"Corpse" that came to life

This report appeared in the Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925. Not sure if it is true or not, but it’s a great story.

What does it feel like to be dead? “Scotty” McDonald, of Koo-wee-rup (Victoria), says it is quite a pleasant experience. "Scotty" ought to know, because he has been officially dead and buried, but confounded his mourners by walking in on them and ordering a pot of foaming beer.

"Scotty" is short and stocky, and somewhere over the 60-year mark in age. A grizzly moustache and stubbly beard mark his weather-beaten features. In a humble hut near Dalmore, five or six miles from

Koo-wee-rup, he lives while the potato-digging is on. Before his miraculous death, burial, and resurrection Scotty's headquarters were the Royal Hotel, Koo-wee-rup. There was he to be found in the intervals between his luring of the elusive spud from the soil.

Not Wilfully Dead.
Man is not master of his own destiny, and Scotty was not to be allowed to have control of his own death. The matter was taken out of his hands without his consent. A body was found in a paddock some miles from Koo-wee-rup, and was brought into the township by a passing carter. There is no such thing as a mortuary in the township, and as is customary in such places bodies are taken to the local hotel, where post-mortems and inquests are held. There the body was taken to the scene of Scotty's best triumphs on the imitation bagpipes, and an awed bar paused awhile over its pots of beer to talk of poor old Scotty's sudden end.

One "Butcher'" (christened Mick), who had quaffed the flowing bowl full many a time and oft with
Scotty, could not contain his tears. So while the habitues of the Royal hostelry held an informal wake for Scotty, the doctors made a post-mortem examination, which showed that death was due to certain persistent poisoning of the heart and other organs. "That's Scotty," said everyone who knew the "deceased.”

Mr Cole, J.P., of Lang Lang, came to Koo-wee-rup and held a formal inquest on the body of John McDonald, deceased. There was no question of foul play, and the medical evidence was accepted as sufficient for the granting of an order of burial. So Scotty was buried. A motor lorry belonging to Gilchrist and Co. was requisitioned, and the coffin was taken to the Lang Lang Cemetery on the Wednesday afternoon, and interred several feet below in the embracing Mother Earth.

Now, whose body was it, since it was not Scotty's? Undoubtedly a body was buried, but whose?

 
Was it a Joke?
Constable Whiteside, of Koo-wee-rup says it was the body of another McDonald altogether, and that someone must have been trying to play a joke on Scotty. But the explanation advanced by those who knew both Scotty and the other McDonald is probably nearer the mark. The other man, though taller, was very like Scotty in facial appearance; "like twins," one man described them. When the body was brought in everyone assumed that it was Scotty, and it was Scotty who was buried.

Came a public holiday, and all Scotty's cronies were gathered in the bar of the hotel. They missed the clank of his unconventional beer billy made from a 2lb jam tin. The beer splashed merrily on thirsty throats, and the till clanged cheerily. Prominent in the gathering was Mick, still willing to join in toasts to the memory of departed Scotty.

The swing doors opened from the street. Casually the company turned to see who was coming in. Then the silence of the tomb fell upon the crowd. With beer mugs poised in mid-air they stood as inert as the stuffed fox in the corner: An apparition from Eternity was framed in the doorway! The wraith of Scotty had come to haunt his former resting-place. "It's Scotty's ghost!" shrieked Mick. “It's a banshee, O-ooh !" He would not look, for had not his own scarf-pin been used to pin the blanket around Scotty's lifeless form? The ghost announced himself in full blooded human language to the gaping bar. "What the hell are you staring at?" he demanded. "What's the joke?"

Movement returned to the awed company. It might be Scotty's ghost that stood in the doorway, but at least it was a ghost that put on no superior ethereal airs. If Scotty had some back to haunt the bar he was going to do it properly, for as wondering eyes were dragged from the spellbound contemplation of the familiar face it was seen that the ghost carried Scotty's beer-billy. It seemed to have come prepared to haunt the place in a respectable manner, with the rattle of glasses rather than chains.

