Woogaroo - a timeline and an index

A for Asylum
One of several hundred headstones moved to from the asylum to Goodna General Cemetery.
Photo by Simon Hamlet, 

The following is both a timeline of events relevant to the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, and an index to posts within this blog - both created and planned .  

Planned blog posts look like this - bold purple text with orange background.

Completed blog posts look like this - bold purple text with green background. - Then follow the link that follows.

In some cases I have simply linked to the relevant files in Trove rather than writing a post. If I link to Trove like this I ensure I have tidied up the text in Trove first.  

This page will continue to be updated as appropriate.

For the time being my focus is on the operations of Woogaroo from its opening in 1965 to Federation (1901), some dates beyond this frame do appear in the timeline, but these are not currently inside my main field of interest.

I am using this as space to collate and curate documents related to the Woogaroo Asylum.  So some posts are basically just the referenced text, others may have some commentary from me. 

Timeline with Source Documents

Prior to 1865

1843	NSW enacts the Dangerous Lunatics Act

1865-1869

1865	Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum is opens. Starting with 69 patients transferred from the Brisbane Gaol. “Ann Wandsworth was brought up charged with being a dangerous lunatic. This female has been living at Drayton with a Chinaman, and lately showed symptoms of insanity. When in the lock-up she tore all her clothes off, and was very violent. Drs. Sachse and Burke having certified that the woman was a dangerous lunatic, she was ordered to be forwarded to the Lunatic Asylum at Woogaroo.” MONDAY, FEB 6 (1865, February 8). The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880), p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75513365
1866	A new wing opens at the asylum for paying patients. Incident of warders having inappropriate relations with inmates. [blog post pending]
1867	Visitor report - The Brisbane Courier visits Woogaroo - [blog post pending] A woman named Mary Ann Holmes who was committed to gaol on Wednesday week for two months on a charge of vagrancy, tore one of her eyes completely out of the socket on Monday, and was with difficulty restrained from tearing out the other. It is said she is suffering from delirium tremens. She has been sent to Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. Colonial Items. (1867, June 27). Warwick Examiner and Times (Qld. : 1867 - 1919), p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82095282  INSANITY. Samuel Taylor was ordered to be sent to the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. CENTRAL POLICE COURT. (1867, July 30). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1286209 INSANITY.—Norman Gordon, considered to be of unsound mind, was sent to Woogaroo Asylum, on a medical certificate. CENTRAL POLICE COURT. (1867, October 23). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1288074 Op-ed the outcome of the 1867 Inquiry No Title (1867, November 21). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123613017
1868	LUNACY.—Mary Pearse, a young girl of respectable appearance, 22 years of age, was ordered to be confined in Woogaroo Asylum for medical treatment. CENTRAL POLICE COURT. (1868, March 3). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1309570 WOOGAROO ASYLUM. SIR: I trust you will allow me a small space in your tomorrow's paper for what I am about to state. This afternoon, I accompanied to Woogaroo the wife of one of the inmates, who was anxious, not only to see her husband, but to ascertain what progress he was making towards recovery. We were detained by Dr. Cannaan — I presume, for his convenience — nearly two hours, and when he did make his appearance, he at once walked away. I followed him, thinking he did not wish to say anything in the patient's presence ; but, instead of giving me a hearing, he cooly proceeded on, without saying a word. Such incivility as this is certainly unwarrantable to those who desire to obtain information about their friends. l am sorry to say complaints like this have been frequent, within my hearing, of general incivility of Dr. Cannaan. Yours, Wm. Deagon WOOGAROOO ASYLUM. (1868, May 16). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 5. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20318678  The mother-in-law of Ritchie, who was executed for the murder of Mr. Owen, has been sent to Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. Ritchie's wife died some twelve months after the occurrence, after having married another man. Epitome of News. (1868, September 26). The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187999078  See also my blog post about Ritchie https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2019/04/murder-of-charles-alfred-owen-of.html Interesting article about the admission of Philip Brocksopp - who made a suicide attempt, was therefore charged with lunacy, but for whom it was thought that time in the Brisbane Gaol would be a cruel act. SYDNEY. (1868, May 28). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148327528  James Patten was brought before the court for protection. Dr. Decker and Dr. Roberts deposed that the unfortunate man was of unsound mind and unfit to be at large, and he was ordered to be forwarded to the Woogaroo Asylum. TOOWOOMBA POLICE COURT. (1868, June 10). The Toowoomba Chronicle and Queensland Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1875), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212784687  Inmate voices - 'de-facto' - [blog post pending] Inmate voices - H.K. - [blog post pending] Watteen, a South Sea Islander in the service of Mr. J. S. Spencer, declared to be of unsound mind, on the testimony of Drs. Dorsey and Challinor, was committed to Woogaroo Asylum. POLICE COURT, IPSWICH. (1868, October 24). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123356761
1869	Inmate voices - William Harmer Collard INIQUITOUS TREATMENT. (1869, January 16). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 4. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20322372  See also THE NEW VINE DISEASE IN FRANCE. (1869, January 23). Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), p. 3. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60831216  Letters of William Draper - [blog post pending] Inmate voices: the letters of Thomas White https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/inmate-voices-thomas-white-woogaroo.html Letters Patent to establish an inquiry https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/establishing-royal-commission-woogaroo.html Thomas Jessie, late of the Yarra Bend Asylum is appointed as chief warder. The Courier. (1869, May 6). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 2. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1305614

