Home Office
Leprosy
Correspondence Re lepers and leper colonies - Friday, Fitzroy,
Peel and Stradbroke Islands and False Cape. Complaints, Police
and Medical Reports.
COL /264 1889 - 1903 Queensland State Archives
COL /265 1892 - 1936 Queensland State Archives
COL /266 1896 - 1911 Queensland State Archives
COL /267 1897 - 1917 Queensland State Archives
COL /268 1911 - 1936 Queensland State Archives
COL /269 1895 - 1901 Queensland State Archives
COL /270 1896 - 1914 Queensland State Archives
COL /271 1891 - 1899 Queensland State Archives
COL /272 1891 - 1905 Queensland State Archives
COL /264 1889 - 1903
21.11.1892 1892/13806
Mentions the following
Billy, Aborigine, Maryborough November 1892
11. 7.1892 1892/6990
From Police, Charleville
Bando Tommy, suspected leper, died at Cunnamulla
21. 8.1894 Lists information about lepers
Date 3.12.1891 Recently discovered leper was an Aborigine at
Cunnamulla.
Date 21.12.1892 Two supposed lepers reported at Georgetown
Date Possibly November 1893. Aborigine at Barrow Point with
apparently advanced leprosy. Other Aborigines affected same way.
Date . 4.1893 Herberton. Supposed leper, Red Cap. No medical
examination. Died same time.
Date . 1.1892 Townsville. An Aborigine believed to be suffering
from leprosy
Printed report headed 'Particulars Relating to Lepers Who Have Been
Placed Under Restraint'. Mentions
Billy Knight, at Friday Island, dead
Dated 1894.
26.11.1895 1895/13170
Paddy, believed to have been suffering from leprosy, died 25.11.1895
at Cunnamulla. He was buried on 26.11.1895. Also known as
Bowra Paddy. He was buried by an Aborigine named Joe. Details of
Bowra Paddy, dated 1895, are
Name Bowra Paddy
Country Queensland
Age About 30 years
Where discovered Cunnamulla
Where now One mile from Cunnamulla, isolated
Notes Bowra Paddy came from Yarran Vale Station near Eulo.
Return of Lepers at Friday Island, Dunwich and Stradbroke Island
Mentions
Billy Knight, discovered November 1892, dead, Friday Island
Peter, discovered March 1896, Friday Island
Simpan, discovered March 1896, Friday Island
George, discovered September 1896, Friday Island
Maggie H/C, discovered 1898, Dunwich
31. 5.1898 List of lepers
Toby, Friday Island, dead
George, Friday Island
Peter, Friday Island
COL /265 1892 - 1936
Polly, Georgetown
26. 2.1900 Suspected leper. Held in Government Paddock, Georgetown.
25. 2.1900 Report gives following information
Name Polly
Country Etheridge and Charleston
Where discovered Donnybrook
Where now Isolated in Police Paddock four miles
from Georgetown.
23. 5.1900 Polly to be arrested for testing. Believed to be in the
Charleston district.
3. 6.1900 Seen about eight days ago about four miles from
Charleston with her black boy.
16. 6.1900 Report gives following information
Name Polly
Country Etheridge and Charleston
Where discovered Still at large
Where now Supposed at Copperfield. Policeman and
Tracker from Charleston in pursuit.
25. 8.1900 Polly rearrested about five miles from Charleston
9.10.1900 Polly NOT a leper
Annie, Mackay
2. 1.1900 Suspected leper. Husband is Tobie.
2. 1.1900 Annie removed to leper station. She is the wife of
Tobie, a Polynesian, recently isolated at the leper station.
4. 1.1900 Report gives following information
Name Annie
Country Queensland
Age About 20 years
Where discovered Lukes SSI Boarding House, Nebo Rd, Mackay
Date 2. 1.1900
Where now Leper Station, Bakers Creek
Notes This gin Annie is the wife of Tobie SSI who was removed to
the temporary Leper station as a suspected leper on 21.12.1899. She
has been residing near Plane Creek and came to town on the 1st
instant. She was examined by the Government Medical Officer who
ordered her removal to the Leper Station.
