William Thompson, 1863 

Below also see: Dennis Shea, 1865,
Denis O’Shea, 1881,
Thomas Thompson and Ernest Johnson, 1897,
Thomas O’Shea, 1905

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 29 Oct 1863 ¹

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.
———◦———
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.)

…

MUDGEE.

Wednesday, 6 pm.

    The Quarter Sessions opened to-day before Mr Justice Cary.
…
    William Thompson, horse-stealing; guilty.

 

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Dennis Shea, 1865 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 8 Nov 1865 ²

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.
———◦———
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.)

…

MUDGEE.

Tuesday evening.

    At the Mudgee Quarter Sessions,
…
    Dennis Shea, for highway robbery under arms, was found guilty.

 

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Denis O’Shea, 1881 

 

Evening News, Wed 8 Feb 1882 ³

MUDGEE QUARTER SESSIONS.

Mudgee, Wednesday.

    At the Quarter Sessions, yesterday,
…
    Denis O’Shea, convicted of horse-stealing, was brought up for sentence. The gaol records showed he served two years for horse-stealing in 1866, and 15 years roads for highway robbery in 1869, five years had been knocked off the later sentence by petition. In the present case his Honor sentenced prisoner to five years’ hard labour on the roads.
…

MUDGEE NEWS.

Mudgee, Tuesday.

…
    Mr D Buchanan, MLA, addressed the electors from Mr Belcher’s balcony last night, and gave an account of his stewardship. The assemblage was very large and enthusiastic. Mr J Kelman was voted to the chair, and explained that Mr Buchanan had come to confront Mr Cassin, an elector, who had in public print made many abusive attacks upon his character and capacity as a politician. Mr Buchanan said he regretted Mr Cassin did not think it worth his while to meet him face to face before the tribunal of public opinion. Mr Buchanan then, in an eloquent speech, gave an account of his action in the Licensing Bill, the Chinese Bill, the School and Lands Estate Bill. He advocated the policy of protection at some length, and refrained from alluding to the Milburn Creek question, as the three trustees would have to stand their trial next for alleged misconduct. An enthusiastic vote of confidence was passed to Mr Buchanan, who was listened to with great patience, and at the close of the address he received a perfect ovation.

    The Mudgee Quarter Sessions opened to-day before Judge Williamson. [sic] Mr Teece prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr Buchanan appeared for the defence in several cases. William Ryan, horsestealing and stealing in a dwelling, pleaded guilty to both charges and was remanded for sentence. Denis O’Shea was also convicted on a charge of horsestealing, and remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 11 Feb 1882 ⁴

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE
————
(From the Echo, Herald, and Evening News.)
————

…

MUDGEE.

Wednesday.

    (Evening News.) At the Quarter Sessions, yesterday,
…
    Denis O’Shea, convicted of horse-stealing, was brought up for sentence. The gaol records showed he served two years for horse-stealing in 1866, and 15 years roads for highway robbery in 1869, five years had been knocked off the latter sentence by petition. In the present case his Honor sentenced prisoner to five years’ hard labour on the roads.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Southern Argus, Tue 14 Feb 1882 ⁵

MR DAVID BUCHANAN REBUKED.

    The Western Post states that something approaching a scene occurred in the Court of Quarter Sessions at Mudgee on Wednesday afternoon. His Honor District Judge Wilkinson told Mr Buchanan he would not allow the repeated interjections the latter was making. Mr Buchanan spoke to the effect that he should act as he liked, when his Honor warmed up a bit, and threatened to commit hin, stating that he should have to behave himself as other counsel did. Eventually the affair blew over, and the business was proceeded with.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Denis O'Shea, Gaol photo sheet ⁶

 

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 105

Date when Portrait taken: 1-11-1875

Name: Denis O'Shea

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1843 Arrived        Ship: Catherine in Colony }   Year: 1853 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Book binder Religion: R C Education, degree of: R & W Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue Height: 5' 6" Weight     On committal:  in lbs     }  On discharge:   Marks or Special Features: Left hand contracted

