Thomas Just

218

Dianne Jones on 14th January 2022

FOOTNOTE: John Just, who had also been sentenced to life for burglary with violence, never left the UK. He served time with his brother Thomas, after their arrest on 3 December, 1855, at Carlisle and then Millbank prisons. There he was listed as 25 (when convicted), married with two children, able to read and write, a labourer, Roman Catholic, with one previous conviction. The brothers were separated on 28 January, 1857 when John Just was sent to the Defence prison hulk, moored at Portsmouth; he was listed as inmate #311. When fire destroyed the hulk, in July 1857, "the Admirality temporarily lent the old county prison at Lewes which it had recently acquired, for use as a convict invalid prison until new arrangements could be made. In September 1857 [on 7 September in John's case], the convicts were transferred from Millbank and the Unite prison hulk where they had been placed after the fire." (https://www.prisonhistory.org/prison/lewes-convict-prison/) John Just died at Lewes on 31 October, 1858. There is no indication on this record of the cause of his death (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for John Just; Misc. Register of Prisoners 1848- ). --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 14th January 2022

From the Perth Gazette, Friday 24 April, 1863, p3: "General Intelligence. A frightful tragedy has happened at Northam. On Friday last two of the men in the employ of Assistant Surveyor Evans, named Johnson and Just, were at dinner in the men's tent at the camp, when they commenced wrangling, as to which could eat and drink the most; their wrangling passed into a quarrel, and they wanted to fight, but the camp cook interfered and made them leave the tent; on going outside Johnson took up a gun and shot Just through the heart, the cook asked him if he knew what he had done and told him he was sure to be hung for it, upon which Johnson rushed back into the tent, seized a knife and cut his own throat so effectually that he nearly severed his head from his body, and death ensued almost immediately after. An inquest upon the bodies was held on the following day when a verdict of wilful murder in the one case, and felo de se in the other was returned." (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2934392) --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 14th January 2022

DEATH OF THOMAS JUST: From the "Inquirer and Commercial News", Wed 22 April, 1863, p2: "Local and Domestic Intelligence. INTELLIGENCE arrived at Newcastle just as the mail was leaving for Perth on Saturday last, that a tragic affair had occurred at Northam on the previous day. Two of Mr Assistant Surveyor C. Evans' men had, it seemed, quarrelled, and one of them (Johnson) shot the other (Just), who died shortly afterwards; the murderer then seized a knife and nearly cut off his own head, dying in a few moments after inflicting the wound. An inquest was to have been held on the bodies that morning (Saturday). No farther particulars had been received at the time of our going to press." (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/69135365). --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 14th January 2022

TRIAL - NEWSPAPER REPORT: From the 'Weekly Dispatch', March 2, 1856, p.3: "CARLISLE [Before Mr. Baron Martin] Burglary attended with Brutal Violence - John Just, aged 25, and Thomas Just, aged 23, labourers, were indicted for a burglary in the dwelling house of Andrew Little, of Kirkandrews on Esk, on the 10th of August last, and stealing there-from £2 10s. The prosecutor, it appeared, is an old farmer, living alone with his wife, who is also aged, at their farm, in a secluded part of the country. About a week before the burglary in question was committed, he had £60 in his house, and this fact appeared to be known to a man who had lodged with them, who was a friend of the prisoners. On the night of the burglary the prosecutor and his wife had gone to bed, leaving the house safe, and the prosecutor had been asleep, when he was awakened by a noise, and asked his wife what it was. She said she thought it was the cat, and got up and struck a light. Seeing nothing, she put the light out and got into bed again. In a short time there was another noise, and the prosecutor exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy, what’s that?” His wife said it was the cupboard door which had flown open. Presently, however, there was a louder crash, and the prosecutor saw the two prisoners come in at the window of his bedroom; one of them, using violent threats, demanded to know where his money was, striking him at the same time with a stick. He pointed to his waistcoat, and said the money he had was in the pocket of it. They searched it, and, not being satisfied, one of them dragged him out of bed by the legs, and on his shouting out seized him by the throat. The other threw himself on the old woman and attempted to prevent her crying out. The prosecutor begged of them not to hurt his “auld wife.” She was then let alone, and the prosecutor, giving no further information about his money to satisfy them, was beaten till he was insensible, and the burglars decamped leaving him on the floor. The prosecutor was so injured that it was thought he would have died next day. Early next morning the two prisoners were met on the road leading from the prosecutor’s house, and, suspicion alighting upon them, they were taken into custody, both prosecutor and his wife swearing to the identity of both prisoners by their voices, size and appearance. The prisoners endeavoured to prove an alibi. His Lordship having summed up the evidence, the jury found both prisoners Guilty. Sentence of death was ordered to be recorded, his Lordship informing them that it would not be carried into effect, but that they would be transported for life." (http://www.perthdps.com/convicts/w4529.htm) --00--

221

D Wong on 4th September 2016

John Johnson arrived on the 'Clara 1857' - he committed suicide on the same day after he shot Thomas Just.

221

D Wong on 4th September 2016

Thomas Just was 26 years old on arrival and was transported for "Burglary with violence". Thomas was 5' 5 1/4" tall dark brown hair, hazel eyes, fresh complexion, middling stout, cut on left eyebrow, illiterate, RC, married with 2 children. 16/11/1860L TOL Known Areas: Perth Toodyay. 17/4/1863: Shot by John Johnson (convict no. 4377).