12. 1.1900 To be removed to the Friday Island Lazaret
Various
1901 The following lepers are awaiting deportation to Friday Island
Tommy (Aboriginal) and Joe Tanna @ Nonacum (PI) at Stradbroke Is
Willie Motlop (PI) at Port Douglas
Tef-na-Tooey (PI) at Halifax
NB PI = Pacific Islander
Various, Friday Island
31. 8.1898 Mentions various Islanders and
Peter, aged 22 years, admitted 19. 3.1896, native of Port Darwin.
Had been working at Geraldton before admission.
George, aged 30 years, admitted 15.12.1896. had been working on
a cattle station near Croydon.
COL /266 1896 - 1911
Various, 1903
Lepers to be taken to Friday Island
Dick, of Bauhinia Downs, from Rockhampton
Willie Lifu (PI), from Mackay
Tom Guy of Ayr (PI) and Jackie of Cluden (PI) from Townsville
Joe, Herberton
17. 8.1904 Joe in Herberton Hospital
15. 8.1904 Report gives the following information
Name Joe
Country Queensland
Age About 34 years
Where discovered Upper Russell Goldfield
Date 15. 8.1904
Where now Herberton Hospital
22. 8.1904 NOT a leper
Various, Lazarets
6. 1.1905 Letter gives the following information
Aborigines at Friday Island Leper station
Peter, from Geraldton, aged 34 years, sent March 1896
Annie, from Mackay, aged 20 years, sent 8. 2.1900
Tommy, from Eulo, sent 9. 2.1901
Thomas Moreton, from Myora near Dunwich, aged 24 years,
sent 23.11.1904
Remainder of patients are Pacific Islander together with one
Chinese.
Aborigines at Stradbroke Island Leper Station
Dick, from Bauhinia Downs Banana, aged 40 years, sent 22.10.1903
Harry Apia
Amongst the file are the following
12. 1.1900 Tobie, of Mackay, to be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
12. 1.1900 Annie, of Mackay, to be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
26.10.1904 Thomas Moreton, of Myora, to be removed to Friday
Island Lazaret
10. 3.1896 Peter, lately of Geraldton but now of Cairns, to be
removed to Friday Island Lazaret
COL /267 1897 - 1917
Charlie, Hambledon
27. 2.1905 Suspected leper
21. 3.1905 To be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
Tommy Gostelow, Laura
4. 1.1906 Suspected leper
13. 1.1906 Report gives the following information
Name Tommy Gostelow
Age About 27 years
Country Native of Laura
Where discovered Laura River
Date About 12 months ago
Where now Laura
Note This boy was living with the Gostelow family some years ago.
Gostelow Senior is supposed to have died from leprosy about 8 years
ago. One of his sons, Frederick Gostelow, is also supposed to be
suffering from the same disease.
George, Maytown
26.11.1914 Report gives following information
Name George
Age About 20 years
Occupation Bushwork on Station
Residence Maytown Blacks Camp
Previous residence Chillagoe Station
4.12.1914 George removed from Maytown to Cooktown
11.12.1914 Confirmed leper
15.12.1914 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
COL /268 1911 - 1936
Peter Finger, Cooktown
18. 7.1925 Suspected leper. Received from Cooktown.
28. 7.1925 Aged 30 years. At North Shore, Cooktown.
26. 7.1925 Report gives following information
Name Peter Finger
Where discovered Laura
Date 15. 7.1925
Where now North Shore, near Cooktown
Note This Aborigine is a half-brother to George who is also
suspected of being a leper and detained at Cairns.
