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C1885
The Wangaratta Murder.
Scarce colonial engraving of the Wangaratta murder of John Plum, a farmer who was found dead in the debris of his house, which had been burnt to the ground on January 28, 1886. A woman, Harriet Ann Stevens was arrested … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
The Wangaratta Murder.
Date:
C1885
Artist:
Unknown
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Engraving.
Image Size:
340mm
x 217mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1885
Description:
Scarce colonial engraving of the Wangaratta murder of John Plum, a farmer who was found dead in the debris of his house, which had been burnt to the ground on January 28, 1886.
A woman, Harriet Ann Stevens was arrested on suspicion of having caused Plum’s death. The trial of Stevens was concluded with the jury, after deliberating an hour and a half returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.
Mrs. Stevens, who was arrested on suspicion of having caused Plum’s death, was present in custody. The evidence disclosed a strong circumstantial case that Mrs. Stevens first poisoned the deceased, and then after robbing him set fire to his house. The police produced a purse with a deposit and receipts amounting to £2,440, and a roll of notes to the value of £285, which were found concealed in the back yard of the accused’s house, and these were sworn to as the property of the deceased. The police also produced bottles containing arsenic found on the woman’s premises. The evidence of the Government analyst disclosed the fact that there was a quantity of strychnine being found in the stomach of Plum. The accused gave very contradictory accounts of her whereabouts on the night that Plum’s house was destroyed, but one witness swore to having seen her at the man’s place that night. The inquest was eventually adjourned for a fortnight. It is rumoured in the district that Mrs. Stevens killed her first husband, who died with symptoms of poisoning. Her second husband, from whom she is separated, swore some time back in court, when she summoned him for maintenance, that he had to turn her adrift as she was trying to poison him.
From the original edition of the Australasian Sketcher.
Collections:
State Library Victoria: Accession no: A/S10/03/86/36
State Library Victoria: Accession no: A/S10/03/86/36
