(A Waanyarra tale of Murder, Lust ?, Betrayal and Revenge)

Double Murder at Jones’ Creek

On Sunday, 29th November, 1857 while crossing the ranges between Dunolly and Jones’ Creek, William Henry Dean, (“a black man”) whilst heading for a new “rush” at Jones’ Creek he had heard about, found the bodies of two men in a water hole.

The buzzing of flies had attracted Dean to the water hole, where he discovered the bodies partly covered by dirt and a foot protruding from beneath a possum skin rug in the water near the surface.
Police Officer, John McCormack of the Camp at Dunolly, was immediately informed by Dean and they returned to the spot.

The bodies appeared to have been there for some weeks.

The Coroner, Dr. Pierce held an inquest the next day at “Old House at Home” Hotel.

Dr. Louis M. Quinlan said it appeared that the two victims had died by being struck on the back of the head by a sharp object, such as a pick.

One of the dead men, Robert Dunlop, was once a sailor. He was aged about 35, of stout build, 5ft. 10in. tall, with light reddish hair, thick beard and moustache. He had come to the colony long before the gold rush era.

Dunlop was married with two young children and lived in the area of Thomson’s store at Jones’ Creek. His wife who was expecting another child was cared for by the people on the creek.

The other victim was Hugh McLean aged about 40 years, 6ft. tall with black hair, whiskers and a thin broad face. He was clothed in a blue serge shirt, moleskin trousers, pes jacket and Blucher boots. His calico cap had a hole in it, matching the hole in his head which had probably been made by a pick.

He was said to be a cultured man who was well known at the Maryborough rush where he had been known as “The walking library” on account of his learning.
Both men were buried at Dunolly.

William Henry Dean was arrested for the horrific murder, but was released because there was insufficient evidence against him.

He was again arrested when blood was found on his pick handle. He spent some weeks in gaol before suddenly remembering that he had taken the pick into the butcher’s shop in Dunolly—a story corroborated by the butcher. He was again released.

Samuel Dryden, John Anderson, Thomas Dearling and Robert Jones were arrested in Tarnagulla on Friday February 5th. 1858 by Detectives Williams and Randall and were taken to Carisbrook where they appeared at the Criminal Sessions Court on March 5th. charged with the murders.

The police however were unable to produce any real evidence against them and they were released on March 16th. to the cheers of their friends, and much criticism of Her Majesty’s Police Force!
In December 1858 a man named Charles Dunbeer came to the Carisbrook Police and confessed to taking part in the double murder.

Dunbeer implicated his cohorts Bill Brown, Job Neil and MaryAnn (Polly) Dodd saying he was tricked into committing the crime, believing that the two men had a large nugget.

“Polly” had been his girl, but had left him after the murders because of their frequent and violent rows. She had told him that she was going to her sister in Sydney, but he had found out that she had taken up with Neil

Dunbeer wanted to seek revenge on “Polly” and Neil who had “gone off together” after the crime.
He said he wanted to bring them to justice.

Dunbeer’s story was believed, and ‘Polly’ was arrested in Dunolly. She now had a new-born baby. At the time of the crime she was aged 28, and had two children, one of whom died before the arrest.
Job Neil was arrested at Pleasant Creek.

Bill Brown managed to elude capture and was never brought to trial.

Their trial began in Dunolly in February 1859 before Captain Murray, W.C.Day and Henry O’Brien Daly, and resumed at Castlemaine General Sessions on 30th June, 1859. Surprisingly, Dunbeer denied he had confessed to the crime and that he had implicated the others.

This complete reversal turned the court into chaos. There was a state of confusion, the judges were incensed, and said Dunbeer was a case for Yarra Bend (insane asylum).

Neil denied he was in Dunolly at the time of the murders and “Polly” and her sister Mrs Unwin (who was the keeper of a shanty on Sporting Flat) admitted that their original evidence was false. Mr Unwin apparently went to pieces in the witness box in having to deny his original evidence supporting his wife and “Polly” and said many foolish things.

The case laboured on with much lurid and contradictory evidence of what went on in the Sporting Flat and Jones’ Creek shanties.

During the confused and contradictory evidence given in this case, mention was made that the murdered men were ambushed not far from Boan’s shanty (later to become the “White Swan” hotel) on the Dunolly road.

The Unwins were charged with perjury and acquitted.

Neil was acquitted and released in July, 1859.

He returned to Kangaroo Reef where he was welcomed with the news that the dividends being paid by the reef were substantial.

Mary Ann Dodd was to be released from the Castlemaine Gaol, but unfortunately she encountered Dunbeer in the corridor of the gaol beforehand. She was walking there with her two children when Dunbeer saw her and asked permission to speak to her.

Immediately he came close to her he viciously bit off her nose.

Dunbeer was charged for this offence and was sentenced to three years gaol on August 31st 1859—his plea of insanity having failed.

The area where this shocking double murder took place was named “MURDERER’S HILL”, the name it carries to this day.

Read contemporary newspaper reports of the murder.

From Tarnagulla Courier 15 June 1912.

“The Licenses Reduction Board sat at Dunolly recently to hear evidence in connection with the Waanyarra Hotel.
Mrs Susan Gray, licensee and owner, appeared on her own behalf.
Superintendent Callender said the present owner had purchased the place for 150 pounds. The buildings were old and rather poor. There was no fault to be found with the conduct of the place, but as a hotel it was not required.

Mounted Constable Comrie of Tarnagulla gave evidence of the situation, midway between Tarnagulla and Dunolly. The hotel contained seven rooms. Buildings old, but fairly well kept, the furniture not too good and flooring bare. The hotel was not required and it would be better to have three hotels at Tarnagulla. Witness gave particulars of the small population, but there was roadside traffic. He had not seen mobs of sheep on the ground, (Mrs Gray -“Since the stock sales started at Dunolly sheep pass that way frequently”). Evidence was given of 50 pounds worth of furniture having been placed in the hotel, and a piano to come in.

Mounted Constable Miles gave corroborating evidence.

Mrs Susan Gray, owner and licensee, gave particulars of the purchase of the hotel, the good travelling business on the road between Tarnagulla and Dunolly, bed and meals provided, bar trade, etc., and also as to profits.
Mr Andrew complimented Mrs Gray on the manner in which she had given her evidence. She had done well, and evidently was most capable.

In answer to Mr Cumming, witness said they held their own. The hotel was required. In a place like that there might be an immediate call for brandy or other spirits as medicine.

The chairman also spoke highly of Mrs Gray’s evidence, etc., and hoped, if the hotel was closed, she would enter into some really good business and that she would suffer no monetary loss.”

Shortly after this hearing, the Board decided that the license would not be renewed.

Surveyor Phillip Chauncy surveyed the district between Tarnagulla and Dunolly in 1861 and officially named it Waanyarra.

Prior to survey, Beverly had been chosen by Lieutenant Governor of Victoria LaTrobe, as the name for the future township. This title was only used by the first discoverers of gold in the area.

Charles Jones was prospecting on a creek in the locality at a very early date, and this area in which he camped became known as Jones’ Creek. Even after the official name was adopted, many people referred to the”top end of the creek” as Jones’ Creek and the east end as Waanyarra.

Waanyarra is an Aboriginal name which has more than one interpretation, ‘Little Water’,’Running Water’and Les Blake’s book ‘Place Names of Victoria’ gives the meaning of Waanyarra as ‘Whan-crow, Yarra-moving, i.e. crow flying’.

During his time in the district, Phillip Chauncy had constant contact with the Aborigines. He was very familiar with their customs and language.

Text from “The Footsteps Echo” by Lynne Douthat