Anne TYNAN [9954] ⁵¹⁴³

  General Notes:

These distressing stories were found in newspapers of the time

Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Sat 23 Jul 1870
Page 7
ANOTHER WIFE MURDER VICTORIA.

ANOTHER WIFE MURDER IN VICTORIA.
From the Alexandra Times.)
One of the most brutal murders that has ever been committed took place at Gooley's Creek, on Tuesday night last. On Wednesday morning the news spread like wildfire that James Cusack of Gooley's Creek, had murdered his wife, and that he had been arrested by the police. Cusack had been at Wood's Point on Tuesday, attending the Police Court on the charge of having an unregistered dog, and for which he was fined, 15s. He left the Point for his home in the evening, and on the way had some liquor to drink.

About 7 o'clock he got to Gooley's ; in a short time after screams were heard from Mrs. Cusack ; but as the parties were in the habit of continually quarrelling, little notice was taken, of them. At about 9 o'clock Mrs. Cusack was seen running with her hair down over her face and shoulders into the house of a neighbour named Elliott. On Mrs. Cusack entering the house she was asked what was up ; she replied that Cusack was beating her, and she was afraid he would kill her. She then sat down on an empty case ; in a few moments her husband, was heard calling her. She went to the door and seeing Cusack, went under the counter of Elliot's store to hide. She remained there some time and then went home. Cusack soon after went into Elliott's store and asked for a bottle of gin, and was told by the storeman that there was none. He then went elsewhere and procured the gin, which he took home. Shortly before midnight more screams were heard from. the direction of Cusack's house, and shortly after Mrs. Cusack went into the house of Patrick. Malone with very little clothes on and bare footed. Malone advised her to go home, as her child was crying. She said that, she had been an hour in a waterhole hiding from her husband, and that if he caught her he would be sure to kill her. In a little time. Cusack went into Malone's, and accused him of harbouring his (Cusack's) wife. He also accused him of being the cause of the row whereupon Cusack struck Malone. While that row was going on Mrs. Cusack went home, and this was the last time she was seen till Wednesday morning. On visiting the premises about midday on Wednesday the house presented an awful sight ; on the verandah were pools of human blood, together with hair. In the inside of the house the scene of the murder was still more horrible, In a small room off the front of the building was the murdered woman. The corpse did not look like that of a white woman in any way. The face was black. The whole of the body was one mass of bruises. There were plainly discernible the marks of a boot on the face. The constable on searching the house found several articles of clothing besmeared with blood, and an old shovel and a carving knife, both of which, bore, marks of blood. James Cusack was brought up at the Police Court on a charge of wilful murder.

After a patient hearing, which lasted all day, he was committed to take his trial at the next Criminal Session, to be held at Melbourne on the 15th of August next. During the trial the prisoner was very cool, and evidently but little moved at the awful position he was placed in, till two of his children came into Court to make a statement. Upon seeing them the prisoner was deeply affected. Cusack is a native Clare, Ireland, is about thirty five years of age.

He has previously held a good character, and was known as a hard working man. The murdered woman's maiden name was Anne Tynan ; she was a native of Tipperary, and was about, thirty years of age. She was considered a steady, tidy woman, and a good housekeeper. She leaves four children. The mayor, while at Gooley's Creek, succeeded in getting two of the ladies of that place to take charge of the children till such time as provision could be made to send them to some benevolent institution.

Anne married James CUSACK [5591] [MRIN: 3259], son of James CUSACK [1030] and Margaret GALLERY [1031], in 1863 in , Victoria, Australia ⁵¹⁴³.^,5144 (James CUSACK [5591] was born about 1837 in , , Ireland,⁵¹⁴⁵ died on 30 Aug 1870 in Melbourne, VIC, Australia ^{5143,5146,5147} and was buried on 31 Aug 1870 in Melbourne Gaol, VIC, Australia ⁵¹⁴⁷.)