29/09/2026
Screamed "Murder", "Police!"
Drama next door to the Whalers Return Inn...
🗞"Joseph Galbraith and William Lord were charged with burglariously entering the house of Margaret Norman, and stealing a shawl, value 13s., the property of Elizabeth Clark.
'Elizabeth Clark—Is a single woman; lives with Margaret Norman, next door to the "Whaler's Return:" came with Margaret Norman from the playhouse on Thursday night about eleven o'clock ; saw a light in the front, window of the house; on Margaret Norman's trying the door, the light was extinguished; Margaret Norman then unlocked the door ; there were two men in the house ; did not see them, but heard them run through the passage.
Margaret Norman screamed
"Police,"
first inside, and then outside; the men, on leaving the passage, ran down the street past Mr Barrett's; on examining the house, found several things on the bed overturned, but did not miss anything ; has seen both prisoners before ; the shawl produced is hers; did not miss it till Policeman Barnes, showed it to her ; had the shawl on all day yesterday ; on the evening, when about to go to the play, hung it on the bed post ; went with Margaret Norman, who locked the door, and took the key with her; left no one in the house; on returning to the house, found the back door open; does not know how it was fastened; matches were left on the table; did not, see either of the prisoners during the course of the day.
Margaret Norman—Lizzy Clark lives with her ; is sure the back door was shut; believes it was locked ; it closes with a latch ; returned from the theatre a little before eleven o'clock ; she saw a light in the window; while she was trying the latch of the door, the light was blown out ; she then unlocked it; saw two men go out of the back door ; screamed
"murder" and "police;"
shortly afterwards, a policeman brought Galbraith, saying that was one of the men who were running away ; on examining the house, could not find any place where they had got in ; found a pair of sheets, which she had left lying on the bed, folded op on a table near the back door; believed the shawl produced belonged to Lizzy Clark; could not say that the prisoners were the parties who had been in her house.
By his Worship-The work-box produced is very like one belonging to Lizzy Clark; one of the men appeared to have a blue shirt on.
Elizabeth Clark was again called—The work-box is hers; it was on the same table as she had left it, but it had been moved ; an attempt had been made to force the lock.
Police constable Eames was going in company with P. C. Clayfield in the direction of the "Whalers' Return" on Thursday evening ; heard a scream ; shortly after, two men came running
out of a passage close by ; the prisoner Galbraith came close up to witness, and he received a blow on the cheek ; pursued Galbraith, overtook him, asked him why he struck him, and why he was
running; he replied he was going home; took the prisoner to Margaret Norman's ; before reaching, heard her crying out
" I am robbed ;"she pointed out in the presence of Galbraith how the things had been overturned ; she said she was
not aware of anything missing ; found the shawl near the place of Galbraith's apprehension.
By his Worship -Took the other person, from the glimpse he had of him, to be Lord.
Police, constable Clayfield corroborated the testimony of last witness; went to Foster's, in Light Square ; found the prisoner Lord in bed ; charged him with attempting to rob Margaret Norman ; he then took him into custody.
John Howard, landlord of the, " Whalers' Return"—Knows the prisoner Galbraith ; was in his (witness's) house from half past nine till about eleven o'clock on the night in question; had two or three glasses before he left ; he was a little on, but he carries his liquor very steady.
The prisoner Lord stated that he went home from the theatre with two women and that be never left their company until the policeman took him in custody.
The prisoner Galbraith stated that he never left the "Whalers Return" until he was going home; that he met the two girls coming from the theatre; that he never struck the policeman; that he believed the policeman himself had taken the shawl from the house, and laid it where he pretends to have found it.
His Worship said as the evidence affecting Lord was so trifling, he should discharge him ; but he should commit Galbraith for trial."🗞
South Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1844 - 1851), Tuesday 29 September 1846, page 3
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71605942 #
📷"Waymouth Street, north side, showing the "Launceston Hotel". The right side of hotel is 60 yards west of Elizabeth Street. Frontage: 11 1/2 yards. The Launceston Hotel existed from 1839 and at the time of this photograph the proprietor was John L Lander. The hotel offered a bagatele room and b**r cost thrupence a pint." SLSA *Now known as The Grace Emily Hotel.
