Person Page - 1848

Life Events

     Arthur Ernest Ellis was born on 30 March 1889 in Woodside, South Australia.^1,2

On 30 May 1914, Arthur, aged 25, married Ruby Stella Myrtle Faggotter, aged 23, daughter of Valentine Faggotter and Adele Doney, in the Methodist Parsonage in Wallaroo, South Australia.¹

He died on Saturday, 23 June 1956, aged 67 years, 2 months and 24 days, in South Australia.²

Arthur was buried on 25 June 1956 in the the Kadina Cemetery, Kadina, South Australia.³

Life Events

     Adela Pearl Ellis was born on 22 May 1915 in Wallaroo Mines, South Australia, daughter of Arthur Ernest Ellis and Ruby Stella Myrtle Faggotter.¹

On 17 April 1937, Adela, aged 21, married Ronald Leslie Leaver, aged 23, in Methodist Church in Kent Town, South Australia.²

Life Events

     John Walsh was born about 1889.¹

On 16 October 1918, John, married Jessie Muriel Reid, aged 18, daughter of David Reid and Ellen Hobbs, in All Saints Cathedral in Port Augusta, South Australia.¹

Life Events

     Frederick William Gebhardt was born about 1878 in South Australia.¹

On 29 September 1910, Frederick, married Ellen Reid, aged 17, daughter of David Reid and Ellen Hobbs, in Methodist Church Vestry in Port Augusta, South Australia.¹

He died on Tuesday, 17 September 1918, in Hindley Street, Adelaide, South Australia,

From "The Advertiser", Saturday 9 November 1918

HINDLEY-STEEET TRAGEDY.

MR. ROBERTSON NOT GUILTY.

Percy James Robertson (48), a Returned soldier, was charged in the Criminal Court,
before Mr. Justice Gordon and jury, on Friday, with the manslaughter of Frederick
William Gebhardt (45), in a lane at the rear of the Royal Hotel, Hindley street, on Sep-
tember 17. Mr. H. A. Shierlaw (Crown Prosecutor) prosecuted, and Sir Josiah Symon,
K.C., with Captain A. S Blackburn, V.C., M.P., appeared for the accused, who plead-
ed not guilty.

Mr. Shierlaw in opening the case, said the accused and Miss Heffron were in the kitch-
en of the Royal Hotel on September 17. At 6.45 p.m. Gebhardt came in, and Miss Heff-
ron said, as she had often said to him before, "Hurry up. Fred, and get out." Gebhardt
replied, I'll get out, or you will get your bludger to put me out." The accused was the
only other man in the room ,at the time. Shortly afterwards Gebhardt said, "Trot your
-- bludger outside." Robertson had no boots or coat on, but he went out, and there was
a fight. After they had been struggling for a time the accused said, "Let us shake hands,
Fred." They shook hands, but afterwards Gebhardt struck the accused again, and then
fell on his knees. He got up, and Robertson struck him. Gebhardt fell to the ground, strik-
ing his head on some stones. When picked up Gebhardt was bleeding freely from the
back of the head. He was taken to the hospital, where he died at 2 a.m. Gebhardt was
slighty under the influence of drink. It was the fall that killed the deceased, not the blow.
The jury would have to decide the culpabilty of the accused.

Dr. Cowan, resident medical officer, Adelaide Hospital, said he treated Gebhardt at the
hospital from 7.50 p.m. until he died. Death was due to fracture of the skuil, and injuries
to the brain, which might have been caused by a fall or blow. The impact would probably
have been at the back of the head.

Mrs. Edwards, licensee of the Royal Hotel, said Gebhardt was a much heavier man than
the accused, and when he had had a little drink, was very quarrelsome and inclined to
fight everybody. His wife left him four years ago, because of his violence. Robertson
was a very quiet man. Gebhardt had been in a bad humor all that afternoon. Up to that
time of the struggle the accused and Gebhardt were on the best of terms and she knew
of nothing Robertson had done to provoke the deceased.

Alice Heffron, employed at the Royal Hotel, gave evidence in accord with Mr. Shierlaw's
opening. The remarks made by Gebhardt greatly distressed her, for it was a gross insult
to both Robertson and herself.

Broadford Mcinnes, barman at the hotel, in detailing the conversation which occurred prior
to the fight, said the accused told Gebhardt that his remark was not a nice one to make to
a lady. The two men "boxed on," Robertson trying to get out of it and Gebhardt following
him up all the time. When Robertson said, ''Let's shake hands, Fred," the struggle stopped.
Robertson walked back towards the kitchen, Gebhardt renewed the fight, and Robertson
then hit or pushed Gebhardt on the chest. All through the accused bad endeavored to get
out of the struggle.

His Honor- Can you make anything out of this. Mr. Shierlaw? Mr. Shierlaw- I have from
the beginning put the case very temperately.

His Honor- It is quite clear on the evidence that Gebhardt was the aggressor and that
Robertson did not want to fight.

Mr. Shierlaw- I believe that is so, your Honor, and I'm happy to be able to say that I do
not wish to proceed further with the case.

The jury, without leaving the box, returned a verdict of not guilty.

His Honor, in discharging the accused, said:- Mr. Robertson is discharged, I think I can
say, without any reflection or stain upon his character. It was a most unfortunate incid-
ent, which, I am sure no one regrets more than Mr. Robertson himself.

Sir Josiah Symon said that was so.

His Honor hoped that the remarks which had been made would console Mr. Robertson and
his friends in their trouble.²

Frederick was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.²

Life Events

     Evaline Gebhardt was born on 22 August 1911 in Conway Town, South Australia, daughter of Frederick William Gebhardt and Ellen Reid.¹

Life Events

     Gertrude Iris Gebhardt was born on 24 August 1913 in Port Augusta West, South Australia, daughter of Frederick William Gebhardt and Ellen Reid.¹