Below also see: Henry Crawford Wright, 1893,
Henry Crawford Wright, 1897,
Henry Crawford Wright, 1900

 

The Macleay Argus, Sat 1 Jan 1887 ¹

KEMPSEY POLICE COURT.

    At the Police Court, on Thursday, before the PM and Mr C Sutherland, JP, Henry [Crawford] Wright (better known as the “Corn Doctor”) was charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence on [a boy], Thomas O’Dea. Constable Morris gave evidence as to the arrest. There were two other charges for attempting to commit an unnatural offence on [a boy called] Augustus Jones and Robert Murdoch. Accused was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court, Sydney.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Macleay Argus, Sat 22 Jan 1887 ²

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

    The man, Henry Wright, better known as the “Corn Doctor,” who was committed by the local bench to take his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Sydney, for committing an unnatural offence, tried to jump overboard from the Woodburn while on the passage to Sydney. He had previously refused to take any food and evidently wanted to get rid of his life. He was, afterwards thoroughly secured by chains, and reached Sydney safely. Some of those who saw expressed the belief that he was “wrong in the head.”

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 29 Jan 1887 ³

QUARTER SESSIONS.

    The following is a list of cases to be tried at the Quarter Sessions, commencing on Monday next, at Darlinghurst, before his Honor Judge Forbes:—
…
    Henry Wright, (1) indecent assault, (2) common assault; Henry Wright, (1) indecent assault, (2) common assault; Henry Wright, (1) attempt to commit an offence, (2) indecent assault;

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Parramatta Lunatic Asylum medical case book, 1882-89 ⁴

 

Age - 27 years Social Condition - Single Occupation - Chiropodist  [aka Corn Doctor] Nativity - Ireland Residence - Kempsey Religion - Church of England

Height - 5' 9½" Form of mental disorder - Dementia (acute) Supposed cause - Date of discharge - returned to Gaol 20-4-1888 Weight - 144 lbs

Further History:— This patient was committed for trial to the next Court of Quarter Sessions to be held on the 31st of January 1887 at Sydney for that he did attempt to commit an unnatural offence and solicited the commission of one – Date of committal 30th December 1886.

 

Date.	Mental and Bodily Conditions, Symptoms &c.	Date.	Treatment.	Diet	Allowances
1887
February 10th	Henry Wright was this admitted into the Hospital for the Criminal Insane on the 3rd Inst suffering from symptoms of acute dementia; he is awaiting trial on a charge that at Sydney [sic] he attempted to commit an unnatural offence and solicited the commission of one; he is a young man with a dark sallow complexion & either assumes or has contracted a stooping posture, walks along with his head to the ground; has a vacant silly expression, he is described in the accompanying Medical Certificates as follows:—“Has a dull melancholy expression of countenance, fancies his father is inside the gaol when such is not the case. Is very restless in manner & talks in a rambling manner wishes to kiss some of the other patients prisoners about him as he says they are members of his family. At times relaxes into such a state of melancholy, when he refuses to speak. Is incapable of taking care of himself. Is violent at times has to be kept in muffs. Is a confirmed masturbator, does not sleep at night, cries frequently when excited & wants to kiss those about him, refuses to obey orders.
February 17th	Has not altered in way rarely speaks to those about him, is very stubborn in his disposition; will not go to bed or get-up at the proper time unless compelled with the assistance of two or three attendants.
February 24th	As usual no change of any kind.
March 3rd	In fair general health no mental improvement.
March 10th	Still quiet in manner but not so stubborn, appetite improving & sleeps better at night.
March 22nd	As usual in mind & body; gives no trouble; has a foolish demented appearance; eats & sleeps well.
May 25th	This patient has been working the Old Green Yard for some weeks and has greatly improved in his mental & physical health; his appetite is better, he sleeps well at-night; is clean in his habits & very civil in manner; and will converse rationally with those around him.
June 10th	This patient is in good general health; quiet & industrious.
July 27th	Improving in his general behaviour; quiet & industrious.
Aug 10th	In good general health & much improved mentally.
Sep 15th	As above recorded.
Oct 24th	Very quiet, industrious & well-behaved.
Nov 10th	In good general health; quiet & industrious.
Dec 14th	As usual in mind & body.
1888
Jan 31st	In good general health; rational in manner & conversation, & apparently free from delusions.
Feb 27th	Very excitable & hot-tempered & afterwards sullen & morose in manner if he does not get his own way entirely; peculiar tremulous motion of upper lip during conversation, in good general health.
Mar 10th	In good general health & as usual mentally.
Apr 4th	As usual in mind today.
	Returned to Gaol. — 24-4-88