1870-1879

1870
1871
1872	Magisterial enquiry into the death of a Woogaroo inmate, Arthur Kelly. The Courier. (1872, February 5). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 2. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1335455  Notes on a short stay in Woogaroo. Dr Jaap starts at the Woogaroo Asylum. TELEGRAPHIC. (1872, July 20). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 4. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1291576 A number seem to have high hopes for Jaap's Superintendency. Cf. WOOGAROO ASYLUM. (1872, September 21). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 4. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123618846 Jaap sets up a 'band fund' to provide entertainments for the patients.  "The inmates of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum were, on Saturday last, afforded a most enjoyable treat in witnessing some feats in"legerdemain" and the renowned "performing dogs" of "Professor" Thornton. It appears the Surgeon-Superintendent availed himself of the "Professor's" presence in the neighborhood of Goodna, and engaged him to give an afternoon's performance for the amusement of the patients. TELEGRAPHIC. (1872, November 25). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1302185
1873	The asylum is cut off by flood and its boat works to the aid of the general community. "A great feeling of security to the people of this township was engendered by observing the boat be-longing to the Lunatic Asylum plying backward and forward every day, and ready to render every assistance should it be required at this side of the creek. The asylum was, with the exception of a narrow road way, completely surrounded by water, and the high boundary-fences of the wards were in some places completely covered. It looked quite solitary in the waste of water as seen from Goodna, as I am sure the latter must have looked as seen from the Lunatic Asylum." GOODNA. (1873, June 24). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122563922  Dr Jaap organises a game of football. CURRENT EVENTS. (1873, July 17). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169485341  With a favourable report FOOTBALL MATCH AT WOOGAROO. (1873, July 21). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169482463 See also ... STRAY THOUGHTS. (1873, July 21). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169482457
1874	"I have just learnt that an old and well-known resident has passed away to the better land. Mr. John Hardie, formerly of Fassifern, but more recently of the firm of Hardie and Younger, commission agents, &c., Brisbane, died in the Lunatic Asylum, of which institution he was an inmate during the past few months, having been sent there from the Brisbane Hospital, suffering from dementia and epilepsy. Paralysis it appears supervened, which brought life to an early period, and the poor fellow passed away some time this morning. Poor Hardie! times were sadly changed with him since he drove four-in-hand along the highway, and fair Fassifern owned his sway. Requiescat in peace!" GOODNA. (1874, May 19). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130757985
1875	Ill treatment of a patient of the Asylum, Catherine Sullivan, by a nurse, Elizabeth Lippiat. GOODNA POLICE COURT. (1875, October 16). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 3. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122070440 The above article results in the following letter to the editor by a former Acting Superintendent. Treatment of Patients at Woogaroo. (1875, October 21). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1383237
1876	Coronial file on an unknown male found near Woogaroo - [blog post pending] [File from the State Archives] Accusation against a Nurse, Mary Clancy, for assault on a patient, Kate Ryan.  Ryan refuses to swear for testimony and the case is dismissed. Alleged Assault on a Patient at Woogaroo. (1876, October 23). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 3. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1391855 ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A PATIENT AT WOOGAROO. (1876, October 24). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 4. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121928184  Ryan is difficult to remove from court, 'rough handling' by another staff member, Johanna Butler, leads to her dismissal. This in turn, due to the Surgeon-Superintendent's use of power to dismiss a well regarded staff member, led to the request for a Royal Commission into the operations of the asylum to be tabled in the House. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. (1876, November 3). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 3. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174706776 A report of Christmas party at the asylum in 1901 notes the ongoing presence of Johanna Butler as a chief nurse, so clearly she was reinstated. 33 years service in 1901. THE GOODNA ASYLUM. (1901, December 28). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 11. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122955856
1877	Letters Patent: Establishing a Royal Commission https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/calling-royal-commission-woogaroo.html
1878
1879