Also mentioned in covering letter are
Jimmy Brogan @ Jimmy Brocham F/B
George H/C
David Armstrong F/B, Innisfail
McGreehan F/B, looking after Peter Finger
24. 8.1925 Confirmed leper
19. 8.1925 Report gives following information
Name Peter Finger
Age About 30 years
Occupation Sandalwood cutter
Residence Laura District
5. 9.1925 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
10. 9.1925 The following lepers left Cairns for Peel Island
Jimmy Brogan @ Jimmy Brocham
George H/C
David Armstrong joined group at Innisfail
Peter Finger remained at North Shore
29.10.1925 Peter Finger on way to Brisbane
Paddy Foley, Laura
3.12.1929 Paddy Foley normally roams about the vicinity of the
Morehead River. Paddy had a gin Topsy who he lived with till about
six months ago. Paddy is a suspected leper. Both were brought to
Laura. Also picked up was Frank Tealeaf who was then sent to Palm
Island.
4.12.1929 Paddy Foley and gin Topsy Taken to Cooktown for
inspection. Topsy doesnt have leprosy. Details about Paddy are
as follows
Name Paddy Foley
Age About 40 years
Country Maytown
Where discovered Laura district
Date November 1929
Where now Cooktown Lockup
7.12.1929 Paddy now at Cooktown Lockup.
9.12.1929 Confirmed leper
10.12.1919 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
Several Aborigines, Coen
29. 3.1932 The following confirmed lepers
Eva
Annie
Jessie
Frank
Young Willie Dog
17. 3.1932 All from Dulcie River.
11. 2.1932 Aborigines captured near Moreton Telegraph Station
11. 3.1932 Following information given
Young Willie Dog, aged about 16 years
Frank, aged about 28 years
Annie, aged about 43 years, VD as well
Jessie, aged about 60 years, blind
Eva, aged about 40 years
12. 3.1932 About an escort of 14 Aborigines from Coen, 6 are
suspected lepers, 2 suspected VD and 5 on Removal Order to
Palm Island. Also with them was Jack who was accompaning his
wife who was one of the suspected lepers. The six suspected
lepers were
Young Willie Dog, about 16 years
Frank, about 28 years
Jerry
Jessie, about 60 years
Annie, about 43 years
Vera (Eva), about 40 years
On inspection Jerry didnt have leprosy. Annie also had VD.
Three patients having VD were
Jimmy Lena, also on Removal Order to Palm Island
Lena
Jack
Young Willie Dog, Frank, Jessie, Annie and Eva are all natives of
Moreton, about 150 miles from Coen North.
Jerry and Kitty have been certified as free of all diseases and
are recommended for removal to Palm Island with the others.
8. 4.1932 Young Willie Dog, Frank, Jessie, Annie and Eva are all
to be removed to Peel Island Lazaret.
Dulcie Freeman, Woorabinda
1. 9.1932 Confirmed leper
2. 9.1932 To be removed from Woorabinda to Peel Island Lazaret
. 3.1934 Cured and to be discharged from Peel Island
Tilly Bond, Woorabinda
8. 5.1935 Confirmed leper
1. 7.1935 To be removed from Woorabinda to Peel Island Lazaret
Ned Brooks (Ned Brookes), Millaa Millaa
8. 6.1932 Confirmed leper. Half-caste Aborigine aged 19 years.
9. 6.1932 To be removed from Millaa Millaa to Peel Island Lazaret
24. 6.1932 Mentions
John Thomas, declared a leper
Ned Brooks
Jimmy Kangaroo or Jimmy Jacobs, not a leper
12. 8.1935 Cured and discharged from Peel Island
Lindsay Baker, Cairns
20. 2.1935 Confirmed leper.
26. 2.1935 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
Banjo Bond, Camboon
18.10.1934 Confirmed leper
22.10.1934 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
Pat Booter (Paddy Booter), Woorabinda
27. 8.1932 Confirmed leper
2. 9.1932 To be removed from Woorabinda to Peel Island Lazaret
. 3.1934 Cured and discharged from Peel Island
Bella, Cooktown
30.10.1933 Confirmed leper
31.10.1933 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
1.12.1933 Also mentions Reggie Anderson of Palm Island
Eric Brown, Beaudesert
3. 7.1934 Confirmed leper
4. 7.1934 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
Reggie Anderson, Palm Island
1.12.1933 Aged 18 years. Has leprosy. Also mentions Bella.
8.12.1933 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
Mina Button, Cherbourg
22. 9.1933 Confirmed leper
23. 9.1933 To be removed from Cherbourg to Peel Island Lazaret
COL /269 1895 - 1901
This item appears to betaken from a register of some sort.