Cautiously the more daring spirits investigated, and were met with pointed instructions to go to the place that it might have been reasonably expected Scotty had come from, judging by his adjectives. A babel of explanations smashed the silence, and everyone tried to tell Scotty that he was dead.

He Ought to Know.
He refused to believe it, and told them so, asserting that he was the person who should know. Panting dispensers of news gasped word of Scotty's return to the people who did not happen to be in the pub at the time, and he became the show sight for the day - the man who had returned from the grave. Mick was the last to be convinced, and then, like the doubting disciple Thomas, he would only be convinced of the resurrection by physical contact. To him it seemed that Scotty's ghost had come before him as a warning, and it was some time before he would approach. Then, much to Scotty's indignation, Mick convinced himself by vigorously pinching the man who should have been dead.

The earnest explanations of the erstwhile mourners mollified the anger of Scotty, over what he thought was a rotten joke, and over a few "welcome back to earth" pots, he forgave them all and realised what had happened. While he was being "buried" he had been out some miles and he had not been able to assure them that the reports of his death, like those of Mark Twain's, "had been grossly exaggerated."

When a man is so unceremoniously shuffled off this mortal coil, without having a say in the matter, it is up to him to prove conclusively that he is very much alive. Was it not Constable Whiteside who had had some part in this dastardly attempt to take a man's life away from him? To be sure, and the honor of the McDonalds demanded a bout with the doughty limb of the law. Scotty decided that the honor of the McDonalds would be compensated by a wrestle for drinks, and therefore he challenged the constable to a fall - the loser to shout for the company. But the policeman declined to satisfy any ghost, and informed Scotty that a night in the lockup was all the satisfaction the pride of the McDonalds would get.

Koo-wee-rup had thought that it had seen Scotty make his last motor ride when the motor lorry bore away the rough coffin, but a few days later it witnessed a very hilarious ghost leave by motor for Lang Lang with the constable. On the Saturday morning he was fined 6s for being drunk. The fine was inflicted by Mr. Cole, J.P., who had three days before signed the order for Scotty's burial!

Source: Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168706639

The Body was conveyed to.......

One of the unusual uses for Hotels in the past was their use as a temporary morgue and a place to carry out autopsies and Inquests. There are accounts after account of this in newspapers and often the newspaper uses the term 'and the body was conveyed to [name of Hotel]' so I thought we would have a look at some of these reports.

It seems surprising that Hotels would be used for this purpose, but I assume it was because they had space, access to water and perhaps a solid table for holding the autopsy. It was, however, a practice that was frowned upon by the authorities. As early as 1867, the Legislative Assembly in Victoria had the issue brought to their attention by Mr Cook, M.L.A. - To call the attention of the Chief Secretary to the practice of the police of conveying dead bodies to hotels for the purpose of holding coroners' inquests; and to ask if he will give instructions that in future such bodies may be conveyed to the nearest public morgue as may be available. (The Argus December 13, 1867) The Chief Secretary may have given instructions to the police, and it may have altered the practice in the City, but it was a less practical idea in rural areas, due to logistical issues and the lack of morgues. There are accounts of Hotels being used as temporary morgues and places of Inquests up to the 1920s.

Here are just a few examples from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and neighbouring areas of this happening. I have added a link to the Inquest record at the Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV), if available. Sometimes the names in the newspaper reports were incorrectly spelt - the  name in the heading is the correct spelling.

WARNING - newspapers were much more graphic in their reporting than they are today, so these excerpts may contain information that is upsetting.

Joseph Edward Watts
Dr. Candler held an inquest at the Gippsland Hotel [Beaconsfield] on Tuesday week on the body of a boy named Watts, who was drowned in Cardinia Creek on the previous Sunday. It seems that deceased, aged about six years, with other lads of the same age, was fishing in the creek, when he over-reached himself and fell in. By the time information was given of the occurrence, and the body recovered, it was lifeless. 

