Abigail Theresa Sweeney inquest

27th May 1891

PROCEEDINGS OF INQUEST

Held upon the body of Abigail Burgdorf at Castlemaine

David Christian Tolstrup, Coroner

POLICE REPORT of W.L. Toers, mounted constable 3464, relative to a married woman named Mrs Abigail Burgdorf, being found drowned in a tank.

I have to report for the Coroner's information about 9am this morning I was informed a married woman named Mrs Abigail Burgdorf, 34 years of age, was found drowned in a tank at Wesley Hill near Castlemaine. It appears the baby who is only three months old has been ailing for about a fortnight giving deceased very little rest and through that the cause is attributed. Dr. G. M. Reid who was in attendance when I arrived there examined the body and there were no marks of violence about the deceased. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the case.

This deponent George William Burgdorff on his oath saith, I have no occupation, being blind, residing at Wesley Hill, Castlemaine.

Deceased Abigail Theresa Burgdorff was my wife. She was about 34 years of age. I spoke to her last about 5.30 o'clock this morning; we were in bed, also our baby. She had not any milk for the baby and I got up and lit a fire and warmed some condensed milk with which deceased fed the baby. She then asked me to take the baby and nurse it, I did so, and I shortly after fell asleep. I think deceased also slept. Towards seven o'clock I awoke through the baby crying. I spoke to deceased but got no answer. I called again and knocked on the wall and, as the baby continued crying, I called the boys, Willie Burns and Joseph Culley, who live with us, and asked them where deceased was. They could not find her but said that her clothes were lying in the room. I became alarmed and sent for Mrs Rowden. Mrs Rowden afterwards told me that deceased was in the tank, I felt her head. I do not know of any cause why she should commit suicide. She had been worried a good deal lately through the baby being ill. We were married 13 years ago and deceased was confined of her first child about three months ago. We always lived on the best of terms and there was no disagreement between us. We were much attached to each other.

This Deponent, Kezia Bowden, on her oath saith, I am a Widow residing at Wesley Hill Castlemaine:

I have known deceased Theresa Burgdorf from her childhood. This morning about 7.45 the Burgdorf sent for me and asked me to look for deceased. I did so and owing to a boy W. Barnes, saying there was something in the tank I looked into it and found deceased there. She was quite dead, standing on the bottom of the tank in a stooping position, her head just a few inches below the surface of the water. I sent for Dr Reid. I have been a neighbor of deceased for 7 years and very friendly with her. She always lived happily with her husband and I know of no cause why she should have committed suicide.

Kezia Bowden

Taken and sworn before me, the 27th day of May 1891 at Castlemaine J. L. Mullins J.P.

This deponent, William Henry Bowden, on his oath saith, I am a miner, residing at Castlemaine

In consequence of what I heard this morning I looked into the tank at the back of the Burgdorf's house, and there saw deceased, Theresa Burgdorf, standing on the bottom of the tank, she appeared to me dead. I then went to inform the relatives of deceased.

W.H. Bowden

This Deponent, George More Reid, on his oath saith, I am a legally qualified Medical Practitioner residing at Castlemaine

On my arrival at this place this morning about 8.45 I was informed that the body of Abigail Burgdorff was in a tank outside. I ascended a ladder and examined the tank and saw the body entirely submerged in a semi-erect position, her head being about 6 inches below the surface of the water. I seized hold of her hair and dragged the head above water and found that life was extinct. It was reported to me that she had been in the tank upwards of an hour in the same position. I had the water removed and examined the body. There were no external marks of violence on it, but the symptoms of death by drowning manifested themselves almost at once. She had her nightdress and chemise on and her hair was loose. I am of opinion that she got on a box on side of the tank and then on to the projecting bricks of the chimney, got her legs over the tank and slid in feet foremost. The cause of death is asphyxia by drowning

G. Reid MD

I have this day held an inquiry touching the death of Theresa Abigail Burgdorf and find that it occurred in McGrath Street, Castlemaine, on 27th May 1891 the cause being asphyxia by drowning, her own act.

Coroner