ISSUE 38 — MAY 2010 Cemetery Conversations

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF ST. KILDA CEMETERY I N C .

CORONERS, CONSTABULARY AND CRIMECRIME————A T O U R THROUGH THE CEMETERY

a permanent morgue “in coroner” by the noted he history of the connection with the office of pathologist and coroner’s establishment of a the coroner”. By the late surgeon Crawford Henry T permanent morgue in 1850s a temporary morgue Mollison (Bap “B” 594). Melbourne and the role of those was in use in the western end Magistrates then took on who assist the coroner is integral INSIDE THIS ISSUE: of the town near the wharves coronial duties, with the last to a discussion of unusual deaths (supposedly in Flinders Street), Melbourne City Coroner being in the city. C O R O N E R S , 2 but by 1867 Youl, as Coroner Hal Hallenstein who also CONSTABULARY was again deploring the state became the first State Coroner AND CRIME—A Inquests were first held in TOUR THROUGH Melbourne in 1840. At that stage of the temporary structure to under the Coroners Act 1985 THE CEMETERY… C O N T I N U E D Melbourne did not have a no avail. No government (Vic). permanent morgue and early department wished to bear the The role of the Coroner, inquests often took place at the responsibility. SIX DEGREES OF 2 coroner’s surgeon and police in S T K I L D A … site of death or in hotels with the After years of debate as to its establishing cause of deaths body in full view. This was the location, the first permanent occurring in unusual common and accepted practice of morgue was erected in circumstances is highlighted in the time as inquests were not a LIFE AND DEATH 3 Melbourne in 1888 at Bateman examples of burials in St Kilda IN CONTRAST – predominantly medical event. By Avenue and provided a central cemetery. THE PHILLIPS 1852 there was growing BROTHERS LEON, point for the identification of HERMAN AND complaint about the large H A R O L D the deceased and an Take for instance the coroner’s numbers of unidentified corpses appropriate place for the reports into the death of Violet FORTHCOMING 4 lying about the town, often in conduct of coronial inquests. Edwards (CofE “D” 0157) who T O U R S houses of public accommodation died on 6 August 1900 aged awhile awaiting a coroner’s Melbourne City Coroners have 23 of the effects of chloroform BRICE FREDRICK 4 inquest. After a corpse was B U N N Y always attracted notoriety and whilst having teeth removed in carried from house to house public comment. The first the dentist’s surgery. The role before a place could be found to coroner appointed to the City of of the forensic pathologist leave it, the question of a Melbourne was William Byman Crawford Mollison is

) permanent morgue was brought Wilmot in 1840. Accused of highlighted in the tragic murder under the notice of the Mayor at being lazy and incompetent of Audrie Ellen Fenton (CofE the police court by Mr Hull JP, who Wilmot nonetheless continued “D” 683), aged 19, a dancer www.psrs.biz hoped the proper authorities to act as Coroner until 1857 with J C Williamson, who was would investigate the matter. The tion ( tion when he was replaced by Dr. killed by her husband in a FRIENDS OF ST. KILDA Bench agreed that some great Richard Youl who served as murder/suicide on 17 May CEMETERY INC. “dereliction of duty” had occurred (REG NO. A0038728J Coroner for 40 years until his 1922. The details of the somewhere which demanded an ABN 69 718 923 799) death in 1897. Youl was murder of Thomas William inquiry into how a dead body replaced by Samuel Curtis Brady (CofE “C” 1103A) on 12 should be allowed to remain from Candler (retired 1908). The January 1897 aged 36, are PO Box 261 Monday until Wednesday before next coroner, Dr. Robert unusual, tragic and intriguing ST. KILDA VIC 3182 an inquest could be held, and in a Hodgson Cole, brought a and thoroughly highlight the house crowded with lodgers. combination of medicine and roles of Detective Henry Phone: (03) 9531 6832 law to the role and was By 1855 Dr. Youl had taken up the (Continued on page 2) described as an “excellent email: [email protected] cry for the complete necessity for website: www.foskc.org A Publishing Solutions and Research Services produc Services Research and A PublishingSolutions Cemetery Conversations Page 2