Where and when tried: Mudgee Q.S. 7 February 1882 Offence: Horse stealing Sentence: 5 years Roads Remarks:

(No. of Previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Mudgee Q.S. ditto	- -	11 11	1863 1886	Stealing Highway robbery under arms	2 years HL 15 years Roads

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Denis O'Shea, Gaol photo sheet ⁷

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 105½

Date when Portrait taken: 21-12-1880

Name: Denis O'Shea

Native place:  Year of birth:  Arrived        Ship:  in Colony }   Year:  Trade or occupation previous to conviction  }  Religion:  Education, degree of:  Colour of hair:  Colour of eyes:  Height:  Weight     On committal:  in lbs     }  On discharge:   Marks or Special Features: See next page

Where and when tried:  Offence:  Sentence:  Remarks:

(No. of Previous Portrait ... 105 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence

 

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Thomas Thompson and Ernest Johnson, 1897 

 

Evening News, Sat 16 Jan 1897 ⁸

YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
————

    YOUNG, Saturday.—The quarter sessions were continued yesterday before Acting Judge Merewether. On Thursday evening a sensation was caused in court, when Thomas Thomson, who was charged with stealing a horse and cart, went into the box, gave evidence on his own behalf, and on being asked by the Crown Prosecutor if, under the name of Denis O’Shea he had served a sentence of fifteen years for highway robbery, denied it repeatedly. Mr Hogan, solicitor defending the accused, withdrew from the case. The accused made a statement admitting his identity, and confessed having been connected with the Gardiner gang of bushrangers. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and the accused was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 18 Jan 1897 ⁹

YOUNG QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.
———

Young, Saturday.

    The Quarter Sessions were opened on Thursday, before Acting Judge Merewether. Mr Harris was Crown Prosecutor. Thomas Thompson, an old man, and Ernest Johnson, his adopted son, were charged jointly with stealing a horse, cart, and harness, the property of Mr Fyfe, storekeeper near Gulgong. The latter pleaded guilty and the former not guilty. The case lasted all day. Accused went into the witness box and gave evidence in his own defence. In answer to the Crown Prosecutor he swore that he had never served terms of 15 years and 5 years, and had never been in trouble nor seen the inside of a gaol, although he had to admit that his left hand was injured—three fingers were contracted from burning and there were scars on the fingers of both hands—his left leg had been broken, his ears pierced, and he bore other distinguishing marks. On returning to the dock he reiterated his denial, but later on asking permission to return to the witness box, he withdrew his denials, and admitted that as a mate of the bushranger Gardiner, in 1865, he was sentenced to 15 years for robbery under arms, and in 1882, to five years for horse-stealing. He was sentenced to two years for stealing, and to a like penalty for receiving, the sentences to be concurrent. Ernest Johnson received a similar sentence for larceny and stealing sheepskins.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas Thompson, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁰

 

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1129
Goulburn

Date when Portrait taken: 19th March 1897

Name: Thomas Thompson
(aka John Johnson, Denis O'Shea)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1830 Arrived        Ship: Kate in Colony }   Year: 1840 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R & W Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Blue Height: 5' 4½" Weight     On committal: 107 in lbs     }  On discharge:   Marks or Special Features: Three fingers left hand contracted left elbow broken scar third finger right hand and left hand scare (?) scar right shin scar right side of forehead 2 marks on back

Where and when tried:  Offence:  Sentence:  Remarks:

(No. of Previous Portrait ... 105 Parramatta, 9957 )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Mudgee Q.S. ditto Young PC Young Q.S.	-   7 24 15	11  2 11   1	1865 1882 1896 1897	Robbery under arms Horse stealing Assault police 1) Horse stealing 2) Receiving and larceny	15 years PS 1st 2 years in irons 5 years Roads 21 days C 2 years HL    | 2 years HL    |  Concurrent

