In March 1851, two
troublesome characters were mentioned in the Brisbane court, one for assault
and the other for being assaulted. The
first, a local carouser living at Kangaroo Point, was charged with assaulting her house-mate.
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| Kangaroo Point Hotel |
A TROUBLESOME CHARACTER. - Ann Ferguson, a well-known
visitant at the Police-office, was yesterday presented at court by Constable
John Conroy, under the following circumstances:-
On the previous evening Mrs. Ferguson had been indulging
in vinous fluids to a considerable extent, and reeled home to Kangaroo Point in
a state of the most exalted independence; and Catherine Driscoll, who lived in
the same house with her, having opened the door for her, was immediately
rewarded by the ungrateful Ann Ferguson seizing her by the hair of the head,
and buffeting her in a most ferocious and scientific manner.[1]
Luckily there was a policeman nearby who intervened to stop the attack,
and was set upon by the bellicose Mrs. Ferguson.
Mrs. Driscoll screamed murder, and Constable John Conroy,
bursting open the door to assist her, was saluted by Ann with a blow on the
mouth, and his shirt was tom to shreds before he could get her to the
watch-house.
The Constable finally managed to restrain the belligerent, but more
trouble lay ahead.
She jumped out of the punt in crossing the river, and was
nearly drowned. The Bench ordered her to find bail for good behaviour for six
months,-herself in £10, and two sureties in £5 each: and, in default thereof,
to be committed to gaol.
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| Boat crossing the river from Kangaroo Point |
The second case involved one James Macalister, a resident of Fortitude
Valley. After stumbling back towards his residence after celebrating Saint Patrick’s
Day in the traditional libratory manner, proceeded to wake up his neighbours. Understandably
they did not react well, particularly one William Hyland. Perhaps there was already some bad blood
between Mr. Hyland and his bibulous neighbour.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN THE MORNING - The festal day of
Erin's patron saint passed off in Brisbane, with remarkable quietness, the only
broken head that came under our observation having been that of James
Macalister, who appealed to the Magistrates at the Police Office on Wednesday
last, by charging one William Hyland with assaulting him.
It appeared from the evidence of the complainant, that he
and the defendant resided in that pleasant locality known as Fortitude Valley,
in the suburbs of North Brisbane, and that late in the night of the 17th
instant, Hyland had beaten him about the head with a broomstick, causing divers
contusions, the patches on which were visible enough.
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| Hotel in Fortitude Valley |
A witness named Thomas Crawley threw some additional
light on the matter by deposing that Macalister had come home very
"glorious" at about one o'clock on the morning of the 18th, and had
annoyed the neighbours, and Hyland amongst the rest, whom he challenged out.
The witness saw Hyland come out, and saw a scuffle
between him and Macalister, but did not know who struck the first blow.
Afterwards witness went to look for a constable, and on his return saw
Macalister pick up something and go towards Hyland's house, calling upon him to
come out.
Hyland came out, and told Macalister to drop the stone he
had in his hand. After this witness went to bed. Defendant stated that he had
taken up a broomstick afterwards, which his wife took from him, and complainant
then seized it and struck him with it on the wrist, upon which he wrenched it
away and beat the complainant with it.
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| Colonial Residence Fortitude Valley |
It appears from the evidence, that there was a strong case for
provocation and self-defence, but the bench found that the assault was
unjustified.
Mr. Roberts, who appeared for the complainant, contended
that an assault had been fully proven, as there was nothing to show
justification for the violence with which his client had evidently been
treated. The Bench, after consideration of the case, fined defendant 20s., with
10s. 6d. costs, which was paid.[2]
©
K. C. Sbeghen, 2012.
[1] The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 22
March 1851
[2]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 22
March 1851
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