Below also see: Owen McMahon, 1911
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 13 Nov 1902 1
LATE COUNTRY NEWS.
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QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Forbes, Wednesday.
The Quarter Sessions were continued to-day, Sydney Parsons and Owen McMahon were charged with stealing sheepskins, the property of GM Gavel, Condobolin. There was a second charge of being in possession of skins which were reasonably supposed to have been stolen. McMahon pleaded guilty. Parsons was defended by Mr McIntosh, and pleaded not guilty. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of receiving, but found that the skins had been received without the knowledge of them having been stolen. The judge interpreted the verdict as one of not guilty, and ordered the skins to be returned to Mr Gavel. The sentencing of McMahon was deferred.
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Forbes and Parkes Gazette, Fri 14 Nov 1902 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Tuesday, 11th November.
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(Before His Honor Acting-Judge Hamilton.)
Mr JHP Murray, Crown Prosecutor.
William Gibson Dowling and Arthur Sharp, Esqs, were sworn in as Justices of the Peace.
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STEALING SHEEPSKINS.
Sydney Parsons, and Owen McMahon were charged with, at Condobolin, stealing 13 sheepskins the property of GM Gavel, a second count of receiving was added. Mr McIntosh appeared for Parsons.
Accused Parsons pleaded not guilty, McMahon pleaded guilty.
Constable Rose, Bogan Gate, deposed: Know Parsons; on 22nd August with Constable Bool I saw Parsons; questioned him concerning another charge; I said “Where did you come from?” He said “Bogan Gate.” I Sais “Where were you before you came to Bogan Gate?” He said “Condobolin.” I asked “Down the river from Condobolin?” He said “No.” I said “Did you sell any sheepskins at Bogan Gate?” He said “Yes to a Chinaman dealer.” I said “How many were there?” He said “I did not count them, believe about six or seven.” He said that he got them from a mate he picked up on the Bogan, and he travelled with him to Condobolin, and started from Condobolin on the road to Bogan Gate on 17th, and camped on the Billabong; next morning my mate, Owen McMahon, went to get the horses, and returned in about two hours carrying a bundle of sheepskins; I said “You’re loaded.” He said “I bought them from a cockey [sic] going to town, I gave him 4¼d. You’ll do all right out of them, you’ll get 7d; they cost me 30s; I gave him the 30s and told him not to do any more dealings for me as I can do my own; don’t know what time, he went away, about sunrise; Bool and I then took Parsons to Trundle—we had arrested him on another charge—and that evening in the cell he commenced to tell me it all over again, cautioned him and said, “If you make a statement it will be put in writing;” he made a statement produced (read); the next day in the charge room at Bogan Gate I showed McMahon, in the presence of Parsons and Bool, 13 skins (produced) which I obtained from Ah Chong, and said to McMahon, “Did you ever see these skins before?” He said “I can swear to those branded W.” I said “Where did you see them before?” He replied “This man (pointing to Parsons) sold them to a Chinaman dealer here; he stole them from a woolshed below Condobolin; I was with him when he took them.” Parsons said nothing to that; I charged them; McMahon made no reply; Parsons said “I know nothing about them, I did not steal them.”
By Mr McIntosh—Parsons would know there was something wrong; he was being questioned about another charge; he did not hesitate but gave the same statement he had given all through; when McMahon said Parsons stole them Parsons said, “Did not I buy them from you!” McMahon said “No you stole them and I was with you.” Parsons told me where he sold the skins;; McMahon gave me some information some other things.
George Miller Gavel, South Gulgo, grazier and farmer, deposed: Have seen skins produced before; believe them to belong to me; I identify them by my brand all but one or two; the others the brand and ear marks have been tampered with, but I believe them mine; have no doubt about the most of them; saw them before at Gulgo; saw them at Bogan Gate; missed them from my woolshed a week or so before I saw them at Bogan Gate; missed 13 or 14; have sold no skins.