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, December 12, 1877, see here) Inquest at PROV, here.

George Ritchie
A fatal accident occurred near the Eumemmerring Creek bridge on Thursday morning last, between the hours of twelve and one a.m., by which a farmer named George Ritchie, residing at Lyndhurst, lost his life. It appears that he had been at Hennessy's races [at Eumemmerring] and had imbibed, rather freely during the day. On the way home George challenged his companion to a race (they were both riding horses); his horse fell and George hit his head and he sadly died. The body was taken to Taylor's Half Way House Hotel in Lyndhurst, where an enquiry was held the same day and the verdict given to the effect that the deceased had met with his death on the morning of the 27th December by accidentally falling from his horse whilst in a state of intoxication.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, January 2, 1884, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here. George was 32 years old. 

Julius Fisher Masterton McMillan
Yesterday afternoon, at Cranbourne, Mr. J. F. M. M'Millan, of Ballarto, dropped dead while marking at the rifle club ranges. It was at first believed that Mr. M'Millan had been shot, but this was found to be incorrect. He had been shooting at 600 yards, and had made 21. He became somewhat excited, as this was his highest score at this range, and he suddenly dropped down. The services of Dr. Park were requisitioned, and on his arrival he pronounced life extinct. The body was then conveyed to Nurse's Hotel, [Mornington Hotel] Cranbourne, where the doctor made a careful examination of the body to see if there were any bullet marks. He could find none however, and he came to the conclusion that death was due to heart disease. A post-mortem examination will be held. Mr. M'Millan was the second son of the late Mr. Alexander M'Millan, of Caldermeade Estate, of which he was part owner with his brothers at the time of his death. He had a few months ago purchased the Ballarto property from Mr. James Gibb, of Berwick, and had had extensive improvements carried out to the buildings. Since his arrival in the Cranbourne district some two years ago he had entered heartily into all public movements, and he was very highly esteemed. He leaves a widow and one child. 

(The Argus, July 20 1900, see here). Julius was 32 years old. Ballarto was the name of the property at Cranbourne. Julius' wife, Mable (nee Crozier), gave birth to a little boy, named Julius Douglas, on November 8, four months after his death.  

Birth notice of Julius McMillan's son.

The Australasian November 24, 1900 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139167108

Edward John Milne

No doubt we have had more than our share of excitement during the past few days. Two days after the robbery at Mr. Hudson's store, news was brought to Constable Dwyer of a man named Edward John Milne, who had previously been engaged in farming at Lake Bogan, near Swan Hill, having shot  himself whilst in close proximity to the Police Station. Deceased was on a visit to Mr. G. C. Egerton, of Tooradin, in August last, and having disappeared rather suddenly, the fact was communicated to the police, but without result. On Wednesday morning, 12th inst., Mr. F. Bethune, who was driving from Tooradin, observed a man standing near the Police Station, and was horrified at seeing him place a revolver to his head and fire. Constable Dwyer had the body conveyed to Nurse's Hotel [Mornington Hotel, Cranbourne] and Dr. Parks was called in, but the unfortunate man died soon afterwards A magisterial inquiry was conducted by Mr. J. W. M'Lennan, J.P.. on Thursday, when a verdict of suicide was returned.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 19, 1900, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Edward was 35 years old.

