William Pioneer Mackay Masterton
(1882-1929)
(1882-1929)
Victim of arsenic poisoning
William Pioneer Mackay Masterton, as well as having a magnificent name, died in suspicious circumstances in Australia in 1929. The newspaper cuttings are reproduced below and you may draw your own conclusions.
Genealogy
William Pioneer Mackay Masterton was the son of Alexander McKay Masterton and Georgina Matilda Moa Shaw. Alexander Masterton had been born in Liverpool in 1848 and is one of that large family group of Mastertons from the Kinghorn area that emigrated to Australia between 1852 and 1854. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of William Masterton can be found at this link.
MASTERTON. - March 10. 1929, suddenly, at Western Suburbs Hospital, William Pioneer, dearly beloved husband of Eva Masterton, of Norton Street, Ashfield, and dear father of Ronald and William.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 12 March, 1929
Death of Masterton.
SYDNEY. April 30.
The inquiry into the death of William Masterton, aged 38, a carrier, who died on March 10 and whose body was exhumed three weeks after burial, began to-day.
Dr. Palmer (Government Medical Officer) said he formed the opinion death was caused by arsenical poisoning. It would have been slow poison and there was no doubt a large quantity had been administered within a few days.
William Doherty (acting Government Analyst) said he found one grain of arsenic in the liver and small quantities in other organs. He examined clothes found in the room occupied by James Williamson, cousin of the dead man, and found traces of arsenic in the dust and fluff.
Doctor John Morton said he attended Masterton shortly before his death and Masterton told him he was suffering acutely from the effects of a dose of paraffin oil which he had taken. Dr. Morton also examined a bottle labelled "Paraffin," handed him by the police, and this contained strong traces of arsenic. There was also an unlabelled bottle which contained poison. The inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.
Townsville Daily Bulletin
Queensland
Wednesday 1 May, 1929 (p10)
MASTERTON CASE
Took Dose of Paraffin Oil
CORONER'S INQUIRY.
SYDNEY, Tuesday: An inquest was opened to-day concerning the death of William Pioneer Masterton, farrier, of Ashfield, whose body recently was exhumed by the police.
John McKin, chemist, said that on October 5 last two ounces of arsenic were purchased in his shop by Masterton.
Dr. John Morton said that, in consultation with Dr. Parr, he saw Masterton at his home on March 10. He was in considerable pain and told witness he had been taking paraffin as a medicine. The last dose had caused a burning sensation. Mrs. Masterton was in the room at the time. There was nothing unusual in her manner. Witness formed the conclusion that Masterton was suffering from the effects of the dose he had taken. Pure kerosene oil would not cause an irritation of the stomach.
Dr. Gordon Lowe said that when he saw Masterton at the hospital he could not answer any questions and was very restless. He continually asked for water. Mrs. Masterton asked witness whether there was any need for her to wait at the hospital. He agreed that she might go and be informed if anything went wrong. She did not go to see her husband before she left the hospital. Witness said he felt certain Masterton was going to die.
Mr. Hayes (of the Crown Law Department) : In regard to Mrs. Masterton leaving the hospital, are you sure you did not stay, "It won't do you much good staying here now." Witness: I might have said, "You can't do much good by staying." The senior assistant to the Government Analyst said he had examined Masterton's stomach and found arsenic to be present. He also examined the contents of a bottle labelled liquid paraffin and found strong traces of arsenic.
Dr. Palmer, Government Medical Officer, said in his opinion, death was due to poisoning by arsenic. He said it also was his opinion that a large dose of arsenic had been administered within two or three days of the death of deceased.
Dr. Leslie Carr said that when he saw Masterton after he had collapsed his wife said her husband had been taken very sick after taking some paraffin. Masterton told witness he had taken a tablespoonful of paraffin from the same bottle the day before and it had not affected him. It had tasted different that morning from the day before. It had burned his mouth and chest and gave him a severe pain in the stomach.
