1875: An Gaa Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Mining Partner at Vaughan
In June 1875, a Chinese miner was found dead at a hut near the goldfields of Vaughan, central Victoria. An Gaa, who shared the hut with the deceased, was found calmly eating rice by candlelight when Constable King and a Chinese interpreter arrived to investigate.
The scene was disturbing: the body lay on its side, a used opium pipe in the hand, blood soaked through the straw bunk and into the wood beneath, and a wet towel stained with blood and water nearby. An Gaa claimed to know nothing of how his housemate had died.
Tried before Justice Sir Redmond Barry in July 1875, An Gaa was convicted of murder. He was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 30 August 1875.
