And they wonder why we are all so cynical about politics…

Heather English is a retired school teacher now living in Invercargill. She has been an avid amateur genealogy researcher for about 35 years.

Whilst doing some personal work on her own family tree, she discovered that her great-great uncle, Arthur English, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Melbourne in 1889.
Both Heather and her cousin, (Finance Minister, Bill English) share this common ancestor. The only known photograph of Arthur shows him standing on the gallows at the Melbourne Gaol.

During her research, Heather obtained the old photograph. On the back of that picture is this inscription:

Arthur English, horse thief, sent to Melbourne Gaol 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Melbourne-Geelong train six times. Caught by Victoria Police Force, convicted and hanged in 1889.

Heather recently e-mailed Finance Minister Bill English explaining her interest in Genealogy and asking for any information that he may have regarding their great-great uncle, Arthur.

Believe it or not, Bill English’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

Arthur English was famous in Victoria (Australia) during the mid to late 1800s. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Melbourne-Geelong Railway.

Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the Railway. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the Victoria Police Force. In 1889, Arthur passed away during an important civic function held in his honour when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.

…you couldn’t make it up

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