Benjamin Muffett
On Saturday night a sad fatality occurred here, when a line repairer named Benjamin Muffit was killed on the railway line. The body of deceased was discovered by a Mr. Asling at midday on Sunday, lying on the side of the line, the head being split open right across the forehead, and there being a deep gash behind the ear. There were no marks of any kind on the body, and death must have been instantaneous. Deceased evidently had been hit by the axle box of the engine, as the face was covered with grease therefrom. Muffit had been to Dandenong on business on Saturday evening, and returned to Narre Warren by the 7.40 p.m. train from there. He left Narre Warren prior to the arrival of the 9.2 p.m. passenger train from Gippsland, and it was presumably this train that caused his death. From the position of the body when found, it would appear as though deceased had been on his knees, and had probably fallen at the crossing in the darkness, and was climbing up the embankment when the train approached. Deceased re-sided in a gate house on Lalor's-road, about a quarter of a mile from the station, between Narre Warren and Berwick, and the spot where the accident occurred is only a short distance from the house. Muffit, who was about 42 years of age, leaves a wife, and four children unprovided for. The body was removed to Bain's Hotel, Berwick, by Constable Steele, where the magisterial inquiry was held. Deceased was a general favorite with those whom he came in contact with. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was well attended. 

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 8 1903, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here. Benjamin was 42 years old. 

Death notice of Benjamin Muffett, husband of Mary and father of John, Lizzie, Phillipa and Annie.

The Age, April 11 1903  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197902478

Martin Tobin
Late on Tuesday night a man named Martin Tobin, an old identity of this place, was run over in the station yard [at Garfield] by the 10.30 up goods train from Warragul, and was literally cut to pieces. It is surmised that the unfortunate man attempted to cross the line as the train was running through at a high speed. At one point a boot was picked up with the foot in it severed at the ankle, and further on a hand and a portion of the forearm, and other portions of the body were picked up. Mr Thomson, a line repairer, discovered the unfortunate man at about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, and immediately telephoned to Constable Ryan, at Bunyip, who arrived an hour later and took charge of the remains. An inquest was held at the Iona Hotel, and deceased was interred in the Bunyip cemetery. 

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, November 8, 1905, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Martin was 60 years old. 

George Gilchrist 
Whilst riding from Kooweerup to the Iona St. Patrick's Day sports this afternoon a young cyclist named Gilchrist was killed. From the particulars to hand it appears his bicycle encountered a rut on the road near the Iona Roman Catholic Church and Gilchrist was thrown forward on to his head, his neck being broken. The body was conveyed to the Railway Hotel, Bunyip, and the parents of deceased came over from Kooweerup this evening. 

(The Age,  March 18, 1910, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Martin was 21 years old. 

Death notice of George Gilchrist, son of William and Margaret.

The Age March 19, 1910 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196077302#

Thomas Buchanan
Thomas Buchanan, who was in receipt of a remittance from relatives in Canada, hanged himself at Labertouche this morning. Buchanan was well known throughout the district as "Sailor Tom." He received a draft for £61 15/ from Canada about three weeks ago, but when found he had no money. Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, removed the body to the Longwarry Hotel. An inquiry will be held at Bunyip. 

(The Argus,  January 12, 1912, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here. Thomas was 49 years old and the Inquest recorded a verdict of suicide.

John Thomas Duncan also known as James Little
On the 22nd inst. it was reported to the local police that a man named James Little, a laborer, had shot himself at Kooweerup. Constable Cole proceeded to the place and had the body removed to the Palace Hotel [Lang Lang], where an inquest was held before Mr Cohen, P.M., Coroner. After hearing the evidence, which was to the effect that the deceased took the loan of a gun of 410 calibre from a farmer named Johnston, with the intention of shooting rabbits, but instead of doing so he fastened a strap round the trigger, and then round his foot, using his foot as a lever to discharge the gun, the charge from which entered his forehead, killing him instantly. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased  died from gun shot wounds self inflicted. 

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 2, 1914, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here.

