FULL TEXT: The discovery of the body of a newly born child in the yard attached to the premises of 32 Dwyer-street, West Perth, last week, was succeeded by further discoveries of a similar nature. Detectives Connell and Benfrey, assisted by Plain-clothes Constable Mann, continued the investigations. The result was the discovery of two more bodies of fully developed children, the post-mortem on one of which apparently shows that it had been born alive. The result of the post-mortem on the body first found was proved that the child had been prematurely born at a somewhat early period of gestation.
Mrs. Smith, who resides on the
premises in Dyer-street, describes herself by a publicly displayed plate as a
certificated nurse. The house where Mrs. Smith and her family reside -- which is
the subject of one of our illustrations -- immediately faces the gates at the West
Perth railway crossing, being on the northern side of the line. There is little
about the house itself to distinguish it
from a thousand and one others of a
similar sort in Perth. The chief mark of difference from such premises
is the size of the yard, which is such
as would be divided into three were the house of more modern construction, for
it appears [to] be one of the longest built houses in the street an impression that is heightened by if
juxtaposition to a quite modern terrace of
two-storied houses. Between Mrs. Smith’s house and this terrace is a
passage some 10 ft. or 12 ft. wide, which affords entrance to the yard.
Diagonally across this right-of-way the investigating police have excavated an
irregular description off trench. The yard itself has been prospected with
apparently no system, though probably the surface indications have been
carefully noted by the detectives, with the
result that they have discovered the three bodies above referred to. The
western end of the yard appears to have claimed the greatest amount of
attention from the detective’s, for here, close against the high close-picketed
fence, mounds of black, grey and yellow sand lie in thick confusion. Portions
of the yard do not appear to have been dug up at all, and as no operations were
being carried on by the diggers at the time of our reporter’s visit, it may be
assumed that the detectives have satisfied themselves that nothing farther is
to be gained by further delving.
The interior of the house would lead
a casual visitor to believe that the
occupants are people of somewhat refined tastes. The house appeared to be
comfortably furnished, and presented a general appearance that would suggest
the possession of means by the inmates. Saturday was spent by those making
investigations in Dyer-street in completely turning over an alley-way and
portion, of Mrs. Smith’s yard to a depth of some three feet. Three detectives
and three plain clothes constables delved till nightfall, apparently with no
further result than the circulation of wild rumours in the neighhourhood. “The
detectives have found 14 bodies,” one wildly excited individual stated. The
lowest estimate of any find was “bones,” but whether they were human or not
none appeared able to say.
All day on Saturday a constantly
maintained number of the public hovered around the vicinity, for while some
departed, others came to take their place. On Sunday operations were suspended.
The inquest on the bodies already
found was opened at the Colonial Hospital on Saturday, in the presence of the
Coroner (Dr. Lovegrove), and the jury that had been empanelled to deal with the
inquiry into the death of Margaret Buckley. The formal proceedings over, the
inquiry was adjourned until the same day and hour as . those when the inquiry
concerning Margaret Buckley will be resumed. Although the same jury will be
employed and the same hour is fixed, the enquiries will be quite separate from
one another, that on the infants being dealt with at the conclusion of that in
regard to the woman.
The three babies found in the yard in
Dyer-street were, after the inspection of the jury, removed to the pauper
portion of the cemetery and there buried.
[“The Dyer-Street Sensation. Death Of
Margaret Buckley Children’s Bodies Found.” The Western Mail (Perth,
Australia), Aug. 19, 1898, p. 17, ills. Sec. 9]
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[999-1/9/21]
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