CORONERS, CONSTABULARY AND CRIME—A TOUR THROUGH THE CEMETERY...CONTINUED

(Continued from page 1) course of conducting his duty. Hear about the inquiries into Upon hearing of an attempted these deaths and much more Cawsey (OD “E” 042) and the assault upon his neighbour’s on the Friends’ “Coroners, coroner Dr. Richard Youl. daughter, Johnston took his Constabulary and Crime” tour bicycle and set off in pursuit on Sunday 23 May 2010 at We then have the unfortunate whereupon he found his man 2:00pm. circumstances of Gustav Beyer in the streets of Elwood. The (Ind “D” 144) who died 17 offender took a revolver from (Source: The Argus: 11 Nov 1852, 20 Sep 1884, 13 Jan 1897 to 18 September 1884. Beyer was his pocket and shot Johnston. Mar 1897, 7 & 8 Aug 1900, 25 infatuated with Margaret Jane The police investigation into Oct 1902, 19 & 20 May 1922; Irwin and in a passion of this case was vast and varied Brown-May and Cooke, Death, intense jealousy and rage, shot as they attempted to establish Decency and the Dead-house: The her and then himself. the identity of the murderer. city Morgue in Colonial Margaret survived the initial Melbourne, Provenance, Nov shooting but subsequently died In all these cases there were 2004, No 3, Cooke, Simon, from her wounds on 25 coronial inquests and police Inquests, http:// September. investigations, with the general www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/ EM00756b.htm, Cooke, Simon, public relying on the daily (above) Grave of Detective Henry Constable Richard Johnston newspapers of the time for Coroners, http:// Cawsey and family—OD “E” 042 (Bap “A” 180A), a 36-year-old their reportage. In that regard, www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/ member of the St. Kilda Police the Argus did not let them EM00406b.htm; PROV, Coronial Inquests, Criminal Trial Briefs, met with his death on 12 down. October 1902 whilst in the Capital Cases)

SIX DEGREES OF ST KILDA…

Moritz Michaelis (Jewish “B” Phillips Bros. Luna Park, Palais t is said that everyone on 0105) rented two of those Theatre and the now the planet is linked by six terraced houses from Mr demolished Palais De Danse led I degrees of separation. This Johnston and had them him to create a wonderfully theory is borne out when converted to suit his growing evocative series of works about studying the history of various family. He lived at Marli until he St. Kilda. people and places. was able to move in to the And as if to prove the six For example, what do James impressive home he called degrees theory—the Phillips Stuart Johnston (co-owner of Linden, which we would come to brothers too rest within St. Kilda The Argus newspaper), Moritz know as Linden Gallery. Cemetery (Jewish “B” 222A, Michaelis (of Linden fame) and Mr Johnston was to move back 223A, 224A) half way between prominent artist Sidney Nolan to Marli late in his life and the tombstones of James Stuart (buried at Highgate Cemetery in having been confined to his Johnston and Moritz Michaelis. ) all have in common? rooms there following an James Stuart Johnston (Ind “A” injurious fall he passed away at If you would like to know 83) built three terrace houses at Marli on 10 August 1896. more about these 3-7 The Esplanade, St. Kilda, prominent St. Kilda After his death Marli Place was and named it Marli Place. This residents, join us for our “St. sold and converted into a series stunning black accented, white Kilda Through the Eyes of of flats. One of these flats was Kilda Through the Eyes of building will be familiar to many rented by Sidney Nolan in 1941. the Dead” tour on 20 June of you. Nolan’s fascination with St. 2010 2:00pm. Kilda and particularly the Issue 38 — May 2010 Page 3

LIFE AND DEATH IN CONTRAST – THE PHILLIPS BROTHERS LEON, HERMAN AND HAROLD

By Tina Phillips. illuminating the night sky. In 1915, The Phillips Bros. On opening night over converted the Palais De n a stark but striking 22,000 people walked Danse into Palais Pictures. black granite grave through the gaping mouth of But the magic of the Palais I tucked away in the south the now iconic Mr Moon with De Danse would not be west corner of St. Kilda his rolling illuminated eyes quenched. Some years later Cemetery lie three brothers, peering down upon them. they built a steel vaulted side by side. Completely More than 439,000 people ceiling over the entire unadorned, the large visited Luna Park in its first building and dismantled the headstone simply states year. original Palais De Danse, re- “Phillips” and on each of the erecting it next door. They But Luna Park was not the grave stones the names, turned to a friend from Phillips’ Brothers only Herman, Leon, and Harold Chicago to redesign the two contribution to St. Kilda’s (above) Tina Phillips at the Phillips family with the bookmark dates of interiors. That friend was grave—Jewish “B” 222A, 223A, 224A foreshore playground. A their lives. Walter Burley Griffin, the year after opening Luna Park designer of our nation’s What makes this grave so the brothers established a capital. interesting is its total large timber hall across the contrast to the lives of the road and called it the Palais In fact the commissions men within. The Phillips De Danse. between the Phillips Bros. Brothers lived lives full of and Burley Griffin were quite Remembered for its magical bright lights, noisy laughter, numerous and also included atmosphere the louvered big bands and larger than the Capitol House and walls of the building would life entertainment. Originally Theatre in Melbourne’s city be opened on warm balmy from Seattle Leon, Herman centre. and Harold Phillips were evenings to capture the sea typical of the American breeze, cooling the 2,870 The Phillips Bros met with “On opening night vaudevillian traditions of the dancing patrons within. It hard times. Two World Wars, was where Squizzy Taylor and the Great Depression over 22,000 late 1800s and early 1900s. met his wife and accomplice, lent a sombre mood to their people walked St. Kilda’s entertainment Ida Pender and where clientele. But whether through the precincts were in their people from all walks of life through their public spirit, infancy in 1911 when J D gaping mouth of would gather and mingle to which allowed all uniformed Williams obtained the lease dance the night away. service men free access to the now iconic Mr on a parcel of reclaimed their beachside Two years later, the Moon with his land on the Lower Esplanade amusements, or their where E S Salambo had set entrepreneurial Phillips rolling illuminated extraordinary ability to read Brothers watched the advent up a small amusement park the mood of their patrons eyes peering of the moving pictures and called Dreamland. That and provide them with a knew this was the future of down upon them”. venture lasted just one joyous antidote, these entertainment. In fact, season but the idea was ripe entrepreneurial Brothers whether they knew it or not, for the picking. J D Williams were to bring life and they were already with Leon, Herman entertainment to Melbourne, entrenched in the history of andHarold set up the and particularly, St. Kilda the movies. One of the Greater J D Williams audiences for more than 45 locations for the first full Amusement Company and years. Luna Park was born. length motion picture, The Story of the Kelly Gang, was A legacy far greater than Opened in December 1912, the then vacant land on their understated tombstone Luna Park boasted some which Luna Park was built. may suggest. 15,000 glittering lights, Cemetery Conversations Page 4