George Cooper
On Thursday morning last word reached Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, that a man was lying dead on the road near Kirwan's Post Office, on the south side of the Main Drain. Constable Anstee secured the services of Dr. Withington, who drove to the spot indicated, whilst Mr. A. H. a'Beckett drove Constable Anstee down in his motor car. When the party arrived at a point about 1 mile past Kirwan's they found the body of George Cooper, an elderly farmer and a well known resident of the district. The body was removed to the Gippsland Hotel, at Bunyip, and Constable Anstee wired to the relatives of deceased in Melbourne. There were marks and bruises about the head and face which gave the impression that deceased had been injured in some way before death took place. Constable Anstee at once set to work and made inquires to ascertain how deceased came by his death. He learned that Cooper and a man named Henderson went to Drouin a couple of days previous to transact some business. They returned to Bunyip on Wednesday night by the train which arrives at 8.20 o'clock, and both had a drink at the two hotels. Later on they were joined by three young men who are residents of Iona and they all had drinks. The party of five then left to drive home in a vehicle. They reached Iona at about midnight and some of the party had flasks of whisky. They halted near Baillie's forge where most of the whisky was drunk. The party then separated and Henderson and Cooper, who left a horse and jinker at Iona till they returned, then got into the trap and started for home. Henderson, in an interview with Constable Anstee, stated that Cooper fell from the vehicle. He also stated that Cooper fell against the barb wire fence and injured his head and face. On Friday afternoon Dr. Withington made an examination of the body and gave a certificate for burial purposes. An inquest into the cause of death was opened by Mr. A. H. a'Beckett, J.P., but was adjourned for a week in order to allow Constable Anstee to make further Inquiries. Relatives of deceased visited Bunyip and made arrangements for the remains to be conveyed to Melbourne for burial and they left by the 11.20 train on Saturday.

(Bunyip Free Press, May 14, 1914, see here). Inquest at PROV, here.  Kirwan’s Post Office was at Vervale, corner of Main Drain Road and Thirteen Mile Road. George was 55 years old. The Inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.

Death notice of George Cooper from his sisters and brother.

The Argus May 14, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7227800

Jimmy
At about 8 o'clock last night an old, disused shop [at Garfield] was totally destroyed by fire, and an elderly man, known as "Jimmy," was burnt to death. Deceased had been drinking heavily and was taken by two companions to the building and put inside. About an hour afterwards it was noticed that the place was on fire. When the alarm was given, a Mr. Scanlon endeavoured to effect a rescue, but the fire had by this time got a complete hold of the building. Mr Scanlon made his way out through the, smoke, thinking "Jimmy" was following, but deceased was either overcome and fell or turned back for some of his belongings and was cut off by the fire. Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, was sent for, and removed the body to the Iona Hotel, where it lies awaiting identification. The coroner has been notified. 

(The Argus, March 22, 1916, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here. We still don't know his real name; the Inquest is in the name of Jim.

Peter Lynch
A resident of Garfield named Hull was walking along a lonely track on Thursday when he came across the dead body of a man. Word was sent to Constable Anstee, at Bunyip, and the remains were conveyed to the Iona Hotel at Garfield. The body was decomposed, and Dr Cowan, who conducted the inquiry, was of opinion that death took place fully a month ago. From letters found upon the body it is thought the man's name is Peter Lynch, from Cork, Ireland. The remains were buried in the Bunyip Cemetery on Friday. 

(The Age, July 1, 1916, see here)  I wonder if Peter's relatives back home in Ireland ever heard of his death or if his disappearance always remained a mystery to them.

Augustus Erskine McMillan
A post-mortem examination was held at the Pine Grove Hotel [Beaconsfield Upper] on Wednesday by Dr Griffith, of Berwick, on the body of A. McMillan, who was found dead on the main Gembrook road near Beaconsfield Upper, on Tuesday midday by school children. Dr. Griffith found that death was caused by the effects of drink and exposure. There was no injury likely to have caused death. The body was that of a healthy man, aged about 50. Evidently the body had lain where it was found for about a fortnight. 

(The Argus September 7, 1917, see here)  Inquest at PROV, here. Augustus was 56 years old. 

John "Scotty" McDonald

There is an interesting account of an inquest held at the Royal Hotel, Koo Wee Rup, in the Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925. Great story, read it here.

Trove list

I have created a list on Trove, of articles that report on Post Mortems and Inquests being held in local hotels, you can access it here.

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched, appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.