69 Dudley Street

The Derelict Head. Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25/5/1895

The human head found on the St. Kilda beach on the 7th instant by Mr. Green, and which was taken to the Morgue, has at length been

satisfactorily identified. A man named Thomas Fergusson, employed on the Victorian Railways, went to the Morgue a day or two ago and identified the head as that of his brother in-law, Michael Mullery, a married man, who resided with his wife at No. 69 Dudley street.

West Melbourne. He went to his sister, Mrs. Mullery, and informed her what he had seen. Mrs. Mullery then visited the Morgue, and also identified the head as that of her husband; Michael. The head was identified by the teeth and other marks. Fergusson again visited the Morgue on Tuesday, and formally identified the head as that of his brother-in-law. It appears from the statement of Fergusson that Mullery, who had been drinking freely, left home for Warrnambool about six weeks ago, and has not been soon or heard of since. He may have been lost overboard from one of the steamers trading to Warrnambool, or may have jumped overboard without being missed, or it is quite probable that he may have never gone on the steamship, and wandered into the Bay while under the influence of drink. Mullery was 37 years of age, 5ft 9in in height, and of stout build. It has not yet been ascertained how he was, dressed when he: left home. Superintendent Brown will dispatch Detective Sergeant Cawsey to interview Mrs. Mullery and obtain further particulars when that officer returns from the duty he is at present engaged on.