Garrett and Mary Gough - "drunken and disorderly"

The name of Mary Gough - assuming it is the same person all the way through the record, first appears in relation to a charge of drunkenness in Wellington 1862.  She was fined 5 shillings.  Her name features in a similar report in 1864.  And 1865. and 1866, twice and then in 1867, twice.  Then 1868 and then 1869, the latter charge being both drunk and incapable.

INDECENT EXPOSURE. 

William Morris, alias Gassy Bill, who has served two years in gaol, besides undergoing sundry smaller sentences, was charged by Constable Wilson, with this offence and with drunkenness. Some very disgusting evidence having been taken, the case was adjourned till to-morrow. 

William Donnelly was charged, on the information of Constable Ward, with this, offence, drunkenness and vagrancy, and was committed for one calendar month, with hard labor. 

Mary Gough, a disgusting old woman, was charged with this offence, on the information of Constable Ward, and was committed for one calendar month, with hard labor.   -Evening Post, 7/7/1871.

POLICE COURT.

Thursday, March 21. (Before J. O. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) 

DRUNKENNESS. Mary Gough, a familiar name in Police Court roports, and rather a distinguished character in vagabondage, appeared before his Worship yesterday for about the fiftieth time. She had been conducting herself in Boulcott street the day before in a disorderly manner. The present charge, coupled with her Police Court reminiscences, obtained for her a month's imprisonment.   -Wellington Independnt, 22/3/1872.

The following cases were dealt with: — Mary Gough, who for one offence or other, generally pays a quarterly visit to the gaol, was sentenced to three months, hard labor for vagrancy.  -Wellington Independent, 20/2/1873.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before H. McCulloch, Esq., R.M.) Wednesday, June 24. Garret Gough and Mary Gough, husband and wife, were charged with drunken and disorderly conduct in the old immigration barracks in Esk street. 

Sergeant Fleming said that both the accused were immigrants by the ship Asia, and he further characterised them as nuisances to the neighborhood in which they resided. 

The man pleaded that he and his "old woman" had never been so accused before, and the "old woman" voluntarily informed the Court that she "might have been a grandmother or she wasn't" On being told by the Court that they were fined 5s each, or, failing payment 24 hours' imprisonment, the man triumphantly exclaimed — "Faith, an' I haven't a ha'penny."  -Southland Times, 26/6/1874.

Saturday, September 26. Mary Gough, a Carrick Castle notoriety, was fined 50s, or 14 days' imprisonment, for using obscene and profane language in Tay street.   -Southland Times, 28/9/1874.

Interestingly, the "Garrick Castle" and the "Asia" were both immigrant ships with a bad reputation.

I don't know whether the Victoria Cross is ever given for such deeds of valour as that performed by Garratt Gough and Mary, his wife, who sat down on the rails of the Port Chalmers line. Probably the wisest way would have been to have hung them both, and then give the Cross to their heirs. This would have met the case thoroughly. He was drunk, but she says she was sober. Well done, Mary! For real cool-headed cheek — for real sobersided daring, commend me to Mary Gough. Horrid thing, though, that they should have to pay a more vulgar 20s, or three days.  -Otago Witness, 17/4/1875.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before J. Turnbull, Esq., R.M.) Friday, December 31. Garrett Gough, charged with being disorderly in the shop of Mr Dean, tailor, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Mary Gough, wife of the preceding prisoner, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Dee street, she was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labor.   -Southland Times, 1/1/1876.

Magistrate's Court.— Garrett Gough was charged before Mr McCulloch on Thursday with having been drunk and disorderly in the public streets. He said that when a soldier in India he received a sunstroke, and as a consequence of that he could not now take a glass of beer or spirits without becoming affected in a peculiar manner, and he denied having been drunk as alleged in the charge. Mrs Gough, an excitable old lady, was present, and persisted in declaring in a demonstrative manner that her husband was an honest man. He was, however, fined 10s, or 24 hours' imprisonment, and warned that if he again appeared before the Court on the same charge he would be sent to gaol without the option of a fine. In the present case Garrett not having 10s, took Hobson's choice, and went to prison.   -Southland Times, 22/9/1876.

