The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 27 Nov 1907 ¹

LOCAL AND GENERAL.
———————

…
    Justices to review jury list 4th December.
…

    An indescribable case [O’Brien’s sodomy, on George Albert Rowley, 14] heard at the police court at Murrumburrah has been committed to next Quarter Sessions at Cootamundra, in which some extraordinary evidence was given. It is said to be one of the worst cases on record.
…
    Cootamundra and its Police Magistrate receives high compliments from the department, par [sic] the letter to the Mayor as to the rumoured removal from Cootamundra—that this is proved and acknowledged as a very convenient centre to work from, and that our Police Magistrate is the hardest worked in the service.
…
    Nearly £40,000 worth of new buildings will have been added to Cootamundra and district during 1907. Our architects and builders have had their hands full; and next year bids fair to outstrip this one. These buildings represent private and business additions—no Government expenditure. Government will follow the lead next year in town and railway station improvements. In order to allow of the first division of the express from Sydney to extend its run from Harden to Cootamundra, additional shed accommodation is to be added as shelter for cars. The railway yard, we understand, is to be otherwise extended, altered, and improved. The traffic of the station is steadily increasing, and soon we may expect our status to the be premier one between Sydney and Albury.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 25 Mar 1908 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
Friday.

    Before his Honor Judge Edmonds.
    Deputy Sheriff, Mr JT Stratton, JP.
    Registrar, Mr LW Broughton.

    The professional gentlemen were Messrs Mereweather, CP, assisted by Mr Beaver of the Crown Law Office; TP MacMahon, RA Morgan, CA Vaughan, and Thomas, Goulburn (solicitors).

    Sheriff’s officer, Mr Jones.

    Statutory declarations were read from several jurymen and letters of excuse. Several were excused, but Mr EC Bartley was fined £2, his Honor remarking that declarant seemed to regard it as more important to be attending to another matter than doing his duty to the country.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 25 Mar 1908 ³

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———
Friday.

    Before his Honor Judge Edmonds.
    Deputy Sheriff, Mr JT Stratton, JP.
    Registrar, Mr LW Broughton.

    The professional gentlemen were Messrs Mereweather, CP, assisted by Mr Beaver of the Crown Law Office; TP MacMahon, RA Morgan, CA Vaughan, and Thomas, Goulburn (solicitors).

    Sheriff’s officer, Mr Jones.
 …

Monday.

…

SODOMY—O’BRIEN.

    Accused pleaded guilty.

    Warder Dixon was called, and he described his behaviour in gaol as that of a man whose mind was weak.

    His Honor sentenced prisoner to penal servitude for five years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thomas O’Brien, Gaol photo sheet ⁴

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 10601

Date when Portrait was taken: 2-4-1908

Name: Thomas O’Brien
(aka Edward Thomas Eldridge)

Native place: India Year of birth: unknown 1875 Arrived       Ship: unknown in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Coal lumper Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6⅞" Weight     On committal: 155 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Black to Grey Colour of eyes: Hazel

Marks or special features: Vaccination mark top left arm. Tattooed Crown between two English flags over clasped hands over nine pointed star with wreath on each side on left arm. Small heart with arrow through it butt of thumb back of left hand. Tattooed lower right arm American flag Union Jack over clasped hands Scar over right ear numerous boil marks on back of neck Scar on right shin Scar on left shin

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Cootamundra Q.S	20	3	1908	Sodomy	5 years PS.

 

---

¹     The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 27 Nov 1907, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     The Cootamundra Herald, Sat 21 Mar 1908, p. 2.

³     The Cootamundra Herald, Wed 25 Mar 1908, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6072] Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1907-1909, No. 10601, p. 328, R5112.

---