Witness left, but returned an hour later and asked for the bottle containing the liquid paraffin. Mrs. Masterton and her son, a Mr. Williamson, were there and one of them handed him a bottle. There were only a few drops in it. He tasted it and found it tasteless, resembling water. He said: ''This is not paraffin," and someone replied: "Oh, we have washed out the bottle." Witness added that he was told the contents of the bottle had been thrown "over against the fence," but when he examined the soil at a spot indicated he failed to find anything oily. Witness expressed the opinion that the death of Masterton was due to acute arsenic poisoning. In reply to the Coroner, witness said Mrs. Masterton appeared distressed, and Williamson's attitude was one of sympathy.
Nurse Edna Currey and Nurse Ines Dalis, of the Western Suburbs Hospital, said that during the time Masterton was in hospital he called incessantly for a drink.
Harold Jones, chemist, of Ashfield, said the Mastertons had been customers at his shop for about 15 years. He had no record of any sales of poison to them. He said : "On March 10, Mrs. Masterton 'phoned me saying Mr. Masterton had taken a dose of paraffin oil and had a pain. I said. ' Where did you get the paraffin oil'?' She hesitated for some seconds and then turned to speak to someone alongside the 'phone. She then said Masterton had got it from Irvine, a chemist."
Witness said he told her to examine the paraffin. He denied absolutely that he had told her to wash out the bottle. He did not receive a bottle from Mrs. Masterton. He said that when Mrs. Masterton rang him up she did not say she had given her husband mustard and water.
William Irvine said he could not call to mind whether he had sold a bottle of paraffin oil to Mrs. Masterton. Constable Charles Latrobe said he had known Masterton for about 10 years. Masterton came to the police station some time ago and complained about James Williamson using his car without his authority. Masterton said Williamson was not using the car actually illegally, but was obtaining Mrs. Masterton 's permission.
At this stage the Coroner was informed that other Crown Witnesses were engaged at another court and the hearing was adjourned until to-morrow.
Tweed Daily
Murwillumbah, NSW
Wednesday 1 May, 1929
FURTHER EVIDENCE AT INQUEST
WIDOW GIVES EVIDENCE
SYDNEY, Wednesday. The inquest concerning the death of William Pioneer Masterton, a carrier, of Ashfield, was resumed to-day.
Arthur Victor Eddy, manager of the E. S. and A. Bank at Ashfield, deposed that on March 11 a woman came into the bank with a young man and introduced herself as Mrs. Masterton. "I would like to know whether my husband has an account in this bank," she said to witness, who replied that he did not have an account. Two or three days later he was again questioned on the same subject by a man who came into the bank. He would not know him again. The man said he was a relation of some sort.
Melvey Holdsworth, manager of the Commercial Bank of Australia at Ashfield, deposed that on March 11 a woman came to the bank and asked whether Masterton had an account. She said she was Mrs. Masterton, and that her husband had died suddenly the previous day. Witness identified Mrs. Masterton as the woman.
Joseph Cotterill deposed that two davs before Masterton's death he had told witness that he was suffering from a painful complaint, and that he also had severe pains in the heart. Witness had never known him to make a threat, veiled or otherwise, to take his own life.
Mrs. Masterton related how her husband had come into her room about 8.30 a.m. on March 10 complaining of severe pains. She mixed him some mustard and water, and later telephoned Mr. Jones, a chemist, saying she thought her husband had taken an overdose of parraffin. Mr. Jones told her to send the bottle up so he could examine it. She made up some salt and water which Mr. Jones had told her to mix and give to her husband.
Julius Werner, confectioner, of Ashfield, deposed that about seven years ago Masterton told him that he had been having a bit of domestic trouble with his wife because Williamson had been "a bit familiar with her." Masterton later told him that Williamson was a "drunken lout," but every time he put him off Mrs. Masterton got him back.