 

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Henry Crawford Wright, 1893

 

Tweed and Brunswick Advocate and Southern Queensland Record, Wed 7 Dec 1892 ⁵

MURWILLUMBAH POLICE COURT.

…

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6.

    Before FA Halliday, Esq, JP.

    Henry Crawford Wright appeared before the Court in custody, charged with committing an unnatural offence a lad 12 years old. After taking the evidence of Senior-constable Draper, who arrested accused, Crawford was remanded until 9th instant to allow of the attendance of witnesses.

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Tweed and Brunswick Advocate and Southern Queensland Record, Wed 14 Dec 1892 ⁶

MURWILLUMBAH POLICE COURT.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9.

…
    Before Joshua Bray, Esq, PM, and WR Isaacs, Esq, JP.

    Henry Crawford Wright appeared before the Court in custody, having remanded from 6th instant upon a charge of having committed an unnatural offence upon a lad named Crimmins, aged 12 years. Senior-constable Draper, who arrested accused, gave further evidence as to the accused having been identified by the boy, and to the effect that accused had previously been committed on three charges of a similar nature on the Macleay. The lad [Denis Crimmins or Cremmins] gave evidence as to the commission of the offence, which is unfit for publication; and a youth named P Slavin confirmatory evidence. Accused was committed for trial at the next Circuit Court to be holden in Grafton. Bail was allowed, self in £200 and two sureties in £100 each. Bail not being forthcoming accused was removed in custody.

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The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate Wed 1 Mar 1893 ⁷

LISMORE QUARTER SESSIONS.
Monday, February 27.

    The Court opened at 10 am before His Honor Judge Harris. Mr Tarleton acted as Crown Prosecutor.
    The following Jurors failed to answer to their names:— OR Jones and J Morgan, and at a later stage (12 noon) were fined 40s.
    The Crown Prosecutor handed in his commission authorising him to act as Crown Prosecutor at the Sessions.
…

SECOND DAY—TUESDAY.

    The Court re-opened at 11.30 am before His Honor Judge Harris, with Mr Tarleton as Crown Prosecutor.

    Previous to the business opening, his Honor said his attention had been drawn to the report in the Lismore Chronicle of his remarks in summing up in the case against James Clancy. The reporter said: “His Honor said the only point left for them to decide was whether the story told by the police had any foundation.” If that was a correct report, then the jury found that the story told by the police was without foundation. He never said so. What he said was :whether the story told by the prisoner had any foundation.: He never instructed the jury to decide on the truth or falsity of the story told by the police. He drew attention to it because he was sure the editor did not wish to throw any slight on the police.
…

SODOMY.

    Henry Crawford Wright, on remand from the Tweed Bench, was charged with this offence. A second count charged him with indecent assault. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr McIntosh.
    Jury:—Messrs J Perry, W Harris, A Matheson, J Hunter, J McPherson, A Meston, J Payne, CM Hughes, J Bryant, W Partridge, J Partridge, and O Clark.
    At this stage the rest of the jury were discharged.

    The details of this case were unfit for publication, and during the hearing the Court was cleared. The accused is a man passed middle age, and the prosecutor a rather intelligent looking boy 12 years old, whom it turned out was a consenting party, and whom His Honor said was an accomplice, and deserved some punishment. Accused, it appeared, had before been charged with a similar crime, but becoming insane, was confined in a Lunatic Asylum for 15 or 16 months.
His Honor directed the more serious charge to be withdrawn, there being no medical evidence to support it, and the jury found accused guilty of indecent assault. He was remanded for sentence till to-day.

