John NORTON
John NORTON
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable
Stations: Lock Up Keeper, Hay, NSW
Service: From ? to 5 December 1860
Awards: ?
Born: ? 1825
Died on: 5 December 1860
Cause: Drowned
Age: 35
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Hay
[alert_blue] JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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The Lockup-keeper at Lang’s Crossing-Place, Norton, about ten days ago whilst not in very sober state, left his quarters at night with a candle in his hand and has not been heard of since. It is imagined he may have walked into the Murrumbidgee. (Sydney Morning Herald, 25 December 1860)
The body of Police Constable Norton was found in the river after the Albury had passed up, the disturbance caused by the paddlewheels probably caused the body to be freed from submerged snags. (SMH, 8 January 1861)
http://users.tpg.com.au/hayhist/deaths.html
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The Argus ( Melbourne ) Wednesday 26 December 1860 page 7 of 8
SUICIDE AT HAY. – On Wednesday, the 12th inst., the body of John Norton was found floating on the Murrumbidgee, opposite the crossing yards at Hay. It was very much decomposed, so much so as almost to preclude identification, yet many swore to it as his body. A watch and ring were discovered on the person, and recognised as Norton’s.
A magisterial inquiry was held by the police magistrate, when the facts detailed in my communication of the 11th inst. were elicited. The conclusion arrived at was, ” that the deceased, while in a state of temporary insanity, produced by excessive indulgence in ardent spirits, committed suicide by drowning himself.”
Norton was of a very respectable family in Ireland, and had not been in the colony more than three years. – Southern Courier, Dec. 21.
