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Cornelius Patrick O'Leary (1888–1921)

Inspector Daly, head of police district of Cairns, has received a report that on Wednesday morning the dead body of a cane farmer named Cornelius Patrick O'Leary was discovered in his hut on the farm at Junction Creek, near Bellenden Kerr. The discovery was made by an employee when he came to work. Deceased was lying on his bed with a bullet wound through the top of the head. The right hand was lying across the breast, and a revolver, loaded in five chambers, and an empty shell in an other, was lying close to the left arm. Everything pointed to a case of self destruction, although O'Leary said nothing and left nothing in writing to suggest that he intended to commit suicide. On the floor was a lighted lamp, indicating that the tragedy had happened the previous night. Deceased was a returned soldier, single, and 32 years of age. He came to the far north from Western Queensland, and purchased the farm about a month ago. Nothing peculiar about him seems to have been noticed, but a neighbor told the police that O'Leary was subject to cramps, no doubt an after effect of the great war. He really belonged to New South Wales, and a will discovered in his hut showed that he had left his property to a brother, and his personal effects to a sister, who is thought to be residing in Glen Innes, New South Wales.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'O'Leary, Cornelius Patrick (1888–1921)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/oleary-cornelius-patrick-19351/text30802, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1888
Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia

Death

June, 1921 (aged ~ 33)
Junction Creek, Queensland, Australia

Cause of Death

suicide

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service