By Mr McIntosh—The police first told me they were stolen; they were from sheep that had died; they could have taken others; have sold sheep and pelts; have lost sheep near Condobolin branded the same; could not swear they are not from sheep I lost; missed 13 or 14 skins; did not miss the skins till I was told; was certain without a doubt before the skins were counted that I had lost 12 or 14; can’t say when I lost them; lost sheep, but I can’t say how many.
Ah Chong, dealer, Bogan Gate, deposed—Know accused before, and bought skins from them; they had a waggonette; both came in; bought skins and paid them £2 7s 6d and afterwards Constable Ross took them away.
By Mr McIntosh—It was about dinner time; there was no request for concealment; take no notice of brands.
Richard Jones, overseer, Burrawang, deposed—Was there in August last, and saw accused on Billabong Creek on Tuesday, 19th August; both accused; they had a waggonette and three horses; saw the horses about 8 o’clock, and they left about 11; saw no skins.
Constable Bool, Trundle, deposed—Know Parsons, and was present at a conversation between he and Constable Ros, and when statement was made, and when Rose showed them the sheepskins; McMahon said he had seen them before, and could swear to those skins with the brand on them; Parsons said, “Do you mean to say I did not get them from you!” McMahon said, “No, you stole them from a shed below Condobolin, I was with you;” that was all I heard.
By Mr McIntosh—Parsons denied the statements of McMahon; he did not deny it a second time in my presence; he denied it the first time.
For the defence—
Sydney Parsons, hawker, accused, deposed—On morning of 19th August was camped on Billabong Creek; got up early and said I would cook the breakfast if he would get the horses; he returned with a load of skins, which he said he had bought from a “cockey” at 4¼d per lb, and that there were about 80lbs; I said, “How do you know there’s 80lbs?” He said, “That’s what the ‘cockey’ said. I gave 30s for them;” I said, “That’s no good, don’t be buying any more, my horse are too weak; “Oh,” he said, “you’ll do right enough out of them, you’ll get 7d per lb, I thought I was doing you a good turn;” gave him the 30s; after I sold them gave him 5s, and he said I could afford to give him another 5s as I made nearly another £ out of them; he said if I did not give him some more he would put me away and give me some trouble; he then went away; picked him up on the Bogan, and gave him a lift to Dandaloo.
By Mr Murray—He went in the direction of the police; I was arrested four or five hours after we had this conversation; Constables Rose and Bool arrested me; he said there were 16 or 17 fleeces in the bundle; did not count them; sold 16 or 17 to the Chinaman of those I got from McMahon; got £2 7s 6d—5½ per lb; gave 30s for them; asked him did he know the cocky; he said no; did not ask where he lived; never bought skins before; did not want him to deal for me; never thought the skin were stolen; said I had a good mind not to have anything to do with him then; would sooner deal myself; my horses were weak; shore with him one year, about three or four years ago; he went to get my horses, and came back with 80lbs of skins; never examined them; had no idea he stole them; there was a house near; the skins were in the trap when Mr Jones came; the horses saw him coming with the skins, and came in; only sold the skins I got from McMahon to the Chinaman; only got one bundle.
Mr Murray asked permission to cross-examine witness.
By Mr Murray—I am serving six months in gaol over some skins; they were pelts; McMahon and I were tried together; this was for skins I sold to the Chinaman at the same time.
The jury after a short retirement, found a verdict of guilty of receiving without knowledge of the goods being stolen.
The judge said this amounted to a verdict of not guilty, and ordered the skins to be returned to Mr Gavel.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 14 Nov 1902 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Forbes, Thursday.
At the quarter sessions to-day,
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Sydney Parsons was charged with sheep stealing, and on a second count with receiving. He was found guilty on the first count and was remanded for sentence.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 17 Nov 1902 4
COUNTRY NEWS.
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QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Forbes, Friday.
The Quarter Sessions were brought to a close to-day.
