Murder, Bloody Murder - A senseless act!
Today's blog is about a vicious, vindictive act that brought about the early demise of a totally innocent young lady.
A murder that is quite alarming in its action but upon reflection is a tale of desperation.
A murder that still reverberates in the district where it occurred.
Intrigued...
Let me tell you about...
THE MURDERS IN CARCOAR OF 1893.
In late September 1893, Mr. John (Jack) Phillips, the Manager of the City Bank at Carcoar, had recently received a promotion to a similar position at the larger township of Young and was packing up to leave. This promotion was known throughout the district, and many were unhappy to see him leave as he was held in high esteem. His wife, Anne with their newborn daughter, Dorothy, was in residence. Arrangements had been made for Anne's younger sister, Susan with the couple's two-year-old daughter, Gladys together with Susan's friend Leticia, known by her middle name Frances, to accompany her and help with the children during the move.
City Bank building - courtesy of Historical Australian Towns website
Edwin Hubert (Bertie) Glasson, a member of a well-known family in Carcoar, had a butchery business in the town. He had married Annie Summerbelle, an accomplished musician, of Sydney. They were married in January 1893 in an elaborate and costly wedding, enjoyed an expensive honeymoon and resided in the Metropole Hotel in Sydney. He eventually sold up his business but was living beyond his means, with cheques being dishonoured. He had a Small Debts summons issued and was being hounded by his creditors. In late September he was known to have told those to which he owed money that their bills would be paid in full the following week. It appears that his wife was oblivious to her husband's financial problems and continued living the life in which she had become accustomed to.
So it was that Bertie was seen on Redfern Station awaiting a train to Blayney on the morning of 23rd September.
In the early hours of the 24th of September, Mrs. Phillips was sleeping fitfully and was awoken by an unusual sound; thinking it was her servant, she called to her but there was no answer. She roused her husband, and he lit a candle and collected his pistol and together they went downstairs to the dining room to be confronted by a young man armed with a small axe. A scuffle broke out and Mr. Phillips was stuck at least twice in the head with the axe, prior to being able to dislodge his pistol. Mrs. Phillips was injured in the affray. During further struggles Mrs. Phillips ran up the stairs screaming to the young ladies that Jack was being murdered and to come and help. Leticia was holding young Gladys, and the others ran back into a bedroom threw open the window and screamed "murder, murder" and heard a loud scream within the house. The burglar ran into the room and hit Mrs. Phillips upon the cheek with the sharp axe slicing it open. The man ran off, Susan attended to her sister then the intruder burst into the room once more demanding the Bank keys. Mrs. Phillips gathered herself together, ran to her injured husband, passing the inert body of Leticia and her crying child, found some keys upon him and handed them over. By this time the intruder had disposed of his mask, and he was identified as Bertie Glasson. He soon returned as the keys were useless. It was then it was recalled that the keys had been handed to the incoming Bank Manager, Mr. Healey, a few days prior. When Bertie was advised he fled the scene. It was at this time it was discovered that Miss Cavanagh had had her throat cut and was long dead; Mr. Phillips was found to be gasping his final breaths. Young Gladys had one of her fingers cut off with other injuries to her hand from the axe blows incurred whilst having her arms clasped around Leticia's neck.
Image of Leticia Frances Cavanagh - from Find a Grave photos.
Bertie Glasson was spotted the next day in the Canowinda and again in Cowra on the Monday where he was arrested. It appears that he had stolen Reverend Clarke's horse to make a swift getaway. He was found to have several notes upon him addressed to his wife and when questioned about who he was he answered truthfully. When he was charged with murder he replied "I never did it. I am mad."
During the trial Glasson's concocted stories about his wife being threatened and other parties being involved were subsequently dismissed. Mrs. Phillip's testimony and clear identification of Glasson as well as the circumstantial evidence and dismissal of his insanity plea meant that he was found guilty of the double murder on 24th October. He was hung at Bathurst Gaol on 29th November 1893.
Edwin Hubert Glasson - from charge sheet
His wife, Annie, was pregnant, their only child, a girl, was born the following year.
Leticia Frances Cavanagh, a person who found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, died a horrific death at the young age of 24. She is buried with her parents and brother Edwin in the Anglican area of the Cemetery. A life lost at the hands of a desperate man who was prepared to risk murder to get hold of money to appease his wife and their new life.
Details of Leticia Frances Cavanagh monument - find a grave
A tragedy for all involved.
This tale has more to be revealed and a further blog will outline this later.
My references today are drawn from ancestry.com as well as the many newspaper articles written at the time. An account by descendants has also been taken into account.
If you have any comments, please enter them below or at the Facebook Group which can be found by searching for
rookwoodcemeterydiscoveries
or send me an email at
lorainepunch@gmail.com
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