The following story is about a teacher who went from town to town setting up schools for a short time then leaving under a cloud of suspicion. First in Perth in 1892 then to Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie then on to Perth again then Bunbury with the same results. However, Mr. Murtagh was in no way perturbed and sued for his fees a large number of the parents who removed their children from his school for his ‘Disgusting Habits’. He also sued one father for slander for £7000 and received costs of 1 farthing (this is a quarter of a penny). He was to move to the Eastern States and then on to Tasmania. Who knows if the allegations were true but it seems he was never investigated by the education authorities.
MURTAGH’S PRIVATE SCHOOL – Coolgardie
Presbyterian Church, Coolgardie
‘Twelve months after the opening of the Presbyterian Church, a High School was opened in the church with six pupils, which was increased to sixty within three months.
Classes were under the personal supervision of Dr. J.J. Murtagh, a former Principal of Fremantle Academy. Later, when unpleasant allegations were made against him, he was followed to his home on Lindsay Street and subjected to a very hostile demonstration. One parent threatened to horsewhip him and another was taken into custody for assault.
‘T’Othersider’ newspaper suggested that Dr. Murtagh clear out, adding: ‘No person with such an extraordinary notion of the pabulum suitable for the intellectual digestion of the young person is a safe preceptor for youth. Dr. Murtagh took the advice and left town and the school closed down
From ‘The Sun’ 11th April 1909:- Dr. Murtagh, the pedagogue who conducted a school in Collins street. Kalgoorlie, about a couple of years ago (A man whose name was connected with some serious charges at Coolgardie some ten or eleven years previously has reappeared in the limelight in Perth. It was only in the case of a summons issued by him to recover tuition fees,but it is worth noting that the magistrate was moved to enquire ” How is it there are so many
disturbances with this man ?” and the opposing lawyer was allowed to remark: — ” He’s always in court, your worship. In Sydney, he was just the same. Here in the Supreme Court he sued for slander and obtained one farthing cost. Children are taken away on account of his disgusting habits.” The ” Sunday Times ” suggests that the Minister for Education should satisfy himself whether Murtagh is a suitable person to have control of children.
The West Australian 1909
David Senn has kindly sent in this additional information on James Murtagh:
Name: James Joseph Murtagh (known as J. J. Murtagh, Dr J. J. Murtagh or Professor Murtagh) B.A. – Bachelor of Arts, Ph.D – Doctor of Philosophy. James was born on 16 May 1854 (written on the grave) and was born in Ireland. James Joseph MURTAGH married Lilian Francis ATKINSON, daughter of James ATKINSON and Annie FRANCIS, in 1893 in Perth.
Children:
- Mary Gladys MURTAGH was born in 1894 in Perth. Mary Gladys MURTAGH never married. She died on 19 July 1978 in Bentley, WA.
- Beatrice Marguerite MURTAGH was born in 1896 in Waverley, New South Wales. Beatrice married Alfred Spangenberg in 1922 in Perth. It looks like they changed their surname to “Spanney” (possibly due to WW1). She died on 5 August 1966 in Bayswater, WA
- There is some indication that Frank Lincoln ATKINSON (b. 1893, Melbourne – d. 1958, Perth) was also his son to Lilian. He is recorded as a Pupil Teacher when James set up a school In Albany.
Lilian Francis MURTAGH died on 13 December 1932 in Perth Hospital late of Corrigin, aged 63. She died of her injuries from a car accident near Mundaring.
James died on 11 October 1920 in Los Angeles, California He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles.
A brief history of James’ time in Australia.
James first appeared in the Australian newspapers in January 1890. He travelled overland from Sydney to Newtown in January 1890. He was recorded working at “Newtown Unsectarian Academy” in February 1890 (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108796310). Sold furniture of the “Newtown Unsectarian Academy” in April 1890. Started the “Randwick College”, Mear’s Avenue, Randwick, NSW, in June 1890 (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13779381).
In June 1892, James charged James Pearce with an inappropriate auctioning process resulting in a loss of sales and not handing over rental property keys resulting in an additional month’s rental.
J. Murtagh arrived in Fremantle aboard the steamer ALBANY on 24 November 1892, leaving Melbourne on 22 October 1892 (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77387556).
