Below also see: William Pettit, 1910
The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 1 Apr 1904 1
NOTES ON CURRENT EVENTS.
————
…
THEFT OF A PORTMANTEAU.—On Tuesday last Mr Eulenstein and a friend came into town from Henty, and put up at the Club Hotel. Leaving a portmanteau in the hall Mr Eulenstein proceeded up the town to attend a Masonic meeting. After his departure Mr HF Jackson saw a man running down the street with a portmanteau in his hand. He informed the police, who on going in the direction indicated met three men coming from the bridge near the Botanic Gardens in Dean-street. These men were detained whilst Constable Blackburne made a search of the locality, presently finding Mr Eulenstein’s portmanteau under the bridge, with most of the contents missing. Two of the men—John Pettit and Herbert Pettit—were arrested. The third being a local resident will be proceeded against by summons if necessary. The two Pettits were brought before the police court on Wednesday, and remanded until Tuesday next. On Wednesday afternoon the police found the camp of the accused men, and there recovered the whole contents of the portmanteau. Yesterday William Pettit, the fourth men believed to be concerned in the theft, was arrested, brought before the court, and remanded till Tuesday.
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The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 8 Apr 1904 2
ALBURY POLICE COURT.
———◦———
Tuesday, April 5.
(Before Mr Evans, PM.)
John Pettitt, [sic] Herbert Pettitt, and William Pettitt were charged with stealing several articles, the value of £10, belonging to Mr Eulenstein, for the Club Hotel.
HF Jackson, auctioneer, deposed: On the night of the 29th March I missed the portmanteau from the hall of the hotel, and I reported the matter to the police; afterwards I recognised one of the accused with three others passing the hotel, and followed him to the gardens; whilst standing near the bridge in Dean-street I saw John Pettitt and William Pettitt run away from under the bridge, and then into the gardens; they then came back to the gardens gate where the police interviewed them; the police then, on my information, discovered the portmanteau under the bridge.
Thu 28 Nov 1889, p. 25. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
Senior-constable Blackburne deposed: I saw the accused John and Herbert Pettitt near the Dean-street bridge; I looked underneath the bridge and found the portmanteau, which was cut open, also several articles scattered about, all of which Mr Eulenstein claimed as his property; I then arrested them; this morning I charged the three accused with stealing the articles produced.
James Conors [sic] deposed: I had a conversation with William Pettitt last Wednesday morning on Mate’s corner; in conversation he said his mates had been locked up over a portmanteau; he said he had found a suit of clothes worth £5 or £6.
Constable Harris deposed to arresting William Pettitt on a charge of stealing a suit of clothes, and also with being concerned in stealing the portmanteau and other articles produced.
Michael John Wells deposed: On the 29th ult, in company with John Pettitt, Herbert Pettitt and Jack Miller, I went to the bridge in Dean-street; shortly after this I saw the two accused with something in their hands; I do not know anything about the removal of the portmanteau from the hotel.
Albert Eulenstein, farmer, near Henty, deposed: I identify the portmanteau, suit of clothes, and other articles produced as my property; I value them at about £7.
This concluded the evidence against the accused.
The accused were then committed for trial at the next Circuit Court on 11th April.
The accused were then charged with stealing a felt hat belonging to WH Gore, and pleaded not guilty.
On the charge William Pettitt and the other two accused were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment in Albury Gaol.
William Pettitt was then charged with stealing a pair of shoes, the property of James Smirl, and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.
William and John Pettitt were then charged with stealing a pair of shoes, the property of John Carew, and were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 12 Apr 1904 3
COUNTRY NEWS.
———◦———
…
CIRCUIT COURTS.
———
…
Albury, Monday
At the Albury Circuit Court, before Mr Justice Simpson, John Pettit, Herbert Pettit, and William Pettit were charged with stealing from a dwelling. William Pettit was convicted, and sentenced to two years’ hard labour. The other two accused were acquitted.
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The Argus, Wed 13 Apr 1904 4
NEW SOUTH WALES.
———◦———
…
NEWS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.
ALBURY, Tuesday.—In connection with the recent robbery from the Club Hotel two young men, named John Pettit and Herbert Pettit, were at the Circuit Court last night acquitted on a charge of stealing from a dwelling. A third brother, William Pettit, was convicted of receiving, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour.
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The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 15 Apr 1904 5
ALBURY CIRCUIT COURT.
———◦———
Monday, April 11.
(Before Mr Justice Simpson.)
This court was opened at the usual hour. Mr GC King held the Crown briefs. Dr Andrews acted as deputy-sheriff.
STEALING FROM A DWELLING.
William Pettit, John Pettit, and Herbert Pettit pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging them with stealing from the Club Hotel a portmanteau containing a quantity of clothing the property of Albert Eulenstein on 29th March. A second count charged them with receiving.