 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ernest Johnson, Gaol photo sheet ¹¹

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 46
Young

Date when Portrait taken: 27-4-1897

Name: Ernest Johnson

Native place: Mudgee Year of birth: 1870 Arrived        Ship:  in Colony }   Year: B.C. Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Roman Catholic Education, degree of: Read & write Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Hazel Height: 5' 8" Weight     On committal: 146 in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or Special Features: Small scar left wrist & left forearm. Mole on neck

(No. of Previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Dubbo Q.S. Young Q.S.	23  14	7  1	1895 1897	Larceny 1) Larceny 2) Larceny	12 months HL 2 years HL   | 2 years HL   |  Concurrent
Late photo - 8636

 

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Thomas O’Shea, 1905 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 14 Nov 1905 ¹²

COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———

…

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———

Cootamundra, Monday.

    The Quarter Sessions sittings were continued on Saturday and to-day.
…
    Thos O’Shea, nearly 80, was remanded for sentence for an assault. He has served over 26 years in gaol, and was one of Gardiner’s bushrangers’ gang.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 15 Nov 1905 ¹³

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
FRIDAY.

    Before his Honor Judge Dawson.
    The professional gentlemen present were Messrs Mereweather, [sic] CP, Fraser, MacMahon, Morgan and Morgan, and Vaughan.
    Officers: Mr Deputy Sheriff Nisbett , PM; Mr LW Broughton, Registrar; JW Jones, Sheriff’s Officer; Sen-sergeant Peterswald.
…

SATURDAY.

JURYMEN.

    Mr MacMahon applied for Mr P Boyton to be released as a juryman. His Honor excused him.
    Herbert John White, who had failed to appear at all, was fined.
…

INDECENT ASSAULT

    Thomas O’Shea was charged with an unmentionable offence upon Henry Blizzard, [aged 11], committed from Temora.

    Plea, not guilty, and he was undefended.

    Jury: H Freer, C Howell, JJ Leahy, MT Carberry, J Elliott, EJ Forsyth, D Passlow, J Bradman, JJ Worthington, JW Dawson, T Mangan, SO Nelson.

    The accused, as he appeared in the box, looked a feeble man, and was over 70 years of age.

    The case was a lengthy one, and the evidence of such a nature as to preclude it from the columns of a decent newspaper considerate of the feelings of readers.

    The accused was said to have been a member of Frank Gardiner’s bushranging gang.

    After the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of indecent assault.

    Accused was remanded for sentence.
…

TUESDAY.

…

———
SENTENCES.
———

DENNIS (ALIAS THOMAS) O’SHEA.

    The record of sentences against him was as follows:—At Mudgee in 1863, two years for horse stealing; at Mudgee in 1865, fifteen years for robbery under arms (he was a member of the Gardiner gang of bushrangers), and two years in irons; at Mudgee in 1882, five years for horse stealing; and at Young in 1897, two years for horse stealing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Liberal, Wed 15 Nov 1905 ¹⁴

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——▴——
FRIDAY NIGHT.
———
(Before His Honor, Judge Dawson.)
———

…

SATURDAY.
———

…

A VILE OLD MAN.

AN ANCIENT CRIMINAL.

    Thomas O’Shea, an old man with grey beard and hair, pleaded not guilty to the abominable charge of sodomy at Temora.

    Jury—Henry Freer, Chas Howell, JJ Leahy, MT Carberry, J Elliott, E Forsyth, D Paslow, J Bradman, Jas J Worthington, JW Norton, Thos Mangan, SO Nelson.

    The Crown Prosecutor briefly presented the case to the jury.

    Constable Wm G[eorge] Noble, stationed at Temora, deposed that the accused lived in a hut in top-town Temora. In consequence of information, he went to the accused, who said, “I see that woman has been spreading scandalous rumour about me,” meaning a Mrs O’Shea (no connection of accused). I then took him to the police station, and later in the day confronted him with two boys – Henry and Charles Blizzard – and their mother. Took statements from Henry Blizzard, who said he was assaulted sodomically. Accused heard all the boy said and made no reply. The constable also related how the boy’s brother corroborated the story.

