detective Giles, with three officers, seven journalists and two government employees drove back along the track hoping to cut the escapees off. While they were driving, the plane had taken off again and was radioing in the position of the car as it neared the police below.

The officers set up a roadblock, and a gunfight ensued. Two of the men fled from the car before it had even stopped. One of the officers emptied his service revolver of bullets and ran toward one of the escapees, shouting “Don't move or you're dead!” All three escapees were arrested and taken back to Adelaide for trial and sentencing.
Monica was alive but severely traumatised after her 26-hour kidnapping ordeal.
Detective Sgt Giles returned to Adelaide a hero.
Advertiser photographer Ray Titus won a Walkley for his work at the scene.

Escapees Terrence Haley, Raymond Gunning and Andrew Brooks lie on the ground after being arrested. Retired Advertiser photographer Ray Titus won a Walkley for his work at the scene. Source: News Limited

Terrence Haley was jailed for 15 years but escaped again in 1972. He later served eight years in NSW before being extradited back to SA to finish his sentence. He was released in 1986.
Andrew Brooks and Raymond Gunning were jailed for 12 and a half and 11 and a half years respectively.

In 1989 Terrence Haley was shot in the back while at home, lying on his lounge. He was later charged with attempted murder over another shooting that same night in Campbelltown. The charges were replaced with manslaughter and then later, dropped.

Detective Sergeant Bob Giles talks to Monica Schiller after she was rescued. Source: News Limited

Monica would go on to marry her boyfriend, Graham Smith. The couple invited Detective Sergeant Giles to their wedding. As recently as 2006, the couple were still living in the house from which she was abducted.

Det Sgt Giles died in 2005.

© 2014 Allen Tiller