The following jurors were sworn:— Messrs W Doubleday, FJ Kirby, JJ Richardson, GA Gehrig, JH Wise, P Fietz, J Drummond, J Harrison, W Davidson, J Laver, FS Chandler, A Klinberg.
John Edward O’Dwyer, licensee of the Club Hotel, stated that the hotel was his dwelling house.
To the Jury: Mr Eulenstein was a lodger in the hotel that night; he was going home, but on account of the robbery stayed for the night.
Henry Farrington Jackson, an auctioneer, residing at the Club Hotel, Albury, stated that on the night of the 29th March he missed the portmanteau from the hotel at about 8.30; it had been left in the hall at about 7.45; when he missed it he went to the Masonic Hall to see if Mr Eulenstein had sent for it; when on the steps of the hotel he saw a man standing near whom he had seen before about the town; he now recognised the man as John Pettit; the witness went on to describe the search for the property, the following of four men to the Botanic Gardens, and their subsequent discovery under the bridge at the west end of Dean-street, from which they ran out when Mr Eulenstein (who was with him) threw a lighhted match over the side of the bridge; two of them ran to the gardens, under the byway, and doubling came out at the gate; by entering the gardens they could come out under the bridge in Dean-street; there were two other men there whom he knew—Miller and West—but he did not think the third one of the Pettits was there; there were only four men there—two Pettits and Miller and West; while he was on the bridge two of the men who ran away returned to the Dean-street gate of the gardens.
To John Pettit: I saw you go away from the hotel; I could not say that you were carrying the portmanteau; it was possible for you to carry it in front of you so that I could not see it; I was about 30 yards from you at the time; the hotel street lamp gave a very bright light; when I went down the street Mr Eulenstein and Mr C Haberecht were with me; at the time I first saw you I was talking to Mr Richardson; when I saw the four men going down the street there were four or five men talking to me at the hotel.
Herbert Pettit was about to cross-examine when His Honor advised him to do nothing of the kind.
Albert Eulenstein, a farmer at Henty, deposed that he left the portmanteau in Mr Jackson’s possession at 7.45; it was latched, but not locked, and could not be opened by anyone not used to it; the portmanteau contained clothing, books, cheque-book, railway ticket, &c; when Mr Jackson came and told him of the loss of the portmanteau they went towards the Botanic Gardens; witness corroborated the statements of Mr Jackson as to what followed; when he next saw the portmanteau it was ripped open and most of the contents were missing; the total value of the property was £7 10s; witness identified the articles produced as his property; he could not identify any of the men; he first saw them when they were handcuffed.
Senior-constable William John Blackburne stated that it was about 10 pm when he found the portmanteau under the Dean-street bridge near the Gardens; before getting to the bridge he saw John and Herbert Pettit and a man named West coming from the direction of the bridge; they were 10 or 15 yards from the bridge when he saw them first; he stopped the Pettits and asked their names; John replied that his name was Pettit, as did Herbert also; he told Constable Ling to take John Pettit to the hotel to see Mr Jackson, who just then came up, and at once identified John Pettit as the man he had seen at the hotel; on John Pettit he found a knife and about 3s in silver; Herbert Pettit had nothing on him but a few sundries, including three watch chains; they were not things connected with the present case; the chains were of a very common kind; the man West was also known as Webb; he got the boots produced at the lockup from the Curator of the Gardens next morning.
To His Honor: West was not arrested; he walked away while they were talking to the Pettits; he knew West; he knew nothing against William Pettit in that case.
Michael John Webb stated that he was a labourer residing in Albury; his mother was first known as Webb, then as West; his name was Webb; on March 29 he and two others—Golding and Miller—were at the waterworks, and returned about 7 pm; after tea he was with a girl, and stayed with her until after 9 o’clock; he then walked up the street and stood talking at Ryan’s corner with Golding, Miller, and one or two of the soldier chaps; Herbert Pettit also came up; witness did not know him, but had seen him about the street; Herbert Pettit came and asked him to have a drink; they went to Heillmann’s wine rooms; when going round the corner they met John Pettit, whom he did not then know except by sight; the three of them then went to have the drink, after which they returned to Dean-street and met Miller; one of the prisoners suggested that they should take a walk down to the Gardens, which they did; they went into the creek and were coming up when the police arrived; he came out of the creek alone and saw the prisoners talking to the police; he saw the two Pettits under the bridge; they all went in together, the two Pettits ahead; he saw one of them with something in his hands; when going down the men had nothing in their hands; they seemed to pick up something under the bridge; he could not say what it was they picked up.
To the Jury: When the men came from under the bridge they did not have anything in their hands; they were in his company that night for half an hour.