1880-1889

1880	Report on Superintendent in The Bulletin, Vol 2. No.16 (15 May 1880), p 8  “Some charges has been made against Dr. Patrick Smith, Superintendent of Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, Brisbane by a discharged clerk.” Name change to 'Goodna Asylum for the Insane'
1881	A Bush Naturalist Visits the Asylum. A series of five reports as published in The Queenslander and the Brisbane Courier. https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-bush-naturalist-visits-asylum-1881.html
1882
1883
1884	Visitor report - The Brisbane Courier visits the asylum - series of articles in the Brisbane Courier. https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-brisbane-courier-visits-woogaroo.html
1885
1886
1887	“Whence come our lunatics?” A comparison of the ratio of nationalities of people in the asylum with respect to the colonies (Queenslands) population.  The Warwick Examiner (1887, February 5). Warwick Examiner and Times (Qld. : 1867 - 1919), p. 2. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82084832 the above article provides extracts from the following article in Trove, which is much more messy. Whence Come our Lunatics? (1887, January 28). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 4. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175121699
1888
1889

1890-1899

1880	Report on Superintendent in The Bulletin, Vol 2. No.16 (15 May 1880), p 8  “Some charges has been made against Dr. Patrick Smith, Superintendent of Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, Brisbane by a discharged clerk.” Name change to 'Goodna Asylum for the Insane'
1881
1882
1883
1884	Visitor report - The Brisbane Courier visits the asylum - series of articles in the Brisbane Courier. https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-brisbane-courier-visits-woogaroo.html
1885
1886
1887	“Whence come our lunatics?” A comparison of the ratio of nationalities of people in the asylum with respect to the colonies (Queenslands) population.  The Warwick Examiner (1887, February 5). Warwick Examiner and Times (Qld. : 1867 - 1919), p. 2. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82084832 the above article provides extracts from the following article in Trove, which is much more messy. Whence Come our Lunatics? (1887, January 28). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 4. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175121699
1888
1889
1890	Visitor report - - a series of articles in the Queensland Times https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/02/gil-blas-visits-woogaroo-asylum-1890.html
1891	A patient, Joseph Styche, is killed by a pipe bomb hidden among fireworks. https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/of-pipe-bombs-and-demons-woogaroo.html
1892
1893
1894
1895	Coronial file for the death of Ah Foong (a chinaman) Queensland State Archive Item ID 2733147 https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronial-file-for-ah-foong-woogaroo.html Coronial file into the death of Maria - tuberculosis Queensland State Archive Item ID 2732976
1896
1897
1898	Name change to 'Goodna Hospital for the Insane' Coronial file into the death of Georgie, a South Sea Islander - tuberculosis Queensland State Archive Item ID 2734577 https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronial-file-for-georgie-south-sea.html
1899	A Chinaman named Ah Shew, who was brought before the Police Magistrate on Saturday morning last on a charge of vagrancy, was afterwards examined by Dr. Von Lossberg and Thornton, and, on their certificates, it was decided that he should be sent to the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. SENT TO WOOGAROO. (1899, May 16). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 4. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123157686  See also IPSWICH POLICE COURT. (1899, May 16). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908), p. 4. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123157682  "A Contractor," writing to the "Courier" on Monday last, took exception to the provision "all locks to be supplied by the department" in the specifications for the new buildings at the Goodna Hospital for the In-sane. We learn that for all such hospitals the locks and keys are of secret patterns, and for obvious reasons it would not be judicious to allow the patterns to be known except to the officers employed in the treatment of the insane. The keys are sent out from Chubb's, in England, to the Colonial Architect under seal, and are by him sent on to the Superintendent of Asylums without the seal being broken. The locks and keys of prisons are also always supplied by the department for the same reasons as operate with respect to hospitals for the insane. "COMPARISONS ARE ODIOUS." (1899, June 24). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 7. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3696236

