Colour photograph showing the grave of Emily Lydia Matherfrederick deeming, emily lydia mather, murders

In March 1892, Melbourne Butcher John Stamford took a prospective tenant to a house he owned at 57 Andrew Street Windsor. He noticed a 'disagreeable smell' coming from the front rooms. Suspecting foul play, Stamford called the police who quickly discovered a decomposing body and partially clad body of a young woman in a shallow grave under the fireplace. 'Her skull had been shattered and her throat cut'. Two detectives, Sergeants Considine and Cawsey, began investigations. The previous tenant, a 'Mr. Druin' who had rented the house had since disappeared was the main suspect. 'Druin' had arrived in Australia from England as 'Albert Williams' in December 1891 with his 24 year old wife Emily Mather. The body was Emily's. The crime scene investigation proved difficult as the suspect - whatever his real name- had cleaned up the scene very carefully. Much later it was discovered that the suspect was in fact Frederick Bayley Deeming, a former sailor born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1854. In 1881, Deeming deserted his ship and lived in Sydney where he married and had a family. Deeply in debt, he later burned his business down to claim its insurance value and fled to South Africa before he could be arrested. He is believed to have committed numerous frauds and murders in Africa. Eventually found in Uruguay, he spent time in prison in England for fraud. After being released he married Emily and returned to Australia. After leaving England, British police began investigating him over the murder of Mrs Marie Deeming and her four children. Now using another alias, 'Baron Swanston', Deeming was arrested in Western Australia before he left the country in the company of a young woman, Kate Rounsefell, whom he planned to marry. It seems Kate would have been his next murder victim. Brought back to Victoria, in May 1892, Deeming went on trail for the murder of Emily Mather. Despite a strong defense conducted by a brilliant young barrister and 3 times Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, the evidence against Deeming was overwhelming and he was found guilty. Deeming was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 23 May 1892. He was known to be responsible for at least 6 murders and may have committed others. Medium sized photograph of Frederick Deeming with a moustache drawn on the image in inkFrederick B. Deeming (on image in black ink)frederick deeming, emily lydia mather, murders

Detective John Christie was one of Victoria's most famous detectives from 1867 to 1875. He was responsible for solving some of Victoria's most famous crimesBlack and white carte de visite of Detective John Mitchell Christiejohn mitchell christie, detective christie

Large black and white photograph showing members of the King's Carnival Executive Committee, August 9th 1902john mitchell christie, detective christie, king's carnival

Detective John Christie was one of Victoria's most famous detectives from 1867 to 1875. He was responsible for solving some of Victoria's most famous crimesBlack and white portrait photographic image of John Christie standing in a garden and showing him standing full length holding an umbrella and wearing a hat.john mitchell christie, detective christie

Ah Tune, kicked William Brasslin to death in a drunken brawl following an altercation, Beechworth, November 1914. Death sentence was commuted to 10 years imprisonmentPrison record for Ah Tune, prisoner registered number 33926, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.ah tune, foreign prisoner, beechworth, murder, william brasslin

Myrtle McDonald, in company with Robert Roberts, was accused of passing forged five pound notes in Carlton, August 1916. Prison record for Myrtle McDonald, prisoner registered number 730, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.myrtle mcdonald, female prisoner, english speaking prisoner, forgery

Andrew Geoghegan, a bookmaker, was charged with illegally using an instrument on a woman, Louisa Margaret Heavey, in Hawthorn, November 1917. Prison record for Andrew Charles Geoghegan, prisoner registered number 34760, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.geoghegan, andrew charles, english speaking prisoner, abortion

William Coleman stole a cash box from the Woolpack Hotel, Carlton, December 1910. He had a string of various other offences of larceny and stealing under a variety of aliasesPrison record for William Coleman, prisoner registered number 34372, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.william coleman, english speaking prisoner, stealing, larceny

Robert Sinclair, a travelling entertainer, committed a variety of offences including housebreaking, having a skeleton/picklock key in his possession, being an habitual criminal. He had several aliases. Prison record for Robert Sinclair, prisoner registered number 29536, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.robert sinclair, english speaking prisoner, larceny, housebreaking, stealing

James Rouhan, 19 years of age, was accused of murdering his sweetheart, Kate Beachley, with an axe, in Lydiard St., Ballarat in October 1904. Sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonmentPrison record for James Rouhan, prisoner registered number 30737, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.james rouhan, english speaking prisoner, murder, kate beachley

Albert Hay was charged with the manslaughter of Edward Booth Cox, by hitting then strangling him, in Horsham, July 1909. Cox's wife, was also charged but acquittedPrison record for Albert Hay, prisoner registered number 32092, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.albert hay, english speaking prisoner, edward booth cox, manslaughter

In June 1915 was charged with stealing and unlawfully on premises. He was deemed an habitual criminal with prior offenses including obscene language, offensive behaviour, theft of money, larceny of eight bottles of beer. In September 1916 he was charged with forgery and uttering. His criminal career began in 1907 at the age of 22 years of age.Prison record for Edward Greenwood, prisoner registered number 32050, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.edward greenwood, english speaking prisoner, obscene language, offensive behaviour, perjury, forgery, uttering

In August 1918 was charged with falsely representing himself as a returned soldier. He had previous convictions of housebreaking and stealing. A previous offence in 1916 concerned obtaining a seal mantle under the name of Alfred Barber. He was a recruiting sergeant at Dimboola at the time.Prison record for Alfred Hannah, prisoner registered number 34372, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials. alfred hannah, alfred barber, english speaking prisoner, housebreaking, war precautions act, false representations, stealing, loitering