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, February 26. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and Dr. Deamer, J.P.] Drunk and Disorderly. — R. Beale was fine 10s. Mary Gough and Garrett Gough were charged with being drunk and assaulting the police. Both of the accused had been several times recently before the Bench, and were each sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour. The female left the Court thanking the Bench for the sentence, more especially the hard labour part of it. A first offender, arrested for being drunk at the railway station, was fined 5s.  -Globe, 26/2/1878.

MAGISTRATES' COURTS

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, April 3. [Before G. L. Mellish Esq,, B.M.] 

Drunk and Disorderly.  Garrett Gough and Mary Gough, old offenders, charged with being drunk and using obsccene language, were each fined 60s, and cautioned not to appear in Court again.   -Globe 3/4/1878.

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, April 11. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly. —Henry Jones was fined 20s, and Alexander McGalvery 20s and cab hire. Annie Wharton was remanded until Monday. An inebriate, who appeared for the first time, was fined 5s. 

Breach of Prison's Act. Garrett Gough, who had been arrested by Mr Reston for throwing tobacco to some prisoners at Addington Gaol, was fined 40s.  -Globe, 11/4/1878.

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH.

This Day. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness. — A first offender was fined 5s. — Garrett and Mary Gough were charged with drunkenness, and also with fighting and using bad language in the vicinity of the Eastern Hotel. They each received 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour.   -Star, 18/5/1878.

A Good Riddance. — A pair of "hard cases” were brought up yesterday before his Worship the Mayor, under the Vagrant Act. They rejoiced in the names of Garret and Mary Gough, and a more disreputable married couple we have never set eyes on. They had no encumbrances unless the quantity of dirt they carried about with them could be classed under that head, and on the police giving evidence as to previous convictions against them as "vags,” they both broke out into a voluble statement that it was only the taking a sup of drink that had caused their previous residence in Lyttelton goal, Mary being particularly anxious to let it be known to his Worship that it was the “beer that done it.” They were both committed for three months, and Mr Gough was loud in his protestations that is was too much, but the pair will have the pleasure of having their Christmas dinner at her Majesty’s expense.  -Ashburton Guardian, 15/11/1879.

Found Dead. — Information was received yesterday morning that a man had been found dead at Chertsey. Upon making enquiries we found his name to be Garrett Gough, who, with his wife, Mary Gough, had been a few days previously released from Addington gaol, having served a term of two months for vagrancy in Ashburton. They were in the habit of sleeping out. On Saturday they arrived at Chertsey about 5 p.m., and asked for lodgings at the Chertsey Hotel, but Mr. Wallace, having his house full, had to refuse them. About 9 p.m. they lay down on the tussocks between the railway line and the hotel, and about 5 a.m. in the morning the wife woke up and found Gough dead alongside of her. Constable Rouse, stationed at Rakaia, took the opportunity of a special train in the morning and brought the woman on to Ashburton, she being apparently demented. An inquest will he held at the Chertsey Hotel this afternoon at 4 p.m.  -Ashburton Herald, 26/1/1880.

INQUEST AT CHERTSEY.

DEPLORABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE VILLAGE. 

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Wallace’s Chertsey Hotel on the body of Garrett Gough, before J. E. Trevor, Esq., and a jury of 12, of whom Mr. W. A. Brown was chosen foreman. After being sworn, the jury viewed the body, and the following evidence was taken. 

Wm. Rouse, mounted constable, deponed — On Sunday, 25th inst., about 7.30 a. m., I found the body of deceased lying at the crossing on the line at Chertsey. He was on his back, with his feet close to the rails, and he had no appearance of having been disturbed. Examined him and found no marks of violence about him. He had no property or money on him. 

