Captured: Portraits of Crime 1870-1930 - Flipbook - Page 35
18 87 - 1913
DA R L I N G H U R S T
GAO L
PA R R A M AT TA
GAO L
HORSE WHISPERER,
HORSE THIEF
Pier McDhoon
HORSE STEALING
Pier McDhoon, born in New Caledonia or India c. 1872, was
convicted of multiple horse stealing offences between 1887
and 1913, and was photographed on at least six occasions at
Darlinghurst and Parramatta gaols.
In 1887 McDhoon was convicted of stealing a horse for
the first time. He had been found in the company of a well-known
juvenile thief and gang leader, Edward Jefcoate. McDhoon was
‘dealt with’ under the Industrial Schools Act 1866, and
sentenced to two years on the nautical school ship, Vernon. On
being admitted to the ship, McDhoon — an only child whose mother
was dead — was described as a ‘big obstinate sulky lad’ who would
‘be an uphill battle to reform’. The youth was 15 years old but
only 4’ 11” in height, so Vernon authorities thought he was a
10 year old boy.
From Vernon, McDhoon was apprenticed as a groom and
coachman to Mr Rodrick of 27 Ennis Street, Balmain. He reported
back to the ship’s superintendent Captain Neitenstein in 1893
that he was happy with his master. But two years later, the
young groom was imprisoned in Darlinghurst Gaol where he was
photographed on 15 March 1895 while serving a sentence of six
weeks hard labour for horse stealing.
In February 1896, McDhoon was found guilty of stealing a
bay gelding from Theobald Huxley of Marrickville Road, which he
then sold to William Lumsdin of Chippendale. He was sentenced
to two years hard labour in Darlinghurst Gaol but released by
special remission in July 1897 to receive treatment for an eye
complaint.
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