    The jury were thanked for their attendance and discharged.
    The court adjourned at 6 pm.

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The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate Sat 4 Mar 1893 ⁸

LISMORE QUARTER SESSIONS.

SECOND [sic–THIRD] DAY—WEDNESDAY.

    The Court opened at 10am before His Honor Acting-Judge Harris. Mr Tarleton acted as Crown Prosecutor.

SENTENCES.

…
    Henry Crawford Wright, found guilty of indecent assault, was then brought forward for sentence.

    Prisoner handed in a written statement to his Honor.
His Honor, in passing sentence, pointed out to prisoner the enormity and horrible nature of his crime, a crime just as much against society as against himself. Society must be protected, and if he thought by flogging he could flog some of the beast out of prisoner, he would try it, but he did not believe it had a reforming affect. He would, however, give him the full term imposed by the law. This was not the first time prisoner had committed the offence, and in all probability it may not be the last, but he hoped it would. No man was beyond redemption, and he hoped prisoner was not. He then sentenced him to five years’ penal servitude.

ABSENT JUROR.

    OR Jones made application to his Honor to have the fine imposed on him on Monday for non-attendance remitted. He was sworn, and deposed he never received any summons to attend, and knew nothing about it till the previous day, when in Lismore he heard of the fine.—The fine was remitted.

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Henry Crawford Wright, Gaol photo sheet ⁹ 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. –

Date when Portrait was taken: 16-3-1893

Name: Henry Crawford Wright
(aka Walter Dewynne)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1860 Arrived       Ship: Toomba  [sic] in Colony }   Year: 1876 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Labourer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 9" Weight     On committal: 178 in lbs     } On discharge: 169 Colour of hair: Dark Colour of eyes: Brown Marks or special features: Scars on side right forearm, inside right wrist, bites nails very short. Boil scar outside left forearm. Scar on right cheek alongside left ear on left side of neck. Burn scar on forehead (?) under right collarbone. Scar centre of back, large scar on posterior

Where and when tried: Lismore Q.S. 27 28 February 1893 Offence: Indecent assault upon a male person Sentence: 5 years PS Remarks: To be kept in single cell Discharged from Goulburn Gaol 8-1-1897. Conduct good

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Kempsey Q.S ditto ditto Nerang Queensland W Maitland PO	23     29   6	5   7   9	1888 1892 1897	Indecent Assault ditto ditto Indecent exposure Assault	Bound over to appear when called upon Sent to Lunatic Asylum was there 15 months (See Paper attached) 6 months HL 3 months imprisonment

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Henry Crawford Wright, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁰

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

 

No. 5552

Date when Portrait was taken: 16-3-1893

Name: Henry Crawford Wright

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1860 Arrived       Ship: [Illegible] in Colony }   Year: 1876 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Labourer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 9" Weight     On committal: 178 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Brown Marks or special features: Scars on outside right forearm, inside right wrist, outside left forearm, on right cheek, alongside left ear, on left side of neck, Bites his nails very short.

Where and when tried: Lismore Quarter Sessions, 27 July ‘93 Offence: Indecent assault on a male person Sentence: 5 years PS Remarks:

(No. of previous Portrait ... Maitland 1194 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
				Not known

 

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Henry Crawford Wright, 1897

 

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 6 Sep 1897 ¹¹

WEST MAITLAND POLICE COURT.
Monday, September 6.

    The Bench at the above Court to-day was occupied by Messrs GF Scott, PM, H Crothers, G Maher, and Alex Wilkinson JsP. Messrs Crothers and Wilkinson did not adjudicate in the municipal cases.
…
    ASSAULT.—A man named Watkin Shirley de Wynne, alias Wright, was charged with assault on a boy on Saturday night. He pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Fowler stated that accused had only came [sic] out of gaol in January, after serving five years. Accused was sentenced to three months’ hard labour in East Maitland gaol.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 7 Sep 1897 ¹²

MAITLAND DISTRICT.
———◦———
(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE.)
————
POLICE COURT.