1900 to present 

1900	Coronial file into the death of Charlie (an aboriginal) - tuberculosis. Queensland State Archive Item ID 2735462 https://underthelino.blogspot.com/2020/05/coronial-file-for-charlie-aboriginal.html
1903	The Bulletin Vol 24. No. 1237 (29 Oct 1903) p. 17
1940	Name change to 'Brisbane Mental Hospital'
1946	Mass exhumation of bodies from the cemetery  MASS EXHUMATION OF BODIES BRISBANE, November 28.-The mass exhuma-tion of 2800 bodies from the Goodna Mental Hospital Cemetery to the Goodna Public Cemetery, which commenced in March, 1945, is half completed. Patients are assisting in the work under the supervision of warders. Some of the graves are over half a century old. The exhumation was for the pur-pose of improving the site of a new block being erected for servicemen suffering war effects. MASS EXHUMATION OF BODIES (1946, November 29). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 1 (DAILY). Retrieved May 14, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118371163
1963	Name change to 'Brisbane Special Hospital'
1969	Name change to 'Wolston Park Hospital'
2001	Name change to 'The Park Centre for Mental Health'

Useful secondary source material - Online

Finnane, Mark (2008) Wolston Park Hospital, 1865-2001: a retrospect. Queensland Review.

Evans, R. L. (1969) Charitable Institutions of the Queensland Government to 1919. UQ Masters Thesis.

Wolston Park Centenary Cricket (n.d.) Wolston Park Site History.

Bradshaw, J & Madsen, W 2007, 'Gender and domesticity in Woogaroo Asylum 1865-1869', in B Knight, B Walker-Gibbs & J Delamoir (eds), Research into 21st Century Communities, Post Pressed, Teneriffe, Qld, pp. 33-46. http://hdl.cqu.edu.au/10018/12327

Bradshaw, J. Façade of success - Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum 1865 1969. CQU PhD Thesis. http://hdl.cqu.edu.au/10018/1046363

Calling a Royal Commission - Woogaroo Asylum - 1877

The following is a transcript of the Letters Patent calling for a Royal Commission into the management of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum and other Lunatic Reception Houses of the Colony of Queensland, in 1877, as found at the Queensland State Archives, Item ID 2765073.

This is part of a series publishing primary source documents relating to Woogaroo from 1865 to 1901.

[On left side margin]
Entered on Record by me in the Register of Patents, No 5, page 87 , this 13th day of January, A.D. 1877.
[Signed] H. H. Massie
(For the Colonial Secretary and Registrar.)

VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the
Faith, &c., &c. 

To the Honorable EYLES IRWIN CAULFEILD BROWNE;  the Honorable JOHN MULLEN; WILLIAM  GRAHAM, Esquire; WILLIAM HENRY GROOM, Esquire; WILLIAM GILL BAILEY Esquire; WILLIAM LEWORTHY GOOD DREW, Esquire; and JOSEPH BANCROFT, Esquire, Doctor of Medicine;  

GREETING :  

WHEREAS an Address was lately presented by the Legislative Assembly of our Colony of Queensland to the Governor of our said Colony, praying that His Excellency would be pleased to cause a Royal Commission to issue to inquire into the management of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum and the Lunatic Reception Houses of our said Colony: And whereas the Governor of our said Colony, with the advice of our Executive Council thereof, has thought fit to give effect to the said Address and to issue a Commission in our name, and to appoint you the said EYLES IRWIN CAULFIELD BROWNE, JOHN MULLEN. WILLIAM GRAHAM, WILLIAM HENRY GROOM, WILLIAM GILL BAILEY, WILLIAM LEWORTHY GOOD DREW, and JOSEPH BANCROFT, to be our Commissioners for the purposes hereinafter set forth: Now know ye, that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in your judgment, discretion, zeal, industry, and integrity, do, by these presents, appoint you the said Ertes IRWIN CAULFEILD BROWNE, JOHN MULLEN, WILLIAM GRAHAM, WILLIAM HENRY GROOM, WILLIAM GILL BAILEY, WILLIAM LEWORTHY GOOD DREW. and JOSEPH BANCROFT, to be our Commissioners to inquire into the management of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum and the Lunatic Reception Houses in our said Colony of Queensland, and to report upon the best means to be adopted, by Legislative enactment or otherwise, to improve the said institutions; and generally to inquire into and report upon the whole subject of the care, custody, and treatment of insane persons within our said Colony. And we do by these presents appoint and direct that FRIDAY, the twenty-sixth day of January, A.D. 1877, at three o'clock in the afternoon, shall be the time, and the office of our Colonial Secretary in Brisbane the place, at which you shall hold your first meeting, and that you shall at such meeting elect your own Chairman. And we do by these presents give and grant to you or any three of you, at any meeting or meetings, full power and authority to call before you such persons as you shall judge necessary, by whom you may be better informed of the truth in the premises. And we further empower you or any three of you to adjourn such inquiry from time to time and from place to place as you may find expedient or necessary. And we do further command and enjoin you that you do take down the examination of the several witnesses that may appear before you, and reduce the same into writing; and such evidence, together with full, true, and faithful report upon the several matters above referred to as you and each of you shall think fit, transmit to the office of our Colonial Secretary of our said Colony on or before the first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.  