Mrs. Edith Livingstone, of Bondi, sister of Mrs. Masterton, said she had never seen the slightest evidence of anything improper between Mrs. Masterton and Williamson.
Reginald Masterton, brother of the deceased, said his brother was on good terms with his wife. He had never heard of anything between Mrs. Masterton and Williamson, who was like one of the family. If there had been any trouble his brother would have told him.
Proceeding.
Barrier Miner
Broken Hill, NSW
Wednesday 1 May, 1929
Verdict Next Week
SYDNEY, Thursday. The inquest concerning the death of William Pioneer Masterton was resumed to-day.
Detective-Sgt. James said that Mrs. Masterton, in a statement, said that she and her husband had always been happy. Masterton and Williamson had not had rows and Masterton had not objected to Williamson being in the house. Witness read to Mrs. Masterton excerpts from statements made by Mrs. Tunstall, that shortly before Masterton's death he was walking about all night suffering from a painful com complaint, that his wife was continually grumbling and complaining about money matters, and that his business was "all up and down." making more money one week than another, that he was ashamed to show his face out of the door because Williamson was always "boozed," that often for days at a time he would not speak to Williamson, that once or twice he said he hated Williamson, and that Williamson had done three years in Melbourne. Another extract from the statement said that Masterton said: "I have just **** that black cow out," and that he said to Williamson. "Get out of my house and never come back again." Masterton continued that his wife said that "she wouldn't interfere this time."
Further extracts read by James from Mrs. Tunstall's statement was that Masterton said that he was afraid of Williamson, he was a "bad cove," and Masterton was afraid he would do him some harm. He was afraid he would burn down his store. Masterton on more than one occasion said that he was afraid to go home at night. Mrs. Tunstall and her husband walked to the gate with him after he had called there, and he had not appeared anxious to leave. He had seemed to Mr. and Mrs. Tunstall to have had some presentiment that some harm would come to him.
James continued that Mrs. Masterton said to him "How could he say he dreaded to come home when we were so happy?" Witness said to Mrs. Masterton, "From the actions of your husband, and inquiries I have made. It does not appear he was a man who contemplated taking his own life. A good deal of arsenic has been found in the body and you say, and Williamson says, that you don't know what happened. Can you suggest any persons we could interview as a means of arriving at the cause of your husband's death?" Mrs. Masterton replied "No."
Detective James said that at the Ashfield Police Station he read over to Williamson the statements made by Mrs. Tunstall. Williamson said that there was no truth in the statement and that he had not had any altercation with Masterton, and that Masterton had never struck him nor objected to his being in the house. He said that he had never purchased arsenic.
William Masterton, 17, son of the deceased, said he would not suggest any person who might wish to poison his father. Williamson was on good terms with his parents and he had never seen anything improper between his mother and Williamson. He had never heard or seen his father knocking Williamson down.
Ronald Masterton, recalled, said that his father had spoken of taking his own life six months' before his death. He had said: "A man would be better dead than suffering like this." That concluded the evidence, Mr. Abigail stating that Mrs. Masterton and James Williamson could not give any further information beyond what was contained in their statements.
The court was then adjourned. The coroner announced that he would give his verdict next week.
The Canberra Times
Friday 3 May, 1929
SYDNEY, May 2. The Inquiry into the death of William Masterton, aged 45, a carrier of Ashfleld, whose body was exhumed from Rookwood cemetery, and an analysis showed arsenic in the stomach closed to-day. The coroner reserved his decision, stating he wished to carefully consider the whole of the depositions.
Townsville Daily Bulletin
Queensland, Australia
Friday 3 May, 1929
DEATH OF WILLIAM
MASTERTON.
Wife's Visit To Banks.
SYDNEY, Tuesday.
An inquest was opened to-day concerning the death of William Pioneer Masterton, a carrier, of Ashfield, whose body was recently exhumed by the polioe. John MoKimm, chemist, said on October 5 last, two ounces of arsenic were purchased at his shop by Masterton.