FORTHCOMING TOURS BRICE FREDRICK BUNNY

RICE FREDERICK Bunny served in the St. Kilda BUNNY (1820-85), Municipal Council (1861-69) Coroners, Constabulary and Crime B lawyer and politician, and was its Chairman in 1862- Sunday 23 May 2010 at 2.00pm was baptized on 1 March 64. In 1866, he was elected 1820 in Newbury, Berkshire, to the Legislative Assembly for Tour leader: Elizabeth Hore. England. He was educated at St. Kilda. In 1873, he was Eton and called to the Bar in appointed an acting County May 1844. He arrived at Port Court judge but found the St. Kilda Through the Eyes of the Dead Philip in October 1852 hoping appointment uncongenial. He to make a quick fortune at the was appointed Commissioner Sunday 20 June 2010 at 2.00pm diggings. However six months of Titles in 1874, a position he of bad luck saw him back in retained until his death, but it Tour leader: Tina Phillips. Melbourne where he was proved arduous due to his called to the Bar in October failing health and declining 1853. According to The Argus, eye sight. He died on 2 June Booksellers, Authors and Literatti 3 June 1885, as a leading 1885 at St. Kilda, leaving Sunday 22 August 2010 at 2.00pm equity barrister “there was three sons and three hardly a suit of any daughters; his wife died in importance in which he was 1902.

not the leading counsel on one Their youngest son Rupert, the side”. fifth of Bunny’s seven children,

In January 1856 Bunny became one of Australia’s married Maria Hedwig most notable painters. Dorothea Wulsten (1828- Visit : Artist 1902). Maria, who was born General tour details: in Stargard, Pomerania (now in Paris: An Art Gallery of Poland), met Bunny in London NSW Travelling All tours of St. Kilda Cemetery leave from the main and followed him to Australia. Exhibition, 26 MarchMarch––––44 entrance gates on Dandenong Road, St. Kilda East. A fine looking woman, she and July 2010, The Ian Potter her husband shared an Tour cost: $10.00 for adults (except where indicated). interest in music and the arts. Centre: NGV Australia. Members of the Friends of St. Kilda Cemetery and Their friends included the www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ children (under 18 years) are free. Boyds, a’Becketts, Weigalls, rupertbunny Baron von Muller (who kept (Source: The Argus, 3 Jun 1885; Bookings: Reservations for all tours are essential. Marie supplied with exotic Cooper J B., “The History of St. Numbers are limited. plants from his nurseries at Kilda: From its First Settlement to the Botanic Gardens), Sir a City and After, 1840 to 1930”, Book now on (03) 9531 6832 or 0422 379 053 to avoid Redmond Barry, Marcus Vol 1 (1931); Forde J L., “The Story disappointment. Clarke and Alfred Felton with of the Bar of ” (1913); whom Bunny shared Samuel J., “Bunny, Brice Frederick Tours usually run for about 90 minutes. accommodation during the (1820-1885)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 3 time his wife and children Tours are offered in all weathers, so please dress (1969) p297; Sutherland A et al., travelled to Europe. The family appropriately for the conditions. There is little shelter or “Victoria and its Metropolis”, Vol 2 lived at Eckerberg in Inkerman shade within the cemetery. Tours proceed at a leisurely (1888); Thomas, D., “Rupert Street, St. Kilda and kept a Bunny, 1864-1947” (1970)) pace, and keep to the safest paths, but those who may reputedly lively and vibrant have difficulty walking on uneven ground should use household. their discretion.