In testimony whereof we have caused this our Commission to be sealed with the Seal of our said Colony.  

Witness our trusty and well-beloved WILLIAM WELLINGTON CAIRNS, Esquire,
Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Queensland and its Dependencies, at Government House, Brisbane, this thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, and in the fortieth year of our reign.  

By His Excellency's Command,  

[Signed] R. M. Stewart
[Signed] W. W. Cairns

Of pipe bombs and demons - Woogaroo Asylum - 1891

An advertisement for Chinese Crackers from the year 1891,
as it appears in the Australian Town and Country Journal
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71250444

In which a Chinese man brings Chinese Crackers to the asylum to exorcise his friend’s demons and ends up killing a bystander with a pipe bomb.  Sounds crazy, but it was the news in Brisbane in 1891. Scaring off demons with loud noises does sound plausible as a cultural practice, but I was a little surprised that the Medical Superintendent allowed it.

This is part of a series publishing source documents relating to the Woogaroo Asylum from 1865 to 1901.

This article appears in five newspapers at the time namely:-

• The Telegraph -- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172646689
• Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser -- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123049239
• Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser -- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217670748
• The Week -- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article184247058
• Darling Downs Gazette -- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171031464 

The text below is from Queensland Times.

A WOOGAROO PATIENT KILLED.  

A curious accident, which terminated fatally, occurred at the Lunatic Asylum at Goodna, on February 9 last (says the Telegraph). It appears that a Chinaman named Ming Foo on that date came to visit a fellow countryman named Ah Chick, who was a patient at the institution. He asked the permission of the medical superintendent to let off some fireworks, which he assured the medical superintendent would drive the devil, who was troubling his friend, away. The permission to let off the fireworks, which apparently consisted of only the usual crackers, was given. However, it afterwards appeared that among these crackers were some made especially by Ming Foo, and which in his belief were of greater efficacy in the devil-scaring process than the ordinary fireworks. Ming Foo, having taken his friend out into the recreation reserve, began to set the fireworks going, and all appeared to be going well until towards the end. It appeared that a patient named Joseph Styche had been employed in a shed near the reserve in mending some beds. He stood for some time watching the display, but when nearly all the crackers had been shot off he was seen to fall to the ground. The medical superintendent, Dr. Scholes, who saw the man fall, at once rushed to the spot, and a brief examination revealed to him the fact that the man had a nasty wound on the right side of the abdomen, from which he was bleeding freely. The wounded man was at once removed to the hospital, where another examination took place. It was then found that the wound extended to the liver, and that it communicated with two fractured ribs. The liver was ruptured, and the cavities of the chest and abdomen were penetrated. A piece of iron piping, 3in. long and 1½in. in diameter, was found in the wound. Styche died of his injuries on the 15th instant, six days after he had received the wound. It seems that Ming Foo had amongst his fireworks several pieces of iron tubing filled with gun-powder, which he intended to explode. A magisterial inquiry was held into the cause of Styche's death, and the evidence taken in connection therewith has been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary.

Styche’s death notice, if it can be called that, appears amid the asylums statistics for the week ending 21 February 1891.

Died on the 15th instant, Joseph Styche, late of Ipswich, aged 51 years, of rupture of liver, &c., result of accidental explosion …