    Afterwards accused made a statement. He was, he said, an old-age pensioner, 74 years of age. Came to Temora about April last. He would not answer the constable as to having been a school-teacher before going to Temora.

    To the CP—His age, according to the gaol register, would be 62. (The Prisoner here said he was 75, having been born in 1830.)

    Witness continued: At a later stage accused asked how much he thought he would get, and supposed about 10 years. He added: “I would not mind it so much only on account of my age.”

    (The evidence in chief is, of course, unfit for publication.)

    At the conclusion of the evidence, Mr Foreman Howell said some of the jury would like the evidence of a doctor, and Dr [Egbert Harrall] Florance ¹⁵ was sent for. The prisoner expressed a wish to be also examined by the doctor. He said he had one lung gone and was physically incapable of the crime charged against him.

    At 2 o’clock the case was made to wear quite a different aspect. The Judge said that the police had withdrawn the main charge and substituted one of common indecent assault, therefore the presence of the doctor was not necessary, nor would it do the accused any good.

    The verdict of the jury was then taken—it was “guilty of indecent assault.”

    His Honor then inquired if there was anything known of accused.

    Mr Acting-Gaoler Dixon produced O’Shea’s interesting record extending over the last quarter of a century:—Mudgee Quarter Sessions, November, ’63, two years’ ‘hard’; Mudgee QS, November, ‘65, robbery, under arms, 15 years (first two years in irons), commuted to 10 years; Mudgee QS, February, ‘82, horse-stealing, 5 years “on the roads”; Young QS, November, 1896, assaulting police, 21 days; Young QS, ‘97, horse-stealing and receiving, 2 years’ hard labour; Young Quarter Sessions, larceny, 2 years’ hard labor. The Gaoler added that the gaol record showed prisoner’s age to be 62 years.

    The CP: “There’s some mistake, I think accused is older than that.”

    Prisoner repeated, “I was born in 1830, at Leeds.”

    The sentence was deferred until Monday.

    The jurymen were then discharged with thanks by the Judge till Monday morning, when he said he hoped they would get through with the rest of the business.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 18 Nov 1905 ¹⁶

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
TUESDAY.

    Before his Honor Judge Dawson.
    The professional gentlemen present were Messrs Mereweather, CP, Fraser, MacMahon, Morgan and Morgan, Vaughan, and WA Holman.
    Officers: Mr Deputy sheriff Nisbett, PM, Mr LW Broughton, Registrar; JW Jones, Sheriff’s Officer; Sen-sergeant Peterswald.
…

THOMAS O’SHEA.

    Prisoner when brought up for sentence claimed merciful treatment on the ground of ill-health and old age.

    His Honor said it was hard to know what to do with him, as he had a criminal career from ‘69 to ‘93. It was no use delivering a homily to him; but he censured him for trying to insinuate something against the mother of the boy. He sentenced him to hard labour for two years in Parramatta gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Liberal, Sat 18 Nov 1905 ¹⁷

QUARTER SESSIONS.
——▴——
(Before His Honor, Judge Dawson.)
———
TUESDAY Night.
———

…

O’SHEA GETS TWO YEARS.

    Thomas O’Sea [sic], the meek looking old man who has in his time served 15 years for robbery under arms as a member of the Gardner [sic] gang of bushrangers, was called up for sentence.

    O’Shea pleaded for mercy on account of his health and old age.

    His Honor said it was useless offering advice or showing mercy to a hardened criminal like the prisoner, who had been living a life of crime for half a century.