Dr. John Morton said that in consultation with Dr. Parr he saw Masterton in the latter's home on March 10. Ho was in considerable pain. He told witness that he had been taking paraffin as a medicine. The last dose had caused burning sensations. Mrs. Masterton was in the room at the time. There was nothing unusual in her manner.
Witness formed the conclusion that Masterton was suffering from the effects of a dose he had taken. Pure kerosene oil would not cause any irritation of the stomach.
Dr. Gordon Lowe said that when he saw Masterton at the hospital, he could not answer any questions, and was very restless. He continually asked for water. Mrs. Masterton asked witness whether there was any need for her to wait at the hospital. He agreed that she might go, and be informed if anything went wrong. She did not go to see her husband before she left the hospital. Witness said he felt certain that Masterton was going to die.
Mr. Hayes, of the Crown Law Department: In regard to Mrs. Masterton leaving the hospital, are you sure you did not say 'It won't do you much good staying here, now.'
Witness: I might have said, 'You can't do much good by staying here."
The Senior Assistant Government Analyst said he had examined Masterton's stomach, and had found arsenic to be present. He also examined the contents of a bottle labelled 'liquid paraffin' and found strong traces of arsenic.
Dr. Palmer, Government Medical Officer, said in his opinion death was due to poisoning by arsenic. He said it was also his opinion that a large dose of arsenic had been administered within two or three days of the death of deceased.
Dr. Leslle Parr said that when he saw Masterton after he had collapsed, his wife said her husband had been taken very ill after taking some liquid paraffln. Masterton told witness that he had taken a table-spoon of paraffin from the same bottle the day before, and it had not affected him. It had tasted different that morning from the day before. It had burnt his mouth and chest, and gave him a severe pain in the stomach. Wltness left, but returned an hour later and asked for the bottle containing the liquid paraffin. Mrs. Masterton and her son, and a Mr. Williamson were there, and one of them handed him the bottle. There were only a few drops of fluid in it, and he tasted it and found it tasteless, resembling water. He said, 'This is not paraffin,' and some one replied, 'Oh, we have washed out the bottle.' Witness said he was told the chemist had asked them to wash out the bottle. Witness said he was told the contents of the bottle had been thrown "over against the fence," but when he examined the soil at the spot indicated he failed to find anything oily.
Witness expressed the opinion that tho death of Mastorton was due to acute arsenic poisoning.
Arthur Victor Eddy, manager of N.B. and A. Bank, at Ashfield, said on March 11 a woman came into the bank with a young man, and introduced herself as Mrs. Masterton, 'I would like to know whether my hus- band has an account in this bank,' she said to witness, who replied that he did not have an account.
Two or three days later, he was again questioned on the same subject by a man, who came into the bank. He would not know him again. The man said he was a relation of some sort.
Malvoy Holdsworth, manager of the Commercial Bank of Australia at Ashfield, said on the same date a woman came to the bank and asked whether Masterton had an account. She said she was Mrs. Masterton, and that her husband had dled suddenly the previous day. Witness identified Mrs. Masterton as the woman.
Joseph Catterill said that two days before Masterton's death, he had told witness that he was suffering from a painful oomplaint, and that he also had severe pains in the head. Witness had never heard him make a threat, veiled or otherwise, to take his own life.
Sergeant Clifford said he had asked Mrs. Masterton whether she would give him the bottle from which her husband had been taking the liquid paraffin. She gave him an empty bottle. Witness obtained another medicine bottle from the room. It contained about an inch of fluid. Both bottles were taken to the Government analyst. Mrs, Masterton reIated how her husband had come into her room, about 8.30 a.m. on March 10, complaining of severe pains. She mixed him some mustard and water, and later had telephoned ohemist Jones, saying that she thought her husband had taken an overdose of paraffin. Jones had told her to send the bottlo up, so he could examine it. She made up some salt and water, whioh Jones had told her to mix, and give to her husband. A few minutes later, James Wllliamson, who boarded with them, asked what was the matter, Williamson then went through the yard, where he saw Masterton. He asked, 'What is the matter, Will,' and Masterton told him he had taken a dose of paraffin.
