William Pioneer Mackay Masterton (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
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
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