To His Honor: Witness did not go away quickly when he saw the police; he knew Senior-constable Blackburne by sight since he came to Albury; he could not remember the senior-constable ever speaking to him.
To the Jury: From the time they met John Pettit, about 9.15, he did not leave them until they went to the bridge.
His Honor: What do you do? When did you work last?
Witness: About a month ago, for a couple of hours; two weeks before that he did some work at another job; off and on he had been carting wood for his brother; he also worked off and on at Yambla Station.
To John West: They were under the bridge about a minute.
James Connors, a labourer, residing in Stanley-street, stated he knew Wm Pettit by sight, but did not know his name; he met him on the morning of the police court proceedings; they met at Mate’s corner, and he asked why his mates got locked up; he replied that “It was something about a portmanteau;” the prisoner also said he had found a suit of clothes; that was all that was said.
To the prisoner William Pettit: The police came to him in the afternoon; they did not then say they had W Pettit locked up; witness went to the police office with the constable and made a statement to Senior-sergeant Musgrave; at the station the prisoner did not deny telling him that he found a suit of clothes; he said he’d show them where it was.
Constable Harris stated that he arrested William Pettit in Dean-street; on the way to the lock-up the prisoner asked what he was to be charged with; witness said with stealing a suit and other articles; prisoner replied, “I know nothing of a suit of clothes;” after that he got James Connors, who in prisoner’s presence said he was the man who told him he found a suit of clothes; in reply to Senior-sergeant Musgrave, the prisoner said he would point out where the clothes were; he took witness across the railway line and pointed out the suit in a thick bush; after that he went to the tent of William Pettit, 100 yards from the place where the clothes were found; the clothes were in a white flour bag; at the lock-up the prisoner said he found the suit that morning behind a stump.
To W Pettit: I did not tell you on the way to the lockup that the charge was one of having no visible means of support; I arrested the prisoner from information received.
Lily Quong Wah was called, and in reply to John Pettit said she saw him on March 29; he sold her some boots on that day, and she told him to call for the money; the clock struck nine when he was there; her residence was about half-a-mile from the Club Hotel.
Patrick McCann was called by accused, Herbert Pettit, and stated he saw him on Ryan’s corner between 9 and 9.30 pm.
To Mr King: Witness knew Pettit before he came to Albury, at Young.
Harriet Anna Brown was called by accused Wm Pettit, and stated that she saw him about 8.15 on the Wednesday night before the 29th March on the corner of Elizabeth-street, near the Club Hotel; she had met him near the baths on Sunday night; she did not meet any one on the following night.
Witness had made a statement to Senior-sergeant Musgrave, and was cross examined on it by Mr King.
To His Honor: She signed the statement, but it referred to another man, not Wm Pettit; it was Herbert Pettit; she was quite sure Wm Pettit did not speak to her on the 29th March; Herbert Pettit met her near Elizabeth-street that night.
The accused John Pettit stated that on the 29th March, at 8 o’clock, he was with his two brothers and went down towards the Criterion Hotel; he went down to Mrs Quong Wah to get 2s; he got the money and came back to meet his brothers, but did not see them; he went towards the gardens and from there towards the Railway Hotel, where he stayed for about half an hour, and then returned to the main street; afterwards with two other men and his brother Herbert he went to the gardens.
Cross-examined by Mr King: He left the camp at 9 o’clock in the morning on the 29th March; he had dinner in Cox’s yard, but had no tea that night; he left his brother William at 8 o’clock that evening; when under the bridge he saw a portmanteau, and picked it up, but put it down again.
Herbert Pettit, on oath, said he was with his brother William at about 8 o’clock on the night of 29th March.
After some further evidence had been taken, the Crown prosecutor addressed the jury.
His Honor summed up.
The jury found William Pettit guilty of receiving, and he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labor.
The other two men were acquitted.
This concluded the business, and the court adjourned sine die.
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William Pettit, Gaol photo sheet 6
![SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 768, p. 189, R5137.](../../images/trials/1904-Pettit-6010-gaol-photo-768-William-Pettit.jpg "SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 768, p. 189, R5137.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 768
Parramatta
Date when Portrait was taken: 21-4-1904
Name: William Pettit
(aka William Morris, William Johnson)
|
Native place: Murrumburrah NSW Year of birth: 1874 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Roman Catholic Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7" Weight On committal: 130 Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown |
Marks or special features: Small scar left forearm. Two scars upper left arm. Two vaccination marks left arm. Quarter caste aborigine. Dark complexion |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Wyalong PC Junee PC Young PC Young PC Young PC Yass PC Dubbo PC Albury PC Albury GD |
11 27 5 2 16 30 7 5 11 |
3 10 1 12 12 10 5 4 4 |
1896 1896 1901 1901 1901 1902 1903 1904 1904 |
Stealing Refuse to pay for liquor and Assault Indecent language Drunk and disorderly Drunkenness Larceny Attempt to steal from the person Stealing Receiving |
2 months HL 2 months HL £5 or 1 month L £1 or 7 days (paid fine) 10/- or 2 days (paid fine) 6 months HL 1 month HL 1 month HL 2 years HL |
William Pettit, 1910
The Cowra Free Press and Canowindra, Goolagong, Cargo, Grenfell and Young General Advertiser, Wed 10 Aug 1910 7
POLICE COURT.