By the Coroner — He looked as if he had died in his sleep. Have known him for six years. He has been repeatedly convicted as a vagrant, saw him last a fortnight ago in Addington Gaol. 

James Wallace, landlord of the Chertsey Hotel, deponed — I came home at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday night, and after tea deceased asked me if I would let him and his wife have a bed. As I had previous experience of their habits I refused them any accommodation. About 9 o’clock I went out, and there was a crowd of men about them, and the woman was dancing. So as to disperse the crowd, I offered to give them the use of a loose-box, and to lock them in. The woman refused, and threw a stone at me. About five next morning I was awakened by a man knocking at the door, who said Gough was dead, and I saw the man lying near the line and the woman with her arms round him, screaming. He was not cold nor stiff. 

By the Coroner — There was no quarrelling, but there was a crowd of men about them. The deceased was quite sober when I saw him last. 

Mary Gough, sworn — Am wife of deceased. He was a laborer, but we had no settled residence. All I know, was, when I woke I found my husband dead, and I screeched. Our camp was on the open ground. We had plenty of blankets, but did not cover any over us. During the day my husband complanied that his bowels were out of order, but otherwise was in good health. He has not complained of his health. He was 62 years of age. During the evening he was not sober. I cannot account for his death. I was neither sober nor drunk myself when I laid down. 

By a juror — Two boys brought over two bottles to where we were camped. It was shandygaff I think. Deceased was a very heavy drinker. Mr. Wallace offered us a loose box to sleep in. 

Hugh Boyle, laborer, deponed — On Saturday night, I slept out near the railway line at Chertsey, and near daylight heard the woman call out that her husband was dead, and gave the alarm to Mr. Wallace who went with me. I slept about 5 chains from where the body was found. I wasn’t sober myself on Saturday night. About one on Sunday morning I heard a noise, and saw a lot of men standing about the deceased’s camp making a noise. I heard the woman telling the men to go away. I have been drinking a week. 

The evidence of this witness was considered unreliable, and after receiving a caution from the coroner was thrown out. 

James Blunt, blacksmith’s apprentice, deponed — About twelve on Saturday night I heard deceased and his wife laughing and making a noise, and my mate and myself went over to the place. They did not appear to be quarrelling. We remained about there “larking” till nearly daylight, with some other men. I did not speak to deceased, but to his wife. When I left he was lying down, apparently asleep, and his wife was sitting about a yard away from him. I had a little to drink that night. We were larking with his wife. 

By the foreman — There were five besides myself “larking" there that night. Tom Childs was one. I saw some whisky there. I saw Boyle, the last witness, on the spot. 

T. Childs, blacksmith, a boy aged 16, after a considerable amount of persuasion, corroborated the previous witness’s evidence and acknowledged to having been drinking. He received a severe reprimand from the Coroner, who requested the foreman of the jury to convey his opinions to the parents and guardians of this and the previous witness. 

John Moore, farmer, Cherstey — Saw deceased about 11 o’clock and spoke to him. Saw him again about daylight, but could not say if he was alive then. I stayed to get my man home, and to see the “sport.” There was a great noise. Deceased took no part in it; his wife did. I assisted in the disturbance; I was not sober. I cannot account for the death of deceased. 

Jas. Scarlett, farmer of Chertsey — Knew he was drunk on the night in question. Saw deceased about 2 o’clock on Sunday morning and he was then alive, and I was drunk. 

W. G. Ross, surgeon, sworn, deponed to having made a post mortem examination of the deceased. There were no external marks of violence on the body; head and face very much congested. All the internal organs were congested. Disease of the heart was apparent, the heart itself was petrified. The right side of the heart flaccid; the left ventricle full. All the organs besides the heart were healthy, but congested. The brain, lungs, liver, and bowels were intensely congested. All the organs smelt strongly of alcohol. I attribute death to the failure of the action of the heart, accelerated by the congestion of the brain and lungs, such congestion having been produced by alcohol. 

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.  -Ashburton Guardian, 27/1/1880.

I have found no record in the Canterbury area of a grave belonging to Garrett Gough.