MESSSRS GF Scott, PM, Henry Crothers, Alexander Wilkinson, and G Maher, JsP, occupied the Bench at the West Maitland Police Court yesterday. Aldermen Crothers and Wilkinson did not adjudicate in the municipal cases, while Mr Scott acted alone in the railway case.
…
    Watkin Shirley de Wynne, alias Wright, was charged with having assaulted a young lad, the son of a respected resident, on Saturday night, near Elgin-street. Accused, who pleaded guilty, had a very bad record. Sub-inspector Fowler stated that accused had a bad reputation, and had only been released in January last, after having served five years for the commission of a certain crime. The Bench sentenced him to three months’ hard labour in East Maitland Gaol.

 

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Henry Crawford Wright, 1900

 

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 28 Jul 1900 ¹³

NEWCASTLE POLICE COURT.
FRIDAY, JULY 27.
(Before Mr LS Donaldson, SM.)

…

COMMITED FOR TRIAL.

    Henry Green, a middle-aged man, described as a clerk, was charged with having at Merewether, in a place of public resort; off Morgan-street, on the 24th inst., been guilty of wilful and obscene exposure.

    Senior-constable Fay said that in consequence of information received he went in search of accused on Thursday. He met accused about a quarter of a mile from Adamstown, coming from the direction of the Glebe pit. Accused said that he had been out walking, and that he had been looking for work. Witness arrested him, and at the lockup he was identified by the boy Robson.

    John Robert Gustard, a boy 12 years old, said that on Croft’s Hill, off Morgan-street, Merewether, on Tuesday afternoon, accused exposed himself to boys playing football, and offered them money.

    John William Robson, a boy 14 years of age, said that on Tuesday afternoon, while a number of other boys and he were playing football on vacant land off Morgan-street, he saw the accused, who exposed himself, and offered them money, saying, “I will give you a shilling or two.”

    Benjamin Johns , a boy 12 years old, having given similar evidence, accused was committed for trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions on September 5 next, bail not being applied for.

    Accused was also charged with having committed an offence similar to that alleged in the first charge on the 26th inst. In a public place off Henry-street, Merewether.

    Oscar James Robinson, a schoolboy, 13 years old, said that on Thursday morning he saw accused on the public green about 300 yards from the Public School at Merewether. Accused beckoned to witness and other boys. They ran towards him, and he exposed himself. Witness afterwards told his father, Senior-constable Robinson.

    Robert Twist, another schoolboy, gave similar evidence.

    Senior-constable Robinson said that the scene of the alleged offence was a place of public resort, and was within view of henry-street and a number of residences on the side of the hill.

    Accused [Henry Crawford Wright], who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions on September 5 next.

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Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 6 Sep 1900 ¹⁴

NEWCASTLE QUARTER SESSIONS.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5.
(Before His Honor Judge Murray.)

    The Newcastle Court of Quarter Sessions for September was opened yesterday morning before his Honor Judge Murray.
    Mr HH Lang, Deputy-Sheriff, occupied his seat on the bench.
    Mr Walter Bevan prosecuted for the Crown. The legal profession was well represented, there being in attendance: Messrs R Windeyer, AR Watt, AC Millard, Atlee Hunt, Thomas Arkins, and R Cowan, barristers-at-law; and Messrs J Windeyer, GW Mitchell, HV Harris, T Cronin, W Moore, TA Braye, AA Rankin, JA Wood, Arthur H James, WA Reid, J Dart, WH Baker, JR Carlton, TD O’Sullivan, solicitors.
    Sub-Inspector Hinds was in charge of the police in attendance.
    Mr Richard Goble, governor of the Maitland Gaol, was present when the Court opened.
    Messrs Benjamin Ezzy Sullivan, Thomas Procter, John Loftus Hughes, Alexander Arthur Sproull, Thomas Edgar West, Thomas Fryer, junr., and Richard Woodward were sworn in as Justices of the Peace, and congratulated by his Honor.
…

INDECENT EXPOSURE.
TWO YEARS HARD LABOUR.