Cecilia Anderson was accused of shooting John Fraser at the Souther Cross Hotel in Melbourne in June 1894 and then attempting to kill herself. Fraser had been a long term resident in a boarding house run by Mrs Anderson and had borrowed money from her. He subsequently moved to Melbourne and married a widow, Mrs Leahy. Mrs Anderson followed him to Melbourne and kept demanding that he repay the money owing. She was sentenced to death which was commuted to life imprisonment, but she was released in June 1903Prison record for Cecilia Anderson, prisoner registered number 6319, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.foreign prisoner, danish, female prisoner, cecilia anderson, murder

Alfred Richardson was charged, in company with James Barry, of having stolen gold bearing quartz from the Golden Pyke mine, Bendigo, in November 1901. He had many previous minor convictions for drunkenness, assault, no visible means, etc.Prison record for Albert Richardson, prisoner registered number 28563, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, alfred richardson, golden pyke company, larceny, drunk, assault

Robert Halifax, a young teacher, 25 years old, was charged with bigamy. In December 1905 he married Myrtle Skinner, 17, in Coleraine. He had married Faithful Halifax, nee Trotter, in March 1900.Prison record for Robert Halifax, prisoner registered number 31238, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, robert a. h. halifax, bigamy

Peter O'Shannessy, town clerk of the borough of Coburg, was charged with embezzling 137 pounds between October 1905 and July 1906Prison record for Peter O'shannessy, prisoner registered number 31285, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, peter o'shannessy, embezzlement

Hartwig, a police constable, was charged with shopbreaking and receiving in September 1917, in the company of James Olney, a fellow constable. They stole cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, postage stamps and some money. Hartwig was found guilty of receiving.Prison record for Frederick Hartwig, prisoner registered number 34779, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.frederick hartwig, english speaking prisoner, receiving, police crimes

Olney, a police constable, was charged with shopbreaking and receiving in September 1917, in the company of Frederick Hartwig, a fellow constable. They stole cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, postage stamps and some money. Olney was found guilty of shopbreaking.Prison record for James Olney, prisoner registered number 34778, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.james olney, english speaking prisoner, shopbreaking, police crimes

Muriel Butler stole a black coat and a fox skin fur in Melbourne in January 1918. She was arrested when getting off the train in Ballarat. She was also wanted by the police for circulating valueless cheques. She had committed previous crimes of stealing and false pretences between 1914 and 1918, sometimes under the name of Agnes James.Prison record for Muriel Butler, prisoner registered number 7400, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.english speaking prisoner, female prisoner, muriel butler, agnes james, false pretences, stealing, larceny

In August 1917, Fenton, a police constable stationed at Ararat, conspired with Emma Dent and Edward Hewins (both posing as police constables) to defraud Amelia Cole of money. Following the birth of a child by Mrs Cole's daughter, Dent registered the birth improperly and then demanded money to keep it quiet.Prison record for Elcho Ryall Fenton prisoner registered number 34679, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, elcho ryall fenton, conspiracy, police crimes

Henry Holroyd was charged many times over many years with counterfeiting and coining and with having in his possession moulds for making coins. Prison record forHenry Holroyd, prisoner registered number 32136, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, henry holroyd, counterfeiting

In August 1917 Leslie Dunse, a police constable stationed at Brunswick police station, was accused of breaking into shops, particularly a boot store, grocers, butcher's shop and a drapers, and stealing goods. Three other constables were also charged - Arnold Wilson, Sidney Duckmanton and Hermann Johansen. Only Duckmanton was discharged.Prison record for Leslie Dunse, prisoner registered number 34691, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, leslie dunse, shopbreaking, police crimes

In September 1917, Joseph Farrie, labourer, was accused, along with Robert Gardner, of defrauding the Commonwealth Government by creating a fictitious soldier and drawing his pay.Prison record forJoseph Farrie, prisoner registered number 34753, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, joseph frederick farrie, conspiracy to defraud

In September, Robert Gardner, who worked in the pay office of the third military district, was accused, along with Joseph Farrie, of defrauding the Commonwealth Government by creating a fictitious soldier and drawing his pay.Prison record for Robert William Gardner, prisoner registered number 34754, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials. english speaking prisoner, robert william gardner, conspiracy to defraud

Frederick Dunn was an habitual offender. He started offending very young and was first apprehended in January 1903 on a charge of stealing a canary. Subsequent crimes included stealing a gold watch chain, money, a silver watch. In 1913 he was charged with keeping a brothel and in 1914, of receivingPrison record for Frederick Dunn, prisoner registered number 30410, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, frederick dunn, larceny, robbery, receiving

In August 1917, Hewins conspired with Emma Dent (a nurse)and Elcho Fenton (a police constables) to defraud Amelia Cole of money. Following the birth of a child by Mrs Cole's daughter, Dent registered the birth improperly and then demanded money to keep the birth quiet. Hewins had a previous conviction in Perth in June 1907 for false pretencesPrison record for Edward Hewins, prisoner registered number 34680 giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, edward hewins, edward cooper hughes, conspiracy

In December 1915 James McKnight was chased through the back streets of Fitzroy chased by Constables Preece and Phalp. McKnight, who had two American large calibre revolvers, shot repeatedly at the police, who returned fire. McKnight was finally apprehended after a struggle in which both constables were injuredPrison record forJames Joseph McKnight, prisoner registered number 34233, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, james joseph mcknight, shooting with intent

In March 1917, fire services attended a fire in a domestic dwelling in Carlton. When the owners returned they found that some of their clothing was missing. May Hall, 19, was later charged with stealing clothing and then burning those she did not want. Prison record for May Hall, prisoner registered number 7351, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.english speaking prisoner, female prisoner, may hall, burglary, stealing, arson