The Recent Affair at Chertsey

The woman Mary Gough, wife of Garrett Gough, whose death at Chertsey was recently the subject of an inquest, was yesterday before the Court here charged with vagrancy. In consideration of her notoriously dissipated habits, and the probability that sooner or later she may meet a fate similar to that of her husband, the Magistrate did for her perhaps what was the best thing for her — he sent her to gaol for twelve months. She will now be out of harm’s way.  -Ashburton Herald, 30/1/1880.

Mary remained in the Christchurch area after her husband's death, then moved to Dunedin.  She was fined for drunkenness in March, 1881 in Christchurch and then in Dunedin the next month.  Then back to Christchurch, and Dunedin again in July.

NEWS OF THE DAY

Resident Magistrate's Court. — This morning, before Messrs Parker and Westenra, Mary Gough was charged with being illegally on premises. She was found at 230 a.m. in an empty house in Kilmore street, belonging to the Church Property Trustees, which has become the resort of vagrants. She was described as having no house nor occupation. She was sentenced to one months’ imprisonment with hard labour.  -Globe, 10/9/1881.

CITY POLICE COURT. 

(Before C E Elliott, Esq., J.P., and W. P. Street Esq., J.P.) Drunkenness.— For offence Robert Harvey was fined 5s, or to be imprisoned until the rising of the Court, and John McDonald, John Wilson, and John Mcletten were each fined 10s, with the alternative of forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. 

Vagrancy, — Mary Gough was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. The evidence in this ease was that the accused was a prostitute of the lowest order, and that last night she was found in Dr Borrows’s fowl-house. The doctor said that he believed she there for the purpose of committing depredations. —Sergeant-major Bevin said that there were fourteen previous convictions against the accused, and that she was of that class who robbed the fowl-houses. — She was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment.   -Evening Star, 3/11/1881.

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. FRIDAY, Feb. 5. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M.)

Vagrancy. — Mary Gough, was charged with having no lawful means of support. The accused was an old woman, who has claimed the attention of the police many times previously. She has lately been wandering about the country, and on Wednesday evening she went to the Rolleston Hotel and begged for shelter. She was accommodated with a shake-down and a good meal, and the following morning left the house. She still remained in the neighbourhood, however, as about. 1p.m. on Thursday she was observed smoking under a gorse hedge near the hotel, and soon after this the hedge took fire. The fire spread rapidly along the hedge towards the hotel and gave so much occasion for alarm that some of the furniture was removed from the house, but fortunately the fire was checked before the flames came in closer proximity to the house. Meanwhile the old woman had got a lift on a dray going towards Weedon’s, at which place she was arrested by Constable Johnson. There was no direct evidence of her having caused the fire. The police clearly showed that accused had been wandering about the country between Christchurch and Dunedin for many years past. She said that she gained a livelihood by washing, clothes and knitting. When asked who employed her, she could not say. His Worship said he had not much doubt that the accused had caused the fire, and it would not do to allow her to lead the vagabond life she had adopted. Sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.   -Lyttelton Times, 6/2/1886.

MAGISTERIAL.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before E. Beettam, Esq., R.M.) Vagrancy — Mary Gough, who had been remanded for medical treatment, was convicted of having no lawful means of support, and sent to gaol for three months. For some time past the woman has been wandering about, and appears unfortunately to have sunk very low, both morally and physically, in consequence of her continued drunkenness and evil habits.   -Star, 28/9/1886.

From this time on, the name of Mary Gough is no longer reported in connection with the courts.  What happened to her?  She literally disappears from history.  Maybe she changed her name and habits - though I doubt it.  Maybe she died unreported and was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave.  There is a Mary Gough buried in the cemetery of the Mount Magdala asylum "for fallen women" (opened in 1888) in Christchurch.  She is recorded on a stone - with many other names - as dying at the age of 97 in 1897.  Her being born in 1800 tallies with the description of "a disgusting old woman" at the age of 71.