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From: "G & J Cunningham" <>
Subject: Hodgson, Jenkins, Parsons
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 15:22:37 +1000

Hi All,
Just had to post the following, it is a bit long, but brings an amazing
picture to mind of Mr. Parsons peeking through the back door of what the
reporter believes is a brothel.
Jacqui Cunningham,
Central Victoria, Australia.
http://www.oldnewscopy.com "It's Old News!"

Dunolly & Burnt Creek Express, May 24, 1862.
Dunolly Court Report.

A Brawl in a Brothel and its Consequences.
Samuel HODGSON and John JENKINS were charged by Anne PARSONS with damaging
property to the amount of £14 13s 6d. Anne PARSONS sworn, said she kept a
refreshment house at Burnt Creek; on Thursday morning, at one o’clock, heard
a loud knock at the front door; refused to open it, whereupon it was broken
open by prisoners; they helped themselves to Port wine, and then smashed the
decanter, and four others, more than two dozen tumblers, a zinc glass
drainer, a globe lamp, a cedar table, three chairs, two doors, and a
quantity of other articles, in all to the value of £14 13s 6d; called
assistance and they were put out; they came back afterwards and kicked the
panels of the door in. John RAMSDEN said he was called up by Mrs. Parsons;
did not see the prisoners break the articles; had to use some force to keep
them out; By the Bench: Did not see any girls. By Hodgson: Did not strike
you with the bar of the door; did not break anything myself. Constable DUNN
deposed to apprehending the prisoners. For the defence, Morris COHEN, a
miner, said he went to Mrs. Parsons door with the prisoners, and two girls
who lived at the house, named Emma and Lizzie; when they got to the door, a
voice from within enquired, “Who’s there?” and one of the girls answered,
“It’s me Emma.” Did not see any one in the house; the door was quietly
opened and they went in; Hodgson was given into custody, but Jenkins got
away; at eight in the morning he was taken to the lock-up; they were drunk
and very abstopolous. By Hodgson: You did not bring any girls home and say
you were going to sleep at my place; Jack THOMPSON did not come in with you.
Elizabeth AUSTIN, ‘servant’ to Mrs. Parsons, corroborated the above evidence
generally, and said that Hodgson pulled her about by the hair, because she
would not give him drink. She lost a brooch worth £7 10s. By Hodgson: Mr.
Ramsden was called to put you out; Jack Thompson was there but did not
interfere. William JENKINS, brother to one of the prisoners, made a long
statement, the purport of which was that he was sleeping at the house, in
the back premises; Hodgson, Jenkins, and the girls, Emma and Lizzy, came
home, they were all very drunk, and when they got into the passage they all
fell down together. Mr. PARSONS said that was a b---- fine state of things;
he was looking through a crack in the back door and saw six of them
scuffling together; did not see or hear any glass broken. The prisoners
denied that they did the damage of which they were accused; the Bench fined
each of them 10s, and £4 compensation for the damage done, or in default 7
days in Maryborough gaol.

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• Hodgson, Jenkins, Parsons by "G & J Cunningham" <>