Trial - Page 73

Christopher Harrison and James Marsh held a government contract to clear Section No. 4 of the Jordan track near Melbourne. Marsh had failed to deposit funds to honour the workers’ cheques, leaving Harrison besieged by unpaid men. When the two met to settle the dispute, with contractor John Stewart present as arbitrator, Marsh refused to sign papers. Harrison drew a pistol, remarking: “Do you think such a wretch is fit to live? I don’t.” Marsh fell while trying to use a bystander as a shield, and Harrison shot him where he lay.

An inquest before Dr. Youl at the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on Flinders Street returned a verdict of wilful murder. Harrison was described as composed, even nonchalant, as the evidence against him was heard. He was convicted and hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 3 August 1864.

⬅ See all events from 3 August

Augustus Dancey was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 1 August 1848 for the murder of Matthew Lucke, a young boy, at Stony Creek. The case drew considerable public attention, and Dancey spent his final hours receiving the sacrament, joining the prison chaplain in hymns, and eating a hearty breakfast of beefsteak before calmly submitting to the pinioning of the executioner.

Despite repeated entreaties from the Reverend Mr. Thompson to confess his guilt, Dancey maintained his innocence to the last. Waking at midnight in his cell the night before his execution, he declared he was ‘as innocent as the child unborn’ of the crime for which he was to hang.

⬅ See all events from 1 August