The Gatton Murders

The Gatton Murders is the name given to a never-solved homicide that occurred near the town of Gatton, Queensland on 26 December 1898.

The crime
The victims, all members of the Murphy family, were found the following day in a field two kilometres from the town by their brother-in-law, who had set out to look for them after they had failed to return from a dance the previous evening. 29-year old Michael Murphy and his younger sisters Norah, 27, and Ellen, 18, had been bashed to death. Both women had also been sexually molested. From the evidence gathered at the scene, it was learned that Norah Murphy was taken aside and raped, then bashed to death. Michael had most possibly already been shot and bashed by then. Ellen was similarly murdered. After their deaths, their corpses were re-arranged so their legs crossed over their bodies with the feet pointing west. This signature behaviour has never been repeated in Australian crime and, like the Gatton Murders themselves, remains a mystery to this day.

The Murphy family. Pictured are Daniel and Mary Murphy (seated), with 8 of their 10 children behind them: (left to right) John, Jeremy, Patrick, William, Polly, Norah, Ellen and Catherine. Michael Murphy is not pictured.

Suspects
Several people, including itinerant workers and family members, came under suspicion for the crime, but after a five month investigation, no one was ever charged with the murders. The failure of the Queensland police to solve the crime led to accusations of cover-ups and rumours of incest within the Murphy family; these claims were also subsequently never resolved.

Aftermath
The crime caused shock and outrage across the country and the ineffective investigation, which released several possible suspects without comprehensive interrogation, later became the subject of a Royal Commission. Several modern writers, including Blue Mountains-based author Merv Lilley, have suggested possible culprits. Lilley claims his father William was a violent sadist and sexual pervert who could well have been in the Gatton area at the time of the murders.

Possible Theory
One theory is that Louise Theuerkauf, Catherine Byrne were enlisted to perform an abortion on one of the girls, most probably Norah.

This is supported by: The seemingly voluntary entry of the trio into the paddock. The two girls Theuerkauf and Byrne said they heard screams at about 10:00pm. (Too early and they were too far away. Maybe an alibi) The finger nail scratches are an indication of a female presence as most farmers and butcher's helpers would keep their nails short. The neatly laid blanket. The blood and scratches on Norah’s thighs. Blood went through the blanket. (Too much blood for rape). Why were no gags used on the others. (They were willing parties until things went wrong and were killed so needed no gag but Norah had to be kept quiet for the operation ergo the strap). The hames strap around her neck to stifle any screams. The weakly tied knots. (Meant to hold not harm). The lack of signs of a struggle. The newspaper clipping of the memoriam notice of the death of the girl Cook (who it appears died from complications resulting from an abortion) found near the scene. (To emphasise the risk she was taking). The Lunney letters probably on hospital letterhead. (To show they knew what they were doing). Why Michael had so much money with him (To pay for the procedure). (1shilling equals about $17.00 in today’s money.) Why Michael and Ellen being found some distance away from the blanket. Norah’s reluctance to attend the dance (Second thoughts). The piece of Agricultural college paper used as a pipe stop. (Could it be used as a bottle stop for some ether stolen from the college or bought from the chemist).

The extra handkerchief found near the scene. (Used for applying ether). Anaesthetic overdose depresses the central nervous system causing deep anaesthesia, leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest. The lookout the man at the sliprails (Thomas Day or one of the girls in disguise) mainly being spotted by women. Polly Murphy taking a lot of convincing not to fess up. (Guilt feelings or maybe even the reward).

Galbraith went to the hotel and saw the bodies had been undressed and washed. He asked for the clothes and the water in which they had been washed: but he found the latter had been thrown out. (Why did he want to examine the water)? It seems odd that all the major players from the police force that appeared to bungle the Gatton murder investigation were all promoted.

It must be remembered that this period of time that pastoralist led government looked like losing the upcoming election to the nearly formed Labour group. It would not do the government cause no good to jail a number of Irish (and perhaps other) people for organising a botched abortion. Much better to cover up. Even though it made the police and the Government look bad. As abortion was considered a major sin the duo (or trio) may have been under orders from the family that if things went badly the trio was to be shot.

Fireworks on a Sunday night would have been a major event and you would think Clarke being a businessman would have invited the whole of the district. Maybe a cover for gunshots.

The reluctance of the Murphy’s to help with the investigation and give evidence also points to this collusion and Dan Murphy Sen. asking how they were killed were they shot? Seemingly as if he knew.

It becomes increasingly clear to me that almost the whole of the district (excluding Arrell, who may have guessed later) and the investigating police knew of the abortion attempt.

With the ensuing murder due to an overdose of anaesthetic. The blows delivered and shots fired to make sure of death and cover up the real cause of death. (Overdose).
Day was made the scapegoat and was never vigorously pursued, in order to vindicate the good people of Gatton. In a small close knit community it is impossible to believe that a triple murder could go unsolved for any length of time, and the perpetrators left unpunished.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatton_murders