Advertised on 10 December 1892 the opening of a Private Day and Boarding School called “Riverview College” on St George’s Terrace, Perth, adjoining Government House Grounds. He stated he had twelve years of experience in Sydney. He called himself a “Doctor” and indicated his address as “The Homeopathic Pharmacy”, Murray Street, Perth (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3043001).
In July 1897, Court Case in Coolgardie between James and J. Barry over the cost of a piano. This disagreement led to Mrs Barry withdrawing her boys from James’ school and making a “statement to him containing certain charges.” She didn’t want them investigated.
In August 1897, Court Case in Coolgardie between James and Mr Rigg over school fees. An accusation was made that James had spoken to the boys at his school about the “Mount Rennie affair” and discussed rape. The Rigg’s boy apparently told his mother, who subsequently heard rumours of James’ improper conduct towards girls under his tuition. James lost the case. An article in the Coolgardie Miner (13 August 1897 – Page 5) provides a very biased account of the events after the court case finished. On appeal in November 1897, the court case, the verdict was reversed.
In August 1898, James took Mr Riggs to court for slander and won the case. At the same time James took Miss Glasson to court for defamation and won the case.
James on the principal role of the “Bunbury College” in Bunbury, WA, in July 1899 from Dr Lovegrove. He left Bunbury College due to the poor health of himself and his wife, seeking a drier climate in July 1903. He left with high praise and many letters of recommendation. James moved to Kalgoorlie in July 1903 to work at the Kalgoorlie High School. He had an undertaking with the Kalgoorlie Catholic Church that he would leave when the Christian Brothers arrived (Feb. 1905). In January 1905, James was in Northam attempting to establish a High School, which opened in February 1905 at the Transcontinental Hotel in Northam.
In May 1905, James was accused of exaggerating his influence in gaining work for one of six boys in the State services. James argued with Northam Council about his water bill. Left Northan and moved back to Kalgoorlie, establishing a private collage in July 1905, initially in the Presbyterian Hall and then the Guild Hall, next to the Wesley Church. A court case in November 1906 regarding James suing Mr and Mrs Langmead for school fees, was more widely known for how long James kept talking.
In January 1907, James looked to establish a High School at Midland Junction, which started in early January 1907. James started a High School in Albany in March 1907. James took P. Guckin to court over breach of contract relating to failing to send his son to school. Indications that indefinite rumours developed in Albany about James’ moral character. Impacted the number of students who attended his school.
A” J. Murtagh” complained to the newspapers (editorial) about the Catholic Christian Brothers smacking children. James sends a letter to the newspapers (editorial) indicating that J. Murtagh is not him. A very biased article appears in the Sunday Times regarding James for tuition fees. Accusations were made about James’ “Disgusting Habits” at school.
In May 1909, James inherited over £100, 000 from his father’s estate in Ireland and departed Western Australia with his family bound for Europe aboard the German Steamer, SEYDLITZ. James returned to Western Australia by January 1912 and worked at Morgans in the Goldfields. A newspaper article in July 1912 indicates that James worked at St. Louis College, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada as headmaster and studied in Ireland.
James outside of Australia.
James is recorded as arriving in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from Victoria, Australia (originally coming from Western Australia), in October 1915, bound for Los Angeles. Recorded as Irish. Mentioned Lilian in Perth, WA. Occupation: School Teacher. In the 1920 USA Federal Census, James was living with Lilian in Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, working as a Music Teacher. Lilian was recorded as Australian. (https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4293704-00194)
Summary.
James was too quick to seek litigation when the parents did not pay fees. This litigation led to disagreement with the residents of the towns where he was living. However, James was very successful in teaching in Perth, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie and was well-praised for his teaching skills. He had the most difficulties in smaller towns like Northam, Coolgardie and Albany. The problems may have arisen due to James’ misunderstanding of how smaller communities work and engage together. The Coolgardie issue may have happened or been an exaggeration based on James’ suing people and how rumours can spread. The Coolgardie issue followed James to Albany when he intended to set up a school.
Personally, I think, based on all the articles across his time in Australia, James showed he had a good character and was trying to set up his business of private school. Still, he was too quick to seek unpaid fees and tended to upset people in some towns.
Moya Sharp
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