Menzies Murderer Hanged

MENZIES MURDERER EXECUTED

PERTH, May 4 1904 – Mianoor Mahomet, the Menzies murderer, was hanged at Fremantle this morning, a couple of minutes after the appointed hour, 8 o’clock. The doomed man had only to step across a few paces of the open yard to the house of execution. He had asked that he should not be disturbed until he had completed his last prayers with the Mohammedan priest. The gaol governor, Mr George, sympathetically allowed the request.

Mianoor was supported on one side by the Mohammedan priest, and on the other by the gaol chaplain, the Rev. G. O’Halloran. He walked briskly without a sign of hesitation. He was evidently quite resigned to his fate, and gave not so much as a glance to either side. The prisoner was dressed in brilliant Oriental robes at his special request, for he remarked to Mr George, “I want to die a Mohammedan.” His native clothes showed off his fine figure. He was above the average height, and splendidly proportioned and was just 37 years of age. His face was heavily bearded.

Group of Afghans – Photo SLWA

The only sign of emotion he displayed, was a slight contraction of the muscles of the mouth as he walked. The priest spoke words of encouragement to the murderer in his native language, and the latter was seen to move his lips in reply. As he stood on the scaffold the doomed man turned to the priest, and then to the warders and officials who surrounded him. “You are witnesses of my last prayer for forgiveness. There is only one God, and I hope he will forgive me.” He said this clearly, but quickly in the native tongue.

The hangman had a few seconds of trouble in adjusting the rope, which the cold had stiffened, and then followed the last few heart beats of the doomed wretch’s life. The terrible strain on the man’s nerves gave a last outward sign. It was soon over. A click of the machine and Mianoor Mahomet forfeited his life in expiation of his crime. The man was given a 4ft drop, and death was instantaneous. The priest said the executed man frequently expressed sorrow for the deed. He said he was glad he had not killed the others at whom he shot. He ordered that all his debts should be paid, and about £12, which remained, should be distributed among the poor of both his countrymen and Christians.

The Crime

Western Mail 7 May 1904, page 16

On the night of November 16  last ‘1903’ a company of four Afghans, named Meer Shakoor, Goolam Mahomet, and Esmael Meer, were taking their evening meal in their camp, at Bicton Valley, near Menzies. They were talking amicably amongst themselves, when the peacefulness of the scene was suddenly disturbed by the appearance of a fellow countryman named Mianoor Mahomet, who rode up to the door on horseback, “Have you seen my camels?” he asked of one of the men named Meer. “No,” replied the latter, and Mianoor said, “You men give me trouble all the time” Goolam Mahomet interjected, “Show which man gives you trouble.” Mianoor retorted “You for one” and, at the same time he produced a revolver and fired at Goolam, the shot striking him in the face under the left eye. Shakoor ran away, but before the other two could escape they too were both shot, Esmael being hit in the temple and Meer on the top of the head.

Mianoor then jumped on his horse and galloped away. When Shakoor returned to the camp he found Meer in a dying condition, while the other two were badly wounded. The police were communicated with, and medical assistance was summoned, but five minutes after the arrival of Doctor Corlis, Meer expired. Mianoor was arrested by Constable O’Connor on the following day.

The Afghan denied all knowledge of the murder, but when he was taken to the hospital Goolam Mahomet identified him as the man who fired the shots. At the inquest on the body of Meer, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Mianoor, and on March 17 the Afghan was tried at the Kalgoorlie Criminal sessions. No witnesses were called for the defence, but counsel for the accused set up the plea that the shooting was purely the result of an accident, and was not wilful.

Mianoor was found guilty, and the death sentence was passed upon him. In the official records the name of the murderer was given as Mianoor Mahomet, but in conversation with a “West Australian” reporter after the execution, Mr Hayat stated that his correct name was ‘Meyan Noor’. Before going to the gallows the condemned man had made inquiries as to whether it would not be possible for his execution to be delayed for a day, so that the first morning on which his body was in the grave would be Friday, the Mohammedan holy day. He could not understand why the gaol officials could not postpone his death for a day, but he concealed his disappointment when his last hour arrived. After he was sentenced to death, Mianoor seemed to be abandoned by his follow countrymen and at his request the gaol Anglican chaplain, Mr. O’Halloran, was asked to administer spiritual consolation.

Having previously served a sentence of two years for assault and robbery, during which time he attended the Protestant services held in the gaol, Mianoor was familiar with the principles of Christianity, and he showed his appreciation of the visits of Mr O’Halloran to the condemned cell. He was a man of moods, and in some respects he appeared to be very childish. The chaplain’s task, however, was not difficult, and he was struck with the earnest attention of the Afghan. Mianoor explained that sometimes he became a “sulky fellow,” and he was then “‘no good.” He strenuously affirmed that he was innocent of the charge of assault and robbery, for which he was sentenced to two years imprisonment some time ago, but he did not deny his guilt in connection with the murder for which he had to forfeit his life.

End Note: Contrary to the wish expressed by Mianoor Mahomet, both at his trial and while he occupied the condemned cell, his body was not taken to Coolgardie for burial. When the formal proceedings were completed at the gaol the remains of the Afghan were handed over to a party of his fellow countrymen, who interred them at Karrakatta with all the usual Mohammedan rights.