MEHRENS - MEBCENS

Anyone searching for the surname MEHRENS on the Brisbane City Council grave finder should use MEBCENS to find Bridget and Henry and their daughter Dora Catherine who are all buried together in the Balmoral Cemetery, Portion 5, #177

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

A MAD FATHER KILLS HIS DAUGHTER.

A shocking tragedy has been committed at Midhurst, in the Taranaki district, writes the Wellington correspondent of the Melbourne Age. Humphrey Hancock, a widower, forty-one years of age, first stabbed his daughter, a girl of twenty, in the back, and then cut her throat, afterwards committing suicide by throwing himself down a well. Maria Hancock kept home for her father and brothers and sisters after her mother's death, which took place two years ago. Father and daughter quarrelled about five weeks ago over the latter "frizzing" her hair. Her father threatened to cut her hair off, and her brother had to interfere to prevent its being done. There was another quarrel the evening before the tragedy over a photograph of herself and two lady friends, which she missed from her box. She asked her father if he had taken it, and he replied "No." She then said that no one else would go to her box, and her father retorted, "Then you call me a liar" and struck her. The daughter, then spoke of leaving home and going to service. He told a young woman who was visiting the house that his daughter would never go into service, and advised this young woman to leave next morning, as there would be a row. After the young woman left the tragedy was committed. A letter was subsequently found addressed by Hancock to his eldest son, hoping he would forgive him for his rash act, but Maria called him a liar, and said she would leave him, so he made up his mind for both to leave together. He could not stand that his brain was turned. He added directions as to where his will would be found, and as to the bills which were to be paid; that his body would be found down the well, that they were not to go in mourning for himself or his daughter, as they were not worth it, and that he was to do certain things with his life policy. The evidence at the inquest showed that Hancock had been peculiar in his manner for some time, and had remarked that he believed that he would go mad. The girl he murdered had always been kind to him, and had once before refused to leave her father, brothers, and sisters. It was evident from all the surroundings of the case that Hancock's mind had been unhinged for some time, and the Jury returned a verdict that he committed the crime, and then took away his own life, whilst suffering from insanity.

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY. (1898, July 12). South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), p. 7. TROVE

25 Pounds Reward

TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS REWARD OR A CONDITIONAL PARDON.

Whereas it has been represented to His Excellency the Governor; that Mr. Andrew Gregor and a female servant in his employment, have been recently murdered by the native blacks, at the Pine River, in the Moreton Bay district :-

Notice is hereby given, that a Reward of Twenty-five Pounds will be paid to any free person or persons who may secure and bring to justice the murderer or murderers, or if a prisoner of the Crown, application will be made to Her Majesty for the allowance to him of conditional pardon.

Moreton Bay Courier - 28 November 1846

Could the female servant be one Mary Ann DEAMSTER who died on 20th October 1847
Andrew Gregor died on 18th October 1847

Wages are just so high

WAGES.-Extract of a letter received from New England :- October 28.

Sheep farming will not be worth following if we are to give the wages the men are now asking. We are entirely in their power. It is really ludicrous hiring men just now; They boldly ask 14s. per week and a full ration, and if you show any hesitation in acceding to their terms, they just tell you they will go elsewhere.

The Moreton Bay Courier - 28 November 1846

Frank Coleman

Robert Frank COLEMAN

16 January 1939  -   8 March 2013

Gold Price

In a report in "The Northern Miner" in 1902 for gold dug out of the ground in Croydon, the value obtained was £2/6/5, the equivalent of $4.65 per ounce and today the price is quoted at $1,539.50 per ounce, an increase of 33,107%

THE BETTER LUCK LINE OF REEF. (1902, May 3). The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 - 1954), p. 3. TROVE

William GILL

Sergeant McGrath, of Croydon, wires that Wm. Gill was found lying in Sircom-street on Monday evening insensible from sunstroke. Shortly after being admitted to the hospital he expired.

10/3/1889  no parents listed and was born in England and aged 46

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (1889, March 13). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 3. TROVE