When the inquest concerning the death of William Pioneer Masterton was resumed to-day, more than 20 witnesses had already been examined.
Detective Sergeant James said Mrs. Masterton, in reply to a question, said she and her husband were always happy. Masterton and Williamson had not had rows, and Masterton had not objected to Williamson being in the house.
Witness read out to Mrs. Masterton excerpts from the statement made by Mrs. Tunstal, that, shortly before Masterton's death, he was walking about all night suffering from a painful complaint, that his wife was continuously growling and complaining about money matters, that his business was 'up and down,' making more money one week than another, that he was ashamed to put his face out of the door because Williamson was always 'boozed,' that often, when having a meal at the same table he would not speak to Williamson, that, once or twice he hated Williamson, and that he did not say Williamson had done three years in Melbourne.
Another excerpt read by James was that Masterton said, "I have just dashed that black cow out," adding that he said to Williamson, 'Get out of my house and never come back again.' Masterton continued that his wife said she did not intend to interfere this time.
Further extracts read by James from Mrs. Tunsal's statement were that Masterton said he was afraid of Williamson, he was a 'bad cove,' and that Masterton was afraid he would do him some harm. He was afraid he would burn down his store, Masterton had said on more than one occasion that he hated to go home at night.
Mrs. Tunstal and her husband walked to the gate with him after he had called on them. He had not appeared anxious to leave. He had seemed to Mr. and Mrs. Tunsall to have a presentiment that some harm would come to him.
James continued that Mrs. Masterton, said to him, "how could people say he dreaded to oome home, when we were always so happy.'
Witness said to Mrs. Masterton, "From the actions of your husband and the inquiries I have made, it does not appear that he was a man who contemplated taking his own life. A good deal of arsenic has been found in the body, and you say, and so does Williamson, that you don't know what happened. Can you suggest any persons we could inter- vlew, who might assist at arriving at the cause of your husband's death.' Mrs. Masterton replied 'No.'
Detective James said at Ashfield Police Station he read over to Williamson the statement made by Mrs. Tunstall. Williamson said there was no truth in the statement, adding, that he had not had an altercation with Masterton, and that Masterton had never struck him nor objected to his being in the house. He said he had never purohased arsenic.
William Masterton, 17, son of the deceased, said he oould not suggest any person who mlght have poisoned his father. Williamson was on good terms with his parents. He had never seen anything improper between his mother and Williamson. He had nevor heard or seen his father knocking Williamson down.
Ronald Masterton, recalled, said his father had spoken of taking his own life six months before his death. He had said, 'A man would be better dead than suffering like this."
This concluded the evidenoe. Mr. Abigail, stating that Mrs. Masterton and James Williamson could not glve any further information beyond what was contained in thelr statements.
The Coroner announced that he will give his verdlct next week.
The Maitland Weekly Mercury
NSW
Saturday 4 May, 1929
A Suspicious Case
SYDNEY, May 14. An open verdict was given to-day by the coroner who investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of William P. Masterton, carrier, Ashfield, who died on March 10, and his remains were exhumed three weeks later and arsenic was found in the body.
The Coroner said he found Masterton had died of poisoning by arsenic administered to him at his home on March 10, but whether administered by himself, or feloniously by someone else there was no evidence to show. He added he did not feel Masterton poisoned himself by mistake, and was not inclined to believe he committed suicide.
Townsville Daily Bulletin
Queensland, Australia
Wednesday 15 May, 1929
MASTERTON.-In loving memory of my husband and our father. William Masterton. who passed away March 10, 1929. Inserted by his wife, Ronald and William.
Sydney Morning Herald
New South Wales, Australia
Tuesday 10 March, 1931