——▴——
Friday
———
(Before Mr Treatt, PM.)
Michael Kelly. Drunkenness. Fined 5s, in default 48 hours’ gaol.
Thomas King. Drunk and disorderly. Fined 20s, in default 14 days’ gaol.
John Jas Daley. Drunkenness. Fined 20s, in default 7 days’ gaol.
Wm Mitchell. Drunkenness. Fined 5s, in default 48 hours’ gaol.
Wm Pettit, being an idle and disorderly person, and wilfully indecent exposure. Accused pleaded not guilty and was defended by Mr Gilcreest. Found guilty and sentenced to six months’ gaol.
Same. Resisting Constable Clark. Fined £5, in default 2 months’ gaol.
Michael Kelly. Drunkenness. Fined 5s, in default 4 days’ gaol.
Wm Hines (on bail). Drunk and disorderly. Not present. Bail estreated.
Josiah Bell. Receiving 1 charm (ornament), the property of Augusta Davis, knowing same to be stolen. Remanded until the 10th inst. Bail allowed, self in £5, and one surety of £5.
ION v. JE Taylor. Allowing horse to stray. Fined 10s, and 6s costs.
…
MERRIGANOWRY BRIDGE
Mr Coare, of the Works Department, Bathurst, arrived here yesterday for the purpose of conferring with the people interested, and reporting upon the rival sites for a low level bridge across the Lachlan River at some point between Cowra and Goolagong. He will leave here for Merriganowry and Grantville to-morrow. From all we can gather the site in the vicinity of the 14-mile peg should be the favoured one. We would strongly advise the people concerned to strenuously advocate the construction of a low level bridge, because if they decide in favour of a more costly structure there is a good prospect of the matter being hung up for a considerable period. If the bridge is to be the means of promoting production and conveniencing a large number of people the sooner we have it the better. The distance from the 14 mile peg on the Cowra—Forbes road to Billimari railway station is 4½ miles.
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William Pettit Gaol photo sheet 8
![SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5963], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No.1901, p. 184, R5086. Emphasis added.](../../images/trials/1904-Pettit-5963-gaol-photo-1901-William-Pettit.jpg "SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5963], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No.1901, p. 184, R5086. Emphasis added.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1901
Bathurst
Date when Portrait was taken: 31-8-1910
Name: William Pettit
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Native place: Murrumburrah Year of birth: 10-3-1874 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: Rom Cath Education, degree of: R. W. Height: 5' 7½" Weight On committal: 142 Colour of hair: Black Colour of eyes: Brown |
Marks or special features: Birth mark left upper arm also scar. Minus right middle toe scar outside left calf |
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(No. of previous Portrait .. 768 Parramatta) CONVICTIONS |
|||||
| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Wyalong PC Junee PC Young PC ditto ditto Yass PC Dubbo PC Albury PC Albury CC Goulburn PC Cowra PC Parkes PC |
11 27 5 5 16 30 7 5 11 8 8 27 |
3 10 1 1 12 10 5 4 4 1 8 4 |
1896 1896 1901 1901 1901 1902 1903 1904 1904 1906 1910 1915 |
Stealing Assault and refuse to pay for liquor Indecent language Drunk & disorderly Drunk Larceny Attempt to steal from the person Stealing Receiving Larceny Indecent exposure Stealing (2 charges) |
2 months H.L. 2 months H.L. £5 or 1 month H.L. 20/- or 7 days. Paid fine 10/- or 2 days. Paid fine 6 months H.L. 1 month H.L. 1 month HL 2 years H.L. 6 months HL 6 months HL I - 1 month HL |
1 The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 1 Apr 1904, pp. 22, 23.
2 The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 8 Apr 1904, p. 39. Emphasis added.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 12 Apr 1904, p. 5. Emphasis added.
4 The Argus, Wed 13 Apr 1904, p. 8. Emphasis added.
5 The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 15 Apr 1904, p. 34.
6 SRNSW: NRS2397, [3/6010], Parramatta photographic description book, 1880-1930, No. 768, p. 189, R5137.
7 The Cowra Free Press and Canowindra, Goolagong, Cargo, Grenfell and Young General Advertiser, Wed 10 Aug 1910, p. 2. Emphasis added.
8 SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5963], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No.1901, p. 184, R5086. Emphasis added.