A Killing in Queensland: Ellen Thomson

Tea Time Crimes

It’s 1800s Australia and Ellen Thomson has found her husband, William “Billy” Thomson, in a pool of his own blood. At first, no questions are asked, but once a second bullet is found, the case starts to unravel. Ellen is at the center of it all. Discover what happened to Ellen at the hands of the law and decide whether she received true justice or not.

Tea of the Day: Watermelon Mint Herbal

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• Douglas Shire Historical Society, “In 1887 Ellen Thomson became the only woman legally hanged in Queensland.” https://www.douglashistory.org.au/ellen-thomson
• Kate Kyriacou, “Crime read: The story of Ellen Thompson, the only woman ever hanged in Queensland.” Herald Sun, December 17, 2014, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/true-crime-scene/crime-read-the-story-of-ellen-thompson-the-only-woman-ever-hanged-in-queensland/news-story/ceee82ec9736c51cdbea667e1e3677df
• Atherton Tableland Netguide, last updated January 26th, 2024, https://athertontablelandnetguide.com/outback/gold/palmer-river-gold.htm
• Vashti Farrer - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt? The Ellen Thomson Case, Royal Australian Historical Soc, History House, 1st May 2013, https://youtu.be/_Tzow8dm-BI?si=Eo4131YbUwdnIKAx
• Denise Carter, “The case of Ellen Thomson: Beyond a reasonable doubt?” Cairns Post, August 31, 2014, https://www.cairnspost.com.au/lifestyle/the-case-of-ellen-thomson-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/news-story/613de7db8e169bb30683da445d7c7d8a
• Find a Grave, Created by: Chris PIGOTT, Added: Oct 28, 2009, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43650558/ellen-thomson
• QUEENSLAND STATE ARCHIVES, “The Double Execution.” 13 JUNE, 2016, https://blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2016/06/13/the-double-execution/
• The Queensland Figaro, “Old Gallows Jubilee.” Sat, Jun 18, 1887 Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1011394007/
• The Courier-Mail, “Two Loves for a Life.” By Sketcher. Tue, Jun 14, 1887 Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1014506799/
• Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette, Tue, Jun 14, 1887 Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1025344357/
• Minna Scherlinder Morse, Facing a Bumpy History, October 1997, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/facing-a-bumpy-history-144497373/
• By Sketcher in the “Courier”, “Two Lives For A Life.” The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, Tue, Jun 21, 1887 Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/964011594/