John Sutherland, better known as the ‘Duke of Sutherland’, died on the 26th of February 1895 in his own camp at Nannine, in the Meekatharra district. His age was not known. He was a miner who was shot dead by an old friend, Henry Augustus Muller, who then killed himself. Both men were old identities […]
Murder or Suicide – that is the question.
30/07/2022 By Leave a Comment
While conducting extensive research into those buried who are buried in the Cue Cemeteries, John Pritchard came across this unusual story about the death of a man who was among the earliest burials in the most unusual circumstances. BURDETT Robert Ambrose — 43 yrs, d 26 Mar 1894, in Cue WA, he was born in […]
Death by Despair – Leonora Snapshots
25/09/2021 By 2 Comments
In the last edition of the ‘Leonora Cemetery Snapshots’ we looked at ‘all the little children’. This edition looks at suicide which was a sad but common cause of death in the early days of the Goldfields. Sometimes it was a release from certain and horrific death by thirst or heat. Other times it was […]
Crime Passionnel – tragedy at Kanowna
23/05/2019 By 1 Comment
Kalgoorlie Western Argus 4 October 1900, page 10 Tragedy at Kanowna. ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE. A shocking tragedy, the motive of which is not yet ascertainable, owing to the meager particulars at hand, was enacted at Kanowna on Tuesday afternoon. A Frenchman named Henri Lance, who was connected with the recent prostitute cases in Kalgoorlie, […]
My Own Dear Boy:-
03/06/2018 By 1 Comment
Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette 29 July 1897 SUICIDE AT SMITHFIELD Last Saturday week a miner, Thomas McKileen, living by himself in a tent at Smithfield, committed suicide by blowing his brains out. At an inquest held on Monday afternoon before the acting-Coroner, Mr. E. O. Butler, J,P. it was elicited that on Friday […]