    Henry Green, alias Henry Crawford Wright, alias Walter Shirley De Wynne, a man about 40 years of age, described as a clerk, was charged with having, at Merewether, on 24th July, in a place of public resort of Morgen-street, been guilty of wilful and obscene exposure. Accused was also charged with having committed an offence similar to this in a place off Henry-street, Merewether.

    Accused pleaded “guilty” on both charges, and Mr W Tighe, barrister, appeared in mitigation of penalty. He explained that the accused was a man of weak intellect, having been released from the Parramatta Lunatic Asylum in 1890, after a confinement there extending over some years.

    His Honor stated that he had read the depositions, and had seen the seriousness of the crime. He asked if anything was known about the prisoner.

    Charles McArthur, first-class warder at Maitland Gaol, read out the following list of convictions:– Kempsey Quarter Sessions, 23/5/’88: Indecent assault: went to lunatic asylum, and when brought up for trial was bound over to appear when called upon. Nerang, Queensland, 29/7/’92: Indecent exposure: six months’ imprisonment. Lismore Quarter Sessions, 28/2/’93: Indecent assault: five years’ penal servitude.

    His Honor (after hearing what Mr Tighe had to say) stated that he could not pass a light sentence in the interests of society; and probably it would be for prisoners’s own good that he should be kept in gaol. There was a way of curing a man of this kind of crime, but the law did not allow it. Prisoner was then sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol with hard labour, the two charges being one indictment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Henry Green, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁵

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1194
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 21-9-1900                                          

Name: Henry Green
(aka Henry Crawford Wright, Walter Shirley De Wynne)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1859 Arrived       Ship: Toowoomba in Colony }   Year: 1876 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Clerk Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R&W Height: 5' 9"¼ Weight     On committal: 171 lbs in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey Marks or special features: Scar on back of left ankle. Scar on right wrist

Where and when tried:  Offence:  Sentence:  Remarks:

(No. of previous Portrait ... 5552 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Kempsey Q.S Lismore Q.S Nerang Qld W Maitland PC Newcastle Q.S	23   28 29   5   5	5   2   7   9   9	1888 1893 1892 1897 1900	Indecent Assault Indecent assault Indecent assault Assault Indecent Exposure (2 counts)	Bound over to appear when called upon 5 years PS 6 months HL 3 months C 2 years H.L.

 

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¹     The Macleay Argus (Kempsey), Sat 1 Jan 1887, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     The Macleay Argus (Kempsey), Sat 22 Jan 1887, p. 2.

³     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 29 Jan 1887, p. 11.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS5114, [6/5389], Parramatta lunatic asylum medical case book, 1882-89, pp.223-4.

⁵     Tweed and Brunswick Advocate and Southern Queensland Record, Wed 7 Dec 1892, p. 2.

⁶     Tweed and Brunswick Advocate and Southern Queensland Record, Wed 14 Dec 1892, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁷     The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate, Wed 1 Mar 1893, pp. 2, 3.

⁸     The Northern Star and Richmond and Tweed Rivers Advocate, Sat 4 Mar 1893, p. 2.

⁹     SRNSW: NRS2232, [7/13804], Goulburn Gaol photographic description book, Jul 1894- Dec 1897, No. –, p. 78, R5123.

¹⁰   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6055], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1892-93, No. 5552, p. 78, R5104.

¹¹   The Maitland Daily Mercury, Mon 6 Sep 1897, p. 2. Emphasis added.

¹²   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Tue 7 Sep 1897, p. 8.

¹³   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Sat 28 Jul 1900, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹⁴   Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Thu 6 Sep 1900, p. 6. Emphasis added.

¹⁵   SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5988], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1194, p. 38, R5130.

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