    Sentenced to two years in Parramatta gaol with hard labor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Australian Town and Country Journal, Wed 22 Nov 1905 ¹⁸

COUNTRY NEWS.
————

…
    Cootamundra Quarter Sessions have been further adjourned until Monday next, on account of Mr GH Reid, KC, who is to defend one of the accused, being still engaged in the Dalley divorce suit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas O'Shea, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁹

 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 9957
Goulburn

Date when Portrait taken: 4-1-1906

Name: Thomas O'Shea
(aka Dennis O'Shea, Denis Shea, Thomas Wilson, Thomas Thompson, John Johnson )

Native place: Leeds England Year of birth: 17 Dec 1831 Arrived        Ship: Kate in Colony }   Year: 1840 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Bookbinder Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R&W Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Blue Height: 5' 1½" Weight     On committal: 110 in lbs     }  On discharge:   Marks or Special Features: Left hand deformed

Where and when tried:  Offence:  Sentence:  Remarks:

(No. of Previous Portrait ... 108 Parramatta [sic-105 Maitland], 1129 Goulburn )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Mudgee Q.S. ditto ditto Young PC Young Q.S. Cootamundra	-    6    7  24  14 11	11 11  2 11   1 11	1863 1865 1882 1896 1897 1905	[Horse] stealing Robbery being armed Horse stealing Assault police Horse stealing and receiving Larceny Indecent assault on a male person	2 years HL 15 years Roads the 1st 2 years in iron. Commuted to 10 years 5 years on Roads 21 days H.L. 2 years HL    | 2 years HL    |  Concurrent 2 years H.L.

 

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¹     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 29 Oct 1863, p. 4.

²     The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 8 Nov 1865, p. 5.

³     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Wed 8 Feb 1882, p. 8. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 11 Feb 1882, p. 10.

⁵     The Southern Argus, (Goulburn, NSW), Tue 14 Feb 1882, p. 2.

⁶     SRNSW: NRS2326, [2/2110], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1873-1922, No. 105, p. 59, R5127.

⁷     SRNSW: NRS2326, [2/2110], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1873-1922, No. 105½, p. 60, R5127.

⁸     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Sat 16 Jan 1897, p. 3.

⁹     The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 18 Jan 1897, p. 5. Emphasis added.

¹⁰   SRNSW: NRS2232, [3/5972], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, 17 Dec 1896-28 Jun 1899, No. 1129, p. 19, R5120.

¹¹   SRNSW: NRS2605, [3/6000], Young Gaol photographic description book, 1894-1920, No. 46, p. 46, R5135.

¹²   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 14 Nov 1905, p. 3.

¹³   The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 15 Nov 1905, p. 2.

¹⁴   The Cootamundra Liberal, Wed 15 Nov 1905, p. 2. Emphasis added.

¹⁵   The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 17 Oct 1928, p. 11.

“OBITUARY.
———◦———
DR EH FLORANCE.
———

       The funeral of Dr EH Florance, who died at Cootamundra on Saturday took place at the Manly Presbyterian Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The chief mourners present were four sons—Messrs James, Roland, Hugh, and Frank—and among old Cootamundra friends, present Messrs Steve White, WH Pinstone, Jack Henry, TW Jenkins, Glen Forsyth, Bert Southee, LW Ballhausen, TM Dickson, and WA Burton. Others at the graveside included Messrs Fred L King, AW Crocker (of the firm of Florance and Crocker), EJ Thorne, and Alderman Keith Bath (of Manly). Among the many wreath were those from representative bodies, such as the Manchester Unity branch at Cootamundra, Returned Soldiers’ branch at Cootamundra, Cootamundra APH and I Association, committee of the Cootamundra District Hospital, Jindalee Shire Council, and the Cootamundra Presbyterian Men’s League. The Rev John Calder, who officiated, made a touching address at the graveside, in which he referred to deceased as the grand old man of Cootamundra.”

¹⁶   The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 18 Nov 1905, p. 2.

¹⁷   The Cootamundra Liberal, Sat 18 Nov 1905, p. 2.

¹⁸   Australian Town and Country Journal, Wed 22 Nov 1905, p. 7.

¹⁹   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6071], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1905-1907, No. 9957, p. 28, R5111.

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