It lists names and details of lepers and following are details
of those marked Aboriginal
Billy Knight, from Maryborough, at Friday Island,
sent November 1892, dead
Peter, aged 34 years, from Geraldton, at Friday Island,
sent March 1896
George, from Croydon, at Friday Island, sent September 1896
Toby, from Cooktown, at Friday Island, sent July 1897,
died 3. 7.1898
Maggie, from near Charleville, at Dunwich, H/C, sent 11.10.1898
Charlie, from Starcke River Cooktown, at 8 Mile Police Camp
Cooktown, sent 12.11.1898, died
Charlie, Starcke River
6.12.1898 Charlie suspected leper. He belongs to the Starcke
River blacks and is said to be generally camped at Mumburra.
20.12.1898 report gives following information
Name Charlie
Country Starcke
Where discovered Starcke River
Date 30.11.1898
Where now 8 Mile Police Station
28. 1.1899 Confirmed leper
30. 1.1899 To be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
13. 4.1899 Charlie died 12. 4.1899. Buried 13. 4.1899
Tommy, Yowah Creek, Eulo
2. 6.1900 Suspected leper Tommy camped at Yowah Creek thirty six
miles from Eulo.
2. 6.1900 Report gives following information
Name Tommy
Country Queensland
Where discovered Yowah Creek
Date 31. 5.1900
Where now Yowah Creek
Note This supposed leper has been living amongst a number of blacks.
He has a gin and three children.
22. 6.1900 Tommy at Dunwich
19. 7.1900 Confirmed leper. To be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
COL /270 1896 - 1914
Jerry, Mareeba
18. 3.1914 Jerry confirmed leper
1. 4.1914 States Jerry from Mareeba and includes photographs.
Also states Jerry is a wild black and we have to keep him
chained up.
29. 4.1914 To be removed to Peel Island Lazaret
13.10.1914 Jerry died 2.10.1914 at Leper Bay, Cairns
George, Croydon
27. 8.1896 George living at the Blacks Camp near Croydon with
his gin. Both have VD.
1. 9.1896 Both gone to Vena Park about 80 miles from Normanton
21. 9.1896 George to be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
13. 9.1896 George is 35 years old and intelligent for an
Aboriginal
19. 7.1904 George died Friday Island Lazaret
Charlie, Cairns
10. 1.1905 Tracker Charlie, lately at Tate River, and now at Cairns
14. 1.1905 Mentions tests for
Tracker Charlie
Frederick Gostello (Gostelow)
13. 1.1905 Report gives following information
Name Charlie
Age About 35 years
Where discovered Cairns
Date 10. 1.1905
Where now Hambledon Police Station
Note The supposed leper was a Tracker at the Tate Police Station
and was brought to Cairns by Constable Ford on 5th instant in
charge of stolen cattle.
21. 1.1905 Confirmed leper
.1905 Report gives following information
Name Tracker Charlie
Age About 25 years
Occupation Black Tracker
Residence Tate River Police Station
Previous Residence Cooktown district
1. 2.1905 To be removed to Friday Island Lazaret
15. 1.1907 Charlie died at Lazaret sunday evening.
Friday Island Lazaret
6. 6.1907 Lazaret to be closed. Following to be removed to
Peel Island Lazaret (only Aboriginal entries listed)
Peter
Annie
Thomas Moreton
Stradbroke Island Lazaret
6. 6.1907 Lazaret to be closed. Following to be removed to
Peel Island Lazaret (only Aboriginal entries listed)
Dick
Lazaret
12. 2.1907 Tommy Cooktown died last night
COL /271 1891 - 1899
Billy, Aboriginal from Maryborough, Friday Island, November 1892
Also known as Billy Knight. Died January 1893 at Friday Island
Lazaret.
COL /272 1891 - 1905
Peter, Aboriginal, from Geraldton, Friday Island, March 1896
George, Aboriginal, from Croydon, Friday Island, September 1896
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