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Owen McMahon pleaded guilty to sheepskin-stealing, and was sentenced to nine months’ hard labour, concurrent with his present sentence. Sydney Parsons was found guilty of sheep-stealing and was sentenced to nine months’ hard labour concurrent with his present sentence.
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The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 21 Nov 1902 5
FORBES SESSIONS.
At the Forbes quarter sessions,
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Sydney Parsons was charged with sheep stealing, and on a second count with receiving. He was found guilty on the first count and remanded for sentence.
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Sydney Parsons, Gaol photo sheet 6
![SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1422, p. 119, R5086.](../../images/trials/1902-McMahon-5961-gaol-photo-1422-Sydney-Parsons.jpg "SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1422, p. 119, R5086.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1438 1422
Bathurst
Date when Portrait was taken: 15th January1903
Name: Sydney Parsons
(aka John Sidney Boide)
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Native place: Turon near Hill End Year of birth: 1874 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6¾" Weight On committal: 145 Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
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Bogan Gate PC Dubbo PC
exd |
29 24
6 |
8 11
2 |
1900 1930
1931 |
Stealing sheepskins Fail to produce crown grants to |
6 months HL.
£5-16-0 or 6 months HL |
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Owen McMahon, Gaol photo sheet 7
![SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1437, p. 134, R5086.](../../images/trials/1902-McMahon-5961-gaol-photo-1437-Owen-McMahon.jpg "SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1437, p. 134, R5086.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 1437
Date when Portrait was taken: 15th January 1903
Name: Owen McMahon
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Native place: Goulburn Year of birth: 1867 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: Nil Height: 5' 6" Weight On committal: 163 Colour of hair: Light brown Colour of eyes: Hazel |
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(No. of previous Portrait ... ) CONVICTIONS |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
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Cowra PC Bogan Gate PC Forbes Q.S |
31 29 11 |
1 8 11 |
1888 1902 1902 |
Indecent language Stealing sheepskins 1) ditto |
£3 or 1 month HL. | 6 months HL. 9 months HL. |
Owen McMahon, 1911
The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 12 Dec 1910 8
WEST MAITLAND POLICE COURT.
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Monday, December 12.
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The bench at the West Maitland Police Court this morning was occupied by Mr J McKensey, PM.
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CHILDREN’S COURT.
In the Children’s Court, Owen McMahon was charged with having, at West Maitland, on December 6, indecently assaulted a girl, [Edna Nora Wilson], aged 5 years and 10 months, and a boy [Lyle Wilson] aged 7 years.
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McMahon was committed for trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions on January 31.
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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 2 Feb 1911 9
NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before Judge Fitzhardinge.)
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The Newcastle Court of Quarter Sessions sat again yesterday, Mr AF Dawson was Crown Prosecutor, and Mr H Berkeley, deputy sheriff for Newcastle, occupied a seat on the Bench.
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ACQUITTED BY DIRECTION.
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Owen McMahon was arraigned on a charge of assaulting a girl of tender years, at West Maitland on December 6th. Mr MC Chubb (instructed by Mr JA Wood) appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. In this case also the jury, by direction of his Honor, returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.
McMahon was further charged with assaulting a boy at West Maitland on December 6th. Mr MC Chubb (instructed by Mr JA Wood) appeared for the accused. By direction of his Honor, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged. The children whom the accused was charged with assaulting were not called upon to give evidence.
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The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 27 Jul 1911 10
A NAVVY’S FATAL FALL.
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ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
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An inquiry was held at the Paterson Courthouse on Tuesday, the 25 instant, before the Coroner (Mr W Tucker), into the death of Owen McMahon, whose body was found the previous day under the railway bridge at Paterson by a boy named Frederick Cann.
The evidence of the police went to show that deceased was employed as a navvy on the North Coast railway, and was camped at Martin’s Creek, near Paterson. He visited Paterson on Saturday evening and left in company with his mates about 11.30 pm, being slightly under the influence of liquor. After crossing the railway bridge he wandered away from his mates in the darkness, and nothing more was seen of him until his dead body was found at about 1 pm on Monday by the boy Cann under the bridge. Deceased had apparently fallen from the bridge, a distance of about 20ft, and was evidently killed instantaneously.
The Coroner found that death was due to injuries accidentally received through falling from a railway bridge.
Deceased is said to have been a native of New South Wales, and it is believed that there are relatives residing about Orange, Bathurst, Coonamble, and Barraba. A number of Workers’ Union tickets were found on deceased, one Shearers’ Union funeral ticket (Barraba branch), showing that deceased was financial to September 30, 1911, and thereby entitled to £7/10/ funeral expenses. Deceased’s fellow workmen defrayed the funeral expenses.
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The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 29 Jul 1911 11
A NAVVY’S FATAL FALL.
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ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
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An inquiry was held at the Paterson Courthouse on Tuesday, the 25 instant, before the Coroner (Mr W Tucker), into the death of Owen McMahon, whose body was found the previous day under the railway bridge at Paterson by a boy named Frederick Cann.
The evidence of the police went to show that deceased was employed as a navvy on the North Coast railway, and was camped at Martin’s Creek, near Paterson. He visited Paterson on Saturday evening, and left in company with his mates about 11.30 pm, being slightly under the influence of liquor. After crossing the railway bridge he wandered away from his mates in the darkness, and nothing more was seen of him until his dead body was found at about 1 pm on Monday by the boy Cann under the bridge. Deceased had apparently fallen from the bridge, a distance of about 20ft, and was evidently killed instantaneously.
The Coroner found that death was due to injuries accidentally received through falling from a railway bridge.
Deceased is said to have been a native of New South Wales, and it is believed that there are relatives residing about Orange, Bathurst, Coonamble, and Barraba. A number of Workers’ Union tickets were found on deceased, one Shearers’ Union funeral ticket (Barraba branch), showing that deceased was financial to September 30, 1911, and thereby entitled to £7/10/ funeral expenses. Deceased’s fellow workmen defrayed the funeral expenses.
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The Tamworth Daily Observer, Sat 29 Jul 1911 12
FELL FROM RAILWAY BRIDGE.
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FATALITY AT PATERSON.
West Maitland, Thursday.
An inquiry was held at the Paterson Court House to-day, before the Coroner (Mr W Tucker), into the death of Owen McMahon, whose body was found on the railway bridge at Paterson by a boy named Frederick Cann. The evidence went to show that deceased was employed as a navvy on the North Coast railway, and was camped at Martin’s Creek, near Paterson. He visited Paterson on Saturday evening and left in company with his mates at about 11.30 pm, being slightly under the influence of liquor. After crossing the railway bridge he wandered away from his mates and in the darkness nothing more was seen of him.
The Coroner found that death was due to injuries acidentally [sic] received through falling from a railway bridge.
Deceased is said to have been a native of New South Wales, and it is believed there are relatives residing about Orange, Bathurst, Coonamble, and Barraba. A member of Workers’ Union tickets were found on deceased, and one Shearers’ Union funeral ticket (Barraba branch), showing that deceased was financial to September 30, 1911, and thereby entitled to £7/10 funeral expenses. Deceased’s fellow workmen defrayed the funeral expenses.
1 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 13 Nov 1902, p. 8.
2 Forbes and Parkes Gazette, Fri 14 Nov 1902, p. 4. Emphasis added.
3 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 14 Nov 1902, p. 4.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 17 Nov 1902, p. 5.
5 The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Fri 21 Nov 1902, p. 29.
6 SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1422, p. 119, R5086.
7 SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1437, p. 134, R5086.
8 The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 12 Dec 1910, p. 2.
9 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 2 Feb 1911, p. 7.
10 The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 27 Jul 1911, p. 5.
11 The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 29 Jul 1911, p. 8.
12 The Tamworth Daily Observer, (NSW), Sat 29 Jul 1911, p. 6.